Lymington
Cox's Magna Britannia, Antiqua et NovaThe Town stands upon an Hill, and about a Quarter of a Mile from it are the Salt-Works, which used to supply the greatest Part of the West of England with Salt, till that Trade was spoiled by the Merchants of Leverpool, who send the Cheshire Salt up the Severn Chanel, and afford it cheaper, which makes most Customers.
The Sea comes up within an Mile of the Town, and tho' the River on which it stands is not navigable very far up, yet here it makes a very good Port, commodious for shipping, and there is a Key, and Officers appointed for the Management of the Customs. Here are also several Ship-builders, who, tho' they are chiefly employed in building Ships of a smaller Bulk for Merchants, yet since the War there has been one great Ship built for the Navy Royal.
This Town, in the Rebellion against King James II. by the Duke of Monmouth, was infamous for its Mayor, Colonel Thomas Dore's declaring for him immediately upon his landing at Lime, and raising an hundred Men to join and assist him; but before he compassed his Design, the King's Army was victorious and prevented him, and because he was not actually in the Rebellion, but only intentionally, King James thought him an object of Mercy, and pardoned him; which Favour, tho' great, yet he was so averse to Popery, that he joined heartily in the Revolution, but never obtained any other Reward for his Services, than to be a Lieutenant Colonel in the Lord Lucas's Regiment of Foot.
The late Duke of Monmouth, after his Forces had been routed at Sedgmore, was making to this Town, hoping, that by the Assistance of Colonel Dore, he might have got on board a Ship and so made his Escape; but Providence disappointed him in all his Undertakings, and he was apprehended before he could reach this Town.
