[649] The following letter is addressed to Sir Joseph Williamson, Whitehall.—"Worthy Sir,—This day came the proclamation against Papists to Nottingham, being the last assize day. It was received with so much joy that bells and bonfires rung and flamed at that rate as they never did since His Majesty's restoration. The fanatics contended with the conformists who should show most zeal in expressing their joy for His Majesty's great grace. You may believe without swearing that neither this news, nor what the King did in the house last Saturday, was unwelcome to, Sir,
"Your most humble Servant,
"P. Whalley.
"Martij 15, 1672.
"If one of your clerks would take notice on't in the next Gazette, it would gratify the whole corporation."—State Papers, Dom. Chas. II.
[650] State Papers, Dom. Chas. II. Letter from W. Aston, 1676, April 3.
[651] State Papers, June 6, Nov. 10–13.
[652] State Papers, 1674, Jan. 20. Connected with this communication are papers containing drafts of advice for suppressing Popery. The Bishops of Canterbury, Durham, Winchester, Salisbury, Peterborough, Rochester, Chichester, and Chester, reply "that they observe with sorrow the growth of profaneness, Romanism, and Dissent;" "that they do not think any new laws are necessary for the purpose, but only the removal of such obstructions as have hitherto hindered the execution of them." What those obstructions were, the authors of this conclusion do not specify. There is another paper in the same bundle, recommending the Attorney-General to bestir himself in the matter, and that letters should be written to the Justices of the Peace; that there be a new general proclamation; that constables and churchwardens should be enjoined to search for suspected persons; and that the orders against priests, Popish seminaries, and resort of Papists to Court, should be fixed at the Court Gate, St. James's, and Somerset House.
[653] This is Reresby's own account. Ralph follows him, but in the imperfect reports of the debates in the Parl. Hist. (iv. 780), the statement in the House is said to have been made by Mr. Russel.
[654] Lingard, xii. 72.