a messenger over to Taunton, on purpose, with a letter to one of the militia Colonels, whom he knew, then with the Duke of Albemarle, to let him know what was doing here. He hoped this might occasion the Duke of Albemarle's coming with his forces on to Bridgwater, which would have dashed the club design, and so have prevented the temptation which the Duke of Monmouth had from thence to come back. But the Duke of Albemarle being sent for back to Exeter, went thither. The above-mentioned Colonel called at my house, Friday,. where he had the copy of the above-said commission to the club men, that he soon after presented to the King. Before he came hither, he had the same day, June 26, sent a troop of horse to take up the person who read the commission, and offered to lead the club men against the Duke of Albemarle, as also the above-said Quaker. That troop met the former, who was committed to prison to the great regret of the rebel's army. But they missed the Quaker, who from this time, as vexed for his comrade and sensible of his own danger, increased his diligence in factoring with the Duke of Monmouth, and for him in the club design. He rides to the Duke, and persuades him that he has great numbers in readiness for him. He comes back to the club men, and puts them on with all possible earnestness to do their utmost. When the Duke was returning, he drove in divers countrymen to him, by telling them, that if they did not join they would most certainly be undone.

Saturday, June 27, we heard by deserters, of the difficulties which their companions in the rebel army laboured under in their motions eastward; when we began to be in pain, as thinking it possible that they might return to their old quarters, the country being left open as it was, and the club men being ready to receive and join

them.

Monday, June 29, I persuaded my relatives to go with me into the town of Bridgwater, to divert them from those melancholy thoughts, which the rebels' rudeness when here, and the present cloudy face of things had so disposed them in this private place, that they could* Sic Orig

not sleep quietly at home. While here, we found three militia Captains, with their rallied companies again shewing their heads.

On Tuesday, June 30, they, the said Captains sent a messenger with a letter to the club men, that day met together. The purport of it was to inquire after the cause of them so assembling, and to require them in the King's name to repair to their several homes. The messenger brought back word, that among those people he could meet with no head of them to give him an answer. But he understood from some of them, that the Duke was expected back into Sedgmoor the next day; and that they were resolved to meet him there. At the same time I was informed, by two of my neighbours and brethren that came into the town, as for their lives, that the above-said Quaker came from the Duke with a party of about 16 horse; had been in their parishes, and had taken up some, and had been seeking to make them prisoners; and that he, the Quaker, was going farther to adjust matters with the club men. Thereupon, I sent a servant over the hill to one of the houses where the Quaker and his party had been, to know the truth. He brought word, that the Duke and his army was certainly returning, and would be speedily in Bridgwater. Upon this the town was in a hurry. I rode with my charge and friends as far as I could westward. The militia soldiers, at first, went about to fortify the town, as if they meant to keep it against the Duke; but it was not long before they left it open to him, and followed us in our western progress. While we were upon the borders of Devon, hiding and shifting as well as we could, we learned that, Saturday, July 4, the above-mentioned Bristol vessel, with another cruising on the coast, and landing some men as they had done nearer our home, occasioned such an alarm there as had been with us, and that hundreds of the country people were running together, made to believe that no less than 8000 French, &c. were landed; till messengers, sent about on purpose, did assure them that the report was not true,

Sunday, July 5, a party of about 80 or 100 horse came, not far from us, to Dunster and Minehead, from Bridgewater to fetch horses and

arms, and the guns that lay upon the Kay at Minehead. We, hearing of their motions so near, and finding how the temper of the country was generally favouring the rebels, rode up to Honiton, where we met the good news given that morning in this place.

The next day we through danger rode safe home, where, using my best diligence to learn the truth of that great and important action, which by God's infinite mercy and blessing did put an end to that rebellion, I attained that notion of it, which I think to be pretty near the truth, and which I am in the next place to present you withall.

His Majesty's proclamation of pardon, to such as should within the prefixed time lay down their arms, came forth while the Duke of Monmouth was in the eastern part of the country; at Frome, I think. Upon this, divers of his chief men met to advise about what might be best for them to do. The result was, that seeing they could make nothing of their enterprize, they would persuade the Duke to go to some port, and take ship, and endeavour to save himself for a more favourable time, and leave all the army to take the benefit of the pardon offered to them. They repair to the Duke with this issue of their consultation. He is said to have been more heartily pleased with this motion, than with any thing that had happened to him since he left Lyme. But there were about him who overruled the business the other way; and resolutions being taken up to go on, all care was taken to hide the pardon from the multitude, and now they are upon their return westward.

The club men were appointed, as was said, to meet the Duke, Wednesday, July 1, in Sedgmoor. Many were there expecting him many hours before he came. Late that day he came and encamped in Pedwell Plain, a place toward the easterly and upper part of that moor, When there, some persons, members of the corporation, were sent to him from Taunton, to desire him that he would not bring his army back again thither, (which they feared about to do*) for that their town * Sic Orig. would be utterly ruined, as being exceedingly impoverished already,

The Duke is said to have replied, "They had done well not to desire "me to come from Lyme to them." One of them who came with this address is reported to have brought with him a copy of the King's proclamation of pardon, and to have so made it known among the soldiers, that the next morning, when they were called over, there were found to be a thousand of their men wanting. The Duke inquiring into the reason, and hearing how it came to pass, a party of horse was sent to Taunton to take up that person; who, being brought to Bridgwater, a prisoner, was threatened with death for his offence in publishing the proclamation. He was carried into the fight to take the fortune of war there; but met an opportunity of getting his liberty, and so made his escape.

On Thursday, July 2, the rebels marched into Bridgwater. It is said, that the Duke left his army to be led by the Lord Grey, and that himself giving it as a mark of particular kindness, did lead the club men. It was well for one, who was reported to have procured the troop of horse for taking up the Quaker and his companions mentioned above, that he was not at home and in their way. For some of their eminent men, who knew, used all their skill to learn where he was; one would give 40 guineas, pretending a desire to save him from danger; another, offered a troop of horse to guard him if he could be found out; so every common soldier passing through the parish, asked his neighbour where he was, and made proffers of five pounds to any that would discover him. And Friday, July 3, in the evening, the Duke himself sent a party of 30 or 40 horse to take him and his man up. These made a diligent search in every corner of his house for him. I mention this the rather, for it is an evidence that their minds were very much intent upon this club design, for otherwise it is not likely that they could have been so much concerned about one, whom they thought to have acted to their prejudice therein.

When come into Bridgewater, their first thought seems to have been for fortifying of the town; for which purpose, divers hundreds of labouring men were summoned in out of the country to begin a work.

But the chief men of the Duke's friends in the town, represented to him that they had not provisions for a siege, and that it would be easy for the King's army to fire the place, and therefore they desired the Duke to leave the town, and so save it from ruin. The labourers are presently neglected, and permitted to go home. And now, probably,

they took up the resolution of marching toward Bristol, which (though they amused the people with an opinion as if they intended to move toward Taunton, or nearer the coast westward,) it is, I think, certain they were resolved upon Friday, July 3.

Upon Sunday, July 5, the King's army, consisting of about 4000 men, marched from Somerton. About noon they encamped in Zog, in the parish of Chedsey under Weston, 2000 foot, in five regiments, lodge in the camp; 500 horse quarter in Weston; 1500 militia men took up their quarters in Middlesoy, Othery, &c. a mile or two distant from Weston. One of the parish of Bridgwater being in the moor to look after his cattle, saw their coming and manner of incamping, goes into the town to the Duke, tells him all that he had seen, informs him of the way to the camp through North Moor, and was rewarded by the Duke with a guinea for his pains. The Duke forthwith goes up to the church tower, views all lying open to him there with a perspective glass. Coming down, he calls a council of war, in which it was agreed upon to assault the King's camp. The news of this flew among the Duke's friends, insomuch, that at a place 12 or 14 miles from Bridgwater, where had been risings of club men and meetings, one of them calls to the people coming out of church after evening service that very afternoon, with all speed to hasten to the Duke's assistance; for he had the King's army in a pinfold, under Weston; adding that if they should not make haste, they would certainly slip away from them. That evening, between nine and ten of the clock, the Duke leads his army out of Bridgwater with great silence. He did not take the nearest way to Weston, which was three miles in length, by which he went, June 22, and returned July 2, but he took the long causey, and so made his march near five miles long before he could reach the King's camp. He left the way by that short causey through Chedsey,