A declaration made by the rebells in Ireland, against the English and Scotish Protestants, inhabitants within that kingdome. Also a traiterous oath and protestation lately contrived by the confederate rebells in a councell held at Kilkeney, against the Parliament of England, and Protestants of the three kingdomes. And a generall proclamation (published by the said councell) for arming of all Catholikes from 18 to 60. for subduing of all Protestants in the Kingdome of Ireland. Published according to order.

God save the King. By the Confederate Catholikes of the Supreme Councell.

WHereas the Scotish Army in the Province of Ulster, and other their adherents, in the said Province, and other parts of the Kingdom, have of late (as of∣ten before) taken a trayterous Oath of Covenant against his sacred Majesty, his Crown, and Digni∣ty, and made an unchristian and prophane Vow for the utter ex∣tirpation of the Irish Nation, and totall suppression of the Catho∣like Romane Religion, Subversion of Monarchicall govern∣ment, and introduction of confused Anarchy within this Realme: and not contented with the inhumane and unparalleld Massacres by them committed on poore labourers, women, chil∣dren, and many thousands of other Innocents of our Nation, without distinction of age, sex, or condition before the conclu∣sion of the Cessation at Siggins Towne, on the 15. of September last, notwithstanding continuall depredations, robberies, thefts, burnings, and destruction of all the Corne and Inhabitants in many Counties & territories within the said Realm, & elswhere by them acted before the said Cessation: the said trayterous Co∣venanters receiving their maintenance, support and orders, from the Rebells now in armes against His Majesty in England; have augmented, and do rather multiply and increase, then diminish their exhorbitant courses: and whereas the said rebells have joy∣ned in a strict union and confederation to destroy the Irish Nati∣on

root and branch (as they terme it) and their Ministers and adherents, by their directions, at Sea as well as at Land, do ex∣ercise no lesse cruelty: for, as oft as their shipping doe meet any weaker Vessels at Sea, transporting men from this Kingdom for His Majesties service in England, if Irish men, though Prote∣stants, and valiant and usefull servitors against the confederate Catholikes in this war, the Irish are thrown over board, as doth appear by the late throwing into the Sea, and drowning of an I∣rish Company of Foot of Colonell Willoughby's Regiment, all Protestants, and servitors as aforesaid; and many women in their passage from Dublin to Bristoll, by one of the pretended Parliament ships, and sundry other examples of that kind, a∣gainst the Law of Warre and Nations. And whereas the said Scotish Army, all composed of Rebels and Assassinates, are now in their march in great numbers towards the three Provinces of this Kingdome, to accomplish the plots and machinations afore∣said: And whereas the said Rebells in England have provided a great Navy, a considerable part whereof doth surround the sea coast in this Kingdome, and are resolved the next Summer, if it rest in their power, which God defend, to land great Forces in the Province of Munster and Leinster: and the said Rebells of Scotland have the like designe of landing of Forces in the parts of Ulster, next unto the Province of Conaght: And whereas the Auxiliarie Forces of the three Provinces, designed and raised for the necessary defence of our Religion, King, and Nation, are now marched to the Province of Ulster, under the Command of our very good Lord the Earl of Castlhaven, Generall, appointed by the last generall Assembly for the expedition of Ulster, to re∣pell the said fury and insolency of the said Rebels. Wherefore we hold it of absolute necessity for the safety of the Kingdome, and His Majesties interest therein, that all the said other three Provinces be forthwith in Armes, as well to preserve themselves at home from the said intended invasions, as also to be ready to

assist the said Army abroad marcht into Ulster, if need require. We do therefore by this publike Act and Proclamation, order, command, and require all the Lords, Knights and Gentlemen, Freeholders, and all other persons, from the age of 18. yeares, to the age of 60. forthwith to put themselves in armes and posture of defence; and such as want armes and ammunition, and are able, are hereby required to provide the same forthwith, for themselves, their servants and retinue. And for the better effect∣ing this high and important service, we do hereby require, order & command all and every the Governours, Deputy-Governours, Majors, Sheriffes, and all other Head-Officers of the respective Counties, Cities, and incorporate Townes of this Kingdome within our quarters, viz. the Governours, Deputy-Governours in the Counties where they are Governours, to call to assistance the high Sheriffe, and two or more of the Commissioners of the Army: and in Counties where there is no Governour, the high Sheriffe, calling to his assistance three, or more of the Commis∣sioners, of the Army: and in Cities, and corporate Townes, the Major and other Read-Officers, taking to assistance the re∣commended Sheriffs and Bailiffs thereof, or any one or more of them, forthwith to summon all the Lords, Knights, Gentle∣men, and Freeholders, and others, able and fit to beare armes, betweene the ages aforesaid, to appeare well armed upon a cer∣taine day, and in a certaine place, with the said respective Coun∣ties, Cities and Townes respectively, and upon such appearance, to inlist the names, sirnames, age, armes and ammunition of e∣very person, who will so appeare, in a book fairly written, and the said Governour, Deputy-Governours, Major, high Sheriffs, and other Head-Officers, taking to their assistance, as aforesaid, are hereby required and authorized to impose Fines, to the dou∣ble value of the armes and ammunition, upon any person or per∣sons so summoned, that will make default, who ought to have, ••ccording to the meaning of this our Proclamation, and of other

our former Proclamations, to this effect: and to impose the single value of the armes he should have, upon such as will ap∣peare, and not be armed as becometh: And we require the said governours, and other Officers aforesaid, at their perills to make due returne unto the generall Assembly now neer at hand, or un∣to us, in a faire booke fairly written, of the number, names, sur∣names, armes, ammunition, defaults, and fines aforesaid, at the furthest, by the 6. day of the moneth of August.

Given at Kilkeney the 6. of July. 1644.

Mount-Garret. Fz. Tho. Dublin. Antrim. Nettevill. Arthur Iveagh. John Cloynfect. Tho. Preston. Edmond Fitz-Morris. Rich. Bealing. Tirlogh O Neile. Patrick Darcy. George Comins.