Observations UPON M R. Walkers Account OF THE SIEGE of London-Derry. WITH SOME REMARKS On the Great and Memorable Actions there done.  
Licenced, October 4th. 1689.  
J. F.  
ENvy is the inseparable Concomitant of Great, and Brave Men; all extraordinary Performances are attended by Obloquy, and Censure. No sooner does the prosperous Sunshine upon any Generous Enterprise, but Clouds of Malice, Medisance, and Detraction obscure the Glory of the Undertaking; and Love, Charity, and Respect, degenerate into Hatred, Despite, and Contempt.  
It is not long since the Eyes of all England were fixed upon the Success of London-Derry: The Protestants solemnly wished for its Preservation, as the last Pledge of their Security, and Restitution: The Papists eagerly longed for its Rendition, as the infallible means to complete their universal Design; and an  Opportunity to possess Ireland, to invade Scotland, and embroil England▪ To say nothing of the Protestant Interest through Europe, on which the Fate of that Place had an undoubted Aspect, and Influence.  
At that time, all men were prompted with a Curiosity to observe, and wonder, that so mean a Place could make so Vigorous a Resistance against so terrible a Siege; that a Rabble of raw undisciplined men could know how to make such prosperous Sallies against a Formidable Army, commanded by Officers of great Name. It was the Talk of every Meeting, Club, and Table; every man was inquisitive to understand who was the Commander, and Governor of that City; and when it came to be known, that Mr. Walker was the man, a thousand Questions were started about his Birth, Education, Function, and Inclinations, all men admiring at such prodigious Actions, which no Age, nor History can parallel, and which create a Credibility even in the most improbable Romances. No less liberal were they in their Applauses and Commendations, extolling his Fame in Verses and Panegyrics, publishing his Effigies in Printed Cuts, tossing his Name between Printers and Hawkers, and making it the Subject of News-Letters, and Gazettes; while every man, according to his Fancy, proportioned a Reward to his un-requitable Merits: It seemed, as if London intended him a public Roman Triumph, and the whole Kingdom to be Actors, or Spectators of the Cavalcade. At last he arrived; the King received him graciously, and conferred on him a Mark of His Favour, and Esteem; the Lords of the Council, and several of the Nobility caressed him with abundance of Kindness, and Respect: the Prime Citizens treated him with all the Demonstrations of Joy, and Gratitude; and the Vulgar even stiffed him with Gazing, Crowding, and Acclamations.  
Amidst this Warmth of Honour, and Satisfaction, some malignant Exhalations have been raised, to darken and obscure the Reputation of this most celebrated Person; and invidious men have sought Inventions to disparage his Veracity, and vilify his Credit; and stirred up a Dust, which possibly may reverberate on the Eyes of them that caused it, but can with no Reason, or Justice, affect him.  
Mr. Walker being by his best and nearest Friends pressed to write a Narrative of the Memorable Siege of London-Derry, was with much Reluctancy persuaded to it, because it was impossible to emit a Succinct and exact Narration of so many various and unusual Adventures, without mentioning the Errors, and Miscarriages of some concerned in that Affair on the one hand; and on the other hand, without doing Violence to his own Modesty, in becoming the Herald of his own Praises. Nevertheless, out of such Notes, and Minutes, as he had by him, and set down upon the Place, he digested all matters into an orderly Account of the Siege, industriously omitting the Honour due to himself, in many particular Actions; and passing over, or very tenderly touching upon such things as really are unaccountable, and unexcusable. So that I dare boldly say, there never was a Discourse of that Nature (wherein such un-exampled Occurrences, so many men of different Humours, Persuasions, and Designs, must of necessity be taken Notice of) written with so much easiness, calmness, and indifferency; and with so little Reflection.  
Yet after all this, the Spirit of Envy and Detraction is seen in our Streets, and some men will be dissatisfied, only to gratify their own Perverseness. One finds fault with the Form and Method of the Narrative; another cavils at the Contents and Passages in it; never considering, that the Sincerity of a true and impartial Relation will not admit of such Subterfuges of Art and Rhetoric, as are necessary to support a Fancy, or Fiction: Neither is it easy to represent a Story with such a Face of Impartiality, as the Beholder can espy no Spots, or Wrinkles in it. Some out of an incredulous Stiffness will not believe that a Person bred up in Study and Learning, conversant only in Books, and accustomed to the Pulpit, should so wonderfully (as it were by an Enthusiasm of Military Skill) discharge the Part of a Veterane Soldier, and a GENERAL: But it is certain beyond all Colour of a Just Contradiction, that no man ever yet performed so difficult a Task with more Prudence, Moderation, and Dexterity; convinceing the World by his Example, that Learning and Valour are not incompatible; that Wisdom, Sagacity, and good Conduct, accompanied by a clean and natural Courage, are sufficient Qualifications to make a Great Commander, without the Aid of Discipline, Exercise, and the Art of War. Others taking Notice, that Colonel Baker (who indeed was a brave Man, and a good Soldier) is mentioned as his Colleague in the Government; and that other Officers and Gentlemen have been Sharers in the Fateigue and Dangers attending the Siege, seem to grudge and repine, that the Honour of those extraordinary Achievements should be attributed solely to him; and judging that the Pecuniary Reward presented to him, aught with more Reason to be distributed, and divided among his Fellow-Actors. I shall say nothing to derogate from those Worthy Persons, who have so commendably acted, and suffered for their Religion, and Country: But when men shall coolly consider, that the Officers and Soldiers of that Garrison are the Object of the King's especial Care, and that by continuing them in Commands, or daily Pay, they receive a Recompense answerable to their Merits; while Mr. Walker being by his Function uncapable of such Employments, could not depend upon a growing Subsistence; they must ingeniously conclude, that His Majesty did not testify His Acknowledgements to him with less Prudence, than Generosity: The further Effects of which, if he had not by his invincible Modesty resisted, he had before this time been established in a Station of great Eminency, and considerable Profit. And howsoever the Sum may bear the Show of a Reward proportionate to his Service: I dare aver it is far short of his very Sufferings, and will not reach to the refunding of what he has lost in his Houses and Personal Estate, by Fire, Plunder, and other Outrages done by his, and our implacable Enemies.  
But all these Objections are but squibs and flutes, the extravagances of passionate and inconsiderate men, and such as are strangers to the Business, to the Place, and to Him: Hitherto, I have had no further Trial, than to avoid the single Attacks of a particular displeasure, doubt or dissatisfaction; I am now to encounter a Legion; I hear a Volley of Whispers and Murmurs, and some pragmatical men would pretend to interess a whole Party; tho' I persuade myself that men so Discreet and so Judicious, will not concern themselves in such Altercations. It is observed, that in the Account given of the Siege of London-Derry, a very black Character is infixed on a Nonconformist Preacher, pag. 21. where it is said, that Mr. Osburn was a Spy upon the whole North, employed by my Lord Tirconnel: that in another Place (viz. pag. 57) where the Ministers of the Church of England are enumerated and recounted by Pole; there is only a slight mention made of the Nonconforming Ministers to the number of seven, but not the least hint of one of their Names. In the Vindication of this passage, I shall desire the Reader fairly and equally to consider the Occasion. Mr. Walker, when he had given an Account, that there were Eighteen Clergymen in the Town of the Communion of the Church (ascribing no more to them, than that in their turns, when they were not in Action, they had Prayers and Sermon every Day) he proceeds gently, and Impartially to commemorate the Carriage of the Seven Nonconforming Ministers, giving them this Encomium (beyond that he said of his own Brethren) that they were careful of their People, and kept them very Obedient and Quiet; and having a Design Rhetorically to enforce their Commendation, he could not more Artificially insinuate it to their Advantage, than by marking the plain Disparity in the behaviour of their Brother Mr. Osburn, who in his Letters, Messages and Discourses, was Reported to Entertain Sentiments very much different from theirs. I shall not at present say any more of Mr. Osburn, than what is already said; but I desire every man, who is not biased by prejudice or prepossession, quietly to consider, whether Mr. Walker (penned up within the Walls of London-Derry, deprived of all Information and Intelligence both of Public Affairs, and the Actions of Private Men) seeing a Letter from a Person generally known, and an Eminent Leader of a Party, discovering an admission into the Presence of the Popish Lord Deputy (the great Engine and Operator in the ruin of Ireland) an Intimacy with him, and a Trust and Commission derived from him, whereby he was directed to cajole the poor distracted and disanimated Protestants, with the Terror of Conquest, and Military Execution on the one side, in case of Opposition; and the delusion of hope to be secure under a Protection, in case of Submission, and a tame Surrender of their Arms, and Horses: I say, whether Mr. Walker, perusing this ambiguous Letter, and observing the pernicious Effects of it, upon the generality of the People in Ulster, especially those of the writer's Persuasion, whereby they were influenced to a stupid & fatal Compliance (as if the Doctrine of Passive Obedience & Nonresistance may be taught on fit occasions, even by such as descent from the Church of England) had not reason to suspect his Candour, and too apprehensive, and become very jealous of his Integrity: If this Argument will not suffice to justify Mr. W's. assertion (who in the whole Narrative is not provoked to fix a positive Character on any other Person but him) there may possibly be more demonstrative Proofs ready to be produced, which nothing but querulous Murmurs, sophistical Evasions, and unhandsome Reflections can Extort from him. For assuredly, neither he nor I retain any Inclinations, but what tend to Moderation and Unity; Earnestly wishing a perfect Agreement & Understanding among all Protestants. As to the other part of the Expostulation, why eighteen Names of the Ministers of the Communion of the Church of England should be distinctly recited; and of seven Nonconforming Ministers not one should be remembered; I have only this to say, that since those Gentlemen did not think it fit to join with Mr. Walker in the Church, and possibly their Inclinations did not dispose them to meet him upon the Walls, or accompany him in his Sallies; it is no way strange or improbable, that their Names should be altogether unknown to him; neither can he be suspected purposely to overlook the naming of them, since he hath remembered them generally with so ingenious a Description of their Care and Concernment for their Flock. Nay, to put it out of all Doubt, and beyond the reach of Murmur itself; let it be taken Notice of (I am well assured of what I say) that when Mr. Walker gave His Majesty an Account of the Affairs of London-Derry, he Candidly and Impartially represented the Action and Service of those few Dissenters in the Garrison, and recommended them to the KING'S Favours, equally with the rest.  

Some Remarks upon the Great and Memorable SIEGE of London-Derry.  
IT is so ordinary a thing in the World, to ascribe unusual Success and Prosperity in great Undertake, to the Supernatural Operations of Providence, that every Country, and every Religion will at some time boast their Title, and share in it. The Mahometans put in their Claim to this, as well as Christians; and the universal spreading of Popery hath presumed to inculcate that as an especial Mark of Divine Approbation, which others have looked on, only as a Permission of Vengeance for the Sins of those who Professed the true Religion. Miracles are ceased, yet it is no solecism to call such Occurrences Miraculous, which come to pass without means, beyond hope, contrary to expectation, where no humane Art or Strength is greatly contributory; but the Finger of God is plainly visible and discernible in all the Performances, and Transactions. And that London-Derry, (and consequently the Protestant Interest) hath been under the peculiar Protection of the Almighty, preserved by unforeseen Accidents, and wonderfully Delivered from their Rage who gaped for their Destructions, and presumptuously assured themselves of Victory: I shall endeavour to demonstrate by the few following Remarks, which serve as so many Links to compose one Chain of Miracles.  
1. The inexcusable oversight of the Earl of Tirconnel, who, to super-erogate in his Zeal to serve the Late King, withdrew the whole Garrison out of London-Derry, not leaving so much as a Centinel on the Walls, or a Soldier at the Gates; nor remembering to supply that removal by a New Potent, till People were awakened by their imminent Danger, and warned to consult their Safety.  
2. The courageous and seasonable Resolution of the Inhabitants of London-Derry to shut their Gates, & deny Entrance to a numerous swarm of Irish and Highland Papists, who were just ready to enter, and at such a time, when the Protestants through the Kingdom were disarmed, all Forts and Garrisons (except London-Derry) in the Hands of the Papists, the whole Army of the same cue, Mass celebrated in every Town, and no way left to give a check to the accomplishment of their  designs, & frustrating their Plot of a general Massacre; but by preserving that Place in the Hands of the Protestants.  
3. The Return of the Forces under the Command of Col. Cunningham, sent to the Relief of London-Derry, without Entering the Place or Landing. It being morally certain, that if those Forces had Landed under the Command of Experienced Officers, those brave and hardy Men, who have so signalised themselves by their Valour, had been superseded from Duty, and perhaps obliged to take the Field; and it may without offence be doubted, whether those, who were to succeed them, would have given so advantageous an account of their Actions.  
4. The desertion of the Place by the then Governor, and (by his Example and Encouragement) the withdrawing of so many Gentlemen & Families into England & Scotland; whose continuance there, would quickly have consumed the Provisions in the Place, & obliged them to an untimely Surrender.  
5. The precipitancy and oversight of Col▪ Luna, in deserting the Place, and leaving above 400 Barrels of Powder in the Magazine; which he ought not to have done, when he thought the City was not Tenable, but that very Store, thus by Providence over looked, and left behind, hath Defended the Place, and contributed much to the Destruction of the Enemy▪  
6. The unanimous suffrage of the People in Electing & Constituting Mr. George Walker their Commander in Chief; than whom they could not have pitched upon a Person more completely adapted to so capricious an Employment; being a Man of Exquisite Parts, having a neat Dexterity in accommodating the humours of the Rabble; a discreet Temper in moderating the diversity of persuasions; a prudent managery of the common Provisions; a vigilant Care in the order of Guards, Watches and Exercise; and an undaunted Courage in Leading them on to the most hazardous Erterprises.  
7. The departure of the most part of the Citizens and Inhabitants, who being unaccustomed with the dreadful Treatments of War, might probably have been induced to a Treaty of Surrender, in hope to save their Lives, their Houses, and their Goods. And in their stead, the Arrival of so many Strangers from all parts of Ulster, of whom the Garrison was composed; who being enraged by the loss of their Estates and Goods; and being made desperate by their Confinement to that place, from whence there was no possibility of Retreat, or Escape; they have performed such Actions, as no Arm of Flesh would ever have achieved, without a Divine Support.  
8. The Arrival of Four Hundred and Eighty Barrels of Powder, with other Ammunition, and Two Thousand Arms, at such a time, when the absolute scarcity of such Provision must necessarily have obliged the Inhabitants to Submit to their Enemies, upon the First Investing of the Place.  
9 The Retreat of the Forces from Colerain, which being a Place no way Tenable, they must have been exposed to Rout and Ruin; whereas by their admission into London-Derry, the Garrison became recruited & reinforced by many good Men.  
10. The Treacherous Proceed of the Enemy, as that of Lieutenant General Hamilton, who having promised and agreed that he should not March the Army within Four Miles of the Town, made an orderly Approach to the Walls, during the very time of the Treaty: The Barbarous Murder of Captain Cunningham, after being taken Prisoner, and Quarter given; the Firing of an Hundred shot at Mr. Walker, when he went out upon their hanging up a White-Flag, and their Invitation to a Treaty; their dishonourable breaking of Parol, in detaining Mr. White and two others, with their Boat, who were sent out upon the Enemy's desire, that they might have leave to come to them; Lastly, The Discovery of their Oath and Resolutions not to keep Faith with the besieged, and to break whatever Articles should be made with them; which one of their Party, a Prisoner in the Town, declared upon mere Conviction of Conscience, and a Horror of their perfidious Deal.  
11. The falling of a Bomb, designed for Destruction, but by the direction of Providence, lighting in such a Place, where by tearing open the Ground, a great many Sacks of Meal were discovered, which there had been buried; upon the sight of which, the People were Encouraged to make a further search in the Backsides and Yards, and found as much Provision as served to Supply the Garrison for a whole Month. The Error of the Enemy's Bombardeir, in casting a great Bomb beyond the Walls, which falling into a Mine, where the Enemy were busy at work, destroyed several of their own Men, and utterly frustrated that Design.  
12. The many bold and successful Sallies made by a mingled Company of fresh, untrained, unexperienced Men, against an Army of Twenty Thousand well Disciplined, well Armed, well Mounted Soldiers, animated with their uninterrupted Proceed, and confident of Reducing that poor neglected Place, by Storming or Starving; whereof you may see some Instances in Mr. Walkers Account of the Siege of London Derry, pag. 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 33, 38. And which is very admirable, in all these Rencounters, and during the whole Siege, there were not above Eighty Men of the Garrison cut off, while between Eight and Nine Thousand of the besiegers fell and perished.  
13. The Proclamation set out by the Late King James, inviting all Protestants to return to their Dwellings, and remain under his Protection, had an Effect contrary to his intent, and helped to keep London-Derry from falling into his Hands. For taking hold on this occasion, above Ten Thousand Protestants, of the most infirm, and most unserviceable (who yet had Mouths and Bellies) went out of the Garrison, and by that means the Provisions lasted the longer.  
14. The barbarous and most inhuman driving the Protestants before the Walls of London-Derry, is not only remarkable, by their Dismission and their Escape from the Guns of the Town, which fired upon them; but that in their retreat, the Governor handsomely and undiscerned, shuffled in among them above eight Hundred poor Protestants, Women, Children, and unserviceable Men, which in a few days must have perished in the Streets.  
15. The wonderful and supernatural Courage of the very Women in the Town, who showing no token of Fear or Dismay, appeared upon the Walls, upon every approach of the Enemy, regardless of the Bullets flying about them, running to and fro to furnish the Soldiers with Powder, and bringing Stones to supply them toward their better Resistance.  
16. Nay, even Famine and Sickness contributed to the Preservation of the Place. For had it not pleased God (the Disposer of Life and Death) to take out of the World seven or eight Thousand of the besieged by such ways; the whole Number must inevitably have perished by want, or submit to the Arbitrary Terms of faithless and merciless Men.  
Lastly, The most opportune Relief brought to them at the very pinch of Extremity, when they only reckoned upon two Days Life, and had only Nine lean Horses left, and among them all, but one Pint of Meal to each Man, and of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Regimented Men, only Four Thousand Three Hundred remaining; whereof at least one fourth Part was rendered unserviceable. The wonderful breaking or passing the Boom (which the Enemy had laid cross the River) by the Skill and Valour of Capt. Michaiah Browning, who, under God, saved London-Derry, by the loss of himself. Had these things been effected sooner, mwn would have been too apt to boast of themselves, to ascribe their Deliverance to the Strength, Conduct, and Courage of their Relievers: Whereas now it is undeniably Evident, that God Almighty condescended to watch over that poor City, and to Rescue that Remnant of Protestants, from utter Destruction, when they were not capable to help themselves. He only did it then, & He would not do it sooner.    

LONDON, Printed for R. Simpson at the Harp in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1689.