The Generall Declaration of the Catholickes of Ireland.

WHereas we the Roman Catholiks of this Kingdom of Ireland have been continually loving and faithfull subjects to his Sacred Maje­sty, and notwithstanding the generall and heavy oppressions suffe­red by subordinate Governours to the ruine of our lives, honours, and estates, [Page 9] yet having some liberty of Religion from his Majesty out of the affluence of his Princely love to us wee weighing not corporall losse in respect of the great immunity of the soule, are inviolably resolved to infix our selves in an immutable and pure allegiance for ever to his Royall Majesty and Succes­sours.

Now it is that the Parliament of England, maligning and envying any graces received from his Majesty by our Nation, and knowing none so desi­red of us as that of Religion, and likewise perceiving his Majesty to be incli­ned to give us the liberty of the same, drew his Majesties Prerogative out of his hands thereby largly pretending the generall good of his Majesties King­domes, But wee the said Catholicks and loyall Subjects to his Majesty doe probably find as well by some Acts to passe by them the said Parliament touching our Religion, in which the Catholicks of England and Scotland did suffer. As also by threats to send over the Scottish Army with the Sword and Bible in hand against us, That their whole and studied plot both was and is, not only to extinguish Religion (by which we only live happily) but also likewise to supplant us and raze the name of Catholicks and Irish out of the whole Kingdome. And seeing this surprize so dangerous, tending absolute­ly to the overthrow of the liberty of our consciences, and Countrey, and also our gracious Kings power forced from him, in which and in whose prudent care of us our sole quiet and comfort consisted, and without which the feare of our present ruines did prescribe opinion, and premonish us, to save our selves.

We therefore as well to regain his Majesties said Prerogative being only due to him and his successours, and being the essence and life of Monarchy, hoping thereby to continue a strong and invincible unity, between his Royall and ever happy love to us, and our faithfull duty and loyalty to his incompa­rable Majesty, have taken Arms and possessed our selves of the best and stron­gest Forts of this Kingdome, to enable us to serve his Majesty and defend us from the tyrannous resolution of our Enemies.

This in our consciences as wee wish the peace of the same to our selves and our posterity is the pretence and true cause of our present rising in Arms, by which we are resolved to perfect the advancement of truth, and safety of our King and Countrey. Thus much we thought fit in generall to publish to the world, to set forth our innocent and just cause, the particulars whereof shal be speedily declared. Dated October 23. 1641.

God save the King

After the Souldiers in some good order were quartered Sir Henry Tichburne our Governour took a diligent view of the Wals: Consultations were had for the better fortifying of them▪ The Mill-Mount conceived a very defensive place, for the guard of Meath-side, the weaker part of the Town, and so ac­cordingly were mounted foure peeces of Ordnance, and there soone appeared good cause for this preparation, The whole County of Louth (scarce a Gen­tleman that was a Papist excepted) were drawn into this Conspiracie, so that we were beset on that side Northward with five thousand, or as their owne list reported it eight thousand. The infection did so spread, that it not only tainted, but broke out in the faces and lips of some of our Aldermen, one St [...]nley (who was a Town Burgesse for the Parliament) took himself highly promoted to be a Captaine with them; others who not long before seemed to doe good service in the discovery of the like (whose Letters I had seene deeply exclayming against those courses) now ran the same way also; Nay, the very Sheriffe of the County (who had beene so favoured as to continue Knight of the Shire also) was a Leader in that Rebellion too, He with Stanley came in hither often upon protection as joynt Commissioners from the Rebels upon some pretended Treaties, whom howsoever for some reasons according to a Commission for that purpose, it was not thought amisse to protract things by such like parleys, yet we gave little heed to any thing they said, being perswaded which way so ever they looked they rowed another. The subject of much of their discourse was a desire to doe the Town good service which might be the more credible in regard of some estates they had in it. Their extraordinary affection to my Lord Moore and his Family, inviting him for his safety to retreat to Mellifont againe, or if that were not sure enough, a stronger Castle was offered him, as divers letters to that purpose I have often seen from many, remembring him of the security his Father lived in at that same place during all Tyron's Rebellion, and therefore his sonne who had de­served better of them, could not but be confident of the same. Nay, proffe­red to make him Generall, at least of all Meath and Louth, That what ever losses himselfe, or tenants had sustained should [...]ll bee repaid to a peny, which was often seconded by divers other Agents, But the depth of all (as the following fruits declare) was but to have made a prey of him, and his, and so to have weakned the Towne of an active and zealous supporter, who still as before was very forward to give the life to every designe for its 'preparation', which had appeared in giving a stop to many of their crafty Plots by the way here. Before this Regiment came to us, at the earnest request of the said Sheriffe of Louth, the State was [Page 11] so farre moved as to send down three hundred Arms, for the defence of that County (who had not then declared themselves) with about fourty more for the Guard of Dundalke, but the suspition of their treachery senting stron­ger here then possibly it might 20 miles further were by my Lord Moore stop­ped in their passage. The Lords Justices having likewise about a fortnight be­fore sent five hundred Armes to the Lord Gormanstones house, about five miles from us, at his Petition for the arming of Meath, upon whose fidelity they still presumed, according to the patterne of their Ancestors, yet now re­ceiving an intimation of some plot of the Rebels to surprise them, were under the care of Lord Colonell Wamman safely conveyed hither, with whom there [...]ame also a Fortnights Pay for the Regiment, but was not supplyed with any more money in twenty two weekes after, which as the former offer of the state aggravates the falshood of the Rebels: so this later advanceth the honour of this service here, in their so zealous continuing their unanimous defence of this Towne, notwithstanding so little encouragement.

The Parliament time now drawing on, my Lord Moore was necessitated to a second journey to Dublin, where as he was not backward in a free and full declaring himselfe against some Excusers of this Rebellion, so was he not unmindfull of this Towne, and Countrey adjoyning; But propounded a se­cond motion, exceeding the former, viz. that seeing Sir Henry Tichburnes Regiment consisting but of one thousand Foot, and one hundred Horse, was not of that number and strength, as to secure the Towne, and to issue farre out for the prevention of any further approach of the Enemy; Hee offered to raise sixe hundred men more at his owne charges, to cloath them and give them pay till a supply of moneys should be sent out of England, conditionally that the foure Compantes in the Towne over and above the former, and not yet affixed to any Re­giment might be added to his Command to make up a thousand. By which Dun­dalke, Atherdee, and the whole County of Louth might possibly have beene secured. But it was not so readily accepted as it merited. Thus by this for­ward and Noble offer, his affection to the cause being fully discovered, and being (as I have been enformed) the only Lord in the Pale (excepting the Earle of Kildare, and the Lord of Hoath) who was a Protestant, the malice of the Rebels was further inraged, and presently tooke the advantage of his absence, to draw up to his house of Mellifont, to the utter spoyling and pil­iaging of it, as will appeare by the Relation following, which disaster hee hath beene since assured by them, was the fruit of his former motions, as be­ing done the next day after his returne.

Of the Rebels Plundering the House of Mellifont, and their cruell Barbarous dealings there, Novemb. 25. 1641.

UPon the one and twentieth of Novemb. being Sunday, as we were go­ing to Church in the morning, there came a rumour to our Governour of the Rebels intention to beset Mellifont, about three miles from us; Whereupon he presently was sending o [...]t to the former strength there a fur­ther supply of two hundred Foot, and a troope of Horse; But as the Drums were beating, there marched downe the hill of Tallihascot, about two miles from us Northward a thousand men, (as they seemed) giving many shot as they came; This gave a stop to the issuing out of the former forces, as inter­preting by that and other Circumstances their aime was rather to surprise the Towne, but by the issue it appeared the plot was only to divert us, there be­ing at that same instant about Fifteene hundred from other parts drawing to­wards Mellifont. The force left there to defend it against some Pilferers, besides a few servants of the house, was only twenty foure Musquettiers, and fifteene Horse, two Scouts they had abroad, one of whom was cut off, the other pursued to the very Gates; about an houre before their comming Mac-Maghon sent a note (which I saw) to the Warders of the house (as hee stiled them) that if they would give it up, they should have quarter, and withall a Bullet for a token.

The quarter-master of the Troope returned a short answer, they would all dye rather then yeeld, and a bold Scotch-man standing by, bid the messen­ger to advise his Master to make his Bullets bigger. Many messengers were with all expedition dispatched hither with letters fowed up in their cloathes, for the safer conveyance, but we heard not of them. All wayes being thus stopped, and finding no hope of any further reliefe, they prepared themselves for their owne defence, for any promise of quarter, by the experience of their falshoods to others they gave little credit to; They accounted themselves but dead men, and so were resolved to sell their lives at as deare a rate as they could, shooke hands, and incouraged one another. The Enemies Horse and Pike were placed upon the top of the hill▪ amongst whom is confessed were some, who not many dayes before professed the quite contrary. Their Foote marched over the Garden sides in multitudes, whom these few of ours so re­ceived, that they fell all backe about fourty yards, and so accordingly retrea­ted [Page 13] foure or five times; In briefe, they killed sevenscore of them, and had made them up so many hundreds, but for want of Powder, having at the most but Sixe shot, some but Foure; not a man of them was hurt till all was spent, they had cut their Bullets into halfes, and to make even with their Powder, they rammed in five or sixe together, whereby each shot was the death of ma­ny, and in conclusion when all was spent, they broke as many Muskets as they could against the walls. The Serjeant who had the command of the Foot behaved himselfe very valiantly, by the Confession of the Enemy, and at their entrance slue many with his Halbert. Halfe a dozen placed in a little outward Castle killed some of them, as they were marching downe the hill, amongst whom was one of the chiefe Captaines, in rich stolne cloathes, at whose fall there was a great cry. These at last being promised quarter, and yeelding, yet they wounded, and threw them out at the windowes.

The Horse who could doe but little good within, when they saw them pressing so thicke to the very Gates, opened them, and gave them a desperate Charge, and so made their way through them, though by their pursuers scattered divers wayes before they came hither. The number of the slaine in all of our side were thirteene (whom a Fryer (for none of our Clergie durst venture thither) was so forward for a deed of Charity, as to procure them buriall in the Church adjoyning, and one man finding life in him (notwith­standing at least fourty wounds) brought him home on a Carre; The course they tooke with him was the same they did with others▪ they first stript him, lest he should bloudy his cloathes, and then a dozen of them together run him through, and hacked him with their Skeenes, leaving him for dead. But the most barbarous act was the killing of a grave comely old Gentleman, of above fourescore yeares of age, who after he had opened the Wine-seller, and was giving them all possible courteous entertainment, and filling wine to them, of a sudden run him through. A poore old blind man that had beene the Porter (who could make no resistance) they knockt downe; another as old as he they cut his throat, so inraged, that they slew the very dogs they found, broke the windowes, tooke up divers of the Plankes in the Cham­bers to seeke for moneys, searched the peoples mouthes for it, ript the Fea­therbeds to take away the Tikes, carried away the Hangings, and other fur­niture that was portable, cut in peeces all the Coverings of the Chaires and Stooles, (many of which were very rich) broke with their Clubs a Closet of Glasses, and Gallipots full of such Ingredients as they were incapable of, tooke away abundance of provision in the house, of Cattell and Horses a­broad, and what they could not carry they destroyed, to the losse of my Lord [Page 14] Moore, at least 2000. pounds. The faire Haggard of Corne they thrashed and tooke away afterwards by leasure; The Women they stripped all starke naked; The Chappell they made their quassing roome, broke the Pulpit, and all the seates, threw a faire Church Bible into the Mill-Pond, broke the ve­ry Bell; Their best language to them all was English dogs▪ Whoores and Rogues▪ Heretiques, and the like.

After the departure of these, came a ruder troope of the baser sort of Churles, some of the very Tenants and neere neighbours, who drew away the Iron, and Brasse, and other wooden lumber, leaving not so much as a doore, or Iron bar in the windowes; And so of a most pleasant habitation in one night, became a most rumous desolate place. By all which may easily be judged the truth of their former promises, if the owners had been so perswaded, as to [...]ave trusted their owne persons there also, who (as we have had late credi­ble information) were entered in the first List among such as should have bin surprized but such as were trusted with it had not the Courage to attemp [...] it, as the like care was taken of this Towne also; And yet one merry passage con [...]luded this Tragedy, by a Basket of Tulips, and other such like rootes, which these Rebels finding so carefully laid up, tooke them for some rare dainties, and so fell to eating them with butter, which had that present ope­ration, that for a weeke after most of them deemed themselves po [...]soned, and cursed the Heretiques, as if that bait had been laid there of purpose.

After this they yet desisted not to multiply their parleys daily, and in regard my Lord Moore was one of the Lords authorised by Par­liament to treat with them, they more thick than before applied them­selves to him, renuing still their former protestations of love to him and his, wished him to leave the Towne for his owne safetie, pres­sed their former honourable offer to make him their Generall, that full satis­faction should be given him for his losses at Mellifont, (though I beleeve many of their estates could scarce have compassed it.) And to cleere them­selves of that hatefull aspertion of Rebellion assured him to show that good warrant for what they did, which should give all the world satisfaction, im­portuned him very earnestly for a meeting. The place and time agreed upon his Lordship with some few adventured out of the Gates, but in stead of them found some stragling fellowes gathering, which gave him just cause to suspect some treachery, and so retreated, (which since he hath been assured of.) Yet that night they came to the Gates to excuse it, and upon promise of saftie entered, but neither spake nor shewed any thing to the purpose, still confirming our opinions of them to be false accusers, and speakers evill of dig­nities, [Page 15] utterers of great swelling words of vanitie, and Inventors of lyes in hypo­crisie, according to which wee ever found their continuance. And yet to put an end to those shadowy pretences, a motion was made of cessation of Armes▪ till a Messenger were sent from each withall expedition into Scot­land, and so to procced according to the return of the Kings pleasure, but they could not heare of that eare neither, though some answered they had sent one of their own already for the same end, which yet wee weighed in as light a belief as the other.

Some scattered speeches have I heard fall from them, scarce worth the gathering up, they talked a little confusedly of the Kings Prerogative, of an Act passing in England, that every Papist should be presently hanged, That they would have the Lord Deputy be always of the Irish birth, of their former heavy pressures, freedome of their Religion and the like, the later of which they very presumptuously and confidently avouched.

Often have I heard them acknowledge (which wee knew very well our selves) that many of the Priests and Priers have been the chiefe movers of them▪ Our Alderman Captaine sayed a Fryer lately came from Spaine, threatned him, if he did not readily joyne with them, hee should presently have his head struck off and hanged behind him, whom yet, wee knew, needed no such spur to put him forward. Nay, hee acknowledged that a titular Popish Bishop of theirs made a large Oration unto them by way of incouragment in this Rebellion, assuring them they should all be saved and reputed as Martyrs that died in that quarrell, One Dowdal of Kil­lalee confessed that when his Brother went first out, his own mother upon her knees disswaded him, but a Priest urged him to it and prevailed, whose example himselfe not long after followed.

After this wee had a rumour of O Relyes advancing this way wards, from the County of Cavan, The day before whose comming to Platten (a Castle within two miles of us) one Darcy, the Master of it, was so cour­teous as with great protestations of welcome solemnly to invite most of our Captains to a Feast thither, which if obtained, they had beene all hand-somly c [...]tched in a snare by him.

This Rely having taken Kels, Arbracen, the Navan, wee might easily foresee a possibility of besetting us on the Southside also toward Dublin▪ whereupon our Governour intreated the State to a further s [...]ply, who after a long expectation sent it downe, but unfortunatly the foot miscar­ried by the way as followeth.

Of the defeat of six hundred foot, with their Ammunition at the Bridge of Gillingstone, within three mil [...]s of Droheda.

ON Saturday the two and twentieth of November, six hundred Foot and fifty Horse set out of Dublin, but so late that they marched but six miles, to Swords which as soone as wee understood, a Post was sent from hence to warn them to mend their pace and not to faile of reaching hither, the next day, both for their own safety and ours, and in expectation of them accordingly our Governour iss [...]ed out with a com­petent force of Foot, and Horse to meet them, but the Souldiers muti­ned against their Commanders, and would not march any further then Balrudhery (which was but six miles more) though they were offered dou­ble pay to invite them through. The next day being the twenty third of November, a little on this side the Bridge of Gillingstone, (when they thought all danger was past) in a great stubble field they were met with by at least 2000 of the Enemy, who (being a mighty fog) were within Musket shot before they were discryed.

The Captains presently began to draw up their men into a Battalia, and entred the field, The Souldiers seemed at first to be over-joyed to meete them, The Rebels making a stand, they did so also, But it so fell out as they were ready to give fire, one of the Officers (who dying in the place pre­vented the like punishment for it) commanded a Counter-march, in which they being compelled to take a Ditch were disordered, and the Ene­my judging it a flight gave such a shout that frighted them into a further confusion, and so presently charging them were routed, most were slaine, many escaped hither with their Armes but more without, two of the Cap­tains were killed, the other escaped with one Ensigne. The fifty Horse (who were my Lord of Ormonds) made their way through them without the hurt of one man. The causes of this disaster are diversly pleaded by the Souldiers and Commanders, which I will not take upon mee to deter­mine.

This accident was our greatest losse, and our Enemies gaine, by the large portion of powder, match, armes, and moneys, which were made a prey of, yet some good was produced out of this evill, being the occasi­on [Page 17] whereby our foes were discerned from seeming friends, for till now the Lords of the Pale were Neuters, but upon this successe they all instantly discovered themselves of what stamp they were of, after whose Coppy our Townsmen began to improve their hands also,

Assoon as the Scout that morning brought us the news of the Enemies marching that way, our valiant Governour made out presently with six hundred foot and two troops of horse, but before he could reach the place, the Rebels were fled with the carriages, as being the mayne thing they ay­med at, but that falshood of our Neighbours on the Northside of us appea­red evidently, two of their Commissioners (the Sheriff and our Alderman) were at that instant in parley with us, from them, and as soone as the certainty of the ill news came, joy might be discerned in their smiles, who, by much of their discourse to me that morning, it was cleere they were of the Plot: feares they presently multiplyed upon such as were apt for them, what bloudy fellows they were, and desperate, giving also an assurance of a prosecution that night and the like, which in reason being probable enough, the whole Regiment stood to their Armes, and were ap­pointed their severall Guards upon the first Alarme, but they had not th [...] hearts to proceed.

Not long after this, the Rebels took the opportunity of another advan­tage also in the surprizall of a Chester Barke at the Skerries whose owner upon great presumptions is believed to have beene corrupted to it by three or foure of our Popish Merchants aboard her, who against the desire of the rest of the English (which was to have been for Dublin, or any other Port) would put in no where but there, and ran her aground also, which in regard of the open Harbour, and the fairnesse of the weather it could not be but a voluntary act. And it further appeared by the mirth of the Merchants as soone as she was stuck, their present violent rifling the Eng­lish who had some good summes of moneys, before any Boat came out from the Rebels, That Barke was fraught with some extraordinary pro­vision of Powder and Ammunition for them, amongst which there was a Harquebush made of purpose at Chester, at the charge and direction of one of our Town, The Papists in her, were welcomed by the kind greeting of the Rebels but the poore Protestant English robd of all they had, their Letters out of England intercepted and detained. As soone as they were landed desiring a safe conduct hither, the Lord Netherfield out of a pre­tence of favour would not suffer them, but sent them to Dublin, assuring them he would not fail to take this Town within two days, and then they [Page 18] would be prisoners again, of which he had so strong a perswasion that the rumour was confidently given out, and believed in Dublin, before the at­tempt. So sure did a simple Alderman of ours, who was with them expect it, that to mediate for the saving of one of their lives, and giving him a shilling to carry him to Dublin, he compelled the poore man to make over his house and what else hee had here, thinking to have taken possession of it instantly, in due forme of Law. Nay, their boasts then were to this pur­pose. That they might easily see the cause was of God, it had so prospered; that Gods speciall hand was in it in so sudden giving up the Kingdom into the hands of the Catholicks. Which since by the contrary event on our side, hath been retorted unto them otherwise, in our wonderfull delivery from them.

Now were wee fully besieged on all sides, blockt up aswell by Sea as Land, all ways of entercourse towards Dublin stopped, Sentinels placed so thick night and day, that none could passe unsearched: divers wayes were daily tryed for the safe conveyance of Let [...]ers, some sowed up in the Col­lers of their doublets soles of Boots, Buttons, in Searcloaths clapt upon fained soares, but seldom did any scape their scrutiny above once. And now upon this confederacy betwixt Meath, and the County of Louth, they be­gan to style themselves the Catholick Army.

This proved it high time to adde what else could be effected for our strengthening the Town. Brestworks were made before every Gate, Plat­forms in such places where the walls were defective, some for Sentinels to stand on, others for peeces to play upon, abundance of Morning-stars (as they call them) terrible weapons upon a wall, a world of Crescets; to give light in a dark night round about the Towne, an Iron chaine crossed the River, and which had beene our chiefest improvidence) a command to all neer hand to draw in their corn and hay, but was prevented by the Rebels, who about one a clock at night before that resolution, fired at least a thousand pounds worth of severall corne at once, a horrid sight by the grain destroyed, horrible by the season, but more lamentable as being lost by the negligence and meere dulnesse of the Owners, who had been com­manded to reduce it, and accordingly all helps offered them for the same end, before. By this act which redounded to the losse of the whole Town, might easily be interpreted their intentions, for the prevention of which (though a little too late) the Souldiers adventured our at severall Ports, and brought in the residue that had escaped them. And by their example [Page 19] we proceeded our selves to burn many houses neer the walls, which they had referred only to shelter themselves in their approaches from the shot.

The Skirmish at the Green-hils.

DEcember the 3 was the first fruits of any skirmish between us at S. Lawrence Gate and West Gate, there issued out about 350 foot, and two troops of horse for the securing some carriages, sent out for Corn at the Green-hils about half a mile of, yet it so fell out that by some notice given to the Enemy by a party of their owne within, a multitude met them unexpectedly halfe way, who (being a mighty fog) were all in Battalia, and within Musket-shot before they were descryed, The report of their number by such as had taken a dark view was 3000 (yet some­what mistaken) who instan [...]ly gave such a shout that they were judged not much below it, some Officers advised to a retreat, many of the Horse (which were Papists) in the Reare ran backe with confused cryes to di­sturbe those that were at the Gates drawing out, reporting as if wee had been beaten already, The carriages were returned, and for hast of crowd­ing in, filled up the Gate. In the midst of this confusion our men being amazed, our resolute Governour (who must have the honour of that days service) presently light off his Horse, and led the Foot himselfe by the equal hazard of whom all were revived and encouraged, Commanded the Mus­ketiers up the Hill, and the Pikes in that narrow passage of the lane to open for the Horse, and so with all expedition made ready.

The Rebels by this had charged us twice, yet hurt not a man, but assoon as our Horse and Foot came up, they gave them at once so full and satis­factory an answer that without any further reply, they gave up the field and so betook themselves to their heels, their cryes being now of another time, and so in our sight from the walls were they chased a mile, or two, (the sudden breaking up of the mist being their farther discovery) to the losse of above two hundred of them, but not one man of ours. The Horse who in this case must needs doe the chief service, were by the ditches com­pelled to divide themselves, and each tooke a severall path, according as the scattered rout led them. Amongst the slaine there was one Priest and three Captains, of whom one was neere a kin to the Earle of Tyrone, some money was got in most of their pockets, cloaths, and armes, not a few, This [Page 20] good successe [...]o mightly flesht our souldiers, that they were nothing but [...]ging for the second part to the same tune.

This night wee looked for a present remedy, by an on-set from both [...]des at once, but it seems they had not so soon digested their breakfast on­ [...]y not many nights after som stragling fellows stole neere the walls, and [...]ntured a few shot at our Sentinels, but they proved a volley at their [...]wn b [...]all, who were instantly knockt downe in their places; many nights after was continued some extraordinary vigilancy in their expecta­ [...]n, but we took them still to be of more courage then we found them.

I will not greive thine eyes in relating here the many cruell bloudsheds, barbarously committed neer us upon the persons of those English, which were found tardy in their repaire hither, robbing, stripping starving, and stabbing, were so ordinary that our eares were filled with no other news. Thou mayst guesse at their disposition by their usage of one and thirty pri­soners, taken at the Bridge of Gillingstone, or in the way before they could reach hither, (whose lives they had reserved only to exchange, for as many of theirs with us) their entertainment of them was a crowding into a dark Dangeon, and feeding them with nothing but Garbage and Offalls, of [...]ch flesh as their Dogs could scarce eat, allowing them neither salt nor [...]ire to broyle it, and once a day threw them in a sheafe of Beans, or some Cabbage stalkes, the returne of whom was a lamentable spectacle, many being so far pined, proved irrecoverable, and died the next day, howsoever the like number here of theirs that were released, returned in a better hue, their faces declaring they wanted no victuals and for other necessaries they were so fully supplyed, by many of their Town-sisters, as if they had been Martyrs.

Those of our Souldiers which were Papists, were so poysoned daily with the Councell of such, as had a dominion over their Consciences, that they stole over the walls by dozens in a night to the Enemy, some fairly asked leave to be dismissed, as being against the safety of their souls, to be so much as defensive in this quarrell, every night wee had allarms by some peals of shot at one corner, or other, But at length finding the intent to be rather to disturbe our rest, then surprize the Towne, they were so slighted that we suffered them to spend their powder against the walls, without so much as taking any notice of it, unlesse any approached so nigh as wee were sure of the conclusion, howsoever wee were assured by all that came [...]om them that in this darke of the Moon, wee should feele their utmost, [Page 21] which according to their threatning, we were not backward to prepare them an entertainment.

At length they sent an extraordinary Embassage, which for the better lucke came by a Fryer one father Darcy, who not long agone had beene Prior of the Dominicans here; He accompanied by a Captaine of his owne name, with a Drum beat a Parley upon the hill, and being admit­ted to the Gate delivered his Commission to the Captaine of the Port, the summe of which was to this purpose, viz. That the Generall and Captaines, of the Catholique Army had sent this Father Darcy with others to treate with the Governour and Captaines of the Towne of Droheda, to whom they were [...] give credit as in their names, provided first that they might have assu­rance of safe conduct and returne, under the hands of the Governour, be­fore their entrance. While this was considering of, and a protection send­ing them accordingly, The Fryer longing till he was delivered of his er­ [...]and, staid not for an answer, but upon the bare word of an Officer en­ters, and without any further security presents himselfe. At his sudden unexpected approach the Governour made him sensible of his errour, which (being out of his element) he had runne into, that being come in without any Obligation from him, hee was at his mercy, whether hee would dismisse him or no, yet notwithstanding was pleased to passe it by only as an inconsiderate act, and not taking that advantage which the Law of Armes would justifie, granted him audience, and assurance of safetie, as if he had had it more formally under his hand, as it was both conditioned and preparing, and the Drum that came with him was as inordinate as himselfe, being one of our owne Souldiers, not long before run away from us, whose doome by right was to have bin hanged.

The summe of his demand was, The absolute surrender of the Towne for his Majesties use and service, assuring us of such deepe projects and migh­ty forces, that it would be impossible (not expresly excepting Gods pow­er it selfe) ever to be relieved either by Land or Sea,

The Governour with the Captaines answer, was as short; that they had a Commission from his Majestie bearing such a date for the defence of this Towne against them, but could they produce a Countermand of a Later date, either from his Majesty, or the Lords Justices for to give it up, they were ready to obey; In the meane time they thought themselves more able to keepe it, then the Countrey was to keepe them. That as yet they had been put to no such distresse, as to admit of any such meane [Page 22] thoughts. That if they attempted it by the Sword, they should be sure to have most of their lives first; or if by Famine, they should heare they eate their horses hides.

Having this answer, the Fryer was as weary of his stay in Towne, as he was hasty of entring, only gave us a Copie of the Oath, lately taken by the Lords of the Pale, and (as he said) by the rest of the Pretended Ca­tholiques neere us, which the next day it came to my hands, I thought it not unfit to returne it with the interest of a short glosse, and a disswasive appendix to the taking of it.

The Protestation of the Governour and Captaines of the Town of Drogheda, for their unanimous defence of it for his Majesties use and service.

VVHereas we are beset with such who pretend their attempts in taking of this Town to be for the advancement of his Majesties service, (which notwithstanding we believe is but a pretext to delude the vulgar) wee the Governour and Captaines of the said Towne, for the further manifestation and approbation of our loyalty, and faithfulnesse to his Majesty, by whose im­mediate Command wee are charged for the defence of his just and Royall title in it: do likewise hereby unanimously make this following Protestation and Oath, and doe enjoyn it to be taken by every Souldier and Inhabitant of this Town, as the evidence of their faith, and truth to the Kings Crown and dignity, which we shall mayntain with our lives and estates, and that such as shall refuse it, to be put out of the Gates.

The on-set given by the Rebels with their whole strength; December the twentieth, being Saint Thomas his Eve.

THat afternoon there came certain information of that being the fa­tall night pitched upon by all their forces for our ruine, who made no other account but of swallowing us up quick, and with it very good grounds to assure us of some assistance promised them by the Towne, who at such an houre and at such an allarme were to fall upon us, and to open a P [...]rt, upon which the Governour instantly disarmed the Town­forces of such Muskets and Pikes as he had intrusted them with, & caused a search, to be made for any other Armes, and to be gathered, all that could be found into one roome. Commanded all the Townsmen within doores upon pain of death, and about that houre set for the mutiny within (where­by the Enemy might the securer assault us without) hee was once for triall sake thinking to have set forty Musketiers to have shot powder one against another, and so to make a confused noyse, as if the Towne had beene in an uprore, and falne upon us indeed: but for feare of some unexpected mi­stakes, which might have hapned by such as could not have knowne the mystery, hee desisted, and rested in the beliefe of that which evidently de­clared it self afterwards:

The whole Garrison of Foot and Horse, consisting of eighteene hundred, stood to their Arms all that night, every Company being appointed to their severall Guards, unto which there was added another of Volunteers out of the able and sufficient housholders of the Towne, to the number of fourscore, who proffered themselves, and had presently a Captaine and Officers appointed them of whom seven were of the Clergie, all sorts with­out exception thinking it high time now to stand for their lives. The streets were well beset with Candles. The Crescets in the dark night being lighted, our Governour continually rounding the Towne to see all things in order, and to prevent our Popish Inhabitants, and the Enemies concur­rence at the set houre, by discerning how the night went, caused the clock to be set back two houres, All things being in a readinesse great expecta­tion was there of our greeting, At length about one a clock, they began to give some warning shot (which was deemed to be rather directed to the Townsmen then to us) which being at that distance, our Souldiers daigned [Page 26] not to take notice of. Not long after at a watch-word given and about the hour prefixed, they all approched the wals, and according to their use gave such a terrible shout round about the Towne, such as I remember never to have heard the like. The end of it was believed either to scar and confound our forces, or to invite the Town to make good their promise: for the fur­thering of which some were heard to cry out of their windows, that the Town was lost but neither had their issue. That tumultuous cry at one gate was instantly so well answered by the dolefull Echo of a Cannon from the Mount, that we soon heard them quite of another tune, as being the slaughter of multitudes of them: for three or foure houres was this mu­sicall discord continued, till by the mistake of the clock, the day breaking suddenly before they were aware they took themselves to slight, and every one invited the other to all possible speed, after whom (being now fully discovered) were posted all sorts of shot from all quarters, which caused many (who by turning their backs had no mind to see their own deaths) to drop by the way: some of them by their clothes and faire horses were deemed Commanders, scaling Ladders were multiplyed in the rumour which came often to our eares before, but wee saw none now, neither was indeed the time come, for their use. The numbers of their slaine is not certaine, only such as were sent out that morning upon a view, found all the fields bedewed with bloud, here and there some limbes scattered from their bodies, many cart loads of their dead were seen driving away, abun­dance left behind in ditches, which in their hast they had forgotten, whose stolne clothes and linnes proved a better booty to their strippers then was expected, many being the very provant Clothes taken from ours at the Bridge, as with one of them (whose head was brought in) was found the very armour of one of our Officers slain there.

For ours (such was Gods protection of us) that there was not one man slain, nor so much as hurt, notwithstanding at Saint Iohns Gate (which was the most naked, and where Captain Moris commanded) there was the hottest work, good language past on both sides, ours called them the Kings Traytors, they ours the Queens, some of our Popish Souldiers who had run away, were their Guides, and were so bold as to call their severall Captains by their names as they discerned them by their voyces, some of ours by this continued acquaintance at length grew so courteous that when they found the Enemy slow in giving fire, deeming it might be for want of Powder, offered to throw them a Bag, if they would but fetch it, wa­gers were laid commonly amongst the Musketiers who should take of such [Page 27] Commander appearing more gallantly mounted and clothed then the rest; and indeed seldome missed, but one w [...]n the Set. Thus this night made choice of according to their proverb, in hope or Saint Thomas his blessing turned the contrary, much of their bloud was spilt, and by Gods especiall goodnes none of ours, which that morning as soon as the storm was over; we failed not in the Church solemnly and publickly to acknowledge, and to give him the praise to whom it is only due.

This failing of the Town (who indeed were not at liberty to performe,) we heard moved the Rebels to vent many hard words against them, and till they received their excuse, threatned to put no difference between them, and us, if ever they took it.

Not many nights after when a revengfull reply was threatned again, & by us expected there were found chalked upon most of the Papists doores white Crosses to distinguish them from us; which some of ours perceiving they went up, and down; and privatly wiped them out, of purpose to guide the Enemies hands righter then their intentions; if they had entred, and set up Gallowses in their stead, & put the white Crosses upon the Protestants doores, and indeed they had much merited of the Rebels by the distinsti­on they continually made between ours and theirs in their usage. If any of our Popish Souldiers (whose hearts were justly suspected to be without the Gates) were sick, they wanted neither for clothes, physick, or diet, no more then their own children, by the private charity of the Masters of the houses where they were billited: But if a Protestant chanced to be sick they would not give him a bit of bread, nor afford him the least courtesie to save his life.

Their Axes, Spades and other necessaries, much wanting for Fortifica­tions, and cutting down of trees neer the Gates which sheltered the Rebels from the shot, they hid or denied the loan of them, till by searching they were found, and so violent taken.

About this time was a grand Conspiracy found out, an oath admini­string by a Popish Captain of the Town forces to those of his own Soul­diers, and some of ours of the same profession, for the seizing upon our Souldiers Arms, as they were asleep in their severall lodgings, and sudden killing them either in their beds, or at their Guards. The suspition of which Plot sented the stronger by being revealed by a Papist, who said hee was advised by a Frier to take what Oath should be administred to him by the said Captain, who upon it was presently committed, and by the first ship­ping [Page 28] sent to Dublin. One Dowdall a Trooper (being as it seemes of the Coun­cell) and accidentally slaine by his fellow, they were so inconsiderate as to observe it as a just judgement of God upon him, whom they presumed had discovered it, But he revealing nothing of it, the contrary was rather ob­served by us, for his knowledge of it, and concealing i [...].

Many of the Troopers, as the foot who were Papists were found some nights within doores when they should have answered the Alarms which with other circumstances confirmed our beliefe, they had beene tampered with that way.

By this timely repulse of this long threatned onset, we were in the grea­ter hope of having the quieter Christmas, when the Moon began to favour us with her light. Many Festivals in which, we solemnly kept as days of Thanksgiving to God, for our many deliverances. When (with what due preparation by the assistance of the Chaplaine and others of my Brethren here could be gained) the whole Regiment received the Communion, who with the Town Inhabitants, and other strangers, made up such a conflu­ence of Communicants for two or three dayes, that for many yeeres there hath not been seen the like, to the envy and regrating of our Neighbours. By this a rumour was raised amongst the Rebels, as if all our Comman­ders with their Companies had taken the Sacrament never to give up the Town, which somewhat daunted them, and as wee heard moved them to the like indeed, in their superstitious binding one another, by the sacred linke never to leave the siege till they had it. Nay, some had prefixed the very day, but the event according to their fond beliefe in that particular, proved a meer delusion. On Christmas Eve we had a care of preventing their then customary frequent meetings, least under their pretence of Con­fessions, or hearing so many Masses, some other fruit should have issued from those assemblies.

On Christmas day a Captaine of theirs sending his servant with a small wild present to my Lord Moore, in exchange for a pottle of Wine, these following pretended Motives were received, which I thought sit to insert as followeth.

The Motives moving the Catholiques of Ireland to take Armes.

OUr Royall King and Queene are by the Puritanes curbed and abused, and their Prerogatives restrained, diminished, and almost wholly abo­lished, contrary to the Rights and Power of all Monarchall Authority, and also the Duty, Allegiance and Consciences of all loyall Subjects, which with griefe we take to heart, as faithfull and loyall Subjects ought to doe. The Catholique Religion suppressed and put downe in England, and the Catholiques persecuted with all rigorous cruelty, even to death; the like the Puritanes of this Kingdome threatened to have brought hither.

That there is a Law against Catholiques in this Countrey, whereby the Kingdome hath been often impaired and ruined with persecutions, by meanes whereof the Catholiques are made uncapable of any Office, or Place of Commodity or profit, to the great and extraordinary decay of the Catholiques in their estates, education and learning.

That the Government of the Kingdome is wholly in the hands of stran­gers, who in their beginnings are generally poore of birth and meanes, and very quickly become Noble men, and men of great estates, by oppressing and ruinating the poore Natives.

That there hath been of late great threatenings of sending great Scot­tish forces, with the Bible in one hand, and Sword in the other, to force our Consciences or end our Lives, besides a private report of a sudden surprisall and cutting the Catholiques throats, intending which way we know not, but it hath been both written and spoken by severall Protestants and Puri­tanes.

That the Catholiques were not allowed to have any Armes, or Munition (as Protestants and Puritanes were) but stood like dead men not able to de­fend themselves in such desperate dangers.

All which being by them considered, they did see no way but to attempt to seize upon Armes, where they could get them, to save their Lives, main­taine the King and Queene, their Religion and Countrey.

To these, some conceiving they might carry a specious shew with the vulgar, I thought it not amisse to returne an answer in the speedy unmas­king of them, which with the glosse upon the confused Oath have it seems been made more publicke then they deserved, and so I leave them, though at [Page 34] their birth it was not safe here to father them.

The impudencie of the Sheriffe of the County of Loath, with our Alder­man Captaine, when they came in upon parleyes, in their bold assertions and presumptuous hopes in matter of Religion, was unsufferable, which I will not now run thee so far out of the way as to relate them, though what they said, we tooke as from the mouth of the Catholique Camp, whose Legates they were, they so tooke upon them, that a contradiction of them in argu­ing their Religion to be Idolatry, and their cause Rebellion, which in story is not found ever to have prospered long, procured me no small threatenings if the day should prove theirs. Each Sunday they reckoned to have Masse in our Church, as their Generalissimo, Sir Philim ô Neil (I have been told by such as have been eye and eare-witnesses) hath often clapt his hands with a joyfull assurance to his [...]ryers, that shortly they should say him a Masse in Christ Church in Dublin: But their ambitious thoughts were put to a stand by the way here.

After this about the end of December was there a great Ice, so that our River of the Boyne was in a night or two so hard frozen, that it could scarse be broken with Mallets; Horses and men might safely passe over, which gi­ving some advantage to those of the Enemies quarters that lay below the Bridge, made ours also the more vigilant in their watch, and they wan­ted no information and invitation from hence to take the present oportu­nity.

December the last, a Boy was taken in the morning very early upon the Ice, after a course or two by the souldiers comming from the Rebels, and being charged with suspition of some message, at first with execrable oathes denyed it: But one threatening to hang him, and with a peece of match about his necke beginning to hoise him, whereby he found he was in ear­nest, he cryed out, that if they would spare his life he would tell the truth, and so confessed, foure Aldermens wives sent him out to the Rebels, with an assu­rance of their safe walke over the Ice that night, that many Horses casually had run upon it and continued a long time without danger, that they had given him some money, and had promised him more; That the answer re­turned was, that they wondred they had it not from the men, whose judge­ment must needs have prevailed more with them; That they doubted of some trap laid for them by the Governour unknowne to the women, and prayed to give them some surer notice, with a token of some Soape and a white dish to drinke a cup of Ale in. The women were examined, but had good cause to deny it. How diligent our souldiers were night and day in [Page 35] preventing any such surprisall, by breaking the Ice, may easily be imagined, which they had no sooner done but it thawed of its owne accord.

Upon New-yeares day, about foure of the clocke in the morning, foure Companies and a troop of Horse invited themselves to a visit of some of those quarters North-ward; but the delay they had in opening the Port, which the late frost had unexpectedly hardened, hindered much of their designe, only Captaine Martin with his Company, who gate over the wall with ropes, killed some 15. with a Sentinell, whereas if the rest could have followed in time, they had multiplyed them near to as many hundreds, so secure were they of our not daring so much as to approach near them, we put them to flight, burnt that Village and another and so retreated.

January the 7 ^•h. by breake of day, about 300. foot, and fourescore horse were pleased to take the aire out at S. Johns Port, killed a 100. forced a 100. more to the River, many were drowned (amongst whom was found cast up by the water side one Art Roe Mac-Maghon a great Commander with them) tooke 50. Armes, Cowes, and other booty, to the value of a hundred pound worth, burnt their lodgings, and after a pursuite of a mile or two by the horse, retreated, which they did very slowly, of purpose to have invi­ted another Body of them, not far off, to a present revenge of their fel­lowes: But they had seene enough of their bloud for one morning, some made an overture, but as our men faced about, they turned their backs, whom a Drake of ours over-reached, to the dropping of some of them. In this skirmish, howsoever they wanted not showers of shot from the other side of the River also, yet there was not a man of ours hurt, excepting one, who (against command) continuing pillaging after all the rest were gone, was taken tardy, and received some wounds according to his desert, but es­caped with life.

Accidentally many were slaine among our selves in the streets, and more in the like hazard strangely preserved. A Corporall of a troop once upon a nights alarum, riding in haste towards the water side, a Sentinell apprehen­ding his intent (by his not answering what he was) to have made over the River to the Enemy, shot him quite through the back, of which he dyed: The next night another received his deaths wound by his next fellow as they fate on horsebacke One (being drunke) discharging his Musket killed a man and a woman not far from him. A woman in the twilight carrying a paile of water upon her head, a shot from the wals at randome strucke through the very bottome, and hurt her not, the bullet being found in the water, divers casually shot through the crowne of the Hat, Armes, Breast, [Page 36] Collers of their Dublets, and yet had no other hurt then sometimes razing of the skin, and the bullet hanging in their cloathes.

Now victuals began to be very scarse, the best sort were confined to one meale a day, the common souldiers food was altogether herrings and wa­ter, and no bread at all with it. This put every one to a narrow search through their quarters; what was found was put into a store-house, that Corne that was still in stacks, was threshed out immediately: But yet by reason of the want of Mills (most of which were without the Towne) little Corne could be ground but by Quernes, too slow a provision for so many thousands of souldiers and Inhabitants. The Milch Cowes through­out the Towne were ins [...]antly killed, and divided, and as soone gone as gi­ven. Coales grew so sc [...]rse, that for the Guards, as all the partitions of pales in backsides had been plucked up, so all the Orchards were cut downe with­in the wals as without, whereby the Towne seemed very naked, and like the poore people comming in to us, stript to it's shame, of it's choi­sest O [...]naments. The want of Hay and Oates caused the Horses to droope, and to be unfit for service, who in stead, were faine to take to straw and graines, sicknesse and death began to reigne every where, many famished, others with a dyet not used to before, fell into such diseases which brought them to the same end.

In the midst of this extremity hearing nothing from the State (who in­deed now conceived our case to be too desperate to be supplyed) our Go­vernour thought fit to trim up a small vessell, which being loaded with some small Peeces, and manned with forty Musketeers, was resolved to ad­venture her through the Enemies shot, with a little Friggot attending her, who in the fight should have slipped through to Dublin. When they were ready, the Towne still declared their hearts in hiding the Pilots, so that af­ter much search none could be found, till at length my Lord Moore was faine to threaten to send halfe a dozen of the Aldermen in them, who should be placed so, that they should be sure to be shot first, and so accor­dingly apprehended two or three of them, by this scare, they who before pleaded ignorance, in the space of an houre became such knowing men, that they found out foure or five of the chief, to redeeme themselves; for Sailors, we were yet compelled to make Proclamation, that if such as were desired came not at such an houre they should be declared traytors, and their wives and children turned out of the Gates, and by this course we were presently supplyed, notwithstanding when we had them, little trust could we repose in them being Papists, doubts we had of the safety of our little fleet also, [Page 37] considering the strength of the Enemies preparations against their com­ming at the harbours mouth, where besides their Land-forces, three Barques were manned in expectation of them.

Our Reliefe, Ian. 11 ^th.

BUt God, whose usuall time is then to help when all other help and hope faileth, Jan. the 11 ^th. relieved us with the safe comming of the Pi­nace, a Friggot, a Gabbard, with two Shallops, and another vessel loden with Bisket, powder & other Ammunition, of both which, an extremity of want was drawing on, the showers of Musket shot which to little purpose was powred upon them, from each side of the River by the Enemy, and the ef­fectuall answers given by our great Peeces, which made such breaches through the bodies of their Companies, as fit Land-markes for them, was worth our glad attention, which was given with great alacrity by the whole Towne round about the wals. O the shouts of joy that ecchoed from all sides at their safe arrivall within the Key! Teares were in most mens eyes for gladnesse, all with one consent in the very street acknow­ledging it to be Gods handy-worke, and the very fruit of our prayers, only many of the Townes-men seemed to be dejected, and at their first en­trance within the harbour, endeavoured to dancke our expectation, by in­timating they might be some of the Enemies friends from Spaine or elsewhere, and that the shot was but a colour to blinde us till they were entred within our bowels. In this blessing the handy-worke of God hath been discerned in divers particulars, they had sunke a Barque in the Chan­nell, but a great fresh with a strong West wind had not long before thrown her out to Sea, they had two Barques on each side, by which they had with other Boates as supporters, fixed an Iron chaine with a Cable, crosse the Channell, but it proved no let to their passage over, without so much as touching it. The Pinnace had put in by the way at Skirries, about twelve miles off, and burnt the Enemies lodgings, with all their Corne, and what was fit for booty they carried aboard. Now that which was observed as a speciall Providence by the very Papists, was, that in one tyde they should come from thence quite up to our Key, without so much as casting Anckor [Page 38] at the barr in staying for the next, and being a low ebb-tyde also, the like of which is acknowledged not to have been knowne here above once in the memory of the eldest Alderman. And it passed not without some notice, that this reliefe should come upon one of our Church-dayes, when no sooner Sermon was done, and we departed, where we had been begging that blessing, but every one was welcommed home with the newes of it. The very delayes of our two little vessels (though against our minds) was a blessing, who if they had gone out, had run an iminent hazard by the Enemy, whose surprisall must have been their great advantage. Thus winde and tyde, and all things wrought for our good, for which as we gave God thanks in his owne house, so outward tokens of joy were not omitted that Evening in the streets, by bon-fires, vollies of shot, ringing of Bels, and the like. Howsoever for the prevention of any treachery, in the midst of this joy, the Governour had all the watches twice or thrise rounded, and was carefull in the Evening, least the fruits of ours and the Dublin soul­diers greetings (who brought money with them) were not that vice of drunkennesse. But all his watchfulnesse could not prevent that distemper in many, which had like to have turned the next day into as great a La­mentation.

Of the Invasion, Jan. 12 ^th.

ANd now we are to relate our greatest preservation, wherein the spe­ciall hand of God must be confessed indeed. This night (though never before) too much security had possessed us, and not withstanding our Gover­nours vigilancy, most of our souldiers were drunke, nay our very watches, two parts were in the same condition also, occasioned by the falshood of the Popish Townes-men, who for that end privately offered them Ale of free-cost, which poore men having been so long strangers too, they received too liberally; Nay, the very Fryers drew in the Sentinels fr [...]m their guards to drinke; while the major part by this were bound fast in a sleep, the Re­bels by the help and treacherous intimation of their owne within, about foure of the clocke in the Morning made a breach in the wall, and were en­tred of their best souldiers and chiefe Commanders five hundred (as in their [Page 39] Letters I have seen acknowledged by themselves) who as they came in unheard (it being a mighty blustring storme) so continued an houre undis­cryed (having for their watch-word, Klan Patrick (i. e.) S. Patrickes childe) till having marched as far as the Key, they gave a shoute, whether in assurance of victory, or to give notice to the Towne, from whom (by their confessions) they expected assistance, it matters not. But this was our first Alarum, which our v [...]liant Governour hearing, instantly ran downe unarmed, only with his Pistols in his hand, and was the first that caused a Drum to beat, and finding the watches so thin, was compelled to take the maine Guard (which fell out to be his owne Company) with the gleanings of some other b [...] Guards as all his present strength, caused his Ensigne to draw downe with them to the Bridge, while some from other Ports could be got together, where he met them just entring, and finding their Pikes to be short of ours by a yard, charged home, and forced them to retreat; yet they had so faire proceeded, as to overturne a Drake that lay there of his car­riage.

Our Governour by this time having gathered up a competent number of Musketeers, succoured him scone, where the first Company he met with (being yet darke) he tooke by their answer to be some of his owne, and so made a stand. But one of the Rebels knowing him by his voice shot at him, but missed him, only hit him that stood next to him, through the brim of his Hat.

Upon which discovery, ours instantly gave fire, which proved so effe­ctuall that they presently ran backe, leaving their bodies for stumbling blocks in our way after them. My Lord Moore himselfe, with 15. Horse (all that could of a sudden be got ready) came first to his assistance, and chased them up the Hill to the dropping of many of them, and not long after each Captaine getting what number he could together, every Lane was beset, that they trod them downe with case, many crying out for quarter had it, whom some pretending to have been my servants gate the like favour, others crept into by-corners and backsides, and thus found some hunting worke for the souldiers most of the day after, so that there was slaine within and without the Towne, and taken prisoners, about two hundred, amongst whom one was presumed to be a Priest by his gilt Breviary found in his pocket, and brought to me by his stripper. And (if we may give credence to a Letter which I have seen of their owne (who usually in these relations, shoot rather short then over) some of the best of their Captaines were slaine, hurt, and lamed. A dreadfull sight, me thought, [Page 40] it seemed to see the bodies of so many dead men lying naked up and downe the streets, but more horrid to thinke whither their soules were posted, even to a second death also, and yet it could not be beheld without thanks to God, who had returned their Designe for us upon themselves. In whom we might view the draught of our owne condition if the day had bin theirs. For the breach in the wall it was in such an obscure place (in an Orchard between Saint James his Gate and the water) that it could not be found out till the pursued directed us to it by their flight thither, through which about two hundred sled, who (if knowne in time) had bin prevented: Such mistakes were there in this darke confusion, that a Captaine meeting some twenty of them tooke them for his owne, encou­raged them, and was leading them very confidently up to the Mill-mount, till casually by laying his hand upon one or two of them, and finding them wet, and discerning a trouse, apprehended his errour, and made his way by his sword through some of them, and so gate backe againe; yet they pro­ceeded so farre as to knocke downe the two Centinels in their way, and were come just up to the Mount-Bridge before they were dispatched, one of whom was killed upon the very Mount it selfe. The Captaine who had then the command of the Mount mistooke one of our Companies for the Rebels, who (by their making haste up to the Hill, being breathlesse and speechlesse, in not answering what they were) was just giving fire to a peece of Ordnance upon them, had not one man being best winded, by a timely answer saved the rest.

Without the Towne were many thousands at severall corners still con­fidently expecting the opening of a Port, by their owne party within, who stayed in sight an houre or two after day-light: Which errour of theirs when ours apprehended, they thought good to nourish, and having taken a Bagg-piper of theirs, caused him upon one of the Gates to daunce and play very merrily, and call to them to make haste in, that the Towne was theirs; The like was confirmed at other Gates by holding up their Caps, and using all other signes of triumph.

By this it was a mirth to see Companies of stragling fellowes leaping ditches for the shorter way, and running out of breath for haste to the Gates, like Birds to the snare, or fishes to the net, who should be first taken, and so were brought in by dozens in a string, till our prisons were glutted with them. But at length, seeing all going, and none returning, they judge it but to be but like beasts to the Lyons dennes, and so that sport was ended, and yet so strong were they of that beliefe that they still kept their [Page 41] standings, till a Peece or two from the Mill-Mount, shewed them their mistakes, by sweeping away about thirty of them, and so by that discourteous usage, the rest of them tooke their leaves of us very ab [...]uptly, many were slaine at the severall Ports by the Musket-shot from the wals, divers found out by the souldiers within, where they had been by their good brethren harboured, some were men of good quality by their cloathes, who when they were stripped, were f [...]und double suited, a faire skarlot disguised by a frizo, kee­ping it (I beleeve) clean for the more glorious triumphing show after we had [...]in all cut off, but blessed be God who made us not a prey unto their teeth.

This deliverance was acknowledged by the worst of men to be Gods speciall handy-worke, in their heartlesse delayes at their entrance, the confasion in their proceedings, the infatuating of their Councels, for had they but either cut off the Guard at the Port near which they were entred, who were most asleep, and so opened the Gate to thousands of their owne Party there attending, or made up to the Mill-Mount, where foure or five Peeces were commanding the whole Towne (and where a [...]unner was not to be found) or marched but to the Bridge, and with the two Drakes there entred into the Body of the Towne, and so cut off the maine Guard, we had bin undone, and slaine in our beds, and in­deed true and righteous had bin Gods Judgement for that deluge of drun­kennesse, wherein most were drowned. But he shewed himselfe rather to delight in mercy in sparing us. It was not unobserved neither, that their shout of victory being our first Alarum, should be our only preservation, and that in this great hazard of us all, and slaughter of so many of them, there should be in fight, but three of our men slaine in the place, was most wonderfull in our eyes, indeed some few walking in the streets unarmed, and ignorant of their entrance, were butche­red by them (as a footman, a horseman, and a Sentinell or two) for the preventing their discovery, as others, by some other accidents af­terwards, but in fight no considerable number.

One of our souldiers that had run away, being taken now and han­ged, confessed upon the Gibbet, that a Fryer had laid the plot, and others of that Fraternity had a hand in the prosecution, as accordingly about the time of the shout there was seen halfe a dozen Muskets shot out of one Fryery, at such as passed on the other side upon the Key. Upon this, inquisition was made into some of their Cloysters, where Powder, [Page 42] Match and Armes were found little becomming any of those Orders, except the Loyallists, whose Father had bin indeed a lame souldier. Un­der this pretence of searching for Rebels, some pillage was commit­ted in the Towne against the will of the Governour, who afterwards by Proclamation had restored to the owners what could be gotten, and on paine of death that misdemeanor restrained, though many of their Actions in this businesse, had deserved a greater forfei­ture.

This errour overpast without any dammage, as it deserved of us a speciall day of thanks giving to God (which accordingly was observed) so [...] doubled the vigilancy of our watch ever after.

The former continu [...]ll duty of the souldiers was very great, each Company with their Captaine and Officers, by an equall division watched every other night, besides two Captaines of the watch in their turnes for each side the Bridge. Now to this was added the assistance of forty Ho [...]se, who by severall divisions walked the Rounds all night, so that a Sentinell by their often visiting had scarse time to winke. My Lord Moore, and the Governour, in their owne per­sons, each night walked the Rounds also, as surpervisors of the whole. The wals were narrowly reviewed within, as without, and some sus­pected places strengthened; the Pioners imployed in slitting the wall-dike, and clearing the Orchards without, of such Trees that yet shel­tered the Enemy from the shot; the top of the Mill-Mount round be­set with Barrels filled with earth, and so every one being encouraged with the little reliefe by the Pinnace, and the great deliverance from the Invasion, looked the more narrowly to their charge for the preven­tion of the like again [...].

A faire winde within two dayes inviting the Pinace, with her at­tendance to a returne, gave the Enemy many a faire warning peece on each side as she passed, but few from either replyed, only upon a little Fisher Boat of our owne, staying in the reare, some shot were bestow­ed, through the Furres, but hurt her not: But at length, by the un­skilfulnesse, or the drunkennesse of the Steers-man, ran aground, and being left dry was taken by the Rebels, and in her about thirty pound of Powder, two Slings, and one Harq [...]ebush, and fourteen Prisoners, whom the next day they sent us upon the like exchange of their owne. The Pinace was for want of water, and some inconsideration, runne aground also. The Rebels upon this advantage played thicke upon [Page 43] her from both sides the River, to their great expence of Powder, and to as little purpose, till at length at an Ebbe, as she lay dry, a hundred of them under the shelter of some Carr loades of Furres, desperately approached her, and notwithstanding the losse of some of them ran un­der her very Stearne, and there with their Pick-axes and Crowes of Iron, began to buldge her, who being thus got now, not only out of the feare of the Cannon, but of any hurt by Musket or Pike, was our grea­test hazard. Captaine Stutfield (who hath much deserved of us in twice adventuring to relieve us) presently threw some Granad [...]'s among them, which killed many of them, they abid six, but at the seventh with one consent they all ran away, whom the Musket and Cannon prosecuted, and caused many to lose their breath up the Hill, and after that never dared to adventure the like againe: The number of their slaine is uncertaine, but by the mighty streame of bloud it was co [...]je­ctured to be at the least threescore; for the Pinace some few were hurt, but none killed, except a Lieutenant accidentally shot in the Head by one of their last, as they vvere ready to vveigh An­kor.

Whilest we saw her in this danger, the apprehension of our owne losse in her, was cause sufficient to move us publickely, as privately, to pray for her restoring, and it was answered: for that night, by the help of a fresh, and lightening her Ballace, with the change of a sit winde, she got off, and lanced into the Poole, where resting her selfe two dayes, the third, with afaire vvinde rode out in triumph, and bad us far­vvell.

The Shallops and the rest most falsly left the Pinace in her distresse, and mounted over the Barr to Dublin, or else the foure Barques lying by her, had either bin reduced or fired, only a Friggot [...]ef [...] vvith us, carrying foure peeces of Ordnance, and going to assist, as farre as the barre mouth stucke to her, but had the misfortune of running aground on the other side also, vvhere the Rebels in the darke made a brest-vvork, and vvith tvvo flings taken from the other, played on her all the night, but payed dearly for their presumption, in the losse of many o [...] their lives. And it vvas here observed, that those of ours vvho covvardly dared not be seen above hatches, and vvould not fight, vvere only vvounded (the Decke being not Musket proofe and those vvho appeared and couragi­ously discharged, vvere not hurt at all, but came off untouched. But not long after she vvas freed also of that danger, and came safe in againe. [Page 44] And it vvas observed as a rare thing, that in the same Tyde there was one vvinde to bring the Friggot hither, and within one houre or two after, another vvinde as necessary for the Pinaces restoring. Thus winde and vvaves, and all accidents turned to our good, and ruine of the Rebels.

After this waste of Powder, with much losse of their owne bloud, we were quiet a weeke after, without so much as one shot to di­sturbe us, onely they fired many Townes upon my Lord Moores Lands, still perswading him as before, that their making his estate thus a burnt offering, proceeded from their religious, zealous affe­ction to him.

After these disasters, many Drum-Parlies had we daily from them: The first Drum (or rather Agent with a Drum at his backe) was sent for little else but to raile and curse, by which impatiency we felt their distempered pulse, and discerned where it pinched them, some Letters we received, vvere so transcendent, that they soared beyond all sence; some so vaporous, that they vanished into meere non-sence, two of which I have bin desired to blot a little paper with, one from Sir Philim O Neile, and the other from Colonell Plunkett (as he stiled himselfe) by which, being the top of their braines, thou mayest the easier conjecture what might be expected from their underlings.

The Letter of Sir Philim ô Neile their Ge­nerall (with the Errata of much false English cor­rected) to my Lord Moore, upon the sending him his MAjESTIHS Speech in the PARLIAMENT.

The Letter of Colonell Plunquet to my Lord Moore, and the Governour.

VPon the former blinde Infidell Letter, a stander by bestowed a paire of spectacles, and to the latter vaparous one was given a Counterblast, each returned with dashes according to ther merit. And that I may not trouble thee any more with things of this na­ture, I shall here give thee a view also of a royall Passe of Sir Phi­lim O Neile, found with one of his souldiers after he was slaine, wherein the plurality of his follies passing through the multiplying Glass [...] of his distempered fancy is more evident.

VVHich thus comming to our hands, returned not without the interest of some Annotations also, howsoever by these silly Presiden [...]s, thou mayest seriously measure what high ambiti­ous thoughts raigne within him.

In his Letter he is so presumptuous, as by a kinde of equality to instle his owne intentions with his MAIESTIES (somewhat like that of one of their Cardin [...]ls, Ego, & Rox meus) and so pre­ferres them before the rest of the LORDS, as if they were all to be but subsequent to his. For the [...]asse, what stile could be more affecting a Royalty: As if his being called [...]a [...]le of Tyrone by the vulgar, Iull'd him into a dreame, he had been crowned KING of Ʋlster. In which we shall leave him but a while before he is wake­ned.

After the Pinace had taken her leave of them, some of their owne Barques followed her to Sea also, by some rumoured to be fraught with their flying Commanders, others to be dispatched for France, or for Dunkirke for a supply of Armes and Powder, their store of each having been lately much wasted (as I have seen some of their Letters intimating to that purpose.) Their former blustring strange Letters were abated of a sudden, they fell into calme, and milde expressions, my selfe wanted not some respective remem­brance from the chiefe of the Relyes, whom indeed I had knowne with little suspition of the possibilitie of any such enterprise, one, whom the English had shewne so much love too, as when he was prosecuted for his Life, at the Kings Bench by great ones. A Jury of the Engli [...]h Protestant Gentlemen, affectionately cleered him, with the issue of the hazard of their owne estates, who for that verdict were questioned in the Starre-chamber afterwards; yet some of these men hath he used most barbarously, and kept them under a mercilesse bondage, upon their owne Lands, till lately by an ex­change of some of their prisoners here, we received.

When they had no more prisoners of ours near hand, they off [...] ­red [...]y two or three Drummes to ransome theirs. Our Governours answer was, he had no Commission for it, but assured them of that [Page 49] respect that none should remove them out of their close lodgings, that what meate they would send them, should be duely given them, and indeed they wanted not by the cha­rity of the popish Merchants wives, who sent them Cad­dowes, Night-Caps, Meale, and Cloathes, such as they were never Masters of before, so that if the Commanders could spare them, the men we found indifferent, whether they were released, or no. And yet for any of our prisoners returned at any time from the Rebels naked and starved, not a crum of Charity could be wrung from them, were it to the present saving of their lives: Charity which in it selfe is ever commendable, yet with this distinction is mistaken, and loseth it's reputation, evidently declaring the hearts of the Doners.

Often were we threatened with Alarums, men seeming to gather out towards Evening, as if there had beene some reality in it: Houses near the Towne upon Hils were fired, which were their usuall Signals for an union of forces on both sides; but they proved but bravadoes, their only refuge we found now, was starving us: As sometimes they would approach so near us as to aske our Centinels if they had yet eaten their Cabbage-stalkes, or wanted Horse-flesh. Multi­tudes indeed dyed of the famine, many of the souldiers who had been men of good estates, by the salt dyet never used to before, fell into those diseases which made them unfit for service, so that every Company grew very defective in their number, a continuall watching in those cold Winter Nights (the Centinels standing without any shelter) many without shooes or stockings (which by the Merchants hi­ding their Leather and Cloath, could not be supplyed) de­stitute of necess [...]ry firing upon their Guards, in reason must needs produce some ill effects with such as had been other­wise bread; but by degrees the poore men learned con­tentednesse, patiently waiting upon him, who when wee were brought to an extremity, failed us not; yet let it be [Page 50] ever remembred, to the honour of the LORD Moore, and GOVERNOVR, and the Captaines of the Horse and [...]oot, to keep so naked a Towne so long, against such a multitude, in that want both of Men, Meate, Money, Cloathes, and firing; yet duely keeping their watches eve­ry Night, wet or frost, besides the continuall Alarums, and often Sallies, whereby they had scarse any time to rest.

Within a Fortnight, what quantity of Bisket and Meale, we received by the Pinace, was by so many mouthes ea­sily spent; Famine and [...]luxes, with other diseases, returned againe to their former dominion over us; death began to looke more terrible within the wals then without; the Bels rested not from passing toales, the streets frequented dayly and hourely with dolefull beates of Drummes, and sad Fu­nerall Marches; the Church-yard continually ringing with Vollies of shot at their Burials; multitudes of the English Inhabitants (to my no small griefe) wasted away also, so that what by those that left the Towne at first, and those that now left the world, by this, my owne Congregation was reduced to a small number.

The Towne was put to a narrow Scruteny, Sellers were searched with spits, as well as lofts, in each of which, much provision was found against the oathes of the owners. In the Fryeries, against their vow of poverty, were found Trunkes of Plate and Money, with other Treasure, which howsoever they owned them not; yet being the goods of Rebels, it was their little praise to be the receptacles of them.

This worke was made some mens daily imployment, and for a while passed few dayes without reaping some fruit, and yet all that could be gotten, was no sooner equally distri­buted but by so many Cravers was presently dispatched.

In this extremity some mutinies were broached among the souldiers, but wisely stopped againe: The very English as well as the Irish for want sled to the enemy. Now feares were daily rumoured by the Rebels party within, some bravadoes made by the Enemy in some showers of their strength in the day time without, threatning the ha­zard of a thousand men, but they would make a breach in our wals, some where or other, which was confirmed by the report of some Peeces of Battery, Sir Philim O Neile had sent for from the North to that end, every Night they burnt some Towne or other of Corne near us, and vvere now in a dayly expectation of some conditions to be offe­red by us for a surrender, which as we were informed, by some that came from them, they had fained already by some lying counterfeite Letters, pretended to be wrot as from my Lord Moore, and the Governour, to animate their souldiers in the assurance of it.

Our expectation of reliefe by Sea still failed us, so that we were compelled to man out a little Friggot our selves to Dublin, with some Commissioners to relate our mise­ry, which we feared they were not sensible of, and after much inconstancy of windes in driving her often in and out, at length, February the 7 ^th. she went to Sea, passing the Barr without any prejudice by the Enemies, only they honoured us so farre as to bestow two Peeces of Ordnance upon her for a farwell, but touched her not, and yet in two severall places they were planted so near the chan­nell (as we now finde their works) that one would thinke it were a wonder ever to misse.

The same day we made a sally out in the face of the Re­bels North-ward, burnt two or three of their lodgings, and fetched in forrage and other provision for a sufficient baite of three or foure dayes, the envy of which caused those near hand to gather into a body of foure or five hundred, [Page 52] which were soone affronted by as many of ours readily drawing out, or rather running, so glad were our souldiers of the fresh aire, and the sight of such whom they had on­ly heard of before in their darke Alarums, scouts on each side discharged, and some ambuscadoes which lay in ditch­es gave fire, and thus a skirmi [...]h passed in our sight from the wals, but for the body of them, no provocation could draw them to a further meeting us, then their usuall stand at a long ditch cast up breast high for that purpose: The iss [...]e was, some of theirs were slaine, but of ours not one, on [...]ly by the breaking of a little Brasse-peece, a Gunner was hurt, which yet gave them such a rugged salute, that very abruptly they tooke leave of us; and so drawing to­wards Night, with shoots on both sides we parted.

That Night our Governour thought fit to make a darke inquiry of their strict Discipline on the other side the Ri­ver, twenty Musketeers stumbled upon their Court of Guard, and killed some of them, with their Centinels, the rest fled, the number was uncertaine; but by the cryes of such as escaped, whom they heard lamenting the slaine, it appeared to be some competent number, which ours taking their words for, vvithout further search retur­ned.

This good successe encouraged us to many others, Fe­bruary the 11 [...]. in the afternoone, upon some notice gi­ven us by our scoutes of that side being cleare, and good Corne still standing in stackes, there issued out forty Mus­keteers, under the command of Lieutenant Greeneham, and twenty Horse under the command of Cornet Constable to guard the rest appointed for bringing it in, unexpectedly there appeared foure hun [...]red of the Enemy which were newly come out of the North, not above an houre before, and approached without doubt of making a prey of such a handfull, ours instantly drew up boldly, and were within [Page 53] halfe Musket-shot before they gave fire, as if out of cour­tesie they would give them the onser, but finding them still dumbe, charged them, which so tooke with them, thas they instantly shogged, and with the comming in of the Horse were routed threescore, with a Lieutenant, and an Ensigne were killed, nine taken prisoners, with another Ensigne, and severall Serjeants, two Colours brought home in triumph also, the one taken by Cornett Constable, the other by Lieutenent Greymes.

With the Prisoners were found abundance of chained Bullets, Slugges, Hookes, and other chained small shot, of purpose to make every wound incurable; one who tooke himselfe to be a great Gentleman amongst them, having quarter given him, dyed upon his examination af­ter he vvas come hither, who upon his stripping, was found begirt vvith a Saint Francis Girdle, by which Be­nediction of the Actors, the Fryers affections were evi­dently discovered to be the cause, what vertue it might have for the saving of his soule, I vvot not; but for the body it had so little, that it could not preserve it selfe, for hee was shot just through it, the three devoted Knots beeing dyed from gray to red with his bloud.

The next day they sallied out further with the like successe, in getting some graine, burning tvvo of their Tovvnes, and taking some Prisoners. The poore soul­diers feasted themselves with their Milke and Beere (which for haste in some places they had abandoned) loaded their backs vvith some more lasting provision, and clad them vvith such Cloathes, as had bin taken from their fellovves at Mellifont.

By these Sallies hovvsoever the Horse vvere vvell re­freshed for a season; yet the Foot fell novv into a fur­ther extremity, the Tovvne being sifted, and that pillage vv [...]ich could be gotten (vvithout too m [...]ch hazard) be­ing vvasted, Horse-flesh, Doggs and Cats began to be good me [...]t amongst them; vvhich being suddenly made knovvne to me, vve appointed the very next day (though Sunday) to be kept in a more solemne manner then or­dinary, to beg our bread of God some vvay or other, to proclaime a [...]ast, vvas but to enjoyne that vvhich ne­cessity had inforced, and properly for a religious one, it should be a voluntary act: Fasts are called Sabbaths, but vvith us novv every Sabbath vvas become a Fast, so that that distinction according to the ancient Canons could not binde us; but still see the accepting of our very in­tentions, that very Sunday, February the 14 ^•h. was there a booty offered to us of above fourescore Covves, and tvvo hundred Sheep, which s [...]me Horse and Foot in­stantly issuing out, returned with the spoyle of, by that time vve vvere going to Church, vvhereby my subject vvas turned to thanksgiving, That as David, we might acknovvledge, I did but say I would confesse, and thou forgavest, &c. Thou preventedst me with thy loving kind­nesse, &c. And still this vvas vvith the losse of some of our Enemies, but of ours (notvvithstanding the shot as thicke as Haile from the other side of the River) not one man so much as hurt, a Horse vvas onely shot through the eare. The popish Tovvnes-men could not dissem­ble their sadnesse at the sight of this reliefe; but it ap­peared in their faces, and speeches, and casually a Horse at the Gate slipping out of his Riders hand, and run­ning through the Tovvne, some of them could not but expresse their joy in hope one Horseman had beene slaine.

Another Sally vvas made tvvo dayes after, on the o­ther side, vvith a hundred Foot, and a troop of Horse, to secure the bringing in of some Corne, a mile and a halfe off; but by some secret notice given to the Re­bels by those of their ovvne party vvithin, fifteene hundred from divers parts suddenly beset them, our men ran not avvay; but having called backe their For­ragers, made a faire orderly retreate through them to the killing of nine of the Rebels (as hath been since confessed by themselves) and of ours none so much as hurt, onely some straglers of poore unarmed men and women, vvho (against command) to get some Corne) stayed too long behinde, they barbarously and basely butchered, vvithout giving them any quarter, to the number of tvventy or thirty, which was revenged not long afterwards.

NOvv Sir Philim O Neile being returned out of the North, came very short of those braggs he made vvhen he vvent, vvhich vvere nothing but of great Pee­ces of Battery, and so many thousands of men vvhich should be able to eat us up instantly; but in stead of that stately march, he invisibly stole hither, lying at Beauly, a mile and a halfe from us, three or foure dayes unknovvne, and brought but forty Horse vvith him, and halfe of those unarmed, by vvhich vve suspected the Scotch had not used him very kindely in th [...]se parts; yet as soone as he vvas discovered, he sent a message to my Lord MOORE, That he had taken all the Townes in the North but two, which were also at his pleasure. That the whole Kingdome was in the like case, [Page 56] and still wondred DROGHEDA should be so singular as to thinke to hold out, and to bee delivered out of his hand (see a little RABSHECAH) yet againe pro­testing his Love to him, and renevving that offer of their former honours, vvith assurance of being payed to a penny all his dammages: But if not, gave him vvarning before such a day to prepare himselfe for his last; for he vvould then take the Towne what­soever it cost him, and that his Lordship must looke for no quarter from him.

But hovvsoever, vvee vvere ready against his day prefixed, yet that feared us not so much as the ex­tremitie of Famine, vvhich pressed, and grew eve­ry day upon us, more and more: Insomuch, that novv nothing but desperate courses could I heare thought of, and resolved upon by such as used to be most hearty, in the feare of the losse of all; at last, if they vvere not relieved by such a day, and that very neare at hand, vvhich though the onely possible meanes must be by Sea from DVBLIN; yet the continuance of such a contrary winde dashed our hopes that way also.

This utmost extremity seemes to me, to be Gods onely time, when most probably he would be seene, even when all sense failed, and, me­thought, bespoke a present extraordinary spending a day in his house of Prayer, (which we knew not but might be our last) as a speciall tri­all of the fruit of those exercises, (as sometimes the Lord of Hoasts hath bidden his to prove him, in some cases of want, if he did powre them out a blessing, Mal. 3. 10. and as an evidence to our very Enemies (who had made the cause Religion) that we were his Church, and chosen by his speciall providence in relieving us, and so by a common consent, though a private warning the next day, being Friday, and the eighteenth of February was it thus set apart, for the begging our bread of God, which accordingly, for the subject, I tooke the fourth Petition of the Lords Prayer; This day we continued in the house of God from morning to evening, which was blest with much affection and many teares, we beg­ged pardon of our former abuse of his benefits, renued our vowes of better obedience, &c. wherein, howsoever some confident passages of assurance of having presently an answer of our desires, might well seeme to be without warrant, yet see the event, that evening the wind inclined▪ and the very next morning, from the worst of winds, a North-West, it instantly turned to the best, a South-East, and with such weather as we could have wished, and so continued. Nay, it went not unobserved by the very Papists, as a wonder, that that very evening there were a world of Roaohes, and other Fish taken with Angles, by the Souldiers, never knowne to be found there in the River before, which they drew up for many houres as fast as they could cast in. The continuance of which gave a present reliefe to most; and if a Sparrow fall not to the earth with­out a providence, why should not we judge it a speciall providence when it is for supplying the wants of his children that cry unto him who are of much more value?

That Saturday in the evening, having some notice of the approach of our reliefe, we met on the Sunday morning earlier then we used (con­triving to have done by the Tide) and in the continuance of the same former subject, and Petition, blessed with the same affections, praying that it might now passe through the envie and opposition of all our Enemies. Now it so fell out, that as I was upon the very conclusion of the Sermon, a Messenger came into the Church with that joyfull ty­dings, that some of the Vessels were come within the Bar, which an­swer of our prayers receiving upon Gods owne day, in his owne house, and [Page 58] in the continuance of his owne ordinance, we took as from God him­selfe, and so concluding with all possible thankes and praise to him, from whom every good gift descendeth, we went out and saw the salvation of God. When two Pinaces, sixe Gabbards, three Friggots, with a Shallop, came all safely to us, & all but the two Pinaces that very Tyde came up within our Key, laden with a plentifull reliefe for two or three months provision; to which somewhat was added by the way too, in the ta­king of a large Fisherboate of the Rebels, loaden with Herrings, going to some of their confederates elsewhere.

By a contrary wind they were compelled to put in by the way at Skerries, where not affecting idlenesse, they landed some forces, and burnt some townes, and left foure Rebels hanging for land-markes, in re­venge of one English man, whom malitiously they had hanged in di­spight of them, the day before. In this relieving us, there was some­what the very Papists tooke notice of, as a speciall providence, (viz.) Their comming the second time from the Skerries hither at once, with­out casting Anchor at the Barre; nay, notwithstanding a Friggot was compelled to stay awhile in the reare, for the taking in a Captaine and some officers out of one of the Pinaces, yet instantly waighed Anchor, and came up that very Tyde also: which though it were so farre spent, that a good way she was compelled to come against it, yet arrived safely.

Againe, as in the former reliese, Jan. 11. a Barque which they had sunke in the Channell, was driven out to Sea by the wind, and tyde, to open their passage; so now having strongly chained together a great many Ship-masts, with other timber, (which now we see cast upon the shoare) bound with a great Cable, and supported by seven or eight great Boats crosse the Channell, the very day before the approach of our reliefe, of it selfe burst asunder; so that though a Shallop was sent in the front with Instruments to cut it, yet they found the worke done for them, and so was no rubbe at all. And lastly, that the wind should then turne just to fit the Spring-tyde, without which it could have done us but little service, and to be at that instant, when the very last of our store was just spent: we must acknowledge it to be the Lords doing indeed. The consideration of which stopped the monthes of all our adversaries with admiration staggered many in their Religion, and hath beene a meanes to incline aboundance of them to us, who have even stollen into our Communion wit [...]out our knowledge, till we have found them there, as plainely and evidently seeing Gods hand in it.

While our little Fleet was thus under saile, in the Channell the Re­bels spared not their shot on both sides, which was returned them with interest; some of ours were hurt, one man killed, but of the Rebels not afew. In one of the Gabbards a bagge of Powder, by the accident of a Match, tooke fire as shee was neare the Key, but did no other hunt then scorch the faces of halfe a dozen of them, who were soone well againe; with these, besides our provision, we had a supply of foure Companies more, which, with some other independant foote here before, made up a full Regiment for my Lord Moore, and so we were now restored againe (having by the famine beene much lessened) to sixteene hundred foote, and one hundred and fifty horse; and by this refreshment we were with some confidence the more able to looke a­bout us.

And yet I must not forget our great and early deliverance that Sun­day morning also.

Sir Phi. O Neile marching silently with all his strength hee could make, made so bold an attempt, that about foure of the clocke he ap­plyed his scaling Ladders to the Wals, and in speciall at one place neere Saint Lawrence gate at a low private corner (where sometimes a Senti­nell had beene omitted) they brought abundance of them, two of which they had presently fixed, and on each one mounted, the Senti­nell there missing fire, they presumed higher, till he was faine to knock them downe with the butt-end of his Musquet, and cry out to the Guard, who instantly so plyed the rest, with their fill of shot, that they left thirteene of their Ladders, and many of their bodies behinde them. Their Commanders urged them, but to cut the Sentinels throat, and the Towne was theirs; but they would not be brought to looke that way again, nay the remembrance of their former repulses did so di­shearten those in the very rear, that their Capt. were falne to drive them on like Sheepe, and to delude them with the assurance that those in the Front had taken the Town already, and the gate opened. The like on-set was given or attempted at other Ports also, seconded with many shot from the other side the River; All our Regiment of horse and foot were ready in a trice, and some so quickned that they were seene upon the Wals, who had not been out of their beds a fortnight before; so zealous was every one to keepe the Towne one day longer: The number of their slaine was unknowne by their continuall dragging the dead bo­dies away. But by an English boyes relation (who was Drummer to Sir [Page 56] [...] [Page 57] [...] [Page 58] [...] [Page 59] [...] [Page 60] Phelemy, who in his making haste to us, stumbled over two or three of them lying together in a ditch) may be conjectured there were some considerable store, but of ours none had the least hurt; so that for the blessings of that one day, we may praise God with the Psalmist (Psal. 136. 24, 25.) O give thankes unto the Lord who hath delivered us from our Enemies, and giveth food to all flesh, for his mercie endures for ever: for which, as thou mayest well imagine, we did not omit our thankes to God that day; so we conceived it worthy of a solemne day of thanks­giving set apart of purpose in the weeke also, which we observed the Tuesday following.

With this reliefe came a Proclamation from the State against these Rebels, which that afternoone was published at the Market-Crosse with Drumme and Trumpet, wherein the prises set upon each of their heads, were farre beyond their worth; Sir Phelemy O Neal's valued at 1000. li. Rely and others at 800. li. and the rest of them at 400. li. This set the Souldiers a longing for the next skirmish, every one hoping it might be his fortune to hit right, two of those of 400. li. weight, (as I am enformed) had beene dispatched by us before, one at the Green hils, December the third, another at Drumullin, January the seventh, who was by my Lord Moores Troope beat into the water, and so drowned; whose body was now cast up by the River side, but his he [...] not thought worthy the cutting off.

About this time we had some intercourse by messages of a milder nature from other Rebels in parts more remote: A Pacquet of Letters were sent to my Lord Moore out of the North, transcribed indeed by his Sister the Lady Blany, but it was evident all was of their inditing or correcting; The summe was an offer either of all their prisoners in Ʋl­ster for my Lord Maquire, or else my Lady Blany with her Children and Sisters, and other Gentlemen in and neare the Castle of Monaghan for two other of their prisoners in the Castle of Dublin, for the solliciting of which, the Lady Blany had a forme of a Petition, framed to the Lords, Justices and Councell, and other private Letters, both to my Lord Moore, and divers of her friends, for their earnest motion and prosecution of it for her safety, which according to the directions, af­ter my Lord Moores viewing them, was to be sent back to those Rebels from whence it came, to be prosecuted by some of their own approved Agents. Though the person mentioned to be this charitable mover, was clapt up before it came to his hand. And herein I cannot let passe un­observed, [Page 61] how their malice and barbarous cruelty to some other of their prisoners did so blind their reason, that it hath now much wron­ged themselves; The base treacherous butchery of my Lord Calfield, at Sir Phelemy O Neil's owne house, whether out of a pretence of favour being removed, was no sooner entred, but as he was walking, a fellow came behind him, and with a brace of bullets shot him quite through the back: The perfidious sudden hanging of Master Rich. Blany, because he would not go to Masse: Their unpattern'd falshood to another Gen­tleman, who by the promise of his life, had beene drawne to Masse, and received the Sacrament; presently Maquire told him he would never be so fit for God againe, and so giving him choyce of a rope, or a with, instantly hanged him, according to which we heare they have used many more; Their drowning of foure or five hundred English at Porta Downebridge (which for the stench of the multitude of dead bo­dies there, they call now in derision Downe-sincke) And other places in the North, by three or fourescore in companies, of men, women, and children, whom after their promise of safety, suddenly [...]ey threw over into the rivers: At the Newry they put one hundred English into a Gabbard with promise to send them hither, but assoone as the tyde served they tooke away their Sayles, and Oares, and left them to the mercy of the winds and waves, and so were cast away: it was a com­mon thing to set some of the English aworke with Pickaxes to breake downe the wals of some Castles after the roofe was burnt, and for their wages, to cut their throats presently, to lay wagers who should strike the deepest gash with their swords in their thighs or arms, & many such like horrid murthers in coole bloud, meerely for recreation sake; of which nature, and worse, thousands more might be related, even such as no Heathen or Turkish Story can patterne for cruelty, which I leave to the relation of others (as thou hast heard of abundance already in a book of remarkable passages) it being not my purpose to range any fur­ther then the liberties of this Towne, who (thankes be to God) have beene delivered from them, to which I shall returne againe.

And here I am remembred of another deliverance which fell out now also, as (sometimes blessings like crosses, when they doe come, are observed to come together) (viz.) the emptying the Towne of the Po­pish Townsmen (according to a command from the State) who had beene found tampering with the Rebels; An Inventory was taken of all their goods, and put in safe custody, till they could appro [...] them­selves [Page 62] better then they were suspected, many of them at the gates offe­red to goe to Church, whom I was willing to have enformed, but be­ing judged heartlesse, or rather double-hearted, and so the more dan­gerous, it was not accepted of, till they had done a little penance in the Countrey, which being Ash-wednesday, was the fittest season, yet some of the soberest sort (and who are not molested) by those great deliverances, they have seene wrought for us, of themselves have de­sired satisfaction; In which I should be glad to be employed all day, and every day.

No sooner had our Pinaces and the other Vessels unloaded them­selves of their welcome burthens, but a North-west wind served them with such weather as they could have wished for their returne; when the same day February 26. our Governour issued out with 220. Foote, & 120. Horse, Southwards, to a village called Beaubecke, to secure the carrying in of some Corne and Hay from thence, which as soone as it was fully pillaged and burnt, he advanced somewhat further to­wards Smiths towne, where being informed by his Scouts of five Com­panies there ready to withstand him, he had the greater minde to p [...]o­ceed, his men needing little incouragement, and so drew up to them, who no sooner felt the smart of our shot, and the troopes of Horse (which of all is most terrible to them) ready to prosecute, but they instantly broke, every man contented to lose his Armes to save his life; nay, some rid themselves of their cloathes for the farther speed, and so there were slaine about 300. of them, two colours taken by Sergeant Major Fortescue, and Captaine Bryan, a Drumme, and an Ensigne ta­ken Prisoners, of Cowes about eightscore, with all other sorts of pillage of good value, so many were shot in the river of Gillingstowne, that the water was all red with their blood: The sight of those twenty or thirty unarmed men and women murthered by them a weeke before, (whom they left there in the ditches unburyed) enraged our men the more to a revenge, whom the Pyoners in the meane time in­terred.

In this particular, it was observed as a part of Divine Justice, that the slaughter of them should be in the same field, where they had defea­ted ours, in which as we gave them an even repay, so it fell out also, that some of the same Captaines had a hand in it, who had b [...]ene then routed; whom Sir Patricke We [...]mes (having the Command of the Earle of Ormonds troope) in remembrance of that dysaster, shewed them the [Page 63] least mercy; Colonell Preston was hard put to it, who for haste left a Portmantua of his best cloathes with his rich military belt behind him, which fell to be the booty of a Horse-boy, in the pocket of whose breeches was found three Letters of more worth then himselfe, where­by evidently the Lord Gormanstone, Trimlestone and divers others were first proved Traytors.

The next morning, it was thought necessary to prosecute this unex­pected victory as a probability of raising the Siege, so they were taken before they could gather to any head againe, which howsoever being Sunday, our Religious Governour was very slow to it, as desirous ra­ther to have spent that as a day of thankesgiving to God, for the good successe of this day, yet being for the necessary preservation of the Corne, and other things, which they had reason to suspect would else be instantly fired by them, he consented to it, and so very earely by breake of day 600. foote, and 120. Horse, under my Lord Moores Command (after we had by Prayer commended them to Gods Prote­ction, (which in the like expedition was seldome omitted) marched out with carriages, and two field pieces. But the first Castle being within halfe a mile of us called Stanime, where there was a great hag­gard of Corne, (which beyond their first resolutions they thought fit to visit by the way, and where they supposed there had not beene a man) they found so intrenched, and fortefied, that it proved more difficult then was expected, yet our men drew up boldly to them, within pistoll shot, and though it was not the intent of that dayes worke, yet being provoked, bestowed thousands of bullets amongst them, to the death of many of the Rebels in their Trenches, but by the ill shots of our Gunners (who still missed the house) with the fall and continuance of abundance of raine, whereby their matches were washed out, they were compelled to retreate; and so came dropping wet home, yet by Church-time, to give God thankes for their great preservation, who though continuing so long in that imminent danger (which they dreamed not of, at their going out) yet was there not a man lost in the place, onely some of slight wounds by poysoned bullets, and want of good medicines, miscarryed a long time afterwards, and in the meane time, some were sent to the next village of Colpe, where they loaded themselves with their Corne, and returned, without any oppo­sition: And not many dayes after upon the hearing of our prepara­tion for a reply, the Rebels in the aforesaid Castle of Stanime aban­doned [Page 64] it of themselves, and so it fell into our hands without bestowing one shot more.

And here it hath beene reckoned as a thing very observable, that in all these onsets, invasions, and Sallies out, (howsoever multitudes have dyed of the famine, divers unarmed pillagers met with abroad, have beene taken and butchered, some dyed of wounds by the unskil­fulnesse of the Chirurgion, and the like) there hath not hitherto beene killed of armed men upon the place in fight (as I have beene enformed) above twelve of ours, and not one Officer; and of those, there was but one man that was not fetcht off from them, and that is accounted the due of his too much presumption, who at the assault of a house charged, and discharged his musket twice or thrice against the very doore, where there were many playing at him from within, and so stood as a marke for them, without so much as stirring a foote of his ground, but of the Rebels how many hundreds, if not thousands, have beene killed, may easily be summed up in the reading. This won­derfull preservation was I beleeve the occasion of that false rumour rai­sed by them, as if some of ours had sold their Soules to the Devill to be shot-free, and yet at other times to encourage their Souldiers (who were continually upon their flight) they would upon most Sallies per­swade them of hundreds of ours slaine with many Commanders (of whom some had dyed often in their reports) when there was not one, nay scarce would they suffer them to beleeve their owne senses, that any were killed of theirs: Howsoever, those of the soberer sort were much convinced of the cause, by the event, apparently seeing that God was with us.

After one dayes rest, March the first, my Lord Moore, and the Go­vernour went out againe the same way, with a competent number of Horse and Foote, when (after the securing in of at least two hundred pounds worth of Corne, by foure Companyes under the command of Sir John Borlace, and the burning of such of their lodgings, as had re­mained of the former dayes work at Colpe,) they advanced further, their first resistance was two Companies of the Rebels, stealing along the side of a Ditch, who being discovered Captaine Billinsley was sent with 80. Musketteers, and comming as unexpectedly upon them, as they had entended upon us, were soone routed. A Lieutenant with thirteene Souldiers were slaine, and a Captaine of the O Neales taken prisoner; the rest escaped into the Castle of Stanime by the helpe of a Bogge, [Page 65] which stopped the horse in their chase: the Castle of Colpe, after much hazard of such as first entred it, by the Pikes and stones throwne of those within, whereby they were three or foure times beaten downe the narrow staires, at length was taken, where they killed them every one, to the number of twenty sixe persons; and yet neither then, nor all that day was one of ours lost. With the Captain taken prisoner, wee found many Petitions, two Letters superscribed to Sir Phelemy O Neile, with the title of Earle of Tyrone, and Generall of Ireland: But yet the foundation upon which those airy honours were built, was the condi­tion of his taking this Towne, but that day his Excellency was much humbled (who unknowne to us) had stole over the river, onely with five men, and by our unexpected approach (being cut off from securing himselfe where he intended) crept into a furbush, and so lay like a trembling Hare in his Forme, till the evening, (where being so neare us) he had good lucke he was not started up by so many hunters, which needs must have beene the best sport that day; Some rough abusive greetings past and repast from each side the river, (which parted them from any other then such a tongue combate) ours giving them lawfull warning of a visit shortly, and that not by a cowardly creeping in the darke (according to their custome) under our wals, but at noone day, when we might be visible, asked for their drunken Generall, in derision of whom, some of our Trumpeters gave some scornefull musicke, and for one Pistoll of theirs, discharged in defiance, we returned them ten, and for one Musquet, twenty, and thus our Souldiers in their retreat, stretching their throats to be heard with such kinde of language, they made up a merry end of that dayes skirmish.

Some English now, as at other times, tooke the opportunity to get from under their thraldome, and enformed us of some advantages, whom commonly they put in Trowses to be taken for Irish, and in the front to be first killed, yet they usually scaped, from these we understood by what lying practises they had kept their Souldiers from running away lately.

March the third, some other forces marched out under the com­mand of Lieutenant Colonell Waineman, early in the morning, who ad­vanced as farre as Marlingtowne about three miles from us, where by the former frights they found the Towne abandoned, so that their whole worke that day was to reape what was left, for which all sorts were permitted to goe forth for pillage, the lanes were so thickned with all [Page 66] sorts of graine, that the Spring seemed to be Harvest, and the Vernall equinoctiall to be mistaken for the Autumnall, such loads of Corne were mounted upon horses, that upon the hils, they looked like moving haggards, by which our great extremity was turned presently into plenty, and whereas our chiefest want was Malt, the whole Towne (ha­ving drunke nothing but water for a weeke) were now set a brewing a­gaine, and for expression of joy there wanted no Bonefires of three or foure Townes together, whereby a cleare day grew dusky by the smoake: A faire house of one Draicots, (who by the Rebels was newly created Viscount Marlington for his merit in the cause) made the clearest light, which was done the rather in a just revenge of his fraudulent disarming many of our Souldiers as they were making hither from the bridge of Gillingstone, his Library (with what could be preserved from the fire) was brought in hither, and sold us at very easie rates, a very faire large Parchment Manuscript of an old Missall, consecrated to that Church of Marlington, cam to my hands, the losse of which I presume they have valued more then their houses.

By the sight of this good successe our Enemies grew sicke of envy, and in a discontent left their houses; yet in the midst of this cheare, we had the feare of a rubbe, by the running aground of a Friggot com­ming up from the Pinace with Powder, but by being Masters of the field on that side, we were not much troubled; the Rebels got into some Boats, and played thick upon her, whom ours replyed to as fast, many shot they made with a great brasse piece, but still missed her, at length the Pinace gave so fortunate a one, that it dismounted theirs of its carriage, and at last when they found little fruit by their gunnes, they assaulted us with their tongues, a company of them approaching neare the River side, called ours Rogues and Traytors, their answer given them, was by a few Musqueteers, who under the covert of some fires discharging, put some of them to a non-plus, and the rest to their heeles; And so our men being then abroad, continued there for the securing her till the next tyde at tenne aclocke at night, when they left her afloate againe; And yet also to divert their thoughts that way, our Governour caused some Musqueteers about midnight to fally out on the other side, and gave two or three vollies of shot, which raised them through their quarters to stand upon their owne defence, and so the next tyde that danger was over.

And now the Besiegers tooke themselves to be the Besieged, many [Page 67] privie Counsels of darknesse were had severall nights, at divers places they met, and knocked their wisest heads together, but they struck out nothing but folly, Their multiplyed barrels of Powder made at Dun­g [...]non, would not take fire, yet still they set brasen faces (their strongest defence) upon the businesse, in threatning each day to take the Towne, by an invisible hoast somewhere approaching, great state they tooke now upon them, expecting we should give them the visits, and when we did, they daigned us not so much courtesie as to meete us out of doores. But I beleeve thou longest to see the conclusion, from which I will not now long detaine thee.

March the fifth, there issued out foure hundred foote and foure­score horse under my Lord Moores command; on the other side North­ward amongst his owne trayterous Tenants, to Tallagh-hallon, where Collo mac Bryan, with his complices had beene billeted, and whither (unknowne to us, or else we had doubled our strength) had beene the night before crept secretly, the whole fraternity of Rebels to lay their heads together upon some forlorne counsels, wanting not Sir Phelemy O Neil himselfe for their President; They appeared instantly eight Co­lours in view, three for one of ours, many had intrenched themselves in a square body within the Towne, and so played upon advantages, but our men (Lieutenant Colonel Byron commanding the foot) declined them not, but with as much alacrity as their Commanders could have wisht drew up boldly, and gave fire so thick and sure, that after the Re­bels had replied to three or foure rankes, they were weary of it, and so finding many dropping among them, betooke themselves to the last re­fuge of their heeles; neare foure hundred, with seven Captaines were slaine, and one taken prisoner, viz. Rory, Mr. Art, Mr. Rosse, Mr. Mag­hon, and one Colours; which had beene but the earnest of many more, had they not (as some were seene) slipped them off their staffes, and put them into their breeches, one Art Roe, Mr. Patricke, Mr. Art Moyle, mac Maghon, of great repute among them, (lately created by them Lord Baron of Monaghan, and whose head is valued beyond its worth in the Proclamation) was taken Prisoner, who being sore wounded to the losse of one of his eyes, and perceiving by the other his inevitable end approaching, politickly stripped himselfe stark naked, and so lay as dead among the slaine, till afterwards upon a view by Lieutenant Colonell Byron, who casually finding him with a Saint Francis girdle (which for good luck he still kept about him) and deeming him by [Page 68] that to be a man of some quality, commanded one of his Souldiers to cut off his head; upon the affright of which, the Varlet rouz'd himselfe, and was soone recovered of his speech, who instantly declaring him­selfe, and assuring that the saving of his life should be the redemption of my Lady Blany and her children, he was preserved, and accordingly, hath wrote effectually for that welcome exchange, but as yet we finde him not so valued by them, who (having thus long failed our expecta­tion) he is every day in the way of preferment to be hanged; And thus Saint Francis his Cord proved farre from being a Girdle of verity, which being given him for his preservation, proved very falsely the sole occa­sion of his destruction. A hundred Musquets were taken, and Pikes co­vered the ground every where, which the pursued were willing to be eased of, for the quicker speed; others secured themselves by a Bogge near hand, who upon their gathering thicke were so roughly admonished by a Drake from us, that they soone removed their standings farther off.

And in all this hot skirmish in sight of our very wals wherein they made their most desperate resistance (such was still Gods goodnesse to us) not a man of ours was so much as hurt by them, one of our Offi­cers was shot in the foote, but it was by a Souldier of our owne, and the Bullet first passed through the head of one of the Rebels. And here I must not let passe one merry passage, they had brought with them out of the North, an old woodden Image, called Mac Kill Murragh, (i. e. the Sonne of Mary) by which it is very common amongst the Irish to sweare, this venerable block did they repose much confidence in, for the taking of this Towne, and when it came first amongst them, it was received with acclamations of joy, like the Arke in the Camp of Israel, to save them from the Philistims, & for good luck, was this time at Tallagh­hallon; But as soone as this hot worke beganne, his Guardian tooke care with the first to post him away on horse-backe, and in leaping a ditch, the horse threw the fellow and Mac Kill Murragh in the dirt, that two others were faine to take him up upon their shoulders, and to trot with him (with the losse of some of his limnes) towards Dundalke, as I have been since told by one of their own profession; our Governor in the meane time with some horse and foote issued out toward Beauly to pro­voke their Generall Sir Phelemy O Neile, (as supposing he had not yet left that lodging) burnt Newtowne under his nose, and beate two Co­lours (which was all that appeared) into the Castle, and returned the sooner upon hearing that hot worke, with an intention (if neede [Page 69] were) to have relieved my Lord Moore, but by that time he had mar­ched halfe way, the bright firing of three or foure Townes thereabouts gave sufficient assurance of the victory, and so made a stand; At the first blush, comming that way he was misapprehended to have beene Sir Phe [...]emy himselfe (whom as yet ours knew not had beene amongst themselves) and the number by their open March appeared to have been a thousand.

The Souldiers had got their fill of all sorts of pillage, and howso­ever (in that hot prosecution a mile or two about) they might be thought to have enough of that mornings worke, yet were they so ea­ger to have beene at it againe, that they sued to their Captaines to let them meet him presently, offering to throw all their spoyle downe to make an end with him at once, but upon a second inquiry they were found to be their friends. In this my Lord Moore, by the acclamations of all men, behaved himselfe very valiantly to the greater hazard of his person, then his Captaines were pleased with, was cut through the boote with the sword of one whom (having newly discharged his Pi­stols) he had struck under his horse with a halfe Pike, the fore-part of his Saddle runne through by another, his horse hurt, all spattered with the dirt, which the thick flying of the Bullets raised, but had no other hurt; In this desperate fight, being once discerned, two hundred of the Rebels gathered, and made up towards him, onely crying out, This is my Lord Moore, when (the rest of the horse in severall Divisions, being upon a prosecution) he had but seven in his Company, yet he retreated not, but charged them, many were killed, the rest scattered, and were still lessened by their pursuers.

This famous Generalissimo, Sir Phelemy O Neil [...], with his great Com­manders, fled away very obscurely, and meanely attended, unlesse it were with the following curses of the whole Countrey, with which he is still greeted by all sorts; many of our Gentlemen whom he had with such vaine hopes deluded, hath he here left lamenting their mise­rable condition which they foresee deservedly approaching.

And thus as our worthy Governour on the Saturday before had the honour in the beginning of the raising of our Siege on the South-side by a retaliating slaughter of so many of them at the fatall Bridge, so were we all pleased that this next Saturday on the North-side, my Lord Moore (to whom we were beholding) as our first succour at the rising of these Commotions, and our chiefe continued su [...]porter in his large [Page 70] and liberall expenses upon all occasions, to the great encouragement of the Captaines and Commanders, by supplying them in their ex­treame great necessities) should have the honour of giving them their last in their dispersing.

The fruit of which beganne that very evening to appeare, when some of the English now escaping from them, came in and gave us no­tice that the Castles of Beauly and Stanime on each side the river were deserted by the holders, and Sir Phelemy with the rest of that nest being fledge, were flowne away with some field-pieces towards Dundalke, into each of which our Governour instantly sent some Companies, who accordingly entered without the least resistance, rounded the Coun­trey the next morning, two or three miles as farre as Termonfecken, but found not a man, onely a world of Corne, which in that haste they had not time to fire.

By this our Towne was filled with provision, Ports beganne to open, our neighbours making sute to be admitted to our Market, Castles neere hand voluntarily surrendred, the owners submitting, and all good mens hearts rejoycing by this sudden change, begunne and finished in the compasse of a weeke; every street ringing with praises to God the Donor, to whom we failed not solemnly and publikely to acknow­ledge it often.

After the Rebels (that had so long besieged us) were thus routed, and some of the chiefest of their Castles neare, possessed by us, Letters, as well from Lords, as other of the Gentry, came thick in to us, of which, some receiving no answer, came and presented themselves to our mercy; in speciall, one Bath, who about the middle of December had came in with his Iri [...]h Dart accompanied with the Sheriffe of the County of Louth, (both Commissioners from the Rebels) and very confidently and arrogantly demanded the surrender of this Towne, who at first was ashamed to owne the knowledge of me by reason of some speeches that had then passed betweene us, the event of which had proved beyond his beliefe or expectation. The Letters of the Lord Netherfield and the Lord of Slane, with divers others of the chiefe of the Countrey have I seene under their owne hands in a most humble sute to my Lord Moore, to stand their friend, some protesting their in­nocency, others pretending themselves deluded by the Northerne Irish, and heavily cursing the first plotters of this businesse, and yet we knew they cursed themselves, and had enough under their owne hands, they [Page 71] little dreampt of, to steare us right enough in our Judgement of them.

From others we had faigned Letters of the approach of two thou­sand of O Relyes men, one way, and of eighteene hundred of Sir Phe­lemy O Neiles, another way, and each within five miles of us: But the use they had given us of their lyes, and the contradiction which the submission of their Chiefe gave to it, made the newes of no value with us, yet it produced that effect, that to prevent their dry lodgings, there issued out some competent force to Slane, burnt the Towne and the Country neare it, tooke the Castle and pillaged it, with which the Souldiers came loaden home. And not long after my Lord Moore, and the Governour made a Salley out another way, spent the greater part of the day in burning forty or fifty Villages, tooke one Barnewall of Rahasket, who was a Colonell among the Rebels, and a great Par­leyer from them hither, and had beene many yeares Deputy, Custos Rotulorum of that County (as dangerous a fellow by his naturall parts, and other education as any they had,) His Castle (after a few shot, and seeing our men appearing in a full body) he yeelded, where was found so much of bread and other victuals, ready baked, that no doubt, he expected the returne of his former Guests, besides foure hundred barrels of Malt, and abundance of all sorts of Graine, his Cellers full of Wine and Beere, which the Souldiers Feasted themselves with, for a while; he with his two Priests, taken with him, were (with seven or eight Fryers more) cloystered in one prison here, but since he is promoted to the Castle of Dublin.

Darcy of Plattin (two of whose Sonnes were Captaines among the Rebels, who had the strongest and fairest Castle in the Country is fled, leaving his Wife and Family, with about fifty Musketteeres to de­fend it: This, howsoever the first time it was denyed my Lord Moore, and the Governour (as it had beene before to my Lord of Ormond) who demanded the surrender of it in the Kings name, yet the second time hearing of our pieces of battery approaching, gave it up upon Compo­sition, and so we have a Garrison there also, by which our Towne is securely Flanked on both sides the River.

After this, by the escaping of many poore English from their servi­tude, we had evident assurances of the treacherous messages, and plots of our Popish Inhabitants, for the betraying this Towne unto them, some who never were here before, could name us the men, describe [...]he places, by the nearenesse to such a Tower, designe the time, all which [Page 72] agreeing with our former informations and suspition, was a sure te­stimony.

How many Letters in the midst of these forlorne hopes, have I yet seene of theirs in a vaine comforting themselves, with an assurance (to use their owne words) that the Almighty would doubtlesse favour their just and innocent cause, and their holy intentions. Another I have seene of O Relies to my Lord Moore, that he had no newes, but that powder was in making every where (to use his owne words) thankes be to God, and our good King, &c. But we knew at the same time he was falne sicke upon the newes of Sir Phelemies late routing at Tallagh-hallan.

To relate what a change presently there was in this Towne, from that extremity of scarcenesse and deernesse, to what a plenty and cheap­nesse things were come, would be incredible: egges, which during this Siege, one was a rich present, worthy of thankes from the chiefest, were now fifteene a penny; Hens, at two pence, milch Cowes at five shillings, Horses, which before the Siege, were rated at three or foure pounds, sold for twelve pence, nay commonly passed among friends for a quart of Beere; The finest Wheate in the Market for eight shillings a Barrell, Fish (to which we had beene altogether strangers) multiplyed abun­dantly, though such a glut in reason cannot be imagined to hold ma­ny moneths, by the burning so many thousand barrels of Corne, fur­ther from us, which they could not bring in.

Many bloody murthers were committed upon the English Prote­stants, in revenge of this late defeate. At Atherdee, they killed all that were remaining there; the next night neere Slane, an old Gentlewoman, with her Daughter, and Grandchilde, had their throates cut in their beds; in divers other places they drowned Men, Women, and Chil­dren.

The Earle of Ormond (Lieutenant Generall) was now not farre from us with 3000. Foote, and 500. Horse, burning the County of Meath, and on the eleventh of March, attended with divers Colonels and Captaines, did us the honour of a visit, and dined herewith my Lord Moore, at Droghedah, who began to recover some competent ability, of giving such a troope some entertainement. Many at the sight of the weakenesse of our Wals fell into admiration of the possibility of our holding out so long against such a multitude. His Lordships in­tention of being the raiser of our Siege thus unexpectedly prevented, [Page 73] (God giving that honour before his approach to the feeble strength of the besieged) yet was very zealous to take the faire opportunity now given him of the full routing of the Rebels so newly disperst, by a pre­sent, quicke prosecution of them, before they could get any head a­gaine. Which, by my Lord Moore, and Sir Henry Tichborne, our Go­vernours relation, finding very seasonable, and of little difficulty, cal­led a Councell of Warre, viz. the Lord Moore, and our Governour, Sir Thomas Lucas, Sir Simon Harcourt, Sir Robert Ferrald with others, These upon mature deliberation, finding good grounds to consent with his Lordship, and conceiving great hopes of a good and speedy suc­cesse, even to the clearing of those Northerne parts, wrote to the Lords Justices very earnestly, to enlarge his Lordships Commission, (which before was so straitned, that in the literall sense, it could scarce stand with a liberty of relieving us, if there had beene need, be­ing commanded not to passe over the River of the Boyne, beyond which the greater part of our Towne is seated) alledging many rea­sons to enforce it, preventing an Objection in the want of victuals, by a provision undertaken by my Lord Moore, from his owne Lands neere adjoyning. And indeed, such a confidence was apprehended of prevailing in this motion, that our Governour had picked out tenne Companies of our best men, fittest for that service, and my Lord of Ormond designed the like number of lesse experienced Souldiers for our guard in their roome, my Lord Moore, (as the best guide in those parts) and Lieutenant Colonell Weyneman chosen by the said Councell of Warre to be Commanders of them, All were ready for their march, and appointed to meete his Lordship at Slane, five miles off.

But the Lords Justices proving still constant to their former injuncti­on, and renewing a stricter command for his present retreate to Dublin, that designe (so desired by our Governour as an assured meanes of an instant reducing the whole County of Louth) was put to a stand, and thereupon our scattered rebellious route, who before were in a trem­bling fit, now tooke heart againe, and gathered at Atherdee and Don­dalke, whither (as we heard) daily posted thousands out of Meath and Louth, as to their safest receptacles, and presumed, not long after, to threaten us with another visit.

The Earle of Ormond submitting in this to the wisdome of the State, (as presuming some other important affaires were in hand, which might justly necessitate that command) retreated accordingly, onely [Page 72] [...] [Page 73] [...] [Page 74] in answer to our Governours request, sent him backe foure companies of Foote, and two troopes of Horse, with two pieces of Battery. Up­on the receipt of which, my Lord Moore, and our Governour, (who in all things have proceeded very unanimously) for the prevention of a further multiplication of Rebels, which a longer delay might have produced, resolved to adventure upon the same Designe them­selves, which they were willing others might have beene honoured with; and so upon the one and twentieth of March, with one thou­sand Foote, and two hundred horse, they marched that way ward, first finished what they had left undone at Slane in burning the Towne, and some villages in the way: In the Castle there was returned againe a Garrison of twelve men, who by the presumption of the strength of it had a good minde to hold out, but assoone as they saw our pieces of battery, yeelded, and had quarter, onely one of our Souldiers former­ly runne away from us, there taken, was hanged: about three miles off, some bodies of the Rebels appearing, a party of Horse was sent out, killed forty of them, and so pursued them, till the rest were employed in burning the Country after them; and so continued that day and the next.

The three and twentieth day of March, they marched with fire and smoke towards A [...]herdee, about a mile from the Towne, in a fallow field, our Scoutes descryed the Enemy in two Divisions, the number is diversely reported, some say 1100. some 1500. our Governour (ac­cording to his wonted cheerefulnesse, upon any such service) drew all into a Battalia, the Souldiers being of themselves as readily disposed, and longing to greete them, a party of the Horse was sent to get be­tweene them and the Towne, and another party to stand between them and a Bogge; a forlorne hope of a hundred men marched before to scowre some ditches, who stumbling upon an Ambuscado of their Mus­ketteers, beate them out, and in pursuing them fell upon the body of the rest, who upon the sight of one of our Divisions drawing up so nimbly after them, betooke themselves to their heeles, whom our Horse prosecuted with such speed, as there were about foure hundred slaine in a miles compasse, besides some others in the Ditches that the very Pyoners knocked downe with their Spades, and not a few pe­rished in the bogge, which was the best refuge of the most.

At the foote of the Bridge ours found some resistance, by some Mus­ketteers, placed there in a Tower, but our Governour (disdaining [Page 75] so much as a rub in this assured victory) found a passage over the ri­ver, and galled them so on the other side, that they soone abandoned it. The passage being thus opened, the Horse entred, and with a full Carreere chased them through the Towne, yet by that little stoppe, many of them were gotten too farre to be overtaken. One Lieutenant Colonell, and five Captaines were slaine, many fell by my Lord Moores owne hands; And (which is still Gods great goodnesse) not one man of ours lost, onely a horseman shot in the heele, and a horse in the hoofe.

Here the Souldiers finding good pillage, and victuals ready dressed, tooke up their lodgings that night: The next morning the Governour with a Party of Horse, went out and burnt the Country two mile a­bout, but suffered no pillage to be brought into the Towne, and so proceeded towards Dundalke, whither all the Country next day posted with their Cattle, and what else was portable, many fore-seeing their ruines, came in and submitted, and resigned their Castles.

Upon the six and twentieth of March being Saturday (when as their bloody designe upon us was decreed on that day, so hath many of our victories over them falne out on that day also, as that at the Bridge February the twenty sixth, at Tallagh-halland March the fifth, and this) they assaulted Dundilke, which the Rebels had to their uttermost for­tifyed, and by reason of the double wals, and double ditch, marish ground on the one side, and the Sea on the other, the greater difficulty was expected. After the former defeate at Atherdee, the streetes of Dundalke were well trodden with at least a thousand Cowes, and two or three thousand sheepe, continually passing through it the night be­fore, attended with the lamentable cryes, and the wringing of hands of the Owners, mixed with as bitter curses of the first movers.

That morning all the poore English Protestant Prisoners, (some of which before were permitted to begge up and downe the streetes) were clapped up with an intent to have hanged them (for which they had provided them ropes) assoone as the Towne should prove to be in any hazzard, who yet already had beene almost starved. We approached the Towne, about nine of the clocke in the morning, planted our Or­dinance upon a little hill not farre from the gate, which 500 of them within defended; A forlorne hope of an hundred of ours drew up, and gave fire at such as were in the Gate-house, and for a while th [...]e [Page 76] was very hot worke, on both sides. At length they within, finding some of them to drop, runne away, whom ours perceiving, encreased their feares by shouting, but their Commanders beate them backe to their guards, and so the same peale was rung againe by each. At length a Division under the Command of Lieutenant Colonell Waineman, of about three hundred, resolutely approached the Gate also, and some with pickaxes beganne to beate downe the walls, while the rest reply­ed to the Tower with their shot. Abundance of great stones were pow­red downe from a Castle, yet by Gods goodnesse no great hurt to any. By the sight of our mens continued undauntednesse, with one consent they ranne all away, upon which that Division entred, and the Horse pursued them a full gallop to the killing of many of them. But upon the turning towards the next Gate, seeing two or three Brasse pieces planted, and five hundred more ready to receive them, they fairely retreated, But a Castle placed at the head of that out-streete, manned with their best Musqueteers, which ours minded not, and for feare of endangering their owne men (at whose heeles ours were) had yet stood dumbe, now in our returne played very hot upon us, whereby ten of ours were slaine, An Ensigne, one Sargeant, and one that car­ryed the Colours for another, a Horseman with anothers Horse was killed also, Lieutenant Francis Moore, was shot upon the shoulder­piece of his Armour, which from thence rebounded upon his head, broke the skinne, and so stucke within his haire, without doing him any further hurt, which if it had beene deadly, surely he that made she shot must have merited some extraordinary reward, for as we heard from themselves, and by all others our prisoners comming from what Quarter soever, no mans name was so odious with them, and so deep­ly maliced, and threatned, if he could have beene taken.

The losse of these men (which we were not used to) and especially of Ensigne Fortescue, which was the first Officer we had ever yet lost in fight, enraged my Lord Moore, and the Governour the rather upon a resolution of a present revenge, who else had contented themselves with the taking the out-Towne for that night, and to have lodged them­selves there till the morning. This Castle standing so advantagiously, and finding it to be so well provided with good shot, was the onely Remora to their proceedings; for the gaining of this, they set the Hou­ses on fire neare it, which howsoever before the wind was not very fa­ [...]ourable to their designe, yet no sooner lighted, but it seemed sudden­ly [Page 77] to turne, as they would wish it, and carryed the smoake both into the Towne and Castle, choaking them within both; Ours also having gathered some dry Beane stalkes, made them into bundles, and filled them with Towe, and good store of Gunpowder; the Souldiers im­ployed in that service, tooke them upon their heades, as a shelter a­gainst the stones tumbling downe upon them, and under that smoaky cloud, got undescryed to the very Castle doore, against which they laid downe their bundles, and giving fire to them by a Traine; blew up the doore; and some other boards; by which those within being choaked, and frighted, leapt out at a Window; for the discovery of which, a Sergeant of Captaine Owens, with five men, upon the conditi­on they might have the pillage of it, entered it, and by the signall of the flourishing their naked swords on the top of the Castle, gave notice of being their owne. Upon the possession of this, all were revived, and tooke themselves Masters of the Towne already; we quenched the fires that had annoyed the former Tenants, and manned it with thirty good Musquetteeres, who being within halfe Musket shot, played so thicke into the Towne, that not a man could stirre in the streetes, we drew up our pieces of Ordnance against the inward Gate, and with some ten Wooll packes (found in the Castle very opportunely) made a kind of a Bullwarke for our Musqueteers, both to save them from their Can­non, and that they might play over them without danger of any o­ther shot, though assoone as they perceived this secure approach, they troubled us with neither, but left their pieces there loaden.

Our men for distinction sake, against the entry of the Towne, put every one a white paper upon his hat; The Governour tooke one Divi­sion with a party of Horse, and drew by the backe part of the Towne towards the North-gate, (out of which they upon the Castle had dis­cerned the f [...]ight of multitudes of them) killed forty in his way.

Sir Phelemy O Neile, who not long before had made such bragges, confidently assured his men of the death of so many of our Comman­ders, and as an evidence of it, brought forth his owne cloathes into the Market place all bloodyed, as if they had beene ours stripped by him, now seeing us thus encompassing the Towne, and himselfe like to be taken in the net also, stole away over the River (in which, divers in that haste were drowned) accompanyed with divers others, who as they were going, were heard to lament their destiny, and curse that Fatall day, scarse knowing whither to retreate with any welcome.

At a by Gate the Governour entered, first, shortned some of their journey, whom he met there posting out, and instantly sent a Serge­ant to my Lord Moore, to signifie to him, the Towne was deserted, and that he might securely move forwards, which as soone as by the se­cond message of a Captaine, with some Musqueteers, he received a con­firmation of, he marched on, and accordingly found the event, beating open the Gates, tooke possession of two Brasse pieces, and another with the Market place, and so about seven a clocke at night, they took the Towne, without any further resistance.

The night thus drawing on, and the full tyde, secured Sir Phelemy in his flight, from our prosecution of him. The number of the slaine is uncertaine, but about a hundred of them were killed, at and after the taking of it, and of ours about foureteene, which were lost upon that unlucky Castle onely.

Sir Phelemy, after he had gone two miles off, in a shew of what re­venge he could make, burnt some part of a faire Castle of my Lord Moores, called B [...]llymaskomlin, sentencing him all the while to be a Traytour to God and the King.

The poore English Protestants, to the number of six-score (who had received the sentence of death, within themselves) by this sudden en­try of their friends, being set at liberty, were almost beside themselves for joy; Pillage of all sorts was here found in abundance, as being of late the Treasury of the County of Lough, for the share of which, each Captaine tooke the fortune of his Quarter.

The Souldiers feasted themselves with all sorts of provision, which they found dressed to their hands, Turkies and Hens were of no value, with them, that (as I have beene told) within foure dayes, there were about 4000. eaten, it was ordinary at one Table to see ten, or twenty couple of them, in Ranke and File cut off in an instant.

Sir Henry Tichburne our Governour behaved himselfe throughout the whole, very valiantly, in the hazard of his person, with the meanest Souldier, my Lord Moore is accordingly by all applauded, as needing rather a b [...]idle then a spurre, in those attempts, each Captaine hath gained himselfe much honour, and every Souldier deserves encourage­ment, who shrunke not an inch from what they were commanded. The glad newes of which we were here saluted with in the streetes, the next day, being Sunday, just as we were comming from Church, in the afternoone, where we had beene praying for that blessing upon them.

This victory, the breaknecke of the Rebellion North-ward (and with which I may conclude, as compleating our Siege delivery) is by all attributed unto Gods owne handy-worke, which succeeded beyond our thoughts or expectation. The number of our men (by the so ma­ny staying behind at Atherdee, and stealing backe hither with their pillage) upon Muster that morning, were found to be but seven hun­dred and fifty Foote, and two hundred Horse, and there were then neere three thousand of the Rebels within the Towne, able to have beate us out, being entered: For brasse pieces, and other such Artil­lery they exceeded us also, besides the defence which nature had given the place, as well as industry.

This poore Towne of Drogheda, when they were the besiegers, there were (as hath beene since confessed by some of their chiefe) sixteene thousand sometimes besetting us, the famine pressing us very sore, so that what with death and sicknesse, we had not above one thousand fighting men, yet by Gods goodnesse, held out foure moneths, and notwithstanding the homebred treacheries, their mighty onsets and Alarmes, at last with a few were routed.

Now that this strong Towne of Dundalke, every way so well provi­ded, with men, Ammunition, and Victuals, thus to be taken, with such a small number, and in so short a time as one day, who can but acknow­ledge it to be Gods speciall worke indeed, putting an evident distincti­on betweene them that seeke him aright, and such as seeke after super­stitious vanities? That seeing they have boasted Religion to be the cause, God hath declared by the event with which he is pleased, in sup­porting ours, so fraudulently undermined by theirs, in giving us so many wonderfull, if not miraculous preservations; for which, to him onely be raised a monument of everlasting praise, and thankesgiving, from us, and ours, from one Generation to another; Not unto us, but to the King eternall, immortall, invisible, and onely wise God, be all honour, and glo­ry, now and for ever, Amen.