Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/286

 ANNESLEY. The earl of Anglefey having received thefe Memoirs from their author, thought fit to write fome animadverfions upon them, in a letter to the earl of Caftlehaven, wherein he de- livered his opinion freely in refpedt to the duke of Ormond and his management in Ireland. The duke expoftu'ated with the lord privy Teal on this fubjeft, by letter, to whi- h. the earl replied. Jn 1682, the earl drew up a very parti- cular remonilrance, and prefented it to king Charles II. it was very warm and loyal, yet it was far from being well re- ceived [A], it was not however thought proper to remove him from his high office on this account; but the duke of Ormond was prevailed upon to exhibit a charge awamft him, on account of his Reflections on the Earl of Caftlehaven's Memoirs. This produced a (harp conceit betwixt thefe two peers, which ended in the earl of Anglefey'a lofing his place of lord privy feal, though his enemies were forced to con- fefs, that he was hardly and unjufily treated. After this dif- grace, he remained pretty much at his country-feat at Ble- chingdon in Oxfoidfhire, where he devoted his time to his iludies, and meddled very little with public affairs. How- ever he got into favour again, in the reign of king James II. and it is generally believed he would have been appointed lord chancellor of England, if not prevented by his death, which happened April 6, 1686, in the 73^ year of his age. [A] This memorial was intitlrd, g'efey, Lord Privy Seal to your ' State ot your Majeftv's Government ' and Kingdoms, April 27, i68z-" Jn one part whereof he fays, " the fatal apprehended, and which may raile a " the very foundations, is the unhappy " of religion; which naturally raifes jea- ' loufy of the power, defi^ns, and prac- " and liberties, and undermines and " e;nafculates the courage and conftancy " even of thole and their pcfterity, who " hive been as faithful to, and fuffered " as much for the crown, as any the ' impending miferies can pretend to " have oone." He concludes with thefe words, " Tbo' your m.ijerty is in your own perfon above the reach of " law, and lovereiga of all your people, " yet the law is your mailer and inflruc- " tor how to pov?rn j and that your " fubjects aflure themfclreir, you will never attempt the enervating that law by which you are king, and which you have not only by frequent ' decljranons, but by a lolemn oath ' moft glorious prr ience of your people, ' to the nu'irreninee of; and that ' therefore v" will look upon any that ' fliall propofe or advife to the con- ' trary, as unlit p^rfons to be near you j ' and on thofe who fhdll perfuade you ' it is lawful, as Sordid flitteiers ; and ' the worft and mo(t dangerous enemies " you and your kingdoms have. What " I fet before your maiefty, I have ' writtei! freely, and like a fworn faith. l< wifi man, with icgard to myfelf, as " they (land : but I have dilcharged my " duty, arui will account it a reward, if " your majefty vouchfafe to read, what ' I durft not but write, and which I < befeech God to give a bleffing to." He
 * c The Account of Arthur Earl of An-
 * ' Tnoft exce'lent Iviajeftv, of the true
 * caufe of all our mifchiefs, prefent or
 * ' fire, which may burn and cor.fum? to
 * pervtrlion of tiie duke of York, (the
 * next heir to the crown) in one point
 * ; tices of the old enemies of our religion
 * ' moft pleaied or contented in our
 * upon * our throne, been obliged, in a
 * ' ful counfellor ; perhaps not like a