ter rather than for it; and was a violent presump- 1688. tion of an imposture, and of an artifice to cover it. Many ladies deposed, that they had often seen the marks of milk on the queen's linen, near her breasts. Two or three deposed, that they saw it running out at the nipple. All these deposed, that they saw milk before the pretended delivery. But none of them deposed concerning milk after the delivery, though nature sends it then in greater abundance: and the queen had it always in such a plenty, that some weeks passed after her delivery, before she was quite freed from it. The ladies did not name the time in which they saw the milk, except one, who named the month of May. But, if the particulars mentioned before, that happened on Easter Monday, are reflected on, and if it appears probable by these that the queen miscarried at that time; then all that the ladies mentioned of milk in her breasts, particularly she that fixed it to the month of May, might have followed upon that miscarriage, and be no proof concerning the late birth. Mrs. Pierce, the laundress, deposed that she took linen from the queen's body once, which carried the 786 marks of a delivery. But she spoke only to one time. That was a main circumstance. And if it had been true, it must have been often done, and was capable of a more copious proof, since there is occasion for such things to be often looked on, and well considered. The lady Wentworth was the single witness that deposed, that she had felt the child move in the queen's belly. She was a bedchamber woman, as well as a single witness: and she fixed it on no time. If it was very early, she might have been mistaken: or if it was before Easter Monday, 1688. it might be true, and yet have no relation to this birth. This was the substance of this evidence, which was ordered to be enrolled and printed. But, when it was published, it had a quite contrary effect to what the court expected from it. The presumption of law before this was all in favour of the birth, since the parents owned the child: so that the proof lay on the other side, and ought to be offered by those who called it in question. But, now that this proof was brought, which was so apparently defective, it did not lessen but increase the jealousy with which the nation was possessed: for all people concluded, that, if the thing had been true, it must have been easy to have brought a much more copious proof than was now published to the world. 66 e 66 (See before, p. 750. The lady (It appears, from the De positions, that twelve ladies of high rank, six of whom were protestants, besides a great many protestant noblemen, physicians, and female attendants, attested in a very full and most satisfactory manner the delivery of the queen some of them swore, that they saw the navel string of the infant cut just after its separation from the mother. To this authentic document lies an appeal from the false representations here given. It is proper to bring forward what is added by dean Hickes to the testimony of lady Isabella Wentworth, before adduced. "We then happened "to mention her printed Depo 66 sition, which gave me occa"sion to say, that though it 66 was satisfactory, yet for the "sake of the prejudiced I wish "it had contained more parti"culars. Upon which she said, It was much observed, that princess Anne was 1688. not present. She indeed excused herself. She' thought she was breeding: and all motion was forbidden her. None believed that to be the true reason; for it was thought, that the going from one apartment of the court to another could not hurt her. So it was looked on as a colour that shewed she did not believe the thing, and that therefore she would not by her being present seem to give any credit to it 5. This was the state of affairs in England, while we lay at Helvoet-Sluys, where we continued till the first of November. Here Wildman created a 66 g I have reason to believe 66 66 66 66 66 66 6 1688. new disturbance. He plainly had a shew of courage, but was, at least then, a coward. He possessed some of the English with an opinion, that the design was now irrecoverably lost. This was entertained by many, who were willing to hearken to any proposition that set danger at a distance from themselves. They were still magnifying the English fleet, and undervaluing the Dutch. They went so far in this, that they proposed to the prince, that Herbert should be ordered to go over to the coast of England, and either fight the English fleet, or force them in: and in that case the transport fleet might venture over; which otherwise they thought could not be safely done. This some urged with such earnestness, that nothing but the prince's 787 authority, and Schomberg's credit, could have withstood it. The prince told them, the season was now so far spent, that the losing of more time was the losing the whole design: fleets might lie long in view of one another, before it could be possible for them to come to an engagement, though both sides equally desired it; but much longer, if any one of them avoided it: it was not possible to keep the army, especially the horse, long at sea: and it was no easy matter to take them all out, and to ship them again after the wind had stood so long in the west, there was reason to hope it would turn to the east and when that should come, no time was to be lost for it would sometimes blow so fresh in a few days as to freeze up the river; so that it would not be possible to get out all the winter long. With these things he rather silenced than quieted them. All this while the men of war were still riding at sea, it being a continued storm for some weeks. The prince sent out several advice boats 1688. with orders to them to come in. But they could On the twenty-seventh of ment. not come up to them. out more second On the first of November, O. S. we sailed out we sailed with the evening tide; but made little way that happily a night, that so our fleet might come out, and move in order. We tried next day till noon, if it was possible to sail northward; but the wind was so strong and full in the east, that we could not move. that way. About noon the signal was given to steer westward. This wind not only diverted us from that unhappy course, but it kept the English fleet in the river: so that it was not possible for them to come out, though they were come down as far as to the Gunfleet. By this means we had the sea open to us, with a fair wind and a safe navigation. On the third we passed between Dover and Calais, and before night came in sight of the Isle of Wight, |
