JAMES THE SECOND.

325

The same Gazette which announced that the Houses were C! ™ p .about to meet contained a notification that Sir Edward Hales, 1688- "who, as a Papist, as a renegade, as the foremost champion ofthe dispensing power, and as the harsh gaoler of the Bishops,was one of the most unpopular men in the realm, had ceasedto be Lieutenant of the Tower, and had been succeeded byhis late prisoner, Bevil Skelton, who, though he held no highplace in the esteem of his countrymen, was at least not dis-qualified by law for public trust. *

But these concessions were meant only to blind the Lords ™ t j a 5' 0 ~and the nation to the King’s real designs. He had secretly a feint,determined that, even in this extremity, he would yield no-thing. On the very day on which he issued the proclamationof amnesty, he fully explained his intentions to Barillon.

“This negotiation,” said James, “is a mere feint. I mustsend commissioners to my nephew, that I may gain time toship off my wife and the Prince of Wales. You know thetemper of my troops. None but the Irish will stand by me;and the Irish are not in sufficient force to resist the enemy.

A Parliament would impose on me conditions which I couldnot endure. I should be forced to undo all that I have donefor the Catholics, and to break with the King of France. Assoon, therefore, as the Queen and my child are safe, I willleave England, and take refuge in Ireland, in Scotland, orwith your master. ” **

Already James had made preparations for carrying thisscheme into effect. Dover had been sent to Portsmouth withinstructions to take charge of the Prince of Wales; and Dart-mouth, who commanded the fleet there, had been orderedto obey Dover’s directions in all things concerning the royalinfant, and to have a yacht manned by trusty sailors in readi-ness to sail for France at a moment’s notice.*** The King nowsent positive orders that the child should instantly be con-veyed to the nearest continental port.f Next to ,the Prince* London Gazette, Nov. 29. Dec. 3. 1C8S; Clarendon’s Diary,

Nov. 29, 30.

** Barillon, December 1688.

James to Dartmouth, Nov. 25. 1688. The letters are in Dalrymple.

+ James to Dartmouth, Dec. 1. 1688.