Folios 287-290. A letter from [Lord President] Carmarthen to King [William III],...

Folios 287-290. A letter from [Lord President] Carmarthen to King [William III], dated at London, concerning the Royal Navy, Ireland, and Scotland. [Following defeat at Beach Head, the victorious] French have left the English coast. The [?allied] fleet has mostly sailed to the Downs, where those from Portsmouth [Hampshire] have all arrived, except the 'Ossory'. However, the ships from Holland are not yet come, and Monsieur [Admiral] Evertse is delayed. The French have sent a squadron to the Streights [Straits of Gibraltar], creating concern for merchant ships there. Suggests laying up some first- and second-rate ships for a winter guard. On the establishment of a commission of the Admiralty, some are refusing to sign, and have scruples about a commission for a trial of [Admiral] Lord Torrington. The militia are dismissed, and all the prisoners are to be jailed. It is proposed to prorogue parliament until September. [Concerning the campaign in Ireland], the Queen [Mary II] says the King expects to come to Dublin from Limerick, and the French have gone to Galloway. Also details a confession to the Queen by Lord Annandale concerning the [Jacobite] Montgomery Plot, involving transactions with 'the late King James' [II], mentioning Sir James Montgomery, Lord Ross, Sir Robert Clark, Captain Williamson, Neville Paine [Payne], 'one Symsson' [Simpson], and [Robert] Ferguson [?the Plotter]. Reflects that enemies at home may present more challenge than those abroad. On personal matters, Carmarthen request William to act as Godfather of his grandson; and he states that he has, himself, been unwell.