the Judicious may as the Lord Bolton truly observes Historically discern both the State of the Church and Common-wealth therein In as much as few Presidents of a well Modelled and excellent Government can be found more rational and advantagious to the Natives or less partial allowing the soverainty of England heretofore somewhat jealous of a Conquered People than those Laws are in their Constitution and Sanctity whereby the English as well as the Irish the Lord as the Kern is amesnable to the Law and may be punished for any offence whatsoever by the ordinary course of Common Justice All that I aim at herein is to make good the Title which in respect of the Governours who bear the Image of their Master and every true English mans Interest in the Conquest deserves not less Registring than the Chancellors Bishops Judges Sheriffs and other Officers of England of which there are particular Catalogues generally well accepted Some I confess as Geraldus Cambrensis Hoved. Mat. Par. Walsingham Holinshead Hanmer Campion and others have as their matter lay made an Essay at this Work So Reverend Camden crediting the Lord William Howard of Nayworths MS. too easily hath attempted the same in his Annals of Ireland yet so scatteringly and confused as if it were no great concern whether it were reduced ad Vmbilicum However I must own these in many things though a direct series of the Governours was never in a Body traced to the Present till now Nor did those who aimed at this Work ere touch on the Families from whence they came or excepting a few take notice of their Decease In which circumstances I have been a little curious though the length of time since the Conquest the unacquaintedness with some Families lost in their Original or confused in their Branches and the backwardness of others as if there were an obligation in it to inform one hath made me less certain than otherwise I would have been though generally most of these pass not without some Remark which I rather offer than impose And here I cannot well pass by this Epithite Chief which some accustomarily annex to the Governours of Ireland if Justices or Justice as if it were an honourable or necessary distinguishment of them from others usually so called whereas Chief is properly applied to the Chief Justice of the Kings Bench the Common Pleas or to the Chief Baron of the Exchequer others of the same Ranke being in competition with their Power but not to these they being Justices or Justice not onely in the Concreet but Abstract So Philip Basset was said to be Justitia Angliae In whom the Soveraign Power for the time is lodged without need of additional Epithites to amplifie or discriminate their Title In pursuance of which all Letters or Writs are directed to them from the King Justiciariis nostris vel Justiciario suo Hiberniae And in that Act the 33 of Hen. VIII which Authorizes the State of Ireland at the Avoidance or Death of the Kings Governour there to chuse an other in his room it is Enacted that they shall elect a Justice but speaks nothing that he should be stiled Chief Justice the superlativeness of his Power being in the Title Justice The vicissitude of Governours hath been observed by some to be exceeding prejudicial to the Publick private Respects often introducing notable change in the State according to their Interests who governed not the Publicks Diversi Imperatoribus mores Diversa fuêre studia Sometimes to the Degenerating of the Old English into the Irish Customs through their negligence and indulgence Othertimes to the alienating of the Irish by their severity from the benefit of a well tempered and orderly Government both equally destructive to the Princes service And yet too long a Residence in so eminent a Place may over-heat a great spirit if not bounded with excellent Principles Whence the Romans those great Masters of Government rarely admitted their Vicegerents to brood on a Province that their continuance there might not create Self-Interest The longest time any continued in this Government how honourable soever was never made up with happiness suitable to the anxiety of their Mind and Body Sir Henry Sidney who left as clear a Fame as any man that enjoyed the place parted with it with the words of the Psalmist When Israel came out of Egypt and the house of Jacob from a People of a strange language Judah was his Sanctuary and Israel his Dominion intimating how little satisfaction could be took in so slippery a Place amongst such a People whose Language he knew not and such variety of Interests though the most who have miscarried there have fallen through other mens Interests rather than their own failing What touches on the Person or Government of any is not writ as a History of their Times this Work was no such attempt onely as a brief and honourable mention of such as deserve the fairest Character What is more being rather to difference this from a meer Catalogue than to engage any in a History As to the late Insurrection in Ireland touching which in the first Sessions of Parliament after it brake forth there was hot disputes whether it should be termed a Rebellion or qualified more mildly such Catilines were within the House I have revived nothing in Reproach no I wish the Inhumanity of that Age may be forgot as well as pardoned though such as have had a deliverance thence and have the least sense of what the Protestants and British suffered in that sad and miserable time cannot stifle their silence without Passion since some bold Pens have avowed that there were not above xvij killed in the beginning of that horrid Massacre whereas such as will read Sir John Temples History of the Beginnings and first Progress of the General Rebellion in Ireland Printed MDCXLVI a Book writ without Passion on unquestionable Proofs by an honourable Person no ways interessed further than Truth and Conscience engaged him may there discover the Motion Cruelties and Surprizals of that unhappy Insurrection dislodging in few Weeks one hundred and forty thousand souls which I glance at onely Historically that the Serenity of the Present Times might be illustrated by the Ruggedness of those To which I should add something of the Cessation scarce by any save his Excellency inviolably observed but I am obliged to contract At first I intended not to have exceeded a Catalogue but matter flowing in my Omer hath filled an Ephah Yet I have been abridged too of what I thought the Age might have born however I do not much regret these Parings it being safer Vt veritas quamquam perutilis desiderabilis aliquamdiu suppressa lateat quam in lucem cum majorum offensâ praeproperè pariter Periculosè prorumpat all as this writ without Periods or Cadences that Truth not Rhetorick might be most prevalent In pursuit of which that Time might pass over with some cheerfulness I have with
Praes Hib. fol. 170. the Temporalities of the Bishoprick of Cassels on the death of Richard O-Hedian was ad firmam given for 10 years that See being so long vacant 1442. William Wells Esq Deputy to the said Lion Lord Wells 1443 James Earl of Ormond was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland continuing till that 1446. John Earl of Shrewsbury came over Lord Lieutenant before whom a Parliament was held at Trim in 25 of H. 6. He was slain at Castilion upon Dordon near Burdeaux July 20. saith Vincent the Monument saith July 7. through the shot of a Harquebush in his thigh after that he had given testimonie of his valour 24. years Some would have him to be buried at Rhoan iâ— Normandy but certainly he was interred at Whitchurch in Shropshire with this Epitaph Orate pro anima Praenobilis Domini Domini JOHANNIS TALBOT quondam Comitis Salopiae Domini Furnival Domini Verdon Domini Strange de Black-Mere Mare scalli Franciae Qui obiit in Bello apud Burdews Julii 7â— M. CCCC LIII At his return to England he accused the Earl of Ormond of High Treason before the Earl of Bedford Constable of England in his Marshals Court the King did abolish the Accusation 1447. Richard Talbot Archbishop of Dublin was appointed his Deputy under the title of Justice He writ many things but saith Sir J. Ware de Scriptoribus Hiberniae nothing is extant but what he writ De â—busu Regiminis Jacobi Comitis Ormoâ—iae dum Hiberniae esset Locum tenens Who by Thomas Fitz Thomas Prior of Kilmainam was appeached of Treason and appointed the Combat but took off as is before mentioned by the King He died Aug. 15. 1449. and lies buried in St. Patricks Church with this Epitaph Talbot Richardus latet hic sub marmore pressus Archi fuit Praesul hujus sedis Reverendae Parvos Canonicos qui fundavitque Choristas Anno Milleno C quater quater X quoque nono Quindeno Augusti mensis mundo vaâ— ledixit Omnipotens Dominus cui propicietuâ— in aevum 1449. Richard Plantagenet Duke of York Chief of the Faction of the White Rose Son and heir of Richard of Conesbury Earl of Cambridge second Son of Edmund Langley Duke of York was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland He arrived at Houth July 5. the Rebels being very insolent against whom he so behaved himself that he not only suppressed them but ever after purchased the affection of the Irish Nation firm and entire to him and having established Statutes and Ordinances in a great Council held at Dublin in the 28 Year of this Kings Reign as also afterwards in a Parliament at Drohedagh in the said 28 Year oâ— Hen. 6. He going for England 1450. Made James Earl of Ormond his Deputy who 1453. Being besides Earl of Ormond Earl of Wiltshire and Lord Treasurer of England in the 33 of â— 6. and also again about the 37. â—nd so continued till the 38 year â—as made Lord Lieutenant He was â—â— the first year of Edward the 4. beâ—eaded at Newcastle 1461. which atâ—indor was taken off in a Parliament at Westminster begun in Nov. in the first year of H. 7. and Sir Th. Butler was invested in his Honours and Estate At his leaving Ireland the same year John Mey Archbishop of Armagh â—as constituted his Deputy He died â—456 1454. Thomas Fitz Maurice Earl of Kildare Lord Deputy 1454. Sir Eustaceâ—night â—night was made Deputy to Richard Duke of York Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Before whom a Parliament was held in the 32 of H. 6. 1456. Thomas Fitz Maurice Earl of Kildare Deputy to the Duke oâ— York Lord Lieutenant before whom the 33 of H. 6. there was holden a Parliament at Dublin by several Prorogations at Naas and Dublin c. 1459. Richard Duke of York Lord Lieutenant came into Ireland having the Earldom of Vlster and the Lordship of Connaght and Meath by descent from Lionel Duke of Clarence He held a Parliament at Drogedagh the 38 of H. 6. the Conditions on which he took the Government were 1. That he should be the King Lieutenant of Ireland for teâ— years 2. That to support the charge oâ— that Country he should receivâ— all the Kings Revenues there both certain and casual without accompt 3. That he should be supplied also with Treasure out of England in this manner He should have 4000 Marks for the first year whereof he should be imprested 2000 l. before hand and for the other nine years he should receive 2000 per annum 4. That he might let or farm any of the Kings Lands and place or displace all Officers at his pleasure 5. That he might Levie or Wage what numbers of men he thought fit 6. That he might make a Deputy and return at his pleasure All which he managed with so much advantage as he greatly gained upon the Nation erecting only in Louth Meath and Kildare some Castles to stop the Incursions of the Irishry At his remove from thence in pursuit of a Crown the greatest part of the Nobility and Gentry oâ— Meath passed over with him into England and were slain with him at Wakefield 1460. He was first buried at Pontfract and afterwards removed to Fotheringhay Sub EDWARDO IV. 1460. Thomas Fitz Maurice Earâ— of Kildare Lord Justice 1462. Sir Rowland Fitz Eustace Knight Lord of Port Leicester Treasurer of England Deputy to George Duke of Clarence third son of Richard Duke of York and Brother to King Edw. 4. born in the Castle oâ— Dublin Lord Lieutenant before whom was held a Parliament at Dublin the 2 of Edw. 4. He died December 19. 1496. and was buried in the Covent of Minor Friers at Kilcullen New-Abbey whereof he had been Founder but erected for himself and his Lady a specious Monument in St. Audoenus Church in St. Maries Chappel in Dublin He had given him the Mannor of Port Leicester and the Honour of a Parliament Baron by Edw. 4. as also the Title of Viscount Baltinglass by H. 8. 1463. George Duke of Clarence was made Lord Lieutenant for life but as others held the Lieutenancy by substitutes as 1463. Thomas Earl of Desmond Deputy to the said Duke of Clarence held a Parliament at Weys in the 3 year of Edw. 4. as also at other places by Prorogations He lost his head at Drogedagh for the exactions of Coin and Livery 1467. John Lord Tiptoft and Powes Earl of Worcester Treasurer of England in the 31 and 32 years of H. 6. also in the 2 and 3 of Edw. 4. in whose Reign he was made Constable of England for life Lord Deputy of Ireland to the Duke of Clarence One of the most learned and eloquent men in Christendom Of whom I may say what Pliny writes of Aristonis Vt mihi non unus homo sed literae ipsae omnesque bonae artes in uno homine summum periculum adire videantur So that in him more learning was
Majesties happy return into England Interesses of all sorts bandying one against another Ireland amongst the rest thought how best to secure its Stake Upon which Sir Charles Coote Barronet and other Officers of the Army in Ireland much in Vouge with the People set forth a Declaration at Dublin February 16. 1659. taking notice how the Authority oâ— the Parliament in England was openly violated and that it was but Reason to secure the Grand Interest having been poured forth from Vessel to Vessel c. with much more to the same effect worthy of a Record in as much as not long after in a General Convention not without the subtlety of some contrived to effect the Kings Restauration was summoned at Dublin in which there was Orders taken for the satisfying the Souldiers who had been long behind in their Pay and the effecting of other things conducible to the Grand Design And now having notice of the Kings Letter from Breda they accounting themselves not less concerned than others laid hold on his Clemency in this Declaration A Declaration of the General Convention of Ireland ALthough the Deluge of Bloud spilt in these his Majesties Kingdoms of England Ireland and Scotland might by the cry thereof awaken us and the observation how God hath from time to time blasted all the attempts of rasing our ancient Foundations speaks plainly unto all that we must return to and repose in the proper Center of that Government under which these Kingdoms for many hundreds of years flourished Yet we cannot but acknowledge and we do hereby Declare That we receive additional incouragement to hope and endeavour for his Majesties return and resettlement the onely basis to support our Liberties and Freedom from perusal of his Majesties late gracious Declaration dated at his Court at Breda the 4 14 day of April in the twelfth Year of his Reign directed to all his loving Subjects under which title we are comprehended which we justly esteem our glory and happiness And we cannot pass by our acknowledgment of the undeserved Mercies of our God who by inclining his Majesties heart to the entertaining of the thoughts of Clemency Justice and Peace and by bowing the hearts of all his Majesties faithful Subjects in these three Kingdoms to embrace resolutions of duty and loyalty due to his sacred Person hath in a great part removed those obstructions which to humane appearance seemed insuperable by Treasure and Bloud without the expence of the one or effusion of the other And we do hereby declare our humble hearty and joyful sense of those gracious offers held forth by his Majesty in his said Declaration and confirmed by the word of a KING which are like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver and the lively expressions of an indulgent King that prevents the desires of his People by free Concessions And we further declare That with all submissive thankfulness we receive and do lay hold of those condescensions of favour and grace as the fittest expedients to cement the divided Interests in these three Kingdoms for which we shall always pay a constant Tribute of Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty as the undoubted Heir of these three Kingdoms and our just and lawful Soveraign so that as we may with full satisfaction say we live under the best of Kings â—â— his Majesty may be pleased to repute us amongst the best of Subjects God save the KING Dated the 14 of May 1660. May 14. 1660. ORdered by the General Convention of Ireland That this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published Ma. Barry Clerk of the General Convention of Ireland Dublin Printed by William Bladen by special Order Anno Dom. 1660. The Convention which in all things had manifested its Loyalty and the first fruits of obedience continued after the Kings Return with his permission having exprest their Loyalty to Him his Royal Highness and the Duke of Glocester in a sum considerable for that poor Nation And on the promise of a Parliament dissolved Sub CAROLO II. His Majesty was no sooner setled in his Throne but he reflected on the miserable and languishing State of Ireland whose Harp had long hung on the Willows solitary and unstrung and thereupon named some to whom the Affairs of Ireland were particularly addressed yet till that he had pitched on such as he thought fittest for the continuance in that Government I find by a Proclamation dated at Dublin Sept. 24. 1660. Sir Charles Coote Knight Barronet and Major William Bury stiled Commissioners of Government and Management of Affairs in Ireland which I could not pass over though these had not the Regalia signa puniendi Sword and Mace committed to their trust the first of that nature were 1660. Sir Maurice Eustace Lord Chancellor Roger Boyle Earl of Orrerey Baron Braughil President of Munster and Sir Charles Coote Earl of Montrath Lords Justices the Chancellor and Montrath were sworn Decemb. 31. Orrerey the 17 of January before whom a Parliament was summoned the 8 of May 1661. of which Dr. Bramhal Lord Primate of Ardmagh was by the Kings appointment made Speaker of the House of Lords the Chancellor being then one of the Lords Justices substituted with his Colleagues to present the Kings person in that Senate Of whom Dr. Dud. Loftus in his Funeral Oration of this Bishop p. 30. writes very worthily And Sir Audley Mervin his Majesties Prime Serjeant at Law was made Speaker of the House of Commons which he discharged with equal Faith and Integrity The House of Commons gave the Duke of Ormond 30000 l. as a Present from their House without relation to any satisfaction which should be provided for him by his Majesty or otherwise in recompence of his great losses and sufferings such a value was placed on his Merits such an estimate on his sufferings And as soon as the King had declared at Court viz. the 4 of November 1661. that he had made the Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the Irish Committee of Parliament then attending the King returned him solemn thanks for so excellent a Choice and the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland upon the notice thereof published this Order By the Lords Justices and Council Mâ—ur Eustace Canc. Orrerey Montrath WHereas his Majesty hath in his Highness Wisedom adjudged it fit to declare our very good Lord his Grace the Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of this Kingdom who had the honour to be so eminently instrumental in laying such firm Foundations for the future strengthening of this Kingdom the propagation of the Protestant Religion and securing the English Interest therein We therefore think fit and so do Order That the Major of the City of Dublin do take Order that there be this Evening such Publick Demonstrations of Joy upon so happy an occasion in and throughout the City and Suburbs as well by the Militia of the City as otherwise as may testifie the joined and unanimous gladness of all men for that happy choice made by his
Library bestowed on the University as the other was by the late Army Quos Deputatus docuit saith Caesar Williamson primum Armorum usum deinde Librorum and much more very elegantly he speaks in that Oration concluding with Philadelphus's Library in Alexandria to which Numero Libâ—orum cedimus virtute superamus Since Sir Jerome Alexander second Justice in the common-Common-Pleas in Ireland by his last Testament hath bestowed his Library of Law Books and others upon the Colledge with 100 l. for fitting a place for his Library Also he bequeathed 500 l. in Money to be laid out in an additional Building to the same Colledge to be called Alexanders Buildings He also gave 24 l. real Estate per annum thus to be disposed of viz. 7 l. per annum to the Library Keeper 20 s. yearly for a Sermon on Christmass day to be preached in the Colledge in memory of Gods mercy in sending his Son then to save Sinners and the remainder to be disposed of monethly to such poor persons as the Provost and Seniour Fellows shall think fit The residue of his Estate he gave unto his Daughter Elizabeth Alexander provided she married no Irish man or any related to that Interest if she did or died without Issue the whole Estate he setled on the Colledge of Dublin that at this day many things conspire to advance that Foundation Semper Pax tua moenia Colat semper in Aedibus Tuis Copia Dextra Larga munera fundat Dulcis Collegii Domus Te Pax incola sospitet Leges Numinis omnia Pervadant Loca Jernes Vt Ros tenella gemmulis argenteiâ— Pingit Syonis gramina Sic gratiarum gemmulis Coelestibus Pingas Jernes Pectora But to return to Sir William Fitz Williams Deputy in whose time this happy Work was effected in memory of whom his Arms on the Gate are left to posterity He descended from the Fitz Williams of Sprotsburg Knights an ancient Family in Yorkshire who in his own person had been long experienc'd in the Wars he was of an high and elated spirit in as much as Walter Earl of Essex 1573. desiring to go into Vlster against the Rebels was by this Governour much opposed lest the splendor of so great a man should eclipse his Honour But the Queen constant to her own Election would by no means gratifie Fitz-Williams in diverting the Earls Voyage yet ordered he should take the Commission of his Government from the Deputy which to testifie the eminency of his Power he granted by which he was Governour of Vlster but after such Attendance as the reflection of it hath made some Remarks very observable in our Deputies Government At length the Earl discontented with those perfidious passages which he found encouraged against him in Ireland retired into England where Leicester the better to overthrow him with Honour got him sent back with the vain Title of Earl Marshal of Ireland where pining away with Grief and Dysentery some write Poison he died at Dublin and was buried at Caermarden in Wales where he was born A most excellent man saith Camd. in whom sweetness of manners contended with his Nobleness of Birth This Dysentery or Flux so fatal to this worthy Person is commonly termed the Country Disease and well it may for it reigns no where so Epidemically as in Ireland tainting Strangers as well as Natives But whether it proceeds from the peculiar Disposition of the Air Errour in Diet the laxity and waterishness of the Meat or some Occult cause no venomous Creature living there to suck that which may be thought in other Countries well distributed amongst reptitious Animals I shall not determine though each of these circumstances may well conduce to its strength and vigour Certain it is that Regular Diet preserves most from the violence and many from the Infection of this Disease yet as that which is thought very soveraign besides those particular applications due to several symptomes arising thence viz. Gripings Tenesmus's c. which have their particular Cures obvious to every knowing Physician I must say that the stronger Cordial Liquors viz. Brandy Vsquebah Treacle and Mithridate Waters are very proper or the Electuaries themselves and the like quorum particulae summe activae dum vasorum splanchnicorum oscula facilè subierint humores exundaturos repellerent Judicially observed by Dr. Willis in his Pharmaceutice Rationalis for that besides their Energie to make the Bloud more lively they may also strengthen it to a Diaphoretick motion whereby what is offensive to the Bloud as ichorous and acid humours often irritating such extitial expulsions may thence be thrown off into the habit of the Body so by a Diaphoresis happily evert the Humour Of late in extremity great use hath been made of Swines dung drank in a convenient vehicle Nor is it a Medicine merely Emperical it having from the nature of the Creature to eject it always moist an Anodine quality highly conducing to dulcorate the Humour apt to ferment with so much virulency not to enlarge on other qualities wherewith it may be thought to be indued At his departure 1594. Sir William Russel Youngest Son of Francis Earl of Bedford August 11. was made Lord Deputy to whom Tir-Oen submitted himself but as all submissions of the Irish generally proved prejudicial to the â—â—â—te it being observed by Caesar Williamson in the Epistle to his Oration on the Kings Coronation day that ex omnibus gentibus vix ullam â—â—perias cui peccare flere magis naâ—â—rale est He soon fell into Rebelâ—ion and the Deputy to strengthen his ability in the management of the War besought the Queen to assist him with some able Souldiers upon which Sir John Norris excellently skilled in Martial Discipline contrary to the Deputies expectation was sent over 1595. who much wished for Baskervile Tir-Oen upon Norris's arrival fell to his old Artifice of Complying but was detected and proclaimed Traitor under the name of Hugh O-Neal Son of Matthew Fathereugh that is an Iron-Smith the base born Son of Con-O-Neal at which time the Rebels Forces amounted to 1000 Horse and 6280 Foot in Vlster and 2300 in Connaght all at Tir-Oens beck whereas before 80â— Foot and 300 Horse were esteemed on our side an invincible Army such mischief arose by teaching them the use of Arms. Norris with what he brought over and those he took out of Dublin and other places had fully as potent an Army yet did little against Tir-Oen more then reduced him to a submission One Article of Norris's Commission being to have the whole charge of the War and Treat with Tir-Oen as he pleased which kindled ill Fires with the Deputy that another should be superinducted to so great a Charge who leaving Norris to Vlster took care of the Affairs of the other Provinces and happily managed them whilest no good effect came of the Truce with Tir-Oen Which in the end so much redounded to Norris's discontent that Tir-Oen by his dissembling had nocked
Ireland 1640. Christopher Wansford Master of the Rolls took the Oath of Lord Deputy April 3. and died suddenly Decemb. 3. following passionately as it was thought affected with the imprisonment of the Earl of Strafford whose intimacy had been of ancient date Nor were his apprehensions the less for that not long before the Parliament sitting at Dublin some Instructions were agreed on by the House of Commons for a Committee to be sent into England which reflecting on the Earl of Strafford he caused as it was generally reported to be razed out of the Journal Book An example of which he had observed in the 19 year of King James Anno 1621. when the Protestation of the House of Commons was defaced by the Kings own hand and enjoined the Agents then appointed not to repair to the Court without the Kings License which notwithstanding they did some from one Port some from another He was buried in Christ Church Dublin A Gentleman certainly of excellent Parts a clear Orator and One regained from the Popular Partie of the House of Commons in England to serve his Prince in the Secrets of State On his death 1640. Robert Lord Dillon of Kilkenny-West and Sir William Parsons Knight and Baronnet Master of the Court of Wards Decemb. 30. were sworn Lords Justices But the Lord Dillon a person of great abilities and a shrewd reach well esteemed of by the Earl of Strafford being excepted against by some of the Irish Committee of Parliament then in England he was displaced Yet that no business for the advantage of Ireland might be delayed through the misdirections of Orders from his Majesty he was pleased by his Letters January 4. in the 16 year of his Reign directed to his Privy Council in Ireland and to Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlase Knights then designed to be his Justices of that his Kingdom to grant amongst other things that his Subsidies there should be reduced to a lesser rate than formerly and that all Letters directed to the Lieutenant Deputy Justices Chief Governour or Governours or to any other Officers or Ministers of that Realm either concerning the Publick Affairs or private Interests of any Subject there might be entered into his Signet Office in England to the end that they may be upon occasion found to take Copies of for the Subjects better Information in such publick things as may concern them as also that all Dispatches from Ireland should safely be kept apart that like recourse may be had to them for the better satisfaction of the Subject who shall be concerned therein And whereas in the former Governours time there were endeavours to hinder some Agents of Parliament to have recourse into England his Majesty takes notice that for as much as the Committee of the Parliament of Ireland John Bellew Esquire and Oliver Cassel with others imployed thence have repaired into his Kingdom of England to represent their Grievances he hath manifested his gracious condescentions to them admitting them into his Royal Presence forbidding his Counsellors in Ireland or any other Officers or Ministers of that State to proceed any wise against them or any of them for the same and that any of his Subjects shall have Copies of Records Certificates Orders of Council publick Letters or other Entries for the Declaration of their Grievances made so open was his breast to the Complaints presented to him from the Parliament in Ireland that if there had not been a general Defection long anvilled in the minds of that People the event of so horrid a Rebellion as few Moneths after happened could not have been the Issue of such Remarkable condescentions At the Lord Dillons going off 1640. Sir William Parsons Master of the Court of Wards long experienced in the Affairs of Ireland and Sir John Borlase Knight Master of the Ordnance well known to his Majesty by several Imployments at home and abroad as Collonel in the Low-Countries and Lieutenant General under the Lord Vere one of the most expert and fortunate Captains in the World were the 10 not the 9 as some write of February sworn at the Council Board Lords Justices who jointly endeavoured to smooth the rugged Passages of those Times obtaining from his Majesty more Graces than was thought would have been indulged the Irish in as much as a most Honourable person a noble Peer in the House of Lords avouched that the Lords Justices had always chearfully received their Requests and Messages and were ready to comply with them desiring that it might be entered in their Journal to the end that the memory of so even a Government might remain to Posterity Yet such then were the contrivance of the Irish to Rebellion that though as one says the Design was many times discontinued yet it bore an ancient date and was subtlely pursued in Parliament the Session before it brake forth when they pretended by a Committee of both Houses to search his Majesties Stores as if some Plot had been framed there to destroy the Parliament the House of Parliament being then over part of the Store and on that pretence they would fain have seen all his Majesties Store of Ammunition and Arms. But the Lord Borlase Master of the Ordnance under whose charge those were boldly denied their Requests as his Majesties choicest Jewels not to be discovered without his especial Orders which they took ill and Octob. 23. 1641. the Rebellion sadly broke out in its vigour and extremity raised for the Restauration of the publick Profession of the Romish Religion the Restitution of all the Plantation Lands unto the Natives and settlement of the present Government into their hands On which pretensions it went on currantly though the night before Owen O-Canally a meer Irish man but trained up in the Protestant Religion who out of a sense of his Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty and for the preservation of his good People and as an Effect of that Religion he was trained up in had discovered it first to the Lord Parsons and then not accounting himself to be sufficiently credited to the Lord Borlase at whose House the Council such as could be raised from their Beds met and securing the Castle and City with such strength as they had the Lord Mac-Guire Collonel Hugh Oge-Mac-Maâ—one some of them afterwards hanged at Tiburn and others were convened before them who yet made so slight a business of their Plot being discovered and their persons apprehended as the Relator saw Mac-Mahon and others draw Gibbets in Chalk with men hanging on them in several places in the Lord Borlases Hall as the best death the English could expect from them In the Interim Dublin by a strange Providence was secured though afterwards infested with so many inconveniences such streights as these Justices Government was under a perpetual trouble and anxiety being at the best but uncertainly supplyed out of England though such was the Resentment that the Parliament then sitting had of Ireland and the outrages committed