Lord Mountjoy's Regiment being gone the care of the City was committed to John Buchanan Deputy Mayor to the Irish Corporation a Person of no good Reputation in the Town who modell'd the Town Guards as he thought fit But the News of this new Regiment of the E. of Antrim's being intended to quarter there was very unwelcome to the Inhabitants They had a certain Account that they were all of them intirely Papists and many both of the Officers and Souldiers the offspring or near Relations of those who in the Rebellion of 1641. had so deeply embrued their hands in British and Protestant blood And they had too just reason to believe that these Rake-hells who were the very scum of the Countrey had the hereditary inclinations as well as the Blood of their Ancestors running in their veins And their particular aversion to this Regiment was heightened by the apprehensions which they generally had of some mischievous Project hatching among the Irish Papists against the whole Body of British Protestants And these fears did not want very probable Grounds to support them some of which it will not be improper to suggest Many of their Priests at their ordinary Masses had declared publickly to their People That they had some great design in hand which would highly concern them and all their Nation whereof they should have particular notice as soon as it was convenient that 't was their indispensible duty at the Peril of their Salvation to do whatever their Priests should direct and enjoyn them requiring 'em in the mean time to buy and furnish themselves with the best Weapons they cou'd And the stories of this kind told by some of the Irish themselves gain'd the more Credit when it was observ'd that generally through the whole Kingdom not only the Men but the Women and Boys too began to furnish themselves with skeanes and half-pikes it being the great business of the Irish Smiths in the Countrey to make this sort of Arms for them These were afterwards called Rapparee's a sort of Irish Vultures that follow their Armies to prey on the spoil I shall not mention the many bold and threatning Discourses that often dropt from many of 'em especially when good Liquor had a little warm'd their Blood or upon occasional quarrels But I must not omit that as several Consultations of the Irish Clergy were discovered particularly in the County of Donegal not far from Derry where the great Debates were said to arise betwixt the Priests and Fryars about the execution of some great Design so a particular Sermon preach't by a certain Fryar in Derry it self to the Popish part of the Garrison in the open Market-house October 1688. did not a little allarm the Protestants there some of whom were out of curiosity his hearers The main subject of his Discourse was about Saul's destroying the Amalekites where he shewed how dangerous it was to spare one of those whom God had devoted to destruction God having deserted Saul taken the Kingdom from him and ruined both him and his Family for that very reason as he certainly wou'd all that were guilty of the like disobedience And that they were obliged always as then from Samuel to take their directions from their Clergy as from God and punctually observe the same at the Peril of their Souls The Application was thought very easie and obvious Some of their Clergy also were observed to buy up Fire-Arms and procured several Chain-bridles to be made some whereof were accidentally found and seized by George Phillips Esq And thô the News of the Prince of Orange's landing in England Nov. 5th gave the Protestants a reviving Prospect of the happy change of the Government of that Kingdom Yet it rather increas't their fears of their present Danger because they concluded if the Irish should make any Attempt while England was in a Combustion they cou'd expect little relief from thence But that which made the deepest Impression on 'em was a a Letter dropt at Cumber Decemb. 3d in the County of Down where the E. of Mount-Alexander then resided The superscription thus To my Lord This deliver with hast and care The Letter was as follows December 3d. 1688 Good my Lord I Have written to you to let you know that all our Irish men through Ireland is sworn That on the ninth day of this Month they are all to fall on to Kill and Murder Man Wife and Child And I desire your Lordship to take care of your self and all others that are judged by our men to be Heads for whosoever of 'em can kill any of you they are to have a Captains place so my desire to your Honour is to look to your self and give other Noblemen warning and go not out either night or day without a good Guard with you and let no Irish man come near you whatsoever he be So this is all from him who was your Fathers Friend and is your Friend and will be tho I dare not be known as yet for fear of my Life There was no Subscription and the ill writing as well as the style seem'd to argue 't was penn'd by one of the meaner sort of the Natives There were Letters written to others to the same purpose as Mr. Brown of Lisburn and Mr. Maitland of Hillsborough besides divers Informations Whether the first Letter was really intended by some well-meaning Irish man as a warning or was a Contrivance I shall not dispute But the next day after this Letter was dropt Sir W. Franklin Arthur Upton Esq W. Conningham Esq and Mr. Tho. Knox sent an Express to Dublin with Copies of it not only to alarm the Protestants in that City but to give 'em the opportunity of communicating the notice of it to all other parts of the Kingdom Letters were also dispers'd to the Dissenting Ministers of the adjacent Counties to allarm the Countrey And accordingly the Copies of it thus spread thro the several parts of the Kingdom added to the strong presumptions that the forementioned passages gave of such a Design frighted a great number of Protestants out of it especially about Dublin and other parts that were more entirely under the power of the Irish The Memory of the miseries of 41 was fresh and they were loth to trust themselves in the same hands that seem'd to have now more power and better pretence to act those barbarities over again The Copy of this Letter was sent by Will. Cunningham Esq from Belfast inclosed in a Letter of his own to George Canning Esq desiring him to send this to Derry with all expedition Mr. Canning sent to Alderman Tomkins a Gentleman meeting with this Messenger was inform'd of it and sent his Information to George Phillips Esq of Newton Limavadâ—â— on the 6th of Decem. on which Day a great part of the new Irish Regiment came to Quarter in that Village Mr. Phillips late that Night sent a Messenger to the City with what account he had heard of the forementioned letter
of their Concurrence for their common Defence and Safety To which Letters they received various Returns some approving the Action and promising their Assistance Others discouraging what they thought so bold an enterprize Besides these one Letter came afterwards directed to Mr. Cairns from a Nonconformist Minister in Iniskilling which because it shews how early the Inhabitants of that Town agreed with those of Derry both in their Resolutions and the Reasons of 'em I shall here insert Inniskillin Decemb. 15. 1688. SIR AFter an Allarm of an intended Massacre there are two Foot-Companies sent to be quartered in this small place and though we be deserted by our Magistrates yet we intend to repulse 'em You are therefore intreated in this common Cause to look on our Condition and if we come to be made a leading-Card sit not still and see us sink The bearer can more fully inform you of our Condition The Lord direct and preserve you and us who intend hurt to none but sinless self-preservation This from Yours c. Robert Kelso About the same time the principal Inhabitants of Inniskillin wrote a Letter to the same purpose to their Friends at Derry Which see at the end Others in the Town wrote to the Government to excuse themselves and lay the blame on the Mobile I should add here that the Potent being more narrowly inspected was found defective for 't was in the body of it to provide Quarters for the Captains hereafter named and their men whereas there was no Capt. named at all And thus ended this remarkable 7th of December Good Guards are kept within and without the Walls that night And the next day the 8th of December since they wanted both Arms and Ammunition they broke open the Magazine and took out thence about 150 Musquets with some quantity of Match and one Barrel of Powder and Bullets proportionable There was in the Magazine at that time but about 8 or 9 Barrels of Powder in all and about 2 more in the Town 2 or 3 of those in the Magazine were not fit for use There were but few Arms fixt and those design'd for the Irish Regiment the rest being about a thousand more were much out of order The Bishop that day left the Town and went to Rapho But the sight of several from the neighbouring Parts of the Countrey whom the fear of an intended Massacre drove thither for security the rumour of a design among the Papists in Town to fire the City and the rude Carriage of some of the Irish Souldiers in their quarters over the Water drew many more of the Town to joyn with the Mob for their common Preservation And yet I must add that when towards the better setling of their Guards they took an exact Account of all within the Walls able to bear Arms they did not in all amount to 300 so depopulated was the Town at that time the Suburbs were not numbred but it was believed they could not make near so many more This day the City was clear'd of the greatest part of the Papists in it and a Convent of Dominican Fryars pack'd off The Earl of Antrim lodg'd that Night at Newton Limavady with Mr. Philips whom he carried with him next day in his Coach towards Derry being the 9th the fatal day for the expected Massacre The Post-Letters that Morning brought the News of the Prince of Denmark and the Duke of Ormond's c. going over to the Prince of Orange which gave us no small encouragement and Alderman Tomkins by the assistance of Mr. Gordon's influence on his People sent in a considerable number into Town under the Command of young Mr. Tomkins as their Captain For joy of their good News from England the Gunner was order'd to discharge two of their best Guns which he accordingly did this put the Irish Souldiers on the other side of the Water into no small Consternation about the same time one George Cook a Butcher drew up 50 or 60 Boys on the shore at the Râ—rry-Key whom the Irish took for Laganeers famous for the Victories they obtained over the Rebels in 1641. soon after Mr. Tomkins and Mr. Gordon appear on a Hill near 'em with about 30 or 40 Horse having no design of disturbing ' em But all these Circumstances so unluckily concurring to heighten their fears of some suddain destruction coming on 'em put 'em on so hasty a flight that many of their Officers left their Boots and Soldiers their Coats behind them Their Collonel the Earl of Antrim accompanied by Mr. Philips met 'em about a Mile off the Town and having heard from his men a very frightful story thought fit to send Mr. Philips into Town before him to bring him word whether they wou'd admit himself and who commanded the Town Mr. Philips as coming from the Enemy was with some difficulty admitted under a Guard but finding he was no way disaffected to the Design but rather inclined to joyn with 'em in their own defence the Guard was taken off yet upon his desire to Mr. Cairns who then commanded in Town that some colour of force might be put upon him in what he did he was publickly threatned with Confinement if he did not concurr with 'em He was permitted to acquaint the Earl with his being detain'd there whom in his Letter he discouraged from coming thither upon receipt thereof the Earl went back to Colerain where he endeavour'd to rally his scatter'd Regiment And the City considering their own Circumstances to encourage the Gentlemen in the Country whose aid they expected and to engage Mr. Philips the more to their Interest with Mr. Cairns his concurrence bestowed on him the Title of their Governour which he accepted In the mean time it was thought expedient to write up to the Lord Mountjoy then at Dublin in whose friendship they had great Confidence some account of what had past that he might interpose with the Lord Tyrconnel on their behalf and do his utmost to allay his resentments and accordingly they sent his Lordship a Letter which because it confirms the foregoing Relation I have annexed at the end expecting that he wou'd communicate it to the Lord Deputy On the 10th Captain Forward and Mr. William Stewart brought about 2 or 300 Horse into the City and Mr. John Cowan of St. Johns Town a Company of Foot which they offer'd to our Service But finding the need not only of more Men but chiefly of Arms and Ammunition the City unanimously chose David Cairns Esq to send over as their Agent to England giving him a large Letter of Credence and full Instructions under the hands and seals of the chief then in Town He had with him also a Letter to the Society in London which I have in the end inserted a private Key was also contrived to hold Correspondence with ' em This day the Townsmen were form'd into six Companies of Foot under the Command of I. Captain Samuel Norman Lieutenant William Crooksbanks Ensign Alexander
Irwin II. Captain Alexander Leckey Lieutenant James Lennox Ensign John Harvey III. Captain Matthew Cacken Lieutenant Henry Lâ—ng Ensign Francis Hunt IV. Capain Warham Jemmet Lieutenant Robert Morison Ensign Daniel Sherrard V. Captain John Tomkins Lieutenant James Spaight Ensign Alexander Coningham VI. Capt. Thomas Moncreiff Lieutenant James Morison Ensign William Mackee December the 11th Mr. Cairns went for London The same day Governour Philips went to Newtown and in a few dayes return'd with about 3 or 400 Horse William Hamilton of Moyagh brought near 200 more which they tendered to our service Soon after Letters from Dublin inform us that the Lord Tyrconnel had ordered the Lord Mountjoy and Lieutenant Collonel Lundy with six Companys of their Regiment to come down and reduce this City to its former Obedience But our Friends there caution'd us against the receiving of 'em and the City was generally averse to it and yet that their actions might not be mis-interpreted they endeavoured to represent the reasons of 'em in a Declaration which they Published about this time See in the end When the Lord Mountjoy came to Omagh he sent Captain Mac-Caustand with a Message to this City desiring two or three of their Number to meet him at Rapho upon which Captain Norman and Mr. John Mogredg were sent to hear his Proposals who at their return gave assurance of his Lordships being fully impower'd to Capitulate and that he would on the surrender of the Garrison with our Arms procure a Free and General Pardon for what was pass't these Terms our two Envoys did earnestly sollicit us to accept tho in vain But because these two had no power to Conclude any thing his Lordship desired there might be Commissioners with full power to treat with him at Mount-Gavelin Accordingly the Governour George Phillips Esq Captain Alexander Tomkins Horace Kennedy Esq Lieutenant William Crookshanks and Lieutenant James Lennox were impowr'd by the City to treat and conclude who after a full hearing of his Lordships Proposals would comply on no other Terms than the getting a Protestant Garrison and liberty to keep their Watches and Arms as formerly as also a free and General Pardon under the Great Seal which his Lordship declared he could not grant and so they parted without any Conclusion his Lordship then saying he wou'd next Morning come to the Gates and demand Entrance They returning with the report of these passages we began to examine again the Stores of Amunition and found only six Barrels of Powder a few Arms unfix'd and most of the Guns unmounted for want of Carriages Soon after his Lordship appears at the Bishops-Gate where for some time he was made to stand upon a warm debate within whether he should be admitted At length out of respect to his Lordship he was suffered to enter who being very importunate for an Accommodation there were Eleven persons of the City and Country appointed to treat with him viz. George Phillips Governour Horace Kennedy Esq Captain Alexander Lecky Captain Warham Jemmet Captain John Forward Captain George Canning Lieutenant Henry Long Lieutenant James Lennox William Coningham Esq and James Steward His Lordship after some debate that he might prevent any more Forces coming down upon us was at last prevail'd on to agree to such Articles as the City proposed which Articles are annext in the end Upon the Perfection of these Articles his Lordship for our better Satisfaction ordered Leiutenant Collonel Lundy to repair to Strabane there to stop his six Companies till the full Moyety being Papists were turned off and some Officers of the City were sent to see it done and Protestants inlisted in their stead Yet there were but two Companies all Protestants under Command of Leiutenant Collonel Lundy and Captain Stewart received at first into the City The other four consisting of one half Papists were ordered to quarter at Strabane Newton Stewart and Rapho till throughly reform'd Which so fully satisfied us that the Protestant Interest would be much strengthned by the interposition of the Lord Mountjoy that our Governour freely resign'd his charge to him and we all resolv'd to follow his orders and directions Accordingly his Lordship heartily Concurr'd with the Citizens advis'd 'em to repair the Carriages of the Guns fix the old Arms that lay in the Stores and every thing else that might be found necessary for the preservation of the City Whereupon there was a meeting in the Guild-hall of all the Inhabitants in orto the Levying of Moneys for that purpose And a voluntary Subscription being there made about 100 l. a select number was chosen to dispose thereof as also to regulate the Concerns of the City viz. Samuel Norman Alderman Alexander Lecky Alderman Matthew Cocken Alderman Horace Kennedy Sheriff Mr. Francis Nevill Mr. Frederick Coningham and Mr. James Lennox to whom Mr. John Mogredg was Secretary The Lord Massareene also some time after freely Contributed a considerable sum of Money towards the defence of the place They studied all possible means for the preservation and safety of the City and Countrey and since they still apprehended a Desscent of the Irish they kept up a good Correspondence with the Neighbouring Counties in what concern'd their Common Interest And that our Friends in the Country might be incouraged with a speedy supply of Powder and Arms Money was freely advanced by Horace Kennedy Esq Edw. ard Brooks Esq Lieutenant Henry Long Will. Crook shanks Ensign William Mackee Ensign John Harvey Ensign Francis Hunt Alexander Gordon Hugh Davey and William Maxwell Merchants and sent with James Hamilton Merchant to Scotland to buy Powder and Arms. He cou'd procure no more than 42 Barrels of Powder which except 10 left in the County of Down happily came and was secured in the Magazine Being also informed that a small Bark which was sent from Dublin with 30 Barrels of Powder for the Earl of Antrim lay Wind-bound at Killagh in the County of Down there were persons appointed to seize and bring the same about for our use who did so and leaving a share in some trusty hands for the Countries Service brought the remainder being about 20 Barrels to this City But all being too small a quantity pressing Letters were dispatch't to our Agent at London to sollicit their Majesties for Succours The Lord Mountjoy is sent for to Dublin by the Lord Tyrconnell His Friends here all disswade him from going up But the advice of some in Dublin prevail'd more upon him Upon his Coming there it was proposed to him by the Lord Tyrconnell that he should go with Lord Chief Baron Rice on a Message to King James in France to desire leave of Treating with England for that Kingdom upon which he procured the following Articles on our behalf to be perfected a Copy of which he sent down to the North with the ensuing Letter which I shall here add because it discovers how miserably he as well as many other well meaning Gentlemen were imposed upon by Tyrconnel who
his Majesty's declared sense of their Services And the rather because his Carriage since to the Gentry and other Inhabitants of the North of Ireland has been but too agreeable to it And I may justly add that I have been so far from aggravating these matters beyond just bounds that I have omitted several things relating to these three Gentlemen that were not inconsiderable because not so necessary or pertinent to this Narrative Least any shou'd think there is on the other hand too much said of some particular Persons who were active in the Siege I shall so far prevent that Objection as to assure the Reader that as there is nothing mentioned concerning 'em but what they really did so several things have not been taken notice of tho to their Advantage because less considerable than what is here related One defect indeed I must acknowledge in this account viz. That several especially of the Inferior Officers and common Souldiers did excellent Service and shewed great Courage in the Sallies whose Names and particular Actions it was impossible for me to recover But what I could learn that was most remarkable I have represented with all the Impartialty I could having been rather sparing than lavish in the few Characters given of such as were most useful Having said thus much to Obviate any Cavils against the ensuing Relation I shall conclude this Preface with a few Reflections on the Contents of it 1. The first Attempts of Derry for it's own Preservation were very justifiable There were but too strong grounds to suspect a general Design of the Irish Papists against the Brittish Protestants and particularly of the Ultogh's who had given the earliest Demonstrations of their cruel Disposition in the Rebellion of 41. and engraven it in the most bloody Characters Of what sort of Men the Earl of Antrim's Regiment design'd to Garrison there was made up the Narrative gives a short but true Account And as these Presumptions of their extraordinary danger were the only Argument that induc't a few youths at first to shut the Gates and the Graver Citizens soon after to concur with them for ther own Defence So the Argument carries that weight and strength with it that will sufficiently clear 'em from any Imputation of Disloyalty or Sedition in the Judgment of all that are not Bigots for Unlimited Non-resistance To assert that in these Circumstances they might not justly deny Entrance to the Irish Souldiers till they had remonstrated their danger to the Government is in effect to say they should have taken no measures to prevent their own imminent ruine but such as were sure to come too late And perhaps if those Gentlemen that have so freely censur'd 'em had been in their Case their fears wou'd for once have brought 'em into their wits For whatever passion they seem to have for a Notion they have so long valued themselves upon as their Shibboleth I do not see that they are more fond of Slavery and Destruction than other Men when themselves are in any danger of it For what they did afterwards in Proclaiming K. William and Q. Mary and consequently in opposing King Jame's Army the Example of England and the dependance that Ireland has on it sets those Actions above the need of any Apology for ' em 2. T is not very easie to find a parallel Instance in History where so great Issues depended on the Defence or Surrender of so small a place Had Derry been Surrendred the whole Kingdom of Ireland had been entirely lost and particularly that brave people of Iniskillin whose resolute Opposition did not a little Contribute to the Preservation of Derry had been unavoidably exposed as a Sacrifice to the Fury of the Irish K. James might have pour'd so considerable a Force into Scotland as wou'd not only have embroyl'd that Kingdom for that was done by a few but in all human probability either overrun it or at least turn'd it into a Field of Blood And how difficult a Task it would have been in those Circumstances to have secur'd the peace of England where there were so many dangerous Symptoms of Disaffection among too many and a strange ferment among all is too easie to imagine But the Defence of that place as it obviated all these dismal Evils so it has in a great measure blasted all the other designs of the Popish Faction against Brittain and Facilitated the Reduction of Ireland the very Flower of K. James's Army having Perisht and the Courage of such as Surviv'd Sunk before those Walls 3. And yet scarce ever did a People Defend so weak a Place with so invincible Resolution under greater Discouragements The English Forces sent for their Assistance upon Collonel Lundy's Representing the condition of the Town as desperate return'd and all their principal Officers perceiving how Affairs were managed came with them After which Collonel Lundy and his Council were only Sollicitors to make the best Terms they cou'd for themselves When their Authority was broke by the Threats of those whom they call'd the Rabble there was scarce a Man left of any considerable Reputation for Experience or Conduct in Military Affairs They had too great reason given 'em to fear some Treacherous Friends within as well as a powerful Enemy without their Gates They could scarce reasonably expect any assistance from England when those sent before had left the place as hopeless The Ships that came afterwards under the Command of M. G. K. never made any Attempt to come up when they had no Obstacle but what the Castle of Culmore cou'd give them and had all the Advantages of Wind and Tide to favour them Nor did they make any Essay till the time we were reliev'd notwithstanding the frequent signs we made to them of our Distressed Condition And some weeks after their appearance in the Lough most of them were gone out of our sight so that we had little hope of Relief by them And yet tho Sickness and Famine then daily swept off great numbers for 't is thought no less than ten thousand dyed during the Siege besides those that dyed soon after we would not hear of Surrendring while there was any possibility for the Garrison to Subsist 4. The Conduct of Divine Providence in the preservation of that City deserves our admiration and thankful acknowledgments Besides what has been already suggested or is more fully observed in the Relation it self I may add That those few Youths should first shut the Gates against the Earl of Antrims Regiment when not one person of Note in the Town durst openly concur with them That the Multitude should obstruct the Surrender of it when signed by Collonel Lundy and his Council after the principal Officers had left it and resolutely adventure on the defence of it under so many and great disadvantages looks like the effect of some extraordinary impulse on their minds To what can we ascribe it that in so many Sallies we should lose so very few men
tho he was sufficiently afraid of the Issue of things yet was doing all he cou'd by the encrease of his new Levies to defend King James his interest there even while he pretended to others that he was ready to surrender the Sword to any Commission'd to receive it And this Intreigue of sending to King James is said to be the Contrivance of Rice and Neagle to amuse and divert others of the Popish Party in the Council whose fears inclin'd 'em to an earlier submission January 10th 1688 9. Until his Majesties pleasure be further known it is humbly proposed to your Excellency 1st That no more Levies be made in this Kingdom no more Arms given out nor no Commissions signed 2d That all the new rais'd Forces be kept in their present Quarters if no Enemy lands here and that the Kingdom is quiet and that no more Troops be commanded into Ulster than are at present there 3d. That no Nobleman Gentleman Officer or common Man in the Kingdom shall be imprisoned seized or in any wise molested for any tumultuous Meetings arming of Men forming of Troops or attempting any thing that may be called Riotous or Rebellious before this present day 4th That no private Gentlemans House shall be made a Garrison or Soldiers quartered in it Dublin January 10th 88 9. YOu have had an Account how long I stopt on the way after I left you and the Reasons which made me since come forward and whatever my Jealousies were at my first Arrival I am now fully satisfied with my coming and with Gods Blessing hope it will come to good to us all As soon as I saw my Lord Deputy he told me he intended to send me to the King joyntly with the Lord Chief Baron to lay before him the State of the Kingdom and to tell him If he pleased he would ruine it for him and make it a heap of Rubbish but it was impossible to preserve and make it of use to him and therefore to desire his leave to Treat for it The Objections I made to this were two My being not so well qualified for this as another Roman Catholick one to whom in all likelihood the King would sooner give Credit and the Improbability of being able to perswade the King who is now in the French hands to a thing that is so plainly against their Interest To the first of these I was answered what is not fit for me to repeat and the other was so well answered that all the most knowing English men here are satisfied with it and have desired me to undertake this matter which I have done this Afteenoon My Lord Deputy having first promised me upon his Word and Honour to perform the four particulars in the enclosed Paper Now because a thing of this nature cannot be done without being censured by some who perhaps would be sorry to have their Wishes by quiet means and by others who think that all that Statesmen do are tricks and that there is no sincerity among them I would have such consider that it is more probable I and the most intelligent men in this place without whose advice I do nothing should judge righter of this than they who are at a greater distance and it is not likely we should be fooled So I hope they will not believe we design to betray them our selves and our Nation I am Morally assured this must do our work without Blood or the misery of the Kingdom I am sure it is the way proposed in England who depend so on it that no Forces are appointed to come hither and I am sure what I do is not only what will be approved of in England but what has its beginning from thence I do therefore conjure you to give your Friends and mine this Account and for the love of God keep them from any Disorder or Mischief if any had such a Design which I hope they had not I shall write to this effect to some other parts and I desire you would let such in your County as you think fit see this let the People fall to their Labour and think themselves in less Danger than they believ'd His Lordship went soon after together with Chief Baron Rice to France where instead of obtaining an Order for the Irish to lay down their Arms he was made a Prisoner in the Bastile The Lord Tyrconnel designing to muster up all his strength against us orders Lieutenant Collonel Lundy to send up the four Companies which were not brought into the City as well as the other two But rather than lose so many good Arms we were induc'd to receive 'em and having well purg'd 'em of Papists we unanimously concur and keep our joynt-Guards by detachments out of these 6 Companies and our own 6 Town-Companies which the Lord Tyrconnel being advertised of issues a Proclamation to all parts of the North discharging the Brittish therein from assembling together by way of Troops and Companies c. But the Protestants were too sensible of the necessity of defending themselves to pay any great Deference to such a Proclamation And particularly at Derry they went on with their preparations for their own Safety having been early encouraged thereto by the Nobility and Gentry of the Counties of Down and Antrim who by a Message sent 'em by Will. Conningham Esq declared their Approbation of what they had done and assured 'em of their utmost Assistance But they were not altogether pleas'd with Lundy's management of Affairs He had against the mind of the Committee for the City chose Mr. Norman Lieutenant Collonel and one Hill Major to his Regiment He soon after discharged the City Companies from keeping their Guards and refused 'em Ammunition And when upon complaint made he restor'd 'em he would but allow one City Officer to the Guards and endeavour'd to bring 'em under the Command of his own Officers These things disgusted the City but they thought it not a fit time to Contend about ' em Having given this brief Account of what pass'd at Derry from the first shutting the Gates till the Descent of the Irish Army it will not be improper to give some Relation of the most material passages that happened in other parts of Ulster before they approach'd those Walls The News of the Prince of Orange's landing was very acceptable to the Generality of the Protestants of Ireland whose success they hop'd would soon alter the scene of Affairs in that Kingdom The Presbyterian Ministers in the Province of Ulster with several Gentlemen of good Note there were the first that agreed to send an Address to the Prince To this end they impowered Mr. Osborn and Mr. Hamilton being then at Dublin to fix on the Person who sent Dr. Cummin Decemb. 8th the purport of the Address wherein they desired nothing in particular for themselves was To Congratulate his Arrival and Success hitherto in so glorious an Undertaking To represent the Deplorable Condition of the Protestants in that Kingdom
men here some time tomorrow it will not be in your power to bring 'em at all 'Till we discourse the matter I remain Dear Sir Your most faithful Servant Robert Lundy In the Postscript he referrs Coll. Cuningham to the account he gave Major Tiffin which was as himself has since publickly own'd That there was not above 10 days Provision in Town for 3000 Men though all unnecessary Mouths were put out of it and though what was in the Town for private use were taken to the publick Stores Accordingly he ordered Coll. Cuningham and Coll. Richards to leave their Men still on board their Ships and to come with some of their Officers to Town that they might resolve on what was fit to be done Accordingly April 16. Coll. Cuningham and Coll. Richards with some of their Officers came to Town where Coll. Lundy call'd a Council of War composed of these sixteen Persons Chidley Coot James Hamilton Captains of Cuning Reg. Cornwall Echlin Traunter Lyndon Lundy Blany Cuningham Richards Hussey Tiffin Captains of Richards ' s Regim Pearson Pache. Taylor The two Collonels with their Officers were intire strangers to the State of the Town and the rest were in a great measure unacquainted with it for Coll. Lundy had call'd none of the Inhabitants to it except Mr. Mogredge the Clark and when several of the principal Officers who had some suspicion of Coll. Lundy's design as Coll. Franc. Hamilton Coll. Chichester Coll. Crofton Lieut. Coll. Ponsonby c. desired to be admitted they were absolutely refused though at the same Council he pretended he had sent for the two first but said they could not be found and for Sir Arthur Rewdon who he said was a dying Coll Cuningham deliver'd to Governor Lundy his Majesties Letter and Orders directed to him but the Governour who was President of the Council gave 'em the same account of the State of the Town that he had before given to Major Tiffin and therefore advised 'em all to quit it for he said he would do so himself Those of the Council who came from England thinking it impossible the Governour should be ignorant of the Condition of the Town and observing the account to pass without any contradiction from those there who had been for some time in it but had not it seems inform'd themselves better soon agreed in the Opinion of returning for England rather than stay in a place not to be Victualled from the Countrey especially when as he further said the Enemy were near their Gates with 25000 Men and there was no possibility of a return from England in so short a time as the Governour affirm'd what Provision they had must be spent only Coll. Richards argued against it because he look'd on the deserting that Garrison not only as the quitting that City but the whole Kingdom and accordingly they came to the following Resolution Upon Enquiry it appears that there is not Provision in the Garrison of London-Derry for the present Garrison and the two Regiments on board for above a week or ten days at most and it appearing that the Place is not tenable against a well appointed Army therefore it is concluded upon and resolved That it is not convenient for his Majesties Service but the contrary to land the two Regiments under Col. Cunningham and Col. Richards their Command now on board in the River of Lough-foyle That considering the present circumstances of Affairs and the likelihood the Enemy will soon possess themselves of this Place it is thought most convenient that the Principal Officers shall privately withdraw themselves as well for their own preservation as in hopes that the Inhabitants by a timely Capitulation may make terms the better with the Enemy and that this we judge most convenient for his Majesties Service as the present State of Affairs now is On the Result of this Council Collonel Cunningham and Collonel Richards with their Officers went down to the Ships which that day fell down below Red-Castle But Collonel Lundy to delude both the Officers and Soldiers in Town who were earnestly begging that the English Forces might land that with their Assistance they might take the Field and fight the Enemy before their Cannon were brought over in order to the Preservation of that corner into which the Provisions and Wealth of 3 or 4 Counties was crouded told 'em publickly It was resolved the English Forces should immediately land and when they were in their Quarters the Gates should be opened and all joyn in defence of the Town And to cloak the Intreague the better the Sheriffs were ordered to go through the City to provide Quarters for 'em who accordingly did so But all this was meer sham to amuse the Town while they might get away with the greater Ease and Safety This Order was not publickly known till the 18th But one of the Officers of this Council acquainted Collonel Franc. Hamilton and Capt. Hugh Mac Gill with it and advised 'em to go off Captain Mac Gill discovered it to several Friends and particularly to Sir Arthur Rawden who then lay extreamly weak and was the only Person there by Name excepted from Mercy in the Lord Tyrconnel's Proclamation This made 'em look on the Town as betrayed and represented affairs so desperate to 'em that they thought it madness in 'em to stay behind meerly to be exposed as a Sacrifice to the Fury of the Irish And therefore many of 'em got off to the Ships the day following This Day the Body of our Foot that retreated by command from Clady and those parts came in tolerable Order to the Gates but were surprized to find 'em shut by the Governours Order who had but the Day before commanded 'em to flee thither they called to the Centries to open 'em which they refused But when one of the Captains of Collonel Skeffingtons Regiment fired at the Centry and call'd for Fire to burn the Gate that and the other Gates were thrown open and all that had been kept out the Night before now entred the Town which made a considerarable Body There being no Forrage in the Town the Horse went all generally towards Culmore some both Officers and Souldiers who had observed Collonel Lundy's ill Conduct and the confused Posture their Affairs were in got to the Ships those that stayed gathered to Captain Murray and resolved to sell their lives dear rather than fall into the hands of an Enemy from whom they expected no Mercy Governour Lundy had plac'd Captain Jemmet Governour of Culmore who afterwards by his Order deserted it though he had been formerly active in the service of the Town a few Irish poffest themselves of it but it was soon recovered by a small Artifice April 17th King James and his Army being advanc'd as far as St. Johnstown five miles from Derry he or Lieutenant Gen. Hamilton sends one Mr. Whitlow a Clergyman to Governour Lundy to know if they in the City would surrender on honourable terms which they should
have to prevent the effusion of Christian Blood On this a Council was held who conclude to send to King James to know what his Majesties Demands were and what terms he would grant to the City The Messenger himself being allowed to sit and joyn in Debates with them The same Gentleman had on the 16th told Cornet Nicholsen his old Acquaintance who inquired of him what Collonel Lundy intended That the Town would be delivered up before Saturday following and therefore advised him to shift for himself He said the same to to Mr. Henry Nicholson Arch-deacon Hamilton Captain Kinaston and Captain Nevil were sent who had access to the King and returned that Night but were refused entrance by the Multitude Only the two former some way got in the last who had before been very active wrote in a Letter the Account of their Negotiation and departed A little before this time Mr. Will. Blacker and Ensign Twinyo came to Town sent as was reported and confirmed by an intercepted Letter by King James from Charlemount to amuse the Garrison with such accounts of the Clemency of the King on the one hand and the formidable strength of his Army on the other as might incline them to a surrender This Discourse soon exposed them to the suspition of the Garrison who seized and put them under restraint Blacker while thus confined writes a Letter to the Camp which was intercepted to this purpose That he doubted not they knew he was detained a Prisoner in Town but he served their Interest as much there as if he were in their Camp They had many Friends in Town especially Captain Darcy Mr. White Collector of Strabane c. There was a Council held upon them but after some time they were both dismist The common Soldiers who knew nothing of the forementioned Order of the Council were so enraged at their Officers several of whom as was before hinted about this time left them and fled for England that they could not forbear expressing it with some violence on some of them One Captain Bell was shot dead and another Officer hurt who had as was supposed with that Design got into a Boat with several other Officers This Day some in the Town sent one Captain Cole to Coll. Cunningham to offer him the Government of it because they suspected Coll. Lundy's Integrity Coll. Cunningham's Answer was That he being ordered to apply himself to Coll. Lundy for direction in all things relating to their Majesties Service could receive no Application from any that opposed that Authority On the 18th the Ships fell down to Green-Castle and on the 19th sailed for England On the 20th about one a clock in the Morning a Ship making towards the Coast from whence they came enquired whether they had met the English Fleet upon which Coll. Cunningham hoping that some part of his Majesties Fleet might be near from whom they might have Provisions resolved if he could procure from them Provisions for one Fortnight to return to Derry Upon which they gave the signal and made after that Ship but found it to be the Bonadventure Frigat that was convoying some Ships with Arms and Ammunition to Derry but no Provisions This Account I had from Sir Arthur Rawden and Captain Hugh Mac Gill who were then on board the same Vessel There was none of the Vessels but only that wherein Collonel Richards was that took the signal and made after the Bonadventure Frigat This Night Major Crofion finding the Gates open and two of the Keys wanting doubled the Guards and changed the word He was questioned for it the next day by Coll. Lundy but he thought not fit to infist on it and so there was no more made of it April 18th What secret Assurances were given King James that first induc'd him to march his Army down to the City or to retire again in expectation of the multitudes being brought to a complyance those can give the best Account that were most active for a surrender and privy to all the clandestine transactions about it But 't is certain that the Irish Army came this day to the Strand above the Windmill at the South end of Derry hill and there stop'd waiting what Answer or Salutation the City would give them The Council had it the mean time given strict Orders that none offer to fire from the Walls on severe penalties and some were sent about the Walls to give intimation of it But how little the Council or their Orders were valued by the Soldiers the event soon shew'd It was at this Council that Mr. John Mogredg who had been Clerk to the forementioned Council held by Collonel Lundy Collonel Cunningham c. declared he would conceal no longer the Result of that Council viz. That Collonel Cunningham should return with the two Regiments and all Gentlemen and Officers quitt the Garrison and go with him He desired Governour Lundy to produce the Order which was a great surprize to this present Council who tho they generally agreed too well with Collonel Lundy about surrendering yet deeply resented the concealing so material a thing from them But our Men on the Walls paid so little Deference to either them or their Orders and so little regarded the secret Treaties they were managing with the Enemy that when King James's Forces were advancing towards them on the Strand they presently fired their great Guns at them and as was confidently reported kill'd one Captain Troy near the Kings Person This unnexpected Salutation not only struck a strange Terror into the Irish Camp but put the King himself into some disorder to find himself so roughly and unmannerly treated by those from whom he expected so dutiful a Compliance And those who had encouraged him to try an Experiment that proved so dangerous thought themselves concern'd to make some Apology for it The Council therefore resolved to send Arch-deacon Hamilton to the King to excuse themselves for what had pass'd and lay all the blame of it on the ungovernableness of the People whose violent humour they said they could not restrain while his Army continued there and therefore begg'd his patience till the present tumult was over And because some of the Council as well as others could hardly believe that King James was really there Captain White was sent with the Arch-deacon having often seen the King to put them out of all doubt about it Captain White returned to them with assurance of it but Archdeacon Hamilton took Protection that Summer he sickned and died But King James's being there was an Argument that had little force on our Men on the Walls who were resolv'd to defend the Protestant Religion and King Williams Interest against him and his Army to the utmost Nay they now began to be impatient to see themselves thus betrayed by such as should have been their Leaders and severely threatned both the Governour and his Council for tampering with the Enemy The Governour and Council though extreamly displeas'd at
the boldness and resosolution of the Soldiers could not help it having lost all Authority and Credit with them of which this day produc'd a new Instance as considerable as this Capt. Murray was advanc'd from Culmere Fort to the green Field below Penny-burn-Mill with a considerable Party of Horse within view of the Town having left 1500 Foot below at Brook-hall It was his appearing there had encouraged the Men on the Walls to accost the Irish Army so rudely The Governour and Council perceiving his Motion towards the City dispatch'd one Murray an Express to him with a Line to this purport That he should immediately upon sight thereof withdraw with his Men to the back of the Hill out of the View of the City He understood not the meaning of so strange an Order but the Messenger being his Relation explained the Mystery to him that the Governour and his Council were about making Terms with the Enemy for surrendring the Town and added that several of his Friends advis'd him to hasten to Town if he defign'd to make any effectual opposition to the Enemy for if he came not the Town would certainly be delivered into the their hands Upon which he resolves to March with his Horse straight to the City where with some difficulty from the Enemy's Dragoons who fired at him in the way he came to Ship-key-gate Mr. Walker was sent from the Council to discourse him who would have had him alone to be taken up on the Walls by a Rope which he refused with disdain but Mr. James Morison Captain of the Guards without any Orders opened the Gates to him and his Troops His Presence when he came struck a cold damp on the Governour and his Council but inspir'd the Men on the Walls with Vigour and Resolution This same Council this day proceeded to conclude a Surrender and drew up a Paper to that purpose which most of them Signed and as far as I could ever learn all of them though many of the Signers afterwards heartily joined with us in Defence of the Place But to return to Capt. Murray the Multitude having eagerly desir'd and expected his coming followed him through the streets with great expressions of their Respect and Affection He assur'd them he would stand by them in defence of their Lives and the Protestant Interest and assist them immediately to suppress Lundy and his Council to prevent their Design of surrendring the City desiring all who would concurr with him herein to put a White Cloath on their left Arm which they generally did being also encourag'd to it by Capt. Bashford Capt. Noble and others This greatly alarm'd and perplex'd the Governour and his Council They conclude to send for him and try if they can prevail with him to sign the Paper for surrendring the City At their Invitation he comes into the Council accompanied with some Friends though dissuaded by others What pass'd betwixt him and Governour Lundy being of some importance to the right understanding that strange Turn of Affairs on which the Preservation of that City depended I shall give the Reader this short account of it Col. Lundy desir'd to know the occasion of his Jealoufies of him Capt. Murray told him plainly his late Actions had declar'd him either Fool. or Knave and to make this charge good he insisted on his gross neglect to secure the Passes at Strabane Lifford and Clady refusing Ammunition when sent for riding away from an Army of 10 or 12000 Men able and willing to have encounter'd the Enemy neglecting the advantageous Passes of Long-causey and Carickins which a few Men might have defended c. He urg'd him to take the Field and fight the Enemy assuring him of the readiness of the Soldiers whom he Vindlcated from those Aspersions of Cowardise which Coll. Lundy cast on 'em and when Coll. Lundy perswaded him to joyn with the Gent. there present who had Sign'd a Paper for surrendring the Town and offer'd several Arguments to that purpose drawn from their Danger he absolutely refused it unless it were agreed on in a general Council of the Officers which he alledg'd that could not be since there were as many absent as present This Discourse being ended The Governour and Council go on with their Design of surrendring Capt. Murray leaves them and returns to the Soldiers that waited for him He observed that the Council were resolved to give up the City which if they should do it was impossible for him to keep Culmore and having advised with his Friends he resolves to stay in Town and do his utmost to prevent what he saw the Councel intended to which he was the more encouraged by the entire interest he had in the affections of the common Soldiers whom he knew to be generally as averse to a Surrender and as resolute for defending the City as himself The Council goes on after the Paper for Surrender was subscribed to consider what methods were fit to be taken for capitulating with the King They agree to send out 20 Men to him for that end as the King by a Messenger had proposed But the men were not chosen this Night but before the Council was dismist Governour Lundy sent for some of the N. C. Ministers to come to the Council none of them went but one who refused to sit The reasons of their being sent for were partly to engage them to persuade Captain Murray to comply with the rest for Surrendring partly that their appearance there to countenance those proceedings of the Council might induce the multitude to comply also who were generally of that persuasion but they not appearing this project fail'd and this prov'd the last Session of the Council That these pernicious intentions of the Council might be the more effectually counteracted Captain Murray and a party with him went this Night to the Main-Guard took the Keys from one Captain Wigston who then Commanded the Guard and appointed Guards that Night at the Gates and on the Walls The Soldiers and Multitude thus headed by Captain Murray renew their threats against the Governour and his Council who were so justly apprehensive of their danger from them that after that time Collonel Lundy kept his Chamber till he stole away and few of his Council durst for a while appear in the streets for fear of the armed Multitude I have insisted the more largely on the Transactions of this day betwixt Captain Murray and the Governour in Council because the opposition he made to their design both in the Council and especially by his influence on the Multitude was the only thing that prevented the surrender of the City to King James and altered the whole scene of affairs in it And I must in Justice add that though the body of those that joyned with him were call'd the Rabble yet they were generally men as Eminent for their great Probity as for their Courage acted with a hearty zeal to the Protestant Religion and animated with the hopes of seeing
it ere long flourish in that Kingdom under the happy Government of King William and Queen Mary And how much the main stress of the defence of that City lay on them will appear in the following account of it This Evening King James with his Army went back to St. Johnstown and stayed there till the 20th waiting for an answer from the City April the 19th the Multitude having thus broken the Authority of the Council would have made Captain Murray both their General and the sole Governour of the Town but he modestly refused it because he judged himself fitter for Action and Service in the Field than for Conduct or Government in the Town And therefore when several Gentlemen invited him to a Council that they might choose a Governour he very readily agreed to it At this Council there were at first but about 15 in all where all the Officers of the Garrison ought to have been as matters then stood The persons nominated were Major Henry Baker Major Mitchelburn and Lieutenant Collonel Richard Johnston Major Baker had the Majority of Votes and was chosen their Governour Having done this they immediately considered what Regiments might be in Town and concluded on 8. Governour Baker to be Collonel to Sir Arthur Rawdens Dragoons Major Walker to be Collonel to the Lord Charlemonts Regiment the Lieutenant Collonel being gone Major Parker to Command Colerain Regiment Major Mitchelburn to Command Mr. Skeffingtons Regiment Captain Hamill to be Collonel to a Regiment Lieutenant Collonel Whitney to be Collonel to Francis Hamiltons Regiment Major Crofton to be Collonel to Collonel Kanning's Regiment Captain Murray to be Collonel to the Horse This being done the new chosen Governour made a Speech to acquaint them That the work they had now laid on him was too much for him to discharge and therefore desired they would allow him an Assistant for the Stores and Provisions This he might have done of himself and therefore they readily agreed to the Motion and desired him to nominate whom he pleased he named Mr. George Walker to which they assented The next thing the Council fell on many more being now come into it was to prosecute and perfect what Lundy had left unfinish't the Night before viz. the choice of 20 men to go out and capitulate with King James It was proposed to Collonel Murray to be one of them but he refused and went to the Walls Collonel Lundy who kept his Chamber being informed that they had chosen a new Governour and were proceeding to choose the 20 Commissioners sends Mr. Seth Whittle Parson of Balliachy and Mr. George Hamilton to the Council to make all the interest they could there to have Friends as he called them chosen to go to King James which they earnestly endeavoured The 20 are chosen and ready to go out The multitude on the Walls and at the Gates hearing of it are so inraged that they threatned That if a man of them offered to go out on that Errand they would treat them as betrayers of the Town the Protestant Religion and King Williams Interest Upon which none of them durst offer to go and so a stop was put to that dangerous Capitulation notwithstanding the orders of the Governour and Council So little did the Soldiers regard any Commands that seem'd to cross their resolutions of defending the City Now the Soldiers whom their Officers had deserted chose their Captains and each Captain which of the Collonels he would serve under as they pleased themselves What the number of Men Women and Children in the Town might be is uncertain some of the aged people Women and Children with some few others to the number of near a thousand left us This Evening a Trumpet comes to the Walls from King James to know why they sent not out Commissioners to treat according to their Proposals The Multitude having put a stop to that Collonel Whitney wrote a few lines to excuse themselves to the King April the 20th A party of King James's Horse and Foot march't down to Culmore and from thence down through the Barony of Inishowen and there Rob'd a great number of people that were waiting for Passage to Scotland They plac't Guards on the Waterside to stop all passage from this City to Culmore by Land which debarr'd us of intelligence from that place This day the Lord Strabare came to the Walls with many Proposals offering honourable terms to the City if they would surrender Collonel Murray waited on his Lordship without the Gate and discoursed long with him His Lordship earnestly sollicited him to come over to their party offering him a Collonels place in their Army and a thousand pounds gratuity from the King But his offers being rejected he took his leave Collonel Murray conveying him through our out-Guards This Evening a party of our Horse and Foot marched out with a design to attack the Enemy but returned upon an information of some design against them in the Town About the same time Collonel Lundy brib'd a Continel with whom he stole away and going to Brook-Hall which was then in the Enemies power he wrote from thence a Letter to a Lieutenant in Town desiring him to leave the Town and bring off a Crop-Horse with him April the 21th The Enemy placed a Demiculverin 180 perches distant E. by N. from the Town on the other side of the Water and begun early this Morning to play upon us but did little harm though it was then a little more frightful to our people than afterwards when they were more familiarized to it This day our men sallied out both Horse and Foot towards Penny-burn Mill the Horse Commanded by Collonel Murray the Foot by several Captains viz. Captain Arch. Sanderson Captain Beatty Captain Thomas Blaire Lieutenant David Blair c. Lieut. Collonel John Cairns and Capt. Philip Dumbar c. being plac'd on the Hill with a Reserve Coll. Murray divides the Horse which were about 300 in number in two Partys With the first of these he charg'd himself with great Courage the second Squadron was led on by Major Nathaniel Bull Son to Major Samuel Bull of the County of Meath who did us very good Service by his Integrity to the Interest of the Garrison and his influence on the Souldiers to animate their Courage The Rear of that Squadron was brought up by Capt. Cochran who when his Squadron fled advanc'd with a few to the Party that was engaged his Horse being shot under him and himself shot in the Legg The Enemy divided their Horse into two Squadrons also He that commanded the first Party led them on with great bravery Coll. Murray charg'd through that Brigade and had that day three Personal Encounters with their Commander in the last of which he kill'd him on the spot whom the Enemy themselves confess'd to be Lieut. Gen. Mammau It was also reported that he kill'd his Brother in the same Action In the mean time the Rear of our Horse fled towards the Walls
from these Ulster Enemies that will never be obedient when they have power in their hand Your Lordship's Kindness herein will be a perpetual Obligation on the Inhabitants of this City and Neighbourhood and very much tend to his Majesties service in preserving the Lives of thousands of his good and innocent Subjects that were design'd for slaughter We remain London-Derry Dec. 9. 1688. Your Lordships Most Obedient humble Servants John Campsie Samuel Norman c. The Letter to the Society at London sent from Derry by Mr. Cairns Right Worshipful IN our sad Calamity and under the greatest Apprehensions of our total excision by the Irish in these parts of the Kingdom which border upon us we thought it necessary for us immediately to dispatch David Cairns Esq a very worthy Citizen of this City and lately a Member of this Corporation into England to report our Case to you and to use his endeavours by all just means for our speedy Relief And we have eternal Obligations laid on us to bless God whose Mercy and Providence rescued us from the Designs of wicked Men that conspired our ruine without any Provocation on our parts whose Inclinations as well as Interest it was to live peaceably with all Men. On Fryday the 7th Instant several intimamations came to several hands hereabout that on the Sunday following a Massacre was designed by the Irish in Ulster and although it caused great thoughts of Heart to the most assured amongst us yet none of the more aged and grave came to any other Resolution than to submit to the Divine Providence whatever the event might be And just in that juncture whilst the younger and more inconsiderate were consulting their own safety and it seems had resolved on the means a part of the Earl of Antrim's Regiment newly levied and all composed of Highlanders and Ulster Papists came to the River side and their Officers came over into the City to the Sheriffs for quarters and lodgings for them We confess our fears on the occasion became more pungent but we still remained silent except our Prayers and Devotions But just as the Soldiers were approaching the Gates the Youthhood by a strange impulse ran in one Body and shut the Gates and put themselves in the best posture of defence they could We blamed but could not guide or perswade them to any less Resolution that night and so the Soldiers retired and were quartered in the Neighbourhood where although they did not murther or destroy any yet many threats they uttered and outrages they committed The next day we hoped to prevail with those that assumed the Power of the City to open the Gates and receive the Garrison but the News and Intimations of the general Design came so fast so full from all quarters that we then blessed God for our present escape effected by means unforeseen and against our wills In the general hurry and consternation of not us only but all the neighbouring Counties when we have but scarce time to hear the repeated Informations of our Danger it is not possible for us to furnish the Bearer with all requisite Testimonials to evince this sad truth nor will it consist with our safety to protract his stay 'till it can be done the Vessel that carries him being just ready for sail We must refer you to his Report and Copies of Papers carryed over by him sign'd by us for your further satisfaction in particulars but do most humbly and heartily beseech you as you are Men of Bowels and Charity to assist this Gentleman how best you can to secure us from the common Danger and that we may peaceably live obeying his Majesty and the Laws doing injury to no man nor wishing it to any Your Interest here is now no Argument worthy to engage you the Lives of thousands of Innocent Men Women and Children are at stake If you can and will not now afford your help to the utmost we shall never be able to use a Motive to induce you or to prevail upon you May the Lord send Deliverance to us and preserve you all in Peace and Tranquility is the hearty Prayer of London-Derry Dec. 10. 1688. Gentlemen Your most Obedient Servants George Phillips John Campsie Samuel Norman Alexander Tomkins Matthew Cotken c. A Letter from Inniskillin directed to David Cairns Esq or the other Officers commanding in chief now in London-Derry Gentlemen THe frequent Intelligence we have from all parts of this Kingdom of a general Massacre of the Protestants and two Companies of Foot of Sir Thomas Newcom's Regiment viz. Capt. Nugent's and Capt. Shurloe's being upon their March to Garrison here and now within ten Miles hath put us upon a Resolution of refusing them entrance our desire being only to preserve our own Lives and the Lives of our Neighbours this Place being the most considerable Pass between Conoght and Ulster and hearing of your Resolutions we thought it convenient to impart this to you as likewise to begg your Assistance both in your Advice and Relief especially in helping us with some Powder and in carrying on a Correspondence with us hereafter as we shall with Gods Assistance do with you which is all at present from From Inniskillin Dec. 15. 1688. Gentlemen Your faithful Friends and fellow Christians The Inhabitants of Inniskillin We are not now in a Condition to spare Men for a Guard therefore must entreat your Assistance in that Allan Cathcart Will. Browning Tho. Shore William Smyth Arch. Hamilton Malc Cathcant Ja. Ewart Robert Clarke The DECLARATION of the Inhabitants of Derry TO all Christian People to whom these Presents shall come the Mayors Sheriffs and Citizens of the City of London-Derry send greeting Having received Intimation from several Credible Persons That an Insurrection of the Irish was intended and by them a general Massacre of the Protestants in this Kingdom and the same to be acted and perpetrated on or about the 9th day of this instant December And being confirmed in our fear and jealousie of so horrible a Design by many palpable Insinuations dubious Expressions monitory Letters and positive Informations all conducing and concurring to beget in us a trembling Expectation of a suddain and inevitable Ruine and Destruction We disposed our selves to a patient and tame Resignation to the Divine Providence quietly hoping for some Deliverance and diversion of this impending Misery or to receive from the hand of God such measure of Constancy and Courage as might enable us to possess our Souls in patience and Submissively to wait the issue of so severe a Tryal Accordingly when on the seventh instant part of the Earl of Antrims Forces advanced to take possesion of this place tho we looked on our selves as Sheep appointed for Slaughter and on them as the Executioners of Vengance upon us yet we contrived no other means of escape than by Flight and with all Precipitation to hurry away our Families into other Places and Countries But it pleased the Lord who watcheth
Regiments of Foot whereof he and Collonel Richards are Colloâ—â—s WHereas we have ordered 2000 l. Sterling to be paid unto you by several Bills of Exchange over and above the 2000 l. you shall receive from our Collector in the Port of 〈◊〉 You are accordingly to receive the same And upon your Arrival at our City of Londonderry to pay 500 l. thereof to our Trusty and well beloved Robert Lundie Esquire Governour thereof as of our Royal Bounty in part of the reward we intend him for his faithful Services And the residue of the said 2000 l. you are to apply towards the defraying the contingeut charges which our said Governour your self and Collonel Richards shall find requisite for the Security of that Garrison or of such other place where our said Regiments shall Arrive or be put on Shoar Provided always that you do not in any manner put off or delay the departure of our said two Regiments from Liverpoole to Londonderry in cafe the said Sum be not immediately paid unto you by the respective Persons from whom it is to be received Given at our Court at Whitehall the 14th of March 1688 9 in the first year of our Reign By his Majesties Command Shrewsbury Collonel Tiffins and Captain Lyndons Certificate to Collonel Cunningham THis is to certifie whom it may concern that we Zâ—chaâ—ah Tiffin Collonel of one of their Majesties Rigiments of Foot and John Lyndon Captain in one Collonel Stuarts Regiment together with Captain Wolfrane Cornwall Commander of the Swallow Frigat were sent by Collonel Cunningham on the 15th day of April last from 〈◊〉 Castle to Londonderry with a Letter he then wrote to Collonel Lundy to desire his Orders and Directions for the best and securest way of putting into the Town the two Regiments then on Board the Fleet at Anchor near the Castle where the Tide had failed so as they could not Sail up that Night We accordingly went to Londonderry where Collonel Lundy having read the Letter told us Affairs were in great Confusion and a much worse posture than could be imagined Therefore desired Collonel Cunningham would leave the Fleet with the Souldiers on Board still at Anchor and come next Morning to Town with Collonel Richards and what other Officers they thought fit Where he intended to call a Council of War and give a further account of the Condition of the Garrison With these Orders we returned that Night to Collonel Cunningham who in pursuance thereto with Collonel Richards and several of their Officers went up next Morning to the Town All which we certifie under our Hands the 30th day of September 1689. Zathariah Tiffin John Lyndon From the English Camp near Dundalk in Ireland I do also Testifie this Certificate to be true Dated the 26th of October 1689. Wolfranc Cornwall Instructions for our Trusty and well beloved Robert Lundy Esquire Governour of our City and Garrison of London-derry in our Kingdom of Ireland WHereas we have thought fit to send two of our Regiments of Foot under the Command of Collonel Cunningham and Collonel Solomon Richards for the Relief of our City of London-derry We do hereby Authorize and Impower you to admit the said Regiments into our said City and to give such orders concerning their Quarters Duty and Service during their stay in those parts as you shall think fit for the security of the said City and Country thereabouts And whereas we are sending to our said City of London-derry further Succours of Mony Men Arms and Provisions of War We do expect from your Courage Prudence and Conduct that in the mean time you make the best defence you can against all persons that shall Attempt to Besiege the said City or to annoy our Protestant Subjects within the same or within the Neighbouring parts And that you hinder the Enemy from possessing themselves of any Passes near or leading to the said City giving all Aid and Assistance you may with Safety to such as shall desire it and receiving into the said Town such Protestant Officers and Men able and fit to bear Arms as you may confide in whom you are to form into Companies and to cause to be well exercised and disciplined Taking care withal that you do not take in more unuseful People Women and Children into the said City than there shall be a Provision sufficient to maintain besides the Garrison You are to give us an account as soon as may be and so from time to time of the Condition of our City of London-derry the Fortifications Number Quality and Affections of the people Souldiers and others therein or in the Country thereabouts And what quantity of Provisions of all sorts for Horse Foot and Dragoons shall or may be bought up or secured in those-parts for our Service without the necessity of bringing the same from England upon sending of more Forces thither Lastly We do recommend unto you that you entertain good Correspondence and Frienship with the Officers of the said Regiments and more especially with the respective Collonels of the same Not doubting but by your joint Councels and by your known Courage as well as your Affection to the Protestant Religion which we shall not fail to reward with our Royal Favour and Bounty the said City will continue under our Obedidience until upon the Arrival of an Army which we are sending from England all things shall be in such a posture as that we may there with the Blessing of God restore in a short time our Kingdom of Ireland to its sormer Peace and Tranquility Given at our Court at Whitehall the 12th day of March 1688 â— in the first year of our Reign By his Majesties Command Proposals of Articles to be made to the Right Honourable Lientenant Gâ—neral Hunnston by the Governours Commanders Officers Soulaiers and Citizens of the City and Garrison of London-derry the 11th of July 1689. IMprimis That all Persons as well Officers and Souldiers Clergymen and Laymen as others that now are in the said City or have been in the same since the 7th day of December last or that have born Arms against his Majesty King James the Second in the Provinces of Vlster and Connaught or either of them Or that have been Aiding Abetting Counselling Adviseing or in any ways assisting to them or any of them or any way deemed of that Party shall be pardoned and forgiven until the 26th day of July instant of and from all Treasons Rebellions Robberies Felonies and other Offences whatsoever by them or any of them commited against his said Majesty or any Person or Persons whatsoever And that such of the said Persons now alive or which shall be alive the said 26th day of July and the Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns of such of them that are dead or shall before that time be killed or dye shall be immediately restored to all their personal and real Estates as if they or any of them had never taken up Arms or committed any offence against his