Haslemere, Sir Robert Parker, Hertfordshire, Sir Jonathan Kent, Higham, Sir R. Grobham How, Sir Walter Young, Huntingdonshire, Sir Edward Deering, Ilchester, Ives, (St.) Sir Michael Wharton, Lancaster Town, Lord Sherrard, Leicester Town, Sir John Carew, Sir Robert Clayton, Lyme, Lymington, Sir William Estcourt, Sir Watkinson Paylor, Marlow, John Burlace. Sir Joseph Tredenham, Middlesex, Sir William Roberts, Sir Richard Rothwell, Sir Robert Dillington. Norwich, Sir Scroop How, Nottingham Town, Petersfield, Plymouth, Sir William Jones, Pool, Sir Patience Ward, Preston, Sir Edward Nevill, Christopher Wandesford, Sir John Banks. Rumney. Thomas Frewen, Salop County, Sir James Oxenden, Sir Thomas Mompesson, Herbert Stapley, Shaftsbury, Thomas Bennet, Sir Matthew Andrews. Sir W. Spring. Sir Samuel Barnadiston. Surry County, Sir John Pelham, Tavistock, Sir Francis Russel, Nicholas Saunderson, Sir Henry Ford, Sir Edward Seymour, Truro, William Boscawen, Warwick Town, William Trenchard. West Low, Westminster SPEAKER-Serj. Williams. The King's Speech on opening the Session.] Oct. 21, 1680. The king opened the session with the following Speech to both houses: "My lords and gentlemen; I have many particulars to open to you; and because I dare not trust my memory with all that is requisite for me to mention, I shall read to you the particulars out of this paper; viz. My lords and gentlemen, the several prorogations I have made have been very advantageous to our neighbours, and very useful to me; for I have employed that time in making and perfecting an Alliance with the crown of Spain, suitable to that which I had before with the States of the United Provinces, and they also had with that of Spain, consisting of mutual obligations of succour and defence.-I have all the reason in the world to believe, that what was so much desired by former parliaments must needs be very grateful to you now; for, though some perhaps may wish these measures had been taken sooner, yet no man can with reason think that it is now too late; for they who desire to make these alliances, and they who desire to break them, shew themselves to be of another opinion. And as these are the best measures that could be taken for the safety of England, and the repose of Christendom; so they cannot fail to attain their end, and to spread and improve themselves farther, if our divisions at home do not render our friendship less considerable abroad.-To prevent these as much as may be; I think fit to renew to you all the assurances which can be desired, that nothing shall be wanting on my part, to give you the fullest satisfaction your hearts can wish, for the security of the Protestant religion; which I am fully resolved to maintain, against all the conspiracies of our enemies; and to concur with you in any new Remedies which shall be proposed, that may consist with preserving the Succession of the crown in its due and legal course of descent.-And, in order to this, I do recommend to you, to pursue the Debate on the Means of suppressing Popery, further examination of the Plot, with a strict and preventing a Popish Successor.] Oct. 26. and an impartial enquiry. I do not think my-Lord Russel rose and said :-Mr. Speaker; sir, self safe, nor you neither, till that matter be secing by God's providence, and his majesty's gone through with; and therefore it will be favour, we are here assembled, to consult and necessary that the Lords in the Tower Le advise about the great affairs of the kingdom, I brought to their speedy Trial, that justice may humbly conceive it will become us to begin be done. I need not tell you what danger the first with that which is of most consequence to city of Tangier is in, nor of what importance our king and country, and to take into consi it is to us to preserve it: I have, with a mighty deration how to save the main, before we spend charge and expence, sent a very considerable any time about particulars. Sir, I am of opirelict thither: but constantly to maintain so nion, that the life of our king, the safety of our great a force as that war will require, and to country and Protestant religion, are in great make those new works and fortifications with- danger from Popery; and that either this parout which the place will not long be tenable, liament must suppress the power and growth amounts to so vast a sum, that without your of popery, or else that popery will soon destroy, support it will be impossible for me to undergo not only parliaments, but all that is near and it. Therefore I lay the matter plainly before dear to us. And therefore I humbly move, you, and desire your advice and assistance.-- that we may resolve to take into our consideBut that which I value above all the treasure ration in the first place, how to suppress Poin the world, and which I am sure will give pery, and to prevent a Popish Successor; withme greater strength and reputation both at out which all our endeavours about other mathome and abroad than any treasure can do, is, ters will not signify any thing, and therefore a perfect union amongst ourselves.-Nothing this justly challengeth the precedency. but this can restore the kingdom to that Sir Henry Capel. I stand up to second that strength and vigour which it seems to have lost; and raise us again to that consideration and was abandoned to lewdness. She got him which England hath usually had. All Europe to be brought out of prison, and carried him have their eyes upon this assembly; and think to the countess of Powis, a zealous managing their own happiness or misery, as well as ours, Papist. He, after he had laid matters with will depend upon it. If we should be so un- her, got into all companies, and mixed with happy as to fall into such a misunderstanding the hottest men of the town, and studied to amongst ourselves as would render our friend-engage others with himself to swear, That ship unsafe to trust to; it will not be wondered at, if our neighbours should begin to take new resolutions, and perhaps such as may be fatal to us. Let us therefore take care, that we do not gratify our enemies, and discourage our friends, by any unseasonable disputes. If any such do happen, the world will see it was no fault of mine; for I have done all that was possible for me to do, to keep you in peace while I live, and to leave you so when I die. But from so great prudence, and so good affections, as yours, I can fear nothing of this kind; but do rely upon you all, that you will use your best endeavours to bring this parliament to a good and happy conclusion." Mr. Williams chosen Speaker.] After this Speech, the lord chancellor, by his majesty's command, directed the commons to return to their house, and to proceed to the Choice of a Speaker, when W. Williams, esq. was unanimously elected; and was approved the next day by his majesty. Oct. 26. Mr. Dangerfield was brought to the bar of the commons, where he gave an account of the new Sham Plot, as it is printed in the Trials. | they had been invited to accept of commis- : But that motion, and to give some reasons, why I agree as we have of other discoveries against Papists in it; not doubting but other persons will be since: however, accordingly in Sept. 13,000 of the same opinion, if they have the same sen- houses of the city of London were burut; and timents of what influence the Popish party those that were taken in carrying on that have had in the management of most of our work generously discharged without any trial; affairs both at home and abroad, for many and one papist, that confessed that himself and years last past; and how that party hath in- others did set the city on fire, was in great haste creased, and been encouraged. Sir, I remem- hanged, and so the business was hushed up as ber, that, after his majesty's happy Restora- completely as the late great Plot is like to be tion, it was thought convenient that an Act of now, branding Hubert, that then made that Uniformity should pass, as the best law that confession, with madness; as now these last could be invented, to secure the Church from witnesses with perjury, sodomy, and what not. the danger of Popery and Fanaticism, and ac- However, these businesses were not so carried, cordingly it did pass in 1662; but in 1663, but his maj, discerned some of the intrigues of some, that then managed the great affairs of them, which made him alter his councils, and, state, or at least had great interest with his contrary to the endeavours of that party, enter majesty, were of another opinion: for they into new Alliances, by making up that excelhad prevailed with him to grant a Toleration lent League, usually called the Triple League ; and Indulgence, and to make a Declaration to which put a stop to these men's designs as to purpose. The parliament assembling soon affairs abroad, but not to their designs here at after, thought it very strange, that in one year home. For having obtained the Oxford Act, an Act of Uniformity should be the best way and some others against the Dissenters, great to preserve the Church, and that in the next endeavours were used to have them executed year a Toleration and Indulgence: therefore, severely,in expectation that the Dissenters would after a serious debate about it, in Feb. 1663, soon be made weary of living quietly under them, they made an Address to his majesty, humbly and in the end be glad of a toleration; but the representing how it would reflect upon the Dissenters deceived them, and submitted to the wisdom of that parliament, to have such an laws; insomuch that in 1670 to 1671, there was Alteration made so soon; and that such pro- hardly a conventicle to be heard of in England; ceedings, for aught they could foresee, would and might never have been more, if that party end in Popery. Upon which his majesty, out had not been afraid of a great disappointment of his great goodness, stopped the issuing out thereby: wherefore to revive our divisions, and of the said Toleration; hearkening rather to to bring in (as they hoped) their own religion, the advice of his parliament, than to any pri- they employed all their force again to get a vate counsellors. Sir, I cannot inform you Toleration. I say they did it; because it canwho it was that gave that Advice to his ma-not be imagined it could be from any Protesjesty, nor certainly affirm they were popishly affected; but, if I may take the liberty to judge of a tree by its fruit, I have some reason to think so; because I find by Coleman's Letters, and other discoveries, that a Toleration and Indulgence should be one of the great engines they intended to use for the establishing of Popery in this nation. But the project thus failing at this time, they were forced to wait with patience until they could have another opportunity employing in the mean time their diabolical counsels, in weakening the Protestant Interest, (in order to a general destruction of it) by engaging us in a war with Holland. In which the French acted the same part in the behalf of the Dutch, as they did afterwards in our behalf against them 1672; very fairly looking on both times, while we poor Protestants with great fury destroyed one the other. But this was not so strange, nor so plain as the dividing of our Fleet under the command of prince Rupert and gen. Monk, and the Design of destroying them as well as their Ships, and the rest of our navy royal at Chatham. And as they thus acted their part at sea, so they did not forget to do their best ashore; in April 1666, some persons that were then hanged, fairly confessed they had been treated with, and had treated with others, to burn the City of London in Sept. following, of which confession we then took as little notice, tant interest; both church-men and dissenters publickly declaring their detestation of it. And in 1672, was obtained, printed, and published. After we had, in order to the carrying it on, broke that never to be forgotten Triple League, sacrificed our honour to the French, not only by making a strong Alliance with them, but by seizing the Dutch Sinyrna Fleet, and then afterwards proclaiming war with them. Which war continued in order to ruin us both; for the French proved but lookers-on at sea, (as they had done when engaged with the Dutch in 1665,) though great conquerors at land, especially of the Protestants in Germany and Holland. And as this Toleration was accompanied with these great alterations in affairs abroad, so it was backed, 1. With a great minister of state at the helm at home, who was so confident of the refixing Popery here, that he could not forbear to declare himself to be of that religion; I mean my lord treasurer Clifford: as also, 2. With a great Army at Blackheath, ready upon all occasions: and, 3. With the greatest violation on the Property of the subject, that ever happened in this nation, the seizing of one million and an half, or thereabout, in the Exchequer. All which indced made our condition desperate, and, as many thought, past retrieve. But, Mr. Speaker, here again the goodness and wisdom of his maj. saved us refusing to follow such pernicious Money for the carrying on of the war; but while they were in consultation about it, the League formerly mentioned, agreed at the Hague, was unluckily made (in some measure)'public, and occasioned a great jealousy of the reality of the pretended war. And the greater, because upon an enquiry, they could not find there were any Alliances made to that purpose. And yet, notwithstanding this, and the great endea xours of some worthy members of that parliament, (now of this ;) an Army of 30,000 men were raised, and a Tax of above 1,200,000l. was given. And then, instead of a War, a general Peace, according to that Treaty agreed with Holland, was presently made. By which that Party thought they had secured, not only the power of France, but the men and money here raised at home, to be made serviceable for their ends; there wanting nothing but a Popish king to perfect all these Designs. For which we have great reason to believe they had made all necessary preparation, as well by employing men and money, to find out wicked instruments to take away the king's life, as by providing one Cleypole to be a sacrifice, to counsels; upon which Clifford not only lost his place, but his life too, breaking his heart (as is by most believed) to see himself so disappointed in this great, design. And here, as we can never too much detest my lord Clifford, and such others, who contrived our ruin; so we can never sufficiently admire his majesty's royal care, in working out our security, by refusing to follow any advice that tended to those ends. And therefore, to the great disappointment of that party, at the request of the house of commons, at their next meeting, he recalled the said Toleration, disbanded the Army, and in convenient time made a peace with Holland. But though this party were thus defeated of their design, yet not so discouraged as to give it over. They changed their measures, but not their principles; and although they desisted from farther aiming at a Toleration, yet they no ways neglected pursuing a Reformation; but in order thereto, prosecuted a correspondence formerly begun for that purpose with the French king, and, by promising him considerable Supplies, to carry on the war he was then engaged in, secured themselves, as they thought, of his assistance for settling of Popery here. Accord-make an atonement for the Act, and to cast ingly, it is not unknown, what a party of men, what quantity of ammunition, and other necessaries for war, were sent to the French king, during the war he was then engaged in ; and how it was done contrary to the advice of the parliament, and the solicitations of most of the princes in Europe, and true interest of England, to the astonishment of all good men ; especially because it was contrary to his majesty's own Proclamation, and when the French had declared they made that war for Religion, endeavouring to force the Dutch to allow of Popish Churches. However, such was the strength of this Party, that this assistance was continued until the French king was willing to make a peace, and then who more instrumental than our ministers to effect it? Several ambassadors, and plenipotentiaries too, being sent as well to the court of Spain, as Germany and Holland, for that purpose. And at last, the Dutch being weary, and consumed with the War, they were persuaded to be willing for a Peace, and accordingly the 10th of Jan. 1676, entered into a Treaty with us for a general peace, to be accomplished by such ways and means as are therein prescribed. Which League was kept private for some time, and instead of any discovery thereof, about the end of Feb. following, (the parliament being then soon after to assemble) a great noise was made of entering into a war with France, it being concluded, that nothing like that would incline the parliament to give Money, nor the people freely to part with it, because it was the only way to extinguish those Fears they lay under, by reason of the growing greatness of France. At the meeting of the parliament, the project was set on foot with all the art and industry imaginable; and so far were the major part of the members persuaded of the reality thereof, that they were inclinable to give a great sum of the wickedness thereof on the Fanatics. To which purpose the said Cleypole was really imprisoned some time before in the Tower, upon the evidence of two witnesses, that he should say, that he and 200 more had engaged to kill the king, the next time he went to Newmarket. For which, in all probability, he had as really been hanged, if the breaking out of the Plot had not prevented their designs. Then was Cleypole, the next term after, publicly cleared at the King's-Bench bar, the witnesses appearing no more against him. Thus were we again reduced to a miserable condition; but it pleased God, by the discovery of the Plot by Dr. Oates, once more to save us; whose Evidence (he being but one witness) they thought at first to have out-braved; but some of them being so infatuated as to kill Justice Godfrey, and Coleman so unfortunate as to leave some of his important Papers in his house, notwithstanding the time he had to convey them away, it wrought so great a fermentation in the people, as that there was no remedy, but that the farther pursuit of the Plot must be again laid aside, and a fair face put upon things. And so accordingly, there was for a few months; but how, after Wakeman's Trial, things turned again, what endeavours have been since used to ridicule the Plot, to disparage the old witnesses, to discourage new ones, to set up Presbyterian Plots, and to increase our divisions, I suppose must be fresh in every man's memory here, and therefore I shall not offer to trouble you therewith. But, sir, I cannot conclude without begging your patience, while I observe how things have been carried on in Scotland and Ireland, answerable to what was done here. In Ireland, the Papists are at least five to one in number to the Protestants, and may probably derive from their cradle an inclination to massacré |