DIrections are given by the Councell and Congregation, for all Acts of Hostility towards the English: The Orders were given to [Page 2]Generall Officers in private, and were da­ted the sixteenth of December last.

Their directions were to kill, burne, and spoyle all that ever they could, all that did belong to the English quarters, or any that would speak in their behalfe. Directions were sent to Owen Roe the 18. of that Mo­neth, to make up all the Forces that hee could, and to march downe towards Trim. He cannot gather his men yet: for there are two Regiments of them in the County of Tiperary, and in the County of Lymricke: and they are now upon their march com­ming to him. He went out of Lease the 29. of that moneth, with what forces hee had there. Colonel Warren went from Kilkenny upon St Stephens day, and was commanded with 500. of his men (with all expedition) to march towardes Teighchrohan. Hugh Mac-Phelim was commanded to meet in the County of Kildare, with all the forces he had. A Councell are working at Kilkenny to have no Assembly; but I think the coun­trey will force them to it, if they stand out: for all the countrey is now weary of these [Page 3]times; for they are all in a manner undone by Souldiers. And for all I see, the Officers and Souldiers in Generall Prestons Army, are weary of these times; for they get no pay, but what they get by the spoyle of the countrey. The Nuncio did expect some moneyes over: some Frigots are come, but no moneyes. The Nuntio that was here formerly is sent for to Rome, and I think no money comes till he comes there, nor then neither, as I understand from some. All our hope now is, from the King of Spaine, be­cause he hath agreed with all others, upon such tearmes as he agreed with the Hollan­ders. Such conditions we must have from our King now. That is in every one of our Clergies mouths already. General Prestons sonne came out of Spain, and brought all the newes, that the Hollanders and Spaine have agreed: He came over and a great ma­ny Commanders, looking for Souldiers to carry over. Preston hath given Col, Nap­per a Pattent to be Colonell. Generall Pre­ston is little regarded now, for all his last Protestation. My Lord of Muskery is in [Page 4]Munster, and hath more men at command, then ever he had in his life: he will be here within these five or six dayes: hee sent for mee to Ballyhohill, that I might repaire to Kilkenny to take Lodgings for him. And all Kilkinny, they are in that condition, that they doe not know which is best for them, to joyne with God or the Divell. The grea­test Libellers amongst them now, have no other practice, but setting out books against the Nobility and best of the Kingdome. We doe not finde fault with any thing they set out against the Lord Marquesse, or his Par­ty; for we beleve they are naught. Some of us doe daily pray that they may mend, if they be so. We thought within these few dayes, to make the sword our Governour; but now the case is altered: We are altoge­ther governed by Black-coats, and two lame Fellowes; one lame in his legge, and the other in his heart. If God do not mend them quickly, the Divell blesse them. Here is one Butler in the Councell, that hath made all the rest of the Councell drunke. And not onely the Councell, but hath [Page 5]made all the whole countrey so drunke, that they cannot see one another well, now. They are all looking upon the Fort of Dun­cannon, for feare Generall Preston should come neere it again: They will not suffer him to come neerer then Waterford, they do mistrust him every way, by reason of his Treaty with the enemy at Dublin. We heare that the enemy is hard by, and that they have taken away a great many of your cat­tell; I hope you have reliefe with you by this time. We do heare that all the Dilsons and some other Gentlemen in Meath, have joyned with the enemy: And that the Marquesse of Clanriccard is their chiefe Instrument. All the harme we can do them yet, is to curse them, and to make them trai­tors in our Libels. God blesse you and yours from the Traytors wheresoever they are. I hope I shall meet with you at Kilkenny at the Assembly, if there bee any. There will be none if the aforesaid two lame Fellowes can put it off: For hee that is lame in the legge, is afraid that his best legge will bee [Page 6]made shorter: And hee that is lame in his Heart, is afraid that his heart will breake quite, by the pressing multitude of the peo­ples voyces. God send us quietnesse, and crush our enemies. I rest,

The names of the chiefe actors in the de­sign carried on by the Irish Rebels, are,

• Ioannes Baptista, Archiepiscopus Firmanus.
  Nuncius Apostolicus.
• Ioan. Clonfert,
• Ever Cloghe [...]ensis Lowthe.
• Fra. Pat. Plunket,
• Alex. Mac Donnel,
• Nich. Plunket,
• Rob. Lynch,
• Pierce Butler.