THe Army marched from Dublin about the 23 of September, into the Coun­ty of Wicklo, where the enemy had a garison about 14 miles from Dub­lin called Killingkerick, which they quitting, a Company of the Army was put therein. From thence the Army marched through almost a desolated Countrey, until it came to a passage over the River Doro, about a mile a­bove the Castle of Arcklo, which was the first Seat and Honor of the Marques of Ormonds family, which he had strongly fortified, but was upon the ap­proach of the Army quitted, wherein we left another company of foot. From thence the Army marched towards Wexford, where in the way was a strong and large Castle, at a Town called Limrick, the ancient Seat of the Esmonds, where the enemy had a strong garison, which they burnt and quitted the day before our coming thither. From thence we marched towards Ferns, an Episcopal Seat, where was a Castle, to which I sent Colonel Reynolds with a party to summon it, which accordingly he did, and it was surrendred to him; where we ha­ving put a company, advanced the Army to a pas­sage [Page 4] over the River Slane, which runs down to Wex­ford, and that night marched into the fields of a Village called Eniscorfy, belonging to Master Ro­bert Wallop, where was a strong Castle very well manned and provided for by the enemy, and close under it in a very fair house belonging to the same worthy Person, A Monastery of Franciscan Fryers, the considerables in all Ireland, they run away the night before we came; we summoned the Castle, and they refused to yield at the first, but upon better consideration, they were willing to deliver the place to us, which accordingly they did, leaving their great Guns, Arms, Ammunition, and provisions behinde them. Upon Munday the first of October, we came before Wexford, into which the enemy had put a garison consisting of their Army, this Town having until then been so confident of their own strength, as that they would not at any time suffer a garison to be imposed upon them; The com­mander that brought in those forces was Colonel David Synnot, who took upon him the command of the place, to whom I sent a summons, a Copy whereof is this inclosed, between whom and me there passed Answers and Replies; Copies whereof these also are. Whilst these Papers were passing be­tween us, I sent the Lieut. General with a party of dragoons, horse and foot, to indeavor to reduce their Fort, which lay at the mouth of their Har­bor, about ten miles distant from us, to which he sent a Troop of dragoons, but the enemy quit their Fort, leaving behinde them about seven great Guns, betook themselves by the help of their boat to a fri­got [Page 5] of 12 Guns, lying in the Harbor, within Canon-shot of the Fort: The dragoons possessed the Fort, and some Seamen belonging to your Fleet, coming happily in at the same time, they bent their Guns at the Frigot, and she immediately yielded to mercy, both her self, the soldiers that had been in the Fort, and the Seamen that manned her: And whilst our men were in her, the Town not knowing what had hap­ned, sent another small Vessel to her, which our men also took: The Governor of the Town having obtained from me a safe conduct for the four per­sons mentioned in one of the Papers, to come and treat with me about the surrender of the Town, I expected they should have done so; but in stead thereof, the Earl of Castlehaven brought to their relief on the Northside of the River, about five hundred foot, which occasioned their refusal to send out any to treat, and caused me to revoke my safe conduct, not thinking it fit to leave it for them to make use of it when they pleased; our Canon be­ing landed, and we having removed all our quarters to the South-east end of the Town, next the Castle, it was generally agreed that we should bend the whole strength of our Artillery upon the Castle, be­ing perswaded that if we got the Castle, the Town would easily follow. Upon Thursday the 11. instant (our Batteries being finished the night before) we began to play betimes in the morning, and having spent neer a hundred shot, the Governors stomack came down, and he sent to me to give leave for four persons intrusted by him, to come unto me and offer terms of surrender, which I condescending [Page 6] to, two field Officers, with an Alderman of the Town, and the Captain of the Castle, brought out the Propositions inclosed, which for their abomina­bleness, manifesting also the impudency of the men, I thought fit to present to your view, together with my answer, which indeed had no effect; for whilst I was preparing of it, studying to preserve the Town from plunder, that it might be of the more use to you and your Army, The Captain who was one of the Commissioners being fairly treated, yiel­ded up the Castle to us: upon the top of which our men no sooner appeared, but the enemy quit­ted the walls of the Town, which our men perceiving, ran violently upon the Town with their ladders and stormed it: And when they were come into the Market place, the enemy making a stiff resi­stance, our forces brake them, and then put all to the sword that came in their way: Two Boatfuls of the Enemy attempting to escape, being overprest with numbers, sunk, whereby were drowned near Three hundred of them: I believe in all there was lost of the Enemy not many less then two thousand, and I believe not Twenty of yours killed, from first to last of the Siege. And indeed, it hath not with­out cause been deeply set upon our hearts, that we intending better to this place, then so great a ruine, hoping the Town might be of more use to you and your Army; yet God would not have it so, but by an unexpected Providence, in his Righteous Justice, brought a just Judgement upon them, causing them to become a prey to the Soldier, who in their Pyracies had made preys of so many families, and made [Page 7] with their bloods to answer the cruelties which they had exercised upon the lives of divers poor Prote­stants; two of which I have been lately acquainted with: About seven or eight-score poor Protestants were by them put into an old Vessel, which being as some say bulged by them, the Vessel sunk, and they were all presently drowned in the Harbor: The other was thus, They put divers poor Protestants in­to a Chappel, which since they have used for a Mass house, and in which one or more of their Priests were now killed, where they were famished to death.

The Soldier got a very good Booty in this place, and had they not had opportunity to carry their goods over the River, whilest we besieged it, it would have been much more. I could have wished for their own good, and the good of the Garison, they had been more moderate. Some things which were not easily portable, we hope we shall make use of to your behoof: There are great quantities of Iron, Hides, Tallow, Salt, Pipe, and Barrel Staves, which are under Commissioners hands to be secured. We be­lieve there are near a hundred Canon in the Fort, and elsewhere in and about the Town: Here is likewise some very good shipping; here are three Vessels, one of them of thirty four Guns, which a weeks time would fit to Sea; there is another of about 20 Guns, very near ready likewise; and one other frigot of 20 Guns, upon the stocks, made for sailing, which is built up to the uppermost Deck, for her handsom­ness sake I have appointed the workmen to finish her, here being materials to do it, if you or the Councel of State shall approve thereof. The Friggot also taken by the Fort, is a most excellent Vessel for sail­ing, [Page 8] besides divers other Ships and Vessels in the Har­bor. This Town is now so in your power, that the former Inhabitants I believe scarce one in twenty can challenge any propriety in their houses, most of them are run away, and many of them killed in this ser­vice; and it were to be wished, that an honest peo­ple would come and plant here, where are very good houses, and other Accommodations fitted to their hands, and may by your favor be made of encou­ragement to them; as also a seat of good trade, both inward and outward, and of marvellous great ad­vantage in the point of the Herring and other fishing. The Town is pleasantly seated, and strong, having a Rampert of Earth within the Wall, near fifteen foot thick. Thus it hath pleased God to give into your hands this other Mercy, for which, as for all, we pray God may have all the glory: Indeed your in­struments are poor, and weak, and can do nothing but through Believing, and that is the gift of God also. I humbly take leave, and rest,

A day or two before our Battery was planted, Or­mond, the Earl of Castlehaven, the Lord of Ardes and Clanneboys were on the other side of the water, with about One thousand eight hundred Horse, One thousand five hundred Foot, and offered to put in four or five hundred Foot more into the Town, which the Town refusing, he marched away in all haste: I sent the Lieutenant General after him, with about One thousand four hundred Horse, but the Enemy made from him.

HAving brought the Army belonging to the Par­liament of England before this place, to reduce it to its due obedience, to the end effusion of blood may be prevented, and the Town and Counrty about it preserved from ruine, I thought fit to Summon you to deliver the same to me, to the use of the State of England: By this offer I hope it will clearly appear where the guilt will lie, if innocent persons should come to suffer with the nocent. I expect your speedy Answer, and rest,

HAving summoned you to deliver the Town of Wexford into my hands, I might well expect the delivery thereof, and not a formal Treaty, which is sel­dom granted, but where the things stand upon a more equal foot; If therefore your self or the Town have any desires to offer, upon which you will surrender the place to me, I shall be able to judge of the reasonable­ness [Page 11] of them, when they are made known to me: To which end, if you shall think fit to send the persons named in your last, intrusted by your self and the Town, by whom I may understand your desires, I shall give you a speedy and fitting answer; And I do here­by ingage my self, that they shall return in safety to you. I expect your answer hereunto within an hour, and rest,

SIr, You might have spared your trouble in the ac­compt you give me of your Transaction with the Lord General of your Horse, and of your Resolution in case he answer not your expectation in point of time; These are your own concernments, and it behoves you to improve, and the relief you mention, to your best ad­vantage; All that I have to say, is to desire you to take notice, that I do hereby revoke my safe Conduct from the persons mentioned therein; when you shall see cause to Treat, you may send for another. I rest,