the plot, he also thought proper to be acquaint- and the consternation, universally excited, ed with it, and conveyed some intelligence to proved an excellent engine for influencing the the council. Among other absurd circum- electors. All the zealots of the former parliastances, he said, that one le Fevre bought a ment were re-chosen: new ones were added: second-hand sword of him; because he knew the presbyterians, in particular, being transnot, as he said, what times were at hand: and ported with the most inveterate antipathy Prance expressing some concern for poor against popery, were very active and very suc-tradesmen if such times came, le Fevre replied, cessful in the elections. That party, it is said, that it would be better for tradesmen if the first began at this time the abuse of splitting catholic religion were restored and particu- their freeholds, in order to multiply votes and larly, that there would be more church work electors. By accounts, which came from every for silversmiths. All this information with part of England, it was concluded, that the new regard to the plot, as well as the murder of representatives would, if possible, exceed the Godfrey, Prance solemnly retracted, both be- old in their refractory opposition to the court, fore the king and the secret committee: but and furious persecution of the catholics.-The being again thrown into prison, he was in-king was alarmed, when he saw so dreadful a duced, by new terrors and new sufferings, to tempest arise from such small and unaccountconfirm his first information, and was now pro- able beginnings. His life, if Oates and Bedduced as a sufficient evidence. Hill, Green, loe's information were true, had been aimed at and Berry, were tried for Godfrey's murder; by the catholics: even the duke's was in danall of them men of low stations. Hill was ser- ger: the higher, therefore, the rage mounted vant to a physician: the other two belonged to against popery, the more should the nation the popish chapel at Somerset-house. It is need- have been reconciled to these princes, in less to run over the particulars of a long trial, whom, it appeared, the church of Rome reposit will be sufficient to say, that Bedloe's evidence ed no confidence. But there is a sophistry and Prance's, were in many circumstances which attends all the passions; especially totally irreconcilable; that both of them labour- those into which the populace enter. Men ed under unsurmountable difficulties, not to say gave credit to the informers, so far as concerngross absurdities; and that they were invali-ed the guilt of the catholics: but they still redated by contrary evidence, which is altogether convincing. But all was in vain: the prisoners were condemned and executed (Feb. 21st and 28th). They all denied their guilt at their execution; and as Berry died a protestant, this circumstance was regarded as very considerable but, instead of its giving some check to the general credulity of the people, men were only surprised, that a protestant could be induced at his death to persist in so manifest a falsehood.As the army could neither be kept up, nor disbanded, without money, the king, how little hopes soever he could entertain of more compliance, found himself obliged to summons a new parliament. The blood, already shed on account of the popish plot, instead of satiating the people, served only as an incentive to their fury; and each conviction of a criminal was hitherto regarded as a new proof of those horrible designs imputed to the papists. This election is perhaps the first in England which, since the commencement of the monarchy, had been carried on by a violent contest between the parties, and where the court interested itself, to a high degree, in the choice of the national representatives. But all its efforts were fruitless, in opposition to the torrent of prejudices which prevailed. Religion, liberty, property, even the lives of men were now supposed to be at stake; and no security, it was thought, except in a vigilant parliament, could be found against the impious and bloody conspirators. Were there any part of the nation, to which the ferment, occasioned by the popish plot, had not as yet propagated itself; the new elections, by inte resting the whole people in public concerns, tended to diffuse it into the remotest corner; : tained their old suspicions, that these religionists were secretly favoured by the king, and had obtained the most entire ascendant over his brother. Charles had too much penetration not to see the danger, to which the succession, and even his own crown and dignity, now stood exposed. A numerous party, he found, was formed against him; on the one hand, composed of a populace, so credulous from prejudice, so blinded with religious antipathy, as implicitly to believe the most palpable absurdities; and conducted, on the other hand, by leaders so little scrupulous, as to endeavour, by encouraging perjury, subornation, lies, impostures, and even by shedding innocent blood, to gratify their own furious ambition, and subvert all legal authority. Roused from his lethargy by so imminent a peril, he began to exert that vigour of mind, of which, on great occasions, he was not destitute; and without quitting in appearance his usual facility of temper, he collected an industry, firmness, and vigilance, of which he was believed altogether incapable. These qualities, joined to dexterity and prudence, conducted him happily through the many shoals which surrounded him; and he was at last able to make the storm fall on the heads of those who had blindly raised, or artfully conducted it.One chief step which the king took towards gratifying and appeasing his people and parliament, was, desiring the duke to withdraw beyond sea, that no farther suspicion might remain of the influence of popish counsels. The duke readily complied; but first required an order for that purpose, signed by the king; lest his absenting himself shoud be interpreted as a proof of fear or of guilt. He also desired, that his brother should satisfy him, as well as the public, by a declaration of the illegitimacy of the duke of Monmouth.-James duke of Monmouth was the king's natural son by Lucy Walters, and born about ten years before the restoration. He possessed all the qualities which could engage the affections of the populace; a distinguished valour, an affable address, a thoughtless generosity, a graceful person. He rose still higher in the public favour, by reason of the universal hatred to which the duke, on account of his religion, was exposed. Monmouth's capacity was mean; his temper pliant: so that, notwithstanding his great popularity, he had never been dangerous, had he not implicitly resigned himself to the guidance of Shaftesbury, a man of such a restless temper, such subtle wit, and such abandoned principles. That daring politician had flattered Monmouth with the hopes of succeeding to the crown. The story of a contract of marriage, passed between the king and Monmouth's mother, and secretly kept in a certain black box, had been industriously spread abroad, and was greedily received by the multitude. As the horrors of pressed popery still harder on them, they might be induced, either to adopt that fiction, as they had already done many others more incredible, or to commit open violation on the right of succession. And it would not be difficult, it was hoped, to persuade the king, who was extremely fond of his son, to give him the preference above a brother, who, by his imprudent bigotry, had involved him in such inextricable difficulties. But Charles, in order to cut off all such expectations, as well as to remove the duke's apprehensions, took care in full council to make a declaration of Monmouth's illegitimacy, and to deny all promise of marriage with his mother. The duke, being gratified in so reasonable a request, willingly complied with the king's desire, and retired to Brussels." FIRST SESSION OF THE THIRD PARLIAMENT OF KING CHARLES II.* List of the House of Commons.] March 6, 1678-9. This day the New Parliament met. The following is a List of the Members of the House of Commons: A LIST OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, IN KING CHARLES THE SECOND'S THIRD Anglesea, Rich. Ld. Visc. Bulkley. Appelby, Richard Tufton, Anthony Lowther. Arundel, William Garraway, Sir John Holman. Sir Hugh Acland, Sir William Basset, William Barker. John Rushworth, Michael Wharton, Bishops Castle, Sir William Bastard, PARLIAMENT, WHICH MET MARCH 6, Sir Richard Meleverer, 1678. Sir Henry Goodrick. Sir Philip Harcourt, Brackley, Nicholas Eversfield, Brecon County, R. Williams. Brecon Town, Bridgenorth, Sir Thomas Whitmore, Buckinghamshire, Buckingham Town, Sir George Hungerford, Cambridgeshire, Camelford, Cardigan County, Caermarthen Town, Chester County, Chester City, Christ's Church, Sir Thomas Clarges, Cirencester, Sir Robert Atkins. Clifton, Sir Thomas Stringer, Sir Walter Clarges, Francis Roberts, Cumberland, William Sacheverell, Derby Town, Anthony Grey, Devizes, Sir Walter Ernly, Sir William Courtney, Dorsetshire, Dover, Durham County, Durham City, Sir Richard Lloyd, William Blackston. Eastlow, Sir Jon. Trelawny, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir Charles Gandy, Sir Nicholas Carew, Sir Joseph Tredenham, Sir Anthony Dean, Haslemere, Paul Foley. Hertford Town, Sir Walter Young, Sir Edward Deering, Ilchester, Lancaster Town, Leicester Town, Sir Henry Beaumont, , Sir Henry Littleton, Richard Wentworth, John Hunt, Sir John St. Aubin, Lord Deincourt, Norfolk County, Northampton Town, Norwich, Nottingham Town, Oxfordshire, Sir Edward Norris, Benjamin Whorwood. Sir Heneage Finch. Sir Robert Vivian, Sir John Norton, Thomas Trenchard, Pontefract, Sir Patience Ward, Preston, Sir Robert Carr, Radnor Town, Sir Edward Nevill, Rumney, Sir Thomas Mackworth, Thomas Frewen, Salop County, Sir Richard Corbet, Saltash, Sir James Oxenden, Somersetshire, Sir John Sydenham,, Southampton County, Sir Robert Cordel, Suffolk County, Surry County, Sir Francis Drake, John Trenchard, Sir Francis Russel, Sir Henry Capel. Sir Joseph Williamson. Nicholas Saunderson, Totness, Sir Edward Seymour, John Kelland. Tregony, Charles Trevanion, William Boscawen, John Stone, Sir Richard Bowton, Westmoreland, Sir John Ernley, Thomas Penrudock. SPEAKER, Serjeant Gregory.. : Papists; and I am ready to join in the making such further laws as may be necessary for securing of the kingdom against Popery.-I must desire your assistance also in Supplies, both for disbanding the Army (as I have already told you) and for paying that part of the Fleet which hath been provided for by parliament but till the 5th of June last; as also that Debt for Stores which was occasioned by the Poll Bill's falling short of the sum which that act gave credit for.-I must necessarily recommend to you likewise the discharging of those Anticipations which are upon my Revenue, and which I have commanded to be laid before you; and I have just cause to desire such an increase of the revenue itself, as might make it equal to my necessary expences: but, by reason of those other Supplies which are absolutely necessary at this time, I am contented to struggle with that difficulty a while longer; expecting for the present, only to have the additional duties upon Customs and Excise to be make up the loss I sustain by the prohibition of French Wines and Brandy, which turns only to my prejudice, and to the great advantage of the French-I must needs put you in mind, how necessary it will be to have a good strength at sea this summer, since our neighbours are making naval preparations; and, notwithstanding the great difficulties I labour under, I have taken such care as will prevent any danger which can threaten us, if your parts be performed in time. And I do heartily recommend to you, that such a constant establishment might be made for the Navy as might make this kingdom not only safe, but formidable; which can never be whilst there remains not enough besides to pay the neces|sary Charges of the crown.-I will conclude, as I begun, with my earnest desires to have this an healing parliament; and I do give you this assurance, that I will with my life defend, both the Protestant Religion and the laws of this kingdom; and I do expect from you, to be defended from the calumny, as well as danger, of those worst of men, who endeavour to render me and my government odious to my people. The rest I leave to the Lord Chancellor." My lords and gentlemen; I meet you here with the most earnest desire that man can have to unite the minds of all my subjects, both to me, and to one another. And I resolve it shall be your faults, if the success be not suit-prolonged to me; and that you will some way able to my desires. I have done many great things already in order to that end; as, the Exclusion of the Popish Lords from their seats in parliament; the execution of several men, both upon the score of the Plot, and of the Murder of sir Edmondberry Godfrey and it is apparent that I have not been idle in prosecuting the discovery of both, as much further as hath been possible in so short a time. I have disbanded as much of the Army as I could get money to do; and I am ready to disband the rest, so soon as you shall reimburse what they have cost me, and will enable me to pay off the remainder: and, above all, I have commanded my Brother to absent himself from me, because I would not leave the most malicious men room to say, I had not removed all causes which could be pretended to influence me towards Popish Counsels.-Besides that end of union which I aim at (and which I wish could be extended to Protestants abroad, as well as at home), I propose, by this last great step I have made, to discern whether Protestant Religion and the peace of the kingdom be as truly aimed at by others, as they are really intended by me; for, if they be, you will employ your time upon the great concerns of the nation, and not be drawn to promote private animosities, under pretences of the public; your proceedings will be calm and peaceable, in order to those good ends I have recommended to you; and you will curb the motions of any unruly spirits, which would endeavour to disturb them. I hope there will be none such amongst you; because there can be no man, that must not see how fatal differences amongst ourselves are like to be at this time, both at home and abroad.--I shall not cease my endeavours daily to find out what more I can, both of the Plot and Murder of sir Edmondberry Godfrey; and shall desire the assistance of both my houses in that work.--I have not been wanting to give orders for putting all the present laws in execution against The Lord Chancellor Finch's Speech.] Then the Lord Chancellor spake as followeth: "My lords; and you the knights, citizens, and burgesses, of the house of commons; You are here assembled, by virtue of his majesty's most gracious writs of summons, to hold a parliament; the great, the wise, and the powerful council of this kingdom. From the wisdom of this council, the king is sure, he shall receive the best advice; from the duty and loyalty of this assembly, he can never want a chearful assistance and the king resolves to meet you all with so much grace and goodness, that he hopes this parliament shall end in no disappointment of any, but our enemies.-It may seem strange perhaps to some, that his majesty, who had so long and large an experience |