A happy handfull, or Green hopes in the blade; in order to a harvest, of the several shires, humbly petitioning, or heartily declaring for peace.

THE DECLARATION OF Sir Charles Coot Knight and Baronet, Lord President of the Province of CONNAƲGHT: And the rest of the Council of Officers of the Army in IRELAND.

Present at DUBLIN Concerning the Re-admission of the Suclu∣ded Members.

SInce the Authority of Parliament became openly violated, and that by their own waged servants of the Army in England, by whom 41. of the Members of Parliament were torn from the Parliament House in Dec. 1648. and imprisoned, and a 160. other Members denied entrance into the House, and about fifty more voluntarily withdrew themselves to avoid vio∣lence, making in all of secluded Members about two hundred and fifty, when the remaining Members charged the Army

with the guilt of that force, and sent to the then General of the Army for the restitution of those excluded Members which was denied them, how many and manifold have been the mi∣series and calamities under which these Nations have laboured, and do stil labour, is evident to all equal minded men. The godly Ministers of the Gospel despised: The Ministry it self villified: Tythes, and other means of their maintenance (particularly in Ireland) taken from them, and mis-applied; the Protestant Religion shaken, and almost overturned; Anabaptists, Quakers, and other Sectaries set up and countenanced; Heresies and Schisms increased; The fundamental Laws of the Land tram∣pled upon, and an Arbitrary Government endeavoured to be introduced; The Civil Rights, Properties and Liberties of the people in their persons and estates broken in pieces; Impositions and Taxes on the people without example laid and increased in an excessive manner and measure, whereby thousands of Families have been ruined, and enforced to beg their bread; Manufacture at home discouraged, publick Trade and Commerce abroad interrupted; The Nations become deeply indebted, and generally impoverished; the reformed Protestant Churches abroad exposed to great danger, wanting the wonted support of England, which (under God) was the Bulwark and chief strength of the Protestant Religion throughout all Christen∣dome, and finally the English Nation (which was alwayes de∣servedly) in so high honour and estimation at home and a∣broad, as it was a bridle and terrour to their Enemies, and a countenance and support to their Friends, and Allies, is now become (we tremble and grieve to have so just cause to speak it) a scorn and dersion to all Nations round about us; and all this is brought to pass to satisfie the Avarice, Ambition, Lusts, and fears of a few inconsiderable persons of Anabaptistical and o∣ther Fanatique spirits, who have made it their business to oc∣casion still one trouble on the neck of another, so to imbroil and continue the Nations in Division, War, and bloody con∣fusion, that sober men might not have time or leisure (with maturity of judgement or counsel) to look into the inwards of their designs or actings; And after we had beheld all this with bleeding hearts, and calling to minde that when in December

1648. the said force was put upon the Parliament, the then re∣maining Members sent sundry times to the General to know why he imprisoned their Members, and desired him to set them at liberty, which was not done; and we gathering from all this, that if the House were once freed from the force of an Army, and they again restored to Freedome and Liberty of sitting and and acting, they would then upon the firmer grounds (in con∣science of their duties to God and their Country, and in te∣stimony of their high resentment of that breach of priviledges of the Parliament, have taken into the House those excluded Members, and filled vacant places by due and orderly Elections of the People (and after so many years unhappy interruption unite again in a full and free Parliament, and there assert the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament, and Liberties of the people, which from the very beginning of the War of England have been not the least ground of their contest with the late King, and ever since, and joyn their counsels and endeavours for restoring these Nations to peace and tranquillity.

And thence it was, that on the 14. day of December 1659. se∣veral Officers of the Army here, on the behalf of themselves, and those under their Commands, by their joynt Declaration, declared and published their stedfast resolutions to adhere to the Parliament in defence of its Priviledges, and the just Rights and Liberties of the people of these Nations as Men and Chri∣stians; In which Declaration afterwards concurred the whole Army of Ireland, but now finding much contrary to our ex∣pectations, that when the Members of Parliament now assem∣bled at Westminster, were in Decemb. 1659. (by an extraordinary providence) restored to their Freedome and Liberty of sitting and acting as in Parliament; and that divers of those formerly excluded Members of Parliament on the 27. of Decem. 1659. (as they had formerly done in May 1659.) offered themselves to discharge their Trusts for the several Counties and places for which they were Elected, and formerly served those their Fellow-members assembled at Westminster, did not onely deny them admittance, but also voted and ordered the utter ex∣clusion of all the excluded Members with this further addition, that none of them should be chosen in future Elections to sit in

this Parliament, whereby they have a more unnatural vio∣lence taken away from above the one half of the people of England, their Representatives in Parliament, and limited and abridged in a high degree the Liberty and freedome of the people in further Elections, which denial and order of theirs in a time when they were under no force, is so much the more strange, in regard that in December 1648. when they were under a force, they transferred that guilt for themselves to the Army, and pretended a willingness to re-admit those Members if it were in their power, as is formerly mentioned.

And whereas Lieut. Gen. Ludlow had placed in Ireland several Officers who are Anabaptists, and persons of the like fanatique spirits, (many of whom had been very active in the late con∣spiracies and actings of the factious part of the Army in Eng∣land, even against those Members of Parliament now sitting at Westminster; of which Officers so placed by Lieut. Gen. Ludlow, it was found necessary to purge the Army, and to put in their places persons more soberly minded and well affected to the Parliament; yet after all that done, and after Lieut. Gen. Ludlow stood justly deservedly charged with High Treason, the said Lieut. Gen. Ludlow himself, and some others of the like prin∣ciples with him, were by a report from the Councel of State proposed to be appointed to governe not onely the Army, but also the whole Nation of Ireland, to the astonishment of the people and Army here, to the unsetling of those persons so well deserving, to the hazard of the peace of the Nation and Army (and which is above all) to the en∣dangering even of Religion it selfe. And here it is observable, that those Members now sitting at Westminster, by their Decla∣ration of 23. of January 1659. since their restitution to their present liberty of sitting) have published that extravagant Councels and actions, have engaged the Nations in a great debt and charge, which it seems necessitates their laying a new in∣crease of charge on the Nations, and yet so indulgent they are to those persons, that in a high degree created that necessity of so unreasonably charging the people, and whose estates might well bear a great part of that burden, as without so much as any suit made to them by those Delinquents, they granted them in∣dempnity

for their persons and estates, whereby it seems the said Members now sitting at Westminster, hold it fit, that those who are of sober spirits, and offended not the Parliament, should out of their estates pay for those extravagant mens De∣linquency, rather than the Delinquents themselves. And al∣though the said Lieut. Gen. Ludlow, and Miles Corbet Esq. together with Col. John Jones, and Col. Mat. Tomlinson, stand impeached from hence most justly of High Treason, and that charge against them, being known to the House, and there re∣maing, yet they have admitted two of those persons, namely the said Lieut Gen. Ludlow, and Miles Corbet actually to sit in the said House.

And now the greatness of those miseries which have befaln these three Nations in General, by such late actings in Eng∣land, and those heightned with many aggravations in the cir∣cumstances of them (too many and too long to be repeated) as it hath begotten in us, and in all good men in the three Nati∣ons deep impression of astonishment and horror, so it is evident, that if it be any longer continued, it will perpetually nourish dishonour to God, grief to all god men, and (we doubt and fear) utter infamy and destruction to the three Nations.

In contemplation whereof, and considering how God hath in his justice blasted all attempts that since the year 1648. have been made for re-setling of these Nations in peace and tran∣quillity, and that after all the trials and various changes of Government which we have in all that time with much long∣suffering and patience endured, there is no way visible to us under Heaven whence deliverance may be probably wrought or expected, but from the care and wisdome of a Free and full Parliament in England, which (by the experience of all former ages hath been found the best and only expedient for providing remedies to be applied to so great and general mischiefs arising in Church or State. And considering also that the marks of the true Reformed Religion according to the Word of God, and of the fundamental Laws of the Land, and of our now dying Liberties and Freedome, are not yet so utterly razed and de∣faced, but that some footsteps of them do yet remain, so as (by the wisdome of a full and Free Parliament) they may be

again renewed and firmly re-established; and considering like∣wise that our hopes of having the said excluded Members re∣stored, and of new Elections to be made for vacant places, whereby there might be a full and free Parliament, as there was on Decem. 5. 1648. and the antient and long contested Li∣berties of the people might be asserted, are much contrary to our expectations, and contrary to the fundamental Laws of the Land, and indeed contrary to all justice and become fru∣strated; and considering further how unjust and unreasonable a thing it is, that of above five hundred Members, whereof the Commons House of Parliament usually consisted, there were but four and forty or thereabouts, when that fatal Vote passed for the keeping out the aforesaid excluded Members by the pre∣valency of a major part of the said 44. persons (not much ex∣ceeding those who voted then on the contrary side) which as∣sumes to it self the Supreme Authority, not onely of England, but also of the three Nations, without president or example of any former age, there being above two hundred and fifty which stand eleven years excluded, without so much as the least offer of an Impeachment against them in all that time; which unexampled and unparallel'd assumption in those men is not possible to continue but by the force of an Army poisoned with Anabaptistical and corrupted principles, to the continual grief and unsupportable burden and charge of the three Nati∣ons.

And besides that act of the aforesaid persons chasing away (for so it now appears) about two hundred and fifty Members, of above five hundred chosen by all the several parts of England, according to the known Laws of the Land, to represent the whole Nation in Parliament; and after the forcible exclusion of so many, that the four and forty persons remaining (amongst whom we believe there are some worthy Patriots who are not so fully concurring in the actings of the rest of their number, as violently over-voted them, which is a further aggravation of the others guilt) should dare to usurp to themselves as is for∣merly mentioned, contrary to all the Laws, the Supreme power not only of England, but also of Ireland and Scotland, is a thing which none but Conquerors or Tyrants would attempt, and in

all circumstances is so hideous and monstrous to be endured by a Free people, formerly famous to all the world for wisdome and valour, as the English Nation have been, as it will be incre∣dible to all posterity

And lastly considering, that as in all Ages, and more particu∣larly since the beginning of the late horrid Rebellion in Ire∣land, our Brethren in England have abundantly manifested a tender and compassionate sense of the condition in Ireland, and were careful to relieve us in our lowest estate, as bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh; which we do, and shal ever ac∣knowledge with humble thankfulnesse, and (as a debt which we well know to be due from us to them above all people in the world) shall be for ever as tender of their happinesse and welfare, as of our own, which indeed is involved in theirs, and without whom Ireland cannot be happy. We therefore remaining constant in the reasons of our said Declaration of Dec. 14. 1659. for adhering to the Parliament in defence of its Priviledges, and the just Rights and Liberties of these Na∣tions; all which we see now are apparently more and more vi∣olated by the▪ not admission of the said excluded Members, and by not filling the vacant Places, whereby the House might be full; and being freed from force, might uninterrupted∣ly Act according to their Judgements and Consciences, to∣wards re-setling the peace of these Nations, which otherwise in all humane probability can never be restored to Peace and Tranquillity.

We do therefore declare for a full and free Parliament in England, consisting not only of those that sate on Oct. 11. 1659. but also of all such of the Members of Parliament imprison∣ed, excluded, or withdrawn in December 1648. as are yet li∣ving, whom we desire may be restored to the freedome and li∣berty of sitting, and acting according to the Trust committed to them by the several Counties and places which did chuse them, that so they may be no longer debarred from discharg∣ing their said Trust, and that vacant places may be speedily supplied by free and due Elections of the people, yet so as none of the persons to be Admitted or Elected, be any of those who have been in Arms, or otherwise aiding, abetting, or assisting

the late King or his Son in the late War against the Parliament, and that the House being so filled, may proceed unanimously to consult the best meanes for re-setling the Peace of the Nati∣ons, the re-establishment of true Religion (the surest founda∣on, as of all righteous Government, so of all the happinesse of a Nation;) the fundamental Lawes of the Land (whereby all mens rights and properties are preserved) and the liberties and freedom of the people which are supported by those Lawes.

And for those ends, and in discharge of our duty to God, and to our Country, We do resolve, by the blessing of Almigh∣ty God) to joyn with our Brethren in England, Ireland, and Scotland, who have or shall joyn with us for the ends aforesaid; and do resolve, for the maintenance and preservation thereof, to hazard our Lives and Estates, and all that is dear to us: And we doubt not but all our Brethren in the said Nations, who disdain to be made Slaves, will joyn with us herein, as being with wisedom and reason desirous to deliver over to their Poste∣rity that Liberty and Freedom which was conveyed to them at so dear a rate by our Ancestors. And then we trust, that by the great mercy of God, will speedily follow a happy settle∣ment of these yet miserable and distracted Nations; and conse∣quently that the true Protestant Religion, in the power and pu∣rity thereof, may be established; the Godly, Learned, and Or∣thodox Ministers of the Gospel maintained by their Tythes, and other their accustomed rights; their persons supported and countenanced; the Universities and all other Seminaries of Lear∣ning cherished; Heresies and Schisms suppressed, needless Im∣positions and Taxes on the people removed, and no charge to be laid on any of the Nations, without their own free con∣sents, given by their Representatives, in their several and re∣spective Parliaments; Manufactures, and Publique Trade and Commerce, at home and abroad advanced; Justice in its due and wonted course administred; the just debts of the Nation satisfied; the Treasure and Revenues thereof preserved, and returned to their right and proper Channels; the Arreares of the Army, and other publique debts duly satisfied; the Armies and Forces continued in due obedience to the Supreme Au∣thority, and not presume as some have done, to give Lawes

thereunto, which hath been the root of a great part of our mi∣series; the Nations enriched, united and strengthened; the Re∣formed Protestant Chuches abroad supported and countenan∣ced; the honour of the English Nation restored, to the com∣fort of Friends, and terror of Enemies; the Plantation of Ire∣land in the hands of Adventurers and Souldiers, and other English and Protestants advanced, as a farther accession of ho∣nour and greatness to the English Nation: and so by the bles∣sing of God, all will shortly terminate in the glory of God, the Peace and Tranquillity of these Nations, the strengthening of them against forreign Invasion, and intestine Rebellion, and the comfort, contentment of all the good People in these Na∣tions, Which the Lord of his mercy grant.

Dated at Dublin, Febr. 16. 1659.

• Sir Charls Coote
• William L. Cawfield
• Sir Theo. Jones
• Sir Oliver St. Ceorge
• Sir Hen. Ingoldsby
• Sir John King
• Col. Chidley Coote
• Col. John Cole
• Col. Will. Warden
• Col. Richard Coote
• Col. John Georges
• Col. Hen. Owen
• Lt. Col. Tho. Scot
• Lt. Col. W. Purefoy
• Lt. Col. Oliver Jones
• Maj. Tho. Barrington
• Maj. Alex. Staples
• Maj. Rich. Bingley
• Maj. George Pepper
• Lt. Col. H. Smithwick
• Capt. Henry Baker
• Cap. Rob. fitz Gerald
• Cap. Cha. Wenman.
• Cap. Adam Molineux
• Col. Hum. Barrow
• Cap. Sam. Foley
• Cap. John Salt
• Cap. Simon Garstin
• Col. Cha. Blunt
• Col. Hen. Slade
• Cap. Ant. Stamp
• Cap. Art. Purefoy
• Cap. George S▪ George
• Cap. Peter Purefoy
• Cap. Thomas Curd
• Cap. Tho. Newcomen
• Cap. Tho. Newburgh
• Cap. Hen. Thrimpton
• Lt. Hugh Clotworthy
• Lt. Peter Flower
• Lt. Her. Langrish
• Lt. Rich. Morrick
• Lt. Brian Jaques
• Lt. Richard Butler
• Lt. John Ottway
• Lt. John Evelin
• Lt. Tho. Flint
• Lt. Edw. Harrington
• Corn. Art. Ʋsher
• Corn. Donw. Prothers
• Corn. W. Pinsent
• Ensign John Hiad
• Tho. Sheppard. Mar.
• Quarter-Master W. F.
• John Payn Comptr.