Basiliká the works of King Charles the martyr : with a collection of declarations, treaties, and other papers concerning the differences betwixt His said Majesty and his two houses of Parliament : with the history of his life : as also of his tryal and martyrdome.

The Papers touching Ireland.

After the first six days of the Treaty spent upon Religion and the Militia, according to the same order formerly proposed, the Propositions concerning Ireland were next Treated upon, the three days following, beginning the 7th. of February; and the same was also taken up again the 18th. of February, for other three days.

Their Propositions touching Ireland. 7. Feb.

[ CXXXVI] WE desire that an Act of Parliament be passed to make void the Cessation of Ireland, and all Treaties with the Rebels without consent of both Houses of Parliament, and to settle the Prosecution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of the Parliament of England, to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms, and His Majesty to assist, and to do no act to discountenance or molest them therein.

The King's Commissioners Paper. 7. February.

[ CXXXVII] VVE desire to know, whether the Paper we have received from your Lordships contain in it all the Demands your Lordships are required by your Instructions to insist upon concerning Ireland, which if it doth, we are ready to enter upon that Debate; but if it do not, we then desire to receive all the Propositions your Lordships intend to make concerning Ireland together, being confident that upon a whole view of the business we shall give you full satisfaction in that Argument.

Their Paper. 7. February.

[ CXXXVIII] WE are to insist upon other things concerning Ireland, which being part of other Propositions, we conceive not so proper to give your Lordships, till we have re∣ceived your Answer to our Paper formerly delivered, and are ready by present Confe∣rence to satisfie any Doubts that remain with your Lordships concerning that Paper.

Notwithstand they delivered in these further Papers and Propositions following.

Their Paper. 7. Feb.

[ CXXXIX] WE desire that an Act be passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms respectively, to confirm the Treaty concerning Ireland of the 6th. of August 1642. (which Treaty we herewith deliver) and that all Persons who have had any hand in plotting, designing or assisting the Rebellion of Ireland, may expect no Pardon, and their Estates to pay publick Debts and Damages; and that the Commissioners to be nominated as is appointed in the 17th. Proposition, may order the War of Ireland, according to the Or∣dinance of the 11th. of April 1644. (which we herewith deliver) and to order the Militia, and to conserve the Peace of the Kingdom of Ireland.

And that by Act of Parliament the Deputy or chief Governour, or other Governours of Ireland, be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England, or in the In∣tervals of Parliament by the said Commissioners, to continue during the pleasure of the said Houses, or in the Intervals of Parliament during the pleasure of the said Commissio∣ners, to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting; and that the Judges of both Benches and of the Exchequer in Ireland be nominated by both Houses of Parliament, to continue quamdiu bene se gesserint, and in the Intervals of Parliament by the aforesaid Commissioners, to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting.

Together with these last Propositions they delivered the Treaty of the sixth of August, 1642. and the Ordinance of the 11th. of April therein mentioned, together with another of the 9th. of March; which see in the Appendix, N^o 7, and 8.

The Kings Commissioners Paper. 9. February.

[ CXL] WE desire to know what your Lordships intend or expect by those Words in your first Paper concerning Ireland, [and His Majesty to assist] since you propose to have the prosecution of the War of Ireland to be setled in both Houses of the Parlia∣ment of England, to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms.

Their Answer, 9. Feb.

[ CXLI] BY the words in our Paper concerning Ireland [and His Majesty to assist] we conceive is to be understood, the giving of His Royal Assent to such Acts of Parliament as shall be presented unto him by both Houses, for raising of Moneys from the Subject, and for other things necessary to the prosecution of the War in Ireland, and to be further aid∣ing by his Power and Countenance in whatsoever shall be requisite for the better carrying on of that War.

The King's Commissioners Paper. 10. Feb.

[ CXLII] WE conceive that His Majesty had, and hath Power to make a Cessation in Ireland; and having upon just grounds, and for the good and safety of His Protestant Sub∣jects there, and for the preservation of that whole Kingdom, consented to such a Ces∣sation, we desire to be informed by your Lordships, how that Cessation can be declared void, without a breach of Faith and Honour in His Majesty: and we are ready by Con∣ference particularly to inform your Lordships of the Motives which induced His Majesty to consent to that Cessation.

Their Answer, 10. Feb.

[ CXLIII] WE conceive that His Majesty had not Power to make the Cessation in Ireland, nor had any just grounds to do the same; and therefore we insist, as in our former Paper, That an Act of Parliament be passed to make void the Cessation of Ireland, and conceive that His Majesty is bound in Honour and Justice to consent unto the same: and we are ready to confer with your Lordships as is desired, and to receive your Lordships full Answer to this and the other particulars expressed in our Paper concerning Ireland.

After long Debates in Conference, which spent the greatest part of the day, touching the Mo∣tives of that Cessation, and the King's Power to make it, His Majesties Commissioners delivered in this Paper, 10. Feb.

[ CXLIV] WE have received no satisfaction or information in your Lordships Debate, to alter our opinion of his Majesties Power to make the Cessation in Ireland; and having carefully perused and considered the Statute alledged by your Lordships, we cannot find any particular clause in that Statute, neither have your Lordships mentioned any, (though often desired by us so to do) whereby His Majesties Power to make a Cessation there is taken away: and therefore we are still of opinion, that His Majesty had full Power to make and consent to that Cessation. And we conceive that we have given your Lordships an account of very just grounds to induce His Majesty to do the same, it appearing to His Majesty by the Letters and Advice from the Lords Justices and Council of that Kingdom, and of the Officers of His Majesties Army there (which we have read to your Lordships, and of which Letters and Advices we now give Copies to your Lordships) That his Majesties good Protestant Subjects of that Kingdom were in imminent danger to be over-run by the Rebels, and His Army to be disbanded for want of necessary Supplies; and that there was no such probable way for their Preservation, as by making a Cessation. Neither have your Lordships given us any satisfying Reasons against the making the said Cessation, or made it appear to us, that that Kingdom could have been preserved without a Cessation; and therefore we cannot apprehend how His Majesty can with Justice and honour declare the same to be void.

We shall be ready against the next time assigned for the Treaty touching Ireland, to give your Lordships a further Answer to your Propositions concerning that Argument; the Treaty concerning Ireland of the sixth of August, 1642. and the Ordinance of the 11. of April, 1644. (which we did never see till your Lordships delivered us Copies of them) making so great an Alteration in the Government there, that we cannot be prepared for the present to make a full Answer to those Propositions.

Their Answer, 10. Feb.

[ CXLV] IT is very contrary to our expectation to find your Lordships unsatisfied, after those Arguments and Reasons alledged by us, that His Majesty had not Power to make the Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland, and that upon the perusal of the Statute, it ap∣pears not to you, that His Majesty had no Power to make that Cessation: it is strange to us your Lordships should forget all the other Arguments used by us from the Com∣mon-Law,

from other Proceedings in Parliament, and Circumstances as this case stands, on which we still insist, and do affirm, that His Majesty had no Power to make or con∣sent to that Cessation: we do not see any just grounds in the Copies of the Letters given us by your Lordships for His Majesties assenting to the Cessation, nor do we know by whom those Letters were written. We are therefore still clearly of opinion, notwith∣standing all your Lordships have alledged, that it was unfit for His Majesty to agree unto that Cessation, being destructive to His good Subjects, and to the Protestant Religion there, and only for the advantage of the Popish Rebels, to the high Dishonour of God, the Disservice of His Majesty, and evident prejudice of His three Kingdoms. We there∣fore again desire your Lordships full Answer to what we have delivered to you con∣cerning Ireland.

The King's Commissioners Paper, 10. Feb.

[ CXLVI] WE have given your Lordships our Reasons why we are not satisfied with your Ar∣guments, that His Majesty had not Power to make the Cessation; and as upon the perusal of the Statute we can find no ground for that Opinion, so your Lordships in your whole Debate have not insisted or mentioned one clause in that Statute (though often desired) which makes it good, neither have your Lordships given us any Argu∣ment from the Common-Law, other than by telling us, That it is against the Common-Law, because the private Interest of the Subscribers for Money, was concerned in it. To which we give this Answer, That their Interest was conditional upon Payment of their Moneys for the maintenance of the War, which was not performed; and that if they had paid their Moneys, yet this Cessation was rather for the advance of that Interest, there being (as it appears by the Papers) no other visible means of preservation of the Army in Ireland; and that the Statute which gave that private Interest, doth not take away the Kings Power of making a Cessation; and we conceive that Argument of In∣terest was waved. But if your Lordships shall insist upon it, we again desire, as we did formerly, that a Case may be made of it, and that the Debate may be again resumed. Nei∣ther do we know that any Argument was used by your Lordships from the Proceedings in Parliament; and if you shall give any, we shall be ready to answer it. And we conceive that the Advice given to his Majesty from the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland, and the Testimony of the Officers of the Army, expressing the miserable condition of that Kingdom, and inability to bear the War, should appear to your Lordships to be just grounds for His Majesties assenting to the Cessation. One of the Letters delivered by us to your Lordships, bearing date the fourth of April, 1643. was sent by the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland, to Mr. Secretary Nicholas, in which was inclosed their Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, of which your Lordships have likewise an Extract, and a Remonstrance of the Officers of the Army to the Lords Justices and Council there; and the other Letter of the fifth of May 1643. to His Majesty, was from the Lords Justices and Council of that Kingdom: All which (if your Lordships please) shall be examined by you, with the Originals. And we are therefore of opinion, that our Answer formerly delivered, is a good Answer to the point of Cessation in question, and that it was not unfit for His Majesty to agree to that Cessation, nor destructive to the Protestant Religion, nor for the advantage of the Popish Rebels; but much for the advantage of the Protestant Subjects there, who were in apparent hazard of Destruction by Force and Famine, occa∣sioned by the want of Supplies which had been promised to them, as we have formerly said. And we shall give your Lordships a further Answer to your other Propositions con∣cerning Ireland, when the time comes again for that Debate.

Here ended the first three days of the Treaty concerning Ireland; and the night before the re∣turn of the next three days, their Commissioners delivered this Paper, 17. February.

[ CXLVII] WE conceived that the Arguments used by us, that His Majesty neither had, nor hath Power to make the Cessation with the Rebels of Ireland, might have fully satisfied your Lordships; and if any Doubts yet remain, we are ready by Conference to clear them. Your Lordships may well call to mind the several Clauses we insisted upon in the Statute, and the Arguments we have given from the Common-Law, and other Proceedings in Parliament: And we do affirm that several great Sums of Money were paid by particular Persons and by Corporations, who, according to the true intent of the Statute, ought to have the benefit of the same, according to divers other Acts of Parliament in pursuance thereof; and upon failer of Payment by any particular Persons, the Forfeiture was to accrue to the common benefit of the rest, not failing; and we do deny that the Argument of Interest was at all waved by us. And we conceive those Wants alledged by your Lordships (if any such were) in justifying the Ces∣sation

were supplied from time to time by the Houses of Parliament, until His Majesties Forces were so quartered in and about the common Roads to Ireland, that Provisions going thither, were intercepted, and neither Money, Cloaths, Victuals, or other things could pass by Land with safety to be transported. And when that both Houses of Parliament were desirous further to supply those Wants, and for that purpose did tender a Bill to His Majesty, it was refused. And we will still alledge, that we have no reason to be satisfied concerning the Cessation by any Arguments used by your Lordships, or by any thing con∣tained in the Extracts of the Letters and Papers delivered to us by your Lordships, as from the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland, and the Officers of the Army; nor (though desired by us) have your Lordships afforded us liberty to compare those Extracts with the Originals, whereby we might have the Names of the Persons by whom they were written, which we now again desire. We are therefore still clearly of opinion as is expressed in our former Paper of the 10. of February, concerning the Cessation, and do desire your Lordships full Answer to our Demands concerning Ireland.

The King's Commissioners Answer, 18. Feb.

[ CXLVIII] WE did not conceive that your Lordships had believed that any Arguments used by you could satisfie us against His Majesties Power to make a Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland, which appears to have been made by him by the Advice of His Council there, and for the Preservation of His Majesties Protestant Subjects of that King∣dom, who in all probability would have perished by Famine and the Sword, if that Ces∣sation had not been made; and we shall be very ready to receive farther Information from your Lordships by Conference, or otherwise in that particular, either concerning any Clauses in the Statute, or Arguments at Common-Law, or Proceedings of Parliament (your Lordships having never mentioned the one, or made any Case upon the other) upon which you intend to insist. And for the several great Sums of Money that were paid by particular Persons and Corporations upon that Statute mentioned by your Lord∣ships, we are sorry that we are compelled, by your Lordships insisting thereon, to inform your Lordships, that His Majesty had clear Information, that not only much of the mo∣ney raised by the Act for the four hundred thousand Pound, which was passed for the better suppressing that most wicked and execrable Rebellion in Ireland, and for the pay∣ment of the Debts of this Kingdom, but also of the Money raised by the Statute (on which your Lordships insist) for the speedy and effectual reducing of the Rebels of Ireland, &c. and other Moneys raised by Contribution and Loan for the relief of His Majesties distressed Subjects of that Kingdom, were expended contrary to the intent of the Acts by which the same were levied, and of the Persons who lent and contributed the same, towards the main∣tenance of the Forces in this Kingdom under the Command of the Earl of Essex; and that many Regiments of Horse and Foot, levied for the War of Ireland, under the Com∣mand of the Lord Wharton, the Lord Kerry, Sir Faithful Fortescue, and others, were like∣wise imployed in that Army under the Earl of Essex at Edge-hill; and therefore His Ma∣jesty refused to consent to the Bill presented to His Majesty after this, for the levying more Money for Ireland, justly fearing that the same might be used as the former had been. And for the few Cloaths (for there were no Moneys) intercepted by his Majesties Soul∣diers in His Majesties Quarters, which are said to be intended for Ireland, the same were intercepted near Coventry, and going thither, after that City had refused to receive His Majesty, though at the Gates. But His Majesty never refused to give any safe Pass through His Quarters for any Goods or Provisions which were intended or prepared for Ireland, nei∣ther was the same ever desired. For the Extracts and Copies of the Letters delivered by us to your Lordships from the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland, and the Officers of the Army, we have been, and are willing that your Lordships should compare them with the Originals: but for your having the Names of the Persons who writ the same (since there can be no doubt of the truth of our Assertions) we conceive it not reasonable to de∣sire the same, not knowing what inconvenience any of them (since you seem not to like that Advice) might incur, if at any time they should be found within your Quarters. And having now satisfied your Lordships in the matter of the Cessation, we shall gladly pro∣ceed in the Treaty with your Lordships upon any thing that may be apparently good for His Majesties Protestant Subjects there, and the re-setling of that Kingdom in His Maje∣sties Obedience.

Their Reply, 18. Feb.

[ CXLIX] WE do conceive that the Arguments used by us, might have fully satisfied your Lord∣ships against His Majesties Power to make a Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland, having answered whatsoever your Lordships have hitherto alledged to the contrary, and

offered, if any other Doubts yet remain, by Conference to clear them, which still we are ready to do; and we have heard nothing just or reasonable for that Cessation. It will be made evident, that the Necessities which by your Lordships were made Excuses for the Cessation, were created on purpose to colour the same; and we are compelled by your Lordships Paper to let you know, that the Committees of Parliament sent into Ireland to endeavour to supply their Necessities, were discountenanced by the principal Instru∣ments for that Cessation, and when they had taken up 2000 l. upon their personal secu∣rity for the Army there, they were presently after commanded from the Council by a Letter brought thither from His Majesty by the Lord Ormond's Secretary: and when the Officers of the Army were contented to subscribe for Land in satisfaction of their Arrears, it was declared from His Majesty, that He disapproved of such Subscriptions, whereby that course was diverted. And we do affirm, that whatever Sums of money raised for Ireland were made use of by both Houses of Parliament, were fully satisfied with ad∣vantage, and, as we are informed, before the Bill mentioned in our former Paper was re∣fused by His Majesty. And for the Regiments of Horse and Foot mentioned by your Lordships to be raised for Ireland, and imployed otherwise by the Houses of Parliament; it is true that Forces were so designed, and when the Money, Arms, and other Pro∣visions were all ready, and nothing wanting but a Commission from His Majesty for the Lord Wharton who was to command them, the same could not be obtained, which was the cause those Forces did not go thither: and when twelve Ships and six Pinnaces were prepared with a thousand or more Land-Forces for the Service of Ireland, and nothing desired but a Commission from His Majesty, the Ships lying ready and staying for the same, were three Weeks together at three hundred Pound a day charge; yet the same was denyed, though often desired. And where your Lordships seem to imply, that the Provision seized by His Majesties Forces, were going for Coventry, it was made known to His Majesty, that the same were for Ireland. And your Lordships must needs conceive, that the Papers you delivered to us being but Extracts, and for that you deny us so to compare them with the Originals, as to have the Names of the Persons by whom they were written, it is altogether unreasonable for us to give any credit to them, it being manifest by this and our former Papers and Debates, that the Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland, is both unjust and unlawful. We therefore insist on our Demands concerning Ireland, as apparently good for His Majesties Subjects there, and for reducing that Kingdom to His Majesties Obedience.

Before His Majesties Commissioners gave Answer to this last Paper, they being also to answer the rest of the Demands concerning Ireland, for their necessary Information touching some Doubts that did arise upon those Demands, and the Articles of the Treaty of the 6th of August concerning Ireland, and Ordinances delivered with them, the King's Commissioners gave in these several Papers.

The King's Commissioners First Paper. 19. Feb.

[ CL] IN the eighth Article of the Treaty for the coming of the Scots Army into England, dated 29. Novemb. 1643. at Edenburgh, delivered to us by your Lordships among the Papers for Ireland, and desired by the twelfth Proposition to be confirmed by Act of Par∣liament, It is agreed, that no Cessation, nor any Pacification or Agreement for Peace whatsoever, shall be made by either Kingdom, without the mutual advice and consent of both Kingdoms, or the Committees in that behalf appointed, who are to have full power for the same, in case the Houses of the Parliament of England, or the Parliament or Convention of Estates in Scotland, shall not sit. We desire to know whether that Article extend to any Cessation, Pacification, or Agreement in Ireland.

Their Answer. 19. Feb.

[ CLI] WE did, in Answer to your Lordships Paper of the first of February, upon the Pro∣positions concerning Religion, deliver the Treaty of the 29. of November 1643. mentioned by your Lordships, and not among the Papers for Ireland, to which it hath no relation.

The King's Commissioners Reply. 20. Feb.

[ CLII] YOur Lordships did deliver the Treaty of the 29. of November, 1643. to us with the Papers concerning Ireland, and on the 7. day of this instant February, and not up∣on the first of February, upon the Propositions concerning Religion.

Their Answer. 20. Feb.

[ CLIII] WHen your Lordships peruse your Papers, you will rest satisfied with our Answer of the 19. of this instant to your first Paper that day given to us; for it will ap∣pear

appear by your Lordships third Paper of the first of February, and our Paper given to your Lordships in answer of it, that the Treaty of the date at Edenburgh 29. Novemb. 1643. was delivered to your Lordships on the first of February, upon the Proposition of Religion, and not upon the third of February, with the Papers concerning Ireland.

The Article of the Treaty of the 29. of November, 1643. which occasioned these Papers, being by their Papers thus acknowledged not to concern Ireland, and so not pertinent to that Subject, the Kings Commissioners insisted no farther.

The Kings Commissioners Second Paper. 19. Feb.

[ CLIV] BY the thirteenth Proposition it is demanded, that an Act be passed to settle the Prose∣cution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of Parliament of England, to be ma∣naged by the joynt advices of both Kingdoms. We desire to know, whether, if the two Kingdoms shall not agree in their advice touching that War, each have a negative Voice, or whether the Scots Commander in chief of the Forces in Ireland, may manage that War in such case according to his own discretion.

Their Answer. 19. Feb.

[ CLV] IN Answer to your Lordships second Paper, the Prosecution of the War of Ireland is to be setled in the two Houses of the Parliament of England, but is to be managed by a joynt Committee of both Kingdoms, wherein the Committee of each Kingdom hath a negative Voice; but in case of disagreement, the Houses of Parliament of England may prosecute the War as they shall think fit, observing the Treaty of the sixth of August, 1642. between the two Houses and the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland, and the Ordinance of the 11. of April, 1644. delivered to your Lordships formerly.

The Kings Commissioners Third Paper. 19. Feb.

[ CLVI] BY the twentieth Proposition, in the Intervals of Parliament, the Commissioners for the Militia have power to nominate the Lord Deputy of Ireland, and other Officers and Judges there. We desire to know whether that Power be limited to the Commissioners of both Kingdoms, or only to the Commissioners for England; and whether in such cases the Commissioners of Scotland shall vote as single Persons.

Their Answer. 19. Feb.

[ CLVII] THe power of the Commissioners in the Intervals of Parliament to nominate the Lord Deputy of Ireland, and other Officers and Judges there, mentioned in the twentieth Proposition, being no matters of joynt concernment, is to be limited to the Commissio∣ners of the Parliament of England, wherein the Commissioners of Scotland are to vote as single Persons.

The Kings Commissioners Fourth Paper. 19. Feb.

[ CLVIII] THe Articles of the Treaty of the sixth of August, giving Power to the Lieutenant of Ireland (when the Scotish Army shall be joyned with his Army) to give Instructions to the Scotish Commander in chief, and the Orders of the two Houses of the 9. of March, 1644. and the 11. of April, 1644. appointing the General of the Scotish Forces in Ireland to command in chief over all the Forces, as well British as Scots; and both being desired to be Enacted, we desire to know, whether the Lieutenant of Ireland shall command the Scots Forces, or whether the Scotish General shall command all Forces, both British and Scots.

Their Answer. 19. Feb.

[ CLIX] IN Answer to your Lordships fourth Paper, we say, that the Ordinances of the 9. of March and 11. of April, 1644. were made when there was no Lieutenant of Ireland: and when a Lieutenant shall be made with the Approbation of both Houses, according to our former Demands in the seventeenth and twentieth Propositions, it will be a fitting time to give further Answer to your Lordships.

The Kings Commissioners Reply. 20. Feb.

[ CLX] VVE desire a full Answer from your Lordships to our fourth Paper delivered to your Lordships yesterday, concerning the Power of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland,

and the General of the Scots Forces, your Lordships having proposed to us, that the Ar∣ticles of the Treaty and the Ordinance of the 11. of April be enacted by His Majesty; by one of which the General of the Scots Forces is to receive Instructions for the managing the War there from the Lieutenant of Ireland, and by the other (which is the later) the General of the Scots Forces is to command in chief both the British and Scots Forces, by which it seems the Lievtenant of that Kingdom is to have no Power in the prosecution of that War.

Their Answer, 20. Feb.

[ CLXI] WE do insist upon our former Papers, that the prosecution of the War in Ireland is to be settled in both Houses of Parliament, and is to be managed by the joynt ad∣vice of both Kingdoms, as in those Papers is set down; and when a Lievtenant of Ireland shall be appointed, as is expressed in the Propositions, and it shall be necessary for the good of the service that he and the Commander in chief of the Scotish Army joyn, the Commander of the Scotish Army shall receive Instructions from the Lord Lievtenant or De∣puty, or other who shall have the chief Government of the Kingdom for the time, accor∣ding to the Orders which shall be given by the Commissioners of both Kingdoms.

The King's Commissioners fifth Paper, 19. February.

[ CLXII] THe last part of the seventeenth Proposition gives power to the Commissioners for the Militia of both Kingdoms, as a joynt Committee to order the War of Ireland, according to the Ordinance of the 11. of April, and to order the Militia, and conserve the Peace of the Kingdom of Ireland; and by that of the 11. of April, the Earl of Leven be∣ing appointed Commander in chief over all the Forces, as well British as Scots, we desire to know, whether he shall be subordinate to those Commissioners for the Militia, and be obliged to observe such Orders as he shall receive from them.

Their Answer, 19. Feb.

[ CLXIII] THe Commissioners of the Militia desired by the seventeenth Proposition are to or∣der the War of Ireland, according to the Ordinance of the 11. of April; and the Earl of Leven being by that Ordinance Commander in chief of the Forces, there, is oblig∣ed to observe such Orders as he shall receive from those Commissioners.

Their Commissioners likewise the same 19. of Feb. delivered in some Papers of Demands on their part.

Their Answer. 19. Feb.

[ CLXIV] WE desire that no Cessation of Arms or Peace in Ireland may be Treated upon, or concluded, without consent of both Houses of Parliament of England.

Another, 19. Feb.

[ CLXV] WE desire to know, whether any Peace or Cessation of Arms in Ireland be consented unto by His Majesty, and for what time, and whether any Commission be now on foot, or other Authority given by His Majesty for that purpose.

The King's Commissioners Answer to both, 20. February

[ CLXVI] TO your Lordships sixth and seventh Papers delivered to us yesterday concerning any Peace or Cessation of Arms in Ireland, your Lordships well know, that long after the War begun in this Kingdom, and the want of a Supply from hence, that a Cessation hath been made with His Majesties consent, and we conceive that the same expires in March next, and we are confident there is no Peace made there: But for the making a Peace or a farther Cessation, we can give no farther Answer till we may know whether there may be a blessed Peace made in England; since if the miserable Civil Wars shall continue in this King∣dom, we cannot conceive it possible for His Majesty by Force to reduce the Kingdom of Ire∣land, or to preserve His Protestant Subjects there without a Peace or Cessation.

Their Reply, 20. Febr.

[ CLXVII] WE conceive your Lordships have given no Answer to us, whether any Commission be now on foot, or other Authority given by his Majesty for any Peace or Cessati∣on

of Arms in Ireland, other then that which determines in March next; nor to our de∣sire that no Cessation of Arms or Peace in Ireland may be Treated upon, or concluded, without consent of both Houses of the Parliament of England: nor do we understand why your Lordships should delay your Answer herein till the Peace in England be concluded, since it hath been so clearly manifested to your Lordships by the true meaning of the Act passed by His Majesty this Parliament, that His Majesty can make no Peace nor Cessation without the Consent of the two Houses; and that your Lordships satisfactory Answer to this and our other Demands concerning Ireland will much conduce to the settling the Peace of this Kingdom. We therefore again desire your Lordships full and clear Answer to the particulars expressed in our sixth and seventh Papers, yesterday delivered to your Lordships.

The King's Commissioners Answer, 20. Febr.

[ CLXVIII] VVE do not hold our selves any ways obliged to answer your Lordships Demand, whether any Commission be on foot, or other Authority from His Majesty, for a Peace or Cessation of Arms in Ireland (that Question not arising upon any Propositi∣ons on His Majesties part:) yet for your Lordships satisfaction, we do again assure you, we do not know there is any Peace or Cessation made there, other than that which determines in March next. But what Commission the Marquess of Ormond, as Lievtenant of Ireland, or General of the Forces there, hath to that purpose, we do not know, and therefore cannot inform your Lordships. And as to the other particulars in that Paper, we do re∣fer our selves to the Answers formerly given in to your Lordships Demands touching that Subject, with this, that we do conceive it to be most clear, that His Majesty is in no wise restrained by express words, or by the meaning of any Act made this Parliament, from making a Peace or Cessation in Ireland without the consent of the two Houses.

Their Paper, 19. Feb.

[ CLXIX] THere being but three days left to Treat upon the Propositions for Religion, the Mi∣litia, and for Ireland, and for that your Lordships have given no satisfactory An∣swers to our Demands concerning them, we therefore now desire to confer with your Lordships how to dispose of the three days yet remaining, that we may receive your Lordships full and clear Answers thereunto.

The King's Commissioners Answer, 19. February.

[ CLXX] VVE see no cause why your Lordships should think our Answers upon the Propo∣sitions for Religion and the Militia were not satisfactory. And for that of Ireland, we have received many Papers from your Lordships concerning that business be∣sides the Propositions themselves, to all which we doubt not to give a full and clear Answer to your Lordships to morrow, being the time assigned, and the last day of the Treaty upon that Subject. After, we shall be ready to confer with your Lordships of disposing the remainder of the time.

Accordingly, after the before-mentioned Demands and Answer thereunto of the 19. of Fe∣bruary, the King's Commissioners in Answer to theirs of the 18. of February, n. 149. delive∣red in this Paper. 20. February.

[ CLXXI] VVE have already told your Lordships how far we are from being satisfied by what you have alledged against His Majesties Power to make a Cessation with the Re∣bels in Ireland, neither have your Lordships in any degree answered the important Rea∣sons which induced his Majesty so to do, it being very evident, that by the Cessation, there His Majesties Protestant Subjects have been preserved and subsisted, which without it they could not have done, the two Houses forbearing to send any relief or supply to them, and His Majesty not being able. And we desire your Lordships to consider how impossible it was, whilst the War continued in England with such fierceness and animosity, by Arms to reduce the Kingdom of Ireland to His Majesties Obedience; and therefore His Majesty had great reason to preserve that by a Cessation which he could not reduce by a War: And we are most confident that the Necessities (which are not offered as excuses for, but were the real grounds of the Cessation) were very visible to all those in that Kingdom, whose Advices His Majesty ought in reason to follow, and whose Interests were most con∣cerned, and would not have given such Advice, if any other way could have been found out to preserve them. And we have been credibly informed, that the Committee sent into Ireland (which His Majesty never understood to be sent thither to supply the Necessities,

but to observe the Actions of His Majesties Ministers there, having in their Journey thi∣ther signed Warrants in their own names to apprehend the Persons of Peers of this Realm, and Persons of His Majesties Privy Council) were never discountenanced there; for His Majesties directions, that Persons who were not of His Privy Council there should not be present at those Councils, cannot be interpreted a discountenance to them in any thing they ought to do. And we are most assured, that His Majesty sent no Message or Letter to divert the course of the Officers subscribing for Land in satisfaction of their Arrears, but the Soldiers were meerly discouraged from the same, by discerning that for want of Supplies they should not be able to go on with that War. And we do assure your Lordships, that His Majesty doth not believe that the Sums of Money raised for Ireland (which your Lordships do admit to have been made use of by both Houses of Parliament otherwise then was appointed) are yet satisfied in any proportion, the greatestpart of the Money raised upon the Bill for 400000 l. and of the Moneys raised upon the charitable Collections, as well as the Adventurers Moneys, being imployed upon the War here; and if the same were since satisfied, it doth no ways excuse the diverting of them, when in the mean time that Kingdom suffered by that diversion: and that the fear that other Moneys so raised might likewise be misimployed, was a great reason (amongst others) that made His Majesty not consent to that Bill mentioned by your Lordships. And for the Regiments of Horse and Foot, which your Lordships in your Paper of the 18. of this Month say were designed for Ireland, (though they were imployed otherwise, because a Commission could not be obtained for the Lord Wharton, who was to command those Forces; it is well known that those Forces were raised before His Majesties Commission was so much as de∣sired, and then the Commission that was desired should have been independent upon His Majesties Lieutenant of that Kingdom, and therefore His Majesty had great reason not to consent to such a Commission, and so the damages of keeping those six Pinnaces and the 1000 Land-Forces (if any such were) proceeded not from any default of His Majesty. And for the Provisions seized by His Majesties Forces, it is notorious that they were seized in the way to and near Coventry, and that it was not made known to His Majesty that the same were for Ireland till after the seizure thereof, when it was impossible to recover the same from the Soldiers who had taken them; whereas if a safe Conduct had been desi∣red by His Majesty, as it ought to have been, the same being to pass through his Quar∣ters, there would have been no Violence or Interruption offered. For the giving the Names of the Persons who subscribed the Letters delivered to your Lordships (the Origi∣nals of which have been shewed to you by us) we have given your Lordships a full and reasonable Answer: and if your Lordships will assure us, that the giving their Names to you shall be no prejudice to the Persons who did subscribe, if at any time any of them shall be found within your Quarters, we will forthwith deliver their Names to you; otherwise we conceive your Lordships cannot but give credit to that we have said and shewed to you. All which, we hope, hath clearly satisfied your Lordships, that the Cessation with the Rebels was neither unjust nor unlawful, and that you will proceed to satisfie us by what means the War may be managed in Ireland, with probable hope of the preservarion of His Majesties Protestant Subjects there; we being very willing to concur with your Lord∣ships in any just and honourable way for the good and settlement of that miserable Kingdom.

And together with this last the King's Commissioners delivered in this other Paper, 20. February.

[ CLXXII] HAving given your Lordships clear Reasons, why the Cessation which hath been made in Ireland is not in Reason or Justice to be made void, and that the making void thereof (if the same might be done) is not or cannot be for the benefit or advantage of His Majesties Protestant Subjects in that Kingdom, so long as the unhappy Wars in this Kingdom continue; to the other part of your Lordships first Paper concerning Ireland, for the prosecution of the War there to be settled in both Houses of the Parliament of Eng∣land, to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms, and His Majesty to assist, we say, That it appears by the other Papers delivered to us by your Lordships, as the Articles of the Treaty of the sixth of August, and the Ordinances of the eleventh of April and ninth of March, and otherwise, That the intent is, that that War shall be managed by a joynt Committee of both Kingdoms, and that the Committee of each Kingdom shall have a Ne∣gative voice, and consequently it is very probable that upon difference of Opinion between them that War may stand still, or, to the utter Ruin of His Majesties good Subjects there, be absolutely dissolv'd. For whereas your Lordships say, That in case of such Disagree∣ment, the Houses of the Parliament of England may prosecute the War as they shall think fit, observing the Treaty of the sixth of August 1642. and the Ordinance of the 11. of

April, your Lordships well know, that by that Treaty and that Ordinance the two Hou∣ses of the Parliament of England alone cannot prosecute that War, that Ordinance of the 11. of April expresly making the Earl of Leven, the Scots General, Commander in chief of all Forces in that Kingdom, both British and Scotish, without any reference unto His Majesty or His Lieutenant of that Kingdom, and directing that the War shall be managed by the Committee of both Kingdoms, without any other reference to the two Houses of the Parliament of England. And therefore we cannot consent that such an Act of Parlia∣ment be passed for the confirmation of that Treaty, or the Ordinance of the 11 of April, as your Lordships propose, by reason that thereby all His Majesties Authority would be whol∣ly taken away in that Kingdom, and in truth that whole Kingdom be thereby delivered in∣to the hands of His Majesties Subjects of Scotland; which we conceive is neither just, prudent, nor honourable to be done. And we are of Opinion, that it is not agreeable to His Majesties Honour, or the Justice and Protection which He ows to His Subjects of His Kingdom of Ireland, to put the nomination of His Lieutenant and Judges of that Kingdom out of Himself, and to commit the whole Power of that Kingdom to others, and to bind Himself to pass all such Acts of Parliament as any time hereafter shall be presented to Him for raising of Moneys, and other things necessary for the prosecution of the War in that Kingdom, which your Lordships say, in your Paper the 9. of this In∣stant, you intend by those words [His Majesty to assist,] in your first Paper. And we con∣ceive it cannot be expected that His Majesty should consent to an Act of Parliament for prosecution of the War in Ireland to be managed by the Advice of the Houses of Parlia∣ment here and the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland, so long as the War in this King∣dom shall continue.

For these and many other Reasons, we conceive it doth appear to your Lordships that the Propositions, as they are delivered to us by your Lordships, are by no means fit to be consented to; and therefore we desire your Lordships to make other Propositions to us, which may be for the preservation and relief of His Majesties Protestant Subjects there, and for the settlement of that Kingdom, in which we shall very readily concur, and we shall be very willing that the business of that Kingdom, shall, after a Peace settled in this, be taken into consideration, and ordered as His Majesty and both Houses of Parlia∣ment here shall think fit.

Their Answers to these two Papers. Their Paper, 20. Feb.

[ CLXXIII] VVE expected that your Lordships would have been fully satisfied by what we have alledged against His Majesties Power to make the Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland; and we cannot find those important Reasons which your Lordships mentioned to have induced His Majesty so to do, or that thereby His Majesties Protestant Subjects there have been preserved or subsisted: but we have made it evident that this Cessation tended to the utter Destruction of the Protestants in that Kingdom, as we conceived was de∣signed by those who advised His Majesty thereunto. And we observe, your Lord∣ships urge that this Cessation was the only means for the subsistence of the Protestants there; when it cannot be denied but that very many of the Protestants in Vlster, Munster and Connaught have yet subsisted, although they have refused to submit to the Cessation, and opposed the same as the means intended for their Ruin. And we do affirm unto your Lordships, that the two Houses of Parliament have been so far from failing to supply His Majesties good Subjects in that Kingdom, that although His Majesties Forces have, as much as lay in their power, endeavoured to prevent the same, and have taken to themselves that which was provided for those whom your Lordships mention to have been in so great Want and Extremity, yet the two Hou∣ses not discouraged thereby, have constantly sent great proportions of all necessary Supplies unto the Protestants there, whereby they have subsisted, and have very late∣ly sent thither, and have already provided to be speedily sent after, in Money, Vi∣ctuals, Cloaths, Ammunition, and other Necessaries to the value of sevenscore thou∣sand Pounds: and they have not desired any other Provision from His Majesty but what He was well able to afford herein, only His assistance and Consent in joyning with His two Houses of Parliament, for the better enabling them in the prosecution of that War. And we are so far from apprehending any impossibility of reducing that King∣dom during the unhappy distractions here, that although many of the Forces provided by the two Houses for that end were diverted and imployed against the Parliament, to the increasing of our Distractions, yet the Protestants in Ireland have subsisted, and do still subsist, and we have just cause to believe, that if this Cessation had not been ob∣tained by the Rebels (and that in the time of their greatest Wants) and that these Forces

had not been withdrawn, they might in probability have subdued those bloody Rebels, and finished the War in that Kingdom. For the pretended Necessities offered as grounds of this Cessation, we have already given your Lordships (we hope) clear information. For the Persons whose Advice His Majesty followed therein, your Lordships have not thought fit to make them known unto us, and we cannot conceive their Interest in that Kingdom to be of such consideration as is by your Lordships supposed: But we know ve∣ry well, that many Persons of all sorts have forsaken that Kingdom rather then they would submit unto this Cessation, and great numbers of considerable Persons and other Protestants yet remaining there have opposed, and still do oppose, that Cessation, as the visible means of their Destruction. The two Houses sent their Committees into Ireland for the better supplying and encouraging of the Armies there, and to take an account of the state of the War to be represented hither, that what should be found defective might be supplied. What Warrants they issued we are ignorant of; but are well assured that what they did was in pursuance of their Duty, and for advancement of the publick Service, and suppressing of that horrid Rebellion: and we cannot but still affirm they were discountenanced and commanded from the Council there where the prosecution of that War was to be managed, and that it was declared from His Majesty, that he disap∣proved of the Subscriptions of the Officers of the Army, by means whereof that course was diverted.

Concerning the Moneys raised for Ireland, we have in our former Papers given your Lordships a full and just Answer, and we are sorry the same cannot receive credit. Those Moneys raised upon charitable Collections, we do positively affirm were only imployed to those ends for which they were given; and we cannot but wonder the contrary should be suggested. We are confident the Commission desired by the two Houses for the Lord Wharton (and which your Lordships acknowledged was denied) was only such as they conceived most necessary for advancement of that Service, and the denial thereof proved very prejudicial thereunto. And we must again inform your Lordships, that it was well known, at the time when the Goods were seized by His Majesties Forces (as your Lord∣ships allege, near Coventry) that the same were then carrying for the supply of the Pro∣testants in Ireland; and some other Provisions made and sent for the same purpose were like∣wise seized and taken away by some of His Majesties Forces, as we have been credibly infor∣med, not without His Majesties own knowledge and direction. Your Lordships may be∣lieve that those who signed the Letters mentioned in your Papers have done nothing but what they may well justifie; and if the same be well done, they need not fear to give an Account thereof, nor your Lordships to suppose that if they come within our Quarters they shall be otherwise dealt withal then shall be agreeable to Justice. Upon the whole matter, notwithstanding the Allegations, Pretences, and Excuses offered by your Lordships for the Cessation made with the Rebels in Ireland, we are clearly satisfied that the same was altogether unjust, unlawful, and destructive to His Majesties good Subjects, and of ad∣vantage to none but the Popish bloody Rebels in that Kingdom. And therefore we still earnestly insist, as we conceive our selves in Conscience and Duty obliged, upon our former Demands concerning Ireland, which we conceive most Just and Honourable for his Ma∣jesty to consent unto. We know no other ways to propound more probable for the re∣ducing of the Rebels there: but these being granted, we shall chearfully proceed in the managing of that War, and doubt not, by God's blessing, we shall speedily settle that Kingdom in their due Obedience to His Majesty.

Their other Paper, 20. Feb.

[ CLXXIV] VVE cannot understand how out of any of the Papers, Articles and Ordinances de∣livered by us unto your Lordships, there should be a ground for your Opi∣nion, that upon any Differences between the Committees or Commanders imployed about the War of Ireland, the War should stand still or be dissolved: nor do we find that the Ordinance of the 11. of April can produce any such inconvenience as your Lord∣ships do imagine: nor doth the making of the Earl of Leven Commander in chief of the Scotish and British Forces, and the settling of the prosecution of the War of Ire∣land in the two Houses of the Parliament of England, to be managed by the joynt Ad∣vice of both Kingdoms, take away the relation to His Majesties Authority, or of the two Houses of Parliament, or of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. For, in the first place, His Majesties Consent is humbly desired, and the whole Power is derived from him; only the Execution of it is put into such a way, and the General is to car∣ry on the War according to the Orders he shall receive from the Committee of both Kingdoms; and in case of Disagreement in the Committee, the two Houses of Parliament

are to prosecute that War, as is expressed in our Answer to your Lordships second Paper of the 19. of February. And when there shall be a Lieutenant of Ireland, and that he shall joyn with the Commander in chief of the Scotish Army, the said Com∣mander is to receive Instructions from him, according to the Orders of the Commissi∣oners of both Kingdoms, as we have said in our Answer to your Lordships second Paper of this day. Nor doth the naming of the Earl of Leven to be General any more take away the Power of the two Houses, then if he were a Native of this Kingdom; or is there any part of the Kingdom of Ireland delivered over into the hands of his Majesties Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland, who do only joyn with their Councils and For∣ces for carrying on the War, and reducing that Kingdom to his Majesties Obedience. And we conceive it most conducing for the good of his Majesties Service and of that Kingdom, that the Lieutenant and Judges there should be nominated by the two Houses of Parliament, as is expressed in the twentieth Proposition, who will recommend none to be imployed by his Majesty in places of so great trust, but such whose known Ability and Integrity shall make them worthy of them, which must needs be best known to a Parliament; nor are they to have any greater Power conferred upon them by the granting this Proposition, then they have had who did formerly execute those pla∣ces. And we know no reason why your Lordships should make difficulty of his Maje∣sties consenting to such Acts as shall be presented unto him for raising Moneys and other necessaries from the Subject, which is without any charge to himself, for no other end but the settling of the true Protestant Religion in that Kingdom, and reducing it to his Majesties Obedience, for which we hold nothing too dear that can be imploy∣ed by us. And we cannot but wonder that your Lordships should make the prose∣cution of the War of Ireland, which is but to execute Justice upon those bloody Rebels, who have broken all Laws of God and Man, their Faith, their Allegiance, all bonds of Charity, all rules of Humanity and humane Society, who have Butchered so many thou∣sands of Innocent Christians, Men, Women and Children, whose Blood cries up to Hea∣ven for Vengeance, so many of his Majesties Subjects, whose Lives he is bound to re∣quire at their hands that spilt them, and to do Justice upon them to put away innocent Blood from himself, his Posterity, the whole Land; these execrable Antichristian Rebels, who have made a covenant with Hell to destroy the Gospel of Christ, and have taken up Arms to destroy the Protestant Religion, to set up Popery, to rend away one of his Majesties Kingdoms, and deliver it up into the hands of Strangers, for which they have negotiations with Spain and other States; a War which must prevent so much mischief, do so much good, offer up such an acceptable Sacrifice to the Great and Just God of Heaven, who groans under so much Wickedness to lie so long unpunish∣ed; a War which must reduce that Kingdom unto his Majesties Obedience, the most glorious work that this Kingdom can undertake; that the prosecution of such a War your Lordships should make to depend upon any other condition, that the Distracti∣ons of these Kingdoms should be laid as an impediment unto it, and that there should be any thought, any thing which should give those Rebels hope of impunity, if our Miseries continue, whereas, according to Christian reason and the ordinary course of God's Providence, nothing can be more probable to continue our Miseries then the least connivence in this kind. What can be said or imagined should be any induce∣ment to it? We hope, not to make use of their help and assistance to strengthen any party here, to bring over such Actors of barbarous Cruelties to exercise the same in these Kingdoms. We desire your Lordships to consider these things, and that no∣thing may remain with you which may hinder his Majesty from giving his Consent to all good means for the reducing of Ireland, according to what is desired by us in our Propositions.

The King's Commissioners Reply to the two last Papers. The King's Commissioners Paper, 20. February.

[ CLXXV] WE are very sorry that our Answers formerly given to your Lordships in the business of the Cessation, which was so necessary to be made, and being made to be kept, have not given your Lordships satisfaction; and that your Lordships have not rather thought fit to make the reasonableness of your Propositions concerning Ire∣land appear to us, or to make such as might be reasonable in the stead, then by charging his Majesty with many particulars which highly reflect upon his Honour, to compel us to mention many things in Answer to your Lordships Allegations, which otherwise in a time of Treaty, when we would rather endeavour to prevent future Inconveniences then to insist on past mistakes, we desired to have omitted. And we can no ways admit, that when the Cessation was made in Ireland, his Majesties Protestant Subjects there could

have subsisted without that Cessation, nor that the War can be maintained and prosecu∣ted to the subduing the Rebels there so long as the War continues in this Kingdom; which are the chief grounds laid for the Assertions in your Lordships first Paper delivered this day, concerning the business of Ireland. Neither can we conceive that your Lordships have alleged any thing that could in the least degree satisfie us, that his Majesty had no Power to make that Cessation, or had no Reason so to do, considering (as we have formerly said, and do again insist upon it) that by that Cessation (which was not made till long after this Kingdom was embroiled in a miserable War) the poor Protestants there (who for want of Supplies from hence were ready to famish and be destroyed) were preserved, and that Kingdom kept from utter Ruin, (so far was it from being a design for their Destruction, or for the advantage of the Popish bloody Rebels, as is insinuated:) for it appears by the Letters of the Lords Justices of Ireland, Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlase, and of the Council there, of the fourth of April 1643. before that Cessation made, directed to the Speaker of the House of Commons, a Copy where∣of we delivered to your Lordships, though we presume you may have the Original, That His Majesties Army and good Subjects there were in danger to be devoured for want of needful Supplies forth of England; and that His Majesties Forces were of Necessity sent abroad, to try what might be done for sustaining them in the Country, to keep them alive until Supplies should get to them: but that design failing, those their hopes were converted in∣to astonishment, to behold the Miseries of the Officers and Souldiers for want of all things, and all those Wants made unsupportable in the want of Food; and divers Commanders and Officers declaring they had little hope to be supplied by the Parliament, pressed with so great importunity to be permitted to depart the Kingdom, as that it would be extreme difficult to keep them there. And in another part of that Letter (for we shall not grieve you with mention of all their Complaints) they expressed, That they were expelling thence all Stran∣gers, and must instantly send away for England thousands of poor despoiled English, whose very eating was then unsupportable to that place; that their Confusions would not admit the writing of many more Letters, if any, (for they had written divers others, expressing their great Necessities.) And to the end His Majesty and the English Nation might not irrecoverably and unavoidably suffer, they did desire that then (though it were almost at the point to be too late) supplies of Victuals and Ammunition in present might be hastned thither to keep life until the rest might follow, there being no Victual in the store, nor a hundred Barrells of Powder (a small pro∣portion to defend a Kingdom) left in the store, when the out-Garrisons (as they were to be instant∣ly) were supplied and that remainder, according to the usual necessary expence, besides extraordinary accidents, would not last above a Month. And in that Letter they sent a Paper signed by sundry Officers of the Army, delivered to them as they were ready to sign that Dispatch, and by them apprehended to threaten imminent Danger, which mentioned, That they were brought to that great exigence, that they were ready to rob and spoil one another; that their Wants began to make them desperate that if the Lords Justices and Council there did not find a speedy way for their pre∣servation, they did desire that they might have leave to go away; that if that were not granted, they must have recourse to the Law of Nature, which teacheth all men to preserve themselves.

And by a Letter of the 11. of May following (a Copy whereof we have also delivered to your Lordships) the Lords Justices and Council there did advertise his Majesty, That they had no Victual, Cloaths, or other Provisions, no Money to provide them of any thing they want, no Arms, not above 40. Barrels of Powder, no strength of serviceable Horse, no visible means by Sea or Land of being able to preserve that Kingdom; and that though the Winds had in many days, and often formerly, stood very fair for accessions of Supplies forth of England (the two Houses having then and ever since the full Command of those Seas) yet to their unexpres∣sible grief, after full six months waiting, and much longer patience and long suffering, they found their expectations answered in an inconsiderable quantity of Provisions, viz. 75 Barrels of Butter and 14 Tun of Cheese, being but the fourth part of a small Vessels-loading, which was sent from London, and arrived there on the fifth of May, which was not above 7 or 8 days Provisions for that part of the Army, in and about Dublin; no Money or Victuals (other then that inconsiderable proportion of Victuals) having arrived there as sent from the Parliament of England, or from any other forth of England, for the use of the Army since the beginning of November be∣fore. And besides these, whereof we have Copies to your Lordships, it was repre∣sented to His Majesty by Petition from that Kingdom, That all means by which com∣fort and life should be conveyed to that gasping Kingdom seemed to be totally obstructed, and that unless timely relief were afforded, His Loyal Subjects there must yield their Fortunes for a Prey, their Lives for a Sacrifice, and their Religion for a Scorn to the merciless Rebels. Upon all which deplorable passages, represented by Persons principally inte∣ressed in the managing of the affairs of that Kingdom and the War there, in which num∣ber were Sir William Parsons, Sir John Temple, Sir Adam Loftus, and Sir Robert Meredith, Persons of great estimation with your Lordships (to which we could add many other Advices

and Letters from several men of Repute and Quality, but that we will not trouble your Lordships with Repetition of private Advices) we cannot think but your Lordships are now satisfied, that the Necessities of that Kingdom, which were the ground of the Cessation there, were real, and not pretended: and therefore for Excuses, we leave them to them who stand in need of them; and we desire your Lordships to consider, as the di∣stracted condition of this Kingdom was, what other way could be imagined for the Pre∣servation of that Kingdom, than by giving way to that Cessation. And though it is insisted on in your Lordships Paper, that some Protestants in Vlster, Munster and Connaught, (who have refused to submit to that Cessation) have yet subsisted; yet your Lordships well know these were generally of the Scotish Nation, who had strong Garrisons provided and appointed to them, and were in those parts of Ireland near the Kingdom of Scotland, whence more ready supplies of Victuals might be had, than the English could have from England, and for whose Supply (as His Majesty hath been credibly informed, and we believe that your Lordships know it to be true) special care was taken, when the English Forces and other English Protestant Subjects there were neglected, whereby they were exposed to apparent Destruction by Sword and Famine. And we cannot but wonder at the Assertion, That His Majesties Forces have, as much as lay in them, endeavoured to prevent those Sup∣plies for Ireland, and at the mention of the intercepting those Provisions near Coventry, with His Majesties own knowledge and direction; whereas, as we have formerly ac∣quainted your Lordships, it was not known to His Majesty, that those Provisions which were taken near Coventry going thither, when His Majesties Forces were before it, were intended for Ireland, till after the seisure thereof, when it was impossible to recover them from the Souldiers; which might have been prevented, if a safe Conduct had been de∣sired through His Majesties Quarters, which we are assured he would have readily granted for those or any other Supplies for that Kingdom, but was never asked of him. And as there is no particular Instance of any other Provisions for Ireland intercepted by His Ma∣jesties Forces, but those near Coventry, which were considerable; so we can assure your Lordships, that when His Majesty was in the greatest wants of all Provisions, and might have readily made use of some provided for Ireland, lying in Magazines within His Quarters, yet he gave express Order for the sending them away, which was done accordingly, and would have supplyed them further out of His own Store, if He had been able. And no man can be unsatisfied of His Majesties tender sense of the Miseries of His Protestant Subjects in Ireland, when they shall remember how readily He gave His Royal Assent to any Pro∣position or Acts for raising of Men, Moneys, and Arms for them; that He offered to pass over in Person for their Relief, (which His Majesties Subjects of Scotland approved, and declared it to be an Argument of Care in His Majesty) and if that had proceeded, it might in possibility have quenched the flames of that unhappy Rebellion, as long before it might probably have been prevented, if the Army of Irish Natives there had been suffered to have been transported out of that Kingdom, as was directed by His Majesty.

What Provisions are lately sent, or are now sending to Ireland from the two Houses, we know not: but His Majesty hath been informed, that even those Provisions are design∣ed in pursuance of the late Treaty concerning Ireland made with His Subjects of Scotland without His Majesties consent, and only for such who have declared themselves against His Majesties Ministers, and in opposition to that Cessation to which many of them had formerly consented, though they have since, upon private Interest, and the Incouragement and Solicitations of others, opposed the same: and therefore His Majesty cannot look upon those Supplies as a Support for the War against the Irish Rebels, or as a Repayment of those Moneys, which being raised by Acts of Parliament for that War, have been formerly di∣verted to other uses, of which Money 100000 l. at one time was issued out for the pay∣ment of the Forces under the Earl of Essex.

And as to diverting the Forces provided for the reducing of Ireland, though we con∣ceived it ought not to be objected to His Majesty, considering the Forces under the Com∣mand of the Lord Wharton, raised for Ireland, had been formerly diverted and imployd against Him in the War here in England; yet it is evident they were not brought over till after the Cessation, when they could no longer subsist there, and that there was no present use for them; and before those Forces brought over, there was an attempt to bring the Scotish Forces in Ireland, as likewise divers of the English Officers there, into this Kingdom; and since the Earl of Leven their General, and divers Scotch Forces were actually brought over.

To the Allegations that many Persons of all sorts have forsaken the Kingdom, rather than they would submit to that Cessation, we know of none: but it is manifest, that divers who had left that Kingdom, because they would have been famished, if they had con∣tinued there, since that Cessation, have returned.

Touching the Committee sent into Ireland, we have already answered, they were not dis∣countenanced by His Majesty in what they lawfully might do, although they went with∣out

His Privity, but conceive your Lordships will not insist that they should sit with the Privy-Council there, and assume to themselves to advise and interpose as Privy-Councellors. And we again deny the Subscriptions of the Officers of the Army was diverted by His Majesty; and it is well known, that some Officers apprehending upon some speeches, that the drift in requiring Subscriptions, was to engage the Army against His Majesty, in detestation thereof upon those speeches rent the Book of Subscription in pieces.

For the diversion of the Moneys raised for that War, if they had been since repaid, (the contrary whereof is credibly informed to His Majesty) yet that present Diversion might be, and we believe was, a great means of the future Wants of that Kingdom which induced the Cessation. As to the Lord Wharton's Commission, we conceive we have al∣ready fully satisfied your Lordships the just Reasons thereof.

For the Letters whereof your Lordships had Copies, we conceive that you being there∣by satisfied of the Contents, and that they came from the Lords Justices and Council there, your Lordships need not doubt of the truth of the matter: and for the Names of the single Persons subscribing, we cannot conceive it is desired for any other purpose, than to be made use of against such of them as should come into your Quarters, you having not granted, though desired, that it shall not turn to their Prejudice, if we should give in their Names.

Upon what hath been said it appears, that His Majesties English Protestant Subjects in Ireland could not subsist without a Cessation; and that the War there cannot be maintain∣ed or prosecuted to the subduing of the Rebels there, during the continuance of this un∣natural War here, is evident to any man that shall consider, that this Kingdom labour∣ing in a War which imploys all the Force and Wealth at home, cannot, nor will spare considerable Supplies to send abroad; or if it could, yet whiles there are mutual Jealousies that there cannot be that concurrence in joynt Advices betwixt the King, and the two Houses, as will be necessary, if that War be prosecuted; and that His Majesty cannot con∣descend, or your Lordships in reason expect His Majesty should by His Consent to Acts of Parliament for the managing of that War, and raising moneys to that purpose, put so great a Power into their hands, who, during these Troubles, may, if they will, turn that Power against Him; and it is apparent, that the continuance of the War here, must inevitably cause the continuance of the Miseries there, and endanger the rending of that Kingdom from this Crown.

The Kings Commissioners other Paper, 20. Feb.

[ CLXXVI] VVE do very much wonder, that it doth not clearly appear to your Lordships, that upon any difference between the Committees of both Kingdoms in the managing the War of Ireland, (in the manner proposed by your Lordships) the War there must stand still, or be dissolved: for if the Ordinance of the 11th of April be by His Majesties Royal Assent made an Act of Parliament, (as your Lordships desire) all the Forces of that Kingdom, both British and Scotish, are put under the absolute Command of the Earl of Leven the Scotish General, and the managing the War committed wholly to the Commit∣tee of both Kingdoms, without any reference to the two Houses of the Parliament of Eng∣land by themselves: so that whatsoever your Lordships say of your intentions, that the the two Houses of Parliament here shall upon such difference manage the War (which yet you say must be observing the Treaty of the 6th of August, and the said Ordinance of the 11th of April) it is very evident, if that Ordinance should be made a Law, the War must stand still or be dissolved, upon difference of opinion between the Committee of both Kingdoms, or else the Earl of Leven must carry on the War according to his discretion; for he is in no degree bound to observe the Orders or Directions of the Houses of Parlia∣ment in England by themselves. Neither doth the asking His Majesties Consent at all alter the Case from what we stated it to your Lordships in our Paper of the 20. of this Instant; for we said then, and we say still, that if His Majesty should consent to what you propose, He would devest himself of all his Royal Power in that Kingdom, and reserve no Power or Authority in Himself over that War, which is most necessary for His Kingly Office to do. For your Lordships Expression, when there shall be a Lieutenant of Ireland, we pre∣sume your Lordships cannot but be informed that His Majesty hath made, and we doubt not but you acknowledge he hath power to make the Lord Marquess of Ormond His Lieu∣tenant of that Kingdom, and who is very well able to manage and carry on that War, in such manner as shall be thought necessary for the good of that Kingdom; and there is no question but that the naming the Earl of Leven to be General, to receive Orders only from the joynt Committee of both Kingdoms, doth more take away the Power of the two Hou∣ses here, than if he were a Native of this Kingdom, and to obey the Orders of the two Houses. And we conceive it evident, that the giving the absolute Command of all Forces,

both British and Scotish, to the Earl of Leven, General of the Scotish Forces, who is to manage the War according to the Directions of the joynt Committee of both Kingdoms, doth not amount to less than to deliver the whole Kingdom of Ireland over into the hands of His Majesties Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland: and therefore we must ask your Lordships Pardon, to believe our selves obliged in Prudence, Honour, and Conscience, very much to insist on that consideration, and very earnestly to recommend the same to your Lordships. And we conceive it most conducing to the good of His Majesties Service and of that Kingdom, and the Lieutenant and Judges there be nominated (as they have al∣ways been) by His Majesty, who will be sure to employ none in places of so great Trust, but such, whose known Ability and Integrity shall make them worthy; and if at any time He shall finde himself deceived by those He shall chuse, can best make them Exam∣ples of His Justice, as they have been of His Grace and Favour. And we beseech your Lordships to consider how impossible it is for His Majesty to receive that measure of Duty, Reverence and Application, which is due to Him, and His Royal Progenitors have always enjoyed, if it be not in His own immediate Power to reward those whom he shall by ex∣perience discern worthy of publick Trust and Imployment. We have made no difficul∣ty to your Lordships of His Majesties consenting to Acts for the raising of moneys, and other necessaries for the setling of the true Protestant Religion in that Kingdom; only we think it unreasonable that His Majesty should engage himself (as is proposed) to pass all such Acts as shall be presented to Him, before He know whether such Acts are rea∣sonable or no, and whether those (other necessaries) may not comprehend what in truth is not only unnecessary, but very inconvenient. Neither will the Argument, that the mo∣neys are to be raised from His Subjects, without any charge to Himself, seem reasonable to His Majesty, His Majesty considering His own charge much less than the Damage and Pressures which may thereby befall His good Subjects, the preserving them from which, is His Majesties most sollicitous and earnest desire. And we cannot but wonder that your Lordships should conceive any Expressions made by us, concerning the Prosecution of that War of Ireland, to be unagreeable to the Zeal of Persons abundantly sensible of that Blood and Horrour of that Rebellion. We agree with you, they have broken the Laws of God and Man, their Faith, their Allegiance, the Bonds of Charity, Rules of Humanity and human Society; and we heartily wish that it were in His Majesties Power to do justice upon, and make up those breaches of all those Rules and Bonds; and to that purpose we have desired to be satisfied by your Lordships what probable course may be taken for the remedying those mischiefs, and preserving the remainder of His Majesties good Protestant Subjects: but without doubt the prosecution of that War so much depends upon the Con∣dition and Distractions of His Majesties other Kingdoms, that the Information your Lord∣ships give us of the Negotiation with Spain and other States, for delivering up that King∣dom from His Majesties Obedience into the hands of Strangers, deserves the most strict Con∣sideration, how His Majesties two other Kingdoms can be applied to the Relief of the third, whilst these Distractions are in their own Bowels, and the continuance of the miseries in the two, must render those in the third remediless, if it be not preserved by some other means than the prosecution of the War. Neither can it be foreseen or determined what help or assistance either Party may make use of, where it finds it self oppressed and over∣powered by the other, especially when it calls in any help, and leaves no means unattempted to destroy the other. And we beseech your Lordships, in the Bowels of Christian Charity and Compassion, and in the Name of him who is the Prince of Peace, and who will make an Inquisition for Blood, to consider, whether all our endeavours ought not to be, to stop these Bloody Issues in all His Majesties Dominions; and whether the just God of Heaven, who for our Sins hath made the several Nations under His Majesties Government, to be Scourges of one another, and of His Majesty Himself, under whose Obedience they should all live, can be delighted with the Sacrifice of Blood, and the Blood of Christians; and whether it would not be more agreeable to our Christian Profession, to endeavour the binding up of those wounds, which Interests, Passion and Animosity have made. We desire your Lordships to consider these things, and to make such Propositions to us con∣cerning Ireland, (since it is apparent, that those already made by you, are by no means fit to be consented to) as may be for the growth and propagation of the true Protestant Re∣ligion, the Peace and Happiness of that Kingdom, and the welfare of all His Majesties Dominions.

The last of the six days concerning Ireland being now spent, being the last of the eighteen appointed to treat upon Religion, Militia, and Ireland, by three days apiece, alternis vicibus, according to the order formerly proposed, the two remaining days were imployed for the most part concerning Religion: but towards the end of these two days, being the last of the Treaty (about 12. of the Clock at night) they delivered in these two following Papers concerning Ire∣land, in answer to the two last Papers.

Their Paper, 22. Feb.

[ CLXXVII] WE are very sorry that your Lordships should continue in that Opinion, that it was necessary to make the Cessation in Ireland, when by undeniable Proofs, and con∣sideration of all Circumstances, it is most clear, that the Necessities alledged for grounds of that Cessation, were made by design of the Popish and Prelatical Party in England and Ireland, who so wickedly contrived the same, that the Provisions sent thither by the Parlia∣ment for Relief of His Majesties good Subjects in Ireland, were disposed of and afforded to the Rebels there in their greatest wants; and then when your Lordships affirm the Pro∣testants to be in so great extremity; and even at that time also when the Officers of our Army and Garrisons, pressing for leave to march into the Enemies Countrey to live upon them, and save their own Stores, some who were driven forth, had great quantities of Provisions out with them, yet were not permitted to march into the Enemies Countrey, but kept near Dublin, until their Provisions were spent, and then commanded back again; others could not obtain leave to go forth, but were commanded to stay at home, that their own Provisions might be the sooner consumed, and thereby the Necessity made greater. Notwithstanding, by the care of both Houses of Parliament here for their supply, they were able to subsist, and did subsist at the time of that Cessation, although the making thereof reduced them to far greater Necessities than otherwise they could have suffered, besides the notorious advantage thereby to the Rebels, when their Wants and Extremi∣ties were most pressing. And we should not again have troubled your Lordships with these Answers, had they not been caused by your own Repetition of the Letters, of part whereof you have given us Copies, though not the knowledge of the Persons from whom they came; only you were pleased to mention the Lords Justices and Council there; yet we were assured, even by some who were of the Council at that time when the Letters were written, that the same was done only to press for Supplies from hence, without the least intention in them of inducing a Cessation; neither do the Copies con∣tain any thing tending to a Cessation, or the least mention thereof. And we have cause to grieve, not only at what your Lordships express concerning the complaints from Ireland and their great extremities, but that the same being procured and increased by the Po∣pish Party, yet we should find such earnest endeavours to lay the blame and neglect there∣in upon the two Houses of Parliament here, who have been so zealous for their Relief, and whose only care (under the Blessing of God) hath been their Preservation, and that in the heat of our own miserable Distractions, have continued their Supplies, and from our own great Wants, have not spared to afford our Brethren there the means of their subsistance.

The Protestants in Munster, Connaught and Vlster, who opposed this Cessation, were many of them English, and both they and the Scots suffering under as great Wants and Failer of Supplies as the Protestants in other places, and in no better posture of their own defence, notwithstanding in a true sense of their own Duty and Conscience, they have op∣posed, and still do oppose the same: neither were the English there neglected, as your Lordships have been misinformed by such who labour to destroy both Nations, and, as a means thereto, to divide them.

Besides the Goods seised near Coventry, we have mentioned other particulars asserted to be seised, not without His Majesties own knowledge and direction, as we are informed, and are most unwilling to believe: Neither do we understand it to be an excuse for seising some Goods, to say that His Majesty did forbear to seise others in His Power; but when His Majesty shall rightly ponder the horridness of that Rebellion, we hope those wicked Instruments who contrived, and do support the same, will have no power to alter His Ma∣jesties tender sense of the miseries of His Protestants Subjects in that Kingdom, nor at all to lessen His Piety and gracious Care for quenching the Flames of that unhappy Rebel∣lion.

We do again affirm unto your Lordships the truth of what we said before concerning the Supplies of Ireland by the two Houses; and it seems strange, that what hath been lately sent should not be looked upon as a Support of the War against the Rebels, by which only the Protestants were enabled to defend themselves, and to infest their Enemies: nor can we imagine any other means as a Support of that just War, being most assured that if this had not been done, the Rebels must certainly have prevailed, and the remnant of His Ma∣jesties good Subjects of that Kingdom have perished.

Your Lordships are pleased to remember some moneys by us imployed, particularly one hundred thousand Pounds, which was raised for Ireland, all which have been re-satisfied with advantage; and we must, as often as you are pleased to repeat it, refer your Lord∣ships to our former just and clear Answers concerning the same, and the like for the Forces

under the Command of the Lord Wharton. And we believe what your Lordships express con∣cerning the Forces brought hither to His Majesty out of Ireland after the Cessation, it being one end for which the Cessation was made, that those Forces might be imployed a∣gainst the two Houses of Parliament here; and those Scotish Forces which came over, were not sent for.

We know of no Persons who have returned into Ireland since the Cessation, except such as were Agents for the procuring thereof, and divers principal Rebels who presumed to address themselves unto His Majesty at Oxford, and were there countenanced.

It is probable that some might endeavour to alienate the hearts of the Officers of the Army there from the two Houses, whereby their Service against the Rebels might be in∣terrupted.

To that particular of the Subscriptions of the Officers, and of the Committee sent into Ireland, and of the diversions of moneys alledged, and of the Copies of Letters given us by your Lordships, without the Names of those who subscribed them, we have already given your Lordships a full and clear Answer; but have not received satisfaction concern∣ing the denial of the Lord Wharton's Commission, whereby the Service of that Kingdom was much prejudiced.

It is so far from being made appear that His Majesties English Protestant Subjects in Ire∣land could not subsist without a Cessation, that the contrary is undeniable, and that His Majesties Protestant Subjects there, both English and Scotish, who have opposed that Cessation, have subsisted, and do still subsist; and we are sorry to find any inclination to continue that Cessation, which whensoever made, will be esteemed by all good Protestants a countenancing of that bloody Rebellion.

We do insist upon our former Demands concerning Ireland, and doubt not but those being granted, notwithstanding our present miserable Distractions here, we shall (by the Blessing of God) bring those bloody Rebels to a speedy and just Punishment, and settle that unhappy Kingdom in their due Obedience to His Majesty and the Crown of Eng∣land.

Their other Paper. 22. Feb.

[ CLXXVIII] IT is not possible for us to give a more clear Answer than we have done, to shew that there can no such Inconvenience follow upon confirming the Ordinance of the 11. of April by Act of Parliament as your Lordships do imagine; it being desired that the Trea∣ty of the sixth of August be in like manner confirmed, by which the Commanders of the Scotish Forces in Ireland are to be answerable to His Majesty and the two Houses of Parlia∣ment of England for their whole deportment and proceeding there; and it being desired by the 13. Proposition, that the Prosecutions of the War of Ireland should be settled in both Houses of Parliament: all which taken together, it cannot follow, that upon any Disa∣greement between the Committees there, the Earl of Leven may carry on the War accord∣ing to his own discretion. As for our Expression [when there shall be a Lieutenant in Ire∣land] which was used in Answer to your Lordships second Paper of the 20. of February, it was to satisfie your Lordships, that there could be no interfering between the Powers of the Lord Lieutenant and of the Earl of Leven; and still we say, when there shall be a Lord Lieutenant chosen, as is expressed in our 20. Proposition, (for we do not admit the Marquiss of Ormond to be so) the Commander in chief of the Scotish Army is to receive Instructions from him, in such manner as we have laid it down in that Answer of ours to your Lordships Paper above-mentioned: which will, we hope, satisfie your Lordships other Objection, that this is not to deliver over the whole Kingdom of Ireland into the hands of His Majesties Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland, seeing such of that Nation as are there imployed, are to be subordinate to the Committee of both Kingdoms, and in case of Disa∣greement, an Appeal lies to the two Houses of the Parliament of England, in whom the power of prosecuting the War, is to be settled. And we must insist to desire that the Lord Lieutenant and the Judges in that Kingdom may be nominated by the two Houses of Par∣liament, who have by sad experience (to the great cost of this Kingdom, expence of so much Treasure and Blood, the loss of many thousand Lives there, and almost of all that whole Kingdom from His Majesties Obedience, and an inestimable prejudice to the true Protestant Religion) found the ill consequence of a bad choice of Persons for those great places of Trust. Therefore for His Majesties Honour, the good of His Service, the great Advantage it will be to the rest of His Majesties Dominions, the great Comfort to all good Christians, and even an acceptable Service to God himself, for the attaining of so much good, and the prevention of so much evil, they desire to have the nomination of those great Officers, that by a prudent and careful Election they may, by providing for the good of that now miserable Kingdom, discharge their Duty to God, the King, and their Countrey. And certainly, if it be necessary to reduce that Kingdom, and that the

Parliament of England be a faithful Council to his Majesty, and fit to be trusted with the prosecution of that War, (which his Majesty was once pleased to put into their hands, and they faithfully discharged their parts in it, notwithstanding many practices to obstruct their proceedings, as is set forth in several Declarations of Parliament) then, we say, your Lordships need not think it unreasonable that His Majesty should ingage himself to pass such Acts as shall be presented to him for raising Moneys and other necessaries for that War: for if the War be necessary (as never War was more) that which is necessary for the maintaining of it must be had, and the Parliament that doth undertake and manage it, must needs know what will be necessary, and the People of England, who have trust∣ed them with their Purse, will never begrudge what they make them lay out upon that occasion. Nor need his Majesty fear the Parliament will press more upon the Subject then is fit in proportion to the occasion. It is true that heretofore Persons about his Ma∣jesty have endeavoured and prevailed too much, in possessing him against the Parlia∣ment for not giving away the Money of the Subject when his Majesty had desired it; but never yet did his Majesty restrain them from it, and we hope it will not be thought that this is a fit occasion to begin. We are very glad to find that your Lord∣ships are so sensible in your expressions of the Blood and Horrour of that Rebellion, and it is without all question in His Majesties Power to do Justice upon it, if your Lord∣ships be willing that the Cessation and all Treaties with those bloody and unnatural Rebels be made void, and that the prosecution of the War be settled in the two Houses of the Parliament of England, to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms, and the King to assist, and to do no Act to discountenance or molest them therein. This we dare affirm to be more than a probable course for the remedying those mischiefs, and preserving the remainder of His Majesties good Subjects there. We cannot believe your Lordships will think it fit there can be any Agreement of Peace, any respite from Hostility, with such Creatures as are not fit to live, no more than with Wolves or Tigers, or any ravenous Beasts, destroyers of mankind. And we beseech you, do not not think it must depend upon the condition of His Majesties other Kingdoms to revenge or not revenge God's Quarrel upon such perfiduous Enemies to the Gospel of Christ, who have imbrued their hands in so much Protestant Blood; but consider the Cessation that is made with them is for their advantage, and rather a Protection then a Cessation of Acts of Hostility, as if it had been all of their own contriving; Arms, Ammunition, and all manner of Commodities may be brought unto them; and they may furnish themselves, during this Cessation, and be assisted and protected in so doing; that afterwards they may the better de∣stroy the small remainder of his Majesties Protestant Subjects. We beseech your Lordships in the bowels of Christian Charity and Compassion to so many poor Souls who must perish, if the strength of that raging Adversary be not broken, and in the Name of him who is the Prince of Peace, who hates to be at Peace with such shedders of Blood, give not your consents to the continuation of this Cessation of War in Ireland, and less to the making of any Peace there, till Justice have been fully executed upon the Actors of that accursed Re∣bellion. Let not the Judgment of War within this Kingdom, which God hath laid upon us for our Sins, be encreased by so great a Sin as any Peace or Friendship with them: what∣soever becomes of us, 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, de∣clared and unreconciled Enemies to our Religion and Nation: let not our War be a hin∣drance to that War, for we are sure that Peace will be a hindrance to our Peace. We de∣sire War there as much as we do Peace here: for both we are willing to lay out our Estates, our Lives, and all that is dear unto us in this World; and we have made Propositions unto your Lordships for both, if you were pleased to agree unto them. We can but look up to God Almighty, beseech him to encline your hearts, and casting our selves on him, wait his good time for the return of our Prayers in settling a safe and happy Peace here, and giving success to our Endeavours in the prosecution of the War of Ireland.

It had been used by the Commissioners during the Treaty, that when Papers were delivered in of such length, and so late at night, that present particular Answers could not be given, by agreement between themselves to accept the Answers the next day, dated as of the day before, al∣though they were Treating of another Subject; and these two last Papers concerning Ireland being of such great length, and delivered about twelve of the clock at night, when the Treaty in time was expiring, so as no Answer could be given without such consent and agreement, there∣fore the King's Commissioners delivered in this Paper, 22. February.

[ CLXXIX] YOur Lordships cannot expect a particular Answer from us this night to the two long Papers concerning Ireland, delivered to us by your Lordships about twelve of the clock this night: but since there are many particulars in those Papers to which, if they had

been before mentioned, we could have given your Lordships full satisfaction, and for that we presume your Lordships are very willing to be satisfied in those particulars which so highly reflect upon his Majesty, we desire your Lordships to receive the Answers which we shall prepare to those Papers in the Evening to morrow, dated as of this night, and we doubt not to give your Lordships clear satisfaction therein.

This desire was not granted, nor any Paper delivered in Answer to it, but soon after the Treaty broke off.

During the Twenty days Treaty upon Religion, Militia, and Ireland, the particular passages whereof are before expressed, some other passages did occur concerning His Majesties Propositi∣ons, and particularly for a Cessation, and touching His Majesties return to Westminster after disbanding of Armies, and further time for continuing or renewing the Treaty, which do here follow. And first touching His Majesties Propositions, the King's Commissioners delivered in this Paper the second day of the Treaty, 1. February.

[ CLXXX] WE desire to know whether your Lordships have any Instructions concerning His Ma∣jesties Propositions, for settling a safe and well-grounded Peace; and if you have any touching the same, we desire to have a sight of them.

Their Answer. 1. February.

[ CLXXXI] WE have not yet received Instructions concerning His Majesties Propositions, and shall therefore acquaint the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England with the desires expressed in that Paper, who having taken those Instructions into their consideration before our coming from them, will send them to us in time convenient.

After, upon the third of February, His Majesties Commissioners delivered this Paper con∣cerning His Majesties sixth Proposition, for a Cessation of Arms. 3. February.

[ CLXXXII] WE desire to know whether your Lordships have received any Instructions con∣cerning that Proposition of His Majesties for a Cessation; and if your Lordships have not received any, that you will endeavour to procure Authority to Treat thereup∣on, which we have power to do, and conceive it very necessary, that during the time we are endeavouring to establish a blessed and happy Peace, the issues of. Blood may be stopped in this miserable Kingdom, and His Majesties oppressed and languishing Subjects have some earnest and prospect of the Peace we are endeavouring, by God's blessing, to procure for them.

To this no particular Answer was given.

The King's Commissioners Paper. 10. Febr.

[ CLXXXIII] HAving now spent three days severally upon each of your Lordships three Propositions, concerning Religion, the Militia, and Ireland, we desire to know whether your Lordships have received any Instructions concerning His Majesties Propositions, that we may prepare our selves to Treat upon them when your Lordships shall think fit.

Their Answer. 11. Febr.

[ CLXXXIV] WE have received Instructions concerning His Majesties Propositions; and when the Houses of Parliament shall be satisfied in the good Progress of the Treaty upon their Propositions concerning Religion, the Militia, and Ireland, they will give time for the Treaty upon those Propositions sent by His Majesty.

But there was not any time given to Treat upon His Majesties Propositions.

Touching further time for continuing or reviving the Treaty, and His Majesties Return to Westminster after disbanding, these Papers were delivered.

The King's Commissioners Paper. 14. Feb.

[ CLXXXV] WE have this day received Directions from His Majesty to move your Lordships, that you will endeavour to procure an addition of time for this Treaty after the expi∣ration of the days limited for the same, upon the Reasons mentioned in His Majesties Let∣ter, which Letter we herewith deliver to your Lordships.

Notes

• n. 361.
• Copies of the Let∣ters and Advices were ac∣cordingly delivered. [In the Appendix.]
• See the late Sta∣tute con∣cerning the Ad∣ventures for Irish Lands.
• See the Letters and Advi∣ces in the Appendix. num. 9.
• See all these in the Appen∣dix.
• Demand.
• Which were the the two next pre∣cedent Pa∣pers.
• The two Papers fol∣lowing, n. 171, & 172. were delivered in before this Paper, and the re∣ference is to them & others for∣merly de∣livered on that Sub∣ject.
• See the Paper, 20. Feb. n. 192. touching His Maje∣sties return to West∣minster.
• of
• given.
• It is the sixth of His Maje∣sties Pro∣positions.
• See His Majesties Proposi∣tions, n. 8. and the Letter from the Earl of Essex, n. 9. that their Commissioners should have Instructions to Treat upon them.