he could not in that kind advantage the King's Affairs which were now grown desperate betook himself to his Retirement so that the Militia found themselves disbanded The Noblemen who were sent to treat with his Highness the Prince of Orange about accommodating the affairs of the Kingdom not being able to effect in all points what the King desired the Infant which had been sent to Portsmouth either as supposed the securest place or to pass the Seas was sent for back in great haste and the Priests began to shift for themselves Father Petre was missing with divers others who it is supposed perceiving the desperateness of their condition made an early escape and several Councils were held most of them privately in the King's Closet to advise what was to he done in the Juncture of affairs when on the 9th of December in the Evening News came that greatly allarm'd the Court and put it for the most part in a hurry and consternation viz. That the Prince's Forces had made their way through Reading and gained the Pass of Twyford-bridge without any considerable resistence And thus we find the account of this Action About 1500 Horse and 3 Troups of Irish Dragoons being quartered or posted in the Town of Reading were put into a Consternation upon the Report that a strong advanced Party of the Prince's Army were on their march to beat up their Quarters so that after some Consultation of the Officers it was concluded they should draw off to Twyford-Bridge and there make good their Post which accordingly they did but the Scouts that were sent abroad to discover coming in and giving them an account that the Roads were clear the Commander in chief commanded that Claverhouse Regiment of Scotch Horse and the Irish Dragoons should march back and repossess the Town of Reading which they did on the Eighth of December at Night with Orders to be in readiness and upon their Guards to prevent surprize so that most of them kept on Horse-back some in the Market-place and others at the Posts assigned them but there being yet no news of the advanc'd Party they were commanded by their Officers to alight and refresh themselves and their Horses when at ten of the Clock in the Morning the Trumpet sounded to Horse the Prince's Forces being at the Town 's end almost before they were discovered whereupon a sharp dispute ensued with brisk Firing on both Parties the Irish Dragoons bearing the brunt of the Encounter though the Scotch Horse in small detatched Bodies made some Firings but they were over-powered driven out of the Town and obliged to retreat to Twyford-Bridge and in conclusion many of the King's Party Deserted and the rest were constrained to quit the Pass and make the best of their Retreat In this Skirmish we cannot learn that above Thirty were killed and several wounded But now the King having no considerable Forces especially none capable of making Head against a prevailing Army the Queen who had been at Wind for the day before to fetch the Infant taking her solemn leave of the King crossed the Thames on the Tenth of December about Three in the Morning where her Coaches waited for her and so with the Child and a slender Attendence made for Dover or some Port near it and there took Shipping for France where she soon after landed and had a place of Residence appointed her by the French King. The Queen having left White-Hall as also a great many of the Courtiers the King the same Evening called an extraordinary Council and sent for the Lord Mayor of London and the Sheriffs who waiting upon His Majesty were amongst other things charged to have a Care of the City and keep it in Peace and Quietness as much as in them lay and then were dismissed However the Council held a long Debate and a meeting was appointed the the next Morning but contrary to the Expectation of almost the whole Kingdom the King about Three a Clock in the Night took Barge at the Privy Stairs with a small Equipage and went down the River on his Departure without giving notice to any of the Officers of his Houshold who were then in The King's Departure was no sooner spread abroad but the Lords Spiritual and Temporal that were about Town assembled and finding White-Hall full of Consternation after some Debates they gave order for the dismissing Popish Officers and Soldiers and giving Directions for the keeping of that Palace from Pillage or Spoil which in that Confusion might have happened they adjourned immediately to the Guild Hall of the City of London where by their Order the Lord Mayor had summoned the Court of Aldermen and thither they sent for Collonel Bevil Skelton Lieutenant of the Tower and ordered him to resign up that important Citadel to the Lord Lucas in trust of the City till other Measures could be taken and proceeded to approve and sign the following Declaration viz. We doubt not but the World believes that in this great and dangerous Conjuncture We are Heartily and Zealously concerned for the Protestant Religion the Laws of the Land and the Liberties and Properties of the Subject and we did reasonably hope that the King having Issued out his Proclamation and Writs for a Free Parliament We might have rested secure under the Expectation of that Meeting but His Majesty having withdrawn himself and as we apprehend in order to his Departure out of the Kingdom by the pernicious Counsels of Person ill-affected to our Nation and Religion We cannot without being wanting to our Duty be silent under the Calamities wherein the Popish Counsels which so long prevailed have miserably involved us We do therefore unanimously resolve to apply our selves to his Highness the Prince of Orange who with so great Kindness to these Kingdoms so Vast Expence and so much hazard to his own Person hath undertaken by endeavouring to procure a Free Parliament to rescue us with as little Effusion of Christian Blood as possible from imminent Dangers of Popery and Slavery And we do hereby declare That we will with our utmost Endeavours assist his Highness in the obtaining such a Parliament with all speed wherein our Laws our Liberties and our Prosperities may be secured the Church of England in particular with a due Liberty to Protestant Dissenters and in general the Protestant Religion and Interest over the whole World may be supported and encouraged to the Glory of God the Happiness of the Established Government in these Kingdoms and the advantage of all Princes and State in Christendom that may be herein concerned In the mean time we will endeavour to preserve as much as in us lies the Peace and Security of these great and populous Cities of London and Westminster and the parts adjacent by taking Care to disarm all Papists and secure all Jesuits and Romish Priests who are in or about the same and if there be any thing more to be performed by us for the promoting His Highness's Generous
confidence they had reposed in him Assuring them that he would never do any thing that might lessen their good Opinion of him putting them in mind of the Allies abroad and the hazard they may run especially Holland unless some speedy Care were taken That a good Settlement was necessary at Home particularly recommending to them the dangerous State of Ireland and the Methods to their spedy consideration On the 2d of February the Lord Bishop on London with the Clergy of the City to the number of an 100 waited on their Majesties with an humble Tender of their Fidelity and Duty and being Graciously received were admitted to kiss their Majesties Hands the King at the same time being pleased to give them a full Assurance of of his great Affection to the Church of England and of all the Protection and Encouragement to them for which he gave them his Royal Word concluding with Assuring them that they should ever find it so and they might depend upon it the Houses resolved into a free Parliament His Majesty went on the 23d of February by Water to the House of Lords attended with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes with the Crown on his Head seated on the Throne and the Commons being sent for His Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes about the Assembling and Sitting of the present Parliament And having disrobed himself he was attended to the Water-side with the like Ceremony as before and in the afternoon their Majesties went to Hampton-Court On the 28th of February two Proclamations were issued forth by the King and Queen the one at the Request of the Honourable House of Commons to apprehend Robert Brent Gentleman late of the Inner Temple charged with High Treason who procuring himself to be Bailed had left them and fled from Justice with the Reward of 200 l. to any person that should discover or apprehend him and those that should conceal or further his Escape to be proceeded against with the utmost severity according to Law. The other for the bringing in and restoring of Arms that had been Embezled or Lost during the Disorders and Disbandings amongst the Soldiers that had been in pay under the late King James and upon advice that the Earl of Tyrconnel laboured to draw the Irish more and more to his Party and confirm those that were already in Arms with him by laying before them the Danger already incurr'd their Majesties to leave them that should obstinately persist without excuse issued forth a Proclamation offering amongst other things Pardon and Indemnity for all things by those of the Earl's Party if they laid down their Arms and retired themselves to their respective Habitations and Places of Abode and there peaceably behaved themselves as good Subjects ought to doe as likewise that they should upon this ondition enjoy in full freedom their Estates according to Law and those of the Roman Church upon such Consideration to have all the Favour for the private Exercise of their Religion that the Law allows with a promise speedily to call a Parliament in that Kingdom but on the Contrary declaring them Rebels and Traytors c. and their Lands and Possessions forfeited and to be disposed and distributed to those that should be Aiding and Assisting in reducing the Kingdom to its due Obedience This Proclamation 't is thought whether hindred by Tyrconnel's violence from coming to the knowledge of the Vulgar or creating a fear in his followers made him fly to his Last refuge of more strictly disarming the Protestants as well those in Cities that fell into his hands as Gentlemen who were retired to their Houses where his Soldiers committed sundry Outrages of an high Nature Robbing and Pillaging without remorse or pity though under a colour excused himself by giving directions to the Magistrates to see that no wrong should be done however when Complaints were made he urged necessity compell'd his Men to doe what they did yet the Protestants especially in the North stood to their Arms and repelled force by force getting some supplies of Ammunition out of Scotland keeping the Town of Sligo and other places of strength with a Longing expectation of the Arrival of the Forces and necessary Provisions from England to be thereby enable to carry on the War and recover what has been taken from them by the Irish Papists And now the duty of Hearth mony being looked upon by the Commons as a grievance to the Subjects and represented as such to his Majesty the King was pleased to send a message that he left it to their considerations either to regulate it or to take it away which was received with great satisfaction and forthwith the thanks of the House were ordered to be returned his Majesty for his gracious Message and on the 1st of March in the Afternoon the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament assembled Waited upon his Majesty in the Banqueting-house and and there presented an Address of thanks wherein they expressed the Joy and Satisfaction they conceived at so unpresidented an offer humbly craving leave to present their Assurance that they-would make such gratefull and affectionate returns as were suitable to his Majesties most Gracious Intentions and be so carefull of the Support of the Crown that the World should see to the discouraging his Enemies that his Majesty reigns in the Hearts of his People c. The Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Assembled in Parliament made likewise and Address to his Majesty expressing therein how highly they were sensible of their great and Signal deliverance c. And that being fully convinced of the restless Spirits and continued Endeavours of his Majesties and the Nations Enemies for the Extirpation of the Protestant Religion and the Subversion of the Laws and Liberties they unanimously declared that they would Stand by and Assist his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes in Supporting his Allies abroad in reducing Ireland and in defence of the Protestant Religion of the Kingdom To this his Majesty was pleased to return them a very Gracious Answer expressing therein the valuable Esteem he had for Parliaments and especially for this expressing his Satisfaction of the Confidence and Trust they had reposed in him and that it should be his Care never to give any Parliament cause of distrust and withall recommending to them the care of the Allies abroad and minding them of the greate Expence the States of Holland had been at in the Expedition and Zeal they had to promote it and to second his Majesties Endeavours even with a neglect of their own Safety not doubting but their Generosity would not only enable him to make good his treaty with those States and repay what they actually layd out and of which an account should be given but support them to their utmost Ability against the power of their Enemies considering both Interests were upon one and the same Bottom As to safety his
Majesty was likewise pleased to mind them of Ireland and to let them know that in his opinion 20000 men would be required to render the reducing it short and easie as likewise setting out a Fleet which in conjunction with that of Holland might be so entirely Master of the Seas that nothing might be sent from France to Ireland or elsewhere that might give a disturbance to us or our Allies farther recommending to their consideration the settlement of the Revenues that they might be collected without dispute promising that whatever should be given in order to publick ends should be strictly applyed to them with many other Gracious expressions concluding that as they so freely offered to hazard all that is dear to them so he would as freely expose his Life for the Support of the Protestant Religion and the Honour and Safety of the Nation And now the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Council assembled as a grateful Acknowledgment to the Lords and Commons for their excellent Conduction in Affairs and especially their resolution to assist and stand by his Majesty in supporting his Allies abroad in reducing Ireland in defence of the Protestant Religion and Laws of the Kingdom drew up two humble Addresses of Thanks one to the Lords and the other to the Commons which were presented and very kindly received the first of these was presented by the Recorder and the last by the Sheriffs of the Honourable City who were dismissed with expressions of high Esteem c. For the said City an Address of Thanks was likewise presented to his Majesty by the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council upon his most condescending and unparallell'd Goodness in the Message he was pleased to send to the two Houses in relation to the Duty of Hearth-mony promising as bound in duty and great obligations to be ready to serve and assist his Majesty as far as they were able in the support of his Crown and Dignity and for the maintaining the Protestant Religion and Laws of the Land and the speedy relief of the distressed Protestants in Ireland c. About this time we had News that the greatest part of the Regiment of Foot late commanded by the Lord Dumbarton and some Companies of Fuziliers made a Mutiny near Ipswych and seized on the Money sent down to pay them with four Field-pieces and refusing to obey the King's Orders marched away doing great damage and bringing a greater terrour upon the Country people proclaiming King James c. whereupon both houses Addressed his Majesty that he would be pleased to take such effectual Course as in his Princely Wisdom should be thought fit for the suppressing and bringing them to Justice and that in the mean time he would issue out his Royal Proclamation declaring them and their Adherents to be Rebels and Traitors requiring all good Subjects to apprehend subdue and prosecute them c. To which His Majesty was pleased to answer That he thanked both Houses for their Address and that he had sent a Force of Horse and Dragoons sufficient to suppress them and that he would issue out a Proclamation as was desired On the 16th of March His Majesty went by water to the House of Lords attended with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne and the Commons sent for up His Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act impowering him to apprehend such Persons as he should find just cause to suspect are conspiring against the Government and to an Act for annulling and making void the Attainder of William Russel Esquire commonly called Lord Russel and then in a gracious Speech amongst other things recommended to them the settling the Oaths to be taken by all persons to be admitted to places of Trust so that Papists might be excluded and room left for all Protestants that are willing to serve the better to strengthen us against the common Adversaries and the same day a Proclamation was signed by His Majesty declaring those mutinous Officers and Soldiers together with their Adherents Rebels and Traitors c. commanding all good Subjects to apprehend subdue and prosecute them as such To shew this was no general defection of the Soldiers but rather these few drawn into so great a folly and over-sight by sinister means the same day an Address was humbly presented to His Majesty signed by the Officers superiour and subordinate with the unanimous Subscriptions of the private Soldiers of the Regiment of Foot under the conduct of the Right Honourable the Lord Mordant expressing therein their unfeigned Loyalty willing Obedience and ready Zeal to serve his Majesty in all places and on all occasions Nor was it long e'er those in Rebellion were brought under for on the 19th of March the Regiments of Horse commanded by Sir John Lanier and Collonel Langston having joined the Dutch Troups of Horse and Dragoons under the command of Lieutenant General Ginkell and being informed that the Rebels were marching towards Seaford they advanced in good Order the Dragoons making the left Wing the Rebels no sooner perceived the Troups but they drew up in Batalia planting their four Field-pieces to the best advantage having on one side a great Hedge and on the other considerable Waters which obliged the Dragoons to swim but perceiving the Resolution of the King's Troups to reduce them to their Obedience they beat a Parly and laying down their Arms surrendred upon discretion so that there were taken the four Field-pieces and twenty Officers and five hundred Soldiers were made Prisoners and sent up to London under a Guard of Horse and there secured in divers Prisons whilst another party of Horse continued to search after such as had dispersed some of which were afterward taken and secured in divers Prisons Sir John Chapman Lord Mayor of the City of London dying on the of March the worthy Thomas Pilkington Esq since being Knighted elected Lord Mayor of that City for the remaining part of this Year was on the 22d presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal and afterwards sworn at the Hustings according to Custome and at five in the Afternoon was sworn without the Tower Gate by the Right Honourable the Lord Lucas chief Governour of the Tower in pursuance of their Majesties Writ to him directed and of the antient usage at such a time as the Exchequer Court is not holden at Westminster Having before made mention of the intended Convention in Scotland and now the time appointed for its sitting being come it will not seem foreign to this History to insert some remarkable passages and Transactions relating to it and the Affairs of that Kingdom On the 14th of March in obedience to the King of England's Letter the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons assembled at Edinburgh in one House as the Custome is and chose Duke Hamilton their President and considering the Duke of Gourdon a Roman Catholick held the Castle whose Cannon
William the III King of England Scot Fran. and Ireland Prince of Orange c. Aetatis suae 38 HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE AN Historical Account OF THE MEMORABLE ACTIONS Of the most Glorious Monarch WILLIAM III. KING of England Scotland France and Ireland Prince of Orange c. Giving a true Relation of all that hapned of consequence since his glorious Expedition into England from time to time as also the happy Arrival of his Royal Consort Queen Mary and their being Proclaimed and Crowned King and Queen of these Realms The whole containing a Summary from his Birth to this day Together with the Names of several of those worthy Persons upon whom he has conferred Honours and places of Trust since his being Proclaimed LONDON Printed and are to be sold by H. Rhodes next door to the Swan Tavern near Bride-lane in Fleet-Street 1689. LICENSED April 24 1689. THE PREFACE TO THE READER THE weight of this illustrious Subject might have required a greater Vndertaker and made me have kept at an awfull distance whilst the most celebrated Pens of Europe had interwoven and enamell'd the Birth and Rising Glories of so great a Prince with all the Rhetorical and Heroick Accents and Expressions that are capable of giving Life and Fire to the Minds of Men and raising their Souls to a highth capable of knowing the Centre of true Greatness but with humble submission not finding any forward in so invaluable an Enterprize I though unworthy have presumed to make this Essay hoping it will not be taken ill since this at least is the Ground-work upon which the most aspiring Historian must build when he consults the Golden Rolls of Fame to raise a Pyramid of lasting Honour to the Memories of the World 's undoubted Worthies In this Book though small to appearance you may find things as vast in Extent as Virtue and Valour can enlarge them and when I tell you it is the Compendium of the Birth and Actions of the Great and Renowned Prince of the House of Orange with what more especially relates to his Redeeming us from Popery and Slavery by his generous Expedition Valour and Conduct I might be silent since the World is sufficiently sensible of what I farther intend yet that Posterity may not forget so great a Deliverance it is fit that it should be Recorded till Time is swallowed up in Eternity You have Reader in this Book an Account of the illustrious Birth of a Prince born to be the Protectour of the true Religion and the Support next the Almighty Arm of Christianity coming nearest to its primitive Purity with his Advancement to early Honours and his memorable Actions from time to time with the various dangers and hazards to which he has exposed himself for the Repose of Christendom but more especially for the securing and promoting the Protestant Religion You have likewise a Discovery of Popish Cruelties in the wretched State and Condition of the Protestants in France under the late Persecution from which you may gather what we might have expected and suffered had not this great Prince at so much Cost hazard of his Person and indefatigable Labour and Industry dispell'd with the Rays of his early and glorious Success the cloudy Tempest that was breaking over our Heads and to be brief you have an Account of all that has memorably passed from his Birth to this day and that more particularly in England upon the ever-to-be-remembered Occasion of his coming over as our Protectour and Deliverer with the indefatigable Industry he has successfully used to infatuate and defeat the Designs of our Enemies and the Returns he has found from a sensible and gratefull People and especially the Wisdom of the Nation Assembled in Parliament in Proclaiming and Crowning him together with his Royal Consort King and Queen of England c. with the manner of the performance and what else can be required to set forth so illustrious an History the Subject of which may some Angel sound with a golden Trumpet to the utmost Kingdoms of the Earth which is the Wish of Your humble Servant S. J. An Historical Account of the Life and memorable Actions of the most Illustrious William Henry King of Great Britain France and Ireland Prince of Orange c. WHen we undertake to Write of illustrious Persons whose great Actions are sufficiently known to the World and whose Vertues and Candour have placed them upon a Pinacle of Fame it is then that Rhetorical Strains or flattering Applause is altogether to be laid aside as vain and useless for true Diamonds require not the Art to set them off like Counterfeits but relying upon their proper Lustre make their value known and shine in a kind of careless Glory wherefore considering the Illustrious Subject I am here to handle waving elaborate Circumstances and Expressions not greatly pertinent to History or Matters of this kind my Care and Endeavour shall be to keep to Truth and Fact and as much as in me lies to give a satisfactory Account of the Birth and glorious Actions of a Prince whose Fame has travell'd with the Sun. WIlliam Henry of the Illustrious House of Nassau our present Sovereign descended from that renowned German Family that has been ever Famous and to which the Empire and all Christendom has been so much beholden Son to William of Nassau Prince of Orange by the Royal Princess Mary Daughter to Charles I. King of England c. was Born on the 14th of November in the year of our Lord 1650. his Father dying the preceding Month after he had been Married about nine Years and done Actions worthy of his high Birth in the Four and Twentieth year of his Age leaving this hopefull Issue to dispell the Clouds of Sorrow that began to spread themselves over most European Courts upon notice of a Death so unexpected and a Loss so important This great Prince at his Baptism had for Godfathers the Lords States of Holland Zealand and the Cities of Amsterdam Delf and Leyden receiving the Name of William Henry and as he increased in years under the Care of the indulgent Princess and such as were appointed to attend and wait upon him he gave early hope of what hath since been sufficiently manifested At five years of Age he came to visit his Uncle King Charles II who then was at Breda preparing for England to take Possession of the Thrones and Kingdoms so long detained from him where the King expressed his extraordinary satisfaction to see the Prince his Nephew and highly welcomed him and soon after the Estates General having a particular Audience of the King recommending the firmness and fidelity of that Republick to his Interest c. his Majesty in the most obliging Terms replyed That the Interest if no other Motives should induce him to it of two Persons so nearly allied to him as the Princess Royal his Sister and the Prince of Orange his Nephew who live in the Estate as part of it
although this gave the Citizens hope they were in Peace yet it proved not so for soon after Orders came to throw down the Walls of the City and the French Dragoons Quartering upon the Inhabitants committed many Indecencies and Disorders compelling the People to Work in ruining their own Fortifications which being undermined were blown up This News no sooner came to his Highness's Council but they complained of it to the States-General as a breach of the last Peace urging that Reparation might be required for such unjust Proceedings against the Subjects of his Highness in the midst of a general Peace Nor were the States wanting in Writing to the King and letting him know their Resentments for so great an Injury contrary to the Treaty of Nimeguen pressing him for Reparation of the damage his Highness had contrary to Articles sustained in the Violence done to his Subjects But they could get no other Answer from the French Court but that as for the Money extorted from the Inhabitants those that extorted it had no Order for it and he had commanded Restitution to be made and upon the Peoples submitting to his Pleasure he had withdrawn his Forces and restored the Inhabitants their Commerce according to their Desires but as for the rest he alledged he had reason for what he did This Answer though it was neither generous nor pleasing was all that could be got at that time and so the matter continues to a more favourable opportunity The Face of Peace now appearing amongst the Christian Princes and Hungary being the greatest Scene of War the States thought of Disbanding their supernumerary Forces and in order thereto advised with his Highness who assured them that there was no Person more desirous than himself to ease the People of their Contributions and Taxes but in consideration things were scarcely settled and that the nighbouring Countries had not yet Disbanded but were in Arms he thought it the safest way to continue them till they might be assuredly free from the fear or suspicion of any sinister event c. And according to this prudent and grave Counsel they were continued it being resolved by the States-General That the Extraordinary Forces should be kept up to a farther time And now his Highness being more at leisure and desirous to promote the good of his Country betook himself to the reforming the Government of Vtreicht in which during the Series of so tedious a War some Disorders and Irregularities had happened which he redressed by prudently altering such of the Magistracy as were looked upon unfit Persons to manage the Government and put such into their places as he found better capable of managing so weighty a Trust striving to promote and advance the welfare of the People at no small expence of Pains and Treasure contrary to the Methods of the French King who was then Dragooning his Subjects of the Protestant Religion and using all manner of ways to ruine them by Tortures Confiscations and Imprisonments and many such unchristian-like Proceedings And since we are come to this part pardon the Digression if I conceive it not amiss to expose the Methods France has of late years taken to bring over Protestants to the Church of Rome that the Reader may the better distinguish between the Actions of a vertuous Prince who makes it his utmost care and study to preserve and promote those that are under his Jurisdiction and a Prince that labours to ruine and destroy his Subjects I shall not trouble you with the Declaration put out against the Protestants in the year 1669. or hardships they suffered before and since that year in particular till I come to the year 1680. In this year the King issued out his Order thereby depriving them in general of all manner of places of Trust Offices and Services reducing the meaner sort thereby to great distress and disanulling the more wealthy of what they had purchased with their Money and the price of their Bloud And the next year 1681 by a Decree of their Council all Notaries Attornies Solicitors and Sergeants which made profession of the Reformed Religion were rendred uncapable of their Employments and the next year the Lords and Gentlemen were commanded to discharge their Protestant Officers and Servants and in Eighty three all Officers of the King's Household and those of the Princes of the Bloud were commanded to give place to the Roman Catholicks and in a word all manner of Persons of all Professions that were of the Reformed Religion had a Prohibition by those strict Decrees under severe Penalties And so strict were they that the Midwives unless Roman Catholicks durst not but by stealth perform their Office and by this means some were constrained to suffer their Tongue to give their Heart the Lye. These for the encouragement as they pretended of themselves and others being called new Converts were discharged from the Payment of their Debts for the space of three years and this was done the better to disappoint their Creditors of the Reformed Religion with whom they had mostly dealt Nor content with this by another way they quite discharged them of such Debts as those of that Religion had contracted in common These Proceedings served only as a Prologue to that which was afterward acted on the Unchristian-like Stage of France for the Councils influenced by the Priests who aimed more at the Estates of the Protestants than their Religion finding these ways not so effectual as they expected and perceiving that many of the more wealthy made over their Estates and left the Country exhibited a Prohibition of selling or alienating any Estates whatsoever the King annulling and breaking all Contracts and other Acts relating to such Sale or Alienation if it did not appear that after any such Act they did not stay in the Kingdom a whole year so that being deprived of all means to transport their effects and yet not suffered to enjoy them with any quiet many preferring a good Conscience before worldly Riches proposed to leave all they had and with it the Kingdom but this took no effect for hereupon they were forbidden it under severe Penalties which drove them to so great a strait that they knew not what offer or proposal to make finding every thing hazardous and uncertain But they were not long without new Proofs of Roman Severity for though they had already fleeced them yet not so contented the Intendents in their Districts had orders to weigh them down if possible with heavy Taxes by charging them with those of the new Converts who were discharged from paying any in favour of their pretended Conversion or by laying others on them which they termed Duties so that he who was before assessed in the Roll for 40 or 50 Livres escaped well if he came off for 5 or 600 and those that delayed or had not the Money were obliged to quarter Dragoons and suffer Imprisonment till they had made payment And to pass over many things of the like Nature
though the Protestants neglected nothing either by way of Supplication or endeavouring to justifie their Rights and manifest the wrong done them before the Judges in the respective Provinces it was but like Water thrown upon lce the more to harden it But the Priests fearing this manner of Submission might mollifie the King who is not over much given to relent they used all their Interests to push him on to a violenter motion so that the Papists gave out he was resolved not to suffer any Hugonots so they called the Protestants to live in the Kingdom nor like Pharoah would he suffer them at the same time to depart The Project by this time being grown ripe for Cruelty they began with Bearn where the Dragoons committed their first Ravages and after that in High and Low Guinne Xantoigne Poictou High Languedock Vivarets and Dauphin with some other places in those Countries and after that in Lionois Low Languedock Gevennes Valees Provence and the Countries of Geix and then in Normandy Bougoigne Nivernois Berry and the Countries of Orleance Tourain Anjou Bretaign Champaign Piccardy the Isles of France and even in Paris it self and in all Parts where any of the Reformed Religion had Habitations or were fled for shelter and the first thing the Intendents were ordered to doe was to Summon the Cities and Commonalties who were to assemble the Inhabittants of the respective Places professing the Protestant Religion and let them know it was the King's Pleasure they should turn Roman Catholicks or they should be forc'd to doe it at which the poor people greatly surprized in an humble manner replyed They were ready to sacrifice their Lives and Estates to the Service of the King but their Consciences being Gods ' alone they could not in that manner dispose of them Upon Refusal the Dragoons who were at hand were immediately sent for who in a furious manner seizing the Gates and Avenues of the Cities and Villages guarding the Passes that none might escape they often came with their Swords in their hands crying Kill kill or else be Catholicks and where-ever they came like the Locust they devoured every good thing being Quartered upon the Protestants at discretion with a Charge not to suffer them to depart out of their Houses or conceal any of their Goods under great Penalties to the Papists that should receive or comfort them and having eaten up their Provisions and plundred all that was of value which they sold to the nighbouring Catholicks they in an inhumane manner fell upon their Persons And now prepare to hear what even the Turks may blush to own After many Revilings Curses and Execrations they proceeded to hang up Men and Women by the Hair or Feet on the Roofs of Chambers or Chimney holes where putting Wisps of wet Hay on the Fire under them they smoaked them till they were almost suffocated and when they had taken them down if they would not sign to an Abjuration they hung them up again or tossed them to and fro into great Fires till they were in a manner roasted Under the Arms of some they tied Ropes and plunged them in Wells till they were half drowned swearing to finish their Lives there unless they would promise to change their Religion Others they bound like Criminals when putting to them the Question they placed Funnels in their Mouths and pouted Wine down their Throats till having deprived them of their Reason they obliged them to say they would be Catholicks Some again they stripp'd naked and pricked with Pins and Bodkins till they were no longer able to endure it Others they led about by the Noses with Pincers and wounded them with Pen knives They beat some with Staves and dragged them after much cruel usage to the Churches where they construed their being present though against their Wills for an Abjuration Some again they kept waking by tossing them from one Soldier to another and throwing Buckets of Water in their Faces for many Nights and Days and the better to put them into a disorder and confusion clapped Kettles and Brass Pans upon their heads whereon they made a continual noise with the Hilts of their Swords till they had in a manner made the Party distracted And where they found any sick or languishing thither they brought Drums and Trumpets into the Chambers to disturb and torment them from taking rest nor did they in some Places forbear to bind the Fathers and Husbands whilst they forced and ravished their Wives and Daughters before their faces Of some they plucked off the Nails of others burnt the Feet and blew with Bellows into the Fundaments of others till they were ready to burst with many other Cruelties that Hell could inspire or witty horrour invent And if by all these Strategems they could not work upon them to abjure their Religion and the Profession of the true Faith then had they noisome Dungeons prepared to imprison them in where many of them languished to Death nor did the Rage against their Persons suffice for they demolished their Houses cut down their Woods spoiled their pleasant Gardens and Ortyards seized their Children and thrust them into Monasteries and put them to be brought up under the tuition of Priests and fold whatever was saleable and for those they found had escaped them they hunted in the Woods as for wild Beasts miserably using such as fell into their hands In these cruel Proceedings of the French Papists to their own Country-men there was a Decorum used for besides the Leaders and Military Officers at the head of these Tormenters marched the Intendents and the Bishops every one in his Diocese as also a Troup of Missionary Monks and Friars c. as for the Intendents they gave such Orders as they thought most expedient for the carrying on of the hopefull Conversion and to restrain natural Pity and Compassion if at any time which was but rare it found place in the Hearts of the Dragoons or their Commanders The Bishops were to take the Abjurations and to make a severe inspection that it should be done in all points according to the mind and intention of the Clergy and the Missionaries were to be assisting in forcing the Abjuration And when by this means they had forced many to an outward compliance they increased the sorrow of those that persevered by sending them more Guests Nor could the City of Paris secure such as retired thither though Persons of considerable Quality for upon notice that several had fled the storm and were sheltered in that great City leaving their Lands and Livings to the spoil and havock of the Soldiers they were commanded within fifteen days to leave that Place and retire to their Habitations by a Decree of the Council and although they humbly besought the King to stop the Course of Cruelty that raged against them those that attempted it had no other Answer than to be sent Prisoners to the Bastile and to prevent such as should attempt to flie from
himself at his Country Palace when in the mean while the Duke of Monmouth and Earl of Argile going from Holland with an inconsiderable number of Men the former to invade England and the latter Scotland their Expeditions proved altogether successless for being severally routed and taken by the King's Forces they suffered Death together with divers others of their Adherents and Abettors In July 1687. his Highness returning from Hounstyrdyke to the Hague he there gave Audience to several foreign Ministers and then parted thence to visit the Garisons of Maestricht Boisleduck and others belonging to the States and in his Return was met by Her Royal Highness at Loo he having in his Progress given necessary Orders for the well governing and strengthening of those Places In December the Marquess d' Albeville Envoy extraordinary from his Majesty of Great Britain had Audience of his Highness the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland but they adjourning to the 7th of January great preparations of Fire-works were made in the mean while to entertain Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange on New-years-day representing a Battel with four lines ranged with several Batteries lively expressing the manner of an Engagement Now the foreign Priests coming again into remembrance and being looked upon as Enemies to the Common-wealth notwithstanding the intercession that had been made on their behalf the Court of Justice at the Hague drew up a Decree commanding them to retire out of the Country and never to return again promising a Reward of 100 Ducatoons to any that should make discovery and settling a penalty of 600 Florins upon those that should harbour and conceal any of them for the first time 1200 for the second and corporal punishment for the third Offence whereupon a great many of them fled into England where indeed there was but too many before And now the Spring coming on the Prince and Princess of Orange went to their Palace at Loo The King of England for private Reasons of State being about this time desirous to call home the English Regiments in the Service of the States-General the Marquess d' Albeville made it known immediately to their Lordships but they not willing to part with those Forces he proceeded to put in his Memorials representing not only his Resentment of that Refusal but the danger of Officers and Soldiers might incurr but the States having before-hand disbanded them and listed them under their own Command as many as would enter themselves which was the greatest Part of them as well Officers as Soldiers this business came to nothing and although his Majesty had ordered the Masters and Captains of Ships and Vessels to give such as would return free Passage with promise of Advancement yet not many came over In May the Elector of Saxony was splendidly entertained by his Highness the Prince of Orange at Hounslaerdyke and the next day his Highness accompanied him to Scheveling where they went on Board a small Vessel that carried them to a Squadron of 17 Men of War arrived from Schonevelt under the Command of Vice-Admiral Allemond who sent upon their Approach two light Frigats and a Shallop to meet them and were saluted with the Cannon of all the Ships when having Dined on board the Vice-Admiral they returned to Scheveling and from thence his Electoral Highness of Saxony went to visit Delf Rotterdam Dort Maestricht Leige Aix and Cologne and so returned home by the way of Francfort when in the mean while the Heer Van Diest acquainted the Prince of Orange and the States with the Death of the Elector of Brandenburgh a person most firm to the Protestant Interest and whose Death was regretted by the Protestant Princes and States so that both the Prince and the States of Holland immediately nominated a fit person to go and make their Complement of Condolence to the present Elector The next month the Marquess d' Albeville acquainted the Prince and Princess of Orange as also the States with the News of the Queen of England's being delivered of a Son at their Royal Palace of St. James's on Sunday the 10th of June and soon after the News by sundry Expresses was likewise made known to the King's Ministers in all the Courts of Christendom who at a vast Expence and Magnificence proclaimed it and the Conduits in London were commanded to run with Wine and a Thanksgiving day was likewise held for the Queens safe Delivery Congratulations were made upon this occasion by all the Foreign Ministers and the Infant soon after ordered to be prayed for in the publick Prayers of the Church Some Addresses were likewise presented upon that occasion and the Romanists flattered themselves with a lasting Tranquillity and so sure they thought they were of gaining the point that the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Lord Bishops of Ely Peterborough St. Asaph Chichester Bath and Wells and Bristol who had been committed by an Order of Council to the Tower for humbly beseeching his Majesty by Petition to remit his Commands of enjoyning his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience to be read in the Churches in time of Divine Service were brought to their Tryalls at the King's-Bench Court Westminster where notwithstanding all that was alledged against them and the pressing Arguments of a Popish Judge then upon the Bench their Candour and Innocence so fairly and plainly appeared that instead of their Adversaries proving that Petition a Libel it was evidently demonstrated that they had done nothing but their The Papists to leave no stone unturned that they might secure themselves for the future as well as the present used many Arts and Insinuations to sound the Intentions and thoughts of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Orange whereupon Mr. James Stewart took upon him that not without the King's knowledge and approbation as appears by the Letter writ to Minn Heer Fagel Pentionary of Holland and West-Friezeland upon the King 's publishing his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience and intention to take away the Test and Penal Laws which occasioned his Answer in substance this though little to the satisfaction of the Roman Catholicks viz. That their Highnesses have often declared as they did more particularly to the Marquess Albeville his Majesties Envoy extraordinary to the States That it is their Opinion that no Christian ought to be persecuted for his Conscience or be ill used because he differs from the publick and established Religion and therefore they could be content that even the Papists in England Scotland and Ireland might be suffered to continue in their Religion with as much Liberty as is allowed them by the States of the Vnited Provinces and as for the Protestant Dissenters their Highnesses did not only consent but heartily approved of their having an entire Liberty for the full Exercise of their Religion without any trouble or hindrance c. That their Highnesses were ready in case his Majesty of England should desire it to declare their willingness to concurr
the Texel had joined those that lay in the Maese and that the States upon the Arrest the French had made of the Dutch Ships in their Ports had published a Placart prohibiting the Importation of French Commodities till they were released and various reports going abroad the King put out a Proclamation prohibiting the spreading of Rumours and False News On Friday the 26th Old-style the Fleet having the Equipage on Board consisting of Fifty two men of War and a very numerous attendence of Victuallars and Vessels for the Transportation of the Land Forces Sailed between three and four of the Clock in the Afternoon from the Flats near the Bril with the Wind at South West and by South the Prince embarked on a Vessel of between Twenty eight and Thirty Guns there likewise embarked the Count de Solmes the Count de Stirum the Sieur Benting the Sieur Overkirk the Mareschal de Schomberg his Son Count Charles with several others as well English Noâ—… men as Strangers and the next day they came in sight of Scheveling when the Wind came more Westward but the Weather not being favourable some ships and small Vessels on which the Horse were on board suffered damage and the Fleet by that means delayed yet â—gain setting Sail on the 3d. of Novemâ—â—r between ten and eleven of the Clock 〈◊〉 the morning about half Seas over 〈◊〉 Fleet came within sight of Dover â—â—d were passing by till about five in â—he Afternoon at what time they were 〈◊〉 past that place without any interâ—â—ption from the English Fleet who lay â—ithin sight of them and Stearing a Chanel course westward the Wind at â—â—st North-east a very fresh Gale. 〈◊〉 the 5th of November about 300 â—il came into Torbay in the County of Devon and several of them directly to â—rixam Key and landed there Soldiers 〈◊〉 secure the landing of the rest if any Opposition should be made so that five or six hundred presently got on Land â—nd put themselves in a posture of Deâ—ence whilst the rest were fending on shoar some by Boats and some by the help of the Tide And so far were the Country people from being in a consternation that on such occasions frequently falls out that they on the contrary not only congratulated his Highness's Arrival but brought plenty of Provisions and Necessaries for the Soldiers and such as came on shoar there being only three small Vessels missing of the whole Fleet whereof two a Pink and a Fishing-boat were taken by the Woolwich below Hole Haven there being on board some Horse The other was a Fly-boat taken by the Swallow Frigat having on board four Companies of Foot of Collonel Babington's Regiment commanmanded by Major Collambine However the men were kindly used especially the Soldiers and these had not been taken but by their separation from the Fleet. As to the number of Horse and Foot as also the Fleet take the following List as it was said to be Printed in Holland HORSE THe Life Guard. Regiment of Guards Commanded by the Sieur Benting Waldeck's Regiment Nassau Mompelian Ginckel Count Vanderlip The Prince's Dragoons Marrewis Dragoons Segravemore Sapbroeck Flodorp Seyde Oye Suylestein Life Guard 197. Regiment of Guards of Benting 480. Princes Dragoons 860. Marrewis Dragoons 440 In all 3660. Troupers 1683. FOOT Foot Guards Commanded by Count Solms 25 Companies 2000. s. Mackey 12 Companies Balfort 12 Companies Talmash 12 Companies A Regiment which was formerly Bellisse 12 Companies A Regiment which was formerly Wachop's 12 Companies A Regiment which was the late Earl of Ossories 10 Companies Breckevelt 10 Companies Holstein 10 Companies Wirtemberg 10 Companies Hagendorn 10 Companies Fagel 10 Companies Nassau 10 Companies Carelson 12 Companies Brander 10 Companies Prince of Breckvel 10 Companies In all 164 Companies at 53 in a Company 8692 2000 Guards 10692. The FLEET Men of War 65. Fly-Boats 500. Pinks 60. Fire-Ships 10. 635. So by this it appears that his Highness had effectually 14352. persons under his command not accounting those that came over Voluntiers and these past peradventure rather increased than diminished during the Fleet which by this Account consisted of 635. great and small Ships and Vessels lying in the Roads for some time after this List was published But to return again to Torbay His Highness having in good order landed the greatest part of the Horse and Foot and given Directions for the speedy landing the rest and the Cannon to be un-shipped for the more conveniency at Topsham he marched towards the City of Exeter with the general Approbation Shouts and Applause of the People who flocked from all parts to welcome him and divers Gentlemen of those parts came to wait upon him and tender their service upon his approach the Bishop retired and the Gates were closed by Order of the Mayor but without baracadoing or fastening so that being soon opened an advanc'd party enter'd and was joyfully received by the Inhabitants a great many of them having before their coming listed themselves for the service of the Prince and into this City his Highness entred with great Splendour the Friday after his landing and took up his Residence in the Bishop's Palace giving a strict command to all the Officers and and Soldiers that they should behave themselves orderly and civilly to all manner of persons duly and diligently observing to defray their Quarters and offering no manner of Injury nor Violence under severe Penalties and such Regiments as that City could not quarter were appointed other Stations In this City in a full Auditory his Highness's first Declaration was read shewing the Reasons of his coming over and inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England for the preserving the Protestant Religion and for the restoring the Laws and Liberties of England Scotland and Ireland setting forth How they had been manifestly Violated by Evil Counsellours and Ministers of State to the great Oppression of the people and endangering the Subversion of the Religion and Established Government of these Kingdoms and to bring them under Popery and Slavery With many other cogent and pressing Reasons set forth at large in that Declaration and especially a clause wherein his Highness expresses his doubts as likewise those of the Nation concerning the true Birth of the Infant and this part it was that caused the King to call the extraordinary Council that met in the Council Chamber a White-Hall on the 22d of October where before a considerable number of Peers Ministers of State Officers of the Houshold the Judges the King's Council the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City c. where the Depositions of 41 Persons as to their knowledge in that matter consisting of both Sexes were given in and on the 27th of October they were enrolled in the Court of Chancery together with those of the Earl of Huntington and Earl of Peterborough who were not present when the Depositions were taken in the Council Chamber but given in the Chancery Court All which
Intentions for the publick Good we shall he ready to doe it as Occasion shall require This was signed by the two Arch-Bishops five Bishops and Twenty two Noblemen and it was there concluded that the Earl of Pembroke the Lord Viscount Weymouth the Lord Bishop of Ely and the Lord Culpepper should forthwith attend his Highness the Prince of Orange with the said Declaration and at the same time acquaint him with what was farther done at that Meeting The Lords having left the Guild Hall the Lord Mayor Court of Aldermen and the Common Council assembled and amongst other Matters it was agreed by Vote that an Humble Address should in their Names and on the behalf of the City be presented to His Highness the Prince of Orange In haec verba May it please your Highness WE taking into Consideration Your Highness's fervent Zeal for the Protestant Religion manifested to the World in your many and hazardous Enterprises which it hath pleased Almighty God to bless you with miraculous success we render our deepest thanks to the Divine Majesty for the same and beg leave to present our humble thanks to your Highness particularly for your appearing in Arms in this Kingdom to carry on and perfect your glorious Design to rescue England Scotland and Ireland from Popery and Slavery and in a Free Parliament to establish the Religion the Laws and Liberties of these Kingdoms upon a sure and lasting Foundation We have hitherto lookt for some Remedy for those Oppressions and imminent Dangers we together with our Protestant Fellow Subjects labour under from His Majesties Concessions and Concurrences with your Highness's just and pious purposes expressed in your Gracious Declaration But herein finding our selves finally disappointed by His Majesties with-drawing himself we presume to make your Highness our Refuge and do in the Name of the Capital City implore your Highness's Protection and most humbly beseech your Highness to vouchsafe to repair to this City where your Highness will be received with universal Joy and Satisfaction This Address being highly approved by all present Four Aldermen and Eight Commoners were appointed to wait upon his Highness and present him with the said Address and accordingly it was presented and very favourably received And the Lieutenancy of the City of London being the same day assembled drew up an Address to be presented to his Highness on the behalf of themselves the Militia c. which being to the same Effect with the former we think it needless to insert This Address was delivered by four of the Members of the Lieutenancy and very kindly received by his Highness By this time the Earl of Feversham then commanding the King's Forces having received His Majesties Letter by which he understood he had withdrawn himself and wherein he received such Orders as the King thought necessary to leave he sent to acquaint his His Highness the Prince of Orange with what had happened in the following Letter SIR HAving received this Morning a Letter from His Majesty with the unfortunate News of his Resolution to go out of England and that he is actually gone I thought my self obliged being at the Head of his Army having received his Majesties Orders to make no opposition against any Body to let your Highness know with the Advice of the Officers here so soon as it was possible to hinder the Misfortune of Effusion of Bloud I have ordered already to that purpose all the Troups that are under my Command which shall be the last Order they shall receive from me c. This Order caused the Troups to fall off and disband as well because they knew themselves without a Head as not knowing how to come by their Pay if they continued in the Service and indeed many of the Foot Soldiers were driven to great extremity being by this Disbanding destitute of Moneys Lodging and other neccessaries and had for a while nothing to subsist but the Charity of the People And although the Irish Battalion seemed for a time obstinate to continue in Arms yet the Commands they received from His Highness the Prince of Orange and the necessity that they felt constrained them to submit This Dispersing of the Solders made his Highness publish a Declaration requiring all Commanders in chief by Beat of Drum or otherwise to call together the several Officers and Soldiers belonging to their respective Regiments Troups and Companies in such places as they should find most convenient for their Rendezvouz and there to keep them in good Order and Discipline And likewise directing and requiring all such Officers and Soldiers forthwith to repair to such places as shall be appointed for that purpose by the respective Collonels or Commanders in chief Whilst these things passed in the Army the multitude got together in divers places spoiling and demolishing the Popish Mass-Houses and Chapels much defacing the Dwelling Houses of several Eminent Papists who were fled for fear of being secured and though the Magistrates laboured to quiet the Tumults and Disorders of this kind yet they found their Authority too feeble till the Mobile had spent their rage in London c. They pull'd down the Convent of Monks in St. John's which had been two Years Building at a vast Expence and Burnt the greatest part of the Timber and Materials in Smithfield having before siezed some of the Goods as they were removing them and burnt them in Holborn They likewise defaced and demolished the Chapels in Lime-strect and Lincolns-Inn Fields with that of the Spanish Ambassadour's at Wild-house where violently breaking into his Excellency's Lodgings they got great store of Plunder in Plate Money and riâ—… Goods c. And in like manner they served the Lodgings of the Resident of Florence in St. James's Hay-Market and offered divers Affronts and Abuses to other Houses gathering in such Numbers from all parts that it is almost incredible insomuch that neither the Watches nor Trained-Bands thought it safe to oppose the Torrent but the next day it was pretty well allayed and then search was made in divers places for such as were fled from Justice and amongst others to the no small wonder of the People the Lord Chancellour Jeffries was taken at a blind House in Hope and Anchor Alley in Wapping disguised like a Sailer and endeavouring to make his escape in a Vessel that lay by the Key for Hamborough and being brought before the Lord Mayor who by reason of an Indisposition that then siezed him not being capable of examining the Matter he was contented to go the Tower to preserve himself from the rage of the Rabble that loudly threatened him with Destruction and being guarded thither with a Detachment of the Trained-Bands was received by the Lieutenant of the Tower to whom upon Notice the Lords at White-Hall sent a Warrant of Commitment to keep the Body of George Lord Jefferies Baron of Wem in safe Custody c. On the 4th of December His Highness the Prince of Orange came to Windsor about
of that Declaration and appearing in great numbers his Highness was pleased by another Declaration dated the 14th of January to command them within three days to depart the said Cities and ten miles compass or otherwise to be taken proceeded against and expect the utmost severity that the Law for their Offences can inflict upon them commanding all Magistrates to make diligent search and apprehend and imprison such as should be found in Contempt of the said Declarations c. The Fame of his Highness's Success being sufficiently known in the United Provinces three Deputies were sent to congratulate his Success who landing at the Tower were received with the Discharge of the Cannon and other signal Respects as became their Character from whence they passed to the Lodgings appointed for them in the Coaches sent to wait upon them with a splendid Equipage His Highness had no sooner signified to the City of London that the publick Treasure was in a manner exhausted and not sufficient to defray the necessary Expences of the Nation but a Committee was ordered to attend him to know the Summe that might supply that defect and 100000 l. being named and proffered to be secured and re-paid with Interest in six Months a great many eminent and generous Citizens immediately came to the Guild-Hall of London and offered their Subscriptions which were there accordingly taken almost to admiration for in a short time about 300000 l. was subscribed and directions being given for the Receivers to attend it was brought in with such Expedition that they were forced to encrease their number These being the most weighty Affairs transacted in England let us a while look into those of Scotland our Sister Kingdom where we find that upon his Highness's Arrival in these Parts the terrour wrought so effectually with the Popish Ministers of State and others that found themselves launched beyond the Laws of that Kingdom and Constitution of Government that they thought of nothing more than shifting for themselves some of which had the luck to escape and others were seized the multitude was up in divers places demolishing the Mass-Houses and not only contented with that but committed sundry Disorders and in the Encounters and Scuffles that were thereby occasioned even in the City of Edinburgh several were killed and wounded which made the Noble-men and Gentlemen attend him to lay before his Highness the willingness of the people of Scotland to submit to his Protection c. and upon notice of their Intentions his Highness the Prince of Orange having caused to advertise such of the Scotch Lords and Gentlemen as were in Town to attend in a Room at St. James's on the 7th of January about three in the Afternoon his Highness met them there and made to them the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen THE only Reason that enduced me to undergo so great an Vndertaking was that I saw the Laws and Liberties of these Kingdoms overturned and the Protestant Religion in imminent Danger and seeing you are so many Noble-men and Gentlemen I have called you together that I may have your Advice what is to be done for the securing the Protestant Religion and restoring your Laws and Liberties according to my Declaration As soon as his Highness had retired the Lords and Gentlemen went to the Council-Chamber at White-Hall and there having chosen the Duke of Hamilton their President debated what Advice was sit to be given his Highness in that juncture but came to no Conclusion farther than to give the Clerks that attended Instructions to draw up in Writing what they then thought most expedient On Tuesday the 8th of January the Honourable Assembly met again and the Writing was presented upon which they debated the most expedient way for Convening the general meeting of the Estates of Scotland and at last agreed in their Opinion ordering the Writing to be fair drawn over with the Amendments On Wednesday the 9th of January they met at Three of the Clock and the Address was prepared giving his Highness Thanks for his Pious and Generous Undertaking for preserving the Protestant Religion and restoring the Laws and Liberties of these Kingdoms desiring him to take upon him the Administration of the Affairs Civil and Militatary and dispose of the publick Revenues and Fortresses of the Kingdom of Scotland untill the general Meeting of the States of the Nation which they humbly prayed his Highness to call to be holden at Edinburgh the 14th of March next and to issue out his Letters for the calling them being Protestants These being the Heads and Substance of this Address it was subscribed by 30 Lords and about 80 Gentlemen and was presented to his Highness in their presence by the Duke of Hamilton at St. James's who thanked them for the Trust they reposed in him and desired a time to consider upon so wheighty an Affair When the next day his Highness again met the Scotch Lords and Gentlemen at St. James's and made them the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen IN pursuance of your Advice I will untill the Meeting of the Estates in March next give such Orders concerning the Affairs of Scotland as are necessary for the Calling the said Meeting for the preservation of the Peace the applying of the publick Revenue to the most pressing uses and putting the Fortresses into the Hands of Persons in whom the Nation can have a just Confidence and I do farther assure you that you will always find me ready to concurr with you in every thing that may be found necessary for the securing the Protestant Religion and restoring the Laws and Liberties of the Nation By this time the Earl of Crauford the Earl of Louthian and others being come to Town the former of these Earls desired his Highness that they might subscribe the Address which was accordingly granted his Highness leaving signal marks of a high satisfaction in the Countenances of the noble Assembly which demonstrated how much they were pleased with his Answer nor no sooner did the News arrive at Edinburgh but it was received with the ringing of Bells loud Shouts and Acclamations of Joy and in the same manner swiftly overspread that Kingdom The English Soldiers many of them having been imposed upon by ill affected Persons to doubt their Pay c. his Highness was pleased to put forth a publick Assurance that he had taken care for the satisfying and making good to every Officer and Soldier their full Pay and Arrears due to them untill the first day of January 1688. and for the making constant and punctual payment of Subsistence Money and clearing of the Army in the usual method without any the least diminution of their former Pay ordering all Officers to repair to their respective Commands and Soldiers to their Quarters and Rendezvouz under such penalties as a refusal may incur and that nothing might be wanting on his part His Highness in another Paper gave the like notice and assurance to the Sea-men belonging to
commanded the City they made an Act by which they empowered the Earls of Lothain and Tweddale to repair immediately to the Castle of Edinburgh and to require him and others of his persuasion there in the Name of the Estates of this Kingdom to remove out of that Castle in twenty four hours after notice given and to leave the Charge thereof to the next commanding Officer being a Protestant and that he and those that were with him upon such a compliance should have assurance from the Estates to be secured and indempnified as to any thing they had acted in that or any other Station contrary to Law as being Papists This done they nominated a Committee of Election consisting of 15 persons five of each Estate and after some debate whether the Lords Spiritual were a distinct Estate or only a part of the same Estate with the Lords Temporal which was laid aside by the House inclining to the Negative and rejecting the Protestations against the sitting of the Earl of Argile before his Father's Attainder was taken off A Motion was made that in consideration the City was full of People and many of them armed to prevent disorders it was not inconvenient to command all persons who were not Inhabitants nor immediately belonging to the Members of this Convention to depart the place but it was the Opinion of the House that the Castle in the command of whose Cannon the City was ought to be first surrendered and for their better assurance a Committee was ordered to take care that no violation of the Peace were made And the next day the Duke of Gourdon having sent a Paper by way of Excuse for holding the Castle contrary to the mind of the Estates it was read and advantageous Terms offered him and those with him in consideration of a speedy Surrender but soon after he discovered his Design was only to trifle that he might gain time which obliged them to send for such a competent number of armed Men as was capable to block it up and prevent the Excursions of the Besieged so that small bickerings frequently happened though without any considerable damage In the mean while two Letters came to the Convention one from King William and the other from the late King of which only the first was approved and the Convention proceeded to take measures much like those of England declaring the Throne vacant c. and made preparation in order to fill it suffering Men and Arms from England to enter that Kingdom and it was in fine concluded that King William and Queen Mary should be crowned King and Queen of the Kingdom of Scotland and the Crown offered them with an Instrument of Government to settle and regulate particulars Whilst these things passed in Scotland with others of the like purport a Proclamation by the King and Queen was issued out give to notice to the Peers and such as had any Claim or Right of Tenure that the Royal Solemnity of their Coronation was to be celebrated April 11th 1689. and on the 21st of March his Majesty going to the House of Lords attended in the usual solemnity and being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne and the Commons being sent for up gave his Royal Assent to an Act for granting a present Aid to their Majesties and on the 31st of March the Right Reverend Dr Gilbert Burnet being before Bishop elect of Salisbury was consecrated according to the form prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer in the Chapel of the Palace at Fulham by the Lord Bishops of London Winchester Landaff St Asaph and Carlisle by virtue of a Commission granted to them by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury On Apr. 3. his Majesty went by water to the House of Lords attended with the usual solemnity and in the usual manner gave the Royal Assent to an Act for exhibiting a Bill in the present Parliament for naturalizing the most Noble Prince George of Denmark also to an Act for Reviving of Actions and Process lately depending in the Courts of Westminster and discontinued by not holding of Hilary Term and for supplying other Defects relating to Proceedings at Law likewise to an Act for punishing Officers or Soldiers who shall mutinie or desert their Majesties Service and in the Afternoon a Chapter being held of the most noble Order of the Garter Duke Frederick Mareschal de Schomberg General of his Majesties Forces and Master General of the Ordnance and the Right Honourable William Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward of his Majesties Houshold were elected Knight-Companions of the Order and invested with the Garter and George having been first Knighted by the Sovereign with the usual Ceremony and Dr. Burnet Bishop of Salisbury was sworn and admitted Chancellour of that Order On the 5th of April his Grace the Duke of Ormond was installed in St. George's Chapel Knight-Companion of the Noble Order by the Duke of Grafton and the Earl of Rochester two Knight-Companions who were thereunto Commissioned by the Sovereign with the usual Ceremonies which done his Grace entertained the Commissioners together with divers Persons of Quality and the Officers of the Order at a noble Dinner at the middle whereof Garter King at Arms accompanied with the Officers at Arms proclaimed his Grace's Style About this time His Majesty caused notice to be given to all Protestant Officers that had been disbanded in Ireland or lately quitted their Commands they who were not yet employed in his Service to bring in their Names and Certificates of their former Commands in order to their entering into Service and Pay c. and to prevent false and seditious Rumours as to the lessening the Pay of such Soldiers as should be sent over to the Low-Countries His Majesty was pleased to issue forth his Proclamation to assure them of full English Pay and upon the English Establishment as full to all Intents as any other Regiments of his own Subjects of the same Quality remaining in the Kingdom of England The Parliament assembled at Westminster having duly weighed and considered the high consequence as to the security of our Religion Laws c. in the Efficacy of a Coronation an Act being drawn up it passed the Royal Assent the 9th of April in the 1st Year of their Majesties Reigns entituled An Act for establishing the Coronation Oath The Oath in manner and form to be tendred The Archbishop or Bishop shall say Will you solemnly promised and swear to govern the People of this Kingdom of England and the Dominions thereto belonging according to the Statutes in Parliament agreed on and the Laws and Customs of the same The King and Queen shall say I solemnly promise so to doe Archbishop or Bishop Will you to your power cause Law and Justice in Mercy to be executed in all your Judgments King and Queen I will. Archbishop or Bishop Will you to the utmost of your Power maintain the Law of God the true Profession of the Gospel and the Protestant Reformed