PRAUDULENT INDORSEMENTS OF

EXCHEQUER-BILLS.

the imprisonment of certain persons who cie from Barbadoes and the Leeward Islhad been concerned in the late conspiracy: ands. The bill imported, That the overplus a fourth granting further time for adminis- arising from these funds should be accounttering oaths with respect to tallies and ed for to parliament. Six hundred thouorders in the exchequer and bank of Eng-sand pounds of this money was allotted for land. These bills having received the royal the purposes of the civil list: the rest was assent, they resolved to grant a supply, granted for the jointure of fifty thousand which, together with the funds already pounds per annum, to be paid to queen settled for that purpose, should be sufficient Mary D'Este, according to the stipulation to answer and cancel all exchequer-bills, at Ryswick; and to maintain a court for to the amount of two millions seven hun- the duke of Gloucester, son of the princess dred thousand pounds. Another supply Anne of Denmark, now in the ninth year was voted for the payment and reduction of his age: but the jointure was never paid; of the army, including half-pay to such nor would the king allow above fifteen commission-officers as were natural born thousand pounds per annum for the use of subjects of England. They granted one the duke of Gloucester, to whom Burnet, million four hundred thousand pounds to bishop of Salisbury, was appointed preceptor. make good deficiencies. They resolved, That the sum of two millions three hundred and forty-eight thousand one hundred and THE Commons having discussed the ways two pounds was necessary to pay off arrears, and means for raising the supplies of the subsistence, contingencies, general officers, ensuing year, which rose almost to five guards and garrisons; of which sum eight millions, took cognizance of some frauduhundred and fifty-five thousand five hun- lent indorsements of exchequer-bills, a spedred and two pounds remained in the hands cies of forgery which had been practised by of the paymaster. Then they took into a confederacy, consisting of Charles Dunconsideration the subsidies due to foreign comb, receiver-general of the excise, Barpowers, and the sums owing to contractors tholomew Burton, who possessed a place in for bread and forage. Examining further that branch of the revenue, John Knight, the debts of the nation, they found the treasurer of the customs, and Reginald general debt of the navy amounted to one Marriot, a deputy-teller of the exchequer. million three hundred and ninety-two thou- This last became evidence, and the proof sand seven hundred and forty-two pounds. turning out very strong and full, the house That of the ordnance was equal to two hun- resolved to make examples of the delindred and four thousand one hundred and quents (1.) Duncomb and Knight, both fifty-seven pounds. The transport debt members of parliament, were expelled and contracted for the reduction of Ireland, and committed to the Tower: Burton was sent other services, did not fall short of four hun- to Newgate; and bills of pains and penaldred and sixty-six thousand four hundred ties were ordered to be brought in against and ninety-three pounds; and they owed them. The first, levelled at Duncomb, nine and forty thousand nine hundred and passed the lower house, though not without twenty-nine pounds, for quartering and great opposition: but was rejected in the clothing the army, which had been raised house of lords by the majority of one voice. by one act of parliament in the year 1677, Duncomb, who was extremely rich, is said and disbanded by another in the year 1679. to have paid dear for his escape. The other As this enormous load of debt could not be two bills met with the same fate. The discharged at once, the commons passed a peers discharged Duncomb from his connumber of votes for raising sums of money, finement: but he was re-committed by the by which it was considerably lightened; commons, and remained in custody till the and settled the funds for those purposes by end of the session. While the commons the continuation of the land tax, and other were employed on ways and means, some impositions. With respect to the civil list, of the members in the opposition proposed it was raised by a new subsidy of tonnage that one fourth part of the money arising and poundage, the hereditary and tempo- from improper grants of the crown should rary excise, a weekly portion from the be appropriated to the service of the public, revenue of the post-office, the first-fruits but this was a very unpalatable expedient, and tenths of the clergy, the fines in the as it affected not only the whigs of king alienation-office, and post-fines, the revenue William's reign, but also the tories who of the wine-license, money arising by sher- had been gratified by Charles II. and his iffs, proffers, and compositions in the ex-brother. A great number of petitions were chequer and seizures, the income of the presented against this measure, and so many dutchy of Cornwall, the rents of all other difficulties raised, that both parties agreed crown-lands in England or Wales, and the to lay it aside. In the course of this inquiduty of four and a half per cent. upon spe- ry, they discovered that one Railton held a

grant in trust for Mr. Montague, chancellor pany; and doubted whether the separate of the exchequer. A motion was immedi- trade allowed in the bill, concurrent with a ately made, that he should withdraw; but joint stock, might not prove such an inconpassed in the negative by a great majority. sistency as would discourage the subscripFar from prosecuting this minister, the tion. This act, by which the old company house voted it was their opinion, That Mr. was dissolved, in a great measure blasted Montague, for his good services to the gov- the reputation of the whigs, which had for ernment, did deserve his majesty's favor. some time been on the decline with the A NEW EAST INDIA COMPANY CONSTI- people. They had stood up as advocates TUTED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT. for a standing army: they now unjustly suTHIS extraordinary vote was a sure pre- perseded the East India company: they sage of success in the execution of a scheme were accused of having robbed the public which Montague had concerted against the by embezzling the national treasure, and East India company. They had been amassing wealth by usurious contracts, at sounded about advancing a sum of money the expense of their fellow-subjects, groanfor the public service, by way of loan in ing under the most oppressive burdens. consideration of a parliamentary settlement; Certain it is, they were at this period the and they offered to raise seven hundred most mercenary and corrupt undertakers thousand pounds on that condition: but be- that ever had been employed by any king fore they formed this resolution, another or administration since the first establishbody of merchants, under the auspices of ment of the English monarchy. Montague, offered to lend two millions at The commons now transferred their ateight per cent. provided they might be tention to certain objects in which the gratified with an exclusive privilege of people of Ireland were interested. Colonel trading to the East Indies. This proposal Mitchelborne, who had been joint governor was very well received by the majority in of Londonderry with Dr. Walker, during the house of commons. A bill for this pur- the siege of that place, petitioned the house pose was brought in, with additional clauses in behalf of himself, his officers, and soldiers, of regulation. A petition was presented by to whom a considerable sum of money was the old company, representing their rights due for subsistence; and the city itself imand claims under so many royal charters; plored the mediation of the commons with the regard due to the property of above a his majesty, that its services and sufferings thousand families interested in the stock: might be taken into consideration. The as also to the company's property in India, house having examined the allegations conamounting to forty-four thousand pounds of tained in both petitions, presented an adyearly revenue. They alleged they had dress to the king, recommending the citiexpended a million in fortifications: that zens of Londonderry to his majesty's favor; during the war they had lost twelve great that they might no longer remain a ruinous ships, worth fifteen hundred thousand pounds: spectacle to all, a scorn to their enemies, that since the last subscription they had and a discouragement to well-affected subcontributed two hundred and ninety-five jects: they likewise declared, that the thousand pounds to the customs, with governor and garrison did deserve some above eighty-five thousand pounds in taxes: special marks of royal favor, for a lasting that they had furnished six thousand barrels monument to posterity. To this address of gun-powder on a very pressing occa- the king replied, that he would consider sion and eighty thousand pounds for the them, according to the desire of the comcirculation of exchequer-bills, at a very mons. William Molineux, a gentleman of critical juncture, by desire of the lords of Dublin, having published a book to prove the treasury, who owned that their compli- that the kingdom of Ireland was independance was a very important service to the ent of the parliament of England, the house government. No regard being paid to their appointed a committee to inquire into the remonstrances, they undertook to raise the cause and nature of this performance. An loan of two millions, and immediately sub- address was voted to the king, desiring he scribed two hundred thousand pounds as the would give directions for the discovery and first payment. The two proposals being punishment of the author. Upon the recompared and considered by the house, the port of the committee, the commons in a majority declared for the bill, which was body presented an address to his majesty, passed, and sent up to the house of lords. representing the dangerous attempts which There the old company delivered another had been lately made by some of his subpetition, and was heard by counsel; never- jects in Ireland, to shake off their subjectheless, the bill made its way, though not tion and dependence upon England; atwithout opposition, and a formal protesta- tempts which appeared not only from the tion by one and twenty lords, who thought bold and pernicious assertions contained in it was a hardship upon the present com-la book lately published, but more fully and

authentically by some votes and proceed- Barreau, were impeached at the bar of the ings of the commons in Ireland. These house of lords; and pleading guilty, the had, during their last session, transmitted lords imposed fines upon them, according to an act for the better security of his majes- their respective circumstances. They were ty's person and government, whereby an in the mean time committed to Newgate, English act of parliament was pretended to until those fines should be paid; and the be re-enacted, with alterations obligatory commons addressed the king, that the money on the courts of justice and the great seal might be appropriated to the maintenance of England. The English commons, there- of Greenwich hospital. The house having fore, besought his majesty to give effectual taken cognizance of this affair, and made orders for preventing any such encroach- some new regulations in the prosecution of ments for the future, and the pernicious the African trade, presented a solemn adconsequences of what was past, by punish- dress to the king, representing the general ing those who had been guilty thereof: that degeneracy and corruption of the age, and he would take care to see the laws which beseeching his majesty to command all his direct and restrain the parliament of Ireland judges, justices, and magistrates to put the punctually observed, and discourage every laws in execution against profaneness and thing which might have a tendency to les-immorality. The king professed himself sen the dependence of Ireland upon Eng- extremely well pleased with this remonland. This remonstrance was graciously strance, promised to give immediate direcreceived, and the king promised to comply tions for a reformation, and expressed his with their request. desire that some more effectual provision

SOCIETY FOR THE REFORMATION OF
MANNERS.

The jealousy which the commons enter- might be made for suppressing impious tained of the government in Ireland, ani- books, containing doctrines against the mated them to take other measures, that Trinity; doctrines which abounded at this ascertained the subjection of that kingdom. period, and took their origin from the licenUnderstanding that the Irish had establish- tiousness and profligacy of the times. ed divers woollen manufactures, they, in another address, entreated his majesty to take measures for discouraging the woollen In the midst of such immorality, Dr. manufactures in Ireland, as they interfered Thomas Bray, an active divine, formed a with those of England, and promote the plan for propagating the gospel in foreign linen manufacture, which would be profita- countries. Missionaries, catechisms, liturble to both nations. At the same time, re- gies, and other books for the instruction of ceiving information that the French had se- ignorant people, were sent to the English duced some English manufacturers, and set colonies in America. This laudable design up a great work for cloth-making in Picar- was supported by voluntary contribution; dy, they brought in a bill for explaining and and the bill having been brought into the better executing former acts for preventing house of commons for the better discovery the exportation of wool, fullers-earth, and of estates, given to superstitious uses, Dr. scouring clay; and this was immediately Bray presented a petition, praying, that passed into a law. A petition being pre- some part of these estates might be set sented to the house, by the lustring com- apart for the propagation of the reformed pany, against certain merchants who had religion in Maryland, Virginia, and the smuggled alamodes and lustrings from Leeward Islands. About this period, a soFrance, even during the war, the commit- ciety for the reformation of manners was tee of trade was directed to inquire into the formed under the king's countenance and allegations; and all the secrets of this traf- encouragement. Considerable collections fic were detected. Upon the report the were made for maintaining clergymen to house resolved, that the manufacture of ala- read prayers at certain hours in places of modes and lustrings set up in England, had public worship, and administer the sacrabeen beneficial to the kingdom: that there ment every Sunday. The members of this had been a destructive and illegal trade car- society resolved to inform the magistrates ried on during the war, for importing these of all vice and immorality that should fall commodities, by which the king had been under their cognizance; and with that part defrauded of his customs, and the English of the fines allowed by law to the informer manufactures greatly discouraged: that, by constitute a fund of charity. The business the smuggling vessels employed in this of the session being terminated, the king, trade, intelligence had been carried into on the third day of July, prorogued the parFrance during the war, and the enemies of liament, after having thanked them, in a the government conveyed from justice. short speech, for the many testimonies of Stephen Seignoret, Rhene, Baudoin, John their affection he had received; and in Goodet, Nicholas Santini, Peter de Hearse, two days after the prorogation, it was disJohn Pierce, John Dumaitre, and David solved.

EMPLOYMENTS.

THE EARL OF PORTLAND RESIGNS HIS senate of that city. The parliament of Scotland being assembled by the earl of In the month of January, the earl of Port- Marchmont as king's commissioner, the land had set out on his embassy to France, company presented it with a remonstrance, where he was received with very particular containing a detail of their grievances, marks of distinction. He made a public arising from the conduct of the English entry into Paris with such magnificence, as house of commons, as well as from the meis said to have astonished the French na-morial presented by the king's minister at tion. He interceded for the Protestants in Hamburgh, in which he actually disowned that kingdom, against whom the persecu- the act of parliament and letters patent tion had been renewed with redoubled vio- which had passed in their favor, and threatlence: he proposed that king James should ened the inhabitants of that city with his be removed to Avignon, in which case his majesty's resentment, in case they should master would supply him with an honorable join the Scots in their undertaking. They pension; but his remonstrances on both sub-represented, that such instances of interpojects proved ineffectual. Louis, however, sition had put a stop to the subscriptions in in a private conference with him at Marli, England and Hamburgh, hurt the credit of is supposed to have communicated his pro- the company, discouraged the adventurers, ject of the partition-treaty. The earl of and threatened the entire ruin of a design Portland, at his return to England, finding in which all the most considerable families himself totally eclipsed in the king's favor, of the nation were deeply engaged. The by Keppel, now created earl of Albemarle, parliament having taken their case into resigned his employments in disgust; nor consideration, sent an address to his majesty, could the king's solicitations prevail upon representing the hardships to which the him to resume any office in the household; company had been exposed, explaining how though he promised to serve his majesty in far the nation in general was concerned in any other shape, and was soon employed to the design, and entreating that he would negotiate the treaty of partition. If this take such measures as might effectually nobleman miscarried in the purposes of his vindicate the undoubted rights and privilast embassy at the court of Versailles, the leges of the company. This address was agents of France were equally unsuccessful seconded by a petition from the company in their endeavors to retrieve their com- itself, praying, that his majesty would give merce with England, which the war had some intimation to the senate of Hamburgh, interrupted. Their commissary, sent over permitting the inhabitants of that city to to London with powers to regulate the renew the subscriptions they had withtrade between the two nations, met with drawn: that, as a gracious mark of his royal insuperable difficulties. The parliament favor to the company, he would bestow upon had burdened the French commodities with them two small frigates, then lying useless heavy duties, which were already appro- in the harbor of Burnt-Island; and that, in priated to different uses; and the channel consideration of the obstructions they had of trade was in many respects entirely al- encountered, he would continue their privtered. The English merchants supplied ileges and immunities for such longer time the nation with wines from Italy, Spain, as should seem reasonable to his majesty. and Portugal; with linen from Holland and Though the commissioner was wholly deSilesia; and manufactures of paper, hats, stuffs and silks, had been set up and successfully carried on in England, by the French refugees.

THE KING DISOWNS THE SCOTTISH
TRADING COMPANY.

voted to the king, who had actually resolved to ruin this company, he could not appease the resentment of the nation; and the heats of parliament became so violent, that he was obliged to adjourn it to the fifth day of November. In this interval, the diBy this time a ferment had been raised rectors of the company, understanding from in Scotland, by the opposition and discour- their agent at Hamburgh, that the address agements their new company had sustained. of the parliament, and their own petition, They had employed agents in England, had produced no effect in their favor; they Holland, and Hamburgh, to receive sub- wrote a letter of complaint to the lord Seascriptions. The adventurers in England field, secretary of state, observing, that they were intimidated by the measures which had received repeated assurances of the had been taken in parliament against the king's having given orders to his resident Scottish company. The Dutch East India at Hamburgh touching their memorial; and company took the alarm, and exerted all entreating the interposition of his lordship, their interest to prevent their countrymen that justice might be done to the company. from subscribing; and the king permitted The secretary, in his answer, promised to his resident at Hamburgh to present a me- take the first convenient opportunity of morial against the Scottish company to the representing the affair to his majesty; but

he said this could not be immediately ex- Essex, Portland, and Selkirk. There e pected, as the king was much engaged in was visited by count Tallard, the French the affairs of the English parliament. This minister, who had instructions to negotiate declaration the directors considered, as it the treaty concerning the Spanish succesreally was, a mere evasion, which helped to sion. The earl of Portland, by his majes alienate the minds of that people from the ty's order, had communicated to secretary king's person and government.

Vernon the principal conditions which the HE EMBARKS FOR HOLLAND. French king proposed: he himself wrote a KING WILLIAM at this time revolved in letter to lord chancellor Somers, desiring his own mind a project of far greater con- his advice witn regard to the propositions, sequence to the interest of Europe; name- and full powers under the great seal, with ly, that of settling the succession to the blanks to be filled up occasionally, that he throne of Spain, which in a little time might immediately begin the treaty with would be vacated by the death of Charles count Tallard. At the same time, he strictII. whose constitution was already exhausted. ly enjoined secrecy. The purport of PortHe had been lately reduced to extremity, land's letter was imparted to the duke of and his situation was no sooner known in Shrewsbury and Mr. Montague, who conFrance, than Louis detached a squadron to- sulted with the chancellor and Vernon upon wards Cadiz, with orders to intercept the the subject; and the chancellor wrote an plate-fleet, in case the king of Spain should answer to the king, as the issue of their die before its arrival. William sent an- joint deliberation; but, before it reached other fleet to protect the galleons; but it his majesty, the first treaty of partition was arrived too late for that service, and the signed by the earl of Portland and Sir Jonation loudly exclaimed against the tardi- seph Williamson. The contracting powers ness of the equipment. His Catholic ma- agreed, that, in case the king of Spain jesty recovered from his disorder, contrary should die without issue, the kingdom of to the expectation of his people; but con- Naples and Sicily, with the places dependtinued in such an enfeebled and precarious ing on the Spanish monarchy, and situated state of health, that a relapse was every on the coast of Tuscany, or the adjacent moment apprehended. In the latter end islands, the marquisate of Final, the provof July, king William embarked for Hol-ince of Guipuscoa, all places on the French land, on pretence of enjoying a recess from side of the Pyrenees, or the other mounbusiness, which was necessary to his con- tains of Navarre, Alva, or Biscay, on the stitution. He was glad of an opportunity other side of the province of Guipuscoa, to withdraw himself for some time from a with all the ships, vessels, and stores, kingdom in which he had been exposed to should devolve upon the dauphin, in considsuch opposition and chagrin. But the real eration of his right to the crown of Spain, motive of his voyage was a design of treat- which, with all its other dependencies, ing with the French king, remote from the should descend to the electoral prince of observation of those who might have pene- Bavaria, under the guardianship of his fathtrated into the nature of his negotiation. er: that the dutchy of Milan should be setHe had appointed a regency to govern the tled on the emperor's second son, the archkingdom in his absence, and as one of the duke Charles: that this treaty should be number nominated the earl of Marlborough, communicated to the emperor and the elecwho had regained his favor, and been con- tor of Bavaria by the king of England and stituted governor of the duke of Gloucester. the States-general: that if either should reAt his majesty's departure, sealed orders fuse to agree to this partition, his proportion were left with the ministry, directing, that should remain in sequestration, until the sixteen thousand men should be retained in dispute could be accommodated: that in the service, notwithstanding the vote of the case the electoral prince of Bavaria should commons, by which the standing army was die before his father, then the elector and limited to ten thousand. He alleged, that his other heirs should succeed him in those the apprehension of troubles which might dominions; and, should the archduke rearise at the death of king Charles induced ject the dutchy of Milan, they agreed that him to transgress this limitation; and he it should be sequestered, and governed by hoped that the new parliament would be the prince of Vaudemont. It may be nemore favorable. His enemies, however, cessary to observe, that Philip IV. father to made a fresh handle of this step, to depre- the present king of Spain, had settled his ciate his character in the eyes of the people. crown by will on the emperor's children:

FIRST TREATY OF PARTITION. that the dauphin was son of Maria Theresa, HAVING assisted at the assembly of the daughter of the same monarch, whose right States-general, and given audience to divers to the succession Louis had renounced in ambassadors at the Hague, he repaired to the most solemn manner: as for the electohis house at Loo, attended by the earls of ral prince of Bavaria, he was grandson to a