Mr. John Mackenzyes Narrative OF THE Siege of London-Derry A False Libel, &c.
AND indeed is it come out at last? Have the zealous Hammer-men at length beaten it into some shape? Is this the accurate Journal of the Siege, which by the unanimous Verdict of the Club, was Voted to be Published in the Mock-Apology, for the Failures in Mr. Walkers Narrative? Or, is it a Comment on Mr. Boys's Vindication of Mr. Osborn? In which he pretending Moderation, and a Calmness of Spirit, with sly Insinuations, detracts from the Credit of Dr. Walker, and lessens his Reputation, while he commends his Care and Fidelity, in over-seeing the Stores, and distributing the Provisions of Derry, and being a notable Marks Man, at one shot, he knocks down the ambitious Governour, and the credulous Gentleman, who writ the Observations on the Narrative.
Just so, when Dr. King, and Peter Mamby were picqueering, he took up a Flaile, and thresht them both; and while the Dr. was engaged in a Duel, with a pernicious Apostate from the Protestant Religion, he came behind his back, and stab'd him, only because he incidentally reflected on that Perswasion, of which Mr. Boys is ambitious to be thought the celebrated Champion; with the same dexterity he manageth the Vindication of Mr. Osborn, that by the Priviledge of that Opportunity, he may with ingenious Sarcasms, disparage Dr. Walker, and vilify his Friend; but if he has no better luck at his Lectures, than he has at writing of Prefaces, (for I am perswaded there was no other part assign'd to him in Mr. Mackenzyes Farce, but to speak the Prologue) he will have just Reason to wish he had been better inform'd, and not suffered his Zeal to transport him beyond the Limits of Truth.
As for the malicious and satyrical Pamphlet, which passeth under the [Page 2] Name of Mr. John Mackenzy, (but at best, can be but a Translation, since he is not capable of writing so many Leaves in true and proper English) though it pretend to be a true and exact Diary of the Siege; it is really intended for an Invective against Dr. Walker. It would fain be accounted an impartial Narrative of the particular Actions of those Gallant Men, who defended the Place, but it insensibly degenerates into a palpable partiality, and an ungenerous design, to magnify a Party, and exclude the rest; it is a long-winded Paraphrase upon a short Text, and the whole Substance of the Book may be resolved into two Lines, viz. All the brave and glorions Actions in that Siege, were performed by the Dissenters, and Collonel Murray at the Head of them; all inglorions Actions and treacherous Attempts, are to be imputed to the other part of the Garrison, and principally to Dr. Walker.
I do not intend to set out an Anti-Narrative, or to trouble my self with a Confutation of many passages in that scurrilous Account, wherein the Chaplain takes upon him, the place of a Field Officer, and recites the particular Proceedings of particular Men in the Management of their Sallies, directly contrary to what has been related by those very persons who were ingaged in them. I shall only apply my self to demonstrate to the World, what a dangerous Spirit of Lying is in the Mouth of this small Prophet, and how this Chaplain in Quirpo, does piously obtrude upon us such things, as are evidently and inexcusably false, in point of Fact.
I shall, according to due Method, begin with the Preface, and take the Liberty, under the Protection of Innocence and Truth, positively to contradict the most material Points in it, howsoever it be ushered in, under a bold Asseveration, with a brassy Impudence: The Penner of the Preface, personating Mr. Mackenzy, will have the poor Man to say, I have offered this Part of the Narrative to be reviewed by such of the Officers of Derry, as are now in Town, several of whom, as, Collonel Crofton, Collonel Murray, Lieutenant Collonel Blair, Captain Alexander Sanderson, &c. having heard it read, &c. freely professed their Assent to it: I admire that men who pretend to Integrity and strictness of Life, can presume thus grosly to prevaricate.
The Word Such is commonly used by way of Exception, but in this place it must be meant by way of Comprehension, Such of the Officers as are now in Town, i. e. the Officers now in Town. I have spoke with them all but five at most, and am fully satisfied, that that part of the Preface is a studyed and deliberate Lye; for as to the four Persons who are particularly named, two of them did solemnly aver in my hearing, and in the hearing of many Credible Persons, that they did not hear that part of the Narrative wholly read, and what was read, they did not approve of; and a third hath ingenuously certified under his hand, as follows, and one of the three has descended to Particulars.
We the under-subscribers, Officers of London-derry in the following List mentioned, do hereby declare, That Mr. John Mackenzy, or any for him, never read all that part of his Pamphlet, Intituled, A Narrative of the Siege of London-derry, &c. to them that related to London-derry, before the same was Printed, as in the Preface to the said Pamphlet is set forth, nor did the said Subscribers assent to what they heard read, but on the contrary, objected against several things they heard read, and having seen the said Pamphlet since it was Printed, do not assent to, or approve of it. As Witness our Hands this 9th. day of April, 1690.
I the under-written did not assent to two particulars in Mr. John Mackenzy's Book, viz. the Articles against Dr. Walker, and the discouraging Sermon, not knowing any thing of them.
And if by his, &c. he means such of the Officers of Derry as are now in Town, I shall for the satisfaction of the Reader, and the everlasting shame of the Preface Monger, present first a List of the London-Derry Officers now in London, who are in Number Twenty Four, and then a Certificate under the Hands of Seventeen of them, in perfect contradiction to that Paragraph in the Preface.
- Col.
Hamills's Regiment.
- Col. Hugh Hamil.
- Capt. Rich. Aplen,
- Capt. Rob. Rogers,
- Ensi. Oliver Aplen,
- Serje. James Linsy.
- Col.
Bakers Regiment.
- Capt. William Ruxton,
- Capt. Archib. Maculloch,
- Lieut. Michael Reed,
- Lieut. Robert Lowther,
- Lieut. Thomas Keise.
- Col.
Crofton's Regiment.
- Col. Rich. Crofton,
- Lieut. Mich. Boyer,
-
- Ensign John Brush.
- Col.
Murray's Regiment.
- Col. Ad. Murray,
- Capt. Sa. Murray,
- Q. M. W. Anderson
- Q. M. Alex. Heron,
-
- Capt. Alexander Watson, Captain of the Gunners, and Chief Engineer.
- Richard Skamon, Gunner.
- Col.
Lance's Regiment.
- L. C. Tho. Blayer,
- Cap. Steph. Godfry,
- Lieu. Mat. Clarck,
-
- Edward Carling, Store-keeper of Provision.
- Col.
Walker's Regiment.
- Capt. Alex. Sanderson
We the under-named Subscribers, London-derry Officers, in the above List mentioned, do hereby declare, That we never saw a Pamphlet, Entituled, A Narrative of the Siege of London-derry, &c. or any part of it published by Mr. John Mackenzy, until after it was [Page 4] Printed; and having perused it since, do not approve of it, as Witness our Hands this Nineth Day of April, 1690.
- Edward Curling,
- Robert Rogers,
- Michael Reed,
- John Brush,
- Oliver Aplen,
- Richard Skamon,
- Richard Aplen,
- Robert Lowther,
- Thomas Baker,
- James Linsy,
- Stephen Godfrey,
- Hugh Hamill,
- Alexander Watson,
- William Ruxton,
- Michael Boyer,
- Archib. Macullocb.
But good Mr. Mackenzy, or whosoever else was so courteous to Write that elaborate Preface, did you really find it necessary to expose Dr. Walker at such a rate, by taking notice of the Articles against him? Did you find it requisite so bluntly to scorn and ridicule him to represent him as a Jack-a-lent, a Sancho Pancha, or a fabulous Hero? This is rudeness in the abstract, this is a Language that deserves a more severe reprehension, than the lash of a Pen.
As for this latter Part, wherein you so Magisterially degrade him from his Station of Governour, and so spitefully detract from his Fame and Reputation, I shall presently confront you with the concurrent Testimonies of many of the Officers of the Garrison, acknowledging and owning him to be Governour from the very beginning of the Siege, as well as attesting his singular Prudence and Circumspection in the management of the Provisions and Stores.
For the other part of the Libel which impeacheth him of Treachery, and asperseth him with a Train of Articles, which never were exhibited but in Mr. Mackenzy's defamatory Narrative, it is a matter of too great Importance to be answered, only with a bare denyal, it toucheth to the quick, and it will concern Dr. Walker to labour in the Justification of himself, and I am fully perswaded that Mr. Mackenzy and his Accomplices will find to their cost, that tho' Dr. Walker do not arrogate to himself the Title of a Hero, yet he will not be found so tame and insensible an Animal, to suffer himself to lie under such intollerable Calumnies, but will use all legal means to obtain a Reparation, and a competent Recompence for the exorbitant damages he sustains by a scandal so highly injurious.
I say, that tho' Dr. Walker do not arrogate to himself the Title of an Hero, yet I can tell who they are that would have made him one, when they advised him to enter the City of London publickly, that so he might be Huzza'd into Town like a Champion indeed; which he modestly declined, ordering the Coach-man to drive him to his Lodgings by all the private ways he could, which accordingly he did, by going out of the usual Road, and so disappointed the expectation of many; for the Truth of which, I appeal to that worthy Gentleman, Sir Robert Cotton Knight, of the Shire of Chester, in whose Coach he was conveyed into Town.
[Page 5] I can tell further who that Noble Lord was (for I was present) who next Morning after the Dr's coming to London, would have made him a Hero indeed, and of his own party, by advising him to wait on His MAJESTY in a Souldiers Habit, and as became the Governour of London-derry; but the Dr. begg'd his Pardon, and quickly crept into the Black-Coat, which disappointment has occasioned all this cry; and ever since, that party have proclaimed open Hostility against him, and are not to be reconciled upon any other Terms, than a compliance with their extravagant Humours, and verifying what they writ from Scotland to their Brethren in England, upon the Dr's first Arrival there from Derry, that Governour Walker had laid aside both his Gown, and his Principles of the Church of England; this was inserted as well in publick as private Letters.
I must retreat again to the Preface, for there the Venom lies. In the body of the Narrative; I find no positive assertion, that Dr. Walker was not Governour of London-derry, he seems to be past over in silence, and we are to believe him not to have been so from the negative Authority of the Narrator; for so page 30 th. speaking of the Council met for Electing of a Governor, he tells us what Persons were Nominated, and Major Baker had the Majority of Votes, and was chosen their Governour, and this, according to his Journal, was on the 19 th. of April, besides a brief insinuation, page 62. that he was not Governour, tho' he was wont to crowd in his Name.
Now I shall produce a Certificate under the Hands of Seventeen Officers actually in service in London-derry, during the whole Siege, and now in London, who in all reason may be presumed to know who was the Governour of that Garrison, wherein they so Frankly Adventured their Lives, as well as he who fosters the Narrative, or as he who penn'd the Preface; and it is thus;
These are to Certify, That Dr. George Walker, during the whole time of the Siege of the City of London-derry, and until Major General Kirke came into the said City, Executed the Place & Office of Governour of the same, joynt with Collonel Henry Baker, until the said Bakers sickness (whereof he died) and after with Col. John Michelbourn (who was in a General Meeting of the Field, and other Officers of the said Garison Elected to Act as Governour in the said Col. Bakers Place during his sickness) as well in all things, relating to the Military Affairs of the said City, as in seeing the Provisions gathered and distributed, the management of the Provisions being a great means by which the said City held out so long. Witness our Hands this Nineth of April, Anno Domini, 1690.
- Edward Curling,
- Robert Rogers,
- Michael Reed,
- John Brush,
- Oliver Aplen,
- Richard Skamon,
- Richard Aplen,
- Robert Lowther,
- Thomas Baker,
- James Linsy,
- Stephen Godfry,
- Alex. Watson,
- Hugh Hamill,
- Alex. Sanderson,
- William Ruxton,
- Michael Boyer,
- Archib. Maculloch.
[Page 6] In the next place I will shew you a Certificate from Captain Joseph Bennet, who commands a Company in his Majesties Army, whose Declaration ought to be regarded as much at least as Mr. Mackenzy's.
These are to Certify, That I being in the Garrison of London-derry, in the beginning of the Siege laid before that Town, by the Late King James and his Forces, & when Col. Robert Lundy absconded, the Forces in the said Garison, chose Dr. George Walker, and Col. Henry Baker their Governours, who were in pursuance of such Election, sworn Governours of the said Garison, to Defend and Hold out the same for Their present Majesties KING William and QUEEN Mary, and the Protestant Religion, that after the said Governours were sworn, I saw Dr. Walker, and Col. Baker, Sign several Writings as Joynt-Governours, some of which writings were sent out of the Town to Col. Richard Hamilton, then Lieutenant-General of the late King James his Forces in that Province, in answer to some Letters of his, directed to the said Governours, for the Releasment of Capt. Darcy, Mr. Blacker, and Lieut. Twinihow, then Prisoners in London-derry; and afterwards I was sent by the said Governours to KING William, for Relief to the said Garison, and made my way through the Enemies Camp, but being first taken prisoner, was brought before the said Col▪ Richard Hamilton, and heard both the Duke of Berwick, and him, call the said Dr. Walker, & Col. Baker, Governours: I further Certify, That at my leaving London-derry, the said Dr. Walker gave me Money to bear my charges in the presence of the other Governour Col. Baker, and upon my coming to London, acquainted the KING with the same, and never heard that the said Dr. Walker was denied to be one of the Governours till of late. Witness my Hand this Thirteenth day of April, 1690.
But to drive the Nail home, take the Testimonial of Gervase Squire, Esq; present Mayor of London-derry, and who Acted and Suffered in it during the whole Siege, a Person of that Integrity and Candor, that his bare asseveration would influence and sway a Jury in his own Country.
I do hereby Certify, That Dr. George Walker, during all the time of the Siege of the City of London-derry, & until Major General Kirke came into the said City, Executed the Office and Place of Governour of the same, joynt with Col. Henry Baker, until the said Bakers sickning (of which he died) and after, with Col. John Michelbourn who was in a General Meeting of the Field, & other Officers of the said Garison Elected to Act as Governour in the said Bakers Place during his sickness) as well in all things relating [Page 7] to Military Affairs, as in seeing the Provisions gathered and distributed: the Management of the Provisions to the best advantage was a great Means by which the said City held out so long; and I do also Certifie, that it being agreed upon by the said Governours and Council, that I should administer an Oath of Fidelity, (then agreed upon to be taken by the said Governours and Council) I administred the said Oath to the said Dr. Walker and Coll. Baker as Governours of the said City, (the said Dr. Walker having the precedency) as well as to the Members of the said Council, all which I am ready to depose upon Oath, if required: And I farther certifie that I never saw a Pamphlet intituled A Narrative of the Siege of London-derry, or any part of it, published by Mr. John Mackenzy, until after it was Printed, and having perused since, I do not approve of it. Witness my Hand the 9 th. day of April, 1690.
I do not think it either necessary or requisite to multiply any more instances in this Case to confirm what I have undertaken, and to disprove the unjust Scandals suggested in Mr. Mackenzy's Libel, nevertheless I shall ex abundanti, subjoyn two or three Passages in Letters formerly written, which are now in my Hands, the first is from Alex. Saunderson, one of the Captains in London-derry.
UNderstanding that you were at London, I give you these from this sad Besieged Place: It were long and tedious to give you a full Account of all our Tragedies, seeing you may have a full Account of the whole particulars from our Noble and Worthy Governour Walker, which I am sure will much astonish you, when you hear of it, of the streights and difficulties we endured, and yet by the Providence of God, who was on our side, and the extraordinary good guidance of our Worthy Governour, who managed Affairs in this Garrison to a most extraordinary advantage for our preservation and subsistence, which the end hath proven, &c.— My Pen wou'd fain lead me on to give you a farther Account of particulars, but as I said before, he only can give it you at large, being privy to all by Night and by Day.
The next is from Thomas Blayre, a Lieutenant Collonel in London-derry.
I Ʋnderstand by the Kings Letter, that of the four Regiments Major General Kirk left unreduced, at London-derry, there is now but three of them to stand, &c. I humbly intreat that you would among the rest of your many Favours add this one, of being an instrument of preserving us, by dealing effectually with the King that we may be continued, which we doubt not by your Care therein, and by giving an account of our more than ordinary Necessity, you will prevail to the relief of the whole Regiment, and also put a singular Oblgation on
The other is from the Officers in Collonel Lance's Regiment.
WE your fellow Sufferers of Coll. Lance's Regiment, have sent over to wait on you Capt. Stephen Godfrey, one of the Captains of our Regiment, to give you to understand, how thankful we are to God, that he hath been pleased to give you Favour in their Majesties eyes to reward and promote you according to your deserts, which is to our knowledge but part of what you deserve, and it shall always be our Prayers, that you may continue in that Favour, that you and yours may flourish to all Eternity, &c.
- Tho. Blair.
- Stephen Miller.
- George Holmes.
[Page 9]These things I have the rather mentioned, because Lieutenant Collonel Blayr, and Captain Alexander Sanderson are two of the four persons, who are so confidently mentioned in that Religious Preface, to have freely profest their assent to the Narrative; and being well known to be Men of approved Honesty and Integrity, it can be look't upon as no other than a malicious Libel against their Credit, of which I presume, they will be so tender, as to consult a proper Vindication of it.
Nay, what is very fit to be taken notice of, I can shew a Certificate in favour of Coll. Hamil, subscribed by 16. Officers in London-Derry, whereof 5. are Collonels, August the 4 th. 1689. wherein they testifie, that the said Hamil was made a Collonel of Foot, by Collonel Henery Baker, and Collonel George Walker then Governours of that City, and among them, not only Collonel Crofton, and Lieutenant Collonel Blair, and Captain Saunderson, but even Collonel Adam Murray himself hath Subscribed his Name.
There is no need to say any more on this occasion, but because in that Libellous Narrative, pag. 37. one of the Articles against Doctor Walker, is for selling or embezling the Stores, and that this supposed Article, occasioned an Order of Council, that Mr. Walkers note, should not be accepted by the Keepers, till Signed by the Governor, or Major Adams, I shall produce a Certificate under the very Hand of the Keeper of the Stores, who in a very indifferent Mans Judgment, will be allowed to know, and presumed to speak the truth.
THese are to certifie, that whereas in a late Pamphlet written by Mr. J. Makenzy, intituled a Narrative of the Siege of London-Derry; It is mentioned (amongst other things) That Dr. Walker late Governour of the said City, did fell and embezle the Stores of the said Garrison, and that the said Dr. was so inconsiderable there, that his note was not accepted by the Store-Keepers of Provisions for delivery of any out, unless the same was first signed by the Governor and Major Adams, thereby insinuating that the said Dr. was not Governour of the said City: I do hereby declare, that the said Dr. neither did or could fell or embezle any of the Stores, the same being in the Custody of the Store Keepers, and never delivered out to any, but for the necessary use of the Garrison, by Order from the Governours; and I do further declare, that I was made Store Keeper of the Provisions at the beginning of the Siege, and continued so to the end. And did from time to time deliver out Provisions upon the said Dr. Walkers Order as Governour, in which Station he continued in great esteem among us, until the said City was relieved by Major General Kirk, and I never knew his Orders disputed (as in the said Pamphlet is expressed,) during the whole time of the Siege, and I do look upon the said Pamphlet, as to what relates to the said Dr. to be not [Page 10] only false, but Scandalous and Malicious: And lastly, I do declare that some persons (concerned in putting out this Pamphlet, as I presume) since I came to London, did come to me, and would have drawn me by great promises to have bespattered and abused the Reputation of the said Dr. Witness my Hand the 25 th day of April. 1690.
And now do not your ears tingle? are not your faces covered with a blush, who have Plotted, Caballed, and contrived such a Scandalous Libel, and a more calumniating Preface? and now to hear that some of you have been tampering to pervert truth, and to add Subornation to bearing false Witness?
To use the words of the Narrative for once, I shou'd not take notice of so trivial a thing as Mr. Walkers Signing first; but that it is improved into an Argument of his forward Temper, to croud in his Name: And this is instanced in the Case of Robert Lowther, pag. 62. I cannot tell whether he crowded in his Name above Mitchelbourn, or whether Mitchelbourn in Modesty left room for him to write over his Name: But this I know, that Robert Louther is one of those who have attested Dr. Walkers being Governour, and since Collonel Baker dyed, in June, I cannot in my small reason apprehend, what should move Dr. Walker to expunge the mention of Baker being Governour in November following.
I have said enough to satisfie all manner of persons, but such as are resolved never to be satisfyed, that Dr. Walker was from first to last one of the Governours of London-Derry, and principal Overseer of the Stores and Magazines: by the before mentioned Certificate and Letters, it evidently appears, that he was not a Nominal or Titular Governour, but an Active and Successful manager of his Trust; and therefore it can never be enough wondred at, that Men who profess the Protestant Religion, who pretend Meekness and Moderation, who pass as Teachers of Flocks (as the Writer of the Preface, and the owner of the Narrative) shou'd with so much Bitterness, Malice and Scorn, not only taunt and satyrize at random, and by Conjectures, upon a Protestant, a Clergy-man and a Gentleman of a good Family in York-Shire; who cannot be denyed to have been an Actor and Sufferer in that memorable Siege, but by loose and uncertain Suggestions, by false Asseverations, and down-right untruths degrade him from his Station, eclipse his Reputation, and unchristianly grudge him common Right and Justice.
And now if any Man desire to be farther satisfyed in the Reality and Truth of the Certificates, Testimonials, and Letters before mentioned and Transcribed, he may be pleased to repair to Joseph Wilkinson Clerk, at his Lodging at the Sign of the Harp in St. Pauls-Church-yard, where [Page 11] he may view the respective Originals, which will sufficiently vouch for the truth of what has bin said.
What I have said, was purely designed to undeceive ordinary persons, and credulous people, who are often imposed on, by incoherent Cant, Antick gestures, a whining tone, and Distorted face: As for men of better Judgments, and of the best Quality in the Kingdom, I am very well assured, they never believed Dr. Walker to be an Impostor.
Can any one of Sense imagine, that the King and Queens Majesties are such easie persons, as to give Dr. Walker thanks for his good Service, and reward him so highly as they have done, if he were a Cheat?
Nay, would the King have again imployed him, as now he has done within these few weeks, in sending him to Ireland, by his positive Orders, to Negotiate publick Affairs? at which happy Juncture, very Couragiously appears on the Stage, Mr. John Mackenzy's new Farce, when the Gentleman was not in Town to answer for himself.
No, No, never believe it, the King did not send him, he is run away, and absconds for shame, or for fear of a Halter, or the Pillory; which he, (or some body else) deserves.
But what think you of the Lords of the Privy Council, who gave him Solemn thanks for his excellent Management of Affairs, as Governour of London-Derry? were they likewise imposed on? I never yet heard that they were called or reputed weak Men.
But Oh! This Villain Walker, he trickt the Honourable House of Commons, who in a full Assembly, returned him thanks by their Speaker as Governour! will not after Ages say, There was not one Wise Man among them to detect the Fraud?
But how came the City of London to be caught in the Noose, how came they to be thus bubled? Lord-Mayor, Sheriffs, Society of the Plantation in the County of London-Derry, all Congratulate his Arrival, and Treat him afterwards as Governour of Derry.
The English Rogue, Spanish Gusman, and crafty Clansy, are all Fools to this Walker, Sileat miracula Memphis.
Scotland had once the Name of a Sagacious People, but now to their everlasting Infamy, they must be reputed no better then Ideots, for Walker has cajol'd them, at Edinburgh he was received as Governour of London-Derry, Created and made free of that City, as you may perceive by what follows, and which is more, some part of that Instrument written in Letters of Gold.
Edinburgh the fourteen day of August, One thousand sex hundred eighty nine Years.
THe which day in presence of the Right Honourable Sir John Hall of Dunglas Knight and Barronet, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Charles Chartery, James Maclurge, Andrew Bruce, and John Robertsone Bailiffs, Thomas Crauford Dean of Gilde, and Guilde Council, Collonel George Walker Governour of Derry, Compeer, and is made Burgess, and Gild Brother of this City, in the most Ample Form, extract it furth of the new Lockit, Gild-Book of the City of Edinburgh, be me Aeneas Maclod, Conjunct Clerk thereof. Witnessing hereunto my Sign Mannual, like as the common Seal of the said City is hereunto appended.
Nay and Glasgow is in no better Circumstances.
Apud decimo tertio die Mensis Augusti, Millesimo sexentesimo octogesimo nono.
THe which day in presence of the Honourable the Magistrates of the City of Glasgow, William Nappier Dean of Gilde thereof, and the said Dean of Gild his Councel, Collonel George Walker, Governour of the City of London-Derry, within the Kingdom of Ireland, is admitted and received Burgess and Gild-Brother of the foresaid City of Glasgow, and the hail Liberties, Priviledges and Immunities belonging to, and Burgess and Gild-Brother thereof, are granted to him in most Ample Form, who has given his Oath of Fidelity, as use is: Extracted furth of the Gild-Books of the said City, be me George Andersone, Town-Clerk thereof: Witnissing hereunto my Sign and Subscription Manual.
But pray how came the Universities of England to be so gull'd? 'tis unaccountable that they should unanimously conferr on him the honourable Degree of Doctor in Divinity. Cambridge begins, and presents him with his Degree, though absent; it was done when the King was there last Summer at the Commencement. Oxford makes him a a solemn Invitation to give them a Visit, and on the 26 th. of February, 1689. he is created Doctor in Divinity, and since his going to [Page 13] Ireland, the University has sent him a Diploma, wherein are these Words,
REverendus Vir, Georgius Walker, strenuus ipse ac invictus Civitatis Derensis propugnator, atque eodem facto totius Hibermiae, uti speramus conservator atque vindex.
Dat. Martii 2 o. 1689.
What a grand Cheat is this Walker, and what a great number of inconsiderable Things are here, King and Queen, Privy Council and House of Commons, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Cambridge and Oxford so easily imposed on! I could dwell much longer on this Subject, but to those who have a Will to understand the truth, this is sufficient, to those who have not, 'tis too much.