and now Dublin wherein was a strong Garison commanded by Colonel Iones being the only place of strength that held out the Marquess laid Siege to it with a brave Army to appearance but it seems there were too many Irish in it for the Besieged taking the advantage of the carelesness of the Camp made at first very slender Sallies but finding the advantage they sallied with their whole strength and beating the Besiegers out of their Works followed them into their Camp which occasioned such Terrour and Confusion that the Irish fled and left the English and some few French to stand to it but being overâ—owered by the vigorous Attacks they at â—ength after a sharp and bloody Dispute gave â—way and were forced to raise the Siege whilst â—he Besieged became Masters of their Camp â—nd an extraordinary rich Booty and more Forces arriving from England Fortune went against them almost every where And now London-Derry being besieged that Siege was â—aised by Sir Charles Coot but what yet was a greater Terrour Cromwell a vowed and morâ—al Enemy to the Irish landed with seven Regiments of Foot four Regiments of Horse â—nd one of Dragoons bringing along with him â—he Title of Lord Governour or Lieuteâ—ant of Ireland and had to bring over â—hese Forces forty Sail of Ships with â—attering Pieces Mortars Ammunition â—nd all other Warlike Stores and Materials He staid a while to visit Dublin and â—hen marched with a compleat Army to â—esiege Drogheda wherein was a strong Garâ—ison of English and Irish it being upon â—he Rumour of his Approach reinforced with Two thousand five hundred Foot and Three â—undred Horâ—e and although it was stoutly â—efended yet it was carried by Force and by the too cruel Order of the General all were put to the Sword not respecting Age â—or Sex except a very few who hid themâ—elves for many Days till the Fury was over And here it is the more to be lamented beâ—ause this Brunt fell mostly upon many brave English Gentlemen who were got into the Place to Defend it for their King Otheâ— Towns were likewise taken by Storm anâ— treated at the like rate so that a bloody Vengeance seemed to fall heavy upon a great many that were Innocent for the Sins of the Guilty who had so lately polluted the Land witâ— Innocent Blood and now kept mostly out oâ— the way in the Mountains Bogs and Fastneâ—ses however being at last hunted from placâ— to place a great number fell by the Sworâ— Famine and Pestilence insomuch that the Lanâ— was greatly Depopulated a third part of thâ— People being wasted and had severe Task Masters over them that made them Groan â—nder their Burthens till Charles the Seconâ— came to lighten their Sholders and restoâ—â— them again their Peace and Eaâ—e by Accessioâ— to the Crown upon the Happy Restauration so that the People wearied with their formeâ— Miseries began to be out of love with Waâ— and Insurrections and seemed mightily inclinâ—ble to Peace And indeed the King too care to place such Ministers of State among them especially the Lords Lieutenants anâ— Lords Justices that they had no reasonablâ— cause to complain of their Usage either iâ— Affairs Civil or Military and indeed thâ— Tranquility the Kingdom enjoyed made thâ— People in a great measure forget what theâ— had suffered They traded to France anâ— Spain with the product of their Native Soil the Rivers and Lakes likewise affording theâ— plenty of Fish which they transported foâ— Wine and other Commodities Nor did theâ—â— Thoughts appear to be elevated above what was reasonable till the Death of the King But when King Iames the Second ascended his Brother's Throne and declared himself a Roman Catholick then it was the Irish Papists began to prick up their Ears and to expect Advantages beyond their Abilities publickly declaring The Day was their own and that the Protestant Religion must go down But it seems in this as in their other Aims they took such Measures as made them shoot wide of their Mark The Earl of Tyrconnel who had been raised by King Iames when Duke of York from a mean to a considerable Figure was looked upon as a fit Instrument to carry on the Design in that Kingdom and therefore upon the re-calling of the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon he was made Lord-Lieutenant and soon gave the Irish great Hopes of Superiority over the English in that Kingdom by first Cashiering the Protestant Soldiers and Officers that were in Arms and then the Officers and Ministers of Justice And though there were Complaints made against him at the English Court yet they were not regarded but he the rather encouraged in his Enterprizes insomuch that things run so high that many feared a fatal Event and divers left thereupon the Kingdom some going for Holland others for Scotland and England and in such a method Matters continued to be pushed violently on till News came of a purposed Invasion of the Kingdom of England by the Prince of Orange now our Soveraign then Tyrconnel beâ—tir'd himself to secure Ireland Imprisoning such as he suspected and Disarming others draining the Garrisons of the most expert Irish Soldiers that were Papists and sending them over to the number of Three thousand or thereabout to the Assistance of his Master but they did him far more hurt than good by increasing the Peoples Fears that were but before suggested And indeed the whole English Nation Revolting in a manner from King Iames and what was more remarkable a great part of the Army he had been so long Training up at a vast Expence Upon the Landing of the Prince with his Forces the Irish Forces that had been sent over in expectation of Mountains found that they were not only dwindled into less than Mole-hills but themselves in a miserable Condition not only at the point of starving when Disbanded with the rest of the Forces by the Earl of Feversham but almost exposed to the Fury and violent Resentment of the People who had conceived a Hatred against them so that at last submitting they were taken care of and most of them shipped for the Emperour's Service against the Turks Tyrconnel was not idle in Ireland upon the News he had from England of King Iames his Flight to France but calling a Council mostly of his Creatures told them That now it was their time to stand up for their Country and secure it against all Opposers and that for his part if even his Master should command him to deliver up the Sword he should think it in such â— Iuncture his Duty to Refuse it And immediately not only spread the News throughout the Country but caused the Irish every where to take Arms such as they could get â—o â—haâ— the Tumultuous Rabble getting together plundered the Protestant Houses drove away their Cattel fired their Stacks of Corn and Hay murthered some and barbarously used others insomuch that the Terrour working in all such as could fled for their Lives leaving their Substance
behind them and happy they thought themselves in that Condition if they could pass the Seas either to England or Scotland for although several of the Protestant Nâ—bility and Gentry made Head in the North yet the Enemy having in their Posseâ—sion all the strong Towns they found themselves too weak to make any extraordinary Resistance against so mighty a Torrent as came roaring on however they gave several oâ— their Parties notable Overthrows fortifying London-Derry Slego and the â—â—le of Inniskilling and such other Places and Difficulties of Access as they found Opportunity for by this time Tyrconnel had given Orders for sâ—opping the Ports and made many large and plausible Offers to bring them over to his Party but they prevailed on a very few The Prince and Princess being proclaimed King and Queen of England France and Ireland on the 14th of February 1688. upon the Humble Address of both Houses of Parliament great care was taken for the speedy succouring the oppressed Protestants of Ireland and that the Papists in Arms against them might be left without Excuse a Proclamation was sent over offering among other things a Pardon and Indempnity for all that should in Obedience to it lay down their Arms and retire to their respective places of Abode and there peaceably behave themselves as obedient Subjects ought to do upon which Condition they should in full Freedom enjoy their Estates according to Law and that the Roman Catholicks upon such a Consideration should have all the Favour that the Law allows for the private Exercise of their Religion with a further Promise That a Parliament should be speedily called in that Kingdom But upon refusing to comply with the Royal Mandate to be esteemed as Rebels and Traytors to the Crown of England c. their Lands and Possessions to be Forfeited and disposed of by way of Distribution among those that should be Aiding and Assisting in the Reducing the Kingdom to its Obedience This Royal Concession though Tyrconnel laboured what in him lay to hinder its being dispersed wrought some good Effects notwithstanding that Earl to counter-ballance it put forth a Paper which he termed his Declaration not only therein insinuating what great Advantage the Kingdom would reap by â—anding out But that their Fears might be dissipated he promised speedy Aids and Succours from France and that they should not want for either Money or Provision and moreover the better to encourage them gave hopes of King Iames's speedy landing there with a numerous Army And the better to secure himself and keep up the Courage of his Party he sent out Detachments to secure divers Protestant Gentlemen in the Country and make Garrisons of their Houses But the greatest part of them having timely notice made their Escapes by which the Protestants grew stronger in the North however their Goods and Possessions were destroyed and harassed The Priests being the greatest Incendiaries to stir up those that were actually in Arms to Spoil and Rapine as being sure of a share as likewise to Arm the madding Multitude so that one might see Droves of the latter some half naked others tattered and all in miserable Rags armed with Pitchforks Bills Staves and what other merciless Weapons they could get on the suddain running like so many Furies to spoil and plunder and in their greediness of Prey not many times distinguishing Papists from Protestants And it was strongly reported That there was a great Debate in the Council to which some Popish Bishops were admitted about a General Massacre as the best Expedient to clear the Country of Hereticks But Tyrconnel let it be to his praise had the Generosity to oppose and detest it and put a stop in some measure to the mischievous progress of the Rabble yet when some of the Chiefs who had got Protections from him made their Complaints That they were notwithstanding plundered He only shook his Head and told them It was Necessity that made his Men to do it and he could no ways help or restrain it These violent proceedings made those that thought upon the Earl's Protection they might have some confidence in their continuance as to safety begin to make away for the Sea-coast and although the Masters of Ships were commanded on pain of Death to transport none yet many escaped to England and Scotland where they were well received and Provision made for them by way of Publick Brief and Collection c. About the latter end of March the Abdicated King landed in Ireland with a great Train of Officers but very few Forces and was received at Dublin with a mixture of Joy and Sorrow bringing with him as his Supervisor Monsieur D'Avaux with some French Generals The Recorder of Dublin made a long Speech to him upon his Arrival extolling him for Courage Conduct and all the Heroick Vertues imaginable above the Skies and a general Joy spread in the faces of the Roman Catholicks thinking now the day was all their own and not doubting to carry every thing by force or submission and more Soldiers were Listed and Regimented under the French Officers that came over and care taken to lay up Stores Money was every where extorted and the plundered Cattel Corn and Hay brought in and sold at inconsiderable Rates insomuch that they soon gathered an Army of between Forty and Fifty Thousand Men. Whilst these things were doing at Land the English Navy being out at Sea with a strict Charge to hinder Correspondence between France and Ireland the Squadron under the Command of Admiral Herbert had Notice by their Scout Ships that part of the French Fleet was abroad and stood away to the Irish Coast Whereupon he made all the Sail he could after them and the next Day found they stood into Bantry Bay a very spacious bearing in of the Sea and though for fear of the Shallows and other Difficulties that might offer it proved a work of Difficulty to enter upon them for they seemed no ways willing to come out to an Engagement notwithstanding they were much superiour in number yet the Admiral drawing his Ships into a Line and lying upon the stretch battered them extreamly from Ten in the Morning till Five in the Afternoon at what time the French Admiral tacked from us and stood farther into the Bay We killed them a great many Men and some of our Men declareâ— they saw one of their great Ships go to the bottom On our side we lost Captain Aylmer of the Portland with a Lieutenant and about Three hundred Seamen killed and wounded and could our Fireships have entred upon them most of their Ships which were Forty four in number to about Twenty eight of ours might have been destroyed Our Fleet after this Engagement came back to Portsmouth and there refitted whether the King of England went to take a view of them and Dining aboard the Admiral created him Earl of Torrington c. and distributed about Six thousand pound among the Seamen And now the French
them that defended it whilst our Horse and Foot took their Posts pouring in their Shot The Enemy drew down a great Body of Horse towards our Left and were so strongly possessed behind the high Banks of the Ditches that they held our Foot in dispute for 2 hours before they could gain any thing considerable upon them but at last we prevailed and forced them to give way notwithstanding fresh Recruits of Horse and Foot were sent to sustain them as they were pushed back and although three Battalions of Foot advanced on the Right over the Skirts of the Bog and a small Rivulet that discharged it self into the Sac where in a Corn field others of the Enemies Battalions and Squadrons stood firm to the Charge yet they notwithstanding maintained their ground till more of our Regiments and Squadrons advanced to support them and then Charging up the Hills where the Enemies Squadrons were posted gave them a warm Entertainment In the mean time our Left had opportunity to beat the Irish from their Ground and at the same time the Right pressing upon them disordered them to that degree that a general Rout of their Horse ensued and their Foot thereupon being hotly charged fell into disorder and though they had made a resolute Resistance they were obliged to quit the field and were pursued by our Army four Miles but then Night coming on and the difficulty of the ways hindred the further pursuit it being 6 in the Evening when the Armies engaged and near 9 before they broke and fled The Enemies Army was superiour to ours consisting of 20000 Foot and 8000 Horse and had by their Encampment all the advantage yet our Men gained an entire Victory 7000 of the Enemy being killed upon the place Among the slain of note were the Lord Galloway Colonel Moor Colonel Baker Colonel Gourdon a great many Captains Lieutenants Ensigns Cornets c. and more particularly Monsieur St. Ruth the French General who received here his Reward for the many Cruelties he used towards the Protestants in France Many of note were wounded of which many mortally and soon after died of their Wounds About 100 Officers and 500 Soldiers were made Prisoners and all the Enemies Provision Tents Baggage and Cannon fell into the hand of our Men with a great many Colours and Standards and most of the Arms of the Foot which to help their speed in flight they threw away This great and entire Victory was obtained with the loss of 600 Men on our side and of note Major-General Holstable Colonel Mongats Colonel Charles Herbert Major-General Petit Major Davenish Major Colt Major Cornwal Major Fox with divers Subalternate Officers The wounded of note were the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt the Lord Cutts the Lord George Hamilton Colonel Earl Lieutenant-Colonel Burdwell with several Subalternates The Enemy in this flight and total rout scattered their Arms and Baggage all the way they fled thinking as it may be by that means to stay the pursuit but it availed them little for such Trifles were not regarded in comparison of the Great Work that was in hand to subdue and bring the Kingdom under their Majesties Obedience by an entire Conquest insomuch that urged by the Sword behind and not finding way to escape through the press and throng that was before them a great many cast themselves into the Bogs and Water-plashes and of these not very many escaped Others that were more nimble of Foot and had got the start of the press scampered by known ways and never left running when the pursuit was given over till they got to the Woods or Mountains or into such Bogs where they thought it was impossible to follow them The French who were not so nimble as the Irish or if they had yet but very little acquainted with the Country came mostly by the worst on it where they were broken and scattered throwing away their Arms and crying for Quarter which in the heat of the Soldiers fury could not be always obtained Some of the Enemies Horse indeed retreated pretty indifferently keeping together as well as the Confusion would permit but thought it not safe to stay in the Countries thereabout for fear of being attacked by some of our Detachments the next day but being got at a great distance and those that were scattered coming to their Rendezvous they made a small Body under the Command of Colonel Sheldon and some other Officers but the Foot was so entirely dispersed that we heard little of them afterward unless such as got into the Places that yet held out and even there many of the Fugitives were refused the Garrisons being already filled up and straitned for Provision so that for a time lying under the Walls and hankering about without any thing wherewith materially to subsist many disbanded of themselves and others by the leave of their Officers as finding this great Blow had broken their Hopes and Interests in the Kingdom so far that they even despaired of piecing it together again by force and withal knowing no doubt that this would be such unwelcome News to France that although the late King resided in that Court to solicite on their behalfs they could expect but little Succours seeing all that had been already sent had turned to so little account and that the English heightned by this Success knew well enough how to take the advantage and push on to the Walls of Lymerick wherein as their last Refuge they had placed some hopes Whilst these things were employing the Enemies serious Consideration care was taken of our wounded Men and such Prisoners as had been secured who received very good Usage and what else was requisite till they should be disposed of as Prisoners of War The Victory thus entirely gained the Army encamped beyond the place of Battel and Brigadier Eppinger going out with a strong Party possessed himself of Portumney whereupon the Fort and Castle of Bavaher surrendred and many of the scattered Forces fled to Galloway and Lymerick As for the greatest part of the Standards and Colours taken in this Battel they were sent to England and there exposed to the publick view of the People as eminent Trophies of so signal a Victory The English Army upon the former Successes resolute to push on for the entire reducing the Kingdom to their Majesties Obedience after some refreshment marched towards Galloway Being before the place the General sent a Trumpet to the Lord Dillon Governour of the Town to offer him advantagious Terms in case he Surrendred before the Cannon were planted against the Walls But he returned for answer That Monsieur Ussone the French Lieutenant-General who commanded was of the same Opinion with himself and the rest of the Officers and that they were resolved to defend the place to the last Upon which the Approaches were made and on the 20th of Iuly by break of day a Fort or Ravelin on the Hill was attacked and our Granadiers that were ordered for that purpose marched
delighted Nations from the Storms of Discontent and Trouble From all which we may conclude That if Ireland ever was desirous to be in a prosperous state the time is come that puts that Opportunity into the hands of her Inhabitants to become a happy People When on the other hand had things succeeded as too many of them unadvisedly wished some few Months since they might instead of being at perfect Liberty been the Sons and Daughters of Slavery and the most severest of Bondages under the French Tyranny which how easie that Yoke is to bear the Subjects of France have fatally experienced in the Reigns of many of their former Kings but more especially under Lewis XIV to avoid which the more discerning part have undergone a voluntary Exile and become a scattered People over the Face of the Earth finding better usage in barbarous Nations This I hope may suffice to warn the Irish to consider where their Interest lies and to embrace their Majesties Protection as their true Asylum A TRUE and IMPARTIAL HISTORY OF THE Kingdom of Ireland DESCRIBING Its Situation Ancient Inhabitants Manners Customs and the State it was found in at the Time it was Invaded and Conquered by the English in the Reign of King Henry II. c. THE Kingdom of Ireland is of no mean Extent but rather very large and considerable It is an Island it is bounded on the East with England and Scotland on the West with the main Ocean on the South with part of France and Normandy and on the North with the Ducalidonian Sea It is as all other Islands surâ—ounded with Water containing in Length 40â— and in Breadth 200 Miles and is especially parted or divided into four Provinces viz. Munster which is again divided into the Counties of Limerick Kerrey Waterford Cork Desmon and the Holy Cross in Tipperary 2. The Province of Leinster divided into the Counties of the East and West Meaths Kilkenney Caterlough King's County Kildare Wexford Dublin and Wicklow 3. The Province of Connoâ—â—â—â— divided into the Counties of Clare Thumond Majo Sligo Letarim and Roscomon 4. The Province of Vlster divided into the Counties of Tyrconnel Tyrone Cavan Coleraine Monaghan Antrim Down Armah and Lough and these are for the most part at this day replenished with many considerable Cities and Towns of which I shall have occasion to speak in the Series of this History as they shall fall in their proper places The Country is naturally very fruitful and seems by the Soil always to have been so though the Natives have not appear'd very active in improving it as being naturally given up to floath or to live by War and Rapine As for the first Peopling it after Noah's Flood it remains very much if not altogether in the dark the Natives having been imposed on by Monks and Bards a sort of Rimers and Fortune-Tellers with Fables for Reality though it is conjectured by the Learned that this Island was Peopled upon the Confusion of Tongues at Babel soon after the Flood and the Irish Historians of the best account tell us That one Bastolenus encouraged by the Example of Nimâ—od in Syria settled his Monarchy in the Western Islands and amongst others peopled this yet where he kept his head Residence no mention is made but that his three Sons ruling there had War with Giants that grew up in the Land and rebelled against them and that afterward divers Scythians roving to seek Adventures got footing there and so they go on in the doubtful Paths of Uncertainty a great way farther But true it is that according to our own Histories and those of other Nations the Irish began very early to rove abroad and in their Boats and such kind of Ships as they had coming frequently ashore in England and Scotland and other Places did great Mischief by Burning and Plundering but were frequently met withal and a great many of them killed Nor do we find that the Romans when they conquered Britain extended their Arms to Ireland It is held they were Converted to the Christian Religion by St. Iames the Apostle and some give large grounds for it but their Authors will have it done by one Palaâ—inus sent thither to that purpose by Pope Celestine but more especially perfected by St. Patrick to whom they ascribe a thousand Incredibilities But to leave these Conjectures that are not greatly pertinent to our Matter we now come nearer to that for which we have more Warrant and Certainty The first Acquaintance that the English had with the Irish as to any thing that is remarkable was in the Reign of Henry the Second of England their chief Communication being with France whether they sent several Bands of Soldiers to help them against the English who were Waring there under their King for the Recovery of his Right in the Provinces that were his Grand-father's which he having pretty well settled turned his Thoughts upon Ireland where he heard they were at Variance among themselves the whole Land being divided under many Petty Princes when it luckily happened a business fell out that gave him an easie Inlet to the Conquest of it for in the Year 1167. the Eastern Part of the Island along the Sea being possessed by Dormat Mac-mur King of Leinster his Cruelties had highly incensed his Subjects against him and what more raised their Fury was the Injury he did to Morice King of Meath by wheedling away his Queen and living with her in Adultery so that the inraged Husband seeking Reparation and Revenge invaded his Countries by the Assistance of Roderick O Conor King of Connaught at the Terror of whose Approach Dormat being detested by and forsaken of his Subjects was forced to flie to England and there implored Protection which upon taking an Oath of Fidelity and Obedience to the King was freely given him and Henry with a Sum of Money procured leave of Pope Adrian an English-man promoted to St. Peter's Chair that he might Conquer Ireland promising moreover throughly to establish the Christian Religion and bring it to an Acknowledgment of the See of Rome but whilst he was preparing to pass the Seas new Troubles arose in his French Territories that required his Presence yet by his Letters Patents he gave Leave with Encouragement to his Nobles and such others as were willing to go for Ireland Dormat impatient of his Exile mainly upon this Concession solicited Richard the King's Son promising not only his Daughter a very beautiful young Lady in Marriage but great Possessions in the Country when he should be restored and all his Territories after his Death The young Prince being of a Warlike Temper and thirsting after Glory resolved though his Father was absent to undertake this Expedition and early the next Spring sailed from Bristol with divers Ships on Board which were thirty Knights sixty Esquires and three hundred Archers the first English-men ever known to land in a Hostile-manner in Ireland and being met by Dormat with such Forces as he
going over a little before had raised they seized upon the Town of Wexford which was given to one Fitz-Stevens a Welch Gentleman according to Agreement upon his raising part of the Forces so that News of this and other Successes flying to England many Adventurers came over and although the Petty Kings joyned their Forces yet were they beat in divers bloody Battels and Dormat being restored had Dublin submitted to him inflicting grievous Punishments upon such of his Capital Enemies as he found there The Prince being now in Ireland greatly increasing in Strength that came over to him carried all before him which made King Henry who feared the Prince's aspiring upon such Successes and willing to have the honour of Conquering so large a Kingdom himself sent his Mandate to recall the English out of Ireland so that but a few being left with the Prince in Dublin and they reduced to a great streight by the Irish that had taken heart they nevertheless Sallied upon an Army of 30000 with not above 1500 Men and utterly routed them taking great Spoil and then coming for England he surrendered all the Cities and Forts he had taken into his Father's Hands for Dormat by this time was dead and in the Year 1172. King Henry landed with a Royal Army which brought such a Terrour upon Ireland that Roderick and most of the Petty Princes that were Independent or his Tributaries came witn their humble Supplications to intreat him That he would take the Government upon him as their Supream Prince and Lord So that at Christmas he made them a Noble Feast in Dublin and settled the Kingdom in Civil and Ecclesiastical Matters Reforming Abuses and Barbarities And soon after those that held out in Vlster were brought to submit from which time we may Date the Conquest of Ireland by the English under which Soveraignty it has ever since remained as a conquered Kingdom and now annexed to the Crown yet the Natives who are generally hot spirited uneasie and restless under Restraint have often strugled to break this Chain though to the Loss and Disadvantage mostly of themselves King Richard the First by reason of his Wars in the Holy Land his Imprisonment upon his Return in Austria and the Empire and other Disappointments he met with at home had no War with the Irish nor happened there any thing extraordinary but care and industry to settle the Government which was done with such tenderness that the Natives being more civilized began to think themselves happy in the change and that they were redeemed from perpetual War which when so many Princes governed as Absolute in their Dominions could not be avoided among so rough and stubborn a People But because King Edward the First had sent for Forces out of Ireland to help him against the Scots with whom he had mortal Wars the wilder sort of the Irish in Edward the Second's time invited them over and many of the leading Men of the Natives revolting ruining the Country but upon the English joyning Battel with them they were routed and about 11000 slain among whom was a King of Connought and one Okly a Lord of great Possessions but soon after the Lord Roger Mortimer being sent over as Lord Justice of Ireland he managed Matters so ill that the Scots were again called in under Edward Bruce Brother to the Scots King who taking several places by the Revolt of the Irish from the English Obedience caused himself to be Crowned King of Ireland But in a great Battel his Forces being routed and he labouring to restrain their flight was killed by one Morepass whom he likewise requited with Death before his Fall and the dead Bodies fell by that means on each other which happened in the Year 1320. However they were rather dispersed than broken doing considerable Mischief where they found an opportunity to fall upon the English that had settled themselves in the Towns and Villages near the Sea c. In the Year 1329. during the Reign of King Edward the Third the Irish in Leinster and Meath rebelled against whom the Earl of Ormond drew out what Forces he could but being over-poured in number was defeated and the Irish made great Spoils of the English Possessions and amongst other Barbarities burnt eighty of them in a Church where they had fled for Refuge but at last the English fortified themselves in Wexford and upon their approach to besiege it sallied out upon them with such Courage that Success crowned it and 4000 of the Irish were killed most of them that fled being hotly pursued were drowned in the River Slane which with some other Encounters where Victory declared on our side so quelled them that in this King's Reign they rebelled no more Anno 1398. in the Reign of King Richard the Second the Irish fell again into Rebellion and by Surprize fall upon the King's Lieutenant and divers Persons of Quality whom they slew which made the King with considerable Forces haste thither and Landing he put them in all parts to the Rout killing a great many and taking several of their Ring-leaders and keeping his Court of State at Dublin to him resorted the Nobility and chief of the Irish submitting and paying him Homage promising to keep the Country in quiet for the future but Troubles arising in England the King hastily left Ireland and was no sooner arrived in Wales but finding himself deserted he betook him to a Castle where he was seized by Henry Duke of Lancaster to whom he resign'd his Crown and was afterward inhumanly murthered Upon whose Death many Troubles and Contentions arose so that the English being embroyled at home Ireland was little minded the People there doing in a manner what they pleased But in the Reign of Henry the Fifth we being setled at home more care was taken to prevent the Outrages and Depradations of the Irish insomuch that several who had been formerly Offenders were punished and others fled amongst whom were divers of their great 0nes who notwithstanding the care of the Earl of Ormond then Lieuâ—enant of the Kingdom to repress them drew a great multitude of People into Rebellion but the Earl gave Battel at Redmore-Athy where the Irish under the Leading of O Moor stood stoutly to it as Men in despair but after a bloody Fight that coloured all the Ditches of the Fens with Blood the Battel swerved and the Irish were defeated with great slaughter Which quelled them in so terrible a manner that for a long time after they seemed out of Love with War So that nothing memorably occurs in History till the Reign of Henry the Seventh when the Earl of Kildare being Deputy one Richard Symons a Priest wheedled him into a belief that one Lambert a Youth whom he had brought up as his Scholar was really the Earl of Warwick Son to George Duke of Clarence Brother to King Edward the Fourth that had escaped out of the Tower and was come thither for protection and the young Spark
having been well tutored and of a graceful Carriage so well acted his part that not only the Lieutenant but a great many of the Irish Nobility sided with him raising considerable Forces to espouse his Quarrel Crowning him King in Dublin and not content to keep him there they brought him with a considerable Army into England landing in Lancashire and Proclaiming him But the King's Forces advancing they were in a Set-battel over-thrown and the Imposter taken Prisoner the Priest hanged c. They likewise in the King's Reign aided another called Perkin or Peter Warbeck who stiled himself Duke of York younger Son to Edward the Fourth but in this they had no better success than in the former a great many being killed the Impostor taken after several Attempts and bloody Encounters having engaged the Scots as well as Irish on his part marrying the Lady Catharine Gourdon Niece to that King he was first obliged to confess his Impostor how he was set on maintained and encouraged by the Dutchess of Burgundy Sister to Edward the Fourth and then being publickly punished was sent to the Tower from whence endeavouring to escape he was executed and with him the real Earl of Warwick who had been kept a Prisoner there a considerable time all that was alledged against him was that he attempted to make his Escape with Perkin to raise new Commotions In the Reign of Henry the Eighth great Commotions were stirred up which were at first suddenly appeased but the Earl of Kildare being Deputy the People exhibited their Complaints against him to the Court of England as the cause of many Disturbances by his severe using them and amongst other Articles they had this viz. All Ireland is not able to Rule this Earl Then said the King this Earl is the fittest Man to Rule all Ireland and thereupon he continued him Deputy it appeared this hatred against him proceeded only from the strict hand he had over them to keep them from rebelling And another was That he had caused to be burned the Cathedral Church of Cashal The Archbishop of that place being his chief Accuser and when every one would have denied it he humbly replied By Chreest I would never have done it had I not byen told the Archbishop was in it Which plain dealing made the King smile and the Archbishop storm and fret however the Earl was ordered to rebuild it at his own charge and so continued in his Deputyship but often fell into displeasure by reason of his plain downright dealing and Cardinal Wolsey now ruling all at Court for speaking too plain to him upon his Examination at the Council-Board where Wolsey sat as President he sent him to the Tower and ordered a Warrant for his Execution without the King's Knowledge of which the King having Notice by the Lieutenant was mightily incensed at Wolsey and that great Favourite soon after falling into Disgrace the Earl was released and sent to Ireland with one Sir William Sheington who was made Deputy however the O Moors fell into Rebellion but being opposed by Forces drawn out of Dublin they were dispersed and many of them killed and for that time the Tempest blown over however it lasted not long for the Earl of Kildare's Enemies having again upon many grievous Complaints prevail'd to have him sent for to England he was committed to the Tower whereupon his Son the Lord Thomas notwithstanding the Perswasions of the Chancellor to avert him from it fell into Rebellion and drew great Forces after him yet driven at last to extream Necessities he was perswaded by the Lord Grey then Deputy of the Kingdom to submit himself to King Henry's Mercy without hope of Pardon but some of his Followers having killed Alen Archbishop of Dublin he was upon his Arrival committed to the Tower and King Henry being informed That the Geraldine Family had vowed never to have Peace with him he sent for the Earl's five Brothers in Custody when one of them during their crossing the Seas demanded of the Master what the Name of the Ship was who replied The Cow Nay then said he looking on the rest with a dejected Countenance we are all lost Men for now a Prophecy comes into my head that says Five Brethren of an Earl should be carried into England in the Belly of a Cow and never come back again and I doubt not but all things hitting so pat we are they And indeed so it happen'd for being Accused of the late Rebellion though two of them were ignorant of it the Lord Thomas Son to the Earl was beheaded on Tower-hill and the five Brethren hang'd drawn and quartered at Tyburn and the Earl soon after died in the Tower of Grief which destroyed the Center of that Noble Family for although one Brother escaped yet travelling through many Countries he at last came to Naples and there died Childless Nor did the Lord Grey escape for being countermanded and accused of holding Correspondency with this Family though without any notable Proof he was Condemned for High-Treason and beheaded on Tower-hill The Kings of England the better to please the Natives of Ireland having been all this while only called Lords of Ireland the Parliament sitting at Westminster in the 33d year of Henry's Reign invested with the Title of King of Ireland whereupon the Earl of Tyrone and divers others rebelled but in some bloody Encounters being defeated the Earl was at last subdu'd and brought Prisoner for England yet upon his humble Submission released and sent over upon promise of keeping the Country in quiet which he pretty well observed during the short Reigns of King Edward the Sixth and Queen Mary only some petty Commotions happened that were soon quieted In the Year 1566. being the Seventh year of Queen Elizabeth's Reign one of the chief Lords of Ireland named Donald Mac Carti More upon some little stirs that happened came over and not only cleared himself to the Queen but delivered up to her all his Territories vowing perpetual Fealty but she in gratitude restored them again and made him Earl of Glencare giving him a considerable Sum to bear his Expences so that by his great Authority amongst the Natives it was thought the Kingdom would be kept quiet but it proved otherwise for after some private Conspiracies that never broke out were defeated the Earl of Desmond the Eleventh Earl of that Title who had great Territories and abundance of Followers broke into open Rebellion and did great damage to the English driving them out of many places killing divers Gentlemen in Revenge as he said of the Earl of Kildare and his Family being put to death and amongst others one with whom he had contracted a strict Friendship and usually called Father who when he saw him with his drawn Sword breaking into his Chamber and relying upon his former Friendship cried out What is the matter Desmon my Son to whom the bloody Earl sternly replied I am no longer thy Son nor thou my Father but
Pains and Hazard your Majesty does undergo in restoring us to our Religion Liberties and Properties and do not doubt but as God has made your Majesty miraculously Instrumental in re-establishing those Blessings in the Kingdom of England so he will in this distressed Country which that he may do and grant your Majesty a long and prosperous Reign over us is the hearty wish and prayer of Your Majesty's Faithful and most Obedient Subjects and Servants c. On this Occasion likewise the Clergy of the Churches in the Province of Ulster presented their Address as did the Presbyterians and those of their Perswasion in the North of the Kingdom The like from the Mayor Aldermen c. of London-Derry and another from the Soveraign Burgesses and Inhabitants of Belfast which created a high Satisfaction and more general Rejoycing And here it was that Mr. Walker that so bravely defended London-Derry accompanied with divers of the Clergy waited upon his Majesty and Congratulated his happy Arrival in the Kingdom And Parties were sent out to observe the Motions of the Enemy The King intent upon the great Affair he came about stayed not for many Ceremonies and Complements but being well refreshed went to Hilsbourgh and from thence to Newry where a great part of the Army that had been under the General lay of which he took a view and ordered all things to the best Advantage for carrying on the War nor was the Measures taken slow in Executing And now whilst this is doing let us turn a little towards Dublin and see how Affairs stand in the Metropolis of the Kingdom It was not to be doubted but upon the King 's landing with an Additional Army the Papists would have been more concerned than they were but I know not upon what false Topick they grounded their Hopes their Concern was not so great as might have been expected from so eminent a Danger whether it was to abate the Courage of the Protestants and startle them into a Mistake of some private Design they had against the King or that they had some old Prophesies which they too much relied upon for their Success or that they trusted to the number of their Army remains doubtful but however they kept up their Courage beyond expectation The Protestants in Dublin guessed it proceeded from the false News that 100000 men were ready to rise in England and recall King Iames or declare for a Common-wealth and that the French Fleet being very powerful at Sea would not fail to intercept the King of England's Return and so they fancied they had him as it were in a Trap. And indeed in this immergency the Affronts the Protestants every where received without any hope of Redress made them not know what to think of their Condition nor was it long e're the Chief of them were imprisoned and the rest were told They would be glad e're long to go to Mass in a short time And they were put into frequent frights of having their Houses fired about their Ears or at the least to be plundered of all they had And it seems it was debated That if it came to a Battel and the Irish were worsted the City should be set on fire if not the Protestants massacred But it is said King Iames opposed it and on the 16th of Iuly marched out of Dublin to joyn with about 5000 Foot sent from France and one Regiment of them being Dutch and mostly Protestants great care was taken to keep them from startling and the whole Irish Army was composed of about 40000 men besides 15000 that remained in Garrisons and 6000 of the Militia under the Command of Colonel Luttrel and Mac Gillicuddy who was ordered as his Assistant in the Government of the City And hereupon a hasty Order came out that all who walked the Streets without Bayonets or Swords should be seized And thereupon a great many Protestants who could not get such Weapons were taken up and many of them Imprisoned And another Order That upon pain of Death not above five Protestants besides the Family should meet together So that the Churches which had till this time been kept open were shut up and Dr. King Dean of St. Patrick's imprisoned Yet such was the Zeal of the Protestants in these dangerous times that they gathered considerable Contributions for the Maintenance of the dispos sest Clergy and for such as were Prisoners till they were forced to desist all the Goals and many of the Churches being crowded with Prisoners not only Citizens but such as had been brought from Galloway Kilmainham and other places many of them were stifled by crowding and wanting of Air and others almost famished for want of Sustenance It would be too tedious to enumerate all the particular Sufferings of the Protestants their frequent Allarms Fears and many other Disturbances Therefore let it suffice that though sorrow lasted for a night Joy came in the morning as by the Sequel will be Evident The two Armies being now in the Field the Irish however declined fighting all they could and it was given out That King Iames designed to lead them about the Banks of the River Boyne to weary out the English as thinking they could not pass that Stream if defended on the other side and after he had so done to cross the Country and go for Limerick However least the English should push on and give him Battel he resolved to provide for the worst and therefore ordered Sir Patrick Trant the first Commissioner of his Revenue to have shipping ready at Waterford to carry him off if things came to Extremity for at last he found unless he abandoned Dublin which was proposed to be defended he could not avoid fighting above ten days for the King of England impatient of delay possessed himself of almost all the Passes and Posts that were advantageous to bring the Enemy to a Battel and many Skirmishes happened between Parties abroad wherein our men gained the advantage The Enemy by this time being Encamped near Dundalk and strongly guarding a Pass call'd Four-mile-Bridge which was very difficult to force it was resolved that our Army should march to Market-hill and therefore to fall into the great Road that leads from Armagh to Dundalk whereupon Major Scravenmore was sent out with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 20 Dragoons to view the Road and Passes and find a convenient place to Enâ—â—mp in and discover if possible the posture of the Enemy which was so well performed that a small Party of theirs seeing this Detachment betimes in the Morning marching towards Market-hill supposed it to be the Vauntguard of the whole Army and therefore gave the Alarm to their Camp that our Army was almost upon them which without sending to know the certainty put them into such a fear that they fired their Camp and marched away which being certified to the King it appeared so strange that it could not presently gain credit But being in a short time confirmed from all
their great Deliverance c. And the Town and Castle of Wexford being deserted by the Governour who fled amongst others to France it declared for the King and a Garrison was put into it And now the main Strength of the Irish Army being broken by the last Defeat the Popish Priests every where made it their business to stir up the Rabble and looser sort of People who plundered and made great Spoil especially in the Countries where the King's Forces were not at hand to quell them however the Militia frequently met with them and many of their Ring-leaders being taken were hanged up as Thieves and Robbers And that the Counties might be the better settled and guarded his Majesty made his Progress into divers of them and appointed Sheriffs and other Officers as he passed conferring upon Count Menard the Duke of Schemberg's Son in respect of the great Affection he bore his Father the place of great Master of the Artillery and soon reduced Wexford and many other places Yet the Enemy held by Garrisons many Towns of Strength as Cork Galloway Athlone Limerick c. near to the last of which Tyrconnel and Lauzun had Rallied the broken Army so that to dislodge them the Siege of that Place was resolved on though the Season began to advance apace towards the usual coming on of bad Weather in that Kingdom The King having pretty well settled the Affairs of those Counties where his Army had passed and those that put themselves under his Protection took it into his Princely consideration That his Subjects had during this War been very much imposed upon and abused by Moneys coined in the Enemies Quarters and by the Order of the late King of no value in competition of its Premium directed by the Exhibitors for the Relief of such Abuse to the Subject issued out his Proclamation for the Suppressing it or Reducing it to its intrinsick value in the following Tenor viz. WILLIAM R. HAving taken into Our Consideration the great Oppression and Abuses committed by Our Enemies in Our Kingdom of Ireland by making currant Brass-money of Copper or mixed Metals and raising the Value thereof to an extravagant height thereby to enable them to continue the War against Us and to impoverish Our loving Subjects in our said Kingdom We have therefore thought it necessary to put a stop thereto and to the end that such part of the said Copper or mixed Metal Money which remains in the Hands of Our said Subjects may not be wholly lost we have thought fit to Reduce the former Value of the said Copper-Money to the Value or Standard of the like Copper-Money formerly currant in this Our Kingdom And accordingly We do Will and Require hereby all Our Subjects within Our said Kingdom of Ireland to take and receive of all such Copper and mixed-Metal Money lately coined in the Mint erected in our City of Dublin at the several and respective Valuations following and that the same do pass currant in the exchange of Money and for all manner of Goods and Provisions whatsoever and shall be received by all Officers and Collectors of our Customs Excise or other Branches of our Revenue accordingly Viz. The large Half-crown of Copper-Money together with the Crown-piece of like Metal and Weight lately stamped shall pass at One peny sterling The small Half-crown of Copper lately stamped shall pass at Three farthings The large Copper Shilling shall pass at a Half-peny sterling The small Shilling lately stamped and Six pence shall pass each at One farthing And Our Will and Pleasure is That all such Pewter-pence as have been lately coined in the said Mint shall pass for Half-pence and all Half-pence of the like Metal stamped in the said Mint shall pass for Farthings Which several sorts of Coin shall be deemed as currant Money at the Rates before-mentioned in all Payments whatsoever within this Our Kingdom Given at our Camp by Dublin this 10th of July 1690. and in the second 〈◊〉 of our Reign By this we may see the great loss People of all qualities sustained the Money being as we elsewhere have mentioned ordered upon great Penalties in case of refusal to pass at the Values mentioned though extraordinarily superiour to the value of the Metal as appears by its being reduced to its intrinsick Value yet little of this fell to the share of the Protestants who in their Extremities thought themselves well to escape with their Lives having no considerable opportunities to handle Money and therefore came off with as little loss in the Reducement of it On the 19th of Iuly the Royal Camp lying at Chappel-Izard removed thence towards Waterford that still held out when as the King sent a Summons to the Town requiring Lieutenant-Colonel Hevesey Governour of the Place immediately to Surrender and that if he obeyed the Royal Mandate the Garrison should be permitted to march out quietly and the Citizens to enjoy their Houses Goods and the Benefit of Trade but upon Refusal to Expect no Quarter 200 Horse under the Command of Col. Comboon and Col. Matthews went with the Trumpeter who delivered his Message But the Governour making divers extravagant Demands which would have been answered with a sudden Attack but that his Majesty had Compassion of about 〈◊〉 Protestant Families in the Town that 〈◊〉 have suffered in the common Calamity wherefore in singular Clemency he commanded the same Capitulation to be sent them which had been granted to Drogheda the day after the Battel of the Boyne with this Addition That the Garrison might depart each Man with his own Arms but not with Drums beating and Colours flying which after some Debate they thankfully accepted and on the 25th of Iuly marched out to the number of about 1600 Men being conducted to Mallow a small Town lying in the way to Lymerick but some of their Officers stayed behind and implored his Majesty's Protection when on the same day the King viewed the Walls of the Place but entered not into the Town and so returned back to the Camp sending a Summons to Captain Michael Bourk Governour of Duncannon Fort offering the like Capitulation that had been granted to Waterford in case he immediately Surrendred but upon Refusal to expect no Mercy When instead of a positive Answer he only desired six days to consult Tyrconnel which being refused he declared he would take that time Whereupon the Cannon was commanded to be brought and planted against the Place in order to a Battery But on the 26th in the Evening Sir Clously Shovel appearing with 16 Frigats mounted with Guns of considerable Force within shot of the Fort it brought such a Terrour upon the Garrison that the Governou◠wrote to Major-General Kirk that h◠would accept of the Terms offered which his Majesty being made acquainted with he was pleased to order That they should still have the benefit of the Articles that were as first proposed and the Fort accordingly was Surrendred After which the King marched towards Dublin
wounded yet they came not off without leaving the Marks of their Valour upon the Enemy But by this time the Army having the Elements to contend with as well as the Enemy by reason of the stormy Winds and incessant Rains which not only made the River over-flow but filled the Trenches knee-deep with Water and would in a short time in all probability have cut off the Communication and hindered the Forrage from coming in his Majesty upon mature deliberation thought fit to raise the Siege and refer it to a more seasonable opportunity So that on the 30th of August the heavy Cannon and Baggage were sent away and the next day the Army decamped and marched off in good Order strong Detachments being sent towards Cork and Kingsale And the King having appointed the Lord Viscount Sidney and Sir Thomas Conningsby Governourâ— of the Kingdom and setled the other Affairs as advantageously as might be sailed for England and landed at Bristol where as in other places he was received with a general Joy Upon the King's departure the Irish Garrisons thought themselves safe for the Winter at least but found in a short time they were deceived for other measures were taken The English Fleet had orders to stand away to the Coast of Ireland and soon arrived in Cork Harbour and upon notice of their Arrival the Land Forces drew down to joyn them upon their Landing Upon which the Duke of Berwick who stiled himself Lord General of Ireland drew off Lauzun and Tyrconnel being already gone to France Lieutenant-General Douglas followed after the Duke with a strong Party to fall upon his Rear but he Encamped so advantagiously behind the Bogs that it was not thought feasible to attempt the forcing his Camp A Battery of 8 Guns was raised to hinder the Landing of our Men but two or three armed Boats forcing ashoar those that were to manage and guard the Guns fled and our men dismounted them throwing the Carriages into the Sea so that on the 24th of September 5 or 6000 Seamen Gunners and Carpenters were detached to be employed in raising the Batteries and mounting the Cannon against the Town of Cork and divers Boats of armâ—â— Men were sent to assist the taking it by water so that upon the approach of the Army the Enemy set fire to the Suburbs and the Earl of Marlborough who commanded the King's Forces in chief having taken a view of its Scituation and finding the Enemy had quitted a Post called Cats-Fort sent a Detachment to take possession of it and then advanced his Camp within Musquet shot of the South-side of the Town which occasioned the Enemy to set fire to the Suburbs for fear our Soldiers should lodge themselves in it yet our Men advanced to the Ruins and played upon the Old Fort from two Batteries they had raised and the next day made a Breach in the Wall so wide that the Besieged fearing our Men would Enter by Storm and dreading the consequences of Delay they beat a Parly and sent out an Officer to Capitulate and Hostages were Exchanged but the besieged standing high upon Terms four Regiments under the Command of Brigadier Churchil were ordered to get into the Island near the Wall where the Breach was made which they performed by fording it to the middle the Granadiers commanded by the Lord Colchester leading the Van being exposed to all the Fire of the Enemy Amongst those that attempted this were a great many noble Voluntiers as the Duke of Grafton the Lord O Brian Colonel Granvil Captain Leighton Captain Cornwal Captain Nevel Captain Fairborn and others but it proved fatal to the Duke for by a shot he received he soon after died and his Body being carried for England was there honourably interred The Besieged finding that our Men would not enter as not being above 20 Paces from the Breach beat another Parley but could have no other Conditions than to be Prisoners of War to which with some difficulty they agreed and the Capitulation was signed which in the Articles was to this purpose viz. That upon the Garrisons being received as Prisoners of War no prejudice should be done to the Officers Soldiers or Inhabitants but that the General should make it his Endeavour to obtain his Majesty's Mercy and Favour towards them That the Old Fort should be delivered up within an hour and the two Gates the like by 8 in the Morning the next day That all the Arms of the Garrison and Inhabitants should be put into secure places and the Protestant Prisoners immediately released That a due Account should be given of the Magazines as well of Provision as Ammunition And the same Night 200 Men took possession of the Old Fort and the next Morning of the Town the Garrison between 4 and 5000 being made Prisoners of War and of note amongst them were the Earls of Clancarty and Tyrone Colonel Macgillicot the Governour and divers others This place thus taken and put into trusty hands the Army immediately marched towards Kingsale and took their Posts about the New Fort whilst Major General Teteau was Commanded with 800 Men to make an Attack upon the Old Fort whereupon passing the River in Boats he on the 3d of October gave an Assault and Entered it by Storm making at the same time to divert the Enemy a false Attaque and our Men at one and the same time giving the Bastions some Barrels of Powder took fire and destroyed about 50 of the Enemy and in the heat of Fury many were killed Those that Escaped some fled unto the Old Castle in the midst of the Fort and some endeavouring the New Fort by the help of a Boat the Tide being against them they were mostly killed by the shot of our Men from the shoar the Governour and several Officers were killed in defending the Ramparts and found dead in the places where they fell and the Soldiers got considerable Plunder The Old Fort thus Entirely won the General sent a Summons to the New Fort to demand its immediate Surrender but the Governour sent back word That it would be time enough to talk of that a Month after But the General not to be dallied caused the heavy Cannon to be mounted and two Attacks were ordered to be made by the English on the right and the Danes on the left and the more to amuse the Enemy a false Attack was made and on the 15th of October the Cannon played all the Morning and the Galleries were preparing to lay over the Ditch when about One of the Clock the Enemy beat a Parly proposing that Hostages might be Exchanged in order to a Treaty which done Articles were agreed on and signed about Midnight and pursuant thereto the middle Bastion was to be delivered up the next Morning and about 1200 men of which the Garrison consisted were to march out the day after And the principal of the Prisoners taken here and at Cork were shipped for England but some of them met with a
place 16 pieces of Cannon and Col. Michelburn was constituted Governour And now to return again to Lymerick Whilst the Siege was yet carried vigorously on the General with Lieutenant-General Scravenmore being an the other side of the Shannon with 5000 Horse and Dragoons and a proportionable Detachment of Foot marched into the County of Clare with 12 Field-pieces and 7 or 8 days Provision to oblige the Enemies Horse to fight or drive them further from Lymerick whereupon they not only avoided coming to Action but many of them dispersed and disbanded so that their number daily lessened Brigadier Levison with 250 Horse and Dragoons had fallen upon the Enemy in Kerry where they were about 3000 strong and routed them killing a great many and taking divers Officers Prisoners by whiâ—h means their Majesties Forces were entire Maâ—ters of the County So that the General being now on Clare side of Lymerick with a strong Body of Horse 10 Regiments of Foot and 14 Pieces of Cannon the rest of the Army remaining under the Duke of Wirtemberg for the Security of the Works on the other side on the 22d of September about Noon our Troops drew up before the English Town though the Enemies Cannon played upon them all the while from the Casâ—le and several Towers as also the small shot from the Flankers and Outworks About four in the Afternoon the General ordered a Detachment to attack the Fort near Thomond Bridge Whereupon the Enemy sent two great Detachments out of the Town to support and defend those that were in the Fort but our Men marched on with such Courage and Bravery that notwithstanding this Reinforcement they bore down all before them pursuing with hot Execution the flying Enemy over the Bridge and brought such a Terrour upon the City that Monsieur D Vsson the French Governour of Lymerick durst not lower the Draw-Bridge to let in his own Men dreading least ours should enter with them so that crouding on the Bridge in great numbers our Men by perpetually pouring their Vollies of shot amongst them made a miserable slaughter insomuch that from the foot of the Bridge to the Draw-bridge nothing was to be seen but heaps of dead Bodies discolouring the River with Blood and 600 were computed to be killed in this Action and about 130 taken Prisoners amongst whom was Col. Skelton who being very much hurt died soon after of of his wounds and our Men during this hot dispute being very much exposed to the fire of the Town were about 300 of them killed and wounded but none of note This resolute Enterprise of our Men brought such a Terrour upon the Garrison that in the Afternoon a Parley was beaten round the Town and notice was given that the People were very much enraged against the French Governour for suffering so many Men to be cut off by keeping them out of the City that they had insulted and could hardly be kept from using violence The beating this Parley was to desire a Cessation of Firing and casting in Bombs which was allowed till 9. the next Morning when the Colonels Sarsfield and Wahop came out and desired the Truce might continue a day longer and that they might send to the 1500 Horse commanded by Sheldon in the County of Clare to know whether they would be included in the Capitulation which was allowed And on Septemb. 25. Col. Sheldon and some of his Officers 〈◊〉 to our Camp and had leave given him to go into Lymerick and consult with the Officers in Garrison and the next day Sarsfield and Wahop came out again and dined with the General and Hostages were proposed to be exchanged which being concluded on the L. Cutts Sir David Collier Col. Pâ—per and Col. Tiffany were sent by the General and the Town sent out the Lords Westmeath Trimelstown Lowth and Evagh so that the Cessation was continued and the Garrison sent out their Proposals but they were such as the General could not approve of and therefore instead of answering them he sent in twelve Articles which he would allow and not to be unready to speak his mind in another Language in case the Truce should be broken by their refusal he ordered the Cannon and Mortars to remain charged on their Batteries ready to fire upon the first Command whiâ—h made the Besieged more reasonable in their Demands so that the Commissioners for the Treaty coming forth again the same day had a long Conference with those appointed to treat with them by the General and became more moderate A very good prospect of Accommodation presented at this time for we had of their Prisoners taken in the last Action 2 Lieutenant-Colonels 2 Majors 9 Captains 7 Lieutenants and 6 Ensigns And this being likely to be a general Treaty for the Settlement of the Kingdom the Lords Justices set forward from Dublin to be assisting at it and arrived in the Camp the first of October and after some Conferences with the Commissioners on the part of the Garrison and their Troops in the County of Clare the Articles of Surrender of the City of Lymerick and the Castles of Clare and Ross with all other Places and Castles that were at that time in the hands of the Irish were on the Third of October concluded and agreed on and signed by the General and Lords Justices on the one side and by the French Governour and the Persons deputed by the Garrison on the other and thereupon a Stone-Fort and one of the Gates was put into the General 's hands the same Evening and the next day five of our Regiments marched into the Irish Town it being among other things agreed That the French and such as are willing to go beyond the Seas may continue in the English Town and the Island till they can be Transported and Shipping are to be got ready for that purpose And seeing upon the Articles of this Capitulation the quiet and settlement of the Country consisted and upon signing which 〈◊〉 entirely returned to its Obedience it is requisite the Reader should not be ignorant at least of the Substance or Chief Matters contained in them They consisting in two Parts Civil and Military As for the Civil Part it gave the Roman Catholicks the Exercise of their Religion as far as was consistent with the Laws of Ireland and as they enjoyed it in the Reign of King Charles the Second c. and to all Persons in general that had been in Arms or otherwise under King Iames except forfeiting Persons out of the Kingdom should be repossesed of what they could justly Claim or were lawfully Entituled to in the Reign of King Charles the Second and at any time since by any Law or Laws that were in force in his Reign And those of Trades or Callings to return to them and Exercise them as in the Reign of King Iames the Second on condition they took the Oath of Allegiance made by the English Parliament the First Year of their Majesties Reign Merchants and
â—â—o had been so mainly Instrumental in reâ—â—oring them that Peace they had so raâ—â—ly â—orfeited and had leisure during almost a â—ree Years to repent of the trouble they had â—â—ven the Kingdom and of the Losses themâ—â—lves sustained Whilst this Joy lasted care was taken to â—â—der the Garrisons and provide them with â—â—ch Necessaries where they were wanting as â—ight serve for the Winter Stores and put the â—oldiers in a good plight Nor was the Joy 〈◊〉 these Successes bounded in this Island but â—read into remote Countries so that in the â—amps of the Allies the Cannon was fired â—nd all other Demonstrations of a high satisâ—â—ction for the Success of their Majesties â—â—ms were set on foot though the French Commanders especially in their Camps laboured to extenuate these brave and vigorous Undertakings crowned with such ample Success least it could dishearten and abate the Courage of their Men who already by their frequent deserting seemed to grow weary of a War wherein they too plainly found that instead of what they formerly gained by Plundering and laying defenceless Places waste they must expect nothing but Blows and severe Treatment On the First of November following these Transactions the Irish Entirely left the English Town of Lymerick Embarking oâ— the Transport-ships in the Shannon wheâ— Sailing for France one of those Ships having on Board Four hundred Men besideâ— Stores and Furnitures of divers kinds running foul on a Rock overset and about Onâ— hundred Men were drowned though nâ— diligence was wanting to endeavour theiâ— preservation Upon the marching out of the Irish ouâ— Soldiers marched in and Garrisoned thâ— English Town and now Sir David Collieâ— was made Governour of the City of Lymerick and the Lord O Brian of thâ— County of the said City And on the Sixâ—â— of this Month the French Squadron consisting of Eighteen Men of War Six Fire-ships and Twenty Transport-ships who brought about Ten thousand Arms Wine and Brandy for Sale and much Provision fell down about Two Leagues below Scaltery viz. the Men of War but their Transport-ships were suffered to remain nearer to take in Provisions and other Necessaries for Transportation of the People they were to take on Board And Major-General Talmash having settled and ordered things to the best Advantage in the City gave place to the new Governour and departed for Dublin where he was received with many Expressions of Joy according to the true merit of his Courage and Conduct in this War Upon this great turn of Fortune many of their Ringleaders going away in the French Ships the Rapparees found themselves abandoned and in great Distress so that they were constrained to come in and submit so that the face of things appeared to be strangely changed Uproar and Confusion being turned into a calm Peace so that most of the English and Dutch Regiments c. prepared to Embark for England where they soon after Arrived and passed for Flanders where they were for the Winter Season quartered advantagiouâ—ly in divers Towns to hinder the Incursiâ—ons of the French The General having put an end to the War of Ireland being highly caressed and treated in Dublin Embarked for England on the Monmouth Yatch where he received the Applause and high Commendations of the People in all places where he passed The King received him very graciously and Created him Earl of Athlone c. The Parliament likewise sent their Thanks to him for the good Service he had done desiring him to Communicate the same to all the Officers that had served under him in this Expedition And he together with them was highly Entertained at a Noble Treat by the City of London The Soldiers now returning a Proclamation was Issued forth for their well abearing and behaving themselves in their March Quarters and making due Payment And so great was the Joy of the Irish Nobility and Gentry for restoring that Kingdom to Peace and Tranquility that in humble Gratitude they made the following Address to his Majesty viz. WE Your Majesties Most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects crave leave in the first place to offer our most humble Thanks to the Divine Majesty by whom you Reign for having Raised and Inspired your Majesty for the Deliverance of these Oppressed Nations and for preserving Your Royal Person so frequently exposed to danger but never in greater than in the Kingdom and Cause of the Protestants in IRELAND What was then so graciously undertaken by Your Majesty in Person is now so happily finished by the Success of Your Arms that we owe to Your Majesty's Courage and Conduct next to the Divine Providence the Restoration of our Religion and Civil Rights and Liberties We beseech Your Majesty to Accept this Recognition as the first Fruits of our Redemption till we are able to make a more Solemn and Parliamentary Acknowledgment to Your Majesties Iust Title to our Allegiance not only in Right of this Crown but in Gratitude to our great Deliverer and Conqueror of Your Majesty's Enemies We are sure Your Majesty will effectually preserve those You have so generously Delivered and we hope Your Majesty shall never have occasion to doubt the steady and united Affections of the Protestants of IRELAND in the Service of your Crown and Dignity from Principles of Inclination Duty and Interest all which makes us unanimously and heartily to pray for the Sacred Person Victorious Arms and Iust and Gentle Government of King WILLIAM and Queen MARY with Peace and Continuance over us On the Two and twentieth of December Sarsfield having got together Two thousand six hundred Men Women and Children set Sail from Cork for France he thought to have carried a greater Number but was deceived by their Deserting him as did the whole Regiments of Mac Dermo Brian O Neal and Colonel Felix O Neal upon the Advice they received of the ill Treatment of the Irish that were already Landed in France where the Officers were generally displaced or made to serve in lower Stations even to Common Soldiers and French Men set over them Ireland being now in a fair way to a Settlement Colonel Foulk Governour of Dublin had Orders to Disband the Irish Regiments that came over to us upon the Surrender of Lymerick except Fourteen hundred which were appointed for the Emperour's Service the which though they prosessed a great willingness to serve their Majesties they submitted to and had Two Cobs a Man given them Gratis most of them going to their Habitations or Employments On the Three and twentieth of Ianuary being the first day of the Term the Right Honourable Sir Charles Porter Lord Chancellour and Thomas Conningsby Esquire Lords Justices of the Kingdom came to the Court of Kings Bench accompanied by divers of the Privy Council and other Persons of Quality where they took the Oaths and Subscribed the Declaration required by the late Act of Parliament made in England After which the Judges of other Courts and Persons of different Quality and Employments did the like About this time
and Lymerick during the Sieges of those Places it was required that three Witnesses should give Testimony as to the Premisses one of them to be a Protestant in every particular matter for proof of each Persons qualification as to the Articles who claims to have been within the said City or Town and thereby to be comprised within the said Articles or either of them And on the Sixth of April the Lord's Justices of the Council and Kingdom sat to hear and examine the Claims exhibited before them by such Persons as made their Application to them sitting Mâ—nday Wednesday and Friday weekly for that purpose And that nothing might be wanting to encourage and promote the Trade of the Kingdom Ships daily arrived in the Ports with Provision and other Necessaries insomuch that after a long Scarcity Plenty began again to be restored to a prospect of a greater height than ever by which the Calamities and Sufferings appeared to vanish and the Joy of the People the Protestants especially to be restored more than ever especially under the Conduct and Government of Affairs of those prudent Persons that are put into Power and Trust. The Kingdom of Ireland thus settled and in a fair way to Happiness his Majesty was in Flanders drawing his Forces together to prosecute his Victories on that side and compleat the Felicity of his Kingdoms when in the mean while some ill Men of restless Spirits at home were labouring under hand to disquiet us by endeavouring to hold Correspondence with the Common Enemy and Encouraging him to invade their Native Kingdoms but Providence as at all times so now more particularly timely discovered their dark Projects and sinister Designs whereupon many were apprehended and imprisoned in divers places in order to be brought to Justice and Condign Punishment yet this did not so much discourage the French King but that he got his Fleet very early in a readiness as it is generally supposed to Invade England but the Winds appeared to stand on our side and kept them in their Harbours contrary to their Expectations though he had drawn down his Forces on the Coast of Normandy c. to Embark on his Men of War and Transport-ships as occasion should offer Our Fleet in the mean while was hastned out to oppose them and the Dutch Squadrons with much Celerity joyned us so that on the 19th of May they stood away to the South-west in search of the French Fleet and about six Leagues from Cape Barsleur got sight of them who with much presumption bore down upon us having the Weather-gage the Wind at South-west and about Eleven in the Morning they Engaged Admiral Russel who commanded our Red Squadron The sight continued hot on both sides till about Three in the Afternoon Turville the French Admiral being very much worsted and fearing to be hemmed in by our Blue Squadron and the Dutch who laboured to get the Wind of the Enemy bore away but not so speedily but that the Blew Squadron had time enough to come in and Engage him about Six so that another hot Dispute continued till about Ten at night the French making a Retreating fight in which some of their Ships were blown up and others sunk All Night it was very calm and foggy the next Morning and abâ—ut Eight it began to clear up the Wind at East-North-East when the French Fleet appeared about Two Leagues to the Leeward of ours much less in number than the day before being but Thirty six Men of War standing away to their own Coast whilst ours pursued them and both Fleets upon a great Calm came to an Anchor the Dutch who now had the Van being within a League of them and on the One and twentieth they weighed and stood away and we after them Admiral Russel taking his Course towards Barsleur having sight of several Ships under the shoar but by this time many of them were got into the first Harbours they came to so that fear and too much haste caused several of them to run aground to prevent our Coming up with them But it availed little for Vice-Admiral Delaval hotly pursuing Fliers who put in made under Cape de Wick their Squadrons being now broken and separated with much difficulty got in with light Frigats Fire-ships and Armed-Boats and in spight of the Fire the French made from their Ships and from their Platform on shoar Captain Heath laid the Royal Sun of France on Board with his Fireship and burnt her being the French Admiral of 104 Guns and Captain Green burnt the Conquerdant of 102 Guns and another Ship of 80 Guns was burnt by the Boats that were sent out after the Men were taken from it and some other Vessels with little loss of Men on our side Captain Fowlis attempted to burn the Royal Sun but was set on fire by an accidental shot from the Enemy supposed to be made red hot for that purpose Monsieur Gaberet's Ship Admiral of the French Blew Squadron perished in the fight amongst the rest Whilst these things were doing Admiral Russel with the Red Squadron stood with the Enemies Ships who were got into the Bay of La Hogue and sent Vice-Admiral Rook with a Squadron of Light Frigats and Fireships and all the Boats he had with him well armed to burn the Ships he had there penn'd up which succeeded so well that Six were burnt that Night and with the same Resolution Six more were burnt the next Morning Three of them being Three-deck'd Ships carrying a great Force of Men and Guns and the other Three from sixty to seventy Guns and one of Fifty six Guns was overset and utterly lost So that the whole number in that Bay was destroyed the Men in the Boats on this occasion behaving themselves with much Bravery and Resolution insomuch that they took possession of several of the French Ships and turned the Guns upon the Platform that fired upon them from the Land in the sight of the French and Irish Camp that lay near the shoar Many of the French Seamen perished with their Ships those on shoar refusing to fetch them off and a great many were taken Prisoners So that in the main we destroyed about One and twenty of their biggest Ships and of other Frigats Crafts and Transport-ships to the number of Thirty and this without the loss of any Ship on our side unless Fireships that were spent on the Enemy For this Signal Victory the Admiral caused a Solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God to be held on Board the Fleet and had the Wind been more timely favourably few of the French that engaged had escaped This happy News caused great Rejoycing in all their Majesties Dominions and in the Courts of the Confederate Princes And now to shew God's more signal Favour and Mercy towards us a Hellish Conspiracy was discovered that had been carried on to destroy his Majesty beyond the Seas by Assassination influenced by the greatest Persons in the French Court to their Eternal Infamy as it was deposed upon Oath and this was undertaken by one de Grandual a Captain of Dragoons in the French Service and one Dumot a Walloon who had the last Year agreed together to kill the King and for that purpose went to Loo whilst his Majesty was there but missing of their wicked purpose they went back to Paris and there remaining during the Winter they engaged one Leefdale in the same pernicious Design agreeing to Attack the King either upon a March or when he should ride out to see the Troops but an Almighty Hand held them from their Executing what they so wickedly intended and saved his Anointed to be a Joy and Comfort to his People and a Scourge to the Common Enemy who though good at close Villanies and purchasing of Towns yet not to stand in Competition at fair Valour and Heroick Bravery as has all along appeared by Retreats and strong Encampments when urged to Battel in a fair Field yet no doubt a short time will let us see the difference between true Manhood and Politick Dâ—lays and Precautions Ireland is now waiting to Receive her Right Honourable Lord Deputy with all the Demonstrations of Joy that a willing Nation can express sutable to the great Expectations she has to be yet more happy under the Auspicious Conduct of so worthy a Hero and wise Dispencer of Justice and an Encourager and Propagator of the Protestant Religion c. Thus we see through God's Blessing upon their Majesties Arms this Kingdom is once again in a happy way to be prosperous and more entirely happy than ever FINIS