And hereabouts were the first English planted in Ireland they were a Colony of West-Country men and retain their old English Tone and Customs to this day I am credibly informed that every day about one or two a Clock in Summer they go to Bed the whole Country round nay the very Hens fly up and the Sheep go to Fold as orderly as it were night The Duke of Ormond goes with a party to Killkenny The Army rested a day at Castle Dermot and the next day marched beyond Carlow sending forwards a party of Horse under the Command of the Duke of Ormond to take possession of Kill Kenny and to secure the Protestants and other Inhabitants in the Country about from being Plundred by the Enemy for by this time some of them adventured to look behind them and to return to take along what they had not time nor conveniency to carry off at first here the Army staid a day also and the next day marched to a place called Kells two miles beyond Loughlind Bridge and the day following to Bennets Bridge three miles to the Northest of Kill-Kenny upon the same River The 19. his Majesty dined with the Duke of Ormond at his Castle of Kill Kenny this House was preserved by the Count de Lauzun with all the Goods and Furniture and left in a good Condition not without the Cellars well furnished with what they had not time to drink at their going off Killkenny signifies the Cell or Church of Canick who for the Sanctimony of his Solitary Life in this Country was highly Renowned this was one of the best Inland Towns in Ireland the Irish Town has in it the said Canick's Church now the Cathedral of the Bishop of Ossory The English Town was built by Randolph the third Earl of Chester and fortified with a Wall on the West side by Robert Talbot a Nobleman and this Castle by the Buttlers Ancestors to the present Duke of Ormond On Sunday the 20 th They marched six Miles farther and Encamp'd at a Place called Rossed-Narrow upon the Estate of one Mr. Read where the King had an Account of one Fitz Morrice Sheriff of the Queens County that was under Protection and afterwards went off in the Night with his Family and all his Stock the King had also News that the Enemy had quitted Clonmel whither Count Schomberg marched with â— Body of Horse This is one of the strongest Towns in Ireland and cost Oliver Cromwel at least 2000 Men in taking it the Irish made some Pretensions to hold it out now in order to which they levelled all the Suburbs and Hedges but all they did was to make the Inhabitants pay them 300 l. to save the Town from being burnt or plundred it stands upon the River Sure in a pleasant and fruitful Country Here my Lord George Howard and some more came in and submitted who had Protections The Army goes to Carruck Monday the 21 st The Army marched to Carruck situate upon a Rocky Ground whence it took its Name being called from Carruck Mack Griffin the Habitation formerly of the Earls of Ormond which together with the Honour of Earl of Carruck King Edw. II. Granted unto Edward Boteler or Buttler whose Posterity the present D. of Ormond still enjoy it There the King received an Account of the State of Waterford by some that escaped from thence and of the Resolution of the Garison to hold out There also the King had some Intelligence of the Condition of the City of Cork and that County with great Sollicitations from the Inhabitants to hasten to their Relief which at that time they represented as a thing very easie On the 22 d. Major General Kirk with his own Regiment and Colonel Brewers as also a Party of Horse went towards Waterford more Forces designing to follow Waterford summon'd The Major General sent a Trumpet to Summon the Town who at first refused to surrender there being Two Regiments then in Garison their Refusal however was in such civil Terms that we easily understood their Inclinations for soon after they sent out again to know what Terms they might have which were the same with Drogheda but not liking those they proposed some of their own which were That they might enjoy their Estates The Liberty of their Religion A safe Convoy to the next Garrison with their Arms and proper Goods those would not be Granted and then the heavy Cannon were drawn down that way and some more Forces ordered to march And Surrendred but the Irish understanding this sent to ask Liberty to march out with their Arms and to have a safe Convoy which was granted them and accordingly on the 25 th they marched out with their Arms and Baggage being conducted to Mallow In the mean time the Fort of * This Fort was also given John Talbot Earl of Shrewsburry but afterwards by Act of Parliament it was annexed to the Crown for ever Duncanon Seven Miles below Waterford was summon'd This is a Strong and Regular Fortification being at that time Commanded by one Captain Burk and well furnished with Guns and all other Necessaries the Governour required Seven days to Consider of it which being denied him he said he would take so much time but upon the approach of our Forces and the appearing of some Ships before it he surrendered upon the same Terms with Waterford The day that Waterford Surrendred the King himself went to see it and took great care that no Persons should be disturbed in their Houses or Goods Here we found my Lord Dover who was admitted to a more particular Protection he having formerly applyed himself when the King was at Hillsborough by a Leter to Major General Kirk to desire a Pass for himself and Family into Flanders The City of Waterford was built first by certain Pyrates of Norway and afterwards won from the Irish by Richard Earl of Pembrook The Citizens hereof had large Privileges granted them by King Hen. 7. for demeaning themselves Loyally against Perkin Warbeck It was Granted by Patent from King Hen. 6. to John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and his Heirs who by the same Patent were to be Senescals of Ireland But this City afterwards was annexed to the Crown The King speaks of going for England At the King 's returning to the Camp His Majesty held a Council wherein he declares his Resolution to go for England In the mean time our Horse Encamped between Carruck and Clonmell and the Earl of Granard came to wait on His Majesty he receiving at the same time an Express from Lieutenant General Douglass who gave but an indifferent Account of that Expedition On the 27 th the King left the Camp at Carruck and went towards Dublin in order for England which occasioned various Conjectures and some Apprehensions that the Affairs of England were in no pleasing Posture Count Solmes left General His Majesty left Count Solmes Commander in Chief and went that night to
built by Henry Londres Arch-Bishop of that Sea And in the Reign of King Ed. 2. Alexander de Bicknor Arch-Bishop of Dublin began to incourage the profession of Learning having obtained from Pope John the 22. the priviledges of an University to the Colledge of Dublin which he builtin the place where of old stood the Monastry of All-hallows the first Master hereof was Fryar William Hardite In times of War and Tumult it was defac'd but rebuilt in Queen Elizabeths time and endowed with several priviledges being ever since a Nursery of Protestants till they were turn'd out by King Jams's Souldiers and it made a Guard House but now at King Williams coming restored to the Protestants with their other possessions Monday the 6. Several parties of Horse were sent up and down the Country and next day the Bishop of Meath the Bishop of Limerick and all or most of the Clergy then in or near the City of Dublin waited upon the King the Bishop of Meath made a Speech telling his Majesty The Bishops and Clergy Address the King That they came not to Beg his Protection for he had given sufficient demonstrations of his affection towards them by ventring his Royal Person for their deliverance but they came to Congratulate his Arrival to pray for the continuance of his good success and to give his Majesty all the assurance possible of their Loyalty and Obedience intreating his Majesty not to think worse of them for staying in Ireland and submitting to a Power that it was impossible for them to resist since they had been as serviceable to the Churches interest and his Majesties by staying as they could have been otherwise with a great deal more to that purpose The King made Answer that as he had by the blessing of God succeeded so far he doubted not but by Gods Assistance to free them absolutely and that in a small time from Popish Tyranny which was his design in coming Then the Bishop of Limerick desired his Majesty to give them leave to appoint a day of publick Thanksgiving and to compose a Form of Prayer upon that Occasion to which his Majesty assented Money left in the Treasury The Irish went away in such haste that they left 16000 l. Brass mony in the Treasury and a great quantity of French peices called Souses I enquired of some People concern'd in the Treasury in King James's time and they told me that there had not been much above 1100000 l. Brass mony Coyned during all the time it passed On Tuesday July the 7. the King sent out his Declaration to the Irish assuring all under such a Quality of his protection and because the not observing of it has since done a great deal of prejudice not only to his Majesties affairs but also to all sorts of People belonging to that Country it will not be improper here to insert it The Declaration of William and Mary King and Queen of England Scotland France and Ireland c. To all Our People of Our Kingdom of Ireland whom it may concern William R. K. Williams Declaration AS it hath pleased Almighty God to bless Our Arms in this Kingdom with a late victory over Our Enemies at the Boyn and with the Possession of Our Capital City of Dublin and with a general dispersion of all that did oppose us we are now in so happy a prospect of Our Affairs and of extinguishing the Rebellion of this Kingdom that We hold it reasonable to think of Mercy and to have Compassion upon those whom we judge to have been seduced Wherefore We do hereby declare We shall take into Our Royal Protection all poor Labourers Common Souldiers Country Farmers Plowmen and Cottiers whatsoever As also all Citizens Trads-men Towns-men and Artificers who either remain'd at home or having fled from their dwellings shall by the first of August next repair to their usual places of abode surrendring up what Arms they have to such Justices of the Peace as are or shall be appointed by Vs not only to receive the same but also to Register the Appearance of such of the said Persons as shall come and submit to Our Authority For Our Royal Intention is and We do hereby declare That We will not only pardon all those seduced people as to their Lives and Liberties who shall come in by the time aforesaid for all violences they have committed by the command of their Leaders during the time of the War But We do also promise to secure them in their Goods their Stocks of Cattle and all their Chattels personal whatsoever willing and requiring them to come in and where they were Tenants there to preserve the Harvest of Grass and Corn for the supply of the Winter But forasmuch as many of them have a Legal Right to the Tenancy of several Lands some holden from Protestants and some held from Popish Proprietors who have been concern'd in the Rebellion against Us. Our Will and Pleasure is that all those who held from Our good Protestant Subjects do pay their Rents to their respective Landlords and that the Tenants of all those who have been concern'd in the Rebellion against us do keep their Rents in their hands until they have notice from the Commissioners of Our Revenue unto whom they are to account for the same And as we do hereby strictly forbid all violence Rapine and Molestation to any who shall thus come in and remain Obedient to us We do hereby Charge and Require that they be not disquieted in any sort without Our particular Command For the desperate Leaders of this Rebellion who have violated those Laws by which this Kingdom is united and inseparably annexed to the Imperial Crown of England who have called in the French who have Authorized all Violences and depredations against the Protestants and who rejected the Gracious Pardon We offered them in Our Proclamation of the 22 of February 1688. As we are now by Gods great favour in a Condition to make them sensible of their Errours So are we resolved to leave them to the Event of War unless by Great and Manifest demonstrations We shall be convinced that they deserve Our Mercy which We shall never refuse to those that are truly penitent Given at Our Royal Camp at Finglass neer Dublin the 7 th of July 1690. In the Second year of Our Reign This Declararion was published in the Camp two days after and had it been punctually observed according to the intent of it we had had fewer Enemies at this day by at least 20000 For tho' the King was punctual in his observance of it some Officers and Soldiers were apt to neglect the Kings Honour and the Honour of our Country and Religion when it stood in Competition with their own profit and advantage July the seventh and eighth the King took a view of his Army by distinct Regiments and though it often Rain'd very fast yet his Majesty sate on Horseback in the midst of it and saw
the Castle which he did and brought an Account of a Body of Rapparees to the number of about Three Thousand that were not far off upon which they sent out a Party of an Hundred Horse and Fifty Dragoons under Major Fittinkhoft designing themselves to follow but he succeeded so well that he routed the Irish and kill'd near Three Hundred of them getting a great many Silver-hilted Swords and some fine Horses amongst the Plunder My Lord Marlborough lands at Cork joyned by Major General Scravemore On the 21 st of September the Earl of Marlborough came into Cork-Road with the English Fleet having on board Brigadeer Trelawney's Lord Marlborough's Phusileers Princess Ann's Regiment Colonel Hastings Colonel Hales Sir David Collier's Colonel Fitz-Patrick's an Hundred of the Duke of Bolton's and Two Hundred of the Earl of Monmouth's under Major Johnston my Lord Torrington's and my Lord Pembroke's Marine Regiments and sending an Express to Major General Scravemore and Major General Tetteau they marched immediately to joyn his Lordship The 22 d the Lord Marlborough with his Fleet entred the Harbour receiving some Shot as they passed from a Fort of Eight Guns but sending some Boats a-shore the Enemy were obliged to quit their Battery and the Guns taken The 23 d in the Morning the Army landed and on the 24 th Five or Six Hundred Seamen and others of the Marine Regiment were imployed to draw the Cannon along and to mount them before the Town which they did with great chearfulness and the Duke of Grafton at the Head of them tho' Two Troops of Dragoons and a Body of Foot appeared without the Town but our Men firing some Field-Pieces upon them they retired That Day the Duke of Wirtemberg sent Dean Davis to my Lord Marlborough and Major General Scravemore to give them an account that he was marching to joyn them with a Detachment of Four Thousand Foot There was then a Report that the Duke of Berwick designed to raise the Siege and therefore Major General Scravemore sent the Dean back to hasten the Duke's March and the next day ordered a Party of Horse to go and cover the Duke's Foot The same Afternoon Major General Tatteau with a Party of a Thousand Men having drawn down some Cannon to the Fair Hill resolved to attack one or both of the New Forts and New Shanon Castle but no sooner were his Men posted in order to that Design but the Enemy set Fire on the Suburbs between him and them and having deserted both the Forts and Castle retired in haste into the City And the Duke of Wyrtemberg On the 26 th the Prince of Wyrtemberg with his Danes and a Detachment of Dutch and French Foot came and encampt on the North side the Town A Battery planted at Cork We now being in possession of Shanon Castle planted our Guns there and played them both into the Fort and Town and Major General Scravemore with his Horse took up his Quarters at Cill Abbey The 27 th the Enemy having deserted their Works at the Cat-Fort without a blow struck we were Masters of it and planted a Battery there playing our Bombs into the City and our Guns upon the Fort from the Friars-Garden and another Battery above the Fort near the Abby There was also a Church in our possession into the Steeple of which Major General Scravemore sent Lieutenant Townsend with a Party laying Boards cross the Beams for them to stand upon who did good Service in galling the Irish within the Fort. Another Battery of Three Thirty Six Pounders was made by Red Abby which playing against the City-Wall made a Breach whereupon they came to a Treaty whereon a Truce was granted till next Morning The 28 th the Enemy not accepting the Conditions that were proposed our Cannon began to play very furiously which made a considerable Breach and when the Enemy began to appear on the Wall near it they were raked off by our small Ordnance from the Cat. Last Night a Captain Lieutenant and Forty Men were posted in the Brick-Yard near Cill Abby to hinder the Enemy from making their Escape that way through the Marsh and accordingly some attempting it about Midnight Captain Swiney and Four more were kill'd and Captain Mackertey taken being wounded and the rest forced to retire to the City again About One a Clock that Afternoon the Danes from the North and Four Regiments of English from the South under Brigadeer Churchil passed the River into the East-Marsh in order to storm the Breach that was made there in the City-Wall They passed the Water up to the Arm-pits the Granadeers under my Lord Colchester led the Van and marched forwards exposed to all the Enemies Fire There went on Volunteers with this Detachment the Duke of Grafton the Lord O Brian Colonel Granvill and a great many more Immediately the Van posted themselves under the Bank of the Marsh which seemed to be a Counterscarp to the City-Wall in which Approach the Duke of Grafton received a mortal Wound on the point of his Shoulder The Salamander also and another Vessel which came up the Morning-Tide lay at the Marsh-end directly before the Wall playing their Cannon at the Breach as likewise throwing Bombs into the City The Garrison surrend'red In the midst of which Puther my Lord Tyrone and Lieutenant Colonel Rycatt came out having beat a Parley before and made Articles for its Surrender which were these I. That the Garrison should be received Prisoners of War and there should be no prejudice done to the Officers Soldiers or Inhabitants II. That the General would use his endeavour to obtain His Majesties Clemency towards them III. That they should deliver up the Old Fort within an Hour and the Two Gates of the City the next Day at Eight in the Morning IV. That all the Protestants that are in Prison shall be forthwith released V. That all the Arms of the Garrison and Inhabitants should be put into a secure place And VI. That an exact Account should be given of the Magazines as well Provision as Ammunition In the Evening the Fort was surrendred and the Protestant Prisoners set at Liberty On the 29 th in the Morning many Seamen and other loose persons entred into the City through the Breach and other places and plundred many Houses especially of Papists But as soon as the Bridge could be mended the Earl of Marlborough Duke of Wyrtemberg and Maj. Gen. Scravemore entred and took much pains to save the City from further Damage In the Afternoon all Papists were ordered by Proclamation on pain of Death to deliver up their Arms and repair to the East Marsh where all that had been in Arms were secured and put under Guards the Officers in the County Court-House The Number of the Prisoners amongst whom were the Earls of Clencarty and Tyrone Colonel Mark Ellicat the Governour Lieutenant Colonel Rycat c. the rest to the number of between Four and Five Thousand
AN IMPARTIAL HISTORY OF THE AFFAIRS of IRELAND DURING The Two Last YEARS WHITE-HALL APRIL 30. 1691. LET this be Printed by Order of the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount SYDNEY one of Their Majesties Principal Secretaries of State W. BRIDGEMAN A TRUE and IMPARTIAL HISTORY OF The Most Material Occurrences IN THE Kingdom of Ireland DURING The Two Last YEARS WITH The Present State of Both ARMIES PUBLISHED To prevent Mistakes and to give the World a Prospect of the future Success of Their MAJESTIES Arms in That NATION Written by an Eye-witness to the most Remarkable PASSAGES LONDON Printed for Ric. Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard MDCXCI TO The RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES LORD VISCOUNT MORPETH AND The RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Sr WILLIAM LEVISON GOWER Bar t. Both MEMBERS Of the Honourable House of Commons These PAPERS About the AFFAIRS of IRELAND ARE HUMBLY DEDICATED THE PREFACE THese Papers were not designed to be published till after the surrender of the City of Mons to the French for since there are some and those too calling themselves Protestants who upon all occasions make it their business to advance the Conquests of that King and at the same time to lessen the Conduct and Success of His Present Majesty representing his Affairs to be in such a Condition at Home and his Army so inconsiderable in Ireland that they presently from thence expect such a Turn of State as if it should happen would certainly prove unfortunate and destructive to themselves as well as other people tho they have no mind or at least do not seem to see it I do not pretend nor do I think it possible to make such men sensible of the folly of their unaccountable Behaviour at this Juncture only I think it a good Opportunity to let Them and the World know the impartial Truth of the most material Passages of the Two last Campaigns in Ireland with the true State of both Armies as it stood in January last which possibly may serve to mortifie all their Expectations from their Friends in that Kingdom And as to the Matters of Fact I defie all the Enemies of our Government and Religion to contradict me tho at the same time I assure them That I have done their Side all the Right that the thing it self will bear and have concealed nothing that I think could make any way for their Advantage But before I come to this I will take the liberty to speak out since I am to treat of an Affair that concerns all that value either the publick Safety Honour or Peace of their Native Countrey it being every day more apparent than other that we are designed as a Prey to that Nation to whom we nor our Fathers were never yet in Bondage This is no vain and groundless Fear or Pretention but the Reasons for it are many Amongst the rest take only these few First The Late King by his unhappy Management has given up the Cudgels to the French whom it 's not to be doubted he had rather should govern the Nation than those who at present do by this means placing his own Interest and that of all English Protestants in a diametrical opposition to one another since it 's plain that unfortunate Prince has been made instrumental and is so still by the Zealots of the Church of Rome to advance their Religion on the one hand and by his most Christian Majesty on the other to promote his Glory All the Care and Pains that has been taken of late by the Priests in a Business of the greatest moment was not to propagate King James's Family but his and their own Religion for they value not tho He and His Name perish if their Work go but on And suppose the P. of W. really what our Adversaries would have him who can ever imagine that a Successor that there was so much pains taken about will either be bred a Protestant or made serviceable to that Interest especially since he is taken out of the Kingdom and put into the hands of the greatest Enemy to our Nation And as to the French King's part can any one think that he does all this out of a Principle of Honour and Love for the re-establishing of King James All people know that his Generosity extends no further than his Interest Those that will not believe this let them only look back upon his treatment of the same individual Prince some years ago for it 's plain that he has no other Prospect nor regard to Men and Things but his own Greatness and Ambition not spearing even those of his own Perswasion when they stand in his way Every one sees that hsi Brother of Constantinople and he agree much better than his Holy Father at Rome and he ever did or are like to do because the former is more favourable to his Designs than the other If then he falls out with him whom his own Religion obliges to pay all Deferrence and Respect to and honour as a Father what can Protestants nay even English Papists themselves expect but to submit to his Yoke if they once give way for his Admission When the Late King appear'd all on a sudden last Summer in France after the Defeat at the Boyn it was observable that tho the French King was surprized at his Presence yet he received him with all the seeming joy in the World thinking it not fit to discourage a Prince whom he had still further occasion for This has already been seen into by some great Officers even in the Irish Army who begin to be at a stand how to manage since they can have no other Prospect from the success of their own present Affairs but future Ruin to their Countrey Secondly Suppose the War already ended and the Late King sent into England with all the Grandeur that France could afford him and received here by the consent of every Body Yet the French King has a very large Bill to bring in which he 'll certainly pretend cannot be discharged with the Possâ—ssion of Ireland what then can be more rationally intended than that one day or other England may be brought to a severe account for those vast Expences and the non-repayment of them shall be a sufficient Pretence for a War when he finds an Opportunity tho King James himself sate at the Helm For how easy a thing it is to break all Rules whatever when a man has the Power in his own hand is known to most men Those then who favour him most will only have the honour to be last devoured and even those of his own Persuasion will have cause to wish themselves rather under a Protestant Prince than a Popish Tyrant We see further that His Present Majesty has not declared it a War of Religion but is linked in a Confederacy with a great many Princes of the Romish Church that have all the same reason to dread the growing-Power of France who neither spares Protestant when he has an
there was a Ship with Arms Ammunition and some Provisions on Board with about Sixty Officers designed for Limerick but cast away in that River and all the Men lost The Rapparees all this while were very busie about Cashall and Clonmel and did a great deal of mischief this occasioned some of our Army to joyn part of the Militia who went towards Cullen and burnt the Corn bringing away a good Booty without any opposition The Fifteenth of November Colonel Byerly's Horse marched from Dublin to Mount Naelick a Village towards the Frontiers and on the 19 th the Lords Justices Publish a Proclamation Declaring That if any of their Majesties Protestants Subjects had their Houses or Haggards burnt or were Robb'd or Plundred by the Rapparees such Losses should be repaid by the Popish Inhabitants of that County And in regard the Popish Priests had great Influence over their Votaries it was ordered That if any Rapparees exceeding the Number of Ten were seen in a Body no Popish Priest should have liberty to reside in such a County And it was further declared That the Government would not give Protection to any Person that had a Son in the Enemies Quarters unless such Son return to Their Majesties Obedience before the Tenth of December next following And in regard at this time the Government was apprehensive of some danger nigh Dublin it self they Publish a Proclamation the 22 d. That all Papists who have not been noted House-keepers in the City of Dublin for Three Months last past were within Forty eight Hours to depart at least Ten Miles from the City or else to be proceeded against as Spies and that not above Five Papists should meet together upon any Pretext whatever A Plot discovered About the 24 th there was great talk of a Design discovered to the Lords Justices of sending a Supply of Meal Salt Tobacco Brandy and several other things from Dublin to the Enemies Quarters Those who were carrying these things were pursued and overtaken in the County of Kildare upon a By Road they all made their escapes however but one of them being a Woman dropt a Petticoat in which was found a Letter and also another in a Rowl of Tobacco which gave grounds to believe that a Correspondence was kept between the Papists in Dublin and the Enemy beyond the Shanon and therefore on Sunday Night the 30 th of November a general search was made through the City and most of the Papists secured This Piece of Service the Militia performed very dextrously without noise or suspicion till the thing was done A List of the Privy-Council The last Packquets from England brought a List of the Privy Council appointed by His Majesty for the Kingdom of Ireland as also of several of the Judges The Council were The Lord Primate the Lord Chancellor Lord Treasurer Archbishop of Dublin Duke of Ormond Earl of Meath Earl of Drogheda Earl of Longford Earl of Renelah Earl of Granard Viscount Lisburn Bishop of Meath Robert Fitz-Gerrald Esq the Vice Treasurer Chancellor of the Exchequer Chief Justice of the King's Bench Chief Justice of the Common Pleas the Chief Baron of the Exchequer Master of the Rolls Secretary of State Master of Ordance Sir Henry Fane Sir Charles Merideth William Hill of Hillsborongh Esquire On Monday the First of December several of the said Persons attended the Lords Justices at the Council Chamber and there took the usual Oaths of Privy Councellors The Judges named for the Respective Courts in Dublin were Sir Richard Reynoll Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench Sir Richard Stephens one of the Justices of the same Court Mr. Justice Lindon being formerly sworn there In the Common Pleas Mr. Justice Jetfordson Mr. Justice Cox being formerly sworn there In the Exchequer Jo Healy Esq Lord Chief Baron and Sir Standish Hartstone one of the Barons of the Court Mr. Baron Ecklin being formerly sworn there This day we had News of the Enemies passing the Shanon at several Places and Orders were sent to our Frontiers to be in readiness and Colonel Gustavus Hambleton sent a Party from Birr towards Portumna who met with a Party of the Enemy which they routed killing some and brought off two Officers with Eleven Prisoners being Dragoons and Foot month December December the 2 d. A Proclamation was issued out by the Lords Justices and Council forbidding all Their Majesties Subjects of Ireland to use any Trade with France or to hold any Correspondence or Communication with the French King or his Subjects This was the first that was Signed by the Council and these were present viz. Fran. Dublin Drogheda Longford Granard Lisburn Robert Fitz-Gerald Anth. Meath Charles Merideth We had at that time an Account from Cork that on the 22 d. of November last there were 60 of our Horse and Foot who met with near Five hundred of the Rapparees in the Barony of West Carberry near Castlehaven our Men at that disadvantage Retreated towards Castlehaven the Enemy followed in the Rear and fired at a distance several times our Party facing about killed Nine and afterwards being Attackt again they killed one Brown an Ensign of the Enemies Castletown Besieged The Enemy next day Besieged Castletown an House near Castlehaven they were Commanded by O Donavan O Driscoll and one Barry As they approached the House our Men killed Twelve of them this put them into an humour of Retreating though one Captain Mackronine with his Sword drawn endeavoured to hinder them but he and some more of the Party being kill'd the rest got away as well as they could Several of them had Bundles of Straw fastned upon their Breasts instead of Armour but this was not Proof for about Thirty of them were killed upon the Spot amongst whom were young Colonel O Driscol Captain Tiege O Donavan besides several that went off Wounded we lost only two Men. Rapparees defeated At this time Colonel Byerley being at Mountmelick with part of his own Regiment and some of Colonel Earl's Foot he was frequently Allarumed as well by Parties of the Irish Army as by Considerable Numbers of the Rapparees who had a design to burn the Town as they had done several others thereabouts but the Colonel was very watchful and kept good Intelligence a main Matter in this Assair He was told of a Party that designed to burn the Town and he took care to have all his Men both Horse and Foot in readiness to welcome them but they heard of his Posture and durst not venture however on the Third of December he had notice of a Body of Rapparees that were not far from the Town and designed him a mischief he sends out Lieutenant Dent with Twenty Horse and ordered each Horseman to take a Musqueteer behind him when the Horse came almost within sight of the Rapparees they dropt their Foot who marched closely behind the Hedges unperceived by the Enemy When the Enemy espied so small a Party of Horse they Advanced
or about the City of Dublin after the 25 th of December next And now His Majesty designing for Holland and having thoughts of making my Lord Sidney one of the Secretaries of State sent for him over who on Monday the 15 th of December Embarqued with a Fair Wind for Chester leaving every one sorry for his departure in that by his Affable and Courteous Demeanor and his Diligence in His Majesties Service he had gain'd the Hearts of all People And on the 24 th Sir Charles Porter one of the Lords Justices came from England who on the 29 th was sworn Lord Chancellor receiving the Purse and Great Seal from the late Commissioners Part of the Army march to Lanesborough We had now a part of our Army on their March towards Lanesborough-Pass Commanded by Major General Kirk and Sir John Laneir the Foot were my Lord Lisburn's Regiment my Lord George Hambleton's part of Col. Brewer's some of Major General Kirk's and several others A Party of the Militia also were ordered from Dublin and those in the Country were to be up on all hands At the same time Lieutenant General Douglas was to march towards Sligo and fall upon the Irish on that side On Wednesday the 31 st of December part of our Army under Colonel Brewer went towards Lanesborough The Enemy appeared on the Bog on this side the Town being as they say nigh Three Thousand and had cut several Trenches cross the Causeys that go through the Bog towards the Town these they disputed for some time but losing some of their Men they retired into Town and from thence to beyond the Shanon defacing the Fort on this side and breaking the Bridge behind them You 'll say they were not very closely pursued that had time to do all this However our Men took possession of the Town and Fort as they had left it and if we had had the Boats we might have gone over the Enemy quitting the other side for at least Three Days but then we were too small a Party and before the rest of our Men came up Three Regiments of the Irish were posted on the other side the River and then little hapned of moment only some small Firings and sometimes they made Truces Colonel Clifford and the other Irish Officers drinking Healths over to our Men and those on our side returning the Complement When this Party marched to Lanesborough there was a Detachment of 300 Men out of L. Drogheda's Sir Jo. Hanmer's and Col. Hambleton's Regiments ordered from Bi r to joyn them and so to cross the Country from Bi r to Mullingar But in their March they were set upon by about Fifteen Hundred of the Irish Army and Rapparees Our Party had but Thirty Dragoons with them and the Enemy brought several Squadrons of Horse and though we were attack'd for at least Five Hours together and that at several places of great disadvantage yet they fought their way through and went that Night to Mountmelick having lost only Six Men and Captain Jeffreys of Sir John Hanmer's Regiment but the Irish got all our Baggage This Party was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bristow and Major Caulfield Rapparees in the Bog of Allen The Rapparees by this time were got to the end of the Bog of Allen about Twelve Miles from Dublin this Bog is the largest in Ireland for it reaches through a great part of the Country from hence as far as Athlone and is at least Forty Miles in length having several Islands full of Woods in the midst of it These robb'd and plundered the Country all about for they had an Island on this end of the Bog which they fortified coming out in the Night and doing all the Mischief they could This being so nigh Dublin it made a great noise so that Colonel Fouks with his own Regiment part of Colonel Cutts's and some of the Militia marched out towards them and coming near them in the Night at a place called Tougher Greggs at the entrance of the Bog of Allen he stay'd there till it was light and then advanced upon the Causey having Three Field-Pieces along with him Defeated by Col. Fouks The Irish at first seem'd to defend the Place but as we went forwards they quitted their Posts leaving our Men to fill up the Trenches they had made cross the Causey being Twelve in number Colonel Fouks marched his Horse over and so went to the Island of Allen where he found Lieutenant Colonel Piper who had passed thither on the other side at the same rate The Irish betook themselves to the Woods and we only got some little things they had left It 's thought they had a Thousand Foot thereabouts besides some Horse though most of them that made this Disturbance at this place were only Two Hundred Boys with an old Tory their Commander Who were admitted to administer the Oath and why And now the Lords Justices and Council issue out Two more Proclamations one forbidding all Persons whatsoever except the Lord Mayor Recorder and Sheriffs of Dublin to administer the Oath or give Certificates to the Papists Because some took upon them for Money to certifie they had sworn when they did not or else gave them the Oath without the word Allegiance as did Sir Humphrey Jervace who was imprisoned and fined Three Hundred Marks for it afterwards The other Proclamation required all that had bought any of the Train-Horses or Utensils to bring them in by such a Day For the Carters and Waggoners were very careless and either sold the Horses or suffered them to be stole Maj. Gen. Tetteau marches from Cork with a part of the Army About the time that Lieutenant General Douglas and Major General Kirk marched from the North and South Major General Tetteau marched also in the West towards the County of Kerry and if they all had pusht forwards at one time it had been a great advantage to our Affairs next Campaign All things seem'd to favour the Attempt especially the Weather better never being seen for the Season Major General Tetteau marched from Cork December 28. and on the 29 th was joyned by Brigadeer Churchill Sir David Collier Colonel Coy and a part of Colonel Matthews's Dragoons and the day following they marched through the Country which the Irish had for the most part burnt after they had carried away whatever they could month January On New Years-Day our Men attackt a Fort at a place called Scronclard which was intended to hinder their passage that way We took it in Two Hours though it 's said the Enemy imploy'd 500 Men for Two Months to build it This show'd their Diligence though not their Courage these Two Vertues are sometimes divided between us and them but not always both on either side Near Brewster's Field we discovered some of the Enemies Scouts whereupon Seventy of Eppingar's Dragoons and Colonel Coy's Horse having the Advance-Guard came near a Party of the Enemy of One Hundred
from the side of the Bog towards them the Horse seem'd to Retreat a little till the Rapparees were Advanced within Musquet-shot of our Foot who firing amongst them kill'd feveral and then Lieutentant Dent fell in with his Horse as also the Foot Charged them a second time that after some resistance they kill'd Thirty nine and took Four whom they hanged without any further Ceremony The rest escaped to the Bogs and in a moment all disappeared which may seem strange to those that have not seen it but something of this kind I have seen my self and those of this Party assured me that after the Action was over some of them looking about amongst the Dead found one Dun a Serjeant of the Enemies who was lying like an Otter all under Water in a running Brook except the top of his Nose and his Mouth they brought him out and although he proffer'd Forty Shillings in English Money to save his Life a great Ransom as he believed yet he was one of the Four that was hanged How the Rapparees conceal themselves and their Arms. When the Rapparees have no mind to show themselves upon the Bogs they commonly sink down between two or three little Hills grown over with long Grass so that you may as soon find a Hair as one of them they conceal their Arms thus they take off the Lock and put it in their Pocket or hide it in some dry Place they stop the Mussle close with a Cork and the Tutch-hole with a small Quil and then throw the Piece it self into a running Water or a Pond you may see an hundred of them without Arms who look like the poorest humblest Slaves in the World and you may search till you are weary before you find one Gun but yet when they have a mind to do mischief they can all be ready in an Hours warning for every one knows where to go and fetch his own Arms though you do not Boats fitted up to be sent to the Shanon About this time the Lords Justices Ordered Four Long Boats like Men of Wars Pinnaces to be fitted up with Pattereros and little small Guns the Sides to be fortified with Boards and other Materials and those to be filled with a hundred Choice Men commanded by Captain Hoord who had been Provost Martial but turned out for some Irregular things and was resolved to do some desperate Service to be readmitted These Boats were to be drawn upon Carriages to the Shanon and there put in the Design was very plausible and might have done Service if pursued for there are several Islands in the Shanon wherein the Irish have very considerable Riches and besides Hoord and his Men designed to make Incursions into the Enemies Country and to burn and destroy all before them if a small Party appear'd then they would fight them but if a great Body then they could retreat to their Fleet and go away to another Place And further one design of those Boats was to carry over a part of our Army at least their Necessaries that shortly designed an Expedition beyond the Shanon but the Boats were stopt beyond Mullingar and ordered to go no further A Spy seized Nigh this time one Kirowen an Irish Officer came from Athlone to Mullingar he pretended to be a Deserter and told a fair Story but next day a Protestant that made his escape gave an Account that he was a Spy and had some bad Designs upon which being examined and searched he had on a Pair of Breeches made of the Petticoat of a Gentlewoman whom he had murdered and upon strict examination of his Boy and others it appear'd that he was sent on purpose to burn the Garrison so was the Saturday following hanged for his pains There was also a Discourse as if the Papists had a design to burn Dublin when the Irish Army was to approach which they expected every day this was discovered by a Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Woogan's Lady to him in Limerick the Letter was intercepted and gave an Account that the Protected Papists were ready to join with the Irish Army in doing us what mischief they could upon which most of them were secured as I have said but however those of them that would take the Oath of Allegiance to K. W. and Q. M. were released but the refusers kept in Prison yet were Ordered by a Proclamation from the Lords Justices and Council December the Eight to obey the former Orders in removing from Dublin and all Their Majesties Garrisons on the Frontiers And several of the Papists who had Sons in the Enemies Quarters having made Application to the Lords Justices for further time to bring them in pursuant to a Proclamation November the 19 th they set out another December the 8 th allowing them time till the Tenth of January but for all this I heard of very few that came over Another Proclamation was Dated the same day Ordering all the Laws in that Kingdom for the Restraining the Exportation of Wooll to be put in Execution except to England and Wales only and this with Licence after the usual manner We had an Account from Clonmel that Captain Archer with a Militia Troop met with a Party of the Irish kill'd Twenty five and took a Booty of Three hunder'd Cows with several other things And Colonel Woolsley sent word that what Provisions and Ammunition were sent to the North were safely arrived his Men having kill'd Eight of the Irish the day before and hang'd Three Spies And about the middle of December we had News from Limerick by a Deserter that all things were very scarce the Soldiers wanting both Meat and Cloaths But Leiutenant Kelly who was taken Prisoner at Birr and now released says the Irish are not in so very bad a Condition because they have got nigh Ten thousand Horse load of Corn out of the County of Kerry this Winter which possible we might as well have had as they if we had been as diligent Nigh this time one Mack Finin one of the Prisoners that escaped from Cork as they say a great many did by sinister means marched with a Party of about 400 of the Army and Rapparees towards Iniskeen in the County of Cork and finding it guarded they went to Castletown where there was a Lieutenant and Thirty Dragoons they defended the Place bravely for some time killing Ten of the Enemy but their Ammunition being spent and having Five of their Men kill'd they were forced to surrender upon Quarter but the Lieutenant was afterwards murdered though a Party coming from Iniskeen from Major Culliford set upon the Irish kill'd Twelve and took Five Prisoners The Lords Justices and Council now fearing that in those Houses where there dwelt Papists if any publick Trade was kept as to the selling of Ale Wine Coffee c. they might be Plotting and Contriving Mischief therefore they Publish a Proclamation December the 12 th That no Papist shall keep a Publick House in