a due obedience Yet after all having attended his Majesty at York and other Places as the Court mov'd for his Dispatch he came in Novem. to Chester in expectation of an easie remove thence into Ireland but falling indispos'd at Chester was commanded back to Oxford about the beginning of Ian. 1642. so as in conclusion he ever going never went His stay was at first resented by the King then the Parliament to evidence the truth he writes a Letter from York to the Earl of Northumberland which by Order of Parliament the 26th of Septemb. 1642. was printed wherein he writes That he besought his Majesty that he might not be staid at Court for that the Affairs of Ireland requir'd his speedy repair thither or at least that some Governour if he were not thought worthy of it should be presently sent into that Kingdom And upon the 21 of Septemb. he appear'd in Parliament informing the Houses That he could never since his first going to his Majesty get his Commission Seal'd till the 18th of Septemb. referring himself to the pleasure of the Houses whether they would dispatch him for Ireland or no. Whereupon the 1st of October following his Case was again debated and it was Voted for the future That the said Earl should not put in execution any Instructions from his Majesty concerning the Affairs in Ireland until such time as they should be made known and approved by them After which many things in his Instructions were debated and it being mov'd the 4th of Novemb. in a Conference of the Houses that he was ready to set forward for that Service he had his Dismiss So as I have said he came to Chester and was remanded back to Oxford the important Affairs of Ireland being in another Channel than as yet they appear'd visibly to run in Though it was a good while after before he had his discharge from that Employment being kept in suspence till others had perfected their Design by which there accrued to him a great Arrear somewhat consider'd in the Act of Settlement though short of what he was prejudic'd thereby Upon the Earl of Straffords quitting Ireland Christopher Wendesford Esq Master of the Rolls the 3d. of April 1640. was sworn Lord Deputy He managed the Government with much Policy advantage to his Majesty and faithfulness to his intimate Friend and Ally the Earl of Strafford adjourning the Parliament in November following somewhat to the dis-satisfaction of the Members who before their Dissolution made shift to form a Remonstrance against the Earl of Strafford which he would have prevented to have been sent for England could he as he endeavour'd have staid the Committee of the Parliament in Ireland from going over the greatest part of which were Papists which the Irish took as a good Omen But he being not able to hinder them they finding conveniences from every Port grew thereupon much discontented and having quick intelligence how affairs were carried against the Earl of Strafford He died the 3d. of December following betwixt whom even from their Youth there had been an especial intimacy nor did it afterwards grow cooler but more strengthned in Judgment After his decease Robert Lord Dillon of Kilkenny-West and Sir William Parsons Knight and Baronet Master of the Court of Wards Decemb. 30. were sworn Lords Justices But it was not long before the Committee of Ireland then at Court so prevail'd as that his Majesty displac'd the Lord Dillon a Person of notable Parts and one by his Son's Marriage with the Earl of Strafford's Sister passionately concern'd in the Earl's Case Yet lest the Execution of his Majesties Graces to his Subjects of Ireland obtain'd by their late Committee's sollicitation should be deferr'd till those who were design'd to succeed the Lord Dillon were in Office his Majesty was pleas'd to direct a Letter dated the 4th of Ianuary in the 16th year of his Reign to his Privy Council of Ireland and Sir William Parsons and Sir Iohn Borlase then design'd Justices to grant amongst other things that his Subsidies there should be reduced to a lesser rate than formerly and that all Letters directed to the Lord Deputy Justices Chief Governour or Governours or to any other Officers or Ministers of that Realm either concerning the publick Affairs or private Interests of any Subject there might be entred into his Signet-Office in England to the end that they might be upon occasion found to take Copies of for the Subjects better information in such publick things as may concern them as also that all Dispatches from Ireland should safely be kept apart that like recourse may be had to them for the better satisfaction of the Subject who shall be concern'd therein And whereas in the former Governour 's time there were endeavours to hinder some Agents of Parliament to have recourse into England his Majesty taking notice That for asmuch as the Committee of the Parliament of Ireland John Bellew Esq and Oliver Cassel with others employ'd thence have repair'd into his Kingdom of England to represent their Grievances He hath manifested his gracious condescensions to them admitting them into his Royal Presence forbidding his Counsellors in Ireland or any other Officers or Ministers of that State to proceed any ways against them or any of them for the same And that his Subjects shall have Copies of Records Certificates Orders of Council Publick Letters or other Entries for the Declaration of their Grievances made In grateful acknowledgment of which the Parliament then sitting the 10th of Febr. 1640. order'd That the said Letter should be forthwith Entr'd amongst the Ordinances and Records of that House So that if there had not been a general defection long anvil'd in the minds of that People the event of so unnatural and horrid a Rebellion as few months after happen'd could not have been the issue of such remarkable Condescensions The 10th of Febr. 1640. his Majesty instituted Sir William Parsons Master of the Court of Wards before mention'd long experienc'd in the Affairs of Ireland and Sir Iohn Borlase Knight Master of the Ordnance Lords Justices One well known to his Majesty by the Eminency of his Imployments abroad and the opinion He had of his integrity and skill in Military Affairs the Discipline of the Army having been ever under his Charge since his arrival there These writes an Honourable Person appli'd themselves with all manner of gentle Lenitives to mollifie the sharp humours rais'd by the rigid passages of the former Government They declar'd themselves against all such proceedings as they found any way varying from the Common Law They gave all due encouragement to the Parliament then sitting endeavouring the reasonable ease and contentment of the People freely assenting to all such Acts as really tended to the Legal Reformation They betook themselves wholly to the advice of the Council and caus'd all matters as well of the Crown as Popular Interests to be handled in his Majesties Courts of Justice no ways admitting
he this Examinant leaped over a Wall and two Pales and so came to the Lord Justice Parsons Octob. 22. 1641. William Parsons Thomas Rotheram Robert Meredith Owen O Conally How it came to pass that the other Lord Justice attested not the Examination it being took in his house he present hath begot some doubts evidencing how since Counsels severed into Cabals In the interim whilst Owen O Conally was examining Mac-Mahon walking in Chichester-hall drew with Chalk several Postures some on Gibbets others groveling on the ground intimating how his fancy run on what was then acting So little did he dread the event The night being thus pass'd over the Lords Justices remov'd themselves for their better security into the Castle where the body of the Council attended them and having secur'd the Lord Mac-Guire taken after several removes in an obscure Cock-loft in Cook-street they joyn'd in this Proclamation By the Lords Justices and Council W. Parsons John Borlase THese are to make known and publish to all his Majesties good Subjects in this Kingdom of Ireland That there is a discovery made by us the Lords Justices and Council of a most disloyal and detestable Conspiracy intended by some evil-affected Irish Papists against the Lives of us the Lords Justices and Council and many other of his Majesty's faithful Subjects universally throughout this Kingdom and for the seizing not onely of his Majesty's Castle of Dublin his Majesties principal Fort here but also of all the other Fortifications in the Kingdom And seeing by the great goodness and abundant mercy of Almighty God to his Majesty and this State and Kingdom those wicked Conspiracies are brought to light and some of the Conspirators committed to the Castle of Dublin by us by his Majesties Authority so as those wicked and damnable Plots are now disappointed in the chief Parts thereof We therefore have thought fit hereby not onely to make it publickly known for the comfort of his Majesties good and loyal Subjects in all parts of the Kingdom but also hereby to require them That they do with all confidence and chearfulness betake themselves to their own defence and stand upon their Guard so to render the more safety to themselves and all the Kingdom besides and that they advertise us with all possible speed of all Occurrents which may concern the peace and safety of the Kingdom and now to shew fully that Loyalty and Faith which they had always shown for the publick Services of the Crown and Kingdom which we will value to his Majesty accordingly and a special memory thereof will be retain'd for their advantage in due time and we require that great care be taken that no Levies of Men be made for Foreign Service nor any Men suffer'd to March upon any pretence Given at his Majesty's Castle at Dublin 23. October 1641. R. Dillon Ro. Digby Ad. Loftus J. Temple Tho. Rotheram Franc. Willoughby Ja. Ware Ro. Meredith Which being immediately printed was dispersed to as many Places as they could convey it to Against which some of the Lords of the Pale though at first they had offer'd their service at the Council-board with great protestations and affections to his Majesty few days after appear'd with a Petition to their Lordships wherein they utter'd the deep sense they had of an expression in that Proclamation as if by the words Irish Papists there being no distinction they might doubt themselves involv'd Upon which the Lords Justices and Council being tender lest they in whose fidelity from the example of their Ancestors their Lordships then rested confident should take umbrage at any of their expressions condescended by their Printed Declaration dated the 29th of the same October to publish and proclaim That by the words Irish Papists they intended onely such of the old meer Irish in the Province of Ulster as had plotted contriv'd and been actors in that Treason and others that adhered to them and none of the old English of the Pale and other Parts enjoyning all his Majesty's Subjects whether Protestants or Papists to forbear upbraiding matter of Religion So that this Cavil being remov'd the Lords Justices and Councel with all imaginable amity and confidence animated the Lords of the Pale and their adherents to joyn with them as one Body for the suppression of the present Rebellion and the maintenance of his Majesty's just Right and Prerogative To which end they parted with 1700 Arms and proportionable Ammunition as well to the Roman Catholicks as Protestant Subjects for the defence of their Houses in several parts As to the Lord of Gormanston there were delivered Arms for 500 Men for the County of Meath there were also delivered Arms for 300. for the County of Kildare Arms for 300. for the County of Lowth Arms for 300. for the County of West-Meath Arms for 300. for the County of Dublin and about the same time there were sent down 400 Muskets to the Lords of the Ardes and Clandeboys for the Arming of the Scots in the County of Downe also the State furnish'd Wexford Waterford Trim and Dundalk with Arms and licence to import Arms and Powder a condescension never indulg'd without great confidence and favour that nothing should be wanting to testifie their confidence of all but such as were in actual Rebellion And now having heard Mac-Mahon's and Conally's Examinations and the proceedings thereupon it will be time to give you the Lord Mac-Guire's though at first when he was brought before the Councel Board nothing could be wrung from him till the 26th of March 1642. that his Examination was taken before Charles Lord Lambert and Sir Robert Meredith Kt. Chancellor of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer by direction of the Lords Justices and Councel in these words Who being examined saith That about the time when Mr. John Bellew came out of England with the Commission for the continuance of the present Parliament Roger Moore in the said Moore 's Chamber in the House of one Peter de Costres of this City acquainted him this Examinant That if the Irish would rise they might make their own Conditions for the regaining of their own Lands and freedom of their Religion At which time the said Moore also acquainted him this Examinant that he had spoken with sundry in Leimster who would be ready for that purpose and withal told him this Examinant that he was assured a good part of Connaght would do the like and thereupon mov'd this Examinant to joyn likewise with them with all he could make unto which motion he this Examinant yielded And the next day following there was a Meeting in his the said Moore 's Chamber aforesaid where were Col. Mac-Bryan Mac-Mahon Tirelagh O Neal Philip Mac-Hugh O Relie this Examinant and Roger Moore where Discourse was had about that Business yet nothing concluded on save that Roger Moore and the rest should go and prepare their Parties And this Examinant further saith That about May last he this Examinant Roger Moore Philip O
high and eminent trust of your Affairs here deposited with us by your Sacred Majesty we may not forbear in discharge of our Duty thus freely and plainly to declare our humble apprehensions to the end your Majesty thus truly understanding the terribleness of our Condition may find out some such means of support to preserve to your Majesty and your Royal Posterity this your ancient and rightful Crown and Kingdom and derive deliverance and safety to the Remnant of your good Subjects yet left here as in your excellent Judgment you shall find to be most to your Honour and Advantage And so praying to the King of Kings to guide and direct you for the best in this high and important Cause and in all other your Councels and Actions we humbly remain From your Majesties Castle at Dublin the 11th of May 1643. Your Majesties most Loyal and most Faithful Subjects and Servants The 12th of May the Lord Taaffe Roch and Fitzwilliams arrived out of England and that morning Major Warren and Sir Francis Butler came to the Council the Lords sitting and presented a Petition to the Lords Justices accusing the Lord Parsons of high Misdemeanors and other Treasonable Matters requesting that his Person and Goods might be secur'd though in conclusion nothing was ever filed against him an Evidence to most that there was more of a Design then Crime in the Accusation And having as before presented you with the Lords Justices Letter to his Majesty we should now give you the Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament the 16th of June 1643. concerning the present lamentable estate and miserable condition of Ireland In answer to what the Lords Justices and Council had faithfully acquainted them withall that it may appear how sensible they were of the information they had receiv'd of the straights and exigencies of the Protestant Forces in Ireland which certainly is very Emphatical resenting with a just aggravation the miserable condition of that Kingdom but being legible in Husbands Collections we shall refer you thither not busing our selves how far it prevail'd Certainly the Exigencies of the Souldiers and State of Ireland were then very considerable in as much as his Majesty not being able by any other expedient to remedy as he was perswaded their complaints then by a Cessation he to that end sends this Letter to the Lords Justices C. R. RIght trusty and well beloved Counsellors and right trusty and intirely well beloved Cousen and Counsellor we greet you well The present Distractions here have rendred us as unable as by experience we find the remaining part of the two Houses are unwilling to supply or relieve our Army in Ireland and if the Money we consented should be rais'd in this our Kingdom for the Relief of Ireland had not been diverted by them and Rebelliously imployed against us here in England we should not have been constrain'd to have hearkned to a Cessation of Arms now on that side But since we see no other hope during the unhappy distempers here to settle the Peace of that our Kingdom but by a Cessation of Arms between us and the Irish now in Arms there and doubt very much how our Forces now in that our Kingdom will be there maintain'd if we shall admit of a Cessation We have thought it expedient by these our Letters to recommend it to your care and industry to consider seriously how our Forces on that side may be enabled to subsist during the Cessation and if there may be means found for that we do then hereby Authorise and require you to agree to a Cessation of Arms there for a year and in our Names to assure the said Irish that we are graciously inclin'd to dissolve the present Parliament and call a new one between this and the 10th of November next and to take a course to put all those that shall be chosen Members of the said Parliament into such a condition as they shall not be prejudiced of their Liberty of Assisting Sitting and Voting in the said Parliament for better effecting whereof we do hereby further authorise and require you to give License to such Commissioners as the said Irish shall appoint to come over hither to us to treat of that Business and such other Particulars to be proposed by way of Petition as shall necessarily conduce not onely to the satisfying of the said Cessation but to a preparation of what shall be requisite for the setling of a just honourable and perfect Peace in that our Kingdom And we further require in case the said Irish now in Arms shall agree to such a Cessation and Treaty to advertise us of some such able and fitting Ministers or Servants of ours on that side as you conceive fit to be sent over hither to assist in the Treaty here when Commissioners shall come over from the said Irish. In which Business we require you to use all convenient expedition and to give us a speedy Account for which these our Letters shall be your Warrant Given under our Signet at our Court at Oxford the second day of July in the 19th year of Our Reign 1643. To our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellors Sir John Borlase and Sir Henry Tichborn Kts. Lords Justices of our Kingdom of Ireland and to our right trusty and intirely beloved Cosen and Counsellor James Marquiss of Ormond Lieutenant-General of our Army there But before this Letter came to the Lords Justices the means to a Cessation were thought of Yet the day before the Marquiss of Ormond proceeded to the Treaty which was the 22. of June the chief Protestants of the City of Dublin were called before the Council to know if they would give 10000 l. or have a Cessation the latter they were very unwilling to and the former they could not advance indeed it was well known though it serv'd as an Argument to evidence the necessity the State was put to And the Irish Commissioners the 23. of June presented themselves unto the Marquiss of Ormond in his Tent near Castle Martin in the County of Kildare in the presence of divers Colonels Captains and Officers in his Majesties Army his Lordship sitting in his Chair covered and the Irish Commissioners standing bare after several passages betwixt them all tendred in writing the Irish Commissioners gave his Lordship a Copy of the Authority they had receiv'd from the supream Council of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland at Kilkenny in these words WHereas his Majesty's most faithful Subjects the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland were inforced to take Arms for the preservation of their Religion for the defence of his Majesty's just Prerogatives and Rights and the maintenance of the Rights and Liberties of their Countrey labour'd to be destroyed by the Malignant Party And whereas his Majesty in his high Wisdom and Princely Care of his said Subjects Welfare and Safety and at their humble Suit That his Majesty might be graciously pleas'd to hear
until his whole body became as it were one continued wound and thereafter flung him out upon the Dunghill where he died partly of his said wounds and partly of famine none daring to relieve him Robert Maxwell Jurat ut supra William Aldrich John Watson THE INDEX A THe Abby of Multifarnan the place where the Conspirators first considered what to do after they had rais'd a Rebellion fol. 25 An Anniversary Act to be observ'd on the 23 of October fol. 323 An Address of certain Commissioners to the King about Ireland and his Answer fol. 122 Affairs why they proceeded so slowly in 1642. fol. 101 Agents sent to Kilkenny fol. 233 from the Confederates sent to the Duke of Lorrain fol. 286 The Earl of Antrim sent by the Confederates with others to the Queen at Paris fol. 199 Arguments why the Irish Souldiers should not be transported to Spain fol. 8 c. The Army of 8000 foot and 1000 horse rais'd in Ireland fol. 4 disbanded They being too good Englishmen to wish that a standing Army should be kept in the Bowels of that Country fol. 10 Atherdee taken by the English fol. 67 Sir Arthur Aston made Governour of Tredagh fol. 223 slain ibid. The General or National Assembly begins fol. 95 justifies the Commissioners fol. 172 agree with the Congregation at Waterford ibid. Acts when the Earl of Clanrickard is Deputy fol. 279 Assembly at Clanmacnoise convene fol. 234 their acts from fol. 235 to 239 B BAggatrath ordered to be fortified fol. 219 Balintober Battel fol. 81 Sir James Barrie's account of King Charles the First 's Letter of a Plot. fol. 8 Lieutenant General Barry beaten before Cork fol. 88 Colonel Barry imploy'd to compose Differences with the Greatest fol. 233 The Earl of Barrimore's Success at Cloghleigh fol. 86 Bealing's repulse at Lismore fol. 85 is sent to Rome brings in the Nuncio fol. 153 Dr. Bedel Bishop of Kilmore his Information of the Papists Insolencies fol. 2 Death and Character fol. 32 Belfast surrendred to the Parliamentarians fol. 225 The Bishop of Clogher defeated fol. 253 his Death fol. 253 Character fol. 253 of Fern's insolent Letter touching the M. of Clanrickard fol. 286 Ossory's Excommunication fol. 163 Ross hang'd fol. 240 The Bishops at James-town publish an Excommunication fol. 261 a malicious Declaration ib. The Lord Blaney c. give Intelligence of the Rebels Proceedings fol. 27 Sir John Borlase Senior and others hath Letters directed to him to regulate affairs fol. 6 when instituted Lord Justice fol. 7 receives a Letter from Sir Henry Vane of a Plot. ibid. his answer to the Parliaments Committee of Ireland for Arms. fol. 12 hath the Plot discovered to him fol. 20 is again made Lord Justice fol. 121 quits his Justiceship fol. 141 Sir John Borlase Junior goes to Tredath fol. 29 his Service there fol. 63 is sent to the State from thence fol. 64 returns ibid. his Service at Colp fol. 66 in Lowth and Meath fol. 101 his Regiment reduced fol. 180 disbanded fol. 225 The Lord Broghill gallantly defends Lismore fol. 85 defats Muskery in a pitch'd Battle fol. 283 the Bishop of Ross. fol. 240 Murtogh O Bryan stood longest in Rebellion fol. 315 Lieut. Col. Byron goes to Tredath fol. 29 is one of the Commissioners from Tredath to the State fol. 64 his excellent Service at Tallaghallon fol. 66 Prisoner at Tredath fol. 195 C DR Cale brings Propositions to the State fol. 45 is sent with Propositions to the Rebels fol. 48 Cappaquim Battle fol. 86 Carrickmacross order'd to be demolished fol. 102 Cavan's Remonstrance and the History of that County fol. 31 The Treaty of Cessation begings at Castle-Martin fol. 125 proceeds at Sigginstown fol. 127 is concluded fol. 130 begets Heats betwixt King and Parliament fol. 134 is broken by the Irish. fol. 139 is renew'd fol. 145 The Character of the Irish. fol. 14 The Marquiss of Clanrickard's good usage of the English fol. 76 his fidelity to the Lord Lieutenant fol. 179 mediating Col. Preston signs to come in fol. 170 made Lieutenant General of the Army fol. 171 is desired Governour but till an Assembly fol. 275 accepts of the Government fol. 279 his Proclamation to inhibit any to leave the Irish Quarters fol. 281 routed by Coot fol. 284 impowers a Committee to treat with Lorrain's Agent fol. 285 his Reply to him fol. 286 his excellent Letter to the Duke of Lorrain fol. 290 his Reasons against complying with the Confederates clandestine proceedings with Lorrain evidencing his integrity to his Prince and Nation fol. 292 deceived by the Irish in their obedience fol. 293 demands Justice against Geoghehan ibid. notwithstanding assists the Irish at Gallway fol. 301 after the Surrender of Gallway persues the King's Interest fol. 302 is beaten by Coot fol. 303 quits the Kingdom ibid. his Character ibid. The Protestant Clergies Remonstrance to the Parliaments Commissioners fol. 184 The Popish Clergy foments misconceits of the Lord Lieutenant fol. 233 their reply to the Lord Lieutenant from Jamestown from fol. 258 to 260 Cloaths bestowed upon the strip'd Protestants of Ireland fol. 94 Sir William Coles Information of the suspicion of Troubles fol. 19 Service at Eniskellin fol. 87 Commissions to raise forces for the Spaniards Service fol. 8 sent into the North fol. 27 Munster fol. 27 Connagh fol. 27 of Martial Law granted to several Papists fol. 28 Most of the Irish Committee engaged in the Rebellion fol. 13 The Parliament of England's Committee arrive in Ireland fol. 103 depart so necessities encrease fol. 105 The Committee from the Councel-board in Ireland at Oxford much troubled betwixt the Protestant and Confederate Agents fol. 142 Commissioners authorized to state the Condition of the deplorable English fol. 15 sent from the Parliament in England into Ireland fol. 151 as also fol. 256 Supream Councel to Waterford fol. 164 forreign Princes fol. 174 Commissioners from the Parliament treaty about surrendring Dublin The Effect fol. 169 of Trust constituted fol. 204 dissent from the L. Lieutenant fol. 227 suspected not to be entire fol. 233 their address to the Marq. of Ormond's Letter fol. 249 The Convention called how long it lasted what it gave to the King D. of York Glocester fol. 316 A Confederacy betwixt the Irish and old English of the Pale the Oath fol. 56 The Confederates treat about a Peace fol. 152 unite with the Lord Lieutenant fol. 168 are treacherous so the Lord Lieutenant agrees with the Parliament fol. 173 send Agents to Oxford fol. 141 their high demands fol. 142 the King's admonition to them fol. 143 Agents behaviour at their return to Ireland fol. 145 come to the Lord Lieutenant at Carrick fol. 201 desire a Privy Councel fol. 242 meet at James-town fol. 256 think to treat with Ireton fol. 280 cherish good opinion of the Independents fol. 293 in Munster meditate a compliance with the Parliament fol. 301 The Congregation at Waterford declare the Peace of 1646. void fol. 161 The Conspiracy though discovered
the late exorbitances so bitterly decried in Parliament of Paper Petitions or Bills in Civil Causes to be brought before them at the Council-board or before any other by their Authority reducing by his Majesties approbation the Subsidies from 40000 l. a Subsidy to 12000 l. a Piece Bringing all things to that compliance as best suited with his Majesties Interest and the quiet of the Nation that if it were possible there might not be the least discontent or jealousie rais'd amongst the People and for a season all things seem'd so peaceable as never any Government was less excepted against Yet then in the end of the year 1640. his Majesty being inform'd of an intention to raise Troubles in Ireland commanded Sir Henry Vane his Principal Secretary to write unto these Lords Justices this Letter Right Honourable HIs Majesty hath commanded me to acquaint your Lordships with an advice given him from abroad and confirm'd by his Ministers in Spain and elsewhere which in this distemper'd time and conjuncture of affairs deserves to be seriously consider'd and an especial care and watchfulness to be had therein which is That of late there have passed from Spain and the like may well have been from other Parts an unspeakable number of Irish Church-men for England and Ireland and some good old Soldiers under pretext of asking leave to raise men for the King of Spain whereas it is observ'd among the Irish Friers there a whisper runs as if they expected a Rebellion in Ireland and particularly in Connaght Wherefore his Majesty thought fit to give your Lordships this notice that in your wisdoms you might manage the same with that dexterity and secresie as to discover and prevent so pernicious a Design if any such there should be and to have a watchful eye on the proceedings and actions of those who come thither from abroad on what pretext soever And so herewith I rest Your Lordships most humble Servant Henry Vane White-hall March 16. 1640. Which was delivered to the Lord Justice Parsons and since his death found in his Study and by Sir James Barry Lord Baron of Santry a right Honourable and worthy Person presented to his present Majesty who look'd upon it as a precious Jewel discovering his Father's Royal thoughts towards the preservation of his Protestant Subjects and People But how far it was at first communicated is uncertain though being of so great a Trust it may very well be believed to have been often reflected on with caution and prudence Certain it is that notwithstanding that there was an Item that there should be an especial care against levying of Soldiers for Spain yet Colonel John Barry Colonel Taaff Colonel Garret Barry and Colonel Porter had all Warrants to transport 4000 Men thither which several of the House of Commons in Ireland and England too with much artifice though with divers ends endeavour'd to prevent on plausible terms As that from the experience of what they might learn abroad they afterwards might prove ill Instruments at home whereas it was more necessary that they should be employ'd on Husbandry whereof that Kingdom had great need And many of the active men of the House of Commons in Ireland as Darcy the Lawyer Plunket Chevers Martin and others urg'd their stay with a passion seemingly much concern'd for that amongst many Reasons which I will not undertake at so long a distance positively to remember though I had the honour to be a Member of that House yet I cannot forget that their chief Argument was drawn from the Spaniards having long born an ill will to England and her Empire And therefore they did not know mark the insinuation how soon those very Regiments acquainted with every Creek of the Kingdom might be return'd on their own Bowels having naturally a love to their Religion which such an Incendiary as the King of Spain might soon inflame to the highest prejudice Which I the longer insist on for that the Collection of Murthers committed on the Irish published by R. S. 1662. would insinuate the better to invalidate the Abstract of Murthers committed by the Irish that the Catholick Members of the House of Commons in Ireland never hindred as that Abstract affirms the Transportation of the Earl of Straffords disbanded Soldiers into Spain purposely to advance the Rebellion which is clear they did Inasmuch as upon these and other Arguments their Transportation was deferr'd though if the discontented Irish Army had been disposed of beyond-Sea according to the Contracts with the French and Spanish Ambassadors it was very clear as is judicially affirmed that there could have been no Rebellion in Ireland the Pretence and Means thereof having been thereby taken away though some were of opinion that where-ever these Forces had been they could yet easily have been brought over again as others have been since the principal Heads of the Rebels Army being led by old experienc'd Soldiers who at the breaking out of the Rebellion were generally beyond-Sea as the Leimster Forces by Colonel Preston a branch out of the House of Gormanston the Ulster Forces by Owen Roe O-Neal both bred in Flanders Munster Forces by Garret Barry and the Connaght Forces by one Burck animated with their Cause and the Pope's encouragement And it cannot be denied that the promiscuous compleating of the Army lately rais'd of 8000 Foot and 1000 Horse in Ireland taught many of the Common Soldiers the use of Arms who otherwise would have been ignorant thereof And evil in Perrot's and Fitzwilliam's Government much took notice of and by Camden in his Eliz. Anno 1593. towards the end observ'd in the like case to be most improvidently done as afterwards was found the Irish being always disloyal to the English Upon which I cannot but reflect on what Antalcidas in Plutarch * tells Agesilaus of being sorely hurt by the Thebans That they had paid him his deserved hire for teaching them against their wills to be Soldiers who before had neither will nor skill to fight Certain it is that most of these Soldiers thus rais'd betook themselves to the Rebels Party although very few of their Officers if we may credit a late Historian were polluted with the crime Yet notwithstanding the Letter fore-cited and many troublesome passages in Parliament wherewith the Lords Justices and Council were not seldom alarm'd sufficient to waken their confidence no Cloud not the breadth of a hand appear'd but the Lords Justices kept a fair correspondence with the Parliament giving all the furtherance they could to the going of their Committee into England hoping that what his Majesty should be pleased to grant at their requests might redound to the common benefit of the Nation Neither did the Lords Justices or Council transmit unto his Majesty or any of the State of England any mis-reprehensions of the proceedings and actions of that Parliament as some maliciously insinuated in as much as a Noble Person a Peer in the Lords House said That the Lords Justices had
always cheerfully receiv'd their Requests and Messages and were ready to comply with them desiring that this their compliance might be entred in the Journal to the end that it might remain to Posterity Having by his Majesties Commission dated the 4th of January 1640. authority to Continue Prorogue or Determine the Parliament as they thought fit which liberty they indulg'd much to the freedom of the Parliament However being resolv'd as the sequel prov'd to pretend any thing rather than not to have some exceptions against the Government the Irish Parliament sent to his Majesty a Declaration therein magnifying the Six entire Subsidies they had given in the 10th year of his Majesties Reign and the Four Subsidies in the 15th year of his Reign pretending moreover that they had been ill presented to his Majesty which was clearly evinc'd to the contrary and several Graces vouchsaf'd them thereupon Amongst other things the State at that time found difficult to do the Disbanding of the new rais'd Army was not the least which the Parliament of England had great jealousies of and besought his Majesty that it should be dissolv'd In answer whereof his Majesty repli'd That the thing was already upon consultation but he found many difficulties in it and therefore told the Parliament He held it not onely fit to wish it but to show the way how it might conveniently be done However in August 1641. it was effectually perform'd for which afterwards the Lords Justices had his Majesties gracious approbation and the Arms and Ammunition were carefully brought into his Majesties Stores by the vigilance of the Master of the Ordnance the Lord Justice Borlase else certainly most of those Arms as well as the Men had been undoubtedly listed in the Confederates Army which many of their Party in the House of Commons in Ireland having an eye to made them so averse to have them Disbanded And the Plot proceeded being so cunningly manag'd by some of the Members of Parliament subtil in their insinuations that many of the Protestants and well-meaning people of the House blinded with an apprehension of Ease and Redress lying under the same pretended Yoak with the rest were innocently decoi'd into their acting violently with them Hence Sir Richard Bolton Lord Chancellor of Ireland was impeach'd of High Treason and others of the prime Officers and Ministers of State were Articled against yea some of the Bishops were not spar'd contrary to all presidents of that nature as was certifi'd by the Lords Justices to the Principal Secretary on search made upon his Majesties commands for that purpose So as besides some of the active men of the House Lawyers Darcy Martin Plunket Cusack Brown Linch Bodkin Evers and others took upon them with much confidence to declare the Law to make new Expositions of their own upon the Text as That killing in Rebellion was no forfeiture of Lands and to frame 21 Queries Which in a solemn Committee of the House Adjourn'd from time to time they discuss'd at their own freedom in the Dining-Room at the Castle disdaining the moderate Qualifications of the Judges who gave them modest Answers such as the Law and Duty to their Sovereign would admit and in stead of them vented their own sense as if the State were then in its Infancy and from them meerly to receive its Constitution as Sir John Temple observes resolving upon an alteration in the Government and drawing of it wholly into the hands of the Natives Sir Phelim Oneal making it plain in his Letters of Triumph to his Holy Confessor That his purposes were Conquest and not defence of Religion his Majesties Prerogative or their Liberty No! No King of England writes Mahony a Jesuit nor Crown nor People nor state of that Kingdom having at any time any kind of Right to the Kingdom of Ireland or any part thereof that the English Title to it was but meer Usurpation and Violence and that therefore the old Natives i. e. the meer Irish might chuse and make themselves a King of one of their own Irish and in the then Circumstances of Charles the First of England ' s being a Heretick ought i. e. were bound in Conscience to do so and throw off together the Yoak both of Hereticks and Foreigners Which Tenents being roughly drawn the Confederate Irish seem'd afterward to condemn forsooth in a Council of their own at Kilkenny Yet it is very observable and that from Walsh himself who says He can never forget it having extraordinary great admiration thereat That there was not one in the National Congregation met by an extraordinary favour the 11th of June at Dublin 1666. that open'd once his mouth for confession of any Villanies committed against the King at any time in the late Rebellion or Civil War or even to speak a word for so much as a general Petition to be exhibited to his Majesty imploring his Majesties gracious Pardon Notwithstanding the first Rebellion 1641. and what follow'd upon the Nuncio's access and the violation of the first Peace 1646. and the Nuncio's Censures against the Cessation with the Lord Inchequin and the Peace 1648. And the Declaration and Excommunication of the Bishops as James-Town 1650 against the Lord Lieutenant the Marquis of Ormond and those who obey'd him Emphatically enough exprest by P. W. No. 1. He enforces this Argument further There was no crime writes he at all committed by All or any of the Roman Catholick Clergy of Ireland nor even at any time nor in any occasion or matter hapen'd since the 23d of October 1641. that needed Petitioning for Pardon either for themselves or any other of the Irish Clergy if we must believe the Bishop of Ardagh Patrick Plunket pleading for them in so express terms and the tacit approbation of his words by the universal silence of that Assembly In pursuance of which the Protestant Commissioners of Ireland in their Answer to the Objections the Rebels Agents put in against the Preamble of the Bill of Settlement took notice that in the whole Volume of Papers which were put in by the Catholicks about that Affair there was not one grateful Acknowledgment or so much as one civil mention of his Majesties singular Condescention They having the favour to inspect that Act of Settlement and object as they pleas'd as if all his Majesty could do for them were no more than he ought And further it is these Commissioners observation That in all the Irish Papers they do not own the slaughter of so many thousands to be a Rebellion or once give the Title of Rebels to those who were the first Agents in that horrid and bloody Massacre which being not acknowledged by them more easily absolves the rudeness of their Ingratitude for his Majesties favours And a Person of Honour in his Animadversions on Fanaticism who deserves much for his excellencies in the case takes notice That no Catholick ever made any profession against the Rebellion or manifested his detestation or dislike of
denying it to the last with more sense of conscience saith his Majesty in his Answer to the Parliament's two last Papers concerning Ireland than they who examined him expected However one Plunket having taken an old Broad Seal from an absolete Patent out of Farnham-Abbey and fixed it to a forged Commission it to seduce the Vulgar into an opinion of their Loyalty when they had first incited them to a Rebellion as in a parallel Case his Excellency takes notice of in his Answer to their Declaration at James-town And saith his Majesty in his Declaration to the Parliament's Answer at Newmarket the 9th of March 1641. We must think our self highly and causlesly injured in our Reputation if any Declaration Action or Expression of the Irish Rebels any Letter from Count Rosettie to the Papists for Fasting and Prayer or from Tristram Whitcombe of strange Speeches utter'd in Ireland shall beget any jealousie or mis-apprehension in our Subjects of our Justice Piety and Affection it being evident to all understandings that those mischievous and wicked Rebels are not so capable of great advantage as by having their false Discourses so far believed as to raise fears and jealousies to the distraction of this Kingdom the only way to their security Wherefore the Lords Justices and Councel detesting such Umbrages the 30th of October publisht a Proclamation to take off the people from being seduced by seditious and scandalous reports father'd on the Crown And that none ignorantly involv'd in so detestable a Guilt as the publick Conspiracy might suffer the State yet further to manifest their desire of reducing all into a general obedience having never drawn his Majesty's Sword upon jealousies or presumptions till the highest Extremities and unparallel'd Outrages compell'd them thereunto publisht the first of November a Proclamation declaring That all in the Counties of Meath Westmeath Lowth and Longford being no Free-holders nor now in prison who had taken any Goods from his Majesty's faithful Subjects not having shed blood in the Action and came in within ten days after this Proclamation should be receiv'd to his Majesty's mercy and no further prosecuted Which as others of the like nature little prevail'd to un-deceive the Rebels they being before link'd in an un-dissolvible tye of Animosity and Superstition Thus every day notwithstanding that the Conspiracy was discovered and all endeavours used to reclaim them the Irish proceeded in their Massacres and Rebellion though they did not after the knowledge of the detection of their Plot execute so generally their Villany with such open slaughters and cruelties as they did at first but stripping wounding and turning the English and Protestants out of their Houses they sent them naked and desolate in miserable weather to Dublin where their numbers at length grew so burdensom as though Thousands were ship'd away soon after they arriv'd there and such as could serve in the Army were daily in-listed yet they brought so great an extremity and want of all provisions to Dublin as the Inhabitants were reduced to great exigencies inasmuch as the mercies of the Rebels were extream cruelty Thousands of the dispoiled English dying afterwards by lingring Diseases contracted by the inhumane and cruel usage of their Enemies Miseries still increasing the Lords Justices and Councel sent a second Dispatch to the King the 5th of November then in Scotland directing also their Letters to his Privy Councel in England there being an absolute necessity to invoke all Powers that might stand with his Majesty's Honour They then and not before directed Letters to the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament inclosing in those they writ to his Majesty what they had signified by Letters to the Lords of the Councel or to the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament About the 6th of November 1641. the Rebels of Cavan commanded by Philip Mac-Hugh Mac-Shane O Relie Knight of the Shire for that County and others of the Sept of O Relies proffer'd an humble Remonstrance so they entituled their presumptuous Paper to the Lords Justices and Council to be recommended by them to his Majesty which Dr. Jones and Mr. Waldrone then delivered to their Lordships the Doctor being obliged to that service He his Wife and Children lying at the Rebels mercy To which their Lordships answered with all the moderation and satisfaction that could stand with their Duty and the weak conditions of affairs in Dublin the safety whereof wholly depended on the gaining of time and saith my Author he assur'd himself the Remonstrants expected not any other Answer the Remonstrance being tendred rather to win upon the People whose cause they pleaded then to give any reasonable account or satisfaction to the Lords concerning their proceedings which yet their Lordships forthwith certifi'd with their Answer to the Lord Lieutenant to whom his Majesty had expresly commanded all Affairs of Ireland should be address'd However they during the presenting of this Remonstrance mustered their Forces summoning all from 16 to 60 years of Age to appear the Munday following at Virginia a Place distant from Cavan twelve miles and in the way to Dublin notwithstanding that they had impower'd Dr. Jones to assure their Lordships That their should be a cessation of all things until the return of their Lordships Answer Thus no faith or confidence could ever be reposed in them And afterwards it fell out that none were more treacherous and fierce than they as great inhumanity and cruelty being acted by them of Cavan as of any other Place that County by the 11th of December being wholly reduc'd into the hands of the Rebels excepting the two Castles of Keilagh and Crohan belonging to Sir Francis Hamilton Knight and Baronet and Sir James Craig Knight who so nobly defended each their own and alternatively succoured one another that they perpetually furnish'd the Rebels with work sufficient notwithstanding whatsoever Mulmore O Relie the Sheriff or Edmond O Relie his Father or Philip Mac-Hugh O Relie their chief Commander could possibly do with all their Horsemen whom these gallant men often beat though encounter'd with much disadvantage Sir Francis Hamilton not losing in the whole Service from the 23d of October 1641. to the 15th of June 1642. setting aside such as were cut off in stragling more than five men belonging to this Castle one of them being a Serjeant who being taken at an advantage was barbarously mangled with thirty six wounds so that all that the Rebels could do effected no Conquest on these Places till the 8th of April 1642. that Sir James Craig a Gentleman of singular and the best abilities died and the Store in both Castles fell short Water growing scarce a mortal infectious sickness increasing the Rebels having tainted their Well with dead Carcases And now the care of both Castles fell unto Sir Hamilton's Charge which being impossible to be relieved from Dublin or to hold out longer their straits daily increasing both these Castles were delivered up the 4th of
cruel and inhumane outrages and acts of Hostility within this Realm The said Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled being justly mov'd with a right sense of the said disloyal rebellious proceedings and actions of the Persons aforesaid do hereby protest and declare That the said Lords and Commons from their hearts do detest and abhor the said abominable actions and that they shall and will to their uttermost power maintain the Rights of his Majesties Crown and Government of this Realm and the peace and safety thereof as well against the persons aforesaid their Abettors Adherents as also against all Foreign Princes Potentates and other Persons and attempts whatsoever And in case the Persons aforesaid do not repent of their aforesaid Actions and lay down Arms and become humble Suitors to his Majesty for Grace and Mercy in such convenient time and in such manner and form as by his Majesty or the Chief Governour or Governours and the Council of this Realm shall be set down The said Lords and Commons do further protest and declare That they will take up Arms and will with their Lives and Fortunes suppress them and their attempts in such a way as by the Authority of the Parliament of this Kingdom with the approbation of his Excellent Majesty or of his Majesties Chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom shall be thought most effectual Copia vera exam per Phil. Percivall Cleric Parliament And after that the Parliament had sate two days to whom the Lords Justices had imparted his Majesties gracious intentions not to depart from any his former favours promised to them for setling their Estates who should remain faithful and Loyal and that the Lords Justices had shorten'd the Prorogation to the 11th of January the Lord Viscount Costelough impower'd by the Lords went for England not long before having been sworn a Privy Counsellor in Ireland even since the Rebellion with whom the Lord Taaff also embarck'd having before presented to the Lords Justices and Council from many of the Gentry and Inhabitants of the County of Longford in Rebellion a rebellious and scandalous Letter in the nature of a Remonstrance full of pretended Grievances and unreasonable Demands as namely to have freedom of Religion a Repeal of all Laws made to the contrary and the like Upon the information of which especially that there should be a toleration of the Popish Religion in Ireland it was resolv'd on the 8th of December 1641. upon solemn Debate by the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England That they would never give consent to any Toleration of the Popish Religion in Ireland or in any other his Majesties Dominions Which Vote hath been since adjudged a main motive for making the War a cause of Religion consequently of calling in Foreign Princes to their aid and assistance which before ever this Vote past to ground the least pretence thereupon the Irish made Religion the principal end of their Insurrection and this Proposition was as you see one of the first to be demanded which gave the Parliament a cause for the Vote fore-mention'd In pursuance of which Sir Benjamin Rudyard whom the cause ever made eloquent thus delivered his sense Mr. Speaker PEradventure I could have wish'd that Toleration of Religion had not at this time come in question but now it is brought on the Stage I am brought to the Stake When Religion is so nearly concern'd I love not to take any Civil or Politick respects into consideration Reason of State hath almost eaten up all the Laws and Religion of Christendom I have often heard it discours'd whether we should make Religion an Argument of any of our undertakings abroad wherein the wiser sort have been very nice and tender believing that the over-number of Papists would overwhelm us yet I have been long of opinion that our Attempts and Assistances have so often miscarri'd because we have not boldly and publickly avowed our Religion It may be God thinks we are too many who can conquer as well with few as with many Shall the Irish now make their Religion the cause of their Rebellion and shall we be asham'd or afraid to maintain our Religion in reducing them to their Duty and Obedience God will not honour them who do not honour him Let us remember that expostulation in the Chronicles Why transgress ye the commandments of God so that ye cannot prosper This is a great transgression to shrink from God in his truth When we deny the Irish a Toleration we do not withdraw the eases and favours they have heretofore enjoy'd Greater I am sure than they would afford us if we were in their power Wherefore Mr. Speaker let us uphold our Religion and trust God with the success Upon which and other motions thereupon the Vote mention'd proceeded without dispute and that the cause thereof might appear we shall refer you to the Longford Letter it self What reception it had at the Council-board may easily be conceiv'd by these Lords speedy repair into England who afterwards centred in that which in time brought on a Cessation of Arms with the Rebels in its own place to be spoke of The Lord Dillon upon his coming into England was seiz'd on by the Parliament and his Papers rifled according to a Vote in Parliament the 3d. of November which by the Confederates was look'd upon as a heinous crime though the discovery of the Concerns in Ireland as well as the management of the War were entrusted to the English Parliament so no crime in them But he escaped from them at last and went to the King having in his private Instructions orders to move that no Forces might be sent over out of England but that the whole work might be left to the Remonstrants and that they would then undertake to suppress the Rebels themselves In the interim we must not omit that some of both Houses of Parliament in Ireland lately met but now Prorogu'd were appointed to treat with the Rebels So they receiv'd their Instructions from the Lords Justices who were to impower them under the great Seal thereunto But instead of any happy effects thereon the Rebels were so puffed up with their Victories over the poor surpriz'd unresisting innocent English as they barbarously tore the Order of Parliament together with the Letter sent unto them promising themselves success and Dominion in all their Attempts By this time the State had receiv'd an Answer from the Lord Lieutenant of the Account they had given him of the Rebellion wherein he certified the Lords Justices that he understood his Majesty had receiv'd some Advertisements out of the North of Ireland of the present Rebellion and that the Business of Ireland might not suffer by his stay in Scotland which was somewhat longer than he expected his Majesty had refer'd the whole Business of Ireland to the Parliament of England who after a most serious and solemn information of this horrid Plot by a select Committee
of the Lords seated in the House of Commons in an extraordinary manner undertook the charge and management thereof ordering at that time 500 l. in present for Owen O-Conally and 200 l. per annum till Lands of greater value could be order'd for him designing for the present Supplies of Ireland the sum of 50000 l. and had taken order for all Provisions necessary thereunto as by the Order of Parliament it appears An Order of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament in England concerning Ireland THE Lords and Commons in this present Parliament being advertis'd of the dangerous Conspiracy and Rebellion in Ireland by the treacherous and wicked Instigations of Romish Priests and Jesuits for the bloody massacre and destruction of all Protestants living there and other his Majesty's loyal Subjects of English blood though of the Romish Religion being ancient Inhabitants within several Counties and Parts of that Realm who have always in former Rebellions given testimony of their fidelity to this Crown And for the utter depriving of his Royal Majesty and the Crown of England from the Government of that Kingdom under pretence of setting up the Popish Religion have thereupon taken into their serious Considerations how those mischievous Attempts might be most speedily and effectually prevented wherein the Honour Safety and Interest of this Kingdom are most nearly and fully concern'd Wherefore they do hereby declare That they do intend to serve his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes for the suppressing of this wicked Rebellion in such way as shall be thought most effectual by the Wisdom and Authority of the Parliament And thereupon have order'd and provided for a present Supply of Money and raising the number of 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse to be sent from England being the full proportion desired by the Lords Justices and his Majesty's Council resident in that Kingdom with a resolution to add such further Succours as the necessity of those Affairs shall require They have also resolv'd for providing Arms and Ammunition not only for those Men but likewise for his Majesty's faithful Subjects of that Kingdom with store of Victuals and other Necessaries as there shall be occasion And that these Provisions may more conveniently be transported thither they have appointed three several Ports of this Kingdom that is to say Bristol West-Chester and another in Cumberland where the Magazines and Store-houses shall be kept for the supply of the several Parts of Ireland They have likewise resolv'd to be humble Mediators to his most Excellent Majesty for the encouragement of the English or Irish who shall upon their own charges raise any number of Horse or Foot for his Service against the Rebels that they shall be honourably rewarded with Lands of Inheritance in Ireland according to their merit And for the better inducing of the Rebels to repent of their wicked Attempts they do hereby commend it to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or in his absence to the Deputy or Lords Justices there according to the power of the Commission granted to them in that behalf to bestow his Majesty's gracious Pardon to all such as within a convenient time to be declar'd by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or in his absence by the Lord Deputy or Lords Justices there according to the power of the Commission shall return to their due obedience the greatest part whereof they conceive to have been seduced on false grounds by the cunning and subtil practices of some of the most malignant Rebels enemies to this State and to the Reformed Religion and likewise to bestow such rewards as shall be thought fit and publisht by the said Lord Lieutenant Lord Deputy or Lords Justices and Council there upon all those who shall arrest the Persons or bring in the heads of such Traitors as shall be personally nam'd in any Proclamation publisht by the State there And they do hereby exhort and require all his Majesty's loving Subjects both in this and in that Kingdom to remember their duty and conscience to God and his Religion and the great and eminent danger which will befal this whole Kingdom in general and themselves in particular if this abominable Treason be not timely supprest and therefore with all readiness bounty and chearfulness to confer their assistance in their Persons or Estates to this so important and necessary Service for the common Good of all Jo. Browne Cleric Parliament And that the Army might be led by an honourable and promising Person the Lord Lieutenant being not permitted to come over speedily himself made the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant-General of the Army approved of afterwards by the King as one who by his Relation Integrity and Quality was pitch'd on as the fittest Person for that imployment of whose affection to the Protestant Religion and his Majesty's Service his Majesty had great cause to be assured Soon after his settlement in that Place he had notice from Sir Hen. Tichborn that the Rebels with 1300 Foot had sate down before Mellifont the 24th of November intending to surprize it but the Lord Moor whose House it was having plac'd 24 Musketeers and 15 Horsemen therein defended it with much resolution as long as their Powder lasted and at last the Foot yielded on Quarter the same day never observ'd by the Rebels but the Horse charged vigorously through the Enemy and came safe to Tredath This Siege of Mellifont somewhat retarded the Rebels unanimous approach to Tredath upon which the Lords Justices forthwith design'd 600 Foot and a Troop of Horse for the further strengthning of that Garrison They march'd from Dublin the 27th of November but under such a Conduct being newly rais'd and unexperienc'd that most unfortunately the Lord Gormanston's Groom giving intelligence of their approach to the Rebels not without his Lord's privity they were defeated the 29th of November near Julians-Towns at Gellingston-Bridge not above an hundred of the Men besides the Major that led them and two Foot-Captains escaping to Tredath This unhappy Defeat put such a disheartning on the State as it begat sad Suspicions who being surrounded with Rebels Sir Charles Coote the same day was commanded into Wickloe with such Forces as the State could then raise to relieve the Castle of Wickloe then besieged by the Rebels who some days before had with miserable slaughter and cruelty surpriz'd his Majesty's Forts of Cairis Fort Arkloe Fort Chichester Fort and all the Houses of the English in that County the Lord Esmond's House and the adjacent Parts of Wexford threatning to assault Dublin approaching within two miles thereof in actual Hostility Upon which Service Sir Charles Coote vigorously advanced and fought with the Rebels under the Command of Luke Toole conceiv'd to be a thousand strong himself not being many hundreds yet defeated them so shamefully as the terrour thereof rais'd a fear in the Rebels ever after of Sir Charles Coote who thenceforwards so well attended his Commands as to the Government of the City and
many other testimonies of their Conjunctions that which is confirm'd by a very credible Person of Colonel Richard Plunket of Dunsaghly in the County of Dublin within the Pale one destin'd for the taking of the Castle of Dublin who affirm'd openly That he had a Contract under the hands of all the Lords of Ireland that were Catholicks to stand firm in this Insurrection most of their actions confirming his words And Relie's Wife told James Talbot a Person of eminent note amongst them That if those of the Pale would have let them alone and not set them on work they were so well at ease as they would never have begun that troublesome task Upon which it is evident though Some would insinuate the contrary that both the old Irish and old English what ends they would severally pretend to have centred in the destruction of the Protestants and that the old English Papists were a little backwarder than the Irish was in that they had something more to loose than the other and so would put them first upon the work wherein themselves were equally engag'd Which the Lords Justices and Councel perceiving writ the 3d. of Decemb to the Earl of Fingal the Lord Viscount Gormanston and the rest of the Lords of the Pale To come to Dublin and consult for the safety of the Kingdom Luke Nettervile and others having caus'd Proclamation to be made at Lusk twelve miles from Dublin that all the Gentry of the County should upon pain of death meet within three or four days at Swoards within six miles of Dublin which accordingly they did constituting Captains Richard Golding Thomas Russel Francis Russel Robert Travers Christopher Hollywood and other Commanders their Militia amounting on that short warning to 1200. which would have been impossible to have rais'd had they not before been Armed and instigated to that Cause Upon which these Lords of the Pale Conspirators with the first return'd to the Lords Justices the 7th of Decemb. this Answer receiv'd the 11th May it please your Lordships WE have received your Letters of the 3d. instant intimating that you had present occasions to confer with us concerning the present state of the Kingdom and the safety thereof in these times of danger and requiring us to be with you there on the 8th of this instant We give your Lordships to understand that we have heretofore presented our selves before your Lordships and freely offered our advice and furtherance towards the particulars aforesaid which was by you neglected which gave us cause to conceive that our Loyalty was suspected by you We give your Lordships further to understand that we have receiv'd certain advertisement that Sir Charles Coote Knight at the Council-board hath offered some speeches tending to a purpose and resolution to execute upon those of our Religion a general Massacre by which we are all deterr'd to wait on your Lordships not having any security for our safety from those threatned evils or the safety of our lives but do rather think it fit to stand upon our best guard until we hear from your Lordships how we shall be secur'd from those perils Nevertheless we all protest that we are and will continue faithful advisers and resolute furtherers of his Majesties Service concerning the present state of this Kingdom and the safety thereof to our best abilities And so with the said tender of our humble service we remain Your Lordships humble Servants Fingall Gormanston Slane Dunsany Nettervile Oliver Lowth Trimblestone And Luke Nettervile Esq George Blackney of Rickenhore Esq George King of Clantarfe Gent. and others met at Swoards being charged on their Allegiance the 9th of Decemb. immediately on sight of the Lords Justices Warrant to separate and not to unite any more in that manner without direction from the State They instead of obedience to the States command return'd this answer That they were constrain'd to meet there together for the safety of their lives That they were put into so great a terror by the rising out of some Horse-Troops and Foot-Companies at Dublin who kill'd four Catholicks for no other reason than that they bore the name of that Religion as they durst not as they pretended stay in their houses and therefore resolved to continue together till they were assured by their Lordships of the safety of their Lives before they ran the hazard thereof by manifesting their obedience due unto their Lordships Upon which the Lords Justices and Council publish'd a Proclamation the 13th of Decemb. to satisfie the world of the innocency of the State from the guilt of any mans blood and concerning the four they alledg'd were kill'd as Papists they were such as were found faulty in rebellious actions of which one was a Protestant Commanding them furthermore on the allegiance to his Majesty to separate upon the sight of their Warrant and that Luke Nettervile and his Accomplices should appear before the State on the eighteenth of the said month to the end they may be fully heard by the State To which end the Lords Justices and Council thereby gave them and every of them the word of the State that they might then securely and safely repair thither without danger of any trouble or stay whatsoever And that the Lords of the Pale might not be less satisfi'd in what they objected the same day also the Lords Justices and Council publish'd a Proclmation and sent it to those Noblemen positively affirming That the Lords Justices and Council did never hear Sir Charles Coote or any other utter at the Council-board or else-where any speeches tending to a purpose or resolution to execute on those of their Profession or any other a general Massacre nor was it ever in their thoughts to dishonour his Majesty or the State by so odious impious and detestable a thing giving them assurance of their safety if they would repair thither the 17th of that Month. Yet notwithstanding these Condescensions or whatsoever else the State could do whereby the doubts of those men might be remov'd and their security ascertain'd still the Torrent of the Pale ran to make up the intended Deluge despising whatsoever security or faith the State was pleased to promise them Whereupon the Lords Justices and Council were enforc'd to send this Warrant to the Earl of Ormond and Ossory to send out a Party of Soldiers Horse and Foot against those that dar'd so impudently to affront them By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase FOrasmuch as divers of the Inhabitants of Clantarfe Rhaheny and Kilbarrock have declared themselves Rebels and having robb'd and spoil'd some of his Majesties good Subjects are now assembled thereabouts in Arms in great numbers mustering and training of their rebellious Multitudes to the terrour and danger of his Majesties good Subjects as well at Land as at Sea which their boldness is acted in such manner as to put scorn and affronts upon this State and Government they acting such depredations even before
Protestants Subjects there I cannot but again earnestly commend the dispach of that Expedition unto you for it is the chief Business that at this time I take to heart and there cannot almost be any Business that I câ—â— have more care of I might now take up some of your time in expressing my Detestation of Rebellions in general and of this in particular But knowing that Deeds and not Declarations must suppress this great Insolency I do here in Word offer you whatsoever my Power Pains or Industry can contribute to this good and necessary Work of reducing the Irish Nation to their true and wonted Obedience And that nothing may be omitted on my Part I must here take notice of the Bill for pressing of Souldiers now depending among you my Lords concerning which I declare that in case it comes so to me as it may not infringe or diminish my Prerogative I will pass it And farther seeing there is a Dispute rais'd I being little beholding to him whosoever at this time began it concerning the bounds of this ancient and undoubted Prerogative to avoid further Debate at this time I offer that the Bill may pass with a Salvo Jure both for King and People leaving such Debates to a time that may better bear them If this be not accepted the fault is not mine that this Bill pass not but theirs that refuse so fair an offer To conclude I conjure you by all that is or can be dear to you or me that laying away all Disputes you go on chearfully and speedily for the reducing of Ireland A Charm one should think sufficiently powerful Yet the Lords and Commons in Parliament from his Majesty's Speech took great exceptions suffering the Supplies of Ireland to be retarded demanding of the King the Names of those who had counsell'd Him to take notice of any Debate in the House before it was from'd into a Bill whence began the Cry against evil Counsellors afterwards the pretext of the Misery that ensued Some Forces indeed the Parliament had sent to the Sea-side and others were on their March yet Winds and Tides Votes and Councels did not equally agree so as the Exigences by this means that the State of Ireland was cast upon almost split them Whereupon the Lords Justices and Council publisht a Proclamation dated the 28th of December 1641. Requiring all Persons other than such as had necessary Causes to Dublin such as the Lords Justices the Lieutenant-General of the Army or the Governour of his Majesty's Forces in the City of Dublin should approve or other than such as should bring Provision to the City to be sold should forbear coming to the City or Suburbs thereof upon pain of Death Which was done in time of high necessity Provision being scarce and few repairing to the City but what were Spies and Traitors And because what his Majesty had propos'd before-mention'd for the service of Ireland seem'd to have little effect he again sends a Message to the Lords House by the Lord Chamberlain the 28th of December That being sensible of the Miseries of Ireland the Succours for which went on slowly he offer'd to raise 10000 Voluntiers if the Commons would undertake to pay them A Proposition rather heard than consented to About this time Sir Thomas Carey and Dr. Cale a Sorbonist offer'd from the Rebels these Propositions to the Council Board for a Treaty First That there should be a Toleration of Religion Secondly That Popish Officers as well as Protestant should be admitted to all Employments Thirdly That the Wrongs of Plantations should be repair'd since 1610. Fourthly That there should be a Protlamation to take off the File the Title of Rebels and Traitors All which pass'd somewhat currantly till One then being absent through sickness hearing thereof repair'd to the Council Board though at that time much indispos'd and upon strong Arguments Arguments that would admit of no Sophistry stop'd the proceeding of so dishonourable a Motion so early did some endeavour to force on the State a necessity of complying with the insolent Demands of the Rebels by this faithful Minister of State confidently rejected And here that you may see what the Rebels afterwards thought the only means to reduce Ireland into Peace and Quietness we shall here present you with their Propositions methodically digested The Means to reduce Ireland unto Peace and Quietness 1. THat a general and free Pardon without any exception be granted to all his Majesty's Subjects of this Kingdom and that in pursuance thereof and for strengthning the same an Act of Abolition may pass in the Parliament here 2. That all marks of National distinction between English and Irish may be abolished and taken away by Act of Parliament 3. That by several Acts of Parliament to be respectively passed here and in England it may be declared that the Parliament of Ireland hath no subordination with the Parliament of England but that the same hath in it self supream Jurisdiction in this Kingdom as absolute as the Parliament of England there hath 4. That the Act of the 12th of H. 7th commonly called Poining's Act and all other Acts expounding or explaining the same may be repealed 5. That as in England there pass'd an Act for a Triennial Parliament so there may pass in Ireland another for a Sexennial Parliament 6. That it may be enacted by Parliament that the Act of the 2d of Q. Eliz. in Ireland and all other Acts made against Catholicks or the Catholick Religion since the 20th year of H. 8th may be repeal'd 7. That the Bishopricks Deanaries and all other spiritual Promotions in this Kingdom and all Frieries and Nunneries may be restored to the Catholick Owners and likewise all Impropriations of Tythes and that the Scits Ambits and Precincts of the Religious Houses of the Monks may be restored to them but as to the rest of their temporal Possessions it is not design'd to be taken from the present Proprietors but to be left unto them till God shall otherwise incline their own hearts 8. That such as are now entituled Catholick Archbishops Bishops Abbots or other Dignitaries in this Kingdom by donation of the Pope may during their lives enjoy their spiritual Promotions with Protestation nevertheless and other fit Clauses to be laid down for preservation of his Majesty's Patronages First-fruits and twentieth Parts in Manner and Quantity as now his Highness receives benefit thereby 9. That all Inquisitions taken since the year 1634. to entitle his Majesty to Connaght Thomond Ormond Eliogartie Kilnemanagh Duheara Wickloe and Idvagh may be vacated and their Estates secured according to his Majesties late Graces 10. That an Act of Parliament may pass here for securing the Subjects Title to their several Estates against the Crown upon any Title accrued unto it before sixty years or under colour or pretext of the present Commotions 11. That all Plantations made since the year 1610. may be avoided by Parliament if the Parliament shall hold it just
and their Possessions restored to them or their Heirs from whom the same were taken they nevertheless answering to the Crown the Rents and Services proprotionable reserv'd upon the Undertakers 12. That the Transportation of all Native Commodities to all Places of the World in Peace with his Majesty may be free and lawfull his Customs first paid and that the Statutes of 10 11 and 13 of Queen Elizabeth for restraining the Exportation of Native Commodities be repealed 13. That all Preferments Ecclefiastical Civil and Martial in this Kingdom that lye in his Majesties Gift may be conferr'd on the Natives of this Kingdom onely such as his Majesty shall think meet without any distinction for Religion Provided always that upon the Princes of his Blood of England he may bestow what Places he shall think meet 14. That a Martial and Admiral of this Kingdom may be elected in it to have perpetual succession therein with the same Preheminency Authority and Jurisdiction as they respectively have in England and that the said Places be ever conferr'd upon Noblemen Natives of this Kingdom 15. That there may be Train'd-bands in all Cities Towns Corporate and Counties of this Kingdom arm'd and provided for at the charge of the several Counties Cities and Towns and commanded by the Natives of the same who shall be nam'd by the Counties Cities and Towns respectively 16. That his Majesty may release all Tenures in Capite and by Knights Service in consideration whereof he shall receive a setled Revenue of 12000 l. per annum being double the sum which he casually receives by them Reliefs Seismes Licenses for Alienations Escuage and Aids nevertheless to remain 17. That all Monopolies may be for ever taken away by Act of Parliament 18. That such new Corporations that have not the face of Corporate Towns and were erected to give Voices in Parliament may be dissolved and their Votes taken away and hereafter none such to be admitted to Voices in Parliament Lastly That there may be Agents chosen in Parliament or otherwise as thought meet to attend continually his Majesty to represent the Grievances of this Nation that they may be removable by such as did elect them and in case of death or removance others may be for ever successively substituted in that Place Propositions so destructive to the Crown of England the English Interest and Protestant Religion as I conceive none are so hardy as to maintain their rationality as long as the Crown of England is able to improve the Power of her Conquest More I might add but each Proposition carrieth in it self its insolency and vanity which by the Rebels success on the British through their Treacheries and Surprisals they were encouraged to propose with such audacity However the State in hope to gain time till Supplies might come listned to an offer made by some Popish Priests to treat with the Rebels Whereupon Dr. Cale pretending how far he could prevail with the Rebels was admitted thereunto by a Warrant from the State in confidence that he could obtain better terms than the former But Sir Phelim O-Neal would yield to no Treaty unless the Lord Mac-Guire Mac-Mahone and the rest in the Castle might be freed Which the State refusing with indignation that design ended And that the City of Dublin might be supplied with Corn the Market growing very thin through the Confederates seizing on the Protestants Corn in the Haggard the Lords Justices and Council having that example publish'd a Proclamation the 28th of Decemb. 1641. That all Corn-Masters within fifteen miles of Dublin should be careful to send their Corn to the City to be sold at the Rates following viz. Wheat Pease and Beans at 20 s. a Dublin Peck and Oats at 6 s. 8 d. a Barrel Whereupon the Market was somewhat though not considerable to their urgent occasions reliev'd rather than the Irish would suffer their Corn to be thrashed outby Warrants from the Lord Gormanston for the use of the Irish Army then lying before Tredath or burnt by the State to prevent that inconvenience And that nothing irregular might justly be imputed to the State who studied the preservation of his Majesties Subjects or those indeed who but pretended without appearance to the contrary a submission to his Ministers the 14th of January 1641. they publish'd a severe Proclamation against Pillagers and Voluntiers not listed under some Colonel or Commander So early was the vigilancy of the State in what might preserve their Integrity and Repute Which some finding contrary to their envious Licentiousness wanted not boldness to encourage the Soldiers to a return for England Which the Lords Justices and Council having notice of publish'd this Proclamation By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WE do hereby in his Majesties Name charge and command all his Majesties Soldiers of this Army that upon pain of death none of them presume to depart hence for England without express license in that behalf from the Lieutenant General of the Army And we command all Owners and Masters of Ships Barques and other Vessels that upon pain of death none of them do permit or suffer any of the said Soldiers to go aboard them or to be carried from hence into England And we require the Searcher and all other Officers and Waiters of the Customs that they and every of them do take special care to prevent the Shipping or Importing of any of the said Soldiers as aforesaid whereof they may not fail Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 18th Jan. 1641. Ormond Ossory R. Dillon Ad. Loftus J. Temple Charles Coote Fran. Willoughby Rob. Meredith And now the Flame having march'd through Ulster and Leimster it discovers its fury about the beginning of December 1641. in Munster which Provincetill that time by the moderation of the State had stifled its rage then expressing its consent with the other Provinces The Rebels of Wexford Kilkenny and Caterlaugh coming over the River to prey and spoil the County of Waterford To resist which the Lord President of Munster Sir William Sellenger who to that time had behav'd himself with much Prudence Vigilance and Honour hastned to encounter them whom though he was far inferiour to in number he then discomfited and restored to the Owners what Prey he recovered in which action he found many of his Provincials yet suffer'd none of them to be hurt supposing they came to save their Goods not being interess'd in the Conspiracy which afterwards he found general Mr. Purcell called the Baron of Loghmo exciting about the 9th of December in Tipperary the Irish to rob and spoil the British and Protestants acting with many others daily villanies being armed by a long Provision underhand and furnish'd with the Wealth of the British and Protestants in that Province which was very great and considerable And that Connaght might not be said to be quiet the Lord President of that Province the Lord Rannelaugh coming thither from Dublin about the beginning
of November after the Rebellion brake forth found there many of the inferiour Irish and some of the Gentry in Rebellion in the County of Rescommon and Sligo with whom he dealt mildly presuming his former intimate Friendship and some Alliance might work on them but nothing prevail'd they were otherwise harden'd nor had he Force sufficient which they well knew to compel them their Swarms were so numerous their Cruelties so outragious so that at the last they block'd him up in the Castle of Athlone by the help of the Conspirators of Wess-Meath notwithstanding the Commissions of Government the Lords Justices and Council that nothing still might be wanting on the States side to evidence the confidence and trust they were willing to repose in the Prime Natives entrusted the Earl of Clanrickard the Lord Mayo the Lord of Costiloe and others with in which condition he remain'd till the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of his Majesties Army carried down two thousand Foot and some Troops of Horse to his Relief the Spring following Notwithstanding the Commission the Lord Rannelaugh had from those whom his Majesty entrusted of the Parliament in England to raise five hundred Protestants nearest adjoyning for the defence of the said Province and to name the Officers his Son Arthur Jones Esq being at the same time made Constable of the Castle of Roscommon in the County of Roscommon and allowed thirty one Protestant Warders to guard the Town and Castle As Sir Robert King at the same time was appointed in the like Command for the Castle of Abbey-boyle Yet the Rebels in the interim burnt the Town of Roscommon and the Bishops Town of Elphin besides many other Englishmen's Habitations surprizing also several Castles of the Earl of Clanrickards in the County of Galloway However Sir Charles Coote Junior vigilant in all concerns so mann'd and guarded Castle-Coot as that being in January 1641. besieg'd by Con O-Rourk with 1200 men he so notably encountred him as within a week he rais'd the Siege as he did Hugh O Connor Son of O Connor Dun of Balintober Titular Prince of Connaght lineally as he would have it descended from Rodderick O-Connor King of Connaght and Monarch of Ireland never afterwards durst make any formal approach against that Castle in as much as Sir Charles Coote fetch'd in Corn and Cattle at liberty Yet the second of March following O-Rourk came with all his Forces to fetch away the Prey of Roscommon before day hurrying them almost to Molinterim before our Forces could come up to him endeavouring to make good a Pass against our men who soon break their stoutest Ranks and killing most of the Rebels recovered the Prey took many Prisoners and amongst the rest Con O-Rourk Thus each Province was in a flame and that it burst not forth all at once was partly out of the backwardness of some who would first in the proceedings of the others see how far and with what security they might put themselves on the Work A horrid Work that had no promising or good Aspect And then others in the Counties of Dublin Meath Lowth who by the aforesaid compact should have furnish'd themselves with Arms from the State under pretence of service against Ulster missing of their Design in full halted a time and many declared not themselves at first by reason the surprising of the Castle of Dublin was prevented Nor did the noble and solemn Resentment of the Parliament in England a little startle others though after that the Winter came close upon them and that the English were almost every where harrast And the succours from England came not so soon as they were expected the Irish every where gathered that heat as in all Places to express their virulency Some will have it that the Gentlemen at Westminster instead of suppressing the Irish speedily by Arms made an Ordinance wholly to extirpate them whereby the Irish extirpated most part of the Protestant Colonies killing Man Woman and Child with most horrible Barbarousness Whereas it is apparent that the greatest and most horrid Massacres were acted before the Parliament could possibly know there was a Rebellion for after that the Plot was detected the Rebels somewhat slackned their first Cruelties though then they proclaim'd That if any Irish should harbour or relieve any English suffer'd to escape them with their lives that it should be penal even to death to such Irish So that though they put not those English actually to the Sword yet by that Design they cut them off more cruelly It being a certain truth not subject to the evasion of the Sophister that in all the four Provinces the horrid cruelties used towards the British either in their bloody Massacres or merciless dispoiling stripping and extirpation of them were generally acted in most parts of the Kingdom before they could gather themselves together to make any considerable resistance against their fury and before the State had assembled their Forces or were enabled by the power of his Majesties Arms to make any inroads into the Countreys possessed by the Rebels A circumstance which totally destroyeth all those vain pretences and fond recriminations which they have since most falsly taken up to palliate this their most abominable Rebellion or actings thereupon Besides in the first Order of the Lords Commons in Parliament of England touching this Concern for the better inducing of the Rebels to repent of their wicked Attempts they did thereby commend it to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or in his absence to the Lord Deputy or Lords Justices there according to the power of the Commission granted them in that behalf To bestow his Majesties gracious Pardon to all such as within a convenient time to be declared by any of the said Magistrates should return to their due obedience Which rule the Lords Justices in all Commissions either to Officers or Marshals they had also before observed that if amongst them there had been any relenting they might have experienc'd the mercy of the State And thus much may be said even for the Parliament that after the expence of much blood and treasure for suppression of the horrid Rebellion in Ireland when they had brought that Affair to such an issue as that a total Reducement and settlement of the Nation was effected whereby they came to divide the Rebels Estates They manifested that it was not the Parliaments intentions to extirpate that whole Nation but they ordered Mercy and Pardon both as to Life and Estate should be extended to all Husband-Men Labourers Artificers yea to higher rank and Quality according to the respective Demerits and Considerations under which they fell and that all should enjoy the benefit of their Articles It is indeed Enacted in the Acts of subscriptions for Ireland that every Person who shall make enter into or take any Compact Bond Covenant Oath promise or agreement to introduce or bring into the said Realm of Ireland the authority of the See of Rome
Act of Additions and Explanation of certain Clauses in the former Act as also an Act giving further time to Subscribers for Lands in Ireland with an Advantage of Irish Measure By vertue of which great sums were rais'd and in truth the Forces of Ireland yet competently well supplied But his Majesty perceiving a defect in the necessary Transportations of what was requisite he by the Advice of his Council declares That he hopes that not only the Loyalty and good Affections of all our loving Subjects will concur with us in the constant preserving a good understanding between us and our People but at this time their own and our Interest and compassion of the lamentable condition of our poor Protestant Subjects in Ireland will invite them to a fair Intelligence and Unity amongst themselves that so we may with one heart intend the relieving and recovering of that unhappy Kingdom where those barbarous Rebels practise such inhumane and unheard of Outrages upon our miserable People that no Christian Ear can hear without horrour nor Story parallel And yet further to dis-burthen his thoughts for Ireland he was pleas'd to signifie to both Houses of Parliament the 24th of Feb. 1641. That for Ireland in behalf of which his heart bleeds as he hath concurred with all Propositions made for that Service by his Parliament so he is resolv'd to leave nothing undone for their relief which shall fall within his possible power And because his Majesty's removal to York from the Parliament should not hinder the Supplies for Ireland he from Huntingdon the 15th of March 1642. declares That he doth very earnestly desire that they will use all possible industry in expediting the Business of Ireland in which they shall find so chearful a concurrence by his Majesty that no inconvenience shall happen to that Service by his absence he having all that passion for the reducing of that Kingdom which he hath expressed in his former Messages and being unable by words to manifest more affection to it than he hath endeavour'd to do by those Messages having likewise done all such Acts as he hath been mov'd unto by his Parliament therefore if the misfortunes and calamities of his poor Protestant Subjects shall grow upon them though his Majesty shall be deeply concern'd in and sensible of their sufferings he shall wash his hands before all the World from the least imputation of slackness in that most necessary and pious Work Thus his Majesty resented that horrid Rebellion having nothing left further to express the deep sense he had of the publick miseries of his Kingdom Yet the Parliament who conceiv'd themselves deeply intrusted with the Concerns of Ireland the prosecution of that War being left to them but not so as to exclude his Majesty replied That they humbly besought his Majesty to consider how impossible it is that any Protestation though publisht in your Majesty's Name of your tenderness of the miseries of your Protestant Subjects in Ireland c. can give satisfaction to reasonable and indifferent Men when at the same time divers of the Irish Traitors and Rebels the known Favourers of them and Agents for them are admitted to your Majesty's Presence with Grace and Favour and some of them imployed in your Service and when Cloaths Munition Horses and other Necessaries bought by your Parliament and sent for the supply of the Army against the Rebels there are violently taken away some by your Majesty's Command others by your Minister's To which it 's replied That those Cloaths c. entring into Coventry his Majesty had good reason to believe they would have been dispos'd of amongst the Souldiers who there bore Arms against him putting the Parliament besides in mind That he was so far from diverting any of those Provisions made for the relief of Ireland the thought of whose miserable condition made his heart bleed that 3000 Suits of Cloaths being found at Chester for the Souldiers in Ireland he commanded that they should be speedily transported thither no necessity of his own Army being sufficient to prevail with him to seize on them Thus both the King and Parliament interessed in the great Concern of Ireland were passionately affected with her sad condition whilst the distractions and jealousies at home so dis-cemented their Forces as the Irish Harp hung on the Willows and those noble Souls which even now return'd with Laurels droopt betwixt the living and the dead Affairs standing in this posture neither of them prov'd at leisure to consider more than in Declarations the miserable condition of bleeding Ireland inasmuch as they were so far from sending over thither any further supplies of Men Money or Ammunition how incessantly soever they were mov'd to it from the Lords Justices and Council as the Parliament at that time finding themselves under great Necessities for want of Money order'd the sum of 100000 l. of the Adventurers Money then in the hands of the Treasurer for the relief of Ireland to be made use of for the setting forth their Army under the Command of the Earl of Essex then ready for his March against the King at Nottingham notwithstanding a Clause in that memorable Act That no part of that Money shall be imployed to any other purpose than the reducing of those Rebels This rais'd a great noise and highly reflected upon the Parliament That they who so heartily on all occasions had complain'd of the King's neglect of his poor Protestants in Ireland should now make use of that Money to raise Arms against him in England and so leave the remnant of those suffering Souls in Ireland to the Insolencies of the Rebels and their own Forces Flesh of their Flesh sent over with so much Charge for the suppression of that horrid Rebellion to neglect and scorn for want of a seasonable and just supply Upon which his Majesty from York the 30th of August 1642. sent a Message to the House of Commons requiring them to retract that Order To palliate which they alledg'd many things against the King As the denying the Lord Wharton to go with 5000 Foot and 500 Horse for the relief of Munster the hindring of two Pieces of Battery writ for by the Lords Justices the detaining of the Lord Lieutenant the Earl of Leicester when the Affairs of Ireland were known to suffer for want of a Commander in Chief notwithstanding his Majesty had charged them that they had detain'd the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on whom writes he he relyed principally for the conduct and management of Affairs there never regarding his earnestness formerly prest when he was thought to be stayed by the Parliament that he should repair to his Command of which the Earl of Leicester in a Letter to the Earl of Northumberland is not silent order'd by the Parliament to be printed the 26th of September 1642. To which the Parliament adds The calling away of Sir Charles Lloyd Captain Green and others in actual imployment against the
in Dublin who consumed all the Provisions sent over for their supply lying idle there and oppressing the poor English Inhabitants and such English as had taken sanctuary there Or else making but small expeditions abroad wasting not the Enemy so much as they did their own Provisions It was moved therefore and furthered by this Committee that a considerable Force should be sent forth Whereupon it was resolved 4000 men should be sent out to take Ross or some other Town thereabouts where they might Winter and live in part upon what they could take from the Enemy whereupon many difficulties being found in the Design the Lord Lisle General of the Horse accepted of it with Colonel Monk and others who made ready to go the Lieutenant General of the Army the Earl of Ormond being then much indisposed But as soon as his Lordship recovered he came to the Council Board and there declared that he could not in Honour permit such a considerable part of the Army to go out upon such an important Service under any other Command then his own and so undertook the leading out of the Army himself and carried it to Ross of which you shall hear more in its due place The Parliaments Committee imbarked for London by long Sea the 27th of February 1642. the difference of whose Carriage was observable so much Integrity Discretion and Humility appear'd in the one and so much Pride Arrogancy and Intemperancy in the other as the one went away highly valued and well esteem'd and the other extreamly hated and despised As for Tucker he was the City's property which every one improved to their own humour During their continuance in repute hearing that Balanokil was Besieged by Preston the most reputed Captain amongst the Rebels Colonel Monk was sent forth with 600 Foot and two Troops of Horse the 5th of December 1642. to relieve it which he soon did the Enemy raising the Siege upon his reproach but in his return he met Preston with 3000 men in a disadvantagious Place and though he saw evident danger in so unequal a Fight yet he thought there would be more in a Retreat Wherefore having intrench'd himself so as to fear no attack but in the Front he resolved to receive them bravely and taking care that his Musketiers should not spend their shot in vain he saluted the Rebels in their approach with such a shower of Bullets as killed the boldest of them and made the rest begin to give way which the English perceiving came hotly upon them But the Fight was soon ended by the cowardliness of the Irish who with much more shame than slaughter losing not above 60 Men there betook themselves to the next strong Place and Colonel Monk without the loss of one Man return'd to Dublin The Committee of Parliament whilst they remain'd at the Council interpos'd in many things Amongst the rest it being desired by the Officers of the Army that Major Wodowes might repair to his Majesty to express their service the Committee demonstrated that the Parliament would certainly withdraw their Supplies on notice of such an Address Upon which the Ships were stayed yet the Business was so argued as the Major had licence to proceed in his Journey And now the Committee being discharg'd the Council where the prosecution of the War was to be managed the Parliament took it ill inasmuch as the want of all things afterwards was exceeding great and the main part of the remaining Army was quarter'd within the City and Suburbs of Dublin upon the poor Inhabitants altogether unable to bear the Necessities of their Families much less support 7 or 8000 Men. In alleviation of which the Lords Justices and Council the 31st of December 1642. publisht a Proclamation That all Custodiums should send to his Majesty's Granaries or Stores of Corn half the Wheat gather'd there at 10 s. the Barrel in ready Money c. to the Relief of that and the adjoyning Garrisons Yet small Supplies coming in thereupon the Lords Justices and Council order'd by another Proclamation the 15th of January That all Corn-Masters and others should sell their Corn at a lower rate than was propos'd the 28th of December 1641. and that Bakers accordingly should size their Bread About the 20th of January 1642. Sir Richard Greenvile with a Party of 200 Horse and 1000 Foot with 600 Suits of Cloaths and Money reliev'd Athlone In his return he was encounter'd at Raconnel by 5000 Rebels which he routed took their General Preston's Son Prisoner killed many gained 11 Colours and surprized many Prisoners for which service Captain William Vaughan was by the Lords Justices to whom he brought the News Knighted The Irish thought much of this Victory for that there was an old Prophesie That who got the Battle of Raconnel should conquer all Ireland The Army return'd to Dublin the 10th of February with the remnant of Sir Earnley's Regiment and others who for their better Accommodation would have had some of these Cloaths which was denied and they laid up in the Castle where with others they afterwards prov'd unserviceable to his Majesty's Forces much in want of them in the depth of Winter The Lords Justices being driven to great strait and left without hopes of Relief from England and the Inhabitants of Dublin being no longer able to support the Necessity of their Families and relieve the Souldiers their Insolencies being high the State entertain'd a Design of sending the greatest part of the Army then quarter'd in Dublin into some Parts distant from that City where they might live upon the Rebels and for this end coin'd their own Plate encouraging others to the same Advance of the State 's service whereupon at first they order'd Pieces of Money marked to their Weight Many brought in freely those indeed who considering their imployment and what was expected from them had least reason to do it whilst others issued only out their Warrants and Receipts never yet discharged Yet by the help of what came in and some supplies out of England which had not wholly deserted Ireland the Army march'd out 2500 Foot and 500 Horse under the Command of the Marquess of Ormond whose carriage in that Business and his success at the Battle of Ross we shall leave to the Lords Justices and Council's Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons in England the 4th of April 1643. where besides the Account of that Battle they present a true state of their Affairs Civil and Military SIR OUr very good Lord the Marquess of Ormond having in his March in his last Expedition consulted several times with the Commanders and Officers of the Army in a Councel of War and so finding that subsistence could not be had abroad for the Men and Horses he had with him or for any considerable part of them it was resolved by them that his Lordship with those Forces should return hither which he did on the 26th of March In
being daily inform'd writes this Letter C. R. RIght trusty and Right well beloved Cousen and Councellor we greet you well by our Letters of the 23. of the last month We gave you our Command to Treat and Agree upon a Cessation of Arms for one year with those our Subjects in that our Kingdom who have taken up Arms there against our Authority and having since seen the Propositions which you and the rest of our Commissioners sent us from our said Subjects We find the same to be of such great importance and many things therein alledged so necessary to be further examined and inquired into as we have been the rather induced to have such a Cessation as we have formerly written unto you so as it may be with Honour to us and without prejudice to our Interest and Service This Bearer Mr. William Brent is a Person whom we have purposely sent over to give us an account of your proceedings in a Business of this Consequence to whom you may give credit and by him we shall desire to hear from you when you shall have any Matter of moment to send over unto us Given at our Court at Oxon the 3d. of May 1643. To our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousen and Counsellor James Marquiss of Ormond Lieutenant General of our Army in Ireland This upon the Treaty the Confederates Commissioners acknowledge to have seen but insisted upon one formerly mention'd of the 23. of April more important they conceive which upon promise that upon the agreement of the Treaty perfected they should have a Copy of the Treaty went on though as to his Majesty that there might be a further evidence of his Intentions to subdue the Rebellion in Ireland he being presented the 5th of May 1643. by Sir Robert King William Jephson and Arthur Hill Esquires from the Parliament with a Bill entituled An Act for the speedy payment of Moneys subscribed towards the reducing of the Rebels in Ireland which yet remain'd unpaid was so far from denying to pass the said Act though driven from his Parliament with far the Major part of both Houses that he inclin'd to pass the Act if he might be assured to have it imployed to no other purpose then the Reducing of the Rebels c. Which Conditions not being answered no more was attempted by that Bill a defect not resting in his Majesty but those that sent it whereby the straights in Ireland still increasing the Lords Justices writ to his Majesty as a little before they had done to the Parliament the ensuing Letter May it please your Most Excellent Majesty AS soon as we your Majesties Justices entred into the charge of this Government we took into our consideration at this Board the state of your Army here which we find suffering under unspeakable extremities of want of all things necessary to the support of their Persons or maintenance of the War here being no Victuals Cloaths or other Provisions requisite towards their sustenance no Money to provide them of any thing they want no Arms in your Majesties Stores to supply their many defective Arms not above 40 Barrels of Powder in your Stores no strength of serviceable Horses being now left here and those few that are their Arms for the most part lost or unserviseable no Ships arriv'd here to guard the Coasts and consequently no security rendred to any that might on their private Adventures bring in Provisions of Victuals or other necessaries towards our subsistence and finally no visible means by Sea or Land of being able to preserve for you this your Kingdom and to render deliverance from utter destruction to the Remnant of your good Subjects yet left here We find that your Majesties late Justices and this Board have often and fully by very many Letters advertised the Parliament in England of the extremities of Affairs here and besought relief with all possible importunity which also have been fully represented to your Majesty and to the Lord Lieutenant and to Mr. Secretary Nicholas to be made known to your Majesty And although the Winds have of late for many days and often formerly stood very fair for accessions of supply forth of England hither and that we have still with longing expectations hope to find Provisions arrive here in some degree answerable to the necessities of your Affairs yet now to our unexpressible grief after full 6 months waiting and much longer patience and long-suffering we find all our great expectations answered in a mean and inconsiderable quantity of Provisions viz. 75 Barrels of Butter and 14 Tun of Cheese being but the fourth part of a small Vessels Lading which was sent from London and arriv'd here on the 5th of this Month which is not above 7 or 8 days Provision for that part of the Army which lies in Dublin and the out-Garrisons thereof no Money or Victuals other then that inconsiderable proportion of Victual having arriv'd in this Place as sent from the Parliament of England or any other forth of England for the use of the Army since the beginning of November last We have by the blessing of God been hitherto prosperous and successful in your Majesties Affairs here and should be still hopeful by the mercy of God under the Royal Directions of your Sacred Majesty to vindicate your Majesties Honour and recover your Rights here and take due vengeance on these Traitors for the innocent blood they have spilt if we might be strengthned or supported therein by needful supplies out of England But these supplies having hitherto been expected to come from the Parliament of England on which if your Majesty had not relyed we are assured you would in your high Wisdom have found out some other means to preserve this your Kingdom and so great and apparent a failer having hapned therein and all the former and late long continuing Easterly winds bringing us no other Provisions then those few Cheese and Butter And no advertisement being brought us of any future supplies to be so much as in the way hither whereby there might be any likelihood that considerable means of support for your Majesties Army might arrive here in any reasonable time before that we be totally swallowed up by the Rebels and your Kingdom by them wrested from you we find our selves so disappointed of our hopes from the Parliament as must needs trench to the utter loss of the Kingdom if your Majesty in your high Wisdom ordain not some present means of preservation for us And considering that if now by occasion of that unhappy and unexpected failing of support from thence we shall be less successful in your Services here against the Rebels then hitherto whilst we were enabled with some means to serve you we have been the shame and dishonour may in common construction of those who know not the inwards of the Cause be imputed to us and not to the failing that disabled us And considering principally and above all things the
their Grievances and vouchsafe Redress therein did direct there should be a Cessation of Arms and thereupon did Authorize the Right Honourable the Lord Marquess of Ormond to treat and conclude the said Cessation with the said Confederate Catholicks Know ye that the said Council by the express Order and Authority of the said Catholicks by them conceiv'd and granted in their General Assembly at Kilkenny on the 20th day of the last Month of May and in pursuance of the said Order and Authority reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Wisdom Circumspection and provident Care Honour and Sincerity of our very good Lords Nicholas Lord Viscount Gormanston Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskery and our well-beloved Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Robert Talbot Baronet Tirlagh O Neal Esq Geoffry Brown Esq Ever Mac-Gennis Esq and John Walsh Esq have constituted appointed and ordain'd and by these presents do constitute appoint and ordain the said Nicholas Lord Viscount Gormanston c. our Commissioners and do by these presents give and grant unto our said Commissioners or any five or more of them full Power and Authority to treat with the said Lord Marquess of Ormond of a Cessation of Arms for one whole year or shorter and to conclude the same for the time aforesaid upon such Terms Conditions and Articles as to the said Commissioners in their Judgements Conscience and Discretion shall be thought fit and expedient by these presents ratifying and confirming whatsoever Act or Acts our said Commissioners as aforesaid shall do or execute concerning the said Cessation Given at Kilkenny the 20th of June 1643. Montgarret Castlehaven Audley Malachias Arp. Tuamen Fr. Thom. Fleming Arch. of Dublin Primate of Ireland Maurice de Rupe Fermoy Nettervile Nich. Plunket Edm. Fitz-Maurice Patrick Darcy Rob. Linch R. Bealing Upon which both sides proceeded the Marquess not admitting the Title or Name attributed by the Irish Commissioners unto them in behalf of those for whom they treated as likewise not admitting the Cause for which they took up Arms as in the Protestation is expressed Whereas the Irish Commissioners on the other side still propos'd all in the behalf of the Catholicks of Ireland with protestation that the said Catholicks took Arms in defence of their Religion his Majesty's Rights and Prerogatives and the Liberties of Ireland and no ways to oppose his Majesty's Authority so as say they neither the Title or Protestation being justly due to them were to be excepted against being the same they always used in their immediate applications to his Majesty Against which though there were exceptions the Treaty still proceeded they owning the premisses And at Sigginstown the Treaty went on not without Debates of great concern and much difficulty and then was deferr'd from the 1st of July to the Thursday next come seven-night at which time the Marquess of Ormond could not meet in respect That the necessity of his attendance otherwise upon the publick Service of his Majesty would not permit which the Irish Commissioners seem'd much to resent writing to his Lordship from Kilkenny the 19th of July 1643. That although we conceive this Treaty to be of the greatest consequence of any Service to be effected for his Majesty within this Kingdom yet we are not apt to give an ill construction to the laying of it by for the present until we do know of that Service that taketh place of it which being for the advantage of his Majesty's Interests we heartily wish may have good success Yet your Lordship will give us leave to take notice that we meet in these as in all other Proceedings whereby we may have any expectation to enjoy the benefit of his Majesty's Grace and Favour some interruption and slackness in conveying any part of his good Intentions to his faithful Subjects the Catholicks of Ireland which we add to our other Grievances and will endeavour in discharge of the many harms which may ensue by reason of this Protraction to have it rightly presented to his Majesty In Answer to which the Marquess of Ormond replyed the 21st of July That whereas they had no pretence of unaptness to give an ill construction to the laying by of the Treaty until they could know of what Service took place he acquainted them That he was not accountable to them with the knowledge of his Majesty's Services wherewith he had the Honour to be intrusted or to any but to his Majesty and to those to whom he had intrusted the government of the Kingdom And for what they said They would endeavour to have rightly presented to his Majesty he doubted not but to acquit himself as became him as in other Commands so in this Particular and that they should find when the other Occasions of his Majesty were over the deferring of the Treaty at present was not such a laying aside of the Matter as their Letters inferr'd Thus at present more than by Letters and the private Actings of some Men there was nothing further attempted in the Treaty till the 26th of August following In the interim we must take notice of the Insolence of these Men then expecting his Majesty's Favour By the Lords Justices and Council Jo. Borlase Henry Tichborn WE the Lords Justices and Council do declare That if Captain John Farrer be forthwith released by the Rebels and safely sent hither that forthwith upon his coming so released we will give Order for the releasing Synnot lately imployed as Captain amongst the Rebels out of Prison the Jaylor's just Dues being first paid and will then permit him freely to depart without interruption Given at his Majesty's Castle of Dublin July 8. 1643. La. Dublin Ormond Roscommon Bramston Ant. Midensis Tho. Rotheram Jo. Temple Fra. Willoughby Ja. Ware We do not know to whom this Certificate is directed and we will avow our selves in all our Actions to be his Majesty's loyal Subjects neither shall it be safe henceforth for any Messenger to bring any Paper to us containing other Language than such as suits with our Duty and the Affections we bear to his Majesty's Service wherein some may pretend but none shall have more real desires to further his Majesty's Interest than his Majesty's loyal and obedient Subjects Montgarret Muskery Fr. Tho. Dublin Malachias Tuamen Castlehaven Audley R. Bealing Torlo O Neile Patr. Darcy Who reads this may well think their Confidence built on other Grounds than appear'd What! Shall such as fought in opposition to his Majesty's Proclamation be thought loyal Subjects whilst the State owning his Majesty's Interest Honour and Service are said to pretend to what they really were Surely so impudent a Reply never before without chastizement escaped the Pen of suppliant Rebels nor indeed could some then have had the freedom of their just scorn and indignation should such expressions have been swallowed During the respite of the Treaty for the Cessation viz. the 29th of July 7 or 800 of the Rebels gave us at mid-night by whose neglect I know not
the Right Honourable the Lords Justices and Council And now many of those Officers who had served his Majesty most signally in Ireland were treated with to recruit his Forces in and about Chester to which end all the encouragement that his Majesty had given in his Letters of the 4th and 7th of September were faithfully imparted to them and what could possibly be rais'd for their Transportation was effectually done Whereupon several Regiments as Sir Mich. Earnely's Sir Rich. Fleetwoods Colonel Gibson Colonel Monk Colonel Warren and others hasted over but with such Reluctancy of the Common Souldiers as the sharpest Proclamations of which there were several hardly restrain'd them from flying their Colours both before and after their arrival in England To prevent which and that the Souldiers might be secur'd in their Loyalty to his Majesty the Lieutenant General compos'd this Oath I Resting fully assured of his Majesties most Princely Truth and Goodness do freely and from my heart promise vow and protest in the presence of Almighty God that I will to the utmost of my Power and with the hazard of my Life maintain and defend the true Protestant Religion establish'd in the Church of England his Majesties sacred Person his Heirs and lawful Successors and his Majesties just Powers and Prerogatives against the Forces now under the Conduct of the Earl of Essex and against all other Forces whatsoever that are or shall be rais'd contrary to his Majesties Commands and Authority And I will do my best endeavour to procure and re-establish the Peace and Quietness of the Kingdom of England And I will neither directly or indirectly divulge or communicate any thing to the said Earl of Essex his Officers or any other to hinder or prejudice the Designs of his Majesty in the Conduct or Imployment of his Army Which that it may be taken by every Souldier follows the Precept By the Lieutenant General of his Majesties Army WHereas his Majesty hath been pleas'd to command the present transportation of a part of his Army here into England I do think fit and hereby Order that every Officer and Souldier to be transported hence do take the Oath above-written before they depart this Harbour Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 13. of Octob. 1643. Ormond And in respect that upon their going many Souldiers listed themselves under other Officers the Lord Lieutenant besides other Courses publisht the 13. of November an Edict that no Souldiers under penalty of death should depart from their former Commanders and Officers and that no Commanders and Officers on pain of displeasure should dare to entertain any Souldiers so offending And the 4th of Feb. 1643. the Lord General publisht a Proclamation That if any Souldier should stay behind that was commanded to go over or should after he was transported over into England run away from his Colours he being afterwards apprehended should presently suffer death without mercy Upon which as you see many came over into England and at Hawerden Castle Beeston Castle Bartomley Church Dedington House Acton Church and Durtwich improved their time but the main body the 25. of January 1643. was utterly defeated by Sir Thomas Fairfax raising the Siege of Namptwich 1500 common Souldiers besides Officers being there taken Prisoners besides those that were slain so that what advantage accrewed to the Regal Army by their coming over many believ'd was not very considerable unless those who came out of Munster were more successful The general if not all those who came to his Majesties assistance out of Ireland were his own Forces which he had sent against the Rebels from whom I cannot yet learn after all their professions of having no one hollow thought or subtile practice to serve two Masters or standing Neuters whilst their King was Party that any formed Regiment or considerable Party reach'd England no! it will hereafter appear how shamefully they deserted his Majesties Affairs even in Ireland it self when their Interest might have united them in Loyalty and Obedience Some months after the arrival of these and other Forces out of Ireland the Parliament of England made an Ordinance against the giving of any Quarter to any Irish man or to any Papist born in Ireland taken in Hostility against the Parliament by Sea or Land which his Majesty thought very severe they being called to the service of their Natural Prince The coming over of the English made several that were not so forward suspected in their Loyalty though in truth never any Prince had an Army more intirely affecting his Person then the generality of his Militia of Ireland who being sent thither or rais'd there were not yet wean'd from the Justice of that Cause hardly matchable in any example the War being said long since a great Instrument of State not an ambitious War of Foraigns but a recovery of Subjects and that after Lenity of Conditions often tried not onely to obedience but to Humanity and Policy from more then Indian Barbarism whereas the Affairs of England imbrued Relations in one anothers blood and the Concerns of Ireland were as much his Majesties as the other and the Cause undoubtedly Gods The Lords Justices and Council this while had a great task and not so much as straw to the Work the Confederates paying in the Money viz. 30800 l. they promised the 16th of September towards the maintenance of his Majesties Army this Cessation very uncertain as their Cows and Cattle of the worst taking within three days after the Cessation near 369 head of choice English Cattle from the suburbs of Dublin acting besides many other violencies on divers Castles Forts and Houses so as this agreement with the Rebels seemed rather a Protection then a Cessation of Acts of Hostility That in this extremity the Lords Justices Providence and Care how great soever could remedy little being their business now was to proceed in another course then formerly they had the Election of which grew hourly the heavier upon them by reason of the discontents which constantly arose from the Inhabitants and the Protestants now more then ever sensible of their Condition the Irish Agents making all the speed they could to repair with their Propositions to his Majesty then at Oxford according to an Article in the Cessation and his Majesties Proclamation thereupon by which they were allowed to send Agents to his Majesty of which the Protestants in and about Dublin being very apprehensive lest his Majesty should be pre-possessed of the Rebels sence they thought it most convenient to dispatch Agents presently to his Majesty and to that end about the 6th of October 1643. they meeting at the Earl of Kildare's house fram'd a Petition to the Lords Justices and Council humbly beseeching their Lordships for their License unto such as they should appoint to attend his Majesty in their behalf whereunto the Lords Justices and Council the 12. of the same month expressed their forwardness declaring how his
Majesty had been graciously pleas'd to put them in mind that thence they should send some of his Majesties Ministers to assist in the Treaty when the Irish should repair to him and when they had acquainted his Majesty with the Petitioners request they should be certified of his Pleasure with convenient speed But the Petitioners not conceiving this a satisfactory answer again Petitioned the Lords Justices and Council the 14. of the same month sending them therewithall a Copy of their Petition they had agreed on to his Majesty whereunto the Lord Justices and Council the 19th of October returned an Answer That such was their care of the Petitioners that the same day they had given them an Answer to their former Petition they inclosed in their Letters to Secretary Nicholas their first Petition to them requesting his Majesties gracious Pleasure thereupon and further they could not now proceed though if they would repair to his Majesty they would not hinder them but could not accompany them with their recommendation till they knew his Majesties Pleasure to have them come over much artifice there was used to have had some protested against the Petition they had framed to his Majesty but none of those who had signed it save Major Morris was wrought upon and the 17. of Febr. 1643. the Petition was so well approved of in the House of Commons in Ireland as it had their concurrence And about the beginning of January a Letter of his Majesties to the Lords Justices and Lieutenant-General of the Army dated the 6th of November 1643. arrived at Dublin Licencing the Protestant Agents to repair to Oxford of whose further Proceedings with the management of that business you shall have speedily Not long after the Cessation one mov'd at the Council Board by way of Petition That such of the Irish as would constantly pay contribution to the Army might have freedom to return to their Castles and the motion took with some but was strongly oppos'd by others considering how many gallant men as Sir Simon Harcourt and others had been lost in the regaining of those Castles and that it being uncertain on what terms there might be Peace it might be taken ill by the King that those Castles the price of so much blood should be surrendred without his Privity upon which the motion was laid aside I will not say all Reflections afterwards on them that oppos'd it Nor indeed was the event of this motion so supprest but that in a short time after some through the Importunity of the Irish Agents were restored to their Estates who had from the beginning been in Rebellion notwithstanding their Estates had been given in Custodium and those who had them not accepting of mean and sinister proffers had little else to subsist by or pay the Arrears of their Service So as Affairs of different natures hourly encreasing subject to constructions beyond the management of the Prudentest and most Loyal thoughts it could not but be a great ease to be free'd of that Government which an Illustrious Person whose Interest was Principally involv'd in the present Intrigues had a Regal Call thereunto whereupon these Lords Justices were remov'd not without considerable Repose difficulties daily flowing in upon them remediless by any but his Excellency James Marquiss of Ormond who the 21. of January 1643. was solemnly in Christchurch Dublin sworn Lord Lieutenant with general acceptance At which time Robert Sibthorp Bishop of Limerick chose for his Text the 77. Psalm and the last verse Thou leadest thy People like a Flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron upon which he paraphras'd exceeding elegantly But as Sir James Ware observes in his Life never receiv'd a Farthing of his Bishoprick The Marquiss of Ormond being now seated in the Government one of the first things he began to regulate after he had sent the designed Army into England was the standing Army at that time much straightned through want of Pay and other Extremities he therefore reduced the Troops about Dublin to Five and twenty apiece besides Officers all but his own which was continued 40. and Sir Lucas's and Armestrong's 30. besides Officers and to pay these which made up 150 Horse besides 2000 Foot he rais'd money by an Excise Taxes on the Town and 3d. an Acre inhabited within the English Pale besides enquiry what was owing by Debts unto the Londoners so as thence with what Tabacco they had a considerable sum was weekly rais'd and accordingly disbursed for the Relief of the Souldiers and other necessaries which he having retrench't according to the Exigence he kept to due Musters and observance And by reason of divers Robberies and Murthers daily committed by the Souldiers on such as brought Provision for the Relief of the City the Lord-General the 16th of March 1643. strictly prohibited all such outrages under the utmost Peril of the Martial Laws And the Parliament there meeting at Dublin the 17th of April the Speakers of both Houses the 18th of the same 1644. by a Letter prohibited the Commanders Officers of his Majesties Armies and others in the Kingdom of Ireland to take the Solemn League and Covenant according to a Proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council the 18th of December 1643. set out with great Wisdom and Reason highly commending their deep Judgment therein which his Excellency then also commanded to be re-Printed at the request of the Commons House of Parliament 1644 In pursuance of which an Oath afterwards was hammer'd but some of the Judges dis-agreeing it was never form'd Great were his Excellency's Affairs indeed the contrary Parties he was necessarily obliged to deal with would in any but one so resolute and intire have betrayed to Effeminacy and Disorder The Irish on one hand confident in their Address to his Majesty and the Protestants oppress'd with their sufferings and straights both he quitted to his Majesties Justice after that he had had his Majesties Licence for their Repair to him The Confederate Catholicks thereupon sent their Agents authorised by them to attend his Majesty at Oxford but indeed with such Desires and Propositions as weighed but in an indifferent Ballance make too lively a Representation how in-competent Considerers they were of the way to their own Repose and Happiness and how unlikely they were to prevent the destroying Calamities which hung over their heads and so closely pursued them At the same time and so long as the Treaty lasted the King was likewise attended by a Committee from the Council Board of Ireland in pursuance of his Commands to inform his Majesty of all matters of Fact which had passed and of all the Laws and Customs there necessary to be weighed upon what the Catholicks should demand or propose And by the Parliament then sitting in Dublin several were authorized to present to his Majesty the Grievances of his Protestant Subjects in Ireland that nothing might be granted in that Treaty to the prejudice
1652. The first Court of this nature whereof Justice Donnelan an Irish Native was President and Commissary General Reynolds and Justice Cook Assistants was at Kilkenny the 4th of October where the Supream Council of the Rebels sate in 1642. The Lord Lowther's Speech at the Opening of the High Court of Justice at the Trial of Sir Phelim O Neal. YOu have well understood how that by this Commission which hath now been read the Right Honourable the Commissioners of the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England for the Affairs of Ireland by vertue of the Power and Trust committed to them have here erected constituted and appointed a High Court of Justice And have constituted and appointed Persons therein nominated or any 12 or more of them to be Commissioners and Judges of the said Court And have authorized them to make inquisition for Blood and that in three main Points 1. To hear and determine all Murthers and Massacres of any Protestant English or other Person or Persons whatsoever within this Nation done or committed by any Person or Persons whatsoever both principal and accessaries who since the 1st day of October 1641. have killed slain or otherwise destroyed any Person or Persons in Ireland which at the time of their being so killed slain or destroyed were not publickly entertained and maintained in Arms as Officers or private Souldiers for and on the behalf of the English against the Irish. 2. To hear and determine the Charges Crimes and Causes of all and every Person and Persons both principal and accessaries who since the said 1st day of October 1641. have killed or destroyed any Person or Persons entertained or maintained as Officers or private Souldiers for and on the behalf of the English against the Irish the said Person so killing or destroying not being then publickly entertained and maintained in Arms as Officers or private Souldiers under the Command and Pay of the Irish against the English 3. To hear and determine the Charges Crimes and Causes of all such Persons that have killed or slain or otherwise destroyed any Person or Persons after Quarter given contrary to the Rules of War And to bring to Trial Judgement and condign punishment the Principals and Accessaries to those Crimes that is to say the Actors Contrivers Councellors Advisers Promoters Abettors Aiders and Assisters of any the said Murthers Massacres or killing after Quarter given contrary to the Rules of War This Commission doth likewise furnish the Commissioners with all necessary Powers requisite for this great Service and necessarily conducing to these Ends. By this Commission we may well observe for the comfort of all the good and faithful People of this Land the Justice and Wisdom of the High Court of Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and of their Right Honourable Commissioners here for the Affairs of Ireland 1. Their Justice in bringing these Crimes to Trial. 2. Their Wisdom in ordering this honourable just and equal form of Trial. 1. Their Justice and zeal of Justice appears in this That in all their Treaties and Articles concerning Ireland they would never admit of any the least hope of impunity for these barbarous and cruel Murthers and Massacres and breach of Quarter nor of any thing that might give impediment unto the faithful and impartial inquisition after all that innocent Blood which the merciless Murtherers have wickedly shed in this Land 2. Their Justice and zeal of Justice appears in that they have omitted nothing too dear to them But have with admirable charge resolution and contancy overcome all hazards and perils and have with a vast expence of English Blood and Treasure prosecuted this War which was but an execution of Justice to this conclusion and effected this fair and impartial inquisition for innocent Blood to put away innocent Blood from the Land for our righteous God the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth hath revealed it in his holy Scripture that he will not have such wickedness to pass without condign punishment For there are three things which the Lord hates viz. Oculos sublimes Linguam mendacem Manus effundentes innoxium sanginem Prov. 6. 17. Their Wisdom appears in this 1. In that as good Husbandmen they prepare the re-plantation of the Land by rooting out the noisom Weeds that always would over-grow and destroy the good Corn as we have found by sad Experience And certainly both in Religion and Prudence it is undoubtedly necessary to clear the Land by Justice of this innocent Blood the innocent Blood of Christians most wickedly and cruelly shed upon the Land against the Laws of God and Man of Nature and of Nations the Laws of the Land and the Rights and Rules of War and the Bonds of Humanity and humane Society 2. In ordering this form of Trial by an High Court of Justice for the impartial inquisition trial and condign punishment of these Murthers Massacres and breach of Quarter For 't is manifest to any Man of sound judgement and right knowledge in the Law That that ancient and excellent Trial at the Common Law by Juries Freeholders of the proper Counties and Hundreds or Baronies where the Facts were done was neither convenient nor possible for the decision of these Causes as the present Constitution of the Common-wealth now is Where now can these numbers of indifferent Jurors be had Liberi legales Homines free from all exceptions and challenges out of which the Juries may be equally impannell'd for the trial of the Prisoners that are or shall be charged with these Crimes How can all the effectual Forms absolutely requisite to that Trial be observed in all these Cases if we do but consider the legal Challenges both for the Common-wealth and for the Prisoners to the Array to the principal Pannel to the Pales the peremptory Challenges the Challenges for Causes inducing favour or affection hatred or enmity or for Crime and how in that course could rightly be the Trial of the Articles of War So that that course of Trial not being now apt for the decision of these Causes The Commissioners of Parliament have in wisdom and prudence erected and constituted this Fair Honourable Equal and Indifferent course of Trial by erecting an High Court of Justice for the hearing and determining of these Causes Wherein are Soldiers for the Articles Rules and Laws of War Judges for the knowledge of the National Laws others that have Cognizance of the Civil Laws and other Men of great Experience Reason and Judgment and all of them Men of Honour and Integrity to be the Triers and Judges in these Cases Having thus far opened the Commission and manifested this form and course of Trial to be Honourable Just and Equal I conceive it requisite a little to consider the Laws against Murther which are to be as Land-marks and Guides to direct and lead us in the right way of Judgment in this great Work and Service Let us take a brief view of the Laws of God held forth
required to be aiding and assisting in the execution of this Our Proclamation as often as occasion shall require Given at our Court at Whitehal the first day of June 1660. in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign Afterwards assoon as such matters for so great a Business could be brought about his Majesty the 8th of May summon'd a Parliament at Dublin in which passed the great Act of Settlement after that his Majesty had published the 30th of November 1660. His Gracious Declaration for the settlement of his Kingdom of Ireland and satisfaction of the several Interests of Adventurers and Souldiers and other Subjects there wherein as to the Irish first such are considered as came in upon the Cessation secondly those who honestly and faithfully performed what they promised in the Peace and thirdly such as being beyond Seas cheerfully receiv'd and obeyed his Majesties Commands abroad all which are comprehended in several Articles proceeding from these Heads and the Souldiers and Adventurers by themselves These also who had the Fortune whether through Loyalty or Suspicion that they were not able to bear up against the English Interest to withstand the Nuncio have in the Act of Settlement their Fortunes and themselves secur'd memorable to Posterity who being fewer then those that bowed not their knees to Baal in Israel we cannot but mention it being a Reward for their eminent Sufferings And because the voice of a Parliament next to the delivery of the Law from Mount Sinai ought to impress the greatest Reverence on the heart and affections of the People I shall here present you with the Preamble to the Bill of Settlement in Ireland 1662. which in brief commits that to Posterity no Paint can ever Palliate An Act 14 Carol. 2. WHereas an unnatural Insurrection did break forth against your Majesties Royal Father of ever blessed memory his Crown and Dignity in this your Majesties Kingdom of Ireland upon the 23. of October in the year of our Lord God 1641. and manifest it self by the Murthers and Destruction of many thousands of your said Majesties good and loyal Subjects which afterwards universally spreading and diffusing it self over the whole Kingdom setled into and became a formed and almost National Rebellion of the Irish Papists against your Royal Father of blessed memory his Crown and Dignity to the destruction of the English and Protestants inhabiting in Ireland The which Irish Papists being represented in a General Assembly chosen by themselves and acting by a Council called by them The Supream Council of the Confederate Roman Catholicks of Ireland did first assume usurp and exercise the Power of Life and Death make Peace and War Levy and Coin Money and many other Acts of Soveraign Authority Treating with Foreign Princes and Potentates for their Government and Protection and afterwards acted under a Foreign Authority by all the said ways disowning and rejecting your Royal Fathers and your Majesties undoubted Right to this Kingdom even while they treacherously used his and your Majesties Names in the outward forms of their Proceedings withal impiously seeming by words and shews to swear unto that which by the whole Series of their Deeds they denied And moreover presuming to pretend his late Majesties Sacred Authority even for their worst actions all which they did amongst other their evil Designs to frighten his good Protestant Subjects from their Loyalty to blast his Majesties Honour and to widen the Breach between his said Majesty and his seduced Subjects in England The which Ends by their said wicked Stratagems they did too successfully and mischievously effect Before this Preamble to the Act of Settlement pass'd the Irish by their Agents in England had an unusual Favour of inspecting that Bill and objecting what they thought fit which they did in the presence of the Commissioners sent out of Ireland by the Convention and Lords Justices and Council even before his Majesty his Council and the Committee of Lords for the Affairs of Ireland to that end especially appointed The debate continuing touching this grand Instrument from the 8th of July 1661. till March following in which the Irish most insisted against the Preamble for that it seem'd to involve the whole Nation in the first designing and raising of the late Rebellion in Ireland and in the barbarous Circumstance thereof whereas they would pretend it was onely the act of a few Persons of broken fortunes followed with the rude multitude c. Praying that nothing might be contain'd in that Preamble in Derogation to his Majesties Articles of Peace or the blemish of his Majesties Loyal Catholick Subjects delivering in at the same time their Reasons against previous Reprisals the variances between the Declaration and Act of Settlement and their defence for their Articles of Peace Insisting much upon their Loyalty after the Lord Lieutenants departure the Catholicks unanimously in their Assembly joyning if you dare credit their reports with the Lord Deputy to oppose the Usurpers as the best means to divert the Parliament from preventing the Kings Designs in England and Scotland for which his Majesty as they say return'd them thanks they rejecting then many advantagious offers from Ireton though they were in a low Condition and so continued faithful till the Lord Deputy was driven to the Mountains and they at liberty to compound for themselves many of which went beyond-Sea to serve his Majesty All which they insist on as a great test of their Loyalty whereas it can never be made evident as is alledged that Proposals were made to that Assembly by the Usurpers and refused by them for the enjoyment of their Rights Priviledges and Inheritances alike with others under their Government for indeed such Proposals were never made nor offered to them in their most flourishing Condition but it is confessed such Terms were tendred and refused by them as were agreeable to a conquering Army to give as that of the Usurpers then was and to a broken scattered Party to expect as the other was being then reduced to Bogs and Woods as their best Holts and yet the Terms so offered and rejected by the Assembly together were soon after embraced by all of them divided into Parts on which they submitted and laid down Arms having by their Conditions liberty to transport themselves into Foraign Parts or to stay in the Kingdom And therefore it doth no more consist with their Honour then with Truth to say they were forced by banishment to an opportunity of serving his Majesty beyond-Seas from whence they date their Merits from him which was more then his late Majesty of blessed memory could obtain from them although obliged thereunto by Allegiance and Articles when his Distress and their Power were sublimated to the highest Pitch and his Prerogative lay at the stake as he did often complain of The Commissioners from the Lords Justices and Council besides this produced the Instructions of the Supream Council to their Agents for Rome France Spain offering the Crown to either
yet the Massacres continued fol. 30 Sir Charles Coot Senior Governour of Dublin fol. 27 his success in Wickle fol. 38 vindicated from the Rebels aspersions fol. 41 beats the Enemy from Clantarf fol. 43 Swords fol. 52 with the Lord Lisle relieves the Lady Offalia fol. 78 takes Trim ibid. is killed ibid. After whose death much was not attempted till the Battle of Ross where the Gallantry of the English and the Life of their General wonderfully appeared fol. 80 Sir Charles Coot Junior prospers against Con ORourk c. in Connaght fol. 50 beats the Rebels in Connaght fol. 76 relieves Athlone ibid. his good Service in Connaght fol. 146 his Reply to the Presbytery at Belfast fol. 207 208 censured for complying with Owen O Neil fol. 217 takes Colrain fol. 218 besieges Carickfergus ibid. routs the Scots in Ulster fol. 229 beats the Marquiss of Clanrickard fol. 284 defeats a Party of Fitz. Patricks and Odwyrs forces fol. 300 streightens Gallway fol. 301 has it delivered to him ibid. impeaches several fol. 316 his and other Officers memorable Declaration ibid. Captain Richard Coot's Service in Connaught fol. 120 Lord Costiloe presents to the State the Longford Letter fol. 34 goes for England ibid. The Covenant or Solemn League disown'd fol. 141 The Supream Councels insolent Letter to the Lords Justices fol. 120 Letter touching the Scots fol. 137 to the Pope touching the Nuncio fol. 154 Col. Crafford beats the Enemy from Finglass fol. 43 his good Service at Kilrush fol. 75 his Service at Monaster even with 1300 foot not 13000 fol. 112 against those who alarm'd Dublin fol. 128 Cromwell appointed the Parliaments Lord Lieutenant in Ireland fol. 209 lands at Dublin fol. 222 storms Tredath fol. 223 takes Trim ibid. Carlingford ibid. Newry ibid. returns to Dublin fol. 225 takes Wexford c. ibid. his Assurance that Mass was not to be allow'd in the Parliaments Quarters fol. 226 takes Ross fol. 227 is beaten from Waterford fol. 229 goes to Dungarvan having taken Passage-Fort fol. 230 begins the Campaign fol. 239 takes Clonmel ibid. disturbs the-Rebels Councel in VVestmeath ibid. is summoned into England fol. 241 to be pray'd for not the King by Popish Injunction ibid. Henry Cromwell goes for Ireland fol. 316 indulges Learning fol. 316 is well accepted fol. 316 yields up all to Steel fol. 316 leaves Ireland fol. 316 The Rise of Custodiums fol. 98 D AN Abbreviate of the Parliaments Declaration of the miserable condition of Ireland fol. 124 The Lord Dillon one of the Lord Justices soon displaced fol. 6 Dowdall's Deposition touching the union of the Pale and the Northern Rebels fol. 39 Dundalk recovered by the English fol. 67 The Lady Dowdall's magnanimous defence of Kilfinny-Castle fol. 87 E UPon Edge-hill fight the Supplies for Ireland fail'd fol. 103 By what means the English proceeded in the Warr from 89 to 92 Ever mac Mahon discovers to the Lord Deputy VVentworth a Plot fol. 2 Exceptions taken against the Irish Commissioners Title and Cause fol. 126 The Excommunication against the Marquiss of Ormond why suspended fol. 268 The Clergy's Excommunication not forcible against the Commons resolve to deliver Limerick to Ireton fol. 295 F FAnning displaces the Maior of Waterford and by the Rebels is made Maior fol. 161 is countenanced by the Nuncio ibid. The Lord Forbes against Gallway fol. 82 Forces going to strengthen Tredath beaten at Gellingston-bridge fol. 37 Under Col. Venables Hnnks and Reynolds land at Dublin fol. 218 A Fast Proclaimed fol. 38 by the King's Order the 8th of Jan. fol. 54 to be observed Monthly fol. 77 Fitz-Gerald Edict stating his Cause App. 8 The Anniversary Form of Prayer for the 23 of Octob. App. 88 The Fate of those who had egregiously fail'd in their Duty to the King in Limerick fol. 300 Fleetwood goes for Ireland fol. 302 encourages the Sectarians fol. 315 Col. Flower 's Regiment reduced fol. 180 disbanded 225 sent Prisoner to Chester fol. 195 G GAlbreth gives security being found to have made fictitious Matters fol. 152 The Garrisons in Munster revolt to the Parliament fol. 228 Geoghehan's Insolency against the State fol. 293 Gibson takes Carickmam fol. 73 goes into VVickloe fol. 83 Glamorgan's Agency with the Rebels disown'd fol. 145 Gormanston General of the Pale fol. 42 Defects of Government happily correed though Carue in his Annals of Ireland p. 389. will have it that the King promoted One in Ireland Ex mero odio in hibernos ad tantam honoris amplitudinem an Expression like himself The Person having been entire to his Principles and Allegiance fol. 16 18 Several Graces vouchsafed to the Irish fol. 6 Sir Richard Greenvile's good Service in Kilrush Battle fol. 75 at Raconnel fol. 105 Ross fol. 109 H SIr Frederick Hamilton's Service at Mannor Hamilton fol. 88 Ensign Hammond first enters Carrickmain fol. 73 Sir Simon Harcourt arrives at Dublin fol. 52 his Expedition into VVickloe fol. 72 death at Carrickmain fol. 73 The Herauld at Arms barbarously used at Limerick fol. 160 King Henry the Eighth's Censure of the Popish Clergy fol. 301 A High Court of Justice erected in Ireland fol. 303 where first instituted fol. 304 cut not off above two hundred Persons fol. 315 I JEalousies arise in the Lord Lieutenants Army when the Munster Garrisons are delivered up to Cromwell fol. 228 The L. Inchequin appointed President of Munster fol. 89 his carriage at the Battle of Lisâ—arrel ibid. and the Munster Forces withstand the Gessation fol. 146 his Letter and Declaration to 150 revolt to the Parl. how taken fol. 151 articled against fol. 168 his good Service at Knocknones fol. 187 Letter to the Speaker fol. 188 joyns with the Marquiss of Ormond fol. 190 his Cessation with the Irish fol. 209 Attempts to bring over Jones fol. 209 beats a Party of Jones's Horse fol. 213 routs Col. Chidley Coot ibid. takes Tredagh fol. 214 beats Farrall fol. 215 takes Dundalk ibid. Trim fol. 217 suspecting Cromwell would land in Munster went there fol. 219 is address'd to by the Irish as One acceptable to his Country fol. 245 leaves Ireland fol. 278 his character fol. 278 Instruments of State not to be censured by every Capacity fol. 3 Intermission of Legal Proceedings against the Papists the cause of the Irish Insolencies fol. 1 Quo tempore Carolus VValliae Princeps in Hispania immorabatur omnes Religiosi Ordinis Pontificiae Religionis sibi domicilia pro divino Cultu celebrando Extruxêrunt quae tamen postmodum jussu Regis Vice-comes Faulkland tum Hiberniae Prorex in Coronae profanos usus convertit So belches Carue in his Annals of Ireland fol. 318 Col. Mich. Jones arrives at Dublin fol. 180 is made Governour thereof and Commander of the Lemster Forces ibid. beaten by Preston fol. 186 gains the Battle at Dungan-hill ibid. his good Service with Monk fol. 187 fortifies Dublin fol. 195 sends several suspected into England ibid. his Answer to the L. Lieutenants Letter fol. 209 L. Inchequin's Letter ibid.
beats Clanrickard's Regiments fol. 213 his intention to besiege Tredagh hinder'd fol. 222 his Victory at Rathmines fol. 221 222 his death character fol. 230 Sir Theophilus Jones return'd with a Supply into Ireland fol. 210 made General of Dublin fol. 223 with Col. Reynold's Service in VVestmeath fol. 240 beats Phelim mac Hugh coming to relieve Finagh fol. 283 Seizes Dublin-Castle fol. 316 The bleeding Iphigenia answer'd in reference to a Calumny on the State fol. 55 his Doctrine of the lawfulness of assuming Arms to prevent an Evil confuted by Andrew Sall in his Book entituled fol. 16 Ireland never subdued till the Laws were as communicable to the Irish as English fol. 1 neglected fol. 93 Ireton left by Cromwell his Deputy fol. 241 takes VVaterford fol. 255 his service at Kilkenny fol. 282 sits down before Limerick fol. 283 takes Limerick fol. 290 dies there fol. 300 his Reasons after he had taken VVaterford why he put out the Irish App. 1 The Irish pretend a Commission under the broad Seal fol. 29 cruel before the Parliament medled with their Religion fol. 50 taunt the Lords of the Pale with old miscarriages fol. 69 hearken not to the Cessation whilst they storm'd Castle-Coot fol. 120 petition upon the Cessation to be admitted to their Houses fol. 140 Intentions suspected fol. 153 as false to Clanrick as Ormond fol. 284 285 upon their Heats with the Marquiss of Ormond threaten to return to their confederacy fol. 272 surrender on the Kilkenny Articles fol. 302 charg'd with the guilt of Royal Blood fol. 303 transplanted into Connaght fol. 315 Agents admitted to inspect the Act of Settlement fol. 320 carriage and dismission fol. 321 The Judges Reasons for the Continuance of the Parliament fol. 131 The Lords Justices equal Government fol. 7 cheerfulness to comply with the request of both Houses fol. 13 adjourn the Parliament to the 9th of Nov. ibid. summon the Lords of the Pale to consult what to be done fol. 40 Proclamation of the 28 of Decemb. fol. 45 Mercy to such as should return to their obedience in time fol. 51 Letter to the Speaker touching Ross Battle fol. 106 Letter to the King of the Affairs of Ireland fol. 122 K KIlrush Battle from 73 to 75 K. Charles I. censure of the Rebellion fol. 14 refers the care of Ireland to the Parliament of England fol. 36 sends Arms and Ammunition out of Scotland into Ireland fol. 38 his speech checking the Parliaments slow proceedings fol. 44 his second speech to that Intent ibid. his offer to raise 10000 Voluntiers for the Irish service fol. 45 his Proclamation against the Rebels fol. 53 his Reasons why it came forth no sooner fol. 54 his Letter of Grace to the Irish fol. 6 oflers to go into Ireland fol. 70 his Resentment of that Rebellion fol. 92 93 his Commission to hear the Rebels Remonstrance fol. 114 his first Letter about the Cessation fol. 118 his second Letter to that Intent fol. 121 his third Letter to the same purpose fol. 124 his fourth Letter for the same fol. 130 his fifth Letter for it and ordering how the Souldiers should be dispos'd of fol. 132 his motive to the Cessation fol. 130 K. Charles I. his answer to the Parliament touching Ireland fol. 200 his Letter to the Marquiss of Ormond ibid. his Reasons for the Peace 1648 fol. 202 his Judgment on Glamorgans Agency fol. 153 K. Charles II. upon the Defeat of Rathmaines is diverted from Ireland fol. 222 being inform'd of the disobedience of the Irish permits the L. Lieutenant to withdraw his Authority fol. 246 Declaration in Scotland against the Peace 1648. fol. 269 his Proclamation touching the Rebels fol. 318 Captain King's good Service at Balintober fight fol. 81 Lord Kynalmechy slain at the Battle of Liscarroll fol. 89 L THe Laity even those who would be thought the greatest Royalists where the Clergy were concern'd would not punish without the Bishops Cooperation fol. 267 Lambert thought on for Ireland but disappointed fol. 301 A Letter from Sir Henry Vane to the Lords Justices intimating a Conspiracy fol. 7 The Earl of Leicester design'd Lord Lieutenant not permitted to go fol. 5 However afterwards by the Act of Settlement his Arrears were allow'd 6. but that was not so satisfactory to him as his missing an opportunity to express his vertue and courage was really unhappy Limerick refractory 251. govern'd by the Clergy 244. delivered upon Articles fol. 296 governed by Sir Hardr. VValler for the Parliament fol. 299 The Lord Lisle lands at Dublin fol. 77 relieves the Lady Offalia fol. 78 beats the Rebels from Trim fol. 79 The Lord Lisle's expedition into Westmeath fol. 102 good service at Ross fol. 109 voted Lord Lieutenant by the Parliament fol. 168 his Arrival ibid. Service ibid. Return ibid. Lisnegarvey Fight fol. 38 The Lords of the Pale except against words in the first Proclamation fol. 22 Sir Thomas Lucas arrives at Dublin fol. 29 is in a Councel of War at Tredagh fol. 67 his Service in the Expedition towards Kilrush fol. 73 at the Battle of Kilrush fol. 74 75 Ross fol. 109 prisoner at Tredath fol. 195 admitted to have besides Officers 30 Souldiers in his Troop fol. 141 Ludlow succeeds Ireton fol. 301 Lowther one of the Commissioners from Ormond to Oxford fol. 142 the Parliament fol. 167 his excellent Speech at the trial of Sir Phelim O Neil fol. 305 M THe Lord Macguire's Examination fol. 23 Trial fol. 200 Execution fol. 200 Mac Mahon's Examination fol. 20 Trial fol. 99 Execution fol. 99 The Mayor of Dublin and his Brethren scarcely advance 50 l. fol. 27 Dr. Maxwell's large Examination touching the Plot App. 126 Means to reduce Ireland to Peace and Quietness fol. 46 Mellifont besieg'd by the Rebels fol. 37 Active Men of the House of Commons fol. 8 Protestant Members of Parliament inveigled by the Papists to seek ease and redress fol. 10 Money appointed for Ireland misapplied fol. 33 Lieut. Col. Monk arrives in Ireland fol. 52 his Advance at Kilrush Battle fol. 75 relieves Balanokill fol. 105 his Expedition against Preston fol. 128 seizes Carrickfergus Colrain Belfast fol. 195 his Cessation with O Neil disallowed of by the Parliament fol. 215 dismissed the Parliaments Service ibid. Monro's Letter in disgust of the Cessation fol. 136 The Lord Moore enters Tredagh fol. 60 his excellent Service there fol. 63 in Meath fol. 101 appears before Port-Leicester-Mill fol. 128 his death fol. 129 character ibid. A Motion to call in a Forraign Prince fol. 174 The Lord Moungarret head of the Munster Rebels fol. 84 The Lord Muskery joyns with the Rebels ibid. Munster Service fol. 93 Murther why a greater offence in Ireland then England fol. 311 A Collection of Murthers from f. 119 in the App. to 125. in which viz. f. 120 there is mention made of the Murther of Thomas Prestick the proof of which is referred to a Letter accidently left out but on occasion may be seen in my hands N LUke
Nettervile and others assemble at Swords fol. 41 Some of the Nobility desire the King to compose Extreams betwixt the Protestants and Confederates fol. 145 The Northern Scotch Forces refuse to aid ours in Lemster fol. 83 The Nuncio arrives in Ireland fol. 153 his exorbitant carriage fol. 161 besieges Dublin fol. 162 166 forbids those delegated to treat with the Lord Lieutenant about the Peace to proceed on censure of Excommunication fol. 163 his Excommunication fol. 165 is persued by the Confederates to Gallway fol. 190 a Narrative of his insolent carriage in Ireland fol. 191 his Answer to it from fol. 192 to 194 Summons a National Synod fol. 190 Quits the Kingdom ibid. O THe Oath of Association with several Acts depending thereupon fol. 95 to 98 of the Confederates against the Nuncio App. 99 against the Peace of 1646. taken by the Officers in Tredagh fol. 62 Owen O Conally's Examination fol. 20 sent to the Parliament with Letters fol. 27 rewarded fol. 36 slain fol. 225 The Lady Offalia's generous carriage against the Rebels fol. 77 Certain Officers out of Ireland their Address to the King fol. 112 receive his Answer fol. 113 Offers made to the Parliament disown'd by Inchiquin fol. 196 Sir Phelim O Neil's cruelties in the North for his Repulse at Tredagh fol. 68 besieges Charlemont fol. 28 present at Loghress when the Plot was determin'd fol. 24 approaches Lisnegarvy fol. 38 besieges Tredagh fol. 59 is beaten near Raphoe fol. 83 assists Clanrickard fol. 302 his Trial at the High Court of Justice fol. 304 hang'd drawn and quarter'd fol. 327 his character ibid. Daniel O Neil moves his Excellency to come with an Army into England fol. 152 sent by his Excellency to win over his Uncle fol. 227 Owen O Neil endeavours to surprize the Lord Lieutenant fol. 161 his Declaration for the Catholick Religion King c. fol. 194 persued by the Confederates retires to the great Towns fol. 190 endeavouring to relieve Port-Falkland worsted fol. 196 offers to be entertain'd by the Parliament ibid. falls upon Clanrickard's Party fol. 201 and the Parliaments party agree fol. 214 his Service in relieving Londonderry fol. 217 agrees with the Lord Lieutenant but before he brought his Forces to him dies fol. 228 The Order of Parliament of England concerning Ireland fol. 36 The Earl of Ormond made Lieutenant General of the Army fol. 37 visits Tredagh fol. 67 Gallantry at Kilrush fol. 75 The Marquiss of Ormond's Expedition to Ross fol. 108 just Edict against plundering fol. 111 unwillingness to yield to the Rebels unjust demands fol. 153 concludes the Peace 1646. fol. 155 Lord Lieutenant goes to Kilkenny fol. 159 besieged by the Nuncio in Dublin fol. 167 makes a shew to deliver the City to the Parliament ibid. forced to return to Dublin fol. 172 his Reason for his delivery up of his Power to the Parliament fol. 177 hath the King's concession fol. 179 delivers up Dublin fol. 183 goes into England ibid. has free access to the King fol. 184 is suspected by the Army fol. 185 Meditates to return to Ireland fol. 189 lands in Ireland fol. 197 his Declaration then ibid. Letters to the Councel of Kilkenny fol. 200 is congratulated by the Supream Councel ibid. concludes the Peace 1648. fol. 202 his Speech then ibid. endeavours to win Jones to his Party fol. 209 his Difficulty in forming his Army fol. 211 Marches towards Dublin fol. 212 appears before Dublin fol. 213 his Declaration touching affairs in Ulster fol. 215 blocks up Dublin fol. 218 after Rathmines defeat retires to Kilkenny fol. 222 not obey'd by the principal Towns fol. 224 intends to fight Cromwel fol. 226 uses means to bring in Owen O Neil fol. 227 his endeavour to impede Cromwell's return to Dublin fol. 230 his Gallantry in relieving such who intended to surprize Passage fol. 231 denied leave to hut his men under Waterford fol. 232 gives the King an Account of the Affairs in Ireland ibid. demonstrates to the Commissioners of Trust his ill usage fol. 233 receives the Grievances of the Deputies of the Counties fol. 239 goes to Limerick ibid. Summons the Romish Bishops thither fol. 242 Conference with them ibid. receives not outward Civility there fol. 243 calls an Assembly at Loghreogh its Effects ibid. 244 another Assembly at Loghreogh fol. 245 is addressed to by them fol. 246 Answer worthy himself fol. 247 248 Proposals to be received into Limerick fol. 251 is ill used by the Maior of that Town fol. 252 his Commission to the Bishop of Clogher on O Neils death ibid. Resentment of the Bishops voluntary meeting at Jamestown fol. 257 Answer to the Bishops Declaration at James-town fol. 261 clears himself of their Accusation from 261 to 267 Declaration upon the Confederates Resentment of the Declaration made in Scotland against the Peace 1648 fol. 269 272 is affronted by the Guard at Gallway fol. 273 his reply to the Confederates reasons for the removal of his Authority in him from 273 to 277 Deputes Clanrickard Deputy fol. 278 departs the Kingdom ibid. P THe Papists ready to contribute that a toleration might ensue fol. 1 of the Pale equasly involv'd in the Conspiracy fol. 41 countenanced the Robberies c. at Clantarf and Skerries fol. 43 join to infest Dublin ibid. after the Relief of Tredagh offer to come in fol. 66 rejected and why ib. Petition sent to the King fol. 112 The Parliament at Dublin why called fol. 3 meets fol. 32 prorogued fol. 35 's of Ireland Declaration to the Parliament of England fol. 178 Remonstrance to the Lord Lieutenant fol. 182 of England declares all Traitors who deserted the Service of Ireland fol. 223 A Parliament summon'd at Dublin fol. 319 under the Precedency of Sir Maurice Eustace and the Earl of Orrery Lords Justices and continued under the Duke of Ormond its Acts fol. 320 Sir William Parsons Lord Justice fol. 6 accused of misdemeanors fol. 123 Amiscreant Party no true Protestant ever justly charg'd with the King's Murther fol. 304 The Peace of 1646. concluded fol. 155 's Articles fol. 156 as necessary as the Cessation fol. 159 disclaim'd at Waterford fol. 160 1648. concluded fol. 204 's Articles fol. 205 refused by O Neil Antrim and the Scots fol. 206 The Peoples devotion to the Clergy fol. 267 Pope Urban the Eighth's Bull fol. 135 Indulgence to Owen Roe fol. 136 Milo Power 's good Service to the Lord Lieutenant fol. 231 The Presbytery at Belfast endeavour to draw Sir Charles Coot to their Party fol. 207 The President of Connaght esteem'd remiss fol. 101 Preston and O Neil's Letter and Demands to the L. Lieutenant fol. 166 beats Jones fol. 186 A Proclamation by the Lord Falkland against the Popish Clergy fol. 1 discovering the Plot fol. 22 forbidding strangers the City fol. 28 publishing the King's detestation of the Rebellion fol. 30 against people flocking to the City fol. 32 prizing Corn fol. 48 against Pillagers ibid. prohibiting the Souldiers to return to England
into Ireland out of Scotland * Fol. 290. * Nicholas Dowdall * The Author of the English and Scotch Bresbytery p. 222. The States Manifest in Answer to Nettervile and his Accomplices fears The Lords Justices Vindication of Sir Charles Coote See Sir J. Temple part 2. p. 30. as the Answer to the 9th Article of the Rebels Remonstrance at Trym p. 78. His Majesty's Works fol. 393 About the midst of December the Rebellion breaks forth in Munster The Rebellion appears in Connaght The Reasons why each Province burst not at once into a flame * The Author of the English and Scotch Presbytery p. 222. Scobels Acts fol. 197. Sir Simon Harcourt arriv'd out of England with the first Forces Sir Charles Coote goes to Swoards Five Regiments more arriv'd out of England His Majesties Proclamation against the Rebels the first of January His Majesties Reasons why his Proclamation came out so late The Rebels notwithstanding his Majesty's Proclamation grew more united * The Insolencies of the Polititian's Catech. briefly reflected on and what the English are charged with The Rebels endeavour principally to make themselves Masters of Leimster The Rebels begirt Tredath The Situation of Tredath The Siege of Tredath and its strength * Sir John Netterviles Sir Hen Tichborn enters the 4th of Novemb. Governour of Tredath * This Captain John Morris was Page to the Countess of Strafford one of singular courage through the whole War and a Colonel in England and Governour of Pontfract Castle for which Service having past many Fortunes he was Condemn'd and Executed at York the eight of August 1649. The first Relief of Tredath the xi of January The second Relief Febr. the 14th Appendix 6th * In his Speech the 13th of Febr. 1662. p. 17. 38. Tredath being freed several of the Lords of the Pale offer upon Conditions to come in The Earl of Ormond visits Tredath with 3000 Foot and 500 Horse Dundalk assaulted and gain'd Sir Phelim Oneal being disappointed at Tredath revenges himself on the British in other Parts The Irish taunt the Lords of the Pale with old Miscarriages The King offers to go for Ireland Sir Harcourt's Expedition into Wicklow Lieutenant Colonel Gibson pursues the Design and took Carrickmain May in his Hist. 8. p. 174. The Marquiss of Ormonds Expedition The Battle of Kilrush Some Transactions in Connaght The Lord Lisle lands at Dublin * This Lady Offalia was the only Daughter of Gerald eldest Son of Gerald Earl of Kildare who died before his Father Brother of Thomas beheaded the 28. of H. 8. She was Entituled Lady Offalia by the special Favour of King James in an Award betwixt her and George late Earl of Kildare else she could not have had that Title properly belonging to the eldest Son of the Earls of Kildare The Lord Lisle and Sir Charles Coot relieve the Lady Offalia They take in Trym The Rebels resolve to surprize Sir Charles Coot in Trym Sir Charles Coot slain at Trym The Battle of Balintober fought at a Place called now Na Nart the mid-way betwixt Oran and Balintober The account of some Affairs in the North. See the Article 6. of Aug. 1642. Kings Works fol. 534. The Affairs in Munster Mountgarret lodges at Moyallo The Lord Muskery contrary to his promises takes part with the Rebels A contest upon Mountgarret's leaving Moyallo who should be Chief Barry chosen General Muskery c. styled The Council of War Bealing's vain Summons of the Castle of Lismore The Lord President 's advance to Talloe Dungarvan taken by the Lord President The Battel near Cappaquin the first in Muster well fought and managed The Earl of Barrymore took in Cloghleagh Ardmore Castle taken in The Fort of Dunganon Limerick C. Archerstown Rathbarry Castle Dundede and Dunowen Castle Asketon Castle Matrix Castle of Loegar Castle Kilfinny An Abbreviate of Sir Cole's Services in his Fort of Eniskillin Sir Hamilton's Enterprises The Rebels under Garret Barry beaten before Cork Sir William St. Leger Lord President of Munster vigilant and faithful The Lord President of Munster dies The Lord Inchequin chosen in his Place The Lord Inchequin's excellent service at the Battel of Liscarrol Carickfergus delivered to the Scots The Bill of Loan passed at Westminster Several Sums prescrib'd * In a Declaration to all his loving Subjects in Answer to the Remonstrance of the Commons the 15th of Decemb 1641. The King expresses his deep Resentment for Ireland His Majesty's sense of Ireland and the Parliament's Return Ireland neglected The Parliament makes use of part of the Money collected for Ireland * In his Answer to the Parliament's Petition the 28th of April 1642. * Appendix 7th * In his Collection of Acts and Ordinances of Parliament fol. 197. * Fol. 740. The General Assembly at Kilkenny As also Mahone in his Disput. Apologet. p. 101. The Preamble to the Oath of Association The Oath of Association The Propositions Their Seal The Confederates Commission to a Privateer * Appendix 8. Custodiums allotted to the Soldiers Appendix 9. The Lord Mac-Guire and Mac-Mahon sent into England Their Trial at Westminster Mac-Mahon's Execution The Lord Mac-Guire's end * The 20th of August 1642. Causes why Affairs prospered no better The Lord Lisle's Expedition into Westmeath c. Cap. Vaughan's Resolution * October 14th * In Declar. 22. Octob. 1642. Goodwin and Reynolds arrive in Ireland See Hâ—â—b Collect fol. 248. They leave Ireland Colonel Monk relieves Balanokil Necessity of all things in Dublin upon the withdrawing of the Parliaments Committee Sir Richard Greenvile relieves Athlone The Battle at Raconnel The Lords Justices coin Plate with his Majesty's Stamp The Lords Justices Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons in England touching Ross c. The Marquess of Ormond's Expedition against Ross. Ross Battle The Army from Ross return and quarter in Dublin to the further burthen of that City The Armies Remonstrance The Confederates Petition sent to his Majesty The Protestant Committe's Petition to his Majesty His Majesties Answer The Irish Remonstrance The Parl. Declaration concerning the Rise of the Rebels Husb. Collect. fol. 248. * Sir J. T. Hist. Irel. the Pref. * Printed by Edw. Husb. 1644. His Majesties first Letter of the 23d of April touching the Cessation An Abbreviate of the War in Munster The English Army routed The Irish worsted before Cappaquin * Colonel Myn after the Cessation went into England with his Regiment oftentimes encountring Massy who joyntly exprest much valour And in a conflict near Hartpury-fields in Glocestershire was slain by Massies Forces 1644. and by reason of his Gallantry buried at Glocester with the loss of the English Regiment he brought from Ireland Sanders H. C. 1. Fol. 731. The transactions in Connaght Galloway Fort taken by the Irish. Castle Coot Besieged The Irish break the Cessation Sir Jo. Borlase Sir Hen. Tichborn Lords Justices His Majesties second Letter about the Cessation See Husbands Collect. Fol. 160. The Lords Justices Letter to his Majesty of
for Religion another Rebellion that of Hugh O-Neal commonly called Tyrones Rebellion whose Forces together with the Spanish assistances were overthrown by Mountjoy Lord Deputy at Kinsale Dec. 24. 1601. he himself submitting March 1602. These were during the Reign of Queen Eliz. IV. After whose death King James succeeded and within one Month after Anno 1603. the Cities of Waterford Cork and Limerick stood out and opposed the Proclaiming the Kng he not being they said a Catholick these acted Hostility inviting all other Cities to a conjunction to which Kilkenny and Wexford were inclining but by the Deputy Mountjoys marching against them with an Army they were forced to Submission V. After Anno 1607. was a Providential discovery of another Rebellion in Ireland the Lord Chichister being Deputy the Discoverer not being willing to appear a Letter from him not subscribed was superscribed to Sir William Usher Clerk of the Council and dropt in the Council Chamber then in the Castle of Dublin in which was mention'd a Design for seizing that Castle murthering the Deputy c. with a general revolt and dependance on Spanish Forces c. and this also for Religion for particulars whereof I refer to that Letter dated March 19. 1607. which you have VI. The very next year Anno 1608. was the breaking out of Sir Cahie O Dogherty's Rebellion in Ulster by whom Derry was taken and burnt the Governor Sir George Paulet murther'd and Culmore Castle some miles distant surpriz'd that being the Magazine for Arms and Ammunition for those parts His Confederates were considerable his Forces increasing and expecting Tyrone and Tyrconnil's return with Forces from Flanders Against him was the Marshal Sir Richard Wingfield sent with a strong Party the Deputy following with more Forces from Dublin But this short yet smart Rebellion ended with the death of the Arch rebel and the dispersing his followers VII Seven years after Anno 1615. was a Providential discovery made by one Teige O Lenan to Sir Thomas Philips of Lemovadey in Ulster of a Design of Alexander mac Donel Bryan Crosse O-Neal and other the principal of the Irish in Tyrone and Tyrconnil with large Confederacies for Religion They first designed the taking Charlemount commanded by Sir Toby Caulfield where was then Prisoner Conne Greg O-Neal Tyrones Son and about the same time by severally appointed Parties was order'd the taking in the principal Forts and Towns in Ulster and murthering the Protestants in that Province and elsewhere They had promises of Foreign assistance from Spain France and Rome the particulars you have During the Reign of King James were these 4 last mentioned VIII After Anno 1634. under the Government of the Lord Viscount Wentworth Lord Deputy Ever or Emerus mac Mahon a Popish Priest privately discover'd to Sir George Radcliffe principal in trust with the Lord Deputy that there was a Design for a general rising in Ireland to be seconded and assisted from abroad The Discoverer having assurance of Pardon acknowledging himself engaged in that Conspiracy having been employed some years on that account in Foraign Courts soliciting supplies for carrying on that work for Religion This Discoverer was after the Popish Bishop of Down and after of Clogher Hereof the Lord Deputy inform'd his Majesty King Charles I. who thereupon by his Ambassadors watching practices in Courts abroad there were at length general and dark hints given of something tending to a Rebellion in Ireland but how or when or by whom was not then so appearing Hereof his Majesty by his Royal Letters Signed by Sir Henry Vane one of his principal Secretaries dated March 16. 1640. and directed to the then Lords Justices Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlase did charge them with the care of that danger imminent of which his Majesties Letter you have likewise a Copy And this brings to that Rebellion Anno 1641. which on the 23d of October did break out unexpectedly notwithstanding all cautions concerning it this like a violent Hurricane bearing all down before it which gives you your work at present The result and design of all which thus here briefly collected shews 1. That from Shane O-Neals Rebellion Anno 1566. until that in 1641. there passed about 75 years a space of time within the ordinary age of a man 2. That within those but 75. years there had been in Ireland Five open Rebellions one as it were in the neck of another viz. Shane O-Neals Anno 1566. Desmonds Anno 1569. Hugh O-Neal called Tyrones Rebellion Anno 1595. O Doghertyes Anno 1608. and this Grand Rebellion 1641. this surpassing all before I know not why that Rebellion of the Cities of Waterford Cork and Limerick may not add to that number this being as open as any and dangerous and requiring the presence of the principal Commander and the marching of the Forces of the Kingdom to suppress it Add to these those 2 Discoveries mentioned Anno 1607. and 1615. not to mention apart that Anno 1634. falling into that of 1641. which 2 former had been dismal to the Kingdom if not by Gods providence seasonably and wonderfully discovered and happily prevented Therefore have we herein not to wonder at Rebellions in Ireland than which nothing there more common from generation to generation and may not the like be yet expected when opportunity shall be for it the same Spirit and Causes remaining This is not Sir to forestal your work but serves as an Index directing to what follows of yours giving also an edge to this desire of finding the breviat as by you enlarged if you have thought fit to make use of it I shall now end your trouble herein giving you the deserved praise of your labours and zeal to that necessary undertaking I rest Sir Your very affectionate Friend and Servant Henry Midensis Dublin May 27. 1679. Since I reduced the History to what it is I reflected on several to whom I might have adrest it some who having run through the Hazzard of that War and the Councils of that Age might well have own'd it it being in the main an Epitome of their Illustrious Actions Others being design'd to the Government but not aiming at the Work as too sensible of the English Interest to betray it justly challenges a respect and Title thereunto And not a few through whose Provision the Irish were subdued might well have contenanc'd the Event But considering how insignificant a great Title is where Truth must be the main support elated Dedications bespeaking Authors more ambitious than known I could not delude my Reason with a Conceipt that a Mecaenas as the Laurel exempts from Thunder and therefore countent with the Integrity of the Story having no ends to oblige me to a single respect I here comit it naked to the Decision of the Age. It may be some whose Excellency consists in Detraction will think by this I had a particular Design besides the bare History to preserve the Memory of some who otherwise in tract of time might
up those Cindars the King said That needed not for to what purpose is it to prove the Sun shines this day when we all see it And from the Proceedings of the State exprest in their Letter to the Lord Lieutenant it is evident that all the hopes they had was of the old English of the Pale and some other Parts that they would continue constant to the King as they did in former times Then which what could be a clearer demonstration of their Confidence in them strengthening afterwards their Belief in affording them Arms and Trusting them with Commissions Civil and Martial And wheras these men will have it that they offer'd Propositions to the State charging them with the neglect thereof it is justified in the Lords Justices Letter to the Lord Lieutenant That not one of them to that hour offer'd to the State any Advice or real Assistance towards the Pacification of these Troubles Or when they were invited by all the engagements Honour or Loyalty could enforce would they ever comply with any Nay let the Insolency They used to the Orders of Parliament and the Invitation and Condescention of the State tearing the First and vilifying the Latter remain a perpetual Witness of their Arrogance and Ingratitude that the State would have secur'd their Allegiance and they would not When I first enter'd on this History I propos'd to my self a Series of the whole but prest with my own Affairs and Matter encreasing plentfully upon me I held it rational to sum up the whole after I had brought it to the Cessation which some had an apprehension was not a less Plot to deliver the Remainder of his Majesties true Subjects into the Rebels hands and to root out the Protestant Religion then what was commenc'd the 23. of October 1641. But the Articles of that Cessation speak otherwise necessity being the Ground thereof legible in his Majesties Motives to a Cessation the 19th of October 1643. which afterwards was highly controverted and in the end so enfeebled as the War according to the first intent was after the long Parliament grasp'd all pursued with Vigour and Success Which here induced to it by many Reasons we have at last according to our first thoughts brought to a Period under his Majesties Test in the Voice of his Parliament in Ireland 1662. though with omission of many Circumstances lest in such variety we might fall short of those considerable Actions which frequently interven'd fit indeed for none less Privy to the Rebels than the State However we have not omitted sufficient to clear the Rise as well as the Conclusion of this War not so much dreading Censures as caring to inform Right Yet I Question not but there will be some who will find if not sufficient enough to carp at No History was so round as to pass a General Acceptance Happily Reader Non facit ad Stomachum nostra Lagena tuum Thy Appetite relishes not truth too near the Quick another thinks the time ill chosen and some have other Prejudice Whether one or other raises an Exception the Story is Tragical And those who have trod the Theater find such Tracts as are Horrible to repeat never to be forgot Though the Errata's seem many they are more in Accents and Literal Defects then considerable mistakes Such as an Ingenious Reader may as soon rectifie as view The running Title from Fol. 24. to 32. instead of what is there must be this The Dismal Effects of the Irish Insurrection and some numbers in Battles are carefully to be Corrected as Fol. 73. 8000. Foot for 3000. and Fol. 112. 13000. Foot for 1300. The rest are generally easie Errata's in the History FOl. 9. Line 13. read An Fol. 10. Line 35. read Ghostly Confessor Fol. 13. Line 45. read Peisley Fol. 15. Line 24. read Momonia Fol. 16. Line 31. read formed Fol. 18. Line 2. read Courts Fol. 19. Line 28. read would Fol. 19. Line 33. that for our Sins that is omitted Fol. 21. Line 22. prevent it it is left out Fol. 22. Line 34. read Majesty Fol. 25. Line 45. read pursue Fol. 38. Line 52. read also Fol. 39. Line 26. read Kilbrew Fol. 43. Line 9. read Fishing-boats Fol. 44. Line 29. read dispatch Fol. 49. Line 29. read Westmeath Fol. 52. Line 13. read 1641. Fol. 64. Line 32. and killed leave out and Fol. 73. Line 43. read 3000. Fol. 76. Line 35. read Balinasto Fol. 82. Line 18. read a Gigantick Fol. 83. Line 11. read from Court Fol. 86. Line 5. read Haste Fol. 86. Line 43. leave out take or Fol. 91. Margin read Subscrib'd Fol. 102. Line 45. from whence is to be blotted out Fol. 103. Line 39. read themselves Fol. 94. Line 27. read intent Fol. 105. Line 9. read approach Fol. 106. Line 6. read Straights Fol. 106. Line 13. read for Fol. 112. Line 15. read 1300. Fol. 118. read 115. and F. 115. read 118. Fol. 120. Line 8. read Besiegers Fol. ibid. Line 15. read Carrickdrumroosh Fol. ibid. Line 25. read skirmish'd Fol. 129. Line 2. Apprehension left out Fol. 132. Margin read the 5th Fol. 134. Line 18. our obedience blot out our as also the Superscription it being to be as the former Letter was Superscribed Fol. 292. Line 36. But that but is left out 141. Line 46. immediately after Sreights prest on him is omitted Fol. ibid. in the Marg. read Teag O Bryan Fol. 181. Line 52. his is left out Fol. 185. Line 35. read restrain Fol. 187. Line 36. read Kilkitto Fol. 200. Line 4. read desist Fol. 218. Line 16. read Marquess of Ormonds Fol. 225. Line 4. Lieutenant is to be left out Fol. 226. Line 6. which was was blot out Fol. 252. Line 35. the Earl the blot out Fol. 282. Line 21. read 20. of August Fol. 287. Line 26. read unsound Fol. 316. Line 16. read 27. Fol. 326. Line 32. read blanch'd Errata's in the Appendix FOl. 10. Line 27. I is to be omitted Fol. ibid. Line 28. read Torilagh Fol. 12. Line 12. read Tool O Conly Fol. 12. Line 45. read Ever mac Mahon Fol. 15. Line 23. read Torilagh Fol. 19. Line 41. from is omitted before read Loghross Fol. 25. Line 4. read Costilough Fol. 66. Line 18. read resent Fol. 66. Line 44. do continue is twice printed Fol. 94 Line 9. read Sword Fol. 98. in the Margin read Car. 342. and lower 344. Car. An. Hib. 344. Fol. 101. Line 18. after Commission would have been violated is left out Fol. 101. Line 23. and after the Parenthesis And he is omitted Fol. 102. in the Marg. read put in Fol. 114. Line 26. read Lisgool Fol. 124. Line 32. read sence Errata's in the Epistle FOl. 6. Line 3. read form'd Fol. 7. Line 11. read reflections on Fol. 9. Line 28. read impt Fol. 9. Line 29. read Zenith Fol. 13. Line 27. Penitence for for is left out as also violating it as often Fol. 11. Line 11. read Reflected on Fol. 17. Line 12.
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
were countenanc'd in their Complaints and Prosecution And as to the Progress of Religion there receive from the Bishop of Derry this account in his Discourse of the Sabbath where having occasion to mention the incomparable and pious Primate Archbishop Usher he takes notice That having liv'd sundry years a Bishop in the Province of Ulster whilst the Political part of the care of that Church lay heavy upon his shoulders he prais'd God they were like Candles in the Levitical Temple looking one towards another and all towards the Stem no contention arising amongst them but who should hate contention most and pursue the Peace of the Church with swiftest paces inasmuch as if the high-soaring Counsels of some short-wing'd Christians whose eyes regarded nothing but the present Prey with the Rebellious practises of the Irish Enemy tied together like Samson's Foxes with Firebrands at their tails had not thrust them away from the Stern and chas'd them from their Sees with Bellona's bloody Whip They might before this time without either persecution or noise have given a more welcome and comfortable account of the Irish Church than our Age is likely to produce The last time this Noble Person the Earl of Strafford enter'd Ireland was the 18th of March 1639. when he arriv'd at Dublin Lord Lieutenant a little before having in an extraordinary Solemnity and conflux of Ambassadors and Peers been made Earl of Strafford at which time he appear'd in Parliament begun the 16th of March in the 14th of King Charles the I. expressing his Majesties Necessities in such terms as immediately Four entire Subsidies without further expostulation were unanimously consented unto the freedom of which added much to the largeness of the gift with which he rais'd 8000 Foot and 1000 Horse additional to the Veterain Forces which at the breaking forth of the Rebellion consisted but of 2297 Foot and 943 Horse And so having setled his Majesties affairs in Ireland he went for England to the Parliament at Westminster summon'd by his Mediation the 13th of April 1640. being attended from Ireland with the acclamations of the whole House of Parliament yet legible in a very remarkable manner in the Preamble of their Act of Subsidies Anno 16 Car. 1. yet afterwards we know his fate Never writes Perinshief sufficiently bewail'd by the King till the issue of his blood dri'd up those of his tears All the actions of his Government were narrowly sifted and though no one thing after the mercenary Tongues of the Lawyers had endeavour'd to render him a Monster of men could be found Treason many accumulated were so voted That him whom even now the Parliament of Ireland extolled as an excellent Governour and one for whose due and sincere Administration of Justice they had principally consented to so great a Subsidy they afterwards pursued as the cause of all their mischiefs and so by their Agents even those who afterwards complotted the Rebellion incens'd the Parliament at Westminster against him as they denied all that they had attributed to his Worth fixing on him what-ever might contribute to a praevious Government or the Kingdom 's impoverishment the state of which cannot be better clear'd than by what his Majesty in a full Council at White-hall the 27th of Ian. 1640. seem'd clearly to acquiesce in upon the Earl of Strafford's avowing of the Answer to the Irish Remonstrance against him ordering that a Copy thereof should be forthwith given by the Clerk of the Council to the Committee of Ireland then attending upon him since Registred among the publick Records Thus was this great Man accused thus justifi'd yet all was not sufficient to exempt him from the destructive Bill of Attainder suggesting His tyrannous and exorbitant Power over the Liberties and Estates of his Majesties Subjects in Ireland laying and assessing of Soldiers by his own authority upon the Subject against their consent saying also that he had an Army in Ireland which his Majesty might make use of to reduce this Kingdom meaning England as appears by the Act which passed the 10th of May 1641. His Majesty having Sign'd a Commission to the Earl of Arundel the Lord Privy Seal the Lord High Chamberlain and others to that intent which had an after Act vacating the authority of the precedent for future imitation sufficiently thereby saith his Majesty telling the World that some remorse touched even his most implacable Enemies as knowing he had very hard measure and such as they would be loth should be repeated to themselves And that it might remain to Potesterity to whom the Age is accomptable for her Actions what he suffered in his Trial and by what artifices he was brought to it the Act for the reversal of the Earl of Straffords Attainder Anno xiv Car. II. fully shows to which it may seem impertinent to add more Histories and the Occurrences of those times having presented his Actions at his Trial more significant than I dare pretend to such a Scene of Justice attended with that Magnificence in its Structure such Seats for their Majesties for Ambassadors and the most discerning Audience of England not being to be parallel'd Therefore I shall conclude as to Him with what his Majesty speaks in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That his great abilities were prone to create in him great confidence of undertakings and this was like enough to betray him to great Errors and many Enemies whereof he could not but contract good store while moving in so high a Sphere and with so vigorous a Lustre he must needs as the Sun raise many envious Exhalations which condens'd by a Popular Odium were capable to cast a Cloud upon the brightest Merit and Integrity c. Yet saith this Excellent King I could never be convinc'd of any such criminousness in him having heard all the particulars of his great Cause from one end to the other as willingly to expose his life to the stroke of Justice and the malice of his Enemies However He suffered on Tower-hill the 12th of May 1641. taking his death with as much Christianity as Courage though some account nothing Christian that is not Effeminate of whom we should say more but must refer the rest to what is extant in Print The 19th of May following Robert Earl of Leicester was designed by his Majesty Lord Lieutenant of Ireland newly return'd from his Embassy in France where he had discharg'd his Trust with singular Prudence and Courage as he had done before in Denmark and elsewhere The choice of whom exceedingly endear'd his Majesties Wisdom to the most knowing and intelligent Party of the Nation the Earl having been one never engag'd in Monopolies one of the Grievances of the Times or the publick Complaints of the Kingdom but being long experienc'd in State-affairs promised nothing save his Majesties Honour and the Kingdoms security Being thought by his knowledge in Martial Affairs and other his great Abilities to be no doubt abundantly capable to reduce the Irish to
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
insequutus est cum multis sequalibus in Lagenia vero se adjunxerant Jacobus Vice-Comes de Baltinglass cum Kavanachiis Briniis aliis Nobilibus illius Provinciae visa est magnis piis Principibus Causa Dei tractari quia pro fide bellum susceptum intellexerunt Copias etiam auxiliares transmiserunt sed propter Delicta seculi irritus fuit Conatus Deo tunc non decernente speratum Bellatoribus effectum tribuere quem in aliud tempus pro alia Generatione aliis Instrumentis modis parandum reservavit atque ita difflatum est Consilium illud dissiluit in partes opus coeptum ipsum infaeliciter dissolutum est neque enim in illa Commotione transire ad refrigerium nostrum voluit Dominus 3. Illa vero Geraldinorum commotione sic praetervecta successit ignis omni late devastans dum flamma ferroque omnia populatur Comes Tyronensis plusquam decennali bello intercipiens hujus Insulae quietem multa visus prospere aggredi multis etiam congressibus victor sed nonnullis victoriis infolescens exercitus tametsi Cohortium antesignari ipse Gubernator Dactor exercitus causam praetulerit honorificam restituendae Religionis nec ullam vellet capitulationem admittere cum Anglis in qua Primario non ageretur De fide Orthodoxa publicè stabilanda per universum regnum quia Tamen via violentia tunc exercita non erat secundum propositum Dei efficax hinc peccatis Hominum irato Numine frustra se exerebant vires Hominum 4. At King James's access to the Crown Waterford Cork and Limerick in Munster Kilkenny and Wexford in Lemster openly oppos'd the King's Title as not being a Catholick but were soon brought into obedience by the Lord Deputy Mountjoy 5. Within four years after the Lord Chichester Deputy Tyrone and O Donnel conspiring with Mac-guire Cormack O Neal O Cahan the Lord Delvin and others design'd a notable Rebellion but were prevented in May 1607. and an Act of Attainder past Anno 11 12 13 Jacobi Cap. 4. 6. The year following Anno scil 1608. Sir Doghertie's War succeeded sharp though short determining in five months encourag'd by the Priests That all who died in that Service went forthwith into Heaven Afterwards the State of Ireland seemed very happy both as to Improvement of Land Plenty and Peace till the year 1634. that Ever Mac-Mahon before mention'd discover'd an intended Plot which by the prudence of the Governour the Lord Wentworth never arriv'd at its design nor afterwards was any thing further suspected till Sir Henry Vane by his Majesties command K. C. 1. gave the Lords Justices the 16th of March notice of a suspected Rebellion of which with its circumstances we have already insisted Though we must say that the result of the former Conspiracies which by the blessedness of the Times prudence of Governours or other accidents were delayed in this Anno sc. 1641. met the accomplishment of them all Yet nothing was here attempted which the bleeding Iphigenia the great Incendiary of that Nation doth not passionately justifie it being in his Divinity and Logick rational That the Irish though not then visibly assaulted might however assume Arms in defence of their Religion and Property both threatned it being writes he a common Doctrine of Divines That it is lawful to prevent an evil that cannot be otherwise avoided than by preventing it nor need the authority of the Prince in that case be required A Doctrine so hellish as none certainly is so besotted but he may easily read therein the ruine of States and Kingdoms excellently answered by the Learned and accurate late Proselyte Dr. Andrew Sal to whom in this point we must refer you And as to matter of Fact bequeath you to the ensuing History clearly evidencing That before the Irish assumed Arms no Instrument was ever thought on much less found against them Formerly indeed it hath been strongly imputed to the State of England that conquering Ireland they did not also endeavour to make them one People holding them Enemies not taking care to settle Civility and a Property amongst them the cause as some thought of frequent Rebellions But though these and some other defects in the Civil Policy some think are inexcusable it may clearly be demonstrated they were not of so large a size as they are mark'd And it may appear by antient Records that the Laws of England were at first communicated to the meer Irish as far as their Barbarism and Cruelties exercis'd on occasions upon the English would well admit But to let these times pass whereof we cannot speak much with any certainty let us now see what fruits we have of all the Royal endeavours of his Gracious Majesty and his two Glorious Predecessors what return for all their Care for all their Charge and for all the English Blood which hath within the compass of the last Age been spilt for purchasing of Peace and introducing of the true Religion and common Civility into Ireland It cannot be denied that since the happy Reign of Queen Elizabeth all the former defects in the Government and Civil Policy have been abundantly supplied and all those Means us'd those Acts perform'd those Designs fully accomplish'd and all things else perfectly brought to pass which in the judgement of all wise Men were conceiv'd would undoubtedly effect the full settlement and reduction of that Kingdom As first The barbarous Customs continually us'd by the Irish have been quite abolished all sorts of People even the most wicked amongst them have been allowed the benefit of the Law and liv'd under the King 's immediate Protection all the Laws of England found useful for that Kingdom have been made currant by Act of Parliament in Ireland many other good Laws enacted and the execution of them hath had free course through all parts of the Kingdom the Courts of Justice have been open and the Judges for the more free distribution of Justice to the People have constantly twice every year gone their Circuits through the several Counties of the whole Land the Church-Government hath been fully setled many preaching Ministers generally plac'd throughout the several Parishes as likewise Free-Schools together with sufficient Maintenance for them have been establisht the Lands belonging to the Natives have been always duely setled according to Law in the Proprietor and what noise soever was rais'd entituling the Crown to Roscommon Mayo Slego Galloway Clare besides some parts of Limerick and Tipperary as one of the Master-pieces of the Earl of Strafford's Service in Ireland nothing was ever effected thereupon though it had cost his Majesty 10000 l. upon the enquiry and had they had patience till the next Sessions of Parliament there was an Act for Limitations pass'd by his Majesty to bar all Titles Claims and Challenges of the Crown before 60 years last past to have cut off all expectations upon the ancient Title and have strengthned by new Grants and Patents all Titles
from the Crown Multitudes of British were brought in and planted in great numbers even in the most barbarous Places of the Kingdom many corporate Towns have been erected some wall'd Towns have been also lately built Castles Stone-houses and Villages daily made in every part in great abundance Trade and Traffick so well setled as the obstructions therein being remov'd the native Commodities were so freely exported as they did to the great advantage of the Kingdom by far exceed the foreign Importation and all other necessary Provisions were made for the Publick which might be thought any ways to conduce to the Peace Plenty and flourishing Estate of a growing Kingdom And for the Irish themselves though they have ever been observ'd to be a whining Generation a People always given unjustly to complain of their Governours yet in these later times there hath been a most special care taken to preserve them free from all manner of Pressures They have had liberty beyond the examples of former Ages to redress their Grievances in their own Parliament being elected Knights Citizens and Burgesses according to the Affections of the Commons they had too of their Communion Lawyers bred up in England frequent at their Bar also upon their Bench Justices of the Peace in their Counties Sheriffs and Mayors and other Officers in their Corporations Favours not aspir'd to by the Catholicks of England or ever granted And in Cases where they thought fit to present their Complaints unto his Majesty they were graciously receiv'd and fitting Remedies applied They were admitted to enjoy the free and full exercise of the Roman Religion without controul to entertain Priests Friers Jesuits and all sorts of their Ecclesiastical Orders without number whilst the Protestants dissenting from the Regimen of the Church of England were frequently summon'd to the Bishop's Court. Justice was equally administred to the British and Irish without any manner of difference the Countrey Duties and other Taxes were levied upon all without distinction of Persons all private Animosities suppress'd all ancient Grudges remov'd and in all outward appearance they liv'd so affectionately intermixt together as they could not be esteem'd two Nations in one Kingdom but that they did Coalescere in unam Gentem And it is without all contradiction not to be denied That never any Conquer'd Nation enjoy'd more fully the Liberties and Priviledges of Free Subjects and through the great Indulgence of his Majesty liv'd with greater contentment Ease Peace Plenty and freedom from all manner of extraordinary Taxations other than such as they were pleas'd to impose upon themselves in Parliament than the Natives of Ireland have lately done Inasmuch as an Excellent Lawyer clearly evidences from 1601. to the year that he writ in That Ex illo tempore quantum creverunt Hibernorum Res desertissimae sollitudines in vicos oppida Conversae Itinera olim clausa Exercitibus nunc patent Viatoribus Portus Navibus Urbes Mercatoribus Agri Colonis fora Judiciis frequentantur nec siquid inter Cives controversiae inciderit ferro nunc ut olim sed lege Judicis Arbitrio deciditur Ipsae vero Gentes Anglicanae Hibernicae quae non solum studiis sed etiam Castris olim dissidebant nec ullo faedere tenebantur sed alteri alterum utcunque occidere jus erat sublatis nuper Hostilitatis legibus in unum populum coaluerunt nec Commercia nunc Convivia verum Conjugia inter ipsos celebrantur adeoque aequo Jure pari lege eadem Conditione absque omni Gentis discrimine sub justissimo Rege vivitur ut nec Angli se vicisse nec Hiberni victos se esse sentiant That hence ensued the calmest and most universal Peace that ever was seen in Ireland it being not to be produc'd that after the Irish were receiv'd into the Condition of Subjects without difference and distinction which was in the Parliament begun at Dublin under the Lord Chichester the 18th of May Anno Regni Jacob. 11. that ever the English in Ireland offer'd the least violence to any of the Natives eo Nomine Papists or Irish yet nothing could keep them from Rebelling the Corn being then full ear'd And so we are arriv'd at the Rebellion which as you have read hath had many steps to its Rise which we shall now pursue in its Progress and Success The Irish Rebellion 23. Octob. 1641. THE first dark Light of which Sir William Cole the 11th of October 1641. gave the Lords Justices and Council notice of As that there was a great Resort made to Sir Phelim O Neals in the County of Tyrone as also to the House of the Lord Mac-Guire in the County of Fermanagh and that by several suspected Persons fit Instruments for Mischief As also that the said Lord Mac-Guire had of late made several Journeys within the Pale and other Places and had spent his time much in writing Letters and sending Dispatches abroad Upon the receipt of which Intelligence the Lords Justices and Council writ to Sir William Cole requiring him to be very vigilant and industrious to find out what should be the occasion of those several Meetings and speedily to advertise them thereof or any other particular that he conceiv'd might tend to the publick service of the State And more than this rationally could not have been done for that what Sir William Cole inform'd the State of was but conjectural and had any notice been took publickly of it whereby Sir Phelim O Neal or the Lord Mac-Guire had been seiz'd on the same would certainly have been a pretended cause for the Irish ready Touch-wood to have risen in Arms being suspected before they manifested any dis-satisfaction Besides there was some so unwilling to receive the least mis-conceit of the Irish believing Time had worn out all Animosities and the State had secur'd each Interests as they us'd the utmost artifice imaginable to suppress those thoughts in others That thence more than a circumspect eye was not to be advis'd Some say one John Cormack reveal'd to Sir William Cole the 21. of October That the Irish resolv'd to seize upon his Majesties Castle and City of Dublin to murder his Lords Justices and Council there and to seize upon all the Castles and Forts of the Kingdom c. Which Sir William Cole the same day sent the Lords Justices notice of As others from an Ultogh would infer That they had inform'd the State thereof and that Sir Lucas Dillon thereupon had been summon'd before them and told that they had heard something of him and others in Connaght that made their fidelity suspected which with a sober countenance and solemn protestation Arts he had been long bred to he soon wiped off So saith my Author that for our sins our Counsellors were infatuated and our Watch-men slumber'd But Sir John Temple whose Integrity over-weighs all Assertions to the contrary testifies That those Letters and Informations never came to their knowledge and that indeed
they had never any certain notice of this general Conspiracy of the Irish until the 22d of October late in the evening that Owen O Conally a meer Irish-man Servant to Sir John Clotworthy train'd up in the Protestant Religion imparted the same to the Lord Justice Parsons as a sense of his Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty and an effect of that Religion he was trained up in At first the Lord Parsons gave little belief to the Relation in regard it came from an obscure Person and one as he conceiv'd somewhat distemper'd at that time with drink delivering his story besides in so broken a manner that it scarce seem'd credible whereupon his Lordship let him go strictly charging him to return back the same evening with what further discoveries he could make Yet in the interim the Lord Parsons being touch'd with the Relation repair'd about Ten of the Clock at night to the Lord Borlase at Chichester-house without the Town and disclos'd to him what Owen O Conally had imparted which made so sensible an impression on his Colleague as the Discoverer being let go He grew infinitely concern'd thereat having none to punish if the story should prove false or means to learn more were it true In the disturbance of which perplexity Owen O Conally comes or as others write was brought where the Lords Justices were then met sensible that his discovery was not thorowly believed professing that what-ever he had acquainted the Lord Parsons with touching the Conspiracy was true and could he but repose himself the effects of drink being still upon him he should discover more Whereupon he had the conveniency of a Bed In the interim the Lords Justices summon'd as many of the Council as they could give notice to to their assistance that night at Chichester-house Sir Thomas Rotheram and Sir Robert Meredith Chancellor of the Exchequer came immediately to them They then with all diligence secur'd the Gates of the City with such as they could most confide in and strengthen'd the Warders of the Castle which were a few in-considerable men with their Foot-Guard usually attending their Persons charging the Mayor and his Brethren to be watchful of all persons that should walk the streets that night However many of the Conspirators escaped over the River or at least lay conceal'd in Citizens houses a Receptacle too ready for most of them and some of those who were brought before the Lords Justices and Council as James Warren Sir Neal's Servant and Paul O Neal an active Priest though neither of them then were discover'd to be such found means to get away of which Sir Phelim bragg'd of afterwards Paul O Neal having been a prime Instrument in the contrivance of the Rebellion Whilst Hugh Oge Mac-Mahon Esq Grandson by his Mother to the Traitor Tir-Oen a Gentleman of good Fortune in the County of Monaghon who had serv'd as a Lieutenant Colonel in the King of Spain's Quarters was after some little resistance apprehended before day in his own Lodging over the Water near the Inns and brought to Chichester-house where upon Examination he did without much difficulty confess the Plot resolutely telling them That on that very day it was now about 5 in the morning the 23. of Octob. 1641. that all the Forts and strong Places in Ireland would be taken That he with the Lord Mac-Guire Hugh Birn Captain Brian O Neal and several other Irish Gentlemen were come up expresly to surprize the Castle of Dublin and that twenty men out of each County of the Kingdom were to be here to joyn with them That all the Lords and Gentlemen in the Kingdom that were Papists were engag'd in this Plot That what was that day to be done in other parts of the Countrey was so far advanc'd by that time as it was impossible for the wit of Man to prevent it And withal told them That it was true they had him in their power and might use him how they pleased but he was sure he should be reveng'd Before Mac-Mahon was apprehended Owen O Conally having on his repose recovered himself had his Examination taken in these words Who being duly sworn and examined saith That he being at Monimore in the County of London-derry on Tuesday last he received a Letter from Colonel Hugh Oge-Mac-Mahon desiring him to come to Connaght in the County of Monaghan and to be with him on Wednesday or Thursday last Whereupon he this Examinant came to Connaght on Wednesday night last and finding the said Hugh come to Dublin followed him thither he came hither about six of the Clock this evening and forthwith went to the Lodging of the said Hugh to the house near the Boat in Oxmantown and there he found the said Hugh and came with the said Hugh into the Town near the Pillory to the Lodging of the Lord Mac-Guire where they found not the Lord within and there they drank a cup of Beer and then went back again to the said Hugh's Lodging He saith That at the Lord Mac-Guire's Lodging the said Hugh told him That there were and would be this night great numbers of Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Irish Papists from all parts of the Kingdom in this Town who with himself had determin'd to take the Castle of Dublin and to possess themselves of all his Majesties Ammunition there to morrow morning being Saturday And that they intended first to batter the Chimneys of the said Town and if the Citizens would not yield then to batter down the Houses and so to cut off all the Protestants that would not joyn with them He further saith That he the said Hugh told him That the Irish had prepared men in all parts of the Kingdom to destroy all the English inhabiting there to morrow morning by Ten of the Clock and that in all the Sea-Ports and other Towns in the Kingdom all the Protestants should be killed that night and that all the Posts that could be could not prevent it And further saith That he moved the said Hugh to forbear executing of that business and to discover it to the State for saving of his own Estate who said He could not help it But said That they did owe their Allegiance to the King and would pay him all his Rights but that they did this for the Tyrannical Government that was over them and to imitate Scotland who had got a Priviledge by that course And he further saith That when he was with the said Hugh in his Lodging the said Hugh swore That he should not go out of his Lodging that night but told him he should go with him the next morning to the Castle and said if this matter were discovered some body should die for it Whereupon this Examinant feign'd some necessity for his Easment went down out of the Chamber and left his Sword in pawn and the said Hugh sent his Man down with him and when this Examinant came down into the Yard and finding an opportunity
the State First they agreed That their Loyalty to his Majesty should be still reserv'd say they of the modest sort but both his Revenues and Government must be reduc'd to certain bounds His Rents none other than the antient Reservations before the Plantations and the Customs so order'd as to them should be thought fitting Secondly For the Government such as would be esteem'd Loyal would have it committed into the hands of two Lords Justices one of the antient Irish Race the other of the antient British Inhabitants in the Kingdom provided that they be of the Romish Profession Thirdly That a Parliament be forthwith call'd consisting of whom they shall think fit to be admitted wherein their own Religious Men shall be Assistants Fourthly That Poining's Act must be repeal'd and Ireland declar'd to be a Kingdom independent on England and without any reference to it in any case whatsoever Fifthly All Acts prejudicial to the Romish Religion shall be abolish'd and it to be Enacted That there be none other Profession in the Kingdom but the Romish Sixthly That onely the antient Nobility of the Kingdom shall stand and of them such as shall refuse to conform to the Romish Religion to be remov'd and others put in their room Howsoever the present Earl of Kildare must be put out and another put in his place Seventhly All Plantation Lands to be recall'd and the antient Proprietors to be invested into their former Estates with the Limitations in their Covenant express'd That they had not formerly sold their Interests on valuable Considerations Eighthly That the respective Counties of the Kingdom be subdivided and certain Bounds or Baronies assign'd to the Chief Septs and other of the Nobility who are to be answerable for the Government thereof and that a standing Army may be still in being the respective Governours are to keep a certain number of men to be ready at all Risings out as they term it they also being to build and maintain certain Fortresses in places most convenient within their Precincts And that these Governours be of absolute Power onely responsible to the Parliament Lastly For maintaining a Correspondency with other Nations and for securing the Coasts that also they may be render'd considerable to others a Navy of a certain number of Ships is to be maintain'd that to this end five Houses are to be appointed one in each Province accounting Meath for one of them that to these Houses shall be allotted an Annual Pension of certain thousands of Pounds to be made up of part of the Lands appropriate to Abbeys and a further Contribution to be rais'd in the respective Provinces to that end That these Houses are to be assign'd to a certain order of Knights answerable to that of Malta who are to be Sea-men And to maintain this Fleet that all Prizes are to be apportion'd some part for a Common Bank the rest to be divided to which purpose the selling of Woods serviceable for this use is forbidden The House for this purpose to be assign'd to the Province of Leimster is Kilmainham or rather Howth the Lord of Howth being otherwise to be accommodated provided he joyn with them that place being esteem'd most convenient in respect of situation which they have small grounds to hope for For the effecting of which they consider'd that the Forces of the Kingdom would easily amount to two hundred thousand able men wanting onely Commanders which as I have already took notice of might be supplied from O-Neals Regiment in Flanders and other places breeding up the Irish in Arms and Rebellion And for Money the other Sinew of War they were resolv'd not to want it if it could be rais'd-either from Tenant or the Farmers of the Customs who having it then ready were to bring it to their respective Banks So as nothing was omitted which rationally might further their design Which after the State by Proclamation had made known and many on suspicion were daily seiz'd on Certainties of its success were hourly brought to the State That night the Lord Blany brought the ill news of the Rebels seising upon Castle Blany in the County of Monaghan and his Wife and Children and Servants as also of the surprisal of Carrick Mac-ross a House of the Earl of Essex's and Sir Spotswood's in the same County burning divers Villages robbing and spoiling many English none but Protestants On Sunday Sir Arthur Tirringham gave intelligence that the Irish in Newry had broken up the King's Store of Arms and had seiz'd upon them and the Ammunition there listing themselves under the command of Sir Con Mac-Gennis Knight and one Creely a Monk Thus almost every hour some like Job's Messengers hasted to the State as preserv'd onely to acquaint them of the disasters of their Relations and the sufferings of the Protestants of which with all circumstances to it the Lords Justices and Council gave his Majesty an account by Sir Henry Spotswood being then in Scotland and sent Owen O Conally with Letters dated the 25th of October to the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the effect of which Letter you may see in its proper place In the interim the State being from all parts terrifi'd with the insolencies of the Rebels they scarce knew how to steer their course no Money being in the Treasury and the main part of the Citizens being justly suspected for that being mov'd to advance Money on the occasion will Posterity believe it their whole Community would not reach 50 l. And such as had escaped the violence of the Rebels having nothing but their Persons for a prey could contribute little many of which were so frighted with what they had seen and suffered that like inanimate Bodies they appear'd sensless and stupid However the Lords Justices and Council having secur'd the Castle by a Company of Foot under the command of Sir Francis Willoughby one of the Privy Council a known and experienc'd Soldier and setled Sir Charles Coote also of the Privy Council in the Government of the City wherein as in other Services he proved afterwards signally eminent and noble They advertis'd the Earl of Ormond whom the Rebels boasted they had made of their Party then at his House at Carrick of what had hitherto happen'd desiring him to repair to Dublin with his Troop which he accordingly observ'd about the beginning of November About the 27th of October the Lords Justices and Council sent Commissions to the Lords Viscounts of Clandeboys and of the Ardes to raise the Scots in the Northern Parts they also writ to Sir William and Sir Robert Stewart with other Gentlemen of Quality in the North Giving them power to prosecute the Rebels with Fire and Sword yet so as to rescue such as should submit to his Majesties Grace and Mercy signifying withall That although by the said Commission they gave them full power thereunto yet they did then let them know that for those who were chief among the Rebels and Ring-Leaders of the
rest to disobedience that they adjudged them less worthy of favour than the others whom they had misguided And therefore for those principal Persons they required them to take care not to be too forward without first consulting the Counsel-board in proffering or promising mercy to those unless they the said Commissioners saw it of great and unavoidable necessity They likewise writ to the Lords Presidents of Munster and Connaght advising them to be upon their Guards And that several of the Catholick Communion might not say but that they also were confided in the Lords Justices who were willing to continue all proofs imaginable of their confidence in them gave in November several Commissions of Government to the Lord Gormanston in Meath the Lord Mountgarret in Kilkenny Nicholas Barnewell in Dublin Walter Bagnall in Caterlagh the Lord Lowth in Lowth Sir Thomas Nugent in Westmeath Sir Robert Talbot in Wickloe the two Sir Dillon's in Longford and several others as well in Munster as Connaght and Ulster who contrary to the trust reposed in them not forbore to protect or endeavour'd to reduce any but soon after joyn'd with the Rebels and prov'd as violent if not worse against the Protestants as those who first appear'd in the Rebellion And because the Times required something extraordinary beyond the course of Common-Law the Lords Justices and Councel gave several Commissions of Martial-Law to the prime Gentlemen of the Pale all Roman Catholicks as to Henry Talbot in the County of Dublin John Bellew Esq in the County of Lowth Richard Dalton and James Tuit Esq in the County of Westmeath Valerian Wesley in the County of Meath James Talbot in the County of Cavan And understanding of Sir O-Neal's proceedings in Ulster the only person remaining of nearest alliance to the Earl of Tyrone how that he had surprized Charlemont where the Lord Caufield lay with his Foot-Company afterwards basely butcher'd by him the Lords Justices endeavour'd to reduce many to their obedience But the root of their Design being deeplier laid than on threats or encouragements to frustrate their hopes the Lords Justices hourly endeavour'd to fortifie his Majesty's Interests wih the most powerful Forces they could raise But in the interim the Magistrates of the City of Dublin perceiving great numbers of Strangers to come to Town from several Parts lingring in the Suburbs and Fields to the terror of the Inhabitants they repair'd to the Councel Board with much fear and astonishment beseeching the Lords Justices and Councel to inhibit the same lest the concourse of people promiscuously gathering in such a crowd might threaten the security of the City Whereupon their Lordships considering somewhat more than ordinary must necessarily be done in such an exigence caus'd some to be apprehended and immediately publisht a Proclamation in his Majesty's Name commanding all Persons not Dwellers in the City and Suburbs to depart within an hour after publication thereof upon pain of death in the interim and afterwards receiving all who applied themselves to the Lords Justices with singular friendship and integrity But the Magistrates growing still jealous of the concourse of people applied themselves again to their former refuge Whereupon the State that the Inhabitants might receive no dis-encouragement who were like to bear the brunt of all Taxes Levies and Supplies the 28th of October publisht a Proclamation to the same intent with the former with the penalty of death to such as wilfully harbour'd them However the Insolencies of the Rebels threatning even Dublin it self most of the prime Gentry of the County Justices of Peace looking on in all places and giving way to those hateful actions the State having intelligence from Dr. Jones a Service very remarkable that during his imprisonment amongst the Rebels at Cavan which ripen'd his integrity highly improv'd to the Service of the State they intended to besiege Tredath the Lords Justices the better to divert them from Dublin appointed Sir Henry Tichborn Col. and Governour of that Town Sir Faithfull Fortescue the former Governour finding Supplies not hastned with that speed he desir'd having resign'd up his Commission not being willing to lose his Reputation though he was forward enough to hazard his Person So the Lords Justices designing the said Sir Hen. Tichborn a Company of Foot and to compleat his Regiment order'd Sir John Borlase Junior Capt. Lt. Col. Byron Capt. Lt. Col. Wenmond Capt. Who though they had been all in former Employments Field-Officers yet out of their zeal to the present Service came as private Captains Jacob Lovell Serjeant Major who died in the Siege Capt. Chichester Fortescue Capt. William Willoughby Capt. Edward Billingsley Capt. Lewis Owens Capt. John Morris to associate him These they sent from Dublin the 3d. of November who happily arriv'd at Tredath the 4th having been enabled thereunto by 3000 l. most opportunely in the hands of the Vice-Treasurer intended before the Rebellion for the satisfaction of a publick Engagement in England Besides these there was sent Troops under Capt. John Slaughter Lt. to Sir Thomas Lucas Commissary-General Thomas Greimes Lt. to Sir Adam Loftus besides others which in their due time may be taken notice of These being gone to Tredath Sir Charles Coote had a Commission for a Regiment of the poor stripped English so likewise had the Ld. Lambert A little while after arriv'd from England Sir Thomas Lucas who commanded a Troop compleated with such Men as he found there also Capt. Armstrong rais'd a Troop Capt. Tardner soon after landed Lt. to the Ld. Lieutenant's Troop all very considerable not long after Col. Crafford came over also and bringing with him Letters from the Prince Elector then attending his Majesty in Scotland also rais'd a Regiment of the Townsmen and the poor dispoil'd English The State at that time had store of Arms and Ammunition by which these Souldiers and the rest were seasonably furnisht though as I have took notice what in confidence of the Loyalty of the Pale the Lords Justices had furnish'd many of the Lords and Gentlemen of Quality with were either slenderly if ever restor'd or made serviceable against his Majesty Yet for all this the Outrages of the Rebels still increasing adding to their Cruelties a pretended Commission under the Great Seal of Scotland from the King bearing date at Edinburgh the first of October 1641. though in his Majesty's Declaration to the Parliament's Resolution of no further Addresses it appears That the Scot's Great Seal which is said thus to be made use of had for many months before and after that date never seal'd any thing of which notwithstanding Sir Phelim O Neal and Rorie Mac-Guire from the Camp at Newry the 4th of November following gave notice to their Confederates within the Kingdom of Ireland incloseing in their Letters a Copy of the Commission a Copy of which is extant but so improbable as it needs an expiation to mention it the Lord Mac-Guire equally privy to all Transactions
other Charges his particular Vigilance prov'd a good Guard and that Dublin might be fortified the 22. of November 1641. the Lords Justices and Council by their Proclamation enjoyn'd the same Now the State finding the Storm to increase and that though they had some glimmerings of comfort by the success of their Forces in Wickloe under Sir Charles Coote the Rebellion grew general the Lords Justices and Council publish'd a Proclamation the 27th of November for a Weekly Fast every Friday to be devoutly and piously observed and solemnized in and through the whole City of Dublin and the Suburbs thereof that being humbled for their sins the affliction might be remov'd The 28th of November the State had an Account of Sir ONeal's and Sir Con. Mac-Gennis his approach to Lisnegarvey with about 4000 Men who being fearful of the Garrison's Field-Peeces drew out two considerable Divisions of Men to fall on the Town on both sides at once The strength of the Town exceeded not 400 Foot besides the Lord Convay's Troop and part of Capt. John's who made up about 380. generally mounted on small Nags yet so well maintain'd they the Place as having skirmish'd with the Rebels without the Town on one side the rest charg'd others in the Street and in a short time droye them to the Body of their Army fac'd by Sir Phil. O-Neal and Sir Con. who play'd upon them with their Field-Peeces but were so pelted with Muskets as they gave ground the main Body of the English still securing the Market-place We took 6 Colours killed many without any considerable loss on our side more than that Capt. Boid and Capt. St. John were killed Mr. Rawden and Capt. Burly hurt Sir Arth. Tirringham managing the whole with excellent Conduct By this time his Majesty then in Scotland having as is before mention'd recommended the Affairs of Ireland to his Parliament of England immediately on the first intelligence of that Rebellion sent over several Commissions to Sir Robert Stewart and other Persons of Honour and Trust in the North and assisted by the Duke of Richmond caus'd some proportions of Arms and Ammunition to be conveyed thither out of Scotland with what Money he could spare a care and providence worthy so sensible a Prince which though it were little will be found to have done much service testified in his Majesty's Answer to a Pamphlet entituled A Declaration of the Commons touching no further Addresses At the same time he mov'd all the Parliament in Scotland as being nearest to a speedy help but they excus'd their Aids because Ireland was dependent upon the Crown of England intending rather as it seem'd by the sequel to afford their service upon Hire than Compassion or Conscience Yet notwithstanding his Majesty the State and Parliament of England's appearing thus incens'd against the Rebellion all fair means of exceptions being remov'd and a desire of its suppression endeavour'd the Irish finding as yet no considerable relief sent to the English and being exceedingly flush'd with the defeat of those commanded to re-enforce the Garrison of Tredath they unanimously drew down their Northern Forces to infest that Town And that you may see with what union even the Lords of the Pale formerly faithful to the Crown conspired in this Rebellion though by their humble Apology fraught with many vain pretences they would evade the Conspiracy we must here render you an Account of the Truth given in upon Oath March 1641. before Sir Robert Meredith Kt. Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Examination of Edward Dowdall Esq a Person of great esteem amongst them He deposeth That some 3 or 4 days after the defeat of the English Souldiers at the Bridge of Gellingstone there issued a Warrant from the Lord of Gormanston to the Sheriff of the County for a general Meeting of all the County at Dulick but the place of Meeting was afterwards chang'd to the Hill of Crofty where all the Lords and Gentry of the County met viz. The Earl of Fingal the Lord Viscount Gormanston the Lord Slane the Lord Lowth the Lord Dunsany the Lord Trimblestone the Lord Nettervile And of the Gentry Sir Patrick Barnewall Sir Christopher Bellow Patrick Barnwall of Kiltrew Nicholas Darcy of Plattin James Bath of Acharn Garret Ailmer the Lawyer Cusack of Gormanston William Malone of Lesmullin Sedgrave of Kileglan Linch of the Knos Lynam of Adams-Town Lawrence Dowdall of Athlumney Nicholas Dowdall of Browns-Town this Examinate's Brother and him this Examinate with a multitude of others to the number of a thousand Persons at least whose Names he this Examinate cannot for the present call to mind And after about two or three hours spent upon the said Hill of Crofty by the Lords and Gentry aforesaid there came unto them Col. Mahone Philip O-Relie Hugh boy-Relie Roger Moore Hugh Birne and Capt. Fox attended on with a Guard of Musketeers And this Examinate saith That as soon as the Parties drew near unto the said Hill the Lords and Gentry of the Pale rode towards them and the Lord Gormanston being one of the first spake unto them and demanded of them why and for what reason they came arm'd into the Pale unto whom Roger Moore made present Answer That the ground of their coming thither and taking up Arms was for the freedom and liberty of their Consciences the maintenance of his Majesty's Prerogative in which they understood he was abridg'd and the making the Subjects of this Kingdom as free as those in England were Whereupon the said Lord Gormanston desired to understand from them truely and faithfully whether these were not pretences and not indeed the true grounds of their so doing and likewise whether they had not some other private end of their own Which being all denied upon profession of their sincerity to his Lordship the Lord of Gormanston then told them Seeing these be your true ends we will likewise joyn with you therein unto which course all agreed And thereupon it was publickly and generally declared That whosoever shall deny to joyn with them or refuse to assist them therein they would account him as an enemy and to the utmost of their power labour his destruction And this Examinate saith That after the Agreement made as aforesaid there issued another Warrant to the Sheriff of the County of Meath to be at the Hill of Taragh about a week after and accordingly there met at the same place the Earl of Fingal the Lord Gormanston and the rest of the Lords and Gentry aforenam'd together with Sir Thomas Nugent and Nicholas Plunket the Lawyer Birford the Lawyer and a multitude of others And the work of that day was first to make Answer to a Summons made by the State for the calling of the Lords of the Pale to Dublin which Answer was brought ready drawn by the Lord Gormanston and presented by his Lordship and being perused by the said Council at Law was signed by the Lords To which we will add passing by
our faces and in our view as it were in despight of us It is therefore order'd That our very good Lord the Earl of Ormond and Ossory Lieutenant General of the Army do forthwith send out a Party of Soldiers of Horse and Foot to fall upon those Rebels at Clantarfe and thereabouts who in such disdainful manner stand to outface and dare us and to endeavour to cut them off as well for punishment as terrour to others and to burn and spoil the Rebels Houses and Goods And to prevent their farther annoying any Shipping going out and coming in and lying in harbour those Souldiers are to bring up or cause to be brought up to the new Crane at Dublin such of the Boats and Vessels now lying there as they can upon the sudden and to burn spoil sink and make unserviceable the rest Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin December the 14th 1641. Ormond Ossory Rob. Dillon Char. Lambert Ad. Loftus John Temple Char. Coote Francis Willoughby The Lords of the Pale however effectually endeavour'd to strengthen the Northern Rebels and thereupon declared the Lord Viscount Gormanston General of the Forces to be rais'd in the Pale Hugh Birn Lieutenant General the Earl of Fing all General of the Horse who in several Baronies rais'd Captains accordingly and Provisions suitable to every hundred men in a Company for their daily allowance one Beef and half a Barrel of Corn during the Siege of Tredath And that nothing might be wanting to straighten the State Nettervile and his Party being increas'd by their confederacy with Wickloe and Kildare the 15th of December sent two strong Parties to Santry and Finglass where they continu'd till the 22d of the said December when they were beaten by Colonel Crafford from Finglass two miles from Dublin after they had like to have put us to a shameful retreat Those at Santry hearing of Sir Charls Coot's approach saved themselves by a cowardly quitting of their Quarters leaving their best Equipage and Provisions behind them whilst near 300 men shew'd themselves at Clantarf a Village on the Sea-side about a mile and half from Dublin The Inhabitants strengthning the Rebels confidence with store of strong Fishing-boat having the day before spoil'd two English Barcks lying at Anchor near Clantarf in the Road of Dublin much to the disquiet of the Lords Justices and Council suspecting thereby that the Port to Dublin might have been blocked up Robberies also of that nature having been committed at Skirries twelve miles from Dublin and the Prey of those Barks carried to Barnewell of Brimore a prime Man as the Prisoners to the Lord Gormanston's who sent them to Balrothry sufficient to prove the Robberies Murthers and other Outrages committed on the British Protestants were by the allowance and privity of the principal Gentlemen of the Pale if not their command how speciously soever in their humble Protestation a piece of as much vanity as falshood against the States Proclamation the 8th of Febr. 1641. they would insinuate That none of the better sort had robb'd or pillaged any of them nor dispossess'd them of their Estates Whereas by the example of what is here produc'd the falsity of all they assert is clearly prov'd though further particulars without much sifting may easily be expos'd were not the story like to be tedious And the truth of these assertions may be fully read in the end of the Answer to the Eighth Article of the Rebels Remonstrance of Grievances at Trym 1642. Whereupon the Lords Justices found it absolutely necessary that some Forces should be sent against them at Clantarf which Forces were commanded by Sir Charles Coote the 15th of Decemb. who burnt the Village destroy'd their Boats and excellently well quitted the service injoyn'd him clearing that place of Piracy and Rebels Though in the interim Nettervile being frighted from Santry lay with near 2000 men at Swoards and possess'd himself of the Castle of Artain and some other places within two miles of Dublin On the West side of which at Tassagard Rath-Coole Castle-Lyons and other Villages there lay 2000 more of the Rebels out of the Counties of Katerlagh Kings County and Kildare under the command of Roger Moore and Sutton Eustace of Castle-Martin and others The Clandonells Birns and Tooles frâ—m Wickloe towards the Sea three or four miles on the South of Dublin came also down blocking up on all sides Passages thereunto their Forces in Lemster amounting to 20000 men So as the State being now put in eminent danger few hopes survived of her recovery The Naas and Kildare as Trim and Ashboy in the County of Meath being taken by the Rebels Which in a Letter to the Lord Lieutenant dated the 14th of December the Lords Justices and Council very emphatically express'd adding in the close That if notwithstanding all this so often and truly made known by us to your Lordship we shall perish for want of Supplies we shall carry this comfort with us to our graves or any other burial we shall have That your Lordship can witness for us to his Royal Majesty and all the world that we have discharg'd our duties to God to his Majesty and to that Nation and to this in humbly representing to his Majesty by your Lordship the chief Governour of the Kingdom the extremities and dangers wherein his Kingdom and People stand and the necessities of hasting Supplies hither by all possible means for preservation of Both so as whatever become of our Persons our Memory cannot be justly stain'd with so wretched a breach of Faith and Loyalty to the King our Master as to forbear representing thither the extremities wherein we are whether we have receiv'd credit to be believ'd or no and that we write truth and most needful truth will be found true when perhaps we shall perish and which is more considerable the Kingdom also for want of being believ'd and succour'd in time The Consideration of which long before presented to his Majesty wrought so sensibly on Him that being then newly return'd out of Scotland before the Letter mention'd arriv'd at the Parliament He took the first opportunity which was the 2d of December 1641. to tell the Lords and Commons in Parliament other things being rehearsed That He had one Particular more to recommend unto Them which was Ireland for which saith He I doubt not your Care yet methinks the preparations for it go on but slowly And being touch'd with the truth of what He had observ'd in this Business he came to the Parliament the 14th of December and thus exprest his resentment My Lords and Gentlemen THE last time I was in this Place and the last thing that I recommended unto you was the Business of Ireland whereby I was in good hope that I should not have needed again to have put you in mind of that Business But still seeing the slow proceedings therein and the daily dispatches that I have out of Ireland of the lamentable Estate of my
in any case whatsoever or to maintain or defend the same shall forfeit his Lands and Goods as in case of Rebellion Before which there was no pretence some thought to make the War a matter of Religion Whereas I do not conceive that that Clause is any more then what was in several Acts provided as Anno 28. H. 8. Capite 13. Anno 2. Eliz. Cap. 1. as elsewhere And by his Majesties Letter to the Marquiss of Ormond the 15th of Decem. 1644. is there specified That many Acts in favour of the Irish should be repeal'd but those against Appeals to Rome and Praemunire should stand That had not the Rebels first intended what afterwards they pursued that Clause could not have made them more obstinate Rebels nothing being in it but what was before in force Now besides other miseries which aggravated the unhappiness of the State at that time there flocked to the City from all Parts such as having escaped the fury of the Rebels sheltered themselves there of which by reason of the diseases they had contracted by their journey and ill usage there died many else prov'd a burthen to the City Which the Confederates of the Pale would have the World believe was mercy and Signal Humanity in them not to have imbrued their hands in the blood of any British Protestants When as the lingring deaths and Exigences these were put to exceeded any death which at once might have been inflicted though after the Siege of Tredath that the old English Papists of the Pale were driven into Ulster they as a meritorious act vaunted that they had killed more English and Protestants in Fingall then were killed in many other Counties for the discoveries of whose miseries and what besides others had suffered by the Rebels the Lords Justices authorised several Commissioners to state their Case and the state of the deplorable English by two Commissions the one bearing date the 23d of December the other the 18th of January both in the 17th year of his Majesties Reign whereby the Murders Losses and Cruelties committed upon the English and Protestants were discovered on Oath and presented in a Remonstrance by the Dispoil'd Clergy of Ireland to the Honourable House of Commons in England And lest the Remonstrance should seem the act of a few Persons highly interessed in their own Concerns it was accompanied with a Letter from the Lords Justices and Council dated at Dublin the 7th of March 1641. to the Speaker of the said House of Commons the Remonstrance shewing such depredations of Goods such cruelties exercis'd on the Persons and Lives of the loyal Subjects such wasting and defacing of all monuments of Civility with such Prophanation of Holy Places and Religion that by the most barbarous and heathenish Nations the like could not in any Age be found to be perpetrated of which I might say more having not yet forgot the cruelties legible in most Noble and antient Families But the day would fail us should we sum up what is in the Clergies Remonstrance Printed at London 1642. briefly mention'd to which and the History of the Irish Rebellion 1646. from p. 84. to 136 we must refer you that the Proofs of all may be before your eyes May they be writ on our Posts of our houses and our Gates that they may be looked upon and remembred for ever what Amalek did when we were faint and weary and he feared not God! Thus the State having to their power supported his Majesties Authority and the English Interest searching out whatsomever might fathom the bottom of this Conspiracy they being driven to great necessities trampled on by the Enemy not further able to support their own miseries When the last of December 1641. arriv'd at Dublin from the Parliament of England Sir Simon Harcourt with a Regiment of 1200 Foot a Gentleman of Good Extraction long bred in the Low-Countreys the School of War under Sir Horatio the Lord Vere that renown'd and Excellent Person one of the most noted and eminent Commanders of the late Age He was design'd Governour of Dublin much to the comfort of the Protestants and terrour of the Rebels soon after whose arrival the City being secur'd thereby the Lords Justices commanded forth Sir Charles Coote with such Forces as could be spared to Swoards about the 10th of January following the better to let them know how far the State resented their Insolencies whom no assurance fair or open Resolves or any free course could satisfie Sir Charles Coote found the access to the Village straightly block'd up yet so managed the attempt as he soon forc'd them to a flight beating them out of their Fortifications and killed 200 of their men without any considerable loss on his side more then Sir Laurenzo Carey second Son of the Lord Falkland late Lord Deputy a Gentleman of excellent and ingenious Parts well principled and one whose vertues and resolution promised much happiness to the State After setling of which Place Sir Charles Coote return'd to Dublin and ere long there arrived from England by Order of the Parliament three Regiments of Foot the Lord-Lieutenants Regiment under the Conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Monk since Duke of Albemarle the second under the Command of Sir Michael Earnely and the other under the Command of Colonel Cromwell and two Regiments of Horse one belonging to Philip Lord Lisle General of the Horse and the other under the Command of Sir Richard Greenvile That now the English Interest began to revive the Irish being much disheartned thereby yet grew confident in their Allies and Confederacy they had made through the whole Nation to weaken which and vindicate his Majesties Honour the State received the 20th of January a Proclamation from his Majesty dated the first of the same month declaring them Rebels and Traitors and that it might want no solemnity to impress the greater Character of obedience His Majesty was pleased to Sign all the Proclamations with his Royal Hand affixing also thereto his Privy Signet a circumstance scarce presidenc'd The Original of which I have in my Custody Charles R. WHereas diverse lewd and wicked Persons have of late risen in Rebellion in our Kingdom of Ireland surpriz'd diverse of our Forts and Castles possessed themselves thereof surpriz'd some of our Garrisons possest themselves of some of our Magazeen of Arms and Ammunition dispossest many of our good and loyal Subjects of the British Nation and Protestants of their Houses and Lands rob'd and spoil'd many thousands of our good Subjects of the British Nation and Protestants of their Goods to great values Massacred multitudes of them imprison'd many others and some who have the Honour to serve us as Privy Counsellors of that our Kingdom We therefore having taken the same into our Royal consideration and abhorring the wicked disloyalty and horrible acts committed by those Persons do hereby not onely declare our just Indignation thereof but also do declare them and their Adherents and Abettors and all
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
and under colour of protection to act the greatest Villanies imaginable some of which being found out the Authors were punished and it may be others upon the same reason only suspected were partners in equal sufferings Nor could the State in such a confused distracted time be justly blamed that some Irregularities how cautiously soever look'd after were not in each particular prevented seeing the rage of the Souldier had exceeded the justice and providence of the State Besides can it be reasonable that those who began and pursued so bloody a Conspiracy with such un-heard of aggravations should be put in ballance with such as only to vindicate his Majesty and his People's Right sometimes proceeded beyond their own Temper Nor is it here to be omitted That those whom they pretend should be singled out and particularized for barbarous and inhumane should by vertue of their 18th Article be tryed by the Lord Lieutenant and several Commissioners some of which were chargeable with the same barbarous and inhumane Crimes and all of them nearly interess'd in such as may be so charged if to abett aid or countenance those be in the eye of the Law accounted equally involv'd so that from such what justice could be expected were easie to be conceiv'd how entire soever the Lord Lieutenant were in his Principles And whereas this R. S. would free Kilkenny and other Places from the horrid actions which were committed there the testimony of such as avows them makes whatsoever he would extenuate as to them and aggravate as to others meer fabulous and vain though to make up his Fardle he takes in whatsomever Cromwel and his Party afterwards committed in Ireland Thus confounding Actions with Times an Artifice so shap'd to his Humour as who is he that cannot see but that those actions of Cromwel's no whit concern'd the British or could be any encouragement for what the Irish did long before Cromwel's proceedings being on a ground well known extending to the English as well as the Irish such as if the Rebellion of Ireland had not been no Sect had been able to have done any harm in England Indeed his whole Piece is such a Web as unravled would be found meer Fictions and Imposture after what is accounted for breach of Protection forfeiture of Articles Treachery and the like That which he writes of the Scotch Forces in Knockfergus murthering if you will believe him in the Isle of Mac-Gee 3000 innocent Persons in the beginning of November to be the first Massacre in Ireland on either side it seems he heard nothing then of O-Hara's Daughter is so false as he that will read John Carmick's Testimony at the Tryal of Hugh Oge Mac-Mahon the 18th of November 1644. attested by Sir William Cole Sir William Hamilton Sir Arthur Loftus Sir Charles Coot and others upon Oath besides what the Clergy's Remonstrance clears will plainly perceive the vanity and falseness of that Assertion as amongst others appears by John Kerdiff Rector of the Parish of Diserteraugh in Tyrone a Person of known Integrity who deposeth That the very first day Mr. Mader Minister of the Parish of Donnoghmore was murther'd by the Donnelies and within a while after Mr. New Curate to Mr. Bradley of the Church of Ardira as Mr. Blyth with eight more not to say any thing of Rowry Mac-Guire's dealing with Mr. Middleton the 24th of October at Castle-Skeagh alias Ballibalfure where after he had by treachery got into the Castle seiz'd on his Mony burnt the publick Records and compell'd him to acknowledge the Mass he caus'd him his Wife and Children to be hang'd besides a hundred to be murder'd at least in that Town And thence daily proceeded in such outrages Thus for the present all things seem'd in their sense to prosper under their hands for they had in this short time made themselves Masters of the whole Province of Ulster except the Cities of London-derry and Coleraigne the Town and Castle of Eniskillin and some other Places and Castles which were at first gallantly defended by the British Undertakers though afterwards for want of relief surrendred into the Rebels hands The Fire thus kindled shortly after spread its fury in the Provinces of Munster and Connaght of which we have given you a touch where the English were quickly dispoil'd of all their Substance and either driven naked out of their Habitations or most barbarously murder'd or starv'd in them But their main design at present was to make themselves Masters of the Province of Leimster which was the chiefest and most flourishing part of the Kingdom and having advanc'd their work they so far prevail'd therein as they had in a manner gain'd it wholely except the Cities of Dublin and Tredath against which they appli'd their whole strength For Dublin it being the Seat of the State by the great care of the Lords Justices had the best Provisions made for the strengthning of it that those crazy Walls and their want of Forces would admit The Rebels contented themselves to block it up at a distance with their Forces and to make some attempt to hinder Shipping from coming into the Harbour but for Tredath having over-run the County of Meath and surpriz'd the Towns of Trym Kells Navan Ardbracan Ashboy c. the Rebels sate down on both sides that Town the last of November or the first of December drawing very near the Walls blocking up the Passage of the River which runs into the Sea that no succour could be brought in to them either by Sea or Land no nor Intelligence be gotten out of Town so as Sir Henry Tichborn as we have before mention'd with the Provisions he had there and the Forces he carried with him which were not above a thousand men remain'd close besieg'd without any hopes of Succours or further Supplies Tredath is an ancient City of great Circuit the River of Boyne passeth through the midst of the Town it is encompassed about with an old Stone-Wall without Bulwarks or any kind of Rampiers or other Fortifications than an ordinary Ditch it lies about three miles from the Sea the Harbour is but ill yet such as would admit Vessels of good burthen and such as exceed not 60 Tuns may come up to the very Bridge in the Town It is situated in a plain open Countrey plentiful for all manner of Provisions no Bogs or Marsh-ground near it so as the Rebels had all the opportunities and advantages they could desire for making their approaches to the Place But so unhappy were they in their undertakings and so unprosperous in their executions as notwithstanding the weakness of the Place and the small numbers of men that kept it they lay before it after they had thus closely begirt the Town almost three months without doing any thing of moment being resolv'd either in regard of their want of great Guns to batter the Walls skill to undermine them or courage to scale them to sit still till Famine within had made
skirmish was in sight of our Walls the Lord Moore in this encounter behaving himself most gallantly indeed no man braver for after he was known by the Rebels they endeavoured to have seized on him yet though he had but 7 in his Company being then at a distance from the main Body charged them home killed many scattered the rest and got off clear After that Tredath had relieved it self and his Majesties Forces became full Masters of the field several as the Lord Nettervile Lord Slane and others writ Letters to the State to excuse themselves as did those with the Lord Gormanston about the 21st of March to the Earl of Castlehaven under the name of the United Lords that he would move the State for a Cessation of Arms and to know upon what Conditions they might come in and submit which the Lords Justices and Council thought a demand full of Insolency they having till then acted with the forwardest of the Rebels notwithstanding whatever dehortations or encouragements the State gave them to the contrary so that then the State had no power to mitigate their Crimes Nor did the Lords Justices and Councel then think fit to prostitute his Majesties Royal Grace to men so ungrateful and unnatural Besides the State in their Commission and Instructions found no express Warrant to pardon such pernicious Traitors as before they inclined to come in hoped to carry all before them by surprizal or open force In the last Service of my Lord Moore 's Barnewell of Rahasket one of dangerous Parts was taken with some Priests and Friers Darcy of Platten in Meath about two miles from Tredath was soon after summon'd who denied the surrender of his House to the Earl of Ormond yet after hearing of two Peeces of Battery surrendred it However at Atherdee the Rebels killed all the Protestants whilst the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General leaving Dublin the 7th of March prosecuting the Design formerly mention'd upon the arrival of the Forces out of England that they might not be idle in the City was not far from Tredath with 3000 Foot and 500 Horse burning the County of Meath and several of the Lords of the Pale's Houses in their March who came to Tredath the 11th of March exceedingly admiring that such weak Walls should be able to resist so potent an Enemy His Lordship with the Governour the Lord Moore Sir Thomas Lucas Sir Simon Harcourt Sir Robert Ferrall and others in a Councel of War determin'd to prosecute the Rebels But the Earl of Ormond with the rest of his Forces being summon'd to Dublin on Business of great importance beneath the capacity of those who would have had it otherwise the Work fell wholly on the Lord Moore and the Governour who were by the Earl of Ormond recruited with four Companies of Foot and two Troops of Horse and two Peeces of Battery and upon the 21. of March with 1000 Foot and 200 Horse they march'd forward finishing what they had left unburnt at Slane and other Villages in the way And the 23. of March they advanc'd with Fire and Smoak towards Atherdee about a mile from Town the Enemy was descried to be drawn up into two Divisions reported to be 1100 or 1500. upon which Sir Henry Tichborn drew his Souldiers into Battalia sending up a forlorn Hope before to scour the Ditches which they so effectually did as stumbling upon an Ambuscado of the Enemy's Musketiers they beat them out of their Holes drawing so nimbly upon them as they killed about 400 of them in a miles space At the foot of the Bridge our Foot found some resistance by Musketiers plac'd in a Tower upon which Sir Henry Tichborn finding a passage over the River galled them so on the other side that they soon abandon'd it The passage thus open'd the Horse enter'd and with a full career chas'd them through the Town where one Lieutenant Colonel and five Captains of the Rebels were slain the Lord Moore doing much execution with his own hands Now the passage being clear our Forces made an assault on Dundalk fortified by the Rebels with a double Wall double Ditch Marsh-ground on one side and Sea on the other so that our difficulty was great Yet we approach'd the Town the 26th of March about Nine in the Morning planted our Ordnance on a little Hill near the Gate which 500 of them defended a while against a forlorn Hope of ours till they pursued their Work so close as they made many of the Rebels fall at which they retired which our Men perceiving increas'd their fears by shouting that at length a Division under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Waineman of about 300 resolutely approach'd the Gate with Pick-axes and after a strong encounter enter'd with the Horse who pursued the Enemy with a full Gallop killing many but upon the turning towards the next Gate seeing 2 or 3 brass Peeces planted and 500 of the Rebels ready to receive us we fairly retreated whilst a Castle plac'd at the head of that Street man'd with their best Musketiers in our return played very hot upon us whereby 10 of our Men were slain and Ensign Fortescue a sprightly Gentleman one Serjeant and one that carried the Colours for another Lieutenant Francis Moore was there also shot upon the shoulder-piece of his Armour without much hurt a Gentleman that merits much for his service through the whole Business At this we being not subject to lose any Men the Governour and the Lord Moore were so enraged that they set the Houses near the Castle the only Remora on fire through which the Wind blowing the smoak on the Castle and the Souldiers making bundles of dried Bean-stalks intermixt with Tow and Gunpowder and carrying these on their heads they got themselves un-descried to the Castle-door where they laid down their bundles and giving fire by a train of Powder blew up the Door and some other Boards those within being almost choaked and fully frighted leapt out at a Window and a Serjeant of Captain Owen's with 5 Men upon condition that they might have the pillage of the Place enter'd it and speedily shewed by their naked swords on the top of the Castle that they were Masters of it At which the Governour and the Lord Moore were reviv'd and immediately quench'd the Fires and man'd the Castle with 30 good Musketiers who playing thick into the Town hindred the Rebels from walking the Streets Afterwards we drew up two Peeces of Ordnance against the inner Gate and with 10 Wool-packs found in the Castle very opportunely a kind of Bulwark was made for the Musketiers which the Rebels perceiving left their Peeces there loaden Whereupon the Governour took a Division of a Party of Horse and drew by the back of the Town towards the North-Gate killing 40 in his way and enter'd at a by-Gate found the Town deserted The Lord Moore in the interim also beating open the Gates took possession of the two brass Peeces and another
any Levies he should make to that purpose Being loath saith his Majesty in his Solitudes to shoot at any mark here less than himself or that any should have the glory of his destruction but themselves Whilst at the same time his Majesties Subjects of Scotland in an Act of Council at Edinburgh the 22d of April following upon this occasion takes notice That there could be no greater demonstration of Care and Princely Courage than this his Majesties intention to go in Person into Ireland against the Rebels Upon the signification of which Royal Intent to the State there the Lords Justices and Council in a Letter to his Majesty the 23d of April 1642. taking notice of his Princely Purpose to take just vengeance on the perfidious Rebels humbly besought him to come so provided as to appear in that Kingdom suitable to the Greatness and Wisdom of so mighty a King Which Letter how finely soever it was covered went not in some mens opinion without a discouragement forasmuch as that though some at Court might conceive by his Majesties coming over a Peace might be made with the Irish when his Majesty pleas'd yet by taking in so base perfidious and barbarous a People who in so execrable a manner had cut off such multitudes of the English the event as was privately signifi'd by some could not redound to his Majesties Honour Besides the Soldiers were then grown so implacable to the Irish as they would scarce endure any ordinary Papist much less suffer a Rebel to be admitted amongst them After all his Majesties resolutions for Ireland were prevented not without several constructions as each Party apprehended the Scene Though his Majesty express'd that he would never refuse or be unwilling to venture his Person for the good and safety of his People yet he was not so weary of his life as to hazard it impertinently and therefore at present should desist However as yet the Protestant Army in Ireland being competently supplied the Rebels were frequently chastized To say truth after the raising of the Siege of Tredath and the consequences thereupon his Majesties Forces so enlarged their Quarters as no considerable Enemy save some Castles lay nearer Dublin than twenty miles on any side that now the Lords Justices thought it high time to provide for the safety of such places as lay more remote in the Countrey the English having in many Places upon the first rising of the Irish possess'd themselves of some Forces Strong Holds Towns and Castles which though very ill provided they did for many months yea some for years after the first breaking out of the Rebellion defend notwithstanding long Sieges multitudes of Rebels encompassing them and all means by Treachery Force or Famine experienc'd to draw them into their possession It will here take up too large a space in this Story where many considerable things may fall besides the Pen to recite the gallant actions perform'd by several private Persons in some inconsiderable in respect of Strength Places many Women shewing more courage constancy and resolution in the defence of what they were necessitated to than the Men without did in their undertakings against them Great were the Straits many of them were put unto enduring all manner of extremities subjecting themselves to all kind of dangers not daunted with the multitudes of Rebels that lay about them they in many places issued out and lived onely on the Spoils they took from them fighting continually for their daily bread which they never wanted as long as their Enemies had it The Rebels were so undextrous in the management of their Sieges as they took very few Places by force in all their Attempts whether by Mine Battery Assault they seldom prosper'd The great Engine whereby they master'd any Fort of the English was Treachery Offers of safe Conduct and other Conditions of Honour and Advantage which might induce the Besieged sometimes reduc'd to the utmost extremities to surrender their Places into their hand which though solemnly sworn and sign'd they yet seldom or never kept but left several Places as Monuments of their Treachery and Infidelity using those who surrender'd them as they did the poor Protestants in the Town and Castle of Longford whom they having besieged and drawn to yield up into their hands upon condition of Quarters and safety for their Persons they as soon as they issued out fell upon with their Skenes their Priest as a signal for the rest to fall on first ripping open the belly of the Minister amongst the English then his followers soon kill'd and hang'd the rest After this manner used they the 150 Protestants who yielded up upon fair Quarter the Castle of Tullagh and the Church of Newtown in the County of Fermanagh And the 1400 or 1500 at Belturbet and the Inhabitants of Ardmagh and Loughgell and those under the conduct of the Lord Mayo and those 120 murther'd by the Mac-Swynes as those who yielded the strong Castle of Cloghleigh situate upon the Manningwater to Richard Condon who promised Quarter and a safe Convoy to Castelions contrary to which they were all of them either hang'd kill'd wounded or kept Prisoners by him and his Company In the same manner also he used a Party of the Earl of Barrimore's Troop who having bravely maintain'd themselves in a House in Coole against his Forces were by his Promise on the Faith of a Soldier and a Christian of a safe Conveyance to Castelions contented to yield it up but were immediately upon their coming forth murther'd As some English Families and the Garrison Soldiers at Sligo were used by O Connor Slygah who upon the quitting of their Holds promis'd them Quarter and to convey them over the Curlew Mountains in safety to Abbeyboyle or Roscommon but he first imprison'd them in a most nasty Goal allowing them onely Grains for their food and afterwards when the Rebels were merry with Company that came to congratulate their Victory over these poor Creatures those which survived were brought forth by a Frier Connor's Brother and others and kill'd or precipitated over the Bridge into a swift Water where they were presently destroy'd And at Teagh-Temple after the English and Scots who retired thither were not able longer to resist the Enemy had yielded the Place on Conditions to be brought in safe Conduct to Abbeyboil were murther'd hang'd or buri'd alive At which terrible sight Mrs. Olyfant a Ministers Wife being great with Child fell in Labour but was still beat forward till at last the Child slipt from her and what was horrible she was forced to draw that poor Infant and the Concomitants of such an accident after her till she died with sport to them The Story would be too long should we mention those 140 taken forth to be sent for England and drown'd at Portadown or those numbers drawn to Florence Fitz-Patricks house and there slain Or those 60 and odd persons gathered together on pretence of sending them to Clanhughboyes drown'd by them
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
besiege the Town with a Fleet and having taken possession of the Abbey near adjoyning landed many of his Battering Guns But before he attempted any thing according to his Commission he first advised with the present Governour the Lord of Clanrickard affectionate to his Majesties Service As the Town seem'd to be placing his Majesties Colours on the top of their Tower charging Captain Willoughby Governour of the Fort with the breach of Pacification an Agreement it seems assented to by the State though in vindication of himself he and Captain Ashley alledg'd much Great straits he had been put to though at length happily reliev'd by the Earl of Clanrickard when he was closely Beleaguer'd together with the Archbishop of Tuam Richard Boyle and his Family besides 36 Ministers 26 of which serv'd as Soldiers and did their Duty After all the Lord Forbes being by the Town the Earl of Clanrickard and the President of Connaght with whom he had had several ineffectual Conferences daily delay'd in what he endeavour'd to give Captain Willoughby satisfaction in prepar'd to make his approach to the Town but not being strengthen'd by any supply he could get from the Lord President or Sir Charles Coot and dishearten'd by Captain Willoughby in that every House in the Town was a Fort he drew off being perswaded to a Composition to be paid in Money within two months which he never got And at the Lord Presidents return to Athlone the Soldiers Mutini'd both Officers and Soldiers offering to go to Dublin but the Common Soldiers being very weak not able to draw into a considerable Body the Irish Kerns killing all sick and fainty persons that could not accompany the Body of the Army that intent for the present was deferr'd though not long after they return'd with Sir Richard Greenvile whose seasonable relief and the Battel of Raconnel will be mention'd in its due place Whilst the Lord Forbes sail'd up Limerick River relieving some Places and without much opposition took in Fits-Geralds the Knight of the Valley or Glyn Castle furnish'd with all Utensils and Provisions for a Family About the 20th of June 700 Foot and two Troops of Horse under the Command of Colonel Gibson went into Wickloe where the Rebels not daring to face them they got much Prey burnt many Villages and return'd with success The Kings affairs now growing every day more straitned in England than other Sir Lewis Kirk at Court withdrew Sir Henry Stradling and Kettleby from guarding the Irish Coast whereby presently after there came in both Arms and Ammunition in great quantities to Wexford as also several Irish Commanders as Preston Cullen Plunket and others who having been Colonels in France were readily entertain'd there much to the heartning of the Rebels However in Ulster the 28th of June Sir Robert Stewart and Sir William Stewart Persons deserving excellently well of the State near Raphoe got a considerable Victory over the Rebels under Sir Phelim O-Neal slaying near 2000 of them though much inferiour in number Arms and Ammunition whilst Monroe sought them towards the Newry but had not so good luck to encounter them as he had the 23d of May preceding when he gave the Irish Committee of the Parliament of England this account That with 2000 Foot and 300 Horse he beat Owen Mac-Art O-Neal Sir Phelim O-Neal and Owen Mac-Art the General 's Son being all joyn'd together with their Forces and forced them to return upon Charlemont after quitting the Generals house to be spoil'd and burnt by them with the whole Houses in Louhgall being the best Plantation in Ulster and straightest for defence of the Rebels Thus in some places whilst we find the War succeeded the Lords Justices in the midst of August suspecting Preston's Forces should increase and according to the resolution of the Parliament at Kelkenny should first gain the Out-Garrisons and then besiege Dublin were forced to require the Lord Conway to come unto their aid with 3000 Foot and all the Horse he could procure to prosecute the War in Leimster Who return'd an Answer That their Companies were so weak they could not draw them together and that the Rebels having then receiv'd new Supplies were strong and that he was engag'd to meet the Earl of Leven the Scots General to encounter Owen O-Neal with all the Forces he could get Thus that Province reserved to it self its own strength not coming in as by the Tenth Article with the Parliament of England the Scots were engaged to In Munster the Scene was hot for the Parliament of England having sent over as into Leimster several Regiments of Foot and some Troops of Horse unto Sir William St. Leger Knight who having long serv'd in the Low-Countreys with singular reputation was some years before the Rebellion made Lord President of Munster a Command he discharg'd with much vigilance and courage in as much as the Enemy now fear'd no man more What he did upon the first breaking out of the Rebellion in hope to have stopt its current in that Province we have already mention'd and should have told you that the State to impower him thereunto admitted him to raise a Regiment of Foot consisting of 1000 men and two Troops of Horse 60 to each Troop which afterwards besides the supplies mention'd were listed in his Majesties Musters with Pay accordingly But the Design being general Munster at length was as well disturb'd as the rest of the Kingdom Cashel Clonmel Dungarvan and Featherd with other Places were all on an easie summons soon yielded to the Rebels raging through the Countrey which the Lord President endeavour'd to suppress as far as those small Forces he had with him would admit resolving near Redsheard to have given them Battle having at that time in his company the Earl of Barrymore the Lord Dungarvan the Lord Broghil Sir Hardress Waller Sir Edward Denny Serjeant Major Searl Sir John Brown Captain William Kingsmil with 600 Foot and 300 Horse But the Rebels on the other side the Mountain privately avoided them though four to one and getting to Cashel held there a general Rendezvous from whence Mountgarret went with his Forces to Kilmallock a Town treacherously surrendred to the Rebels a little before on demand situated on the Frontiers of the County of Limmerick towards Cork environ'd with a strong Wall which held out Loyally for the Crown all Tyrone's Wars though sometimes strongly besieged and highly distressed And the 9th of February 1641. he went to Butavant where the Gentry from all parts appear'd It is an antient Town belonging to the Earl of Barrimore in the Barony of Orrory an old Nest of Abbots Friers and Priests There the General Mountgarret exercis'd his greatness with reserv'd gravity and distance so as none except Serjeant Major Purcel who had now joyn'd himself with the Confederates contrary to the expectation the Lord President had of him were admitted to any Command in the Army more then they had over the Men they brought
Walls of Cork with great Forces not far from whence the Confederates promising General Garret Barry with the consent of his Council of War the Lord Muskery and others planted his Camp at Rochforts Town holding thereby Cork in a manner besieg'd on the North-side whilst my Lord Roch the Lord of Ikern Dunboin the Baron of Loghmo Mr. Richard Butler with the Tipperary Forces were drawing down on the South till by the valour of those few English then in Town viz. the Lord Inchiquin Col. Vavasor and 400 Musketeers and 90 Horse they were beaten off with the loss of 200 of their Men their Tents and whole Bag and Baggage being taken In the whole Service Sir William St. Leger as long as he had health was active with the meanest Officers of the Army doing many times a private Soldiers duty as well as a careful Generals But finding at length the Rebels multitudes to increase and his Men to decay even in being victorious and the Supplies of Men and Money with Provisions which he expected out of England to come over very slowly and far short of what the necessities of that Province required well understanding too the difference then in England betwixt his Majesty and the Parliament and what were the designs of some putting fair Glosses on the Rebellion of Ireland which his Soul apprehended as one of the most detestable Insurrections of the World These things so troubled his Spirit as being discouraged in the desperate undertakings necessity and the honour of his Nation put him daily upon so deep an impression fixed in his mind as the distemper of his body increasing he wasted away and died at his house at Downrallie four miles from Cork in the County of Cork 1642. and was there buried a little before whose death he writ the second of April 1642. a most significant Letter to the Lord Lieutenant touching the Affairs of that Province and his utter detestation of the Rebels Remonstrance sent him after a motion made for a Cessation which he would have seconded with further testimony of his aversion to their insolency as would have tended much to their dis-encouragement had he been enabled with any reasonable strength so to have done The Command of the Forces in this Province was after the death of Sir William St. Leger for the present by the Lords Justices and Council committed to the Lord Inchequin who had married his Daughter and during his Father in Law 's life had shewed himself very forward in several Services against the Rebels He was a meer Irish-man of the antient Family of O-Brian's but bred up a Protestant and one that had given good testimony of the truth of his Profession as his hatred and detestation of his Countrey-mens Rebellion and having match'd into the Lord President 's Family was held the fittest Person to cast the Command upon till there were another Lord President made by the King or he confirm'd by his Majesty in that Province In the mean time the Lord Inchequin takes some opportunity and having beaten the Rebels Forces at the Battel of Liscarrol in the County of Cork got great reputation by that action The Battel was fought on Saturday the 3d. of September 1642. in which on the English Party was kill'd Lewis Boyle Lord Viscount Kynalmeaky second Son to the late Earl and Brother to this of Cork who behav'd himself most nobly in that Expedition and was buried at Youghall in his Fathers Tomb. And on the Irish side was slain Captain Oliver Stephenson Grandson of him who in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth had done eminent service in the Wars against the Earl of Desmond And afterwards the Division increasing in England the sending over a new Lord President was neglected so as the Lord Inchequin continu'd in the Government managing affairs there sometimes for the King against the Parliament sometimes for the Parliament against the King as he conceiv'd might bring on the absolute settlement of that Government upon himself of whom we shall speak more hereafter And now having shewed you the effects of the English Courage strangely reviv'd and managed against the Rebels it will be seasonable to acquaint you by what means the Forces there have been animated to so eminent a Service You have already read the generous resolutions of the Parliament in England upon the first discovery of the Rebellion as the encouragement his Majesty gave them upon his first and second appearance in the House of Lords after his return from Scotland And you have read if it would have been admitted how he would have adventured his Royal Person thither and have rais'd 10000 English Volunteers speedily for that Service if so the House of Commons would have declared that they would pay them which would not be accepted but instead thereof the 24th of January following the Town and Castle of Carickfergus were advised by the two Houses to be given in Command and Keeping to the Scots 2500 of which were to be transported thither and paid by England so as to be accountable according to their Order the 22. of Jan. to the King and Parliament and the Lord General in his Place for all their actions in that Service Which his Majesty was loath to grant as prejudicial to the Crown of England and employing too great trust for Auxiliary Forces Though at the importunity of the Parliament it was so setled at Windsor the 27th of January 1641. But what service the Scots did in those Parts more than subsist by English Pay deserves an enquiry It will now be convenient to acquaint you that after many necessary Propositions to the King from the Parliament passionately affected with the miseries of Ireland it was in the Petition of the House of Commons December the first mov'd That his Majesty would be pleas'd to forbear to alienate any of the Forfeited or Escheated Lands in Ireland which shall accrue to the Crown by reason of this Rebellion that out of these the Crown may be the better supported and some satisfaction made to his Subjects of this Kingdom England for the great Expences they were like to undergo in this War To which his Majesty answer'd That concerning Ireland he understood their desire of not alienating the forfeited Lands thereof to proceed from their much care and love and likewise that it might be a Resolution very fit for him to take But whether it be seasonable to declare resolutions of that nature before the event of a War be seen that he much doubted Howsoever we cannot repli'd his Majesty but thank you for this care and your chearful Engagement for the suppression of that Rebellion upon the speedy effecting whereof the Glory of God in the Protestant Profession the safety of the British there our Honour and that of the Nation so much depends all the Interests of this Kingdom being so involv'd in that business We cannot but quicken your affections therein and shall desire you to frame your
remisly attended leaving their Provisions of all sorts behind them The Lord Lisle after this success better much then he could expect with so small Forces having put a Garrison in the Place returned to Dublin About one month after my Lord Lisle's return to Dublin the State was inform'd by the Lord Moore that Carrickmacross was besieged by near 2000 Rebels and that if it were not suddainly relieved not onely the Place would be taken but our men lost whereupon it was resolv'd to send away presently 1000 Foot with some Troops of Horse under the Command of Sir Henry Tichborn and my Lord Moore to raise the Siege And it fell into debate what should be done with the Place and upon a due consideration of all Circumstances and an impossibility on our part to Man and Victual the Place from hence an Act of Council was made for the demolishing of the house and bringing of our men back before this was put in execution Letters came from Captain Vaughan from Dundalk to acquaint the State that with 100 Foot and 50 Horse he had been to see in what state Carrick was that he found the men well Victualled for 14 days and that the Siege was raised that there came upon him in his return 2000 of the Rebels who charged him and as Captain Martin said shot near 5000 shot at his men who thereupon began to be somewhat in disorder so as he saw they could not well retire Whereupon he charged them with his Horse routed them killing 30 or 40 of them and got some Arms Yet the resolution taken to demolish Carick was not alter'd The Summer being thus spent the Winter apace drew on and the Provisions of the County failing where the Souldiers lay in Garrison in the Custodiums the greatest part of them return'd to Dublin where they took up their Quarters to the great grievance of the Inhabitants And now the differences between the King and his Parliament in England were grown so high and their preparations to encounter one another in a set Battle so considerable as upon that fatal day the 23. of October 1642. They came to an Engagement at Edge-Hill where the encounter was so fiercely maintain'd on both sides with so much courage and resolution headed by the Earl of Lindsey for the King and the Earl of Essex for the Parliament manfully discharging the parts both of Generals and Souldiers as the loss being in a manner equal both reported themselves Conquerors but neither were thenceforth in a condition to administer sufficient relief to the distressed Estate of the poor Protestants in Ireland whereby the Army though but lately sent over out of England was wholly neglected which made many of the Commanders take up thoughts of quitting that service and repairing to the King at Oxford having as it was said secret invitations thereunto which being understood by the Parliament and finding that from the Battle of Kilrush which was fought in April 1642. till October following the Army in Leimster had not been so active as reasonably might have been expected The Parliament to quicken the War to inform themselves of the wants and defects of the Army and of all other things that might enable them the better to send thither and dispose of there such Forces Moneys Ammunition and necessaries for that service according to the Statute which enabled the Lords and Commons in Parliament from time to time to direct thought it very expedient though by Secretary Nicholas from his Majesty expresly commanded to the contrary to send into Ireland a Committy for that purpose in the depth of Winter Members of the House of Commons Mr. Robert Goodwin and Mr. Robert Reynolds authorized from both Houses called by his Majesty their Ambassadors to which the Citizens of London joyn'd one Captain Tucker who carried with them 20000 l. in ready money besides 300 Barrels of Powder ten Tun of Match and other Ammunition They arriv'd at Dublin the 29th of October by long Sea and upon the 2d of November presented them to the State producing the Ordinance of Parliament together with their instructions to be read The Lords Justices and Council ordered their Reception with respect which they improv'd to the voluntary putting on of their Hats sitting behind the Council on a Form nor could this their carriage be reproved though resented Affairs at that time having brought on those Exigencies which their coming could onely relieve during whose abode there having Votes onely in Military Affairs they saw that Parties were continually sent forth to encounter the Rebels and when there was a failing either in Money or Provisions they engaged their own particular Credits to make up the defect Yet in respect of their being admitted as they were consequently were thought to be spies on his Majesties Ministers there His Majesty much disliked their Address and in a Letter deliver'd to the Lords Justices and Council the 10th of February Order'd their removal which was done with much content by the Board but some regreets to the Commissioners who resolv'd presently to quit Ireland and to speak truth it soon appear'd by the Index of some mens spirits what hazard they might have run should they have been obstinate therein though many suspected as it fell out their return would certainly slacken the relief of the Protestant Army against the Irish. There were three main things principally intended by this Committee during their stay in Ireland 1. They used their utmost endeavours to satisfie the Officers of the Army of the great care the Parliament took to provide their Pay and to send over money and in the mean time to furnish the Army with all manner of Provisions and Ammunitions that should be thought necessary for the carrying on the War against the Rebels 2. They made a Book wherein they desired that all the Officers of the Civil List as well as the Army should subscribe and declare their free consent that some part of their Pay and Arrear due to them for their service there should be satisfied out of the Rebels Lands when they were declared to be subdued Upon which many great sums were under-written but upon information of his Majesties dislike thereof the Commissioners being sharply threatned returned the Book so that most struck out their Names frustrating thereby a Design which would infinitely have obliged others to have subscribed In reference to which the Kings Commissioners at Uxbridge ascertain'd That his Majesty never sent any such Letter to divert the course of the Officers subscribing but the Souldiers were meerly discouraged from the same by discerning that for want of Supplies they should not be able to go on with that War 3. They finding that most of the Officers of the Army had lodg'd their Troops and Companies in their Custodiums which were most of them Places of strength enough at least to keep them from being surprized suddainly by the Rebels and that there were 7 or 8000 of the Army quartered
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-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
of by the two Houses of Parliament in England The publication of which with the Articles and his Majesties Motives thereunto you may read in his Majesties Works from fol. 353. to 365. In confirmation of which the Lords Justices and Council issued out a Warrant to the Lord Chancellor to draw Letters of Confirmation under the Great Seal of Ireland which accordingly bore date the 26th day of Septemb. in the 19th year of his Majesties Reign And to express the necessity thereof many Persons of Quality sign'd the said 15th of Septemb. 1643. a Writing therein concluding it necessary for his Majesties Honour and Service that the Lord Marquis of Ormond should assent to a Cessation of Arms though some of these afterwards joyning with the Parliaments Forces resolved to die a thousand deaths rather than to descend to any Peace with the perfidious Rebels but stuck not at length to that Protestation altering as the Scene chang'd Whilst the Cessation was in agitation at Sigginstown the Consequences of dissolving the Parliament were not the least in consideration at the Council-board nor was there any thing more desired by the Rebels who thereby hoped to be re-seated in a new Parliament which they question'd not to manage to their own ends and advantage Wherefore that the State might still steer by the same Compass they had hitherto done they committed the Case to the Judges who unanimously agreed upon the following Reasons for its continuance May it please your Lordships ACcording to your Lordships Order of the xi of September 1643. we have considered of such inconveniencies as we conceive may arise to his Majesty and his Service as Affairs now stand if this present Parliament should be determin'd and have reduc'd the same to writing which we humbly present to your Lordships further consideration The greatest part of the Free-holders of this Kingdom are now in actual Rebellion whereby his Majesty ought to be justly entituled to all their Estates both Real and Personal this cannot be done but by their Conviction and Attainder either by course of Common Law or by Act of Parliament By course of Common Law it will be very difficult to be effected for these Reasons following First Those who are indicted in most of the Counties of this Kingdom cannot be Attainted by Outlawry by reason that the Sheriffs of those Counties by occasion of the present Rebellion cannot keep their County-Courts to Proclaim and make due Return of the Exigence Nor can they be Attainted by Verdict for want of Jurors most of all the Free-holders in the Kingdom being now in Rebellion Secondly Those that are not Indicted or those that are already Indicted and in Prison or upon Bonds cannot be proceeded against Legally at the Common Law for want of Jurors because as aforesaid most of the Freeholders are in Rebellion Therefore of necessity those Persons must either not be Attainted at all or onely by Act of Parliament which is scarce possible to be effected if this present Parliament be Dissolved or Discontinued for that upon a new Parliament to be Summon'd the Knights and Burgesses must be Elected by the Free-holders and Inhabitants respectively most whereof are in Rebellion And yet the present Parliament will be discontinued unless a Commission under the Great Seal of England to the now Lords Justices or other the Chief Governour or Governours for the time being be here before the 13th of November next being the day of Prorogation for the beginning of the next Session of Parliament to enable them to continue this present Parliament the last Commission for the continuance thereof being onely to the Lords Justices one whereof is since remov'd Unless the Parties now in Rebellion being Legally Attainted which cannot be here as is aforesaid as the case now stands but by Act of Parliament his Majesty cannot have power to dispose of their Estates as in his wisdom he shall think fit either for the increasing of his Revenues or for the Peaceable establishment of this Common-wealth and indifferent Administration of Justice therein Rich. Bolton Cancell Geo. Shurly Gerrard Lowther Ja. Donnalon Sa. Mayard The Cessation as yet not being known to his Majesty the Lords Justices and Council received a Letter from him at the Camp at Matson near Gloucester of the 4th of Septemb. passionately resenting the sufferings and complaints of the Officers who upon all occasions had a tender affection in his breast And to the end they might not be frustrated of their Arrears he commands their Debentors should be respectively sign'd that they might take an effectual course to be paid the same by the Two Houses of Parliament that engaged them And left there should be any defect in acknowledging of their Merits who had so faithfully ventur'd their lives for his Majesties Service he is yet further pleased to provide for their Encouragement and Entertainment who upon the Cessation were now free to serve him though as yet he knew not of its conclusion but by the Contents of the following Letter seem'd to expect it giving particular Orders for the management of Affairs upon that occasion C. R. RIght Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellors and right Trusty and intirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Whereas not onely the great neglect of the Affairs of that Our Kingdom by the remaining part of our Houses of Parliament who pretended so great care of it but their impious preventing all Supplies destin'd to their Relief by Our Authority which did ever most readily concur to any Levy of Men Money or any other Work in order to the Assistance of Our Protestant Subjects there and employing the same in an unnatural War against Us their Liege Lord and Sovereign hath reduc'd our Army in that our Kingdom into so heavy straits that out of Our Care of the preservation of them who so faithfully ventur'd their Lives for Our Service We were brought to condescend to a Treaty for a Cessation of Arms Our Will and Pleasure is and We do hereby Charge and Command you that in case according unto the Authority given unto you by Us you have agreed upon a Cessation or as soon as you shall agree thereupon you or any two of you do immediately consider of and put in execution these Our following Commands 1. That you agree upon what number of Our Army will be necessary to be kept in Garrison there for the maintenance of the same during the time of the Cessation and what Soldiers they shall be and what Persons shall command the same and that you settle them accordingly in that Command as shall appear to your discretion to be most conducing to our Service 2. That you do consider and advise of the best means of Transporting the rest of Our Army in that Our Province of Leimster excepting such as are to be kept in Garrison in Our Kingdom of Ireland and to that end We do hereby give you or any one of you full Power and Authority to hire all
press for Supplies out of England without the least intention in them of inducing a Cessation which is granted But as the necessities were there laid open so they were considered by his Majesty and no other Expedient remaining for the Protestants safety save a Cessation thereupon it was concluded though to this day some will have it that his Majesties expectation to be supplied thence and the preservation of the Irish almost swallowed up by his Forces were the principal Motives to that Cessation And it must be acknowledged from the series of Affairs since that the Irish in concluding the Cessation had a respect to their greater security and designs those being thereby withdrawn to his Majesties service in England which otherwise would certainly have oppos'd them And here I cannot but observe that the Irish afterwards acquired much confidence by a Bull of Urban's the 8th dated at Rome the 25th of May 1643. commending their forwardness against the Protestant Hereticks which they publish'd even after the Cessation of Arms was agreed on to what intent may be easily conceiv'd considering their subsequent frequent violation of Compacts and Agreements with the State Though the bleeding Iphigenia who in pleading their Cause grosly betrays it would not have it thought that this charitable Bull cherish'd the Catholicks in Rebellion but was onely an Indulgence to so good and just a Quarrel not any dis-respect to the King to whom saith he his Holiness advised them by their Agents to be Loyal as if that and the breach of his Majesties Commands to lay down Arms could rationally agree Before which Bull an Indulgence had been sent Dilecto filio Eugenio Onello the 8th of October 1642 in the 20th year of his Papacy The Cessation now concluded Obedience was expected from all parts but instead of an absolute compliance from the Scots in Ulster their Officer in Chief return'd this Letter Right Honourable YOur Lordships of the 21. I received at Ardmagh the 29 together with the Printed Cessation which was very displeasing unto this Army who being sent Auxiliary for supply of the British Forces in distress were promis'd by his Majesty and the Parliament of England Pay and Entertainment from three months to three months nevertheless in eighteen months time they have endured both Officers and Soldiers unparallel'd miseries And now a great part of the Service being done they are rewarded with the conclusion of a Cessation without assurance of entertainment for the time or any certainty of the payment of their Arrears and they must conform to the Treaty This kind of usage and contempt would constrain good Servants though his Majesties Loyal Subjects to think upon some course which may be satisfactory to them being driven almost to despair and threaten'd to be persecuted by the Roman Catholick Subjects as they are now called Nevertheless of the foresaid Contempt for obedience to his Majesties Command I have mov'd the Army for the time to cease any hostile Act against our Enemies till such time as your Lordships will be pleased to consider better of our present condition and grant us time to acquaint the General who has onely Commission over the Army to advise us how to behave our selves in this Exigency since I as Governour of Carigfergus can give your Lordships no positive Answer to this Cessation in the name of our Army having not absolute Power over them And immediately after receiving the General 's resolution your Lordships shall be acquainted therewith which is the least favour your Lordships can vouchsafe upon us in recompence of our Bygan Service And so I remain Ardmagh 29 Sept. 1643. Receiv'd the 2d of Octob. Your Lordships humble and obedient Servitor Robert Monro To the Right Honourable the Lords Justices and Council Upon this Answer of Monro's the Supreme Council at Kilkenny maintaining their Umpire in the Empire visits the Lords Justices and Council with this Letter Our very good Lords WE whom his Majesties Catholick Subjects of this Kingdom did intrust in the management of their Affairs have by their publick Act ratified and confirmed the Articles of Cessation concluded upon by our Commissioners willingly and cheerfully hoping in the quiet of that time assign'd for it by the benefit of the access which his Majesty is graciously pleas'd to afford us to free our selves from those odious Calumnies wherewith we have been branded and to render our selves worthy of Favour by some acceptable service suiting the expression we have often made and the real affections and zeal we have to serve his Majesty and in as much as we are given to understand that the Scots who not long since in great numbers came over into this Kingdom and by the slaughter of many Innocents without distinction of Age or Sex have possessed themselves of very large Territories in the North and since the notice given them of the Cessation have not onely continued their former cruelties upon the Persons of weak and unarmed Multitudes but have added thereunto the burning of the Corn belonging to the Natives within that Province of Ulster Notwithstanding which outrages we hear that they have although but faintly and with relation unto the consent of their General after some days consultation whether it were convenient for their Affairs desired to partake in the Cessation intending as is evident by their proceedings so far onely to admit thereof as it may be beneficial for their Patrons the Malignant Party now in Arms against his Majesty in England by diverting us from assisting his Majesty or of advantage to their desire of eating further into the bowels of our Countrey We who can accuse our selves of no one hollow thought and detest all subtile Practices cannot think of serving two Masters or standing Neuters where our King is Party And we desirous none should reside in this Kingdom but his Majesties good Subjects we beseech your Lordships therefore that these who have other ends then his Majesties Service and Interest and are so far from permitting the Natives to enjoy three parts of what they have sown as they may with no security look upon their former habitations and do absolutely deny to restore their Prisoners contrary to the Articles of Cessation may by the joynt power of all his Majesties good Subjects within this Kingdom of what Nation soever be prosecuted and that while these Succours are in preparation our Proceedings against them may no way be imputed unto us a desire any way to violate this Cessation And we do further pray your Lordships that for our justification therein you will be pleas'd to transmit unto his Majesty these our Letters and to send unto us the Copy of those directed unto your Lordships from Serjeant Major Monro concerning this Matter Thus with the remembrance of our heartiest wishes unto your Lordships we rest Kilkenny 15. Octob. 1643. Received 25. Your Lordships loving Friends Mountgarret Castlehaven Audley H. Armach Jo. Clonfert Th. Fr. Dublin R. Beling N. Plunket Gerrard Fennell To
and set at liberty by him and whom the Bishops themselves in their Letter of the 12th of September 1650. to the Earl of Westmeath c. do acknowledge to be preserved by the Marquess and for which many will rather expect an Apology than for any Jealousie he could entertain of the Persons who behaved themselves in that manner towards the King's Lord Lieutenant They charge him with having represented to his Majesty that some Parts of the Kingdom were dis-obedient which absolutely deny any Dis-obedience by them committed and that thereby he had procured from his Majesty a Letter to withdraw his own Person and the Royal Authority if such dis-obedience was multiplied and so leave the People without the Benefit of Peace This was the Reward his Excellency out of his Envy to a Catholick Loyal Nation prepared for their Loyalty and Obedience seal'd by the shedding of their blood and the loss of their substance Whether the obstinate and Rebellious carriage of Waterford Limerick and other Places which brought destruction upon themselves did not deserve and require such a Representation to be made unto the King may be judged by all men upon what hath been before truly set down of those Particulars and if the Places themselves had not acknowledged that dis-obedience yet the Prelates seemed to lament those Acts of Dis-obedience and most earnestly disswaded him from leaving the Kingdom promising all their endeavours to reduce the People to Obedience which was onely in their Power to have done else the Marquess would not so long have exposed Himself and his Honour to those Reproaches or suffered his Person with the Impotent Title of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to have remained in that Kingdom and every day to hear of the rendring and betraying of Places to the Enemy which he could no more remedy then he could infuse a Spirit of Obedience Unity and Understanding into that unhappy infatuated Nation Yet he was so far from wishing that his Majesty should absolutely withdraw his Royal Authority from them how unworthy soever they made themselves of it that he offered to leave the Kings Power in the Person of the Marquess of Clanrickard as he afterwards did hoping that since their great exception was to him for being a Protestant they would with all Alacrity have complied with the other who is known to be a most zealous Roman Catholick yet a great Royalist They reproach'd him That while he was an Enemy to the Catholicks he had been very active in unnatural executions against them and shedding the blood of poor Priests and Churchmen But since the Peace he had shewed little of action keeping himself in Connaght and Thomond where no danger was or the Enemy appear'd not Here you see they would neither suffer him to have an Army to oppose the Enemy nor be content that he should retire into those Places where the Enemy could least infest him and from whence with those few Troops which remained with him he defended the Shannon and kept the Enemy from getting over the River while he staid there And for the former activity and success against them which they were content to impute to him it was when he had a free election of Officers an absolute Power over his Garrisons where he caused the Soldiers continually to be exercised their Arms kept in order and from whence he could have drawn his Army together and have march'd with it to what place he would which advantages he was now without and the Enemy possessed of and therefore it was no wonder that they now obtain'd their Victories as easily as he had done formerly But since they were so disingenious and ungrateful there being many amongst them whose lives he had saved not without suspicion of being favourable to them when he should have been just to charge him with being active in unnatural executions against them and in shedding the blood of poor Priests and Church-men and for the Improvement and Propagation of Calumny it hath pleased some Persons to cause that Declaration to be Translated in Latin and Printed thereby to make him odious to the Roman Catholicks and have named two Priests who they say were by his order Executed and put to death in cold blood and after his promise given to save their lives whose names were Mr. Higgins and Mr. White It will not be impertinent to set down at large the Case of these two Persons that from thence men who have no mind to be deceived and mislead may judge of the Candor and Sincerity of those Persons who would obtrude such Calumnies to the World It must therefore be known that when these two Priests were put to death the War was conducted and carried on by the two Houses of Parliament that the Government of Ireland was in the hands of the two Lords Justices who upon the inhumane and barbarous Cruelties first practised by the Irish Catholicks in the beginning of the Rebellion had forbidden any quarter to be given to those whom they found in Arms and principally against all Priests known Incendaries of that Rebellion and prime Actors in exemplary Cruelties and the Marquess of Ormond was then onely Lieutenant General of the Army and received all Orders from the Lords Justices and Council who having intelligence that a Party of the Rebels intended to be at such a time at the Naas order'd him to draw some Troops together with hope to surprize them And the Lieutenant General marching all night came early in the morning into the Town from whence the Rebels upon notice were newly fled In this Town some of the Souldiers found Mr. Higgins who might it's true have easily fled if he had apprehended any danger in the stay When he was brought before the Marquess he voluntarily acknowledged that he was a Priest and that his Residence was in the Town from whence he refused to fly away with those that were guilty because he not onely knew himself very innocent but believ'd he should not be without ample Evidence of it having by his sole Charity and Power preserved very many of the English Protestants from the rage and fury of the Irish and therefore he onely besought the Marquess to preserve him from the violence of the Souldiers and to put him securely into Dublin to be tried for any Crime which the Marquess promis'd to do and perform'd it though with so much hazard that when it was spread abroad amongst the Souldiers that he was a Priest the Officer into whose Custody he was intrusted was assaulted by them and it was as much as the Marquess could do to relieve him and compose the mutiny When he came to Dublin he informed the Lords Justices and Council of the Prisoner he had brought with him of the good Testimony he had receiv'd of his peaceable Carriage of the pains he had taken to restrain those with whom he had Credit from entring into Rebellion and of very many charitable Offices he had perform'd of which there wanted not
to offer his Assistance that if he had known any Person had been intrusted there with his Majesties Authority he would have addressed himself unto him and no other And that he finding his Lordship invested with that Power did what he knew his Master expected at his hands apply himself unto him with and by whose Direction he would alone steer himself through that Negotiation He told him the Duke had already disbursed 6000 Pistols for the supplying them with those things he heard they stood most in need of which were brought over by a Religious Parson who came with him and that he was ready to be informed of what they would desire from his Highness that might enable them to resist their Enemy and that he would consent to any thing that was reasonable for him to undertake Hereupon the Lord Deputy appointed a Committee of the Commissioners of Trust together with some Prelates to confer with the Ambassador to receive any Overtures from him and to present them with their Advice thereupon unto him They met accordingly and receiv'd the Propositions from the Ambassador but they were so disagreeable to the professions he had made of respect to the King and indeed so inconsistent with the Kings Honour and Interest as there was great reason to suspect that they proceeded rather from the Encouragement and Contrivance of the Irish then from his own temper and disposition and this was the more believ'd when instead of returning the Propositions to the Lord Deputy they kept the same in their own hands put out some of those who were appointed by him to be of the Committee and chose others in their Places and proceeded in the Treaty without giving the Deputy an Account of what was demanded by the Ambassador or what they thought fit to offer unto him Of all which the Deputy took notice and thereupon forbade them to proceed any further in that way and restrain'd them unto certain Articles which he sent them which contain'd what he thought fit to offer to the Ambassador and gave them Power onely to Treat Notwithstanding his positive Direction they proceeded in that Treaty with the Ambassador and sent an Advice to the Lord Deputy to consent unto the Articles propos'd by him since they said he would not recede from what he had proposed and that it was much better to submit to the same then that the Treaty should be broken off The Lord Deputy as positively declared that what was demanded was so derogatory to the Honour of the King his Master and destructive to his Interest as he would never agree to it and resolved presently to leave the Town And when the Ambassador sent to him to desire to see him and take his leave of him he absolutely refused and sent him word That he would never pay his Civility to or receive it from a Person who had so much swarv'd from the Propositions made by himself and who had presumed to make Propositions so dishonourable to the King his Master and he believ'd so contrary to the good Pleasure of the Duke of Lorraign And that he would send away an Express to the Duke to inform him of his Miscarriage and he presumed he would do Justice unto the King upon him When the Prelates saw that no obstinacy in the Ambassador nor Importunity from them could prevail with the Lord Deputy to shew what influence they had upon that Treaty they perswaded the Ambassador to consent to the same Propositions he had formerly no doubt by the same Advice rejected and thereupon to make the sum formerly disbursed by the Duke at his coming out of Flanders full 20000 l. and the Lord Deputy sent a couple of Gentlemen into Flanders to Treat further with the Duke of Lorraign according to such Commissions and Instructions as he gave them The Bishop of Ferns about the same time left Ireland and came likewise to Bruxels and having without the Privity of the Lord Deputy receiv'd some secret Trust and Delegation from the Prelates of Ireland and Credit from them to the Duke of Lorraign he quickly interessed himself in that Treaty and took upon him the greatest part in it and that which he said was the sence of the Nation He reproach'd the Persons imployed and trusted by the Lord Deputy with all the Proceedings which had been in Ireland by the consent of the Confederate Catholicks inveighed against their opposing the Nuncio and appealing against the Excommunication issued out by him he told them and all this by a Letter under his hand that he was clearly of opinion That the Excommunication was just and lawful and that the greatest Statesmen Souldiers Citizens and People disobeying and now obstinate are and were delivered to Satan and therefore forsaken of God and unworthy of Victory and of his Holy Blessing And thereupon he said he did with all sincerity and charity offer his own humble opinion what was to be done by them which was to the end the Agreement they were making with his Highness the Duke of Lorraign might become profitable to the Nation and acceptable in the eyes of God that they would immediately with humble hearts make a Submission unto his Holiness in the name of the Nation and beg the Apostolical Benediction that the light of Wisdom the Spirit of Fortitude Vertue Grace Success and the Blessing of God might return again to them He told them the necessity of doing this was the greater for that the Person from whom they came with Authority the Marquess of Clanrickard the Lord Deputy was for several causes Excommunicated a jure Homine and that he was at Rome reputed the great Contemner of the Authority and Dignity of Churchmen and a Persecutor of the Lord Nuncio and some Bishops and other Churchmen And after many rude and bitter reproaches against the Deputy he used these words Do you think God will prosper a Contract grounded upon the Authority of such a man and shortly after he said that if the Duke of Lorraign were rightly informed of the Business he would never enter upon a Bargain to preserve or rather restore Holy-Religion in the Kingdom with Agents bringing their Authority from a withered cursed Hand And then concluded for my part upon the denial to hear my humble Prayers which I hope will not happen I will withdraw my self as a man dispairing of any fruit to come from an unfound Trunk where there is no Sap of Grace And am resolved to communicate no more with you in that Affair but rather to let the Prince know he was building his Resolutions of doing good upon an unhallowed foundation and that God therefore unless himself will undertake to obtain an Absolution for the Nation will not give him the Grace to lay down the Lapis Angularis of his own house again in that Kingdom This Letter bare date at Bruxels the 20th of July 1651. the Persons to whom it was directed being then in the same Town What
assuming to themselves the name of The Kingdom and People of Ireland as if there had been no other Party or People in the Kingdom or not considerable but themselves alone and as if then in Ireland there had been no Power or Government but theirs onely his Majesties Authority in the hands of his Deputy not regarded or consulted They also the Confederates in that giving up the Kingdom into the Power of a Stranger colouring their Treason with a flattering Clause and an empty and insignificant Title to their Natural Prince in Reversion and by Resignation when the new Protector commanding all should please to do it he being first satisfi'd of all Disbursments Charges and Claims whatsoever he himself being Auditor A Concern of that importance as we seldom find where others have been called in upon Assistance especially on such Encouragements that they have quitted their hold without effusion of much blood or an absolute dis-inherizon of the right Owner And therefore the Lord Deputies foresight of such an Evil doth commend him faithful to his Prince and just to his Nation Nor can it be doubted that the Attestation of this Peer one that hath run the hazard of his Countreys safety should be further credited than what the Bishop of Ferns or any obscure loose Frier how prodigal soever in their Calumnies should or can publish in the bitterness of their spirit a crime incident to their Faculty being ill affected to his Majesty worse to his Governours One of the principal Motives which induced the Marquis of Clanrickard to submit to that Charge and to undertake a Province which he knew would be very burthensome and grievous in several respects was the joynt promise That the City of Limerick and the Town of Galway would pay all imaginable duty to him The Clergy obliged themselves in that particular with all confidence and the Deputies of the Places promised all that could be desir'd But when the Lord Deputy found it necessary to settle that business they would neither receive a Garrison or Governour from him and when he offered himself to stay in Limerick when Ireton was drawing before it and to run his Fortune with them they refused it as peremptorily as they had done to the Lord Lieutenant It is true both Limerick and Galway were contented to receive Soldiers but they must be such onely as were of their own choosing not such either in number or quality as the Lord Deputy would have sent to them or as were necessary for their security They chose likewise their own Governour or rather kept the Government themselves and gave the Title to one whom they thought least like to contradict them and in a word behaved themselves like two Common-wealths and obey'd the Deputy no farther than they were inclined by their own convenience they who compounded with the Enemy in the Countrey corresponded with them in the Town and thereby gave the Enemy intelligence of all that passed Wonderful diligence was used to make it be thought that the Independents were not uncharitable unto Papists and that they wished not any compulsion should be used in matter of Religion and when the acts of cruelty and blood of putting their Priests and Prelates to an ignominious death of which there were new instances every day were mentioned It was answer'd Those proceedings were carried on by the power of the Presbyterians very much against the Nature and Principles of the other Party This license of Communication and the evil consequences that must attend it was enough understood by the Lord Deputy but could no more be prevented reformed or punished than he could infuse a new heart or spirit into the People one instance will serve the turn There was in the Town a Frier Anthony Geoghean who had always adhered to the Nuncio and opposed the King's Authority to the utmost of his power several Letters written by him into the Enemies Quarters were intercepted and brought to the Lord Deputy in which though there were many things in Cypher there appeared much of the present state and condition of the Town and in one of them dated the 4th of Febr. 1651. he thus writes If the service of God had been as deep in the hearts of our Nation as that Idol of Dagon a foolish Loyalty a better course for its honour and preservation had been taken in time The Lord Deputy believed the crime to be so apparent and of such a nature that what Complices soever he might have none would have the courage to appear in his behalf And that he might give the Clergy an opportunity to shew their zeal in a business that concern'd so much their common safety he referr'd the examination of the Frier unto the Bishops whereof there were three or four in Town and to some other of the principal of the Clergy and appointed them to require him to produce the Cypher which he had used and to examine him to whom the Letters were intended they being directed to counterfeit and suppositious names The Cypher was accordingly produced and thereby many expressions in the Letter appear'd to be full of neglect and reproach to the King and others of insolence and contumely toward the Lord Deputy they mention'd little hope was left of relief from the Duke of Lorrain and that they resolved to send one to treat with the Rebels and had found private means of conveying one to that purpose The Frier promised to use all his diligence to dispose the Catholicks to have a good opinion of the Independents and made some request concerning himself All that he alledged for his defence was That the Letters written by him were to one who was employ'd by the Court of Rome that he had no ill meaning against the King or Deputy and that he had himself a Trust from Rome and Instructions from the Secretary of the Congregation De propaganda Fide and the Bishops certifi'd that they had seen the Instructions and that they did not relate at all to the Temporal State And this was all the satisfaction and justice the Lord Deputy could procure though he writ several Letters of Expostulation to the Bishops thereupon Whether this be a part of the Priviledges and Immunities of the Catholick Roman Church and enjoy'd in any Catholick Countrey and whether it can be indulged to them in any other Countrey where the Authority of the Bishop of Rome is not submitted unto we must leave to the World to judge and determine In the interim If Protestant Kings and Princes are provident and severe for the prevention of such practices and for the establishing their own security this must not be imputed to an unreasonable jealousie of or a prejudice to the Roman Catholick Religion but to the confident presumption of those men under the vizard of universal obedience who have pretended Religion for their warrant or excuse for the most unlawful and unjustifiable actions This was the obedience and submission they paid to the Kings
and Cruelty unmeasurably sinful and detestable But I fear I have been too long and too troublesome both to you and my self I will conclude It is well known how the loud cry of innocent Blood of many thousands of Christians ascending up to Heaven and the devout and fervent prayers of many of Gods dear Saints and Servants have solicited the Throne of Justice that this happy and blessed day might come wherein Justice might impartially be executed against those Murderers whose cruelties have made this Land a Field of Blood And now since the high and righteous Providence of God by those many and signal Victories given to the Arms and Forces of Ireland hath sent down from Heaven this day of Justice unto us in this Land we ought to return him all praise and thankfulness for this unspeakable mercy And since the trust of this great work by the same Providence is committed unto us let us stir up his Grace within us and faithfulness of our minds and Souls to the faithful discharge and execution of this great trust Sedes Judicanda est quasi Thronus Dei saith old Bracton that learned Chief Justice in Henry the Thirds time I well remember and have often thought upon the counsel of Jethro to Moses Exod. 18. 2. Thou shalt provide thee out of all thy people able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness and set them to judge the people Whereupon Moses having constituted Judges over the People gave them this charge viz. Hear the causes between your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him Ye shall not respect persons in judgment but ye shall hear the small as well as the great Ye shall not be afraid of the face of man for the judgment is Gods Deut. 16. 17. Give me leave likewise to mind you of Jehosaphat's charge to the Judges 2 Chron. 19. 6 7 9 11. Take heed what you do for you judge not for man but for the Lord who is with you in judgment Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you take heed and do it for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God nor respect of persons nor taking of gifts This shall ye do in the fear of the Lord faithfully with a perfect heart and shall judge the cause that shall come before you between blood and blood c. Deal couragiously and the Lord shall be with you There is also an excellent Rule for Judicature put in the case of the Gibeonites abuse of the Levites Wife Judg. 19. 30. the Crime was horrid the Case extraordinary There was never such a deed done or seen before in Israel the Tribes were moved at it and upon the Assembly the Rule is given viz. Consider of it take advice and speak your minds This certainly is an excellent Rule of Judicature viz. first 1. Consider of it consider well the Case and consider all the Circumstances of it beware that no guilty person escape nor innocent person be condemned For he that justifieth the wicked and condemneth the just even they both are an abomination to the Lord Prov. 17. 15. 2. Take advice and consult with others Lean not to thine own understanding saith the wise Solomon Prov. 4. 5. In the multitude of Counsellors there is safety Be not rash nor sudden or hasty to give judgment Qui festinat ad judicium proper at ad poenitentiam Prov. 11. 14. And therefore right grave and ponderous are the Entries of the Judgments in the Common Law scil Quibus lectis auditis per justiciarios his plenius intellectis matura deliberatione me praehabita c. adjudicatur c. When we have patiently heard and fully understood the Parties and Proofs the Witness and whole Case and have search'd into all the Parts and Circumstances of it and when we have advisedly considered debated and consulted of it and taken mature deliberation thereupon then according to the charge of Jehosaphat Let us deal couragiously give Sentence and fear not the face of man for God is with us It is no less impiety to absolve the Guilty than to condemn the Innocent Thus Sir Gerrard Lowther Chief Justice of the Common Pleas one principally imployed in the weightiest Affairs at Oxford and Westminster by the Marquess of Ormond with his Majesties Approbation that it cannot be said we have here presented you with the froth of a Fanatick or one less interressed in the State then one to whom the greatest Concerns thereof had been frequently communicated Yet because his Speech being spoke at the opening of the High Court of Justice may be thought Apocryphal and so not to be admitted for Doctrine yet may be read for instruction of Manners we shall soon present you with some thing Orthodox Many at Kilkenny Waterford Cork Dublin and other Places underwent the Censure of the High Court of Justice though the number of those that suffered exceeded not 200. for that the Sword Plague Famine and Banishment had swept away vast numbers amongst whom one Tool a notable Incendiary of Wicklow was one against whom Edmund Reily the Irish Priest and Vicar-General afterwards Archbishop of Ardmagh appearing in 1653. as a Witness was there accused for the chief Author of surprizing and burning in Cessation time the black Castle of Wicklow and consequently too of murthering of all those were in it upon which he was seized and committed Yet for his service in betraying the Royal Camp at Rathmines suffered no further punishment In distributing of Lands a course was thought of how the English might enjoy them freely without disturbance of the Irish for the future ever ready to fall upon them and therefore many of the Natives were transplanted into Connaght and according to the Extenuation of their Crimes had more or less Land allotted them which they enjoyed freely and in several respects was a great conveniency to them and not less security to the English They being now in a Body might be better watched then several where they would have been sure on every opportunity to have disturb'd the Peace One of the last Commanders amongst the Irish which bore up against the Parliament was Moitogh O Brian who being at last forced into his Fastnesses obtain'd in March 1653. the usual Articles of Transportation By the favour of which not less then 27000 Men had that year been sent away so as through the numbers that had been killed died of the Plague Famine and had been Transported the scarcity of People was very considerable To supply which Fleetwood writ that several Colonies might be sent over offering very good Conditions to such Families that would Transport themselves whereupon great numbers of all sorts of Sex flocked into Ireland which Fleetwood much indulging Cromwel thought requisite for the greater strengthening of his own Party to make his Son Harry Lord Deputy which he did in 1655. and soon after Lord Lieutenant a
Person who openly shewed himself against the Anabaptists then raging and countenanced the University then in a low Ebb bestowing upon it Bishop Usher's Library composed of the choicest and best picked Books extant carrying himself so as some of the Rigour of his Father was thereby taken off and that disordered Nation brought into the Condition of a flourishing State Yet afterwards when he might have had many to have seconded him he tamely yielded in 1659. the Government to Steel the Parliaments Lord Chancellor and Miles Corbet their Chief Baron of the Exchequer his Brother Richard having surrendred the Protectorship in England very meanly with a submission as he termed it to Providence So that Family expired And the Affairs of England growing every day full of change Ireland understanding what Sir George Booth had nobly attempted in England grew thence early in its dutiful Address to his Majesty And Sir Theophilus Jones further'd by his Reverend Brother Colonel Warren Bridges Thompson Lisle Warder and Temple seized Dublin Castle Sir Charles Coot about the same time preferring an Impeachment of Treason against Ludlow Tomlinson Corbet and John Jones and weighing the Consequences of the present Distempers he together with the Council of the Officers of the Army present at Dublin the 16th of February 1659. made a Memorable Declaration concerning the Re-admission of the Secluded Members about the same time sending Captain Cuffe to attend Colonel Monk into England a General Convention being the 7th of February before Summon'd by the Vigilance and excellent Contrivance and Industry of Doctor Dudley Loftus in which Sir James Barry afterwards Lord Baron of Santry was Chairman Several Affairs of greatest Consequence came there to be considered First the Arrears of the Souldiers they were to be fastned to the Design by their Interest and by the discharge of what was due to them then what was most popular and look'd least to the mark they aim'd at came under consideration in as much as they continued till May 1660. having readily accepted of the Kings Declaration from Breda of the 14th of April 1660. laying hold by their Declaration of the 14th of May of his Condescentions as the fittest expedient to cement the divided Interests in his three Kingdoms which his Majesty in his Printed Declaration for the settlement of Ireland takes especial notice of in these words That our good Subjects the Protestants not Usurpers as the Irish in their Case entitle them in our Kingdom of Ireland have born a very good part in the Blessing of our Restitution and that they were early in their dutiful Addresses unto Us and made the same Professions of a Resolution to return to their Duty and Obedience to Us during the time of Our being beyond the Seas which they have since so eminently made good and put in practice And here I cannot pass over that when the Irish Brigade came to assist Lambert against Sir George Booth now Lord Delameere and were in the North with him at that time advancing to know what General Monk intended they under Redman and Bret first drew back though some of their Officers in their canting mood thought to have wheedled General Monk into a Compliance The Convention gave his Majesty 20000 l. the Duke of York 4000 l. and the Duke of Glocester 2000 l. and in May adjourned to the first of November a standing Committee remaining in the interim And the 18th of December 1660. his Majesty by his Letter approved of this Convention which met again the 22. of January and Sir William Dumvell was appointed Chairman it continued till May 1661. Before they determined they had by a Committee very sensible and gallantly defended at Court the English Interest against the Irish who by reason of the Peace which had been made with them in 1646. and 48. thought they had very much to plead for his Majesties favour when upon the whole it was proved that if any of them were afterwards Loyal the generality disobeyed whatever had been indulged them and the Contract was not to be understood to be made with a Party but the Community of which more in its due place His Majesty was no sooner setled in England but upon both Houses of Parliaments apprehension of the late Rebellion and the Irish flocking at his Return into England he within few days published his sence of that horrible Conspiracy in the ensuing Proclamation By the King A PROCLAMATION Against the Rebels in Ireland C. R. CHarles by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Our loving Subjects of England and Ireland Greeting We taking notice by the Information of the Lords and Commons now Assembled in Parliament That after the vast expence of Blood and Treasure for the suppressing of the late horrid Rebellion in Ireland begun in October 1641. There are yet many of the Natives of that Our Kingdom deeply guilty of that Rebellion who have of late broke out into new Acts of Force and Violence some Murthering Robbing and Despoiling several of Our English Protestant Subjects there planted and others of them by force Entring upon and Disquieting the Possessions of several Adventurers and Souldiers there to the great and manifest disturbance and hinderance of Our English Plantation And being very sensible of the innocent bloud of so many thousands of Our English Protestant Subjects formerly slain by the hands of those barbarous Rebels and of new mischiefs of the same kind likely to fall out as the sad issue and consequents of so unhappy beginnings Do therefore by the advice of the said Lords and Commons now assembled as well to testifie Our utter abhorring of the said late Rebellion as to prevent the like for the future and for the present establishment of the Peace of that Our Kingdom hold it Our duty to God and the whole Protestant Interest to Command Publish and Declare and do by this Our Proclamation accordingly Command Publish and Declare That all Irish Rebels other than such as by Articles have liberty to reside in these Our Dominions and have not since forfeited the benefit thereof now remaining in or which hereafter shall resort to England or Ireland be forthwith apprehended and proceeded against as Rebels and Traitors according to Law And that the Adventurers and Souldiers and other Our Subjects in Ireland their Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns who on the first day of January last past were in the Possession of any of the Mannors Castles Houses Lands Tenements or Hereditaments of any the said Irish Rebels shall not be disturbed in such their Possessions until We by the advice of the Lords and Commons now assembled as aforesaid or such Parliament as We shall call in England or Ireland shall take further Order or that they be Legally evicted by due course of Law And all Our Justices of Peace Mayors Sheriffs and other Officers both Civil and Military both in England and Ireland are hereby
of them that would accept of it together with the Excommunication of the Marquess now Duke of Ormond and the order of Publication thereof whereupon Sir Nicholas Plunket who subscribed the said Instructions and principally insisted on the forementioned Particulars was sent for by the Committee of Lords who had the Examination of that Affair and acknowledging his hand-writing Report thereof was made to his Majesty and Council by whom it was ordered about the 14th of March 1661. That no more Petitions or Addresses should be received by the Irish to the obstruction of the Settlement of that Kingdom and that Sir Nicholas Plunket should thence-forward no more presume to come into his Majesties Presence nor to Court Likewise there was produced an Oath previously taken by several of the Popish Nobility Clergy and others of the Gentry of Ireland before the Articles of Peace made in 1648. which they so much insist upon wherein they swear and engage That if those Articles of Peace were not in every particular for their advantage performed they would not be concluded by any thing therein Which appear'd to be so damnable a Piece of Treachery as it was highly resented in Council and the rather for that his Grace stood up and justified that to his knowledge it was a Truth And lest the memory of so great a Deliverance should slip out of our thoughts I shall in the next place present you with the Anniversary Act for its observance that this may be to us not less then the Passover to the Israelites for a Memorial and a Feast to the Lord throughout our Generations by an Ordinance for ever AN ACT FOR Keeping and Celebrating the three and twentieth day of October as an Anniversary Thanksgiving in this Kingdom WHereas many Malignant and Rebellious Papists and Jesuits Friers Seminary Priests and other Superstitious Orders of the Popish pretended Clergy most disloyally treacherously and wickedly conspired to surprize His Majesties Castle of Dublin His Majesties principal Fort of this Kingdom of Ireland the City of Dublin and all other Cities and Fortifications of this Realm and that all the Protestants and English throughout the whole Kingdom that would not joyn with them should be cut off and finally by a general Rebellion to deprive our late Sovereign Lord of ever blessed memory King Charles the First of this his ancient and rightful Crown and Sovereignty of this Kingdom and to possess themselves thereof all which was by the said Conspirators plotted and intended to be acted on the three and twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred forty and one a Conspiracy so generally inhumane barbarous and cruel as the like was never before heard of in any Age or Kingdom and if it had taken effect in that fulness which was intended by the Conspirators it had occasioned the utter ruine of this whole Kingdom and the Government thereof And however it pleased Almighty God in his unsearchable Wisdom and Justice as a just punishment and deserved correction to his People for their sins and the sins of this Kingdom to permit then and afterwards the effecting of a great part of that Destruction complotted by those wicked Conspirators whereby many thousand British and Protestants have been massacred many thousands of others of them have been afflicted and tormented with the most exquisite torments that malice could suggest and all Mens Estates as well those whom they barbarously murthered as all other good Subjects were wasted ruined and destroyed yet as his Divine Majesty hath in all Ages shown his Power and Mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverance of his Church and in the protection of Religious Kings and States so even in the midst of his Justice he was graciously pleased to extend Mercy to his Majesty and to this his Kingdom and good Subjects therein not only in mercifully discovering to the then Lords Justices by one Owen O Connelly a meer Irish Man but trained up in the Protestant Religion who out of a sense of his Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty and for the preservation of his good People and as an effect of that Religion he was trained up in revealed that hideous and bloody Treason not many hours before the appointed time for the Execution thereof but also in preserving the said Castle and City of Dublin and some other Cities Towns and Castles in the Kingdom from the bloody hands of the barbarous Conspirators as also in thereby rendring deliverance of the Lives of the said Lords Justices and Council and of all the British and Protestants in Dublin and in the said other Cities Towns and Castles preserved and of sundry other British and Protestants faln into the hands of those rebellious Conspirators and likewise in sending us Succours out of England hither by the Piety Care and Wisdom of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles the First whereby with Gods blessing the good Subjects of this Kingdom have hitherto continued safe under his mighty Protection notwithstanding the unexampled rage and implacable malice of those merciless Rebels Wherefore as we do most humbly and justly acknowledge Gods Justice in our deserved punishments in those Calamities which from the Councils and Actions of those Conspirators and their Adherents have faln upon us in this Kingdom in general so we do in like manner acknowledge that even in exercising of that his Justice he remembred Mercy also and magnified his Mercies to us in those great Blessings which we humbly confess to have proceeded meerly from his infinite Goodness and Mercy and therefore to his most holy Name we do ascribe all Honour Glory and Praise And to the end this unfeigned Thankfulness may never be forgotten but may be had in a perpetual Remembrance that all Ages to come may yield Praises to his Divine Majesty for the same and have in memory that joyful Day of Deliverance Be it therefore Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty with the Assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by Authority of the same that the three and twentieth day of October shall be kept and celebrated as an Anniversary holy day in this Kingdom for ever and that all Persons do at that day forbear all bodily Labour and the exercise of their Trades and that all and singular Ministers in every Cathedral and Parish Church or other usual place for Common-Prayer within this Realm of Ireland shall always upon the three and twentieth day of October say Morning Prayer and give thanks to Almighty God for that most happy and miraculous Deliverance and Preservation far above the expectations of those wretched Conspirators And that all and every Person and Persons inhabiting within this Realm of Ireland shall yearly upon the three and twentieth day of October diligently and faithfully resort to the Parish Church or Chappel accustomed or to some usual Church or Chappel where the said Morning Prayer Preaching or other Service of God
Judges of and in such Quo warrantoes 16. By what Law are Jurors that give Verdict according to their Conscience and are the sole Judges of the fact Censured in the Castle Chamber in great Fines and sometimes Pillored with loss of Eares and boared through the Tongue and sometimes marked in the forehead with a hot Iron and other like infamous Punishment 17. By what Law are men Censurable in the Castle-Chamber with the mutilation of Members or any other brand of Infamy and in what Causes and what punishment in each Case there is due without respit of the quality of the Person or Persons 18. Whether in the Censures in the Castle-Chamber regard be to be had to the words of the great Charter viz. Salvo continemento 19. Whether one that steals a Sheep or commits any other Felony and after flieth the Course of Justice or lyeth in Woods or Mountains upon his keeping be a Traitor if not whether a Proclamation can make him so 20. VVhether the Testimony or Evidence of Rebells Traitors protected Thieves or other infamous Persons be good Evidence in Law to be pressed upon the Trials of men for their lives or whether the Judge or Jurors ought to be Judge of the matter in fact 21. By what Law are Faires and Markets to be held in Capite when no other express Tenure is mentioned by his Majesties Letters Patents or Grants of the same Faires and Markets although the Rent or yearly summe be reserved thereout Declarations of the Law made in Parliament upon the Questions propounded to the Judges in a Sessions this present Parliament 1. THE Subjects of this his Majesties Kingdom of Ireland are a free People and to be governed only according to the Common Law of England and Statutes made and established by Parliament in this Kingdom of Ireland and according to the lawful Customs used in the same 2. That Judges in Ireland ought to take the Oath of the Justices or Judges declared and established in several Parliaments of force in this Kingdom and the said Judges or any of them by colour or under pretext of any Act of State or Proclamation or under colour or pretext of any Writ Letter or direction under the Great-Seal Privy-Seal or Privy-Signet from the King 's most Excellent Majesty or by colour or pretext of any Letter or Commandment from the chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom ought not to hinder or delay the Suit of any Subject or his Judgment or Execution thereupon And if any Letters Writs or Commands from his Majesty or any other or for any other cause to the Justices or other deputed to do the law and right according to the usage of the Realm in disturbance of the Law or of the execution of the same or of right to the parties the Justices and others aforesaid ought to proceed and hold their Courts and process where the Pleas and matters be depending before them as if no such Letters Writs or Commandments were come to them And in case any Judge or Judges Justice or Justices be found in default therein he or they so found in default ought to incur and undergo due punishment according to the Law and the former Declarations and Propositions in Parliament in that Case made and of force in this Kingdom or as shall be ordered adjudged or declared in Parliament and the Barons of the Exchequer Justices of Assize and Goal-delivery if they be found in default as aforesaid It is hereby declared that they ought to undergo the punishment aforesaid 3. The Councel-Table of this Realm either with the chief Governour or Governours or without the chief Governour or Governours is no Judicature wherein any Actions real personal popular or mixt or any Suit in the nature of the said Actions or any of them can or ought to be Commenced heard or determined And all proceedings at the Councel-Table in any Suit in the nature of the said Actions are void especially Causes particularly provided for by express Acts of Parliament of force in this Kingdom only excepted 4. The proceedings before the Chief Governour or Governours alone in any Action real personal popular or mixt or in any Suit in the nature of any of the said Actions are voted upon Question coram non Judice and void 5. All grants of Monopolies are contrary to the Laws of this Realm and therefore void And no Subject of the said Realm ought to be fined imprisoned or otherwise punished for exercising or using the lawful liberty of a Subject contrary to such Grants 6. The Lord Lieutenant Lord Deputy or other Chief Governour or Governours and Councel of this Realm or any of them ought not to imprison any of his Majesties Subjects but only in Cases where the Common Laws or Statutes of the Realm do inable and warrant them so to do and they ought not to Fine or to Censure any subject in mutilation of Members standing on the Pillory or other shameful punishment in any Case at the Councel-Table and no Subject ought to be Imprisoned Fined or otherwise punished for infringing any Commands or Proclamations for the support or countenance of Monopolies And if in any Case any person or persons shall be committed by the Command or Warrant of the Chief Governour or Governours and Privy Councel of this Realm or any of them That in any such Case any person or persons so committed or restrained of his or their liberty or suffering imprisonment upon demand or motion made by his or their Councel or other imployed by him or them for that purpose unto the Judges of that Court of King's Bench or Common Pleas in open Court shall without delay upon any pretence whatsoever for the ordinary Fees usually payed for the same have forthwith granted unto him or them a Writ or Writs of habeas Corpus to be directed generally unto all and every Sheriff Gaol-Minister Officer or other person in whose custody the party or parties so committed or restrained shall be at their retorn of the said Writ or VVrits and according to the Command thereof upon due and convenient notice thereof given unto him at the charge of the party or parties who requireth or procureth such VVrit or VVrits and upon security by his or their own Bond or Bonds given to pay the charge of carrying back the Prisoner or Prisoners if he or they shall be remanded by the Court to which he or they shall be brought as in like Case hath been used such charges of bringing up and carrying back the Prisoner or Prisoners to be always ordered by the Court if any difference shall arise thereabouts bring or cause to be brought the bodies of the said party or parties so committed and restrained unto and before the Judges and Justices of the said Court from whence the said VVrit or VVrits shall issue in open Court and shall then likewise Certify the true cause of such his or their detainor or imprisonment and
contrary to the Liberty and Freedom of the Subject to be by any such Oath or Covenant pre-engaged And for that the setting on foot at this time in this Kingdom the said League or Covenant without His Majesties Allowance may not only beget much distraction and unquietness amongst His Majesties good Subjects but also may prove very penal to all those who shall presume to tender or take the same We therefore for prevention of such mischiefs do in His Majesties Name strictly charge and command all His Majesties good Subjects of what degree or quality soever within this Kingdom upon their Allegiance to His Majesties that they presume not to enter into or take the said League Covenant or Oath And we do likewise inhibit and forbid all His Majesties Subjects in this Kingdom to impose administer or tender the said League Oath or Covenant And if notwithstanding this our Proclamation any person shall presume to impose tender or take the said League Oath or Covenant We shall proceed against him or them with all severity according to the known Laws of the Land Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin the 18. day of Decemb. 1643. Ri. Bolton Canc. La. Dublin Ormonde Roscomon Edw. Brabazon Ant. Midensis Cha. Lambart Geo. Shurley Gerrard Lowther Tho. Rotherham Fra. Willoughby Tho. Lucas Ja. Ware G. Wentworth GOD SAVE THE KING APPENDIX XI Fol. 141. The Copy of a Letter written by direction of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament Assembled to several Commanders and Officers of his Majesties Army and others in the Kingdom of Ireland AFter our very hearty Commendations The Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament in this His Majesties Kingdom of Ireland have commanded us to signifie unto you that they have lately seen a Printed Paper intituled a solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the Peace and safety of the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland which seems to have been Printed at London on the ninth day of October 1643. That they have also seen a Printed Proclamation dated the eighteenth day of December last and set out by the Right Honourable the late Lords Justices and Council expressing diverse great and Weighty Reasons against the said League and Covenant and therefore Commanding all his Majesties good Subjects of what Degree or Quality soever within this Kingdom upon their Allegiance to his Majesty That they presume not to enter into or take the said League Covenant or Oath and inhibiting and forbidding all His Majesties Subjects in this Kingdom to impose administer or tender the said League Oath or Covenant That upon serious debate and consideration taken by the Lords and Commons of the said League and Covenant and Proclamation They find the said Proclamation to have been set out with great Wisdom and Reason and do highly Commend the Judgement of the said Lords Justices and Council therein and as both Houses do fully concurr therein in all the parts thereof So they have expresly Commanded us to signifie the same unto you and in their names to let you know That it is their express Pleasure that you and all the Commanders Officers and Souldiers of His Majesties Army and all others His Majesties Subjects in this Kingdom whom it may concern do render all due Obedience and Observation to the said Proclamation in all the parts thereof And this being to no ther end We remain Your very Loving Friends Ri. Bolton Canc. Maur. Eustace Speaker of the House of Commons Dublin Castle xviii die April Anno Dom. 1644. Fol. 142. There is mention made of the Protestants Arrival at Oxford where they deliver'd to his Majesty this Petition To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The humble Petition of divers of your Majesties Protestant Subjects in your Kingdom of Ireland as well Commanders of Your Majesties Army here as others whose Names are subscrib'd in the behalf of themselves and other Your Protestant Subjects in this Your Kingdom Sheweth THAT this Your Highness Kingdom reduced with the vast Expence of Treasure and much effusion of British blood to the obedience of the Imperial Crown of England hath been by the Princely care of your Royal Progenitors especially of Queen Elizabeth and of Your Royal Father of ever blessed Memory and your Sacred Majesty in many parts happily planted great sums of Moneys disbursed in Buildings and Improvements Churches edified and endowed and frequented with multitudes of good Protestants and your yearly Customs and Revenues rais'd to great yearly sums by the industry of your Protestant Subjects especially and great sums of Money by way of Subsidies and Contributions chearfully paid unto your Majesty by your said Subjects In which happiness this your Kingdom hath flourished in a long-continued Peace and under your Highness most glorious and happy Government until that by the present general Conspiracy and Rebellion rais'd out of Detestation of Your blessed Government and for rooting out of the Protestant Religion and so for the dispossessing of Your Majesty of this Your said Kingdom without the least occasion offered by Your Majesty or Your Protestant Subjects And notwithstanding that Your Majesty immediately before had enlarg'd beyond president Your Royal favour and bounty to them in granting all that their and our joint Agents did desire of Your Majesty And we continuing amongst them in all Love and Amity without distrust Your Petitioners and others who labour'd to oppose those damnable Designs and Practices have been driven from their Dwellings Estates and Fortunes their Houses and Churches burnt and demolished All Monuments of Civility utterly defaced Your Majesties Forts and places of strength thrown down and the Common and Statute-Laws of this Your Kingdom utterly confounded by taking upon themselves the exercise of all manner of Authorities and Jurisdictions Ecclesiastical and Civil both by Sea and Land proper and peculiar to Your Sacred Majesty being Your just Prerogatives and the Royal Flowers of Your Imperial Diadem to the Disherison of Your Crown and Your Royal Revenues brought to nothing and the Protestant Clergy with their Revenues and support for the present destroyed This Your Kingdom in all parts formerly inhabited with Brittish Protestants now depopulated of them and many thousands of Your Protestant Subjects most barbarously used stripped naked tortur'd famish'd hang'd buried alive drown'd and otherwise by all barbarous cruel sorts of Death murther'd such as yet remain of them are reduced to that extremity that very few of them have wherewithal to maintain a Being and all of them so terrified and afflicted with those barbarous and inhuman cruelties the true report whereof being now spread abroad into the Christian World Your Suppliants conceive fears that Your Majesties Brittish Subjects will be discouraged from coming again to inhabit this Kingdom and the remnant of what is left will be forced to depart All this being done by the Conspiracy of the Papists who did publickly declare the utter extirpation of the
of your Subjects by reason of the Court of Wards and respit of Homage be taken away and certain revenue in Lieu thereof setled upon your Majesty without diminution of your Majesties profits Answ. We know of no Oppression by reason of the Court of Wards and we humbly conceive that the Court of Wards is of great use for the raising of your Majesties Revenues the preservation of your Majesties Tenures and chiefly the Education of the Gentry in the Protestant Religion and in Civility and Learning and good Manners who otherwise would be brought up in ignorance and barbarism their Estates be ruined by their Kindred and Friends and continue their depending upon their Chieftains and Lords to the great prejudice of your Majesties service and Protestant Subjects and there being no colour of exception to your Majesties just Title to Wardships we know not why the taking away of your Court concerning the same should be pressed unless it be to prevent the Education of the Lords and Gentry that fall Wards in the Protestant Religion For that part of this Proposition which concerns respit of Homage we humbly conceive that reasonable that some way may be settled for that if that standeth with your Majesties good pleasure without prejudice to your Majesty or your Majesties Protestant Subjects 10. Pro. That no Lord not estated in the Kingdom or estated and not resident shall have Vote in the said Parliament by Proxie or otherwise and none admitted to the House of Commons but such as shall be estated and resident within the Kingdom Answ. We humbly conceive that in the year 1641. by the Graces which your Majesty then granted to your Subjects of Ireland the matter of this Proposition was in a fair way regulated by your utter abolishing of blank Proxies and limiting Lords present and attending in the Parliament of Ireland that no one of them should be capable of more Proxies then two and prescribing the Peers of that Kingdom not there resident to purchase fitting proportions of Land in Ireland within five years from the last of July 1641. or else to loose their Votes till they should make such purchases which purchases by reason of the troubles hapning in the Kingdom and which have continued for two years and a half have not peradventure yet been made and therefore your Majesty may now be pleased and may take just occasion to enlarge that time for five years more from the time when that Kingdom may again be settled in a happy firm peace and as to members of the House of Commons the same is most fit as we humbly conceive to be regulated by the Laws and Statutes of that Kingdom 11. Pro. That an Act be passed in the next Parliament declaratory that the Parliament of Ireland is a free Parliament of it self independant of and not subordinate to the Parliament of England and that the Subjects of Ireland are immediately subject to your Majesty as in right of your revenue and that the Members of the said Parliament of Ireland and all other the Subjects of Ireland are independant and no way to be ordered or concluded by the Parliament of England and are only to be ordered and governed within that Kingdom by your Majesty and such Governours as are or shall be there appointed and by the Parliament of that Kingdom according to the Laws of the Land Answ. This Proposition concerns your Majesties High Court of Parliament both of England and Ireland and is beyond our abilities who are not acquainted with the Records and Presidents of this Nature to give an answer thereunto and therefore we humbly desire your Majesties pardon for not answering unto the same 12. Pro. That the assumed Power or Jurisdiction in the Council-Board of determining all manner of Causes be limited to matters of State and all Patents Estates and Grants illegally and extrajudiciously avoided there or elsewhere be left in state as before and the parties grieved their Heirs or Assigns till legal eviction Answ. The Council-Table hath aways excercised Jursdiction in some cases ever since the English Government was setled in that Kingdom and is of long continuance in cases of some Nature as the beginning thereof appeareth not which seemeth to be by prescription and hath always been armed with Power to examin upon Oath as a Court of Justice or in the nature of a Court of Justice in cases of some natures and may be very necessary still in many cases especially for the present till your Majesties Laws may more generally be received in that Kingdom and we conceive that Board is so well limited by printed Instructions in your Majesties Royal Fathers time and by your Majesties Graces in the seventeenth year of your Reign that it needeth for this present little or no regulating at all howbeit they humbly referr that to your Majesties great wisdom and goodness to do therein as to Law and Justice shall appertain 13. Pro. That the Statutes of the 11th 12th and 13th years of Queen Elizabeth concerning the Staple Commodities be repealed referving to his Majesty lawful and just Poundage and a Book of Rates be setled by an indifferent Committy of both Houses for all Comodities Answ. The matter of this Proposition is settled in a fitting and good way by your Majesty already as we conceive amongst the Graces granted by your Majesty to your people of Ireland in the Seventeenth year of your Majesties Reign to which we humbly referr our selves 14. Pro. That insomuch as the long continuance of the chief Governour or Governours of that Kingdom in that place of so great eminency and power hath been a principall occasion that much Tyranny and Oppression hath been used and exercised upon the Subjects of that Kingdom that your Majesty will be pleased to continue such Governours hereafter but for three years and that none once employed therein be appointed for the same again until the expiration of six years next after the end of the first three years and that an Act pass to disanul such Governour or Governours during their Government directly or indirectly in Use Trust or otherwise to make any manner of Purchase or acquisition of any Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments within that Kingdom other then from your Majesties own Heirs and Successors Answ. We humbly conceive that this Proposition tendeth to lay a false and scandalous aspersion on your Majesties gracious Government over Ireland and that it toucheth very high upon your Wisdom Justice and Power and under colour of supposed Corruptions pretended to be in the greatest Officer that Commandeth under your Majesty there if he continue so long in his Government as may well enable him to find out and discover the true State of the Kingdom and the dangerous disposition and designs of the Popish party there to prevent him therein and to turne him out from doing Service before or as soon as he is throughly informed and experienced how to do the same and then to hold him excluded so long
that in all likelihood he shall not live to come to that place the second time which we humbly conceive will be a great discouragement to any person of Honour and Fortune to serve your Majesty in that high Trust and for their purchasing Lands in that Kingdom your Majesty may be pleased to leave them to the Laws and punish them severely if they commit any offence or exercise any oppressions under colour of purchasing of any Lands or Estates whatsoever 15. Pro. That an Act may be passed in the next Parliament for the raising and setling of Trained-bands within the several Counties of that Kingdom as well to prevent foraign Invasion as to render them the more serviceable and ready for your Majesties service as cause shall require Answ. The having of Trained-bands in Ireland for the present cannot under favour be for your Majesties service or the safety of that Kingdom for that the Protestants by the said sad effects of the late Rebellion are so much destroyed that the said Bands must consist in effect altogether of the Confederates Catholicks and to continue them in Arms stored with Ammunition and made ready for service by Mustring and often Training will prove under colour of advancing your Majesties service against foraign Invasions a meer Guard and Power of the Popish Confederates and by force of Arms according to their late Oaths and Protestations to execute all their cruel designs for extirpation of the Protestant Religion and English Government both which they mortally hate however in cunning they dissemble it and to prevent the setling an Army of good Protestants without which your Maiesties good Subjects cannot live securely there 16. Pro. That an Act of Oblivion be passed in the next free Parliament to extend to all your Majesties said Catholick Subjects and their Adherents for all manner of Offences Capital Criminal and Personal and the said Act to extend to all Goods and Chattels Customs Mesne Profits Prizes Arrears of Rents taken received or incurred since these troubles Answ. We humbly pray that the Laws of force be taken into consideration and do humbly conceive that your Majesty in Honour and Justice may forbear to discharge or release any Actions Suits Debts or Interests whereby your Majesties Protestant Subjects who have committed no offence against your Majesty or your Laws should be barred or deprived of any of their legal remedies or just demands which by any of your Majesties Laws and Statutes they may have against the Popish Confederates who are the only Delinquents or any of their party for or in respect of any wrongs done unto them or any of their Ancestors or Predecessors in or concerning their Lands Goods or Estates since the contriving or breaking forth of the Rebellion the said Confederates having without provocation shed so much innocent Blood and acted so many Cruelties as cannot be parallel'd in any Story and we conceive it to be high presumption in them upon so weak grounds to propound an Act of Oblivion in such general terms some of the Confederates having been Contrivers or Actors of such cruel Murthers and other Acts of Inhumanity as cry to God and your Sacred Majesty for Justice and they having of your Majesties Revenues Customs Subsidies and other Rights of your Crown in their hands are disbursed by them to the value of two hundred thousand pounds and more 17. Pro. For as much as your Majesties said Catholick Subjects have been taxed with many inhumane Cruelties which they never committed your Majesties said Suppliants therefore for their vindication and to manifest to all the the world their desire to have all such hanious Offenders punished and the Offenders brought to Justice do desire that in the next Parliament all notorious Murthers breaches of Quarter and inhumane Cruelties committed of either side may be questioned in the said Parliament if your Majesty think fit and such as shall appear to be guilty to be excepted out of the said Act of Oblivion and punished according to their deserts Answ. We conceive this Proposition is made but for a Florish and if the Confederates be so desirous to try their innocency as they pretend they need not stay for another Parliament in Ireland but submit to that which is now in being which is an equal and just Parliament as in some of our Reasons touching that point is expressed and the offering to draw it to a new Parliament is in effect to desire that they may be their own Judges for as that Kingdom is now imbroiled and wasted the chief Delinquents or their Confederates will be so prevalent a faction in the next Parliament that they will be able and doubtless will clear all the Popish party how guilty soever and condemn all the Protestants how innocent soever These Answers to the high and unexpected Demands of the Confederates we have have framed in humble obedience to your Majesties directions but being very sensible as of the weight and great importance of the business so also of our own weakness and want of time and well knowing that some of your Majesties Privy-Councillors Judges and Officers of that Kingdom are now in Town sent for over and here attending by your Majesties Command who by their long observations and experience of the affaires and State of Ireland are better able to give your Majesty more full and satisfactory Answers touching the premises then we can and conceiving that the Collection in Answer to the said Confederates Remonstrance which we humbly presented to your Majesty the 17th of the last Month of April may in many things give your Majesty more light then these our Answers do or can We humbly beseech your Majesty that the said Privy-Counsellors Judges and Officers as occasion shall require may be called upon and heard to give your Majesty the more satisfaction in these particulars and that to the same purpose the Book of the said Collections may be perused and considered of as your Majesty shall find most requisite After reading of which Propositions and Answers thereunto the King asked the Protestant Agents whether they had Answered unto the Rebels Propositions as they were to be granted by Him in Law and Justice and fit for the Security of the Protestants of Ireland or prudentially as the times were who humbly made Answer to his Majesty That they looked upon the Rebels Propositions as they appeared to them destructive to his Majesties Laws Government and Protestant Subjects of Ireland Then the Earl of Bristol said That if they asked what by Law and Justice was due from the Rebels their Answers were full But now the King expected from the said Agents what prudentially was fit for his Majesty to do seeing the Protestants were not in a Condition to defend themselves And that the King would not admit the Protestants to joyn with the new Scots or any other that had the Covenant To which the Agents conceived not fit to Answer more then what before in their Propositions and
Oratory is seldom unsuccessful but what the people got by following this thrifty Counsel some have taken the pains to compute and it is found that the Impositions laid and levied upon the people to support Usurpation and Tyrannie in a few bad years came to more than the most chargeable Princes had raised in some Ages to conquer Enemies and Infidels abroad whilest this was employed to make Enemies of Friends and little better than Infidels of Christians at home I confess this Animadversion is not so seasonable now or proper to he applyed to you who in your Liberalities have outgone all Example and prevented even the Kings wishes nor are those Liberalities the less but the more valued by Him that he intends to apply them intirely to the security and improvement of a true Protestant and a right English Interest in this Kingdom There is nothing that declares indeed that constitutes perfect Union and a happy Harmony so much as mutual trusts and confidence and the interchange of gifts and benefits it is so in private Friendship and it is much more so in that good Intelligence which must make a King and His people happy The King has trusted you as far as ever King trusted Subjects and He has given you more than ever any King or Lord of Ireland had to give You have trusted the King with all you had and all you had to pretend to and you have given Him more than he thought of to desire Let it not therefore be apprehended that this Commerce must cease by the Prodigality on both sides as if there were no more to be given or received No my Lords and Gentlemen protection from Forreign Invasion and Rebellion at home the due and uncorrupt administration of Government and of the Laws and under them the advancement and encouragement of Piety and Learning Trade and all sorts of Industry and Improvements are benefits that may to the end of time descend from the Throne to you and yours And a due subjection to that Government and obedience to those Laws and application to that Piety and Learning to that Trade and Industry and to those Improvements may be as lasting Retributions from the People to the Throne I should here end this unusual Exercise but that I am commanded by the King to let you know that as He is abundantly satisfied with those demonstrations of Duty Loyalty and Affection you have given him during the whole time of your sitting so he looks with great Pleasure and Delight upon those Acts of Grace and Bounty that have past from him to you and he commands me to be sure not to forget to assure you upon all Proper Occasions that all his Promises shall be inviolably observed and that he will consent to whatever else may make this Kingdom flourishing and happy whether it shall be the Enacting of new and profitable or the repeal of old unuseful or burthensom Laws To say anything of or from my self in this place may be Presumption but to say nothing to you my Lords and Gentlemen to whom I owe so much must be Ingratitude You have before and since My Arrival been pleased to make many and obliging Expressions of your Approbation of the Kings choice of Me for this Government I have great reason to fear both the King and you consulted your Indulgence to Me more than your judgement of Me. Yet without much Presumption or Vanity I think I may say thus far the King and you may be excusable that He chose and You approved a Person whose Fortune and Family must prosper or decay must Ruine or Subsist by and with this Kingdom This has not perhaps always been the case and it is possible mean Abilities thus stimulated may be more profitable and industrious than greater actuated by less or by contrary Incentives There are upon me all imaginable Obligations to apply all that is in me to the safety and prosperity of this Kingdom Those of duty fidelity and thankfulness to the best and most bountiful Master in the World those of Retribution and Gratitude to you for extraordinary and liberal manifestations of kindness and affection and those self-preservation and Happiness Hence it may be concluded reasonably and naturally that my endeavours will be hearty and faithful and my failings which shall be as few as I can unvoluntarily and therefore the more pardonable You will presently when I am retired be at liberty to adjourn your selves to the time you desired Referrable to fol. 326. A form of Divine Service to be used October 23d appointed by Act of Parliament Anno Regni Car. 2di 14. die 27. Sep. 1662. to be kept and Celebrated as an Anniversary Thanksgiving in this Kingdom of Ireland THe begining of the Service to be according to the Form of the Common-Prayer then proper Psalms as 3. 9. 12. 46. 144. Proper Lessons for the First 2 Chron. 13. or Jer. 30. For the Second Lesson Mat. 9. or Acts 5. or Acts 23. And after the Collect for the Sunday this following Collect. ALmighty God and heavenly Father who out of thy most wise and watchful Providence and tender mercies towards us thine unworthy Servants hast been pleased as at all other times so on this day to prevent the extreme malice michievous imagination and bloody intention of our Enemies by revealing so wonderfully and opportunely their Rebellion and cruel Enterprises plotted against our dread Soveraign Lord the King and the whole State of this Realm for the subversion of this Government and the utter extirpation of the truth of thy Gospel and pure Religion professed amongst us We most humbly praise and magnifie thy glorious name for thine infinite goodness in this our marvellous deliverance We confess it was thy mercy thy mercy alone most merciful Father that we were not consumed And therefore not unto us not unto us O Lord but unto thy name be ascribed all honour and glory in all Churches of the Saints throughout all Generations For thou Lord didest discover unto thy Servants the snares of death thou didst break them and we were delivered Be thou still our mighty Protector and scatter our Enemies that delight in blood infatuate their Councils enfeeble their strength put fear in their hearts and accomplish this thy mercy in our safety and future deliverance And to that end strengthen the hands of our gracious King the Lord Lieutenant the Nobility and Magistrates of the Land with Jugdment Justice and Power to restrain such workers of Iniquity who pretend Religion and practise Rebellion and devout thine Inheritance This Lord we crave at thy merciful hands together with the continuance of thy powerful Protection over our dread Soveraign the whole Church and these Kealms and the speedy Conversion of all our Enemies and that for thy dear Sons sake Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate Amen After the Litany this Prayer for the Second Collect. O Eternal God in whom we live move and have our being and by whom alone
requiring and authorizing you as Commander of them in Chief to arm array divide distribute dispose conduct lead and govern in Chief the said Forces according to your best discretion and with the said Forces to resist pursue follow apprehend and put to death kill and slay as well by Battle as otherwaies all and singular the said Conspirators Traitors and their Adherents according to your discretion And according to your Conscience and discretion to proceed against them or any of them or by Martial Law by hanging them or any of them till they be dead according as it hath been accustomed in time of open Rebellion and also to take wast and spoil their or any of their Castles Holds Forts Houses Goods and Territories or otherwise to preserve the lives of them or any of them and to receive them into his Majesties favour and mercy and to forbear the devastation of their or any of their Castles Holds Forts Houses Goods and Territories aforementioned according to your discretion Further hereby requiring and authorizing you to do execute and perform all and singular such other things for Examination of persons suspected discovery of Traitors and their Adherents parlying with and granting protections to them or any of them taking up of Carts Carriages and other Conveniences sending and retaining Espials Victualing the said Forces and other things whatsoever conducing to the purpose aforementioned as you in your discretion shall think fit and the necessity of the service require further hereby requiring and authorizing you as Commander in Chief to constitute and appoint such Officers and Ministers respectively for the better performance and execution of all and singular the premises as you in your discretion shall think fit And do hereby require and command all and singular his Majesties Sheriffs Officers and Ministers and loving Subjects of and within the County of Meath and the borders thereof upon their Faith and Allegiance to his Majesty and to his Crown to be aiding helping and assisting to you in the doing and Executing of all and singular the premises This our Commission to continue during our Pleasure only and for the so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin November 1641. To our very good Lord Nicholas Gormanstowne Vic. Com. R. Dillon Jo. Temple Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith Fol. 86. l. 45. Osburn's Castle as also of the notable service of Ballially in the County of Clare well defended by Bridgeman and Cuff though slenderly succoured by Bowatty how oft soever invoked of whose neglect they were not a little sensible Fol 88. l. 39. a Careful General 's not upon diffidence that his Commands entrusted to others would be the insufficienter executed No his Souldiers had long experienced even the best of Quality amongst them that no commands were to be disobeyed But that the Souldier seeing his General to share in labour might undergo the like with more willingness and courage Examples of hardship born by such as might have ease wonderfully work on those who can have no exemption Fol. 97. l. 4. Laws of the Land This Oath of Association the later Paragraph excepted was the 26th of July 1644. in the General Assembly of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland at Kilkenny declared by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Knights and Burgesses of that house full and binding without addition of any other words thereunto and enjoyned to be took by all sorts of People Fol. 104. l. 28. That War and by some speeches it was apprehended that the drift in requiring subscriptions was to engage the Army against his Majesty in detestation whereof some Officers rent the Book of Subscriptions in pieces Fol. 105. l. 303. 8000 men A necessity the State was then unhappily reduced to and as his Majesty takes notice that his Ministers who suffered the return of his Army and their quartering in the City were not to be blam'd if they durst not suffer the Souldiers to march farr or stay long in the Enemies Country when there was but 40. Barrels of Powder in all the Store Fol. 106. l. 14. their Weight and afterwards by the King's approbation with C. R. with a Crown on one side and the value on the other Fol. 120. l. 4. with 300 l. In as much as their General Bourk having a good opinion of his Gallantry sent a Summons signifying That He was commanded by the Councel of the Confederate Catholiques of Ireland to demand the delivery of the Castle to his hands for the use of his Majesty and if not deliver'd upon this Summons Mercy was not to be expected although for his part He desired not the effusion of Christian blood yet if such a Paper-house should be kept against him who had such an Army such Artillery a day longer he could not by the practice of VVar be censur'd cruel if no Quarter were given a terrible Minaâ—e and considering the force he had and the Weakness of the House not irrational Fol. 140. l. 32. their Coneurrence In November 1643. the Parliament in Ireland sitting the House of Commons had in debate a Remonstrance declaring the Inhumanity of the Rebels that it might be recommended to the King a Committee was sent from the House to the Lords Justices who advising with the upper House at that time very thin and highly influenc'd were answer'd That there were greater matters of State to be considered so nothing further proceeded thereon Fol. 155. l. 44. with the Rebels which Perinchief writes was procured by the Scots to make their Ware more valuable Fol. 156. l. 6. witnessing the Conclusion which as the Cessation His Majesty prosesseth to have been forced to during the late troubles and was compelled to give the Irish a full Pardon for what they had before done amiss upon their return to their Duty and their Promise of giving Him a vigorous Assistance which how answer'd by their obedience hereafter appears Fol. 167. l. 39. into England who carried with them these Propositions from the Lord Lieutenant to the Parliament of England 1. That the said Lord Lieutenant will prosecute the VVar against the Irish Rebels as vigorously as he shall be enabled thereunto by the Parliament of England and that he will faithfully serve the Crown of England therein 2. That whilst he hath the Government of this Kingdom and the Command of the Armies therein none of the supplies of Men Moneys Arms Munition Victuals or any other Provisions of what kind or nature soever which shall by the Parliament of England be sent over or joined with the Forces already under his Command nor any of the said Forces now under his Command nor any other Forces that shall be under his Command shall in any wise be employed either within this Kingdom or without it but by the express Direction of the said Parliament of England 3. That he will not upon any Command or by virtue of any Power or Authority whatsoever enter into any Treaty with the said
the present state of Ireland * Fol. 216. His Majesties third Letter concerning the Cessation The Treaty towards a Cessation The Irish Commissioners the 23. of June 1643. first presented themselves to the Lieutenant-General Their Commission from the Supream Council The Treaty deferred against which the Commissioners excepted The Insolencies of the Irish in Reply to a Warrant of the State Colonel Monk against Preston The Lord Moor killed Read Husband 's Collect fo 340. The Rebels very audacious and active upon the very point of the conclusion of the Cessation The Cessation concluded His Majesties Motives to the Cessation fol. 355. Octob. 19. 1643. Reasons given in by the Judges for the continuance of this Parliament against a free one sought by the Rebels Sept. 13. 1643. His Majesties fourth Letter touching the Cessation and his care of his Army * Annals Eliz. Anno 1595. The Cessation begat great heats betwixt the King and his Parliament * His Majesties Answer to the Commissioners last Paper at Uxbridge fol. 557. Monro's Letter to the Lords Justices in dislike of the Cessation The Supream Council's Letter from Kilkenny to the Lords Justices touching the Scots breach of the Cessation Several Regiments transported into England The Oath imposed upon the Souldiers going for England * See his Majesties Message from Oxford the 24. of Jan. 1645. Fol. 227. * View their Letter again of the 15th of Octob. 1643. * Octob. 24. 1644. The Irish break the Cessation Agents being to go from the Rebels to Oxford the Protestants Petition the State that they might have some to attend at the same time his Majesties Pleasure Motions made upon the Cessation that some of the Confederates should be admitted unto their dwellings The Marquisâ— of Ormond made Lord Lieutenant the 21. of Jan. 1643. The Lord Lieutenant regulating of the Army * The Establishment of which with the rates set on each Commodity according to an Act of Council made at the Council Board the 4th of December was by Proclamation at the Castle of Dublin published the 9th of December 1644. As the 12th of Oct. preceding there had passed one of the same nature though this more large * Appendix 10. 11. * The Lord Viscount Muskery Sir Robert Talbot Dermot Mac Trag O Bryan c. The Confederates sent their Agents to Oxford The Lord Lieutenant from the Council Board sent others * Sir William Stewart Sir Gerard Lowther Sir Philip Percival Justice Donnelon to whom were added being resident at Oxford Sir George Radcliffe Sir William Sambach * Captain William Ridgeway Esquire Sir Francis Hamilton Sir Charles Coote Captain William Parsons the Insolencers of the Confederates Appendix 12. The Protestant Committee of the Irish Parliament pressed the execution of the Laws against the Rebels c. * The Lord Cottington Earl of Bristol Portland Lord George Digby Sir Edward Nicholas Sir John Culpeper Sir Edward Hide c. These of the Council much troubled betwixt the contests of the Rebels and Protestants The Irish Agents seemingly mov'd at what they were from the Confederates inforced to stand upon The King's Admonition to the Irish Agents at their departure * Appendix 13. The Irish Agents Behaviour on their Return into Ireland The Earl of Glamorgan's unjust Management of the King's Affairs in Ireland Legible in his Message dated at Oxford 29. Jan. 1645. * July 18. 1644 * The Lord Inchequin The Lord Broghil Sir Wil. Fenton Sir Percy Smith Lieut. Col. Wil. Brocket Lieut. Col. Tho. Serle Serjeant Major Muschamp The Lord Inchequin's revolt to the Parliament after the Cessation The Scots preserve themselves against the incursions of the Rebels 1645. * The Lord D. principal Secretary * The Lord I. from Ascot 27. Aug. 1645. * In a Letter printed at Oxford pag. 3. * Col. Fitz-Williams's Letter to Lord D. 16. July 1645. In his Letter from Caerdiff 3. August 1645 * To whom and the Irish Agents the King in his Letter to the Queen Jan. 30. 1644. advises not to give much Countenance 1646. The first Peace concluded The Lord Lieutenant upon Agreements on all sides repair'd to Kilkenny expecting there to receive Advance for his Majesty's Service * In his Works fol. 320. A Congregation of Clergy are summon'd contrary to his expectation to Waterford They inveigh against the Peace they had lately consented to The King of Arms barbarously used at Limerick The Confederates treachery to cut off the Lord Lieutenant The Congregation at Waterford declared Peace void The Nuncio's exorbitant carriage The Oath taken by General Preston The Nuncio besieges the Lord Lieutenant in Dublin and the Consequences thereof Some of the Supream Council being appointed to confer with the Lord Lieutenant the Nuncio admonishes them not to proceed That nothing yet might be ill resented of by the Lord Lieutenant the Supream Council wins on his Patience The Nuncio's Excommunication Matth. 16. 18 19. John 20. 23. 2 Cor. 2. 11. The two Generals Preston and O Neil being with the Nuncio engaged to sit down before Dublin sends a Letter with Propositions The Lord Lieutenant in great straits at the approach of the Nuncio to Dublin Upon the Irish breach of faith the Lord Lieutenant made a shew of delivering all into the Parliaments hands * Sir Gerr. Lowther Lord Chief Baron Sir Francis Willoughby Sir Paul Davis Knights The Parliament of England Voted Philip Lord Lisle Lord Lieutenant of Ireland He arrives in Ireland Knockmohun a strong Garrison Sir Rich. Osborn Governour His Expedition with his Commission soon determin'd being oppos'd by those who afterwards were accus'd * 7th of May. The Confederates upon Recruits out of England piece again with the Lord Lieutenant * Sir Thomas Wharton Sir Rob. King Sir John Clotworthy Sir Rob. Meredith Knights Rich. Salway Esq. The Lord Lieutenant not being admitted to send to the King the Treaty with the Parliaments Agents broke off The Marquis of Clanrickard's fidelity Upon the Marquis of Clanrickard's free dealing with the Confederates General Preston and others sign an Engagement Upon this there seem'd to be some Agreement betwixt the Lord Lieutenant and Confederates they taking Commissions from the Lord Lieutenant Yet after all the Officers of General Preston being not Excommunication-proof the Lord Lieutenant was again disappointed The Lord Lieutenant returns to Dublin which being not able to supply his Souldiers they were forced to be quarter'd on the Countrey where nothing but Victuals were taken by them The Assembly at Kilkenny justifie the Commissioners yet agreed with the Congregation at Waterford The Irish being in all things sound treacherous those who were most averse to the Parliament yet now wished the Lord Lieutenant might conclude with them The Lord Lieutenant's Conviction that the Irish intended to renounce the Crown of England A Motion to call in a forreign Prince The Kings Answer to the Lord Lieutenant upon his signification of his Streights in Dublin The Lord Lieutenant delivers Dublin to the Parliaments Commissioners though upon his