the Rebellion all found guilty thereof were excepted from Pardon their Estates confiscated and the others who had only assisted in the War were to forfeit two parts of their Estates and be banished And accordingly great numbers of them were transported into Spain the latter end of this Summer Yet the Marquess of Clanrickard did not leave the Kingdom in many months after the Surrender of Galway but endeavour'd by all means possible to draw the scattered Forces together that he might prosecute the War afresh according to his Majesty's Letters in the years 1650 and 1651. encouraging him to his continuance in Arms as advantagious by way of Diversion to his then intended progress of promoting his Design in Scotland and coming into England And to that end the 16th of May the Marquess of Clanrickard with the Connaght Forces marched to Ballishannon which he took by storm and presently after Dungal-Castle where the Ulster Forces under Sir Phelim O Neal the Relie's and Mahon's joyned with him but upon intelligence that Sir Charles Coot and Colonel Venables were marched against him he retired to Armagh intending for Raphoe Whilst Sir Charles Coot in his pursuit of him retook Ballishanon and Dungal-Castle gaining also Sligo Ballymote and many other Garrisons so as the Marquess was forced to shelter himself in the Isle of Carrick And having receiv'd his Majesty's Command to take care of his own security that he fell not into the Enemy's hands he having no Port to friend where he might choose a Vessel and being so betrayed by the Irish as not securely to stay 24 hours in a Place was compelled to have a Pass from the Parliaments Forces not excepting any other Conditions for himself than that he might for some time remain secure in their Quarters without taking the Oath usually imposed by them and have liberty to transport himself and 3000 Irish more into any Prince's Countrey and Service then in Amity with England which was granted and in March 1652. he was transported into England in a Vessel belonging to the Parliament after he had born the Title of the King's Deputy in Ireland little more than two years not with greater submission from the Catholick Irish than had before been paid to the Lord Lieutenant and so retired to London where not long after he died and was thence carried to Summerhill a pleasant Seat of his own which Bradshaw had in Custodium near Tunbridge in Kent and was buried in the Parish-Church He was a Person much respected for his Integrity and though of a contrary opinion to those then in Usurpation looked on as a Favourer of the English and one that no ways indulged the Cruelties and Pretensions of the Irish. This was the Fate of that unhappy Nation both under Protestant and Roman Catholick Governours neither having had the credit to be Masters of the Irish Temper fomented by the Insolencies of the Priests and whatever might instigate them against the English Government Soon after the Marquess of Clanrickard's Departure the lesser Concerns of that Nation were with little trouble and charge brought in obedience to the Parliament who declared the 26th of September 1653. That the Rebels were subdued and the Rebellion appeased and ended and thereupon proceeded to the Distribution of their Lands in pursuance of the Act for Subscriptions 17 Carol. 1. Some time before which a High Court of Justice was setled in Ireland a Name we have reason not to mention without horrour and astonishment considering who was summoned to such a Tribunal which certainly would never have been how vain how ambitious how prodigious soever some mens Success was a Strumpet often leading one to Attempts above their first thoughts had not the Rebels of Ireland for carrying on their pernicious Practices avouched the sacred Authority for their pretence and colour that though these with Pilate washed their hands from the Blood of this Righteous One yet they have as the shame so the guilt of that Royal Blood on themselves who originally gave the occasion of such a Discourse which afterwards was made one of the pretended Causes for the most barbarous and inhumane Act ever perpretated Inter tragicoe Fortunoe Exempla omnibus retro seculis memorandus Upon which eloquent Du Moulin one of the clearest Lights of the French Church honouring me with a Letter on that Subject thus passionately discovers his Resentment La Morte de vostre bon Roy d'une facon si indigne si horrible par les Maims des Independans M'outre le Coeur de Douleur C'est une action sans Example un opprobre ineffacable a nostre Religion vostre Nation tant Genereuse a elle perdu tout Courage Les Escossoes se taisent ils la dessue Mais quoy Il faut Mettre le doigt sur la bouche adorer les Conseils de Dieu qui sont Inscrutables It is observable let some foam as they please that there were none who so much as pretended to have a Reverence for the Church of England that ever had the least hand in this foul and ugly Business An instance of that is in what the Lord Chancellor Hide acquainted the Parliament with in express words from his Majesty when he was imployed in an Embassy to Spain That the Horrid Murther of his Royal Father was not the Act of the Parliament or People of England but of a very wretched and little Company of Miscreants in the Kingdom fol. 41. Upon which Monsieur Moses Amiraldus the Excellent French Divine hearing of the Protestant Religion aspersed as seditious and treasonable writ a Piece in French in vindication of the Protestant Religion and dedicated it to our King Charles the 2d in the time of his Exile when Militiere and others would have inforced the barbarous Martyrdom of his Royal Father as a just Motive to his apostatizing and not trusting his safety to the Protestant Religion whereas all these blustering Storms as the Bishop of Derry observes in his excellent Tract against Militiere radicated him deeper in his Religion that what these intended for his evil proved his good And certainly whatsoever conspired to compleat so execrable a Design as the Murther of the King nothing contributed more than the Irish deluding his Sacred Majesty so long with their Promises of a competent Army whereby he relying on them too confidently assured of their Ability and Power to perform it deferred those Agreements which else he might have seasonably composed at home And could there ever be an equaller Distribution of God's Vengeance than that they by a parallel Court should suffer the loss of their Estates Lives and Fortunes Which though un-usual was the only Expedient sufficiently set forth in the ensuing Speech of the Lord Lowther's a Person of that Gravity and Worth as whatsoever may be said by others can never reach the State of the Question more fully with less animosity and greater truth than he hath done at the Trial of Sir Phelim O Neal in February
Courage or rather from the certainty of what they were sure to suffer grew desperate extremity forcing that no sence of Honour before could Animate And yet then the Conduct and vigor of the English appear'd such as the Rebels though in some skirmishes assisted by surprisals prevail'd they could never arrive at a perfect Defeat Here though I am sometimes lead to mention eminent Persons in their Places I am yet forced to omit many whose Offices and Names I cannot attain to which by their Prowess and Virtue would have added Date to the History And yet I know some Persons are so apprehensive of their Merits that not to express them in Terms aequivalent may be worse than to omit them willingly I insist on None with a Disrespect to others Here I cannot without injury to a Reverend Prelate but take notice what I find clearly and most eloquently exprest by Dr. Loftus Vicar-General of Ireland in a Speech at a Visitation in the Diocess of Clogher touching Dr. John Lesley Lord Bishop of Clogher who during the first fury of the Rebellion in Ireland vigorously oppos'd the Rebels and when Sir Ralph Gore a worthy Servitor at Machrebeg and many other British Inhabitants were reduced to great extremity by a long Siege and necessity of a suddain Surrender of themselves without hope of Quarter to the enraged Cruelty of the Irish He sallied forth amidst the Flames of the whole Country and reliev'd him at that time reduc'd to such Streights as they were forc'd to cast their dishes into Ball And the Laggan Forces consisting of three Regiments refus'd to hazard them for the Relief of the Besieged whilst the Bishop with his Company Tenants and Friends attempted their Relief and perfected it evidencing at that instant as much Personal Valour as Regular Conduct yet mention'd with much astonishment Affairs thus carried on its evident how the Royal Throne by whom the Army advanc'd is justly to be vindicated from those Calumnies some would asperse it with as if they had not proceeded by his Majesties Command So impudently did these Rebels affront not his Authority only in his Instruments at the Helm but thereby gave his Proclamation Speeches Acts and Vows the Contradiction And when his Execellency had made the first Peace with them notwithstanding his Majesties Letter To proceed no further in Treaty with the Rebels that Letter as Pernachief well observes having been sollicited by the Scots in whose Power he was then to make their War more valuable The Irish yet so ill managed that condescention as nothing in History equals their ingratitude that thence the Integrity of the Prime Minister of State being to them and his Master Signal their Defection remains a Blot to Posterity Indeed it is seldom seen that where a People by Insurrection obtain their first pretentions but they aspire to greater Whence it is observed of Hen. 7. that he was ever in the Head of his Army lest Rebels prevailing at the beginning they might soon rowl into an Hoast Nor is it found that ever he complied with their requests how plausible soever least they might be thought to purchase that by their Insurrection which they did not dare to impetrate by their Prayers Upon which Account it may be thought his late Majesty desired to go for Ireland Conceiving that the Rebels were capable of no greater Terrour than by the Presence of their Lawful King in the Head of an Army to chastize them though the consequence of it were otherwise apprehended and his Journey stay'd thereupon He not being so weary of his Life as to hazard it impertinently whereby the Parliament conceiving by a Commission under the great Seal of England that they had Power to Advise Order and Dispose of all things concerning the Government and Defence of Ireland wholly applied themselves to that Work till the unhappy Difference betwixt his Majesty and them fell so considerable as though they sent sometimes scattering Supplies the wants of the Army grew clamorous Yet in the end they so far prevail'd as to declare the Rebels subdued In accomplishing of which so many changes such variety of matter and several alterations of Scenes happen'd as a Pen arm'd with the Rhethorick of the best Historian is but sufficient to Register them to Posterity Inferior Pens being probable to lessen so considerable a Story However it is now fallen to my Lot it may be thought voluntarily indeed thus much I must alledge for my self that besides a strong impulse so many and considerable Persons have drawn me to it that without a more than ordinary Hardiesse I could not well resist their Importunity which if any judge too easie a Flexibility I submit to their Censure so they think the Work shun'd by many really necessary considering the affront some bold Pens have offer'd to the Sincerity of the State and their Gallantry who in Honour of the Empire have sustain'd the Insolencies of a sad and unnatural War which if I do not express answerable to the subject it may satisfie the Reader that my aim is to be intelligible and significant though rude and plain Amongst several encouragements I shall here only insert One from a Person better vers'd in the Language he writes than English Vir Clarissime TAntâ fide industriâ tantoque successu finem imposuisti operi diù expectato quod texit nobis Hibernicae Rebellionis Historiam quae coepit Anno a reparatâ Salute 1641. Octobris 23. Gratulor tibi hocce calamo quo è tenebris eruisti veritatem penè obrutam per hujus AEtatis negligentiam in apertum protulisti Non puto quicquam unquam horridius funestius sua origine suo progressu eventu excogitatum fuisse ab orbe condito quam quod machinati sunt Authores execrabilis in Britannos Protestantes quibus sola defensionis Arma erant in sua Innocentia cedunt huic Immanitati Siculae Vesperae Rabies Paparum in Convallenses Pidemontanos Laniena Parisiensis Non queo satis praedicare nostra tempora quae tulerunt te virum Qui vivis coloribus graphice depingeret exprimeret palam faceret Sicariorum coepta incoepta complexus facinora nefanda singulosque actus horrendae Lanienae In qua tamen tanquam in re benè gesta triumphant ejus Patroni Mahony Alii Satanicarum Artium Consortes perinde homicidarum percussorum Advocati ut ulterius animos addant contribulibus suis perstandi in Incaepto ut Haereticorum quos vocant Jugum semel excussum non admittant unquam iterum nec permittant sed potius Eligant sibi Regem Catholicum vernaculum seu naturalem Hibernum Qui Eos Catholicè gubernari possit quemadmodum Loquuntur in sua exhortatione ad Catholicos utique Jesuita Hibernus Mac-Mahon ut recte observat Walsh insinuavit quod liceat occidere non solum omnes Protestantes sed quoscunque Hibernos de Romanis Catholicis Qui starent à partibus Coronae Regis
Conspiracies hatch'd our ruine not discernable ere the Monster arriv'd at its Birth a Prodigy scarce credible in so vigilant a State Though when it 's consider'd how tenderly the great concerns of Religion the principal wheels of all Commotion in a State were handled the astonishment that things aspir'd to so much Villany may easily be unridl'd Towards the end of the Lord Falkland's Government there being great need of Money for support of the standing Army in Ireland and maintaining of 500 Horse and 5000 Foot much by extraordinary means having been otherwise disposed the Catholicks of Ireland glad of the occasion seem'd very forward to supply the State in hopes of a Connivance if not a Toleration of their Religion though therein they were onely to bear their share or rather offered their Mite with the Protestants which they improved to so great an insolence as the Lord Falkland with the Council was forced to take notice in a Proclamation dated the 1st of April 1629. That the late Intermission of Legal Proceedings against Popish pretended Titulary Arch-bishops Bishops Abbots Deans Vicars General Jesuits Friers and others of that sort that derive their pretended Authority and Orders from the See of Rome in contempt of his Majesties Royal Power and Authority had bred such an extraordinary insolence and presumption in them as he was necessitated to charge and command them in his Majesties name to for bear the exercise of their Popish Rites and Ceremonies Notwithstanding which their Insolencies afterwards so increased as that the power of the High Commission rais'd in respect of them being withdrawn they erected a new University at Dublin to confront his Majesties Colledge there continuing their Nunneries and Monasteries that thence many things were objected against the Lord Falkland's Government to clear which the Council of Ireland in his defence to the King the 28th of April 1629. declared That towards the insolencies of the Papists and the late outragious presumption of the unsetled Irish in some parts your Deputy and Council of late us'd particular Abstinence holding themselves somewhat limited concerning them by late Insinuations Letters and Directions from England And yet afterwards so mindful too were the Lords of the Council in England of what had been by the State of Ireland happily supprest that the 31 of January 1629. they return'd their acknowledgment and put the State of Ireland in mind How much it concern'd the good Government of Ireland to prevent in time the first growing of such evils for that where such People are permitted to swarm they will soon grow licentious and endure no Government but their own which cannot otherwise be restored than by a due and seasonable execution of the Law and of such Directions as from time to time have been sent from his Majesty and Council c. further encouraging them to carry a soft or harder hand according to their discretions Which I do not find but they prudently observ'd though all was too little to root out the Leven that had season'd the Batch during the Government of the then Lords Justices As Dr. Bedel the Reverend Bishop of Kilmore takes notice of at large with a deep and hearty resentment worthy his Piety Courage and Learning till the arrival of Thomas Lord Viscount Wentworth who by his singular Wisdom Courage and quick Intelligence so managed affairs there though some thought they were carried on too severely as doubtless the Nation in general was never more seemingly in obedience what ever afterwards was aggravated against that Noble Person whose behaviour was less pleasing to some men interess'd in the detection of their morose and sinister dealings than to the Nation which flourish'd under his Auspicious Government Reverence is that wherewith Princes are girt from God Yet then the contrivance of some Spirits was so restless as Anno 1634. being the 10th of King Charls the First they design'd to have engag'd the Nation in a War which one Ever Mac-Mahon an eminent Popish Priest privately discovered to some of the Privy Council at Dublin at whose feet he prostrated himself for mercy having with others been employ'd abroad to Foreign Princes viz. the Pope the Kings of France Spain and other Princes on that service as in the Relation writ by the Lord Macquire in the Tower is apparent the Design having been of as ancient a Date as the Isle of Rhee's Enterprise 1628. About which time the Earl of Tyrone and Cardinal Richlieu held an intimate correspondence though the King of France's Wars then in Italy frustrated for that time the Insurrection and Invasion Upon the discovery of which Ever Mac-Mahon seeming penitent had his Pardon So that the thing being onely treated of in general the prudence of the Governour giving the People no suspicion that he feared it and yet watched against it blasted their design The same Providence we may also believe this Noble Person had in the antecedent warnings which the Reverend Dean of Kilmore particularly mentions though he in reference to the Intregues of State mov'd not so visibly as to make every one capable of his foresight Prime Ministers are not to level their proceedings to the capacities of all who pretend vigilancy of the State yet thence during his Government all things in the Publick proceeded with a serene countenance so as the Lord Deputy Wentworth came for England and return'd into Ireland several times with his Majesties greatest Approbation and the Peace of the Nation Anno 1634. a Parliament was summon'd in Ireland by his motion 1. For that the Contribution from the Countrey towards the maintenance of the Army ended that December 2. For that the Revenues there fell short of his Majesties Charges 20000 l. yearly 3. That there was a Debt of 80000 l. upon the Crown 4. For that there had been no Subsidies but one since the beginning of King James's Reign and the People were now grown wealthy being continued in their Estates who ever had enjoy'd them twenty years By the Supply of which Parliament the Lord Deputy paid the 80000 l. Debt due from the Crown than which nothing was more to his Majesties Honour and his Servants Integrity in testimony of which his Majesty saith That they cannot but witness who know that Kingdom that during the Government there by Lieutenants of his choice that Kingdom enjoyed more Plenty and Peace than ever it had since it was under the subjection of the Crown of England Traffick by Sea and Trade by Land increas'd Values of Land improv'd Shipping multipli'd beyond belief never was the Protestant Religion more advanc'd nor the Protestants protected in greater security against the Papists Inasmuch as we must remember you the Parliament capitulating with him to nominate a Governour for Ireland that the present Rebellion was begun when there was no Lieutenant there and when the Power which had been formerly us'd in that Kingdom was question'd and disgrac'd when those in the Parliament there by whom that Rebellion was hatch'd
it by any publick Writing that the Design seem'd a Birth acceptable to the Catholick Community And the Pope by his Nuncio afterwards to whom the general part of the Clergy and Natives adhear'd in effect maintain'd what Mahony had deliver'd for wholesome Doctrine accounting the Popes Bulls and Interdictions and Absolutions how long soever since publish'd still in the same force and vigour as they were the first day of their publication And it is very few years since writes this Honourable Person that upon the meeting of the Secular and Regular Clergy of Ireland before-mention'd to frame an Address to the King in testimony of their obedience disclaiming any Temporal Authority in the Popes the Court of Rome was so alarm'd by it that Cardinal Barbarin writ to them to desist from any such Declaration putting them in mind that the Kingdom of England was still under Excommunication And Walsh acquaints us at large of Mac-Mahon the Irish Jesuits printed Book of the lawfulness of killing not onely all the Protestants but even all such of the Roman Catholick Irish who should stand for the Crown of England and the Rights of the King to Ireland A Tenent agreeable to Salamanca's approbation of Oneal's Rebellion 1602. instigated by Pope Clement the 8th whereby it 's declared That all Catholicks who followed the English Standard against Prince Oneal mortally sinned And Osulevan the Priest in King James's Reign said It was a Doctrine fetch'd from Hell that Catholicks in Ireland should joyn with the Queens Forces which were Protestants against the Rebels Catholicks in Ireland and that such English ought to be no less set upon than the Turks So that whatsoever delusive Tenents have been broach'd of late as to perswade us the Adder is without sting the contrary hath been written in letters of blood not in his Majesty's Kingdoms only but wheresome-ever the Papal Power was exalted That persons professing the Reformed Religion are but Tenants at Will for their Lives and Fortunes and through Centuries of Ages it appears that as their Fleeces grow they are shorn till a time of slaughter be appointed That hence we may see at what we should have arriv'd had the Irish been fortunate in their attempt for though the loyal Formulary or Remonstrance highly magnified by some may seem a Bond of Iron it may easily by the Pope become weaker than a Rope of Straw During the Summer Sessions of Parliament already spoke of wherein the Heads of the Rebellion were closely complotting some under a suspicion that the Earl of Strafford's Servants in revenge of their Lord's death intended a Mischief to the Parliament mov'd the House and accordingly had Orders that the Lords Justices would let his Majesty's Stores for Powder and Arms be search'd which by a Committee they so curiously perform'd as they turn'd over several improbable Chests to find it out and when they had seen that there was none according to what the Officers of the Ordnance had before assur'd them yet they seem'd unsatisfied and repair'd on a new Order to the Lords Justices to be admitted to see the Stores of Powder and Arms plac'd in other Parts in and about the Castle To whom the Lord Justice Borlase Master of the Ordnance principally interess'd in securing his Majesties Stores answer'd That those were the King 's precious Jewels not to be without special Gause shewed assuring them further that they needed not to be afraid for that upon his Honour there was no Powder underneath either of the Houses of Parliament as at the Trial of the Lord Mac Quire at the King's Bench in Westminster was openly in Court testified by the Lord Blaney a great sufferer a worthy and gallant Person the said Lord Justice Borlase having at that time such a motion in his blood upon the importunity of that enquiry as he would afterwards often mention that action of theirs as aiming how slightly soever then looked on by others at some further mark than was thâ—n discernable So that at that instant he denied them whereat they seem'd discontented as being left in uncertainty in what state his Majesty's Stores stood which they desired particularly to know the late new Army being disbanded then and their Arms brought in that if the Powder and Arms were not there they might find them elsewhere or if there then by the intended surprize to be sure of them and to know where on the sudden to find them In which search the Lord Mac Quire was a chief actor and very inquisitive Thus in order to their Design they made ready for the Business passing that Session of Parliament began the xi of May 1641. for the most part away in Protestations Declarations Votes upon the Queries the stay of Souldiers from going over Seas and private Petitions little to the good of the Common-wealth or advancement of his Majesty's Service whereof the Lords Justices and Councel having notice finding withal that the Popish Party in both Houses grew to so great a height as was scarce compatible to the present Government they imparted by a Message to both Houses the 14th of July following their intention to give a recess for some months the harvest coming on and both Houses growing thin Which intimation of a recess both Houses readily assented to so that the 7th of August the Lords Justices adjourn'd the Houses to the 9th of November following which afterwards the Members of Parliament aggravated as a great unkindness the Committee of Parliament being expected from England and arriv'd at Dublin near the end of August Whereas when the Parliament was adjourn'd and before there was no certainty of their Committee's return the Earl of Roscommon who few days before coming from England expressing in plain terms that the Bills desired were not likely in any short time to be dispatch'd as the Letters from the Irish Committee at London which this Lord brought over inform'd too and That they were daily about their dispatch but could not guess when they might have it Yet as I have took notice in August beyond expectation the Committee return'd upon whose arrival the Lords Justices and Councel desirous to give them all satisfaction imaginable sate daily composing of Acts to be passed the next Sessions of Parliament for the benefit of his Majesty and the good of his Subjects on which the Members of Parliament then at Dublin and their Committee newly arriv'd seem'd with great contentment to retire into the Countrey the Lords Justices forthwith sending Briefs to all the Ports in the Kingdom of the Graces concerning Customs commanding the Officers punctually to obey those his Majesty's Directions particularly what-ever concern'd Wool Tobacco as all other things of that nature wherein his Majesty had been pleas'd to gratifie the Committee They gave Order also for drawing a Bill for repeal of the Preamble of the Act of Subsidies They also desired Sir William Cole and Sir James Montgomery two of the Committee if they could ever take the Assizes in the County
those who shall hereafter joyn with them or commit the like acts on any of our good Subjects in that Kingdom to be Rebels and Traitors against our Royal Person and Enemies to our Royal Crown of England and Ireland And we do hereby strictly Charge and Command all those Persons who have so presumed to rise in Arms against us and our Royal Authority which we cannot otherwise interpret than acts of high Rebellion and detestable Disloyalty when therein they spoil and destroy our good and loyal Subjects of the British Nation and Protestants that they immediately lay down their Arms and forbear any further acts of Hostility Wherein if they fail we do let them know that we have authorised our Justices of Ireland and other our Chief Governour or Governours and General or Lieutenant-General of our Army there and do hereby accordingly require and authorise them and every of them to prosecute the said Rebels and Traitors with Fire and Sword as Persons who by their high Disloyalty against us their lawful and undoubted King and Soveraign have made themselves unworthy of any Mercy or Favour Wherein our said Justices or other chief Governour or Governours and General or Lieutenant-General of our said Army shall be countenanc'd and supported by us and by our powerful Succours of our good Subjects of England and Scotland that so they may reduce to obedience those wicked disturbers of that Peace which by the blessing of God that Kingdom hath so long and so happily enjoy'd under the Government of our Royal Father and us And this our Royal pleasure we do hereby require our Justices or other chief Governour or Governours of that our Kingdom of Ireland to cause to be published and proclaim'd in and throughout our said Kingdom of Ireland Given under our Signet at our Palace at Westminster the 1st of January in the 17th year of our Reign 1641. Which coming forth so late and but 40 of them onely ordered to be Printed was by the Parliament in their Declaration of the 19th of May 1642. interpreted as a countenance to that Rebellion in answer whereunto his Majesty in his reply to that Declaration shews That the Proclamation not issuing out sooner was because the Lords Justices of that Kingdom desired them no sooner and when they did the number they desired was but twenty which they advised might be Signed by us which we for the expedition of that service commanded to be Printed a Circumstance not required by them thereupon we Sign'd more of them then our Justices desired And that it might further appear how deep a sense his Majesty had of the Rebellion which called upon Him and his People of England for a general Humiliation of all Estates before Almighty God in Prayer and Fasting for drawing down his Mercy and Blessing upon Ireland His Majesty was pleased by a Proclamation dated at Whitehall the 8th of January 1641. Straightly to Charge and Command That the last Wednesday of every Month during the troubles in Ireland a Solemn Fast should be observ'd through his Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales shewing in his own Person and the Court and example thereof which accordingly for some years was observ'd and considerable Collections were gathered at most Churches that day for the miserable People of Ireland Several but especially Sir Benjamin Rudyard excellently speaking on that Subject which being much in a little accept of in his own Words Mr. Speaker THis Day is appointed for a charitable Work a Work of Bowels and Compassion I pray God we may never have the like occasion to move to stir up our Charity These miserable People are made so because of their Religion He that will not suffer for his Religion is unworthy to be saved by it and he is unworthy to enjoy it that will not relieve those that suffer for it I did know but the last year here in England some and they no Papists who were resolv'd to make Ireland their Retreat as the safer Kingdom of the two We do now see a great a dismal Change God knows whose Turn shall be next it is wrapp'd up in his Providence that which happens to one Country may happen to any Time and Chance comes upon all though guided by a certain Hand The right way to make a Man truely sensible of another's Calamity is to think himself in the same case and condition and then to do as he would be done unto Wherefore Mr. Speaker let our Gift be a matter of Bounty not of Covetousness that it may abound to our Account in the Day of Reckoning He that sowes plentifully shall reap plentifully I am sure he that lends to the Lord hath the best Security and cannot be a loser The first President of the Fast before-mention'd which usher'd in the Charity that succeeded was before it came to be Monthly by the Lords House kept in the Abbey of Westminster where the Archbishop of York and the Lord Primate of Ireland preach'd to the Lords as in St. Margrets Westminster Mr. Calamy and Mr. Marshall to the House of Commons Though when his Majesty afterwards found by the ill use made thereof that the Lecturers in their Sermons and Prayers stir'd up and continued the War rais'd against Him in England the great Promoters too thereof deserting the Care of Ireland He the 6th of October 1643. forbad it to be kept and instead thereof expresly commanded a solemn Fast to be observ'd every second Friday of the Month through England and Wales But to return to the King's Proclamation against the Rebels which the bleeding Iphigenia and others of that lying Spirit would have to be grounded on the information of a malignant Part of the Council informing his Majesty that the Catholicks of Ireland without discrimination had enter'd into a Rebellion whereas there was never any such general Information Nay in all the Accounts they gave to his Majesty they still intimated that they hoped the Pale and other Parts would continue their Loyalty affording the Lords of the Pale as other Towns which afterwards shamefully revolted Arms Ammunition Commands informing his Majesty only of what they had discovered in the North with the suspicions that they had learnt on Examinations from others which would have been Treachery in them to have conceal'd and grand Disloyalty Nor doth his Majesty take notice in his Proclamation of any other than that divers lewd and wicked Persons had of late risen in Rebellion in his Kingdom of Ireland not so much therein as naming Papists or Catholicks that thence any of that profession should take Umbrage Nay so circumspect were the Lords Justices and Council at that time that they avoided all expressions which might any ways encourage the Irish to apprehend the English intended to make it a War of Religion However the Rebels were so far from paying obedience to his Majesty's Proclamation afore-mention'd saying it was counterfeit or done by Coertion as they acted now not as before apart but united in
in the Market-place and so at Seven a Clock the same Night we were Masters of all About 100 of theirs were killed and some 14 of ours 120 Protestants were thereby reliev'd and much good Pillage of all sort taken therein Our Forces upon Muster next Morning were found to be but 750 Foot and 200 Horse theirs near 3000 within the Town besides in Artillery and brass Peeces they much exceeded us Thus Tredath which not long since was in the opinion of most given up as an irrecoverable prey to the Rebels now surviv'd their scorns and that meerly through God's Mercy on the courage and valour of the besieged bearing out against the utmost of Extremity and Treachery faithfully set down by Dean Bernard in his siege of Tredath 1642. describ'd with the Follies of several superstitions and vanities no ways prevalent to the practiser and had not the providence of the State at that time been singular no doubt but Dublin would soon have been the triumph of their malice and cruelties And now the County of Lowth which lay on the other side of the Boine being clear'd Ardes and Dundalk also being taken in Sir Phelim O-Neal who on all occasions made a most inconsiderable resistance ran with the first being reserv'd for a further mischief he got to the Newry and thence passed down into the Counties of Tyrone and Ardmagh where in revenge of his losses before Tredath he exercis'd the uttermost of his Cruelties on Men Women and Children whom he had to that time suffer'd to live amongst the Irish most barbarously killing the Lord Cawfield when he least suspected it and caus'd Mr. Blany a Gentleman of good Quality to be hanged for refusing to hear Mass. About the same time Mulmore O-Relie being likewise driven from the siege of Tredath retiring to Belturbet in the County of Cavan there commanded the poor British who thitherto i. e. after the great slaughter had surviv'd to the number of 60. to be forced off the Bridge into the Water where they were swallowed up As did Sir Phelim O-Neal who missing the taking in of the Castle of Augher in the County of Ardmagh in revenge gave directions to Mulmore-Mac-Donnel a most cruel and merciless Rebel to kill all the English and Scotch within the Parishes of Mullebrack Loghgilly and Kilcluneny destroying there not less than 1500 Protestants since the 23. of October 1641. He exercis'd also his cruelty in the same manner for his loss before Lisnagarvy Newry and other Places upon the poor Protestants as if by offering so many innocent Souls to death he should have expiated the guilt of his Cowardliness and Treacheries Thus the English Forces enduring no resistance where they came either possest themselves of the Castles tenable or demolisht the rest and having clear'd all passages 'twixt Dublin and Tredath part of them retir'd to Dublin whilst Sir Phelim O-Neal gave but cold entertainment to the Inhabitants of the Pale that had for their safety after their Confederacy with him retir'd into his Quarters he and his Confederates renewing their ancient Animosities against them the old English as those who formerly pursued the Irish in the defence of themselves telling them That the time was not yet past memory when they had done as now stir'd up the meer Irish to rebel making those in the North declare themselves and when they found them not likely to prosper deserted them exposing them to the fury of the English and their Countrey to ruine and desolation but now they were even their Countrey being first ruined This harsh scornful usage of the old English by the Northern Irish after so solemn a conjunction between them and under such a publick calamity fallen upon them bred in them a great consternation and trouble and it made so sad an impression upon the Lord Viscount Gormanston who was the chief instrument to bring the Northern Irish into the Pale and there to work out that solemn conjunction between them as it broke his heart and he soon after died lamenting his Treachery and Infidelity that he had not been only the ruine of himself and his posterity but the great firebrand of his Countrey out of vain ambitious ends or for the setting up of fond superstitious Inventions entertaining such Designs as had already caus'd huge streams of blood to be shed and were now likely to determine in nothing but the extirpation of the old English Families out of those plentiful Parts of the Countrey wherein they had most happily seated themselves and which they had most pleasantly enjoy'd ever since the first Conquest of Ireland Others had the same Apprehensions but being now involv'd with the Ulster Forces and having withstood the date of his Majesty's Favour the next course was to colour their Proceedings by pretence of Grievances that by Forgeries and Calumnies which they never spare to vent and publish when they would withdraw the Subjects from their obedience they might the more colourably palliate their foul Contempts confounding Times that the rise of their Insurrection might seem to have some ground and encouragement thence And to that end they of the Pale made an Apology to his Majesty fraught with so many vain impertinent and malicious Stories as in the judgement of the knowing and moderate States-man serve only to increase their guilt the main of whatsoever is there alledged being fully answer'd in the Reply to the Remonstrance given in at Trym the 17th of March 1642. About this time the King considering how slowly the Supplies for Ireland went on offer'd by a Message the 8th of April 1642. in Person to go thither as before he had done the 14th and 24th of February as also the 9th of March 1641. intending to raise his Guard of 2000 Foot and 200 Horse out of the Counties near Chester and to engage his Crown-Lands for the relief of his miserable Subjects there Well knowing as in one of his Declarations to the Parliament he expresses That as he was in his Interest more concern'd than any of his Subjects so he was to make a stricter account to Almighty God for any neglect of his duty or his Peoples preservation But the Parliament Voted That for his Majesty to go thither in Person He would be subject to the casualty of War and the secret Practises and Conspiracies of the Rebels it would be an incouragement to the Rebels it would impair the means to subdue the Rebels and increase the Charge and withall dishearten the Adventurers to subscribe and pay in their Money It would also interrupt the proceedings of the Parliament increase the jealousies and fears of the People and bereave the Parliament of that advantage whereby they were induc'd to undertake the War upon promise that it should be manag'd by their advice so as the Journey would be against the Law And that whosoever should assist him in it should be an Enemy to the Common-wealth and that the Sheriffs of Counties should raise Power to suppress
incredible charge of his own Purse hanging many though of his own kindred whom he found imbrued in Blood greatly resenting the Barbarism and Inhumanity of the Irish In as much as Hubert Boy Bourk and Sir Ulick Bourk his near Relations preying on the English he often frustrated by discovering their Designs and furnishing Sir Charles Coot from time to time with supplies of Arms and Ammunition to oppose them and impoverish their Country So that at last by the advice of Colonel Walsh and others they erected a standing Camp near the Kreggs to molest and pen up our Garrison of Castle-Coot which being almost compleated the Garrison issued out upon them who receiv'd us with a good volly of Shot which ours answer'd not according to command till we came close to them which being done with great resolution their hearts fail'd them and they betook themselves to the next Bog which being at some distance gave our Horse and Foot a fair opportunity to hew them down before they could reach it in which service Major Walsh behav'd himself well with Courage and Rhetorick endeavouring to make the Rebels stand but in vain he at length being forc'd to take the Bog for his own refuge leaving in the Camp Bread Arms Powder Corn Meal c. in great quantity which being more then we could carry away we were forced to burn In the Spring following Sir Charles Coot being inform'd of a good Prey of Cattle in the Barony of Athlone towards Balniaslo in the O Mores Country he with his Forces adventur'd thither got some Cattle great quantity of Cloth and other necessaries killing many of their Souldiers in their beds though in his return he was fought with by the Rebels sculking in in-accessible Places from whence he at last got free with no small hazard to his Person and loss to the Enemy Major Sumner in this as in the whole Siege of Castle-Coot and other places in Connaght doing excellent service as Councellor Engineer and Souldier worthily keeping his promise with one Kelly a Gentleman of good Quality and a kin to the Earl of Clanrikard whom begging his life he saved ransoming himself afterwards for 10. l. in money ten barrels of Wheat and as much Salt which at the following Siege of Castle-Coot proved of great value being sold then at 2s a Quart After which in Easter week 1642. Sir Charles Coot attempted to relieve Athlone and after some small dispute did it though the access to the Place was such as a few men might have been able to have stop'd 1000. he found his greatest difficulty was to fill up the trenches that the Enemy had made as his Horse might have free access which at last he compass'd relieving the Place with what Cattle and other Provisions he got in his Expedition not being a little startled that by such a Troop as the President there had and other Conveniencies no more should have been before attempted Nor had Roscommon Tulsk Elphin Knockvicar Abbeyboyle Belanfad Persons less active in their defence even from the first surprizals of the Rebels acting to amazement when nothing but their own courage secur'd their Forts though the last for want of Water was compell'd after a long siege to yield to the Rebels after that the Governour 's two Brothers the Kings from Boyle with Sir Charles Coot had resolv'd to have reliev'd him but at Carickdrumroosk Sir Charles Coot having intelligence that his own Castle was assaulted he was forced to retire back and very happily prevented that Design in the nick of execution though thereby the other Design was frustrated The 30th of April the Lords Justices and Council appointed a Fast to be observed monthly upon each Friday before the Sacrament to continue until Declaration were made to the contrary for the wonderful discovery of the late Plot against the State and true Religion as for the happy and prosperous success which God in his mercy had given his Majesties Forces against the Rebels and for the avoiding Gods just indignation for the future Upon the return of our Forces from the Battle of Kilrush within few days Philip Sidney Lord Viscount Lisle eldest Son to the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland landed at Dublin his Regiment having arriv'd before He was a Member of the House of Commons in England and by them recommended to his Father to be made Lieutenant-General of the Horse in Ireland though very young Assoon as he landed being desirous to put himself upon action he undertook the relieving of the Lady of Offalia Relict of Sir Robert Digby who upon the most insolent Menaces of the Rebels had return'd a noble answer seconding that though then very aged with an unparallel'd and gallant defence besieged in her Castle of Gheshell in the Kings-County by a numerous company of Rebels in a place of most difficult access by reason of the Bogs and Woods which encompassed it on every side The Rebels Letter to the Lady Offalia at Gheshel Honourable WE his Majesties loyal Subjects being at present imployed in his Highnesses Service for the taking of this your Castle you are therefore to deliver unto us free possession of your said Castle promising faithfully that your Ladyship together with the rest in the said Castle restant shall have a reasonable Composition otherwise upon the not yielding of the Castle we do assure you that we will burn the whole Town kill all the Protestants and spare neither Man Woman nor Child upon taking the Castle Consider Madam of this our offer and impute not the blame of your own folly unto us think not that here we brag Your Ladyship upon submissiion shall have a safe Convoy to secure you from the hands of your Enemies and to lead you where you please A speedy Reply is desired with all expedition and thus we surcease Henry Dempsy Charles Dempsy Andr. Fitz. Patrick Con. Dempsy Phelim Dempsy John Vicars James Mac Donnel Superscrib'd To the Honourable and thrice Vertuous Lady the Lady Digby These Give The Lady Offalia her Answer to the Rebels Superscrib'd For her Cousin Henry Dempsy and the Rest. I Receiv'd your Letter wherein you threaten to sack this my Castle by his Majesty's Authority I am and ever have been a loyal Subject and a good Neighbour amongst you and therefore cannot but wonder at such an Assault I thank you for your offer of a Convoy wherein I hold little safety and therefore my resolution is that being free from offending his Majesty or doing wrong to any of you I will live and die innocently and will do my best to defend my own leaving the issue to God and though I have been and still am desirous to avoid the shedding of Christian Blood yet being provoked your threats shall no whit dismay me Lettice Offalia Sir Charles Coot accompanied the Lord Lisle in this Action which with 120 Foot and 300 Horse was perform'd without much difficulty the Rebels not daring to attend their Approaches to
the Castle in a Body but made little skirmishes from the Bogs as they passed along In their way they took in the strong Fort of Phillips-Town in Kings-County which was built upon a Pass in a Countrey almost inaccessible in the former Wars and kept always by the English against the Irish but the Rebels having by Treachery surprized this as they had done most of the other Places of Ireland it was now taken from them by this small Party under the Lord Lisle with their Pistols and Muskets the swiftness of their March and the illness of the Way not admitting any other Artillery such an Enemy not much needing it Being now upon their return to Dublin understanding that the Lord Gormanston and other Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale had gather'd a considerable Force together about Trym the Lord Lisle by the advice of Sir Charles Coote turn'd his March that way with that small company When they came near the Town they saw those Lords at no great distance from them but in such a posture as shewed they intended not to fight and so facing about they marched directly into the Town of Trym which was a Place of very inconsiderable strength but pleasantly situated upon the River of the Boyne in an open Champion Countrey and incompassed with a stone-Wall so old and ruinous as afforded in some places of it entrance to Horse over the heaps of rubbish that lay instead of the Wall The Lord Lisle approach'd with those Forces to the Town and Sir Charles Coote finding a place where he could get in some of his Horse brought them on and got them in without opposition the Lords of the Pale resolving of their dis-ability to keep that Town though they had treble the number of the Assailants quitted it and march'd out in some hast while the Lord Lisle's Horse enter'd in so as they became Masters of the Town without the loss of one Man and finding it a Place of great advantage situated in the most plentiful part of the Rebel's Quarters they resolv'd to make a Garrison of it And for this Reason Sir Charles Coote got the Lord Lisle to go to the Lords Justices at Dublin and acquaint them with the success they had had and the great benefit which might redound to the service of the State if they would think fit to send them down Moneys to fortifie that Place and a Regiment of Foot to keep it The Lord Lisle willing to improve all Arguments that might secure the present Affair took some of his Horse to guard him to Dublin and soon acquainted their Lordships with the Concern pressing the Business with all advantages imaginable whilst the Rebels having notice the day following of his repair to Dublin no Business being carried so private as they had not soon intelligence thereof gathered all their Forces together and having near 3000 Men they came in the dead of the Night to the very Walls of Trym before they were discerned thinking to surprize it But the Sentinels gave the Alarm and Sir Charles Coote who never us'd to go to Bed when he was abroad was the first that took it and having his Horse ready presently mounted but could not at the instant get above 17 Horse with him with these however he goes to the Gates knowing that expedition was not only the life of Action but must at that time be the only means of their preservation He issued out and fac'd the Enemy very numerous making their approaches towards them some few more Horse re-inforcing his strength He charged the first Troop of the Rebels that came towards him routing them immediately and following on upon their disorder charg'd their main Body which presently began to grow loose which he perceiving so vigorously charg'd in amongst them as they all betook themselves to flight and he having now more Men come out of the Town pursued them with great alacrity doing singular execution with his own hands And as he was encouraging his Men bravely to pursue their flying Enemy he was unfortunately shot in the Body as it was thought by one of his own Troopers whether by design or accident was never known it being for many months after his death generally reported and as generally believed that He was accidentally slain by one of the flying Rebels who in despair turn'd about and discharg'd his Musket at him And this end had this gallant Gentleman who began to be so terrible to the Enemy as his very Name was formidable to them His Body was brought to Dublin and there inter'd with great solemnity floods of English tears accompanying him to his Grave After whose death and Sir Harcourt's the Fate of the English Interest in Ireland seem'd eclips'd if not buried the great Artifice being then under several pretences to keep the Souldiers within their Garrisons to consume the Provisions and Stores they had or else to lead them forth without any considerable service till the Battle of Ross. About the beginning of June 1642. came over some Regiments under the Conduct of Sir Foulk Hunks and Lieutenant Colonel Kirk who brought over the Regiment design'd for the Lord Rannelagh whereupon two Regiments were immediately dispatch'd for Connaght and accompanied thither by the Lord Lieutenant who in that Expedition took by storm Knocklinch a strong Castle of Mr. Linches the besieged except Women not accepting of Quarter were put to the sword and Trimbleston a Castle of the Lord Trimbleston's quitted on the former's success as Kymkelf a fair Castle of the Lord Nettervile's and divers other Castles And upon his approach towards Athlone Sir James Dillon who had besieged it ever since Christmass ran away so that the Lord President with about 50 Horse and some 200 Foot met the Lieutenant General 5 miles from Athlone and after an hour or two's stay in the Field the Earl of Ormond took leave of the Lord President leaving at his departure a Regiment for the President himself and another under Sir Michael Earnly Sir Abraham Shipman and Sir Bernard Ashley and two Troops of Horse with which Forces the Lord President might have subdued all Connaght except Galloway But he instead of imploying such brave Men abroad while the Summer lasted kept them at home on short and rotten Commons whereby most of them were famish'd or contracted mortal Diseases and were presently so enfeebled that the tenth Man was hardly able to march In the mean time all almost that had fought against him of his Neighbours were receiv'd under Contribution which was never paid nor Victuals brought in for his Men though the Countrey yet abounded in Corn and Cattle so that the Garrison of Castle-Coot for meer pity baked Bread and sent them many Cart-fulls thereof bringing away in their empty Carts many of their sick Men that they might not perish And yet at last the General the Lord President was perswaded to draw out his Men to service besieging Ballagh Castle in the mid-way between Roscommon and
with them However Mountgarrets Forces infinitely increas'd so as the Lord President to secure Cork thought it most convenient to retreat thither whilst Mountgarret the 11th of February lodges his Forces in Moyallo brought thither by Serjeant Major Walsh the Inheritance of Captain William Jephson a Town containing one Street of near 200 English Houses thirty whereof were strongly built and Slated having at the South-end thereof a very fair and pleasant House called The great Castle committed to the charge of Arthur Betesworth with 200 Men Arms and Ammunition convenient and one Iron Piece of Ordnance with two Curriers whereof they made good use and advantage And at the North-end of the Town stood another strong Castle called The short Castle excellently well afterwards defended by Lieutenant Richard Williamson who after many Breaches in the Wall the best Assaults Serjeant Major Purcel could make and the loss of many Men was given over though at length yielded out of necessity on terms never perform'd though the remarkable stoutness of Lieutenant Williamson was such as he finding the Rebels to faulter in what they had promised resolutely getting up a Sword vowed to be the death of those who should hinder his and his Parties repair to the other Castle never yielded by Betesworth which being resolutely and on a sudden done struck such a fear in the Rebels as Williamson and his Party were all admitted to go to the Great Castle with what they had which was not irreparably rifled from them by the Rebels And shortly after the Rebels having some aiery rumors of the Lord Presidents Forces to fall upon them Mountgarret march'd thence with his Army the Lord Muskery notwithstanding all his fair pretences to the President being now come to the Rebels which was a great strengthning to that Party he having a considerable Estate and much Money left him by a miserable Father whilst it may be thought the Lord Roch Mac-Donnogh and others being brought to great straits could not worsen but might advance their Estates by the Rebellion Many were much concern'd that the Lord Mountgarret would go from Moyallo leaving the Countrey to be govern'd by themselves a great contest arising amongst them who should be Chief Serjeant Major Purcel Baron of Loghmo challenging the Generalship of that Province But the Heads of the Confederacy meeting at the Lord Muskery's House to avoid contention about Superiority there resolved that none of the Gentry of the County should bear any Office in the Army but that one Garret Barry who had long serv'd under the King of Spain and was reputed a good Soldier should be General and the Lord Muskery and some other prime and select Men should be call'd The Council of War so that that difference at the present was composed And this doughty General mustering up his Forces hover'd about Cork without any Attempt worth notice whilst other parts of the Irish Army visited Lismore the Cattle in and about that Place being driven away by Colonel Richard Butler The 23d of February Mr. Richard Bealing summon'd the Castle but the Lord Broghil whom neither Promises nor Threats could work any thing upon told them That he knew not what Quarter meant daring him to the Assault as soon as he would which He threatned within half an hour after But intelligence being brought that Sir Charls Vavasor was landed at Youghal with 1000 Men the Enemy fled to Dungarvan and the Lord President determining to look abroad advanced with that Regiment and the Lord Broghil's and Captain Courtney's Troop of Horse towards Talloe hoping to surprize Colonel Richard Butler but being disappointed Intelligence flying swifter than our March he set forward towards Dungarvan burning the Countrey as he went being in all 2000 Horse and Foot taking order that a Peece of Artillery should be brought him from Cork by Sea and having slain many of the Enemy in Talloe he burnt the Town and so went forward to Dungarvan and coming to it the 3d. of March 1641. sent a Summons but they refusing and setting out a Flag of Defiance he with his Men violently entred the Town and upon the 5th of March took the Castle giving the Enemy Quarter He put a Ward of 40 Musketeers into the Castle under the Command of Lieutenant Rosington from whom the Enemy not long after surpriz'd it The Lord Broghil the Lord Barrymore marching each of them afterwards on several Expeditions happily succeeded taking in divers Castles as Tourin the 8th of March which the Lord Broghil burnt and Bally-Mac-Patrick standing upon the Black-water which the Earl of Barrimore shortly after burnt meeting now and then with the Enemy on whom they did good execution As did Captain Jephson in the relief of Rathgogan and taking in of Balliha as also in the Encounter he and Lieutenant Downing had with the Enemy at his return where he slew 150 of them The like success he had in taking in Ballynageragh Sir Purcival's Castle Not long after Captain Sherlock Head of the Waterford Rebels amounting to 700 endeavouring to take Cappaquin guarded by Captain Hugh Crocker with a hundred men was in the streets killed and his Forces routed The 3d. of July 1642. the Lord Broghil with 60 Horse and 140 Foot went to fetch off Sir Richard Osborn from his Castle of Knockmone in the County of Waterford six miles from Lismore who in his advance thither burnt and destroy'd the Rebels Quarters though in his return towards Lismore he sent his Scouts to descrie the Enemy suspecting they should way-lay them as indeed they did setting themselves in Battalia in a Field near unto Cappaquin having a little half-Grove at their backs upon which the English perceiv'd that there was no way to secure themselves but by making their way with the Sword and therefore put their Men in the best posture they could the Enemy playing very hard upon them upon which the Lord Broghil resolutely encountred them with his Horse whilst Captain Stephen Brodrip led on his Foot in an orderly and well-compacted Body galling them on all sides so effectually with his Musketeers that the Enemies Horse and Foot were soon put to flight with the loss of one onely man of ours and at least 200 of theirs besides two of their best Captains who died the next day though their Horse carried them off then This was the first pitcht Battel since the Rebellion in Munster and had the Enemy succeeded Cappaquin Lismore and some other Places would have been an easie Prey Not long after the Earl of Barrymore took in upon Quarter the strong Castle of Cloghleagh in the County of Cork the Inheritance of Sir Richard Fleetwood who admitted Sir Arthur Hide to keep it but most treacherously he left it to be surprized by Condon whose Ancestors had been formerly the Proprietors of it an insolent Rebel as his Predecessors were before him Afterwards the Lod Dungarvan and the Lord Broghil summoning the Castle of
Quarter'd in several Custodiums not being able by reason of the want of Money Provisions and other necessaries otherwise to furnish any part of it out in such manner as might put them in a posture to undertake any great Action abroad some in the interim improving the present necessities to the advantage of a Design then in the womb However we find that though the Parliament in England wonder'd as one in eminent Place then heard that the Army in Ireland did little Yet it was to be admired writes he they did so much considering the small means they had to effect so great things They did then abound onely in sickness and hurt men which made the Regiments and Companies very weak Monies came not in at all and for Cloathes and Shoes few or none notwithstanding they had hearts manifested by their works for no Enemy but as soon as they looked on them instead of using their Arms exercis'd their Heels no Fort or Castle which they offer'd to keep which they ever deserted or any that they attempted but yielded to them In as much as that Noble Person which observ'd this in some passion could not but take notice That if all this were nothing let it be so esteem'd The Enemy in the interim having supplies of Men and Arms. Indeed that Affairs proceeded with no currenter a pace this year many obstacles contributed thereunto The Government was in the hands of Two though in the main entirely faithful and knowing yet vastly differing in their tempers one being of a sedentary the other of an active life He allied to most of the leading Men of the Council the other onely prevalent as his Reason and Gallantry wrought on the generous Besides some had such interest else-where as all was not resented with such integrity as was meant That in the management of Affairs at the Helm Authority it self was often Eclipsed nor could any who was necessitated to hold the Reins with others possibly evade the inconveniences they were then frequently inforced upon how well soever they had been vers'd in the Art of Government some will have it that there was much artifice used to lengthen out the War For at that time whether by the Governours of the City of Dublin's omission or some other Fate upon the Army hard for me to determine the Rebels on one side came often to the Gates giving frequent Alarms and took away the Cattle from under the Walls And in Lowth the most considerable Garrison was almost destroyed through those Persons who having the Government of the County protected their Tenants nor would those that had Power to force a Supply improve their interest being better able to disperse an Enemy than disoblige a Neighbour The Scots General the Earl of Leven in the North who with the recent and veterate Soldiers made up 20000 did little desirous rather it seems to keep themselves safe in Knockfergus and the Frontiers than venture much abroad as appear'd by their repulse at Charlemont whence they retir'd with no Honour and admitted Dunganon to be re-taken by the Irish after it had been bravely recovered by the vertue of an English Gentleman Indeed the English-Scots who joyn'd with the English Regiments did excellent service and that the other fail'd may be imputed to the rawness of their Men the want of Victuals of which they stood in great need and some hardship they endur'd happily not incident to their tenderness Now for Connaght such was the carriage of some there that two compleat Regiments consisting of full 2000 Men were in six months reduc'd through want though the Countrey thereabouts was stored with all manner of Provisions not having been harrass'd by an Enemy to 600. Upon which several Articles were preferr'd by Persons of Honour against those who were charg'd with that misfortune and the business referr'd to the Council of War which wav'd their Censure and the main Parties concern'd therein voluntarily undergoing afterwards a private Duel producing no ill to either Party no more was urg'd thereupon Though as to the carriage of that business in reference to the Soldiers Clothes and Necessaries it could not easily be wip'd of nor the deserting of a Government without Orders where there was more store of Ammunition Arms and other Necessaries than Soldiers to use them However in August this year 1642. the Lord Moor Sir John Borlase jun. and Colonel Gibson with 500 Men apiece went into the Counties of Lowth and Meath with two Pieces of Battery and two Field-Pieces with which they assaulted the Castle of Sedan obstinately defended thirty hours by Captain Flemming thrice stormed who at last fought with them out of the Ruines At which time the Lords of the Pale were not so resolute the Lord Gormanston flying from the Fort of the Nabar and the Lord Slane from the Castle of Newtown thereby leaving Lowth and Meath clear'd of the Enemy who finding good heels lost 500 onely at Sedan whilst Captain Burrows Pigot and Grimes with some others defeated 800 of the Rebels near Athy and slew about 200. And now in respect that the State found great inconveniencies by the Protections the Commissioners they had formerly given authority to gave the State of the Countrey being now far different from the Condition wherein it stood 27 of October 1641. at the granting of the said Protections and that the Rebels of all Degrees and Conditions had since with hateful and bloody obstinacy declared their Purpose to extirpate the British throughout the whole Kingdom without hope of reconcilement other then by the strength of his Majesties Forces They did the 19th of August 1642. revoke repeal make void and annul all such Protections from and after ten days from the date thereof more at large to be seen in the Instrument it self in the Appendix carrying weighty reasons for that Act. The 25th of August the Lords in a Letter to Secretary Nicholas sent a Copy of the Rebels Petition together with the Rebels of the Pales Letter to the Earl of Ormond in the answer to which exceptions were taken that they had not sent the Original and with all took notice that as his Majesty would be ready to punish the Rebels so he would not shut up his mercy against those who did unfeignedly repent upon which the Original was sent and his Majesties Pardon beg'd Soon after the Lord Lisle with the men under his Command marched towards the Counties of Westmeath and Cavan where they arriv'd about the middle of September having destroyed all where they had pass'd without striking a stroak the Rebels being according to their usual Custom retired to Places of strength confiding more in their Walls then Valour wherefore passing into the County of Monaghan he sate down before Carrickmacross a house of the Earl of Essex's very well Fortified where the Rebels having endured the battery of two small Pieces of Cannon for one day fled away the next night the outward Guards of the Besiegers being
took in the Castles of Timolege Roscarby and Rathbarry in the West and Lismore nobly defended it self under Captain Barderoe whilst the Lord Inchequin appearing with 2500 Horse and Foot rais'd the Siege whose Army upon news of the Cessation drew off then ready to give Battle In Connaght after the Battle of Raconnel till Midsummer there was not any considerable service done by our Souldiers and the Enemy either kept close in Garrisons or was drawn off to the Siege of Galloway's Fort And now the Enemies finding that without the Command of some experienc'd General and the uniting of their Forces they were able to do little yea not to defend themselves they got for Commander John Bourk or as they more commonly called him Shane O-Tlevij descended from the Bourks of Castle Barr or if you please of the Mac Williams His first exploit was against the Fort of Galloway to the taking and demolishing of which the Townsmen contributed both with Bodies and Purse very largely they wanted good battering Guns and therefore resolv'd to take it by Famine it being but poorly provided by such as the Parliament appointed to bring timely supplies by Sea knowing that in it they should get battering Guns to take in the rest of the English Garrisons in that Province To this end they made a Chain of Masts Casks and Iron across that part of the Harbour next to the Fort and planted strong Guards at each end of it They prepared some few Ship-Guns and a Morter-Piece which was well cast by a Runnagate out of the Lord Forbes Ships which afterwards they made use of at the Siege of Castle Coot so that with much Industry rather then Gallantry they at length got the Fort by Composition its Relief coming too late into the Harbour The event of which so much struck the Governour as he did not many months after survive the loss Upon the taking of the Fort the Irish were overjoy'd to be Masters of so many brave Guns and thought that the Reputation of this and the help of the Guns would reduce suddainly all Connaght they resolv'd first to fall on Castle Coot the most painant thorn in their side being confident that upon their success there they might in all probability expect to have the rest not because it had any great strength in its Walls but was well mann'd and vigilantly attended though with 4000 Horse and Foot and answerable Accommodations of War they question'd not but to Master it soon having Preston's Engineer Monsieur La Loo an expert low-Low-Countrey Souldier to manage their Works who upon the knowledge of the situation of the Place question'd not its surrender Galloway having for Fireworks and fitting expedients for that service furnished him with 300 l. However though they had made as regular and handsom a Fortification about the Castle as ever was attempted in Ireland yet the Garrison so nobly attack'd each Redoubt that thence ensued many brave Attempts much certainly to the prejudice of the Besieged the Garrison maintaining their own against all the Attempts the Besiegers ever adventur'd which in truth were many not without Skill as well as Courage maintain'd in as much as the Governour Captain Richard Coot since Lord Baron of Coloony having sent forth a private Messenger to Major Ormsby who before with the help of the English Garrisons had very successfully beaten Owen Roe-O-Neal out of the Province with great loss coming to set upon Boyle Jamestown Carrickdrumzoosh and Elphin at Tulsol to inform him of his wants very carefully consulted with Boyle and Roscommon who joyntly agreed upon a private Sign to relieve them of Castle Coot which the Enemy having notice of by one whom the Garrison had familiarly entertain'd the Treachery on the Enemies side was carried on as they set forth two parties as if one had made to the Castles Relief whilst the other oppos'd it to the countenance of which the Governour being from the Walls encouraged by the Souldiers though against his own suspicions adventured forth with 60 Musketiers but soon found the deceit of the business The Enemy all this while having skirmish with themselves as two Parties who now joyntly fall upon the Governour with those he drew out who so gallantly oppos'd them though in compute not less then 700 Men as they retired to their Camp and he secured his Retreat with much Honour to his Castle The Enemy in the Interim making a bold assault on the other part of the Castle which he came time enough to relieve beating off the Enemy with a considerable loss and having slain many of their men caus'd them decently to be laid out not beheaded as the Irish barbarously are accustomed to do for which their General sent him a Present of Tobacco then very acceptable However afterwards he beat them to inaccessible Places in Bogs and Woods their usual Refuge and recover'd at that time store of Tobacco Cloaths and 11 weeks Pay newly come to satisfie their Souldiers Yet they hearing of the Cessation but not yet having an Express from the Marquiss of Ormond more violently then ever shot at the Castle and having now a Messenger of the Cessation they so far suspected him as a spy as they imprison'd him endeavouring still to gain the Castle but finding their attempts vain Forces from Boyle Roscommon c. faithfully having relieved the Castle all joyntly gallantly set on the Rebels which their General perceiving grew so much enraged against his Souldiers as to profess he had rather be Captain of the 200 in the Garrison then General of the 3000 he had so as at length the Governour as well as Bourk having an Express from the Marquiss of Ormond both acquiess'd therein Thus his Majesties Forces where they were unanimous vigorously proceeded nay should I adventure to recount all their actions time would fail we are obliged to be brief though in omitting any injuries may be done excellent Persons whose pardons I beg whilst they had no better supplies then other Places However the necessities of the Army were daily aggravated yet they in some mens opinion not seeming sufficient to bring on a Cessation such as were principal opposers of it were thought requisite to be remov'd And the 23. of April 1643. Sir Francis Butler arriv'd from England with a Supersedeas for the Lord Parson's Government and a Commission to the Lord Borlase and Sir Henry Tichborn to be Lords Justices who accordingly the first of May were instituted in the Government Who betwixtthe unpaid and Refractory Souldiers and the difficulties that arose about the Cessation which they were to consent to but acted little in encountred no small difficulties in their Government whatever censure it hath since met with Soon after their admission fresh hopes of a more plentiful Supply exceedingly cheer'd the Souldiers but that failing Murmures Mutinies and a discontented Spirit raged every where highly fomented that necessity might be a main plea for the Cessation of which his Majesty
called ordinarily the Council-Table be of Members true and faithful to his Majesty and such of which there may be no fear or suspition of going to the Parliament Party 3. That Dublin Tredagh Trim Newry Catherlagh Carlingford and all Garrisons within the Protestant Quarters be Garrison'd by Confederate Catholicks to maintain and keep the said Cities and Places for the use of our Sovereign Lord King Charles and his Lawful Successors for the defence of this Kingdom of Ireland 4. That the present Council of the Confederates shall swear truly and faithfully to keep and maintain for the use of his Majesty and his lawful Successors and for the defence of the said Kingdom of Ireland the above Cities of Dublin and Tredagh and all other Forts Places and Castles as above 5. That the said Council and all General Officers and Soldiers whatsoever do swear and Protest to fight by Sea and Land against the Parliamentarians and all the Kings Enemies And that they will never come to any Convention Agreement or Article with the said Parliamentarians or any the Kings Enemies to the prejudice of his Majesties Rights or of this Kingdom of Ireland 6. That according to our Oath of Association we will to the best of our power and cunning defend the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom the Kings Rights the Lives and Fortunes of the Subjects His Excellency is prayed to make Answer to the above Propositions at furthest by two of the Clock in the afternoon on Thursday next J. Preston Owen O Neile Let all dis-passionate men now consider what could the Marquis do his Quarters were so strait and narrow that they could yield no support to the few Forces he had left all his Garrisons besieg'd without an Enemy being destitute of all Provisions within all the Army he had for the Field and Garrisons amounted not to 5000 Foot and 1100 Horse without Cloathes Money or Fixed Arms and with so inconsiderable a Store of Ammunition that when the Nuncio was upon his march towards Dublin he had not in that most important City the Metropolis of the Kingdom more than 14 Barrels of Powder So that not onely the Inhabitants but the Soldiers themselves grew impatient of the distresses they were in and which inevitably they saw must fall upon them and they who had before presum'd in corners and whispers to tax the Marquis of not being zealous enough of the English Interest and too credulous of what was promised and undertaken by the Irish had now the boldness to murmur aloud at him as if he had combined with the Irish to put all into their hands They who from the beginning of the Troubles had been firm and unshaken in their Duty and Loyalty to the King and chearfully suffered great losses and undergone great hazards for being so and been of the most constant affection to and confidence in the Marquis and resolved to obey him in whatsoever he should order for the King's Service for the conducting whereof he was solely and entirely trusted by his Majesty could not yet endure to think of being put into or falling under the power of the Irish who by this new breach of Faith had made themselves utterly uncapable of any future Trust for what security could they publickly give for performance of the Contract which they had not lately given for the observation of that which so infamously they had receded from Whereupon he found it absolutely necessary to make a shew of inclining to the English and sent to the Ships then riding in the Bay of Dublin that they would transport some Commissioners from him to the Parliament to treat about the surrender of the City and the other Garrisons under his Command Which Proposition was embrac'd by them and the Persons deputed accordingly conveyed into England By this means the Marquis was forthwith supplied with 20 Barrels of Powder which the Captain of those Ships delivered to him the 10th of March by the permission of the Lord Lisle the Parliaments Lord Lieutenant without which he could have made no defence against the Nuncio whereby the Irish had a fair warning to bethink themselves in time of returning to their Duty since they might discern that if they would not suffer Dublin c. to continue in the Kings obedience it should be delivered to them who would deal less graciously with them and had power enough to punish those indignities which had been offered And the Marquis was still without other Engagement than to do what he should judge most conducing to his Majesties Service However the Rebels persisted in their intentions against Dublin where for a while we must leave them and see what course the Parliament took to infest their Quarters much they were concern'd that affairs went not on so successfully there as they expected where that they might have one Governour answerable to the exigencies of that Kingdom they Voted Philip Viscount Lisle Lord Lieutenant passing thereupon in April 1646. a Patent to him for one year allotting him 40000 l. with what else was requisite for his dispatch in raising which they were so slow many of the House being of an opposite Party as he could not get away from London till the 1st of Febr. 1646. arriving at Bristol the 6th where he found several of his own Troops and his Brother Colonel Sidney's in readiness to be transported for Ireland But Money being not come he was forc'd to Quarter them thereabouts till its arrival and himself with 30000 l. 7 Pieces of Battery 1000 Muskets 100 Barrels of Powder embarqu'd the 18th at Minhead and landed near Cork the 20th and came thither the day following where he was altogether unexpected especially by the Lord Inchequin he found things in great disorder the Army filled with Officers disaffected to him the Custodiums and Contributions no way manag'd to the publick advantage thereupon reform'd the defects and marching the 15th of March to visit Talloe Lismore Toughall Fermoy and other Places found the Countrey protected even to the Walls of the Protestant Garrisons so as no mischief could be done by them to the Rebels and about the 20th of March Knockmohun was delivered to him He order'd all things for the best advantage of the Interest he was put upon and finding his Commission was near expir'd the General Officers petition'd that in case his Lordship were not continued the Command of the Army might rest in them which the Lord President with others oppos'd The Lord Lieutenant's Commission determind ' the 15th of April 1647. And shortly after such animosities arose betwixt the Parliaments Commissioners and the Lord Inchequin as doubtless if some Privy Counsellors had not interpos'd great inconveniencies would certainly thence have risen The Lord Lisle accompani'd with the Lord Broghil and Colonel Sidney went presently for England and arriv'd at London about the beginning of May following taking the first occasion to give the House an account of his Journey which may
1647. they unanimously publish'd a Declaration to that end exactly drawn up with great Reason Perspicuity and Eloquence The time that the Marquis of Ormond agreed with the Parliaments Commissioners was near the time that the Army had gotten the King into their hands having taken him from Holmbey out of the custody of the Commissioners to whom the Scots had delivered him And the Marquis of Ormond at his arrival in England found so many specious pretences and professions publish'd by that Party which then had the whole Power of the Army and consequently of the Kingdom that very many believ'd his Majesties Affairs to be in no ill condition more seeming respect was paid to his Person and less restraint upon the resort of his faithful Servants to him than had been from the time that he first put himself into the Scots power The Army took upon them the Government of the Kingdom having solemnly declared That there could be no reasonable hope of a firm and lasting Peace if there were not an equal care to preserve the Interest of the King Queen and Prince as of the Liberties of the People and that both should be with equal care provided for together In this time of freedom and hypocritical compliance the Marquis had free liberty of repairing to the King where he gave him an account of all his actions and of the course he had taken for the reviving and preserving his Majesties Interest in Ireland by setling a Correspondence with many Persons of Honour there who would keep the two Houses of Parliament how great an advantage soever he had given them by the delivery up of Dublin c. into their power if they refus'd to return to his Majesties obedience from obtaining any absolute Dominion in that Countrey and who were most like to reduce the Nation from the Distemper with which they were transported and to incline them to that submission that was due from them to the King with all which his Majesty was very graciously and abundantly satisfied and gave the Marquis direction in case the Independent Army should proceed otherwise than they pretended how he should behave himself and comply with the Irish if he could reduce and dispose them to be instrumental towards his or their own delivery And when his Majesty discovered by the double dealing and hypocritical demeanour of the Officers of the Army of whom he had earlier jealousie than other men as seeing farther into their dark Design the little good they meant him he found it fit to receive some Overtures from the Scottish Commissioners who were still admitted to reside at London and to bear a part in the Managery of the Publick Affairs and now plainly saw that the Independent Army which they had so much despised was grown superiour to them and meant to perform nothing less than what they had so Religiously promised before the King was delivered up at Newcastle The King hereupon commands the Marquis of Ormond to confer with the principal Persons of that Commission who seem'd very sensible of the dishonour their Nation had incurr'd and resolved by uniting the power of that Kingdom for his Majesties Service to undo some of the mischief they had wrought And desired that the Marquis of Ormond would likewise transport himself into Ireland to try once more if he could compose the humours of that People to his Majesties obedience that so those two Kingdoms being entirely reduc'd to their duty might with that assistance they were like to find in England perswade the violent Party to comply with those moderate and just Conclusions which would establish the Peace and Tranquility of the whole in a full happiness to Prince and People And from hence was that first Engagement design'd which was afterwards so unfortunately conducted by the elder Duke Hamilton and concluded with the ruine of himself and of many Worthy and Noble Persons When the Army had by their civil and specious carriage and professions disposed the Kings Party to wish well to them at least better than to the Presbyterians who seem'd to have erected a Model of a more formid and insupportable Tyranny and were less endu'd with the appearances of Humanity and good Nature and had by shuffling themselves into new shapes of Government and admitting Persons of all Conditions to assemble and make Propositions to them in order to the publick Peace given encouragement to most men to believe that all Interests would in some degree be provided for and so had brought themselves into an absolute Power over all Interests they began to lessen their outward Respects and Reverence to the King to inhibit some of his Servants absolutely to resort to him and more to restain the frequent access of the People who out of their innate Duty and Affection delighted to see his Majesty they caused reports to be raised and scattered abroad of some intentions in desperate persons of violence upon his Majesties Person and upon this pretence doubled their Guards and put Officers of stricter vigilance and more surly disposition about him so that whatsoever he said or did or was said unto him was more punctually observed The Marquis of Ormond was look'd upon with a very jealous eye and was forbid to continue his attendance on him or to come within 25 miles of London and that Article in the Agreement at the delivery of Dublin viz. That he should engage his Honour not to act any thing to the prejudice of the Parliament in a twelvemonth there was an intention to put him in mind of by a Letter from the Committee at Derby-house but before the Messenger came where he had been near Bristol he knowing of the King 's being close Prisoner in Carisbrook-Castle and that it would be to little purpose to contest his Articles with the Parliament privately shipt himself away for France where he arrived safely about the end of the year 1647. having spent in England little more than six months For a time we must leave the Marquis in France and return to Colonel Jones in Dublin who with those Forces that were left there by the Marquis of Ormond and such as he brought and received out of England amounting in all to 3000 marched against Colonel Preston approaching with his Leimster Forces to infest Dublin and met him about 12 miles from Dublin who having gotten great advantage of ground routed Jones killed many of his men and took not a few Prisoners Jones himself escaping with much difficulty to Dublin Whether upon this accident or otherwise I cannot determine but great divisions then arose betwixt the old English who had Preston for their General and the old Irish who had Owen Roe O Neal for theirs The old English had a gallant Army consisting of near 10000 Foot and Horse well Arm'd and well Disciplin'd who thought that if they would offer themselves Instruments to destroy the old Irish they might at any time have good Conditions from England therefore under
Churches and Church-Livings they have in present possession and the Exercise of Jurisdiction therein 2. That a Parliament be had within 6 months or when after the Roman Catholicks shall desire 3. That all Laws made in the Parliament of England since 1641. in blemish of the Catholicks are at the next Parliament to be vacated 4. All Indictments against any Catholicks since 1641. be vacated 5. All Impediments to be taken away that Catholicks be elected in Parliament 6. All Debts to remain as they were Feb. 8. 1641. notwithstanding any Attainder 7. The Estates of the Knights Gentlemen and Freeholders of Connaght Clare Thomond Limerick and Tipperary be secured by an Act. 8. All Incapacities of the Natives in Ireland be taken away by Act. 9. All Honours Trusts Imployments or such like be conferred as well upon Catholicks as Protestants 10. That the King take 12000 l. per annum in lieu of the Court of Wards 11. No Noblemen to have more Proxies than two in Parliament and all Blanks to be null 12. That the depending of the Parliament of Ireland upon England shall be as both shall agree and stand with the Laws of Ireland 13. That the Council-Table meddle only with Matters of State 14. That all Acts forbidding the Transport of Wooll be null'd by the next Parliament 15. That if any have been wrong'd by Grants from King James or since they may Petition and have Relief in Parliament 16. That divers particular Lords Knights and Gentlemen who have been as they conceiv'd wrong'd shall now be righted 17. That all who had their Estates taken from them in Cork Toughall and Dungarvan have restoration or Rent 18. That in the next Parliament an Act of Oblivion pass to all in Ireland and that adhered to them 19. That no Officer of Eminency in Ireland farm the Customs 20. An Act to pass against Monopolists 21. That the Court of Castle-Chamber be regulated 22. That the Acts for prohibiting plowing with Horses by the Tayls and burning Oats in the Straw be null 23. An Act for taking off the Grievances of the Kingdom 24. That Maritime Causes be determin'd in Ireland 25. That no Rents be rais'd upon the Subjects under pretence of defective Titles 26. That Interest-Money be forgiven from 1641. 27. That all this be acted and be of force till a Parliament agree the same 28. The Commissioners for the Catholicks that treated agree upon such as shall be Commissioners of the Peace and hear all Causes under 10 l. 29. That all Governours of Towns Castles and Places made by the King be with the Approbation of the Catholick Commissioners 30. That none of his Majesty's Rents be paid until a full Settlement in Parliament 31. That the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer do try Murthers Stealing and all inferiour Trespasses of that nature 32. That hereafter such Differencies as shall arise between Subjects be determin'd by a Court in Ireland not transfer'd to England 33. That the Roman Clergy that behave themselves according to the Agreement be not molested Lastly That his Majesty please to grant what-ever else is necessary for the Roman Catholicks Upon which Peace the Marquess of Ormond the Lord Taaff and that Party engag'd to raise for Munster 4000 Foot and 800 Horse the supream Council and Preston for Leimster 4000 Foot and 800 Horse Inchiquin 3000 Foot and 600 Horse the Lord of Clanrickard for Connaght proportionable to the first In all 15000 Foot and 3000 Horse besides what Owen Roe upon his uniting afterwards might bring in computed to be 5000 Foot and 500 Horse that in the whole a gallanter Army had they been unanimous could scarce have been marshall'd With what Consent and Unity soever this Peace was made by those who had any pretence to Trust or to whom there was the least Deputation of Authority and Power by the Nation yet Owen O Neal with whom the Earl of Antrim joyn'd had the greatest Influence upon the Humours and Inclinations of the old Irish who had given themselves up to the Nuncio and who indeed had a better disciplin'd and consequently a stronger Army at his Command than the Confederates thought he could have gain'd to his Devotion still refused to submit to it So that the Lord Lieutenant as soon as the Peace was concluded was as well to provide against him to remove some Garrisons he held which infested those who obeyed the Acts of the Assembly and to prevent his Incursion as to raise an Army against the Spring to march against the English who were possessed of Dublin and all the Countrey and important Places of that Circuit and who he was sure would be supplied with all assistance of Shipping Men Money Victuals and Ammunition which the Parliament of England who had now murthered their Sovereign and incorporated themselves under the Name and Title of a Common-wealth could send them And he was in a worse condition to prevail against both these by the unhappy Temper and Constitution of the Scots in Ulster who being very numerous and possessed of the strong Towns though in profession they abhorred the Regicides and were not reconcilable to Owen O Neal and his Party were as yet as un-inclined to the Peace made with the Confederates and far from paying an obedience and full submission to the Orders and Government of the Lord Lieutenant maintaining at the same time the Presbyterian Form in their Church and an utter Independency in the State and out of those contradictory Ingredients compounding such a peevish and wayward Affection and Duty to the King as could not be applied to the bearing any part in the great Work the Marquess was incumbent to As soon as he heard of the Murther of the King he proclaim'd our present Sovereign Charles the 2d King of England Scotland France and Ireland at Carrick the 16th of Feb. 1648. And being by a Clause in his late Commission from his Majesty qualified with special Power and Authority to make no distinction in difference of Judgement betwixt any who should subject their Assistance to his Majesty's Service he soon won the Scots to a compliance though under the shackles of their Covenant who immediately us'd the most favourable Arguments they could to win Sir Charles Coot to their Party And to that end from the Congregation of the Presbytery at Belfast the 15th of Feb. 1648. they tempt him by several Representations with their Sence To which the 7th of March ensuing Sir Charles Coot and the Council of War held at London-derry return'd these Reasons for their Dis-agreement First We find no part of God's Word authorizing us being but a Branch of a subordinate Kingdom to declare against the Parliament of England under whom we serve who are the visible Authority of both Kingdoms and against an Army acting by their Power before we receive from themselves a Declaration and Grounds of those Proceedings wherewith they are aspers'd Secondly For the Covenant we have taken on which your Representations seem to
thereof engaging the Kings Customs and the tenths of Prizes for payment and by this means which cost him much labour and time he found himself in a condition to draw several Forces together which he did about the beginning of May having made the Lord Inchequin Lieutenant-General of the Army the Earl of Castlehaven Lieutenant-General of the Horse and the Lord Taaff Master of the Ordnance at the General Randezvouz at Cashol whilst the Scots reduc'd Ulster and Connaght and it being thought fit to lose as little time as might be in marching towards Dublin as soon as any considerable number of men were once together he sent the Earl of Castlehaven with some Forces to take in several Garrisons which were possessed by Owen O Neal in the Queen's County which was the way he intended to march and so would have no Enemy in his Rear And the Earl of Castlehaven accordingly took the Fort of Maryborrough and other Places in that County and Athy and Reban in the County of Kildare whereby their passage was open for the further March Having thus began the Campania the Lord Lieutenant appointed a General Randezvouz for the whole Army at Cloghgrenan alias Glaughgrenan an house of his upon the River Barrow near the Castle of Caterlaugh where he made a Conjunction of all the Forces Protestant and Irish Who by the Wisdom and Temper of the Principal Officers mingled well enough and together about the end of May made a Body as it's generally reported of 3700 Horse and 14500 Foot with a Train of Artillery consisting of four Pieces of Cannon But when they were thus met all the Money which could be rais'd by the Commissioners or which had been rais'd by the Corporate Towns was so near spent in drawing the Forces out of their Quarters and in those short Expeditions into the Queen's County and County of Kildare that they could not have advanced in their March if the Lord Lieutenant had not upon his own Private Credit borrowed 800 l. of Sir James Preston by means whereof he gave the Common Souldiers four days Pay and so about the beginning of June marched from Cloghgrenan and the same Evening appear'd before Talbots Town a strong Garrison of the Enemies which together with Castle Talbot two miles distant from the other was within 3 days surrendred to the Marquess upon promise of Quarter which they had and then he march'd to Kildare which Town was likewise surrendred unto him as were Castle Sallogh and Castle Carby at Kildare He was compelled to stay 3 or 4 days both for want of Provision and for a Recruit of 2000 Foot which by the Lord Inchequin's Care and Diligence was then upon their March and being join'd he was in hope by a suddain and speedy Motion to have engaged Jones who at that time viz. 12. of June was march'd from Dublin as far as Johnstown with his Army consisting of 1000 Horse and 3000 Foot and so having encouraged his Souldiers with 3 days Pay which he was likewise compelled to borrow on his Credit out of the Pockets of Persons of Quality attending on him and of the Officers of the Army he passed the River of Lifly and Jones having upon intelligence of his Motion in great disorder rais'd his Camp and retir'd into Dublin after that Major Cadogan by his Command had done notable and severe Service about Tecroghan burning the Countrey not in 5 years before Visited and had beaten a part of the Marquess's Forces though he got not so much by his Victory though considerable as Jones afterwards lost by Treachery the Garrison of Allan being delivered up for 200 l. The Marquess encamped his whole Army at the Naas twelve miles from Dublin that he might maturely deliberate what was next to be undertaken being now the middle of June That which appeared worthy of debate was whether the Army should first make an Attempt upon Dublin in which it was believ'd there were very many both Officers and Souldiers and other Persons of Quality well affected to the Kings service and who had formerly served under the Marquess and esteem'd him accordingly who might make that work more easy Or whether the Army should be first imployed in the taking in of Trim Tredagh and other out-Garrisons from whence the City receiv'd much Provisions of all kinds and from whence Provisions to the Army would be cut off and much other prejudice might arise But upon full consideration the Council of War which consisted of the General Officers inclined to the former concluding that if they could take Dublin all other places would quickly fall into their hands and if they should delay it and waste their Provisions in those lesser Attempts there might probably arrive out of England such supplies of Men Money and other necessaries to Jones which were daily expected as might render that important work almost impossible Hereupon the Lord Lieutenant marched the very next morning toward Dublin and that afternoon re-passed the whole over the River of Liffy by the Bridge of Lucan and encamped near that place to rest his men a few hours He marched very early in the morning being the 19th of June and appear'd by nine of the Clock at a place called Castleknock in view of the City and hearing that Jones had drawn out all his Horse into the Green not far from the Walls he sent a Party of Horse and Musketiers to face them while he drew his whole Body within less then Cannon-shot of their Gates hoping thereby to give some countenance to those in the Town to raise some Commotion therein and having spent some part of the day in this posture and expectation after some slight skirmishes between the Horse writes one others say considerable where the Earl of Clanrickards Regiment of Horse was sorely beaten though they ralli'd twice He found it necessary to draw off and encamped that night at a place two miles from the Town called Finglas whither great multitudes of Roman Catholicks whereof most were aged Men Women and Children whom Jones had turned out of the City repair'd to him whom he sent with all due Order for their Reception into Quarters adjacent The Marquess was no sooner in his Quarters then he receiv'd sure intelligence that Jones had sent his Horse to Tredagh from whence they would have been able to have distressed his Army several ways and to have interrupted Provision which came out of the Countrey out of the Magazines which were at least 30 miles distant And several Officers were of opinion upon the view they had taken that day of the Enemy and the countenance they had observed of their own men that they were not presently provided for a formal Siege and as ill to attack the Town by a brisk attempt and therefore he resolv'd to remain encamp'd at that place for some time whereby he might take the advantage of any opportunity that within the Town would administer unto him and presently sent the Lord Inchequin
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
that it proceeded not from the Spirit that was included and confined within the Walls but that it was the same that was generally working in other places He was well enough satisfied that they who were most passionately possessed with it had no correspondence with the Parliament nor had a mind to be subjected to their Power he was willing therefore to believe that they had fancied and imagined to themselves some expedient for their own preservation which could not fall within his comprehension and that they might have contracted a prejudice to his Person or to his Religion which might keep them from such an union and confidence as they might be reduc'd unto under some Catholick who might be as zealous to preserve his Majesties Interest and recover the Kingdom to his obedience and he was the more confirmed in this his apprehension by revolving the several passages which had hapned at his being at Limerick during the time that they seem'd to pay him all respect when the Lord Inchiquin had been then with him towards whom they had observed the Marquis had a great confidence and friendship as he well deserved at which time some principal Persons of the City and with them some of the Bishops had under a shew of great confidence and trust repaired to the Lord. Lieutenant and declared unto him That all that indisposition and waywardness of the People proceeded from the prejudice they had against the Lord Inchequin who had always they said prosecuted the War against them with the most rigour and animosity and the Places and Persons which had been most at his devotion having treacherously revolted to the Parliament the People were not confident of him and jealous that the Marquis had too great a confidence in him so that if he would dismiss that Lord and discharge the Troops that yet remained under his Command of which some frequently ran away to the Parliament not onely that City but the whole Nation would as one man be at his disposal While these insinuations were thus proposed to the Lord Lieutenant other Persons and those as leading men with an equal number of Bishops applied themselves to the Lord Inchequin and told him That whilst the affairs were conducted by the Marquis of Ormond they expected no good fortune that they looked upon him as not of their Nation and one so solicitous for the English Interest and all English-men that he was nothing regardful of them and theirs But that his Lordship was of the most antient Extraction of Ireland and under that notion look'd upon with great affection and reverence by the Irish and if the Government and Command were exercis'd by him there would be such an Obedience paid to him that he would in short time grow strong enough to oppose the Enemy and recover his Countrey When these two Lords had communicated each to other as they quickly did the excellent Addresses which had been made to them and agreed together how to draw on and encourage the Proposers that they might discover as much of their purposes as was possible they easily found their design was to be rid of them both And when they perceived by the continuance of the same Friendship that they had communicated with each other they less dissembled towards both but proceeded with those disrespects which are mention'd before The Marquis having sadly considered all this and that nothing might remain unattempted by him that he could possibly imagine might tend in any degree to the recovery or preservation of the Kingdom he appointed another meeting to be at Loghreogh the 25th of April and summon'd thither all the Catholick Bishops as many of the Nobility as could with any security come thither the chief Gentlemen of Quality of the Parts adjacent and several Officers of the Army where being met together he gave them in the first place an Answer in writing to a Paper he had received from the Archbishop of Tuam the first of April intituled The Grievances presented by the Congregation of Prelates assembled propria motu at Cloanmacnoise in which he made it evident how much they were mistaken in the matter of Fact and that which was really amiss proceeded from themselves and their not observing the Orders and Rules they were bound by and could not be prevented by him and consented to all the good and practicable ways proposed by themselves for remedying the like for the future He remembred them of the pains he had taken of the Propositions he had made of the Orders he had given and of the Neglects Disobedience and Affronts he had received by which alone the Enemy made that progress in their Successes He shewed them a Letter he had received lately from his Master the King bearing date on the 2d of February from Castle Elizabeth in the Isle of Jersey in answer to one writ from Kilkenny in December in which his Majesty signified his gracious pleasure to him That in case of the continuance of that disobedience in the People and contempt of his Authority he should withdraw himself and his Majesties Authority out of that Kingdom Whereupon he told them having received so little effect of all the pains he had taken and so ill returns for all the affection he had shewed to them he was resolved to make use speedily of the liberty the King had given him as to his own Person which he found was rendred so unacceptable to the People yet if they could propose to him any way how he might deposite the Kings Authority in such manner as it might not be exposed to the same affronts it had received in him and might be applied to the preservation of the People and recovery of the Nation he would gladly gratifie them and would heartily wish that they might receive that happiness by his absence which they could not receive in his presence and to that purpose desired them to consult seriously and maturely among themselves Upon this all the Bishops Nobility and Commissioners of Trust with the principal Gentlemen expressed very much trouble at the resolution the Marquis had taken and on the last day of April from Loghreogh 1650 made an Address to him in writing under their several hands in which amongst other things they told him That they conceiv'd themselves in duty bound for his better information of the inclination of that Nation humbly to present to him That however his Excellency might not have met with a ready concurrence to some Proposals made for the advancing his Majesties Service occasion'd through some misunderstanding in some few Persons and Places yet the Country generally and the Nation in it as they had already by expending their Substance in an extraordinary measure and their Lives upon all occasions abundantly testifi'd their sincere and irremovable affections to preserve his Majesties Rights and Interests intire to him so they would for the future and with like cheerfulness endeavour to overcome all difficulties which the Enemies
Chamber and about nine of the Clock Mr. Moore and Captain Fox came to me and told me all was discovered and that the City was in Arms and the Gates were shut up and so departed from me And what became of them and of the rest I know not nor think that they escaped but how and at what time I do not know because I my self vvas taken that Morning APPENDIX III. Fol. 30. By the Lords Justices and Council W. Parsons Jo. Borlase WHereas We the Lords Justices and Council have lately found that there waas a most disloyal wicked and detestable Conspiracy intended and plotted against the Lives of Us the Lords Justices and Council and many others of his Majesties faithful Subjects especially in Ulster and the borders thereof and for the surprizing not only of his Majesties Castle of Dublin his Majesties principal Fort but also of other Fortifications in several parts and although by the great goodness and abundant mercy of Almighty God to his Majesty and to this State and Kingdom these wicked conspiracies are brought to light and some of the Conspiracies committed to the Castle of Dublin by Us by his Majesty's Authority so as those wicked and damnable plots have not taken effect in the chief parts thereof yet some of those wicked Malefactors have surprised some of his Majesty's Forts and Garrisons in the North of Ireland slain divers of his Majesty's good Subjects imprisoned some and robbed and spoiled very many others and continue yet in those Rebellious courses against whom therefore some of his Majesty's Forces are now marching to fight against them and subdue them thereby to render safety to his Majesty's faithful Subjects And whereas to colour and countenance those their wicked Intendments and Acts and in hope to gain the more numbers and reputation to themselves and their proceedings in the opinion of the ignorant common people those Conspirators have yet gone further and to their other high Crimes and Offences have added this further wickedness even to traduce the Crown and State as well of England as Ireland by false seditious and scandalous reports and rumors spread abroad by them We therefore to vindicate the Crown and State of both Kingdoms from those false and wicked calumnies do hereby in his Majesty's name publish and declare that the said reports so spread abroad by those wicked persons are most false wicked and triterous and that We have full Power and Authority from his Majesty to prosecute and subdue those Rebels and Traytors which now We are doing accordingly by the Power and Strength of his Majesty's Army and with the Assistance of his Majesty's good and Loyal Subjects and We no way doubt but all his Majesty's good and faithful Subjects will give Faith and Credit to Us who have the Honour to be trusted by his Majesty so highly as to serve Him in the Government of this his Kingdom rather then to the vain idle and wicked Reports of such lewd and wicked Conspirators who spread those false and seditious Rumors hoping to seduce a great number to their party And as We now believe that some who have joyned themselves with those Conspirators had no hand in contriving or plotting the mischiefs intended but under pretence of those seditious Scandals were deluded by those Conspirators and so are now become ignorantly involved in their guilts so in favour and mercy to those so deluded We hereby charge and command them in his Majesty's name now from Us to take light to guide them from that darkness into which they were misled by the wicked seducement of those Conspirators and to depart from them and from their wicked Counsels and Actions and according to the duty of Loyal Subjects to submit themselves to his Sacred Majesty and to his Royal Authority intrusted with Us. But in case those persons which were no Plotters nor Contrivers of the said Treason but were since seduced to joyn with them as aforesaid lay not hold of this his Majesty's Grace and Favour now tendred unto them then We do by this Proclamation Publish and Declare that they shall hereafter be reputed and taken equally guilty with the said Plotters and Contrivers and as uncapable of Favour and Mercy as they are Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin the 30. of October 1641. La. Dublin R. Ranelagh Ant. Midensis John Rophoe R. Dillon J. Temple P. Crosbie Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith APPENDIX IV. Fol. 32. By the Lords Justices and Councel A Proclamation for the discovery and present removal of all such as do or shall continue in the City of Dublin or places adjacent Without just or necessary cause W. Parsons Jo. Borlace VVHereas through the great concourse of people to this City of Dublin the Countrey is deprived of Defence and left open to the rapine and depredation of the Rebels now in Arms in this Kingdom the poor of those parts are destitute of Succour and Relief and divers other inconveniences do and may thence arise unless some timely remedy be applied thereunto VVherefore We do hereby in his Majesties name and under the pains and punishments hereafter mentioned command That all and every person and persons whatsoever not having necessary cause of residing in this City of Dublin and the Suburbs thereof and the places within two miles about the same aswell within Liberties as without to be approved of by our very good Lord James Earl of Ormond and Ossory who is appointed Lieutenant General of His Majesties Army in this Kingdom and the Councel of War here for the time being or by such other persons as shall be by them appointed for examination thereof do within four and twenty hours after publication hereof repair to their respective homes and dwellings And also that no person or persons of what quality or condition soever do keep with him or them any more or other then his or their own domestick servants And that this Proclamation and the service hereby intended be not in any wise eluded or evaded VVe do hereby in His Majesties name and under the pains and punishments hereafter mentioned charge and command That all and singular the Citizens Inhabitants and Residents of and within this City of Dublin the Suburbs thereof and all places within two miles about the same do within four and twenty hours after publication hereof return under their hands unto the next Alderman of the Ward or Seneschall or other chief Officer of Liberty respectively the names sirnames qualitie and condition of all persons now lodged and remaining in their houses and also that they and every of them for the future until Declaration be made to the contrary do within two hours after the receipt or entertainment into his or their house or houses of any stranger or strangers not being of his or their familie or families return under his and their hand and hands unto the next Alderman of the Ward Seneschall or other chief Officer as aforesaid the names sirnames quality and condition of all and
Cessation of Arms for one whole year with the Roman Catholicks of Ireland printed at Oxford 19. Octob. 1643. And let all your good Subjects be assured that as we have for these reasons and with caution and deliberation consented to the Proposition to peace and to that purpose do continue do continue our Parliament there so we shall proceed in the accomplishing thereof with that care and circumspection that we shall not admit even peace it self otherways than it may be agreeable to Conscience Honour and Justice VVe also humbly desire that such Laws as Your Majesty shall think fit to pass may be transmitted according to Poynings Law and other Laws of explanation thereof or of addition thereunto now in force with great contentment and security to Your Majesties Protestant Subjects but if the present Parliament be dissolved we humbly represent unto Your Majesty that so many of your ablest and best Protestant Subjects have been murthered or banished by this Rebellion the few or no Protestant free-holders will be found in the Countreys Cities or Burroughs to elect and chuse Knights Citizens or Burgesses which will be most dangerous to your Majesties Rights and Prerogatives and good Subjects and may beget great disputes in after-times for the repealings of Poynings Acts notwithstanding their feigned expressions of their loyaltie yet it plainly appeareth they do not repose such trust in your Majesties Justice as becomes loyal Subjects to do and such they pretend themselves to be for that they seek thereby to prevent Your Majesty and your Councel of England and Ireland of so full a view and time of mature consideration to be had of Acts of Parliament of Ireland before they pass as in prudence is requisite and hath been found necessary by the experience of well near 200 years and if their Intentions were so clear as they profess we know not why they should avoid the strictest view and tryal of Your Majesty and your Councels of both Kingdoms this their desire tending to introduce a grand diminution to the Royal and necessary Power for the conservation of Your Regal State and protection of your good Protestant Subjects there and elsewhere and what special use they aim at in seeking such a repeal Your Protestant Subjects as they know not the particular so can they conjecture of none unless the said Confederates have some design by way of surprize to obtrude upon Your Majesty in their new desired Parliament some Acts of justification of their ill-done actions and for condemning such of your Protestant Subjects as have in their several degrees most faithfully served Your Majesty there which we the rather believe seeing they have vowed by their Oath of Association and the Bull lately published in Ireland since the Cessation the destruction of the Protestants there when they have the Sword in their hands to put the same in Execution 3. Pro. That all Acts and Ordinances made and passed in the now pretended Parliament in that Kingdom since the 7th day of August 1641. be clearly annull'd and declared void and taken off the File Answ. VVe humbly desire that they may particularize those Orders and Ordinances which may prejudice Your Majesties service for we are well assured that the Parliament now sitting in Ireland on signification of Your Majesties pleasure therein will give Your Majesty full satisfaction or repeal any unjust Orders or Ordinances whatsoever which may be prejudicial to Your Majesty and there may be some Orders or Ordinances which may concern particular persons in their Lives Liberties or Fortunes that may suffer unheard by the admitting of so general a Proposition which is meerly propos'd as we humbly conceive to put a scorn upon Your Majesties Parliament now sitting there and to discourage your Protestant Subjects who have faithfully served Your Majesty in that Parliament 4. Pro. That all Indictments Attainders Out-lawers in the Kings Bench or elsewhere since the said 7th day of August 1641. and all Letters Patents Grants Leases Custodiums Bonds Recognizances and all other Records Act or Acts depending thereon or in prejudice of the said Catholicks or any of them be taken off the File annulled and declared void first by Your Majesties Proclamation and after by Act to be passed in the said free Parliament Answ. This we conceive to be a very bold Proposition not warranted as we also conceive by any Example and tending to introduce an ill president in after-times for that was never seen that the Records were taken off the File but where there was some corruption or fraud or some illegal or unjust carriage used or concerning the procuring or making up of such Records and the same first we 'll prove upon due Examination and that may not only conceal but in some sort seem to justifie their abominable Treasons Murthers Cruelties Massacres and Plunders acted against your Majesties Person Crown and Dignity upon the persons of your Majesties most loyal Protestant Subjects in that Kingdom and encourage the Papists to do the like again besides the discouragement it may beget in your Majesties Officers Subjects to do their duties in the like insurrections which may happen hereafter which also may prove very prejudicial to Your Majesties Rights and Revenues if the Records to support the Forfeitures wherein many of them are or may be grounded should be taken off the File and cancelled 5. Pro. That inasmuch as under colour of such Out-lawers and Attainders Debts due unto the said Catholicks have been granted levied and disposed of and of the other side that Debts due upon the said Catholicks to those of the adverse party have been levied and disposed of to publick use that therefore all Debts be by Act of Parliament mutually released or all to stand in statu quo notwithstanding any Grant or dispossession Answ. VVe humbly conceive that in time of peace and most setled Government when the course of Law and Justice is most open and best observed that Debts due unto the Crown actually levied and paid in to Your Majesties use ought not to be restored though the Records of the Forfeitures should be legally reversed which is far from the present case and this Proposition tendeth to cross that just Right of Your Majesty and to make the disposition by the Confederate Papists Rebels of Debts due to Protestants and by the said Rebels by fraud and force levied and disposed in maintenance of their Rebellion which cunningly they call by the name of Publick use to be in equal degree to the Debts owing by the Rebels and by them all forfeited and many of them by Law duly levied which is a most unequal and unjust thing and the said Proposition cannot nor doth make offer to have the Pope's Confederates cut off from the Debts due to them which they have justly forfeited but only for a colour of consideration to have the Protestants lose such Debts justly due to them as have been unjustly taken from them who have done no act at all to forfeit
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
Lieutenant that it might be possess'd and sufficiently fortifi'd in one night It is no wonder that in an Army thus constituted and composed the Marquis thought not fit by his Authority to restrain it from pursuing an Enterprise of so much Gallantry and which had so much possibility of success and indeed he still retain'd some hope of advantage by the affection of that City and that even in these last Supplies that were sent over there were many that laid hold of that opportunity to transport themselves for the advancement of the Kings service and with purpose quickly to change their Masters so that he was contented to recede from his former resolution and on the first of August at night sent a strong Party viz. 1500 Foot under Major General Purcel to possess themselves of Baggatrath with Engineers and such other Materials as were necessary to fortifie it and because he concluded that the Enemy would immediately discover what they were doing and would use their utmost endeavours to prevent the execution of a Design which would bring such irreparable damage to them he gave strict order for drawing the whole Army in Battalia and commanded that they should stand in Arms all that night himself continuing in the Field on Horsback till morning as soon as it was day he went to visit the Place that was to be fortifi'd which he found not in that condition he expected the Officer excusing himself by having been misguided in the night so that it was very late before he arrived there though it was not an English mile distant from the Camp wherewith the Marquis being unsatisfi'd displac'd the Officer who commanded the Party and put another of good Name and Reputation into the Charge and appointed him to make his men to work hard since it appear'd that in four or five hours it might be so well fortifi'd that they need fear no attempt from the Town and that they might be sure to enjoy so much time he commanded the Army to remain in the same posture they had been all night and about 9 of the Clock seeing no appearance of any Sally from the Town which he had so long expected he went to his Tent to refresh himself with a little rest which he had not obtain'd for the space of an hour when he was awaken'd by an Alarm from the Enemy and putting himself immediately upon his Horse quickly found that his Officers and Lieutenant General Preston had not been so punctual in their Duty as they ought to have been but had quitted their Posts out of an unhappy confidence that the Besieged would not adventure at that time of the day to make any Sally as soon as the Marquis went to repose himself so that a strong Party out of the Town about 10 of the clock in the morning the 2d of August 1649. march'd directly to Baggatrath and with less opposition than ought to have been made beat roated and dispers'd the Party that possess'd it who finding their Horse not so ready to assist them as they expected quitted the Place with all imaginable confusion which encourag'd Jones's Party who were seconded immediately by the whole Power in Dublin to advance further towards the Army which they discern'd to be in high disorder than at their coming out they intended The Lord Lieutenant used all means to put the Horse in order sending the Lord Taaff to command the Foot But Sir William Vaughan Commissary General of the Horse being in the first Charge killed they who followed him were immediately routed notwithstanding that the Forces from Dublin march'd onely in single Troops and Companies having not time to draw together in Battalia whereupon so great a consternation seiz'd upon the spirits of all the rest that the Marquis could prevail with none to stand with him but the Regiments of his Brother Colonel Butler and Colonel Grady some write Miles Reylye with which he charged the Enemy wherein Colonel Grady being slain and his Brother sore wounded and taken Prisoner that Body was entirely broken and from that time it was not in his power by all the means he could use to rally any Party of Horse and to make them so much as stand by him so that when he was environ'd by the Enemy attended with very few of his own Servants and two or three Gentlemen he was forced to make his way through them and to quit the Field when a small Body of Foot under Colonel Gifford which still kept the ground and valiantly defended themselves finding that they were deserted by their Horse were compelled to surrender their Arms to Jones the Lord Taaff making his own way so prosperously that he got to the North-side where he found that Body composed of the Lord Dillons Sir Thomas Armstrongs the Lord Moores and Lieutenant Colonel Purdons Regiments of Horse Colonel Warrens Colonel Walles and Colonel Mich. Byrns Regiments of Foot which had been left at Finglass in Arms and which had not seen the Enemy that day upon which the Lord Taaff us'd all possible endeavours to perswade them to attempt a Recovery of what was lost which in so great disorder of the Enemy which such success usually produceth was not reasonably to be despaired of But the apprehension jealousies fright and terrour was so universal that he could not incline them to it nor to do more than and that in great confusion to provide for their own security Whilst the Marquis directed his Letters to them ordering therein the one half of them to go to Tredath and the other half to Trym for the security of those Places whilst himself went to Kilkenny to rally what he could of the Army and to raise what new Forces he should be able This was the unhappy and indeed fatal Defeat at Rathmines by the Bishops at Jamestown 1650 thought so improvident and unfortunate as nothing happen'd in Christianity more shameful Yet in his Excellencies Letter from Kilcolgan the 2d of December 1650. to the Assembly at Loghreogh so Answer'd as hitherto no Reply hath been attempted The news of which and the consequences thereof was receiv'd and proclaim'd writes Walsh fol. 583. with much gladness and excess of ioy in Rome as that which made for the Nuncio's Party It was the first and onely loss that fell upon any Army or Party of which the Marquis had the Name and Title and here he had no more than the name of the Supreme Commander and these the whole Circumstances of it In this Battel were slain on the place and in the Chace about 4000. and 2517 taken Prisoners and two whole Cannon three Demi-cannon one long square Gun carrying a Ball of 12 Pound one Saker-drake one Mortar-piece all these Brass besides 200 Draught-Oxen for the Train and the richest Camp of Commodities an Enemy could well be Master of But not to speak further of the sad misfortune of this great Commander than whom no man was more justly magnified for his Courage confided
in for his Loyalty relyed on for his Wisdom trusted in for his Care to prevent ill Accidents and Dexterity to take advantages he was indeed looked upon as the Restaurator of his Countrey and as the onely Person by whose management of the Irish War the injur'd King was like to arise out of his Fathers ruines to the Glory and Greatness he was born to though upon this Defeat those whose Crimes were no otherwise to be veil'd than by this misfortune cast the miscarriage thereof solely upon him a Fate incident to great Men to be extremely magnifi'd on Success and upon any notable Disaster to be as much depress'd and peradventure neither justly Soon after this Defeat Jones was writ to by his Excellence to have a List of the Prisoners he had taken from him To whom it was repli'd My Lord since I routed your Army I cannot have the happiness to know where you are that I may wait upon you Michael Jones This Defeat at Rathmines alter'd the result of Counsels at Court till then very strong for his Majesties repair into Ireland the Scots having given ill proofs of their Integrity and Faith And certainly the Irish were at that time so disposed as probably they would have submitted to his Majesty what-ever afterwards might have been the result of their compliance And for the Parliament they had at that time so inconsiderable a footing in Ireland possessing not a Garrison in Munster or Connaght and in Ulster none but London-derry and the Fort of Culmore as in Leimster little but Dublin and Ballishannon as his Majesties Presence it was thought would have wrought on some reduced others and brought in All. When the Marquis as we have said before found the Consternation to be so great in his Soldiers as they could not be contain'd from dispersing and had sent Orders to those on Finglass-side to march to Tredagh and Trim for the strengthning of those Garrisons which he believ'd Jones might upon the pride of his late success be inclined to attack whilst himself went to Kilkenny as the fittest Rendezvous to which he might rally his broken and scattered Forces and from whence he might best give Orders and Directions for the making of new Levies And in his March thither the very next day after the Defeat at Rathmines he made an halt with those few Horse he had rallied together and summon'd the strong Fort of Ballishannon which he had before left blocked up by a Party of Horse and Foot and having found means to perswade the Governour to believe that Dublin had been surrendred and that his Army was returning he got that important Place into his hands without which Stratagem Jones would have pursued his Conquest even to Kilkenny it self which he had found in a very ill condition to defend it self For in a whole weeks time after the Marquis's coming to Kilkenny he could draw together but 300 Horse with which he found it necessary that day sevennight after the Defeat to march in Person to the relief of Tredath which was besieged by Jones and defended by the Lord Moor but upon the approach of the Marquis no nearer than Trim the Siege was rais'd and Jones return'd to Dublin and his Lordship entred Tredath whether he resolved to draw his Army as soon as might be and issued out his Orders accordingly hoping in short-time if no other misfortune intervened to get a Body of Men together able to restrain those of Dublin from making any great advantage of their late Victory But he had been there very few days when he received sure advertisement that Cromwel himself was landed with a great Army of Horse and Foot and with vast Supplies of all kinds at Dublin where he arriv'd within less than a fortnight viz. on or about the 15th of August after the unfortunate Defeat at Rathmines The Scene being now alter'd and the War the Lord Lieutenant was to make could be onely Defensive until the Parliamentarians should meet with a Check in some Enterprise and his own Men by Rest Discipline and Exercise of their Arms might again recover their Spirits and forget the fears they had contracted of the Enemy He in the first place therefore took care to repair the Works and Fortifications of Tredath as well as in so short a time could be done and got as much Provision into the Town as was possible and then with a full approbation of all the Commissioners he made choice of Sir Arthur Aston a Roman Catholick and a Soldier of very great Experience and Reputation one at Reading and Oxford formerly confided in by his Majesty a Gentleman of an Ancient and yet flourishing Family in Cheshire to be Governour thereof and put a Garrison into it of 2000 Foot and a good Regiment of Horse all choice Men and good Soldiers with very many Gentlemen and Officers of good Name and Account and supplied it with Ammunition and all other Provisions as well as the Governour himself desired and having done so he marched with his Horse and small remainder of Foot to Trim from whence he had sent to the Lord Inchiquin to bring up as many Men to Tecroghan the Rendezvous as he could out of Munster now the apprehension of Cromwel's Landing there was over and endeavour'd from all parts to recruit his Army hoping that before the Parliamentarians could be able to reduce any of his Garrisons he might be empowered to take the Field The 24th of August 1649. the Commons assembled in Parliament set forth a Declaration declaring all Persons who had served the Parliament of England in Ireland and had betrayed their Trust or adhered to or aided and assisted his late Majesty or his Son to be Traitors and Rebels and accordingly to be proceeded against by a Court-Marshal whereby some were Sentenc'd others sent into England some Imprison'd there and many disbanded though they had serv'd against the Rebels from the first Discovery Upon Friday the 30th of August Cromwel marched out of Dublin having setled the Affairs of that City Civil and Military instituting Sir Theophilus Jones Governour in his absence with an Army of 9 or 10000 Men chosen out of the General Muster where appear'd a compleat Body of 15000 Horse and Foot came before Tredath Monday the 2d of September of which the Marquess of Ormond was no sooner advertiz'd than he came to Trim to watch all opportunities to infest the Enemies Quarters and having full confidence in the Town and in the Experience of Sir Arthur Aston who had sent him several Advices to precipitate nothing for that he doubted not to find Cromwel play a while the goodness and number of the Garrison being such that Cromwel would not be able to get the Town by any Assault But here again he found his expectations disappointed for the Enemy resolv'd not to lose their time in a Siege and therefore as soon as they had sent their Summons the 9th of September and it was rejected