Great Britain -- History -- James II, 1685-1688 -- Sources -- Early works to 1800

schérif héréditaire et gouverneur des provinces d'Argile et de Turben en Écosse, portant l'ordre à ses vassaux et autres habitans desdites provinces, pour la défense de leur religion, vies et biens. The declaration of Archibald, Earl of Argile ... with his order to his vassals and others in the said shires, and under his jurisdiction, to concur for defense of their religion, lives and liberties.

Recounts the scandal of the rumor that James Frances Edward Stuart (son of James II and Mary of Modena) was a pretender prince smuggled into the royal chambers after Mary gave birth to a stillborn child.

[“Right of Parliament to vote on the accession of the princess Mary Stuart to the Crown of England, against the letter of the late King James the Pretender, to the Lords of the Secret Council, and counter-questions to the posed fifteen questions [regarding the legitimacy of the son of James II.”] Letter of King James II to the Privy Council, January 4, 1689, requesting that the Council assure the Lords in London and Westminster that James wished to return to England as king and establish a free parliament. Sent from St. Germain (France) on January 14, 1689.

[“The unrest imposed by scheming and false attacks from the newly crowned Lord William III, Prince of Orange, who conquered the Kingdom of Britain: all that has happened from the beginning [of the takeover] until now, briefly and accurately written by a trustworthy author. Cologne, Printed in 1689.”] On the causes of the current unrest in the Kingdom of Great Britain. On the ways in which the English Protestants exaggerated their grievances, and the Manifest issued by the Prince of Orange. Declaration: by Your Highness Lord William Henry, by the grace of God Prince of Orange, etc. Attachment to the declaration of Your Highness. To all officers and seamen currently in service of the English fleet. How the King of England has conducted himself in a manner contrary to this Manifest, and what has occurred due to the fortunate performance that has followed; signed by James the King. Copy of a letter from London on December 22, 1688. Letter from the King of England to the Dukes of Feversham, dated December 20, 1688 at Whitehall. Postscript, or sorrow and victory speeches between James II, King of Great Britain, and William, Prince of Orange.

[“Political considerations and state comments about the letter from Lord Fagel, councilor and Pensioner of Holland, in which he answers the letter from Lord James Stewart.”] Regarding the ongoing correspondence between Lord Fagel and (King James II) James Stewart about the repeal of the Test Act and penal laws. Original in French; no English version available. 1688.

[“Council inquiry to the Oraculum by the potentates of the earth, to determine whether the God-given Prince of Wales was a changeling, or if he was the legitimate son?”] Whitehall; Translated from the English to French, and from the French into High German; printed in the year 1688. Regarding the conflict over the legitimacy of the son of James II, James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766). When he was born, a rumor was spread (by supporters of the Williamites, or supporters of William III) that James F.E. Stuart was a changeling smuggled into the birth chamber after the true heir was stillborn. Although this rumor was most likely untrue, it persisted throughout his life.

[“Response by Father Peterson, Confessor to the King of England, responding to the June 10, 1688 letter from Father la Chaise, Confessor to the King of France. Regarding the details of the discovery and birth of the young Prince of Wales, as well as other political issüs. Printed…in the year 1688, the same year the betrayal was discovered.”] Ongoing correspondence between Father Peterson of England and Father de la Chaise of France, 1688.

[Newly discovered Jesuit attacks on the Protestants of England, in the two following recent letters between B. Petersen (Jesuit and Director of Alms to the King of Great Britain) and Father de la Chaife, Confessor to the Most Christian King of France. Wherein England's current circumstances and ongoing reformation, abolition of Test and Penal Laws and other strange things to be found within. Year 1688.] Most likely falsified letters between two Jesuits (de la Chaise and Edward Peter) planning a "popish plot" to eliminate the "heretic" Protestants from England. Peter was a close advisor to the Catholic James II (deposed King of England). Peter was a Catholic living in a Protestant English court under William & Mary and was highly unpopular. It was alleged that these men, among others, were plotting to overthrow King William and reestablish James II to the throne of England.

Two letters: 1. From “N.” to James II (then Prince of Orange) of England…..William, Prince of Orange, enters England armed; King James II of Great Britain fled with his wife and son the Prince of Wales to France……….2. From James II of England (then Prince of Orange) to Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham. Written the day before he fled to France after being deposed. TEXT: “Whitehall, December 11 [22nd new style], 1688: Things being come to that extremity that I have been forced to send away the Queen and my son the Prince of Wales, that they might not fall into my enemies' hands (which they must have done had they stayed), I am obliged to do the same thing, and to endeavour to secure myself the best I can, in hopes that it will please God, out of his infinite mercy to this unhappy passion, to touch their hearts again with true loyalty and honour. If I could have relied on all my troops I might not have been put to this extremity I am in, and would, at least, have had one blow for it. But though I know there are amongst you very many loyal and brave men, both officers and soldiers, yet you know that both yourself and several of the general officers of the Army told me it was no ways advisable for me to venture myself at their head or to think to fight the Prince of Orange with them. And there remains only for me to thank you and all those, both officers and soldiers, who have stuck to me and been truly loyal, and hope you will still retain the same fidelity to me. And though I do not expect you should expose yourselves by resisting a foreign army and a poisoned nation, yet I hope your former principles are so rooted in you, that you will keep yourselves free from associations and such pernicious things. Time presses me so that I can say no more. J.R. I must add this, that as I have always found you loyal, so you have found me a kind master as you shall still find me.“

Depositions by the Council Chamber at Whitehall regarding the legitimate birth of James Francis Edward Stuart ("Jacobite Pretender") on June 10, 1688. Son of James II (deposed 1688); raised in France and recognized by King Louis XIV as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.