JAMES THE SECOND.

ness of law they were no better entitled than any other setof persons to assume the executive administration. But it-was necessary to the public safety that there should be a pro-visional government; and the eyes of men naturally turnedto the hereditary magnates of the realm. The extremityof the danger drew Sancroft forth from his palace. He tookthe chair; and, under his presidency, the new Archbishopof York, five Bishops, and twenty-two temporal Lords, de-termined to draw up, subscribe, and publish a Declaration.By this instrument they declared that they were firmly at-tached to the religion and constitution of their country, andthat they had cherished the hope of seeing grievances re-dressed and tranquillity restored by the Parliament which theKing had lately summoned, but that this hope had been ex-tinguished by liis flight. They had therefore determined tojoin with the Prince of Orange, in order that the freedomof the nation might be vindicated, that the rights of theChurch might be secured, that a just liberty of consciencemight be given to Dissenters, and that the Protestant interestthroughout the world might be strengthened. Till His High-ness should arrive, they were prepared to take on themselvesthe responsibility of giving such directions as might be ne-cessary for the preservation of order. A deputation was in-stantly sent to lay this Declaration before the Prince, and toinform him that he was impatiently expected in London. *

The Lords then proceeded to deliberate on the coursewhich it was necessary to take for the prevention of tumult.They sent for the two Secretaries of State. Middleton re-fused to submit to what he regarded as an usurped authority:but Preston, astounded by his master’s flight, and not know-ing what to expect, or whither to turn, obeyed the summons.A message was sent to Skelton, who was Lieutenant of theTower, requesting his attendance at Guildhall. He came,and was told that his services were no longer wanted, andthat he must instantly deliver up his keys. He was succeededby Lord Lucas. At the same time the Peers ordered a letterto be written to Dartmouth, enjoining him to refrain from all* London Gazette. Dec. 13. 1688 .

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