contrary to the Liberty and Freedom of the Subject to be by any such Oath or Covenant pre-engaged And for that the setting on foot at this time in this Kingdom the said League or Covenant without His Majesties Allowance may not only beget much distraction and unquietness amongst His Majesties good Subjects but also may prove very penal to all those who shall presume to tender or take the same We therefore for prevention of such mischiefs do in His Majesties Name strictly charge and command all His Majesties good Subjects of what degree or quality soever within this Kingdom upon their Allegiance to His Majesties that they presume not to enter into or take the said League Covenant or Oath And we do likewise inhibit and forbid all His Majesties Subjects in this Kingdom to impose administer or tender the said League Oath or Covenant And if notwithstanding this our Proclamation any person shall presume to impose tender or take the said League Oath or Covenant We shall proceed against him or them with all severity according to the known Laws of the Land Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin the 18. day of Decemb. 1643. Ri. Bolton Canc. La. Dublin Ormonde Roscomon Edw. Brabazon Ant. Midensis Cha. Lambart Geo. Shurley Gerrard Lowther Tho. Rotherham Fra. Willoughby Tho. Lucas Ja. Ware G. Wentworth GOD SAVE THE KING APPENDIX XI Fol. 141. The Copy of a Letter written by direction of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament Assembled to several Commanders and Officers of his Majesties Army and others in the Kingdom of Ireland AFter our very hearty Commendations The Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament in this His Majesties Kingdom of Ireland have commanded us to signifie unto you that they have lately seen a Printed Paper intituled a solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the Peace and safety of the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland which seems to have been Printed at London on the ninth day of October 1643. That they have also seen a Printed Proclamation dated the eighteenth day of December last and set out by the Right Honourable the late Lords Justices and Council expressing diverse great and Weighty Reasons against the said League and Covenant and therefore Commanding all his Majesties good Subjects of what Degree or Quality soever within this Kingdom upon their Allegiance to his Majesty That they presume not to enter into or take the said League Covenant or Oath and inhibiting and forbidding all His Majesties Subjects in this Kingdom to impose administer or tender the said League Oath or Covenant That upon serious debate and consideration taken by the Lords and Commons of the said League and Covenant and Proclamation They find the said Proclamation to have been set out with great Wisdom and Reason and do highly Commend the Judgement of the said Lords Justices and Council therein and as both Houses do fully concurr therein in all the parts thereof So they have expresly Commanded us to signifie the same unto you and in their names to let you know That it is their express Pleasure that you and all the Commanders Officers and Souldiers of His Majesties Army and all others His Majesties Subjects in this Kingdom whom it may concern do render all due Obedience and Observation to the said Proclamation in all the parts thereof And this being to no ther end We remain Your very Loving Friends Ri. Bolton Canc. Maur. Eustace Speaker of the House of Commons Dublin Castle xviii die April Anno Dom. 1644. Fol. 142. There is mention made of the Protestants Arrival at Oxford where they deliver'd to his Majesty this Petition To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The humble Petition of divers of your Majesties Protestant Subjects in your Kingdom of Ireland as well Commanders of Your Majesties Army here as others whose Names are subscrib'd in the behalf of themselves and other Your Protestant Subjects in this Your Kingdom Sheweth THAT this Your Highness Kingdom reduced with the vast Expence of Treasure and much effusion of British blood to the obedience of the Imperial Crown of England hath been by the Princely care of your Royal Progenitors especially of Queen Elizabeth and of Your Royal Father of ever blessed Memory and your Sacred Majesty in many parts happily planted great sums of Moneys disbursed in Buildings and Improvements Churches edified and endowed and frequented with multitudes of good Protestants and your yearly Customs and Revenues rais'd to great yearly sums by the industry of your Protestant Subjects especially and great sums of Money by way of Subsidies and Contributions chearfully paid unto your Majesty by your said Subjects In which happiness this your Kingdom hath flourished in a long-continued Peace and under your Highness most glorious and happy Government until that by the present general Conspiracy and Rebellion rais'd out of Detestation of Your blessed Government and for rooting out of the Protestant Religion and so for the dispossessing of Your Majesty of this Your said Kingdom without the least occasion offered by Your Majesty or Your Protestant Subjects And notwithstanding that Your Majesty immediately before had enlarg'd beyond president Your Royal favour and bounty to them in granting all that their and our joint Agents did desire of Your Majesty And we continuing amongst them in all Love and Amity without distrust Your Petitioners and others who labour'd to oppose those damnable Designs and Practices have been driven from their Dwellings Estates and Fortunes their Houses and Churches burnt and demolished All Monuments of Civility utterly defaced Your Majesties Forts and places of strength thrown down and the Common and Statute-Laws of this Your Kingdom utterly confounded by taking upon themselves the exercise of all manner of Authorities and Jurisdictions Ecclesiastical and Civil both by Sea and Land proper and peculiar to Your Sacred Majesty being Your just Prerogatives and the Royal Flowers of Your Imperial Diadem to the Disherison of Your Crown and Your Royal Revenues brought to nothing and the Protestant Clergy with their Revenues and support for the present destroyed This Your Kingdom in all parts formerly inhabited with Brittish Protestants now depopulated of them and many thousands of Your Protestant Subjects most barbarously used stripped naked tortur'd famish'd hang'd buried alive drown'd and otherwise by all barbarous cruel sorts of Death murther'd such as yet remain of them are reduced to that extremity that very few of them have wherewithal to maintain a Being and all of them so terrified and afflicted with those barbarous and inhuman cruelties the true report whereof being now spread abroad into the Christian World Your Suppliants conceive fears that Your Majesties Brittish Subjects will be discouraged from coming again to inhabit this Kingdom and the remnant of what is left will be forced to depart All this being done by the Conspiracy of the Papists who did publickly declare the utter extirpation of the
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
were countenanc'd in their Complaints and Prosecution And as to the Progress of Religion there receive from the Bishop of Derry this account in his Discourse of the Sabbath where having occasion to mention the incomparable and pious Primate Archbishop Usher he takes notice That having liv'd sundry years a Bishop in the Province of Ulster whilst the Political part of the care of that Church lay heavy upon his shoulders he prais'd God they were like Candles in the Levitical Temple looking one towards another and all towards the Stem no contention arising amongst them but who should hate contention most and pursue the Peace of the Church with swiftest paces inasmuch as if the high-soaring Counsels of some short-wing'd Christians whose eyes regarded nothing but the present Prey with the Rebellious practises of the Irish Enemy tied together like Samson's Foxes with Firebrands at their tails had not thrust them away from the Stern and chas'd them from their Sees with Bellona's bloody Whip They might before this time without either persecution or noise have given a more welcome and comfortable account of the Irish Church than our Age is likely to produce The last time this Noble Person the Earl of Strafford enter'd Ireland was the 18th of March 1639. when he arriv'd at Dublin Lord Lieutenant a little before having in an extraordinary Solemnity and conflux of Ambassadors and Peers been made Earl of Strafford at which time he appear'd in Parliament begun the 16th of March in the 14th of King Charles the I. expressing his Majesties Necessities in such terms as immediately Four entire Subsidies without further expostulation were unanimously consented unto the freedom of which added much to the largeness of the gift with which he rais'd 8000 Foot and 1000 Horse additional to the Veterain Forces which at the breaking forth of the Rebellion consisted but of 2297 Foot and 943 Horse And so having setled his Majesties affairs in Ireland he went for England to the Parliament at Westminster summon'd by his Mediation the 13th of April 1640. being attended from Ireland with the acclamations of the whole House of Parliament yet legible in a very remarkable manner in the Preamble of their Act of Subsidies Anno 16 Car. 1. yet afterwards we know his fate Never writes Perinshief sufficiently bewail'd by the King till the issue of his blood dri'd up those of his tears All the actions of his Government were narrowly sifted and though no one thing after the mercenary Tongues of the Lawyers had endeavour'd to render him a Monster of men could be found Treason many accumulated were so voted That him whom even now the Parliament of Ireland extolled as an excellent Governour and one for whose due and sincere Administration of Justice they had principally consented to so great a Subsidy they afterwards pursued as the cause of all their mischiefs and so by their Agents even those who afterwards complotted the Rebellion incens'd the Parliament at Westminster against him as they denied all that they had attributed to his Worth fixing on him what-ever might contribute to a praevious Government or the Kingdom 's impoverishment the state of which cannot be better clear'd than by what his Majesty in a full Council at White-hall the 27th of Ian. 1640. seem'd clearly to acquiesce in upon the Earl of Strafford's avowing of the Answer to the Irish Remonstrance against him ordering that a Copy thereof should be forthwith given by the Clerk of the Council to the Committee of Ireland then attending upon him since Registred among the publick Records Thus was this great Man accused thus justifi'd yet all was not sufficient to exempt him from the destructive Bill of Attainder suggesting His tyrannous and exorbitant Power over the Liberties and Estates of his Majesties Subjects in Ireland laying and assessing of Soldiers by his own authority upon the Subject against their consent saying also that he had an Army in Ireland which his Majesty might make use of to reduce this Kingdom meaning England as appears by the Act which passed the 10th of May 1641. His Majesty having Sign'd a Commission to the Earl of Arundel the Lord Privy Seal the Lord High Chamberlain and others to that intent which had an after Act vacating the authority of the precedent for future imitation sufficiently thereby saith his Majesty telling the World that some remorse touched even his most implacable Enemies as knowing he had very hard measure and such as they would be loth should be repeated to themselves And that it might remain to Potesterity to whom the Age is accomptable for her Actions what he suffered in his Trial and by what artifices he was brought to it the Act for the reversal of the Earl of Straffords Attainder Anno xiv Car. II. fully shows to which it may seem impertinent to add more Histories and the Occurrences of those times having presented his Actions at his Trial more significant than I dare pretend to such a Scene of Justice attended with that Magnificence in its Structure such Seats for their Majesties for Ambassadors and the most discerning Audience of England not being to be parallel'd Therefore I shall conclude as to Him with what his Majesty speaks in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That his great abilities were prone to create in him great confidence of undertakings and this was like enough to betray him to great Errors and many Enemies whereof he could not but contract good store while moving in so high a Sphere and with so vigorous a Lustre he must needs as the Sun raise many envious Exhalations which condens'd by a Popular Odium were capable to cast a Cloud upon the brightest Merit and Integrity c. Yet saith this Excellent King I could never be convinc'd of any such criminousness in him having heard all the particulars of his great Cause from one end to the other as willingly to expose his life to the stroke of Justice and the malice of his Enemies However He suffered on Tower-hill the 12th of May 1641. taking his death with as much Christianity as Courage though some account nothing Christian that is not Effeminate of whom we should say more but must refer the rest to what is extant in Print The 19th of May following Robert Earl of Leicester was designed by his Majesty Lord Lieutenant of Ireland newly return'd from his Embassy in France where he had discharg'd his Trust with singular Prudence and Courage as he had done before in Denmark and elsewhere The choice of whom exceedingly endear'd his Majesties Wisdom to the most knowing and intelligent Party of the Nation the Earl having been one never engag'd in Monopolies one of the Grievances of the Times or the publick Complaints of the Kingdom but being long experienc'd in State-affairs promised nothing save his Majesties Honour and the Kingdoms security Being thought by his knowledge in Martial Affairs and other his great Abilities to be no doubt abundantly capable to reduce the Irish to
the late exorbitances so bitterly decried in Parliament of Paper Petitions or Bills in Civil Causes to be brought before them at the Council-board or before any other by their Authority reducing by his Majesties approbation the Subsidies from 40000 l. a Subsidy to 12000 l. a Piece Bringing all things to that compliance as best suited with his Majesties Interest and the quiet of the Nation that if it were possible there might not be the least discontent or jealousie rais'd amongst the People and for a season all things seem'd so peaceable as never any Government was less excepted against Yet then in the end of the year 1640. his Majesty being inform'd of an intention to raise Troubles in Ireland commanded Sir Henry Vane his Principal Secretary to write unto these Lords Justices this Letter Right Honourable HIs Majesty hath commanded me to acquaint your Lordships with an advice given him from abroad and confirm'd by his Ministers in Spain and elsewhere which in this distemper'd time and conjuncture of affairs deserves to be seriously consider'd and an especial care and watchfulness to be had therein which is That of late there have passed from Spain and the like may well have been from other Parts an unspeakable number of Irish Church-men for England and Ireland and some good old Soldiers under pretext of asking leave to raise men for the King of Spain whereas it is observ'd among the Irish Friers there a whisper runs as if they expected a Rebellion in Ireland and particularly in Connaght Wherefore his Majesty thought fit to give your Lordships this notice that in your wisdoms you might manage the same with that dexterity and secresie as to discover and prevent so pernicious a Design if any such there should be and to have a watchful eye on the proceedings and actions of those who come thither from abroad on what pretext soever And so herewith I rest Your Lordships most humble Servant Henry Vane White-hall March 16. 1640. Which was delivered to the Lord Justice Parsons and since his death found in his Study and by Sir James Barry Lord Baron of Santry a right Honourable and worthy Person presented to his present Majesty who look'd upon it as a precious Jewel discovering his Father's Royal thoughts towards the preservation of his Protestant Subjects and People But how far it was at first communicated is uncertain though being of so great a Trust it may very well be believed to have been often reflected on with caution and prudence Certain it is that notwithstanding that there was an Item that there should be an especial care against levying of Soldiers for Spain yet Colonel John Barry Colonel Taaff Colonel Garret Barry and Colonel Porter had all Warrants to transport 4000 Men thither which several of the House of Commons in Ireland and England too with much artifice though with divers ends endeavour'd to prevent on plausible terms As that from the experience of what they might learn abroad they afterwards might prove ill Instruments at home whereas it was more necessary that they should be employ'd on Husbandry whereof that Kingdom had great need And many of the active men of the House of Commons in Ireland as Darcy the Lawyer Plunket Chevers Martin and others urg'd their stay with a passion seemingly much concern'd for that amongst many Reasons which I will not undertake at so long a distance positively to remember though I had the honour to be a Member of that House yet I cannot forget that their chief Argument was drawn from the Spaniards having long born an ill will to England and her Empire And therefore they did not know mark the insinuation how soon those very Regiments acquainted with every Creek of the Kingdom might be return'd on their own Bowels having naturally a love to their Religion which such an Incendiary as the King of Spain might soon inflame to the highest prejudice Which I the longer insist on for that the Collection of Murthers committed on the Irish published by R. S. 1662. would insinuate the better to invalidate the Abstract of Murthers committed by the Irish that the Catholick Members of the House of Commons in Ireland never hindred as that Abstract affirms the Transportation of the Earl of Straffords disbanded Soldiers into Spain purposely to advance the Rebellion which is clear they did Inasmuch as upon these and other Arguments their Transportation was deferr'd though if the discontented Irish Army had been disposed of beyond-Sea according to the Contracts with the French and Spanish Ambassadors it was very clear as is judicially affirmed that there could have been no Rebellion in Ireland the Pretence and Means thereof having been thereby taken away though some were of opinion that where-ever these Forces had been they could yet easily have been brought over again as others have been since the principal Heads of the Rebels Army being led by old experienc'd Soldiers who at the breaking out of the Rebellion were generally beyond-Sea as the Leimster Forces by Colonel Preston a branch out of the House of Gormanston the Ulster Forces by Owen Roe O-Neal both bred in Flanders Munster Forces by Garret Barry and the Connaght Forces by one Burck animated with their Cause and the Pope's encouragement And it cannot be denied that the promiscuous compleating of the Army lately rais'd of 8000 Foot and 1000 Horse in Ireland taught many of the Common Soldiers the use of Arms who otherwise would have been ignorant thereof And evil in Perrot's and Fitzwilliam's Government much took notice of and by Camden in his Eliz. Anno 1593. towards the end observ'd in the like case to be most improvidently done as afterwards was found the Irish being always disloyal to the English Upon which I cannot but reflect on what Antalcidas in Plutarch * tells Agesilaus of being sorely hurt by the Thebans That they had paid him his deserved hire for teaching them against their wills to be Soldiers who before had neither will nor skill to fight Certain it is that most of these Soldiers thus rais'd betook themselves to the Rebels Party although very few of their Officers if we may credit a late Historian were polluted with the crime Yet notwithstanding the Letter fore-cited and many troublesome passages in Parliament wherewith the Lords Justices and Council were not seldom alarm'd sufficient to waken their confidence no Cloud not the breadth of a hand appear'd but the Lords Justices kept a fair correspondence with the Parliament giving all the furtherance they could to the going of their Committee into England hoping that what his Majesty should be pleased to grant at their requests might redound to the common benefit of the Nation Neither did the Lords Justices or Council transmit unto his Majesty or any of the State of England any mis-reprehensions of the proceedings and actions of that Parliament as some maliciously insinuated in as much as a Noble Person a Peer in the Lords House said That the Lords Justices had
rest to disobedience that they adjudged them less worthy of favour than the others whom they had misguided And therefore for those principal Persons they required them to take care not to be too forward without first consulting the Counsel-board in proffering or promising mercy to those unless they the said Commissioners saw it of great and unavoidable necessity They likewise writ to the Lords Presidents of Munster and Connaght advising them to be upon their Guards And that several of the Catholick Communion might not say but that they also were confided in the Lords Justices who were willing to continue all proofs imaginable of their confidence in them gave in November several Commissions of Government to the Lord Gormanston in Meath the Lord Mountgarret in Kilkenny Nicholas Barnewell in Dublin Walter Bagnall in Caterlagh the Lord Lowth in Lowth Sir Thomas Nugent in Westmeath Sir Robert Talbot in Wickloe the two Sir Dillon's in Longford and several others as well in Munster as Connaght and Ulster who contrary to the trust reposed in them not forbore to protect or endeavour'd to reduce any but soon after joyn'd with the Rebels and prov'd as violent if not worse against the Protestants as those who first appear'd in the Rebellion And because the Times required something extraordinary beyond the course of Common-Law the Lords Justices and Councel gave several Commissions of Martial-Law to the prime Gentlemen of the Pale all Roman Catholicks as to Henry Talbot in the County of Dublin John Bellew Esq in the County of Lowth Richard Dalton and James Tuit Esq in the County of Westmeath Valerian Wesley in the County of Meath James Talbot in the County of Cavan And understanding of Sir O-Neal's proceedings in Ulster the only person remaining of nearest alliance to the Earl of Tyrone how that he had surprized Charlemont where the Lord Caufield lay with his Foot-Company afterwards basely butcher'd by him the Lords Justices endeavour'd to reduce many to their obedience But the root of their Design being deeplier laid than on threats or encouragements to frustrate their hopes the Lords Justices hourly endeavour'd to fortifie his Majesty's Interests wih the most powerful Forces they could raise But in the interim the Magistrates of the City of Dublin perceiving great numbers of Strangers to come to Town from several Parts lingring in the Suburbs and Fields to the terror of the Inhabitants they repair'd to the Councel Board with much fear and astonishment beseeching the Lords Justices and Councel to inhibit the same lest the concourse of people promiscuously gathering in such a crowd might threaten the security of the City Whereupon their Lordships considering somewhat more than ordinary must necessarily be done in such an exigence caus'd some to be apprehended and immediately publisht a Proclamation in his Majesty's Name commanding all Persons not Dwellers in the City and Suburbs to depart within an hour after publication thereof upon pain of death in the interim and afterwards receiving all who applied themselves to the Lords Justices with singular friendship and integrity But the Magistrates growing still jealous of the concourse of people applied themselves again to their former refuge Whereupon the State that the Inhabitants might receive no dis-encouragement who were like to bear the brunt of all Taxes Levies and Supplies the 28th of October publisht a Proclamation to the same intent with the former with the penalty of death to such as wilfully harbour'd them However the Insolencies of the Rebels threatning even Dublin it self most of the prime Gentry of the County Justices of Peace looking on in all places and giving way to those hateful actions the State having intelligence from Dr. Jones a Service very remarkable that during his imprisonment amongst the Rebels at Cavan which ripen'd his integrity highly improv'd to the Service of the State they intended to besiege Tredath the Lords Justices the better to divert them from Dublin appointed Sir Henry Tichborn Col. and Governour of that Town Sir Faithfull Fortescue the former Governour finding Supplies not hastned with that speed he desir'd having resign'd up his Commission not being willing to lose his Reputation though he was forward enough to hazard his Person So the Lords Justices designing the said Sir Hen. Tichborn a Company of Foot and to compleat his Regiment order'd Sir John Borlase Junior Capt. Lt. Col. Byron Capt. Lt. Col. Wenmond Capt. Who though they had been all in former Employments Field-Officers yet out of their zeal to the present Service came as private Captains Jacob Lovell Serjeant Major who died in the Siege Capt. Chichester Fortescue Capt. William Willoughby Capt. Edward Billingsley Capt. Lewis Owens Capt. John Morris to associate him These they sent from Dublin the 3d. of November who happily arriv'd at Tredath the 4th having been enabled thereunto by 3000 l. most opportunely in the hands of the Vice-Treasurer intended before the Rebellion for the satisfaction of a publick Engagement in England Besides these there was sent Troops under Capt. John Slaughter Lt. to Sir Thomas Lucas Commissary-General Thomas Greimes Lt. to Sir Adam Loftus besides others which in their due time may be taken notice of These being gone to Tredath Sir Charles Coote had a Commission for a Regiment of the poor stripped English so likewise had the Ld. Lambert A little while after arriv'd from England Sir Thomas Lucas who commanded a Troop compleated with such Men as he found there also Capt. Armstrong rais'd a Troop Capt. Tardner soon after landed Lt. to the Ld. Lieutenant's Troop all very considerable not long after Col. Crafford came over also and bringing with him Letters from the Prince Elector then attending his Majesty in Scotland also rais'd a Regiment of the Townsmen and the poor dispoil'd English The State at that time had store of Arms and Ammunition by which these Souldiers and the rest were seasonably furnisht though as I have took notice what in confidence of the Loyalty of the Pale the Lords Justices had furnish'd many of the Lords and Gentlemen of Quality with were either slenderly if ever restor'd or made serviceable against his Majesty Yet for all this the Outrages of the Rebels still increasing adding to their Cruelties a pretended Commission under the Great Seal of Scotland from the King bearing date at Edinburgh the first of October 1641. though in his Majesty's Declaration to the Parliament's Resolution of no further Addresses it appears That the Scot's Great Seal which is said thus to be made use of had for many months before and after that date never seal'd any thing of which notwithstanding Sir Phelim O Neal and Rorie Mac-Guire from the Camp at Newry the 4th of November following gave notice to their Confederates within the Kingdom of Ireland incloseing in their Letters a Copy of the Commission a Copy of which is extant but so improbable as it needs an expiation to mention it the Lord Mac-Guire equally privy to all Transactions
denying it to the last with more sense of conscience saith his Majesty in his Answer to the Parliament's two last Papers concerning Ireland than they who examined him expected However one Plunket having taken an old Broad Seal from an absolete Patent out of Farnham-Abbey and fixed it to a forged Commission it to seduce the Vulgar into an opinion of their Loyalty when they had first incited them to a Rebellion as in a parallel Case his Excellency takes notice of in his Answer to their Declaration at James-town And saith his Majesty in his Declaration to the Parliament's Answer at Newmarket the 9th of March 1641. We must think our self highly and causlesly injured in our Reputation if any Declaration Action or Expression of the Irish Rebels any Letter from Count Rosettie to the Papists for Fasting and Prayer or from Tristram Whitcombe of strange Speeches utter'd in Ireland shall beget any jealousie or mis-apprehension in our Subjects of our Justice Piety and Affection it being evident to all understandings that those mischievous and wicked Rebels are not so capable of great advantage as by having their false Discourses so far believed as to raise fears and jealousies to the distraction of this Kingdom the only way to their security Wherefore the Lords Justices and Councel detesting such Umbrages the 30th of October publisht a Proclamation to take off the people from being seduced by seditious and scandalous reports father'd on the Crown And that none ignorantly involv'd in so detestable a Guilt as the publick Conspiracy might suffer the State yet further to manifest their desire of reducing all into a general obedience having never drawn his Majesty's Sword upon jealousies or presumptions till the highest Extremities and unparallel'd Outrages compell'd them thereunto publisht the first of November a Proclamation declaring That all in the Counties of Meath Westmeath Lowth and Longford being no Free-holders nor now in prison who had taken any Goods from his Majesty's faithful Subjects not having shed blood in the Action and came in within ten days after this Proclamation should be receiv'd to his Majesty's mercy and no further prosecuted Which as others of the like nature little prevail'd to un-deceive the Rebels they being before link'd in an un-dissolvible tye of Animosity and Superstition Thus every day notwithstanding that the Conspiracy was discovered and all endeavours used to reclaim them the Irish proceeded in their Massacres and Rebellion though they did not after the knowledge of the detection of their Plot execute so generally their Villany with such open slaughters and cruelties as they did at first but stripping wounding and turning the English and Protestants out of their Houses they sent them naked and desolate in miserable weather to Dublin where their numbers at length grew so burdensom as though Thousands were ship'd away soon after they arriv'd there and such as could serve in the Army were daily in-listed yet they brought so great an extremity and want of all provisions to Dublin as the Inhabitants were reduced to great exigencies inasmuch as the mercies of the Rebels were extream cruelty Thousands of the dispoiled English dying afterwards by lingring Diseases contracted by the inhumane and cruel usage of their Enemies Miseries still increasing the Lords Justices and Councel sent a second Dispatch to the King the 5th of November then in Scotland directing also their Letters to his Privy Councel in England there being an absolute necessity to invoke all Powers that might stand with his Majesty's Honour They then and not before directed Letters to the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament inclosing in those they writ to his Majesty what they had signified by Letters to the Lords of the Councel or to the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament About the 6th of November 1641. the Rebels of Cavan commanded by Philip Mac-Hugh Mac-Shane O Relie Knight of the Shire for that County and others of the Sept of O Relies proffer'd an humble Remonstrance so they entituled their presumptuous Paper to the Lords Justices and Council to be recommended by them to his Majesty which Dr. Jones and Mr. Waldrone then delivered to their Lordships the Doctor being obliged to that service He his Wife and Children lying at the Rebels mercy To which their Lordships answered with all the moderation and satisfaction that could stand with their Duty and the weak conditions of affairs in Dublin the safety whereof wholly depended on the gaining of time and saith my Author he assur'd himself the Remonstrants expected not any other Answer the Remonstrance being tendred rather to win upon the People whose cause they pleaded then to give any reasonable account or satisfaction to the Lords concerning their proceedings which yet their Lordships forthwith certifi'd with their Answer to the Lord Lieutenant to whom his Majesty had expresly commanded all Affairs of Ireland should be address'd However they during the presenting of this Remonstrance mustered their Forces summoning all from 16 to 60 years of Age to appear the Munday following at Virginia a Place distant from Cavan twelve miles and in the way to Dublin notwithstanding that they had impower'd Dr. Jones to assure their Lordships That their should be a cessation of all things until the return of their Lordships Answer Thus no faith or confidence could ever be reposed in them And afterwards it fell out that none were more treacherous and fierce than they as great inhumanity and cruelty being acted by them of Cavan as of any other Place that County by the 11th of December being wholly reduc'd into the hands of the Rebels excepting the two Castles of Keilagh and Crohan belonging to Sir Francis Hamilton Knight and Baronet and Sir James Craig Knight who so nobly defended each their own and alternatively succoured one another that they perpetually furnish'd the Rebels with work sufficient notwithstanding whatsoever Mulmore O Relie the Sheriff or Edmond O Relie his Father or Philip Mac-Hugh O Relie their chief Commander could possibly do with all their Horsemen whom these gallant men often beat though encounter'd with much disadvantage Sir Francis Hamilton not losing in the whole Service from the 23d of October 1641. to the 15th of June 1642. setting aside such as were cut off in stragling more than five men belonging to this Castle one of them being a Serjeant who being taken at an advantage was barbarously mangled with thirty six wounds so that all that the Rebels could do effected no Conquest on these Places till the 8th of April 1642. that Sir James Craig a Gentleman of singular and the best abilities died and the Store in both Castles fell short Water growing scarce a mortal infectious sickness increasing the Rebels having tainted their Well with dead Carcases And now the care of both Castles fell unto Sir Hamilton's Charge which being impossible to be relieved from Dublin or to hold out longer their straits daily increasing both these Castles were delivered up the 4th of
cruel and inhumane outrages and acts of Hostility within this Realm The said Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled being justly mov'd with a right sense of the said disloyal rebellious proceedings and actions of the Persons aforesaid do hereby protest and declare That the said Lords and Commons from their hearts do detest and abhor the said abominable actions and that they shall and will to their uttermost power maintain the Rights of his Majesties Crown and Government of this Realm and the peace and safety thereof as well against the persons aforesaid their Abettors Adherents as also against all Foreign Princes Potentates and other Persons and attempts whatsoever And in case the Persons aforesaid do not repent of their aforesaid Actions and lay down Arms and become humble Suitors to his Majesty for Grace and Mercy in such convenient time and in such manner and form as by his Majesty or the Chief Governour or Governours and the Council of this Realm shall be set down The said Lords and Commons do further protest and declare That they will take up Arms and will with their Lives and Fortunes suppress them and their attempts in such a way as by the Authority of the Parliament of this Kingdom with the approbation of his Excellent Majesty or of his Majesties Chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom shall be thought most effectual Copia vera exam per Phil. Percivall Cleric Parliament And after that the Parliament had sate two days to whom the Lords Justices had imparted his Majesties gracious intentions not to depart from any his former favours promised to them for setling their Estates who should remain faithful and Loyal and that the Lords Justices had shorten'd the Prorogation to the 11th of January the Lord Viscount Costelough impower'd by the Lords went for England not long before having been sworn a Privy Counsellor in Ireland even since the Rebellion with whom the Lord Taaff also embarck'd having before presented to the Lords Justices and Council from many of the Gentry and Inhabitants of the County of Longford in Rebellion a rebellious and scandalous Letter in the nature of a Remonstrance full of pretended Grievances and unreasonable Demands as namely to have freedom of Religion a Repeal of all Laws made to the contrary and the like Upon the information of which especially that there should be a toleration of the Popish Religion in Ireland it was resolv'd on the 8th of December 1641. upon solemn Debate by the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England That they would never give consent to any Toleration of the Popish Religion in Ireland or in any other his Majesties Dominions Which Vote hath been since adjudged a main motive for making the War a cause of Religion consequently of calling in Foreign Princes to their aid and assistance which before ever this Vote past to ground the least pretence thereupon the Irish made Religion the principal end of their Insurrection and this Proposition was as you see one of the first to be demanded which gave the Parliament a cause for the Vote fore-mention'd In pursuance of which Sir Benjamin Rudyard whom the cause ever made eloquent thus delivered his sense Mr. Speaker PEradventure I could have wish'd that Toleration of Religion had not at this time come in question but now it is brought on the Stage I am brought to the Stake When Religion is so nearly concern'd I love not to take any Civil or Politick respects into consideration Reason of State hath almost eaten up all the Laws and Religion of Christendom I have often heard it discours'd whether we should make Religion an Argument of any of our undertakings abroad wherein the wiser sort have been very nice and tender believing that the over-number of Papists would overwhelm us yet I have been long of opinion that our Attempts and Assistances have so often miscarri'd because we have not boldly and publickly avowed our Religion It may be God thinks we are too many who can conquer as well with few as with many Shall the Irish now make their Religion the cause of their Rebellion and shall we be asham'd or afraid to maintain our Religion in reducing them to their Duty and Obedience God will not honour them who do not honour him Let us remember that expostulation in the Chronicles Why transgress ye the commandments of God so that ye cannot prosper This is a great transgression to shrink from God in his truth When we deny the Irish a Toleration we do not withdraw the eases and favours they have heretofore enjoy'd Greater I am sure than they would afford us if we were in their power Wherefore Mr. Speaker let us uphold our Religion and trust God with the success Upon which and other motions thereupon the Vote mention'd proceeded without dispute and that the cause thereof might appear we shall refer you to the Longford Letter it self What reception it had at the Council-board may easily be conceiv'd by these Lords speedy repair into England who afterwards centred in that which in time brought on a Cessation of Arms with the Rebels in its own place to be spoke of The Lord Dillon upon his coming into England was seiz'd on by the Parliament and his Papers rifled according to a Vote in Parliament the 3d. of November which by the Confederates was look'd upon as a heinous crime though the discovery of the Concerns in Ireland as well as the management of the War were entrusted to the English Parliament so no crime in them But he escaped from them at last and went to the King having in his private Instructions orders to move that no Forces might be sent over out of England but that the whole work might be left to the Remonstrants and that they would then undertake to suppress the Rebels themselves In the interim we must not omit that some of both Houses of Parliament in Ireland lately met but now Prorogu'd were appointed to treat with the Rebels So they receiv'd their Instructions from the Lords Justices who were to impower them under the great Seal thereunto But instead of any happy effects thereon the Rebels were so puffed up with their Victories over the poor surpriz'd unresisting innocent English as they barbarously tore the Order of Parliament together with the Letter sent unto them promising themselves success and Dominion in all their Attempts By this time the State had receiv'd an Answer from the Lord Lieutenant of the Account they had given him of the Rebellion wherein he certified the Lords Justices that he understood his Majesty had receiv'd some Advertisements out of the North of Ireland of the present Rebellion and that the Business of Ireland might not suffer by his stay in Scotland which was somewhat longer than he expected his Majesty had refer'd the whole Business of Ireland to the Parliament of England who after a most serious and solemn information of this horrid Plot by a select Committee
any Levies he should make to that purpose Being loath saith his Majesty in his Solitudes to shoot at any mark here less than himself or that any should have the glory of his destruction but themselves Whilst at the same time his Majesties Subjects of Scotland in an Act of Council at Edinburgh the 22d of April following upon this occasion takes notice That there could be no greater demonstration of Care and Princely Courage than this his Majesties intention to go in Person into Ireland against the Rebels Upon the signification of which Royal Intent to the State there the Lords Justices and Council in a Letter to his Majesty the 23d of April 1642. taking notice of his Princely Purpose to take just vengeance on the perfidious Rebels humbly besought him to come so provided as to appear in that Kingdom suitable to the Greatness and Wisdom of so mighty a King Which Letter how finely soever it was covered went not in some mens opinion without a discouragement forasmuch as that though some at Court might conceive by his Majesties coming over a Peace might be made with the Irish when his Majesty pleas'd yet by taking in so base perfidious and barbarous a People who in so execrable a manner had cut off such multitudes of the English the event as was privately signifi'd by some could not redound to his Majesties Honour Besides the Soldiers were then grown so implacable to the Irish as they would scarce endure any ordinary Papist much less suffer a Rebel to be admitted amongst them After all his Majesties resolutions for Ireland were prevented not without several constructions as each Party apprehended the Scene Though his Majesty express'd that he would never refuse or be unwilling to venture his Person for the good and safety of his People yet he was not so weary of his life as to hazard it impertinently and therefore at present should desist However as yet the Protestant Army in Ireland being competently supplied the Rebels were frequently chastized To say truth after the raising of the Siege of Tredath and the consequences thereupon his Majesties Forces so enlarged their Quarters as no considerable Enemy save some Castles lay nearer Dublin than twenty miles on any side that now the Lords Justices thought it high time to provide for the safety of such places as lay more remote in the Countrey the English having in many Places upon the first rising of the Irish possess'd themselves of some Forces Strong Holds Towns and Castles which though very ill provided they did for many months yea some for years after the first breaking out of the Rebellion defend notwithstanding long Sieges multitudes of Rebels encompassing them and all means by Treachery Force or Famine experienc'd to draw them into their possession It will here take up too large a space in this Story where many considerable things may fall besides the Pen to recite the gallant actions perform'd by several private Persons in some inconsiderable in respect of Strength Places many Women shewing more courage constancy and resolution in the defence of what they were necessitated to than the Men without did in their undertakings against them Great were the Straits many of them were put unto enduring all manner of extremities subjecting themselves to all kind of dangers not daunted with the multitudes of Rebels that lay about them they in many places issued out and lived onely on the Spoils they took from them fighting continually for their daily bread which they never wanted as long as their Enemies had it The Rebels were so undextrous in the management of their Sieges as they took very few Places by force in all their Attempts whether by Mine Battery Assault they seldom prosper'd The great Engine whereby they master'd any Fort of the English was Treachery Offers of safe Conduct and other Conditions of Honour and Advantage which might induce the Besieged sometimes reduc'd to the utmost extremities to surrender their Places into their hand which though solemnly sworn and sign'd they yet seldom or never kept but left several Places as Monuments of their Treachery and Infidelity using those who surrender'd them as they did the poor Protestants in the Town and Castle of Longford whom they having besieged and drawn to yield up into their hands upon condition of Quarters and safety for their Persons they as soon as they issued out fell upon with their Skenes their Priest as a signal for the rest to fall on first ripping open the belly of the Minister amongst the English then his followers soon kill'd and hang'd the rest After this manner used they the 150 Protestants who yielded up upon fair Quarter the Castle of Tullagh and the Church of Newtown in the County of Fermanagh And the 1400 or 1500 at Belturbet and the Inhabitants of Ardmagh and Loughgell and those under the conduct of the Lord Mayo and those 120 murther'd by the Mac-Swynes as those who yielded the strong Castle of Cloghleigh situate upon the Manningwater to Richard Condon who promised Quarter and a safe Convoy to Castelions contrary to which they were all of them either hang'd kill'd wounded or kept Prisoners by him and his Company In the same manner also he used a Party of the Earl of Barrimore's Troop who having bravely maintain'd themselves in a House in Coole against his Forces were by his Promise on the Faith of a Soldier and a Christian of a safe Conveyance to Castelions contented to yield it up but were immediately upon their coming forth murther'd As some English Families and the Garrison Soldiers at Sligo were used by O Connor Slygah who upon the quitting of their Holds promis'd them Quarter and to convey them over the Curlew Mountains in safety to Abbeyboyle or Roscommon but he first imprison'd them in a most nasty Goal allowing them onely Grains for their food and afterwards when the Rebels were merry with Company that came to congratulate their Victory over these poor Creatures those which survived were brought forth by a Frier Connor's Brother and others and kill'd or precipitated over the Bridge into a swift Water where they were presently destroy'd And at Teagh-Temple after the English and Scots who retired thither were not able longer to resist the Enemy had yielded the Place on Conditions to be brought in safe Conduct to Abbeyboil were murther'd hang'd or buri'd alive At which terrible sight Mrs. Olyfant a Ministers Wife being great with Child fell in Labour but was still beat forward till at last the Child slipt from her and what was horrible she was forced to draw that poor Infant and the Concomitants of such an accident after her till she died with sport to them The Story would be too long should we mention those 140 taken forth to be sent for England and drown'd at Portadown or those numbers drawn to Florence Fitz-Patricks house and there slain Or those 60 and odd persons gathered together on pretence of sending them to Clanhughboyes drown'd by them
besiege the Town with a Fleet and having taken possession of the Abbey near adjoyning landed many of his Battering Guns But before he attempted any thing according to his Commission he first advised with the present Governour the Lord of Clanrickard affectionate to his Majesties Service As the Town seem'd to be placing his Majesties Colours on the top of their Tower charging Captain Willoughby Governour of the Fort with the breach of Pacification an Agreement it seems assented to by the State though in vindication of himself he and Captain Ashley alledg'd much Great straits he had been put to though at length happily reliev'd by the Earl of Clanrickard when he was closely Beleaguer'd together with the Archbishop of Tuam Richard Boyle and his Family besides 36 Ministers 26 of which serv'd as Soldiers and did their Duty After all the Lord Forbes being by the Town the Earl of Clanrickard and the President of Connaght with whom he had had several ineffectual Conferences daily delay'd in what he endeavour'd to give Captain Willoughby satisfaction in prepar'd to make his approach to the Town but not being strengthen'd by any supply he could get from the Lord President or Sir Charles Coot and dishearten'd by Captain Willoughby in that every House in the Town was a Fort he drew off being perswaded to a Composition to be paid in Money within two months which he never got And at the Lord Presidents return to Athlone the Soldiers Mutini'd both Officers and Soldiers offering to go to Dublin but the Common Soldiers being very weak not able to draw into a considerable Body the Irish Kerns killing all sick and fainty persons that could not accompany the Body of the Army that intent for the present was deferr'd though not long after they return'd with Sir Richard Greenvile whose seasonable relief and the Battel of Raconnel will be mention'd in its due place Whilst the Lord Forbes sail'd up Limerick River relieving some Places and without much opposition took in Fits-Geralds the Knight of the Valley or Glyn Castle furnish'd with all Utensils and Provisions for a Family About the 20th of June 700 Foot and two Troops of Horse under the Command of Colonel Gibson went into Wickloe where the Rebels not daring to face them they got much Prey burnt many Villages and return'd with success The Kings affairs now growing every day more straitned in England than other Sir Lewis Kirk at Court withdrew Sir Henry Stradling and Kettleby from guarding the Irish Coast whereby presently after there came in both Arms and Ammunition in great quantities to Wexford as also several Irish Commanders as Preston Cullen Plunket and others who having been Colonels in France were readily entertain'd there much to the heartning of the Rebels However in Ulster the 28th of June Sir Robert Stewart and Sir William Stewart Persons deserving excellently well of the State near Raphoe got a considerable Victory over the Rebels under Sir Phelim O-Neal slaying near 2000 of them though much inferiour in number Arms and Ammunition whilst Monroe sought them towards the Newry but had not so good luck to encounter them as he had the 23d of May preceding when he gave the Irish Committee of the Parliament of England this account That with 2000 Foot and 300 Horse he beat Owen Mac-Art O-Neal Sir Phelim O-Neal and Owen Mac-Art the General 's Son being all joyn'd together with their Forces and forced them to return upon Charlemont after quitting the Generals house to be spoil'd and burnt by them with the whole Houses in Louhgall being the best Plantation in Ulster and straightest for defence of the Rebels Thus in some places whilst we find the War succeeded the Lords Justices in the midst of August suspecting Preston's Forces should increase and according to the resolution of the Parliament at Kelkenny should first gain the Out-Garrisons and then besiege Dublin were forced to require the Lord Conway to come unto their aid with 3000 Foot and all the Horse he could procure to prosecute the War in Leimster Who return'd an Answer That their Companies were so weak they could not draw them together and that the Rebels having then receiv'd new Supplies were strong and that he was engag'd to meet the Earl of Leven the Scots General to encounter Owen O-Neal with all the Forces he could get Thus that Province reserved to it self its own strength not coming in as by the Tenth Article with the Parliament of England the Scots were engaged to In Munster the Scene was hot for the Parliament of England having sent over as into Leimster several Regiments of Foot and some Troops of Horse unto Sir William St. Leger Knight who having long serv'd in the Low-Countreys with singular reputation was some years before the Rebellion made Lord President of Munster a Command he discharg'd with much vigilance and courage in as much as the Enemy now fear'd no man more What he did upon the first breaking out of the Rebellion in hope to have stopt its current in that Province we have already mention'd and should have told you that the State to impower him thereunto admitted him to raise a Regiment of Foot consisting of 1000 men and two Troops of Horse 60 to each Troop which afterwards besides the supplies mention'd were listed in his Majesties Musters with Pay accordingly But the Design being general Munster at length was as well disturb'd as the rest of the Kingdom Cashel Clonmel Dungarvan and Featherd with other Places were all on an easie summons soon yielded to the Rebels raging through the Countrey which the Lord President endeavour'd to suppress as far as those small Forces he had with him would admit resolving near Redsheard to have given them Battle having at that time in his company the Earl of Barrymore the Lord Dungarvan the Lord Broghil Sir Hardress Waller Sir Edward Denny Serjeant Major Searl Sir John Brown Captain William Kingsmil with 600 Foot and 300 Horse But the Rebels on the other side the Mountain privately avoided them though four to one and getting to Cashel held there a general Rendezvous from whence Mountgarret went with his Forces to Kilmallock a Town treacherously surrendred to the Rebels a little before on demand situated on the Frontiers of the County of Limmerick towards Cork environ'd with a strong Wall which held out Loyally for the Crown all Tyrone's Wars though sometimes strongly besieged and highly distressed And the 9th of February 1641. he went to Butavant where the Gentry from all parts appear'd It is an antient Town belonging to the Earl of Barrimore in the Barony of Orrory an old Nest of Abbots Friers and Priests There the General Mountgarret exercis'd his greatness with reserv'd gravity and distance so as none except Serjeant Major Purcel who had now joyn'd himself with the Confederates contrary to the expectation the Lord President had of him were admitted to any Command in the Army more then they had over the Men they brought
Quarter'd in several Custodiums not being able by reason of the want of Money Provisions and other necessaries otherwise to furnish any part of it out in such manner as might put them in a posture to undertake any great Action abroad some in the interim improving the present necessities to the advantage of a Design then in the womb However we find that though the Parliament in England wonder'd as one in eminent Place then heard that the Army in Ireland did little Yet it was to be admired writes he they did so much considering the small means they had to effect so great things They did then abound onely in sickness and hurt men which made the Regiments and Companies very weak Monies came not in at all and for Cloathes and Shoes few or none notwithstanding they had hearts manifested by their works for no Enemy but as soon as they looked on them instead of using their Arms exercis'd their Heels no Fort or Castle which they offer'd to keep which they ever deserted or any that they attempted but yielded to them In as much as that Noble Person which observ'd this in some passion could not but take notice That if all this were nothing let it be so esteem'd The Enemy in the interim having supplies of Men and Arms. Indeed that Affairs proceeded with no currenter a pace this year many obstacles contributed thereunto The Government was in the hands of Two though in the main entirely faithful and knowing yet vastly differing in their tempers one being of a sedentary the other of an active life He allied to most of the leading Men of the Council the other onely prevalent as his Reason and Gallantry wrought on the generous Besides some had such interest else-where as all was not resented with such integrity as was meant That in the management of Affairs at the Helm Authority it self was often Eclipsed nor could any who was necessitated to hold the Reins with others possibly evade the inconveniences they were then frequently inforced upon how well soever they had been vers'd in the Art of Government some will have it that there was much artifice used to lengthen out the War For at that time whether by the Governours of the City of Dublin's omission or some other Fate upon the Army hard for me to determine the Rebels on one side came often to the Gates giving frequent Alarms and took away the Cattle from under the Walls And in Lowth the most considerable Garrison was almost destroyed through those Persons who having the Government of the County protected their Tenants nor would those that had Power to force a Supply improve their interest being better able to disperse an Enemy than disoblige a Neighbour The Scots General the Earl of Leven in the North who with the recent and veterate Soldiers made up 20000 did little desirous rather it seems to keep themselves safe in Knockfergus and the Frontiers than venture much abroad as appear'd by their repulse at Charlemont whence they retir'd with no Honour and admitted Dunganon to be re-taken by the Irish after it had been bravely recovered by the vertue of an English Gentleman Indeed the English-Scots who joyn'd with the English Regiments did excellent service and that the other fail'd may be imputed to the rawness of their Men the want of Victuals of which they stood in great need and some hardship they endur'd happily not incident to their tenderness Now for Connaght such was the carriage of some there that two compleat Regiments consisting of full 2000 Men were in six months reduc'd through want though the Countrey thereabouts was stored with all manner of Provisions not having been harrass'd by an Enemy to 600. Upon which several Articles were preferr'd by Persons of Honour against those who were charg'd with that misfortune and the business referr'd to the Council of War which wav'd their Censure and the main Parties concern'd therein voluntarily undergoing afterwards a private Duel producing no ill to either Party no more was urg'd thereupon Though as to the carriage of that business in reference to the Soldiers Clothes and Necessaries it could not easily be wip'd of nor the deserting of a Government without Orders where there was more store of Ammunition Arms and other Necessaries than Soldiers to use them However in August this year 1642. the Lord Moor Sir John Borlase jun. and Colonel Gibson with 500 Men apiece went into the Counties of Lowth and Meath with two Pieces of Battery and two Field-Pieces with which they assaulted the Castle of Sedan obstinately defended thirty hours by Captain Flemming thrice stormed who at last fought with them out of the Ruines At which time the Lords of the Pale were not so resolute the Lord Gormanston flying from the Fort of the Nabar and the Lord Slane from the Castle of Newtown thereby leaving Lowth and Meath clear'd of the Enemy who finding good heels lost 500 onely at Sedan whilst Captain Burrows Pigot and Grimes with some others defeated 800 of the Rebels near Athy and slew about 200. And now in respect that the State found great inconveniencies by the Protections the Commissioners they had formerly given authority to gave the State of the Countrey being now far different from the Condition wherein it stood 27 of October 1641. at the granting of the said Protections and that the Rebels of all Degrees and Conditions had since with hateful and bloody obstinacy declared their Purpose to extirpate the British throughout the whole Kingdom without hope of reconcilement other then by the strength of his Majesties Forces They did the 19th of August 1642. revoke repeal make void and annul all such Protections from and after ten days from the date thereof more at large to be seen in the Instrument it self in the Appendix carrying weighty reasons for that Act. The 25th of August the Lords in a Letter to Secretary Nicholas sent a Copy of the Rebels Petition together with the Rebels of the Pales Letter to the Earl of Ormond in the answer to which exceptions were taken that they had not sent the Original and with all took notice that as his Majesty would be ready to punish the Rebels so he would not shut up his mercy against those who did unfeignedly repent upon which the Original was sent and his Majesties Pardon beg'd Soon after the Lord Lisle with the men under his Command marched towards the Counties of Westmeath and Cavan where they arriv'd about the middle of September having destroyed all where they had pass'd without striking a stroak the Rebels being according to their usual Custom retired to Places of strength confiding more in their Walls then Valour wherefore passing into the County of Monaghan he sate down before Carrickmacross a house of the Earl of Essex's very well Fortified where the Rebels having endured the battery of two small Pieces of Cannon for one day fled away the next night the outward Guards of the Besiegers being
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
being daily inform'd writes this Letter C. R. RIght trusty and Right well beloved Cousen and Councellor we greet you well by our Letters of the 23. of the last month We gave you our Command to Treat and Agree upon a Cessation of Arms for one year with those our Subjects in that our Kingdom who have taken up Arms there against our Authority and having since seen the Propositions which you and the rest of our Commissioners sent us from our said Subjects We find the same to be of such great importance and many things therein alledged so necessary to be further examined and inquired into as we have been the rather induced to have such a Cessation as we have formerly written unto you so as it may be with Honour to us and without prejudice to our Interest and Service This Bearer Mr. William Brent is a Person whom we have purposely sent over to give us an account of your proceedings in a Business of this Consequence to whom you may give credit and by him we shall desire to hear from you when you shall have any Matter of moment to send over unto us Given at our Court at Oxon the 3d. of May 1643. To our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousen and Counsellor James Marquiss of Ormond Lieutenant General of our Army in Ireland This upon the Treaty the Confederates Commissioners acknowledge to have seen but insisted upon one formerly mention'd of the 23. of April more important they conceive which upon promise that upon the agreement of the Treaty perfected they should have a Copy of the Treaty went on though as to his Majesty that there might be a further evidence of his Intentions to subdue the Rebellion in Ireland he being presented the 5th of May 1643. by Sir Robert King William Jephson and Arthur Hill Esquires from the Parliament with a Bill entituled An Act for the speedy payment of Moneys subscribed towards the reducing of the Rebels in Ireland which yet remain'd unpaid was so far from denying to pass the said Act though driven from his Parliament with far the Major part of both Houses that he inclin'd to pass the Act if he might be assured to have it imployed to no other purpose then the Reducing of the Rebels c. Which Conditions not being answered no more was attempted by that Bill a defect not resting in his Majesty but those that sent it whereby the straights in Ireland still increasing the Lords Justices writ to his Majesty as a little before they had done to the Parliament the ensuing Letter May it please your Most Excellent Majesty AS soon as we your Majesties Justices entred into the charge of this Government we took into our consideration at this Board the state of your Army here which we find suffering under unspeakable extremities of want of all things necessary to the support of their Persons or maintenance of the War here being no Victuals Cloaths or other Provisions requisite towards their sustenance no Money to provide them of any thing they want no Arms in your Majesties Stores to supply their many defective Arms not above 40 Barrels of Powder in your Stores no strength of serviceable Horses being now left here and those few that are their Arms for the most part lost or unserviseable no Ships arriv'd here to guard the Coasts and consequently no security rendred to any that might on their private Adventures bring in Provisions of Victuals or other necessaries towards our subsistence and finally no visible means by Sea or Land of being able to preserve for you this your Kingdom and to render deliverance from utter destruction to the Remnant of your good Subjects yet left here We find that your Majesties late Justices and this Board have often and fully by very many Letters advertised the Parliament in England of the extremities of Affairs here and besought relief with all possible importunity which also have been fully represented to your Majesty and to the Lord Lieutenant and to Mr. Secretary Nicholas to be made known to your Majesty And although the Winds have of late for many days and often formerly stood very fair for accessions of supply forth of England hither and that we have still with longing expectations hope to find Provisions arrive here in some degree answerable to the necessities of your Affairs yet now to our unexpressible grief after full 6 months waiting and much longer patience and long-suffering we find all our great expectations answered in a mean and inconsiderable quantity of Provisions viz. 75 Barrels of Butter and 14 Tun of Cheese being but the fourth part of a small Vessels Lading which was sent from London and arriv'd here on the 5th of this Month which is not above 7 or 8 days Provision for that part of the Army which lies in Dublin and the out-Garrisons thereof no Money or Victuals other then that inconsiderable proportion of Victual having arriv'd in this Place as sent from the Parliament of England or any other forth of England for the use of the Army since the beginning of November last We have by the blessing of God been hitherto prosperous and successful in your Majesties Affairs here and should be still hopeful by the mercy of God under the Royal Directions of your Sacred Majesty to vindicate your Majesties Honour and recover your Rights here and take due vengeance on these Traitors for the innocent blood they have spilt if we might be strengthned or supported therein by needful supplies out of England But these supplies having hitherto been expected to come from the Parliament of England on which if your Majesty had not relyed we are assured you would in your high Wisdom have found out some other means to preserve this your Kingdom and so great and apparent a failer having hapned therein and all the former and late long continuing Easterly winds bringing us no other Provisions then those few Cheese and Butter And no advertisement being brought us of any future supplies to be so much as in the way hither whereby there might be any likelihood that considerable means of support for your Majesties Army might arrive here in any reasonable time before that we be totally swallowed up by the Rebels and your Kingdom by them wrested from you we find our selves so disappointed of our hopes from the Parliament as must needs trench to the utter loss of the Kingdom if your Majesty in your high Wisdom ordain not some present means of preservation for us And considering that if now by occasion of that unhappy and unexpected failing of support from thence we shall be less successful in your Services here against the Rebels then hitherto whilst we were enabled with some means to serve you we have been the shame and dishonour may in common construction of those who know not the inwards of the Cause be imputed to us and not to the failing that disabled us And considering principally and above all things the
high and eminent trust of your Affairs here deposited with us by your Sacred Majesty we may not forbear in discharge of our Duty thus freely and plainly to declare our humble apprehensions to the end your Majesty thus truly understanding the terribleness of our Condition may find out some such means of support to preserve to your Majesty and your Royal Posterity this your ancient and rightful Crown and Kingdom and derive deliverance and safety to the Remnant of your good Subjects yet left here as in your excellent Judgment you shall find to be most to your Honour and Advantage And so praying to the King of Kings to guide and direct you for the best in this high and important Cause and in all other your Councels and Actions we humbly remain From your Majesties Castle at Dublin the 11th of May 1643. Your Majesties most Loyal and most Faithful Subjects and Servants The 12th of May the Lord Taaffe Roch and Fitzwilliams arrived out of England and that morning Major Warren and Sir Francis Butler came to the Council the Lords sitting and presented a Petition to the Lords Justices accusing the Lord Parsons of high Misdemeanors and other Treasonable Matters requesting that his Person and Goods might be secur'd though in conclusion nothing was ever filed against him an Evidence to most that there was more of a Design then Crime in the Accusation And having as before presented you with the Lords Justices Letter to his Majesty we should now give you the Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament the 16th of June 1643. concerning the present lamentable estate and miserable condition of Ireland In answer to what the Lords Justices and Council had faithfully acquainted them withall that it may appear how sensible they were of the information they had receiv'd of the straights and exigencies of the Protestant Forces in Ireland which certainly is very Emphatical resenting with a just aggravation the miserable condition of that Kingdom but being legible in Husbands Collections we shall refer you thither not busing our selves how far it prevail'd Certainly the Exigencies of the Souldiers and State of Ireland were then very considerable in as much as his Majesty not being able by any other expedient to remedy as he was perswaded their complaints then by a Cessation he to that end sends this Letter to the Lords Justices C. R. RIght trusty and well beloved Counsellors and right trusty and intirely well beloved Cousen and Counsellor we greet you well The present Distractions here have rendred us as unable as by experience we find the remaining part of the two Houses are unwilling to supply or relieve our Army in Ireland and if the Money we consented should be rais'd in this our Kingdom for the Relief of Ireland had not been diverted by them and Rebelliously imployed against us here in England we should not have been constrain'd to have hearkned to a Cessation of Arms now on that side But since we see no other hope during the unhappy distempers here to settle the Peace of that our Kingdom but by a Cessation of Arms between us and the Irish now in Arms there and doubt very much how our Forces now in that our Kingdom will be there maintain'd if we shall admit of a Cessation We have thought it expedient by these our Letters to recommend it to your care and industry to consider seriously how our Forces on that side may be enabled to subsist during the Cessation and if there may be means found for that we do then hereby Authorise and require you to agree to a Cessation of Arms there for a year and in our Names to assure the said Irish that we are graciously inclin'd to dissolve the present Parliament and call a new one between this and the 10th of November next and to take a course to put all those that shall be chosen Members of the said Parliament into such a condition as they shall not be prejudiced of their Liberty of Assisting Sitting and Voting in the said Parliament for better effecting whereof we do hereby further authorise and require you to give License to such Commissioners as the said Irish shall appoint to come over hither to us to treat of that Business and such other Particulars to be proposed by way of Petition as shall necessarily conduce not onely to the satisfying of the said Cessation but to a preparation of what shall be requisite for the setling of a just honourable and perfect Peace in that our Kingdom And we further require in case the said Irish now in Arms shall agree to such a Cessation and Treaty to advertise us of some such able and fitting Ministers or Servants of ours on that side as you conceive fit to be sent over hither to assist in the Treaty here when Commissioners shall come over from the said Irish. In which Business we require you to use all convenient expedition and to give us a speedy Account for which these our Letters shall be your Warrant Given under our Signet at our Court at Oxford the second day of July in the 19th year of Our Reign 1643. To our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellors Sir John Borlase and Sir Henry Tichborn Kts. Lords Justices of our Kingdom of Ireland and to our right trusty and intirely beloved Cosen and Counsellor James Marquiss of Ormond Lieutenant-General of our Army there But before this Letter came to the Lords Justices the means to a Cessation were thought of Yet the day before the Marquiss of Ormond proceeded to the Treaty which was the 22. of June the chief Protestants of the City of Dublin were called before the Council to know if they would give 10000 l. or have a Cessation the latter they were very unwilling to and the former they could not advance indeed it was well known though it serv'd as an Argument to evidence the necessity the State was put to And the Irish Commissioners the 23. of June presented themselves unto the Marquiss of Ormond in his Tent near Castle Martin in the County of Kildare in the presence of divers Colonels Captains and Officers in his Majesties Army his Lordship sitting in his Chair covered and the Irish Commissioners standing bare after several passages betwixt them all tendred in writing the Irish Commissioners gave his Lordship a Copy of the Authority they had receiv'd from the supream Council of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland at Kilkenny in these words WHereas his Majesty's most faithful Subjects the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland were inforced to take Arms for the preservation of their Religion for the defence of his Majesty's just Prerogatives and Rights and the maintenance of the Rights and Liberties of their Countrey labour'd to be destroyed by the Malignant Party And whereas his Majesty in his high Wisdom and Princely Care of his said Subjects Welfare and Safety and at their humble Suit That his Majesty might be graciously pleas'd to hear
of by the two Houses of Parliament in England The publication of which with the Articles and his Majesties Motives thereunto you may read in his Majesties Works from fol. 353. to 365. In confirmation of which the Lords Justices and Council issued out a Warrant to the Lord Chancellor to draw Letters of Confirmation under the Great Seal of Ireland which accordingly bore date the 26th day of Septemb. in the 19th year of his Majesties Reign And to express the necessity thereof many Persons of Quality sign'd the said 15th of Septemb. 1643. a Writing therein concluding it necessary for his Majesties Honour and Service that the Lord Marquis of Ormond should assent to a Cessation of Arms though some of these afterwards joyning with the Parliaments Forces resolved to die a thousand deaths rather than to descend to any Peace with the perfidious Rebels but stuck not at length to that Protestation altering as the Scene chang'd Whilst the Cessation was in agitation at Sigginstown the Consequences of dissolving the Parliament were not the least in consideration at the Council-board nor was there any thing more desired by the Rebels who thereby hoped to be re-seated in a new Parliament which they question'd not to manage to their own ends and advantage Wherefore that the State might still steer by the same Compass they had hitherto done they committed the Case to the Judges who unanimously agreed upon the following Reasons for its continuance May it please your Lordships ACcording to your Lordships Order of the xi of September 1643. we have considered of such inconveniencies as we conceive may arise to his Majesty and his Service as Affairs now stand if this present Parliament should be determin'd and have reduc'd the same to writing which we humbly present to your Lordships further consideration The greatest part of the Free-holders of this Kingdom are now in actual Rebellion whereby his Majesty ought to be justly entituled to all their Estates both Real and Personal this cannot be done but by their Conviction and Attainder either by course of Common Law or by Act of Parliament By course of Common Law it will be very difficult to be effected for these Reasons following First Those who are indicted in most of the Counties of this Kingdom cannot be Attainted by Outlawry by reason that the Sheriffs of those Counties by occasion of the present Rebellion cannot keep their County-Courts to Proclaim and make due Return of the Exigence Nor can they be Attainted by Verdict for want of Jurors most of all the Free-holders in the Kingdom being now in Rebellion Secondly Those that are not Indicted or those that are already Indicted and in Prison or upon Bonds cannot be proceeded against Legally at the Common Law for want of Jurors because as aforesaid most of the Freeholders are in Rebellion Therefore of necessity those Persons must either not be Attainted at all or onely by Act of Parliament which is scarce possible to be effected if this present Parliament be Dissolved or Discontinued for that upon a new Parliament to be Summon'd the Knights and Burgesses must be Elected by the Free-holders and Inhabitants respectively most whereof are in Rebellion And yet the present Parliament will be discontinued unless a Commission under the Great Seal of England to the now Lords Justices or other the Chief Governour or Governours for the time being be here before the 13th of November next being the day of Prorogation for the beginning of the next Session of Parliament to enable them to continue this present Parliament the last Commission for the continuance thereof being onely to the Lords Justices one whereof is since remov'd Unless the Parties now in Rebellion being Legally Attainted which cannot be here as is aforesaid as the case now stands but by Act of Parliament his Majesty cannot have power to dispose of their Estates as in his wisdom he shall think fit either for the increasing of his Revenues or for the Peaceable establishment of this Common-wealth and indifferent Administration of Justice therein Rich. Bolton Cancell Geo. Shurly Gerrard Lowther Ja. Donnalon Sa. Mayard The Cessation as yet not being known to his Majesty the Lords Justices and Council received a Letter from him at the Camp at Matson near Gloucester of the 4th of Septemb. passionately resenting the sufferings and complaints of the Officers who upon all occasions had a tender affection in his breast And to the end they might not be frustrated of their Arrears he commands their Debentors should be respectively sign'd that they might take an effectual course to be paid the same by the Two Houses of Parliament that engaged them And left there should be any defect in acknowledging of their Merits who had so faithfully ventur'd their lives for his Majesties Service he is yet further pleased to provide for their Encouragement and Entertainment who upon the Cessation were now free to serve him though as yet he knew not of its conclusion but by the Contents of the following Letter seem'd to expect it giving particular Orders for the management of Affairs upon that occasion C. R. RIght Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellors and right Trusty and intirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Whereas not onely the great neglect of the Affairs of that Our Kingdom by the remaining part of our Houses of Parliament who pretended so great care of it but their impious preventing all Supplies destin'd to their Relief by Our Authority which did ever most readily concur to any Levy of Men Money or any other Work in order to the Assistance of Our Protestant Subjects there and employing the same in an unnatural War against Us their Liege Lord and Sovereign hath reduc'd our Army in that our Kingdom into so heavy straits that out of Our Care of the preservation of them who so faithfully ventur'd their Lives for Our Service We were brought to condescend to a Treaty for a Cessation of Arms Our Will and Pleasure is and We do hereby Charge and Command you that in case according unto the Authority given unto you by Us you have agreed upon a Cessation or as soon as you shall agree thereupon you or any two of you do immediately consider of and put in execution these Our following Commands 1. That you agree upon what number of Our Army will be necessary to be kept in Garrison there for the maintenance of the same during the time of the Cessation and what Soldiers they shall be and what Persons shall command the same and that you settle them accordingly in that Command as shall appear to your discretion to be most conducing to our Service 2. That you do consider and advise of the best means of Transporting the rest of Our Army in that Our Province of Leimster excepting such as are to be kept in Garrison in Our Kingdom of Ireland and to that end We do hereby give you or any one of you full Power and Authority to hire all
press for Supplies out of England without the least intention in them of inducing a Cessation which is granted But as the necessities were there laid open so they were considered by his Majesty and no other Expedient remaining for the Protestants safety save a Cessation thereupon it was concluded though to this day some will have it that his Majesties expectation to be supplied thence and the preservation of the Irish almost swallowed up by his Forces were the principal Motives to that Cessation And it must be acknowledged from the series of Affairs since that the Irish in concluding the Cessation had a respect to their greater security and designs those being thereby withdrawn to his Majesties service in England which otherwise would certainly have oppos'd them And here I cannot but observe that the Irish afterwards acquired much confidence by a Bull of Urban's the 8th dated at Rome the 25th of May 1643. commending their forwardness against the Protestant Hereticks which they publish'd even after the Cessation of Arms was agreed on to what intent may be easily conceiv'd considering their subsequent frequent violation of Compacts and Agreements with the State Though the bleeding Iphigenia who in pleading their Cause grosly betrays it would not have it thought that this charitable Bull cherish'd the Catholicks in Rebellion but was onely an Indulgence to so good and just a Quarrel not any dis-respect to the King to whom saith he his Holiness advised them by their Agents to be Loyal as if that and the breach of his Majesties Commands to lay down Arms could rationally agree Before which Bull an Indulgence had been sent Dilecto filio Eugenio Onello the 8th of October 1642 in the 20th year of his Papacy The Cessation now concluded Obedience was expected from all parts but instead of an absolute compliance from the Scots in Ulster their Officer in Chief return'd this Letter Right Honourable YOur Lordships of the 21. I received at Ardmagh the 29 together with the Printed Cessation which was very displeasing unto this Army who being sent Auxiliary for supply of the British Forces in distress were promis'd by his Majesty and the Parliament of England Pay and Entertainment from three months to three months nevertheless in eighteen months time they have endured both Officers and Soldiers unparallel'd miseries And now a great part of the Service being done they are rewarded with the conclusion of a Cessation without assurance of entertainment for the time or any certainty of the payment of their Arrears and they must conform to the Treaty This kind of usage and contempt would constrain good Servants though his Majesties Loyal Subjects to think upon some course which may be satisfactory to them being driven almost to despair and threaten'd to be persecuted by the Roman Catholick Subjects as they are now called Nevertheless of the foresaid Contempt for obedience to his Majesties Command I have mov'd the Army for the time to cease any hostile Act against our Enemies till such time as your Lordships will be pleased to consider better of our present condition and grant us time to acquaint the General who has onely Commission over the Army to advise us how to behave our selves in this Exigency since I as Governour of Carigfergus can give your Lordships no positive Answer to this Cessation in the name of our Army having not absolute Power over them And immediately after receiving the General 's resolution your Lordships shall be acquainted therewith which is the least favour your Lordships can vouchsafe upon us in recompence of our Bygan Service And so I remain Ardmagh 29 Sept. 1643. Receiv'd the 2d of Octob. Your Lordships humble and obedient Servitor Robert Monro To the Right Honourable the Lords Justices and Council Upon this Answer of Monro's the Supreme Council at Kilkenny maintaining their Umpire in the Empire visits the Lords Justices and Council with this Letter Our very good Lords WE whom his Majesties Catholick Subjects of this Kingdom did intrust in the management of their Affairs have by their publick Act ratified and confirmed the Articles of Cessation concluded upon by our Commissioners willingly and cheerfully hoping in the quiet of that time assign'd for it by the benefit of the access which his Majesty is graciously pleas'd to afford us to free our selves from those odious Calumnies wherewith we have been branded and to render our selves worthy of Favour by some acceptable service suiting the expression we have often made and the real affections and zeal we have to serve his Majesty and in as much as we are given to understand that the Scots who not long since in great numbers came over into this Kingdom and by the slaughter of many Innocents without distinction of Age or Sex have possessed themselves of very large Territories in the North and since the notice given them of the Cessation have not onely continued their former cruelties upon the Persons of weak and unarmed Multitudes but have added thereunto the burning of the Corn belonging to the Natives within that Province of Ulster Notwithstanding which outrages we hear that they have although but faintly and with relation unto the consent of their General after some days consultation whether it were convenient for their Affairs desired to partake in the Cessation intending as is evident by their proceedings so far onely to admit thereof as it may be beneficial for their Patrons the Malignant Party now in Arms against his Majesty in England by diverting us from assisting his Majesty or of advantage to their desire of eating further into the bowels of our Countrey We who can accuse our selves of no one hollow thought and detest all subtile Practices cannot think of serving two Masters or standing Neuters where our King is Party And we desirous none should reside in this Kingdom but his Majesties good Subjects we beseech your Lordships therefore that these who have other ends then his Majesties Service and Interest and are so far from permitting the Natives to enjoy three parts of what they have sown as they may with no security look upon their former habitations and do absolutely deny to restore their Prisoners contrary to the Articles of Cessation may by the joynt power of all his Majesties good Subjects within this Kingdom of what Nation soever be prosecuted and that while these Succours are in preparation our Proceedings against them may no way be imputed unto us a desire any way to violate this Cessation And we do further pray your Lordships that for our justification therein you will be pleas'd to transmit unto his Majesty these our Letters and to send unto us the Copy of those directed unto your Lordships from Serjeant Major Monro concerning this Matter Thus with the remembrance of our heartiest wishes unto your Lordships we rest Kilkenny 15. Octob. 1643. Received 25. Your Lordships loving Friends Mountgarret Castlehaven Audley H. Armach Jo. Clonfert Th. Fr. Dublin R. Beling N. Plunket Gerrard Fennell To
Majesty had been graciously pleas'd to put them in mind that thence they should send some of his Majesties Ministers to assist in the Treaty when the Irish should repair to him and when they had acquainted his Majesty with the Petitioners request they should be certified of his Pleasure with convenient speed But the Petitioners not conceiving this a satisfactory answer again Petitioned the Lords Justices and Council the 14. of the same month sending them therewithall a Copy of their Petition they had agreed on to his Majesty whereunto the Lord Justices and Council the 19th of October returned an Answer That such was their care of the Petitioners that the same day they had given them an Answer to their former Petition they inclosed in their Letters to Secretary Nicholas their first Petition to them requesting his Majesties gracious Pleasure thereupon and further they could not now proceed though if they would repair to his Majesty they would not hinder them but could not accompany them with their recommendation till they knew his Majesties Pleasure to have them come over much artifice there was used to have had some protested against the Petition they had framed to his Majesty but none of those who had signed it save Major Morris was wrought upon and the 17. of Febr. 1643. the Petition was so well approved of in the House of Commons in Ireland as it had their concurrence And about the beginning of January a Letter of his Majesties to the Lords Justices and Lieutenant-General of the Army dated the 6th of November 1643. arrived at Dublin Licencing the Protestant Agents to repair to Oxford of whose further Proceedings with the management of that business you shall have speedily Not long after the Cessation one mov'd at the Council Board by way of Petition That such of the Irish as would constantly pay contribution to the Army might have freedom to return to their Castles and the motion took with some but was strongly oppos'd by others considering how many gallant men as Sir Simon Harcourt and others had been lost in the regaining of those Castles and that it being uncertain on what terms there might be Peace it might be taken ill by the King that those Castles the price of so much blood should be surrendred without his Privity upon which the motion was laid aside I will not say all Reflections afterwards on them that oppos'd it Nor indeed was the event of this motion so supprest but that in a short time after some through the Importunity of the Irish Agents were restored to their Estates who had from the beginning been in Rebellion notwithstanding their Estates had been given in Custodium and those who had them not accepting of mean and sinister proffers had little else to subsist by or pay the Arrears of their Service So as Affairs of different natures hourly encreasing subject to constructions beyond the management of the Prudentest and most Loyal thoughts it could not but be a great ease to be free'd of that Government which an Illustrious Person whose Interest was Principally involv'd in the present Intrigues had a Regal Call thereunto whereupon these Lords Justices were remov'd not without considerable Repose difficulties daily flowing in upon them remediless by any but his Excellency James Marquiss of Ormond who the 21. of January 1643. was solemnly in Christchurch Dublin sworn Lord Lieutenant with general acceptance At which time Robert Sibthorp Bishop of Limerick chose for his Text the 77. Psalm and the last verse Thou leadest thy People like a Flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron upon which he paraphras'd exceeding elegantly But as Sir James Ware observes in his Life never receiv'd a Farthing of his Bishoprick The Marquiss of Ormond being now seated in the Government one of the first things he began to regulate after he had sent the designed Army into England was the standing Army at that time much straightned through want of Pay and other Extremities he therefore reduced the Troops about Dublin to Five and twenty apiece besides Officers all but his own which was continued 40. and Sir Lucas's and Armestrong's 30. besides Officers and to pay these which made up 150 Horse besides 2000 Foot he rais'd money by an Excise Taxes on the Town and 3d. an Acre inhabited within the English Pale besides enquiry what was owing by Debts unto the Londoners so as thence with what Tabacco they had a considerable sum was weekly rais'd and accordingly disbursed for the Relief of the Souldiers and other necessaries which he having retrench't according to the Exigence he kept to due Musters and observance And by reason of divers Robberies and Murthers daily committed by the Souldiers on such as brought Provision for the Relief of the City the Lord-General the 16th of March 1643. strictly prohibited all such outrages under the utmost Peril of the Martial Laws And the Parliament there meeting at Dublin the 17th of April the Speakers of both Houses the 18th of the same 1644. by a Letter prohibited the Commanders Officers of his Majesties Armies and others in the Kingdom of Ireland to take the Solemn League and Covenant according to a Proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council the 18th of December 1643. set out with great Wisdom and Reason highly commending their deep Judgment therein which his Excellency then also commanded to be re-Printed at the request of the Commons House of Parliament 1644 In pursuance of which an Oath afterwards was hammer'd but some of the Judges dis-agreeing it was never form'd Great were his Excellency's Affairs indeed the contrary Parties he was necessarily obliged to deal with would in any but one so resolute and intire have betrayed to Effeminacy and Disorder The Irish on one hand confident in their Address to his Majesty and the Protestants oppress'd with their sufferings and straights both he quitted to his Majesties Justice after that he had had his Majesties Licence for their Repair to him The Confederate Catholicks thereupon sent their Agents authorised by them to attend his Majesty at Oxford but indeed with such Desires and Propositions as weighed but in an indifferent Ballance make too lively a Representation how in-competent Considerers they were of the way to their own Repose and Happiness and how unlikely they were to prevent the destroying Calamities which hung over their heads and so closely pursued them At the same time and so long as the Treaty lasted the King was likewise attended by a Committee from the Council Board of Ireland in pursuance of his Commands to inform his Majesty of all matters of Fact which had passed and of all the Laws and Customs there necessary to be weighed upon what the Catholicks should demand or propose And by the Parliament then sitting in Dublin several were authorized to present to his Majesty the Grievances of his Protestant Subjects in Ireland that nothing might be granted in that Treaty to the prejudice
to prescribe invite all his Majesties Roman Catholick Subjects to such a Declaration which yet until they should understand the Clergies sense upon the first Proviso they said they did humbly as fit for a time to forbear To the fourth they answered That whatsomever his Excellency should find to be within their power and would direct to be done concerning the Place of Residence for his Person they would readily obey his Lordships command therein To the fifth they answered That upon conference with his Excellency of the Places fit to be Garrison'd and the number of Men fit to be put in them they would according to the Articles of Peace use their utmost endeavours to have such Garrisons so agreed upon admitted And to the last they said They had at all times been ready and willing that his Excellencies Charge should be supported out of the Revenue of the Kingdom and that they were now ready to concur in assigning any of the Dues already accrued or such as should grow due hereafter or to impose any new Allotment upon the Subject towards his maintenance When the Lord Lieutenant perceived that the temper and desire of the Commissioners of Trust was so different from that of the Congregation and that in truth they were afflicted and scandalized at the exorbitancy of the other and that they thought they should be able to reduce them from the destructive Counsels they were engaged in He would not upon any experience or judgment of his own restrain them from attempting what was not impossible to compass and which many would have concluded would be compassed if attempted and which what other effect soever it had would make evident that there was not a concurrence in the Nation in those Acts which were likely to destroy the Kingdom And therefore he willingly consented that the Commissioners should go to Gallway where the Committee of the Congregation resided whereof the Bishop of Ferns was one to whom they shewed the Letter they received from the Lord Lieutenant and desired them to consider the state of the Kingdom and to know from them what they conceiv'd remain'd that might best tend to the preservation of the Nation without keeping the Kings Authority amongst them for that many of the most considerable would instantly make their conditions with the Enemy if the Kings Authority were taken away and that there was no hope of keeping or leaving that Authority but by revoking the Excommunication and Declaration For the Lord Lieutenant would not stay to keep it nor would he leave it nor the Marquis of Clanrickard undergo it but on these terms And hereupon they used all those Reasons and Arguments which cannot but occur to all men who are not blinded with Passion and Prejudice to induce them to such a Retraction as could onely advance the happiness or indeed the subsistence of the Nation But the Bishops were inexorable and instead of abating any of that fury they had formerly express'd that added new contumelies and reproaches to all the Authority of the King they said They observ'd by the Lord Lieutenants Letter that he had informed his Majesty of the Disobediences and Affronts that had been put upon his Authority and consequently that he had suggested matter unto his Majesty for making that Declaration against the Peace That they had perused the Declaration which had been published in Scotland disavowing the Peace And that they were of opinion for ought appeared to them That the King had withdrawn his Commission and Authority from the Lord Lieutenant That in the said Declaration the Irish Nation as bloody Rebels were cast from the protection of the Kings Laws and Regal Favours And therefore it might be presum'd that he would not have his Authority kept over such a Nation to govern them whereas they had been of opinion and all their endeavours had been employ'd to keep the Kings Authority over them But when his Majesty throws away the Nation as Rebels from his protection withdrawing his own Authority they could not understand the mystery of preserving the same with them or over them nor how it could be done That they believed the best remedy the Kings Authority being taken away by that Declaration of meeting the Inconveniency of the Peoples closing with the Parliament is the returning to the Confederacy as they said was intended by the Nation in case of the breach of Peace on his Majesties part that they said would keep an union amongst them if men would not be precipitately guilty of the breach of their Oath of Association which Oath by two solemn Orders of two several Assemblies was to continue binding if any breach of the Articles of Peace should happen on his Majesties part That the Kings Authority and the Lord Lieutenants Commission being recalled by that Declaration they were of opinion that the Lord Lieutenant had no Authority to delegate his Authority to any other And if they must expose their Lives and Fortunes to the hazard of fighting to the making good of that Peace seeing the danger was alike to defend that or get a better Peace why should they bind themselves within the limits of those Articles so disowned And so with several Tautologies urged the Declaration in Scotland as a ground and excuse for all their proceedings when what they had done as we have before took notice of was before the issuing forth of that Declaration In fine they concluded they could not consent with safety of Conscience to the revoking their Declaration and Excommunication demanded by the Lord Lieutenant nor to give assurance to him or the Commissioners of Trust for not attempting the like for the future And to manifest their inveterate malice against him being in Galway the Captain of the Guard of the Town commonly called The Captain of the Guard of the young men did make search for him in the said Town as after a criminal person or a fugitive thereby endeavouring to bring contempt and scorn upon him and his Majesties Authority placed in him And now you must know they would not make this Declaration in case of Conscience of so vast an extent and importance without forsooth setting down their Reasons under their hands which for the Doctrine sake I would not conceal from the world that it may better judge of those Spiritual Guides who made themselves guilty of that mass of mischief and ruine that flowed from thence Their first Reason was Because the Kings Authority was not in the Lord Lieutenant nor was then they said power in them to confer a new Authority on him which would be destructive to the Nation if it continued in him and preservative in another and that they said was their sense when they declared against the Kings Authority in his Person so that though they had presumption enough to take the Kings Authority out of his Lieutenants hands by their Declaration and Excommunication and to inhibit all men to submit unto it they had now modesty to
Cessation of Arms for one whole year with the Roman Catholicks of Ireland printed at Oxford 19. Octob. 1643. And let all your good Subjects be assured that as we have for these reasons and with caution and deliberation consented to the Proposition to peace and to that purpose do continue do continue our Parliament there so we shall proceed in the accomplishing thereof with that care and circumspection that we shall not admit even peace it self otherways than it may be agreeable to Conscience Honour and Justice VVe also humbly desire that such Laws as Your Majesty shall think fit to pass may be transmitted according to Poynings Law and other Laws of explanation thereof or of addition thereunto now in force with great contentment and security to Your Majesties Protestant Subjects but if the present Parliament be dissolved we humbly represent unto Your Majesty that so many of your ablest and best Protestant Subjects have been murthered or banished by this Rebellion the few or no Protestant free-holders will be found in the Countreys Cities or Burroughs to elect and chuse Knights Citizens or Burgesses which will be most dangerous to your Majesties Rights and Prerogatives and good Subjects and may beget great disputes in after-times for the repealings of Poynings Acts notwithstanding their feigned expressions of their loyaltie yet it plainly appeareth they do not repose such trust in your Majesties Justice as becomes loyal Subjects to do and such they pretend themselves to be for that they seek thereby to prevent Your Majesty and your Councel of England and Ireland of so full a view and time of mature consideration to be had of Acts of Parliament of Ireland before they pass as in prudence is requisite and hath been found necessary by the experience of well near 200 years and if their Intentions were so clear as they profess we know not why they should avoid the strictest view and tryal of Your Majesty and your Councels of both Kingdoms this their desire tending to introduce a grand diminution to the Royal and necessary Power for the conservation of Your Regal State and protection of your good Protestant Subjects there and elsewhere and what special use they aim at in seeking such a repeal Your Protestant Subjects as they know not the particular so can they conjecture of none unless the said Confederates have some design by way of surprize to obtrude upon Your Majesty in their new desired Parliament some Acts of justification of their ill-done actions and for condemning such of your Protestant Subjects as have in their several degrees most faithfully served Your Majesty there which we the rather believe seeing they have vowed by their Oath of Association and the Bull lately published in Ireland since the Cessation the destruction of the Protestants there when they have the Sword in their hands to put the same in Execution 3. Pro. That all Acts and Ordinances made and passed in the now pretended Parliament in that Kingdom since the 7th day of August 1641. be clearly annull'd and declared void and taken off the File Answ. VVe humbly desire that they may particularize those Orders and Ordinances which may prejudice Your Majesties service for we are well assured that the Parliament now sitting in Ireland on signification of Your Majesties pleasure therein will give Your Majesty full satisfaction or repeal any unjust Orders or Ordinances whatsoever which may be prejudicial to Your Majesty and there may be some Orders or Ordinances which may concern particular persons in their Lives Liberties or Fortunes that may suffer unheard by the admitting of so general a Proposition which is meerly propos'd as we humbly conceive to put a scorn upon Your Majesties Parliament now sitting there and to discourage your Protestant Subjects who have faithfully served Your Majesty in that Parliament 4. Pro. That all Indictments Attainders Out-lawers in the Kings Bench or elsewhere since the said 7th day of August 1641. and all Letters Patents Grants Leases Custodiums Bonds Recognizances and all other Records Act or Acts depending thereon or in prejudice of the said Catholicks or any of them be taken off the File annulled and declared void first by Your Majesties Proclamation and after by Act to be passed in the said free Parliament Answ. This we conceive to be a very bold Proposition not warranted as we also conceive by any Example and tending to introduce an ill president in after-times for that was never seen that the Records were taken off the File but where there was some corruption or fraud or some illegal or unjust carriage used or concerning the procuring or making up of such Records and the same first we 'll prove upon due Examination and that may not only conceal but in some sort seem to justifie their abominable Treasons Murthers Cruelties Massacres and Plunders acted against your Majesties Person Crown and Dignity upon the persons of your Majesties most loyal Protestant Subjects in that Kingdom and encourage the Papists to do the like again besides the discouragement it may beget in your Majesties Officers Subjects to do their duties in the like insurrections which may happen hereafter which also may prove very prejudicial to Your Majesties Rights and Revenues if the Records to support the Forfeitures wherein many of them are or may be grounded should be taken off the File and cancelled 5. Pro. That inasmuch as under colour of such Out-lawers and Attainders Debts due unto the said Catholicks have been granted levied and disposed of and of the other side that Debts due upon the said Catholicks to those of the adverse party have been levied and disposed of to publick use that therefore all Debts be by Act of Parliament mutually released or all to stand in statu quo notwithstanding any Grant or dispossession Answ. VVe humbly conceive that in time of peace and most setled Government when the course of Law and Justice is most open and best observed that Debts due unto the Crown actually levied and paid in to Your Majesties use ought not to be restored though the Records of the Forfeitures should be legally reversed which is far from the present case and this Proposition tendeth to cross that just Right of Your Majesty and to make the disposition by the Confederate Papists Rebels of Debts due to Protestants and by the said Rebels by fraud and force levied and disposed in maintenance of their Rebellion which cunningly they call by the name of Publick use to be in equal degree to the Debts owing by the Rebels and by them all forfeited and many of them by Law duly levied which is a most unequal and unjust thing and the said Proposition cannot nor doth make offer to have the Pope's Confederates cut off from the Debts due to them which they have justly forfeited but only for a colour of consideration to have the Protestants lose such Debts justly due to them as have been unjustly taken from them who have done no act at all to forfeit
into Ireland out of Scotland * Fol. 290. * Nicholas Dowdall * The Author of the English and Scotch Bresbytery p. 222. The States Manifest in Answer to Nettervile and his Accomplices fears The Lords Justices Vindication of Sir Charles Coote See Sir J. Temple part 2. p. 30. as the Answer to the 9th Article of the Rebels Remonstrance at Trym p. 78. His Majesty's Works fol. 393 About the midst of December the Rebellion breaks forth in Munster The Rebellion appears in Connaght The Reasons why each Province burst not at once into a flame * The Author of the English and Scotch Presbytery p. 222. Scobels Acts fol. 197. Sir Simon Harcourt arriv'd out of England with the first Forces Sir Charles Coote goes to Swoards Five Regiments more arriv'd out of England His Majesties Proclamation against the Rebels the first of January His Majesties Reasons why his Proclamation came out so late The Rebels notwithstanding his Majesty's Proclamation grew more united * The Insolencies of the Polititian's Catech. briefly reflected on and what the English are charged with The Rebels endeavour principally to make themselves Masters of Leimster The Rebels begirt Tredath The Situation of Tredath The Siege of Tredath and its strength * Sir John Netterviles Sir Hen Tichborn enters the 4th of Novemb. Governour of Tredath * This Captain John Morris was Page to the Countess of Strafford one of singular courage through the whole War and a Colonel in England and Governour of Pontfract Castle for which Service having past many Fortunes he was Condemn'd and Executed at York the eight of August 1649. The first Relief of Tredath the xi of January The second Relief Febr. the 14th Appendix 6th * In his Speech the 13th of Febr. 1662. p. 17. 38. Tredath being freed several of the Lords of the Pale offer upon Conditions to come in The Earl of Ormond visits Tredath with 3000 Foot and 500 Horse Dundalk assaulted and gain'd Sir Phelim Oneal being disappointed at Tredath revenges himself on the British in other Parts The Irish taunt the Lords of the Pale with old Miscarriages The King offers to go for Ireland Sir Harcourt's Expedition into Wicklow Lieutenant Colonel Gibson pursues the Design and took Carrickmain May in his Hist. 8. p. 174. The Marquiss of Ormonds Expedition The Battle of Kilrush Some Transactions in Connaght The Lord Lisle lands at Dublin * This Lady Offalia was the only Daughter of Gerald eldest Son of Gerald Earl of Kildare who died before his Father Brother of Thomas beheaded the 28. of H. 8. She was Entituled Lady Offalia by the special Favour of King James in an Award betwixt her and George late Earl of Kildare else she could not have had that Title properly belonging to the eldest Son of the Earls of Kildare The Lord Lisle and Sir Charles Coot relieve the Lady Offalia They take in Trym The Rebels resolve to surprize Sir Charles Coot in Trym Sir Charles Coot slain at Trym The Battle of Balintober fought at a Place called now Na Nart the mid-way betwixt Oran and Balintober The account of some Affairs in the North. See the Article 6. of Aug. 1642. Kings Works fol. 534. The Affairs in Munster Mountgarret lodges at Moyallo The Lord Muskery contrary to his promises takes part with the Rebels A contest upon Mountgarret's leaving Moyallo who should be Chief Barry chosen General Muskery c. styled The Council of War Bealing's vain Summons of the Castle of Lismore The Lord President 's advance to Talloe Dungarvan taken by the Lord President The Battel near Cappaquin the first in Muster well fought and managed The Earl of Barrymore took in Cloghleagh Ardmore Castle taken in The Fort of Dunganon Limerick C. Archerstown Rathbarry Castle Dundede and Dunowen Castle Asketon Castle Matrix Castle of Loegar Castle Kilfinny An Abbreviate of Sir Cole's Services in his Fort of Eniskillin Sir Hamilton's Enterprises The Rebels under Garret Barry beaten before Cork Sir William St. Leger Lord President of Munster vigilant and faithful The Lord President of Munster dies The Lord Inchequin chosen in his Place The Lord Inchequin's excellent service at the Battel of Liscarrol Carickfergus delivered to the Scots The Bill of Loan passed at Westminster Several Sums prescrib'd * In a Declaration to all his loving Subjects in Answer to the Remonstrance of the Commons the 15th of Decemb 1641. The King expresses his deep Resentment for Ireland His Majesty's sense of Ireland and the Parliament's Return Ireland neglected The Parliament makes use of part of the Money collected for Ireland * In his Answer to the Parliament's Petition the 28th of April 1642. * Appendix 7th * In his Collection of Acts and Ordinances of Parliament fol. 197. * Fol. 740. The General Assembly at Kilkenny As also Mahone in his Disput. Apologet. p. 101. The Preamble to the Oath of Association The Oath of Association The Propositions Their Seal The Confederates Commission to a Privateer * Appendix 8. Custodiums allotted to the Soldiers Appendix 9. The Lord Mac-Guire and Mac-Mahon sent into England Their Trial at Westminster Mac-Mahon's Execution The Lord Mac-Guire's end * The 20th of August 1642. Causes why Affairs prospered no better The Lord Lisle's Expedition into Westmeath c. Cap. Vaughan's Resolution * October 14th * In Declar. 22. Octob. 1642. Goodwin and Reynolds arrive in Ireland See Hâ—â—b Collect fol. 248. They leave Ireland Colonel Monk relieves Balanokil Necessity of all things in Dublin upon the withdrawing of the Parliaments Committee Sir Richard Greenvile relieves Athlone The Battle at Raconnel The Lords Justices coin Plate with his Majesty's Stamp The Lords Justices Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons in England touching Ross c. The Marquess of Ormond's Expedition against Ross. Ross Battle The Army from Ross return and quarter in Dublin to the further burthen of that City The Armies Remonstrance The Confederates Petition sent to his Majesty The Protestant Committe's Petition to his Majesty His Majesties Answer The Irish Remonstrance The Parl. Declaration concerning the Rise of the Rebels Husb. Collect. fol. 248. * Sir J. T. Hist. Irel. the Pref. * Printed by Edw. Husb. 1644. His Majesties first Letter of the 23d of April touching the Cessation An Abbreviate of the War in Munster The English Army routed The Irish worsted before Cappaquin * Colonel Myn after the Cessation went into England with his Regiment oftentimes encountring Massy who joyntly exprest much valour And in a conflict near Hartpury-fields in Glocestershire was slain by Massies Forces 1644. and by reason of his Gallantry buried at Glocester with the loss of the English Regiment he brought from Ireland Sanders H. C. 1. Fol. 731. The transactions in Connaght Galloway Fort taken by the Irish. Castle Coot Besieged The Irish break the Cessation Sir Jo. Borlase Sir Hen. Tichborn Lords Justices His Majesties second Letter about the Cessation See Husbands Collect. Fol. 160. The Lords Justices Letter to his Majesty of
the present state of Ireland * Fol. 216. His Majesties third Letter concerning the Cessation The Treaty towards a Cessation The Irish Commissioners the 23. of June 1643. first presented themselves to the Lieutenant-General Their Commission from the Supream Council The Treaty deferred against which the Commissioners excepted The Insolencies of the Irish in Reply to a Warrant of the State Colonel Monk against Preston The Lord Moor killed Read Husband 's Collect fo 340. The Rebels very audacious and active upon the very point of the conclusion of the Cessation The Cessation concluded His Majesties Motives to the Cessation fol. 355. Octob. 19. 1643. Reasons given in by the Judges for the continuance of this Parliament against a free one sought by the Rebels Sept. 13. 1643. His Majesties fourth Letter touching the Cessation and his care of his Army * Annals Eliz. Anno 1595. The Cessation begat great heats betwixt the King and his Parliament * His Majesties Answer to the Commissioners last Paper at Uxbridge fol. 557. Monro's Letter to the Lords Justices in dislike of the Cessation The Supream Council's Letter from Kilkenny to the Lords Justices touching the Scots breach of the Cessation Several Regiments transported into England The Oath imposed upon the Souldiers going for England * See his Majesties Message from Oxford the 24. of Jan. 1645. Fol. 227. * View their Letter again of the 15th of Octob. 1643. * Octob. 24. 1644. The Irish break the Cessation Agents being to go from the Rebels to Oxford the Protestants Petition the State that they might have some to attend at the same time his Majesties Pleasure Motions made upon the Cessation that some of the Confederates should be admitted unto their dwellings The Marquisâ— of Ormond made Lord Lieutenant the 21. of Jan. 1643. The Lord Lieutenant regulating of the Army * The Establishment of which with the rates set on each Commodity according to an Act of Council made at the Council Board the 4th of December was by Proclamation at the Castle of Dublin published the 9th of December 1644. As the 12th of Oct. preceding there had passed one of the same nature though this more large * Appendix 10. 11. * The Lord Viscount Muskery Sir Robert Talbot Dermot Mac Trag O Bryan c. The Confederates sent their Agents to Oxford The Lord Lieutenant from the Council Board sent others * Sir William Stewart Sir Gerard Lowther Sir Philip Percival Justice Donnelon to whom were added being resident at Oxford Sir George Radcliffe Sir William Sambach * Captain William Ridgeway Esquire Sir Francis Hamilton Sir Charles Coote Captain William Parsons the Insolencers of the Confederates Appendix 12. The Protestant Committee of the Irish Parliament pressed the execution of the Laws against the Rebels c. * The Lord Cottington Earl of Bristol Portland Lord George Digby Sir Edward Nicholas Sir John Culpeper Sir Edward Hide c. These of the Council much troubled betwixt the contests of the Rebels and Protestants The Irish Agents seemingly mov'd at what they were from the Confederates inforced to stand upon The King's Admonition to the Irish Agents at their departure * Appendix 13. The Irish Agents Behaviour on their Return into Ireland The Earl of Glamorgan's unjust Management of the King's Affairs in Ireland Legible in his Message dated at Oxford 29. Jan. 1645. * July 18. 1644 * The Lord Inchequin The Lord Broghil Sir Wil. Fenton Sir Percy Smith Lieut. Col. Wil. Brocket Lieut. Col. Tho. Serle Serjeant Major Muschamp The Lord Inchequin's revolt to the Parliament after the Cessation The Scots preserve themselves against the incursions of the Rebels 1645. * The Lord D. principal Secretary * The Lord I. from Ascot 27. Aug. 1645. * In a Letter printed at Oxford pag. 3. * Col. Fitz-Williams's Letter to Lord D. 16. July 1645. In his Letter from Caerdiff 3. August 1645 * To whom and the Irish Agents the King in his Letter to the Queen Jan. 30. 1644. advises not to give much Countenance 1646. The first Peace concluded The Lord Lieutenant upon Agreements on all sides repair'd to Kilkenny expecting there to receive Advance for his Majesty's Service * In his Works fol. 320. A Congregation of Clergy are summon'd contrary to his expectation to Waterford They inveigh against the Peace they had lately consented to The King of Arms barbarously used at Limerick The Confederates treachery to cut off the Lord Lieutenant The Congregation at Waterford declared Peace void The Nuncio's exorbitant carriage The Oath taken by General Preston The Nuncio besieges the Lord Lieutenant in Dublin and the Consequences thereof Some of the Supream Council being appointed to confer with the Lord Lieutenant the Nuncio admonishes them not to proceed That nothing yet might be ill resented of by the Lord Lieutenant the Supream Council wins on his Patience The Nuncio's Excommunication Matth. 16. 18 19. John 20. 23. 2 Cor. 2. 11. The two Generals Preston and O Neil being with the Nuncio engaged to sit down before Dublin sends a Letter with Propositions The Lord Lieutenant in great straits at the approach of the Nuncio to Dublin Upon the Irish breach of faith the Lord Lieutenant made a shew of delivering all into the Parliaments hands * Sir Gerr. Lowther Lord Chief Baron Sir Francis Willoughby Sir Paul Davis Knights The Parliament of England Voted Philip Lord Lisle Lord Lieutenant of Ireland He arrives in Ireland Knockmohun a strong Garrison Sir Rich. Osborn Governour His Expedition with his Commission soon determin'd being oppos'd by those who afterwards were accus'd * 7th of May. The Confederates upon Recruits out of England piece again with the Lord Lieutenant * Sir Thomas Wharton Sir Rob. King Sir John Clotworthy Sir Rob. Meredith Knights Rich. Salway Esq. The Lord Lieutenant not being admitted to send to the King the Treaty with the Parliaments Agents broke off The Marquis of Clanrickard's fidelity Upon the Marquis of Clanrickard's free dealing with the Confederates General Preston and others sign an Engagement Upon this there seem'd to be some Agreement betwixt the Lord Lieutenant and Confederates they taking Commissions from the Lord Lieutenant Yet after all the Officers of General Preston being not Excommunication-proof the Lord Lieutenant was again disappointed The Lord Lieutenant returns to Dublin which being not able to supply his Souldiers they were forced to be quarter'd on the Countrey where nothing but Victuals were taken by them The Assembly at Kilkenny justifie the Commissioners yet agreed with the Congregation at Waterford The Irish being in all things sound treacherous those who were most averse to the Parliament yet now wished the Lord Lieutenant might conclude with them The Lord Lieutenant's Conviction that the Irish intended to renounce the Crown of England A Motion to call in a forreign Prince The Kings Answer to the Lord Lieutenant upon his signification of his Streights in Dublin The Lord Lieutenant delivers Dublin to the Parliaments Commissioners though upon his
might have been offered with Respect to the Lord Lieutenant insolently published an Excommunication A malicious Declaration from the Bishops of Jamestown with Animadversions thereupon * In that Walsh is at large in his Append. of Instruments Fol. 99. The obstinate obedience of the People to the Clergy and the miserable result thereupon Upon the Excommunication People being absolved from the Lord Lieutenant think of agreeing with the Parliamentarians The Bishop of Clonfert and Dr. Kelly's Letter to the Officers of the Army giving them reasons why the Excommunication should be suspended His Majesties Declaration beingthen in Scotland against the Peace of 1648 concluded with the Rebels they being infamous August 12. The Lord Lieutenant upon the certainty of the Kings Declaration summons an Assembly at Loghreogh to clear the doubts arising on the King's Declaration The Commissioners reply to the Lord Lieutenant's preceding Letter The Commissioners of Trust go to the Committee of the Congregation at Galway but could not reduce them to reason The Bishops grew high alledging the Lord Lieutenant had suggested the grounds for his Majesties late Declaration Motions to return to their former Confederacy The Committee's Reasons why they pursued their Declaration against the Lord Lieutenant c. and his reply The Confederates violent for an Assembly that their Affairs might be ordered by them After all the Confederates agree that if compounding with the Enemy should be best for the People that should be consented to The Assembly at Loghreogh before-mention'd meets the Result thereupon Though the Lord Lieutenant had been so used as not to be confident of the Confederates obedience to his Majesty's Authority he yet at their Request deputes the Marquess of Clanrickard Deputy at the same time charging their Crimes home The Lord Lieutenant departs the Kingdom Lord Inchiquin c. The Condition the Confederates were in when the Marquess of Clanrickard accepts of the Government The Confederates notwithstanding the good Condition they were in and their Promises to the Deputy think of treating with Ireton Vide Carue Annal. Hib. p. 339. Others offer to return to their Confederacy without respect to the King Some yet seem'd affectionate to the King Ireton's Service from Kilkenny Finagh taken by Colonel Huson Sir Theophilus Jones's excellent Service 1651. Ireton sits down before Limerick The Lord Broghil routs the Lord Muskery coming to relieve Limerick The Marquess of Clanrickard thought to have engaged Sir Charles Coot but by a misfortune on the Earl of Castlehaven's men he and his Army were scattered The Lord Taaff intended to have gone to the King but being prevented enters into a Treaty with the Duke of Lorraign The Duke of Lorraign's Agent lands The Lord Deputy impowers a Committee to treat with Lorraign's Agent The Deputies honourable Reply to the Agent * Sir Nicholas Plunket Jeffrey Brown Esquires * Nicholas French Part of the Bishop of Fern's insolent Letter against the Lord Deputy * Which was part of that Letter mentioned before giving his Character of the Lord Deputy The Confederates cherish'd in a good opinion of the Independents Frier Geoghehan's carriage against the State Hugh O Neal M. G. Patrick Purcel David Roch Sir Richard Everard the Bishops of Limerick and Emly Frier Wolf Dominick Fanning Alderman Thomas Strick c. Ludlow made Commander in Chief on Ireton's death Hist. nostr Temp p. 348. .1 ☜ .2 ☜ .3 ☜ .4 ☜ .5 ☜ .6 ☜ .7 ☜ .8 ☜ .1 ☜ 1 Joh. 3. 12. Jude ver 11. Matth. 23. Heb. 11. 4. Heb. 12. 24. ☞ 2. Gen. 9. 5. ☞ 3. ☞ 4. Exod. 21. 12 24. Levit. 17. Numb 35. Numb 35. 31. Ver. 33. Deut. 19. 21. 1 Sam. 15. 32. Chap. 15. 3. 1 Sam. 11. 15. 2 Sam. 12. 9 10. 1 Kings 2. 5. 2 Sam. 20. 10. ☞ 5. Matth. 5. 18. ☞ 6. ☞ 7. ☞ 8. 1653. 1654. 1655. 1658. 1659. 1660. The Heirs of Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Robert Talbot Baronet The Heirs of Sir Valentine Blake Baronet Sir Richard Blake Knight Doctor Gerrald Fennel Geffrey Brown John Brown of the Neal. John Walsh Thomas Terril Edmund Dillon John Talbot of Mallahide Francis Coghlan of Kilcolgan in the Kings County Robert Nugent of Cartlanstown Sir John Bourk of Derry Maclaghney Thomas Arthur Esquire Doctor in Physick Gerrald Flemming of Castle Flemming Luke Bath of Ackarn Burtholomew Stackpoole Esquires * At the passing of which Act his Grace the Duke of Ormond enlarg'd so well and elegantly on the Subject as his Speech cannot be ommitted without a blemish to the History Appendix 15. Declaration on the 1st Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 2d Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 3d Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 5th Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 5th Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 6th Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 7th Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 8th Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 9th Quaere Voted upon Question Declaration on the 10th Qu. Voted upon Question Declaration on the 11th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 12th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 13th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 14th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 15th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 16th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 17th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 18th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 19th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 20th Quaer Voted upon Question Declaration on the 21th Quaer Voted upon Question * mentioned sol 82. * The Rebels Remonstrance here mention'd as the Answer to it in the shuffling of Papers are unhappily lost though the one was not more insolent then the other resolute and loyal * Fol. 142. ** Since printed by Husbands 1644. entituled The false and scandalous Remonstrance c. Answered which though humbly desired and fled to upon all occasions was not read p. 114. Fol. 144. Anno Regni Car. 2di 14. die 27. Sep. 1662. * Fol. 61. * In his Declaration for the settlement of Ireland fol. 10. * Which being given in writing the Copies cannot be recovered though the main of what is there insisted on is here repeated ☞ Where by what was controverted by some as if the Reception of the English Articles abolish the Irish it was evident there was no such Intention * 30. of April 1642. mentioned fol. 77. * 342. * 344. Carul An. Hib. 314. Of which and the Consequences thereupon see Walsh f. 581. c. Where the Clergy especially Regullars opposed the Supream Authority of the Confederates Fol. 146. * Lord General Farrall vid. f. 230. putting by the Marquess of Ormond * In December 1649. in confidence of the weakness of his Forces and the wetness of the Season †August 20. 1652. * The Chief of every Sept who formerly at the beginning of each K. since the Conquest swore Allegiance
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
it by any publick Writing that the Design seem'd a Birth acceptable to the Catholick Community And the Pope by his Nuncio afterwards to whom the general part of the Clergy and Natives adhear'd in effect maintain'd what Mahony had deliver'd for wholesome Doctrine accounting the Popes Bulls and Interdictions and Absolutions how long soever since publish'd still in the same force and vigour as they were the first day of their publication And it is very few years since writes this Honourable Person that upon the meeting of the Secular and Regular Clergy of Ireland before-mention'd to frame an Address to the King in testimony of their obedience disclaiming any Temporal Authority in the Popes the Court of Rome was so alarm'd by it that Cardinal Barbarin writ to them to desist from any such Declaration putting them in mind that the Kingdom of England was still under Excommunication And Walsh acquaints us at large of Mac-Mahon the Irish Jesuits printed Book of the lawfulness of killing not onely all the Protestants but even all such of the Roman Catholick Irish who should stand for the Crown of England and the Rights of the King to Ireland A Tenent agreeable to Salamanca's approbation of Oneal's Rebellion 1602. instigated by Pope Clement the 8th whereby it 's declared That all Catholicks who followed the English Standard against Prince Oneal mortally sinned And Osulevan the Priest in King James's Reign said It was a Doctrine fetch'd from Hell that Catholicks in Ireland should joyn with the Queens Forces which were Protestants against the Rebels Catholicks in Ireland and that such English ought to be no less set upon than the Turks So that whatsoever delusive Tenents have been broach'd of late as to perswade us the Adder is without sting the contrary hath been written in letters of blood not in his Majesty's Kingdoms only but wheresome-ever the Papal Power was exalted That persons professing the Reformed Religion are but Tenants at Will for their Lives and Fortunes and through Centuries of Ages it appears that as their Fleeces grow they are shorn till a time of slaughter be appointed That hence we may see at what we should have arriv'd had the Irish been fortunate in their attempt for though the loyal Formulary or Remonstrance highly magnified by some may seem a Bond of Iron it may easily by the Pope become weaker than a Rope of Straw During the Summer Sessions of Parliament already spoke of wherein the Heads of the Rebellion were closely complotting some under a suspicion that the Earl of Strafford's Servants in revenge of their Lord's death intended a Mischief to the Parliament mov'd the House and accordingly had Orders that the Lords Justices would let his Majesty's Stores for Powder and Arms be search'd which by a Committee they so curiously perform'd as they turn'd over several improbable Chests to find it out and when they had seen that there was none according to what the Officers of the Ordnance had before assur'd them yet they seem'd unsatisfied and repair'd on a new Order to the Lords Justices to be admitted to see the Stores of Powder and Arms plac'd in other Parts in and about the Castle To whom the Lord Justice Borlase Master of the Ordnance principally interess'd in securing his Majesties Stores answer'd That those were the King 's precious Jewels not to be without special Gause shewed assuring them further that they needed not to be afraid for that upon his Honour there was no Powder underneath either of the Houses of Parliament as at the Trial of the Lord Mac Quire at the King's Bench in Westminster was openly in Court testified by the Lord Blaney a great sufferer a worthy and gallant Person the said Lord Justice Borlase having at that time such a motion in his blood upon the importunity of that enquiry as he would afterwards often mention that action of theirs as aiming how slightly soever then looked on by others at some further mark than was thâ—n discernable So that at that instant he denied them whereat they seem'd discontented as being left in uncertainty in what state his Majesty's Stores stood which they desired particularly to know the late new Army being disbanded then and their Arms brought in that if the Powder and Arms were not there they might find them elsewhere or if there then by the intended surprize to be sure of them and to know where on the sudden to find them In which search the Lord Mac Quire was a chief actor and very inquisitive Thus in order to their Design they made ready for the Business passing that Session of Parliament began the xi of May 1641. for the most part away in Protestations Declarations Votes upon the Queries the stay of Souldiers from going over Seas and private Petitions little to the good of the Common-wealth or advancement of his Majesty's Service whereof the Lords Justices and Councel having notice finding withal that the Popish Party in both Houses grew to so great a height as was scarce compatible to the present Government they imparted by a Message to both Houses the 14th of July following their intention to give a recess for some months the harvest coming on and both Houses growing thin Which intimation of a recess both Houses readily assented to so that the 7th of August the Lords Justices adjourn'd the Houses to the 9th of November following which afterwards the Members of Parliament aggravated as a great unkindness the Committee of Parliament being expected from England and arriv'd at Dublin near the end of August Whereas when the Parliament was adjourn'd and before there was no certainty of their Committee's return the Earl of Roscommon who few days before coming from England expressing in plain terms that the Bills desired were not likely in any short time to be dispatch'd as the Letters from the Irish Committee at London which this Lord brought over inform'd too and That they were daily about their dispatch but could not guess when they might have it Yet as I have took notice in August beyond expectation the Committee return'd upon whose arrival the Lords Justices and Councel desirous to give them all satisfaction imaginable sate daily composing of Acts to be passed the next Sessions of Parliament for the benefit of his Majesty and the good of his Subjects on which the Members of Parliament then at Dublin and their Committee newly arriv'd seem'd with great contentment to retire into the Countrey the Lords Justices forthwith sending Briefs to all the Ports in the Kingdom of the Graces concerning Customs commanding the Officers punctually to obey those his Majesty's Directions particularly what-ever concern'd Wool Tobacco as all other things of that nature wherein his Majesty had been pleas'd to gratifie the Committee They gave Order also for drawing a Bill for repeal of the Preamble of the Act of Subsidies They also desired Sir William Cole and Sir James Montgomery two of the Committee if they could ever take the Assizes in the County
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
service he went out for thought it as honourable to retire to Dublin in the face of them with Sir John Bowen Fitz-Girrald of Timoga Richard Grace of Marryburrough and Captain Crosby Prisoners But when they came to Black-hale-heath between Kilrush and Rathmore about 20 miles from Dublin the Army of the Rebels drew up in a place of advantage to hinder the passage of the English Army having two great Ditches on each Wing so high that we could see no more then the heads of their Pikes and with such a hill before betwixt them and us that we could scarce see their Colours the wind also on their backs and a great Bog a mile behind them However the Lieutenant General called a Councel under a thorn hedge being loath to venture so gallant an Army on such disadvantages but the English Commanders were all of opinion they should be fought with numbers making no difference where the Cause was so good in as much as Sir Charles Coote told them in few words that he discern'd fear in the Rebels faces as well as Guilt in their Persons and that he thought they would hardly stay till his Lordship had put his men in order for the battle and therefore desired they might have presently Command to fall on which indeed he was ever ready to obey before the Word was given neither the matter nor the time now admitting of debate Whereupon Friday the 15th of April about 7 in the morning the English Army marching as if they would force their way to Dublin leaving in and about Athy Captain Erasmus Burrows Captain Grimes Captain Thomas Welden and the two Captain Piggots with their Companies 300 whereof was part of our Army which made ever now and then as the Enemy halted an halt and resolving to fight the Enemy drew up in that sort as did best agree with the Ground Sir Charles Coote who commanded in chief under his Lordship had the ordering of the Foot Sir Thomas Lucas of the right Wing of Horse and Sir Richard Greenvile of the left The Lieutenant-General having many Gentlemen with him who voluntarily followed him in that expedition put them all in a Troop under the Command of Major Ogle a Reformade a worthy Person and himself in the midst of the first rank of them and so attended the Encounter the Ordnance first began to play but without much effect The Rebels Army led by Mountgarret Purcel Baron of Loghmo Hugh-mac Phelim Birn Lieutenant of the Leimster Forces Colonel Toole Sir Morgan Cavenagh Colonel Morris Cavenagh Arthur Caanaugh Colonel Bagnall the Lord Dunboyne Colonel Roger Moore was drawn up as I have said in a place of great advantage upon the top of a hill where there were but too narrow passages to come at them yet our forlorn Hope commanded by Captain Rochford consisting of 150 Musketiers making up the hill fiercely discharged upon the Rebels and was seconded by Captain Sandford with his Fire-locks Sir Charles Coote leading up the rest of the Foot with great celerity Colonel Crafford in the Van and Serjeant Major Pigot excellently well discharging their Commands But before these could come near them our Horse both under Sir Thomas Lucas and Sir Richard Greenvile one charging at one of the passages the other at the other fell in upon them who would not stand the first shock but fled presently taking their flight to a great Bog not far from them a Sanctuary which the Irish in all their flights chuse commonly to provide for themselves and seldom fail to make use of it and so the English gain'd this Victory without any considerable loss or much hazard whilst a body of 2000 Rebels led by the Lord Viscount Mountgarret and General Hugh Birn wheeling about thought to possess themselves of our Ordnance Carriage and Ammunition which my Lord of Ormond perceiving drew out one of his Divisions to attend that great Body and with them and some Voluntier Horse to the number of 30. which were then with his Lordship the rest following the execution he faced that Body and within a short time put them to rout there were not above 600. some write 300 of the Irish slain amongst which there was the Lord of Dunboyn's Brothers the Lord of Ikernis Sons and Colonel Cavenagh's Heads brought by the Souldiers to the Lieutenant General The Enemy lost twenty Colours many Drums all their Powder and Ammunition the Lord Mountgarrets Wain drawn by 8 Oxen where all his Provision was his Sumpture and the Lord of Ikernis Sumpture Colonel Monk who by the quick flight of the Irish was prevented from doing that service in the field he intended followed with a Party of his Regiment to the Bog which the Rebels had taken which looked even black for their Apparel was generally black being all cover'd over with them and there began to fall upon them as resolving upon a severe execution But he was commanded to retire having got Honour enough that day and so the Army marched off the field confusedly whereas that Victory how just soever is ill gloried in which is the loss of Subjects The Van of our Army lay that night at old Connel the rest on the Corrough of Kildare all in open field arriving at Dublin the 17th of April where they were receiv'd by the Lords Justices and Council with all imaginable demonstrations of Joy and Honour The Lieutenant-General's behaviour being presented to the King and Parliament with the greatest advantage to his Person as the business would afford in as much as the Parliament voted 500 l. to be bestowed in a Jewel and to be sent him as an honourable mark of the high esteem they had of him for that days service which was accordingly done and brought to his Lordship with a Letter of thanks from them though I do not hear that he did ever place the Jewel or Letter in his Archive Notwithstanding we find his Majesty takes notice that he was the Person very well approv'd of by the two Houses of Parliament so as the War of Ireland was still managed by his Care and the future Concerns thereof intrusted to his vigilance as the condition of his Majesties Affairs there should be thought important though it was not long before the Parliament entertain'd some jealousies to the prejudice of his service against the Rebels which in reference to what was committed to his charge never alter'd his Principles or Integrity In Connaght generally the English Garrisons excellently well bestirr'd themselves to the relief of their own and neighbours streights wherein Sir Charles Coot Junior mov'd with much vigour and Integrity often infesting the Rebels from Castle-Coot he had frequent intelligence from the Marquiss of Clanrickard's own hand not daring to trust another lest he might be betrayed who being Governour of the County of Galloway had Loghreogh and Portumna his proper Inheritance to reside in to which the English resorted with much security and were indeed by him reliev'd with great Hospitality to an
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
Councils and to give such Expedition to the Work as the nature thereof and the pressures in point of time require and whereof you are daily put in mind by the insolencies and increase of the Rebels Upon which the Parliament willing to omit no time precious in so weighty a Concern past a Bill of Loan towards the Relief of Ireland beginning thus Whereas sit hence the beginning of the late Rebellion in Ireland divers cruel Murthers and Massacres of the Protestants there have been and are daily committed by Popish Rebels in that Kingdom by occasion whereof great multitudes of Godly and Religious People there inhabiting together with their Wives Children and Families for the preservation of their Lives have been enforced to forsake their Habitations Means and Livelihood in that Kingdom and to flee for succour into several parts of his Majesties Realm of England and Dominion of Wales having nothing left to depend upon but the charitable Benevolence of well-disposed Persons The Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament taking the same into their charitable considerations for the Honour of Almighty God and the preservation of the true Protestant Religion and Professors thereof have resolv'd presently themselves to contribute towards the necessities of the said poor distressed Christians who being many in number it is thought expedient that through all his Majesties Realm of England and Dominion of Wales a general Collection should be with all expedition made for that purpose c. Other Expedients considering the state of the Kingdom at that time not being convenient to be urg'd the effect of which was incredible so vast and free a Sum flowing in thereupon as nothing but a compassionate sense of the sufferings of their Brethren and a duty to their Religion could ever have rais'd so much Yet that being short of their Exigencies the State was then forc'd to another Act pass'd for Subscriptions on certain Propositions for Lands of the Rebels in Ireland To which those of the United Provinces of Holland were also encourag'd by a Declaration of both Houses the 2d of Feb. 1642. which is worthy often to be considered but being long though excellently and with much caution pen'd we shall refer you to the Act it self Anno 17. Carol. primi Immediately upon which Act divers Captains entertain'd for the Irish service adventur'd their first 6 Months Pay upon the Propositions Yet before these Propositions could be brought into an Act that no time in so great a Concern might be omitted both Houses of Parliament joyn'd in a Letter to the High Sheriffs of England that they might publish at the ensuing Lent-Assizes all the Propositions touching his Majesty's Promise to pass the two Millions and half of Acres of Land in Ireland for an encouragement to such as should in the interim subscribe After which the Act fore-mention'd immediately ensued upon the passing of which Act these subscrib'd in the House of Commons Mr. Walter Long 1200 l. Sir Robert Pie 1000 l. the 8th of March 1641. Mr. Samuel Vassall 1200 l. Sir Samuel Rolls of Devon 1000 l. William Lord Munson 2400 l. Sir John Harrison 1200 l. the 19th of March Sir William Brereton 1000 l. the 21. of March Sir Edward Aishcough 600 l. Mr. John and Mr. Edward Ash 1200 l. the 24th of March Sir Gilbert Pickering 600 l. the 25th of March 1642. Sir John Clotworthy in Money 500 l. Sir John Clotworthy for his Entertainment as Colonel in the Irish Wars 500 l. Mr. Henry Martin 1200 l. the 26th of March Mr. Arthur Goodwin 1800 l. Sir Arthur Haslerigge of Leicestershire 1200 l. Mr. Robert Reynolds 1200 l. Sir Robert Parkhurst 1000 l. Sir Thomas Dacres 600 l. Sir John Pots 600 l. Sir Arthur Ingram 1000 l. Dr. Thomas Eden 600 l. Mr. Oliver Cromwel 500 l. Mr. Nathaniel Fines 600 l. Mr. John Pym 600 l. Sir Walter Earle 600 l. Mr. Cornelius Holland 600 l. Sir John Northcot 450 l. Mr. Roger Matthew 300 l. Sir Nathaniel Bernardston 600 l. Sir William Masham 600 l. Sir Martin Lomley for Martin Lomley Esq his Son 1200 l. Mr. Thomas Hoyle of York 600 l. Mr. Anthony Bedingfield and Mr. William Cage 700 l. Sir William Allenson of York 600 l. Mr. William Havengham 600 l. Mr. Harbert Morley 600 l. Sir William Morley 1200 l. Sir John Culpeper 600 l. Sir Edward Partherick 600 l. Richard Shuttleworth Esq 600 l. Mr. John More and Mr. William Thomas 600 l. Mr. John Lisle 600 l. Mr. John Blackston 600 l. Sir Gilbert Gerrard 2000 l. Mr. Bulstrod Whitlock 600 l. Sir Edmond Momford and Mr. Richard Harman 600 l. Mr. John Trenchard 600 l. Mr. John Gurdon 1000 l. Mr. John Barker 1000 l. Mr. William Harrison 600 l. the 29th of March Mr. John Wilde Serjeant at Law and Mr. Thomas Lane 1000 l. Nathaniel Hallows of Derby for himself and others 1400 l. John Franklin 600 l. Mr. George Buller of the County of Cornwal 600 l. Sir Henry Mildmay 600 l. the 1. of April Mr. Oliver St. John 600 l. Sir John Wray 600 l. Sir Thomas Barrington 1200 l. Mr. Robert Goodwin and Mr. John Goodwin 600 l. the 2. of April Mr. Denzil Hollis 1000 l. Mr. John Crew 600 l. Sir John Peyton 600 l. the 4th of April Sir William Plactors 600 l. Sir William Strickland 600 l. Sir Thomas Savine 1000 l. Alexander and Squire Bence 600 l. Mr. John Rolls of Devon 450 l. Mr. John Hampden 1000 l. Mr. William Jesson 300 l. Sir Edward Baynton 600 l. Thomas Lord Wenman and Mr. Richard Winwood 1200 l. the 5th of April Sir William Drake 600 l. Mr. William Spurstow 600 l. Sir John Welyn of Godstow in the County of Surrey for himself and others 1500 l. the 7th of April Mr. Miles Corbet 200 l. the 9th of April And that this intended Design might proceed till the whole made up a considerable sum the Gentlemen of the County of Buckingham freely offer'd unto the House of Commons to lend 6000 l. upon the Act of Contribution for the Affairs of Ireland and to pay in the same before the first of May 1642. which the House took in very good part and accepted of and order'd the 9th of April 1642. that the said 6000 l. should be repaid out of the first Moneys that shall be rais'd in that County upon the Bill of 400000 l. and that Mr. Hampden Mr. Goodwin Mr. Winwood and Mr. Whitlock should return thanks to the County of Bucks from this House for their kind offer and acceptable service And it was further order'd and declared by the House of Commons That if any other County or Persons shall do the like it will be kindly accepted of by them and that the Moneys so lent shall be repaid them with Interest if they desire it out of the Moneys that shall be rais'd in those Counties where such Persons inhabit out of the Bill of 400000 l. To strengthen which precedent Act for Subscriptions c. there was an
Ireland or England 2. That the secular Clergy of Ireland viz. Primates Archbishops Bishops Ordinaries Deans Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Prebendaries and other Dignitaries Parsons Vicars and all other Pastors of the secular Clergy and their respective Successors shall have and enjoy all and all manner of Jurisdictions Priviledges Immunities in as full and ample manner as the Roman Catholicks secular Clergy had or enjoy'd the same within this Realm at any time during the Reign of the late H. 7. sometimes King of England and Lord of Ireland any Law Declaration of Law Statute Power and Authority whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding 3. That all Laws and Statutes made since the 20th year of King H. 8. whereby any Restraint Penalty Mulct Incapacity or Restriction whatsoever is or may be laid upon any of the Roman Catholicks either of the Clergy or of the Laity for such the said free Exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion within this Kingdom and of their several Functions Jurisdictions and Priviledges may be repeal'd revoked and declared void by one or more Acts of Parliament to be pas'd therein 4. That all Primates Archbishops Bishops Ordinaries Deans Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Chancellors Treasures Chaunters Provosts Wardens of Collegiate Churches Prebendaries and other Dignitaries Parsons Vicars and other Pastors of the Roman Catholick secular Clergy and their respective Successors shall have hold and enjoy all the Churches and Church-Livings in as large and ample manner as the late Protestant Clergy respectively enjoy'd the same on the first day of October in the year of our Lord 1641. together with all the Profits Emoluments Perquisits Liberties and the Rights to their respective Sees and Churches belonging as well in all Places now in the possession of the Confederate Confederate Catholicks as also in all other places that shall be recovered by the said Confederate Catholicks from the adverse Party within this Kingdom saving to the Roman Catholick Laity their Rights according to the Laws of the Land And that the Supreme Council the legitimate issue of the General Assembly might look with the better face of Authority they fram'd to themselves a Seal bearing the mark of a long Cross on the right side whereof a Crown and a Harp on the left with a Dove above and a flaming Heart below the Cross and round about this Inscription Pro Deo pro Rege Patria Hibernia unanimis with which they seal'd their Credentials to Princes and under that Seal pass'd their principal Acts of Sovereignty Having now modell'd themselves into a separate State confronting his Majesties Royal Government setled in Dublin ordering in their Supreme Council at Kilkenny in the said Province of Leimster all their Affairs Civil and Military through the whole Kingdom As to War they had their Forces under the Conduct of four well experienc'd Generals before mentioned answering the several Provinces of Leimster Munster Connaght and Ulster Giving out Letters of Mart An Example of which together with the Authority they assum'd notwithstanding his Majesties Proclamation of the 1st of January 1641. we shall hear give you at large By the Supreme Council of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland TO all Men to whom this Present shall come We the Supreme Council of the Confederate Catholicks of this Realm send Greeting Know ye That we have taken into our serious consideration the great and necessary use we have of Ships of War for the defence of the Coasts of this Realm and advancement and furtherance of Commerce with Foreign Nations and for opposing his Majesties Enemies who daily hinder and annoy his Majesties good Subjects of this Kingdom by Sea and stop all free Trade in this Realm and abroad have therefore constituted and appointed and do hereby ordain constitute and appoint our well-beloved Friend Captain Francis Oliver Native of Flanders having received good testimony of his sufficiency and integrity to be Captain of the Ship called St. Michael the Archangel of burthen 120 Lasts or Tuns or thereabouts hereby giving and granting unto the said Captain full and absolute Power Commission and Authority to furnish the said Ship with all Necessaries fit for Sea and War and with the same to cross the Seas and take hinder and prejudice all such as he shall find or meet of His Majesties Enemies the Enemies of the General Catholick Cause now in hand in this Kingdom their Ships and Goods whatsoever either by Sea or Land by what means soever and the said Shipping or Goods to set to sale and dispose of as lawful Prizes and open Enemies Goods saving unto his Majesty and his lawful Officers and unto all other Person or Persons Bodies Politick and Corporate all Rights Requisites and Duties due or usual answered out of all Prizes And we hereby command all Officers of all our Ports Harbours and Havens within our Jurisdiction throughout this Realm to admit the said Captain Francis Oliver and his Companies Ships and Goods from time to time to pass and repass come and go without molestation or trouble And that all Commanders of Forts and all other Officers of his Majesties loving Subjects to be aiding and assisting unto him in execution and furtherance of the Premisses whatsoever and as often as occasion shall require And lastly we pray all Foreign Princes States and Potentates to defend protect assist and favour the said Captain his Ships and Goods when and as often as he shall come into their respective Coasts and Harbours This our Commission to continue during pleasure Given at Kilkenny the last of December 1642. Was signed Mountgarret Hugo Armachanus Gormanston Johan Episc. Clonfertensis Nic. Plunket Patr. Darcy James Cusack Jeffry Brown And as to Civils they had their Officers of State Justices of Oyer and Terminer and of the Peace with their Courts of Judicature in several kinds and Councils Supreme County Provincial and on occasion National this being as Parliamentary called their General Assembly They had their Negotiations also abroad and from abroad and by Envoys Agents and publick Ministers Extraordinary and Resident they receiv'd the sense of other Princes and return'd their own being also by those Princes treated at home in like manner as if they had been some State absolute or more considerable of which read the Appendix All the subsequent Acts being derived from the Orders establish'd at Kilkenny the 24th of October 1642. By what I have mention'd you may see how the Rebels endeavour'd to get credit abroad and repute at home managing their Concerns with so much subtilty as having them anvil'd in every Covent nothing was omitted to mature their designs or colour what they had now begun with the fairest pretence whilst the State in the interim through the distractions in England daily increasing which gave fresh fuel to the Rebels presumption were so straitned for want of Supplies that the Lords Justices having by all the ways imaginable represented as well to his Majesty as to the Parliament the miserable condition they
his return from Ross which in the case our Forces stood he found difficult to be taken in as though our Ordnance made a breach in their Walls it was found necessary to desert the Siege he was encountred by an Army of the Rebels consisting of about 6000 Foot and 650 Horse well arm'd and horsed yet it pleas'd God so to disappoint their Councels and strength as with those small Forces which the Lord Marquess had with him being of fighting Men 2500. and 500 Horse not well armed and for the most part weakly horsed and those as well Men as Horse much weakned by lying in the Fields several nights in much Cold and Rain and by want of Man's Meat and Horse Meat the Lord Marquess obtain'd a happy and glorious deliverance and victory against those Rebels wherein were slain about 300 of them and many of their Commanders and others of Quality and divers taken Prisoners and amongst those Prisoners Colonel Cullen a Native of this City who being a Colonel in France departed from thence and came hither to assist the Rebels and was Lieutenant General of their Army in the Province of Leimster and the Rebel's Army was totally routed and defeated and their Baggage and Ammunition seized on by his Majesty's Forces who lodged that night where they had gain'd the Victory and on our side about 20 slain in the Fight and divers wounded We have great cause to praise God for magnifying his Goodness and Mercy to his Majesty and this his Kingdom so manifestly and indeed wonderfully in that Victory However the joy due from us upon so happy an occasion is we confess mingled with very great distraction here in the apprehension of our unhappiness to be such as although the Rebels are not able to overcome his Majesty's Army and devour his other good Subjects as they desire yet both his Army and good Subjects are in danger to be devoured by the wants of needful Supplies forth of England For as we formerly signified thither Those Forces were of necessity sent abroad to try what might be done for sustaining them in the Countrey so as to keep them alive till Supplies should get to us But that Design now failing those our hopes are converted into astonishment to behold the unspeakable Miseries of the Officers and Souldiers for want of all things and all those wants made the more insupportable in the want of Food whilst the City being all the help we have is now too apparently found to be unable to help us as it hath hitherto done And divers Commanders and Officers in the Army do now so far express the sense of their Sufferings which indeed are very great and grievous as they declare That they have little hope to be supplied by the Parliament and press with great importunity to be permitted to depart this Kingdom as it will be extream difficult to keep them here By our Letters of the 23d of March we signified thither the unsupportable burthen laid on this City for victualling those of the Army left here when the Marquess of Ormond with the Forces he took with him marched hence which burthen is found every day more heavy than other in regard of the many House-keepers thereby daily breaking up House and scattering their Families leaving still fewer to bear the burthen We also by those Letters and by our Letters of the 25th of February advertised thither the high danger this Kingdom would incur if the Army so sent abroad should by any distress or through want be forced back hither again before our Relief of Victuals should arrive forth of England When we found that those Men were returning back hither although we were and are still full of distraction considering the dismal consequences threatned thereby in respect of our Wants Yet we consulted what we could yet imagine feasible that we had not formerly done to gain some Food for those Men and found that to send them or others abroad into the Countrey we cannot in regard we are not able to advance Money for procuring the many Requisits incident to such an Expedition In the end therefore we were inforced to fix on our former way and to see who had yet any thing left him untaken from him to help us and although there were but few such and some of them poor Merchants whom we have now by the Law of Necessity utterly undone and disabled from being hereafter helpful to us in bringing us in Victuals and other needful Commodities yet were we forc'd to wrest their Commodities from them And certainly there are few here of our selves and others that have not felt their Parts in the inforced rigour of our Proceedings towards preserving the Army so as what with such hard dealing not less grievous to us to do than it is heavy to others to suffer and by our descending against our hearts far below the Honour and Dignity of that Power we represent here under his Royal Majesty we have with unspeakable difficulty prevail'd so as to be able to find Bread for the Souldiers for the space of one Month. We are now expelling hence all Strangers and must instantly send away for England thousands of poor dispoil'd English whose very eating is now unsupportable to this Place And now again and finally We earnesty desire for our Confusions will not now admit the writing of many more Letters if any That his Majesty and the English Nation may not suffer so great if not irrecoverable prejudice and dishonour as must unavoidably be the consequence of our not being reliev'd suddenly but that yet although it be even now at the point to be too late Supplies of Victuals and Munition in present to be hastned hither to keep life until the rest may follow there being no Victual in the Store nor will there be a 100 Barrels of Powder left in store when the out-Garrisons as they must be instantly are supplied and that remainder according to the usual necessary expence besides extraordinary accidents will not last above a month And the residue of our Provisions must also come speedily after or otherwise England cannot hope to secure Ireland or secure themselves against Ireland but in the loss of it must look for such Enemies from hence as will perpetually disturb the Peace of his Majesty and his Kingdom of England and annoy them by Sea and Land as we often formerly represented thither which Mischiefs may yet be prevented if we be yet forthwith enabled from thence with means to overcome this Rebellion We hope that a course is taken there for hastning thither the Provisions of Arms and Munition mention'd in the Docquet sent in our Letter of the 20th of January and the 600 Horses which we then moved might be sent hither for recruits and that the 7893 l. 3 s. for Arms to be provided in Holland besides those we expect in London hath been paid to Anthony Tierens in London or to Daniel Wibrants in Amsterdam and if that Sum had been paid as
their Grievances and vouchsafe Redress therein did direct there should be a Cessation of Arms and thereupon did Authorize the Right Honourable the Lord Marquess of Ormond to treat and conclude the said Cessation with the said Confederate Catholicks Know ye that the said Council by the express Order and Authority of the said Catholicks by them conceiv'd and granted in their General Assembly at Kilkenny on the 20th day of the last Month of May and in pursuance of the said Order and Authority reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Wisdom Circumspection and provident Care Honour and Sincerity of our very good Lords Nicholas Lord Viscount Gormanston Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskery and our well-beloved Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Robert Talbot Baronet Tirlagh O Neal Esq Geoffry Brown Esq Ever Mac-Gennis Esq and John Walsh Esq have constituted appointed and ordain'd and by these presents do constitute appoint and ordain the said Nicholas Lord Viscount Gormanston c. our Commissioners and do by these presents give and grant unto our said Commissioners or any five or more of them full Power and Authority to treat with the said Lord Marquess of Ormond of a Cessation of Arms for one whole year or shorter and to conclude the same for the time aforesaid upon such Terms Conditions and Articles as to the said Commissioners in their Judgements Conscience and Discretion shall be thought fit and expedient by these presents ratifying and confirming whatsoever Act or Acts our said Commissioners as aforesaid shall do or execute concerning the said Cessation Given at Kilkenny the 20th of June 1643. Montgarret Castlehaven Audley Malachias Arp. Tuamen Fr. Thom. Fleming Arch. of Dublin Primate of Ireland Maurice de Rupe Fermoy Nettervile Nich. Plunket Edm. Fitz-Maurice Patrick Darcy Rob. Linch R. Bealing Upon which both sides proceeded the Marquess not admitting the Title or Name attributed by the Irish Commissioners unto them in behalf of those for whom they treated as likewise not admitting the Cause for which they took up Arms as in the Protestation is expressed Whereas the Irish Commissioners on the other side still propos'd all in the behalf of the Catholicks of Ireland with protestation that the said Catholicks took Arms in defence of their Religion his Majesty's Rights and Prerogatives and the Liberties of Ireland and no ways to oppose his Majesty's Authority so as say they neither the Title or Protestation being justly due to them were to be excepted against being the same they always used in their immediate applications to his Majesty Against which though there were exceptions the Treaty still proceeded they owning the premisses And at Sigginstown the Treaty went on not without Debates of great concern and much difficulty and then was deferr'd from the 1st of July to the Thursday next come seven-night at which time the Marquess of Ormond could not meet in respect That the necessity of his attendance otherwise upon the publick Service of his Majesty would not permit which the Irish Commissioners seem'd much to resent writing to his Lordship from Kilkenny the 19th of July 1643. That although we conceive this Treaty to be of the greatest consequence of any Service to be effected for his Majesty within this Kingdom yet we are not apt to give an ill construction to the laying of it by for the present until we do know of that Service that taketh place of it which being for the advantage of his Majesty's Interests we heartily wish may have good success Yet your Lordship will give us leave to take notice that we meet in these as in all other Proceedings whereby we may have any expectation to enjoy the benefit of his Majesty's Grace and Favour some interruption and slackness in conveying any part of his good Intentions to his faithful Subjects the Catholicks of Ireland which we add to our other Grievances and will endeavour in discharge of the many harms which may ensue by reason of this Protraction to have it rightly presented to his Majesty In Answer to which the Marquess of Ormond replyed the 21st of July That whereas they had no pretence of unaptness to give an ill construction to the laying by of the Treaty until they could know of what Service took place he acquainted them That he was not accountable to them with the knowledge of his Majesty's Services wherewith he had the Honour to be intrusted or to any but to his Majesty and to those to whom he had intrusted the government of the Kingdom And for what they said They would endeavour to have rightly presented to his Majesty he doubted not but to acquit himself as became him as in other Commands so in this Particular and that they should find when the other Occasions of his Majesty were over the deferring of the Treaty at present was not such a laying aside of the Matter as their Letters inferr'd Thus at present more than by Letters and the private Actings of some Men there was nothing further attempted in the Treaty till the 26th of August following In the interim we must take notice of the Insolence of these Men then expecting his Majesty's Favour By the Lords Justices and Council Jo. Borlase Henry Tichborn WE the Lords Justices and Council do declare That if Captain John Farrer be forthwith released by the Rebels and safely sent hither that forthwith upon his coming so released we will give Order for the releasing Synnot lately imployed as Captain amongst the Rebels out of Prison the Jaylor's just Dues being first paid and will then permit him freely to depart without interruption Given at his Majesty's Castle of Dublin July 8. 1643. La. Dublin Ormond Roscommon Bramston Ant. Midensis Tho. Rotheram Jo. Temple Fra. Willoughby Ja. Ware We do not know to whom this Certificate is directed and we will avow our selves in all our Actions to be his Majesty's loyal Subjects neither shall it be safe henceforth for any Messenger to bring any Paper to us containing other Language than such as suits with our Duty and the Affections we bear to his Majesty's Service wherein some may pretend but none shall have more real desires to further his Majesty's Interest than his Majesty's loyal and obedient Subjects Montgarret Muskery Fr. Tho. Dublin Malachias Tuamen Castlehaven Audley R. Bealing Torlo O Neile Patr. Darcy Who reads this may well think their Confidence built on other Grounds than appear'd What! Shall such as fought in opposition to his Majesty's Proclamation be thought loyal Subjects whilst the State owning his Majesty's Interest Honour and Service are said to pretend to what they really were Surely so impudent a Reply never before without chastizement escaped the Pen of suppliant Rebels nor indeed could some then have had the freedom of their just scorn and indignation should such expressions have been swallowed During the respite of the Treaty for the Cessation viz. the 29th of July 7 or 800 of the Rebels gave us at mid-night by whose neglect I know not
an Alarm even in the streets of Dublin who were gallantly repulsed by Colonel Crafford's Men killing 20 of them the Rebels by that means doing no more hurt than plundering and firing some few thatcht Houses All things tending to a Cessation the State held it their best policy not to retain their Forces wholly in their Garrisons and therefore though they had slender Provisions and less Treasure to encourage the Souldiers abroad the 27th of June 1643. Colonel Monk with 1300 Foot and 140 Horse was sent against Preston strengthned by Owen O Neal whom he encountred near Castle Jordan at a Pass upon the River Boine being 5 or 600 Horse and 6000 Foot putting his Foot to rout and killing many of his Men Yet for want of Provision he was forced to leave Clancurry and turn to Wickloe where he got store of Cattel But thence he was soon recalled to face the Rebels in Meath and hearing of Neal's Forces about Port Leicester Mill a great and secure Fastness near 5 miles Westward from Trim he with the Lord Moor vigilantly attended their motion But so it fell out that the Lord Moor observing Neal's encamping there had some notice of his levelling a Piece of Cannon towards his Army yet was so little concern'd at the advice danger in that Cause being never apprehended as after that the Bullet had once if not twice grazed he with other Gentlemen who were not without of what might ensue and intimated their suspicions still travers'd the Ground till most unfortunately the Bullet forc'd its passage through his Armour into his Body but was not of strength sufficient to go through however it there slew him upon whose Fall one readier to shew some sallies of Wit than Skill obtrudes this Distich Contra Romanos Mores res mira Dynasta Morus ab Eugenio canonizatus erat In Answer to which one readily writes this Olim Roma pios truculenta morte beavit Antiquos mores jam nova Roma tenet This Noble Gentleman was the first that adventur'd in this Cause and the last Victime under his Majesty's Commission a Gentleman of clear Spirit and Integrity He fell not many days before the Cessation which by several even of the Privy Council themselves was much disliked nor indeed till some of those were remov'd from the Council Board the Reasons they gave in being un-answerable could the Cessation be brought on without opposition and then not so easily as some thought many difficulties and those not easie to reconcile in reference to his Majesty's Exigencies and the Interest of the distressed Protestants pressing in on every Dispute Now the Parliament in England conceiving themselves much interess'd in the Affairs of Ireland as already hath been said to advise order and dispose of all things concerning the Government and Defence of that Kingdom made the 30th of September 1643. not knowing that the Cessation had been then 15 days before concluded a Declaration against any Cessation or a Treaty of Peace with the Rebels in Ireland for that amongst many other Reasons the Cessation would be for the preservation of the Rebels and Papists only who under pretexts of civil Contracts would continue their Antichristian Idolatry Besides several Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament who by the Broad Seal the publick Faith of the State were intrusted with the Irish Affairs would by the Cessation be further dis-enabled to Act and the Adventurers who had so many Acts for their Security would by a Cessation be disappointed as the exiled Protestants turn'd out of their Habitations be thereby continued in misery and want Whilst these things were thought on in England the People of Ireland who took a liberty at the uncertainty of Affairs were strangely divided whether the Cessation should be concluded or no. Some who were sensibly touch'd with the Injuries and Cruelties of the Rebels could not brook it others hoping for their advantage by the Change daily expected it whilst the City in general being burthen'd with Taxes quartering of Souldiers c. having no hopes of Relief from abroad willingly hearkned to their Freedom so as now the strong Affections which had been commonly born against the Rebels began to wither into an indifferency and the course which had been then took to weather out the resolute either for despair or terrour humbled many and as Interest lay several resolv'd what Party to take in England upon the conclusion of the Cessation And that the Cessation might be put forward his Majesty writ to the Lords Justices and the Marquis of Ormond from his Court at Matson the 25th of August the 19th year of his Reign which came not to them till the 26th of September eleven days after the Cessation was concluded Authorizing them or any two of them to treat and conclude for him and in his name with his Subjects then in Arms in that his Kingdom for a Cessation of Arms for one whole year But before this Letter arriv'd the Treaty at Sigginstown began with the Confederates Commissioners by vertue of the Letter the Marquis had formerly received from his Majesty dated at Oxford the 31. of July 1643. who to that purpose order'd a Commission dated at Dublin under the Broad Seal the last of August 1643 in the 19th year of his Majesties Reign to conclude the Cessation with the Irish Commissioners who the 26th of August 1643. having met the Marquis of Ormond Lieutenant General of his Majesties Army there where insisting upon the Name Title and Protestation which at first they had assum'd not permitted of by the Marquis of Ormond they proceeded The Enemy in the interim besieging Tully and afterwards taking it even whilst his Majesties Commission of Grace was not far thence in execution and in all places they shewed themselves most active endeavouring either to surprize force or gain by allurements what they could exceedingly animated with hopes of a Cessation that upon its conclusion what was in their power might be peaceably possess'd During which Treaty many difficulties arose one whether in this or the former Treaty I am not certain was much insisted on viz. How the several Indictments and Outlawries against the Irish might be repealed After some dispute at length Plunket one of the Irish Agents told them He had found a Remedy the Judges before whom they were Indicted might be summon'd to the Star-Chamber and there be Fined And there replied one who is seldom found to sign any Act of State till the Cessation was concluded all that are concern'd may be confident to find reparation This the Lord Chief Justice Shurley thought reflected upon him who thereupon express'd much courage and integrity And the Dispute fell And the 15th of September 1643. the Cessation was concluded by the Marquis of Ormond who for his Courage Affection and Loyalty his Majesty had made his Lieutenant General of his Army in Ireland and who having gotten so many notable Victories over the Rebels was very well approv'd
his Majesty the 18th of April 1644. did agree with their sence in order to the present condition of the Kingdom Whereby it 's thought that if it had been said that the 24 Propositions had been agreed to by the Protestants in general there would have been an Endeavour to have got some to have signed an Instrument against the Agent 's Proceedings and therefore their Proceeding was acknowledged to be according to their Instructions and their Correspondent's Advice in Town As in the Answer May it please your Lordships IN Obedience to your Lordship's Commands signified in your Order of the 5th of June 1644. directed to us the Persons under-named requiring us to certifie your Lordships Whether the 24 Propositions of his Majesty's Protestant Agents of Ireland presented to his Majesty do agree with our sence in order to the present condition of this Kingdom We the said Persons do humbly certifie That we have perused the Propositions in the said Order mention'd and do humbly conceive them to be in substance pursuant to the humble Petition of his Majesty's Protestant Subjects as well Commanders of his Majesty's Army here as others a Copy of which Petition hath been formerly presented to your Lordships and from that Honourable Board transmitted to his Sacred Majesty and by him graciously receiv'd as may appear by his Majesty's Letters of the 6th of November last whereof your Lordships were pleas'd to grant the Petitioners a Copy And that the said Propositions are as we humbly conceive in substance pursuant unto certain Instructions entituled Instructions for the Agents who are to attend his most Sacred Majesty on the behalf of his Majesty's Protestant Subjects of Ireland Which Instructions were also presented at that Honourable Board and there upon serious Debate according to the Pleasure of your Lordships in some things altered and so a Copy thereof was delivered to your Lordships And we humbly conceive that the said Propositions are such in substance as if way may be found whereby his Majesty may bring to pass the Particulars therein conceiv'd they would conduce to the Establishment of the true Protestant Religion the Honour and Advantage of his Majesty and the future Security of his Highness his Royal Posterity this his Kingdom and the Protestant Subjects therein But how these Propositions stand in order to the present condition of this Kingdom is a thing far above us to resolve All which we humbly leave to your Lordship's Grave Considerations Signed Will. Cooley Will. Usher Hen. Jones Anth. Dopping Will. Plunket Theod. Schoute Peter Wybrants When the Irish Confederates Agents return'd into Ireland most of them as far as acted in view perform'd their Promise and Engagements to the King so as many of the Nobility and Gentry and most of the Persons of considerable Fortune together with the moderate Clergy who are easie to be number'd were convinc'd of the necessity of submitting themselves entirely to the King till he was able to grant them more that they might not be glad to accept of less But the evil Genius of that People condemn'd to wilful ruine and misfortune soon evidenc'd how unripe they were for mercy and that it was not so easie to allay the Spirits they had conjur'd up as to foment and irritate them The Nobility and Men of known Fortune whom self-Interest by this time had taught Loyalty found that they had lost their Power and the Reverence they had parted with to the Clergy had much Influence on he common People who devoting themselves solely to their Clergy's Dictate oppos'd all Conclusions which according to Wisdom and true Policy were to be the Ingredients of a happy and lasting Peace And so above 2 years were spent after these Agent 's departure from the King in fruitless and in-effectual Treaties the Earl of Glamorgan in the interim treating in that wilde order with the Rebels as under a pretended sufficient Authority from the King utterly disown'd he blew them up to such a pernicious Expectation by the feigned Articles he sign'd to them the 25th of August 1645. so destructive both to Church and State and so repugnant to his Majesty's publick Professions and known Resolutions as the Treaty of Peace proceeding on more agreeable Terms by the Lord Lieutenant found many rubbs and impediments Whilst the Strength and Power of the Parliament's Forces in England exceedingly increased and his Majesty's Forces were defeated and himself for want of Succours promis'd out of Ireland was compelled to deliver up himself to his Scottish Subjects and was shortly after by them given into the hands of the Parliament of England who being at last split into several Factions so varied Councils as in conclusion he was betrayed and suffer'd to the astonishment of the World But that I may not o're-slip the Series of this Story which through a conflux of Matter will sometimes unavoidably be disturbed I must take notice that the first Cessation being near determin'd the 5th of Sept. 1644. there was a new Cessation agreed on by the Lord Lieutenant and the Irish Commissioners to begin on the 15th of September and continue till the 1st of December following And in respect that the Treaty of Peace had several Matters of weight and consequence which necessarily required further time to be prepared and drawn into writing it was agreed on at the Castle of Dublin the 2d of Octob. anno praedict that the Treaty should be adjourn'd to the 4th of November ensuing the Irish Agents in the interim to have liberty to continue in or come to Dublin as often as they should think fit which time they improved and Affairs were so managed as there was never any other Cessation till the Peace About which time the Earls of Thomond Clanrickard and St. Albans the Lord Rannelagh Fitz-williams Taaff and Dillon who had never receded from his Majesty's Commands writ to him That betwixt two Parties one if they were disposed to make Invasion upon them and the other who sticking to the Covenant dis-obey'd the Cessation they were like to be ruin'd and therefore implor'd his Majesty to reconcile the Difference betwixt those who were too high either of the Confederates or Protestants in their Demands and declare against the Scots who would make little distinction were it in their power between them and those whom they now assaulted In treating of Peace we must not forget that the Lord Inchequin having been easily wrought on to agree to the Cessation carried over many of his Munster Forces to the King who in memory of his service bestowed on him a noble Wardship and would have made him an Earl But the Presidency of Munster pre-dispos'd of to the Earl of Portland being his aim he returns again into Ireland and from Cork the 17th of July 1644. he and other Officers there writes to his Majesty That no Peace could be concluded with the Irish Rebels which would not bring unto his Majesty and the English in general a far greater prejudice than
the shew of a Peace there would bring them an advantage c. And thereupon besought him that he would not so much regard so inconsiderable a handful of People as they were as to purchase but a seeming security by leaving thereby the Protestant Religion in all likelihood to be extirpated and his Majesty obnoxious to the loss of that Kingdom Further beseeching his Majesty that he would be pleas'd to Proclaim again the Irish to be Rebels and not to pardon those who have committed so many barbarous Crimes that they are as far above description as they are short of honesty professing they had his Majesties Commission for what they did the true sense of which devillish aspersion cast upon his Majesty with other reasons made them resolve to die a thousand deaths rather than condescend to any Peace referring themselves in other things to their Declaration And from the same place the day following these write to both Houses of Parliament in England much to the same effect importuning their Agreement with his Majesty without which the War could not be prosecuted as it ought offering for the securing of their Garrison to their Service whom they pleas'd Concluding That they hoped such a wise Assembly would distinguish betwixt the effects of Necessity the Cessation and Dishonesty Including in their Letter to both Houses their Declaration which I had thought to have abbreviated but it is so significant that we shall find it unravels many Secrets then to come and declares such Truths as without injury to their Merits we could not smother The unanimous Declaration of His Majesties Protestant Subjects of the Province of Munster IF in the undertaking of a just Design it were onely requisite that the Hearts and Consciences of the Undertakers were satisfi'd we should not need to publish this Declaration but lest our Enemies should traduce the candour of our Actions and Intentions we have made this manifestation of them which will acquaint the World with their Malice and our Innocence We are confident that all Christendom hath heard of the bloody Rebellion in Ireland and we are as confident the Rebels and Popish Clergy have so palliated and disguised it that many are fully perswaded they had reason for what they did But we believe all men of Judgment will change that opinion when they shall know That though they were a Conquer'd People yet the Laws were administred unto them with as much equity as to the English That they enjoyed their Religion though not by Tolleration yet by Connivance That their Lords though Papists sate in Parliament And that the Election of the Knights of the Shire and Burgesses was free and though of a contrary Religion were admitted into the House of Commons yet for all these and many other vast Favours and Priviledges when every one was sitting under his Vine and Fig-tree without any provocation they resolve upon a general extirpation both of the Protestants and their Religion which without doubt they had effected had not God been more merciful than they were wicked and by a Miracle discovered this devillish Design whereof though we had notice just time enough to secure our main Magazine at Dublin yet we could not prevent the butchery of multitudes of innocent Souls which suffered at the first in the Province of Ulster and since they have continued this Rebellion with such perfidiousness and bloodiness that though we had been as guilty as we are innocent yet the prosecuting of the War with that barbarousness had rather been a sin than justice But by Gods great providence when the Rebellion brake out first the Parliament of England was sitting unto whom his Majesty communicated so much of his Power over this Kingdom as we shall hereafter mention and gave them great encouragement to prosecute the War against the Rebels by granting Lands unto such as should adventure Money for the maintenance of the War Whereupon the Parliament who were most willing to advance so good a Cause sent us at first large Supplies which had so good success that the Divine as well as Humane Justice did proclaim them Rebels for indeed God Almighty since the deliverance of the Children of Israel from the Egyptians never appeared so visibly as in this War But the unhappy misunderstanding between the King and Parliament did so hinder the continuance of those Supplies for this Kingdom that all we received in nineteen months amounted not to five weeks entertainment so that the Army which was sent to relieve us lived upon us And truly we may with Justice profess that the Forces of this Province did feed as miraculously as fight being never able to prescribe any certain way of subsistance for one month together but when the poor Inhabitants were almost beggar'd and no means for the Forces to subsist on left a Cessation of Arms was made for a twelvemonth with the Rebels which our necessity not inclination compelled us to bear with and the rather out of a firm hope that the Almighty out of his infinite goodness would within that year settle a right understanding between the King and Parliament that then they would unanimously revenge the crying blood of so many thousands of innocent Souls and until God blessed us with the sight of that happy Union we might keep our Garrisons which otherwise we could not the better to enable them to prosecute so just and honourable a design But this Cessation was as fatal to us during the time of Treaty as afterwards it was ill observed for they knowing what agreement they would enforce us to condescend unto did privately send one or two persons to every Castle that we had demolished which under pretence of being by that means in their possession they ever since detain though it be contrary to the Articles And which is more injurious they have at all times since entred upon what Lands they have thought fit and detained them also and their devillish malice having no bounds they did place Guards upon the High-ways to interrupt our Markets and punished divers of their own Party for coming with Provisions to us thereby to deter all from bringing any relief to our Garrisons that so they might starve us out of those Places that neither their fraud or force could get from us which that they might the better accomplish they murthered divers of the poor English that presuming on the Article of free Commerce went abroad to buy Victuals which certainly would have caused them to have declined that course of seeking Food if hunger threatning them with more certain death had not forced them thereunto And whereas we trusted that these notorious infidelities in them and infinite sufferings in us would have been so visible to his Majesty that nothing could have induc'd him to make a Peace with so perfidious a People who through their fawning and insinuating with his Majesty and by the counsel of some who represent that there is no way left for the securing the
most notorious Extortions and Oppressions ever laid upon a People were not there left and the Commissioners for the Parliament before-mention'd acted in their own Place Not long after whose settlement in Ireland the Irish growing insolent in Connaght taking their Garrisons and turning out many English and others who by the Articles of Cessation should have been better used there came to them by one Mr. Galbreth Offers tending to compose the Differencies betwixt the Greatest then in Power and them But the Offer being found a Design to draw the British Army under another Command the fruit of that Expectation soon wither'd and Galbreth by Bonds was secured And that Affairs more probably might succeed a general Assembly of the Confederate Catholicks which consisted of all the Peers of that Party and of all the Gentlemen and Burgesses of Corporation Towns which was as lively a Representation of the whole Nation as they could make towards the end of the year viz. the 6th of March 1645. appointed and authorized a select number of that Body of the Persons of eminent Quality and most eminent Ability and such as through all the Troubles had been imployed and intrusted by them in Places and Offices of highest Trust and Concernment to treat and conclude with the Marquess of Ormond his Majesty's Lieutenant of that Kingdom a firm and full Peace For the expediting of which his Excellency had had many and serious Invitations from his Majesty as the most visible means then left to revive the Hopes he was reduced to To which end in June before he had sent Mr. Daniel O Neal Groom of his Bed-Chamber into Ireland a Person by reason of his Relations there much confided in who amongst other things intrusted to his charge had it in his Instructions the 27th of June to acquaint the Marquess of Ormond That his Majesty would be glad he could frame such a Body there to send over as might be worthy of his own coming to command it And in a Letter from an Honourable Person then at Denbigh the 26th of September 1645. his Excellency was again acquainted That his Majesty persists in his earnest desire to have him in England for that without flattery they were likely to be in more want of such a General than of an Army so as nothing was wanting to value his Fidelity and Courage And yet the Impatiency of some Men were such not considering how that would be a scandalous Peace that would be unavoidable that they writ to their Friends That if the Peace were not concluded that it was not like that ever it would be by those that managed it then so as they would have had the Queen Regent of France to have concluded it with such as the Catholicks from Ireland should appoint In such sort was his Excellency censured who having discharged his Trust could not at those Men's time reduce the Irish to a credible compliance the fault of their several Ruptures amongst themselves not his remissness Inasmuch as one better vers'd in the Subtilties of the Irish than most of that Age having through the Eminency of his Imployment the knowledge of their Councils and Intrigues writes to an Honourable Person That the truth of it was that the Irish had proceeded thitherto as if they had had no good intention having not been contented with the effects of more than their Agents did profess to expect but in effect capitulated for the Protestant Churches through Ireland A Concession so detestable as the King taking notice to Secretary Nicholas of the Earl of Glamorgan's Agreement with the Rebels declares That were the condition of his Affairs much more desperate than it is he would never redeem them by a Concession of so much wrong both to his Honour and Conscience It is writes he in that clear discovery of his Soul for the defence of his Religion that he had undergone the Extremities of War here and he will never redeem his Crown by sacrificing it there Lines so august and pious that methinks none should dare read them who should presume to offer Incense otherwise than he hath paid his The Treaty for the Peace however went on though by many cautious and un-easie steps You have seen what Doubts some rais'd of his Excellency's Proceedings herein and by one imploy'd with much credit in that Business it is manifest That the Marquess was resolv'd never to condescend to the Demands of the Irish who writes he resolv'd to have them or perish such their Insolency And we find through the whole Scene they wrought upon the Necessities of the King their Demands as his Straights ever increasing however he assured the Queen the Irish should not cheat him though it was possible they might cozen themselves But before we proceed it will be necessary to take notice of an un-usual Guest the Pope's Nuncio John Baptist Rinuccini Archbishop and Prince of Fermo introduced by the first Legat from the Confederates to Rome to Pope Urban the 8th and other Princes of Italy Rich. Bealing Esq a leading Member of and chief Secretary to their supream Council by whose means only he was sent into Ireland even whilst the Treaty of Peace the utmost Grace his Majesty could vouchsafe his People was set on foot an acceptable and loyal service as you will hear in the sequel of this Story He arrived at the River of Kilmare in a Frigat of 21 Pieces and 26 Italians of his Retinue besides divers regular and secular Priests the 22. of October 1645. And amongst the Accounts of those Times there is a List given in of some Arms Ammunition and Spanish Gold but not hearing as yet of the Blessing they produced we shall as to those Particulars confine our Pen yet give you here the supream Council's Address to his Holiness in acknowledgement of the Nuncio's Arrival Per supremum Consilium Confederatorum Catholicorum in Regno Hiberniae ad beatum Patrem nostrum Innocentium †Papam Beatissime Pater QUod in ipso limine sui Pontificatus rebus nostris consulere voluerit Illustrissimum Virum Archiepiscopum Fermanum Praelatum vestrae sanctitatis Domesticum assistentem sedis Apostolicae extraordinarium Nuncium ad nos miserit gratias quas possumus humillimè reddimus illum si non quâ decuit magni scientiâ certè insuperabili amore gaudio recipimus illum etiam de vestrae sanctitatis in nos nostramque causam animi effectu sollicitudine discurrentem avidè audivimus speramusque nos Apostolica benedictione quam nobis vestrae sanctitatis nomine impertivit suffultos subsidiis ulterioribus quae tanto bello necessaria duxerit paterna sanctitatis cura tanti etiam tam prudentis viri adhortationibus consiliis eo res nostras promovere posse ut de stabilita in Hiberniam Catholica Religione triumphare posset Innocentius Christissimus quam vestrae sanctitati nobis victoriam à Deo exercituum humili confidenti corde
do crave his Holiness's Mediation with the Queen and Prince as also with the King and Queen Regent of France and with the King of Spain and all other Christian Princes in all Matters tending to the Avail of the Nation either in point of settlement to a Peace or otherwise 3. The Confederate Catholicks having raised Arms for the freedom of the Catholick Religion do intend in the first place that you let his Holiness know their resolution to insist upon such Concessions and Agreements in Matters of Religion and for the security thereof as his Holiness shall approve of and be satisfied with wherein his Holiness is to be prayed to take into his Consideration the imminent danger the Kingdom is in according to the Representations aforesaid to be made by you and so to proceed in Matters of Religion as in his great Wisdom and Piety may tend best and prove necessary to the preservation of it and the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland 4. You are to represent to his Holiness That the Confederates think fit to insist upon as security for such Agreements in Religion as his Holiness will determine that the Lord Lieutenant Lord Deputy or other Chief Governour or Governours of the Kingdom from time to time should be Roman Catholicks unless his Holiness upon the said Representation of State-Affairs here or for some other Reason shall think fit to wave that Proposition 5. You are to represent to his Holiness That the Confederate Catholicks desire that all the Concessions to be made and agreed on for the setling of the Catholick Religion in this Kingdom be publisht at the same time with the Temporal Articles of the Settlement if his Holiness on representation of the State of Affairs here or for some other Advantages shall not think fit to determine or suspend the publishing of those or some of them for a time 6. You are to represent to his Holiness That no change or alteration is to be in any part of the present Government of the Confederate Catholicks until the Articles of Peace or Settlement pursuant to the present Authority and Instructions you and the Commissioners to the English Court in France have been concluded and expected and published in this Kingdom by those intrusted in Authority over the Confederate Catholicks 7. You are to take notice That the resident Council now named are the Persons to serve for the interval Government until the next Assembly of the Confederate Catholicks and the Assembly is at liberty to name others if they please and that no less than eight of the said Residents concurring during the said interval shall make any Act or Order obliging and according as it is provided in the former Articles for the interval Government in the late rejected Peace the Forts Cities Towns Castles and Power of the Armies of the Confederate Catholicks to remain and continue in their hands during the said interval Government 8. You are to take notice That the Persons to be imployed into France to the Queen and Prince are to finish their Negotiation with the Queen and Prince pursuant to their Instructions with all possible speed after they shall receive his Holiness's Resolution from you out of Rome in the Matters referred as aforesaid to his Holiness and you are to use all possible diligence in procuring and sending his Holiness's said Resolution unto our said Commissioners imployed to the Queen and Prince 9. In case his Holiness will not be pleased to descend to such Conditions as might be granted in Matters of Religion then you are to solicit for considerable Aids whereby to maintain War and to ascertain and secure the same that it may be timely applied to the use of the Confederate Catholicks And in case a Settlement cannot be had nor considerable Aids that may serve to preserve the Nation without a Protector you are to make application to his Holiness for his being Protector to this Kingdom and by special instance to endeavour his acceptance thereof at such time and in such manner as the Instructions sent by our Agents to France grounded on the Assembly doth import whereof you are to have a Copy 10. Though Matters be concluded by his Holiness's Approbation with the Prince and Queen yet you are to solicit for Aids considering our distress and setting before him that notwithstanding any such Aids we have a powerful Enemy within the Kingdom which to expulse will require a vast charge 11. You are to take with you for your instruction and the better to enable you to satisfie his Holiness of the full state of Affairs here the Copies of the Instructions at Waterford the Articles of the late rejected Peace and Glamorgan's Concessions and the Propositions from Kilkenny to the Congregation at Waterford in August 1646. 12. If Moneys be receiv'd in Rome by you by way of Gift Engagement or otherwise you are to bring or send the same hither to those in Authority and not to dispose the same or any part thereof otherwise than by Order from the general Assembly or supream Council and for all sums of Money so by you to be receiv'd you are to give account to the Authority intrusted here over the Confederate Catholicks 13. You are to manage the circumstance of your Proceedings upon the Instructions according as upon the Place you shall find most tending to the Avail of the Confederate Catholicks Tho. Dublin Tho. Cashell Thom. Tuamen Electus Ewerus Clougherensis David Ossoriens Joha Episc. Roscotensis Fr. Edmundus Laglensis Franc. Ardensis Episc. Robert Elect. Coses Cluomer Francis Patricius Ardack Electus Rob. Dromore Elect. Henry O Neal Rich. Bealing J. Bryan Robert Devereux Gerald Fennel Farren By the Command of the General Assembly N. Plunket These having been solicited we shall now present you with their further Instructions to importune other Princes Instructions for France Jan. 18. 1647. YOu are to present your Letters of Credence to his most Christian Majesty and the several Letters you have with you to the Queen the Prince and Cardinal Mazarine declaring the special affection of the Confederate Catholicks to his Majesties service upon all occasions wherein they may serve him You are to desire his most Christian Majesty the Queen Regent and Cardinal Mazarine their Favourable and Friendly regard of the Affairs of the Confederate Catholicks and to direct their assistance in what they may to further the settling of the happy Peace of this Kingdom with advantagious and honourable Conditions Commissioners being now sent to conclude the same if they may You are to let his most Christian Majesty the Queen Regent and Cardinal Mazarine know That there be a considerable Enemy in the heart of the several Provinces of this Kingdom that yet we have many Cities and Parts of the greatest consequence in our hands and have sufficient stock of Men to defend the Nation and expel the Enemy but do want aids of Money and Shipping without which we shall be in danger the next Summer-service and therefore to
the Marquis Whereupon his Majesty signifi'd That in case other things were compos'd by the Treaty the Concerns of Ireland should be left wholely to the management of the Houses And in the interim writes to the Marquis of Ormond this Letter C. R. RIght Trusty and Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Whereas We have received several Informations from Our two Houses of Parliament concerning your proceedings with the Confederate Roman Catholicks in the Kingdom of Ireland the several Votes and Extracts whereof We do herewith transmit unto you and forasmuch as We are now engaged in a Treaty of Peace with Our two Houses wherein We have made such large Concessions as We hope will prove the foundation of a blessed Peace And We having consented by one Article if the said Treaty take effect to entrust the Prosecution and Management of the War in Ireland to the Guidance and Advice of Our two Houses We have therefore thought fit hereby to require you to desert from any further Proceedings upon the Matters contained in the said Papers And We expect such Obedience unto this Our Command that Our Houses desires may be fully satisfi'd Given at Newport in the Isle of Wight the 25th of November in the 24th Year of Our Reign To Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor James Marquis of Ormond As soon as the Parliament received this Letter some were of opinion that it should be immediately sent to the Marquis of Ormond yet others aiming at what afterwards was brought upon the Stage laid it as it 's said aside We find by the event it produced nothing for the Treaty proceeded a Peace ensuing though as yet Owen Roe was so far from being reconcil'd to the Supreme Council or any that adher'd thereunto as he fell most violently in the end of November upon the Earl of Clanrickard's Party gaining Jamestown by Composition and Drumrusk by the Sword Rory Mac-Guire the prime Instrument herein with several other Officers and Common Soldiers to the number of 4 or 500 being there slain Roe's Party afterwards putting all to the Sword save Major Bourk his Wife and Children cruelly harassing the whole County of Roscommon The 19th of October the Confederate Catholick's Commissioners came to Carrick an House of the Marquis's where he continued about twenty days which they spent principally in matters of Religion in treating whereof they were so bound and limited by their Instructions and could make so little progress of themselves being still to give an account to the Assembly of whatsoever was propos'd or offer'd by the Lord Lieutenant and to expect its Direction or Determination before they proceed that for the husbanding of time which was now very precious the prevailing Party in England every day more discovering their bloody purposes towards the King the Assembly thought it fit to desire the Marquis to repair to his own Castle at Kilkenny which they offered to deliver into his hands and that for his Honour and Security he should bring his own Guards who should have the reception due to them And upon this invitation about the middle of November he went to Kilkenny before the entry into which he was met by the whole Body of the Assembly and all the Nobility Clergy and Gentry and in the same Town was receiv'd with all those requisite Ceremonies by the Mayor and Aldermen as such a Corporation use to pay to the Supreme Authority of the Kingdom so that greater evidence could not be given of an entire union in the desire of the People of returning to the Kings obedience or of more affection and respect to the Person of the Lord Lieutenant who by his steady pursuing those professions he had always made by his neglect and contempt of the Parliamentarians and their prodigious Power whilst he was in England by his refusing all Overtures made by them unto him for his particular benefit if he would live in the Kingdom and by their declared manifest hatred and malice towards him was now superiour to all those Calumnies they had aspersed him with and confessed to be worthy of a joynt trust from the most different and divided Interests and Designs However there were so many Passions and Humours and Interests to be compli'd with and all Conclusions to pass the Approbations of so many Votes that it was the middle of January before all Opinions could be so reconciled as to produce a perfect and entire Contract and Agreement which about that time passed with that miraculous consent and unity that in the whole Assembly in which there were Catholick Bishops there was not one dissenting Voice So that on the 17th of January 1648. the whole Assembly repair'd to the Lord Lieutenant in his Castle at Kilkenny and there with all solemnity imaginable presented him by the hand of their Chair-man or Speaker the Articles of Peace as concluded assented and submitted unto by the whole Body of the Catholick Nation of Ireland which he receiv'd and solemnly confirm'd on his Majesties behalf and caus'd the same that day to be Proclaim'd in that Town to the great joy of all who were present and it was with all speed accordingly Proclaim'd and as joyfully receiv'd in all the Cities and Incorporate Towns which professed any Allegiance to the King throughout the Kingdom and for the better reception thereof amongst the People and to manifest the satisfaction and joy they took in it the Catholick Bishops sent out their Declarations and Letters that they were abundantly satisfi'd in whatsoever concern'd Religion and the secure practice thereof Certainly well they might for unless it had been at such a time that his Majesty had been reduc'd to the utmost extremity a Prince could be compell'd to such disingenious and hard terms could never have been stood upon with a free and generous Prince in as much as his present Majesty in his Declaration for the settlement of Ireland there takes notice That no body could wonder that he was desirous though upon difficult conditions to get such an united Power of his own Subjects as might have been able with Gods blessing to have prevented the infamous and horrid Parricide intended But how ineffectual this his Indulgence after prov'd will appear by these Wretches foolishly forfeiting all the Grace which they might have expected from him But to proceed When the Articles of Peace were presented in that solemn manner to him by the Assembly after a Speech made by the Chair-man The Lord Lieutenant express'd himself in these words My Lords and Gentlemen I Shall not speak to those expressions of Duty and Loyalty so eloquently digested into a Discourse by the Gentleman appointed by you to deliver your sence you will presently have in your hands greater and more solid Arguments of his Majesties Gracious acceptance than I can enumerate or perhaps you your selves discern For besides the provision made against the remotest fears fear of severity of certain Laws and besides
be grounded we cannot find we have sworn to act according to the Principles you now declare For in some things if we admit of your Representation we shall be necessitated to act against what we have sworn unto in the Covenant For The first Article wherein we are bound to a preservation of the present Discipline in Scotland we are in the same Article obliged to a Reformation of the same in England and Ireland according to the Word of God and the Example of the best Reformed Churches which no doubt the Parliament will in due time establish In the interim we are un-satisfied with any Power that acts in this Case without their Direction For what you speak in relation to the King's Person we have yet no certainty out of England concerning that Matter and it is an action of so transcendent degree that till we receive some positive Resolution concerning it from England we ought not to proceed in giving our Sence of it In the 5th Article of the Covenant we are sworn to endeavour the continuing the Kingdoms in Union in which we desire your selves to be Judges if the publishing of your Representations be a probable way to observe the Oath In the 6th Article we are sworn to defend those joyn'd with us in this Covenant and not to suffer our selves directly or indirectly to combine against them Now till we receive a full Declaration of their falling from those Principles of this Covenant how can we with safety to our own Consciences declare a War against them without breaking the Covenant in this Particular In the next place We find some things in your Representations wherein as we conceive you are not rightly informed First In that you say The Parliament hath broken the Covenant in opposing the Presbyterial Government which can no ways appear since the same Government by their appointment is observ'd throughout England and that the Covenant obligeth them to establish the Government no further than is agreeable to God's Word Secondly You say That you have deeply sworn in the first Article to maintain the Church-Government as it is in the Church of Scotland which they have not sworn the part of the Oath for preservation of the Government relating only to the Kingdom of Scotland and the Reformation of Religion to the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Thirdly 'T is affirmed That the Power now governing in England doth labour to establish by Law an universal toleration of all Religions which yet was never done by them Lastly The sad Consequences which will un-avoidably follow if we pursue the Intention of the Representations are these First By declaring such an open War against the Parliament we should deprive our selves of all Succours and Supplies out of England which have been hitherto a great part of our subsistence Secondly The pursuing of such a War will un-avoidably sow such Divisions amongst us who in these Parts are of such different Principles and Practices that we shall soon become instruments of our own ruine Thirdly It will compel us for our own preservation to joyn with the Rebels or desert this Kingdom And lastly It will without any lawful Call engage us in a War against an Army who have under God been the instruments of redeeming England out of thraldom and was not long since acknowledged to have been so instrumental in setling Scotland in the Peace and Quietness it now enjoyeth and this at the Charge of England as the Declaration of the Kingdom of Scotland doth thankfully witness These things therefore being duely weighed we desire you in the fear of God seriously to take this our Answer into your Considerations and to remember on whom the guilt of innocent blood will fall if you inforce a War and to set before your eyes the punishment from Heaven which hath still attended the Endeavours of all who have deserted the Quarrel in this Kingdom to engage against the Parliament of England From visible Judgements we are resolv'd by God's assistance to take so good warning as we will not be guilty of destroying the Cause we have so long labour'd into countenance for your Representations till we be better satisfied in our Consciences though we will not directly or indirectly countenance any Sectaries or Schismaticks who-ever is truely so called contrary to our Solemn League and Covenant but we will to the utmost of our Endeavours continue faithful in the prosecution of the Rebels in this Kingdom and their Abettors wherein we shall not doubt of the Blessing and Protection of the Almighty upon our lawful and just Endeavours And for furtherance hereof we desire in the last place that we should all declare against the Peace last made by the Lord Marquess of Ormond as that which will if not protested against ruine and destroy your Service of this Kingdom against the Rebels Here it 's evident that Sir Charles Coot could by no ways be brought on yet the Peace being settled his Excellency endeavour'd to work over Lieutenant General Jones to his Party to which end his Excellency vouchsafed to write to him many Letters from Thurles the 27. of March 1649. all answer'd without the least compliance on Jones's side He by his Reply the 31. of March 1649. charging the fatal and inhumane Act perpetrated on his Majesty to his Excellency's arrival in Ireland during the Treaty at Carisbrook whereby the sincerity of that Treaty was question'd occasionally writes he producing what thereupon followed so as in conclusion he professed That were there neither King or Parliament he should yet stand firm to his Principles to preserve the English Interest in Ireland that being a Cause alien from what was acted in England Foraign to his Work and Trust which if he should not perform would not easily be expiated by a slender or lean Manifest upon which no more Letters pass'd betwixt them though the Lord Inchequin in June from the Camp at Finglass 1649. renewed the Attempt and was answer'd with the like Resolution and some Reflections on his Lordship About which time Ireland came again to be seriously thought of by the Parliament though hitherto it was in some respects made a Stale for several Designs then on foot Jones was much confided in but it was thought requisite the weight of that Business should lye on other shoulders not his Cromwel therefore about the 28 of March was voted General of Ireland Skippon under the Title of Martial General having refused the Command and these ensuing Votes passed thereupon 1. That such Regiments as should be alloted for the Irish Service should have their Arrears audited stated and Debentors given for their respective Services 2. That visible Security should be given so that any Friend or other being intrusted with a Debentor might receive it at a time prescrib'd by the Parliament 3. That those who go for Ireland should be first satisfied for their Arrears since 1645. 4. That out of the 120000 l. per mensem for England and Ireland
that it proceeded not from the Spirit that was included and confined within the Walls but that it was the same that was generally working in other places He was well enough satisfied that they who were most passionately possessed with it had no correspondence with the Parliament nor had a mind to be subjected to their Power he was willing therefore to believe that they had fancied and imagined to themselves some expedient for their own preservation which could not fall within his comprehension and that they might have contracted a prejudice to his Person or to his Religion which might keep them from such an union and confidence as they might be reduc'd unto under some Catholick who might be as zealous to preserve his Majesties Interest and recover the Kingdom to his obedience and he was the more confirmed in this his apprehension by revolving the several passages which had hapned at his being at Limerick during the time that they seem'd to pay him all respect when the Lord Inchiquin had been then with him towards whom they had observed the Marquis had a great confidence and friendship as he well deserved at which time some principal Persons of the City and with them some of the Bishops had under a shew of great confidence and trust repaired to the Lord. Lieutenant and declared unto him That all that indisposition and waywardness of the People proceeded from the prejudice they had against the Lord Inchequin who had always they said prosecuted the War against them with the most rigour and animosity and the Places and Persons which had been most at his devotion having treacherously revolted to the Parliament the People were not confident of him and jealous that the Marquis had too great a confidence in him so that if he would dismiss that Lord and discharge the Troops that yet remained under his Command of which some frequently ran away to the Parliament not onely that City but the whole Nation would as one man be at his disposal While these insinuations were thus proposed to the Lord Lieutenant other Persons and those as leading men with an equal number of Bishops applied themselves to the Lord Inchequin and told him That whilst the affairs were conducted by the Marquis of Ormond they expected no good fortune that they looked upon him as not of their Nation and one so solicitous for the English Interest and all English-men that he was nothing regardful of them and theirs But that his Lordship was of the most antient Extraction of Ireland and under that notion look'd upon with great affection and reverence by the Irish and if the Government and Command were exercis'd by him there would be such an Obedience paid to him that he would in short time grow strong enough to oppose the Enemy and recover his Countrey When these two Lords had communicated each to other as they quickly did the excellent Addresses which had been made to them and agreed together how to draw on and encourage the Proposers that they might discover as much of their purposes as was possible they easily found their design was to be rid of them both And when they perceived by the continuance of the same Friendship that they had communicated with each other they less dissembled towards both but proceeded with those disrespects which are mention'd before The Marquis having sadly considered all this and that nothing might remain unattempted by him that he could possibly imagine might tend in any degree to the recovery or preservation of the Kingdom he appointed another meeting to be at Loghreogh the 25th of April and summon'd thither all the Catholick Bishops as many of the Nobility as could with any security come thither the chief Gentlemen of Quality of the Parts adjacent and several Officers of the Army where being met together he gave them in the first place an Answer in writing to a Paper he had received from the Archbishop of Tuam the first of April intituled The Grievances presented by the Congregation of Prelates assembled propria motu at Cloanmacnoise in which he made it evident how much they were mistaken in the matter of Fact and that which was really amiss proceeded from themselves and their not observing the Orders and Rules they were bound by and could not be prevented by him and consented to all the good and practicable ways proposed by themselves for remedying the like for the future He remembred them of the pains he had taken of the Propositions he had made of the Orders he had given and of the Neglects Disobedience and Affronts he had received by which alone the Enemy made that progress in their Successes He shewed them a Letter he had received lately from his Master the King bearing date on the 2d of February from Castle Elizabeth in the Isle of Jersey in answer to one writ from Kilkenny in December in which his Majesty signified his gracious pleasure to him That in case of the continuance of that disobedience in the People and contempt of his Authority he should withdraw himself and his Majesties Authority out of that Kingdom Whereupon he told them having received so little effect of all the pains he had taken and so ill returns for all the affection he had shewed to them he was resolved to make use speedily of the liberty the King had given him as to his own Person which he found was rendred so unacceptable to the People yet if they could propose to him any way how he might deposite the Kings Authority in such manner as it might not be exposed to the same affronts it had received in him and might be applied to the preservation of the People and recovery of the Nation he would gladly gratifie them and would heartily wish that they might receive that happiness by his absence which they could not receive in his presence and to that purpose desired them to consult seriously and maturely among themselves Upon this all the Bishops Nobility and Commissioners of Trust with the principal Gentlemen expressed very much trouble at the resolution the Marquis had taken and on the last day of April from Loghreogh 1650 made an Address to him in writing under their several hands in which amongst other things they told him That they conceiv'd themselves in duty bound for his better information of the inclination of that Nation humbly to present to him That however his Excellency might not have met with a ready concurrence to some Proposals made for the advancing his Majesties Service occasion'd through some misunderstanding in some few Persons and Places yet the Country generally and the Nation in it as they had already by expending their Substance in an extraordinary measure and their Lives upon all occasions abundantly testifi'd their sincere and irremovable affections to preserve his Majesties Rights and Interests intire to him so they would for the future and with like cheerfulness endeavour to overcome all difficulties which the Enemies
power and success had laid in their way and that they who were there met doubting not but the same was the general sense of the Nation would with all care and earnestness endeavour not onely to conserve in the People such their good Inclinations but if any Person or Place should be refractory or decline that obedience which is due to his Majesties Authority they would contribute their best endeavours to reduce them and make them conformable to the same And after many other specious professions and protestations of their zeal to obey his Excellency They humbly besought him to appoint Commanders in the several Provinces to whom those of his Majesties Subjects who by the excitement of the Clergy ready with all alacrity to undergo that care should be encouraged to take up Arms might repair for the opposing the Power of the Rebels How respective soever this Address was and how solemnly soever it was represented as neither the one or the other could be more formal the Lord Lieutenant was resolved not to be longer satisfied with those general Declarations of their good desires and purposes and therefore the very next day he sent them a Letter containing what he would expect from them which for the more clear manifestation of the whole Proceedings shall be here faithfully inserted and was in these words AFter our hearty Commendations in Answer to your Letter of the last of April we think fit to mind you That upon our communicating unto you his Majesties Letter of the 2d of Febr. we then acquainted you at large with what had passed at Waterford which being by us represented to his Majesty occasion'd his sending the said Letter as also that we found the City of Limerick had taken example thereby to affront and contemn his Majesties Authority placed in us and from us by consent of the Representative of the Confederate Catholicks at the conclusion of the Peace derived to the Commissioners both which you pass over with an extenuation of those disobediences and by attributing them to some mis-understandings you seem in a manner to excuse them Whereas we had reason to expect that suitable to your general professions you would have resented the particular deportment of those Places and proposed unto us how the Contrivers thereof might be brought to Justice and the Places reduced to perfect obedience For as for your professions of care and earnestness to endeavour not onely to conserve in the People the good inclinations you find in them but that if any Person or Place shall be refractory or decline that perfect obedience due to his Majesties Authority you will contribute your best endeavours to reduce them and make them conformable to the same cannot be evidenced or made good by you but by applying those your endeavours where we give you particular undeniable instances of refractoriness and disobedience so there can be no instance thereof more pregnant nor if it be persisted in more destructive to his Majesty and the Nation than that of Limerick to the immediate reducing whereof we therefore thought and do now expect you would effectually apply your selves We are well satisfied that the generality of the Countrey and Nation who have given the proofs you mention of their sincere affections to preserve his Majesties Rights entire to him will persevere therein if those upon whose example and advice they very much fix their resolutions be active and industrious to lead and exhort them thereunto But we must withall let you know that we cannot hope that those their good affections and alacrity in defence of his Majesty and their own Interests can be successful if the City of Limerick and all other Cities and Towns be not in perfect obedience and immediately be put under a Military Government for Military matters and thereby into a condition of defence and offence Which to conceal from the People were towards them as great a treachery as it would be in us a vain rashness without such obedience first gain'd to attempt the opposing the strength and power of the Rebels And therefore we must and do declare that as the particular refractoriness of the City of Waterford hath more than any humane means contributed to all the successes of the Rebels in those parts since our being at Waterford And as the want of a strong Garrison in Limerick which we long since desired might be received there but could not prevail hath been the greatest visible means whereby the said Rebels have with small or no resistance gain'd or destroy'd the County of Limerick and other parts adjacent so the entire loss of the Kingdom to his Majesty and the destruction of the Nation which we have no hope to prevent but by strongly and presently Garrisoning and Fortifying the said City must be imputed to the obstinacy of that City if it shall perfist therein As to those Distrusts and Jealousies of the People occasion'd as you say for want of success in Services the sense of their sufferings and their apprehensions for want of redress of their Grievances We answer That both the want of success and the sense of their sufferings whether from the Enemy or the Souldier cannot so reasonably be attributed to any humane Cause as to the want of garrisoning the Army in principal Towns and Cities wherein we cannot yet prevail nor ever could till by the Enemy's lying at one end of a Town we were not without articling and conditioning permitted to put such Men as we could then get in at the other end For for want of garrisoning the Army and by being forced to quarter it at large it was not possible to have them exercised their Arms kept in order nor they under necessary discipline which when they were to be brought together rendred them worse than so many new rais'd Men by how much they had contracted a licentious liberty and habit of rapine and disobedience Nor could we prevent the Fraud in Muster or reasonably exact a strict Account from Officers of Men so scatter'd who when they should be imployed upon Service were forced or pretending a necessity wherein we could not disprove them to range the Countrey to get in the Means that should enable them to serve As to their Apprehension for want of redress to their Grievances we understand not what Grievances are thereby meant unless those delivered unto us by the Archbishop of Tuam on the first of April For other Grievances though we long expected and desired them we never saw save a Paper given unto us on the 13th of March at Limerick which for the Forgery false Calumny and other mis-becoming Passages contain'd in it was as such dis-avowed by the Clergy then met and to those given us on the first of April we return'd herewith such Answers as considering the generality of them is possible for us to give We have already with the Advice of the Commissioners and as we believe with the Approbation of such of the Bishops as were present appointed the
called the removing of all Divisions as the best way to their Preservation They the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Gentry met in that Assembly conceiv'd That there was not a better Foundation or Ground for their Union than the holding to and obeying his Majesty's Authority to which they owed and ought to pay all dutiful Obedience And they did thereby declare and protest That their Allegiance unto his Majesty's Authority was such and so inherent in them that they would not be withdrawn from the same nor was there any Power in the Lords Spiritual and Temporal Gentry or People Clergy or Laity of the Kingdom that could alter change or take away his Majesty's Authority they holding that to be the chief Flower of the Crown and the support of the Peoples Liberty which they did thereby protest declare and avow and that they did esteem the same and obedience thereunto essentially inviolably and justly due from them and the chiefest means under God to uphold their Union and Preservation And they said They did unanimously beseech his Excellency in his great affection to the advancement of his Majesty's Service and his hearty desires of the Nations Preservation to which they said he had Relations of the highest Concernment in Blood Alliance and Interest to leave that Authority with them in some Person faithful to his Majesty and acceptable to the Nation To which Person when he should be made known to them they would not only afford all due obedience but would also offer and propose the best ways and means that God would please to direct them to for the preservation of his Majesties Rights and the Peoples Interests and Liberties and for the begetting a ready obedience in all Places and Persons unto his Majesty's Authority This Advice though it carried with it a particular Respect from the Assembly unto the Lord Lieutenant and an acknowledgement of the faithful and hearty Affections he had always had for his Majesty's Interest and Service in that Kingdom contrary to the scandalous Declaration gave not the Marquess the least confidence that his Majesty's Authority could find more respect in the Person of another than it had met with in him Therefore he writ to them by the same Messengers That he had sent the Authority to the Lord Marquess of Clanrickard to govern that his Majesty's Kingdom and People provided that their Declaration might be so far explain'd as to give the Marquess of Clanrickard full satisfaction that the expressions they made touching the obedience they owed and resolved to pay unto his Majesty's Authority was meant the Authority placed in his Lordship or any other Governour deriving or holding his Authority from his Majesty And that they esteem it not in the power of any Person Congregation or Assembly whatsoever to discharge or set the People free from obeying his Lordship or any other such Governour during the continuance of the said Authority in him without which he said he could not in Duty to his Majesty leave his Authority subject to be tossed to and fro at the uncertain Fancies of any Man or Men and without any probability of saving the Nation which could be no otherwise effected than by an absolute chearful obedience of the People unto the Authority placed over them And so having directed the Marquess of Clanrickard who submitted to that Charge out of pure obedience and only that he might not decline the Service which they would say would have preserv'd the Nation not to assume the Charge except the Assembly gave him full satisfaction in the Particulars required by him the Lord Lieutenant followed by the Lord Inchiquin Colonel Vaughan Colonel Wogan Colonel Warren and some 20 more Persons of Honour about the middle of December embarqued himself at Galway in a small Frigat called the Elizabeth of 28 Tuns and 4 Guns for France after he had refused to receive a Pass from Ireton who offer'd it choosing rather the Seas and Winds in that rough and blusterous season of the year than to receive an obligation from him having upon the most abstracted Considerations of Honour and Conscience faithfully adhered to his Majesty and the Crown of England without any regard had to his own Estate and Fortune as in the Act of Settlement fol. 99. is at large exprest And after being tossed at Sea for the space of some weeks and his other Ships in which his Servants and Goods and many other Passengers were lost he arrived in January at St. Malos in Britany from whence he went to Paris and soon after into Flanders thence he was imployed in a Service answerable to his Fidelity touching the Duke of Gloucester then in the Talons of the Jesuits whom with singular Prudence and Success he recovered Afterwards he was imbarqued in many Concerns of the Crown to the hazard of his Person whilst the Lord Inchiquin who had run the Gantlet on all sides retired into Holland a Person certainly of much Valour and good Conduct shewing both in an exemplary manner whilst he engaged for either Party Nor can his change of Sides to which some say he was too mutable be so properly imputed to any defect of Judgement as the unhappy Crisis of the Times his own expressions making it clear That had all things been the same they were pretended to be he would have continued as he was but Impostures being discovered he thought it ill to persist in their Fellowship Afterwards indeed he chang'd his Religion and thereby gave a suspicion that though he fought against his Countreymen he had a reverence for their Idea Certain it is he affected much to be President of Munster nor could any thing have barr'd him of it since his Majesty's happy Return wherein his Servants had the fruits of their Fidelity but his change of Religion which equally prejudiced the Lord Dillon in the Presidency of Connaght truely observable in them both We have before spoken of four Commissioners sent from the Parliament who as soon as they arrived in Ireland it is necessary to tell you presently applied themselves to the Work afore-mention'd they set out some Proclamations and travelled into the several Provinces of the Kingdom using the best means they could to raise Moneys by Sequestrations and other ways but by reason of the multitudes of Rebels which infested all the Garrisons and came up so continually about them little was to be done in that way The Lord Lieutenant was no sooner under sail than the Assembly applied themselves to the Marquess of Clanrickard who was then at his House at Loghreogh and besought him to assume the Government as Lord Deputy of Ireland according to the Power left with him by the Lord Lieutenant But the Marquess absolutely refused to do it except they satisfied the Proviso that was left in the Lord Lieutenant's Letter to them and that he saw such an union amongst them as might free the King's Authority from the Affronts it had been exposed unto
Judges of and in such Quo warrantoes 16. By what Law are Jurors that give Verdict according to their Conscience and are the sole Judges of the fact Censured in the Castle Chamber in great Fines and sometimes Pillored with loss of Eares and boared through the Tongue and sometimes marked in the forehead with a hot Iron and other like infamous Punishment 17. By what Law are men Censurable in the Castle-Chamber with the mutilation of Members or any other brand of Infamy and in what Causes and what punishment in each Case there is due without respit of the quality of the Person or Persons 18. Whether in the Censures in the Castle-Chamber regard be to be had to the words of the great Charter viz. Salvo continemento 19. Whether one that steals a Sheep or commits any other Felony and after flieth the Course of Justice or lyeth in Woods or Mountains upon his keeping be a Traitor if not whether a Proclamation can make him so 20. VVhether the Testimony or Evidence of Rebells Traitors protected Thieves or other infamous Persons be good Evidence in Law to be pressed upon the Trials of men for their lives or whether the Judge or Jurors ought to be Judge of the matter in fact 21. By what Law are Faires and Markets to be held in Capite when no other express Tenure is mentioned by his Majesties Letters Patents or Grants of the same Faires and Markets although the Rent or yearly summe be reserved thereout Declarations of the Law made in Parliament upon the Questions propounded to the Judges in a Sessions this present Parliament 1. THE Subjects of this his Majesties Kingdom of Ireland are a free People and to be governed only according to the Common Law of England and Statutes made and established by Parliament in this Kingdom of Ireland and according to the lawful Customs used in the same 2. That Judges in Ireland ought to take the Oath of the Justices or Judges declared and established in several Parliaments of force in this Kingdom and the said Judges or any of them by colour or under pretext of any Act of State or Proclamation or under colour or pretext of any Writ Letter or direction under the Great-Seal Privy-Seal or Privy-Signet from the King 's most Excellent Majesty or by colour or pretext of any Letter or Commandment from the chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom ought not to hinder or delay the Suit of any Subject or his Judgment or Execution thereupon And if any Letters Writs or Commands from his Majesty or any other or for any other cause to the Justices or other deputed to do the law and right according to the usage of the Realm in disturbance of the Law or of the execution of the same or of right to the parties the Justices and others aforesaid ought to proceed and hold their Courts and process where the Pleas and matters be depending before them as if no such Letters Writs or Commandments were come to them And in case any Judge or Judges Justice or Justices be found in default therein he or they so found in default ought to incur and undergo due punishment according to the Law and the former Declarations and Propositions in Parliament in that Case made and of force in this Kingdom or as shall be ordered adjudged or declared in Parliament and the Barons of the Exchequer Justices of Assize and Goal-delivery if they be found in default as aforesaid It is hereby declared that they ought to undergo the punishment aforesaid 3. The Councel-Table of this Realm either with the chief Governour or Governours or without the chief Governour or Governours is no Judicature wherein any Actions real personal popular or mixt or any Suit in the nature of the said Actions or any of them can or ought to be Commenced heard or determined And all proceedings at the Councel-Table in any Suit in the nature of the said Actions are void especially Causes particularly provided for by express Acts of Parliament of force in this Kingdom only excepted 4. The proceedings before the Chief Governour or Governours alone in any Action real personal popular or mixt or in any Suit in the nature of any of the said Actions are voted upon Question coram non Judice and void 5. All grants of Monopolies are contrary to the Laws of this Realm and therefore void And no Subject of the said Realm ought to be fined imprisoned or otherwise punished for exercising or using the lawful liberty of a Subject contrary to such Grants 6. The Lord Lieutenant Lord Deputy or other Chief Governour or Governours and Councel of this Realm or any of them ought not to imprison any of his Majesties Subjects but only in Cases where the Common Laws or Statutes of the Realm do inable and warrant them so to do and they ought not to Fine or to Censure any subject in mutilation of Members standing on the Pillory or other shameful punishment in any Case at the Councel-Table and no Subject ought to be Imprisoned Fined or otherwise punished for infringing any Commands or Proclamations for the support or countenance of Monopolies And if in any Case any person or persons shall be committed by the Command or Warrant of the Chief Governour or Governours and Privy Councel of this Realm or any of them That in any such Case any person or persons so committed or restrained of his or their liberty or suffering imprisonment upon demand or motion made by his or their Councel or other imployed by him or them for that purpose unto the Judges of that Court of King's Bench or Common Pleas in open Court shall without delay upon any pretence whatsoever for the ordinary Fees usually payed for the same have forthwith granted unto him or them a Writ or Writs of habeas Corpus to be directed generally unto all and every Sheriff Gaol-Minister Officer or other person in whose custody the party or parties so committed or restrained shall be at their retorn of the said Writ or VVrits and according to the Command thereof upon due and convenient notice thereof given unto him at the charge of the party or parties who requireth or procureth such VVrit or VVrits and upon security by his or their own Bond or Bonds given to pay the charge of carrying back the Prisoner or Prisoners if he or they shall be remanded by the Court to which he or they shall be brought as in like Case hath been used such charges of bringing up and carrying back the Prisoner or Prisoners to be always ordered by the Court if any difference shall arise thereabouts bring or cause to be brought the bodies of the said party or parties so committed and restrained unto and before the Judges and Justices of the said Court from whence the said VVrit or VVrits shall issue in open Court and shall then likewise Certify the true cause of such his or their detainor or imprisonment and
feed the Souldiers with from hand to mouth is spent I know no way to prevent their sudden disbanding and therefore I do again beseech your Lordship to endeavour that I may not be exposed to the dishonour and misery of being abandoned by the King's Forces and left my self single to the mercy of the Enemy but that Moneys may be speedily transmitted unto me with directions what pay to allow the Horsemen and Officers of the Foot with an overplus of Money as I have always desired for extraordinary and emergent occasions about either the Ordinance or Forts whereas yet nothing is in a right posture but things only shuffled together for a shift by reason we had not wherewithal to the work as it ought Your Lordships most humble Servant W. Saintleger Cork April 2. 1642 APPENDIX VII Fol. 95. In the Name of the holy Trinity the Father Son and Holy Ghost Amen Acts agreed upon ordained and concluded in the General Congregation held at Kilkanny the 10 11 and 13 days of May 1642. by those Prelates whose Names are subscrib'd the Proctors of such other Prelates as then were absent being present together with the Superiours of the Regulars and many other Dignitaries and learn'd Men as well in Divine as also in Common Law with divers Pastors and others of the Catholick Clergy of all Ireland whose Names are likewise hereafter set down 1. WHereas the VVar which now in Ireland the Catholicks do maintain against Sectaries and chiefly against Puritans for the Defence of the Catholick Religion for the maintenance of the Prerogative and the Royal Rights of our gracious King Charles for our gracious Queen so unworthily abus'd by the Puritans for the Honour safety and Health of their Royal Issue for to avert and refrain the Injuries done unto them for the Conservation of the just and lawful Safeguard Liberties and Rights of Ireland and lastly for the defence of their own Lives Fortunes Lands and Possessions VVhereas I said this VVar is by the Catholiques undertaken for the aforesaid causes against unlawful Usurpers Oppressors and their Enemies chiefly Puritans And that hereof we are enformed aswel by divers and true Remonstrances of divers Provinces Counties and Noblemen as also by the unanimous consent and agreement of almost the whole Kingdom in this VVar and Union VVe therefore declare that VVar openly Catholick to be lawful and just in which VVar if some of the Catholicks be found to proceed out of some particular and unjust Title covetousness cruelty revenge or hatred or any such unlawful private intentions VVe declare them therein grievously to sin and therefore worthy to be punished and refrained with Ecclesiastical Censures if advised thereof they do not amend 2. VVhereas the Adversaries do spread divers rumours do write divers Letters and under the King's Name do print Proclamations which are not the King 's by which means divers plots and dangers may ensue unto our Nation VVe therefore to stop the way of untruth and forgeries of the Political Adversaries do will and command That no such rumours Letters or Proclamations may have place or belief until it be known in a National Councel whether they truly proceed from the King left to his own freedom and until the Agents of this Kingdom hereafter to be appointed by a National Councel have free passage to his Majesty whereby the Kingdom may be certainly enformed of his Majesties intention and will 3. VVhereas no Family City Common-wealth much less any Kingdom may stand without union and concord without which this Kingdom for the present standeth in most danger VVe think it therefore necessary that all Irish Peers Magistrates Noblemen Cities and Provinces may be tied together with the holy bond of Union and Concord and that they frame an Oath of Union and agreement which they shall devoutly and Christianly take and faithfully observe And for the conservation and exercise of this Union VVe have thought fit to ordain the ensuing Points 4. VVe straightly command all our inferiours aswell Churchmen as Laymen to make no distinction at all between the old and ancient Irish and no Alienation comparison or differences between Provinces Cities Towns or Families and lastly not to begin or forward any emulations or comparisons whatsoever 5. That in every Province of Ireland there be a Councel made up both of Clergy and Nobility in which Councel shall be so many persons at least as are Counties in the Province and out of every City or notable Town two persons 6. Let one general Councel of the whole Kingdom be made both of the Clergy Nobility Cities and notable Towns in which Councel there shall be three out of every Province and out of every City one or where Cities are not out of the chiefest Towns To this Councel the Provincial Councels shall have subordination and from thence to it may be appealed until this National Councel have opportunity to sit together Again if any thing of great importance do occur or be conceived in one Province which by a negative Vote is rejected in the Councel of one Province let it be sent to the Councels of other Provinces except it be such a matter as cannot be delayed and which doth not pertain to the Weal-publick of the other Provinces 7. Embassage sent from one Province to forraign Nations shall be held as made from the rest of the Provinces and the fruit or benefit thereof shall be imparted and divided between the Provinces and Cities which have more need thereof chiefly such helps and fruits as proceed from the bountiful liberality of forreign Princes States Prelates or others whatsoever provided always that the charge and damage be proportionably recompenced 8. If there be any Province which may not conveniently send Embassage from it self unto forraign Nations let it signifie it to another Province which may conveniently supply it and ought in regard of their Union to supply it according to the instructions sent from the other Provinces concerning the place and Princes to which they would have their Embassage employed 9. Let a faithful Inventory be made in every Province of the Murthers Burnings and other Cruelties which are committed by the Puritan Enemies with a Quotation of the place day cause manner and persons and other circumstances subscribed by one of publick Authority 10. In every Parish let a faithful and sworn Messenger be appointed whereby such Cruelties and other affaires may be written and sent to the neighbouring places and likewise from one Province to another Let such things be written for the comfort instruction and carefulness of the People 11. Great men taken prisoners in one Province may not be set at liberty for any price prayers or exchange without the consent of the Prelates and Nobility of the other Province united and let every Province be careful of the Liberties of such Prisoners as are from the other Provinces as far as it conveniently may 12. If any one stubborn or dangerous be found in one Province County or
former rebellious courses not so much as having to this time offered any assistance to this State or any the Governors or Commanders of the Army and have murdered many English and other Subjects in several parts it being observed that if any of his Majesties good Subjects Souldiers or others pass by not strongly guarded they are set upon and murthered in the High-ways and passages as they travel the very Plowmen and those that keep Cattle having continually Arms lying by them in the Fields to murther those his Majesties good Subjects when they find them weakly guarded and on the other side when they find them strongly guarded they seem to go on in their Plowing and Husbandry shewing those Warrants for their safety and seeming to be poor innocent and harmless Labourers And although the aforesaid open Rebels were frequently in some of their Houses and continually round about them they never gave us any intelligence concerning the proceedings of those open Rebels nor of the places where they had often meetings and where they might be found to be fallen on by his Majesties Army which they might easily have done if their affections to his Majesty and his Government had been such as by the Laws of God they ought to be or if they desired to live humbly in obedience to the Laws as some of them pretend And albeit in many of the said VVarrants there were conditions expressed and in all of them Conditions implyed that the parties taking benefit thereby should behave themselves as becomes dutiful and Loyal Subjects whereby We might justly proceed to their deserved Correction without any violation on Our parts of the said VVarrants or the word thereby given And albeit also that most of those VVarrants were not in themselves Protections to the parties further than in giving them leave to bring or send Corn and other provisions to the Markets whereby their Servants or Horses or Provisions should not be seized on by the Souldiers when they came to the Markets which admittance fell out as well for their benefit as intended for the furnishing of the Market Yet because We find that the further continuing of those VVarrants do now appear inevitably to induce a great inconvenience to his Majesties General Service and many of those people do either ignorantly or perhaps purposely mistake the true sense and meaning of those VVarrants and do give out to interpret them to be Protections granted to them for the safety of their Lives and Estates how foul soever they are in their crimes which is an interpretation that cannot justly be made out of the letter or meaning of those VVarrants yet in regard We who are entrusted here by His Majesty for the government of this His Kingdom and People are so tender of His Majesties Honour as VVe neither have done nor will do anything that by any construction can be interpreted a Breach of any word given by Us neither have desired or willingly permitted any violence or hurt to be done to any Inhabitant or any prejudice other than for the necessary Defence and safety of this State and other His Majesties good Subjects against those that tookup Arms against His Majesty And for that we are now necessitated to resolve not to suffer this State to be any longer deluded and abused and His Majesties good Subjects murthered even as it were in our own view in scorn and affront of the State and some of the actors passing with impunity under countenance of these VVarrants VVe think fit before we proceed to the just Correction of those who have so declared themselves Enemies to the Peace of this Kingdom hereby to publish and declare that the said VVarrants so granted by Us the Lords Justices or either of Us or by Us the Lords Justices and Councel or by the said Lieutenant General of the Army or by the said late or present Commanders of the Forces of this City or by any His Majesties Commanders in Drogheda or other places to any person or persons within the Baronies of Castle-knock Nethercrois Balrothery or Coolock in the County of Dublin or within the Baronies of Duleeke Skryne Moyfenragh Ratoath Deece and Dunboyne in the County of Meath shall from and after the four and twentieth day of this Month stand void and be annulled repealed and revoked and we do hereby accordingly from and after the said day revoke repeal make void and annul them and every of them to all intents and purposes as if they had never been granted and do order that from and after the said day they be of no force nor derive any benefit Protection or Security in the parties to whom they were granted And this Proclamation we hereby require the Major and Sheriffs of the City of Dublin to cause to be proclaimed and published on two Market-days in and throughout the said City and Suburbs and to be publickly fixed up in the Market-place and other publick places in the said City and Suburbs that so all men may take notice thereof and that hereafter when by the power and strength of his Majesties Army Offenders receive due punishment they may appear inexcusable and not have any colour to pretend the least Breach of word in this State Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the 10. of June 1642. Ormond Ossory Roscomon Ad. Loftus J. Temple Tho. Rotherham Fra. Willoughby Tho. Lucas Ja. Ware Geo. Wentworth Rob. Meredith God save the King This relates to what is mentioned in the end of the second Paragraph Fol 102. Justifying the State in the revoking of Protections given contrary to their Order and the Abuse the Protected made thereof By the Lords Justices and Council W. Parsons Jo. Borlase WHereas in the beginning of this hideous and detestable Rebellion We the Lords Justices and Council desirous if it might be to give some sudden stop thereunto so to prevent the spreading thereof and the growth of it to that height to which it hath sithence risen and conceiving that at that time the multitude were by evil Council or false rumors seduced to partake in that Rebellion who not knowing the truth and depth of the Combination We did think could not so wretchedly fail in their Duty and Loyalty to their most Gracious King and Soveraign as so universally to persist in their course of Disobedience to his Majesties Authority but would with treatable and fair admonitions laying before them their great danger and the iniquity of their enterprise have returned to their obedience We therefore on the 27th of October last authorised divers persons of quality and trust for the several Counties of Down Antrim Armagh Monaghan Cavan Tirone and Fermanagh amongst other Powers then entrusted with them to parly with the Rebels or any of them and by Proclamation or otherwise to proffer his Majesties Grace and Mercy to them or any of them and to receive such of them into his Majesties Grace and Mercy as should submit themselves and desire the same Yet We held fit
then to accompany the said Commission with our Letters to the said Commissioners wherein We signified to them that although by the said Commission We gave them that power yet We did then let them know that for those who were Chief among the Rebels and Ring-leaders of the rest to disobedience that We adjudged them less worthy of favour then the others whom they had mis-guided And therefore for those principal persons We required them to take care not to be too forward without first consulting this Board in proffering or promising mercy to those unless they the Commissioners saw it of great and unavoidable necessity Which power entrusted by Us with the said Commissioners was then granted in respect of the conjuncture of affaires at that time and to answer the then sudden extremities in the publick service And whereas We have now received information that a long time after the said power entrusted with them and when the State of the Countrey was far different from the Condition wherein it stood at the issuing of the said Commission and after the general Conspiracy was fully discovered and that the Rebels of all degrees and conditions had with hateful and bloody obstinacy declared their purpose to extirp the Brittish throughout the whole Kingdom without hope of reconcilement other then by the strength of his Majesties forces some of the said Commissioners notwithstanding the premonition given them by Our said Letters and without consulting this Board therein have given Protections of late to many of the said Rebels being principal persons and freeholders which Protections are in sundry respects found to be a mighty hindrance to His Majesties service in those parts and tending to His Majesties loss and disadvantage And albeit We are informed that those persons so protected have by their mis-behaviours since the Protections granted to them violated the express or implyed conditions of all Protections which besides the unreasonableness of the granting of them contrary to the intent of Our direction in Our said Letters might justly give cause to have those Rebells immediately faln upon and cut off Yet in regard We who are entrusted here by His Majesty for the Government of this His Kingdom and People are so tender of His Majesties honour as We neither have done nor will do any thing that by any construction can be interpreted a breach of any word given by Us or any other authorized by Us. We think fit before we proceed to the just correction of those Rebels hereby to publish and declare that all the said Protections granted since the first of March last to any person or persons whatsoever in the County of Downe or other Counties above named shall at the end of ten days next after the pubishing of this Proclamation at Down-Patrick or Strangford in the said County of Down or at any other publick place in any of the said Counties respectively stand void and be annulled repealed and revoked And we do hereby accordingly from and after the said ten days revoke repeal make void and annull them and every of them to all intents and purposes as if they had never been granted and do Order that from and after the said ten days they be of no force nor derive any benefit protection or security to any of the parties to whom they were so granted And this Proclamation We require the Sheriff of the County of Downe and the several Sheriffs of the said several Counties respectively to cause to be proclaimed and published at Down-Patrick and Strangford aforesaid and at some publick places in the said several Counties respectively that so all persons whom it may concern may take notice thereof and that hereafter when by the Power and Strength of Hu Majesties Army the said Offenders receive due punishment for their high transgressions they may not have any colour to presend the beast breach of word in this State or any the Ministers thereof Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin the 19th day of August 1641. La. Dublin Ormond Ossory Cha. Lambert Ad. Loftus J. Temple Tho. Lucas Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith Pope Urban the Eight's Grant of Indulgence to Owen Roe O Neal referrable to Fol. 136. mentioned in Mahony's Disp. Apologet. p. 41. Dilecto filio Eugenio O Nello DIlecte fili Salutem Nullum praetermittere soles occasionem quâ non Majorum tuorum Vestigiis insistens Eximium Zelum propagandae Ecclesiae studium perspectum facis idque luculènter in praesentia praestitisti in Hiberniam proficisci cogitans ut Catholicorum rationibus praesto sis Quam ob rem pergratae Nobis advenerunt Literae quibus Hujusmodi itineris deliberationem declaras rei faelicitèr gerendae principium à caelesti ope auspicatus non minus humilitèr quam religiose Apostolicam benedictionem a Nobis postulas Praeclarum hunc in te ardorem constantiam adversus haereticos verae fidei animum non parum laudamus tuaeque jam pridem pietatis conscii à te expectamus in hac opportunitate strenui atque excelsi roboris documenta quae antehac singularem nominis famam tibi comparârunt Illorum paritèr commendamus Consilium quos tuo excitans exemplo significasti speramus autem fore ut Altissimus tuae causae praesto sit ut Notam faciat in populis Virtutem suam Interim ut confidentius cuncta aggrediamini Nos divinam Clementiam indesinentèr orantes ut adversariorum conatus in nihilum redigat tibi caeterisque Catholicorum rem in praedicto regno Curaturis nostram libentèr impartimur benedictionem Universisqne singulis si verè paenitentes confessi fuerint Sacrâ Communione si fieri possit debitè refecti plenariam suorum peccatorum veniam remissionem atque in Mortis articulo Indulgentiam etiam plenariam elargimur Datum Romae sub Annulo Piscatoris die 8. Octobris 1642. Pontificatûs Nostri Anno 20. APPENDIX X. Fol. 141. By the Lords Justices and Councel Jo. Borlase Hen. Tichborne WHereas We have lately seen a Printed Paper intitled a solemn League and Covenant for reformation and defence of Religion the Honour and happiness of the King and the Peace and safety of the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland which seems to have been Printed at London on the ninth day of October 1643. And forasmuch as in the said League or Covenant there are divers things contained not only tending to a seditious Combination against His Majesty but also contrary to the municipal Laws of this Kingdom of Ireland and destructive to the Church-Government established by Law in this Kingdom And for that by the Laws of this Kingdom no Oath ought to be tendred to or taken by any person or persons whatsoever in this Kingdom but before a Judge or other person thereunto Lawfully Authorised by His Majesty and for that the said League or Covenant is now endeavoured to be set on foot in this Kingdom without His Majesties Privity Direction or Allowance And in regard it is directly
of your Subjects by reason of the Court of Wards and respit of Homage be taken away and certain revenue in Lieu thereof setled upon your Majesty without diminution of your Majesties profits Answ. We know of no Oppression by reason of the Court of Wards and we humbly conceive that the Court of Wards is of great use for the raising of your Majesties Revenues the preservation of your Majesties Tenures and chiefly the Education of the Gentry in the Protestant Religion and in Civility and Learning and good Manners who otherwise would be brought up in ignorance and barbarism their Estates be ruined by their Kindred and Friends and continue their depending upon their Chieftains and Lords to the great prejudice of your Majesties service and Protestant Subjects and there being no colour of exception to your Majesties just Title to Wardships we know not why the taking away of your Court concerning the same should be pressed unless it be to prevent the Education of the Lords and Gentry that fall Wards in the Protestant Religion For that part of this Proposition which concerns respit of Homage we humbly conceive that reasonable that some way may be settled for that if that standeth with your Majesties good pleasure without prejudice to your Majesty or your Majesties Protestant Subjects 10. Pro. That no Lord not estated in the Kingdom or estated and not resident shall have Vote in the said Parliament by Proxie or otherwise and none admitted to the House of Commons but such as shall be estated and resident within the Kingdom Answ. We humbly conceive that in the year 1641. by the Graces which your Majesty then granted to your Subjects of Ireland the matter of this Proposition was in a fair way regulated by your utter abolishing of blank Proxies and limiting Lords present and attending in the Parliament of Ireland that no one of them should be capable of more Proxies then two and prescribing the Peers of that Kingdom not there resident to purchase fitting proportions of Land in Ireland within five years from the last of July 1641. or else to loose their Votes till they should make such purchases which purchases by reason of the troubles hapning in the Kingdom and which have continued for two years and a half have not peradventure yet been made and therefore your Majesty may now be pleased and may take just occasion to enlarge that time for five years more from the time when that Kingdom may again be settled in a happy firm peace and as to members of the House of Commons the same is most fit as we humbly conceive to be regulated by the Laws and Statutes of that Kingdom 11. Pro. That an Act be passed in the next Parliament declaratory that the Parliament of Ireland is a free Parliament of it self independant of and not subordinate to the Parliament of England and that the Subjects of Ireland are immediately subject to your Majesty as in right of your revenue and that the Members of the said Parliament of Ireland and all other the Subjects of Ireland are independant and no way to be ordered or concluded by the Parliament of England and are only to be ordered and governed within that Kingdom by your Majesty and such Governours as are or shall be there appointed and by the Parliament of that Kingdom according to the Laws of the Land Answ. This Proposition concerns your Majesties High Court of Parliament both of England and Ireland and is beyond our abilities who are not acquainted with the Records and Presidents of this Nature to give an answer thereunto and therefore we humbly desire your Majesties pardon for not answering unto the same 12. Pro. That the assumed Power or Jurisdiction in the Council-Board of determining all manner of Causes be limited to matters of State and all Patents Estates and Grants illegally and extrajudiciously avoided there or elsewhere be left in state as before and the parties grieved their Heirs or Assigns till legal eviction Answ. The Council-Table hath aways excercised Jursdiction in some cases ever since the English Government was setled in that Kingdom and is of long continuance in cases of some Nature as the beginning thereof appeareth not which seemeth to be by prescription and hath always been armed with Power to examin upon Oath as a Court of Justice or in the nature of a Court of Justice in cases of some natures and may be very necessary still in many cases especially for the present till your Majesties Laws may more generally be received in that Kingdom and we conceive that Board is so well limited by printed Instructions in your Majesties Royal Fathers time and by your Majesties Graces in the seventeenth year of your Reign that it needeth for this present little or no regulating at all howbeit they humbly referr that to your Majesties great wisdom and goodness to do therein as to Law and Justice shall appertain 13. Pro. That the Statutes of the 11th 12th and 13th years of Queen Elizabeth concerning the Staple Commodities be repealed referving to his Majesty lawful and just Poundage and a Book of Rates be setled by an indifferent Committy of both Houses for all Comodities Answ. The matter of this Proposition is settled in a fitting and good way by your Majesty already as we conceive amongst the Graces granted by your Majesty to your people of Ireland in the Seventeenth year of your Majesties Reign to which we humbly referr our selves 14. Pro. That insomuch as the long continuance of the chief Governour or Governours of that Kingdom in that place of so great eminency and power hath been a principall occasion that much Tyranny and Oppression hath been used and exercised upon the Subjects of that Kingdom that your Majesty will be pleased to continue such Governours hereafter but for three years and that none once employed therein be appointed for the same again until the expiration of six years next after the end of the first three years and that an Act pass to disanul such Governour or Governours during their Government directly or indirectly in Use Trust or otherwise to make any manner of Purchase or acquisition of any Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments within that Kingdom other then from your Majesties own Heirs and Successors Answ. We humbly conceive that this Proposition tendeth to lay a false and scandalous aspersion on your Majesties gracious Government over Ireland and that it toucheth very high upon your Wisdom Justice and Power and under colour of supposed Corruptions pretended to be in the greatest Officer that Commandeth under your Majesty there if he continue so long in his Government as may well enable him to find out and discover the true State of the Kingdom and the dangerous disposition and designs of the Popish party there to prevent him therein and to turne him out from doing Service before or as soon as he is throughly informed and experienced how to do the same and then to hold him excluded so long
Answers they had Humbly offered pretending not to be Judges but submissive Petitioners for what was committed to their Charge APPENDIX XIII Fol. 144. The Humble Propositions of your Majesties Protestant Agents of Ireland in pursuance of the humble Petition of your Majesties Protestant Subjects as well Commanders of your Majesties Army there as others presented to your Majesty the 18th day of April 1644. and answered by your Majesty the 25 of the same 1. WE most humbly desire the Establishment of the true Protestant Religion in Ireland according to the Laws and Statutes in the said Kingdom now in force 2. That the Popish Titular Arch-Bishops Bishops Jesuits Friers and Priests and all others of the Roman Clergy be banished out of Ireland because they have been the stirrers up of all Rebellion and while they continue there there can be no hope of safety for your Majesties Protestant Subjects And that all the Laws and Statutes established in that Kingdom against Popery and Popish Recusants may continue of force and be put in due Execution 3. That Restitution may be made of all our Churches and Church Rights and Revenues and all our Churches and Chappels re-edified and put in as good Estate as they were at the breaking out of the Rebellion and as they ought to be at the Charge of the Confederate Roman Catholicks as they call themselves who have been the occasion of the Destruction of the said Churches and possessed themselves of the Profits and Revenues thereof 4. That the Parliament now sitting in Ireland may be continued there for the better settlement of the Kingdom and that all Persons duly indicted in the said Kingdom of Treason Felonie or other heinous Crimes may be duly and legally proceeded against outlaw'd tried and adjudged according to Law And that all Persons lawfully convicted and attainted or to be convicted and attainted for the same may receive due punishment accordingly 5. That no Man may take upon him or execute the Office of a Major or Magistrate in any Corporation or the Office of a Sheriff or Justice of Peace in any City or County in the said Kingdom until he have first taken the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance 6. That all Popish Lawyers who refuse to take the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance may be suppress'd and restrain'd from practice in that Kingdom the rather because the Lawyers in England do not here practice until they take the Oath of Supremacy And it hath been found by woful Experience that the Advice of Popish Lawyers to the people of Ireland hath been a great cause of their continued Disobedience 7. That there may be a present absolute Suppression and Dissolution of all the assumed Arbitrary and Tyrannical Power which the said Confederates exercise over Your Majesties Subjects both in Causes Ecclesiastical and Temporal 8. That all the Arms and Ammunition of the said Confederates be speedily brought into Your Majesties Stores 9. That Your Majesties Protestant Subjects ruin'd and destroy'd by the said Confederates may be repair'd for their great losses out of the Estates of the said Confederates not formerly by any Acts of this present Parliament in England otherwise dispos'd of whereby they may the better be enabl'd to re-inhabit and defend the said Kingdom of Ireland 10. That the said Confederates may rebuild the several Plantation-Houses and Castles destroy'd by them in Ireland in as good state as they were at the breaking out of the Rebellion which Your Majesties Protestant Subjects have been bound by their several Patents to build and maintain for Your Majesties Service 11. That the great Arrears of Rent due to Your Majestie out of the Estates of Your Majesties Protestant Subjects at and since Michaelmas 1641. may be paid unto Your Majestie by such of the said Confederates who have either receiv'd the said Rents to the uses of the said Confederates or destroy'd the same by disabling Your Majesties Protestant Subjects to pay the same And have also destroy'd all or the most part of all other Rents or means of support belonging to Your said Protestant Subjects And that Your said Protestant Subjects may be discharg'd of all such Arrears of Rents to Your Majestie 12. That the said Confederates may give satisfaction to the Army for the great Arrears due unto them since the Rebellion and that such Commanders as have rais'd Forces at their own Charges and laid forth great sums of Money out of their own Purses and engag'd themselves for Money and Provisions to keep themselves their Holds and Souldiers under their Commands in the due necessary Defence of Your Majesties Rights and Laws may be in due sort satisfied to the encouragement of others in like times and Cases which may happen 13. That touching such parts of the Confederate Estates as being forfeited for their Treasons are come or shall duly come into Your Majesties hands and possession by that Title Your Majesty after the due satisfaction first made to such as claim by former Acts of Parliament would be pleased to take the same into your own hands and possession and for the necessary encrease of Your Majesties Revenue and better security of the said Kingdom of Ireland and the Protestant Subjects living under your gracious Government there to plant the same with Brittish and Protestants upon reasonable and honourable Terms 14. That one good walled Town may be built and kept repair'd in every County of the said Kingdom of Ireland and endow'd and furnish'd with necessary and sufficient means of legal and just Government and Defence for the better security of Your Majesties Laws and Rights more especially the true Protestant Religion in time of Danger in any of which Towns no Papist may be permitted to dwell or inhabit 15. That for the better satisfaction of Justice and Your Majesties Honour and for the future security of the said Kingdom and Your Majesties Protestant Subjects there exemplary punishment according to Law may be inflicted upon such as have there traiterously levied VVar and taken up Arms against Your Majesties Protestant Subjects and Laws and therein against Your Majesty especially upon such as have had their hands in the shedding of Innocent blood or had to do with the first Plot or Conspiracy or since that time have done any notorious Murther or Covert Act of Treason 16. That all Your Majesties Towns Forts and places of strength destroy'd by the said Confederates since the said Rebellion may be by them and at their Charges re-edified and deliver'd up into Your Majesties hands to be duly put into the Government under Your Majestie and Your Laws of your good Protestants And that all Strengths and Fortifications made and set up by the said Confederates since the said Rebellion may be slighted and thrown down or else deliver'd up and disposed of for Protestant Government and Security as aforesaid 17. That according to the Presidents of former times in cases of General Rebellions in Ireland the Attainders which have been duly had by Outlawry for
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
Ships Barques or Vessels whatsoever and to treat with any Persons whatsoever for the Loan Hire or Sale of any Ships Barques or Vessels upon such Conditions as you or any one of you shall agree upon with them 3. That in such time and manner as to you shall seem meet you communicate to the Officers and Soldiers of that Our Army this Our intention to make use of their known Courage and Fidelity in the defence of Our Person and Crown against the unnatural Rebellion rais'd against us in this Our Kingdom and against the like labour'd by the Rebels here to be rais'd against Us out of Our Kingdom of Scotland 4. That you signifie unto them that We are the more mov'd and necessitated unto this course for as much as it is resolv'd by some ill affected Persons in that Our Kingdom of Scotland to call over the Army of Our British Subjects out of Our Kingdom of Ireland to the end to make use of them for the Invasion of Us and of Our Good Subjects of England And for as much as this Rebellion against Us under colour of the humility of Our two Houses of Parliament hath exhausted the Means appointed by the concurrence of Our Royal Authority for the sustentation of that Our Army there and by force hath stai'd and taken from Us all those Our Revenues which might have enabled Us to have supplied them in that Our Kingdom so that we ought in reason besides the Bond of their Allegiance to expect their ready concurrence against those Persons who are as well the Causers of all the Miseries they have endured as of all the Injuries We have suffered 5. That you assure them both Officers and Soldiers that upon their Landing here they shall immediately receive Our Pay in the same proportion and manner with the rest of our Army here And you are to assure the Soldiers that all care shall be taken that Cloathes Shoes and other Necessaries be forthwith provided for them after they are Landed here and that care shall be taken for the Provision of such as shall happen to be maim'd here in Our Service and for the payment of all their Arrears that shall be due to any of them that shall happen to be kill'd in the same to their Wives Children or nearest Friends And you are to assure both Officers and Soldiers that we will take special care to reward all such according to their Merit and Quality that shall do us any eminent Service in this Our War against this odious and most unnatural Rebellion 6. We will and require you and do hereby authorize you to use your utmost Interest and Industry for the speedy Transportation of this forementioned part of Our Army with their Arms Horses and such Ammunition and the like as you shall think fit into Our Kingdom of England and particularly if it may be to our Fort of the City of Chester or to the most commodious Haven in North-Wales And for Our obedience in this and every other of these Our Commands this shall be to you and every of you sufficient Warrant Given at Our Court at Eudely-Castle 7th Sept. in the 19th year of Our Reign Superscrib'd as before For the Lords Justices and the Lieutenant General of the English Army To what Party the Cessation was happy will be hard to determine that thereby the Rebels had an opportunity which they improv'd to provide themselves of Arms and Ammunition may easily be conceiv'd in as much as the Parliament of England concluded the Cessation in Ireland was of advantage to none but to the bloody Rebels of that Kingdom Agreeable to what Camd. well observs for as much as in that space wherein a Cessation is allowed to the Rebels the Rebels enjoy free liberty to digest all their secret Plots and Machinations to strengthen their Sides by new Confederacies abroad and to encrease them at home with new Forces whilst all this while the English lay at a costly idleness feeding on the fruits of their Friends and faithful Well-willers when by reason of the Cessation they might not prey upon the Enemy Certain it is the Parliament improv'd the Cessation to a very specious pretence in as much as no estate say they of the Rebels was to be disposed of consequently no Cessation or Peace to be made till the Lords and Commons of the Realm of England should in Parliament by order declare that the said Rebels were subdued and this present Rebellion appeas'd and ended But on the contrary his Majesty shew'd the necessity of his good Protestant Subjects and the Army being not longer able to subsist for want of Supplies enforced that Cessation though he is told again That many since the Cessation have and do subsist And that one end for which the Cessation was made was that the Forces might be brought out of Ireland into England and employ'd against the two Houses Which in Answer his Majesty shews the reason of when the Scots Army before was made use of against him The whole Scene is excellently stated in his Majesties Answer to the two Papers concerning Ireland at the Treaty at Uxbridge How passionately soever the Parliaments Commissioners conclude That whatsoever becomes of us say they if we must perish yet let us go to our graves with that comfort that we have not made Peace with the Enemies of Christ yea even Enemies of Mankind declared and unreconciled Enemies to our Religion and Nation And indeed to give the Parliament their due when they had reduc'd the Affairs of England to their own Module the Rebels of Ireland were frequently chastised and so affectionately pursued that neither Men Money or Courage was wanting to that service Of the first part of which Paragraph his Majesty seems most sensible expressing in his Answer before-mention'd That he would be glad that either a Peace in England or any other Expedient might furnish him with Means and Power to do Justice upon them if this cannot be we must not desperately expose our good Subjects there to Butchery without means or possibility of Protection God will in his due time avenge his own quarrel In the mean time his Gospel gives us leave in case of War to sit down and cast up the cost and estimate our power to go through with it and in such case where Prudence adviseth it is lawful to propose Conditions of Peace though the War otherwise might justly be pursued This wrought much on many But the Parliament who persisted resolutely to have his Majesty disclaim the Cessation would not allow any necessity for it alledging that though some of great estimation with the Parliament whom his Majesties Commissioners produc'd as principally interessed in the managing of Affairs in Ireland and the War there had prest for Supplies as in all likelihood to perish speedily without them yet they were assur'd even by some who were at the Council at that time when those Letters were written that the same was done onely to
Hereupon the Assembly unanimously professed all obedience to his Majesty's Authority as it was vested in him and petition'd him to assume it without which they said the Nation would be expos'd to utter ruine And the Bishop of Ferns hitherto averse to the Royal Authority more particularly importuned him in the Name of the Clergy not to decline a Charge which could only preserve the King's Power in that Kingdom and the Nation from destruction promising so entire a submission and co-operation from the whole Clergy that his Authority should not be disputed In further assurance of which the General Assembly issue forth this Declaration By the General Assembly of the Kingdom of Ireland ALthough this Assembly hath endeavour'd by their Declaration of the 7th of this month to give full testimony of their Obedience to his Majesty's Authority yet for further satisfaction and for removal of all Jealousies we do further declare That the Lords Spiritual and Temporal Gentry or People Clergy or Laity of this Kingdom shall not attempt labour endeavour or do any Act or Acts to set free or discharge the People from yielding due and perfect Obedience to his Majesty's Authority invested in the Lord Marquess of Clanrickard or any other Governour or Governours of this Kingdom And in case of any such Labour Act or Endeavour by which any mischief might ensue by seducing the People we declare That no person or persons shall or ought to be led thereby but by their disobedience on any such grounds are liable and subject to the heavy censures and penalties of the Laws of the Land in force and practis'd in the Reign of Henry the 7th and other Catholick Times Nevertheless it is further declared That it is not meant or intended by any thing herein contained that this Nation will not insist upon the performances of the Articles of Peace and by all just ways and means provide against the breach and violation of the same And inasmuch as his Majesty is at present as we are informed in the hands of a Presbyterian Party of the Scots who declared themselves Enemies to this Nation and vowed the extirpation of our Religion we declare That it is not hereby intended to oblige our selves to deceive obey or observe any Governours that shall come and duely nominated or procured from his Majesty by reason of or during his being in an un-free condition that may raise a disturbance in the present Government established by his Majesty's Authority or the violation of the Articles of Peace Loghreogh 23d of Decemb. 1650. Copia vera Joh. Comyn Dep. Cler. There was then in the possession of the Roman Catholicks the entire Province of Connaght in which they had the strong Castle of Athlone the strong and important Town and Harbour of Gallway Sligo and many other lesser Forts and Places of strength They had also a good part of the Province of Munster and in it the City of Limerick which by the strong situation of it and the advantages it might have from Sea could alone with the help of Gallway have maintain'd War against all the Parliaments Forces in Ireland They had many Parties of Horse and Foot in Leimster Munster and Ulster under Clanrickard Castlehaven Dillon Muskery the Earl of Westmeath Hugh O Neal Dungan Moor Preston and others which being drawn together would have constituted a greater Army than the Enemies were Masters of And the Marquess of Clanrickard had argument enough of hope if he could have been confident of the union of the Nation and that he might reasonably have promised himself if he could have been confident of the Affection and Integrity of the Clergy which at length they promised with that solemnity that if he had not confided therein the fault would have been imputed to him for they could do no more on their part to create a belief in him He was therefore content to take the Charge upon him and obliged them presently to consider of the way to keep all the Forces together when he should have drawn them together and to secure the two Towns of Gallway and Limerick with strong Garrisons which was the first Work concluded on all hands necessary to be performed Very few days had passed after the Lord Deputy had upon such their Importtunity and Professions taken the Government upon him when it was proposed in the Assembly before their Condition was impaired by any other progress or new success of the Enemy That they might send to the Enemy to treat with them upon surrendring of all that was left into their hands an Inclination the Nuncio was long before inclin'd to perswading the supream Council when there was but so much as a speech of Truce to joyn rather with the Parliamentary Scots than the Royalists and pray'd for the success thereof in hopes that thence much good might accrue to the Catholick Religion And when the same was opposed with indignation by the major part of the Assembly the Bishop of Ferns himself who had so lately importuned the Marquess of Clanrickard to assume the Charge of Lord Deputy and made such ample promises in the Name of the Clergy seem'd to concur with those who were against treating with the Enemy but instead of it very earnestly pressed That they might in order to their better defence return to their ancient Confederacy and so proceed in their Preservation without any respect to the King's Authority And this Motion found such concurrence in the Assembly from the Bishops Clergy and many others that many of the Officers of the Army and some of the principalest of the Nobility and Gentry found it necessary to express more than ordinary passion in their contradiction They told them They now manifested that it was not their Prejudice to the Marquess of Ormond nor their Zeal to Religion that had transported them but their dislike of the King's Authority and their resolution to withdraw themselves from it That they themselves would constantly submit to it and defend it with their utmost hazard as long as they should be able and when they should be reduced to Extremity that treating with the Enemy could no longer be deferred they would in that Treaty make no provision for them but be contented that they should be excluded from any benefit thereof who were so forward to exclude the King's Authority Upon these bold though necessary Menaces to which they had not been accustomed the Clergy and their Party seem'd to acquiesce and promised all concurrence inasmuch as from this very time all the Factions and Jealousies which had been before amongst them seem'd outwardly quieted though the Irish in all Quarters of which the Enemy were possessed not only submitted and compounded but very many of them enter'd into their Service and marched with them in their Armies and the Lord Deputy grew as much into their dis-favour as the Lord Lieutenant had been and his being a Friend to the Marquess of Ormond destroyed all that Confidence which his being