Hibernia anglicana, or, The history of Ireland, from the conquest thereof by the English, to this present time with an introductory discourse touching the ancient state of that kingdom and a new and exact map of the same / by Richard Cox ...

THE REIGN OF CHARLES I. KING OF England, Scotland, France, AND IRELAND.

CHARLES the only surviving Son of the Deceased King James, by undoubted Right succeeded his Father in all his Dominions, on the 27th. day of March 1625, and was accordingly Proclaimed the same day, and on the 23d. day of June following, he was Crowned at the Abby of Westminster with great Solemnity; and as to Ireland,

HENRY Viscount FALKLAND was continued Lord Deputy, and other inferior Officers likewise were confirmed in their respective Pla∣ces; but the Affairs of England being not a little out of Order, the Irish took advantage thereof, to be very high and insolent at home; to which they were much encouraged by the Bull of Urban, the 8th. of the 30th. of May 1626. to the English Catholicks; exhorting them rather to loose their Lives then to take (Noxium illud & illicitum Anglicanae fidelitatis Juramentum, quo non Solum id agitur ut fides Regi servetur, sed ut sa∣crum Universae Ecclesiae sceptrum eripatur Vicariis Dei Omnipotentis) that pernicious and u••lawful Oath of Allegiance of England, which his Predecessor of happy Memory, Paul 5th. had condemned as such.

Hereupon it was found necessary to increase the Army, to the num∣ber of Five thousand Foot, and Five hundred Horse, the Charge whereof amounted unto 64240 l. 1 s. 2 d. which was more then the Kings Revenue, out of which the Civil List was nevertheless to be paid; so that it was necessary to find out some other Bund, for the support of the Army; and until that could be done the Lord Deputy and Council, on the 14th. of September, by their Letters did

recommend several Troops and Companies of the Army, to the Coun∣ties and Towns of the Kingdom, to be maintained for three Months, and so from three Months to three Months, until the last day of March 1628; and this whole Charge or Incumbrance on the Countrey, was estimated at 36951 l. 6 s. 7 d. ½, and in the King's Letter of the 22d. of Sep∣tember, 1626. to raise this Army; and that the Countrey should main∣tain it with Money, Cloaths and Victuals; his Majesty promises in lieu thereof, to Grant certain Graces to the Countrey, and particu∣larly to suspend the Composition.

But the Gentlemen that were Agents from Ireland, did to ease the Kingdom from that oppression offer to pay 40000 l. a Year for three Years, in the nature of three Subsidies; and to pay it quarterly from the first of April, 1628. which was accepted of, and the same was Paid accordingly, until the first day of October, 1629.

On the 16th. of May, 1626. The King reciting a Complaint of Sir Samuel Smith's against the Lord Chancellor, and that there was diffe∣rence between the Lord Deputy and Chancellor. 1. Because the Chan∣cellor refused to Seal some Patents offered to him. 2. Because he de∣nied to appoint Judges for Circuits, when thereunto required by the Deputy. 3. Because he refused to appoint Justices of Peace, at the Lord Deputies Nomination; and made one Justice of the Peace against his Express prohibition, to which, the Lord Chancellor made Answer: That in the first Case, there was matter of Equity, Conve∣nience of State, and Question in Law unresolved; and that in the se∣sond Case, he had directions in the time of King James; and that in the third Case, it was the Priviledge and Jurisdiction of his place.

Therefore the King orders, That the Chancellor bear fitting respect to the Lord Deputy, who is his Majesties Representative; and as to the Matters in Debate, if the Chancellor refuse to Seal any Patent in question for Reasons of State, that the Cause be debated in Council; and if then they think it fit, and the Chancellor still refuses, till he has appeal'd to his Majesty (as he may) it shall be at his Peril, if the State suffer by his delay; if the Question be in Law, that the Judges decide it, and if the Chancellor be not satisfied therewith, he ought to appeal to the King for farther Directions; and particularly about the Patent for Tanning Leather. As to the Second, if the Chancellor will not appoint Judges as the Lord Deputy desires, that then it be refer'd to the Council-board; and their Sentence be definitive as to that. And as to the Third, the Chancellor will not refuse to make any Man, a Justice of the Peace recommended by the Lord Deputy; if he does, that then the Order of the Council-Table shall govern that Matter; and in all these Cases, it becomes the Chancellor to repair to the De∣puty, and acquaint him with his Reasons whenever he refuses.

And as for Sir Samuel Smith's Complaint, his Case was, that he had the sole Nomination of those that should be Licensed to Sell A∣quavitae; and did set that Priviledge to one Miagh for the County of Cork, the King appoints the Chief Justice, Chief Baron, and Sir John King to Arbitrate that Matter, and to make Reparation to Miagh, whose Patent must be called in; because he is an infamous Person, and unfit for that Trust, and a new Patent for that County must be Gran∣ted, to whom Sir Samuel Smith shall name.

In the same Month of May, the King sent an Order to the Lord Deputy, to make a Lord High Steward, &c. for the Tryal of the Lord of Dunboyn by his Peers, upon an Indictment found against him

in the County of Typerary, for killing a Man; and in January after, the Earl of Marleburgh, Duke of Buckingham, and the Lords of Pem∣brook, Dorset, Grandison, Conway, and Carlton, and Sir Richard Weston, were made Commissioners (or rather a Committee) for Irish Affairs.

And on the Eighth of February, Edward Brabazon Baron of Ardee was ordered to be Earl of Catherlogh; but, for what Reasons I know not, he had not that Title, but was afterwards made Earl of Meath. And on the Second of March his Majesty sent an Order for Sir Wil∣liam Saintleger to be Lord President of Munster. And on the Fifteenth of March he ordered the Vice-Treasurer to pay what the Lord De∣puty and Eight Privy-Counsellors should think fit, for the Charges of the Lord Deputy's Progress.

On the Ninth of May, 1627. upon Complaint of the Lord Courcy, That Sir Dominick Sarsfeild had obtained the Title of Viscount Kinsale, it was referred to the Lord president of the Council, the Steward of the Houshold, Earl of Totness, Viscount Grandison, and Chancellor of the Dutchy; who report, That the Lord Courcy and his Ancestors were Lords Courcy, and Barons of Kinsale and Ringrone: And there∣upon the Defendant endeavor'd to carry the Barony to another Line, and also alledged an Attainder, but made out neither; and then he propos'd, That both Titles were consistent, one to be Baron, and the other to be Viscount of Kinsale: But that being not thought conve∣nient, his Majesty orders, That Sir Dominick quit the Title of Kinsale, but retain the Name and Precedency of Viscount Sarsfeild, and chuse some other Place to denominate his Honour; and afterwards he did so, and was created Viscount Killmallock.

And on the 24th. of July the King orders, That Nathaniel Catlin, his second Serjeant at Law, should have Precedence of the Attorney-General and Sollicitor-General; and in February following his Majesty likewise gave Orders to make a new Examinator for the Court of Chancery, there being but one Examinator in that Court before that time.

But in order to make the Papists the more willing to bear the great Charge of the Army, and to consent to a constant Tax for its Support, certain Propositions were set on foot in their favour, viz. to suspend all Proceedings against them for Marriages and Christnings by Priests, and to give them liberty of Suing out Liveries and Ouster le mains without taking the Oath of Supremacy, with design to introduce a more Publick Toleration of Religion, for which a good Sum of Mo∣ney should be paid to his Majesty, to maintain the Army; to which end, a Great Assembly of the Nation was Convok'd by the Lord De∣puty: But the Protestant Archbishops and Bishops abhorring this gross and scandalous Proposal, did on the 26th day of November, 1626. at the Lord Primate's House, unanimously vote and subscribe the fol∣lowing Protestation, viz.

The Judgment of divers of the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland, concerning Toleration of Religion.

THe Religion of the Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous, their Faith and Doctrine Erroneous and Heretical; their Church; in respect of both, Apostatical: To give them therefore a Toleration, or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion, and profess their Faith and Doctrine, is a grievous Sin, and that in two Respects: For,

First, It is to make our selves accessory not only to their Superstitions, Idolatries, and Heresies, and, in a word, to all the Abominations of Popery; but also (which is a Consequent of the former) to the Perdition of the se∣duced People, which perish in the Deluge of the Catholick Apostacy.

Secondly, To grant them a Toleration in respect of any Money to be gi∣ven, or Contribution to be made by them, is to set Religion to sale, and with it the Souls of the People, whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious Blood. And as it is a great Sin, so it is also a Matter of most dangerous consequence; the Consideration whereof we commit to the Wise and Judicious, beseeching the God of Truth to make them who are in Authority zealous of God's Glory, and of the Advancement of True Religion; zealous, resolute, and couragious against all Popery, Superstition, and Idolatry. Amen.

• Ja. Armachanus.
• Mal. Casellen.
• Anth. Medensis.
• Tho. Ferns & Leghlin.
• Ro. Dunensis.
• Georg. Derensis.
• Richard Cork, &c.
• Andr. Alachadens.
• Tho. Kilmore & Ardagh.
• Theo. Dromore.
• Mic. Waterford & Lismore.
• Fra. Limerick.

This zealous Protestation of the Bishops against Popery (which Downham Bishop of Derry read to the State in the midst of his Sermon at Christchurch on the 23th. day of April, 1627.) drew on a Remon∣strance from the House of Commons in England, to his Majesty, to this effect; That the Popish Religion was publickly profest in every Part of Ireland, and that Monasteries and Nunneries were thsre newly erected, and replenished with Votaries of both Sexes, which would be of evil Consequence, unless seasonably repress'd.

These two extraordinary Actions put a stop to any farther Endea∣vors for the publick Exercise of Popery at that time: Nevertheless, because the Irish Agents in England did consent to the payment of 120000 l. in three Year, it was thought reasonable that the King should signifie his Gracious Acceptance thereof, by conferring some extraordinary Favours on the Agents and Contributors.

And therefore the King did on the 24th day of May not only grant them the following Graces, which were transmitted to Ireland by way of Instructions to the Lord Deputy and Council; but also sent with it a Letter, recommending the Lord of Killeen, and the Lord Poer, and the rest of the Irish Agents, to the Lord Deputy's Favour, desiring that he would order such Moneys to be paid them by the Country as they were promis'd for their Agency; and that he should issue neces∣sary Warrants and Directions for levying the same.

Instructions to be observed by Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Henry Lord Vis∣count Falkland, Our Deputy-General of Our-Realm of Ireland; and by Our Council there; and by the De∣puty or other Chief Governor or Governors and Coun∣cil there, which hereafter for the time shall be; and by all other Our Officers and Ministers whom it may severally or respectively concern.

• I. AT the humble Requests presented unto Us on the behalf of Our Sub∣jects of Ireland, upon mature Consideration had thereof, and by the Advice of Our Privy-Council, We are graciously pleased, in the first place, to order and direct, for the better Preservation and Ease of our said Subjects, that Our Soldiers there be called in, and limited to the most Ser∣viceable Garrisons; and that they be not called from thence upon any Pretence, but against the Enemy or Rebel that makes Head.
• II. For the Collection of Our Rents in case of Default, That first a Sum∣mons Process shall issue; Secondly, That a Pur••uivant be sent; and, Lastly, If this be not sufficient, in case the Sum be of value, that then Our Vice-Treasurer, by Warrant from Our Deputy and Council, shall appoint a compe∣tent Number of Soldiers of the next adjoyning Garison to collect Our said Rents, at the Charge of the Parties complained of; having care that any Man be not burdened with a greater number of Soldiers than the Service shall ne∣cessarily require.
• III. And when Necessity requires the Marching of Our said Soldiers against the Enemy or Rebel, That the Officers imploy'd shall give Ready Money or Ticket, to be defalked out of their Entertainment, and duly paid into the Country upon demand, without taking Money, Pawns, or Distresses, but such Meat and Drink as the People can afford.
• IV. That laying of any Burthen upon Our Subjects for Payment of Soldi∣ers be forborn, except in Cases of inevitable necessity.
• V. Concerning the Grant for selling of Aquavitae and Wine, in regard it is complained of as a great Burthen to the Country, without any Profit to Us, We are pleased that the Patentee or his Assigns shall be restrained from all Proceedings whatsoever, to the Charge or Vexation of any of Our Sub∣jects, for or concerning that Grant, until the Assembling of the next Parlia∣ment; and that it be taken into consideration by the Houses of Parliament, and regulated as may best agree with the Ease and Convenience of the Com∣monwealth, and the advancing of Our Profit in the Subsidies.
• VI. For the Licensing to sell Ale and Beer, forasmuch as it appears that the same hath no Ground of Law, That the Grant thereof shall be presently resum'd into our Hands, and that all Proceedings thereupon shall cease until the next Parliament; and that in the Parliament such Course be laid down for Licensing and Selling of Beer and Ale from that time forwards, as shall be most convenient: Wherein Consideration must be taken, that a Profit in the Subsidies may thereby be advanced; and in the mean time no Process or Warrant to Issue to the Charge or Trouble of any Our Subjects, touching that Grant.
• VII. That the late Proclamation of the First of February last, concern∣ing the Fees of the Clerk of the Market, and all other Fees mentioned in the said Proclamation, shall be suspended until further Order. And because there appears nothing here, but that the Grant of the Clerk of the Market and

• Gauger complained of is lawful, only there is question of the Fees, That Our Chancellor, two Chief Justices, Master of the Rolls, and Chief Baron there, taking to their Assistance Two or more of the Principal Gentlemen of the Country, shall regulate the Fees to be taken by those Officers according to the Law. And for the Measure of the Cask to be exported into any Foreign Parts, you Our Deputy and Council are to take it into your Consideration, and upon Conference with the Officers of Our Customs, and the Merchants, such as you shall think fit to call before you, to limit them to such a certain Gage for the same, as shall be most advantagious to the Merchants in their Traf∣fique, without prejudice to Us in Our Customs; leaving the Gage of Cask that shall be vented within the Land to be ruled by the Standard there. And in regard it is alledged, That the Packers Office is not ancient, nor grounded upon Law, We require you and Our Council to take Consideration thereof, and to set down such Orders as may take away the Abuses.
• VIII. For Reforming of the barbarous Abuse of the Short Ploughs, We are pleased that the Penalty now imposed thereon shall be presently taken away; and that hereafter an Act of Parliament shall pass for restraining of the said Abuse, upon such a Penalty as shall be thought fit.
• IX. That all Grants for Places assigned for Tanning of Leather by Sir Henry Sidney, according to the Statute 1•• Eliz. enacted in Ireland, shall stand good; and also all other Grants or Licences past in Fee-simple or Fee-farm under Our Great Seal, for Tanning of Leather in Cities, Corporations, Towns, Mannors, or other particular Places, shall likewise stand good: But that all Grants or Licensing concerning Tanning of Leather throughout Coun∣ties, Baronies, or Hundreds, past or to be past to any particular Person, for Life, Years, or otherwise, by pretence whereof any Licence or Toleration is or may be made by the said particular Person or Persons to any the Inhabitants of the said Counties, Baronies, or Hundreds, shall be called in and suppressed. And to supply any Defect that may be for want of Liberty to Tan Leather in convenient Places, We require and authorize you Our Deputy and Council for the time being, to pass Letters Patents under Our Great Seal there, for Tanning of Leather in Places where you shall think convenient, without pay∣ment of any Fine, with a Clause of Non obstante of the Statute aforesaid. And in the next Parliament We are pleased that a further Course shall be ta∣ken therein, and likewise for the Inhibiting of the Barking of Trees.
• X. And for the furtherance of Traffick, and bringing in of Coin into that Our Kingdom, We are graciously pleased, that Corn may be transported without License into any of Our Dominions, and other Countries in Amity with Us, when Wheat shall not exceed the price of Ten Shillings English a Bristol-band Barrel; and likewise, That Living Cattel may be brought into Our Dominions without Restraint or Licence; and that Wooll also may be transported, provided that it be into Our Kingdom of England only, and paying the Ordinary Customs and Duties: In which Three last Particulars, We require you to take Order by Act of State, or otherwise, as shall be most expedient.
• XI. The Patent for Linen Yarn shall be resumed, to the end the whole Profit may come to Us and Our Crown, as well that which the Patentee doth receive, as that which We now have: And the Patentee shall receive such Recompence as We think fit; and Our Subjects also shall be secured for so much as concerneth the Transportation of the said Linen Yarn, and conse∣quently not to be compelled to take Licence. Nevertheless, it is Our Plea∣sure, That the Patentee continue his Grant, and receive the Profit, as hitherto he hath done, until he be Compounded with, and receive Recompence for it.
• ...

• ... XII. We are graciously pleased, That Tallow, and Hides, and Fish, Beef and Pork in Cask, may be freely transported into Our Dominions, and all other States in Amity with Us; and that all such Pipe-staves as are already made, may be transported into any of Our Dominions, paying the Customs and Duties.
• XIII. The Bishops and Patentees of Dissolved Abbies, and other Religious Houses, in or near Cities and Towns of Ireland, pretending Liberties and Free∣dom, are to contribute towards the Lodging of Soldiers, and to bear such other Publick Charges, according to indifferent Assessment to be made and laid upon them by the Sheriffs and other Magistrates of Counties and Cities, and the proper Officers of those Places: And to that purpose, you are to publish a General Order to avoid any Dissension that may arise thereout; and for other Matters, they are to be left to the Law. And if any unjust Charge, in what kind soever, shall be laid on any of Our Subjects of that Our King∣dom, they shall have Access unto Us, and gracious Hearing.
• XIV. Creation-Money for the Nobility is to continue according to the Letters Patents thereof; and the Impost-Wines is likewise to be continued to such of the Nobility and Council as shall reside or bear Principal Offices in that Kingdom: And the Two Presidents of Munster and Conaught are to enjoy the same, although they be absent, because they keep Tables for their se∣veral Councils.
• XV. The Subjects of that Our Realm are to be admitted to Sue their Liveries, Ouster le Mains, and other Grants depending in Our Court of Wards, taking only the Oath here under expressed, and any other Oath to be forborn in that Case: And the Natives of that Kingdom, being Lawyers, and who were heretofore Practisers there, shall be admitted to practise again; and all other Natives of that Nation that have been or shall be Students at the Inns of Court in England for the space of Five Years, and shall bring any Attestation sufficient to prove the same, are also to be freely admitted by the Judges there to practise the Law, taking only the said Oath.
  • I A. B. do truly acknowledge, profess, testifie, and declare in my Conscience, before God and the World, That our Sovereign Lord King CHARLES is Lawful and Rightful King of this Realm, and of all other His Majesty's Dominions and Countries: And I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and Him and Them will defend to the ut∣termost of my Power against all Conspiracies and Attempts what∣soever, which shall be made against His or Their Crown and Dig∣nity, and do my best endeavor to disclose and make known unto His Majesty, or His Heirs and Successors, or to the Lord Deputy or other Governor for the time being, all Treasons and Traite∣rous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear to be intended against His Majesty, or any of Them. And I do make this Re∣cognition and Acknowledgment heartily, willingly, and truly, upon the true Faith of a Christian. So help me God.
• XVI. All Compositions in the Court of Wards, or Alienations made bona fide for valuable Considerations, Intrusions, Primier Seisins, Ouster les Mains, and Liveries, are to be reduced and limited to the Eighth part of the true Value of the Lands and Hereditaments so to be Compounded for: And all Wardships and Custodies of Lands during the Minority of Our Wards, are to be moderately valued, according to the Discretion of the Judges of that Court: Provided, That if any Alienations shall be made, whereby We shall be prevented of Primier Seisin and Relief of Wardship,

• and that sufficiently proved: In all such Cases, Our said Court of Wards is not to be restrained to the limitation of the Rates of the Alienations as afore∣said; but our Officers of the same are to impose such reasonable Rates and Values, as may recompence Us, in some measure of those Duties and Profits, which otherwise should have accrued unto Us, if no Alienation to Uses had been made.
• XVII. Our Court of Wards is not to make any Inquiries further, then to the last Deceased Ancestor, except it be by Special direction from Us.
• XVIII. All Escheators and Feodaries, are to be specially directed where any Freeholders Estate in Land doth not exceed the worth of Five Pound Eng∣lish yearly, in the true improved value; to return the Offices taken of such Land into the proper Courts, without Charge to the Subject, or other Fees to any Court or Officer, save only Ten Shillings Sterling to the Officer, that shall take and return the Office; but no Charge is to be set upon the said Lands, nor any Process to issue upon the said Inquisitions, but only for our Reliefs due upon the Tenures; Provided, that if any such Freeholder have the value of one Hundred Marks English, in Chattels Real or Offices, then this Grace is not to be extended to him, although his Estate in Land be un∣der Five Pound per Annum.
• XIX—. In General leading Cases, that Court is to be regulated according to the Laws and Courses practised here in England, whereof Our Judges here shall deliver their Opinions if it shall be desir'd: And our Judges of that Court there, are to nominate some of the best Quality of the several Coun∣ties, to be joyned in Commission with the Feodary or Escheator to take In∣quisitions.
• XX— None of the Clerks or inferior Ministers of that Court, or Servant to any of the said Court, is to be a Commissioner for taking Offices; Not intending hereby to exclude the Officers of the said Court, and others who by their Places are to be Commissioners.
• XXI— No Grants of Intrusions or Alienations, or Leases of Mens Lands are to be made out of that Court to any, before the Party interessed shall have personal warning and Affidavit returned thereof, who is to be pre∣ferred before any other, if he come in the next Term after the Office is re∣turned, and will accept it at the Rates thought fit by the Court.
• XXII— Upon a Contempt in that, or any other Court; the first Attachment is to be directed to the Sheriff, and if he make not a good return, and the Party come not in during that Term to purge his Contempt; then the fur∣ther Process is to be directed to the Persuivant, and no further in our Court of Wards; Our Exchequer in this Point is to proceed according to the Law and Ancient Custom of that Court; and our other Ancient Courts are to bold their Ancient Course, and not to permit any Innovations of sending Mes∣sengers or other Officers.
• XXIII— For reducing and moderating of Fees, taken by Officers and Clerks in our Courts there, whereof great Complaint is made: It is Our Plea∣sure, That a Commission be directed under our Great Seal of that Our Realm; to the Persons nominated in a List Signed by Us, and herewith sent unto you, for the regulating of Fees of all Courts Spiritual and Temporal, accord∣ing to the Form of a like Commission, Granted here in England, to some of Our Council here and others; whereof a Copy is transmitted unto you; upon return whereof an Act of State to pass for Establishing the same accordingly, untill there may be an Act of Parliament.
• XXIV— For the better settling of our Subjects Estates in that Kingdom; We are pleased, That the like Act of Grace shall pass in the next Parliament there touching the limitation of our Titles, not to extend above Sixty years, as did pass 21 Jacobi Regis, wherein are to be excepted the Lands; where∣unto

• We are intituled by Offices already taken, and those already disposed of by our Directions. And We are further Graciously pleased for a more ample Testimony of Our Goodness to Our Subjects of that Kingdom to direct hereby, That from henceforth no advantage be taken for any Title accrued to Us, Sixty years and above, Except only to such Lands in the Kings County and Queens County; whereunto We are intituled by Offices already taken, within the said Term of Sixty years, and which are not yet Granted, nor Lawfully conveyed from Us and Our Crown.
• XXV. And We are Graciously pleased, and accordingly do hereby require You, That You give present Order for the Inhabitants of Conaught, and County of Clare, to have their Surrenders, made in the time of our late most Dear Father, inrolled in our Chancery there, as of the time of our said Father, according to the Date of the said Surrenders; and allowing what Fees were formerly paid for the same; And that such of them, that please to make new Surrenders of their Lands and Hereditaments, may have the same accepted of them, and inrolled in the said Court; and thereupon new Letters Patents past unto them and their Heirs, according to the true in∣tent of our said Fathers Letters in that behalf, paying the half Fees; and that they and every of them, may have such further Assurances for securing of their several Estates, from all ancient Titles accrued to our Crown be∣fore Sixty years last past, as shall be requisite and reasonably devised by their Counsel: And We are pleased for their further Security, that their several Estates shall be confirmed unto them and their Heirs, against Us, Our Heirs and Successors, by an Act to be past in the next Parliament to be holden in Ireland, to the end the same may never hereafter be brought into any fur∣ther Question by Us, Our Heirs and Successors; In which Act of Parliament, and Patents so to be past; You are to take Care, That all Our Tenures in Ca∣pite, and Rents and Services as are now due, or which ought to be answered to Us, ont of the said Lands and Premises, by Letters Patents past thereof, since the First year of Henry the 8th, or found by any Office taken from the First year of Henry the 8th, until the 21st. of July, 1615. whereby Our late dear Father, or any his Predecessors actually reserved any Profit by Ward∣ship, Liveries, Primier Seissins, mean Rates, Ousterle Mains, or Fines for Alienations without Licence, be again reserved to Us, Our Heirs and Suc∣cessors; And all the rest of the Premises to be holden of Our Castle of Ath∣loane, by Knights Service according to Our said late Fathers Letters, not∣withstanding any Tenures in Capite, found for Us by Our Offices, since the said 21st. of July, 1615. and not appearing in any such Letters Patents or Offices; And You are likewise to set down Order, that all Seisures and Injunctions issued; And all Compositions, Leases, and Custodiums made and past, of or for any of the said Lands, not Granted upon the Tenures, appear∣ing in the said Letters Patents or Offices, between the said First year of Henry the 8th, and the said 21st. of July 1615. shall be called in, and to all Purposes made void, so far as We are advantaged by the Tenure found in Capite, and that no further proceeding hereafter be had upon any other Offices, taken before the said 21st. of July 1615; in which Act of Parliament and Grants, Care is to be taken, That Our Royal Composition due for all the Lands and Hereditaments in the aforesaid Province of Conaught, and County of Clare may be saved; And that it is Our Pleasure likewise; that the Benefit of Our said Fathers Letters, and the Act of State dated the 14th. of May, 1618, touching the Intrusions, Alienations, mean Profits, &c. of Lands in that Province, be in all Points allowed to Our said Subjects.
• XXVI. The Undertakers of Ulster are to have their Estates confirmed upon a Fine of Thirty pound Sterling, upon every thousand Acres in two

• half years time, by equal Portions; and upon doubling their Rents to be Charged only from the date of their Patents, and for your further direction, and more ample Authority therein; a Commission shall be directed to you and others, together with Instructions for passing Patents unto them accordingly; And for declaring Our Royal Intention and Purpose in the same.
• XXVII. The Planters of Leytrim, Longford and Ossery, the King's County, the Queens County, and the County of Westmeath are to have two years time for performing their Conditions of Plantation; and if by that time they perform them not, they are to forfeit their Recognizances, and in the mean time no Process to issue upon their Recognizances or Bonds.
• XXVIII. The Town of Athloane is to have Three years time allowed them from All-Hallontide next, for performing all Conditions and Cove∣nants for Buildings or otherwise, and no advantages are to be taken against them, for breach of Conditions and Covenants, or forfeit of Recognizances already incurred concerning the same.
• XXIX. No General Summons of Grand Inquests are to issue out of Our Bench, or any of Our Courts, but a convenient number of able Freeholders is to be Summoned by the Sheriff for the Grand Inquest, unless the Bayliff who had order to warn him, declare upon his Oath, That he warned him Perso∣nally, or left sufficient warning at his House; and the Fines and Amercia∣ments to be imposed upon them, are to be according to Our late dear Fathers Printed Instructions; And when the Grand Inquest is filled, the rest of that Inquest are to have leave to depart, unless there be other special Service, and this Rule is to extend to the Assizes and Goal Delivery, and Commissions of Oyer and Terminer.
• XXX. The taking of the Accusations and Testimony of Persons noto∣riously infamous, Convicted of Treason or other Capital Offences, for any Convincing Evidence to condemn any Subject, is to be regulated according to the said Printed Instructions.
• XXXI. No Judges nor Commissioners shall bind over any Jurors to any Court whatsoever, unless it be for very Apparent Suspicion of Corruption or Partiality.
• XXXII. Our Judges in every Court, are to be very careful, especially in the Causes of Poor Men, That there be a speedy and direct Course of Ju∣stice, with as little Charge as may be; and that with due Observation of the said Printed Instructions.
• XXXXIII. But one Provost Marshal is to be in a Province, because he hath a sufficient number of Horse in our Pay, for the Execution of that place; And the said Provost Marshal is to take no Money for Booking, nor Cess his Horse or Foot, without paying for it in such sort, as is ordered for Our Soldiers; And such as may be brought to Tryal of Law, are not to be executed by the Marshal, Except in time of War or Rebellion.
• XXXIV. We are Pleased for securing Our Subjects Estates at the next Par∣liament, to be holden there to grant a General Pardon; and then such other things are to be provided for, as shall be found necessary for our Service, and the good of that Commonwealth. And Our Pleasure is, That the Rate of the Subsidies of the Laity and Clergy, and other Profits to be raised by the said Parliament, be such as may bear the Charge of Our Army, with the Assistance of Our Revenue to be spared for that Purpose; The said Parlia∣ment is to begin the Third day of November next, and all fitting Prepa∣rations are to be made accordingly.
• XXXV. The bestowing of Plurality of Benefices upon unqualified Per∣sons, who are unable or unworthy Ministers, is to be forborn in time com∣ing; and such as are invested therein, are to be compelled to keep Preaching, and sufficient qualified Curates, whereby God's Glory may be advanced, Poor

• Scholars provided for, and Encouragement given to Students, to enable themselves for that High Function.
• XXXVI. No Assessment of Money for Robberies is to be allowed, but upon Order of the Judges of Assize in Open Court, calling to their assistance at least Four of the Justices of the Peace, and that only in Cases where all the Points and Circumstances limited by the Statute in that behalf shall be proved; the same to be presented by the Jury, so as none of the Jurors be of the Hundred where the Fact was done.
• XXXVII. All the Nobility, Undertakers, and others, who hold Estates or Offices in that Kingdom, are to make their Personal Residence there, and not to leave it without Licence; such Persons only excepted as are imployed in Our Service in England, or attend here by Our special Command. And in the Subsidies, and all other Payments towards the Charge of Our Army there, all those who hold Titles of Honour and no Estates in that Kingdom, are to be rated and to contribute and pay equally as the rest of the Nobility of the like Degrees that have Estates and reside in Ireland; for which We will give further Order upon an Assessment to be made and transmitted to Us from you.
• XXXVIII. No Judges nor Commissioners shall grant Reprieval to noto∣rious Malefactors, but with the Advice of the Justices of the Peace of the County then assisting, or a competent Number of them.
• XXXIX. Where Undertakers have built upon Glebe-lands, they are to sue forth Commissions out of the Chancery or Exchequer, to select Commissio∣ners to be named by the Undertakers and the Incumbent; or if the Incum∣bent will not agree, then the Court to make choice of indifferent Commissio∣ners, who are to set an indifferent Yearly Value of the said Parcel of Glebe∣land, and return the same to the Court, who are to order the Incumbents suc∣cessively to accept of the same from the Undertakers, as a Yearly Rent for the said Parcel; and for other Lands recovered against the Undertakers as Church-lands, the Parties grieved are to sue in the Exchequer for Abate∣ment of their Rents proportionably.
• XL. All Scotishmen, Undertakers in Ulster, and in other Places there, ar to be made Free Denizens of that Our Kingdom; and no Advantage for want of Denization to be taken against the Heirs or Assigns of those that be dead.
• XLI. For examining what Rectories and Impropriations are now in Lay∣mens Hands, out of which there have been anciently Vicarages endowed with competent Maintenance for the Vicars, which now are by Laymen possessed, whereby the Service of God is neglected, and for Reformation of that great Abuse, you are forthwith to issue Commission to some Persons of Worth and Integrity, free from that Imputation, to examine and reform the said Abuse: And such Persons as have great Rectories, whereunto there are Chapels of Ease belonging, somewhere six or seven Miles distant from the Mother-Church, are to be enjoyned to keep Preaching Ministers in those Parts, ha∣ving competent Allowance to defray the same.
• XLII. No Person against whom any Judgment or Execution hath past in Course of Common Law, or Decree in Chancery upon matter of Equity, is from henceforth to have any Protection granted him; nor any Person flying out of England into Ireland, to defraud or shun the Prosecution of his Cre∣ditors, is to be sheltred or protected from the Justice of the Law, under co∣lour of being a Soldier in any of Our Companies, in that Our Kingdom.
• XLIII. No Witnesses between Party and Party at Sessions or Assizes, or before any Commissioners whatsoever, are to be bound over to the Castle-Chamber; and if Information be put in against any such, then a Relator to be named, who shall be thought sufficient to answer a Recompence to the

• Party informed against, according to the Award of the Court, if sufficient Ground shall not appear of the Information.
• XLIV. Soldiers accused of Capital Crimes are to be left to be proceeded withal according to the Law; and the Commissions for Reforming and Re∣straining the Abuses and Oppressions of Soldiers, such as have lately issued under Our Great Seal there, are to be directed especially to Persons of Qua∣lity, having Freehold and Residence in the County: And such Matters as cannot be ordered by them, to be especially determined by a Committee of the Judges and others of Our Council, to be nominated by you; of which none are to be Captains of Horse or Foot.
• XLV. The New Corporations, as well as the Ancient, are to be assessed towards all General Country Charges; and all Impropriations and Temporal Lands of Ecclesiastical Persons shall bear equal Contributions in Publick Char∣ges in the Country and the Towns.
• XLVI. Such of the Barony of Carbery in the County of Cork as have Assignments from Sir James Simple Knight, and have not as yet past their Patents accordingly, are to be admitted to take out their Grants, notwith∣standing Our late Dear Father's Restriction of Grants; and in their Tenures they are not to be prejudiced by any Office taken since the said Assignments from Sir James Simple, unless the said Office be grounded upon some anci∣ent Patent or Office, upon Record before the Date of the said Assignments. Nevertheless, you are to provide, That by pretext of this Our Grace, no new Grants be made of any Lands within that Barony, that are already passed by Letters Patents to any Person whatsoever.
• XLVII. Sheriffs are not to take above Three pence Fine upon any Person for not appearing at their Leets; and if they appear, then to take nothing at all: And to such as are once sworn to the Allegiance, they are to give a Ticket; and of those no Fee to be demanded afterward for Swearing of them. And for such as have been heretofore, or shall hereafter be sworn, and cannot produce their Ticket, if they take Oath that they have been once sworn, then they are not to be sworn again, nor pay any more Fee. And the Justices of Peace are not henceforth to give any Warrant for the Colle∣cting or Levying of any Fines whatsoever, but in Publick Sessions, and by Extent under the Seal of the Quarter-Sessions.
• XLVIII. For delivering Possessions upon Judgments at Common Law, De∣cree in Chancery, or other Legal Injunction, the Sheriffs are not to exact or take any other Fee than is limited by the Statutes in England for like Cau∣ses; and that to be Irish Money: And if any Sheriff shall demand or take more, he is to be proceeded against and censured for Extortion.
• XLIX. No extraordinary Warrants of Assistance to••ching Clandestine Marriages, Christnings, or Burials, or any Contumacies pretended against Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, are to be issued by the Lord Deputy, or any other Governors, nor executed: Nor are the Clergy to be permitted to keep any private Prisons of their own for these Causes; but the Delinquents in that kind are henceforth to be committed to Our Publick Gaols, and that by Our Officers, according to the Ordinary Proceeding of the same: And all un∣lawful Exactions taken by the Clergy are to be reformed and regulated by the Commission there before mentioned.
• L. If any Person shall be Outlawed upon an Action of Debt, and there∣upon a Seisure issued, or a Custodium of his Lands granted to any other, the Barons of the Exchequer are to discharge the same, upon sight of a Cer∣tificate, That the Outlawry is reverst, without any further Plea, paying only Five shillings Sterling for entring the Certificate and Discharge.
• LI. No Person is to be compelled to plead to any new Charge upon the Lands in his possession, unless any Inquisition or other Matter of Record be∣sides

• the New Patent appear to charge the Land therewith, and the New Charge to be past insuper upon the New Patentee, and Process to issue against him and his Lands, and not against the other.

But the Protestants, who bore above a third part of the Publick Charge, were not a little troubled that they should buy Graces and Immunition for the Irish: And, on the other side, the Papists did not at all ••••••der the Protestants part of the Contribution, but valued themselves as if they had paid all, and ascribed the whole Merlt of that Largess to themselves; and upon that, and the aforesaid Con∣descensions made them by the King, they grew so insolent and trouble∣som▪ that the Lord Deputy was necessitated to mortifie them by a Proclamation against the Popish Regular Clergy▪ which issued the First day of April, 1629. and imported, That the late Intermission, of Legal Proceedings against Popish pretended Titula•• Archbishops, Bishops, Abbats, Deans, Vicars-General, Jesuits, Friars, and others of that sort, that de∣rive their pretended Authority and Orders from the See of Rome, in con∣tempt of His Majesty's Royal Power and Authority, had bred such an extra∣ordinary Insolence and Presumption in them, as he was necessitated to charge and command them in His Majesty's Name to forbear the Exercise of their Popish Rites and Ceremonies.

Hereupon they grew uneasie, and complain'd that the Tax was too heavy; and at length they gain'd their Point, and in stead of 10000 l. Quarterly, the Government condescended to take 5000 l. per Quarter▪ from the First of October, 1629. until the rest of the aforesaid 120000 l. should be paid.

But the Proclamation against the Popish Regular Clergy was baffled and ridiculed every where: It was read in Drogheda by a drunken Soldier, in such a ridiculous manner, that it seemed like a May-game, and was rather Sport than Terror to the Auditors: It was so despised and contemned by the Popish Clergy▪ that they nevertheless exercised full Jurisdiction, even to Excommunication; and they not only proceed∣ed in Building Abbies and Monasteries, but had the confidence to erect an University at Dublin, in the Face of the Government, which it seems thought it self limited in this Matter by Instructions from England.

Nor was the Beauty of the Protestant Church sullied by its avowed Enemies only; it was more defaced by its pretended Friends and Members. Things Sacred were exposed to ••ale, in a most sordid and scandalous manner; Parsonages and Episcopal Sees were impoverish∣ed, and their Revenues were alienated and incumbred to that degree, that both the Bishopricks of Kilmore and Ardagh were not sufficient to support a Bishop that would not use indirect Means to get Money; and the Churches were generally out of Repair.

Nevertheless Complaints were made by the Irish against the Lord-Deputy for Mal-Administration of the Government; and though the Earl of Strafford (his Successor,) has assured us, that this Lord-De∣puty proceeded as honourably, justly, and nobly, as any Man could do; and though the Council did, on the 28th of April 1629. write a kind and true Letter in the Vindication of his Innocence, yet he was soon after removed, and

• ADAM LOFTUS Viscount ELY, Lord Chancellor,
• And RICHARD Earl of CORKE, Lord High Treasurer▪

were Sworn Lords Justices on the 26th day of October, and were allowed by the King One hundred pounds apiece every Kalendar Month: They

immediately directed, that the Papists should be prosecuted for not coming to Church, and accordingly the Statute of 2 Eliz. was given in charge at the Assizes, but by Directions from England that Prosecu∣tion was superseded.

Nevertheless these Lords Justices, being exceeding zealous against Popery, caused St. Patrick's Purgatory, in a small Island called Ilan de Purgadory, in Logh Dirge in the County of Donegall, to be digged up, and thereby discovered that notorious Cheat to the World, to the great loss and disgrace of the Popish Clergy, who made vast Advan∣tages of that ridiculous Sham.

But there are a restless sort of Men in the World, who are not to be daunted, or put out of Countenance, by any mischance whatso∣ever, and therefore, notwithstanding the aforesaid disaster, and al∣though the Popish Clergy were so debauched and ignorant, that the bitterest Sarcasm, that ever was put upon the Protestants, was by an Irish-man, who said, That the King's Priests were as bad as the Pope's Priests; yet did this unquiet Generation begin to rant it again in Ireland, to that degree, that a Priest, being seized in Dublin, was rescued by the People; so that, by their Insolencies, they put a Necessity upon the Lords Justices to humble them, and by Direction from the Council of England, to seize upon 15 of their new Religious Houses to the King's Use; and their principal House in Back-lane in Dublin was, Anno 1632, disposed of to the University of Dublin, who placed therein a Rector, and Scholars, and maintained a weekly Lecture there, which the Lords Justices often countenanced with their presence; but afterwards (in the Lord Strafford's time,) the House was disposed of to the former Use, and became a Mass-house again.

In the Year 1631 the Earl of Castlehaven was tryed, condemn'd, and Beheaded in England, for strange and prodigious Crimes not fit to be particularized or related of so Ancient and Noble a Family. And this Year the King, taking Notice of the increase of Popery in Ireland, sent a Gracious Letter of Admonition to the Bishop of Armagh, to be communicated to the rest of the Bishops, thereby exhorting them to the careful Exercise of their Duty, and to avoid all Abuses in disposing of Benefices.

And in the Year 1632, the aforesaid Subsidies, or extraordinary Con∣tribution, being determined, the Countrey finding the necessity of pay∣ing the Army, to prevent their paying themselves, did consent to continue the levying of Twenty Thousand Pounds per Annum, quarterly, for two Years more.

But the Irish valuing themselves upon this Bounty, and thinking the Army could not he supported without their Contribution, began to be very unruly again; and though the Broils they made were soon ap∣peased, yet it was thought necessary to send over the new Lord-De∣puty Wentworth; and accordingly Conveniencies were prepared for him both in Ireland and England.

For on the Tenth of April 1632. he obtain'd an Order for making a new Great Seal, new Signet, and new Seals for all the Courts▪ and on the Eighteenth of May there was an Order of Reference to him in the Controversie between the City of Dublin and the Merchants-Strangers, from whom that City demanded Three pence per Pound Custom; And on the Eighteenth of July he got an Order to the Lord Will••ot, General of the Army in Ireland, to surrender that Office to him. He had also the King's Letter of the Sixteenth of October, to the Lords Justices▪ That the Port-••orn and Tithes belonging to the

Chief Governor, should be given to his Servants: And he also obtain'd his Majesty's Commission of the Seventeenth of October, to levy what Forces he should think fit or find necessary; and an Order of the same Date, to be paid the Charge of such Journeys and Progresses as he should think fit to make. And Matters being thus fitted to his mind,

THOMAS Viscount WENTWORTH was on the Twenty fifth day of July sworn Lord Deputy; to whom the Bishop of Kilmore, and two other Bishops, and the Inhabitants of the County of Cavan, sent a Petition, containing some Complaints against the Army, and some Proposals for the Regulation of it: which was very ill resented at that time, and interpreted to be a Mutinous and Insolent Attempt, and brought the Bishop of Kilmore (who was supposed the Author and Promoter of it) under his Excellency's Displeasure, until that Prelate afterwards explain'd himself, averring, That he did not intend by lessening or discountenancing the Army, to expose with the Publick Peace his own Neck to the Skeins of the Romish Cut-throats.

But the Contribution or Tax of 20000 l. per Annum, to which the Country had consented for two Years, was now almost expired; so that it was necessary to call a Parliament, wich met the Fourteenth day of July, 1634. at Dublin, and granted Six entire Subsidies; but not without the opposition of some Papists, one of which moved, That the Matter concerning the Subsidies might be put off to another time, and then be again considered of. This Parliament also passed an Act for the Confirmation of Patents afterwards to be past on the Commission of Defective Titles, and then was Prorogued to the Fourth day of November following.

At the same time there was also a Convocation of the Clergy▪ and preparatory to it, the Precedency of the Archbishop of Armagh be∣fore the Archbishop of Dublin, was determin'd and setled by his Ma∣jesty's definitive Sentence. And this Convocation (to manifest their Agreement with the Church of England) did receive the Thirty Nine ••••••••cles of that Church into the Confession of Faith of the Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ireland; nevertheless, without a••rogating any of the Canons of the Convocation held Anno 1615. And a New Book of Canons (for the most part agreeing with that of England) was then compiled, for the better Government of the Church of Ireland.

By vertue of these Six Subsidies, which amounted to above 240000 l. and were payable Half-yearly, the Lord Deputy was en∣abled to pay a Debt of 80000 l. due from the Crown, and to sup∣port the Charge of the Kingdom, without any Supply of Money from England.

This Lord Deputy had formerly obtain'd his Majesty's Order of the Sixteenth of January, 1633. for the free transportation of so many Horses and Mares out of England as he the Lord Deputy should give Licence for; by which means he changed Five hundred Foot of the Army for Six hundred Horse▪ which were extraordinary good ones, his own Stables exceeding that of any former Governors▪ And indeed generally the whole Army was neither so well paid, nor so well disciplin'd, in any other time, as it was in his.

On the Twenty fourth of September, 1634. the King reciting, That King James had by his Commission of the Tenth of August, 1603. renewed or revived the Court of Castle-chamber, as himself likewise had done by his Commission of 5 October, 1625. and that now some Disputes are arisen, whether that Court can sit out of Term, or more than twice a Week▪ His

Majesty Orders, That it it may sit, when and as often as the Commissioners please, and that a new Commission issue to that Purpose.

And about this time, Emerus Mac Mahon (afterwards Titular Bishop of Clogher) discovered to Sir George Ratcliff, a Plot for a general In∣surrection in Ireland; and Confess'd, that himself had been imploy'd for some years in foreign Courts, to solicite Aid to carry on a Rebellion, which, it seems, they thought fit to adjourn to a more proper Season. But on the 14th. of November the Parliament met according to the Prorogation, and sate till the 14th. of December, and were then Pro∣rogu'd to the 26th. of January; from which time they sate till the 21st day of March, and then it was again Prorogu'd to the 24th. day of the same Month, and sate from thence to its Dissolution, which was on the 18th. day of April, 1635.

I need not mention the Acts made in these several Sessions of Par∣liament, because they are many, and are to be found at large in the Printed Book of Statutes; it is enough to say, That they cull'd out all the choice Statutes that were made in England, since the 20th. of Henry the 8th, that were proper for the Kingdom of Ireland; and added to them some good new Laws, that were peculiar to that Countrey.

The Parliament being thus ended, and closed with an Act of Indem∣nity, the Lord Deputy and Council made a Progress into Conaught, to inquire into his Majesties Title to several Lands in that Province: and on the 11th. of July at Abby-boyle (to still the Jealousies and Alarms the People were under at this great Inquisition) they pub∣lished an Act of Council, That it was not his Majesties, intention to take any thing from his People that was justly theirs; and therefore, that those who had effectual Letters Patents, should have the full benefit of them, as if they were found Verbatim in the great Office then to be taken, provided the Patents, or the Enrolment thereof, were shewn to the Council-board, be∣fore Easter Term next, and by it approved to be good and effectual in Law; and the like was done in other Counties of Conaught, and so this great Inquisition (which was one of the Spring-heads and Fountains of the succeeding Rebellion) was with great Diligence and Success carried on and effected; and the Kings Title was found to most part of that Province, and a noble English Plantation was design'd.

Whereupon, the Patentees (and particularly the Lord Dillon of Costilo) produced their Patents to the Council-board, and it appearing those Patents were Granted by Virtue of a Commission, 4 Jac. 1. wherein there was no direction about the Tenure, it grew to be a Question, whether the Patents to hold by Knights Service, as of the Castle of Dublin, were warranted by that Commission, or valid in Law; and after much debate it was solemnly adjudg'd, That those Patents were void. And this Case is well known to the Lawyers, by the Name of THE CASE OF TENURES, and was excellently reported in Print by Baron Barry, afterwards Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, and Baron of Sautry.

This Grand Inquisition was counted so great a Master-piece of the Lord Deputies, and so beneficial to the King, and advantagious to the English Interest; That some Persons who went to England, to com∣plain of it, were there not only discountenanced but imprison'd, and afterwards sent back to be dealt by, as the Lord Deputy should think fit; which, it seems, produced their Submission. And not long after, the Lord Deputy (having first received Orders to Grant the Impropriations belonging to the King, to the use of the Clergy, and to Grant to Trinity Colledge near Dublin Lands equal in value,

to the Pension they had from the Crown, of 388 l. 15 s. per Annum) went to England, to give his Majesty a Triumphant Account of his glorious Successes in Ireland, which he performed to Admiration: First, to the King in a private Audience, and afterwards publickly at the Council-board.

He there told the King and Council, That he had found the Irish Exchequer of Paper, but he had made it of Treasure; and that he had not only improv'd the Patrimony of the Church of Ireland, but had also brought it to be Conformable to that of England, both in Do∣ctrine and Government, by the Acceptance of the Thirty Nine Arti∣cles there.

That before his going to Ireland, the Lord Justices wrote, That the Expence exceeded the Income 24000 l. per Annum; and they had no ways to raise it, but by the Levying Nine pence a Sunday on Papists for not coming to Church, but that now it was far otherwise without that Persecution. And he advis'd, That the Army should rather be en∣creased than diminshed; it being an excellent Minister and Assistant in Execution of the Kings Writs, and the great Peace-maker between the British and the Natives, and the best security of past and future Plan∣tations.

That by the Statutes of Wills and Uses, there will more advan∣tage arise to the Crown of England, than by the six Subsidies; be∣cause, thereby the insant Heirs of all great Families in the Kingdom will unavoidably come under the Guardianship of the King, whereby they will be bred Protestants, and of what Consequence this Super∣intendency is, doth in part appear in the Person of the Earl of Or∣mond, (formerly the Kings Ward) who, if bred under the Wing of his own Parents, had been of the same Affections and Religion, with his other Brothers and Sisters▪ whereas he is now a firm Protestant, and like to prove a great and able Servant to the Crown, and a great Assistant, as well in inviting others to be of his Religion; as in the Civil Govern∣ment; it being certain, That no People are more apt to be of the Religion of their great Lords, than the Irish are.

That by the Statute of fraudulent Conveyances, the Irish are pre∣vented in their cunning Disigns, by secret and sleeping Conveyancies; so that the King will have his Forfeitures and Wardships, and the English be encouraged to purchase of them.

That before his time, the Pirates infested the very Harbours, and a Ship was fired by them in the Port of Dublin, in sight of his Majesties Castle; and the Pirates were robbing the Ship two days together without opposition; the Reason was, because our Sea-guard for want of Money did not come till August, before which time the mischief was done; but now they are well Paid and come in March; and that now the Exportation is double, to what is imported into the Kingdom.

That he discourag'd Woollen, and encourag'd the Linen Manufa∣cture, and had sow'd 1000 l. worth of Holland-Flax Seed, and set up six or seven Looms, and doubts not Success; because the Irish can under-sell France or Holland Twenty per Cent.

And then he laments, That the English of Ireland are treated as Aliens: First, In the Imposition of 4 s. per Tun on Coal: Secondly, In the Prohibition to transport Horses or Mares hence without excessive Custom: Thirdly, In the Imposition of 3 s. and 4 d. per Head, for every live Beast exported thence, (and afterwards he procur'd a Privy Seal to supersede these pro tempore.)

Lastly, That tho' he was represented more like a Basha of Buda,

than the Minister of a Pious Christian King, yet severity was not na∣tural to him, but assumed; because it was necessary for the Restora∣tion of a Despoyled Crown, Church and People, from the Claws of those, that had been used to the Paths of an uncontroled Liberty and Oppression: But to proceed:

ADAM LOFTUS Viscount ELY, Sir CHRISTOPHER WANDESFORD Master of the Rolls, were Sworn Lords Justices on the 3d. day of July, 1636. and immediately some Fryars notwithstanding the former Proclamation had a publick Meeting, and passed unpunish'd, for the Lord Deputy wrote over, That he held it not convenient to rub upon that Sore, till they were provided for a thorough Cure.

These Lords, Justices had Orders, to call upon Corporations for a return of their pretended Priviledges, to issue Money to finish the Fort of Galway, to suspend the Lord Courcyes Pension, to quicken the Admeasurement in Conaught, and not to let any Soldiers be Transported: But on the 23d. of November,

THOMAS Viscount WENTWORTH returned Lord Deputy, and then the aforesaid Case of Tenures was argued; but the Judgment, That the Letters Patent were void, did so Alarm the whole Nation, that it was found necessary to delay the Execution for a time, and after∣wards, Anno 1640. (on private Conference with the Irish Committee then in England; for it was not made an Article amongst the Grie∣vances publickly complain'd of) the King quitted the benefit and ad∣vantage thereof, and so the vast Expence of this Grand Office and In∣quisition, which amounted to at least 10000 l. was in effect lost, and this terrifying Bug-bear did not add one Acre to the Possessions of the Crown, nor one English Plantation to the Kingdom, as was at first design'd.

In the Year 1636, John Atherton was preferred to the Bishoprick of Waterford and Lismore, by a Symoniacal Contrivance, as was believed, (says the Writer of Bishop Bedells Life, pag. 144.) but that is not pro∣bable; because that Bishoprick was then so Poor, that it was too small a Temptation to so great a Sin, it is more likely, that being a bustling Man of active Parts and a bold Spirit; he was thought a fit Instrument of State, to promote some Designs that were then on Foot, and as proper for the Recovery of the ancient Possessions of his See, as any Body that could be pitcht upon; and accordingly we find him a fierce Adversary to the Earl of Cork, and a severe Prosecu∣tor of the Bishop of Killalla, which last nevertheless lived to be his Successor; And tho' Atherton did answer the Expectation of his. Be∣nefactors for a time, yet his Tragical end, by the hands of the Com∣mon Executioner on the 5th. of December, 1640. for a Crime not to be named, did very much scandalize the Patrons of his Preferment; Nevertheless, his unparallel'd Repentance, and the most Pious manner of his Death, hath obtain'd for himself the Pity of all good Men, and undoubtedly the Mercy of God.

And it is observable, that the Earl of Cork, and this Bishop Ather∣ton did on the 27th of June, 1637. joyn in a Petit on to the Lord Deputy and Council, to appoint Arbitrators to decide their Contro∣versies; and accordingly the Bishop of Derry, and the Master of the Court of Wards were Assigned to that purpose, and in their Adward, (which I have seen) they recite, that the Bishopricks of Waterford and Lismore, by the Alienations of former Bishops, were left worth but Fifty pound per Annum Revenue in Land; and that the Earl had not purchased any thing immediately from the Church, but from other

Persons for valuable Considerations near Forty years before; yet out of Love to Religion, and the Professors thereof, he was contented to part with some of his Right; and so they Adwarded Lismore, &c. to the Earl; and Ardmore, &c. to the Bishop; and this Adward was after∣wards confirm'd by the Lord Lieutenant and Council, and after that by the King.

Anno 1638. Doctor Bedell, Bishop of Killmore, held a Synod in his Diocess, which was a thing very strange and unusual in Ireland; Never∣theless, it made excellent Cannons or Constitutions, which are to be sound in Bishop Bedell's Life, pag. 237.

But Matters growing high in Scotland and England, the Lord De∣puty went over to the King and left,

ROBERT Lord DILLON of KILLKENNY WEST Sir CHRISTOPHER WANDESFORD, Mr. of the Rolls, Lords Ju∣stices, who were Sworn on the 12th. of September, 1639. and soon after call'd a Parliament, which met on the 16th. day of March, but did lit∣tle or nothing until,

THOMAS Earl of STRAFFORD returned Lord Lieutenant on the 18th. of March; and on the 20th, the Irish Parliament met again, and Granted four entire Subsidies to the King; and were on the 17th. day of June prorogued, to the First day of October following, having first made the Twelve Acts; to be found at large in the Printed Statutes, 15 Car. 1.

The first of these four Subsidies, was Assessed at 46170 l. but the Se∣cond and Third of these Subsidies, being (in the absence of some Pro∣testant Members, with the Army at Caricfergus) upon the Motion of Nicholas Plunket Assess'd in another manner, did not together amount unto more then 23768 l. 15 s. 0 d. and the Fourth Subsidy was never Taxed at all, by reason of the Rebellion that ensued.

And it is to be Noted, that the Protestants paid more than one Third of the Commons part of the Subsidies (besides 26480 l. 6 s. 0 d. Granted in Fourteen Subsidies by the Protestant Clergy only,) and above Three fourths of the Nobilities part of these Subsidies, or more▪ for the Nine Subsidies on the Nobility, came too 52850 l. 18 s. 4 d. whereof the Confederate Lords paid, but 10620 l. 18 s. 4 d. and it is very remarkable, that foreknowing the Rebellion (as undoubtedly they did) they paid not one Penny of the Second or Third Subsidies; and the Commons paid so little, that of the Three Subsidies on them, there was in Arrear when the Rebellion broke out 23855 l. 9 s. 7 d. And yet these Gentlemen, or their Advocates, have bragged in some of their Libels, That they gave the King near a Million of Money.

But to proceed, The Lord Lieutenant upon the Credit of these Subsi∣dies, and the annual Revenue, which now was improv'd to above 80000 l. per Annum, was enabled to raise Eight thousand Foot, and One thou∣sand Horse additional to the Veteran•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉; they cost the Kingdom (in raising, clothing and paying them) 204057 l. and were design'd to sudue the Rebells in Scotland, and awe the Mutineers in England; but, being mostly Papists, who were thereby Train'd to the use of Arms; this Army was so offensive to all moderate and thinking Protestants, that it brought great dis-repute and prejudice on the Kings Affairs, and in the end cost the Lord his lieutenant his Head.

The Lord Lieutenant was exposed to the Hatred of the Presbyte∣rians, for imposing a new Oath on the People, hereafter mentioned; which was so much abhorr'd by many, that they quitted the Kingdom rather then take it, and he was open also to the Jealousies of the Prote∣stants, by bringing over with him Sir Toby Mathews a Jesuited Priest

and by the Correspondence that was known to be between Paul Har∣ris (another plotting Priest) and Sir George Ratcliff (the Lord Lieu∣tenant's intimate Friend), and by suffering Publick Mass-houses at the Naas, so near his own House; and by permitting Fryars to dwell in a House of his own, which he had built to other Uses; But not∣withstanding all this, it is certain, he was no Friend to Popery, but only temporiz'd, until he should meet with a more proper Season to go through with that Work, as himself expresses it.

About this time, Archibald Adair, who had been Bishop of Killalla since the Year 1630▪ was deprived of his Bishoprick, upon this Oc∣casion: One Corbet, a Clergy-man, that fled from Scotland, for writing a Satyrical Book against the Covenanters, called Lysimachus Nicanor, was sent to this Bishop for Preferment; but he being a moderate Man, and perhaps too indulgent to his own Nation, did not approve of Corbet, that had handled the Scots so severely; and therefore he gave no countenance to him, but, on the contrary, told him, That it was a bad Bird that foul'd his own Nest; which was the sharper, be∣cause Corby in Scotch signifies a Raven. And when Corbet told him, That he had hardly escaped with Life, but had left his Wife to try the Humanity of the Scots, the Bishop replied, That he had left her to a very base Office: And other things he said, which the Government thought too favourable to the Govenanters; and tho' they would not be much considered at another time, yet now was thought a sufficient Cause of Deprivation, and Doctor John Maxwell was made Bishop in his room; but the next Year after the Execution of Atherton Bishop of Waterford, Adair was made Bishop of that See.

Nor should it be omitted, That this Bishop Maxwell, a most excel∣lent Preacher, and a hearty Royalist, was nevertheless wounded, stript naked, and left amongst the Dead, by the Irish Rebels, whose Skeins never distinguished between a Prelate and a Fanatick: But the Bishop was accidentally preserved by the Earl of Twomond, who travelled that way towards Dublin, and afterwards went to the King to Oxford, and was the first Man that convinced the King of the innate Hatred the Irish Rebels bore to all those of the Protestant Religion.

But let us return to the Lord Lieutenant, who went again to Eng∣land, to give the King an Account of the good Posture of Affairs in Ireland, leaving in his stead

Sir CHRISTOPHER WANDESFORD, Master of the Rolls, Lord Deputy: He was sworn on the Third of April, and was an intimate Friend of the Lord Lieutenants, and was suspected to have imployed Agents to raze out of the Journal-Book of the House of Commons some Instructions that were agreed upon by that House, for a Commit∣tee to Impeach the Earl of Strafford; but it is certain, he did what he could to hinder that Committee from going to England: And besides Persuasions, he proceeded to forbid them that voyage upon their Al∣legiance. Nevertheless, they all got away privately, some from one Port, and some from another, and came safely to England.

This Committe were the Lords Gormanstowne, Killmallock, Costilo, and Baltinglass, for the Upper House; Nicholas Plunket, Sir Robert Digby, Richard Fitz-Gerrald and Nicholas Barnwall, for Leinster; Sir Hardress Waller, John Welsh, Sir Donough mac Cartby, for Munster; Robert Linch, Geoffry Browne, and Thomas Burk, for Connught; and Sir William Cole, and Sir James Mountgomery, for Ulster; and they carried with them a Remonstrance from the Irish Parliament, against the Earl of Strafford, whom they prosecuted effectually, and were

under-hand so to do by the Discontented part of the Parliament of England.

And because this Remonstrance contains a great part of the History of those Times, I have thought necessary to add it in haec verba.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Deputy.

The Humble and Just Remonstrance of the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Parliament Assembled.

SHEWING,

THat in all Ages since the happy Subjection of this Kingdom to the Im∣perial Crown of England, it was and is a Principal Study and Princely Care of His Majesty and His Noble Progenitors, Kings and Queens of England and Ireland, to the vast Expence of Treasure and Blood, that their Loyal and Dutiful People of this Land of Ireland, being now for the most part derived from British Ancestors, should be Governed according to the Municipal and Fundamental Laws of England; that the Statute of Magna Charta, or the Great Charter of the Liberties of England, and other Laudable Laws and Statutes, were in several Parliaments here Enacted and Declared, that by the means thereof, and of the most prudent and be∣nign Government of His Majesty and His Royal Progenitors, this Kingdom was, until of late, in its growth a flourishing Estate, whereby the said Peo∣ple were heretofore enabled to answer their humble and natural Desires, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comply with His Majesty's Princely and Royal Occasions, by their Free Gift of One hundred and fifty thousand pounds Sterling; and likewise by another Free Gift of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds more, during the Go∣vernment of the Lord Viscount Faulkland; and after, by the Gift of Forty thousand pounds, and their free and chearful Gift of Six intire Subsidies, in the Tenth Year of His Majesty's Reign▪ which, to comply with His Ma∣jesty's then Occasions, signified to the them House of Commons, they did al∣low should amount in the Collections unto Two hundred and Fifty thousand pounds, although (as they confidently believe) if the Subsidies had been Le∣vied in a moderate Parliamentary way, they would not have amounted to much more than half the Sum aforesaid, besides the Four intire Subsides grant∣ed in this present Parliament. So it is, may it please Your Lordship, by the occasion of the ensuing and other Grievances and Innovations, (though to His Majesty no considerable Profit) this Kingdom is reduced to that extream and universal Poverty, that the same is les•• able to pay Subsidies, than it was heretofore to satisfie all the before-recited great Payments: And His Ma∣jesty's most Faithful People of the Land do conceive great Fears, that the said Grievances, and Consequences thereof, may be hereafter drawn into Pre∣cedents, to be perpetuated upon their Posterity; which, in their great Hopes, and strong Beliefs, they are persuaded, is contrary to His Royal and Princely Intention towards His said People: Some of which said Grievances are as followeth.

• I. The general apparent Decay of Trades, occasioned by the new and ille∣gal raising of the Book of Rates, and Impositions upon Native and other Commodities, exported and imported▪ by reason whereof, and of extreme Usage and Censures, Merchants are beggar'd, and both disenabled and dis∣couraged to Trade, and some of the Honourable Persons who gain thereby are▪

• often Judges and Parties; and that in the conclusion, His Majesty's Profit thereby is not considerably advanced.
• II. The Arbitrary Decision of all Civil Causes and Controversies, by Paper Petitions, before the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Deputy, and infinite other Judicatories upon Reference from them derived, in the nature of all Actions determinable at the Common Law, not limited into certain Time, Cause, Season, or Thing whatsoever; and the Consequences of such Proceedings, by receiving immoderate and unlawful Fees by Secretaries, Clerks, Pursuivants, Serjeants at Arms, and otherwise; by which kind of Proceedings His Ma∣jesty loseth a great part of His Revenue, upon Original Writs and other∣wise; and the Subject loseth the Benefit of his Writ of Error, Bill of Re∣vers••l, Vouchers, and other legal and just Advantages, and the ordinary Course and Courts of Justice declined.
• III. The Proceedings in Civil Causes at Council-board, contrary to the Law and Great Charter, not limited to any certain Time or Season.
• IV. That the Subject is, in all the Material Parts thereof, denied the Be∣nefit of the Princely Graces; and more especially, of the Statute of Limita∣tions of 24 Jac. granted by His Majesty in the Fourth Year of His Reign, upon great Advice of the Councils of England and Ireland, and for great Consideration, and then published in all the Courts of Dublin, and in all the Counties of this Kingdom, in open Assizes, whereby all Persons do take no∣tice, that, contrary to His Majesty's Pious Intentions, His Subjects of this Land have not enjoyed the Benefit of His Majesty' Princely Promise thereby made.
• V. The Extrajudicial Avoiding of Letters Patents of Estates of a very great part of His Majesty's Subjects under the Great Seal, (the Publick Faith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Kingdom) by Private Opinions delivered at the Council-board, with∣out Legal Evictions of their Estates, contrary to Law, and without Prece∣dent or Example of any former Age.
• VI. The Proclamation for the Sole Emption and Uttering of Tobacco, which is bought at very low Rates, and uttered at high and excessive Rates; by means whereof, thousands of Families within this Kingdom, and of His Majesty's Subjects in several Islands, and other Parts of the West-Indies, (as your Petitioners are informed) are destroyed; and the most part of the Coin of this Kingdom is engrossed into particular Hands; insomuch that your Petitioners do conceive, that the Profit arising and engrossed thereby doth surmount His Majesty's Revenue, Certain or Casual, within this Kingdom, and yet His Majesty receiveth but very little Profit by the same.
• VII. The universal and unlawful Encreasing of Monopolies, to the Ad∣vantage of a Few, the Disprofit of His Majesty, and Impoverishment of His People.
• VIII. And the extreme cruel Usage of certain late Commissioners, and other Stewards of the British Farmers and Inhabitants of the City and County of London-Derry; by means whereof, the worthy Plantation of that Country is almost destroyed, and the Inhabitants are reduced to great Poverty, and many of them forced to forsake the Country; the same being the first and most useful Plantation in the large Province of Ulster: to the great weakning of the Kingdom in this Time of Danger, the said Plantation being the principal Strength of those Parts.
• IX. The late Erection of the Court of High-Commission for Causes Ec∣clesiastical, in these necessitous Times; the Proceedings of the said Court' in many Causes without Legal Warrant, and yet so supported, as Prohibitions have not been obtained, though legally sought for: And the excessive Fees exacted by the Ministers thereof, and the Encroaching of the some upon the Jurisdiction of other Ecclesiastical Courts of this Kingdom.
• ...

• ... X. The exorbitant Fees and pretended Customs exacted by the Clergy, against the Law; some of which have been formerly represented to your Lordship.
• XI. The Petitioners do most heartily bemoan, that His Majesty's Service and Profit are much more impaired than advanced by the Grievances afore∣said; and the Subsidies granted in the last Parliament having much in∣creased His Majesty's Revenue, by the buying of Grants and otherwise: And that all His Majesty's Debts then due in this Kingdom, were satisfied out of the said Subsidies, and yet His Majesty is of late (as the Petitoners have been informed in the House of Commons) become indebted in this King∣dom in great Sums. And they do therefore humbly beseech, That an exact Account may be sent to His Majesty, how, and in what manner, his Trea∣sure is issued.
• XII. The Petitioners do humbly conceive just and great Fears at a Pro∣clamation published in this Kingdom, in Anno Domini 1635. prohibiting Men of Quality or Estates to depart this Kingdom into England without the Lord Deputy's Licence, whereby the Subjects of this Kingdom are hindred and interrupted from free Access to Address to His Sacred Majesty and Privy-Council of England, so declare their just Grievances, or to obtain Remedies for them in such sort as their Ancestors have done in all Ages since the Reign of King Henry the Second, and great Fees exacted for every of the said Licences.
• XIII. That of late His Majesty's Attorney-General hath exhibited In∣formations against many ancient Burroughs of this Kingdom, into His Ma∣jesty's Court of Exchequer, to shew cause by what Warrant the said Bur∣roughs (who heretofore sent Burgesses to Parliament) should send Burgesses to the Parliament: And thereupon, for want of an Answer, the said Privileges of sending Burgesses were seised by the said Court: Which Proceedings, were altogether coram non Judice, and contrary to the Laws and Privileges of the House of Parliament, and (if way should be given thereunto) would tend to the Subversion of Parliaments, and, by consequence, to the Ruin and Destruction of the Commonwealth.
• And that the House of Commons hath hitherto in this present Parliament been deprived of the Advice and Counsel of many profitable and good Mem∣bers, by means thereof.
• XIV. By the Powerfulness of some Ministers of State in this Kingdom, the Parliament in its Members and Actions hath not its natural Freedom.
• XV. And lastly, That the Gentry, and Merchants, and other His Ma∣jesty's Subjects of this Kingdom, are of late, by the Grievances and Pres∣sures before said, and other the like, brought very near to Ruin and Destru∣ction: And the Farmers of Customs, Customers, Waiters, Searchers, Clerks of Unwarrantable Proceedings, Pursuivants and Gaolers, and sundry others, very much enriched; whereby, and by the slow Redress of the Petitio∣ners Grievances, His Majesty's most faithful and dutiful People of this Kingdom do conceive great Fears, that their Readiness, approved upon all Occasions, hath not been of late rightly represented to His Sacred Majesty: For remedy whereof, the said Petitioners do humbly and of right beseach your Lordship, That the said Grievances and Pressures may be speedily re∣dressed; and if your Lordship shall not think fit to afford present Relief, that your Lordship might admit a select Committee of this House, of Persons uninteressed in the Benefit arising of the aforesaid Grievances, to be licensed by your Lordship to repair to his Sacred Majesty in England, for to pursue the same, and to obtain fitting Remedy for their aforesaid, and other just Grievances and Oppressions: And upon all just and honourable Occasions they will, without respect of particular Interest or Profit to be raised thereby, most

• humbly and readily in Parliament extend their utmost Endeavors to serve His Majesty, and comply with His Royal and Princely Occasions: And shall pray, &c.

As soon as the Lord Deputy had notice of this Remonstrance, and perceived the Fury of the Irish Parliament, he took occasion to Pro∣rogue it on the Twelfth day of November, but whatever he could do was ineffectual to stem the Tide, which now ran too violent against him: And therefore being heart-broken with his own and the Earl of Strafford's Misfortunes, he died suddenly, on the Third day of De∣cember, 1640. Whereupon.

• ROBERT Lord, DILLON of Killkenny-West (afterwards Earl of Roscomon)
• Sir WILLIAM PARSONS Knight and Ba∣ronet, Master of the Court of Wards,

were on the Thir∣tieth of December sworn Lords Justices: But the Lord Dillon beings, for his Intimacy and Alliance with the Earl of Strafford, obnoxious to the aforesaid Irish Committee, he was at their Instance removed, and

Sir WILLIAM PARSONS, Master of the Court of Wards, Sir JOHN BORLACE, Master of the Ordnance, were sworn Lords Justices on the Tenth of February; to whom the King, by his Letters of the Fourth of January before, sent Orders, at the Request of the Irish Committee, That the Irish Subsidies, which heretofore were Forty thousand Pounds, should be reduced to a less Sum than formerly; and that all Letter's sent to the Chief Governor, or other Publick Officers, touching Publick Affairs, or the Subjects Private Interests, should be entred in the Signer-Office in England, to the end the Subjects upon occasion might take Copies thereof; and that all Dispatches from Ireland should be safely kept apart, for the easier and readier recourse thereto; and that His Maje∣sty approves of the Repair of His Subjects to appeal to Him, notwithstand∣ing any Prohibition in Ireland to the contrary; and orders, That no body be prosecuted or molested on that score; and that the Irish Committee shall have Copies of all Records, Certificates, Orders of Council, Publick Letters, or other Entries, that are necessary to manifest or prove their Grievances. And this Letter was on the Tenth of February, 1640. by the Irish Parliament then sitting, ordered to be entred amongst the Records and Ordinan∣ces of that House.

And soon after, the Irish Parliament did vote the following Grie∣vances to be transmitted to their Committee in England, which it seems were couched in Two Petitions, one to the King, and the other to the Parliament, and both carried over by John Bellew and Oliver Castells.

• 1. That the Nobility wer over-taxed in the Subsidies.
• 2. And were kept Close Prisoners, tho' not Impeach'd of any Capital Crime.
• 3. And could not get Licence to absent, unless they leave their Proxy with one of the Chief Governors naming.
• 4. That some have Titles of Honour, that have no Lands in the Kingdom.
• 5. That the Nobility were stop from going to Petition the King.
• 6. That Trade is decayed by Illegal Taxes, as Twelve pence apiece on Hides.
• 7. That Causes are arbitrarily decided at Council-board, and in other improper Judicatories.
• 8. That Pa••ents are made void extrajudicially, on private Opinions.
• ...

• 9. The Monopolies of Tobacco, Starch, Sope, Glass Tobacco-pipes, &c.
• 10. The Procedings of the High-Commission.
• 11. The exorbitant Fees and pretended Customs exacted by the Clergy.
• 12. The Proclamation against buying Gunpowder but out of the Store, and restraining Hunting within Seven Miles of Dublin.
• 13. That the Parliament in its Members and Actions hath not had its natural Freedom.
• 14. That the Subject is denied the Benefit of the Act of Limitation.
• 15. The taking excessive Fees.
• 16. The Seizing of Linen Yarn and Cloth, for not being exact according to Rule.
• 17. The Oppressions of Officers.

And in this Parliament, on the Fourth of March, Captain Audley Mervin brought up an Impeachment of High-Treason from the Com∣mons to the Lords, against Sir Richard Bolton Lord Chancellor, John Lord Bishop of Derry, Sir Gerrard Lowther Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, and Sir George Ratcliff, and made an eloquent Speech on that Occasion. The Charge (consisting of Three Articles) was General, for subverting the Laws, and introducing Arbittary Go∣vernment, by extrajudicial and unjust Decrees; for inflicting infa∣mous Punishments, by Pillory, &c. on Persons of Reputation, and subverting the Rights of Parliament: But it seems there was a Di∣spute raised, Whether the House of Lords in Ireland had Power of Judi∣cature in Capital Cases? Whereupon Captain Audley Mervin made a most excellent Speech in the Lords House in Parliament, 24 May, 1641.

And afterwards he Impeached Sir George Ratcliff (then in the Gate-house, Westminster) in the Parliament of England, of the aforesaid Ar∣ticles, and adds, That he joyned with the Earl of Strafford in taking out Eighty thousand Pounds out of the Exchequer, to buy Tobacco; and that he countenanced Papists to build Monasteries, &c.

On the Sixteenth of March, 1640. Secretary Vane sent the Lords Justices the following Letter, by His Majesty's Command.

Right Honorable,

HIS Majesty hath commanded me to acquaint your Lordships with an Advice given him from abroad, and confirm'd by His Ministers in Spain, and elsewhere, which, in this distemper'd Time, and Conjuncture of Affairs, deserves to be seriously considered, and an especial Care and Watch∣fulness to be had therein: Which is, That of late there have passed from Spain (and the like may well have been from other Parts) an unspeakable number of Irish Churchmen, for England and Ireland, and some good old Soldiers, under pretext of asking leave to raise Men for the King of Spain; whereas it is observed (among the Irish Fryars there) a Whisper runs, as if they expected a Rebellion in Ireland, and particularly in Connaught, Wherefore His Majesty thought fit to give your Lordships this notice, that in your Wisdoms you might manage the same with that dexterity and secre∣fie, as to discover and prevent so pernicious a Design, if any such there should be; and to have a watchful Eye on the Proceedings and Actions of those who come thither from abroad, on what pretext soever. And so herewith I rest,

Your Lordships most humble Servant, HENRY VANE.

In the mean time, the Earl of Strafford came to his Tryal in Eng∣land, and it was the most Solemn that ever was in that Kingdom, and at length he was Attainted by Act of Parliament, and accordingly beheaded on the 12th. day of May, 1641. and the Earl of Leicester was the same day appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in his stead.

His Tryal is excellently wrote at large by Mr. Rushworth, to which I must refer the curious Reader; but because every Man has not that Book by him I have Cursorily extracted so much of it only, as I thought pertinent to his History, wherein if I have not been very exact, it was, because the Inquisitive may easily inform themselves, as well as I, by having recourse to the Original, which I had not leisure to examine more carefully, than I have done.

The Third, Article (which is the First relating to Ireland) is, that he should say, That Ireland was a conquer'd Nation, and that the King might do with them, what he pleased; and that the Charters of the Corpo∣rations were worth nothing, and did bind the King no farther than he pleased.

To which the Earl Answers, That he never spoke those words, and that the Scope and Intent of what he did say, was, to ingratiate his Majesties Government to the People; and that his words were well accepted at that time, however they come to be resented now: That the Charters of Dublin were Anno 1634. brought before the Council, and still are in the hands of the Clerk of the Council; because (be∣sides other Abuses) the Papists of that City engrossed all the Trade, and denied Liberty to such as came out of England to set up there; which he hath so far remedied, as that there are Three Englishmen now in Dublin, for One that was there when he came to the Govern∣ment, and the Charters are not Condemned, but enjoyed to this day, so that he aim'd at a Reformation in favour of the English, but did not design the Destruction of the Charters.

The Fourth Article was, That the Earl of Cork having begun a Suit at Law to recover a Possession he had lost, by Colour of an Order from the Lord Deputy and Council, the Lord Deputy threatned to imprison him, un∣less he would surcease his Suit, saying, That he would have neither Law, nor Lawyers dispute or question his Orders, and that he said upon ano∣ther (the like) Occasion, That he would make the Earl of Cork, and all Ireland know, that so long as he had the Government there, any Act of State there made, or to be made, should be as binding to the Sub∣jects of that Kingdom, as an Act of Parliament; and that he question'd that Earl in the Castle-Chamber, upon Pretence of a Breach of an Order of Council-Table.

To this the Earl of Strafford answered, That the Council-Table was a Court of Record in Ireland, wherein they proceeded formally by Bill, Answer, Examination of Witnesses, &c. and therefore the Orders of it are binding, and ought to be obey'd; he denies he compar'd it to a Parliament, and denies that the Earl of Cork was prosecuted for disobedience of an Order of Council only.

The Fifth Article was, That in time of Peace 12th. of December, 1635. he did give, and procure to be given Sentence of Death against the Lord Mountnorris at a Council of War, (for saying of an Accidental hurt his Kinsman had given the Lord Deputies Foot, Perhaps it was done in revenge of that Affront, my Lord Deputy did me publickly, but I have a Brother would not have taken such a Revenge) and the like Sen∣tence was given against Thomas Dennit, who was executed thereupon.

To this the Earl Answers, That he was General of the Army, and had Power of Martial Law, which is usual in Ireland; and the Lord Mountnorris was an Officer in the standing Army, and by those mu∣tinous Words had transgressed the Thirteenth, and the Twenty first Articles of War, That he was not a Judge of it, but the Council of War were the Judges, that the Lord Mountnorris suffered nothing; but a short Imprisonment; and was told at that time by the Earl, that he should not suffer according to the Sentence; and as for Dennit, he had stoln a quarter of Beef, and also ran away from his Colours, which is Felony in Ireland, and it was at a time when a Regiment was im∣barking for England.

The Sixth Article is, That on a Paper Petition, without legal Proceed∣ings, he caus'd the Lord Mountnorris to be dispossessed of Land, that he had enjoy'd quietly Eighteen years.

To this the Earl says, That that sort of Proceeding was usual in Ireland, and he had a positive Order for it (except in special Cases) by the King's Letter, 5th, October 9 Car. 1. that Three of the Judges assisted him in the Tryal; and that the Judgment was very just.

The Eight Article was, That he imprison'd the Lord Chancellor Loftus, for not obeying his Decree on a Paper Petition, and also imprison'd him for not giving up the Great Seal; and also imprison'd the Earl of Kildare, for not submitting his Title to Castle-Ley to the Lord Deputies Pleasure; and that contrary to the Major Vote of the Council, He caused an Order of Council-board to be made against the Widow Hibbott, and threatened to Fine her so high if she had disobeyed it, that she was thereby forced to quit her Lands, which are since conveyed to the use of the Earl, but it seems the Im∣prisonment of the Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Kildare, was by the Kings Order, and so the Managers insisted only on that of Hibbotts.

To which the Earl Answer'd, That it was a Case of Fraud and Op∣pression, and that the Council-board in Ireland had Jurisdiction in such Cases, and that the Major Vote was against her, and denies the Lands were conveyed to his use.

The Ninth Article was, That he gave Warrants to the Bishop of Down and Connor, and others of their Officers to Arrest and Imprison such of the poorer sort, as refuse to appear upon their Summons, or disobey their Sentences until they give security, to shew cause at the Council-Table for such Con∣tempt.

To which he Answers, That such Warrants were formerly used, and even at the desire of the Papists, to save the Charge of the Writ, de Excommunicato capiendo, that he never Granted but this one, and find∣ing it abus'd, he soon call'd it in again.

The Tenth Article was, That he procured the Customs to be Farmed to his own use, and advanced the Book of Rates on Native Commodities, to excessive Prizes, as every Hide at 20 s. a Stone of Wooll at 13 s. 4 d. &c. whereby the Custom, that should be but the 20th. became the Third or Fourth part of the true value of the Commodity; and there is a Clause in the Grant, That it should be good, tho' an Act of Parliament should be made against it.

To this the Earl Answers, That the Book of Rates was advanced before his Farm, that it was so moderate, that the King sent a Let∣ter 1637. to raise it higher, which he oppos'd; that he was drawn into the Farm by the Kings Command, and the Lord Portlands im∣portunity; and that the King had •• of the Profit of it, and that Trade is exceedingly increased since his coming to the Government.

And the Matter of Fact prov'd to be thus, the Customs of Ireland were 16 Jac. 1. demised to the Duke of Buckingham for Ten years at 6000 l. per Annum, and half the clear Prohts above the Rent, which half Communibus annis amounted to 3700 l. per Annum; so in effect the Duke paid 9700 l. per Annum, but he had allowance for se∣veral Desalcations, as 1400 l. per Annum in lieu of the Customs of Wines, which were Leased to the Earl of Carlisle at that Rent; and the Customs of Derry, Colerain, Knockfergus and Strangford are reserv'd to the King.

On the 24th. of March, in the Seventh Year of King Charles I. The Customs were set to the Dutchess of Buckingham for 20000 l. Fine, and 11050 l. per Annum, Rent, and Derry, &c. are included, and the Lord of Carlisles Lease was surrendered to the King, the 21st. day of the same Month, and then the new Book of Rates was made.

And on the 21st. of April following, viz. 8 Car. 1. The Dutchess of Buckingham's Lease being surrendred, a new one was made to Lord Straffard and Partners, for 8000 l. Fine, and 15500 l. per Annum: And they manag'd it so well, that this branch of the Revenue yielded them as followeth, viz.

Anno. 1636	39936
1637	38889
1638	57380
1639	55582.

The Eleventh Article was, For restraining Transportation of Pipe∣staves, &c. without Licence; But that Article was waved by the Ma∣nagers.

The Twelfth was, That he Monopoliz'd the whole Trade of Tobacco by his Proclamation, that none should be imported without his Licence; and another Proclamation, that none should be Sold by Wholesale, unless it were made up in Rolls, Seal'd at both ends with a Seal appointed by him; and that di∣vers were Pillory'd, Whipt, Fined, Imprison'd, &c. for transgressing that Proclamation: And whilst he raised the Impost on other Goods, he reduced that on Tobacco, from 6d. to 3d. per Pound, whereby he got 100000 l. per Annum. And that he raised several other Monopolies on Starch, Iron-Pots, Glasses, Tobacco-pipes, &c.

To which he Answers, That 6th. June 13 Jac. 1. the King gran∣ted the Impost on Tobacco, being 18 d. per Pound to William Massam, and John Pit for Seven year at 10 l. per Annum, and 8th. February 19 Jac. 1. it was let to Mr. Lyne for Twenty one years at 20 l. per Annum; that, upon the Commons advice in Parliament, that Lease was bought in, and on 18th. of July, 12 Car. 1. the King Orders the Lord Deputy to assume the Pre-emption of Tobacco, &c. to advance the Re∣venue, and this Letter is the ground of the first Proclamation, which in this Matter followed the Example of England, and the Se∣cond Proclamation is, in effect, but the Duplicate of the Proclama∣tion in England of the 14th. of March, 13 Car. 1. mutatis mutandis; that hereupon the 7th. of November, 1637. He contracted with Mr. Carpenter, &c. for the sole Importation of Tobacco for Eleven years, at 5000 l. per Annum, for the first Five years, and 6000 l. per Annum the last Six years, over and above 3 d. per Pound Impost; and that he had the Consent of the principal of the Council, and the Approbation of his Majesty, who consented to an Act of Parliament, for the Confirmation of it, that the Council Sign'd the Proclama∣tions; and if any were Pillory'd, Whipt, &c. it was for Perjury

or like Crimes, and the Fines were only in terrorem, little of them be∣ing Levied, and concludes, that he is no Gainer by that Monopoly.

The Thirteenth Article was, That he also Monopoliz'd all the Flax of the Kingdom by his Proclamations, of 31st. May, 12 Car. 1. and 31st. January in the same year, prescribing and enjoyning Rules and Methods, of making Yarn and Thread; which the unskilful Natives could not Practise, and ordering all Linen Yarn, and Thread, made in any other manner to be seized, which was accordingly executed with Severity, whereby multitudes were undone, and many Starved.

To which he Answers, That what he did was to incourage the Linen Manufacture in Ireland, and to ••••••ing the Irish to a more Artificial way of making Linen Yarn, Thread and Cloth; that the Council concurr'd in the Proclamations, which are Temporary Laws in Ireland; and that he was a Loser of 3000 l. by this Project, for the Good of that Country; that the evil Consequences (if any) were Collateral and Accidental; and that the misdemeanors of inferior Officers could not be Charged on him: That he never used more than 400 l. worth of Yarn in a Year, which could not undoe, much less Starve, such multitudes as they pretend.

The Fourteenth was, That he impos'd a new Oath (to make true In∣voyce, &c.) on Masters of Ships, &c. but the Managers declin'd this Article.

The Fifteenth was, That he Arbitrarily impos'd Illegal Taxes on the Towns of Bandonbridge, Baltimore, Tallow, &c. and Cessed Souldiers on them, till they paid them, and by force of Arms expell'd Richard Butler from Castlecumber, and imprison'd several of the O Brenans, and their Wives and Children, until they surrendred and releas'd their Rights and Estates.

To this the Earl Answers, That when the Country granted the King 120000 l. in Nature of a Subsidy; it was agreed between the Lord Deputy Falkland and Them, that it should not be entered upon Record, but be Levied by Captains, by Paper Assignments, by War∣rant from the Lord Deputy, and so it was done; and the Money le∣vied on Bandon, &c. was Arrears of that Contribution, and it was le∣vied without Force, and that Castlecumber was Legally evicted, and what Soldiers were sent there (being but twelve) were sent to Guard Mr. Wandesford's House against Tories; but used no Force to Mr. Butler, or any quiet Subject, and that it was usual in Ireland, to lay Soldiers on Delinquents.

The Sixteenth Article, That he procured his Majesties Order 17th. Fe∣bruary, 1631. that no Complaint should be received in England, about Irish Affairs, until it were first made in Ireland to the Lord Deputy; and that by Proclamation of the 17th. of September, 11 Car. 1. All Persons that had Estate or Office in Ireland (except such as had imployment in his Majesties Service in England, or attended there by his special Command) should reside in Ireland, and not depart without Licence, whereby People are hindred from complaining against the said Earl; And One Parry hath been punish'd for so doing.

To this he Answers, That it was by him and the Council conceived fit, to prevent unnecessary Clamours here, but that he never denied Licence except to the Lords of Cork, Mountnorris and Roch, because there were Suits against them in the Castlechamber▪ and to Sir Frede∣rick Hamilton by the Kings Command, which was taken off, when he knew the Design of his Voyage was, to complain against him, and to Lord Esmond for a short time, because he was Major General of the

Army; and he saith, that Parry was punish'd for other Misdemeanors, by the Consent of the whole Council.

The Nineteenth was, That by Proclamation of May 20. 1639. he im∣posed a New Oath▪ viz. I N. do faithfully swear, profess, and promise, That I will honor and obey my Sovereign Lord King CHARLES, and will bear Faith and true Allegiance to Him, and will defend and maintain His Regal Power and Authority; and that I will not bear Arms, nor do any Rebellious or Hostile Act against him, or protest against any his Royal Commands; but submit my self in all due Obe∣dience hereunto: And that I will not enter into any Covenant, Oath, or Bond of mutual Defence or Assistance against all sorts of Persons whatsoever, or into any Oath, Covenant, or mutual Defence or Assi∣stance, against any Person whatsoever, by force, without His Maje∣sty's Sovereign and Regal Authority: And I do renounce all Cove∣nants contrary to what I have sworn and promised: So help me God in Christ Jesus. And that he grievously fined those that refused to take it, and particularly, Henry Stewart and his Wife were fined 5000 l. apiece, and their two Daughters, and James Gray, Three thousand Pounds apiece, and imprison'd them for not paying it, and explain'd the Oath to oblige in point of Allegiance to the Ceremonies and Government of the Church establish'd, and to be establish'd by His Majesty's Authority; and that he would prosecute to the Blood such as should disobey, &c. whereby many were undone, and more fled the Kingdom; and that he said, If he return'd again, he would root out Stock and Branch of the Dis∣senting Scots.

To this he answers, That it was in a dangerous Time, and for the Security of the Kingdom, and upon their own Petition; and that he had His Majesty's Orders for it, dated 16 January, 1638. That as to the Fine of Stewart, &c. it was setled before it came to his Vote; so that he did but concur with the rest; and that he did not speak against the Scotish Nation, but against the Scotch Faction of the Co∣venanters.

The Twenty second Article was, That he procured the Irish Parlia∣ment to declare their Assistance in a War against the Scots, and gave Dire∣ctions for Raising Eight thousand Foot, and One thousand Horse, which were most Papists; and confederated with Sir George Ratcliff, to employ that Army to Invade England, and subvert the Fundamental Laws and Esta∣blish'd Government thereof.

To this he answers, That he rais'd that Army by His Majesty's Order; and denies any other Design, than to assist and serve the King as they ought.

There was also some mention made about one Trueman, who was executed for a Plot to betray Carigfergus to the Scots; touching whom, Sir John Clotworthy made this Deposition: That Trueman was an Englishman, that dwelt not far from Carigfergus, and one that was sent about the Country, but by whom he knows not; but there were vehement Su∣spicions, that he was employ'd to find out those that would engage in Discourse concerning the Scotch Business: He spake with one Captain Giles, who feigned himself a great Friend of the Scotish Nation, and said, That he conceived they were greatly distressed, and wished, That he could use Means whereby they might be eased: Hence he discoursed with Trueman, who was but a silly Fellow, and got from him Words whereby he discovered a Good∣will to the Scotch Nation, and some Discourse about the Castle of Carig∣fergus; insomuch that he got Trueman's Letter to recommend him into Scotland, whither he pretended a Desire to go, to serve under their Com∣mand.

Upon this Giles produced the Letter in Evidence against him, and so he was condemned and executed. And this I take to be the Substance of what was offered for or against the Earl of Strafford.

On the Eleventh of May the Irish Parliament sat again; and the Co∣lonels John Barry, Taaf, Garret Barry, and Porter, having Orders from England to transport Four thousand of the Irish Forces to Spain, some of the Popish Members of the Lower House did urge divers Argu∣ments to hinder that Design: As, First, That the Irish might gain Experience abroad, and return to be evil Instruments at home. Se∣condly, That Ireland wanted Men for Husbandry. Thirdly, That Spain was an Hereditary Enemy to England, and therefore might in∣fect these Men with dangerous Principles; concluding, That they did not know how soon those very Regiments (acquainted with every Creek in the Kingdom) might be returned on their own Bowels, ha∣ving naturally a Love to their Religion, which such an Incendiary as Spain might inflame with the highest prejudice. So shamelesly did they cloak their Designs' of stopping these Soldiers to assist in the following Rebellion, under these Cobweb pretences of the Publick Good. However, their Project succeeded to their mind; and notwithstand∣ing the Contract with the Spanish Ambassador for their Transportati∣on, the Soldiers were from time to time delay'd, and Garret Barry and his whole Regiment, and most of the rest, did afterwards joyn in the Irish Rebellion.

This Session of Parliament was spent by the Papists (who were the most numerous Party in the House) in fruitless Declarations and Pro∣testations, private Petitions, and Votes upon needless Queries: These last, together with the Judges Answers to them, are to be found at large, Burlace Append. 1. & 2. I shall only recite one of them, viz. (Quere 15.) Whether the issuing of Quo Warranto's against Burroughs that anciently and recently sent Burgesses to Parliament, to shew Cause why they did so, be Legal? And if not, What Punishment ought to be inflicted upon the Occasioners, Procurers, and Judges of and in such Quo Warranto's? To which the Answer is, That the Proceedings in such Quo Warranto's are coram non Judice, illegal and void; and the Right of sending Bur∣gesses to Parliament, is questionable in Parliament only; and the Occasioners, Procurer••, and Judges in such Quo Warranto's and Proceedings, are punish∣able as in Parliament shall be thought consonant to Law and Justice.

Moreover, some Members of this Parliament (who had the follow∣ing Rebellion in their Design) did, in order to inform themselves of the Quantity of the Stores, Ammunition, and Provisions, and the Place where they were deposited, suggest, That there was a Plot by some of the Lord Stafford's discontented Servants, to destroy the Parlia∣ment; and therefore procured a Committee of both Houses to be ap∣pointed, to search the Rooms under the Place where they sat; which they did, but sound no Powder there: Then they desired to see where the Stores were; but the Lord Justice Burlace, who was Master of the Ordnance, denied them that Request, which they took very ill.

The Popish Party did also oppose the Disbanding of the new Ar∣my, raised by the Earl of Strafford; however, it was at length effe∣cted on the Tenth day of August, and the Arms and Ammunition were carefully brought into His Majesty's Stores.

In the mean time, it being convenient to give the Members a short Recess, to attend their Harvest, and their other Occasions, and there being no sudden expectation of the Irish Committee's Return from

England, the Parliament, by their own Consent, was, on the Seventh of August, adjourn'd to the Ninth of November; which, for want of greater cause of Complaint, was afterwards reckon'd amongst their Grievances. But, contrary to all Mens expectation, the Irish Commit∣tee of Parliament in the latter end of August return'd loaden with Graces and Favours for that Kingdom; particularly, in reference to the Customs, especially of Wooll and Tobacco; whereof the Lords Justices sent immediate notice to the several Ports of the Kingdom; and in this short Interval of Parliament, busied themselves in framing such Bills to pass the next Session, as the Committee had obtain'd His Majesty's Consent unto.

And in this quiet and serene Condition was the Kingdom of Ireland, not suspecting the least Disturbance from the Papists, who were not under any Persecution upon the account of Religion, their Clergy ex∣ercising their Functions as safely, and almost as publickly, as the Pro∣testants. They were obliged to the King by the easiest of Governments, and the Graces and Concessions he had lately vouchsafed unto them; and they were fastned to the English by all the Ties of Interest, Friend∣ship, Marriage, and (which is more in their esteem) Gossipping and Fostering: And they were engaged to propagate the Publick Peace, by their own happy, free, and flourishing Condition; for now the Papists, without taking the Oath of Supremacy, freely enjoyed the Offices of Sheriffs of Counties, Magistrates of Corporations, &c. But all this was over-ballanced by their Bigotry and National Malice, which opened one of the bloodiest Scenes that ever was seen in the World.

For on Saturday the Twenty third of October, 1641. (being a Day dedicated to St. Ignatius, a fit Patron for such a Villany) broke out a most desperate and formidable Rebellion, an universal Defection, and general Revolt, wherein not only all the mere Irish, but almost all the Old English that adher'd to the Church of Rome, were openly or se∣cretly involved.

The Conspirators pitched upon the Day because it was Market-day at Dublin, and therefore a Concourse of People would the less be perceived or suspected; and they chose the time of Year, because Harvest was in, and the Half-years Rent generally in the Tenants Hands, and because the Season of the Year would hinder Relief from England until the next Spring, before which time they hoped to have effected all their Designs.

It was a premeditated Rebellion, foretold by Sir Henry Bedingfeild, a Roman Catholick of Norfolk, in April before, and suspected by the King, as appears by Sir Henry Vane's Letter, ante pag. 64. And it was in contrivance, partly at home, and partly abroad, before the Trou∣bles either of England or Scotland began. It was communicated to the English Papists by the Popish part of the Irish Committee then in England; And it was finally concluded and resolved on at the Abby of Multifernam; and the Scheme of the Government, and the Mea∣sures of the Rebellion, were concerted and setled there; tho it seems, by the Lord Macguir's Examination, that the Day was appointed at Loghross.

But (as the Lords Justices and Council in their Letter express it) none of the former Rebellions could parallel this, either in the dan∣gerous Original, the unexampled Cruelty and extreme Hatred to the British Nation, in the barbarous Progress, or in the terrible Conse∣quences aimed at therein; being no less than to wrest from His Majesty

His Scepter and Sovereignty; to destroy and root out the British and Pro∣testants, and every Species of English, out of the Kingdom, to suppress God's Truth, and set up Idolatry in the stead of it; and finally, to Invade the Realm of England.

And in another Letter they affirm, That the barbarous and execrable Cruelty of the Irish, exceeded any that ever was exercis'd by Turks or Infl∣dels against Christians.

And even the Earl of Castlehaven, tho' a Papist, and Peter Walsh, tho' a Franciscan Friar, do confess, That the barbarous Design of this bloody Conspiracy was no less than to extirpate the Protestants, and totally to root them out of that Kingdom: And they intended to ef∣fect this by the most inhuman Methods, viz. a General Massacre, and Universal Plundring. Nor did they come much short of attaining their End; for in the first Three Months of this Rebellion they murdered and otherwise destroyed One hundred fifty four thousand Protestants, Men, Women, and Children, as the Priests themselves computed it, and as one of their own Writers, by way of ostentation, hath published.

And without doubt, no Nation can parallel the horrid Cruelties and abominable Murders, without Number or Mercy, committed on the British throughout the Land, without distinction of Quality, Sex, or Age; and certainly it was bad enough, when the Earl of Castlehaven himself confesseth, That all the Water in the Sea cannot wash away the Guilt of the Rebels; the Rebellion being begun most bloodily, in a Time of Peace, and without Occasion given.

They destroyed the Soul, as well as the Body, forcing many weak Christians to turn Papists, and then murder'd them whilst they were in the Right Faith, as they said: And the cruel Manner of their Torturing the English, was more detestable than the Murder it self; some being starved till they eat Pieces of their own Flesh broil'd upon Coals; and others were used worse.

At Kilkenny, the Lord Mountgarret, and the Mayor and Aldermen, and Three hundred Citizens in Arms, stood by, whilst the Protestants were plundered in that City: And at Longford, when the Castle was surrendred upon Quarter, the Priest, with his Skein in his Hand, watched at the Gate till the Minister came forth, and then stabbed him into the Guts, and ripped up his Belly; which Signal was obser∣ved by the rest, who, in like manner, murdered all the English of that Garison.

Men and Women were stript stark naked, and in that bitter Win∣ter exposed to the Extremities of Hunger and Cold, whereof many thousands died: Sucking Children were haled from their Mothers Breasts, and one of them was murdered whilst it was sucking its de∣ceased Mother. Nor were Women in Labor used any better▪ One was delivered upon the Gallows; another ript up, and two Children she went with taken out of her Belly, and thrown to the Swine, who eat them; and a third (the Wife of Mr. Oliphant, a Minister) being delivered on her Journey in the High-way, was nevertheless forced to trot on, and draw after her the Child, and the Concomitants of so sad an Accident, until she died.

But it would be endless to recount all the Instances of their wan∣ton Cruelty, and impossible to frame an Idea in the Mind of the Rea∣der as horrid as their Actions; which were rendred the more inhu∣man, by the Mirth and Sport they made at the unspeakable Torments and Sufferings of the English.

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And lest some amongst them should have more Bowels of Compas∣sion than the rest, the Confederates did prohibit to harbour or relieve any Protestant on pain of Death; and declared, they would not lay down Arms whilst there was the Seed of an Englishman in Ireland: And to leave no room for Reconcilation, they put to death in Ulster a Messenger sent to them by the State.

The Motives to this Conspiracy were, First, The happy Conjun∣cture for such a Design, whilst England and Scotland were embroil'd: Secondly, The Example of the Scots, who had reaped Advantage by their Mutiny; and the Irish expected as much at least: And, Thirdly, The Number of able Men ready to enter into this Rebellion, which they computed to be Two hundred thousand, or more.

But the Pretences for this Rebellion were exceeding weak, and such as manifest, that they will rise as often as they get opportunity; and, in effect, do upbraid the English with Stupidity, that after so much Experience, they should suffer them to be in a Condition to Rebel any more; and they are briefly these. 1. That the Irish were looked up∣on as a Conquered Nation. 2. That the Six Counties in Ulster (eschea∣ted to the King) were disposed for the most part to British. 3. That there was a Rumour, that Seven Counties more would be seised by the King. 4. That the Popish Religion was persecuted in England, and they were afraid would be so in Ireland.

Thus Rumors and Fears, tho' without Cause, are by the Popish Ad∣vocates thought sufficent Justifications of an Irish Rebellion; and the Author of the Bleeding Iphigenia assures us, That this War is justified by a Learned Pen; and he wonders it should be called a Rebellion, as if (says he) our taking up Arms for our necessary Defence of Lives and Religion, against the Protestants, our Fellow-Subjects, were a Rebellion. He argues from the Principle of Self-preservation, and the Law in the Case of Homicide se defendendo, That it is lawful to make War for De∣fence of Life or Estate; and, à fortiori, for Religion; and concludes, That it may be done to prevent a Danger that is foreseen, (i. e. ru∣moured or feared): And that was the Case of the Papists, says he; they were necessarily to be destroyed by the Presbyterians, and therefore they did wisely to begin first.

But whoever considers the three Antipathies of Nation, Interest, and Religion, already mentioned, will easily find, that the true Design of this Universal Rebellion was, 1. To destroy the English. 2. To re∣gain their Estates: And, 3. To establish Popery. And all other Pre∣tences are without Foundation, and vain.

This horrid Conspiracy was on the Twenty second of October di∣scovered to the Lord Justice Parsons, by Owen O Conally an Irishman, (but bred a Protestant by Sir John Clotworthy) and he being drunk, told his Story so odly, and delivered this surprizing Information so incoherently, that small regard was had to what he said; and there∣fore he was dismissed, with Directions to make farther Discoveries, if he could. Nevertheless, the Lord Parsons went to his Collegue (Bur∣lace) at Chichester-house, to communicate Conally's Intelligence unto him; and whilst the Lord Justice Burlace was fretting, that Conally should be so slightly dismiss'd, behold, about Ten a Clock at Night he came again, and confirm'd his former Story: Whereupon several of the Conspirators were that Night apprehended; and tho' James Warren and Paul Neale found means to escape out of Custody, yet the Lord Macguire (in whose Lodgings were found many Hatchets, Skeins, and Hammers) and Mac Mahon were taken, and kept safe until their Execution.

It was about Five a Clock in the Morning (23d. of October) when Mac Mahon was Examined and Confessed, That on that very day, all the Forts and strong Places in Ireland would be taken; that he with the Lord Macguire, Hugh Brine, Captain Bryan O Neale, and several other Irish Gentlemen, were come expresly to surprize the Castle of Dablin, and that Twenty men out of each County, were to be here to joyn with them; That all the Papist Lords and Gentlemen in the Kingdom, were engaged in this Plot, That what was to be done in other parts of the Country, was so far advanced by that time, as it was impossible for the Wit of Man to pre∣vent it, that they had him in their Power, and might use him as they plea∣sed, but he was sure be should be revenged.

And it is observable, that Mac Mahon's Fancy was so full of the Bloody Tragedy, which was to be Acted that day, that (during Owen O Conallies Examination) as he walked in Chichester-Hall; he drew with Chalk several postures of Men, some on Gibbets, and some groveling on the Ground; so much was he delighted with what he thought, or rather knew, would soon be the Condition of the miserable English.

Nor is it to be omitted, that Sir William Cole (upon the Information of John Cormuck, and Flagharty Mac Hugh, that the Irish did design to seize on the Castle of Dublin; and murder the Lords Justices and Council, and the Protestants there) did on the 21. of October send Let∣ters, with an Account of that Matter to the Lords Justices; but how they mis carried is not known, but it is certain, those Letters never came to hand.

On this First day of the Rebellion, the Irish surprized the Lord Blaney's House, his Wife and Children, and seized the Newry and the Magazine there; wherein were Seventy Barrels of Powder, they also took Dungannon, Fort Mountjoy, Charlemont, Tonrage, Carrickmacross, Clog∣houter in the County of Cavan, and Castlemonaghan, and committed ma∣ny Murders; and the Lords Justices issued a Proclamation, to encou∣rage the English to defend themselves, which were immediately Prin∣ted, and sent to several places by Expresses; and from this time for∣ward, there was not a day, and scarce an hour, wherein the dismal Tidings of some new Outrage or Barbarity did not arrive.

On the 24th. the Alarms and Fears were so great at Dublin, that the Castle Drawbridge was once let down, and some of the State went to the Platform of the Castle to view the Irish Army, which was (falsly) said to be approaching.

The Lords Justices being in this deplorable Condition, did turn them∣selves to all the Methods of preserving the Kingdom; which so great a Danger did require, and their small Materials would allow, but tho' their Industry was great, their means were inconsiderable; the whole standing Army did not exceed Two thousand ninety seven Foot, and Nine hundred Horse, Officers included; and these were scat∣tered in Single Troops and Companies, or small Parties, into places re∣mote from Dublin, and far distant from one another, so that some of them were cut off by the Enemy, and more of them (being Irish Pa∣pists) did revolt to the Rebels; however, they did send Potents, for as many as they thought could safely March, and particularly for the Earl of Ormond's Troop, which came with himself to Dublin, on the Second day of December; and they made Sir Francis Willoughby Com∣mander of the Castle, and Sir Charles Coot Governour of the City, and on the 25th. of October sent Owen O Conally with Letters to the Lord Lieutenant, and Sir Henry Spotswood with an Express to the King.

But their main hope was, that the Papists of the Pale who were of English Extraction, and had signalized their Loyalty in all former Rebellions, would also stand firm to the Crown in This; and there∣fore the Lords Justices and Council sent Letters to the Sheriffs of those five Counties, to make their best defence against the Rebels, and to do all that was necessary for their own Preservation.

And to encourage as well as enable those Papists, that the State had a good Opinion of, the Lords Justices dispersed Seventeen hun∣dred Arms to the Lords of Fingall, Gormanstown, Dunsany, Slane, Ne∣tervill, Merion, Hoath and other Roman Catholick Gentlemen for the Guard of the Pale, and Arms were likewise sent to the Towns of Wa∣terford, Wexford and Trim, with a Licence to import more; they issued also Commissions of Martial Law, for the more speedy Execution of the Rebels, and thereby the more Expeditious Suppressing of the Re∣bellion; and these Commissions were directed to Papists, viz. to Henry Talbot for the County of Dublin, John Bellew Esquire for the County of Louth, Richard Dalton and James Tuit in Westmeath, and James Talbot in the County of Cavan: They also gave Commissions of Government, of the respective Counties to several Roman Catholicks, viz. the Lords Mountgarret, Gormanstown, Mayo, Costilo, Walter Bagnall, Sir James Dil∣lon, Sir Robert Talbot, Sir Christopher Bellew, Sir Thomas Nugent, and Mr. Nicholas Barnewall; and by these Commissions, these Lords and Gen∣tlemen in their respective Districts, had power to Levy and raise Forces, to Arm and Array, and conduct them, and to prosecute the Rebels with Fire and Sword, to use Martial Law, and to Pardon and receive into his Majesties mercy, as they should think fit, as may be seen more at large in the Lord Gormanstowns Commission, Postea Ap∣pendix 8.

But the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale were deeper in this Gene∣ral Conspiracy than the Lords Justices suspected, and therefore were so far from being wrought upon by these Kindnesses, and the Confidence the State placed in them; that on the contrary from the very be∣ginning, they industriously sought for Pretences to break out into Action: Their first Essay was, on the 27th day of October, at which time they picked a Quarrel at the words Irish Papists, in the Procla∣mation against the Rebels, as being Terms so General and Compre∣hensive, that themselves might seem included; and tho' they (being Old English) had scarce a fair Pretence for that Cavil, yet to satisfie them, those words were by a Second Proclamation of the 29th. of October explain'd to extend to none, but such as were in Rebellion.

Their Second Attempt was, at the Session of Parliament on the Six∣teenth of November, where they endeavoured to Palliate the Rebel∣lion; and smooth and soften their Protestation against it, and com∣plain'd at the Shortness of the Session, whereby they were hindred as they said of means, to suppress the Insurrection.

But finding neither of these sufficient, they had afterwards Recourse to other as ill grounded Complaints hereafter mentioned, and in the mean time they excused themselves to the State, that they were not able to raise Men according to their Commissions of Government, by which Answer, and some other Passages, the Lord Justices perceived, That even those of the Pale were Tainted with the infection; and there∣fore they recalled the Arms they had delivered out to them, and by a great deal of industry they recovered about Nine hundred of them, and the rest were treacherously made use of against the State, that had too credulously trusted the Roman Catholicks with them at so critical a Juncture.

In this extremity and want of all things, especially Money, Ap∣plication was made to the Corporation of Dublin; but that famous City, (the Metropolis of the Kingdom) would not advance more than Fifty Pounds, tho' upon so great an Emergency; whereby the State was convinc'd, that the Rebellion was Universal, and that even those (the Citizens) that did not dare to appear openly in it, were yet se∣cretly Well-wishers to the Cause, and in their Hearts devoted to the Persons and Designs of the Rebels. And this was the more manifest, because the Popish Citizens did rarely, if at all, administer any the least Comfort to the poor and plunder'd English; insomuch that the Protestants perished in such Multitudes at Dublin, that the Church∣yards being full of Graves, the Lords Justices were fain to provide two large Pieces of Ground, for new Burying-places for them.

The Lords Justices, by their Proclamation of the Twenty seventh of October, caused Michaelmas Term to be adjourned, and sent Four hundred Musquets by Sea to the Lords Viscounts of Clandeboys and Ardes; and also sent Commissions to them to raise the Scots, and to receive Submitting Rebels to Mercy; and they also wrote to the Lords President of Munster and Connaught to be on their Defence.

And because of the great Concourse to Dublin, and the danger that City was in, upon the Complaint of the Magistrates thereof, all Strangers were commanded by Proclamation to depart the City, upon pain of Death; but no body was punished for disobeying that Order, altho' there was a second Proclamation against the Harbourers of such Strangers.

But how general soever this Rebellion was, and how cruel soever the Authors of it were, altho' the very Women and Children were active in stripping and murdering the distressed English; yet the Execution could not be so great, nor with so little Loss to the Irish, but that the English were wheedled to put a Confidence in their Irish Landlords, Tenants, Servants, and Neighbors, with whom they had lived kindly, and to whom they had given no manner of Provocation; and so neg∣lecting the proper Means of defending themselves, they were misera∣bly betrayed, and perfidiously destroyed, by those they trusted; it be∣ing esteemed a Mortal Sin amongst most of the Rebels, to relieve or protect a Heretick.

But in some places the English, to considerable Numbers, were em∣bodied together; and being in a condition to make some Resistance, were promised Quarter, and good Articles, upon Oath: But as soon as they submitted, they were also treacherously murdered: And thus they were served at Loughell, Armagh, Belturbet, Longford, Tullogh, New-Town, Sligo, and many other Places.

At first the Rebels did pretend to spare the Scots, and to make a Difference between them (whom they professed a Kindness for, be∣cause they were Strangers, and their Religion likewise persecuted by the parliament) and the English, against whom they expressed a most bitter and inveterate Hatred; and to disguise their Designs, they did actually Forbear them for about ten days, till the English were de∣stroyed; and then they fell upon the Scots also, and made no farther distinction between British Protestants.

By the First of November the Protestants had very little left in Ulster, except Londonderry, Colerain, and Iniskilling, and half the County of Down, and part of the County of Antrim, which the Government was in an ill Condition to provide for or relieve, and had no hopes of retrieving that part of Ulster, which was lost, and so deeply drench'd

in innocent Blood, otherwise than by Force of Arms; but as to the Counties of Meath, West-Meath, Longford, and Louth, which were not yet so deeply plung'd in Robberies and Murthers, the Lords Justices had hopes of their Submission, and therefore did issue their Proclama∣tion of Pardon to all that would submit within Ten days, Freeholders and Murderers only excepted.

But whilst these things were doing, viz. on the First of November, the Parliament of England voted a Supply of Fifty thousand Pounds for the Relief of Ireland, and that all the Papists of Quality in Eng∣land be secured, and that none except Merchants shall pass to Ireland without a Certificate, and that a Pardon be offered to the Irish Rebels, and that Owen O Conally, the Discoverer of the Plot, should have Five hundred Pounds in Money, and Lands worth Two hundred Pounds per Annum, setled upon him: And this Order was, 12 November, print∣ed in Dublin, and dispersed all over the Kingdom, but without any Effect.

For now the Rebels were elevated, and had formed a Design against Tredagh, whereof Doctor Jones (afterwards Bishop of Meath) gave timely notice, so that it was prevented; for tho' the Lord Moor had made a seasonable Entry into that Town nevertheless the Inclination of the Townsmen, and of Sir John Nettervill, (who had a Foot Com∣pany there in the King's Pay) being manifestly favourable to the Re∣bels, the Place was not safe without a stronger Garison: and there∣fore Sir Henry Tichbourn, with a Regiment of Foot and two Troops of Horse, was sent from Dublin the third day of November, and came safe to Tredagh the next day.

On the Fourth of November Sir Phelim O Neale and Rory Macguire, from their Camp at Newry, published, That they had a Commission from the King, under the Great Seal of England, for this Insurrecti∣on: And one Harison having taken the Seal from an old Patent of the Lord Cawfeild's at Charlemont, and fixed it to a forged Commission, they sent attested Copies of it in Letters to their Confederates, thereby blacking their Insurrection with the worst of Circumstances, viz. by laying it to the Charge of His Majesty, who upon all Occa∣sions expressed his Detestation of it; and by this means they raised more Enemies to the King, and created more Jealousies in the Minds of His Protestant Subjects, and gave more Colour and Umbrage for the Suspicions that were then entertained of Him, than any other Action of that Time could do: And indeed this single Act of theirs did His Majesty more mischief, than all the pretended Loyalty of that Party since that time can atone for. However, to obviate the dis∣mal Effects of that impudent Forgery as much as they could, the Lords Justices did, by their Proclamation of the Thirtieth of October, 1642. publish that Sham to be false and scandalous.

And it is very observable, That this Contrivance of theirs, from whence they hoped to derive so much Advantage, was the Occasion of their Ruin; for the King, to vindicate himself from this gross Aspersion, was necessitated to devolve the Management of the War upon the Parliament, and to consent to the Act of Adventurers, which dispos'd of most part of the Rebels Estates; and indeed; to hu∣mour them in every thing relating to Ireland, and particularly, in gi∣ving up Carrigfergus to the Scots.

And on the same Fourth of November, the Parliament of England voted,

• 1. That Twenty thousand Pounds be forthwith supplied for the present Occasions of Ireland.
• ...

• 2. That a convenient Number of Ships shall be provided, for the Guard∣ing of the Sea-coasts of that Kingdom.
• 3. That this House holds fit, that Six thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse shall be raised with all convenient speed; for the present Expedition in∣to Ireland.
• 4. That the Lord Lieutenant shall present to both Houses of Parliament such Officers as he shall think fit to send into Ireland, to Command any Forces to be transported thither.
• 5. That Magazins of Victuals shall be forthwith provided at Westche∣ster, to be sent over to Dublin, as the Occasions of that Kingdom shall require.
• 6. That the Magazins of Arms, Ammunition, and Powder, now in Car∣lisle, shall be forthwith sent over to Knockfergus in Ireland.
• 7. That it be referred to the King's Council, to consider of some fit Way, and to present it to the House, for a Publication to be made of Rewards to be given to such as shall do Service in this Expedition into Ireland, and for a Pardon of such of the Rebels in Ireland as shall come in by a Time limited; and of a Sum of Money to be appointed for a Reward to such as shall bring in the Heads of such Principal Rebels as shall be no∣minated.
• 8. That Letters shall be forthwith sent to the Justices in Ireland, to ac∣quaint them how sensible this House is of the Affairs in Ireland.
• 9. That the Committee of Irish Affairs shall consider how and in what manner this Kingdom shall make use of the Friendship and Assistance of Scot∣land in the Business of Ireland.
• 10. That Directions shall be given for the drawing of a Bill for the Pressing of Men for this particular Service for Ireland.

In the mean time the Lords Justices and Council did all that was possible for the Preservation of the Kingdom: They on the Fifth of November dispatched a second Express to the King, and another to the Lords of the Council; and then (and not before) wrote to both Houses of Parliament, and sent a Duplicate of it to the King; and they formed a thousand of the stripped English into a Regiment, under Sir Charles Coot; and soon after, they raised two Regiments more, under the Lord Lambert and Colonel Crawford. They also took care to Victual the Castle of Dublin, and to clear an old Well that was in it, and to do all things necessary to fit it for a Siege. And to prevent any Surprize that might happen, by the great Concourse of People to the Castle, they removed the Council to Cork-house, and often sat there in Council; which was a great Oversight, and might have been Fatal to them, if the Lords of the Pale (who soon after went out into open Rebellion) had had the Courage to seise upon them there, as they easily might have done.

On Saturday the Sixth of November, Philip O Rely, Knight of the Shire, and the Irish of the County of Cavan, sent an insolent Remon∣strance to the Lord Justices, by Doctor Jones, (whose Wife and Children they had at their Mercy) and impowered him to assure their Lordships, That there should be a Cessation of all things, till the re∣turn of his Answer. But tho' the Lords Justices gave a Civil Answer to it, and sent the Remonstrance to the Lord Lieutenant, (to whom the King had ordered them to apply themselves about the Affairs of Ireland) yet the very next Munday, being the Eigth of November, and before any Answer could come, these Remonstrants Rendezvoufed•• at Virginia, a Town in the County of Cavan, and proved the fiercest Rebels of all; and by the Eleventh of December, had taken the whole

County of Cavan, except the Castles of Keighlah and Croghan, which were also surrendred to them the Fourth of July, 1642. and Thir∣teen hundred and forty English Persons were thence (according to Articles) conveyed to Tredagh.

On the Eleventh of November the Lords Justices published ano∣ther Proclamation, prohibiting all unnecessary Persons from repair∣ing to Dublin; which the Irish took very ill, and made a great noise about it, tho' no Person of Quality or Business was in the least re∣strained by that Proclamation: But their Design was to pick Quarrels, and to manage all Accidents to that purpose.

On the Twelfth of November the County of Wickloe appeared in its proper Colours; they murdered or robbed all the English Inhabi∣tants within that County, and burnt the principal Houses, and laid Siege to Fort-Carew, which the Lords Justices had not Means to re∣lieve. The Counties of Letrim, Longford, West-Meath, and Louth were already infected: and Wexford and Caterlogh followed the bloody Ex∣amples of their Neighbours; and even the County of Kildare it self began to put on a terrible Countenance; and the Irish of the Pale ha∣ving gotten Arms from their English Neighbors, under pretence of opposing the Rebels, were the better able to do Execution on those stupid Protestants that so foolishly parted with them to their National and Hereditary Enemies.

The Lords Justices had by Proclamation Prorogued the Parliament to the Twenty fourth of February; but at the Importunity of some Irish Lawyers, who pretended great Affection to the King, and ear∣nest Desires to quench the Rebellion, the Parliament (which was a very thin one) was permitted to meet on the Sixteenth of Novem∣ber; and then it was visible, that more were tainted with the Infe∣ction, than appeared openly in Rebellion; for the Popish Members did, with great Cunning and Artifice, endeavour to varnish or excuse all the Actions and Cruelties of the Rebels; and those who seemed most to discountenance the Insurrection, did nevertheless cover it over with such a Veil, treat of it so nicely, and handle it with so much tenderness, as if themselves (most of them being of the Conspiracy) were immediately to participate of the Punishment, as well as they were clandestinely involved in the Plot: They would by do means have them called Traytors or Rebels, but advised rather to use the soft Expression of DISCONTENTED GENTLEMEN: But the Prote∣stants scorning to be put upon so, one of them express'd himself so briskly and so judiciously, that the Irish finding they could not get a better, agreed, with much ado, to the Protestation against the Re∣bels recited here, Append. 12. And so having sate two days, the Par∣liament was Prorogued to the Eleventh of January, having first ap∣pointed a Committee of Both Houses to Treat with the Rebels, and a Commission issued accordingly; but the Traytors were so pufft up with their innumerable Victories over the naked and unresisting Eng∣lish, that they tore the Order of Parliament, and the Letter that was sent them, and refused to Treat.

But the Lord Dillon of Costilo (who, since the Rebellion broke out, was by His Majesty's former Orders sworn Privy Counsellor) was deputed by the Popish Lords to attend the King; and the Lord Taaf and Mr. Burk went with him; but before he Embarked, he presented the Lords Justices and Council a scandalous Letter, in nature of a Remonstrance, from the Rebels of the County of Longford, which ne∣vertheless was framed in the Pale, wherein, amongst other things, they

demand Freedom of Religion, and a Repeal of all Laws contrary thereunto: And this produced the Vote of the Eighth of December, in the Parliament of England, That they would never give Toleration of the Popish Religion in Ireland, or any other of His Majesty's Dominions.

These Irish Agents hapned to be intercepted by the Parliament, and imprison'd; and their Papers being rifled, it was found to be one of the Private Instructions to the Lord Dillon, to move, That no Forces might be sent over to Ireland, but that it might be left to the Remonstrants to suppress the Rebellion: But afterwards they made a shift to escape out of Prison, and diligently followed the King's Camp, and effectually sollicited the unhappy Cessation, which afterwards ensued, and where∣of this Longford Remonstrance was the Parent and Foundation.

But what regard these Lords had to His Majesty's Service, will ap∣pear by their vain Expressions in a Letter to the Lord Muskery, Anno 1642. viz. That tho' it did not stand with the Convenience of His Maje∣sty's Affairs, to give him Publick Countenance; yet that the King was well pleas'd with what he did, and would in time give him Thanks for it. Which being dscovered to the Parliament, by Mr. Jepson, a Member of that House, begat strange Jealousies of His Majesty's Proceedings then, tho' now it is manifest; those Expressions related to the Cessa∣tion that was in Enbryo, and not to the Rebellion, which the King al∣ways abhorr'd.

In the mean time, the King sent some Arms from Scotland, to Sir Robert Steward, and others, in Vlster, on the Eighteenth of November; and Commissions to raise Forces: Particularly, the Lord Mongomery had Commission to raise 1000 Foot, and 500 Horse; and he did raise the Foot, and three Troops of the Horse. And on the Nineteenth, the Lords Justices had an Account, that His Majesty had left the Ma∣nagement of the Irish War to the English Parliament; and the Order of Parliament was sent to them, together with 20000 l. in Money, and a Commission to the Earl of Ormond to be Lieutenant-General of the Army; and also the following Order of Both Houses of Par∣liament, viz.

THE Lords and Commons in this present Parliament being advertised of the dangerous Conspiracy and Rebellion in Ireland, by the treacherous and, wied Instigation of Romish Priests and Jesuits, for the bloody Mas∣sacre an Destruction of all Protestants living there, and other His Majesty's Loyal Subjects of English Blood, tho' of the Romish Religion, being anci∣ent Inhabitants within several Counties and Parts of that Realm, who have always a former Rebellions given Testimony of their Fidelity to this Crown; and for the utter depriving of His Royal Majesty, and the Crown of Eng∣land, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Government of that Kingdom (under pretence of setting up the Po•••• Religion:) have therefore taken into their serious Consideration, how the mischievous Attempts might be most speedily and effectually pre∣vented wherein the Honor, Safety, and Interest of this Kingdom are most nearly and fully concerned. Wherefore they do hereby declare, That they do intend•• serve His Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes, for the Sup∣pressin•• of this wicked Rebellion, in such a way as shall be thought most ef∣fectual•• by the Wisdom and Authority of Parliament; and thereupon have ordere•• and provided for a present Supply of Money; and raising the Number of Six thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse, to be sent from England, being ••••e full Proportion desired by the Lords Justices, and His Majesty's Counc•• resident in that Kingdom, with a Resolution to add such further

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Succours as the Necessity of those Affairs shall require. They have also re∣solved of providing Arms and Munition, not only for those Men, but like∣wise for His Majesty's faithful Subjects in that Kingdom, with store of Victuals, and other Necessaries, as there shall be occasion; and that these Provisions may more conveniently be transported thither, they have appointed Three several Ports of this Kingdom, that is to say, Bristol, Westchester, and one other in Cumberland, where the Magazins and Storehouses shall be kept. for the Supply of the several Parts of Ireland. They have likewise resolved to be humble Mediators to His Most Excellent Majesty, for the In∣couragement of those English or Irish, who shall, upon their own Charges, raise any Number of Horse or Foot, for His Service, against the Rebels, that they shall be honourably rewarded with Lands of Inheritance in Ireland, according to their Merits. And for the better inducing the Rebels to repent of their wicked Attempts, they do hereby commend it to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, or, in his absence, to the Lord Deputy or Lords Justices there, according to the Power of the Commission granted them in that behalf, to bestow His Majesty's gracious Pardon to all such as within a convenient Time (to be declared by the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Deputy, or Lords Ju∣stices and Council of that Kingdom) shall return to their due Obedience; the greatest part whereof, they conceive, have been seduced upon false Grounds, by the cunning and subtile Practices of some of the most malignant Rebels, Enemies to this State, and to the Reformed Religion; and likewise to bestow such Rewards as shall be thought fit and published by the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Deputy, or Lords Justices and Council, upon all those who shall arrest the Persons, or bring in the Heads of such Traytors as shall be personally named in any Proclamation published by the State there. And they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hereby ex∣hort and require all His Majesty's loving Subjects, both in this and in that Kingdom, to remember their Duty and Conscience to God and his Religion.

On the Twentieth day of November the Lords Justices wrote again to the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant, for Supplies of Men; and desired, that he would hasten thither in Person: And ••••on after, by their Proclamation, they ordered, that Dublin be fortified.

But it is time to return to Sir Philemy O Neal, who (having taken Dundalk, and in it a Foot Company, which surrendred upon the first Summons, and all their Arms, as also the Town of Ardee) marched his Victorious Rabble of Four thousand Men to Lisnegarvy, and on the Twenty second day of November attempted the Town; but the Ga∣rison being Four hundred Foot and One hundred and eighty Horse, under Sir Arthur Tyringham, repulsed him, with the loss of many Irish, and Six Colours.

Another Party of the Rebels sat down before Melifont, Novemb. 24. and found a brisk Defence from the Garison, being Fifteen Horse and Twenty four Musquetiers; but their Powder being spent, the Horsemen forced their Way through the Irish Camp to Tredagh, and the Foot sur∣rendred upon Articles, which the Rebels perfidiously broke, and but∣chered several of them in cold Blood, because they had ki••••ed 140 Irishmen in defence of the Place.

By this Remora the intended Siege of Tredagh w••s delay••••; and therefore on the Twenty seventh day of November the Lords Justices sent Six hundred new-rais'd Foot, and a Troop of Horse, to reinforce the Garison there; but the Lord Gormanston's Groom (by his Masters privity) gave notice of their March to the Irish; who being three time their Number, fell upon them at Gellingstown-Bridge, on the Twenty ninth of November, and by the Folly or Treachery of a

Captain that commanded a Countermarch, and the Unexperience of the Men, they were disordered, and above Five hundred of them slain; at which the Popish Inhabitants of Dublin did very much re∣joyce, and the Lords of the Pale did thereupon take off their Vizard.

But much better Success had Sir Charles Coot, who marched from Du∣blin the same 27th. of November, to relieve the Castle of Wicklow, and to quel the insolence of those Rebels, that had come in Hostile man∣ner within two miles of the City; for on the 29th. of the same Month he beat Luke Toole, and One thousand Rebels, and put them to a shameful Flight, and thereby became so terrible to the Irish, that they seldom afterwards made any resistance, where he was.

Nevertheless, the Irish were so elevated by the Victory at Gellingstown-bridge; and the delay of Succours from England, that the Lords of the Pale (who were really the first Contrivers of this Rebellion, and whose Tenants and Servants were openly or& secretly concern'd in it from the beginning, and they themselves had hitherto looked on, whilst the English were robbed, and had given no help or Assistance to the State) having now drawn the Rebels into the Pale, believing it im∣possible to dissemble the Matter much longer, began to unmask them∣selves and appear Bare-faced; insomuch, that the Lord Gormanston on the Second of December, issued a Warrant to the Sheriff of Meath, to Summon the Popish Lords and Gentry of that Country to meet at the Hill of Crofty, and above One thousand of them met; and Co∣lonel Mac Mahon, Philip O Rely, Roger Moor, &c. came to them with a Guard of Musketeers; whereupon the Lords of the Pale rode towards them, and (as formally as the Lord Mayor expostulates with the Privy Council at Temple-Bar) demanded of them, why they came Armed into the Pale: They reply'd, That they took up Arms for Liberty of Conscience, and maintaining of his Majesties Prerogative, in which they understood he was abridged, and to make the Subjects of this Kingdom, as Free as Those of England were.

But, says the Lord Gormanstown, Are not these Pretences, and not indeed the true Grounds of your taking Arms, and have you not some private ends of your own? To which they answered, That they had no private ends, but did it upon the aforesaid Reasons, and professed great Sincerity to his Lordship; whereupon he told them, That seeing those were the true ends of their Insurrection, he and all the rest would joyn with them, and immediately it was proclaimed, that whosever denied to joyn with them, or refused to assist them therein, they would Account him an Enemy, and to the utmost of their Po∣wer labour his Destruction, and thus Valence and Brabant were joyned (as Sir Philemy O Neal phrased it) and the Lords of the Pale Confederated with their ancient and hereditary Enemies, and became so barbarously Cruel, that they bragged afterwards, That they had killed more Protestants in Fingall only, than were Slain in some other whole Counties.

But on the Third of December, the Lords Justices and Council dis∣sembling their knowledge of these Transactions, wrote to the Lords of the Pale to come to Dublin, and consult for the safety of the King∣dom; whereupon the Lords of Kildare-Merion and Hoath came, but the other Lords had another meeting at the Hill of Taragh, on the Se∣venth of December, and by Advice of their Lawyers, sent the following Answer to the Lords Justices.

May it Please your Lordships,

WE have received your Letters of the Third instant, intimating, that you had present Occasions to confer with us, concerning the present State of the Kingdom, and the safety thereof in these Times of Danger, and requiring us to be with you there on the Eighth of this instant. We give your Lordships to understand, That we have heretofore presented our selves before your Lordships, and freely offered our Advice and Furtherance towards the Particulars aforesaid, which was by you neglected; which gave us cause to conceive, that our Loyalty was suspected by you. We give your Lordships further to understand, That we have received certain Advertise∣ment, That Sir Charles Coot Knight, at the Council-board, hath offered some Speeches tending to a Purpose and Resolution to execute upon those of our Religion a general Massacre, by which we are all deterr'd to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on your Lordships, not having any Security for our Safety from those threatned Evils, or the Safety of our Lives, but do rather think it fit to stand upon our best Guard, until we hear from your Lordships, how we shall be secur'd from those Perils. Nevertheless, we all protest, That we are and will continue faithful Advisers; and resolute Furtherers of His Majesty's Service, concerning the present State of this Kingdom, and the Safety thereof, to our best Abilities. And so with the said Tender of our humble Service, we remain,

Your Lorship humble Servants,

• Fingall,
• Gormanstown,
• Slane,
• Dunsany,
• Nettervill,
• Oliver Louth,
• Trimletstowne.

In like manner, Luke Nettervill▪ in the beginning of December, upon three days Summons, assembled Twelve hundred armed Men at Swords, within Six Miles of Dublin, and arrayed them under the Captains Golding, Russell, Travers, Holywood, &c. which would have been impossible to have done on so short warning, if they had not been privy to the Conspiracy long before, and had not made Prepara∣tions for it.

The Lords Justices sent a Message to them ro disperse; but they return'd for Answer, That they were constrain'd to assemble toge∣ther, for the safety of their Lives; that they were so terrified by the Excursions of some Horse and Foot from Dublin, that murder'd Foor Catholicks, merely for being so, that they durst not stay at home, and therefore resolved to continue together for their mutual Preservation until they should be assured by their Lordship of the safety of their Lives.

But these were but Pretences to palliate their Insurrection, and to insinuate a Necessity of the Rebellion they had entred into; and therefore the Lords Justices did endeavor in vain, by two Proclama∣tions of the Thirteenth of December, to remove these Jealousies, and satisfie or answer the Objections, altho' in one of them they assured Nettervill and his Comragues of free egress and regress, and that the Four that were killed were in actual Hostility, and one of them was a Protestant; and in the other they declar'd, That neither Sir Charles Coot, nor any other, did ever utter at the Council-board, or

elsewhere, any Speeches tending to a Purpose or Resolution to exe∣ecute on the Papists, or any other, a general Massacre; nor was it ever in their thoughts, to dishonor His Majesty or the State by so odi∣ous, impious, and detestable a thing; and gave the Lords of the Pale assurance of their Safety, if they would repair to Dublin the Seven∣teenth of that Month. But all these Condescensions had no good ef∣fect; on the contrary, these Favours were interpreted to proceed from the weakness of the State, and consequently tended to heighten the Insolencies of the Rebels.

For that very day after the Proclamations were published, some of Netervill's Party seised a Boat in the Harbor of Dublin, and robbed it, and put the Pillage into Mr. King's House at Clontarfe, and threatned to encamp at Clontarfe, which is but two small Miles from Dublin. Whereupon, the next day, being the Fourteenth of December, the Lieutenant-General was ordered to send out a Party to Clontarfe to remove them, which Sir Charles Coot on the Fifteenth of December performed effectually, without any Opposition, and burned the vil∣lage, and Mr. King's House.

In like manner, the Lords of the Pale slighted the aforesaid Procla∣mations, and on the Sixteenth day of December proceeded to appoint General Officers, and declared the Lord Gormanstown General of the Pale, Hugh Birne Lieutenant-General, the Earl of Fingall General of the Horse, and gave such Order about raising Men and Provisions, as they thought convenient.

Nettervill and his Party being reinforced from Kildare and Wicklow, continued at Finglas and Santry from the Fifteenth of December to the Twenty second, at which time Colonel Crawford drove them from Finglas with much ado, and the very Name and Approach of Sir Charles Coot frightned them from Santry in such haste, that they left a great deal of their Equipage and Provisions behind them: And yet at the same time Three hundred Rebels appear'd again at Clantarf, and had the day before robb'd two English Barks in the Harbor, and carried the Booty to Barnwall's House at Brimore, and the Pri∣soners to the Lord Gormanstown's House, whence they were sent to Balruthery.

And thus Dublin was in a manner blockt up: Naas, Kildare, Trim, and Ashboy were in the Rebels Hands, and the City was almost sur∣rounded with Irish Soldiers. Nettervill lying at Swords with Two thousand Men, took the Castle of Artain, within two Miles of Dublin; and Colonel Roger Moor lay at Rathcool with Two thousand more; and Four thousand of the County of Wicklow came within four Miles of Dublin on that side; so that the Government could give no Relief to the Distressed Protestants, who were coopt up in several Castles, and made piteous Complaints: And therefore the State was ne∣cessitated to suffer the English of the Inland Counties to be de∣stroy'd, and all the Walled Towns in the Kingdom (Tredagh and Carigfergus, and the Walled Towns of the Counties of London-derry and Cork, only excepted) to be reduced under the Power of the Rebels; who, in imitation of the Holy League in France, styled them∣selves THE CATHOLICK ARMY, and took the following Oath of Association, framed by the Clergy; so that all the Government could do was, to write a mournful Letter to the Lord Lieutenant, which is to be found 2 Temple 39. and is very well worth perusal, but too long to be here inserted.

The Oath taken by the Irish.

I A. B. do in the Presence of Almighty God, and all the Saints and An∣gels in Heaven, promise, vow, swear, and protest, to maintain and defend, as far as I may, with my Life, Power, and Estate, the Publick and Free Exercise of the True and Roman Catholick Religion, against all Persons that shall oppose the same. I further swear, That I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to our Sovereign Lord King CHARLES, His Hiers and Successors; and that I will defend Him and Them as far as I may, with my Life, Power, and Estate, against all such Persons as shall attempt any thing against their Royal Persons, Honors& Estates, and Dignities, and against all such as shall directly or indirectly endeavour to suppress their Royal Prero∣gatives, or do any Act or Acts contrary to Regal Government; as also the Power and Privileges of Parliament, the Lawful Rights and Privileges of the Subjects, and every Person that makes this Vow, Oath, and Protestation, in whatsoever he shall do, in the lawful pursuance of the same. And to my power, as far as I may, I will oppose, and by all means and ways endeavor, to bring to condign Punishment, even to the loss of Life, Liberty, and Estate, all such as shall either by Force, Practice, Counsels, Plots, Conspiracies, or otherwise, do or attempt any thing to the contrary of any Article, Clause, or any thing in this present Vow, Oath, or Protestation contained. So God me help.

In the mean time, a Foot Company of the Standing Army (com∣manded by White of Lexlip, a Papist) revolted entirely to the Rebels, and so many disguised Papists revolted from the Army, which was full of them, that in some Companies there were not above seven or eight Men left, which manifests, the Conspiracy was general, when Men so circumstanced should betray their Trust; and leaves a necessary Caution to Posterity, not to trust any more of that Kidney in such Stati∣ons. However, the Garison of Tredagh was not discouraged by this Accident, but on the third of October made a successful Sally, to the slaughter of Two hundred Rebels.

But on the first of January the King declared the Irish to be Rebels, by Proclamation, Appendix 13. and signed Forty of them (being the Number desir'd by the Lords Justices and Council) with his own Hand, and affixed his Privy Signet unto them; and they were brought to Dublin on the twentieth of January, and published, without any effect.

In the mean time, the Lords Justices, on the twenty eighth of De∣cember, issued a Proclamation, to prohibit Strangers from flocking to Dublin without License; and another, ordering the Country People to bring in their Corn to Market, or else that their Haggards should be put under Military Execution; by which means the Market was pretty well supplied: And on the last day of December, Sir Symon Har∣court, with his Regiment of Twelve hundred Foot from England, land∣ed at Dublin.

But whilst these things were doing, Sir Thomas Carey, and Doctor C••le a Sorbonist, offered (from the Rebels) some Propositions, where∣upon a Treaty for Peace might be founded, viz. 1. Toleration of Re∣ligion.

2. That Papists shall have admittance to all Employments, as well as Protestants. 3. The Wrongs of Plantations since 1610. to be repair'd. 4. The Titles of Rebels and Traitors should be taken off the File by Pro∣clamation. But these Terms were too dishonorable, and therefore were rejected. Nevertheless, some Popish Priests, that pretended to more Moderation and Humanity than the rest, were permitted to Treat with the Rebels, and Doctor Cale obtain'd a Commission from the State to do so, and promis'd great Success of his Negotiation: But the Rebels were elevated with their Fortune, insomuch that Sir Philemy O Neal refused to Treat, unless Macgulre and Macmahon were set at Liberty; and so that Affair determined.

And now Sir Simon Harcourt being made Governor of Dublin, Sir Charles Coot on the Tenth of January was sent abroad to remove the Enemy from Swords, a Village Six Miles from the City. The Irish had barricadoed the Avenues to the Town, and did what they could to defend themselves, but Coot despising their weak Opposition, valiant∣ly forced the Passage, and routed the Party, with the slaughter of Two hundred of them, and returned to Dublin with little or no Loss, ex∣cept that of Sir Lorenzo Cary, who was killed in this Action.

On the Eleventh of January the Parliament was by Proclamation prorogued to the Twenty first of June, 1642. But the Speakers decla∣red to both Houses, That notwithstanding the Prorogation, it was not. His Majesty's Intention to depart from, or wave any thing he had formerly promis'd, for the Confirmation of their Estates to such of his Subjects as should continue Loyal.

On the Fourteenth of January the Lords Justices and Council issued a severe Proclamation against Pillagers and Vagrants, that were not Listed under any Commander; and on the Eighteenth published ano∣ther Proclamation, prohibiting Soldiers from returning to England without Licence, on pain of Death: And on the Twenty fourth of January there landed at Dublin the Lord Lieutenant's Regiment of Foot, under Lieutenant Colonel Monk, (afterward Duke of Albemarle) Sir Michael Earnly's and Colonel Cromwell's Regiments likewise of Foot, and the Lord Lisle's and Sir Richard Gree••vill's Regiments of Horse, which enabled the Lieutenant-General (Ormond) with Two thousand Foot and Three hundred Horse, to march out into the Coun∣try, where he burnt Newcastle and Lyons, and got a cosiderable Booty at the Naas, and by this Jo••••ny removed the Enemy farther off; and on the Eighth of February the Government issued a Procla∣mation against the Rebels, prizing Sir Philemy O Neal's Head at a thousand Pounds, and the rest at proportionable Rates; against which the Lords of the Pale framed a false and scandalous Protestation.

But it is time to return to Tredagh, which, by the importunity of those of the Pale, was become the Rebels chief Aim, and, next to Dublin, the chief Care of the State. It was the principal Scene of Action during the Months of December, January, and February; and therefore I have preserved the Relation of that Siege intire, without mixing it with other Affairs.

Tredagh, in Irish, Drogheda; in Latin, Pontana, is an ancient Walled Town, situate on both sides the River Boyne, and united by a Stone Bridge, from which the Town derives its Name. It is about two Miles in Circuit, and about three Miles distant from the Sea. It had neither Bulwark nor Rampire, nor any other Fortification than an ordinary Ditch, and the old Wall. The Haven is not good, the En∣trance

being very narrow and difficult, by reason of a Bar in the Mouth of the Harbor, which is not passable but at Full Sea, and then (especially on Spring-tides) a Ship of Sixty Tuns may sail to the Key of Tredagh. Finally, This Town is Governed by a Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, and is a County of it self, and stands in a plain, open, fruitful, and Champion Country.

To this Town came the Lord Moor, with his Troop of Horse, from his House at Mellefont, upon the first notice of the Irish Rebel∣lion, even on the Twenty third of October, about Midnight; and being alarm'd by the dismal Stories of some which had escaped the Cruelties of the Rebels, he caused the Mayor and Aldermen to be awakened, and excited them to a speedy and vigorous Preparation for their Defence: They promised fairly, but acted slowly; insomuch that altho' many hundreds of the Townsmen well armed used to appear on Muster-days, yet now they could not get above Forty Men together, and those but very ill armed; but afterwards the Number encreased to Two hundred.

However, this Noble Lord was not discouraged, but having got some old Guns out of a Dungeon, and Four more and some Powder, out of a Ship in the Harbor, he scowred the Ditch, and repaired the Walls, and mounted his Artillery, and reviewed Captain Nettervill's and Captain Rockby's half Companies, each consisting of Forty four Men of the Standing Army, and did every thing else in his power that was necessary for the Defence of the Place.

Nevertheless, finding that all this would not do without far∣ther Succour, he went to Dublin in a dark Night, and effectually represented to the Government the Weakness and Importance of Drogheda, and offered to augment his own Troop of Sixty to a hun∣dred and to raise a hundred Foot at his own Charge.

But what he obtained, was a Promise, That Succours should be spee∣dily sent: And in the mean time Captain Seafoul Gibson had a Com∣mission, and Arms for a hundred and twenty Men, which he raised in Tredagh in two Hours time, and that very Night they were set on the Watch, and were kept to so hard Duty, that this Captain and the Lord Moor did watch Ten Nights together in their own Persons; which was the more troublesom to them, because they were frequently on every day (especially at Church-time) disturb'd with Alarms, purposely made by the Popish Inhabitants to distract them.

And altho' the Lord Moor had the good Success in several Sallies and Excursions to kill Two hundred of the Rebels, and to take Eighty Prisoners▪ whereof Six only were hang'd; yet the Popish Towns∣men (finding that no Supply was come to the Town, nor, as they thought, likely to come, and that, on the contrary, the Rebels had taken Dundalk and Dr••miskin) formed several Contrivances to give up the Town. One Night when they design'd it, they were pre∣vented by a Rumour, That the Protestants had re-taken Newry; and another Night, Captain Nattervill (who had form'd his half Company to his mind, and was in the Plot with the Popish Inhabitants) be∣gan to quarrel with the Lord Moor, and to commend the Irish, and to affirm▪ ••hey were not Rebels, purposely to begin a Commotion; but the Lord Moor by his Patience wisely baulked the others Expectati∣on, and by secret Orders got all his Men in readiness, and thereby prevented the Execution of their Treachery for that time.

But on the Fourth of November Sir Henry Titchburne, the new Go∣vernor, with his Regiment of 1000 men, arrived at Tredagh; and there came with them Sir Thomas Lucas and Sir Adam Loftus's Troops of Horse; but they were so coldly received by the Popish Inhabitants, that the Governor waited in the Streets from two of the Clock till nine, before he could get a Lodging, and even then was fain to take one by his own Authority. Whereby, and by their former Carriage, the Townsmen became so suspected, that the Governor would not trust them with the Watch, but drew out 300 of his wearied Soldiers to keep Guard that night.

The next day, being the Fifth of November, the new Governor took a diligent View of the Fortifications, and caused four Pieces of Ord∣nance to be mounted on the Mill-mount; and on the Tenth he received three new Companies of Foot, under the Captains, Bryan, Trevor, and Martin.

The Lord Moor made another Journey to Dublin, to be present at the Parliament, which sat the Sixteenth of November, and generously offered to raise and cloath 600 Men, to make the four Independent Companies at Tredagh a compleat Regiment, but it was not accepted; and instead of that, a Recruit was sent from Dublin, which was beaten at Gellinston-Bridge the Twenty ninth of November, as hath been alrea∣dy mentioned, so that only 100 Foot, and half of the Earl of Ormond's Troop of Horse, under the Command of Sir Patrick Weymes, Major Roper, and the Captains Cadowgan and Sounsly, arrived at Tredagh.

In the mean time O Reyly, having taken Kells, Ardbrackan, and Na∣van, advanced to Platten, to which place Darcy had invited several Pro∣testant Officers of Tredagh to Dinner, and if they had gone they had been finely entrapped; but tho' they mist of that, yet being fledg'd with the Victory at Gellingston-Bridge, and well supplied with the Arms, Ammunition, and Money they got there, they resolved to Besiege Tredagh; and they were farther encouraged to it by their Surprize of a Bark from Chester with Ammunition and Arms, which purposely ran aground at the Skirryes by the Treachery of some that were in her.

And so, on the last Day of November, the Rebels, to the number of 14000, sat down before Tredagh on both sides of the Town, and blocked up the River, so that there could be no farther Correspondence with it by Sea or Land. On the Third of December happened the first Skir∣mish, for 350 Foot and two Troops of Horse being sent out to convey some Carriages from Greenhills, notice thereof was given to the Rebels by some of the Town; whereupon above 2000 of the Irish, by means of a Fog, fell upon the English before they were descried, and that with so great a Shout as proclaimed their Number to be very great: Here∣upon some of the Popish Troopers that were in the Rear, either through Cowardize or Treachery, ran back to the Town with the bad News of being defeated; whereupon the Carriages, that were just come to the Gate, pressed in for haste, and stopt up the Gate, which occa∣sioned a great Confusion; but the valiant Governor, not at all dismaid, alighted from his Horse, and led on the Foot, and having commanded the Musketeers up the Hill, he ordered the Pikes, in that narrow Passage of the Lane, to open for the Horse, and so charged the Rebels briskly, and immediately forced them to run; and having pursued them for a Mile, and slain 200 of them, he returned victoriously to his Ga∣rison.

It would be incredible that the Rebels should charge the English twice, as they did, and yet not kill one man of them, if the like had not hapned very lately at Lisniskeagh.

This prodigious Victory animated the Protestants exceedingly, and discouraged the others▪ as much. Nevertheless several Popish Sol∣diers of the Garison, daily deserted: And Captain Darcy, and a Fryer of the same Name, were sent by the Confederates to demand the Town For His Majesties Use and Service; but were Answered, That it was by His Majesties Command and Commission they held it; and soon after, the better to engage the Garison and Inhabitants, and to secure their Fi∣delity, the Governor devised an Oath, To Defend the Town until it should be surrendred by the Consent of the Governor, Mayor, and major part of the Captains and Aldermen, without special Command of the King or the Govern∣ment. But the Mayor and Aldermen flatly refused the Oath; and some others that did take it, did afterwards most perfidiously break it.

But on the Twenty first of December at night, the Rebels (upon a Watch-word, or rather Notice from some of the Popish Inhabitants in the Town) approached the Walls with a terrible Shout; but the Go∣vernor commanded all the Townsmen to keep their Houses, on pain of Death, whereby the Rebels were disappointed of that Assistance they expected in the Town, and were beaten off with considerable Loss.

But this did not hinder the treacherous Inhabitants from proceeding in their Conspiracies. Some of them had formed a clandestine Oath to seize on the Soldiers Arms, and kill them in their Beds; but that bloody Project was discovered by a Priest, and so prevented.

On the Seventh of January part of the Garison made a Sally, and slew a hundred and drowned another hundred of the Rebels, and took some Arms, Cows, and other Booty, to the value of 100 l. Never∣theless the Garison continued more pressed by Famine than by the Ene∣my, when in the midst of their publick Devotion on the Eleventh of January a Pinnace, a Frigat, a Gabbard, and two Shallops and another Vessel, with Supplies of Ammunition, Bisket, Victuals, and Money, arrived in the Harbour: The Popish Townsmen conceived they were Spaniards, and could not conceal their Joy, till it was turned into Sor∣row upon the discovery that they were English.

Nevertheless this Supply had like to occasion the loss of the Town; for the Soldiers had, notwithstanding the Governor's Caution, carouz'd too liberally, being enticed by the Friers and other Papists, (in shew of Kindness) to drink to Excess, so that the Garison were really Vino Somno{que} Sepulti; which being notified to the Rebels, occasion'd another Assault at Four a Clock the next Morning, being the Twelfth of Ja∣nuary: They made a Breach in the Wall in an obscure place, and entred with above 500 Men, and marched as far as the Key undiscovered; and then, thinking the Town was their own, they made a great Shout; whereat the Governor, unarm'd, with his Pistols only in his hand, ran down Stairs, and was the first that caused a Drum to beat, and soon got a good number of Soldiers about him, and it hapning that the English Pikes were longer than the Rebels Pikes, they charged home; and the Lord Moor coming in seasonably with 15 Horse only, they put the Rebels to flight, and beat them quite out of the Town, with the Slaughter of above 200 of them, and some of their best Officers; nor must it be forgotten, that the Popish Houses in the Town were marked with Chalk, that so the Rebels, if they had prevailed, might distinguish them from those they intended to murder. Neither will I pretermit a

Stratagem used by the Garison, in placing some Pipers upon the Walls to play, and others to toss up their Caps, and cry, The Town is our own, make hast in, and the like, by which means many of the Rebels, that still waited to have a Gate opened for them, ran hastily into the Town, and were made Prisoners.

The Pinnace that came with the first Relief hapned unfortunately to run aground, and was briskly attackt by the Rebels, who desperately came with Pickaxes and Iron Barrs even to her very Stern; but Cap∣tain Stutfield threw some Granadoes amongst them, and by that means got rid of them with much ado, and killed above Threescore of the Irish.

But after a while, Necessities and Diseases began to return upon the Garison, so that many dyed daily in the Town; and therefore a dili∣gent Search was made for Provisions, and the Fryers (contrary to their Vow of Poverty) were found to have great Quantities of Money, Plate, and other Treasure, which they not owning, (most of it probably be∣longing to the Rebels,) it was divided amongst the Soldiers; but that was no Relief to a hungry Belly, when Victuals could not be had for Money, and therefore the Governor made a hard shift to send a Boat to Dublin to hasten Supplies.

And tho' the Governor did by frequent Sallies incommode the Ene∣my, and sometimes recover a little Provisions, yet that did not so re∣cruit the Garison, but that they were reduced to the greatest Extremi∣ties, even to the eating of Horses, Dogs, and Cats, when on the Thir∣teenth of February they Sallied, and took from the Rebels a considera∣ble Booty of 80 Cows and 200 Sheep; and the Twentieth day (being Sunday) at four a Clock in the Morning, Sir Philemy O Neal, with all his Strength, made so bold an Attempt as to apply Scaling Ladders to the Wall, and the Sentinel's Gun missing Fire, they made good Pro∣gress before the Garison took the Alarm; but as soon as the Soldiers came to the Walls, they did such Execution upon the Irish, that their Officers could by no means oblige the Soldiers to return to the Assault: And the same day two Pinnaces and several other Vessels (notwith∣standing the Boom at Tredagh, which broke the day before) came up to the Town with a plentiful Supply of all Necessaries.

Encouraged by this Recruit, and these Successes, the Governor of Tredagh, with 220 Foot and 120 Horse, Sallied to Beaubeck on the Twenty sixth of February, and secured some Corn and Hay for the Ga∣rison, and then advanced to Smiths Town, where they defeated a Party of Rebels, and slew 300: And about the same time Major Fortescue had good Success near Gellingston against Colonel Preston in the same Field the English had formerly suffered a Defeat; and to follow the Blow, the Lord Moor, with 600 Foot and 120 Horse and two Field-Pieces, Sallied out the Twenty eighth of February, and assailed Stainime, but finding it fortified, they took some Corn at Colp, and returned.

On the First of March the Lord Moor and Sir John Burlace made ano∣ther Sally, and took the Castle of Colp, and killed many of the Re∣bels: And on the Second of March Colonel Wainman made another Sally as far as Marlengton, burned Mr. Draicot's House and some other considerable places, and return'd home with good store of Corn; and on the Fourth the brave Lord Moor made another Sally towards Tul∣lagh-hallon, amongst his traiterous and ungrateful Tenants, and routed the Rebels, killing seven Captains and 400 Soldiers, and took Capt. Mac Mahon and Barnwell of Rahasket Prisoners, and got good store of Arms, whereby the Siege of Tredagh was raised, and the Garison was

at leisure to visit the Enemies Quarters, and soon forced Darcy of Platten his Servants to surrender his House, and obliged some of the Lord of the Pale to write Letters of Excuse to the State, and to desire to know upon what Terms they might come in▪ but the Lords Justices despis'd that Insolence, and the case being alter'd, did not think fit, without new Orders, to prostitute His Majesties Mercy to such as had no other sense of their Duty than that was taught them by necessity.

But whilst some of them desired to be pardoned, others of them committed barbarous Crimes, that were unpardonable, and murdered all the Protestants at Atherdee, to be revenged for their Losses before Tredagh; and it ought never to be forgotten, as an especial Providence of God, that during this long Siege, and in all these Sallies, there were but Twelve Protestants that fell by the Sword, or were slain; which nevertheless is very believable, because the like hath lately hap∣ned in proportion at the famous Siege of Londonderry.

On Munday the Seventh of March, the Earl of Ormond, with Three thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse, marched out of Dublin, to re∣lieve Tredagh, not knowing the Siege was rais'd, and having burned Feildstown, Kilsalan, and Ratooth, and several Houses in the County of Meath, he came to Tredagh on the Eleventh; and having recruited the Governor and the Lord Moor with Four hundred Foot and Two Troops of Horse, and burnt and pillaged great part of the Pale, he return'd to Dublin on Business of Importance, by the special Order of the Lords Justices.

Nevertheless, the Lord Moor and Sir Henry Tichburne on the Twen∣ty first of the same Month, marched out with One thousand Foot and Two hundred Horse, and having burnt the Country about Slane, on the Twenty third advanced to Atherdee, and having discovered the Enemy to the number of near Fifteen hundred, they sent out their Forlorn, which stumbled on an Irish Ambuscade, and drove them to the Main Body, of whom they killed about Four hundred. At the Foot of the Bridge the Irish did again make some Resistance; but some of the English found a Passage over the River, and galled them in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and forced them to abandon that Post, and then forced their way into the Town. In this Skirmish one Irish Lieutenant-Colonel and five Captains were slain, besides what fell of the Common Soldiers.

The English encourag'd with this Success, advanc'd to Dundalk on the Twenty sixth of March; and tho' the Town was fortified with a double Wall and a double Ditch, and had a Bog on the one side, and the Sea on the other, yet a Party of the English, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Wainm••••, forced the Gate with Pickaxes, and entred the Town with their Horse, and pursued the Enemy on a full Gallop; but at the turn of a Street were warmly received by Five hundred Irish, who had mounted two or three Brass Pieces, and were forced to retreat; and from a Castle at the end of that Street, the Rebels had killed Ensign Fortescue (who was the first Officer that was slain since the Defeat at Gellingston) and some few Soldiers: Whereupon the English set Fire to the Houses near the Castle, so that the Smoak blowing towards the Castle, the English came undiscover'd to the Gate, and blew it up with Gunpowder▪ whereat those within were so frightned, that they fled out of the Window, and a Serjeant and Five Men entred, and were afterwards reinforced with Twenty four more; and the Fire being quenched, Two Pieces of Ordnance were drawn up against the inner Gate, and the English being sheltered by

some Wooll-packs found in the Castle, got an Opportunity to gall the Enemy, whilst Sir Henry Tichbourne with a Party of Horse marched on the back side of the Town to the North Gate, and killed Forty Rebels in his way, and entring at a Bye-gate, found the Town de∣serted, whereby a hundred and twenty Protestants were relieved, and good Booty recovered, with the Slaughter of a hundred Rebels, and not above Fourteen or Fifteen of the Royalists; which was the more considerable, because the Irish in this Place were about Three thou∣sand, and the Assailants not full a thousand.

Sir Philemy and his Myrmidons were mightily enraged at this Defeat, and in revenge murdered the Lord Cawfield and Mr. Blany, and about Fifteen hundred other Protestants, whom till then they had reserved for that purpose.

O Rely also murdered Sixty more of the English at Bolturbet; and indeed it was seldom that the Irish met with any disappointment, but they vented their Rage on the miserable Protestants that they had in their Power; as if by sacrificing so many innocent Souls, they could expiate the Guilt of their Cowardise and Treachery.

But these Successes of the English forced the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale into Ulster, where those losing Gamesters fell together by the Ears: for Sir Philemy O Neal and the Ulster Men upbraided those of the Pale, that they had formerly been their National Enemies, and false to them and their Religion; and that it was not past Memory, since the Papists of the Pale had persuaded Ulster to a Religious Rebel∣lion, and left it in the lurch; but that now the Ulster Men were quit with them, having first exposed the Pale to the Fury of the English. In short, they renewed their Ancient and Hereditary Animosities; and their Confederacy and Association was too feeble to extinguish or even su∣spend their National Antipathy, derived from their different Extractions.

This unexpected and unseasonable Treatment from Ulster, made such a deep Impression on the Mind of the Lord Gormanstown, that it broke his Heart, so that he died lamenting his great Folly in siding with the Irish against his own Country-men; and some that survived were fully sensible of this Oversight; but they were too far engag'd to re∣tire, and therefore they sought for Pretences, and fish'd for Excuses, to colour or extenuate their Crimes; many of which being notoriously false, and some of them ex post facto, and so not pertinent, were ne∣vertheless jumbled together in an Apology, which they afterwards sent to the King.

But we ought to cast an Eye on the rest of the Provinces, and first on Munster, where the first Appearance of the Rebellion was on the Twentieth of November, at which time a numerous Rabble of the Irish plundered Mr. William Kingsmill at Ballyowen, in the County of Typerary, and carried away a great number of Cows and Sheep from him and his Neighbors. This Attempt was the bolder, because he was the Lord President's Brother-in-Law; and the Consequence of it was, that the Lord President ••••on notice thereof, came with two Troops of Horse to Ballyowen, and pursued the Tories, killed some, and hanged others, and recovered some part of the stollen Cattel; and afterwards, in Cromwell's Time, Mrs. Kingsmill sued some of these Robbers, and got a Decree against them for 1500 l.

The Irish pretend, that some innocent People were kill'd in this Expedition, and that the Lord Dunboyn, and several Gentlemen of the County of Typerary, came to the President to Clonmell, and expo∣stulated with him about the Violence of this Proceeding; and that he

should tell them, that they were Rebels, and that it was more pru∣dent to hang than to trust any of them. And when they have told this simple Story, they think they have said enough to justifie their en∣tring into the Rebellion.

From Clonmell the Lord President went into the County of Water∣ford, upon notice that a Party of the Leinster Rebels had passed that way into his Province; and he had the good fortune to rout them on the Second of December, with the Slaughter of Two hundred of the Irish.

But in his absence, the Inhabitants of Typerary, to the number of Fifteen hundred, assembled together to seise on the City of Cashel, and destroy the English there; and tho' they were (by the Persuasions of some less barbarous than themselves) diverted for that time from so cruel an Enterprise; yet they could not abstain much longer, but on the last day of December, under the Leading of Philip O Duir, they took Cashell, and in cold Blood (for there was no Resistance) they murdered William Beaves and his Servant, Thomas Sadler, William Bone∣feild and his Wife, John Banister, Mr. Car, John Lents, Richard Lane, John Anderson, Mr. Franklin, Toby a Joyner, and John Fowks. The rest were saved for that time, chiefly by the Piety and Compassion of Redmond English and Joseph Everard, two Franciscan Friars; who for that very Reason were in Cromwell's Time not only acquitted, but privileged to live in the Country, whilst others, viz. Colonel Teige O Magher, Lieutenant Colonel Donough. O Dwir, Theobald Butler, Hugh Ryan, Ulick Burk, &c. were in November, 1653. tried, con∣demn'd, and executed for these barbarous Murders.

And the very next day, being the first of January, another Rabble seised on Fethard, where they plundered all the English, but murdered none except Mr. Low; for which Fact three of the Murderers, viz. Thomas Quigly, James mac Hugh, and Richard Nagle, were afterwards condemn'd and hang'd. The Loss of Fethard was followed with the Revolt of Clonmell, Carrick, and all the Towns in Typerary; and of Waterford, Limerick, Kilmallock, and Dungarvan: And on the Twenty third day of January some of the Kennedyes murdered Twenty two English, Servants to Sir George Hamilton at the Silver Mines, and Two more, viz. Thomas Gallop and Thomas Sadly, were left wounded amongst the Dead; but in the dark Night they made a shift to escape to Ne∣nagh, and were there preserved.

But the Irish did not dissemble the Matter any longer, but in this very Month of January began to form their Men into Troops and Companies; and hearing (says an Irish Papist) that the Lord Mount∣garret had a Commission from the Lords Justices to raise Arms to sup∣press the Insurrection, (as indeed he had a Commission to the Earl of Ormond and him to Govern the County of Kilkenny, of the same Tenor as Appendix 8.) they thought to colour their Proceedings there∣by, and therefore invited him to be their General; And it seems his Lordship was ready to embrace the Offer; for in the latter end of January he came with Fifteen Companies to Cashell, and being assisted by Purcell Titular Baron of Loghmore, (to whom likewise the Lords Justices had sent Arms) and by the Lords of Ikerin, Dunboyn, Cahir, and Castleconell, they took Ballyowen, and blockt up Gowlin and Knock∣ordan, and then marched to Kilmallock, and so towards Mallow; but near the Mountain above Donerayl the Lord president faced the Rebels. He had with him the Lords Barymore, Dungarvan, and Broghill, Sir Hardress Waller, Sir Edward Denny, Sir John Brown, Major Searle, and

Captain Kingsmill, and about Six hundred Foot and Three hundred Horse. Whilst he staid there, the Rebels did not dare to advance; but his Presence being necessary at Cork, he was after eight days stay thereabouts obliged to retire to that City; whereupon the Irish ad∣vanc'd to Mallow, and took the short Castle there upon Articles, which they did not perform.

At Mallow there arose a Difference amongst the Irish, about the Su∣preme Command of the Army: The Lord Roch and others of Mun∣ster thought they ought to have a General of their own Province; and to avoid Competition amongst the Lords, they pitch'd upon Garret Barry, and appointed the Lord Muskery and other Great Men to be the Council of War.

Hereupon the Lord Mountgarret return'd to Typerary, where he met the News, That the Men which were in Gowlin Castle had escaped into the Mountains, where most of them were murdered by James Butler of Ruskagh, (for which Fact he was tried before Colonel Sanky, Anno 1653. and afterwards hang'd) and that the Women and Children left in the Castle were likewise inhumanly butcher'd by the Irish; for which Barbarity, Peirce Butler, and his Son Thomas, James Butler of Boyton-Rath, and Thomas Kent, were likewise tried, condemned, and ex∣ecuted, Anno 1653.

As for the County of Cork, which, by the noble Plantations made by the Earl of that Name, became the best inhabited with English of any County in that Kingdom, it was in a great measure preserv'd by the Generosity and Diligence of that Earl, who was then newly re∣turn'd out of England; he rais'd Two Troops of Horse under his Sons the Lords of Kinalmeky and Broghil, and Four hundred Foot; all which he maintained for some Months as his own Charge, and sent a hundred of them to Asketon, a hundred to Lismore, and kept Two hundred with himself at Youghall.

Nevertheless, that County was not without its share of Disturbance, tho' it was the last County wherein the Rebellion broke out; and they began it as elsewhere, by robbing and plundring bare-fac'd, and at Noon-day, and in Multitudes, and afterwards committed some Mur∣ders, but not so many as in other Places, because the English were powerful in this County, and therefore the Rebels were in more fear to be called to account for their Exorbitances: However, at Glandore they gagg'd several English to death, and in another place they ty'd an Englishman's Guts to the Post, and made him dance round it till he died; they broil'd a piece of a Scotch Minister's Breech, and made him eat it; they hang'd Robert Scot of Newcestown and his two Daugh∣ters in Muskery, tho' he went voluntarily there to a Friend for Pro∣tection; and in like manner John Burrows was serv'd at Ballynorohur, by his Landlord Mac-ni-crimin (who was tried and executed for it afterwards at Bandon.) They hang'd Andrew a Servant of Mr. Ha∣zell's, and, which was worse than all he rest, Mr. Linscomb, Sove∣reign of Cloghnikilty, having much Intimacy with the Irish, staid be∣hind his Neighbors, in confidence of Protection; but, contrary to his Expectation and their Promises, they first made him drunk till he vo∣mited, and then made him eat it up, and immediately hang'd him at his own Door; and having (by Promises of sending her safe to Kin∣sale) persuaded his Wife to discover 120 l. in Money she had hid at Muckrus, as soon as they got it, they threw her and her Sister into a deep Pit, and there they left them till they were starved.

And altho' there were not many downright Murthers committed in this County, yet by reason of the universal Robbing and Plundring, and the great Want and Hardships this Insurrection exposed the mi∣serable English to, many thousands of them perished; and particular∣ly, in the Town of Bandon, there died above a Thousand in the first Year of this Rebellion; and great Numbers likewise met with the same Fate at Cork, Kinsale, and Youghall.

To stop this Torrent, the Lord President raised a Regiment of Foot and Two Troops of Horse, and did what he could to prepare for his Defence: And it was but needful to do so; for the Rebels being extraordinary numerous, thought themselves able to besiege Cork, Kinsale, and Bandon at the same time. In order to this, Mr. Long, High Sheriff of the County of Cork, form'd a Camp at Belgooly, about Two Miles from Kinsale; and to him came Mac-Finin's Brother, cal∣led Captain Sugane, and march'd from Kerry, (through Muskery and Carbery, to the Camp) and Dermond ni Glack of Littergorman, with another Party, march'd down to Kilgoban-Castle, on the River of Bandon, and surprized it.

This Camp at Belgooly continued the rest of this Winter, and was supplied with Ammunition and other Necessaries even from some of the Popish Inhabitants of Kinsale; but at length half the Lord Bal∣tinglass his Company (being Forty five Men) arrived by Sea at Kin∣sale, on the Fifth of April, and brought with them Eight Barrels of Powder, whereof Six were the next day sent to Bandon, guarded by the Bandon Troop, which fell into an Ambuscade; but the Kinsale Troop (just then parted from them) return'd seasonably to their Succour, and between them they kill'd Eighty of the Rebels, and then each Troop return'd safe to their respective Garisons; and the next day the Camp at Belgooly was dissolv'd, and most of the Soldiers went to reinforce the Blockade at Cork.

And about the same time, viz. in February, Mac Carthy Riagh (who had dissembled the Matter, and pretended Loyalty, and that he would side with the English, until he got some Arms from the Lord Viscount Kinalmeky, and then declared the very next day) with about Three thousand raw Men, and ill armed, came to besiege the Town of Bandon.

But the valiant Bandonians scorned to be pent up by such a piti∣ful Rabble, and therefore having form'd themselves into Four Com∣panies, under the Captains Watkins, Woodhouse, Jefford, and Hooper; and One Troop, under their Governor the Lord Kinalmeky, they sal∣lied out, and whilst the Foot marched up the direct Road to Cloghna∣kilty, the Horse went round by Castlemahon, so to fall on the Rear▪ but the Foot came up first, and one Company, led by Captain Watkins within-side the Ditch, came undiscovered very near the Enemy, (who were gazing at the rest that march'd in the High-way) and at the first Volley kill'd Sixteen Men; whereupon all the Irish fled, and being light of Foot, and the Horse not come up, no farther Execution was done at this famous Battel of Knockagarane.

As for Cork, it was blocked up on the South-side by General Barry and the Lord Muskery, who expected the Lord Roch and others to do the like on the North-side; but to prevent that, the Lord President sent the Lord Insiquin and Colonel Jepson, with the Two English Troops newly arrived from England, into Roch's Country and Orrery, where they had the good Fortune to relieve Rathgogan, and to take Ballyha, and to kill Two hundred Rebels, on the Twenty seventh of February.

And the Lord President being reinforced by Sir Charles Vavasor's Regiment likewise, newly arrived from England, did on the second of March draw out a Party, with which he burnt Tallow, visited Lis∣more, and took Dungarvan by Surrender, and left Lieutenant Rossington and Forty Men in it, (from whom the Irish afterwards surpriz'd it) and so having kill'd Three hundred Rebels in this Journy, he returned safely to Cork.

But on the Thirteenth of April the Irish beat the English Scouts in∣to the Suburbs of Cork; whereupon the Lord Insiquin and Colonel Va∣vasor issued out with Three hundred Musquetiers and Two Troops of Horse, and not only beat that Party, but also routed the whole Army, and took the Lord Muskery's Armor, Tent, and Baggage, and killed Captain Sugane and above Two hundred of the Rebels, without the Loss of a Man.

And as to Youghall, the Irish did plant Three Pieces of Ordnance on the other side of the River, to block up the Harbor; but that did not hinder the safe Arrival of Sir Charles Vavasor and his Regiment in that Port, on the Twenty fifth day of February 1641. as aforesaid.

As to Connaught, the Lord Ranelagh was Lord President of that Pro∣vince, and being at Dublin when the Rebellion broke out, he went to his Government the beginning of November, and found the Counties of Mayo, Letrim, Roscomon, and Sleigo in open Rebellion: At first he thought to reclaim them by Mildness, and the Acquaintance he had amongst them; but he was quickly baffled in that Expectation, as every body else will be, that thinks an Irish Rebel will prefer the In∣terests or Solicitations of a Protestant Friend before those of a Popish Priest. On the contrary, to manifest their Sincerity to their Religion, per ali∣quod facinus dignum, they are most severe to their Protestant Friends; and the Lord Ranelagh fared as bad as others, being besieged in the Castle of Athlone all this Winter; and many Towns in his Province (and particularly, Roscomon and Elphin) were burned by the Rebels; and some Castles of the Earl of Clanrickard's, in the County of Gal∣way, were by them likewise surprized, tho' generally that County was by the Conduct and Loyalty of the Earl of Clanrickard kept in pretty good order.

And it is to be noted, That Commissions of Government and Mar∣tial Law were likewise sent to the Roman Catholicks of this Pro∣vince, viz. to the Lord of Mayo, &c. that nothing might be omitted to keep them quiet, if they were so inclin'd; but they, despising the weak Forces of this Province, were more forward than others to plunge themselves into this Common and Universal Rebellion, and kept the Lord President besieged in the Castle of Athlone all this Winter.

In January the Irish, to the number of Twelve hundred, besieged young Sir Charles-Coot in Castle-Coot; but he valiantly raised the Siege within a Week, and not long after defeated Hugh O Connor and his Forces, and on the Second of March encountred Con O Rourk and his Followers, who came to fetch the Prey of Roscomon, and took himself Prisoner, and killed most of his Party. Afterwards the Rebels, un∣der the Conduct of Colonel Walsh, formed a Camp at Kregs; but young Sir Charles Coot and the Garison of Castle-Coot sallied out upon them, and gave them a total Defeat, and took all their Baggage and Provisions; and not long after, he got a considerable Prey, from about Ballynislow, and in Easter-week relieved Athloane with some Provisions and other Necessaries.

Nor did the Governors and Garisons of Roscoman, Tulsk, Elphin, Knock∣vicar, Abbyboyle, Carrigdrumrusk, and Bealanfad, behave themselves less bravely, tho' at length this latter Place was lost for want of Water.

As to Ulster, because the Rebellion began there; I have already mentioned several passages in that Province; so that I have only to add, that on the Twenty third of October, Cormock O Hagan surpriz'd the strong Castle of Monymore belonging to the Company of Drapers in London: Whereupon a Rumour was immediately noised about the Country, that the Irish were in Rebellion, which coming to the Ears of Mr. William Rowly, who had been an active Man against the Irish, he presently posted to Colerain, where he brought the first notice of the Insurrection, about Eight a Clock on Sunday Morning, which was soon after confirmed by multitudes of pillaged People that flockt in∣to the Town that day. It was wonderful to see the Scots so deluded with the wheedling of the Irish, that they sate still as Newters till the English were destroy'd; and particularly. There was one Mr. William Stewart of the Irry, who had Married the Earl of Tyrones Grand-Daughter; he had Six hundred Scots together, and might have pre∣served that Country; but being assur'd by some of his Irish Relations, that no harm was design'd to his Country-men, he dismist his Fol∣lowers to their respective Dwellings, and that very Night most of them were murdered; and this was the first Action that Alarm'd the Scots, amongst whom the Irish from that time forward made a sad Slaughter, and the Scots in due time did not fail to Pay them in their own Coyn; and particularly at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Magee, within few Weeks after.

At Colerain, Colonel Edward Rowly, rased a Regiment of Foot and a Troop of Horse, and Colonel Cozens raised a Regiment of Foot, but the former marched into the Country, and for some time kept in an open Village called Garvaghy; but at length the Irish to a very great number (whereof many were his own Tenants) fell upon him, and kill'd all his Men but Eight, and barbarously murdered himself after they had given him Quarter, and then burnt and plundered to the Gates of Colerain; Mr. Hugh Rowly, who is still living, assures me, he saw them burn Desertmartin, Maghara, Vintners Town, Drapers Town, and Maghrafelt; and he saw them take a Poor Scotchman and knock him in the Head with stones; and he also saw them take Mr. Matchet a Minister out of Lieutenant Thurbye's House, and murder him, and he also likewise saw the Lord of Antrim, and Sir Philemy O Neal meet at the same place.

But in March, Archibald Steward marched out of Colerain with Six hundred Scots, and Three hundred English, and had the misfortune to meet with Alexander Mac Donald, alias Culkittagh, who gave him a se∣vere Attack; whereupon the Scots gave way, and the whole Party was routed, and Six hundred Protestants slain: And soon after the Rebels animated with this Success besieg'd Colerain, but the Lord of Antrim not only perswaded the Irish to raise that Siege, but also sent Provisions and other relief into the Town, believing that this obliging Carriage would prevail with the Town voluntarily, to put it self under his Protection; but in that he found himself mistaken.

In this Extremity was the Province of Ulster, so that every Man that was left was necessitated to betake himself to Arms; whereby such a Competent force was raised, as put a stop to the Career of the Rebels, there were Three Troops, and Three Regiments of Foot under Sir Robert Stewart, Sir William Stewart, and Colonel Audly Mervin, in and near London-Derry, and these were called the Lagan Forces; Sir John

Clotworthy had a Regiment and a Troop in the Town of Antrim, and the Lord Conwey had the like at Lysnegarvy; and the Lord of Ardes, Sir James Mongomery, Colonel Hill, Captain Chichester, Sir Arthur Ty∣ringham, and Sir Hans Hamilton, had likewise some Forces in the County of Downe, all which did Service; but none did that prodigious Exe∣cution upon the Rebels, as Sir Frederick Hamilton's Regiment at Man∣nor Hamilton, and Sir William Cole's Regiment at Iniskilling.

But it will be fit to inquire, how the Irish Affairs were managed in England, where the Parliament (upon whom the King had devolv'd the Management of the Irish War) did during his Majesty's absence (in Scotland) heartily espouse the Cause of the Irish Protestants, and not only voted briskly for their Relief, as hath been already menti∣oned, but did also effectually set all Engins at work for the Preserva∣tion of that Kingdom, and appointed a particular Committee for Irish Affairs. And now, when the King was return'd to London, His Majesty expressed no less Zeal in that Matter, and Detestation of that Rebel∣lion, than the Parliament had done; They seem'd to vie with one another, who should do most to save that Island, and to revenge that barbarous Massacre, committed upon the Protestants there; and yet at length, by unhappy Differences that arose between Themselves, both of Them were hindred from doing what each of Them design'd: So that whilst Englishmen were destroying each other in Civil Wars here, the British in Ireland were expos'd to the Insults of a numerous and inveterate Enemy without their Garisons, and to the want of all Necessaries within them.

But to proceed: On the Twenty eighth of December the King sent the following Message to the House of Lords, viz. His Majesty being very sensible of the great Miseries and Distresses of His Subjects in the King∣dom of Ireland, which go daily increasing so fast, and the Blood which hath been already spilt by the Cruelty and Barbarousness of those Rebels, crying out so loud; and perceiving how slowly the Succours design'd thither go on; His Majesty hath thought fit to let your Lordships know, and desires you to acquaint the House of Commons therewith, That His Majesty will take Care, that by Commissions which He shall grant, Ten thousand English Voluntiers shall be speedily raised for that Service, if the House of Commons shall declare that they will pay them.

But the Disturbance about the Impeachment of the Five Members, hapning so soon after this as it did, suspended the further Debate of that Matter; and tho' the Commons on the Fifth of January adjourn'd their Committee for Irish Affairs to Guildhall, yet the next Vote rela∣ting to Ireland, that I find, is that which center'd in an Order of Both Houses, dated the Twenty ninth of January, to apprehend and examine all such suspected Papists as are going to Ireland, and to stay all Arms, Ammunition, Money, Corn, &c. intended for the Relief of the Rebels; and to send back or prosecute such wandring Irish Papists as lately landed in the West: And in a day or two after, there was a Complaint, That notwithstanding this Order, the King had licensed several Papists to transport themselves to Ireland, who had joyned with the Rebels; and Mr. Pym speaking freely of that Matter in a Conference, amongst other things, he said, That since the Stop upon the Ports by both Houses against all Irish Papists, many of the Commanders now in the Head of the Rebels have been suffered to pass by His Majesty's immediate Warrant: And afterwards the Parliament instanc'd Colonel Butler, Mr. Nettervill, Sir George Hamilton, the Lord Delvin, and Four more. Whereupon His Majesty, by His Message of the Second of

February, expostulated with them, and affirms, That the Licence to Butler, Nettervill, and Hamilton, was before he had any Intimation of that Order; and that tho' they were Papists, He had reason to believe they would not joyn with the Rebels; and desires them to clear Him from that Aspersion, by a Publick Declaration.

But in January there was a Treaty with the Scots Commissioners about the Relief of Ireland: Whereupon they made these Propo∣sals, viz.

COncerning the Proposition made to us, 22 January, from the Commit∣tees of Both Houses, for the transporting presently to Ireland of the Two thousand five hundred Men now on foot in Scotland; we having no In∣struction for that end, cannot by our selves condescend otherwise than upon the Closure of the Treaty; but shall most heartily represent it to the Council of Scotland, and second the same with our earnest Desires, That every thing may be done which may contribute to the Preservation of that Kingdom, and may testifie our brotherly Affection to this. And that we may be the more able to move the Council to condescend to the same, we desire the Propositions following to be granted.

1. That Provision of Victuals be presently sent to Carrickfergus, to be sold to our Soldiers at reasonable Rates, answerable to their Pay.

2. That an Order be set down how they shall be paid there, and from whom they may require the same.

3. That they have the Command and Keeping of the Town and Castle of Carrickfergus, with Power to them to remain still within the same, or to enlarge their Quarters, and to go abroad into the Country, upon such Occa∣sions as their Officers in their Discretion shall think expedient for the Good of that Kingdom. And if it shall be thought fit that any Regiments or Troops in that Province shall joyn with them, that they receive Orders from the Commanders of our Forces.

4. That Provision of Match, Powder, and Ball, be presently sent to Car∣rickfergus; and what Arms, Ammunition, or Artillery shall be sent over with them from Scotland, that the like Quantity be sent from hence to Scotland, whensoever the same shall be demanded.

5. That a part of the Thirty thousand Pounds of the Brotherly Assistance be presently advanced to us; which altho' in a just Proportion to these Men, it will amount but to Seven thousand five hundred Pounds, yet for the better furthering of the Service, we desire Ten thousand Pounds, if it may stand with your Convenience.

6. That their Pay which was condescended unto from the Eighth of De∣cember, be presently advanced to the Eighth of February next, against which time, we are confident, they shall be ready to march.

7. That a Man of W••r, or some M••rchants Ships, be sent from Bri∣stol, Westchester, or Dublin, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for a Safe Convoy and Guard of the Passage; because they 〈…〉〈…〉 Boats, may be subject to Incon∣veniences from the Enemy, 〈…〉〈…〉 we hear are towards that Coast.

8. That the sending 〈…〉〈…〉 th••se Men be without prejudice to the Pro∣ceeding of the Treaty, which we desire may go on without any delay.

Westm. 24. Jan. 1641.

JA. PRYMROSE.

Which Proposals were approved of by Both Houses; but the King disliked the Third Article, as appears by His Answer, viz. His Ma∣jesty having perused and considered these Eight Propositions presented by the

Scots Commissioners, doth willingly consent to them all, except only the Third, which His Majesty doth not approve, and wisheth the Houses to take that Article again into Consideration, as a Business of very great Im∣portance, which His Majesty doubts may be prejudicial to the Crown of England, and the Service intended: And if the Houses desire it, His Ma∣jesty shall not be unwilling to speak with the Scots Commissioners, to see what Satisfaction he can give them therein. And the next day they wait∣ed upon him, and told him, That since it was only Matter of Trust that was in debate, they hoped that he, who was their Native King, would not shew less Confidence in them than the English Nation had done. Whereupon His Majesty consented, rather than the necessary Supplies for Ireland should be delay'd.

And on the Fourteenth of February a Committee of Both Houses went with a Message to the Spanish Ambassador, to this effect, That the Parliament were informed, That some Vessels in Dunkirk, laden with Arms and Ammunition, were designed for Ireland; and that if they, or any such Ships, were suffered to go thence, it should be interpreted a Breach of the Peace between England and Spain. To which the Ambassador an∣swered, That he would be careful to continue the League between both Crowns, and did assure them, that those Ships were not bound for Ireland.

And on the same Fourteenth day of February, His Majesty sent a Message to Both Houses, in which are these Words: For Ireland, (in behalf of which His Majesty's Heart bleeds) as His Majesty hath concurred with all Propositions made for that Service by His Parliament, so He is re∣solved to leave nothing undone for their Relief, which shall fall within His possible Power; nor will refuse to venture His own Person in that War, if His Parliament shall think it convenient for the Reduction of that miserable Kingdom.

And in the same Month, the Parliament, knowing that the Sale of the Rebels forfeited Estates was the best way to prevent future Rebel∣lions, (by English Plantations in Ireland) and to raise Money for sup∣pressing of this, did vote as followeth, viz.

THe Lords and Commons taking into their serious Considerations, as well the Necessity of a speedy Reducing of the Rebels of Ireland to their due Obedience, as also the great Sums of Money that the Commons of this Realm have of late paid for the Publick and Necessary Affairs of the King∣dom, whereof the Lords and Commons are very sensible, and desirous to em∣brace all good and honorable Ways tending to His Majesty's Greatness and Profit, the Setling of that Realm, and the Ease of His Majesty's Subjects of England: And whereas divers Worthy and Well-affected Persons, perceiving that many Millions of Acres of the Rebels Lands of that Kingdom, which go under the name of Profitable Lands, will be confiscate, and to be disposed of; and that in case Two Millions and a half of those Acres equally ta∣ken out of the Four Provinces of that Kingdom, may be allotted for the Sa∣tisfaction of such Persons as shall disburse any Sums Money for the Redu∣cing of the Rebels there, it would effectually accomplish the same, have made these Propositions ensuing.

1. That Two Millions and a half of those Acres may be assigned, allotted, and divided amongst them, after this Proportion, viz.For each Adventurer of

• 200 l. 1000 Acres in Ulster.
• 300 l. 1000 Acres in Conaught.
• 450 l. 1000 Acres in Munster.
• 600 l. 1000 Acres in Leinster.

all according to English Measure, and consisting of Meadow, Arable, and profitable Pasture; the Bogs, Woods and barren Mountains, being cast in over and above. These two Millions and a half of Acres to be holden in free and common Soccage of the King, as of his Castle of Dublin.

2. That out of those two Millions and a half of Acres a constant Rent shall be reserved to the Crown of England, after this Proportion, viz. Out of each Acre thereof in

• Ulster—1 d.
• Conaught—1—ob.
• Munster—2—q.
• Leinster—3

3. That for the erecting of Mannors, settling of Waste and Commons, maintaining of Preaching Ministers, creating of Corporations, and regulating of the several Plantations, one or more Commissions be hereafter granted by Authority of Parliament.

4. That Monies, for this great Occasion, may be the more speedily advan∣ced, all the Undertakers in the City of London, and within 20 Miles distance thereof, shall under-write their several Sums before the Twentieth day of March, 1641. and all within Sixty Miles of London, before the First day of April, 1642. and the rest of the Kingdom before the First day of May, 1642.

5. That the several Sums to be under-written shall be paid in at four Pay∣ments, viz. one fourth part within ten days after such under-writing, and the other three parts at three Months, three Months, and three Months, all to be paid into the Chamber of London.

6. That for the better Securing of the said several Sums accordingly, every one that doth so under-write, shall at the time of his Subscription pay down the twentieth part of the Total Sum that shall be by him then under-written.

And in case that the residue of his first fourth part be not paid in to such person or persons as shall be appointed to receive the same, within the ten days before limitted; then such Party shall not only forfeit the twentieth part of the Sum total formerly deposited, but so much more of his first fourth Payment, to be added thereunto, as shall make up the one Moyety of the said first Pay∣ment. And if the same Person shall fail in any other of the three Payments, he shall then Forfeit his entire first fourth, and all the Benefit of his Subscription, which Forfeiture shall accrue to the common Benefit of the rest of the Under∣takers.

The Lords and Commons, upon due and mature Deliberation of these Pro∣positions, have approved of them, and given their consent unto the same, and will become humble Petitioners to His Majesty for His Royal Approbation thereof, and that hereafter he will be pleased, upon the humble Suit of both Houses of Parliament, to give His Royal Assent to such Bills as they shall ten∣der unto him for the setling of those Propositions, and all other things necessarily conducing thereunto.

And on the Twenty fourth of February His Majesty returned His Gra∣cious Answer in Approbation of these Votes, in haec verba, viz. That as he hath offered, and is still ready to venture His own Royal Person, for the Recovery of that Kingdom, if His Parliament shall advise him thereunto, so He will not deny to contribute any other Assistance he can to that Service, by parting with any Profit or Advantage of his own there; and therefore, relying on the Wisdom of His Parliament, doth consent to every Proposition now made to him, without taking time to examine whether this course may not retard the reducing of that Kingdom, by exasperating the Rebels, and rendring them desperate of being received into Grace if they shall return to their Obedience.

It would be too tedious to relate all that was done in this Affair of the Adventurers, and therefore all that I shall mention here upon that Head is, That these Votes produced several Acts of Parliament in Con∣firmation of them, and raised the Sum of 400000 l for the Irish War.

But on the 9th day of March, in the Declaration presented to the King at Newmarket, the Parliament inserted this Article, viz. That the Rebellion in Ireland was framed and contrived here in England, and that the English Papists should have risen about the same time we have several Te∣stimonies and Advertisements from Ireland; and that is a common Speech amongst the Rebels, wherewith concur other Evidences and Observations of the suspicious Meetings and Consultations, the tumultuary and seditious Car∣riage, of those of that Religion, in divers parts of this Kingdom, about the time of the breaking out of the Irish Rebellion; the Deposition of O Conally; the Information of Master Cole, Minister, the Letter of Tristram Whit∣combe, the Deposition of Thomas Crant, and many others which we may produce, do all agree in this; the publick Declaration of the Lords, Gentle∣men and others, of the Pale, That they would joyn with the Rebels, whom they call the Irish Army, or any other, to recover unto His Majesty His Royal Prerogative wrested from him by the Puritan Faction in the House of Par∣liament in England, and to maintain the same against all others; as also to maintain Episcopal Jurisdiction, and the lawfulness thereof; these two being Quarrels upon which His Majesties late Army in the North should have been incensed against us.

To which His Majesty Answers thus; If the Rebellion in Ireland (so odious to all Christians) seems to have been framed and maintained in Eng∣land, or to have any countenance from hence, We conjure both Our Houses of Parliament, and all Our loving Subjects whatsoever, to use all possible means to discover and find such out, that we may joyn in the most exemplary Ven∣geance upon them that can be imagined. But We must think Our self highly and causelesly injured in Our Reputation, if any Declaration, Action or Ex∣pression, of the Irish Rebels, any Letter from Count Rosettie to the Papists for Fasting and Praying, or from Tristram Whitcombe, of strange Speeches uttered in Ireland, shall beget any Jealousie or Misapprehension in Our Sub∣jects of Our Justice, Piety and Affection; it being evident to all Understan∣dings, That those mischievous and wicked Rebels are not so capable of great Advantage as by having their false Discourse so far believed as to raise Fears and Jealousies to the Distraction of this Kingdom, the only way to their Se∣curity: And we cannot express a deeper sense of the Sufferings of Our poor Pro∣testant Subjects in that Kingdom, than We have done in Our often Messages to both Houses; by which We have offered, and are still ready to venture Our Royal Person for their Redemption, well knowing, That as We are (in Our own Interest) more concerned in them, fo We are to make a strict Accompt to Almighty God for any Neglect of Our Duty or their Preservation.

And on the 15th of March, from Huntington, the King sent this Mes∣sage, viz. That he doth very earnestly desire that they will use all possible In∣dustry in expediting the business of Ireland, in which they shall find so chearful a Concurrence by his Majesty, that no Inconvenience shall happen to that Ser∣vice by his Absence, he having all that Passion for the reducing of that King∣dom, which he hath expressed in his former Messages, and being unable by words to manifest more Affection to it than he hath endeavoured to do by those Messages, (having likewise done all such Acts as he hath been moved unto by his Parliament;) therefore if the Misfortunes and Calamities of his poor Pro∣testant Subjects there shall grow upon them (tho' His Majesty shall be deeply concerned in and sensible of their Sufferings) he shall wash his hands before all

the World from the least Imputation of Slackness in that most necessary and pious Work.

Whereupon the Parliament Voted the next day, That those Persons that advise His Majesty to absent himself from the Parliament, are Enemies to the Peace of this Kingdom, and justly to be suspected to be Favourers of the Rebellion in Ireland.

Resolved, &c. That those Persons that advised His Majesty to this Mes∣sage are Enemies to the Peace of this Kingdom, and justly to be suspected to be Favourers of the Rebellion in Ireland.

The Year 1642. began with Sir Symon Harcourt's Expedition against Carrickmain, in the County of Dublin, on the Twenty sixth of March, which proved fatal to him; nevertheless his Lieutenant-Colonel Gib∣son took the Castle, and put all within it to the Sword, refusing to give Quarter to those obstinate Rebels that had slain his beloved Co∣lonel. And about the same time, all the Popish Priests that could be found in Dublin were by the Lords Justices sent in French Bottoms to France.

In the beginning of April, 1642. Doctor Jones afterwards Bishop of Meath, and Seven other Divines, who by Virtue of a Commission dated the 23d. of December, 1641. had taken many Examinations about the Rebellion, and the Murders, Plunders and Robberies com∣mitted by the Irish; did out of their Depositions form a Remon∣strance, and being recommended by the Lords Justices and Council, they did Present it to the Commons House of Parliament in England: It set forth, That the Rebellion was occasioned by the ancient Hatred, which Papists bear to Protestants, and by their Surfet of Freedom and Indulgence in that Kingdom, That the Design was to eradicate the Prote∣stant Religion, and the Professors of it, that the Rebellion was general and of a long Contrivance; that sometimes they pretended the Kings Commission, and sometimes spoke Contemptibly of his Majesty, that they designed to extir∣pate all of English Extraction, even the very Papists, that they kicked Bibles up and down, and sometimes tore and burnt them; and that they were inhumanly Cruel in several instances, of Men, Women and Children, and much more of the same sort; for which I refer to the Remonstrance it self, which is already in Print with the Examinations annexed there∣unto.

But because there is great noise made about the Kings sworn Ser∣vant, Sir John Read, and the Questions demanded of him upon the Rack: It is fit I should give a brief Account of that Matter, and it happened to be thus: Lieutenant Colonel Read was in the latter end of December intrusted with a Message to the King, from Three Lords and four Chief Gentlemen of the Pale; but they finding that Succours come out of England but slowly, and being in great hopes to take Tredagh, kept Road with them to attend the Success of that Siege, which not hapning according to their Expectation, they were forced to raise it in the beginning of March, and then, and not till then did Read surrender himself as a Prisoner to the English Army, which was at that time abroad under the Marquess of Ormond; and he was immediately sent to Dublin with a Guard of Twenty Horse; and ha∣ving with many Oaths, Curses and Imprecations denied any know∣ledge of the Irish Rebellion; he was, together with Captain Mac Ma∣hown, put upon the Rack, where they were asked these Three Que∣stions. 1. Who were the chief Complotters in this Rebellion. 2. The Time when it was Plotted. 3. The Place where, and how to be Acted; To which they answered, That Sir Philemy O Neal, Macguire, and Phi∣lip

O Rely were the chief Conspirators; and that the Plot was laid pre∣sently after the Dissolution of the Army in the North, and that it was to be Acted in all parts of the Kingdom, and to kill Man, Woman and Child of the Protestants, utterly to root them out; and that all the Papists in the Pale had Consented to it, and promised their Assistance to their utmost Power.

But on Saturday the 2d. of April, the Lieutenant General (Ormond) marched out with Five hundred Horse, Three thousand Foot, and Five Field Pieces, and encamped that Night at Rathcoole; and tho he re∣ceived an Express there, that his Lady and Children (whom he had not seen in Six Months before) were arrived at Dublin; yet preferring the Publick before his Private Concern, he marched (without seeing them) to Naas, and burnt the Country as he went; and having lost a Trumpeter and Four Soldiers by the Garison of Tipper, he caused that Castle, and all that were in it to be blown up, and sent his wounded Men on Carrs to Dublin, with a Guard of Twelve Horse, but they were set upon by the Rebels, and tho' the Horse escaped, yet the wounded Men and Carr-men were taken and Murdered; and by this Accident, all intercourse was stopt between the State and the Army.

But when the Army came near Killcullen, the Lords of Castlehaven and Antrim, and the Dutchess of Buckingham, came in a Coach to Vi∣sit the Lieutenant General, and were kindly received by him, and the whole Army passing by saluted them; which I note, to shew the Reader, that the Lord of Castlehaven was not under any necessity of joyning in the Irish Rebellion, but might have lived quietly at home if he had pleased.

On the 5th. at Night the Army came to Athy and relieved that Town, and the next day Sir Patrick Weams was sent with a Detach∣ment of four Troops to relieve the Castle of Catherlogh; but upon their approach, the Rebels being Seven hundred strong burned the Town and fled, however, the Irish lost Fifty Men in the pursuit; and so Weams having relieved that Castle, and therein Five hundred English almost starved, and also the Castle of Cloghgrenan, and taken good store of Cattel, returned the same Night to the Army; and the Castle of Ballilivan, was relieved the same day by another Party under Sir Charles Coot, and the Castle of Rheban by another Detachment, which also took the Castle of Bert, and in it Eight Rebels who were hanged.

On the 7th, the Lieutenant General (leaving Colonel Crawford at Athy) marched to Stradbally, and on the 8th, came to Maryburogh, and the next day fell Sick of a Fever, which lasted till Tuesday after; however, on the 10th. being Easter day, Sir Charles Coot, Sir Thomas Lucas, and Six Troops of Horse were sent to relieve Bir, and some other places; they were to pass a Cawseway which the Rebels broke, and had cast up a Ditch at the end of it, but Coot made Thirty of his Dragoons alight, and in Person lead them on, and beat off the Irish with the Slaughter of Forty Rebels and their Captain, and then re∣lieved the Castles of Bir, Burrous and Knocknemease; and having sate almost Forty eight hours on Horseback, and lost and spoiled a Hun∣dred Horse in this Expedition; they returned to the Camp on Munday Night, without the loss of one Man, and this was the prodigious Pas∣sage through Montrath Woods, which indeed is wonderful in many Respects; and therefore justly gave occasions for the Title of Earl of Montrath, to be entail'd upon the Posterity of Sir Charles Coot, who was the chief Commander in this Expedition.

On the same 10th. day of April, about Seven thousand Irish Men, under the Lord Mountgarrett, appeared on the other side the River Barrow, within two miles of Athy, whereof Colonel Crawford sent No∣tice to the Lieutenant General; whereupon he marched to Athy on the 13th, and rested there the 14th; and finding the Enemy had more than double his number, and that he had done the work he come out for, by relieving the aforesaid Garisons; he thought it im∣prudent to Fight at such disadvantage, or upon such odds to hazard his Army, and consequently the Kingdom, and therefore intended to march towards Dublin without seeking the Enemy, and yet resolved not to shun them if they came in his way; but the Rebels had by some means or other got notice of his Design, and therefore passed the Barrow, by the Bridge of Moygan, with intentions to disturb the march of the English.

Nevertheless, on Friday Morning about Seven a Clock (15th. of April) Ormond rose from Athy, and kept on the direct Rode to Dublin; the Rebels kept another way on the Right hand, divided from the former, by a Bog about a mile broad and four mile long; both Armies marched in view of each other with Drums beating, Colours flying, and kept equal pace until both Rodes met; whereupon the Lieu∣tenant General fearing they might fall upon his Reer in that narrow Pass, gave Orders to draw up the Army in Battalia: Saying, That he was resolved to fight the Enemy, tho' all the Rebels in Ireland were there together; the Irish did the like, and (not being incumbred with Garriages as the English were) their Army was soonest in Order, which might have been of advantage to them, but they made none of it; chusing rather to Receive than Give the Charge; in short, the English came up to their Ground, and attacked them so briskly, that they quickly fled; but by reason of the adjacent Bog, and the harrass'd Condition of the English Horse, there was not much Execution done; the number of the Slain not exceeding Five hundred, amongst which were the Lord Dunboyn's Brother, the Lord Ikerin's Son, and Colonel ••••v••nagh, and on the English side not above Twenty killed and Forty wounded.

However, it was an entire Victory; all their Powder and Amuni∣tion, the Generals Waggon drawn with Eight Oxen, his and the Lords of Ikerin's Sumptures, and Twenty Colours, being taken; and for this great Service the Lieutenant General had a Letter of thanks from the Parliament of England, and a Jewel worth 500 l.

Soon after arrived at Dublin, Philip Lord Lisle Lieutenant General of the Horse; and his first Essay was to relieve the Castle of Geashill, which with Three hundred Horse, and One hundred and twenty Foot he easily effected; he was accompanied by old Sir Charles Coot in this Action, who at a Council of War told the rest, that if they made haste they might easily pass the Defiles and Causeways, before the Enemy could get together to oppose them, whereto another reply'd, that perhaps that might be so; but when the Countrey was Alarm'd, how should they get back; I protest, said Sir Charles Coot, I never thought of that in my Life, I always considered how to do my business, and when that was done, I got home again as well as I could, and hitherto I have not mist of forcing my way; and accordingly they went, and their march was so swift, that they came unexpectedly to Phillipstowne and took it; and on their return, they followed some of the Popish Lords of the Pale to Trim, and forced that place likewise, and by Coot's advice re∣solved to make it a Garison, and therefore in order to settle this

Affair with the Lords Justices, the Lord Lisle (guarded by some of the Horse) went to Dublin; but the next night after he was gone, the Irish, to the number of Three thousand, came in the dead of the night to surprise Trim; but the Centinel gave the Alarm, and thereupon Sir Charles Coot with all the Horse he could get, being not above Se∣venteen) issued out of the Gate, and was followed by others as fast as they could get ready: The Success was answerable to so generous an Undertaking, and the Irish were routed, without any other consi∣derable Loss on the English Side, except that of Sir Charles Coot him∣self, who was shot dead; but whether by the Enemy, or one of his own Troopers, is variously reported.

Upon his Death, the Government of Dublin was given to the Lord Lambert, on the Twelfth of May; and tho' in July Colonel Monk had it by the Lord Lieutenant's Order, yet as soon as the King was informed that it had been predisposed to the Lord Lambert, Monk was removed, and the Lord Lambert was confirmed.

And on the Twenty third of May the Marquis of Ormond publish'd a Proclamation against the Exorbitances of the Soldiers; and to sup∣ply their Necessities, the Lords Justices gave them Custodiums on the Villages in the Irish Quarters, which produced good Effects, both in relieving the Soldiers, and in annoying the Rebels.

On the first of June came over some Regiments under the Conduct of Sir Foulk Hunks and Lieutenant Colonel Kirke; whereupon the Earl of Ormond, with Four thousand five hundred Foot and Six hundred Horse, marched to the Relief of Athlone, and in his way took in the Castles of Knocklinch, Trimletstown, and Kinkelfe, and beat Five hun∣dred Rebels from Ballynecurr; but upon his approach, the Rebels burnt Molingar and Bullymore, and Sir James Dillon and the Irish Army thought fit to withdraw; so that the Lord President of Connaught, with Fifty Horse and Two hundred Foot, met the Marquis of Ormond Five Miles from Athlone, and received from him Two Regiments of Foot and Two Troops of Horse; and then both these Lords return'd, the one to Athlone, and the other to Dublin.

About the same time, viz. in June, Colonel Monk (marching to re∣inforce the Lieutenant-General) took Castleknock, and killed Eighty Rebels, besides some that he hanged; and a while after he took the Castles of Rathroffy and Clongowswood in the County of Kildare, and did good Execution upon the Enemy, and of Seventy which he had taken Prisoners, most of them, being murdering Rebels, were after∣wards executed at Dublin: And on the Twentieth of the same Month, Colonel Gibson made a prosperous Incursion into Wicklow, and killed many of the Confederates, and brought home a considerable Prey.

But on the Twenty first of June the Irish Parliament sat, according to the Prorogation; and the Lower House voted, That the Oath of Supremacy should be tendred to all their Members, that so the Rotten ones may be cut off, and new ones chosen in their room; and to that pur∣pose, a Bill was prepar'd, and sent into England; and it seems that they did proceed to chuse new Members for the Corporations and Counties within their power, in stead of those that were in actual Rebellion; which was one of the Grievances the Confederates after∣wards complain'd of.

And it is worthy Observation, That the Lords Justices and Council finding the Rebellion to be so general, that all Degrees and Conditi∣ons of the Irish had with hateful and bloody obstinacy, either publick∣ly

or privately, contributed to the Destruction and Extirpation of the Protestants; and that those under Protection abused that Favour, to murder and rob the English the more slily and securely; they did by their Order of the Nineteenth of August revoke, repeal, and annul all Protections that had been given to any Rebel before that time: which was one of the wisest Acts that was done in the whole War; for nothing is more experimentally true than this, That the English never or very seldom suffered by the Irish at open Defiance, but have been often destroyed by their Perfidiousness and Treachery.

But to proceed: In August the Lord Moor, Sir John Burlace junior, and Colonel Gibson, with Fifteen hundred Men, two Pieces of Bat∣tery, and two Field-pieces, marched into the Counties of Louth and Meath, and took the strong Castle of Sedan, with the Slaughter of Five hundred Rebels; whereat the Lords Gormanstown and Nettervill were so frightned, that the former quitted the Fort of Nabar, and the other deserted the Castle of Newtown, whereby those Counties of Louth and Meath were cleared of the Enemy.

And this good Success was followed by more of the same sort; for the Captains Piggot and Grim••s defeated a Party of Eight hundred Rebels near Athy, and killed Two hundred of them; and the Lord Lisle, in the midst of September, marched without controul through West-Meath and Cavan, and destroyed the Country, burnt the Earl of Fingall's House and his Town of Virginia, and at last sat down before Carrickmacross, which after one days Battery was deserted by the Cowardly Ward.

But in October, the Rebels, to the number of Two thousand, did again besiege it; and tho' Captain Vaughan, with One hundred Foot and Fifty Horse, did kill Forty of the Enemy, and raise the Siege; yet the Place being so remote, could not at all times be relieved, and therefore by Order of Council was demolished.

But the Parliament of England were desirous to manage the War of Ireland by a Committee, at least till the Lord Lieutenant should go over; but the King opposed that, as needless, because the Lord Lieu∣tenant was just then ready for the Voyage; But whether it was thought that he would not be propitious to the Cessation and Peace with the Irish, which were then in design, or for what other Reasons he was delay'd, it is hard to determine; but this is certain, That tho' he was always going, yet he never went.

And indeed the Differences between the King and the Parliament were grown to that heighth, that each Side prepared for War; and at length it came to a Battel at Edge-hill, that very day Twelve-month on which the Irish Rebellion broke out, viz. 23 October, 1642. And in this Fight the Loss seem'd equal, and each Party boasted of the Vi∣ctory, whilst both of them were thereby hindred from sending neces∣sary Relief to Ireland; and so the unfortunate English suffered every where, and were destroy'd by one another in the Civil War in Eng∣land, and by the Common Enemy in that of Ireland.

However, the Parliament did not totally neglect Ireland, but on the Fourteenth of October sent over Mr. Robert Godwin and Mr. Robert Rey∣nolds, Two Parliament-men, and one Captain Tucker from the City of London, to inquire into the Condition of the Army and the State of the Kingdom, and to see how their Money was disposed of▪ They brought with them Twenty thousand Pounds in Money, and some Ammunition, and arrived safe on the Twenty ninth of October, and on the Second of November presented themselves to the State, and being received

with Respect, were placed on a Form behind the Council, and sate covered. They did good Service in Ireland, and particularly, gave great satisfaction to the Army, that Care was taken for Pay and Sup∣plies. They also made a Book, which contained a Subscription of most of the Officers in the Army, to take Debentures on the Forfeited Lands, for a certain Proportion of their Pay, as believing they would fight the better, and end the War the sooner, if they were interested in the Fruits of the Victory, as well as in the Quarrel. But the King disliked that Course, because it might take up so much of the Rebels Lands, that would hinder all Hopes of a peace with them, which His Majesty began to have some Hopes of; and therefore several Officers (well enough inclined to the Proposal) omitted to subscribe; and some that had subscribed, desired to retract; So that at length these Commissio∣ners were so sharply threatned, that they delivered up the Book to be cancelled. Nevertheless, they promoted the March of the Army to enlarge their Quarters, which afterwards produced the Battel of Ross: but some of the Cavalier-party looking upon these Commissio∣ners as Spies, procured a Reprimand to the Lords Justices, for suffer∣ing them to sit covered in the Council-chamber, and the King's posi∣tive Orders for their Return; which was performed the Twenty se∣venth of February, to the very great prejudice of the Affairs of Ire∣land, and to the great disgust of the Parliament of England.

In the mean time, the Irish, under their General Preston, had besie∣ged Ballynakill, and Colonel Monk, with Six hundred Foot and Two Troops of Horse, was sent to relieve it: He marched out of Dublin the Fifth day of December, and upon his approach the Enemy with∣drew from the Siege, and politickly marched to a Place of Advantage between the English Army and Dublin, to intercept them in their Re∣turn: But the Rebels had not so much Courage as Cunning; for tho' they were Fourteen hundred Foot and Three hundred Horse, yet upon the loss of about Threescore that were slain upon the first Volley, they basely ran away, and left the Road open for Monk to march to Dublin.

In like manner, Sir Richard Greenvill, with Two hundred Horse and One thousand Foot, on the Twentieth of January marched to raise the Siege of Athloan, and carry Supplies to that Garison, both which he effected; but in his Return he was encountred by Three thousand four hundred Foot, and Six Troops of Horse, at Raconell, in a place of great disadvantage to him: Nevertheless, he had the good fortune to defeat the Rebels, with the slaughter of Two hundred and fifty of their Men, and to take the General Preston's eldest Son, and some other Prisoners. But that which rendred this Victory the more valuable, was an ancient Prophecy, That whoever won the Battel of Raconell, should gain all Ireland; therefore this Victory troubled and discoura∣ged the Superstitious Irish exceedingly.

But we must return to the Lords Justices, who in November, 1642. transmitted to His Majesty a Petition from the Confederates, by the Name of The Roman Catholicks of Ireland, desiring His Majesty to ap∣point Commissioners to hear their Grievances: And accordingly a Commission was brought over by Thomas Burk, one of the first Rebels, and by him confidently delivered at the Council-Board, to the admira∣tion of the State: It impowered the Marquis of Ormond, the Earls of Clanrickard and Roscomon, Sir Maurice Eustace, and others, to hear and report their Complaints; and in order to it, the Three last went to Trim, where the Lord Gormanstown, Sir Lucas Dillon, Sir Robert Talbot,

and John Walsh, (the Confederates Agents) on the Seventeenth of March, 1642. presented a Remonstrance of Grievances, which one truly calls an Infamous Pamphlet, and contains so much false Reason∣ing, and Arguments ex post facto, and downright Untruths, as clear∣ly manifests, That the Irish first resolved to rebel, and then set their Law∣yers and Divines on work to fish for Arguments to justifie, or at least excuse it. But there was an Answer printed 1644. entitled, An Answer to the false and scandalous Remonstrance of the inhuman and bloody Rebels of Ireland, which sufficiently confuted all their vain Pretences; and both of them being essentially necessary to this History, are in substance ad∣ded, Appendix 5, & 6. But this Remonstrance met with better For∣tune in the Irish Parliament, which sat the Ninth of April; for the English were then unluckily dividing into the Factions of Protestant and Puritan, and some of the former, very unwisely, to back their Argu∣ments against that Remonstrance, compared it with the Scots Cove∣nant, which engendred such Heats in the House, that the Parliament was prorogued to the Sixth of May, 1643.

However, the Protestant Army did not neglect to sollicit their Af∣fairs in England; but by their Agents Sir James Mongomery, Sir Har∣dress Waller, Colonel Hill, and Colonel Mervin, they Addressed first to the Parliament, (to whom the King had committed the Care of Ireland) and afterwards they presented a handsom Address to His Ma∣jesty at Oxford, (quod vide Burlace, 112.) and on the First of December they received the following Gracious Answer from the King.

THat His Majesty hath, since the beginning of that monstrous Rebellion, had no greater Sorrow, than for the Bleeding Condition of that His Kingdom; and as He hath by all Means laboured, that timely Relief might be afforded to the same, and consented to all Propositions (how disadvanta∣gious soever to Himself) that have been offered Him for that purpose; and at first recommended their Condition to Both Houses of Parliament, and im∣mediately of His own mere Motion sent over several Commissions, and cau∣sed some Proportion of Arms and Ammunition (which the Petitioners well know to have been a great Support to the Northern Parts of that Kingdom) to be conveyed to them out of Scotland, and offered to find Ten thousand Voluntiers to undertake that War, but hath often since prest by many several Messages, that sufficient Succours might be hastned thither, and other Mat∣ters of smaller Importance laid by, which did divert it; and offered, and most really intended, in His own Royal Person to have undergone the Danger of that War, for the Defence of His Good Subjects, and the Chastisement of those perfidious and barbarous Rebels; and in His several Expressions of His Desires of Treaty and Peace, hath declared the miserable present Condi∣tion, and certain future Loss of Ireland, to be one of His principal Motives, most earnestly to desire, that the present Distraction of this Kingdom might be compos'd, and that others would concur with Him to the same End: So His Majesty is well pleased that His Offers, Concurrence, Actions, and Ex∣pressions, are so rightly understood by the Petitioners, and those who have imployed them, (notwithstanding the groundless and horrid Aspersions which have been cast upon Him); but wishes, That instead of a mere General Complaint, (to which His Majesty can make no Return but of Compassion) they could have digested and offered to Him any such Desires, by consenting to which, He might convey (at least in some degree) Comfort and Life to that gasping Kingdom, preserve His Distressed and Loyal Subjects of the same from inevitable perishing, and the True Protestant Religion from being scorn'd and trampled on by those Merciless and Idolatrous Rebels. And

if the Petitioners can yet think on any such, and propose to his Majesty, He assures them, That by his readiness to Consent, and his Thanks to them for the Proposal, he will make it appear to them, that their most pressing personal Sufferings cannot make them more desirous of relief, than his Care of the true Religion, and of his faithful Subjects, and of that Duty which obliges him to his Power to protect both, renders him desirous to afford it to them.

But whatever good words the Irish Protestant Committee met with, it is certain they got but very little Assistance; so that the Lords Justices were reduced to the last Extremity, whereupon they ordered the Ci∣tizens of Dublin to bring in half their Plate to be Coyned, promising that they should be satisfied for it out of the next Supply; and upon this▪ Proclamation Twelve hundred Pounds worth of Plate was brought in, Tho there were but three Papists that sent in any.

But it is time to return to the Army, which was in great straits in Dublin, and exceedingly oppressive to the Inhabitants; it was there∣fore ordered, they should enlarge their Quarters, and the Lords Ju∣stices and some others, having Coyned their own Plate to enable it to march: It did accordingly issue out of Dublin to the number of Two thousand five hundred Foot, and Five hundred Horse under the Marquess of Ormond on the Second of March, and on the Third took Castlemartin and Tully, and on the Fourth took Tymolin with the Slaugh∣ter of One hundred Rebels; and on the Twelfth they came before the Town of Ross, and having made a Breach in the Walls they assaul∣ted it, but without effect; whereupon the Irish Army under General Preston (consisting of Six thousand Foot, and Six hundred and fifty Horse) drew so near, that they sent a considerable Supply into the Town, and put a necessity upon the English Army, not only to draw off from the Siege, but also to give them Battel; whereupon some of the Horse really suspected that Ormond had betrayed them, and tho' most of them were Men of known Courage, yet they fled very early, and before the Battel was well begun; however, Ormond maintained the fight with his Infantry, and the Horse that staid with him, and at the same time gave Demonstration both of his Integrity; and of that Pre∣sence of mind which was natural to him, and never left him in the greatest Adversity; and the issue was a compleat and entire Victory over the Irish Army, whereof Lieutenant General Cullen and the rest of the Prisoners, and the Baggage that was taken were undeniable Evidences; nevertheless, there were not above Three hundred of the Rebels slain in this Battel, but many of them were principal Comman∣ders and Persons of Note.

In Munster, Affairs were managed this Year with alternate Success; the English prospered well enough in the County of Cork, but suffered in most other parts of the Province; in April the valiant Bandonians took the Castle of Downdaniel, and killed One hundred Rebels near Powlalong, and got considerable Booty in both places, and afterwards being assisted by the English at Kinsale, they did on the Fourth of May take the strong Castle of Carriginass, and the next day the Castle of Powlalong was surrendred to them, and the Castle of Kilgoban was de∣serted by the Ward.

And about the same time Captain Scurlock, with about Seven hun∣dred Rebels of the County of Waterford, made a brisk Attempt on Ca∣poquin; but the valiant Governour Captain Crocker, with One hundred Men encountred him in the Town, and killed Scurlock and routed his Forces.

On the Eighteenth of May, the Lord of Insiquin defeated a Party of Irish in the Barony of Fermoy, and killed above One hundred of them; and on the Nineteenth Colonel Brocket Landed at Kinsale with Four hundred and sixty Men, of Sir John Pawlett's Regiment of Foot, whereupon Mountlong was deserted by the Irish on the Twenty fifth, and the same day the Castle of Ballincolly was taken by the Lord Pre∣sident; and on the Twenty ninth, the Castles of Coolmain and Kilbrit∣tain were taken by the Bandonians, as the Castle of Cloleigh was on the Twenty third of July, by the Earl of Barrymore.

But in the midst of these small Victories, the Lord President Saint∣leger died at Cork on the Second of July; whereupon the Government of that Province in civil Matters, was committed to the Earl of Bary∣more, and Lord of Insiquin; but the Military Affairs were subjected to the Lord of Insiquin's sole Command.

And on the Fourth of July, the Lord Broghill on his return from the relief of Knockmone, met a Party of Rebels strongly posted near Capoquin, with a small Wood at their Backs; and tho' he had but Sixty Horse, and One hundred and forty Foot, yet he boldly Charged them, and killed two of their best Captains, and Two hundred of their Sol∣diers, with the loss of onely one English Man.

On the Ninth of August, the Castle of Glin was taken by the Lord Forbes, who came with his Fleet from before Gallway, and Sailed up the River of Shanon; and on the Twenty first, the Lords Dungarvan and Broghill took the Castle of Ardmore, with the Saughter of One hundred and forty of the Rebels.

But Provisions beginning to grow scant, the Lord Insiquin drew out One thousand eight hundred Foot, and Three hundred and sixty Horse, and near Liscaroll met with the Irish Army, under the Lord Mountgar∣ret, who was accompanied by the Lords Muskery, Roch, Ikerin, Dunboin, Castleconnel and Brittas; and it came 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a smart Battel on the Third of September, wherein the English were Victorious, and killed Seven hun∣dred of the Rebels, and took Fifty ••sisoners, and one piece of Can∣non and two Field Pieces, without any loss on the English side, except that of the valiant Lord Viscount Kinalmeaky (who was slain in the beginning of the Fight, by a shot in his Neck) and Sixteen private Soldiers; In this Battel, the noble Earl of Cork (who never begrudged what he ventured for the Service of his King and Country) had no less than four Sons, viz. the Lords of Dungarvan, Kinalmeky and Brog∣hill, and Mr. Francis Boyle, since Viscount Shanon.

About the same time, the Lord Forbes with his Regiment Landed at Kinsale, and marched to Bandon; and being joyned with Three Ban∣don Companies of Foot and some Horse, they went to Rathbarry, to relieve Captain Freak, who had been besieged there since the Four∣teenth of February; but when they came to Cloghnikilty on the Eigh∣teenth of October they thought fit to leave Two Scotch Companies, and one Bandon Company there, to secure that Town till their Re∣turn, but it was not long after their Departure, before a numerous Rabble of the Irish rushed upon them from all sides; whereupon Groves (who Commanded the Bandon Company) advised to retreat towards their main Body, which was not above four Miles from them; but the Scots thought that dishonourable and refused, and the Consequence was, That the two Companies of Scots were cut in pieces; but Groves valiantly made good his retreat a full Mile to an Old Danes Fort in the way to Ross, which he justified manfully till the rest of the Forces came up to him, and then they fell upon the Irish, and forced them

into the Island of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the Tide being in, above Six hun∣dred of them were killed and drowned; whereupon the English mar∣ched to Cloghnikilty, and relieved a great number of Men, Women and Children which were imprison'd in the Market-house purposely to be burnt, together ••ith the House, to make a Bon••i••e for joy of the easie Victory they promised themselves over the rest of the Lord Forbes his Party.

After the Death of the Lord of Kinalmeaky, Colonel R••••land Saintleger was made Governour of Bandon; in whose time it happened, that the Troops of Bandon and Kingsale, had appointed to meet at a day prefixed, and to take a Prey, but the Rebels who were at Kilcrea had notice of it, and believing that the Troop had marched abroad according to the Appointment, they boldly came to Bandon, and took away the Cattel belonging to the Town; but the Troop (being by some Accident delayed in Town longer than they designed) were just ready mounted when this Adventure happened; so that they immediately issued out and recovered the Prey at Brinny Bridge, and slew Fifty of the Tories in Killmore Bog, without the loss of one Man.

But these small Victories were balanced by some considerable Succes∣ses of the Irish; for the strong Castle of Limerick, which had been be∣sieged since the Fifteenth of January, was surrendred to them on the Twenty third of June; and the Castle of Askeaton submitted to the same Fate on the Fourteenth of August, after nine Months Siege, as Castle∣matrix likewise did not long after.

Neither was it a small Misfortune to the English, that about this time both Dean Gray, and Archdeacon Byss, (who were Commissioners to enquire into the English Losses in Munster) met with their Destiny; the former dying at Bandon, and Byss, the Survivor, (who had all the Papers and Examinations) was murdered by the Rebels on the Way to Youghall; and this is the true Reason why there is no particular full Ac∣count extant of the Murders and Losses in Munster.

And it is very observable that the Rebels took very few places by force, but either want of Necessaries, or Promise of good Conditions, prevail'd with the English to surrender; and it is no less wonder that the English would trust to any Articles from a perfidious People, that had so often violated their Faith: Nevertheless every day afforded In∣stances of their s••••essful Treachery, and besides what is already men∣tioned, Gloghleig•• and Cool are additional Examples▪ in the former was a considerable Garison, to whom Richard Condon promised Quarter and Convoy to Castlelyons; whereupon they surrendred, and for their Folly were every one murdered, wounded, or kept Prisoners: And in Cool were 36 Troopers of the Earl of Barrimores, to whom the same Condon promised the like Quarter Upon the Faith of a Soldier and a Christian, but nevertheless murdered them all, except one, who had 36 Wounds, and was left for dead.

And in Connaught, the Town of Gallway did in the later end of April submit unto the Earl of Clanrickard, who was Governor of that Coun∣ty, and was by him taken into Protection, until the Pleasure of his Ma∣jesty (then expected over) should be known; but the Lords Justices did not approve of that Protection, unless the Town would admit of an English Garison: However Clanrickard made use of that Opportunity to relieve the Fort of Galway, wherein the Archbishop of Tuam and 36 Ministers, and many more English, were in very great distress.

And about the middle of July the Lord President drew out his small Forces into the County of M••yo, where, not far from Ballintobber, they met with the Irish Army, which was more than double their Number: Nevertheless the English obtained an easie Victory over them, and killed near 2000 of the Enemy; and on the First day of the same Month Sir Frederick Hamilton took the Town of Sligo, and slew 300 of the Re∣bels, and afterwards routed Owen O Rourk, who in his Absence had, with 1000 Men, besieged his Castle of Mannor Hamilton.

And about August the Lord Forbes came into the Bay of Ga••••ay, and landed some Guns, and seized on the Abby, and being joyn'd by the Lord President and the Earl of Clanrickard, they pretended to besiege the Town, but they wanted Necessaries; and therefore the Lord Forbes compounded with the Town for a Sum of Money, which was never paid, and drew off from the Siege, and sail'd up the Shanon, and took the Castle of Glin, and afterwards sailed round to Kinsale, where he landed his Regiment, as hath been already mentioned.

But notwithstanding the Disasters the Irish met with, yet being very numerous in this Province, they did easily recruit, and the English, tho' Victorious, yet wanted Necessaries to keep the Field; so that in Win∣ter the Irish returned again to Athloan, and kept the Castle block'd up until Sir Richard Greenvill did Relieve it, as hath been already related.

And as to Ulster, a Party of Scots came thither in the beginning of April, and had Carrigfergus delivered up to them, according to Articles, and afterwards had Colraine and the Countrey thereabouts for their Quarters; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Twenty seventh of April a Party of them drew out to Malone, and the next day were joyned with 1000 Foot, three Troops of Horse, and two of Dragoons, by the Lord Conway and Colonel Chichester; and having sent one Ship to Colraine and Derry, and another to Carlingford, with Supplies, they came the Twen∣ty ninth to Lisnegarvy, where they met 800 Foot and two Troops of the Lords Claneboys and Ards; and then dividing into two Parties, Mon∣roe, with 1600 Foot, five Troops of Horse, and three of Dragoons, marched to Killvarlin, and forced a Pass, which the Lord of Evagh kept with 2500 Foot and 60 Horse; and having in that Encounter slain 150 of the Rebels, the whole Army afterwards united, and pas∣sed at that place, and came to Loghbricklane on the Thirtieth of April, and took the Island, and killed 60 desperate Rebels that were in it; and on the Third of May they took the Newry, and hanged 60 Rebels there: And on the Sixth of May they marched to Armagh, but the Irish, having notice of their Approach, burned the Town, not sparing the Cathedral Church, and murdered a vast number of Protestants, (some say 5000) which they had in their Power; whereupon the Scots returned to Carrigfergus on the Twelfth of May, and carried with them a very considerable Booty of Cattle.

And tho' the Scots complain'd that they wanted Bread exceedingly, yet in June they made a shift to make another Excursion, and being joyn'd with Sir John Clotworthy, they made up together 3450 Foot, four Troops of Horse, and one of Dragoons, and scoured the whole County of Antrim; so that the Marquess of that name, who (as Mon∣roe writes) did wheedle them with good words, but secretly did them all the Mischief he could, was forced, upon their Summons, to surren∣der his Person, and his strong Castle of Dunluce; and then the Scots marched towards Charlemont, by the way of Armagh, as Clotworthy did by the way of Toome, through the Barony of Loghinsolin; and in both places they found the Irish under so great a Famine that they eat their

own Dead; however they returned, re infecta, perhaps for want of Victuals.

But much better Success had Sir William and Sir Robert Stewart, and the Lagan Forces, who in June obtain'd a glorious Victory over the Irish at Glanmackwin not far from Rapho, with the Slaughter of near Two hundred of the Enemy. And it seems, that by vertue of a Treaty in England, on the Sixth of August, Ceneral Lesly came over with the rest of the Scotch Forces, which were to be Ten thousand Men in all, and perhaps were so by the Muster, but were not near that Number by the Poll; so that the Lord Conway was forc'd to joyn with him to oppose Owen Roe, who was then come to Ireland; and therefore he could not comply with the Invitation of the State, to bring Three thousand Foot to their Assistance to Dublin.

But the Reader will not think it tedious to have a Description of a Naval Battel in Ireland, which hapned in this manner: Sir John Clot∣worthy's Regiment built a Fort at Toom, and thereby got a Conveni∣ence to pass the Ban at pleasure, and to make Incursions as often as he pleas'd into the County of Londonderry. To revenge this, the Irish Garison at Charlemont built some Boats, with which they sailed down the Black-water into Loghneagh, and preyed and plundered all the Bor∣ders thereof. Hereupon those at Antrim built a Boat of Twenty Tun, and furnish'd it with Six Brass Guns; and they also got Six or Seven lesser Boats, and in them all they stowed Three hundred Men, under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel Owen O Conally (the Discoverer of the Rebellion, who was a stout and active Man) and Captain Lang∣ford. These sailed over the Logh, and Landed at the Mouth of the Black-water, where they cast up Two small Forts, and return'd: But the Irish found Means to pass by these Forts in dark Nights, and not only continued their former manner of Plundring, but also raised a small Fort at Clanbrazill, to protect their Fleet upon any Emergency. Upon notice of this, Conally and Langford Mann'd out their Navy again, and met the Irish near the Shore of Clanbrazill; whereupon a Naval Battel ensued: But the Rebels being Fresh-water Soldiers, were soon forced on Shore; and the Victors pursuing their Fortune, fol∣lowed them to the Fort, and forc'd them to surrender it: And in this Expedition Sixty Rebels were slain, and as many were taken Pri∣soners, which, together with the Boats, were brought in Triumph to Antrim.

But we must cast our Eyes on England, where we shall find, that on the Eighth day of April His Majesty sent the Parliament the following Message, viz. That His Majesty being grieved at the very Soul for the Calamities of His Good Subjects of Ireland, and being most tenderly sensible of the false and scandalous Reports dispersed amongst the People concerning the Rebellion there, which not only wounds His Maje∣sty in Honour, but likewise greatly retards the Reducing of that unhappy Kingdom, and multiples the Distractions at home, by weakning the mutual Confidence betwixt Him and His People; Out of His Pious Zeal to the Ho∣nor of Almighty God, in Establishing the True Protestant Profession in that Kingdom, and His Princely Care for the Good of all His Dominions, hath firmly resolved with all convenient speed to go into Ireland, to chastize those wicked and detestable Rebels, (odious to God and all good Men) thereby so to settle the Peace of that Kingdom, and the Security of This, that the very Name of Fears and Jealousies may be no more heard of amongst us.

And as His Majesty doubts not, but that His Parliament will chearfully give all possible Assistance to this good Work; so He requires them, and

all His Loving Subjects, to believe, That he shall upon those Considerations as earnestly pursue this Design, (not declining any Hazard of His Person in performing that Duty which he oweth to the Defence of God's True Religion, and His Distressed Subjects) as for these, and only these Ends, he undertakes it▪ To the Sincerity of whi•••• Profession, He calls God to Witness, with this further Assurance, That H•••• Majesty will never consent (upon whatsoever Pretence) to a Toleration of the Popish Profession there, or the Abolition of the Laws now in force against Popish Recusants in that Kingdom.

His Majesty hath further thought fit to advertise His Parliament, That towards this Work He intends to raise forthwith by His Commissions, in the Counties near Westchester, a Guard•• for His own Person, (when he shall come into Ireland) consisting of Two thousand Foot and Two hundred Horse, which shall be Armed at Westchester, from His Magazin at Hull; at which time all the Officers and Soldiers shall take the Oaths of Supremacy and Alle∣giance: The Charge of Raising and Paying whereof, His Majesty desires His Parliament to add to their former Undertakings for that War, which His Majesty will not only well accept, but if their Pay be found too great a Burthen to His Subjects, His Majesty will be willing (by the Advice of His Parliament) to sell or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any of His Parks, Lands, or Houses, towards the Supplies of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Ireland; with the Addition of these Levies to the former of English and Scots agreed upon in Parliament, he hopes so to appear in this Action, that (by the Assistance of Almighty God) in a short time that Kingdom may be wholly reduced, and restored to Peace, and some measure of Happiness; whereby he may chearfully return, to be Wel∣comed home with the Affections and Blessings of all His good English People.

Towards this good Work, as His Majesty hath lately made Dispatches unto Scotland to quicken the Levies there for Ulster, so he heartily wishes, That His Parliament here would give all possible Expedition to th••se which they have resolved for Munster and Conaught, and hopes the Encourage∣ment which the Adventures (of whose Interest His Majesty will be always very careful) will hereby receive, (as likewise by the lately signing of a Com∣mission for the Affairs of Ireland, to such Persons as were recommended to Him by Both Houses of Parliament) will raise full Sums of Money for the doing thereof.

His Majesty hath been likewise pleased (out of His earnest desire to re∣move all Occasions which do unhappily multiply Misunderstandings between Him and His Parliament) to prepare a Bill to be offered to them by His Attorney, concerning the Militia, whereby He hopes the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom may be fully secured, to the general satisfaction of all Men, without violation of His Majesty's just Rights, or prejudice to the Liberty of the Subject. If this shall be thankfully received, He is glad of it; if re∣fused, He calls God and all the World to judge on whose part the Default is. One thing His Majesty requires, (if this Bill be approved of) That if any Corporation shall make their Lawful Rights appear, they may be reserved to them.

Before His Majesty shall part from England, He will take all due Care to entrust such Persons with such Authority in His absence, as He shall find to be requisite for the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom, and the happy Pro∣gress of this Parliament.

To which the Parliament returned the following Answer.

May it please Your Majesty,

YOur Majesty's most Loyal and Faithful Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament, have duly considered the Message received from Your Majesty, concerning Your Purpose of going into Ireland in Your own Person, to prosecute the War there, with the Bodies of Your English Subjects, l••vied, transported, and maintained at their Charge; which You are pleased to pro∣pound to us, not as a Matter wherein Your Majesty desires the Advice of Your Parliament, but as already firmly resolved on, and forthwith to be put in Execution, by granting out Commissions for the Levying of Two thousand Foot and Two hundred Horse for a Guard for Your Person, when You shall come into that Kingdom: Wherein we cannot chuse but with all Reverence and Humility to Your Majesty, observe, That You have declined Your Great Council, the Parliament, and varied from the usual Course of Your Royal Pre∣decessors; That a Business of so great Importance, concerning the Peace and Safety of all Your Subjects, and wherein they have a special Interest by Your Majesty's Promise, and by those great Sums which they have disbursed, and for which they stand ingaged, should be concluded and undertaken without their Advice. Whereupon we hold it our Duty to declare, That if at this time Your Majesty shall go into Ireland, You will very much endanger the Safety of Your Royal Person and Kingdoms, and of all other States profes∣sing the Protestant Religion in Christendom, and make way to the Execution of that cruel and bloody Design of the Papists, every where to root out and destroy the Reformed Religion, as the Irish Papists have in a great part al∣ready effected in that Kingdom, and in all likelihood would quickly be at∣tempted in other Places, if the Consideration of the Strength and Union of the Two Nations of England and Scotland did not much hinder and discou∣rage the Execution of any such Design. And that we may manifest to Your Majesty the Danger and Misery which such a Journy and Enterprize would produce, we present to Your Majesty the Reasons of this our humble Opinion and Advice.

• 1. Your Royal Person will be subject not only to the Casualty of War, but to Secret Practices and Conspiracies; especially Your Majesty continuing Your Profession to maintain the Protestant Religion in that Kingdom, which the Papists are generally bound by their Vow to extirpate.
• 2. It will exceedingly encourage the Rebels, who do generally profess and declare, That Your Majesty doth favour and allow their Proceedings, and that this Insurrection was undertaken by the Warrant of Your Commission; and it will make good their Expectation of great Advantage by Your Majesty's Presence at this time of so much Distraction in this Kingdom, whereby they may hope we shall be disabled to supply the War there, especi∣ally there appearing less Necessity of Your Majesty's Journy at this time, by reason of the manifold Successes which God hath given against them.
• 3. It will much hinder and impair the Means whereby this War is to be supported, and increase the Charge of it, and in both these respects make it more insupportable to Your Subjects. And this we can confidently affirm, be∣cause many of the Adventurers who have already subscribed, do, upon the knowledge of Your Majesties Intention, declare their Resolution, not to pay in their Money; and others, very willing to have subscribed, do now profess the contrary.
• 4. Your Majesties Absence must necessarily very much interrupt the Pro∣ceedings of Parliament, and deprive Your Subjects of the Benefit of those further Acts of Grace and Justice which we shall humbly expect from Your

• Majesty for the Establishing of a perfect Union and mutual Confidence, between Your Majesty and Your People, and procuring and confirming the Prosperity and Happiness of both.
• 5. It will exceedingly increase the Jealousies and Fears of Your People, and render their Doubts more probable, of some force, intended by some evil Counsels near Your Majesty, in opposition of the Parliament, and favour of the Malignant Party of this Kingdom.
• 6. It will bereave Your Parliament of that advantage, whereby they were induced to undertake this War, upon Your Majesties Promise, that it should be managed by their Advice, which cannot be done, if Your Majesty contra∣ry to their Counsels, shall undertake to Order and Govern it in Your own Person.

Upon which, and divers other Reasons We have resolved, by the full and concurring Agreement of both Houses, that We cannot with discharge of our Duty, Consent to any Levios or raising of Soldiers to be made by your Ma∣jesty, for this your intended Expedition into Ireland; or to the Payment of any Army or Soldiers there, but such as shall be employed and governed accor∣ding to Our Advice and Direction; and that if such Levies shall be made by any Commission of your Majesty, (not agreed too by both Houses of Parlia∣ment) We shall be forced to interpret the same to be raised to the Terror of your People, and disturbance of the publick Peace; and hold our selves bound by the Laws of the Kingdom, to apply the Authority of Parliament to sup∣press the same.

And We do further most humbly Declare, That if your Majesty shall by ill Counsel be perswaded to go contrary to this Advice of your Parliament, (which We hope your Majesty will not) We do not in that Case hold Our selves bound to submit to any Commissioners which your Majesty shall chuse, but do Re∣solve to preserve and govern the Kingdom, by the Counsel and Advice of Parliament, for your Majesty and your Posterity, according to Our Allegiance and the Law of the Land.

Wherefore We do most humbly Pray and Advise your Majesty, to desist from this your intended Passage into Ireland, and from all Preparations of Men and Arms tending thereunto, and to leave the managing of that War to your Parliament, according to your Majesties Promise made unto Us, and your Royal Commission Granted under your Great Seal of England, by Ad∣vice of both Houses; in Prosecution whereof by God's Blessing, We have al∣ready made a prosperous Entrance by many defeats of the Rebels, whereby they are much weakened and disheartened, and have no probable means of Subsistence, if Our Proceedings shall not be interrupted, by this Interposition of your Majesties Journey; but that we may hope upon good Grounds, that within a short time, without hazard of your Majesties Person, and so much dange∣rous Confusion to your Kingdoms (which must needs ensue) if you should pro∣ceed in this Resolution; We shall be enabled fully to vindicate your Maje∣sties Right and Authority in that Kingdom, and punish those horrible Out∣ragious Cruelties, which have been committed in the murthering and spoiling so many of your Subjects; and bring that Realm to such a Condition as may be much for the advantage of your Majesty and this Crown, the Honour of your Government, and the Contentment of your People. For the better and m••re speedy effecting whereof, We do again renew Our humble Desires of your Return to your Parliament, and that You will please to reject all Coun∣sels and Apprehensions, which may any way derogate from that Faithfulness and Allegiance, which in Truth and Sincerity, We have always born and professed to your Majesty, and shall ever make good to the uttermost, with our Lives and Fortunes.

To this Answer, The King made the following Reply, We are so troubled and astonished to find the unexpected Reception and mis-understanding of our Message of the Eighth of April concerning our Irish▪ Journey, that being so ••••ch disappointed of the Approbation and Thanks we looked for to that Declaration; We have great cause to doubt, whether it be in Our Po∣wer to say, or do any thing which shall not fall within the like Interpreta∣tion; but as we have in that Message called God to witness the Sincerity of the Profession of Our only Ends, for the undertaking that Journey: So We must appeal to all our good Subjects, and the whole World, whether the Reasons alledged against that Journey, be of weight to satisfie Our understanding, or the Counsel Presented to disswade Us from it, be full of that Duty, as is like to prevail over Our Affections.

For Our Resolving of so great a business without the Advice of Our Par∣liament; We must remember you, how often by Our Messages We made the same offer if you should Advise Us thereunto. To which, you never gave Us the least Answer; but in your late Declaration told Us, That ye were not to be satisfied with Words: So that we had Reason to conceive you rather avoided (out of regard to our Person) to give Us Counsel to run that ha∣zard, than that you disapproved the inclination. And what greater Com∣fort or Security can the Protestants of Christendom receive, t••••n by seeing a Protestant King venture and engage his Person, for the defence of that Profession, and the Suppressing of Popery; to which, We Solemnly protested in that Message, never to Grant a Toleration upon what Pretence soever, or an Abolition of any of the Laws there in force, against the Profess••rs of it. And when We consider the great Calamities and unheard of Cruelties, Our poor Protestant Subjects in that Kingdom, have undergone for the space of near or full Six Months, the growth and increase of the Strength of those barbarous Rebels, and the evident Probability of foreign Supplies, (if they are not speedily suppressed) the very slow Succours hitherto sent them from hence; That the Officers of several Regiments, who have long time been allowed Entertainment from you for that Service, have not raised any Supply or Succour for that King∣dom; That many Troops of Horse have long lain near Chester untranspor∣ted; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on whom We relyed principally for the Conduct and managing of Affairs there, is still in this Kingdom, not∣withstanding our Earnestness expressed, that he should repair to his Command; And when We consider, the many and great Scandals raised upon Our Selves by report of the Rebels, and not sufficiently discountenanced here, notwithstand∣ing so many Professions of Ours; And had seen a Book lately Printed by the Order of the House of Commons, Entituled, A Remonstrance of divers remarkable Passages, concerning the Church and Kingdom of Ireland: Wherein some Examinations are set down, which (how improbable or im∣possible soever) may make an impression in the Minds of many of Our weak Subjects; And Lastly, when We duly weigh the Dishonour, which will per∣petually lye upon this Kingdom, if full and speedy Relief be not dispatched thither, We could, not nor cannot think of a better way to discharge Our Duty to Almighty God, for the defence of the true Protestant Profession, or to ma∣nifest Our Affection to Our Three Kingdoms for their Preservation, than by engaging Our Person in this Expedition, as many of Our Royal Progenitors have done, even in Foreign parts, upon Causes of less Importance and Piety, with great Honour to themselves, and advantage to this Kingdom; and there∣fore We expected at least Thanks for such Our inclination.

For the Danger to Our Person, We conceive it necessary and worthy of a King, to adventure his Life to preserve his Kingdom; neither can it be ima∣gined, That We will sit still and suffer Our Kingdoms to be lost, and Our good Protestant Subjects to be Massacred, without exposing Our own Person

to the utmost hazard for their Relief and Preservation; Our Life when it was most Pleasant, being nothing so precious to Us, as it is and shall be to govern and preserve Our People with Honour and Justice.

For any Encouragement to the Rebels, because of the Reports they raised, We cannot conceive, that the Rebels are capable of a greater Terror, than by the Presence of their Lawful King in the Head of an Army: Besides, it will be an unspeakable advantage to them, if any Reports of theirs could hin∣der Us from doing any thing which were fit for Us to do if such Reports were not raised; This would quickly teach them in this jealous▪ Age, to pre∣vent by such Reports any other Persons coming against them, whom they had no Mind should be employed.

We marvel that the Adventurers, whose advantage was a principal▪ Mo∣tive (next the Reason before mentioned) to Us, should so much mistake Our Purpose, whose interest We conceive, must be much improved by the Expedi∣tion We hope (by Gods Blessing) to use in this Service, this being the most probable way for the speedy Conquest of the Rebels, and their Lands are suf∣ficiently secured by Act of Parliament.

We think not Our Self kindly used, That the Addition of so few Men to your Levies (for a Guard to Our Person in Ireland) should be thought fit for your refusal, and much more, that having used so many Cautions in that Message, both in the smalness of the number; in Our having raised none un∣til your Answer: In their being so raised only near their place of Shipping; in their being there to be Armed, and that not till they were ready to be Shipped: In the Provision by the Oaths, that none of them should be Papists, (all which appears sufficient to destroy all Grounds of jealousie, of any force intended by them, in opposition to the Parliament, or favour to any Malig∣nant Party) any suspition should notwithstanding be grounded upon it.

Neither can it be understood, That when We recommended the managing of that War to you, that We intended to exclude Our Self, or not to be concerned in your Counsels; That if we found any expedient (which in Our Conscience or Understanding, We thought necessary for that great Work) We might not put it in Practice. We look upon you as Our great Council, whose Ad∣vice We always have, and will (with great Regard and Deliberation) weigh and consider: But We look upon Our Self, as neither deprived of Our Royal understanding, or devested of any Right We had; if there were no Parlia∣ment sitting: We called you together by Our own Writ and Authority (with∣out which you could not have met) to give Us faithful Counsel about Our great Affairs: But We resigned not up Our own Interest and Freedom. We never subjected Our Self to your absolute Determination, We have always weighed your Counsels, as proceeding from a Body entrusted by Us: And when We have dissented from You, We have returned You the Reasons which have prevailed with Our Conscience and Understanding, with that Candor as a Prince should use towards his Subjects▪ And that Affection, which a Father ca•• ••xpress to his Children: What Application hath been used to recti••ie ou•• ••••derstanding by Reason, or what Motives have been given to perswade our Affections, We leave all the World to judge; And then We must tell you, howsoever a Major part may bind you in Matter of Opinion, We hold our Self (and We are sure, the Law and Constitution of the King∣dom, hath always held the same) as Free to dissent (till our Reason be con∣vinced for the General good) as if you delivered no Opinion.

For our Journey it Self, The Circumstances of your Petition are such, as We know not well what Answer to return, or whether We are best to give any. That part which pretends to carry Reason with it, doth no way satis∣••ie Us: The other, which is rather Reprehension and Menace, than Advice cannot stagger Us. Our Answer therefore is, That We shall be very glad

to find the work of Ireland so easie, as you seem to think it, which did not so appear by any thing known to Us, when We sent our Message. And tho We will never refuse, or be unwilling to venture our Person, for the good and safety of our People, We are not so weary of our Life to hazard it im∣pertinently; and therefore, since you seem to have received Advertisement of some late and great Successes in that Kingdom, We will stay some time to see the event of those and not pursue this resolution, till We have given you a second Notice. But if We find the miserable Condition of our poor Subjects of that Kingdom, be not speedily relieved, We will (with Gods assistance) Visit with Succours as our particular Credit and Interest can supply Us with, if you refuse to joyn with Us. And We doubt not, but the Leagues We shall make (in which We will observe punctually the former, and all other Cauti∣ons as may best prevent all Fears and Jealousies, and to use no Power but what is legal) will be so much to the Satisfaction of our Subjects; as no Person will dare presume to resist our Commands, and if they should, at their Per••l. In the mean time, We hope our forwardness so remarkable to that Service, shall be notorious to all the World, and that all Scandals laid on us in that business shall be clearly wiped away.

We were so careful, that our Journey into Ireland, should not interrupt the Proceedings of Parliament, nor deprive our Subjects of any Acts of Justice, or further Acts of Grace, for the real benefit of our People; that We made Free offer of leaving such Power behind; as should not only be ne∣cessary for the Peace and Safty of that Kingdom, but fully provide for the happy Progress of the Parliament. And therefore, We cannot but wonder, since such Power hath been always left here by Commission for the Gover∣ment of this Kingdom, when our Progenitors have been out of the same, du∣ring the sitting of Parliament. And since your selves desired, that such a Power might be left here by Us at our last going into Scotland; What Law of the Land have ye now found, to dispense with you, from submitting to such Authority, legally derived from Us in our absence, and to enable you to Govern this Kingdom, by your own meer Authority?

For our Return towards London, We have given you so full an Answer in our late Declaration, and in Answer to your Petition presented to Us at York, the Twenty sixth of March last, That We know not what to add. If you will not provide for our Security with you, nor agree to remove to ano∣ther place, where there may not be the same Danger to Us. We expected that (since We have been so particular in the Causes and Grounds of our Fears) you should have sent Us word, That you had published such Declara∣tions against future Tumults, and unlawful Assemblies; and taken such Courses for the suppressing of Seditio•••• Sermons and Pamphlets, that our Fears of that kind might be laid aside, before you should press our Return.

To conclude, We could wish that you would (with the same strictness and severity) weigh and examine your Messages and Expressions to Us, as you do those ye receive from Us; for We are very Confident, that if you examine our Rights and Priviledges, by what our Predecessors have enjoyed; and your own Addresses, by the usual Courses of your Ancestors: Ye will find many Expressions in this Petition warranted only by your own Authority, which in∣deed we forbear to take Notice of, or to give Answer to, lest we should be tempted (in a just Indignation) to express a greater Passion than we are yet willing to put on; God in his good time, We hope, will so inform the Hearts of all our Subjects, That We shall recover from the Mischief and Danger of this Distemper, on whose good Pleasure We will wait with all Patience and Humility.

But as soon as the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland had No∣tice of his Majesties intentions, to come personally into Ireland, they wrote him a dutiful Letter of Thanks and Encouragement, to pro∣ceed in his intended Voyage, which may be seen at large, Husbands Collections, 148.

And on the Thirteenth of August, 1642. His Majesty sent a Mes∣sage to the House of Commons, To retract an Order they had made to dispose of One hundred thousand Pound, of the Adventurers Money, contra∣ry to the express Words of that Act of Parliament, and to the great pre∣judice of the Affairs of Ireland.

To which they Answer that, That Message is a high breach of Pri∣viledge, that they Heartily designed the relief of Ireland, and have been re∣tarded and diverted from that Pious and Glorious work, by the Traiterous Counsels about the King, as may appear. 1. By His Majesties not Counte∣nanceing them in their Endeavours for that End. 2. By His Majesties so late issuing of Proclamations against the Rebels, and then limiting the num∣ber to Forty. 3. By discouraging the Adventurers by his Absence from the Parliament. 4. By refusing Commission to Lord Wharton, for whom the Parliament had prepared Five thousand Foot, and Five hundred Horse to Land in Munster. 5. By calling away the most useful Men from that Service, as Charles Floyd Engineer, Captain Green Comptroller of the Artillery, and others. 6. By seizing on Six hundred Cloaths near Coven∣try, that were designed for the Service of Ireland, and by doing the like to Three hundred Suits of Cloaths, and a Chest of Medicaments near Chester. 7. By seizing the Draught Horses (designed for Ireland) at Chester. 8. By quartering Soldiers in the common Road towards Ireland, so that no relief can pass to that Kingdom. 9. By withdrawing the Captains, Ketleby and Stradling, and their Frigats from guarding the Irish Coast. 10. By receiving a Petition from His Majesties Catholick Subjects of Ireland, complaining of His Puritan Parliament of England, and desiring that since His Majesty does not come to them, they may come to him.

Nevertheless, they do protest before Almighty God, that they have as great a Compassion and Sorrow for their distressed Brethren in Ireland, as if themselves were in their Case, and will endeavour to relieve them, notwith∣standing the Obstructions of all Opposers; and that tho' they were forced to borrow that One hundred thousand Pound upon a great Exigency, yet it shall be without prejudice to the Affairs of Ireland, because they will make a real and speedy Repayment of the same; that it may appear, whether the King and his Cavaleers, or the King and his Parliament, do most affect and endeavour the setling of true Religion, and a firm and constant Peace within that bleeding and distressed Kingdom.

To this the King made a Reply, which in Effect was, That He did not design to prejudice the Service of Ireland, but refus'd to give Com∣missions▪ because He was not sure, but they would be made use of against himself; and that He sent Proclamations against the Irish Rebellion, both in number and time, as the Lords Justices desired; And as to this latter Point, I can assure the Reader, that I have seen Authentick Copies of the Lord Justices Letters, and that they did write at first, but for twenty Proclamations; and in a Second Letter they desired but Forty, which accordingly they had sent them; and therefore, I have very much wondered at an Objection so groundless, which neverthe∣less made a great noise at that time.

But it is also necessary to inquire, how the Irish managed their Af∣fairs, and what Methods they us'd to cement their Confederacy, and manage the War. And first, We shall find their Titular Clergy as∣sembling

in a Congregation at Kilkenny, on the Tenth of May, where they made Orders, which are recited at large, (Burlace, Appendix 7.) and are to this effect: That whereas their War is undertaken against Se∣ctaries and Puritans, for Defence of Religion, Maintenance of the King's Rights and Prerogative; for their Gracious Queen, so unworthily abused; for the Honor, Safety, and Health of the Royal Issue▪ for the Liberties of the Kingdom, and their Lives and Fortunes, as by the unanimous Consent of almost the whole Kingdom in this War and Union appears.: They there∣fore declare that War openly Catholick, to be Just and Lawful. And whereas the Adversaries do publish Letters and Proclamations to be the King's, which are not His; none such are to be believed, until it be known in a Na∣tional Council whether they truly proceed from Him, left to His own Free∣dom; and that there be an Oath of Union or Association; and that there be no distinction of Families or Provinces, or between Old and New Irish; and that there be a Council of Clergy and Nobility in every Province, and a General Council of the Kingdom; and that Embassies from one Province shall redound to the Good of all, and especially to that Province which hath most need of such Supplies as shall be sent by Foreigners; and such Embassadors shall negotiate for a Neighbouring Province, according to its Exigencies; and that a faithful Inventory be made of the Burnings, Murders, and Robberies done by the Puritans, with Circumstance of Time and Place, and a faithful sworn Messenger be appointed to that purpose in every Parish; and that Pri∣soners be not enlarg'd without Consent of all the Provinces; and that Adver∣saries to one Town or Province, shall be so to all; and that Peace be not made but by Common Consent of the whole Kingdom, and an Oath to be taken to that purpose, and all Refusers of that Oath to be held Enemies, and prosecu∣ted as such; and that the Clergy preserve Peace and Unity amongst the Confederates; and that Goods recovered, he restored to the right Owners; and that all who assist or favour the Enemies, or stand Neuter, be Ex∣communicated; and that all Invaders of any Irishman's Property, be Ex∣communicated; and that those Excommunicated, shall be excluded from Con∣fession and Sacrament; and that Importers or Makers of Arms, Powder, &c. shall pay no Taxes; and that in the next Congregation Embassadors be ap∣pointed to be sent to the Pope, the Emperor, and the Kings of France and Spain; and that a Clergyman or a Lawyer be of the Quorum in every Embassie; and that part of the Church-Livings be given to the Clergy, and the rest to support the War; and that Two Confessors and One Preacher be appointed for every Regiment, &c.

And afterwards, viz. on the Twenty fourth of October, there was a General Assembly of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and others the Representatives of the Confederates at Kilkenny; and they like∣wise made many Ordinances, mention'd at large (Burlace, Appendix 8.) which are to this effect: That the Popish Church in Ireland shall enjoy all Privileges according to Magna Charta, and that the Common Law of England, and all Statutes not inconsistent with the Freedom of Religion and the Liberty of the Subject, be of force: That Allegiance shall be continued to the King, and His Prerogatives supported; That the Law shall be executed, as well as the Circumstance of War, and the Absence from Dublin will permit: That a Supreme Council of Twenty four be establish'd, whereof Twelve constantly to reside, and One of them to be President, and Nine to be a Quorum, of which Seven must concur to make any Vote obli∣gatory; and if a greater Number be present, Two thirds must agree. This Council shall have Authority over all Officers Civil and Military, shall name Sheriffs, Supreme Provost-Marshals, &c. and may do any thing for the Advantage of the Cause, and determine Causes Capital, and all other

Matters, except Title of Land; and shall have a Guard of Five hundred Foot and Two hundred Horse: That there be also Provincial and County Councils; the former may receive an Appeal from the latter, and may try Causes as Judges of Assize and Gaol-delivery use to do; but must not meddle with Title of Land, except Dowers and Jointures: And the County Coun∣cil shall have the Power of Sessions of Peace, and an additional Authority to determine Personal Actions: That the Sheriff in every County be Provost-Marshal, and may execute any Man not worth Five pounds for any Capital Offence, giving the Offender Twenty four Hours time to prepare his Soul: And that no Temporal Government or Jurisdiction shall be assumed, kept, or exercised in this Kingdom, or within any County or Province thereof, during these Troubles, other than is before expressed, ex∣cept such Jurisdiction or Government as is or shall be approved by the General Assembly, or the Supreme Council: And that every body quit the Possessions he hath wrongfully gotten; and, to avoid Debate, that all Estates continue as they were possess'd for Three years last past, unless the Title be determin'd or redeem'd; and that, to avoid all Distinction of Nation, any British Papist, that was so before this War, and will come and reside in Ireland, shall be privileg'd in a Third part of the Publick Taxes: And that no Distinction or Comparison be made between Nations, Provinces, or Towns; and that all New Converts be esteemed as Catholick Natives; and that an Inn of Court be erected here; and that Cess, and Coyn, and Livery, be punish'd: And no Soldiers shall be paid or relieved by the Country, but such as are in the Marshal's List; and none to be Billetted but by the Constable: And that Free-Schools be erected in every Province: And that the King's Revenue and the Enemies Rents be collected and di∣spos'd of by the Provincial or Supreme Council, for His Majesty's Use and Service: And that Popish Impropriators may retain their Tythes till that Matter be setled in Parliament: And that there be Collectors of Publick Money in every County: And that the Popish Wife of an Enemy shall have her Jointure, and sue and be sued, as if her Husband were naturally dead: And that the Possessions of the Protestant Clergy, in Right of the Church, shall be deemed the Possessions of the Catholick Clergy: And that no Man imprison'd by one Council, shall be inlarg'd by another: And that no Protection be given to the Enemy or their Servants, with-without special Order: That Merchants and their Ships be protected in their Importations; and that Commissioners be appointed in every Port, to view the Arms and Ammunition that shall be imported, and to certifie the same to the Supreme Council: That Fugitive Soldiers be sent to their respe∣ctive Commanders: That the Estates of Neuters and Enemies do first pay their Debts to any of the Confederates, before any of it be put into the Pub∣lick Stock; and that no Soldier meddle with an Enemies Lands or Goods without Order: And lastly, That the Oath of Association be taken solemn∣ly after Confession and the Sacrament in the Parish-Church, and the Names of all Persons of Rank and Quality that take the same to be enroll'd.

The Assembly did also (25 October) order Proclamation to be made to invite all the Adherents of the English, of what Nation soever, to come from them over to the Confederates by the Last of November; and 27 October they ordered a Seal to be made; and 28 October they appointed a Committee to inquire how Money and Ammunition come from Foreign Parts hath been disposed of, and that Mr. Baron bring in Writing the Propositions and Messages from Foreign Parts, to him committed by the Pope's Nuncio and others; and 29 October they ap∣point Auditors of the Account of Moneys received, and what hath been made of Protestants Rents, Goods, or Chattels; and that the Enemy

be not called Protestants or English, but the Puritanical or Malignant Party; and 30 October they order, That no Man be privileg'd from Contributing to the Maintenance of the Catholick Army.

On the First of November they appointed the Lords of Castlehaven and Gormanstown, Doctor Fennell, Colonel Dermond O Bryan, Sir Lucas Dillon, Sir Phelim O Neal, Thomas Burk, Richard Martin, Feigh O Flin, Richard Beling, Adam Cusack, James mac Donell, Patrick Crelly, Rory Macguire, Patrick Darcy, and all the Lawyers, to prescribe a Form of Government: And 2 November they order Philip Hore to Account for 120 l. received of the Gentry of the County of Dublin to buy Arms: And 4 November, That the Prelates enjoyn the Priests to administer the Oath of Association to every Parishioner, and to take his Subscri∣ption thereunto: And 11 November, That the Supreme Council shall manage the Admiralty: And 13 November, That the next Assembly shall be on the Twentieth of May next, unless the Supreme Council find cause to convoke it sooner; and that Thirty thousand Pounds be le∣vied on Leinster by Warrant from Mr. Nicholas Plunket.

And on the Fourteenth of November they nam'd their Supreme Council, viz.

• ...
  LEINSTER,
  • Archbishop of Dublin jurat.
  • Viscount Gormanstown jurat.
  • Viscount Mountgarret jur. & resid.
  • Nicholas Plunket jur. & resid.
  • Richard Beling jur. & resident.
  • James Cusack jur. & resid.
• ...
  CONAUGH,
  • Archbishop of Tuam jur.
  • Viscount Mayo.
  • Bishop of Clonfert jur. & resid.
  • Sir Lucas Dillon jur.
  • Patrick Darcy jur. & resident.
  • Jeofry Brown jur. & resident.
• ...
  MUNSTER,
  • Viscount Roch jur. & resid.
  • Sir Daniel O Bryan.
  • Edmond Fitzmorris jur.
  • Doctor Fennell jur.
  • Robert Lambart jur. & resid.
  • Geo. Comyn jur.
• ...
  ULSTER,
  • Archbishop of Armagh jur. & resid.
  • Bishop of Down jur. & resid.
  • Philip O Reyly jur. & resid.
  • Colonel Mac Mahon jur.
  • Ever Macgenis jur.
  • Tirlagh O Neal.

They also appointed Provincial Councils, and ordered, That the Supreme Council may authorise One or more to sollicit Aid of Foreign Princes, to advance this Common and Holy Cause, and may give them In∣structions: And on the Fifteenth of November they appointed the Lord Mountgarret to be president, and Richard Shea to be Clerk of the Su∣preme Council: And that the Officers of the Army, calling to their As∣sistance one or more of each Province, should concert the Measures of

carrying on the War: And that the Supreme Council shall send an Agent to the King, to inform Him of the Motives and Causes of this Holy War, and of the Grievances of the Kingdom. And they appoint Sir Richard Barmwall Muster-master General, and order Four thousand Pounds in Money to be new Coined.

And on the Sixteenth of November they ordered 31700 Men to be raised in the following Counties, whereof 5300 Foot and 520 Horse were to go to the Army, and the rest to be for the Defence of the Country and the Garisons, viz.

			Foot.	Horse.
West-Meath	3000	whereof for the Army	500	50
Meath	3000		500	50
Kildare	3000		500	50
Wexford	3000		500	50
Kings County	2800		500	30
Queens County	2400		400	40
Wickloe	2400		400	40
Dublin	2000		300	50
Kilkenny & City	3000		500	50
Louth	1700		300	20
Longford	3000		500	50
Catherlogh	2400		400	40
	31700		5300	520

And on the Nineteenth of November they order'd, That the King's Revenue be duly gathered up, for the making a Common Stock for the Use of the Kingdom: And on the Twentieth they appointed the Lord Brittas, John Kelly, John Baggot, James Darcy, Maurice Fitzharris, and Maurice Baggot, a Committee to enquire after Protestants Goods and Lands in the County of Limerick: And on the 21th day, James Cu∣sack (who before the Rebellion was one of the King's Council, and Clerk to the Commission of Grace) was appointed Attorney-Gene∣ral: And it was ordered, That Soldiers be Cessed on all Persons and Places that are refractory in paying their Quot•• of the Contribution; and that every Burgess shall have Five shillings per diem, and every Knight of a Shire Ten shillings per diem, during the Assembly, and for Ten days before and after it; and that the Earl of Castlehaven devise an Order of Knighthood, concerning the Honor of St. Patrick and the Glory of the Kingdom.

And so on the Ninth of January this Assembly was Dissolved, lea∣ving the Government in the Hands of The Supreme Council, who, not∣withstanding his Majesty's Proclamation of 1 January, 1641. under His own Signet, to the contrary, acted as a SEPARATE STATE; and contrary to their own Oath of Maintaining the King's Preroga∣tive, and their Pretence of taking Arms for it, they usurped all the King's Prerogatives, even to that of Coining Money, and sending Am∣bassadors to Foreign Princes, and to the Granting of Letters of Mart and Reprisal••▪ whereof the Reader may see a Precedent, Burlace, pag. 97. And thus Matters ••ood in Ireland in the Year 1642.

In the close of the last Year we left our small Army near Ross, which tho' Victorious was nevertheless in a sad Condition, being meanly ••••oatlied, in Fed and worse Paid; so that tho' the Lords Ju∣stices

and Council did send a pressing Letter to the Lieutenant General to keep the Army abroad, because there was no Subsistence for them in Dublin; and the better to enable him thereunto, they sent him Six thousand Pound of Bisket, and Ten Barrels of Powder, and the like quantity of Match and Musket Bullet; yet the Wants of the Army were so great in all manner of Necessaries, that it was impossible to keep the Field; and therefore they returned to Dublin.

It is one of the most difficult things in the World, to keep an ill∣paid Army in exact Discipline, for the Soldier that is denied his Due, will expect a Connivance upon any Extortion, that is less than Equiva∣lent to his Pay; and from one Degree it passes to another, till it Centers in Licentiousness, and thus it happened in Dublin; the Officers at first winked at the little Rapines of the Soldiers, till at length they openly plundered the Markets, but this was the way to spoil all, and, by dis∣couraging the Market Folks to starve themselves; therefore it was strictly prohibited by a severe Proclamation, and some Offenders were made Examples; whereupon many of the Officers of the Army on the Fourth of April 1643, presented the Government with a very bold and threatning Remonstrance, (quod vide Appendix 20.) which they say was another Cause of the ensuing Cessation.

But General Preston having again besieged Ballynakill, Colonel Craw∣ford on the Eleventh of April marched from Dublin with Thirteen hun∣dred Foot, and One hundred and thirty Horse to raise that Siege, but he could not perform it; and so that place was surrendred.

But I should have mentioned, that the Lords Justices and Council to prevent any Peace or Cessation with the Irish, did send His Maje∣sty a most excellent Letter, of the Sixteenth of March 1642. recited at large here Appendix 4. which it seems was not well relished at Court; for not long after, Sir William Parsons (who was a great Pro∣moter of that Letter) was removed, and thereupon accused of Trea∣sonable misdemeanours, by Major Butler and Sir Francis Warren, but there being more of Malice than Truth in that Impeachment, it came to nothing; however,

• Sir JOHN BURLACE and
• Sir HENRY TICHBURNE,

were Sworn Lords Justices on the Twelfth of May, and on the Twenty fifth of the same Month, the Pope sent over his Bull of Indulgence to the Confederates, which is to be found here Appendix 15, and was published by the Irish, even after the Cessation was concluded.

But the Lords Justices and Council were tyred in contriving ways to support the Soldiery, and at length they thought upon an Excise, and by their proclamation of the Twenty fourth day of June imposed it for Six Months, unless other relief for the Army should be sent in the mean time: This Excise was exceeding high, amounting to half the value of the Commodity, in lieu whereof the Retailer was per∣mitted to advance his Price a Moiety more than it was before. The Protestants considered the necessity of this Tax, and patiently submit∣ted to it; but the Papists made all the opposition they could, but in vain, for there was no other way left (and this it self was not suffi∣cient) to prevent the mutiny and the ruin of the Army.

All these things tended to draw on the Cessation, which the Mar∣quess of Ormond by His Majesties Letter of the Twenty third of April, was ordered to make with the Irish; and was by a Second Letter from His Majesty of the Third of May (brought to him by Mr. Brent) pressed to hasten, and by a Third Letter of the Second of July, and a

Fourth of the Seventh of September, he was farther importuned in that Matter; nevertheless there was a Party in the Council, upon whom the Villanies of the Rebels had made so deep an Impression, that they could not endure to hear of any Treaty with the Confederates; and therefore, the Marquess of Ormond on the Twenty second of June made a Motion in Council, which is Entered in the Council-Book as followeth, viz.

By the Lords Justices and Council.

Jo. Borlace, Hen. Tichburne,

THE Lord Marquess of Ormond this day moving at this Board, that if Ten thousand Pounds may be raised; whereof the one half to be in Money, and the other in Victuals, and to be brought in within a Fortnight, that his Lordship would in such Case proceed in the War, and immediately en∣deavour to take in Wexford, and forbear to prooceed in the intended Treaty of Cessation of Arms with the Rebels; It was thought fit to call before Us, the Mayor of this City of Dublin, and others; who appearing, We had Conference with them at this Board concerning the same; and find that such is the Poverty of this Place and People, as that Sum of Money, or Pro∣portion of Victual cannot be raised.

Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin, 22d. June, 1643.

• La. Dublin,
• Roscommon,
• Edw. Brabazon,
• Char. Lambert,
• Adam Loftus,
• William Parsons,
• Thomas Lucas,
• Francis Willoughby,
• G. Wentworth.

But whether they thought that Supplies would be sent from Eng∣land, or that they were willing to struggle with any Extremities, ra∣ther than to have Correspondence with the Murderers of their Friends and Relations, and the Plunderers of themselves; it is certain, that Part of the Council still continued averse to the Cessation.

Hereupon Sir Robert Meredith, Sir William Parsons, Sir John Temple, and Sir Adam Loftus were Committed to Prison by His Majesties Or∣der on the Second of July, and on their Petition they were refus'd to be Bayl'd, but they had the Liberty of the Castle with a Keeper.

But on the 4th of July, the Lords Justices and Council received a smart Letter from the two Houses of Parliament in England, taxing them with Publishing; That their present Difficulties were occasioned by the Failures of the English Parliament; To which, they returned as Tart an Answer on the Twenty eighth of October importing, That they gave full frequent and seasonable Notice of all their Wants, from time to time, to the English Parliament; and therefore, did not know where else to lay the blame.

In the mean time, there hapned a pleasant Passage on the Eighth of July; at which time the Lords Justices and Council sent a Message in writing to the Confederates, Purporting that if the Rebels would re∣lease Captain Farrer, they would exchange Captain Synot for him; but the Confederates were so distasted at the word Rebels, that they sent back this Answer.

We do not know to whom this Certificate is directed, and we will avow Our selves in all Our Actions, to be His Majesties Loyal Subjects; nei∣ther shall it be safe henceforth for any Messenger, to bring any Paper to Us containing other Language, than such as Suits with Our Duty, and the Af∣fections

We bear to His Majesties Service; wherein some may pretend, but none shall have more real Desires to farther His Majesties interest, than His Majesties Loyal and Obedient Subjects.

Mountgarret, Muskery, Fr. Thom. Dublin. Malachias Tuamen, Castlehaven Audley, R. Bealing, Torlo O Neile, Patr. Darcy.

And it is observable, that Sir John Netervill being indicted of Trea∣son Petitioned the King, setting forth, that his Witnesses were forced by the Rack to swear more than was true; and instances Cornelius Moran, and that his own Examination was mutilated of all Matters, that might excuse or lessen his Crime; but upon Search it appeared, that Cornelius Moran was not made use of, as an Evidence against him at all, and that the Clauses he mentioned to be expung'd, were found uncancell'd in his Examination.

It seems, that the Treaty about the Cessation so influenced the Army, that it did little this Summer; only Colonel Monk on the 27th of June, issued out with a Party of Thirteen hundred Foot, and 140 Horse, and he had the good Fortune at a Pass on the Boyne near Castlejordan, to en∣counter Four thousand Irish Foot, and Six hundred Horse under General Preston, and to get the better of them; however, for want of Pro∣visions he was fain to march to Wickloe, and was afterwards Com∣manded thence into Meath, to attend Owen Roe O Neal, whose Army was near Portlester, and there he joyned the Lord Moor, who was Com∣mander in chief of this Party; and tho' it did not come to a Battel, yet the valiant Lord Moor was unfortunately Slain by a Shot from a great Gun, not many days before the Cessation was concluded.

Neither was there much done in the rest of the Provinces for the same Reason; but the little that was done, ought to be mentioned be∣fore we touch the Cessation, that so we may take that Treaty entire: And first, in Munster, the Lord of Insiquin divided his Army in the be∣ginning of May, and himself marched westward, whilst Sir CHARLES VAVASOR went Eastward, and took Mac Thomas's Castle, and other Castles in the County of Waterford; But on the Twenty seventh of May the Army (to the number of Four hundred Horse, and Four thousand Foot) rendevouzed at Bottivant; from whence Lieutenant Colonel Story with Two hundred Horse, and Twelve hundred Foot, was de∣tached into Kerry, where they got a Considerable Prey, and also rescued some English; and on the Twenty eighth the Lord Insiquin with the rest of the Army marched to Killmallock, and ranged to and fro thereabouts; whilst on the Thirty first of May, Sir Charles Vava∣sor with another Detachment attacked the strong Castle of Cloghleagh, which he took on the Third of June; but on the Fourth of June by great negligence, and want of Conduct, he was well beaten, by the Earl of Castlehaven on the Plain, between Formoy and Killworth, and Six hundred English were there slain, and Sir Charles and others were taken Prisoners, which was a just Judgment upon them, for suffering some in∣feriour Officers to violate the Quarter they had given to the Garrison of Cloghleagh; and by this Considerable Victory, the Rebels were so elevated, that they made a brisk Attempt upon Cappoquin; but were on the Twenty Seventh of June repulsed thence with Loss, and on the Se∣cond of July, the Earl of Castlehaven met with the same Fate at Lis∣more, and then marched towards Leinster.

And on the First of July, Colonel Myn beat the Irish on the Plain, on the Northside of Tymoleague River, and soon after took the Castles of Tymoleague, Aghamilly and Rathbarry.

But in Connaught the Protestant Affairs were in a worse Condition, for tho' they made a shift to repell the Incursions of Owen Roe, and at lenghth to drive him out of that Province; yet in August the Fort of Gallway was surrendred to the Irish; whereupon the Rebels marched to the Siege of Castlecoot, to which, the Town of Gallway contributed Three hundred Pound; and altho' the Irish had Notice of a Cessation by a Messenger sent on purpose, yet they imprisoned him as a Spy, and shot the more furiously against the Castle, until at length, perceiving their Labour was in vain, they claimed the benefit of the Cessation to secure their retreat.

And in Ulster I find no other Account, than what Monroe gives in his Letter of the Twenty third of May, viz. that with Two thousand Foot, and Three hundred Horse, he did beat Owen Roe and his Son, and Sir Phelim O Neal being joyned together with their Forces, and com∣pelled them to return to Charlemont, after quitting the Generals House to be burnt and spoiled by them, with all the Houses in Loghgall, be∣ing the best Plantation in Ulster, and the straightest for defence of the Rebels; only that my Lord of Castlehaven says, that Colonel Mervin, and Sir Theophilus Jones, and the English had a hand in this Victory; and so we are come to the Treaty of the Cessation, which was managed in this manner.

On the Twenty third of June, 1643. the Irish Commissioners, viz. the Lord Gormanstown, the Lord Muskery, Sir Lucas Dillon, Sir Robert Talbot Tirlogh O Neil, Geoffery Brown, Ever Macgenis, and John Walsh; pre∣sented themselves unto the Marquess of Ormond, in his Tent near Castle∣martin, his Lordship sitting in his Chair covered, and they uncovered; his Lordship told them, He was come according to their Desires, and expected their Propositions in writing, and the next day they desired a sight of his Com∣mission, alledging that they were ready to shew theirs and give a Copy, and since no Body was named in the Kings Commission, but his Lord∣ship, and their Authority was likewise to treat with him only, they de∣sired, The Negotiation might be kept secret, and concealed from all others till the matter be fully concluded. To which the Marquess replyed, That for the way of proceeding, he was by his Majesty trusted therewith, and should do nothing therein, but what he conceived to be fit; then having received a Copy of their Commission, and sent them a Copy of His Ma∣jesties Letter of the Third of May, 1643, and Promised them upon conclusion of the Treaty, a Copy of his Majesties Letter of the Twenty third of April 1643; they tendered Propositions, and having agreed, that the time of the Cessation should be a Twelvemonth; the Marquess proposed that they would first declare, what they would contribute towards the support of His Majesties Army during the Cessa∣tion, to which they Answer, That when they know, what they have to give, they assist His Majesty according to their utmost Abilities, as upon all occasions they have heretofore done.

The next meeting was at Siggingstown, where on the Twenty eighth of June they declared, That the Cessation being first agreed upon, they will treat of Supply and not before; on the Twenty ninth the Marquess not admit∣ting the Name or Title attributed by the Commissioners to their Party, nor the Protestation, That they took Arms in defence of their Religion, His Majesties Rights and Prerogatives, and the Liberties of this Kingdom, and no ways to oppose His Majesties Authority, gave an Answer in wri∣ting to their Proposals, and Tacked to it Four demands, viz. 1. For sup∣ply. 2. A Declaration how far the Quarters of each Party extended. 3. For Caution of Payment of such Supply, as they should Promise;

And, 4. That all Castles, Towns, Forts, and Houses, that may be ta∣ken during the Treaty, should be restor'd on the Cessation.

Hereupon the Treaty was adjourn'd, that the Commissioners might consult their Principals; and then, 12 July, from Kilkenny they an∣swer, to the First, That 'tis not warranted by His Majesty's Letter; however, on the Conclusion of the Cessation they will do what is fit. To the Second, They agree to settle that Point. To the Third, That a Free Gift needs no Caution; and for performance of Articles, they will agree to an Equal Course at Meeting. And to the Fourth, if reduc'd to Particulars, they will answer it at the next Congress.

On the Fifteenth of July, Ormond writes to them, That tho' their Answers are neither so particular nor so satisfactory as he expected, yet he design'd to meet them; but that his necessary Attendance on other Business prevents it; which being over, they shall have timely notice of a Day of Meeting. To this, on the Nineteenth of July, the Irish Commissio∣ners reply, That they are loth to give an ill Construction of this Delay, until they know of that Service that taketh place of This; but must take notice, that they meet in These, as in all other Proceedings whereby they may have any expectation to enjoy the Benefit of His Majesty's Grace and Favour, some Interruption and Slackness in conveying any part of His Good Intentions to His Faithful Subjects the Catholicks of Ireland; which they may add to their other Grievances, and will endeavour, in discharge of the many Harms which may ensue by reason of this Protraction, to have it rightly represented to His Majesty.

To this smart Reply, Ormond, on the Twenty first of July, return'd this Answer, That he was not accountable with the Knowledge of any of his Majesty's Services wherewith he had the Honor to be intrusted, to any but His Majesty: That nevertheless they were not ignorant of the Cause of that Interruption, since their General Preston with their Forces approach'd so near as Castle Carbery in the County of Kildare.

But on the Fifth of August, the Lords Justices Borlace and Titchborn, together with the Marquis of Ormond, sent the Commissioners a Let∣ter, importing, That they had received His Majesty's Letter, authorizing Them to conclude a Cessation for a Year; and that pursuant to it, Ormond would meet the Commissioners at Sigginstown on the Seventeenth of August, and proceed where he left off. But afterwards, at the desire of the Con∣federates, (their Commissioners being dispersed) the Meeting was ap∣pointed the Twenty sixth of August; and then insisting upon the Title, Name, and Protestation aforesaid, they give a Reply in Writing to the Answers formerly given by the Marquis. On the Twenty eighth of August, Ormond answers that Reply; and the Twenty ninth of August, they answer that: And so after many alternate Messages and Expo∣stulations, on the First of September they began to ascertain the respe∣ctive Quarters; and the Irish Commissioners having on the Second of September proposed, That the Limitation of Quarters should relate to the Day of Concluding the Cessation, the Marquis of Ormond on the Third of September did offer a Temporary Cessation from that Day, that they might be at the more leisure to manage the Treaty. To which they answer, (the same day) That the Lord Moor and Colonel Monk had in∣vaded their Quarters, and Garison'd some Undefencible Houses and Castles; and if those be restor'd, they are contented that both Armies may withdraw to their respective Garisons. Ormond replies, That he will consent to with∣draw both Armies; and as to the Restitution of Places, it shall be considered in the Settlement of the Quarters; and that many of those called Unde∣fencible Places, tho' not thought worthy of a Garison, yet were for a long time

absolutely in his Power, and in the English Quarters, and some of them not far from the Gates of Dublin, and therefore not fit to be restor'd. On the Fifth of September they proceeded about limiting the respective Quar∣ters; and on the Sixth of September, Ormond writes to them, That he heard their Forees besieged Tully, a Garison Commanded by Sir George Wentworth, who was imployed in procuring Necessary Provisions for him, and desires the Siege might be rais'd: But the Commissioners reply'd, That Monk went to Wicklow the Twenty sixth of August, and continues there ravaging and destroying the Country: That this very Garison of Tully took away the Corn at Madingstown, and therefore they could not hinder a Reprisal; but if any of his Lordships Provisions be intercepted, they shall be restor'd. On the Seventh of September, Ormond insisted on withdraw∣ing their Forces from Tully, and thereupon they sent an Order to Ca∣stlehaven to draw off his Army, (knowing, I suppose, that he had ta∣ken the Castle) and propos'd a Temporary Cessation to the Marquis. On the Eighth of September, Ormond proposes, That the Protestant Clergy and Proprietors may have a Proportion of their Estates in the Irish Quarters, to support them; and that where Goods were delivered in trust to any Irishman, they may be restor'd. On the Ninth, Quarters were setled, and the Preservation of Woods agreed upon; but for the Clergy and Proprietors nothing could be done, because the Cessation was Tem∣porary, and Sufferings of that kind, they said, were reciprocal.

On the Tenth of September the Irish Commissioners denied to con∣tinue a Cessation as to the County of Kildare, unless it may be for the whole Province of Leinster; which Ormond would not consent to: Then they offered a Supply of Thirty thousand Pounds; but on the Eleventh the Marquiss sent a Message to the Commissioners, to order the Earl of Castlehaven to forbear farther Acts of Hostility, since the Treaty was so near a Conclusion; which they did, and Ormond did the like to his Forces: But it seems Castlehaven, notwithstanding their publick Orders, knew their private Meaning, and therefore marched farther off, to the Castle of Disert in the Queens County, which he took after the Cessation was finished: But on the Twelfth they insisted upon the Name and Title of His Majesty's most Faithful Subjects the Ca∣tholicks of Ireland, and said, That they used it in their immediate Ad∣dresses to the King; but Ormond replied, That he held it not proper at that time to be used to him. On the Thirteenth they agreed, That the Quarters should relate to the Day of the concluding the Cessation; but the Marquis insisted, That it was indecent for them to use Force in the County where His Majesty's Commission of Favour was execu∣ting; and therefore required the Restitution of what they had taken in the County of Kildare since the last of August: But on the Four∣teenth of September this was refused, on pretence that the English had incroach'd upon them in the same County, by Garisoning undefensible Places; but they offered the fourth Sheaf of Tully, and all such Places so subdu'd, or 800 l. in lieu of it. The Marquis then propos'd to have the Cessation declar'd as from that time, since all was agreed; but the Commissioners said, the Articles might be perfected by next day Noon, and till then the Cessation could not be said to be made. And so on the Fifteenth day of September the Cessation was concluded, and the Articles and Instrument mentioned Appendix 16. were perfected, and a Proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, for the Observati∣on thereof, issued accordingly, bearing date at Dublin, the Nineteenth day of September, 1643. and Circular Letters were likewise sent by them to all Parts of the Kingdom, to give Obedience thereunto. But

before the Marquis of Ormond would finish this Treaty, he consulted all the Great Men and the Chief Commanders then with him, who gave their Opinions as in the following Instrument is contained.

WHEREAS the Lord Marquis of Ormond hath demanded the Opinions as well of the Members appointed from the Council-board, to assist his Lordship in the present Treaty, as of other Persons of Honor and Command, that have since the beginning thereof repaired out of several Parts of this Kingdom to his Lordship: They therefore seriously considering how much His Majesty's Army here hath already suffered through want of Relief out of England, though the same was often pressed and importuned by His most Gracious Majesty, who hath left nothing unattempted which might conduce to their Support and Maintenance, and unto what common Misery not only the Officers and Soldiers, but others also, His Majesty's good Subjects within this Kingdom, are reduc'd; And further considering, how many of His Majesty's Principal Forts and Places of Strength are at this present in great distress, and the imminent Danger the Kingdom is like to fall into; And finding no possibility of prosecuting this War without large Sup∣plies, whereof they can apprehend no hope nor possibility in due time: They far these Causes do conceive it necessary for His Majesty's Honor and Service, That the said Lord Marquis assent to a Cessation of Arms for one whole Year, on the Articles and Conditions this day drawn up, and to be perfe∣cted, by virtue of His Majesty's Commission for the Preservation of this Kingdom of Ireland.

Witness our Hands, the Fifteenth day of Septem∣ber, 1643.

• Clanrickards & St. Albans,
• Roscomon,
• Richard Dungarvan,
• Edward Brabazon,
• Inchiquin,
• Thomas Lucas,
• James Ware,
• Michael Ernly,
• Foulk Hunks,
• John Pawlet,
• Maurice Eustace,
• Edward Povey,
• John Gifford,
• Philip Persival,
• Richard Gibson,
• Henry Warren,
• Alanus Cooke Ad∣vocatus Regis.

But the News of this Cessation met with different Entertainment, according to the Interests and Inclinations of those it was carried to. At the Court of England it was received with Joy, and Ormond's Con∣duct and Fidelity magnified beyond measure: It was admired, that he could preserve His Majesty's Grandeur throughout the whole Treaty, by not admitting the Title nor Protestation of the Confederates; his Prudence and Integrity, in continuing the Irish Parliament, were highly commended: But that he should be able to get a greater Sum of Mo∣ney from a beggarly Enemy, than the Parliament of England had sent over at any one time till then, could never be sufficiently applauded; and to this effect Secretary Nicholas writes in his Letter of the Ninth of October, and adds, That it is believed there, that the Irish will not ob∣serve the Cessation; and therefore advises his Excellency to be upon his Guard; and to take care the King's good Subjects do not suffer by their violation of it; and that the young Lord Moor, pursuant to Ormond's Recommendati∣on, hath all his Father's Offices granted unto him.

But the Parliament of England had different Sentiments of this Ces∣sation; they inveighed against it, as destructive to the dispossest Pro∣testants of Ireland, who were kept out of Possession by it another Year at least: They said, it was a Discouragement to the Adventurers,

whose Satisfaction was likewise delay'd hereby; They said, it gave an opportunity to the Rebels to recruit their Forces, and to supply all their Wants: But that which troubled them most, was, that they perceiv'd the King design'd to draw some of the Protestant Forces, and hoped for some of the Popish Army from Ireland, to assist Him against the Parliament. In short, they were enraged to that de∣gree, that they Voted to Impeach the Marquis of Ormond as a Traytor against the Three Kingdoms, and to disable him of his Lieutenancy, and of all Command in Ireland; and they also made a formal Declaration against the Cessation, which is inserted at large here, Appendix 18. In answer to which, the King published The Grounds and Motives of the Cessation; which in effect were, That the English Army in Ireland could no longer subsist without Supplies, and that the Parliament took no care to send any; but, on the contrary, the Earl of Warwick intercepted those that His Majesty sent; and that the Parlia∣ment endeavor'd to draw the Scotch Army out of Ireland into England: So that, in fine, there was an absolute Necessity of this Cessation, as prepara∣tory to a Peace; which, nevertheless, he will never admit, unless it be such a Peace as may be agreeable to Conscience, Honor, and Justice. But all this did not satisfie those that were perishing for want of their Estates and Properties, which the Rebels possest; and were yet far∣ther inrag'd by the fresh Insolences and Violences daily committed by the Confederates; so that their Sufferings depriv'd them of that Mo∣deration, which at another time would have considered the Distresses of the Crown, the Necessities of the Army, and the other powerful Mo∣tives to this Temporary Agreement.

In like manner, the Estates of Scotland declar'd against the Cessa∣tion, and the Adventurers at London petition'd against it; and even some of the Cavaleers were so dissatisfied at this unfortunate Truce, that many of the Earl of Newcastle's Army laid down their Arms, and the Earl of Holland withdrew from Oxford, affirming, That after he had heard of the Cessation, his Conscience would not give him leave to stay any longer there: And some others of Quality afterwards followed his Example.

And indeed it appear'd by the Sequel, that the Cessation was a mere Plot of the Confederates, to ruin those by Treaty, whom they could not destroy by the War: Not that it would have proved so, if it had been honestly perform'd, according to their Stipulations and Pretences; but that by a thousand Tricks and Subtilties they contraven'd every Point of it; and besides the opportunity of reinforcing and furnishing themselves, (which no body blames them for) they left nothing undone that could tend to the Ruin of the English: For whereas before the Cessation the Army lived mostly upon what they forced from the Ene∣my, that Course being stopped by the Truce, there was no way left to support them but the 30800 l. promised by those Articles, and which was depended upon for that purpose; but most part of that Money was delivered in by such Driblets, and so very long after it was due, that it did little Service to those that were to receive it.

But that was not the worst; for the Rebels made use of another Stratagem which no body could suspect, and that was a Prohibition to all their Party not to sell Provisions to the English, even for ready Money. There was no Defence against this Flail; and therefore many Places were deserted by the Warders, who were starved out of them by this Contrivance: Carlo, Athy, Leix, Trim, Dundalk, and Naas, suffered much in this Particular; but it was worse with the Garisons in Conaught,

as appears by their Declaration of Grievances sent to the Lord Lieu∣tenant, wherein they affirm a Conspiracy amongst the Irish to starve them, and that the Irish County Councils had issued out Warrants to seize the Goods and Estates of such Confederates as should buy or sell, or use any Traffick with the English, as appears Appendix 19.

They also committed many secret, and some publick, Murders, Peter St. George was so served at the Castle of Letrim, where William St. George was likewise mortally wounded; and it is reported (but how truly, I cannot say) of a malicious Jesuit that sheltered himself at Kinnegad, well known thereabouts by the name of Father Roe, that he committed many Murders even in the Highway; but this is more certain, that the English were fain to pay Toll or Tribute for passage through the Irish Quarters in many places, and that particularly at St. Johnston's Bridge great Sums of Money were extorted upon that score.

Moreover, they had, by cunning and secret Intrusions into deserted Castles and old Houses, two or three days before the Cessation, gotten Possession of much more Land than did belong to them, or than they could have kept in time of War; nevertheless, this Possession, though obtained by Fraud or Violence, was detained by them under the umbrage of that Treaty. They had also another Liberty by these Articles, viz. To declare in whose Quarters they would choose to be; and by this fetch, whole Ba∣ronies were lost, and particularly the Baronies of Barrymore and Imokilly, scituate between Cork and Youghall, and which had been always in the Eng∣lish Quarters, and under the Protection of those Garisons, did, a day or two before the Cessation, declare themselves to be in the Irish Quar∣ters, and so were privileged even to the Gates of Cork and Youghall, from Contribution to those Garisons, until the beginning of the year 1645.

But besides the Breaches of the Cessation in Conaught, contained in their Declaration of Grievances, and the Complaints of Munster, men∣tioned hereafter Appendix 17, there were several other Violations of those Articles; as, 1. That the Earl of Castlehaven, after he had notice of the Cessation, did nevertheless batter the Castle of Desert in the Queen's County, and when he had taken and plundered it, he shewed them the Articles of the Cessation, pretending that they were just then come to hand, and that he was sorry they did not come sooner. 2. By the like Action in continuing the Siege of Castle Coot, after notice of the Cessation as aforesaid. 3. By Publishing the Pope's Bull after the Ces∣sation, which was an Encouragement to the Rebels to persist in their Rebellion, and did seduce others of the Papists that were not then engaged in it. 4. By taking 369 Head of Cattel from the Suburbs of Dublin on the 18th of September. 5. By seizing on the Black Castle of Wicklow, and murdering the Protestants there. And, 6. In not sending any formed Troops or Regiments to the King's Assistance, as they pro∣mised to do. And lastly, In not paying the 30800 l. according to Agree∣ment.

But if we are curious to know what was done in England, in reference to the Affairs of Ireland, we may find, That on the 5th of May Sir Robert King, Mr. Jepson, and Mr. Hill, waited on His Majesty with a Bill, For a speedy Payment of Moneys subscribed towards the Reducing the Rebels in Ireland, which yet remains unpaid, which they prayed Him to pass into an Act; but His Majesty desired first to be satisfied, how the rest of that Money was disposed of, and how he should be secured, that what is yet unre∣ceived shall not be misemployed; and whether it be fit to compel voluntary Subscribers by a greater Penalty than was at first made known

to them, viz. The loss of what they have already paid; and whether the Power given by this new Bill to Warner Towse and Andrews, (whose Integrity he has no assurance of) be not too great; and whether Pur∣chasers and Creditors may not be prejudiced by the Extents mentioned in this new Act.

And on the 16th of June both Houses issued a Declaration, purpor∣ting, That the Kingdom of Ireland is in a sad condition, but that the Papists are in as much want as the Protestants;. and therefore, if the later were well supplied; the former would be easily subdued; that their Ambition to be independent from England, and their inveterate Hatred against the Protestant Religion, have been the causes of their Barbarousness to the English; that they have been assisted by the Catholicks of other Coun∣tries: And can it be, (say they) that God's Enemies should be more violent and indefatigable for restoring Idolatry in a Kingdom foreign to theirs, than we zealous in propugning God's Truth in our own, against Barbarous Traytors and Monstrous Idolaters? Shall the common Incendiaries of both Kingdoms strip themselves of all they have to accomplish our Destruction, by de∣vouring that rich and fruitful Island? And shall the good People of this Nation, of the same Blood and Religion with them, think any thing too dear to redeem them, seeing thereby we secure our selves, by preventing the Rebels from coming hither? We will therefore, even in this distracted time, assess 200000 l. on the Kingdom of England to be paid in two Years, which will give credit for the present Relief of the Starving condition of Ireland, and shall be reprized to the several Counties in the nature of the Adventurers for Land in Ireland: Therefore we cannot doubt of chearful Submission hereunto, since we cannot expect, that God should bless us, if we be wanting to our distressed Brethren, and indeed to our selves, for the malice of the Rebels is such, that if they can root us out of that Kingdom, they will not despair of extirpating us out of this; and therefore we recommend all well-affected persons to a liberal Contribution to such a pious and commendable Work.

And on the 14th of July they issued another Declaration, for the farther encouragement of Adventurers.

And on the 25th of July the Parliament publish'd their long Declara∣tion, which deduces the Affairs of Ireland historically from the begin∣ning of the King's Reign, and concludes, that the Irish Rebellion was projected and incited by those Councils then prevalent with the King, and that the Queen and her Priests, and the Papists of all the three Kingdoms, have been principal Actors and Sticklers therein.

And on the 5th of September they made an Ordinance, That no man▪ upon pain of losing his Ship, do transport any Person out of Ireland into England, without license, &c. And on the 18th, they made an Ordinance, for a Collection for the Clergy of Ireland; and on the 18th of October, they made a Weekly Assessment for the Support of such Forces in Ireland as oppose the Cessation; and on the 24th, they order, That no Irish man, or Papist born in Ireland, shall have Quarter in England▪ and in November, they ordered, That the Solemn League and Covenant should be taken in Ireland.

But the Cessation being confirmed by Patent under the Great Seal, the Lieutenant General, pursuant to His Majesty's repeated Orders, was busie in sending Forces to the Kings Assistance in England and because the Soldiers were generally very unwilling to fight against their own Country men; whilst the Irish Rebels would insult over their distressed Compa∣nions and Relations that should be left behind there was an▪ Oath of Fidelity contrived, which every one of them were forced to take, and

several Penal Edicts were published against those who should desert or return, and so in January the Regiments of Sir Michael Ernly, Sir Richard Fleetwood, Colonel Monk, Colonel Gibson, Colonel Warren, &c. were sent from Leinster, as Sir William Saintleger and Colonel Myn were from Munster; and though most of the former met with their Destiny at Nantwich, and the later at the Siege of Glocester, yet the arrival of these, and other Forces out of Ireland, did influence the Parliament to consent to the Treaty at Uxbridge, which nevertheless did not produce that happy effect which all good men desired.

And little more than this was done in Ireland, except Contests about setting out of Quarters, and other Executions of the Articles of Cessa∣tion, (which shall be mentioned in each Province apart,) and the Prepa∣rations for the Treaty at Oxford, (which shall also be taken notice of in our account of that matter,) until the 21th day of January, at which time,

JAMES Marquis of ORMOND was sworn Lord-Lieutenant at Christchurch in Dublin, and took the following Oath: Viz. You shall swear, That you shall faithfully and truly, to your power, serve our Sovereign Lord the King's Majesty, in the Room and Authority of Lord Lieutenant and Chief Governor of this His Realm of Ireland; you shall maintain and defend the Laws of God, and the Christian Faith; you shall, to your power, not only keep His Majesty's Peace amongst His People, but also maintain His Officers and Ministers in the Execution and Administration of Justice; you shall defend His Majesties Castles, Garisons, Dominions, People and Subjects, of this Realm, and repress His Rebels and Enemies; you shall not consent to the Damage and Disherison of His Majesty, His Heirs, nor Successors; neither shall you suffer the Right of the Crown to be destroyed by any way, but shall Lett it to your power, and if you cannot Lett the same, you shall certifie His Majesty clearly and ex∣presly thereof; you shall give your true and faithful Council for the King's Majesty's Profit, and his Highness's Council you shall conceal and keep. All other things for the Preservation of His Majesty's Realm of Ireland, the Peace amongst His People, and Execution of His Justice, according to His Majesty's Laws, Usages and Customs, of His Highness's Realm, you shall perform and do to your power: So God you help, and by the Contents of this Book.

The Lord Lieutenant did immediately set himself to reform the Army, and reduced his own Troop to 40, and Lucas and Armstrong's Troops to 30 each, and the other two Troops to 25 each, so that he had in all but 150 Horse and 2000 Foot; and to maintain these, he was forced to revive the Excise, and to lay a Tax of 3d. per Acre through∣out that part of the Pale under his power, and to seize on some Debts and Tobacco belonging to the Londoners, and on the 16th of March he issued a Proclamation to prohibit Outrages and Robberies on pain of Death. And thus Matters stood in Ireland at the end of the Year 1643.

Nor can we open the following Year with a better Scene than a Ses∣sion of Parliament, which was held at Dublin on the 17th of April, and the very next day the Speakers of both Houses issued Letters to the Officers of the Army, strictly prohibiting them from taking the Solemn League and Covenant, and in those Letters they took notice of the Lords Ju∣stices and Councils Proclamations of the 18th of December 1643, to the same effect. And on the 20th of May the Government issued a Proclamation to free from Customs and Impositions for 6 Months all Goods and Commodities that shall be imported for the Relief of the Army into Dublin, Drogheda, Carlingford, Dundalk, Cork, Youghall or Kinsale.

But we must leave Ireland for a while, and adjourn to Oxford, which was the Theater on which the Affairs of that Kingdom were for the present transacted and therefore, the Negotiations there shall be handled together, and they happened in this manner.

The Cessation being made as hath been already related, the Con∣federates chose the Lord Viscount Muskery, Sir Robert Talbot, Dermond mac Teig O Brian, &c. As their Agents to sollicite the King in Eng∣land about the Terms of a Peace, and the Lords Justices did likewise, as from the Council-Board, send Sir William Stuart, Sir Gerard Lowther, Sir Philip Percival, and Justice Donelan; to whom Sir George Ratcliff, and Sir William Sambach being then at London were added: But the Pro∣testants not knowing of this last, or not thinking that these Agents would effectually insist upon Their Sense of Affairs, or were prepared to prove their Grievances: Did on the Sixth of October meet at the Earl of Kildare's House, and agreed upon a Petition, which they pre∣ferred to the Lords Justices and Co••ncil, desiring leave for their Agents to repair to the King, and that the Irish Agents might not be heard till they should arrive, and that Care might be taken to continue the present Par∣liament, which by Change of one of the Lord Justices was in Danger of be∣ing dissolved; To which, on the Twelfth of October they received a fa∣vourable Answer, That they, the Lords Justices had taken care to send Pro∣testant Agents to the King, to assist in the Treaty; and that nevertheless they would transmit a Copy of the Petitioners request to His Majesty, and if His Majesty would License their Departure, they would not hinder it: But the Protestants knowing, that even of late time, Agents had gone to the King without such special License from His Majesty, they did on the Fourthteenth of October proceed to the Choice of Four Persons fit to be employed, and prepared a Petition to the King; and then Petitioned the Lords Justices and Council, To transmit that Address to His Majesty, and to License their Agents to repair unto him to England; and on the 19th the Lords Justices answered, That they had signified their former Petition to his Majesty, and had importuned Secretary Nicholas for a speedy Answer, which the Petitioners ought to expect, and that in the mean time they would not hin∣der the Agents from going when they pleased, but could not recommend them to the King until His Majesties Pleasure were known. The Lord Chancellor Bolton took an Exception to the Copy of the Petition, that it was not sign∣ed as the Original was; which Nicety was soon answered, by transcrib∣ing the Names of the Subscribers; but the Earl of Roscomon, Sir James Ware, and one other who had signed the first Petition went farther, and entered the following Protestation concerning it.

The Sense of divers of his Majesties Protestants Subjects, who have Signed to the late Petition directed to His Majesty.

SUffering under the Mis-construction of Our Petition, We hold it fit to declare, that We exhibited not the same through want of Assurance of His Ma∣jesties Care of the Protestant Religion, and of his Subjects; nor yet to divert any Supplies, that may be drawn from hence against such, as in his King∣dom of England have taken up Arms against him, but meerly in Right to Gods Cause, and in Our Right, humbly to inform His Majesty, when the Irish Agents repair unto him, if the said Agents shall endeavour to surprise or prejudice Us in either, this is the Commission We give; and if any Person or Persons imployed by Us, shall go further, or otherwise busie them∣selves to the disturbance of His Majesties Service, against such We do and shall protest, as being in Our Intentions no Parties thereunto; which as it may serve

to vindicate our Faith to His most sacred Majesty, so it may shew, how Causeless the Jealousies are of this Address to him.

And thus it stood till January, when His Majesties Letter of the Sixth of November arrived, and thereby License was granted to the Petitioners to send their Four Agents; whereupon the Petitioners chose Sir Charles Coot, and Captain William Parsons to be added to the Four they had pitched upon before, and presented their Names to the Lord Lieutenant; and on the Seventeenth day of February following, the Commons of the Irish Parliament approved of what the Petitio∣ners had done, and declared their Concurrence therewith; where∣upon the Petitioners moved the Lord Lieutenant and Council for a recommendation to His Majesty, both of their Cause and Agents, and (being demanded) they produced their Instructions, which were re∣ctified as is mentioned Appendix 22. and then they were informed, that it would gain them favour with the King, if they carried over their Companies with them, except Sir Charles Coot's which was in Conaught, but Captain Parsons his Troop chose rather to be disbanded, then to go over to Fight against their Countrey-men, but Captain Ridgway's and Sir Francis Hamiltons Companies were Transported under their respective Lieutenants, tho' very unwillingly; whereupon Major Jones one of the Agents declined the Voyage, rather than remove his Com∣pany, and so His Majesties Letter of the Twenty seventh of February, arriving on the Twenty ninth of March; whereby Sir Charles Coot, and Captain Parsons were Licensed to attend His Majesty with the rest of the Agents, they had Sealed Letters (of Recommendation) to Se∣cretary Nicholas, and took Ship the Second of April, and came to Ox∣ford the Seventh, and on the Eighth kissed the Kings hand and pre∣sented their Petition (which is to be found at large, Burlace Appendix pag. 62.) setting forth, That the Irish Rebellion was raised out of De∣testation to his Blessed Government, and for rooting out the Protestant Reli∣gion, and for dispossessing His Majesty of that Kingdom, without the least occasion given by His Majesty, or his Protestant Subjects, &c. upon reading whereof the King was pleased to say, THAT HE KNEW THE CON∣TENTS OF THE PETITION WAS TRUTH, AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE DENIED; and thereupon it was thus indorsed, His Majesty being very sensible of the Petitioners Losses and Sufferings, is ready to hear relieve them, AS THE EXIGENCY OF HIS AFFAIRS WILL PERMIT, and wisheth the Petitioners to propose what they think fit, in par∣ticular for His Majesties information, and the Petitioners remedy and future Security.

The King also told them, That the Irish protested upon their Salvati∣ons to him, that at first the Conspiracy was not General, but that those of the Pale were forced into Rebellion by the Governours of Ireland, and that if the Parliament had permitted him to go into Ireland when he desi∣red, he doubted not, but he should soon have suppressed the Re∣bellion.

But the Agents to leave nothing undone that might justly advance their Cause, did take Notice of the false and Scandalous Remon∣strance of the Confederates from Trim, (as they called it) which be∣ing Printed by Thomas Burk the Irish Printer at Waterford, with His Majesties Arms affixed thereon; was now with Ostentation and Insolence published at Oxford; and they made so smart an Answer thereunto, as was beyound Reply; both which (Remonstrance and Answer) are in Substance recited, Appendix 5. and 6. they also, to∣gether

with that Answer, presented unto the King the Proposals mentioned Appendix 21.

These Writings were referr'd by the King to the Committee for Irish Affairs, some of which were so disaffected to the Protestants of Ireland, that they said, The Proposals were drawn by the Close Committee at London; and they wonder'd His Majesty would receive such a Muti∣nous Petition.

But the Petitioners were Men of Courage, and would not be easily daunted; they went next day to the Lord Cottington, Chief of the Committee, and prayed a Copy of the Irish Proposals: He made strange of it, as if he knew no such thing, and told them, That they meant the Irish Remonstrance. They replied, That was in Print, and common, and they did not mean It, but they meant the Irish Propositions. His Lordship told them, If any such were, it was ••it they should have a Copy; but that he knew of no such thing, (altho' he really was pre∣sent at the Committee April 19. when those propositions were read, and by him and the rest, with Charge of inviolable Secresie, given to Sir William Stewart, and the other Commissioners from the Council▪) Hereupon the Agents address'd themselves to Sir William Stewart, and the other Commissioners from the Council of Ireland, desiring them to get them Audience from the King before Matters went too far in the Treaty, and to obtain a Copy of the Irish Demands: To which the next day Sir George Ratcliff return'd answer, That they had acquainted the Lords of the Committee with the Desires of the Agents▪ and that they were offended that the Agents should be so forward in prejudicating His Majesty's Justice and Theirs, and that they should be heard before the Con∣clusion of the Treaty.

The next day, being the First of May, the Agents were sent for to the Committee; and their Instructions and Proposals, and the Order of Concurrence of the Irish House of Commons being read, the Earl of Bristol told them, That the King and the Committee were sensible of the prejudicate Opinion the Agents had of their Justice, in pressing to be heard, and by their belief of vulgar Reports; but that the Agents could not be more careful of the Protestants Persons and Religion than they were. The Agents replied, That if they had erred in pressing to be heard, it proceeded from their Zeal to the Service, and for the Preservation of that Remnant of poor Protestants that intrusted them, and out of a desire His Majesty and their Lordships might be rightly informed of their past Sufferings and pre∣sent Calamities; and desired to be admitted to Proof of Particulars.

Hereupon they were ordered to withdraw; and being afterwards call'd in again, they were commanded to subscribe their Propositions, which they did, and then were ordered to attend the Primate Usher, the Bishop of Downe, Sir George Ratcliff, &c. in the Afternoon; which they did, and were told by them, how offensive the Heighth and Un∣reasonableness of their Proposals were, and that the Committee sent them the Message mentioned Appendix 21, to which they imme∣diately return'd the Answer there likewise recited. Hereupon Sir George Ratcliff told them, That whilst they continued so high in their De∣mands, they must expect nothing but War. They answer'd, They were ill provided for it, but would rather run the hazard of it, than have a dishonorable and destructive Peace; and that they could not make farther Alterations in their Proposals, without betraying their Trust. Sir George replied, That if they would abate Three parts of them, he was sure the Fourth part would not be granted them: That they were sent to preserve the Protestants; but that if the Irish Agents return'd without a Peace,

they would destroy the Remainder of the Protestants, since the King was not in a Condition to help them; and therefore desired the Agents to think of some way of securing them. They answered, That there were Five Months of the Cessation unexpir'd, within which Time, Means of Relief may be found; and if not, it were better to quit Ireland for a time, than to make a destructive Peace.

Then Sir George asked, How the English should get out of Ireland? They said, By keeping the Irish Agents in England till it is done. He replied, That he would rather advise the King to lose Ireland, than break His Faith with the Irish Agents, who came to Treat with Him upon His Word; and that it was not likely, if the Irish had not good Conditi∣ons of Peace, that they would forbear Arms till the end of the Cessation.

On the next day the Agents gave Secretary Nicholas a new Set of Propositions, (to the same effect with the former, only a little more moderate) to be presented to the King.

But on the Seventh of May, Sir William Saintleger being come to Oxford, told the Lord George Digby, That the Protestant Forces that came from Munster were much dissatisfied that the Protestant Agents from Ireland received so little Countenance. His Lordship answered, That the greatest Kindness he could do them, was to call them Mad-men, that he might not call them Roundheads, for putting in such mad Proposals. And he desired to speak with some of them; but they refus'd to come to one that had expressed so much Prejudice against them.

On the Ninth of May these Agents were ordered to attend the King and Council, which they did; and His Majesty told them, They were sent by His Protestant Subjects to move Him in their behalf; and de∣sired to know in what Condition the Protestants of Ireland were to defend themselves, if a Peace should not ensue. They answered, That they hum∣bly conceived, they were employed first to prove their Petition, and to dis∣prove the scandalous Aspersions which the Rebels have cast upon His Maje∣sty's Government, and the Protestants of Ireland. The King replied, That it needed not any more than to prove the Sun shines, when we all see it. They answered, That they thought His Majesty was not satisfied, but that those of the Pale were forced into Rebellion by the Governors. The King said, That was but an Assertion of the Irish; and then He renew'd His former Question about their Condition to resist if a Peace did not ensue. The Agents desired time to answer; but the King told them, He thought they came prepared to declare the Condition of the whole Kingdom; and asked them, Would they have Peace, or no? The Agents answered, They were bred up in Peace, and were not against it, so that it might stand with His Majesty's Honor, and the Safety of His Protestant Subjects in their Religion, Lives, Liberties, and Fortunes. Then the Lord Digby interpos'd, and said, That the Agents desir'd a Peace. Yes, says the Duke of Richmond, and Earl of Lindsey, provided it consists with the King's Honor, and the Protestants Safety. And I would rather (says the King) that they should have their Throats cut in War, than SUFFER by a Peace of my making; but I will take Care the Prote∣stants of Ireland shall be secured. And then His Majesty told the Agents, they should have a Copy of the Irish Proposals, and Liberty to an∣swer them; but that they were to consider of Two things: First, That He was not in a Condition to relieve them with Men, Money, Ammunition, Arms, or Victuals: And, Secondly, That He could not allow them to joyn with the New Scots, or any others that had taken the Covenant.

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The Protestant Agents having got a Copy of the Irish Propositi∣ons, did on the Thirteenth of May present to His Majesty a full An∣swer to them, recited at large Appendix 23.

This Answer being read, the King asked, Whether they had answered according to Law and Justice, or prudentially with respect to Circumstances? The Agents replied, That they looked upon the Rebels Propositions (as they appeared to them) destructive to His Majesty, His Laws, and Govern∣ment, and His Protestant Subjects of Ireland. Whereupon the Earl of Bristol interpos'd, and said, That if they asked what in Law and Justice was due from the Rebels, their Answer was full; but that the King ex∣pected from them what was prudentially fit to be done; seeing the Prote∣stants are not in a Condition to defend themselves, and the King will not admit them to joyn with any Covenanters.

The King also asked, What would become of the Protestants, if the Irish Agents should break off the Treaty; which 'tis feared they will do, if their Propositions for the most part are not yielded unto? To which the Agents replied, That the Rebels might be brought to better Terms, if they were held to it; and that they were assured the Lord Muskery refused to come with limited Instructions, but would be at liberty to do as he should see cause. Whereupon they were ordered to withdraw.

But the Protestant Agents hearing that Sir Robert Talbot and Der∣mond mac Teig O Bryan had left Oxford the Twelfth of May, and that the Lord Muskery and the rest departed thence the 22th, addressed themselves to Secretary Nicholas, to know if His Majesty had fur∣ther Service for them; and thereupon, on the Thirtieth of May they kist the King's Hand, and were told by His Majesty, That he had writ∣ten to the Marquis of Ormond concerning the Protestants of Ireland, and that He would use His best Endeavors for them there, as He did for Him∣self here; and said, He meant His good Protestant Subjects, and not Co∣venanters or their Adherents.

And thus, Reader, you have the Secret of this Great Transaction, whereby you will perceive, That the Irish Agents, filled with the Con∣templation of their own Power, and the evil Circumstances of His Majesty's Affairs, thought that the King would purchase their Assi∣stance at any Rate; and therefore insisted upon such exorbitant and unreasonable Demands as would have subverted the Laws and Con∣stitution of the Government, and would have rendred the Protestant Religion at most but Tolerated, and that it self but poorly and pre∣cariously.

On the other side, the English Agents did not fail to chastize this Vanity, and to mortifie the Confederates with a Scorn and Contempt both of their Conduct and Courage: They represented to the King, That the Rebels got more by the Cessation, than they could do by the War. In fine, they press'd the Execution of the Laws, and demanded Re∣paration for Damages sustained during the Rebellion, and desir'd that the Irish might be disarm'd, and reduced to a Condition of not Re∣belling any more.

The Commissioners from the Council would gladly have moderated these matters, but they found, there was no trust to be reposed in the Con∣federates, and▪ the Irish would not agree to any other terms than what continued the Power in their own hands; so that the English should have no other security of their future Tranquility, but the Honour and Promise of the Rebels.

It was very difficult to reconcile these Jarring and Differing Interests, and indeed impossible to do it in England, and therefore the Irish Agents (who were men of Parts and Address) having cunningly insinuated to the King, That they believed that their Principals, when truly informed of His Majesty's circumstances, would comply with them so far, as to moderate their Demands to what His Majesty might conveniently grant, and promised they would sollicite them effectually to that purpose, prevailed with His Majesty to send over a Commission under the Great Seal of England to the Lord Lieutenant, to make Peace with his Catholick Subjects, upon Conditions agreeable to the Publick Good and Welfare, that might produce such a Peace and Union in Ireland, as might vindicate his Royal Authority there, and suppress those in Arms against him in England and Scotland; and he also sent Instructions to continue the Cessation for another Year.

This Commission came to the Lord Lieutenant on the 26th of July, but in regard the Confederates chose a Clergyman (I suppose the Bishop of Fernes) to be one of their Commissioners, which Ormond would by no means admit of, the Disputes about this and other Preliminaries delayed the Treaty until the 6th of September, at which time the Lord Chancellor (who was Chief of the Commissioners for the King) averr'd before the Confederate Commissioners, That to that day no body had lost one drop of Blood upon the Statute of 2. Eliz. c. 1. which nevertheless was so much complained against; however the Confederates (notwithstanding the fair Promises their Agents had made at Oxford) insisted stifly on the Repeal of part of that Statute, and on several unreasonable Demands; whereupon the Treaty was adjourned, until the King's Pleasure should be known, in the Particulars wherewith Ormond had acquainted him.

Hereupon the King (who had promised Archbishop Usher at Oxford, That he would not give Toleration to the Papists) writes back to Ormond, That he approves his Answers to the Rebels Proposals, and orders him to insist on them; but if the Irish will not be perswaded to Moderation, then rather to yield to Terms, (remitting much of what his Dignity and Interest would insist on at other Times and Circumstances) than enter into a new War; however not to consent to a Repeal of Poyning's Act, unless in case of absolute necessity, and by no means to admit of the Repeal of the Penal Laws against Re∣cusants, because that might endanger his Protestant Subjects, for whose Preser∣vation he makes the Peace, since he is not able to carry on the War.

And about the same time His Majesty sent Orders to pass Pardons to all his Councellors and Servants, Toties quoties, as the Lord Lieutenant and Council shall think fit, and to make the Lord Chancellor Baron of Bolton, to him and his Heirs Males, and that the Lord Lieutenant should make any two Lords he thought fit to be Earls, and so the year 1644, was closed with an Adjournment of the Treaty of Peace to the 10th of May following.

But it is necessary to inspect the condition of the other Pro∣vinces, and how they were manag'd since the Cessation; and first let us cast our Eye on Munster, which we shall find discontented at the Cessation, but much more troubled at the many and daily Infractions of it by the Confederates, whereof the Reader may find some Instances in the Lord of Insiquin's Complaint to the State hereafter mentioned in Appendix 17; and many more might be she〈…〉〈…〉 ••f it were needful. More∣over the Protestants were daily alarm'd wi•••• ••ots and Contrivances against them, but with none more than with a Conspiracy of Fryer Ma∣thews, and some others, to betray the City of Cork into the hands of the Confederates, for which, some of the Conspirators were Executed,

one of which confessed the Design; whereupon the English were dissatis∣fied to the highest degree, and importunately urged the Lord of Insiquin to disclaim the Cessation, which was a Snare to them, and exposed them to the Plots and Insolencies of the Rebels, whilst themselves were fet∣tered by it from taking Revenge; and it happened luckily that this Lord returned dissatisfied from England, (because the Presidency of Munster, which he expected and highly deserved, was predisposed of to the Earl of Portland,) and by his discontent was rendered the more susceptible of those Impressions which the just Complaints of the Pro∣testants of his Province did afterwards make upon him; and therefore he did on the 18th day of July, by an ingenious Artifice, get the Irish out of Cork, and kept them so, and the next day he, and other Principal Officers of his Army, wrote to His Majesty, That no Peace could be con∣cluded with the Irish Rebels which would not bring unto His Majesty, and to the English in general, a far greater Prejudice than the shew of a Peace there would bring them Advantage, &c. And thereupon besought him, that he would not so much regard so inconsiderable a handful of People as they were, as to purchase but a seeming Security, by leaving thereby the Protestant Religion in all likeli∣hood to be extirpated, and His Majesty obnoxious to the loss of that Kingdom: Further beseeching His Majesty, That he would be pleased to proclaim again the Irish to be Rebels, and not to Pardon those who have committed so many bar∣barous Crimes, that they are as far above Description, as they are short of Honesty, the Irish professing, They had His Majesty's Commission for what they did. The true sense of which devilish Aspersion cast upon His Majesty, with other Reasons, made them resolve to dye a thousand Deaths, rather than con∣descend to any Peace, referring themselves in other things to their Decla∣ration.

And besides this Letter, they issued a Declaration to be sent to both Houses of Parliament, and to be made publick, which is worthy per∣usal, and therefore is added to Appendix 25.

The Revolt of the English Forces in Munster occasioned some Expo∣stulations between Ormond and Insiquin, but without effect, for the later was resolved not to hazard himself and his Friends by a readmission of the Secluded Citizens of Cork, which the Parliament having notice of, and being desirous to Encourage and Reward his Steadiness and Zeal for the English Interest, made him Lord President of that Province.

Nevertheless, the Parliament not being in a condition to furnish Insi∣quin with Supplies, little or nothing was done this year; on the contrary, the Irish and he agreed to a new Temporary Cessation, because the English were weak, and the Irish desired to preserve the Baronies of Imokilly and Barrymore from Contribution, and so it continued until the Earl of Castlehaven renewed the War early in the Spring; and in the mean time, the strong Fort of Duncannon (which had never submitted to the Cessation) was surrendered to General Preston on the 6th of March for want of Provision, whilst Sir Arthur Loftus (though he got within the Harbor) was by a Storm, which lasted ten days, hindered from putting Supplies into the place, which therefore he carried to Cork.

But because the Irish do deny that there was any design to betray Cork, and that it may appear that it was designed more than once, I have thought it necessary to add an Extract out of Sir Richard Gething's Dispatch to Secretary Lane, and to subjoyn a certain Letter; whereof I have seen the Original. Sir Richard Gething writes, That one Colonel Croning sent to Major Muschamp to give him a Meeting,

which done, after some wise Preparatives, exhorting him to be faithful and loyal to his Majesty, &c. He pretended to open him a way to great Preferment; and Muschamp asking him how, the other replyed, By delivering up the Fort of Cork, as the Lord Lieutenant should direct. Muschamp answered, That he desired no easier Step to Preferment, than the Observance of the Lord of Ormond's Directions. Then Croning desired him to meet a certain Lord the next day, which Muschamp did, and being first obliged to Secrecy, (saving liberty to communicate his mind to an Ecclesiastical Friend) that Lord told him plainly, That if he would surrender the Fort of Cork into his hand, he should have the Lord Marquis of Ormond's warrant for it, and for his Reward great Promo∣tion. Muschamp said, he was willing to observe the Marquis his Com∣mand, provided he saw an Authentick Warrant; whereupon the aforesaid Lord pulled forth a Warrant written with the Marquis his own hand, (as he pretended) importing, That whereas he the Marquis was disabled to put necessary Provisions of Victuals and Ammunition into the Fort of Cork for the present Defence thereof, that therefore he (Muschamp) was required to deliver up the same into the hands of the aforesaid Lord, assuring him, That whatever Conditions that Lord should condescend unto, his Ex∣cellency would confirm them. Hereat Muschamp being astonished, did nevertheless promise to perform the Contents, if his Lordship would give him the Warrant, but his Lordship told him, He must perform the Work first; but Muschamp thought that preposterous, his Lordship replyed, That then he might write to his Excellency for farther satisfaction; and so they parted, and Muschamp discovered all to the Lord Insiquin, as he was pre-engaged to do; and though (by Insiquin's advice) Muschamp sent twice to the aforesaid Lord for a Copy of the Warrant, yet he could get no other answer, but That it was sent back to the Marquis of Ormond; and all this, Major Muschamp declared upon Oath before a Council of War.

At the Discovery of this Contrivance, the poor English were ama∣zed and enraged; they thought it equally improbable, that Ormond should give such an Order, or any body else should pretend it if it were not so: But as soon as the Noise of this Affair reached the Lord Lieutenant's ears, he did not fail to do Justice to his own Reputation, by a severe Expostulation with that Lord, which produced this follow∣ing Letter.

May it please Your Excellency,

I Have received Your Letter of the 25th of the last, wherein you are pleased to Command me to deliver my Knowledge in a Report given out by one Major Muschampe, wherein your Excellency, as you are pleased to take notice, finds your Self highly concerned. My Lord, before I shall proceed to deliver my Knowledge of that Business, in the first place, I shall crave your Excellency's Pardon, if for compassing my own Ends it shall appear, that I have made use of your Excellency's Name without warrant, through which there may arise any Blame or Blemish to your Lordship; this being granted me, all that I can remember is as followeth.

It is very true, (my Lord,) Muschamp employed one of his Friends unto me, signifying his dislike of my Lord of Inchequin, whom he found to be en∣tirely in his Actions and Resolutions for the Parliament, and therefore thought

fit to seek my Advice to put him in a present way, whereby he may secure the Fort for His Majesty's Service. Truly, my Lord, I was loth to lose such an Opportunity to do my Country Service, and immediately returned him an Answer to meet me the next day after at a Castle of mine, which he per∣formed that day or the next day after, (as near as I can remember,) and upon our meeting, he being sworn to Secrecy in all things, I moved unto him concerning the Fort, to which he seemed to incline, making great Expressions and Fervency in all respects to preserve his Loyalty, and to observe (upon the least inclination or notice) any Commands that should come unto him from your Excellency: Then, upon further Discourse, he fell to wish I had the Fort in my Possession, so he were sure that the Party whereof I was, and my Self, were for the King; to which I answered, That by the good Countenance and Usage the rest of the Commissioners and my Self had in England, and our coming with∣out Rub or Interruption from thence, might in some sort assure him thereof; which proving not altogether satisfactory unto him, he replyed, That if he had seen any Directions from your Excellency for him to dispose of the Place, he would obey it, to the loss of his Life, and deliver it either unto me, or any body else your Lordship would appoint, which I apprehended a Business much conducing to His Majesty's Service, and the Preservation of this Province against the Rebels in England, into whose hands, I was assured, the same should be put as now it is; and presuming that it would not have been prejudi∣cial to His Majesty or your Lordship for me to use any Slight or Means to get it out of their hands, I presumed to frame a Warrant in your Lordship's Name, authorizing him to Surrender me that Hold to His Majesty's Use, and that your Lordship had received sufficient Assurance from me, to redeliver it upon Demand, which I read unto him, he would have it into his own hands (as he alledged) for his Justification; but I insisted, that I would not part with the Instrument, until the Work were accomplished according to the Directions; whereupon he took time to prepare and consider of the Business for two days, as near as I can remember, and then he was to send his farther Resolution unto me, or to appoint another Meeting; and since I have not heard any thing from him, but within six days after I could hear, that he discovered it unto my Lord of Insiquin, and some others, at a Council of War. My Lord, he thought to catch me, and I was hopeful to catch him; and if in the Progress or Car∣riage of the Matter I have said or done any thing that gives your Lordship cause of Offence, I crave your Forgiveness and Pardon. Your Lordship may be the more Indulgent unto me in this Particular, for that upon my Salvation I had a full Resolution (if I had compassed the Place upon those Terms) to pre∣serve all the English without any prejudice, either in their Lives, Religion or Goods, and to Surrender it unto your Lordship, or such as you would Appoint, whensoever your Lordship would call for it. My Lord, This is the Truth of what passed between Muschamp and me in that place; I have no more to add unto it, but that I desire, if in this I have forfeited any thing of your Lord∣ship's Opinion, I may be restored and accounted by your Excellency,

Your most humble Servant,

And as to Conaught, after the Cessation was concluded, Commissio∣ners were appointed to settle the Quarters; of which, Major Ormsby was one, and Sir Robert Newcomen, and Sir George Saint-George were in February made Commissioners or Governours of that Province, but the Irish (who knew well enough, that by the Cessation the Garisons in Conaught were left in a starving Condition) did delay the Settlement

of the Quarters all that they could, so that tho' a meeting was ap∣pointed at Roscomon about the middle of February; and Major Ormsby accordingly came thither and watched three days, yet none of the Irish Commissioners appeared, except only Hugh O Conner, who had no Power to Act singly; and tho' the Lord Lieutenant had ordered the Irish, to send some Beeves to the Garisons of Conaught towards their Subsistence; yet did they likewise make such unreasonable De∣lays, in delivering those Beeves (being but 200 in all) that many of the Soldiers were Starved to Death for want of them, and when mere necessity (occasioned by the Delay, a••d Non-performance on the Irish side) compelled any of the English to take a Sheep or a Cow, presently Complaints were made to the Lord Lieutenant, as if the Cessation were broken, or as if the whole Country were up in Arms; whereupon Orders were issued, bearing date the Eighteenth of March, and Twenty ninth of March, to examine the Irish Complaints against the Garisons of Conaught; and particularly against that of Castlecoot, and more especially about their Combination with Captain Cambell an Irish Scot; and their casting of Ordnance which the Confederates ob∣jected against them, and accordingly the English Commissioners re∣paired to the place appointed; but the Irish came not the First day, and the Second day, when they did come, they pretended they were not prepared, not had a sufficient Commission to proceed then, but desired to adjourn to Thursday in Easter week at Roscomon, which was agreed to; but when that day came, the Irish Commissioners did not appear, but sent a Letter, That Roscomon was not a fit Place, and desired to meet at Balmtober (near which place their Army lay,) but the English Commissioners resenting this Third disappointment, scor∣ned to make any more Assignations with them, well knowing, that there was no ground for their Complaint, but that it was all Contri∣vance and Clamour.

But on the Twenty seventh of April, a Warrant issued to make Henry Viscount Willmot, and Thomas Viscount Dillon, and the Survivor of them, Lords President of the Province of Conaught, except the County and Town of G••••way, the Government whereof with Ten Shillings per diem was Granted to the Lord of Clanrickard.

But it happened not long after, that Major Ormsby being Garisoned in Tulsk (which place belonged to Mr. Lane, afterwards Lord Lanes∣burough,) the Proprietor demanded the House, which could not be justly refused him; tho' his Right was unseasonable insisted upon at that time, because Ormsby had done good Service, and was very trou∣blesome to the Irish. But the Major perceiving that he must turn out, and having no other Convenient place to carry his Soldiers unto; he cunningly declared against the Cessation, and kept Correspondence with those of that Faction in Ulster; and hereupon he preyed upon the Irish to that Degree, that his Garison lived, whilst most of the rest of the English were Starving; insomuch, that as many as could did flock to him, whereby the other Garisons were left almost empty, and so he continued until the Earl of Castlehaven forced him to sub∣mit to the Cessation as that Lord wries in his Memoirs; but I believe he continued so, until his Castle was taken by the Lord Taaf, Anno 1645.

And as to Ulster, the Scots and all those that had taken the Covenant, or were inclined to take it, were very much dissatisfied with the Cessation; Monroe complained to the Lords Justices, That the Scots who were by the Agreement to be paid every Three Months, were now Eighteen Months in Arrear, and therefore it was hard to put them off with a Cessation; however,

he Promises to avoid Hostility until the Earl of Leven (his General) be consulted, but the Supream Council were so netled at Monroes aversion to the Cessation, That they on the Fifteenth of October wrote to the Lords Justices, That seeing the Scots continued their Outrages, and would admit of the Cessation, no farther than stood with their own advantage, whereby the Confederates were diverted from assisting the King; they who could not accuse themselves of any one hollow thought, and detested all sub∣til Practices, and cannot think of serving two Masters, or of standing Neu∣ter where their King is Party, do desire that none may reside in the King∣dom but good Subjects, and that by the joynt Power of such, the Opposers or Breakers of the Cessation may be chastised, and that till that can be done, their Proceedings in Prosecution of them may not be interpreted a Violation of the Truce.

But in the beginning of the Year, 1644. Monroe published, that he had a Commission from the Parliament of England, and the Council of Scotland to govern the Province of Ulster; whereupon the Lords Mongomery and Blany, Sir James Mongomery, Sir Robert Stewart, Colo∣nel Hill, and the Majors Rawden, Jones, and Gore came to Colonel Chichester at Belfast, to consult what was fit to be done; but the next Morning (being the Fourteenth of May) Monroe surprized the Town; because Colonel Chichester had made Proclamation against the Covenant (which was a little before this time imposed by Order of Parlament) and had refused to admit any Scots into the Garison, and had sent a Convoy with Colonel Steward and Colonel Seaton, Agents to the King; and had discountenanced all that were affected to the Cove∣nant, or to Monroes Party: However, Monroe distributed Victuals out of the Magazine to Colonel Chichesters Regiment, and quartered them in the adjacent Villages until (a little after) they went to Dublin, and he also wrote very civilly to the Lord Lieutenant, but would not re∣store Belfast according to his Order.

In the mean time, Owen Roe (being weakned by the defeat al∣ready mentioned, and the opposition he still met with, from the British) in the beginning of Winter left his Troops, and Creaghts to shift themselves, and came to the General Assembly at Waterford to de∣sire assistance; affirming, that otherwise he must be forced to retire into the other Provinces.

Hereupon the Assembly appointed Six thousand Foot, and One thou∣sand Horse and Dragoons, under the Command of the Earl of Castle∣haven, to joyn with Four thousand Foot, and Four hundred Horse, which Owen Roe had promised from Ulster.

And that nimble General (having some time to spare) did by the Commands of the Supream Council march part of his Forces to Conaught, and compelled Burk of Castle Carrow, and the Lord Mayo at Castle∣bar to submit to the Cessation; and having done the like to the Orms∣bey's in the County of Roscomon, he went to his Rendezvouz at Gra∣nard about Midsummer 1644. Owen Roe being at the same time near Portlester; but hearing that the Enemy approached, he was glad to retreat towards Portlester; and having left 600 Foot, and One hundred Horse to Guard the Bridge of Feynagh over the Jany, which had a Ca∣stle on his side, he thought himself pretty secure; but the Scots marched on, and the ignorant, or (as this Earl of Castlehaven styles him) the unfortunate Colonel, whose business it was to Guard the Pass, sends out his Horse to Skirmish, having learned from his General, That their Parties had commonly the Better, tho' their Armies had commonly the worse in all Encounters; but there is no General rule without Exception, so

this Party of Horse was lost, and the Foot thereupon quitted the Ca∣stle and Bridge, and ran to find out their General, who was securely posted amongst the Rivers▪ and Bogs in Westmeath; where the Scots faced and braved him, but for want of Provisions could not stay long enough to do any great Prejudice; nevertheless they hanged Nugent of Carlestown, and burnt his House.

Upon the retreat of the Scots, Castlehaven says, that he followed them to Dromore, and tells some fine Stories to his own Credit, but the issue is, that with much ado he got home again, Owen Roe having failed of his promised Assistance.

In the mean time, the Marquess of Antrim ••ound means to send Two thousand five hundred Irish to Scotland to joyn with Montross; that so by giving the Scots Employment in their own Country, he might divert them from sending Recruits into Ireland.

And it is to be noted, that the Confederates did both send and re∣ceive Ambassadors, to and from foreign Princes, viz. They sent to France at several times, Mr. Rochfort, ••ather Mathew Hartegan, Colonel Fitz Williams, and Mr. Geofry Baron; and received from France, Mr▪ La. Monarie, Mr. Du Moulin, and Mr. Talloon; they sent to Spain Father James Talbot, and had from thence Mr. Fuysot, the Count of Beerhaven (i.e. O Sullevan Beer) and Don Diego de la Torres; they sent to the Pope Mr. Richard Beling, and afterwadrs the Bishop of Fernes, and Mr. Nicholas Plunket; and the Pope sent them first Peter Franciscus Scarampo, and afterwards his Nuncio the Bishop of Firmo: And there∣fore it is fit I give the Reader some Account of their Negotiation, which I shall, as I have information and opportunity; and for the pre∣sent shall feast him with some Extracts, out of Father Hartegan's intercepted Letters, who in November 1644. wrote to the Supream Council, to the Effect following, viz.

That my Lord (Abbot) Mountague said to him in his Ear, that he should write to your Lordships, not to trust most of the English, even the very Catholicks, who have more National then Religious Thoughts.— That the Queen, talking of Ormond, said, it was hard to Trust Believe, or Rely upon any Irish-man that is a Protestant, for every such Irish-man that goes to Church, does it against his Conscience, and knows he betrayes God.— That Clanrickard had something of Essex his Brother-in-Law, othe∣rwise he should be for the Catholicks, which are known to be faithful to the King, whereof no Man doubts now.—That he should know all little Passages, Resolutions, and Things that pass daily in Dublin, Ulster and Cork; and you should write the words uttered by Ormond, Clanrickard and Insiquin, even when they are at Table, and in Conversation;—That you shall have Succours to prevent your inglorious falling to Peace,—and Rome and France will dispute, who shall contribute most to you, so that you may see Father Wadding, and I do not sleep in your Affairs,—That Clanrickard Robs more from the Catholick Party than the Villanous Scots.—That the King is easie and not to be trusted;—That the Confederates are backward in decli∣ning the Old English,—That if they had Gallantry, they might expect a Temporal Crown in reward.—That Castlehaven is more Nationally then Religiously inclined;—That Ormond is a Viper and an Idolater of Ma∣jesty; —That the Queen will be cast upon the Irish, and therefore ad∣vises them, to Play the cunning Workmen to take measure of her.

But we need say no more of this Embassador, than what the Queen observes of him in her Letter to the Lord Digby, viz. That many things he hath written are Lies.

In England the Lord Macguire and Macmahon were brought to their Trial, and found Guilty, Condemn'd, and Executed at Tyburn; but because Macguire was a Peer of Ireland, it was made a Question, Whe∣ther he could be Tried in England for Treason committed in Ireland, since thereby he lost the Benefit of his Peerage? And tho' it seems to me, that the Point had been formerly determin'd in the Case of the Lord Leonard Grey, who was Viscount Grany, yet it held a long De∣bate; and there being many Curiosities in that Trial, I design to add it by way of Appendix, unless this Book grow too Voluminous for such an Addition.

And in January began the Treaty of Uxbridge, where the King's Power to make the Cessation was denied, both because of His Delega∣ting the Management of the War to the Parliament, and because of the Interest of the Adventurers. To which it was answered, That the King by authorizing the Parliament, did not exclude Himself. There were also reciprocal Accusations and Recriminations from each Party to the other, which are too tedious to be here recited; and therefore I refer the Reader for them to Dugdale's View of the late Troubles, where he may find them at large.

Nor is it to be omitted, that even whilst this Treaty was in agita∣tion, and in order to it, the Treaty with the Irish was in effect super∣seded, a certain Irish Lord was no less unseasonably than importunately pressing His Majesty to be made a Privy-Counsellor, and to have a Custodium granted him of Sir Robert King's Estate; tho' either of these being granted, and divulg'd, would have dash'd in pieces all Hopes of Reconciliation between the King and Parliament: So little did they consider the King's Interest, when it stood in competition with their own. And when I have added, That the Confederates did publish a Declaration of the Terms upon which Protestants might live within their Quarters, which is to be found Appendix 11. and that the Citi∣zens of Dublin being numbred on the Eighth of August, were found to be 2565 Men, and 2986 Women, Protestants; and 1202 Men, and 1406 Women, Papists; I have inserted all that I think material for the Year 1644.

The Year 1645. could not begin better than in reviving the Treaty of Peace, (which was then reassumed) if the Confederates had pro∣ceeded candidly and sincerely therein; but they perceiving that Or∣mond would never be prevailed upon to grant them the Terms they desir'd, did keep this Treaty on foot to cover their other Designs; and in the mean time, by their Agent Colonel Fitz-Williams, they pro∣pos'd to the Queen, That if Her Majesty would prevail with the King to condescend to the Just Demands of the Irish, at least in private, that then they would assist His Majesty with Ten thousand Men. Whereupon the Queen, either through Her Indulgence to Popery, or to purchase so considerable Aids for the King, did promise Her ut∣most Endeavors to effect their Desires; and accordingly She sent Sir Kenelme Digby to Rome, where he made the Articles recited at large Appendix 26. which nevertheless had no effect, because the King could not by any means be brought to confirm them. And She also procured the Earl of Glamorgan to be sent into Ireland, who made a Peace secretly with the Irish, on the 25th day of August, as we shall see anon; and which also met with the same Fate, and for the same

Reason. And this unfolds the Secret of some Mysteries which at that time were unintelligible; for it was a Paradox to Ormond and those Cavaliers who were so zealous for the King, that they passionately coveted a Peace with the Irish, as that which they thought the only proba∣ble Means left to preserve His Majesty; I say, it amaz'd these Men, to find the Irish delay and indeed reject the Peace, which themselves at first had courted, and which was their Interest to hasten, even upon worse Terms than were offered them: Nevertheless, the Confederates continued to quibble upon Niceties, and to reassume Debates that were determined before, and particularly the Words in one of the Articles, That Officers of Both Religions be equally preferr'd, being, upon an Obje∣ction of the Lord Digby, explain'd by themselves to intend only In∣differency, were now so strained, that they would admit no other Inter∣pretation of the Word Equally, but that it must extend to Number; whereat His Majesty was exceedingly disgusted.

But in May there was a General Assembly of the Irish, which, pur∣suant to a Decision of their Clergy, Appendix 29, did on the Ninth of June Vote, That as to the Demand of Restoring the Protestant Church∣es, the Commissioners shall give a positive Denial: And the Truth of it is, that they thought themselves so sure of what Conditions they pleas'd from the Earl of Glamorgan, that they little minded what An∣swer they gave to the Marquis of Ormond, or his Commissioners. And, on the other side, the King thought himself so sure of the Ten thousand Men from them, that Sir Marmaduke Langdale was in July sent with Seven hundred Horse to Carnarvan, to receive and conduct them as there should be occasion. But when their Expectation in Eng∣land began to tire, and no News came either of a Peace or of Succors, the Lord Digby (Secretary of State) wrote the following Letter to the Lord of Muskery, and the rest that had been Agents for the Confe∣derates at Oxford.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

HIS Majsty having long expected a Conclusion of a happy Peace within your Kingdom, and His Affairs having highly suffered by the fail∣ing of His Expectations from thence, cannot chuse but wonder what the Cause is of it; calling to mind those fair Professions and Promises which you made unto Him when you were imployed here as Agents. And knowing well what Power and Instructions He hath long since given to my Lord Lieu∣tenant, to comply with you for your Satisfaction, as far forth as with Rea∣son or Honor His Majesty could in Civil Things, or with Prudence or Conscience in Matters of Religion; and in the latter, as to the utmost of what for any worldly Consideration He will ever be induced to: So did He conceive nothing less than what you declared unto Him you were persuaded the Catholicks would be satisfied withal; nay, ought not in their own Interest to seek more, in the present Condition His Majesty is in, lest further Concessions might (by confirming former Scandals cast upon His Ma∣jesty in Matters of Religion) so alienate the Hearts of His faithful and loyal Adherents, as to make them abandon Him: Which, as it would draw inevitable Ruin on Him; so were you rightly apprehensive, that when the Parliament should by that means have prevailed here, that must soon after bring a certain Destruction upon your selves. What the change of Princples or Resolutions are, His Majesty knows not; but He finds by the not conclu∣ding of a Peace there, that your Party (it seems) is not satisfied with the

utmost that His Majesty can grant in Matters of Religion; that is, the taking away of the Penal Laws against Roman Catholicks within that King∣dom. And His Majesty here hears, that you insist upon the Demands of Churches for the Publick Exercise of Religion, which is the Occasion that His Majesty hath commanded me to write thus frankly unto you, and to tell you, That He cannot believe it possible, that Rational and Prudent Men (had there been no Propositions made to the contrary) can insist upon that which must needs be so destructive to His Majesty at present, and to your selves in the Consequences of His Ruin, (that is) inevitably to be made a Prey to the Rebels of these Kingdoms, or to a Foreign Nation. Wherefore, my Lords and Gentlemen, to disabuse you, I am commanded by His Majesty to declare unto you, That were the Condition of His Affairs much more de∣sperate than they are, He would never redeem them by any Concession of so much wrong both to His Honor and Conscience. It is for the Defence of His Religion principally, that he hath undergone the Extremities of War here; and He would never redeem his Crown by destroying It there. So that to deal clearly with you, as you may be happy your selves, and be happy Instruments of His Majesty's Restoring, if you would be contented with Reason, and give Him that speedy Assistance which you well may; so, if nothing will content you but what must wound His Honor and Conscience, you must expect, howsoever His Condition is, and how dete∣stable soever the Rebels of this Kingdom are to Him, He will in that Point joyn with them, the Scots, or with any of the Protestant Religion, rather than do the least Act that may hazard that Religion, in which and for which He will live and die. Having said thus much by His Majesty's Command, I have no more to add, but that I shall think my self very happy if this take any such effect as may tend to the Peace of that Kingdom, and make me▪

Your Affectionate humble Servant, GEO. DIGBIE.

Cardiff, 1 August, 1645.

But the Confederates little regarded this Importunity; they had other Designs of their own to mind, and were busie managing the Two Treaties with Ormond and Glamorgan; and whilst they proceed∣ed diligently with the Earl, they dealt sophistically with the Marquis, still raising new Scruples and Difficulties, varying and inhancing upon the King as His Condition grew worse; so that on the Second of Au∣gust they demanded to be exempt from the Excommunication of a Prote∣stant Bishop, because they could not in Conscience seek Absolution from those of another Relig••n. And thus Matters continued until the 25th. of August, at which time the secret Peace with Glamorgan was conclu∣ded; and then, to let him know that they design'd no more effectual Compliance with him than they had perform'd with others, they did on the 28th. of August make the following Order, viz. The General Assembly Order and Declare, 〈…〉〈…〉 Union and Oath of Association shall remain firm and invi••lable, and in full strength, in all Points, and to all Purposes, until the Articles of the intended Peace shall be ratifi••d in Parlia∣ment; Notwithstanding any Proclamation of the Peace, &c. And on the First of September they explain this, not to Import any thing inconsi∣stent with the Peace, nor to breed an Interruption or Impediment of it, but to farther its Performance.

And tho' this Declaration (notwithstanding any Explanation they could make of it) was diametrically opposite to the Nature and De∣sign of a Peace, because this would reduce them to the Obedience and Condition of Subjects, and that would still keep them up in the Con∣dition of a Separate State; yet there was a deeper Intrigue in this Mat∣ter, viz. That if they would not part with their Association, it neces∣sarily followed, that they could not part with their Army, which was the Ligament and Support of it: And therefore, notwithstanding Gla∣morgan's Concessions, yet that Earl must have Patience, and wait for the expected Succors, until the King should publickly ratifie what his Lordship had privately done; and they did not doubt, but the same Necessities continuing, or rather encreasing, would compel His Ma∣jesty to comply with their Expectations.

And in order to bring about their Designs, they continued the Trea∣ty with Ormond until the 21th of November; and to cloak their In∣trigues, the whole Assembly on the Ninth of September did Vote, That they would send Ten thousand Men to aid the King, and would refer to His Majesty's Pleasure such things about Religion as Ormond either had not Power, or not Inclination to grant. But on the Fifteenth of November following, they did in effect invalidate that Vote, by alledging, That they never undertook the Transportation of the Ten thousand Men to help the King, but intended only their Assistance therein.

Nevertheless, I must not conceal, that the Anti-Nunciotists do aver, That they design'd sincerely to send Succours to the King, and to conclude a Peace with the Marquis of Ormond on the Terms after∣wards agreed on, and to refer the Secret Articles about Religion to His Majesty's Pleasure, wherein they doubted not of as much Con∣descension as His Majesty could safely give, because it had been so promis'd to them by the Earl of Glamorgan: But the Nuncio arriving in Ireland in the nick of this Business, quite altered their Measures and confounded their Affairs: And whether it be so, or not, is scarce worth our Inquiry, since we are sure of these few Truths, That the Confederates sent no Succors at all to the King, nor made the Peace till it was too late, and did most perfidiously break it almost as soon as it was made.

But we must make room for a very extraordinary Man, John Bap∣tista Rinuccini Archbishop and Prince of Firmo, the Pope's Nuncio, who arrived in the River of Kilmair on the 22th day of October: He sent before and brought with him 2000 Swords, 500 Petronels, 20000 Pound of Powder, and Five or Six small Trunks of Spanish Gold; and had in his Train 22 Italians, besides several Clergy-men. His Frigat, which carried but 21 Guns, was closely pursued by Cap∣tain Plunket in a Parliament Ship, and had certainly been taken or sunk, if the Cook-room of the English Ship had not accidentally ta∣ken Fire. Never were People more troubled at a Disappointment, than were the Seamen at this; and yet scarce any Disappointment was ever more lucky: For this Nuncio afterwards renew'd the fatal Distinction between Old Irish and Old English, and split the Irish into Factions, which very much contributed as well to their Infamy as their Ruin.

He was receiv'd at Killkenny by the Supreme Council with extraordi∣nary Joy and Respect, and in a solemn manner was conducted to the Castle; and in the great Hall he made an Oration in Latin to the

Lord Viscount Mountgarret President of the Council; and, amongst other things, he did religiously swear to attempt nothing prejudicial to the King.

Nevertheless, he was so little mindful of that Oath, and had so small regard to the Peace and true Interest even of the Papists of Ire∣land, that tho' he knew, that the King, in hopes of Succors from that Kingdom, did so earnestly desire a Peace, that the Fanaticks re∣vil'd him with being an Humble Suitor to the Rebels for good Terms; yet he made advantage of the King's Necessities, and refus'd any Agreement that should not restore the Ecclesiastical Revenues, and the Splendor of Popery; and accordingly he positively wrote to his intimate Friend the Bishop of Killalla, That if the Supreme Council should agree with Ormond, he would take all the Bishops with him, and leave the Kingdom.

But the Reader must take notice, that all this while Ormond and the English were totally ignorant of the secret Negotiations of the Earl of Glamorgan, until after the Defeat at Sligo, which hapned on the 17th of October, at which time the Titular Archbishop of Tuam was slain, and in his Trunks was sound, amongst other Papers, a Copy of the Articles made with the Earl of Glamorgan, which discovered such an Ocean of Contrivance and Intrigue, as amazed the whole Pro∣testant Party.

The Articles of this Peace, and the Commission it was sounded up∣on, and the Oath taken subsequent to it, are all mentioned Appen∣dix 27. which were so destructive to the Protestant Religion, that Ormond and the Cavaliers could not believe that the King ever in∣tended them; in which Opinion they were confirm'd by the Assevera∣tions of the Lord Digby, That the Earl of Glamorgan had no such Com∣mission, or, if he had, it was surreptitiously obtain'd. But however that were, it was necessary to vindicate His Majesty's Reputation in an Affair so disobliging and scandalous; and therefore the Lord Digby did on the 26th of December Impeach that Earl of Suspicion of Trea∣son at the Council-board; whereupon he was committed to P••ison, and a Committee was appointed to take his Examination, and an Account of this whole Proceeding was on the Fifth of January sent to the King, whose excellent Answer thereunto, is here recited ver∣ba••im, Appendix 28.

But the Earl of Glamorgan upon his Examination confessed, That he made those Concessions, but that it was done under mutual Oaths of Secresie; and, That he conceived he had Warrant for what he did; and, That he did it with design to serve His Majesty, and not to hurt the Protestant Reli∣gion, Circumstances considered; and, That he conceives those Articles are not Obligatory to His Majesty; and, That he did not engage His Majesty's Faith or Honor, further than by shewing his Authority, and leaving it with them.—And then he gave the Committee Counterparts of all the Writings between him and the Irish.

And tho' the King was exceeding angry at the first News of this Affair, as what he foresaw would be made use of by the Parliament to justifie all the Aspersions they had laid upon him in point of Po∣pery; yet when he had calmly considered, that the Earl's Error pro∣ceeded from the Excess of his Loyalty, and that all this was done to hasten the Considerable Succors of Ten thousand Men unto him; That it was to no purpose to consult Ormond in the Point, since it was manifest, (and he had often declar'd as much when the like Articles were formerly propos'd) that he would rather quit the Government, than consent to Articles

so prejudicial to the Protestants: That the Earl had done it with all the Caution and Secresie imaginable, even to the enjoyning it by Oath; so that it did not come to be discovered but by an extraordinary Accident; and that His Majesty remain'd not positively obliged, because of the De∣feasance mentioned also Appendix 27: So that the Penalty was only, That the Army should not serve him till he did ratifie the Agreement; and when the Army was once in England, the Earl thought that the Arti∣cles would easily have been moderated by mutual Consent, rather than it should go back again re infecta. All these things being considered, His Majesty was at length reconcil'd to the Earl, and on the Eighth of July, 1646. by Mr. Walsingham sent his Lordship a most kind and gracious Letter, containing great Assurances both of Favour and Friendship.

On the other side, the Confederates were netled at Glamorgan's Commitment, and the Supreme Council by their Agents did on the Third of January offer to engage for his Appearance, and suggested, that Three thousand Men were ready to be sent to the King, so that nothing was wanting but Shipping for their Transportation, and the Liberty of their design'd General. And on the 36th they renew their Solicitation, and refuse to resume the Treaty until he be releas'd, and urge, that his Consinement retards the Succors intended for Chester: And so on the 21th of January, on his own Recognizance of 20000 l. and the Earls of Kildare and Clanrickard of 10000 l. apiece, that he should appear on Thirty days notice, he was enlarg'd, and soon after went to Kilkenny, where these Three things were recommended to his Care, viz. 1. To hasten the Commissioners to conclude the Peace. 2. To expedite the 3000 Men to the Relief of Chester. And, 3. To get 3000 l. to help pay the Army. To which he return'd these An∣swers, viz. To the First▪ That they will renew the Treaty as soon as the Assembly hath digested Matters for the Commissioners. To the Second, That they are ready, and shall be sent as soon as the Peace is concluded. And to the Third, That it cannot yet be done.

But Glamorgan's Peace being thus discovered, and thereupon dis∣ownd and dissolv'd, the Confederate Commissioners began to think seriously of making a more firm and lasting Agreement with the Marquis of Ormond, who to hasten the Peace, a••d consequently the Succors, had sent his Assent to the Articles in the very Terms propos'd and acquiesc'd in by the Irish Commissioners at the last Meeting.

But the Case was altered; and the Nuncio, and the Clergy, and their Party, who would not be contented with any thing less than Glamor∣gan's Concessions, thinking His Majesty's Condition to be so low and distressed, that he would be necessitated to purchase their Assistance at their own Rate, gave all the Obstruction they could to the present Agreement.

This unexpected Opposition to the Peace, very much embroil'd the Confederates, so that they knew not what to do▪ for, on the one side, they saw the Advantages, yea, even the Necessity of the Peace; and yet it was against the Grain, to determine a Matter of that Im∣portance without the Consent of the Nuncio.

In this Strait they had recourse to a General Assembly, which met in January following; and the Nuncio (representing his Master) sate as President of it; and they sent a Letter of Thanks to the Pope for the great Favour of sending them an Embassador.

The greatest and wisest Part of the Assembly were for the Peace, and therefore did assert, That the King had granted all the Temporal

Conditions they desired, and such as would infallibly render the Popish Party triumphant in that Kingdom, and that it would be easy to get more on a fitter Season, or when they should find occasion to ask again, that even as to Spirituals they had Liberty of Conscience, and all that was necessary to the Exercise and Enjoyment of Religion, and that nothing was wanting but what served for Pomp or Ostentation; and since His Majesty's Circumstances could not ad∣mit the granting of that publickly, they ought to trust the King's good Incli∣nations manifested to them, as well by the Earl of Glamorgan as other∣wise.

They own'd that they ought to obey the Pope's Pleasure in this matter; but they denied that the Pope was against their Opinion: on the contrary, when his Holiness asked Mr. Beling, How the Queen was enclined to the Irish, and was told, That he thought Her Majesty was well affected to them, for that she had lately wrote a Respectful Letter to the Su∣pream Council of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland, by that Title; the Pope replied, That it was no wonder, if the most Serene King thought it un∣safe publickly to grant the Irish the Conditions they demanded, lest it might disoblige His Protestant Subjects, and therefore A CONNIVANCE ought to content them for the present. And accordingly the Pope did ap∣prove of the first Cessation, and the continuance of it.

On the other side the Popish Clergy (who will never be satisfied without the Ecclesiastical Revenues and the Patrimony of the Church) did as stifly urge, That the Lord-Lieutenant should be beaten into better Terms, and that if his Quarters were streightned, and some few of his Garisons taken, he must be forced to comply with their Demands: In a word, they sacrificed the Publick Peace to their Private Interests and Am∣bition, and shewed but small regard, either to His Majesty's Emergen∣cies, or the publick Tranquillity, and with these, sided the beggarly Nobility and Gentry, and the deluded Multitude, who are easily de∣ceived by specious Pretences, especially of Religion, and the sooner, if they are made under the umbrage of Apostolical Authority.

However, the major Vote had then prevailed, if the Nuncio had not again come into the Assembly, and protested (as his manner was) upon the word of a Prince, That an Ambassador from the Queen was (even by the† King's consent) at that instant treating a Peace with the Pope for the Irish, and therefore conjured them not to precipitate any thing in so im∣portant a matter, nor by concluding a dishonourable Agreement so scan∣dalous to the Church, to prevent a more glorious and happy Peace that was designed them.

But though in deference to the Nuncio the business was delayed a day or two, and debated again; yet every body perceiving, that a Peace made at Rome could be of little use to them in Ireland, since it would infallibly disoblige all the Protestants with whom they were to unite, it was, after many Expostulations, at length resolved by the Assembly to conclude the Peace; and it being likewise resolved, rather to trust Eccle∣siastical Matters, to the secret Concessions they expected from the King, than to mention them at all in the Articles with the Limitations agreed on, lest the positive Stipulation might exclude farther hopes, the Vote for the Peace passed unanimously even amongst the Prelates them∣selves.

Hereupon the Nuncio finding it in vain to oppose the Peace directly, he endeavoured by ••••veral artifices and indirect means to elude it; and first, he put in Propositions in writing, containing Reasons why they should defer the publishing or ratification of the Peace, though in effect they amounted to no more than he had formerly offered, viz. That a

more advantageous Agreement was making for them at Rome, and there∣fore they ought to delay the Publication of this Peace in expectation of that.

And although every body perceived the vanity and fallacy of these Propositions, yet the Irish have so great a Veneration, even for the Sha∣dow of the Pope, that they could not deny Respect to his Nuncio, especially when his Request was only for a little time, and so upon this imperti∣nent motion the Peace was delayed till the 28th day of March, and in the mean time Chester was taken from the King, for want of the Suc∣cors promised from Ireland.

But whilst these things were doing, the King on December 2. wrote to the Marquis of Ormond to stop the Peace with the Irish, because he was in hopes of an Accommodation with the Parliament, but that Expectation failing, he did on the 19th of January send new Orders to the Lord Lieutenant to proceed in the Treaty, but adds, That he would rather have a Cessation than a Peace, unless he can be sure that 10000 Irish should be sent to his Assistance in England; to which, Ormond answers, That he deals with such People, that he can be sure of nothing from them, but believes, that they are able to send 6000 Men, and that it is their interest to do it, and that he will not make Peace with them but upon that Condition.

But on the 8th of February the Earl of Glamorgan wrote to the Lord Lieutenant, That it is impossible to make the Irish Nation do any notable Ser∣vice for the King against the hair, and contrary to the Nuncio's Satisfaction. Nevertheless, that Earl was busie in hastening the Irish Forces designed for the Relief of Chester, and in order to it, he hired Ships, and was frequently at Waterford, where we leave him and that Affair until we come to treat of the year 1646.

In Munster we left the Lord of Insiquin in daily expectation of Supplies from England, which came so slowly, that he was not able to draw out more than 1000 Horse and 1500 Foot into the Field; however, he ventured with the Foot to besiege Ballymartyr, and to put Imokilly and Barrymore under Contribution, whilst the Lord of Broghill with the Horse posted near Castle-Lions, and covered his Camp from the Enemy, which, under the Command of the Earl of Castlehaven, was then entered into the County of Cork, to the number of 5000 Foot and 1000 Horse, and upwards.

Castlehaven had rendevouzed near Clonmell, and on the 5th of April marched to Cappoquin, which he took, as also Drumanna and Knockmone; and it is observable, that Sir Richard Osborne, who owned this last Castle, and was in it when it was taken, had all along obeyed the Cesst••on, and did not joyn with Insiquin; nevertheless Castlehaven denyed him the benefit of the Cessation, but took his Castle by force, and therefore the Lord Lieutenant did, by his Letters of the 25th of April, write to the Lord Muskry, and the rest of the Supreme Council, for its Restitu∣tion.

But to proceed: This General of the Confederate Army having received a Repulse at Lismore, marched to Mitchelstown, which he burnt; and then it was that Lieut. Gen. Purcell, with the Irish Horse, advanced be∣yond Formoy, towards Castle-Lions, and it happened luckily that the Lord Broghill, who went the night before to suppress a Mutiny at Yoghall, returned that morning before the Fight: It will be easily be∣lieved, That he was amazed to find the Lieutenant Colonels Ridgway and Banister (whom he knew to be sober men) so drunk, that they were not able to give a pertinent Answer to any Question he asked them; never∣theless

it so happened to them by the Knavery of an Irish Sutler, who purposely brought to the Camp a Cask of Drink made of Rilea, which has that intoxicating Quality. However the Lord Broghill (as his fa∣shion was) encouraged his Men, and assured them, That by the help of God he would beat the Enemy, and bid them not to be discouraged at the Flight of any of their Fellows, because what would happen of that kind, would be done by his order upon Design, and accordingly he did command Major Peisley to keep the Road, and after his Squadron of 80 Horse had fired their Carbines, to fly and rally again in the Rear of him, and so he drew up a quarter of a mile farther from the Enemy; and, according to his expectation, the Irish came boldly up to Peisly, and upon his flight they pursued with great violence and disorder, and 800 Foot followed them to the expected Execution. This was some advantage to the English, who were drawn up in Battalia; never∣theless the Irish, with the help of their Foot, maintained the Fight with great bravery, so that one Troop of the English Horse ran away to Bally∣ma••tir, with the news of the supposed Defeat; but those that stayed behind bestirred themselves so effectually, that they gained a noble Vi∣ctory; and if they had had 1000 Foot, they might have destroyed Castlehaven's Army, and would have attempted it as it was, but for a stout Sergeant and 40 Musquetiers, who kept in a Wood, through which they were to pass, and shot so often, that the Lord Broghill suspe∣cted the whole Irish Army was posted there.

The consequence of this Victory was the taking of Ballymartir and Rostilion, and then this small Army returned to Cork; and because Ro∣stilion, was not tenable, Colonel Henry O Bryan, (the Lord In••iquin's Bro∣ther) and Colonel Courtny, were sent to demolish it; but the Earl of Castlehaven having taken Mallow, Doneraile, Liscarroll, and Milltown, marched to Rostilion and took it, and in it the aforesaid two Colonels, whom he made Prisoners; but he had not so good luck in his next at∣tempt, for a Party of his going to plunder the great Island, were by Major Power (who had not at first above 30 Horse, but afterwards was rein∣forced by two Companies of Foot) so handled, that they left five hundred of their Companions dead upon the place; however he after∣wards took Castle-Lions, Cony-Castle, and Lismore, which last place was bravely defended by the same Major Power and 100 of the Earl of Cork's Tenants, to the Slaughter of 500 of the Besiegers, until their Powder being spent, they surrendred upon honourable Conditions.

After this, Castle••aven went to besiege Youghall, a weak and untenable place, and lay before it many weeks; and having received several con∣siderable Baffles by the handful of Men that were within the Town, he was at last forced to raise the Siege, and close the Campagne with that misfortune. And thus Matters stood in Munster till the latter end of the year, at which time, In••iquin sent 500 Foot and 100 Troopers to seize upon the Castle of Bunratty, which they performed, and there found Horses enough to mount their Cavalry.

And as for Conaught, it was under a Triumvirate of Presidents, the Lord Dillon of C••stilo was the King's President, and Sir Charles Coot was the Parliaments, and the Titular Archbishop of Tuam was commissioned by the Confederates.

But Coot was too hard for both his Rivals, and being united with the Lagan Forces under Sir Robert 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Colonel Awdly Mervin, &c. they made up in all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Regiments, with which they marched through Conaught, and burnt the Country to within 6 miles of Galloway, with∣out meeting an Enemy in the Field, they also took Sligo with the loss

of Twenty of their own Men, and the Slaughter of One hundred and twenty of the Rebels; and Colonel, Mervin being chosen by a Council of War to be Governour of Sligo, as he well deserved, was never∣theless by means of the Scots put by that Command which was given to Sir Robert Stewart; whereupon Colonel Mervin came away discontented and notified to the Lord Lieutenant his Design of adhering to the King.

Hereupon the Confederates gave the Lord Taaf the Command of an Army to relieve Conaught, and he issued forth a terrible Declaration, That whoever did not submit to his Majesties Commission, conferred on him within two days after Notice, should be treated as an Enemy, and on the 4th of August he summoned Castlecoot, which returned this Answer, That they neither broke the Cessation, no•• used Hostility at any time but when the Irish began; That their misbehaviour forced them to correspond with the Scots, whom they did not know, or believe to be declared Enemies of the King; That they would always submit to the Kings Pleasure, but may not in any sort confide in such breach of Faith, at they always find from the Irish Nation to their Party, and instanced the burning of their Hay, even then in the time of the Treaty, and they desire a Copy of his Commission, which his Lordship pretended was from the Lord Lieutenant.

And so his Lordship finding no good to be done upon Castlecoot at that time, marched to Tulak, which he took by Assault the 17th of August; and having besieged Abby Boyle in vain, after the Garison for their better defence were forced to burn the Town, he agreed, that upon an Oath of Fidelity, and to observe the Cessation, they should be no farther molested; and the like Agreements were made with the Castles of Cambo and Lissidarne, and it seems, that afterwards the Irish Army returned to the Siege of Castlecoot, and forced it to surrender a∣bout the 10th day of September.

In the mean time, on the 16th of August the Bishop of Elphin, and his Son Captain Tilson by Letter submitted to the Lord Dillon President of Conaught, and on the 19th the Lord President at the Head of the Army came thither accompanied with the Lord Taaf; and told the Bishop, that Captain Tilson and his Foot Company must quit the Ca∣stle of Elphin within two hours, and tho' they offered to take any Oath of Fidelity to His Majesties Service, and the Bishop offered to stand obliged for the performance of what they should Promise or Swear; yet all would not do, but the Lord President, and Lord Taaf having at length condescended to Sign some Articles for their Security, they marcht out of the Castle into the Village; and the Lord President and his Guard lodged in the Castle that Night, and af∣terwards left it under the Command of Captain John Brown, who ad∣mitted Boetius Egan, the Titular Bishop of Elphin into the Castle on the 7th of September, being accompanied with Sir Lucas Dillon, and they made a Guard for the Bishop on the Knee, from the Gate to the Church, where the Bishop Rung one Bell, and one of the Six Fryars accompanying him, Rung another (I suppose by way of Livery and Seizin) they also burnt Incense, and sprinkled Holy water; and the next day (being the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin) they said several Masses in the Cathedral Church, and the Bishop preached there, and he was so vain and confident in his present Possession, that he sent word to the Protestant Inhabitants, That if they would continue his Te∣nants, he would use them no worse than the former Bishop had done: But that which the poor Bishop Tilson complained of in his Letter the 29th of December, to the Lord Taaf is; That none of the Conditions made with

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him and his Son were observed, but that the Titular Bishop kept his Books and some of his Goods, and turned out his Servant; so that he was dam∣nified to the value of Four hundred Pounds, and it appears by another Letter of the Bishops, that when the Titular Bishop was urged with the aforesaid Agreements and Articles; He reply'd, That that was past and out of date.

Upon complaint of these Matters to the Lord Lieutenant, and that the Irish refused to permit the Clergy of the Diocess of Elphin, to Le∣vy any of their Dues, alledging that the Bishop was outed by His Majesties Commission; his Excellency did send positive Orders, to re∣store the Bishop to the Castle of Elphin, but in vain, for the Lord President writes back, That he had used his utmost indeavours with the Lord Taaf, but could not prevail, because of some Dangers he pretend∣ed from Sir Charles Coot and the Scots.

In the mean time, the Titular Archbishop of Tuam was not idle, but with Two thousand Foot, and Three hundred Horse he surrounded, and endeavoured to retake the Town of Sligo; but there being about Two hundred Horse got into the Town under Captain Richard Coot, and Captain Cole, they Sallied out on the 17th of October; and being well Seconded by Colonel Sanderson, and a good Party of Foot, they got a considerable Victory, and by the help of Sir Francis Hamiltons Troop, which came in the nick of time, they did great Execution, the Archbishop himself was slain, and all the Baggage was taken, and One hundred and fifty Horse, and many Colours and some Prisoners of Note; and it was at this time, that the Articles of Glamorgans Peace were found in this Prelates Trunk or Pocket, as hath been already mentioned.

And soon after, this small Party being reinforced with part of the Legan Army, took in Thirteen Castles in the Barony of Tyreragh, with much Corn and other Provisions therein, which exceedingly en∣larged their Quarters, and plentifully supplied them with some Accom∣modations, which else they would have sensibly wanted in the follow∣ing Winter.

And as to Ulster, the Military Transactions were inconsiderable this Year; for Owen Roe had so small a Force that he Acted defensively, and the Lagan Army was employed in Conaught; and the Scots were for the most part called home to quench the Flames in their own Country, so that I find nothing worth mentioning, except a defeat given to Five hundred of Owen Roe's Men, by a far less Party of Sir William Cole's, which hapned near Lowtherston on the 20th of November.

But in October Mr. Annesly, Sir Robert King, and Colonel Beale (who had in May before been by the Parliament appointed Commissioners for Ulster) arrived in Ireland, and brought with them Provisions and Ammunition, and Twenty thousand Pound in Money; but for want of a Quorum of Scotch Commissioners to joyn with them, little or no∣thing was methodically done.

However, their Arrival yielded an opportunity to the Lord Lieu∣tenant to begin a Treaty with them, wherein he proposed to himself one of three things. viz. Either, that he might be able to per∣swade them to unite against the common Enemy, or during that Ne∣gotiation, might convert some part of the British Army to his Maje∣sties interests, or by the fear and apprehension of these things quicken the Irish, to a speedy and reasonable Peace: And Mr. Galbreth who was entrusted with this important Secret, did so well execute his Com∣mission, that he mist his design very narrowly; and these Commissio∣ners were amused to that Degree, that they wrote the following Let∣ter

to the Speaker, but in two or three days after they found out the Secret of this Affair, and so the design vanished.

Honourable Sir,

THere are some Passages which we omitted in our Letters to the Com∣mittee, because we judge it expedient to express them in Cipher, the Rebels grew higher in their Demands, since the Kings Affairs have been in a declining Condition, which with abusing the Kings Name and Authority in the taking our Garison in Conaught, and turning the English out of some of them, hath so incensed the Marquis of Ormond, that he desires but Power and Opportunity to break off all Treaty and fall upon them; and in Order thereunto we have had an Overture, by one that came from him to us, for the British and Scots Forces to joyn with him against the Rebels upon these Conditions.

First, That the Treaty between England and Scotland should be ob∣served.

Secondly, That the Covenant should not be prest upon the Forces under his Lordships Command, and that it should be left free for those of them that would, to use the Common Prayer Book, and the established Government, till the King and Parliament settle some other.

Thirdly, That the British Army be left to the chief Governour for the time being, he appointing them a Governour of their own chusing.

Fourthly, That every Party out of his Estate, or Charge be restored.

Fifthly, That none be sent out of the Kingdom, without Consent on both Parts.

Sixthly, That some Ammunition be lent to them of Dublin.

Seventhly, For our Security Drogheda should be given into our hands, We giving Assurance, that use should not be made of it against his Lordship.

Eightly, Both Parties to swear to perform; We suppose some good effect might be produced from these beginnings, but without the Scots Commissio∣ners we have no Power, and therefore expect your Directions therein, and desire that in the mean while they may be kept Secret; for if any Notice of a Transaction in this kind come to the Rebels, it would hazard the putting Dublin and those Parts into their hands; the Proposition is the more conside∣rable, because your Armies here will much want a Port in Leinster for a Magazine; but we shall do nothing in it till we hear from you, but what may keep you on Expectation. Having nothing more to advertise of them at Present, We remain,

Your most humble Servants,

• Arthur Annessey,
• Robert King,
• William Beale.

Belfast this 19th of Novemb. 1645.

If you think fit to proceed, we doubt not but to bring the Business into far better Conditions then proposed.

But on the Sixteenth of February these Commissioners did by their Letter from Belfast offer to treat with the Lord Lieutenant; but he foresaw they would not submit to His Majesty's Authority, without which he could not incorporate with them: Besides, he was too far advanced in the Treaty with the Irish, to stop it upon such slender Ex∣pectations, and therefore he was reserv'd in his Answer to this Ad∣dress:

And they finding by his Coldness to them, that he had closed with the Irish, or at least design'd it, they broke off this Negotiation the very same day whereon the Irish Peace was concluded.

The Year 1646. opened with the Conclusion of the Peace, the Ar∣ticles of which being drawn by Mr. Darcy and Mr. Browne, were per∣fected on the 28th of March, and deposited as an Escrol in the Hands of the Marquis of Clanriccard, until some Conditions promised by the Irish (in a separate Instrument) which were to be fulfill'd by the First of April, should be performed, which were never done; and if they had been honestly performed, yet those Succors would have come too late; for thus the Secretary of State writes from Oxford, (26 March) That for want of Supplies from Ireland, the Army in the West of England is disbanded; so that now Supplies will do no good. Nevertheless, the Irish knew nothing of this, and therefore pretended to be very dili∣gent in getting their Men together, and Ships were prepar'd, and the Lords of Antrim and Glamorgan were at Waterford to forward the Bu∣siness; and on the Third of April the Supreme Council wrote to the Lord Lieutenant, That they had Six thousand Men ready, and desired they may be Mustered; But notwithstanding all this, it is believed, that they never really intended to send any Succors to the King; for the Lord Muskery the very same day, (viz. the Third of April) and by their Command, signified to the Lord Lieutenant the Difficulties of their En∣terprize in England, and desired that they might be imployed against the King's Enemies in Ireland. And being resolv'd to imploy those For∣ces as they pleas'd, whatever Directions Ormond should give to the contrary, they did on the same Third of April discharge the Ships at Waterford from Demurrage; and without expecting an Answer to their Message, they did within a day or two after (without the Lord Lieu∣tenant's privity) imploy most part of those Forces againg the English at Bunratty, and on the Eighth of April sent the Lord Lieutenant word, That a Fleet was seen at Sea, which they were afraid would land Men near the Sheuin, and therefore they had sent Three thousand of the Forces design'd for England to reduce Bunratty: So that no more of the Irish Army was sent over than Three hundred Men, under Milo Power, which were design'd a Guard for the Prince of Wales, and went to him to Scilly, together with the Lord Digby, in May, in order to con∣vey the Prince into Ireland.

Whereupon Ormond, who was as sensible as any Man alive of the Levity of the Irish, having receiv'd a Letter from the King of the Third of April, recommending to his especial Care the Management of His Majesty's Affairs in Ireland, as he shall conceive most for the King's Ho∣nor and Service, caused that Letter to be printed, that the Irish might know, that there was no Peace to be expected from any other Hand than his: And having informed the King by his Letter of the Seventh of April, That the Treaty was so far concluded, that Matters of Religion were submitted to His Majesty, and the King oblig'd to nothing unless as∣sisted in Proportion and Time mentioned in His Majesty's Letter of the First of December; he was as industrious as could be to make that Peace effectual to His Majesty, by a speedy Publication, and a considerable Supply:—But finding the promised Succors diverted another way, he began to despair of any Good from the Confederates.

And whilst he was in this Opinion, the Earl of Argile and the rest of the Scots Commissioners being come over, endeavoured by their Letter of the Fifteenth of April to renew the Treaty with him, and tho' they did propose to have some of their Soldiers admitted into

Dublin, and that Ormond should submit to King and Parliament, yet there were mutual Passports granted for Commissioners to Treat and the Interest of both Parties centring in the Prosecution of the Common Enemy, inclin'd them to Moderation; and gave great hopes of Suc∣cess; when the News of the King's Surrender to the Scots drew Ar∣gile home to his own Country, and so the Treaty was dissolved.

However, Ormond and the Irish could not agree; and it is no won∣der, for they aim'd at quite different Ends. The Confederates de∣sign'd to expel the English out of Ireland, under the Names of Fana∣ticks, Parliamentarians, the King's Enemies, &c. and Ormond design'd to get Ten thousand Irish to be sent to the King's Assistance in England. The Irish intended to preserve their Government in the Form of a distinct Republick; and the Lord Lieutenant hoped to reduce them to the Condition of Subjects: And accordingly their Negotiations were managed on both Sides with a Tendency to their respective Ends; insomuch that the Confederates, in the Sixth Article of their Instru∣ctions of the Seventeenth of April, to Mr. Nicholas Plunket, order him to let his Excellency know, That if he cause the Articles of Peace (deposited with the Lord Clanriccard) to be proclaim'd, that then they must publish those Articles concerning Religion made with the Earl of Gla∣morgan; and that it is not in their power to do otherwise, for fear of losing their Foreign Friends, and the danger of a Rupture at home. But in the Two next Instructions they add, That if Ormond will agree, that they may on all Sides fight to clear the Kingdom of the Common Enemy, that then their Councils in Civil and Martial Matters shall be manag'd by his Advice, and he shall have as much Influence over their Debates, us if he sat at the Board; and as much Power as he was to have by the Articles during the Interval of Parliament. And in their Additional Instructions of the Tenth of May, they repeat to the same effect, and desire the Nuncio may be countenanced, and order their Agent to declare, how they may be necessitated not to relie more upon his Excellency, if he keep himself longer in suspence.

But, on the other side, the Lord Lieutenant very well unerstood the Inconvenience of joyning with the Irish by way of League, which would be a tacit Allowance of their Government; and therefore re∣solved not to unite with them upon any other Terms than that of the Peace: And tho' he stood in great need of an Agreement with them, yet not having fresh Orders to proceed in the Peace, since the Con∣dition of Transporting Men was not perform'd, he could not have published the Peace if they would have consented to it; and therefore he was glad to find them making Objections against it; to which he return'd this Answer, That if they publish'd Glamorgan's Articles, that then he would in the Name of the King publickly disavow them, as His Majesty had already done. And in this manner the Intercourse and Correspondence between them was kept afoot; and upon the Arri∣val of the Lord Digby, on the Fourth of July, with positive (Verbal) Orders to make the Peace, they began to treat more closely. Ne∣vertheless, that did not hinder the Confederates from pursuing their little Advantages underhand, as appears by the following Letter of the Thirteenth of July, from some of their Leading Men, to General Preston.

WE beseech you, in plain English, give no Credit to my Lord Digby, nor to any that goeth double ways, and remember Lucan.— Seem nevertheless to trust him, and lose no Advantage upon any Pretence

whatsoever, when you may do it with Safety.—If the Enemy have the Harvest quel consequences.—As you are a Catholick, or Patriot, Spare no Man that will not joyn with you, for Kindred, Religion, or any other Pre∣tence whatsoever.—If the King's Condition doth not forthwith Master the Parliament, it will beget a bloody War there; if he do absolutely Master them, judge in both Cases how necessary it is the Army and Nation be considerable, and able to stand upon their own Legs.—Burn or Master the Enemies Corn and Hay, till the Body of the Army come with resulted Strength: Se∣veral strong Parties may do good Service.—In case you undertake Trim or Minooth, be sure to Master Naas, Siggings••own, and Harristown; and rather Demolish them than they should do hurt. If Siggingstown and Har∣ristown be not burnt, they will do the Country hurt.

For your Lordship and General Birne only.

But in the midst of the Treaty between Ormond and the Irish there happened two strange Accidents; the one was the King's Surrender of himself to the Scots near Newark, the Fifth of May; and the other was a great Victory Owen Roe obtain'd over the Scots and British at Bem∣burb, on the Fifth of June, which exposed the whole Province of Ul∣ster to his Mercy, if the Nuncio's Avocation of him, to oppose the Supream Council, had not prevented it, as shall be shewn hereafter: But these two grand Accidents must be handled apart, and it is but Rea∣son and Duty that we give preference to that of the King.

His Majesty was not a little influencd by the Queen, and upon her account by the French, who had an Agent in the Scots Camp; they pre∣tended Zeal for the King's Re-establishment; and the Cardinal did really give the Lord Digby 10000 Pistols for the Service of Ireland, which he brought to the Marquis of Ormond in July: Nevertheless, by what they did to the Irish Agents in France, and the sequel of the whole Affair, it is manifest that they were Ambodexters, and their In∣terest lying in the Confusion and Desol••tion of these Kingdoms, they did what they could to keep them embroil'd.

However the King confided much in this French Agent; and it was he that managed the Treaty between His Majesty and the Scots; and either he did really obtain, or persuaded the King that he had got from them, these following Concessions, viz. 1. That they would not endeavour to Force his Conscience. 2. That they would afford a safe Retreat amongst them to all His Majesties faithful Servants and Adherents. And 3. That by Force or Treaty they would endeavour to reestablish him in his just Rights. And upon these Terms the King went from Oxford to the Scots Camp near Newark, from whence they removed him to Newcastle.

And whilst he was there▪ lying under the deep Resentments of the Ingratitude and Perfidy of the Irish Rebels, who always height∣ned their Demands, as his Necessities encreased, and clogg'd their Pro∣mises of Succours with harder Conditions than were fit to put upon any Christian, not to say their King, viz. the Subversion of the Religion he profest; he was prevail'd upon, by his Letter of the 11th of June 1646. to prohibit the Marquis of Ormond from Treating with them any ••arther.

To this Letter the Lord Lieutenant and Council returned the fol∣lowing Answer; That they will not proceed in the Treaty, and that the Rebels have three Armies in the Field, viz. Munster Army, which is before Bunratty; Conaught Army, which is before Roscomon; and Ulster Ar∣my, which hovers towards Dublin; and that the Parliament Frigats are in

the Harbor, and all over the Coast, hindering Provisions, &c. from coming to them, and that the Cessation will determine the 13th of July, and that they have but 13 Barrels of Powder, and want all other Necessaries for the War, and therefore they hope to renew the Cessation for a month; and in the mean time do earnestly pray for Supplies; adding, That they cannot be sure, that those that unprovoked fell upon them in a time of Quiet, will not break a Cessation, as soon as they find themselves baffled in their Expectations of a Peace.

And as to the unfortunate Battel at Bemburb, wherein the Lord Blany was slain, and the Lord Mongomery was taken Prisoner, as soon as it was over, Mr. Annesly and Mr. Beale, by their Letters, importuned the Lord Lieutenant to declare against the Irish, which at that time he could not presently do, in regard of the Cessation, that was not then expired; but upon the Tenth of June the Lord Folliot, Monroe, and Sir Charles Coot, joyned with the others in an Address to the Marquis of Ormond to the same purpose; and the Lord Folliot and Mr. Galbreth came with it, although they had no safe Conduct or Passport for doing so, which is the more strange, because those Commissioners (Mr. Annesly and Beale) had refused a Pass to a Messenger, Ormond would have sent to the King, unless they might know his Errand, and because in this Address they did not give Ormond the Title of Lord-Lieutenant. Nevertheless his Excel∣lency answered them, That he would joyn with them, and (as soon as the Cessation expired, viz. 13 July) would declare against the Com∣mon Enemy; Provided they would submit to His Majesties Authority. But they (who had all their Support from the Parliament) could not do that; and so this Negotiation determined without effect.

And in this condition stood Affairs, when on the Fourth of July 1646. the Lord Digby, one of the Secretaries of State, and afterwards Earl of Bristol, returned to Dublin from France, and assured the Marquis of Ormond, That notwithstanding the King's Letter of the Eleventh of June, (which was extorted from him by Duress, and proceeded from Igno∣rance of the posture of Affairs in Ireland, and particularly of the Ad∣vances of the Treaty of peace) it was His Majesties Pleasure, That a Peace should be concluded with the Irish, and that he had a positive verbal Message from the King to that purpose; and thereof he made a solemn and formal Protestation before the Lord Lieutenant and Council, which being reduced to Writing, was entred at large in the Council-Book at Dublin on the Twenty eighth of July; and thereupon they proceeded to the Conclusion of the Peace, which was perfected on the Thirtieth of July, and is contained in the Articles mentioned, Appendix 24. And the next day they wrote to His Majesty a full account of what they had done, and desired His Majesty to send them no more Verbal Orders, espe∣cially such as contradict the Written ones, lest they want Vouchers of their Obe∣dience to His Majesties Commands, and be thought Disloyal in doing those things, which nothing but Duty could make them do.

The Peace being thus made, was solemnly Proclaim'd in Dublin, and by General Preston in his Camp; and the King at Arms, and those of the Heralds-Office, (to the number of Ten) with all their Formalities, were on the Sixth of August sent to Proclaim it in the other Cities and Corporations of the Kingdom, of whose Journey I will give an account in due time. The Lord-Lieutenant did also send a kind Letter of the Third of August to Owen Roe, to invite him to Dublin, to give his As∣sistance towards the Settlement of the Nation; and that General did on the Seventeenth return a very civil Answer, importing, That as yet he had no authentick Notice of the Peace from his former Masters, but as soon

as he should have it, he would hasten to pay his Duty to the Lord-Lieutenant. And on the Eleventh of August the Protestant Clergy made a grateful Remonstrance of Thanks to His Excellency, for his Care of Religion and the Kingdom.

In the mean time, the restless and indefatigable Nuncio had summon'd all the Popish Clergy to Waterford, under pretence of an Apostolick Visitation, and to prepare for a National Synod; the famous Nicholas French, Bishop of Ferns, was Chancellor of this Congregation, which being assembled, (notwithstanding their holy Pretences) did nothing else but consult how to break the Peace they had so lately consented to; and being puft up with the Success their Forces had met with this Sum∣mer, and taking advantage of the distressed condition of His Majesty and his Army, these Holy Fathers made short work with the Peace; for on the 12th of August, which was just a Fortnight after it was made, they declared all those perjur'd that would submit to it, and by solemn Decree rejected it, as not having sufficiently provided for the Liberty and Splendor of Religion. And they afterwards strictly prohibited all their people from obeying the Peace, or paying Contributions to the King, or to any that obeyed it, on pain of Excommunication ipso facto: which on the Fifth of October was formally issued, with Notes, as it is recited, Appendix 31.

But now it is time to look after our Heralds, who (as hath been al∣ready mentioned) left Dublin on the Sixth of August, in order to pro∣claim the Peace in the other Cities and Corporations: They came to Waterford the Eighth, where they were so unwelcome to all the people, that no body would shew them the Mayor's House, until at length a little Boy did it for Sixpence; but the Mayor would not be seen for above four hours, and when he was told their Errand, he asked, why they did not first proclaim the Peace at Kilkenny; and they answered, That they pursued their Orders, and supposed the Reason might be, because Waterford was, next to Dublin, one of the most ancient and considerable Cities in the Kingdom. However, after three day stay, they could get no other Answer, but that the Peace should be first pro∣claimed at Kilkenny; and the Rabble threatned to send them packing with Withes about their Necks, unless they made haste away.

From Waterford they went to Kilkenny, where they were received with Respect, and the Peace was there proclaimed even with excess of Joy and Pageantry. It was also proclaimed at Calan, Fethard, and Cashell; but Clonmell would not receive it until it should first be published at Limerick.

It was in the Evening of the Twentieth of August when they came to Limerick, where they found the Gates shut, so that they had no ad∣mittance till the next day Noon, and then were civilly treated by the Mayor, who was for the Peace; however that day they could not agree, but on the Twenty second it was carried by the major Vote of the Al∣dermen and Council, That the Peace should be proclaimed, and all things were prepared accordingly: Whereupon Fryer Wolf, with an armed Rabble of above 500, came to the High-Cross, and denounced Excom∣munication against the Adherers to the Peace. Nevertheless the Mayor (who lived near the Cross) was coming out in his formalities to make the Proclamation; but the Rabble with hideous Outcries drove them back again, and followed them into the House, and pursued them even from Chamber to Chamber; they wounded the Mayor and the King at Arms, and drag'd them to Prison; and they mortally wounded the Pursivant Henry King, and most of the rest were likewise wounded,

and all were Imprisoned for about 10 days, and the Mayor's House was broken and pillaged; and during all this Tumult the Fryers cryed out, Kill, kill, kill, and I'le Absolve you. And what is yet more strange, is, That the Mayor was afterwards turned out, and Dominick Fanning (a principal Incendiary in this Commotion) was made Mayor in his room, and was by Letters from the Nuncio thanked for what he had done, and encouraged to go on, and the Apostolical Benediction was imparted to him, for committing such an Outrage upon the Privileged Person of an Herald, as all other Nations in the World would abhor.

But to proceed; The Congregation at Waterford did also, under the pain of Excommunication, prohibit the Lords Mountgarret and Muskry from going to Dublin, to consult the execution of the Peace; neverthe∣less they went, and in the Name of the Supreme Council invited Ormond to Kilkenny, as well to countenance the Peace, as to stop Insiquin's progress in Munster, who triumphed over all Opposers, and put the Country under Contribution as far as the Black Water.

Hereupon Ormond (having first sent Daniel O Neal with great Offers to Owen Roe, whom nothing could satisfie but the British Estates in Ulster) prepared for his Journy, and in the latter end of August he went to Kil∣kenny with about 200 Horse and 1200 Foot, which small Party was a Guard more for State than Security, for what need an Army amongst Friends?

His Excellency was received at Kilkenny with all imaginable Triumph and Respect, and intended in conjunction with the Irish to march into Munster, to force Insiquin likewise to submit to the Peace; but when he understood, what the Clergy had done, and were doing at Waterford, he sent some of Quality thither, to perswade them not to interrupt the Peace, which was likely to be so advantageous to the King and the People, he offered his Lady and Children for Hostages, that they should not be disturbed in the Possession of the Churches they then had, (which was the Secret Article not mentioned in the Publick, and purposely so contrived by the Popish Bishop of Clogher, that on occasion they might the easier incense the Rabble, by shewing that there was no provision for Religion in the printed Articles:) But all that he or the Supreme Council could do was to no purpose, for the Nuncio and Clergy were resolved to have their wills, or perish.

And that this may plainly appear, it will be fit to give a short Ac∣count of the Negotiation between the Supreme Council and the Popish Clergy, which was thus:

On the 24th day of August 1646, the Congregation at Waterford pub∣lished a Declaration to be transmitted with the following Propositions at large, and in Print, to the Supreme Council.

• I. That the Earl of Glamorgan's Articles, grounded upon the King's Au∣thority, be printed, and be made as firm and obliging as the present Peace; that the Confederates do oblige themselves by Union, Oath, and otherwise, to insist upon the same Articles, and them to maintain, till confirmed (with the present Peace) next Parliament. And whereas it appears by His Majesty's Letters taken at Naseby; that Ormond had Power to Repeal Penal Laws, and Suspend Poyning's Act, the Confederates expect the benefit thereof to be added to the Articles of the Peace, and that those Letters be made Pub∣lick.
• ...

• ... II. That the Generals of Ulster and Leinster be made General of the Horse and Major General of the Field, and all other Catholick Officers continued, if not advanced.
• III. That no Garison be added, nor Tax be imposed upon them, till Parlia∣ment, without Confent of some or one of the Commissioners of the Interval to see Equality.
• IV. That the 7th Article of the Peace be changed as touching Universities, and that the Institution and Discipline of them be Catholick.
• V. That in all places to be recovered from the Parliament, Roman Catho∣licks be restored to Estates, Privileges, &c. and that the Free Exercise of their Religion be secured to them, and all other Catholicks that shall please to dwell there.

And if the Supreme Council do not approve of these Propositions, then let them do one of these things, viz. Retain their Civil and Military Power within their own Quarters, independent as heretofore, until His Holiness's and His Majesty's Pleasure can be known, and in the mean time both Parties persue the Common Enemy: Or else, let them refer it to a General Assembly to be imme∣diately called.

To this Declaration, and these Propositions, the Supreme Council on the 10th of September returned the following Answer, viz.

To the First; That they will Print and Publish Glamorgan's Articles, and insist on them as being Obligatory to the King, and get them confirmed next Par∣liament, and no interruption shall be given them in the mean time. That the Repeal of the Penal Laws was purposely omitted in the Peace, as being less than Glamorgan's Concessions, and therefore might derogate from them; and the Suspension of Poyning's Act was by unanimous Consent omitted for saving of Time.

To the Second; That they shall be sufficiently provided for.

To the Third; No constant Garisons shall be put into Corporations, &c. nor Levies made but for Publick Service, and proportionably to the rest of the Country, and some of the Members of the Corporation shall be privy there∣unto.

To the Fourth; 'Tis implyed, else how can they be for the use of the Catho∣lick Youth, if the Discipline be not Catholick?

To the Fifth; It is done already, and if not, shall be taken care of.

And you shall have Security to have the Penal Laws repealed the next Parlia∣ment, and shall not be molested in your Religion or Ecclesiastical Possessions till then.

This Answer so baffled the Congregation, that all the Reply they could make, was, That the Lord Lieutenant was gone out of their Quar∣ters; and that the Supreme Council, being part of the Confederate Body, could be no Security to the rest for what they promised; and that the Peace being once rejected, could not be reassumed or revived, but by a General As∣sembly.

And to manifest that they were in earnest, they had prevailed with the Bishop of Ossory, long before this, to Publish, a very extraordinary Instrument in form following.

WHEREAS We have in publick and private Meetings, at several times, declared to the Supreme Council and others whom it may concern; That it was, and is unlawful, and against Conscience, the implying Perjury (as it hath been defined by the Special Act of the Convocation at Waterford) to both Commonwealths, Spiritual and Temporal, to do or concur to any Act, ••ending to the Approbation, or countenancing the Publication of this unlawful and mischievous Peace, so dangerous (as it is now Articled) to both Commonwealths, Spiritual and Temporal: And whereas, notwithstanding our De∣claration, yea, the Declaration of the whole Clergy of the Kingdom to the contrary, the Supreme Council and the Commissioners, have actually proceeded to the Publi∣lication, yea, and forcing it upon the City▪ by Terror and Threats, rather than by any free Consent or Desire of the People. We having duly considered and taken it to heart, (as it becometh us) how enormous this Fact is and appears in Catho∣licks, even against God himself, and what a publick Contempt of the Holy Church, it appeareth, beside the Evil it is like to draw upon this poor Kingdom, after a mature Deliberation and Consent of our Clergy, in detestation of this hei∣nous and scandalous Disobedience of the Supreme Council, and others who have adhered to them in matters of Conscience to the Holy Church, and in hatred of so hurtful and abominable an Act, do by these Presents, according to the prescription of the Sacred Canons, Pronounce and Command henceforth a General Cessation of Divine Offices throughout all the City and Suburbs of Kilkenny, in all Churches, Monasteries, and Houses in them whatsoever.

Given at Our Palace of Nova Curia the 18th of August, 1646.

David Ossoriensis.

The Peace being thus rejected, the Nuncio, like a true Son of Thun∣der, prepares for War, and in order to it he borrowed a good Sum of of Money from the Spanish Agent Don Diego de la Torres; and he recal∣led Preston out of Conaught, and ordered Owen Roe to intercept the Lord Lieutenant in his return to Dublin.

In the mean time the Marquis of Ormond, who did not suspect that there could be so much Perfidiousness and Treachery amongst Christians, went forward from Kilkenny to Carrick, and so to Clonmell; and though he was denyed entrance into that Town, and had notice that Colonel Peirce But∣ler alias Mac Thomas (from whom he expected better things) was ready with 500 Horse to disturb his March; nevertheless he went towards Cashell, but the Mayor of that place sent him word, That Owen Roe had threatned that City with utter Destruction, if they should Receive or Entertain his Excellency, and at the same time he had (from the Lord Dil••on of Costilo) full information of the whole Design to intercept him; and thereupon he marched that night to Calan, and the next day to Loghlin∣bridge, before Owen Roe (who was within 6 miles of Kilkenny) could overtake him, and so he got•• safely to Dublin, where he was received with all that Joy which Friends usually express at the arrival of those they gave for lost.

From Calan his Excellency sent the Lord Digby to Kilkenny, to ac∣quaint the Supreme Council with his Return, and the Reasons of it, and to stay Leiger with them; and he also sent some of his Servants for some Necessaries he had left at his own house in Kilkenny; but when they came there, they found this Inconstant City, (which few days before had received the Lord Lieutenant with Acclamations of Joy) pulling

down the Monuments of his Entertainment, (viz. the Devices on the Gates and Market cross, and other Matters of Pageantry) and expres∣sing so much Passion and Malice against him, that most of his Ser∣vants were forced to withdraw, and those few that staid were oblig'd to remain incognito.

However, the Supreme Council ordered Sir Lucas Dillon and Doctor Fennell by Letters to assure his Excellency, That notwithstanding what had hapned, there should be no farther Hostilities us'd; whereof Or∣mond took hold, and desir'd them to ascertain a competent Time of Cessation, that they might come to a right Understanding: Where∣unto they made no Reply; but in stead of that, Ormond had certain Advice from other Hands, That Owen Roe had fallen into the Queens County with great violence, and had taken several Castles from the King's Party, and destroy'd all that oppos'd him; and particularly, that his Soldiers had in Cold Blood murdered Major Piggot, and Fifty others, at Disert, to whom they had promised Quarter.

And about the same time the Castle of Athlone▪ was surprized by George Dillon, a Friar, Uncle to the Lord President; and that Place being the Key and principal Fortress of Conaught, was a great acces∣sion of Strength to the Confederate Party.

And so the Triumphant Nuncio, not doubting but that all was his own, came in State to Kilkenny, where he caused all the Supreme Coun∣cil, except Plunket and Darcy, to be imprison'd; and immediately he instituted a new Supreme Council of his own Creatures, who, to requite his Kindness, did in effect commit to him the entire and absolute Power of Governing and Commanding as he pleas'd, as well in Tem∣poral as Ecclesiastical Matters.

But that which was most strange in this stupendious Revolution, was, That General Preston and his Army, being mostly of the Pale, and in whom English Blood and Honor should have had more preva∣lence▪ than to suffer them to be guilty of so manifest and perfidious Violation of a Peace, so lately made with their own King, should be persuaded to joyn with Owen Roe and the Ulster Irish in so ill a Cause, and even against his Interest; and yet it is certain, that they were tainted so early▪ that tho' Owen Roe march'd through their Quarters to intercept Ormond, yet none of them sent him the least notice; and when the Marquis sent to Preston to come to him to consult about those Affairs, Preston excused it with a Pretence of Sickness.

Nevertheless, the Nuncio would not trust him, until he had tied him by an Engagement to oblige his Honor, and an Oath to bind his Con∣science, both which are recited Appendix 32. And upon the noise of Preston's Defection, the Lord Lieutenant sent him an Expostulatory Letter, to which he return'd the following Canting Answer.

May it please your Excellency,

IN Answer to Yours of the Eighth of this Instant, I return, That find∣ing the Peace that was Concluded and Published, destructive to my Reli∣gion, and Liberty of the Nation, to the Maintenance of which, together with His Majesty's Just Prerogatives▪ I had formerly sworn, and associa∣ted my self; I called together my Regiments, and issued new Commissions, for reinforcing of my Army; my Intention being therein no other, tha•• com∣plying with my former Resolution and Engagement, which I desire may be accorded with Assurance, whereby we may be the better enabled to comply

with His Majesty's Necessities, in serving Him: Which is the only Ambi∣tion of,

My Lord,

Your Lordships most humble Servant, T. PRESTON.

Kilka, 10 October, 1646.

But let us return to the Nuncio, who by the Artifice and Industry of the Popish Clergy was become the Generalissimo of Two Armies, which being united, made up 16000 Foot and 1600 Horse, with which he marched towards Dublin, and was so confident to take it by a General Assault at his first Approach, and express'd it with such Arguments of Probability, that it was generally believ'd in his Camp; so that Colonel Fitz-Williams pretending Kindness to Ormond, did by his Letter of the 22th of September give him notice of the Danger, and advis'd him to prevent it, by confirming Glamorgan's Concessions, and concludes, That then Preston will live and die for His Majesty. And to this Advertisement, the Marquis on the 26th of September return'd the following Answer.

SIR,

IF I could have assured the Clergy my Lord of Glamorgan's Conditions, I had not retired hither; they are Things I have nothing to do with, nor will have. If they be valid in themselves, they need no Corroboration; if invalid, I have no Power to give them Strength. I cannot believe General Preston so regardless of his Honor, as to appear in a way of Hostility before Dublin, which were in the highest degree to violate the Loyalty he profes∣seth, the many Assurances given me by himself, and in his behalf by others, and, above all, the Honor of his Profession. But if all that can be called Faith between King and Subject▪ and betwixt Man and Man, shall be so infamously laid aside, together with all hope of Reconciliation, Nature will teach us to make the best Resistance we can; and God, the sure Punisher of Treachery and Disloyalty, at last will bless our Endeavors with Success, or our Sufferings with Patience and Honor.

Your Servant, ORMOND.

But we must leave this mighty Army on their March, and visit the Marquis of Ormond, who was so enraged at this unexcusable Perfidy of the Confederates, that he resolved to think no more of Treating with them, but, on the contrary, prepared for the utmost Resistance. And he was likewise very much confirmed in those Resolutions by the Opinion of the Lord Digby, whom he had left Resident at Kilkenny, and who in his Letter of the 24th of September hath this Passage: My Lord, there is no dealing with this People but by Force: You see by the short Letter how they forge large Offers, and improve others for their Ends.

Hereupon Resolutions were unanimously taken in Council, to Ad∣dress to the Parliamet for Succors, as shall be hereafter related at

large, in its proper place: And the Lord Lieutenant and Council did write to the King, That the Irish having perfidiously violated the Peace, had begun a new War, to wrest the Kingdom from His Majesty, and transfer it to the King of Spain or the Pope; to avoid which, they were forced to apply themselves to the Parliament. And the same day they wrote to the Lord Mayor and City of London for Assistance, and assur'd them, that the City Debts seiz'd in the beginning of the War, were but bor∣row'd in extremity; and that an exact Account are kept of them, and they will be justly repaid by the King in due time. And here∣upon the Captain of the Parliaments Ship that carried the Commis∣sioners over, furnish'd the Lord Lieutenant with Thirty Barrels of Powder.

There was nothing more could be done for the Preservation of Dub∣lin, but to invite the Parliament Forces of Ulster to its Assistance, which was not neglected; and many of them were passionately in∣clin'd to the Service, as knowing, that the whole Kingdom would suffer very much in the Loss of that City: But the Chief Comman∣ders and the Parliament Commissioners would not consent, unless Tre∣dagh might be put into their Hands: To which Ormond replied, That he was in Treaty with the Parliament, and therefore could not part with Tredagh till that were finished; but desires them to reinforce his Ga∣risons, or divert the Common Enemy by taking the Field.

However, the Irish were afraid of this Conjunction; and therefore Owen Roe from Athy, on the Ninth of October, invited the Lord Lieu∣tenant thither to treat with the Nuncio; but Ormond knew there was no good Musick to be made upon that String, and therefore the next day from Trim he return'd an Expostulation, Why they were in Arms? and desired them to restore Athlone and Athy: To which Owen Roe replied the same day from Kilka, That those Garisons are in surer Hands for the King now, than they were in before, whilst they were kept by Men inclined to the Parliament.

But tho this Irish General was so high, being the Favorite of the Nuncio and his Party, yet General Preston was not so; but foreseeing the Fate and Scandal of the perfidious Breach of the Peace, both he and his Army were somewhat cold in the Affair.

Besides this, there was a National Emulation between the Two Ar∣mies, O Neal's being Old Irish, as the others was of the Old English; and this was increas'd by the Insolence of the former, and the Envy of the latter: For Owen Roe and his Party, who had been lately Vi∣ctorious at Bemburb, and had never submitted to the Peace, because the Nuucio did reject it, thought themselves justly entitled to the Re∣putation of being the better Soldiers, and the better Catholicks: Whilst the other being the Civiliz'd Inhabitants of the Pale, look'd upon the Northern Army as a sort of Barbarians: And therefore the Lord Digby writes thus to the Lord Lieutenant from Grangemelan, 13 Octo∣ber, All here of the Nuncio and O Neal's Parties is the height of Inso∣lency and Villanies; O Neal's and Preston's Armies hate one another more than the English hates either of them: O Neal has Eight thousand Foot, whereof Five thousand well Armed; and Eight hundred Horse; the worst in the World; he designs on Naas.

Matters standing thus, General Preston On the Nineteenth of Octo∣ber made some Proposals to the Lord Digby, to which he return'd this Answer by Sir Nicholas White, That if Preston would submit to the Peace, the Lord Lieutenant would break off the other Treaty; but cannot do it after the Provisions and Country are destroy'd▪ because then he will be tied

by the Teeth to the Parliament, on whom he must depend for Bread;— That he shall have reasonable Security of Religion, but must decline the ex∣travagant Expectations of the Nuncio; That they shall have the Penal Laws repeal'd, and not be disturb'd in the Possession of the Churches they now have, until His Majesty's Pleasure (cut of Restraint) be known:—And for se∣curity hereof, they shall have the Engagement of the Queen, the Prince of Wales, of the Crown of France, and of the Marquis of Clanrickard; and that Preston shall have a considerable Command; and so shall as many of Owen Roe's Officers as will comply:—But an Answer must be sent before the Lord Lieutenant be necessitated to destroy his own Quarters.

And this General (Preston) did also send Sir James Dillon to offer the Command of his Army to the Lord of Clanrickard, and that they would submit to the Peace, if they might be secur'd in their Religion. But as Clanrickard would not▪ meddle without Ormond's Consent, so Ormond began to be shie of Preston, and not to regard what he said, because he had promis'd him not to shoot a Gun at any English Garison, and yet he did now assault and take Castlejordan; which breach of his private Promise more sullied his Reputation with Ormond, than did his Contravention of the General Peace.

Moreover, whilst they pretended fairly, and talk'd of Peace, they nevertheless march'd on, and destroy'd the English Quarters; and therefore when the Lord T••••f on the 23th of October sent a healing Message to the Lord Lieutenant in behalf of Preston, and in order to revive the Peace, he smartly answered, That now they had destroyed his Quarters, and taken several of His Majesty's Castles, and murdered His Subjects without any cause of Complaint, they begin to talk, and but to talk, of Accommodation: And when Preston replied, That the Peace was dis∣advantagious to the Catholicks, and was therefore rejected; the Marquis answered, That Oaths are not necessary to bind one to his Benefit, and there∣fore are useful only when they oblige to Disadvantage; and if they may for that Reason be violated, all Faith amongst Men is destroy'd. Whereupon, on the Thirtieth of October, Preston writes, That he will send the Lord Lieutenant Propositions in two or three days; which accordinly were sent on the Second day of November, and were signed by both the Ge∣nerals, together with a Letter, as followeth, viz.

May it please your Excellency,

BY the Command of the Confederate Catholicks of this Kingdom, who offer the inclosed Propositions, we have under our Leading Two Armies: Our Thoughts are best to our Religion, King, and Country; our Ends, to establish the First, and make the Two following secure and happy. It is the great part of our Care and Desires, to purchase your Excellency to the effecting of so blessed a Work. We do not desire the effusion of Blood; and to that pur∣pose the inclosed Propositions are sent from us: We pray to God your Conside∣ration of them may prove fruitful. We are commanded to pray your Excel∣lency to render an Answer to them by Two of the Clock in the Afternoon on Thursday next, be it War or Peace. We shall endeavor in our Ways to ex∣ercise Faith and Honor; and upon this Thought we rest▪

Your Excellencies most humble Servants,

• T. PRESTON,
• OWEN O NEILE.

• 1. That the Exercise of the Romish Religion be in Dublin, Tredagh, and all the Kingdoms of Ireland, as free and as publick as it is now in Paris, in France, or Bruxels in the Low-Countries.
• 2. That the Council of State, called ordinarily the Council-Table, be of Members true and faithful to His Majesty; and such of which there may be no fear or suspicion of going to the Parliament Party.
• 3. That Dublin, Tredagh, Trim, Newry, Carlingford, and all Ga∣risons within the Protestant Quarters, be Garison'd by Confederate Catho∣licks, to maintain and keep the said Cities and Places, for the use of our So∣vereign Lord King Charles, and his Lawful Successors, for the Defence of this Kingdom of Ireland.
• 4. That the present Council of the Confederates shall Swear truly and faithfully to keep and maintain, for the use of His Majesty and His Lawful Successors; and for the Defence of the said Kingdom of Ireland, the above Cities of Dublin and Tredagh, and all other Forts, Places, and Castles as above.
• 5. That the said Council, and all General Officers and Soldiers whatsoever, do Swear and Protest to fight by Sea and Land against the Parliamenta∣rians, and all the Kings Enemies: And that they will never come to any Con∣vention, Agreement, or Article with the said Parliamentarians, or any the Kings Enemies, to the prejudice of His Majesties Rights, or of this King∣dom of Ireland.
• 6. That according to Our Oath of Association, We will to the best of Our Power and Cunning, defend the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom; the Kings Rights, the Lives and Fortunes of the Subjects.

His Excellency is prayed to make Answer to the above Propositi∣ons, at furthest by Two of the Clock in the Afternoon on Thursday next.

But it seems, that these Proposals were thought so insolent and un∣reasonable, that it was not fit to Countenance them with an An∣swer.

In the mean time, the Lord Lieutenant had sent to the Lord Clan∣rickard, to come to him with what Assistance he could, and this Lord (who was always Loyal, and abhorred the violation of the Peace) did his Endeavour to bring a considerable Party with him, but (as he words it in his Letter of the Second of November) The sharp Sword of Excom∣munication had so cut his Power and means, that he could bring with him but one Troop of Horse to Tecroghan; however, his Presence was very considerable, and as it gave great Comfort to the Lord Lieute∣nant, so it gave mighty hopes to Preston, who believed that Clanric∣kard (who for his exemplary Loyalty would be confided in by one side, and for his Religion might be trusted by the other) was a fit Mediator to reconcile both Parties; and accordingly he applyed him∣self to that Lord; and by the Assistance of the Lord Digby; they brought the matter so far to bear, that on the 12th of November the Lord Dig∣by writes thus to the Lord Lieutenant.

Yesterday the Lord Clanrickard and I finished our Negotiations, to which Preston and his Army, and Sir Philem O Neal, and part of Owen Roes Army will submit.

You may depend on this Engagement of Preston and his Army, since it cannot be violated without such a Per••idy, as certainly the Profession of Soldiers and Gentlemen hath never been guilty of.

The most that will be expected from you is a Declaration to this effect, That whereas it is well known, even by His Majesties Printed Letters, that His gracious Intentions were to secure His Catholick Subjects of this Kingdom, in the free Exercise of their Religion, by repeal of the Penalties of the Law against them; which in the last Articles was left out, by the Subtilty of some of their own Party, who intended to found this late mischief upon it, that it was far from His Majesties intention, or Yours to take advantage of that Omission, but that they may rest as secure of His Majesties Favour, in the repeal of the said Penalties; as if it had been positively exprest in the Articles, and that for matter of their Churches and Ecclesiastical Possessions; it being referred to the King, it was far from Your intentions to molest them therein, till you knew His Majesties Pleasure in that particular.

As for your Engagement to obey His Majesties free Commands, the Queen and Prince of Wales, and my Significations to the advantage of the Ca∣tholicks, during His Majesties want of Freedom, and that you will not obey such Commands to the prejudice of what is undertaken, as shall be procured by advantage of His Majesties want of Freedom; Your Letter to the Mar∣quis of Clanrickard will suffice, you must proceed frankly, &c.

And this was the Posture of Affairs, when on the 14th of Novem∣ber Commissioners arrived from the Parliament with Fourteen hun∣dred Foot, and other Necessaries for the Preservation of Dublin, which they expected to be given up to them upon the Terms proposed: In what Condition was the Marquiss of Ormond now, he had two incon∣sistent Treaties upon his hands, and both well nigh concluded, and he was in Danger least his own Army (who abhorred any farther Correspondence with the Irish) would with the Assistance of the Four∣teen hundred Men newly come; Deliver up both Dublin and him to the Parliament of England: It is certain, he had need of all that Dex∣terity and Presence of mind that he was Master of, to extricate him∣self out of these Difficulties, as he afterwards did.

It was never a Doubt with him, whether he should preserve the Kingdom for his Majesty, or submit it to the Parliament; but the Question was, whether an Union with the Irish would do the former, since their Levity was such, as that there could be no dependance upon them; I have seen all the dispatches between Ormond and Digby upon this occasion, and can assure the Reader, that the Lord Lieutenant was prevailed upon against his own Judgment, by the Lord Digby's impor∣tunity; and when he did Consent, he foretold the issue of that Recon∣ciliation.

But we will first give an Account of the Treaty with the Parliament Commissioners, and then discover the farther Proceedings with the Irish.

The Lord Lieutenant and Council, being pressed by Enemies with∣out, and Necessities and intolerable Wants in the City, did, on the 26th day of September by Letters to the King, and to the Lord Mayor of London, represent the miserable Condition they were in; and did also send over the Lord Chief Justice Lowther, Sir Francis Wil∣loughby, and Sir Paul Davis in one of the Parliaments ships, to the Parliament of England, with Instructions from himself and the Coun∣cil, and other Instructions from the Council only. The Instructions from the Lord Lieutenant and Council were: 1. That a Difference ought to be made the between those that were Contrivers, and first Actors of the Rebellion, and those that by the Torrent of that Rebel∣lion were afterwards accidently engaged therein; and that the Confiscati∣tions of the former were sufficient to satisfie the Adventurers. 2. That

they demonstrate the necessity of making the late Peace for the Pre∣servation of the Protestants, for tho' the Protestants do survive the breach of the Peace, the Reason is, because the Irish are now divided, and their Frame of Government dissolved. 3. That before the Peace, they, the Lord Lieutenant and Council did enter into a Treaty with the Parliament Commissioners in Ulster to prevent it, but by the De∣parture of the Marquis of Argile into Scotland, and of Sir Robert King into England, that Treaty fell for want of a sufficient number of the Commissioners; and that misfortune was followed by the defeat of Monroe and the Scots at Bemburb. 4. That England has receiv'd ad∣vantage by the Peace; First, by their experience of the perfidiousness and Treachery of the Irish: And Secondly, by obtaining just cause to use them severely. 5. That the Covenant may not be impos'd until it be done by Act of Parliament, that nothing of it may be now imposed, lest it divide the Protestants, and hinder them from a joynt prose∣cution of the War; and for the same Reason the Book of Common Prayer be not suppressed, but let those use the Directory that will. 6. To ••ustifie the Goverment and Conduct of His Majesties Servants, and to wipe off all Scandals. 7. To preserve the Estates, Persons and Imployments of all those that went hence to serve His Majesty in Eng∣land, and did not joyn with the Rebels, at least to get them Liberty to compound, or to transport themselves and their Goods. 8. That it be immediately published, we have free Commerce and Traffick with the Parliaments Towns and Allies, and that three or four Ships be sent to Guard our Coasts from the Rebels. 9. That Magazines of all sorts be speedily prepared at Liverpool, Chester, &c. 10. To advise them, that if Succours be not immediately sent, all will be lost, and the recovery of it will cost ten times as much Blood and Treasure, as it will to keep it now. 11. That if the Soldier be not constantly Paid, he will revolt to the better Pay-master; and that the Revenue here does not keep the publick Persons and Clergy from want. 11. That Directions be sent to the Parliaments Forces in Ulster, Munster and Co∣naught to correspond and joyn with Us. 12. That if they send Forces un∣der their own Officers, Care be taken to Pay ours equally with theirs, to prevent Difference and Mutiny. 13. That Sir Francis Butler, Colonel Richard Gibson, Colonel Henry Warren, Colonel Monk, and Lieutenant Colonel Gibs now Prisoners with the Parliament, Being Men that know the Country, and are experienced in the Service, may be rather sent than Novices and Strangers, or any others: Lastly, Men without Money and Victuals, will do us more harm than good: And if as soon as you are at London, you do not advertise us, that Succours are coming; our Necessities can admit of no delay, but will oblige us to think of some other Course.

The Instructions from the Council were. 1. To demonstrate, that the Lord Lieutenant and Officers now employ'd being experienced, will be more Serviceable to the Preservation and Reduction of Ireland than any others. 2. That we prefer the interest of the Crown of England, before our particular advantage; and therefore rather than our con∣tinuance shall hinder Supplies, we will surrender, but because Paten∣tees cannot leave their Places without His Majesties allowance, and are sworn to that effect; you must declare, that they will resign, So as His Majesties Direction be therein obtained, and all of them pre∣served in Persons and Estates, and indemnified from publick Engage∣ments▪ and repaid their Disbursements for the publick, and be pro∣tected

for Six Months from private Debts, and have Liberty to tran∣sport themselves and their Apurtenances where they please.

And Pursuant hereunto, there were two Sets of Proportions deli∣vered to the Agents; the first from the Lord Lieutenant only was, 1. That he would prosecute the War against the Irish Rebels, as vi∣gorously as he shall be thereunto enabled by the Parliament, and will faithfully serve the Crown of England therein. 2. That neither the Forces he has, nor the Forces or Supplies that shall be sent him, shall be otherwise employed, than according to the Directions of the Par∣liament of England. 3. That he will neither make Cessation or Peace with the Rebels, without Consent of King and Parliament of England. 4. That he will be oblig'd hereunto by Oath or otherwayes Com∣petent for a Man of Honor and Conscience. The other Proposals were from the Lord Lieutenant and Council demanding. 1. Three thousand Foot, and Five hundred Horse, which will make up those here to be Seven thousand fifteen hundred Foot besides Officers, and One thousand Horse besides Officers, which at three days Pay in a Week amounts to 8258 l. 12 s. od. per Month of Twenty eight days, and that three Months Pay for them be sent, and 1000 l. for Con∣tingencies and Ammunition, &c. convenient, and some spare Arms and Swords. 2. That all that have constantly and faithfully served in this War, may be preserved in Persons, Estates and Employments and the like, by those that were for some time forcibly kept by the Rebels; but left them as soon as they could, and the same of those that went to serve the King in England; and the like of so many of the Irish, as are accepted of as Adherents to His Majesties Protestant Sub∣jects in this Cause.

They also wrote to the Speaker of the House of Lords, That they were necessitated to make the Peace, and the Irish broke it, because the British Plantations in Ulster were not subverted: And Secondly, because Popery was not established in its fulness of Jurisdiction and Practice,—That Athlone was surpriz'd,—That they were reduced to Extremity, and refer'd themselves to the farther report of their Agents, and prayed immediate Assistance.

Upon the Receipt of these Letters, the Parliament of England re∣solved to send Succours as fast as they could; but well knowing, that Ormond and his Party were unmoveably fixed in their Loyalty, they resolved not to continue him in the Government▪ but to proceed up∣on the other Overture, and to send Commissioners over to receive the Sword and Garisons from him, and that being done to settle such a Chief Governour as they should think fit.

And accordingly they did send over Sir Thomas Wharton▪ Sir Robert King, Sir John Clotworthy, Sir Robert Meredith, and Richard Salway Esquire: Who on the 13th day of November arrived in the Bay of Dublin, they immediately sent to the Lord Lieutenant, that they had matters of importance for the Preservation of the Protestants of Ire∣land to Communicate to his Excellency, and desired his safe Conduct, which was accordingly sent them, and the next day they Landed; and on the 15th, they delivered his Excellency a Copy of their Commission, and of the Ordinance of Parliament, and of their Instructions, which were to this Effect; To assure the Marquis of Ormond, and Earl of Roscomon, &c. that the Parliament would take the Protestants of Ireland into their Protection; and if he would surrender up the Sword and Garisons in four days, that then Ormond should enjoy his Estate, and have Indemnity from Debts contracted on the publick Acco••••••s, and shall be

protected against all Debts for a Twelvemonth, that he and his followers may have Passes to go where they please; that Ormond should have Two thousand Pound per annum for five years, and longer if he cannot receive so much out of his own Estate, and that Ormond may live in England if he will submit to all Ordinances of Parliament, and that for a Twelvemonth he may live in England, and shall not be pressed to any Oath; he engaging his Honour not to do any thing disserviceable to the Parliament during that time.

Then the Lord Lieutenant demanded, if by the word Protection, it was intended that the Protestants should enjoy their Lives, Liber∣ties, Estates and Employments without Molestation of the Parliament; he also desired to know when the abovesaid four days were to begin, and to what Persons, and to whose use the Sword and Garisons were to be delivered.

The Commissioners answer'd, They could not explain the word Protection, but doubted not but a fair Interpretation would be made thereof; That the four days commenc'd 15 November at Nine in the Morning, and the Sword and Garisons were to be surrendred to them the Commissioners, to the use of the Parliament of England, in order to the Preservation of the Protestants of Ireland.

Ormond repli'd, That he could not remit the Safety of the Prote∣stants to the incertainty of a future Interpretation.

The Commissioners then produc'd an additional Instruction to give such Protestants as they condition withal, except such as have been in the Irish Rebellion, Assurance of Security to their Persons, Estates and Goods in Ireland; and that they may live quietly under the Protection of the Parliament, submitting to the Ordinances of Parliament, and compounding for their English Estates at two years Purchase.

On the Sixteenth of November the Commissioners offered Assistances of Men and Ammunition for the present Defence of Dublin, or Cau∣tion they be employ'd to no other use, and be restored if the Treaty break off.

Then Ormond demanded, Whether the Protestants that concluded the Cessation, or Peace, should be interpreted to be in the Irish Re∣bellion: To which the Commissioners answered in the Negative. And being farther demanded, Whether they expected every protestant should treat for himself, or that Ormond's Treaty should suffice for all, they answer'd, It should serve for all that submitted to the Parliament within twenty days after notice.

Then Ormond ask'd, Whether it was expected they should submit to all Ordinances of Parliament that were or should be made. The Com∣missioners answer'd, He saw the Words, and they had no Instruction to explain them.

Lastly, he told them, He found no Instruction about continuing Mi∣litary and Civil Officers. They answered, They had no Instructions about Civil Officers, but they had power, and did accordingly intend, to employ as many of the Military Officers as should be found fit for the Service.

On the Seventeenth of November, Ormond desir'd their Answer to his Propositions sent into England: But the Commissioners answer'd, They neither had them, nor a Copy of them, nor any Instructions about them; and therefore they prest for his Excellencies Answer to their Proposals. The Marquis repli'd, That if they would declare that they had no larger Instructions than those that were shewed, he would give a positive Answer. But they, on the Eighteenth of November, desired

to be excused from that Discovery. Whereupon Ormond demanded, Whether they had His Majesties Order for delivering up the Sword and Garisons. They answered, They had not. Then says he, Since you bring no Answer to my Propositions; Nor Security to any Protestants as you shall Condition withal; Nor can inform us what those Ordinances of Par∣liament are, we must submit unto; Nor any ways secure such Papists as al∣ways adhered to the Government; Nor give any Assurance to the Officers Military and Civil, for their Continuance; Nor take any notice of the Pro∣testant Clergy: Nor bring His Majesty's Orders; It is not consistent with my Duty to part with so great a Trust in such a manner, without the King's p••si∣tive Command.

The same day the Commissioners repli'd, That all Protestants (not having been in the Irish Rebellion) should be included in this Treaty, and have the full Benefit of the Instructions; and that all Ordinances of Parliament shall be construed, such as those who have not offended the Par∣liament do submit to: And the Composition for Estates in Ireland shall be in the same manner as is used in England; provided it be done within Six Months: That they were willing to enlarge his 5000 l. to the Sum he demanded in his Proposition, viz. 13877 l. 14 s. 9 d. That they had power of Granting Pensions, not exceeding in toto 2000 l. per An. to continue till the persons can receive so much out of their own Estates, which they will apply as he thinks fit.

On the Nineteenth of November, Ormond answered, That still the Loyal Roman-Catholicks were not secured, nor the Civil or Military Officers provided for, nor the Clergy considered; That the Covenant is enjoyn'd by one of those Ordinances of Parliament; That the pro∣curing His Majesty's Directions was the first Article of his Proposi∣tions to the Parliament; it is the first and fundamental Condition, from which he cannot recede, in regard of his Oath when he took the Sword, and the rather because by surrendring the Government the Irish Par∣liament will be dissolved, which is the greatest and best Security of the Protestants.

Hereupon the Commissioners desired a Conference; and tho' there was but half an hour of the four days expired, yet the Marquis con∣sented to a Conference, which was to this effect, and was the next day, by the Commissioners, reduced to Writing.

That Ormond had waved his first Propositions (to continue in the Govern∣ment, &c.) by the Second Overture to Surrender, and had notice, That the Parliament proceeded upon that second Overture; That their Concessions are more ample in some points than his Demands, and where they are less or doubt∣ful, they will represent it to their Employers in the best manner for his Lord∣ships Satisfaction.

That as to Loyal Roman-Catholicks, the Parliament did not take Cogni∣zance of any such, and 'tis not probable that their number can be considerable, and if they have committed no Crime, they need not question their Security: That they had power to protect all that would come under Contribution, ergo Papists; and they will also favourably recommend their Case to the Parlia∣ment.

That as to Civil Officers, they have no Instructions about them; if they are Offenders, they canot expect Security in their politick Capacities, but shall have it in Person and Estate. As for Military Officers, it must be an extraordi∣nary Cause shall displace any of them, but it would be of ill Consequence to stipulate their Continuance; And that to Clergy and Officers the Pension of 2000 l. per An. should be distributed.

That there is no Ordinance of Parliament enjoyns taking the Covenant in Ireland; nor have they any Orders to suppress the Common-Prayer, and impose the Directory. That if his Lordship were continued chief Governor, he must submit to Ordinances of Parliament.

That his Lordship's Importunity for Speedy Supplies did not afford time to get the King's Orders. That his Letter to the King, that he would treat with the Parliament, had no Clause desiring an Answer, knowing That the ne∣cessity and prudence of the Action would oblige the King's Approba∣tion. That in his Lordship's Propositions to continue the Government, he of∣fered to put all under the Protection of the Parliament, without mention of His Majesties Directions. And that the King's Orders were not necessary, because the Management of the War of Ireland was by Act of Parliament delega∣ted to both Houses. That Oxford surrendred without the King's Orders. That the Protestant Religion, and the Blood of many Thousands of Protestants which are in hazard by breaking this Treaty, exceedingly over-ballance the Punctilio of having positive Orders in this Case: And that his Lordship's Oath is better observed in concluding than dissolving this Treaty.

To all this the Lord-Lieutenant replied, That the Protestants in gene∣ral, and particularly the Officers and Clergy, were concern'd in his Proposals; and if the Parliament had proceeded upon his own Propositions of continuing the Government, the King's Consent, or so much Security or Provision for his Loyal Subjects, had not been necessary, because it would in a great measure lie in his power to do Right to King and Subject: But since they proceeded upon his Second Overture, (viz. of surrendring the Sword) the first Article of that Paper was to obtain the King's Directions, and the rest were for the Security of his Loyal Subjects in their Persons, Estates, and Employments; none of which is effected.

As for the Loyal Papists, (whose number and Quality are considerable) there is no satisfaction given: For the Answer that the Parliament took no Cognizance of them is the reason of the Demand; and to say, That the Inno∣cent need not fear, affords but small Security: And the Protection given those under Contribution, is what is extended to submitting Rebels, and is not sufficient for Loyal People that deserve more Countenance; and the rather, because the rest of their Religion in Ireland have been Faulty.

That as to Civil Officers, There is no manner of Security, as to their Em∣ployments; and to Military Officers, not sufficient; and the rather, because many of them have fought against the Parliament in England, and done other disobliging Acts to them. That the power of granting a Pension of 2000 l. per An. cannot be applied to Officers or Clergy, but to Men of Estates that are dispossessed, as appears by the Limitation of its Continuance, viz. until they can possess so much of their own Estates.

That the Covenant hath been already pressed and imposed in all parts of Ire∣land that are under the power of the Parliament; and therefore they must be secure against that; and if there be no Ordinance of Parliament to impose it, the Commissioners may the better undertake it shall not be imposed.

That tho' his Lordship, if he were to continue the Government, would sub∣mit to Ordinances of Parliament that relate to Government of the Army, or the like, yet he would not to Ordinances of Religion, against his Conscience; and doth not scruple now that the people shall be obliged to Ordinances of the former sort; and the Commissioners Declaration, That they intend no other, will give Satisfaction in this point.

That there was time enough to get the King's Orders.—That the Deli∣very of Oxford was forced by Extremity, and yet was not done without the King's Direction. That Inferences must not be made against any thing that is

expressed: And besides the first Article, To procure His Majesties Dire∣ction, the Seventh Article Mentions, That if in the mean time, till they can get the King's Orders, they supply the Garisons, it shall be well husbanded, &c. So that this Matter is fully and doubly expressed in those Proposals.

And lastly, There is no Satisfaction given about the Dissolution of the pre∣sent Parliament in Ireland, which would be the Ruin of the Protestants of that Kingdom.

But because the Kingdom might not be deprived of the Supplies the Commissioners brought, and that neither side may be prejudiced until the King's Pleasure may be known, and their Instructions from the Par∣liament enlarg'd, the Lord-Lieutenant propos'd.

• 1. That the Officers and Soldiers may be landed, and put in one or more Garisons, and to receive Orders from his Excellency and the Governor of the place, and submit to the Martial Law.
• 2. That 3000 l. be lent his Excellency, to support the Army, ⅔ Money, and 1/•• Victuals.
• 3. That the Commissioners engage their Soldiers shall remove at the end of six Weeks, unless an Agreement be made in the mean time, and till then do no Prejudice to the Government.
• 4. That his Lordship will engage they shall have free Egress, &c. at six Weeks end.

But the Commissioners, thinking that the Exigencies of the City and Army, and the danger to lose both, would force the Lord-Lieutenant to comply, refused these Proposals, and repeated, That his Lordship had offered to the Parliament, to put all his Forces and Garisons under their sole Command, the King unconsulted with therein; which his Lordship did, by his Letter of the Two and Twentieth of November, positively de∣ny. And so this Treaty broke off, and the Commissioners carried their Men and Supplies to Ulster.

But though the Lord Lieutenant had a fair excuse for refusing the Parliament Commissioners, since they did not bring His Majesty's Or∣ders according to the express mention thereof twice made in his Proposi∣tions, yet he was very uneasy in regard of the Protestants under his Command; and accordingly in answer to one of the Lord Digby's im∣portunate Letters he thus exp••esseth himself: It is an hard Task I have to break with the Parliaments Commissioners, and keep my Reputation with my own Party, to whom these Commissioners offered Security in their Fortunes, Supplies in their Wants, and Assistance against the Irish, that have destroyed them in all the Interests that are dear to Men; besides, I must perswade my Party to return to intolerable and inevitable Wants, and to rely once more upon the recently broken Faith of the Irish. And in the same Letter he excepts against letting the Irish into Garisons, and against promising to obey the Orders of Queen or Prince, and against the words Free Exercise of Religion: To all which, the Lord Digby gave plausible Answers on the 20th, and writes, That Preston languished for his Commission, and that he need do no more than write a kind Letter to that General; and so at length he was overcome, and did on the 25th day of November write to Pre∣ston, and the next day gave a Commission to Clanrickard to be Lieute∣nant General of the Army, and he was received as such by General Preston's Forces drawn up in Battalia.

The Terms of this new Reconciliation appear in the Marq. of Clanrick∣ard's Engagement, Appen. 33, which one would think is as full as could be

desired; however the Nuncio and his Minion Owen Roe were not satis∣fied with them; the Nuncio on the 20th of November urged the Marquis of Clanrickard, That the Churches of Dublin might be included in his En∣gagement; but Clanrickard replyed, That it is more plausible to refuse Obedience to the King till he become Catholick, than until (being a Protestant) he refuse to part with his own Churches. Your Grace (said he) ought to content your Self with the Glory of Setling all the Garisons, and in a manner all the Power in the Kingdom in Catholick Hands, and to have secured the Catholick Reli∣gion with at least as great Extent, and as great Freedom and Lustre under a King of a different Faith, as that of his own Profession.

However it is not doubted but the Nuncio did secretly promote this Pacification, not with a design it should stand, but in expectation of these three Advantages: 1. That being by Sickness and want of For∣••••ge necessitated to raise the Siege, this Agreement would make their Retreat safe, which else might be dangerous, Ormond's Horse being much better than theirs. 2. The Disappointment of the Parliaments Commissioners would make an everlasting Fewd between them and Ormond. And, 3. Preston's Forces, being in the English Garisons, might find an opportunity to master some of them.

Nevertheless it was necessary that Owen Roe should decline the Agree∣ment, for else all the Kingdom would have complyed with it, as belie∣ving that the Nuncio wanted either Power or Will to oppose it; and therefore on the 17th of November he decamped, and marched into the Queens County, where he ravaged over the Country, and destroyed all that he could not keep.

But Preston stayed in the Camp, and on the 27th of November re∣ceived the Marquis of Clanrickard as Lieutenat General of the Army, and was himself made Major General, and he and his Officers signed the Engagement, mentioned Appendix 34, to obey the Peace, and by Letters under his own Hand invited the Lord Lieutenant to march with him to Kilkenny and Waterford to reduce those Cities to conformity, which he said would be effected by his Excellency's Appearance only before those places; whereupon Ormond co••••••nted, but was by Sick∣ness detained for some few days from the intended March.

But contrary to his expectation, General Preston decamped, and on the second of December, from Naas, writes to his Excellency That the necessities of his Army forced him to withdraw thither, where he stayed to expect his Lordships farther Commands: And the same day Ormond replyed, That he would certainly meet him at Castledermond that day sevenight with 600 Horse and 600 Musquetiers, and that he will cause Commissions to be prepared, with blanks for the Names of Preston's Officers, to whom he will give proof of his full confidence in them, and value of their Merit and loyal Affections; and for Preston himself, that he should have all the Power with the Lord Lieutenant that he could desire.

And thus Matters stood in a fair Correspondence between his Excel∣lency, and General Preston, when on the 9th of December the Marquis of Ormond, accompanied with the Marquis of Clanrickard, marched out of Dublin with his small Party, in the nature of Guards, towards the place of Rendezvous, and I doubt not but the Reader is full of Expe∣ctation to find General Preston there also; but alas! the Scene was changed, and the Case was altered, for the Council and Congrega∣tion at Kilkenny had on the 24th of November declared against this new Reconciliation, as Appendix 35, and the Nuncio did so influence General Preston and his Officers, (by alledging, That the former Treaty and Engage∣ment

were not binding, being concluded without the Consent, of a General Assembly, which only had the Cognisance of Matters of so great Importance,) that he prevailed with them to Apostatize from their Solemn Engage∣ment so lately entered into, and to write this bald Excuse to the Marquis of Clanrickard, That his Officers were not Excommunication-Proof.

And on the 15th of December the Council and Congregation of the Confederates not taking any notice of any Peace or Agreement that had in∣tervened, published the following Declaration.

By the Council and Congregation.

WHEREAS the Cessation of Arms between us and the adverse Party is long since determined, and for that the Enemy in Dublin is now advanced into the Field, committing daily acts of Hostility: We there∣fore Declare, Order, and Appoint, That all Generals, Captains, and other Officers and Soldiers whatsoever, of all and every the Armies of the Confede∣rate Catholicks of Ireland, and all and every Party and Parties of them, ei∣ther now together in Body, or in their Winter Quarters, shall and may KILL and Endamage the most they or any of them may, of the Enemy aforesaid, and against them or any of them use and exercise all manner of acts of Ho∣stility.

But General Preston, by his Letter of the 19th of December; from Waterford, endeavoured to excuse this Apostacy, and laid the fault upon his Officers; and yet on the 22th of the same Month he published a De∣claration in Print against the lately renewed Peace, to this effect: That since the Engagement, made by the Marquis of Clanrickard, doth not yield sufficient Security for the Free Exercise of Religion, &c. as by the Congrega∣tions Annotations thereon doth appear; and since a Resolution was taken, not to receive any of his Forces into the Garison of Dublin, according to Agree∣ment, unless these Objections may be satisfied by the Enlargement of farther Grants that may satisfy the Council and Congregation, he thinks himself obli∣ged by the Oath of Association to obey the Council, Congregation, and General Assembly. Whereupon the Lord Lieutenant, by his Letter of the 5th of January, acquaints him, That however things have not sorted to his Expectation, or to what he understood to be Preston's Obligation; yet he was far from believing, that Preston had any design so unbecoming a Man of Ho∣nour, as to make use of the Credit given by Ormond to his Invitation, to the Lord Lieutenants Prejudice, or for the Improvement of Preston's Conditions with another Party, which makes him confident, that a Printed Paper, Enti∣tuled, Preston's Declaration, &c. and dated but three days after the former Letter of the 19th of December, being so contrary to the Expressions therein, must be a Forgery; at also the Reports that some of Preston's Forces are gathering together at Castledermond, to interrupt his Return, or destroy the remainder of his Quarters, yet he desires Satisfaction from Preston's own hand in those Particulars: And accordingly General Preston did, by his Letter of the 15th of January, own his Declaration, for which (he writes) he had good Reasons, to be imparted at a more convenient time, but disowned that he had any hand in disturbing his Excellency's Quar∣ters, or interrupting his Return.

But that the Reader may perceive, that this Perfidiousness was not unexpected, I must insert a short Passage in a Letter of the Lord Lieu∣tenants to Colonel John Humilton, dated at Lucan, before he knew of Preston's Relapse, and it was thus: That I may leave no means unattempted to prevent the Ruin of His Majesty's Affairs, whilst I have a hand in them, I have undertaken an Expedition, whereunto I was invited by a considerable Party of the Irish; but I confess, I go rather to leave them for ever unex∣cusable, if they should fail me, than that I have any assured Confidence of Performance; such are the Impressions their former Failures have left in me.

But because it may be thought hard, that the Confederates should be judged by the Sentiments of Protestants, it is therefore necessary to shew, what Opinion such of the Roman Catholicks as were loyal had of their Proceedings, and the Reader may find it at large in the Marquis of Clanrickard's Letter, Appendix 37.

But Ormond, either because he considered the Poverty of the City of Dublin, or that being thus a second time deceived by the Confederates, he was ashamed to return hither, did march his small Army into West∣meath, being the Enemies Quarters, and there he kept a melancholy Christmas; and though he used no Hostility, but paid for every thing, so that the Country seemed pleased with them, yet the Captain and Lieutenant of his Excellency's Guards (sta••ing behind the rest) were murdered upon the Highway by some of the Irish; and on Christmas Day the Lord Lieutenant wrote to the Lord Digby, (then intended for France) as followeth.

I Shall beseech you to be careful of one thing, which is, to take Order that the Commands that shall be directed to me touching this People, (if any be) thwart not the Grounds I have laid to my self in point of Reli∣gion, for in that, and in that only, I shall resort to the liberty left to a Subject to Obey by Suffering, and particularly that there be no Con∣cession to the Papists to perpetuate Churches or Church-livings to them, or to take Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction from us: And as for other Freedoms from Penalties for th•• Quiet Exercise of their Religion, I am clear of Opinion it not only may, but ought to be given them, if his Majesty shall find cause to own them for any thing but Rebels.

However, whilst Ormond continued at Trim, the Lord Muskry, and some others, (that abhorred the breach of the Peace) gave him hopes, That in the General Assembly, which was to meet the 10th of January, Matters would be better ordered, and desired him patiently to expect that, and proposed a short Cessation, which was afterwards (at Dublin) agreed unto.

To this Assembly, the Lord Lieutenant sent the Lord Taaf and Colonel John Barry▪ with a most excellent Letter, expostulating the Violation of the Peace, and telling them, That they were irreco∣verably betrayed to Infamy, if they neglect this opportunity offered to vindicate themselves, and exhorting them to a speedy and effe∣ctual Confirmation of the Peace; but the Assembly had determined the Point the day before they came, and so the Letter was never delivered.

For this extraordinary Juncto, or General Assembly, which was to∣tally governed by the Nuncio, did on the very first day of their Meet∣ing receive a Paper of Unreasonable Proposals from the Congregation of their Clergy, viz. To have all manner of Jurisdictions, Privileges, and Immunities, as amply as they had in the Time of Hen. VII. and to have all the Church-Livings, &c. conferred upon them. And on the Fifteenth day of January they wrote to the Lord Lieutenant to keep his Forces within his own Quarters; and on the Second of February they pub∣lished a frantick Mixture of a Declaration, containing Two very con∣tradictory things, viz. First, That the Commissioners had acted honestly, and pursuant to their Instructions, in making the Peace; and, Secondly, That the Nuncio and Clergy had done well in breaking it. And they far∣ther declar'd, That they might not accept of that Peace, but did protest against it, and declare the same invalid, and of no force, to all intents and purposes: As also, That the Nation would not accept of any Peace not con∣taining a sufficient and satisfactory Security for the Religion, Lives, Estates, and Liberties of the Confederate Catholicks. And what they understood to be sufficient, appears by the Propositions published by the Congre∣gation at Waterford, which they had caused the People to swear they would insist upon: And the Reason they gave for this Procedure was as strange as the Act, viz. That Glamorgan's Articles gave them better Conditions: Whereas those Articles were disavowed and rejected by the King, and even by the Earl himself acknowledg'd not to be bind∣ing both because of the Defezance, and the Failure in sending Succors according to Promise. And the Confederates likewise had admitted that Agreement void, by embracing a subsequent Peace on other Terms. Nevertheless, this Assembly was so violent against the Peace, that some of them attempted to Disband General Preston, because he was more moderate, and better inclin'd to it than they: And to that end the Bishop of Fornes brought in an Impeachment against him; but Preston's Friends were so loud upon that Point, that the Bishop was fain to withdraw his Accusation; or else they had gone to Cuffs even in the very Assembly. Nevertheless, when they had talk'd them∣selves out of breath, they began to find the Necessity of putting a better Gloss upon what they had done; and therefore they resolv'd to propose Terms of Accommodation, that at least they might have it to say, that Peace was refus'd them: And so on the last of February they sent Dr. Fennell and another with sufficient Credentials, to Treat with the Lord Lieutenant, and to make Proposals unto him; but it was plain, that their Design was to amuse the World, and to asperse his Excellency with the Noise of this Treaty, and the Pretence that they offered Reasonable Conditions, and that therefore he was not necessitated to surrender to the Parliament, but should rather have complied with them; for they not only refus'd to reduce those Pro∣posals into Writing, but also denied to sign the Substance or Extract of them when written, altho' they could not deny, but that it was truly taken as they had dictated.

But it is fit that the World should know the Unreasonableness of these very Proposals, which were to this effect: 1. That each Party should continue Independent. 2. That they should joyn in a War against the Common Enemy, (meaning the English Protestants that adhered to the Parliament) and that neither Party should make Peace or Cessation, or use Traffick or Commerce with them, without the others Consent. 3. That Dublin and other Garisons might be secur'd (by their Soldiers) against the Common Enemy. 4. That all Papists in English Quarters have free Exer∣cise

of their Religion; that is, (as they afterwards explain'd it) the Churches and Church-livings, and Exemption from the Jurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy, in all Places (except Dublin) where the greater number of the Inhabitants are Catholicks. 5. That no body be permitted to live within English Quarters, but such as will swear to this Accommodation. And, 6. That if both Armies joyn in any Expedition, nevertheless they are to be Commanded by their own respective Commanders, &c.

But these Proposals being made known to the Privy-Council, they did unanimously and with scorn reject them; and the Lord Lieute∣nant did on the 22th of March, 1646. write to the Supreme Council, That he could not comply with their Propositions in the manner they were propos'd. And so the Assembly was on the Third of April ad∣journ'd to the Twentieth day of November following.

And now what could be more amazing, than to see a People, and especially the Nobility and Gentry of a whole Kingdom, many of which had good Breeding and good Fortunes, give up the Conduct of their Reason, as well as their Consciences, to the wild Ambition and Covetousness of the Clergy? Men who ventur'd nothing by their preposterous Attempts to set up their Religion; for in all Events they were to find Welcome abroad, and to be reverenc'd even for being vanquish'd: But for those Gentlemen who had no certainty of Subsi∣stence elsewhere, how imprudent was it towards their lawful and in∣dulgent King, whose Pardon they so much needed, to require from Him such Conditions in Matters of Religion, as by the Advantage it gave to His other Enemies, in whose Hands he was, must take from Him more than their Assistance could afford, and by this foolish Stra∣tagem weaken and diminish that Power by which only they could be saved? Nevertheless, they did in this manner trample upon the Peace, not only in a Heat, but in Cold Blood, and thereby rendred all future Expectations vain, and their own Condition irreparable.

But let us return to the Marquis of Ormond, who was astonish'd at this foolish Procedure of the Irish: He had already received Orders from His Majesty, That if he could not keep Dublin, he should rather surrender it to the Parliament, than to the Irish; and he very well under∣stood the Sentiments of the Protestants of Ireland: For altho' some of them were very fearful of the Covenant, and many of them had great Jealousies and Suspicions of each other, yet all agreed against the Common Enemy, and in their Abhorrence and Mistrust of the Irish; so that the Privy Council represented to his Excellency, That they had deserved as well of the King as Subjects possibly could, either by Doing or Suffering; and therefore they hoped he would not expose them to the Mercy of their cruel and hereditary Enemies, who by their late Perfidiousness had made themselves incapable of Trust; and therefore they desired him again, to Treat with the Parliaments Com∣missioners, who would at least perform the Conditions they promise, which could not be relied on from the Irish.

And it is said, That his Excellency did rather incline to this Ad∣vice, because he knew that the Design of many in this Irish Rebellion was intirely to alienate the Kingdom of Ireland from the Crown of Eng∣land, and to extirpate not only the Protestants, but also all the English, tho' Catholicks; and to put Ireland under the Protection of some Foreign Prince, unless they could advance one of the Old Irish Families to the Throne. And accordingly Mr. Anthony Martin, in the last General Assembly, did pro∣pose to call in some Foreign Prince for Protection.

And so the Lord Lieutenant and Council being reduced to so great straits, that they had but Seventeen Barrels of Powder le••t, and no Magazins either of Stores or Victuals, nor any Money, either to buy more, or to pay the Army, did agree to resign the Kingdom to the Parliament, for these Reasons.

1. It was observed, That no Exercise of the Protestant Religion was so much as tolerated, where the Confederates had the Command; and that if all the Churches in His Majesty's Quarters should be given, or suffered to be taken to the Use of the Romish Religion, it would too much countenance the Reproaches of His Majesty's Inclinations to Popery, and might be dangerously applied by those who had His Majesty's Life in their Power.

2. That it could not be for His Majesty's Honor, to have those Sub∣jects and Servants who had stuck to His Cause, after all besides was lost in His Three Kingdoms, to be at last subjected to the Tyranny of those who then ruled among the Irish, whose Persidy was so manifest, and their Malice so great, as to give Rest to the Parliament Forces, and to unite all their Power against those only who had carried Peace to their very Doors.

Lastly, It was known how many Agents the Irish had employed abroad, and what Publick Ministers had Reception with them; as from the Pope, the Kings of France and Spain: That if the Garisons now held were put into the Hands of the Two Houses of Parliament, they would revert by Treaty, or otherwise, whenever His Majesty should in England recover His Rights; but if either given or left to these Confederates, there was little hopes of Restitution, while any Foreign Prince should think his Affairs secured or advanced by consuming the Blood and Treasure of England in this Dispute.

And so on the Fifth of February they made an Act of Council, which recites their sad Condition, and impowers the Lord Lieutenant to renew the Treaty with the Parliament, for the Surrender of Dublin, and quitting the Government. And accordingly, his Excellency did the next day write to Wharton and Salway, two of the Parliament Com∣missioners, That he was now satisfied in the Point he scrupled at, viz. the King's Orders, and therefore was willing to surrender the Government on the Terms formerly propos'd, and desir'd that Succors might be sent im∣mediately.

Hereupon the Parliament did order, That if Ormond would give one of his Sons Hostage for Performance, together with the Earl of Roscomon, Colonel Chichester, and Sir James Ware, that then Coot's Re∣giment of Horse, and Monroe's and Fenwick's Regiments of Foot, (at that time in Ulster) should march to his Assistance; and that the Lords of Insiquin and Ardes should give the Enemy Diversion. And accord∣ingly, the Lord Richard Butler (afterwards Earl of Arran) was sent Hostage to Chester, and the aforesaid Three Regiments were received in Ormond's Garisons, and the Lord Insiquin sent his Excellency Twen∣ty Barrels of Powder and half a Tun of Match; and on the Seven∣teenth of March the Earl of Roscomon, Colonel Arthur Chichester, and Sir James Ware were sent to the Committee at Derby-house, to be Ho∣stages for Performance of the Agreement with the Parliament, and to solicit, That Papists always adhering to the King, and Papists that got out of the Rebels Quarters as soon as they could, and Papists remaining in the Rebels Quarters, that have shewed constant good Affections, &c. may be in∣demnified: —That Ormond may have leave to wait on the King, and that the other Lords and Gentlemen may have Posses to go through England:—

That Ormond may have leave to transport as many Papists to foreign Ser∣vice, as will go with him, for which Liberty he will remit Ten thousand Pound. —That no Oaths, other than those of Fidelity, may be imposed on any Protestant; and that the Common Prayer, and their respective Imployments may be continued to them.—But they were told by the English Com∣mittee, That they were Hostages and not Commissioners.

And on the same 17th day of March, the Parliament of Ireland, which had before made an Address to the Parliament of England for Protection, (quod vide Burlace 178) did remonstrate their Gratitude to the Marquiss of Ormond, in the following Address, signed by the Speakers of both Houses.

The Remonstrance of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in Parliament assembled, declaring the Ac∣knowledgment of their hearty Thankfulness to the most Ho∣nourable James Marquiss of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant General of Ireland His Excellency.

VVE the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament in Our whole Body, do present Our selves before your Lordship; acknowledging with great Sense and feeling your Lordships singular Goodness to Us the PROTESTANT PARTY, and those who have faithfully and constantly ad∣hered unto them, who have been preserved to this day (under God) by your Ex∣cellencies Providence and Pious Care, which has not been without a vast Ex∣pence out of your own Estate; as also to the hazarding of your Person in great and dangerous Difficulties: And when your Lordship found your Self (with the Strength remaining with you) to be too weak to resist an insolent, (and upon all Advantages) perfidious and bloody Enemy, rather than we should Perish, You have in your Care transferred Us into their hands that are both able and willing to preserve Us; and that not by a bare casting Us off, but by complying so far with Us, that you have not denied our Desires of Ho∣stages, and amongst them, of one of your most dear Sons; All which being such a free Earnest of your Excellencies Love to our Religion, Nation, and both Houses, do incite Us here to come unto you, with Hearts filled with your Love, and Tongues declaring how much We are obliged to your Ex∣cellency, Professing our Resolutions are with all real Service (to the utmost of our Power) to manifest the sincerity of our Acknowledgment and Affecti∣ons unto you, and to perpetuate to Posterity the Memory of your Excellencies Merits, and our Thankfulness. We have appointed this Instrument to be entred into both Houses, and under the Hands of both Speakers to be Pre∣sented to your Lordship.

17th die Martii 1676.

Intr. per Va••. Savage, Dep. Cler. Parl.

• Rich. Bolton, Canc.
• Maurice Eustace, Speaker.

Int. 17th. die Martii 1676. per Philip Fernely, Cler. Dom. Com.

To which his Excellency returned the following Answer.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

VVHAT you have now Read and Deliver'd hath much surprized me, and contains matter of higher Obligation laid upon me by you, than thus suddenly to be answered; yet I may not suffer you to depart hence, without saying somewhat to you: And first, I assure you, that this Acknow∣ledgment of yours is unto me a Jewel of very great Value, which I shall lay up amongst my choicest Treasures; it being not only a full Confutation of those Calumnies that have been cast upon my Actions, during the time I have had the Honour to serve His Majesty here, but likewise an Antidote against the Virulency and Poison of those Tongues and Pens; that, I am well assur'd, will be busily set on Work, to traduce and blast the Integrity of my present Proceedings for your Preservation. And now, my Lords and Gentlemen, since this may perhaps be the last time, that I shall have the Honour to speak to you from this Place; and since that, next to the words of a dying Man, (those of one ready to banish himself from his Country, for the good of it) Chal∣lenge Credit; give me leave before God and you here to protest, that in all the time I had the Honour to serve the King my Master, I never received any Command from him, but such as spake him a Wise, Pious, Protestant Prince, zealous of the Religion he professeth, the Welfare of his Subjects, and industrious to promote and settle Peace and Tranquillity in all his Kingdoms; and I shall beseech you to look no otherwise upon me, than upon a ready In∣strument, set on Work by the Kings Wisdom and Goodness for your Preserva∣tion; wherein, if I have discharged my Self to his Approbation and yours, it will be the greatest Satisfaction and Comfort I shall take with me, where∣ever it shall please God to direct my Steps. And now (that I may dismiss you) I beseech God long, to preserve my Gracious Master, and to restore Peace and Rest to this aifflcted Church and Kingdom.

But it is necessary to cast an Eye upon the rest of the Provinces, and first on Munster, where we shall find, that the Castle of Bunratty was surpriz'd by the English in the close of the last Year; and that the Earl of Glamorgan with Three thousand of the Men design'd for England, was gone to recover that place, he possed himself at Six-mile-bridge, and made that his Camp and his Magazine, but in the beginning of April the Garison sallyed and killed Captain Magrah, and many of the Thomond Men, aud beat their Party, and not only burned Six-mile-bridge, but scowred the whole Country to within Three mile of Limerick.

Hereupon Glamorgan appointed a Rendezvouz at Clonmel, design∣ing to make a Second Attempt, but whilst he was contriving to impeach and imprison the Lord Muskery, that Lord by his Interest and Dili∣gence was too hard for him, and obtained the Command of the Army, which he presently conducted to the Siege of Bunratty; ne∣vertheless, that place held out Six weeks after he came before it, and at last surrendered upon honourable Articles.

The Supream Council removed to Limerick, to Countenance this Siege, and Insiquin, to divert it, ravag'd over all the Country to the very Gates of Limerick, until the Earl of Castlehaven, in pity to the Confederates, gathered 1000 Horse; whereby Insiquin being hindred from farther Preying the Country, was oblig'd to return to his Gari∣sons; and in the mean time the Lord Broghill took the Lord Muskrye's strong Castle of Blarny, which was more than a Counterpoise for his Success at Bunratty. And what was done the rest of the Summer in

Munster, I do not any where find, saving that the Lord of Insiquin took the Castle of Piltown; but that on the Twentieth of February the Lord Lisle (the Parliaments Lord Lieutenant) arrived at Cork with 30000 l. in Money, seven Pieces of Battery, 1000 Muskets, and 100 Barrels of Powder: He did his utmost to amend whatever he found in disorder, and in March visited Tallow, Lismore, Formoy and Youghall, and had Knockmone delivered unto him; but when he returned to Cork, he be∣gan to be jealous of Insiquin, and spent some of his time in fruit∣less Endeavours to displace him.

And in Ulster I find nothing more done, than what hath been alrea∣dy related of the Battel of Bemburb, saving that the Commissioners, in the later end of October, whilst Owen Roe was at the Siege of Dublin, and to divert him from it, sent out Seven hundred Horse and Dra∣goons from Lisnegarvy, and they ravag'd over the Counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, and Westmeath, and destroyed Owen Roe's Quarters, and burnt many of his Villages, and abundance of Corn, and demo∣lished Carickmacross; and after a Fortnights stay abroad, they brought home as many Cattle, and as much other Plunder, as they could drive, or carry. As also, That the Lagan and Eniskilling Forces being joyned, met Owen Roe near Clownish, and gave him a small Defeat.

And as for Conaught, it seems that General Preston took Roscomon a∣bout Midsummer, and reduced most part of that Province; for on the Tenth of December Mr. Annesly, Sir Adam Loftus, Sir John Temple, and Sir Hardress Waller, being then in England, made a Report of the State of Ireland to the Parliament, as followeth, viz.

That all Leinster opposes the Parliament, and so doth Conaught, except Sligo and five or six Castles, wherein the Parliament hath Six Hundred Horse and Fourteen Hundred Foot; but that in Munster the Parliament hath Cork, Kinsale, Youghall and Bandon, and in them Four Thousand Foot and Three Hundred Horse; and that all Ulster is theirs, except Char∣lemont, Dunganon, and Montjoy, which the Irish have, and Newry and Greencastle, which Ormond hath; and in that Province the Parlia∣ment have Eight Thousand Foot in seventeen Regiments, whereof Three Thousand Five Hundred Scots, and Five Thousand old British; and Eight Hundred and Fifty Horse, in seventeen Troops; and that the Irish are well supplied with Horse, Arms, Ammunition, and Men, and have Twenty Thousand Foot and Two Thousand Five Hundred Horse in Arms.

But since we have related what the Confederates did at home, it is fit that we should also enquire what they did abroad; which we may give a shrewd Guess at, by the following Papers; the first being an Extract of a Letter sent to the Queen by the Bishops of Dublin, Ca∣shel, and Elphin, in the name of the Congregation, on the Fifteenth of August 1646. The second is part of a Letter to the Marquis of Clan∣rickard, Dated at Paris the Tenth of February 1646. And the third is an Account of Mr. Jeofry Baron his Embassy to France.

THat Glamorgan was, for this only Reason, imprisoned, That being a Catholick, he was carrying to the King such Catholick Succours as might deserve His Majesty's Fa∣vour to himself and the Catholicks of Ireland.

That the Kingdom being clear'd of the common Enemy by the Catholicks of Ireland, which we suppose may be easily done this Summer, we may all unanimously go to assist our King.

That we dislike the late Peace, because all things are referred to the Pleasure of the King, which we would readily submit to, if he were not en∣viron'd on all sides with the Enemies of our Religion, and so far off from Your Majesty.

And in the mean time the Ar∣mies, Garisons and Jurisdiction of the Confederates, even the Supream Coun∣cil it self, are subjected to the sole Au∣thority and Dominion of the Marquis of Ormond, a Protestant Viceroy.

But we have no small hopes and Confidence in Your Majesty's gracious and effectual Intercession with the Pope, That Bounds being set to the Prote∣stants, within which their Armies and Government may be confin'd, they may not disturb the Catholick Reli∣gion, the Churches, nor Ecclesiastical Persons or Things.

QUod Glamorganus eo solo ca∣pite detrudi in Carcerem, quod Catholicus, ad Regem ferit Catholicorum Subsidia, quibus & sibi & Catholicis Hibernis Regios Favores promeretur.

Ut purgata ab Hoste Communi per Catholicos Hiberniae, quod sa∣tis facile, ni fallimur, poterat hoc Autumno fieri; unanimos ire ad nostri Regis Subsidium.

Pax ideo nobis displicet, quia omnia referuntur ad Arbitrium Suae Majestatis, (i.e. Regis) quod subiremus libentissime, si ab Hosti∣bus nostrae Religionis undequa{que} cincta, & à MAJESTATE Vestra tam procul non esset.

Interim subjici Exercitus, Ar∣ma, Castra, omnem Confederato∣rum Jurisdictionem, ipsum Conci∣lium Supremum, soli Authoritati & Dominio Marchionis Ormoniae, Proregis Protestantis.

Non modica nobis restat Spes & Fiducia in Majestatis Vestrae be∣nigna & efficacissima Intercessione apud Summum Pontificem, ut prae∣scripto Protestantibus limite, in∣tra quem eorum Arma & Impe∣rium contineantur, ne Religionem Catholicam, Ecclesias, Ecclesiasti∣cas{que} personas acres turbare liceat.

THE new Agent of the Supream Council, Colonel Fitz-Williams, is very violent in his Office: It is believed that Hartegan hath inchanted or infected the Employment, insomuch that all his Successors prove like to him. He, the Colonel, is very liberal in the disposing of Places and Offices in the Kingdom. He told the Countess of Arundel, That he could make the Earl her Husband, if he pleased, Lord-Lieutenant, and 'tis imagined he says the same of the Marquis of Worcester to his Friends, that is, That he shall be Lord-Lieutenant; and this was just Hartegan's way of Proceeding. Shall we never have a discreet Person come from those parts, who may impartially do our Affairs here▪ Such a Party would Advantage and Honour your Country.

Colonel Fitz-Williams hath said in great heat, That Dublin should be ta∣ken as soon as Mr. Baron returned, and that the Confederates are so puissant that he wisheth with all his Heart that there were in Ireland 40000 English and Scots, that they might have the Honour to beat them.

And another said, The Confederates had taken Dublin, if it were not for their Respect to the Queen.

Her Majesty declares, That tho' she hath sent Mr. Winter Grant, yet it is only with reference to the Marquisses of Ormond and Clanrickard, to be consulted with; and without their Advice and Consent he is not to engage her Majesty's Authority in any one thing.

Colonel Fitz-Williams endeavoureth now, by his Friends, to get a good Opinion in this Court from our Queen, and he clasheth with Dr. Tirrel, and pretendeth at Court, That he suffers for adhering to my Lord of Ormond and our King's Party; however at his Arrival here, Hartegan was not more violent than he was against my Lord of Ormond and that Party.

MR. Jeofry Baron landed at Waterford on Friday the Eleventh of March, and came the next day to Kilkenny; and being indisposed two or three days, he came not into the Assembly till the Sixteenth, at which time, being asked for an account ••f his Negotiation, he answered, That for the most part it consisted in the Letters he had brought with him, and made some scruple to communicate them to any other than a sworn Council, because the matter required Secrecy: At length a Committee was appointed to per∣use the Letters; and Sir Lucas Dillon, the Chairman, reported from that Committee, That it was requisite the Letters should be read in the Assembly, which was done accordingly.

The first was a Letter of 30 January, from Dr. Tirrell, (one of the Irish Agents) importing, That the Repture of the late Peace did at first seem to both the Courts in France to trench far upon the publick Faith of the Kingdom; but when some slight Objections were solidly refuted, and full Information gi∣ven, then the Rejection of the Peace was confirmed by the King and Queen of France, and by Cardinal Mazarine; but when they heard of the Return of the Irish Forces from Dublin, they suspected their Weakness and Division, wherefore he advises them to unite their Forces, and attack that City again, and make themselves Masters of the Kingdom; and thereby they will regain the good Will of the King and Queen of France: And that the Queen and Prince of Wales are coming to Ireland; and advises not to agree upon slight Terms; for when they come, the Irish will have their Wills.

The second was a Letter from the King of France, of 26 September, to this effect, That being well informed of the Inclinations the Kingdom hath to him, he will take a particular Care of their Interests, &c.

The third and fourth were from Cardinal Mazarine, containing general Promises, and that the Settlement of His Majesty of England would much rejoyce the King of France.

The Fifth was from Colonel Fitz-Williams, Assuring them, That if they would provid a good Reception from the Queen and Prince in Ireland, most of their Demands would be granted. That the Queen denies to have any Power to treat with the Irish; but that she will send for it. That the French will s••••d Ships for Two Thousand Irish.—That if they aid Antrim in Scotland, the Scots must look to their own Country; and with∣out them the Parliamentarians can do the Irish no hurt. That the Pres∣byterians and Independents will certainly fall out. That the Irish should not decline any of their Proposals for Peace; for he is sure they shall have all.

Only he Supplicates them to leave one Church open in Dublin for the King's Religion, lest the Parliament take Advantage to incense the English against the King, Queen, and Prince, if we should shut all our Doors against them. That the Pope has sent the Irish Forty Thousand Pistols, and Ma∣zarine will send Six Thousand more, &c.

These Letters being read, Mr. Baron said his Embassy was on two Points; First, To excuse the not sending Three Thousand Men to the King of France, according to Promise, which he had done to Content; and the second was to sollicit Aids from the Queen, which at first she promised sufficient to bring the War to the wished Period? but at the second Audience she was quite off from it, being so persuaded by her Protestant Councillors: And that Cardinal Mazarine sent them Twelve Thousand Livres, which is all he could pro∣cure.

The year 1647. began with the Arrival of Colonel Castle's Regi∣ment, which was sent by the Parliament to the Marquis of Ormond's Assistance, and was followed by Colonel Hungerford's Regiment, and Colonel Long's, and by the Commissioners themselves, who landed the 7th of June, and brought with them 1400 Foot and 600 Horse, and immediately they proceeded to the Treaty, which was on the 18th of June concluded on the Articles mentioned, Appendix 39. And the same day the Marquis of Ormond (Extrema necessitate compulsus, says Mr. Be∣ling, page 47) surrendered Dublin, Tredagh, and his other Garisons, unto them, but kept the Regalia until the 25th of July, and then deli∣vered up them also and went to England.

This Action of the Marquis of Ormond's hath some Resemblance to that of King Henry the 7th, in marrying his eldest Daughter to the King of Scotland, they were both Actions of great Foresight and Prudence; and as the later hath united Scotland to the rest of Great Britain, so the former hath preserved Ireland in obedience to the Crown of England; and therefore the Confederates, especially the Nuncio Party, (whose Designs were diametrically opposite to that which happened) do hate the Name of Ormond above all others, and have written Volumes of Scandals and unjust Reproaches against him, for preferring the English before the Irish, whom they call his own Country-men.

But we must look back, and see what the Confederates did to prevent this Agreement with the Parliament, and in truth they did but little of themselves, for their Talent was greater in breaking Articles of their own making, then those that were made by others: I cannot find they did any thing more than send a Letter of the 28th of March, to Invite the Lord of Dunsany and Sir Nicholas White to a Conjunction with them, and with part of their Army besiege the Castle of Carlow on the 18th of April; of which last, Ormond immediately sent notice both to the Lord Lisle in Manster, and to Monroe in Ulster, in hopes that they would make some Excursions to save the place by Diversion, which they could not, and so it was surrendered upon Articles.

But there happened a lucky opportunity (if they would have embraced it) of making a Peace with the King, notwithstanding that some of the Parliament Succors were arrived; for the Parliament Commissio∣ners, when they came over, brought Bills of Exchange that were not authentick, and in the mean time Winter Grant (a Papist, and a subtile Man) was sent over to Ireland by the Queen to hasten a Peace, if pos∣sible, and his Instructions in order to it were to be varied, used, or rejected, as the Lord Lieutenant upon the place should think fit, and

to deliver or suppress the Letters he had to the Nuncio and to the Con∣federates as Ormond should advise, by whom he was to be governed in all things, and he brought with him 14 Blanks to be filled up as the Lord Lieutenant should please, and he was to know Ormond's Opinion, whe∣ther the Prince should come to Ireland or not?

Hereupon Winter Grant on the 15th of April went to the Supreme Council with Directions, to promise the Confederates, That if they agree to a Cessation, the Lord Lieutenant will not receive any more of the Parliament Forces in three weeks from the 18th Instant; but they would not consent to so short a Truce, but on the 10th of May they did write, That they must insist on the Propositions of the Congregation at Waterford, but are willing to make good the Propositions made by Dr. Fen∣nel, and will readily assist to preserve Dublin for the King against the Parlia∣ment. And it seems they had wrought upon Winter Grant, for he by his Letter of the 13th of May, presses the Conclusion of the Peace, and offers, that the Irish Armies shall drive back the Parliamentarians. But to these Instances, Ormond returned this Answer to Mr. Grant on the 15th of May; That the two first of Dr. Fennell's Propositions are fit between Neighbouring Princes in a League Offensive and Defensive, but not between Subjects and their King, and that there is no possibility of a Peace, whilst they insist on the Proposi∣tions of the Congregation at Waterford; and that these feigned Offers are for vile Ends, either to Calumniate if we dont, or Deceive us if we do, Accept them. However, he wrote more moderately to the Confederates, but they never vouchasafed to send him a Reply.

And it ought to be noted, That the Lord Lieutenant carried himself so well in this matter, that even the Queen and Prince did approve of what he had done, and in evidence thereof, afterwards sent him over to the Government of Ireland, anno 1648. and Sir Robert Talbot, Mr. Oli∣ver Darcy, Mr. Beling, and Mr. Thomas Dungan, did confess to the Lord Digby, That Ormond could not avoid doing as he did; which I should not have mentioned, but that some of the Confederates in word and in writing, with the greatest Malice and Bitterness imaginable, without considering the King's Directions in the Case, or the insuperable Neces∣sity of that Action, have accused the Marquis of Disloyalty, in deli∣vering up the King's City and Sword to His Majesty's Enemies, and for saying, That if he must surrender it to any of the Rebels, he would rather do it to the English than the Irish.

But perhaps a curious Reader may be inquisitive to know the Mystery of Ormond's keeping the Regalia almost five weeks longer than he did the City, and it was this: There were many Anti-Nunciotists amongst the Confederates, who were willing to leave the Kingdom, and be transported into France under the Command of the Marquis of Ormond, and Monsieur Talon was every day expected with French Ships to that purpose, but he did not come within the time; and after it was expired, Ormond could not obtain license for their Transportation from the Par∣ment, tho it seemed to be their Interest to get so easily rid of so many Enemies.

But it is time to attend the new Governors, and see how they handle the Irish, and manage their Affairs: One of the first things they did, was, to reduce the eleven old broken Regiments to seven, under the Earl of Kildare, the Lord Moor, and the Colonels Titchburn, Borlace, Wil∣loughby, Bayly, and Flower, and then they made Colonel Michael Jones Governor of Dublin, and Commander in chief of the Province of Leinster, and on the 20th of June they did by their Proclamation strictly prohibit the Exactions and Free Quarter of the Army; whereupon the

Soldiers grew so mutinous, that Mr. Annesley and Sir Robert King were obliged to quit the Kingdom for a time, for fear of Violence▪ and by another Proclamation of the same date, they prohibited the use of the Common Prayer, which occasioned an excellent Petition or Declarat on from the Episcopal Clergy, to be found at large▪ Burlace, Appendix 94.

And it is fit we should also enquire, how the valiant Confederates, who did insult so sawcily on the Necessities of an Imprisoned King, did behave themselves against the more powerful Parliament, and indeed they began pretty well at first, though they paid dear for it after∣wards, for General Jones having marched some Men out of Dublin, was met by General Preston within 12 miles of the City, and beaten back again; whereupon Preston (whose Army was 10000 strong) pos∣sessed himself of most of the Out-Garisons, even to within 8 miles of Dublin, and then went to besiege Trim, wherein lay a Regiment of Foot and some Horse under Colonel Fenwick.

To relieve this place by diversion, Jones on the 17th of July marched out of Dublin with 1000 Foot and 400 Horse, and burned Castlemartin, and took good Prey from Castlebawne; but the Irish fell upon his Rear near Johnstown and killed Captain Meredith, a Gentleman of clear Va∣lour and great Hopes, and several others, and had destroyed them all, if this Retreat had not been managed with excellent Conduct and ex∣traordinary Courage.

And though some Men's Courage, like a Fever, proceeds rather from Distemper than Constitution, and acts distractedly whilst it is in ferment, but is soon allayed and suppressed; yet true Valour is like Fire, the more Oyl is cast upon it the more it flames; and true Forti∣tude is so far from being daunted by Adversity, that it is rather there∣by stimulated to new Encounters.

And thus it was with Jones, who disdained these Baffles he had received from the Irish, and was resolved to regain his Reputation, and retrieve the Glory of his Nation, or dye; and accordingly on the first day of August he drew out two Regiments of Horse and 3800 Foot, half star∣ved Soldiers that were ready to mutiny for want; he had also some Artillery, and what else he thought requisite to relieve Trim.

But Preston having notice of this March, raised the Siege, and de∣signed to get between the English and Dublin, and so to have surprized that City, whilst the other relieved Trim; but Jones (being reinforced by Sir Henry Tichbourn from Tredagh, and Colonel Moor from Dundalk, Colonel Conway, and some Scots and others, from Newry, Carling ford, &c. amounting in all to 700 Horse and 1200 Foot,) followed Preston, who (besides what the Lord Dillon of Costilogh and the two Nugents brought him) had effectually 7300 Foot and 1047 Horse, and overtook him at Dungan Hill, where it came to a fair Battel on the 8th of August, and Jones, by plain Valour and downright Blows, obtained the greatest and most entire Victory that had been gained during the War, for there were slain on the place 5470 Men, besides many that were gleaned up afterwards, amounting in all to 6000; and there were 5 Colonels and 4 Lieutenant Colonels, 6 Majors, 32 Captains, 23 Lieutenants, 27 En∣signs, 2 Cornets, 22 Sergeants, 2 Quartermasters, 2 Gunners, the Clerk of the Store, 13 Troopers, and 228 Common Soldiers, taken Prisoners; the Cannon and Carriages, and 64 fair Oxen for the Train, were also taken; and, which is most strange, there were not above 20 English men slain in this fierce Encounter, which happened that very day Twelve-month the Nuncio and Clergy at Waterford had broken the Peace of 1646; and therefore Mr. Beling reckons this

Defeat as a Judgment on the Irish for their perfidious breach of that Peace.

The reason of so great a Slaughter, was, because the Irish Foot fled to a Bog, and the English surrounded it, and so had the killing of them all; and indeed, the extraordinary Valour of Major James Clotworthy ought not to be forgotten, for he not only killed the Cannonier just as he was ready to fire, but also tought so desperately, that his Horse received 17 wounds and was killed, and himself had two Shot in his Armour.

Upon this Defeat the Irish quitted and burnt Naas, Sigginstown, Col∣lanstown, Castlewarding, and Moyglare, and had been forced to quit more, but that Pay and Provision grew so scant, that the Army was fain to return to Dublin, where 1500 l. was newly arrived; and not long after greater Supplies were sent over, together with 1000 l. for a Present to General Jones for his extraordinary good Ser∣vice.

But that which is prodigiously Strange, and almost Incredible, is, That the Nuncio, the Clergy, and the old Irish, did rather rejoyce than grieve at this Misfortune of Preston's, for his Army were old English of the Pale, and but half-pac'd Nuncio••ists, so that they could hardly be trusted: And now the Clergy were rid of them by this De∣feat, and Owen Roe (who was their Darling) became General of the three Provinces; and under him Sir Thomas Esmond commanded the Foot, and Colonel Peirce Butler the Horse, in Leinster; Lieutenant Gene∣ral Farrel, and Henry O Neal, in Conaught; and Major General O Neal, and Sir Philem O Neal, in Ulster▪ And though Preston did pretend to recruit his Forces, yet it was so faintly and slowly, that small regard was had of him.

Owen Roe being thus qualified, marched to visit his Province of Lein∣ster, and Jones being recruited at Dublin, and afterwards joyned with Monk at Trim, marched forward to face him; but the Irish General was more cunning than to fight, and lose all his Army at once, as Preston had done, and for which Owen Roe often laughed at him, and therefore suffered the English to take Ashboy and Portlester, and some other small places, even whilst he looked on; and so being loaden with Prey and Pillage, Jones and Monk returned, the one to Dublin, any the other to Ulster.

And not long after Jones marched with Borlace's and Willoughby's Regiments into the County of Wicklow, to settle them in Wicklow and Newcastle; but in his absence Owen Roe burnt the Country from Castle∣knock to Drogheda, and so near to Dublin, that 200 Fires were discerned from St. Ann's Steeple in that City.

But it is time to visit Munster, where we shall find the Lord Lisle en∣deavouring to displace Insiquin, and to give the Command of that Pro∣vince to the Lord of Broghill; but Insiquin was so popular in the Army, that it required more time to bring this about, than the Lord Lisle had to spare, for his Commission determined the 15th day of April, so that Insiquin kept his Government, and the Lord Lisle, together with his Bro∣ther Algernoon Sydney, and the Lord Broghill, went for England, where this last, and Sir Arthur Loftns, impeached Insiquin; but the Parliament being embroyled with the differences between the Presbyterian and Inde∣pendant Parties, had not leisure to mind the Accusation, and so it ••ell to the Ground: But on the third of May, Insiquin drew out 1500 Horse, and as many Foot, and took Drumanna and Capoquin, and on the 10th of May he took Dungarvan, and if his Provisions had lasted, he de∣signed

to besiege Clonmell; but the want of Victuals and Carriages, which has been fatal to most of the Martial Undertakings in Ireland, did also force him to return to Cork, whereof the Parliament of England being advertized, they ordered him Thanks, and a Train of Ar∣tillery.

But on the 29th of May he marched out again as far as Cappoquin, and on the third of June Major Purdam with a detached Party took a Prey near Carrick, and brought it to the Army; but Captain Power, who went with a Party of Horse to discover the Enemy, had not so good fortune, for some of them got between him and home, and cut off 60 of his Men, and took 12 Prisoners; and so great were the wants of the Army, that the Soldiers died by Scores, and Insiquin was again obliged to return, without doing any great Exploits in this Expe∣dition.

Nevertheless being reinforced from England, he marched out again in the beginning of August, and met with great Success, for he took Cahir by Surrender, and the Rock of Cashell by Storm, with great Slaughter of the Enemy, whereof above 20 were Priests or Fryers; and from thence he went to Carrick, where he was civilly treated by the Lady Thurles, and he put that whole Country under Contribution, and would have besieged Clonmell, if the usual want of Provisions had not hindered his design.

But Insiquin having on the 28th of September received a very large Re∣cruit of some thousands of Men, under the Command of the Colonels, Gray, Needham, Temple, &c. did again take the Field with 4000 Foot and 1200 Horse; and on the 13th day of November he met with the Irish Army under the Lord Taaff, consisting of 7464 Foot and 1076 Horse; besides Officers, and gave them a total Defeat at Knockinoss; there were 4000 Irish slain upon the place; and 6000 Arms, 38 Colours, the Gene∣ral's Tent and Cabinet, and all their Baggage and Ammunion, were taken; and upon notice of it, the Parliament voted 10000 l. to be sent to Munster, and a Letter of Thanks, and 1000 l. for a Present, to be sent to the Lord of Insiquin: However, all this did not hinder him from sending them (in January following) the Remonstrance mentioned, Appendix 39. and not long after he made a Cessation with the Irish, as we shall see anon.

But the loss of the Catholick Army in Munster, about three Months after the Defeat at Dungan Hill, did so mortifie the Confederates, and their Representatives in the General Assembly, which was then Sitting at Kilkenny, that they grew very desirous of a Peace, if they knew where or from whom to obtain it, for the King was then Prisoner in the Isle of Wight, and there was no Access to him, and therefore it was resolved to send Ambassadors to the Queen and Prince then in France, to propose Conditions to them, whereof one was to be, That they should send a Roman Catholick Lord Lieutenant to Ireland, and that if the Queen and Prince declined the Affair, that then they should seek the Protection of some other Prince; and it was also resolved, to send to the Pope, to inform his Holiness of the miserable State of the Na∣tion, &c.

Accordingly the Marquis of Antrim, the Viscount Muskry, and Geofry Brown, were sent to France; and, besides their Errand to the Queen and Prince, they had Instructions in reference to the Court of France to be found here, Appendix 40.

And the Bishop of Fernes and Nicholas Plunket were dispatched to Rome with Instructions mentioned likewise, Appendix 40.

There was also an Ambassador sent to Spain with like Instructions as to France, Mutatis mutandis, that no Stone might remain unturned that might grind the poor Protestants of Ireland.

In the mean time the Irish, by the aforesaid loss of their Two Ar∣mies, were left very naked and weak, and lay expos'd to the Efforts of the next Summer; and therefore did project, if possible, either to make a Cessation with Insiquin or the Scots: And it succeeded beyond their expectation, not only because the Nuncio gave his express Con∣sent to it, but because Insiquin began to be jealous that the Parliament, or rather the prevailing Independent Faction, aim'd at turning the Go∣vernment into a Republick, wherein the Nobility would lose their Privileges and their Peerage. And this Notion was so well improved by the Loyal Industry of Dean Boyle. now Lord Primate, that it produ∣ced the aforesaid Remonstrance, and prepar'd Insiquin to declare for the King upon the first Opportunity. And therefore in January he sent them the aforesaid Remonstrance, and not long after imprison'd some of his resisting Officers that continued firm to the Parliament, and so stood ready to declare for the King.

Moreover it was considered, that the Support of the King was a Branch of The Solemn League and Covenant, which therefore Insiquin thought to be infring'd by the Votes of Non-Addresses to His Majesty; and that he might be the better inform'd of other Mens sense of this Affair, he sent a Messenger into Scotland, since it was impossible to correspond with the Presbyterian Party in England, and from the Estates of Parlia∣ment of Scotland he had full Approbation of what he had done, and of the Cessation he intended to make with the Irish, in order to ad∣vance the King's Service, and answer the Ends of the Covenant. Whereupon the Parliament voted him a Rebel and a Traytor, on the Fourteenth of April, 1648. And so we will leave that Affair, till I come to resume it in order the next Year.

As for Connaught, it can afford but little Matter for an Historian this Year, being intirely in the Hands of the Confederates, Sligo and three or four Castles only excepted: Nor was there much done in Ul∣ster, that I can find, most of their Forces being diverted at the Bat∣tel of Dungan-hill, as hath been already related. But it is mentioned in Whitlock's Memoirs, pag. 254. That Sir Charles Coot gave the Rebels a great Defeat, and killed 1000 of them; but where or how, I cannot find.

Finally, In this Year was published a most Treasonable and Scan∣dalous Book, entitled, Disputatio Apologetica de Jure Regni Hiberniae pro Catholicis Hibernis, adversus Haereticos Anglos; written by one Cnoghor Mahony, a Native of Muskery in the County of Cork, and a Jesuit disguised under the Name of Cornelius de Sancto Patricio; the main De∣sign of it is to prove, That the Kings of England never had any Right to Ireland; and he advises the Irish to kill all that adhere to the Crown of England, tho' Papists, and to chuse a Native King; and avers, That if the King (Charles the First) had originally a Right, yet being a Heretick, he ought to be depriv'd. And tho' this Book was burnt, by Order of the Supreme Council, for Form sake; yet it was suffered pri∣vately to be disperst, and was never condemn'd by the Popish Clergy in Ireland to this day, altho it was proposed by P. W. in the famous Congregation at Dublin, Anno 1666. that it should be so.

The Year 1648. began with the Treaty between Insiquin and the Confederates about a Cessation, which met with many Difficulties by the means of the Nuncio; for altho' he had given his Consent formerly, that the Confederates should make a Cessation either with Insiquin or

the Scots, as they should find most convenient; yet now, when he found it was near a Conclusion, and saw that Insiquin, by deserting the Par∣liament, had shut the Door against farther Succors from England, he be∣gan to play over his old Tricks again, and sent a Letter to the Supreme Council, advising them against the Cessation, 1. Because Insiquin's Succes∣ses had given him the Possession of many Popish Estates and Churches, which must be left so by this Truce. 2. Because Insiquin was their most inveterate Enemy, and was stain'd with the Blood of the Reli∣gious at Cashell, and elsewhere. And, 3. Because Insiquin can have no Supplies from England, and therefore must restore all their own to the Catholicks if he be prosecuted, and therefore should have no Cessation.

But the Council replied, They had so many Enemies in every Pro∣vince, that they could not fall upon Insiquin; and if they did, he had Walled Towns and Forces enough to defend himself: That it would be scandalous to prosecute him, that had as good as declared for the King, and at the same time to neglect the Parliaments Forces, that were His Majesty's Enemies; and that if they did so, they could expect no Fruit of their Embassie to the Queen and Prince, &c. The Nuncio replied, and they rejoyned; but at length he came to Kilkenny, and when, after many Expostulations, he found they were resolved to proceed to conclude the Cessation, on the Seventh of May he with∣drew privately from Kilkenny to Owen Roe's Camp at Killminch in the Queen's County, and sent a Letter to the Supreme Council, to inform them of this Flight, and the Reasons of it. Many Messages and Let∣ters past between them, and all imaginable Endeavors were used to get him back and reconcile him, but in vain; for having notice that they had published the Cessation the Twentieth of May, he, together with the Bishops of Clogher, Ross, Cork, and Down, on the 27th of the same Month, issued an Excommunication against all the Adherents to this Cessation; from which, as being very erroneous both in Matter and Form, the Supreme Council made an Appeal to the Pope, on the 31th of May; and on the Fourteenth of June they propos'd some Queries about it to the Bishop of Ossory, who gave them Answers to their satisfaction, all which are to be found at large in the Appendix of Instruments annexed to Peter Walsh's Loyal Remonstrance.

It is almost incredible what Execution a Popish Excommunication can do amongst an ignorant bigotted People, that are led by an implicit Faith to a blind Obedience. Nevertheless, 'tis certain, that the Su∣preme Council were at their Wits end how to manage the People, and the Nuncio: And yet it is the more strange, that his Excommunications should find so much regard, because he did notoriously abuse the Power of the Keys, and did fulminate his Anathema's upon the slightest Occa∣sions, and even in his own Temporal Affairs, as appears by his Ex∣communication of Colonel Edmund Butler and all his Officers, if with∣in two Hours they did not deliver up the Castle of Kilkenny to the Mayor and Aldermen of that City; and the following Excommunica∣tion of James Gough, in a Plea of Debt or Account, in his own Case, for the† Frigat was his.

JOannes Baptista Rinuccinus Dei & Sanctae Sedis Apostolicae gratia Ar∣chiepiscopus & Princeps Firmanus, ac in Hiberniae Regno Nuncius Apo∣stolicus extraordinarius, tibi Jacobo Gough salutem. Tenore presentium precip••nus ac mandamus ad instantiam & petitionem Domini Ludovici Ge∣deon Capitanei Fregatae Sancti Petri, & Sociorum Militum & Nautarum, quat••nus infra totam diem sequentem Lunae quae erit 17 currentis Mensis

Augusti debeas reddere computa fidelia & realia cum effectu & sine mora, de omnibus pecuniis & rebus Spectantibus ad ipsos, & alios pro praeda capta a dicta fregeta, ad effectum, quod statim ipse supradictus Capitaneus, & alij interesse habentes, debitam & justam habeant Satisfactionem pro integra illorum quorumcunque parte, & hoc sub paena Excommunicationis nobis re∣servata de facto incurrendae, si per te, & ex parte, vel defectu tuo, totum id non perficiatur non obstantibus quibuscumque, &c. in quorum fidem, &c. Datum Waterfordiae Die 15th. Augusti Anno. 1646.

Joannes Baptista Archiepiscopus, Firmanus Nuncius Apostolicus.

Nor is it unfit to be observed, that these Prelates, who were so forward to Excommunicate those that made a Cessation with the Kings Party, could yet suffer their Darling Owen Roe, to make Leagues and Cessations with the Parliament Officers, viz. Coot, Jones and Monk, without issuing an Excommunication, or so much as giving him a re∣proof for it: And that it may appear, how little regard this Apo∣stolick Nuncio had for Religion; it is necessary to add, that when he understood that a blasphemous Wretch had drank a Health to the Trinity, viz. God, Owen Roe and the Nuncio, and said, that who∣ever would not Pledge it was a Heretick; he was so well pleased with that Prophane and Irreligious Zeal, that he rewarded it with a Deanry. Propino vobis inquit Salutem Trinitatis, Dei scillicet, Eugenij O Nellij, & D. Nuntij, quam quisquis bibere recusaverit, pro Heretico ha∣bendus erit: And this is reported by Mr. Beling, who was himself an eminent Roman Catholick, and a Learned man; and their first Legate to the Pope, and Secretary to the Supream Council.

But to proceed, the Supream Council could not deal with the Nuncio and his Party, without the Assistance of Insiquin, for Owen Roe stood firm to the Nuncio; so that on the 11th of June he proclaimed War against the Supream Council, altho' he had sworn Fidelity to them, (but 'tis probable the Nuncio absolved him of that Oath,) and therefore they did not only borrow Five hundred Horse from Insiquin, under the Command of Major Doily, but did also on the Twenty seventh of May, publish a Declaration exhorting the People to their Duty and Defence, and did likewise renew their Oath of Association on the 20th of June, and the same day declared War against Owen Roe and his Adherents.

In the mean time, the Nuncio the very next day after he had Ex∣communicated the Supream Council sent them word; that he design'd to Indict a National Synod at Athlone; but they were so far from ap∣proving of that, that they ordered the Marquiss of Clanrickard (who sided with them, ever since this last Cessation with Insiquin; and whereof he was a great Instrument) and General Preston, to besiege Athlone, which they accordingly perform'd, and took it before Owen Roe could march up to its relief.

Upon the taking of Athlone, the Nuncio went to Gallaway, which Town had agreed to the Cessation, and therefore all Divine Offices were interdicted, and the Churches were shut, and the very Ensigns of Authority were forced from the Mayors own House; but that In∣solence occasioned such a Tumult, that if those Badges of Office, had not been immediately returned to the Mayor, by the same hand that took them, it had certainly come to Blows and Blood in the very Streets, and as it was, two or three Men were slain in the Scuffle;

when the Archbishop of Tuam caused the Church Doors to be opened by force.

But what is yet more horrible and monstrous is, that the Fryars every where Preached unavoidable Damnation, to all those that should ad∣here to the Cessation; which Doctrine confounded the silly People, to the utmost Degree of Distraction and Madness; and yet, as if this were not enough, when those, who had some Sense and Moderation yet left, made a Scruple to fight against their near Relations, and those of their own Religion for so small a matter; the Nuncio for removing those Scruples, published the following Declaration.

IN the Name of God Amen, Whereas about Our last Decision, concerning the Publication of the Cessation, it was objected by some; that altho' for the avoiding of some Loss of Temporal Goods, they could not with a safe Conscience publish that Cessation, yet it is doubted by them, whether the same ••e not Lawful for the avoiding of such Blood-shed and Slaughter, as might follow upon the opposition made against it: We by these Presents de∣clare, that it is a Mortal sin against God and his Church, and a breach of the Oath of Association, either to procure, or suffer the Publication of that Truce; and that Catholicks ought, and are bound to undergo the Loss of all their Temporal Goods, their Liberty, all that is dear to them, and even their Life it self, rather than publish or obey it: This also was the Sense of these Our Words in Our former Decree, Nullo modo licet, &c. And indeed We well know, that Men cannot lose their Goods in this Dissension, without the Slaughter of some, or perhaps of many: In Witness whereof, We have Signed these Presents with Our own Hands, the 13th day August, 1648.

• Jo. Bap. Rin.
• Jo. Rapoten.

But before this, the Nuncio had, on the 13th of July, summoned a National Synod to sit at Gallaway on the 15th of August; where∣upon the Supream Council sent him a Letter of the 26th of July shew∣ing the Inconveniencies of that Congress, but it had no effect on him, for as he was used to do, he persisted obstinately in his own Sen∣timents.

Whereupon the Council summoned a General Assembly to meet the 4th of September, and about that time, Antrim, Muskery and Brown returned from their Ambassy to France; but when they reported to the Assembly, that the Queen and Prince intended to send over the Marquiss of Ormond, the Popish Clergy (who hated him above all others) were dissatisfied to the highest Degree, and did all that was possible to betray Killkenny and the Supream Council to Owen Roe, and if some Letters from Fryar Paul King, to the Titular Bishop of Clogher had not been intercepted, they had in all probability ef∣fected it.

For that Owen Roe might be at leisure to ruin the Supream Council, he did make a Truce with Jones, and was so hearty in it, that he wrote to the Protestant Bishop of Clogher the following Letter which was intercepted.

To the most Reverend the Bishop of Clogher.

MAKE haste to Ballysonan, and thence to Catherlogh, and I will endeavour to defend you, Costologh is joyned with Preston, and so ••••••••part of the Lord Insiquin's Army, all which I will so keep imployed, that they shall not be able to hurt you.

Owen O Neal.

But whilst these two Factions were Bandying one against another, Insiquin's Army in Munster for want of Supplies (which they could not have from England, whilst they Acted in opposition to the Parlia∣ment) was in some Distress; whereupon the Colonels Townsend and Doyly (by Insiquin's Orders as they averr'd, but he denied) wrote to the Committee at Derby House, That if the Parliament would pay their Arrears, and pardon their Defection, they would return to their Obedience: Hereupon Colonel Edmond Temple was sent over to treat with Insiquin about it, but Sir Richard Fanshaw the Princes Secretary got there before him, and established Insiquin in His Majesties Service; so that Townsend and Doyly were for some time imprisoned, and so were Sir William Fenton and Colonel Phair; but those last were afterwards Exchang'd for Insiquin's Son then Prisoner in the Tower of London, being the Hostage for his Fathers Fidelity, and not long after,

JAMES Marquiss of ORMOND Lord Lieutenant, Landed at Cork on the Twenty ninth day of September, where he was respectfully re∣ceived by the Lord Insiquin and his Officers; and on the Fourth of October he wrote to the Supream Council, that His Majesty had sent him Pursuant to their Requests, and that he desired they would send Commissioners to Carrick, to treat of a Peace, which they rea∣dily obeyed; and on the Sixth of October, his Excellency published a Declaration mentioned, Appendix 42.

But it may be enquired, how it came to pass, that when the Con∣federates desired a Roman Catholick Vice-Roy so passionately, and above all other Protestants ahorr'd Ormond, as for many other Acts pre∣judicial to Popery; so especially for surrendring Dublin to the Parlia∣ment, that yet he should be the very Man that should be sent unto them, to which it might be answer'd in General, and from good Vouchers, That Ormond was the Person in the World, upon whose Loyalty, and Conduct in the Affairs of Ireland, His Majesty did most depend: But there is yet a greater Mystery in the matter, and it was thus,

Whilst Ormond was in England, the Scots Commissioners finding what usage was design'd to the King, did endeavour to retreive the Honour of their Nation, by doing something extraordinary in his Favour; and the Presbyterians every where finding the prevailing In∣dependents, did despise the Sanctity of the Covenant, and the Suppor∣ters thereof began to be Alarm'd; so a proper Juncture of doing Service to the King was suddenly expected; hereupon Ormond by the Kings Order met the Scotch Commissioners near Marlow and they for Scotland, and he for Ireland undertook to promote His Majesties Service; and in order to it he went to France, and so into Ireland to prosecute this Design, and not in Answer to the Irish Ambassy as they

sancied, and the same Reason prevailed upon Insiquin to joyn with him, and it was pursuant to this Treaty, that the Earl of Lanerick (then Duke Hamilton) invaded the Kingdom of England.

But as soon as the Parliament Commissioners in Ireland understood, that the Marquiss of Ormond intended to return to that Kingdom, they did all that was possible to prevent his Design; and upon bare Suspicion seized upon Sir Maurice Eustace, Sir John Gifford, Sir Francis Willoughby, Colonel William Flower, the Lieutenant Colonels Ryves, Capron and Smith, Major John Stephens and Captain Peirce, and kept them Prisoners in the Castle for some days, and then sent them in Custody to Chester; and they also kept Sir Thomas Lucas and Colonel Byron Priso∣ners at Tredagh.

As for the Military Motions this Year, tho' they were not many, nor in many Places; Munster being entirely quiet, and very little ei∣ther of Leinster or Ulster disturbed, yet they may be esteemed very considerable, because they were between the Irish themselves, for Insiquin had managed his Affairs so prudently, by assisting the weaker side; and the Nuncio had Acted so rashly, in Excommuni∣cating the Supream Council and their Adherents; that Owen Roe and Preston, and their Followers were engaged in as fierce and as spite∣ful a War, as any that had been since the Rebellion broke out, so that Preston, assisted by the Marquiss of Clanrickard, took Ath∣••one and besieged Athy, and Insiquin in favour of the Supream Council besieged Fortfalkland; and tho' Owen Roe came to relieve it, and po∣sted his Army so advantagiously between Insiquin and Munster, that the English had certainly been starved, if the generous Bounty of the Marquiss of Clanrickard had not supplyed them with Necessaries; yet at length Owen Roe was forced to a retreat not much different from a Flight, and the Fort was surrendered to Insiqui••; and with these Losses, and this Disgrace, Owen Roe was so netled, that he ravaged over the whole County of Roscomon, and took Jamestown, and so ob∣stinately Stormed Carigdrumrusk that Rory Macguire, and most of his Regiment were there slain, and in revenge of it the Garison (being all Papists) were put to the Sword: And by this Campaign Owen Roe was so weakned, that he offered a Cessation to Colonel Jones, and to carry his Army to Spain, if Jones would give him Liberty to do so.

And it seems, That the Marquiss of Antrim had some Highlanders in the Counties of Wicklow and Wexford, which being joyned with the Birnes and Cavenaghs, who were of the Nuncio Faction, and rejected the Peace, gave such Disturbance to the Supream Council, that they were fain to send Sir Edmond Butler, and Sir Thomas Esmond to sup∣press them, which at last they effected, tho' not without considerable Slaughter on both sides.

In the mean time, Jones took Ballysannon, Nabber and Ballyho, and many of the Scots being gone to assist Duke Hamilton's Invasion of England, Colonel Monk by the means of Sir Price Coghrun, and Lieute∣nant Colonel Cunningham surprized Carigfergus and in it Monroe, whom he sent Prisoner to London, and then had an easie Conquest of Belfast and Colerain, and Sir Charles Coot had no very hard one of the Fort of Culmore; and for those good Services the Parliament Presented Colonel Monk with 500 l. and made him Governour of Carigfergus.

But in November, the Irish Ambassadours to the Pope returned to Ireland, and brought with them abundance of Relicks but no Money, as may be easily gathered from the following Letter from Sir Richard Blake, to Sir Robuck Linch.

Sir,

THIS day the Lord Bishop of Fernes, and Mr. Plunket, gave an ac∣count of their Negotiation to the House; they made a full Representation to his Holiness of the desperate Condition of the Kingdom, that without pre∣sent and good Supplies, which they expected from his Holiness, there was no hope of the Preservation of the Catholick Religion or Nation. That his Holi∣ness was bound in Justice to do it, his Nuncio here having in a General As∣sembly of the Confederates undertaken, That the Sum promised Sir Kenelm Digby for the Wars of England, upon good Conditions for Catholicks, would be applied to the Service of the Catholick Confederates of Ireland; but after four Months attendance, their Answer was, (there being no Intelligence then of our Distance or Divisions with the Lord Nuncio or Owen O Neal) That his Holiness hath sent by the Dean of Firmo a considerable Help unto us, and that he had no account how that was disposed of; That the Turks were in Can∣dia, and threatened Italy; That there was great Scarcity of Corn in Rome, and the adjoyning Territories, and that a great Sum of Money must be issued to satisfy the Commoners, That his Predecessor Pope Urban had left the Treasury empty, and the See deeply charged with Debt; That the Cardinals and others, who had Pious Intentions to advance our Holy Cause, were Poor, and hardly able to maintain their own Ports, so that nothing could be expected from them.

And for the Conditions the Agents expected from his Holiness for Religion, upon our Treaty with the Queen and Prince, he said, that it was not proper for the See Apostolick to grant any Articles to Hereticks, though it be true that Catho∣lick Princes in Germany and other Kingdoms do it. As for the Nuncio's En∣gagement, That the Catholicks of Ireland should be Supplied by his Holiness in their Maintenance of the War, that he had no such Commission, though it was true that his Holiness would give Money for Conditions of Religion, but none upon the Event of War. Our Agents heard not of our Disunion and Raptures in this Kingdom, until after their taking leave of his Holiness, and then when the same was known and published in Rome, they heard from some eminent Persons, That what his Holiness was resolved to give for our Support, he knew not to what Party he would send it, we being fleshed in Blood one against the other.

But whilst the Treaty between Ormond and the Irish was in agita∣tion, a Letter of his to the Supreme Council was intercepted, and brought to the Parliament, and by them shewed to the King, who was then in the Isle of Wight; whereupon they obliged His Majesty to write to the Lord Lieutenant, not to proceed any farther in the Treaty with the Irish; but that Letter was interpreted to come from one in Duress, and being contrary to express Orders given his Excellency, Not to obey any Commands inconsistent with those then received, unless they were manifestly for His Majesty's Advantage, until His Majesty were at liberty to declare his Sentiments freely: That Letter was not much re∣garded; and so after twenty days spent in the Treaty at Carrick, the Lord Lieutenant, about the middle of November, removed to his Castle at Kilkenny upon the Invitation of the Commissioners, and to be nearer the General Assembly which was then Sitting in that City; he was recei∣ved with such profound Respect, as is usually paid to the Sovereign Authority, and had his own Guards with him. However, it was the middle of January before the Matters relating to the Peace could be adjusted, and then they passed unanimously, even by the Votes of the Popish Bishops, and were on the 17th of January mutually Ratified, and

afterwards Proclaimed with great Joy, and followed by the Decla∣rations of the Popish Clergy, expressing their great Satisfaction at this Peace, which consisted of the Articles mentioned, Appendix 43, which King Charles the second, in the Preamble of the Act of Settlement, had good reason to call Difficult Conditions.

Upon this Peace, Ormond proposed to get together so good an Army, as might by Force or Treaty prevent the Impending Fate of his Royal Master, for the undertaken Quota's were as followeth.

	Foot.	Horse.
Munster Irish	4000	800
Leinster	4000	800
Insiquin	3000	600
Conaught	4000	800
Owen Roe, if he would come in, had	5000	500
	20000	3500

But he depended upon a broken Reed; for besides that, the Irish had delayed the conclusion of the Peace too long to render it service∣able to the King, and had exacted such Conditions, as would rather hasten than prevent His Majesty's Ruine; the Lord Lieutenant was exceedingly disappointed in his Calculation, for Owen Roe did not at all come in till it was too late, and most of the rest were deficient in their promised Proportions of Men or Money, so that he was forced to borrow 800 l. upon his own Credit, to enable the Army to march.

But it must not be forgotten, that the Confederates still lay upon the lurch, and in order to keep up their Dominion and Power, (notwithstanding the Peace,) they did, on the 12th of January 1648, make the following Order.

By the General Assembly.

WHEREAS the Declaration of the General Assembly of the Confe∣derate Catholicks, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bearing date the 28th day of August 1645, and the Explanation of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 General Assembly thereupon, dated the First of September 1645, did relate to a Settlement of a Peace to be grounded on any Authority from his Majesty, as by the said Declaration and Explanation there∣upon more at large may appear: It is this day ordered and declared by this Assembly, That the said Declaration and Explanation shall CONTINUE and REMAIN in full force, and be renewed as of this time, and have relation to all Articles for a Settlement agreed on, as well by Authority from His Majesty, as from his Highness the Prince of Wales, or both, as if the said Declaration and Explanation had been NOW MADE to all Intents, Constructions, and Purposes.

But the Peace being concluded, the Irish became very troublesom, by their Importunities for Offices and Places of Trust and Honour. Sir Richard Blake, the very next week after the Peace, wrote to Secre∣tary Lane to mind the Lord Lieutenant to make him a Baron, and others were as careful of their own Advancement; but above all others, the Insolence of a Son of Hugh O Connour is remarkable, for he on the

9th of March wrote to the Lord Lieutenant to give him a Troop, and his Brother a Foot Company, or else they would shift for themselves: To whom the Lord Lieutenant made answer, That whatever he did with great Rebels, he would not capitulate with small ones.

And now how gladly would I draw a Curtain over that Dismal and Unhappy Thirtieth of January, wherein the Royal Father of our Coun∣try suffered Martyrdom! Oh! that I could say, They were Irish Men that did that Abominable Fact, or that I could justly lay it at the Door of the Papists! But how much soever they might obliquely or de∣signedly Contribute to it, 'tis certain it was actually done by others, who ought to say with the Poet,

Pudet haec opprobria nobis Et dici potuisse, & non potuisse refelli.

Notes

• 1625.
• 1626.
• P. W. Remon∣strance, 11.
• 1626.
• Life of Archb.
• Ʋsher, 28.
• Bishop Vsher's Letters, 407.
• Bishop Vsher's Letters, 423.
• Bishop Bedel's Life, 44.
• Rushw. 160.
• 1629.
• 1630.
• Bishop Bedel's Life, 76.
• Whitlock's Memoirs, 15.
• 1631.
• Whitlock's Memoirs, 16.
• Bishop Vsher's Life, p. 38.
• 1632.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• 1633.
• Bishop Bedel's Life.
• 1634.
• Dated 29 June, 1634.
• 1635.
• 1636.
• Husbands Col∣lections, 2 Part 245.
• 1636.
• 1637.
• 1638.
• 1639.
• Husbands Col∣lections, 2 part 245.
• Rushw. 469.
• Rushw. 11.
• ☞
• ☜
• 1640.
• Rushw. 15.
• In Spain.
• Rushw. 494.
• 1641.
• Rather July, quaere.
• Temple, 16.
• Lord Justices and Councils Letter.
• Memoirs, 22.
• Husbands 2. part, 247.
• Dr. Jones's Examination, Appendix 9.
• Memoirs, 25. P. W. Remon∣strance, 594.
• Declaration of Parliament, 21.
• Dr. Maxwell's Examination.
• Lord Justices Letter of 16 March, 42.
• Bishop Bedell's Life, 179.
• Temple, 16.
• Memoirs, E∣pist. 1.
• See Append. 10.
• Lord Justices Letter of 14 December.
• Remonstrance of Dr. Jones, pag. 8, 9.
• Burlace, 72.
• Dr. Maxwell's Examination, Appendix 10.
• Lord Justices and Councils Letter, 22 No∣vember.
• Memoirs, 9.
• Pag. 23.
• Vide his Exa∣mination, Ap∣pend. 2.
• See it Burlace 22.
• These Letters are at large. Temple 25.
• Temple, 55.
• Vid. Appendix, 10.
• Temple, 41.
• Burlace, 71.
• Burlace, Ap∣pend. 3.
• Temple, 50.
• See it Append. 3.
• 2 Temple, 9.
• Husbands's Collections, 2 part, 247.
• 2 Temple 16.
• 2 Temple 18.
• Mr. D••••dal's Examination. Burlace 39.
• 2 Temple, 29.
• 2 Temple, 27.
• ☜
• See this Pro∣clamation, Burlace, Ap∣pend. 6.
• Burlace, 62.
• Battel of Knockagarane.
• 1641.
• Husbands's Collect. 33.
• Ibidem, 64.
• Husbands's Collect. 57.
• Husbands, 79.
• Husbands, 84.
• Ibid. 86.
• Husbands, 97.
• Ibid. 106.
• 113.
• Ibid.
• 1642.
• Bettel of Kil∣r••sh.
• The Procla∣mation, Bur∣lace Append. p. 57.
• Husbands's Collections, 2 part, 249.
• Battel of Ty∣machoo.
• Battel of Ra∣conell.
• Battel of Ross. 18th of March 1642.
• 1642.
• ☜
• Battle of Bal∣lintobber.
• Battle of Ra∣pho.
• It is at large, Dugdale's View 913.
• Husbands, ••33.
• Husbands, 141.
• ☜
• ☞
• ☞
• Append. 14.
• Append. 14.
• 1643.
• Bur. 128.
• Lords Justices Letter of 29. July, 4••.
• Battel of Kill∣worth.
• ☞
• Peview 81.
• Note, In the New Com∣mission Lord Gormanstown was omitted, and Nicholas Plunket and Sir Richard Barnwall were added.
• Whitlock's Memoirs.
• Husbands, 2. Part. 161.
• Ibid. 217.
• Ibid. 233.
• S••e it, Burlace 133.
• 1644.
• 1643.
• 1644.
• 27 April, 1644.
• 30 April.
• Bishop Ʋsher's Life, 64.
• Febr. 16. 1644.
• Lord Orrery M. S.
• Insiquin Brog-hill, Sir W. Fen∣ton, Sir P. Smith, Col. B••ocket, Colonel Searl, Major Mus∣champ.
• Jan. 2. 1644.
• 1643.
• 1641.
• 1644.
• 1643.
• 1644.
• Memoirs 45.
• Review 84.
• In July.
• Husbands, 2 part, 833.
• Vindiciae eversae, 48.
• ☞
• Clerum ac po∣pulum primum diviserit mox inter se comiserit ac si•• utriusque ruinae viam patefecerit. Beling. in Preface.
• Sancte jurat n••hil se contra 〈◊〉〈◊〉 re∣gis commoda moliturum. Beling. 15.
• Earl of Ros∣com••n. Lord Lambart. Sir Jam. Ware.
• Nihil se quod alicujus esset momenti in re∣bus pacis que belli inconsulto Nuncio esse fa∣cturos decreve∣rint. Beling. 15.
• Summi Pon∣tificis nutus & arbitrii ratio∣nem, ut par est se habere om∣nes pr••fiteban∣tur. Ibid. 21.
• Nisi concessis tam Basilicis quam prediis Ecclesiasticis. Ib. 18 & 177.
• Sir Kenelm Digby.
• †

  Etiam rege consentiente. Beling 24.
• Beling 25.
• Consentienti∣bus etiam Ca∣tholicis qui omnes pe••e aderant regni ••raelatis. Ib. 26.
• They are at large. Be••. 27.
• Pontificis eti∣am umbrae ••a∣tenus cultores. Beling 31.
• Battel of Ca∣stle-Lions, May 10. 1645.
• 1645.
• 28 March. 1646.
• 1646.
• ☜
• ☜
• 2 June.
• ☞
• Appendix 30.
• ☜
• Colonel Fit••-Williams's Let∣ter to the Lord Lieutenant.
• ☞
• ☞
• ☞
• ☞
• ☞
• Nov. 18. 1646.
• Nuntius Pre∣stonio mandat, ut f••••dus cum prorege reno∣vet. Beling 38.
• 1646.
• Though re∣ally they com∣mitted none, but paid for whatever they had.
• ☞
• Appendix 35.
• Vide the De¦claration, Ap∣pendix 36.
• Ad gladios & pugiles in ipso Senatu ventum fuisset. Beling. 39.
• ☞
• P. W. Remon∣strance, 583.
• That the Nun∣cio-Party de∣sign'd to sepa∣rate it from England.
• ☜
• 3 March.
• The Letter to the Queen.
• The Letter to the Marquiss, of Clanric∣kard.
• 1646.
• The Account of Mr. Barons Ambassy.
• 1647.
• March 30.
• April 30.
• Deserter of Loyal Friends by Bishop of Fernes, and Vindiciae ever∣sae by John Ponse, and the bleeding Iphi∣genia, &c.
• See them ante Page 185.
• Vindiciae ever∣sae 48.
• Si alterutris ex perduclibus necessario tra∣denda essent se Anglis potius quam hibernis consignaturum Vindiciae ever∣sae 63.
• Battel of Dun∣gan Hill.
• In October.
• November 24.
• Battel of Knockinoss.
• P. W. Remon∣strance, 587, 667, 737.
• Elegi••e v••∣bis regem ver∣nacu••um.
• 1648.
• Beling 128.
• Beling 65.
• 11 Febr. 1646.
• †

  Haec Frega∣ta ipsius Reve∣rendissimi Nuncii proprii erat. Beling 38.
• Decanatus insignis cujus∣dam in Hiber∣nia Ecclesiae Titulum conse∣cutus Est. Beling in pref. p. 18.
• Beling 118.
• Review 132.
• Appendix. 41.
• Beling 126.
• Earl of La∣nerick, Earl of Lauderdale, 〈…〉〈…〉.
• 27th July.
• Quod qui∣dem ille acrius quam unquam fecerat in com∣munes Religio∣nis & Regni hostes in Con∣federatos pre∣secutus est. Beling 118.
• November.
• September.
• Beling 196.
• Appendix 44▪
• Ante pag. 152.
• ☜