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ervation and Access and the Xerox
Corporation. Digital file copy-
right by Cornell University
Library 1992.LETTERS
ADDRESSED PROM LONDON
TO
SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON
WHILE
PLENIPOTENTIARY AT THE CONGRESS OE COLOGNE
IN THE YEAR3 1673 AND 1674.
EDITED BY W. D. CHRISTIE, C.B.,
ACTHOR OF THF LIFE OF THE FIRST EARL OF SHAFTESBURY.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOLUME II.
PRINTED FOR THE CAMDEN SOCIETY
M.DCCC.LXXIV.WESTMINSTER:
PRINTED BY J. B. NICHOLS AND SONS,
25, PARLIAMENT STREET.
[NEW SERIES IX.]COUNCILOF THE CAMDEN SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR 1873-74.
President,
THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF VERULAM, F.R.G S.
THE RIGHT HON. LORD ACTON.
WILLIAM CHAPPELL, ESQ.'F.S.A., Treasvrer.
WILLIAM DURRANT COOPER, ESQ. F.S.A
FREDERICK WILLIAM COSENS, ESQ.
JOHN FORSTER, ESQ. D.C.L.
JAMES GAIRDNER, ESQ.
SAMUEL RAWSON GARDINER, ESQ., Director.
ALFRED KINGSTON, ESQ., Secretary.
SIR JOHN MACLEAN, F.S.A.
FREDERIC OUYRY, ESQ. Treas. S.A.
EDWARD RIMBAULT, LL.D.
JAMES SPEDDING, ESQ.
WILLIAM JOHN THOMS, ESQ. F.S.A.
SIR WALTER CALVERLEY TREVELYAN, PART.
J. R. D. TYSSEN, ESQ.The Council of the Camden Society désiré it to be under
stood that they are not answerable for any opinions or observa
tions that ma y appear in the Society’s publications; the Editor
of the several Works being alone responsible for the same.LETTERS
ADDRESSED TO
SIB JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
No. 97.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, Sept, l, 1673.
Since my last on Fryday, very little of moment has happened;
the coffee-houses and from them the people continue their too open
hâte to the French, and discourse of them with the greatest contempt
imaginable; and they say the Prince is so angry that he will not
goe with them out againe; and a letter is published in manuscript
about Town pretended to be writt by Mons. Mar tell to the French
King, not only in his own defence for fighting without orders, but
accuseing the Comte d’Estrees of ail the miscarriage,1 so that the
French men now that lately were so briske in defence of the Vice
Admirall say that without doubt the Comte will be called home
and seemingly punished, for the business is too open to be concealed,
and without it the league and union between the two Kings may be
in danger, because tliere are dayly quarrells with the English and
French seamen wherever they meete. The King they say should
say openly in discourse of it, that if it wTere no foule play, it was a
very great miscarrage and that he would not justifye the action at
1 M. Martel’s account of the battle was suppressed in Paris, but it got to
England, and was printed. It concluded thus: “ If Count D’Estrées would hâve
fallen in with a fair wind upon De Ruyter and Bankert, at their first engaging,
wher. in nunibers they much exceeded the Prince, they must of necessity hâve been
inclosed between his Highness and D’Estrees, and so the enemy would hâve been
entirely defeated.” The form was not gone through, as Mr. Ball thought likely,
of punishing D’Estrées ; M. Martel was sent to the Bastile.
fl VOL. II.	B2
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
ail. This does indeed so inflame the people that every apple-woman
makes it a proverbe, Will you fight like the French? and the
inclosed Advice to a Painter,1 ingeniously writt and cryed np
extreamly when but touching gently upon that string, and bought
up so fast that I could not gett two of them.
As y et wee cannot heare who will goe to sea, nor when the Fleete
will goe out; the latter end of this weeke his Majesty goes to see them,
and to-morrow Mr. Yernon goes in the Fanfan to see about makeing
préparations for his Duke,2 who now certainly goes, but in wrhat
quality he knowes not yet. It’s the generall question asked now, Who
goes to sea ? and they say it was ail these three dayes past debated in
Councell, and as yet not published who. The Prince is much adored
by the people, and cheifly, it’s thought, for his hatred to the French,
but ail say his Highness wants that which makes a happy Com-
mander, success, for though ail his actions hâve been performed
with as great gallantry as possibly could be, yet as yet tliey hâve
not been.prosperous. These and such like are the politique dis-
courses of the Towne, which, in obedience to your Excies command
therein, I adventure to présent. Among our Commanders too it
seemes there is some différence and émulation, they dayly quarrelling;
and particularly last Satturday at Deale, Capt. Coleman and Capt.
Pointz, who landed there and two mile off fought a duell, upon
words between them about the fight, the first of which lias received
so many wounds that they much feare his life, but the other no
hurt att ail; and Major Darrell from Sherness sayes that some of
the French soldiers coming into that isle, the seamen and people so
1 The poem here referred to is one ascribed to Andrew Marvell, his “ Advice to
a Painter.” This passage fixes the date of the poem, which the Rev. Mr. Grosart
leaves in doubt. The référencés in the poem to the projected marriage of the Duke
of York clearly show that the poem was published in the autumn of 1673. But a
line mentioning Lord Danby, as it has been usually printed, would require that the
poem were published at least a year later, as Osborne was not made Earl of Danby
till June 1671. The line in question has been usually printed, “With Father
Patrick, Danby, and with Teague.” Talbot should be substituted for Danby, which
is unquestionably wrong: Talbot is in the édition of 1689.
* Duke of Monmouth.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
3
houted them, that he was faine to place a guard upon tliem, as he
is forced upon ail of them that corne ashoare, to secure them from
the people’s fury, and is therefore fearfull of sorne hurt will be done
among them. Our seamen are not much for fighting any more
this summer, for feare that the White Squadron1 should beare them
company againe, and this ill blood is run so farr now, that it’s the
trouble of ail sober people to see it. Our Camp at Yarmouth is,
they say, brooke up, and yesterday came to towne the Earl of
Mulgrave about orders how to dispose his men into their winter
quarters.
Yester morning dyed here Dr. Perincheefe,2 one of the Prebends
of Westminster; his Prebendary is given to Dr. Coleburne,3 the Sub-
Deane of his Majestyes Chappell. This morning his Majesty went
by water to Woolwich to see the prize ship opened, and returned att
noone. This morning marcht hence for France the 36 Gentlemen
drawn out of the Horse Guards to recruite my Lord Duras 4 troope*
Sir Jonathan Atkins is they say to goe Governor to Barbadoes in
my Lord Willoughbyes roome, whose body is not yet corne from
Kinsale, from whence my Lord had this day a letter of the 23.past,
that sayed then the whole Fleete of East Indya ships were still
there wayting only for a wind, which since wee hope they hâve
had, and that they may by the next be arrived safely at Plymouth.
The appréhensions of Tromp’s being off of the Goodwin being now
vanished, and the mistake found to be some of our frigatts that were
coming into the Downes, but from Boston this daye’s letter said
that on Fryday last past in sight of them to the northward a fleete
of men of warr of 30 sayle, but what they were they could not
1	The French.
2	Richard Perrincheif, D.D.
3	Richard Colebrand, D.D. See Chèque Book of the Chapel Royal, edit, Rimbault,
p. 216. (Le Neve’s Fasti, edit. Hardy, iii. 361.)
4	Louis Duras, a Frenchman, brother of the Duc de Duras, married the elder of
two daughters of Sir George Sondes, Bart., of Lees Court, near Feversham, who was
in 1676 created Earl of Feversham. Duras, who became naturalized, was created
Lord Duras of Holdenby, and on the death of his father-in-law in 1677 he succeeded
by a spécial provision in the patent to the Earldom of Feversham.4
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
then tell, which are supposed Tromp gone that way to fetcli some
other ships they still expect. A malitious and idle report run about
yesterday that the seamen had remonstranized against going to sea
with the French any more, and that some eminent Commanders
headed them, but I hâve inquired strictly after it of some knowing
persons, but can heare nothing of it, and hope it a great mistake.
His Royall Highnesses marriage is said to be at a stand,1 and
Spaine seemingly pretending a marriage with her to breake it off
with us, but my Lord Sunderland’s letter from Paris sayes that the
Marquis d’Anjou was gone into Italy to assist at the solemnity of
the marriage (if it went on), and was to doe it as a daughter of
France, and that it was given out that the King gave her 400,000
livres towards part of her portion. People now dispaire of peace,
though they wish it extreamly, coales being now the appréhension
of the Towne, for the capers ail along the coast makes it very unsafe
to bring them. Ail hope that, if Spaine does breake with France,
that wee need not, and that his Majesty will make his own termes,
having now good reason; and this is the Citty discourse.
Mr. Sydney Godolphin2 and divers young gentlemen hâve
proffered their service to wayte on the Duke of Monmouth to sea,
and many of them will really goe. Sir Edward Spragg’s funerall
is to be solemnized as the Earle of Sandwiche’s was by barges, and
1	Several previous letters hâve announced the suppression of the negotiations for
the marriage. The young Princess was extremely disinclined to marriage, and
wished to lead a religious life. When the Earl of Peterborough saw her to propose
the marriage, she refused, and entreated the Earl to use his influence with the Duke
of York to lead him to think of some one else, even in her own family. Her
résistance was at last overcome by a brief from the Pope addressed to her. Another
difficulty arose out of a demand by the Pope for a public chapel for her in England.
Bishop Burnet says: “ Because those at Rome were not willing to consent, unless
she might hâve a public chapel, which the Court would not hearken to, another
marriage was proposedfor a daughter of the Duke of Crequi.,,—(Own Time, i. 353.)
See Letter 104, of September 8.
2	Sydney Godolphin, third son of Sir Francis Godolphin, became Earl of Godolphin,
and a famous minister, in the reigns of William and Anne. He began his political
career as a Lord of the Treasury in 1679.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
5
no other différence but one bar^e less, and none of tliem covered
with velvett, and the King’s servants to attend itt.
Since your Exc>'es departure wee hâve never scarse had the
Gazette d’a la maine 1 from Paris, Mr. Perwich, I suppose, sending it
to my Lord directly. It would be now and then very usefull, and
Mr. Petitt proferring a gentleman at Paris that for some newes
sent weekely in French to him he will send it to your Excf con-
stantly, I hâve gott my Lord’s leave to receive it of him, and, if
your Exc? approves of it, I will send to him in French, but with
the same caution and circumspection as wee doe to him at Brusselles.
This I présumé to acquaint your Exc^, because I will never doe any
thing but what your Exc^ shall thinke fitt and command, and I
most humbly beg your Exc*ves pardon for my presumption if you
approve it not.
The inclosed Sir Eobert Carr commanded me to présent your
Exc^. My Lady O’Bryan being gone out when I went this evening
to receive her Honoras commands, I could do nothing but leave my
name, and that I should expect her Ladyshipp’s orders at the office.
Ail your Exc>es family are well, and nothing, 1 thanke God, happened
amisse yet. I dare not longer trouble your Exc^. I most humbly beg
your Excy will be pleased to continue me in the list of, may it please
your Exc>r,
Your Exc?es most obedient servants,
B	Henry Ball.
No. 98.—From Thomas Povey. 2
]\py Lord,	Whitehall, Sept. 1, 1673.
It being now publickly discoursed, though not yet declared, that
such préparations are made heere on your behalf, that when your
1	Gazette d’Allemagne. Almain was the carrent English word for Germany.
2	A Menïber of Parliament, who had held several minor offices, which he had lost
by bad management, and in which he had been succeeded by Samuel Pepys. He
is frequcntly mcntioned both hy Pepys and Evelyn.6
LETTERS ADDRES&ED TO
Excie shall return from your Embasie you shall be received into the
place and dignitie of Secretarie of Estate, an advancement which
you know I bave long wished and expected would bee a reward to
your virtue and your industrie, I am advised and encoraged to
address myself to you with a request, that you will please to reserve
yourself in transferring your lesser office of Clerk of the Councell,
untill you shall hâve admitted mee to treate with you therein;
not that I présumé soe much upon your former friendshipp or
any little services I hâve bin able or willing to doe you in our many
yeares acquaintance, as to suppose you should gratifie mee to any
condescendons to your disadvantage, but that I may only hâve the
fàvour of preferencie, it being not unlikely that I may corne up to
those conditions which you may thinke fitt to propose to your
successor. I hâve, I confess, sometimes comforted myself with a
beleife that the good will and power of my friends would before this
time hâve recommended me to some advantageous station upon
easyer tearmes then those upon which it may bee fitt for mee to
expect your surrender. And I will not yet soe far distrust my
better fortunes as not to hope that the passionat desires and endea-
vours I hâve had to serve others, even with neglect to myself,
shall sometime or other bee considered, and some happy oportunitie
be laied hold on for the improving my condition, especially if this
succession I may bee putt in viewe and motion: having too long
remaind in umbrage and unaction. I importune not the médiation
of our noblest Lord in this overture, because it tends only to an
équivalent, yet his lordship is soe far privie in this matter that I
desire noe farther concession from you than you shall find agreeable
and préférable in his Lordship, notwithstanding hee hath bin pressed
to concern himself for others.
May your honours and your happiness encrease upon you as
certainly as that I hâve bin, and am to be allwaies, my Lord,
Your Excellencies most humble and most faithfull servant,
Tho. Povey.
BSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
7
No. 99.—From Henry Oldenburg. 1
My Lord,	Lonclon, Sept. 2, 1673.
I présumé it will be no very great interruption to your affaires,
if I putt in a few lines of acknowledgement for the favor of yours
of Aug. giving your Excellency my humble thanks for your
sending away my papers to M. Slusius, who is one of our best
correspondents in mathematical and other engenious matters, and
who also hathe expresly a great esteem of his Majesties institution
of the Eoyal Society; in the doing of which he concurs with the
most eminent men in most part of the world; which, as it adds not a
litle by the renown of England, now admired abroad above other
nations for advancing experimental knowledge as well as academical
learning, so I hope it will at length induce, at home, ail that know
what value to put upon vertu and knowledg to contribute to the
support and encouragement of so excellent a foundation, whose
aimes and ends are not only to discover more and more truth in
natural, mathematical, and mechanical things, and to improve old
inventions and contrive new ones; but also to engage and conjoine,
by an incessant philosophical correspondence, the researches and
labors of ail sagacious and industrious men everywhere; whereby at
length there may be accumulated into one stock the ingenuities of
ail considérable men and thei'r various observations and experiments
concerning Nature and Art, now scatter’d up and down in the world;
for ail which our England may be made the common repository or
magazeen, to serve hereafter for materials to build a masculin and
usefull philosophy upon. And this design and work I am per-
suaded your Excellency will, in compliance with your own genius,
appear in due time an eminent promoter of, as well as y ou are a
great favorer to academical studies; that so ail kinds of semenaries
and ways of learning and knowledg may goe hand in hand to make
this nation floresh above ail others. I am confident your Exc^ will
1 Secretary of tlie Royal Society.8
LETTERS ADDRE^SED TO
pardon this excursion of my zeal, as I also pray that you would
think on me and my labors when you shall be returned into
England ; for the safety of which return, as also for the good success
of your grand negotiation, you hâve the cordial good wishes and
prayers of,
Your Excellencyes very humble and faithfull servant,
Oldenburg.
RIO,
‘2 O •
No. 100.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 5 September, 1673.
Yesterday I received your Excies of the 1 and 5 inst. with severall
inclosed.
Wee hâve since my last been againe allarmed with a report which
came from the Isle of Wight, that 30 Dutch men of warr were
passed to the westward, which afterwards proved to be a fleet of
English marchant men, who the day before sailed out of the Downes
under the convoy of two or three men of warr, bound for severall
places abroad; but this morneing by an expresse from Plimouth
wee received the good news that the fleet from Kinsale was passed
by Plimouth on Tuesday last, and about noone came another
expresse from Portsmouth, giveing an account of their passing by
the Isle of Wight yesterday, towards evening, so that it is not
doubted but they are by this time in the Downs, and may in a very
short time be in the river, the wind being very faire and a good
gaile; for their convoy, they hâve with them 11 men of warr and
one fireship.
It is now resolved that the Fleet shall goe out no more, but onely
a winter squadron of about 30 frigatts, to be commanded by the
Earle of Ossory in chief, Sir John Chichely Vice-Admirai], and Sir
John Holmes Rear-Admirall. The Duke of Monmouth goes onely
Captaine of the Swiftsure, tliough the common discourse is that itSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
9
is onely to préparé him for a generall command against the next
spring, if the warr continue; for most are of opinion the Prince
will goe no more to sea, and say that there is too strong a faction
against him both at Court and in the Fleet.
In the meantime the Prince continues to justify himselfe as to
the late engagement, and to blâme the carriage of the French,
haveing drawne up a narrative himselfe of the late fight, which I
on Wednesday saw in his Secretary’s hand, and being onely per-
mitted to take a quick view of it, I can onely tell your Excy that in
it his Highness blâmes Sir Edward Spragg for haveing stayd for
the Dutch, and, by engaging himselfe too farr, had putt the blew
squadron into disorder; that Bankaert when he first bore up to the
French had onely 8 men of warr with him, and that, so soone as the
French tacked, [he] came downe againe and joyned De Ruyter, so
that the whole Dutch Fleet in two bodies engaged our two squadrons.
Monsieur Martell, it is said, sides with us, and condemns mightily
the proceeding of the Count D’Estrées; he with another French
man of warr left their squadron (or as some say was cutt of from
them) and fell into the Blew, where they behaved themselves pretty
well. The witts of the Towne tell us, that when the fight was done
the Count D’Estrées sent for Martell, and told him when he came
home he would hâve him hanged for dareing to hazard the King’s
ship. On Wednesday, in the evening, the Prince went downe to
the Fleet to settle matters, and at his returne will cause, as I am
told by Mr. Watkins, this narrative to be printed. I endeavoured
in the meantime to gett a copy of it to send this night to your Excy
but could not. By a gentleman that came up yesterday from the
Fleet I am assured that the 30 ships intended for the winter guard
will hâve near three score new masts before they can goe out
againe.
Sir John Harman is very ill of a kind of dropsy, insomuch that
his recovery is almost despaired of; and Sir John Kempthorne is
likewise ill, a slight wound he received in the late fight, by the
négligence of his chirurgeon, endangering now the losse of his hand.
VOL. II.	c10
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
The Prince is expected in towne againe tlie beginning of the next
week. The Earle of Ossory is still here, and it is beleived it will be
the middle of the next month before he and the Duke of Monmouth
goe downe. The officers in the Fleet hâve strict orders not to
speake against the French as to their carriage in the late engage-
ment, but tliat helps little, the whole nation being already
sufficiently prepossessed. Wee hâve at présent at Newcastle a
fleet of 400 sayle of colliers hitlier bound. I am, with ail dutifull
respect, my Lord,
Your Excies most faithfull and most obedient servant,
R. Yard.
No. 101.—From Wm. Bridgeman.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Sept. 5, ’73.
Last ordinary brought us the Flanders letters of two posts, so I
corne to hâve the favour of two of your Excies to acknowledge of the
22 and 26 of the last month.
I hâve spoke to my Lord Arlington about Mr. Hartopp of
Antwerp, according to what y ou intimated to mee, and my Lord
has given orders the mony should bee paid to whom he should
appoint here, which accordingly I will see done.
Wee hâve this day received advice of the arrivall of the East
India fleet (which has for this fortnight layn in Kinsale harbour, in
Ireland,) att the Spitthead, and wee présumé they may bee this
night in the Downs; they hâve a convoy of 11 ships already with
them, and his Majesty has ordered severall others to joyne with
those for their greate security, though the winde continuing as it is,
S.W., and a fresh gale, no greate danger I thinke can bee
apprehended from the Dutch Fleet, it being (as the winde is)
impossible for them to beare up to the Channell.SIR JOSErH WILLIAMSON.
11
The fleet lyes att the buoy of the Nore, his Highness Prince
Rupert being gone down thither to hasten the setting out such ships
as the King has designed to keepe att sea the rest of this yeare,
att least season. My Lord Ossory has the command in chiefe of
them, and they say Sir John Chichley is to bee Vice-Admirall, and
Sir John Holmes Rere-Admirall.
The discourse about the behaviour of the French in the last
engagement is not yet over; the matter I doubt will stick by, and
the rather by reason of Mons. Martell’s relation of itt, a copy of
which, for your particular satisfaction, I thought might not bee
amisse to transmitt to y ou, and hâve accordingly enclosed it, though
it is not suffered to bee published here.
I am, with ail respect and truth, my Lord,
Your Excellencies most faithfull and most humble servant,
Wm. Bridgeman.
a-è-s-
No. 102.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Sept. 5, ’73.
Though the little time I hâve left might excuse mee for every-
thing else, yet I may not omit acknowledgeing the honor of your
TT-y-cies Sept~ 5•
-tL,X 01 Au g. 26.
My Lord Sunderland hath beene these three daies in towne, at
the instance of the French Ambassador in his Majesties name, for a
body of three thousand Scotch and Irish. The King hath promised
hee shall bee supplied with that number with ail speed.
I am ever, my Lord,
Your Excellencies most humble servant.
Jo: Richards.12
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
No. 103.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, Sept. 5, 1673.
On Monday I presumed to give your Exc7 an account of what
had happened here since my last, since which, not finding anything
at the Signett or elsewhere, I was almost ashamed to trouble your
Excy, but that I considered any apology in tbat case could not justify
my want of duty, which in the first place I ought to pay your Exc7.
These 3 days our marchants hâve been allarmed with a report
of 30 sayle of Dutch men of warr (as it was thought) that appeared
off the Isle of Wight; but this morneing from Plymouth wee
heare that the 2nd instant appeared off there 11 frigatts, 2 fire-
ships, and 12 East Indyamen, with severall merchants from the
West Indyes, and the next day (as by express also) wee heare they
anchored in Portsmouth Eoade, which wee suppose to be our fleete
(so eagerly expected) from Kinsale, and wee hope they are ere this
gott into the Downes, the wind being very faire. On Monday
sayled 8 frigatts towards them for their convoy, under Captain
Harborough, which we hope are joyned them.
Sir Kobert Carre this morneing commanded me to acquaint your
Ex°y that he most really acknowledges your Exc7s favore to him by
the last post, which he would most willingly hâve returned answer
too, but that there is nothing of newes to write your Excy, without
which hee thought it not materiall to trouble your Excy.
Our Fleete shall they say goe out noe more, and onely now a
winter guard of 30 sayles of the 4th and fift rate frigatts, which are
to be commanded by the Earl of Ossory as Admirall, Sir John
Chicheley, Vice-Admirall, and Sir John Holmes, Eere-Admirall,
and the Duke Monmouth only Captain of the Swiftsure, from which
Mr. Vernon returned the last night and reports that it cannot be
ready or any of the rest yett these 10 days, by reason wee hâve
nothing in order to refitt ships as our enemy has. It’s said hisSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
13
Grâce shall this winter learne the maritime affaires, and, if the warr
continue, be made at spring Admirall of a Squadron, if not of the
whole Fleete, for, though the Prince continues the power, yet they
ail say that his Highnesse is so strongly possest against the French,
that he will not admitt of any thing that relates to their favour,
and, to cleare himselfe and others from an imputation layd on them
by an adverse party, is resolved to print his relation of the late
engagement, which had been out before now, but that his Highnesse
was so scrupulous as because he could not tell the just motion of
the wind the Sunday when they were off of Camperdowne, he
commanded that no coppyes should be delivered of itt till his
returne from France, whither he went on Wednesday morning to
give orders for severall things that [are] wanted in our navy. It’s
said his Highness will goe no more actually out, there being so high
a faction both at sea and in court against him, yet iPs said that his
Highness continues the command and will not hold his tongue, but
blâmes the French behaviour in the highest. I had hopes of a copy
of his Highnesses relation, but Mr. Watkins of the Signett durst
not lett me partake of that favour, which I think I am the last that
askt it, there being divers copyes of this thing given about; but I
hope your Excellency will looke upon us as persons wholely subject
to whatever shall be commanded by my Lord Arlington’s Secretaries
and conséquent]y not able to serve your Excy as wee ought. Count
MartelPs relation to the French King is joyned to the Prince’s, and
both are resolved to lay ail the calumny on the squadron of d’Estrées;
and al though his Majesty has commanded that no thing shall be
spoken in dérogation of the French honour, yett ail our lampoones
touches upon them, and will not allow them any courage att ail in
the late fight. A translate of what was printed in Amsterdam of the
late fight is read in our coffee-houses, which say es that the French
and Blankert fought bravely, but lost not one man, and that will be
the beliefe of ail the English till Doomes Day. Sir John Harman
is ill of a dropsicall feavour, or else he had had the command of the
winter guard, because Sir John Kempthorne’s wounds are not yett14
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
so well as to allow him any ease. The Prince is lookt for the
beginning of the next weeke, when the Earle of Ossory speakes of
going out, yet it’s much discourst of that so young officers should
goe out now when the experienced commanders are wanting to doe
us good. I heare no where but great complaints of the French, so
that I believe your Excy will heare from my Lord Arlington that
the whole nation is sett against them, and that past recovery.
Sir Robert Holmes this week by pétition asked the office of
Customer of the Imposition upon VVool in réversion after Sir Philip
Warwioke, but his Majesty was pleased to tell him that neither he
or any one else should for the future hâve any reversion of any
place, and that he could give order to the Greate Seale not to pass
any thing of that nature, but it’s believed that resolution will not
hold long, for since that a reversion has been given to my Lord
Treasurer’s nephew for Comptroller of Plymouth.
I most humbly begg your Ex0?53 pardon that I cannot give you a
better account of passages here, but I hope your Excy will believe
I ever wilPto the utmost of my power be, may it please your
Excellency,
Your Excys most humble and most obedient servant,
Henry Ball.
R .iû
20*
No. 104.—From William Bridegman.
My Lord,	Whitehall, September Bth, 1673.
When I thought I should hâve been able to hâve told your Excy
your Bill of Extraordinaries was not onely allowed of but order
given for the payment of the mony, I found that Mr. Floyd (in
whose hands I put it, as being informed you had trusted him with
that concerne,) had not so much as offered it to my Lord Treasurer,
who, when I spoke to him, said he had heard nothing of it. Mr.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
15
Floyd is, I am told, att présent out of town, but as soone as I can
retrieve the -Bill, I will charge myselfe with seing it dispatched.
The greatest part of the rich Fleet lately corne from Kinsale in
Ireland are got safe into the river, but wee doe not heare the great
East India men (who could not corne over the flatts) are gott in yet,
though it is presumed they might this afternoone ; ail the ships which
were in a condition to goe out were ordered to goe to the Gunfleet
for their greater security.
The King intending, as it is said, not to sett out so great a squadron
now as att first before the arrivall of the East India ships he designed,
lias appointed Sir Robert Holmes to goe as Commander in Chief,
in the roome of my Lord of Ossory, who was to hâve commanded
the Fleet for the rest of this season. The Count d’Estree is ordered
home, and, if there bee no danger of the Dutch, will saile with the
first faire winde.
After ail the licences and propositions the Duke of York had
entertained of diverse matclies he hath at lastpitched upon Mademeselle
Crequi, and accordingly Sir William Lockhart has orders to aske the
King of France liis consent to it,1
I am with ail respect and truth, my Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithful and most humble servant,
Wm. Bridgeman.
No. 105.—From Sir Thomas Player.
Sir,	Guildhall, September 9th, 1673.
I presum’d to write a second letter to your Exc*ve, I feare Tis
miscarryed, and yet why should I feare the miscarriadge of it, which
cannot be worth anything but only as it had your name upon it.
This third paper cornes only to déclaré that I hâve not forgot your
commands, and that I shall always be obedient to what you shall
injoyne. I hâve noe pleasure in writeing anything that is trouble-
some, but as wee hâve little else to discourse of, soe I hâve little
1 See note on Letter 97, p. 4.16
LETTERS ADDRE§SED TO
else to Write of. ’Tis beyond my skill to describe tbe disorder the
people were in here upon the not fighting of the French in the
last battle, especially when there was a prospect of a glorious victory.
The Citizens of London lookt more disconsolate than when their
citie lay in ashes, and it could not be otherwise, for though the
wisedome of the State might thinke fitt to stifle any publick narra-
tive wherein the French might be exposed, yet there were so many
letters came from the Commanders and others of the Fleet chargeing
with cowardise and treachery, that it was impossible to conceale it.
While we were in this distemper it pleased Almighty God, who
hath often delivered us out of difflcultyes, to send us the news of
the retakeing St. Helena, of the takeing 3 Dutch East India shipps,
and of the arrivall of these with six of our owne East India shipps
and a considérable fleet of Barbadoes men, in ail 46 sayle, at King-
sale in Ireland. This did a little divert the humour, but I doe not
beleeve ’tis cured. The sixth instant came the news of the arrivall
of this whole Fleet in the Downes; this gave a farther diversion,
and the discourse now is how these prizes may be disposed to the
best advantage.
In my last I thinke I acquainted y our Excye that the government
of London was asleepe, and in a deepe one, for it is not yet awake ;
the truth is ’tis soe quiett ’tis pitty to wake it; but if God Almighty
did not take care of us wee were in a misérable case.
Wee hâve binne much troubled in the Election of Sheriffs. One
Mead, a Quaker, was chosen, and he hath seald a bond of 1,000Z. to
hold, but desiring the bond to consider a quarter of an hour of it,
he thrust in this in writing as a condition, “ Provided that nothing be
oflerd to me contrary to the commands of Christ and signd it and
deliverd it before wee discoverd the cheat.
Wee hâve this evening the good news of the arrivall of a very
considérable coale fleet, the secureing of which with ail the India
ships is the more considérable, because *tis said the Dutch are abroad.
^ A jewell is prepareing for D’Estrées of 3,000Z. and a medall for
Scaramucci of 50Z.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON*
17
The sweetnesse of your Ex0?8 temper will I hope incline you to
pardon my littel things I trouble you with, and yet to entertaine
me as your Excyes most faithfull and humble servant,
Tho: Player.
My most humble service to your Major Domo.
No. 106.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whiteball, Sept. 12, ’73.
As my Lord Arlington is very particular even in the matter of
our common news, soe little remaines to bee added thereunto. Ail
régiments are sent to their winter quarters and reduced to 60 in
each company, and Sir William Lockhart’s régiment designed for
France for one of those I formerly mencioned.
I am sorry I am not better furnisht to expresse with what dévo-
tion I am, my Lord,
Your Excellencies most humble and most obedient servant,
Jo. Richards.
No. 107.—From Sir Francis Chaplin.1
May it please your Exelensy,	London, the 13th Sept. 1673.
Since yours of the 8th of August received and had given you
the troble of an answer before this, but did expect to hâve sene you
here before now, by ail the account I can hâve this is farr the
better place.
I long to see you here, beleveing you will be capable of doeing
the King and Kingdom better servis then you can doe there. For
the Leftenant of the Tower,2 I am very sorry he should forgit
himselfe so farr; he is neether taken up with his Majesty’s ore3 Citty
busines, but hâve bin in the country with his lady above 2 munths
a threshing.
1	A City Alderman (Lord Mayor in 1678), and a member of the Clothworkers,
Company with Williamson.
2	Sir John Robinson.
VOL. II.
3 Le. or.
D18
LETTERS ADDREÇSED TO
For news, we hâve very litle but what you hâve a better account
of then I can give you.
In the Citty they sum time sins chose one Mead, a Quaker,
Sheriff, who with his party did intend to give the Citty a great
troble, but we put on a good resolution and turnd him off and
sent him to Newgate for his rudnes to the Court, and now the
gentleman is a little tamer.
We hâve chosen two honest good sheriffs, Alderman Tulse, Mr.
Nath. Herne, but he fined, and Mr. Lethlere1 is chosen in his place.
Ail the Towne hâve allready married you unto my Lady Smith.
I shall use ail diligence to assist in setling her accounts against you
cum bak ; pray be not dilatory, for these long and coold nights a
good bedfellow is very acceptable.
I hâve performed your commands to my Lord Maier;2 we are
not unmindfull of your health every time we meett. I am very
sorry for honest Luke Weekes that he is not well. I wish you
much hapines and a speedy returne. Presenting my and my wifs
servis, I am, Sir, your Exelensys most humble sarvant,
Fran: Chaplin.
Indorsed,
Sir Fran: Chaplin.
R Oct. XV
No. 108.—From the Duchess of Portsmouth. 3
De Londres, ce 15 Septembre, 1673.
Sy je naves etes for incommoder tousse tans ysy jesper Monsyeur
que vous croyes bien que je naures pas manques a vous randre mille
grasse de la part que vous me faite la grasse de me tesmoinner
1 The Sheriffs who served were Sir Henry Tulse (afterwards Lord Mayorin 1684),
and Sir Robert Geffery (afterwards Lord Mayor in 1686), who were both knighted
by the King when présent at Guildhall on the ensuing Lord Mayor’s feast. Sir
Nathaniel Herne and John Lethieullier, Esq. were elected in the next ensuing
year, 1674.	2 Sir George Waterman.
3 A reply to courtier-like congratulations from Williamson on the lady’s élévation
to be Duchess of Portsmouth. The original spelling of this French letter is literally
followcd.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
19
prandre a lhonneur que le roy me vient de faire je nés pas este
surprise de voutre honnestete car javves tan de marque si considér-
able que se na fait que me confirmer davantaie dans le sonet que je
toujour que vou me fériés la grasse de vouloyr bien estre sainsere-
mant de mes amis je vous en conjure instanment Monsyeur vous
assurant que que vous ne le pouves estre de personne qui sayt plus
veritablemant des voutre ni qui vous honnore ny estimme tan que
moy.
La Duchesse de Portsmouth.
Sy jausay vous prier de prandre un peu de soin et vous recom-
mander la faire de say pouvre jans que vous saves on je suys
inteyressé je vous an seres infinismant obligies.
B Oct. 5.
No. 109.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, Sept. 19,1673.
Since my last on Monday by Mr. Barré wee hâve not heard of
your Excellency, nor indeed hâve had any forreigne post, 4 being
wanting from Holland. These 5 or 6 dayes hâve been troubled
with continuall and sad stormes, but without any préjudice to any
parfcof our Fleete, as wee heare; but the French squadron that went
out of the river on Satturday last, before they gott to Rye on
Tuesday were so fiercely attacqued with itt, that yesterday wee
heard there was 14 of them forced back into the Downes, some of
them into Hide Bay, Folston, and Dover, and about 13 missing,
they could not tell where, as feared blown over to the Flanders
coast, and a man of warr (the Bourbon) of 56 gunns, run on ground
in Sandown Bay, and a fire ship off of Thanett. But this day wee
heare that shee was yesterday indeed fast still, but not without
hopes of getting her off ; that D’Estree and Martell were putt into
Dover, and Sir John Holmes in the Royall Charles, with the
Portesmouth Squadron going home, were still safe and in Hide Bay,20
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
haveing ridd out the storme withoüt the least damage. This talke
of the French loss lias been received (I assure your Excellency) by
the generalty of the people as good newes, not any of them being
willing to imagine that our interest is interwoven with theirs. His
Majesty sent downe imediately orders to the Commissioners of the
Navy for the sending the French Fleete ail they wanted, as 40
anchors and cables and much provisions. Our Deale people tooke
it ill of them, that when they came aboard them upon the fireing of
their gunns, they gave each boate but halfe a crown for a whole
night’s worke, when a little vessell for the like gives them 10s.
But ail people are apt to take any little thing ill they doe. This
day cornes newes (and indeed I hâve it from Sir Lawrence de Busty
and other French marchants,) that Monsieur Martell, since his
putting out of the river, has been arrested by the French King’s
orders and made a prisoner in his own ship for high treason, his
flagg taken away, and threatened to be putt to death for disobeying
orders, etc., upon the hearing of which, Prince Kupert(they tell me)
fretted and tare his haire, vowing that his Majesty ought not to
permitt so worthy a person to loose his life for doing his duty in
his service; how true this may be I know not, but ail people report
it with the greatest concerne and rage imaginable.
This day went away Mr. Yernon with the Duke of Monmouthes
baggage for France, his Grâce following on Monday next.
There has been a great contest they say between Monsieur Schom-
berg and Sir Walter Vane since their coming to towne, insomuch
that the last has resigned his commission, saying that, while his
Majesty es service required his obedience he has submitted himselfe
to be commanded by a forreigner, but now the camp was broake
up he could not resent his being slighted; indeed the whole body
of officers are not pleased with Monsieur Schomberge, and so dayly
offerr him affronts.
It proves a mistake, which the marchants constantly affirmed last
weeke, of the arrivall of our Virginia fleete at Kinsale, they being
not yett heard of, and now only our Smirna fleete expected that
putts us to any concerne.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
21
The Earle of Ossory continues with the Fleete, putting it in order
in the absence of Prince Eupert, but Captain Narborough is the
person named to go out for the winter guard and secure the Turkish
fleete home. Our herring fishing is begun, and great probability
of a good season if the multiplicity of capers hinder not, who now
begin to play their trickes again on our coast.
Since the newes of the ïmperiall troopes resolveing to fight, and
the French King desireing recruites of men, his Majesty has been
pleased to contradict his orders about disbanding 40 in a company
(which caused great noyse and murmurring amongst the soldiery),
but it seems it came too late, ail the régiments on shoare having
made hast to putt off their men before muster-day, so that now the
inconveniency ip. it is seen and repented, and where now the
Collonells would gett more men they cannot for their lives; so that
upon this order of my Lord Peterborough’s, my Lord Yaughan’s,
and the Scotch régiments to goe for France, and 2 companyes out
of each régiment to goe along with them to make them 4000, they
cannot without difflculty make up that number, and the men and
offlcers goe very unwillingly.
Peace is now dispaired of by ail ; so that now nothing looked
toward but the appearance of the meeting of the Parliament, which
makes a great deale of noyse, and every one reporting strang
discourses of the caball about it, worse almost than the dreame.
My Lord Lauderdall’s departure is smiled att, and it’s feared there
will not be a very serene month of November.
There is nothing att ail this weeke at the Signett, but 2,000Z. to
my Lady Diana Countess of Oxford, without account.
I can heare nothing of the opening of the prizes, Mr. Charles
Bennett being not yet returned from them ; they lye at Eriffe now,
and they say are pittifully plundered.
My Lord Chancellor 1 has been these two dayes somewhat indis-
posed with the goûte, but hopes to corne to the Cabinett to-morrow.
Prince Eupert and he are observed to converse very much together
and are very great, and indeed I see his Highnesses coach often at
1 The Earl of Sliaftcsbury.22
LETTERS ADDRE^SED TO
his doore. They are lookt upon to be the great Parliament men,
and for the interest of Old England.
I went this afternoon to receive my Lady O’Bryan’s commands,
before I writt to your Excellency. Her honour was pleased to tell
me shee had been so very much indisposed since the coming of her
brother’s 1 body, that shee knew your Excellency would excuse her
nott writing this post. Shee commanded me to présent her humble
service and to tell you ail her family were very well and wisht your
Excellency ail imaginable happyness.
On Monday by Mr. Barré I presumed to send your Excellency
the scutcheons Mr. Marshall did for you.2 I hope he will bring
them safe.
I wayted upon Mr. Chancellor of the Dutchy this day, who, and
his family, are ail very well.
Wee ail here long for your Excellencyes returne, and I especially,
I whose being dépends so much on your favour and esteeme, that
I most humbly make it my request to your Excellency to believe
it shall ever be my indeavour not only to acknowledge your former
five yeares favour, but with my utmost power to purchase in a larger
manner if possible the honour of being, may it please your Excel-
lency, your Excellencyes most humble and obedient servant till death,
Henry Ball.
Dr. Butler is returned from sea, and présents his most humble
service to your Excellency.
R Oct. TV
1	Her brother was Duke of Richmond, who married the beautiful Miss Stuart of
whom Charles II. was enamoured, and who, having been sent Ambassador toDcnmark,
died at Elsinore, Deeember 21, 1672. His body was laid in the vault of the family
in Henry the Seventli’s Chapel at Westminster, Sept. 20, 1673.
2	Probably such as Ambassador s were then accustomed to leave at the hôtels and
other lodgings which they occupied on their route.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
23
No. 110.—From James Yernon.
May it please your Excellency,	19th SePt*1673-
My Lord Duke is returning to F rance upon an ad vice he received
from Mr. de Louvois of the King of France intending some great
action. Captain Watson and I go tliis day for Paris with ail the
équipage, his Grâce resolving to follow about the end of next weeke.
It is thought the King is coming towards Franche Comté. As any
thing shall occur hereafter I will take the liberty to transmitt it to
your Excellency, when I may do it without being afraid of troubling
you with répétitions. I am, my Lord, your Excellencyes most
obedient and most faithfull servant,	J. Yernon.
No. 111.—From Sir Nicholas Armourer.1
May it please your Excellencie,	Mewes,2 23d of Sept. 73.
I ffinde by the 2 Minstrills letters to mee that I lye under a
hard censure that I hâve not writ to you ail this while. Were I
alltogether guilty off it, I durst not adventure to excuse myselffe.
It’s trew I had but litle to say, yett I ventured to give you the
trouble amongst your more weighty affaires to give you a whole
sheete with ail the Baggettells of Court and Citty, and sent it
inclossed to Tom Faireffax, in the begining of Jully, and left
that letter at Mr. Yard’s office, since which tyme I ne ver hard of
it, and seeing your letters sometymes to your brethren the Aldermen,
I thought my selffe out of favor and durst shute my boult noe
more. If this gett mee a pardon, I’ie promise for the future never
to desserve your displeassure in this kinde anie more. In my letter
I gave you first one account of the sale of your coach hors to my
Lord off Arran for 20 gennyes, after hee had stoode a good while
at the Inné, for, make us thankefull for it, wee were glad to sett
a sett of the King’s Coach hors in the selffe same Inné for want
of stable rome in the Mewes, and that ther is will not keepe the
raine out; this is the flurishing condition of his Majestie’s stables at
1	Sir N. Armourer was an equerry to Charles II.
2	L e. the royal stables at Charing Cross.24
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
pressent ; when they will bee better tyme will shew. The next place
I give you the rellation of Teague’s 1 parting with his wiffe, which
was done with greate formallity beffore Justice Brunker, but since,
upon her submission, shee is restored to his bed and board. Heare
is noe news conssiderable I am sure you hâve not notice of from
better hands, but heare is a 1000 coffee-houss reports and libells
sans number, our great Minesters jeallous of one and other and
preparing against October to see who is strongest. Our Master of
the Hors2 iPs saide does intend to impeatch my Lord Arllington
this Session, others say hee will be soe himselfe. This day it’s said
Father Pattrick goes away, and too morrow Dick Talbott, and
Lord Arrondell of Warder next weeke, ail for France. 111 members
are creepeing up to towne ail ready and getting into caballs, for
frinde Robin Thomass 3 carryes the world upon his thumb, and will
hang, draw, and quarter whom heepleasses; looke to y our selfe and
bring home a good peace.
I hâve spent ail this buckKunting seasson with y our brother
Secritarie Coventry at his lodge in Envile Chasse,4 wher hee has
good horses, good doggs, and good cheere, and rides hard when his
health will permitt him, which was not good a month agoe, and
made him spend much tyme ther to take the watters, which did him
much good for the tyme, but now within this 3 dayes his distemper
is returned, and hee is under the milke dyete, but I hope hee will
doe well, for hee is a worthy and pleassant man. My Lord Arllington
1	Teague is evidently some individual (see the opposite page), but Teague was
then a generic name for an Irishman.
“ And the fat spoils of Teague in triumph draw,
His firkin-butter and his usquebaugh.”
Dryden’s Prologue to the Prophetess, line 27.
The Rev. Mr. Grosart in his édition of Andrew Marvell describes Teague as “ a
joke-name, as Paddy or Sandy or John Bull.” But query, in the line
“ With Pather Patrick, Talbot, and with Teague,”
can the particular Teague named in this letter be the man ? for Patrick and Talbot
are both soon mentioned (see p. 26).
2	The Duke of Buckingham.	3 Sir Robert Thomas, an M.P.
4 Enfield Chase, co. Middlesex, of which Secretary Coventry was Ranger. See
Robinson’s History of Enfield, 1823, i. 228.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
25
and hee are verie well together, and serve ther master as they ought ;
they are both Lord Ormond’s frindes and hee thers ; the other two
came both to his lodge and dyned ther last weeke, and were ail
cheerefull and well pleassed with ther entertainement. Lord Ossory
came upp from the Fleete; hee is the joye of the Court, Citty and
Contry. Good folkes are fond on him, and bad thinke it saffest to
lett him alloue: hee will want yow next weeke when hee is to take
a frindelly dinner with Lord Maior, but Sir Joseph Shelldon will
supplly your place for want of a better.
For Godsake make hast home : heare is ane office stays for you,
and Teague tells mee a wiffe too in the Mail, and hee lickes her
verie well ay Taite and has writ to tee about it as hee says.
If poore Luke misscarrye, wee are ail undon wher shall hospitallitye
be found in White Hall. I hope in God hee will corne saffe to
White Hall; Naido Massom prays for him daylly.
I feare by striveing to mend my fault I hâve made a greater in
this long scrible ; ail I cane say Fie take ail ways and meanes that
I cane imagen to assure you off my beeing faithfully, whilst I
breath,
Your Excellences faithfull and humble servant,
Nie : Armorer.
Indorsed,
Sir N. Armorer.
li Oct. 6.
No. 112.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, September 26th, *73.
The great punctuality your Exe? is pleased to honour mee with
by two I received yesterday of the and by the Flanders
ordinary, as it ever obliges mee to an humble acknowledgement,
soe it leaves mee in some trouble that I hâve nothing at présent to
YOL. II.	E26
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
expresse it in. Collonell Richard Talbot and Father Patrick 1 hâve
their passes ready to bee gone beyond sea, and the Parliament men
are mighty forward in taking lodgings already, soe that ’tis supposed
there will bee a very great appearance even in the first day of their
meeting. When I acquainted your Excy with the arrivall of our
Virginia Fleet, I think I forgot one circumstance, that before their
leaving Virginia they were assaulted by Evertson’s squadron of 8
men of war and 2 fireships, and eleaven of their number partly
sunk, partly taken by them before they could recover the fort
which protected the rest. Now the Dutch Fleet is gone in and
ours continues soe, there is little newes to be expected from sea;
as for what the land may afford worth your knowledge, wee judge
must bee from the neiglibourhood of the great armies of the French
and Imperialists, which furnishes the Towne here with millions of
stories and conjectures. I shall only adde at présent what is most
true, that I am, with entire résignation, my Lord,
Your Excys most humble servant,
Jo. Richards.
R Oct. 5.
No. 113.—From Sir Nicholas Armourer.
Mewes, the 2nd off October, 16 day s beffore
tbe Parliament sitting, ’73.
I hâve 2 of yours which are welcome to mee, though they
bring noe tydeings of peasse, because they corne from my ould'
frinde that in whatever station hee is forgetts not his ould
acquaintance ; and since you command mee not to be seriouse, which
you know is not my way, I shall most willingly entertaine you with
your good leave at the ould rate. Wee are still in paine for poore
Luke, who by Watt’s letter wee finde is still in danger. Wee hâve
1 In Marvell’s “Advice to a Painter ” (1673) tbe Duke of York is made to address
the Pope:
“ Most holy Father ! being joined in leagne
With Father Patrick, Talbot, and with Teague.”SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
27
bene ail agog heare tins tenn days with tbe hopes of a new Dutchess;
at last, after virgins hâve allmost scratched out one and others’
eyes to be maides of honor, its yesterday whispered shee cornes;
shee cornes not, as the saying is. Tom Nailler came out off Yorke-
shire last night; hee sweares the peopell ther say the Duke was
marryed to the Pope’s eldest daughter; nay more, hee vows hee
thinkes the Lord Caselton 1 beleaves it, and by this tyme Eobin
Thomas2 has conffirmed that beleffe. The 4 maides of honor were to
be, Miss Kirk, Miss Boynton, Miss Midleton, and Miss Jenings; Lady
Bollassiss was to be lady of honor next Lady Peterborrow; folks
say that there by hangs a breetch.
Dick Tallbot and Fa ther Patrick are both inarched off, but hâve
left the gallery too crowded with ther excellent countrymen, that I am
forced to goe fîdelling through what shuch shovells off tliose vipers
doe heare, God knows. This weeke is arived your good frinde Sir
Mauris Justace, 3 to the great joye off Miss Lockett, and 1 thinke
off few els off our nation, that know his late proceedings; for take
him for what you pleasse heare, I know what hee is on the other side
the watter; hee has beene too coning for himselfe, and the Dutches
of Cleveland will be too hard for him.
For God sake make hast home with peace or without. I know
Cullen 4 is a damed place in winter for folks of your humer. I was
by when your letter was read concerning Tom Faireffax and Watt
about the wine proceeding; the thing will be done for the raskalls,
and iff they bring not some to the Mewes, lett them ne ver corne
home. I hâve sent them ail the litle intrigues I know, which they
are to communicate to your Exleûce; and soe God keepe you and
send you sdone to, dear Sir,
Your own servant whilst I am,
C. Lawss.5
1 Viscount Castletown, an Irish Peer.
3	Sir Robert Thomas, an M.P., one of the Opposition.
3	Sir Maurice Eustace had been Lord Chancellor of Ireland, 1660—5.
4	Cologne.
5	This letter is endorsed, Sir N. Armorer, and is in his handwriting.28
LETTERS ADDRRSSED TO
No. 114.—From Sir Robert Carr, Bart.
gir>	October the 3rd, 1673.
As to your affaires, ail things are done by my Lord1 as you
could desier, and though some as I wrote you before, and great
ones2 3 hâve désired to tel lies, he would not \sanc\tion them, it is a
misserable malitious ayr. The thing I mentioned in my last
was my Lord Arlingtoris lodgings, which Secretary Coventry intends
to liave, but my Lord wïll demand his money payd out, or what els
lie hath in his power to heep them for you;s he saith my Lord
Chamberlin saith he will be redy when you corne. My Lord Arlington
went this day to Euston, returns upon Tewsday. I hope upon
Thursday next to goe to my new howse; if there be any thing
wherin I may serve you, I pray let me know, for I doe assure you
noe one is more cordiallie then my self, Sir,
Your most faithfull servant,
R. Carr.
My wife and neece présent you with their humble services; wee
ail wish you at home.
No. 115.—From Thomas Ross.
My Lord,	Whitehall, October 3rd, 1673.
At my returne from Bath I found here your lordshipp’s very
obliging letter of the 9th of the last, by which I finde your Excy
hath mine, wherein I gave you those intimations which I thought
did become that integrity and justice which I hâve vowed to
your service. Since that, I hâve met with noe oppertunity of
1	Lord Arlington. Sir R. Carr was his brother-in-law.
2	The words in italics are in cypher in the original.
3	This means that Arlington, who was appointed Lord Chamberlain, wished
Williamson, who was to be the new Secretary of State, to sncceed him in his
lodgings, and not his présent colleague, Henry Coventry.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
29
writing unless by the common post, winch I hope you will
excuse if [I] doe it very rarely. October being now began,
wee already (men of ail sorts) are condemning and acquitting
severall persons, (and those of noe meane quality) as if the next
meeting of the Parliament should bee nothing but an High Court of
Justice, and a Goale Delivery. The members begin to flock up to
Towne, and are met at the very stirop to bee engaged in cabals
against this or that great man.
At this great baiting, one of the bears intended to be brought to
the stake is his Grâce of Lauderdaill, and there are shrewd mines
ready to spring soe soone as the members sitt, hee having let fall
(how prudentlv you may judge) some words which hâve provoked
some, who hâve (they say) misreported them to others ; this part of
the story lyes among the Commons, where some hâve engaged to
breake the ice, and very many to follow the blow ; but among the
Lords his principall antagonist is the little one once his great
confîdant,1 who (though his Grâce said hee would crush the little
worme with his great toe,) most believe will wriggle from under
him and trip up his heeles; but to bee out of reach his Grâce goes
the 8th instant for Scotland, where the discontents against him are,
I believe, more just and weighty than those here, and I am assured
that if once they begin here, will breake like thunder from thence,
soe wee shall bee sure to heare of them.
Next to him a strong collection of crimes mentioned already to
our Master will be exhibited against the late Lord Treasurer,2 who
is yet in the country, and its believed will not corne up this Session,
but is ready to take wing upon the first notice. The conjunction
is firme as interest can make it, between my Lord Chancellor3
and Lord Arlington, to whom the Duke of Buckingham vows noe
lesse then ruine, though most believe the boit being shott it will
1	Query, if this is Shaftesbury. He is spoken of immediately after more respect-
fully as Lord Chancellor.
2	Lord Clifford.
3	The Earl of Shaftesbury.30
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
fall heaviest on himselfe. To bee short, there’s worke eut out here
enough to spoile 3 kingdomes, but not to mend one.
The priests and papists now begin to withdraw, and, among
others, Dick Talbot and Father Patrick (with tears in his eyes) are
gone, they and others having provoked many zealous men to bee
their enemies, resolving to clamour in Parliament against their stay
here contrary to the desire of the Houses.
Sir Wm Lockart arrived here from France this morneing. His
suddain arrivall hath given occasion of severall conjectures of the
reason of his being sent for: some sav hee is designed Embassador
Extraordinary, but I am whispered that my Lord Lauderdail seeing
a storme comeing (for hee is now a little startled), intends to make
a Secretary of State 1 that is his confident, which will bee much to
his advantage in his absence, and of great use to him.
I wish I could heare something in order to your returne with the
olivebranch, that I may hâve oportunity to kiss your hands, and
assure y ou how unalterably I am, my Lord,
Your Excys most humble and most faithfull Ser1,
Tho: Ross.
Ko. 116.—From R. Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 3 October, 1673.
In my last I told your Ex0? that my Lady Katherine had called
upon me for 501. to pay for severall things her Ladyship bought
for your Excy, but I since find her Ladyshipp has layd out 70Z.,
and that she expects the money from me, and I am told that she
is somewhat offended that she has not the money. I therefore
humbly beg your Excy will be pleased to order Mr. Newcomb to
pay it, for otherwise he scruples to doe it, and in the mean time my
1 Secretary of State for Scotland is meant. As to Sir William Lockhart, see
note, vol. i.p. 71.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
31
Lady thinks I hâve mony in my hands and disowne it. Yesterday
Mr. P. arrived from Zealand, but haveing, by reason of the bad
weather, been long on his way, brings not any thing of news. He
told mee there were some persons in your Excies family, who were
some what indiscreet in their letters to their friends in Flanders, of
which the enclosed bill of paper will informe your Ex0?. With
Mr. P. came over Mr. William Howard 1 (the same who was in the
Tower about Xmas last) ; he had been in Holland, and as I am
informed by order, but it seems raanaged his businesse very indis-
creetly, and layd himself open there, as he says, by the fault of his
man, who ran away from him and betrayed him. What he says
farther to justify himselfe, I know not, but no sooner was he corne
to Towne, but was committed close prisoner to the Tower. Wee
hâve news of the takeing of New Yorke by Everson; how it cornes
to us your Excy will please to see by the enclosed. Wee now begin
to expect our new Dutchesse; orders are given to hâve a squadron
of men of warr ready to goe over to fetch lier, and some say that
his Koyall Highnesse will goe him selfe halfe seas over, if not as
farr as Calais, to meet her. People begin now to talke very much
of peace againe, and will needs hâve the Dutch are about proposeing
very advantageous terms, provided his Majesty will make a peace
with the exclusion of France, though I cannot learne on what they
ground this discourse. The Dutch capers appeare againe in great
numbers on our coast, but without doeing any great mischief as y et.
As the time for the meeting of the Parliament draws near, so people
are the more taken up with discourses concerneing every vote they
are to passe; the Duke of B. was one they hâve long had an eye
upon, as if he should be called to an account concerneing his nego-
tiation when in France, but now they say, that to save himselfe he
will discover great matters, and ail that has passed in the Cabinett.
1 Hon. William Howard, afterwards third Lord Howard of Escrick, who has an
infamous notoriety as false witness against Russell and Sydney. He was now
accused of traitorous correspondence with William, Prince of Orange, and was
imprisoned on his arrivai in England from Holland.32
LETTERS ADDRE^SED TO •
By this your Excy may please to guesse what is at présent the
generall talke of the Towne. Sir William Lockart is arrived post
from the French Court, it is thought when he returnes againe he
will hâve the character of Ambassador. The forces designed for
France are prepareing for their embarkation, though, to say truth,
there is a generall unwillingnesse as well in the soldiers as officers
to goe into the French service.
I hâve waited upon Sir Robert Southwell concerneing your Excys
arrears at the Prize Office and Councell Chamber. He tells me he
endeavours what he can to gett them payd, and will himselfe give
your Excy an account how near he is to it. I am unwilling to
trouble your Excy with any thing which happens relating to our
selfes, but cannot forbear telling your Excy how unkindly wee are
dealt with in the office, and did it concerne my particular onely I
should dispense with it, but since I know they aime by it to doe
your Excy a préjudice, I présumé to lett your Excy to know it.
Mr. Bridgman, I am told, takes many occasions to find fault with
the writeing and stile of the Gazette ; did he doe it to me, I should
thank him, and think his désigné was that I should endeavour to
mend it; but whilst he makes these complaints to others, 1 cannot
believe he means well by it, and besides I am sure they endeavour
ail they can to run me into errors, by keeping up from us ail kind
of letters which corne to their hands, and for want of which it may
happen that wee know not some publick things wee ought. But
I humbly beg your Excys pardon for this presumption, and praying
for your Excy health, prosperity, and happy returne, I am with ail
humble duty,
My Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithfull obedient servant,
R. Yard.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
33
No. 117.—From R. Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 8 October, 1673.
In my last I omitted to owne the receipt of your Excellency’s of
the lOth instant by Mr. Bulstrode; by him I received two letters
from your Excellency for my Lady Katherine; the one I sent her
Ladyshipp the evening he arrived, and the other the next morneing,
Mr. Bulstrode haveing forgott to putt it in my hands till then.
The French Fleet, which sailed from Spitthead on Saturday last,
on their way home, are forced back againe by bad weather and
contrary winds, and, as our letters arrived this day from Portsmouth
say, were then at an ankor beyond St. Helen’s point; some of this
squadron are already gott home, and others are yet remaineing in
the Downes, the late stormes haveing so dispersed them, and done
them greater damage then ail the three engagements they were in
this summer, to use the words of the Towne.
Mr. Howard, who I told your Excellency was committed prisoner,
has made his escape, by the folly and négligence of the messenger
in whose hands he was ; the misfortune has fallen upon poor Légat,
who is now in the Gatehouse for the escape of his prisoner. I am
assured by some people, who prétend to know very well, that this
Howard was the author of the Appeale from the Cabal to the Parlia-
ment,1 and so, instead of serveing those he was employed by, has
worked quite contrary.
This morneing the King and Duke went to Windsor, and will
be back againe on Friday. I know nothing more to communicate
to your Excellency, and am, with ail duty and submission, my
Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithfull,
humble, and most obedient servant,
R. Yard.
1 This tract, which shows great knowledge of foreign affairs, was ascribed, and
probably correctly, to Sir William Coventry.
VOL. II.	F34
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
Xo. 118.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, October 8, 1673.
I returne your Excy my most humble acknowledgements for the
honour of your Excys of the 6th and I0th S. X°, to which I hâve
little worth adding. The French squadron is not yet cleare of our
coast, 5 still remaining in the Downes, the rest are still seene from
Portsmouth. The King went this morning to Hampton Court and
returnes not till Friday ; at his returne will be appointed the severall
convoys for the Streights, Gottenburg, &c.
The Towne fills apace with Parliament men, and ail judge the
appearance will bee very extraordinary. I am ever, with ail respect
and dévotion, my Lord,
Your Excellency’s most humble faithfull servant,
R J-f.	Jo: Richards.
Xo. 119.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, Oct. 10,1673.
Mr. Bulstrode, leaving us on Wednesday last, will, I hope, in
some measure satisfye your Excellency with what was then currant
in Towne; by hirn I sent a letter and a gold hatband I had from my
Lady. Since his returne wee hâve nothing else discourst of but
that the Treaty is quite broake off, that the Dutch Ambassadors are
returned home, and your Excellency very suddainly expected, so
that a suddain déclaration against Spaine is dayly expected, upon
his Majestyes telling the Spanish marchants the French had orders
to take that King’s subjects’ ships wherever they mett them ; the
Citty are not at ail pleased at the continuance of the warr, because
they thinke it’s for the French interest.
His Majesty is not corne this night as was expected, and will not
till to morrow noon; yesterday he was pleased to honour Mr.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
35
Chiffinch 1 with his presence at dinner at Filberds, and is diviseing
many pritty projects to enlarge the little Parke there and make it
more fitt for deere; he sayes next yeare he will spend much of his
summer there, being mightily taken with it. Mademoiselle Gwinne
went to Mr. Chiffinches the day before, which gives matter for some
talke, and indeed now they lett not his sacred person alone neither,
but say (and that every body) that he has had lately 3 sad fitts of
an apoplexy, the first whereof tooke him in the Duchesse of Portes-
mouth’s presence, who lias since begged he would not corne to her
att nights, as I formerly told your Excellency. On Tuesday, they
say, he had a 3rd fitt in the Privy garden, so that many people are
much concerned and hâve begged his Majesty to be adviced by
his phisitians, who tell him he must a little refraine company,
etc. This report sinckes deeply into every one’s breast and it’s ail
the talke.
Just now a gentleman, corne this day from Windsor, tells me
when he came out thence my Lord Duke of Buckingham was corne
thither with Don Carlos, who was presently att a Chapter of the
Garter summoned in the Castle elected a Knight of the Garter,
and is to be formally created Duke of Richmond.2 My Lady of
Northumberland and her new husband,Mr. Montague, hâve already
begun to differr upon a report risen from him, as shee sayes, that
he bought her of her mayd for 5001. per annum, and the Towne
talke of parting them. The Duke of Lauderdale has now packt up
1	William Chiffinch, son of Thomas Chiffinch, and after his father Keeper of
the King’s Closet. The father died in 1666.
2	Don Carlos was the King’s natural son Charles Fitzroy, by Catharine Peg,
afterwards created Earl of Plymouth. See note, vol. i. p. 79. It is probably a
mistake in the text that he was to be made Duke of Richmond ; this title was after-
wards conferred on another natural son, another Charles, Charles Lennox, the son
of the Duchess of Portsmouth, bom July 29, 1672, and made Duke of Richmond,
August 9, 1675. This sonof the Duchess of Portsmouth also obtained the Master-
ship of the Horse, which appears at this time to hâve been intended for Don Carlos
(see vol. i. pp. 79, 88): the office, when taken from the Duke of Buckingham, was
first given to three Commissioners in trust for Charles Lennox during his minority;
and in 1679, he assumed the office. (Beatson’s Political Index.)36
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
ail his goods, and will leave the Towne next weeke, staying now
only for his pardon, which is now passing with ail speed, for ail
offences committed before the 30th of September past ; but it has
not halfe the répétition of words as my Lord Clifford’s, so that they
say he will not abide the meeting of the House, who talke so high
already against him. The Towne will hâve itt that the Dutcliess
of Modena’s mother is comeing with her daughter, and that shee is
but 30 yeares old, the Pope’s niece, and one that will worke
wonders for the Papists ; so that they will not approve at ail of the
marnage, and say my Lord Peterborough was forbidd 3 times not
to goe on, but that he would doe it having private instructions from
the Duke. They say the French King goes himselfe to meete the
old Lady, and to instruct her how to worke his interest here, and
that this young Lady is not at ail handsome, and are so malicious
as to name her severall deformities: as croaked, redd haire, 13, and
very little, with severall such indécent discourses; and so great is
their feares, that they talke of desireing the King not to consummate
it here. The hâte and malice against the French continues as high
as ever, every one takeing a very great liberty of rayling against
them, and the seamen especially; a French ship that was scattered
and forced into Falmouth was asked by the townesmen why their
Fleete did not fight, who answered them, their orders were to fight
under the Duke, not the Prince, and that they hoped the English
would not dispute the point of courage with them ; the marchants
also that hâve been so long petitioning for redress for the loss of
their ships taken from them in the yeares 1667, 68, 69, and 70,
before this warr, by the French, are now preparing to address them-
selves to the Parliament, and hâve made historicall manifestatoes of
their damages accordingly, very much to the French disadvantage.
It was talked on AVednesday last, that wee should hâve sought our
owne interest and hâve endeavored to make some advantage of this
conjuncture, and that the Counte de Molina was to corne privately
over for that purpose, but now they say not a word of him. They
blâme much the D[uke] of B[uckingham] for being the cause ofSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
37 ’
makeing that Treaty ; not to act alone was the least advantagious, in
regard they were the possessors, and so of the greater power.
My Lord Cliancellor is yet very ill, and they will hâve it in the
Citty that it’s through his great thinkeing how to carry himselfe
through these great actions.
Captain Munden has lost ail his creditt in this late business of Sta
Helena, his owne people betraying him and saying that he came
into the Bay where the St Patricke lay careening, where she had
taken out ail her gunns; that he only treating with the Captain
to restore her, was drilled off till he gott his gunns aboard, and
then plainly told he would not yeild her; upon which he went
away and left her; that he broake bulke, and plundered much,
and then was so niggardly to the seamen, that they deserted him.
Poore Legatt is not yet gott out of the Gatehouse, and, that which
is worse for him, he is threatened to be turned out. Ail people
wonder much why the King should be so suddainly angry with Mr.
Howard, when ail this last yeare he was imployed by him, but others
say there is more att the bottome that will not be discovered yet.
The payments in the Checquer run but very slow, my Lord
Treasurer refuseing to obey orders for money given upon no great
occasion, as lately 10,000Z.to my Lady D [utchesse] of P[ortesmouth] ;
her Grâce is now pritty well again, but lookes very bad.
I wayted this night on my Lady O’Bryan to know her honour’s
commands, who had nothing but that ail her family were very well
and prayed for your Excellencyes safe returne. I most humbly
beg your Excellencyes pardon for this tedious schroole from him
that is, in ail humility and perfect obedience, my Lord, may it
please your Excellency,
Your Excellencyes most humble and gratefull servant,
Henry Ball.
Yesterday went out of the Downes 3 vessells with soldiers for France.
T) Oct. 23.
Nov. 2.38
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
Xo. 120.—From Sir Christopher Musgrave, Knt.1
My Lord,	London, Oct. 10th, 1673.
I hâve had the honour of receiveing yours of the 10th instant,
stilo novo, and am very sorry your affaires will deprive us of the
happines of your company this Session, wherein business of so great
importance must be transacted, and, as the face of affaires seeme to
mee, requires great judgment and temper, which God Almighty
grant; though I feare some heate may appeare, yet I doubt not
but the prinçiples of loyallity and duty will be retained, which will
abate the insolency of the Dutcli, if grounded upon no better
assurance then our abandoning his Majesty in this conjuncture, were
our inclinations to peace very strong, that would not be the way to
procure it. I sliall obey your command in giveing you an account
of what falls under my observation, upon confidence you will
pardon the imperfections of it. I feare theire is a particular or two
which may occasion some warmth ; the grant to inable Newark to
send Burgesses, the power of élection being lodged in the May or
and Aldermen and not in the Freeholders, which some are prepared
to assert is not in his Majesty es power to grant, alleadging the
conséquences may be great, for, if the power of electing shall not be
in the Freemen, then it may be lodged in as few as his Majesty
pleases. The other is the writing of letters by great men for the
electing a burgess for York.
What understanding is amongst the great ones you are better
acquainted with. My Father in every letter présents his most
humble service to you, and is much afflicted that infirmities will
1 M.P. for Carliste, and son of Sir Philip Musgrave, Baronet, M.P. for West-
merland. Andrew Mary cil describes them in his “ Seasonabie Argument, &c.”
1677, the father as having “ a régiment of foot, Governor of Carlisle, giving him in
fee-farm rents 6000Z.,” and the son as “ Captain of a foot company, 200L a year
pension, and to suceeed his father in the government of Carliste.’’SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
39
not allow him to be here tins Session, the reason being very bad.
I was in Yorkshire, where Sir John Dawney frequently remembred
y ou, so did Sir John Newton. In my returne be pleased to favour
mee with the knowledg of what affaires you judg inee worthy to
be trusted with. Believe it, none is more truely yours then, my
Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient and humble servant,
Ch. Musgrave.
My wife présents you with her most humble service, and craves
your blessing for your Godson.1
Indorsed,
Sir C. Musgrave.
ROct. 23.
Nov. 2.
No. 121.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 10 October, 1673.
Did not your Excellencies command oblige me to write by every
post, I should think my selfe excused at this time, not knowing
any thing of news to communicate to your Excy, and now the
discourse of the Towne begins to abate to the near approach of the
20. of October, makeing people, through an eager expectation of
that time, silent in the intérim. The Parliament men begin already
to corne to Towne, and somc of them, as is said, corne prepared with
complaints of grievances and miscarriages, but it is hoped will coole
againe when better informed. Part of those troops designed for
France passed two or three days since in three vessells through the
Downes, and are by this time I believe landed at Calais. Some of
the French shipps are still remaineing in the Downes; that man of
war which came aground and was afterwards gott of, though she
1 Joseph Musgrave, son of Sir Christopher by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter
of Sir John Erancklyn of Willesdon, co. Midds. He was subsequently M.P. for
Cockermouth, 1713, and died unmarried in 1757.40
LETTERS ADDRE3SED TO
was very leaky, is comeing into the river of Chatham to repaire.
The whole squadron sailed on Wednesday againe from the place
they were at ankor beyond St. Helen’s point, but the wind bas ever
since been so bare that they cannot be gott farr. The weather has
indeed been very unkind to them, for from Falmouth they Write, that
a man of warr of 80 guns, who was separated from the rest of the fleet,
was corne in there very muche torne, haveing lost ail her ankors.
Wee now expect very suddainely the arrivall of our new
Dutchesse, and to see her about the 24. of this month at Dover.
This evening the King returned from Windsor, where he hath
been since Wednesday last. 1 waited this day upon Sir Robert
Southwell about your Excy’s arrears in the Prize Office and Councell
Chamber; he told me they could not y et gett them paid, but hoped
they should very quickly.
I humbly beg your Exc>’s pardon, and am with ail duty and
submission, my Lord, your Excellency’s most fàithfull, obedient,
and most obliged servant,
R. Yard.
ri oct. 2.
NÔvT2T
No. 122.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency,	[Whitehall, Oct. 13, 1673.]
Just now Mr. Prowse* my Lord Clifford’s kinsman, tells me his
lord has been given over by the doctors in the country of a fitt of
the stone, and that their last letters left him so ill that they expect
nothing but his death.1 I am, in ail duty, my Lord,
Your Excellencyes most obedient servant,
H. Ball.
li Oct. 23.
1 Some letters which follow contain similar statements as to Lord Clifford’s illness.
There is, howeyer, strong evidence, not mentioned or alluded to in this corre-
spondence, to show that Clifford committed suicide. Evelyn, who was his intimateSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
41
Xo. 123.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 13 October, 1673
I hâve your Excys of the 13 instant, X.S., in which your Exry
is pleased to command me to furnish my Lady Katherine and Sir
Joseph Sheldon with moneys; I suppose your Excellencies mind is
that Mr. Xewcomb should provide me, and I them, but he expects
friend, believed that he committed suicide, and in his Diary he gives reasons for this
belief. Evelyn parted with Clifford, August 18, 1673, and it was a melancholy
parting: Clifford was then going into Devonshire. “ Taking leave of my Lord
Clifford, he wrung me by the hand, and, looking earnestly on me, bad me God b’ ye,
adding, ‘ Mr. Evelyn, I shall never see thee more.* ‘ No ! ’ said I, * my Lord,
what’s the meaning of this ? I hope I shall see you often, and as great a person
again.’ 4 No, Mr. Evelyn, do not expect it, I will never see this place, this city, or this
court again,’ ” or words of this sound. In this manner, not without almost mutual
tears, I parted from him ; nor was it long after, but the news was that he was dead ;
and I hâve heard from some, who I believe knew, he made himself away, after an
extraordinary melancholy. This is not confidently affirmed, but a servant who lived
in the house, and afterwards with Sir Robert Clayton, Lord May or, did, as well as
others, report it ; and when I hinted some such thing to Mr. Prideaux, one of his
trustées, he was not willing to enter into that discourse. It was reported with these
particulars, that, causing his servant to leave him unusually one morning, locking
himself in, he strangled himself with his cravat upon his bed-tester: his servant not
liking the manner of dismissing him, and looking through the key-hole (as I
remember) and seeing his master hanging, broke in before he was quite dead, and
taking him down, vomiting a great deal of blood, he was heard to utter these words:
u Well, let men say what they will, there is a God, a just God above;” after which
he spoke no more. This, if true, is dismal. Really he was the chief occasion of the
Dutch war and of ail that blood which was lost at Bergen in attacking the Smyrna
fleet and that whole quarrel.” On the previous 25th of July, Evelyn had visited
Clifford at Tunbridge Wells, and found him depressed and desponding. He says of
him that he was there “ to divert his mind more than his body,” and that his loss of
office “ grieved him to the heart and at last broke it;” and that he was “ struggling
in his mind.” Evelyn says nothing of stone. A. Marvell says of Clifford that he
hanged himself.
i( Clifford and Hyde before had lost the day ;
One hanged himself, and t’other ran away.”
(Historical Poem, line 139.)
It is of course possible that both stories may be true, that there may hâve been
illness and suicide also. It will be observed, in later letters, that reference is made
YOL. II.	G42
LETTERS ADDRE^SED TO
order from your Excy, as I hâve already writt your Expy. The
cloth wliich your Excy lias desired of Sir Joseph Sheldon I will
take care shall be sent by the first expresse that goes hence. Wee
hâve but little news here ; ail I know I will présumé to tell your
Excy. The Duke of Lauderdaill is goeing in a day or two Commis-
sioner for Scotland, as people say, to be out of sight dureing the
Session of Parliament; however, to provide for the worst lie has
taken out a pardon, in the same forme as some others hâve done
before him. My Lord Clifford is extreame ill at his house in the
West Country, his recovery being by some despaired of, and yester-
day wee had a report of his being dead, but no body believes it.
Sir John Harman lyes also very ill, and it is feared will hardly
recover; people in generall are mouch troubled for him and seem
very sensible how great the losse of him would be. Sir William
Godolphin has lately complained of great unkindnesse sliewne by
the Court of Spaine to our nation, haveing caused a great many
English seamen to be putt into the galley, and other usages which
look as if tliey intended a rupture as well with us as the French.
The 23. of this month it is said our new Dutchesse is expected at
Dover; she brings a great Court with her, and is accompanied by
her mother and unkle; the people say she brings a great many
priests with her, and that sticks very much in their stomacks.
Severall vessells are passed over for Calais with soldiers, but
Monsieur Scomberg lyes still at Dover, the yacht that attends
him there not dareing to venture over without convoy; the
capers are so tliick upon our coast, and especially to the north-
wards, so that our colliers fall dayly into their hands, and truely
it is this that onely makes the Citty sensible of the warr, especially
the poorer sort, who are most aggrieved by the excessive rates of
coales, though the richer complaine too.
to the danger of Clifford from Parliament at its meeting; the town laughed, it is
said, at the opportune moment of Clifford’s death (No. 124, p. 46). In letter No.
127, p. 50, his illness is mentioned with some doubt, and as if there were another
story.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
43
“ Portsmouth 12 Oct1*.1 I advised you when the French fleet sailed
about 8 days since ; 7 or 8 of them are putt back againe by these
violent winds, and are at ankor in sight of this place, a little beyond
St. Helen’s road; att Spitthead are the Nonesuch and Norwich,
bound for Ireland.”
iC Plymouth 8 Octr. Here is arrived the Hope of this place, from
Virginia. A French man of warr of 60 guns is corne in this day.
Another man of warr of the French squadron, from whom they
were both separated by bad weather, came in two days since, but
was so leaky that she was forced to corne into Cattwater to stop her
leaks, where she yet lyes.”
u Waymouth 11 Octr. Yesterday morneing came into Portland
road the Marquis de Grancy, Rear-admirall of the French, with
15 ships, of which onely 5 were men of warr. They judge the
Count d’Estrees to be in Torbay; the wind is Southwest and a
storme.”
u Deale 12 Octr. The 5 ketches with soldiers ride very well in the
Downes, as doe ail the ships outward bound, in ail 60 saile. There
are 4 French men of warr, the Nightingale, Morneing Star, and
two or 3 ketches/”
Coll. Whitley présents your Excellency his most humble service,
as does likewise Monsieur de Preix.
1 arn, with ail duty and obligation, my Lord,
Your Excellency’s
most faithfull and most obedient servant,
R. Yard.
ROct. 23.
Xov. 2.
1 Here the writer gives the last reports from Portsmouth, Plymouth, Weymouth,
and Dcal.44
LETTERS ADDRE8SED TO
No. 124.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, Oct. 17, 1673.
Since my last on Monday, there lias corne in no forreigne mayles
but one from Holland, so tliat wee are very silent of affaires abroad,
nor is there indeed leasure now for such small tliings, the Parlia-
ment’s approach being every man’s talke and what they will doe,
which whither it may prove well or happy cannot yet be seen,
yet, by what may be guessed by the vulgar appréhension of things,
it’s feared it may not be soe as might be hoped. They say they
shall adjourne for a fortnight, to give place to the solemnity of the
Duke’s marriage (which drawes so nigh as the Court is putting ail
things in readiness for her réception) ; what account is given of her
underhand is unknown, but it’s thought the Duke said right, when
he complained of the English as the great calumniators of him
abroade, for the people will hâve it shee is as unhandsome as
possible, and that it cannot be a happy match in the least. The
Duke lias not yett sett the day to goe meete her, wayting for the
next letters from France of her arrivall there (which are and may
be long hindered by these sadd stormes and ill weather). Mr.
Seymour the Speaker, it’s said, cannot hold his place, because he is
a Privy Councellor, the custome of the house being not to permitt
him to corne to Court or beare any office without their leave
dureing the time of its Session, and it’s said also that Sir Thomas
Meres shall be the man, though some (though without ground) say
it may be Sir Job Charlton again. Their dayly meetings and
publicke discourse makes us feare they may corne together much
heated, pretending severall fresh occasions offerred, as that of my
Lord Treasurer, who they say lately recommended his son for a
Member of Parliament for Yorke, but the Citty returning him
answer that they had made an order amongst themselves that none
but a inhabitant among them should be capable of élection, my
Lord lias expressed very much anger, as has also the Duke ofSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
45
Buckingham, by severall pationate threatening letters which are
copyed out and shewn about, to add fuell to the fire.
The feares of a warr with Spaine are so great in the Citty that it’s
their common crye, Wee shall be ruined if wee doe; the marchants
thinkeing it as b ad a mischeife as can possibly corne to them, and
therefore for that reason seeme discontented, and the East Indy
Company are also troubled that the prizes should be bought out
of their hands by Nelthorpe and Thompson, who they say buy
the goods at a very good pennyvvorth by particular favour, and
that with the Jewes money, and they say the King will loose
90,000^. by it, though sorne persons gett sufficiently. It’s talked
in Towne that the King should, last councell day, just when they
rise almost, tell them he found the Members of Parliament. began
to shew themselves much discontented, and that therefore the next
day desired a full board, to consider of some way to satisfye them,
he being desirous of nothing more, so that they praise the King
for the best of men, but thinke not soe of most of his servants.
On Wednesday at Councell was heard the différence between
Mr. Goldesborough and Mr. Aram, about the reversion of the
clerkship of the Commons House, which the latter surreptitiously
gott passed the Great Seale, while the other was wayting for his
docquett at my Lord Treasurer’s. Mr. Coventry was very much
against Aram, who was proved to hâve gott itt by surprize, upon
which he is ordered to resigne, and Goldesborough’s patent for his
son to goe on ; and Mr. Trumbull the Clerke of the Signett that
passed Aram’s grant, being called in and askt how he durst doe it
when there was in the precedent month another, he, foolishly
reflecting on Mr. Coventry, saying he was obliged to doe nothing
without a caveat, which so much angered the Secretary that he
gott the King to suspend him, and to order that for the future
no Clerke of the Signett shall pass anything without both the
Secretary s’ notice. But George Woodson’s pétition against the
Dean and Chapter of Windsor, about the office of Chapter Clerke,
was dismissed the Board with their great rcsentment.46
IÆTTERS ADDRE8SED TO
My Lord Clifford has been, it seemes, troubled so extreamely
with the stone, tbat for 6 dayes nothing could corne from him and
then a great quantity of blood and water, so tbat since tbat they bope
he may recover; the Town laughtand said if he dyed now it would
be in his criticall minuite, for the Parliament would talke with him.
This morning the Duke of Lauderdale went hence for Scotland
and leaves not many freinds amongst the people behind him.
He was pleased to send his gentleman yesterday to me, to tell me
your Excellency promised him the newes; and coming by just
as I was with his secretary, he called me, and told his brother tbat
I was one tbat belonged to the best freind he had; and so with
many complyments of great kindness to your Excellency, desired
me to send him ail the transactions of the Parliament.
My Lord Arlington, the people say, would not be as good as his
word to trust tliem, for this day his pardon was also sealed as ample
as any of the others ; but every one gives his lordship a very good
character, except the Papists, who bite at him most bitterly.
There is great talke of Don Emanuell de Lyra’s coming hither,
because it’s just in the nicke of time, when the Parliament are falling
upon the commerce of Spaine, which they say the King has left wholey
to them ; and rumours went yesterday everywhere tbat Monsieur
Colbert should be recalled, and the King of France very jealous of
us, but ail I believe untrue. They say the Parliament men déclaré
they will give his Majesty not a farthing unless they hâve the
management of the warr, and the correction of those that hâve so
grosely abused him in the carrying on this.
Sir John Xarborough is gone with a small squadron to disturbe
the Dutch fishing on the Dogger Banke, but nothing yett said of
the Citty convoy which his Majesty promised them ; nay worse,
that protections are denyed them for their ships for Spaine and
Denmarke. The French fleete are not ail gott home yett; but the
Towne confidently affirme Martell to be in the Bastile, and that he
will be severely punisht, and that the French treachery dayly
appeares more palpable to them, their own men not denying itt.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
47
My Lord Mayor elect, Sir William Hooker, was on Tuesday last
maryed to a young lady of 25, the daughter of Sir Thomas Bendish,
and sister to my Lady Dawes.
This night is a most sadd storme of hayle and raine, and the
roads are so deepe and dangerous that they are scarse passable, and
ail the low lands in Lincolnshire, Norfolke, and Suffolke over flowed.
Mr. John Locke, Secretary to my Lord Chancellor, is made
Secretary of the Councell of Trade and Plantations* upon the
résignation of Dr. Worsley, and with the same sallery.1
I most humbly beg your Excellency to accept of my endeavors
to be (as in duty I am bound while I live), my Lord,
Your Excellency es most gratefull servant,
Henry Ball.
No. 125.—From R. Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 17 October, 1673.
Since my last wee hâve not received any Flanders letters, and
consequently none from your Exccy. The cloth your Excy writt
for lyes now ready by me, to be conveyed to your Excy by the
first oppertunity. The Towne is at présent altogeather entertained
with discourses concerneing a warr with Spaine, which ail conclude
wee shall be forced into, for the Spaniards begin to treat us very
unkindly, of which my Lord Ambassador Godolphin has had orders
to complaine, and to tell that Crowne that in case they in tend a
rupture likewise with us, his Majesty expects at least they will give
the marchants leave to withdraw their effects and time so to doe.
In the mean time, it is said, préparation is makeing on this side for
a warr; and that the King lately asked Sir Morgan*2 what he
1	See vol. i. p. 59, note: but it is probable that Dr. Worsley did not resign for
the reason suggested by Bridgman in the letter No. 29 there annotated, viz. religious
scruples.
2	The buccanier Morgan had made a raid from Jamaica on the Spanish
settlements in the Central American Isthmus, and committed great ravages, in 1671.48
LETTEKS ADDRESSED TO
thought of returneing to Jamaica to visitt the Spaniards from
thence, as there may be occasion. The Spanish marchants, who
hâve great effects abroad, are very apprehensive that wee shall, of
our owne accord, engage in a warr with that Crowne, onely in favor
to the French interest, except the Parliament intervene. I was
yesterday told by an eminent Parliament man, that there was a
project amongst them to breake this union with France, and to
make peace with the Dutch, who they think will on those termes
give us better conditions then wee can expect by a joint treaty.
Wee shall now very quickly hâve her Royall Highnesse here;
many people are much troubled at the great Court that cornes with
her, for her mother, unkle, and brother accompany her, which the
Earl of Peterborough says he could not prevent,1 but that they will
not stay here above a week or ten days. The portion is 400
thousand crownes, 100 thousand to be paid in hand, and the rest as
shall be appointed by the Most Christian King, to whom the matter
is referred ; the Earl of Peterborough gives her Highnesse a great
character of faire, pretty, well shaped, good humoured,2 &c. so that
his letters hâve begott here a great esteem of her, that is at Court,
but the generality of people, as they never are, so cannot now be
pleased, and that for two reasons, the one that she is a Roman
Catholick, and then that the match is made by the French; and
it is in the moutli of every ordinary person, that they wonder the
Duke will be obliged to the French King for his wife’s portion.
The King has written a letter to my Lord Lieutenant about the
suppressing the exorbitancies of Roman Catliolicks in that kingdome.3
1	Mary of Modena, in at last consenting to the marriage, made it a condition that
her mother should accompany her ail the way.
2	This is what Lord Peterborough wrote of her appearance: “ She was tall and
admirably shaped; her complexion was of the last degree of fairness, her hair black
as jet, so were her eyebrows and her eyes, but the latter so full of light and
sweetness, as they did dazzle and charm too. There seemed given to them by
nature a power to kill and a power to save; and in the Avhole turn of her face, which
was of the most graceful oval, there were ail the features, ail the beauty, ail that
could be great and charming in any human créature.”	3 Ireland.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
49
My Lord Clifford I hear begins to mend, haveing as I told your
Excy in my last been very ill of the stone.
The French fleet hath been so extreamely scattered by the late
foule weather, that they hâve hardly ten men of warr togeather;
they corne by one and two togeather in severall of the Westerne
ports, but doe not hear of any lost. The death of Sir John Harman
is much lamented.1 * 3
I am, with ail duty and submission, my Lord, your Excellency’s
most faithfull, most obedient, and most humble servant,
R. Yard.
No. 126.—From W. Bridgman.
My Lord,	Whitehall, October 20th, ’73
This morning the Parliament mett, and are prorogued tili this
day sevennight; but before the House of Commons was called for up
they entered upon a debate concerning the Duke of York's 1 match,
and voted an addresse to bee presented to the King by the Privy
Councellors of the House, that the consummation of it might not goe
on, nor the Duke of Yorke [be] married to any Papist ; how farre
they would hâve proceeded, or will when they meetnext, God knowes;
to mee this seemes but a very ill beginning, though wee are promised
satisfaction in the matter of religion will sett ail things right againe.
This businesse was carried on by Powell, Birch, and Sir Robert
Howard.
The last letters wee had from your Excy were of the 23rd, since
the receipt of which two Flanders mailes hâve corne in, but brought
no Cologne letters. I hâve putt my Lord Arlington in minde to
1 Sir John Harman, appointed Admirai of Great Britain, 1665, defeated and
destroyed a combined fleet of Dutch and Erench, and burned the French Admirai
ship, in 1667.
3 The words in italics are in cypher in the original.
VOL. II.	H50
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
move the King in Mr. Harthop’s suit about licences to fish, winch
you recommended to his Lordship, but the King absolutely refused
it, saying he would upon occasion doe Mr. Harthop some other
good turne. I am with ail truth and respect, my Lord,
Your Excellency’s
most faithfull and most humble servant,
Wm. Bridgeman.
R NOV. y7y.
No. 127.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, October 20, 1673.
Knowing your Excy receives by this ordinary an account of our
Parliamentary newes, I shall not trouble you further with it, and
indeed wee being soe infinitely destitute of letters now as wee hâve
seldome beene, there is little I know worth observing to your Excy.
I hâve seene a letter this night that sayes my Lord Clifford
dyed on Friday night or Saturday morneing last, after haveing
suffered much by a strangury, and (as supposed upon the violence
of it) by a great losse of blood ; the truth hereof I will not absolutely
averre, but I know both the writer and person that received the
newes to bee persons of good crédit, and that most of the Court
believe it.1
My Lord sayes the King cannot bee induced to grant such
licenses for fishing as Mr. Hartop desires, which I am sory for, they
being recomended by your Excy, and being desirous in ail occasions
to approve my selfe, my Lord,
Your Excellency’s most obedient servant,
Jo: Richards.
ÜtV
1 This implies that there was some doubt of the correctness of this story of Lord
Clifford’s death. See note pp. 40-42.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
51
128.—From Sir Christopher Musgrave, Knt.
My Lord,	London, October 20th, 1673.
In observance of your commande I adventure to give you my
imperfect observations. Yesterday it was made knowne that wee
should be prorogued till this day sennith, the generall reasons
declared it was unusuall to grant money twice in one Session,
and if my memory ffaile mee not, a little before our last adjourn-
ment, upon an appréhension of the Bankers1 petitioning that their
debts might be taken into the House’s considération, it was resolved,
that no motion should be made that Session ffor any more money.
In the next place the Bill of Ease, by reason of the Lords adhære-
ing and the House of Commons doeing the like, nothing could give
life to the Bill but a prorogation.1 I ffeare these reasons did not
satisfy ail, but phancyed some more weighty (which lay under deck)
was the occasion of a prorogation. This dissatisfaction soone dis-
covered it selfe, ffor no sooner did the Speaker 2 corne to the House
(which was after ten a’clock), but the old corner with great warmth
called him to the chaire, but he yeilded no obedience to that
summons ; at length Mr. Powell 3 declared that if he would not take
1 Compare with this account of the reasons for the short prorogation, one by Sir
Gilbert Talbot in a later letter, No. 140, of November 13. Sir Gilbert adds another
reason: to revive a Bill for paving the streets of London.
8 Edward Seymour, Treasurer of the Navy, evidently wishing to oblige the King’s
government and not facilitate a debate. The current story is that Shaftesbury,
then Chancellor, but very adverse to the Duke of York’s marriage, and knowing the
intentions of the leaders of the country party in the Commons, caused delay in
the Lords, in order to give time for an address from the Commons against the match.
(Bumet’s Own Time, i. 361. Life of James I. 485.)
3 Henry Powle, one of the chiefs of Opposition. Bumet says of him : “ Littleton
and Powle were the men that laid the matters of the House with the greatest dex-
terity and care. Powle was very learned in precedents and Parliament journals,
which goes a great way in these debates, and, when he had time to préparé himself,
he was a clear and strong speaker.” (Own Time, i. 389.)52
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
the chaire, he would address his speech to him in the place where
he sat, which forced him to take the chaire, tliough others cryed
ffor prayers ffirst, but Mr. Robert Thomas 1 declared that was but
a ceremony; no sooner was the Speaker in the chaire, but Mr.
Powell declared the whole nation was ffull of the resolution of his
Highnes to marry the Princess of Modena, who being a Papist,
gave so great disturbance to the minds of the Commons of England,
that he desired an address might be made to his Majesty to prevent
the consummating of it, which was seconded by Birch 2 with a Pres-
byterian zeale; Sir Robert Ca[rre] made a motion to divert it, but
it was thirded by Robert Thomas. Most of the Privy Councellors
spake, though very short, tending to divert it; Sir Robert Howard 3
expressed a great satisffaction in the motion; My Lord St. John 4
he spoke likewise ; at length the question was put, and very ffew
négatives.5 The vote being sent y ou, I will not give the trouble of
a répétition. Why the Black Rod stayed so long, or that speeches
were not extended to prevent a question, is above my reach. What
effects this warme beginging may produce, exceeds my capacity.
1 Probably Sir Robert Thojnas.
" * Colonel Birch, a leader of Opposition. He had begun life as a carrier. Burnet
says of him : “ He was the ronghest and boldest speaker in the House, and talked in
the language and phrases of a carrier, but with a bearing and éloquence that was
always acceptable. I heard Coventry say he was the best speaker to carry a popular
assembly before him that he had ever known.” (Own Time, i. 389.) The hero of
a recent volume issued to the Camden Society.
3 Sir Robert Howard, who thus opposed the Government, was an official. He had
been Secretary to the Lord Treasurer, Clifford, and had been lately made Auditor of
the Exchequer.
* Eldest son of the Marquis of Winchester; he succeeded to the title in the next
year, and he was ultimately created Duke of Bolton by William III. He was now
a zealous member of the country party, and represented Hampshire.
5 The resolution thus passed was “That an address be made to his Majesty, by
such members of the House as are of his Majesty’s Privy Council, to acquaint his
Majesty that it is the humble desire of this House that the intended marriage of his
Royal Highness with the Duchess of Modena be not consummated, and that he may
not be married to any person but of the Protestant religion.” There is no report of
this debate by Grey; and this is the only known account of the discussion.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
53
I hartily wish that ail may tend to the happiness of King and
nation. I will endeavour to discharge a good conscience, and to
approve my self, my Lord,
Your Lordshipp’s most obedient and faithfull servant,
C. M[usgrave].
The House was very full. My Lord Clifford, our old friend, is
dead.
Indorsed, Sir C. Musgrave.
B Nov. -Li-.
129.—Fkom Wm. Bridgeman.
My Lord,	Whitehall, October 27th, ’73.
By Mr. Bedford, who arrived here upon Saturday morning, I
had the favour of your Excys of the and hâve according to your
desires gott a passe for a ship of Rotterdam to bring over your
Rhenish wine. You will finde it limited onely to that commodity,
the King being unwilling to give any kinde of countenance to their
trading here, and so not permitt any thing to bee brought over but
what may bee onely for private use, and not as a merchandize. I
reserve the sending of the passe till our next expresse.
Before this corne to hand I présumé you will hâve read some of
mine giving you an account that the King absolutely refused the
granting of any licences to fish, which you recomended as a suit
in behalfe of Mr. Hartopp of Antwerp.
This day the Parliament mett again; and after the King and my
Lord Chancelions speeches (which are enclosed in my Lord’s letter),
the House adjourned till Thursday. The Commons were debating
about their Speaker, whether it was consistent with that place to
bee a Privy Councellor and Treasurer of the Navy, but upon the
whole he was confirmed in his place.1
1 See the debate in the Parliamentary History (iv. 589) from Grey’s Debates.
A previous short discussion on the King’s Speech is reported by Grey, but the report
not copied into the Parliamentary History; the further considération of the King’s54
LETTERS ADDRESjSED TO
I hardly know how the businesse of the Duke’s match stands,
and therefore can give you no kinde of account about that matter,
but the generall discourse is that it goes on. I am with ail truth,
iny Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithfull humble servant,
Wm. Bridgeman.
li Nov. -%
No. 130.—From Sir-Thomas Player.
Sir,	Guildhall, Nov. 3*, 1673.
Within a weeke I hâve received two letters from your Excellencye,
the one dated the 17th and the other the 7th and 17th; the latter
came to my hands a weeke after the other; in both you are pleased
with great earnestnesse to provoke mee to use my little interest that
affaires may goe on without disturbance. Your Excellency may be
assured that 1 hâve not nor shall not faile to doe this, but I feare
the worst. Yours of the 7th, which came to my hands the 30th,
mentions some kind of addresse made to the King from the Cittie,
of which I shall now give you an account. About four or five
months agone there was an addresse prepared by a Committee of
Speech was deferred till Friday, October 31; the Government had wished for
immédiate thanks. The objection to Seymour as Speaker, because he was Frivy
Councillor and Treasurer of the Navy, was summarily disposed of ; the objections
were urged by Sir Thomas Littleton, Sir Thomas Clarges, and Powle; Mr. W.
Harbord objected to him also for immoral life and gamhling. Seymour had been
first elected Speaker, Februarv 18, 1673, on Mr. Serjeant Charlton’s resigning from
ill health. The objection that he was a Privy Councellor seems then to hâve been
thought of, but not formally raised. Sir W. Coventry writes to Mr. Thynne (after-
wards Yiscount Weymouth), April 12, 1673, “ Mr. Speaker being of the Council is,
I suppose, primœ impressionis, and cannot consist with a late practice, if not a rule,
of the Speaker’s being a stranger at Whitehall while the Parliament sits, which the
late Speaker excused upon his necessary attendance on his Royal Highness.” (Papers
at Longleat, quoted in Christie’s Life of Shaftesbury, Appendix to vol. 2, p. lxx).
The late Speaker was Sir Edward Turnour, Attorney-General to the Duke of York,
and also the King’s Solicitor-General for a year before he ceased to sit as Speaker.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
55
Common Councell to his Majestie; in it severall perticulars were
mentioned wherein the King was petitioned for releife. I hâve
sent you the coppy inclosed; for this paper I was charged with
carriing on seditious désignés in London. That I was the contriver
of it I doe owne, but I dare stand or fall by your judgment as to
what is contained in it. When it was read in Common Councell,
some of the Aldermen opposed the delivery of it at that time,
alleadgeing it was unseasonable, and that our enemyes might take
advantage from it; but the Common Councell was of another mind,
beleeveing the loyalty and dutifullnesse of it in ail the parts of it,
and the resolution in the last part to stand by his Majestie against
ail enemyes, what ever would tend to the advantage of his Majesties
affaires rather then otherwise: but the next Court of Aldermen,
after the Common Councell, it was resolved to lay the addresse
aside, and this was such a breach upon the Common Councell as
hath not beene knowne. About a month since, some clamour
beginning to arise for want of coales, the Court of Aldermen began
to thinke of the addresse, and of a sudden order’d it should be
carryed to the King. My Lord Mayor1 delivered it, and told the
King it was for coales a convoy, a convoy for coales ; and his
Majestie, concluding it was for nothing else, discourst the matter of
a convoy, and soe sent us away. This something discomposed the
Cittie, but his Majestie being minded of it by myselfe, and some
others, hath most graciously referred it to a Committee of the
Councell. I shall not trouble your Excellencye with what is done
in the House, because I feare I shall but repeat what others better
informed will send you.2 On Wensday night there was a great
meeting of Parliament men about uniteing, there haveing beene
jealousies among the country gentlemen since the businesse of my
1	Sir George Waterman.
2	It would appear from the following account of Parliament proceedings that
Player was now a member of the House of Commons. He had perhaps been elected
for the City on some yacancy since the beginning of the Parliament. See note,
vol. i. p. 68.56
LETTERS ADDRE8SED TO
Lord Clifford. Thursday morning 1 the House satt, and, by what
was done in reference to the addresse to the King about the stopping
the Duke of York’s match, I perceive the union was accomplisht.
Wensday, being my Lord Mayor’s day,2 his Majestie, the Queene,
the Duke of Yorke, his two daughters, Prince Rupert, my Lord
Chancellor, Lord Treasurer, Duke of Buckingham, Ormond, and
many other Lords, with many Ladyes, came to see the show in
Cheapside, and then to Guildhall to dinner. I ledd the Artillery
Company, which was more glorious than ever. I waited at the
King’s table after I had made my guard for the King to passe
through to Guildhall, and with seeing the King’s méat served up
and sett upon the table I was sufficiently tyred, for tliere was as
great a crowd as ever I saw.
Friday, the 31st, was spent till 5 a’clock afternoone about the
King’s speech, and particularly about raising of mony. Monday,
the 3rd instant, the House was upon greevances, and voted the
standing army to be one. A Bill is prepareing for a test for both
Houses.3 By common report the first person like to feele the
weight of the House of Commons’ anger is Lauderdale: who will
be next I cannot tell. I finde the minds of the people strangely
elevated upon the votes of the House. The Duke of Yorke goes
within a day or two to Dover to meet his new Dutchesse : shee will
corne very unwellcome to the people. The papers your Excellencye
hath entrusted mee with I hâve shewed to severall active persons,
and to some considérable Parliament men ; they ail acknowledge the
insolencye of the Dutch, and I beleeve would be willing to doe
anything to abate their pride, separate from the French; but the
l-Thursday, October 30. A message from the King, in answer to the former
address of the Honse of Commons (Oct. 20) against the Duke of York’s match,
declaring it to be too late to stop the marriage, it was resolved by a majority of
184 to 88 to présent a second address to the King concerning the match.
2	The inauguration of Sir Robert Hanson.
3	The Commons had resolved on Thursday, October 30, that a Bill be prepared for
a General Test, to distinguish between Protestants and Papists; and those that shall
refuse to take it, be incapable to enjoy any office, military or civil, or to sit in either
House of Parliament, or to corne within five miles of the Court.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
57
English nation is not to be cured of their aversion to that people;
terrible tbings were spoken in the House of Commons against them,
and the same things are said ail over the Kingdome.
I hope your Excellencye will pardon the length and the rudenesse
of this paper. Were I sure itwould corne safe toyour hands I could
Write much more.
Your Excellencyes most faithfull and obedient servant,
Tho: Player.
My wife présents her most humble service to your Excy. My
Lady Robinson came to towne the lst instant. Sir John hath
seene the papers ; he sends you his service.
No. 131.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 3 November, 1673.
In my last I told your Excellency of the arrivait of a Flanders
maile. The next morneing weereceived Mr. Benson’s ordinary news
paper, with a letter from your Excellency which by accident were
left behind at the Post Office when the other letters were brought
from thence the night before. I intended to hâve been this morne-
ing with Mr. Floyd about the account of your Excellencyes moneys
in the Exchequer, but was hindered by reason wee had a meeting
here, and this afternoon he was gone abroad. I hope by the next
to give your Excellency an account of the payment of the moneys
due to your Excellency out of the Prize Office for that account Sir
Robert Southwell gave me when I was last to waite upon him.
Mr. Bail sends your Excellency the Journall of the Proceedings of
the Parliament, so that there remaines not much for me to write ;
yet I hope your Excellency will pardon my troubleing you with
an unnecessary répétition if I présumé to tell you that his Majestie
was pleased to deferre receiving the addresse of the House of Com-
mons till this afternoone, when the whole House attended him with
VOL. II.	I58
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
it and received this answer,—That his Majestie would take it into
his considération and give them a speedy answer. This morneing
it was ordered that an addresse should be made to the King, shew-
ing his Majestie the inconvenience of keeping so many troopes on
foot, and accordingly a Committee was appointed to préparé it. So
soone as this businesse of the marriage is over, it is said they will
consider of the warr, and particularly of the carriage of the French
dureing it. In the meantime it is said that to-morrow the King
will be in the House of Lords in his robes, and that the Parliament
will be prorogued till after Christmas.
On Wednesday last her Royall Highnesse1 left Paris, and on
Wednesday next will be at Calais. On Saturday the Countesse of
Peterborough, with a traine of above 20 coaches and the Duke’s
troop of Life Guards attending, went ont of towne towards Dover ;
and on Thursday the Duke will foliow himselfe with his Court.
Our letters from ail the ports complaine very much of the great
numbers of capers that are upon the coasts, and the colliers and
other vessells that are daily taken by them.
I hâve your Excellencies cloth still by me, and mean to keep it
till an expresse goes, for it may easely be putt up in a portmantle,
and so my Lady Katherine ordered me. But for the usquabach,
that will be sent with the sack by Mr. Page. I am, with ail
humble duty,
My Lord, your Excellencyes
Most faithfull and obedient Servant,
R. Yard.
Sir Robert Carr présents his humble services to your Excellency,
and desires your excuse that he does not write this night to your
Excellency, which he will not faile to doe by the next ordinary.
R Nov.
1 The destined Duchess of York.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
59
No. 132.— From Sir Christopher Musgrave, M.P.
May it please your Excellency,	Nov- 1673*
I hâve had the honour of yours of the 3rd stilo novo, and shall
deliver yours to Mr Wharron when he cornes to towne. The votes
I know are exactly sent y ou, theirfor will not trouble y ou with
répétition ; but upon Fryday as much sharpnes was expressed
against the war with Holland and the alliance of France as the
spirits of our corner could conceive.1 Great complaints against the
army, and such characters fixed upon the military men as would
almost discourage any person who regarded his honour to be con-
cerned in an imploy. Privy Couneellors escaped not their fury,
being termed villanous Couneellors, and that one who declared the
déclaration for liberty of conscience lawfull was upon the adjourne-
ment of the Parliament prefferred to the 3d office of the nation, and
anotîier had the government of a kingdotne.2 This day severall
oppressions committed by the soldiery innurnerated, and to heighten
ali, that religion and property could never be in danger but by a
standing army, theirfor voted that this standing army was a greve-
ance, and a committee appointed to draw up reasons for an address
to be presented to his Majestie. Things are carryed with that
violence that nothing at présent can give any check to their pas-
sion. This afternoone the House attended his Majestie with their
address and reasons to prevent the consummating of the mariage
with the Dutches of Modena. His returne was, he would speedily
take it into considération, and returne us an answer.
The Lords hâve orders to be in their roabes to-morrow ; so that
it is concluded wee shall hâve his Majesties answer there. Some
apprehend a prorogation. Pray God direct his Majestie, for to my
poore reason things never looked with a more dreadfull aspect. If
1	In a debate on the King’s Speech, October 31.
2	This was in a speech of Mr. Powle. The allusions are to the appointaient of
the Earl of Anglesey to be Lord ITivy Seal, and Lauderdale being Hjgh Commis-
sioner for Scotland.60
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
the Session continue, I believe particular persons will be brought
upon the stage. Some fancy Lauderdale will lead the van.
Your absence liath dispersed our club, but severall of them présent
service to you. Ail hapines to you is the earnest desire of,
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most humble servant,
C. Musgrave.
The currant sence of the House is for peace, without preserveing
our alliance with France.
R Nov.
133.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Nov. 4, ’73.
What hath past in Parliament since his Lordshipp’s last your
Excy will see in the inclosed accounts, and what was exceedingly
surprising, both to the Lords and Commons, this day. Your Excy
will find by his Majties speech, that they were this day prorogued to
the 7th of January next.
The Duke’s marriage with the Duchesse of Modena will now goe
on. Her stay hath been some what longer at Paris then was ex-
pected, upon some small indisposition ; but shee is now looked for
suddainly, and préparations are making for her réception accord-
ingly-
I am ever,
My Lord, your Excies most humble Servant,
Jo. Richards.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
61
No. 134.—From T. Derhah.
My LORD,	London, 5tli Nov. ’73.
The honor of your Ex0?9 of the 10th Oct. I cannot forbear to
acknowledge, though what I esteeme a gratitude is I feare no other
than impertineneie and offence, ail the leisure the obstinate Dutch
doe give not beeing sufficient to excuse the folly of a senceless
letter where onely weighty buissines ought to enter; but my com-
fort is I am not troublesome without example whilst your Ex0? lias
either French or Irish Correspondent, and therefore hope t’escape
in the generall pardon. Your Exc7es becomeing Principall Secretary
of State (I must take leave to contradict) has beene ever likely, and
though now at this instant embarrasseing affaires doe make the
time uncertaine, yet of necessity it ere long must happen, and ’tis
no wonder if his Majestie haveing so much need of your Ex°y every
way doe pause awhile where to fix you. In the intérim I hâve
let Mr. Platt know his happynes in being in your ExcJ’es esteeme,
which beeing secur’d of I looke upon him as a man growne rich,
and may forbear ail further endeavors for fortune or felicyty.
Newse to your Ex0? who is the centre of it (ail lines of that
nature from the world’s circumference beeing drawne to you,) will
bee no less a vanity in mee than a trouble to your Exc?, but because
trifles may escape better intellygences that may yet at this time bee
agreeable to your Ex°y, Pie give your Exc7 an account not of
what’s true but what I heare reported soe to bee; and to beginn
with the newest and most considérable:—Yesterday the Parlement
was progu’d after a long debate in councell whetlier that or a disso-
lution, their heate being such that they made an Adress to the
King to obstruct the match with the now • approching Dutchess ;
humble enough ail but the conclusion, in which was a kinde of
threat if denied. They voted the like for haveing ail the Army in
effect except the Guards disbanded; that no mony should bee
given his Majestie untill the last tax was qui te expir’d, nor then62
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
unless the Dutch were obstinate to ail reasonable propositions.
There was brought into the blouse an account of foure hundred
thousand pounds given away since last Session, of which Duchesses
of Cleavland and Portsmouth had the greatest share ; this informa-
tion was given by Sir Thomas Cierges ; after this they were goeing
to descend to perticulers to enquire into the cause of the warr and
league with France, and ’tis said would hâve fallen severely on
D. of Lauderdaill and my Lord,1 and against the latter Articles
I heard were prepar’d, and to hâve beene or were brought in by
Sir Charles Wheeler,2 now a discontented Colonel, but the un-
expected Prorogation blasted it in the budd. A great many are
peevish in both houses, even such as your Ex0? would scarce sus-
pect, ail which perversenes will make your Exc?es taske the greater
with the Dutcli. Discord in the Court contributed much to the
putteing of the Parliament out of tune, for some of the harshest
notes were struck by tlieir owne handes. D : B.3 laboured to bee
calFd to an account or impeached, by that meanes to bring my
Lord4 in, which might hâve prov’d sufficiently to his owne dis-
advantage, and like the envious man hee could hâve been contented
to loose an eye himselfe to leave his enemie none. The Chancellor5
has now, as well as at ail other times, showne himselfe to bee a
man of wisdome, and ’tis thought his house is the best place without
comparison to know where the winde standes. There is a great
différence too on a very small occasion between Duchess of Cleave-
land and my Lord.6 Shee refuseing her sonn should goe to Eweston
1	Earl of Arlington.
2	Sir Charles Wheeler was member for Cambridge Universitv, where he had
succeeded Sir Richard Fanshawe. He does not appear to hâve been respected by
any party. Marvell describes him, in 1677, “ a foot captain who once promised
himself to be Master of the Rolls, now Govemor of Ne vis.” In 1672 he was
recalled from the government of St. Christopher for great indiscrétions. (Evelyn’s
Diary, November 14, 27, 1672.)
3	The Duke of Buckingham.	4 The Earl of Arlington.
5	The Earl of Sliaftesbury.
6	The Duchess of Cleveland’s son, Henry Fitzroy, made suceessively Earl ofSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
63
with my Lord, his Lordshipp obtain’d leave of the King and tooke
him with him. Since hee has attempted to hâve him in his owne
tuition, but in vaine, for shee will not part with him nor cares for
any éducation other then what nature and her selfe can give him,
which will bee sufficient accomplishment for a married man.
Great préparations of fine clothes and thinges are makeing to
receive the Duchess [of Modena], who, should shee arrive to-night,
that madnes has a lycence,1 shee would certainely bee martyr’d, for
the comon people here and even those of quallyty in the country
beleeve shee is the Pope’s eldest daughter !
Mr. Montegue and his Lady2 begin already to live like man and
wife, neither caring a rush for the other, which makes her marrying
of him more and more to be wondered at, and that for him shee
should refuse not onely Mr. Savill but Mr. Gray too ; the reason
some give is this, that Mr. Gray was soe unfortunate as to hâve an
uncle that had no —ergo—but that Mr. Montegue has a sister that
has one. I will trouble your Excy no further with the relation of
Ladies or Amourettes, for I heare your Exc7es are well provided
there.
I kisse your Exc7es hands, and am as much as ’tis possible for
man to be,
My Lord,
Your Ex°yes humble and obedient Servant,
T. Derham.
Euston and Duke of Grafton, was betrothed to Arlington’s daughter, August 1,
1672; the girl being then four years old, and the boy not yet nine. The pair were
remarried, November 6, 1679. This marnage of Arlington’s daughter is referred
to in Nahum Tate’s Second Part of Absolom and Achitophel:—
“ His âge with only one mild heiress blest,
In ail the bloom of smiling nature drest;
And blest again to see his flower allied
To David’s stock, and made young Othniel’s bride.”
1 Being the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.
3 Ralph Montagu and the Countess dowager of Northumberland.64
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
No. 135.—From Sir William Lockhart.
My Lord,	London, 6 Novr, 73.
The account of his Majesties proroguing the Parliament, and the
reasons that moov’d him to it, will corne to you from better hands.
I believe it was no small surpryse upon many; it’s too early to say
any thing touching the effects this short recesse may produce. I
pray God they may answer the expectations of ail such who intend
nothing besyds the honor and happinesse of his Majestie and the
good of his people. The Dutchesse of Yorke is not yett corne the
length of Calais. My régiment waits at Dover for her réception,
after which it embarques for Dieppe or St. Yallery. I can yett say
nothing concerning my owne leaving this place, nor shall I give
your Ex°y further truble, being, with ail respect and faithfulnesse,
My Lord,
Your Excys most humble and most obedient Servant,
Will. Lockhart.
R 16.
No. 136.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Nov. 7, 73.
Since his Lordshipp’s last my Lord hath received duplicats onely
of the dispatch by Mr. Fairfax, soe, having nothing materiall to
Write, commands mee onely to send you the duplicate of his last.
With it I take leave to enclose likewise the print of his Majesties
speech at the prorogation of the Parliament, and the rather I send
it because it differs much from what I sent in writing by my last,
which past for current out of your servantes letters as taken from
some of the inferiour clerks that serve at the Parliament, which
was much to the King’s disadvantage.
The indisposition of the Duchesse of Modena is the onely reasonSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
65
shee is not now in England, shee being now expected with some
impatience and tlie match past further dispute.
I am entirely,
My Lord,
Your Excellencyes most humble servant,
Jo. Richards.
No. 137.—From the Right Hon. Henry Coyentry.
My Lord,	White Hall, November T7T, 73.
I am debtor to your Excellency for two, one of the Oct. and
another of 278^v- by Mr. Fairfax. I hope both you and your
collègue will excuse mee if I hâve not beene exact in my corre-
spondence during these two sessions. I hâve not onely the excuse
of having more buissiness then I and wiser men could manage, but
so little of what was comfortable that I tooke no joy in giving you
the accompt of it. The truth is our adversarys hâve once spoke
truth, but I hope they will do it no more ; and the people hâve
received such strange impressions as to religion and property that
no professions of his Maj^ of securing them for the future could at
présent cure the umbrages- His Majesty therefore thought fitt to
prorogue the Parliament till the 7th of January, and in the meane
time, both by proclamations through the kingdome and an exem-
plary execution in his owne family of such orders, so that wee hope
they may at the next meeting bee in a better temper ; however his
Majesty beleeveth to hâve a scheme fayre enough of continewing
the warre if the Dutch continue obstinate this next campagne, and
by that time wee hope wee or they shall returne to our witts, and
they accept of good conditions when offered, or the King and Par-
liament corne to a good understanding and make them take harder,
for wee are certainly assurd theyre wants are very great in Holland.
The Dutchesse of Yorke is yet at Paris and indisposed ; the Duke’s
servants and guards are ail attending her landing at Dover.
VOL. II.	K66
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
Wee are in greate expectation of the issue of the seige of Bon,
and what the two armys will do upon it.
I am, with very great syncerity,
My Lord,
Your Exc>3 most faithfull and most humble servant,
Henry Coventry.
Ul
« 6 *
No. 138.—From Sir Christopher Musgrave, M.P.
My Lord,	London, Nov. 10.
I hâve had the honour of receiveing yours of the 10th st. nov.
and likewise yours by Mr. Fairfax, though I hâve not been so
fortunate as to see him, and must ever acknowledg your great
favour in allowing mee the knowledg of affaires abroad; I hâve
ambition enough to beg the continuance of it, if it miglit not be to
great a trouble. The displaceing my Lord Chancellor,1 and giveing
the seales to Sir Hennich Finch with the title of Lord Keeper, y ou
hâve an account of from better hands; and, if report speak truth,
many more must follow, time will shew the certainety. It shall be
my prayer that ail changes in ministers of State and others may
tend to the good of King and kingdom. To my poore appréhen-
sion this juncture of affaires requires the wisest councells. Severall
of your acquaintance are moveing into the country; I wish they
carry and returne with such resolutions as suits the exigency of
affaires. I shall continue in towne ready to obey your commands
as becomes
Your Lordship’s
Most obedient and humble servant,
C. Musgrave.
R, *o
Ve 3 0*
The Great Seal was taken from the Earl of Shaftesbury, NoYember 9, 1673.STR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
67
No. 139.—From Sir Thomas Player.
Sir,	Monday, Novr. 10th, 1673.
The enclosed papers were sealed up the 3rd instant to be sent to
your Excellency, but I understanding as I was sending my letter to
the post-house that some new matter was like to occur, I forbore.
Tuesday, the 4th, his Majesty prorogued the Parliament to the 7th of
January. Wensday, the 8th of November, the members of the
House mett, tliough not as a House, at S1 Margarett’s Westminster,
where Dr. Stillingfleet preacht before them. That night there was
more bonfires from Charingcrosse to Whitechapple then had beene
in 30 yeares before. The young fry made the effigies of popes,
carried them in procession, and there burnt them. Sunday, the
seales were taken from my Lord Chancellor, and Mr Attorney-Gene-
rall is made Lord Keeper. It is said the preferment was fîrst offered
to my Lord Chiefe Justice Haies.1 This day wee heare my Lord
Cornbury 2 and Sir Robert Howard are removed from their places.
People say alsoe Mr Garraway is removed from the Custome house,
and Sir Tho. Littleton from the Yictualling office.3 We are in ex-
pectation of a severe proclamation against popery. If I tell you
the people are melancholy and dejected, I tell you true ; but they
are quickly raised, and as soone deprest. 1 received a letter from
you of the 31st October and 10th of November. I hâve shewed
that and the former paper of your Excellency^s to severall good
and wise men, and I fmd that they hâve given extraordinary satis-
faction as to the insolencye of the Dutch, and the justnesse of his
Majesty’s proceedings. I beseech God deliver his Majesty out of
his difficultés both at home and abroad, and preserve him to a good
and great old âge ! This is the prayer of ail people, and a prayer
that is attended with great earnestnesse and importunitie. The
1	Sir Matthew Haie.
2	Eldest son of the ex-Lord Chancelier Clarendon, who died in December of next
vear, 1674.
3	These rumours were not correct.68
LETTERS ADDRÇSSED TO
Citie of London corne not short of any party of the nation in their
most ardent affection to his Majesties person and government ; and
this I can confidently affirme, because my interest and converse
lyes among ail sorts. Within these 8 days past I hâve had the
opportunitie twice of being in company with severall Parliament
men. I finde them in a great amazement, and that’s ail.
Wee hâve had various reports about the Dutchesse of Modena,
her stop at Paris, her sicknesse, and some other circumstances. But
the common people talke anything, for every carman and porter is
now a statesman ; and indeed the coffee-houses are good for nothing
else. It was not thus when wee dranke nothing but sack and
clarett, or English beere and ale. These sober clubbs produce
nothing but scandalous and censorious discourses, and at these no-
body is spared.
’Tis time I am sensible to dismisse your Excellencye from the
trouble of impertinencye, which this is filled with ; but before I doe
it I must présent you with the service of Sir Francis Chaplin and Sir
Edward Massey, and with that most humble duty and service of
Your Excellencyes most faithfull servant,
T[homas] P[layer.]
No. 140.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot.1
My Lord,	Whitehall, Novr 13, 73.
I am in the condition of a sinner that hath neglected confes-
sion soe long that he is at last afraid to corne to it. Such is my
case, for not having returned an earlyer acknowledgment of your
favourable letter, and for having failed in my promise of frequent
writing ; but I hâve thus much to say for my self : In the begin-
ning of the summer I designed a journey into Ireland, and pursued
it as far as West Chester, wliere I mett with obstinate contrary
winds that, fearing I might not returne soone enough to the Par-
1 Sir Gilbert Talbot, knight, M.P. for Plymouth, Master of the Jewel Office, a
courtier. Ile had been ambassador to Denmark.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
69
Kament, I layd aside that purpose and returned to my country cell
at Harrow, where I continued till the 16th of Octr. From thence I
had neither matter nor opportunity to write to your Excellency,
and empty compliment (I know) could not hâve bin acceptable to
you amidst your greate employments. When I came to the House
and saw black clouds arising, I was not willing to write by way of
conjecture till I might more clearly perceive which way they
would breake ; nor was I soe much troubled for want of intelli-
gence before as I am now for superabundance of angry matter.
His Majesty, upon the first opening of the Parliament, made a gra-
cious speech to both Houses, such as might hâve put them into
better humour ; but the Commons not only refused to returne him
thanks (as was pressed by those of the Privy Council), but fell
fiercely upon a debate to put an absolute négative upon money,
which lasted till 5 of the clock at night, and then Sir William
Coventry came with his subtile allay to make the vote pass in
these words: not to graunt any supply till the 18 moneths tax were
expired, unless the obstinacy of the Hollanders should make it
necessary ; and this, at last, we were glad to swallow, being unable
to obtaine any better termes.1 The next day they fell upon the
1 Sir William Coventry made a bold speech. October 31. He attacked the French
unsparingly for their conduct in the naval fights. “ Now has the King of France
kept treaty with us, as is said ? He was to send thirty ships for our sixty ; had that
conjunction been as it should be, they would hâve fought. Has heard but of two
captains killed in the French fleet, and one died of an unfortunate disease; thinks
we had no advantage by their company. One unfortunate gentleman (Martel) did
fight, and because that gentleman said, as he had heard, that the French did not
do their duty, he is clapped into the Bastile. His own squadron, he said, deserted
him ; his captains said, ‘ upon secret orders which they had.’ ” The Commons
resolved without a division, introducing the words suggested by Sir W. Coventry :
“ That this House, considering the présent condition of the nation, will not take
into any further debate or considération any aid or supply or charge upon the
subject, until the tenus of payment of the 18 months’ assessment, &c. granted last
session, be expired, unless it shall appear that the obstinacy of the Dutch shall
render it necessary, nor before this kingdom be effectually secured from the dangers
of Popery and Popish counsels and counsellors, and the other présent grievances be
redressed.”70
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
Speaker,1 and would not hâve him sitt any longer in the chayre.
Sir Thomas Littleton began the assault, and pressed it from his
holding another employment which would require the whole man.
Will Harboard seconded it, and accused him of gaming and play-
ing greate summs of the publicke money, as appeared by the marks
of the bags. He ran a hazard of being throwne out that day ; and
to make up the matter, at night a meane whore brought a bastard
to his doore and charged it upon him, which drew 500 people
about his house to learne the matter.1 Divers motions hâve bin
made against him since ; and it will be hard for him to keep the
cushion. When the young whelps were sufficiently warmed with
these furious debates, they started matters of grievance, and would
not admitt of any other motion till that was redressed. They
branched it into 4 particulars : growth of popery, a standing army,
the French league, and evill counsaillers. The first they mainely
attributed to the Duke’s marriage, and carryed a vote to draw up
reasons to présent to the King to hinder the consummation with
the Princess of Modena, or any other Catholick lady. This put the
King upon the necessity of adjourning for some days ; and hearing
in the meane time of theyre resolutions to pursue that boistrous
method, he hath prorogued the Parliament till the 7th of January,
but the Black Rod could not be soe nimble but that they questioned
the Duke Lauderdale for an evill counsailler before he could knock,
and were proceeding to some others. Since the prorogation the
seale hath bin taken from the Lord Chancellor (on Sunday last) and
given to Keeper Finch (late Attorney) who is succeeded by the Sol-
licitor,2 and he by Winnington. We are now in expectation that
his Majesty will prudently prevent by his goodness what he could
not without diminution of his prérogative hâve assented unto upon
theyre boystrous demands. We heare of a déclaration against the
1	Lord Conway writes to Sir George Rawdon, December 28, 1677, of Speaker
Seymour: “ Mr. Speaker’s lady is a most yirtuous discreet person, but her husband
is worse for women than my Lord Ranelagh.” Rawdon Papers, p. 255.
2	Sir Francis North, afterwards Lord Keeper, and Lord Guildford.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
71
papists, and a resolution to disband the new-raised régiments, which
they call a standing army ; and then tbey will hâve little to object
against evill counsaillers, especially if a peace ensue ; which if we
can be soe happy as to obteine by your endeavours, I noe wise
doubt but that the Parliament will give him money to pay his
debts and recover the honour of the nation, in keeping fayth with
the bankers.
On the 5th of November the Pope was with greate solemnity
burnt in severall places in London (a barbarisme which I
thought noe nation but the Hollander could hâve been guilty of ) ;
yet, I assure you, some of your brother members were assistant to
it, Sir John Pakington and Sir Ant. Cope, but whether it pro-
ceeded from wine or zeale I am yet to learne.
Had the Parliament continued, Sir Lionell Jenkins would most
certainely hâve bin throwne out of the House, for they would not
be persuaded to deferre the tryall of his élection till his returne ;
and Sir P. Neile Corning into the House, returned by the proper
officer of Newark, was forced to withdraw, and not suffered to
show by what right he sate.
Now I hâve wearyed you with Parliament news, give me leave
to refresh you with somewhat from the Court. The Lords Sunder-
land and Middlesex are made gentlemen of the bedchamber ; the
latter by the solicitation of the Lord Buckhurst,1 for which his uncle
hath setled his estate upon him. Tom Windham and Captain Skel-
ton are sworne supernumerary grooms of the bedchamber and per-
mitted to wayte ; Mrs Windham is ready to lye down ; Mrs Price is
to be marryed to Mr Stanhope, the Queen’s servant, and Mrs Stuart2
to Captain Buckly. The new mayds that supply theyre places are
Temple, Anstroder, and Nan Howard. Your friend Ralph Mon-
tague hath managed his matter soe that he and his Countesse lye in
two beds, the reason sayd to be strong jealousy of the old mistress.
I must now beg my service may be presented to Sir Lionell and
1	See note, vol. i. p. 87.
2	Sister of the beautiful Duchess of Richmond, of whom the King had been
desperately enamoured.72
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
my good freind Mr Weekes, and that I may obteine pardon for
tliese tedious impertinencyes. I am
Your Excellencyes
Most obedient and most faythfull servant,
G. Talbot.
I forgot to tell why we were prorogued before meeting on the
20th Oct. It was for 3 reasons : to cutt off the dispute betwixt the 2
houses, to revive the bill of paving the streetes of London, and that
custome might not be pleaded against giving money twice the same
session.1
Our Smirna rich fleete came safe into the river on Wednesday ;
that night my Lord Duras arrived from Paris.
Indorsed,
Sir Gilb. Talbot.
B Dec. 7.
No. 141.—From James Vernon.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 17 Nov.
Tho’ I shall forbear to trouble your Excy but upon a very
justifiable occasion, so I looke upon it as my duty to give you an
account of what ever passeth that is remarkable within my sphere,
which makes me take the liberty to acquaint your Excy that the
last weeke the King profferd my Lord Duke 2 to make him Com-
missioner of Scotland in the place of my Lord Lauderdale; but
his Grâce modestly refused it, telling his Majesty that he desired
to appear in action while the warr continued, and in a time of
peace he feared that employment would draw upon him the envy of
the Duke.3 The King commended him for his prudence, told him
See ante, p. 51, letter 128.
2	The Duke of Monmouth. Vernon was in the Duke’s service. See previous
letters of Vernon, vol. i. pp. 105, 188 ; vol. ii. p. 22.
3	The Duke of York.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
73
he was of the same opinion, and therefore if he had not that he
should not long want some considérable charge in the kingdome.
I am, my Lord,
Your Excellencyes most obedient and
most faithfull servant,
Dec.	J. Vernon
No. 142.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 17 November, 1673.
When I writt the letters I sent your Excellency by the last
ordinary it was intended Mr. Smith should hâve carried them, but
the arrivait of Mr. Petit about ten that night altered my Lord’s
mind. Since wee hâve received your Excellencyes of the 14th, in
which you are pleased to command me to call upon Mr. Floyd,
Mr. Terrill, and Mr. Newcomb, to send your Excellency an account
of what moneys they hâve disbursed for your Excellency, which
they did ail of them by the last ordinary, if they kept their promise
to me, for I was with them severally, and in your Excellencyes
name desired it.
Last night arrived here Monsieur de Puis1 brother, who came
out with lier Royall Highnesse from Paris on Tuesday last and
left Her Highnesse the next day on lier journey to Calais,
wliere it is supposed slie may arrive to-morrow; his Royal High-
nesse goes hence on Wednesday morning early for Dover to meet
her. Many people had hoped still that some accident or anotlier
would hâve happened which might hâve hindered the consommation
of tliis marriage, which is carried on so much against the likeing of
the whole nation.
I formerly told your Excellency of a proclamation that was
comeing out against the Roman Catholicks. It is now preparing
by Mr. Attorney to be read next councell day ; the contents
1 Valet of the Duke of York.
VOL. II.	L74
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
of it your Excellency will find in the Gazette. This would indeed
give great satisfaction to the people could they believe that the
King’s command in this particular would be punctually executed,
but they hâve seen so many proclamations and orders which hâve
hardly been remembered some days after they were published, that
they will not take much notice of this till they see the effect follow.
A rich Barbados ship of twenty guns, belonging to London,
one Terrey captain, hath been lately taken by a Dutch caper, and
retaken again by one of the King’s frigatts. From Portsmouth
they Write that they had a report there that the Plimouth frigatt
was sunk, haveing been engaged with three Dutch capers, but that
they did not give any creditt to it. The great corn plaint now in
the citty is concerning the excessive price of coales, which are now
sold by the wodmongery for Si. 6s., and truly the poorer sort of
people find the burthen heavy. Sir Robert Howard, &c. continue
still in their severall places, and wee now talke no more of those
mat ter s.
I am with ail humble duty,
May it please your Excellency,
Your most dutifull obedient and faithful) servant,
R. Yard.
lk Dec.
No. 143.—From William Bridgeman.
My Lord,	Whitehall, November 17th, ’73.
Mr. Floyd having helpt mee to the enclosed copy of your
Bill of Extraordinaries, as it was signed and allowed by my Lord
Arlington, and remembering your Ex0? had writt to mee some time
agoe about it, I send it you accordingly, and must att the same
time acknowledge the favour of yours of -4Tth instant.
The Parliament being prorogued, wee hâve no news but what
cornes from your parts; onely the Dutchesse is expected here the
latter end of this week, haveing left Paris upon Thursday last, andSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON,
75
designing to bee att Calais upon Wednesday next. his Royall
Higlmesse going then down to meet lier att Dover, where the
marriage is to bee consummated, and soe brings her up to town the
next day.
I doe not heare any thing more of a further change of any of our
officers here, though the discourse of it was very hot last weeke.
The Spanish Ambassador here has sent over Fonseca, their
Consull, to carry the news (as they prétend and divulge) of a
misunderstanding between the King and the Parliament, and that
they will give no supply unlesse the King breake his alegiance with
France. I doe not question but you hâve abundance of that kind
of stuffe spread abroad in those parts ; however I beleeve (att least
hope) they will finde themselves mistaken in their measures in
January when the Parliament meet next, and they finde they will
give his Majesty a supply for the carrying on of the warre, as I am
very confident they are more inclined to now they begin to bee
disabused concerning the carriage of the Dutch as to any overtures
of a peaceand his Majesty’s great condescensions inorder thereunto.
God grant ail may end to his Majesty’s satisfaction and the honour
and safety of the nation !
I am, with ail respect and truth, my Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithfull and
most humble servant,
William Bridgeman.
£ ?£ Dec.
No. 144.—From Colonel Roger Whitley.1
My Lord,	London, Nov. 73.
Nothing could hâve bin more welcome then the honor you did
me by yours of the 10th, which brought the happy account of your
health amidst ail the troubles of that contrey and fatigues of your
1 M.P. for Flint ; Marvell describcs liim (1677) as “ kniglit harbinger, fariner
of the Post Office, bv which lie has got a vast estate.*’76
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
great imployments, except you had corne yourselfe, crowned with
olive, peace and your good company being miglitily longd for here,
and the truth is we bave soe little hopes of the first (I meane we
that are far from the cabinet) considering the great successes and
allyances of our adversaryes, that if there be such a blessing in store
for us we must (next to the goodnesse of God) ascribe it to the
admirable dexterity and wise conduct of your Lordship.
Your Lordship hath bin long since informed of the short and
uncomfortable meetings of the Parlement, nor did we any thing
(whilest wTe were together) that you would hâve bin pleased with
the account of; the particulars you hâve certeinly received from
better hands. I finde some, that voted with the higliest, now of
opinion that they were too precipitate, and encline to more modé-
ration, yet loath to give money witlioute redresse of greivances.
The maine points hinted (soe far as I can collect from whispers) are
Religion, Army, French-Allyance, and Councellors. His Majesty
is doing something (in the two first) to theire content, and we must
endeavor to qualify and sweeten the two latter : a moderate middle
way to keep things well betwixt King and People is the best I can
hope for, and no raan shall be more industrious (in my poore
capacity and station) to promote it: We onely want the influence
of your Lordship’s direction and countenance, whicli (I assure you)
is of very great esteeme amongst those with whom I converse. Not
onely in the Court and Citty, but Westminster also, you are often
and most respectfully remembered, your health and happinesse
wisht, and retorne long’d for, and that you may be the happy
instrument of restablishing not onely the peace but ail the great
concernes of this Kingdome, wherein tliough millions may hâve
more interest, yet none would more rejoyce tlien,
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most humble and obedient Servant,
Ro: Whitley.
1> Dec.
Cott. Whitley.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
77
No. 145.—From Sir Robert Wiseman.1
London, November 17th, 1673.
Yesterday I received yours of the of last moneth, and I
acknowledge a greate obligation you bave layde upon mce by itt.
I was not wanting in deesires and intentions to hâve saluted you in
this manner beefore now, and I hâve a letter of a long date lying
by mee to that purpose which I intended for you, but the feare of
beeing too troublesome supprest itt from you. I heartily joyne
with you in the good wishes you make for happy things this Parlia
ment in order to a peace, and I am nott in despaire of them in our
next meeting, which as is yett thought will bee the 7th of Jany, for
of our sudden prorogation I doubt not butt you hâve beefore this
heard ; as likewise of the change of a Lord Ghauncelor to a Lord
Keeper, who is Sir Heneage Finch, in whose place att Oxford for
the University will bee undoubtedly chosen (as is said) your College
plenipotentiary ?
This day is printed the States5 letter to the King, with the
King’s answere annexed, which satisfyes mee too mucli thatt
you will hardly corne att a Peace with them worthy to suc-
ceede the warre of two greate Princes against them; and wee con-
clude heere that Fraunce is very hard beesett, and wee feare (many
of us) that hee will take noe greate care to stand for any good
termes for us in the condition hee is in, but this assure youreselfe
wee are ail Old Englishmen and will maintaine the warre singly
alone than submitt dishonourable to them. I hope and earnestly
pray that wee may corne together with lesse préjudice att West-
minster than wee did last time ; the King outt of his wisdome is-
preeparing meanes towardes itt, papists being forbid the Court, and
a proclamation for the convicting of them speedily intended. Butt
I may whisper you a doubtfullnesse of the Parliament beeing satis-
1	An Advocate of Doctors’ Commons.
2	Thomas Thymie, esq. of Christ Church, was the succcssor of Sir Heneage Finch
as M.P. for the University of Oxford.78
LETTERS ADDRE&SED TO
fyed withoutt the removall of some persons from businesse neere
the King, and where it will fall particularly I cannott soe well tell
y ou, butt the spirits of men are almost invincibly alarmM att and
sett against the councells thatt hâve hitherto taken place. Itt will
prove and bee commended an excellent wisedome that can find out
expédients to qualify and compose matters in this conjuncture ; fo
my part I find a misse of y ou, and I wish y ou were heere with ail
my heart. My good freind, I find itt a greate evill under the sunne
that the King’s conscientious good friendes are (as they hâve
allwayes beene) little regarded, both in themselves and in the
principles they owne. It is an ill omen of the fall of a State where
such as serve the publicke out of a goode conscience hâve noe other
reward for soe doing but the satisfaction of their good conscience.
This is nott my saying, but the saying of an old neglected supposed
Cavalier 1500 years agoe. Sir, I did not thinke to trouble you with
this complaint when I beegan, itt fell in I know not how, butt I
assure you itt stickes in a great many men’s stomacks, and un-
doubtedly if such men and their principles were butt att this day
regarded, ail would speedily doe well, and on my conscience itt is
corne to a crisis that if they bee nott willingly complyed with ail by
such as may hâve oppertunity to doe itt, they will repent and wish
they had.
Sir, I wish you ail health and happinesse, and great and good
successe in your affaire, and may you returne beeloved by ail as by,
Sir,
Your reall faithfull humble Servant,
B 24 Dec.	R* W[iseman].
Sir E. Wiseman.
No. 146. —From Major Thomas Fairfax.
My Lord,	London, Novr 17th, old style, 1073.
I received two from your Ex0? of ^ and the ^ inst. I hope by
this your Lordship finds I hâve not neglected to give your Lord-STR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
79
ship an account of my proceedings, and that by every opportunitie
since I left Cologne. And now, my Lord, I wish I could send y ou
that newes you your selfe desires. But it’s not to bee imaginM
what humors there are amongst us. It may bee the House of Com-
morts when1 they sit againe will consider the true interest of the
kingdome, I am told the cobal of them are pretty well broaken,
I shall not faile to doe ail that lies in mee to observe your Exc>es
instructions in the meane time. To-morrow the Duke goes to
Dover to meet the Dutchess who will bee att Calais on Wednesday
next. It’s thought the Lord Chancellor2 will bee in favour againe ;
but I suppose your Ex°y knowes ail those matters better than I can
tell you; what the matter is I know not, but most seem to bee glad
when they heare any ill newes of 433. God Allmighty turne ail
things for the best ! I shall not faile by every opportunitie (as I hâve
done hitherto) to give your Ex°y an account of what I know, for
I am with great reallitie, My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most faithfull freind and humble servant,
T. F[airfax].
24.
No. 147.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 21st November, 1673.
Wee hâve received your Exc>s of the ^-fst instant with severall
cnclosed. That to Mr Floyd I delivered my selfe, and gave him
an account that ] would putt another bill of your Exc>'s extra-
ordinaries into his hands so soone as I could gett it signed from
Mr Bridgman, though it seems there is now no occasion for it, the
first, which was mislaid, being now found againe. Hee further
told mee that the warrants for your Exc7s arrears in the councell
were now in Sir Robert Howard’s hands, with whom he has lately
1	The words in italics are in cipher in the original.
2	Earl of Shaftesbury. Great efforts were made by the King to bring him back,
but without success.80
LETTERS ARRRESSER TO
had some différence, and therefore thought it necessary that I
should goe and sollicite it, which accordingly I will doe. I writt
your Ex°y two or three posts since tliat Sir Robert Southwell had
300Z. in his hands for your Excy out of the prizes, and expeots your
Excys directions for the disposall of it.
This day her Royall Highnesse is expected at Dover, where the
Duke has been ever since Wednesday last, haveing parted from
hence that morneing early. It is possible they may lye togeather
this night at Canterbury, where the Bishop of Oxford1 is to marry
them. It has been reported here that his Royall Highnesse will
then receive the holy sacrament from the hands of the said bishop ;
but it is feared it is onely a report.
Yesterday the Smirna fleet, being about twenty saile, arrived in
the Downes, haveing for convoy five men-of-warr, commanded by
Sir John Narbrough. It seems one of this fleet, vidt. the Golden
Fleece of London, a very rich ship, haveing about Land’s End lost
the company of the rest, was mett and attacqued by a Dutch caper,
against whom the marchant-man defended himselfe very well till
such time as one of the King’s frigatts came in and ended the
battle, by takeing the Dutch caper. An other Dutch caper of 12
guns is taken oft of Key, and of late our frigatts hâve mett with
severall of them; however the rest are not ail discouraged at it, but
cruise ail along our coasts in such numbers that it is hardly crédible.
The greatest complaints of this kind corne from the northwards,
because the colliers are very much disturbed, and coales brought to
be sold here for 31. 12 sh., which vexes people the more, because they
say it might in great measure be prevented could they hâve con-
stant convoy s, and truly it is to be wondred that it goes so well
with the colliers; for wee often hear of fleets of 150 and 200 saile,
which hâve onely a vessell of 10 or 12 guns for their convoy; and
sometimes none at ail.
My Lord of îsorwich2 and the rest of the Roman Catholick
1	Rr. Nathaniel Crewe, afterwards Bisliop of Durham.
2	Henry Howard, created Earl of Norwich 1673. Ile succeeded his brother as
6th Duke of Norfolk 1677.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
81
nobility hâve, it is said, desired leave of the King to goe and live
beyond sea, for that if they goe downe and live in the country,
as they must doe since they are forbid the court, and there keep
houses according to their quality, the country will flock to them,
and perhaps occasion jealousies, which the better to prevent they
desire to goe abroad. Sir William Lockart’s Régiment is now
gone for France, though many of them are ran away, and those
that are gone haveing mutinied before they could be gott on bord ;
on which occasion an ensign of one of the companys being some-
what brisk and drawing his sword to frighten them into better
order, the poor gentleman was immediately knocked on the head
by them and left dead on the place.
The marchants are full of appréhensions of a warr with Spaine;
for they write from Flanders that the Count de Monterey has power
to break with us, when he thinks fitt.
My Lord Arlington has been indisposed these 3 or four days.
I am, with ail dutifull respect, My Lord, your Excellency’s
most faithfull and most obedient servant,
R. Yard.
Çr Dec. 4.
No. 148.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehali, 2t November, 1673.
Wee hâve your Excellency’s of the 24. instant with the
enclosed. On Satturday last Major Fairfax put into my hands a
note of severall things which your Excellency wants; I will take
care they shall be bought, and sent your Excellency by the first
conveyance. I was this morneing to wait upon Sir Robert Howard
concerneing your Excellencyes arrears in the Councell Chamber,
and he has promised they shall be paid out of hand.
On Friday last, in the afternoone, her Royall Highnesse arrived
at Dover from Calais, and about five in the evening the Bishop of
VOL. II.	M82
LETTERS ADDRES&ED TO
Oxford declared the marriage in the same forme as was practised
by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the marriage of his Majesty.
On Wednesday their Eoyall Highnesses will be here in towne, and
the King entertains them at dinner; they corne up by water, and
the King will meet them at Gravesend. In the mean time people
cannot forbear makeing reflections; but the soberer sort wish that
much more happinesse and comfort may attend them than the présent
disposition of the nation will lett us hope for. It is hardly crédible
how strangely jealous people are of popery, and doubtless without
any reason, but yet it will be no easy thing to convince them of
their mistake. Here is some days since came abroad a pamphlett
containeing the votes and addresses of the House of Commons
dureing their two last sessions, and is publickly sold up and downe
towne, the author whereof concludes his discourse that that
morneing the Parliament was prorogued it was proposed in the
House that the alliance with France was a grievance ; that the
King’s evill councell was a grievance; and that the Duke of Lau-
derdaill was a grievance ; but that the Black Eod knocking at the
doore, the House broke up and had not time to corne to any
résolve. I doe not write your Excellency the factious discourses of
disaffected persons ; but those that truly love both King and
Country pray that those black clouds which seem gathering over
our heads may pass by and not fall downe in storms. The Parlia-
ment in Scotland prétends to hâve many grievances, and till they
are regulated will not take into their considération the King’s
letters. They hâve complaints against their Commissioner, the Duke
of Lauderdaill, and hâve appointed six of their body to corne hither
and bear them to the King, and some say they are already on their
way.
The East India Company hâve sold ail the prize goods for
45,000Z. more than was contracted for with Thomson and the rest
of his company, and hâve already paid in greatest part of the money.
The seamen are most paid off for this summer service, and wee hear
at présent very few complaints of this kind. The businesse ofSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
83
Cap tain Waters, of which Mr. Bail gave your Exc^ an account by
the last ordinary, has given great satisfaction, for truely the soldiers
hâve of late committed severall insolencies in severall parts of this
kingdome, and given the greater cause of coin plaint because they
seem countenanced by their superior officers. 1 sent your Excel-
lency’s sable coat by Mr. Smith, and doubt not but it is corne to
your Excellencyes hands in good condition. My lady was pleased
to order me to take off the velvet, as unfitt in ail respects for your
Excellency to weare, and was pleased to bestow it on me. Mr.
Overbury came to towne on Satturday last.
I am, with ail humble duty and submission, my Lord,
Your Excellencyes most faithfull and
most obedient servant,
lî. Yard.
My Lord Arlington continues very much indisposed.
14 Dec. 4.
No. 149.—From William Bridgeman.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Nov. 24, 73.
The last post my Lord Arlington commanded mee to tell your
Excy that by reason of a fitt of the goût upon him he was not able
to write and acknowledge yours of the 4^-th. His indisposition
still continuing upon him he does not finde himselfe yet in a con-
dition better for it, and therefore commands mee now again to
acknowledge yours of the 4L which hâve not yet been read before
the King att the Committee of Foreigne Affairs.
Fonseca1 (who I présumé you may hâve heard was sent into
Flanders by the Ambassador of Spaine lieerej) is returned ; the Am-
bassador has sent him to corne and give my Lord Arlington an account
of his journey, which my Lord bids me acquaint you with as an
The words in italics are in ciplier in the original.84
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
extraordinary complément of the Ambassador’s. My Lord’s indispo-
sition not having permitted him yet to speake with him, he can yet
say no more upon that subject.
Wee are made to beleeve, att least would faine persuade ourselves,
that the Parliament, att their next meeting, will comply icith the
King's desires in point of a supply ; how farre they ivill God knowes,
onely I am sure that severall of the .... and of Gommons seeme to
bee very well satisfyed with the Kimf s answer to the late letter from
Holland, and déclaré to be soe of the necessity of supplying his Ma-
jesty, but hâve strangejealousyes of other matters. I hâve been told,
and from a good hand, that upon some discourse with a great
Minister of the King of France concerning this matter, that he
should say that if the Parliament did not supply his Majesty his
Master would thinke of doing it.
Upon Friday last, in the evening, the Dutchesse landed att
Dover, where the Bishop of Oxford declared the marriage between
his Eoyall Highnesse and her in the same forme as was done att the
King’s marriage. Their Royall Highnesses staid there till this
morning and intend to bee in town upon Wednesday next.
I hâve the favour of one from you of the to acknowledge, and
am, with much respect and truth,
My Lord, your Excellencies most faithfull and
most humble servant,
Wm. Bridgeman.
Dec. 4.
No. 150.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, NoYr 24* 73.
Yesterday arrived your Excies of the which his Lordshipp ex-
cuses himselfe from acknowledging by this Ordinary, being much
indisposée! with a fitt of the goûte, that hath held him these six orSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
85
seven daies somewhat severely, but (God bee thanked) begins now
to abate.
Her Royall Highnesse, with the Duchesse her mother, arrived at
Dover on Friday last, according to his Royall Highnesses expecta-
tion, who arrived there the day before. They this day set out
thence, and lodge this night at Canterbury and to-morrow night at
Rochester, soe that on Wednesday they will be here. The King
intends to goe downe by water three or foure miles to meete them.
His Majesties late Order forbidding Roman Catholics the Court,
and a subséquent Proclamation for the putting the laws in execu-
tion against them, hath given great satisfaction to the people, and
’tis hoped will allay the impetuous heates that lately appeared in
the Parliament and gave that shamefull advantage to his Majesties
enemies abroad. The Parliament in Scotland hath exprest great
dissatisfaction at their Commissioner, the Duke of Lauderdaile, and
upon his pressing them to vote an answer to his Majesties letter
they said they had grievances likewise to represent to his Majesty
(as monopolies of sait, tobacco, &c.) and would doe both together.
Duke Hamilton appeares eminently in this party, and is not to bee
taken off.
I am, with ail dévotion and truth,
My Lord, your Excies most humble servant,
Jo. Richards.
R Dec. 4.
No. 151.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 28 November, 1673.
Wee hâve not received any from your Ex°? since what I acknow-
ledged in my last. I there told your Ex0? that Major Fairfax had
left a note with us two or three days before of severall things to be
bought for your Exc?. This evening I hâve sent downe to Mr Page86
LETTEKS ADDRESSED TO
a runlet of usquabach, and a pièce of frieze from my Lady Kathe-
rine; 4 pair of shoes with one pair of galachoes, with a small piece
of flannell, the best that could be gott, and, as I am told by those
that prétend to hâve skill, very good, and containes about 25 or 27
yards. Mr Page has promised me to take care of the things and
recommend them to his correspondent on the other side of the
water, to be sent forward according to your Ex°ys directions. The
scarlett ribbon,with the silke and worsted stockens, shall be sent by
the first expresse, which I am told may goe hence some time the
next week. I hâve taken 10Z. of Mr Floyd to pay for these things,
and by the next ordinary I will send your Excy a note how it has
been laid.
Her Eoyall Highnesse arrived here on Wednesday last about
noone, ail the principall of the nobility haveing attended the King
to goe and meet her. She landed at the Privy Stairs without
any sollemnity, and so went directly up to the Queen, who received
her in her withdrawing roome, and, after a quarter of an hour’s stay
there, went to S11 James, the King leading the young Dutchesse,
and the Duke her mother. As to her person, I hardly dare venture
to make a description ; yet some indiffèrent things I may présumé
to tell your Excy. She is tall and slender, of a pale complexion
and browne haire, which ail putt togeather people judge variously
off. Some cry her up for a very fine weoman, and generally ail say
she will be a fine weoman when she is somewhat more spread ; and
in the mean time praise her witt. Yesterday she dined in publick
at St James, her mother setting at the table with her, which our
nobility stomacking very highly, the Dutchesse has declared that
she will not dine in publick any more, while her mother continues
here ; who when she was with the Queen had likewise a seat given
her, which severall ladyes took so ill that, as I am told, tliey went
out of the withdrawing roome.
In Scotland the Parliament begins to coole againe, and wee
heare nothing farther of commissioners comeing hither, so that it is
hoped ail will goe well therc. In Towne they hâve a great deale ofSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
87
news that I cannot heare anything of heare at Court : that the
Parliament will be prorogued till October next ; that their league
with France is renewed, with the inclusion of Sweden; and that
the Duke of Yorke will goe to sea this spring, if the warr continues,
which begetts new dissatisfactions amongst the people to that
degree that they forgett ail decency and respect in the discourses.
It is very much taken notice of that the Lord Mayor lias not been
to compliment their Roy ail Highnesses upon their marriage ; but
his Lordshipp sides, it seems, with the people, who still on ail occa-
sions expresse their aversion to this match. Should I write your
Ex°y ail the discourses wee hâve here of the power of the several
factions, of the turneing out of one and the comeing in of
another, I should fill severall sheets, and perhaps after ail tell your
Ex°y many things that are not soe. That the Earle of Essex is to
be recalled home ;l that the Earle of Arlington shall goe ambassador
to Spaine ; and that the Earle of Ossory shall be Secretary of
State,2 are things very much talkt off. People complaine likewise
that the order against the Roman Catholics not comeing to Court is
not executed; that the Dutchesse of Yorke has no one but Roman
Catholics in her family; and, finally, that the French party getts
ground every day. But I dare not committ to paper ail I hear,
and that from sober persons : and, therefore, most humbly begging
your Exc^s pardon,
I am, with ail duty and submission,
My Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithfull and most humble servant,
R. Yard.
1> Dec, 7.
1	From Ireland, where he was Lord Lieutenant; but the rumour was not true.
2	This rumour was not true either. The Earl of Arlington and Earl of Ossory
had marricd two sisters.88
LETTERS ADDRE6SED TO
No. 152.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Noy. 28th, 73.
Since my last, my Lord Arlington hath received nothing from
your Excie, soe his Lordshipp commands mee to repeate onely his
acknowledgments of your Excies of the ^-J, and with ail to make this
excuse for his not answearing formally, as hee allwayes endeavoured,
that hee is (as hee has beene now neere a fortnight) labouring under
a fitt of the goûte, which now holds him soe to his chamber as
not to suffer him to put his foot to the ground. On Wednesday
noone the Duchesse ofModena(now Her Royall Highnesse) arrived
here by water from Gravesend ; the King met her some few miles
downe the river and led her by the hand to the withdrawing
roome, where the Queene saluted her at the doore. Many small
matters are now adjusting upon the visitts of ladies, wherein ours
seeme mu ch unsatisfied as y et, but I hope your Excie may by the
next receive a satisfactory account of it.
I présumé to trouble your Excie with the inclosed for Mr.
Churchill, containing leave for him to corne for some time for
England, which with the other from my Lord Lieutenant of Ire-
land being ail I can at this time take upon mee to trouble your
Excie withall, I humbly beg your pardon, and remaine, with ail
dévotion,
My Lord,
Your Excies most obedient servant,
Jo. Richards.
i> Dec. 7.
No. 153.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 8 December, 1673.
I hâve your Exc>s of the 28 past old stile, and perceive by it
that your Ex0* has not as yet received the account you expectedSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
89
from Mr. Floyd, which I very much wonder at, for that lie assures
me that he has sent it severall posts since. I hâve been severall
times this week with Mr. Burgesse to gett of him an accoimt of
what moneys hâve been paid, &c., and he promises I shall hâve it,
but still puts me off from day to day by reason of other businesse
which hinders him. With the next ordinary Mr. Barré, I suppose,
will goe expresse ; by him I will send the ribbon and stockens your
Ex°y is pleased to Write for. For news I know at présent very
little to write y ou, things being every where in the greatest quiett-
nesse imaginable, and the people, haveing almost wearied themselves
with their impertinent discourses, begin to be more prudent and to
forbear them.
Ail the forreigne ministers hâve been to compliment the Duke
and Dutchesse of Yorke upon their marriage, except the Spanish
Ambassador, which he déclarés is not for want of respect to their
Royall Highnesses, but that he deferred it in expectation of re-
ceiveing letters from the Court of Spaine to be at the same time
presented to their Royall Highnesses ; but the true reason is that to
prevent ail différence between him and the French Ambassador,
who pretended to hâve audience first, he deferred his and gave ail
the other lesser ministers leisure to corne between ; yesterday in the
evening he made at last his publick compliments to their Royall
Highnesses.
Saturday last, in the evening, Mr. Montague1 was discharged
out of the Tower through the earnest sollicitations of his friends,
but at the same time was confined to his house upon honor till the
King’s farther pleasure be knowne, who will consider of a fitt satis-
faction to be made by him to the Duke of Buckingham ; for it
appears that he was the agressor. I will présumé to give your Excel-
lency the true relation of that rencounter, because I fear I may hâve
been guilty of some mistakes concerneing it. Mr. Montague was
standing in the circle in the withdrawing roome, the King présent,
when the Duke cornes in hastily to goe to the King and pulls
1 Ralph Montagu, who had lately married the Countess of Northumberland.
VOL. II.	N90
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
Mr. Montague by tlie sboulder to make way, who, looking back,
somewhat angerley asked whois tbere, the Duke replyed, It is I, and
will corne by; You shall not, said Mr. Montague, upon winch some
fierce words more of “ I will” and “ you shall not” passed between
them, when Mr. Montague went and bid the Duke follow him.
Beeing both corne out of the Queene’s roomes, Mr. Montague
challenged the Duke to goe imediately and fight, and so make
onely a rencounter of it, and not a sett duell; the Duke would not,
but told him he should hear of him at such a place the next morn-
ing, upon which they parted. Mr. Montague was no sooner gott
home but the King, who had been informed by Mr. Felton and
Mr. Griffin of what had passed between them, sent to secure him,
the Duke keeping out of the way till the Tuesday folio wing,
when he went to the King ; and the next day the whole businesse
was heard at the Councell.
The report wee had of the Duke of Monmouth’s being to be
Master of the Horse proves without ground. In Scotland it seems
the Duke of Lauderdaill has gott the better of his enemies, and the
Parliament begin to proceed more moderately.
I am most humbly, my Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithfull
and most obedient Servant,
R. Yard.
H
** 28-
No. 154.—Extract of a Letter signed M.P., but indorsed
Roger Jones to Lord Conway, dated 11 Dec. 1673.1
•f?	H*
For that matter betweene the Duke of Buckingham and Mr.
Mounticue, the reporte here was that the latter was sent to the
1 This was probably inclosed to Williamson by Lord Conway or by one of bis
ordinary correspondants. Edward, third Lord Conway, was created Earl of Conway inSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
91
Tower, whîch was pleasing to me, for 3 weekes or a fortniglit
before it was reported his Grâce had parted with his Master of the
Horse, and was retireing to Venice, or some other place, from the
affaires at home. One thing in this matter they report as ill of his
Grâce, that notwithstanding he knew Mr. Mounticue was under
confinement he went the next day to the place appointed for
feighting; he perhapps had reason soe to doe, but if not I take it in
the same mould they put the rest of his actions, being ail falsetyes ;
his enemyes heere will neither speake good of him nor admitt him
to be in the King’s favor. The same inclynation and worse they
hâve of my Lord Latherdale, both whose integrityes to his Majestie
and their country will, I hope, justiefie them and never suffer them
to be injured by the mallice of men who rather désigné their ruin
then the good of either King or people. My Lord Treasurer, on
whose eye I thought an autum1 could not lye, they sticke not to
lessen and seeme to countinance. Sir Tho. or Ch. Littleton,2 who
is given out heere to say to his Lordship upon his Lordship’s saying
1679, and was made Secretary of State in 1680. He succeeded the Earl of Sunder-
land, and was again replaced by Sunderland in 1682. Burnet says of Lord Conway,
that “ he was so yery ignorant of foreign affairs that, his province being the North,
when one of the foreign ministërs talked to him of the circlcs of Germany it
enraged him; he could not imagine what circles had to do with affairs of state.”
(Own Time, i. 531.) No Roger Jones is to be found in the list of the Parliament
when first elected printed in the Parliamentary History, vol. iv. But if it were
Roger James, there is an M.P. for Guildford of that name, whose colleague was
Serjeant Thurland, made a Baron of the Exchequer in January 1673, and Thur-
land might be “ the man here,” referred to in the letter as favouring the Ormond,
Arlington, and Shaftesbury section of the cabinet.
1	The word autum, which must mean autumn, is very clearly written in the
letter. I do not know this phrase anywhere else: it perbaps means that the Lord
Treasurer’s sharpness was not likely to wither.
2	Sir Thomas Littleton was a great Parliament-man. “ He had generally,” says
Burnet, “ the character of the ablest Parliamentary men in his time. He was a
man of strong head and Sound judgment.” (Own Time, i. 231-2.) He was in
opposition to the Court. Sir Charles Littleton is described by Evelyn as “ an
honest gentleman and soldier,” brother of Sir Henry Littleton, of Woreestershire,
(Diary, Mareh 21, 1688.)92
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
a buisines he propounded was a cheate, that Sir Littleton should
say it was noe more a cheat then his Lordship was a clieat.
For Mr. Speaker (my patrone when I corne to the Howse of
Commons) they say he cannot hold long, haveing, as they say,
spooken and otherwise injured the late Lord Chancellor, whose
interest they report is as good as ever, and the side whereof he is
they report to be much stronger then the other and more prevallent.
And now, my Lord, as it is discoursed heere, these are the two
partyes at Court, the D:[uke] 0;[rmond], Lord Arlington, Lord
Shaftesbury, and Secretary Coventry; the D:[uke] B:[uckingham],
Lord Treasurer, Air. Speaker, and the Lord Latherdale, if he were
there. It may be concluded then that the first is the strongest, the
two secretaryes being of them, whose buisines requires more of the
Iving’s care then the others can hâve; besides you know the man
heere is more inclyned to that than the other, tho’ his interest will
guide his feete in both and inclyne him to walke the same way.
It’s said the Lord Keeper there résolves to manage himselfe, which
is that since most of his buisines relates to the law he will observe
that and not meddle at ail in the politique part of the Court
intreigues, noe more will this, but justly what relates to the Gover-
ment and the préservation of himselfe therein, your Lordship
knowes as things are mannaged it’s too sweete a bitt to be lost.
*****
No. 155.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Wliitehall, Dec. 12, ’73.
Mr. Bridgman being this night charged with the sending your
Excie a duplicate of his Lordship’s last and a copy of a late memo-
riall from the Spanish Ambassador, I hâve nothing to adde from
his Lordshipp, nor concerning his state of health, more then that I
hope by the degrees of his recovery to bce able by the next post toSTR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
93
compleate my list of the letters received here and sent hence since
your Excies departure, for the not doing whereof at présent nor
sooner I beg your Exciea most humble pardon.
Inclosed your Excie will receive a Proclamation for the sumoning
the Parliament to a full and timely meeting, by which yo.ur Excie
sees the confidence his Majesty has of their better sentiments as to
the présent conjuncture upon the recollection they hâve had. God
Almighty grant it may bee for the King’s honour and the auncient
glory of this nation !
Your Excie will ever excuse mee when I hâve no other news but
what I am assured you receive from other hands, that I trouble you
not with my vaine répétitions, soe I onely take leave to impart to
your Excie my good fortune in coming in a Clerk of the Privy Seale
in possession by the death of Mr. Baron, which I onely value in
hopes of being in a capacity of receiving your Excies commands
there, as I shall with ail readiness and obedience in ail occasions,
being, with ail respect,
My Lord, your Excies most humble servant,
Jo. Richards.
R tjl.
28* _____________________________________
No. 156.—From Colonel Roger Whitley, M.P.
My Lord,	London, Dec. *73.
If I were not obliged (in good manners) to acknowledge the
honor of y ours of the 5th, I should not be guilty of this impertinence,
having nothing but poore simple service to présent, and to tell you
of a proclamation (this day corne forth) to require ail members to
give theire attendance in Parlement the 7th of Jan?. The Scots
Parlement is ajourned till the 28th of that month. His Grâce1 is gone
to his house at Lydington. My Lord Hamelton and some other
Lords are posting hither. I pray God send us a better agreement.
Severall of our members are in toune and severall caballs carryed
1 Tlie Duke of Lauderdale.94
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
on ; but if I am able to guesse (soe long before hand) that moderate
party will be most prévalent; yt is called tbe moderate party that
would supply the King’s occasions, but would be secured in religion
and freed from other aprehensions ; I am confident there is a great
deale of good meaning, if we could but bit on tbe riglit meanes of
bringing it about. I heartily wisb you bere (if your greater occa-
sions would permit) to belp us in this great conjuncture.
I bumbly kisse your Lordsbipp’s bands, and remayne,
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient bumble servant,
Ro. WlIITLEY.
Indorsed,
Coll. Whitley.
No. 157.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excelleney,	Whitehall, 12 December, 1673.
For these 8 or 10 days past I hâve constantly waited every
morneing at tbe Exchequer, as well to solicite the payment of your
Excy,s arrears at the councell, as to gett an account of Mr Burgesse
as your Exc*r desires. For tbe first, Sir Robert Howard promises
he will take care that it be speedily paid, and tbe latter Mr Bur-
gesse says I shall not faile to hâve on Monday next.
This day came abroad a proclamation in which tbe King déclarés
his resolution that tbe Parliament shall meet tbe next month ac-
cording to their late prorogation, and requires ail tbe members to
corne up in order to tbe haveing a full House. In the mean time
the members that are in towne talke higher then ever, and are
resolved, unlesse they can bave ail their grievances redressed to
their satisfaction, not to comply with any thing desired of them.
Your Exc> will doubtlesse bave taken notice that in the Gazette
of tbe 8Ul or 5Ü1 instant there was mention made b y way of ad viceSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
95
from Brussells that they had letters there from the Hague of
the lst instant which told them that the States, upon receipt
of the King’s answer to their letter by the trompetter, had voted
that the King was very sharp and obstinate, &ca; and that what
I did was not without order, and without any désigné farther
then to show the insolence of the Dutch according as our ad-
vices gave it us from abroad, without adding or diminishing, I
humbly assure your Ex0^; yet it seems wee hâve a great many
people here amongst us that will by no means be brought to hâve
the opinion of our enemies they deserve, and seem to believe that
this story was coined here at Whitehall to injure these good people.
The Parliament storme at no rate, and prétend to be highly
offended, and that the businesse shall be fully examined at their
next sessions, they thinking themselves very much concerned be-
cause it was said in that Gazette that the Dutch would draw up
propositions for peace, and send them to the principall members of
the Parliament, and endeavour what they could doe that way. I
could name some that in ail companies take an extraordinary liberty
to talke of the great matters they will doe for the vindicateing the
nation, &ca, and consequently putt people in expectation of they
know not what, amongst whom it is an ordinary discourse that they
apprehend troubles, and that in this very manner the last distrac-
tions begun, &ca, whilst ail sober good people wish for a happy
understanding in ail things between the King and his Parliament.
Our navall préparations are carrying on against spring, but how
they will be carried on without money is a great question, and
money is not to be expected from the Parliament if the Dutch
propose reasonable conditions, which ail the members are of opinion
they will yet doe, provided it be with the exclusion of France,
which they think reasonable, and say his Majesty is not obliged to
maintaine a treaty which he finds proves destructive to the nation
and contrary to the hearts of his people ; and that this alliance with
France, besides the vast expence and losse the kingdome has
already sustained, will inevitably cast us into a warr with Spaine,96
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
to the utter ruine of the kingdome. There be many of the Parlia-
ment men who take upon them to blâme the proceedings at
Cologne; and Mr Stubs, who is very conversant among them, had
the confidence to say in a great company that your Excy would
returne with the envy of the Parliament, thougli I thinke he has
more tongue than witt. Thursday night there happened a fire in
or near Mincing Lane in London, and one house was burnt downe,
the brick walls keeping the fire from goeing farther. My Lord
Keeper hitherto acts with great applause in the Chancery, and is
much praised for his quick dispatching of businesse. The Parlia-
ment in Scotland is adjourned till the latter end of the next month.
Wee hâve not any letters since what I acknowledged in my last.
I am most humbly,
My Lord,
Your Excellency’s
most faithfull and most obedient servant,
R. Yard
R i«
*>28*
No. 158.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 17 December, 1673.
I am extreamely troubled that I must misse the opportunity of
this expresse to send your Excy the ribond and stockens your Excy
writt for, and should be more could I attribute it to any fault of
mine owne, and therefore with the greatest confidence I beg your
Excys pardon ; for it seems that everything is carried on with so
much secrecy in this office, that wee may not know of the dispatch
of an expresse till we hâve it from the doorkeeper, or that wee see
them ready to départ. It is past twelfe at night, and though both
Mr Bail and myselfe hâve been attending here from morneing to
night yet hâve I not been able to heare of this dispatch till within
this 6 minutes, when the doore keeper sent to my lodgeing to giveSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
97
me notice of it, and yet this very morneîng I asked Mr Bridgman
when any expresse would goe, and his answer was he could not
tell ; thus they take paines to run us into errors, and would endea-
vour to diminish our creditts with your Ex0? as well as they doe
here at home. I againe beg your Ex0?8 pardon for presuming to
give you the trouble of these Unes ; the truth is I would be very #
sorry to be suspected of any neglect towards your Excy, and there-
fore take the liberty to vindicate my selfe in this particular.
By the last ordinary I gave your Excy a large account of severall
things, that is as farr as was fitting for me to doe, in regard of the
hands our letters passe before they corne to your Excys. I then sent
you an account I had from Mr Burgesse concerneing moneys paid
your Excy relateing to this or the former embassy into Holland. At
présent I hâve not any news to adde, for I see Mr Bail has writt
your Excy what wee this day received from Scotland, and some
other passages which I doe not repeat, not to spare my selfe that
labour, but your Excy the trouble of reading it.
Had I had but an hour’s time I could hâve sent your Excy your
things by this occasion, but now must beseech you to expect them
by the next.
The Almighty God preserve your Excy and encrease to your Excy
ail honor, health, and happinesse, as prays most ardently,
My Lord, your Excies
Most faithfull and obedient servant,
R. Yard.
Çr Jan. 9.
No. 159.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency, Whitehall, Dec. 17th, 12 at night. ’73.
Hearing by chance just now of the departure of these gentlemen
I durst not forbeare presenting my humble duty to your Excel-
lency, though the shortness of the warning has given me no time
YOL. II.
O98
IÆTTERS ADDRESSED TO
to préparé my usuall trouble, for which I most humbly begg your
Excyes pardon, and hope you will please to believe I want neitlier
respect nor will to serve you, nor never shall while I live.
This day from Scotland wee heare of the 11111 instant, that tbe
weeke before, upon tbe dismission of Sr Andrew Ramsey, late Pro-
vost of Edinburg, James Currie, their eldest BaylifF, was that day,
by the unanimous vote of the people, elected Lord Provost in his
roome ; that upon Satturday before the acts of the late Parliament
were proclaimed, vizh one against the pre-emption of sait, dis-
charging the same for the future, another for takeing off the prohi-
bition of brandye and the guift given to my Lord Elphinston to
that effect, another for freeing the imposition on tobacco besides
his Majestyes ordinary custome of excise, which was given to Sir
John Nicholson, and another rectifying the former Act about
apparelle, allowing now ail persons to weare plaine silkes and plaine
ribbands, beaten silver or gold buttons, or any goldsmith’s worke ;
that on the Wednesday before the Duke of Hamilton, Earl of
Twaddail, Generall Robert Drummond and Sir John Harper began
their journey from thence towards London, accompanyed from my
Lord Duke’s lodging by a traine of 10 coaches and above 400
horse, and that the discourse of their journey there was, that the
Duke came to vindicate himselfe to his Majesty, that ail the desires
and endeavours used by him and other Members in the Lords
House for reddress of the people’s grievances were not out of any
ill will or evill désigné against his Majesty, but zeale for his service,
which they thought they could not performe without satisfying the
people as to the grievances they so much cryed out against, which
being now reddressed there was no doubt but the whole kingdom
as one man wrould be ready to serve his Majesty with their lives and
fortunes on ail occasions. This faire account we hâve from them,
but the people here will hâve itt that these Lords really corne up to
make their complaints of the Lord Commissioner, who did not
approve att ail of their resolutions. How many friends his Grâce has
att home I know not, but here are but few, every one speakeingSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
99
most hardly of him. The towne begins now to be in hopes of
peace on the account, I suppose, only of the Spanish Memoriall
and offerrs made therein, which they would hâve accepted by ail
meanes, and especially the Parliament men, who dayly discourse of
no longer continuance of the warr. This day was a com plaint
made to his Majesty of the hard usage used by the Commissioners
of the Navy (or rather Navy officers) to the soldiers now going
from hence for France, whom they cause to be shipt but with such
ill provision and without convoy, so that wayting so long at sea
they fall into calentures and leape into the sea in that frenzy, by
which severall of them hâve been lost. There lyes in the Downes
att présent 17 men of warr and 120 sayle of good marchant men
bound for the Straights and other parts, though the report is the
convoyé has further désigné after they hâve conveyed them to the
Eocke of Lisbone. The Spanish -• marchants say they know not
yett what to thinke of a warr between us and Spaine yett, the
King bidding them on Mon day be cautious how they trusted those
people, for he h ad no very good correspondency with them.
My Lady of Northumberland has miscarryed and is very ill this
weeke, which is increased by her husband’s being not yett free
from his restraint. The King has increased Sir William Godol-
phin’s allowance, makeing it now after the rate of Extraordinarye
Embassyes to that Court. My Lord Arlington has not yett gott
his feet, but cornes now to councell, both yesterday and to-day.
The Papists nobility hâve now resolved upon quitting the king-
dome, finding there is no stopp likely to be putt to the proceedings
against them, ail of them being indicted with a great deale of seve-
rity. This session now ended came in Baron Turner’s son that
killed the gentlemen in Grayes inn fields and was tryed and quitt,
which makes the poore people blâme the Bench much. There was
7 condemned to dye, and they small félons, who its thought may
find the favour to be transported. I most humbly begg your Ex-
cellentes pardon for my hast in this, the errors of which I humbly
intreatc you will excuse, as also that 1 had not time to give my100
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
Lady Catherine notice of this opertunity, for it was 12 at niglit
before I heard anything of itt, though I hâve been att the office ail
this day. I am, with ail imaginable duty and respect,
May it please your Grâce,
Your Grace’s most obedient and obliged servant,
Henry Ball.
$ Jan. 9.
No. 160.—From Bobert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 19 December, 1673.
Wee hâve not any from your Exc7 but what wee acknowledged
by the ordinary on Monday last, when I sent your Exc^ the account
I had from Mr. Burgesse. Some of the Commissioners from Scot-
land are already arrived, and Duke Hamilton is expected to-morrow,
and though they corne not to make any publick complaints against
the Duke of Lauderdaill, but onely to excuse themselves in relation
to their carriage dureing this Session of Parliament in Scotland,
which they say they could not avoyd without greatly dissatisfÿing
the people and hazarding the peace of that kingdom, yet it seems
his Majesty intends to give them no very favorable réception, being
resolved to discountenance ail proceedings which may reflect upon
his Commissioner.1
The late memoriall given in by the Spanish Ambassador, and
the King’s answer to it, makes us very much suspect the inten-
tions of that crowne, I mean the marchants, and yet notwith-
standing they are sending out a great fleet for the Streights,
the omitting of which would they say very much préjudice their
trade, and therefore are necessitated to continue it, though with
1 Bishop Burnet says that the Duke of Hamilton came up by the King’s invita-
tion, and that the King’s design was to treat Hamilton and his friends kindly in
order to make the House of Commons more disposed to give him money, and that
he had made up his mind, if the Parliament supplied him, to part with Lauderdale
and to take Hamilton and Tweedale into employment. (Own Time, i. 369.)SI K, JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
101
a great deal of hazard. However, that nothing may be wanting
on the King’s part, his Majesty will provide them with good con-
voys sufficient to secure them against any enemy they may meet at
sea ; at présent there are 20 of the King’s frigatts in the Downes
designed for convoys to severall parts, and some speake of sending
some of them on a private désigné to the West Indies.
The propositions made by the Spaniard on the part of the Dutch,
though they cannot content his Majestie and ought not to satisfy
lhe nation, y et many eminent persons, at least who prétend to be
so, seem to approve of them, and think it ought to be lookt upon
as a grievance if his Majesty does not accept of them. The pré-
parations against spring are carried on with ail possible diligence,
and with the greatest successe that can be expected, considering
the présent juncture of things. It is not doubted but that the
Prince will goe to sea, with larger instructions, and perhaps with
more satisfaction than the last year, that is to speak in the language
of the towne.
It is believed that wee shall hâve a very full house at the next
meeting of the Parliament, and hope they will be more moderate in
their proceedings, and consult the interest and honor of the nation,
and truely severall of the soberer Parliament men seem ashamed of
the vote they passed the last sessions concerning their giveing the
King no supply &ca, and find they might hâve passed a vote which
might better hâve attained their ends, and hâve better served the
nation. There be people who make it their businesse to run from
one company to another, tell of what the Parliament will doe at
their next meeting, and at the same time infuse severall dangerous
things amongst the people, and certainely these doeings betoken
ill humors, and give ail good men occasion to be troubled, and
doubtlesse they would be more did they not believe that the King’s
great wisdom and goodnesse would at last dissipate them ail.
This week a great fieet of colliers arrived in the river, and y et the price
of coals continues as formerly, to the great oppression of the poorer
sort of people, who hâve however been in some measure eased by a102
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
mild season. Wee had a great report this last week of five men of
warr, that had frequented ail the northerne coasts, but it seems they
were onely capers, who gott togeather by chance. From Spayne
they write that ail the Mediterranean, especially towards Cadiz, is
extreamely infested by the Dutch capers, who cruise up and downe
in great numbers.
Sir John Finch is gone from Florence on his way to Constanti-
nople, haveing obtained ail possible satisfaction in the things he
complained off at that Court, and it appears on ail occasions that
the Grand Duke is very kind to the English. Sir Robert Carr
commands me to présent his humble service to your Excy and to
tell you that he has nothing to add to what he write by the last
ordinary. I am, with ail humble duty,
My Lord,
Your Excellency’s most faithfull obedient servant,
K. Y[ard].
R Jan. 8.
No. 161.—From Henry Ball.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, Dec. 18, 73.
By Captain Skelton’s officers, on Wednesday night last, I pre-
sumed to trouble your Excellency and also to acquaint you that the
knowledge of their going came to me just att 12 at night, so that I
had no time to give my lady notice of itt, who wayted for such an
opertunity. Mr. Barré was promised to goe ail that day and wee
depended on him for information, and he sayes that till 10 that
night he did not know of his disappointment, and then Mr. Bridg-
man told him my Lord had resolved to send by those officers whom
he thought he was to accompany. To-day wee heare there is more
of them going when my Lord writes again, so that Mr. Barré dis-
paires of returning for some time. This evening I wayted on my
lady, but her honor had been out ail the afternoone so that I couldSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
103
not know lier commands. Shee has ordered me to leave ail the
letters that corne to her at your Excellencyes house, whither shee is
pleased to send twice every day for them, which course I shall be
sure to observe as ail other commands of your Ex0?.
Wee hâve had no letters from abroade this weeke and conse-
quently none to acknowledge from your Excellency.
On Monday Sir William Lockhart goes for France, his instruc-
tions being almost prepaired.
On Tuesday last the King’s answer to the Spanish Ambassador’s
late memorial was sent him, and has been communicated to ail the
Spanish marchants, publique ministers, and persons of note in
towne, so that the subject of itt is now noe secret, and therefore
they say, that it may give the generall satisfaction, it shall be
printed and it’s hoped it’s so penned as to be a very great plaister to
heale the soares of divers eminent persons who can not be brought
to believe the King desires really a peace, as by that they will see ;
itt makes now the talke of peace grow very hott againe and is a
very pleasing Sound in most people’s ears.
The Towne fills apace, and it’s believed there will bee a very full
house next meeting, very many of the members having stayed in
towne to be ready the first day ; there is great hopes in generall
that they will be satisfyed and assemble calmely, much of the heate
of the talke being sensibly abated.
The Commissioners of the Admiralty meete very often, and the
seamen say préparations goe on apace, yett they feare wee shall
not be out so soon as the enemy, whose great préparations already
does somewhat amase us. The Prince it’s believed will goe out
againe, the people desireing none but him.
Starkey the bookseller has again petitioned his Majesty, so that
it’s ordered he first give in bayle and then be sett at liberty, but the
Attorney-Generall ordered to prosecute him.
The prohibition of the exportation of coales is continued for three
months longer, and this day nothing done att councell besides péti-
tions, but that their meeting is adjourned till after the holydayes.
This night the Dutchesse came again to court, and her mother104
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
this day to see'the King touch1 in the banquetting-house. It was
hoped her sweete carriage would hâve abated ber enemyes, but
there is again most borrid ill verses made of ail the court, and dis-
persed about to the great scandall of the officers, that seeke noe
wages to oppress itt.
The Earle of Kincardin and severall of the Duke of LauderdalPs
friends are this day corne to towne, and to-morrow cornes in Duke
Hamilton and the rest of the opponents. The talke is very hott of
impeaching his Grâce, but his freinds say the King is so well satis-
fyed with his Commissioner’s proceedings that they will hâve but an
ill réception. My Lord Hatton 2 promises by next express to write
to your Excellency himselfe a full narrative of ail those affaires^ for
wee heare nothing but storyes.
There has nothing happened of late att the Signett but warrants to
the household. The King’s servants begin to be much troubled for
want of their salleryes, and the poore extraordinary gentlemen now
deprived of that benefitt make a very sad complaint, and some of
them they say are the King’s old freinds, and that order has given
but little satisfaction, because they say they can find out a new way
now and sweare them into places and allow them diett and wayting,
and then that order is out of doores, thus nothing will content some
people.
I most humbly acknowledge my fault about the word your Excel-
lency was pleased to take notice of, and hope ere this you hâve been
pleased to pardon itt, for I am extreamely troubled till I heare my-
selfe to be restored to your favour, being ever,
My Lord,
May it please your Excellencyes most obedient servant,
Henry Ball.
R Jan. 8.
1	For the King’s evil.
2	Charles Maitland, of Hatton, a Senator of the Scotch College of Justice, called
Lord Hatton, younger brother of Lauderdale, who succeeded him as third Earl of
Lauderdale. He was Treasurer Deputy of Scotland.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
105
No. 162.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot, M.P.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Jan. 2 [1673-4].
I was yesterday honoured with yours of the 26th of the last, and
in reply am to condole the loss of honest Luke Weekes, and to
congratulate my owne good fortune, who am so well in your esteeme,
as to receive from you the promise of a summary narrative of your
négociation at Cullen, which I shall not more value as a marke of
honour upon myself tlian as a thing necessary to be made publike
at this time of jealousy, when (I feare) a factious Parlament is to
meete which is apt to question and carp at ail things beyond theyre
sphere. His Majesty hath good hope tliat the satisfaction which he
hath given in point of popery (by banishing ail récusants from his
Court, except the Queenes servants), and in securing the property of
the subject, which were the two greate greivances, will allay the
spirits of the malicious ; but for my part I feare the ill humours will
breake out when we embody, because it is scarce to be credited how
much they hâve poysoned the generality of the people and taught
them to esteeme ill of the governement. Sotne few well meaning
people of us doe caball as formerly to try if we can lind a way to
divert the storme that threateneth, but there are soe many caballs
of the malicious to countermine our counsailes that my feares far
exceed my hopes, although the welfare nay the being of the
nation dependeth absolutely upon the good correspondency betwixt
the King and his Parliament at this time. Yet neither would our
condition possibly be soe desperate, did not some of his Majestyes
owne intimâtes help to blow the coale.
I either told you in my last or should hâve done it that at our
last meeting the Duke of Bucks’ name was started as a pernitious
Minister, since which time he hath soe personally courted ali the
Members in towne, the debauchees by drinking with them, the
sober by grave and serious discourses, the pious by receiving the
sacrament at Westminster, that he thinketh he hath gained a strong
party of freinds ; and because he is of opinion that the Parliament
must hâve a sacrifice to appease them, his greatest endeavour with
VOL. II.	' P106
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
ail men (next to the clearing of his owne innocency) is to caractérisé
the Lord Arlington for tbe most pernitious person in his Majestyes
counsailes ; but I hope we shall spoile 1ns désigné, for we hâve a
pétition to be presented àgainst him in the Lords House for the
death of the Earl of Shrewsbury and the scandalous cohabitation
with his wife, and at the same time an impeachment against him
}n our House for none of the meanest crimes.
I ought not to adventure upon the State news because I am not
qualifyed to know it ; yet I will tell you that the Duchess of Modena
is gone from us much unsatisfied, because ail things that my Lord
of Peterborough promised are not performed (as a free chappell for
her daughter and the like).
The Duke1 doth not déclaré himselfe, but leaveth it much sus-
pected by waiting on the King to the Chappell on Christ-mass day,
and leaving his Majesty when he went downe to receive. This, if I
mistake not, will be the greatest occasion of complaint, because the
Governement is left to apparent danger whensoever God shall take
the King from us.
The French Ambassador hath taken his leave, and Monsr Rovigny
is corne to succeed without any publike caracter.2
This day came an envoyé to his Majesty from Mayence, who was
received in the bedchamber, whence ail men but the Lords of Bed-
chamber and the groomes are excluded by new order.
I hâve noe more to add to your présent trouble then this assurance
that you hâve not a greater honourer then,
My Lord,
Your Excyes most obedient and most faythfull Servant,
G. Talbot.
I pray you let my servant Tom know that I shall
love him as he is faythfull and respectfull to your
Lordsliip.
Indorsed,
Sir Gilb. Talbot.
1 The Duke of York.
2 M. de Ruyigny came to take the place of M. Colbert.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
107
No. 163.—From John Eichards.
My Lord J	Whitehall, Jan. 9th, 7f.
Ilis Lordshipp since his last hath received your Excyea by the
expresse you sent, who arrived here on Tuesday last, but your
letters not having beene yet read before His Majesty, his Lordshipp
excuses himselfe that he omits the writing this ordinary, and soe
commands mee to acknowledge to your Excy his being now in
possession of y ours of 8c -gfc, and to send you the duplicate of
his last of the 5th inst. which your Excy will accordingly receive
here inclosed. The truth is my Lord’s time is soe taken up with the
multiplicity of affaires at présent now at the opening of the Session
of Parliament, that I beleive your Excy may very well understand
’how excusable hee may bee in his little intermissions of his cor-
responding with that punctuality hee desires to observe.
On Wednesday, being the appointed day, the Parliament met,
when the King and my Lord Keeper made the inclosed speeches,
after which the House of Commons immediately adjourned till
Monday next. The Lords continued sitting that day, and a Péti-
tion was preferred in their House by the guardians of the young
Earle of Shrewsbury against the Duke of Buckingham for the mur-
ther of his father and wicked and lewd conversations with his
mother ever since, and to which the Duke is appointed to answer
on Wednesday next.
Upon the same day my Lord received two letters from Harwich,
taken from a Dutch trumpeter belonging to the States Generall,
who is detained in that Port by his Majesties Order; they were
directed to the Spanish Ambassador, to whom my Lord immediately
sent them, and yesterday morning hee returned one to my Lord
from the States to His Majesty, which upon comparing appeares to
bee the same that hath beene for some time dispersed here in print,
many having beene sent in pacquets to severall Members of the House
of Commons.108
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
On Tuesday last the Spanisli Ambassador delivered to His Majesty
a letter from the Queene his mi stresse, a copy whereof I here like-
wise inclose to your Excy by my Lord Arlington’s direction.
I bave at length diligently compared the list your Excy sent mee
of the letters you had received from and sent to my Lord, and find
my Lorcl hath exactly received ali your list containes, but I find
tliat of those my Lord hath sent, two are omitted in your list, viz*
of July llth & 14th, your list mentioning none from the 4th till the
18th of that rnoneth, which is the onely différence I find in that
account.
I must ever acknowledge your Excyes great condescension in
affording mee something by every occasion ; at présent I hâve the
honor of your Excics of ^|5 & 390, for which I returne my most
humble thanks, and am, with ail respect and dévotion,
My Lord,
Your Excies most humble & most obedient Servant,
Jo: Richards.
Hb
No. 164.—From Colonel Roger Whitley, M.P.
My Lord,	Lonclon Jan. if, 73(-4.)
I hâve your Lordship’s of the 9ül, with the extracts of your négo-
ciation (which are now in Sir R. Wyseman’s hands), and I humbly
thank you for the honor of them.
I intended to hâve enlarged by this post, but am retorned late
and weary from Westminster, where what the businesse of this day
hath bin you will finde by the enclosed. We were above 400 in the
House : you see what temper we are in : they talk of impeachments,
yet I hope ail will blow over, and that tyme and patience will pro-
duce moneyes. I heartily wish you here for a few day es : never more
need of plausible prudent managers.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
109
The Lords hâve voted ail their Members to take the Oathcs of
Allegiance; feares and jealousycs as rife as ever; you will hâve the
rest from better bandes; lesse then 10 dayes will shew us wliat we
must trust to.
I liumbly kisse your Excellencyes hands, and remaille,
My Lord,
Your Excellencyes most humble and obedient Servant,
Ro: Whitley.
Indorsed,
Coll: Whitley.
No. 165.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Jan. 12, 7f.
Knowing the votes of this day will corne to your Exc>e by hands
of your owne, I think myselfe excused by onely telling your Excy
tliat the inclosed letter to the Duke of Newbourg in that of my
Lord’s is what hee promised in his last.
It is beleeved by cdl men, upon what sonie affirme to hâve seene and
others to hâve heard, that my Lord Àrlington will be impeached in
Parliament within a day or two by some malidous person or other :
God Almighty protect him!1
I am most resignedly,
My Lord,
Your Exeies most obedient Servant,
Jo: Richards.
ft 18
¥ 28*
No. 166.—From Thomas Fairfax.
My Lord,	London, Jan. the 12th onr stile, 1673(-4).
I was extreamly glad to find your Lordship’s two letters att my
1 The paragrapk in italics is in ciplier in the original.110
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
comming out of the country, where Sir Lionell,1 Lord Angier,2 and
J. Drauke often drank your Excies health. This day the House satt
and voted thanks to bee given to his Majestie for bis most gracious
Speech; I beleive thay will allsoe give him money, though first they
may desire securitie against Popery—tlie old feare. The Duke of
Buckingham had a pétition presented against him in the House of
Lords by the Shrcwsbury family, a coppy of which I doubt not but
your Excellency lias; to-morrow the Duke gives in his answer; ivhat
will bee the issue of it I cannot say; thay talke of other impeach-
ments, but I hope matters will goe well with ail our freinds.'5
I am now to give your Excellency a tliousand thanks for ail your
kindness to me, and am sorry that I can noe longer give your Lord-
ship that small satisfaction (if it be one) of writeing to you, for to-
morrow or next day I am goeing into France, and soe into Italy
with rny Lord Darby.3
But, wherever I am, if I may receive your Exc*’es commands you
shall ever find mee, my Lord,
Your Excies most faithfull freind and most humble Servant,
T. Fairfax.
I hâve taken care to hâve poore Patrick sent into
Irland when hee cornes over.
-Hb
1	Probably Sir Lionel Walden, M.P. for Huntingdon, described by Andrew
Marvell (1677) as “5,000?. in the King’s debt, a Blackheath captain and a papist:
at présent bas a company of foot and 1,000/. given him.”
2	An Irish peer, nephew and successor of the Lord Aungier whom Evelyn often
speaks of as his friend and a man of leaming. This Lord Aungier was created
Viscount Longford in 1675.
3	Fairfax, the writer of this letter, was now engaged by the Duke of Ormond to
act as travelling companion and tutor to the young Earl of Derby, wbo had just
married his grand-daughter, Lady Elizabeth Butler, daughter of the Earl of Ossory.
(See vol. i. p. 29, and note.) Lord Derby being young, and his wife younger, only
fourteen, the bridegroom was sent to travel for a few years before consummation of
the marriage, and a tutor, Forbes, the Phaleg of Dryden, was sent with him. The
young Earl was very rakish and refractory, and Forbes unable to manage him.
Carte, the Duke of Ormond’s biographer, relates the sélection of Fairfax to takeSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON»
111
No. 167.—From William Bridgeman.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Jan'y 16tb, ’7f.
By tlie copie of the Journall of the Houses your Excie will see
what lias been transacted tliere this week, and how two of our great
men bave been run doume? the latter of which, the Duke of Buck-
ingham, having, in a speech he made in the House of Commons,
reflected much iipon my Lord? he was in pursuance thereof yes-
terday impeached by Sir Gilbert Gérard, seconded by Sir Charles
Wheeler; upon which my Lord, having desired the King’s and the
House of Lords* leave, as also that of the House of Commons, yester-
day in the morning made a speech to the Commons, and so the
debate of that mat ter was adjourned untill this day, when it was
again resumed by Sir Gilbert Gérard, who, accusing him of corre-
spondis luith the Kings enemyes and of disclosing his secrets to
foreigne ministers, and consequently of high treason, and it being
Forbes’ place, and Fairfax’s success. “ The Duke, seeing what tbe young gentle-
man would be at, resolved to send over one that should goyern him. For this
purpose he pitched upon Colonel Thomas Fairfax, a younger son of the great Lord
Fairfax, a gallant and true man (as ail the Fairfaxes were) and roughly honest.
Lord Derby was restiff at first, but the Colonel told him sharply that he was sent
to govern him and would goyern him ; that his Lordship must submit and should
do it ; so that the best method he had to take was to do it with décorum and good
humour. He soon discharged the vicions and scandalous part of the Earl’s acquaint-
ance, and signified to the rest that he had the charge of that young nobleman, who
was under his govemment, and therefore if any of them should ever hâve a quarrel
with his pupil, who was young and inexperienced, himself was their man and
would give them satisfaction. His courage was too well known to tempt any body
to make a trial of it ; the nobleness of his family and his own merit procured him
respect from ail the world as well as from his pupil. No quarrel happened ; the
Earl was reclaimed, being always very observant of his governor.” James Forbes,
the governor whom Fairfax succeeded, is described by Carte as “a grave, sober-
minded man, whose sage remonstrances had no manner of effect on his pupil.”
(Carte’s Life of Duke of Ormond, vol. i. p. 445.) Dryden has very grossly libelled
Forbes, under the name of Phaleg, in the Second Part of Absalom and Achitophel,
lines 330-349, wliere see note at p. 161 of Globe édition of Dryden’s Poetical Works.
1	The words in italics are in cipher in the original.
2	The Earl of Arlington.112
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
insisted on b y my Lord1 s friends that they might corne to tlie proofe
of the matter, the gentleman desired time till to-morrow elther to
prove it or goe from it, which being granted, the debate was
adjourned till to-morrow. To tell y ou my opinion, upon the whole
I am very confident Earl of Arlington icill corne off with great répu-
tation and crédit, and the world bee convinced of the malice of the
accusation, which as it was chiefly designed by the Duke of Buck-
ingham, it lias been accordingly pursued. Whatever becomes of
the matter, though the worst should happen, Earl of Arlington liath
gotten tins character, that nobody could hâve behaved himselfe
more like a nobleman and a man of parts, and with greater civility
without servile flattery (which the other is noted for) than my Lord
didy and on the contrary the Duke of Buckingham as meanly, to say
no worse, as could bee. Whilst tliese matters are upon the stage
(ivhat I am afraid icill not end with the Earl of Arlington, severall
other jiersons being like to be brouglit also in the Ilowse), his
Majesty's businesse is like to suffer, and God knows whether if the
Howse give a supply it icill corne in time, which I must confesse I
very much doubt, and the rather because I finde most people herc
are possessed with an opinion that the Dutch are content to make the
peace upon any reasonable termes, so much hâve the Dutch arrived
by their artifices upon the generality of the people and some no
inconsiderable members of the Governmen t.
My Lord Arlington commands mee to acknowledge your Excies
of the T\ by the post, and the TV and Tp¥ by Mr. Carleton, who
arrived here yesterday. The letters hâve been this evening read at
the Committee of Forraigne affairs, and what requires an answer
my Lord says y ou shall hâve by the next. He bids mee adde that
he does not despaire but the House icill goe upon a supply for the
King the next week.
I am with much respect,
My Lord, your Excies most faithfull
and most humble servant,
Wm. Bridgeman.
Çr 28.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
113
No. 168.—From Sir Thomas Player.
gir	Jany 16, 1673(-4).
With some difficulty I procured the inclosed paper the 15th
instant. It was brought into the House of Commons by Sir Gilbert
Gerrard, and offer’d to be proved. My Lord Arlington, haveing
obtained leave of the House of Lords, came into the House of
Commons after an hour’s stay in the lobby. He made a speech of
the length of an houre and a quarter. After he was gone the
House adjourned the debate till the next day. Ten a’ clock this
day the charge was read againe in the House. The Attorney-
Generall declared his opinion upon one or two of the articles that
they were treason, upon which the House ask’t Sir Gilbert Gerrard
whether he had proofe. He said there was a noble person had
witnesses to prove ; soe the further debate of the charge was put off
to Saturday the 17th. On Tuesday the 13th? upon a charge against
Lauderdale, they past a vote to begg of his Majestie that he might
be for ever banisht from the King’s person and councells. Then
they charged the Duke of Buckingham, and he, haveing notice of
it, desired to be admitted into the House of Commons upon his
defence. After the House had prepared themselves and questions
for the Duke, they call’d him in: the questions I hâve inclosed with
some answers.1 These questions were some or most of them askt
him on Wensday the 14th, for he was then alsoe in the House of
Commons.
Thus our matters stand. Sir Robert Yyner, Sir Joseph Sheldon,
Mr. Common Serjeant, and myselfe, are now togeather and drinke
your health most heartily.
1 The questions and answers are to be read in the Parliamentary History, vol. iv.
pp. 643-5. Like questions were afterwards put to Arlington.
YOL. II.	Q114
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
I intreat your Excy to pardon the confusion of these papers : they
are written in extraordinary hast because I am not willing to misse
the post.
Your Excys most obedient Servant,
T. P[layer].
Fryday night.
Indorsed,
Sir T. Player.
No. 169.—From Sir Christopher Musgrave, M.P.
My Lord,	Jan. 16, [167*].
I hâve had the honour of receiveing many letters by your order.
Haveing nothing worthy your knowledg I presumed upon your
goodnes ffor pardoning my silence rather than give you the trouble
of my impertinence, and this may be justly termed so, being well
assured you hâve bettcr account of proceedings then I am capable
of. What passed on Munday relateing to my Lord Ludderdale
I will say onely this; it was proved by Mr. Man, Mr. Perpoint,
Mr. Scroop,1 how that his Lordship declared in Councell that his
Majesties edicts were equally to be law and to be preferred before
it.2 His sentence you hâve received. Upon Tuesday Mr. Stock-
dale exhibited a charge against the Duke of Buckingham, which is
transmitted you. Imediately the Speaker acquainted the House lie
had received a letter signed Buckingham, in which he requested
leave to acquaint the House with something ffor their services.
Leave being given him, he imediately ffell to excuse himself ffrom
1 Sir Scroop Howe.
54 Sir Robert Thomas opened the matter against Lauderdale, and named Sir
Scroop Howe, Mr. Man, Mr. Robert Pierpoint, and Lord St. John, as witnesses of
Lauderdale’s words. Lord St. John testified at some length: the three others briefiy :
ail four testified positively.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
115
being concerned in makeing the treaty with France, and severall
otber matters relateing to tbe war; but his discourse was ffull of
distraction, and sayd he was weary of the company he was joyned
with, and knew how to kill a hare with hounds but could not hunt
with lobsters. His narrative was as unsatisffactory to y ou as mine
is imperfect. The next day he desired leave to be heard againe.
Accordingly he was, and descended more to particulars than in his
fformer discourse, and the Speaker was ordered to aske him some
questions then, and his answers I know are sent you. They did
not answer expectation. Many of our corner did not seem so
zealous as in other matters. Nothing was sayd to justify him, and
the question was put ffor his removeall, and very ffew négatives.
The next day Sir Gilbert Gerrard exhibited a charge against the
Lord Arlington, and seconded by Sir Cha: Wheeler, whereupon Sir
Robert C-arr acquainted the Speaker he had received a letter ffrom
my Lord Arlington’s servant, directed to the Speaker, to be com-
municated to the House, in which he desired leave to be heard ; and
being theirupon called in, he took notice of some discourses abroad
and some imperfect papers corne to his hand, which upon opening
appeared to containe most of what the Duke of Buckingham charged
him with, and likewise most of the Articles exhibited. In my
opinion I ne ver heard any per son express him self with that
modesty, clearness, and eveness of temper as his Lordship did, which
gained upon very many, and conffessed it was beyond their expecta-
tion. The debate was adjourned till to-day, and after a long silence
it was resumed ; the persons concerned pressed to proceed upon the
Articles as they lay in order, but, the last concerning treason, it was
thought reasonable to proceed upon it in the ffirst place ; at length
Sir Gilbert sayd he was told by an honourable person that their
was one would make it good. This not being agreeable to the
House, he desired time to see if he could make it good to-morrow,
which was accordingly granted. I am of opinion it will be very
difficult to doe ; and then I doe not doubt but his Lordship hath116
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
made such an impression as will blow off the rest. I doe not ffind
people generally warme in it. You know I am obliged to doe as
becomes
Your Lordship’s most humble servant,
C. M[üsgraye].
Indorsed,
Sir C. Musgrave.
No. 170.—From Walter Overburt.
Mewes, the 16111 Jan?, 167f.
I must confesse, my Lord, I am in a very deepe arreare with your
Excy, and dare not lett your debt run too farr for feare it become
desperate. My greatest remorce I must needes say was the con-
tinuall hopes of seing my Lord Arlington, which till to-day I never
could effect, though I présumé a line from you at my arrivall here
would hâve introduced mee sooner. Wee had but very little dis-
course, I having beene here soe long, and lie imagining I came
with T. Fairefax, whoe is now turn’d Sancho and leaving us, as I
présumé by this time he hath informed your Excy how and on
what score, but it is what was formerly intended, had not the
meere pinke'* of courtesy carryed him on to Cologne, when I saw
his letters at Dover from greate persons that importuned his returne
if he were not too farr engaged. He hath committed his concernes
with your Excy into my care, of which in your comands I shall be
most diligent, soe farr as my jenius will render mee capable. I need
not tell you, my Lord, what is done at Westminster, since ’tis not
what I am sure will or can please you yet, ail things looking with
soe ill a face. Thir is expected to be a bloody weeke with peach-
ments and accusations.
I hâve taken care to impart your Cologne letters to many of my
discreetest friends, and I find it hath given them very great satis-
faction in what they never knew nor indeed could not beleeve. ISIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
117
hâve much to say to you, my Lord, too tedious to incert here: it
cheifly concernes your selfe, and I am told that who you take for
your friends are not soe, and I am the more induced to beleeve it
in one person that lives in the Pall Mail, whoe I am sure is noe
more a stranger to our friendship than to my face, and y et was
never the man that said to mee, How does Sir Joseph? But if
letters passe betwixt you I hope it may not be soe.
Would you think it, my Lord? I hâve one of the finest children
in England my godsone,—having the honour of personating your
Excy ; and how the scene will alter at your retuvne, I cannot yet
imagine. For in Mr. George’s opinion I am the man. The good
old Countesse and lier good old C.C. cause are both the worse for
wearing. Poore lady, she grows very decrepid, and (though doubt-
lesse very chast,) yet when you corne to lift her she is as light as
may be. Lett every tub stand on its own bottome, and Sir Nie.1
(when he is able) answer for him selfe ! He hath beene long con-
fined to his house, having had some différence with one Mons. La
Goût, that offer’d an affront to his inferior members, and of late
hath kept his bed upon it : before which he was more adicted to
poetry. Having made greate progresse, his workes are not to be
committed to publique view before they corne out in print, and to
be dedicated to Justice Bail, a lover of learning. Those of our
society within our gates are allready rejoycing at this new change,
and that they shall hâve a new Master of the Horse ere long, and
they hope much better than [the] old one, whoe is in a very faire
way of marching off,2 the Parliament having made inspection
into his and the Lady’s actions of carnality. The little gentleman
without our gâte and ail his attendance are lately stept aside to the
tune of 300/. on tick at a neighbouring cookes for sustenance for
him and his retinue, besides 50/. endebted to the very ground he
stood on, and being unfortunately discovered in his endeavouring
1	Perhaps Sir Nicholas Armourer.
2	The Duke of Buckingham.118
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
to escape, was immediately sent to one of the London Universitys
for better breeding. This, if I mistake not, reflects mucb on our
friend Sir Nie. whoe was their greate patron.
This weeke the hopes of Engl and, Sir George Pratt’s sonne, was
gather’d to his fathers, and hath left a brave estate to be dispersed
in Westminster Hall.
I find my Lord Arlington hath quallified the fury of the House
beyond expectation. It’s thought by many and hoped by most of
his friends that things will goe well with him. But Lauderdale
and Buckingham are defunct, as by other hands y ou will be more
at large inform’d of ail perticulars in that kind.
I find they are given to change in the country too, and in matters
that more concerne my proper person, for this weeke my elder
brother hath putt an end to ail my expectations and taken unto
him a helpe meete. I hear she is (with respect unto lier sister-
shipp) a fulsom horse-godmother, though not yet 15.
I wish I had better newes, but be pleas’d to take ail in good
part, and I shall endeavour to affirme my selfe,
My Lord,
Your Excyes most humble Servant,
Walt. Overbury.
Mr. Pepys laid a strict injunction upon mee to présent your Excy
with his most humble service.
t> 28Jan.
P- 7 Feb.
No. 171.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot, M.P.
Sir,	Whitehall, Jan. 16th [167f.]
I hâve but a very little time to acquaint your Excellency with
matters of greate moment during the short time of the Session.
Hetlierto his Majesty made a most graciôus speech to both Houses
at the opening of the Session, which I doubt not but hath bcen trans-
mitted to you together with the Lord Keeper’s. The House ofSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
119
Commons, according to old wont, would not heare ofmoney till greiv-
ances were redressed. In order to tins they fell upon Duke Lauderdale
upon Munday last, and it being attested by four members of the House
tliat they heard him say at the councill table that the King’s edicts
had the force of law, and were to be observed above law, an address
was voted to desire the King that he might be put out of ail em-
ployaient, and banished the King’s counsailes and presence for ever.
The next day Stockdale accused the Duke of Buckingham of many
high misdemeanours ; which he hearing of, writt a letter to the
Speaker to desire leave of the House that he might be heard, pro-
mising to make discoveryes of great matters. When he came in he
betrayed greate guilt by his consternation, feare, and distracted
discourse, which tended onely to justify himself for ail evill coun-
sailes, and to charge them on the Lord Arlington. He was asked
many questions, but made such imperfect answeres that he was
desired the next day to speake clearer to the interrogatoryes ; but
after another confused discourse he withdrew, and a vote passed
upon him of the same nature of that of Duke Lauderdale’s, saving
that they desired he might hâve liberty to make over his places,
because they would not touch his freehold, but onely what was
held during pleasure. Yesterday in reveng of this Sir G. Gérard
and Sir Ch. Wheeler brought in a charge against my Lord Arling-
ton, and he desiring leave to be heard acquitted himselfe soe hand*
somely that tliere was not a man in the House seemed to hâve any
dislike to him, and Gérard moved to withdraw his papers, but an
indiscreete freind proposing to hâve him voted innocent,1 caused
the House to adjourne the debate till this morning, and when the
order of adjourning the debate was read, the House sat a long time
mute, and we were going to proceed upon the report of an élection,
but an officiously ignorant Otway 2 moved againe for a déclaration
of innocence, which being seconded by a passionate expression of
J. Howe, the House fell upon the debate and hâve made it a matter
1 Mr. Howe.
* Sir John Otway, Attorney of the Duehy of Lancaster.120
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
of doubtfull issue. Sir G. G. hath time till to-morrow to arme him-
self with proofe of betraying tlie King’s counsailes to the enemy,
and other angry spirits will press other matters; but I still hope
well.
The Duke of Buckingham hath a pétition brought into the
Parliament house against him by the Earle of Shrewsbury’s nearest
relations, which involveth the Lady Shrewsbury; whereupon she is
fled, but hath had a summons to appeare, and will be proceeded
against as to banishment and loss of her joynture: what will be the
issue of these matters you shall heare hereafter.
I thank you for the kindness to my servant Tom^ and am
Your Excellencyes most humble and thankfull servant,
G. Talbot.
£ Feb.
No. 172.—From Thomas Blood.1
Honored Sir,	Jan* 19> 73(-D*
I tooke the boldnes to send you a tedius accompte by Fryday’s
post of the proceedings of the Howse. I hâve now againe pre-
shumed to give you an accompte of Saturday and to day. On
Saturday the Howse haveing the day before ajourned concerning
a witnes to bee broght in to prove that artickell of treson, my
Lord’s corresponding with the King’s enimies, they accordingly had
binn broght in, and hee only testified that hee had it from a cred-
dible witnes that now was in France, and beleeved that it was true.
The witnes, thogh he was cald by my Lord’s opposers a worthy
person of creddit, was, as hee stood in the lobby, knowne to sum of
my Lord’s friends to bee one of those roges that was in the con-
1 The ruffian who attempted to murder the Duke of Ormond and to steal the
regalia from the Tower, and who, on being pardoned by the King, became a privi-
leged fréquenter of the Secretary of State’s office. See roi. i. p. 14, note.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
121
spîrasy against Mr. Hcmming, and a creture of t-lic Duke of Buck-
ingames now ; beesides that of Hemins bis tryall, wherein it was
declared by the bench and ail to bee a prodigius désigne. At a
tryal since upon an action of conspiracy Hemins had judgment
against them, and some of tliem as tbey were found lias laine ever
since in prison. This occasioned tbe adversarys to décliné this
artickle for impeaching my Lord, togetber with tlieir desier to keepe
it in the channell of outing my Lord by vote. On common famé my
Lord’s frinds stuck to hâve him impeached : the contest continued
till late in the afternoone a Saterday : the Howse then ajorned
untill to-day, beeing Monday. To-day a littel after 9 in the morn-
ing they reshumed the debate, whether an impeachment in the
House of Lords or the way they proceeded against Buckingham
and Lodderdale by common famé in small misdemeanors. My Lord’s
frinds was for his impeachment,1 the others with as mucli violence
against impeachment; it held them untill 5 of the clock at night;
the Howse then put it to the vote whether to hâve candels or no;
they devided and came to the pôle; my Lord’s frinds were for
1 The desire of Lord Arlington’s friends for an impeachment is explained in a
letter of Sir William Temple to Arthur Capel, Earl of Essex, then in Ireland as
Lord Lieutenant, written January 21, 1674, the day after the rejection of the motion
for an Address to remove Arlington from ail his employments and from the King’s
presence and councils. “ I thought the best service I could do your Excellency was
to give you no trouble ; nor should I do it now, but to tell you how far two of your
friends hâve been concerned in the affairs of this day, which I think my Lord
Arlington ought to esteem the happiest of his life. After five days’ debate, we at
length passed a négative upon that question wherein the affirmation went so deep
with the two Dukes : and the other question for his impeachment was the thing
wholly pursued and carried for him by his friends as that which must fall, or, if it
proceeded, must end with honour to him.” Lord Essex’s other friend, about whom
Temple wrote, was his brother Sir Henry Capel, who, according to Temple, had done
Arlington more good than any one else in the House of Commons. (Courtenay’s
Life of Temple, ii. 93.) Mr. Courtenay remarks that Sir Henry Capel is not men-
tioned in the Parliamentary History as taking part in these debates ; but the Parlia-
mentary History gives very little of the debates: they are fully reported in Anchitel
Grey’s Debates, where a long speech of Sir Henry Capel may be read. The accounts
in these letters mention incidents not even recorded in Grey’s Debates.
YOL. II.	R122
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
ajorning and no candells, the others for candels and sitt it out, but
my Lord’s frinds carried it by many votes, wliich was some meshure
of their strength in the Howse, though but in a small busnes, for
my Lord’s frinds were thoght by the long sitting to bee more
absent then of the others. They are ajornedtill to-morrow till 10;
it is hopfull that my Lord will carry it.
Sir, I desier one favor of you in the behalfe of Mr. Newman’s
brother, that you would be plesed to signify to my Lord that first
hee was sent by your directions over ; secondly, that hee did behave
himselfe as bcc-ame him; thirdly, what time hee was there, and
money hee had of you. I beg your pardon for my scribling and this
trubble, desiering your letter to these particulars: hee to my know-
ledge went in May and returned in May the yeare following.
Sir, I am
Your Excies most humble servant,
IJr Feb.	Tho. Blood.
No. 173.—From James Vernon.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitchall, I9tk Jan. [I67f.]
Upon the receipt of your Excellencyes of the 6th instant I ac-
quainted his Grâce1 with your commands concerning the horse, who
immediately ordered me to returne your Excellency his tliankes,
and he desires that you would be pleased to make his acknowledge-
ments to the Bishop of Strasbourg. He thinkes he need not propose
any way for the sending over the horse, because he knows your
Excellency will find out the most convenient one to do it; and he
ventures to rely upon you that you will allow him to give you this
trouble, and whatever the charge shall bee his Grâce will order it to
bee immediately repayed, whither you thinke fitt to send it along
The Duke of Monmoutk.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
123
with a groome of your OAvne, or any other carefull person. I may
add as from my selfe that it will be a very acceptable présent to his
Grâce att this time, and the ratlier because one liorse of the sett is
now ill, and not like to recover. I do not trouble your Excellency
with our news, because I know you receive it from those tliat are as
well acquainted with it as T am ; onely att tliis time I may say things
looke very ill as to our private concerns. I fear my Lord1 is at the
eve of his removall. There hath been a fierce debate this day about
him that hath lasted five or six howres ; yet notwithstanding his
cleare defense of him selfe, notwithstanding they can find notliing
upon him of ail that is objected against him, and notwithstanding a
message from the King to the House in his behalfe, yet siding and
party are like to prevayle, and he must fall because he stands by
others that are pusht at. Upon this occasion I must ask leavè to
remember a text which saith in another case, Master, hadst thou
been here he had not dyed. But God grant if the accidents of
humane greatnesse must passe upon him, since they cannot lay any
thing of treason to his charge, that his condemnation be no préju-
dice to his reputed heir2 and successour.
Your Excellency having been pleased in your letter to take notice
of some reports you had heard which Mr. Ellis passed for the authour
of, I tliinke it my duty to lett you know that I liave not much con-
verse d with Mr. Ellis since his returne, and therefore cannot say
much; but for those few times I hâve been in his company I ought
to do him the justice to assure your Excellency I never heard him
mention you disrespectfully or undecently, and this I am the rather
bold to say because I find what judgement your Excellency hath
allready made of such an information as a thing light and frivolous.
I cannot deny but that common famé, which never spared one, hath
likewise been busy with your Excy ; but I always looked upon such
discourses as things that great men ought to expect, and Avise men
will always despise ; for it is no new thing that a shadow should bear
a proportion to the greatness of its body.
1	The Earl of Arlington.
2	The AYriter alludes to the great man he is addressing.124
LETTERS ADDRE§SED TO
By these changes my Lord Duke is like to bee eitlier Master of
the Horse or Commissioner of Scotland, the last of wliich he is
pressed to accept, and one argument they propose is, they will give
him the double of what my Lord Lauderdale hath at présent ; but
he referrs ali to the King.
I am, my Lord,
Your Excellencyes most obedient and faithful servant,
J. Vernon.
$28.
No. 174.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, January 19th, ’7f.
What I hinted to your Excy in my last your Excy will hâve heard
by the last ordinary of the impeachment of my Lord Arlington,
and by the journalls of every day (which Mr. Bail tells mee hee
constantly sends y ou,) your Excy will see the whole progresse of it,
as you will see by his Lordshipp’s owne letter, that to-morrow will
bee the criticall day, when hee is to expect what his owne innocence
and friends can prevaile for him. There is a party very passionate
against him, but, his friends being many and zealous for him, I
trust in God that malice will not bee able to hurt him.
I humbly acknowledge the honor of your Excy’s of the TV, t~6 >
and What your Excy was pleased to recommend to mee in the
last of laying before his Lordshipp some of your Excy’s letters of
June and August, to bring to his remembrance what you then
insisted on relateing to the trade in the Indies, I hâve justly per-
formed, though your Excy will easily believe his Lordshipp hath
had little leisure to think of any affaires but his owne.
God Almighty preserve and support him from the fury of his
enemies, and grant your Excy a happy issue of your negotiation !
I am ever most entirely, my Lord,
Your Excy,s most humble and faithfull ser1,
$ 28.	Jo. Richards.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
125
No. 175.—From Thomas Fairfax.
My Lord,	Dover, January the 20th, 1673(-4), our stile.
The many obligations I hâve had from y our ExceUy makes mee
take ail opportunités to pay your Lordship my respects; and I
was very glad that Mr Barry overtooke my Lord Darby and mee
att this place that I might (though you hâve it from others,) tell
your Excy how matters goe with Lord Arlington. ’Twas thought
after the House of Commons had voted the Dukes Lauderdale and
Buckingham soe hardly that their passions would allsoe hâve
reach’d him. But his owne eloqueance, generositie, and innocence
wrought soe much on them that ail his enimies could not make
them pass any vote against him, and soe the businesse was referr’d
till next day. Sir Gilbert Gerrard said hee could prove high
treason against him, but nothing appears of that nature. The busi-
nesse is referr’d to a committee, but itt’s generally beleev’d by most
people, and a great many sober ones, hee will corne off with great
honor. My good Lord Ossory 1 went with him to the House of
Commons* doore. I hope the Parliament will now give the King
money to facilitate the peace, that your Excy may bee backe againe,
for you are wanted in England. I doe assure your Excy none will
hâve greater share in your Excy’s good success in this treaty, and ail
other things that concernes your wellfare, then,
My Lord,
Your Excy’s most faithfull friend and humble servant,
T. Fairfax.
When I corne to settle any where your Excy shall bee sure to bee
troubled with what I know in those parts where I am.
My most humble services to my Lord Ambassador Jenkins.
Ik V Feb.
Arlington’s brother-in-law. They had manied two sistcrs.126
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
No. 176.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot, M.P.
Sir,	Whitehall, Jan. 23 [167J].
I hâve your Excellencyes of the 44 °f this moneth witli tlie
account of the Holland proceedings in the treaty, which call for my
présent thanks, which I most heartily returne. I am very glad of
your proposait of a weekely correspondent, because I am not onely
secured by the freindly motion that mine will be noe trouble to
you, but foresee how necessary it may be for your Excellency to
know the constant passages of the House of Commons, and for me
to receive some account of your transactions there, because I can
with less suspicion then those of the Councill communicate the
matters to some usefull members, which if it came from the Coun-
cill might look like désigné. Be pleased therefore soe to frame your
letters to me that I may make that good use of them, and I assure
you ail is but necessary, for the malicious party endeavour to make
the présent warr pass for a greivance, and faine would charge the
fault of it upon the King and his counsailers. Greate endeavour
was made in the House four days together to hâve my Lord Arlington
included in the Address of the House to the King for removeall of
him from ail employment, from the King’s counsailes, and from his
presence for ever, as in the case of the two Dukes, but we carryed it
in the négative by 39 voyces.1 He was mainely accused upon three
heads of misdemeanour : viz. popishly affected, procurer of the French
league and breaker of the triple league, and embeaseller of the
revenue : of these we cleared him by vote of non-addresse. There
was in the charge (beside) an article of high treason for betraying
the King’s counsailes to the enemy, and another of suborning falsc
witnesses to take away the life of a pair.2 Now, that nothing of
1 By 166 to 127.
Peer. This refers to proceedings against Buckingham in 1667, when he was
proclaimed a traitor, dismissed from the Privy Council, and sent to the Tower, but
soon obtained the King’s forgivencss, and returned to greater fayour and power
than before. See letter No. 178, p. 130.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
127
this nature might lye upon tlie journall, we were content that a
c-ommittee might be appointed to consider if these two last articles or
any thing conteined in the other three generall heads afforded proofe
enough to proceed to an empeachement. The committee is tliis
afternoone to give an account of that matter, and I Write this at two
of the clock, fearing least I may be deteined soe long at the com-
mittee that it may otherwise be too late to write by this post, yet if
we rise time enough I will give an account of our success this day
in a postscript. The person that brouglit in this charge against our
freind was Sir G. Gérard, the cheife seconder Lord Cornebury and
Sir Cha. Wheeler. The witnesse produced to proove the betraying
of counsailes, Captain Paulden, the Duke of Buckingham’s chimist;
his evidence, a man to corne out of France.
We hâve not touched upon any thing yet but grievances, and hâve
voted another test for discovery and conviction of Papists throughout
the kingdome. Much discourse hath bin used to damne the junto ;
and how far they will drive in the upper bench and south-east corner
of the House I cannot yet tell. I am returning in diligence to the
Committee, and must profess, in as much haste as reality, that I am
Your Excellencyes most humble
and most faythfull servant,
G. Talbot.
The committee is ajourned till Munday next, soe that you can
hâve no account of this matter till this day 7-night. I forgott to
tell you that my Lord Gérard1 is a tierce stickler against my Lord
Arlington.
yV Feb.
No. 177.—From Francis Lord Aungier.2
]\ly Lord,	London, Jan. 23,
The lionour of your Lordship’s of the T°ÿ- currant I hâve receaved,
and in it so greate a favour by that gentle admonition you give me
1 Digby, fifth. Lord Gérard.	2 See note at p. 110.128
LETTERS ADDRESSrED TO
for my long silence that I knowe no better how to expresse my
acknowledgments tben by admireing your goodnesse, which can so
casily passe over the faults of your servants. Yett lett me tell you
this effecfc it lias wrought, tliat I sliall never be guilty of the likc
errour, and therefore I liope you will forgett what is past.
Since my arrivall here you will easily imagine I hâve beene as
much to seeke what would become of affaires at home as you are in
the darke abroad, and really this lias been the greate reason wliy I
hâve beene of late silent. I doe not doubt but that you hâve had
an exact account of what proceedings hâve beene in both Howses of
Parliament,—how it lias fared with the twogreate Dukes Buckingham
and Lauderdale, and how much better fortune my Lord Arlington
lias had, who, after five dayes’ debate whether lie should be removed
from ail the employments lie holds dureing his Majesty’s pleasure,
and from his Majesties presence and councills for ever, on Tuesday
last it was carryed in the négative, so that the Howse will now pro-
ceede by way of impeachment against him if there can be matter
found fitt for an impeachment that can be proved, in order to whicli
a committee lias beene appoynted, whieh lias twice mett, but nothing
done ; and ’tis the opinion of ail sober and indiffèrent persons nothing
can corne of this impeachment, for the persons themselves who
brought them into the Howse are beleeved to désigné nothing
further then the makeing a noise> and this was the more évident
because they would hâve declyned the articles and condemnd my
Lord for company (by common famé) with the two Dukes.
Thus we hâve spent our time hitherto about pertieular persons.
To-morrowe the Howse is to be turned into a comittee to debate of
the greivances occasioned by the warr, and if from thence a handle
can be taken to niake a lusty vote that may frighten the Dutch your
worke at Cologne will be easyer, and the Dutch Ambassadours putt
past tlieir subterfuges. But perhaps you will say so serious and pru-
dent a resuit for the publique good is not to be expected from so
angry a beginning. I protest I knowe not what to tliinke of it; but
I ain sure his Majesty’s goodnesse is very greate to permitt us to sett ailS JR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
129
this while and please our owne humours, without so much as
hinting at a supplye or takeing his condition into our thoughts; but
for this I hope the Howse will soone make him an amends, and
when they fall about this worke I am confident they will doe it to
purpose.
This day at the clubbe we dranke your health, as we doe com-
monly every day. Our knott keepe still together, and make the
same good cheare we were wont ; Chettneyne keepes up his good
humour. But I forgett your Lordship’s time and occasions, which
will not allowe you many minutes to entertaine trilles of this kind.
I must therefore conclude with professing to your Lordship that in
the world there is not one who more heartily wishes your honour
and prosperity then,
My Lord,
Your Excellencyes most humble servant,
Fran: Aungier.
Ik Feb.
No. 178.—From Sir Robert Southwell.
My Lord,	January 23, 1673.
By the last post your Exc7 had a generall summary accompt of
what past in the House with relation to my Lord Arlington, upon
whose cause, after five dayes’ debate, wee did on Tuesday night
divide the House, and 127 were for passing the like vote as in the
case of the Duke of Buckingham, but 166 were against it; and that
which wee laboured ail along was to proceede formally upon the
impeachment brought in by Sir Gilbert Gerrard; so that when this
vote was over they appointed a committee to examyne the proofs of
the said indictment, which will, I believe, vanish and corne to
nothing, not because of the Act of Grâce, which pardons ail things
mentioned with any hope of proofe except the subornation of per-
VOL. II.	S130
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
jury, but because even in this, tho’ it was said two witnesses were
ready, yet I believe nothing wilbe made appeare by the Duke of
Buckingham, who is the party concerned at the tyme he was clapt
in the Tower.
The temper of the House beats wonderfully towards a peace.
The French allyance and the warre Sound equally ungratefull, and
scape not ail the reflections that indignation can throw upon them.
They hâve entertained a pétition from severall masters of shipps
who were prest, and hâve debated and agravated that point so high
that the doctrine asserted by severall was that in an offensive warre
no man was bound to serve or lyable to be forced that did not
accept the imprest money, from whence it is easy to see the impos-
sibility of maning a fleet this spring, and not onely the necessity of
a peace now but the impossibility of a warr hearafter without the
Parliament, for the whole matter of pressing men and shipps is
committed, and a Bill to be prepared sutable to the debates of the
House. To-morrow is a grand day for enquiry into the grievance
of the War and the sad condition of the kingdome thereupon, and
whether this will end in things or persons I cannot yet determyne.
I doe believe something of the latter is in méditation. There is a
Bill ordered, not onely for regulating Elections, but for qualifying
members, who must be either residing as inhabitants, or hâve estâtes
in the country from whence they are returned. There is a Bill for
a new generall test between Protestant and Papist, and to incapaci-
tate ail to sit in either House who shall refuse it ; and you are left
to guesse where these and the like things doe tend. The House
are very jealous and tender of his Majesties honor in the debate of
ail these grievances, and will not allow any officer to vouch his
Majesty’s command, but make him answerable for the King, as it is
agreeable with the law. There is a Bill preparing to extend the
benefit of habeas corpus to a degree beyond any possibility of
hurting the subject’s liberty by any warrants of state, &c.
Your Exc^ will easily imagine how mu ch wee hâve rejoyced in
my Lord Arlington’s good hap, for whom his Majesty was muchSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
131
concerné, and as much displeased against the Duke of Buckingham
for his beliavior in tlie House—disclosing his councills, and telling
things not agreeable to the truth. Since tlie House’s vote lie bas
not appcared at the Court, nor was he summoned this night to the
Cabinett, but lies close at Dr. Sprat’s.1 2 If your Excy were on this
side ’tis believed my Lord Arlington would soone put the pen into
your hand. My Lord Cornbury and Sir Charles Wheeler followed
him with a keene prosecution, and yet Sir Charles is himselfe at this
tyme but in the middle of the river, and perhapps Saint Christo-
pher 3 may let him drop.
Mr. Secretary Coventry is at présent somewhat ill, and ’tis no
wonder, considering the vast paines he takes in the House, being
like the chérubin with his flaming sword, turning it every way to
defend his master’s cause.
I beg pardon for tyring your Ex0?, and am ever
Yours.
[K. SOUTHWELL.]
Indorsed,
Sir R. Southwell.
No. 179.—From Walter Overbury.
Mewes, the 2Gth January, 1G7|.
Since my last to your Excellency I hâve very little divertion for
you, bateing what the enclosed will give you when Jack hatli
perused them. Friends are well in Queene streete, and going into
mourning for the Lord Iloward’s mother.
The old Countess is wonderfull decrepid and full of questions.
My Lady hath as good as gotten the lioiior continued to lier for
lier sone.
1	Dr. Sprat, afterwards Bishop of Rochester, was the Duke of Buckingham’s
chaplain.
2	Alluding to the legcnd of Saint Christopher wading across the ferry.132
LETTERS ADDRESSED ÏO
My Lord Arlington hatli held it out bravely in tlie House, a
signe of many friends, but of that you will be better inform’d.
Here is a report, and in print too, of one of your Excys seene
lately at higb masse, supposed generally to be your selfe, and many
other tlrings too tedious and unpleasant to insert.
I présumé you will find by your letters the progress in Parlia-
ment and probability of a proceeding apart from France.
Sir Nie. sent your Excy a song of a certaine senior that came in
with the Dutchesse of Modena, wliich if it is miscarried I must take
care to write it anew, though it reaclies and toutclies most of the
ladys from Westminster to Wappin. I am with much obligation
Your Excys most humble servant,
W. 0[verbury].
Indorsed,
MR. Overbury.
No. 180.—From Colonel Roger Whitley, M.P.
My Lord,	London, Jan. 30, 73(-4).
.Your Excy will hâve full information from others of ail our trans-
actions, soe that I hâve onely to acknowledge the honour of yours
of the with your extracts of the Jf, which, as they lay great obli-
gations upon me, give very much light and satisfaction to severall
others to whom I communicate them in this conjuncture. But by
our late proceedings I guesse the sceane may be now changed (and
perhaps the stage too), and yet we may reape the fruits of your
happy negotiations sooner and in another method then was ex-
pected.
Our rich marchant fleete (neare 300) with their convoy haveing
now set sayle, confirmed the opinions that peace is not far off. It
Avili be more welcome by reason of the generall aversion to our
alleyes, &c. The French here are very busy and much unsatisfyed
(I believe you will finde them soe at Cologne); they hâve some
freinds amongst us.SIR JOSErH WILLIAMSON.
133
This sad day hatli been solemnly kept ;l ail shops shut and
cliurches open. Dr. Cradock and Dr. Lloyd preached before the
House of Commons, and with great applause.
ïhe committee about my Lord Arlington’s bnsenesse goes faintely
on, tbe prosecutors not intending an impeachment, but to render his
Lordship in tbe same condition with my Lord of Bucks (I believe in
hope, thereby, to bring off his Grâce rather then liurt bis Lordshipp),
and I am confident it will vanish of it selfe if they are not too mucli
prest in pointe of evidence.
I am still of opinion that a little patience and good management
will get the King money ; tbe complexion of tbe House is mu ch
changed since his Majestyes last speech, and I hope it will proove
a happy sessions. I humbly kisse your hands, and remayne,
My Lord,
Your Excellency’s most humble and obedient servant,
Ko. Whitley.
Indorsed,
Coll. Whitley.
No. 181.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot, M.P.
Sir,	Whitehall, Jan. 30, 167f.
I bave with greate tbankfulness received your Excellcncyes letter
and extract under tbe date of by whicli I plainely perceive tbat
tbe States vary little in theyre proposalls to you from what they
hâve lately rendered to his Majesty through the hands of the
Spanish Embassadour. These are the same tbree heads with yours.
ïhe fiag, tbe treaty of commerce in the East Indyes, and the
business of Surenam. The first they stile the ceremony of the flag,
and confine theyre respect to it in the British sea; they use termes
of greate ambiguity in both the other, in soe much as you know
1 The anniversary of the execution of Charles I.134
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
not how to lay hold on anything for a sure foundation ; and of the
fishery tliey say nothing. The proposalls his Majesty communi-
cated to botli Houses, together with the States’ letter which accom-
panyed them, upon the 24th, and desired theyre advice upon the
whole matter. The Lords hâve since thanked the King in a body,
and passed a vote, That his Majesty upon considération of the whole
matter hefore them he by them hurnbly advised to proceed to a Treaty
in order to a speedy Peace. The Commons ordered theyres thus :
That upon considération of his Majestyes gracious speech, for which
they returne theyre humble thanks, and of the proposalls of the
States Generall, his Majesty be hurnbly advised—as before.1
The différence of the considérations of the wliole matter and
the speech and proposalls onely ariseth from this, that his Majesty,
to the end that we miglit know the better how to direct an advice,
gave leave to a small committee of both Houses to inspect the treaty
of Breda and the Frcnch treaty, that they might judge of the
infractions. Of this offer the Lords made use, and soe framed theyre
vote upon considération of the whole. The Commons, fearing least
that enquiry might engage them to approve the war (which they
intended to charge upon the ministers), and having approved it
sliould be obliged to give money to maintaine it, would not look
upon those treatyes, and soe built theyre vote upon the speech and
proposalls onely ; yet the Commons sending to the Lords yesterday
for theyre concurrence in the last vote, and to goe in a body to
the King, the Lords answered that they had thanked already; and I
perceive we are like to hâve a conférence to-morrow to adjust this
matter, which in my opinion is impossible, and that both Houses
must goe singly unless we will view the treatyes and alter our
vote.
Many men of sanguine hopes promise to themselves a speedy
Peace upon these addresses, and truly, when I consider the States
1 “ as before ” mcans ending as the Lords’ Address, “ to proceed to a treaty in
order to a speedy peace.” This Address was agreed to by the Commons, January 27.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
135
as merchants, and tliat they may be brought to bid more than
tliey fîrst offered, it is not impossible but tbat they intend it, and
the Spanish Embassador assuretli us that they sliall doe it to the
King’s full satisfaction; and well they may, for one condition in
theyre letter is that it must be a separate treaty exclusive to the
French, which condition is snatched at by Lords and Commons,
who generally dislike the French league, from whence y ou may
collect that if a Peace ensue you shall not hâve the honour of con-
cluding it ; for it cannot be done where the French plenipoten-
tiaryes are, and we persuade ourselves that the Spaniard hath
powers to conclude ail points with us. Yet, if I may be allowed to
speak my fears, I cannot but suspect that ail this fayre shew of a
treaty is onely to feed ail hopes to make the Parliament refuse to
grant a new ayd (to which they hâve noe manner of propensity),
and consequently to make us neglect ail navall préparations, and not
onely breed a jealousy of us in the French upon a separate treaty,
but disgust the mediators, who are likewise layd aside in this clan-
destine treaty. And supposing this to be the case, consider what will
be our condition ; for we are not onely left to stand alone, aban-
doned by ail our freincls and allyes, but the French likewise will be
forced to disgorge ail theyre late conquests, soe that the Hollander
will obteine his full end, whatsoever becometh of us.
But it is told us that the States-Generall, as an inducement to us,
hâve declared the Prince of Orange and his heyres perpetuall State-
holders. Be it soe ; this may as well be intended for the ruine of the
Prince as for his advantage. If they intend it really, it is an extra-
ordinary expression of kindness; but may not this possibly be a
désigné of the Levestine party to lull him into a security, and after-
wardwith more ease cutt offhis single person, he leaving noe heyre
to succeed ? It is a supposait that I doe not willingly make, but
from an inveterate enemy I will always suspect the worst.
The malicious Cornebury, Wheeler, Sir G. Gérard, and Sir
Edward Jennings, hâve not yet bin able to find matter (much less
proofe) whereon to build an impeachment against my Lord Arling-
ton, although they turne every stone.136
LETTERS ADDRE§SED TO
To-morrow the Duke of Buckingham is to answeare by his coun-
saile in the Lords* House to the pétition preferred a gain s t him by
the Earle of Shrewsbury’s uncles and other relations. The address
is not yet made for his removeall from the King, nor is it forgotten.
Honest Judge Millard 1 is dead, and Sir Lionell Jenkins being
pressed to be tryed in his absence, the inhabitants hâve petitioned
the House that it may be respited till his returne, because some of
his most considérable witnesses are abroad with him.2
The Lords hâve passed four votes in order to a Bill: 1. That noe
persons nearely related to the Crowne shall hâve liberty to breed
theyre children in any religion but the Protestant. 2. That noe
such person shall marry any but a Protestant unless by consent of
Parliament. 3. That ail Papists (as well Lords as others) shall
immediately be disarmed. 4. That ail English preists shall be
banished the reaime.
If y ou please to accept of such trumpery as this in returne to
your excellent advertisements you may be pleased to continue the
correspondence at your perill with
Your Exc?es most humble and most faythfull servant,
G. Talbot.
Tom Peak hath written to me for some Fr. books, which I will
send if I may be told how it is to be done.
No. 182.—From Michael Wharton, M.P.3
Sir,	Feb. 4, (73)-4.
I am perfectly assured that any thing that cornes from me is but
a misspending of your tyme, otherwise I should give way to my
1	Elsewhere spelt Milward, M.P. for Stafford.
2	This refers to a late élection for Newark, where Sir Lionel Jenkins had been
put up as a candidate, and there were two returns. Sir Paul Neal claimed the
seat, and had appeared in the House on October 30, when Mr. Sacheyerell took
notice of his presence without leave, and he was obliged to withdraw.
3	M.P. for Beyerley.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
137
inclination, and frequently so returne my humble thankes in ac-
knowledging the honor and favor I receive from you.
Since the Parliament mett, they hâve hadd both things and
persons in their prospect, and made this generall vote as a foundation
to proceed upon. The House will in the first place proceed to hâve
their grievances effectually redressed,—Protestant religion, libertys,
and propertys effectually secured to suppresse popery, and to re-
moove ail persons, councells, and councellors that are popishly
affected and otherwise obnoxious or dangerous to the Government.
The persons they hâve had discourse upon is the Duke of Louther-
dale, and hath made an addresse to remoove him from ail employ-
ments and from his Majesties presence and councells for ever, as
being obnoxious and dangerous to the Government.
They hâve voted an addresse be presented to his Majestie to
remoove the Duke of Buckingham from ail employments that are
held during his Majesties pleasure, and from his presence and
counsells for ever.
They hâve had discourse concerneing the Lord Arlington, but
the manage concerning him hath been such as ’twill not prove much
danger to him ; it were too long to insert the particular points of
manage, and my Lord Angers and others say they will Write to
you, soe that being you will hâve it from better hands, I make
this only abstractive.
Both Houses hâve voted that upon his Majesties gratious speech
they are of opinion that his Majestie be humblv advised to proceed
in a treaty with the States Generall in order to a speedy peace.
Notwithstanding the vote concerning the Duke of Buckingham,
it is a question whether the House will proceed to make an addresse
concerning him. Numerous bodys sometymes, when heat is
abated, reflects and alters the naturall conséquence to what hath
proceeded. Sir, I ought to begg your pardon more than once in
keeping of you soe long, but only that I know you hâve both
goodness of nature and generosity to oblige those that honor you
VOL. II.	T138
LETTERS ADDEESSED TO
with overlooking tlieir transgressions, and whose ambition is to be
esteemed
Your affeçtionate and most humble servant,
M. Warton.
VU-
No. 183.—From Thomas Derham.
My Lord,	London, February 6th, 1673(-4).
What your Exc>' has soe long stay’d to doe at Cologne is already
in effect done here. A sudden calme of peace arrieving to the
wonder of ail such as are not polititians, a thing that though a
blessing in appearance to us yet I cannot but repine at, since not
wrought by your Excy’s hand, which l’me sure would bave putt us
in a salve that now we want.
Sir William Temple is departeing instantly for Holland to
confirme it, and in the meane time the Spanish Ambassador signs it
here. Yesterday both the Houses made their address for peace, and
for the Duke of Lauderdaule’s banishment alsoe, and this afternoone
the House of Commons onely for the Duke of Buckingham’s remo-
val, to both which last the King’s answere was hee would considder
on’t, which proceeding of the Parliament makes me remember
what one imprudently said on the occasion of their removeing soe
many courtiers: that they did like angry gamesters teare the
cards they had, and not consider that in every fresh pack they
should take they would hâve as many in it.
My Lord’s committee1 sitts still to little purpose, not haveing yet
got through the first article, and now haveing not hopes to ruine him
they are very slow in meeteing, and when they doe ’tis onely to ad*
journe; but this I understand his Lordshipp does intend, beeing once
1 Tlic committee on the Earl of Arlington’s impeachment.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
139
clear’d, voluntarily to doe what they would force him to, to quit his
présent employment and retire, for which place ’tis impossible to
tliink of any man but your Exc^ ; and hee that in his speech i* th’
House on his Lordshipp’s behalfe wish’d them (according to an
example in the Senate at Rome) ere they did displace any man to
considder first who was fitt for his place, was certainely acquainted
with your Exc>\
The House at présent are verrie bussie about two Tests, the one
for Catholics for their speedier conviction, the other to try who
are or are not honest men ; but thankes bee to God that goes no
further than their owne terrytoryes.
I cannot think of anything more of moment to send your Excy,
nor hâve I time, haveing to the last houre of the night delay’d a
duty that by mee is préférable to ail others, but for once will hope
your Exc^ will pardon,
My Lord, Your Ex0?’3 unfeignedly devoted humble servant,
Tho. Derham.
No. 184.—From Lord O’Brien.
My Lord,	London, Feb. 6, 167*.
Lett mee first give you returne of thanks for ail your kind
assurances that you beleive mee and myne att your dispose ; give
mee leave to say wee are with a pure intention.
The Dukes of Buckingham and Lauderdaill are addres’d for to
be removed as obnoxious and dangerous, and I fynd they will goe.
Peace I see resolved on, so I doubt not of your sudden returne.
God send you safe to us !
Lord Duke of Norfolk is voted to be sent for home,1 a successe
best made for non-Conformists.
1 The Duke was a lunatic. It was set about that he had become a Protestant,140
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
The Sweedes résident heere severely complaines of* our treating
without them. I hope before your returne is made that things will
grow better.
Ail the talk heere is that peace will be made. God harber it !
I am your humble servant,
O’Brien.
Indorsed,
Lord O’Brien.
No. 185.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot, M.P.
^ir^	Whitehall, Eeb. 6, ’73.
This is a thankfull acknowledgm1 of your Exc)’es favour to me of
the 2d of Feb. which as yet agreeth with what appeareth above
board, in the offers of the States Generall by the médiation of the
Spanish Embassador, but here hath bin lately a trumpet corne from
Holland with a letter to his Majesty which giveth hopes of a speedy
suspension of armes and a conséquent peace, which hopes we build
upon Sir William Temple’s suddain journy into Holland and the
answere which the King gave yesterday to both Houses in the
Banquetting house, who went jointly to thank and advise him to
enter into treaty for a speedy peace : his answere was to this effect,
that the plainest answere that he could give to theyre request was
to comply with theyre advice, which he promis’d to doe, in hope
that tliey would enable him to make good such a proceeding; your
Excie will easily conjecture the meaning.
The Commons presented theyre address concerning the Duke of
and that his brother, a Roman Catbolic, Earl of Norwich and Earl Marshal, sent him
away and kept him abroad on that account, and that lunacy was a pretext. This
resolution of the Commons did not brin g the Duke over. The Lords did not concur
in this Address, and the matter dropped. The question of his détention abroad
again arose in 1677, when Sir John Reresby testified in the House of Commons to
his insanity. (Reresby’s Memoirs, p. 190, ed. 1831.)SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
141
Lauderdale yesterday likewise, and to that his Majesty sayd he
would consider of theyre desire therein.
We hâve likewise voted an address (without the Lords) for the
removall of the Duke of Buckingham, but his Majesty hath not yet
appointed us a time to wayte on him.
We are feirce upon Bills to secure religion and property; both
were read this morning; the lst had its second reading and is com-
mitted; it conteineth Test to discriminate papists and for theyre
more easy conviction. The 2d aymeth cheifely against billetting of
souldiers and raysing money any way upon the subject, which they
déclaré to be high treason if done without Act of Parliament.
Sir Lionell Jenkins’ tryall for his élection is put off for six
weekes longer ; in the debate of that matter Mr. Marvin was pleased
to say that he lately struggled for precedency1 but now laboureth
to be postponed.
This day the D. of B. was to be bayted in the Lords’ House, but
what hath passed there I hâve not time to enquire, we are soe
wholely taken up wdth late sitting of the House and bandying after-
ward till ten at night in the committee of priviledges.
Yesterday I dined with Sir Joseph Sheldon, where Sir Francis
Chaplin and I remembred y ou particularly. Our friend Sir John
Robinson is upon some question for undue proceeding with young
Muddiford, and with some appréhension of the severity of the
House.
The malicious accusers whom I mentioned in my last stick still
in theyre charge against Lord Arlington, but alleadge noe manner
of proofe. To-morrow we are to goe upon more greivances ; what
they will prove you shall know when theyre bolts are shott.
I am in greate haste to assure you that I am
Your Exc>’e3 most obedient and faythfull servant,
G. Talbot.
25*
1 This means that he had tried to hasten the trial of his élection for Newark.142
LETTERS ADDRE£SED TO
No. 186.—From Sir Robert Southwell.
My Lord,	Spring Garden, 6 Feb. 73.
I was very proud of the favours of your Excy which the last
post brouglit me ; I was allmost out of countenanee for wanting it
soe long.
Yesterday tlie two Houses applyed to his Majesty for a speedy
peace, wliich his Majesty promised, and the last night Sir W.
Temple and Sir G. Sylvius were hastening away to Holland; but
I think now Sir William will stay.
The House made alsoe the addresse yesterday against the D. of
Lauderdale, and tliis day against the D. of Bucks (without going
to my Lords), to which his Majesty’s answer was the same, that he
would consider it.
In the House of Lords this noble Duke lias had a very gentle
censure as to the matter of the Lady Shrewsbury, each being to
give bonds not to converse againe. I heard a noble Lord sweare
that he would corne downe againe to the House of Commons.
To-morrow they goe on againe with greivances, and I believe
will vote against the Army. They are making such bills to hedge
in the property, liberty, and religion of the subject, that nothing is
to be trusted to good nature for the future.
The House voted an addresse (but to take the Lords with them)
for bringing home the Duke of Norfolke.
My Lord Arlington is in the perfect favour of his Majesty. His
Lordship moved the King for the Baron de Vicque1 to corne over,
which is assented too, and I now signify as much unto him. I am
now in hopes to see your Excy here speedily to play your owne
game, which perhaps wants y ou.
I am for ever, my Lord,
Your Excies most faithfull and most obedient servant,
Robert Southwell.
1 Sir Henry de Vie, the King’s résident at Brussels.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
143
You owe the Baron much kindnesse, for his letters here are to
your Lordshipp’s service.
Indorsed,
Sir R. Southwell.
No. 187.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Feb. 9, 7|.
This day’s work will shewyour Exc? how much his Majesty hath
beene swayed by the ad vice of the Parliament in reference to the
peace, it liaving beene this evening finisht with the Spanish Am-
bassador here.
Orders are likewise issued for stating the arreares of the new
raised forces, in order to their speedy disbanding.
My Lord Arlington is but just soe well recovered of his goûte as
to walke the length of his chamber. His affaire before the committee
moves likewise slowly, the examination of the first article not being
yet over, but soe little can be made appeare to his Lordshipp’s préju-
dice that the prosecution cooles sensibly. God send ail well over !
I am ever entirely,
My Lord, your Excies most faithfull humble servant,
Jo. Richards.
1 Mar.
No. 188.—From Edward Carleton.
My Lord,	London, Feb. 9th, 167|.
I hâve beene attending at my Lord Arlington’s ail this evening
to speake with him, but he hath been in councell with the King,
Duke, Lord Keeper, and Duke of Ormond, and the Spanish Am-
bassador ; ail the company below staires say that the King hath just
now sealed and signed to the peace with Holland. His Majestie
declared this morneing in the Lords’ House that he had concluded a144
LETTERS ADDRE8SED TO
peace; my Lord Angier told me that it was a generall peace indu-
ding the Frendi, but that to my appréhension is very improbable;
though his Majestie may be moderator, yet in such a scantling of
tyme it is matter of too greate a bulke; what was of concerne to this
kingdome was in a very short tyme assented to, but ail things that
are plaine and easy are soone compassed. I beseech God give a
blessing to the event! I find more men unsatisfyed with the tearmes
we purchase this peace than otherwise.
The Parliament on Satturday fell upon the grievances of this
kingdome, and perticularly on the standing army, and voted an
addresse to the King humbly to desire his Majestie to disband ail
the forces raised since January 1663. They likewise voted that the
Duke of Norfolke be sent for out of Italy and carefully brought into
England, and desired the Lords’ concurrence, which to-morrow is
expected,1 and that ail children of Popish parents be educated in
the Protestant religion.
This day was condemned at the King’s Bench barr three French-
men to be hang’d, drawne, and quarter’d for coyning, they haveing
long practiced it, and severall coynes and stamps with which they
wrought produced in court against them.
The Earle of Doncaster, the onely son of the Duke of Monmouth,
dyed this morneing.
It is generally reported in towne that there is a stopp put to the
liveryes, and that your Ex°y is recalled home now the peace is
concluded : if soe I doe not conceive that I can any way be service-
able to your Ex°y upon your removall, but rather a trouble and
expence in your jorney. I waite for your commands to corne or stay,
and shall pay my ready obedience to either as becometh,
My Lord,
Your Excyes most obliged faithfull humble servant,
Edw. Carleton.
Sir Vm. Temple was recalled upon the Spanish Ambassador’s
rcceiving these last propositions.
1 The Lords did not concurSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
145
No. 189.—From Lord O’Brien, M.P.
My Lord,	London, Feb. 10th, 1673(-4.)
Mr. Bail assures mee that he sends you the full account of ail pro-
ceedings heere. However lett mee liint on [a] passadge that hap-
pened on Saterday ; it was upon the debate for disbanding the Army.
Sir Will. Buck.1 (whoe seldome wants good ale) told us that he
was upon a certaine time sent for to my Lord Treasurer Clifford’s,
and that so soone as he came to Wallingford House my Lord’s page
carried him into his beddchamber, and theere he heard my Lord
discoursing very eagerly with some other person, upon which he
asked the page whoe was with my Lord. He replyed, my Lord
Arundell of Warder.2 And this (said he) made him listen to what
they discourst; that he heard many things, and among the rest this
expression from the Treasurer, By God, my Lord, theere is no
hopes; the King is obstinate, he will stop the gapp. Immediately
upon this they came out, and, finding him there, Clifford com-
maunded him to déclaré what he had heard, or else swore he should
1	Sir William Bueknell. This extraordinary speech is giyen somewhat differently
in Anchitel Grey’s report: “ Gives an account how upon occasion, going to wait
upon Lord Clifford (Treasurer), he was brought into an outward room by a page,
and, being there, heard loud talking in the next room, Lord Clifford often saying
his Majesty would never be brought to it ; and some time after Lord Arunde-1 of
Wardour came out. Lord'Clifford, seeing Bueknell, was much surprised, and, after
many reviling words, as calling him ‘ dog ’ and the like, asked who brought him
thither, and how he durst corne there. He answered bis page brought him. Some
time after he met Lord Clifford at Tunbridge Wells by accident, and there my Lord
proffered réconciliation and oblivion of what was passed.” (Grey’s Debates, ii. 397.)
Sir William Bucknell’s account is probably exaggerated.
2	Lord Arundell of Wardour was a prominent Roman Catholic Peer. He was one
of the very small party which met the King and the Duke of York on January 25,
1669, to consult about promoting the Roman Catholic religion in England, Arlington
and Clifford being the two others. He was also one of the five Roman Catholic
lords impeached with Yiscount Stafford in 1678, on occasion of the Popish plot, the
other three being the Earl of Powis and the Lords Petre and Bellasis.
YOL. II.	U146
LETTERS ADDRE;SSED TO
not [go] out of the roome alive. And that at last he replyed,
Well, my Lord, if you will compell me to speake, I heard so much
as to confirme mee into tlie full assurance that, was itt not for his
Majesty and his greatt goodness towards his people, he and his
accomplies would subvert both property and religion ; upon which
the Treasurer call’d him villaine, &c., and so kickt and beate him
downe staires. Accept in good part this story, which I would not
hâve troubled your Lordship with was not Wensday next sett apart
to make out farther greivances, and then I suppose wee shall heare
second part to the same tune.
My wife has this day had judgment in the House of Lords on
her behalfe for the Barony of Clifton. She gives you lier service,
and both of us heartily wisli your speedy and happy returne.
I am, with ail esteeme, my Lord,
Your unfeighned servaunte,
O’Brien.
B -H-.
No. 190.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Whitehall, Feb* 13*, ’7f.
I am at once indebted to your Ex°y for the répétition of your
great favors to mee in yours of ~4°, Feb. -fV> an(i -nr? for ail which
I returne your Exc>' my most humble thanks.
This day both Houses waited on his Majesty to thank him for
the peace, with which ail here are infinitely pleased. I wish the
ministers with whom you hâve had reason soe often to converse
were soe too, that you might avoide those troublesome expostula*
tions which wee feare you will otherwise hâve enough of upon this
subject.
His Lorshipp’s account of himselfe, both in reference to the Par-
liament and his goûte, lcaves mee nothing to adde upon either sub-SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
147
ject, but my prayers for liis perfect deliverance from both, wberein
I am sure your Excv joines beartily with mee.
I am, with entire respect and dévotion,
My Lord,
Your Excies most humble servant,
Jo: Richards.
\° March.
No. 191.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot, M.P.
Wliiteliall, February 13, [1G7|].
By your Exc>’s of tbe 1 lth I perceive you are yet in the dark as
to the late conclusion of peace betwixt England, Spaine, and
Holland, whereof his Majesty gave notice to both Hou ses on
Wednesday last, the llth. This hath bin privately struck up, by
vertue of a full power given to the Spanish Embassador to conclude.
Both Houses hâve this day bin with his Majesty in the Ban-
quetting House to returne theyre thanks. The Gommons pursue
more grievances, and will not mention money till they bave
redressed ail, and then we are told that they will contribute to the
encreasing of his Majesty’s navy in 3d and 4Ü1 rates. How your
mediators will look upon this matter huddled up without theyre
participation I knowe not. I should be troubled for your particular
concerne in it, but that I heare you are to be sent on farther to the
Court of Vienna.1
I wish you good success in whatsoever you undertake, and hope
by that time you returne we shall be settled in a lasting peace, for
parlaments run higher every day.
The Commons hâve two Bills in hand, purposely intended to secure
them against a successor in case of the King’s mortality. The first
a Bill to make the judges stand quamdiu se bene gesserint, and not
This clicl not happen.148
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
to dépend durante beneplacito) which is terminable upon the deatli
of a King: the other that noe money may be leavyed on tbe subject
without Act of Parliament, but that it shall be higli treason, and
that noe tax sball be raised after the expiration of the Act, which
cutteth off customes from the successor.
The prosecution against my Lord Arlington darkeneth, but is
kept still in check. Our brother Aldermen, Sheldon, Yyner, and
Chaplin, remembered you yesterday at my house. I am
Your most faithfull
G. T[albot].
March.
No. 192.—From Robert Yard.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 13 February, 1673.
Yesterday in the cvening arrived here Mr Barré, and brought me
the honor of your Excy’9 of the 16 instant. I cannot but very much
wonder at Mr Floyd’s backwardnesse to write your Excy or send
your Excy the account you desired, especially since, besides the
frequent letters lie lias received from your Excy, I hâve in your
Excy’9 name pressed liim witli ail the earnestnesse possible, and lie
still told me lie had already done it and would againe more parti-
cularly. This answer I hâve received from him above 20 times,
and always lookt upon him to hâve had more respect for your Excy
and to liave been more a man of businesse tlien to hâve thus neg-
lected so material a point. However, I went this morneing againe
to him ; he seemed to be in great hast, and could not hâve time to
say more then that your Excy drew money upon him faster then he
was able to pay it. I hope your Excy will hâve received the last
account I sent your Excy, by which your Excy will please to see
that ail the moneys in the three montlis’ allowance ending in No-
vember is paid, but nothing is y et paid upon the last three months
ending the 9. of this month, nor is any part of it as yet assigned. ISIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
149
sliall not faile to give your Ex°? from time to time an account of
what is paid or assigned.
Mr Burgesse is very civile and ready to assist me in any thing
relateing to your Exc?’s service. The moneys due to your Exc? as
Clerk of the Councell cornes to £337 ; as I take it the warrants lye
ready, and if any body did make it their businesse they would
be paid, and one reason that tliey were not paid already is the un-
kindness between Sir Robert Howard and Mr Floyd, of which I
formerly told your Excy. I bave severall times spoke to Sir Robert
Howard about it, though I hâve not any order from your Exc? to
sollicite or receive any moneys from your Excy.
Sir Peter Wyche was with me this day and told me that my
Lady Katherine had lent his lady your bcd in the Paper Office.
I told him that if lier Ladyship would please to command me to
doe it that it should be taken downe for him, and in the mean
time that I would acquaint your Ex°? with it.
The conclusion of the Peace gives great satisfaction to the people,
but at Westminster the dispositions are still very sharp.
Mr Bail giveing your Exc? the journalls of the proceedings of
both Houses leaves not any thing for me to add of that kind.
Your Excies friends wish your Exc> here this busy time to frus-
trate the advantage some endeavor to make of your absence, and to
them I humbly présumé to adde my humble prayer for your Excies
happy returne, and that it may be followed with ail honor and
prosperity, as becomes,
My Lord,
Your Excies most faithfull obedient servant,
R. Yard.
D, 2 Mardi,
™ 2tfFëb;150
LETTERS ADDRËSSED TO
No. 193.—From Sir Peter Wyche.
My good Lord,	White-hall, Feb. 167|.
The favour and kindnesse of your Excellencyes two last letters
hath given mee this tryall of my selfe, that the possession of what
I esteeme the greatest good in this world (your Lordship’s sincere
affection) will not make mee insolent. Farr from priding myselfe
to hâve achievd my desires, I am seised with an awfull regard to
bee had over ail my words and actions, therby to preserve soe
inestimable a treasure, and any occasion to serve your Excellency
should atone for a very unfortunate life.
My Lord Arlington is newly upon his leggs after a severe fitt of
the goût, and I hope it will not bee in the power of his enemyes to
change his posture and lay him on his backe; the teesers of his
committee are allmost corne to a drye scent.
The King’s great deference to his Parliament and his suddaine
conclusion of a peace doth not yet seeme to worke kindly with
some fowle stomacks who still are in quest of greivances, and woujd
noe more make him glorious in peace then terrible in warre.
The reports of this weeke hâve sent your Excellency north and
south from your présent station; some make you goe Embassadour
for Sweden, others for Vienna; both posts seeme important in this
conjuncture.
I had so little countenance and satisfaction in my last employ-
ment1 that I did tantum non résolve against any of the like nature ;
but were you not better provided any qualification would bee
pleasant nere your Excellency, and I should witch to make use of
my Lord Arlington’s favours lately promised mee in any way your
Lordship should bee pleas’d to chalke out.
My wife beggs of you to accept of her most humble service for
1 With the Earl of Peterborough, when Ambassador, to fine! a wife for the Duke
of York. See vol. i, pp. 27, 157, 164, 188.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
151
her présent answer to your Lordship’s letter, sliee being very busy
in ordring her new lodgings, and in perfonning tliose requisite
offices towards the persons who hâve lately obtain’d from the
Queene an absolute promise that shee shall corne in next dresser;
now a little help on my side would make me présumé to bee
happy.
My Lord of Bath and Mr. Grenvile for your kind salutations
hâve enjoyn’d mee to returne your Excellency their most hearty
respects and the offer of their utmost services ; in soe good com-
pany allow mee to grâce tliose infinité regards I hâve for your
person, which makes mee soe peremptorily,
My good Lord,
Your Excellencyes most devoted and humble servant,
Peter Wyche.
Indorsed,
Sir P. Wyche.
U, 20 Feb.
™ .2 Mar.
No. 194.—From James Hicks.
May it please your Excellencie,	Fel)-13> ’73(-4).
Your’s of the came to my hand the lOth, which, as at ail
tymes, now more welcome, especially adviseing your good health,
which pretious jewill the Lord in mercie for ever to bless you with !
Your lines soe fully manifest your sence and high affection to my
Lord Arlington as the case then stood as noe freind or relation
could more fully express. I wish as your honor may corne in place
that you may never want such servants or officers here and under
you as may at ail tymes follow and performe these acts of service
and dutie to you as you hâve towards my Lord. But, blessed be
God ! the violence of that storme went over with great force, and
noe wracke nor loss of anckor nor cable, and the shipp arrived and
anckord safe in her former harber, and surely the strength of her
soe tryed will not be a cause to lay her up, but yet fitt her for some
future and honorable trim.152
LETTERS ADDRE8SED TO
It is admired in publicke coffey houses and clubbs liow bis Honor,
that knew ail things, and as much as ail the rest and more, should
sayle safe thorough such a strong sea, when tlie two Dukes before,
tliough tliey might know much yet mucli less tlian his Lordship, and
tlie two became wrackt before the gale came to tlie height, and as a
man may say neither of them pittied by any : but the scopp and
substance of ail I can say or write, from more sure and certaine
hands you hâve ail long since ; yet that I may enjoy that happines
to receive from you gives me that confidence to give you trouble
of some lines now and then, from him that is old and almost
uselesse, yet while in being desires that hand from you as to be
owned by you in ail just and honest things.
To tell you a Peace is concluded here betwixt his Majesty and
the Dutch is noe more nor less than his Majesty declared to both
Houses Wensday last, to the great and generall satisfaction, I
beleive, of every sole except such Roman Catholicks and otliers
that wisli better to the Sea of Rome and the French King’s interest
than they doe to the Protestant Church and his sacred Majesty.
And tliough such snarle and barke here, and in Ireland, yet I hope
God will never give them power nor strength to bitte or destroy
the least of the little flock of which hee is the only holy and
blessed Shepard.
It is said Tuesday last the Spaniard Ambassador’s Secretary went
for Holland witli the Articles of Peace, signed on belialf of the
King by the Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Duke of Ormond, Duke
of Monmouth, and both his Majesties Principall Secretaries ; and
on behalfe of the States Generall, Marquess Aresnou the Spanish
Ambassador, soe that a speedy ratification is speedily expected, and
your safe returne, which is most heartily wisht I dare say by ail that
love you, and I am most certaine by myselfe and sonn, which in
ail times is ready to manifest our selves to be
Your Excies most humble and obedient servant,
James Hicks.
B Marché
Feb. 28 •SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
153
No. 195.—From John Richards.
Lord j	Whitehall, Feby 23d, 7J.
Though it bee extreme late I should hold my selfe inexcusable if
I did not acknowledge the favors of your Excies of the -Lg- and ,
and give you this small account of the condition of my Lord’s pro-
secution before the committee, that were it not for my Lord Corne-
bury and one or two other inveterate men, who though they can
prove nothing will neverthelesse continue their crye and shew their
teeth, the whole matter would insensibly fall to the ground, the
greatest part that once appeared against his Lordshipp being growne
weary with hearing stories without foundations of truth. I beg your
Excies pardon that I adde noe more at présent, having but just time
to acknowledge my selfe in ail truth,
My Lord,
Your Excys most humble and most obedient servant,
Jo. Richards.
-fy March.
No. 196.—From James Vernon.
May it please your Excellency,	Whitehall, 23rd February [l67f].
I hâve received the honour of your Excys of the 13th instant with
one enclosed from the Bishop of Strasbourg to his Grâce,1 letting
him understand that he would hâve sent him another horse of the
same colour had he not been obliged to leave Cologne; to which his
Grâce returns his thankes, and desires you to give your selfe the
trouble of it, and commands me to give you his particular thankes
for your kindness to him which he fînds in your obliging care of his
1 The Duke of Monmouth.
VOL. II.
X154
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO
concernes and your good wishes towards his person, which he déclarés
himself allways ready to acknowledge.
I hoped ere this time to hâve given your Excy an account of his
Grace’s being made Master of the Horse, but there hâve been diffi-
culties by reason of the strange pattent the Duke of Bucks had,
which we hope will not long oppose his Grace’s advancement.
The person thatis in the Tower upon suspicion of an ill désigné
against his Grâce and the Duke of Ormond, hath been formally
examined, and confronted with the person to whom he discovered
himself at Paris, and who is the only wittness, to which end he
came over. He denyes ever to hâve had any discourses with him
about poyson or any other thing tending to the destruction of any
one ; but his answers are not very positive nor cohérent ; so that he
still continues in the Tower, and ail endeavour will be used to learne
from him what his désigné was, and who sett him on worke.
I am,
My Lord,
Y our Excellencyes most faithfull and
most obedient servant,
J. Vernon.
March.
No. 197.—From Francis Lord Aungier.
My deare Lord,	London, Feb. 24th, 1673(-4).
Yesterday I had the honour of your Lordship’s of the 23d inst.
which I am now at leisure enough to answere, for this day his
Majestie was pleased to prorogue the Parliament to the 10th of
Novembr, so that this Sessions has ended without the perfection of
any one Bill, or of effecting any other thing for the good of the
nation then that Peace which has beene hudled up in hast. The
surprise, I aasure y ou, was very greate and unexpected to most.SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
155
For my parte, I hâve had his Majesties patience in admiration, for
we acted without giveing him the least prospect of a supply, and
yett expected greate indulgences and condescentions from him.
What will be the successe of thesè extraordinary remedyes God
knowes, but I am sure at présent men’s faces looke cloudy and sad.
That which troubles me much is that I cannot now hope for the
honour of seeing your Lordship before my returne into Ireland,
where I résolve to lead a country life and please myself with inno-
cent planting, in which I shall at présent hâve some divertisement,
and those after me profitt.
Had the Parliament sate longer I am confident the Committee
who were to consider of the Articles against my Lord Arlington
would hâve pronounced him innocent, to which they had a greate
inclination last night, but Sir Robert Carres modesty cooled it, for
when it was moved and so well seconded that there was but very
little opposition, Sir Robert cryed Adjourne ; so they breake up
and adjourned till Fryday.
I am, my deare Lord,
Your LordPs most humble and faithfull servant,
Fran. Aungier.
Indorsed,
Lord Angier.
Recd Cologne, March.
No. 198.—From John Richards.
My Lord,	Wbitehall, Feby. 27th, 167f.
Since my lord Arlington’s last of the 23rd, your Excies of the
is corne to his Lordshipp’s hands, to which not having leisure to make
answeare by this ordinary, his Lordship begs your Excies excuse,
commanding mee to acquaint you with the news of the Proro-156
LETTERS ABDRESSED TO
gation of the Parliament till the 10th of Novr. next. This was done
on the 24th, to the great surprise of both Houses and the whôle
towne, and without passing soe much as one Bill.	My Lord
Arlington’s enemies will hâve it to bee his advice, their malice still
continuing as great as ever, though they were not able to hurt him,
and though they saw even by what past at the committee the night
before the Prorogation, that if it had beene then pressed he had
beene pronounced innocent.
Sir Gabriel Silvius is not yet returned from the Hague with the
ratification of the Peace, but expected in a day or two.
I may not end this without an humble acknowledgment of your
Excies favour to mee by one likewise of the aj» and repeating that
respect and sense wherewith I am,
My Lord, your Excies most humble servant,
Jo: Richards.
$ aa March.
No. 199.—From Sir Gilbert Talbot, M.P.
Whitehall, Feb. 28, 167f.
This week’s post brought me the greate satisfaction of your
Excellencyes favours of the 13th and 17th of this month, for wliich
I returne my most humble thanks.
After that both Houses of Parliament had pressed fiercely and
avowedly against the Duke of Y[orke] by framing many bills for
the security of Lords and Commons against a successor to the
Crowne that might prove to be of a different religion from the now
established, (which appréhension they in plaine termes expressed in
both Houses,) and that his Majesty had clearly discovered a com-
bination betwixt the discontented and turbulent Commons in the
south-east corner of our house and some hottspurrs in the UpperSIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
157
(the Earle of Shaftesbury, the Lord Hallif [ax],1 Earle of Salisbury,
and Earle of Clare being the most forward), and weighing the
discontents and complaints of the Parliament of Scotland at the
same instant, and the Eepublican drifts of the Citty of London (to
bring the Governement to a Common Councill), he thought it high
time to look about him, and on the 24th called us up to the Lords’
House and prorogued the Parliament to the lOth of Novr next,
whereby he hath cutt off the désigné of ail the factious bills that
were in the forge, and prevented many new complaints which were
begun to be opened to us by our fri end my Lord 0’Brian against
the contract for and management of the revenue of Ireland by my
Lord Ranelaugh, there being not ail this while one word spoken
tending toward a supply to his Majesty for the strengthening of his
Majesty’s fleete, to keep some proportion with the power of our
neighbours at sea.
This suddaine prorogation caused many of thé guilty Commons
(Lord St.John, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir Robert Thomas, Sir N. Cary,2 3
Sir Eliab Harvy, Sacheverell, and many others,) who had bespoken
a large dinner for that day at the Swan Tavern in King Streete, to
leave their provisions to Mr. Dod and his wife, and to haste away
(some by coach, some by water,) into the citty, suspecting them-
selves (I verily conceive without ground) unsecure in the suburbs.
His Majesty used noe preamble to the prorogation, but an account
of the ratification of the Peace, although I could hâve wished that
he had ratled us up for our mis-spent time, in ravelling too far into
the governement and plucking at ail the feathers of his prérogative,
for this possibly might hâve taught us more modération at our next
meeting (if any such can be hoped for). I am afrayd if we doe
1 This reference to Halifax and another at the end of the letter are very interest-
ing as showing the complété union of Halifax at this time with Shaftesbury, his
uncle by marriage, to whom towards the end of Charles II.’s reign he was bitterly
opposed. They quarrelled in 1679, after having been both appointed, Shaftesbury
as President, to the new Privy Council of that year.
3 Sir Nicholas Carew.158
LETTERS TO SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
meete againe this suddaine recess will not make for my Lord of
Arlington’s advantage; for, beside that I am most confident we
should in very few dayes hâve cleared him, the prosecutors will
revive theyre charge hereafter and bring him upon the stage anew,
and possibly impute the prorogation to his advice, although it may
nott rationally be conjectured that it came from a more powerfull
hand.
The ratification of the Peace is dayly expected from Holland, and
we say that the Prince of Orange will be speedily here ; and many
talk of a marriage with our Princess.
The Citty is exceedingly pestered with the small pox and mea-
sells ; scarce any children free ; and the bills of mortality increase.
The Duke of Buckingham had 5 or 600?. worth of plate stolen
from the Cock-pitt on Tuesday night.
I shall présent your kind respects to Sir John Talbot and his
Lady when I see them, and dare adventure to returne theyre thanks,
although without commission. Theyre children are ail in nurses’
hands for these diseases in fashion.
I am Sir, your Excellencyes
Most obedient and most faythfull servant,
G. T[albot].
Although the ratification be not corne, Sir Gabriel Silvius hath
written that ail the Provinces hâve signed it ; and I heard his
Majesty this night say that it shall be proclaimed here to-morrow,
and he hath bespoken Madm Killigrue to be drunk, as ail lier
countrymen were, when the news arrived first at the Hague. Here
is a whisper that the Lord Carlisle, the Lord Shaftesbury, the Lord
Holles, and the Lord Halifax should be put from the Councill
Board.
Br Cologne, March.A PPE N DIX.
THE PAPER OFFICE, OCTOBER, 1074.APPENDIX.
REPORT OP H. BALL,
Chief Clerk( ? ) to Sir Joseph Williamson, Keeper of the Office of
His Majesty’s Papers and Kecords, on “the State of your
Honor’s Paper Office.” 23 Oct. 1674.1
The State of your Honor’s Paper Office.
The présent Correspondent s.2
Forreigne on Monday.
Mr. Lineh.
Mr. Parry undr Mr. Pawlyes
cover.
Sir Wm Godolphin.
Mr. Perwick.
Sir Wm. Loekhart.
Mr. Bulstrode.
1 Williamson was appointed Keeper 31st Dec. 1661, “on surrender of Thomas
Raymond, esq. with the usual annual fee of 1607. paid quarterly.” (S. P. O.
Doc. vol. i. No. 127.)
8 Williamson, being already secretary of Sir Edward Nicholas, Secretary of
State, was appointed Keeper of the Paper Office, December 31, 1661. In 1666
Williamson undertook the superintendence of the London Gazette, which was
registered as the property of Thomas Newcombe, also registered proprietor of the
Oxford Gazette, which had been begun the year before at Oxford, and had reached
the No. 24 when the first number of the London Gazette appeared. (Chalmers’s
Life of Ruddiman, p. 422.) News-letters in manuscript were also systematically
circulated to subscribers and correspondents, whose letters furnished the materials
for the Gazette and the news-letters. This report explains in detail how the
letters were made, and gives a list of the parties to whom they were sent, men-
tioning the sums annually subscribed by those who paid. Mr. Bail, who makes
the report, is one of Williamson’s most frequent and regular correspondents, and
the whole of the Paper Office arrangements were done by clerks of the Secretary
of State’s office under Williamson’s superintendence. Eor some further details
see Mrs. Everett Green’s Préfacé to the volume of Calendars of State Papers of
the reign of Charles II. 1665-6.
VOL. II.
Y162
APPENDI?:.
Once a
weeke.
Once a
weeke.
Twice a
weeke.
Every post
Mr. Pargiter.				Mr. Short of Oxford .	6	0	0
Mr. Bail for Mr. Skinner.				Sir Francis Bowes of Stret-			
Mr. Davis.				lam		4'	0	0
Mr. Legatt.				Lord Scudamore.			
Mr. Hill.				Col. Standish	5	0	0
Mr. Hayles.				Mr. Sylas Taylor.			Every post.
Mr. Foppins.				Mr. Jennings.			
Lord Allington.				Mr. Hiches friend	5	0	0
				Mr. Scrivener	2	0	0
lnland on Tuesdayes.				Deane of Durham	4	0	0
				Mr. Bowman of Newcastle .	5	0	0
Sir Philip Musgrave.				Dr. Basire ....	5	0	0-
Mrs. Margerett Williamson.				Mr. Dickson.			
Coll: Shar. Talbott	2	0,	0	Sir Wm. Dalston.	5	0	0
Mr. Fleming.				Carlisle, E(arl).			
Lord Townesend .	5	0	0	Baron of Kinderton	5	0	0
Sir Wm. Hartop.				Mr. Cole of Bristol.			
Bishop of Carlisle	5	0	0	Mr. Chetwind	5	0	0
Sir Rd Thorold.				Mr. Levison....	2	0	0
Lord Leigh ....	5	0	0	Lord Bulkley	4	0	0
Mayor of Lescard.				Mayor of Newcastle	5	0	0
Mr. Welsh at Rye.				Mr. Neill, son to Sir Paul.			
Sir Edward Mancell .	5	0	0	Lady Carr.			
Earl of Essex.				Mr. Walmesley .	5	0	0
Mr. Leigh of Dublin.				Mr. Hope ....	2	0	0
Sir Rich. Sandford	5	0	0	Lord Brooke	5	0	0
Sir Jo. Cradocke .	4	0	0	Sir Thos. Peyton .	5	0	0
Mr. Hobby ....	4	0	0	Major Darrell.			
Sir Gilbert Talbott. Duke of Ormond under cover to Mr. Gascoyne.				On Thursdayes.			
Archbishop of Dublin				Sir Andrew Hackett.			Once a
Mr. Morgan of Machen	5	0	0	Mr. Gleadow of Hull.			weeke.
Mr. Mathewes	4	0	0	Mr. Lodge.			
Sir Rich. Wynne .	4	0	0	Mr. Watts.			
Mr. Palfryman at Boston.				Mr. Orchard at Poole.			
Mr. Southwell, father to Sir				Dr. Edisbury	5	0	0
Robt.				Sir Metcalfe Robinson	5	0	0
Bath, E(arl ? ).				Mr. Jordain of Gloucester.			
Lord Colerain	5	0	0	Dr. Vyner’s freind.			
Sir Geo. Fletcher	4	0	0	Mr. Henry Sidney.			
Ld Mayor of Yorke	5	0	0	Bath, E(arl).			Every post.
Deane of Carlisle	5	0	0	Lord Colerain.			APPENDIX.
163
Sir George Fletcher.
Mayor of York.
Dean of Carliste.
Mrs. Short.
Sir Francis Bowes.
Lord Scudamore.
Coll. Standish.
Mr. Sylas Taylor.
Mr. Jennings.
Mr. Scrivener.
Dean of Durham.
Mr. Bowman.
Dr. Basire.
Mr. Hawtrey.
Baron of Kinderton.
Carlisie, E(arl).
Sir Wm. Dalston.
Mr. Dickson.
Mr. Cole.
Mr. Chetwind.
Mrs. Lerrison.
Lord Bulkley.
Mayor of Newcastle.
Mr. Neill.
Carr, Lady.
Mr. Walmesley.
Mr. Hope.
Sir Tho: Peyton.
Mr. Berwick,	»
Lord Allington,	/	at
Sir William Lock-l Paris,
hart,	/
On Fi'ydaye.
Sir David
Mr. Foppins.
Mr. Bulstrode.
Mr. Sanderson.
Mr. Whiting.
Sir Wm. Curtius.
Mr. Allestry.
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Meredith, Lord Amhr
Temple’s secretary.
Satturday.
Mr. Kabbett,	""
Mr. Aizleby,
Mr. Hodgskin,
Mr. Bnrrowes,
Mr. Wickens,
Mayor of Helston,
Mayor of Thetford.
Mr. Bastincke,
Mr. Holden,
Mr. Isaacson,
Mr. Anderton,
Mr. Mann,
Mr. Bodham,
Mr. Hart,
Mr. Bower,
Mr. Potts,
Mr. Lanyan,
Mr. Thorold,
Mr. Ackland,
Mr. Salisbury,
Mr. Moore,
Mr. Bellot.
Sir John Newton.
Sir Francis Rhodes
Mr. Tildesley.
Lord Widdrington
Coll. Sandys.
Sir Edward Mancell.
E. of Essex.
Mr. Leigh.
Mr. Mathewes.
Sir Rich. Sandford.
Sir Jo: Cradocke.
Mr. Hobby.
Sir Gilbert Talbott.
D. of Ormond.
Archbp. of Dublin.
Mr. Morgan.
Mr. Palfryman.
Mr. Southwell.
Bath, E(arl).
Lord Coleraine.
Once a
weeke.
These
ail at
the
ports.
.500
.500
Tvvice a
weeke.
Everr po«t.Evej-y post.
164	APPENDIX.
Sir George Fletcher.	Carlisle, E(arl).
Lord May or of Yorke.	Sir William Dalston.
Dean of Carlisle.	Mr. Dickson.
Mrs. Short.	Mr. Cole.
Sir Francis Bowes.	Mr. Chetwind.
Lord Scudamore.	Mr. Le vison.
Coll. Standish.	Lord Bulkley.
Mr. Taylor.	Mayor of Newcastle.
Mrs. Jennings.	Mr. Neile.
Mrs. Scrivener.	Lady Carr.
Deane of Durham.	Mr. Walmesley.
Mr. Bowman.	Mr. Hope.
Dr. Basire.	Lord Brooke.
Mr. Hawtrey.	Sir Tho: Peyton.
Baron of Kinderton.	Major Darrell.
The 4 clerkes that were in the office (besidcs myselfe) before Mr.
Charles, my Lady Portesmouth’s gent. came into it, were Mr. Lawson,
Mr. Kelly, Mr. Delamain, and Jo. Keeve, amongst which the above-
recited letters were most of them diyided (according to the fastness
of their writing, which was equall ail but Mr. Lawson, who as yett
cannot doe as fast as the otlier), which being alwayes too mucli for
them by reason of the uncertainty of the posts coming in I alwayes
helped them to doe a share or as many as I could, and had time to
spare from the collecting the coppy and lookeing after the business,
which by your Honor’s permission I ordered after this manner : two
of the young men went each Monday, Wednesday, and Fryday to the
Rolls, the other two remaining in the office to doe the business and
attend the extracts of the forreign pacquett, three or four coppyes of
which wee alwayes made. On Tuesdayes, Thursdayes, and Sattur-
dayes wee ail attended in the office to doe the letters, which were so
many that if some part of them were not prepaired the preceding
night we could not compass them. The number of the letters that each
wrote was, on Tuesday, 16 letters, yiz. 4 long letters (which are those
that contain the whole week’s collection? ) and 12 short (which is 2
dayes newes only) ; on Thursday, 13 letters, 3 long and 10 short;
and on Satturday 7 long, 4 of 4 dayes newes, and 8 short ; but now
by Mr. Charles not being able to write aboyé 4 letters a day the
business will lye rnucli heavyer upon us ail.APPENDIX.
165
The whole profita or income of the lettres for last yeare (I mean
from Michaelmas to Michaelmas last) amounted to just 174/., out of
which the 4 young men had 120/., the rest I kept for my paines and
maintenance, and to discharge these following disbursements :
£ s. d.
For candies, candlestickes, snuffers, and such
things .	.	.	.	.	.	.	.500
To the woman that cleans the roome .	.	. 2 12 0
For glaceing the windowes, mending table, stooles,
chimney, and such little things .	.	.200
What wee can expect for this next yeare may be neare the same
sume, but the uncertainty of the payments does often lessen it, for of
those that are your Honor’s particular freinds, or at the ports, wee
doe not expect or receive a farthing, nor doe wee demand anything
of the other, but take what they think fitt, which is sometimes not
heeded, and a yeare paid when there is two due, the others pay only
something when they returne to towne, and others not, or send it by
theire servants, who never give it us, but its hoped this yeare will
not be much less than the last.
Besides this I entered each night ail and only your Honor’s above-
named correspondents in a list which I signed and sent with the
pacquetts to Mr. Hickes, and entered the same in a booke to remain
for our justification in the office, and each night entered the coll(ection)
of that day in the journall booke, as your Honor may also see ; and
I am sure, by compareing the former bookes with those since I had
the honor to looke after it, it will appeare wee hâve not spaired our
paines in writing and makeing the letters long and farr longer then
they were before.
If your Honor please to lett me know your commands none shall
more readily and faithfully obey them than him that is ever,
May it please your Honor,
Your Honor’s most obedient
and humble servant,
H. Ball.INDEX
Abbott, Mr. 67
Address to Charles II. concerning stop-
ping the marriage of the Duke of York,
ii. 56, and note
Albemarle, Duke of, 87, 99, 101, 117,
119,122
Allen, Sir Thomas, 149
Alresford and Alton, 150
Anglesey, Earl of, 27, 3, 41, 46; ii. 59
Anjou, Marquis of, ii. 4
Aram, Thomas, 67, 156, 184 ; ii. 45
Aresnou, Marquis, ii, 152
Arlington, Earl of, 6, 15, 22, 23, 30, 32,
41, 54, 58, 65, 73, 77, 79, 81, 84, 88,
93, 96, 112, 115, 118, 124, 128, 138,
149, 155, 159, 165, 176, 188 ; ii. 10,
17, 24, 28, 62, 81, 87, 92, 108, 116,
121 and note, 130, 137, 141, 145, 150,
156, 158
Armourer, Sir Nicholas, equerry to
Charles II. ii. 23, 27, 117
Armstrong, Sir Thomas, 136
Arran, Earl of, 169, 192; ii. 23
Arundell, Lord, 145 and note; ii. 24
Ashburnham, Mr. 53
Ashmoyle, Mr. 54
Atkins, Sir Jonathan, 95, 152; ii. 3
Aungier, Lord, ii. 110 and note, 127, 137,
144,154
Aylesbury, Earl of, 54
Baas, M. 95
Baker, Capt. 178
Bail, ii. 149; report of, on State of Paper
Office, with list of correspondents, ii.
161, 162, 163, 164, 165,166
Baron, Hartgill, 17 and note
Barré, Mr. 141, 157, 164 ; ii. 19, 102
Bartie, Mr. 189
Bartue, Mr. 120
Bath, Earl of, 27, 135
Baxter, Richard, 28
Beach, the quaker, 26
Bedford, Earl of, 54
Bellasys, Lady, 131 and note; ii. 27, 145
Bendall, Capt. 178
Bendish, Sir Thomas, ii. 47
Benet, Charles, 22
Bennet, Sir John, 159 and note
Benson, Mr. 44, 49, 62
Berkeley, of Stratton, John Lord, Lord
Lieut. of Ireland, 38, 39 and note, 43,
46,	149
Berry, Sir Thomas, 22
Bertie, Capt. Charles, 104 and note, 111,
127,146
Beuerning, M. 176
Bishe, Sir Edward, 27, 47
Blackwell, Alderman, 128
Blessington, Yiscount, 156
Biomer, Mr. 131
Blood, Thomas, 14 and note ; ii. 120
Bostock, Vincent, 98
Boynton, Jenings, Kirk, Middleton, the
Misses, maids of honour, ii. 27
Brereton, Lord, 98
Bridgewater, Earl of, 22, 108 and note,
149
Bridgman, W. 11 and note, 30, 96, 117,
144,166, 174, 176, 189; ii. 11, 47, 79,
112
Bristol, Earl of, 40
Bjown, hung for stealing an heiress, 40,
47,	80, Lady, 126
Brouncker, Henry, 29, 53, 88
Buckhurst, Lord, 87 and note
Buckingham, Dukeof, 4, 7,12, 15, 21,24,
28, 37, 38, 42, 43, 46, 58, 62, 63, 67,
75, 78, 79, 81, 86, 91, 93, 99, 102,109,
*	117, 121, 142; ii. 24, 29, 35, 44, 56,
62, 92, 105, 112, 117, 126, 133, 141,
154, 158
Buckly, Capt. ii. 71168
INDEX.
Bucknall, Sir William, 26; ii. 145 and
note
Bulkley, Capt. 87
Bulstrode, Henry, 29, 100 ; ii. 33
Butler, Dr. 15 ; Lady, 104 ; ii. 110 ; Lord,
169 ; Capt. 177
Byas, 145 and note
Capel, Sir Henry, ii. 121
Carew, Sir Thomas, 54 ; Sir Nicholas, ii.
157
Carlisle, Earl of, 41, 46, 54, 73, 78, 101,
131 ; ii. 158
Carlos, Don, ii. 35
Carlton, Mr. 175 ; Edward, ii. 143
Carr, Sir Robert, 2, 4, 16, 31, 32, 51, 90,
92, 96, 109, 112, 141, 147,149,159,
164, 173, 183; ii. 5, 28, 52, 58, 102,
115, 155
Carteret, Sir George, 51, 56, 57, 59 and
note, 149
Carwell (Quéronaille) Madlle. 109
Castletown, Yiscount, ii. 27 and note
Cave, Mrs. 126
Chandos, Lord, 192
Chaplin, Sir Francis, ii. 17, 68, 141, 148
Charles, Mr. ii. 164
Charlton, Sir Job, ii. 44 ; Thomas, 54
Chichley, Sir Thomas, 45 and note, 102,
149; Vice-Admirai Sir John, ii. 8, 13
Chiffinch, William, ii. 35 and note
Cholmeley, 22, 149
Churchill, Mr. ii. 88
Cicell, Percy, Cornwallis and Carr, the
several pretensions of, 63
Clare, Earl of, ii. 157
Clarges, Sir Thomas, ii. 54, 62
Clarke, Peregrine, 54
Clayton, Sir Robert, 114
Cléments, Capt. 121, 125
Cletcher, a Swede, 73
Cleveland, Duchess of, 21 note, 40 note, 109
and note, 130, 137 ; ii. 62
Clifford, Lord, 2, 6, 8, 12, 24, 29, 34, 41,
48, 50, 57, 64, 107, 112, 128, 142,167,
187 ; ii. 29, 36, 40 and note, 41, 49,
56, 145 and note
Coke, Sir Robert, 130
Colebrand, Dr. ii. 3
Coleman, Capt. ii. 2
Colleton, Sir Peter, 95
Colt, Mr. 20, 23
Conway, Lord, ii. 70 and note, 90 and note, 91
Cooke, Mr. 95
Cooling, Richard, 22, 100 and note
Cope, Sir Ant. ii. 71
Cornbury, Lord, ii. 67, 127, 135, 153
Cornwallis, Lord, 136 and note, 150 and
note
Coventry, Henry, Secretary of State, 9, 77,
99, 102 and note, 108, 121, 126, 134,
138, 149 ; ii. 24, 33, 45, 54, 65, 69 and
note, 92, 131
Cradock, Dr, ii. 133
Cranefeild, Mr. 2
Craven, Earl of, 149
Créqui, Duke of, ii. 4, 15 and note
Crewe, Dr. Bishop of Oxford, ii. 80
Culliford, Mr. 123
De la Dale, Mr. 15
Danby, Earl of, Lord Treasurer, 79
Danvers, John, 63
Dawney, Sir John, ii. 39
Deane, Robert, 69
Deerham, Mr. 123
Delamain, Mr. 164
Derby, Earl of, 29 and note, 99, 111; ii.
110, 111 and note, 125
Derham, Thomas, ii. 63, 138
Dering, Sir Edward, 29, 34 and note
Dixon, Mr. 159
Dolben, Sir William, Judge of King’s
Bench, 31
Doncaster, Earl of, 40; ii. 144
Dorchester, Marquess of, 54
Doughty, a highwayman, 3
Downs, Mr. 117
Drauke, J. ii. 110
Drummond, Gen. ii. 98
Dugdale, William, 23 and note
Dunblain, Lord, 56, 77 ; see Osborne
Duras, Lord, ii. 373
Dynt, Hasswell, 22
Edwards, Mrs. 178
Ellis, Mr. 32, 49, 71, 76, 85, 179 ; ii.
123
Elphinston, Lord, ii. 98
Enfield Chase, ii. 24 and note
Essex, Earl of, Lord Lieut. of Ireland, 24
and note; ii. 87, 121
d’Estrées, Count, 48, 65, 84, 175, 186;
ii. 1,16, 43INDEX.
169
Eustace, Sir Maurice, Lord Chancellor of
Ireland, ii. 27
Euston, Earl of, 22 and note, 54, 136; ii.
63 and note
Everard, Mr. 132
Fairfax, Thomas, 35; ii. 23, 64, 78, 85,
109, 111 and note, 125
Falmouth, Countess of, 54, 73, 89
Fillingham, Mr. 15,23
Finch, Sir Heneage, ii. 66, 70, 77, 102
Fisher, Capt. 178
FitzCharles, Charles, 79
Fitzgerald, Major, 21, 24, 37
Fleming, JVIr. 89
Floyd, Mr. 128,138, 161, 166; ii. 14, 57,
73, 79
Fonseca, Don Francisco, Spanish Consul,
81, 111, 127, 136, 140; ii. 75
Forbes, James, ii. 111
Forth, John, 26
Fox, a liighvvayman, 3 ; Sir Stephen, 23, 40
Francis, R. 124, 132
Francklyn, Sir John, ii. 39 and note
Freeman, Justice, 86
Frenchmen, hanged, &c. for coining, ii.
144
Froude, Sir Philip, 117
Fryer, Mr. 40
Garraway, Mr. ii. 67
Gascoigne, Sir Bernard, 12 and note
Gazette d’Almagne, ii. 5
Geffery, Sir Robert, di. note 18
General test to distinguish between Pro-
testants and Papists, ii. 56 and note
Gérard, Sir Gilbert, ii. 111, 115, 125,135
Godfrey, Mr. 64, 66 ; Capt. 78 ; Mr. 82
Godolphin, Sir John, 28 ; Sir William, 71,
96, 142; ii. 42, 47, 99; Sydney, ii. 4
and note
Goffe, father, 117
Gold, Mr. 4
Goldsborough, Mr. 96, 156
Goodlad, Capt. 178
Goodricke, Sir Francis, 184
Grandison, Lord, 21 and note, 40,130,136
Green, Mrs. Everett, ii. 161
Griffith, Sir John, 117
Guy, Capt. 162
Guylaud, a Moorish Prince, 33
Gwynne, Nell, 109, 184 ; ii. 35
VOL. II.
Haddocke, Capt. 136
Haie, Lord Chief Justice, 52 ; Sir Matthew,
ii. 67
Halifax, Lord, 109 and note ; ii. 157 and
note, 158
Hallesey, John, 54
Hamilton, James, 17, 23, 26, 28 ; Colonel
62 ; Duke of, ii. 85, 93, 98,100 and note
Hamond, Francis, 28
Hanson, Sir Robert, 31 ; ii. 56
Harbord, William, 22 ; ii. 54, 70
Harman, Sir John, 178, 186, 193; ii. 9,
42, 49, and note
Harper, Sir John ; ii, 98
Harvy, Sir Eliab, ii. 157
Hatton, Lord, ii. 104 and note
Hawley, Francis Lord, 103 and note, 126
Hemming, Mr. ii. 121
Herbert of Cherbery, 192
Herne, Sir Nathaniel, ii. 18 and note
Hewitt, Sir George, 67, 87 and note, 94,100
Hicks, James, 113
Higgons, Sir Thomas, 7 and note
Hobbs, Capt. 177
Holles, or Hollis, Lord, 88 ; ii. 158
Holmes, Sir Robert, 54, 63 and note, 176,
182, 187 ; Sir John, 164; ii. 8, 13
Hooker, Sir William, 69, 83, 114 ; ii. 47
Howard, Colonel Thomas, 12 ; Capt. 16,
17, 170 ; Sir Robert, 49 and note, 50,
67, 104 and note, 106, 111, 120, 127,
138; ii. 52 and note, 74, 79, 149;
James, 149, 156 ; Hon. William, ii.
31 and note, 37 ; Henry, ii. 80, 94 ;
Lord, ii. 131
Howe, Sir Scroop, ii. 114 and note
Howell, Sir John, Recorder of London, 31
Humerston, Matthew, Usher of the Custom
House, 54
Humphreys, Pelham, 157
Innspruck, Princess of, 12
Jenkins, Sir Lionel, 32, 83; ii. 71, 136
and note, 141
Jennings, Sir Edward, ii. 135
Jermyn, Henry, 22, 41
Jones, Sir Henry, 67 ; Roger, ii. 90
Keeve, Jo. ii. 164
Kelly, Mr. ii. 164
Z170
INDEX.
Kerapthorne, Sir John, ii. 9, 13
Kenoule, Earl of, 40
Kilmurry, Lady, 173
Kincardine, Earl of, ii. 104
King, Sir William, 28
King’s Evil, the, ii. 104
Lamplough, Dr. 98
Landerdale, Duke of, 79, 84, 88, 95, 103,
107, 118, 130, 141, 187; ii. 21, 29, 35,
46, 59, 62, 70, 82, 90, 114, 125, 137
Lawley, Sir Francis, 83 and note
Lawrance, Sir John, 114
Lawson, Mr. ii. 164
Lee, Mr. 73 ; Sir Thomas, ii. 157
Leecli, Sir Simon, 51
Légat, Mr. 9
Legge, Capt. George, 54
Leigh, Mr. of the Heralds’ Office, 26
Le Neve, Capt. 168, 177
Lennox, Charles, ii. 35
Lestrange, Mr. 41
Lethieullier, John, ii. 18 and note
Leyenberg, M. 97
Linsey, Mr. 82, 113
Littleton, Sir Charles, 36, 163; Capt. Fer-
dinand, 67 ; Sir Thomas, ii. 54, 67, 91
and note
Lloyd, Philip, 15, 23, 67, 81, 96, 127,
146, 157, 160, 176; Dr. ii. 133
Locke, John, 59, 131 ; ii. 47
Lockhart, Sir William, 71 and note, 123 ;
ii. 15, 32, 64, 81, 102
Long, Sir Robert, 104 and note, 106, 111,
117, 127
Loof, Van Tromp springs his, 37
Lowder, Sir John, 83
Lynch, Sir Thomas, Governor of Jamaica, 92
Lyra, Don Emanuel de, ii. 46
Lytcot, Giles, 54
Magennis, Richard, 28
Man, Mr. ii. 114
Mariner, Capt. 178
Martel, M. 49, 50, 61, 168, 189 ; ii. 1, 11,
20, 69
Mason, Sir Richard, 23
Maynard, Consul at Lisbon, 122
Mazarin, Cardinal, 138
Mead, a quaker, ii. 15
Meers, Sir Thomas, 34, 106, 117 ; ii. 44
Merricke, William, John, 89
Merson, William, 54
Middleton, Earl of, 149
Miller, Sir John, 66
Milward, Mr. 28, 34, 46 ; Judge, ii. 136
Modena, Duke of, 131, 138, 142, 165;
Princess of, 182; ii. 4 note, 36, 48 and
note, 58, 63, 84, 106, 132
Modiford, 122 and note, 125 ; ii. 141
Monmouth, Duke of, 28, 40, 64, 70, 91,
95, 99, 105, 108, 118, 125, 136, 140,
188, 193 ; ii. 12, 20, 72, 90, 122,
152
Montague, Mr. 5, 164, 176, 179 and note,
187, 197 ; ü. 35, 63, 71, 89 ; Sir Syd-
ney, Master of Requests to James I. 42;
Ralph, 169
Monterey, Comte de, 132, 177 ; ii. 81
Morgan, Sir Thomas, 3, 7, 46, 61, 95,
132 ; a buccaneer, ii. 47 and note
Morland, Sir Samuel, 4, 48 and note, 148
Mountney, Richard, 54
Mulgrave, Earl of, 27, 41, 72 and note, 121
and note, 145 and note, 171
Munday, Capt. 169, 177, 181
Murray, Sir Robert, first President of the
Royal Society, 85 and note, 94
Musgrave, Sir Christopher, 118; ii. 38 and
note, 51, 60, 66, 114
Muting time or moulting time, 30
Narbrough, Capt. 8, 17, 19 ; ii. 21 ; Sir
John, ii. 46, 81
Neile, Sir Paul, 22 ; ii. 71
Newborough, Duke of, 13; ii. 109;
Duchess of, 122, 131'
Newcombe, Thomas, 8, 29 and note, 76,
103, 139, 172; ii. 30, 161
Newton, Sir John, ii. 39
Nicholson, Sir John, ii. 98
Noël, Lady Elizabeth, 176 and note
Norfolk, Duke of, ii. 139 and note, 144
North, Sir Francis, ii. 70 and note
Northumberland, Countess of, 42 and note,
164, 169, 179, 186; ii. 99
Norwich, Earl of, Earl Marshal, 26 and
note, 41
Norwood, Colonel, 33, 149
O’Brien, Lady Catharine, 1 and note, 16,
98, 105, 118, 121, 126, 132, 141, 147,
160, 166, 175, 194; ii. 5, 22, 30, 37,
86 ; Lord, 35, 139 ; ii. 100, 145, 149INDEX.
171
Ogle, Lord, 78, 101 and note
Oldbury, or Oldenburg, John, 192, 194;
Henry, secretary to Royal Society, ii. 7
Ormond, Duke of, 15, 32, 48, 56, 57, 61,
62, 77, 79, 81, 93, 95, 99, 103, 149 ;
ii. 25, 56, 92, 120, 143, 152
Orrery, Earl of, 7 and note
Osborne, Sir Thomas, 2, 4, 6,10, 34, 43, 48,
50, 51,56, 57, 62,64, 66; Lord (probably
a mistake for Dunbkiine), 90, 99, 157
Ossory, Earl of, 20, 26, 29, 44, 50, 72 and
note, 84, 170, 178, 186, 191 ; ii. 8, 20,
87,125
Ottley, Mr. 46
Otway, Sir John, 184 ; ii. 119
Oughton, Thomas, 192
Overbury, Walter, 35 ; ii. 83, 132, 116
Oxford, Diana Countess of, ii. 21
Packer, Philip, 40
Page, Mr. 191 ; ii. 58, 86
Pakington, Sir John, ii. 71
Panton, Colonel, 24
Parker, Dr. 28
Paston, Sir Robert, 149 and note, 156
Patrick, Eather, 4,6; ii. 26 and note, 30
Paulden, Captain, ii. 127
Peg, Catharine, 79 ; ii. 35
Pepys, Samuel, 47, 50, 51, 56, 75, 149,
182; ii. 5, 35, 118
Perrincheif, Dr. ii. 3
Perwick, William, 4, 10, 192 ; ii. 5
Peterborough, Earl of, 13 and note, 27, 54,
122, 131, 139, 144, 149, 157, 164, 180;
ii. 4, 21, 36, 48, 58, 106, 150 and note
Petre, Lord, ii. 145
Pett, Mr. 128
Peyte, Mr. killed by a highwaymen, 3
Pierce, steals a country girl, 80
Pierpoint, Mr. ii. 114
Player, Sir Thomas, 32, 82, 114 ; ii. 17,
54, 55 and note, 69, 113
Poems : —
Advice to a Painter, ii. 2 and note, 26
The Dream, Observations on the Coffee
Houses in Covent Garden, 146 and
note
Povey, Thomas, 149 ; ii. 5
Power, Lord, 28 and note
Powis, Earl of, ii. 145
Powle, Henry, ii. 51, 59 and note
Poyntz, Captain, ii. 2
Pratt, Sir George, ii. 118
VOL. II.
Prittiman, William, 22
Prorogation, Short, ii. 51 and note
Puckle, Mr. 78, 85, 89, 100, 102, 136
Purcell, Thomas, 157
Pyles, Captain, 177
Quérouaille, Madlle. de la, Duchess of
Portsmouth, 74,109, 127,130,150, 157,
165, 169, 184, 193 ; ii. 18 and note, 35,
62
Ramsden, William, 63
Ramsey, Sir Andrew, ii 98
Ranelagh, Lord, 98; ii. 157
Ravenscroft, Mr. 87 and note, 94, 100
Rawdon, Sir George, ii. note 70
Rechle, Mr. 17
Reeves, Sir William, 93, 162, 168
Retz, Cardinal de, 13
Richards, John, 110, 193 ; ii. 17, 34, 50,
84,124, 143,146
Richmond, Duke of, ii. 22 and note, 35 ;
Duchess of, 71 and note
Roberts, Lord, Lord Prlvy Seal, 29, 108,
137, 140, 143, 164, 172
Robinson, Sir John, Lieut. of the Tower,
31 and note, 69, 113 ; ii. 17, 57, 141
Ross, J. 57 and note, 156 ; Thomas, ii. 28
Rupert, Prince, 9, 29, 39, 49, 51, 74, 90,
94, 119, 121, 143, 149, 171, 183, 189 ;
ii. 11, 20, 56
Russell, Colonel, 3, 4, 7, 12
Ruvigny, M. ii. 106
Ruyter, de, 32, 78, 171, 186; ii. 1
Sackville, Capt. Edward, 28
Sadlington, Capt. 19
St. Alban’s, Earl of, 22, 73
St. George, Sir Thomas, 41, 73
St. John, Lord, ii. 52 and note, 114, 157
Salinas, Don Bernardo de, 96 and note,
102, 106, 116, 127, 132
Salisbury, Earl of, ii. 157
Sandford, Mr. of the Heralds’ Office, 26, 73
Sandwich, Earl of, 42 ; ii. 4
Savile, Henry, 23 and note
Sawyer, Sir Edmund, 31
Scaramouchio, Signor, 180 and note ; ii. 16
Sclieen, Sir John, 85
Schomberg, Marsh al, 37, 38, 42, 47, 65,
71, 73, 75, 79, 84, 88, 91, 94, 99, 104,
119, 121, 125, 127, 143, 153, 158 ; ii.
20. 42172
INDEX.
Scott, Colonel, 85
Segar, Sir William, 41
Seymer, Mr. 146
Seymour, Sir Edward, Speaker, 10,50,56 ;
ii. 51 and note
Shaftesbury, Earl of, ii. 21, 29, 62, 79, 92,
157, 158
Shannon, Ladv, 149 and note
Shaw, Sir John, 178
Sheldon, Mr. 4 ; Sir Joseph, 23, 70, 82,
86, 111, 178 ; ii. 41, 113, 141, 148;
Gilbert, Archbishop of Canterbury, 109
and note
Sherburne, Capt. 45
Sherwin, Mr. 15, 23
Shirley, Sir Robert, 25, 34, 42
Shrewsbury, Earl of, ii. 106, 120, 136
Sidney, Mr. 4
Skelton, Capt. ii. 71, 102
Skinner, Mr. 9
Smith, Sir Jeremy, 28, 149 ; Sir John, 53,
69, 83, 113,118, 120, 135
Sondes, Sir George, ii. note 3
Southampton, Earl of, 136
Southwell, Sir Robert, 138, 169 ; ii. 32,
81, 128, 142
Spragg, Sir Edward, 18, 26, 36, 37, 43,
46, 131, 168, 171, 178, 186, 192 ;
ii. 4
Sprat, Dr. Bishop of Rochester, ii. 131
and note
Stamford, Earl of, 192 and note
Stanhope, Mr. ii. 71
Staples, Mr. 95
Stockmann, Captain, 194
Strangways, Colonel, 32, 63 and note, 83
Strickland, Sir Thomas, 28, 31
Strode, Colonel, 87
Stubb, Dr. 176
Suffolk, Earl of, 54
Sunderland, Duke of, 9 and note, 51, 57,
73, 79, 150, 179; ii. 4, 11, 71, 90
Swaddell, John, 44
Sylvius, Sir Gabriel, ii. 142, 156, 158
Talbot, Peter, Arclibp. of Dublin, 24, 68;
Colonel, 42 ; ii. 26, 30; Sir Gilbert, ii.
51 and note, 68 and note, 72, 105, 118,
123, 133, 140, 147, 156, 158
Taylor of Harwich, Mr. 23, 163
Teague, ii. 24 and note
Temple, Sir William, ii. 138, 144
Thomas, Mr. 83 ; Sir Robert, ii. 24, 52,
114 and note, 157
Thomond, Earl of, 1
Thompson, Mr. 114
Tliurles, Lady, 15
Thynne, Mr. ii. 54, 77
Trelawney, Sir Jonathan, 68 and note
Tromp, Van, “springs his loof,” 37
Tucker, Charles, 192
Tulse, Sir Henry, ii. 18 and note
Turner, Sir William, 114
Turnour, Sir Edward, Attorney-General to
Duke of York, ii. 54
Tweedale, Earl of, ii. 98
Vane, Sir Walter, 61 and note, 101 ; ii.
20; Colonel 88; Lord 99, 101 and note,
117, 119, 166 ; ii. 21
Yernon, James, 105 and note, 179 ; ii.
2, 12, 20, 23, 122, 153
Vie, Sir Henry de, ii. 142
Villiers, Edward, 21, 22 and note, 40, 136
Vyner, Sir Robert, 23, 40, 78, 82 ; ii. 113,
148 ; Sir George 100, 114, 118, 150
Walden, Sir Lionel, ii. 110 and note
Walker, Sir Edward, GarterKing of Arms,
27 and note, 41, 53
Warre, Francis, Dame Unton, 22
Warwick, Earl of, 192 ; ii. 14 ; Mr. 123
and note
Waterman, Sir George, ii. 18 and note, 55
Waters, Captain, ii. 83
Watkins, Mr. ii. 13
Watson, Captain, 67 ; ii. 23
Wauchope, Mr. 117
Webb, William, 23
Weekes, Luke, 36, 70, 82, 115; ii. 18,
105
Wells, Mrs. 104
Werden, Sir John, 49, 51, 56
Westcombe, Sir Martin, 81, 111, 122,136,
140
Wetwang, Captain, 9
Wharton, Sir Ralfe, 28; Michael, ii. 136
Wheeler, Sir Charles, ii. 62 and note, 115,
127, 135
White, Captain, 19
Whitey, Colonel, 112
Whitley, Col. Roger, ii. 75 and note, 93,
108, 132
Widdrington, Lord, 26 and note, 28, 132INDEX.
173
Wilcox, a brewer, 113
Williams, Capt. Henry, 151
Williamson, passion
Willougliby, Lord, 92 and note, 95, 98,
148; ii. 3
Windham, Col. Francis, 193 ; Thomas, ii.
71
Winter, Capt. 66
Wiseman, Sir Robert, ii. 77, 108
Wolseley, Robert, 117
Woodroffe, Dr. 169
Worcester, Marquis of, 42, 101 and note,
106, 115
Worsley, Dr. 59, 67; ii. 47
Wotton, Chas. Henry Lord, 136
Wren, Christopher, 165
Writtle, Richard, 165
Wyche, Sir Peter, 27 and note, 157, 188;
ii. 149
Wyndham, Col. Francis, 89; Thomas, 104;
Charles, 136
Yard, Robert, 1 et seg., 132; ii. 30, 79,
148
Yarmouth, Viscount, 154 and note
York, Duke of, 67, 99, 102, 118, 122,
131 ; ii. 15, 49, 80, 106,156
Young, Mr. 88, 117
INDEX TO THE INTRODUCTION.
Address, to Charles II. xi.
Arlington, Earl of, i., ii., v., vi., vii., viii.
Arnheim, Utrecht, &c., tnking of, viii.
Arundel, Lord, of Wardour, i., ii.
Ashley, Lord, ii., iii, v., vi., vii.
Attempt to seize Dutch vessel, v.
Bath, Marquis of, ix.
Bellings, Sir Richard, i., ii.
Berkeley, of Stratton, Lord, xi.
Bridgman, Sir Orlando, ii., vi., ix.
Buckingham, Duke of,^ii., iii., v., vi., viii.,
x.	, xi.
Bushby, Dr. 14
Calamy, Edmund, ii. note
Clifford, Lord, Commissioner of the Trea-
sury, i., ii. and note, iii., vi., vii., xi.,
xiii., xvii.
Colbert, M. French Ambassador, i., iii.,
iv., v., x., xii.
Coventry, Henry, Secretary of State, vii.,
xi.
Danby, Lord, xvi.
Déclaration of, Indulgence to Protestant
Dissenters and Roman Catholics, v. ;
cancelled, xii.
Exchequer, Stop of, v.
Halifax, Lord, viii.
Jenkins, Sir Leoline, xiii.
King, Archbishop, ii. note
Langbaine, Dr. xiv.
Lauderdale, Duke of, ii., iii,, v., vi.
Monmouth, Duke of, viii.
Nicholas, Sir Edward, xv.
O'Brien, Lady Catherine, xv.
Orange, Prince of, ix.
Primi, Abbé, ii. note
Richmond, Duke of, xv.
Rupert, Prince, vi.
St. Evremont, xiii.
Sunderland, Earl of, xiii., xv.
Thomond, Earl of, xv.
Thynne, Sir Thomas, ix.
Tilson, Richard, xiv.
Treaty, Secret, between Charles II. and
Louis XIV. i., ii. and note> iii. and note,
et seg.
Trevor, Sir John, iii., vi.
Tyrconnel, Lord, ii. note
Williamson, Sir Joseph, xiv., et seq.
York, Duke of, ii., vi., viii., x., xi., xii.
xvi.WESTMINSTER :
PRINTED BY NICHOLS AND SONS,
25, PARLIAMENT STREET.REPORT OF THE COUNCIL
OF
THE CAMDEN SOCIETY,
READ AT THE GENERAL MEETING
ON THE 4th JUNE 1873.
The Council of the Camden Society elected on the 2nd of May 1872
hâve deeply to regret the loss of the following Members of the Council
who hâve died during the past year :—
John Walter K. Eyton, Esq.
Sir Thomas E. Winnington, Bart.
Mr. Eyton, in addition to his attainments as a Bibliographe^ was
perhaps unrivalled in his good taste on ail matters connectée! with print-
ing, binding, &c., and of his judgment in such matters the Society has
frequently received the benefit.
In Sir Thomas E. Winnington the Society has lost not only one who
had frequently been elected on its Councils, but who had placed the manu-
script treasures of Stanford Court most freely at their disposai. It will
be remembered that the Roll of Bishop Swinfield, so admirably edited by
the late Rev. John Webb, was the property of Sir Thomas Winnington,
as also that Dingley’s History from Marble was reproduced by Photo-
graphy from an illustrated MS. in his library.
Sir Frédéric Madden, whose death the Council hâve also to regret, was
one of the earliest and most active promoters of the Society, and though
owing to the numerous calls upon his time, official and otherwise, he was
not a frequent attendant, his valuable judgment and opinion were always
at the service of the Society.2
REPORT OF THE COU&CIL, 1873.
In these gentlemen many of tlie Council hâve lost not only valued
colleagues but esteemed personal friends.
The folîowing Members of the Society, they are sorry to add, hâve also
died within the same period:—
Algernon Sydney Aspland, Esq.
Matthew D. Hill, Esq.
Hon. Lady Langdale.
Sir Frédéric Madden, K.H., F.R.S.
The folîowing hâve been the Books issued to the Subscribers of the
past year :—
I.	A true Relation of the Life and Death of The Right Reverend Father in God
William Bedell, Lord Bishop of Kilmore in Ireland. Edited from a MS. in the
Bodleian Library, Oxford, bv Thomas Wharton Jones, F.R.S.
This volume, which was in the hands of members before the last Gene-
ral Meeting, is a work interesting not only from the light it ihrows on
the working of the Church in Ireland at a most important period of its
history, but also from the personal character of the subject of the
biography.
II.	The Mayor of Bristol’s Calendar. By Robert Ricart, Town Clerk,
Bristol, temp. Edward IV., with a continuation subsequently added at various dates.
Edited by Miss Lucy Toulmin Smith.
This volume illustrâtes the municipal antiquities of one of the most
important cities in the West of England.
III.	Debates in the House of Commons in 1625. Edited, from a MS. in the
Library of Sir Rainald Kniglitlev, Bart., by Samuel Rawson Gardiner.
This volume gives additional means for the right understanding of the
origin of the quarrel between Charles I. and the House of Commons, and
supplies us with new facts relating to no less a person than Sir John Eliot.
The Council is happy to add that the final volume of the TrevelvanREPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1873.
3
Papers is now in the hands of the Members, and, referring to the auditors*
Report, the Members will find tliat through the liberality of Sir Walter
and Sir Charles Trevelyan the cost of same, including paper and binding’
has been nearly defrayed by them.
The Books proposed for issue during the year 1873-4 are :—
I.	A Military Memoir of Col. Birch. Edited by the late Rev. John Webb and
the Rev. T. W. Webb. \_Nearly ready.~\
II.	Letters addressed from London to Sir Joseph Williamson while Plenipoten-
tiary at the Congress of Cologne in the year 1673. Edited by W. D. Christie, C.B.
[In the Press.']
III.	A Chronicle of English History from the accession of Henry VII. to the
end of the first year of Elizabeth. Edited, from a MS. in the library of Major
General Lord Henry Percy, by W. D. Hamilton.
The following Books hâve been added, in the course of the past year,
to the list of suggested Publications :—
A Chronicle of Gregory Skinner, May or of London temp. Henry VI., including
a Copy of the Poem of the Siégé of Rouen. To be edited by James Gairdner.
A Sélection from a Collection of Letters written by Dr. Prideaux, Dean of
Norwich, to Secretary Ellis, 1674-1722, discovered amongst the Papers purchased
by the British Muséum from Lord Macclesfield. To be edited by E. M. Thompson,
Assistant Keeper of MSS. at the British Muséum.
Sélections from the Despatches of the Venetian Ambassadors in England, 1623-
1625. To be translated and edited, from copies taken by Mr. Rawdon Brown from
the originals in the Archives of Venice, by Samuel Rawson Gardiner.
The Council hâve great pleasure in acknowledging that the Society is
indebted to Mr. Rawdon Brown for great courtesy and valuable help on
several occasions during the past and former years.
On the 4th December, 1872, the President acquainted the Council that
he had received a letter from Mr. Thoms resigning the post of Secretary
to the Society. The Council at once directed a Resolution to be entered
on the Minutes in the following words :—
That the Council, in reluctantly accepting the résignation by Mr. Thoms of
the office of Secretary, which from the commencement of the Society he has4
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1873.
held, desire to place on record their sense of the invaluable services which
during that long period he has rendered to the Society, and of the zeal,
courtesy, and kindness which he has uniformîy displayed in the performance
of no light duties. The Council desire to assure Mr. Thoms that he carries
with him the cordial respect and regard of every one of his colleagues.
The Council feel assured that the Society at large will cordially endorse
the expressions of respect and esteem for Mr. Thoms which they hâve
made use of, and unité with them in recording their sense of the great
benefits that hâve accrued to the Society from thepost of Secretary having
been held during so long a period by a gentleman possessing in an emi-
nent degree every qualification needful for the complété performance of
the arduous duties entrusted to him.
Since the printing of this Report the Council has liad to lament the loss
of the late President of the Society, Sir William Tite. At a spécial meet-
ing, summoned in conséquence of this sad event, the Council directed the
following Resolution to be entered on their Minutes :—
Resolved unanimously, that before proceeding to the business of the day
the Council desires to record its sense of the great loss which the Society has
sustained by tnedeath of its lamented President, Sir William Tite, C.B., M.P.,
their récognition of the interest at ail times taken by him in the welfare of the
Society, and of the manner in which he signalized his élection to the Pre-
sidentship by presenting to the Society that interesting volume, The Diary of
John Manningham. .
The Council feel certain that the Society will also wish to bear testi.
mony to the cordial support their late President was ever ready to give in
promoting the objects and interests of the Society.
By Order of the Council,
SAMUEL RAWSON GARDINER, Director.
ALFRED KINGSTON, Hon. Secretary.REPORT OF THE AUDITORS.
We, the Auditors appointed to audit the Accounts of the Camden Society, report
to the Society, that the Treasurer has exhibited to us an Account of the Receipts and
Expenditure from the lst of April 1872 to the I7th of April 1873, and that wc
hâve examined the said accounts, with the vouchers relating thereto, and find the samc
to be correct and satisfactory.
And we further report that the following is an Abstract of the Receipts and
Expenditure during the period we hâve mentioned.
Receipts.	£	s.	d.
To Balanceoflastyear’saccount.. 390 9 9
Received on account of Members
whose Subscriptions were in ar-
rear at last Audit .............. 49
The like on account of Subscriptions
due on the lst of May, 1872.... 271
The like on account of Subscriptions
due on the lst of May, 1873....	11
To two Compositions in lieu of
Annual Subscription............. 20
One year’s dividend on ,£466 3 1
3 per Cent. Consols, standing in
the names of the Trustées of the
Society, deducting Income Tax..
From Sir Walter and Sir Charles
Trevelyan on account of print-
ing Part III. of Trevelyan Papers 213 11 11
To Sale of the Publications of past
vears........................... 36
To Sale of Promptorium Parvulorum
(3 vols, in 1) .................... 4
13 15	2
6 6
3 0
Expenditure.
Paid for printing 500 copies of Ricart’s Bristol CaLn-
dar..............................................
Paid for printing 510 Photographs lor ditto........
Paid for binding 400 copies of ditto ..............
! Paid for printing 650 copies of the Trevelyan Papers,
Part 3 ..........................................
i Paid for binding 450 copies of ditto..............
! Paid for sundry Transcripts, including, Venetian Dis- |
j patches, 1623 to 1626 ;—Of the Parliamentof 1625;
—Of the Duke of Buckingham’s Correspondence;— 1
Of Louis XIII. and of his Ambassadors and Minis-
ters ;—Of Sir Joseph WTilliamson’s Correspond-
ence, 1673 ; &c................................
Paid Mr. H. Gough (further payment on account of
General Index), making in ail £400 to this date..
Paid for Miscellaneous Printing....................
Paid for delivery and transmission ot Books, with
paper for wrappers, warehousing expenses (in-
cluding Insurance) ................................
Paid for Advertisements of the New Sériés, and of the
last General Meeting ............................
Charge on lrish Drafts ............................
Paid chèque not presented in last year’s Account .
Paid for postages, collecting, country expenses, &c. ...
By Balance......... ......
,£1,009 6 10
£	s.	d.
51	0	e,
11	16	b
14	8	e
186	7	o
16	0	0
73	11	0
50	0	0
14	4	6
20	6	8
16	7	6
0	l	3
4	5	<>
4	13	/
544	3	11
,009	6	10
US.	, t-liat	
through the liberality of Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan, Bart. and of Sir Charles
Edward Trevelyan, K.C.B. the entire cost of the Third Part of the Trevelyan Papers
has been nearly defrayed, for the beneht of the Society, and that over and above the
présent balance of £544 3s. 1 Ici. there are outstanding various subscriptions of Foreign
Members, and of Members résident at a distance from London, which the Treasurer
sees no reason to doubt will shortly be received.
Henry Hill.
W. E. Walmisley.
May 13, 1873.