House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 28 November 1692

Lunæ, 28 die Novembris; 4° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Woollen Manufacture.

A PETITION of the Gentlemen, and Clothiers, and Dealers in Cloth, Serges, and Stockings, in the West of England, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, and also this Kingdom in general, have received great Benefit by an Act made in the First of their Majesties Reign, intituled, An Act for the better preventing the Exportation of Wool, and encouraging the Woolen Manufactures of this Kingdom; whereby a free Trade in the Woolen Manufacture was granted for Three Years, and thence to the End of the next Session of Parliament; by reason whereof, the Price of Wool is considerably advanced; and the Petitioners have sold, for Exportation, far greater Quantities of Cloths than they did, when the said Trade was limited: And praying Leave to bring in a Bill for continuing that Part of the said Act, which gives the Freedom of Exportation of Woolen Manufactures.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee: And they to prepare and bring in a Bill according to the Prayer of the said Petition.

And it is referred to Sir Walt. Young, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir John Dorrell, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. Waller, Sir John Key, Mr. Christy, Mr. Biddulph, Mr. Willmot, Mr. England, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Chadwick, Sir Christ. Musgrave, Sir Richard Temple, Mr. Scobell, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Willmott, Mr. Bedding feild, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Blofeild, Mr. Burdet, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Ryder, Sir John Guise; or any Three of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Fees of Courts of Law.

Ordered, That the several Courts in Westminster Hall, the Clerks of the Peace for the Counties of Middlesex and Surry, and the Clerk of the Assize of the Home Circuit, do, on This-day-sevennight, present to this House a Table of the several Fees belonging to their several Courts and Offices established in the latter End of the Reign of Queen Eliz. and also a Table of all such Fees as are now by them taken.

Papers respecting the Descent.

Then, according to the Order of the Day, the Report from the Committee to whom the Examination of the several Papers presented to the House by the Commissioners for the Transportation, and by the Commissioners of the Admiralty, and from the Office of Ordnance, touching the Descent, was referred, was read.

Mr. Palmes reports from the Committee to whom the Examination of the Papers delivered in by the Commissioners for Transportation, and by the Commissioners of the Admiralty, touching the Descent, and of the Accounts of the Proceedings of the Fleet after the Victory at Sea, and of the Papers from the Office of Ordnance, relating to the Descent, was referred, That they had examined the same accordingly: And that Admiral Russell had attended the Committee, and produced a Book of Copies of Letters, and Copies or Extracts of several Letters sent to him relating to the Descent, and the several Papers presented to the House, from the Office of Ordnance: And that there was likewise produced several Letters and Orders directed to the Duke of Leinster: Which they had also examined: And that the Committee had directed him to state the Matter to the House: The which he did; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table, as is herein after-mentioned;

N°. I. March 5th, 169½.

An Order from the Earl of Nottingham to the Commissioners for Transportation, to provide Shipping for Three thousand Five hundred Men, and Three hundred and Eighty Horses, to be ready at Kingsale by the End of that Month, and Shipping for Four thousand Men; and One thousand Five hundred Horses, to be ready, in the River of Thames, by the End of April.

N°. II. and III. March 28th, 92.

The Ships being ready at Bristoll and Biddiford, for the aforesaid Men and Horses, the Transport Commissioners applied themselves to the Lords of the Committee of Counsel, to know, what time the Ships should sail; and were answered by the Earl of Nottingham, next Day, That the said Men were to be embarked the Fifteenth of April.

N°. IV. April 1st, 1692.

By Letter from Biddiford, the Transport Commissioners Correspondents give them notice, That they had secured upwards of Two thousand Tons of good Shipping, to carry the Three thousand Five hundred Soldiers from Kingsale to Portsmouth, at Thirteen Shillings per Ton; the Owners desiring to have Convoy from thence, if possible, to Kingsale, and there to have good Convoy to Portsmouth; to have half the Money in Hand, and Convoy with them, at their Return, as far as the Island of Lunday: That their Correspondents were constrained to enter them into Pay from the 25th March; or else they could have neither Men nor Ships, by reason of so many there seeking for Men, and a Man of War, and a Ketch looking for them, as they went in and out.

N°. V. April 4.

The Commissioners for Transportation, by Letter, inform the Lords of the Admiralty, That they, being ordered by the Lords of the Committee of their Majesties most honourable Privy Council, to take up Shipping at Bristoll and Biddiford; to send to Kingsale or Cork, to be there about the Middle of this Month, in order to bring from thence to Portsmouth Three thousand Five hundred Foot, for which the Ships would then be ready; prayed Convoy, as well from England to Ireland, as from thence to Portsmouth, and back again to the Isle of Lundee, when the Service was performed: And also thereby informed their Lordships, That they had directed the Ships, that lately carried the Danes from Ireland to Ostend, to come to the Downes for further Orders; intending to make use immediately of such of them as were fit for certain Services lately commanded them; and therefore prayed, That their Men might not be pressed out of the Ships on their Return to the Downes.

N°. VI. April 7th.

Papers respecting the Descent.

The Earl of Nottingham, by Letter, acquaints the said Commissioners, . . . . . . . of the Admiralty had appointed the Richmond to convoy the Ships from Bristoll and Biddiford, designed for the Transport of the Three thousand Five hundred and Fifty Men: And that the Admiralty would have the Commissioners of Transport order the Ships from Bristoll to go to Minehead, where the Convoy would call for them: And that they should take care they be ready by the Eighteenth instant, according to what is mentioned in their Paper: And, that no Obstruction or Delay might be, the Commissioners should acquaint the Lords of the Treasury therewith; to the end that they might be supplied with what should be necessary for the enabling them to perform that Service.

N°. VII. April 9th. 92.

In Answer to which, the Commissioners, by Letter, inform the Lord Nottingham, That they having received his Lordship's Letter of the Seventh Instant; wherein his Lordship lets them know, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty had appointed the Richmond to convoy the Ships from Bristoll and Biddiford, designed for the Transport of Three thousand Five hundred and Fifty Men from Ireland; and that they would have the Transport Commissioners to order the Ships from Bristoll to go to Minehead, where the Convoy would call for them; the Commissioners humbly conceive it should be Milford, instead of Minehead; for that Ships of above One hundred Tons Burden cannot lie with Safety in Minehead Harbour; and those Ships are, some of them, Three and Four hundred Tons Burden; and therefore prayed and attended his Lordship's further Orders, before they would give Directions to the said Ships.

N°. VIII. April 11.

They received Advice from their Correspondents at Biddiford, That the Ships would not sail for Portsmouth, unless they were secured, that their Men should not be pressed; some Owners having heard, that their Ships, lately come from Oast End into the Downes, were in Danger of being lost, by reason that their Men were pressed out of them; they being, by Charter Party, to have sufficient Convoy and Protection from the Press.

N°. X. April 15th, 92.

The Commissioners for Transportation write to their Correspondents at Biddiford, signifying by Express, by Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, That their Pleasure was, That Shipping should be sent to Waterford, to bring from thence to Biddiford Two hundred and Fifty Horses; and that they should send away those Ships for the Horse, at the same time; those for the Three thousand Five hundred and Fifty Foot should be sent away to Cork, that they might sail with the same Convoy: This Matter the Commissioners recommended very earnestly to the Care of their Correspondents, it being of great Consequence to their Majesties Service; and prayed them to dispatch away as well the Horse as Foot Ships by the then Eighteenth instant, as the Commissioners had already desired in some of their last Letters; and required their Correspondents to put into the Horse Ships all Provisions for Horse and Man; informing them also, as before, that the Convoy would be at Milford, to receive both theirs and the Bristoll Ships: And that they should put on board the Foot Ships which were to go to Cork, such Provisions as the Victuallers had made, especially Bread; And that, having formerly said the Transport Ships were to go to Waterford, that Resolution was since altered; and they, as well as the Foot Ships, were to go to Cork.

N°. XI. April 16th.

They received a Letter, by Express, from their Correspondent at Bristoll, shewing, That the Owners of the Three Ships, that were to carry Provisions to Ireland, for the said Three thousand Five hundred and Fifty . . . would not get their Ships ready; nor could they get Seamen, by reason of the Advices from the Downes, that the Seamen were pressed out of the Transport Ships that had the Transport Commissioners Protections, and lay there like Wrecks.

N°. XII. April ditto.

Six Transport Ships sailed from Biddiford to Milford, to join the Richmond convoy.

N°. XIII. April 19.

The Transport Commissioners wrote to their Correspondent at Bristoll, to send the Three Provision Ships to Milford.

N°. XIV. April 20th.

Papers respecting the Descent.

Abstract of an Order from the Earl of Nottingham to the Commissioners for Transportation, to bring the said Three thousand Five hundred and Fifty Men from Waterford to Bristoll, or the nearest Port to London in the Bristoll Chanel, under Convoy of the Richmond; and there to remain till further Order.

N°. XV. April 21th.

The Transport Commissioners, by Letter to their Correspondent at Bristoll, wrote, That it was her Majesty's Pleasure, That they should hasten away, with all possible Expedition, the Ships that were to carry to Ireland the Provisions for the Three thousand Five hundred and Fifty Men; with Directions to them to said to Waterford, and not Cork, and to return from Waterford to Bristoll, or the nearest Port of London in the Bristoll Channel, that they could first make; and, upon their Arrival at Bristoll, or other Port in the Bristoll Channel, under such Convoy as shall come to Waterford, they were there to land their Men and Horses, and to remain there till further Order, and take all possible Care not to spend any more of their Provisions than was necessary for their Passage from Ireland to England; and to preserve the rest from Imbezilments, in regard they were designed for some further Service; and that the Richmond, that was intended to be their Convoy, not being then come to Milford, the Correspondents were to prevail upon the Masters of the Transport Ships to sail to Waterford without Convoy, and their Majesties would insure the Ships against the Enemy; to which Purpose they were speedily to be valued (that no Time might be lost) by some Person of Skill and Integrity, being such as their said Correspondent should chuse for their Majesties Service: And informed their Correspondent, that they had received his of the Eighteenth instant; hoping that he would not want Men for the Provision Ships to be dispatched away; and assuring him, that no Ships would be permitted to go out, whatever some Men might fancy to themselves.

The same to their Correspondent at Biddiford.

Ditto.

The Transport Commissioners wrote to their Correspondent at Milford, to send the Transport Ships to Ireland, under Convoy of the Smirna Merchant and Swift, if they were then at Milford, but, if they were gone, to prevail upon the Transport Masters to sail to Waterford without Convoy, since the Richmond was not come up, that no Time might be lost.

N° XVI. April 26th.

An Abstract of a Letter to the Transport Commissioners from their Correspondent at Biddiford; advising, that Fifteen Sail of Transport Ships more were gone directly to Waterford without Convoy; but, the Wind coming to S. W. they believed they bore away for Milford, where they hoped they would meet the Smirna Merchant and Swift; several Privateers being lately seen upon the Coast.

N°. XVII. Ditto 27.

An Abstract of a Letter from Mr. Yate, the Transport Commissioners Correspondent at Bristoll; who advised, That the Provision Ships were ready to sail, but the Wind was against them; and ordered them to touch at Milford for Convoy; if none there, they promised to proceed to Waterford without.

N° XVIII. May 2d.

Mr. Yate at Bristoll advised the Commissioners of Transports, That the Seamen on board the Three Provision Ships bound for Ireland had deserted when the Ships should have sailed.

N°. XIX. May 23.

An Abstract, whereby Mr. Yate advised the Commissioners of Transportation, That Fifty-Two Transport Ships, with Five Regiments of Foot, and between Three and Four hundred Horse, were arrived at Bristoll, from Ireland, under Convoy of the Richmond and Dolphin.

N°. XX. May 26th.

An Abstract, whereby the Transport Commissioners acquainted Mr. Yate, That all the Ships that brought the Horse and Foot from Ireland, were to come round to Portsmouth, with the Artillery Ships that came with them, and the Three Provision Ships, under such Convoy as should be appointed them.

N°. XXI. June the 1st.

An Abstract, wherein the Commissioners of Transports prayed the Lords of the Admiralty to appoint a Convoy to bring, from Bristoll to Portsmouth, the Ships lately come from Ireland.

N°. XLIV. July 5th.

An Abstract, whereby the Commissioners Correspondent at Biddiford advised, That the Transport Ships were in Milford the Twenty-sixth June, and would not stir without a better Convoy.

Ditto, 9th.

An Abstract of a Letter to the Transport Commissioners, from Captain Atkinson, who went to Portsmouth, to take care of the Transport Ships there; advising, That the Biddiford and the Artillery Ships arrived there from Milford the Day before.

Papers relating to the Transport Ships in the River of Thames:

N°. IX. April the 12th.

An Abstract of an Order from the Lord Nottingham to the Transport Commissioners, That they should provide Three thousand Seven hundred Tons of Shipping for the Ordnance, and Two thousand Eight hundred Tons for the Victuallers of their Majesties Navy, with all Expedition; which they did as fast as they called for them.

N°. XXII. June 3d.

Abstract of a Letter from the Commissioners of Transportation to the Lord Nottingham; praying him to let them know, when the Ships should all be ready to sail; And his Lordship answered the same Day, They must be ready to sail immediately; and that the Commissioners must know of the Office of Ordnance, and Victuallers of the Navy, when the Stores would be on board.

N°. XXIII, XXIV, XXV, and XXVI. June 4th.

An Abstract, whereby the Commissioners of Transport wrote to the Ordnance Officers, and Commissioners for victualing the Navy, to that Purpose: And the former answered, That they could not prefix a Time, till they were furnished with Three Ships more, which they had the same Day: And the Victuallers answered, Their Ships might be laden in a Week's Time, if Want of Money did not hinder.

N°. XXVIII. Ditto, 11th.

Order from the Lord Nottingham, to the Trensport Commissioners, to cause all the Transport Ships in the River, designed to Portsmouth, to fall down immediately to the Hope: Whereupon the Commissioners sent immediately to the Masters of the Ships, to order them to sail; but they alledged they could not do it for want of Seamen, which were not to be got at any Rate; and for want of their Month's Freight, which ought to be advanced them by their Contracts, before they sailed; and some refused to sign their Charter Parties, till they had received their Month's Pay.

The same Day the Commissioners received their Majesty's Warrant for Five thousand Pounds; which they distributed amongst them; and told them, They must find Seamen at their Peril.

N°. XXXIV. June 18th.

An Abstract, whereby the Transport Commissioners acquaint the Lord Nottingham, and the Lords of the Admiralty, That they had dispatched the Ships to the Hope; but the Wind was contrary.

N°. XXXV. Ditto, 22th.

Order from the Lord Nottingham to the Commissioners, That Ships for the Lord Gallwaye's and Colonel Langston's Regiments of Horse be provided to carry them to Williamstadt in Holland; and to return from the Hope to Deptford; and all the others to proceed to Portsmouth, being to sail as soon as the respective Convoys should be ready.

N°. XXXIX. Ditto, 29th.

Abstract of Captain Nicholl's Letter, one of the Transport Commissioners, from Sheernesse, to the other Commissioners; advising them to let the Lords of the Admiralty know, That no Man of War there, or at the Nore, was ordered to take Charge of the Transport Ships and Boats: That, if the Convoys had been ready, they might have got over the Flats that Day, or the next; and, with the Northerly Wind that then blew, might have had a quick and smooth Passage to Portsmouth. This Letter was confirmed by several Masters Letters.

N°. XLIII. July 1st.

The Commissioners for Transportation laid the said Letters before the Lords of the Admiralty; praying for a Convoy forthwith, for the Transport Ships and Boats to go to Portsmouth.

N° XLV. Ditto, 10th.

The Transport Ships and Boats sailed from the Downes to Portsmouth.

Ditto, 18th.

All the Transport Ships arrived from the Downes at Portsmouth.

Ditto, 22th.

Abstract; That the Foot began to be shipped at Portsmouth, and were all shipped the next Day; but, the Wind being contrary, the Horse would not ship till the Twentyfifth; and then, all being shipped, the Duke of Leinster embarked that Night, on board the Breda.

Papers given in by the Lords of the Admiralty:

The First Bundle

Contains an Account of Orders to the Admiralty, and Flag Officers, and the Proceedings thereupon, from the Fourteenth of April to the Thirtieth of July.

The Second Bundle

Consists of several Results of Councils of War of Sea Officers, and the Result of the great Council of Land and Sea Officers, dated the 30th of July 1692; most or all of them mentioned in the Report of Admiral Russell's Papers.

Admiral Russell's Letters, May 27th.

A Letter from the Admiral to the Earl of Nottingham; giving him an Account of the Burning of Twelve Ships, and his great Concern, that the Admiral of the Blue, and the Dutch, did not pursue their Point, but came back to him; and how . . did intend to dispose of the Fleet: He concludes, "Now is the time, if you were able, to make the Descent: The People here are under so great a Consternation, that, notwithstanding the late King's Camp was pitched, and the Union Flag flying, as also the French with a white one; I really believe, that Ten thousand Men might have marched Forty Miles without any great Resistance: I believe we may be freed from any Attempt they will make on our Country as yet: I do not say this to induce you to be more negligent with your Fleet; but that, for this Summer, you will have Ships enough for the Fleet, and for all the Services the Admiralty seemed to be so much concerned for."

May 27th.

Extract of a Letter from Admiral Russell to the Earl of Nottingham, in these Words.

"I suppose her Majesty will command the Fleet to Sea as soon as it is fitted: It will therefore, in my humble Opinion, be necessary to consider what they shall do: To cruise, is of no Use or Service to the Government; at least, I think so: If the Men designed for a Descent can be got ready, now is the Time to push it, while the Iron is hot; and, I am certain, France is in a greater Fright about a Descent than we were here: But, if that cannot be performed, I do not know what to propose to do with your Fleet."

June 13th.

Papers respecting the Descent.

The next Letter relating to this Matter, is that from Spithead, from Admiral Russell to the Earl of Nottingham; giving him an Account of the Intelligence he had of the Vice Admiral of the Blue, and Twenty-five more French Ships at St. Maloes: That several of them had been ill treated by us in the Engagement; but the Vice Admiral, and Six more, did not fight at all: That they were near repaired, and watched an Opportunity to get to Brest: That he would go to St. Hellens and call a Council of War: And, towards the latter End of this Letter, says thus; "Something must be attempted to destroy them: To effect which, the Land Army may be of great Use to us; though I suppose the Forces the late King had near Le Hogue will be all drawn to St. Maloes, to protect them: When I consider what Advantage this additional Blow to the Enemy may be to England, I cannot think that the Possession of Two Provinces in France will be equal to it; and I believe your Lordship will be of my Opinion. Wherefore it is highly necessary, that the utmost Endeavours should be used to perform so important a Service."

June 29th.

The Earl of Nottingham writes to the Admiral thus; "I am to acquaint you, That all the Transport Ships and Forty Shallops, are fallen down the River, and are to be convoyed, by the London Merchant, to the Downes; and from thence, by the Bredah, to Portsmouth: And our Troops are so posted, as that they will be embarked in few Days, and immediately sail to join you: I believe there will be about Twelve thousand, besides Dragoons, if there be Shipping enough for them, as there will be, if the Ships were come from Milford; and we hope to have Two Bomb Vessels at Portsmouth, by the Time the Troops be embarked, or else they will speedily follow: But, lest there should be some Want of Shipping, I have sent Orders to Captain Meez to come with his Squadron to Spithead; and those may carry some Foot, as well as convoy the Transport Ships with more Security, to the Fleet: But, if these Orders should not meet Captain Meez, or that he be with you, it is not intended that those individual Ships should come to Spithead; but you may send such as you can best spare, and will be most proper for convoying those Transports, and carrying some Men, if there be Occasion; for which last, some of your Tenders would perhaps be best; and, of these, send as many as you can spare; and all with as much Expedition as is possible."

July 4th.

A Postscript from the Admiral to the Earl of Nottingham, as follows; viz.

"Just now I received your Letter of the Twenty-ninth of June: I cannot now answer every Particular; but this I may, without much Consideration: If the Number you design to land, do not exceed Twelve thousand Men, as you write, it will be of no Use at St. Maloes; that Place (of Men belonging to the Land and Sea) affording double that Number fit to bear Arms: If these be all you can have, to make the Descent, I think the best Use you can make of them is to land at Le Hogue, and take away the Cannon, Captain Meez writes me Word, they have got up from the Ships there destroyed: For, doubtless, this Number will signify little against any Part of France, where any Strength is lodged."

4th July.

Result of a Council of War off of Guernsey.

"Upon the Information of Captain Robinson, Commander of their Majesties Ship the Monmouth, Captain Andrew Cotton of the Northumberland, and Captain Hen. Martin of the Berwick, who have been at St. Maloes; and say, That it is not safe for the Fleet to ride before that Place, by reason of the Foulness of the Ground in several Places, and the great Strength of the Tides;"

"It was considered, Whether the whole Fleet should go off of St. Maloes, according to the late Resolution taken upon the Opinions of the Jerzey and Guernsey Pilots in the Fleet.

"Resolved, That, for the Reasons aforesaid, it is not fit the Fleet should run the Hazard of anchoring before that Port."

"It was then considered, Whether it will be necessary to send a Number of Ships thither, to get the best Account there may be of the Place; and whether there be sufficient Ground for the whole Fleet to ride in safety, in case any thing should be afterwards attempted against that Port: And"

Papers respecting the Descent.

"Resolved, That Twenty-five Sail be detached from the Fleet, on the said Service: And that the Remainder of the Fleet do lie Seven or Eight Leagues South from the Start (which is to be the Place of Rendezvous): And that, in order thereto, we sail from this Place so soon as Wind and Weather will permit."

4 July.

The Earl of Nottingham writes to the Admiral thus;

"I have received Yours, of the Thirtieth of June; and have read it to the Queen: And, though I have several Ways acquainted you with our Preparations for sending Land Forces to the Fleet, to concur in the Attempt upon St. Maloes, and the Ships there; and, if nothing could be done there by the Fleet alone, that however you should endeavour, if possible, to prevent the French from getting away to Brest; her Majesty thinks it necessary, that I should write to you again upon this Subject: For, since our Transport Ships are sailed towards Portsmouth, and our Troops ordered immediately to be embarked there, and at Southampton, and that Captain Meez, with his Squadron, is at Spithead, there will not be many Days before they sail to join you; and therefore her Majesty would have all Means used, that will consist with the Safety of the Fleet, to hinder the French from escaping out of St. Maloes: It is not fit to prescribe to you the Method of performing this important Service; I can only tell you, that the Letters from France say, they are in great Pain for their Ships at St. Maloes: That Tourville was sent thither, to try if it were possible to get them away: That Captain Meez Squadron much alarmed them, and broke their Design; so that, if the Fleet cannot attack the Ships there, without Land Forces, nor lie in such a Station as may intercept them, if they attempt to go to Brest, it is probable a Squadron of Ships may hinder that Attempt; though the Fleet should be forced, by ill Weather, to go off their Coast: And this is the more likely, because they will scarce venture out to Sea, before they have sent some Scouts to discover where our Fleet is; and this they cannot do if we have Ships lie there: I know the vast Importance of preserving our Fleet; and, as I am no Seaman, so I am far from pretending to advise; what I write therefore is submitted to your Judgment; and you are to make no other Conclusion from it, but that the Queen is resolved to have the Destruction of the St. Malo Ships attempted, if it be possible; and therefore does earnestly recommend it to your Care, that the Opportunity be not lost, by their getting away, before our Troops come to you."

"I believe it will be necessary, that you send, with all Expedition, some Vessel to Portsmouth, with Notice where the Transport Ships shall come and join you, as also the Victualing Ships, which lie ready at Portsmouth, to sail to the Fleet, as the Commissioners of the Admiralty tell me; though, if we do not hear from you, they will, I believe, be all ordered toward St. Malo's."

Off the Berry, July the 8th.

A Letter from Admiral Russell to the Earl of Nottingham, in these Words; viz.

"Your Lordship's Letter, of the Fourth, came to my Hand last Night, by a Messenger, just as I came to an Anchor: I can say no more relating to St. Maloes, than what I have already troubled you with, till Vice Admiral Rooke's Return: Then you shall, by Express, receive the Report he makes to me of that Place, but chiefly the Ground, if that be good and holding for Anchoring, which is of much Consequence: The Ground of Guernsey is so loose, that Anchors will not hold in a very ordinary Gale of Wind. Vice Admiral Callenburgh is gone with Rook, to command the Detachment of the Dutch; which I am very glad of, he being a very skilful soberheaded Man. Since, as your Lordship says, the French seem to be under great Pain and Uneasiness about the Safety of those Ships, it looks to me as if they thought the Place not so difficult to be attempted, as we are informed: But to us, who are not acquainted there, the Report of the Rapidness of the Tide, and its setting from one Rock to another (of which there is abundance), makes it appear something hazardous to go in with our Ships: But what I say, is only by Hearsay; and possibly the Place may be more facile than I imagine. The destroying that Place and Ships, would be of great Consequence to England. Your Lordship is pleased to tell me, her Majesty lays a great Stress on their not getting to Brest before the Land Forces are ready: I hope I have not been wanting hitherto in preventing it; though with no small Hazard to the Fleet; and I believe, if any Body will give themselves the Trouble to inquire into that Matter, it will be found, that no Care or Industry has been wanting: Pray pardon me, if I tell you, that Things are with greater Ease proposed on Shore, than they can be executed at Sea: I say this, my Lord, observing in your Letter, that the Queen, resolving to have the Destruction of the St. Malo's Ships attempted, does therefore recommend it to me, that an Opportunity, by their getting away, be not lost; by which I judge, that, should such a Thing happen, the Blame will fall on me; but, unless somebody will favour me with a certain Way to prevent it, this Service seems a little hard upon me; I know but of one Way to prevent their going to Brest (if that be the only Port in France they must go to, the Fleet lying in Comoret Bay); which, if her Majesty commands, shall be forthwith put in Execution. It is now the Eighth Day of July; and your Transport Ships from the River are not yet arrived at Portsmouth; and during the Winds hanging Westwardly, they cannot come: With these Winds the French cannot stir, but I must be constantly in with their Shore, in Expectation of a S. or S. E. Wind, which will bring them out, and carry them away; with which Wind, if I am not near that Shore, I cannot reach them: All these Things ought to be considered, before an Impression be made in the People's Minds, that this Service is easy, and will admit of no Difficulty in performing: But Reproaches upon me is not a new Business."

Torbay, July 10th.

A Letter from the Admiral to the Earl of Nottingham, in these Words; viz.

"My Lord,"

"After I had sent my Letter of the Eighth to your Lordship, the Weather being then fair, I went to Sea; but, not many Hours after, by a hard Gale of wind at W. N. W. I was forced to return hither; where I received a Duplicate of your Letter, dated the Seventh (the Original being not yet come to my Hands): By your Lordship's recommending to me, in every Letter, my using all possible Care to prevent the Ships at St. Malo's getting from thence, I am confirmed in what I wrote to you in my before-mentioned Letter, that I am thought slack in my Endeavours of that Kind: I don't want that Addition of Trouble to perplex my Thoughts, having enough, or more than I am well able to dispense with: I have constantly thought it my Duty to state all Matters that come under my Cognisance, fairly, as they appear to me: Very possibly, by so doing, I may be mistaken in the prudent Part; but, I am sure it is what becomes an honest Man; which I will endeavour to pursue, let the Event be what it will: I told your Lordship Matter of Fact, That, if the Ground at St. Maloes is not good, the Fleet cannot lie there, without apparent Danger. That I may be certain of this Matter, you already know of my sending Ships to bring me Word what Ground there is; which I heartily wish back, the Weather, since they went, having been troublesome: I also told you, That there is no Place where the Fleet can cruise with Safety, to prevent their getting to Brest, but Accidents of Weather will give them an Opportunity to get in. If any mortal Man can give reasonable Objections to this, I will for ever own myself the most ignorant Animal breathing. I do suppose, by your Lordship's saying the People's Expectations are raised about this Business, it is said how easy it is to destroy the Ships at St. Malo's: If there be such Men, who have told your Lordship so, it would be a particular Service to the Nation, and not only a Favour to me, but I believe to the whole Fleet, if these knowing Men were sent down to advise us; and see the Execution: I will not say, that I dare venture to do what any Man on Shore will advise; but I promise, upon my Honour, no Man, who will come and bear a Part in what he advises, shall go further towards the Execution of it, than myself. Your Lordship's kind Advice to me, not to leave it in the Power of any-body to object against me, that I have omitted any thing that may hinder the Enemy's Ships getting away, compels me to write this; knowing I hitherto have, and shall continue to do my utmost Endeavours in performing my Duty, while I have the Honour to serve: But I must submit to whatever censorious People will throw upon me. Give me Leave to observe one Passage in your Lordship's Letter; That, when the Army joins us, a Resolution will be taken what to do, as a Council of War, of Land and Sea Officers, will advise. I don't know how able the rest of the Flag Officers...; but, for myself, I can only deliver my Judgment, where the Fleet can go, in order to protect their Landing; and, in my humble Opinion, That should be resolved, before the Men and Horses embark: If they must keep the Sea, till the Place Where be determined, Weather may put them under so many Hardships, that they will be of little Service on Shore. You will please to consider the Season of the Year is so far advanced, that Six Weeks will near conclude what we call Summer, of which I have not as yet had one Day since I came out."

"I heartily wish, for the Nation's sake, the Town and Ships at St. Malo's may be destroyed, without the least Regard to what Advantage may accrue to me by it, having less in my Head of that Matter, than it is possible for you to imagine: Probably the Difficulty will not be greater than what is suggested to your Lordship; but I believe I may affirm, that Half the Number of Men, a Month since, would have performed what can be expected from Double their Numbers now; for, as your Lordship says, their Fear is great, so, I believe, their industry has not been less to secure both, as much as it is possible for the Place to admit of."

Torbay, the 13th July.

A Letter from the Admiral to the Earl of Nottingham;

"My Lord,"

"Vice Admiral Rook, with the Squadron of English, as also Vice Admiral Callenburgh, with the Dutch, which were sent before St. Malo's, are this Morning returned: The Reports of each Flag, with the Officer's Opinions of the Place, I herewith send your Lordship. This was, in my Opinion, the only Way to be thoroughly informed of the Place; I mean, the Goodness of the Road before St. Maloes: He put a small Vessel on Shore, which he afterwards got off: He tells me, that, to protect her, there came down, from a sort of a Camp, to his Judgment, about Four or Five thousand Men: He also tells me, Concall is the most proper Place to land at, being to the Eastward of the Town: If any Landing be made to the Westward, they must pass Denant River, to come in the same Side with the Town: He saw about Thirty-four or Thirty six Sail, that seemed ready to depart, including the Privateers; which, by former Advice, were Fourteen; which Ships I imagine, they design to keep as Scouts when their Ships sail, which I suppose may be with the first steady South, or South-east Wind: I shall sail as soon as the Weather will permit, and lie in such a Station, as I may do the best Service I can, as a Council of War shall advise."

At a Council of War held on board their Majesties Ship the Berwick, near Cape Farrell.

PRESENT.

George Rook, Esquire, Vice Admiral of the Blue,

The Right honourable the Earl of Danby,

Papers respecting the Descent.

"Upon the following Questions; viz.

"First, Whether it be reasonable to bring the whole Fleet before St. Maloes."

"Secondly, Whether it be morally possible to destroy the French Ships of War at St. Maloes, with that Part of the Fleet that is here."

"Thirdly, Whether it may be reasonable to be attempted by any naval Force only."

"Fourthly, Whether a Squadron of Ships may not be ventured to ride near St. Maloes, to cover the Transportation Ships, in case there be a Descent intended thereabouts."

"It is answered;"

"First, From what we have discovered of the Nature of the Ground, which we find generally to be very rough, and, in some Places foul; and that the Fleet has nothing to secure them from the Weather, but their Ground Tackle; we should think it exposed to infinite Hazard, in Riding there."

"Secondly, We do not think it possible to destroy the Ships of War at St. Maloes with the Ships here; because no Pilot will take Charge to carry in any Ship of War, or Fireships, in regard the Marks for going in may be removed; or, if they let them stand, the Smoke of the Guns will hide them; and the Passage in is so very difficult, by the Multitude of Rocks, that, by the least Mistake of the Marks, the Ships will be, in Probability, lost, before they can come to do Service."

"Thirdly, For the abovesaid Reasons, the whole Fleet is not better capable of destroying the French Ships, than this Squadron; it not being morally possible for any Ships to go into St. Maloes without Pilots, in case they have no other Impediment but the Danger of the Rocks."

"Fourthly, We do think a Squadron of Ships in the Summer Season, may be ventured to lie before St. Maloes, to cover the Ships of Transportation, in case there be a Descent designed near the Place; provided the whole Fleet be posted so, as to secure them from any Attempt of the Enemy from the Westward."

"Other Observations on the Coast:"

"The Ground is flat and even from Guernsey to Cape Farrell, shoaling a Fathom or Two every Two or Three Miles: All the Way over the Cape, the Ground is generally very rough, and, in some Places, rocky, especially near St. Cymbre."

"The Tides run quick in the Offing, on the Coast of St. Maloes; but, to the Eastward of Cape Farrell, within Three or Four Miles of the Shore, not above Two and Half or Three Knots at Spring Tides: There are some sandy Bays between Cape Farrell and St. Maloes, but not very commodious for landing Men, because the Land rises, in most Places, quick from the Strand: Besides, they must pass the River Denant, before they can come to St. Maloes."

"There are about Five or Six-and-thirty Sail of Ships rigged; of which Twelve lay in the Race, and, of them, Four or Five great Ships; the rest are up at Sallidore."

"Not one of the Pilots would undertake to carry in any Ship of War, or Fireships, to make an Attempt on the Enemy's Ships at St. Maloes, though I offered them One hundred Pounds Encouragement to each Man."

July 13th, 1692.G. Rook.

8/18; July 1692.

"The Report of Vice Admiral Callenburgh, touching the Port of St. Maloes, and the Ships of the Enemy's there, upon his being sent in Company with Vice Admiral Rook, to see what might be done with the Fleet against the said Place and Ships; viz.

"That it was impossible to destroy the Enemy's Ships in that Port with small Frigates, Fireships, &c.

Papers respecting the Descent.

"That, considering the Badness of the Ground near that Place, the Strength of the Current, the great Seas which will be caused by Northwardly and Westwardly Winds; and that the Fleet must anchor in the open Sea, and thereby be exposed to great Danger by bad Weather, without any manner of Shelter from it; it is not (as to point of Seamanship) thought safe to venture the Fleet on the aforesaid Coast."

"Signed by the several Commanders, as also the Pilots of Jerzey and Guernsey under-mentioned;"

22 July 1692.

Extract of a Letter from Admiral Russell to the Earl of Nottingham; viz.

"You were pleased to command my Opinion, Where the Place should be for the Transport Ships to join the Fleet: Really, I am not able to tell you; I think, not in the Sea: Either they should come to the Fleet, or the Fleet to them, lest Accident should hinder our Joining; doubtless, the less time they are kept on board, the better for the Men and Horse," &c.

An Order from her Majesty to the Admiral; as follows; viz.

14 July 1692.

WHEREAS We have ordered a considerable Number of Our Land Forces to be embarked, and to join Our Fleet, and to make some Attempt on Our Enemy, for the Destroying of their Maritime Towns, Ships of War, and Magazine: We do hereby authorize you to act with Our Fleet, in Concurrence with Our Troops, in the Execution of all or any of those Designs, which We have recommended in Our Instructions to Our Right Trusty and Right entirely Beloved Cousin Mainhard Duke of Leinster, Lieutenant General of Our Land Forces, as shall be judged fit and proper by a Council of War of the Flag and General Officers: And, in the First place, We do require you to consider and execute what may possibly be effected at St. Maloes, for the Taking or Burning of that Place, and the French Ships in that Harbour, and in the River of Dinant, or either of them: And you are then to pursue such other Measures, for the annoying of Our Enemy in such Method, as shall be judged feasible at the Council of War, without expecting any further Orders from Us: And, for so doing, This shall be your Warrant.

By Her Majesty's Command,

NOTTINGHAM.

25th July 1692.

Extract of a Letter from Admiral Russel to the Earl of Nottingham;

"This Morning I called the Flag Officers together; and laid before them the Queen's Orders, and so much of your Lordship's Letter as concerned the Descent: And, that no Time may be lost for our speedy joining the Transport Ships, they came to the Resolution I herein inclose you."

"I have sent an Express to the Duke of Leinster, to let him know of our coming to him, if the Wind continues Westwardly; and, if Eastwardly, we shall be in Torbay, expecting their Arrival," &c.

"I could say a great deal as to the Manner of these Proceedings, not only as to the Delay of your Descent, but ordering an Army to cruise for a Fleet; and, when joined, to be resolved what shall be done with them: But neither will my Time admit of it, nor possibly, will my Thoughts be so acceptable, as after a Resolution is taken; and I will then tell you; as becomes a Man that professes great Honesty to his Country."

17th July 1692.

An Extract of a Letter from the Earl of Nottingham to the Admiral, mentioned in the Result of the Council of War following.

"By the Distribution of the Army of Le Hogue, it seems to me, that the French cannot have any considerable Number of formed Troops about St. Malo; and that the Four thousand, or Five thousand which Vice Admiral Rook saw upon the Coast, must consist chiefly of the Militia."

"I reckon we shall have about Fourteen thousand Men; and, I presume, you may spare Three or Four thousand Men from the Fleet, if need be: This, I believe, will be a better Army than the French can bring to oppose us; especially if the French have no considerable Body of Horse; or that the Country be such, that our Troops can secure themselves against Horse, which the Duke, I believe, will chiefly apprehend."

"I do not think we can make a formal Siege to take the Town; but the Use, as I apprehend, of these Troops, will be, to bombard the Town on Shore, while the Bombvessels do the like at Sea; or, if the last can do it alone, the Troops may land, while they are under that Consternation, and possess the Batteries, which are upon the River to hinder our Ships and Fireships from attacking their Men of War there: And, since Vice Admiral Rook thinks, that a Squadron of Men of War may lie before the Town, these, and our Boats, will prevent any Attempt of the Enemy upon our Bomb-vessels; and then, considering the Buildings at St. Malo are chiefly of Wood, very high and close, it seems not very difficult to burn that Town; and consequently that there is nothing to oppose our Ships going up the River to destroy the French, but their new Batteries upon the Shore, which will hardly be defended against our Ships, and our Troops."

"The next Thing to be thought of, is Brest: If their Men of War be laid up, nothing can be done without taking the Town: And this seems too great a Work for our Troops; for the Men of their Ships, and their other Forces, will be superior to us: But if it be true, as the last Letters from Paris say, that the Orders for laying up their Ships are countermanded, the Attempt to destroy them in Harbour, without the Town, seems not difficult, if either our Ships can pass by their Forts and Batteries at the Entrance, or that the Troops can take them."

"However the Posture of the Enemy may be at Brest, if we can destroy the Ships at St. Malo, there is a very fair Prospect of ruining their Ships upon the Stocks and Magazines at Rochford and Port Lovis: I do not mean the great Ships should go so far: But, if the Third Rates, and under, English and Dutch, will be stronger than the Ships at Brest; in case nothing be feasible at Brest, I suppose we may proceed with these, and our Troops, to Rochford, even after the End of August, which time you propose for the Bringing in of our great Ships."

"And, after all, what you mentioned about taking Le Hogue, and the Guns which they have fished up (which I hear, are about Seven hundred of Iron, those of Brass being melted), I suppose may be attempted at any time, being within our Chanel, before the French can spare Detachments from Flanders; and thereof this seems to me to be the last Thing to be tried."

Result of a Council of War.

25th July 1692.

"Upon reading Two Letters from the Right honourable the Earl of Nottingham, their Majesties Principal Secretary of State, dated the Seventeenth and Eighteenth of this Month; by which it appears, that their Majesties Troops are embarked at Portsmouth, and no Resolutions will be taken for the Dispatch of them, till the Flag Officers of the Fleet, and the General Officers of the Army, have consulted each other therein; it was considered have the consulted each other therein; it was considered how the Fleet may best and soonest join the Transport Ships; in order to come to some Resolutions how her Majesty's Orders may be most effectually put in Execution:"

"Resolved, That a Squadron of Ships, from Fifty Guns upwards, be sent to lie about Fifteen or Twenty Leagues North from the Isle of Bass, to prevent the Enemy's Ships going from St. Maloes: And that the Remainder of the Fleet do forthwith sail to Spithead, to join the aforesaid Transport Ships."

"It was also agreed, That, if the Wind be Westwardly, the Fleet should sail to Spithead, to join the aforesaid Transport Ships; but, if it be Eastwardly, the Fleet should continue in Torbay, and expect them."

28th July 1692.

On board the Bredah, off of Portland:

Result of a Council of War:

We being informed, That the Transport Ships, with the Land Forces, are come to the Fleet, in order to try what may be attempted against the Enemy, either at St. Maloes, Brest, or Rochford; it is our Opinions, That something might be attempted with Probability of Success, was not the Season of the Year so far spent, as not to admit of the Fleet's going with Safety, to see whether or no any thing may be done at those Places.

29 Julii 1692.

The Admiral's Letter to the Earl of Nottingham;

"My Lord,"

"In my Letter of the Twenty-fifth, I promised your Lordship, That, after the Resolution was taken by a Council of War, I would write you my Thoughts on the intended Descent: Which I now do, without the least Reserve; hoping your Lordship will receive it, as I mean it, with a sincere Heart."

"If my Memory does not fail me (as, in this, I think it does not), in the Winter, when it was concluded, that Preparations should be made for a Descent, it was resolved, that all should be ready in May, at farthest: I am not going to inquire into the Cause of the Delay, nor the Reasons why these Resolutions were altered."

Papers respecting the Descent.

"When I sailed in June, I received Advice, That some of the Enemy's Ships were at St. Maloes: I then sent you word, that, probably the Land Forces would be of Use; and that something ought to be hazarded: This was my single Opinion: But, after talking with the Pilots, they all agreed That Place was very difficult to be attempted, if possible; but that there was good Ground for Anchoring: Upon which a Council of War, was called; and it was resolved to go before St. Maloes: When we came off Guernsey, the Weather being foggy, the Pilots would not venture, with that Wind, and dark Weather, to carry us over: Upon which we anchored, and found the Ground there rough and loose: The Pilots having told me the Ground before St. Maloe was the same; and several of the English Captains, who had used that Trade, acquainting me with the Hazard the Fleet would run in going thither, from the Badness of the Road; I thought it necessary to call a Council of War: Where the several Captains acquainted the Flag Officers with what they had before told me: Upon which it was thought more for the Service, that a Squadron should go before that Place, and report their Opinions of the Ground, whether it was feasible to make any Attempt on the Place; and whether the Fleet, or Squadron, could anchor there: Vice Admiral Rook and Vice Admiral Callenburgh's Opinion thereon, I sent your Lordship: And some of the Reasons (as I remember) they gave, why nothing could be done against the Enemy there, was, the Rapidness of the Tides, the Ground not to be depended on; several Rocks, at Half Tide, being under Water; and the Pilots, who were offered One hundred Pounds each Man, refusing to carry any Ship in, lest the Enemy should remove the Marks on Shore; and, by the Firing, they should not be able to avoid the several Dangers going in: I confess, this last seemed to me so reasonable; and not meeting with any Man that could give any contradictory Reasons (besides, the Difficulty must be greater at this time, the Enemy having had near Two Months to make all possible Preparations that might make the Attempt not successful; that being the Time this Matter has been discoursed of), I concluded, when I heard her Majesty continued in the Resolution of having the Ships there attacked by the Land Forces, that you had received some Account of the Place, which made the Attempt more feasible than it appeared to us: But, they being now joined us, I find that they are not in any kind informed of the Place, nor of any Resolution taken on Shore, what they are to do."

"I must confess, this is the first time I ever read or heard of an Army's being embarked, and sent to Sea to join a Fleet, there to be considered whether they can or cannot be useful: I have used my Endeavours to meet them; and Providence has done a great deal by the Goodness of the Weather; for, had they come on the Station appointed, with a Wind Eastwardly, or a Fog, it might have prevented our Joining; and, if the Wind had blown hard Eastwardly, the Officers could not have come on board to consult, and the Transport Ships might have been driven out of the Chanel: What would then have become of them, God knows."

"We are ordered to consider of what can be done at Brest on the Ships there: I will not say but, Six Weeks agone, we might have gone thither, if only to have looked about us, to see if any thing had been feasible; but, sure, my Lord, there must be a Difference made between June and August: Should the Winds prove Westwardly (as, for the most part, in this Time of the Year they do, and we in Brest Water or Comeret Bay, it is impossible to get out: This is not an improbable Thought; since I have known, that, several times, the Wind has continued in that Quarter of the Compass, without any considerable Alteration; and, had this happened to us, the Men in the Fleet, and the Soldiers must have starved."

"As to Rochfort, when the Lords of the Committee, were at Portsmouth in May, this Design was discoursed of; and we were told, the Transports would be ready in Twenty Days: Then the Flag Officers made no Objection to the Whole, or any Part, of the Fleet's going thither; but some of the Lords seemed to be of Opinion, it was too hazardous, lest the Enemy should make some Attempt on England, whilst the Fleet was so remote: But what was not adviseable in May or June is believed practicable in August: Was it considered where Rochfort lies, how far in the Bay, what Distance from England, that there must be more than one Wind for returning back, the Hazards of the Wind and Sea in returning? These Things, I fear, were not well considered of, before the Order was sent."

"Then, as to Le Hogue, which we were to attempt at our Return, I will say nothing more than that in my Opinion, with Submission to better Judgments, burning a Town in France is of no more Consequence to them, than an accidental Fire at Knightsbridge is to us: It is an unspeakable Trouble to me, to see we thus expose our Country; since all Christendom is expecting a great Account from so great and long a Preparation."

Papers respecting the Descent.

"But thus it stands; and the Wind being now Southerly, we are sailing to Le Hogue: I suppose your Lordship has received my Letter, by Express, bearing Date 25, from Torbay; in which I sent you the Result of the Council of War: In pursuance of That, the Admiral of the Blue sailed the next Day; the Ships under Captain Nevill were ordered to come to St. Hellen's; which are not yet arrived: I shall leave Orders for their coming to Le Hogue Bay; but, what Orders to send to Sir John Ashby, I know not; nor in what Manner her Majesty will please to have that Squadron disposed of: I beg your Lordship to send to Dartmouth; he having Directions, as you will see by the Copy of the Order to him, which I lately sent you, to send frequently to Dartmouth, for Orders: It is not, in my Opinion, convenient he should continue in that Station very long, especially since the rest of the Fleet is so remote from them: I am under all imaginable Confusion; the Fleet in Three Bodies, the Transport Ships under no Method: here is Forty well Boats, and not one Man ordered to take care of them: In short every thing is in that Disorder, that, for my own Part, though I labour hourly to put Things into the best Order I can, it is hardly possible to perform it: I pity the Duke of Leinster and Lord Galloway; and lament my own Misfortune, that, from me, some Service is expected, when it is morally impossible that all the Assistance I can give will signify any thing: These are Hardships too great for any Man to serve under: Give me Leave to observe, that, in all Actions, if you will follow the Advice of the Officers who are to bear a Share therein, it ought to be known, before the Design be so far advanced as this is; or else Commands positively should be given to the Commanding Officer, to execute according to the Orders sent him; as in this Case, our Opinions being asked, we give it according to that Prudence God Almighty has blessed us with: If you were convinced, that either St. Maloes, Brest, or Rochfort, were attackable, Orders might have been given to go thither, and execute those Commands: Then we should have had nothing to consider, but the well Performance of those Orders; which, I assure you, should not have met with the least Stop or Hesitation, &c."

26 July 1692.

Copy of her Majesty's Order to the Admiral:

MARIA R.

WHEREAS We have an Account from Captain Wilkins, Commander of the Germoone Prize, That a Squadron of French Ships of War were seen by him off of Ushant, as you will see more particularly by a Copy of his Letter, which We have directed to be sent to you: We do apprehend these Ships came from St. Malo, and are gone for Brest; so that it will be too late to endeavour the burning and destroying the French Ships at St. Malo: And therefore We do hereby require you, notwithstanding Our former Orders of the Fourteenth instant, to consider what is proper to be attempted upon Brest, or for the Distribution of the Ships in that Bay or Harbour: And according to such Resolution as shall be taken at the Council of War of Sea and Land Officers, you are to proceed with Our Fleet and Forces; and you are to send a Frigate to the Coast of St. Malo, to bring you an Account of the Truth of what is reported by the said Captain Wilkins, and of the Posture of the Enemy there: But you are not to stay for the Return of this Frigate, before you put in Execution the Resolution of the Council of War relating to Brest: And, in case of Success at Brest, or that nothing can be attempted or effected there, you are to consider, at a Council of War, which of those other Enterprizes, which We have recommended to you, and to the Duke of Leinster, may be fit to be next pursued: And before you do return with the Fleet, We do particularly recommend to you the Burning of St. Malo, although there should be no Ships of War of the French King's in that Port: You are from time to time, as often as you can, to give Us an Account of your Proceedings: And, for so doing, this shall be your Warrant.

Signed, by her Majesty's Command,

NOTTINGHAM.

To Our Right Trusty and Wellbeloved Counsellor Edward Russell, Esquire, Admiral of Our Fleet.

30th July 1692.

Off the Highland of St. Alban's; from the Admiral to the Earl of Nottingham:

"My Lord,"

"Not knowing whether the Duke of Leinster sends you the Result of this Day's Council of War, occasioned by her Majesty's Order, that came to me about Four a Clock this Morning, I here inclose it:"

"At a Council of War, held on board their Majesties Ship the Bredah, this 30th of July 1692, off of the Highland of St. Albans."

PRESENT,

His Grace the Duke of Leinster, General of all their Majesties Land Forces:

The Right Honourable Edward Russell, Esquire, Admiral of their Majesties Fleet:

The Honourable Phillipp Alimond, Lieutenant Admiral of Holland, and Admiral of the Fleet of the States General:

The Order of her Majesty, bearing Date the Twentysixth instant, as also an Extract of a Letter from the Earl of Nottingham, being laid before a Council of War of the General Officers both at Land and Sea; they do not see any Reason to differ from their former Opinions, taken the Twenty-eighth Instant, relating to Brest and St. Malo: But because, in the aforesaid Order of her Majesty, the Destruction of St. Malo is so particularly recommended to the Council of War; notwithstanding, by the Advice she hath received, it is believed the Ships of War are escaped from that Port; it is resolved, the Fleet and Transport Ships shall sail to St. Helens, as the most proper Place, to be kept intire, to put in Execution any Commands her Majesty shall please to give, for their further Proceedings; which, if contrary to the Opinions of the Council of War, we desire may be positive.

Papers delivered in to the Committee, by the Duke of Leinster:

14 July,

Instructions to the Duke of Leinster, to embark his Troops on board the Transport Ships at Portsmouth; and to proceed, with all Expedition, to join the Fleet; and then to consider, What may be attempted to annoy the Enemy.

Ditto 31.

Order to the Duke of Leinster to join with the Squadron of Ships appointed for the burning St. Malo, and the Ships there.

August 5th,

Order to him to return back to the Downes.

Papers from the Office of Ordnance, relating to the Descent:

By which it appears, they began to ship their Stores and Train of Artillery on board the Transport Ships the Twenty-fourth of April; and had shipped all by the Eleventh of June.

Remarks upon the Transports: That the Transport Ships, designed to bring over the Forces from Ireland, were in Readiness to sail by the latter End of March.

April the 4th, The Commissioners of Transports write to the Lords of the Admiralty for a Convoy.

7th, The Earl of Nottingham sends them word, The Admiralty had ordered them the Richmond.

20th, The Commissioners are to bring the Three thousand Five hundred and Fifty Men from Waterford to Bristoll, or the nearest Port to London in that Channel.

21th, They went over without any Convoy at all, and were to be insured by their Majesties.

May 23, They arrived at Bristoll, from Ireland; and arrived not at Portsmouth till the Eighth of July.

Remarks upon Admiral Russell's Papers:

25th, In his Letter to the Earl of Nottingham, he tells him, "Now is the Time for a Descent."

27th, He repeats the same again; and, in both, gives his Reasons for it, from the great Apprehensions the French at that time were under: But, the Matter being delayed till the latter End of July, he then gives his Opinion, That he thinks it is too late.

July the 8th, The Council of War on board the Bredah deliver their Opinions, That it was not possible at that time to destroy the Ships at St. Maloe's, with the Fleet.

14th, That Opinion is confirmed by another Council of War; notwithstanding which, the Duke of Leinster is directed, by an Order of the One-and-thirtieth, to proceed and assist in that Attempt.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Report be referred to the Committee of the whole House who are to consider of that Part of his Majesty's Speech, whereby his Majesty desires the Advice of this House.

Loans on Poll Tax.

Mr. Guy, from the Lords of the Treasury, according to Order, presented to the House an Account of what had been raised and borrowed upon the Poll Bill; and also a State of the Revenue, and what Lands, Debts, and Pensions, are charged thereon: The which he delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

Members summoned.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms do go into Westminster Hall, and the several Courts there, and Court of Requests; and summon the Members to attend the Service of the House.

And the Serjeant went, with the Mace, accordingly: And being returned;

Tryals for Treason.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for Regulating of Tryals, in the Cases of High Treason.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Harcourt took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Harcourt reported from the said Committee, they had gone through the Bill, and made several Amendments: Which they had directed him to report to the House.

Ordered, That the said Report be made upon Thursday Morning next, at Eleven a Clock.

Aulnage Duty.

Ordered, That Sir Wm. Drake, Sir John Jennings, be added to the Committee to whom the Bill for transferring the Collection of the Duty of Aulnage to the Customhouse, and for giving a Recompence to the Crown, for the same, is committed.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Nine a Clock.