(which is in Bristol as the Exchange here) we supposed 20 men might be sufficient for each post, and the remainder for the main guard, out of which might be spared four or six files to be constantly marching about, and to assist where there might be occasion. The method we designed for the raising of 200 men in and about the city was thus, first to find out 30 men, two for each post, and four for the main guard, who might be able each of them to procure six, and to command them, which would have made 14 for each post, and 28 for the main guard, to whom the Taunton men should be added, viz. six to each post and the remainder to the main guard, who should have come in the day before, some at every entrance of the city, and lodge themselves at inns and alehouses as near the posts they were appointed for as they could: each man being to know his post and commanders before they came, the Bristol men to lodge themselves and arms, with arms for the Taunton men, in an house as near as possible to their posts, and to send one out from each post between three and four o'clock in the morning to observe the motion of the watch, and to advise as soon as they were gone off, that they might all immediately repair to their respective posts, calling the Taunton men, and as soon as they had gained their posts, to send out a tile of musketeers to fetch in such and such men in each of their divisions as they should have had an account of before, and convey them to the main guard, which in the 14 divisions would have been about sixty persons, commission-officers and others; then to fetch in all the arms and ammunition they could find, which two things being done (as we supposed might be in a little time, and without any opposition, the posts being so near each other, that it would have been impossible for any number to get together) we resolved next to declare the reasous for our taking up arms, and to encourage all to come in to us that we could trust, not doubting but we should soon have had many thousands in the city, and out of the adjacent counties, Gloucester, Somerset and Wilts.

The Reasons why I did not come in, &c. When the news of the discovery first came to Bristol, and some time before, I was in some trouble by my creditors, and forced to abscond, though thought I had sufficient to pay them, only desired time to get in my effects, their mercy I feared more than your majesty's, and thought if I should come in and find mercy with your majesty, I could at first expect no better than a prison, and if from it discharged by your majesty, to be kept in by them upon account of my debts. Secondly, hearing there was very many, in and about Bristol, supposed to be concerned, and I, though knowing so much, being able to prove so little against any man, but such against whom there was sufficient proof without me, feared that if should come in more would be expected from me than I could prove, and so might fail of

mercy, it having been our resolution not to discover the design to any of our friends till the managers had agreed both upon time and method, therefore considered how to make my escape, there being then a strict search in all ports, thought best to continue in England for some time, till the heat might be over, and so got an ordinary habit and a little horse about 40s. price, and travelled the country as a man dealing in wool, in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Somersetshire, till about the middle of August, then repaired towards Bristol, and by letter, with my wife's assistance (all other friends thereabout fearing to act for me) prevailed with a poor man who had a small boat about ten tons, for 201. reward, and the like per month, for six months, to go with me for France, and from thence to the West-Indies, or where I would, my name being then in no proclamation or declaration, if it had I should not have prevailed with the man to go with me. So the 23rd of August sailed from King's Road for Rochell; the 25th proving bad weather, cracked our mast, and so put into St. Ives, in Cornwall, where we staid till the 4th of September, then put out again for Rochell, but meeting with contrary winds was forced into several places in France, and gained not our port till the 17th. In Rochell, I loaded her with brandy and other goods, and the 4th of October sailed from thence for the West Indies (being willing to know how my concerns lay there, that my creditors might have their own, though I knew I might be much safer in in France) and arrived at Barbadoes the 11th of November, there I heard of my name being in the Gazette, therefore staid but two days landing part of my cargo, from thence I went to Antigua, where I lan led and disposed of the remaining part, staying there about 10 days; but it being too soon for the crop, and my charge being the same, lying still or going farther, also thinking it not safe to lie long there, resolved to see the rest of the Carribby Islands, and so went down to Mounserat, Nevis, St. Christopher's, St. Eustatia and Anguilla, and so back again to St. Christopher's, supposing that to be the safest place, I being known to none there, where I staid about three weeks. About the 14th of January I wrote to my factor in Nevis about what was due to me, who on receipt of my letter discovered me, so that sir William Stapleton presently sent his warrant to St. Christopher's to apprehend me, but before it came I was gone down to St. Eustatia, expecting to meet my vessel there, which Í had sent up to Barbadoes, and it being known where I was gone, the deputy governor of St. Christopher's sent five men with his warrant after me, to whom on sight thereof I submitted, though had an opportunity and might have escaped, but was rather willing to cast myself at his majesty's feet for mercy, than live such a life any longer, not daring to appear where there was need of me (among my factors) who I doubt will take too much advantage by my troubles for my creditors' interest. In Nevis I

employed in all the boroughs of Scotland. Yet has the Prince of Orange been blamed for not summoning to the Convention the members of king James's Parliament.

In the Cases of the Quo Warranto against the City of London, already referred to, and that of Pilkington and others (vol. 9, p. 187), and in the Notes to those Cases, are mentioned many particulars of the distractions which prevailed in the metropolis. (See, too, as to Southwark, the Case of Slingsby Bethel, vol. 8, p. 747).

The following Extracts from Narcissus Lut. trell's "Brief Historical Relation," MS. in the library of All-Souls' college, Oxford, throw farther light on the proceedings against Corporations in general, and the distractions of the city of London in particular:

"Nov. 1682. Some days since, a person unknown, came to the house of Mr. John Dubois, who stands in competition to be one of the sheriffs of London, and left there a packet for him, wherein were inclosed several treasonable and seditious libels; a while after, the same fellow came again and brought another packet, and then he was served and carried before the lord mayor, who, on proof, committed him to the Counter; about two or three days after, he was admitted to bail, himself in 2001. and his bail in 100l. each; two or three days after, the sessions coming on, a bill was found against him, and he and his bail being called for, neither of them are since to be heard of: this is looked upon by some as a happy deliverance to Mr. Dubois, for undoubtedly had the papers been lodged there, Mr. Dubois should quickly have been searched for the same, and it would have been construed to be a new design against the government, for the papers contained matters of dangerous importance, some were libels against the king and others, and there was, as is said, a paper of advice to Mr. Dubois, as sheriff, to raise the posse comitatus to meet an army to have come out of, &c. to oppose a arbitrary power. The Dissenters have been prosecuted lately more violently than ever; for now the churchwardens of most parishes have presented them to the ecclesiastical courts, who have proceeded against them even to excommunication, whereby several hundreds in London have been sent to the Devil; but this is made use of only as an engine to serve a turn, which is, St. Thomas's day approaching, whereon the common council men for the city of London are chosen; this, as is said, is to incapacitate Dissenters to vote for any one, whereby if the Tory-party can procure such a common council as is fit for

"Sir George Waterman, alderman of the Bridge-ward, being some time since dead, the lord mayor gave out summons for the choice of an alderman in his stead. The competitors on one side were deputy Daniell and sir Wm. Russel, on the other Mr. Papillon and Mr. Shute; but the majority being greatly for the two last, the lord mayor was pleased, in the midst thereof, to adjourn the poll.

Farringdon, having laid down his gown, the "Mr. Pilkington, alderman of the ward of lord mayor was pleased to issue out his precept for a new election of an alderman of that ward; the competitors were the lord mayor and sir William Turner, on part of the aldermen on one side, and sir John Lawrence and sir Robert Clayton, on the part of the aldermen on the other side. In behalf of the commoners on one side, were Mr. North and Mr. Rich, the two sheriffs; on the other side, were Mr. Dubois and Mr. Hawkins, a scrivener; the choice being doubtful, they came to a poll, and there was six or eight commissioners appointed to inspect the same, who would admit no one to poll that was excommunicated, or that would not take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, which were tendered to them; a thing much wondered at by some, as new and without any precedent in such cases; how the choice will fall is yet uncertain, though most think the Tory party will carry it, having by this new device excluded all the Quakers, who will not swear at all, and several of the most moderate persons will not poll at all, as not liking such impositions.

"The election for the alderman of the ward of Farringdon Without being over, and Mr. North, one of the sheriff's of London, being returned to the court of aldermen, as duly chosen, and sworn accordingly, these things are remarkable in the management of the affair: the oaths of allegiance and supremacy imposed on every voter; the commissioners that tendered them notoriously known to be violent persons for the Tory party: then the several days adjournment and delaying of the poll, and keeping the poll-books open, whereby at first the Tories finding the Whigs had much the majority, they delayed the poll to seek for unknown persons to balance the poll, whereof there were several of the inhabitants of Whitefryers, attornies of Clifford's-iun, who never used to vote, and divers who live not in the ward, nor pay to church and poor: the Whig party finding things thus managed, several of them went and petitioned the lord mayor and

they the said William Sacheverell, and the rest of the defendants, being persons well knowing the premises, and unconcerned in that election, but being ill-disposed persons, and to disquiet, molest, and trouble the peace of our lord the king that now is, and the common tranquillity of that town, and the 'aforesaid election wholly to hinder, did during the time of the said Assembly, and after public proclamation made as aforesaid, viz. the 'said 29th day of September, in the aforesaid 34th year of this king, at the aforesaid town of Nottingham, in the county of the said town, with force and arms, &c. riotously, routously, unlawfully, and seditiously, together with many other ill-disposed persons, and disturbers of the peace of our said lord the king, to the number of 500 persons, to the said * attorney-general as yet unknown, assemble, congregate, and unite themselves together, and themselves together continued, to disturb the peace of our lord the king that now is; and that then and there the said William • Sacheverell, and the other defendants, the 'aforesaid unlawful and ill disposed persons so 'assembled, congregated and united then and there, with force and arms, &c. riotously, routously, unlawfully, tumultuously, and se'ditiously, by the space of 7 hours, to disturb the "peace of our said lord the king, and to continue the said riot, did excite, move, persuade, and procure, and then and there, by the whole 'time aforesaid, made, and caused, and excited *to be made, great rumours, clamours, terrible 'shouts, and unusual noises; and then and there, with force and arms, &c. riotously, routously, unlawfully, and seditiously one mace, being the ensign of office to the sheriffs of the county aforesaid belonging, from one 'John Malin, the said John Malin being then * one of the sheriffs of the town and county of the town of Nottingham, against the will of the aforesaid John Malin, took, had, carried away, and detained, to the inciting of great 'danger, and moving of tumults, and effusion of much blood, to the great terror, disquiet, and fear of all the liege subjects of our said lord the king, to the evil example of all others in like case offending, and against the peace ' of our said lord the king, that now is, his 'crown and dignity.' To this Information all the Defendants but Richard Mansfeild and Henry Plumptre, have pleaded Not Guilty, and for trial put themselves on the country. But the defendants have alleged that the inhabitants of the town and county of the town of Nottingham ought not to be drawn out of the said county, and that the county of Kent is the next county to the county of the town of Nottingham, and therefore have prayed that a jury of the county of Kent might try the issue; to which the king's attorney has agreed: and you being freeholders of the county of Kent, and returned, and sworn to try this cause, your charge is to enquire whether the defendants, or any of them, are Guilty of the offence in this information, or Not Guilty, and if you find

them, or any of them guilty, you are to say so; and if you find them, or any of them not guilty, you are 'to say so; and hear your evidence.

Then Proclamation was made for evidence in the usual manner.

Mr. Holloway. May it please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, This is an Information preferred by Mr. Attorney General, against William Sacheverell and others, for a most notorious riot: and it sets forth, that upon the 29th of September, in the 34th year of this king, at the town of Nottingham, there was an assembly duly summoned before Gervas Wild, then mayor of the said town, for the election and swearing of a new mayor of the said town for the year ensuing: that the mayor began to proceed to election, and made proclamation for all persons to depart that were not concerned in the election, that the defendants being no way concerned in the election, but being ill disposed persons, to disturb the peace of that place, and set the town together by the ears, did in a riotous manner assemble themselves with many other ill-disposed persons, to the number of 500, and continued in their riot for the space of seven hours, with a great deal of noise and tumult, and with force and arms did riotously carry away and detain a mace from one John Malin, then one of the sheriffs of the town, against his will, to the great terror of his majesty's subjects, and to the evil example of all others in the like case offending, and against the king's peace. If we prove all or any of these defendants who have pleaded Not Guilty, to be Guilty, you will find them so.

Mr. Recorder (sir Thomas Jenner). May it please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, I am of counsel in this cause for the king: This is an Information against a matter of 21 persons for being in a notorious riot, and continuing in it for two days together. If it please you, Mr. Sacheverell he is in the front of them, and he and seven more of these defendants, very considerable persons, were not at all concerned either by any old charter, or by the new charter in this election, but mere strangers, and yet they must needs come on purpose to inflame and set on the others. I shall name them that were not concerned in the election, William Sacheverell, George Gregory, Charles Hutchinson, William Wilson, clerk, Joseph Turpin, Nathaniel Charnell, Humphrey Barker, and Joseph Astlin. These persons, gentlemen, had no manner of pretence to be at this place upon the account of an election. The matter of it was thus: Michaelmasday, 1682, the mayor that then was, Gervas Wild, was at his own house, with some of his brethren, in order to go to church that morning, according to the usual custom of that place, at the day of election; but having notice that there was a charter coming down, and expected every moment, truly the other side, Mr. Sacheverell, and the rest that were there, for he was present himself, were very zealous