Newdigate family collection of newsletters

L.c.2163

London Aprill the 11th- 1693

Sir//

Yesterday the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen attended the Queen at Whitehall to Compliment her Maiestie upon the Safe Arivall of the King in Holland

On Sunday the Lord Cutts Kissed the Queens hand for Captain and Governor of the Isle of Weight & yesterday the Warrant to draw the Pattent was sent to the Attorney Gennerall and will be as full and as Ample as his prodcessor Sir Robert Holmes -

Mr Iohn Poultney went yesterday for the Kingdom of Ireland and an Express was dispatched to the Lord Sidney upon some Extrordinary occation

Yesterday was held a Cabanet Councill Secretary Trenchard assisting and the Commissioners of the Victualling Office Office of the Ordnance and Commissioners of the Transport Shipps attended relateing to the precednce of the Discent all Matterialls except powder being shippt off at the Tower

Sir Iohn Cutler aged above 80 years lyes verry weak and has sent for his Son & Daughter the Earle: & Countess of Radnor 8 Falmouth the 6 the German Spyboat is come in here from Cruzeing where the

ffriday last haveing in affight of 4 houres with a ffrench: Man: of War of 70 Guns lost her Missen Mast- ffire mast much disabled- Last Night a most Malitious and Invective Libell against the government was scattered about the streets & this Morning brought to Secretary Trenchards Office & Strict Search is Made Libells after the Author 7 Its Generally said that the Lords Middleton [Dunnmore]

came up with 15 of Merchants ships under Convoy of aPrivateer of 10 Guns she gott between them and shoar and began to Chase them when the Plimouth and York ffriggats came Down with ffench Coullers and ffired severall Guns at her but the Enemy knewe her by her working and made to the Rocks of Pivesell where most of them ran on shoar

Weymouth the 8th- yesterday came in to Portland Road the Iohn and Richard Privateer who on Munday retook off of the Isle of Bass aVessell of Topsham of 70 Tuns Laden with Coales from Milford

Harwich the 8th aVessell is come in here which saies that 3 ffrench: Privateers have lately taken off of Oldfordness a laden yatch and that severall other Vessells were Rideing there but Cutt Cables & gott Clear

Cowes the 8th an Ostend Pri =vateer has brought in here affrench: Barque bound for Bayone

Cutts The Lord Cutts besides the Government of the Isle of Weight has 500^li Per Annum allowed him for a Table & tis said the old deputy Governor will be continued as alsoe Captain Clerk Commander of Cowes Castle

blowing up destroyed some people - Here is advice from Italy that the Duke: of Savoy performing the usuall Ceremony in the Church at Easter has brought his ague upon him again but yet is herty and Declares he will make this Campaign in person Two ffrench: shipps have brought into Thoulone 7 English & Dutch prizes with 700 Livers on Board They write from Gernsey that the Wiltshire ffrigat came in there on

Soe soon as the ffleet is come to Spithead the Queen will goe to Portsmouth to see the Men of War

On Tuesday her Maiestie goes to Greenwich to see the House there that is Makeing into a Hospitall for Seamen and Souldiers-

One of the Spies who has been in most of the Marratime Towns in ffrance: being affrench: Protestant is come in here and has given the Secretary an account of the posture of their sea Affaiers boothe at Brest & elswhere & saies they begin to be appreehensive of aDiscent from us & have some forces draweing thitherwards to guard their Coasts & adds that some of their biggest Shipps at Brest & Rochford are in great backwardness of being Manned and Equipped but those of aLesser Rate are Nigh Ready & aSquadron of 8 are put to Sea and concludes that the Province Squadron will continue in the Mediteranian to watch the [tilorion] of the Spannish Armado now at Naples & he Talks of some other Matter which is kept aSecret

All the Iustices of the Peace of Middlesex are expresly ordered upon Penalty of looseing their Commissions to attend this after noon on the Earl: of Bedford being Custos Rottalonum of the said County but I doe not yeat know the Occation yesterdaies Gazett has given the full account of all fforreign Affaiers

that has left Little to add more then that the Campaign is in amanner begun in fflanders Soe that the next Post may in all probabillity give an account of the Enimies being Sate down before some Town of Importance - Prince Lewis of Baden is come to Hidleberg from whence he will press forward to Speak with the King in Holland The Arsenall with out the Town of ffrankford lately took ffire & by accident

and Sir Andrew ffinester are privately slipt away to ffrance- Captain Richardson of Newgate Cruzeing on Satterday near his own ffort was attacqued and layd on board by affrench: Privateer who decently Diveing into his pocket found aprize of 25 Guinnees besides Silver and made an honorable Retreat to the Great Disreputacion of the afforesaid Captain he being better Mann'd - I am tould the Earl of Bath has adisposicion to lay Down his Commands to endevour to get off the Embargo layd upon their Shipps & were referred to the Cabbinett Councill that is to sit this Eavening = this being the usuall Demonstrations the Coronacion Day it was Cellebrated with the usuall Demonstracions of Ioy -

To the honorable Sir Richard: Newdigate baronet At Arbury 4 near Coventry

L.c.2164

London Aprill the 13 - 93

Sir

Plimouth the 9th the Master of the ffrench: Vessell lately taken by the Portsmouth ffriggat say that 4 ffrench Men: of War from 40 to 50 Guns are [l...ing] in the Soundings That the Privateers of St Mallo took on the 17 ultimo 6 English & Dutch Shipps comming from Spain and Portugall and Carryed them into Brest that the ffrench: king: had layd an Embargo on all Shipping & small Privateers That 20 Men of War from 40 to 50 Guns are now gon from Brest for the West Indies That 4 [..ee] Deck Ships & 16 from 50 to 60 Guns are now at Brest That 4 first Rates from 100 to 120 Guns are now built and ready to Sail that on the 17 past 2 Vessells were sent from Haverdegrace as Spies who Stood [in to] our shoar & discovered our ffleet at Spithead Landed some Men for Intellegence & then went for the Island of the Bass

Mr How one of the Commissioners of the transport Shipps Dyed yesterday 9

the distribucion of the Queens Monney being made to aGreat Number of poor people in Scotland yard the Crowd was soe Great that an Old woman and aboy were trode to Death - The Private Letters further say that the ffrench were Invited to the Enterprize of the burning of the Spannish ffleet at Naples by by an Abbott and some other Preists who were on Board the Admirall

other ffleets should have LIberty to sailes soon they might rest assured that the ? sunk - ? is a ? advise that a Instant that the homeward ? will reside in the house by ? Pond built by the Late Serj^t Trumpet ? and some of the men of ? - This Week 60000^li has been issued out of that the ? of the ? of Middlesex that were to attend the castes accoun^t of all ? & and to ? their horses and Arms - This being ? ? & to as many poor people as the King & Queen were years of age that ? being 43 the ? 31

the same Eavening an apothecaries Wife out of the Citty coming to Clare Market a town Spark would have picked her up but the Gentlewoman being too Civell he cryd out aWhore upon which ^the Mob most barberously abused & Punched her to that Degree that she is since Dead & severall of the Mobb are committed to Geole

Edenburg the 6 the Lor^ds Ralling Ross & 2 others are sworn of his Maiesties Privy Councill a Proclamacion is published here promising full Indemp =nity to all Soldiers who have Disserted their Maiesties service provided they return to their Coullers in 2 Months time

One M^r Penshouse in Hertfordshire was lately Robbed of 8000^li in monney Plate &c

The Queen: has sent to the Interlopers to stop their Voyage to the Indies but assured them she would oblige the Company to buy their Goods at a Market Price

The Merchan^ts who attended the Councill to get the Embargo taken off their shipping were very tart in their Expressions and required a Seperate Convoy, but were tould respect must he had to the benefit of the Kingdom as well as to theirs in particuler they might rest assured that the Turkey and other ffleets should have Liberty to sail as soon as it will be don with safety to the Kings Officers

that the Iustices of the Peace of Middlesex that were to attend the Custos Rottulorum which they did & were ordered by the Earl of Bedford to take an account of all Papists &c and to seiz their horses and Armes - This being Maunday Thursday the Ceremony was performed in the Banqueting house of delivering Monney Cloth ffish &c to as many poor people as the King & Queen were years of age the ffirst being 43 the Late 31

Here are private Letters from Geneva which say that one of the ffrench ffireships of Count De Estres Squadron was forced in there by stress of wether & Run among the Rocks & is since Sunk - Here is alsoe advice that a Conspiracy being discovered on board the Spanish ffleet in Naples to assist the ffrench: in burning the same - 6 persons have been executed on board the Vice Admirall; one of the^m being aPreist the same advice further saies that the Berkley Castle in her way from Leghorn lately met & fought a ffrench: Man of War of 50 Guns who had boarded her but she Cleared the Doks & Obleiged the [Mounsieur] to bear off with Great Loss

They write from Portsmouth of the 11th Instant that the homeward bound Lisbon ffleet under Convoy of 2 Men of War sailed by that place to the Eastward and that the Vurgini^a & West: India ffleets are commanded not to sail till further Order

My Last said that the Earl of Bath had aDisposicion to Lay down his Command but now I find it was only to have a new Commission for Lord Livtenan^t of the Counties of Cornwall and Devon & Governo^r of the Cittidell of Plimouth which before was coniunct with his son the Lor^d Lansdown His Lor^dship has bought the Rainger ship of St Iameses

Park of Mada^m Hardbord relict of the late Embasendor to Turkey and his Lord ship will reside in the house by Rossamonds Pond built by the Late Serieant: Trumpet Price Yesterday 50000^li was Issued out of the Excheque^r to pay off the yard at Portsmouth and some of the men of War - this Week 60000^li has been Issued out of the Exchequer for the use of the Discent My last Informed you

the Intregue being Mannaged by the ffrench: Embassendor at Rome and was discovered the very Moment the ffrench were in Sight of Naples upon which discovery the Vice Roy caused to be hanged up at the Yardarm the Abbott and 4 Preists whereby the ffrench: perceiveing their design to be discovered and the unexpected Resistance went off the Coasts - The Paris Lettres say that the Count De Estre has sent the ffrench King an account of his [latest] success upon which the King dispatched back the Messenger with orders to the Count to refitt & Revictuall whichwill take up some weeks time- the King of Denmark has signifyed by his Embassendor in ffrance that none of the Confederates shipps taken by the ffrench shall be brought into any of his Ports

To the honorable Sir Richard: Newdigate Baronet at Arbury near Coventry 4

L.c.2165

London Aprill 15th 93

Sir

I am Credibly assured that an order of Councell is made to presse Watermen and that the Marques of Winchester appointed some of the Queens & the Lord Chamberlaine the Kings to goe to sea for that there will be men Wanting as well to mann the Grand fleet as to Navigate the transport ships for the service of the Descent.

There is now 264000^l brought into the Exchequer upon the Million proiect Bill.

The 5 East India ships are now got into the Downes and will saile with the first oppertunity the Company beleiv -ing they shall be able to get a dispensation of the Embargo.

The Queene has ordered the Lord Cutts to change theGarrison of the Isle of Wight & to put in their roomes 2 Companyes of Brigadeer Colliers His Lord. -ship has sent orders to the County to signifye to him if there be any arrears due to you for quartering souldiers &c and he will take care to stop the money for them here His Lordship has likewise ordered that all persons in any Command or place continue therein 'till he comes amongst them to settle the Island

Yesterday one Clarke commonly knowne by Budy Clarke was taken into Custody of a Messenger and divers 10

160 to 116 upon the petition presented against them One Mr ffeilding is apointed to succeed Mr How as commissioner of the transport ships. This morning Sir Iohn Cutler departed this life haveing left behind him and Estate of 300000^l & tis beleived he

others are looked after.

On Thursday last a Petition was presented to her Maiestie in Councell subscribd by divers Members of Parliament and eminent Merchants intimateing that the East India Company haveing made default in paying in their first quarterly payment asserted under ioynt stacke on the 25 of March appointed by Act of Parliament the Charter by the said Act is become void - upon which 'tis said the matter will be enquired into

A Parson was ????? Convicted this Assizes at Hereford for drinking a health to King Iames and forceing some of his parishioners to doe the like & use a greate many seditious speeches for which he was fined 50^li & to be bound seaven years to his good Behaviour

Severall eminent Lawyers have given in their opinions that the East India Company haue forfeited their Charter the same being void in Law by their none payment of their money aforesaid

The Turkey Merchants yesterday presented a petition to her Maiestie that the Embargo might be taken of and they are told they shall haue asatisfactory Answer in few dayes.

Two Engineers are arrived in the Ile of Wight being sent by the King to veiw the fortifications there his Maiestie intending to lay out 60000^l in additionall fortifications to the fortresses of that Ile & his Maiestie has ordered a Detatchment

himselfe in a Dutch Regiment which intent to corrupt the souldiers to desert was discovered and sentenced to walke the Gantlet 6 severall times 2 Serieants goeingbefore him with the points of their halberds at his breast to prevent his swift - motion & then [Cassie.e]. Yesterday Dr Scott Scott preached before her Maiestie at Whitehall. The Auctions of the East India Company is falln from

to be made out of the 2 regiments there to strengthen the Garrison of Newport in flanders.

The Lord Keeper is ordered to make a reforme in the Commissions of the peace throughout England and the Lords Leiftenants haue orders to doe the like amongst the officers of the Militia

Secretary Trenchard hath taken Hungerford house in Spring garden to live in

Agreate disturbance hath happened this weeke at Shaftsbury in Dorset shire occasioned by a quarrell betweene a troop of french Refugees quartered there and the Inhabitants and severall are Killed in the fray.

Barbadoes the 15^th of February Wee impatiently expect Sir Francis Wheeler with his squadron & reinforcements & then shall make an attacke upon Marteni -co but wee understand that the french there have received by two ships from france under 2 Convoys all sorts of Necessaryes but noe souldiers.

Sheilds the 11th instant. yesterday came in here afly boat belonging to Newcastle she was some dayes agoe taken by a french. privateer who detained the Master in france till he had paid his ran some 3 french privateers are upon this Coast & there passeth not aday but some of our ships are taken by them

Yesterday 3 Clippers was seized neare so ho & Committed to Newgate

The Bishop of Rochester

is taken very sicke // A Gentleman. arrived here yesterday from the King in Holland and sayes that severall Considerable roman Catholicks are arrived there from france with what substance they could draw of that 16 of them abiured their religion in a Church at Amsterdam. They say the Miseries of the people in france are inconsiderable // The Gentleman. adds that a french pretended refugie who had listed

has left very considerably to the Earle of Radnor who married his daugher to whome he was perfectly reconsiled before his death

To the honorable Sir Richard: Newdigate Baronet at Arbury near Coventry Coventry 2

L.c.2166

London Aprill 18^th 1693

Sir

Paris the 13th. the Kings iourney to the Campaigne on the 14th the next month still holds, the March of the Musquetiers [Gem] d' Armes & light horse is to be on the 25th instant But the Guard du Corps & swisse goe not till the 10th of the next month for flanders where will be grand efforts this Campaigne the King declining an early seige to keepe his troups in heart being - resolved to fight the Enemy in full Battle both by sea & Land with intent to bring matters one way or another to a period.

The Earl. of Radnor since the death of Sir Iohn Cutler has sent to take possession of his Estate 'tis not yet knowne how the same is disposed of there being noe will produced as yet But Boulter his Kinsman has some papers of Consequence which are to be opened in the presence of 6 eminent Citicens & he has sent to the Earl to be present thereat

The Queene went yesterday to Hampton Court & returned in the Evening

The Lord Keeper tooke the sacrament on sunday at St Clement Danes the purse & mace being Carried up to the Altar.

which is too long to insert the substance was that he came there for the common good and would omit nothing that would conduce to their safety concerning with their Lordships and the rest of the Confederates to expell the enemy and in regard the succese of the war