A perfect relation of the beginning and continuation of the Irish-rebellion, from May last, to this present 12th. of January, 1641.: With the place where, and persons who, did plot, contrive, and put in execution that Romish damnable designe. As also their inhumane cruelties which they have, and still execute, with divellish hatred, upon the Protestants. Written by a worthy gentleman and sent over by a merchant now dwelling in Dublin. Whereunto is annexed the merchants letter who sent the copy of this relation: with another letter wherein is truely related, the battell fought betwixt our English, and the rebels, on the tenth of January at a town called Swords, eight miles from Dublin.

Worthy Sir,

By the last weeks P••ste I writ unto you, certifying you of our lamentable condition, craving your favourable advice, and charitable helpe in our affairs; whereof I doubt not, it being Gods cause, and our dear Countries, for which we all suffer. I have herein sent a Letter from a very good friend of mine, and kinsman, Master Dean Jones, of Kilmore, who hath miracu∣lously escaped with life: Of which I humbly crave the carefull delivery to our worthy K. Attorney.

As for our affaires in generall, or otherwise, here is

no difference or amendment since my last; only, I thought meet to write unto you a short relation of our late skirmish. On mon∣day night last, we sent out a Party of about 2000 foot, and 200 horse, to a Town called Swords, eight myles off; where they came about six of the clocke next morning, and found the Ene∣mie, being a thousand men, Intrenched in the Town, on whom they shot for the space of halfe an houre; and at last brakè in upon the Trenches, but found strong opposition. But our Divi∣sion or Party coming another way upon them, put them to flight; and pursuing them about halfe a myle, reterned, plundered the Town. Our new English Souldiers spared neither man, woman, or childe therein, they got store of good booty; among which, a∣bout 400 Cowes, a great part whereof should that morning have been killed for the Rogues breakefast, they expecting a supply: Our men also tooke four Colours, and slew in the Towne and pursuit 179 men, besides those the Enemy conveyed away du∣ring the fight, on horsebacke, and otherwise, whose number or quality is not yet known: The Town also was burnt, and great store of Corn unthrashed. But alas! our victory is nothing, if we consider the losse of a brave Spirit on our part, Sir Lorenzo Cary, brother to the Lord Falkland, who with three more were killed in the fight on our part. Ʋntill we have a good supply we are able to do little, which God send unto us speedily, and pre∣serve us till then, and evermore.

Laus Deo. In Dublin, Jan. 1641.

Your humble and affectionate servant, P. G.