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.

My dear Brother,

We are at length come out if our miserable imprisonment, where the sufferings of our Ears and Eyes, Did not a little adde to what we also felt, in a great proportion, by seeing and hearing the miserall Spectacles, and sad cryes of our distressed poor Souldiers, God be thanked, All that were left of us, are come hither in much safety, and by a course much better, then if we had not incountred with such difficulties: For when we were come a mile on this side Mullingar, at Reconnell, where the enemy had made himself very strong in good works, They there being 6000 foot, and 10 or 12 Troops, kept the passage against our men, whose number were not above a thousand foot, besides my Lord Presidents men, be brought from Connaught with them, and whose good fortune it was to have the Van, and give the de∣feat: Herein Colonell Greenvill hath behaved himself very well; We have killed of the ene∣my 500 on the place, amongst whom, is the great Commander Plunker, and another Colonell; We have taken Prestons Sonne (who was also a Colonell) Prisoner, and Bryan, that was sent from you hither, and proved Appostate hath lost his head in the skirmish. We have many Cap∣tains, and other inferiour Officers, Prisoners; also have brought home nine Ensignes. If it is be prosecuted effectually, as I hope it will, The power and courage of that Rebellious breed, must be exceedingly lessened.

But alas Brother, our extremities for want of victuall is beyond Imagination, And if pre∣sent

remedy be not provided effectually, all the Officers will over to the King, quit the Kingdom, and the whole Design must be lost: Now we are through the concurrance of most evident manifestations of Gods goodnesse in a probable way of reducing these mis-creants for ever; but if we are lost, as we must be by pretermitting this present supply, ten times over the expence If both bloud and Treasure, which will now in appearance finish the work, will not then put us in the State we are now possest off. You cannot imagine to what heights all sorts of people are come unto, being made desperate by the sufferings they have undergone, and little hopes of being relieved, as bad as things goe. My Lord Lisle, with Colonell Monck, and Cromwell, having 1500 foot, and 300 horse, some great and field Peeces, Bend their course towards Athy, which will induce Preston either to fight with them, or quit Kilkenny. At the same time my Lord More and Titchbourn, intend to go forth with all their forces to East and West Meath, and Cavan; God send us his countenance and favour, whilst we are in such neglects from man.

The King hath sent expresse order, That your honest Committees shall not be admitted to the Counsell Table, as formerly; and I fear they intend to go hence immediately, God knows what inconveniency will arise by their coming away; though I must confesse, They have but poor incouragement to stay. We bear you have had good successe lately in Killultagh, and at Enneskellen; but withall, That your want of Victuall, is like to put a soon end unto all con∣troversies, I am sure you hear from thence more particularly then we can.

When you represent your own necessities, fail not to remember ours, and God put you into the Posture, to minister help unto us, otherwise, let's know immediately, That we may not dye in a ditch, and starve, which is the condition, threatning us all. I shall be more particular in my next, if God continue us a being; but now can adde no more, onely my most humble Service to my deer Sister, and that I am

Your faithfull Servant, and affectionate Brother John Chicester.

Dublin, the 14 of Feb. 1642.

I forgot to tell you, that Captain Vaughan, who brought this news, was Knighted by the Justices, upon the report of it; And that my Lord hath left sufficient strength in the Castles of Athlone Rosconian, and the Boil of the old Souldiers, who so long as their victuall can last, will certainly give a good accompt of those strengths.

For Sir John Clotworthy Knight, in Castle-yard, in Holborne.