Part 2, Folios 7-8. Letter dated at Whitehall from [Lord Rochester] to the Prince...

Part 2, Folios 7-8. Letter dated at Whitehall from [Lord Rochester] to the Prince of Orange that on Saturday morning last the King had the news of the Duke of Monmouth's landing at Lyme [Dorset] and on Sunday night got one of the declarations that was published at the Duke's landing. Rochester describes the declaration as 'the most villainous and abominable in its language, as well as traitorous, that was ever put forth certainly' and believes a copy will sent to the Prince from which he will see 'what little credit was to be given to his fair words and that there is not under the sun a worse man'. The King having acquainted both Houses 'with this scandalous paper', they were so enraged at it that in one morning they voted and passed a Bill of Attainder, which the King passed this morning, together with two bills of supply, giving the King an imposition on wine, vinegar, tobacco and sugar for eight years. Rochester gives this account to the Prince so that he may see how the Parliament continues zealous in their duty to the King and thinks 'there is little fear but that the late Duke of Monmouth will pass his time as he deserves'.