The secret history of White-Hall, from the restoration of Charles II down to the abdication of the late K. James writ at the request of a noble lord, and conveyed to him in letters, by ̲̲̲late secretary-interpreter to the Marquess of Louvois, who by that means had the perusal of all the private minutes between England and France for many years : the whole consisting of secret memoirs, which have hitherto lain conceal'd, as not being discoverable by any other hand / publish'd from the original papers, by D. Jones, gent.

LETTER XXIII. (Book 23)

Of Methods to be practised by King James for keeping up the Dispensing Power, and and particularly about discarding the Mili∣tia of the Kingdom.

My Lord,

I Have upon another occasion hinted somewhat to your Lordship of those Arguments urged to the King for the promoting of the Dispensing Power; and you know very well, since it has been put in practise in Westminster-Hall, in the Case of Sir F. H. and how that matter ter∣minated to the King's Satisfaction, and further heightening of his Perogative Royal, and how the same was established by the Concurrence of the Judges of the Land, if they may be so cal∣led, who authorized the same: These Points being gained, another Matter and that of an higher Consequence was agitated in the Cabi∣net Council, viz. to use some means totally to discard the Militia of England, and in liew of them to retain standing Troops in the Na∣tion; and to throw a little Dust in the Peo∣ple's Eyes, and amuse them so as that they might take little notice, or at least not oppose those their Proceedings, it was advised to act these previous things.

In order to Ballance the great Power of the City of London, it was projected to grant a Charter to that of Westminster, and that un∣der

the Pretence of its being the Royal Resi∣dence of the Kings of England, and of the su∣preme Court of Parliament, and therefore ought to be dignified with as ample Previledges as any City in the King's Dominions, London it self not excepted; and to have a Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen, Sheriffs, and all other Of∣ficers necessary both for the Support and Gran∣dure of it; that great Encouragement should be given to rich Merchants, wealthy Trades∣men, &c. to dwell there, and to transport a great part of their Trade thither, which would cause them to stick close to the Court, and Interests thereof.

And had this same Project gone on, it was al∣so projected to have a new Stone-Bridge, imi∣tating that of London, but built much broader, and more convenient, erected between the Pa∣lace-yard and the Horse-Ferry, and the King seems very eager and forward to promote so useful a Work.

Then the Mews was to be ditched round, and great care taken, as well as Expedition used to have it filled with Stabling and other Buildings, fit to receive and lodge a good Body of Horse, and to be made a Cittadel, under Pretence that such Troops should not be Troublesom and a Burthen to the said City.

And when all this was accomplish'd, which was concerted to have been brought about in a short Time, then the Militia of the Kingdom was to be new modelled, two or three Times over, and the new Lords Lieutenants of Coun∣ties, and other Officers chopp'd and chang'd to the Court's Mind, who should shew them∣selves willing to obey the Orders they were to follow, which were to this effect. That the

Militia should be ordered to meet in their seve∣ral respective districts, and there the Lord Lieutenants for the Time being were to ac∣quaint them, That since to serve in the Mili∣tia was but a trouble to them, as well as a Charge and Burthen to the Country, yet without any Use or Security to the Crown or Kingdom, when all our Neighbour Nations were armed with Veteran Troops, the King was advised and now thought fit to discharge them of the Trouble, and the Country of the Charge of maintaining of them for the future; and so order them to deliver up their Arms, to be distributed among regular Troops, that would be more useful and service∣able. But before this was to be put in Execu∣tion, it was, my Lord, resolved, a Toleration of Religion should be first granted, and severe Orders given to the Soldiers for to pay their Quarters duly, demean themselves quietly and orderly, and to abstain from any manner of Vi∣olence; and all manner of Persons, as well Protestants, Dissenters from the Church of England, as others of the Roman Communion, should be admitted into the Army, either as Of∣ficers or Soldiers, and if any of the Church∣men should grumble thereat, and begin to sto∣mach it, it should be alledged, There was no Reason in the World the King should be deprived of the Services of any of his Subjects however de∣nominated, as to their respective Religions, for the Carping of a few Churchmen, who were more concerned for their own worldly Interests, and so would have all Places of Profit confined to those of their own Stamp, than they were for the real Interest of the Church. Then there were to be sufficient Bodies of Soldiers to be placed all over England, to assist the Lords Lieutenants

to see all the forementioned Orders put quietly in Execution, and ready to suppress any Tu∣mult that might be occasioned thereby. This, my Lord, was the Projection, I shall endea∣vour to give your Lordship, in my next, an ac∣count of the Opposition made hereunto, as this and the rest have been lately entred here in our Minutes, from Papers transmitted by the Re∣sident of Modena and Count Dada the Pope's Nuntio in England, to the Resident of that Name, and Papal Nuncio in this Kingdom, and by them communicated to Monsieur Louvois; till then I am and ever shall be,

My Lord,

Your humble Servant.

Paris, Feb. 9. 1687. N. S.