The true state and condition of the kingdom of Ireland, sent to the House of Commons from their committee there;: whose names are signed thereto, viz. Robert Reynolds, Robert Goodwyn, both members of the said House. Also the true relation of the great victory the Protestants in that kingdom, lately had against the rebels there; sent in a letter by Sir Richard Greenvill, to the said committee, who hath since commended it to the House of Commons. Together with a letter from Sir John Chicester, of great consequence, to Sir John Clotworthy a member of the said House. All which are appointed by the House of Commons to be printed to prevent false copies; and for the true satisfaction of all His Majesties loving subjects. Ordered by the Commons, that these letters, and relation, be forthwith printed and published. Hen. Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.

Sir,

BY our four former addresses of the 2 of November, 13 of December, 17 of January; and 2 of February, we gave you faithfull accompt of the state of affairs here, as they then stood, and by our last Letter of the 2 of February, we informed you of the Commission sent to the Lord Marquesse and others, to meet with the chiefest of the Rebels, and to hear, and receive in writing, what they could say or propound; before the coming over of this Commission, many ill Symptomes did appear, but now things are grown to an evident cleer∣nesse: For upon Munday last a Letter was read at the Board, from His Majesty (without any Secretaries name subscribed,) the effect whereof was to this purpose; That His Ma∣jesty took notice, that they, the Lords, Justices, and Councell, without His consent, or Privity, had admitted us to be present at their debates, and did require them, not to suffer us to be present with them any more, as formerly we had been; The Lords, Justices, and Councell thereupon resolved to do accordingly; And on Tuesday morning, sent Sir Paul Davis to our lodging, to acquaint us both with the Letter, and the resolution they had taken upon it; But because the words of the Message were not full enough, as we conceived, We desired their Lordships to expresse themselves cleerly, whither we should be admitted, or not, For we were but servants to the Parliament, and must give a strict accompt of our Actions to those which sent us thither; Thereupon Sir Paul Davis returned to the Board, and ac∣quainted their Lordships herewith, And after an hour came to us, with a second Message, which we immediately put down in writing, (viz.) That the Lords, Justices, and Councell, had formerly acquainted us, by him, with a Letter they had received from His Majesty, That they were resolved to obey His Majesties commands; and therefore they could not ad∣mit us any more to be present as a Committee.

Sir, you will easily imagine that affairs are steered here by the Court Compasse; and if the design be to make peace with the Rebels, that so this Army may be applicable elsewhere: Our presence any longer at the Board, will not further that design; however, The time we have there spent, and the experience gained by that, will perhaps be serviceable to you at our return, which we now hasten (as becomes us) all we can, And resolve to depart hence this week, being retarded only to see the Lord Lisle in a good Posture for his hopefull Expedition, be being resolved to march on Tuesday next. We conceive it very necessary to send a Ship of strength and trust to ride in Bullock-Road before Dublyn, and another of lesse burthen, to ride before Drogheda.

Sir, We have to the utmost of our weak Abilities, indeavoured to wade through the dangers and difficulties, which on all sides do attend our imployment here; but that which does exceedingly astonish us, is, That we have not been honoured with one Letter since our coming over.

We had almost forgot to tell you, That the labour is on both sides the Sea, to make the Rebels appear strong and considerable, and to put difficulties and impediments upon our Military proceedings, the better to bring on a most horrid pernitious peace, which all good∣men here do abhorre, and are resolved to abandon the Kingdom, rather then to be exposed to an utter extirpation upon the next opportunity, which those bloudy, but inconsiderable vi•…•…ains can l•…•…y •…•….

You may see their in-nate valour by our late victory over them upon Tuesday the seventh of February, an exact relation whereof made by Sir Richard Greenvell, who commanded in chief, we send you here inclosed, and you may see their inveterate malice, who a week after this Commission came over, and the day appointed for to hear their Complaints, Did combine to make slaughter of a Convoy that passed by them, without offering them any violence, But were shamefully defeated of their expectation, and hath so disheartned them, that we are confident, my Lord Lisle shall march where he pleases, with his 2000 foot, and 300 horse; and what Religion, or to the Crown of England, do those shew that advise His Majesty, to a dishonourable peace, which those miscreants which will are long (if you do not exceedingly neglect this service) disband, starve, and cut-throats among themselves.

Thus with our most humble and hearty Prayers to the Almighty, for an honourable and speedy Accommodation, we humbly take our leaves, and remain

Your humble and faithfull Servants,

• ...Robert Reynolds,
• ...Robert Goodwyn.

Dublin, the 15 of February. 1642.