London Gazette #2043 : 18 June 1685

Monmouth’s head is worth £5000

London Gazette #2043, June 15 to June 18, 1685

Westminster, June 16. 1685

His Majesty being this day seated on his throne in the house of lords in his Royal Robes, and the House of Commons Attending, His Majesty gave his Royal Assent to

An Act for Granting to His Majesty an Imposition upon all wines and vinegar imported between the 24th day of June 1685 and the 24th of June 1693.

An Act for Granting to His Majesty an Imposition upon all Tobacco and Sugar imported between the 24th day of June 1685 and the 24th of June 1693.

An Act to Attaint James Duke of Monmouth of High Treason.

An to two Private Acts.

A Proclamation against Spreading of a Traitorous Declaration Published by James Duke of Monmouth.

Whereas James Duke of Monmouth in order to excite and stir up our subjects to join with him in a rebellion against us, hath lately by his rebellious emissaries, published and dispersed a most vile and traitorous paper, against us and our government, entitled, The Declaration of James Duke of Monmouth, and the Noblemen, Gentlemen and others now in Arms, for Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Religion, and Laws, Rights and Privileges of England from the invasion made upon them, and for Delivering the Kingdom, from Usurpation and Tyranny of Us, by the name of James Duke of York: which Paper our Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Assembled in Parliament, have Justly Condemned to be burnt by the Hands of the Common Hangman, as containing the Highest of Treasons, which the utmost Malice of our most Implacable Enemies could falsely contrive against us: We out of our Princely Grace and Tenderness to our subjects, left any of them through Ignorance of the danger, they will inevitably incur thereby, my be missed to receive and entertain the said Traitorous Paper, or to publish the same to others their Fellow-Subjects, have though fit with the Advice of Our Privy Council, hereby to give Notice thereof, to ll out Loving Subjects, and do hereby strictly charge and command all our Lieutenants, Deputy-Lieutenants, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Mayors, Bailiffs, Headboroughs, High-Constables, Petty-Constables, and all other our Officers Military and Civil, and all and every person and persons, who shall publish, disperse or entertain without discovery thereof to the next Justice of the Peace, the said Traitorous Paper, to the End they may be Proceeded against as Traitors to Us, our Crown and Dignity, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.

Given at our Court at Whitehall the Fifteenth day of June 1685. And in the first year of our reign.

GOD SACE THE KING

 

James R.

Whereas an Humble Address hath been made unto us by our Commons Assembled in Parliament, That We by Our Proclamation would please to promise a reward of Five Thousand Pounds to such person or persons who shall bring the person of James Duke of Monmouth alive or dead; and whereas the said James Duke of Monmouth stands Attainted of High Treason by Act of Parliament; we do hereby by the advice of our Privy Council, Publish and Declare our Royal Promise and our Will and Pleasure, that whosoever shall bring in the body of the said James Duke Monmouth either dead or alive, shall receive and have reward of five thousand pounds, to be forthwith paid by our High Treasurer of England, for such his or their services.

Given at our Court at Whitehall the sixteenth day of June, 1685. In the first year of our reign.

GOD SAVE THE KING

Whitehall, June 17. 1685

We have an account that the Rebels are marched out of Lyme. There has been a small action at a place called Bridport about six miles from Lyme. On Sunday last about three o’clock in the morning the Duke of Monmouth marched out of Lyme with about 60 horse and 120 foot, and went with them two miles, but then left them to be commanded by Lord Grey (as one of the rebels has confessed since he was taken) whose horse was shot under him and forced to pull off his boots that the better make his escape. The rebels came into Bridport firing there guns and pistols very thick, and some of them attacked an Inn where they found about 10 horse and killed Mr Wadham Strangeways and Mr Howard Cocker, and wounded Mr Harvey who lives near Sherborne, during which time the rest of the Gentlemen who were volunteers, and the soldiers got to their arms, charged the rebels, killed about seven of them and took 23 prisoners, and made the rest run, leaving about 40 of their muskets behind them; but they carried off one of their officers that was killed.

The King has sent several officers with some troops to the west, where all things are in good posture, the gentry and militia being very forward to show their duty and loyalty to his majesty. And we do not hear of any one gentlemen or person of note gone to the rebels.

Edinburgh, June 11. 1685

We have a letter of yesterdays date from Glasgow, giving an account that the Earl of Argyll was marching with a design (as he gave out) to fight the Marquis of Athol, who is much longing to meet him; and that the traitor had brought his ships under the shelter of the Castle of Ellengreg; but that captain Hamilton was waiting for an opportunity to burn them; which he was confident he might do, whenever the wind should be fair for his sailing towards the castle. And it is also certified from the coast of Argyll, that captain Hamilton was seen sailing with a fair wind to the castle; so that we have no doubt but we shall in a very short time have a good account of both ships and rebels.