Councell of the ill condition and most imminent danger he found the Town to be then in that it was not possible to preserve it out of the hands of the Rebels without further strength both of horse and foot That in case the enemy should make any sudden approaches or attempt to surprize the Town he found such poor preparatives for defence within such apparant signes of disloyalty in the Townsmen and all things in such a desperate confusion as they should not be able by the best endeavours they could use to give any good account of that place Hereupon their Lordships presently resolved A Regiment raised by the Lo. Iustices at Dublin sent down under the command of Sir Henry Tichborne for the defence of Tredagh Novemb. 3. to leavy in the City of Dublin a Regiment of foot and to place them under the command of Sir Henry Tichborne for the defence of Tredagh And for this purpose there was very oportunely in the hands of the Vice Treasurer 3000 li. in a readinesse to be at that time sent over into England for the satisfaction of a publick engagement there This the Lords thought fit to make use of for the leavying and setting out of those men which Sir Henry Tichborne got together in very few dayes and having a Commission of government for the Town with some other private instructions he marched away with great alacrity and diligence the 3 of November and happily arrived next day at Tredagh A Regiment raised by Sir Charles Coot The Lords granted another Commission to Sir Charles Coot to levy a thousand men more which he most carefully endeavoured and within a very short time made up his Regiment wherein very many of the English who came up stripped and despoiled out of the North listed themselves for most of the men which escaped from thence with their lives being better able to suffer then the women and children outlived the miseries of their journey and putting themselves into severall companies some of them had the contentment to revenge the barbarous cruelty used by the Rebels towards them The second dispatch made by the L. Iustices and Councel into England Nov. 5. VPon the 5. of November the Lords made their 2d. dispatch unto His Majesty still at Edenburgh in Scotland At the same time they sent severall Letters into England to the L. Keeper Speaker of the house of Peers to the Speaker of the house of Commons to the Lo of his M ties most hon Privy Councel to the L. Lieutenant of Ireland in all which they did with much earnestnesse declare their present dangers together with the necessity of sending sudden relief In their Letter to the Lords of the Councel they did more particularly set down the miserable estate of the whole kingdom and the large progresse that the Rebellion had in few dayes made since it broke out They represented unto their Lordships the great outrages the Rebels had committed upon the British inhabitants in Vlster that they had seized upon all their estates and houses in five Counties of that Province possessed their Arms detained many of the principall Gentlemen prisoners That they had already slain many most barbarously hewed some to peeces that they have exposed thousands to want and beggery who had good estates and lived plentifully That the Rebellion began then to diffuse it self into the counties of Longford and Letrim and to threaten the English plantations in the King and Queens county that the inhabitants of the counties of Meath and Lowth began to fall upon the English near about them that they conceived there could not be lesse then 30000. who had already openly declared themselves in this Rebellion and were assembled together in severall great parties that they understood their designe was having got Dondalke to take in Tredagh and so to come up immediately to besiege the city and castle of Dublin that they gave out publikely their purpose was to extirpate the English and Protestants and not to lay down Arms untill the Romish religion were established the Government setled in the hands of the Natives and the old Irish restored to the lands of their supposed ancestors That they held it their duty to acquaint their Lordships with the lamentable estate wherein the Kingdome stood that his Majesty and the Parliament might understand it and so speedily provide for sending over to their relief 10000 Foot 1000 Horse together with some able Commanders 100000. l. in money and further provisions of Arms That unlesse these were presently sent to them they craved leave to repeat it again and again the Kingdom would be utterly lost all the English and Protestants in Ireland destroyed the peace of the kingdome of England disturbed by the Irish from thence and so England enforced to make a new conquest of it for that a Politique reformation would then be impossible But now before I passe further The proceedings of the Parliament of England upon the first advertisements brought unto them of the Rebellion raised in Ireland I shall here give an accompt of the arrival of these and the former Letters of the 25. of October addressed by the Lords Justices and Councel to the L. Lieutenant of Ireland Owen O Conally the happy discoverer of the first Plot who carried the first Letters over arrived at London the last day of October and late in the evening delivered those Letters to his Lordship who having read them over and received from him full information of all other parriculars within his knowledge repaired the next morning to the Councel-board and having there acquainted the Lords of His Majesties Privy Councel with them he was required by their Lordships to communicate them unto the Lords of the upper house of Parliament which he did accordingly the very same morning And they considering the high importance of them as soon as they had perused them Ordered that they should be presently sent down to the house of Commons by the Lord Keeper the L. Privy Seal L. High Chamberlain L. Admiral L. Marshal L. Chamberlain Earl of Bath Earl of Dorset Earl of Leicester Earl of Holland Earl of Berks Earl of Bristol L. Vicount Say E. Mandevile L. Goring L. Wilmot all of them being of His Majesties most honorable Privy Councel There were Chairs provided for these Lords in the house of Commons and they sate down there till the Letters were read and then having informed the house of such other parciculars as they had received concerning the generall Rebellion in Ireland they departed without any further conference or other debate upon them leaving the house of Commons to consider further of them Who presently Ordered That the House forthwith should be resolved into a Committee to take into consideration the matter offered concerning the Rebellion in Ireland as likewise to provide for the safety of the Kingdom of England This being done they fell into a most serious debate of this great businesse then before them they fully
over the poore surprized unresisting English in those Parts and had so deeply drenched their hands in the blood of those innocents as they thought to carry the whole Kingdome before them and therefore would yeeld to no Treaties but in a most barbarous manner tore the Order of Parliament together with the Letter sent unto them and returned a most scornfull Answer fully expressing thereby how farre they were from any thought of laying down Armes or entertaining any overtures towards an Accommodation Within few dayes after the adjournment of the Parliament the Lord Dillon of Costelo accompanied with the Lord Taffe imbarqued for England but by a most impetuous storme were driven into Scotland where they landed and went up to London At the Town of Ware their papers were seized upon by directions from the Parliament of England and their persons committed unto safe custody Mr Thomas Burk went over much about the same time and certainly upon the same errand When the unhappy breach began first betwixt the King and the Parliament of England and that his Majesty thought fit to retire to York those two Lords found meanes to make an escape and all three constantly followed the Court where in those high distempers that afterwards hapned in England they easily found meanes to ingratiate themselves at Court and had the opportunity to doe those good offices for their Country-men which brought on the Cessation of Armes with them in due time The Lords Iustices and Councell by their Letters bearing date about the 20 of November Letters written to the Lord Lievtenant gave unto the Lord Lievtenant a more certaine and full account of the state of the Kingdome then they could any wayes doe at the first breaking out of the Rebellion and thereby making known the very ill condition of their present affaires they moved that the supplies of men money Commanders and Armes mentioned in their former Letters might be with all speed sent over unto them and that his Lordship would presently repaire hither in his own person to undertake the management of the warre About the tenth of the Month of November their Lordships received an Answer from the Lord Lievtenant to their former Letters of the 25 of October whereby he gave them to understand that he had communicated their Letters to the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privie Councell and that by Order from their Lordships he had acquainted both Houses of Parliament with them that he had also sent to his Majesty still continuing at Edenborough in Scotland to represent the condition of their affaires and that he understood his Majesty had received some advertisements out of the North of Ireland of the present Rebellion there His Lordship also farther let them know that his Majesty had referred the whole businesse of Ireland to the Parliament of England that they had undertaken the charge and management of the warre that they had declared they should be speedily and vigorously assisted and had designed for their present supplies the summe of 50000 l. and had taken order for making of all further Provisions necessary for the Service as may appeare by the Order of Parliament made there at that time and trans-mitted over by the Lord Lievtenant together with his said Letters unto the Lords Iustices by whose command it was reprinted at Dublin November 12. 1641. as here followeth being intituled An Order of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament in England concerning Ireland THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament being advertised of the dangerous Conspiracie and Rebellion in Ireland by the Treacherous and wicked Instigation of Romish Priests and Jesuites for the Bloody Massacre and Destruction of all Protestants living there and other his Majesties Loyall Subjects of English blood though of the Romish Religion being ancient Inhabitants within severall Counties and Parts of that Realme who have alwayes in former Rebellions given Testimony of their fidelity to this Crown And for the utter depriving of his Royall Majestie and the Crown of England from the Government of that Kingdome under pretence of setting up the Popish Religion Have thereupon taken into their serious Consideration how those mischievous Attemps might be most speedily and effectually prevented wherein the Honour Safety and Interest of this Kingdom are most nearely and fully concerned Wherefore they doe hereby declare that they doe intend to serve his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes for the suppressing of this wicked Rebellion in such a way as shall be thought most effectuall by the Wisdome and Authority of Parliament And thereupon have Ordered and Provided for a present Supply of Money and raysing the number of six thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse to be sent from England being the full proportion desired by the Lords Iustices and his Majesties Councell resident in that Kingdome with a Resolution to adde such further Succours as the necessity of those Affaires shall require They have also resolved of providing Armes and Munition not only for those Men but likewise for his Majesties faithfull Subjects in that Kingdome with Store of Victuals and other Necessaries as there shall be occasion and that these Provisions may more conveniently be transported thither they have appointed three severall Ports of this Kingdome that is to say Bristoll Westchester and one other in Cumberland where the Magazines and Store-houses shall be kept for the Supply of the severall parts of Ireland They have likewise resolved to be humble Mediators to His most Excellent Majesty for the encouragement of those English or Irish who shall upon their own charges raise any number of Horse or Foot for his Service against the Rebells that they shall be honourably rewarded with Lands of Inheritance in Ireland according to their Merits And for the better inducing the Rebels to repent of their wicked Attempts they doe hereby commend it to the Lord Lievtenant of Ireland or in his absence to the Lord Deputy or Lords Iustices there according to the power of the Commission granted them in that behalfe to bestow his Majesties gracious Pardon to all such as within a convenient time to be declared by the Lord Lievtenant Lord Deputy or Lords Iustices and Councell of that Kingdome shall return to their due obedience the greatest part whereof they conceive have been seduced upon false Grounds by the cunning and subtle practises of some of the most malignant Rebels Enemies to this State and to the Reformed Religion and likewise to bestow such Rewards as shall be thought fit and publisht by the said Lord Lievtenant Lord Deputy or Lords Iustices and Councell upon all those who shall arrest the Persons or bring in the Heads of such Traytors as shall be personally named in any Proclamation published by the State there And they doe hereby exhort and require all his Majesties loving Subjects both in this and in that Kingdome to remember their duty and conscience to God and his Religion and the great and eminent danger which will
direct the Term to be adjourned to the first of Hillary Term excepting only the Court of Exchequer for hastning in the Kings money if it be possible We desire upon this occasion your Lordship will be pleased to view our Letters concerning the plantation of Conaght dated the 24 of April last directed to Mr. Secretary Vane in that part thereof which concerns the County of Monaghan where now these fires do first break out In the last place we must make known to your Lordship that the Army we have consisting but of 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse are so dispersed in Garrisons in severall parts as continually they have been since they were so reduced as if they be all sent for to be drawn together not only the places whence they are to be drawn and for whose safety they lye there must be by absence distressed but also the Companies themselves comming in so small numbers may be in danger to be cut off in their march nor indeed have we any money to pay the Souldiers to enable them to march And so we take leave and remain from his Majesties Castle of Dublin 25 of October 1641. Your Lordships to be commanded William Parsons John Borlase Richard Bolton Can. R. Dillon Anthony Midensis John Raphoe R. Digbie Ad. Loftus Ger. Lowther John Temple Tho. Rotheram Fran. Willoughbie Ja. Ware G. Wentworth Robert Meredith POSTSCRIPT THe said Owen Conally who revealed the Conspiracy is worthy of very great consideration to recompence that faith and loyalty which he hath so extreamly to his own danger expressed in this businesse whereby under God there is yet hope left us of deliverance of this State and Kingdome from the wicked purposes of those Conspirators And therefore we beseech your Lordship that it be taken into consideration there so as he may have a mark of his Majesties most royall bounty which may largely extend to him and his posterity we not being now able here to do it for him W. PARSONS To the Right Honourable our very good Lord ROBERT Earle of Leicester Lo. Lieutenant Gen. and Generall Governour of the Kingdome of Ireland THe dispatch sent to his Majesty was addressed to Sir Henry Vane Principall Secretary and carried by Sir Henry Spotswood who went by sea directly into Scotland And the Letters to the L. Lieutenant were sent to London by Owen O Conally the first discoverer of the Plot. The Lords now with all care and diligence applyed their further endeavours towards the preventing as much as was possible the destruction intended against all the Brittish inhabitants of the Kingdome The Lords Iustices cause the Proclamations to be dispersed Letters to be written and other means to be used for the prevention of the rising of the Irish in the North but all to no purpose as well as the security of the City and the places round about it A work of large extent and wherein they met with many difficulties by reason of their own wants both of men and money They having formerly sent away and dispersed the Proclamations into severall parts of the Countrey now sent Letters by expresse Messengers unto the Presidents of Munster and Conaght and to severall principall Gentlemen in those two Provinces as also to others within the Province of Lemster giving them notice of the discovery of the Plot and advising them to stand upon their guard and to make the best provision they could for the defence of the Countrey about them They sent another expresse to the Earl of Ormond then at his house at Caricke with Letters to the same effect and withall desired his Lordship presently to repair unto them at Dublin with his Troop of horse They sent likewise Commissions to the Lords Viscounts of Clandeboys and of the Ardes for raising of the Scots in the Northern parts and putting them into arms as they did also soon after to Sir William Stewart and Sir Robert Stewart and severall other Gentlemen of quality in the North. And as they gave them order for prosecution of the Rebels with fire and sword so they gave them power to receive such of them in as should submit to his Majesties grace and mercy But these dispatches they were enforced to send all by sea the Rebels having stopped up the passages and hindred all manner of entercourse with that Province by land The Lords of the English Pale repair to the Councell Board there declare their loyall affections to his Majestie The English Pale is a large circuit of land possessed at the time of the first conquest of Ireland by the English and ever since inhabited by them it contains severall Counties viz. the Counties of Dublin Meth Lowth Kildare c. The Lords of the Pale having been at the Councell Board and there declared to the Lords Justices with great protestations their loyall affections unto his Majestie together with their readinesse and forward concurrence with their Lordships in this service came unto them again within two or three dayes after with a Petition wherein they offered unto their Lordships the deep sense they had of an expression in the late Proclamation set out upon the discovery of this great Conspiracy intended as is there set down by some evill affected Irish papists which words they feared might be by some mis-interpreted and such a construction put upon them as might reflect upon their persons as comprehended under them Whereupon the Lords Justices and Councell thought fit to descend so far to their satisfaction as not only to remonstrate the clearnesse of their intentions towards them but that it might appear unto the world they entertained not the least jealous thoughts of them they caused a new Proclamation to be set out by way of explanation of the former which I have thought fit here to insert that it may appear how far they were from giving any of those Lords and Gentlemen occasion to break out into those rebellious courses they soon afterwards took to their own destruction By the Lords Iustices and Councell W. Parsons John Borlase WHereas a Petition hath been preferred unto Us by divers Lords and Gentlemen of the English Pale in behalf of themselvs and the rest of the Pale and other the old English of this Kingdome A Proclamation issued for the satisfaction of the Lords and Gentlemen of the English Pale shewing that whereas a late Conspiracy of Treason is discovered of ill-affected persons of the old Irish that thereupon a Proclamation was published by Us wherein among other things it is declared that the said Conspiracy was perpetrated by Irish papists without distinction of any and they doubting that by those generall words of Irish Papists they might seem to be involved though they declare themselves confident that We did not intend to conclude them therein in regard they are none of the old Irish nor of their faction or confederacy but are altogether averse and opposite to all their designes and all others of like condition We doe
considered what means were fittest to be used at present for the prevention of the further spreading of that hideous Rebellion in Ireland as well as stopping of the ill influence it might make upon their affairs in England where great troubles even then began to appeare within view And after much time spent in this debate they came to these severall Conclusions which being put to the question were assented unto by the Committee and so resolved as followeth 1. That 50000. l. be forthwith provided 2. That a Conference be desired with the Lords to move them that a select Committee of the Members of both Houses may be appointed to go to the city of London and to make a Declaration unto them of the state of the businesse in Ireland and to acquaint them that the leading of monies at this time will be an acceptable service to the Commonwealth And that they propose unto them the Loan of 50000. l. and to assure them that they shall be secured both of the Principall and Interest by Act of Parliament 3. That a select Committee may be named of both Houses to consider of the affaires of Ireland 4. That Owen O Conally who discovered this great treason shall have 500. l. presently paid him and 200. l. per annum pension untill provision of land of inheritance of a greater value be made for him 5. That the persons of Papists of quality within this Kingdome may be secured within the severall Counties where they reside 6. That no person whatsoever except those who are Merchants shall be admitted to go over into Ireland without Certificate from the Committee of both Houses appointed to consider the affaires of Ireland These with severall other particulars concerning Ireland and tending in order to the safety of the kingdome of England were resolved upon the question and Master Whitlock appointed to report them to the House as heads of a conference desired with the Lords concerning the affaires of Ireland which was accordingly had with their Lordships the same day At which conference the L. Keeper did expresse the very great sense the Lords had of the exceeding great care taken by the house of Commons for the prevention of the further spreading of the Rebellion in Ireland And his Lordship by command of the Lords did further let them know that their Lordships did think fit to agree with them in all those particulars presented unto them by the house of Commons without any materiall alteration only adding such further things as they conceived might serve to further and expedite their desires in the more speedy putting them in execution The house of Commons having proceeded thus far in the affairs of Ireland upon the two first dayes after the discovery made unto them of the Rebellion there raised did notwithstanding their own present distractions set apart some portion almost of every day that they sate during the whole moneth of November for the considering of the affairs of Ireland and so upon the third and fourth of the same resolved upon the question and accordingly ordered these particulars following 1. That the House holds fit that 20000 li. be forthwith supplied for the present occasions of Ireland 2. That a convenient number of ships shall be provided for the guarding of the Sea-coasts of Ireland 3. That this house holds fit that 6000 foot and 2000 horse shall be raised with all convenient speed for the present expedition into Ireland 4. That the Lord Lieutenant shall present to both Houses of Parliament such Officers as he shall think fit to send into Ireland to command any forces to be transported thither 5. That Magazines of victuals shall be forthwith provided at Westchester to be sent over to Dublin as the occasions of that Kingdome shall require 6. That the Magazines of armes ammunition powder now in Carlile shall be forthwith sent over to Knockfergus in Ireland 7. That it be referred to the Kings Councell to consider of some fit way and to present it to the House for a publication to be made of rewards to be given to such as shall do service in this Expedition into Ireland and for a pardon of such of the Rebels in Ireland as as shall come in by a time limited and of a sum of money to be appointed for a reward to such as shall bring in the Heads of such principall Rebels as shall be nominated 8. That Letters shall be forthwith sent to the Justices in Ireland to acquaint them how sensible this House is of the affairs of Ireland 9. That the Committee of Irish affairs shall consider how and in what manner this Kingdome shall make use of the friendship and assistance of Scotland in the businesse of Ireland 10. That directions shall be given for the drawing of a Bill for the pressing of men for this particular service for Ireland These particulars together with severall others being resolved upon the question they passed an Ordinance of Parliament enabling the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to raise 3500 foot and 600 horse for the present service there And they further expressed their resolution not to make use of the assistance offered unto them by their Brethren of Scotland further for the present then for the furnishing them with 1000 foot which they desired might be transported out of Scotland into the North of Ireland And on the same day they ordered that the Master of his Majesties Ordnance should deliver to the L. Lieutenant of Ireland the number of 1000 arms for horse and 8000 arms for foot and ten Last of powder to be presently sent into Ireland And that the Lord Admirall should suddenly provide shipping for the transporting of men arms and ammunition and other provisions according to the former resolutions of the House Now while both Houses of Parliament were taking Order for raising men money and sending provisions and other necessaries for Ireland there arrived those other Letters of the 5 of November formerly mentioned which being addressed to the Lords of his Majesties Privie Councell were communicated to both Houses of Parliament and after a conference upon them took further resolutions for the speedy sending away supplyes into Ireland And such were the forward affections and zeal of the House of Commons to promove what concerned the service of Ireland as they thereupon voted 200000 li. to be raised for the suppressing the Irish rebellion and for securing of the Kingdome of England and payment of the publick debts And that they might facilitate this great work of raising such a summe of money upon the credit of an Act of Parliament before the money could be collected throughout the Kingdome they thought fit for the better encouragement of the City of London and for the giving them full satisfaction in point of security for the monies formerly lent them to make this Order following THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled having a due regard to the good affections of the City of London expressed
peace again which I have even in our lowest condition with great confidence attended and do now most undoubtedly believe will ere long be brought to passe there may be such a course taken such provisions made and such a wall of separation set up betwixt the Irish and the British as it shall not be in their power to rise up as now and in all former Ages they have done to destroy and root them out in a moment before they be able to put themselves into a posture of defence or to gather together to make any considerable resistance against their bloody attempts I shall not pretend to entertain the Reader with politicall Maxims grave Sentences or flourishing Orations That which I hope will cover over a multitude of imperfections is the unquestionable truth of what I shal set down in a plain and brief narration of all the causes and proceedings held in the raising as also in the first counsels and undertakings for the suppression of this hideous Rebellion And that I might in some measure compasse my designe herein and give satisfaction even to the most curious inquisitors after truth I did with great care and diligence turn over the very Originals or authenticall copies of the voluminous examinations remaining with the publick Register and taken upon oath by vertue of two severall Commissions issued out under the Great Seal of this Kingdom to examine the losses of the British the cruelties and horrid murders committed by the Irish in the destruction of them I have perused the publick dispatches acts and relations as likewise the private Letters and particular discourses sent by the chief Gentlemen out of severall parts of the Kingdom to present unto the Lords Justices Counsell the sad condition of their affairs And having been made acquainted with all the most secret passages and counsels of the State I have as far as I could without breach of trust and as the duty of a Privie Councellour would admit communicated so much of them as I conceived necessary and proper for publick information And setting aside the particulars contained within the first Pages leading on by way of introduction to the insuing troubles which I have taken up on trust out of the most approved Authors both ancient and modern who have written the story of Ireland I may confidently avow that I have been so curious in gathering up my materials and so carefull in putting them together as very few passages will be found here inserted which have not either fallen within the compasse of my own knowledge or that I have not received from those who were chiefly intrusted in matter of action abroad or that came not to my hands attested under the oaths of credible witnesses or clearly asserted in the voluntary confessions of the Rebels themselves Every man I believe will easily assent unto me that out of these Fountains we may presume with most certainty to draw truth and that if we bound our inquiries within this circuit we may well hope to arrive at the true knowledge of the main particular passages of this late Rebellion And therefore though I shall not obtrude every thing as infallible which by a strict and most severe inquisition I have taken up on the grounds before mentioned considering how subject men are through forgetfulnesse and humane imbecillity to erre in the ordinary course of their relations yet thus much I suppose I may confidently say that no man could imagine how to make collections with greater certainty and more clear unquestionable probabilities of truth then I have here set down Now as for the examinations here mentioned howsoever they were taken with all the care and circumspection that could possibly be used in so great a work yet are they most commonly decried and held by the Irish as very injurious to their countrey men Thus much I shall be bold to averre and shall here speak it for the better authority and credit of the evidence brought in by them First that as the Commissions for taking those examinations were after mature deliberation issued out by speciall order from the Lords Justices and Councell so they were in great wisdome designed by them for no other ends then to have some generall account of the losses suffered by the British and the cruelties exercised by the Irish upon them in the severall parts of the Kingdome And this course was first set on foot in the very height of our troubles when the fury of the Rebels so desperately raged as they were in no condition to think of the attainting of their persons and therefore only aimed at the discovery of their treason Out of which respect chiefly the Commissioners made choice of for the performance of this service were six of the Clergie all persons of known integrity and such as by reason of their profession would in all probability gently proceed on in their inquisitions and truly set down the bloody Relations given in unto them The persons examined were of severall conditions most of them British some of Irish birth and extraction very many of good quality and such as were of inferiour rank were not rejected if they were known sufferers and came freely in to declare what they could speak of their owne knowledge Few came but such as had been in the hands of the Rebels and could with sorrowfull hearts make the sad relation of their own miseries And so they having been eye-witnesses their depositions are for the most part out of their own knowledge and what is given in by them upon hear-say they for the most part depose that they received it out of the Rebels own mouthes while they were in restraint among them Lastly many of these miserable persons thus examined came up wounded others even almost famished or so worn out with their sufferings as they did not long out-live the date of their examinations So as these testimonies being delivered in their last agonies we are in charity to believe that they would leave behinde them with all due circumstances a clear attestation of such cruelties as they then bequeathed unto us with their last breath But it is not much to be wondedered Mr. Creighton in his Examination deposeth That he heard many bitter words cast out against the City of Dublin That they would burn and ruine it destroy all Records and Monuments of the English government Make lawes against speaking English and that all names given by English to places should be abolished and the ancient names restored if they who had it in designe to destroy all the publick Records and ancient Monuments in the Kingdome to banish both the English Law and Government do so bitterly declaim against these evidences of their cruelty and lively attestations given in to perpetuate the memory of them to their eternall infamy If they could imagine which way to silence or by what means to blast the credit of these examinations thus solemnly taken and prevaile according to their most impetuous desires upon
of the chief conspirators assured him they were come up expresly to the Town for the same purpose and that next morning they would undoubtedly attempt and surely effect it if their designe were not speedily prevented and that he had understood all this from Hugh Mac Mahon one of the chief conspirators who was then in the town and came up but the very same afternoon for the execution of the plot and with whom indeed he had been drinking somewhat liberally and as the truth is did then make such a broken relation of a matter that seemed so incredible in it self as that his Lordship gave very little belief to it at first in regard it came from an obscure person and one as he conceived somewhat distempered at that time But howsoever the Lord Parsons gave him order to go again to Mac Mahon and to get out of him as much certainty of the plot with as many particular circumstances as he could straightly charging him to return back unto him the same evening And in the mean time having by strict commands given to the constable of the castle taken order to have the gates thereof well guarded as also with the Mayor and Sheriffes of the city to have strong watches set upon all the parts of the same and to make stay of all strangers hee went privately about ten of the clock that night to the Lord Borlacies house without the town and there acquainting him with what he understood from Conally they sent for such of the councell as they knew then to be in the town But there came only unto them that night Sir Thomas Rotheram and Sir Robert Meredith chancellour of the Exchequer with these they fell into consultation what was fit to be done attending the return of Conally And finding that he staid somewhat longer than the time prefixed they sent out in search after him and found him seized on by the watch and so he had been carryed away to prison and the discovery that night disappointed had not one of the Lord Parsons servants expresly sent amongst others to walk the streets and attend the motion of the said Conally come in and rescued him and brought him to the Lord Borlacies house Conally having somewhat recovered himself from his distemper occasioned partly as he said himself by the horror of the plot revealed to him partly by his too liberall drinking with Mac Mahon that he might the more easily get away from him he beginning much to suspect and fear his discovering of the plot confirmed what he had formerly related and added these farther particulars set down in his Examination as followeth The Examination of Owen O Conally Gentleman taken before us whose names ensue Oct. 22. 1641. VVHo being duly sworn and examined saith that he being at Monimore in the County of London-Derry on Tuesday last he received a Letter from Colonel Hugh Oge Mac Mahon desiring him to come to Conaght in the County of Monaghan and to be with him on Wednesday or Thursday last whereupon he this Examinate came to Conaght on Wednesday night last and finding the said Hugh come to Dublin followed him hither He came hither about six of the clock this evening and forthwith went to the lodging of the said Hugh to the house near the Boat in Oxman town and there he found the said Hugh and came with the said Hugh into the Town near the Pillory to the lodging of the Lord Mac Guire where they found not the Lord within and there they drank a cup of Beer and then went back again to the said Hugh his lodging He saith that at the Lord Mac Guire his lodging the said Hugh told him that there were and would be this night great numbers of Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Irish Papists from all the parts of the Kingdom in this town who with himself had determined to take the Castle of Dublin and possesse themselves of all his Majesties Ammunition there to morrow morning being Saturday and that they intended first to batter the Chimnies of the said town and if the City would not yield then to batter down the houses and so to cut off all the Protestants that would not joyn with them He further saith that the said Hugh then told him that the Irish had prepared men in all parts of the Kingdom to destroy all the English inhabiting there to morrow morning by ten of the clock and that in all the Sea Ports and other Towns in the Kingdom all the Protestants should be killed this night and that all the Posts that could be could not prevent it And further saith that he moved the said Hugh to forbear executing of that businesse and to discover it to the State for the saving of his own estate who said he could not help it But said that they did owe their Allegiance to the King and would pay him all his Rights but that they did this for the tyrannicall Government was over them and to imitate Scotland who got a priviledge by that course And he further saith that when he was with the said Hugh in his lodging the second time the said Hugh swore that he should not go out of his lodging that night but told him that he should go with him the next morning to the Castle and said if this matter were discovered some body should die for it whereupon this Examinate feigned some necessity for his easement went down out of the Chamber and left his sword in pawn and the said Hugh sent his man down with him and when this Examinate came down into the Yard and finding an opportunity he this Examinate leaped over a Wall and two Pales and so came to the Lord Justice Parsons William Parsons Tho. Rotheram Rob. Meredith Owen O Conally Octob. 22. 1641. HEreupon the Lords took present order to have a Watch privately set upon the lodging of Mac Mahon as also upon the L. Mac Guire and so they sate up all that night in consultation having far stronger presumptions upon this latter examination taken then any wayes at first they could entertain Mac Mahon taken The Lords Justices upon a further consideration there being come unto them early next morning severall other of the Privy councel sent before day and seized upon Mac-Mahon then with his servant in his own lodging they at first made some little resistance with their drawn swords but finding thewselves over-mastered presently yielded and so they were brought before the Lords Justices and Councel still sitting at the Lord Borlacy's house where upon examination he did without much difficulty confesse the Plot resolutely telling them His confession That on that very day all the Forts and strong places in Ireland would be taken That he with the L. Mac-Guire Hugh Birn Capt. Brian O Neale and severall other Irish Gentlemen were come up expresly to surprise the Castle of Dublin That twenty men out of each County in the Kingdom were to be here to joyn with them That
particular safety as well as for the preservation of the whole Kingdome not only to contribute their best advice and councell but even all the Forces they could any wayes raise towards the beating of the Northern Rebels out of the Pale Severall Letters of Summons were accordingly writ and sent away to the Earle of Fingale the Lord Viscount Gormanston and the rest of the Lords of the Pale the tenour of them here ensueth AFter our very hearty commendations to your Lordships for as much as we have present occasion to conferre with you A Coppy of the Letter written by the Lords Iustices and Councell to the Lords of the Pale concerning the present estate of the Kingdome and the safety thereof in these times of danger We pray and require your Lordship to be with us here on the eight day of this Month at which time others of the Peers are also to be here And this being to no other end we bid your Lordships very heartily farewell From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third of December 1641. Your very loving friends William Parson Iohn Borlacy Ormondossory Ant Medensis R Dilbon Ad Loftus Ge Shirley I Temple Rob Meredith To our very good Lord George Earle of Kildare The like Letters eodem die to these severall Persons following Earle of Ormond Earle of Antrim Earle of Fingale Vis Gormanston Vis Netervile Vis Fitzwilliam Lo Trimbleston Lord Dunsany Lord Slaine Lord of Hoath Lord Lowth Lord Lambert These Letters were presently sent away But the Lords of the Pale being otherwayes engaged and having before or much about the time they came unto their hands though the Lords knew very little and that very uncertainly of it made that publike combination with the Vlster Rebels before mentioned durst no more adventure their persons within the City of Dublin But after their meeting at the Hill of Crofty appointed an other meeting at the Hill of Tarah and from thence they sent an Answer unto the Lords which as Mr Dowdall testifies was brought thither by the Lord of Gormanston ready drawn up and there only signed and so sent away The Copy of the Letter here followeth May it please your Lordships VVEe have received your Letters of the third of this instant The Answer of the Lords of the Pale to the Lords Iustices intimating that you had present occasions to confer with us concerning the present state of the Kingdome and the safety thereof in these times of danger and requiring us to be with you there on the eighth day of this instant we give your Lordships to understand that we have heretofore presented our selves before your Lordsips and freely offered our advice and furtherance towards the particulars aforesaid which was by you neglected which gave us cause to conceive that our Loyalty was suspected by you We give your Lordships further to understand that we have received certaine advertisement that Sir Charles Coot Knight at the Councell Board hath uttered some speeches tending to a purpose and resolution to execute upon these of our Religion a generall Massacre by which we are all deterred to wait on your Lordships not having any security for our safety from these threatned evills or the safety of our lives but doe rather think it fit to stand upon our best guard untill we heare from your Lordships how we shall be secured from these perils Neverthelesse we all protest that we are and will continue both faithfull advisers and resolute furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present state of the Kingdome and the safety thereof to our best abilities and so with the said tender of our humble service we remaine Your Lordships humble Servants Fingale Gormanston Slane Dunsany Nettervill Oliver Lowth Trimblestown Dublin Decem. 7. Received 11. 1641. To the Right Honourable our very good Lords the Lords Iustices and Councell of Ireland In Answer to this Letter the Lords Iustices and Councell out of their unfained desires to give unto those Lords all due satisfaction and to remove those jealousies and great misunderstanding now grown up between them A Proclamation issued out by the Lords Iustices and Councell for the satisfaction of the Lords of the Pale thought fit by way of Proclamation to publish and declare to them and all others of his Majesties good Subjects of the Romish Religion That they never heard Sir Charles Coot or any other utter at the Board or elsewhere any such speeches tending to a purpose or resolution to execute upon those of their profession or upon any other a generall Massacre or any Massacre at all and that they never intended so to dishonour his Majesty and this State or wound their own consciences as to entertaine the least thought of acting so odious impious and detestable a thing upon any persons whatsoever and that if any proofe can be made of any such words spoken by any person whatsoever that he shall be severely punished And therefore that they did pray and require the said Noblemen to attend them at the Board on the 17. day of December that they might conferre with them And for the security of their repaire unto them they did thereby give to all and every of those Noblemen the word and assurance of the State that they might then securely and safely come unto them without danger of any trouble or stay whatsoever from them who neither had nor have any intention to wrong or hurt them But now it began to appeare unto the Lords Iustices and Counsell how farre they were engaged with the Northern Rebels By the Examinations taken of some English who made their escape out of those parts the newes of their solemne contract and Association beforementioned was brought up to Dublin And they then well enough discerned the maine obstruction in their comming the cause of their tergiversations and what good reason they had to finde out excuses to palliate their disloyalty They then expected no other fruits of their Proclamation then what it produced Neither indeed had it any other effect and operation among them then that they did with great boldnesse and confidence by way of Answer thereunto write back a Letter to the Lords Iustices wherein they pretend themselves so justly affrighted with Sir Charles Coot severity and deportment Severall pretences of the Lords of the Pale to colour their refusall to repaire to the Lords Iustices and Councell as that they dare not adventure themselves within the confines of his government They heavily impose upon him the inhumane acts perpetrated as they terme them in the County of Wiclow the Massacre of Santry and the burning of Mr Kings house and his whole substance at Clantarfe and with a little kind of cunning they seeme to pretend a breach of the publike faith but would transferre the blame from the Lords Iustices to Sir Charles Coot and therupon desire no sinister construction may be made of their stay and that they may have some Commissioners appointed to conferre with