Shot hy mistake, A.D. 1678. 



3 



husband of one of the ladies, having intelligence where the gentn. dined, watched 

 his opportunity, and shot the first person that appeared at the door of the Inne, 

 which proved unhappily to be the D. of Som., of which wound he instantly dyed. 

 An act of barbarity the more to be resented, because the Duke's part, in the 

 rudeness offered to the ladies, was least offensive. 



Upon the Duke's death, his uncle Mr. Hildebrand Allington (late Ld. Allington), 

 immediately notified it to the Republick of Genoa, with a demand of justice for 

 so great a crime. That Government seem'd to be highly incensed against the 

 Criminal, and in nil appearance used its utmost endeavours to apprehend him and 

 bring him to justice: but he timely quitted the Genoeze Dominion, and so 

 escaped. All that the State could then do, was to fixe a brass plate over the door 

 where the murther was committed, declaring the crime, and promising a reward 

 to those who should apprehend him. 



Afterwds. K. dames, the 2nd, upon application made to him by the Family of 

 Botti. was prevailed with to give his consent that Horatio Botti, the assassin, * 

 might be pardoned. And this, it is sd. he was induced to do, out of resentmt. 

 towards the present D. of Som. (brother and heir to the murthered Duke) for re- 

 fuseinge to give his attendance on the Pope's nuncio at his arrivall in Engd., 

 which the King had desired of him. By this act the Somerset Family were so 

 highly disobliged, that their respect for that unhappy Prince was much abated."* 



The following letters relating* to this unfortunate affair occur 

 among the papers of Mr. Henry Coventry, Secretary of State, temp. 

 Charles II., preserved at Longleat. It is evident that the Genoese 

 Government moved very slowly in the matter, as, under the circum- 

 stances, was perhaps to be expected. A MS. journal kept by a Mr. 

 Muddiman (which is also among the Marquis of Bath's documents), 

 says that the Frenchmen who were the real offenders, having warning 

 of the intended vengeance of the Botti, made their escape to the 

 mountains. 



Secretary H. Coventry to Mr. George Legatt, Consul at Genoa. 



" Whitehall, May ~ 1678. 



"Mr. Legatt. 



" The news of the Duke of Somersett's death hath been very surprizing 

 here : His Majty. hath seen a letter wrote from the Senate hither to their 

 Consul ; and taketh very kindly the care they have taken to enquire after the 

 Murtherers and the resolution they say they have for the severe prosecution of 

 them. And you are in His Maty's name to thank them for it. But I am like- 

 wise by the King's command to tell you that you look narrowly that there be no 

 connivence in it, and upon any omission of justice or of search, to quicken 



* Charles, Duke of Somerset, -was First Lord of the Bedchamber. In a " Memoir of his Life " it 

 is stated that in consequence of his refusal to attend the reception of the Nuntio, King James re- 

 moved him from all the offices he held. 



B 2 



