A Compendious View Of the late TUMULTS TROUBLES In This KINGDOM BY WAY OF ANNALS For SEVEN YEARS VIZ. From the beginning of the 30th to the End of the 36th Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King Charles II. of Blessed Memory By J. W. Esq Longa est Injuria Longae Ambages Sed summa sequar Fastigia Rerum Vir. Aen. 1. London Printed by Edw. Jones for S. Lownds over against Exeter Exchange in the Strand 1685. To the Right Honourable HENRY Earl of Clarendon Vicount Cornbury and Baron HIDE of Hindon One of the Lords of His Majesties Most Honourable Privy-Council MY LORD I Present your Lordship with a small Compendium of many Great and Strange Revolutions The Greatest perhaps that ever happen'd in England in so short a space of Time A Tempestuous season in which some Waves have dasht against your Lordship thô of so eminent a Character for Loyalty and Goodness But when Princes themselves suffer 't is the best Subjects Glory to suffer with them This My Lord was no New thing to your Lordship who was in a manner born a Sufferer for Monarchy and whose Blooming Years had the Honour to share in the same Exile with your King 'T is strangely fatal to consider that those against whom the disaffected Party made of late the Lowdest outcry were Old Cavaliers A Word almost forgotten had not that Occasion brought it again to Memory It seems there needs no more than to read the Faction backwards and one may see by their false Clamours who were the Kings best Ministers and Friends 'T was the true Honour and Allegiance of that August Assembly in which your Lordship made one of the Better Part that has Eternized the Fame of Englands Baronage and made it Glorious and beloved for ever No will Posterity forget a just Applause to the Illustrious Name of Clarendon when they read it in the List of those Truly Noble Peers who in Duty to the Crown and Royal Family incurr'd the Angry Vote of a numerous a Violent and Over-daring Party Your Lordship being so far and so honourably concern'd in the History of these Times it is my Ambition to take this Occasion to declare my self MY LORD Your Lordships Most Obedient Humble Servant James Wright THE Preface THere are some Scandals so Gross that the Bare Repetition of them is a sufficient Refutation and manifestation of their Falsehood In like manner some Actions are so unwarrantable to all men of Reason that only to relate them is to disgrace the Actors and those Principles that occasion'd such extravagant behaviour Such I esteem the factious Tumults and Riotous Proceedings which of late Years have disturb'd the Quiet of so many honest Men and Loyal Subjects to the Terror of this and Amazement of all the Neighboring Nations The Vehemency of which Revolutions did appear too like that of Naples in the Year 1647. 'T is true these were not so suddain nor altogether so Bloody which must be ascribed to the Almighty Power and Goodness of God and the Vigilant Prudence of His late Majesty of glorious Memory We see what the Party offer'd Not to mention the Street-Tumults How like were the Riots at our Guild-Hall to those at their Church of the Carmelites And to their tumultuous burning the Gabellers Goods I think I may not unaptly compair our burning the Pope and other Burnings And to parallel their Massaniello a poor Fisherman but of stupendious Authority had not we also a little Creature of as Low and obscure Quality bateing his assumed Cassok who was as much adored and I may say almost Deifyed by the Rabble I am heartily sorry and asham'd to think That the chief chief Disparity between their Case and ours will appear to the Disadvantage of the English For what the Neopolitans did they were induced to on the sole Account of their grievous and Intolerable Gabells but we a free and happy People became Seditious and so very unquiet for no present Cause but only future apprehensions and as the Event has shewed 'em to be meer Chimaerical and empty Fears But praised be God Peoples Eyes begin to be open and time has apply'd a Collyrium that makes us see cleerly through the Pretences and Vmbrage that was raised to serve a Faction It is easy now to distinguish the stalking horse from the Fowler that sculks behind Which thing of late Years many either cou'd not or wou'd not see being inwardly as Purblind as he was outwardly that misled ' em And in this I think the Nation is not a little obliged to the Excellent Author of the Observator A person who may be compared to some Pictures that are placed too neer the sight to discover their true value I am confident that the next Age who will behold him at a more advantagious and impartial Distance will have a truer and far greater esteem of his Merits I do not at all admire but think it extream natural that the Disloyal Party and their Adherents do hate him with such a perfect hatred How could they Possibly do otherwise to one who discovers their Cheat and puts 'em by from what they had been so long designing when they were arrived almost to the very Day of Execution The Subject of this little Book most of which was Printed before His late Majesty fell ill is only to remember in a short Abstract what strange and unwarrantable Proceedings have been within the space of Seven Years lately past with what Heats they were transacted how Truth and Loyalty were run down with noise and Cant and how People were scared out of their Wits with such Monstrous Legends that had not we who are now alive seen it with our Eyes who would have believed it Posterity will scarce credit the folly of their Ancestors or if they do they will blush to think an Englishman cou'd be so far imposed upon The Memory of these things ought to keep People from Runing upon the same Shelves and Sands where formerly we were in Danger to have perisht He that would give a Punctual and Particular Account of all the Narratives Discoveries Tryals Executions Speeches Votes Accusations Examinations Commitments Tumultuous Elections Petitions Ryots Libells and Seditious Attempts of all sorts during the said time must write a History more Voluminous than Fox or Hollinshead I pretend not therefore to observe all particulars that happen'd in this space of time but only those which I thought most Material and of greatest Note What I have related was set down every thing at the time when it happen'd Meer matter of Fact without any Reflections otherwise than as the thing it self does reflect to the Dishonour of that Faction which has occasion'd all these past Troubles and to the Glory of that God who has deliver'd us out of the Danger I hope those who have been seduced and misled by Specious pretences into ill Actions as Charity bids me think there are many such will by reflection on the past see and abhor
In fine the same method of proceedings may be made use of against the Commons by the Lords These Inconveniencies the King is Resolved to abolish and hath Commanded me to say to you State super vias antiquas If this Session do not repair the misfortunes and amend the faults of the last it will look like a fatality upon the Nation He whose house is destroyed by Fire would find but little Comfort in saying the Fire did not begin by his means but it will be a perpetual Anguish to him to remember that it lay in his power to extinguish it And so concludes with strong persuasives to Peace and a Composure of all Differences Monday May 27. Resolved in the House of Commons That the House taking into Consideration the State of His Majesties Affairs and the great charge and Burthen that His Majesty and the Nation lyes under by the Army now in Being are humbly of Opinion That if His Majesty please to think fit to enter into the War against the French King this House is and always will be ready to support and assist him in that War But if otherwise That they will proceed to the Consideration of providing for the Speedy Disbanding of the Army The House further Ordered That the Members of this House who are of His Majesties privy Council do acquaint the King with these Votes and pray His Majesties Answer To this the King returned the following Answer which was read in the House of Commons the next day It contained That the French King hath made such offers of a Cessation till the 27th of July as His Majesty doth not only believe will be accepted but will end in a General Peace yet since that is not certain he does not think it prudent to dismiss either Fleet or Army before that time nor doth he think it will add much to the charge in regard the raising Mony and paying them off would take up that time were they to be Disbanded as speedily as possibly In the mean time he desires Mony for their subsistance that as hetherto they have been the most orderly Army that ever came together they may be encouraged to continue so And concludes with reminding the House of the 200000 l. formerly mentioned in His Speech which he wants for His Houshold The next day of sitting being Thursday the 30th of May the Commons Vote unanimously That all Forces rais'd since the 29th of September last except those transported to Forrain Plantations be forthwith paid off and Disbanded and that they Consider of a Supply for that purpose The last of May being the first day of Trin. Term Sir William Scroggs at that time Puisne Judge in the Common-Pleas took his place in the Kings Bench as Lord Chief Justice of England to which he was preferr'd by the Kings especial Favour on the removal of Sir Richard Rainsford who resigned a few days before And was Succeeded in the Common-Pleas by Baron Bartu and Serjeant Brampston promoted to his Place in the Exchequer June 4th the Commons Vote 200000 l. to be raised by a Monthly Tax in Six Months after the Land Tax now in being be expired with a Clause That this be for the Disbanding of the Army by the end of this present June The next day they Voted the King 200000 l. more Towards the Defraying the expences of the Fleet. Soon after which the King sent them a Message by one of the Secretaries of State containing That His mind was still the same with what he delivered the 23 of May last That the Army and Fleet ought to be kept up till the expected Peace be concluded He also recommended to their Consideration whether it were not dishonourable for him to recal His Forces in Flanders from those Towns which he had taken into His Protection before they could provide themselves of other Succours Here upon they extend the time as to the Forces in Flanders to the 27 of July Saturday the 15th of June The Commons Resolved That after Tuesday following no motions should be made for any new Supplys of Money till after the Recess nor any more private Bills brought in till after the said Recess The Tuesday following the King sent for the Commons up to the Lords House and told 'em in a long Speech That the season requiring a Recess by the middle of next Month at farthest it is convenient that we part fairly and with a perfect confidence of one another Therefore he opens His Heart freely to them in some particulars of nearest concern That what he told 'em at the beginning of this Session concerning a Peace seems already to be determined at least as to Spain and Holland in which Peace His part will be not only that of a Mediator but also to give His Warranty in it That Spain writes word that unless England bares the charge of maintaining Flanders even after the Peace they will not be in a Condition to support it long That to this end it is necessary not only to keep up our Navy at Sea but to give the World some assurance of being well United at home That thô the House of Commons may think such a Peace as ill a bargain as War because it will cost them Mony yet if they seriously consider that otherwise Flanders had been lost perhaps by this time He believes they will give much greater Summs than this will cost rather than the single Town of Ostend should be in the French hands and 40 of their men of War in so good a Haven overagainst the Rivers Mouth That we cannot but be pleased to understand the Reputation we have gained abroad by having in 40 days rais'd an Army of 30000 Men and prepaired a Navy of 90 Ships Therefore if they desire to keep up the Honour of the Crown at home and look to the safety of the Balance of Affairs abroad and pursue the War of Algiers if they desire he should pass any part of His life in quiet and all the rest in confidence and kindness with them and other suture Parliaments if so That they must find a way not only to settle for His life His Revenue as at Christmass last but also to add a new Fund of 300000 l. Per annum upon which he will pass an Act to settle 50000 l. upon the Navy and Ordinance and shall be also always ready to consent to all such Laws as they shall propose for the good of the Nation Then he reminds 'em to inable him to keep His word with the Prince of Orange in the payment of His Neices Portion which is 40000 l. the first payment being now due and demanded by him This Speech being ended the Commons returned back and Voted His Majesty the thanks of the House for His gracious expressions in His Speech Yet nothing of importance was done that day but a Denial of the 300000 l. Per annum demanded and not only so but a motion being made for a Compensation on the lost part
May demanded at the Bar of the Lords House whether he would rely upon and abide by the Plea of his Pardon return'd for Answer That being advised by his Council that his Pardon is good in Law he doth insist upon his Plea and desires that his Council may be heard With which their Lordships acquainting the Commons they Order a return to be made to their Lordships by the whole House in these words on the 5th of May. My Lords the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament Assembled are come up to demand Judgment in their own Names and the Names of all the Commons of England against Thomas Earl of Danby who stands Impeacht by them before your Lordships of High Treason and divers high Crimes and Misdemeanors To which he has pleaded a Pardon which Pardon the Commons conceive to be illegal and void and therefore they do demand Judgment of your Lordships accordingly On the 6th of May it was ordered in the House of Lords that Saturday next be appointed for the Earl of Danby's Plea to be argued and that the five Lords in the Tower be tryed this Day Sennight With which Orders they acquainted the Commons the next Day and that their Lordships had appointed an Address to be made to His Majesty to appoint a Lord Steward for the said Tryals The Commons not well satisfied with these proceedings desire that a Committee of both Houses may be nominated to consider of the most proper ways and methods of Proceeding upon Impeachments according to the usage of Parliament But the Lords refused to agree to the Proposal as inconformable to the Rules and Orders of proceedings of their House which is and ever must be tender in matters relating to their Judicature Upon this Answer the Commons resolve May 9. That no Commoner whatsoever presume to maintain the validity of the Pardon pleaded by the Earl of Danby without the leave of this House first had and that the Persons so doing shall be accounted Betrayers of the Liberties of the Commons of England After this it seems that the Lords did recede from their former resolution for on the 11th of May they acquainted the Commons by Message That they had appointed a Committee consisting of Twelve Lords to joyn with a Committee of the House of Commons to consider of propositions and circumstances in relation to the foresaid Tryals Which joint Committee of both Houses meeting they dis-agreed about the Bishops being present at the Tryals for the Lords having resolved in their House That the Lords Spiritual have a right to stay in Court in Capital Cases till the Court proceed to the Vote of Guilty or Not Guilty Hereupon the Commons resolved on the other side to insist upon it that the Lords Spiritual ought not to have any Vote in any Proceedings upon Impeachments against the Lords in the Tower The two Houses seeming to disser on this point the Bishops thought to find out a Medium and on the 16th of May desired leave of the House of Lords that they might withdraw themselves from the Tryals of the said Impeached Lords with the Liberty of entring their usual Protestations But this did not satisfie the House of Commons who on the 24th of May Resolve that they cannot proceed to the Tryal of the Five Lords before Judgment be given on the Earl of Danby's Pardon and in the point of the Bishops Voting in Capital Offences For which they drew up Reasons and the 26th of May delivered the same to the Lords at a Conference which being very large and in print I shall here omit And in this posture did the Publick Transactions in Parliament appear on the 27th day of May at which time it pleas'd His Majesty to Prorogue both Houses until the 14th day of August next About this time the King was pleased to remove Sir John Robinson from being Lieutenant of the Tower and confer the Place on Captain Cheek The Troubles in Scotland which broke out in this Month gave occasion of much discourse and no little alarm in England They begun in the Barbarous Murder of Dr. Sharp Archbishop of St. Andrews on the 3d of May as he was travelling from Edinburgh to his own Residency The Murderers were a company of Inveterate Covenanters who in regard the said Bishop had been formerly one of their Party and now revolted as they called his honest Reformation bore him a most immortal hatred having attempted his Life several times before But the Assassins stop not at Murder for soon after this they gather into a Body in the Western parts of Scotland and fall into open Rebellion and Treason on the 29th a Party of the Rebels well mounted and armed came to Rugland proclaim the Covenant and burnt the following Acts of Parliament viz. The Act concerning the Kings Supremacy The Recissory Act by which all the Mock-Laws made in the times of the late Anarchy were repeal'd The Act for establishing Episcopacy And the Act appointing the Anniversary of the 29th of May They also publisht an Insolent Declaration full of Treason and the very Spirit of Scotch Covenanters commonly there called WHIGS With such as these their Army increased daily to such a considerable number that the King Commissioned the Duke of Monmouth as Generalissimo to suppress the Insurrection which not long after with the assistance of the Loyal Gentry and Heretors of that Nation he did in one Battle killing some and taking several Hundreds of Prisoners of which some few being hang'd especially those who were more immediately concern'd in the Arch-Bishops Murder the rest were Transported But to return to London On the 13th of June Thomas White alias Whitebread Provincial of the Jesuits in England William Harcourt John Fenwick John Gaven and Anthony Turner all Jesuits were Tryed at the Old-Baily and found Guilty of High Treason as Conspirators in the late Plot The next Day Richard Langhorn Esq a Barister of the Inner-Temple was Tryed at the same Bar for the same Crime and being also found Guilty all six had Sentence of Condemnation and were accordingly Executed the five Jesuits on Fryday the 20th of June and Mr. Langhorn on the 14th of July following All departing this Life with the greatest Protestations of Innocence as to the Crimes Objected as could be possibly expected On the last Day of Trinity-Term being the 9th of July Sir Anthony Dean and Samuel Pepys Esq two Members of the present Parliament were on a long debate let to Bail in the Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster the Principals in a Recognizance of 10000 l. a piece and every one of the Bail 5000 l. They had been Committed to the Tower by Order of the House of Commons on the 20th of May last their Accusation Treason Piracy and Felony on the Stat. 31. El. 4. And being on the first Day of this Term removed by Habeas Corpus into this Court the said Crimes were here charged against 'em in several Affidavits by Scot and Moon but it seems the