the Marquis Whereupon his Majesty signifi'd That in case other things were compos'd by the Treaty the Concerns of Ireland should be left wholely to the management of the Houses And in the interim writes to the Marquis of Ormond this Letter C. R. RIght Trusty and Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Whereas We have received several Informations from Our two Houses of Parliament concerning your proceedings with the Confederate Roman Catholicks in the Kingdom of Ireland the several Votes and Extracts whereof We do herewith transmit unto you and forasmuch as We are now engaged in a Treaty of Peace with Our two Houses wherein We have made such large Concessions as We hope will prove the foundation of a blessed Peace And We having consented by one Article if the said Treaty take effect to entrust the Prosecution and Management of the War in Ireland to the Guidance and Advice of Our two Houses We have therefore thought fit hereby to require you to desert from any further Proceedings upon the Matters contained in the said Papers And We expect such Obedience unto this Our Command that Our Houses desires may be fully satisfi'd Given at Newport in the Isle of Wight the 25th of November in the 24th Year of Our Reign To Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor James Marquis of Ormond As soon as the Parliament received this Letter some were of opinion that it should be immediately sent to the Marquis of Ormond yet others aiming at what afterwards was brought upon the Stage laid it as it 's said aside We find by the event it produced nothing for the Treaty proceeded a Peace ensuing though as yet Owen Roe was so far from being reconcil'd to the Supreme Council or any that adher'd thereunto as he fell most violently in the end of November upon the Earl of Clanrickard's Party gaining Jamestown by Composition and Drumrusk by the Sword Rory Mac-Guire the prime Instrument herein with several other Officers and Common Soldiers to the number of 4 or 500 being there slain Roe's Party afterwards putting all to the Sword save Major Bourk his Wife and Children cruelly harassing the whole County of Roscommon The 19th of October the Confederate Catholick's Commissioners came to Carrick an House of the Marquis's where he continued about twenty days which they spent principally in matters of Religion in treating whereof they were so bound and limited by their Instructions and could make so little progress of themselves being still to give an account to the Assembly of whatsoever was propos'd or offer'd by the Lord Lieutenant and to expect its Direction or Determination before they proceed that for the husbanding of time which was now very precious the prevailing Party in England every day more discovering their bloody purposes towards the King the Assembly thought it fit to desire the Marquis to repair to his own Castle at Kilkenny which they offered to deliver into his hands and that for his Honour and Security he should bring his own Guards who should have the reception due to them And upon this invitation about the middle of November he went to Kilkenny before the entry into which he was met by the whole Body of the Assembly and all the Nobility Clergy and Gentry and in the same Town was receiv'd with all those requisite Ceremonies by the Mayor and Aldermen as such a Corporation use to pay to the Supreme Authority of the Kingdom so that greater evidence could not be given of an entire union in the desire of the People of returning to the Kings obedience or of more affection and respect to the Person of the Lord Lieutenant who by his steady pursuing those professions he had always made by his neglect and contempt of the Parliamentarians and their prodigious Power whilst he was in England by his refusing all Overtures made by them unto him for his particular benefit if he would live in the Kingdom and by their declared manifest hatred and malice towards him was now superiour to all those Calumnies they had aspersed him with and confessed to be worthy of a joynt trust from the most different and divided Interests and Designs However there were so many Passions and Humours and Interests to be compli'd with and all Conclusions to pass the Approbations of so many Votes that it was the middle of January before all Opinions could be so reconciled as to produce a perfect and entire Contract and Agreement which about that time passed with that miraculous consent and unity that in the whole Assembly in which there were Catholick Bishops there was not one dissenting Voice So that on the 17th of January 1648. the whole Assembly repair'd to the Lord Lieutenant in his Castle at Kilkenny and there with all solemnity imaginable presented him by the hand of their Chair-man or Speaker the Articles of Peace as concluded assented and submitted unto by the whole Body of the Catholick Nation of Ireland which he receiv'd and solemnly confirm'd on his Majesties behalf and caus'd the same that day to be Proclaim'd in that Town to the great joy of all who were present and it was with all speed accordingly Proclaim'd and as joyfully receiv'd in all the Cities and Incorporate Towns which professed any Allegiance to the King throughout the Kingdom and for the better reception thereof amongst the People and to manifest the satisfaction and joy they took in it the Catholick Bishops sent out their Declarations and Letters that they were abundantly satisfi'd in whatsoever concern'd Religion and the secure practice thereof Certainly well they might for unless it had been at such a time that his Majesty had been reduc'd to the utmost extremity a Prince could be compell'd to such disingenious and hard terms could never have been stood upon with a free and generous Prince in as much as his present Majesty in his Declaration for the settlement of Ireland there takes notice That no body could wonder that he was desirous though upon difficult conditions to get such an united Power of his own Subjects as might have been able with Gods blessing to have prevented the infamous and horrid Parricide intended But how ineffectual this his Indulgence after prov'd will appear by these Wretches foolishly forfeiting all the Grace which they might have expected from him But to proceed When the Articles of Peace were presented in that solemn manner to him by the Assembly after a Speech made by the Chair-man The Lord Lieutenant express'd himself in these words My Lords and Gentlemen I Shall not speak to those expressions of Duty and Loyalty so eloquently digested into a Discourse by the Gentleman appointed by you to deliver your sence you will presently have in your hands greater and more solid Arguments of his Majesties Gracious acceptance than I can enumerate or perhaps you your selves discern For besides the provision made against the remotest fears fear of severity of certain Laws and besides
rest to disobedience that they adjudged them less worthy of favour than the others whom they had misguided And therefore for those principal Persons they required them to take care not to be too forward without first consulting the Counsel-board in proffering or promising mercy to those unless they the said Commissioners saw it of great and unavoidable necessity They likewise writ to the Lords Presidents of Munster and Connaght advising them to be upon their Guards And that several of the Catholick Communion might not say but that they also were confided in the Lords Justices who were willing to continue all proofs imaginable of their confidence in them gave in November several Commissions of Government to the Lord Gormanston in Meath the Lord Mountgarret in Kilkenny Nicholas Barnewell in Dublin Walter Bagnall in Caterlagh the Lord Lowth in Lowth Sir Thomas Nugent in Westmeath Sir Robert Talbot in Wickloe the two Sir Dillon's in Longford and several others as well in Munster as Connaght and Ulster who contrary to the trust reposed in them not forbore to protect or endeavour'd to reduce any but soon after joyn'd with the Rebels and prov'd as violent if not worse against the Protestants as those who first appear'd in the Rebellion And because the Times required something extraordinary beyond the course of Common-Law the Lords Justices and Councel gave several Commissions of Martial-Law to the prime Gentlemen of the Pale all Roman Catholicks as to Henry Talbot in the County of Dublin John Bellew Esq in the County of Lowth Richard Dalton and James Tuit Esq in the County of Westmeath Valerian Wesley in the County of Meath James Talbot in the County of Cavan And understanding of Sir O-Neal's proceedings in Ulster the only person remaining of nearest alliance to the Earl of Tyrone how that he had surprized Charlemont where the Lord Caufield lay with his Foot-Company afterwards basely butcher'd by him the Lords Justices endeavour'd to reduce many to their obedience But the root of their Design being deeplier laid than on threats or encouragements to frustrate their hopes the Lords Justices hourly endeavour'd to fortifie his Majesty's Interests wih the most powerful Forces they could raise But in the interim the Magistrates of the City of Dublin perceiving great numbers of Strangers to come to Town from several Parts lingring in the Suburbs and Fields to the terror of the Inhabitants they repair'd to the Councel Board with much fear and astonishment beseeching the Lords Justices and Councel to inhibit the same lest the concourse of people promiscuously gathering in such a crowd might threaten the security of the City Whereupon their Lordships considering somewhat more than ordinary must necessarily be done in such an exigence caus'd some to be apprehended and immediately publisht a Proclamation in his Majesty's Name commanding all Persons not Dwellers in the City and Suburbs to depart within an hour after publication thereof upon pain of death in the interim and afterwards receiving all who applied themselves to the Lords Justices with singular friendship and integrity But the Magistrates growing still jealous of the concourse of people applied themselves again to their former refuge Whereupon the State that the Inhabitants might receive no dis-encouragement who were like to bear the brunt of all Taxes Levies and Supplies the 28th of October publisht a Proclamation to the same intent with the former with the penalty of death to such as wilfully harbour'd them However the Insolencies of the Rebels threatning even Dublin it self most of the prime Gentry of the County Justices of Peace looking on in all places and giving way to those hateful actions the State having intelligence from Dr. Jones a Service very remarkable that during his imprisonment amongst the Rebels at Cavan which ripen'd his integrity highly improv'd to the Service of the State they intended to besiege Tredath the Lords Justices the better to divert them from Dublin appointed Sir Henry Tichborn Col. and Governour of that Town Sir Faithfull Fortescue the former Governour finding Supplies not hastned with that speed he desir'd having resign'd up his Commission not being willing to lose his Reputation though he was forward enough to hazard his Person So the Lords Justices designing the said Sir Hen. Tichborn a Company of Foot and to compleat his Regiment order'd Sir John Borlase Junior Capt. Lt. Col. Byron Capt. Lt. Col. Wenmond Capt. Who though they had been all in former Employments Field-Officers yet out of their zeal to the present Service came as private Captains Jacob Lovell Serjeant Major who died in the Siege Capt. Chichester Fortescue Capt. William Willoughby Capt. Edward Billingsley Capt. Lewis Owens Capt. John Morris to associate him These they sent from Dublin the 3d. of November who happily arriv'd at Tredath the 4th having been enabled thereunto by 3000 l. most opportunely in the hands of the Vice-Treasurer intended before the Rebellion for the satisfaction of a publick Engagement in England Besides these there was sent Troops under Capt. John Slaughter Lt. to Sir Thomas Lucas Commissary-General Thomas Greimes Lt. to Sir Adam Loftus besides others which in their due time may be taken notice of These being gone to Tredath Sir Charles Coote had a Commission for a Regiment of the poor stripped English so likewise had the Ld. Lambert A little while after arriv'd from England Sir Thomas Lucas who commanded a Troop compleated with such Men as he found there also Capt. Armstrong rais'd a Troop Capt. Tardner soon after landed Lt. to the Ld. Lieutenant's Troop all very considerable not long after Col. Crafford came over also and bringing with him Letters from the Prince Elector then attending his Majesty in Scotland also rais'd a Regiment of the Townsmen and the poor dispoil'd English The State at that time had store of Arms and Ammunition by which these Souldiers and the rest were seasonably furnisht though as I have took notice what in confidence of the Loyalty of the Pale the Lords Justices had furnish'd many of the Lords and Gentlemen of Quality with were either slenderly if ever restor'd or made serviceable against his Majesty Yet for all this the Outrages of the Rebels still increasing adding to their Cruelties a pretended Commission under the Great Seal of Scotland from the King bearing date at Edinburgh the first of October 1641. though in his Majesty's Declaration to the Parliament's Resolution of no further Addresses it appears That the Scot's Great Seal which is said thus to be made use of had for many months before and after that date never seal'd any thing of which notwithstanding Sir Phelim O Neal and Rorie Mac-Guire from the Camp at Newry the 4th of November following gave notice to their Confederates within the Kingdom of Ireland incloseing in their Letters a Copy of the Commission a Copy of which is extant but so improbable as it needs an expiation to mention it the Lord Mac-Guire equally privy to all Transactions
and under colour of protection to act the greatest Villanies imaginable some of which being found out the Authors were punished and it may be others upon the same reason only suspected were partners in equal sufferings Nor could the State in such a confused distracted time be justly blamed that some Irregularities how cautiously soever look'd after were not in each particular prevented seeing the rage of the Souldier had exceeded the justice and providence of the State Besides can it be reasonable that those who began and pursued so bloody a Conspiracy with such un-heard of aggravations should be put in ballance with such as only to vindicate his Majesty and his People's Right sometimes proceeded beyond their own Temper Nor is it here to be omitted That those whom they pretend should be singled out and particularized for barbarous and inhumane should by vertue of their 18th Article be tryed by the Lord Lieutenant and several Commissioners some of which were chargeable with the same barbarous and inhumane Crimes and all of them nearly interess'd in such as may be so charged if to abett aid or countenance those be in the eye of the Law accounted equally involv'd so that from such what justice could be expected were easie to be conceiv'd how entire soever the Lord Lieutenant were in his Principles And whereas this R. S. would free Kilkenny and other Places from the horrid actions which were committed there the testimony of such as avows them makes whatsoever he would extenuate as to them and aggravate as to others meer fabulous and vain though to make up his Fardle he takes in whatsomever Cromwel and his Party afterwards committed in Ireland Thus confounding Actions with Times an Artifice so shap'd to his Humour as who is he that cannot see but that those actions of Cromwel's no whit concern'd the British or could be any encouragement for what the Irish did long before Cromwel's proceedings being on a ground well known extending to the English as well as the Irish such as if the Rebellion of Ireland had not been no Sect had been able to have done any harm in England Indeed his whole Piece is such a Web as unravled would be found meer Fictions and Imposture after what is accounted for breach of Protection forfeiture of Articles Treachery and the like That which he writes of the Scotch Forces in Knockfergus murthering if you will believe him in the Isle of Mac-Gee 3000 innocent Persons in the beginning of November to be the first Massacre in Ireland on either side it seems he heard nothing then of O-Hara's Daughter is so false as he that will read John Carmick's Testimony at the Tryal of Hugh Oge Mac-Mahon the 18th of November 1644. attested by Sir William Cole Sir William Hamilton Sir Arthur Loftus Sir Charles Coot and others upon Oath besides what the Clergy's Remonstrance clears will plainly perceive the vanity and falseness of that Assertion as amongst others appears by John Kerdiff Rector of the Parish of Diserteraugh in Tyrone a Person of known Integrity who deposeth That the very first day Mr. Mader Minister of the Parish of Donnoghmore was murther'd by the Donnelies and within a while after Mr. New Curate to Mr. Bradley of the Church of Ardira as Mr. Blyth with eight more not to say any thing of Rowry Mac-Guire's dealing with Mr. Middleton the 24th of October at Castle-Skeagh alias Ballibalfure where after he had by treachery got into the Castle seiz'd on his Mony burnt the publick Records and compell'd him to acknowledge the Mass he caus'd him his Wife and Children to be hang'd besides a hundred to be murder'd at least in that Town And thence daily proceeded in such outrages Thus for the present all things seem'd in their sense to prosper under their hands for they had in this short time made themselves Masters of the whole Province of Ulster except the Cities of London-derry and Coleraigne the Town and Castle of Eniskillin and some other Places and Castles which were at first gallantly defended by the British Undertakers though afterwards for want of relief surrendred into the Rebels hands The Fire thus kindled shortly after spread its fury in the Provinces of Munster and Connaght of which we have given you a touch where the English were quickly dispoil'd of all their Substance and either driven naked out of their Habitations or most barbarously murder'd or starv'd in them But their main design at present was to make themselves Masters of the Province of Leimster which was the chiefest and most flourishing part of the Kingdom and having advanc'd their work they so far prevail'd therein as they had in a manner gain'd it wholely except the Cities of Dublin and Tredath against which they appli'd their whole strength For Dublin it being the Seat of the State by the great care of the Lords Justices had the best Provisions made for the strengthning of it that those crazy Walls and their want of Forces would admit The Rebels contented themselves to block it up at a distance with their Forces and to make some attempt to hinder Shipping from coming into the Harbour but for Tredath having over-run the County of Meath and surpriz'd the Towns of Trym Kells Navan Ardbracan Ashboy c. the Rebels sate down on both sides that Town the last of November or the first of December drawing very near the Walls blocking up the Passage of the River which runs into the Sea that no succour could be brought in to them either by Sea or Land no nor Intelligence be gotten out of Town so as Sir Henry Tichborn as we have before mention'd with the Provisions he had there and the Forces he carried with him which were not above a thousand men remain'd close besieg'd without any hopes of Succours or further Supplies Tredath is an ancient City of great Circuit the River of Boyne passeth through the midst of the Town it is encompassed about with an old Stone-Wall without Bulwarks or any kind of Rampiers or other Fortifications than an ordinary Ditch it lies about three miles from the Sea the Harbour is but ill yet such as would admit Vessels of good burthen and such as exceed not 60 Tuns may come up to the very Bridge in the Town It is situated in a plain open Countrey plentiful for all manner of Provisions no Bogs or Marsh-ground near it so as the Rebels had all the opportunities and advantages they could desire for making their approaches to the Place But so unhappy were they in their undertakings and so unprosperous in their executions as notwithstanding the weakness of the Place and the small numbers of men that kept it they lay before it after they had thus closely begirt the Town almost three months without doing any thing of moment being resolv'd either in regard of their want of great Guns to batter the Walls skill to undermine them or courage to scale them to sit still till Famine within had made
power and success had laid in their way and that they who were there met doubting not but the same was the general sense of the Nation would with all care and earnestness endeavour not onely to conserve in the People such their good Inclinations but if any Person or Place should be refractory or decline that obedience which is due to his Majesties Authority they would contribute their best endeavours to reduce them and make them conformable to the same And after many other specious professions and protestations of their zeal to obey his Excellency They humbly besought him to appoint Commanders in the several Provinces to whom those of his Majesties Subjects who by the excitement of the Clergy ready with all alacrity to undergo that care should be encouraged to take up Arms might repair for the opposing the Power of the Rebels How respective soever this Address was and how solemnly soever it was represented as neither the one or the other could be more formal the Lord Lieutenant was resolved not to be longer satisfied with those general Declarations of their good desires and purposes and therefore the very next day he sent them a Letter containing what he would expect from them which for the more clear manifestation of the whole Proceedings shall be here faithfully inserted and was in these words AFter our hearty Commendations in Answer to your Letter of the last of April we think fit to mind you That upon our communicating unto you his Majesties Letter of the 2d of Febr. we then acquainted you at large with what had passed at Waterford which being by us represented to his Majesty occasion'd his sending the said Letter as also that we found the City of Limerick had taken example thereby to affront and contemn his Majesties Authority placed in us and from us by consent of the Representative of the Confederate Catholicks at the conclusion of the Peace derived to the Commissioners both which you pass over with an extenuation of those disobediences and by attributing them to some mis-understandings you seem in a manner to excuse them Whereas we had reason to expect that suitable to your general professions you would have resented the particular deportment of those Places and proposed unto us how the Contrivers thereof might be brought to Justice and the Places reduced to perfect obedience For as for your professions of care and earnestness to endeavour not onely to conserve in the People the good inclinations you find in them but that if any Person or Place shall be refractory or decline that perfect obedience due to his Majesties Authority you will contribute your best endeavours to reduce them and make them conformable to the same cannot be evidenced or made good by you but by applying those your endeavours where we give you particular undeniable instances of refractoriness and disobedience so there can be no instance thereof more pregnant nor if it be persisted in more destructive to his Majesty and the Nation than that of Limerick to the immediate reducing whereof we therefore thought and do now expect you would effectually apply your selves We are well satisfied that the generality of the Countrey and Nation who have given the proofs you mention of their sincere affections to preserve his Majesties Rights entire to him will persevere therein if those upon whose example and advice they very much fix their resolutions be active and industrious to lead and exhort them thereunto But we must withall let you know that we cannot hope that those their good affections and alacrity in defence of his Majesty and their own Interests can be successful if the City of Limerick and all other Cities and Towns be not in perfect obedience and immediately be put under a Military Government for Military matters and thereby into a condition of defence and offence Which to conceal from the People were towards them as great a treachery as it would be in us a vain rashness without such obedience first gain'd to attempt the opposing the strength and power of the Rebels And therefore we must and do declare that as the particular refractoriness of the City of Waterford hath more than any humane means contributed to all the successes of the Rebels in those parts since our being at Waterford And as the want of a strong Garrison in Limerick which we long since desired might be received there but could not prevail hath been the greatest visible means whereby the said Rebels have with small or no resistance gain'd or destroy'd the County of Limerick and other parts adjacent so the entire loss of the Kingdom to his Majesty and the destruction of the Nation which we have no hope to prevent but by strongly and presently Garrisoning and Fortifying the said City must be imputed to the obstinacy of that City if it shall perfist therein As to those Distrusts and Jealousies of the People occasion'd as you say for want of success in Services the sense of their sufferings and their apprehensions for want of redress of their Grievances We answer That both the want of success and the sense of their sufferings whether from the Enemy or the Souldier cannot so reasonably be attributed to any humane Cause as to the want of garrisoning the Army in principal Towns and Cities wherein we cannot yet prevail nor ever could till by the Enemy's lying at one end of a Town we were not without articling and conditioning permitted to put such Men as we could then get in at the other end For for want of garrisoning the Army and by being forced to quarter it at large it was not possible to have them exercised their Arms kept in order nor they under necessary discipline which when they were to be brought together rendred them worse than so many new rais'd Men by how much they had contracted a licentious liberty and habit of rapine and disobedience Nor could we prevent the Fraud in Muster or reasonably exact a strict Account from Officers of Men so scatter'd who when they should be imployed upon Service were forced or pretending a necessity wherein we could not disprove them to range the Countrey to get in the Means that should enable them to serve As to their Apprehension for want of redress to their Grievances we understand not what Grievances are thereby meant unless those delivered unto us by the Archbishop of Tuam on the first of April For other Grievances though we long expected and desired them we never saw save a Paper given unto us on the 13th of March at Limerick which for the Forgery false Calumny and other mis-becoming Passages contain'd in it was as such dis-avowed by the Clergy then met and to those given us on the first of April we return'd herewith such Answers as considering the generality of them is possible for us to give We have already with the Advice of the Commissioners and as we believe with the Approbation of such of the Bishops as were present appointed the
of Alderman Piers Creagh and John Bourk and heard what John Bourk and the other had to say as from that Corporation In Answer whereunto we imparted some Particulars unto them wherein we expected satisfaction which if you send us to the Rendezvous to morrow where we intend to be we shall visit that City and imploy our utmost Endeavours in setling the Garrison necessarily desired there both for the defence and satisfaction of that City And so we bid you heartily farewel From Clare June 12. 1650. To our very loving Friend the Maior of Limerick These Your loving Friend ORMOND The Particulars he proposed to them were 1. To be receiv'd in like manner and with such respect as the Lord Lieutenants heretofore had always been 2. To have Command of the Guard giving the Word and Orders in the City 3. That there might be Quarter provided within the City for such Guards of Honse and Foot as he should carry in which should be part of the Garrison and whereof a List should be given at the Rendezvous The next day when the Marquess came to the Rendezvous two Aldermen met him there and inform'd him that the City had consented to all that he had proposed to them except only the admittance of his Guards which they were unwilling to do whereupon he sent Messengers back with this Answer That he intended not the drawing in of his Guards out of any mistrust he had of the loyalty of the Magistrates of that City to his Majesty or of their affection to himself but for the dignity of the Place he held and to prevent any popular Tumult that might be raised by desperate interested Persons against him or the Civil Government of that City whereunto he had cause to fear some loose People might by false and frivolous suggestions be too easily instigated And to take away all possibility of suspicion from the most jealous he told them The Guards he meant to take with him should consist but of 100 Foot and 50 Horse and even those too to be of their own Religion and such as having been constantly of their Confederacy were interessed in all the Benefits of the Articles of Peace And so not imagining that they could refuse so reasonable an Overture he went towards the City but when he came very near the Gates the same Aldermen came again to him to let him know That there was a Tumult rais'd in the City by a Franciscan Frier called Father Wolf and some others against his coming into the Town and in opposition to the desires and intentions of the Maior and the principal Citizens and therefore disswaded his Excellency's going thither until the Tumult should be quieted So that the Lord Lieutenant was compell'd with that Affront to return and rested that night at Shanbuoly three miles from the City from whence he writ to them the sense he had of the Indignity offer'd him And wished them to consider not only by what Power they had been made a Corporation first and by whose Protection they had since flourished but also what solid Foundation of safety other than by receiving the defence he had offer'd them was or could be proposed to them by the present Disturbers of their Quiet And desired their present Answer That in case he might be encouraged to proceed in the way he had laid down of serving the King and preserving that City from the Tyranny of the Rebels he might immediately apply himself thereunto or failing in his Desires therein he might apply himself and the Forces he had gathered for that purpose to some other Service But neither this nor all he could do upon subsequent Treaties and Overtures moving from themselves could not at all prevail with them No! not his offer of putting himself into the City and running the Fortune of it when Ireton was encamp'd before it But they continually multiplied and repeated their Affronts towards him with all imaginable Circumstances of Contempt and in the end that we may have no more occasion of mentioning the seditious Carriage of this unfortunate City broke open his Trunks of Papers which he had left there seized upon the Stores of Corn laid up there for the supply of the Army when he believed that Place would have been obedient to him and some Corn belonging to himself and dispos'd of all according to their own pleasure and receiv'd some Troops of Horse into the City which contrary to the Marquess's Order left the Army and with those Troops levied and rais'd Contribution in the Countrey adjacent upon those who had honestly paid the same for the use of the Army according to those Orders which they were to obey And when the Marquess sent to the Maior to deliver the Officer of the said Regiment as a Prisoner to the Guard appointed to receive him he could receive no other Answer and that not in a week than that the Government of that City was committed to Major General Hugh O Neal and therefore he the Maior would not meddle therein And when the like Orders were sent by the Marquess to Hugh O Neal he return'd Answer That he was only a Cypher and not suffered to act any thing but what the Maior and Council thought fit So that in truth that City was no less in Rebellion to the King than the Army under Ireton was though it did for a time resist that Army and could never have been subdued by it if it had ever been in that obedience to the King as by their obligation it ought to have been and therefore must have less peace of Conscience to support them in the Calamities they have since undergone In the Letter formerly inserted from the Marquess of the first of May it is said That in pursuance of a former Agreement he had granted a Commission to the Bishop of Clogher for the Command of the Province of Ulster It will be therefore necessary to express what that Agreement was and the Proceedings thereupon Amongst the Articles which had been made with General Owen O Neal it was provided that in case of the said Neal's death or removal by Advancement or otherwise before any settlement in Parliament to which all the Articles of Peace related that the Nobility and Gentry of the Province of Ulster should have Power to name one to the Lord Lieutenant or chief Governor for his Majesty to Command in the place of the said O Neal and the said Command was to be conferred accordingly upon the Person so to be named and according to his Power Owen O Neal being dead the Nobility Bishops and Principal Gentry of that Province made choice of the Bishop of Clogher to succeed him in the Charge and having signified such their Election under their hands to the Lord Lieutenant the first of April he granted such a Commission to him as he was obliged to do James Marquess of Ormond the Earl of Ormond and Ossory Vicount Thurles Lord Baron of Archlo Lord Lieutenant General
Authority and Government Let us see now what Government they provided for themselves and what course they who were still jealous of being betray'd by those who were trusted by the King took for their own security and preservation and what power the Bishops and Clergy had to support their own Interest and Dignity after they appear'd to have enough to destroy or suppress that of the King The City of Limerick was entirely govern'd by the Clergy We have shewn you how the Herald in proclaming the Peace of 1646. was affronted there as also of their contumelious behaviour towards the Marquis of Ormond in 1650. We must now take notice of their carriage to the Marquis of Clanrickard to whom contrary to their obligation and solemn promise they continued the same obstinacy refusing to receive such a Governour and Garrison as he thought fit to give them or to entertain him in the Town with the Power and Authority of Deputy after he had assum'd that Place and Title upon their own importunity and promise of obedience however he sent thither such men both Officers and Soldiers as they desired and no other During the Siege of Limerick now straitly begirt by Ireton Sir Walther Dungan stormed Ross-town and Castle Jordan and the notable Quarter-beater Nash killed Colonel Cook coming with a Party from Cork but was slain in the onset though his Party was victorious whilst at Limerick the Besieged made many fierce Sallies to the loss of the Assailants for in one of 1000 men they killed above 300 of the Besiegers and upon Ireton's attempt against the Island before the Town the 15th of July 1651. an hundred and twenty of his men were lost with their Leaders Major Walker Captain Graves and Captain Whiting Ireton notwithstanding resolved not to depart without it though the Governour Hugh O Neal who had so gallantly defended Clonmel refused to hearken to any Conditions in hopes that the Winter would force him off or that himself might receive necessary Supplies from without But shortly after he perceived what he was to trust to for before Ireton had close besieged it a month and sooner than the Inhabitants were press'd with wants the Commonalty began to discourse of Treating with the Enemy all the considerations of what they might undergo hereafter through timerousness occurred to them and the improbability of their receiving any succours proportionable to their wants Yet it was very hard for them to Treat it being notoriously known that Ireton would except very many principal Persons amongst them to whom no mercy should be shown nor could they expect any Conditions for the exercise of their Religion they had been hitherto so jealous of The Governour had onely the Title and power to set Watch but the Mayor kept the Keys and had many of the principal Officers at his devotion so that upon the 23d of October a mixed Councel of Officers and of those of the Civil Government met in the Town-house to consult what was best to be done in order to the Treaty with the Enemy contrary to the intentions of the Governour who was resolved to hold it out to the last and after a long debate it was concluded by the major part that they would proceed to a Treaty and that they would not break it off upon the exception of any persons for Quarter or Confiscation of their Goods and the next day was appointed for the choosing of the Commissioners to be sent unto the Enemy The result of the former days debate being known in the Town they no sooner met for the Election of the Commissioners for the Treaty than the Bishops of Limerick and Emly with the Clergy came to the Town-house and threatned them to issue out an Excommunication against them if they proceeded in those Counsels the effect whereof would be to deliver up the Prelates to be slaughter'd notwithstanding which they proceeded to the naming the Persons who should treat for them Whereupon the Bishops published their Excommunication with a perpetual Interdict of the City which was fixed on the doors of all the Churches and Chappels in the Town But alas those Fulminations had been too loosely and impertinently used to retain any vertue in time of need and as Catholick as the Town was and there was not one Protestant in it the Excommunication wrought no effect That very night Colonel Fennel and the other Officers of the Combination that press'd on the Treaty possess'd themselves of St. John's Gate and Cluam's Tower driving the Guards from thence and when the Governour came thither and demanded by what Authority they were there he having given them Orders to Guard another Quarter of the Town they answered The best of the Town knew and approved what they did And it was very true the Mayor Thomas Strick was of their Party and delivered the Key of that Port to Colonel Fennel though he denied it to the other Party that opposed the Treaty The Governour called a Council of War and sent for Colonel Fennel to appear before them who refused to come and being supplied with Powder from the Mayor he turned the Cannon upon the Town and declared That he would not quit the place that he was possessed of till the City should be yielded to the Enemy The Commissioners were sent out to Ireton who would give no other Conditions than That the Garrison should lay down their Arms the Officers retaining their Swords and march to what Place they would except those exempted from mercy who of the Clergy Soldiers and Citizens amounted to the number of 24. The Inhabitants had three months time assign'd them to transport their Persons and three months more to remove their Goods within any Place the Kingdom appointed in which they might live In brief these were their Conditions but in respect of many things very considerable in the Articles themselves we shall here give them at large Articles agreed upon the 27th day of October 1651. by and between Henry Ireton the Deputy General on the one Part and Barthol Stackpoll Recorder of the City of Limerick Dom. White Alderman of the same Nicholas Haly Esq Lieutenant Colonel Piers Lacy Lieutenant Colonel Donnogh O Brion and John Baggot Esq Commissioners appointed by and on the behalf of the Governour and Mayor of the said City to Treat and Conclude for the Surrender thereof on the other Part. THat the City of Limerick with the Castle and all the Places of Strength in the City be surrendred into the hands of the said Deputy General of Ireland for the use of the Parliament and Common-wealth of England upon or before the 29th of Octob. instant at Noon together with all the Ordnance Arms Ammunition and other Furniture of War therein and all the Goods of any kind not allowed by the ensuing Articles to be carried away or kept by the Owners and this without waste spoil or imbezilment and the full possession of Johns Gate and Priors Mill shall be delivered unto the said
Citizens or others it is intended they shall be freed from any Suit or Censure in the Civil Judicature for things done in relation to the War during the time limited Memorandum as to the fourth Article aforegoing it is intended That the Citizens not excepted against within a month may tarry without particular application and have four months after warning given to remove themselves and Families and six months to carry away their Goods Memorandum also That all Soldiers or other persons not excepted in the second Article who through sickness are disabled to remove themselves at present shall have liberty to march away when they shall recover and have equal benefit with others in their conditions respectively And that from twelve of the clock this day there shall be Cessation of all acts of Hostility on either part But the Persons besieged not to come without the Walls except into the Island and the way leading to it nor the Besiegers to come within the Walls or Island saving into St. John's Gate until the time limited for surrender without license from the other Party respectively And lastly it is agreed That no Person shall be understood to forfeit the benefit of any the Articles for another mans breach thereof unless he be found to be consenting thereto or privy to it without discovering or endeavouring to prevent it Provided this extend not to indempnifie the Hostages in case of fail or of surrender In testimony whereof the Parties first above-mentioned have interchangeably set their Hands and Seals to the day and year first above mentioned Bar. Stackpoll Don. O Brien Dom. White Pierce Lacy. Nich. Haly. John Baggot It cannot be believ'd that these unequal and severe Conditions would have been accepted from any Army not strong enough to have imposed upon a People unwilling to submit to them and in a season of the year that alone would have secured a Place less provided for resistance but that Colonel Fennel the same night these hard demands were sent into the Town received in St. Johns Gate Tower 200 men from Ireton and the other were removed into another Fort called Price's Mill where after they had continued two days and the People of the Town not yet agreeing what they would do a Drum was sent through the City commanding all manner of Soldiers in pay within the Town to repair to our Ladies Church and there to lay down their Arms which was presently obeyed and the Soldiers being bid forthwith to leave the Town Ireton the 29th of October marched in and receiving the Keys was without any contradiction quietly possessed thereof causing as many of the excepted Persons as could be found to be committed to Prison and made Sir Hardress Waller Governour of the City In this manner was Limerick defended by the Catholick Irish and this obedience did the Prelates and Clergy in their need receive from those over whom they had power enough to seduce from the Duty they owed to the King and from submitting to his Authority and now was the Harvest that they gathered the fruit of all their labours The Instances of severity and blood which Ireton gave upon his being possess'd of this Place were very remarkable Edmund O Duyr the Bishop of Limerick had the dexterity and good Fortune that either by marching out amongst the Common Soldiers or by concealing himself with some faithful Friend in the Town which is not so probable to escape their hands and afterwards died at Brussels pursued with the malice of the Nuncionist Zealots whilst Ireton manifested what his portion would have been by the treatment they gave to Terlagh O Brien the Bishop of Emly whom they took and without any formality of Justice and with all reproaches imaginable caused him to be publickly hanged This unhappy Prelate had from the beginning opposed with great passion the Kings Authority and most obstinately adhered to the Nuncio and to that Party still which was most averse from returning to their Allegiance and was thus miserably and ignominiously put to death even in that City whence he had been a principal Instrument to shut out his Majesties Authority It may be remembred in the former part of this Discourse that when the King at Arms proclaim'd the Peace at Limerick in 1646. one Dominick Fanning a Citizen of the Town rais'd a Mutiny which Rabble affronted the Herald and wounded the Mayor and was himself by the Nuncio for that good service made Mayor in the former's place This man continuing the same bitterness of spirit against the King's Authority always opposed the receiving of a Garrison from the Lord Lieutenant This Dominick Fanning being one of those 24 which Ireton had excepted found a way amongst the Common Soldiers to get out of the Town notwithstanding all the diligence that was used to discover him When he was free and in safety he returned to the Town to fetch some Money that he had privately hid and to make some provision for his subsistance which he had not time to do before But going to his own house his Wife refused to receive him or to assist him in any thing whereupon he departed and after he had walked up and down the streets some time the weather being extreme cold he went to the Main-guard where was a good Fire and being discovered to be a Stranger and asked who he was voluntarily confessed that he was Dominick Fanning for whom such strict search had been made he was thereupon apprehended and the next morning carried before the Governour and immediately hanged The same Fate had Frier Wolf and Alderman Thomas Strich who when the Lord Lieutenant would have entred that Town in 1650. for its preservation rais'd a Tumult and shut the Gates against him And this very Colonel Fennel who by possessing himself of the Port and turning the Cannon upon the Town betray'd it to the Enemy though he had for the present the benefit of the Articles was within few months after taken by them and without any consideration of his last merit hanged as the rest had been In a word All those who had been the first causers and raisers of the Rebellion or who with most malice and obstinacy opposed their return to the Kings obedience and had the misfortune to fall into the Enemies hands as the Bishop of Ross whose Fate we have before told you Jeffery Baron who kept Waterford from receiving the Lord Lieutenant taken afterwards at Limerick and there hanged and many others were made examples of the like nature About the same time that Limerick was surrendred Sir Charles Coot defeated a Party of the Fitz-Patricks and Duyr's Forces who had regain'd Meleke Island after the taking of it by Colonel Axtel undergoing a resolute defence thereof to the baffling of his Foot which were worsted two or three times together but the Gallantry of his Horse recovered the Honour making 300 resolute Irish accept of Quarter for their Lives some 300 being slain and drown'd This business of Limerick
that he remains himself upon his keeping in his own Countrey During the stay of these Troops there they were desired to the relief of a Castle called Rathgogan by one M. Meade which M. Jephson having performed with a Squadron of each Troop and 80. Musqueteers drawn out of his House and mine In his retreat he was encountered by two or three Companies from Kilmallocke on whom he with a Horse and another Officer with a Foot charged in several places and routed them slaying about 150. besides 50. slain in relieving the Castle On the thirteenth of this instant my Lord of Muskry who hath kept his Camp a long time at Rochforts Town three miles from this City caused a part of his Army to chase home our Scouts to the very Suburbs where in a bravado they made a stand wherat my Lord Inchequin Colonel Vavasor and the rest of the Officers being much incensed obtained my leave to issue forth immediately with three hundred Musqueteers and two Troops of Horse upon the sallying out they found the Enemy retreated and pursued him to his Quarters where the main Body consisting of thirty six Colours as they were numbred forthwith appeared and after several parties sent from the main Body to skirmish with our men had been beaten back they began to pack up their Baggage and forsook their Camp after whom our men made all the speed they might and having chased them two or three miles charged upon the rear routed the whole Army which betook it self to flight over a Bog unpassable for our Horse and took all their carriage and luggage whereof the Lord of Muskeries own Armour Tent and Trunks were a part slew about two hundred of their men that took to firm ground and retired without loss of a man Whereby it is very easie to observe with what facility the Enemy might now be dealt withal before he can recollect himself anew or receive forreign supplies which they daily and hourly expect and being once come to their hands it will not then be treble the charge and expence both of blood and treasure that will suppress them which now would reduce them to a very great straight And therefore I do most humbly beseech your Lordship that speedy supplies of Men Moneys Arms Munition and Artilery with all necessaries depending thereon as Conducters Pioneers Mattrosses Carriages Tackle Horses and Oxen for draught and all other appurtenances that may either be sent over or Commission and means to raise and maintain them here here being but one Canoneer and one Clerk of the store in this Province without these your Lordship knows that it is to no boot to march into the Field where if the Enemy be not too hard for us he will certainly retire to his Holds and so secure himself against our Forces The necessary use of Firelocks and Dragoons and of a competent supply of Victual the stock of this Countrey being totally wasted will deserve serious consideration and if I had been so fortunate as to have received any succours by those late Easterly winds it would have so discouraged the Enemy now newly routed and animated the Protestant party as that I am very confident by God's assistance I should have given your Lordship a good account of the quiet of these parts Whereas they observing that this fair opportunity hath conveyed us no relief do begin to muster up their Forces afresh and to take heart at the apprehension of our being deserted in England and left wholly to our selves wherein I cannot sufficiently express how miserable our condition is for having from the beginning of these troubles supported the Forces mentioned in the inclosed list with Moneys gained upon several hard terms and engagements besides what I have impressed to the succour sent thence I was at last constrained to seize upon four thousand pounds belonging to Sir Robert Tynte and ready to be transported out of the Kingdom and which he refused to lend upon the Publick-faith of this State which nevertheless I gave him upon the seisure meerly to preserve the Army from disbanding which otherwise it must have undoubtedly done And therefore I humbly desire that money may be sent over not only to discharge that and other engagements amounting to 4000 pounds more but that there may be order taken for the entring of those men into pay and continuing them therein ever since the beginning of the present troubles which I raised at first by direction from the Lords Justices for this service and that the same course may be taken for them as for the rest The heighth of insolency and arrogancy in the Enemy will appear by the inclosed Remonstrance which they sent me after a motion made for a Cessation which in the condition I was in I had some inclination to condescend unto in case it had been sought for in befitting terms to which purpose I willed them to address their humble petition to his Majesty and in case I did approve thereof I would give way thereunto and to a cessation until his pleasure were known whereupon they transmit me that whereof the inclosed is a Copy at which I took justly as I conceive such offence as caused me to return them the inclosed Answer which I should have seconded with such further testimony of my aversion to their insolency as would tend much to their disincouragement were I enabled with any reasonable strength so to do which I earnestly desire I may be and with instructions what hand to carry in the prosecution of them and how to manage the War against them for that every day they encrease in insolency and riot hanging such prisoners as are not able to pay Ransom ransoming others hanging old Women and stripping all they can lay hold on All that is left in this Province is the City of Corke the Towns of Kingsale Youghall and Bandonbridge the Cities of Limricke and Waterford being fallen into defection save that the Fort in the former is able to command the Town if provided with Munition wherewith I have sent to supply it For persons in Action it is far less difficult to nominate those that adhere to the Crown which are the Earl of Barrymore an industrious servitour the Lord Viscount Killmallocke Sir Andrew Barret and Edmond Fitz-Gerrarld of Ballmarter commonly called the Senescall of Imokilly by whose care and countenance joyned with my Lord Barrimore's that Barrony of Imokilly is kept in due subjection and the passage betwixt this City and Youghall thereby open But whilst we stand on these unable terms to stir out of these Walls the Enemy is at liberty to range and forrage over all parts of the Countrey And indeed our wants of Money are so great and pressing as that for defect of entertainment and encouragement the Officers both of Horse and Foot daily flock unto me and importune to be dismissed and left at liberty to seek their preferment in England and so soon as this little which is left me to
and their Possessions restored to them or their Heirs from whom the same were taken they nevertheless answering to the Crown the Rents and Services proprotionable reserv'd upon the Undertakers 12. That the Transportation of all Native Commodities to all Places of the World in Peace with his Majesty may be free and lawfull his Customs first paid and that the Statutes of 10 11 and 13 of Queen Elizabeth for restraining the Exportation of Native Commodities be repealed 13. That all Preferments Ecclefiastical Civil and Martial in this Kingdom that lye in his Majesties Gift may be conferr'd on the Natives of this Kingdom onely such as his Majesty shall think meet without any distinction for Religion Provided always that upon the Princes of his Blood of England he may bestow what Places he shall think meet 14. That a Martial and Admiral of this Kingdom may be elected in it to have perpetual succession therein with the same Preheminency Authority and Jurisdiction as they respectively have in England and that the said Places be ever conferr'd upon Noblemen Natives of this Kingdom 15. That there may be Train'd-bands in all Cities Towns Corporate and Counties of this Kingdom arm'd and provided for at the charge of the several Counties Cities and Towns and commanded by the Natives of the same who shall be nam'd by the Counties Cities and Towns respectively 16. That his Majesty may release all Tenures in Capite and by Knights Service in consideration whereof he shall receive a setled Revenue of 12000 l. per annum being double the sum which he casually receives by them Reliefs Seismes Licenses for Alienations Escuage and Aids nevertheless to remain 17. That all Monopolies may be for ever taken away by Act of Parliament 18. That such new Corporations that have not the face of Corporate Towns and were erected to give Voices in Parliament may be dissolved and their Votes taken away and hereafter none such to be admitted to Voices in Parliament Lastly That there may be Agents chosen in Parliament or otherwise as thought meet to attend continually his Majesty to represent the Grievances of this Nation that they may be removable by such as did elect them and in case of death or removance others may be for ever successively substituted in that Place Propositions so destructive to the Crown of England the English Interest and Protestant Religion as I conceive none are so hardy as to maintain their rationality as long as the Crown of England is able to improve the Power of her Conquest More I might add but each Proposition carrieth in it self its insolency and vanity which by the Rebels success on the British through their Treacheries and Surprisals they were encouraged to propose with such audacity However the State in hope to gain time till Supplies might come listned to an offer made by some Popish Priests to treat with the Rebels Whereupon Dr. Cale pretending how far he could prevail with the Rebels was admitted thereunto by a Warrant from the State in confidence that he could obtain better terms than the former But Sir Phelim O-Neal would yield to no Treaty unless the Lord Mac-Guire Mac-Mahone and the rest in the Castle might be freed Which the State refusing with indignation that design ended And that the City of Dublin might be supplied with Corn the Market growing very thin through the Confederates seizing on the Protestants Corn in the Haggard the Lords Justices and Council having that example publish'd a Proclamation the 28th of Decemb. 1641. That all Corn-Masters within fifteen miles of Dublin should be careful to send their Corn to the City to be sold at the Rates following viz. Wheat Pease and Beans at 20 s. a Dublin Peck and Oats at 6 s. 8 d. a Barrel Whereupon the Market was somewhat though not considerable to their urgent occasions reliev'd rather than the Irish would suffer their Corn to be thrashed outby Warrants from the Lord Gormanston for the use of the Irish Army then lying before Tredath or burnt by the State to prevent that inconvenience And that nothing irregular might justly be imputed to the State who studied the preservation of his Majesties Subjects or those indeed who but pretended without appearance to the contrary a submission to his Ministers the 14th of January 1641. they publish'd a severe Proclamation against Pillagers and Voluntiers not listed under some Colonel or Commander So early was the vigilancy of the State in what might preserve their Integrity and Repute Which some finding contrary to their envious Licentiousness wanted not boldness to encourage the Soldiers to a return for England Which the Lords Justices and Council having notice of publish'd this Proclamation By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WE do hereby in his Majesties Name charge and command all his Majesties Soldiers of this Army that upon pain of death none of them presume to depart hence for England without express license in that behalf from the Lieutenant General of the Army And we command all Owners and Masters of Ships Barques and other Vessels that upon pain of death none of them do permit or suffer any of the said Soldiers to go aboard them or to be carried from hence into England And we require the Searcher and all other Officers and Waiters of the Customs that they and every of them do take special care to prevent the Shipping or Importing of any of the said Soldiers as aforesaid whereof they may not fail Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 18th Jan. 1641. Ormond Ossory R. Dillon Ad. Loftus J. Temple Charles Coote Fran. Willoughby Rob. Meredith And now the Flame having march'd through Ulster and Leimster it discovers its fury about the beginning of December 1641. in Munster which Provincetill that time by the moderation of the State had stifled its rage then expressing its consent with the other Provinces The Rebels of Wexford Kilkenny and Caterlaugh coming over the River to prey and spoil the County of Waterford To resist which the Lord President of Munster Sir William Sellenger who to that time had behav'd himself with much Prudence Vigilance and Honour hastned to encounter them whom though he was far inferiour to in number he then discomfited and restored to the Owners what Prey he recovered in which action he found many of his Provincials yet suffer'd none of them to be hurt supposing they came to save their Goods not being interess'd in the Conspiracy which afterwards he found general Mr. Purcell called the Baron of Loghmo exciting about the 9th of December in Tipperary the Irish to rob and spoil the British and Protestants acting with many others daily villanies being armed by a long Provision underhand and furnish'd with the Wealth of the British and Protestants in that Province which was very great and considerable And that Connaght might not be said to be quiet the Lord President of that Province the Lord Rannelaugh coming thither from Dublin about the beginning
them an entrance The State being very sensible of what this poor Place suffered consulted in the first place after the Landing of Sir Simon Harcourt which way was most likely to weaken the Rebels strength the main of which Tredath had long felt therefore they resolv'd now with their new Forces to relieve that Town But before we come to the result of that Determination it will not be unpleasant to shew against how many troubles that Place incredibly extricated it self And here we are obliged first to take notice what Forces Tredath had The 26th of Octob. 1641. Henry Lord Viscount Moor of Tredath with his Troop of Horse consisting of sixty six entred the Town in its defence As did Sir John Nettervile Capt. Rockley Capt. with their two half standing Companies Seafoul Gibson Capt. whose Company of the English Inhabitants and other Protestants to the number of 120. November the 4th following Sir Henry Tichborn Col. and Governour of the Town with the Regiment and two Troops of Horse formerly mention'd came in Novemb. 10. Captain Henry Bryan Captain Patrick Trevor Captain Foulk Martin Novemb. 22. Christopher Roper Serj. Major Capt. William Cadougan Capt. Charles Sounsley These escap'd from the defeat of Gellingstone Fifty Horse under the Command of Sir Patrick Weams Captain Lieutenant to the Earl of Ormond All these with three Companies more which came in with the second Relief were under the Lord Moor those excepted which Sir Henry Tichborn brought in The Lord Moor upon the first discovery of the Plot having notice of his Sister the Lady Blany's and her Childrens imprisonment with surprizal of her Castle Castle Blany the Town and Castle of Newry Carrick Mac-ross Charlemont Town and Castle of Monaghan Tonrages Mountjoy Cloughoter Dunganon and multitudes of Castles and Houses of Strength Towns and Villages in the North repair'd in the midst of the night from Mellifont to Tredath and knocking up the Mayor and Aldermen invited them to a speedy defence who at first promis'd him fair but proceeded slowly producing few Arms who on a Muster-day before could appear with some hundreds His Lordship conceiving his presence necessary drew his whole Family thither and having regain'd some old Pieces of Ordnance cast into a Dungeon he fitted them and four took out of a Merchants Ship for service and placing some at one Gate some at another making up the North-Port and strengthning the Walls which he effected with singular diligence and speed one of the two half-Companies in the Town proving afterwards false the Citizens themselves Papists being no way real which put his Lordship on a perpetual watch there being little relief so that he was with his Troop constantly scouring the streets the Inhabitants being no ways assisting Yet so managed he his affairs as he kept all passages free for Sir Henry Tichborn's admittance who entring Governour there the 4th of November with his Forces was coldly received by the Citizens not admitted into any Quarters till himself after many hours being in the streets found one Having first drawn out several Companies to continue the Watch that night never excusing his own vigilance or pains The next day after he enter'd He endeavour'd to make the Town as defensible as might be wherein he and his Officers order'd much to its security though many things conspired to make it in so short a time not artificially tenable which yet they afterwards made good with their Bodies and Valour He expell'd many of the Popish Inhabitants which held intelligence with the Rebels without and got in all the Provisions he could ordering them with the greatest parsimony imaginable He and the Lord Moor who accompani'd him in all services alternately walk'd the Rounds performing all Duties so industriously as they disappointed all the frequent little Plots which the Rebels had upon them and so careful were they to encourage and provide for their Soldiers as they rais'd them up to a far greater confidence of their Abilities to defend the Place against so numerous an Enemy than there was just reason for That which discourag'd the Soldiers most was the constant Duty which they perform'd in their Night-Watches the circuit of the Wall was very large the Weather being the depth of Winter was very sharp and the numbers of the Soldiers who were to watch were but small and those very ill cloth'd so as it came oftner to their turns than usual which bred sickness and diseases and some even fell down and died upon the Walls The third of December there being a want of Corn there issued forth a Party at St. Lawrence and the West-gate of 350 Foot and two Troops of Horse to secure some Carriages sent out for Corn at the Green-hills about half a mile off where unexpectedly the Citizens having been treacherous in their intelligence there appear'd in view 3000 men whereupon some Officers advis'd to retreat and many of the Horse Papists in the Reer running back with a confus'd cry exceedingly disturb'd those that were at the Gates drawing out To remedy which Sir Henry Tichborn presently lights off his Horse and in the Front to the hazard of his Person march'd before the Foot commanding the Musketeers up the Hill and his Pikes in that narrow Passage to open for the Horse and so with all expedition made ready to charge the Enemy giving the Rebels so home a Charge as they betook themselves to their heels with the loss of above 200 of them but not one of ours though before we charg'd them they had set twice on us The Victory exceedingly animated our Soldiers notwithstanding afterwards many Soldiers Papists daily revolted from us and we receiv'd frequent Alarms which we finding frivolous afterwards neglected Then the Confederates sent to Parley upon which one Darcy a Frier and a Captain of his Name demanded the absolute surrender of the Town for his Majesties use and service in the name of the Commanders of the Catholick Army expressing how impossible it would be to keep it against their Forces The Governour with the Captains return'd an Answer as short That they had a Commission from his Majesty for the defence of the Town and without his Majesties Command or the Lords Justices to the contrary they would keep it if the Rebels attempted it by the Sword they would defend it if by Famine they should hear they eat their Horses Hides In prosecution of which the Governour and Captains of the City made this unanimous Protestation in its defence for his Majesties use and service WHereas we are beset with such who pretend their Attempts in taking of this Town to be for the advancement of his Majesties Service which notwithstanding we believe is but a pretext to delude the Vulgar We the Governour and Captains of the said Town for the further manifestation and approbation of our Loyalty and thankfulness to his Majesty by whose immediate Command we are charg'd for the defence of his just and Royal Title in it do likewise
high and eminent trust of your Affairs here deposited with us by your Sacred Majesty we may not forbear in discharge of our Duty thus freely and plainly to declare our humble apprehensions to the end your Majesty thus truly understanding the terribleness of our Condition may find out some such means of support to preserve to your Majesty and your Royal Posterity this your ancient and rightful Crown and Kingdom and derive deliverance and safety to the Remnant of your good Subjects yet left here as in your excellent Judgment you shall find to be most to your Honour and Advantage And so praying to the King of Kings to guide and direct you for the best in this high and important Cause and in all other your Councels and Actions we humbly remain From your Majesties Castle at Dublin the 11th of May 1643. Your Majesties most Loyal and most Faithful Subjects and Servants The 12th of May the Lord Taaffe Roch and Fitzwilliams arrived out of England and that morning Major Warren and Sir Francis Butler came to the Council the Lords sitting and presented a Petition to the Lords Justices accusing the Lord Parsons of high Misdemeanors and other Treasonable Matters requesting that his Person and Goods might be secur'd though in conclusion nothing was ever filed against him an Evidence to most that there was more of a Design then Crime in the Accusation And having as before presented you with the Lords Justices Letter to his Majesty we should now give you the Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament the 16th of June 1643. concerning the present lamentable estate and miserable condition of Ireland In answer to what the Lords Justices and Council had faithfully acquainted them withall that it may appear how sensible they were of the information they had receiv'd of the straights and exigencies of the Protestant Forces in Ireland which certainly is very Emphatical resenting with a just aggravation the miserable condition of that Kingdom but being legible in Husbands Collections we shall refer you thither not busing our selves how far it prevail'd Certainly the Exigencies of the Souldiers and State of Ireland were then very considerable in as much as his Majesty not being able by any other expedient to remedy as he was perswaded their complaints then by a Cessation he to that end sends this Letter to the Lords Justices C. R. RIght trusty and well beloved Counsellors and right trusty and intirely well beloved Cousen and Counsellor we greet you well The present Distractions here have rendred us as unable as by experience we find the remaining part of the two Houses are unwilling to supply or relieve our Army in Ireland and if the Money we consented should be rais'd in this our Kingdom for the Relief of Ireland had not been diverted by them and Rebelliously imployed against us here in England we should not have been constrain'd to have hearkned to a Cessation of Arms now on that side But since we see no other hope during the unhappy distempers here to settle the Peace of that our Kingdom but by a Cessation of Arms between us and the Irish now in Arms there and doubt very much how our Forces now in that our Kingdom will be there maintain'd if we shall admit of a Cessation We have thought it expedient by these our Letters to recommend it to your care and industry to consider seriously how our Forces on that side may be enabled to subsist during the Cessation and if there may be means found for that we do then hereby Authorise and require you to agree to a Cessation of Arms there for a year and in our Names to assure the said Irish that we are graciously inclin'd to dissolve the present Parliament and call a new one between this and the 10th of November next and to take a course to put all those that shall be chosen Members of the said Parliament into such a condition as they shall not be prejudiced of their Liberty of Assisting Sitting and Voting in the said Parliament for better effecting whereof we do hereby further authorise and require you to give License to such Commissioners as the said Irish shall appoint to come over hither to us to treat of that Business and such other Particulars to be proposed by way of Petition as shall necessarily conduce not onely to the satisfying of the said Cessation but to a preparation of what shall be requisite for the setling of a just honourable and perfect Peace in that our Kingdom And we further require in case the said Irish now in Arms shall agree to such a Cessation and Treaty to advertise us of some such able and fitting Ministers or Servants of ours on that side as you conceive fit to be sent over hither to assist in the Treaty here when Commissioners shall come over from the said Irish. In which Business we require you to use all convenient expedition and to give us a speedy Account for which these our Letters shall be your Warrant Given under our Signet at our Court at Oxford the second day of July in the 19th year of Our Reign 1643. To our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellors Sir John Borlase and Sir Henry Tichborn Kts. Lords Justices of our Kingdom of Ireland and to our right trusty and intirely beloved Cosen and Counsellor James Marquiss of Ormond Lieutenant-General of our Army there But before this Letter came to the Lords Justices the means to a Cessation were thought of Yet the day before the Marquiss of Ormond proceeded to the Treaty which was the 22. of June the chief Protestants of the City of Dublin were called before the Council to know if they would give 10000 l. or have a Cessation the latter they were very unwilling to and the former they could not advance indeed it was well known though it serv'd as an Argument to evidence the necessity the State was put to And the Irish Commissioners the 23. of June presented themselves unto the Marquiss of Ormond in his Tent near Castle Martin in the County of Kildare in the presence of divers Colonels Captains and Officers in his Majesties Army his Lordship sitting in his Chair covered and the Irish Commissioners standing bare after several passages betwixt them all tendred in writing the Irish Commissioners gave his Lordship a Copy of the Authority they had receiv'd from the supream Council of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland at Kilkenny in these words WHereas his Majesty's most faithful Subjects the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland were inforced to take Arms for the preservation of their Religion for the defence of his Majesty's just Prerogatives and Rights and the maintenance of the Rights and Liberties of their Countrey labour'd to be destroyed by the Malignant Party And whereas his Majesty in his high Wisdom and Princely Care of his said Subjects Welfare and Safety and at their humble Suit That his Majesty might be graciously pleas'd to hear
Ja. Ware God save the King An Abreviate of the Articles of Peace concluded by the Marquiss of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Commissioner for the King and the Lord Mountgarret President of the Supream Council the Lord Muskery Sir Robert Talbot Dermot O Brian Patrick Darcy Jeffery Brown and John Dillon Esquires Commissioners for the Irish. 1. THat the Professors of the Roman Catholick Religion in the Kingdom of Ireland or any of them be not bound or obliged to take the Oath of Supremacy expressed in the second of Queen Elis. commonly called the Oath of Supremacy 2. That a Parliament may be held on or before the last day of November next and that these Articles agreed on may be transmitted into England according to the usual Form and passed provided that nothing may be passed to the Prejudice of either Protestant or Catholick Party other then such things as upon this Treaty shall be concluded 3. That all Acts made by both or either Houses of Parliament to the Blemish or Prejudice of his Majesties Roman Catholick Subjects since the 7th of August 1641. shall be vacated by Acts of Parliament 4. That no Actions of Law shall be removed before the said Parliament in case it be sooner called then the last of November And that all Impediments which may hinder the Roman Catholicks to sit in the next Parliament shall be remov'd before the Parliament sit 5. That all Debts do Stand in state as they were in the beginning of these Troubles 6. That the Plantation in Connaght Kilkenny Clare Thomond Tipperary Limrick and Wickloe may be revoked by Act of Parliament and their Estates secur'd in the next Sessions 7. That the Natives may erect one or more Inns of Court in or near the City of Dublin they taking an Oath as also one or more Universities to be Govern'd as his Majesty shall appoint as also to have Schools for Education of Youth in the Kingdom 8. That Places of Command of Forts Castles Garrisons Towns and other Places of Importance and all Places of Honour Profit and Trust shall be conferr'd with equal Indifferency upon the Catholicks as his Majesties other Subjects according to their respective Merits and Abilities 9. That 12000 l. Sterling be paid the King yearly for the Court of Wards 10. That no Peer may be capable of more Proxies then two And that no Lords Vote in Parliament unless in 5 years a Lord Baron purchase in Ireland 200 l. per anum a Viscount 400 l. and an Earl 600 l. or lose their Votes till they purchase 11. That the Independency of the Parliament of Ireland on the Kingdom of England shall be decided by Declaration of both Houses agreeable to the Laws of the Kingdom of Ireland 12. That the Council Table shall contain itself within its bounds in handling Matters of State as Patents of Plantations Offices c. and not meddle with matter betwixt Party and Party 13. That all Acts concerning Staple or Native Commodities of this Kingdom shall be repeal'd except Wooll and Woollfels and that the Commissioners the Lord Mountgarret and others named in the 26 Article shall be Authoriz'd under the Great Seal to moderate and ascertain the rates of Merchandize to be exported and imported 14. That no Governor be longer Resident then his Majesty shall find for the good of his People and that they make no purchase other then by Lease for the Provision of their Houses 15. That an Act of Oblivion may be passed without extending to any who will not accept of this Peace 16. That no Governor or any other Prime Minister of State in Ireland shall be Farmers of his Majesties Customs 17. That a Repeal of all Monopolies be passed 18. That Commissioners be appointed to regulate the Court of Castle-Chamber 19. That Acts Prohibiting Plowing by Horse-tails and burning of Oats in the Straw be repealed 20. That Course be taken against the Disobedience of the Cessation and Peace 21. That such Graces as were promised by his Majesty in the Fourth year of his Reign and sued for by a Committee of both Houses of Parliament and not express'd in these Articles may in the next ensuing Parliament be desir'd of his Majesty 22. That Maritine Causes be determin'd here without Appeal into England 23. That the increase of Rents lately rais'd upon the Commission of defective Titles be repeal'd 24. That all Interests of Money due by way of Debt Mortgage or otherwise and not yet satisfi'd since the 23. of Octob. 1641. to pay no more than 5l per Cent. 25. That the Commissioners have power to determine all Cases within their Quarters until the perfection of these Articles by Parliament and raise 10000 Men for his Majesty 26. That the Lord Mountgarret Muskery Sir Dan. O Bryan Sir Lucas Dillon Nich. Plunket Rich. Bealing Philip Mac-Hugh O Relie Terlogh O Neal Thomas Flemming Patrick Darcy Gerald Fennel and Jeffery Brown or any five of them be for the present Commissioners of the Peace Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-Delivery in the present Quarters of the Confederate Catholicks with power of Justice of Peace Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-Delivery as in former times of Peace they have usually had 27. That none of the Roman Catholick Party before there be a Settlement by Parliament Sue Implead or Arrest or be Sued Impleaded or Arrested in any Court other than before the Commissioners or in the several Corporations or other Judicatures within their Quarters 28. That the Confederate Catholicks continue in their Possessions until Settlement by Parliament and to be Commanded by his Majesties Chief Governour with the advice and consent of the Commissioners or any Five of them 29. That all Customs from the perfection of these Articles are to be paid into his Majesties Receipt and to his use as also all Rent due at Easter next till a full Settlement of Parliament 30. That the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-Delivery shall have power to hear and determine all Offences committed or done or to be committed or done from the 15th day of September 1643. until the first day of the next Parliament Thus the Marquess having perform'd all on his part that could be expected from him and was in his power to do and having receiv'd from other Parts all the assurance he could require there being no other way of engaging the publick Faith of the Nation than that to which they had so formally engaged themselves to him in he intended nothing then but how his Majesty might speedily receive some fruit of that Peace and Accommodation he thence expected by sending assistance to him And to that purpose with advice and upon invitation of several Persons who had great Authority and Power amongst the Confederate Catholicks the Lord Lieutenant took a Journey himself to Kilkenny where he was receiv'd with that Respect and Reverence as was due to his Person and to the Place he held and with such expressions of Triumph and Joy as gave him cause
Orders and Injunctions continued still their desire to observe the Peace The titular Bishop of Ossory publisht this extraordinary Writing WHereas we have in publick and private meetings at several times declared to the Supream Council and others whom it might concern That it was and is unlawful and against conscience the implying Perjury as it hath been defined by the special Act of the Convocation at Waterford to both Common-Wealths Spiritual and Temporal to do or concur to any Act tending to the approbation or countenancing the Publication of this unlawful and mischievous Peace so dangerous as it is now Articled to both Common-Wealths Spiritual and Temporal And whereas notwithstanding our Declaration yea the Declaration of the whole Clergy of the Kingdom to the contrary the Supream Council and the Commissioners have actually proceeded to the Publication yea and forcing it upon the City by terror and threats rather then by any free consent or desire of the People We having duly considered and taken it to heart as it becometh us how enormous this Fact is and appears in Catholicks even against God himself and what a Publick Contempt of the Holy Church it appeareth beside the evil it is like to draw upon this poor Kingdom after a mature Deliberation and Consent of our Clergy in Detestation of this hainous and scandalous Disobedience of the Supream Council and others who adhered to them in matter of conscience to the Holy Church and in hatred of so sinful and abominable an Act do by these Presents according to the Prescription of the Sacred Cannons pronounce and command henceforth a general Cessation of Divine Offices throughout all the City and Suburbs of Kilkenny in all Churches Monasteries and houses in them whatsoever Given at our Palace of Nova Curia the 18th of August 1646. Signed David Ossoriensis This extravagant Proceeding did not yet terrifie those of the Confederate Catholicks who understood as they pretended how necessary the observation of the Peace was for the preservation of the Nation But as they desired the Lord Lieutenant to forbear all acts of Hostility upon how unreasonable a Provocation soever So they sent two Persons of the Supream Council Sir Lucas Dillon and Dr. Fennel to the Congregation at Waterford to dispose them to a better temper and to find out some Expedient which might compose the minds of the People and prevent those Calamities that would unavoidably fall upon the Nation upon their declining and renouncing the Peace which you must understand in them to be very real But after they had attended several days and offered many Reasons and Considerations to them The Congregation put a Period to all the Hopes and Consultations of that nature by issuing out a Decree of Excommunication which they caused to be Printed in this Form and in these Words and with these Marginal Notes By John Baptist Rinuccini Archbishop and Prince of Firmo and by the Ecclesiastical Congregation of both Clergies of the Kingdom of Ireland A Decree of Excommunication against such as adhere to the late Peace and do bear Arms for the Hereticks of Ireland and do aid or assist them NOt without Cause saith the Oracles of Truth doth the Minister of God carry the Sword for he is to punish him that doth Evil and remunerate him that doth Good hence it is that we have by our former Decrees declared to the World our sence and just Indignation against the late Peace Concluded and Published at Dublin not onely in its nature bringing prejudice and destruction of Religion and Kingdom but also contrary to the Oath of Association and withall against the Contrivers of and Adherers to the said Peace In pursuance of which Decrees being forced to unsheath the Spiritual Sword We to whom God hath given power to bind and loose on Earth assembled together in the Holy Ghost tracing herein and imitating the Examples of many Venerable and holy Prelates who have gone before us and taking for our Authority the Sacred Canons of Holy Church grounded on Holy Writ Ut tollantur èmedio nostrum qui hoc opus faciunt Domini nostri Jesu deliver over such Persons to Satan that is to say We Excommunicate Execrate Anathematize all such as after the Publication of this our Decree and notice either Privately or Publickly given to them hereof shall defend adhere to or approve the Justice of the said Peace and chiefly those who bear Arms or make or joyn in War with for or in behalf of the Puritans or other Hereticks of Dublin cork Youghall of other places within this Kingdom or shall either by themselves or by their appointment bring send or give any Aid Succour or Relief Victuals Ammunition or other Provision to them or by advice or otherwise advance the said Peace or the War made against us Those and every of them by this present Decree We do declare and pronounce Excommunicated ipso facto ut non circumveniamini à Satana non enim ignoramus Cogitationes ejus Dated at Kilkenny in our Palace of Residence the 5th day of October 1646. Signed Johannes Baptista Archiepiscopus Firmanus Nuncius Apostolicus de Mandato Illustrissimi Domini Nuncij Congregationis Ecclesiasticae utriusque Cleri Regni Hiberniae Nicholas Firmence Congregationis Cancellarius The Nuncio having thus fortifi'd himself made great preparations to march with two Armies to Dublin which consisting of 16000 Foot and as many hundred Horse he believ'd or seem'd to believe would take the Town by Assault as soon as he should appear before it and in this confidence that we may not interrupt the series of this Discourse by any intervening action when the Armies were within a days march of the City the two Generals sent this Letter with the Propositions annexed to the Lord Lieutenant May it please your Excellency BY the Command of the Confederate Catholicks of this Kingdom who offer the inclosed Propositions we have under our Leading two Armies our thoughts are best to our Religion King and Countrey our ends to establish the first and make the two following secure and happy It is the great part of our care and desires to purchase your Excellency to the effecting of so blessed a work We do not desire the effusion of blood and to that purpose the inclosed Propositions are sent from us we pray to God your consideration of them may prove fruitful We are commanded to pray your Excellency to render an Answer to them by two of the Clock in the afternoon on Thursday next be it War or Peace We shall endeavour in our Ways to exercise Faith and Honour and upon this thought we rest From the Camp 2. March 1646. Your Excellencies most humble Servants J. Preston Owen O Neile 1. That the exercise of the Romish Religion be in Dublin Tredagh and in all the Kingdom of Ireland as free and as publick as it is now in Paris in France or Bruxels in the Low-Countreys 2. That the Council of State
do crave his Holiness's Mediation with the Queen and Prince as also with the King and Queen Regent of France and with the King of Spain and all other Christian Princes in all Matters tending to the Avail of the Nation either in point of settlement to a Peace or otherwise 3. The Confederate Catholicks having raised Arms for the freedom of the Catholick Religion do intend in the first place that you let his Holiness know their resolution to insist upon such Concessions and Agreements in Matters of Religion and for the security thereof as his Holiness shall approve of and be satisfied with wherein his Holiness is to be prayed to take into his Consideration the imminent danger the Kingdom is in according to the Representations aforesaid to be made by you and so to proceed in Matters of Religion as in his great Wisdom and Piety may tend best and prove necessary to the preservation of it and the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland 4. You are to represent to his Holiness That the Confederates think fit to insist upon as security for such Agreements in Religion as his Holiness will determine that the Lord Lieutenant Lord Deputy or other Chief Governour or Governours of the Kingdom from time to time should be Roman Catholicks unless his Holiness upon the said Representation of State-Affairs here or for some other Reason shall think fit to wave that Proposition 5. You are to represent to his Holiness That the Confederate Catholicks desire that all the Concessions to be made and agreed on for the setling of the Catholick Religion in this Kingdom be publisht at the same time with the Temporal Articles of the Settlement if his Holiness on representation of the State of Affairs here or for some other Advantages shall not think fit to determine or suspend the publishing of those or some of them for a time 6. You are to represent to his Holiness That no change or alteration is to be in any part of the present Government of the Confederate Catholicks until the Articles of Peace or Settlement pursuant to the present Authority and Instructions you and the Commissioners to the English Court in France have been concluded and expected and published in this Kingdom by those intrusted in Authority over the Confederate Catholicks 7. You are to take notice That the resident Council now named are the Persons to serve for the interval Government until the next Assembly of the Confederate Catholicks and the Assembly is at liberty to name others if they please and that no less than eight of the said Residents concurring during the said interval shall make any Act or Order obliging and according as it is provided in the former Articles for the interval Government in the late rejected Peace the Forts Cities Towns Castles and Power of the Armies of the Confederate Catholicks to remain and continue in their hands during the said interval Government 8. You are to take notice That the Persons to be imployed into France to the Queen and Prince are to finish their Negotiation with the Queen and Prince pursuant to their Instructions with all possible speed after they shall receive his Holiness's Resolution from you out of Rome in the Matters referred as aforesaid to his Holiness and you are to use all possible diligence in procuring and sending his Holiness's said Resolution unto our said Commissioners imployed to the Queen and Prince 9. In case his Holiness will not be pleased to descend to such Conditions as might be granted in Matters of Religion then you are to solicit for considerable Aids whereby to maintain War and to ascertain and secure the same that it may be timely applied to the use of the Confederate Catholicks And in case a Settlement cannot be had nor considerable Aids that may serve to preserve the Nation without a Protector you are to make application to his Holiness for his being Protector to this Kingdom and by special instance to endeavour his acceptance thereof at such time and in such manner as the Instructions sent by our Agents to France grounded on the Assembly doth import whereof you are to have a Copy 10. Though Matters be concluded by his Holiness's Approbation with the Prince and Queen yet you are to solicit for Aids considering our distress and setting before him that notwithstanding any such Aids we have a powerful Enemy within the Kingdom which to expulse will require a vast charge 11. You are to take with you for your instruction and the better to enable you to satisfie his Holiness of the full state of Affairs here the Copies of the Instructions at Waterford the Articles of the late rejected Peace and Glamorgan's Concessions and the Propositions from Kilkenny to the Congregation at Waterford in August 1646. 12. If Moneys be receiv'd in Rome by you by way of Gift Engagement or otherwise you are to bring or send the same hither to those in Authority and not to dispose the same or any part thereof otherwise than by Order from the general Assembly or supream Council and for all sums of Money so by you to be receiv'd you are to give account to the Authority intrusted here over the Confederate Catholicks 13. You are to manage the circumstance of your Proceedings upon the Instructions according as upon the Place you shall find most tending to the Avail of the Confederate Catholicks Tho. Dublin Tho. Cashell Thom. Tuamen Electus Ewerus Clougherensis David Ossoriens Joha Episc. Roscotensis Fr. Edmundus Laglensis Franc. Ardensis Episc. Robert Elect. Coses Cluomer Francis Patricius Ardack Electus Rob. Dromore Elect. Henry O Neal Rich. Bealing J. Bryan Robert Devereux Gerald Fennel Farren By the Command of the General Assembly N. Plunket These having been solicited we shall now present you with their further Instructions to importune other Princes Instructions for France Jan. 18. 1647. YOu are to present your Letters of Credence to his most Christian Majesty and the several Letters you have with you to the Queen the Prince and Cardinal Mazarine declaring the special affection of the Confederate Catholicks to his Majesties service upon all occasions wherein they may serve him You are to desire his most Christian Majesty the Queen Regent and Cardinal Mazarine their Favourable and Friendly regard of the Affairs of the Confederate Catholicks and to direct their assistance in what they may to further the settling of the happy Peace of this Kingdom with advantagious and honourable Conditions Commissioners being now sent to conclude the same if they may You are to let his most Christian Majesty the Queen Regent and Cardinal Mazarine know That there be a considerable Enemy in the heart of the several Provinces of this Kingdom that yet we have many Cities and Parts of the greatest consequence in our hands and have sufficient stock of Men to defend the Nation and expel the Enemy but do want aids of Money and Shipping without which we shall be in danger the next Summer-service and therefore to
three months Pay should be given to those that go 5. That private Souldiers and non-Commission-Officers should receive 2 Months Pay of Arrears and Commission-Officers under a Captain one Months Pay 6. That Magazines for Provisions be settled at Bristol Chester Liverpool Beaumaris and Milford 7. That a sufficient Squadron of Ships be appointed for the Irish Coast. 8. That Ships should be Victuall'd at Dublin Liverpool and Beaumaris and a Court of Admiralty should be erected at Dublin to prevent their coming into England to dispose of Prizes and so neglect the Service 9. That the Pay of the Officers and Souldiers should be according to the Irish Establishment onely the Officers to receive for the present the same Pay as here 10. That an Hospital for sick and maim'd Souldiers should be erected at Dublin 11. That the Parliaments Forces already in Ireland and those then ready to go over should be in one Army and one Establishment 12. That 5000 Quarters of bread-Corn 200 Tun of Salt 200 Tun of Cheese should be transported with those who now go over 13. A Competent Train of Artillery with Arms Ammunition c. should be sent and a care to be taken to send over Recruits of Horse as there should be occasion Lastly That there be Recruits of Horse Foot Arms Saddles c. ready to supply the Service of Ireland to be sent over as need shall require Thus provided Cromwel prepares for his Journey though to accommodate him with an Army of 8000 Foot and 4000 Horse no small difference arose betwixt the Presbyterian and Independent at that time undermining each other the Levellers being pragmatick He however carried over some of the discontented Persons on each side finding them there work enough against a common Enemy And so prepared for his Journey 120000 l. being borrowed of the City upon the Credit of the Ordinance of 90000 l. a month In the interim he gets Sir Theophilus Jones who was sent to the Parliament from his Brother dispatch'd for Ireland with 1500 Quarters of Corn and 10000 l. in Money little enough to hearten the Souldiers frequently then deserting the Parliament and flying to the Marquess of Ormond yea the Regiment the Parliament sent under Colonel Tuthil being made up of Voluntiers most of those engaged in Colchester Design mutinied being sent over without Money Provisions or Cloaths thereby indangering the City more then the Marquess The Scots in the interim in a Remonstrance and Declaration to which on the least Motive they are naturally inclin'd of the general Assembly of the Church of Scotland concerning present and eminent danger the 13th of Febr. 1649. declared amongst other things as Grievances That the standing Armies in Ireland under the Marquess of Ormond the Lord Inchequin and the Lords of Ards and George Monro forgetting all the horrible cruelty that was exercised by the Irish Rebels upon many thousands of the English and Scottish Nations in that Land have enter'd into a Peace and Association with them that they may the more easily carry on the old Designs of the Popish Prelatical and Malignant Party and the Lords of Ards and George Monro have by treachery and oppression brought the Province of Ulster and Garrisons therein under their Power and Commands which urging with much violence afterwards produced a Declaration from the King in dislike of the Peace 1648. much insisted on by the Irish and indeed as you will hear begat the grounds of a future distast So that whosoever will wisely revolve and consider this wilde Conjuncture of Affairs and that to the subduing the Power Strength and Wealth of the Parliament and the equal malice and headiness of Owen O Neal and his Party as much or in truth more contracted against the Confederate Irish then the Kings Authority and the forming and disposing the useless and unprofitable pretences of affection in the Scots and reducing them to obedience the Marquess brought over with him neither Men nor Money considerable nor any advantage but that of his own Person Wisdom and Reputation and was now upon the Peace to constitute an Army not only of several Nations and Religions and of such Passion and Superciliousness in these Opinions which flowed from their several Religions but of such men who had for about the space of eight years prosecuted a sharp War against each other with all the Circumstances of Animosities Rapine and Revenge and who were now brought into this Reconciliation and Conjunction rather by the wonderful Wisdom and Dexterity of the Principal Commanders then by their own Charity and Inclination And that in the forming of this Army he had not above 6 or 7 Officers upon whose skill in Martial Affairs and affection to him he could with any confidence depend but was to make use of very many who were utterly unknown to him and such who either had no experience in the War or who had been alway in the War against him I say whosoever without passion considers all this will rather wonder that the Marquess did not sink under the weight of the first Attempt nay that he could proceed with success in any one Enterprize then that an Army so made up should upon the first mis-adventure be dissolv'd into jealousies and prejudices amongst themselves and that all confusions should follow which naturally attend such Compositions As soon as the Peace was thus concluded proclaim'd and accepted the Lord Lieutenant took a survey of the Stores of Arms Ammunition and other Provisions necessary for the Army which was to be brought together in the Spring and found all very short of what he expected and what was absolutely necessary to the Work and ways for raising of Money with which all the rest was to be supplied in no degree to be depended upon The Cities and Incorporate Towns where upon the matter all the Wealth was having never submitted further to the General Assembly then by declaring themselves to be of their Party but like so many Common-Wealths order'd all Contributions and payments of Money by their own Acts and Determinations nor would upon the most Emergent occasions suffer any Money to be rais'd in any other proportion or in any other manner then best agreed with their Humours and Conveniencies So that the Commissioners advised and besought the Lord Lieutenant to make a Journey in Person to such of those Corporations as were best able to assist him and by his own Presence Assistance and Interest endeavour to perswade them to express that affection to the Peace they had professed And thereupon he went with a Competent number of the Commissioners to Waterford which gave 8000 l. and 3000 Barrels of Corn and from thence he went to Limerick and then to Gallway and Kilkenny from which several Places he procured the Loan of more Money Corn and Ammunition then the General Assembly had ever been able to do for most of which last he was forced to bargain with Patrick Archer and other Merchants for a Supply
opinion that all that was done both by Sir Charles Coot and Colonel Monk was transacted by the privity if not consent of the Grandees in England but the Grounds to fasten this upon them could never be found though the business hath been narrowly search'd into Known it was that there was a Person sent over and many Overtures made by a Priest O Rely to the Committee of Derby-house but with whatreception the certainty yet remains in the Clouds However Sir Charles Coot having by this means delivered himself from the straitness of a Siege and having received some new supplies of Men and Provisionsout of England Colonel Hunks being sent from Cromwel with Forces to his Relief presently marched out and clear'd the Countrey about him and afterwards in October got such a strength together as he went to Colerain and took in that Town by Anslat and so went on to the Siege of Carigfergus However he so resents the Parliaments slow supplies as in June this year there is exhibited his complaint truly a sad one in reference to their neglect and in conclusion desires either to be suppli'd answerable to his condition or to be discharg'd from his Employment But to look backwards All the Places of Moment near Dublin being as we have shew'd reduc'd by the Marquis Ormond's Party who on the 24th of July took a view of his whole Army and found it to consist of no less than 7000 Foot and about 4000 Horse others write more which though a good Force was not equal to the work of forming a Regular Siege of so large and populous a City as Dublin and as unfit to storm it therefore it was resolv'd still to continue the former design of straitning it until the necessities within abated the obstinacy of that People for the better doing whereof the Lord Viscount Dillon of Costiloe was appointed to remain still on the North-side of the Town with a Body of 2000 Foot and 500 Horse to block it up having two or three small Places of strength to retire to upon occasion and that the Sea as far as his Power might extend might not be unprovided his Excellency granted Letters of Mart the 6th of July signed by Secretary Lane to Captain Joseph Containe of Waterford and others And then the Lord Lieutenant march'd with the remainder of the Army over the River of Liffy to the South-side to a Place called Rathmines where he resolved to Incamp and from whence by reason of the narrowness of the River he might discourage an attempt of sending Relief into the Town by Sea from England And in truth if he had come time enough to have rais'd a Work upon the Point some interruption might have been given to that Enterprise but it pleased God that that very same day the 25th of July the Marquis marched thither in sight of his Army a strong gale of Wind from the East brought into Dublin Harbour Colonel Reynolds Colonel Hunks and Colonel Venables with a good supply of Horse viz. 600 and 1500 Foot Money and all other necessaries whereof the Garrison stood in need which marvellously exalted the spirits of those who were devoted to the obedience of the Parliament and depressed the minds of them who watched all opportunities of doing service to the King There were then in Dublin 5000 Soldiers besides Inhabitants However the Marquis pursued his resolution and encamped that night at Rathmines and the next day made himself strong there till upon information he was sure to receive an account of the state and condition of the Enemy that he might better conclude what was next to be done There were many men within the City who found means to send the Marquis still advertisement of what was necessary for him to know some Ships which brought Supplies for the Parliaments Forces there brought likewise intelligence from those that wished well to the Kings service unto the Lord Lieutenant and unto other Persons of Honour that were with him and from several Persons of known Integrity and who were like enough to know what was transacted in the Councils of the Parliaments Party It was informed that this Supply which was already landed at Dublin was all that was intended for that Place and believed it to be sufficient to defend it against any Army the Marquis could bring to attaque it and that Cromwel who was known to be ready in England to Embarque with a great Army meant to land in Munster a Countrey but lately fall'n from their Devotion and where there were still many inclined to him and thereby to compel the Lord Lieutenant to rise from Dublin And it is very true that at that time Cromwel was resolv'd to have proceeded in that manner after he had with much seeming difficulty been brought to accept of the Place the Presbyterians laying Wagers he would never come and the Independents sought to divert him from it by their unexpected Mutinies on a Tenent That all were to enjoy their own Principles Yet upon this joynt intelligence of Cromwel's advance for it came from some Persons to the Lord Lieutenant and from others to the Lord Inchiquin it was upon consultation with the General Officers concluded absolutely necessary that the Lord Inchiquin being Lord President of Munster should immediately with a strong Party of Horse repair into that Province whereby at least the Garrisons there might be supported against any sudden attempt of the Enemy if they should land there and that the Army being thus weakned by the Quality as well as the Number of this Party who were the best Horse of the Body the Lord Lieutenant should retire to Drumnagh being a Quarter of greater strength and security than that of Rathmines was or could be made and was at such distance as might as well block up the Enemy as the other and from thence an interrupted Communication might be held with that Party which encamp'd on the North side of the River And upon this Conclusion the Lord Inchiquin departed towards Munster When it was known that his Excellency was to retire the Officers and Soldiers expressed much trouble and seem'd to believe the reducing of the Town not to be a matter of that difficulty as was pretended if they could hinder the Parliamentarians Horse from grasing in the Meadows near the Walls which was the onely Place they were possessed of to that purpose they could not be able to subsist five days and it would be in their power to take that benefit from them if they possess'd themselves of the Castle of Baggatrath very near adjoyning to that Pasture which was already so strong that in one night it might be made sufficiently fortifi'd And this discourse which was not indeed unreasonable got so much credit that the Council of War intreated the Marquis to decline his former resolution of retiring to Drumnagh the Earl of Castlehaven General Preston Sir Arthur Aston and Major General Purcel having viewed Baggatrath and assured the Lord
they made a Breach the next day with their Cannon and storm'd the Place and though they were for some time stoutly resisted and twice beaten off yet at the third Onset led by Cromwel they enter'd and pursu'd their Victory with so much cruelty that they put the whole Garrison in Arms to the Sword not sparing those upon second thoughts to whom in the heat of the Action some of Cromwel's under-Officers promised and gave Quarter a crime writes one then in the Action themselves were most guilty of they again resuming Arms when they had engaged to lay them down So that except some few who during the time of the Assault escaped at the other side of the Town and others who mingling with the Rebels as their own men disguised themselves that they were not discovered there was not an Officer Soldier or Religious Person belonging to that Garrison left alive besides those after Decimation sent to Barbadoes and all this within the space of nine days after the Enemy appear'd before the Walls and when very many Royalists as well as Irish were glad that they were engaged before the Place that was likely to be so well defended and to stop their further progress for that season of the year This indeed was a much greater Blow than that at Rathmines and totally destroy'd and massacred a Body of near 3000 Men with which in respect of Experience and Courage of the Officers and Goodness and Fidelity of the common Men the Marquis would have been glad to have found himself engaged in the Field with the Enemy though upon some disadvantages And he had not now left with him above 700 Horse and 1500 Foot whereof some were of suspected Faith and many new rais'd men And though the Lord Inchiquin was ready to march towards him with a good Party of Horse and Foot and the Lord Viscount of Ardes with the like of Scots yet he had neither Money to give them one days Pay or Provision to keep them together for 24 hours The Commissioners were either dispersed or their Orders for collecting Money not executed or regarded and when in those straits the Lord Lieutenant issued out Warrants for raising of Men and Money they complain'd of the breach of Articles of the Treaty and talk'd amongst themselves of Treating with the Enemy That which was most conciliable and which all men saw was fittest to be practised was to put all their Men into Garrisons and thereby secure the most considerable Places and therewithall Winter now approaching to have prosecuted their Levies and by good Discipline and Exercise of their Men recover their Spirits against the Spring But this was not at all in the Marquis's power to do he was restrained by the Articles of the Treaty from making any new Garrison and from changing any old Governours without the approbation of the Commissioners and he and the Commissioners together had not credit and power enough with the Chief Cities and Incorporate Towns which were most worth keeping and consequently most like to be attempted by the Rebels to force or perswade them to receive Garrisons So Wexford Waterford Limerick and Gallway the most considerable Ports of the Kingdom declared they would admit of no Soldiers nor indeed did they further obey any other Orders which were sent to them than they thought fit themselves If this fatal distemper and discomposure had not been discovered to be amongst them it is not to be believed that Cromwel what success soever he had met with would have engaged his Army which with being long at Sea change of Air and long Duty was much weaken'd and had contracted great sicknesses in the Sieges after the beginning of October yet being encourag'd and in truth drawn on by the knowledge of this humour and obstinacy of the Irish against all Remedies that could preserve them he withdrew his Forces from Tredagh having taken in first Trim Dundalk Carlingford Newry and other smaller Garrisons thereabouts and return'd to Dublin having sent Colonel Venables down with some Forces to oppose George Monro who had a good Strength with him and to relieve London-derry but was not able to keep the Field In his March he was set upon in his Quarters by Colonel Trevor who had 5 or 600 Horse with him and gave him a desperate Attack but the morning appearing he was beaten out by Captain Meredith and his Troop who was appointed by Colonel Venables to charge him this was upon his march towards Belfast which was surrendred unto him upon Conditions from the Scots And while he was here he sent out a Party under Lieutenant Colonel Conally who was encountred as he march'd to Antrim by George Monro and a good strength of Horse and routed Conally was there slain by Colonel John Hamilton Such are the Dispensations of the Almighty as he did not live to receive the fruit of so great service as he had done to that Kingdom in discovering the Plot. Moses saw the good Land but never entred At Dublin Cromwel refresh'd his Soldiers a few days and intending to fish in troubled Waters resolv'd presently to appear before Wexford which the Marquis of Ormond suspecting upon Cromwel's return from Tredagh to Dublin removed his Army from Castle Jordan down towards the Counties of Wexford and Kilkenny there not onely to lie secure till Neil's Army should come up to him according to agreement as you shall hereafter hear but also ready to be drawn into either Wexford or Kilkenny as there should be occasion Cromwel according to his resolution the 27th of September march'd from Dublin but before he march'd thence or presently after he Cashiers the seven old Regiments which Jones had continued at Dublin allowing the Colonels for a little time a small Pension which he soon took off though they were the first who to that instant had serv'd against the Rebels And then he march'd towards Wexford through the County of Wickloe taking the People into protection and not suffering the Soldiers in his Army to commit any spoil as he went but to pay for all Provisions in his march he took in several Castles and Garrisons as Killingkerick Arcklo Little Limerick Iniscorphen alias Eniscorvy Ferns Castle and the Fort of Wexford and the first of October with his Army he sate down before Wexford the Inhabitants whereof appear'd willing under Colonel David Synnot their Governour to make defence albeit they had too long neglected the means thereof and were at last when part of the Enemies Army was lodged within half-Musquet-shot of their Walls contented to receive an assistance of Men from the Lord Lieutenant which upon the first intimation his Excellency hastned to them of the choicest of those he had left all Catholicks for that was still insisted upon under the Command of his Cousin Sir Edmond Butler with near 1500 Men who with some difficulty pass'd the River into that part of the Town which the Parliaments Army could not infest but he had not
been two hours in the Town before Captain James Stafford Governour of the Castle whom the Lord Lieutenant would have remov'd from that Charge not as being unfit for it but because he was a Catholick and had exercised that Charge during the time that the Confederates were in Arms against the King gave up that Place to Cromwel and took Conditions under him Cromwel having thus gain'd the Castle advanc'd his Flag upon the Castle and turn'd the Guns against the Town which the Townsmen perceiving their hearts fail'd them and the Soldiers in confusion quitted the Walls not expecting the return of their Commissioners who treating with Cromwel had procured the safety of the Inhabitants of the Town and the preservation of it from Plunder as leave for the Soldiers to depart every one to their own homes they engaging not to bear Arms any more against the State of England and lastly of life to the Officers Yet in great consternation fear having surprized the Townsmen and Soldiers before their Commissioners return they endeavour'd to pass over the Water for the safety of their lives Which Cromwel's Soldiers perceiving about 14. of October presently clapt Scaling Ladders to the Walls and entred the Town without any resistance wherein all found in Arms were put to the Sword to the number of 2000 amongst which was Sir Edmond Butler endeavouring when he discovered their Treachery to escape was killed before he had been two hours in that City Cromwel in the interim not losing 20 men in the whole Siege though as you may see Colonel David Synot Governour of the Town and Castle of Wexford had confidence by the Propositions he sent 1. That the Inhabitants of the Town should exercise without disturbance the Roman Catholick Religion 2. Their Religious Orders and Priests should enjoy their Monasteries and Churches 3. The Bishop Nicolus Ferns and his Successors should have their undisturb'd Jurisdiction of their Diocess 4. Their Officers and Soldiers should march out with flying Colours and the other punctilio's of Honour 5. Whosoever of the Inhabitants hereafter should desire to depart the Town should have what-ever was theirs with them 6. That all Free-men should have their Immunities and Liberties hitherto enjoyed they adhering to the State of England 7. None to be disturb'd in their Possession 8. Who-ever afterwards should desire to depart may have safe Conduct into England or else-where 9. That all enjoy a full liberty of Free-born English Subjects in what Port soever they should Traffick in England 10. That no memory remain of any Hostility or distance betwixt the Parliament and those that kept the Town and Castle All which Cromwel accounting impudent had no effect From this Torrent of Success and Corruption no body will wonder That Cromwel march'd thence without control and took in Ross a strong Town situate upon the Barrow and far more considerable for Navigation than Wexford the River admitting a Ship of 7 or 800 Tun to ride by the Walls of this Place Major General Lucas Taaff was Governour who had with him a strong Garrison re-enforced by 1500 Men even in the fight of Cromwel's Army who when he came before it to save Blood sent a Summons to the Town which was answer'd suitable to his mind by the Governour but the Great Guns sending in the next Summons the Town was surrendred on condition the 19th of October That they within should march away with Bag and Baggage Capitulating for which Taaff demanded Liberty of Conscience for such as should stay To which Cromwel repli'd That he medled not with any mans Conscience but if by Liberty of Conscience was meant a Liberty to exercise the Mass he judged it best to use plain dealing and to let him know where the Parliament of England had power that will not be allowed The Marquis of Ormond out of a too deep sense of the stupidity nay madness and ingratitude of that People for whose Protection and Defence he had embarqu'd himself his Fortunes and his Honour and whose jealousie and fond obstinacy made the work of their own preservation more difficult and impossible than the Power of their Enemy could do about this time desired nothing so much as an opportunity to fight Cromwel and either to give some check to his swelling Fortune or to perish gloriously in the action and to that purpose drew all his Friends to him then about the Graige and Thomastown with an intention to fight him his Excellency's Army being exceedingly increas'd by the conjunction of Inchiquin's and Roe's Armies had he not been diverted by a false Alarm of the Enemy's being gone as far as Bennets-bridge towards Kilkenny whereby he was drawn thither for the defence of that City otherwise he had engaged them before their getting to Carrick Ross being now in Cromwel's possession he caus'd a Bridge of Boats to be made under protection of the Town over the River Barrow and the Army to sit down before Duncannon a strong Fort commanded by Colonel Wogan but the Place being so well provided of all Necessaries it was judged convenient not to lose time about it And presently after Colonel Abbot reduced Enisteoge a little wall'd Town about 5 miles from Ross to the Parliaments obedience And about the same time Colonel Reynolds with 12 Troops of Horse and 3 of Dragoons march'd toward Carrick having divided his Men into two parts whilst the Besieged were amused with the one Party he enter'd a Gate with the other taking the Place and about 100 Prisoners without the loss of one Man But to look back From the time that the Peace was concluded at Kilkenny the Lord Lieutenant well discerned the mischief he should sustain by being to provide against the Attempts of General Owen O Neal as well as against the English Forces and that at least he could hope for no assistance from the Scots in Ulster as long as they fear'd him And therefore he sent Daniel O Neal Nephew to the General to perswade him to be included in the same Peace but he was so un-satisfied with the Assembly that he declared he would have nothing to do with them or be comprehended in any Peace they should make But if the Marquess would consent to some Conditions he propos'd he would willingly submit to the King's Authority in him The Marquess was content to grant him his own Conditions having indeed a great esteem of his Conduct and knowing the Army under his Command to be better disciplined than any other of the Irish. But the Commissioners of Trust would by no means consent to those Conditions whereby it is evident though these would be thought to adhere to the Marquess that they had alien thoughts to his Majesty's Happiness and declared if the Lord Lieutenant should proceed thereupon to an Agreement it would be a direct breach of the Articles of Peace And thereupon Owen O Neal made that Conjunction with Monk as is before spoken of and about the very time of the
Earl of Castlehaven to command the Forces in Leimster and in Munster with like Advice and Approbation we have imployed Colonel David Roch to command for a necessary Expedition besides there is always upon the Place one general Officer that will readily receive and imploy any that shall be prevail'd with to take Arms as is promised and in case we find fitting Obedience and Reception from the City of Limerick we shall in Person be ready to receive and conduct such Forces in the said Province In Ulster we have in pursuance to an Agreement made with that Province given Commission to the Bishop of Clogher and in Connaght the Lord Marquess of Clanrickard commands the Army We know no use to which any Money rais'd upon the People hath been imployed but to the maintenance of the Forces if you do we shall desire to be therein informed to the end that any past mis-application thereof may be examined and punished and the like prevented in future To conclude We seriously recommend to your Consideration the ways of procuring such Obedience to his Majesty and his Authority in the general and particularly from the City of Limerick as may enable and encourage us with Honour and hope of Success according to our desire to use our utmost industry and encounter all hazards for the defence of this Kingdom and Nation against the Tyranny that will certainly be exercised upon them and the unsupportable Slavery they will be subject unto if the Rebels prevail And so we bid you heartily farewel For the Archbishops Nobility Bishops the Commissioners authorized by us in pursuance of the Articles of Peace and others assembled at Loghreogh These From Loghreogh May 1. 1650. Your very loving Friend ORMOND Upon the receipt of this Letter they made another Address to the Marquess in writing in which they said They were very far from intending by any expressions they had used to excuse that Deportment of the City of Limerick nor could any Man they said more feelingly than they resent their personal Dis-respects towards his Excellency while he was lately in that City whereof they had in their Letters then ready to be sent by a Committee imployed by them to that Corporation taken notice And they did hope that they would by their Deportment hereafter merit to have it understood that it proceeds from ignorance rather than malice and that concerning the garrisoning of the City the Clergy that had met lately there and the Commissioners of Trust had written very effectually to them and imployed two of the Commissioners of Trust thither to solicit their compliance to his Excellency and to represent to them the danger and prejudice that would ensue their refractoriness And though it had not taken that effect with them which was expected yet they humbly offered his Excellency that a second Essay was to be made and his Excellency's further positive Commands to be sent thither whereunto if they would not listen they promised in as much as in them lay that they would in their respective Degrees and Quality and according to their respective Powers so far as should be thought fit and necessary upon consideration had of what had been proposed hitherto between his Excellency the Commissioners of Trust and them concerning the garrisoning of that City co-operate to reclaim them and bring them to a perfect obedience humbly desiring that what resolution soever should be taken by that City yet that his Excellency would be pleas'd not to impute it to any Dis-affection in them or want of Zeal in the Nation to advance his Majesty's Service And in regard the transacting of that Business might take up some time it was humbly desired his Excellency would be pleas'd to apply his immediate Care for the forwarding of the Service and setling of Affairs in other Parts of the Kingdom answerable unto the present dangers and condition wherein it was that there might be some visible opposition to the growing Power of the Enemy At the same time that they sent this Address to the Marquess signed by the Names of the Bishops and Commissioners which was the 2d of May 1650. they likewise sent the Archbishop of Tuam and Sir Lucas Dillon to Limerick with as reasonable and pressing Letters to that Corporation for receiving a Garrison and obedience to the Marquess's Orders This demeanour in the Assembly and all the visible Results of their Consultation together with so deep professions of Loyalty to the King and of respect to his Lieutenant prevail'd so far with the Marquess that he again declined his purpose of quitting the Kingdom and thereupon dismissed a Frigat which he had bought and fitted for his own Transportation and though the Archbishop of Tuam and Sir Lucas Dillon return'd from Limerick without that entire submission from the City which was expected yet he was willing to make the best interpretation of their general professions of Duty and to believe that they would by degrees be induced to do what they ought and that he might be the nearer to them to encourage any such inclination he removed to Clare 12 miles from Limerick and gave Orders to the Troops which for conveniency of Quarters were scattered at a greater distance to be ready to draw to a Rendezvous And he was shortly after very reasonably induced to be almost confident that the City was well disposed for having one day about the 11th of June visited some Troops which he had assembled within 4 miles of Limerick and returning at night to Clare the next day 2 Aldermen of the City came to him with this following Letter from the Maior of that Corporation May it please your Excellency THe City Council have given me Command to signifie and humbly to offer to your Excellency That it was expected by them that you would being so near the City yesterday bestow a Visit upon it which is no way doubted had been done by your Excellency if your greater Affairs had not hindred you from the same and yet do expect when those are over your Excellency will be pleas'd to step hither to settle the Garrison here the which without your Presence cannot be as is humbly conceiv'd so well done or with that expedition as our necessity requires the Particulars whereof we refer to Alderman Piers Creagh and Alderman John Bourk their Relation to whom we desire Credence may be given by your Excellency and humbly to believe that I will never fail to be Limerick 12 June 1650. Your Excellency's most humble Servant For his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant General and General Governour of Ireland John Creagh Maior of Limerick This Letter might very well have raised an expectation and assurance that there would be no more scruples of receiving a Garrison yet the Aldermen who brought it made such pauses in answering some necessary Questions that the Marquess return'd them the same night with this Answer AFter our hearty Commendations We have receiv'd your Letter of this days date by the Conveyance
from making any Acts which might discourage the People from their Obedience to the Kings Authority And the Duke of Ormond acknowledges that for these 20 years he had to do with the Irish Bishops he never found any of them either to speak the Truth or to perform their Promise to him onely the Bishop of Clogher excepted who during the little time he lived after his submission to the Peace and Commission receiv'd from him he could not charge And therefore how inconvenient soever his Service had been to the Peace and Happiness of that Nation his Death was very unseasonable Upon the news of the Bishop of Clogher's defeat the 26 of June the Lady Fitzgarret after a well-regulated defence surrender'd up her Castle of Tecrochan to Colonel Reynolds and Colonel Huetson who had taken in Kilmallock Harristown Naas Ballymole Rabridge Tallo Athy Maryborrough Dermots Castle besides the Places mention'd before And on the 19th of August followed the surrender of Carlow which by the care of Ireton together with Waterford and Duncannon had since the beginning of June been close blocked up which Preston understanding surrender'd also Waterford within few days on Conditions which brought with it the delivery of the strong Fort of Duncannon about the same time Charlemont and Caterlagh were surrender'd to Sir Charles Coot and Colonel Venables after they had took in Culmore London-derry Eniskillen which was deliver'd by Sir George Monro to Sir Charles Coot for 500 l. though a little before he had receiv'd 1200 l. from the Marquess of Clanrickard for to secure it Colrain also Ardmach Carrickfergus Knockfergus Belfast Cloughouter Castle Jordon Carlingford Margrave Monaghan Liskelaghan In the mean time Colonel Henry Ingolsby who was sent to block up Limerick at a distance overcame 3000 Rebels coming to its Relief whereof 900 were slain the rest routed and taken Prisoners In August the Lord Inchequin gathering Forces in Kerry was disturb'd by Colonel Phaer who in his return thence took in the Castle of Kilmurry and thence went against the Lords Roch and Muskery who headed the Rebels in the West The Army having refresht it self at Waterford Ireton from thence intended for Limerick yet wanting Provision for such a Siege takes his Journey through the County of Wicklow which afforded him 1600 Cows besides Sheep and other Provisions From thence Sir Hardress Waller with an equal share of the Booty was sent with a considerable Force to straighten Limerick who in his way near Limerick took in Bally-Glaughan Bally-Cubbain and Garrygaglain three strong Castles whilst Ireton and Sir Charles Coot joyning Forces appear'd before Athlone to try if they could gain that Garrison but finding the Bridge broke and the Town on this side burnt Sir Charles Coot staid there to straighten it whilst Ireton taking two Castles in Colcohe's Country and the Burr which the Enemy had left and burnt presently seated himself before Limerick where he had certain Intelligence that the Marquess of Clanrickard who upon notice of the Enemies being at Athlone march'd with considerable Forces towards its Relief if any thing should have been attempted had retaken the two Castles and laid Siege to the Burr to whose Relief Colonel Axtell Governor at Kilkenny having made a conjunction at Rocrea with the Wexford and Tipperary Forces resolutely marched whereupon the Marquess of Clanrickard's Forces under their chief Commander he being gone with the other part of his Army towards Limerick retreated to Meleake Island a strong Fastness but were beaten thence the 25. of October with the loss of near 1500 Men 200 Horse Waggons and Baggage Upon this success the Irish quitted all their adjacent Garrisons and Ireton the Winter coming hard on drew off from Limerick having settled the Garrisons round about it with about 1200 Men and took in Neanagh a strong Castle in Low Ormond upon whose surrender Castleton and Dromaneer yielded also whence endeavouring to gain Killalough Pass though without effect he went to his Winter Quarters about the 10th of November at Kilkenny To provide for whom and the Forces in Ireland the Parliament was at a great stand the Prosecution of the War in Scotland having exercis'd the uttermost Force they could raise so as they now began to cast about which way might be most likely to disburthen themselves of some part of that Charge And for this purpose they appointed Commissioners to be sent into Ireland which were four Members of Parliament Mr. Corbet Colonel Ludlow Colonel Jones and Mr. Weaver The main Errant they went upon was to find out some means in that Kingdom for the raising of certain sums of Money yearly towards the maintenance of the Army These were designed about the beginning of October and were to be in readiness to imoark at Milford-Haven by the midst of December 1650. But to return to the Marquess of Ormond whose endeavours could not work the Confederates to any reasonable resistance though they saw their Cities and Towns won on every side who towards the end of July receiv'd a Letter subscribed by two Persons who Stiled themselves Archbishops of Dublin and Tuam in these words May it please your Excellency THis Nation become of late the Fable and Reproach of Christianity is brought to a sad Condition notwithstanding the frequent and laborious Meetings and Consultations of Prelates we find jealousies and fears deep in the hearts of men thorns hard to be plucked out we see most men contributing to the Enemy and rendring their Persons and Substance useful to his malice and destructive to Religion and the Kings Interests This Kind of men if not timely prevented will betray ir-remediably themselves and us We find no Stock or Subsistance ordered for maintaining the Souldiery nor is there an Army any way considerable in the Kingdom to recover what is lost or defend what we hold So as humanely speaking if God will not be pleased for his Mercies sake to take off from us the heavy Judgment of his Anger we are fair for losing Sacred Religion the Kings Authority and Ireland The four Archbishops to acquit their Consciencies in the eyes of God have resolved to meet at Jamestown about the 6th day of the next month and to bring along as many of the Suffragans as may repair thither with safety The end of this Consultation is to do what in us lies for the amendment of all Errors and the recovery of this afflicted People if your Excellency shall think fit in your Wisdom to send one or more Persons to make Proposals for the safety of the Nation we shall not want willingness to prepare a good Answer nor will we dispair of the Blessings of God and of his Powerful Influence to be upon our Intentions in that Place Even so we conclude remaining Your Excellencies most humble Servants Fra. Tho. Dub. Joh. Archbishop Tuamen 24. July 1650. For his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Whosoever reads this Summons or Intimation will believe it to be Satis pro Imperìo and
assuming to themselves the name of The Kingdom and People of Ireland as if there had been no other Party or People in the Kingdom or not considerable but themselves alone and as if then in Ireland there had been no Power or Government but theirs onely his Majesties Authority in the hands of his Deputy not regarded or consulted They also the Confederates in that giving up the Kingdom into the Power of a Stranger colouring their Treason with a flattering Clause and an empty and insignificant Title to their Natural Prince in Reversion and by Resignation when the new Protector commanding all should please to do it he being first satisfi'd of all Disbursments Charges and Claims whatsoever he himself being Auditor A Concern of that importance as we seldom find where others have been called in upon Assistance especially on such Encouragements that they have quitted their hold without effusion of much blood or an absolute dis-inherizon of the right Owner And therefore the Lord Deputies foresight of such an Evil doth commend him faithful to his Prince and just to his Nation Nor can it be doubted that the Attestation of this Peer one that hath run the hazard of his Countreys safety should be further credited than what the Bishop of Ferns or any obscure loose Frier how prodigal soever in their Calumnies should or can publish in the bitterness of their spirit a crime incident to their Faculty being ill affected to his Majesty worse to his Governours One of the principal Motives which induced the Marquis of Clanrickard to submit to that Charge and to undertake a Province which he knew would be very burthensome and grievous in several respects was the joynt promise That the City of Limerick and the Town of Galway would pay all imaginable duty to him The Clergy obliged themselves in that particular with all confidence and the Deputies of the Places promised all that could be desir'd But when the Lord Deputy found it necessary to settle that business they would neither receive a Garrison or Governour from him and when he offered himself to stay in Limerick when Ireton was drawing before it and to run his Fortune with them they refused it as peremptorily as they had done to the Lord Lieutenant It is true both Limerick and Galway were contented to receive Soldiers but they must be such onely as were of their own choosing not such either in number or quality as the Lord Deputy would have sent to them or as were necessary for their security They chose likewise their own Governour or rather kept the Government themselves and gave the Title to one whom they thought least like to contradict them and in a word behaved themselves like two Common-wealths and obey'd the Deputy no farther than they were inclined by their own convenience they who compounded with the Enemy in the Countrey corresponded with them in the Town and thereby gave the Enemy intelligence of all that passed Wonderful diligence was used to make it be thought that the Independents were not uncharitable unto Papists and that they wished not any compulsion should be used in matter of Religion and when the acts of cruelty and blood of putting their Priests and Prelates to an ignominious death of which there were new instances every day were mentioned It was answer'd Those proceedings were carried on by the power of the Presbyterians very much against the Nature and Principles of the other Party This license of Communication and the evil consequences that must attend it was enough understood by the Lord Deputy but could no more be prevented reformed or punished than he could infuse a new heart or spirit into the People one instance will serve the turn There was in the Town a Frier Anthony Geoghean who had always adhered to the Nuncio and opposed the King's Authority to the utmost of his power several Letters written by him into the Enemies Quarters were intercepted and brought to the Lord Deputy in which though there were many things in Cypher there appeared much of the present state and condition of the Town and in one of them dated the 4th of Febr. 1651. he thus writes If the service of God had been as deep in the hearts of our Nation as that Idol of Dagon a foolish Loyalty a better course for its honour and preservation had been taken in time The Lord Deputy believed the crime to be so apparent and of such a nature that what Complices soever he might have none would have the courage to appear in his behalf And that he might give the Clergy an opportunity to shew their zeal in a business that concern'd so much their common safety he referr'd the examination of the Frier unto the Bishops whereof there were three or four in Town and to some other of the principal of the Clergy and appointed them to require him to produce the Cypher which he had used and to examine him to whom the Letters were intended they being directed to counterfeit and suppositious names The Cypher was accordingly produced and thereby many expressions in the Letter appear'd to be full of neglect and reproach to the King and others of insolence and contumely toward the Lord Deputy they mention'd little hope was left of relief from the Duke of Lorrain and that they resolved to send one to treat with the Rebels and had found private means of conveying one to that purpose The Frier promised to use all his diligence to dispose the Catholicks to have a good opinion of the Independents and made some request concerning himself All that he alledged for his defence was That the Letters written by him were to one who was employ'd by the Court of Rome that he had no ill meaning against the King or Deputy and that he had himself a Trust from Rome and Instructions from the Secretary of the Congregation De propaganda Fide and the Bishops certifi'd that they had seen the Instructions and that they did not relate at all to the Temporal State And this was all the satisfaction and justice the Lord Deputy could procure though he writ several Letters of Expostulation to the Bishops thereupon Whether this be a part of the Priviledges and Immunities of the Catholick Roman Church and enjoy'd in any Catholick Countrey and whether it can be indulged to them in any other Countrey where the Authority of the Bishop of Rome is not submitted unto we must leave to the World to judge and determine In the interim If Protestant Kings and Princes are provident and severe for the prevention of such practices and for the establishing their own security this must not be imputed to an unreasonable jealousie of or a prejudice to the Roman Catholick Religion but to the confident presumption of those men under the vizard of universal obedience who have pretended Religion for their warrant or excuse for the most unlawful and unjustifiable actions This was the obedience and submission they paid to the Kings
Deputy General or such Guards as he shall appoint not exceeding one hundred men for Johns Gate this day by Sun-Jet and for performance hereof the above-named Lieutenant Colonel Piers Lacy Lieutenant Colonel Donogh O Brion Alderman Dom. White and Nicholas Haly Esquires shall remain as Hostages with the said Deputy General until the surrender of the said City 2. That in consideration hereof all persons now in the City except such as are hereafter excepted shall have Quarter for their Lives liberty of their Persons their Cloathes Money and other Goods so as to be free from Pillage Plunder or other hostile violence in their Persons or Goods during their continuance under the said Deputies safe conduct or protection by vertue of the ensuing Articles respectively But whereas through the practices of some Persons more eminent and active than the rest both amongst the Clergy Military Officers and Citizens and other sorts of men which in the large Conditions formerly tendred for surrender have been rejected the subsequent occasions or opportunities for timely making of Conditions neglected and avoided the dispositions and desires of many Persons within to that purpose opposed resisted and restrained and the generality of the People partly deluded and deceived to the keeping of them in vain expectations of relief from one time to another and partly over-awed or enforced by their power to concur and contribute thus long to the obstinate holding out of the Place therefore the Persons hereafter named with Major General Hugo O Neil the Governour Major General Purcel Sir Jeffery Gallaway Lieutenant Colonel Lacy Captain George Wolfe Captain Lieutenant Sexton the Bishop of Emly John Quillen a Dominican Frier David Roch a Dominican Frier Captain Laurence Welsh a Priest Francis Wolfe a Franciscan Frier Philip O Dwine a Priest Alderman Dom. Fanning Alderman Thomas Stretch Alderman Jordan Roach Edmond Roach Burgess Sir Richard Everard Doctor Higgen Maurice Baggot of Baggots-town and Jeffery Barron being as aforesaid the principal appearing in such practices in this Siege and the holding out so long as also Evan the Welsh Soldier who ran into Limerick and all other persons that have been employed and come into the City as Spies since the fourth day of June last shall be excepted and excluded from any benefit of this Article or any Article ensuing and such of them as can be found within the Garrison shall be rendred up at mercy upon the surrender of the City And any such Person or Persons as shall be found to hide or conceal any of the said excepted Persons or be privy to their concealment or attempt of escape and not discover or do their best endeavour to prevent the same shall thereby be understood to have forfeited the benefit of these Articles to themselves but otherwise none shall lose that benefit for other mens default in their concealment or escape or for the not rendring them up as aforesaid 3. That all Officers Soldiers and all other persons now in the City not excepted in the last precedent Article shall also have liberty to march away with their Clothes Bag and Baggage Money and all other their Goods of what kind soever except Arms Ammunition and other Utensils of War carrying nothing but their own to what Place or Places they shall choose respectively within the Dominion of Ireland not being a Garrison for the Parliament all the Field-Officers of Horse and Foot and Captains of Horse with their Horses Pistols and Swords and other the Commissioned Officers with their Swords onely and shall have three months time after the surrender to remove any Goods of their own that they shall not think fit soever to carry with them And such of them as shall choose to go to any Garrison or Parties of the Enemy shall have Convoy or safe Conduct for that purpose for such time as shall be requisite for their march at the rate of ten miles a day and shall have Carriages and Provisions allowed from the Countrey at the usual Rates 4. That such of the Citizens and Inhabitants interested in the City as are not excepted in the second Article and shall not presently march as aforesaid but desire to continue longer in the City shall upon application for that purpose to the said Deputy General or the chief Officer commanding in Limerick after the surrender have license given them to stay either for such further time as the said Deputy General or the said chief Officer present shall find convenient or until further warning given them to depart and in case of such license given till further warning shall have four months time allowed from and after such warning for the removal of themselves and their Families and six months for the removal of their Goods and during such further time limited or in case of reference to further warning during their continuance there to the time of warning given and for the said four months and six months after respectively shall be protected in their Persons Families and Goods from all injury and violence and at any time as they shall desire which in the said space or spaces respectively shall have liberty and safe conduct for the removal of themselves their Families and Goods to any Place or Places within this Dominion not being Garrison'd for the Parliament as aforesaid and if they shall not be admitted to reside elsewhere in protection within this Dominion they shall have liberty for themselves their Wives Children and Goods to pass beyond the Seas Provided that they pay their due proportion of what Taxes and other Contribution shall be charged upon the City from the day of the surrender to the day of the removal in due proportion with other Places in Ireland and behave themselves as becomes And such of the said Citizens and Inhabitants as having not license to stay until further warning shall within a month after the surrender be ordered to depart shall have the same benefit of the third Article as those that march away immediately upon the surrender 5. That all such Persons now in the City as shall desire to live peaceably and submit to the Parliament of England except the Persons excepted in the second Article aforegoing and except all Clergy-men Priests and Friers of any Order shall upon their application to that purpose have protection to live quietly at any such Place or Places within this Dominion as they shall desire and the said Deputy-General find convenient to admit But such Protection shall not be understood to extend either to the assuring of them either in the enjoyment of their Lands or other Hereditaments or to the granting of other indempnity or freedom from question or prosecution to Justice in a Judicial way for any Crimes they may be guilty of except to such as shall be found fit to have that mercy and favour expresly granted to them or to others for a certain time to be limited for that purpose but to such as shall have protection for a limited time either
being over Ireton within a few days without drawing his Army nearer than the Castle of Clare which he and Sir Charles Coot joyntly took in sent a Summons to the City of Gallway offering therein Limerick's first Conditions wishing them withall to put him to no more trouble lest they far'd as Limerick did through their stubbornness adding such other threats as he thought most like to make impressions upon them and a great impression they did make But Ireton dying at Limerick the 26th of November having contracted a Feaver through his continual Watching and Services through the whole Siege of Limerick they had a little respite and being united under the Command of General Preston the Town of Gallway address'd themselves to the Lord Deputy and desired his assistance promising all obedience to his Majesties Authority in him Nor was he so much discourag'd by their former carriage and their having accepted the Articles made with the Duke of Lorrain and their declaring him to be their Protector without ever communicating it to the Lord Deputy as to decline having further to do with them But upon their first Address to him he sent his Secretary to them with some Directions and shortly after went himself thither having summon'd such of the Nobility Prelates and principal Gentry as could with safety repair thither to consult what might yet be done for their defence they having still Men enough dispersed in several Parties to resist the Enemy if they were drawn together and united amongst themselves and the Town of Galway was so good a Port that any Supplies or Succours might come from abroad to them Upon Ireton's Death the Commissioners formerly mention'd to reside at Dublin made Lieutenant General Ludlow Commander in Chief till the Parliament in England should take further Order about that Concern In the interim Sir Charles Coot with his Party straightned Galway blocking up their Harbours and approaching with his Fortifications nearer by Land which wrought so far upon the Assembly there that in February they importun'd the Lord Deputy to give them leave to send to Lieutenant General Ludlow who by this time was come to aid Sir Charles Coot in the Siege for a safe Conduct for their Commissioners to treat of Conditions for the settlement of the Nation upon which they would submit to the Government of the Parliament professing to the Lord Deputy that they would in the mean time make such preparation for their defence that if the Parliament would not give them good and ample Conditions they would sell themselves at such a dear Rate that should make their Conquest of little use to their Enemy Upon which the Lord Deputy the Marquess Clanrickard the 14th of February 1651. writes to the Commander in chief of the Parliaments Forces and in conclusion had no grateful Reply Which when the Irish found that they could not have so much as a safe Conduct sent for their Commissioners nor could be admitted so much as to treat for the Nation but only that particular Places and Persons might be admitted to compound for themselves as others had done their spirits fail'd them and after a very little deliberation and before they put the Enemy to the trouble of storming them without so much as consulting the Lord Deputy or asking his leave though he was within less than half a days journey of the Town they enter'd into a Treaty and in a short time after viz. the 12th of May surrendred the Town to Sir Charles Coot for the use of the Parliament of England upon such Conditions as would not be yielded to by the Commissioners or the Parliament Though afterwards this Difficulty was composed and many considerable Garrisons in Connaght followed the example whilst many were amazed to see upon what easie terms they parted with their last important Town a Place of great strength and had they been resolute invincible having still in loose Parties over the Kingdom more Men in Arms to have defended it than the English could have brought against the Town Upon which and other Circumstances the Irish in Leimster and Munster being reduc'd to straights meditate a Compliance some under the Earl of Westmeath others under Muskery but oppos'd by the Ulster Confederacy Ireton's Funerals being over which were performed with great Solemnity on the 6th of February following in Henry 7th's Chappel since buried under Tyburn the Parliament consulted whom they should make Deputy as they called it in Ireton's room And Major General Lambert a Commissioner in Scotland was by Cromwel the Parliaments Lord Lieutenant nominated thereunto Whereupon he presently appeared but seem'd unwilling to accept of the Charge a Difficulty soon removed making in a little time all things ready for his departure inasmuch as Waggons with his private Provisions a recruit of Souldiers and Money were in readiness to be sent away But Cromwel's Commission determining in the end of April it came into debate in the House whether it should be renewed again but he offering to lay it down it was accepted so there being no Lord Lieutenant they voted there should be no Lord Deputy and that Major General Lambert should be only Commander in chief of the Forces there And about the 4th of July 1652. Colonel Charles Fleetwood who had lately married Ireton's Relict Lieutenant General of the Horse was made Commander in chief of the Forces in Ireland he hastned his Dispatch and used great diligence to get over to his Charge In the mean time several things were under debate in the House for setling of Ireland That great Act for Confiscation of all the Rebels Lands was passed the 12th of August and another appointed to be brought in for setling the Adventurers Estates for Ireland which passed the 26th of September 1653. and was confirmed 1656. But these requiring much time the Commander in chief went away about the midst of August and left them to receive a Dispatch in his absence He had a very prosperous Passage and arrived within few days after his departure He setled his Residence at Kilkenny by reason Dublin and the Parts adjacent were at that time much infected with the Plague He found the War of Ireland drawing on to a conclusion the Rebels being Masters of few considerable Forts and Castles throughout the whole Countrey Roscommon-Castle and James-town having yielded the 3d. of April to Colonel Reynolds as the strong Hold of Ross in Kerry did the 27th of June to Lieutenant General Ludlow and the strong Fort of Inchlough the 1st of August to Colonel Zanckey And their Forces were so weak as they were not able to keep the Field and so dispersed as they had already in Parties come in as did the Earl of Westmeath the Lord Muskery Colonel Connor O Roe Sir William Dungan Sir Francis Talbot and many others to the number of 800. upon the Kilkenny Articles which were in a manner to submit unto discretion and subject themselves to a Trial for the Murthers committed in the beginning of
of them that would accept of it together with the Excommunication of the Marquess now Duke of Ormond and the order of Publication thereof whereupon Sir Nicholas Plunket who subscribed the said Instructions and principally insisted on the forementioned Particulars was sent for by the Committee of Lords who had the Examination of that Affair and acknowledging his hand-writing Report thereof was made to his Majesty and Council by whom it was ordered about the 14th of March 1661. That no more Petitions or Addresses should be received by the Irish to the obstruction of the Settlement of that Kingdom and that Sir Nicholas Plunket should thence-forward no more presume to come into his Majesties Presence nor to Court Likewise there was produced an Oath previously taken by several of the Popish Nobility Clergy and others of the Gentry of Ireland before the Articles of Peace made in 1648. which they so much insist upon wherein they swear and engage That if those Articles of Peace were not in every particular for their advantage performed they would not be concluded by any thing therein Which appear'd to be so damnable a Piece of Treachery as it was highly resented in Council and the rather for that his Grace stood up and justified that to his knowledge it was a Truth And lest the memory of so great a Deliverance should slip out of our thoughts I shall in the next place present you with the Anniversary Act for its observance that this may be to us not less then the Passover to the Israelites for a Memorial and a Feast to the Lord throughout our Generations by an Ordinance for ever AN ACT FOR Keeping and Celebrating the three and twentieth day of October as an Anniversary Thanksgiving in this Kingdom WHereas many Malignant and Rebellious Papists and Jesuits Friers Seminary Priests and other Superstitious Orders of the Popish pretended Clergy most disloyally treacherously and wickedly conspired to surprize His Majesties Castle of Dublin His Majesties principal Fort of this Kingdom of Ireland the City of Dublin and all other Cities and Fortifications of this Realm and that all the Protestants and English throughout the whole Kingdom that would not joyn with them should be cut off and finally by a general Rebellion to deprive our late Sovereign Lord of ever blessed memory King Charles the First of this his ancient and rightful Crown and Sovereignty of this Kingdom and to possess themselves thereof all which was by the said Conspirators plotted and intended to be acted on the three and twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred forty and one a Conspiracy so generally inhumane barbarous and cruel as the like was never before heard of in any Age or Kingdom and if it had taken effect in that fulness which was intended by the Conspirators it had occasioned the utter ruine of this whole Kingdom and the Government thereof And however it pleased Almighty God in his unsearchable Wisdom and Justice as a just punishment and deserved correction to his People for their sins and the sins of this Kingdom to permit then and afterwards the effecting of a great part of that Destruction complotted by those wicked Conspirators whereby many thousand British and Protestants have been massacred many thousands of others of them have been afflicted and tormented with the most exquisite torments that malice could suggest and all Mens Estates as well those whom they barbarously murthered as all other good Subjects were wasted ruined and destroyed yet as his Divine Majesty hath in all Ages shown his Power and Mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverance of his Church and in the protection of Religious Kings and States so even in the midst of his Justice he was graciously pleased to extend Mercy to his Majesty and to this his Kingdom and good Subjects therein not only in mercifully discovering to the then Lords Justices by one Owen O Connelly a meer Irish Man but trained up in the Protestant Religion who out of a sense of his Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty and for the preservation of his good People and as an effect of that Religion he was trained up in revealed that hideous and bloody Treason not many hours before the appointed time for the Execution thereof but also in preserving the said Castle and City of Dublin and some other Cities Towns and Castles in the Kingdom from the bloody hands of the barbarous Conspirators as also in thereby rendring deliverance of the Lives of the said Lords Justices and Council and of all the British and Protestants in Dublin and in the said other Cities Towns and Castles preserved and of sundry other British and Protestants faln into the hands of those rebellious Conspirators and likewise in sending us Succours out of England hither by the Piety Care and Wisdom of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles the First whereby with Gods blessing the good Subjects of this Kingdom have hitherto continued safe under his mighty Protection notwithstanding the unexampled rage and implacable malice of those merciless Rebels Wherefore as we do most humbly and justly acknowledge Gods Justice in our deserved punishments in those Calamities which from the Councils and Actions of those Conspirators and their Adherents have faln upon us in this Kingdom in general so we do in like manner acknowledge that even in exercising of that his Justice he remembred Mercy also and magnified his Mercies to us in those great Blessings which we humbly confess to have proceeded meerly from his infinite Goodness and Mercy and therefore to his most holy Name we do ascribe all Honour Glory and Praise And to the end this unfeigned Thankfulness may never be forgotten but may be had in a perpetual Remembrance that all Ages to come may yield Praises to his Divine Majesty for the same and have in memory that joyful Day of Deliverance Be it therefore Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty with the Assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by Authority of the same that the three and twentieth day of October shall be kept and celebrated as an Anniversary holy day in this Kingdom for ever and that all Persons do at that day forbear all bodily Labour and the exercise of their Trades and that all and singular Ministers in every Cathedral and Parish Church or other usual place for Common-Prayer within this Realm of Ireland shall always upon the three and twentieth day of October say Morning Prayer and give thanks to Almighty God for that most happy and miraculous Deliverance and Preservation far above the expectations of those wretched Conspirators And that all and every Person and Persons inhabiting within this Realm of Ireland shall yearly upon the three and twentieth day of October diligently and faithfully resort to the Parish Church or Chappel accustomed or to some usual Church or Chappel where the said Morning Prayer Preaching or other Service of God
feed the Souldiers with from hand to mouth is spent I know no way to prevent their sudden disbanding and therefore I do again beseech your Lordship to endeavour that I may not be exposed to the dishonour and misery of being abandoned by the King's Forces and left my self single to the mercy of the Enemy but that Moneys may be speedily transmitted unto me with directions what pay to allow the Horsemen and Officers of the Foot with an overplus of Money as I have always desired for extraordinary and emergent occasions about either the Ordinance or Forts whereas yet nothing is in a right posture but things only shuffled together for a shift by reason we had not wherewithal to the work as it ought Your Lordships most humble Servant W. Saintleger Cork April 2. 1642 APPENDIX VII Fol. 95. In the Name of the holy Trinity the Father Son and Holy Ghost Amen Acts agreed upon ordained and concluded in the General Congregation held at Kilkanny the 10 11 and 13 days of May 1642. by those Prelates whose Names are subscrib'd the Proctors of such other Prelates as then were absent being present together with the Superiours of the Regulars and many other Dignitaries and learn'd Men as well in Divine as also in Common Law with divers Pastors and others of the Catholick Clergy of all Ireland whose Names are likewise hereafter set down 1. WHereas the VVar which now in Ireland the Catholicks do maintain against Sectaries and chiefly against Puritans for the Defence of the Catholick Religion for the maintenance of the Prerogative and the Royal Rights of our gracious King Charles for our gracious Queen so unworthily abus'd by the Puritans for the Honour safety and Health of their Royal Issue for to avert and refrain the Injuries done unto them for the Conservation of the just and lawful Safeguard Liberties and Rights of Ireland and lastly for the defence of their own Lives Fortunes Lands and Possessions VVhereas I said this VVar is by the Catholiques undertaken for the aforesaid causes against unlawful Usurpers Oppressors and their Enemies chiefly Puritans And that hereof we are enformed aswel by divers and true Remonstrances of divers Provinces Counties and Noblemen as also by the unanimous consent and agreement of almost the whole Kingdom in this VVar and Union VVe therefore declare that VVar openly Catholick to be lawful and just in which VVar if some of the Catholicks be found to proceed out of some particular and unjust Title covetousness cruelty revenge or hatred or any such unlawful private intentions VVe declare them therein grievously to sin and therefore worthy to be punished and refrained with Ecclesiastical Censures if advised thereof they do not amend 2. VVhereas the Adversaries do spread divers rumours do write divers Letters and under the King's Name do print Proclamations which are not the King 's by which means divers plots and dangers may ensue unto our Nation VVe therefore to stop the way of untruth and forgeries of the Political Adversaries do will and command That no such rumours Letters or Proclamations may have place or belief until it be known in a National Councel whether they truly proceed from the King left to his own freedom and until the Agents of this Kingdom hereafter to be appointed by a National Councel have free passage to his Majesty whereby the Kingdom may be certainly enformed of his Majesties intention and will 3. VVhereas no Family City Common-wealth much less any Kingdom may stand without union and concord without which this Kingdom for the present standeth in most danger VVe think it therefore necessary that all Irish Peers Magistrates Noblemen Cities and Provinces may be tied together with the holy bond of Union and Concord and that they frame an Oath of Union and agreement which they shall devoutly and Christianly take and faithfully observe And for the conservation and exercise of this Union VVe have thought fit to ordain the ensuing Points 4. VVe straightly command all our inferiours aswell Churchmen as Laymen to make no distinction at all between the old and ancient Irish and no Alienation comparison or differences between Provinces Cities Towns or Families and lastly not to begin or forward any emulations or comparisons whatsoever 5. That in every Province of Ireland there be a Councel made up both of Clergy and Nobility in which Councel shall be so many persons at least as are Counties in the Province and out of every City or notable Town two persons 6. Let one general Councel of the whole Kingdom be made both of the Clergy Nobility Cities and notable Towns in which Councel there shall be three out of every Province and out of every City one or where Cities are not out of the chiefest Towns To this Councel the Provincial Councels shall have subordination and from thence to it may be appealed until this National Councel have opportunity to sit together Again if any thing of great importance do occur or be conceived in one Province which by a negative Vote is rejected in the Councel of one Province let it be sent to the Councels of other Provinces except it be such a matter as cannot be delayed and which doth not pertain to the Weal-publick of the other Provinces 7. Embassage sent from one Province to forraign Nations shall be held as made from the rest of the Provinces and the fruit or benefit thereof shall be imparted and divided between the Provinces and Cities which have more need thereof chiefly such helps and fruits as proceed from the bountiful liberality of forreign Princes States Prelates or others whatsoever provided always that the charge and damage be proportionably recompenced 8. If there be any Province which may not conveniently send Embassage from it self unto forraign Nations let it signifie it to another Province which may conveniently supply it and ought in regard of their Union to supply it according to the instructions sent from the other Provinces concerning the place and Princes to which they would have their Embassage employed 9. Let a faithful Inventory be made in every Province of the Murthers Burnings and other Cruelties which are committed by the Puritan Enemies with a Quotation of the place day cause manner and persons and other circumstances subscribed by one of publick Authority 10. In every Parish let a faithful and sworn Messenger be appointed whereby such Cruelties and other affaires may be written and sent to the neighbouring places and likewise from one Province to another Let such things be written for the comfort instruction and carefulness of the People 11. Great men taken prisoners in one Province may not be set at liberty for any price prayers or exchange without the consent of the Prelates and Nobility of the other Province united and let every Province be careful of the Liberties of such Prisoners as are from the other Provinces as far as it conveniently may 12. If any one stubborn or dangerous be found in one Province County or
Town Let him be sent to another Province County or Town where he may be safely kept and with less danger or loss of others remain 13. Whosoever shall be declared in one County or Province Adversary or Traitor of this Cause and Country shall likewise be held and punished in other Countries and Provinces where he shall be found and such as receive or favour him or be his Messengers knowing his misdemeanour shall be liable to such punishment as the Traitor himself 14. We Command and Ordain as a main point pertaining to this Union that no Province County City Town or Person whatsoever shall demand Peace or submit himself to the Enemies without the consent of the general Council of the whole Kingdom and that under pain of Excommunication to be incurred ipso facto and for further force of this Statute to be observed We will that in every Province a firm Oath be taken by the Peers Nobility Corporation and commonalty of every Province and thereupon a Publick and Authentical Instrument be made And that every Province do send into every other Province an Instrument subscribed with the proper hands of such as have taken this Oath for the assurance of their Oaths and whosoever shall refuse to take this Oath let him be held as Adversary of the common Cause and of the Kingdom and let him be punished as such as hereafter shall be declared except he be excused for the Reasons hereafter to be set down 15. The Ordinaries of every place The Preachers Confessors Parish-Priests and other Churchmen shall endeavour to see perfect peace and charity observed between Provinces Counties Cities and Families as the obligation of this Union requireth 16. Such Goods as well moveable as unmoveable pertaining to Catholicks as were recovered from the Enemies by this present War shall be restored to their former owners Provided that such necessary and reasonable charges shall be paid as the next general or Provincial Council or Commitees of the County where the Parties dwell shall decree 17. Whereas diverse persons do diversly carry themselves towards this Cause some with helps and supplies do assist the Adversaries others with Victuals and Arms others with their Advice and Authority supporting as it were the contrary Cause some also as Neuters behaving themselves and others lastly neglecting their Oath do forsake the Catholick Union and Cause We do therefore declare and judge all and every such as do forsake this Union do fight for our Enemies accompany them in their War defend or in any other way assist them as giving them Weapons Victuals Counsel or Favour to be Excommunicated and by these Presents do Excomunicate them Provided that this present Decree shall be first published in every Diocess respectively and having received admonition before hand which shall supply the treble admonition otherwise requisite and we do hereby declare so it be made in a place where it may easiy come to the knowledge of those whom it toucheth But as touching the Judgment and Punishment of the Neuters we leave it to the Ordinaries of every place respectively so that the Ordinaries themselves be not contrary to the Judgment and Opinion of this Congregation in which cause we Commit power to the Metropolitans or Archbishops to proceed against such Ordinaries according to the common course of Law wherein they are to be very careful and speedy and if the Metropolitans be found herein careless or guilty let them be lyable to such punishment as is ordained by the holy Canons and let them be accused to the See Apostolick 18. We Ordain and Decree that all and every such as from the beginning of this present War have invaded the Possessions of Goods as well moveable as unmoveable spiritual or temporal of any Catholick whether Irish or English or also of any Irish Protestant being not Adversary of this Cause and do detain any such Goods shall be Excommunicated and by this present Decree we do Excommunicate them if admonished they do not amend and with the like censure we do bind such as henceforward shall invade or detain such Goods and not only them but also all and every such as shall keep Lands or Possessions against publick authority as also such as favour or assist them therein And we declare involved in this censure all and every of them who directly or indirectly hinder or forbid to pay their due Rents unto such as have possessed the said Lands from the beginning of this War and such likewise as without the License of such Possessors do take or extort Rents or equivalent payment from the Tenants of such Possessors under colour of paying Souldiers therewith or otherwise 19. We command all and every the Churchmen as well Secular as Regular not to hear the Confessions of the aforesaid Excommunicated persons nor to Administer unto them the Holy Sacrament under pain of Excommunication ipso facto 20. VVe will and declare all those that Murther Dismember or grievously Strike all Theives unlawful Spoilers Robbers of any Goods Extortors together with all such as favour receive or any ways assist them to be Excommunicated and so to remain until they compleatly amend and satisfie no less then if they were namely Proclaimed Excommunicated and for satisfaction of such Crimes hitherto committed to be enjoyned we leave to the discretion of the Ordinaries and Confessors how to absolve them 21. Tradesmen for making Weapons or Powder brought into this Countrey or hereafter to be brought in shall be free from all Taxations and Customs as also all Merchants as shall transport into this Countrey such wares as are profitable for the Catholick Cause as Arms and Powder may lawfully traffick without paying any Custom for Commodities brought out of this Kingdom or transported hither of that kind and let this be Proclaimed in all Provinces Cities and Towns 22. We think it convenient that in the next National Congregation some be appointed out of the Nobility and Clergy as Embassadours to be sent in the behalf of the whole Kingdom unto the Kings of France and Spain to the Emperour and his Holiness and those to be of the Church Prelates or one of the Nobility and a Lawyer 23. We will and ordain that Ordinaries Dignitaries and other Properietors of Church livings with the assistance of the Colonel or some other prime Gentleman of the County Barony or Parish as the Ordinary and Dignitaries or Proprietors shall appoint do set unto Tenants the Lands Houses Tenements and Tithes and other Church livings and let competent means be appointed for the maintainance of the said Ordinaries Dignitaries and Proprietors and the rest to be appointed for the Souldiers until it be otherwise ordained 24. Collectors and Receivers of the Rents of Church-livings shall be appointed by the Ordinaries with the consent of the Proprietors in the presence of the chiefest Gentlemen of every County Barony or Parish respectively 25. The Ordinaries and other Proprietors of Church-livings may take unto themselves the Houses Tenements and
who shut up the said places and other passages and ways to his Majesties Justice and Mercy from his Majesties well-affected Subjects of this Kingdom for the Exaltation therefore of the holy Roman Catholick Church for the advancement of his Majesties Service and the preservation of the Lives Estates and liberties of his Majesties true Subjects of this Kingdom against the Injustice Murders Massacres Rapes Depredations Robberies Burnings frequent breaches of Quarter and publick Faith and destruction daily perpetrated and acted upon his Majesties said Subjects and advis'd contriv'd and daily exercis'd by the said malignant Party some of them managing the Government and Affairs of State in Dublin some other parts of this Kingdom to his Highness great disservice and complying with their Confederates the malignant Party in England and elsewhere who as it is manifest to all the world do complot and practice to dishonour and destroy his Majesty his Royal Consort the Queen their Issue and the Monarchal Government which is of most dangerous consequence to all the Monarchs and Princes in Christendom The said Assembly doth order and establish a Councel by name A Supream Council of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland who are to consist of the number of 24. to be forthwith nam'd by the Assembly whereof 12 at the least to be forthwith nam'd shall reside in this Kingdom or where-else they shall think expedient And the members of the said Council shall have equal Votes and two parts of the three or more concurring present Votes to conclude and no fewer to sit in Council than 9 whereof 7 at least are to concur And of the 24 a President shall be nam'd of the Assembly who is to be one of the twelve resident and if in case of his death absence or sickness the rest of these who shall be resident may name a Vice-president of the 24. And the said Council shall have the Power and preheminence following viz. The Lords Generals and all other Commanders of Armies and Civil Magistrates and Officers in the several Provinces shall observe their Orders and Decrees and shall do nothing contrary to their directions and shall give them speedy advertisement and account of their proceedings and actions with as much expedition as may be That the said Council shall have power to order and determine all such matters as by this Assembly shall be left undetermined and shall be recommended unto them and their Orders therein to be of force until the next Assembly and after until the same be revoked That the said Council shall have Power and Authority to do and execute all manner of Acts and things conducing to the advancement of the Catholick Cause and the good of this Kingdom and concerning this VVar as if done by the Assembly And shall have power to hear and determine all matters Capital Criminal or Civil except the Right or Title of Land That the Generals and other Commanders of Armies and all Governors and civil Magistrates and all other persons within this Realm shall obey the Orders and Decrees of the said Council touching the present Service That the Council shall have for their Guard the number of 500 Foot and 200 Horse to be equally extracted out of the Armies of the four Provinces 5. Item It is further ordered and establish'd that in every Province of this Kingdom there shall be a Provincial-councel and in every County a County-councel the Provincial-councel to be compos'd of the number of two of each County and the said Provincial-councel shall chuse a President for themselves 6. That the Provincial-councel shall sit four times a Year and oftner if there be cause for it That they shall have power and Authority to renew or reverse the Judgment of the County-councel the party complaining entring Security De adjudicat ' solvend ' And shall during the trouble have power to hear and determine all matters of the Crown as Judges of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-delivery were wont to do so that no Spiritual person be present at the determining matters of blood And shall have power to hear and determine all civil Causes and to establish Rents and Possessions so that they meddle not with the Title of Land other than in case of Dower and Joynture And the Sheriffs Provincial-generals and all Commanders of the Armies in case of Disobedience are respectively required to execute the Decrees and Orders And in case of Debts and Accounts great consideration is to be had of the disabilities of Creditors occasion'd by the VVar. 7. Item In every County there shall be a County-councel consisting of one or two of each Barony at the Election of the County and where there are no Baronies the Councel of such County to consist of the number of 12. And the said County-council shall have power and Authority in all points as Justices of the Peace to hear and determine all the matters concerning the Offices of the Justice of Peace and all matters of the Crown happening within every such County and the Delinquent may if he please have his Trial in the Province and to hear and determine Debts Trespasses and personal Demands and to do all things as Justices of the Peace were accustomed to do and to restore and establish possessions taken by force or fraud since these troubles And likewise to take a special care that Tenants and Farmers be kept to their Farms where they were used and to be preserv'd from Extortion and Oppression And that Trades Tradesmen Manufactures Agriculture and Husbandry be maintained and duly kept 8. Item In Cities and Towns Corporate Justice is to be done and the Laws executed as is accustomed 9. Item In every County there shall be Coroners High-Sheriffs High-Constables and petty-Constables and Gaolers who are to do their respective Offices as accustomed the High-Sheriff to be confirm'd or nominated by the Supream Council and the High-Sheriff is required to execute the Commands Orders and Decrees of the Provincial and County-council 10. Item In every County the High-Sheriff shall be Provost-Marshal and shall have power to execute a Layman not worth 5 l. and none other for Murther Man-slaughter Burglary Theft Robbery or other capital Offence provided the party to be executed may have 24 hours time to prepare his Soul And that the Supream and Provincial-council shall and may name more Provost-Marshals as they shall think expedient qualified with the like Authority 11. Item It is further order'd that no Temporal Government or Jurisdiction shall be assumed kept or exercised in this Kingdom or within any County or Province thereof during these troubles other than is before expressed except such Jurisdiction and Government as is or shall be approv'd by the General Assembly or the Supream Council 12. Item It is further order'd that whosoever hath enter'd since the first day of October 1641. or shall hereafter during the continuance of the War in this Kingdom enter into the Lands Tenements or Hereditaments at or immediately before the first day of
former rebellious courses not so much as having to this time offered any assistance to this State or any the Governors or Commanders of the Army and have murdered many English and other Subjects in several parts it being observed that if any of his Majesties good Subjects Souldiers or others pass by not strongly guarded they are set upon and murthered in the High-ways and passages as they travel the very Plowmen and those that keep Cattle having continually Arms lying by them in the Fields to murther those his Majesties good Subjects when they find them weakly guarded and on the other side when they find them strongly guarded they seem to go on in their Plowing and Husbandry shewing those Warrants for their safety and seeming to be poor innocent and harmless Labourers And although the aforesaid open Rebels were frequently in some of their Houses and continually round about them they never gave us any intelligence concerning the proceedings of those open Rebels nor of the places where they had often meetings and where they might be found to be fallen on by his Majesties Army which they might easily have done if their affections to his Majesty and his Government had been such as by the Laws of God they ought to be or if they desired to live humbly in obedience to the Laws as some of them pretend And albeit in many of the said VVarrants there were conditions expressed and in all of them Conditions implyed that the parties taking benefit thereby should behave themselves as becomes dutiful and Loyal Subjects whereby We might justly proceed to their deserved Correction without any violation on Our parts of the said VVarrants or the word thereby given And albeit also that most of those VVarrants were not in themselves Protections to the parties further than in giving them leave to bring or send Corn and other provisions to the Markets whereby their Servants or Horses or Provisions should not be seized on by the Souldiers when they came to the Markets which admittance fell out as well for their benefit as intended for the furnishing of the Market Yet because We find that the further continuing of those VVarrants do now appear inevitably to induce a great inconvenience to his Majesties General Service and many of those people do either ignorantly or perhaps purposely mistake the true sense and meaning of those VVarrants and do give out to interpret them to be Protections granted to them for the safety of their Lives and Estates how foul soever they are in their crimes which is an interpretation that cannot justly be made out of the letter or meaning of those VVarrants yet in regard We who are entrusted here by His Majesty for the government of this His Kingdom and People are so tender of His Majesties Honour as VVe neither have done nor will do anything that by any construction can be interpreted a Breach of any word given by Us neither have desired or willingly permitted any violence or hurt to be done to any Inhabitant or any prejudice other than for the necessary Defence and safety of this State and other His Majesties good Subjects against those that tookup Arms against His Majesty And for that we are now necessitated to resolve not to suffer this State to be any longer deluded and abused and His Majesties good Subjects murthered even as it were in our own view in scorn and affront of the State and some of the actors passing with impunity under countenance of these VVarrants VVe think fit before we proceed to the just Correction of those who have so declared themselves Enemies to the Peace of this Kingdom hereby to publish and declare that the said VVarrants so granted by Us the Lords Justices or either of Us or by Us the Lords Justices and Councel or by the said Lieutenant General of the Army or by the said late or present Commanders of the Forces of this City or by any His Majesties Commanders in Drogheda or other places to any person or persons within the Baronies of Castle-knock Nethercrois Balrothery or Coolock in the County of Dublin or within the Baronies of Duleeke Skryne Moyfenragh Ratoath Deece and Dunboyne in the County of Meath shall from and after the four and twentieth day of this Month stand void and be annulled repealed and revoked and we do hereby accordingly from and after the said day revoke repeal make void and annul them and every of them to all intents and purposes as if they had never been granted and do order that from and after the said day they be of no force nor derive any benefit Protection or Security in the parties to whom they were granted And this Proclamation we hereby require the Major and Sheriffs of the City of Dublin to cause to be proclaimed and published on two market-Market-days in and throughout the said City and Suburbs and to be publickly fixed up in the Market-place and other publick places in the said City and Suburbs that so all men may take notice thereof and that hereafter when by the power and strength of his Majesties Army Offenders receive due punishment they may appear inexcusable and not have any colour to pretend the least Breach of word in this State Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the 10. of June 1642. Ormond Ossory Roscomon Ad. Loftus J. Temple Tho. Rotherham Fra. Willoughby Tho. Lucas Ja. Ware Geo. Wentworth Rob. Meredith God save the King This relates to what is mentioned in the end of the second Paragraph Fol 102. Justifying the State in the revoking of Protections given contrary to their Order and the Abuse the Protected made thereof By the Lords Justices and Council W. Parsons Jo. Borlase WHereas in the beginning of this hideous and detestable Rebellion We the Lords Justices and Council desirous if it might be to give some sudden stop thereunto so to prevent the spreading thereof and the growth of it to that height to which it hath sithence risen and conceiving that at that time the multitude were by evil Council or false rumors seduced to partake in that Rebellion who not knowing the truth and depth of the Combination We did think could not so wretchedly fail in their Duty and Loyalty to their most Gracious King and Soveraign as so universally to persist in their course of Disobedience to his Majesties Authority but would with treatable and fair admonitions laying before them their great danger and the iniquity of their enterprise have returned to their obedience We therefore on the 27th of October last authorised divers persons of quality and trust for the several Counties of Down Antrim Armagh Monaghan Cavan Tirone and Fermanagh amongst other Powers then entrusted with them to parly with the Rebels or any of them and by Proclamation or otherwise to proffer his Majesties Grace and Mercy to them or any of them and to receive such of them into his Majesties Grace and Mercy as should submit themselves and desire the same Yet We held fit
force and the Commands and Constitutions of our lawful Convocation of the Bishops and Clergy still live and speak unto us in the Canons made in the year 1634. whereof the third thus expresly That Form of Liturgie or divine Service and no other shall be used in any Church of this Realm but that which is established by Law and comprized in the Book of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments VVhich Canon with all the rest is confirmed and published by His Majesties Authority under the great Seal of Ireland VI It may be added that the Reformed Church of Ireland under the Government of our dread Soveraign the King is and ever was reputed a free National Church and not subordinate unto or depending upon the convocation of any other Church And hence it was that till the Convocation held at Dublin Anno 1634. the Articles of the Church of England were not held or reputed the Articles of the Church of Ireland and when they were received they were not received in any acknowledged subordination to the Church of England but for manifestation of our agreement with that Church in the confession of the same Christian Faith and the Doctrine of the Sacraments as is expressed in the first Canon Hence it is besides that our Canons were not imposed by the Church of England nay when somewhat highly the Clergy was invited to submit to the Book of English Canons the Convocation utterly refused the same and framed a new Book of Canons for the Church of Ireland Should we therefore receive or admit of any other form without the Authority of this Church we should be held and esteemed before God and the World guilty of unconscionably betraying of the Liberty of the free National Church of Ireland VII The Book of Common-Prayer hath been in use in this Church from the beginning of the Reformation we have preached for it and recommended it to the people as a form of God's publick Worship and Service the people of God in this City for the most part generally do love it have been edified by it are loath to part from it and earnestly desire the continuance of it Now should we consent to the taking it away and receive or use any other form not established by Law we should not avoid the guilt of Sin it being all one to destroy that which is well built as to build that which a man once destroyed which in the Apostles judgement Gal. 2. 8. renders a man a transgressor And withall we should as matters stand give great offence and scandal to the Consciences of our Brethren and so sin against them who deserve better at our hand and for whom Christ dyed VIII Lastly that reason given by the University of Oxford in this point is not to be forgotten that by our leaving of the Book of Common-Prayer and receiving any other Form we should condemn the Church and State for the penalties and censures against Recusants and justifie them in their accusations and imputations of injustice and tyranny wherewith they boldly charge both our Churches of England and Ireland The premisses considered as we hope your Honours discern hereby that we have not lightly or obstinately or out of faction or any spirit of opposition forborn the exercise of our Ministry since your Honours injunction so we do now with all humility present these our fervent Petitions to your Honours 1. That you would be pleased in pity and compassion to the Protestants of this City and to us the Ministers who else by your Injunction aforesaid are indangered to be exposed to banishment loss of estate and of present subsistance with our wives and families to restore us to our Churches Ministry and exercise thereof by permitting of us to use the Book of Common-Prayer in our several Cathedral and Parish Churches as formerly we used the same before your Injunction aforesaid and to grant us your Protection therein till such time as further order be taken by a Convocation of the Clergy and an Act of Parliament in this Kingdom and in the mean time we shall endeavour to demean our selves in the whole course of our Ministry with such Christian faithfulness and moderation as that we shall by the help of God give no just occasion of offence 2. That in case your Honours shall be pleased to grant this Petition which we hope you will if after our stay and residence here we or any of us shall be by the imposal of any thing against our Consciences be forced hereafter to depart the Kingdom we may then respectively have free passes and convenient time to remove our persons families and goods 3. That during the time of our residence here we may enjoy the profits benefits and meanes of our several Church-livings for our subsistance which are due or allotted to us by the Law of the Land and Acts of State 4. That whereas the monthly fast observed hitherto by command of authority on a Friday was grounded upon the horrid Rebellion of the Irish Papists begun and the danger we were all in as on that day wherein the Rebells came to this City to surprise it and the evening of that day was the time wherein that bloody treachery and conspiracy was discovered that we may be permitted still to keep the monthly Fast on that day being a day of preparation for the monthly Communion according to our custom these five years past And we shall ever pray c. Delivered the 9th day of July 1647. Subscribed as followeth Ed. Laonensis Jac. Margetson Since Armachanus Ben. Culme Ambr. Anngier Ja. Sybold Godf. Rhodes Hen. Hall Since Ep. Academ Jos. War Jo. Brookbank Gilbert Deane Dud. Boswel Rob. Parry Joan. Creighton Can. Edw. Syng Since Arfeitensis Rob. Dickson Rand. Ince Henry Byrch Rich. Powel Fol. 190. l. 36. the Loyallists An. 160 3 After that the Nuncio was driven to Galoway He the 2d of August took an occasion to expostulate with the Marquess of Clanrickard about one of the Provincial Fathers of the Franciscans being by the Presidents Souldiers clap'd up in Clare-Castle wondring so pious and true a Catholick should permit a Subject of the Apostolick See to which the Clergy are only accountable to be so used by Laicks unto which the 8th of of August the Marquess excellently replied That unknown to him the Father was at the Command of the supream Council taken and by their order was to be brought to Kilkenny He reverenced the Clergy but could not recede from the Order of that Council for that the Holy Church gives not Protection to Criminals or the God of Peace Impunity to the Seditious enlarging well on that Subject concluding that if under pretext or title of the Immunities of the Church any should escape unpunished There would be soon an end of the State and Temporal jurisdiction And having been thus entertained by the Nuncio the Marquess freely proposes to Him these Questions That He might understand the difference
she my Brother the Earl of Antrim hath taken the Castle and City of Dublin having lately moved thither for the same purpose and not to please the Dutchess as was given out and my brother Alexander mac Donnell according to the general Appointment hath taken the Town and Castle of Carrickfergus He the Deponent then asked what they meant to do with those whom they had disarmed and pillaged She said as long as their preservation should be deemed consistent with the publick safety they should injoy their lives when otherwise better their enemy perish than themselves which was but a very cold comfort to a Freshman prisoner as my self was And also said That Sir Phelim O Neil told this Deponent in December last that his stock in money amounted to 80000 sterling wherewith he said he was able to maintain an Army for one year though all shifts else failed And that Captain Alexander Hovenden told him that as soon as his brother Sir Phelim was created Earl of Tyron and great O Neil he wrote Letters and sent them by Friars to the Pope and Kings of Spain and France but would not discover the Contents And further saith That about the first of March last the said Alexander told the Deponent that the Friars of Drogheda by Father Thomas brother to the Lord of Slane had the second time invited Sir Phelim thither and offered to betray the Town unto him by making or discovering the Deponent knoweth not whether a breach in the Wall through which he might march six men a breast The Deponent saw this Friar the same time in Armagh whom Sir Phelim took by the hand and brought to the Deponent saying This is the Friar that said Mass at Finglass upon Sunday morning and in the Afternoon did beat Sir Charles Coote at swords I hope said the Friar to say Mass in Christ-Church Dublin within eight weeks And further Deposed that he this Deponent asked many both of their Commanders and Friars what chiefly moved them to take up Arms They said Why may not we as well and better fight for Religion which is the Substance than the Scots did for Ceremonies which are but Shadows and that my Lord of Strafford's Government was intolerable The Deponent answered That that Government how insupportable soever was indifferent and lay no heavier upon them then on him and the rest of the Brittish Protestants They replied That the Deponent and the rest of the Brittish were no considerable part of the Kingdom and that over and above all this they were certainly informed that the Parliament of England had a plot to bring them all to Church or to cut off all the Papists in the Kings Dominions in England by the English Protestants or as they call them Puritans in Ireland by the Scots And further deposeth That he asked as seeming very careful of their saftety what hope of Aid they had and from whom as also what discreet and able men they had to imploy as Agents to their Friends beyond the Sea They said if they held out this next Winter they were sure and certain in the Spring to receive Aid from the Pope France and Spain and that the Clergy of Spain had already contributed five thousand Arms and Powder for a whole year then in readiness They said their best and only Agents were their Priests and Friars but especially the forenamed Paulo Neil upon whose coming with advice from Spain they presently opened the War and that since the War began in the very dead of Winter he both went with Letters and returned with Instructions from Spain in one Month professing the good Cause had suffered much prejudice if he had been hanged in Dublin And this Deponent further saith That he demanded why sometimes they pretended a Commission from the King at other times from the Queen since all Wisemen knew that the King would not grant a Commission against himself and the Queen could not They being Commanders and Friars said That it was lawful for them to pretend what they could in advancement of their Cause That many of the Garrison Souldiers now their Prisoners whom they determined to imploy in the War and to train others would not serve them in regard of their Oath unless they were made so to believe That in all Wars rumours and lies served many times to as good purpose as Arms and that they would not disclaim any advantage But they said for the Queen in regard as a Catholick she had enemies enough already they would command their Priests publickly at Mass to discharge the people from speaking of her as a Cause or Abetter of the present Troubles And the Deponent also asked Sir Phelim O Neil what his demands were without which his Lordship and the rest would not lay down Arms At first he told this Deponent That they required only Liberty of Conscience But afterwards as his Power so his Demands were multiplied They must have no Lord Deputy great Officers of State Privy Councellors Judges or Justices of Peace but of the Irish Nation no standing Army in the Kingdom all Tythes payable by Papists to be paid to Popish Priests Church Lands to be restóred to their Bishops All Plantations since primo Jacobi to be disannulled none made hereafter no payments of debts due to the Brittish or restitution of any thing taken in the Wars all Fortifications and Strengths to be in the hands of the Irish with power to erect and build more if they thought fit all Strangers meaning Brittish to be restrained from coming over all Acts of Parliament against Popery and Papists together with Poynings Act to be repealed and the Irish Parliament to be made Independent But saith that others told him this Deponent that although all these Demands were granted yet Sir Phelim for his own part was not resolv'd to lay down Arms unless his Majesty would confirm unto him the Earldom of Tyrone with all the ancient Patrimony and Priviledges belonging to the O Neils And further saith that in March 1641. Alexander Hovenden by Sir Phelim's direction sent from the Camp before Drogheda a Prophecy said to be found in the Abbey of Kells importing that Tyrone or Sir Phelim after the Conquest and Settlement of Ireland should fight five set Battels in England in the last whereof he should be killed upon Dunsmore-heath but not before he had driven King Charles with his whole Posterity out of England who should be afterwards profugi in terra aliena in aeternum The Paper it self with the Deponents whole Library to the value of seven or eight hundred pounds was lately burnt by the Scots under the Conduct of the Lord Viscount Montgomery since that Prophecy the Deponent saith he hath often seen Captain Tirlagh mac Brian O Neil a great man in the County of Armagh with many others no mean Commanders drinking Healths upon the knee to Sir Phelim O Neil Lord General of the Catholick Army in Ulster Earl
better understood by the Records of the Age then to be descanted on now An Alphabet of the Counties wherein such Murthers as are here mentioned were committed Counties fol. ANtrim 109 Armagh ibid. Catherlagh 111 Cavan 112 Clare ibid. Cork ibid. Donnegall ibid. Down 113 Dublin 114 Fermanagh ibid. Gallway 115 Kerry ibid. Kildare 116 Kilkenny ibid. Kings County 117 Leytrim 118 Limerick ibid. Londonderry ibid. Longford ibid. Lowth ibid. Mayo 119 Meath ibid. Monaghan 120 Queens County ibid. Roscommon 121 Sligo 122 Tipperary 123 Tyrone ibid. Westmeath 124 Wickloe ibid. Dr. Robert Maxwell since Bishop of Kilmore his Examination worthy deliberate and serious Reflexions but not here to be flied to as quoted in the Abstract That only to be sought for in the Archives of Dublin DOctor Robert Maxwell Rector of Tynon in the County of Armagh sworn and examined and first touching the nature of the Rebellion deposeth and saith that to begin higher than the 22th of Octob. 1641. at the coming in of the Scots to Newcastle he observ'd Sir Phelim O Neil Tirlagh oge O Neil his Brother Robert Hovenden Esq. deceased and generally all his Popish Neighbours overjoyed and at their peaceable disbanding as much cast down and dejected calling the English base degenerate Cowards and the Scots dishonourable Bragadochies who came into England not to fight but to scrape up wealth merchandizing their honours for sums of money But he this Deponent did not much heed those distempered speeches as every where rise in those days and as proceeding from bankrupt and discontented Gentlemen and the rather because many in Ireland at that time measuring the Scots Laws by their own accompted the Scots subjection not much better than Rebellion although since by the Event their Judgments are now rectified yet he asked what they meant to be thus sad at good News but joyful at evil They said if the two Kingdoms had gone by the ears they hoped the Earl of Strafford whose Government had been most avaritious and tyrannical would in regard of his forwardness have perished in the Combustion But this he the Deponent thought not worth the informing because what they said most men thought from the disbanding of the Scots until the breaking out of the present Rebellion He observed also frequent and extraordinary meetings of Priests and Fryars almost every where under colour of Visitations and at the first summons of Fryars to the number of two or three thousand in a Company they would usually meet together for a twelvemonth before the Rebellion who with others of the same stamp borrowed what sums of money they possibly could from the Brittish ane often without any apparent necessity neither did it afterwards appear what they did with the money so borrowed for they would not pay any man a penny And the Deponent further saith That in April 1641. there went a report amonst the Irish the Deponents next Neighbours that the Earl of Tyrone was seen with Sir Phelim O Neil in the Wood of Ballynametash but upon Examination they denied it yet since the Rebellion they told the Deponent That a great man out of Spain was at that time with him but they would not name him and about three years before that one Priest mac Case came from Rome with the Pope's Bull for the Parish of Tynon and being kept out by Sir Phelim talked freely of a Rebellion plotted and intended by him and others Upon which the Priest went to Dublin to inform the Lord Deputy thereof by whom being examined he either said nothing to the purpose or was not believed or was taken off by Sir Phelim And further saith That Sir Phelim O Neil a little before the Rebellion brought two Hogsheads of Gunpowder from Dublin under colour of Wine by Patrick O Dogherty Vintner of Kynard he bought a great part thereof by ten or twelve pounds in the name of most of the Gentry in the Country This he bragged of to the Deponent afterwards and that he likewise told this Deponent when the Lord Magwyre and other Rebels were taken in Dublin his man James Warren and Friar Paul O Neil were apprehended amongst them having sent them thither a little before to assist and attend the Issue of the business but said that upon Examination at Council-table they were both dismissed contrary to his expectation He said also that some Lord or other spoke for them This Deponent further saith That he heard Sir Phelim O Neil upon his first return from Strabane say that this Plot was in his head five or six years before he could bring it to any maturity but said that after it was concluded by the Parliament meaning the Popish party he was one of the last men to whom it was communicated He said likewise That to bring about his own ends he had formerly demeaned himself as a fool in all great mens Company but that he hoped by that time the greatest of them saw that Sir Phelim O Neil was no such fool as they took him for And further saith That he this Deponent heard Sir Phelim's Brother Tirlagh oge O Neil say that this business meaning the Rebellion was communicated by the Irish Committee meaning the Popish Irish unto the Papists in England who promised their assistance and that by their advice some things formerly resolved upon were altered saying it was a good Omen and undoubted sign of Divine Approbation that the Parliament here should send over a Committee the major part whereof were Papists He also affirmed that when the Protestants of the lower House in Ireland withdrew themselves apart unto Chichester-Hall The Papists at the same time never dreaming the Deponent should live to tell it again debated concluded and signed a combinatory Writing of this Rebellion under their hands in the Tollbooth or Tolsell which he said that Session drew on and hastned sooner than it was intended and when the Deponent answered That the Papists in all former Parliaments which either of them had seen usually and without exception consulted apart as often as they pleased He replied in great choler But so did never the Protestants before And this Deponent further saith That in Decemb. 19. 1641. he the Deponent heard Sir Phelim in his own House and in the hearing of Mr. Joseph Traverse and others say That if the Lords and Gentlemen meaning Popish of the other Provinces then not in Arms would not rise but leave him in the lurch for all he would produce his Warrant signed with their hands and written in their own blood that should bring them to the Gallows and that they sate every day at Council-board and whispered the Lords Justices in the ear who were as deep in that business as himself And saith also That on the third day after this Rebellion began Neil's wife a most bloody woman and natural Daughter to the late Earl of Antrim told this Deponent that all Ireland was in the same case with Ulster for said