SInce we have manifestly found by woful experience, That the Princely favours, and tender proceedings of His late Majesty towards the Irish, proved altogether ineffectual to contain them within the bounds of Loyalty and Duty, but still they suffer themselves to be led blindfold into fatal Re­bellions, by the pernitious Counsels of their Priests, the World may easily believe (by their proceedings in the last Rebellion) that their designs are always on foot, and tending to no less than the utter subversion of the English Government in Ireland, and esta­blishing the Power in the hands of their own Natives and Religion. For confirmation hereof, we need not look back so far as the Testi­mony of that Franciscan Fryar, one of their Council, who de­clared, That the Session of Parliament held at Dublin, being Pro­rogued in Aug. 1641, and the time drawing nigh for putting their designs of surprizing Dublin-Castle, and all other places in possessi­on of the English, into execution, there was a grand consult, or meeting of the Romish-Clergy, and principal Lay-men of their Faction, appointed to be at the Abbey of Multifarvan in the Coun­ty of Westmeath, where amongst other matters there debated, the Question was, what course should be taken with the English, and all others that were found in the whole Kingdom to be Protestants; and by their subsequent Practises it appear'd, that no less than a general Massacre was resolved on: Though the poor Fryar had no other Reward or Recompence for the Discovery, save only a Con­finement: In which restraint he continued, till the Romish party getting the upper hand, found him in the Prison, and there most cruelly Murder'd him.

It would be too tedious (and unnecessary, seeing they are so notoriously known) to give an account of the several contrivan­ces [Page 2] of the Popish Clergy of Ireland, ever since the Conquest of that Kingdom, to shake off the English Government; and the horrid and barbarous cruelties they have practised in order there­unto: Therefore I will confine my self to such particulars as have happened since His Majesties Restauration, taking notice only, That their Ignorance produces so blind a superstition towards the Popish Religion, that they will most willingly venture their lives (all that their many Rebellions have left them, and those per­haps too much too, unless they make better use of them) to fur­ther any thing, which they are made believe tends to the Honour of Holy Church: As on the other side, their malice to the Eng­lish (who are possest of their Estates) is so great, that they would be content to be in worse bondage to a Foraigner, so they might but gratifie their revenge so far, as to have the English equal sufferers with them. Though they apprehend no danger of that, taking themselves to be already such slaves, that they fancy their condition cannot be worse by changing their Masters (espe­cially for a Prince of their own Faith) witness their late agree­ment with Spain, and their present one with France, which these Papers set forth.

No man that has any insight into the affairs of Ireland, can be ignorant, that the Romish Clergy of that Kingdom have publick­ly and privately the enjoyment and exercise of their Religion ac­cording to the manner of the Church of Rome, more freely since His Majesties happy Restauration, than in several years before, by the very great indulgence of the late Governors. They have their Titular Primates, Archbishops, Bishops, Vicars General, Provincial Consistories, Deans, Abbots, Priors, &c. who all live freely, though somewhat covertly amongst them, without controul, exercising Jurisdiction over the people. They have also their Priests, Jesuits and Fryars, who are of late years exceeding­ly multiplied, and in great numbers returned out of Spain, Italy, France, and other Foragin parts (where the Children of the Na­tives of Ireland, that are devoted to that way, are usually sent to receive their education) much to the damage and disadvantage of the Protestants in that Kingdome; and no less to the Papists them­selves, if they would but have the patience to consider what mi­series they have endured by the means of Ignorant Popish Priests, who value no Religion so much, as the want of their Impropria­tions, Glebes and Monasteries. But that which causes the greatest admiration in me, is, that Noble-men, private Gentlemen, and others that are Roman Catholicks, and enjoy great part of their Estates, if not all, should be thus infatuated and misled by such a parcel of designing Hypocrites, to act contrary, not only to their Allegiance, but their Honour and Interest too; forgetting the Calamities, by their means and wicked industry, brought up­on [Page 3] that Kingdom of Ireland, to the utter ruine and destruction not only of many Thousand English Families, but of many of their own Nation and Relations, who were ignorant of their horrid designs; yet did upon the same account perish, and in some sort suffer'd more than the Conspirators themselves.

Within few years after His Majesties happy Restauration, one John Mullowny a mean man by birth, but now Titular Bishop of Killalow, and several others of the Popish Clergy and Gentry of that Kingdom, united in a Conspiracy against His Majesties Go­vernment in Ireland: For the said Bishop Mullowny having, whilst he was in France, received in Paris the sum of One hundred thou­sand Lieures to promote a Rebellion in Ireland, did engage the ensuing persons to carry on the said design (to wit) Collonel Miles Riley, Collonel Cullen, Collonel Byrne, Collonel Mortagh O Bryan, and Collonel Dudley Costellow, the last of whom fail'd not to perform his part thereof, as presently I shall relate: But first, for its progress, the Reader must note, That after the last Act of Settlement in Ireland, the Popish Clergy being void of all hopes of His Majesties favours, or any Toleration establish'd by Law, imployed several Emissaries into all parts of Ireland, to give notice to all persons, whose desperate fortunes (occasion'd by their own or their Ancestors Rebellion) or any hardships which they appre­hended they endured had made discontented, of the said designs, and to prepare and engage them therein, and used endeavours to make all the interest in Garisons and strong holds throughout the Kingdom that possibly they could: And where they had no inter­est, appointed some of their confederacy to be in readiness to surprise such places and holds. These Emissaries were going about for a year and an half before this commotion began; and then the said Collonel Costellow being forward to perform his part thereof, before the rest were fully ready, and before he received his part of the Money of Mullowny, rashly engaged himself; For making a party in Connaught, he fell upon, and was sufficiently revenged upon the Lord Dillons Tenants and Estates in that County, upon some former grudge he had against him. And afterwards he made his interest about Longford, and engaged in it a Gentleman of that Countrey, whose name I shall omit, he being then in the English Army; yet by the insinuation of the Popish Clergy, was trickt into the said Rebellion, by which the people of Longford were then Murdered, and the whole Town Fired; and in the Action the said Gentleman was shot dead, and his Head brought to Dublin and set on the Gate; and Costellow himself suffered upon the same account, but not at the same time. Collonel Mortagh O Brian was kill'd by one Reerden, who was formerly a Lieutenant in his own Regiment. Collonel Byrne was some years after in Restraint in Dublin, and which way he escaped is best known to those that were accessary [Page 4] to it: and what became of the rest I cannot tell, but the Conspi­racy was very formidable, and had it gone on till full ripe, would have had very dire effects. In the Relation of which I have been thus brief, because my self was not engaged in it, and so cannot of my own knowledg say positively how far the contrivance in particulars was carryed on; but I can give a sufficient account how I came to know what I have here set down, when ever I shall be required.

And shall now address my self to speak of those things which fell within my particular cognizance, and which I can affirm upon knowledg. As follows,

IN March 1673, or thereabout, several Officers out of France Landed in Ireland, under the pretence of raising Recruits for Collonel Hamilton, then in the French Service, to wit, Captain Daniel Macnamarra, Captain John Lacy, Captain Con Oneale, one Macmahan, and Lieutenant Hurley, and several others; many of the said Officers being my former acquaintance (before they were imployed in the French Service) upon their coming into Ireland, I met several of them, and entring into communication with them (having formerly heard a general Rumour of the French designing upon Ireland, and considering that the said persons being imployed, for some years before, in the French Service, might be capable to give some particular account thereof) I enquired of Lacy, whether there was any probability of the French's invading Ireland, or any such matter intended? He answered, That if the Dutch were once subdued, he did not question but the French would establish the Roman Catholick Religion in all the Northern parts of Europe; and (as far as he could understand by Marshal Turene who was then his General) that we should have the same Laws established in Ireland that are in France; and when the French had compleated what they had in hand, that we should suddenly after see a great altera­tion both in Church and State: The said Lacy then uttering more words then I shall mention here. He likewise gave me an account of the Number of Irish that they had then Training up in France, and that our welfare in Ireland did much rely on the success of their Forces in France; and that he did admire that any persons of Quality, that did understand the design of that War, should stand so much in their own light as to slip so good an opportunity, and so just a Cause, being altogether to destroy Hereticks, and to abo­lish their Laws; and that he did not question, with the Assistance of the French, but that it would be accomplished notwithstanding all oppositions; and that such persons of Irish extraction as did not engage themselves in the said Wars, would not in the future be esteemed, especially such persons of quality as had no charge of [Page 5] Families. That he did admire why they did not consider their own present Condition, and the occasion of their last Ruine; say­ing, That it was rather for want of Conduct than Courage; and that he did not doubt (if they were not wanting to themselves) that their loss in the former Wars, would be retrieved in the next, if they did prove true to their superiors (meaning thereby the Titu­lar Popish Bishops of the several Diocesses in Ireland) who were able, not only to instruct them, but also to forward and enable them in the said Design; and that he was confident that the French had that interest that would not receive such a repulse as the Spa­niards did in King sale; alleadging, that the fault was rather to be imputed to the Irish than to the Spaniards; That the Articles be­twixt Philip Osullevan on the behalf of the Irish were not duly per­formed with the Spaniard; and if the Irish had been in Arms to unite themselves with the said Spaniard, according to the said Con­tract, they might have been ever since possessed of their Estates and Liberty of Religion. I made answer, that the Irish, had been per­swaded into so many Engagements and Rebellions, that the name of an Irish man was become ridiculous and scandalous. The name of an Irish man (said he) is only rediculous to such as enjoy their Estates; and it is rather for their poverty, than for any other rea­son that we are contemptible, and therefore it will concern us to remedy that fault by regaining all our Estates.

After this Discourse was over, I told the said Lacy, that I had a desire to Travel into France, and inquired of him, whether there was any probability that I might procure a Commission under Count Hamilton? Who said, there was; and that Captain Anthony Hamil­ton would be suddenly in the County of Limerick; and as soon as he had notice thereof, he would give me an account whether the said Hamilton had any Blank Commission left undisposed; but soon after, upon information to the Lord Deputies of Ireland, there were special Orders to secure the Officers, and stop the men, which barred their Voyage that time.

A little time after I met Captain Neal, This Captain O Neale, is Son to Ewen Row O Neale, who was Ge­neral to the Irish in 41. and understood by him, that Count Hamilton's Regiment was divided, and in factions, one party for Hamilton, and the other for Dungan, which gave me but little encouragement to proceed; and acquainting the said Neal, that I did resolve to Travel into France, the said Neale said, that he did prevail with a great many young Gentlemen to venture their Fortunes abroad; and that he did believe, if they did generally know in Ʋlster how the Game was playing for them, that there would be hardly any left in the whole County, but would all una­nimously go for France; but added, that he did conceive it would be of dangerous consequence to him to declare what his knowledge was of the affairs abroad, and how likely they were to [Page 6] have good success in their undertakings, if they did prove obedi­ent to such as were intrusted to give them timely notice; and that it was for want of good and prudent management, Viz. Costellows the last design, so long in agitation, was discovered.

These Officers being crossed in their Voyage (and their men dis­persed) went back into France again, from whence, about a year after, the said Lieutenant Hurly returned into Ireland, and resided in New-Castle or thereabouts for half a year or upwards, where it was credibly reported, that he did train up several Gentlemen, by teaching them to Exercise Pike and Musket: And it was generally affirm'd then amongst the Papists, that in several parts of Ireland the like method was used, in order to being in readiness, to receive Commands from such as were appointed for the carrying on the said Conspiracy in the Kingdom of Ireland.

About the year 1675, Captain John Lacy came out of France into Ireland, giving an account of the affairs abroad to Bishop Mullowny and the rest of the Popish Clergy in that Country, giving them full assurance, The Romish Religion in Ireland esta­blished. that all was working on for the better, charge­ing and commanding them to be very urgent with the people, and to omit no opportunity, and that they should suddenly see their Religion better setled in Ireland than ever before, and that they would be rid of that yoke of Heresie which they had so long suf­fered under; and that now the minute was nigh at hand, on which their Fortune depended, or their utter Destruction. These words he did utter in the presence of several of the Clergy, as I have been told by the said Mullowny and others; and the said Lacy de­clared the same in effect in my company.

About the said year, News came fresh into Ireland, That the King of England was very ill; and the report sometime after was strong, that His Majesty was dead; some affirming, that if he was not, that it was impossible for him ever to recover, which gave great incouragement to their design The King fell ill, which gave much encourage­ment to the said design.: At which time there flocked great multitudes out of France into Ireland, giving notice, That they would be in Arms, and such as had none, should use their endeavours to procure some, and that the time was come on which they would execute their designs. But His Majesty (by God's Mercy) recovering from the said Distemper, gave them much dis­couragement for that time, instead of their former hope His Majesty being well recovered from his sick­ness, gave much discou­ragement to the party.s; inso­much, That those desperate persons returned into England (as we in Ireland supposed) and continued there some time before the Parliament assembled, and then returned into Ireland with no less hopes of good success than formerly; declaring to the people there, that there was great industy used, in preparing a Bone to throw between both Houses of Parliament, which gave the Malecontents [Page 7] there, The Officers gone out of Ireland. hopes, that by means thereof they would bring their horrid designs, long in agitation, to effect; That is to say, to abolish the Laws established, and the Protestant Religion, and upon the Ru­ines thereof, to erect Popery, and establish Arbitrary Government: Again re­turned with new hopes. But coming short of their wicked expectations, they returned into France.

About the year 1676, I saw Doctor Creagh, otherwise called the Titular Bishop of Cork, Bishop Creagh came out of France and Rome. who (as I was told by one Doctor Stretch) was newly come from France and Rome; afterwards, in Limerick, happening to be in the company of the aforesaid Bishop Mullowny (who was my former acquaintance, and knew that I was privy to several passages and intrigues of this kind) he told me, that they had received further intelligence concerning the said affairs, by Bi­shop Creagh, and several others of the Popish Clergy, who were lately arrived in Ireland, and that they had instructions to pro­ceed, and authority from his Holiness the Pope, for to quit and discharge the Roman Catholicks of Ireland from their Allegiance to the King of England, saying, That the King of England had no Right to Ireland, but what he had from the Pope; and that the King being an Heretick, the same right returned to the Pope again; and said, the French were not then in a condition to perform what was formerly agreed upon; Bishop Mullowny This is the same Mullow­ny that fo­mented the former Rebel­lion.saying, That the Ar­ticles, in order to the carrying on of the said design, were in the hands of the Titular Arch-Bishop of Tuam, and did not question but every point therein mentioned should be faithfully performed; adding, that there were those in England appointed for to supply His Majesties Wants, One Lynch. and keep off Parliaments until this were ac­complished.

It was a general rumour throughout Ireland, amongst the Popish Clergy and Gentry for several years before, especially 1675 and 1676, That his Royal Highness, in 1677 ensuing, at the furthest, should be King. As soon as I had this intelligence from the said Mullowny and others, I acquainted John Piggott Esq;, a Justice of the Peace, Acquainted John Piggott Esq; with the said particu­lars. with that in particular in the aforesaid years; who being examin­ed before the Lord Lieutenant and Council, in November 1679, did not only acknowledg the same, but gave it in his Examinations under his Hand and Seal; and so far I refer my self to the said Ex­aminations, which are now in the custody of Sir John Davis Se­cretary of State in the Kingdom of Ireland. How this and a French design, and the Plot discovered against His Majesties Life here in England doth agree, I will not take upon me to determine, but refer the inferences to the Judicious Reader.

On or about the 2d of November 1677; Collonel Pierce Lacy invited me to go with him to Limerick, he being then to treat [Page 8] about the said design with the Lord Brittas, Mr. John Macnamar­ra of Crattellagh, and several others who were engaged in carrying on the same, as I have been told by the said Lacy, Bishop Mullow­ny, and many more of the Popish party.

About January 1677, The Lord Brittas, Captain Thomas Bourk, and several others with them, came into the Barony of Conollue in the County of Limerick, where they had several private Consul­tations, one whereof was at the House of one John Hicks Inn­keeper in Rathkeal in the said County of Limirick, there being at the said meeting, in number Twenty, or more, who were ac­customed to meet at Night Twenty or more in num­ber met at John Hickes in Rathkeale Innkeeper.; but some English Gentlemen coming suddenly there, Gibius and Palmes. barred them of treating of the particulars at that time: Therefore they agreed to have another meeting at the same place the week following, and another at New Castle in the said County, where they met accordingly, but the particulars they then concluded upon, I know not.

On or about the Fourteenth of February, in the same year, I met Mr. Eustace White upon the Commons of Chrough Burgess in the County of Limerick, who told me, that he had Two Letters to the Lord Brittas, one from Sir John Fitz Gerald, the other from Mr. Hurly, or Mr. Poore; I enquired of the said White, what did Sir John's Letter import? The said White answered, That they did understand the Lord Brittas had received his Commission, and that Sir John Fitz Gerald did expect to be his Lieutenant Collonel, White owned the same. and that the said White did expect a Captains Command under the said Lord Brittas. Sir John Fitz Gerald being examined before the Lord Lieutenant and Council, in November 1679, did own to have sent such a Letter by the said White, at the same time, to the Lord Brittas.

Many of the Irish which are well to live, Many who were not at the last Rebel­lion at the least concern­ed, suffered more than the Actors. and restored to part of their Estates, if not all, were very much discontented at those pro­ceedings, who though they knew not the particulars, had a general notion of the Evil coming upon them, and did fear that their In­nocency might smart for the Nocency of others; several of Ireland, who were not only innocent in themselves, but harboured and pro­tected several English Families, having smarted for the Rebellion of others, in a manner more than those that have been Actors in the said Rebellion, as by woful experience I can justifie and maintain.

The English likewise in those last years, The English had Forty-one in their me­mory. having Forty-one fresh in their memories, were much dismayed to see and hear of those great multitudes meeting both publickly and privately; and mis­trusting that there was some evil or mischief intended them, com­manded that strict Watches be duly kept through the Country.

[Page 9] In the years 1676 and 1677, several Emissaries went to and fro, giving intelligence of foraign affairs, and how managed abroad; likewise several Letters were come down to the Country with feign­ed names to them, one whereof I had in my hand, and perused it, it was directed to Capt. Edwards, and subscribed by Capt. Jones, both feigned names, which said Letters were writ at their grand Cabals in Dublin, The Gran Cabals in Dublin. or thereabouts, as I did understand by Coll. Lacy and several others; and that which I did read, he said was come from one Dr. Cusack near Dublin, whom I have never seen nor known; the substance thereof I delivered to Sir John Davis Se­cretary of State: These were the methods that were used in the said years, for the better managing the said design.

On or about May 1678, an Agent being then appointed to go in­to France, by name Dr. Hetherman, the Emissaries of the Jesuits, and the rest of the Clergy in those parts that were the principal men, consulted together, and pitched upon Coll. Lacy to be a fit person to go to Dublin to confer with Coll. Richard Talbot, Coll. Lacy to Dublin in May 78. and others there, and to bring what advice and instructions they had there, to the said Agent that was bound for France, as soon as the said Lacy returned from Dublin; Coll. Lacy being short of Money, borrowed 60 l. of Simon Eaton Esq;, under the pretence of dis­charging Rent and Arrears to Sir William Talbot Agent to his Royal Highness in that Kingdom: The said Lacy, after the receipt of the said Money, went to Dublin as aforesaid, and was away until Au­gust following, Returned in August fol­lowing. then returned to his own House, being there but Three days or thereabouts, when the Popish Clergy of that Dio­cess assembled together at the House of Dr. James Streitch in Rakeal, Priest, Bp. Dowly, Father Creagh, Dr. White, &c. assembled. To wit, James Dowly Titular Bishop of Limerick, Dr. Hetherman Vicar General of that Diocess, Dr. Creagh, Dr. White, Father Fox and several others, they and Coll. Lacy being together, for a good while before I came there, I do not know what the par­ticulars of the said instructions given by the said Lacy to the said Hetherman were, but being intimately acquainted with all the Com­pany except Hetherman (that being my first acquaintance with him) who conversed altogether in French or in Latin, several circum­stances in general terms were treated of upon the former subject; after Dinner was over, Coll. Lacy and my self walked abroad in the Street for an hour at least, and he told me how forward they were in managing and carrying on the said design, and that Dr. Hetherman (who was then Agent bound for France as aforesaid) was as fit a person to manage the affairs in France and Rome as any in that Kingdom; the said Lacy saying, that it was proper for me to renew my acquaintance with the said Hetherman. After we return­ed into the House of the said Streitch, and several discourses being treated in general terms about the said Design, the said Hetherman and I walked abroad in the Garden of the said Streitch; the said He­therman was very earnest to learn of me what force or strength I [Page 10] conceived the Protestants to be in that County; A Roll in Pa­per, with the number of Papists and Protestants. I made answer, that I never enquired into the particulars. He told me I was to blame for it; whereupon he produces me a Roll in the nature of a Pan­nel, but in Paper, where he shewed me each Parish in particular, and the number of the Protestants and Papists in that County; the Papists by the return of the said Hetherman, had in number amount­ed to Fifteen for each Protestant in the said County, and that he had the like return from the County of Cork, County of Clare, County of Kerry, &c. not mentioning the numbers of the said Counties then to me. I asked him then, how came he to have such an exact return of the Protestants and the Papists? He said it was not difficult to him, prescribing the ensuing methods used in those affairs; saying, that every Parish-Priest had always an exact Catalogue of Protestants and Papists in their Parishes, and return­ed the same twice a year to the Bishops, and likewise said, that he had a List of the Nobility that were ingaged in managing the said Design, but did not shew me the same; and did say, that he did trust in God that the Natives of Ireland would not be long Sub­jects to Heretical Government; and for his part, that he would use all the industry and interest he had to effect the said Design; and that he did conjecture, that the County of Kerry might be the most convenient Landing-place for an Army in Ireland, it being a re­mote County, and convenient, having but few there to oppose them, being far from any assistance; that he did not doubt, if the persons ingag'd in carrying on the said design did perform their un­dertaking, that before the English Forces in Ireland had full notice of the Army landed, there would be but few left to give opposition; and pitching upon the Month of November following to be the time appointed for their Landing, A Design to surprise Li­merick, and many other strong holds in Ireland to be delivered up to the French. said, that some were desirous to have the said Army Land in the North of Ireland, but that (upon con­sideration of the English and Scotch there, and their strength and numbers in that Country) at the general Consultation of the Popish Clergy about Dublin, it was agreed to begin in the Province of Munster, and to secure all the Forts and strong-holds there, and that there were persons ingaged in the said Design, that could, with­out much danger, deliver up several Forts and Cities in the said Kingdom; and in such Cities and Forts where they had not interest in the Officers within the said Cities, that they had persons ap­pointed throughout the Kingdom to surprize all such strong-holds and Cities aforesaid, saying, that if the said Design had miscarried, considering what great assistance and friends they had both at home and abroad, that the Irish should never expect but to live in mise­ry, reflecting upon the miscarriages in all former designs, blaming the undertakers, Much reflexi­on upon the management of all former Designs. saying, that if the Irish did unanimously unite and rise in Arms when Coll. Dudley Castellow first began the Insur­rection in Connought, that they would by that time have Ireland freed from Heresie; and now, that they had no other way then to [Page 11] Rise all in a night, and to proceed in a general Massacre throughout the said Kingdom, and to kill Man, Woman and Child, and not to leave a Protestant living in the Kingdom of Ireland. The said He­therman in three days after the said meeting, went away for France; before the said Hetherman parted, I acquainted Sir Thomas South­well with all the particulars, and desired that he would secure He­therman and all his Papers, and likewise told him who the Officers were that were appointed to carry on the design; but he did no­thing therein, but often promised that he would send to acquaint the Earl of Orory with the Proceedings, but did not (as far as ever I could understand) and sent to Collonel Lacy, and the rest, to ac­quaint them of such matters as I had imparted to him about the said Design, as hereafter shall appear more at large.

On or about Novemb. 1678, the French were expected to Land beyond Tarbutt, in the River of Shanan, in the County of Kerry, in the said Kingdom; the persons concerned to perform their parts of the Design in that Countrey, did often Consult together in those days ( viz.) the Lord Baron of Brittas, Collonel Pierce Lacy, and several others having continual Intelligence, that the time was draw­ing nigh, the day being appointed on which the said Design was to be effected, notice being thereof throughout the Kingdom, as far as I could learn; the time for Landing being the 20th of Novemb. 1678, They were a­fraid that the French would not answer their expe­ctation at the same time ap­pointed. as aforesaid, and to surprize Limerick the 23d; some were for surprizing thereof some days before the French had Landed; others opposed it, thinking that if the French did not come at the time appointed, that it were of dangerous consequence for them to hazard themselves in the undertaking, and so concluded to make no noise or insurrection, till they had the assistance assured unto them: But the said Lord Brittas, Collonel Lacy Macnamarra, and several others made it their business for several years before to be free and familiar with the Officers of Limerick, by treating and en­tertaining them, in hopes thereby that their Design might be the easier carried on, sitting up early and late with the said Officers, in Taverns, Inns, and all such-like places, that at last they brought them to that familiarity and acquaintance, Names of the Officers that dyed, and those that went about naked. that they might go out or come into the Gates at all hours of the night that they pleased; and wrought so far upon the said Officers, that by excess of Drink­ing, three of the said Officers of Limerick dyed. I could say more of this, but I think this is sufficient.

The said Lord Brittas Macnamarra, Capt. Feine, Cap Ashburn­ham, Lieute­nant Damnell, and many more. and the rest of that party run themselves deeply in Debt in treating the said English Officers; and that as far as I could then understand, it was a Custom at that time, used in most Garisons of Ireland.

The persons concerned in the said Conspiracy (as the Lord Brit­tas, and others) gave out, that they were to have Commissions sometimes to Raise men for Holland, and other times for Tangier, that by the Rumours thereof, the less notice might be taken of their [Page 12] publick meetings and Treaties, and to avoid all suspicion whilst they were managing the aformentioned Contrivance. The Eng­lish in those parts all this while imagining what the matter should be, were in bodily fear, seeing so many great meetings as aforesaid, and likewise some of the Irish who were abroad, and knew the Laws of France, and the rigour of Arbitrary Government, being now possessed of some of their Estates, if not all, were in much fear that the Popish Clergy of Ireland, by their contrivance, would bring destruction upon the Innocent as well as the Nocent, the like having happened often before in Ireland.

In March 1678, or thereabouts, Sir John Fitz Gerald visiting some Friends in the County of Limerick, amongst the rest went to Coll. Pierce Lacy, who told Sir John, that he was highly obliged to Sir Thomas Southwell, saying, that the said Sir Thomas did send him word by Mr. John Hurly, that I should tell and acquaint the said Sir Thomas, that Coll. Lacy, one Easmond, and others, were in­gaged in the Conspiracy then on foot in Ireland; Sir John Fitz Ge­rald did ask Coll. Lacy whether he did see me since he received that Message? Coll. Lacy replying that he did very often, but ne­ver did tax me with it, desired the said Sir Johu to say nothing of it at present; whereupon the said Sir John denied to stay to drink with the said Lacy (as Sir John told me) and Rode straight to the House of John Hicks Innkeeper in Rakeal, whither he sent for me, spoke these ensuing words after we met, in the presence of Mr. Maurice Fitz Gerald, Capt. William Fitz Gerald, and John Hicks the Innkeeper; Cousin, when will you take as much care of me as I have done for you within this two hours? Then I asked Sir John, if it were any private business of importance, to walk in the next Room; he answered, that he would not, and where there was one, he wished there were Twenty, Sir John Fitz Gerald re­flecting upon Sir Thomas Southwell. and that it was a business not to be smothered, repeating the said message sent from Sir Thomas South­well, by Mr. Hurly, to Coll. Lacy, and that if I did tell Sir Thomas Southwell such a thing as Coll. Lacy said (meaning the discovery of the Plot in Ireland to the said Sir Thomas Southwell) that he was no better than a Traytor to his Country in betraying me; and that if I did not repeat the same to the said Sir Thomas Southwell, that he was a Rascal for abusing me; and then asked when I saw Mr. Hurly, Mr. Mackmechiny, Mr. John Burk, Capt. Purdon, or Coll. Lacy? I told him lately. Then says he, did none of your Friends and good Relations acquaint you with this business before? I told him, not. Then says he, look to your self, and take it from me, as a special Caveat, Sir John's Ca­veat to me for the future. that for the future you avoid all their Companies; for I do assure you, that they have an eye upon you, which for ought I know, may cost you your life, except you have a special care of your person; saying, that as soon as he heard it, he could not rest until he had given me a full account thereof.

The Lord Brittas being examined before the Lord Lieutenant [Page 13] and Council in November 1679, under what pretences he did give out, that he was to have a Regiment of Horse? or under whose Command? or from whom was he to have his Commission? He an­swered, that it was by the Earl of Orory's interest (who was new­ly dead) who promised to procure him a Commission to raise a Regiment for the Service of Holland, but could not prove that he had spoke with the Earl of Orory in several years before, nor could produce the Messenger that brought him that Message, nor a Line under the Earl of Orory's hand.

Coll. Lacy being also examined, Examined be­fore the Lord Lieutenant and Council. owned to be at several Consul­tations aforesaid, and that at the same time after his return from Dublin, to be at the meeting in Rakeal, where the Popish Clergy of that Diocess Assembled together, and did confess, that Dr. He­therman was appointed Agent for France; and that at that time, from thence, he went away for France; but said, he did not know what about.

Mr. Eustace White examined, Examined. whether he received a Letter from Sir John Fitz Gerald, to carry to the Lord Brittas, in February 1677, or thereabouts? owned that he did.

Mr. John Piggott being examined, Examined. whether I told him the parti­culars afore-mentioned, in the year 1675, 1676, 1677 and 1678, who owned some of the particulars, and all the other part in ge­neral terms, as by his Depositions doth appear.

John Gilbert Clerk, being brought up to Dublin, to prove the meetings in Night-time in Rakeal and other parts of the Country for several years before, did own their private meetings, both of Clergy and Laity, and did conceive it to be of dangerous conse­quence to the English, as by his Depositions doth appear.

John Hicks the Innkeeper, in whose House the designs upon that County were for the most part contrived and discoursed of, Hicks Exa­mined and proved a Rogue, and did not de­clare what he knew, as shall hereafter ap­pear. did not own much thereof; But it will be proved by Three persons of Quality, who are not yet brought to give their Evidence, that Hicks told them in the year 1677, that he was sure, and did un­derstand no less by the Company that frequented his House, that there would be a sudden alteration, and several other particulars to that purpose, which I am confident he would declare otherwise than he did, had he not been disswaded from it.

Sir John Fitz Gerald being examined before the Lord Lieutenant and Council in Dublin, in November 1679, whether Coll. Lacy told him that Sir Thomas Southwell did send him such a Message by Mr. Hurly, or whether Sir John did acquaint me with the particulars aforesaid, in the year 1678, the said Sir John did acknowledg the same, as by his Examinations given before the Lord Lieutenant and Council will appear.

On or about the 26th of March in the year 1679, I went to the House of the said Sir Thomas Southwell, to charge him with sending the said message to the said Lacy, by the said Hurly; but not meet­ing [Page 14] him, met with his Son-in-Law, Mr. Piggot, and discoursed the business with him, and acquainted him what Sir John Fitz-Gerald told me. Whereupon the said Piggot was very angry with Sir Thomas Southwell, and was very much concerned for me, consi­dering the danger I was in; The said Mr. Piggot would have me stay until Sir Thomas got out of bed, which I refused to do. Then the said Piggot promised me that he would give me an account of what Sir Thomas his Answer should be to him that afternoon; the said Piggot seeming to be much concerned both for Sir Thomas and me, in regard that he had Married Sir Thomas's Daughter, and his Sister had been my former Wife. In the afternoon the said Piggot, and one Patrick Pepperd came with him to my house, and brought me a Certificate from the said Sir Thomas Southwell, in manner following.

I Set down this Certificate here, to shew that Sir Thomas Southwell's Allegation before the Lord Lieutenant and Council in Novemb. 1679, Observations upon Sir Tho. Southwells De­nial of the knowledg of the Conspi­racy before Aug.—79. wherein he says, that it was upon the account of a Dispute between him and my self the 26th of August 1679, that I made use of his Name, is false and scandalous: But to avoid all such suspicions and false allegations, I thought it convenient to mention the prece­dent particulars, and the said Certificate; and I desire only such people that be apt to give their Censures of me according to their Inclinations, or such as are desirous to know the truth of the whole matter, Now Reader observe March 78, 79. & Aug. 79. and the said Sir Tho. Deinal. that they would consider the time that Sir John Fitz-Gerald first acquainted me with the Message from Sir Thomas Southwell to Col. Lacy, being in March 1678, the date of the said Certificate, viz. the 26th of March 1679, and the 26th of August subsequent to the said Certificate in the said year, is the first time that Sir Thomas alledges he and I had any discourse concerning a Conspiracy in Ire­land; and let any one but Sir Thomas judg, whether what he pre­tends to cover so great a mis-behaviour (not to call it worse) be probable.

The next day after I had received the said Certificate, as afore­said, from Mr. Piggot; Sir Thomas Southwell sent one of his Servants to invite me to Dinner that day; The Servant that came to invite me, was John Herbert. and being in company with him, af­ter Dinner, he prayed me to go to Col. Lacy, and to tell him that I did not acquaint Sir Thomas with any such matters as were formerly discoursed of; and for the better satisfaction of the said Lacy, to shew him Sir Thomas his Certificate. I asked Sir Thomas what he meant by [Page 15] the said Certificate? He answered, That it may be a means to prevent me from receiving any mischief from the said persons. Whereupon considering the Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, The Names of those that were by when I spoke to Col. Lacy, and shewed him the said Cer­tificate, was James Dowley. Titular Bishop of Limerick, Mr. Pierce La­cy, and the La­dy Comin. and the nature of the people that I had to deal withall, and the dangerous conse­quences that might upon that occasion happen, I complied with the said Sir Thomas, and rode strait to Col. Lacy's, and did no less there, than what the said Sir Thomas directed me to do, which I conceived with my self was requisite for me to do, if I had not had his advice. Then after I parted with the said Lacy, I returned back again to the said Sir Thomas, and met him at the house of James Estreitch, Inn­keeper in Rakeal, where he and I tarried until two of the Clock at night; then he promised me faithfully to acquaint the Duke of Or­mond, or the Earl of Orory with the Design against the Government. Then I told the said Sir Thomas Southwell, No safety for me after he betrayed me to the Conspi­rators, but to appear open­ly.— that seeing they brought my name upon the Stage; That if the said Sir Thomas did not forth­with propose some way to bring the business to light, that I would ride to Dublin and declare the whole matter before the Lord Lieute­nant and Council, and that I had no way to avoid being guilty of Mis­prision of Treason, but to justifie that I have from time to time ac­quainted the said Sir Thomas with the aforementioned particulars, and general Design of the Conspirators against the present Government; And told the said Sir Thomas, Requested Sir Thomas to make a fair end. that it would be convenient for him, Mr. Piggot, and me, to meet, and to find out some way for to discharge and clear our selves from the knowledge of the said Conspiracy, lay­ing the Dangers before them, and telling him what danger I was in my self by his means; and had I not conceived my self in much danger, in regard the said Sir Thomas did me that private injury, I do declare before God Almighty, that I would never have appeared upon the Stage in the nature of an Informer, yet would have kept in with them, and destroyed all their wicked designs privately; and they should ne­ver have known nor suspected who should be the instrument thereof; for I would be content to be a preserver of peace and quietness, and yet not glory in the Action; and I take very little pleasure in being called the Kings Evidence; If it be gain and honour to others, it's loss, and the greatest dis­honour to me that ever I had, and ne­ver knew what trouble was before, but now am experienced. besides, my having formerly considered, and being very sensible what affronts and abuses do always attend such persons, whose ill fortune it is to be concerned in such affairs, (the truth thereof I have since found by several lamentable expe­riences, and great inconveniences which I have met withall, as here­after shall appear, and be fully proved by such as are of Honour and Quality) are not certainly prevailing Motives to encourage any one to undertake the Imployment purely out of love to it.

And to shew how dangerous a thing it is to render my King and Countrey, that faithful Service of Discovering a Horrd Conspi­racy against the Life, Crown and Dignity of the one; and Liberty of the other, I shall now proceed to acquaint the World with [Page 16] the Usages that I have received upon the account of coming to be concerned in giving my Testimony in the aforementioned mat­ters of Treason. The many in­conveniencies that I met withall upon the account.

In May 1679, or thereabouts, I went to the said Sir Thomas South­well, and sat with him a whole afternoon; who told me, that he did send private intelligence of the particulars to the Earl of Orory, which afterwards proved quite contrary, as hereafter doth ap­pear.

In July following, having intelligence that his Grace the Duke of Ormond was to be in Thomas Town in August following; I told the said Sir Thomas Southwell, that I thought it convenient for me to wait upon his Grace, and give him an account of the Designs in Agitation against the Government, and that I must make use of the said Sir Thomas Southwell's name therein. Then the said Sir Thomas told me, That if I did mention any thing of him, that he would have an Action of 10000 l. against me; I told him I would try that, and so both discontentedly parted.

In August following, being fully satisfied that his Grace the Duke of Ormond was come to Captain Mathews, in the County of Tippe­rary, it being less than 30 miles distance from my house thither; The 26th of August aforesaid, I went again to the said Sir Thomas Southwell, and told him, that I was resolved next morning to set forth for Thomas-Town to wait upon the Duke, who I understood was to be there. Then he was earnest with me to pass all by, and say no more thereof; He finding that I would not comply, he pretended that I owed 5 l. for a parcel of Land, containing forty Acres, which he held by Lease from Brook-Bridges, Esq; now here in London; which said Land lying convenient to my concerns, I bought a Te­nants interest therein, and possessed my self thereof, and told him that I did not understand any Debt that was owing from me to him. But if he could justly claim any, he should be immediately paid, and told him that 5 l. would not break squares betwixt him and me: but he swore he would have an Action of 10000 l. against me; and so parted. And whilest I was upon my Examinations afterwards in Dublin, to avoid all manner of suspicions, and false pretensions of Debt or Debts to be due from me to any person or persons whatso­ever; I declared that I had renounced all manner of Protections that may be granted to preserve me from my Creditors, and left my self open to the Law. Thus far I refer my self to his Grace the Lord Duke of Ormond, the Right Honourable Arthur, Lord Viscount Gra­nard, Henry Lord Bishop of Meath, and the rest of the Lords of that Honourable Privy-Council.

[Page 17] Now to return to give a further account of what happened with me after I parted with Sir Thomas Southwel: The 26 of August 1679. As aforesaid, I returned home to my house; and that very night about twelve of the Clock a great multitude of People assembled together about my house, In number 62, Whose names ensue.

• These are they who broke my House about 12 a clock at night.
  John Barratt.
• Thomas Fisher.
• Thomas Fisher, Junior.
• Garrett Lao.
• John Pounsey.
• Edmond Newland.
• Morrice Ornane.
• Tobias Barrett.
• John Magynane.
• James Herbert.
• Maurice Herbert.
• Humphry Farrell.
• Nicholas Halpin.
• Francis Halpin.
• James Farrell.
• Daved Lewis.
• John Lewis.
• Robert Poore.
• Charles Cullanon.
• Henry Gibbens.
• James Stretch.
• Nicholas Stretch.
• James Mc' Teigue O Coner.
• Morough Madagane.
• Patrick Mc' Cooke.
• Samuel Parker.
• Chill O Coner.
• John Wall.
• John Bluet.
• Edmund O Daniel.
• Teige Shaughinssy.
• Michaell Noane.
• Donough Mc' T [...]ige.
• James Bren.
• John Creagh.
• Richard Nash.
• Charles Harrison.
• Gerald Simkin.
• John Spicer.
• James Mc' Nichas.
• Francis Taylor.
• John James.
• Maurice Rauleigh.
• Garret Rauleigh.
• Hugh the Butcher.
• John Mc' Teigh.
• John Murfey.
• John Mortimer.
• Daniel Cavanaugh.
• John. Mc' Teigh.
• Maurice Lewy.
• Michaell Honahan.
• Mortough Shea.
• Teigh Mulkerin, &c.
• Others to the number above men­tioned.

All the said persons were well armed, some with Swords naked, some with Axes, Sledges, Pikes and Spades, and such like Armes, they broke down my Gate and the Door of my Dwelling house all to peeces, and I had no other way to keep them off, then by throwing Chairs Tables and such Rubbish in their way to barr them from coming up Stairs; They all Unanimously crying out Kill the Rebel and Knock him in the head before he goes any further, or brings Sir Thomas Southwel and the Gentlemen to trouble: Those words they spoke in the hearing of twenty sufficient People, who have already proved it, though to little purpose, they being Countenanced and Favoured by Judge Reynolds, rather then brought to Condigne Punishment; At last with much ado and with the [Page 18] assistance of one Philip Glissane a Gunsmith who came with some work to my house that night, Slipped down by one Philip Glis­sain out if a Window some two stories high for to save my life about 1 a clock at night. the said Glissane going up to a Garret where he was in bed; brought me down a peace of Irish Frize, and got one end thereof bound under both my armes, and twisted the other end about the Frame of a Table, and pulled down a Pane of the Glass, and slipt me down out of the Window some two stories high, and by that meanes I made my escape.

As soon as I got out at Liberty, I sent several of my Servants and Tenants &c. Mr. Aylmers assistance to me to secure the said persons. Into several parts about me, and went my self to Mr. Aylmer, a Justice of the Peace, who did not only com­mand the Constables, but several others to be aiding and assisting to suppress and apprehend the said persons; so that after I return­ed from Mr. Aylmer, being a mile and a half distance betwixt his house and mine, in two hours time I got together about thirty men and apprehended ten of them within my house, and twenty about it, the rest made their escape, and two other persons that we apprehended made their escape likewise, and those that were in Custody were brought before Mr. Aylmer; after examinations taken the said Mr. Aylmer Writ a Mittimus to have the said Per­sons committed to Limerick Goal: In the interim two of Sir Thomas Southwels Servants rode with all speed after the said per­sons, The said Per­sons discharged by Sir Thomas Southwels Supersedeas. and produced Sir Thomas Southwels Supersedeas under his hand and Seal, and on sight thereof the Constables, who had the said People in Custody, dismissed them from being Prisoners, and so returned home again.

Mr. Aylmer, Sir Thomas Southwels re­quest to the Sheriff. and I continued together in an Inn all this while, and about an hour and a halfes time or more after the said People were discharged, the high Sheriff of the County of Limerick's man came to me in the presence of Mr. Aylmer, and told me that the Sheriff would speak with me, I rode straight to the Sheriffs, being two miles distance from that place, Apprehended upon an execu­tion being bound for a relati [...]n of mine when he and I met, he told me that he was sorry that he could not avoid apprehending me upon an execution granted the Assizes before, I being bound for one David Fitz-Gerald a near relation of mine, to the Com­missioners of His Majesties Revenue, he being Receivour of part of the said Revenue in the County of Limerick, and not discharge­ing his Accounts I was sued upon the Bond as aforesaid, but saies the Sheriff, A Letter from Sir Thomas Southwel, Mr. Fitz Gerald I pray you not to be dissatisfied with me, and though I appear against you, it is not my action, then produced me a Letter from Sir Thomas Southwel to him, the Con­tents thereof importing that the said Sir Thomas Southwel did understand that the said Sheriff had an execurion in his hands a­gainst me upon the account aforesaid, and that I was then at the house of Mr. Aylmer, and that if the Sheriff did not immediately execute his Office on me, that the said Sir Thomas would send to the Commissioners to acquaint them thereof, and that the Sheriff himself should become liable for the payment of the said Debt, if [Page 19] the Sheriff did not performe what Sir Thomas requested as a­foresaid. That night I lay at the Sheriffs, and instead of close im­prisonment, I had my Liberty, and had one of the best Lodgings in the house, and very good entertainment, and next day discharged my self thereof, being a Sunday, and staying at Captain Odells, who was then Sheriff, till after Sermon and Dinner, in the mean while comes one Henry Gibbins Servant to the said Sir Thomas Southwel, The second let­ter from Sir Thomas Southwel. and coming up to the Room, delivers a Letter from Sir Thomas Southwel to the said Sheriff, after he perused the said Letter, he gets up from the Table, and calls me into a Drawing Room, and shewed me the said Letter, which imported, the said Sir Thomas requesting the Sheriff for to keep me in Custody until he had Clapt an action of 100 [...]0. l. against me for mak­ing use of his name in the Conspiracy. The Sheriff returned his answer that he knew his Office better then to do Illegal things, and that he was sorry that Sir Thomas Southwel should stand so much in his own light as to propose it.

That night I returned home to my own House, and was come no sooner thither than I had notice that Sir Thomas Southwel sent Messengers to and fro to all the Popish Gentry thereabouts, and that the said Sir Thomas, John Piggot, John Purdon, John Bourke and several others were all the day before, until ten of the Clock at night contriveing together which way they might prevent my informing against them, or take away my life, their skill a little time after I found out by experience, some of their own Com­pany sending me a full account of their proceedings from time to time, they haveing at last concluded to charge me with high Trea­son (but God be praised they could not Impeach me of a meaner Crime,) at the last there was an Instrument procured, who as I have been told received five pound in money, a weather-beaten Perriwig, and a cast suite of Cloathes, and that the said Instrument by name Walter Huet a Glasier should give his Information before Simon Eyton and John Piggot Esquires, and before no others, one being my Father-in-Law, and the other being my Brother-in-law, think-that they would for my sake Compound and Patch up the busi­ness and stifle the Evidence of the said Huet, or Thwart me in the Prosecution of the Conspiracy aforesaid, but finding nothing done in it that night, next morning having some occasions to speak with the high Sheriff, I had ordered one of my own Ser­vants to meet me with Fresh Horses in the Road at a place called Bruree, in order to go that night straite to the Duke of Ormond at Thomas Town, and went then to the Sheriff, and after I had done with him, rid away, and met my Servant at the place appointed, who told me that most of the Gentlemen of that part of the County were in Rakeal, Nameing Collonel Eyton, Sir John Fitz-Gerald, Major Fitz Gerald, Mr. Piggot, and at least twenty more, and that it was reported that I Fled upon the the accompt of High [Page 20] Treason sworne against me by Walter Huet, and that I was gone to the Duke of Ormonds, in hopes to discharge my self thereof, and impeach them: Taking the thing Immediately into consider­ation I did conceive my self in danger and returned back to the Sheriff again, who did very well approve of my returne; then I took Pen and Ink and writ some part of depositions, and desi­red him to send an express to the Duke of Ormond that night, which was done, and I went my self to this meeting in Rakeal, in the Road I met Sir John Fitz Gerald Galloping towards me at a high rate and Sir Thomas Southwels man, besides his own Servants with him; he told me that he was very glad to meet me and that I saved him that Journy, and that he had no other business but to follow me to the Duke of Ormond at the request of Sir Thomas Southwel and several others, and told me that there was high Trea­son sworn against me by Walter Huet, before Simon Eyton and John Piggot Esquires: I told him I did not value what any man in the Kingdome could swear, or say against me, Sir John saying then, that it was the desire of Sir Thomas Southwel and the rest, that I should Omit proceeding any further in the said designe, and that they would prevail with Walter Huet to desist his pro­secuting me; I told him that I never did exceed the Limits of the Law, and did understand the liberty of a Subject, and as long as I kept my self within the bounds thereof, that I did not value any malicious contrivance or prosecution; then the said Sir John re­turned into Town along with me, and I being fully satisfied by what Sir John told me, Profered Major Fitz Gerald Mr. John Hur­ly securities. and that the said Magistrates had received an Information against me of Treason, I went to them where they were in the presence of Sir John Fitz-Gerald, Major Fitz-Gerald, Mr. John Hurly, Mr. White and several others, gave one of the said Magistrates my Sword, to another my Pistols, and submitted my self to the Law, and asked them whether I was baileable. Whereupon they said I was not, then the Information was repeated over by the said Huet in these words.

Then I spoke to the Two Magistrates in this manner. Gentle­men you see what Walter Huet swears against me, as well as you have been pleased to examine him the particulars of what he had Sworn against me, I shall desire that you will reexamine him to shew reasons why he did not declare this since March, 1677, be­fore this time being August, 1679, They knowing that I seldome or never missed one Assizes or Sessions in Limerick for several years before. The said Huet being commanded to shew his reasons why he did not prosecute me sooner, said that he did conceive that I was a Resolute Gentleman, and that he was afraid that I should runn him through or Pistol him; then I desired that he may be questioned why he did not being once at the Assizes at Limerick and seeing me there at the Bench, he said then that he thought I had too many Friends there, and that he did suppose they would not take notice of him; then I desired to know what Motives induced him now more than at any time past to come before them Two Ma­gistrates which he knew to be the nearest Friends that I had, then said he I give no more reasons then I have, and so parted.

That night I had liberty of the Magistrates to go home to my own house without any Guards, next day I returned to them, and desired that they should send their Warrant with me to Limerick, and had a Guard to attend me thither of thirty horse, the Assizes being just comeing on three daies after, at which I expected my Trial: after I got into Limerick and was received by the Mar­shal, there all persons in the Counties of Limerick and Clare, ad­miring what my Crimes should be, I had several of the best of them come to me there, to know what the occasion should be.

In the mean while the Sheriff, having sent part of my Depositi­ons to his Grace the Duke of Ormond, as I formerly mentioned by express, his Grace upon perusal thereof sent Special Orders to the said Sheriff, that he should on sight thereof come along with me to Clonmel, where his Grace was then, the Judges being then upon the Circuit, the said Sheriff haveing received the said Order, at the bounds of that County, where he was to receive the Judges, all comeing together to Limerick on Saturday night, the said Sheriff as soon as he came thither, came to me to the Mar­shal sea, and shewed me the said Order, which was very welcome to me, because it would set me at Liberty (never haveing been a minute in any restraint before those three nights).

Then the said Sheriff, and I got ready to go to the Duke, and did set forth from Limerick about a elven of the Clock the said night, the night following his Grace being told that we were come to Town, sent for me, and upon further discourse of the said matters, after he had taken part of my depositions, asked me whether I feared [Page 22] any thing of the Treason sworn against me in Limerick as aforesaid, and if I did suppose that there would be any dainger, that his Grace would give me a Pardon, I answered that for my knowledge in the said Conspiracy against the Government that I would accept of his Majesties gracious Pardon, though I did not doubt to prove that I had discharged my self thereof, by acquainting Magistrates from time to time, of my knowledge thereof, and for any other Crime, excepting the same, that I renounced all manner of Pardons and Protections, and that in Limerick, I would trust to a fair Trial, this I refer to the Duke of Ormond.

Whereupon his Grace was pleased to order the Sheriff to return me my Arms, and not to be used in the nature of a Prisoner, and then we returned to Limerick to receive my Trial, the Assizes sitting then, the Grand Jury as I was informed were unwilling to returne Billa vera upon the Information of Walter Huet, against me, I haveing notice thereof, used my interest in the said Grand Jury, and desired that they might find the Bill against me, that the ac­cusation might be publickly known, and the occasion thereof, which was accordingly done, the under named persons impannell'd for to try me.

• Sir George Inglesby, Kt.
• Ralph Wilson, Esq
• David Wilson, Esq
• George Ailmer, Esq
• Arthur Ormesby, Esq
• John Croker, Esq
• Nicholas Munckton, Esq
• John Bury, Esq
• Hassard Powel, Esq
• John Mansfeild Esq
• George Evans, Esq
• John Dixon, Gent.

Then they proceeded to the Trial, and after hearing of the Witnesses, who contradicted each other very Materially, nor did either of their Tales agree together, the matter appear'd so frivolous or rather set up by Practice, that the Jury without any Hesitation pronounc'd me not Guilty.

Then the Grand Jury returned Billa vera upon the Indictment against the persons who broke my house; Sir Richard Reynolds would not ad­mit the Trial at the request of others, but dissmissed them. then the Clerk of the Crown called them by their names upon their Recognizance, the number of fourteen or fifteen did appear, Judge Reynolds ad­judging the Indictment to be Vexatious having 31 mentioned therein, but would not have the patience to hear the Trial, being worked upon by others as I will Justifie, put me off, having at [Page 23] least twenty witnesses then in Court to prove the matter of Fact, and ordered the said people to be dismissed, and addmitted them not to their Trial; then I prayed his Lordship in open Court to do me Justice, and to let the Trial of the said persons that did ap­pear, proceed, but all to no purpose.

Afterwards I went up to Dublin, and petitioned to the Lord Lieutenant and Council, and did set forth in the said petition the greivances and Injustice done unto me by Sir Richard Reynolds as I conceived, by putting off the Trial aforesaid; after the said Petition was read, I was called to appear before the Lod Lieute­nent and Council, the Lord Chief Justice Keating alledging be­fore the Lord Lieutenant and Council, that the people aforesaid were extra, But Sir Richard Reynolds could not deny they were in Court: Keating, and Reynolds. Which I will justifie, maintaine and prove by many good witnesses, but they having no other way to smother the Illegal proceeding in Limerick, than to say that the people did not ap­pear.

The Lord Lieutenent and Council upon full consideration of my complaint did grant the ensuing Commission to examine the matters aforesaid.

[Page 24] The said Commission was executed the third, fourth and fifth daies of February; 1679. By Garret Fitz Gerald, Esq; high Sheriff of the County of Limerick, Simon Eyton, George Ailmer and John Odel, Esquires, Upon the full examination and hearing of ten suf­ficient witnesses, who proved the particulars mentioned in the said Information as aforesaid, and finding twenty more ready to averre the same, Returned the said Commission to the Lord Lieutenant and Council with the depositions of the ten that swore positive to the names of those that broke my house, and heard them say kill the Rebel and knock him in the head before he goes any further; and the said Commissioners did Certifie to the Lord Lieuetenant and Council that there had been a great many more ready to de­pose the same, as the ten did in their depositions aforesaid.

Whereupon several of the riotous persons aforesaid were again taken up, and brought to Tryal, and though the breaking my house in the night, and menacing words before recited were fully sworn against them by divers Witnesses, against whom they had no co­lour of Exception, yet such was the prevalency of the Conspira­tors, and the Jury so prepared, that they would not find them Guilty.

After which I went to Dublin, and from thence came for Eng­land, to give in my Testimony to His Majesty, as I had before done to His Grace the Lord Lieutenent, and Council, from whom I had good encouragement to proceed, and which I have herein before punctually publisht.