An Exact and True RELATION How eighteene French and Irish men, whose Names are set downe, were apprehended at Salt-come in Devonshire neere Ply­mouth, and from thence by order of Parliament, brought up to Newgate, on Munday the 7 th March 1641. upon a suspition that they had an inten­tion to transport victuals and munition to the Rebels in Ireland.

Whereunto is added very Good Newes from IRELAND, brought over by the last post, 7 Mar. 1641.

[depiction of a sailing vessel]

LONDON, Printed for Iohn Wright, 1641.

The manner how eighteen French men who were bound for Ireland, wee brought to Newgate, 7 March 1641.

TWas the Prophets expression to no lesse then a King, obedience is better then sacrifice; but rebellion is as the sinne of Witchcraft. A crime most hatefull to God and odious to man bringing swift destruction if not timely prevented, as upon particular presons, so more generally upon whole kingdomes: it being that cursed root, from whence proceedeth many hundred branches of impious and confused actions, rapes, murder, famine, fire and sword, with infinite the like bloudy and cruell massacres, doe ordinarily attend this hell hatcht fury; wherein the inno­cent suffer as well as the guilty, good and bad, one among another till at last the hand of Iustice continually pursuing, ith end over­takes, and in a moment, confounds the wretched actors thereof in sudden and shamefull ruine.

This truth needes but little Illustration, the distressed condi­tion of our neighbour nation of Ireland at this present, occasio­ned by the unnaturall rebellion of her owne ill-bred sonnes, too well approves it, where such in humaine cruelties, and unheard of tortures, are dayly practised by the barbarous enemy, that the ve­ry relation thereof, would melt a heart of flint to heare it,

But now blessed be God, such hath the painful indeavours, and prudent care of our most gracious King, and his wise Parliament been, for the helpe and assistance of those our oppressed brethren, that by their charitable benevolenee, and friendly aid, the prote­stants are much strengthned, and the rebels discouraged, great hopes being left of a quicke and finall conquest over those ty­rannicall and mercilesse traitors.

Our royall King hath long since proclaimed them such, let none therefore presume to succour or relieve such a viprous gene­neration, that gnaw and feed upon the bowels of their owne deare mother, lest vengeance reward their ungodly designes, and sweepe away both authors and abettors at an instant.

The cause of this my writing proceedes from a late passage, now fresh in memory and the onely talke of the Citty, I meane the 18 French men, who by an order from the Parliament were apprehended neere Plimouth, and from thence brought to New­gate, upon a suspition, that they had an intention to transport victuals and munition to the rebels in Ireland.

Their names are as followeth,

  • Captaine Butler.
  • Capt. Iohn Ryant.
  • Capt. Daniel Ryant.
  • Addam Gould marchant.
  • Thomas Levaleu. marchant.
  • Daniell Dally. master.
  • servants.
    • Morgan Quirke.
    • Garret Foy.
    • Iohn Ryant.
  • Nich Baggott.
  • Darby Ryant.
  • David Galloway.
  • Iohn Williams.
  • Patricke Furlong.
  • Iohn Dym.
  • Richard Gallaway.
  • Thomas Mattach.
  • Iohn Butler.

The Ship lies at Salt-come in Devonshire, and was bound for Corke.

These men being shipt in a small vessell, which as they say was onely laden with marchandize in France, and bound for Corke, though tis supposed twill be sound otherwise, were by contrary windes driven upon the coasts of England, at a place called Salt­come in Devonsh. where not without good cause they were staid by the Governour of the Towne, and notice given to the Parlia­ment, thereof, who presently sent downe an order to stay their ship and bring them to London, which was accordingly done in this manner. The sherisse of every county with the constables, were commanded to conduct them from place to place, till at list they came to Brainford, where they lodgd on Sunday night, March 6. The next day the sherises of London went downe to [Page]Brainford and from thence brought them to Newgate the same day at night, a Constables riding one each side all the way and the prisoners in the middle.

If they be guilty I make no question but the Parliament will quickly sift it out, and inflict such punishment upon them as the hamousnesse of their offence deserves.

The last Newes from Ireland, 7 March, 1641.

The 10. of February our men went to Artain, against a castle so called, which had before done some mis­chiefe, to some of our men, the enemy being in it, But the enemy fled before our second comming, and left the Castle, and a garrison was left in it by us.

Upon the 11th. wee had newes, that the enemy was intrenching at a place called Soughing Towne, some 6. Miles south of our City, and some 2000 Foot, and 200. Horse went out against them; The Lord Lambart commanding in chiefe; A small battell they had, but the Enemy stood not, on the Enemies side some 70 or more was killed, and but one hurt on our side, and so came home that night, and brought home one of the Rebells Captaines and two more of the enemies Cap­taines slaine, many Letters of treason were found a­bout him that was taken.

On the 13. a man was brought to our City being taken by some of our scattering men scouting about our City, who confest without constraint, that he had killed an English woman at a place called Leslipesous, 6. Miles West of our City, and washed his hands in her bloud, being set on by the popish Priests so to doe, hee was presently hanged, but dyed with much repen­tance and a protestant, which few do.

Upon the 19. and 20. Arrived heere from you 2000 Foot and 300 horse but little or no money, which made us poore of the City fare harder then before; which was to hard.

Upon the 21. Wee had knowledge that our Ships sent with vittaile to relieve Tredath had got safely in, and in spight of the enemy, who had chayned up the harbour, but our men brake the Chaine, and got in, notwithstanding. And publike thankes was with us for that happinesse, for in such a great strait was that City, as to eat Horse flesh, as letters from my friends from the City to mee testified; Also Captaine Bartlet who was the Sea Captaine, in his comming home met with some fore small Boats or Barkes of the Wexford men, going toward the enemy in the North to carry Lenten provision, but hee spoyled their designe in sinking most or all of them, About the same time we had also Letters out of Munster, that all that part of the Countrey was rose in Rebellion being carried out by the Lord Muscry, and Lore Roch, who had profes­sed much fidellity, and many deceitfull promises had past to the president of that Province, till they saw their owne advantage, And it is reported they are net lesse then 20000 strong, best appointed of all the Rebels, for indeed this Lord Muscroy is the most mo­nied man, of all the Irish Lords, So that now not one place in Ireland, but is in Rebellion, for the Lord of Clanrickard, stands as some thinke Neuter, does no­thing at all, or cannot do any thing, or will not, But wee heare that our President of Munster was forced to betake himselfe to the strong hold of Corke, and the Lord of Corke betooke himselfe to Toyhall, which are [Page]reported both to be besiged by the enemy.

Upon the 23. of this moneth, newes was that at a place neere Feleston six miles from us, a great multi­tude of the enemies had strongly fortifide themselves, and it is well fortifide by nature, having also a strong Castle in it; Some 3000 of our men went against it, horse and soote, Our Lord generall the Earle of Or­mond himselfe went, as did Sir Charles Coot, Sir Symond Harcourt, and many more, Iohn Moore being one of the Soldiers, and upon the forelorne hope. had both his left and right hand man killed, he told me that our generall himselfe, led up the forlorne hope, with ma­ny words of Comfort to them, able to make any man fight of see such a man as he goe in such danger: For the enemy had a great wood to shelter them beside tren­ches, but our men after 2 houres Battell, beat them from their Trench, and from the wood, killing some 80 of them, For all that advantage but 7 of our men was killed, but that we lost one Captaine Rochford, a man of such note, that never more was any man be­wayled; For all the good and valliant parts of a Soldi­er was in him, in this bout Sir Symond Harcourts Regi­ment, behaved themselves valliantly but for the Castle our men were forced to returne home without taking it, having nothing but field peeces with them, the way being to rotten to beare greater as yet; many more of the enemies had bin staine but that the wood defended them, so that the Trees tooke off all that was sent to them in this Castle is thought to be much wealth besides all that have bin great men of the Re­bles. But our men will not so leave it, but will againe try their forces against in shortly.

As yesterday our men came home, yet tis to be feard that a famine is like to be in our City, in that still men come to us and provision is short, and none of yours that come to us bring any vittailes, great taxes are vpon us, more then can be borne, He that had Butter, and Cheese, and Cloath at betwene 6 and 14 Shillings a yard here sent by any out of London, might make a good trade of it; Cheshire cheese is sould here for six pence a pound already; Some of your Londoners are come hither (acquaintance of mine) that will send for such things, for great profit may be made by them, and quicke returne.

FINIS.

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