A Compendious View Of the late TUMULTS & TROUBLES In This KINGDOM, BY WAY OF ANNALS For SEVEN YEARS: VIZ. From the beginning of the 30th, to the End of the 36th Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King Charles II. of Blessed Memory.  
By J. W. Esq;  
— Longa est Injuria: Longae  
Ambages: Sed summa sequar Fastigia Rerum.  Vir. Aen. 1. 
London, Printed by Edw. Jones, for S. Lownds, over against Exeter Exchange in the Strand, 1685.   

To the Right Honourable HENRY Earl of Clarendon, Viscount Cornbury, and Baron HID of Hindon: One of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy-Council.  
MY LORD,  
I Present your Lordship with a small Compendium of many Great and Strange Revolutions; The Greatest, perhaps, that ever happened in England, in so short a space of Time. A Tempestuous season, in which some Waves have dashed against your Lordship, though of so eminent a Character for Loyalty and Goodness. But when Princes themselves suffer, 'tis the best Subjects Glory to suffer with them. This, My Lord, was no New thing to your Lordship, who was, in a manner, born a Sufferer for Monarchy, and whose Blooming Years had the Honour to share in the same Exile with your King. 'Tis strangely fatal to consider, that those against whom the disaffected Party made of late, the Loudest outcry, were Old Cavaliers: A Word almost forgotten, had not that Occasion brought it again to Memory. It seems, there needs no more than to read the Faction backwards, and one may see by their false Clamours, who were the King's best Ministers and Friends. 'Twas the true Honour and Allegiance of that August Assembly in which your Lordship made one of the Better Part, that has Eternised the Fame of England's Baronage, and made it Glorious and beloved for ever. No will Posterity forget a just Applause to the Illustrious Name of Clarendon, when they read it in the List of those Truly Noble Peers, who in Duty to the Crown and Royal Family, incurred the Angry Vote of a numerous, a Violent, and Overdaring Party. Your Lordship being so far, and so honourably, concerned in the History of these Times, it is my Ambition to take this Occasion to declare myself,  
MY LORD, Your Lordships, Most Obedient Humble Servant, James Wright.   

THE Preface.  
THere are some Scandals so Gross, that the Bare Repetition of them is a sufficient Refutation, and manifestation of their Falsehood. In like manner some Actions are so unwarrantable to all men of Reason, that only to relate them is to disgrace the Actors, and those Principles that occasioned such extravagant behaviour. Such I esteem the factious Tumults and Riotous Proceed, which of late Years have disturbed the Quiet of so many honest Men and Loyal Subjects, to the Terror of this, and Amazement of all the Neighbouring Nations.  
The Vehemency of which Revolutions did appear too like that of Naples in the Year 1647. 'Tis true, these were not so sudden, nor altogether so Bloody; which must be ascribed to the Almighty Power and Goodness of God, and the Vigilant Prudence of His late Majesty of glorious Memory. We see what the Party offered,  
Not to mention the Street-Tumults; How like were the Riots at our Guild-Hall to those at their Church of the Carmelites? And to their tumultuous burning the Gabellers Goods, I think I may, not unaptly, compair our burning the Pope, and other Burn. And to parallel their Massaniello, a poor Fisherman, but of stupendious Authority, had not we also, a little Creature of as Low and obscure Quality (bating his assumed Cassok) who was as much adored, and I may say, almost Deified by the Rabble.  
I am hearty sorry and ashamed to think That the chief chief Disparity between their Case and ours, will appear to the Disadvantage of the English. For what the Neopolitans did, they were induced to on the sole Account of their grievous and Intolerable Gabells; but we a free and happy People, became Seditious, and so very unquiet, for no present Cause, but only future apprehensions, and (as the Event has showed 'em to be) mere Chimaerical and empty Fears.  
But praised be God, People's Eyes begin to be open, and time has applied a Collyrium that makes us see clearly through the Pretences and umbrage that was raised to serve a Faction. It is easy now to distinguish the stalking horse from the Fowler that skulks behind. Which thing of late Years, many either could not, or would not see, being inwardly as Purblind, as he was outwardly that misled 'em.  
And in this I think the Nation is not a little obliged to the Excellent Author of the Observator; A person who may be compared to some Pictures, that are placed too near the sight to discover their true value. I am confident that the next Age, who will behold him at a more advantageous and impartial Distance, will have a truer and far greater esteem of his Merits. I do not at all admire (but think it extreme natural) that the Disloyal Party and their Adherents do hate him with such a perfect hatred. How could they Possibly do otherwise to one who discovers their Cheat, and puts 'em by from what they had been so long designing, when they were arrived almost to the very Day of Execution.  
The Subject of this little Book (most of which was Printed before His late Majesty fell ill) is only to remember, in a short Abstract, what strange and unwarrantable Proceed have been within the space of Seven Years lately passed, with what Heats they were transacted, how Truth and Loyalty were run down with noise and Cant, and how People were scared out of their Wits with such Monstrous Legends, that had not we who are now alive seen it with our Eyes, who would have believed it? Posterity will scarce credit the folly of their Ancestors; or if they do, they will blush to think an Englishman could be so far imposed upon.  
The Memory of these things ought to keep People from Running upon the same Shelves and Sands, where formerly we were in Danger to have perished.  
He that would give a Punctual and Particular Account of all the Narratives, Discoveries, Trials, Executions, Speeches, Votes, Accusations, Examinations, Commitments, Tumultuous Elections, Petitions, Riots, Libels, and Seditious Attempts of all sorts, during the said time, must write a History more Voluminous than Fox or Hollinshead. I pretend not therefore to observe all particulars that happened in this space of time, but, only those which I thought most Material, and of greatest Note.  
What I have related, was set down every thing at the time when it happened. Mere matter of Fact: without any Reflections, otherwise than as the thing itself does reflect to the Dishonour of that Faction which has occasioned all these past Troubles, and to the Glory of that God who has delivered us out of the Danger.  
I hope those who have been seduced and misled by Specious pretences, into ill Actions (as Charity bids me think there are many such) will by reflection on the past, see, and abhor their Errors.  
They need not blush to Repent and Confess such faults, which some of Note and Quality have done already. Heaven is full of those that have been Converts; But the Impenitent must fill another place, where it will be a Double Hell to remember that they might once have received Grace and pardon, but refused it.   

A BRIEF Historical Account Of the PUBLIC TRANSACTIONS During the 30th Year of the Reign of KING CHARLES II. Anno Dom. 1678.  
I Design, in the Method observed by Annalists, to commit to memory the Public Transactions during the 30th Year of His Majesty's Reign; a Year which seems remarkable, and to promise more than usual, since that number hath been more than once signal in the course of His Royal Life. In the 30th Year of this Century (1630) He was Born; the 30th day of May completed the first day of His Age; on the 30th day of January He began His Reign; in the 30th Year of His Age (1660.) He was by the miraculous Providence of God, restored to the possession of His Three Kingdoms after a long and barbarous Exile.  
In the beginning of this Year we find the Parliament sitting; The King had newly made a Speech to both Houses, the substance of which was; That for their satisfaction he had made such Alliances with Holland as are for the preservation of Flanders, and which cannot fail of that end, unless prevented by the want of due Assistances to support those Alliances, or by the small regard the Spaniards themselves must have to their own Preservation; That he cannot suspect the want of assistance by reason of their repeated Engagements, that a War, which must be the necessary consequence of those Alliances, ought neither to be Prosecuted by halves, nor want such assurances of perseverance as may give him encouragement to pursue it; that He had used all means possible by a Mediation to have procured an Honourable and safe Peace, knowing how preferable such a Peace would have been to any War; that this Kingdom must necessarily own the vast benefits it has received by Peace, whilst its Neighbours only have yet smarted by the War; but finding a Peace no longer to be hoped for by fair means, it shall not be his fault if it be not obtained by force; that for this reason he has recalled his Troops out of France, and considered that we cannot have less Forces on our part than 90 Sail of Capital Ships, and 30 or 40 Thousand Land-men, that he is contented that such Monies as shall be given to these uses, be appropriated as strictly as they can desire; that he hath directed such larger dimensions for the Building the New Ships as will cost him above 100000 l. more than the Act allows; that for repairing the Old Fleet and buying Stores, etc. He hath expended a great deal more than 200000 l. He hath born the charge of a Rebellion in Virginia, and a New War with Algiers; that he stands engaged to the Prince of Orange for his Neices Portion; that he cannot be able to maintain his constant necessary Establishments without the New Imposition on Wines be continued; that to remove all sorts of Jealousies he hath Married his Niece to the Prince of Orange, thereby giving full assurances never to suffer that Prince's Interest to be ruined, if assisted as he ought to be, to preserve them; that he expects from them a plentiful supply suitable to such great occasions, and that these considerations being of the greatest Importance that ever concerned the Kingdom, he would therefore have them enter immediately upon them without suffering any other business whatsoever to divert 'em. Before the Parliament proceeded to Answer this Speech, they Sat on part of the 30th of January the Aniversary Fast, and then Voted 70000 l. for a solemn Burial of his late Majesty King Charles I. and to erect a Monument for the said Prince of Glorious Memory, the said Sum to be raised by a Two months' Tax, to begin at the expiration of the present Tax for Building Ships. This, tho' in truth, an Affair to which the Nation has stood obliged this 29 Years, yet being never mentioned till yesterday, (when first moved in the House of Commons by my Lord O-Brian Eldest Son to the Earl of Tumond, and whose Son lately had Married my Lord Treasurer's Daughter) seemed surprising.  
The next Day being the 31 of January, the House of Commons in return to the King's Speech, presented their Address to His Majesty at Whitehall, containing thanks for his care expressed for the preservation and Encouragement of the Protestant Religion in concluding a Marriage between his Niece and the Prince of Orange, beseech him not to admit of any Treaty of Peace whereby the French King shall be left in possession of any greater Dominion or power than is left him by the Pyrenaean Treaty; that both on our parts and the parts of the Confederates, no Ship nor Vessel may be admitted to come out of any Port of France, but that the Ships and Men be seized and the Goods destroyed; that he would please to provide that none of the parties who shall join in this Alliance and Confederacy against France, depart from the said Alliance, till the said King be reduced to the said Treaty; that neither we nor the Confederates admit any Trade with France, or suffer any Goods to be Imported from thence on pain of Forfeiture; that His Majesty in making such Confederacies as necessary for attaining these ends shall never doubt of the affections of the People: Lastly they renew their former protestations and engagements to persevere in the prosecution of the said War, and when he shall be pleased to Impart such Alliances and Confederacies to them in Parliament to give such ready assistances upon all occasions as may bring the War to a happy conclusion.  
To this Address the King returned the following Answer in Writing, which was read in the House of Commons the 4th of February. That he was not a little surprised to find so much inserted there of what should not be, and so little of what should; that his Speech was to both Houses jointly, and the return ought to be from both; That in the Address of the 20th of May last you did invite him to a League offensive and defensive with Holland against the French King, and for the preserving the Spanish Netherlands, and upon his Declaration of such Alliances assured such speedy assistances as may fully Answer the occasion; that he hath made such Alliances, yet finds no return but the Old promises upon new Conditions, and so He may be used to Eternity should he seem satisfied with such proceed; that on the 28th of May last, he told you how highly he was offended at the great Invasion of his Prerogative, yet you take no notice of it, but add to your former ill conduct new Invasions; you desire him to oblige his Confederates never to consent to a Peace till the most Christian King be reduced to the Pyrenaean Treaty, a Determination fitting only for God Almighty, since none but He can tell the terms of Peace who knows the event of War; You desire him not to suffer a Ship of theirs to come from France under pain of Confiscation, not excepting Allies, Prince, or Ambassadors (if any among them); that he does not believe any Assembly of Men ever gave so great and public a provocation to the whole World without so much as considering to provide one Ship, Regiment, or penny towards justifying it; that however if by your assistance he may be put into Arms sufficient for such a Work, He will not be weary till Christendom be restored to such a Peace, that it shall not be in the power of any one Prince to disturb it; that the Rights of making and managing War and Peace are in His Majesty, and if you think he will departed from any part of that Right, you are mistaken; the Reins of Government are in his hands, and he hath the same care to preserve them there, as to preserve his own Person; he keeps both for his People's protection and safety, and that if this House will encourage His Majesty to go further in Alliances, you must consider of raising speedy supplies; for from the consideration of those he must take his measures.  
Some things of note however were done before the Supply was concluded; The House of Commons took off all written Protections, which had been by some Members granted to such as were not really their Servants, to an incredible number; Voting no Protection allowable to any but their Menial Servants, actually in Service, and that without a written Certificate.  
And now was the Earl of Shaftsbury released from his Confinement in the Tower, where he had been close Prisoner ever since last Spring, and restored to his place in Parliament, having first made the following Submission at the Lords Bar, Feb. 25. viz.  
1. I do acknowledge that my endeavouring to maintain that this Parliament was Dissolved, was an ill advised Action, for which I humbly beg pardon of the King's Majesty and this most Honourable House.  
2. I do acknowledge that my bringing a Writ of Habeas Corpus in the King's Bench, was a high violation of your Lordship's Privilege, and a great aggravation of my former offence, for all which I beg pardon.  
Subscribed, Shaftsbury.  
The next Day he sat in the House of Lords.  
On the 27. The City was not a little Alarmed with the French Kings taking of Ghent, and the great danger of several other places of note in Flanders: That Night were sent from London, 12 Companies of Foot for Ostend, followed the next Day by the Dukes of Monmouth and Albermarle, the Earls of Mulgrave and Plymouth, etc. most of which Lords soon after returned.  
About a Fortnight after this, a Poll-Bill for raising Monies, past both Houses, and presently after the Commons express their impatiency for a War, their Transactions running in these Terms, March 14.  
Upon several motions made for considering of the deplorable condition of the Nation, resolved in a Committee of the whole House, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that an Address be presented to the King, humbly to advise His Majesty, that His Majesty to quiet the minds of his Loyal Subjects, and to encourage the Princes and States, Confederates against the French King, would be graciously pleased to proclaim and enter into an actual War with the French King, and to give his Majesty assurances, that this House will constantly stand by and aid His Majesty in the prosecution thereof with necessary and plentiful suppplies and assistances, and that His Majesty will presently dismiss the French Ambassador and recall his from France, and Niminghen.  
Which Address was the next Day drawn up accordingly, and sent to the Lords for their Concurrence, but never proceeded further.  
Wednesday 27th of March, the Parliament was Adjourned by the King's Order, till the 11th of April, being the Week after Easter, the King having first Signed the Poll-Bill, in which was a strict Appropriating Clause for the Money so Levied to be applied to no use but the intended French War; also another Clause Prohibiting: the Importation of any French Commodities for Three Years. Soon after which the French King prohibited ours for Ten Years.  
Thursday the 11th of April, the Parliament met again and Adjourned to the Monday following, at which time, by the King's appointment they chose a New Speaker in the House of Commons, Sir Robert Sawyer one of the King's Council Learned, and a great Practiser in the Exchequer; and from thence Adjourned over to Monday the 29th of April.  
During these Intervals a strict Fast is kept on Wednesday the 10th of April in London, and the Wednesday Fortnight following through England, to implore God's Blessing upon His Majesty and his Kingdoms, and for the averting of God's Judgements.  
Monday the 29th of April the Houses met again, the King and Lords in their Robes; My Lord Chancellor in a long Speech recited all the Addresses that they had made in relation to a War with France, what the King had already done in pursuance of the same, and joining an effectual League with the Confederates to that end, and how ready the King was to pursue their desires, but that now he discovered the Dutch were entering upon a Treaty of Peace with the French King, and that without his consent or privity, and therefore His Majesty demands the advice of his Houses how to proceed.  
Monday following being the 6th of May, Sir Robert Sawyer excused himself in a Letter, that he could not attend the House by reason that he was taken very ill of the Stone, occasioned by his long sitting last Saturday; whereupon the Old Speaker was again chosen and reinstated in the Chair. The same Day the King returned a short Answer to an Address of the House of Commons, Voted on the said last Saturday, which contained their humble Advice that he would forthwith enter into the present Alliance with the Confederates, and an Actual War with France, etc. To which, this Answer was read by one of the Secretaries of State, viz.  
C. R.  
HIs Majesty having been acquainted with the Votes of the 4th Instant, is very much surprised both with the matter and manner of them, but if His Majesty had had Exceptions to neither, yet His Majesty having asked the Advice of both the Houses, doth not think fit to give any Answer to any thing of that nature till he hath a concurrent Advice of both Houses.  
Among which mentioned Votes of the 4th Instant, beside the Advice abovesaid, this was passed by a majority of 16 Voices, That the late Leagues, made with the States-General of the United Provinces are not pursuant to the Addresses of this House, nor consistant with the good and safety of the Kingdom.  
In the mean time the Commons are not at all discouraged with this Answer, but draw up an Address, and present it to the King at Whitehall, on Saturday, the 11th of May in the afternoon, containing Their humble thanks to His Majesty, for demanding their advice, that accordingly they gave it, they beseech Him to communicate to them His Resolutions thereupon, and whereas they conceive that the Inconveniencies, and Dangers which the Kingdom now lies under, might totally, or in a great measure have been prevented in case His Majesty had accepted of the Advice by them given in their Addresses of the 26 of May Last, and the 31 of January. That therefore he would please to remove those Counsellors that advised him to give those answers which he did to the said Addresses; that he would please to accept of this Petition in good part, as proceeding form persons hearty devoted to him, etc. In fine, that he would please to remove the Duke of Lautherdale, from His presence and Councils.  
Which being read, the King immediately returned Answer in these few words only, That he was much Surprised at the Extravagancy of their Address, and unwilling at present to give it such a due Answer as it deserves.  
On the Monday following the King past several private Bills, and then caused the Parliament to be Prorogued till Thursday come Seven-night, being the 23 of this instant May, by which means this Session which had been of a long Continuance by Adjournment, was determined, and all Bills and business in either House then Depending, defeated, and returned to the same State, as when first moved. But withal such Bills as had been rejected, are now in a Capacity of being moved again, which no Bill can be in the same Session, when once rejected.  
On the aforementioned Thursday the 23. of May, the Parliament met again, and the House of Commons being sent for by the Black Rod, to attend His Majesty, in the House of Lords, the King delivered His pleasure to this effect, That he is resolved, as far as He is able, to save Flanders, either by a War, or Peace, which way he sees most conducing; either ways, he thinks it convenient to keep up His Army, and Navy, at Sea, for some time, till a Peace be concluded, but leaves it to them to consider of Supplies for their Continuance, or Disbanding; and in either case not to discourage so many Worthy and Gallant Gentemen, who have offered their Lives and Service to their Country, and that in pursuit of the Parliaments advice and Resolutions; That a Branch of His Revenue is now expiring, another part of it is cut off by a Clause in the Poll-Bill; That he has borrowed 200000 l. upon the Excize at their request, of all which they are to consider; That he hath no Intentions but of good to them, and His people, nor ever shall; Desires they will not drive him into extremities, which must end ill, both for them and Him, and (which is worst of all) for the Nation; desires to prevent all disorders and mischiefs that may befall by our disagreement; but in case any do, leaves it to God Almighty to Judge who is the occasion of it; In fine, That he will not for the future suffer the Course and Method of passing Laws to be changed, by taking together several matters in one Bill.  
This was immediately followed by a long, but excellent Speech, of my Lord Chancellor, which though something too large for the intended Brevity of these Notes, must not be omitted: The substance therefore contained, That Holland is become resolved to seek all occasions they can of coming out of the War, in regard the Spaniards fail them; That the States to that end entered into a League Offensive and Defensive with His Majesty, to obtain a Peace by force, if it could not be had otherwise, which promised Success, till it was heard abroad that this League, (the only thing by which His Majesty could oblige the States) had been so ill understood at home as to meet with some very unfitting and very undeserved Reflections; and that they understood there was a Resolution of giving no Money till satisfaction first had in matters of Religion, which in all Countries are the longest debates that can be entered upon, and at this time should least have been stirred; & when they understood that the King had received an Address, and had expressed His resentment of it, than they concluded it was in vain to rely any longer on England, for England was no longer itself: All sides began to wish for Peace, as well Spain, as Holland, and if the Cessation now endeavoured, be effected, no doubt but a Peace will follow: What Influence that Peace will have, is uncertain; We have given no small provocation to a Mighty King, it therefore concerns us to secure ourselves, by preserving Peace and Unity at home; he that foments' Divisions now, does more harm to his Country, than a Foreign Enemy can do; no fear of Arbitrary Government can justify, no Zeal to Religion can sanctify such a Proceeding; He minds them of the Late times, when Religion and Liberty were truly Lost by being made a handle and pretence for Sedition; when Prelacy was called Popery, and Monarchy Tyranny, etc. and can we now endure to see men break the Act of Oblivion every day, by reviving the Memory of forgotten Crimes in new Practices? It's worth Consideration whether we do not bring some kind of scandal upon the Protestant Religion, when we seem so far to distrust the truth and power of it, that after so many Laws past to guard it, and so many miraculous deliverancies from the attempts made against it, we should still be afraid of its continuance. Hath not the Late Act made it impossible for the most concealed Papist that is, to get any kind of Employment? As little reason there is to be jealous of our Liberties, and Property. Can there be a greater evidence of the Moderation of a Prince, and His tenderness of the Liberty of the Subject, than to suffer, as he does every day, so much licentious and malicious Talk to pass unpunished? Search all Nations, through all Ages, and show fewer greivances and less cause of Complaint, and a happier people than we at are this Day. He proceeded then to the matter of the Revenue, to the same purpose with what the King had said before, but enlarging, Tells 'em, The King will no more accept a good Bill, how valuable soever, unless it comes in the old and decent method of Parliaments; that the late way of tacking together, in one Bill, several Independent and incoherent matters, seems to alter the whole frame and Constitution of Parliaments; takes away the Kings Negative Voice in a manner, forcing Him to take all or none; it takes away the Negative Voice too, of the House of Lords by the same Consequence; It looks like a kind of Defamation of the Government, and seems to suppose the King, and House of Lords, to be so ill affected to the Public, that a good Bill cannot carry itself through, by the Strength of its own Reason and Justice, without being helped by Clauses; it gives up the greatest share of Legislature to the Commons: In fine, the same method of proceed may be made use of against the Commons, by the Lords; These Inconveniencies the King is Resolved to abolish, and hath Commanded me to say to you State super vias antiquas. If this Session do not repair the misfortunes, and amend the faults of the last, it will look like a fatality upon the Nation. He whose house is destroyed by Fire would find but little Comfort in saying the Fire did not begin by his means; but it will be a perpetual Anguish to him to remember that it lay in his power to extinguish it: And so concludes with strong persuasives to Peace, and a Composure of all Differences.  
Monday May 27. Resolved in the House of Commons, That the House taking into Consideration the State of His Majesty's Affairs, and the great charge and Burden that His Majesty and the Nation lies under by the Army now in Being, are humbly of Opinion, That if His Majesty please to think fit to enter into the War against the French King, this House is, and always will be ready to support and assist him in that War; But if otherwise, That they will proceed to the Consideration of providing for the Speedy Disbanding of the Army. The House further Ordered, That the Members of this House who are of His Majesty's privy Council, do acquaint the King with these Votes, and pray His Majesty's Answer.  
To this, the King returned the following Answer, which was read in the House of Commons, the next day; It contained, That the French King hath made such offers of a Cessation till the 27th of July, as His Majesty doth not only believe will be accepted, but will end in a General Peace; yet since that is not certain, he does not think it prudent to dismiss either Fleet, or Army before that time, nor doth he think it will add much to the charge, in regard the raising Money, and paying them off, would take up that time, were they to be Disbanded as speedily as possibly: In the mean time he desires Money for their subsistence, that as hitherto they have been the most orderly Army that ever came together, they may be encouraged to continue so; And concludes with reminding the House of the 200000 l. formerly mentioned in His Speech, which he wants for His Household.  
The next day of sitting, being Thursday the 30th of May, the Commons Vote unanimously, That all Forces raised since the 29th of September last (except those transported to Foreign Plantations) be forthwith paid off and Disbanded, and that they Consider of a Supply for that purpose.  
The last of May, being the first day of Trin. Term, Sir William Scroggs, at that time Puisne Judge, in the Common-Pleas, took his place in the King's Bench as Lord Chief Justice of England, to which he was preferred by the King's especial Favour, on the removal of Sir Richard Rainsford, who resigned a few days before: And was Succeeded in the Common-Pleas, by Baron Bartu; and Sergeant Brampston promoted to his Place in the Exchequer.  
June 4th the Commons Vote 200000 l. to be raised by a Monthly Tax, in Six Months, after the Land Tax, now in being, be expired; with a Clause, That this be for the Disbanding of the Army, by the end of this present June. The next day they Voted the King 200000 l. more, Towards the Defraying the expenses of the Fleet. Soon after which, the King sent them a Message by one of the Secretaries of State, containing, That His mind was still the same with what he delivered the 23 of May last, That the Army, and Fleet, aught to be kept up till the expected Peace be concluded: He also recommended to their Consideration, whether it were not dishonourable for him to recall His Forces in Flanders, from those Towns which he had taken into His Protection, before they could provide themselves of other Succours? Here upon they extend the time (as to the Forces in Flanders) to the 27 of July.  
Saturday, the 15th of June, The Commons Resolved, That after Tuesday following, no motions should be made for any new Supplies of Money, till after the Recess; nor any more private Bills brought, in, till after the said Recess.  
The Tuesday following, the King sent for the Commons up to the Lords House, and told 'em in a long Speech; That the season requiring a Recess by the middle of next Month at farthest, it is convenient that we part fairly, and with a perfect confidence of one another: Therefore he opens His Heart freely to them in some particulars of nearest concern; That what he told 'em at the beginning of this Session concerning a Peace, seems already to be determined, at least as to Spain, and Holland, in which Peace His part will be not only that of a Mediator, but also to give His Warranty in it: That Spain writes word, that unless England bears the charge of maintaining Flanders, even after the Peace, they will not be in a Condition to support it long; That to this end, it is necessary not only to keep up our Navy at Sea, but to give the World some assurance of being well United at home; That though the House of Commons may think such a Peace as ill a bargain as War, because it will cost them Money; yet if they seriously consider that otherwise Flanders had been lost, perhaps by this time, He believes they will give much greater Sums than this will cost, rather than the single Town of Ostend should be in the French hands, and 40 of their men of War in so good a Haven overagainst the River's Mouth; That we cannot but be pleased to understand the Reputation we have gained abroad by having in 40 days raised an Army of 30000 Men, and prepared a Navy of 90 Ships; Therefore if they desire to keep up the Honour of the Crown at home, and look to the safety of the Balance of Affairs abroad, and pursue the War of Algiers; if they desire he should pass any part of His life in quiet, and all the rest in confidence, and kindness with them and other suture Parliaments; if so, That they must find a way, not only to settle for His life His Revenue as at Christmas last, but also to add a new Fund of 300000 l. Per annum, upon which he will pass an Act to settle 50000 l. upon the Navy and Ordinance; and shall be also always ready to consent to all such Laws as they shall propose for the good of the Nation: Then he reminds 'em to enable him to keep His word with the Prince of Orange, in the payment of His Neices Portion, which is 40000 l. the first payment being now due and demanded by him.  
This Speech being ended, the Commons returned back and Voted His Majesty the thanks of the House for His gracious expressions in His Speech. Yet nothing of importance was done that day, but a Denial of the 300000 l. Per annum, demanded; and not only so, but a motion being made for a Compensation on the lost part of His Majesties Revenue by the Prohibiting Act, it was carried in the Negative, Yea 145, noah's 202.  
Saturday the 22th of June, the Lords sent down the Bill for Disbanding, with an enlargement of the time prefixed for one Month longer, to which the Commons would not agree, but desired a Conference, at which to give their Lordships the reasons why they could not consent to the alteration.  
Monday the 25th of July, the Parliament was Prorogued to the first of August, the King having then past the following Bills, 1. An Act for granting a supply to His Majesty of 619388 l. 11 s. 9 d. for Disbanding the Army, and other uses therein mentioned. 2. An Act for granting an Additional Duty to His Majesty upon Wines for Three Years. 3. An Act to enable Creditors to recover their Debts of the Executors and Administrators of Executors in their own wrong. 4. An Act for Burying in Woollen. 5. An Act for Admeasurement of Keels and Boats carrying Coals. 6. An Act for Reviving a former Act of the 13th of this King ch. 2. for avoiding unnecessary Suits and delays, and for continuance of an other Act of 22. & 23. Car ' 2. ch. 10. touching intestates Estates, 7. An Act for further Relief and Discharge of poor Prisoners for Debt. 8. An Act touching Highways. 9 An Act for preservation of Fishing in the River Severn.  
On which said first of August, they being again met, they were again Prorogued over to the 29th Day of the same Month. Soon after that also there came out a Proclamation, requiring a full Assembly at the said 29th Day. But in the mean time the French being beaten from the Siege of Mons, by the English, chief, under Command of my Lord of Ossery, on the part of the Prince of Orange, the King Issued out another Proclamation dated the 8th of August, whereby reciting the last Proclamation but in regard the State of Affairs abroad was altered since then, he is pleased to Prorogue the Houses over till the first Day of October next, requiring then a full Assembly; after this it was again Prorogued to the 21st of October. In the mean time a Peace is concluded between France, Spain, and Holland, and a Truce for some Months with the Emperor.  
On Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the 28th 29th and 30th of September and first of October, the Privy-Council sat twice a Day, The business a Popish Plot; several were committed, and others examined, among whom Sir George Wakeman Physician to the Queen, and Mr. Coleman belonging to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York: which said Duchess went with the Lady Ann, that very Tuesday Morning to visit the Princess of Orange, designing a stay only of 14 Days. This Discovery of a Plot, opening every Day more and more, the aforesaid Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Langhorn of the Temple, were committed close Prisoners, with several others; their Studies searched, their Papers seized, and sent to Whitehall. And now just before the meeting of the Parliament, one Sir Edmondbury Godfrey a Justice of the Peace in Middlesex, a severe Enemy of the Papists (as by some reported) was found Dead in a Ditch not far from Hampstead; He appeared to the Coroners Jury to be strangled, tho' afterwards his own Sword was run through him, and so found, with Money in his Pocket. This was looked on by the Town as a Confirmation of the abovementioned Plot.  
On the appointed 21st of October, the Houses met: The King's Speech contained these words, and these words only concerning the Plot— I have been informed of a Design against my Person by Jesuits, of which I shall forbear any Opinion, lest I may seem to say too much, or too little, but leave the matter to the Law— The Chancellor on the same Head had these Expressions.— And tho' His Majesty doth in no sort prejudg the Persons accused, yet the strict enquiry into this matter, hath been a means to Discover so many other unwarrantable Practices of theirs, that His Majesty hath reason to look to 'em. The Examination of this Plot and the concurrent Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey employed the Commons so assiduously, that towards the beginning of this Session they sat whole Days, from Morning till late at Night. The Product was a Fast Voted; the minutes and Votes of the House of Commons forbidden to be divulged; several Lords Committed, Bellasis, Arundel of Warder, Powis, Stafford, Petre, Castlemain, etc. Soon after this came out a Proclamation, appointing a Fast through all England, on the 13th Day of November. Thursday the 31st of October, the House of Commons resolved, upon the Evidence that hath already appeared to this House, this House is of Opinion, That there hath been and is an Execrable and Hellish Design contrived and carried on by Popish Recusants for Assassinating and Murdering the King, for Subverting the Government, and for destroying the Protestant Religion by Law Established.  
The same Day Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was Buried. The Solemnity proceeded from Bridewell to St. Martin's in the Fields, 72 London Ministers Marching two and two before the Body, and above 1000 Men in the same Order following after.  
The next Day in pursuance of an Address presented to the King by the Commons the Saturday before, came out a Proclamation, whereby all Papists, or such reputed, be Banished 10 Miles from London and Westminster, to remove themselves by the 7th Day of November, except Householders, and they to take the Oaths or suffer the Penalties inflicted by Law. The same Day the Commons in Parliament resolved, That an Address be made to the King, that the Trained-Bands of London, Westminster, and Surry, be raised for preservation of His Majesties Person, and the Parliament, during this Session.  
On Monday the 4th of November, came out an Order of the King in Council, proposing, That whoever can Discover any Officer or Soldier in any of the King's Guards, Horse or Foot, who has taken the Oaths and Test, and since turned Papist, such Discoverer shall have 20 l. for every Man so Discovered.  
Monday the 4th of November, It was moved in the House of Commons, that an Address be made to the King, to remove the Duke of York from his Presence and Councils; but the debate was Adjourned over to Friday next, at which time it being again moved, the debate was again Adjourned over to Thursday following. The next Day being Saturday the 9th of November, His Majesty went to the Lords House in His Robes, and made a Speech to both Houses, Wherein after he had returned them His most hearty Thanks for their very great and extraordinary care for preservation of His Person in this time of Danger, He told 'em, That he was as ready to join with them in all ways and means that may Establish a firm security to the Protestant Religion, as their own Hearts can wish; and this not only during His Life, but in future Ages even to the end of the World: And therefore He is come to assure 'em, that whatsoever reasonable Bills they shall present to be passed into Laws to make them safe in the Reign of His Successor, so as they intent not to Impeach the Right of Succession, nor the Descent of the Crown in the true Line, and also as they restrain not any Power or just Right of His Protestant Successor, such Bills shall find from him a ready concurrence.  
Soon after this came out another Proclamation, whereby all Roman Recusants, and such reputed, were enjoined under the Penalty of the Laws to repair to their own homes, and not to remove more than Five Miles from thence without Licence; Excepted out of this Proclamation the Inhabitants of London and Westminster.  
Monday, the 18th of November; the House of Commons being informed that Sir Joseph Williamson Secretary of State, had lately Countersigned several Commissions for Roman Recusant Officers with a Nonobstante to the Oaths and Test, he was by the said House Committed to the Tower. The next Day the King sent for the Commons to attend him at the Banqueting-house, and told 'em, That tho' they Committed His Servant without acquainting him, yet He intends to be freer with them, and acquaint them with His intentions, to release His Secretary; which accordingly He did that Day.  
About this time a Bill having been sent up from the Commons to the Lords House, for Excluding all Popish Members to sit in either House of Parliament, it was passed in the said Lords House with some little alterations, and a Clause in Favour of His Royal Highness; and the said Bill being sent back to the Commons, it passed there also November 21st, with the said alterations, but not without some difficulty; for Sir Jonathan Trelauny and one Mr. Ash, being heated in debate and words of reproach passing between 'em, Sir Jonathan struck the other a cuff on the Ear, which being returned by Ash, over the Face, they were both about to Draw, but this disturbance being at last quieted by the Speaker, Trelauny was sent to the Tower, there to remain all this Sessions, and Ash received a Reprimande from the Speaker.  
About the same time came out an Order of Council, explaining the late Proclamation whereby all Papists were Banished 10 Miles from London, not to extend to Merchant strangers, and such Outlandish, who repair hither on the account of Travail.  
And now the Commons begin to look towards the Army again, resolving November 25. That it is necessary for the safety of His Majesty's Person, and Preservation of the Government, that the Forces raised since the 29th of November 77. be forthwith paid off and Disbanded; and for this the King requires more Mony.  
In the mean time Oats (the great Discoverer of the Plot) accuses the Queen; hereupon the King places a stricter Guard upon him than ever; but the Commons, Novemb. 29. order an Address to be made to His Majesty, That the said Oats be freed from his restraint, attended by his own Servants, and that a competent allowance be appointed for his maintenance; and that the Queen, with all her Servants, and all Popish Recusants, or such suspected, be removed from Whitehall.  
Saturday, Novemb. 30. the King had two Bills presented to him; one of which, viz For Exclusion of all Popish Members to fit in either House of Parliament (with a Clause in favour of the Duke of York) He passed: The other, which was for raising a third part of the Militia, to be in constant Arms for a time, He refused; alleging, That that were to put the Militia out of his Power, which thing He would not do, no not for one hour; but if the Parliament will assist Him with Money for that purpose, He will take care to raise such a part of the Militia as shall secure the Peace of the Government, and His own Person.  
In the mean time, while these things are transacting in Parliament, one William Staly, a Goldsmith's Son, a Roman Recusant, is Arraigned at the King's Bench Bar, found guilty, and condemned of High Treason, for speaking certain words against the King's Life, and accordingly was hanged and quartered at Tyburn; but on Petition the King granted his Quarters to his Father; who abusing the King's mercy, buried him in Covent-Garden Churchyard with too much State and Ceremony; for which reason, by His Majesty's Order, his Quarters were that very night taken up, conveyed to Newgate, and soon after set up on the Gates of London. The same week that Staly was executed, Mr. Coleman was arraigned and tried at the aforesaid Bar, and condemned of High Treason; The Evidence was the aforementioned Oats, and one Bedloe, and his own Letters; but both the aforesaid Trials being in Print, I shall take no farther notice of particulars. The King gave back all Mr. Colemans Estate to his Wife and Children, and his Quarters to be Buried.  
Thursday, December 4 The Commons Impeached the Lords Arundel of Warder, Bellasis, Po●is, Petre, and Stafford, of Treason & other high Crimes and Misdemeanours, severally; which several Impeachments were carried up by five several Members of the House of Commons. Two Days before, the said Lords had been found Guilty upon special Indictments to the same purpose by the Grand Jury of Middlesex, before special Commissioners sitting at Westminster; but now for some Reasons, those proceed were waved, and it was thought more effectual to proceed by way of Impeachment before the House of Lords in Parliament.  
Tuesday, December the 17th, Ireland, Pickering, and Groves, were Condemned of High Treason as Conspirators in the Plot, but their Execution was respited for some time. At the same time Whitebread and Fenwick were arraigned, but their Trial put off till the 15th of January. And now some of the Members of Parliament begin to accuse one another. December the 23d. Mr. Mountigue, Son to the Lord Mountigue, and late Ambassador in France, now a Burgess for Northampton, carries up five Articles against the Lord Treasurer; and Sir John Earnly another Member of the House of Commons, accuses the said Mr. Mountigue of holding a Correspondence with the Pope's Nuncio at Paris.  
In the mean time the Parliament sit incessantly; without Adjournment these Hollidays, but only for Christmas-Eve and Christmas Day: requiring a full appearance of all their Members, not disabled, as well Lords as Commons; enjoining all in Town not to departed under strict penalties, and sending their Messengers for all absent in the Country.  
But it pleased the King on Monday the 30th of December to Prorogue both Houses till the 4th of February following. Not long before which the Commons had given more Money for the Disbanding the Army, but inserted a Clause in the Bill, for the Money to be paid into the Chamber of London; which proviso would not pass in the Lord's House, and therefore the Bill remained abort. During this Interval the Reports were various touching the next sitting: it being sometimes affirmed that the Session was further Prorogued till the 25th of February, then again, that the Parliament would certainly meet at the 4th of February, the Day first appointed; till at last on the 24th Day of January, the King was pleased to settle the variety of Rumour, and by His Proclamation, then published, absolutely to Dissolve this Parliament, promising however to Issue out His Writs for a New one by the 6th of March next following. Thus ended this Parliament, having now been continued by several Prorogations and Adjournments 17 Years, Eight Months, and 17 Days, being first called on the Eighth Day of May, Anno Domini, 1661.  
With this great Turn I will conclude my Historical Observations on this 30th Year of His Majesties Reign; a Year very remarkable if it were only on the account of the Dissolution of this Parliament; but more especially for the beginning of those Troubles and Combustions which lasted for so many Years after, in Relation to the Plot.   

Anno 31. Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1679.  
IN further Prosecution of those matters discovered the last year, Green the Cushion-man at  Chappel, Berry the Queen's Porter there, and Hill Dr. Goddens Man, were on the 10th day of Feb. tried at the King's Bench Bar for the Murder of Sir Edmunbury Godfrey: which three being convicted, chiefly, on the Evidene of Miles Prance, a Goldsmith, were found guilty, and having on the next day received sentence of Condemnation to be hanged for the said Murder, Green and Hill were Executed accordingly at Tyborn, Feb. 21. But Berry was reprieved for a Week longer, all three denying the Fact in as positive terms as could be: the last dying a Protestant, of which Persuasion he had formerly been before he entered into the Queen's service.  
About this time it was that Sir Joseph Williamson, quitted his Office of Secretary of State, to the Earl of Sunderland.  
To conclude, the Transactions of this Month, The King Directed the following Letter to the Duke of York.  
Whitehall Feb. 28. 1678.  
I Have already given you my Resolves at large, why I think it fit that you should absent yourself for some time beyond the Seas; As I am truly sorry for the occasion, so may you be sure I shall never desire it longer than it will be absolutely necessary for your good and my Service: In the mean time I think it proper to give it you under my Hand, that I expect this Compliance from you, and desire it may be as soon as conveniently you can. You may easily believe with what trouble I writ this to you, there being nothing I am more sensible of than the constant kindness you have ever had for me. I hope you are as just to Me to be assured, That no absence nor any thing else can ever change me from being truly and kindly Yours,  
C. R.  
And accordingly in pursuance of His Majesty's pleasure, within few days after this, the Duke, Duchess, and Family, leave the Kingdom, and retired for a while to the Hague, and from thence to Brussels.  
And now the Parliament, which had been called according to the King's promise on the Dissolution of the last, meet at the appointed 6th day of March. The King's Speech contained, That in order to the uniting the minds of His Subjects both to Himself and to one another, He had excluded the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament; Caused the Execution of several men both for the Plot and Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey; Disbanded as much of the Army as he could get Money to do; Above all, That He hath commanded his Brother to absent himself; That so all colour may be taken from malicious men of pretending any influence of Popish Councils: That He proposes by this means to see whether the Protestant Religion and the Peace of the Kingdom be as truly aimed at by others, as they are really intended by Him; if so, they (the Members of Parliament) will lay aside all private animosities, and employ their time upon the great Concerns of the Nation; That he will not cease to make further search into the Plot and the Murder of Sir Edmunbury Godfrey, for which he desires the assistance of both Houses; That he has ordered the Penal Laws to be Executed against Papists; Desires their assistance in raising Supplies for Disbanding the Army and paying off the Fleet; and that they would some way make up the loss He has sustained by the Prohibition of French Wines and Brandy, which turns only to His prejudice, and the great advantage of the French; That it is necessary to have a Fleet at Sea, since our Neighbours are making Naval Preparations; That a Constant establishment might be made for the Navy; And concludes with His earnest desires to have this a healing Parliament; Assuring them to defend with his life the Protestant Religion and the Laws of the Kingdom, and expects to be by them defended from the Calumny as well as Danger of those worst of Men, who endeaver to render both him and His Government odious to His People.  
The Chancellor's Speech was chief a descant on the former heads; Reminding the Two Houses as 
p. 12.  to the Plot, not to over do their Business, and that by being too far Transported with the fears of Popery, they do not neglect the opportunities of making sober and lasting Provisions against it; which (says he) are the only hopes of the Papists, thus to see 
p. 14.  our Zeal outrun our Discretion, and that we ourselves should become the unhappy occasion of making our own Councils abortive.  
The King and Lord Chancellor having ended their Speeches, the Commons returned to their own House, and unanimously chose for their Speaker, Mr Seymour, who had officiated in that Place in the last Parliament, who being the next Day presented to the King, was refused; and the House Ordered to proceed to a new Election; which notwithstanding was not made till Saturday the 15th of March, on which day they chose Mr Serjeant Gregory, the said choice being on the Monday following approved by His Majesty.  
After this the Commons draw up an Address to the King for a Fast, in which also the Lords Concur; and a Fast was appointed by Proclamation dated Mar 28, to be observed throughout the Nation on the 11th of April following.  
A Committee being appointed to inquire into the manner of suing out the Earl of Danby's Pardon, which upon search being not entered in any Office from the Secretary's Office until it came to the Lord Chancellors, but dispatched in a private manner, and so reported by the Committee, the House of Commons resolve Mar. 24. That an humble Address be made to His Majesty, representing the irregularity and illegality of the Pardon mentioned to be granted to the Earl of Danby, and the Dangerous consequence of Granting Pardons to any persons that lie under an Impeachment of the Commons of England.  
They also desire of the Lords, that the Earl of Danby may be sequestered from Parliament, and put into safe Custody; accordingly the Lords Order the Usher of the Black Rod to take him; but upon search at his Houses both in Town, and at Wimbleton, he could not be found; hereupon a Bill is Ordered to be brought in, that Thomas Earl of Danby render himself to Justice by a certain day, or in default thereof to be Attainted, which Bill was read twice and committed. In the mean time the Lords had passed a Bill in their House for banishing and disabling the said Earl, which being sent down to the Commons for their Concurrence, was by them rejected, as a Censure too favourable. They also Vote an Address to be made to His Majesty, That the said Earl be not permitted to reside in any of His Majesty's Houses of Whitehall, , and St. James'. Also another Address for a Proclamation to apprehend the said Earl, and that no Subject presume to harbour or conceal him. In the mean time the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Danby was highly canvased at several Conferences between the Lords and Commons, till at last on the 16th of April, a Message is brought from the Lords House, to acquaint the Commons, That the Earl of Danby had the last night rendered himself to the Usher of the Black Rod, and is committed by their Lordships to the Tower.  
On the same 16th of April, 4 of the 5 popish Lords in the Tower, who had been on the 9th instant Impeached, gave in their Answers in Person, viz. Powis, Stafford, Petre, and Arundel; but the Lord Bellasis, being disabled by the Gout, had his Answer received in Writing.  
On the 20th of April, the King was pleased to declare to His Privy Council His pleasure to dissolve them, and to constitute a new one, which for the future should consist of the constant number of 30 Members, of which 15 to be certain, viz. 1. The Archbishop of Canterbury. 2. Bishop of London. 3. Lord Chancellor. 4. One of the Chief Justices. 5. The Admiral. 6. Master of the Ordnance. 7. Treasurer. 8. Chancellor of the Exchequer. 9 Privy Seal. 10. Master of the Horse. 11. Lord Steward. 12. Lord Chamberlain of the Household. 13. Groom of the Stole. And the two Secretaries. The other 15 elective at the King's pleasure, 10 out of the Nobility, and 5 Commoners. Besides these, such Princes of the Blood as shall be at Court; A Lord Precedent, and a Secretary of Stotland, but these uncertain. And according to this new Model, so many of them as were in Court did the next morning, being April 21, meet in the Council Chamber, and were there Sworn Privy-Counsellors. The same day His Majesty was pleased to acquaint the two Houses with what he had done, and that He was resolved in all His weighty and Important Affairs, next to His great Council in Parliament, to be advised by this Privy Council.  
After this, viz. on the 24th day of April, Nathaniel Reading, Esquire, was Tried before my Lord Chief Justice North, and several other special Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, sitting in the Kings-Bench Court at Westminster; His crime of which he stood indicted was for endeavouring to stifle Bedlo's Evidence against the Popish Lords, or at least to lessen the same; which being proved by the Oaths of the said Bedloe, one Wiggins his Man, and one Mr Speke, which two last Bedloe had hid privately in his Chamber to overhear their discourse; he was found guilty; had Judgement to stand in the Pillory for an hour in the Palace-Yard, Imprisonment for one year, and fined 1000 l. Which Sentence was accordingly Executed.  
About this time it was that the Bishops of Ely, Gloucester, and Bath and Wells, were accused for Papists, but the Accusation quickly fell, it being discovered to be a malicious contrivance to blast their Reputation, and fix a Scandal on the whole Order.  
On the 25th of April the Earl of Danby, and Lord Bellasis appeared in Person at the Bar of the Lords House; the Earl putting in his Plea, and the Lord Bellasis his Answer. The next day the Lords Stafford, Arundel, and Powis, appeared at the same Bar, and having retracted their former Pleas to their Impeachments (which appeared insufficient to the House of Commons) put in their further Answers to the same.  
After this, on the last day of April His Majesty was pleased to send for the Commons, to attend Him in the House of Lords, and acquaint 'em by the mouth of the Lord Chancellor, That he was ready to agree to any Laws to secure Religion, so the Descent of the Crown in the Right Line be not defeated, and therefore he is willing that a Provision be made, First to distinguish a Papist from a Protestant Successor, then to limit the Authority of the First in these particulars, viz that all Church preferment may be conferred on Pious and Learned Protestants; That there may not want a Parliament on the King's Death, but that the Parliament then in being, or the last that sat, should at such time reassemble without any new Summons or Election; That during the Reign of any Popish Successor, no Privy Counsellor, no Judge at the Common Law, or in Chancery, shall be put in, or displaced but by Authority of Parliament; That none but Protestants be Justices of Peace; so also for Lord Lieutenants, Deputy Leiutenants and Officers in the Navy, not to be put in or removed but by Authority of Parliament; concluding that it is hard to invent any other restraint to be put on a Popish Successor; yet if any thing else can occur to the Wisdom of the Parliament whereby to secure Religion, and Liberty, without defeating the Right of Succession itself, that His Majesty is most ready to consent to it.  
After the Consideration of this Speech had been Adjourned over from time to time; It was at last Resolved on the 11th of May in the House of Commons in defence of the King's Person and the Protestant Religion, that they will stand by His Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes; and that if His Majesty should come by any violent Death (which God forbidden) that they will revenge it to the utmost upon the Papists. And according to this Vote they drew up an Address on the 14th, with this variation in the form of Words, viz. We shall be ready to Revenge upon the Papists, any violence offered [by them] to your Sacred Majesty. The Words, by them, being neither expressed nor intimated in their Vote, though essential and necessary to the Justice of the intended Revenge.  
Further than this they took no notice of the King's Resolution expressed in the said Speech; but contrary to that Clause which related to the Succession, on the 15th of May, they brought in a Bill to Disable the Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of England, which being Read the first time on the said 15th of May, was on the 21st read again and Committed to a Committee of the whole House; yet the House divided on the Question. Yea 207. noah's 123. But the Parliament being soon after Prorogued, it never proceeded further.  
In the mean time the two Houses of Parliament are very earnest in debating the Methods relating to the Trials of the five Popish Lords in the Tower, and the Earl of Danby; which last being on the third of May demanded, at the Bar of the Lords House, whether he would rely upon and abide by the Plea of his Pardon, returned for Answer, That being advised by his Council that his Pardon is good in Law, he doth insist upon his Plea, and desires that his Council may be heard: With which their Lordships acquainting the Commons, they Order a return to be made to their Lordships by the whole House in these words, on the 5th of May.  
My Lords, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament Assembled, are come up to demand Judgement in their own Names and the Names of all the Commons of England, against Thomas Earl of Danby, who stands Impeached by them before your Lordships of High Treason, and divers high Crimes and Misdemeanours, To which he has pleaded a Pardon, which Pardon the Commons conceive to be illegal and void, and therefore they do demand Judgement of your Lordships accordingly.  
On the 6th of May it was ordered in the House of Lords, that Saturday next be appointed for the Earl of Danby's Plea to be argued, and that the five Lords in the Tower be tried this Day Seven-night: With which Orders they acquainted the Commons the next Day, and that their Lordships had appointed an Address to be made to His Majesty to appoint a Lord Steward for the said Trials. The Commons not well satisfied with these proceed, desire that a Committee of both Houses may be nominated to consider of the most proper ways and methods of Proceeding upon Impeachments, according to the usage of Parliament. But the Lords refused to agree to the Proposal as inconformable to the Rules and Orders of proceed of their House, which is and ever must be tender in matters relating to their Judicature. Upon this Answer the Commons resolve (May 9) That no Commoner whatsoever presume to maintain the validity of the Pardon pleaded by the Earl of Danby, without the leave of this House first had; and that the Persons so doing shall be accounted Betrayers of the Liberties of the Commons of England. After this it seems that the Lords did recede from their former resolution, for on the 11th of May, they acquainted the Commons by Message, That they had appointed a Committee consisting of Twelve Lords, to join with a Committee of the House of Commons to consider of propositions and circumstances in relation to the foresaid Trials.  
Which joint Committee of both Houses meeting, they dis-agreed about the Bishops being present at the Trials. for the Lords having resolved in their House, That the Lords Spiritual have a right to stay in Court in Capital Cases till the Court proceed to the Vote of Guilty or Not Guilty: Hereupon the Commons resolved on the other side to insist upon it, that the Lords Spiritual ought not to have any Vote in any Proceed upon Impeachments against the Lords in the Tower. The two Houses seeming to disser on this point, the Bishops thought to find out a Medium, and on the 16th of May, desired leave of the House of Lords that they might withdraw themselves from the Trials of the said Impeached Lords, with the Liberty of entering their usual Protestations.  
But this did not satisfy the House of Commons, who on the 24th of May Resolve that they cannot proceed to the Trial of the Five Lords before Judgement be given on the Earl of Danby's Pardon, and in the point of the Bishops Voting in Capital Offences. For which they drew up Reasons, and the 26th of May delivered the same to the Lords at a Conference: which being very large, and in print, I shall here omit.  
And in this posture did the Public Transactions in Parliament appear on the 27th day of May, at which time it pleased His Majesty to Prorogue both Houses until the 14th day of August next.  
About this time the King was pleased to remove Sir John Robinson from being Lieutenant of the Tower, and confer the Place on Captain Cheek.  
The Troubles in Scotland, which broke out in this Month, gave occasion of much discourse, and no little alarm in England. They begun in the Barbarous Murder of Dr. Sharp Archbishop of St. Andrews, on the 3d of May, as he was travelling from Edinburgh to his own Residency; The Murderers were a company of Inveterate Covenanters, who, in regard the said Bishop had been formerly one of their Party, and now revolted (as they called his honest Reformation) bore him a most immortal hatred, having attempted his Life several times before. But the Assassins' stop not at Murder, for soon after this they gather into a Body in the Western parts of Scotland, and fall into open Rebellion and Treason; on the 29th, a Party of the Rebels well mounted and armed, came to Rugland, proclaim the Covenant, and burned the following Acts of Parliament, viz. The Act concerning the King's Supremacy. The Recissory Act (by which all the Mock-Laws, made in the times of the late Anarchy, were repealed.) The Act for establishing Episcopacy: And the Act appointing the Anniversary of the 29th of May They also published an Insolent Declaration full of Treason, and the very Spirit of Scotch Covenanters, commonly there called WHIGS: With such as these their Army increased daily to such a considerable number, that the King Commissioned the Duke of Monmouth as Generalissimo to suppress the Insurrection, which not long after, with the assistance of the Loyal Gentry and Heretors of that Nation, he did in one Battle; killing some, and taking several Hundreds of Prisoners; of which some few being hanged, especially those who were more immediately concerned in the Arch-Bishops Murder, the rest were Transported.  
But to return to London. On the 13th of June, Thomas White, alias Whitebread. Provincial of the Jesuits in England, William Harcourt, John Fenwick, John Gaven, and Anthony Turner, all Jesuits, were Tried at the Old-Baily, and found Guilty of High Treason as Conspirators in the late Plot; The next Day Richard Langhorn Esq; a Barister of the Inner-Temple, was Tried at the same Bar for the same Crime, and being also found Guilty, all six had Sentence of Condemnation, and were accordingly Executed; the five Jesuits on Friday the 20th of June, and Mr. Langhorn on the 14th of July following; All departing this Life with the greatest Protestations of Innocence, as to the Crimes Objected, as could be possibly expected.  
On the last Day of Trinity-Term, being the 9th of July, Sir Anthony Dean, and Samuel Pepys Esq; two Members of the present Parliament were on a long debate let to Bail in the Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster, the Principals in a Recognizance of 10000 l. a piece, and every one of the Bail 5000 l. They had been Committed to the Tower, by Order of the House of Commons on the 20th of May last; their Accusation Treason, Piracy, and Felony on the Stat. 31. El. 4. And being on the first Day of this Term removed by Habeas Corpus into this Court, the said Crimes were here charged against 'em in several Affidavits by Scot and Moon; but it seems the Evidence not appearing so home as expected, they were now Bailed, and so continued till the last Day of Hillary-Term following, at which time they were Discharged on their own single Recognizance to appear in Trinity-Term next without being brought to any Trial.  
But now arrives the 10th of July, on which Day the King was pleased to Dissolve the present Parliament by Proclamation, with a Declaration of His Intention to call another on the 17th of October following.  
On the 18th of July Sir George Wakeman Baronet, the Queen's Physician, William Marshal, William Rumley, and James Corker, Benedictin Monks, were Tried for High Treason relating to the late Plot; the Evidence, Oats, Bedloe, and others; But the Jury found 'em not Guilty, and they were discharged. Several Libels hereupon flew abroad against my Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, who notwithstanding did sufficiently acquit himself from all aspersion in the Judgement of sober People.  
In August, the King fell dangerously ill at Windsor, upon the Intelligence of which His Royal Highness came over Post to His Majesty; But it pleased God that the King recovering His Health, to the great Joy of the Nation; The Lord Mayor of London, with the Court of Aldermen, and a Train of 30 Coaches, and about 100 Horsemen, went on Monday the 15th of September to Windsor to Congratulate His Majesty's Recovery, which Compliment was as kindly received as handsomely performed. On the Wednesday following the King, attended by His Royal Highness and the whole Court, rerurned to Whitehall; that Night by the Lord Mayor express Order there were Bonfires throughout the whole City for His Majesty's return, as well to His former Health, as place of Residency. But it seems the Duke of Monmouth having contracted the King's Displeasure, on some account or other, not commonly known, His Majesty was pleased to take from him his Commission of Captain General, and for a time expel him the Kingdom; soon after this the said Duke went over to Vtrecht, and at the same time His Royal Highness returned to Brussels; But this last, it seems, without designs of any long stay there, for on Sunday Night the 12th of October, His said Royal Highness, the Duchess, and Family, arrived at St. James', to the surprise of some, and Joy of others.  
The King having called a New Parliamenz, as he had formerly promised on the Dissolution of the last, to meet on the 17th of October, He was now further pleased to Prorogue it from the time appointed, to the 26th of January following.  
On the first Day of Michaelmas-Term, my Lord Chief Justice Scroggs took occasion to make an Excellent Speech in the Kings-Bench Court, concerning the many Scandalous Libels that had been Published against him since Sir George Wakemans Trial, and acquittal; in which Speech he purged himself at large of any Corruption and with a great measure of Courage declared, That he was neither afraid nor ashamed to own what he had done; That the Impeachment of the course of Public Justice by vulgar noise and clamour did not at all terrify him to a Compliance with the Rabble, against his Conscience and Understanding, nor to try any cause otherwise then according to the Evidence and the probability and credibility it carries with it. Mr. Justice Jones and Justice Dolbin spoke also to the same purpose, and appeared as Compurgators of the Chief Justice's Integrity.  
Much discourse there was at this time, and many Narratives came out daily concerning the Discovery of a New Plot which the Papists (was is said) had contrived to lay on the Presbyterians. The chief Discoverer was one Dangerfield alias Willoughby; Several were accused, and laid up as Conspirators; among whom, the Countess of Powis, Mrs Celier, Sir Robert Payton, and Mr Gadbury.  
The Effigies of the Pope in all his Pontificalibus, had been for several years passed solemnly burnt by the people, in the Month of November, yearly; but never with so much Ceremony, as on the 17th of November this year, it being a Day observed by some in memory of Queen Elizabeth. The Procession consisted of one personating the Dead Body of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey carried on a Horse, with a Bellman to mind the People of his Murder, Priests in Copes with a large Silver Cross, Carmelite, and Grey Friars, six Jesuits, and after them the Waits, several Bishops, some in Lawn Sleeves, others with Copes and Mitres on, than six Cardinals, and after them the Pope on a Pageant with Boys and Incense Pots, and other Ceremonious Pomp, behind him the Devils Representative; In this manner they marched about five at night from Bishopsgate to the Temple-gate at Chancery Lane End, attended with Thousands of People, at which appointed station, they Committed the Effigies to the Flames of a very extraordinary Bonfire, at which time the mock-Devil departed, and the Show ended.  
On Thursday the 27th of November, The Duke of Monmouth arrived in the night time at London, on whose return the Citizens expressed a mighty Joy by Bonfires, Fireworks, and Ringing of Bells all the next day and most part of the night.  
In the mean time his Royal Highness with his Duchess and Daughter, attended with a Guard and Retinue suitable to their Quality, made a Journey into Scotland: Where being arrived, The Duke was at Edinburgh on the 4th of December, received and Complemented by the Privy Council of that Kingdom, with abundance of Respect and Honour; The Lord Chancellor made a Speech in the name of all the Council, to which his Royal Highness Answered in very affectionate Terms, expressing his great satisfaction at the Civilities he had received since his arrival in that Kingdom: And declaring his readiness to promote the Honour and Service of the King, and the Interests of the Scottish Nation.  
About this time great endeavours were used to procure a Multitude of Hands to Petitions which were framing in London, Westminster, and several Counties, to be presented to the King for the sitting of the Parliament on the 26th day of January next according to the last Prorogation; which manner of Petitioning being unwarrantable and tumultuous, the King was pleased, in Council Dec. 10. to Order the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to take care in their several stations of His Majesty's Honour, and of the peace and safety of the City, and not to suffer such persons that should sign such Petitions, or go about to procure hands to them to go unpunished; but that they should proceed against them or cause them to be brought before the Council Board to be punished, according to a Resolution of all the Judges of England, 2. Jac. (which may be seen. Cro. 2. part of Reports, fol. 37.) His Majesty was further pleased to issue out His Proclamation dated the 12th day of December, containing, That whereas he hath been informed that divers evil disposed persons endeavour in several parts of this Kingdom to frame Petitions to His Majesty for specious Ends and purposes relating to the public, and thereupon to collect and procure to the same the hands and subscriptions of multitudes of His Majesty's Subjects; which Proceed being contrary to the Common and known Laws of this Land, and tending to promote discontents among the People, and to raise Sedition and Rebellion, His Majesty doth therefore strictly charge and commad all and every his loving Subjects of what Rank or Degree soever, that they presume not to agitate or promote any such Subscriptions, nor in any ways join in any Petition of that manner to be preferred to His Majesty, upon peril of the utmost rigour of the Law that may be inflicted for the same.  
At the same time His Majesty issued out another Proclamation, declaring His Resolution to Prorogue the Parliament from the 26th of January to the 11th of November next.  
Notwithstanding the scope of these two Proclamations, the business of Petitioning went forwards; several were perfected and delivered not long after, one from London Subscribed with many Thousands of hands, others from, York, Essex, Surrey, and Wiltshire, all which the King received but coldly, and as appeared afterwards, ineffectually, for on the 26th of January being the Day to which the Parliament was Prorogued, His Majesty was pleased to make a short Speech to both Houses, containing, That when he declared in Council His Intention of putting off the Parliament to a time so remote as November, it was not without mature Consideration; That he cannot be persuaded from any thing that has happened since (in reference to Affairs within the Kingdom) to alter or repent of that Resolution; That notwithstanding, considering the present danger which threatens some of our Neighbours and Allies, He thinks fit to appoint a day for their meeting again in April; yet the Distractions and Jealice at home are of such a nature, and so heightened and improved by the malice and and Industry of ill men, that he is unalteablylos opinion that a longer Interval of Parliament will be absolutely necessary for composing and quieting of men's minds; in order to which, he is afraid the most proper Remedies would prove ineffectual without the assistance of some further time; He resolves therefore that on the said meeting in April there shall be a further Prorogation, unless the Condition of our Allies abroad do then require our immediate assistance.  
Hereupon he commanded the Lord Chancellor to Prorogue the Parliament to the 15th of April.  
In the mean time Articles of high Misdemeanour were offered by way of Complaint to the King and Council against the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, by Oats, and Bedloe, who had formerly declared themselves unwilling to give any Evidence against any Papists, or concerning the late Popish Conspiracy in any Court where the said Chief Justice should fit as Judge. But the Prosecution of this Affair soon fell, and the Cause never came to be heard, further than the Chief Justice's Answer.  
In the beginning of Hillary Term, Sir Thomas Gascoigne, a Yorkshire Knight of 85 years of age, was Arraigned at the King's Bench Bar in Westminster Hall, upon an Information of High Treason in conspiring the Death of the King, and the Subversion of the Government. He was afterwards brought to his Trial at the same Bar; the Jury were all Yorkshire Gentlemen, the Foreman, Sir Thomas Hodson; The chief Evidence against him one Balron, who had formerly been Bailie of his Coalpits, and one Mowbray, who had also belonged to his Family; but their Testimony, it seems, not being of that Weight or credibility with the Jury as some expected, they brought in their Verdict Not Guilty; whereupon the Prisoner was immediately discharged.  
We are now arrived at the end of the 31st year of His Majesty's Reign, a year observable for many Revolutions, though all concluding peaceably and well, through the Mercy of God, and the Wisdom of our Superiors, the factious Rabble having been never more ready for Combustion, since the late Wars of Cursed Memory.   

Anno 32 Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1680.  
THE Conclusion of the last Year left his Royal Highness in Scotland, but the beginning of this must be remarkable for his return to England; which healing Action in the entrance, will, I hope, as a good Omen, prognosticate Peace and Happiness to the King and Kingdom, during the rest of this Thirty second Year of His Majesty's Reign.  
On the 31 of January, the Duke acquainted the Lords of the Privy Council at Edinburg, That he had received a Letter from the King, calling him very speedily to Court; That though he did very cheerfully obey His Majesty's Commands, and went with much joy to attend Him, yet he could not part from their Lordships so soon without a great deal of Reluctancy and Trouble, having both at his reception, and during the short time of his abode there, met with all possible demonstration of civility and kindness, both from the Nobility, Gentry, and from the Representatives of the several Bodies of the Nation, particularly from the Council, of which he had so just a resentment, that he could not in all his life forget them, and should not fail upon all occasions to meet their great kindness and affection shown him, with all the service he was capable to do them; That he would acquaint His Majesty that He had in Scotland a brave and loyal Nobility and Gentry, a regular Privy Council, and the Judicatures filled with able Persons well affected to His Majesty's Service and Interest; That he had observed the disaffected Party were nothing so considerable as their Friends in England studied industriously to represent them to be. He then recommended to the Council the settling of the Differences between several Gentlemen of the Highlands, whom he had always observed to be firm to His Majesty's Interest. The Lord Chancellor, in the name of the Council, acknowledged the great happiness they had had in high Presence, Conduct, and Advice, and declared how much devoted they all were to the Service of His Majesty and his Royal Highness; and that they could not express the great grief they had to part so soon with him, to whose Council and Presence they own so many Advantages.  
After this the Duke, Duchess, and all their Retinue, began their Voyage by Sea for London, where he arrived at the Court Privy Stairs on the 24th of February, about Three in the afternoon, not without all the due signs of Joy and Welcome. There arrived at the same time from the Privy Council of Scotland, a Letter full of Loyal Expressions to the King's Service, with abundance of Recommendation and Protestations for the Duke's Interest. Two days after his arrival, his Royal Highness was attended by the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen, Recorder, and Common Council of the City of London; at which time the Recorder having in all their names Congratulated his safe arrival, they all kissed the Hands both of the Duke and Duchess.  
On the 11th of February, His Majesty was pleased to declare in Council, that He had granted His Secretary Coventry leave to resign his Place of Secretary of State; That His intention was to continue him however of His Council; And that He had made choice of Sir Lionel Jenkins to succeed him in the Place of Secretary, who was accordingly Sworn of His Privy Council that day, and took his place at the Board.  
Before the end of this Hillary Term, the Court of King's Bench produced several remarkable passages relating to the public. For besides the Trial and Acquittal of Sir Thomas Gascoin (of which before) on the 9th of February, Thomas Whitfield, John Smallbones', and William Laud, having been formerly indicted for a Riot, in tearing a Petition which was some time since carried about to get Subscriptions to it concerning the sitting of the Parliament, being now tried for the same at the King's Bench Bar, they were found Not guilty of the Riot, and only Mr. Whitfield guilty of tearing the Petition; but what offence that action did amount to, was not at that time declared by the Court.  
About the same time several Booksellers were punished for publishing Seditious and Scandalous Libels; but above all, the Sentence against Benjamin Harris, the Publisher of the Weekly Domestic Intelligence, is most observable, who having been Indicted, Tried, and found Guilty of Vending a Scandalous Libel, called, An Appeal from the Country to the City, had Judgement on the last day of the Term, To stand in the Pillory before the Old Exchange on the Tuesday following; Imprisonment for One year, Three years Good behaviour, and Fined 500 l. the said Appeal to be burnt by the Common Hangman.  
On the fifth of March His Majesty was pleased to issue out His Proclamation against Highwaymen, promising thereby the Sum of 10 l. to any one who should discover any such, from the date of the said Proclamation until the second of March following, which said Sum was appointed to he paid immediately on the Conviction of such Robber, by the Sheriff of the County; and to be allowed on His Accounts.  
On the ninth of March the King issued out another Proclamation against such, who under a vain pretence of Honour, take upon them to be the Revengers of their private Quarrels in Duels and single Combat, which ought not to be upon any pretence or provocation whatsoever, strictly charging and commanding all his loving Subjects of what quality soeve, hat they do not, either by themselves or others, by Message, Word, Writing, or other ways, Challenge, or cause to be Challenged, any Person or Persons, to fight in Combat or single Duel, nor Carry, Accept, or Conceal any such Challenge or Appointment, nor actually fight any such Duel, or as a Second or otherwise accompany or be assistant therein; declaring further, That He will not grant His Pardon to any Person whatsoever, that shall fight or be any way aiding or concerned in such Duel, where any Person shall be slain or die of his Wounds received therein, but will leave all such persons to the utmost rigour and severity of the Laws; And that He will not suffer or endure any person or persons to be or remain at Court who shall presume to intercede for any person or persons offending against this Proclamation, straight charging and commanding, by the said Proclamation, all persons whatsoever, who shall receive or know of any Challenge, sent, or delivered, as aforesaid, forthwith to give notice thereof to some of the Privy Council, or some Justice of Peace near the place, upon pain of His highest Displeasure, and being left to the strictest rigour and severity of the Law.  
On the 15th of April, being the day to which the Parliament was formerly Prorogued, the King then absent at Newmarket, my Lord Chancellor, by Commission under the Great Seal, Prorogued it further to the 17th of May following, the Duke of York being present in the House. On the 17th of May it was further Prorogued till the first of July.  
And now it was that those Counties which had been lately so active in promoting Petitions for the sitting of the Parliament, began to be ashamed of such Actions, and to recant. The City of Westminster was the first, whose Grand Jury by their public and formal Act, at their Sessions after Easter, disowned the said Action of promoting Petitions, and charged it on certain Factious persons unknown to them; this, and more to this purpose, they desired their Steward, Mr. Withens of the Middle Temple, to represent in their names to His Majesty, which he did soon after, and was Knighted for his Loyalty by the Name of Sir Francis Withens. After this followed the like Addresses from the Counties of Surry, Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk, which last mentioned County of Norfolk, had this further Acknowledgement in their Message, viz. Their humble thanks to His Majesty for recalling the Duke from Flanders. To the same purpose, ought not to be omitted what happened in my Lord Shandois his Case, who having been elected by the Turkey Company of Merchants to go Ambassador to Constantinople, and desiring His Majesty's Approbation, the King was pleased to reply, That he having countenanced and been engaged in the Business of a Petition about the Parliament (which His Majesty looked upon as derogatory to His Prerogative, and tending to Sedition) He could not think him fit for this Favour. Hereupon the said Lord desiring to be called into the Council of Foreign Affairs at Whitehall, Apr. 26. did there humbly acknowledge to His Majesty his fault in having been concerned in the said Petition, alleging, That he was misled and drawn in, by being given to understand that that proceeding was for His Majesty's Service; but that being since better informed, he abhorred and disowned all such Practices, and humbly begged His Majesty's Pardon for what was passed. After which the King was pleased to receive him into His Favour, and confirm his Election to the Embassy.  
About this time it was, that a false and dangerous Rumour flew abroad, and was spread about the Town, concerning a Black Box reported to be found, wherein was said to be contained a Writing importing a Marriage or Contract between His Majesty and the Duke of Monmouth's Mother; which report coming to the King's Ear, He was pleased to Summon the Council to meet extraordinarily on the 26th of April, in which He declared the said report to be altogether false, and that He thought Himself obliged in Honour and Conscience to have the matter throughly examined and searched into; In order whereunto Sir Gilbert Gerard (who was rumoured to have seen some such Writing) being called in, was examined in Council (his Royal Highness, and all the Judges of the Courts at Westminster being present) touching the truth of what was reported; To which he answered upon Oath, That he never had any such Writing committed to his Custody, nor did he know of any such thing, or had ever seen such Writing. To all which he also subscribed his Name. His Majesty declaring He resolved to use all means possibly to find out the Author of this Report. And accordingly a Committee of Council did sit for a great while afterwards to sift into the Business.  
On the fifth of May, all the Judges of England, having been demanded their Opinions, made their Report in Council, and declared for Law, That His Majesty may Prohibit the Printing and Publishing of all News-Books and Pamphlets of News whatsoever not Licenced by His Majesty's Authority, as manifestly tending to the Breach of the Peace, and Disturbance of the Kingdom: And accordingly the King issued out His Proclamation to suppress 'em, May 12.  
On the 11th of May, being about the middle of Easter Term, a Bill of Indictment of High Treason against the Lady Powis, was delivered to the Grand Jury of Middlesex, who not being satisfied with the sufficiency of the Evidence, after a long Examination, brought the Bill in, Ignoramus.  
The storm of Hail that fell at London on the 18th of May about eleven of the Clock in the morning, is not to be passed without Observation; which though it came not very thick, nor continued long, yet was of such note, that some were measured above six Inches about; I saw many fall bigger than Pigeons Eggs, or ordinary Walnuts, none less than one's finger end, and hard as Stones, till they had lain a while. Several Rooks in the Temple Garden were beaten down from the Trees and killed with this Hail, as so many Shot or Bullets.  
On Wednesday the 19th of May, Richard Tasburgh of Flixton in the County of Suffolk Esq; was Tried at the King's Bench Bar upon an Indictment of High Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King, but upon a long Evidence to little purpose, was found Not Guilty (the Jury never going from the Bar) and discharged.  
On Friday the 21 of May was brought to the same Bar, by Habeas Corpus, William Viscount Stafford, who much complaining of his long Imprisonment, was informed by the Court, That all the Judges had resolved upon mature Consideration, that he being Impeached of Treason in Parliament, he could not be tried out of Parliament; and for the same reason also, it was out of the Power of this Court to Bail him; That he, and the other Lords in the Tower were not within the benefit of the late Act touching Habeas Corpus'; That the Court was sorry they could not relieve him; and that there was no way for him to come to his Trial but by the sitting of the Parliament.  
The day following Sir Henry Tichburne, the elder Roper, and John Caryl Esq; were Bailed at the same Bar, though accused of High Treason; yet in regard there appeared but one Witness against them (viz. Oats) they were discharged of their Confinement, upon Bail.  
On the last day of the Term, the Lady Powis, Sir Robert Payton, and one Bedingfield, were absolutely discharged of all attendance. The same day a Bill of Indictment of High Treason was found and brought in by the Grand Jury of Middlesex against the Lord Castlemain.  
The Nine and twentieth of May, being the solemn Anniversary for the King's Birth and Restoration, past this year with the usual Church Service, and the Joy of Bells, but without any Bonfires at night, all Bonfires, not only on this, but any other day whatsoever, having been forbid (by order of the Privy Council, April 7.) without Licence first obtained from the Council or other Magistrates: Such Bonfires as of late, having been observed the occasions of tumult and dangerous opportunities of Sedition: This day was also observed at Edinburgh with great solemnity and triumph, Fifty old Men (the Number of His Majesty's Age) attending the Ceremony, each having a Largess of 50 s. The King and the Duke's Healths were publicly drank at the Market Cross, the Conduits running Claret, and abundance of Oranges, Lemons, and Sweatmeats thrown abroad.  
About the 10th of June arrived ill News from Tangier, the Moors on the 14th passed so straitened Charles Fort with their Siege, that the English Garrison, being but 180 Men, under Captain Trelawney, resolved to quit it as desperate, and fight through the Enemy, to the Town of Tangier; accordingly they laid a Mine to blow it up after their departure, and passing through the Enemy's Works in the night (which Passage they found more difficult than expected) the whole Army of the Moors were alarmed and came in upon them, killed near 150, cut the Captain all to pieces, about 38 men escaping through. Henrietta Fort being also at the same time lost to the Enemy.  
On the the first day of Trinity Term, Mrs. Celier was tried for High Treason, at the King's Bench Bar, the Indictment run in the usual form as against the rest of the Plotters; but the chief, (and indeed only) Evidence against her, Thomas Dangerfield, being proved by Records then produced, so great and infamous a Criminal, his Testimony was refused by the Court to be admitted, and chief in regard he stood Outlawed of Felony, and Felony not being expressed in his Pardon, she was therefore found Not Guilty; and Dangerfield himself committed to custody, till he could find Bail to Reverse the Outlawry, to Answer the Felony, and for his good Behaviour; But within a few days after the said Dangerfield producing a Newgate Pardon, whereby all Felonies were Pardoned, and his name being found therein, he was discharged.  
And now it was that His Majesty, in pursuance to what He had done in April, and to remove all pretences of the disaffected, in the Point of Succession, published his Declaration, Protesting on the Word of a King, and the Faith of a Christian, That He was never Married to Mrs. Bar low alias Waters, the Duke of Monmouth's Mother, nor to any other Woman, besides the now Queen. Which Declaration was on the 15th of June in this Trinity Term, Registered on Record in the High Court of Chancery, all the great Lords of the Privy Council who were present when His Majesty Declared and Signed the same, attesting the Action upon their Corporal Oaths in open Court. The Lord Chancellor declaring at the same time, That this Declaration is not enrolled here to receive any augmentation of repute or force from this Court, for it cannot receive more than it hath already, but only to be preserved here as in a Repository or Registry; and he doubts not but it will also find a more Noble Registry than this, that is, the Hearts of all the Loyal Subjects of the Nation.  
Other notable passages are to be Observed this Term: On the 22d of June, the Lord Aston was brought to the Kings-Bench Bar in Order to his Trial, but the Attorney-General not being ready with the King's Evidence, the Trial was put off to the Friday following, on which Day the Court did not proceed to the Trial for the same reason, and the Lord Aston was Bailed the next Day, to appear the first Day of next Term. On the 23d of the same Month, the Lord Castlemain was Tried for High Treason; the Evidence against him Oats, and Dangerfield; the last of which tho' admitted to be Sworn, yet finding no credit with the Court and Jury on the account of the Infamy of his many Crimes, the Verdict was brought in Not Guilty, and the Prisoner Discharged. And this was because the Stat. 13 of this King, requires two Lawful and credible Witnesses in Cases of Treason, and Dangerfield being not esteemed such, there remained only one Witness, viz. Oates.  
Saturday the 26th of June, being four Days before the Term ended, the Grand Jury of Middlesex came to the Kings-Bench Bar, and by their Foreman, Charles Humphrevile Esq; presented to the Bench a Petition Subscribed by 21 of them, and desired my Lord Chief Justice to present it to the King, for the sitting of the Parliament; but the Court refusing to Act in it, received it not. And the said Jury were at the same time Discharged from further attendance. It is said, that they had at that time some Bills and Presentments before them against several Persons for being Popish Recusants, in Order to their Conviction, all which they would have found and presented in few Hours time, had they not been Discharged; among the rest a Bill against the Duke of York brought into the said Jury, and Promoted, and in some sort, attested by several Lords and Members of Parliament, viz. Huntingdon, Shaftsbury, Grace of Wark, Brandon, Russel, Candish, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Edward Hungerford, Sir Scroop How, Sir William Cooper, Sir Thomas Wharton, John Trenchard Esq; Thomas Thynn Esq; and William Forester Esq; And note that the Proceed of the Petition abovesaid were disowned by another Grand Jury of Middlesex, who the same Day, came in, and presented the Court with a Paper Subscribed by them to that purpose, desiring the Court to take particular notice of their dissent to the irregular Proceed of the other Jury.  
On the last Day of the Term several who should have been Tried about the Plot, were (in regard the Attorney-general had not Evidence sufficient against them,) some Bailed, and some absolutely Discharged, by virtue of the late Act of Habeas Corpus. 31. Car. 2. Among the first were Sir James Symonds, Edward Peter, and Needham, with several others who were reputed Priests; Mr. Howard, Mr. Heveningham, both the Ropers, Sir John Gage, and young Langhorn, were absolutely Discharged from their long Imprisonments, some having lain by it for 23 Months, and the reason of their Discharge was because Mr. Attorney-General declared that he had but one Witness against them. Sir Anthony Dean and Mr. Pepys, were also at the same time absolutely Discharged from further attendance. But one Holcroft a Conventicle Preacher having removed himself by Habeas Corpus from Cambridge Goal, and appearing to be a very Seditious and dangerous Person, and to be in Prison not only by Warrant of the Justices on the Oxford Act, but also on 17. Car. a Capias Excommunicatum, was 2. c. 2. remanded.  
On the first of July, being the Day to which the Parliament had been formerly Prorogued, it was further Prorogued, by Commission, to the 22d of the same Month, the Duke of York being present in the House, and from thence to the 23d of August.  
Bethel (who had been one of the Committee of Safety in the late Times) and Cornish, two reputed fanatics, had been chosen Sheriffs of London last Midsummer for the Year ensuing, but appearing since uncapable to bear Office in any Corporation by the Stat. 13. Car. 2. Stat. 2. c. 1. a New Election was appointed to be at Guildhall on the 14th of July, against which time they capacitated themselves by receiving the Sacrament and abjuring the Covenant, etc. As appointed by the said Act, and stood for a New Choice; against whom too other Competitors appeared, Fox, and Nicholson; in so much that they came to a Poll (a thing unusual) during which time a Rlotous Assault was Committed on the Person of Sir Simon Lewis, one of the then Sheriffs, by Osborn a Draper and others of Bethels Party; which being Represented to the King the same Night, by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in Person, he Ordered a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be Issued out for Trial of the said Riot. They continued Polling till Monday following, and from thence by Adjournment to Thursday, The King in the mean time being entertained at Supper at Sheriff Lewis' House Tuesday July 20. On the 29th of July (and not before) the Votes were declared at a Common Hall then Assembled at the Guild-Hall, to stand thus  

Bethel, 2276.  
Cornish, 2483.  
Box, 1428.  
Nicholson, 1230.   
Whereupon the two first were declared lawfully Chosen with great Acclamations. At the same time an Address was Presented to the Lord Mayor by Thomas Papillon Esq; in the Name of the Commons of the City, thereby Disowning all tumultuous and disorderly Proceed in their last Assembly, other than what might be the effect of Emulation for His Majesty's Service, and the Preservation of their own just Rights, desiring his Lordship to Represent the same to the King, and that he would in their Names humbly beseech His Majesty that the Parliament might speedily Assemble, To which the Lord Mayor Answered in a short Speech, That he had not misrepresented any thing touching their last Assembly to His Majesty; That their Address touching the Parliament might have been spared, in regard the King had been pleased not long since to declare to him, and assure him, That this Parliament should sit in November next; however that he would not be wanting with all humility to lay the whole matter before him.  
On the 23d of August, being the Day to which the Parliament had been Prorogued, the Houses met, and were further Prorogued to the 21st of October following; The King promising that they should sit then, and Publishing His Proclamation to that purpose.  
Several Remarkable Passages happened this long Vacation. As, the Death of the Earl of Ossery, into whose Place of Lord Chamberlain to the Queen, Succeeded the Earl of Feversham. The Death of Bedloe, one of the Evidence concerning the Plot. Also the Prince Palatine Elder Son of the Elector, being here in England on a Visit to the King, he received News of the Death of his Father in Germany, during his absence.  
It was also during this Vacation that Elizabeth Celier before mentioned Published a Narrative of her Trial and Sufferings; in which were some words like Reproach to the Government, for which she was Tried, found Guilty of Publishing a Libel, Fined 1000 l. to stand Thrice in the Pillory, Good Behaviour during Life, and her Book to be Burnt by the Hangman.  
And now comes on the long expected 21st Day of October, and with it the first Session of this Parliament. The Day before which The Duke and Duchess of York began their Journey for Scotland, by Sea; The King Accompanying them as low as Woolwich, and there Dineing with them on Shipboard. The same Day many Members of both Houses, to the Number of 200 as reported, met in a kind of Cabal at Dinner at the Sun Tavern behind the Exchange. On the 21st the King's Speech contained, That He had during this long Prorogation made Alliances with Holland and Spain; That He desired Money of them for the Relief of Tangier which had already exhausted His Purse; That He would not have them meddle with the Succession of the Crown in the Right Line, but proceed in the Discovery of the Plot, and to the Trials of the Lords, etc. After this (the Chancellor making no set Speech) the Commons returned to their own House, and unanimously chose for their Speaker, Mr. Williams of Grays-Inn, Recorder of Chester.  
One of the first things the House of Commons did, was to Purge their own House of certain Members; Sir Robert Can, a Burgess for Bristol for having said there is no Plot, but a Presbyterian Plot: Sir Francis Withins head Steward of Westminster, and one of the Burgesses for the same, for having Declared himself abhorrent to the late Tumultous Petitions for the Parliaments sitting. The first of these was expelled the House, and Committed to the Tower; the other only expelled; But both Ordered to receive their Censure on their Knees. And several other Members were declared Guilty of the last mentioned Offence.  
On the 30th of October, the King Published a Proclamation, promising His Pardon to all that within two Months shall come in and make any further Discovery of the Plot. And this was done upon an Address of Parliament.  
In the mean time the Commons not satisfied in punishing their own Members who had appeared against Petitioning for the Parliaments fitting, they take notice of others who were without their Walls, and among the rest Sir George Jeffreys becomes the Object of their Displeasure; who being Recorder of London, the King's Sergeant at Law, and Chief Justice of Chester, is for the pretended Crime above specified, on the 13th of November Voted a Betrayer of the Rights of the Subject, and an Address Ordered to be made to His Majesty to remove him from all Public Offices. At the same time it was Ordered, that a Committee inquire into all such Persons as have been advising or promoting the late Proclamation, styled a Proclamation against Tumultuous Petitioning.  
But about the same time a matter of much greater concern was thus managed. On the 11th of November, was passed in the House of Commons a Bill entitled, An Act for securing the Protestant Religion, by disabling James Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of England, and Ireland, and the Territories thereunto belonging. Which Bill was on the 15th carried up to the Lords House by my Lord Russel, attended by almost all the Commons, who gave a Hum at the Delivery. They being departed it was read once, and being put to the Vote, whether it should be read a second time, it was carried in the Affirmative, by two Voices. On the second reading it was debated till 11 a Clock at night (the King being present all the while) and then thrown out of the House by a Majority of about 30 Votes; in which Majority were all the Bishops then present, which were 14.  
Several other matters were transacted in Parliament, of great moment, but in regard the Daily Votes and transactions of the House of Commons, was by Order of that House, daily made public in Print, I refer the Reader for Particulars to what has been published, and in these Papers take notice only of some of the most material Passages.  
Among which, it may be observed that Mr. Seymour the late Speaker, and for whose Election the Commons in the late short Parliament did very much stickle, was now ordered to be Impeached; and thò not at the same time, yet not long after, Impeachments were Voted and drawn up against Sir Francis North Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Sir William Scroggs Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, Sir Thomas Jones second Justice of the said Court, and Sir Richard Weston Puisny Baron of the Exchequer, for several pretended Misdemeanours.  
In the mean time William Lord Viscount Stafford, one of the 5 Popish Lords in the Tower, was brought to his Trial on an Impeachment of High Treason. The Trial began in Westminster Hall on Tuesday the 30th of November, being the next day after the Term ended. Which Impeachment, and Evidence upon the same, was managed by a Committee of the Commons. The Trial lasted for a Whole Week: and The Evidence against him were Oats, Turberville, and Dugdale; Of the Lords who sat upon the Trial (the Lord Chancellor being Lord High Steward) 31 pronounced him not Guilty, and 55 Guilty. And accordingly Judgement was pronounced against him on Wednesday the 7th of December. But his Execution was respited till Wednesday the 29th of December, on which day he was Beheaded on Tower-Hill, protesting with his last breath his Innocency as to those Crimes of which he stood Condemned.  
It is observable, that Bethel, and Cornish, being then Sheriffs of London, and having received the Kings Writ for the Execution of the said Viscount Stafford by severing his Head from his Body, (according to the constant Course in such Cases) had notwithstanding the Confidence to demur upon it, whether he ought to be Beheaded, or according to the Common Judgement, hanged and quartered; and for this they applied themselves to the two Houses of Parliament, To which the most Honourable House of Lords Answered roundly, That the King's Writ ought to be obeyed: But the Commons by way of Concession, viz. That they were Content that the said Lord be Executed by severing his Head from his Body only.  
During these Transactions a Comet with a most Prodigious Stream of light appeared in the West; the Star from which the Blaze proceeded was but small, and when first discovered, appeared not much above the Horizon; but every night afterwards it appeared higher and higher in the beginning of the Night, and consequently setting later and later, its Lustre and magnitude also decaying.  
I am neither able nor willing to make any remarks on the Nature of these Meteors; Or to say how far such noxious Exhalations may incline Mankind to Mischief: And lest of all will I pretend to Interpret whether this Finger of the Almighty is thus seen in the Heavens to Point out Good or Bad Events. All that I design is innocently to observe, and Remember the Naked Matters of Fact as they happen, without disguise or Comment.  
Two things more very observable happened before Christmas. One was, An Address of the House of Commons presented to His Majesty on the 21st of December, in answer to His Speech of the 15th, wherein he demanded, once more, Supplies of Money for the defence of Tangier. The effect of the said Address, was to deny (in as modest Terms as could be) all Supplies of Money for that purpose; unless His Majesty would be pleased to pass a Bill to Seclude the Duke of York from Inheriting to the Crown, and to enable the Protestants of this Nation to Associate themselves for the security of the Protestant Religion, the Defence of the King and Kingdoms.  
The other was a most Remarkable Speech Spoke in the House of Lords by the Earl of Shaftesbury, the King being then present, (at least wise so pretended and Printed) which being full of Audacious and undecent Expressions, was by order of the Lords House, burnt by the Common Hangman at the Exchange, and in the Palace yard.  
On the 4th of January His Majesty was pleased to send His Message to the House of Commons, in Answer to their Address of December, 21. abovementioned, in which Message He let them know, That he had received their Address with all the disposition they could wish to comply with their reasonable Desires; but upon perusal of it, he was sorry to see their thoughts so wholly fixed on the Bill of Exclusion, as to determine that all other remedies for the Suppressing of Popery will be ineffectual; That His Majesty is confirmed in His opinion against That Bill by the Judgement of the House of Lords who rejected it; That He thinks there remains nothing more for Him to say in Answer to the foresaid Address, then to recommend to this House, the Consideration of all other means for the preservation of the Protestant Religion, to which they have no reason to doubt His concurrence, whensoever they shall be presented to Him in a Parliamentary way; And in conclusion, again, He urges them to the preservation of Tangeir.  
On the Friday following, being the 7th of January, the House entered upon the Consideration of the said Message, and resolve, as the opinion of the House, That there is no security or safety for the Protestant Religion, the King's Life, or the Well constituted and established Government of this Kingdom, without passing a Bill for disabling James Duke of York to inherit the Imperial Crown of England, and Ireland, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging; and that to rely upon any other means or remedies without such a Bill, is not only insufficient, but dangerous: That till such a Bill be past this House cannot give any Supply to His Majesty without danger to His Majesty's person, Extreme hazard of the Protestant Religion, and unfaithfulness to those by whom this House is entrusted: That all persons who advised His Majesty in His last Message to this House to insist upon an opinion against the Bill for Excluding the Duke of York, have given Pernicious Council to His Majesty, and are Promoters of Popery, and Enemies to the King and Kingdom: And as such they name George Earl of Hallifax, Henry Marquis of Worcester, Henry Earl of Clarendon, against which, as also against Lewis Earl of Feversham, and Laurence Hid Esq; they Vote an Address to be presented to His Majesty to remove them from all Offices of Honour and Profit, and from His Majesty's Councils and Presence for ever. They further Vote and Resolve, the same day, That whosoever shall hereafter Lend or cause to be Lent by way of advance any Money upon the Branches of the King's Revenue arising by Customs, Excise, or Hearth Money, shall be adjudged to hinder the sitting of Parliaments, and shall be responsible for the same in Parliament.  
On the Monday following, being the 10th of Jan. the King was pleased to determine this Session, by Proroguing the Parliament to the 20th day of Jan. then next following; at the same time passing only Two Public Bills, viz. One about Irish , and One about Burying in Woollen. The House of Commons were, it seems, ware of this Prorogation, and therefore that very morning the first thing they did, after they were sat, and before the Usher of the Black Rod came in, they Resolved, That whosoever advised His Majesty to Prorogue this Parliament, to any other purpose then in Order to the passing of a Bill for the Exclusion of James Duke of York, is a Betrayer of the King, the Protestant Religion, and of the Kingdom of England, a Promoter of the French Interest, and a Pensioner to France.  
On the 13th of Jan. a Court of Common Council, being Assembled in London, they ordered to be drawn up, and Presented to the King a Petition, setting forth, That whereas, the Parliament had convicted one of the 5 Popish Lords in the Tower, and were about to convict the other 4 of High Treason; That they had Impeached the Chief Justice Scroggs, and were about to impeach other Judges, and all this in order to the preservation of His Majesty's Life, the Protestant Religion, and Government; That they were much surprised to see the Parliament Prorogued in the height of their buisiness; That their only hopes were that this was done only in order to bring such Affairs about again as were necessary to the Settling the Nation: They therefore prayed that His Majesty would be pleased to let the Parliament sit at the day appointed, and so to continue till they had effected the great Affairs before them. To this effect were the words of their Petition, which was further ordered to be delivered that night, or as soon as may be, by the Lord Mayor, attended with the new Recorder George Treby Esq; and certain Members of the Court of Aldermen, and Common Council.  
But before the said 20th day of Jan. arrived, the King was pleased by his Proclamation bearing date at Whitehall, Jan. 18. to dissolve this Parliament, and intimate His Royal pleasure and intentions to call an other to sit on the 21st of March following, at Oxford.  
Not long after this, viz. on the 25th of Jan. the Earl of Essex, and other Lords Presented to the King a Petition, setting forth, That whereas the Nation and His Majesty's Person were in imminent danger from the Papists, unto which no stop or remedy could be provided unless by a Parliament; That several Parliaments being called and assembled, they were Prorogued and dissolved before any sufficient order could be taken therein, etc. That His Majesty had been prevailed with to call another at Oxford, where neither Lords or Commons can be in safety, but will be daily exposed to the Swords of the Papists and their adherents, the liberty of speaking thereby destroyed, and the validity of their Acts and proceed left disputable, the straightness of the place unfit for such a Concourse of persons as now follows every Parliament, and the Witnesses which are necessary to give Evidence upon the Commons Impeachment unable to bear the charges of such a Journey, and unwilling to trust themselves under the Protection of a Parliament, that is itself evidently under the Power of Guards and Soldiers; They therefore pray that the Parliament may sit at Westminster. This was subscribed, Monmouth, Kent, Huntingdon, Bedford, Salisbury, Clare, Stamford, Essex, Shaftsbury, Mordant, Evers, P●get, Grey, Herbert, Howard, Delamer.  
About the same time the King was pleased to displace my Lord Sunderland from the Office of Secretary of State, and to confer the said Office on my Lord Conway: and several other Members of the Privy Council were then also altered.  
And thus concluded the 32d year of His Majesty's Reign, observable for divers matters, but above all for the Transactions of the Lords in Parliament, who by their Prudent and Judicious proceed on the 15th of November, defeated the industrious malice of the Duke's Enemies, by rejecting the Bill passed by the Commons for secluding him from the Succession of these Crowns, when they should happen to fall to him by the old known Laws of Inheritance. Which action being of such mighty Consequence to the Peace, or perpetual Trouble of this Nation, and the Question being so happily settled, it being also a leading Precedent to many other healing actions which have happened since, let me once take leave to break the concise Method which I at the beginning of these Notes propounded, and remember in this place some Verses writ immediately upon that Transaction, by a true Lover of his King and the Royal Family.  

Glorious, and great Indeed! These these are they,  
Who truly, thus, their noble Blood display;  
And by the Soul which they this day have shown,  
Make all the Laurels of their Line their own.  
These are old England's Peers, hearts that despise  
To be o'reawd by Number and by Noise;  
No, they're too Brave, too Loyal, and too Wise.  
Thus did their mighty Ancestors combine  
When Force misplaced the Crown from the right Line:  
Thus they stood firm to Truth, and never failed  
Tell the unblemished Rose of York prevailed.  
And must again that sad Dispute appear?  
No, we are much too young for Plato's year:  
Our Renowned Peerage will not have it so:  
The Demigods, and Heroes Thunder NO.   

What remote noise is this? Hark how it grows;  
Neerer and louder now the Torrent flows.  
All Europe shouts aloud: spring-tidings of Joy  
Salute the British slay: Hark how they cry,  
Fame now is yours, more from one Law refused  
Than half the Numerous Laws ye ever used.    

Anno 33. Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1681.  
IN the beginning of this Year, City and Country were busy in the Election of Members to serve in the next Parliament to be holden at Oxford. For the most part the Old Members were chosen again. I shall give a short account of what happened at London on this occasion, by which a guess or estimate may be made of the Transactions elsewhere. The Election for that City was performed at Guild-Hall on Friday the 4th of February, and the choice which the Common Hall fixed upon, were Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Thomas Player, Thomas Pilkinton, and William Love Esquires; To which four, as soon as the Election was over, a Paper was presented in the Name of the Citizens of London then Assembled in Common Hall, containing a return of their most hearty thanks for their faithful and unwearyed endeavours, in the two last Parliaments, to search into and Discover the depth of the Plot, to preserve His Majesty's Royal Person, the Protestant Religion, and the well Established Government of this Realm, to secure the meeting and sitting of frequent Parliaments, to assert our undoubted Rights of Petitioning, and to punish such who would have betrayed those Rights, to promote the long wished for Union of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects, to Repeal the 35. El. and the Corporation Act, and more especially for their endeavours in promoting the Bill of Exclusion of James Duke of York: In fine they conclude, that being confidently assured that they (the said Members for the City) will never consent to the granting any Mony-supply, till they have effectually secured us against Popery and Arbitrary Power, they resolve, by God's assistance to stand by their said Members, with their Lives and Fortunes.  
After this another Paper was presented from the said Citizens, to the two Sheriffs, requesting them, in the Name of all the said Citizens then Assembled in Common Hall to return their grateful acknowledgement to the Earl of Essex, and by him to the rest of the Lords, who presented the late Petition and Advice to His Majesty.  
In like manner, were the former Members of Parliament, again Chosen, in most places; and in many, such Papers of Address presented to them, in their respective Countries, as had been done by the Communality of London to their Members. Also, (contrary to the Old Customs of the Members Treating the Country where they stood) now the Country in most places Treated them, or at least every Man bore his own Charges.  
About a Week before the Session, the King left London, and removed to Oxford, appointing certain Companies of Foot, and Troops of Horse to keep Garrison in the , during His absence. Many Members of the House of Commons, especially those of London, went to Oxford accompanied, or attended, with the Ceremonious Cavalcade of a numerous Train of Friends.  
On the 14th of March, The King and Queen entered Oxford, Received and Presented by the Mayor and Body of that City at the East-Gate, and from thence attended with Acclamations and all sort of Demonstrations of Joy to Christ-Church; The next Day, the Body of the University waited on Their Majesties, and received the Honour to kiss Their Hands, presenting at the same time to the King a large Oxford Bible, and to the Queen, the Cuts belonging to the History and Antiquities of the University, both Richly Bound.  
The 21st of March being now arrived, and the Members of both Houses of Parliament Assembled at Oxford, according to the King's Writs of Summons, the Lords sat in the Gallery at the Schools, and the Commons in the Convocation House.  
His Majesty's Speech, at the opening of the Sessions contained, That the unwarrantable Proceed of the last House of Commons were the occasion of the Dissolution of the last Parliament; That as he will never use Arbitrary Government, himself, so He is resolved never to suffer it in others; That whosoever shall calmly consider the Proceed in the last Parliament, may perhaps, more wonder at His Patience so long, than that He grew weary at last; That it is as much His Interest and care as theirs to preserve the Liberty of the Subject, because the Crown can never be safe when that is in Danger; that neither Liberty nor Property can subsist long when the just Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown are Invaded, or the Honour of the Government brought low and into disreputation; that He hath called this Parliament so soon to show that no Irregularities in Parliaments shall make him out of Love with them; That the Just care they ought to have of Religion ought not to be so managed and improved into unnecessary fears as to be made a Pretence for Changing the Foundation of the Government; that He hopes the Example of the ill success of former heats will dispose them to a better Temper; that they would not lay so much weight upon any one Expedient against Popery, as to determine all other are ineffectual; that they ought to remember that without the safety and Dignity of the Monarchy, neither Religion nor Property can be preserved; that He cannot departed from what he had formerly so often declared touching the Succession, but to remove all reasonable fears that may arise from the possibility of a Popish Successors coming to the Crown, if means can be found out; that in such a Case the Administration of the Government may remain in Protestant Hands, he shall be ready to hearken to any such Expedient by which the Religion may be preserved and the Monarchy not destroyed; that therefore they would provide for Religion and Government together with regard to one another, because they support one another, and that they would make the known Established Laws of the Land, the Rules and Measures of all their Votes, because He is resolved they shall be His.  
After this Speech the Commons returned to their House, and Chose for their Speaker, William Williams Esq; who had managed that Office in the last Parliament. Who being the next Day presented, made a Speech to the King and claimed by humble Address (as his Words were) The Ancient Rights of the Commons.  
Nothing of extraordinary note passed till Saturday the 26th of March, on which Day it was that the House of Commons were informed that the Lords had refused to proceed upon the Impeachment of the Commons against Edward Fitz-Harris for High Treason, but had directed that he should be proceeded against at the Common Law; Hereupon they Vote, That this refusal of the Lords to proceed in Parliament upon such Impeachment, is a Denial of Justice, and a Violation of the Constitutions of Parliaments, an Obstruction to the further Discovery of the Popish Plot, and of great Danger to His Majesty's Person and the Protestant Religion: And further, they resolve, That for any inferior Court to proceed against Edward Fitz-Harris, or any other Person lying under an Impeachment in Parliament for the same Crimes for which he or they stand Impeached, is an high breach of the Privilege of Parliament.  
On the Monday following the Bill against the Duke of York was Read the first time, and Ordered a second Reading: When on a sudden the King sends for the Commons up to the House of Lords, and tells them, That He perceived heats betwixt the Lords and them, and therefore He had Ordered the Chancellor to Dissolve the present Parliament, which he accordingly did immediately.  
The same Day the King left Oxford, and came to Windsor that Night; the next Morning by Eight a Clock, to Whitehall.  
Not long after this His Majesty was pleased to Publish in Print a Declaration, to all his Loving Subjects, in which He set forth the Reasons which induced Him to Dissolve His two last Parliaments, His reasonable desires which He had proposed to 'em, with their unwarrantable proceed in return; declaring however that He is not yet out of Love with Parliaments, but that He will frequently advise with them as His great Council, which He hopes ere long to find in a better Temper; much to this purpose were the Contents of that Declaration, which by His Majesty's Order in Council was appointed to be Read in all Churches and Chapels.  
About the same time all the Factious News, called Domestic Intelligence, and Weekly Printed for Francis Smith, Ben. Harris, and Langly Curtis, were by Order of Council (as reported) put down and silenced: And the abovementioned Francis Smith a Notorious Libel Printer, was Committed to Newgate.  
In Easter Term this year, Sir Francis Pemberton became Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, in the Room of Sir William Scroggs who had obtained a Writ of Ease. Great Expectation there was to see what the Court would do in the Case of Edward Fitz-Harris, and some Hesitation the Grand-Jury of Middlesex (of which one Mr. Godfrey, Brother and Heir to the late Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, was the Foreman) made to receive the Bill of Indictment against him, in regard he had been Impeached by the House of Commons, till they were informed and satisfied by the Court that all the Judges of England had the Day before met and resolved upon that question, Nemine Contrad cente, that they might lawfully proceed in the Trial notwithstanding the aforementioned Votes of the House of Commons; after this the said Jury found the Bill, and Fitz-Harris was Arraigned at the Bar on the last Day of April; he was thrice bid to hold up his Hand, insisting upon the Impeachment in Parliament, but at last he held up his Hand and heard his Indictment Read; which was for High Treason, expressed in a certain Writing called The True Englishman, full of most horrid Expressions against the King, as if he were a Conspirator in the Plot, and exciting the Nation to rise as one Man against him, etc. To which Indictment he put into Court a Dilatory Plea, against the Jurisdiction, alleging that he being Impeached by the Commons in Parliament, he cannot be Tried here, but this Plea not being under Councils Hand was refused to be received; however the Court gave him time to consider whether he would stand by such a Plea, in regard it might be fatal unto him in case it should be overruled; and assigned him for Council Sir Francis Winnington, Mr. Williams, Mr. Pollexfen, and Mr. Wallop (as he desired) to argue the said Point of Judicature next Wednesday, if he persisted in such Plea. On the said Wednesday being the 4th of May the Prisoner was again brought to the Bar, attended with His Council; at which time the King's Attorney Sir Robert Sawyer, entered a Demurrer to the Prisoners Plea, and insisted chief on the manifest defect of form, in regard the Plea run that the said Fitz-Harris was Impeached at the late Parliament, at Oxford, de Alta proditione, but does not say of what sort or manner of Treason, nor sets forth the Impeachment at large, which a Plea ought to do, when it is to the Jurisdiction. After this the Council of the Prisoner joined in Demurrer, but upon their earnest motion, (tho' opposed by the Attorney General) time was given them to next Saturday Morning to maintain the said Plea by Argument, if they can. At which time it was argued largely by Williams, Winnington, Wallop, and Pollexfen for the Prisoner, and by the Attorney General, the Solicitor, Sergeant Jeoffreys and Sir Francis Withens for the King; the King's Council, and also the Court, declaring that they meddled not at all with the Privilege of the House of Commons or Jurisdiction of the Lords in Parliament, which was not in the Point (though in truth the Council for the Prisoner would fain have put that upon 'em) but only as to the form of the Plea. After all the debate, which lasted from, 8 till after 12 that Day, the Lord Chief Justice declared that the Court would take a convenient time to consider before they gave their Judgement.  
On the Wednesday following being the 11th of May, the Prisoner being again brought to the Bar by the Lieutenant of the Tower, my Lord Chief Justice, in the Name of the whole Court gave Judgement, and declared, That he and his Brothers had Considered of the Plea, that they had also consulted with others of the Judges, and that himself, Justice Jones, and Justice Raymond were of opinion that the Plea was insufficient (Dolbin doubting) the Plea was therefore over ruled; and the Prisoner ordered to Plead over; and accordingly he pleaded not Guilty, and alleging that a material Evidence on his part was now in Holland, His Trial was put off till the first Thursday next Term, which is the 9th of June.  
On the 14 of May, being the last day but one of the Term, the Earl of Danby was brought by Habeas Corpus from the Tower to the King's Bench Bar, where by his Council he urged hard that he might be Bailed, but the Court being unsatisfied that they had sufficient Jurisdiction in his Case (he being committed by Authority of Parliament, and, as it seemed, not being within the benefit of the Habeas Corpus Act) he was remanded back to the Tower.  
On the last day of Easter Term, Fitz-Harris was again brought into the King's Bench Court, to give Evidence to the Grand-Jury upon a Bill of Indictment against De Puy (who had been Groom of the Robes to the Duke) The Jury desired that the Evidence might be given to them privately, But the Court overruled that, and Fitz-Harris declared upon Oath (Publicly in Court) a great deal of Scandalous stuff, not fit to be mentioned, relating to the Death of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, which the said De Puy had told him a little before the Death of the said Knight; but all this Fitz-Harris spoke from De Puy's mouth: Of his own knowledge he said only this, That the Earl of Danby coming down the great Stairs at Windsor, he heard him say, that now he would make Godfrey's heart ache: To this he added, that De Puy told him presently after the Murder, that the Earl had sent Godfrey on an arrant from which he would never return. Upon this Evidence the Earl of Danby's name was inserted into the Bill of Indictment against De Puy as accessary to the said Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, and the Bill was accordingly found against them both.  
At the same time it was that the said Jury presented the Court with a Petition, that they would intercede with the King for the sitting and Continuance of a new Parliament.  
During all this Easter Term, and many Months after, many Loyal Addresses flowed to the King from all parts of England, full of Congratulations, and nothing of that factious strain, which had almost rendered the very word Petitioning to be scandalous; among these Loyal Addresses, that from Norwich ran highest for the King's Prerogative, and a little reflecting on the exorbitances of the late Commons; but as if this were a notorious Scandal to the Parliament, the Grand-Jury of Middlesex above mentioned presented the same as a public Libel; but this did not discourage the Loyal party who still continued their Addresses. It would be tedious to name all, and how kindly they were received by the King, who never suffered those who brought 'em, to departed without some gracious mark of His Favour. Not so to those who took upon them in their Petitions to direct His Majesty about the Calling and continuance of Parliaments. To this Purpose its observable that the City of London were divided in these matters, Part of them (being most of the Court of Aldermen, and some of the Common-Council) had drawn up a Loyal Address, in like manner as the whole Burrow of Southwark had done; this they Presented to the King at Windsor by the Hands of Sir William Turner and Sir John Moor, with abundance of Countenance and Favour: But another Party having composed a far different Petition both for form and matter, and it being also the same Day carried to Windsor by the Lord Mayor, one Alderman, and the Recorder, they were refused to be admitted to the King's Presence, but ordered to attend at the Council at Hampton Court the Thursday following, where they received a Repremend from my Lord Chancellor Finch (now newly created Earl of Nottingham.) At the same time it was that the Leiutenancy of the City of London attended with their Loyal Offers of their Lives and Fortunes; among these was Sir George Jeffryes the King's Sergeant, and late Recorder of London, with his Sword on, as one of the said Leiutenancy.  
On the 8th of June, in Trinity Term, was Dr. Oliver Plunket Tried for High Treason at the King's Bench Bar; the Evidence against him were all professed Papists, (as said) and came out of Ireland: the chief matters Sworn against him, That he was made Primate of Ireland by the Pope at the King of France's recommendation, that upon that account he having engaged to do that King all the Service he could, he had actually Levied among his Popish Clergy great Sums of Money, therewith to introduce the French Dominion into that Kingdom, and extirminate the Protestants. Upon this Evidence he was found Guilty.  
The next day being Thursday the 9th of June, Fitz-Harris was Tried at the same Bar for High Treason, the chief Evidence against him were, Everard, and Sir William Waller; for the Prisoner appeared Oats and Colonel Mansell, and told a long story, Scandalous in itself, but of no weight; My Lord Chief Justice therefore (according to the Evidence which was home and clear against the Prisoner) directed the Jury to find for the King, which being also the directions of the other 3 Judges, the Jury after above an half hours consultation, brought in their Verdict, Guilty.  
Presently after this Trial Mrs. Fitz-Harris the Prisoner's wife, and her Maid, accused my Lord Howard of Escrick of the Contrivance of that Treasonable Libel of which her Husband was Convicted; upon which accusation the said Lord was committed to the Tower, on Sunday morning, June 12.  
On the Wednesday following, being the 15th of June, Plunket, and Fitz-Harris, were severally brought to the King's Bench Bar, and received Judgement of Condemnation as in cases of High Treason.  
About this time it was that the King in Council was pleased to order a Parliament to be called in Scotland on the 28th of July,  
I must not forget, that on the last day of Trin. Term, a Bill of Indictment against the Lord Howard being delivered in to the Grand-Jury of Edmonton Hundred, then serving in the King's Bench, for the County of Middlesex, Sworn to by Mrs. Fitz-Harris, and her Maid and some others, and the said Jury not thinking the Evidence sufficient, they were about to endorse it with an Ignoramus; when Mr. Ward, one of the Clerks of the Crown Office attending upon them, withdrawed it from before 'em. Of this action they complained to the Court, but being told that the Attorney General might stop these proceed as he saw occasion, or words to that purpose, with which the Jury being nothing satisfied, they went immediately and preferred a Bill of Indictment against the said Ward to the July of Oswelston Hundred, then attending, for this misdemanor; which Bill the said last mentioned Jury found.  
On Friday the First of July, Dr. Oliver Plunket the Popish Primate of Ireland, and Edward Fitz-Harris, were both Executed at Tyburn for the several Treasons of which they were severally Tried and Condemned the last Term. Plunket in a long Speech declared his Innocency, forgave his Enemies, and Prayed for the King, Queen, and Duke of York. But Fitz Harris said very little, the substance of what he had to say or discover, being by him delivered to Dr. Hawkins Minister of the Tower, for his Wife; and therefore it is to be presumed that he Died no Papist, in regard he had the assistance of a Protestant Minister, which all Papists have been known to rerefuse on those occasions. His Discovery is since Printed.  
About this time several Factious People were committed to the Tower for High Treason, namely, Rouse, Hayns, White, and one College, commonly called the Protestant Joiner. But above all let it be remembered, that on July, 2. the Earl of Shaftsbury commonly called, by way of Excellency, The Protestant Earl, was before the Council at Whit hall (to which the King came from Windsor that day on purpose) accused of High Treason, and for the same, committed to the Tower; and his Papers seized.  
At the Sessions at the Old Bailie, which followed soon after, the Earl of Shaftsbury and the Lord Howard moved to be Bailed, but they were answered by the unanimous opinion of the Judges, That it was not in the Power of that Court to Bail out of the Tower.  
At the same Sessions it was that a Bill of Indictment of High Treason, was delivered to the Grand-Jury of London, against College, commonly called the Protestant Joiner, but the Jury (made for the purpose as is supposed) appeared so partial and Arbitrary in their proceeding, that, notwithstanding the home Oaths of several Witnesses, among which were Dugdale and Smith, two of the great Evidence against the Plotters, and another who had been a Member of the House of Commons, they brought in the Bill, Ignoramus. But another Bill being exhibited soon after, to the Grand-Jury at the Assizes at Oxford, against the said College (part of the Treasonable Words and Matters being Transacted there,) the Bill was found there, on the same Evidence which was rejected at the Old Bayly. And in August he was Tried, Condemned and Executed at Oxford.  
The Wether that happened this Summer was memorable for an extraordinary Drought all over England, and also beyond Sea, all April, May, and June, and some part of July; but about the beginning of July fell such plentiful Rains, that the Ground, which in all parts was Scorched up like the Highways almost to a miracle became as fresh and Green again, as on May Day: Dayseys and the other Flowers of the Spring appeared again towards the End of July; With Grass in abundance in some places, and expectations of a second Hay-time to recompense the want of the first.  
On the 28 of July the Parliament sat in Scotland, where his Royal Highness Presided as His Majesty's High Commissioner. At the opening of the Sessions the King's Letter was read, setting forth, That He had called them at that time to advise of such things as may truly conduce to the security and Interest of that Kingdom, and as an eminent Expression of His Favour, He hath named his most dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York to be His Commissioner there, etc. After this the Duke made a Speech, Declaring the high esteem he had of the great Honour and happiness the King had been pleased to do him in making choice of him to serve as his Commissioner in that his ancient Kingdom, since it shows to all the World the Goodness the King hath for him and Confidence he hath in him, and capacitates him, not only to serve His Majesty as becomes a Loyal Subject, but also to evince the real concern he hath for the good of that Kingdom and his readiness to serve it, and improve its Interest; That His Majesty had commanded him to assure them, that he will inviolably maintain and protect the Protestant Religion as by Law Established in that Kingdom, and the Church Government by Arch-Bishops and Bishops, That he will maintain and allow the Properties and Rights of His Subjects according to the due course of Law, and that he doth expect that they will not be short of the Loyalty of their Ancestors in vigorously asserting and clearing His Royal Prerogative, and in declaring the Rights of His Crown in its natural and Legal course of Descent. etc.  
After this the Duke entertained the whole Parliament at a Splendid and Royal Feast; The Lords by themselves, and the Commons by themselves at several Tables.  
On the First of August, The Parliament returned a most Loyal and Dutiful Answer to His Majesty's Letter, which Answer being so mighty full of true Loyalty, it would be an Injury to abridge it in this place; every Line, every word carrying the true and emphatical marks of gratitude and Duty: I therefore refer to the Print. Also in pursuance and Confirmation of their Loyal Affections, on the 14th of Aug. the Parliament past a Bill entitled An Act acknowledging and asserting the Right of Succession to the Imperial Crown of Scotland: By which they recognize and declare, That the said Crown is by Inherent Right, and the nature of the Monarchy, as well as by the fundamental and unalterable Law of the Realm, transmitted and devolved by Lineal Succession, according to proximity of Blood, and that no difference in Religion, no Law nor Act of Parliament can alter or divert the Right of Succession and Lineal descent of the Crown to the nearest and Lawful Heirs, and therefore they declare it High Treason, by Writing Speaking or any other manner of way to endeavour the alteration, suspension or diversion of the Right of Succession.  
At the same time they passed another Act ratifying all former Laws for the security of the Protestant Religion.  
On the 31st of August, Oates was by Order of Council expelled from Whitehall, his Salary taken off, and accused of Misdemeanours.  
Great Numbers of Poor French Protestants, about this time, flocked over out of France, to whom our King was so Gracious, as by Act of Council to declare His Pleasure, that all His Officers and Magistrates should give 'em the same Countenance and Favour with His own Subjects, That He would take 'em into His Protection, That He would grant 'em His Letters of Denization, forthwith upon their request, and That He would intercede with the next Parliament to obtain for them an Act of Naturalisation. He also granted very ample Letters Patents, for Collecting moneys all over England for their Relief, Dated the 10th of September, this Year.  
On Michaelmas Day (being the Customary Day for the Annual Choice of the Lord Mayor of London) Sir John Mooor, an Addresser, was Chosen into that Office for the Year Ensuing, tho' with a great and unusual opposition, by the Fanatic Party. The New Sheriffs were Alderman Pilkinton, (a City Member in the two last Parliaments) and one Mr. Shute, Which two New Sheriffs being employed to invite the King to the Lord Mayor's Feast, The King was Graciously pleased to accept of the Invitation, and Declared, That He liked the Message, but not the Messengers.  
This Summer the King was pleased to appoint under Him, certain Deputies, or Commissioners of Ecclesiastical Affairs; to whom He delegated His Power to dispose of all such Ecclesiastical Preferments which belong to His immediate Patronage. The Names of which Commissioners were the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Lord Radnor, Lord Hallifax, Lord Hid, and Mr. Seymour. Note by the Common Law, the Lord Chancellor of England shall present to all Churches in the King's Gift which He hath in Right of His Crown, under the value of 20 Marks per annum. Fitz. h. N. B. Fol. 35. k.  
At the Sessions for the County of Middlesex held at Hicks-Hall the Week before Michaelmas Term, Sir George Jefferies (being then Chairman on the Bench) required Goodenough the under Sheriff to alter two of the Panel, as the Justices may do by the Stat. 3. H. 8. ch. 12. Which He refusing, the two High Sheriffs were called, and not appearing they were Fined, each 50 l. Notwithstanding that, the Recorder put in a Protest, that the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, were never bound to attend or appear in Person at Hicks-Hall. After this the said Fine being Estreated, a Common Council in London, Declared that they would stand by their Sheriffs and defend them against any Suit of Law that shall be brought touching this matter, and that at the Charges and Expense of the City.  
At the Sessions for London held at this time, one Rouse being Charged with High Treason, and a Bill of Indictment Exhibited to the Grand Jury attending for that City, against Him, They found the Bill Ignoramus, after the same manner as had been formerly done in the Case of College.  
On the 24th of November, all the Judges of England sat with the Mayor and Aldermen, by special Commission of Oyer and Terminer, at the Old-Baily, and the Grand Jury being called and Sworn, of which Sir Samuel Barnardiston Foreman, a Bill of Indictment of High Treason was delivered to them against the Earl of Shaftsbury; The Evidence were all Examined in open Court, who all Swore very full to the Treason (two of which Evidence were Turbervile and Smith) but the Jury returned this Bill also Ignoramus, upon which the People gave a shout; The Witnesses who gave Evidence against the said Earl, were assaulted by the Rabble, and in such Danger of their Lives, that the Sheriffs were necessitated to Guard them at Night as far as the Savoy, homewards. Several Bonfires were made that Night in the City, at which several Riotous Actions were Committed. In particular one Capt. Griffith living in Newgate-street, a Capt. of the Trained Bands and a Common Council-man, coming home about 11 at Night, and finding a Bonfire near his own Door, and endeavouring to oppose it, was knocked down, wounded in the Head, and in danger of His Life: Others were seen about the same time of Night to march through Warwick-Lane, one of which had his Sword drawn, crying no York, no Popish Successor, and at the same time crying up a Monmouth, a Shaftsbury, a Buckingham; and thus they Proceeded till stopped by the Watch at Ludgate.  
On the 28th of November, the last day of the Term, the Earl of Shaftsbury, and Lord Howard, prisoners in the Tower, were admitted to Bail in the King's Bench, the Earl of Shaftsbury had for his Bail the Lord Russel, Sir William Cooper, Mr. Mountigue, and Mr. Charlton Himself was bound in a Recognizance of 3000 l. and the Bail each in 1500 l. The Lord Howard was also Bailed in the same manner. By Order of Council to the Lord Mayor, and from him to the Officers of every Ward and Parish, all Bonfires and Bells Ringing were Prohibited that Night.  
The Act of Test which passed in the Parliament in Scotland the last Sessions, was the occasion of several Discontents and Emotions amongst the Fanatic Party there. The Act enjoined a certain Oath or Engagement to be taken by all Officers in Church and State, and Graduates in their Universities, to maintain the Form of Government as now Established; which Test tho' explained and qualified, was notwithstanding so contrary to the sense of the Factious Party in that Kingdom, that several of their Ministers refused it, and some of the Laity, among whom of greatest note was Archibald Campbel Earl of Argile, a Man of such Turbulent behaviour, that he was about this time Impeached of High Treason, and found Guilty: But being after his Conviction kept for some time a Prisoner at Edinborough, he found means to make his Escape (into England as some thought, where he harboured unknown) after whose flight his Arms were, with all public Solemnity, reversed and torn, and such other marks of dishonour denounced against him, as in such like Cases are, by the Customs of Scotland, due to Traitors.  
The Proceed of the Justices of Peace for the County of Middlesex, at their Sessions at Hick-Hall, before Hillary Term, were of note on divers accounts; First, They ordered by their public Act of Sessions dated the 13th of January, that whereas the Constables and Church Wardens, etc. of every Parish and Precinct within the said County, had been enjoined last Sessions to make a Return the first Day of this, of the Names of the Preachers in Conventicles, and the most considerable frequenters of the same within their several Limits, which Order not being obeyed, but contemned by some, it was therefore by the Justices then Assembled, desired that the Lord Bishop of London, will please to direct those Officers which are under his Jurisdiction, to use their utmost diligence, that all such Persons may be Excommunicated who commit crimes deserving that Ecclesiastical censure, and that the said Excommunications may be Published in the Parishes where the Persons live, that they may be taken notice of, and obvious to the Penalties that belong to Persons Excommunicate, viz. Not to be admitted for a Witness, or returned upon Juries, or capable to sue for any Debt. And they further Ordered at the said Sessions, that the Stat. 1. El. and 3. Jac. be put in due execution, for the Levying 1 s. per Sunday upon such Persons who repair not to Divine Service and Sermons at their Parish, or some other public Church.  
Also there was another Act of the same Sessions at Hicks-Hall, which bore Date the 18th of January, with which the Justices of Peace attended upon His Majesty at White-Hall the same Day, and presented the Paper to His Royal Hands. It contained, That they the said Justices, were sensible of their great Honour and happiness in being the first who returned their humble and hearty acknowledgement for His most Gracious Declaration, which being followed by a multitude of Addresses from all Parts of the Kingdom, His Majesty hath had a full Discovery of His People's affections, and that his Enemies were neither so numerous nor formidable as they were by some apprehended to be; That now as His Majesty can have no cause to fear them, so they the said Justices hope He will never be persuaded to trust them; That they are ashamed that they were not likewise the first in expressing their Indignation against that most Execrable and Traitorous designed Association, lately Discovered by His Majesty, which certainly in the Judgement of all good Men may more corrupt the Blood of the wicked Inventors than if they should be discovered and attainted by Law; That the said Treason was not only against the King but the Monarchy, etc.  
To this purpose were several other Congratulations or Addresses to the King (some before, some after this of Middlesex,) viz. from Norwich, from Hereford, from the Lieutenancy of London, etc. All which were a Second Edition of Loyalty, or a New sort of Addresses circulating from most parts of the Nation a Second time.  
The Conclusion of this Year brought forth a Remarkable passage in the City of London. Some unknown, but base and malignant hearted Rascal, had in the Night cut, mangled, and defaced the Duke of Yorks Picture, which with the Kings (both Nobly Painted) hung up in Guild-Hall, as a signal Ornament to the City. Soon after which Action, The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen Published in Print a Declaration, In which protesting their deep Resentment of that insolent and vilinous Act (to be abhorred by every good and Loyal Subject) and being greatly concerned and desirous to find out the Author thereof, they therefore unanimously Publish and declare, That whosoever can discover the Person who Committed that Fact, the said Lord Mayor and Aldermen will not only acknowledge the said Discovery as a most acceptable Service to the said City, but also pay to such Discoverer the Sum of 500 l. upon the offender's Conviction. Dated the 27th of January, 33. Car. 2. and Signed Wagstaff.  
In return to which Act of the City, his Royal Highness sent a Gentleman out of Scotland to compliment the Mayor and Court of Aldermen, and thank 'em for their respect and Justice to his Cause.   

Anno 34 Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1682.  
IN the beginning of this Year a most Barbarous and inhuman Murder was committed on the Person of Thomas Thin of Longlect Esq; a Gentleman of great Quality and Note, both in City and Country. The Bloody Murderers were Christopher Vratz, George ●oroski, and John Stern, all Forainers, and Servants or Dependants on a Swedish Lord, called Count Coningsmark, which first named three, suddenly coming up to Mr. Thirne's Coach, as he was passing in it near the Haymarket on Sunday Night the 12th of February, one of them shot him into the Body with Two Brace or Bullets. The Murderers were soon after apprehended and Committed to Newgate. On the 28th of February they were Tried, found Guilty and Condemned; and were most deservedly all Three Hanged, and one of them Hanged in Chains on the Road not far from Mile-End.  
In March, His Royal Highness Arrived out of Scotland, he Landed at Yarmouth on the 10th, where he was Treated at Dinner by the Magistrates with all the Ceremonies of Honour they could express; and from thence attended by the High Sheriff of Norfolk, and a Train of the Neighbouring Gentry to Norwich, where again he was Nobly entertained by the public Magistrates with Banquets and Bonfires, and lay that Night at the Bishop's House; the next Day about 6 in the Evening he arrived at Newmarket, where he was received by both their Majesties with all the Marks of kindness and affection, having been met several Miles out of Town by the Noblemen and Gentlemen then attending about the Court.  
The next Day being the 12th of March, the King was Presented at Newmarket, with an Address of Abhorrency from the Artillery Company in Bristol, of which sort of Address I made some mention towards the end of last year; yet because the Association there mentioned, is more particularly daeciphered in this from Bristol than any formaer I have seen, I can not omit to observe, that the said Loyal Artillery Company in Bristol did by their said Address Express from the bottom of their Souls an utter Abhorrence of all Covenants, and Associations whatsoever made against or without His Majesty's approbation, especially that Treasonable one seized, in the Closet of the Earl of Shaftsbury, wherein the securing the Protestant Religion and the defence of His Majesty's Royal Person and Estate is made the pretence; but the subversion of the Established Religion, and the final destruction of His Majesty and Lawful Successors, is the real design, and this to be performed by devolving the whole power of His Majesty's Crown and Sceptre into the Major part of the Members of both Houses, subscribing that Association (though dissolved) without regard to their quality or number, His Majesty's Guards, for the defence of His Royal Person, falsely styled mercenary Forces and a terror to all the good People of the Land, His Majesty's Royal Brother to be excluded and destroyed if he comes into England, and all who shall oppose that Rebellious, accursed, hellish and unpresidented Association are to be pursued to dedruction, though in defence of His Majesty's Title, concluding that they will assert and defend the Rights and Prerogatives of His Majesty and Lawful Successors in opposition to all Unions and Societies made to the Contrary, and that they cannot think that Man fit to be a Representative in Parliament, who will not disown such Associations. These words are contained in that Address, and by this Precedent we see what good Subjects abhor.  
Not long after this the University of Cambridge sent their Vicechancellor, Dr. Coga, to wait on the King at Newmarket, with a Loyal Address of Abhorency; at which time also the said Vicechancellor waited upon the Duke, and in the name of the said University, Welcomed him into England, acknowledging that by his Royal Highness good Conduct, the Government of Scotland both in Church and State is settled in Peace; and therefore they could by no means doubt, but that under His Majesty his Royal Highness's presence would have a great Influence in effecting the same here in England, by which means all Great Britain being joined in one, the Church of England, and Rights of the Crown, may for ever flourish. To which his Royal Highness was pleased to Answer, after Thanks for their kind Expressions, that he was very glad of this and all other occasions to declare that he would ever stand by the Church of England as now established, and countenance the Members of it, as having seen by experience that they are the best Supporters of the Crown, and that he would use his Endeavours and Interest for preservation of the King's person, and the Government in the State, and the Church of England, as now established by Law.  
Several other Addresses also which were made to the King, had words in them congratulating the Duke's return into England. And when his Royal Highness came with His Majesty to London; His Majesty was on the 10th of April attended by the Lord Mayor, the Recorder, and Court of Aldermen; who having paid their Duty to the King, they went to Saint James', where they waited upon his Royal Highness, Congratulating his safe return into England, and to that his Palace.  
Also His Royal Highness being Captain of the Artillery Company, was invited and Feasted by that Company in London, Thursday in Easter Week.  
One thing more ought not to be forgot, as well for the Duke's Honour, as the gratitude of the Bishops in Scotland; That is, a Letter Subscribed by seven Bishops there, and directed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, soon after the Duke's departure, and bears date at Edinbourgh, March 9th 1682. Setting forth,  
That since his Royal Highness came into that Kingdom, they (the said Bishops) found their case much changed to the Better, and their Church and order sensibly relieved and rescued, which next to the watchful providence of God, they can ascribe to nothing so much as to his Royal Highness gracious owning and vigilant protecting of them, who upon all occasions gave fresh instances of his eminent Zeal against the most unreasonable Schism, which by renting threatens the Subversion of their Church and Religion, and concerns himself as a Patron to them in all their public and even personal Interests; That they did never propose to his Royal Highness any rational Expedient which might conduce to the relief or security of the Church, which he did not readily embrace and effectuate; That the Peace and tranquillity of that Kingdom is the effect of his prudent and steady conduct of Affairs; That the humours of the wicked fanatics there, are much restrained from Dangerous eruptions upon their apprehensions of his vigilance and Justice; And that they desire the said Archbishop of Canterbury to make their dutiful acknowledgements to His Royal Highness for all His Princely Favours to them, with assurance of their most firm endeavours to serve him, & of their most fervent Prayers for His Temporal and Eternal Happiness.  
Subscribed, 

Alex. St. And.  
Arthur Glascuens.  
Jo. Edinburgens.  
Ja. Gallovidiens.  
Andr. Dunkelden.  
Geor Erechin.  
Ja. Dumblanen.    
About Easter, certain Persons (to the number of many Hundreds, as reported) did design to meet at a public Thanksgiving Sermon and Dinner, pretended, for God's wonderful Providence in delivering and protecting His Majesty's Person, the Protestant Religion, and English Liberties from the hellish and frequent attempts of their Enemies the Papists, and Tickets of Invitation to this purpose, were delivered abroad for a Meeting on Friday the 21st of April. Which Meeting was by special Order of His Majesty in Council April the 19th Prohibited and suppressed, in regard the appointing of public Fasts and Thanksgivings is a matter of State, belongs only to His Majesty by His Prerogative, and therefore such a Thanksgiving being appointed by the Subject, His Majesty looked upon the same as an insolent Attempt in manifest derogation of His Right, and of dangerous Consequence.  
On the 3d of May, His Royal Highness left the Court at Windsor, in order to His Journey into Scotland, from thence to fetch hither the Duchess, great with Child. He went by Sea in the Gloucester Frigate, attended by several other Vessels: In which Voyage the Duke's Ship striking on the Lemon-ore Sands in Yarmouth Road, the Vessel was lost, with above 100 Men, but the Duke and several others of the greatest Quality went off timely into a Yaut attending, and arrived safely in Scotland: Where a little before had been an Insurrection or Tumult of Apprentices at Edinborough, suppressed by the Soldiers, not without Blood. About the same time another Tumult of Apprentices was begun at Dublin, but quickly suppressed.  
The Ensuing Easter Term yielded several passages of public note in the King's Bench Court at Westminster: The Earl of Shaftsbury had brought his Action of Scandalum Magnatum against one Mr. Craddock, a Citizen and Mercer in Peter-Noster-Row, for speaking some Words of the said Earl, importing him to be a Traitor, which Action being laid in London, and the Defendants Council showing that there was no likelihood of a fair Trial by a London Jury, by reason that the Earl was not only Free of the City, but also of the Skinner's Company, of which Sheriff Pilkinton was Master, and that therefore the Jury ought to arise out of some Neighbouring County; to which the Court inclined, and gave the Earl his choice of any County of England, but the Earl replying, That he had rather lay down his Action than admit it to be Tried in any other County, in regard most of them had put Abhorrences upon him; which positive resolution of his did confirm the Lord Chief Justice in his Opinion of the Earls confiding in a London Jury, and therefore ordered that unless he would consent to Try it by a Country Jury, it should not be Tried in London; whereupon the Earl discontinued his Action.  
The like Rule was made soon after in the same Court between the said Earl and Mr. Graham Principal of Clifford's Inn, against whom his Lordship had brought an Action of Conspiracy, he having been appointed by the King's Council to be Solicitor in the Indictment against the said Earl at the Old-Baily. The like Rule also in the Exchequer in Slingsby Bethels Case.  
Also Wilmore the Ignoramus Foreman of Collidges Grand Jury, having conveyed away a young Boy and sent him to Jamaica, a Writ de Homine replegiando was brought against him, upon which Writ the Sheriffs of London making an insufficient Return, and obstinately refusing to return Elongatus est, which was the Return proper in this Case, they were both brought into the King's Bench upon an Attachment, where they received a severe reproof from the Court, and were glad to submit, with assurance of better behaviour for the future. Hereupon Elongatus est being returned, a Capias in Withernam issued out against Wilmore, to take him into Custody and detain him until he produces the Boy.  
Nor was this fufficient, but the said Wilmore was on the 23d of May Tried at the King's Bench Bar upon an Information exhibited by the Attorney General, for conveying away the said Boy being under the Age of 13, and unknown to his Parents; and upon a full Evidence of the foul Fact, he was found Guilty by a Kentish Jury, who never went from the Bar.  
Really the London Jurys were at this time notorious to the whole Nation for partiality. The foresaid Wilmore had been Indicted in the City for the said Crime of Boy-stealing, but the Grand Jury there found the Bill Ignoramus. Also one Harris Tried at Guild-Hall, for dispersing a most wicked Libel was, against a most apparent and home Evidence, and the Positive directions of the Court, found Not Guilty, for which finding the said Jury could give no other reason than their own Arbitrary Will. For such like Actions as these His Majesty was pleased to Order the Attorney-General to bring a Quo Warranto against the City of London; of which more hereafter.  
On the 27th of May, The Duke, Duchess and Lady Anne arrived at Whitehall, having been met there by the King and Queen, who came from Windsor that Morning, and were all entertained at Dinner that Day at my Lord arlington's at the end of St. James' Park. But the King returned to Windsor that Night.  
The next Day the King fell ill (occasioned as supposed by some Cold caught the Day before) of which indisposition He recovered again upon breathing a Vein, in a few Days, to the great Joy of all His Loyal Subjects.  
On Tuesday the 6th of June, Captain Ayres, the Pilot of the Gloucester Frigate, late cast away when the Duke Sailed to Scotland, was Tried before Special Commissioners of Seamen, and being found Guilty of that grievous loss, was Sentenced by the said Commissioners to perpetual Imprisonment, and accordingly was Committed to the Marshalsea. Vid. Stat. 13. Car. 2 Ch. 9 Art. 25.  
About this time it was that the Conventicles in London, began to be disturbed in good earnest, and the Statute put in Execution against them. On the 20th of June, my Lord Mayor issued out his Orders to the Aldermen of all the Wards, to Command the Constables of every Ward to be up on Sundays, and assist those who should put the said Stat. in Execution against such as should resist, as it seems, some had the Confidence to do the Sunday before.  
Against the 24th of June, (the Customary Day for Electing Sheriffs of London for the Year ensuing) my Lord Mayor Issued out his Summons to the several Companies to appear at Guildhall, on the said 24th Day of June, for the Confirmation of Mr. Dudley North (whom his Lordship had chosen for one, according to Custom at the Bridge-House Feast) and for the choice of another Sheriff. At the Day appointed a mighty Concourse of People Assembled in Guildhall, before my Lord Mayor and Sheriffs fitting in the Hustings; there were two Parties appeared in Competition, Mr. North and Mr. Box on the one Party, and Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois on the other; but in their Polling (which was managed by the now Sheriffs, Mr. Pilkinton and Mr. Shute) it was observed that their Names were refused to be entered who Polled for the Confirmation of North, and Election of Box; and on the other side it was said that several men's Names were entered who were not really present, or not duly entitled to Vote; whereupon my Lord Mayor Adjourned the Court by Proclamation to 9 a Clock June 27. and departed out of the Hall, not without some abuses from the disaffected Party 30 notwithstanding which Adjournment the two Sheriffs continued to Poll on till Night. The next Day being Sunday, admitted of no business: But on Monday Morning my Lord Mayor, the Court of Aldermen, and the two Sheriffs were sent for to appear before the King and Council, where the matter being fully examined, the two Sheriffs were sent to the Tower: The Warrant for their Commitment being Signed by 24 Privy Counsellors.  
On Tuesday the 27th of June, the Common-Hall was again Adjourned over to Wednesday the 5th of July.  
Friday the 30th of June, the two Sheriffs abovementioned were brought by Habeas Corpus to the Kings-Bench Bar, where they were admitted to be Bailed by four Gentlemen of considerable Estate, themselves in 2000 l. piece, and the Bail each in 1000 l. At the same time they pleaded Not Guilty to an Information for a Tumultuous and Riotous Assembly in holding the Common Hall abovementioned after it was Adjourned and the Assembly Discharged.  
The Sheriffs being thus at liberty, met at the Common Hall on the 5th of July, and notwithstanding that the Lord Mayor (being Sick) sent order by the Recorder to Adjourn the Hall to the 7th followlowing, yet the Sheriffs and the multitude proceeded in the Election, and declared their Choice of Papillon and Dubois: On the 7th the Mayor and His Party met again at Guildhall, but some disputes arising concerning the last Adjournment, four Lawyers were sent for to the Court of Aldermen to argue the validity of the Thing, viz. Sir George Jeffreys and Mr. Saunders for the Mayor, and Mr. Polexfin & Mr. Williams on the other side; but coming to no Conclusion, the Court was Adjourned further to that Day Seven-night, being the 14th of July.  
On the 13th of July, The King was pleased to Issue out an Order of Council in these Words,  
HIs Majesty having been Informed by the Lord Mayor and divers of the Aldermen of London, that the Disorders and Riots arisen in the City upon the Day appointed for the Election of Sheriffs, have been chief occasioned by the Proceed of the Common Hall in an irregular way contrary to what hath been anciently accustomed; His Majesty by the advice of His Council hath thought fit for the better keeping of the Peace of the City, to direct and hereby to require the Lord Mayor to maintain and preserve entire the ancient Customs of the City, and for the better doing thereof, to take effectual Order, that at the Common Hall to be held to morrow all Proceed be begun anew, and carried on in the usual manner, as they ought to have been upon the 24th Day of June last.  
This was Read the next Day in the Common Hall, but opposed by the adverse Party with noise and Clamour, some crying out for the Stat. 16. Car. 1. ch. 10. to be Read, wherein there is a Clause declaratory, that the Privy Council have no Authority to examine, determine or dispose of the Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, Goods and Chattles of any of the Subjects of this Kingdom. But this being thought not pertinent to this purpose, they proceeded; my Lord Mayor declaring in the first place Mr. North duly Elected by him, and that he would Pole for the other Three, viz. Box, Papillon, and Dubois and accordingly caused Books to be fitted with three Columes only: In the mean time the Sheriffs (with a Salvo Jure to their former Election of Midsummer Day) went on apart, and Poled for four Heads. The next Day being Saturday the 15th, my Lord Mayor declared Mr. Box duly Elected by the Majority of Voices in his Books, and therefore North and Box to be Sheriffs for next Year. On the other Hand the Now Sheriffs declared Papillon and Dubois to have the Majority in their Books; and so the Pole ended.  
On the 27th of July the Court of Aldermen Assembled, not without some apprehensions of a Disturbance from the Factious: Two Companies were ordered to be up at the Exchange that Day, and the Lieutenancy placed themselves in the Gallery before the Room where the Aldermen sat, to keep off the Rabble from pressing in; A great number were gathered into Guild-Hall for an Answer to a Petition, which they had formerly delivered to that Court, requiring that Papillon and Dubois should be called forth to give Bond to serve for the two Sheriffs of next Year. Some few of the chief of this Party being at last called in, my Lord Mayor caused the following Paper to be Read to'em, as his final Answer,  
GEentlemen, this Court hath Considered of your Petition, and will take care that such persons shall take the Office of Sheriffs upon them as are duly Elected, according to Law and the ancient Customs of this City; and in this and all other things this Court will endeavour to maintain the Rights and Privileges of the Chair and of the whole City; and wherein ye think that we do otherwise, the Law must Judge between us.  
With this Answer, the Lord Mayor commanded them in the King's name to departed; He also commanded Sheriff Pilkinton to go out and cause 'em to departed, which Mr. Sheriff could not disobey, though he himself and all that party were dissatisfied with the Answer. And thus this matter rested at that time.  
Wednesday 9th of Aug. the King, was pleased to send Sir Lionel Jenkins to fetch the Privy Seal from the Earl of Anglesey, which was accordingly delivered up. And in the beginning of Michaelmass Term following disposed to the Marquis of Hallifax.  
On the 15th day of August the Duchess of York was delivered at St. James' of a Daughter, which was on the 16th day Baptised by the Bishop of London, and named Charlotte-Maria. The Godfather was the Duke of Ormond, the Countesses of Clarendon, and Arundel Godmothers. But the Infant died in less than 3 Months.  
During this Long Vacation, Mr. Box, who had been chosen Sheriff to serve with Mr. North, did think fitting to fine, rather than take upon him the Office. Hereupon the Lord Mayor at a Common Hall held the 19th of September, proposed the Electing of an other Sheriff in his place, which though much opposed by the adverse party, crying, no North, no North, no Election, etc. Yet the Lord Mayor went on in the Election, and by the Majority of his party, Peter Rich Esq; a Lieutenant Colonel in Southwark, and twice a Burgess in Parliament for that Burrow, was chosen, and so declared; whereupon the Mayor dissolved the Court and returned to his House. Notwithstanding which, the two Sheriffs continued the Assembly, and put the question to their own party then remaining, (the other side being departed with the Mayor) whether they would abide by their former choice of Papillon, and Dubois, or not; and thereupon, (notwithstanding that the Mayor sent 'em word the Court was dissolved, and required 'em to departed) made a Pole, and then cast up their Books, and declared the said Papillon, and Dubois Sheriffs Elect. But the next Morning my Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen waiting upon the King at Whitehall, gave a full account of the Proceed. Whereupon the two Sheriffs were sent for to the Council, severely checked, and told that they had been Guilty of a High Misdemeanour; and in fine dismissed upon good Bail to Answer to an Information for the same.  
On the 28th of September in the morning, Mr. Dudley North and Mr. Rich, were according to Custom, sworn Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, before the Lord Mayor in the Hustings. At which time to prevent a Tumult a Company of the City-Train-Bands were drawn up in Guild-Hall. The 30th of September, the said Sheriffs were presented by the Recorder in the Exchequer, and Sworn there, the old Sheriffs giving up their Office at the same time.  
But on Michaelmass day, being the Customary time for Election of a Lord Mayor of London, the Faction Mustered their utmost Strength against Sir William Prichard, the next in Course, setting up against him, not only Gould, but Cornish, who had been Sheriff but the year before; and at the first appearance Gould and Cornish had the Majority of Votes, till at last upon a long Scrutiny and a thorough examination into the Capacity of the Voters, it was found that a great number had appeared for them, who were not legally entitled to Voices (no less as reported, than 60 of one Company viz. the Merchant Tailors) which kind of people being struck out of the Number, it appeared that Sir William Prichard had 2138 Votes, and Gould 2124. Whereupon on the 25th day of October, Sir William was by the Court of Aldermen declared at Guild-Hall Lord Mayor Elect, and the usual Ceremonies then and there performed to him as such, with mighty acclamations from all the Loyal party in London.  
The 30th of October he was Sworn at Westminster; At which Solemnity some Factious Companies refused to attend, as other years.  
On the 6th of November (the 5th happening on a Sunday) the Rabble were so unruly after the Bonfires, that they gathered together in a great number, at least 1500. Crying a Monmouth, and knocking down such as they suspected, not to be of their own Gang; and committing many other riotous actions in Cheapside and thereabouts, till dispersed by my Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, assisted by some of the Train-Bands, who took several of the Rioters, and committed them, some to Newgate, some to the Counters. This occasioned a stricct Order of Council November 10th. That no person whatsoever should presume to make any Bonfires, without special Order so to do by the Magistrates. Which Order being vigilantly observed by the Justices of Middlesex, and my Lord Mayor, who with the Sheriffs rid up and down the Streets of London all Friday Night the 17th of November, No Riotous Actions and Burning of the Pope was suffered that Night, as usual some years past.  
Afterwards, at the Latter end of this Mich. Term, Mr. Williams and Mr. Wallop Councillors at Law, moved in the Court of King's Bench for a Mandamus to be directed to Sir John More, and the Aldermen of London, to Swear either Gold or Cornish into the Office of Mayor of London: but this Motion was looked upon as ridiculous, and my Lord Chief Justice refused to give it the least Countenance, such a Mandamus in the Disjunctive being a thing never heard of, and absurd in itself.  
This Term also it was, That by public Authority all the Weekly Intelligencies, which hitherto were published every Day but Sunday, were prohibited, and the Hawkers silenced.  
On the 24th of November the great Cause was Tried at the King's Bench Bar between his Royal Highness and the late Sheriff Pilkinton, for these words spoken of the Plantif, viz. He Fired the City, and is now come to cut our Throats. This was the greatest Scandalum Magnatum that was, perhaps, ever Tried; and the Words being proved by Sir William Hooker and Sir Henry Tulse, Aldermen of London, the Jury found for the Plaintiff, and gave 100000 l. Damages.  
On the last day of the Term Pilkinton rendered himself, in discharge of his Bail, a Prisoner in Execution; Into whose place of Alderman, was Elected Mr. Sheriff North.  
On Wednesday the 29th of November, Dyed at his House in Saint James' Park the Illustrious Prince, Rupert Prince Palatine of the Rhine, and Duke of Cumberland, etc. in the 63d year of his Age. After whose Death His Majesty was pleased to confer the Constable-ship of Windsor-Castle on the Right Honourable the Earl of Arundel.  
On Monday the 18th of December, The Right Honourable Henneage Earl of Nottingham, Lord high Chancellor of England, departed this Life: Into whose Office Succeeded Sir Francis North, than Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Sir Francis Pemberton, than Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench being removed to be Chief Justice in the Common Pleas, and Sir Edmund Saunders of the Middle Temple, made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench.  
On St. Thomas' Day the Election began for Common-Council Men in London, which went generally for the Royalists, and accordingly at the first Common-Council that was held, it was carried by the Majority of Votes, That thanks should be returned to Sir John Moor for his good Administration of the Office of Lord Mayor last year; which was done accordingly.  
Before I conclude this 34th year of His Majesty's Reign, I must observe that this year was remarkable for the coming of Two very Extraordinary Ambassadors to our Sovereign, never known before in England. One was from the Emperor of Fez and Morocco, his name Hamet Ben Hamet Ben Haddu Ottor, a Man of great Eminency in his own Country, as report says: His business about settling a Peace with Tangier; much respected he was here, carest at Court, and at both the Universities, and he seemed to express no less esteem for our Nation. But at his return, upon what account I know not, he was reported to be received by his Master with disgrace. The other Ambassador was from the King of Bantham, or Surosoam, in the East-Indies; His business about the East-India Trade.  
The end of this year was also remarkable for several new Titles of Honour, to which His Majesty was pleased to promote several Eminent persons, who had for their signal Loyalty deserved His Favour, viz.  
1. The Duke of Ormond, Created a Duke of the Kingdom of England, but by his old Title of Ormond.  
2. The Marquis of Worcester Created Duke of Beaufort.  
3. The Lord Norris Created Earl of Abingdon.  
4. The Viscount Campden Created Earl of Gainsborow.  
5. Conniers Lord Darcy Created Earl of Holderness.  
6. The Lord Windsor Created Earl of Plymouth.  
7. The Lord Townsend Created Viscount Townsend of Raynham.  
8. Sir Thomas Thin Baronet Created Baron Thin of Warminster and Viscount Weymouth.  
9 Colonel George Legg Created Baron of Dartmouth.  
10. The Lord Allington Created a Baron of this Kingdom, by the Title of Baron of Wymandley.  
11. Ralf Stawell Esq; Created Lord Stawell of Somerton.  
Also Colonel Churchill was Created Lord Churchill of Ay mouth in the Kingdom of Scotland.  
On the 20th of January departed this Life, in Holland, Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury; who had left this Kingdom some Months before, under the Imputation of Treasonable Machinations, and fled for the protection of those States, to whom he had formerly, when Lord Chancellor of England, applied the old Roman Threat, Delenda est Carthago.   

Anno 35. Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1683.  
THe Horses of England are Famous on many Accounts, among others, for Racing: It was upon this Consideration that the French King invited into France several of our most Noted Racers, by exposing a Plate, or Prize, of 1000 Pistoles to be run for before him, in the Plain d' Achere near St  en lay. And accordingly on the 25th of Feb. S. N. the said Race was Run before the King, Queen, and Dauphin, by several of our prime Horses, where the Duke of Monmouth's Horse won: and was afterwards purchased by the said King. Also that King partly upon this account, was pleased at that time to countenance the Honourable Bernard Howard Esq; a younger Brother of the Duke of Norfolk, so far as to allow him to come in his Coach within the Lovure, a Pre-eminence due only to the Princes of the Blood and some few others of highest quality in France.  
In March ill news arrived from the East Indies, importing the loss of the great Town of Bantham to the Dutch; who under colour of assisting the Rebel Prince of Bantham against the King his Father, came with forces and seized upon the Town, turning out the English there, to the great Damage of our English Factory; who for a further weight to their sufferings, about the same time lost their Ship Joanna, cast away at Sea, outward bound, and in her above 10000 l.  
On Thursday the 22th of March, happened a sudden Fire at Newmarket, about 8 in the Evening, which Consumed a great part of that Town; but by the Providence of God came not on that side of the Way where the King's Palace stood.  
The Monday following, the King, Queen, Duke, and Duchess Returned to Whitehall, where the Court continued till Saturday the 14th of April, on which Day His Majesty and His Royal Court Departed to Windsor.  
On Tuesday the 24th of April happened one of the most famous and Extraordinary Exploits that was ever known in London. One Broom, Clark of Skinner's Hall, and Coroner of London, having a Latitat out of the King's Bench in an Action upon the Case at the Suit of Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois, against my Lord Mayor, Sheriff North, and several Loyal Aldermen, the said Broom acquainting them with the Writ, they all submitted to his Arrest, and went with him as Prisoners to Skinner's Hall, and there remained under his Custody till one a Clock at Night: In the mean time 8 Companies of the Militia are raised by order of the Leutenancy, and are posted all that Night in several parts of the City, to prevent any Tumults which might happen on so new a thing as the Arrest and detainer of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London; a thing never heard of before, in the times of Peace. And it so happened that one Fletcher a Common Sergeant of the Poultry Counter, having an Action of Debt upon Bond of 400 l. against the said Broom, which Action had been entered the Week past, and Broom acquainted with it, who promised to give Bail; but the Sergeant finding that promise not performed, and perceiving him to act so Malipertly with the Chief Magistrates of the City, he makes no further delay but Arrests his person in Skinner's Hall, and carries him forthwith to the Counter. Broom being thus gone, and no body left in Charge of my Lord Mayor and his fellow Prisoners, they demanded if there was any about the House that had any orders to detain 'em any longer in that place, which being Answered in the Negative, they all departed peaceably to their several homes.  
On Tuesday the 8th of May was Tried at Guild-Hall before my Lord Chief Justice Saunders, the Great Riot committed last June at the Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex. And this was upon an Information exhibited in the Crown Office by Mr. Attorney-General, of which I made mention formerly. Upon a full Evidence, 14 persons were found Guilty, viz. The then Sheriffs Pilkinton, and Shute, The Lord Grace of Wark, Sir Thomas Player, Cornish, Bethel, Jinks, Goodenough, Deagle, Jekel, Freeman, Wickham, Keys, and Swinock. On the Last Day but one of Trinity-Term they were all Fined severally, as follows; Pilkinton, 500 l. Shute 1000 Marks, Cornish, the same Sum, Lord Grace, the same, Sir Thomes Player 500 Marks, Bethel, 1000 Marks, Jinks, 300 Marks, Deagle, 400 Marks, Freeman, 300 Marks, Goodenough, 500 Marks, Keys, 100 Marks, Wickham, 100 Marks, Swinnock, 500 Marks, and Jekel, 200 Marks.  
On the 19th of May, being the last Saturday in Easter Term, Sir Patience Ward, one of the Aldermen of London, was Tried at the King's Bench Bar, upon an Information of Perjury, for giving false Evidence upon Oath, in the Cause Tried last Mic. Term, between the Duke, and Pilkinton. The Perjury was proved upon him by the Oaths of several Aldermen and other persons of great Credit, among which were two of the Jury that Tried the said Cause between the Duke, and Pilkinton. Whereupon the said Sir Patience was Convicted and found Guilty by the Jury; but the Judgement of the Court was respited till next Term.  
The better part of the City of London both for Number and Quality, appeared about this time very Loyal, and as an Instance of their Good Affections, it was Resolved at a Common-Council held at Guild-Hall, May, 22. That whereas Sir William Pritchard Knight, Lord Mayor of this City, was in a rude manner lately Arrested at the Suit, or in the name of Mr. Papillon, and Mr. Dubois, and whereas it hath been alleged by the said Mr. Papillon, and Mr. Dubois, that the Action upon which the said Arrest was, was prosecuted at the Instance of the Citizens of London, the Members of this Court to deliver themselves and the said Citizens from this untrue imputation, do declare that they were not privy or consenting to the said Action, or Arrest, and do disown and disapprove the same.  
And not long after Broom the Coroner was by the Common-Council put out of that Office, and made uncapable of enjoying any place of preferment in the City.  
Soon after, viz. on the 25th of May, was set up in one of the Niches of the Old Exchange, a Curious Statue of King Charles the First, with this Inscription underneath, cut in Marble,  ΕΙΚΩΝ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ Serenissimi ac Religiosissimi Principis Caroli Primi Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Regis Fidei Defensoris (Bis mar ●ris in Corpore & in Effigy) Impiis Rebellium manibus ex hoc loco deturbata & confracta A. D. MDCXLVIII. Restituta & hic demum collocata A. D. MDCLXXXIII. 
Against the beginning of Trinity Term the Scaffolds in Westminster-Hall, after they had stood there and cumbered the Hall for above Three Years, were by order from my Lord Chamberlain, taken down and removed.  
On Wednesday the 6th of June, was held a Common Council at Guildhall in London, where all the Treasonable and irregular Acts of that Court in the Times of Rebellion, were Repealed, and a Bill passed in the said Common Council for declaring and asserting the Ancient Rights of the Chair; by which Bill my Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen were restored to their negative Voice, which had been taken away by an Act in the late Rebellious Times, and never questioned before that. Also it was at this Common Council declared and Enacted, That my Lord Mayor has sufficient and lawful Power of Choosing one Sheriff. And accordingly my Lord Mayor did the next day declare his Choice at the Bridghouse Feast, by Drinking to Mr. Alderman Daniel, as one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, for the Year ensuing.  
On the first Tuesday in Trinity-Term, Judgement was given in the Court of Kings-Bench, in the Quo Warranto brought last Trinity-Term against the City of London, of which I made mention in the last Year; The Plead were large on both sides. The chief Crimes on which this Writ was grounded were Two: For exacting Tolls in their Markets illegally, and for framing and Printing a scandalous Petition, wherein they charged the King with obstructing the Justice of the Nation, by Proroguing the last Parliament. Whether these were sufficient Causes of seizing their Liberties was argued pro and con by the Solicitor General, and the Recorder, last Hillary-Term, and by the Attorney-General, and Mr. Pollixsin, last Term, very largely and elaborately: And now (my Lord Chief Justice Saunders being Sick and absent) Justice Jones having concisely Summed up all the Proceed past, in a very pithy and solid Speech, gave Judgement, and declared it to be the unanimous opinion of that Court, That the Liberties and Franchises of the City of London be seized into the King's Hands. After which he Declared by the King's express Order, That Judgement should not be entered till His Majesty's Pleasure be further known.  
Thursday the 14th of June, was held a Common Council in London, at which Court the following Petition was Ordered to be Presented to the King at Windsor; it was entitled the humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council Assembled, It acknowledged their hearty and unfeigned sorrow for the misgovernment of that City of late Years, which occasioned a Quo Warranto to be brought against them and Judgement therein, That they are deeply sensible and thankfully acknowledge the King's great Favour in not requiring Judgement to be immediately entered thereon; In this distressed condition, they humbly cast themselves at His Royal Feet imploring His Princely Compassion and Grace, begging Pardon for all Offences, with most solemn promises and assurances of constant Loyalty and obedience to His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and of a regular Administration of His Government in that City for the future; and humbly beg His Majesty's Commands and directions. This Petition was carried and Presented by the Lord Mayor, and several Loyal Aldermen and Citizens of London on Monday the 18th of June; After which my Lord Keeper by the Kings Command Declared, That for the sakes of so many of the present Magistrates and other eminent Citizens in London, who are of undoubted Loyalty and affection to His Majesty's Service, His Majesty will show the City all the Favour they can reasonably desire; In fine, That His Majesty requires their Submission to these Regulations, That no Lord Mayor, Sheriff, Recorder, Common Sergeant, Town-Clerk, or Coroner of London, or Steward of Southwark, shall be capable of or admitted to the exercise of their respective Offices, before His Majesty shall have approved them under his own Sign manual; That His Majesties disapproving the Mayor twice, He may if he please nominate a Lord Mayor himself; so also for Sheriffs: Nevertheless, the Election of these Officers may be according to the ancient usage of the City, with some small Restrictions, then specified.  
On Wednesday the 20th of June, was held a Court of Common Council again at Guild-Hall; the Question being put whether they should assent and submit to His Majesty's Order of Regulation, as above expressed, it was carried in the affirmative by the Majority of 18 Voices. The Yea being 104, and the Nays 86.  
Towards the end of this Trinity-Term was discovered a Damnable Plot and Conspiracy, carried on by those who call themselves True Protestants. Mr. West of the Temple was first apprehended, examined, and Committed. And His Majesty's Proclamation Dated the 23 of June, came out for the apprehension of others who had Conspired against the Lives of His Most Sacred Majesty and his Royal Highness, viz. Colonel John. Rumsey, Richard Rumbold Maulster, Richard Nelthorp Esq; Edward Wade Gent. Richard Goodenough Gent. Capt. Walcot, William Thompson, James Burton, and William Hone; For the Discovery of any of which 100 l. was offered as a reward to the Discoverer. Also another Proclamation came out not long after, Dated the 28th of June, For the Apprehending of James Duke of Monmouth, Ford Lord Grace, Sir Thomas Armstrong Knight, and Robert Ferguson, who were also fled; for the Discovery of any of which 500 l. was offered as a reward to the Discoverer. The Crimes alleged in the said Proclamations are, For Traitorously Conspiring to Compass the Death and Destruction of the King, and His dearest Brother the Duke of York, to effect which they have held several Treasonable Consultations, to Levy Men, and to make an Insurrection in this Kingdom.  
On the 2d of July, the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Common Council of the City of London, in a Body, waited on His Majesty in the Banqueting-House, and Presented him with their Address of Congratulation, Importing their thanks to Almighty God for bringing to Light this impious and Execrable machination, designed for the destruction of His Majesty's Royal Person, and of his dearest Brother James Duke of York, and for the Destruction of His Majesty's best Subjects, and to involve this and the future Generation in Confusion, Blood and misery, carried on by Conventiclers and Atheistical Persons, etc. Which Address being Graciously received by His Majesty, they then Waited on His Royal Highness, and made their Compliment to him on the same occasion. Soon after this, the Members of the Middle-Temple Addressed in the like manner, who thought themselves concerned more than ordinary to show their Loyalty, in regard some of the first Discovered Conspirators did unhappily appear to be of that Society. After which almost innumerable Addresses on the same Subject flowed from all parts of the Kingdom: At the same time also the Ambassadors and Ministers of Foreign Princes Congratuled His Majesty in their Master's Names for His happy Delivery from the Designed Assasination. The King of France also Published in His Dominions an Edict or Proclamation for the Apprehension of those Four mentioned in our King's Proclamation of June the 28th, and proposed 500 Pistols for the Discovery of each.  
On the 12th of July was Tried at the Old Bayly the above mentioned Captain Walcot, for this horrid Conspiracy, and upon a full and clear Evidence was found Guilty of High Treason. The next Day the Lord Russel, eldest Son and Heir apparent to the Earl of Bedford, was Tried for the same Treason, and upon a clear Evidence given by the Lord Howard of Escrick and others, was found Guilty. The same Day also, Hone and Rouse, were Tried and found Guilty of the same horrid Crime. All which received Sentence of Death the next day from the Recorder Sir George Treby, viz. the Lord Russel by himself, and Walcot, Hone, and Rouse, together; but the Judgement was the same, to be drawn, Hanged, and Quartered. During the Trial of the Lord Russel, 4 Companies of the Guards were drawn into Smithfield, and there posted all the Day; two Companies of the Trained Bands in St Bartholmews Hospital, and a Party of the Life Guard Waited at the Gates of the Old Bailie, attending upon the Lord Howard.  
In the mean time, viz. on Friday the 13th of July, about 9 of the Clock in the Morning, a sad and desperate action was Committed on himself by one of these unhappy Conspirators. Arthur Earl of Essex being a Prisoner in the Tower on the account of this execrable Treason, was so far transported by the Devil's Temptations as to despair of all mercy, and during a short absence of them that attended, to Murder himself, by Cutting his own Throat with a Raisour.  
On Friday the 20th of July, Three of the foresaid Traitors were executed at Tyburn, viz. Walcot, Hone, and Rouse, according to the Common Judgement in Treason, Drawn, Hanged, and quartered. But the Lord Russel, by reason of his noble Birth, had the favour from the King to have the Common Judgement mitigated (though he was against such mitigation (as is reported) in the case of the late Viscount Stafford) and was on the day following, viz. Saturday the 21th of July, Beheaded in Lincolns-Inn Fields. For which purpose a Scaffold was erected that Morning on that side of the Fields next to the Arch going into Duke Street, in the middle between the said Arch and the corner turning into Queen-street; 10 Companies of the Guards and a Troop of Horse were drawn up in the Fields at that time, to secure the Peace against so vast a Concourse of People as appeared there on that occasion. The Lord Russel was Beheaded by three strokes of the Executioner, at half an hour after 10 in the morning.  
On the same Day, the 21th of July, was assembled a Convocation of the University of Oxford, in their Convocation House there; at which in a Solemn and formal manner they Condemned 27 Propositions, as false, seditious, and impious, and most of them Heretical and Blasphemous, infamous to Christian Religion, and destructive of all Government, both in Church and State: Which wicked Propositions were Collected out of several modern Authors, namely, Buchanan, Milton, Hobbs, Goodwin, Baxter, Julian, Protestant Reconciler, etc. Which said Books were at the same time Ordered to be Burnt, and were Burnt in the Court of the Schools of the said University.  
On Saturday the 28th of July, being St. Ann's, Day, about 10 in the Evening, The Lady Ann second Daughter to his Royal Highness, was Married to Prince George, Brother to the King of Danemark. Which Prince arrived at Whitehall, the Thursday seven-night before. The Ceremony of the Marriage was performed by the Bishop of London, in the Presence of the King, Queen, Duke, and Duchess, with most of the Great Personages of the Court. All That Night, and the next, the Bells Proclaimed the Public Joy. And presently after they received the Congratulations of all the Ambassadors and Public Ministers in Town. The like also from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, in their Scarlet.  
Soon after which was published His Majesty's Declaration to all his loving Subjects, dated the 28th of July, whereby was set forth a short Narration of the Treasonable Conspiracy, as it hath been lately discovered by undoubted proof and the Confession of divers of the Accomplices, for which happy discovery His Majesty appointed by the said Declaration a Solemn day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God, to be celebrated throughout the Kingdom, on Sunday the 9th day of September next: and that the said Declaration be publicly read in all Churches, as well on Sunday the 2d Day of September, as on the Day of Thanksgiving aforesaid. The same Day of Thanksgiving was also appointed to be observed in Scotland.  
On Tuesday the 7th of August, Prince George was designed to be Installed Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Garter, at Windsor; but the Ceremony was put off to a further day; and on the First of Jan. following he was elected into the Order at Whitehall.  
Saturday the 25th of August, the Duchess of York, and Princess, visited Bartholomew Fair, attended by the Earl of Clarendon, with several other Lords and Ladies of the Court: not in State, but partly Incognito.  
The Day for Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex, which of Course is on the 24th Day of June, was this year adjourned to the 5th Day of September, on which Day the Livery Men of the City being Assembled at Guild-Hall, they confirmed my Lord Mayor's choice of Peter Daniel Esq; and chose, to serve with him, Francis Dashwood Esq; Sheriffs for the year ensuing. At the same time Mr. Deputy Ailworth was chosen into the Office of Chamberlain of the City of London in the Room of Sir Thomas Player, removed. All which, with the other Elections of Bridgmaster, and Ale-cionner, was performed with the ancient gravity and Moderation, and not at all with such Riotous and Factious heats and animosities as of late years.  
The 9th of September was Solemnised, according as it had been appointed, with Thanksgiving in all Churches, for God's Gracious preservation of His Majesty and his Royal Brother from the late cursed Conspiracy of those that call themselves True Protestants. Nor were those of the Communion of the Church of Rome unmindful of this deliverance, but did also concur with His Majesty's Protestant Subjects in expressing their Loyal Joy on the same occasion, and on the same 9th of September did Celebrate in all their public Chapels at London an extraordinary Service on this account.  
In this Month the right Honourable Sir Francis North, Lord Keeper, was Created a Baron of this Kingdom by the Title of Lord Guildford.  
On Michaelmass Day, the usual time for the Election of a new Lord Mayor, the Choice was Adjourned over for six Days longer; but before that Day came, the King being displeased at the Delays of the City in not Signing the Particulars by their Common Council formerly yielded, relating to their Charter, caused the Attorney-General to enter Judgement of Seizure in the Quo Warranto, which was done on Thursday October the 4th; and thereupon His Majesty gave Sir William Prichard His Commission to Execute the Office of Lord Mayor of London, during pleasure; so also to the two new Sheriffs, Mr. Daniel, and Mr. Dashwood, all which were Sworn with the usual Oaths. At the same time Mr. Jenner of the Inner Temple was knighted by the name of Sir Thomas Jenner, and made the King's Recorder of London, in the Room of Sir George Treby, displaced.  
About the same time it was that the Eminently Loyal Sir George Jeoffreys was made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in the place of Sir Ed. Saunders, who died last Term; And in the Common Pleas Sir Francis Pemberton being put out, Sir Thomas Jones was made Lord Chief Justice there, in his Room. And Sir Francis Pemberton practised at the Common Pleas Bar as a Sergeant in the following Term.  
On Sunday the 7th of October, my Lord Mayor and the two Sheriffs appeared at Guild-Hall Chappel, as usually, in their Gowns and Chains; but none of the Aldermen in their Gowns and Chains, but several of the Loyal Aldermen attended in their ordinary habits, 16 of them being made Justices of the Peace by the King's new Commission, in which 8 Factious Aldermen were left out, viz. Allin, Frederick, Laurence, Clayton, Ward, Shorter, Gold, and Cornish. But on Saturday the 13th of October, The King sent a new Commission to the City, impowering the abovesaid 16 Loyal Aldermen, together with 8 new Aldermen, viz. Sir Benjamin Newland, Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Sir John Buckworth, Samuel Dashwood, (one of the present Sheriffs) Charles Duncomb, Jacob Lucy, Peter Palavazine, and Benjamin Thorogood, to act as Aldermen in their several Wards in the said Commission mentioned. And accordingly several of them attended on my Lord Mayor the Day following at Guild-Hall Chappel, after the usual form and manner in Gowns and Chains, and the next Week assembled in a Court of Aldermen, as formerly.  
On Saturday the 27th of October, Aaron Smith, who had given scandalous Instructions to College at his Trayal at Oxford, and had also behaved himself insolently at the said Trial, and who had been since Tried upon an Information for the same, and found Guilty, was now brought to the Kings-Bench Bar, and received Judgement for his said offence, viz. 500 l. Fine, to Stand in the Pillory the Tuesday following at Westminster, and at the Old Exchange the next Tuesday after; to be bound to his good Behaviour for one Year; and Imprisonment till this be performed.  
Monday the 29th of October, being the next Day after Simon and Judas, is the annual Solemnity of Swearing the Lord Mayor of London, in the Exchequer. And accordingly this Year His Majesty having appointed Sir Henry Tulse by His Commission to execute that Office during His Pleasure, he was after the usual manner attended to Westminster by the Companies, did the usual Ceremonies in Westminster-Hall, made the usual Cavalcade in London, but without Pageants, and Dined at Grocers-Hall, the other Companies Dining at their several Halls as in former Years.  
On the 5th of November, several Tumults and Riotous Actions being Committed by the Rabble in and about London; especially upon the Sieur Citters, Ambassador from the United Provinces, by assaulting his Coach and throwing into it several Squibs, Stones and Firebrands, whereby his Lady, who was then with him, was dangerously wounded; and Complaint hereof being made to the King in Council on the 7th of November, His Majesty was pleased to order for the future. That no Person or Persons whatsoever do presume to throw any Squibs or other Fireworks in the Streets of London, or Westminster, or other place within the Weekly Bills of Mortality, nor assemble together for the making of Bonfires: And the Lord Mayor aldermans and Justices of Peace in their respective Limits, are required to take due care for the Performance of the said Order of Council.  
In this Michaelmas-Term, Mrs. Celier, who had formerly stood in the Pillory, and been Fined 1000ls. for which she had lain a Prisoner in Newgate for several Years, was now Bailed out, upon a Writ of Error which she had brought to reverse all the Proceed.  
On the 22d of November, this Michaelmas-Term, Algernoon Sidney Esq; (who had been arraigned for High Treason on the 7th Instant) was Tried for the same, and found Guilty at the Kings-Bench Bar; and on the 26th, being the Monday following, he was brought to the said Bar and received Sentence of Death as usual in the Cases of High Treason, and was beheaded at Tower-Hill on the 7th of December following.  
On Saturday the 24th of November, The Duke of Monmouth came in voluntarily about 5 at Night, and surrendered himself to Mr. Secretary Jenkins, having before writ a very Submissive Letter to His Majesty, entirely resigning himself to His Majesty's disposal. Hereupon His Majesty and his Royal Highness went down to the Secretary's Office, where the Duke of Monmouth was, who showed himself very sensible of his Crime in the late Conspiracy, making a full Declaration of it; and having showed an extraordinary Penitence for the same, and made a particular Submission to his Royal Highness for his misbehavior to him, His Majesty and his Royal Highness received so much satisfaction, that upon his Royal Highness's desire and Mediation, His Majesty was pleased to Pardon the said Duke, and order the Attorney-General to stop further Proceed against him.  
On the last Day of Michaelmas Term, six Prisoners then in the Tower for High Treason, were Bailed, viz. the Lord Gerard Brandon, Mr. Booth, Mr. Trenchard, Mr. Hamden Jun. Mr. Charleton, and Major Wildman, all which being accused for Conspirators in the late detestable Plot, and but one Witness against them, they were Bailed out in 2000 l apiece, and 1000 l their Sureties, except Mr. Hamden, against whom there being a Bill of Indictment for High Misdemeanours, he was bound in 10000 l. himself, and 5000 l. his Sureties.  
On Thursday the 6th of December, one Johnson, a Cracktbraind Fellow, met the King as he was walking in St. James Park, and laying his Hand on his Sword, told His Majesty he had wronged him, and demanded satisfaction; but being (seized by the Guards, and appearing to be Distracted, upon Examination, he was tied Neck and Heels together for a while at the Guard Stables, and let go again.  
On Friday the 7th of December, the Duke of Monmouth being fallen again into the King's displeasure for refusing to Sign what he had confessed upon his coming in, was Banished the Court and expelled the Royal Presence. This was on the same Day that Sidney was beheaded on the Tower-Hill.  
Friday, the 4th of January, the Lord Peter who had lain a long time a Prisoner in the Tower on the account of Oates' Plot, without being brought to his Trial, departed this Life in his said Confinement. A little before his departure the said Lord sent to the King a Letter, wherein he disowned in his last Words, and upon his Salvation, the matters which he stood accused of.  
About the middle of December this Year began a very eminent and extraordinary Frost, it lasted without any considerable Intermission till the 5th of February, during which time the Thames was Frozen over with a solid and Contiguous Ice in all places above the Bridge, Booths built thereon, with Thousands of People continually walking over, and Sliding; I myself walked over at the Temple, and so all along the Channel to Westminster Stairs on the 9th of January: Also on or about the same Day Coaches went over at Sommerset-House, and at the Temple. In the Extremity of this Wether, the King granted His Letters Mandatory, Dated the 4th of January, to the Bishop of London, to make a Collection in all Parishes in London and the Suburbs of the same, for the relief of the Poor, encouraging His Subjects to such a needful Charity by his own Example, having ordered large Sums of Money to be Issued out of His Treasury for that purpose, which Letters were Read in all Churches the two following Sundays, and Collections made accordingly. On the 23d of January, being the First Day of Hillary Term, the Lawyers went over the Ice from the Temple to Westminster-Hall, and back again, as familiarly as on the Land, some walked on Foot, and some went in Coaches which carried People from the Temple Stairs to Westminster for the same far as by Land, and plied between those two places (though not in so great Numbers) as the Watermen do in Summer. Abundance of Booths were erected Cross between the Temple and Southwark in which place an absolute Fair was held, for above a Fortnight, of almost all sorts of Trades, and Printing Presses erected both for Letters and Pictures; a Bull Baited, a Fox Hunted, and a whole Ox Roasted on the Ice over against Whitehall. Nor was this Frost thus Wonderful only above the Bridge, but Booths were erected, and People passed over on the Ice, frequently in divers places, below the Bridge. And the Sea itself frozen for divers Miles from the Shore, on the Coasts of England, France, and especially Holland; Insomuch that for above a Fortnight no Packet Boat or any other Vessel of Intelligence, could either come out of those parts or go from hence.  
Thus ends this Year, a Year of Extraordinary note in England, for the happy Discovery of a Hellish Conspiracy against the Lives of his Sacred Majesty, and Royal Highness, and against the Ancient Government of this Kingdom both in Church and State, a Conspiracy contrived and carried on by Protestant Dissenters, inveterate Calvinists, and old Commonwealths-men.  
Nor was this Year less remarkable abroad, partly for the Death of Anna Teresia Queen of France, and Alphonso King of Portugal; but above all for the formidable and Bloody Descent of the Turks, into Hungary, Invited thither by Count Tekeley, a Protestant Rebel against the Emperor. The Mahometan Army consisting of 150000 fight Men, Horse and Foot, came before Vienna on the 9th of July, Commanded by the Grand Visier in Person. The Emperor had retired two Days before, and left the City under the Command of Count Staremberg, who defended it bravely, notwithstanding all the Bloody Assaults and utmost endeavours of the Enemy, till on the 12/2 of September, the Siege was raised, in the height of the Defendants Extremity, by the coming of the King of Poland; who having joined with the Imperial Forces, Commanded by the Duke of Lorraine, not only beat off and routed the Turkish Army, with vast Slaughter and no less Booty, but pursuing his Blow, took from them the Fort of Barkan, and the City of Gran (formerly called Strigonium) after it had been possessed by the Turks 78 Years. Which City had been formerly, before it was lost by the Christians, the Metropolitan City of Hungary. To the Glory of the English Nation, some of our Country Men were present at the Siege of Vienna, in defence of which they Signallized their Valour. In particular the Lord Landsdown, Eldest Son of the Earl of Bath, whom for his extraordinary merits the Emperor created a Count of the Sacred Empire: An Honour which the Ancestors of the Lord Arundel of Warder had formerly attained in the defence of Strigonium.  
One thing more, renders this Year remarkable, which was partly Domestic and Partly Foreign. Tangier in Africa, being possessed by the Portugals, came to the Crown of England with our now Queen Catherine, and having cost our King since he had it, vast Sums of Money in defending it against the Moors, and also in making the greatest part of a Mole there, which not being found so feasible, as expected, the Charges very great and certain, the Expectation of any advantage from thence very uncertain; His Majesty was pleased about the end of this last Summer to commission my Lord Dartmouth, attended with about 20 Sail of Ships, to go and utterly to demolish the said Town, Castle, and Mole at Tangier, to choke up the Haven, and to bring off the Ordinance, and English Inhabitants to England, sending the Foreigners to their several Countries, but first compounding with every Man for his Ground, Estate, and Property in their several Houses; all which was accordingly done in about six months' time.   

Anno 36 Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1684.  
I Begin my Historical Collections this Year with an Occurrence of Extraordinary Note, viz. the Bayling the Lords in the Tower, which, tho' often moved for, yet could never be obtained till now. The Earl of Danbys Case was argued this Hillary Term, and on the last Day of the Term, being February the 12th, the Judges in the Kings-Bench did severally give their Opinions and their Reasons for the same, concluding all in one Judgement, That his Lordship ought to be Bailed, and accordingly Bail was taken.  
His Bail were 


The Duke of Somerset.  
The Duke of Albemarl.  
The Earl of Oxford.  
The Earl of Chesterfield.     
The other Lords being within the same Reason, were admitted to the same Advantage; as also the Earl of Tyrone, who had lain Prisoner in the Gatehouse, about the same space of time with those in the Tower. Their several Bail were  
For the Earl of Powis 


The Duke of Norfolk.  
The Duke of Beaufort.  
The Earl of Pembroke.  
The Earl of Peterborough.    For the Lord Arundal of Warder 


The Earl of Dorset.  
The Earl of Scarsdale.  
The Earl of Bath.  
The Earl of Clarendon.    For the Lord Bellasis 


The Earl of Aylesbury.  
The Earl of Westmoreland.  
The L. Viscount Falconbridge.  
Sir John Talbot.    For the Earl of Tyrone 


The Earl of Roscommon.  
The Earl of Mount-Alexander.  
The Earl of Carlingford.  
The Lord Annesley.     
The Principal Lords were Bound in a Recognizance of 10000 l each, and their several Bail in 5000 l each, upon Condition that the abovemention'd principal Lords do appear in the House of Lords the next Sessions of Parliament, and not departed without leave of that Court.  
On the same Day Mr. John Hamden received Judgement. He had been accused and Committed for High Treason in the late accursed Conspiracy, but in regard, there wanted the Circumstance of Two Witnesses against him, which is necessary in all Cases of that nature, he was Indicted and Tried in the Kings-Bench Court, this Term, and found Guilty of a High Trespass and Misdemeanour in Conspiring to Levy War, etc. and now his Judgement was That he should pay 40000 l for a Fine to the King, and find Sureties for his good Behaviour during Life, and to be Committed till this be paid and done.  
The Lord Brandon, Mr. Booth, Major Wildman, Mr. Charleton, Mr. Trenchard, and some others who had been accused for being in the said Conspiracy, and had been since admitted to Bail, were on this last Day of Hillary-Term, absolutely discharged.  
It is observable in relation to the late great Frost, That the extremity of that Wether had made such a Mortality and Sickness (as I may call it) among Fish, not only of fresh Rivers and Ponds, but even at Sea, that abundance of Fish of almost all sorts were observed to die of themselves, and float to Shore; upon which account several Physicians of the Roman Catholic Religion, having considered of the eating of Fish, they agreed that it must needs be unwholesome; whereupon a general dispensation was granted by the ecclesiastics of that Party to all Roman Catholics for the eating of Flesh three Days in the Week, viz. Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, all the Lent this Year: A thing not known before.  
Acts of Hostility being fiercely pursued this Spring between the French and Spaniard, both by Sea and Land, His Majesty of Great Britain being concerned on neither side, but at Amity with both, was pleased to Command by His Proclamation Dated at Newmarket, March the 12th, That the Peace should be kept inviolably on both sides, in all Roads, Creeks, and Ports of His Dominions, and that all His Commanders and Officers should oppose themselves against any that should assault any of the Ships of His Allies in any His Roads, Creeks, or places under His Protection, etc.  
On the 14th of April, Sir Leoline Jenkins obtained leave of His Majesty to surrender his place of Secretary of State, and Sidney Godolphin Esq; (now Lord Godolphin) was Sworn Secretary.  
On the 21st of April, James Holloway Merchant being outlawed in Treason, having been Indicted for the late Conspiracy and fled, was brought to the Kings-Bench Bar: where the Attorney-General declared to the Court, and the Court to him, That if he thought he could make himself appear Not Guilty, the King would wave his Attainder by Outlary, and he might stand a Trial by a Jury: But he Declared That he could not undertake to make himself appear Not Guilty, for he had confessed his Gild to the King: Whereupon a Rule of Court was made for his Execution on the 30th of the present April, on which Day he was accordingly Executed.  
On Saturday the 10th of May, Titus Oates was arrested at the Amsterdam Coffeehouse, in an Action of Scandalum Magnatum at the Suit: of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, for calling the said Duke Traitor, and other abominable Language. He was carried to Woodstreet-Counter, where he lay two Days, and was then removed by Habeas Corpus to the Kings-Bench Prison. The next Term he let Judgement go by default, and on the last Day of the Term a Writ of Enquiry of Damages was Executed at the Kings-Bench Bar, where the Jury upon hearing the Evidence gave 100000 l Damages.  
About the beginning of May, the King was pleased to revoke and determine the Commission (formerly granted to several Commissioners) for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of England, and to commit those Affairs to the Care of His Royal Highness.  
Also in this Month of May, a Noble and most Elaborate Statue of his Now Majesty, in grey Marble, was erected on a Curious Pedestal of the same, in the very middle, or Centre, of the Old-Exchange, The Garb and Habit was that of a Roman Caesar, The Workman that Cut it was Mr. Grinlin Gibbons, the most Famous Statuary that England ever produced, and equal, if not Superior to the best of Europe in this Age. This was performed at the charge of the Hamborough Company, and Cost 500 l.  
The Inscription on the Pedestal is, Carolo TWO Caesari Britannico, Patriae Patri, Regum Optimo, Clementissimo, Augustissimo, Generis humani Delicijs, Vtriusque fortunae Victori, Pacis Europae Arbitro, Maris Domino & Vindici, Societas Mercatorum Adventur. Angliae Quae per CCCC jam prope Annos Regia Benignitate floret Fidei intemeratae Gratitudinis Aeternae Hoc Testimonium Venerabunda posuit. Anno Sal. Humanae MDCLXXXIV.  
On the 28th of May, His Majesty was pleased to declair in Council at Hampton-Court, That he thought it fit, and for His Service, that his Royal Highness should be present at the Meetings of the Council. And accordingly the Duke Sat that Day, and continued so to do.  
On Wednesday the 11th of June, Sir Thomas Armstrong was brought to London, and committed to Newgate in order to his Execution, being Outlawd in High Treason. He had been taken at Leyden in Holland, by Order of the States there, and immediately brought to Rotterdam, and Shipped away for England. There needed no Trial of him, in regard he fled and was Outlawd, and did not yield himself within a year, so as to have any benefit of the Stat. 5. E. 6. 11. Wherefore he was Executed at Tyburn on the 20th of June, being a Friday; the same Day of the same Month, and the same Day of the Week, on which the five Jesuits were Executed in the same manner at the same place just five years before: His head was set up on Westminster-Hall between those of Cromwell, and Bradshaw; one of his Quarters upon Temple Bar, two others at Aldersgate, and Algate, and the 4th was said to be sent down to Stafford, for which Town he had been a Burgess in Parliament.  
On Thursday the 26th of June, His Royal Highness the Duke of York, being Captain of the Artillery Company of London, did them the Honour to march in their Head through the City to the Artillery Ground, and there Lead'em up in Person, with mighty Joy and Acclamations.  
On the 7th of July, the City of Durham, surrendered their Charter into the Hands of their Prince, the Bishop of Durham, soon after which surrender He granted them a new one, reserving to himself the Confirmation of their Mayor, aldermans, and Chief Officers, in like manner as the King had done before in other parts of this Kingdom, Most Corporations having surrendered and renewed, about this time.  
On the first of October was made a Review or Muster of His Majesty's Land Forces on Putney Heath; a most Gallant Military appearance. The Horse that Day consisted of the Three Troops of Guards, and of their Three of Granadiers, of the Earl of Oxford's Regiment of Horse Guards, and the Lord Churchills Regiment of Dragoons. The Foot were Two Batalions formed from the Royal Regiment of Guards and their Granadiers; One Battalion from the Coldstream Regiment of Guards and Granadiers; One Battalion from the Earl of Dunbarton's Regiment and their Granadiers, and One from the Admiral Regiment. The total of Horse and Foot which then Rendavouzed were above 4000 advantageously Trained and well clad Men. All being that Day, commanded by the Earl of Craven. At which Review both their Majesties, and Royal Highnesses, were present with great satisfaction.  
About this time His Majesty was pleased to Dissolve the Commission formerly granted, in the year 1681, to certain Commissioners to dispose of Ecclesiastical Preferments, belonging to the Crown: So that the said Preferments are now again in His Majesty's immediate disposal.  
Sir William Prichard the late Loyal Lord Mayor of London, having this Summer brought His Action upon the Case against Mr. Papillon, for causing him to be Arrested in the time of his Mayeralty, without any legal cause of Action (of which I made mention in the last year) the cause was Tried before my Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys by Nisi Prius at Guild-Hall, on the 6th of Nou. And upon a full hearing of the Evidence, the Jury found for the Plaintiff, and gave him 10000 l. Damages.  
Other matters of Public Concern were transacted this Michaelmass Term. Several Factious persons were convicted and Sentenced for Speaking Scandalous and Seditious Words of the Government; In perparticular Elias Best (commonly called the Protestant Hop-Merchant) was fined 1000 l. to stand thrice in the Pillory, and good Behaviour during Life: Dalby, and Nicholson, two of Oates' Men, for the like: and one Mr. Butler of Northamptonshire convicted upon an Information for presenting and Reading to the Knights of the Shire chosen for that County, at the last Election, a Seditious Paper of Address to them, from some factious persons, for which he was fined 500 Marks, and good behaviour during Life. And to show What matters are too frequently transacted in Conventicles, one Thomas Roswell a Conventicle Preacher at Redriff was this Term Tried and convicted of High Treason, in speaking certain very foul and Treasonable Words on the 14th of September last, in his Preachment at his said Conventicle; but some questions arising in Relation to the form of his Indictment, which being argued by Council on both sides, the Court took time to advise of their Judgement till next Term, and before that arrived, the said Roswell obtained His Majesty's Gracious Pardon. But as if this was not sufficient to show the ill Principles of the Dissenting Party, about the same time news arrived at London, of the most Barbarous Act in Scotland that has been heard of in many Years. Some desperate Rebels there, had in the Night time affixed a most Villainous and Traitorous Paper on several Crosses and Church Doors in that Country, and therein declared War against the King (under the name of Charles Stuart) and published their Resolutions to kill and destroy all those that serve and adhere to Him; in pursuance whereof they came on the 19th of November at Night (being about 36 Footmen and 16 Horsemen) to an Inn, called Swine-Abby, 13 Miles from Edinborough, and there Barbarously Murdered two Gentlemen of His Majesty's Horse Guards, in their Beds, cutting and mangling their Bodies, and carrying away with them several Pieces of their Flesh.  
Also this Michaelmass Term, on the 13th of November, Titus Oates was in the King's Bench Court indicted for Perjury, in Relation to Ireland's being in London at that time the said Oats Swore to, at his Trial; to which Indictment he pleading Not Guilty, the Trial was appointed to be next Term. After this at the Sessions in the Old Bailie, December, 12th he was again Indicted upon an other Indictment of Perjury, in Relation to his being Present at the supposed Consult of the Jesuits at the White-Horse Tavern, and upon Not Guilty pleaded, this also was appointed to be Tried in the King's Bench. Court next Term: And the Indictment was removed thither.  
The Roads being this Winter extremely infested with Robbers, His Majesty was pleased, on the 19th of December, to Order in Council, and declare His pleasure for redress, That all His Officers of Justice and other His loving Subjects do use their utmost Diligence and Endeaver for the apprehending all Robbers and Highway Men; And for the Encouragement of such as shall apprehend any such Offender, it was further Ordered, That such Person or Persons, who shall at any time from the present, till the 19th of December, 1685, and after that day, till His Majesty shall please to recall this Order, either by Proclamation or His Order in Council, apprehend any Robber or Highway Man, and cause him to be brought into Custody, shall within 15 days after his Conviction have a Reward of 10 l. for every such Offender so apprehended and Convicted; And all Sheriffs of the Respective Counties where such Conviction shall be had, are by the said Order required, upon the Certificate of the Judge, or Two or more Justices of the Peace, before whom such persons shall be convicted of such Apprehension, and Conviction, to pay unto the Person or Persons who shall apprehend such Offenders, the Reward aforesaid, within the i'm aforesaid, out of His Majesty's moneys received by such Sheriff or Sheriffs in that County where such Conviction shall be, which shall be allowed unto him or them upon his or their accounts in the Exchequer: And all Lieutenants, Deputy Lieutenants, Justices of the Peace, Mayor, Sheriffs, Baylies, and other Officers and persons whatsoever, were required to take notice of the said Order, and to be aiding and assisting in all things tending to the Execution of the same, as they tender His Majesty's displeasure, and upon pain of being Proceeded against as Contemners of His Majesty's Royal Authority.  
This Christmas the restless and implacable Spirit of the Dissenters, appeared again, by dispersing in several Places in and about London, a most Wicked, False, and Treasonous Libel, relating to the Death of the Late Earl of Essex; and upon strict search and enquiry after the Author, One Henry Danvers, Commonly called Colonel Danvers, late of Newington in Middlesex, appeared to be the man; but being upon the Discovery, fled, His Majesty was pleased on the 4th of Jan. to command public Notice to be given, That whereas the said Henry Danvers stands accused upon Oath of several Treasonable and Dangerous Practices, and is fled from Justice, Whoever shall apprehend the said Henry, and cause him to be delivered into safe Custody, that he may be proceeded against according to Law, shall receive a Reward of 100 l. to be forthwith paid by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.  
In the beginning of this Hillary Term, Sir Scroop How, one of the Knights of the Shire for the County of Nottingham in the late Parliaments, appeared in the King's Bench Court, to Answer to an Information for words spoke against His Majesty and Royal Highness, which being Read, he pleaded Guilty, confessed his offence with much sorrow, and cast himself upon the King's and Duke's mercy: To whom being the next Day introduced, he was upon his humble Submission, received to Grace; upon which he acknowledged, that he owed to his Majesty's Goodness his Life, and his Estate; and that he would for the future dedicate both to the Service of His Majesty, and the Royal Family.  
Thus ended the 36th Year of His Majesty's Reign, in a State of Tranquillity and Peace, after so many Terrors, Disquiets and Tumults; the Remembrance of which, as it Magnifies our present Happiness by Comparison of past Troubles, so ought we never to forget to pay our due Applause, Love, and Veneration to the Sacred Memory of our late Gracious Sovereign King Charles the 2d, who (under God) has wrought this Blessed Change: A Change by which He rendered His Subjects the most happy People of Europe, and himself the most Glorious and Admired Prince of Christendom; who by a Conduct truly Royal, could reduce a People Plunged, and almost overwhelmed in Confusion, into a Quiet not to be expected, hardly to be hoped for; and by his incomparable Prudence assuage a Faction blown up into a Tempest, more Violent & Deaf than Winds, and Seas. In what Words, what Deeds, can we express a Gratitude equal to such a Merit? Statues of Marble, and Tryumphal Arches may pay a lesser Debt of Veneration; but for this Blessing, such are too poor acknowledgements. Let all True Englishmen raise him a Better, a more lasting, and more Worthy Monument, a Monument of Grateful Hearts: Let us Eternize His Glorious Name through all Generations; Let our Applauses last for ever: But above all, let us express our Love and Esteem for His Memory, by our unfeigned Loyalty, true Faith, and Allegiance to His most Royal, and most Equal Brother, the Brother of His Virtues, Our present Gracious Sovereign King JAMES the Second; whom God grant long to Live and Reign over us, to the unspeakable Joy and Comfort of all His Majesty's Good Subjects, and to the Confusion of His Enemies.  
☞ Note, that the year of our Lord in the running Title is to be supposed to begin according to the Almanac, in January, and not on the 25th of March.  
FINIS.   

Errata.  
PAge 15. l. penul. r. tacking. p. 59 l. 15. r. as was said. p. 69. l. 4. r. Leoline. p. 113. l. 3. for, Bar. r. Court. p. 149. l. 20. for, Bar. r. Court. p. 185. l. 17. f. Proceed. r. Judgement.   

THE TABLE.  

A.  
ADmiralty, Page 198  
Addresses Loyal, 72, 115, 175  
Ailworth Chamberlain of London, 180  
Aldermen of London changed, 183  
Anglesey Earl, 153  
Archbishop of St. Andrews, barbarously Murdered, 53  
Argile Earl, 129  
Armstrong Sir Thomas, 200  
Arundel Earl, 159  
Association, 93, 138  
Aston Lord, 80  
Airs Captain, 147   

B.  
BAntham lost to the Dutch, 164  
Bedloe William, 34, 64, 86  
Bellasis Lord, 28, 45, 47  
Best Elias, 203  
Bethel Slingsby, 84, 91  
Bishops, accused unjustly for Papists, 47  
Whether to sit upon Trials, 52  
Bishops in Scotland, their Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 141  
Black Box, 74  
Bonfires forbidden, 77, 157, 185  
Box Ralph, 148, 152, 154  
Bristol Artillery Company their Loyal Address, 137  
Broom, Coroner, 165, 168   

C.  
CAmbridge University, Their Address 139  
Can, Sir Robert, 88  
Captain Cheek Lieutenant of the Tower, 53  
Caryl, John, 77  
Castlemain Earl, 77, 81  
Celier Elizabeth, 59, 79, 86, 185  
Clarendon, Earl, 95, 194  
Coleman, Edward, 27, 34  
College, Steven, 119, 120, 121  
A Comet seen, 92  
Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Preferments, 125, 202  
Common Council in London, Loyal 167, 170  
Conspiracy against the King and Duke Discovered, 173  
Congratulation on the Discovery, 175  
Coningsmark Count, 135, 136  
Conventicles, 129, 147  
Conwey Lord, 99  
Cornish Henry, 84, 91, 156, 158   

D.  
DAnby Earl, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 113, 114, 193  
Dangerfield Thomas, 59, 79, 81  
Daniel, Peter, 180, 182  
Danvers, Henry, 206  
Dashwood Francis, 180, 182  
Dean, Sir Anthony, 55  
Declaration upon the Dissolution of the Two last Parliaments, 109  
For a Thanksgiving, 179  
De Puy, 114  
Drought Extraordinary, 121  
Durham City, 201   

E.  
Ambassador from Morocco, 160  
from Bantam, 160  
Essex Earl, 98, 177  
Exclusion Bill, 49, 89, 93, 94, 95, 99, 108  
Expedients proposed, 47. 107   

F.  
FAsts, 11, 28, 43  
Feversham, Earl, 86, 95  
Finch, Lord Chancellor, his excellent Speech in Parliament, 16, Dyes., 159  
Fish die, 196  
Fitzharris, Edward, 107, 110, 112, 113, 117, 119  
French Protestant's come over, 124  
Frost Remarkable, 188   

G.  
GAscoigne Sir Thomas, 64, 65  
Prince George of Denmark Marries the Lady Anne, 178  
Elected into the Order of the Garter, 180  
Godfrey Sir Edmundbury, 27, 29  
Godolphin, Lord, 197  
Goodenough, Richard, 126  
Gold, Sir Thomas, 156, 158  
Graham, Richard, 145  
Sergeant Gregory, Speaker, 43   

H.  
HAil Storm, Remarkable, 75  
Hallifax Earl, 95, 154  
Hamden John, 186, 195  
Harris Benjamin, 69  
Hide, Laurence, 95  
Honours conferred, 160  
Holloway, James, 197  
Howard, of Escrick, Lord, 117, 118  
How, Sir Scroop, 207  
Humphrevile, Charles, 81   

I.  
JEffreys, Sir George, 89, 116, 182  
Jenkins, Sir Leoline, 69, 197  
Jenner, Sir Thomas, 182  
The five Jesuits Tried and Executed, 55  
Ignoramus Juries, 118, 120, 126, 127, 146  
Jones, Sir Thomas, 90, 182  
Ireland, Pickering, and Groves, 35   

K.  
KIng Charles I. His Statue, and Inscription, 169  
A Monument and Funeral Voted for Him, 4  
King Charles II. His Statue, and Inscription, 199  
His Admirable Prudence and Conduct, 208   

L.  
LAnghorn Richard, 55  
Langhorn, Junior, 83  
Landsdown, Lord, 191  
Lauderdale, Duke, 14  
Lewis, Sir Simon, 84  
London, Petition, 97  
Address to their Members, 103  
Loyal Address. 116  
Lord Mayor of London Arrested, 165  
The Act disowned by the Common Council, 167  
Loyal Lieutenancy of London, 116  
Vid. Quo Warranto   

M.  
LOrd Mayor and Aldermen of London go to Windsor to Congratulate, 57  
Arrested, 165  
Middlesex Grand Jurys. 82  
Loyal Address, 130  
Militia, 33  
Monmouth Duke, 54, 57, 60, 74, 79, 80, 163, 185, 187  
Moor, Sir John, the Loyal Lord Mayor of London, 116, 125, 149, 159   

N.  
NEwmarket, Fire, 164  
News Factious, silenced, 75 109, 158  
North, Sir Francis, 90, 109, 181  
North, Sir Dudley, 148  
Norwich, Loyal Address, 115   

O.  
OSsery Earl, 86  
Oats, Titus, 33, 124, 198, 203, 204  
Oxford, the King and Queen received there, 105  
Parliament there, 105  
University condemn 27 Propositions Seditious and impious, 178   

P.  
PArliament. The long one Dissolved, 37  
Another called at Westminster, 40. Dissolved, 56. Another called at Westminster, 58. Sit. 87. Dissolved, 98. Another called and sit at Oxford, 105. Dissolved, 108 Papists Banished 10 Miles from London and Westminster, 29, 32, Not to remove above five Miles from their homes, 31. Excluded from sitting in Parliament, 32, 33  
Payton, Sir Robert, 59, 77  
Papillon, Thomas, 85, 165, 202  
Pemberton, Sir Francis, 109, 159, 182  
Pepys, Samuel, 55  
Peter, Lord, 187  
Petitioning in an illegal manner, 61, 62, 69  
Pilkinton, Thomas, 125 158  
Plot business, its beginning, 26  
Plunket, Oliver, 116, 118, 119  
Pope burning, 59, 157  
Popish Lords Committed, 28, Impeached, 35, 45, 47. Bailed, 194  
Powis, Countess, 59, 75, 77,  
Prance, Miles, 38  
Pritchard Sir William, 156, 165, 167, 182, 202  
Privy Council, 45  
Proclamations, for a Fast, 28, 43. Against Papists, 29, 31, 32. Against illegal Petitions, 62. For Discovery, 88 Against Highwaymen, 70, 205. Against Duels, 70 Against News Pamphlets, 75. For Apprehension of Conspirators, 174. Of Neutrality, 196 Pretections of the Commons discharged, 8   

Q.  
QAarrel in the House of Commons, 32  
Quo Warranto, London, 146, 170, 171, 172, 181   

R.  
RAces of English Horses in France, 163  
Reading, Nathaniel, 46  
Rebellion in Scotland, 54, 204  
Review of the Land Forces, 201  
Rich, Peter, 154  
Riots, 107, 157, 166, 184  
Roswel, Thomas, 203  
Rouse, John, 119, 126, 176, 177  
Rupert Prince Palatine Dies, 159  
Russel Lord, 176, 177   

S.  
Sanders, Sir Edmund, 159, 182  
Sawyer, Sir Robert, 11, 12  
Scaffolds in Westminster-Hall removed, 169  
Scotland, Rebellion there, 54, 204  
Loyal Parliament there, 121  
Their Acts, 123, 128  
Bishops there write to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 141  
Scrogs Sir William, 21, 58, 64, 90  
Seymer, Speaker, 43, 90  
Shaftsbury, Earl, 8, 93, 119, 127, 128, 144, 161  
Shandois, Lord, 73  
Sheriffs of London Committed to the Tower, 149, Bailed, Ibid.  
Shute, Samuel, 125  
Sidney, Algernoon, 185  
Smith, Aaron, 183  
Smith, Francis, 109  
Staley, William, 34  
Stafford, Viscount, 76, 91, 92  
Statue of King Charles, 1. 169  
Of King Charles 2. 208  
Symonds, Sir James, 83   

T.  
TAngier, 78, 87, 93, 94, 191  
Tasburgh, Richard, 76  
Thanksgiving Meeting Prohibited, 142  
— Appointed for the Discovery of the Conspiracy, 179, 181  
Thin, Thomas, 135, 136  
Titchburn, Sir Henry, 77  
Trade with France Prohibited, 10  
Treby Sir George, 176, 182  
Tulse, Sir Henry, 184  
Tumult at Edinburgh, 142, at Dublin, 144   

V.  
VIenna, Siege and Relief, 190  
Votes Printed, 90   

W.  
WAkeman Sir George, 27, 56  
Walcot, Hone, and Rouse, 176  
War with France, promoted by the House of Commons, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12  
Ward, Sir Patience, 167  
Weston, Sir Richard, 90  
Whitfield, Thomas, 69  
Williamson, Sir Joseph, Secretary of State 31, 32, 39  
Wilmore, John, 145, 156  
Withens, Sir Francis, 72, 88  
Wi. Williams, Speaker, 88, 107   

Y.  
YOrk, the Most Illustrious Duke, 30, 39, 40, 49, 57, 58, 60, 66, 68, 87, 93, 94, 95, 96, 132, 137, 139, 140, 141, 143, 146, 174, 198, 200, 201.    

Some Books Printed for Sam. Lowndes over against Exeter-Exchange.  
1. AN Introduction to the Old English History. Written by Robert Brady M. D. Folio.  
2. A general Chronological History of France, beginning before the Reign of King Pharamont, and ending with the Reign of King Henry the Fourth, by the Sieur de Mezeray, Fol.  
3. Parthanissa, that most Famed Romance, the six Volumes Complete, by the Right Honourable the Earl of Ossory. Fol.  
4. Clelia, an excellent New Romance, the whole Work, in five Parts. Fol.  
5. The Complete Horseman, and expert Farrier, Written by Thomas de Grey, the 5th Edition.  
6. Saducismus Triumphatus, or a full and plain Evidence concerning Witches and Apparitions, by Joseph Glanvil Chaplain in Ordinary to his late Majesty, with some Additions by Dr. Moor, and Dr. Horneck, the 2d Edition.  
7. Two choice and useful Treatises, the one Lux Orientalis, Written by Mr. Glanvil; the other, A Discourse of Truth, by the Reverend Dr. Rust, Lord Bishop of Bromer in Ireland, with Annotations on them both by Dr. More.  
8. The Great Law of Consideration, Written by Dr. Horneck, the 4th Edition.  
9 Papismus Regiae, potestatis eversor. Reverendus admodum Episcopus Lincoln. Anglicè Scripsit.  
10. An Anatomick-Chirurgical Treatise of Glandules, and Strumaes, or Kings-evil-swelling, etc. by John Brown one of His Majesty's Chirurgeons.  
11. Paul Festeaus French and English Grammar, being the Newest and exactest Method now extant for the attaining to the Elegancy and Purity of the French Tongue, the Fifth Edition.  
12. Claudius' Maugers Letters, in French and English, the Second Edition, with Additions.  
13. The Mirror of Fortune, or the True Characters of Fate and Destiny.  
14. The Situation of Paradise found out, being an History of a late Pilgrimage unto the Holy-Land.  
15. Credulity, and Incredulity in things Divine and Spiritual, by Morick Causabon, D. D. Prebendary of Canterbury.  
16. The French Rogue, being a pleasant History of his Life and Fortune.  
17. Cicero against Catiline, in four Invective Orations, Englished by Christopher Wase.  
18. China, and France, in Two Parts.  
19 The Fire of the Altar, by Dr. Horneck, the 2d Edition.  
20. Cambridge Jests, or Witty Alarms for Melancholy Spirits, the 2d Edition.  
21. Idea Eloquentiae. Authore Joanne de Kerhuel. S. E. M.   

An Advertisement.  
THere is now in the Press, and will be Published the next Term, these two Books, (viz.) A Complete History of England; etc. in Folio, Written by Dr. Brady.  
The Crucified Jesus, etc. Written by Dr. Anthony Horneck.