The Privy Council of Scotland's Letter to the King, together with the Arch-Bishops and Bishops: As also several English Addresses to His Majesty.  

Edinburgh, February 10. 1685.  
LAst night arrived here a flying Packet, which brought us the most sorrowful News of the Death of our late Gracious Sovereign; Whereupon the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord Thesaurer called the Privy Council immediately to meet, and having expressed their just Grief for the loss of so good a King and Master, they unanimously, and with a great Alacrity, resolved to Proclaim the next morning Our Dread Sovereign King JAMES the Seventh. Accordingly at eight in the morning the Privy Council met again, and having read his Majesty's Gracious Letter to them; the Lord Chancellor took the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath of a Privy Counsellor and the Test, and then administered the same to the other Counsellors; which done, they all Signed the Proclamation for Proclaiming his Majesty, and then went to assist at the Solemnity of it. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council in their Formalities marched bareheaded, next the Lion and Heralds in their Coats of Arms displayed: Then the Lord Chancellor, Lord Thesaurer, and the rest of the Officers of State and Councillors, and other Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and after them the Lords of the Session in their Robes, The Train-Bands standing on both sides of the Street: Being come to the Cross, and mounting it, The Lord Chancellor Proclaimed the King, which was followed with an Universal Acclamation from more than 30000 of all Ranks of people present, who with up-lifted hands swore Allegiance to His Majesty. And then was Proclaimed his Majesty's Gracious Proclamation for continuing all Officers by Lion King at Arms; after which they marched back in the same manner to the Council-house. In the afternoon the Privy Council met again, and went with the Magistrates to the Cross, where they drank the King and Queen's Health, and the rest of the Royal Family. The Town was full of Bonfires, the Canons from the Castle fired all the while, and the Night concluded with all imaginable Demonstrations of Joy and Satisfaction.   

A Letter to His Majesty from His Privy Council of Scotland.  
May it please Your Sacred Majesty.  
NOthing could support us under this great load of just grief and sorrow, for the removal of our late Gracious Sovereign, who transcended all that ever Reigned before him, in Wisdom, Justice, and Clemency: But that he being thereby become without doubt more happy and glorious, hath left us under your Sacred Majesties most Auspicious Government, who are the undoubted and just Lineal Heir of Authority and Sovereignty, and the true Successor of his Royal Virtues, with all those great qualities which can fit a Prince for the glorious dignity of being Vicegerent to Almighty God. In whom also this your ancient Kingdom cannot but be happy in a most especial manner, your Majesty being the Lineal and Legal Successor, of that most ancient Race of Kings, by whom for so many ages this Kingdom hath been Governed with so much Justice, and defended by so much Valour; and your Sacred Majesty having been so instrumental in your own Person to secure us against those Confusions and Distractions, in which we were involved, before your Majesty did us the honour to spend some time amongst us.  
We therefore your Majesty's Privy Council, being Authorized by your Gracious Letter, did meet, and in Recognizance of your just right and Title, we did renew to your Sacred Majesty who now Reigns, the usual Oath of Privy Counsellors and thereafter attended by the Nobility and Clergy of this your ancient Kingdom, the Lords of your Council and Session, and the Magistrates of your City of Edinburgh, did at the Mercat Cross of this City, as use is, Proclaim and Declare your Majesty our King and Sovereign, binding ourselves by a solemn Oath, to hazard our Lives and Fortunes, in the Defence of your Majesty's Title and Person, which was most dutifully and joyfully seconded by the universal Acclamations of those great crowds of your Majesty's Subjects who were then present. After which we likewise Promulgated your Gracious Proclamation, for continuing your Officers, Judges, and Magistrates in their former Employments. And as to these wherein your Majesty is graciously pleased to continue us. We shall make it our chief endeavour to improve the same with all zeal and faithfulness for the good of your Majesty's Service. And that Almighty God, by whom King's Reign, may preserve your Royal Person, and make your Government Glorious and Successful, is and ever shall be the Hearty Prayers of,  
May it please your Sacred Majesty, Your Majesty's most Humble, most Faithful, and most Obedient Subjects and Servants. Edinburgh, Feb. 10. 1685.   

A Letter to His Majesty from the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of Scotland.  
Most Sacred Sovereign.  
OUr deep and Just Sorrow for the Death of our late Blessed and Gracious King, would certainly swallow us up, did not the righteous and peaceable Succession of your Majesty support us under our unexpressible affliction.  
Had we the honour and Happiness to prostrate our Persons at your Royal Feet, our Tears would prove our best Orators for the former, as our Prayers and Thanksgivings to the only Ruler of Princes, and our best and most faithful endeavours to serve your most Sacred Majesty, shall ever express our Joy and Zeal for the latter.  
Your pious Zeal for the Honour and Interest of your Royal Brother our late Sovereign now in Glory; and for this your Ancient Kingdom whilst we enjoyed the happiness of your presence amongst us, as it did then demonstrate you to be the best and most obedient of Subjects, so did it Prognosticate your being the kindest and most Paternal of Sovereign Princes to your People.  
At this distance from your Royal Presence, we are able in our present circumstances to do no more than humbly to Address to your Majesty in Paper, to pay that Duty we own upon so Solemn an occasion; But are resolved (if your Sacred Majesty shall allow) to desire the Archbishop of St. Andrews (who is most desirous and ambitious to congratulate your most righteous Succession to the Thrones of your Royal Ancestors) to Address himself to your Royal Presence, more fully to express our sense and duty, than a Letter can allow, and humbly to implore your Majesty's Protection and Favour to this National Church, and to our Order and Persons; which we are humbly confident to obtain, when we reflect upon your Piety and Zeal for all these Interests, during your abode in this Kingdom.  
To honour, serve and humbly obey your Sacred Majesty in all our Capacities, as God's Vicegerent over us, is not only incorporated into our Religion, but is the most Zealous Inclination of,  
Most Sacred Sovereign, Your Majesty's most Humble, most Loyal, and most Obedient Subjects and Servants. Edinburgh, Feb. 10. 1685.   

Dublin, February 11.  
HIs Grace the Duke of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of this Kingdom, having received last night an express, with the sad News of Our Inestimable loss in the Death of our late Sovereign King Charles the second, immediately summoned the Privy-Council, and there gave the Orders that were necessary on this occasion. This morning the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, the Privy-Council, the Judges, the Lord Mayor and aldermans, and the Officers of the Army, as many of each Degree as were in Town, with many other Gentlemen of Quality, all in the Habits proper to their several Capacities attended his Grace in the Great Hall of the Castle, and having their unanimously. Subscribed a Recognition of the Indubitable Right and Tittle of King James the Second, took Horse in the Castle-Yard, and riding out from thence attended with the Heralds, the several Ensigns of Authority, and the Trumpets and Kettledrums, Proclaimed H●s Majesty in three places of this City, first at the Castle-Gate, then at the Tosi●, and lastly in the public Corn-Market, with Volleys of Shot from the Great Guns at each Proclamation. The whole Procession was performed with all the Splendour and Solemnity the shortness of time would permit, and with all possible demonstrations of Joy and Satisfaction. In the Afternoon the Councll was summoned again, and two Proclamations were Signed to be sent forthwith to all the Counties of the Kingdom, the one for Proclaiming the King in all Shire Towns, and Towns Corporate, and the other for continuing all Magistrates and Officers both Civil and Military in their several Employments: and the night was begun with Bonfires and Ringing of Bells. The Recognition and Proclamation was according to the Form used in England.   

White-Hall, Feb. 18. The Following Addresses have been presented to His Majesty, who received them very Graciously. To the Kings most Excellent Majesty.  
WE your Majesty's most Loyal and Dutieful Subjects, the Governor and Company of Merchant-Adventurers of England, having by the Royal Grace and Favour of your Majesty's most Noble Predecessors, flourished as a Company of Merchants, near the space of 400 years, as we are the ancientest in time, do think ourselves obliged to be the first in Duty, in making this our most humble Address to your Majesty. And being overwhelmed in sorrow, for our unspeakable loss, in the Death of our late Dread Sovereign, your Majesty's most dear Brother; are, in a great measure comforted and supported in that our just grief, by the Rightful Lineal, and unquestionable Succession of your most Sacred Majesty, Rendering infinite thanks for your Gracious Proclamation of the 9th instant; and do humbly submit to your Royal Will and Pleasure therein, for the Collection of the Customs as formerly; and always praying, (as in duty bound) your Majesty's Government may be long and prosperous over us, We will ever be ready to maintain and defend the same with our Lives and Fortunes.   

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, The humble Address of the Lord and Proprietary, the Merchants, Traders and Planters, of and belonging to His Majesty's Province of Maryland.  
WE your Majesty's most Loyal, and Dutiful Subjects, the Lord, and Proprietary, Merchants, Traders, and Planters of, and belonging to your Majesty's Province of Maryland; as we do with the deepest sense of sorrow humbly bemoan your Majesty's loss of the best of Brothers, in the Decease of our late most Gracious Sovereign. So do we no less rejoice at your Majesty's happy Accession to the Throne of your Royal Predecessors, and Sovereignty over us, since the early and many Proofs which your Majesty has given abroad, and at home, in Defence of your now Dominions, of all those Royal Virtues, which now render you the greatest of Monarches, and most especially, your Magnanimity and steady Conduct in the most adverse of Fortunes, has given us assurance that our Lives and Properties are securely Deposited in your Majesty's hands. We therefore in regard that the Customs are the most considerable, and growing Branch of your Majesty's Revenue. Do most humbly acquiesce and submit to the Proclamation which your Majesty has been pleased to publish for Collecting the Customs, as in the time of our late Sovereign, and shall pay all Obedience thereunto. Wishing with most sincere and zealous hearts, that your Majesty may continue in a long and Glorious Reign over us.   

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, The humble Address of the Precedent, Vicepresident, Treasurer, Court of Assistants, and Body of the Artillery Company of the City of London.  
THat your Majesties said ever Loyal and most obedient Subjects and Soldiers, do with all their Souls bless Almighty God, for the Deliverance of your Sacred Majesty out of the hands of your blood thirsty and malicious Enemies, and for Repairing the heaviest Calamities imaginable, in the loss of our late Dread Sovereign, by so●liustrious a Succession, both to his Imperial Crown, and to his Royal Virtues, all Plots, Forgeries, and Antimonarchical Bills of Exclusion notwithstanding.  
And your Majesty's humble Subjects being conscious to themselves of the double Duty, as well of a Military as of a Civil Allegiance, having for many years last passed; had the honour to bear Arms under your Majesty's Command, as their Princely Leader, and at present as their Dread Sovereign, Do with their Lives and Fortunes declare their uttermost detestation of all Conspirators, and Conspiracies whatsoever; and that they will with their Swords in their Hands, Defend your Majesty's Honour, Person, Crown, Title and Dignity against all Opposers to their last Breath; Beseeching Almighty God to shower down upon your Sacred Head all Blessings both of the Right and Left Hand. And your Majesty's most dutiful Subjects do no longer expect mercy from Heaven, than while they continue firm and steady in their Faith and Allegiance to your most Excellent Majesty.   

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, King James the Second, The humble Address of the Mayor, Bailiffs and Commonality of the City of Winchester.  
Sheweth.  
THat we your Majesty's most Loyal, Dutiful and Obedient Subjects, Do from the bottom of our Hearts, and with unexpressible grief Condole the Death of that Excellent Prince King Charles the Second (of blessed Memory) your Majesty's Dear Brother, and our late Dread Sovereign, and with unspeakable Joy give thanks to Almighty God for your Majesty's Accession to the Throne of your Ancestors, and Government of these Nations, Rightly descended to you: And we most humbly pray that your Majesty will please to accept of our Vows and unalterable Resolutions, to venture our Lives and Fortunes for the Defence of your Sacred Person, Crown and Dignity.  
We should be ungrateful if we could forget, how often your Majesty hath freely ventured your Life for the Honour and Preservation of these Kingdoms, when your Valour Crowned you with Laurels, and we must lose our senses to imagine you will do less for their Welfare now, that Heaven hath placed you on the Throne.  
And your Majesty was Graciously pleased to be instrumental to your late Royal Brother, and present Queens, honouring our City with their presence; and we humbly hope and pray. That at some leisure time, you and your Royal Consort will do us the like Honour, and enjoy the benefit of our Air, which both of you found healthful, and we hope may conduce to your Majesty's having a numerous Issue by that Virtuous Princess.  
It is both our Duty and Interest to offer up daily Prayers for your Majesty's long Life and most happy Reign over us; and since the latter will be impossible, if you should lose what you love best on Earth, (and which best deserves it) we shall add to our Prayers, That Queen Mary may equally live long with your Majesty, that her life may be a lasting Pattern for Virtue, Reproach to Vice, and her Person an unparallelled Grace to your Throne.    

Edinburgh, reprinted by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to the King's most Sacred Majesty; Anno DOM. 1685.