"Anno MDCXCVII."(1) Amongst the authors are John Montagu Master of Trinity College, Sir William Dawes Master of Catharine Hall afterwards Archbishop of York, John Covel Master of Christ's College, Francis Hare of King's College afterwards Bishop of Chichester, Thomas Sherlock of Catharine Hall afterwards Bishop of London, Roger Gale of Trinity College, Robert Walpole of King's College, Robert Moss of Corpus Christi College afterwards Dean of Ely, John Leng of Catharine Hall afterwards Bishop of Norwich, and Joshua Barnes Greek Professor. The Vicechancellor presented a copy to the King at Kensington on the 2nd of December.(2)

On the 19th of November, the Duke of Somerset Chancellor presented to the King at Kensington a loyal address from the University on the conclusion of the peace of Ryswick. He was accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of Ely, Norwich, Peterborough, Lincoln, and Chichester; together with the Vicechancellor, several Heads of Houses, the Proctors, and the two Members of Parliament for the University. The King received the address very graciously, and assured the University of his protection for the welfare of the Church of England and for the encouragement of learning.(3)

The address was in these terms:

We your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects, the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of your University of Cambridge, do with all humility congratulate your Majesties return to your Kingdoms in safety, as that great and comprehensive blessing, which completes and confirms to us the happiness we owe to your Majesty, in the conclusion of a most honourable Peace. For as we have a more than common share in the Universal satisfaction which all Europe expresses upon this joyful occasion; so we and all your Majesties Subjects must esteem ourselves to be peculiarly happy in the enjoyment of your Royal presence, and in the security it gives us, that your Majesties most sacred person, on whose safety that of this Kingdom so much depends, is no longer exposed to the hazards of a foreign Expedition.

THE large part we were to have had in those miseries that lately threatened the Liberties, Properties, and established religion of the nation, instructs us to receive with a suitable thankfulness the glorious accomplishment of the deliveranee God has given us by your Majesty, under whose protection our entire confidence is, that we, and the whole Church of England shall still rejoyce, On this occasion, your Majesty will graciously allow us the liberty, unanimously, and in the most solemn manner to profess that we hold it our duty and interest, to pray for your Majesty's long and prosperous Reign over us; and withall to assure your Majesty, that we will employ our Fortunes, Studies, and utmost endeavours in the defence of your Majesties Sacred Person, and of your just and rightful Title to our Allegiance, against all your Majesties

(1) "Cantabrigiæ Typis Academicis." fo.

(2) London Gazette, No. 3346.

(3) London Gazette, No. 3342. See Oldmixon's Hist. of Addresses, 203.

Enemies and opposers whatsoever; and that we will use all possible care and diligence to instil those principles of Loyalty and firm adherence to your Majesty into all such persons as are, or shall be educated among us, which may demonstrate to your Majesty, and to the whole world, our unfeigned Zeal and entire affection to your Majesties Royal person and Government.

The following charges in the accounts of the treasurers of the town refer to the proclamation of peace and the thanksgiving :(1)~To Fuller Carrow for attending to proclaim ye peace with his trumpet, 5s. To ye Lord Orfords man for ye present of a Buck, £1.

To Mr. Rumbold for wine on ye Thanksgiving day, 18s.

To Mr. Lawson & partner for beer then, £1. 2s.

To Mr. Briggs for Cakes then, 6s.(2)

On the 4th of December, the Corporation seal was affixed to the subjoined address :—

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

THE HUMBLE ADDRESS of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of your
Majesty's Town of Cambridge.

GREAT SIR,

Your Majesty's safe return to your people, after the happy and honourable peace which your arms have obtained for us, as it hath filled our hearts with the truest sense of joy, so it raises in us the highest gratitude both to heaven and yourself by whom we are delivered from the greatest danger that ever these nations were threatened with.

THE difficulties your Majesty has gone through were so great that nothing could have conquered them but your Majesty's undaunted courage and resolution. MAY your Majesty live to enjoy the fruits of peace, and may all your subjects be so sensible of the blessings they receive from you that we may make all the sincere returns of duty and allegiance.

AND that your reign over us may be easy and happy, shall ever be the earnest desire and constant endeavours of your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects.

GIVEN under our Common Seal with free and unanimous consent, the fourth day of December in the ninth year of your Majesty's most gracious reign.(3)

This address was presented to the King at Kensington, on the 8th of December, by Sir John Cotton Bart. and Isaac Watlington Esq. the representatives in Parliament for the Town, who were introduced by the Earl of Orford.(4)

The Lord Lieutenant, Custos Rotulorum, High Sheriff, Deputy Lieutenants, justices of the peace, clergy, and gentlemen of the county also presented an address of congratulation on the peace.(5)

This year, a grace passed empowering the Vicechancellor, Dr. Balderston, Dr. Roderick, and the Proctors, or any two of them to

(1) On the 2nd of December.

(2) Accounts of the Treasurers of the Town, from Michaelmas 1696, to 14 March, 1697-98. (3) Corporation Coucher; London Gazette, 6 Dec. 1697.

(4) London Gazette, No. 3347.

(5) Oldmixon, Hist. of Addresses, 208.

administer the oath for preservation of the privileges of the University to the Undersheriff and his officers.(1)

Admiral Russell one of the Members for the county, having taken his seat in the House of Lords as Earl of Orford, (2) a contest to supply the vacancy thus occasioned took place between Sir Rushout Cullen of Isleham Bart. and Granado Pigott Esq. of Abington Pigotts. The poll was taken on the 16th and 17th of December. On the first day, Mr. Pigott had a majority of 150, but on the second day Sir Rushout Cullen was returned. Certain freeholders(3) petitioned against the return, but it was resolved that Sir Rushout Cullen was duly elected.(4)

1697) A grace appointing syndics for the management of the University (press passed the Senate on the 21st of January.(5)

98

1698.

By an act imposing a tax for disbanding forces, paying seamen, and other uses, which received the royal assent on the 2nd of April, the University and Town of Cambridge were charged £2,134 12s. 3ąd.(6) The sites of the Colleges, the stipends of the Masters, fellows, and scholars, and of the readers, officers, or ministers of the Universities and Colleges were exempted from charge.(7)

On the 5th of April, the Vicechancellor and Heads went to Newmarket to congratulate the King on his arrival at that place. They were introduced to his Majesty by the Duke of Somerset Chancellor of the University.(8)

(1) MS, Baker, xlii. 138 b.

(2) His patent is dated 7th of May, 1697, but his Writ of Summons was not issued till the 1st of December. He took his seat in the House of Lords on the 6th of December.

(3) Sir Christopher Hatton, Sir Richard Bennett, Baronets; Altham Smith, Thomas Birch, Malbon Caroll, John Millicent, Tyrrell Dalton, William March, Thomas Richars, Edward Nightingalle, Robert Drake, John Brownell, and Theophilus Tyrrell, Esquires; James Saywell, Thomas Dod, Roger Pyke, Thomas Ewin, and Thomas Fowle, gentlemen. It appears that the Earl of Orford recommended Sir Rushout Cullen. Lord Cutts, Sir Henry Pickering. Pickering, Esq., Tregonnel Frampton, Rowland, Esq., -Loane, Esq., and Mr. Sizer are mentioned as amongst the most active of Sir Rushout Cullen's supporters. (4) Commons' Journals, xii. 16, 77, 84.

ས

(5) Lib. Grat. p. 428.

(6) COMMISSIONERS "FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND TOWNE OF CAMBRIDGE." The Vice-Chancellor for the time being, The Mayor for the time being, The Honorable John Mountague Doctor of Divinity, The Honorable Henry Boyle, Esq., Sir William "Dawes, Baronett, Joseph Beaumont, Humphrey Gower, John Balderston, William Say"well, John Colvile, Samuel Blithe, James Johnson, Charles Roderick, Gabriel Quadring, "William Stanley, Thomas Browne, Thomas Smoult, Thomas Bainbrigg, Miles Barne, Henry James, Doctors in Divinity; William Cooke, George Oxendon, Richard Berry, "Doctors in Law; John Braddy, Christopher Green, Doctors in Physick; Isaac Newton, "Master of Arts, Sir Thomas Chichley Knight, Sir John Cotton Baronett, Isaac Watlington Esquire, Tanfield Lemon Esquire, Robert Drake junior Esquire, Nathaniel Crabb, Samuel Newton, Thomas Ewen, Thomas Fox, Thomas Fowle, Nicholas Eagle, Charles Chambers, "Thomas Walker, William Watson, John Frohock, Newling Aldermen; William Worts Esquire, John Perne Esquire, Hugh Martin Esquire, Robert Drake senior gent. William gent., Gerrard Herring gent., Daniel Love gent."

Barron

(7) Stat. 9. Gul. III. c. 10.

(8) London Gazette, No. 3381.

In Trinity term, the Court of King's Bench was moved to grant a mandamus, directed to the Mayor of Cambridge, commanding him to execute a judgment of nonsuit in the Town Court, in an action of debt for rent, by Wilkins against Mitchell, wherein the plaintiff was nonsuited. The Mayor refused to award execution for the defendant's costs, and took security from the plaintiff for his indemnity. The mandamus was refused on the ground that the defendant might have a legal remedy by writ de executione judicii out of Chancery.(1)

Amongst the stamp duties granted by an act which received the royal assent on the 3rd of July, was an additional duty of one shilling on every skin or piece of vellum or parchment and for every sheet or piece of paper upon which should be ingrossed or written any matriculation in either of the two Universities.(2)

Previously to the election of members of Parliament for the University (which took place in July), the Duke of Somerset the Chancellor addressed the subjoined letter to the Senate on behalf of the Hon. Henry Boyle M.A. who was elected in conjunction with Anthony Hammond Esq. :

For the Revd. Mr. Vicechancellor of Cambridge to be opened in full
Senatte.

Gentlemen,

London, July ye 7th, 1698.

If Mr. Boyle have by his actiones in Parliament deserved to bee continued farther as one of your Representatives then I doe with all duty & Service to your University humbly make an offer of him at your next Election which is not farr off, all people being in dayly expectation of his Majesty's soone dissolving this by Proclamation, & of issuing forth Writts to call a new one.

The Merrittes of this Gentleman I neede not enlarge on for ye proofs hee have given to the world are demonstrationes thereoff. Soe that I shall onely at present doe him that justice to say that his ambition is to bee continued one of your Representatives in the next Parliament, & that he hath at all times espoused your Interest with all ye zeale, diligence, & integrity imaginable. If I may thus farr presume to write to the most famouse & most learned of all Universities in the behalf of my friend & my Relation I doe in the most humble manner submitt him and my Selfe unto you all; I having noe other thought or ambition then what is most entirely for your Service, which I think I have given some proofes of that already & I am sure more doe only want more opportunities to show to the whole world that I shall at all times & for ever bee proude to own that I am

Gentlemen,

Your Most Obliged, most faithfull and most Obedient Humble Servant,
SOMERSET.(3)

(1) Modern Reports, xii. 196; Lord Raymond's Reports, i. 348; Salkeld's Reports, iii, 229. (2) Stat. 9 Gul. III. c. 25. Vide ante, F. 25.

(3) MS. Baker, xxx. 356.

The Earl of Nottingham also wrote very zealously to the University in favour of Mr. Hammond.(1)

On the 25th of July, Sir John Cotton and Sir Henry Pickering Baronets were elected members of Parliament for the Town. They seem to have been opposed, but the name of the other candidate does not appear.(2)

The following grace for regulating the right of voting in the Senate, passed on the 10th of October:

CUM orta sæpius ob controversum suffragiorum jus offense litesque gravissime certius aliquid de iis statui postulare videantur

PLACEAT VOBIS ut nulli aut theologiæ baccalaurei aut artium magistri sive in propriis sive in conductis ædibus sive in collegio aliquo commorantes atque ibidem in tabulis nomina sua bona fide non habentes apud vos in posterum jure suffragii fruantur nisi qui per sponsores idoneos a domino procancellario coram academiæ registrario approbandos omnia exercitia gradui et facultati suis competentia tum in templo beatæ Mariæ tum in scholis publicis se præstare pollicentur neque ut ad hoc jus admittantur nisi peracto integro trium mensium spatio post datam domino procancellario hac in re fidem utque hæc gratia vestra legis vigorem obtineat et procuratorum libris inscribatur.(3)

On the election of a fellow of Clare Hall on the foundation of Mr. Dickins, eight of the fellows voted for Mr. Jennings, whilst Dr. Blythe the Master and six of the fellows voted for another. The Master refused to admit Mr. Jennings, who obtained a mandamus from the Court of King's Bench, to which the Master and fellows returned their several statutes, by one of which the Chancellor of the University was appointed visitor of the College. An argument respecting this return took place in Michaelmas term, but it does not appear that the case was ever decided.(4)

1698) On the 7th of February, Edward Russell Earl of Orford (5) was elected High Steward of the Town in the room of Sir Thomas Chichley Knt. deceased.

99

(1) Vernon Letters, ii. 151.

(2) Corporation Common Day Book.

(3) Stat. Acad. Cantab. p. 406. See under 1728.

(4) Modern Reports, v. 404, 422.

(5) Edward Russell the second son of the Hon. Edward Russell (youngest son of Francis Russell the fourth Earl of Bedford) by Penelope daughter and co-heir to Sir Moses Hill, of Hillsborough Castle, in Ireland, and widow of Sir William Brooke, K.B., was born in 1652. He early embraced the naval profession; and after passing through the usual course of service, became the commander of several successive ships. He married his cousin the Lady Margaret Russell (daughter of William Russell fifth Earl and first Duke of Bedford) and was sometime one of the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to James Duke of York, but the execution of his brother-in-law, William Lord Russell, drove him from the Court. He was highly instrumental in bringing about the revolution, and commanded the ship which brought the Prince of Orange to England. On the accession of William and Mary he was admitted of the Privy Council and made a rear-admiral, and in May, 1691, he gained a splendid and decisive victory over the French fleet off La Hogue. In 1697, he was raised to the peerage by the titles of Baron Russell of Shengay, Viscount Barfleur and Earl of Orford. He was several times Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, First Lord of the Admiralty and one of the Lords Justices of England. He also held the offices of Treasurer of