In the summer of 1685, events transpired which occasioned the removal of the regiment from the Netherlands to England: the Earl of Argyle, and a number of other political exiles, who were zealous advocates for civil liberty and the reformed religion, proceeded in May from the Netherlands to Scotland, where they attempted to organize a rebellion against the government of King James II., who was a professed papist. His Majesty, in a letter to the Prince of Orange, dated Whitehall, the 22nd of May, stated;--"I make no doubt, by God's help, that the rebels will soon be mastered, yet there is no harm in providing for the worst; and, therefore, I have charged Mr. Skelton to propose to you the lending me the three Scots regiments that are in your service, to be sent over to Scotland; and if this is a thing you can do, the sooner it is done the more reason I shall have to take it very kindly of you[10]." The States acceded to this request: but before the Scots regiments embarked, the Duke of Monmouth had landed at Lyme, in Dorsetshire, and having erected his standard in the market-place, summoned the people to join him in an appeal to arms against the government: the destination of the three regiments was then changed to England. At the same time the King made the following application to the Prince of Orange, in a letter dated Whitehall, the 17th of June, 1685. "When I wrote to you yesterday, I thought the militia would have kept the Duke of Monmouth shut up in Lyme; but by the fault of those of Devonshire, or Somersetshire, he has opened his way towards Taunton, which is a very factious town, and where he may increase his numbers; and though, with those troops I have raised, and am raising, I make no doubt of mastering him in some small time, yet, to make all sure, I desire you to lend me the three English regiments that are in your service, and they may be sent over with all speed[11]." Some of the towns of Holland were, however, so jealous of King James's predilection to papacy, and viewing the Duke of Monmouth in the light of a champion for the reformed religion, their secret wishes for his grace's success were so strong, that the Prince of Orange found some difficulty in obtaining the consent of the States for the regiments to proceed to England[12]; and when their consent had been procured, a new obstacle arose. The officers and soldiers of SIR HENRY BELLASIS'S regiment (now SIXTH FOOT) were so devoted to the protestant interest, and so averse to becoming instruments by which the ascendency of popish principles should be established, that they objected to proceed to England[13]. Their scruples were, however, overcome, and the King expressed the gratification which he experienced on hearing they were ready for embarkation, in a letter to the Prince of Orange, in the following terms. "I received on Wednesday yours of the 6th, by which I see the English regiments were to be embarked by the beginning of this week, and must again