very tender unto us But the present distempers of this your Majesties Kingdom of England to our unspeakable grief are grown so great that all future passages by which comfort and life should be conveyed to that gasping Kingdom seem totally to be obstructed so that unless your Gracious Majesty out of your singular Wisdom and Fatherly Care apply some speedy Remedy We your distressed and loyal Subjects of that Kingdom must inevitably perish Our condition represents unto your Majesty the estate of all your Majesties faithful Protestant Subjects in Ireland the influence of Princely favour and goodness so actively distill'd upon your Kingdom of Ireland before the birth of this monstrous Rebellion there and since the same so abundantly express'd in Characters of a deep sense and lively presentment of the bleeding condition thereof gives us hope in this our deplorable extremity to address our selves unto your Sacred Throne humbly beseeching that it may please your Gracious Majesty amongst your other weighty cares so to reflect upon the bleeding condition of that perishing Kingdom that timely relief may be offered otherwise your Loyal Subjects there must yield their Fortunes a Prey their Lives a Sacrifice and their Religion a Scorn to the merciless Rebels powerfully assisted from Abroad Whilst we live we rest in your Majesties Protection if our deaths are design'd in that Cause we will die in your obedience living and dying ever praying for your Majesties long and prosperous Reign over us Montgomery Hard. Waller Arth. Hill Aud. Mervin Unto which his Majesty by his Principal Secretary the Lord Faulkland return'd this Answer from the Court at Oxford the 1st of December 1642. His Majesty hath expresly commanded me to give this Answer to this Petition THat his Majesty hath since the beginning of that monstrous Rebellion had no greater sorrow than for the bleeding condition of that his Kingdom and as he hath by all means labour'd that timely relief might be afforded to the same and consented to all Propositions how disadvantagious soever to himself that have been offer'd him for that purpose and at first recommended their condition to both his Houses of Parliament and immediately of his own meer motion sent over several Commissions and caused some proportion of Arms and Ammunition which the Petitioners well know to have been a great support to the Northern parts of that Kingdom to be conveyed to them out of Scotland and offered to find 10000 Volunteers to undertake that War but hath often since prest by many several Messages that sufficient Succours might be hastned thither and other matters of smaller importance laid by which did divert it and offered and most really intended in his own Royal Person to have undergone the danger of that War for the defence of his good Subjects and the chastisement of those perfidious and barbarous Rebels and in his several Expressions of his desires of Treaty and Peace hath declared the miserable present condition and certain future loss of Ireland to be one of his principal Motives most earnestly to desire that the present Distractions of this Kingdom might be compos'd and that others would concur with him to the same end So his Majesty is well pleas'd that his Offers Concurrence Actions and Expressions are so rightly understood by the Petitioners and those who have employ'd them notwithstanding the groundless and horrid Aspersions which have been cast upon him but wishes that instead of a meer general Complaint to which his Majesty can make no return but of Compassion they could have digested and offered to him any such desires by consenting to which he might convey at least in some degree comfort and life to that gasping Kingdom preserve his distressed and Loyal Subjects of the same from inevitably perishing and the true Protestant Religion from being scorn'd and trampled on by those merciless and Idolatrous Rebels And if the Petitioners can yet think on any such and propose them to his Majesty he assures them that by his readiness to consent and his thanks to them for the proposal he will make it appear to them that their most pressing personal sufferings cannot make them more desirous of relief than his care of the true Religion and of his faithful Subjects and of that Duty which obliges him to his Power to protect both renders him desirous to afford it to them Faulkland Upon the Petition of the Confederates of Ireland his Majesty granted a Commission to the Marquis of Ormond to meet and hear what the Rebels could say or propound for themselves by vertue of which the Earl of St. Albans and Clanrickard the Earl of Roscommon Sir Maurite Eustace and other his Majesties Commissioners met at Trim to whom the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland Commissioners the Lord Viscount Gormanston Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Robert Talbot Baronet and John Walsh Esq produced a Remonstrance the 17th of March 1642. to be presented to his most Excellent Majesty by the name of The Remonstrance of Grievances presented to his Majesty in the name of the Catholicks of Ireland Yet though as you see this Remonstrance was solemnly received by his Majesties Commissioners and by them transmitted to his Majesty as before had been the presumptious Propositions from Cavan the Letter of the Farrals to the Lord Costilough Dr. Cale's Agency from the Rebels the United Lords Letter to the Earl of Castlehaven and the Lord Mountgarret's to the Lieutenant General and all other Addresses to the State as afterwards the Propositions of the Roman Catholicks of Ireland even to his Majesty by their Agents to himself at Oxford Yet the bleeding Iphigenia abounds in so much Impudence as to affirm that to this day the 23d of December 1674. they were not heard to speak for themselves Shameless Soul The Commission from his Majesty that the Rebels might be heard was brought over and confidently delivered at the Council-board the 22. of January by Thomas Bourk Esq a Contriver of the Rebellion to the amazement of All not acquainted with the Plot. In the Remonstrance there are pieced together saith that excellent and judicious Person who knew as well their Sophistry as the States Interest so many vain inconsiderable fancies many subsequent passages acted in the prosecution of the War and such bold false notorious Assertions without any the least ground or colour of truth as without all doubt they absolutely resolv'd first to raise this Rebellion and then to set their Lawyers and Clergy on work to frame such Reasons and Motives as might with some colour of justification serve for Arguments to defend it It is indeed to speak plainly a most infamous Pamphlet full fraught with scandalous aspersions cast upon the present Government and his Majesties Principal Officers of State within this Kingdom it was certainly framed with most virulent intentions not to present their condition and present sufferings to his Majesty but that it might be dispers'd to gain belief amongst Foreign States abroad as well as
for Religion another Rebellion that of Hugh O-Neal commonly called Tyrones Rebellion whose Forces together with the Spanish assistances were overthrown by Mountjoy Lord Deputy at Kinsale Dec. 24. 1601. he himself submitting March 1602. These were during the Reign of Queen Eliz. IV. After whose death King James succeeded and within one Month after Anno 1603. the Cities of Waterford Cork and Limerick stood out and opposed the Proclaiming the Kng he not being they said a Catholick these acted Hostility inviting all other Cities to a conjunction to which Kilkenny and Wexford were inclining but by the Deputy Mountjoys marching against them with an Army they were forced to Submission V. After Anno 1607. was a Providential discovery of another Rebellion in Ireland the Lord Chichister being Deputy the Discoverer not being willing to appear a Letter from him not subscribed was superscribed to Sir William Usher Clerk of the Council and dropt in the Council Chamber then in the Castle of Dublin in which was mention'd a Design for seizing that Castle murthering the Deputy c. with a general revolt and dependance on Spanish Forces c. and this also for Religion for particulars whereof I refer to that Letter dated March 19. 1607. which you have VI. The very next year Anno 1608. was the breaking out of Sir Cahie O Dogherty's Rebellion in Ulster by whom Derry was taken and burnt the Governor Sir George Paulet murther'd and Culmore Castle some miles distant surpriz'd that being the Magazine for Arms and Ammunition for those parts His Confederates were considerable his Forces increasing and expecting Tyrone and Tyrconnil's return with Forces from Flanders Against him was the Marshal Sir Richard Wingfield sent with a strong Party the Deputy following with more Forces from Dublin But this short yet smart Rebellion ended with the death of the Arch rebel and the dispersing his followers VII Seven years after Anno 1615. was a Providential discovery made by one Teige O Lenan to Sir Thomas Philips of Lemovadey in Ulster of a Design of Alexander mac Donel Bryan Crosse O-Neal and other the principal of the Irish in Tyrone and Tyrconnil with large Confederacies for Religion They first designed the taking Charlemount commanded by Sir Toby Caulfield where was then Prisoner Conne Greg O-Neal Tyrones Son and about the same time by severally appointed Parties was order'd the taking in the principal Forts and Towns in Ulster and murthering the Protestants in that Province and elsewhere They had promises of Foreign assistance from Spain France and Rome the particulars you have During the Reign of King James were these 4 last mentioned VIII After Anno 1634. under the Government of the Lord Viscount Wentworth Lord Deputy Ever or Emerus mac Mahon a Popish Priest privately discover'd to Sir George Radcliffe principal in trust with the Lord Deputy that there was a Design for a general rising in Ireland to be seconded and assisted from abroad The Discoverer having assurance of Pardon acknowledging himself engaged in that Conspiracy having been employed some years on that account in Foraign Courts soliciting supplies for carrying on that work for Religion This Discoverer was after the Popish Bishop of Down and after of Clogher Hereof the Lord Deputy inform'd his Majesty King Charles I. who thereupon by his Ambassadors watching practices in Courts abroad there were at length general and dark hints given of something tending to a Rebellion in Ireland but how or when or by whom was not then so appearing Hereof his Majesty by his Royal Letters Signed by Sir Henry Vane one of his principal Secretaries dated March 16. 1640. and directed to the then Lords Justices Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlase did charge them with the care of that danger imminent of which his Majesties Letter you have likewise a Copy And this brings to that Rebellion Anno 1641. which on the 23d of October did break out unexpectedly notwithstanding all cautions concerning it this like a violent Hurricane bearing all down before it which gives you your work at present The result and design of all which thus here briefly collected shews 1. That from Shane O-Neals Rebellion Anno 1566. until that in 1641. there passed about 75 years a space of time within the ordinary age of a man 2. That within those but 75. years there had been in Ireland Five open Rebellions one as it were in the neck of another viz. Shane O-Neals Anno 1566. Desmonds Anno 1569. Hugh O-Neal called Tyrones Rebellion Anno 1595. O Doghertyes Anno 1608. and this Grand Rebellion 1641. this surpassing all before I know not why that Rebellion of the Cities of Waterford Cork and Limerick may not add to that number this being as open as any and dangerous and requiring the presence of the principal Commander and the marching of the Forces of the Kingdom to suppress it Add to these those 2 Discoveries mentioned Anno 1607. and 1615. not to mention apart that Anno 1634. falling into that of 1641. which 2 former had been dismal to the Kingdom if not by Gods providence seasonably and wonderfully discovered and happily prevented Therefore have we herein not to wonder at Rebellions in Ireland than which nothing there more common from generation to generation and may not the like be yet expected when opportunity shall be for it the same Spirit and Causes remaining This is not Sir to forestal your work but serves as an Index directing to what follows of yours giving also an edge to this desire of finding the breviat as by you enlarged if you have thought fit to make use of it I shall now end your trouble herein giving you the deserved praise of your labours and zeal to that necessary undertaking I rest Sir Your very affectionate Friend and Servant Henry Midensis Dublin May 27. 1679. Since I reduced the History to what it is I reflected on several to whom I might have adrest it some who having run through the Hazzard of that War and the Councils of that Age might well have own'd it it being in the main an Epitome of their Illustrious Actions Others being design'd to the Government but not aiming at the Work as too sensible of the English Interest to betray it justly challenges a respect and Title thereunto And not a few through whose Provision the Irish were subdued might well have contenanc'd the Event But considering how insignificant a great Title is where Truth must be the main support elated Dedications bespeaking Authors more ambitious than known I could not delude my Reason with a Conceipt that a Mecaenas as the Laurel exempts from Thunder and therefore countent with the Integrity of the Story having no ends to oblige me to a single respect I here comit it naked to the Decision of the Age. It may be some whose Excellency consists in Detraction will think by this I had a particular Design besides the bare History to preserve the Memory of some who otherwise in tract of time might
a due obedience Yet after all having attended his Majesty at York and other Places as the Court mov'd for his Dispatch he came in Novem. to Chester in expectation of an easie remove thence into Ireland but falling indispos'd at Chester was commanded back to Oxford about the beginning of Ian. 1642. so as in conclusion he ever going never went His stay was at first resented by the King then the Parliament to evidence the truth he writes a Letter from York to the Earl of Northumberland which by Order of Parliament the 26th of Septemb. 1642. was printed wherein he writes That he besought his Majesty that he might not be staid at Court for that the Affairs of Ireland requir'd his speedy repair thither or at least that some Governour if he were not thought worthy of it should be presently sent into that Kingdom And upon the 21 of Septemb. he appear'd in Parliament informing the Houses That he could never since his first going to his Majesty get his Commission Seal'd till the 18th of Septemb. referring himself to the pleasure of the Houses whether they would dispatch him for Ireland or no. Whereupon the 1st of October following his Case was again debated and it was Voted for the future That the said Earl should not put in execution any Instructions from his Majesty concerning the Affairs in Ireland until such time as they should be made known and approved by them After which many things in his Instructions were debated and it being mov'd the 4th of Novemb. in a Conference of the Houses that he was ready to set forward for that Service he had his Dismiss So as I have said he came to Chester and was remanded back to Oxford the important Affairs of Ireland being in another Channel than as yet they appear'd visibly to run in Though it was a good while after before he had his discharge from that Employment being kept in suspence till others had perfected their Design by which there accrued to him a great Arrear somewhat consider'd in the Act of Settlement though short of what he was prejudic'd thereby Upon the Earl of Straffords quitting Ireland Christopher Wendesford Esq Master of the Rolls the 3d. of April 1640. was sworn Lord Deputy He managed the Government with much Policy advantage to his Majesty and faithfulness to his intimate Friend and Ally the Earl of Strafford adjourning the Parliament in November following somewhat to the dis-satisfaction of the Members who before their Dissolution made shift to form a Remonstrance against the Earl of Strafford which he would have prevented to have been sent for England could he as he endeavour'd have staid the Committee of the Parliament in Ireland from going over the greatest part of which were Papists which the Irish took as a good Omen But he being not able to hinder them they finding conveniences from every Port grew thereupon much discontented and having quick intelligence how affairs were carried against the Earl of Strafford He died the 3d. of December following betwixt whom even from their Youth there had been an especial intimacy nor did it afterwards grow cooler but more strengthned in Judgment After his decease Robert Lord Dillon of Kilkenny-West and Sir William Parsons Knight and Baronet Master of the Court of Wards Decemb. 30. were sworn Lords Justices But it was not long before the Committee of Ireland then at Court so prevail'd as that his Majesty displac'd the Lord Dillon a Person of notable Parts and one by his Son's Marriage with the Earl of Strafford's Sister passionately concern'd in the Earl's Case Yet lest the Execution of his Majesties Graces to his Subjects of Ireland obtain'd by their late Committee's sollicitation should be deferr'd till those who were design'd to succeed the Lord Dillon were in Office his Majesty was pleas'd to direct a Letter dated the 4th of Ianuary in the 16th year of his Reign to his Privy Council of Ireland and Sir William Parsons and Sir Iohn Borlase then design'd Justices to grant amongst other things that his Subsidies there should be reduced to a lesser rate than formerly and that all Letters directed to the Lord Deputy Justices Chief Governour or Governours or to any other Officers or Ministers of that Realm either concerning the publick Affairs or private Interests of any Subject there might be entred into his Signet-Office in England to the end that they might be upon occasion found to take Copies of for the Subjects better information in such publick things as may concern them as also that all Dispatches from Ireland should safely be kept apart that like recourse may be had to them for the better satisfaction of the Subject who shall be concern'd therein And whereas in the former Governour 's time there were endeavours to hinder some Agents of Parliament to have recourse into England his Majesty taking notice That for asmuch as the Committee of the Parliament of Ireland John Bellew Esq and Oliver Cassel with others employ'd thence have repair'd into his Kingdom of England to represent their Grievances He hath manifested his gracious condescensions to them admitting them into his Royal Presence forbidding his Counsellors in Ireland or any other Officers or Ministers of that State to proceed any ways against them or any of them for the same And that his Subjects shall have Copies of Records Certificates Orders of Council Publick Letters or other Entries for the Declaration of their Grievances made In grateful acknowledgment of which the Parliament then sitting the 10th of Febr. 1640. order'd That the said Letter should be forthwith Entr'd amongst the Ordinances and Records of that House So that if there had not been a general defection long anvil'd in the minds of that People the event of so unnatural and horrid a Rebellion as few months after happen'd could not have been the issue of such remarkable Condescensions The 10th of Febr. 1640. his Majesty instituted Sir William Parsons Master of the Court of Wards before mention'd long experienc'd in the Affairs of Ireland and Sir Iohn Borlase Knight Master of the Ordnance Lords Justices One well known to his Majesty by the Eminency of his Imployments abroad and the opinion He had of his integrity and skill in Military Affairs the Discipline of the Army having been ever under his Charge since his arrival there These writes an Honourable Person appli'd themselves with all manner of gentle Lenitives to mollifie the sharp humours rais'd by the rigid passages of the former Government They declar'd themselves against all such proceedings as they found any way varying from the Common Law They gave all due encouragement to the Parliament then sitting endeavouring the reasonable ease and contentment of the People freely assenting to all such Acts as really tended to the Legal Reformation They betook themselves wholly to the advice of the Council and caus'd all matters as well of the Crown as Popular Interests to be handled in his Majesties Courts of Justice no ways admitting
always cheerfully receiv'd their Requests and Messages and were ready to comply with them desiring that this their compliance might be entred in the Journal to the end that it might remain to Posterity Having by his Majesties Commission dated the 4th of January 1640. authority to Continue Prorogue or Determine the Parliament as they thought fit which liberty they indulg'd much to the freedom of the Parliament However being resolv'd as the sequel prov'd to pretend any thing rather than not to have some exceptions against the Government the Irish Parliament sent to his Majesty a Declaration therein magnifying the Six entire Subsidies they had given in the 10th year of his Majesties Reign and the Four Subsidies in the 15th year of his Reign pretending moreover that they had been ill presented to his Majesty which was clearly evinc'd to the contrary and several Graces vouchsaf'd them thereupon Amongst other things the State at that time found difficult to do the Disbanding of the new rais'd Army was not the least which the Parliament of England had great jealousies of and besought his Majesty that it should be dissolv'd In answer whereof his Majesty repli'd That the thing was already upon consultation but he found many difficulties in it and therefore told the Parliament He held it not onely fit to wish it but to show the way how it might conveniently be done However in August 1641. it was effectually perform'd for which afterwards the Lords Justices had his Majesties gracious approbation and the Arms and Ammunition were carefully brought into his Majesties Stores by the vigilance of the Master of the Ordnance the Lord Justice Borlase else certainly most of those Arms as well as the Men had been undoubtedly listed in the Confederates Army which many of their Party in the House of Commons in Ireland having an eye to made them so averse to have them Disbanded And the Plot proceeded being so cunningly manag'd by some of the Members of Parliament subtil in their insinuations that many of the Protestants and well-meaning people of the House blinded with an apprehension of Ease and Redress lying under the same pretended Yoak with the rest were innocently decoi'd into their acting violently with them Hence Sir Richard Bolton Lord Chancellor of Ireland was impeach'd of High Treason and others of the prime Officers and Ministers of State were Articled against yea some of the Bishops were not spar'd contrary to all presidents of that nature as was certifi'd by the Lords Justices to the Principal Secretary on search made upon his Majesties commands for that purpose So as besides some of the active men of the House Lawyers Darcy Martin Plunket Cusack Brown Linch Bodkin Evers and others took upon them with much confidence to declare the Law to make new Expositions of their own upon the Text as That killing in Rebellion was no forfeiture of Lands and to frame 21 Queries Which in a solemn Committee of the House Adjourn'd from time to time they discuss'd at their own freedom in the Dining-Room at the Castle disdaining the moderate Qualifications of the Judges who gave them modest Answers such as the Law and Duty to their Sovereign would admit and in stead of them vented their own sense as if the State were then in its Infancy and from them meerly to receive its Constitution as Sir John Temple observes resolving upon an alteration in the Government and drawing of it wholly into the hands of the Natives Sir Phelim Oneal making it plain in his Letters of Triumph to his Holy Confessor That his purposes were Conquest and not defence of Religion his Majesties Prerogative or their Liberty No! No King of England writes Mahony a Jesuit nor Crown nor People nor state of that Kingdom having at any time any kind of Right to the Kingdom of Ireland or any part thereof that the English Title to it was but meer Usurpation and Violence and that therefore the old Natives i. e. the meer Irish might chuse and make themselves a King of one of their own Irish and in the then Circumstances of Charles the First of England ' s being a Heretick ought i. e. were bound in Conscience to do so and throw off together the Yoak both of Hereticks and Foreigners Which Tenents being roughly drawn the Confederate Irish seem'd afterward to condemn forsooth in a Council of their own at Kilkenny Yet it is very observable and that from Walsh himself who says He can never forget it having extraordinary great admiration thereat That there was not one in the National Congregation met by an extraordinary favour the 11th of June at Dublin 1666. that open'd once his mouth for confession of any Villanies committed against the King at any time in the late Rebellion or Civil War or even to speak a word for so much as a general Petition to be exhibited to his Majesty imploring his Majesties gracious Pardon Notwithstanding the first Rebellion 1641. and what follow'd upon the Nuncio's access and the violation of the first Peace 1646. and the Nuncio's Censures against the Cessation with the Lord Inchequin and the Peace 1648. And the Declaration and Excommunication of the Bishops as James-Town 1650 against the Lord Lieutenant the Marquis of Ormond and those who obey'd him Emphatically enough exprest by P. W. No. 1. He enforces this Argument further There was no crime writes he at all committed by All or any of the Roman Catholick Clergy of Ireland nor even at any time nor in any occasion or matter hapen'd since the 23d of October 1641. that needed Petitioning for Pardon either for themselves or any other of the Irish Clergy if we must believe the Bishop of Ardagh Patrick Plunket pleading for them in so express terms and the tacit approbation of his words by the universal silence of that Assembly In pursuance of which the Protestant Commissioners of Ireland in their Answer to the Objections the Rebels Agents put in against the Preamble of the Bill of Settlement took notice that in the whole Volume of Papers which were put in by the Catholicks about that Affair there was not one grateful Acknowledgment or so much as one civil mention of his Majesties singular Condescention They having the favour to inspect that Act of Settlement and object as they pleas'd as if all his Majesty could do for them were no more than he ought And further it is these Commissioners observation That in all the Irish Papers they do not own the slaughter of so many thousands to be a Rebellion or once give the Title of Rebels to those who were the first Agents in that horrid and bloody Massacre which being not acknowledged by them more easily absolves the rudeness of their Ingratitude for his Majesties favours And a Person of Honour in his Animadversions on Fanaticism who deserves much for his excellencies in the case takes notice That no Catholick ever made any profession against the Rebellion or manifested his detestation or dislike of
from the Crown Multitudes of British were brought in and planted in great numbers even in the most barbarous Places of the Kingdom many corporate Towns have been erected some wall'd Towns have been also lately built Castles Stone-houses and Villages daily made in every part in great abundance Trade and Traffick so well setled as the obstructions therein being remov'd the native Commodities were so freely exported as they did to the great advantage of the Kingdom by far exceed the foreign Importation and all other necessary Provisions were made for the Publick which might be thought any ways to conduce to the Peace Plenty and flourishing Estate of a growing Kingdom And for the Irish themselves though they have ever been observ'd to be a whining Generation a People always given unjustly to complain of their Governours yet in these later times there hath been a most special care taken to preserve them free from all manner of Pressures They have had liberty beyond the examples of former Ages to redress their Grievances in their own Parliament being elected Knights Citizens and Burgesses according to the Affections of the Commons they had too of their Communion Lawyers bred up in England frequent at their Bar also upon their Bench Justices of the Peace in their Counties Sheriffs and Mayors and other Officers in their Corporations Favours not aspir'd to by the Catholicks of England or ever granted And in Cases where they thought fit to present their Complaints unto his Majesty they were graciously receiv'd and fitting Remedies applied They were admitted to enjoy the free and full exercise of the Roman Religion without controul to entertain Priests Friers Jesuits and all sorts of their Ecclesiastical Orders without number whilst the Protestants dissenting from the Regimen of the Church of England were frequently summon'd to the Bishop's Court. Justice was equally administred to the British and Irish without any manner of difference the Countrey Duties and other Taxes were levied upon all without distinction of Persons all private Animosities suppress'd all ancient Grudges remov'd and in all outward appearance they liv'd so affectionately intermixt together as they could not be esteem'd two Nations in one Kingdom but that they did Coalescere in unam Gentem And it is without all contradiction not to be denied That never any Conquer'd Nation enjoy'd more fully the Liberties and Priviledges of Free Subjects and through the great Indulgence of his Majesty liv'd with greater contentment Ease Peace Plenty and freedom from all manner of extraordinary Taxations other than such as they were pleas'd to impose upon themselves in Parliament than the Natives of Ireland have lately done Inasmuch as an Excellent Lawyer clearly evidences from 1601. to the year that he writ in That Ex illo tempore quantum creverunt Hibernorum Res desertissimae sollitudines in vicos oppida Conversae Itinera olim clausa Exercitibus nunc patent Viatoribus Portus Navibus Urbes Mercatoribus Agri Colonis fora Judiciis frequentantur nec siquid inter Cives controversiae inciderit ferro nunc ut olim sed lege Judicis Arbitrio deciditur Ipsae vero Gentes Anglicanae Hibernicae quae non solum studiis sed etiam Castris olim dissidebant nec ullo faedere tenebantur sed alteri alterum utcunque occidere jus erat sublatis nuper Hostilitatis legibus in unum populum coaluerunt nec Commercia nunc Convivia verum Conjugia inter ipsos celebrantur adeoque aequo Jure pari lege eadem Conditione absque omni Gentis discrimine sub justissimo Rege vivitur ut nec Angli se vicisse nec Hiberni victos se esse sentiant That hence ensued the calmest and most universal Peace that ever was seen in Ireland it being not to be produc'd that after the Irish were receiv'd into the Condition of Subjects without difference and distinction which was in the Parliament begun at Dublin under the Lord Chichester the 18th of May Anno Regni Jacob. 11. that ever the English in Ireland offer'd the least violence to any of the Natives eo Nomine Papists or Irish yet nothing could keep them from Rebelling the Corn being then full ear'd And so we are arriv'd at the Rebellion which as you have read hath had many steps to its Rise which we shall now pursue in its Progress and Success The Irish Rebellion 23. Octob. 1641. THE first dark Light of which Sir William Cole the 11th of October 1641. gave the Lords Justices and Council notice of As that there was a great Resort made to Sir Phelim O Neals in the County of Tyrone as also to the House of the Lord Mac-Guire in the County of Fermanagh and that by several suspected Persons fit Instruments for Mischief As also that the said Lord Mac-Guire had of late made several Journeys within the Pale and other Places and had spent his time much in writing Letters and sending Dispatches abroad Upon the receipt of which Intelligence the Lords Justices and Council writ to Sir William Cole requiring him to be very vigilant and industrious to find out what should be the occasion of those several Meetings and speedily to advertise them thereof or any other particular that he conceiv'd might tend to the publick service of the State And more than this rationally could not have been done for that what Sir William Cole inform'd the State of was but conjectural and had any notice been took publickly of it whereby Sir Phelim O Neal or the Lord Mac-Guire had been seiz'd on the same would certainly have been a pretended cause for the Irish ready Touch-wood to have risen in Arms being suspected before they manifested any dis-satisfaction Besides there was some so unwilling to receive the least mis-conceit of the Irish believing Time had worn out all Animosities and the State had secur'd each Interests as they us'd the utmost artifice imaginable to suppress those thoughts in others That thence more than a circumspect eye was not to be advis'd Some say one John Cormack reveal'd to Sir William Cole the 21. of October That the Irish resolv'd to seize upon his Majesties Castle and City of Dublin to murder his Lords Justices and Council there and to seize upon all the Castles and Forts of the Kingdom c. Which Sir William Cole the same day sent the Lords Justices notice of As others from an Ultogh would infer That they had inform'd the State thereof and that Sir Lucas Dillon thereupon had been summon'd before them and told that they had heard something of him and others in Connaght that made their fidelity suspected which with a sober countenance and solemn protestation Arts he had been long bred to he soon wiped off So saith my Author that for our sins our Counsellors were infatuated and our Watch-men slumber'd But Sir John Temple whose Integrity over-weighs all Assertions to the contrary testifies That those Letters and Informations never came to their knowledge and that indeed
they had never any certain notice of this general Conspiracy of the Irish until the 22d of October late in the evening that Owen O Conally a meer Irish-man Servant to Sir John Clotworthy train'd up in the Protestant Religion imparted the same to the Lord Justice Parsons as a sense of his Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty and an effect of that Religion he was trained up in At first the Lord Parsons gave little belief to the Relation in regard it came from an obscure Person and one as he conceiv'd somewhat distemper'd at that time with drink delivering his story besides in so broken a manner that it scarce seem'd credible whereupon his Lordship let him go strictly charging him to return back the same evening with what further discoveries he could make Yet in the interim the Lord Parsons being touch'd with the Relation repair'd about Ten of the Clock at night to the Lord Borlase at Chichester-house without the Town and disclos'd to him what Owen O Conally had imparted which made so sensible an impression on his Colleague as the Discoverer being let go He grew infinitely concern'd thereat having none to punish if the story should prove false or means to learn more were it true In the disturbance of which perplexity Owen O Conally comes or as others write was brought where the Lords Justices were then met sensible that his discovery was not thorowly believed professing that what-ever he had acquainted the Lord Parsons with touching the Conspiracy was true and could he but repose himself the effects of drink being still upon him he should discover more Whereupon he had the conveniency of a Bed In the interim the Lords Justices summon'd as many of the Council as they could give notice to to their assistance that night at Chichester-house Sir Thomas Rotheram and Sir Robert Meredith Chancellor of the Exchequer came immediately to them They then with all diligence secur'd the Gates of the City with such as they could most confide in and strengthen'd the Warders of the Castle which were a few in-considerable men with their Foot-Guard usually attending their Persons charging the Mayor and his Brethren to be watchful of all persons that should walk the streets that night However many of the Conspirators escaped over the River or at least lay conceal'd in Citizens houses a Receptacle too ready for most of them and some of those who were brought before the Lords Justices and Council as James Warren Sir Neal's Servant and Paul O Neal an active Priest though neither of them then were discover'd to be such found means to get away of which Sir Phelim bragg'd of afterwards Paul O Neal having been a prime Instrument in the contrivance of the Rebellion Whilst Hugh Oge Mac-Mahon Esq Grandson by his Mother to the Traitor Tir-Oen a Gentleman of good Fortune in the County of Monaghon who had serv'd as a Lieutenant Colonel in the King of Spain's Quarters was after some little resistance apprehended before day in his own Lodging over the Water near the Inns and brought to Chichester-house where upon Examination he did without much difficulty confess the Plot resolutely telling them That on that very day it was now about 5 in the morning the 23. of Octob. 1641. that all the Forts and strong Places in Ireland would be taken That he with the Lord Mac-Guire Hugh Birn Captain Brian O Neal and several other Irish Gentlemen were come up expresly to surprize the Castle of Dublin and that twenty men out of each County of the Kingdom were to be here to joyn with them That all the Lords and Gentlemen in the Kingdom that were Papists were engag'd in this Plot That what was that day to be done in other parts of the Countrey was so far advanc'd by that time as it was impossible for the wit of Man to prevent it And withal told them That it was true they had him in their power and might use him how they pleased but he was sure he should be reveng'd Before Mac-Mahon was apprehended Owen O Conally having on his repose recovered himself had his Examination taken in these words Who 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 Connaght in the County of Monaghan and to be with him on Wednesday or Thursday last Whereupon he this Examinant came to Connaght on Wednesday night last and finding the said Hugh come to Dublin followed him thither 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 Oxmantown 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's Lodging He saith That at the Lord Mac-Guire's 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 parts of the Kingdom in this Town who with himself had determin'd to take the Castle of Dublin and to possess themselves of all his Majesties Ammunition there to morrow morning being Saturday And that they intended first to batter the Chimneys of the said Town and if the Citizens 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 he the said Hugh 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 that 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 business and to discover it to the State for 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 Tyrannical Government that was over them and to imitate Scotland who had got a Priviledge by that course And he further saith That when he was with the said Hugh in his Lodging the said Hugh swore That he should not go out of his Lodging that night but told him 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 Examinant feign'd some necessity for his Easment 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 Examinant came down into the Yard and finding an opportunity
other Charges his particular Vigilance prov'd a good Guard and that Dublin might be fortified the 22. of November 1641. the Lords Justices and Council by their Proclamation enjoyn'd the same Now the State finding the Storm to increase and that though they had some glimmerings of comfort by the success of their Forces in Wickloe under Sir Charles Coote the Rebellion grew general the Lords Justices and Council publish'd a Proclamation the 27th of November for a Weekly Fast every Friday to be devoutly and piously observed and solemnized in and through the whole City of Dublin and the Suburbs thereof that being humbled for their sins the affliction might be remov'd The 28th of November the State had an Account of Sir ONeal's and Sir Con. Mac-Gennis his approach to Lisnegarvey with about 4000 Men who being fearful of the Garrison's Field-Peeces drew out two considerable Divisions of Men to fall on the Town on both sides at once The strength of the Town exceeded not 400 Foot besides the Lord Convay's Troop and part of Capt. John's who made up about 380. generally mounted on small Nags yet so well maintain'd they the Place as having skirmish'd with the Rebels without the Town on one side the rest charg'd others in the Street and in a short time droye them to the Body of their Army fac'd by Sir Phil. O-Neal and Sir Con. who play'd upon them with their Field-Peeces but were so pelted with Muskets as they gave ground the main Body of the English still securing the Market-place We took 6 Colours killed many without any considerable loss on our side more than that Capt. Boid and Capt. St. John were killed Mr. Rawden and Capt. Burly hurt Sir Arth. Tirringham managing the whole with excellent Conduct By this time his Majesty then in Scotland having as is before mention'd recommended the Affairs of Ireland to his Parliament of England immediately on the first intelligence of that Rebellion sent over several Commissions to Sir Robert Stewart and other Persons of Honour and Trust in the North and assisted by the Duke of Richmond caus'd some proportions of Arms and Ammunition to be conveyed thither out of Scotland with what Money he could spare a care and providence worthy so sensible a Prince which though it were little will be found to have done much service testified in his Majesty's Answer to a Pamphlet entituled A Declaration of the Commons touching no further Addresses At the same time he mov'd all the Parliament in Scotland as being nearest to a speedy help but they excus'd their Aids because Ireland was dependent upon the Crown of England intending rather as it seem'd by the sequel to afford their service upon Hire than Compassion or Conscience Yet notwithstanding his Majesty the State and Parliament of England's appearing thus incens'd against the Rebellion all fair means of exceptions being remov'd and a desire of its suppression endeavour'd the Irish finding as yet no considerable relief sent to the English and being exceedingly flush'd with the defeat of those commanded to re-enforce the Garrison of Tredath they unanimously drew down their Northern Forces to infest that Town And that you may see with what union even the Lords of the Pale formerly faithful to the Crown conspired in this Rebellion though by their humble Apology fraught with many vain pretences they would evade the Conspiracy we must here render you an Account of the Truth given in upon Oath March 1641. before Sir Robert Meredith Kt. Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Examination of Edward Dowdall Esq a Person of great esteem amongst them He deposeth That some 3 or 4 days after the defeat of the English Souldiers at the Bridge of Gellingstone there issued a Warrant from the Lord of Gormanston to the Sheriff of the County for a general Meeting of all the County at Dulick but the place of Meeting was afterwards chang'd to the Hill of Crofty where all the Lords and Gentry of the County met viz. The Earl of Fingal the Lord Viscount Gormanston the Lord Slane the Lord Lowth the Lord Dunsany the Lord Trimblestone the Lord Nettervile And of the Gentry Sir Patrick Barnewall Sir Christopher Bellow Patrick Barnwall of Kiltrew Nicholas Darcy of Plattin James Bath of Acharn Garret Ailmer the Lawyer Cusack of Gormanston William Malone of Lesmullin Sedgrave of Kileglan Linch of the Knos Lynam of Adams-Town Lawrence Dowdall of Athlumney Nicholas Dowdall of Browns-Town this Examinate's Brother and him this Examinate with a multitude of others to the number of a thousand Persons at least whose Names he this Examinate cannot for the present call to mind And after about two or three hours spent upon the said Hill of Crofty by the Lords and Gentry aforesaid there came unto them Col. Mahone Philip O-Relie Hugh boy-Relie Roger Moore Hugh Birne and Capt. Fox attended on with a Guard of Musketeers And this Examinate saith That as soon as the Parties drew near unto the said Hill the Lords and Gentry of the Pale rode towards them and the Lord Gormanston being one of the first spake unto them and demanded of them why and for what reason they came arm'd into the Pale unto whom Roger Moore made present Answer That the ground of their coming thither and taking up Arms was for the freedom and liberty of their Consciences the maintenance of his Majesty's Prerogative in which they understood he was abridg'd and the making the Subjects of this Kingdom as free as those in England were Whereupon the said Lord Gormanston desired to understand from them truely and faithfully whether these were not pretences and not indeed the true grounds of their so doing and likewise whether they had not some other private end of their own Which being all denied upon profession of their sincerity to his Lordship the Lord of Gormanston then told them Seeing these be your true ends we will likewise joyn with you therein unto which course all agreed And thereupon it was publickly and generally declared That whosoever shall deny to joyn with them or refuse to assist them therein they would account him as an enemy and to the utmost of their power labour his destruction And this Examinate saith That after the Agreement made as aforesaid there issued another Warrant to the Sheriff of the County of Meath to be at the Hill of Taragh about a week after and accordingly there met at the same place the Earl of Fingal the Lord Gormanston and the rest of the Lords and Gentry aforenam'd together with Sir Thomas Nugent and Nicholas Plunket the Lawyer Birford the Lawyer and a multitude of others And the work of that day was first to make Answer to a Summons made by the State for the calling of the Lords of the Pale to Dublin which Answer was brought ready drawn by the Lord Gormanston and presented by his Lordship and being perused by the said Council at Law was signed by the Lords To which we will add passing by
Ja. Ware God save the King An Abreviate of the Articles of Peace concluded by the Marquiss of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Commissioner for the King and the Lord Mountgarret President of the Supream Council the Lord Muskery Sir Robert Talbot Dermot O Brian Patrick Darcy Jeffery Brown and John Dillon Esquires Commissioners for the Irish. 1. THat the Professors of the Roman Catholick Religion in the Kingdom of Ireland or any of them be not bound or obliged to take the Oath of Supremacy expressed in the second of Queen Elis. commonly called the Oath of Supremacy 2. That a Parliament may be held on or before the last day of November next and that these Articles agreed on may be transmitted into England according to the usual Form and passed provided that nothing may be passed to the Prejudice of either Protestant or Catholick Party other then such things as upon this Treaty shall be concluded 3. That all Acts made by both or either Houses of Parliament to the Blemish or Prejudice of his Majesties Roman Catholick Subjects since the 7th of August 1641. shall be vacated by Acts of Parliament 4. That no Actions of Law shall be removed before the said Parliament in case it be sooner called then the last of November And that all Impediments which may hinder the Roman Catholicks to sit in the next Parliament shall be remov'd before the Parliament sit 5. That all Debts do Stand in state as they were in the beginning of these Troubles 6. That the Plantation in Connaght Kilkenny Clare Thomond Tipperary Limrick and Wickloe may be revoked by Act of Parliament and their Estates secur'd in the next Sessions 7. That the Natives may erect one or more Inns of Court in or near the City of Dublin they taking an Oath as also one or more Universities to be Govern'd as his Majesty shall appoint as also to have Schools for Education of Youth in the Kingdom 8. That Places of Command of Forts Castles Garrisons Towns and other Places of Importance and all Places of Honour Profit and Trust shall be conferr'd with equal Indifferency upon the Catholicks as his Majesties other Subjects according to their respective Merits and Abilities 9. That 12000 l. Sterling be paid the King yearly for the Court of Wards 10. That no Peer may be capable of more Proxies then two And that no Lords Vote in Parliament unless in 5 years a Lord Baron purchase in Ireland 200 l. per anum a Viscount 400 l. and an Earl 600 l. or lose their Votes till they purchase 11. That the Independency of the Parliament of Ireland on the Kingdom of England shall be decided by Declaration of both Houses agreeable to the Laws of the Kingdom of Ireland 12. That the Council Table shall contain itself within its bounds in handling Matters of State as Patents of Plantations Offices c. and not meddle with matter betwixt Party and Party 13. That all Acts concerning Staple or Native Commodities of this Kingdom shall be repeal'd except Wooll and Woollfels and that the Commissioners the Lord Mountgarret and others named in the 26 Article shall be Authoriz'd under the Great Seal to moderate and ascertain the rates of Merchandize to be exported and imported 14. That no Governor be longer Resident then his Majesty shall find for the good of his People and that they make no purchase other then by Lease for the Provision of their Houses 15. That an Act of Oblivion may be passed without extending to any who will not accept of this Peace 16. That no Governor or any other Prime Minister of State in Ireland shall be Farmers of his Majesties Customs 17. That a Repeal of all Monopolies be passed 18. That Commissioners be appointed to regulate the Court of Castle-Chamber 19. That Acts Prohibiting Plowing by Horse-tails and burning of Oats in the Straw be repealed 20. That Course be taken against the Disobedience of the Cessation and Peace 21. That such Graces as were promised by his Majesty in the Fourth year of his Reign and sued for by a Committee of both Houses of Parliament and not express'd in these Articles may in the next ensuing Parliament be desir'd of his Majesty 22. That Maritine Causes be determin'd here without Appeal into England 23. That the increase of Rents lately rais'd upon the Commission of defective Titles be repeal'd 24. That all Interests of Money due by way of Debt Mortgage or otherwise and not yet satisfi'd since the 23. of Octob. 1641. to pay no more than 5l per Cent. 25. That the Commissioners have power to determine all Cases within their Quarters until the perfection of these Articles by Parliament and raise 10000 Men for his Majesty 26. That the Lord Mountgarret Muskery Sir Dan. O Bryan Sir Lucas Dillon Nich. Plunket Rich. Bealing Philip Mac-Hugh O Relie Terlogh O Neal Thomas Flemming Patrick Darcy Gerald Fennel and Jeffery Brown or any five of them be for the present Commissioners of the Peace Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-Delivery in the present Quarters of the Confederate Catholicks with power of Justice of Peace Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-Delivery as in former times of Peace they have usually had 27. That none of the Roman Catholick Party before there be a Settlement by Parliament Sue Implead or Arrest or be Sued Impleaded or Arrested in any Court other than before the Commissioners or in the several Corporations or other Judicatures within their Quarters 28. That the Confederate Catholicks continue in their Possessions until Settlement by Parliament and to be Commanded by his Majesties Chief Governour with the advice and consent of the Commissioners or any Five of them 29. That all Customs from the perfection of these Articles are to be paid into his Majesties Receipt and to his use as also all Rent due at Easter next till a full Settlement of Parliament 30. That the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-Delivery shall have power to hear and determine all Offences committed or done or to be committed or done from the 15th day of September 1643. until the first day of the next Parliament Thus the Marquess having perform'd all on his part that could be expected from him and was in his power to do and having receiv'd from other Parts all the assurance he could require there being no other way of engaging the publick Faith of the Nation than that to which they had so formally engaged themselves to him in he intended nothing then but how his Majesty might speedily receive some fruit of that Peace and Accommodation he thence expected by sending assistance to him And to that purpose with advice and upon invitation of several Persons who had great Authority and Power amongst the Confederate Catholicks the Lord Lieutenant took a Journey himself to Kilkenny where he was receiv'd with that Respect and Reverence as was due to his Person and to the Place he held and with such expressions of Triumph and Joy as gave him cause
and to the Peace of this Kingdom to be put into the actual possession of his Estate he paying and contributing to the maintenance of the Army and necessary burdens of the Countrey proportionable to the rest of his Neigbours 2. That you cause the Articles of War to be put in execution amongst all the Forces under your Command whereof we send you down herewithall a Copy 3. Whereas it is well known to belong to us as General of the Army in this Kingdom under his Majesty to dispose of all Military Offices and Commands whether in Chief or Subordinate which Right we cannot in Honour suffer to be lost from the Sword and whereas some Commissions lately have been Procured giving Power to other Commanders to name and place all sorts of Military Officers under the respective Commands in which Commissions nevertheless and much more in the Instructions there is an express reference to us and to our Approbation from which they are to receive their validity We do therefore Order and Declare our Pleasure thereby That no Commander whatsoever within the Province of Ulster do assume to themselves the nomination of Military Officers as Colonels Lieutenant-Colonels Majors Captains Lieutenants Cornets or Ensigns upon pretence of any late Commission but leave them to our discretion as in this Kingdom hath ever been accustomed 4. If any Person shall speak or act to the prejudice of his Majesties Authority or Affairs let him upon proof be forthwith Imprisoned and his Estate secured and an Information sent up to us of the nature of his Crime that we may give further Order therein And if any Ecclesiastical Person in his Prayer or Sermon shall presume to exercise the People to Sedition or Disobedience or shall intermeddle in Pulpit or Consistory with the managery of Civil Affairs or shall derogate from the present Government or Governours of this Kingdom or shall teach that his Majesty is not to be admitted to the possession of his Crown until he hath given satisfaction to his Subjects or until he have taken such Oaths and Covenants as are impos'd upon him without his Consent without Law contrary to the Dictates of his own Conscience upon proof thereof without further Circumstance let his Estate be confiscated to the use of the Army and himself be either imprisoned or banished or tryed for his Life as the Enemy shall deserve 5. If there be any Person whose Loyalty is suspected let the Chief in Command upon the Place administer unto him the Oath of Allegiance and if he refuse it let them secure both his Person and Estate and send up an information to us that we may cause proofs to be made against him 6. Although we cannot now take notice of the Scotch Army in this Kingdom or of any distinct from that which is committed into our hands by his Majesty we expecting a joynt obedience of all Forces English Scotch and Irish indifferently as branches of the Army under our Command yet in respect your old Quarters are straightn'd by the Garrison of Belfast by our very good Lord the Lord Vicount Montgomery of the Ards we are well pleased in lieu thereof to assign unto you for the enlargement of your Quarters so much of the Countreys of Antrim as was possessed or enjoyed by Sir John Clotworthie's Regiment now disbanded of themselves and because we cannot but judge that this dissolution of them proceeds from the aversness to his Majesties Service and therefore we require that none of them be admitted into any Troops as Horsemen or Dragooners 7. For Answer to your other Proposition if any Postage shall be sent down from them or from the other Provinces of the Kingdom into Ulster for his Majesties Service upon any occasion it is our Pleasure they have their Quarter and Provision for the present in these Quarters through which they pass but the whole Province of Ulster is to contribute proportionably towards the Charge 8. Let the Siege of Derry be prosecuted by the common advice of the Lord Vicount Mountgomery of Ardes Robert Stewart Sir George Monro and Colonel Audley Meryin 9. We desire the said four Persons last mention'd likewise to consider and certifie what fit Augmentation of Quarter and further Provision may be assign'd to the Regiment and Troops of Esteline without prejudice or with the least prejudice to any other of his Majesties Forces ORMOND Upon the Lord Inchiquin's success at Dundalk the lesser Garrisons of Newry Narrow-water Green-Castle and Carlingford were easily subjected and the Lord Inchiquin in his return being appointed to visit the Town of Trim the onely Garrison left to the Parliamentarians in those parts except Dublin in two days after he had besieged it he made himself Master of it and so return'd with his Party not impair'd by the Service to the Lord Lieutenant in his Camp at Finglass Owen O Neil still continued his affection to the Parliamentarians and when he found that his design of drawing the Marquis of Ormond's Army from Dublin could not prevail he hastned into Ulster and upon the payment of 2000 l. in money some Ammunition and about 2000 Cows he rais'd the Siege of London-derry the 8th of August the onely considerable Place in that Province which held for the Parliament under Sir Charles Coot and which was even then reduc'd to the last extremity by the Lord Viscount Mountgomery of Ardes Sir George Monro Sir Robert Stewart Colonel Audley Mervin and others and must in few days have submitted to the Kings Authority if it had not in that manner been relieved by the Irish under O Neil with whom Colonel Richard Coal in the behalf of Sir Charles Coot Lord President of Connaght had made Articles of Cessation as Colonel Monk had done before on the grounds of necessity the 22. of May 1649. the benefit of which he acquainted the State with desiring that the Propositions presented by him might be accepted which was thought by them a demand so extravagant and of such dangerous consequence to the whole Kingdom as it was ill resented Owen Roe and his Party having been first engaged in those horrid Massacres and presently rejected And though Sir Charles Coot was not censur'd because it was presum'd he did it out of necessity yet several Votes passed against him as to that Cessation though he was continued in his Imployment and having received the pleasure of the Parliament concerning the Cessation made by him with Owen Roe presently acquainted him therewith who according to Articles betwixt them did soon retire and as we shall see afterwards came to an agreement with the Marquis of Ormond finding he could not by any means he could use draw himself or his Party to be accepted of by the Parliament an attempt he earnestly solicited engaging to maintain their Interest with the hazard of his Life and Fortune against all opposers whatsoever with whom joyn'd the Lords Gentry and Commons of the Confederate Catholicks of Ulster though many were of
read Perinchief Fol. 17. Line 30. read Consequences Fol. 18. Line 29. read Execrabiles An Account of what the subduing the Rebellion of Ireland begun the 23d of October 1641. hath cost and what Damage the Protestants there have sustained thereby and what Lands have been forfeited and disposed of to Adventurers Souldiers and other English and what to the Irish and now in their possession Abstracted out of the Accounts of Moneys in the Exchequer during such time as any regular Accounts were made up and by probable and rational Estimates for the time in which no Accounts were kept by reason of the general Rebellion and Confusion and out of the Surveys Decrees and Settlements made by his Majesty's Commissioners for executing the Acts of Settlement and Explanation in Ireland   l. s. d. l. s. d. l. s. d. 1. Moneys receiv'd and issued from the 6th of July 1649. to the 1st of November 1656. being 7 years and 4 months according to an Account thereof remaining as a Record in the Auditor-General's Office in Ireland Transmitted out of England in specie 1566848 13 4 3509396 17 0½ 22191258 3 0½ Assessments in Ireland 1309695 14 11½ Rents of forfeited and sequestred Houses Lands Fishings c. 161598 8 7¾ Tythes sequestred 135524 3 2½ Customs and Excise 252474 18 10¾ Preys of Cows Horses and other Goods taken from the Rebels and for other casual Revenue 083258 18      l. s.  Money issued in England towards transporting Armies raising Recruits buying and sending over Provisions of all sorts for the Army and other Moneys issued by Warrant from the then Council or the Committee of the Army in England which was not accounted for in Ireland the Warrants and Accounts being never transmitted thither of which there is a Reference in the account of Record in the Exchequer above-mentioned which is estimated to be as much if not more than the above sum of 3509396 l. 17 s. 0½ d. In that all Cloths Linnen and Woollen Stockings Shooes Boots Horses Saddles Arms Ammunition Tents Bread Cheese and all other eating Provisions were sent from England and the price thereof deducted from the weekly Pay of the Army and not brought to Account and so estimated as above 3509396 17       l.   The Charges of the Armies in the several Provinces of Ireland from the 23d of October 1641. the time the Rebellion broke out to the 6th of July 1649. from whence the Account is stated as above being about 7 years and 9 months when no regular Accounts were or could be kept by reason of the Confusion in which the Kingdom was by the Rebellion there may be by probable Estimate added without any Allowance for Provision of all sorts after the Rate of what was paid the Army after the 6th of July 1649. when Provisions were deducted 3760068        l. s.  The Loss of Rents for 14 years from October 1641. until the year 1655. reckoning the Land but at 12 d. an Acre yearly is 7608264 l. 6 s. and reckoning all the Corporations Houses and Tithes but at a Moiety thereof comes to 11412396 9  Besides the Loss by the Devastation of Houses Orchards Gardens Improvements Houshold-stuff Corn Cattel and the impairing the value of Land unto that time not to be estimated but in reason to be accounted as much as before is computed for all other Charges Losses and Expences if not much more the same extending to the whole Kingdom 2. By the Surveys of Ireland there is in Ireland as forfeited by the Rebellion and belonging to Protestants not forfeited of Plantation-Acres accounting 21 Foot to the Perch and 160 Perches to the Acre in the respective Provinces the quantity of Land hereafter mentioned   a. Acres Leinster  2603520 10868949 Munster  3255874 Ulster  2777875 Connaght  2231680 The which Lands are divided and distributed as by the Surveys and Records of the Court of Claims will appear as followeth  a.  To the Protestants and others that proved their constant good affection including the Bogs Loughs and Mountains in Ireland 6110292 10868949 To Adventurers 396054 2717549 To the Officers and Souldiers 1442839 To the Officers that served his Majesty against the Rebels in Ireland before the year 1649. 278041 To his Royal Highness the Duke of Tork as Regicides Lands 111015 To Protestants on Provisoes by the Acts of Settlement and Explanation 383975 To the Bishops for their Augmentations of which some have possession 118041 Reserved to his Majesty as un-disposed upon the account of Lewis Dyke and Thomas Conyngham being set out on fraudulent Adventures 14006 Left of course Lands un-disposed the Title to the greatest part whereof was doubtful 73578 Restored unto the Irish upon Decrees of Innocency 965270 2041108 Restored to them by special Provisoes in the Acts of Settlement and Explanation 408083 Set out upon their Transplantations of Connaght and Clare over and above what is confirmed to English Protestants who purchased Interests there from the Irish 667755 So that the Irish notwithstanding the Rebellion and their great complaints of losing all their Lands are restored unto and possessed of almost one half of all the Lands formerly accounted forfeited by the Rebellion Besides that the 2717549 Acres granted to the English hath cost as before besides the loss of hundreds of thousands of Men murthered by and killed in subduing the said Rebels the sum of 22191258 l. 3 s. 0½ d. And accounting the said 2717549 Acres to be worth 12 d. per Acre one Acre with the other yearly they will come to 135876 l. 9 s. which for the Purchase thereof at 10 years Purchase comes to 1358764 l. 10 s. After which Rate the Lands granted to the English and Protestants are not the 15th part of what the Money expended in subduing the said Rebellion would have bought and accounting the Devastations and the loss of many thousands of Mens Lives for nothing A REFLECTION Upon the State of IRELAND With occurrent Accidents before the breaking forth of the Rebellion 23d of Octob. 1641. THough we date the Conquest of Ireland from the submission of the Kings and Natives there to Henry the Second 1172. yet on a truer estimate we must conclude that Ireland was never really subjugated to the Crown of England till our Laws became as communicable to the Natives as the English whereby each Party without distinction grew up together into one Nation which was never effectually vouchsafed till after Tir-Oen's last submission at Mellifont to the Lord Mountjoy 1603. by which the minds of the People were broken to the obedience of the Law and after that became so pliable as near fourty years there seemed no material distinction betwixt the Natives and other Inhabitants each concentring in subjection to the Laws making up but one Jury living in mutual amity and friendship till Indulgence so far became a mischief as thence
he this Examinant leaped over a Wall and two Pales and so came to the Lord Justice Parsons Octob. 22. 1641. William Parsons Thomas Rotheram Robert Meredith Owen O Conally How it came to pass that the other Lord Justice attested not the Examination it being took in his house he present hath begot some doubts evidencing how since Counsels severed into Cabals In the interim whilst Owen O Conally was examining Mac-Mahon walking in Chichester-hall drew with Chalk several Postures some on Gibbets others groveling on the ground intimating how his fancy run on what was then acting So little did he dread the event The night being thus pass'd over the Lords Justices remov'd themselves for their better security into the Castle where the body of the Council attended them and having secur'd the Lord Mac-Guire taken after several removes in an obscure Cock-loft in Cook-street they joyn'd in this Proclamation By the Lords Justices and Council W. Parsons John Borlase THese are to make known and publish to all his Majesties good Subjects in this Kingdom of Ireland That there is a discovery made by us the Lords Justices and Council of a most disloyal and detestable Conspiracy intended by some evil-affected Irish Papists against the Lives of us the Lords Justices and Council and many other of his Majesty's faithful Subjects universally throughout this Kingdom and for the seizing not onely of his Majesty's Castle of Dublin his Majesties principal Fort here but also of all the other Fortifications in the Kingdom And seeing by the great goodness and abundant mercy of Almighty God to his Majesty and this State and Kingdom those wicked Conspiracies are brought to light and some of the Conspirators committed to the Castle of Dublin by us by his Majesties Authority so as those wicked and damnable Plots are now disappointed in the chief Parts thereof We therefore have thought fit hereby not onely to make it publickly known for the comfort of his Majesties good and loyal Subjects in all parts of the Kingdom but also hereby to require them That they do with all confidence and chearfulness betake themselves to their own defence and stand upon their Guard so to render the more safety to themselves and all the Kingdom besides and that they advertise us with all possible speed of all Occurrents which may concern the peace and safety of the Kingdom and now to shew fully that Loyalty and Faith which they had always shown for the publick Services of the Crown and Kingdom which we will value to his Majesty accordingly and a special memory thereof will be retain'd for their advantage in due time and we require that great care be taken that no Levies of Men be made for Foreign Service nor any Men suffer'd to March upon any pretence Given at his Majesty's Castle at Dublin 23. October 1641. R. Dillon Ro. Digby Ad. Loftus J. Temple Tho. Rotheram Franc. Willoughby Ja. Ware Ro. Meredith Which being immediately printed was dispersed to as many Places as they could convey it to Against which some of the Lords of the Pale though at first they had offer'd their service at the Council-board with great protestations and affections to his Majesty few days after appear'd with a Petition to their Lordships wherein they utter'd the deep sense they had of an expression in that Proclamation as if by the words Irish Papists there being no distinction they might doubt themselves involv'd Upon which the Lords Justices and Council being tender lest they in whose fidelity from the example of their Ancestors their Lordships then rested confident should take umbrage at any of their expressions condescended by their Printed Declaration dated the 29th of the same October to publish and proclaim That by the words Irish Papists they intended onely such of the old meer Irish in the Province of Ulster as had plotted contriv'd and been actors in that Treason and others that adhered to them and none of the old English of the Pale and other Parts enjoyning all his Majesty's Subjects whether Protestants or Papists to forbear upbraiding matter of Religion So that this Cavil being remov'd the Lords Justices and Councel with all imaginable amity and confidence animated the Lords of the Pale and their adherents to joyn with them as one Body for the suppression of the present Rebellion and the maintenance of his Majesty's just Right and Prerogative To which end they parted with 1700 Arms and proportionable Ammunition as well to the Roman Catholicks as Protestant Subjects for the defence of their Houses in several parts As to the Lord of Gormanston there were delivered Arms for 500 Men for the County of Meath there were also delivered Arms for 300. for the County of Kildare Arms for 300. for the County of Lowth Arms for 300. for the County of West-Meath Arms for 300. for the County of Dublin and about the same time there were sent down 400 Muskets to the Lords of the Ardes and Clandeboys for the Arming of the Scots in the County of Downe also the State furnish'd Wexford Waterford Trim and Dundalk with Arms and licence to import Arms and Powder a condescension never indulg'd without great confidence and favour that nothing should be wanting to testifie their confidence of all but such as were in actual Rebellion And now having heard Mac-Mahon's and Conally's Examinations and the proceedings thereupon it will be time to give you the Lord Mac-Guire's though at first when he was brought before the Councel Board nothing could be wrung from him till the 26th of March 1642. that his Examination was taken before Charles Lord Lambert and Sir Robert Meredith Kt. Chancellor of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer by direction of the Lords Justices and Councel in these words Who being examined saith That about the time when Mr. John Bellew came out of England with the Commission for the continuance of the present Parliament Roger Moore in the said Moore 's Chamber in the House of one Peter de Costres of this City acquainted him this Examinant That if the Irish would rise they might make their own Conditions for the regaining of their own Lands and freedom of their Religion At which time the said Moore also acquainted him this Examinant that he had spoken with sundry in Leimster who would be ready for that purpose and withal told him this Examinant that he was assured a good part of Connaght would do the like and thereupon mov'd this Examinant to joyn likewise with them with all he could make unto which motion he this Examinant yielded And the next day following there was a Meeting in his the said Moore 's Chamber aforesaid where were Col. Mac-Bryan Mac-Mahon Tirelagh O Neal Philip Mac-Hugh O Relie this Examinant and Roger Moore where Discourse was had about that Business yet nothing concluded on save that Roger Moore and the rest should go and prepare their Parties And this Examinant further saith That about May last he this Examinant Roger Moore Philip O
many other testimonies of their Conjunctions that which is confirm'd by a very credible Person of Colonel Richard Plunket of Dunsaghly in the County of Dublin within the Pale one destin'd for the taking of the Castle of Dublin who affirm'd openly That he had a Contract under the hands of all the Lords of Ireland that were Catholicks to stand firm in this Insurrection most of their actions confirming his words And Relie's Wife told James Talbot a Person of eminent note amongst them That if those of the Pale would have let them alone and not set them on work they were so well at ease as they would never have begun that troublesome task Upon which it is evident though Some would insinuate the contrary that both the old Irish and old English what ends they would severally pretend to have centred in the destruction of the Protestants and that the old English Papists were a little backwarder than the Irish was in that they had something more to loose than the other and so would put them first upon the work wherein themselves were equally engag'd Which the Lords Justices and Councel perceiving writ the 3d. of Decemb to the Earl of Fingal the Lord Viscount Gormanston and the rest of the Lords of the Pale To come to Dublin and consult for the safety of the Kingdom Luke Nettervile and others having caus'd Proclamation to be made at Lusk twelve miles from Dublin that all the Gentry of the County should upon pain of death meet within three or four days at Swoards within six miles of Dublin which accordingly they did constituting Captains Richard Golding Thomas Russel Francis Russel Robert Travers Christopher Hollywood and other Commanders their Militia amounting on that short warning to 1200. which would have been impossible to have rais'd had they not before been Armed and instigated to that Cause Upon which these Lords of the Pale Conspirators with the first return'd to the Lords Justices the 7th of Decemb. this Answer receiv'd the 11th May it please your Lordships WE have received your Letters of the 3d. instant intimating that you had present occasions to confer with us concerning the present state of the Kingdom and the safety thereof in these times of danger and requiring us to be with you there on the 8th of this instant We give your Lordships to understand that we have heretofore presented our selves before your Lordships 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 receiv'd certain advertisement that Sir Charles Coote Knight at the Council-board hath offered some speeches tending to a purpose and resolution to execute upon those of our Religion a general Massacre by which we are all deterr'd to wait on your Lordships not having any security for our safety from those threatned evils or the safety of our lives but do rather think it fit to stand upon our best guard until we hear from your Lordships how we shall be secur'd from those perils Nevertheless we all protest that we are and will continue faithful advisers and resolute furtherers of his Majesties Service concerning the present state of this Kingdom and the safety thereof to our best abilities And so with the said tender of our humble service we remain Your Lordships humble Servants Fingall Gormanston Slane Dunsany Nettervile Oliver Lowth Trimblestone And Luke Nettervile Esq George Blackney of Rickenhore Esq George King of Clantarfe Gent. and others met at Swoards being charged on their Allegiance the 9th of Decemb. immediately on sight of the Lords Justices Warrant to separate and not to unite any more in that manner without direction from the State They instead of obedience to the States command return'd this answer That they were constrain'd to meet there together for the safety of their lives That they were put into so great a terror by the rising out of some Horse-Troops and Foot-Companies at Dublin who kill'd four Catholicks for no other reason than that they bore the name of that Religion as they durst not as they pretended stay in their houses and therefore resolved to continue together till they were assured by their Lordships of the safety of their Lives before they ran the hazard thereof by manifesting their obedience due unto their Lordships Upon which the Lords Justices and Council publish'd a Proclamation the 13th of Decemb. to satisfie the world of the innocency of the State from the guilt of any mans blood and concerning the four they alledg'd were kill'd as Papists they were such as were found faulty in rebellious actions of which one was a Protestant Commanding them furthermore on the allegiance to his Majesty to separate upon the sight of their Warrant and that Luke Nettervile and his Accomplices should appear before the State on the eighteenth of the said month to the end they may be fully heard by the State To which end the Lords Justices and Council thereby gave them and every of them the word of the State that they might then securely and safely repair thither without danger of any trouble or stay whatsoever And that the Lords of the Pale might not be less satisfi'd in what they objected the same day also the Lords Justices and Council publish'd a Proclmation and sent it to those Noblemen positively affirming That the Lords Justices and Council did never hear Sir Charles Coote or any other utter at the Council-board or else-where any speeches tending to a purpose or resolution to execute on those of their Profession or any other a general Massacre nor was it ever in their thoughts to dishonour his Majesty or the State by so odious impious and detestable a thing giving them assurance of their safety if they would repair thither the 17th of that Month. Yet notwithstanding these Condescensions or whatsoever else the State could do whereby the doubts of those men might be remov'd and their security ascertain'd still the Torrent of the Pale ran to make up the intended Deluge despising whatsoever security or faith the State was pleased to promise them Whereupon the Lords Justices and Council were enforc'd to send this Warrant to the Earl of Ormond and Ossory to send out a Party of Soldiers Horse and Foot against those that dar'd so impudently to affront them By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase FOrasmuch as divers of the Inhabitants of Clantarfe Rhaheny and Kilbarrock have declared themselves Rebels and having robb'd and spoil'd some of his Majesties good Subjects are now assembled thereabouts in Arms in great numbers mustering and training of their rebellious Multitudes to the terrour and danger of his Majesties good Subjects as well at Land as at Sea which their boldness is acted in such manner as to put scorn and affronts upon this State and Government they acting such depredations even before
and their Possessions restored to them or their Heirs from whom the same were taken they nevertheless answering to the Crown the Rents and Services proprotionable reserv'd upon the Undertakers 12. That the Transportation of all Native Commodities to all Places of the World in Peace with his Majesty may be free and lawfull his Customs first paid and that the Statutes of 10 11 and 13 of Queen Elizabeth for restraining the Exportation of Native Commodities be repealed 13. That all Preferments Ecclefiastical Civil and Martial in this Kingdom that lye in his Majesties Gift may be conferr'd on the Natives of this Kingdom onely such as his Majesty shall think meet without any distinction for Religion Provided always that upon the Princes of his Blood of England he may bestow what Places he shall think meet 14. That a Martial and Admiral of this Kingdom may be elected in it to have perpetual succession therein with the same Preheminency Authority and Jurisdiction as they respectively have in England and that the said Places be ever conferr'd upon Noblemen Natives of this Kingdom 15. That there may be Train'd-bands in all Cities Towns Corporate and Counties of this Kingdom arm'd and provided for at the charge of the several Counties Cities and Towns and commanded by the Natives of the same who shall be nam'd by the Counties Cities and Towns respectively 16. That his Majesty may release all Tenures in Capite and by Knights Service in consideration whereof he shall receive a setled Revenue of 12000 l. per annum being double the sum which he casually receives by them Reliefs Seismes Licenses for Alienations Escuage and Aids nevertheless to remain 17. That all Monopolies may be for ever taken away by Act of Parliament 18. That such new Corporations that have not the face of Corporate Towns and were erected to give Voices in Parliament may be dissolved and their Votes taken away and hereafter none such to be admitted to Voices in Parliament Lastly That there may be Agents chosen in Parliament or otherwise as thought meet to attend continually his Majesty to represent the Grievances of this Nation that they may be removable by such as did elect them and in case of death or removance others may be for ever successively substituted in that Place Propositions so destructive to the Crown of England the English Interest and Protestant Religion as I conceive none are so hardy as to maintain their rationality as long as the Crown of England is able to improve the Power of her Conquest More I might add but each Proposition carrieth in it self its insolency and vanity which by the Rebels success on the British through their Treacheries and Surprisals they were encouraged to propose with such audacity However the State in hope to gain time till Supplies might come listned to an offer made by some Popish Priests to treat with the Rebels Whereupon Dr. Cale pretending how far he could prevail with the Rebels was admitted thereunto by a Warrant from the State in confidence that he could obtain better terms than the former But Sir Phelim O-Neal would yield to no Treaty unless the Lord Mac-Guire Mac-Mahone and the rest in the Castle might be freed Which the State refusing with indignation that design ended And that the City of Dublin might be supplied with Corn the Market growing very thin through the Confederates seizing on the Protestants Corn in the Haggard the Lords Justices and Council having that example publish'd a Proclamation the 28th of Decemb. 1641. That all Corn-Masters within fifteen miles of Dublin should be careful to send their Corn to the City to be sold at the Rates following viz. Wheat Pease and Beans at 20 s. a Dublin Peck and Oats at 6 s. 8 d. a Barrel Whereupon the Market was somewhat though not considerable to their urgent occasions reliev'd rather than the Irish would suffer their Corn to be thrashed outby Warrants from the Lord Gormanston for the use of the Irish Army then lying before Tredath or burnt by the State to prevent that inconvenience And that nothing irregular might justly be imputed to the State who studied the preservation of his Majesties Subjects or those indeed who but pretended without appearance to the contrary a submission to his Ministers the 14th of January 1641. they publish'd a severe Proclamation against Pillagers and Voluntiers not listed under some Colonel or Commander So early was the vigilancy of the State in what might preserve their Integrity and Repute Which some finding contrary to their envious Licentiousness wanted not boldness to encourage the Soldiers to a return for England Which the Lords Justices and Council having notice of publish'd this Proclamation By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WE do hereby in his Majesties Name charge and command all his Majesties Soldiers of this Army that upon pain of death none of them presume to depart hence for England without express license in that behalf from the Lieutenant General of the Army And we command all Owners and Masters of Ships Barques and other Vessels that upon pain of death none of them do permit or suffer any of the said Soldiers to go aboard them or to be carried from hence into England And we require the Searcher and all other Officers and Waiters of the Customs that they and every of them do take special care to prevent the Shipping or Importing of any of the said Soldiers as aforesaid whereof they may not fail Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 18th Jan. 1641. Ormond Ossory R. Dillon Ad. Loftus J. Temple Charles Coote Fran. Willoughby Rob. Meredith And now the Flame having march'd through Ulster and Leimster it discovers its fury about the beginning of December 1641. in Munster which Provincetill that time by the moderation of the State had stifled its rage then expressing its consent with the other Provinces The Rebels of Wexford Kilkenny and Caterlaugh coming over the River to prey and spoil the County of Waterford To resist which the Lord President of Munster Sir William Sellenger who to that time had behav'd himself with much Prudence Vigilance and Honour hastned to encounter them whom though he was far inferiour to in number he then discomfited and restored to the Owners what Prey he recovered in which action he found many of his Provincials yet suffer'd none of them to be hurt supposing they came to save their Goods not being interess'd in the Conspiracy which afterwards he found general Mr. Purcell called the Baron of Loghmo exciting about the 9th of December in Tipperary the Irish to rob and spoil the British and Protestants acting with many others daily villanies being armed by a long Provision underhand and furnish'd with the Wealth of the British and Protestants in that Province which was very great and considerable And that Connaght might not be said to be quiet the Lord President of that Province the Lord Rannelaugh coming thither from Dublin about the beginning
hereby unanimously make this following Protestation and Oath and do enjoyn it to be taken by every Soldier and Inhabitant of this Town as the evidence of their Faith and Truth to the Kings Crown and Dignity which we shall maintain with our Lives and Estates and that such as shall refuse it be put out of the Gates The Oath I Shall to my uttermost endeavour the defence of this Town against all outward and inward Attempts whatsoever for his Majesties Service I shall forthwith discover any Plot Conspiracy or Combination which may or shall come to my knowledge from without or within which may any ways be intended to the prejudice of the whole Town or to the Person of the Mayor Governour Aldermen or any of the Captains or Officers Garrison'd in it I shall not attempt or consent that the Town shall be given upon any pretence or cause whatsoever without consent of the Governour Mayor and greater part of the Captains and Aldermen in it or without special Command from his Majesty or Chief Governour or Governours of the Kingdom All which I do hereby swear truly and faithfully to observe and keep without any fraud deceit or mental reservation whatsoever Notwithstanding which some who took it were afterwards perjur'd not without example and the Mayor and Aldermen refus'd it On St. Thomas Eve the Rebels being encourag'd from the Popish Inhabitants within about one of the Clock at night after a Watch-word approach'd the Walls with a terrible shout which the Governour answer'd from the Mount with a Canon continuing the same for some hours the Towns-men in the interim being upon pain of death commanded to keep within doors Towards morning the Rebels fled being pursued by our Bullets from all Quarters so that many dropt the numbers of their slain is not certain certainly many fell by that attempt of ours not one notwithstanding at St. John's Gate which was most naked and where Captain Morris excellently well perform'd his Command was the hottest work This deliverance was no sooner over but new Conspiracies were hatch'd in the Town a clandestine Oath being impos'd on some to seize on the Soldiers Arms as they were asleep and kill others in their beds happily discovered by a Priest not so bloody as the rest Yet necessities of all sorts as well for Beasts as Men grew so urgent that within few days no Enemy but those need to do execution In which extremity God was particularly flown to and even in the midst of their Devotion the 11th of January there came in from the State vigilant in whatsomever might concern them a Pinnace a Frigat a Gabbard with two Shalloops and a Vessel loaden with Bisket Powder and Ammunition whereby the Garrison was seasonably reliev'd in the midst of great extremities which at the first appearance the Towns-men well-wishers to the Rebels would needs have perswaded the Soldiers that they had been Ships from Spain in favour of the Rebels and appear'd chearful But the mercy proving otherwise the Soldiers grew hearty which without an especial providence might have prov'd their ruine for contrary to the Command of the Governour and his vigilance which was never more remarkable than then the Soldiers carous'd it too liberally being by the Friers themselves made to drink inasmuch as Sentinels from their Guards were drawn in So as the Rebels Jan. 12. by the help and treacherous intimation of their own within made a breach in the Wall about four in the morning at which many of their best Soldiers and Chief Commanders to the number of 500 enter'd unheard till having march'd as far as the Key they gave a shout which the Governour hearing instantly ran down unarm'd onely with his Pistols in his hands and was the first that caus'd a Drum to beat at which all was soon alarm'd and finding their Pikes to be short of ours by a yard we charg'd home and forc'd them to a retreat though they had o'r-turn'd a Drake of ours that lay there off its Carriage Soon came in my Lord Moor with 15 Horse all that could of a sudden be got ready with which and the rest that were now got together they quickly repuls'd them Sir John Borlase hasting so speedily undrest and with that courage to the Breach made by the Nunnery that his service there in falling upon the Enemy who fought it stoutly was very remarkable Here the Besieg'd kill'd many of the Rebels as well those as came near the Walls for the succour of those that first entred as they that Invaded it and great was the deliverance the Rebels Party within very considerable having their Doors mark'd with Chalk as a token to the Rebels should they have prevail'd The Besieged lost few if any Though the Pinnace on its return ran a ground upon which the Rebels plaid thick upon her from both sides the River desperately approaching her very Stern with Pick-axes and Crows of Iron at which Captain Stutfield Comptroler of the Ordnance an excellent Engineer a stout and daring Person presently threw some Granado's amongst them which did such execution as throughly frighted them yet chas'd them not away till the seventh was flung after which they parted but were so pursued by our Musket and Canon that many were slain After this Relief for some time Tredath enjoy'd reasonable Peace though at distance they had often alarms and within a fortnight what quantity of Bisket and Meal was brought to the Garrison was easily spent Famine Fluxes with other diseases return again in as much as diverse of the English Inhabitants especially such as had flown thither for relief died daily and now the Town was narrowly search'd for Provisions in which scrutiny the Friars against their vow of Poverty were found full of Trunks of Plate Money and other Treasure which they not owning being the Goods of the Rebels were equally distributed amongst the Garrison but could not supply the want of food which rais'd Mutinies speedily allayed by the Vigilance of the Governour However many English as well as Irish fled to the Rebels out of meer necessity In as much as Sir Phelim O-Neal writ into the North and gave it out amongst his Souldiers that he was certain of the sudden surrender of Tredath so as the Town being now driven to great streights the best expedient that could be thought of was to Man out a Boat for Dublin that the State might be rightly inform'd of its Condition in endeavouring which the Aldermen and Mariners of the Town seem'd very backwards till the Governour threatned to make some of the Aldermen themselves prove Mariners in that service whereupon at last men were found and Commissioners sent to the Lords Justices to inform them of the misery of the Town in which service Sir John Borlase Junior and others were imployed who having obtained some men and two Peeces of Battery return'd with a very satisfactory supply The same day they weighed Anchor for Dublin a part of the Garrison made a sally
incredible charge of his own Purse hanging many though of his own kindred whom he found imbrued in Blood greatly resenting the Barbarism and Inhumanity of the Irish In as much as Hubert Boy Bourk and Sir Ulick Bourk his near Relations preying on the English he often frustrated by discovering their Designs and furnishing Sir Charles Coot from time to time with supplies of Arms and Ammunition to oppose them and impoverish their Country So that at last by the advice of Colonel Walsh and others they erected a standing Camp near the Kreggs to molest and pen up our Garrison of Castle-Coot which being almost compleated the Garrison issued out upon them who receiv'd us with a good volly of Shot which ours answer'd not according to command till we came close to them which being done with great resolution their hearts fail'd them and they betook themselves to the next Bog which being at some distance gave our Horse and Foot a fair opportunity to hew them down before they could reach it in which service Major Walsh behav'd himself well with Courage and Rhetorick endeavouring to make the Rebels stand but in vain he at length being forc'd to take the Bog for his own refuge leaving in the Camp Bread Arms Powder Corn Meal c. in great quantity which being more then we could carry away we were forced to burn In the Spring following Sir Charles Coot being inform'd of a good Prey of Cattle in the Barony of Athlone towards Balniaslo in the O Mores Country he with his Forces adventur'd thither got some Cattle great quantity of Cloth and other necessaries killing many of their Souldiers in their beds though in his return he was fought with by the Rebels sculking in in-accessible Places from whence he at last got free with no small hazard to his Person and loss to the Enemy Major Sumner in this as in the whole Siege of Castle-Coot and other places in Connaght doing excellent service as Councellor Engineer and Souldier worthily keeping his promise with one Kelly a Gentleman of good Quality and a kin to the Earl of Clanrikard whom begging his life he saved ransoming himself afterwards for 10. l. in money ten barrels of Wheat and as much Salt which at the following Siege of Castle-Coot proved of great value being sold then at 2s a Quart After which in Easter week 1642. Sir Charles Coot attempted to relieve Athlone and after some small dispute did it though the access to the Place was such as a few men might have been able to have stop'd 1000. he found his greatest difficulty was to fill up the trenches that the Enemy had made as his Horse might have free access which at last he compass'd relieving the Place with what Cattle and other Provisions he got in his Expedition not being a little startled that by such a Troop as the President there had and other Conveniencies no more should have been before attempted Nor had Roscommon Tulsk Elphin Knockvicar Abbeyboyle Belanfad Persons less active in their defence even from the first surprizals of the Rebels acting to amazement when nothing but their own courage secur'd their Forts though the last for want of Water was compell'd after a long siege to yield to the Rebels after that the Governour 's two Brothers the Kings from Boyle with Sir Charles Coot had resolv'd to have reliev'd him but at Carickdrumroosk Sir Charles Coot having intelligence that his own Castle was assaulted he was forced to retire back and very happily prevented that Design in the nick of execution though thereby the other Design was frustrated The 30th of April the Lords Justices and Council appointed a Fast to be observed monthly upon each Friday before the Sacrament to continue until Declaration were made to the contrary for the wonderful discovery of the late Plot against the State and true Religion as for the happy and prosperous success which God in his mercy had given his Majesties Forces against the Rebels and for the avoiding Gods just indignation for the future Upon the return of our Forces from the Battle of Kilrush within few days Philip Sidney Lord Viscount Lisle eldest Son to the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland landed at Dublin his Regiment having arriv'd before He was a Member of the House of Commons in England and by them recommended to his Father to be made Lieutenant-General of the Horse in Ireland though very young Assoon as he landed being desirous to put himself upon action he undertook the relieving of the Lady of Offalia Relict of Sir Robert Digby who upon the most insolent Menaces of the Rebels had return'd a noble answer seconding that though then very aged with an unparallel'd and gallant defence besieged in her Castle of Gheshell in the Kings-County by a numerous company of Rebels in a place of most difficult access by reason of the Bogs and Woods which encompassed it on every side The Rebels Letter to the Lady Offalia at Gheshel Honourable WE his Majesties loyal Subjects being at present imployed in his Highnesses Service for the taking of this your Castle you are therefore to deliver unto us free possession of your said Castle promising faithfully that your Ladyship together with the rest in the said Castle restant shall have a reasonable Composition otherwise upon the not yielding of the Castle we do assure you that we will burn the whole Town kill all the Protestants and spare neither Man Woman nor Child upon taking the Castle Consider Madam of this our offer and impute not the blame of your own folly unto us think not that here we brag Your Ladyship upon submissiion shall have a safe Convoy to secure you from the hands of your Enemies and to lead you where you please A speedy Reply is desired with all expedition and thus we surcease Henry Dempsy Charles Dempsy Andr. Fitz. Patrick Con. Dempsy Phelim Dempsy John Vicars James Mac Donnel Superscrib'd To the Honourable and thrice Vertuous Lady the Lady Digby These Give The Lady Offalia her Answer to the Rebels Superscrib'd For her Cousin Henry Dempsy and the Rest. I Receiv'd your Letter wherein you threaten to sack this my Castle by his Majesty's Authority I am and ever have been a loyal Subject and a good Neighbour amongst you and therefore cannot but wonder at such an Assault I thank you for your offer of a Convoy wherein I hold little safety and therefore my resolution is that being free from offending his Majesty or doing wrong to any of you I will live and die innocently and will do my best to defend my own leaving the issue to God and though I have been and still am desirous to avoid the shedding of Christian Blood yet being provoked your threats shall no whit dismay me Lettice Offalia Sir Charles Coot accompanied the Lord Lisle in this Action which with 120 Foot and 300 Horse was perform'd without much difficulty the Rebels not daring to attend their Approaches to
the Mote in the County of Lonford William Farrall of Ballingtobber in the said County James mac Conell Farrall of Tenelecke in the said County Oliver Boy Fitz-Gerrald in the said County Pierse Fitz-Gerald of Ballysonan in the said County of Kildare Maurice Eustace of Castle-Martin in the said County Nicholas Sutton of Tipper in the said County Roger alias Rory O More of Ballynah in the said County William Fitz-Gerrald of Blackhall in the said County Robert Preston Brother to the Lord Viscount Gormastown James Flemen late of Slane in the County of Meath Brother to the Lord Baron of Slane Patrick Cusack of Gerrards-Town in the said County Edward Betagh of Monalty in the said County Gerrald Leins of the Knock in the said County Luke Netervill of Corballies in the County of Dublin Son to the Lord Viscount Netervill George King of Clontarfe in the said County Richard Barnewall of Lespopel in the said County Colonel Richard Plunkett late of Dunsoghlie in the said County Matthew Talbot late of Kilgobban in the said County John Stanley of Mallets-Town alias Marletts-Town in the said County of Lowth John Bellew of Willets-Town in the said County Christopher Barnewall of Rathaskett alias Rathasker in the said County and Oliver Cashell of Dundalk in the said County Instead of that Duty and Loyalty which His Majesties good and gracious Government might justly have wrought in them have returned nothing but those fruits of Treason and Rebellion to the disturbance of the publick Peace and happiness of this Kingdom and to the destruction as much as in them lay of this State and Government and of the Persons and Estates of many thousands of His Majesties good and faithful Subjects therein whereby they have shewed themselves to be most ungrateful detestable vile and unnatural Traytors and Rebells We therefore according to the custome of this Council-Board in cases of this nature though no former Rebellion can parrallel this for acts of Cruelty and horrid Crimes do by this present Proclamation in His Majesties Name and by his Majesties Authority Declare Publish and Proclaim them the said Sir Con Magenis Patric mac Cartan Art oge mac Glasny Magenis Ever mac Phelim Magenis Rory mac Brien oge Magènis Phillip mac Hugh mac Shane O Rely Phillip mac Mulmorry O Rely Mulmorry mac Edmond O Rely Hugh Boy mac Shane O Rely Owen mac Shane mac Phillip O Rely Rory Magwire Donogh Bane Magwire Brian mac Cowcannaght Magwire Sir Phelim O Neale Tirlagh Roe O Neale Tirlagh Groom O Quin Cormock mac Owin O Hagan Patrick Modder O Donnelly Art mac Tirlagh mac Henry O Neale Tirlagh mac Henry mac Tirlagh O Neale Hugh oge O Neale Donnogh oge O Murchie Collo mac Brien mac Mahowne Neale mac Kena Coolo mac Ever mac Mahowne Art Roe mac Patrick Art Moile mac Mahowne Captain Hugh mac Phelim Birne Shane mac Brien mac Phelim Birne Luke alias Feogh O Toole Luke alias Feogh mac Redmond Birne Redmond mac Feogh Birne Phelim mac Redmond Birne Dermot mac Dowlin Cavenagh Lewis alias Lisagh mac Owny Dempsie Art O Molloy Hubert Fox Owen O Molloy Florence mac Shane Fitz-Patrick Barnabie Dempsie Daniel Doine Barnabie Fitz-Patrick James mac Fergus mac Donell Francis mac Faghny O Farrall Will. Farrall James Conell Farrall Oliver Boy Fitz-Gerrald Pierse Fitz-Gerald Maurice Eustace Nich Sutton Roger alias Rory O More Will. Fiz-Gerald Robert Preston James Fleming Patrick Cusake Edw. Betagh Gerald Leins Luke Netervill George King Richard Barnewall Colonel Richard Plunkett Matthew Talbot John Stanley John Bellew Christopher Barnewall and Oliver Cashel and every of them and all their and every of their partakers aiders maintainers comforters confederates complices and associates apparent notorious ungrateful wicked vile and unnatural Traitors and Rebels against our most gracious Soveraign Lord Charles by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. His Royal Crown and Dignity of of this Realm and malitious oppugners of His Majesties Royal Soveraignty Preheminences and Prerogatives willing therefore requiring warranting and authorizing all His Majesties good and loving Subjects to pursue and plague with Fire and Sword apprehend destroy and kill by all the ways and means they may all the said persons their partakers aiders maintainers comforters confederates complices and associates as apparent notorious ungrateful wicked vile detestable and unatural Traitors and Rebels And we do hereby make known to all men as well good Subjects as all others that whatsoever he or they be that shall betwixt this and the five and twentieth day of March next kill and bring or cause to be killed and brought unto Us the Lords Justices or other chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom for the time being the head of the said Sir Phelim O Neal or of the said Sir Con Magenis or of the said Rory Magwire or of the said Phillip mac Hugh mac Shane O Rely or of the said Collo mac Brien mac Mahon who who were of the Principal Conspirators and have been the first and principal Actors in this present Rebellion he or they shall have by way of reward for every of the said last named persons so by him to be killed and his or their head or heads brought to Us the Lords Justices or other chief Governor or Governours of this Kingdom as aforesaid as followeth viz. for the head of the said Sir Phelim O Neal one thousand pounds for the head of the said Sir Con Magennis six hundred pounds for the head of the said Rory Magwire six hundred pounds for the head of the said Phillip mac Hugh mac Shane O Rely six hundred pounds for the head of the said Collo mac Brian mac Mahon six hundred pounds and Pardon for all his or their offences that shall kill and so bring in or cause to be killed and so brought in the said head or heads And whosoever shall within the mean time by any means slay or kill as aforesaid the said Sir Phelim O Neale Sir Con Magenis Rory Magwire Phillip mac Hugh mac Shane O Rely and Collo mac Brian mac Mahone or any of them though such person or persons so slaying or killing the said Traitors or any of them bring not or cause not to be brought to Us the Lords Justices or other chief Governor or Governours of this Kingdom the head or heads of the said Traitor or Traitors yet being justly proved shall forthwith upon proof so made receive the reward for the said Sir Phelim O Neal eight hundred pounds for the said Sir Con Magenis four hundred pounds for the said Rory Magwire four hundred pounds and for the said Phillip mac Hugh mac Shane O Rely four hundred pounds for the said Collo mac Brien mac Mahowne four hundred pounds and pardon for all his or their offences that shall kill the said last mentioned persons or any of them And forasmuch as the other Rebells above named have