England under Charles II. from the Restoration to the Treaty of Nimeguen, 1660-1678: English History from Contemporary Writers
Taylor, W. F.
1889
Complications arising from the disbandment of the army. Rugge's MS. Diary, vol. i., pp. 228, 229. Dec.
In this month one major White was committed prisoner to the Tower as report said for endeavouring plots and make a disturbance against kingly power, as that [quest] for those was made, and the king's guards doubled and cannon mounted in Whitehall, a regiment of trained bands, a company, a night appointed to watch, Duke Albemarle's regiment of foot came from the Tower and quartered in the suburbs of Westminster, many persons [were] committed, as major [general ] Overton, colonel Zanchy . . and other colonels! Now as soon as this aforesaid plot as it was reported to be got amongst guards at the Tower, in the City, and at other places, that was suspected prejudicial to his Majesty, was very narnowly [enquired ?] into, and for almost a fortnight all the talk was a plot . . most part of the army was disbanded, and for the most part of them they came up to London to endeavour a livelihood and the like, so that some reported as if they had a design to band again if possible, but that [resolve ?] was by degrees talked of when nothing but report was the thing; but, however, to prevent further trouble of the melancholy [i.e. malcontent] soldiers disbanded, his Majesty was pleased to put forth this proclamation; the head of it was thus- | |
By the King, A Proclamation commanding all cashiered officers | |
41 | and soldiers and other persons that cannot give a good account of their being in London and Westminster other than such as shall be approved by some of his Majesty's council or the committee for disbanding the army, to depart from the said cities of London and Westminster, and not to return without our leave. |