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three, Papillion, Dubois, and Box, the court candidate. The sheriffs, on the other hand, opened the poll for all four. At the close of the poll the sheriffs came forward and declaredR the numbers to stand thus:

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2414

North

And against confirmation

The Lord Mayor, on the other hand, declared that Papillion and Dubois had but 60, and Box 1244. The Lord Mayor declared Box to be the other sheriff, and the sheriffs declared Papillion and Dubois. Box having fined off, another election took place on the 19th of September, when a Mr. Rich being put up, there was such a noise of No Rich, that nothing could be heard. Upon which the sheriffs granted a poll, and the majority again appeared for Papillion and Dubois. But the Lord Mayor, whilst the poll was ad journed, came forward and declared Mr. Rich duly elected. On the 29th of September, Mr. North and Mr. Rich, the one chosen by an unlawful mode, and the other by open violence, were sworn, and took possession of their offices.

The Court soon had an opportunity of making use of their new power. The Duke of York was, about this time, recalled from Scotland, chiefly

for the purpose of making an arrangement of his revenue, by which the Duchess of Portsmouth was to receive 5000l. a year out of the postoffice. "All this while," says James, in his memoirs, speaking of himself, "the Duke knew very well his revenue was so settled, that nothing but an act of parliament could alienate any part of it; which he took care not to mention to any living soul, lest that might have made the King lay the thoughts of it aside, or made her solicit for a Parliament, which would have given that project a mischievous turn, and done him hurt instead of good." Soon after his return, Pilkington, formerly sheriff, being accused of saying, on a report that the Duke intended to leave Scotland, "He has already burned the city i he is now coming to cut all our throats," was convicted and sentenced to pay 100,000l. damages.* A fine, extending to the ruin of the criminal, and directly contrary to the spirit of our laws. Sir Patience Ward, formerly. mayor, having given evidence that he did not hear the words spoken by Pilkington, was condemned to the pillory for perjury.

The election of the sheriffs seemed to complete the victory of the throne over the people.

In the Life of James, this trial is placed in May 1683, instead of which, it ought to be Nov. 24, 1682. N. Luttrell's Diary.

It was evident, from the past conduct of the Court, that they would now select whom they pleased for condemnation.

Lord Russell received the news with the regret which, in a person of his temper, it was most likely to produce. Lord Shaftesbury, on the other hand, who was provoked at the apathy of his party, received with joy the news of the appointment of the sheriffs, thinking that his London friends, seeing their necks in danger, would join with him in raising an insurrection. He hoped, at first, to make use of the names of the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Russell, to catch the idle and unwary, by the respect paid to their characters; but when he found them too cautious to compromise themselves, he endeavoured to ruin their credit with the citizens. He said that the Duke of Monmouth was a tool of the Court; that Lord Essex had also made his bargain, and was to go to Ireland; and that, between them, Lord Russell was deceived. * It is a strong testimony to the real worth of Lord Russell, that, when he made himself obnoxious, either to the Court or to the more violent of his own party, the only charge they ever brought against him was, that of being deceived,

* Burnet.

either by a vain air of popularity, or too great a confidence in his friends.

Lord Shaftesbury, finding himself deserted, then attempted to raise an insurrection, by means of his own partisans, in the city. The Duke of Monmouth, at various times, discouraged these attempts. On one of these occasions, he prevailed on Lord Russell, who had come to town on private affairs, to go with him. to a meeting, at the house of Shepherd, a winemerchant.

Lord Shaftesbury being concealed in the city at this time, did not dare to appear himself at this meeting, but sent two of his creatures, Rumsey and Ferguson. Lord Grey and Sir Thomas Armstrong were also there; but nothing was determined at this meeting.

Soon after this, Lord Shaftesbury, finding he could not bring his friends to rise with the speed he wished, and being in fear of being discovered if he remained in London any longer, went over to Holland. He died in January, 1683.

The year, which thus began with the death of Shaftesbury, was nearly fatal to the liberties of England. The surrender of the city's charter, and its renewal on the most abject terms; the decree of the university of Oxford, enforcing slavery as a moral and religious duty; the deaths

of Russell and of Sidney, were deep, and almost mortal wounds to our constitution.

After Shaftesbury was gone, there were held meetings of his former creatures in the chambers of one West, an active, talking man, who had got the name of being an atheist. Col. Rumsey, an officer who had served under Cromwell, and afterwards in Portugal; Ferguson, who had a general propensity for plots; Goodenough, who had been under-sheriff; and one Holloway, of: Bristol, were the chief persons at these meetings. Lord Howard was, at one time, among them. Their discourse seems to have extended itself to the worst species of treason and murder; but whether they had any concerted plan for assassinating the King, is still a mystery. Amongst those who were sounded in this business, was one Keeling, a vintner sinking in business, to whom Goodenough often spoke of their designs. This man went to Legge, then made. Lord Dartmouth, and discovered all he knew. Lord Dartmouth took him to Secretary Jenkins, who told him he could not proceed without more witnesses. It would also seem that some promises were made to him; for he said in a tavern, in the hearing of many persons, that " he had considerable proffers made him of money, and a place worth 1001. or 801. per

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