what degrees of cruelty they did at last arrive These particulars being truely and cleerely laid open together with some other additionall evidences of the like authority conclusions will issue of themselves acquainting us with the causes of all our miseries and amounting to no lesse then what I have already premised and presumed 1. First therefore we see here a difference is to be noted betweene the most eminent plotters and the most violent executours of this mischeife the Lord Macquir gives a good relation of the executours but not being acquainted with the conspiracy it selfe till it had beene matured by others and was communicated to him by Roger Moore about nine moneths before the generall eruption He saies nothing thereof but t is plaine that these Councells were laid long before by the Popish Clergy for by the connivence of our Governours in Ireland that Countrey had its Titular Arch-bishops Bishops Vicar-generals Provincial Consistories Ecclesiasticall Deanes Abbotts Priors Monkes Nunns Jesuits Preists and Fryars without number besides all Hierarchicall Officers and as well in Townes as in the Countrey had free use of the Masse Dr. Jones had it from the mouth of a Fransciscan that before the dismall day of October there was a great meeting at a religious house in Westmeath of the Romish Clergy and some others whereat the question was debated what course should be taken with the English and how the government of the State should be new moulded And in May 1642. there was a generall congregation held at Kilkenney wherein the Church of Ireland was annexed to the Sea of Rome and the State made no lesse in effect then purely Democraticall and one Act was passed for sending Embassadours in behalfe of the whole Kingdome to the Pope the Emperour the King of France and Spayne and those to be of the Church Prelates with one of the Nobility and a Lawyer Moreover all the acts of Kilkenney were onely subscribed by three Archbishops sixe Bishops and twenty others either of the Clergy or some holy orders or officers belonging to the Hierarchy whereby it appeares that the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty of Ireland though the adventurous and active part of the warre be left to them have as yet but very little or no share in the directive or gubernative part much lesse had they whilst the matter was but in consultation Besides we know the Ecclesiasticks were ranged into fit stations and as there was a just number appointed to attend at home for managing of businesse in Ireland so there was as vast a proportion distributed abroade into the Court of Rome and all other Courts of Europe for forraigne Agency and correspondency Wherefore if the Apostolick sea ever did lively represent the bottomles pit reeking forth thick fumes or darkening the skye with swarmes of odious Locusts doubtlesse at this time by the emission of so many Regulars and Seculars upon such confounding messages it did verify and explaine that dimme prediction Well but after the Jesuits and Preists had beene long in conjuration about this woefull tragedy at last the troubles of Scotland have occasioned a Parliament in England and raised an Army of Papists in Ireland and now all advantages concurring such of the Lords Gentry as are most apt for innovation are to be sollicited and rightly instructed how to draw in other concurrent partyes in all the foure severall Provinces The common people are not to be trusted with the knowledge of any thing till the very night it selfe approaches nay the very Gentry themselves except some few chosen ones are not to receive this secret till all things are ready for execution the Sacraments of the Masse and of Confession which are made Vmbrages to draw the multitude together and mysterious attractives to engage in this hellish sacrifice are not to be solemnized before the day appointed There was feare that the multitude could not be prepared without discovery but there was no feare that the multitude would not consent without preparation At a meeting therefore in Dublin 8 monthes at least before this infamous October when one of the Conspiratours advised to imploy time in speaking to and trying the Gentry of Ireland till advertisement could be received from the other undertakers beyond the seas Master Moore replyed that it was to no purpose to spende much time in speaking to the Gentry for there was no doubt to be made of the Irish that they would be ready at any time but all the doubt was in the Gentry of the Pale Howsoever for his part his affirmation was that he was really assured when the Irish were up the Pale Gentry would not stay long after He further proceeded also to intreate that the Lord of Maye who was very powerfull in command of men in those parts of Connaught wherein he lived had beene spoken to by himselfe and that his consent was granted yet not without an oath for concealement of the same But I will goe on with the Lord Macquir to mention the principal Lay-conjuratours who were not onely taken in by the Ecclesiasticks for meere action but were also admitted to some part of the contrivance at least nine monthes before and we shall see some use may be made of the same The first instanced in is Roger Moore alias Roei Morace of the family of the Moraces of Leix in Lemster which County together with the Territories of Offali were escheated to the Crown by Act of Parliament and were planted with English in the Raigne of Queen Mary Neverthelesse also the father of this Roei being civill and of peaceable disposition though a Papist was by Queene Elizabeth cherisht and sufficiently provided for by a grant of faire and large possessions in the County of Keldare and Meath to him and his heires in fee and the same did descend to this Roei Here was Justice done long since by a Popish Queene to his dammage here is grace shewed lately by a Protestant Queene to his advantage what pretence of quarrell therefore can this afford to R. Moore for Papists against Protestants or for former times against latter The Lord Macqueir himselfe and his family may next take place and we must take knowledge that Sir Conor Ro. Macqueir his Grandfather was divested of the dignity of Macqueir and the County of Termanagh and unable to right himselfe was reinstated by the aide of the English after which also he had not onely the Barony of Maghere staffana but also a yearely pension for life granted out of the Exchequer by King James And not long since Bryan the Sonne of Sir Connor and father of this Lord obtained a Patent from King Charles of the Barony of Eviskillim if these offices be accounted disobligations or provoke the Irish against the English or stirre up Papists against Protestants certainely either the Irish differ from other Nations and Popery differs from other Religions or else the nature of ingratitude must needs be changed from what it was Philip O Rely comes now in view and his Father Captaine Hugh Mac-shane O Rely had from King James a grant and confirmation in fee of a faire estate in Lands lying within the County of Oavan one of the escheated Counties of Vlster Of all the Rebels none scarse ever did pursue the English and the Reformed Religion more perfidiously and desperately then this Philip and his family yet here is to be seene what it cost King James to incense him so deeply against us Sir Phelim O Neale and his brother Torilah may present themselves after the O Relies and these in their minority being left Orphans by Oge O Neal their father were liberally bred up in learning and carefully recommended by our State to the tuition of the Lord Calfield and when they had attained to full yeares their fathers inheritance with some additions was settled upon them Yet 't is conjecturable that for as much as the Province of Vlster did escheat by the severall treasons and attaindors of the Earles Tyrone Tyrconell and others if Tyrone had againe restored himselfe according to the designe of these O Neales the titles and possessions of this Family in Vlster would have been shrewdly shaken or at least their power ecclipsd Neverthelesse the O Neales now for such offences as these butcher a thousand of English and for their first sacrifice slay the yong Lord Calfield their old Guardians son and yet it must passe by the laws of Popery for a very faire equitable and gratefull retaliation Colonell Mac-Mahon and his Family next in order never could complaine of any molestation or disinherison by English plantations but all the Mac-Mahons of Farny and their chiefe had been extirpated by the O Neales if the power of the English had not supported and preserved them Sure such meritorious obligations upon any other then either Irish or Catholicks would have procured some other acknowledgement We may now conclude with Sir Con. Mageniis and his brethren and Sir Arthur his Father and 't is apparant that upon the settlement of Vlster though he was in actuall rebellion with the Earle of Tyrone whose daughter he had married yet he obtained from King Iames a grant and confirmation of the territory of Ireagle in the County of Doune to himselfe and his heires in fee. Had an Indian or Mahometan been so treated we may well expect he would have studied some other requitall then the totall extirpation of those which so treated him or he would have thought something else had appertained to gratitude besides murther and revenge I thus ranke these conspiratours by themselves because their taske was domesticall and most of them were of Vlster and therefore policy required that where the greatest difficulty was most industry was to be used For 't is to be noted that in Munster and in Conaght where the English were thinner planted and lesse fortified there was not that feare of opposition as in Vlster and Lemster where the Scots and English were closer embodied and surer garrisond but especially neare Dublin where the Seate of Justice was and the five adjacent Counties
Pale but he said that for his owne part he was really assured when they had risen out the Pale Gentlemen would not stay long after them at least that they would not oppose them in any thing but be Neuters if in case they did that they had men enough in the Kingdome without them Moreover he said that he had spoke to a great man who then should be nameles that would not faile at the appointed day of rising out to appeare and be seene in the Act but that untill then he was sworne not to reveale him And that was all that was done at that meeting onely that Master Moore should the next Lent following make a journey downe into the North to know what was done there and that he also might informe them what he had done and so on parting Master Philip Rely and I did importune Master Moore for the knowledge of that great man that he spoke of and on long intreaty after binding us to new secrecy not to disclose him untill the day should be appointed he told it was the Lord of Mayo who was very powerfull in command of men in those parts of Conaght where-he lived and that there was no doubt to be made of him no more then was of himselfe and so we parted The next Lent following Master More according to his promise came to Vlster and by reason it was the time of Assizes in severall Counties there he met onely with M. Rely and nothing was then done but all matters put off untill the May following where we or most of us should meet at Dublin it then both being Parliament and Terme time In the mean time there landed in Ireland one Neale O Neale sent by the Earle of Tyrone out of Spaine to speak to those Gentlemen of his name and kindred to let them know that he had treated with Cardinall Richelieu for obtaining succour to come for Irrland and that he prevailed with the Cardinall so that he was to have Armes Munition and Money from him on demand to come for Ireland and that he onely expected a convenient time to come away and to desire them to be in a readinesse and to procure all others whom they could to be so likewise which message did set forward the proceedings very much so that Master More Master Rely my Brother and I meeting the next day in Dublin and the same Messenger being there too it was resolved that he should returne to the Earle into Spaine with their resolution which was that they would rise out 12. or 14. dayes before or after Alhollantide as they should see cause and that he should not faile to be with them by that time there was a report at that time and before that the Earl of Tyrone was killed which was not beleeved by reason of many such reports formarly which was found to be false and so the Messenger departed with directions that if the Earles death were true he should repaire into the Low-countries to Colonell Owen O Neale and acquaint him with his Comission from the Earle whereof it was thought he was not ignorant and to see what he would advise or could do himself therein and returne an answer But present after his departure the certainty of the Earles death was known and on further resolution it was agreed that an expresse Messenger should be sent to the Colonell to make all the resolutions known to him and to returne speedily with his answer and so one Toole Connilly a Priest as I think Parish Priest to Master More was sent away to Colonell O Neale In the interim there came severall Letters and news out of England to Dublin of Proclamations against the Catholiques in England and also that the Army raised in Ireland should be disbanded and conveied into Spaine and presently after severall Colonels and Captaines landed with directions to carry away those men amongst whom Colonell Pluncket Colonell Birne and Captaine Brian O Neale came but did not all come together for Colonell Pluncket landed before my comming out of town and the other two after whereupon a great feare of suppressing Religion was conceived and especially by the Gentlemen of the Pale and it was very common amongst them that it would be very inconvenient to suffer so many men to be conveied out of the Kingdome it being as it was said very confidently reported that the Scottish Army did threaten never to lay down Armes untill an uniformity of Religion were in the three Kingdoms and the Catholique Religion suppressed And thereupon both Houses of Parliament began to oppose their going and the Houses were divided in opinion some would have them go others not but what the definitive conclusion of the Houses was touching that point I cannot tell for by leave from the House of Lords I departed into the Countrey before the Prorogation but before my departure I was informed by John Barnewall a Frier that those Gentlemen of the Pale and some others Members of the House of Commons had severall meetings and consultations how they might make stay of the Souldiers in the Kingdome and likewise Arme them for the defence of the King being then much injured both of England and Scotland as they were informed and to prevent any attempt against Religion for it was said but very secretly that the King did in those times say to Master Nicholas Plunket one of the Irish Committee then in England that if they would stick to him he would sticke to them this I heard I think from the said John Barnewell but in truth I am not sure whether from him or no but certaine I am that he from whom I heard it did confidently report it And presently after I departed into the Countrey and Master O Rely being a Member of the House of Commons stayed till the Prorogation and on his coming into the Countrey sent to me to meet him and I came to his house where he told me that he heard for certaine that the former narration of Barnewall to me for I did acquaint him with it was true and that he heard it from severall there was also Emer Macmahone made privy formerly to all our proceedings at Mr. O Relyes lately come out of the place where he met with the aforenamed John Barnewall who told him as much as he formerly told me and moreover that those Collonells that lately came over did proffer their service and industry in that act and so would raise their men under colour to convey them into Spaine and then seize on the Castle of Dublin and with the Armes there Arme their souldiers and have them ready for any action that should be commanded them but that they â—â—d not concluded any thing because they were not assured how the Gentlemen of the remote parts of the Kingdome and especially of Vlster would stand affected to that act and that assurance of that doubt was all their impediment then we three began to think how we might assure them of the
Phelims Brother Terilaugh O Neale should be sent to them and the Nurie which should be undertaken by Sir Margeriasse and his Brothers for whom Sir Phelim in regard they were his brothers in law his deceased Lady being their Sister did undertake Moreover it was agreed that Sir Phelim Master O Rely Master Coll. Macmahone and my brother should with all speed they could after that day raise all the forces they could and follow us to Dublin both to arme the men and succour us and defend and garrison the Towne and Castle and likewise Master More should appoint Leinster-Gentlemen to send like supply of men All which I was by their appointment to informe Master O Rely I being next him together with what he was to doe for his own part Then there was feare of the Scots conceived that they would presently oppose themselves and that would make the matter more difficult to avoide which danger it was resolved not to meddle with them or any thing belonging to them and to demeane our selves towards them as if they were of us which we thought would pacify them from making any opposition and if the Scots would not accept of that offer of Amity but would oppose us we were in good hope to cause a stirre in Scotland that might divert them from us And I beleeve the ground for that hope was that two yeares before in or about the beginning of the Scots troubles my Lord of Tyrone sent one Terilagh O Neale a Preist out of Spayne and this I take it was the time that he was in Treaty with Cardinall Richelieu to my Lord of Argyle to treat with him for help from my Lord for him to come into Ireland and as was saide for a marriage betweene the saide Earle and my Lord of Argyles daughter or Sister I know not which and this messenger tooke Ireland in his way thither with whom Master Terilagh O Neale Sir Phelims Brother had conference from whom this relation was had That said messenger went into Scotland as I did heare from the said Master Neale or from Emer Macmahone afore named I know not from which of them but what he did there I could never heare by reason that my Lord of Tyrone was presently after killed they were the more confirmed therein hearing that my Lord of Argyle did say neare on the same time as I guesse and when the Army was raised in Ireland as I thinke to a great Lady in Scotland I know not her name but did heare that she was much imbarked in the troubles of that Kingdome then she questioning how they could subsist against the two Kingdomes of England and Ireland that if the King did endeavour to stirre Ireland against them he would kindle such a fire in Ireland as would hardly or never be quenched And moreover we knew my Lord to be powerfull with the Ilanders or Red-shankes in Scotland whom we judged would be prone and ready to such Actions they for the most part being descended out of Ireland and holding the Irish language and manners still and so we parted the next day being Wednesday from Lough Rosse every man about his owne taske and so when I came home I acquainted my brother with all that was done and what they had appointed him to doe and did likewise according as they appointed me send to Master O Rely to let him know as much And the eighteenth of the same moneth I began my journey to Dublin and when I came to Dublin being the day before the appointed day of putting that resolution in execution there I met with Captaine Con O Neale sent out of the Low-Countryes by Colonell O Neale who came after the messenger sent by us formerly to the saide Colonell and was by him dispatched with his Answer to encourage us in our resolution and to speedy performance with assurance of succours which he said would not fail on the Collonells behalfe And for the more certainty of helpe from him and to assure us that the Colonell had good hopes to procure aide from others he said that it was he himself that was imploied from him to Card. Richelieu twice that Summer who gave them very faire promises to answer the Colonells expectation with which he said that the said Colonell and himselfe were really assured of the Cardinalls aide and that he was likewise commanded by the Collonell upon our Resolution of the day to give notice thereof to him and that he would be within foureteene dayes over with us with aide but he the said Con O Neale landing 9. or 10. dayes before and meeting with Captaine Brian O Neale who made him acquainted with what was resolved he did write all the matter to Colonell O Neale so as he was sure of his speedy comming And that Evening he and I came to meete the other Gentlemen and there we met Master Moore Collonell Birne Collonell Plunket Captaine Fox and another Leinster-Gentleman a Captaine I thinke of the Birnes but I am not sure wheiher a Birne or a Toole and Captaine Birgan O Neale and taking an accompt of those that should have beene there it was founde that Sir Phelim O Neale and Master Collo Macmahone did faile of sending their men and Colonell Birne did misse Sir Mergan Cavanagh that had promised him to be there but he said he was sure he would not fail to be that night or the next morning in Town and of the two hundred men that were appointed there were onely eighty present yet notwithstanding they were resolved to goe on in their Resolution and all the difference was at what time of the day they should set on the Castle and after some debate it was resolved in the afternoone and the rather hoping to meete the Councell there then for they saide if they should take the Castle and be inforced by any extreamity for not receiving timely succour out of the Countrey having them they could not want and so parted that night but to meete in the morning to see further what was to be done and immediately thereon I came to my Chamber and about nine of the clock Master Moore and Captaine Fox came to me and told me that all was discovered and that the City was in Armes and the Gates shut up and so departed from me and what became of them or of the rest I know not but think that they escaped yet how or at what time I doe not know because I my selfe was taken that morning After a deliberate reading and rumination of this account given by Macquir I shall desire the Reader to be distinct in these particular considerations First I would have him observe here the principall Agents in this desperate Assassination Secondly I would have notice taken what the end and pretences were which moved and enraged these Agents Thirdly what the opportunities and contingencies were which made that very season pitcht upon for action Fourthly what the stratagems and policies were which attended their enterprize Fiftly To