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
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
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
reputed Merchants that were beyond the Seas and had not born Arms since their Majesties Declaration of February 1689. were included and to have the same benefit if they returned within the space of Eight Months after the Date of the Articles As also were several Officers viz. Colonel Simon Lutterel Captain Rowland White Morice Eustace and others who were gone beyond the Seas upon the account of their Regiments remaining in Ireland upon their returning in the space of Eighth Months and taking the Oath above-mentioned and those comprised and so submitting to the Government to have General Pardons of all Attainders Treasons and other Crimes and Offences against the Government committed since the beginning of the Reign of King Iames the Second And that all things that have happened since the War whereby Troubles Suits or Vexations may arise should be passed over and indempnified to those comprised in the Articles to the Date thereof to be mutual and reciprocal on both sides Every Nobleman and Gentleman comprised is allowed to ride with a Sword and Case of Pistols and to have a Gun for the Defence of his House or for Recreation and that inhabited the City of Lymerick or other Garrisons might depart with their Goods Chattels and Provisions out of it without being searâ—hed or paying any Duties and moreover not to be compelled to leave their Lodgings in six Weeks ensuing the Date of the Articles The Roman Catholicks that submit to take the Oath of Allegiance and no other And if any Person or Persons at any time break any of these Premisses he shall shall not cause any other not concerned in such Breach to forfeit the benefit of them and that such Persons as are included shall have the favour of the Lords Justices and General to use their Endeavours to have them protected from Arrests Execution Debts and Damages for the space of Eight Months That Provision be made to enable Colonel Iohn Brown by restoring so much of his Estate and Effects as were taken away to pay his Debts The Matter to be stated and agreed c. Thus things proceeded of this kind advantageous for the quieting of the Minds of the People and settling in Peace and Tranquility As for the Military Articles the Substance of them were That any Persons willing to leave the Kingdom might pass with their Goods and Families except into England Scotland and for the Officers and Soldiers and those called Rapparees that are minded to go Ships should be prepared to transport them and days and places appointed for those that were willing to go to declare their Minds to that purpose and be reduced under their Officers that are to conduct them And the English and Scotch Officers that serve in Ireland to be included in the Capitulation for the Security of their Estates and Effects in the Three Kingdoms if they are content to remain here or for passing freely into France or any other Country to serve and Land-carriage and Shipping to be furnished for those of all Conditions that are not Prisoners of War that have a mind to be Transported and they to be protected from all Wrongs and Injuries And the Ships that are to Transport them to be furnished with Neccesaries for Horse and Men to be paid for by those Transported upon their safe arrival in France and Hostages were to be left for the safe return of the Ships the danger of the Sea excepted and till their Embarkation Quarters to be assigned them they having Liberty to transport Gratis including those of their Officers Nine hundred Horse and for the Troops remaining behind to dispose of themselves as they thought convenient delivering up their Horse and Arms to such as the Generals should nominate to receive them Horse-Provender for those that were to be Transported to be bought at the King's Rate and all Necessaries to be had without molestation And all those Prisoners of War on both sides that were in the Kingdom of Ireland on the 28th of September to be set at Liberty the General promising his Endeavour for the Release of those likewise in England and Flanders And Medicines and other Necessaries be furnished for the sick and wounded And that Notice of these things upon signing be sent to France and those that are to pass thither not to be stopped upon the account of Debt or any other pretence And that French Ships for Transportation shall freely resort to any Parts and have Passports and upon the arrival of such Ships a free Communication shall be between it and the said Troops more especially for those who have Passes from the Fleet and Monsieur de Tumeron the Intendant in consideration of which the Town of Lymerick was to be put into the Hands of the General or whom he shall appoint viz. the Irish Town except the Magazine and Hospital upon the Day of signing But the English Town with the Island and free Passage to Thomond-Bridge to be in the Hands of the Irish Garrison or those that shall come from Clare Cork Kerry c. till a Conveniency offer to Transport them And that no Disorders might happen between the Garrisons the Irish Troopers were to remain in the English Town and Island until they should Embarque on the Fifty ships that should first go to France and to keep from any Injury on either side under pain of Punishment And when they are to march they may march out together or at sundry times as opportunity of Embarking requires with Arms Baggage Beat of Drum Lighted Match Bullet in Mouth Colours flying Six Brass Guns and Two Mortars with some Ammunition and other Stores and that an Inventory of the Ammunition shall be given to that end the Day after the signing The Magazines and Provisions to remain in the Hands of those appointed for their care for the subsistance of the Irish that are to pass for France and they to be further furnished if occasion required And a Cessation of Arms at Land and Sea to be had in respect to the Ships either English Dutch or French to be used in the Transportation until they are returned to their Harbours and that sufficient Passports shall be on both sides as to Ships and Men and that any violating the Cessation shall be punished and Satisfaction made for the wrong and that Persons should be sent to give the English and French Ships notice of this Cessation of Arms for the time and Hostages be given on both sides And if there happen any Change in the Government or Command of the Army before the Capitulation be fully Executed it shall yet stand in force This being briefly the Heads and Substance of these famous Articles I shall now proceed to what ensued upon so happy a Juncture in which the Nation had so great a Promise of Peace and Tranquility which has since raised its drooping Head from the Dust. About the time of this Agreement News came that divers French Men of War with Transport-Ships were on the Coast and endeavoured
to put into some places though very distant from Lymerick but either not well knowing the Harbours or being fearful as having no certainty of what had happened they continued cruizing being seen sometimes off one place and at other times off another as being doubtful and uncertain of their enterprizing any thing to the end for which they came as perhaps having intelligence that a Squadron of our Men of War under the Command of Sir Ralph Delaval was making towards Ireland to prevent any evil design they might have notwithstanding the Capitulation considering on our part that the French Maxim is much the same with that of the Ottomon Port viz. To consider nothing against their Interest but in the firmest Peace to take all the advantages of open Hostility where any thing offers that may render their Attempts successful But whether they sooner or latter had an account of what had happened at Lymerick and that with the rendering up that important place all their Measures had been broken considering in those Articles the few places of no considerable strength were included we determine not but certainly so it happened they attempted nothing worthy of note on the Coast of that Kingdom but kept out at Sea as well as they could During the cruizing of the French we had at length certain knowledge that they had notice of what had happened viz. that Lymerick had submitted and with it all those Places that yet held out if in the time limited they by Surrendring took the benefit of the Articles agreed on which occasioned a greater Security in them as to the fear of being attacked by our Men of War because in one of the Articles it was agreed that such of the Irish and French as had a mind to leave the Kingdom and go for France might stay to expect a free Passage thither without interruption and then they more boldly appeared upon the Coast of Kerry being discerned from the Hills and Cliffs to be about 25 Sail of Men of War with some Fire-ships and 25 Transport-ships and that it might be taken that their design in coming at first was no other than to carry off â—he French and Irish that were unwilling to â—tay Monsieur D'Vsson the late French Goâ—ernour took his first opportunity to give notice of their being there to Major-General Talâ—ash who had been appointed by the Geneâ—al to Command at Lymerick and upon maâ—ure deliberation it being thought more conâ—enient to suffer such as would transport themselves in French Ships than trust any of â—urs in the Enemies Port on that Account â—t last it was agreed that the Transportâ—â—ips might come into the River Shannon â—ut the Men of War and Fireships to keep â—â—t at Sea and that those Transport-ships should have liberty to take on Board such as would freely imbark In the mean while divers Irish Gentlemen and Persons of Quality who it was by some supposed would have embraced this voluntary Exile considering perhaps how the French had insulted them in their own Country and expecting worse Treatment when they should be more ablosutely under their Jurisdiction resolved not to trust their kindness by leaving their Native Country but rather chose to rely upon the kindness of a Generous Prince whose Word in all things is inviolate and thereupon spontaniously came in and took the Oath of Fidelity to their Majesties Nor were the Rapparees who are accounted the most obstinate of the Irish behind hand in this For divers of their Chiefs considering their Safety depended upon a speedy Submission thought it their best way to lay hold of the Grace offered least such a favourable opportunity might for ever be out of their power and thereupon resolving to lay hold on it laid down their Arms and submitted to Mercy causing many others of their Subalternates to do the like and bring in their Arms insomuch that Roads that a little before lay unfrequented by Travellers for fear of this rapacious sort of People were again frequented and those that had been so terrible to them now proved their Guards in many places to protect them against such as yet held out by which means the face of things seemed wonâ—erfully changed and a Country that a litâ—le before had been so bloody a Scene of War â—ow promised and gave a large prospect of durable Peace attended with Plenty and 〈◊〉 greater Advancement by Trade than eâ—er in consideration of a greater assurance â—f Security given especially to the Proteâ—â—ants by the glorious Success of their Majesties Arms than has been in the formâ—r Reigns Although Sarsfield Sheldon and others â—ho centered their Fortunes and Interest in â—â—e late King who had mainly raised them 〈◊〉 his Favours expected to draw after the â—reater part of the Discplined Soldiers to be â—â—sposed of in the Service of the French King 〈◊〉 also some of the Gentry and Nobility yet â—â—ey missed of their aim Matters being thus brought to a Conclusion 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of Ireland care was taken to 〈◊〉 our Troops into Winter Quarters who 〈◊〉 such extraordinary Enterprizes so 〈◊〉 succeeding each other were somewhat 〈◊〉 and required for the recovery of â—â—â—ir Strength and Health more Refresh 〈◊〉 nt and Ease than the Field could any ways 〈◊〉 them And in this such order and care was taken that none should be endamaged in the Quarters but if any such thing happened by any Oppression or Unruliness of the Officer or Soldiers the Party grieved upon Complaint to those appointed to inspect and regulate these Affairs should have speedy redress That the fears of the Countries about Lymerick might be at an end the French anâ— Irish that resolved for France were furthere by the English by way of Friendly assistancâ— for their Embarkment on such Ships as weâ—â— ordered or allowed to carry them to theâ—â— desired Ports The Lords Justices received an Accouâ—â— on the first of November from Major-General Talmash That the French and Iriâ—â— marched out of the English Town on the firâ—â— of the said Month and part of them embarked on the French Ships that were permitted to enter the River Shannon in order 〈◊〉 transport them The General after the many glorioâ—â— Succeses that Crowned their Majesties Arâ—â— under his Command in so short a timâ— arriving at Dublin was received severâ—â—â— Miles from that City by a great Body 〈◊〉 the Gentry on Horseback and approachiâ—â— through the loud Shouts and Acclamations 〈◊〉 the crouding People was received at 〈◊〉 Gates by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in â—heir Formalities and highly welcomed and â—he Ceremony performed upon the occasion â—â— his coming to that Capital City ended with a general Joy and the highest Marks â—â— Respect to a Person who had been so serâ—iceable to the Kingdom His Majesties Birth-day and the Anniversary of the Powder-Plot were likewise obâ—erved with all imaginable Demonstrations of â—oyalty and Marks of Firmness to the Proâ—eâ—tant Religion Nor were some of the Papists wanting to express their Satisfaction to see the Hero
The True Impartial HlSTORY and WARS OF THE Kingdom of IRELAND DESCRIBING Its Situation Division into Provinces Shires c. It s ancient Inhabitants Manners Customs and the state it was in at its being first Invaded and Conquer'd by the English in the Reign of K. Henry II. WITH THE Several Revolts and Rebellions of the Natives and by what means they have been reâ—uced to Obedience in the Reign of our several Kings and Queens BUT More particularly relating to all the Memorable Skirmâ—shes Battels Sieges and other Extraordinary Transactions since the Grand Revolution under the Reign of their present Majesties K. William and Q. Mary to the Siege and Surrender of Lymerick and that has since happened to Iune 1692. Being a History full of Variety and worthy the perusal of the Ingenious Reader The Second Edition with Additions LONDON Printed for Nicholas Boddington at the Golden Ball in Duck-Lane 1692. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Reader IN this small Book you are presented with a long Prospect of an Opulent Kingdom not only in its Dimension and Description but Historically treated of from the time it was first known to be peopled to this present Year 1691. as well before the English had any knowledge of it or so much as navigated the rough Hibernian Seas as after it allured them to its Conquest in the Reign of Henry II since which time it has been a dependant Kingdom by Right of Conquest and now inseparably annexed to the Imperial Crown of England To shake off which Soveraignty it has often strugled in vain and smarted under the many Wars and Rebellions that have been raised on that Account yet as if infatuated those Warnings have been little available to the Natives as will appear in the Relation we give you of what has happened worthy of Notice in the Reigns of our Kings and Queens since its Subjection but more particular in the Transactions for Three Years past as relating to Councils Policies Skirmishes Sieges and what else materially happened A History so full of variety that we cannot conceive but it will give ample satisfaction beyond what has been published of this kind And so not doubting but upon that score it will find Acceptance and Approbation in the hands of the Impartial and Vnprejudic'd Perusers I make bold to subscribe my self the Candid Reader 's Well wisher and Most humble Servant I.S. THE INTRODUCTION THat Ireland has been very anciently inhabited it appears not only by their own but many other Historians to whom a greater Credit is to be given and tho' the Natives being little given to Navigation its Fame has not much spread into the remoter parts of the World yet for its Situation and Fertility if the provident Care and Frugality of the Irish would but have help'd the Soil in any reasonable degree it might be compared with most Islands in producing things necessary not only for the supplying its Inhabitants but such as could command the most valuable Commodities of Europe yet the People of the ancient Stock not accustoming themselves to Labour but rather to Spoil and War desirous to live idly upon the Product of the Country and Manufacture of the industrious English by such unlawful ways as opportunity has put into their hands have in a great measure neglected their own Patrimonies and suffered them in many places to become of no considerable value as being eaten up by the encroachment of Boggs and over-grown with such Excrements of Nature as hinder Fertility and this mainly out of not altogether so much sloth and neglect as their irreconcilable hatred to those of the Brittish Nation that inhabit amongst them that they should get nothing by their Lands tho' by their friendly Instruction and Conversation they might have been exceedingly bettered in their Fortunes and Manners and such Manufactures of sundry kinds improved as might have redounded not only to their particular Interests but to the Inhansment of the value of the Island among the neighbouring Nations for it not only abounds in Iron but other useful Minerals and many other things that might if well improved set the poorer sort on work and not only put an end to that Poverty that too much pinches the Natives but likewise make their Traffick abroad considerable enough to be taken Notice of and bring them a Trade that in a short time would much contribut to the encrease of a greater Plenty and prove a comfortable Maintenance to some thousands who for several yearts past have been destitute of such a Livelyhood as might render them capable of subsisting and for want of which they have been forced to travel abroad and serve other Nations where they are for the most part treated little better than Slaves as well in War as other Employments many of them if we impartially consider their Merits as to Education Natural Endowments deserving better usage for it must be confessed by all unbiafied Persons that the Irish Gentry are qualified sufficiently at least the greatest number of them for great Undertakings if they would according to what they understand labour to improve their own advantage by putting themselves forward in the World to acquire those Preferments and Undertakings they are capable of and might be very serviceable to the Government but that most of them being Roman Catholicks and so superstitiously zealous in their way that they are absolutely swayed and guided in all their Undertakings by their Priests who labour all that in them lies to keep up their Idolatrous Traditions and themselves in esteem to their great advantage in gathering the Wealth of the Kingdom and as they see their opportunity stir them up to a disesteem of the Government which has been the occasion of much Bloodshed and brought Misery and Desolation upon the Land that at sundry times has made it uneasie for many years and we are not insensible that in the last Revolt which has been a smarting one to the Irish the Priests hurried them especially the meaner sort into a fruitless Rebellion by Threats of Excommunication and all the bugbear Fulminations of the Romish Church Tho' at last it is hoped seeing the Stream of Blood is now so kindly stopped in the Kingdom that the Natives will see their former Errors and stick to their Obedience notwithstanding any Insinuations or under-hand Dealings that may hereafter be inculcated or cladestinely carried on Never had the Irish Nation a better opportunity to lay hold on for settling a lasting happiness to themselves and their Posterities under the Auspicious Reign of a King and Queen who make it their utmost Endeavours and think it their greatest Felicity to do their Subjects good sparing no Charge nor shunning any Hazard or Danger that may conduce to the Settlement of a glorious Peace not only in their own Dominions but in all Europe and restore thereby as far as lies in Human possibility the Golden Age wherein all appeared serene and calm whilst universal Joy spread her downy Wings to shelter the
and the like to every one that at a set day would appear and claim the Benefit of his Pardon before the Justice of Assize and Publick Justice for that purpose being setled in every Country it abated much of the Tyranny their Petty Lords had over them and made the Vulgar sort of them sensible of the Goodness of the English Laws of which before they had purposely been kept in Ignorance Being now for the most part freed from their Servitude and in the King 's immediate Protection so that if their Lords had a mind to Rebel they could not compel their Tenants to Rise as they had formerly done and Ireland being now divided into Shires the Circuits were erected in every Province and the English had their Lands alotted and more particular Colonies established so that Trade began to flourish and several Corporations of the City of London having purchased large Proportions of Land built a strong Town for their Securiâ—y against the Incursions of the Irish that might happen very advantageously situate on the Bank of a River and Lough which made a wonderful Change to all appearance in the face of Things but what can hinder a People from being miserable that will make themselves so as may not improperly say in spight of Providence the chief of the Irish were displeased at these Proceedings finding the English Improvement rendred such Plenty in the Kingdom as made their Land of little value and therefore many of them spightfully let them lye neglected to be over-run with Thistles and Briars cursing their Posterity if ever they had any Communication with the English or so much as Ploughed or Sowed by which their irreconcileable Hatred to us may be measured The ordinary sort of People notwithstanding their Lords Diâ—â—wasions finding they had not their former Power to compel perceiving Advantage to arise by this new Settlement inhabited very friendly with the English and by their Examples began to improve themselves in Industry and seemed averse to be stirred up as formerly upon every slight Occasion to Rebel insomuch that a long Peace ensued and that brought with it extraordinary Plenty but as nothing is certain or permanent upon Earth so in process of Time this golden Cord of Union between the two Nations was violently cut in sunder Troubles arising in the Year 1641. thro' a Mis-understanding and fomented Heats blown by secret Enemies and War being in prospect between England and Scotland several of the Native Irish Chiefs not finding the People prone to hearken to them incited the Popish Priests who by promising them Heaven for Obedience to their Commands and Damnation on the contrary with many other strange Stories and Things pushed them headlong on to one of the blackest Iniquities â—he Sun has for many Ages beheld and was too late discovered to be prevented for it happened that on the 23d of October the Irish headed by a great many of their Nobility and Gentry rose generally in Arms seizing upon divers strong Places Arms Ammunition and all that came to hand vowing the utter Destruction of all the English in Ireland to Extirpate them from the face of the Irish Earth both Root and Branch and this was discovered but one Night before it was to be executed by which Providence however Dublin and some other Places by the Imprisoning the Conspirators and Fortifying them with good Garisons were secured and became a Refuge to the Lives of many so that now one might every where behold Houses flaming the miserable People fly every where for their Lives whilst the Blood of many were mingled with Flames and the Earth made red by the Blood of those that were slaughtered in the Fields and Ways thousands were drowned in Rivers and Lakes till the Stream was glutted with the dead Bodies and they Bridged over the Waters many were ripped up alive and others tortured in a more cruel manner some were turned out into Snows and Frost and starved to death the Priests and Fryers going along with the Murtherers and beating them on to it with their Crucifixes telling them They were Hereticks and no longer to be suffered alive on the Earth and that it was so far from a sin to kill them that it was Meritorious and even Damnation it self to spare them giving the Sacrament to the more scrupulous of Conscience to confirm them in the Bloudy Enterprize so that in a short space before any Succour could come from England they destroyed by sundry barbarous ways 20000 Men Women and Children burnt most of their Houses and Villages killing their Cattel and suffering them to rot upon the Ground rooâ—ing up likewise their newly sprouted Corn as maliciously bent not only to destroy the People but in Hatred and utter Detestation all that appertained to them flattering themselves by the Inducement of old lying Prophesies to shake off the English Yoke and choose them a King from among their Country-men but Fate consented noâ— The King was at the beginning of this fatal Mischief in Ireland upon the Borders of Scotland labouring to compose the Differences recommending the Care of Ireland to his Parliament then sitting at Westminster who promised a speedy Relief and Assistance to the Protestants that were got together in Arms and stood upon their Defence Voting 50000 pound for to raise Forces and the Earl of Ormond was made Lieutenant-General of the Royal Forces in that Kingdom to joyn whom Sir Simon Harcourt was sent out of England with a Regiment So that the poor Remnant of the Protestants getting together made the Irish Papist that was so good at base and unmanly Murthers fly the Face of War But Troubles growing fast on in England by the Misunderstanding between King Charles the First and his Parliament and sprouting up into a miserable Civil War most of the guilty Persons at this time escaped unpunished But the small Force of the Proteâ—â—ants that were left being once united forced the Irish out of their strong Hold and restored the Face of Government yet about eighâ— Years after a Bloody Scene was acted for King Charles the First loosing his Kingdoms with his Life his Eldest Son Charles as his undoubted Right taking upon him the Kingly Dignity though in Exile England being cast as they termed it into a Model of a Free State or Republick the Marquess of Ormond Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland was commissioned to Labour the Securing that Country to the behoof of his Master King Charles the Second and finding no other Means to do it in that Imergency he closed his Interest with the Chief of the leading Irish concluding a Peace in the King's Name with the most considerable of them upon Submission and Obedience to his Majesty there being a Concession of certain Articles on the part of the Marquess to be performed when being joyned by the Marquess of Clanricard and the Lord Inchequeen the Earl of Castlehaven c. Trim and Tredah or Drogheda upon a Defeat they gave the Forces that came from England surrendered
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
having violated the Peace and undeniably begun the War in invading Ireland the King delayed not to denounce the War against them by a Declaration to that purport bearing Date the Seventh of May 1689. and great Preparations were made for passing over to Ireland Forces were Levied in all parts of England and Money prepared for defraying the Charge of the Expedition which was the more facilitated upon the Estates of Scotland submitting their Crown to King William and Queen Mary and taking of them upon their being owned and invested King and Queen of that Kingdom which they did by their Commissioners who waited upon Their Majesties to that purpose in the Banquetting-House at Whitehall And the Viscount of Dundee who had headed the Rebel Highlanders and others in that Kingdom being killed in a fatal Battel near St. Iohnstown things began to go better and the Success of the Scotch Affairs gave way to a more speedy prosecuting those in Ireland where the Inniskilling-men being abroad pierced the Enemies Quarters and got great Booties defeating divers Parties and making themselves terrible to the Enemy Upon News brought that Maccarty was in those Parts with a strong Party plundering and ravaging the Country Lieutenant-Colonel Berry with three Companies of Foot eight Troops of Horse and three of Dragoons marched towards them but upon their approach found they were made stronger than they were reported by another Party that had joyned them and were much superiour to him in number which obliged him before he found himself sufficiently strong to attack them to send to Colonel Woolsey at Inniskilling for a Re-inforcement which he no sooner obtained but he charged them with much bravery killing a considerable Number taking some Prisoners and putting the rest to flight but the Flyers in their way being greatly re-inforced rallied and came to second Encounter which for a time continued bloody and doubtful they by reason of their advantageous Post much galling our Horse with their Cannon but the Defiles or dirty narrow Passages being resolutely passed by our Foot and Dragoons they made themselves Masters of the Cannon which gave our Horse the advantage to charge the Enemies Horse who thereupon deserted the Foot and fled and the Foot after them a great many being killed and some taken Prisoners by which Defeat the Country was freed from great Incumbrances This part of the Enemies Army that had a long time lain heavy upon it being by this means and in this Battel fell of the Enemy by the Sword and those that were drowned in desperately throwing themselves into the Lough to escape the Pursuers about Three thousand There happened likewise divers other Rencounters of lesser note wherein the Protestants for the greatest part gained the advantage Whilst these things were doing the Irish Army with King Iames at the Head of it marched towards London-Derry promising themselves the Terrour of their Arms would oblige it to a Surrender upon their first approach but found they were extreamly mistaken for although Colonel Lundy the Governour and the two Regiments sent from England under the Colonels Cunningham and Richards had withdrawn and slighted it as a place not tenable against an Army of Forty thousand Men with a Train of Artillery and divers Mortars Providence so ordered it became the Bulwark of the sinking Nation and gave the Enemy their first considerable check for divers Troops that were abroad mostly composed of undisciplined Soldiers throwing themselves into it they together with those that were found there were Regimented even the multitude seizing the Keys and undertaking with great alacrity to defend it having chose Mr. George Walker Minister of an adjacent Village their Governour and Major Baker his Co-adjutor or Assitant-Governour during the Siege And now those in Arms in the Town consisted of 117 Companies and every Company contained sixty Men being in all 7020 Common Soldiers and 341 Officers The next thing taken in hand was to view the Stores and ordering their better Security from any Embezling as resolving to defend the place to the last extremity having already rejected the Offers the Enemy made them in case they would readily submit which consisted of much promised Favour and Protection but the hard dealings others had met with who had put themselves into their hands made them deaf to all Proposals and their great Guns being mounted on the Wall they fired upon the Advance-Guard of the Enemy who had been promised to be received with open Arms by Hamilton and others who undertook to bring over the besieged which much consternated King Iames then within the reach of their Cannon and obliged him to remove to a place of more safety However seeing fair Words and Promises could not gain it they resolved to reduce it by force beginning within a day or two after their appearance before it to break Ground and run their Trenches drawing up a Demi-culverine within a Furlong of the Town with which they battered the Market-House and did some damage to other Houses but the Cannon from the Town playing among them did considerable Execution and to hinder their nearer approach the Besieged sallied and beat them out of their Trenches killing about Two hundred Men amongst whom was the French General Mamow and others of Note with little loss on our side and of Note only Lieutenant Mac Phedris was killed The Besiegers finding this way little availed them drew four Demi-Culverine into an Orchard adjoyning to the Town and kept continual Firing which hurt many People in their Houses and made some Impressions in the Walls Nor was the damage left unrequited from the Cannon of the Town which killed them a great many Men and some considerable Officers and a sudden shot took off two Fryars in their Habits as they were exhorting the Besieged to press on the Siege And now to do their Work more effectually they placed two Mortar-pieces and threw in divers Bombs which did some damage to the Houses and People whereupon the Besieged sallied and killed several of the Enemy at Penburn-Hill losing only two of their own and eighteen wounded The same day a Shot from the Town broke and dismounted one of their Pieces on the Battery and killed the Gunner whereupon they drew a Trench a-cross Windmil-hill from the Bog to the River and there raised another Battery lining the Hedge with Dragoons but at the same time the Besieged sallied in a considerable number and dividing one part made them Masters of the Trenches and advantageous Ground killing about two hundred whilst the other Party beat the Dragoons from the Hedges Which reiterated Losses so enraged the Enemy that having Captain Cunningham and Lieutenant Douglass upon some Sallies they after Quarter given put them to the Sword which served to confirm the Besieged in the belief of the Mercy they were to expect if they fell into their hands and made them more obstinate in a resolute Defence and alluring the Governour out under pretence of Treaty they fired a hundred Shot
but being too soon discovered he was obliged to Retreat which he did with the loss but of one Man Spring coming on Lewis the Fourteenth was not altogether unmindful of his Promise but sent Five thousand French with some Cloaths and Ammunition in lieu of which Succours as many Irish were sent to France under the leading of Lieutenant General Maccarty who having been taken Prisoner by the Inniskilling-Men upon the great Overthrow had by this time made his escape for which Colonel Hamilton Governour of Inniskilling where he had been detained Prisoner was questioned but upon Trial producing a Letter from his Superiour Officer for what he had done the matter passed over Colonel Woosley about this time had the Castle of Killesandra delivered to him upon Summons the Garrison being terrified into a compliance upon Notice he was about to spring a Mine under it the Garrison consisting of 160 Men were conducted to Cavan and many other Castles and advantageous Places were frighted at the approach of our Forces or compelled to Surrender and great Plenty abounded in the English Camp by reason those that brought it received Silver Money when on the other side King Iames had caused Brass Money to be coined and an Order to pass it at certain Rates though it was not a Twentieth part of the value yet prohibited it in Payments in his Custom-house and Exchequer and having called a pretended Irish Parliament they anulled the Act of Settlement and all other Acts favourable to the Protestants relating to Matters Civil or Ecclesiastical so that Protestant Bishops and Ministers were out and Popish Bishops and Priests advanced to their Benefices and great Oppressions used on all hands but whilst this was doing Charlemont a strong Fortress of the Enemies that had been all the Winter blocked up finding no Succours of Provision though some of our Men got in over the Morass which hastened the consumption of their Provision beat a Parley and after some debate about Articles they were agreed upon they being in their Orders as followeth That all the Garrison viz. the Governour Officers Soldiers Gunners and all other Inhabitants the Deserters who run from our Camp since the first of September precedent only excepted and all other persons in the said Garrison shall have their Lives secured and march out with their Arms Bag and Baggage Drums beating Colours flying Match lighted and Bullet in Mouth each Officer and Soldier Twelve Charges of Powder with Match and Ball proportionable and their Horses without any molestation in their Persons and Goods now in their possession not belonging to the Stores upon any pretence whatsoever that the said Garrison may march the nearest way to Dundalk and not be compelled to march above 8 or 9 miles a day That all sick and wounded Officers and all other persons that are not able to march at present may remain within the said Garrison till they are able to march and then to have a Pass to go to the next Irish Garrison That none of the Army under his Grace the Duke of Schomberg's Command shall enter the said Fort except such as are appointed by him to take possession till the Garrison be marched clear out of the Gates That there shall be a sufficient Convoy appointed for the said Garrison to conduct it to the place before-mentioned That they shall deliver fully and wholly without any Embezelment or Diminution all the Stores belonging to the said Fort and that an Officer shall be immediately admitted to take an Account of them That the Fort shall be put into the possession of such Forces as his Grace shall think fit at Eight of the Clock on Wednesday the Fourteenth of May 1690. and the Garrison shall march out an hour before the outward Gate shall be delivered to such Forces as the General shall appoint in case a supply of one Months Provision for 800 men be not brought into the Garrison for Relief between the signing of these Articles and the time the place is articled to be delivered up That the above-mentioned Articles shall be inviolably performed on both sides without any Equivocation Mental Reservation or Fraud whatsoever according to the true Intent and Meaning thereof Lastly That all Acts of Hostility shall cease between the said Garrison and Army so soon as Notice can be given on both sides Thus after a long holding out this strong Place was forced into a compliance notwithstanding the Enemy had put such confidence in it that many of those abroad proposed it as a last Refuge if things came to a greater Extremity its Scituation and Strength giving them Incouragement to hope it was Impregnable and indeed it had baffled our Men in some Attempts they made on it and held out so long contrary to expectation however at last we find that was agreed to be Surrendred and accordingly it was Surrendred and the Governour Teague O Regan and the Garrison who had near consumed all their Provision marched out in number 800 they left 17 Pieces of brass Cannon 2 Mortars and a considerable quantity of Ammunition And this Place by Nature and Art being exceeding strong greatly availed to the keeping all that part of the Country in awe And what more exceedingly heartned the Soldiers was the News that the King of England had left Whitehall on the fourth of Iune and was coming for Ireland with a considerable Army great Sums of Money Stores of Ammunition and all things necessary for the vigorous carrying on and expediting the War Nor were they deceived in the Report for on the fourteenth of Iune he landed at Carickfergus and went from thence to Belfast where he was waited on by Duke Schomberg and many of the great Officers and with him came not only some of the Irish Nobility but a great many of that Country who had fled for England to avoid the Danger that threatned from the Papists and great was the Joy of the Protestants for his Arrival and as much on the other hand the Terrour and Consternation of the Papists His Majesty soon after his Landing ordered 200000 1. to be brought on shoar and fifteen Tun of Half-pence and Farthings of the new Tin coin and gave notice to all the Agents of Regiments to bring in their Accompts within three days that they might receive the Moneys due to the Soldiers and care thereupon was taken to clear their Quarters and discharge the Country The King thus landed to the great Joy of all the Protestants every one laboured who should be formost in shewing their humble Gratitude for his Exposing his Royal Person to so many Dangers for their Safety whereupon the Gentlemen of the County of Down c. presented this Address To the King 's most Excellent Majesty Great Sir WE the Sheriffs and Iustices â—f the Peace and Gentlemen of the County of Down and Antrim do most heartily Congratulate your Majesty's safe Arrival into this Kingdom and do humbly offer your Majesty our unfeigned Thanks for the great
hands the order of the March was changed and a Dispatch sent to the Forces at Armagh and Tenargee that they should immediately march by the great Road towards Dundalk But a Detachment of 200 Foot and 50 Dragoons going from the Newry towards Dundalk were incompassed by an Ambush of 500 of the Enemies Horse and though our Men fought desperately yet above 20 of them were killed and wounded and the Enemy lost as many with the Officer that commanded them whose Horses our Men in their Retreat brought away with them On the 31th of Iune the King marched early in the Morning from his Camp at Ardee towards Drogheda and found the Irish Army Encamped along the Boyne above the Town but the Foot not coming up before it was late and with them the Artillery nothing could be done that Night but visiting the Posture of the Enemy and the Fords of the River which appeared very difficult to pass However the King Encamped within shot of the Enemies Cannon which had like to have proved very fatal to these Kingdoms by sending Death so near a precious Life that is so dear to them for as his Majesty was taking a view of their Posture a six pound shot brushed his shoulder and razed the skin making a large though not a deep Wound yet he nothing daunted thereat only caused it to be dressed and mounting again kept on Horseback for several hours after and toward the dusk of the Evening he commanded Count Schomberg with the right Wing of the Horse two Regiments of Dragoons and Trelawney's Brigade to take five Field-Pieces and go early in the Morning to try the Fords some Miles above the Enemies Camp and if he found an Opportunity to pass over and Attack them in the Flank or oblige them to Decamp And almost beyond expectation he passed with good Success beating off 8 Squadrons that stood ready to oppose him and having gained firm ground on the other side the River drew up his Men in Battalia sending to acquaint the King what he had done and to receive his further Orders But the King no sooner received the News and perceived the Enemy were drawing up to Charge the right Wing but he caused an Attack to be made in three places the first before a small Village at a very good Ford at the Second the Foot waded the middle and at the Third the Horse were forced to swim The Dutch Foot-Guards that first passed over sustained the shock of the Enemies shot whilst they were in the Water not firing till they came up close and then pouring in their Bullets Those that were in the Village and behind the Ditches gave way but five of the Enemies Battalions came up to charge them before the Third Battalion of that Regiment had passed the River yet ours maintained their ground and made them retreat in disorder leaving one of their Colours and many dead men upon the place but our men pressing eagerly on and advancing beyond the Village were twice vigorously attacked by the Enemies Horse but received no great Damage whereupon the Danish Forces advanced to the left and the Brigadiers Melionere and Hanmore came on the Right one being attacked by the Dragoons and the other by the Horse but neither did any great matter by reason they had no Pikes And now the thundering of the Guns clashing of Swords and the Cries and Shouts made a confused noise so that the Irish trembled at the Din of War Duke Schomberg having passed the River with a few Forces at what time about thirty Officers and others of the Enemies Life-Guard had desperately charged the King's Battalion and were all killed except Five and those attempting to escape through the Village unhappily met with the Duke who in the Firings that were made received a shot in the Neck doubtful whether from the Enemy or accidentally from his own men whereupon he fell from his Horse and died without speaking in Arms of a French Captain who alighted to relieve him and as he had been trained up in War almost from his Youth so now he ended his days in the Bed of Honour He received in this Action likewise two Cuts over the Forehead but not veâ—y considerable And the famous Mr. Walker who held out the Siege of London-Derry passing the River received a shot in his Belly of which he died soon after much lamented of all that knew his Vertue and Courage The King all this while discharging the part of a great General and a valiant Soldier was every where at hand to give Orders and succour those that stood in need marching with Seventeen Battalions of Foot and the Horse he had about him to inforce those Troops that had engaged the Enemy though they had not much advanced towards the Right Wing which he did with Nine Squadrons of Horse and Twelve Battalions of Foot and so marched them against the Enemy who upon their approach fled without staying to be charged retiring in much disorder but our Horse pressed on to overtake them in such haste that the Foot could not keep pace with them they took with them likewise five small Field-pieces and our Dragoons supported by the Horse charged the Rear of the flying Enemy and killed a great many of them so that for the more speed they threw away their Arms and what else was cumbersome yet finding themselves hard pressed by so small a part of our Army some of the French faced about and made as if they would stand the Charge but the King appearing on the Hills with his Troops they fled faster than before many of them scattering and making their escapes through the Bogs and narrow Passes our Foot pursued them but to Duleek yet our Horse had the chase of them four Miles further till Night came on and then the King sent them Orders to return to the Foot and sent for Tents and Baggage from his Camp at Drogheda that the weary Soldiers might repose themselves that Night The greatest part of the Enemies Baggage fell into the hands of our Army as their Chariots Tents Arms Cannon Ammunition Provision and some Money and what was more remarkable a great many Arms were found laid down in Rank and File those that owned them being run away without so much as staying to Recover them About Three thousand were slain and divers Prisoners of Note taken amongst whom was Lieutenant-General Hamilton who deserted the King the Trust he reposed in him yet he was used very kindly notwithstanding his former ingratitude And upon this Defeat the strong Town of Drogheda surrendred as did many other Places thereabout The late King Iames who had stood at a distance to view the Fight as soon as he perceived his Army in Rout fled with all speed towards Dublin with a very few Attendants where he immediately called a Council and acquainted the Magistrates of the City with the misfortune that had befallen him declaring never to trust himself more at the Head of an Irish
Army who would not stand a single Charge and then told those about him they must shift for themselves as he intended to do but strictly commanded the Papists not to fire the City saying Though he left it he did not quit his Claim to it The French Horse under Monsieur Lauzun having stood the hottest of the Fight against ours were extreamly broken and shattered of between Five and Six thousand there not remaining above Three thousand five hundred King Iames having slept very ill upon his Loss was the next Morning alarmed with the News that King William was on his way to Dublin which put him into such a fear that accompanied with the Duke of Berwick the Marquess of Pâ—wis and some others scarce giving himself time for Refreshment he left the City and hasted to Waterford where a Ship lay ready to receive him and neither slept nor eat till he got out to Sea and stood away for France where it â—eems he received no extraordinary welcome when the great Loss and Expence of Treasures was known The Protestants that were Prisoners in Dubâ—in having News of what had happened got 〈◊〉 liberty and possessing themselves of the Militia Arms secured the City and the Bishop of Limerick and Meath being there got together the Gentry and chief Citizens and formed a Committee to regulate and settle the Affairs which in the hurry and confusion were put much out of frame and order and pursuant thereto they garrisoned the Castle and secured the Stores for the King's use sending to acquaint the King with what had happened and to intreat him to hasten thither and quiet the Tumult and Disorder some unruly People had raised The King upon this Notice immediately sent thither a Troop of Dragoons and the next day the Duke of Ormond and Monsieur Overkirk were sent with Nine Troops of Horse and joyfully received Whereupon the Papists especially such as had been over-active in oppressing the Protestants got away with such things as they could carry either by Land or Water as fearing to be called to account for their Misdoings so that they who had a little before tyrannized over the Protestants found the Scene changed and the Stream turned against them some indeed the Rabble had seized and prevented from Flight but such was the Clemency of the King upon his coming to that City most of them were not only set at liberty but that the Kingdom might be quieted he published his Declaration in these words William R. AS it hath pleased Almighty GOD to bless Our Arms in this Kingdom with a late Victory over Our Enemies at the Boyne and with the Possession of Our Capital City of Dublin and with a General Dispersion of all that did oppose Us We are now in so happy a prospect of our Affairs and of extinguishing the Rebellion of the Kingdom that We hold it reasonable to think of Mercy and to have Compassion upon those whom We judge to have been seduced wherefore we do hereby declare We shall take into Our Royal Protection all Labourers Common Soldiers Country Farmers Plough-men and Cottiers whatsoever As also Citizens Towns-men Trades-men and Artificers who either remain at home or having fled from their Dwellings shall by â—he first Day of August next repair to â—heir usual Places of Abode surrendring what Arms they have to such Iustices of â—he Peace as are or shall be appointed by â—s to Receive them and Register such the â—aid Appearance of such of the said Persons â—s shall come and render themselves to Our Authority For Our Royal Intention is and We do hereby declare That We will not only â—ardon all those poor seduced People as to their Lives and Liberties as shall come in by the time aforesaid from all Violences they have done or committed by the Command of their Leaders during the War but We do also promise to secure them in their Goods their Stocks of Cattel and all their Chattels personal whatsoever Willing and Requiring them to come in and where they were Tenants there to preserve the Harvest of Grass and Corn for the Winter supply But forasmuch as many of them had a Legal Right to the Tenancy of several Lands some holden from Protestants and some held from Popish Proprietors who have been concerned in the Rebellion against Us Our Will and Pleasure is That all those Tenants that do hold from Our good Protestant Subjects do pay their Rents to their respective Landlords and that the Tenants of all those who have been concerned in the present Rebellion against Us do keep their Rents in their hands until they have Notice from the Commissioners of our Revenue unto whom they are to account for the same And We do here strictly forbid all Violence Rapine and Molestation to any who shalâ— thus come in and remain obedient to Us So for those of this or any other Rank oâ— Quality who are already in our Quarters oâ— within Our Power or Obedient to Us Wâ— do hereby Charge and Require that they be not disquiet in any sort without Our particular Command As for the desperate Leaders of the present Rebellion who have violated those Laws by which this Kingdom is united and inseparably annexed to the Imperial Crown of England who have called in the French who have Authorised all Violences and Depredations against the Protestants and who rejected the Gracious Pardon We offered them in Our Proclamation of the 21st of February 1688. As We are now by God's great Favour in a Condition to make them sensible of their Errors so are We resolved to leave them to the Event of War unless by great and manifest Demonstrations We shall be convinced they deserve Our Mercy which We shall never refuse to those that are truly penitent Given at our Royal Camp at Finglass near Dublin the Seventh of Iuly 1690. in the Second Year of our Reign Upon this offer of Pardon a great many of the meaner sort of the Irish laid down their Arms and complied with the Contents of the Declaration some going home to their Habitations and many of those that were destitute of any took the Service and things began to carry a Face of Settlement wonderfully altered from what before it was So that the People who a little before were as it were in Slavery and in danger of their Lives now found themselves at Liberty and utterly freed from those Fears that had so long afflicted them And soon after his Majesty came to that City and heard a Sermon at St. Patrick's Church preached by Dr. King suffering only his Guards and some of his great Officers to enter the City with him and went that day back to his Camp to dinner when he had given the Magistrates such necessary Orders as he thought conducing to the happiness of the place and was Addressed by them and by the Bishops and Clergy wherein they expressed their abundant Joy and Gratitude for his Majesty's having been the Instrument in the Hand of Heaven for
sad Disaster on the Coast for being put on Board the Breda by what means is uncertain her Powder taking fire she blew up and most of those who were on Board were desteoyed the rest of the Fleet returned in Safety The Irish that yet kept the Field were not above 10000 yet they promised themselves great Recruits against the Spring In the mean while the Protestants conceived great Joy at this Success and in a grateful Acknowledgment to his Majesty who had been so signally instrumental in the Hand of Heaven for their Deliverance his Birth-day being the Fourth of November Old stile was observed in the reduced Places in an extraordinary manner but especially at Dublin where the Militia consisting of 2500 Foot and two Troops of Horse and as many of Dragoons were drawn out and gave several Vollies and in the Evening there was very fine Fireworks before the Lords Justices House on Colledge-Green and by their Order Claret was distributed to the People who drank their Majesty's Healths with all the Expressions of Duty and Loyalty and most of the Nobility and Gentry in and about the City were invited by the Lords Justices to a splendid Entertainment and Banquet the Day concluding with ringing of Bells and the Night with Bonefires and Illuminations as also other Publick Demonstrations of Joy and Triumph The Fifth of November being the Anniversary of the Popish Powder-Plot the Lords Justices attended by the Nobility Judges and other Persons of Quality in the Town with the King and Herauld at Arms and the Ensigns of Honour carried before them went to St. Patrick's Church and after their Return the Lords Justices gave the Nobility and Gentry another splendid Entertainment their Majesties Titles being at the second Course proclaimed in Latin French and English by the King at Arms the great Guns in the Castle continually thundring the general Joy in their roaring Language And that the Common People might not be wanting in sharing of their Bounty a whole Ox and an Hogshead of strong Bear was dealt out amongst them and at Night the general Joy was concluded with Bonefires and other Demonstrations of Publick Satisfaction The Soldiers being now mostly in their Winter-Quarters that they might have good usage and the Inhabitants of those Towns where they were quartered at the same time receive no damage the Lords Justices thought it neccessary to give their Orders concerning those Matters and accordingly issued out their Proclamation for regulating the Quarters of the Army and ascertaining the Rates to be allowed for the Soldiers Diet the Prizes of Provisions and the manner how the Inhabitants that trusted them should be paid for what they delivered out to them The Rapparies having already been fairly warned to desist from their Ravages and Burnings in the Countries under Obedience they notwithstanding enterprizing the like Captain Archer upon Notice that a Party of them were abroad marched against them with about Twenty of the Militia but upon his approach finding them much stronger than he had been informed after a hot dispute he found himself obliged to retire with the loss of four of his Men however not giving it over he immediately raised more of the Militia and the next Morning by break of day fell upon them a second time with better success for having put them to rout he killed about Twelve of them and took Twenty Prisoners enriching his Men with such Booty as those People had scraped together in those Countries where they had been for a considerable time doing much mischief And now the Lords Justices and Councel having reason to suspect that several dangerous Persons coming to the City of Dublin as Spies from the Enemies Quarters and upon other wicked Designs were sheltered in that City by Papists Natives who kept Taverns and other Publick Houses and there frequently met to continue as much as in them lay the Subversion of Their Majesties Government and the Ruin of their good Subjects of the Kingdom of Ireland thought fit to put out their Proclamation to prohibit and forbid all Papists Natives of the Kingdom to sell any Wine Beer Ale or other Liquors by Retail after the 25th of Decemb. 1690. upon pain of being proceeded against as Retailers of Wine and other Liquors without License By this time one Mac Finnan having got together about Four hundred Men being a mixture of the Irish Army and Rapporees marched towards Castle-town to surprize thirty Dragoons commanded by a Lieutenant detached thither from their Quarters at Iniskeen and although they had all the advantage they could wish yet the Lieutenant and his Men behaved themselves so bravely that they killed Ten of their Enemies but having spent their Ammunition and five of their own Party being killed they found themselves constrained to Surrender and had Quarter given them yet the Lieutenant his Serjeant and several of his Men were put to the Sword in cold blood however the Alarm reaching Iniskeen Major Culleford who commanded there Advanced with another detached Party and falling upon them in the height of their Success put them to the rout killing about 12 on the place took 5 Prisoners without the loss of a Man on our side Nor were the Commanders his Majesty had intrusted less watchful on all parts for Major-General Tettau marching from Cork to Killcreagh and on his way being joyned by others so that he made up a Body of 2200 Men he entred the County of Kerry where the Enemies Troops retired before him and coming into a Fortification at Scrovolard he attacked it and in two hours took it with little difficulty when advancing along the edge of the Mountains and sustaining the Rapparees fire without receiving any considerable damage they discovered towards Brewster field some of the Enemies Scouts whereupon 70 of our Dragoons and Horse having the Vanguard came up with a Party of 160 of the Enemies Horse who not enduring the Fire of our Men upon the first Charge retreated and falling by degrees into confusion at last came to plain running though there were several Irish Nobility and some considerable Officers amongst them yet such as our Men had not yet attacked put by this time the Country round about in a flame and our Forces not being far from Killarny hasted thither with all the speed they could to save that place and notwithstanding the Enemy upon their approach left it yet about twenty Cabbins were burnt by two Troopers that stayed behind for that purpose who as a Reward of their Undertaking were killed by our Men and Brewster's Forge saved and put divers of the Enemies Parties then abroad to the rout clearing the Country in a manner on that side whilst the Irish only bore up the little Courage they had left relying much upon the further Aid they expected from France However though the Season was far advanced our Men gave it not over as yet but for the better securing Winter-Quarters and preventing the Country from Plunder they took in several Castles as
there thâ— Rapparees upon his Return fired out of thâ— Wood which he immediately causing to be surrounded so ferreted them about that 30 oâ— them together with Casheen their Ring-Leadeâ— or Captain were killed And 250 Foot and 20 Horse commanded by Lieutenant-Coloneâ— Hodson marching from Mountmelick he posted them at Kilkapog by break of day where thâ— Foot entred the Woods and Bogs and thâ— Horse securing the skirts they hunted out and killed about 18 of the Enemy that lay lurking there to surprize such as passed that way anâ— indeed these sort of Enemies were more dangerous and cruel where they mastered thaâ— the Regular Troops but so cowardly withaâ— that they would not stand a Charge if theâ— perceived the Match was but any thing neaâ— equal an Instance of which may be observeâ— in this viz. A Party of Colonel Brewer's Men being upon their March towards Kiâ—negad a great Body of Rapparees lay in Ambush yet durst noâ— come out for fear of being worsted though ouâ— Men were much inferiour to them in number but let them pass when so it happened thougâ— very unfortunately that a Serjeant and 4 Soldiers of this Party lagged behind a considerable way upon these the Rapparees seized and though on their knees they begged for Quarter yet they murthered them and not satisfied with their Deaths they bored out their Eyes and mangled their dead Bodies but the next day three of the Murtherers were taken and brought to Mullingar where one of them accused the other two of the Fact they were upon such Conviction immediately hanged up â—nd Captain Poyn soon after falling upon the whole Knot of them with a Party of 110 Men of the Garrison of Mullingar put to the rout and dispersed throughout the Country killing â—etween 40 and 50 of them And now since â—e have had occasion to speak so much of these Rapparees in the Series of this History some â—ay be inquisitive to know what manner of â—eople they are To which I answer They are a sort of Vagabonds and Thieves â—ot caring to Work or take any Employment â—pon them a mixture of Irish with other Naâ—ions who herding together take all opportuâ—ities where they are strongest to plunder â—urn and murther their hands being against â—ll and the hands of all against them to deâ—troy as Beasts of Prey They rejoyce at Wars â—od Troubles because then they have liberty â—hey think to do what they please Their Dwelâ—ings for the most part are Cabins or moveable Houses and their skulking places Bogs Woods â—nd Mountains They are not held as Soldiâ—rs nor included in the Articles of War but lie at the mercy of those that take them without their being obliged to give them any Quarter though they crave it Their Apparel unless they rig themselves by Plunder is so misserable that they go in a manner naked Yet these hopeful Sticks the Commanders of the Irish Army encourage and put Weapons into many of their hands to harress and destroy the Countries under their Majesties Obedience Yet they have been so often met with upon their Incursions that about 4000 of them have come short home since this War begun And furthermore to encourage the People to be vigilant and to discourage such Rakeshameâ— the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland puâ— forth a Proclamation in these words or to thiâ— effect THat to prevent the Robberies wilfâ—â— Burnings of Buildings Corn and Hayâ—â— Murthers and Insurrection with which thâ— parts of the Kingdom under their Majestieâ— Obedience was threatned by the Rebels anâ— their Adherents during the time their Majesties Army should be upon their march tâ— the Frontiers or in the Quarters then poâ—sessed by the Rebels they have thought it nâ—cessary and do thereby publish and declare That the Popish Irish Inhabitants of the râ—spective Baronies under their Majesties Obâ—dience where any Rebels commonly callâ—â— Rapparees shall commit any such Robberies Burnings or Murthers or where any such Insurrection shall happen if they do not immediately give Notice of such Rapparees and Insurrections respectively to the Iustice of Peace or chief Officer of the Militia next to their Habitations and assist him in the taking and destroying them and in the suppression of Insurrections that then they where such Fact shall be committed neglecting their Duties shall be deemed Confederates with the said Rebels and Enemies of their Majesties Government And by Order to be given by the Lords Iustices as occasion shall require shall be proceeded against with the utmost severity of Military Execution And they do further Order That no protectted Irish Papist shall be abroad out of his or their Dwelling-place of Abode after the hours of Nine at Night or before the hours of Four in the Morning under the Pain and Penalty of being put out of their Majesties Protection And if after the Thirtieth of May 1691. any Arms or Ammunition shall be found upon the persons or in the possession of any such Irish Papists he or they shall be looked upon as Rebels and punished accordingly And as they intend severely to punish all such as shall offend in the particulars above-mentioned so they do assure all those Irish Papists who live under their Majesties protection that they behaving themselves as becomes good Subjects shall have the benefit thereof These Proceedings made many of the Papists stir to prevent the mischief who before stood laughing in their sleeves at the Damages their Protestant Neighbours sustained though to curry favour in a dissembling manner they often shewed them a fair Countenance and seemed to pity their Losses And Major O Neal and some others came over from the Enemy and took the advantage of their Majesties Protection But whilst these things were transacting one Mark Baggot apparelling himself in Womens Clothes made it his business to spy into our Quarters and the manner of Affairs but his too much inquisitiveness discovering him he was seized and being sentenced by a Court Marshal he was executed at Dublin on the 20th of May. The Season thus far in a forwardness gave a favourable Invitation to the Army for their taking the field when a Party of the Irish Army consisting of 150 Men thinking to be early at it and do some notable Exploit to be talked on came to Castle-Lions and took thence a few of the poor peoples Cows but Colonel Donep with about 20 Danes and a like number of the Militia Dragoons pursued over-taking them at Ballyderdawn where a Lieutenant with 8 Danes and 6 Dragoons beat off 60 of them who had lined the Hedges in which Action the Lieutenant was killed but the Colonel coming up with his Party and being reinforced with 50 fresh Men he still pursued them killing about 50 of them of which 2 were Commission Officers took 40 Horses and his Men got indifferent store of Plunder This was followed with other Successes of the like nature nor could any great Actions be expected by reason the Armies were not as yet in the field our staying for the
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