to reform the coin; setting out a Proclamation prohibiting the currency of half-crowns, etc.; which made much confusion among the people. 25th December. Hitherto mild, dark, misty weather. Now snow and frost. 1695-6: 12th January. Great confusion and distraction by reason of the clipped money, and the difficulty found in reforming it.' 2nd February. An extraordinary wet season, though temperate as to cold. The Royal Sovereign man-of-war burnt at Chatham. was built in 1637, and having given occasion to the levy of Ship-money was perhaps the cause of all the after-troubles to this day.-An earthquake in Dorsetshire by Portland, or rather a sinking of the ground suddenly for a large space, near the quarries of stone, hindering the conveyance of that material for the finishing St. Paul's. 23rd. They now began to coin new money. 26th. There was now a conspiracy of about thirty knights, gentlemen, captains, many of them Irish and English Papists, and Nonjurors or Jacobites (so called), to murder King William on the first opportunity of his going either from Kensington, or to hunting, or to the chapel; and, upon signal of fire to be given from Dover Cliff to Calais, an invasion was designed. In order to it there was a great army in readiness, men-of-war and transports, to join a general insurrection here, the Duke of Berwick having secretly come to London to head them, King James attending at 1 [See ante, p. 311. An Act for improving the coinage (7 and 8 Gul. III. c. 1) was now passed. To defray the expense of withdrawing the clipped coin, a sum of £1,200,000 was raised by a house-duty.] 2 [See ante, vol. i. p. 26. She had been laid up to be rebuilt a second time when she was accidentally burnt, January 27, 1696.] 3 [That known as the "Assassination Plot."] Calais with the French army.' It was discovered by some of their own party. £1000 reward was offered to whoever could apprehend any of the thirty named. Most of those who were engaged in it, were taken and secured. The Parliament, City, and all the nation, congratulate the discovery; and votes and resolutions were passed that, if King William should ever be assassinated, it should be revenged on the Papists and party through the nation; an the nation; an Act of Association 2 drawing up to empower the Parliament to sit on any such accident, till the Crown should be disposed of according to the late settlement at the Revolution. All Papists, in the meantime, to be banished ten miles from London. This put the nation into an incredible disturbance and general animosity against the French King and King James. The militia of the nation was raised, several regiments were sent for out of Flanders, and all things put in a posture to encounter a descent. This was so timed by the enemy, that whilst we were already much discontented by the greatness of the taxes, and corruption of the money, etc., we had like to have had very few men-of-war near our coasts; but so it pleased God that Admiral Rooke wanting a wind to pursue his voyage to the Straits, that squadron, with others at Portsmouth and other places, were still in the Channel, and were soon brought up to join with the rest of the ships which could be got together, so that there is hope this plot may be broken. I look on it as a very great deliverance and prevention by the providence of God. Though many did formerly pity King James's condition, this design of assassination and bringing over a French 1 [The fleet under Russell threatened France, and prevented the embarkation of the French troops.] 2 [7 and 8 Gul. III. c. 27.] army, alienated many of his friends, and was likely to produce a more perfect establishment of King William. 1st March. The wind continuing N. and E. all this week, brought so many of our men-of-war together that, though most of the French finding their design detected and prevented, made a shift to get into Calais and Dunkirk roads, we wanting fire-ships and bombs to disturb them; yet they were so engaged among the sands and flats, that 'tis said they cut their masts and flung their great guns overboard to lighten their vessels. We are yet upon them. This deliverance is due solely to God. French were to have invaded at once England, Scotland, and Ireland. 8th. Divers of the conspirators tried and condemned. Vesuvius breaking out, terrified Naples.-Three of the unhappy wretches, whereof one was a priest, were executed' for intending to assassinate the King; they acknowledged their intention, but acquitted King James of inciting them to it, and died very penitent. Divers more in danger, and some very considerable persons. Great frost and cold. 6th April. I visited Mr. Graham in the Fleet.2 10th. The quarters of Sir William Perkins and Sir John Friend, lately executed on the plot, with Perkins's head, were set up at Temple Bar, a dismal sight, which many pitied. I think there never was such at Temple Bar till now, except once in the time of King Charles II., namely, of Sir Thomas Armstrong.3 12th. A very fine spring season. 19th. Great offence taken at the three 1 Robert Charnock, Edward King, and Thomas Keys. 3 See ante, p. 128.] |