having violated the Peace and undeniably begun the War in invading Ireland the King delayed not to denounce the War against them by a Declaration to that purport bearing Date the Seventh of May 1689. and great Preparations were made for passing over to Ireland Forces were Levied in all parts of England and Money prepared for defraying the Charge of the Expedition which was the more facilitated upon the Estates of Scotland submitting their Crown to King William and Queen Mary and taking of them upon their being owned and invested King and Queen of that Kingdom which they did by their Commissioners who waited upon Their Majesties to that purpose in the Banquetting-House at Whitehall And the Viscount of Dundee who had headed the Rebel Highlanders and others in that Kingdom being killed in a fatal Battel near St. Iohnstown things began to go better and the Success of the Scotch Affairs gave way to a more speedy prosecuting those in Ireland where the Inniskilling-men being abroad pierced the Enemies Quarters and got great Booties defeating divers Parties and making themselves terrible to the Enemy Upon News brought that Maccarty was in those Parts with a strong Party plundering and ravaging the Country Lieutenant-Colonel Berry with three Companies of Foot eight Troops of Horse and three of Dragoons marched towards them but upon their approach found they were made stronger than they were reported by another Party that had joyned them and were much superiour to him in number which obliged him before he found himself sufficiently strong to attack them to send to Colonel Woolsey at Inniskilling for a Re-inforcement which he no sooner obtained but he charged them with much bravery killing a considerable Number taking some Prisoners and putting the rest to flight but the Flyers in their way being greatly re-inforced rallied and came to second Encounter which for a time continued bloody and doubtful they by reason of their advantageous Post much galling our Horse with their Cannon but the Defiles or dirty narrow Passages being resolutely passed by our Foot and Dragoons they made themselves Masters of the Cannon which gave our Horse the advantage to charge the Enemies Horse who thereupon deserted the Foot and fled and the Foot after them a great many being killed and some taken Prisoners by which Defeat the Country was freed from great Incumbrances This part of the Enemies Army that had a long time lain heavy upon it being by this means and in this Battel fell of the Enemy by the Sword and those that were drowned in desperately throwing themselves into the Lough to escape the Pursuers about Three thousand There happened likewise divers other Rencounters of lesser note wherein the Protestants for the greatest part gained the advantage Whilst these things were doing the Irish Army with King Iames at the Head of it marched towards London-Derry promising themselves the Terrour of their Arms would oblige it to a Surrender upon their first approach but found they were extreamly mistaken for although Colonel Lundy the Governour and the two Regiments sent from England under the Colonels Cunningham and Richards had withdrawn and slighted it as a place not tenable against an Army of Forty thousand Men with a Train of Artillery and divers Mortars Providence so ordered it became the Bulwark of the sinking Nation and gave the Enemy their first considerable check for divers Troops that were abroad mostly composed of undisciplined Soldiers throwing themselves into it they together with those that were found there were Regimented even the multitude seizing the Keys and undertaking with great alacrity to defend it having chose Mr. George Walker Minister of an adjacent Village their Governour and Major Baker his Co-adjutor or Assitant-Governour during the Siege And now those in Arms in the Town consisted of 117 Companies and every Company contained sixty Men being in all 7020 Common Soldiers and 341 Officers The next thing taken in hand was to view the Stores and ordering their better Security from any Embezling as resolving to defend the place to the last extremity having already rejected the Offers the Enemy made them in case they would readily submit which consisted of much promised Favour and Protection but the hard dealings others had met with who had put themselves into their hands made them deaf to all Proposals and their great Guns being mounted on the Wall they fired upon the Advance-Guard of the Enemy who had been promised to be received with open Arms by Hamilton and others who undertook to bring over the besieged which much consternated King Iames then within the reach of their Cannon and obliged him to remove to a place of more safety However seeing fair Words and Promises could not gain it they resolved to reduce it by force beginning within a day or two after their appearance before it to break Ground and run their Trenches drawing up a Demi-culverine within a Furlong of the Town with which they battered the Market-House and did some damage to other Houses but the Cannon from the Town playing among them did considerable Execution and to hinder their nearer approach the Besieged sallied and beat them out of their Trenches killing about Two hundred Men amongst whom was the French General Mamow and others of Note with little loss on our side and of Note only Lieutenant Mac Phedris was killed The Besiegers finding this way little availed them drew four Demi-Culverine into an Orchard adjoyning to the Town and kept continual Firing which hurt many People in their Houses and made some Impressions in the Walls Nor was the damage left unrequited from the Cannon of the Town which killed them a great many Men and some considerable Officers and a sudden shot took off two Fryars in their Habits as they were exhorting the Besieged to press on the Siege And now to do their Work more effectually they placed two Mortar-pieces and threw in divers Bombs which did some damage to the Houses and People whereupon the Besieged sallied and killed several of the Enemy at Penburn-Hill losing only two of their own and eighteen wounded The same day a Shot from the Town broke and dismounted one of their Pieces on the Battery and killed the Gunner whereupon they drew a Trench a-cross Windmil-hill from the Bog to the River and there raised another Battery lining the Hedge with Dragoons but at the same time the Besieged sallied in a considerable number and dividing one part made them Masters of the Trenches and advantageous Ground killing about two hundred whilst the other Party beat the Dragoons from the Hedges Which reiterated Losses so enraged the Enemy that having Captain Cunningham and Lieutenant Douglass upon some Sallies they after Quarter given put them to the Sword which served to confirm the Besieged in the belief of the Mercy they were to expect if they fell into their hands and made them more obstinate in a resolute Defence and alluring the Governour out under pretence of Treaty they fired a hundred Shot
coming in he put them utterly to the Rout killed and took Prisoners most of their Officers and recovered a great Booty And indeed the Winter not fit for the motion of great Bodies was spent in the piquering of Parties and settling the Civil as well as Military Affairs of the Kingdom and so continued till his Majesty went to Head the Confâ—derate Army in Flanders Sarsfield having a great Command among the Irish many of the Enemies chief Officers being gone for France under pretence of bringing fresh Recruits early in the Spring he drew together part of the shattered Army and some of the Militia at Knockany with a design to attack some of our Troops that were advantageously posted but was so warmly received that he found his Attempts very disadvantageous to himself and thereupon picking the most serviceable Men out of the Militia Troops sent them to joyn the Forces he had ordered to encamp in the Province of Connaught and put some of his Troops into Garrison and Winter-Quarters Notice being given to Lieutenant Spencer that a hundred Men of the Enemies Troops were advanced within a Mile of Copperquin in the County of Waterford with a design to surprize and carry off the Recruit Horses sent from England for Brigadier's Regiment he immediately marched with a Corner and 12 Troopers most of his Men being gone a Forraging and finding the Enemy in some disorder Charged them with his small Party and pressed them so hard that they retired into a Wood within a Mile of the place and thereupon 18 more of his Men coming up part of them dismounted entering the Wood whilst the rest on Horseback secured the Pass the Dispute lasted without firing on both sides for several hours in which they killed 40 of the Enemy and took the Captain that commanded them with 7 Soldiers Prisoners also their Arms and Accoutrements only one of the Lieutenant's Party being killed and two or three wounded Lieutenant Purcel being abroad with a Party fell in with the Rapparees and in several Encounters with them killed about 100 but attempting to burn their Cabbins in the County of Longford was way-laid by Sir Daniel O Neal's Regiment of Dragoons part on Horse-back and part on Foot but 35 of the Royal Regiment of Dragoons broke their whole Body upon a furious Charge killing 10 of them and taking 4 Prisoners with a Lieutenant and pursued the rest to Newcastle a Garrison they held in those parts yet in the hasty flight many of them quitted their Horses and took to the Bogs where some were lost These Successes were followed with others no less advantageous to us and unfortunate to the Enemy for Colonel Lillingstone being gone from Roscreagh joyned by another from a Neighbouring Garrison marched to Nonagh where he found the Enemy strongly posted yet charging them with great Resolution he dispossest them of those Posts and beat them into the Castle burning the Town where they had laid up great store of Provision and brought off a Booty of 300 Head of Cattel with the loss of 2 Soldiers and a Trooper's Horse the manner of the Attack being thus The Colonel detached 18 Horse and as many Foot and having them on Garrans or Irish Horse made all the haste he could to secure the Bridge of Nenagh about half a Mile from the Town whereupon the whole Garrison came out to make opposition but he maintained the Pass till his Foot came up and then leaving them at the Bridge he advanced with his Horse towards the Enemy who made many firings but so soon as our Men came near began to retreat and by degrees disordering themselves fell to running but being hotly pursued about 20 of them were killed and a Cornet taken Prisoner after which he sent a Detachment to secure the Pass on the other side of the Town towards Lymerick whilst the rest of his Men entred with the flying Enemy however many of them got into the Castle but our Men burnt the Town and got considerable Plunder And now open Force failing the Enemy they betook them to cruel Stratagems for a part of Colonel Foulk's Regiment being in their Quarters near Yaughal about 8 of them were set upon in a private House and murthered by surprize in a most despiteful manner the like treatment being supposed to be intended to all the rest had not this timely alarm'd them to stand to their Arms and defend themselves Upon suspicion of which Murthers divers were taken up and strictly examined at Dublin amongst which one of them being found Guilty and Executed in the Castle-yard owning at his Execution he buried the murthered Corpse but by no means could be induced to discover his Accomplices and several other were thereupon missing in other places supposed to be made away by them by the same means insomuch that the Lords Justices found themselves constrained to publish the following Proclamation to terrifie and deter the protected Irish from such unmanly Enterprizes of Barbarism The Proclamation of the Lords Justices c. WHereas notwithstanding the great Clemency extended by their Majesties to the Popish Irish Inhabitants of this Kingdom whereby upon their submission they have had equal Protection with their Brittish and Protestant Subjects yet such is the inveterate and implacable Malice of many of the Popish Irish that upon all occasions they not only relieve Their Majesties Enemies but joyn with them in the committing and concealing many horrid Murthers one of which of Eight Soldiers of Their Majesties Army inhumanly strangled at one time and in one place has by God's Providence been lately discovered near this City to have been committed by the Inhabitants of the place where the said Soldiers were quartered for which some of the Criminals have received just and deserved punishment and the Lords Iustices being fully satisfied that such Offences cannot be committed within the open and well-planted Counties of this Kingdom without the contrivance and help or at least the connivance of the protected Inhabitants and having received full Information that there is a Confederacy among many of the said protected Irish to give all Aid and Relief in their power to Their Majesties Enemies upon all occasions and to take all opportunities to destroy the Officers and Soldiers of Their Majesties Army and other Their good Subjects their Lordships being resolved to prevent as much as in them lies such their cruel and malicious Designs and to punish with all necessary severity those who shall be guilty or justly suspected of the same do publish and declare That if any such Murther shall hereafter be committed in any place within Their Majesties Quarters if the Popish Inhabitants of that Neighbourhood shall not use their utmost endeavour and diligence to apprehend the Malefactors and immediately discover all they know of such Fact to some Magistrate living near the place where the said Offence shall be committed so as the said Offenders may be apprehended and brought to punishment that then the Popish Irish Inhabitants of
â—â—o had been so mainly Instrumental in reâ—â—oring them that Peace they had so raâ—â—ly â—orfeited and had leisure during almost a â—ree Years to repent of the trouble they had â—â—ven the Kingdom and of the Losses themâ—â—lves sustained Whilst this Joy lasted care was taken to â—â—der the Garrisons and provide them with â—â—ch Necessaries where they were wanting as â—ight serve for the Winter Stores and put the â—oldiers in a good plight Nor was the Joy 〈◊〉 these Successes bounded in this Island but â—read into remote Countries so that in the â—amps of the Allies the Cannon was fired â—nd all other Demonstrations of a high satisâ—â—ction for the Success of their Majesties â—â—ms were set on foot though the French Commanders especially in their Camps laboured to extenuate these brave and vigorous Undertakings crowned with such ample Success least it could dishearten and abate the Courage of their Men who already by their frequent deserting seemed to grow weary of a War wherein they too plainly found that instead of what they formerly gained by Plundering and laying defenceless Places waste they must expect nothing but Blows and severe Treatment On the First of November following these Transactions the Irish Entirely left the English Town of Lymerick Embarking oâ— the Transport-ships in the Shannon wheâ— Sailing for France one of those Ships having on Board Four hundred Men besideâ— Stores and Furnitures of divers kinds running foul on a Rock overset and about Onâ— hundred Men were drowned though nâ— diligence was wanting to endeavour theiâ— preservation Upon the marching out of the Irish ouâ— Soldiers marched in and Garrisoned thâ— English Town and now Sir David Collieâ— was made Governour of the City of Lymerick and the Lord O Brian of thâ— County of the said City And on the Sixâ—â— of this Month the French Squadron consisting of Eighteen Men of War Six Fire-ships and Twenty Transport-ships who brought about Ten thousand Arms Wine and Brandy for Sale and much Provision fell down about Two Leagues below Scaltery viz. the Men of War but their Transport-ships were suffered to remain nearer to take in Provisions and other Necessaries for Transportation of the People they were to take on Board And Major-General Talmash having settled and ordered things to the best Advantage in the City gave place to the new Governour and departed for Dublin where he was received with many Expressions of Joy according to the true merit of his Courage and Conduct in this War Upon this great turn of Fortune many of their Ringleaders going away in the French Ships the Rapparees found themselves abandoned and in great Distress so that they were constrained to come in and submit so that the face of things appeared to be strangely changed Uproar and Confusion being turned into a calm Peace so that most of the English and Dutch Regiments c. prepared to Embark for England where they soon after Arrived and passed for Flanders where they were for the Winter Season quartered advantagiouâ—ly in divers Towns to hinder the Incursiâ—ons of the French The General having put an end to the War of Ireland being highly caressed and treated in Dublin Embarked for England on the Monmouth Yatch where he received the Applause and high Commendations of the People in all places where he passed The King received him very graciously and Created him Earl of Athlone c. The Parliament likewise sent their Thanks to him for the good Service he had done desiring him to Communicate the same to all the Officers that had served under him in this Expedition And he together with them was highly Entertained at a Noble Treat by the City of London The Soldiers now returning a Proclamation was Issued forth for their well abearing and behaving themselves in their March Quarters and making due Payment And so great was the Joy of the Irish Nobility and Gentry for restoring that Kingdom to Peace and Tranquility that in humble Gratitude they made the following Address to his Majesty viz. WE Your Majesties Most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects crave leave in the first place to offer our most humble Thanks to the Divine Majesty by whom you Reign for having Raised and Inspired your Majesty for the Deliverance of these Oppressed Nations and for preserving Your Royal Person so frequently exposed to danger but never in greater than in the Kingdom and Cause of the Protestants in IRELAND What was then so graciously undertaken by Your Majesty in Person is now so happily finished by the Success of Your Arms that we owe to Your Majesty's Courage and Conduct next to the Divine Providence the Restoration of our Religion and Civil Rights and Liberties We beseech Your Majesty to Accept this Recognition as the first Fruits of our Redemption till we are able to make a more Solemn and Parliamentary Acknowledgment to Your Majesties Iust Title to our Allegiance not only in Right of this Crown but in Gratitude to our great Deliverer and Conqueror of Your Majesty's Enemies We are sure Your Majesty will effectually preserve those You have so generously Delivered and we hope Your Majesty shall never have occasion to doubt the steady and united Affections of the Protestants of IRELAND in the Service of your Crown and Dignity from Principles of Inclination Duty and Interest all which makes us unanimously and heartily to pray for the Sacred Person Victorious Arms and Iust and Gentle Government of King WILLIAM and Queen MARY with Peace and Continuance over us On the Two and twentieth of December Sarsfield having got together Two thousand six hundred Men Women and Children set Sail from Cork for France he thought to have carried a greater Number but was deceived by their Deserting him as did the whole Regiments of Mac Dermo Brian O Neal and Colonel Felix O Neal upon the Advice they received of the ill Treatment of the Irish that were already Landed in France where the Officers were generally displaced or made to serve in lower Stations even to Common Soldiers and French Men set over them Ireland being now in a fair way to a Settlement Colonel Foulk Governour of Dublin had Orders to Disband the Irish Regiments that came over to us upon the Surrender of Lymerick except Fourteen hundred which were appointed for the Emperour's Service the which though they prosessed a great willingness to serve their Majesties they submitted to and had Two Cobs a Man given them Gratis most of them going to their Habitations or Employments On the Three and twentieth of Ianuary being the first day of the Term the Right Honourable Sir Charles Porter Lord Chancellour and Thomas Conningsby Esquire Lords Justices of the Kingdom came to the Court of Kings Bench accompanied by divers of the Privy Council and other Persons of Quality where they took the Oaths and Subscribed the Declaration required by the late Act of Parliament made in England After which the Judges of other Courts and Persons of different Quality and Employments did the like About this time
going over a little before had raised they seized upon the Town of Wexford which was given to one Fitz-Stevens a Welch Gentleman according to Agreement upon his raising part of the Forces so that News of this and other Successes flying to England many Adventurers came over and although the Petty Kings joyned their Forces yet were they beat in divers bloody Battels and Dormat being restored had Dublin submitted to him inflicting grievous Punishments upon such of his Capital Enemies as he found there The Prince being now in Ireland greatly increasing in Strength that came over to him carried all before him which made King Henry who feared the Prince's aspiring upon such Successes and willing to have the honour of Conquering so large a Kingdom himself sent his Mandate to recall the English out of Ireland so that but a few being left with the Prince in Dublin and they reduced to a great streight by the Irish that had taken heart they nevertheless Sallied upon an Army of 30000 with not above 1500 Men and utterly routed them taking great Spoil and then coming for England he surrendered all the Cities and Forts he had taken into his Father's Hands for Dormat by this time was dead and in the Year 1172. King Henry landed with a Royal Army which brought such a Terrour upon Ireland that Roderick and most of the Petty Princes that were Independent or his Tributaries came witn their humble Supplications to intreat him That he would take the Government upon him as their Supream Prince and Lord So that at Christmas he made them a Noble Feast in Dublin and settled the Kingdom in Civil and Ecclesiastical Matters Reforming Abuses and Barbarities And soon after those that held out in Vlster were brought to submit from which time we may Date the Conquest of Ireland by the English under which Soveraignty it has ever since remained as a conquered Kingdom and now annexed to the Crown yet the Natives who are generally hot spirited uneasie and restless under Restraint have often strugled to break this Chain though to the Loss and Disadvantage mostly of themselves King Richard the First by reason of his Wars in the Holy Land his Imprisonment upon his Return in Austria and the Empire and other Disappointments he met with at home had no War with the Irish nor happened there any thing extraordinary but care and industry to settle the Government which was done with such tenderness that the Natives being more civilized began to think themselves happy in the change and that they were redeemed from perpetual War which when so many Princes governed as Absolute in their Dominions could not be avoided among so rough and stubborn a People But because King Edward the First had sent for Forces out of Ireland to help him against the Scots with whom he had mortal Wars the wilder sort of the Irish in Edward the Second's time invited them over and many of the leading Men of the Natives revolting ruining the Country but upon the English joyning Battel with them they were routed and about 11000 slain among whom was a King of Connought and one Okly a Lord of great Possessions but soon after the Lord Roger Mortimer being sent over as Lord Justice of Ireland he managed Matters so ill that the Scots were again called in under Edward Bruce Brother to the Scots King who taking several places by the Revolt of the Irish from the English Obedience caused himself to be Crowned King of Ireland But in a great Battel his Forces being routed and he labouring to restrain their flight was killed by one Morepass whom he likewise requited with Death before his Fall and the dead Bodies fell by that means on each other which happened in the Year 1320. However they were rather dispersed than broken doing considerable Mischief where they found an opportunity to fall upon the English that had settled themselves in the Towns and Villages near the Sea c. In the Year 1329. during the Reign of King Edward the Third the Irish in Leinster and Meath rebelled against whom the Earl of Ormond drew out what Forces he could but being over-poured in number was defeated and the Irish made great Spoils of the English Possessions and amongst other Barbarities burnt eighty of them in a Church where they had fled for Refuge but at last the English fortified themselves in Wexford and upon their approach to besiege it sallied out upon them with such Courage that Success crowned it and 4000 of the Irish were killed most of them that fled being hotly pursued were drowned in the River Slane which with some other Encounters where Victory declared on our side so quelled them that in this King's Reign they rebelled no more Anno 1398. in the Reign of King Richard the Second the Irish fell again into Rebellion and by Surprize fall upon the King's Lieutenant and divers Persons of Quality whom they slew which made the King with considerable Forces haste thither and Landing he put them in all parts to the Rout killing a great many and taking several of their Ring-leaders and keeping his Court of State at Dublin to him resorted the Nobility and chief of the Irish submitting and paying him Homage promising to keep the Country in quiet for the future but Troubles arising in England the King hastily left Ireland and was no sooner arrived in Wales but finding himself deserted he betook him to a Castle where he was seized by Henry Duke of Lancaster to whom he resign'd his Crown and was afterward inhumanly murthered Upon whose Death many Troubles and Contentions arose so that the English being embroyled at home Ireland was little minded the People there doing in a manner what they pleased But in the Reign of Henry the Fifth we being setled at home more care was taken to prevent the Outrages and Depradations of the Irish insomuch that several who had been formerly Offenders were punished and others fled amongst whom were divers of their great 0nes who notwithstanding the care of the Earl of Ormond then Lieuâ—enant of the Kingdom to repress them drew a great multitude of People into Rebellion but the Earl gave Battel at Redmore-Athy where the Irish under the Leading of O Moor stood stoutly to it as Men in despair but after a bloody Fight that coloured all the Ditches of the Fens with Blood the Battel swerved and the Irish were defeated with great slaughter Which quelled them in so terrible a manner that for a long time after they seemed out of Love with War So that nothing memorably occurs in History till the Reign of Henry the Seventh when the Earl of Kildare being Deputy one Richard Symons a Priest wheedled him into a belief that one Lambert a Youth whom he had brought up as his Scholar was really the Earl of Warwick Son to George Duke of Clarence Brother to King Edward the Fourth that had escaped out of the Tower and was come thither for protection and the young Spark
having been well tutored and of a graceful Carriage so well acted his part that not only the Lieutenant but a great many of the Irish Nobility sided with him raising considerable Forces to espouse his Quarrel Crowning him King in Dublin and not content to keep him there they brought him with a considerable Army into England landing in Lancashire and Proclaiming him But the King's Forces advancing they were in a Set-battel over-thrown and the Imposter taken Prisoner the Priest hanged c. They likewise in the King's Reign aided another called Perkin or Peter Warbeck who stiled himself Duke of York younger Son to Edward the Fourth but in this they had no better success than in the former a great many being killed the Impostor taken after several Attempts and bloody Encounters having engaged the Scots as well as Irish on his part marrying the Lady Catharine Gourdon Niece to that King he was first obliged to confess his Impostor how he was set on maintained and encouraged by the Dutchess of Burgundy Sister to Edward the Fourth and then being publickly punished was sent to the Tower from whence endeavouring to escape he was executed and with him the real Earl of Warwick who had been kept a Prisoner there a considerable time all that was alledged against him was that he attempted to make his Escape with Perkin to raise new Commotions In the Reign of Henry the Eighth great Commotions were stirred up which were at first suddenly appeased but the Earl of Kildare being Deputy the People exhibited their Complaints against him to the Court of England as the cause of many Disturbances by his severe using them and amongst other Articles they had this viz. All Ireland is not able to Rule this Earl Then said the King this Earl is the fittest Man to Rule all Ireland and thereupon he continued him Deputy it appeared this hatred against him proceeded only from the strict hand he had over them to keep them from rebelling And another was That he had caused to be burned the Cathedral Church of Cashal The Archbishop of that place being his chief Accuser and when every one would have denied it he humbly replied By Chreest I would never have done it had I not byen told the Archbishop was in it Which plain dealing made the King smile and the Archbishop storm and fret however the Earl was ordered to rebuild it at his own charge and so continued in his Deputyship but often fell into displeasure by reason of his plain downright dealing and Cardinal Wolsey now ruling all at Court for speaking too plain to him upon his Examination at the Council-Board where Wolsey sat as President he sent him to the Tower and ordered a Warrant for his Execution without the King's Knowledge of which the King having Notice by the Lieutenant was mightily incensed at Wolsey and that great Favourite soon after falling into Disgrace the Earl was released and sent to Ireland with one Sir William Sheington who was made Deputy however the O Moors fell into Rebellion but being opposed by Forces drawn out of Dublin they were dispersed and many of them killed and for that time the Tempest blown over however it lasted not long for the Earl of Kildare's Enemies having again upon many grievous Complaints prevail'd to have him sent for to England he was committed to the Tower whereupon his Son the Lord Thomas notwithstanding the Perswasions of the Chancellor to avert him from it fell into Rebellion and drew great Forces after him yet driven at last to extream Necessities he was perswaded by the Lord Grey then Deputy of the Kingdom to submit himself to King Henry's Mercy without hope of Pardon but some of his Followers having killed Alen Archbishop of Dublin he was upon his Arrival committed to the Tower and King Henry being informed That the Geraldine Family had vowed never to have Peace with him he sent for the Earl's five Brothers in Custody when one of them during their crossing the Seas demanded of the Master what the Name of the Ship was who replied The Cow Nay then said he looking on the rest with a dejected Countenance we are all lost Men for now a Prophecy comes into my head that says Five Brethren of an Earl should be carried into England in the Belly of a Cow and never come back again and I doubt not but all things hitting so pat we are they And indeed so it happen'd for being Accused of the late Rebellion though two of them were ignorant of it the Lord Thomas Son to the Earl was beheaded on Tower-hill and the five Brethren hang'd drawn and quartered at Tyburn and the Earl soon after died in the Tower of Grief which destroyed the Center of that Noble Family for although one Brother escaped yet travelling through many Countries he at last came to Naples and there died Childless Nor did the Lord Grey escape for being countermanded and accused of holding Correspondency with this Family though without any notable Proof he was Condemned for High-Treason and beheaded on Tower-hill The Kings of England the better to please the Natives of Ireland having been all this while only called Lords of Ireland the Parliament sitting at Westminster in the 33d year of Henry's Reign invested with the Title of King of Ireland whereupon the Earl of Tyrone and divers others rebelled but in some bloody Encounters being defeated the Earl was at last subdu'd and brought Prisoner for England yet upon his humble Submission released and sent over upon promise of keeping the Country in quiet which he pretty well observed during the short Reigns of King Edward the Sixth and Queen Mary only some petty Commotions happened that were soon quieted In the Year 1566. being the Seventh year of Queen Elizabeth's Reign one of the chief Lords of Ireland named Donald Mac Carti More upon some little stirs that happened came over and not only cleared himself to the Queen but delivered up to her all his Territories vowing perpetual Fealty but she in gratitude restored them again and made him Earl of Glencare giving him a considerable Sum to bear his Expences so that by his great Authority amongst the Natives it was thought the Kingdom would be kept quiet but it proved otherwise for after some private Conspiracies that never broke out were defeated the Earl of Desmond the Eleventh Earl of that Title who had great Territories and abundance of Followers broke into open Rebellion and did great damage to the English driving them out of many places killing divers Gentlemen in Revenge as he said of the Earl of Kildare and his Family being put to death and amongst others one with whom he had contracted a strict Friendship and usually called Father who when he saw him with his drawn Sword breaking into his Chamber and relying upon his former Friendship cried out What is the matter Desmon my Son to whom the bloody Earl sternly replied I am no longer thy Son nor thou my Father but
and now Dublin wherein was a strong Garison commanded by Colonel Iones being the only place of strength that held out the Marquess laid Siege to it with a brave Army to appearance but it seems there were too many Irish in it for the Besieged taking the advantage of the carelesness of the Camp made at first very slender Sallies but finding the advantage they sallied with their whole strength and beating the Besiegers out of their Works followed them into their Camp which occasioned such Terrour and Confusion that the Irish fled and left the English and some few French to stand to it but being overâ—owered by the vigorous Attacks they at â—ength after a sharp and bloody Dispute gave â—way and were forced to raise the Siege whilst â—he Besieged became Masters of their Camp â—nd an extraordinary rich Booty and more Forces arriving from England Fortune went against them almost every where And now London-Derry being besieged that Siege was â—aised by Sir Charles Coot but what yet was a greater Terrour Cromwell a vowed and morâ—al Enemy to the Irish landed with seven Regiments of Foot four Regiments of Horse â—nd one of Dragoons bringing along with him â—he Title of Lord Governour or Lieuteâ—ant of Ireland and had to bring over â—hese Forces forty Sail of Ships with â—attering Pieces Mortars Ammunition â—nd all other Warlike Stores and Materials He staid a while to visit Dublin and â—hen marched with a compleat Army to â—esiege Drogheda wherein was a strong Garâ—ison of English and Irish it being upon â—he Rumour of his Approach reinforced with Two thousand five hundred Foot and Three â—undred Horâ—e and although it was stoutly â—efended yet it was carried by Force and by the too cruel Order of the General all were put to the Sword not respecting Age â—or Sex except a very few who hid themâ—elves for many Days till the Fury was over And here it is the more to be lamented beâ—ause this Brunt fell mostly upon many brave English Gentlemen who were got into the Place to Defend it for their King Otheâ— Towns were likewise taken by Storm anâ— treated at the like rate so that a bloody Vengeance seemed to fall heavy upon a great many that were Innocent for the Sins of the Guilty who had so lately polluted the Land witâ— Innocent Blood and now kept mostly out oâ— the way in the Mountains Bogs and Fastneâ—ses however being at last hunted from placâ— to place a great number fell by the Sworâ— Famine and Pestilence insomuch that the Lanâ— was greatly Depopulated a third part of thâ— People being wasted and had severe Task Masters over them that made them Groan â—nder their Burthens till Charles the Seconâ— came to lighten their Sholders and restoâ—â— them again their Peace and Eaâ—e by Accessioâ— to the Crown upon the Happy Restauration so that the People wearied with their formeâ— Miseries began to be out of love with Waâ— and Insurrections and seemed mightily inclinâ—ble to Peace And indeed the King too care to place such Ministers of State among them especially the Lords Lieutenants anâ— Lords Justices that they had no reasonablâ— cause to complain of their Usage either iâ— Affairs Civil or Military and indeed thâ— Tranquility the Kingdom enjoyed made thâ— People in a great measure forget what theâ— had suffered They traded to France anâ— Spain with the product of their Native Soil the Rivers and Lakes likewise affording theâ— plenty of Fish which they transported foâ— Wine and other Commodities Nor did theâ—â— Thoughts appear to be elevated above what was reasonable till the Death of the King But when King Iames the Second ascended his Brother's Throne and declared himself a Roman Catholick then it was the Irish Papists began to prick up their Ears and to expect Advantages beyond their Abilities publickly declaring The Day was their own and that the Protestant Religion must go down But it seems in this as in their other Aims they took such Measures as made them shoot wide of their Mark The Earl of Tyrconnel who had been raised by King Iames when Duke of York from a mean to a considerable Figure was looked upon as a fit Instrument to carry on the Design in that Kingdom and therefore upon the re-calling of the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon he was made Lord-Lieutenant and soon gave the Irish great Hopes of Superiority over the English in that Kingdom by first Cashiering the Protestant Soldiers and Officers that were in Arms and then the Officers and Ministers of Justice And though there were Complaints made against him at the English Court yet they were not regarded but he the rather encouraged in his Enterprizes insomuch that things run so high that many feared a fatal Event and divers left thereupon the Kingdom some going for Holland others for Scotland and England and in such a method Matters continued to be pushed violently on till News came of a purposed Invasion of the Kingdom of England by the Prince of Orange now our Soveraign then Tyrconnel beâ—tir'd himself to secure Ireland Imprisoning such as he suspected and Disarming others draining the Garrisons of the most expert Irish Soldiers that were Papists and sending them over to the number of Three thousand or thereabout to the Assistance of his Master but they did him far more hurt than good by increasing the Peoples Fears that were but before suggested And indeed the whole English Nation Revolting in a manner from King Iames and what was more remarkable a great part of the Army he had been so long Training up at a vast Expence Upon the Landing of the Prince with his Forces the Irish Forces that had been sent over in expectation of Mountains found that they were not only dwindled into less than Mole-hills but themselves in a miserable Condition not only at the point of starving when Disbanded with the rest of the Forces by the Earl of Feversham but almost exposed to the Fury and violent Resentment of the People who had conceived a Hatred against them so that at last submitting they were taken care of and most of them shipped for the Emperour's Service against the Turks Tyrconnel was not idle in Ireland upon the News he had from England of King Iames his Flight to France but calling a Council mostly of his Creatures told them That now it was their time to stand up for their Country and secure it against all Opposers and that for his part if even his Master should command him to deliver up the Sword he should think it in such â— Iuncture his Duty to Refuse it And immediately not only spread the News throughout the Country but caused the Irish every where to take Arms such as they could get â—o â—haâ— the Tumultuous Rabble getting together plundered the Protestant Houses drove away their Cattel fired their Stacks of Corn and Hay murthered some and barbarously used others insomuch that the Terrour working in all such as could fled for their Lives leaving their Substance
wounded yet they came not off without leaving the Marks of their Valour upon the Enemy But by this time the Army having the Elements to contend with as well as the Enemy by reason of the stormy Winds and incessant Rains which not only made the River over-flow but filled the Trenches knee-deep with Water and would in a short time in all probability have cut off the Communication and hindered the Forrage from coming in his Majesty upon mature deliberation thought fit to raise the Siege and refer it to a more seasonable opportunity So that on the 30th of August the heavy Cannon and Baggage were sent away and the next day the Army decamped and marched off in good Order strong Detachments being sent towards Cork and Kingsale And the King having appointed the Lord Viscount Sidney and Sir Thomas Conningsby Governourâ— of the Kingdom and setled the other Affairs as advantageously as might be sailed for England and landed at Bristol where as in other places he was received with a general Joy Upon the King's departure the Irish Garrisons thought themselves safe for the Winter at least but found in a short time they were deceived for other measures were taken The English Fleet had orders to stand away to the Coast of Ireland and soon arrived in Cork Harbour and upon notice of their Arrival the Land Forces drew down to joyn them upon their Landing Upon which the Duke of Berwick who stiled himself Lord General of Ireland drew off Lauzun and Tyrconnel being already gone to France Lieutenant-General Douglas followed after the Duke with a strong Party to fall upon his Rear but he Encamped so advantagiously behind the Bogs that it was not thought feasible to attempt the forcing his Camp A Battery of 8 Guns was raised to hinder the Landing of our Men but two or three armed Boats forcing ashoar those that were to manage and guard the Guns fled and our men dismounted them throwing the Carriages into the Sea so that on the 24th of September 5 or 6000 Seamen Gunners and Carpenters were detached to be employed in raising the Batteries and mounting the Cannon against the Town of Cork and divers Boats of armâ—â— Men were sent to assist the taking it by water so that upon the approach of the Army the Enemy set fire to the Suburbs and the Earl of Marlborough who commanded the King's Forces in chief having taken a view of its Scituation and finding the Enemy had quitted a Post called Cats-Fort sent a Detachment to take possession of it and then advanced his Camp within Musquet shot of the South-side of the Town which occasioned the Enemy to set fire to the Suburbs for fear our Soldiers should lodge themselves in it yet our Men advanced to the Ruins and played upon the Old Fort from two Batteries they had raised and the next day made a Breach in the Wall so wide that the Besieged fearing our Men would Enter by Storm and dreading the consequences of Delay they beat a Parly and sent out an Officer to Capitulate and Hostages were Exchanged but the besieged standing high upon Terms four Regiments under the Command of Brigadier Churchil were ordered to get into the Island near the Wall where the Breach was made which they performed by fording it to the middle the Granadiers commanded by the Lord Colchester leading the Van being exposed to all the Fire of the Enemy Amongst those that attempted this were a great many noble Voluntiers as the Duke of Grafton the Lord O Brian Colonel Granvil Captain Leighton Captain Cornwal Captain Nevel Captain Fairborn and others but it proved fatal to the Duke for by a shot he received he soon after died and his Body being carried for England was there honourably interred The Besieged finding that our Men would not enter as not being above 20 Paces from the Breach beat another Parley but could have no other Conditions than to be Prisoners of War to which with some difficulty they agreed and the Capitulation was signed which in the Articles was to this purpose viz. That upon the Garrisons being received as Prisoners of War no prejudice should be done to the Officers Soldiers or Inhabitants but that the General should make it his Endeavour to obtain his Majesty's Mercy and Favour towards them That the Old Fort should be delivered up within an hour and the two Gates the like by 8 in the Morning the next day That all the Arms of the Garrison and Inhabitants should be put into secure places and the Protestant Prisoners immediately released That a due Account should be given of the Magazines as well of Provision as Ammunition And the same Night 200 Men took possession of the Old Fort and the next Morning of the Town the Garrison between 4 and 5000 being made Prisoners of War and of note amongst them were the Earls of Clancarty and Tyrone Colonel Macgillicot the Governour and divers others This place thus taken and put into trusty hands the Army immediately marched towards Kingsale and took their Posts about the New Fort whilst Major General Teteau was Commanded with 800 Men to make an Attack upon the Old Fort whereupon passing the River in Boats he on the 3d of October gave an Assault and Entered it by Storm making at the same time to divert the Enemy a false Attaque and our Men at one and the same time giving the Bastions some Barrels of Powder took fire and destroyed about 50 of the Enemy and in the heat of Fury many were killed Those that Escaped some fled unto the Old Castle in the midst of the Fort and some endeavouring the New Fort by the help of a Boat the Tide being against them they were mostly killed by the shot of our Men from the shoar the Governour and several Officers were killed in defending the Ramparts and found dead in the places where they fell and the Soldiers got considerable Plunder The Old Fort thus Entirely won the General sent a Summons to the New Fort to demand its immediate Surrender but the Governour sent back word That it would be time enough to talk of that a Month after But the General not to be dallied caused the heavy Cannon to be mounted and two Attacks were ordered to be made by the English on the right and the Danes on the left and the more to amuse the Enemy a false Attack was made and on the 15th of October the Cannon played all the Morning and the Galleries were preparing to lay over the Ditch when about One of the Clock the Enemy beat a Parly proposing that Hostages might be Exchanged in order to a Treaty which done Articles were agreed on and signed about Midnight and pursuant thereto the middle Bastion was to be delivered up the next Morning and about 1200 men of which the Garrison consisted were to march out the day after And the principal of the Prisoners taken here and at Cork were shipped for England but some of them met with a
there thâ— Rapparees upon his Return fired out of thâ— Wood which he immediately causing to be surrounded so ferreted them about that 30 oâ— them together with Casheen their Ring-Leadeâ— or Captain were killed And 250 Foot and 20 Horse commanded by Lieutenant-Coloneâ— Hodson marching from Mountmelick he posted them at Kilkapog by break of day where thâ— Foot entred the Woods and Bogs and thâ— Horse securing the skirts they hunted out and killed about 18 of the Enemy that lay lurking there to surprize such as passed that way anâ— indeed these sort of Enemies were more dangerous and cruel where they mastered thaâ— the Regular Troops but so cowardly withaâ— that they would not stand a Charge if theâ— perceived the Match was but any thing neaâ— equal an Instance of which may be observeâ— in this viz. A Party of Colonel Brewer's Men being upon their March towards Kiâ—negad a great Body of Rapparees lay in Ambush yet durst noâ— come out for fear of being worsted though ouâ— Men were much inferiour to them in number but let them pass when so it happened thougâ— very unfortunately that a Serjeant and 4 Soldiers of this Party lagged behind a considerable way upon these the Rapparees seized and though on their knees they begged for Quarter yet they murthered them and not satisfied with their Deaths they bored out their Eyes and mangled their dead Bodies but the next day three of the Murtherers were taken and brought to Mullingar where one of them accused the other two of the Fact they were upon such Conviction immediately hanged up â—nd Captain Poyn soon after falling upon the whole Knot of them with a Party of 110 Men of the Garrison of Mullingar put to the rout and dispersed throughout the Country killing â—etween 40 and 50 of them And now since â—e have had occasion to speak so much of these Rapparees in the Series of this History some â—ay be inquisitive to know what manner of â—eople they are To which I answer They are a sort of Vagabonds and Thieves â—ot caring to Work or take any Employment â—pon them a mixture of Irish with other Naâ—ions who herding together take all opportuâ—ities where they are strongest to plunder â—urn and murther their hands being against â—ll and the hands of all against them to deâ—troy as Beasts of Prey They rejoyce at Wars â—od Troubles because then they have liberty â—hey think to do what they please Their Dwelâ—ings for the most part are Cabins or moveable Houses and their skulking places Bogs Woods â—nd Mountains They are not held as Soldiâ—rs nor included in the Articles of War but lie at the mercy of those that take them without their being obliged to give them any Quarter though they crave it Their Apparel unless they rig themselves by Plunder is so misserable that they go in a manner naked Yet these hopeful Sticks the Commanders of the Irish Army encourage and put Weapons into many of their hands to harress and destroy the Countries under their Majesties Obedience Yet they have been so often met with upon their Incursions that about 4000 of them have come short home since this War begun And furthermore to encourage the People to be vigilant and to discourage such Rakeshameâ— the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland puâ— forth a Proclamation in these words or to thiâ— effect THat to prevent the Robberies wilfâ—â— Burnings of Buildings Corn and Hayâ—â— Murthers and Insurrection with which thâ— parts of the Kingdom under their Majestieâ— Obedience was threatned by the Rebels anâ— their Adherents during the time their Majesties Army should be upon their march tâ— the Frontiers or in the Quarters then poâ—sessed by the Rebels they have thought it nâ—cessary and do thereby publish and declare That the Popish Irish Inhabitants of the râ—spective Baronies under their Majesties Obâ—dience where any Rebels commonly callâ—â— Rapparees shall commit any such Robberies Burnings or Murthers or where any such Insurrection shall happen if they do not immediately give Notice of such Rapparees and Insurrections respectively to the Iustice of Peace or chief Officer of the Militia next to their Habitations and assist him in the taking and destroying them and in the suppression of Insurrections that then they where such Fact shall be committed neglecting their Duties shall be deemed Confederates with the said Rebels and Enemies of their Majesties Government And by Order to be given by the Lords Iustices as occasion shall require shall be proceeded against with the utmost severity of Military Execution And they do further Order That no protectted Irish Papist shall be abroad out of his or their Dwelling-place of Abode after the hours of Nine at Night or before the hours of Four in the Morning under the Pain and Penalty of being put out of their Majesties Protection And if after the Thirtieth of May 1691. any Arms or Ammunition shall be found upon the persons or in the possession of any such Irish Papists he or they shall be looked upon as Rebels and punished accordingly And as they intend severely to punish all such as shall offend in the particulars above-mentioned so they do assure all those Irish Papists who live under their Majesties protection that they behaving themselves as becomes good Subjects shall have the benefit thereof These Proceedings made many of the Papists stir to prevent the mischief who before stood laughing in their sleeves at the Damages their Protestant Neighbours sustained though to curry favour in a dissembling manner they often shewed them a fair Countenance and seemed to pity their Losses And Major O Neal and some others came over from the Enemy and took the advantage of their Majesties Protection But whilst these things were transacting one Mark Baggot apparelling himself in Womens Clothes made it his business to spy into our Quarters and the manner of Affairs but his too much inquisitiveness discovering him he was seized and being sentenced by a Court Marshal he was executed at Dublin on the 20th of May. The Season thus far in a forwardness gave a favourable Invitation to the Army for their taking the field when a Party of the Irish Army consisting of 150 Men thinking to be early at it and do some notable Exploit to be talked on came to Castle-Lions and took thence a few of the poor peoples Cows but Colonel Donep with about 20 Danes and a like number of the Militia Dragoons pursued over-taking them at Ballyderdawn where a Lieutenant with 8 Danes and 6 Dragoons beat off 60 of them who had lined the Hedges in which Action the Lieutenant was killed but the Colonel coming up with his Party and being reinforced with 50 fresh Men he still pursued them killing about 50 of them of which 2 were Commission Officers took 40 Horses and his Men got indifferent store of Plunder This was followed with other Successes of the like nature nor could any great Actions be expected by reason the Armies were not as yet in the field our staying for the
to put into some places though very distant from Lymerick but either not well knowing the Harbours or being fearful as having no certainty of what had happened they continued cruizing being seen sometimes off one place and at other times off another as being doubtful and uncertain of their enterprizing any thing to the end for which they came as perhaps having intelligence that a Squadron of our Men of War under the Command of Sir Ralph Delaval was making towards Ireland to prevent any evil design they might have notwithstanding the Capitulation considering on our part that the French Maxim is much the same with that of the Ottomon Port viz. To consider nothing against their Interest but in the firmest Peace to take all the advantages of open Hostility where any thing offers that may render their Attempts successful But whether they sooner or latter had an account of what had happened at Lymerick and that with the rendering up that important place all their Measures had been broken considering in those Articles the few places of no considerable strength were included we determine not but certainly so it happened they attempted nothing worthy of note on the Coast of that Kingdom but kept out at Sea as well as they could During the cruizing of the French we had at length certain knowledge that they had notice of what had happened viz. that Lymerick had submitted and with it all those Places that yet held out if in the time limited they by Surrendring took the benefit of the Articles agreed on which occasioned a greater Security in them as to the fear of being attacked by our Men of War because in one of the Articles it was agreed that such of the Irish and French as had a mind to leave the Kingdom and go for France might stay to expect a free Passage thither without interruption and then they more boldly appeared upon the Coast of Kerry being discerned from the Hills and Cliffs to be about 25 Sail of Men of War with some Fire-ships and 25 Transport-ships and that it might be taken that their design in coming at first was no other than to carry off â—he French and Irish that were unwilling to â—tay Monsieur D'Vsson the late French Goâ—ernour took his first opportunity to give notice of their being there to Major-General Talâ—ash who had been appointed by the Geneâ—al to Command at Lymerick and upon maâ—ure deliberation it being thought more conâ—enient to suffer such as would transport themselves in French Ships than trust any of â—urs in the Enemies Port on that Account â—t last it was agreed that the Transportâ—â—ips might come into the River Shannon â—ut the Men of War and Fireships to keep â—â—t at Sea and that those Transport-ships should have liberty to take on Board such as would freely imbark In the mean while divers Irish Gentlemen and Persons of Quality who it was by some supposed would have embraced this voluntary Exile considering perhaps how the French had insulted them in their own Country and expecting worse Treatment when they should be more ablosutely under their Jurisdiction resolved not to trust their kindness by leaving their Native Country but rather chose to rely upon the kindness of a Generous Prince whose Word in all things is inviolate and thereupon spontaniously came in and took the Oath of Fidelity to their Majesties Nor were the Rapparees who are accounted the most obstinate of the Irish behind hand in this For divers of their Chiefs considering their Safety depended upon a speedy Submission thought it their best way to lay hold of the Grace offered least such a favourable opportunity might for ever be out of their power and thereupon resolving to lay hold on it laid down their Arms and submitted to Mercy causing many others of their Subalternates to do the like and bring in their Arms insomuch that Roads that a little before lay unfrequented by Travellers for fear of this rapacious sort of People were again frequented and those that had been so terrible to them now proved their Guards in many places to protect them against such as yet held out by which means the face of things seemed wonâ—erfully changed and a Country that a litâ—le before had been so bloody a Scene of War â—ow promised and gave a large prospect of durable Peace attended with Plenty and 〈◊〉 greater Advancement by Trade than eâ—er in consideration of a greater assurance â—f Security given especially to the Proteâ—â—ants by the glorious Success of their Majesties Arms than has been in the formâ—r Reigns Although Sarsfield Sheldon and others â—ho centered their Fortunes and Interest in â—â—e late King who had mainly raised them 〈◊〉 his Favours expected to draw after the â—reater part of the Discplined Soldiers to be â—â—sposed of in the Service of the French King 〈◊〉 also some of the Gentry and Nobility yet â—â—ey missed of their aim Matters being thus brought to a Conclusion 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of Ireland care was taken to 〈◊〉 our Troops into Winter Quarters who 〈◊〉 such extraordinary Enterprizes so 〈◊〉 succeeding each other were somewhat 〈◊〉 and required for the recovery of â—â—â—ir Strength and Health more Refresh 〈◊〉 nt and Ease than the Field could any ways 〈◊〉 them And in this such order and care was taken that none should be endamaged in the Quarters but if any such thing happened by any Oppression or Unruliness of the Officer or Soldiers the Party grieved upon Complaint to those appointed to inspect and regulate these Affairs should have speedy redress That the fears of the Countries about Lymerick might be at an end the French anâ— Irish that resolved for France were furthere by the English by way of Friendly assistancâ— for their Embarkment on such Ships as weâ—â— ordered or allowed to carry them to theâ—â— desired Ports The Lords Justices received an Accouâ—â— on the first of November from Major-General Talmash That the French and Iriâ—â— marched out of the English Town on the firâ—â— of the said Month and part of them embarked on the French Ships that were permitted to enter the River Shannon in order 〈◊〉 transport them The General after the many glorioâ—â— Succeses that Crowned their Majesties Arâ—â— under his Command in so short a timâ— arriving at Dublin was received severâ—â—â— Miles from that City by a great Body 〈◊〉 the Gentry on Horseback and approachiâ—â— through the loud Shouts and Acclamations 〈◊〉 the crouding People was received at 〈◊〉 Gates by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in â—heir Formalities and highly welcomed and â—he Ceremony performed upon the occasion â—â— his coming to that Capital City ended with a general Joy and the highest Marks â—â— Respect to a Person who had been so serâ—iceable to the Kingdom His Majesties Birth-day and the Anniversary of the Powder-Plot were likewise obâ—erved with all imaginable Demonstrations of â—oyalty and Marks of Firmness to the Proâ—eâ—tant Religion Nor were some of the Papists wanting to express their Satisfaction to see the Hero
there happened an Extraordinary Storm which did much Damage at Land but more by Sea The Adventure of London was cast away on the Coast and all her Men drowned A Vessel laden with Corn was driven from her Anchor in the Road and beaten to pieces but her Men saved and divers other Shipwracks were driven on shoar in the Ports of this Kingdom And now the Poor being very numerous by reason of Losses in the War care was ordered every where to be taken of them till they could better provide for themselves having conveniâ—â—â—â— Houses appointed for their shelter And the Militia of the Country was reviewed to know in what Condition it stood And the Lords Justices issued out a Declaration Prohibiting any Officer Clark or other Person or Persons whatsoever depending upon their Majesties Treasury either by himself or any other to use in part or in whole directly or indirectly to buy any Arrears or Debenture â—ue to any Officer Soldier or any Person or Persons that have been Employed in their Majesties Service the preceding War upon pain of forfeiting the benefit of every Contract or Agreement for such Arrears which shall be paid to the Party to whom they are due when the same shall come to be paid as also upon communication of such a Fault be dismissed from his or their Employment and declared being uncapable of serving in the Treasury for the future This saved a great many Officers and Soldiers much Money who to supply presant need would have taken a small matter for what was after paid them to the full And now though it had been stipulated and agreed by several Articles made with the Garrison of Lymerick Galloway c. That all Arms were to be delivered up unless such of the Nobility and Gentry as were allowed them for Defence of their Houses c. And this not being punctually observed a Proclamation was issued out by the Lords Justices to command all Persons who had any to Surrender or cause to be Surrendered to the Sheriff of the City Town or County or to the next Justice of the Peace all their Fire-Arms Swords Pikes Half-Pikes Halbards Partisans Skenns Bayonets and all other Arms Offensive and Defensive And upon failure or contempt to be prosecuted to the utmost Severity of the Law a Reward of Ten shillings was likewise proposed to any Person who should after the Tenth of March discover any Arms and the Concealer to be prosecuted at the next Assizes as a Contemner of their Majesties Royal Authority to be looked upon as Disturbers of the Peace and to forfeit the Benefit of the said Articles This made a great many of the Papists bring in their Arms for fear of a Discovery which they had kept till now perhaps to so sinister an end so that by this means the Peace being better assured the Protestants found themselves out of danger the Husbandmen manured their Ground with cheerfulness as not doubting to reap the benefit of their Labours which they had been long debarr'd to the undoing of many Thousands The Artificers fell again to their respective Crafts with courage So that the Land casting off its bloody stain laboured to forget its sorrow and though the usual Trade with France was prohibited yet â—rom England Scotland and Spain 〈◊〉 Necessaries were brought thaâ— uâ—ually supplied the Kingdom from abroad And that they might yet be more easie some illegal Proceedings being represented to the Lords Justices they put forth a Proclamation for suppressing them running to this Tennor viz. THAT the Lords Iustices being informed that several Iustices of the Peace Sheriâ—ffs and other Magistrates presuming on their Power in the Countries have by colour of their Authority in a most Illegal and Arbitrary Manner contrary to the known Laws of the Kingdom dispossessed several of Their Majesties Subjects not only of their Goods and Chattels but of their Lands and Tenements They therefore Command and Require all Iustices of the Peace Mayors Sheriffs and other Magistrates to forbear such Illegal Proceedings and not to Intermeddle with the Right Property Title or Possession of the Estates Goods or Chattels of any of Their Majesties Subjects other than by due Course of Law they are required and as they shall be able to justifie This was thrice proclaimed in all the Market-Towns that every one might take notice of it and have Redress of their Grievances if any should afterward be committed upon them or their Possessions yet it extented not to the prohibiting the searching for and taking away of Arms. And the better to Confirm and Inform all sorts of People being Dutiful and Loyal in their Majesties good Intentions towards them their Majesties Proclamation was published in the following words viz. WHereas by an Act made in Our Parliament at Westminster in the first Year of our Reign Entituled An Act for the better Security and Relief of their Majesties Protestant Subjects of Ireland it was amongst other things Enacted That all and every Person and Persons whatsoever should be absolutely Discharged and Acquitted of any from the payment of all the Quit-Rents Composition-Rents Heart-money Twentiâ—th-parts Payments and other chief Rents arising or payable out of any Houses Lands Tenements Hereditaments Rectores Tythes or Church-Livings incurring or becoming due to us at any time after the Five and twentieth Day of December 1688. until the said Kingdom of Ireland should by Us be declared to be Reduced and the War and Rebellion there ended We have now pursuant to the said Act of Parliament thought fit by and with the Advice of our Privy Council to issue out this Our Royal Proclamation hereby declaring That the said Kingdom of Ireland is reduced to Our Obedience and the War and Rebellion there ended And We do hereby Will and Require that all and singular such Rents and Payments and all other Duties payable to the Crown which shall henceforth grow incur or become due be duly answered and paid unto Us in such manner and under such Penalties and Forfeitures as if the said Act had not been made Dated the 3d of March 1691 2. And to the end that none of the Irish might be ignorant of what was intended for the good of the Nation another Proclamation was published in all the chief Towns of the Kingdom To Ascertain a Day to those that should be distinguished to be comprehended within the Articles of Lymerick c. To shew their said Rights and Claims to the said Articles the Lands and other Matters they desire Restitution of with the Place of their Being and Situation and that they should have fair Hearings and favourable Constructions made on their Claims and Petitions The Days and Places of Hearing to that purpose be set and appointed that none might pretend any mistake on that account not to come provided with sufficient Proof and Testimony of such their Rights and Claims according to the Tennor of the Articles of Lymerick and Galloway c. And that seeing several Protestants did inhabit Galloway
and Lymerick during the Sieges of those Places it was required that three Witnesses should give Testimony as to the Premisses one of them to be a Protestant in every particular matter for proof of each Persons qualification as to the Articles who claims to have been within the said City or Town and thereby to be comprised within the said Articles or either of them And on the Sixth of April the Lord's Justices of the Council and Kingdom sat to hear and examine the Claims exhibited before them by such Persons as made their Application to them sitting Mâ—nday Wednesday and Friday weekly for that purpose And that nothing might be wanting to encourage and promote the Trade of the Kingdom Ships daily arrived in the Ports with Provision and other Necessaries insomuch that after a long Scarcity Plenty began again to be restored to a prospect of a greater height than ever by which the Calamities and Sufferings appeared to vanish and the Joy of the People the Protestants especially to be restored more than ever especially under the Conduct and Government of Affairs of those prudent Persons that are put into Power and Trust. The Kingdom of Ireland thus settled and in a fair way to Happiness his Majesty was in Flanders drawing his Forces together to prosecute his Victories on that side and compleat the Felicity of his Kingdoms when in the mean while some ill Men of restless Spirits at home were labouring under hand to disquiet us by endeavouring to hold Correspondence with the Common Enemy and Encouraging him to invade their Native Kingdoms but Providence as at all times so now more particularly timely discovered their dark Projects and sinister Designs whereupon many were apprehended and imprisoned in divers places in order to be brought to Justice and Condign Punishment yet this did not so much discourage the French King but that he got his Fleet very early in a readiness as it is generally supposed to Invade England but the Winds appeared to stand on our side and kept them in their Harbours contrary to their Expectations though he had drawn down his Forces on the Coast of Normandy c. to Embark on his Men of War and Transport-ships as occasion should offer Our Fleet in the mean while was hastned out to oppose them and the Dutch Squadrons with much Celerity joyned us so that on the 19th of May they stood away to the South-west in search of the French Fleet and about six Leagues from Cape Barsleur got sight of them who with much presumption bore down upon us having the Weather-gage the Wind at South-west and about Eleven in the Morning they Engaged Admiral Russel who commanded our Red Squadron The sight continued hot on both sides till about Three in the Afternoon Turville the French Admiral being very much worsted and fearing to be hemmed in by our Blue Squadron and the Dutch who laboured to get the Wind of the Enemy bore away but not so speedily but that the Blew Squadron had time enough to come in and Engage him about Six so that another hot Dispute continued till about Ten at night the French making a Retreating fight in which some of their Ships were blown up and others sunk All Night it was very calm and foggy the next Morning and abâ—ut Eight it began to clear up the Wind at East-North-East when the French Fleet appeared about Two Leagues to the Leeward of ours much less in number than the day before being but Thirty six Men of War standing away to their own Coast whilst ours pursued them and both Fleets upon a great Calm came to an Anchor the Dutch who now had the Van being within a League of them and on the One and twentieth they weighed and stood away and we after them Admiral Russel taking his Course towards Barsleur having sight of several Ships under the shoar but by this time many of them were got into the first Harbours they came to so that fear and too much haste caused several of them to run aground to prevent our Coming up with them But it availed little for Vice-Admiral Delaval hotly pursuing Fliers who put in made under Cape de Wick their Squadrons being now broken and separated with much difficulty got in with light Frigats Fire-ships and Armed-Boats and in spight of the Fire the French made from their Ships and from their Platform on shoar Captain Heath laid the Royal Sun of France on Board with his Fireship and burnt her being the French Admiral of 104 Guns and Captain Green burnt the Conquerdant of 102 Guns and another Ship of 80 Guns was burnt by the Boats that were sent out after the Men were taken from it and some other Vessels with little loss of Men on our side Captain Fowlis attempted to burn the Royal Sun but was set on fire by an accidental shot from the Enemy supposed to be made red hot for that purpose Monsieur Gaberet's Ship Admiral of the French Blew Squadron perished in the fight amongst the rest Whilst these things were doing Admiral Russel with the Red Squadron stood with the Enemies Ships who were got into the Bay of La Hogue and sent Vice-Admiral Rook with a Squadron of Light Frigats and Fireships and all the Boats he had with him well armed to burn the Ships he had there penn'd up which succeeded so well that Six were burnt that Night and with the same Resolution Six more were burnt the next Morning Three of them being Three-deck'd Ships carrying a great Force of Men and Guns and the other Three from sixty to seventy Guns and one of Fifty six Guns was overset and utterly lost So that the whole number in that Bay was destroyed the Men in the Boats on this occasion behaving themselves with much Bravery and Resolution insomuch that they took possession of several of the French Ships and turned the Guns upon the Platform that fired upon them from the Land in the sight of the French and Irish Camp that lay near the shoar Many of the French Seamen perished with their Ships those on shoar refusing to fetch them off and a great many were taken Prisoners So that in the main we destroyed about One and twenty of their biggest Ships and of other Frigats Crafts and Transport-ships to the number of Thirty and this without the loss of any Ship on our side unless Fireships that were spent on the Enemy For this Signal Victory the Admiral caused a Solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God to be held on Board the Fleet and had the Wind been more timely favourably few of the French that engaged had escaped This happy News caused great Rejoycing in all their Majesties Dominions and in the Courts of the Confederate Princes And now to shew God's more signal Favour and Mercy towards us a Hellish Conspiracy was discovered that had been carried on to destroy his Majesty beyond the Seas by Assassination influenced by the greatest Persons in the French Court to their Eternal Infamy as it was deposed upon Oath and this was undertaken by one de Grandual a Captain of Dragoons in the French Service and one Dumot a Walloon who had the last Year agreed together to kill the King and for that purpose went to Loo whilst his Majesty was there but missing of their wicked purpose they went back to Paris and there remaining during the Winter they engaged one Leefdale in the same pernicious Design agreeing to Attack the King either upon a March or when he should ride out to see the Troops but an Almighty Hand held them from their Executing what they so wickedly intended and saved his Anointed to be a Joy and Comfort to his People and a Scourge to the Common Enemy who though good at close Villanies and purchasing of Towns yet not to stand in Competition at fair Valour and Heroick Bravery as has all along appeared by Retreats and strong Encampments when urged to Battel in a fair Field yet no doubt a short time will let us see the difference between true Manhood and Politick Dâ—lays and Precautions Ireland is now waiting to Receive her Right Honourable Lord Deputy with all the Demonstrations of Joy that a willing Nation can express sutable to the great Expectations she has to be yet more happy under the Auspicious Conduct of so worthy a Hero and wise Dispencer of Justice and an Encourager and Propagator of the Protestant Religion c. Thus we see through God's Blessing upon their Majesties Arms this Kingdom is once again in a happy way to be prosperous and more entirely happy than ever FINIS