IRELAND hath been, and still is even by some Writers reputed a Barbarous and most Heathenish Place: And indeed I believe it was so once, and Eng­land also; but all such as have been there, and rightly understood the Country of late, must (if impartial and unprejudiced) own it to be far otherwise, and indeed a Place of most excellent Government and Piety, and much like that of England.

Ireland is an Island inviron'd with the Sea, and the most Western of Europe, lying between the Latitude of 51 and 56 Degrees North; and Westward from Holy-Head in Wales about 14 Leagues; and from the South-West part of Scotland 8 or 9 Leagues; and is much more temperate than England, cooler in Summer, and warmer in Winter; so that when in the late great Frost a Ox was roasted, and Coaches frequently went upon the Thames, an Horse-man durst not venture over the Liffey, a much less River, at Dublin, and thereby much more pleasant (and indeed, in the general, abundantly more fertile) and plentiful than England, and free from all venemous [Page 4] Vermin, Black Crows, Magpies, and Spiders, are not ve­nomous there.

In many places the Soil is so excellent, that it bears the most devouring Grain, many Years successively, with­out manuring; and in others it will bear three or four Crops; and when it hath lain waste but one Year, with­out further trouble than Plowing and Sowing Barly, will again produce as many Crops more, and so Time after Time with a continuendo; and in all places in general pro­duceth all sorts of Grain England doth, as good, and in as great plenty, with abundance less trouble and pains.

There are indeed many large Mountains and Bogs, but now, by the Industry of the English, made very good and fertile Land, either for Tillage or Feeding; every where watered with pleasant Springs, Rivers, and Loughs or Lakes of Water; indued with great plenty of Fish, wild and tame Fowl, Horses, Cows, Oxen and Sheep, as large and good as any in England, and much more numerous, till lately destroyed by the incouragement given the new raised Forces, and other Irish Papists, by the now Duke of Tyrconnel.

In some parts, especially of the West and North, a Salmon above two foot long, may be bought for a Penny, or two Pence. Forty five Eggs for one Penny. A fat Goose for three pence. A fat Turky for six pence. A fat Hen for three half-pence. A fat Lamb, or Kid, for a Groat. But in Dublin, which is the dearest part, they fold, in time of peace, twelve or fourteen Eggs for a penny. A large fair fresh Cod, two foot long, for three pence. Plaice a foot long, and seven or eight inches broad, two for a penny. Large Trouts as long, two or three for a penny. Oysters five or six inches broad, a penny a score. A fat Lamb for twelve or fourteen pence. A large fat Calf, a month or six weeks old, for five or six Shillings. A large quarter of Beef for three or four Shillings, as good as the Markets of London afford, and other things proportio­nably; and yet all sorts of Tradesmen had greater Wa­ges, and generally better Rates for their Goods than in England.

[Page 5] And contrary to the general Supposition among the Eng­lish, Scots, and other industrious Persons, Mony was in Ireland as plentiful, and with much more ease obtain'd than in England; so that an ordinary Tradesman, or Far­mer, keeps a better House, and lives much more plentiful there than those of four or five Hundred a Year can do in England. None need labour long there, that will but be Industrious, and any thing a reasonable Husband, but, unless very Unfortunate indeed, may soon acquire a Suffi­ciency to live handsomly, and Gentleman-like. Scarce any that went only private Souldiers thither in the last Rebellion (unless Sots in earnest) but were, before the beginning of this Rebellion, Men of good Fortune and Estates.

The meer Irish are not really so Wild and Barbarous as generally reputed, nor indeed Tame and Civiliz'd in ge­neral as the English, but are as lusty, full, well-set, come­ly, handsome, fair, and clear-skin'd as the English: Mighty hospitable and kind-hearted to Strangers; so that if any comes where they are eating, they will take it very unkindly if he do not eat with them; and Travellers shall have the best Entertainment they can afford them gratis, and better than they will afford themselves: For though the Country be thus extream plentiful, yet the Commo­nalty among the Irish fare very hard, and live mostly upon Potatoes, Parsnips, Cabbidg, Beans, Pease, Barley, and Oat-Bread, sour thick Milk, or Butter-milk; and unless upon some certain Festival Days, as Christmass, Shrove­tide, Easter, Whitsuntide, or Michaelmass, rarely eat a bit of Flesh, Butter, Eggs, or Cheese, unless they light up­Carrion dead or drown'd. They are very nasty and slut­tish, prefer strong Butter, tainted Flesh, and sowr Milk, before sweet: Scarce ever wear Shifts or Shirts, or lodg otherwise than upon Straw or Rushes on the Ground, with their Cows, Calves, Swine, or Sheep, made fast at the Beds feet; or at the best, only a little Partition of Wat­tles between them; use no Sheets, tumble all together, only the Husband between other Men and their Wives, and the Wife between other Women and their Husband. [Page 6] The Common Women are generally Whorish before Mar­riage, and count it no Disgrace to have a Bastard or two, but after Marriage are most constant to their Husbands; they say, He that did before, must not do after: They are very lazy, and inclin'd to Lice.

Some of their Gentry are indeed very accomplished and well-bred. They are in general the most zealous Roman Catholicks in the World; and were always very obedient and respectful to the English, and under their Govern­ment, till King James the Second came to the Throne; but after that they began to grow very Insolent, infringe the English Prerogative, and at length to insult over and destroy their English Masters. Naturally in their own Country the greatest Cowards in the World, Spaniel­like, the more they are beaten, the better; it used to be common for one English Man to beat nine or ten of them; but most Imperious Masters: Naturally inclin'd to Theft and Laziness; so that though employed by those of their own Country and Religion, they will idle away Time, and steal what they can; so that if a Man employs but one or two of them, he must have another to attend and watch them.

They are, from the highest to the lowest, a People of the least fore-sight in the World, never looking forward, or taking care for to Morrow: believe it Damnation to disobey the Priests, and (as all other Papists do) meri­torious to destroy all Protestants by every sort of Arti­fice; and though they do not live so well under their own Nation, yet they have a natural aversion to the English; that to destroy them, they care not what Miseries they expose themselves to, or who comes to govern over them, yet have and dread an old Prophesy among them, which says, The Irish shall weep over the English-mens Graves, as they always do over each others many Years after bu­rial.

And though they have spared no Ruin they durst bring upon the English; yet now they dread coming under the Yoke of France, who they have often, and indeed even now invited to receive that Kingdom.

[Page 7] At the Death of King Charles the Second, his Grace, James late Duke of Ormond, was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, when on Saturday, February the 14th, 1684/5. the News was delivered him there, of his Master's Death, and Orders from the Privy Council at Whitehal to pro­claim his Brother James the Second, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland.

Whereupon he forthwith called a Council, and pro­vided all things ready against the Munday following, then being the 16th of the same, accompanied with the Pro­testant Primate, Bishops, the Nine Judges, a great num­ber of Nobility and Gentry, King and Herald at Arms, Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin; Masters, Wardens, and Freemen of the several Corporations, or Companies, and multitudes of others. Set out from the Castle of Dublin, where he kept his Court; and with Tears in his Eyes, marched through all the chief Streets of the City, through a Guard of Souldiers placed on both sides the Way; and the Sword carried before him by his Grand­son the now Duke of Ormond. Performed that Solemni­ty, with as pleasant a Countenance, and as much chearful­ness, as the loss of his old Master, and fears of approach­ing Misery would permit. And the better to repel the then­like fearful Apprehensions of the discerning Protestants, there caused several Hogsheads of Wine to be placed at the Castle-gate, Thoulsel, and Corn-market, for any that pleased to drink; the Bells to be rung, and Bonfires to be made at Night, and all other Testimonies of Joy ima­ginable to be forthwith made. And suddenly after issued Declarations, and other Assurances of his Majesty's gra­cious Intentions and Resolutions for maintaining the Pro­testant Religion, and Interest of Ireland: Which coming from him, in whom next under God they reposed their greatest Confidence at all Times, to be their then Pro­tector, against the Abuses they after sustained by the Irish, (by interceding for them upon all Occasions to the King) did in some measure abate those gloomy Fogs for the present, and give hopes the King would in some measure make good his Promises to them.

[Page 8] But the Papists, who always during the two late Kings Reigns at least, had their Friends at Whitehal, and from them, by their Infallible Guides, the Priests, a certain pre-knowledg of future Designs, and the best Intelligence, well knew the contrary; and forthwith began to prick up their Ears, repair their Old, and erect several new Mass-houses; and every Rascal that could but speak a little English, or write and read nothing but Nonsense, and had but four or five Sheep, or three or four Cows or Horses, and never before the Honour to wear any thing but Rags, or what was little better, forthwith sold what they had to buy new Cloaths, and carry them for Dublin, with each a Sword at his Brich, (though scarce knew how to draw or sheath it there) set up for Gentlemen, and soon worm'd the Protestants out, and got themselves into all the beneficial Imployments in the Kingdom, the Army, and whatever was of any Value or Trust: And then, without respect to Master or Mistress, or such others as had before better fed than taught them, and perhaps kept them from starving, though the best Church-Protestant in the Kingdom, if any Affront hapned to be given these new Gentlemen, the first and most friendly Salute was, God damn you for a Figish Son of a Bish, &c. and the se­cond out with the Prick-Frog, or Bayonet; and if Cou­rage gave Resolution to resist their Violences, (as often it happened, and if alone to disarm and beat them too) then the Resister was sure (upon the Assaulter's escaping his Hands) forthwith to have as many Hands upon one Head and Body, as it had Arms and Fingers to resist him, or Legs, Feet and Toes to flee from them; and if happily he escaped that Bout, they would certainly break his Windows at Night, and as a Cat watches a Mouse, watch for another Opportunity; and if that fail'd, they never did go to a Justice, but perhaps to some pretended Pro­testant creeping Rascal, who for lucre of a few Pence, and to keep his Employ, valued not how many good Prote­stant Christians he rid, and gall'd even to Death, to serve the devilish End and Cause for which he had the favour to stay to be the Fop last devoured, who must be [Page 9] sure to tie him up to all imaginable hard Meat, and per­haps more severely than a Papist would do, for being kickt out of Commission; and then it was well done, by forsooth a Protestant, and not by the merciful Roman Catholicks. If the poor Creature kept out of reach, then out with a Warrant, break open his Doors, search his House, rifle and take away what is liked; and if any honest Protestant yet remained in Commission, every shabby beggarly Rascal, spared not the impudence to re­vile them to their Faces. I have heard a meer Teague, that could scarce pronounce a word of true English, or sense, beard the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Sir John Knox, when brought before him for Felony, who though a Man of Courage, did not dare to commit the Criminal.

Thus the poor Protestants of Ireland continued in this, though miserable, yet happy Condition in consideration to what they afterwards fell to, till the Earl of Clarendon was sent thither Lord-Lieutenant, upon whose arrival they began again to flatter themselves with hopes of more Comfort, through the Interest and Favour of him that was so near related to the King, and an assured Pro­testant; but they, to their Sorrow, soon found his Wings clipt, and Tyrconnel quickly sent after him, with the Honour and Title of Earl, the Office of Lieutenant-General and Check-master of the Army; and Authority and Power to place and displace whom he pleased; who accordingly forthwith put his Power in execu­tion, and issued out his Orders for modelling the Army, which were no sooner given, but obeyed, and in all places the Army drawn into the Field, and about ten or twelve of the oldest Men pick'd out, and their Cloaths stript off, and their Arms given to Irish papists before their Faces; and when those parcels were disci­plin'd, others were still pick'd out, and so from time to time, till the whole Army was weeded of its Protestants, and replenish'd with Irish Papists. When all they could call old were culled, then the Excuse was Shortness, till the Popish Party was the stronger; then they used no further excuse, but being Protestants, till the whole Pro­testant [Page 10] standing Army, which was raised and at vast Ex­pence, both of Men and Mony to England, there main­tained for many Years to secure the Protestant Religion, and English Interest in Ireland, was, by Popish Craft, and Favour and Means of the great God Tyrconnel, peaceably in one Year wholly destroyed and inverted into as Popish Power, the whole Treasure of the Kingdom, Cities and Garisons, which were first constituted to keep them out, wholly possest and disposed of by the Native Irish, and those, who of all Men, were the greatest haters of the English, and their Religion, made the only Pro­tectors of both: and certainly must needs be in a blessed State, when the Fox is set to watch the Geese, and the Wolves the Lambs.

Now all things became bare-fuced, and he that had but half an Eye might easily discern what was like to follow; and such as had Stooks of Mony, began by degrees to transmit it to England, and dispose of their Effects, and afterwards to steal away themselves; while others, whose Riches consisted mostly in Stocks, which was in others Hands, or had not wherewith to transport themselves, and for a Livelihood were forced to abide the approaching Storm, some to the loss, others their Estates, and most inevitable Ruin.

While these things were doing, Darrington, a reputed Jesuit, was sent over, and made first Major, and after Lieutenant-Colonel to the Royal Regiment in Dublin (to fulfil that part of Dr. Oates's information in his discovery of the Popish Plot); and one Barker (formerly Page to the late Duke of Monmouth, and one of King James's Converts,) Major, and so proceeded to disband all Pro­testant Officers in the Army; and first began with Sir William King, then Governour of the Castle and City of Limrick, Sir George St. George, his Brother, and such others as they had noted to be the most sober and zea­lous Protestants, and placed Irish Papists in their places, till all the Irish Army, both Officers and Souldiers, were Papists, excepting only some few in the Regiments of the Lords Ment joy and Forbes, and Col. Russel, who were them­selves [Page 11] Protestants, and in a manner all the Protestant Officers left that first Year in the whole Army, and who were kept in only to blind the People till their other work was finished, and so have the favour to be devoured last.

Things being brought to this pass, the whole Army Papists, and none to oppose them, they thought they safe­ly might, and accordingly fell to regulate the Civil. Part, and at one blast removed sive or six of the nine Protestant Judges, and left but one upon each Bench for Ciphers, to colour the Matter, and drag up the rest to their own Justice, and likewise the Protestant Chancellor, Sir Charles Porter, and most of the Protestant Privy Councellors, and fill'd up their places with others of their own Party, with such prodigious Broagues upon their Tongues, that they could scarce pronounce one word of English truly; and after these the Protestants which were the Attourneys, Solicitors, &c. to the King, were pack'd after the Judges.

In the mean time they set another Project on foot, viz. To disband all the smallest of their own Souldiers as soon as they were well disciplin'd, but not before, and still took in larger, till they had the Flower of the Country in the Army, and still sent the Old to exercise the rest of their Breed in the Country; So that when they had occasion to raise their fresh Forces, they were mostly in a manner disciplin'd to their hand, not in expectation of using them to their present purpose, but in case King James had continued in the Throne, and not answered their desire of restoring them to their Estates, that they might be able to restore themselves, by destroying all the English there; and Darrington made two certain Sizes, one for Musqueteers and another for Pikemen, and those that were too short or long for his Standard, when di­sciplin'd, must trip off.

All things being now fitted to the purpose, Tyrconnel, and the new Attorney General Sir Richard Neagle, dis­patch'd to Whitehall with the Account, and to advise about future Matters, the Project of compleating their [Page 12] so successfully begun Work; and after a short stay, re­turned with Power to displace the Earl of Clarendon from the Government, (who indeed all discerning Pro­testants there easily perceived was kept in so long, only to deceive the People till the Work could be brought to that secure perfection) who eight days after his arrival at Dublin, took his place as Lord, Deputy-General, and General-Governour of Ireland, for Lord-Lieutenant he could not be, because born in Ireland. But the good Earl of Clarendon having an account of his approach, and sus­pecting what might, and indeed did follow, resolved, before his departure, to consecrate the Chappel in the New Hospital near Dublin, built for the use of old and de­crepit Souldiers, (and is the finest in Europe of its kind;) and accordingly, did, before well finished, hoping thereby to prevent its falling into the Papists Hands, because the King had declared he would maintain the Church of England in all her Rights and Properties, as established by Law. But Tyrconnel (who though not so near related to the King, yet knew his Mind much better) soon re­moved that Scruple, and forthwith after the Lord Claren­don's departure, with the chief of the Popish Clergy in Dublin, with Whips and Scourges, entred the said Chap­pel, fell to lashing the Walls and Floar to whip out He­resy, pulled down the Communion-Table and Seats, and erected in it an Altar; and took three or four of the old Souldiers Rooms adjoining to it, for the Priests and Friars, and while they exercised in the Chappel, the old Souldiers, for whose use, and with whose Mony it was built, were forced to have their Devotion in the open Hall where they used to eat their Meat; and in the mean time a Libel was fixed upon the Doon of Christ-Church in Dublin, to publish the Bains of Matrimony betwixt that Church and the See of Rome, bidding any that could, forthwith to shew cause why they should not be joined together. So that now the Protestants expected no less than all their Churches to be taken from them; but whether through the murmuring of the People, or Or­ders from the King to the contrary, they proceeded no [Page 13] further as yet in that Business, only displaced all the Protestant Chaplains in the Army, and gave their Places and Benefits to Popish Priests; who thereupon began to wear black Cloaks, made much like the Ministers Gowns; and yet it was a Crime to say the King had broke his Promise, and infringed the Rights of the Church of England; for it seems, taking away Consecrated Chap­pels and Colledges, and giving its Members Livings to Popish Priests, was not Infringing the Rights of the Church, but maintaining them according to Law; and it was so indeed according to the Laws of the Church of Rome; for the King never mentioned what Law he therein meant; and therefore did not break his Pro­mise.

But before further progress was made in this Business, it was thought fit to Summon all Corporations, and In­corporated Bodies in them, to surrender their Charters, upon which Drogheda and two or three Towns more obeyed, and one Thomson, Chirurgeon to the Royal Re­giment in Dublin, being Master, and a pretended Pro­testant, to shew his Loyalty, readily threw the Charter of the Corporation of Chirurgions in Dublin at Tyr­connel's feet, and is lately come for England, perhaps to get it renewed by King William; or else, for that good Service, to get to be Chirurgeon to another Regiment here in England, for certainly the Man's Loyalty well deserves it and cannot fail of his Brethrens Certificate for saving them the Charges, others were exposed to in de­fending their Charters by Law; which all such as did not surrender, or were forced to do in the Exchequer, where one of those, a pretended Protestant, sate, wor­thily to Judg and give Sentence against them till all was done, and is since likewise come for England to receive his Reward:

All Charters being thus taken away, partly by Fraud, partly by Force, others were quickly prepar'd, and in every of them, scarce one Person mention'd in the Body of the Charter but Papists, or such as were little better; but particularly every Mayor, Sheriff, Portrief, Suffren, [Page 14] Bailiff, Master, Warden, and Clerk, were meer Papists ex­cept one Anth. Sharp a Quaker, was made, and there named Master of the Corporation of Weavers in Dublin; and one Colvert, much of the same Stamp, of a new Corpo­ration of Hosiers; and by these the Common Councils, and Councils of the several Companies, were either all Papists, or Cousin-Germans to Papists.

All the Protestant Chaplains that belonged to them put out, and Popish Priests put in their places: Most of the Protestant Justices, and all the Protestant Sheriffs of every County except one, turn'd out; so that in one Year, or a little more, after Tyrconnel assum'd the Go­vernment, there was very few down-right honest Prote­stant Officers, either Civil or Military in the whole King­dom of Ireland, except those before named; and one Keating, who yet continued Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and one of the Privy Council, and in­deed, was the best Friend the Protestants had there.

However things were not yet perfected, for those named in the Charters, were mostly so indigent and poor, that they were scarce able, with their whole For­tunes, to pay three or fourscore Pounds, which was the Fees of each Charter; and all, or most of the Protestants refused to contribute, till they were com­pelled; some of them imprisoned, and forced to Habeas-Corpus's for their Liberty.

Tyrconnel disliking these Delays, sent for some of the principal of them, pressed them to the Business, assu­ring them, that if they would join with the Corpora­tions, and take out their Charters, he would defray all Fees of each Charter above Twenty Pounds, which would not amount to above five Shillings each Man at the most, besides their Freedom of the City, or Town, which should be granted them at the same Rate; and in case they continued still obstinate, he must look upon them as obstinate and stubborn, and disaffected to his Ma­jesty's Government. This made some for ease, and others for fear, comply, and become again free; but others who stood out to this time, were hamper'd, and had their [Page 15] Shops shut down frequently, till the News of the Scale turning in England, which then ceas'd. But the peace­able Quakers, who before would not under a Protestant Government take upon them so much as the Office of a Constable, now under a Popish every where readily con­form; and two of the chief of them are made Alder­men of Dublin, viz. Anthony Sharp before mentioned, and Samuel Clarrage, who are excused from taking Oaths, and frequently sat in the Seat of Justice. Clarrage is at last come for England, and as busy about Whitehal and Westminster, as he was with Tyrconnel.

While these things were thus prosecuted in Publick, the Popish Clergy, in all parts of the Kingdom, were as busy in private Caballing, and sending their fittest Messen­gers to Whitchal, Rome, France, Spain, and Germany, to advise about, and receive Instructions for compleating their Damnable Design of overwhelming and eradica­ting the Protestant Religion, and Interest of Ireland in particular. And the better to delude the poor sleeping Protestants, Tyrconnel continually fed them with fresh Assurances of the King's Gracious Resolutions, of secu­ring the Religion and Interest of the Protestants; and that all this Work, was only to have an honest Parlia­ment, that would take off the Penal Laws, for ease of all Dissenters; and that nothing could contribute more to the Advantage, Quiet, and Riches of any Government: However, God be praised, all were not so stupissed, but they did plainly discern to have Popish Parliaments, and in Ireland meer Irish; and such as should not only have destroyed the Protestants, but the whole English Interest of Ireland, (which nothing but a gracious God, and the glorious Instrument he used, could have prevented, as Af­fairs then stood); but, blessed be his Holy Name, God was pleased on a sudden to blast all their Cursed Designs, and for the present strike them mute there as well as in England, with the News of the Prince of Orange's intend­ing for England; which no sooner arrived, but Tyrconnel prepared to send several Detachments of the then stand­ing Forces for England, and accordingly sent away about [Page 16] 3000 of the fairest and likeliest of the Foot, who were to be followed by more, till they began to fear if they did that, the Protestants, who they knew they had deserved no better from, might rise against them, and therefore forbore that part of the Design for the present, and forth­with speeded the raising of more Forces, and by Christ­mass had their Army (which before consisted of about 5000 Horse and Foot, after the others came for England) compleat 30000 Men; and before the beginning of March, without so much as beat of Drum, or a Penny Charge to the King, Tyrconnel had compleated the following Regi­ments of Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, as they stood March 15. 1688/9.

• 1. Lord Deputy, Horse.
• 2. Lord Galmoy, Horse.
• 3. Col. Russel, Horse.
• 4. Lord Clancarthy.
• 5. Lord Montjoy.
• 6. Lt. Gen. Mac-Carthy.
• 7. Sir Thomas Nucome.
• 8. Royal Regiment.

• Leinster.
  • 9. Lord Deputy's Dragoons.
  • 10. Lord Deputy's Foot.
  • 11. Ld Dungan's Dragoons.
  • 12. Lord Slane's Foot.
  • 13. Lord Duleeke.
  • 14. Lord Clanmalier.
  • 15. Col. Moore.
  • 16. Col. Kevenah.
  • 17. Col. Ʋxbridge.
  • 18. Col. Butler of Ballyra­get.
  • 19. Col. Butler Lord Gal­moy's Brother.
  • 20. Col. Nugent.
  • 21. Col. Dillion.
  • 22. Lord Gormonstown.
  • 23. Sir Maurice Eustace.
• Munster.
  • 24. Earl of Tyrone.
  • 25. Viscount Clare.
  • 26. Sir Vallentine Brown.
  • 27. Sir John Fitz-Gerald.
  • 28. Sir James Cotter 's Dra­goons.
  • 29. Col. Mac-Carthymoore.
  • 30. Col. Mac-Carthy Reagh.
  • 31. Col. John Barret.
  • 32. Col. O-Donovane.
  • 33. Col. Butler of Killiash.
  • 34. Lieut. Col. Fitz-Gerald, alias Mac-Thomas.
  • 35. Col. Nic. Brown.
• [Page 17] Ulsser.
  • 36. Earl of Antrim.
  • 37. Viscount Jveagh.
  • 38. Lord Louth.
  • 39. Col. Cormick O-Neal.
  • 40. Col. Bryan Mac-Mahone.
  • 41. Col. Gorden O-Neal.
• Connaught.
  • 42. Lord Clanrickard.
  • 43. Lord Galmoy.
  • 44. Col. John Bourke.
  • 45. Col. Iriell Farrell.
  • 46. Col. Henry Mac-Toole.
  • 47. Col. O-Neale.
  • 48. Sir Mich. Creagh.

Some consisting of 20, 22, or 24 Hundred: So that the whole amounted to about 80000, compleatly Accou­tred and Disciplin'd; all rais'd, cloath'd, and kept till that time at the proper Charge of their several Officers, many of which were before but Taylors, Coblers, and such others as perhaps were scarce able to procure before Bread for their Families; but now, for managing this Blessed Cause, sell all that ever they have, and their Friends too, to carry on the Holy Design.

In the mean time, while the Men were raising, Tyrcon­nel ordered all the Gun-smiths, Carpenters, and Joyners, to be forthwith imployed for cleansing, stocking, and lock­ing all the old Fire-Arms; and the Cutlers for cleansing and sheathing the Swords, which since the last Wars had lain rusting in the Stores, and such as refused, were sent to Prison till they comply'd; who, besides the old Locks, were promis'd for each Musquet 10s. and every Pistol 6s. but when they will get it I know not; some they were paid all along, to keep Life and Soul together: So that with the Arms he had the Summer before received from Eng­land, Tyrconnel had not only Arms for his whole Army, but many more; and by the Priests had made all the other Papists in the Kingdom, the Men to Arm themselves with Half-pikes, and Skeins, or Bayonets, and the Women with Skeins or Bayonets; and in case, after a certain day, any in the Country went to Mass without those Arms, they were by the Priests obliged to pay a Shilling, and curst by Bell, Book, and Candle: So that in less than five months ** [Page 18] time the whole Body of the Irish Papists were every where Armed, to the great terror of the Protestants; and as they were naturally inclin'd to Theft, so now they were by Authority put into an excellent condition to perform it, which with the inability of the new Officers to maintain them, upon destroying the Protestants, which at first they began moderately by way of stealth in the Night; but when the Owners began to grumble and complain to no purpose, with much more violence and boldness, and by degrees increased their Spoils, till at length in open Day they spared not, before the Owners Faces, to drive away together often, from one Man 100, sometimes 1000 Sheep, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 Cows, Oxen, and the like; and such as would not drive, and were not for their pur­pose, they kill'd, and carried away the Skin, Hide, and Tallow, and left the dead Carkasses as dirty and useless as they could, fit for nothing but Vermin; and such as was not for their own purpose, they drove, or kill'd, and car­ried to Fairs and Markets, and sold to others of their own Breed, who had not so much Courage (and a little more Honesty than) to steal a fat Weather, which six or seven Months before was worth 9 or 10s. for 1s. and a fat Ox worth 3 or 4 [...] for 12 or [...] a Cow of 50 s. for 5 or 6. s. But at length they proceeded further, even to take away the Corn and Houshold-goods; so that he that over-night was worth 9 or 4000l. the next day, or week, had not a Morsel to put in his Head, or Rag to hang on his Back, but what Charity he received from other Protestants not yet so absolutely ruined. At length they were so glutted with these Spoils, that they began to be more absolute, and fent or went to the Houses of such as their Mercy had not yet destroyed, and supposed to have any Mony, threat­ning, that if they did not forthwith, or within a certain time by them limited, deliver to them such Sums as their Moderation thought fit to demand, they would, and did, burn their Houses and Corn, kill and leave their Cattel dead upon the Ground Among the rest, one Franeis Baker a Merchant in Youghill in particular, having in the County of Tipperary a stock of fat Cattel, went, about the latter [Page 19] end of January last to fetch them home, hoping they might be more secure in Barrels, and a Town of reasona­ble strength, than in the open Fields; but as he was march­ing, a Crew of the new-raised Irish Forces, met, and de­manded of him, whither he was driving those Cattel, and told him, they had more right to them than he, and unless he satisfied them, must be content to leave them behind him; whereupon he was forthwith forced to pay for those his own Cattel, 15 or 16l. Sterling, which was as much as they would have yielded in their Mountain Markets. And to be short, the Spoil was so general and great, that in December, and part of January last, they had destroyed, in the Counties of Cork and Kerry, above 4000 Head of black Cattel, as Cows and Oxen; and there, and in the County of Tipperary, 2 or 300000 Sheep: And so in all other parts, especially the Provinces of Minister and Lein­ster proportionably; so that before the beginning of Fe­bruary, it was thought they had destroyed in all parts of Kingdom above 1000000 Head of Cattel, besides Corn and Houses, and thereby utterly spoiled the most plentiful Country in these parts of Europe; so that 20 Years of per­fect Peace cannot be thought to restore it to the State in which it was at the Death of King Charles the Second.

The Protestants of Ireland alarm'd at these Devastati­ons, began to Arm, and provide themselves against them; and first the Citizens of London-derry, understanding that two Companies of the new-rais'd Forces were marching to quarter in that City, shut their Gates, and resolved to stand upon their own Defence, and when they came, re­fused them entrance: Whereupon the Lord Deputy Tyr­connel, and the Privy Council, thought it most expedient to send the Lord Mon [...]joy (a Man of great esteem among the Protestants of that County) with six Companies of his Regiment which he took from Dublins to reduce them; who coming before the place, demanded, but was refused Entrance for two days; In the interim it was concluded to receive him into the Town singly alone; and being admit­ted, it was concluded, that provided he procured their Pardon within 14 days, they would receive two Compa­nies [Page 20] of his Men, to he made up all Protestants, to Garison in the Town, and at the beginning of March as many Pa­pists, or as many more of any other Regiment; which be­ing perform'd on both hands, the Lord Montjoy returned for Dublin, and with the Lord Chief Baron Rice was sent for France to know the King's Pleasure; but privately an Account was sent with him by Rice, that he held corre­spondence with the Prince of Orange, for which he was com­mitted, and still remains close Prisoner in the Bastile of Paris. This Lord was no sooner gone for France, but his two Com­panies left in London-derry, with the City, again revolted; and John Hawkins Esq a young brisk zealous Protestant Gentleman, of good Fortune and Interest in that Province, accompanied with about 100 others, well Armed and Moun­ted, pursued the Example of the Lord Delamere in England, and march'd from place to place to stir up the Protestants to Arm and Assemble together for their own Defence, a­gainst the common Enemy and Abuses; and in a short time was so succesful, as to induce the whole Province of Ʋlster so to do, (except the Towns of Carigfergus and Ardmagh) and among them the Lord Mount-Alexander, Lord Blaney, Sir Arthur Roden, and several other Persons of Note and Quality: And by their Example the Town and County of Sleigo, in the Province of Connaught, was moved to rise in like manner by the Lord Kingston, and Chidly Coote Esq. And soon after the Town of Ardmagh seized and disarmed a Troop of Dragoons that was quartered there, and sent them away naked; and several other Towns did the like: And so, and with Supplies they procured from Scotland, armed themselves indifferently, and formed themselves in­to Troops and Companies, under the Command of the Persons of Quality afore-mentioned, and began to take Reprizals for their Losses; but Garrigfergus held out for the Irish all along.

In the mean time the Irish made it their Business to stop all Passages thither, however, many got to them, some one way and some another, and a little after Christmas about fifty Protestants that belonged to se­veral Companies in Dublin, about five at Night met, and [Page 21] with their Arms, marched toward the North all Night long, and the next day, till they had got about 40 Miles; but being discovered, Forces were sent to pursue them, so that being over-powered, they were taken and carryed Prisoners bound into Dublin Castle, and thence commited to Goals, where some of them still remain without tryal; others were enlarged, upon giving security for their good Behaviour, and never to take up Arms against King James.

The next Day after they were brought in, all the Pro­testants among the Horse were disbanded, and their Horses, Arms, and Cloaths taken from them; for which some of them had afterwards 5l. for what cost them 20l. but many nothing to this day. And Tyrconnel had all the Foot drawn out, and at the head of them, told them, that such as pleased might lay down their Arms and Commissions; upon which all the Protestant Officers and Souldiers that appear'd the next day did, which much surprized his greatness, but the Drums and Trumpets he would not permit, not having any that were Papists to supply their places, so that much against their wills they are forced yet to stay under them.

The Protestants in other parts being more intermingled with Irish than those of the North, could not put them­selves into so sudden a defensive posture; however were not idle, but as opportunity gave leave, so that they might not be suspected, provided such Arms and Ammunition as they could most conveniently procure, till they were reasonably well Arm'd throughout the Kingdom, and at the beginning of February at a place called Summerhill, within 20 miles of Dublin, there was got together about 300 Protestants; and near the King's County under Sir Laurance Parsons, such another Number, At Charlevile, the Seat of the Earl of Orrery, within 12 miles of Limrick, under Sir Thomas Southwell, and Sir William King, before men­tioned, 250 Horse, and 160 Foot. At Mallow within 12 miles of Cork, 300 Horse and 200 Foot under Esq. Jeph­son, and Captain C [...]llenger, at Castlelions within 10 miles of Cork. Under the Earl of Barrymore, 200 Horse, and 240 [Page 22] Foot. At Castle-Marter, under Esq. Boyle 60 or 80. And in most other Towns and Castles thereabouts the like numbers. In Bandon 7 or 8000 Horse and foot, all forming themselves into Troops and Companies, and Exercising, intending to put themselves under the Command of the Lord Inchiqueen, and the aforesaid Boyle, and had resol­ved and agreed, that if any place were attacqued, notice should be forthwith dispatch'd to all the rest, and all were to join and march to its relief within 24 hours; which Tyrconnel having notice of, sent Express forthwith to Major General Mac-Carty then in Cork to draw out with three Pieces of Cannon against Castle-martyr, who no sooner came before it, but they received an express, from those who intended to head them, that it was thought fit and adviseable for them to surrender, which they did, upon Discretion, and Boyle was taken and carried Prisoner to Cork; and upon the surrender, the like advice was given (it is not convenient to tell here by who) to all the rest thereabouts, to depart to their re­spective Homes: but Sir Thomas Southwell, with 245 Horse marched directly towards the North; but the Journey being-near 200 miles compleat, and all through an Ene­mies Country, and Expresses sent before to raise the whole Country, and Forces every-where as they went, which the poor Gentlemen pushed through, till both they and their Horses, being thoroughly spent for want of Meat, and no longer able to hold, were forced to submit, and surrender up their Horses and Arms, upon condition to have leave for themselves to return to their several Habitations. But as there is no Faith to be kept with Hereticks, so these poor Creatures had no sooner parted with their Arms, but they were all bound, and drove like Dogs to the Goal of Galloway, and the last Assizes there condemn'd to be Drawn, Hang'd, and Quartered; but upon the second of April got a Reprieve for a month. One Brown, a Man of considerable Fortune, was going with them, but fearing to get thorough, returned back, went to a neighbouring Justice, and told him where he had been, but disliking the Enterprize, was returned in obedience to the Lord De­puty's [Page 23] Proclamation of Pardon, to give Security for his future good Behaviour; however was forthwith, by a strong Guard, sent prisoner to Cork, and was there after­wards tryed and executed for High-Treason while King James was there. And in Phillips-town in the Kings County there are Sir Laurence Parsons, and about 50 more, under the same condemnation; and in Marisborough in the Queen's County, 13 or 14, and in several other parts the like numbers, whose particulars are not yet come to the Authors hands, which were taken much after the same manner.

Other parts being thus reduced, Mac-Carty Forthwith drew all the Forces in Munster against Bandon, a Town, which till these Times, never permitted a Papist to dwell within its Wallt, and likewise forced them to Surrender, and give five of their Town Hostages for the payment of 1000l. for the trouble they had given his Army, 500l. of which they paid down, and the other five was remitted upon a Petition to King James, upon his landing at King­sale.

During these Hurries in other parts, there was not any rising in the County or City of Dublin; however all were not idle, but several Active Spirits, a knot of six or seven in particular, whose Names are not convenient to be mentioned here, being most still under the Papists Lash, promoted, as 'twas thought, principally by one, who up­on the landing of the now King William in England, for his Religion was singled out to taste of Popish Mercy, with an Intent to seize the Castle and Guards of Dublin, and send Tyrconnel for England. And for the better effecting thereof, had by Stratagems caused most of the Prote­stants there to Arm themselves, though at the same time they knew not what for, further, than in case any At­tempt were made by the Papists upon their Lives by way of Massacre (as they certainly intended, till happily dis­covered by an unknown Hand of their own Party to a Protestant Lord, on the 5th of December) which so al­larm'd all Protestants, that it was in vain to attempt it after, and especially while the Protestants were any where [Page 24] in Arms, (for that would have made all desperate, and not so easily to be reduced as they were); but before the Protestants of Dublin could bring their business to bear, and get Ammunition enough to resist such Force as might be brought against them, before they could expect Sup­plies from England, Tyrconnel began to suspect them; and forthwith call'd such Supplies and Numbers of Horse and Foot thither, that with what was there before, made up 14 or 15000 Men, whose Number and Presence spoil'd that great Project, which otherwise was so well laid, that it had certainly taken effect, if put in execution, and brought Tyrconnel for England, and so saved the extream Ruin and Devastation the Protestants have since suffered through his Villany. For any time before that great Force came to Dublin, which was at the beginning of February, 5000 Men well Arm'd in that City, and commanded, had been suffici­ent, with what was ready and might have bin raised there, to reduce, not only Dublin, but all Ireland. But the noise of the forementioned designed Massacre, and the Sufferings of others, put People to the flight for England so fast, and made those that stayed so dubious, that it was hard to know who to trust there under the Nose of the Government; and there was not one Person of Quali­ty then there that would undertake to Head them, tho often importuned, and assured of 4000 Men well Arm'd at two hours warning, and many of them well exercised, and so many resolute good Souldiers as would have attempted to seize the Guards.

About this time a French Man landed at Cork, and rid post to Dublin, with assurance from King James to Tyrconnel of his speedy coming to his relief; and on Friday the 22d of Feb. two of his Officers that had escaped from the Isle of Wight, came privately to the Castle of Dublin, and continued there in cognito till Sunday following about 10 at night; then on a suddain the noyse was spread all over the King­dom, that the King was landed with 5000 Men, and that the two forementioned Officers came with the Express to the Lord Deputy, which on a sudden put all into hurries; and where Bonfires were not immediately made, the Soul­diers [Page 25] broke the Windows, Signs, and Doors, and rifled the Houses; and the next Morning by six of the Clock, strong Guards were placed at the end of every Street, and every Gate about the City and Suburbs of Dublin, and all others of any Note and Strength: So that it was generally concluded by the Protestants, there were Forces landed from England; but they were soon undeceived, being all disarm'd and eis'd of their Hor­ses, which for the present was judged by every place to be only in it self, but was soon known to be general to all parts where their Power could then reach. In Dublin they seized all the Churches to put the Arms in, which not being brought ac­cording to their expectation, Tyrconnel issued out a Declarati­on, that all such as had yet detain'd their Arms, should forth­with deliver them up upon peril of being left to the mercy of his Souldiers; and that Gentlemen might keep their wearing Swords: however some broke them to pieces, others flung them into Ditches and Rivers, where many were afterwards found, and some kept them still. The two next days they sent Forces to suppress those of Summerhil before-mentioned; and one Price who had been Treasurer formerly, was with a Par­ty of 4 or 500 Horse and Foot, in a Castle in the County of Wicklow, 20 miles on the other side of Dublin, who took Price, and several others, and committed them Prisoners to Newgate in Dublin, and the rest to Wicklow, whither Price and the rest were, after four days, carried and Indicted for High-Trea­son; but all the Irish being gone for Souldiers, and the English fled out of the Country, there could not be a Jury got, but a­gainst whom they made Exceptions for want of Freehold; so that their Trial was remitted to the Term now (at the wri­ting of this) sitting in Dublin; in the mean time all but se­ven were bailed, and after with their Bail fled for England, where most of them now are to confirm the Tragical Story.

Tyrconnel having thus easily succeeded so far, the same week sent 24000 Men towards the North, under the command of Lieutenant General Hamilton, (who was once a Prisoner here) with several Field-pieces and Mortars, who upon the first of March were got near 50 mile, from Dublin and within five miles of the Protestant Forces; who upon no ice of their ap­proach, forthwith assembled what they could together, which were not 1500, near a place called Drummore; but upon the [Page 26] Enemies approach, they found them so numerous, that the Lord Mount-Alexander thought fit to retire, and accordingly did; which the Irish perceiving, pursued them about five miles, and killed about 150 of the Protestants, and many of them such as never were in Arms, but running away in the hurry: The Ld Mount-Alexander, and many others, got away for England; some for Colerain, and afterward to London-derry, or Scotland. In the mean time the Irish proceeded towards Cole­rain, and found no opposition till they came thither; but for the first 15 or 16 miles found nothing but ruin'd Houses, and the Ditches fuil of Houshold-goods, Meal and Corn, thrown away by the Protestants to prevent its falling into the hands of their merciless devouring Enemy; but afterwards they did not find so much, the People having more time to carry it with them, and so left the Irish without any Relief but what they brought with them; so that both Men and Horses in the Po­pish Army were in a bad condition for want of Food and For­rage.

After all this Success, King- James landed at Kingsale, on Tuesday, March 12. and for want of Bells, was welcomed with the Shouts and Acclamations of the People, Bonfires, &c. and the next day went to Cork, and stayed there till Tyrconnel came to him at Major Gen. Mac Carties; on Wednesday the 20th, set out from thence, and lay that Night at the Earl of Cork's House at Lifmore; on Thursday Night at Clonmel; on Friday Night at Kilkenny, in the Duke of Ormond's Castle; and on Saturday night at Sir Maurice Eustaces near Kilkullen-Bridg, 17 miles from Dublin, and all along the Roads, had the Lanes and Hedges lin'd with the Half-pike & Bayonet-Rabble, call'd Reparees: At Carloe he was slabber'd with the kisses of the rude Country Irish Gentlewomen, so that he was forced to beg to have them kept from him; and on Saturday the 24th about Noon, he entred the City of Dublin. where all the Souldiers were placed, from St. James's-Gate (at his first entrance) to the Castle-Gate, all along, for about a mile of Ground on both sides, the Streets which were every where strewed with fresh Cravel: And at his first entrance into the Liberty of the City, there was a Stage built covered with Tapestry, and thereon two playing on Welch-Harps; and below a great number of Friers, with a large Cross, singing; and about 40 Oyster­wenches, [Page 27] Poultry and Herb-women, in White (and among them some known to have two or three Bastards, yet passing for Maids) dancing, who thence ran along to the Castle by his side, here and there strewing Flowers; some hung out of their Balconies Tapestry, and Cloath of Arras; and others imi­tating them, sewed together the Coverings of Turkey-work Chairs, and Bandle-Cloth Blankets, and hung them out like­wise on each side of the Street. He rid along through the whole Country, mostly on Horse-back, but chiefly through all the Towns and Villages. About a mile from Dublin he call'd for a fresh Pad-Nag, which turning about to be brought him, got loose, and forced him to stay; which did in some mea­sure vex him, so that he said to Tyrconnel, I think you are all boder'd; but the Pad being soon brought him, he mounted, and marched forward, and at the utmost Limits was met by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, Master, War­dens, and Brethren of the several Companies in their Formali­ties, the King and Herald at Arms, Pursevants, and Servants of the Houshold, and there received the Sword of State, (which he gave to Tyrconnel, who carried it before him through the City) and the Sword and Keys of the City, and there had a Speech made to welcome him to that Loyal City and Peo­ple, by Counsellor Dillion, who that Morning was sworn Re­corder in the room of Counsellor Barnwel. From thence he set forward toward the Castle, preceded by five or six Coaches, with six Horses each, two Callashes, four or five Bung-Carts, and one close Waggon attended by five or six French Troopers; next them followed about 200 of the Straglers of the City that went out to meet him; and after them the aformentioned Bar­ker, Major to the Royal Regiment, bareheaded, giving Orders to the Souldiers to keep the middle of the Street clear, and stand with their Musquets shouldred; then 29 Horsemen bare­headed, shouting before Mr. Fitz-James who was alone in one of Tyrconnel's Coaches with six Horses; close after him followed three Officers of the Guard on Horseback, attended by 3 Led­Horses; after them 15 or 16 Officers of the Army, closely fol­lowed by the five Trumpets and Kettle-Drums of State in their Liveries; after them about 20 of the Gentlemen at large on Horseback; then the Messengers and Pursevants, Servants of the Houshold; next them the Herald and King at Arms; close [Page 28] after them Tyrcounel, carrying the Sword of State immediately before the late K. James, who rid on the aforesaid Pad-Nag, in a plain Cinnamon-colour'd Cloth Suit, and black slouching Hat, and a George hung over his Shoulder with a blew Ribbon; he was attended by the Duke of Berwick, Lord Granard, and the aforesaid Maids running by him on his left hand, the Lord Powis and Melfort on his Right, with their Hats on; close af­ter him followed a Troop of Dragoons, several Gentlemen and Officers, two Troops of Horse, and many Attendants; af­ter them six Lords Coaches, with six Horses each; then the a­foresaid Judg Keating in Scarlet; and next after his three other Gentlemens Coaches empty, with six Horses each; then three Coaches, with two Horses each; and then last of all the con­fused Rabble on Foot.

As he was riding along in this Order, one Flemming a pre­tended mad Scots-man, in Skinner-row, the middle of the City, suddenly rushed through the Croud, flung his Hat over the King's Head, crying, in French, with a loud Voice, Let the King live for ever, caught suddenly (mad-man like) fast hold of the King's Hand, and kist it, and so ran capering after his Hat.

As he marched thus along, the Pipers of the several Compa­nies played the Tune of, The King enjoys his own again; and the People shouting and crying, God save the King: And if any Protestants were observed not to shew their Zeal that way, they were immediately revil'd and abused by the rude Papists: And being come thus to the Castle, alighted from his Horse, and was met at the Gate by the Host, over-shaded with a Canopy bore up by four Popish Bishops, and accompa­nied with a numerous Train of Friers singing, and others of that Clergy; and among the rest the Titular Primate with a Triple Crown upon his Head representing the Pope; who this unfortunate and by-gotted Prince no sooner saw, but he forth­with went down upon his Knees to pray to the Image, and for a Blessing from this Irish Pope: And from thence conducted in­to the Chappel there, (made by Tyrconnel, of Hen. Cromwel's Riding-house) where Te Deum was sung for his happy Arrival; thence he retired into an Appartment prepared in a new House built before in the Castle by Tyrconnel, and there din'd and re­fresh'd himself: The next Morning he call'd a Council, and having turn'd out the Earl of Granard, Chairman, Judg Keating, [Page 29] &c. and taken in their rooms M. D' Avaux, the Bp of Chister, and Lieut. Col. Darrington, he ordered five several Proclama­tions to be published; one for raising such Monies as passed there, viz. a Guiny to 24s. an English Shilling to 13d. a Duc­catoon which was 6s. to 6s. 3d. a Cob of 4s. 9d. to 5s. a Cob of 4s. 6d. to 4s. 9d. a French Lewis of Gold to 19s. and all others proportionably. Another for a Parliament to meet at Dublin the 7th of May, for regulating Matters Ecclesiastical. A third to require all his Subjects of that Kingdom that had lately left the same, upon any Pretence whatever, to return Home, with assurance of his Protection, but no Penalty or Forfeiture for not returning, or Pardon for any Offender that did; and requiring all his Subjects, of what Degree or Perswasion soever, to join with him against the Prince of Orange. A fourth, commending all his Roman-Catholick Subjects for their Vigilancy and Care in arming themselves; yet, whereas it had incouraged some certain Robberies, required all but such as were actually under Command and Pay in the Army, to lay up their Arms in their several Abodes. The fifth, to invite the Country to carry Provision to his Army in the North; requi­ring all Officers and Souldiers not to take any from them but what they made good pay for▪ From thence went into the Field to see the Forces drawn out, and there made Darrington Colonel of the Royal Regiment in the room of the Duke of Ormond; and returning to the Castle, created Tyrconnel Duke of Tyrconnel.

The next day he received an Express that his Forces in the North, having sate down before Colerain, were destroyed for want of Meat and Forrage, and by a great Snow that then fell among them, were beaten off with the loss of 5 or 600 Men, one Morter, and 3 Field-peices: whereupon he call'd another Council, and ordered 14000 Men more forthwith to be sent to reinforce the remainder of the 24000 that went before; and on the first of April, sent after them the Duke of Berwick, and the two French Liutenant-Generals, Roos and Mamoon; and the Munday following, about 8 in the Morning, set out from Dub­lin towards the North himself; but those of Coleraine know­ing their infussiciency to resist so powerful a Force, quitted the Town, and got some for London-Derry, some for Scotland, and others for England, so that all being clear, there was no­thing to hinder their Progress to London-Derry, where being [Page 30] arrived, the late King sent in a Letter to the Governor, Col. Lundee (who before they left Dublin they reported to be their own Creature) to require him peaceably to surrender, and that all with him should have free Pardon and Protection, and not be molested or spoyl'd of any thing they had; which be­ing shown to the Mayor, Aldermen, and other Officers, some inclin'd to surrender, others not, so that time was desired and granted to consider of it; in the interim Col. Richards and Col. Cunningham, with their Regiments, arrived before the place, and being inform'd that it was upon surrendering to King James, returned back (with 14 or 1500 persons that fled from the Town to them, intending for Leverpool) for which both the Colonels were turn'd out of Commission, yet their Regi­ments, with three others, were forthwith ordered back; and its hoped have since entred the place, which is in a good Con­dition for Defence, and therein 20000 Men, but not above 9000 Arm'd, with Provision for three months, resolved to defend it to the last, having before their arrival, committed the Governor, and several others to Prison, on pretence for endeavouring to betray it to their Enemies, and made Mr. Wal­ker (a Minister) their Governour.

The late King perceiving his Presence could not procure this Important Place at the easy rate he expected, was forced to wave his speedy Design for Scotland, and leaving his Army to prosecute the most convenient measures for its Recovery, returned back towards Dublin, to meet his Parliament, where he was expected the last of April, and where upon his first arrival, he gave orders to disband Col. Russell, Sir Thomas Newcome, and such others Protestants as till then continued in that Army, except Drums and Trumpets, who are still con­tinued per force.

There came with the late King to Kingsale 22 Ships, great and small, all with Guns, of which 12 were Capital Ships, and with them 4 Fireships, and in them not above 50 persons of all sorts, of which were the Kings two Sons, the Bishop of Chester, Lord Powis, Lord Melfort, Col. Darrington, Sarsfeild, 9 or 10 French-men, 1 Footman, and other Scoundrels that followed him from France.

That day week after his Arrival, and before he left Cork, the late King gave orders for the Fleet to return to Brest, to [Page 31] joyn a Fleet of 13 Sail more which they left fitting out there, and expected to bring them 5 or 6000 English, Scots, and Irish, raised in France for that purpose, but not yet come. He brought with him a considerable quantity of Powder, Ball, and Lead, and Arms for 15000 Men, and 120000l. Sterling, and nothing more, all which is said to be disposed of by one sent with him by the French King, and who hath promised four Times as much more if that be well imployed. The giving Ireland to the French is not certain, but most sure that it is the Interest of France to give King James all the As­sistance he can, both by Sea and Land, to keep England out of his own Bowels, which without that Diversion he expects forthwith to make a violent Eruption therein; and as certain, that if any reasonable Force be in reasonable Time sent for Ireland, its conquest will be both speedy and easy; for tho the Irish Forces are with much pains and beating reasonably disciplin'd, and numerous, yet all that know the nature of them, know they will not sight but upon great Advantage; and if once broken, all the Art of Man will never bring them together again: And those of their present Army, both Officers and Souldiers, are mostly the very scum of the Coun­try, Cow-boys, and such trash, as tremble at the fireing a Musquet, much more will at many; and what one English Man used formerly to make nothing to beat 9 or 10 of, and now are only like so many tied Dogs let loose, which with a little Correction, will soon be reduced to Obedience. There are Pro­testants enow yet in Ireland to do the Work alone, if they could but get together, have Arms, and good Officers to head them, and will, as fast as even they can, join with the Army that comes to their relief, to be revenged upon the devouring Irish, who having now all, will be rich plunder for an Army, and cannot hold out against 30000 Men, besides what is already there, till Michalmass next, though now possest of the whole, except London-Derry and Inneskillen▪ in Dublin there is not now above 16 or 17 hundred Souldiers, and yet at least 20000 Protestants, fighting Men, but all disarm'd, or as good as disarm'd, brave brisk curious Lads, mad to be at work: So that 4 or 5000 Men might take and secure that City and Pro­vince, and be in one Month 20000 Men, if Arms and Ammuni­tion were sent with them, in spight of any resistance the Irish could make.

[Page 32] Among the Irish, the most mischievous Person is the Lord Galmoy, who, upon the late King's coming to the Throne, presum'd to enter in time of Divine Service, St. Warborous Church in Dublin, and debauchedly offered Abuses to some modest Women, for which he was brought upon his Knees: But in Revenge, upon the first motion to the North, he haug'd one Dix, and another who belonged to the Colledg, upon a Sign-post, pretending he found them in Arms.

Of Turn-coats, there were many pittiful mean-spirited Fel­lows, to keep and creep into Business, none worth noting, but one Marby Dean of London derry, a Papist born, but brought up in the Colledg of Dublin: and one Turner, who in his Time had turn'd through almost all Sects and Opinions; and for his last turning got to be Recorder of Limerick. However the Popish Clergy have not been wanting, by all manner of ways, to pervert whoever they could, nor the Protestant Ministers to preach against their Heresy and Idolatry; among the rest, one Wilkinson, Minister of Palmers. Town near Dublin, in Christ-Church, briskly decrying their Idolatry, was by the Bishop of Dublin silenc'd in the midst of his Sermon.

Many Persons endeavouring to bring Mony for England, had it seiz'd by the Irish; and among others one Lindon, who all along sate with two Papists, se­cond Judg of the King's Bench, to try several Protestants, and punish them too for no other Crime, out being Enemies to Popery; and particularly one Whalley, there famous for Astrology, for publishing and spreading an Ac­count of the Prince of Orange's Landing in England, his Declaration, and Success, was, by their worshipful Lordships, singled out, and made the first publick Sacrifice by their Popish Mercy, for his Zeal to the Protestant Re­ligion, to the extream hazard of his Life, and loss of all he had (tho often craved) denying him the common Rules of Court, a Copy of the Indictment, and what else might enable him to make his proper Defence: Another pro­ved to be Distracted, fined 14l. Sterling; and others for like Crimes, like Cases. But whether for these, or other good Service to be done here for his Friends there, the good Judg got his Monies again, while others came off with loss of theirs: But what says Pluck?

About three or four days after King James Arrived at Dublin, the few Fel­lows and others left in the Colledg, waited upon him, being introduced by the Bp of Chester, since dead, (said to be poison'd by some of the Popish Clergy) and received many Assurances of their Safety and Protection.