To the first Article.

Artic. 1. It runneth upon generalls, and is in substance generally un­true: yet in further dutifull care to give Your Majestie satisfaction, Instances herein are humbly offered to maintaine the truth.

First; as to their vaunt of 1300 yeares unalterable profession of the now Romish Religion: It is most apparent in the learned Treatises of the Lord Archbishop of Armagh, and otherwaies, that for above 600 yeares within the said time of 1300 yeares, the Religion professed by the Clergie and peo­ple of Ireland, was more agreeable to the true Protestant Religion now by [Page 23]law established, and by publique Authoritie maintained in that Kingdom, then unto that Roman Catholike Religion, as they call it, which they doe now professe, the free exercise whereof throughout that Kingdome, they by their confederacie and oath of Association are to maintain, and doe now by force authorize: And for most of the time after the said 600 years, the Re­ligion professed in that Kingdome was far otherwise then now it is profes­sed and practifed by these Confederates and some of their Ancestors; for the Councell of Trent (which ended about the yeare 1563.) brought Arti­cles of Faith into the Church, farre different from the former Catholique faith; And this new Religion of Popery, is the Romish Religion, which they call Catholike, and is now professed by them. And this is the great Antiquity of these Romanists present profession, which they fay, they and their Ancestors have so long unalterably professed (though that also in so large an extent is utterly untrue) for besides what is declared in the Statute lawes in Ireland, enacted in the Reigne of King Henry the 8. and Queene Elizabeth, expressing the detestation of those Paliaments against the Popes usurped authority in that Kingdome, his wresting of Gods holy word and Testament to his worldly and carnall affection, and entangling and troubling the jurisdiction and Regall power, and much unquieting the peo­ple, making that unlawfull which by Gods Word is lawfull, and many such like expressions in severall Statutes; which shewes the genius of the peo­ple of Ireland at that time. It is cleere, that since the Reformation in the latter end of the Reigne of King Henry the 8 in all the time of King Ed­ward the 6. and Queen Elizabeth, the Natives of that Kingdome, Ancestors to these Confederates, (howsoever perhaps in mind popishly affected) ac­cording to the ignorance of those times, did generally without scruple re­sort to the Protestant Ceurches in all places where any Protestant Clergie could reside, untill about the 13. yeare of Queene Elizabeth, that the Bull of Pius Quintus was sent into Ireland; And then began some persons of note to stand at distance: But after that they did also generally come to Church both in Townes and Country, till about the 30 yeare of Queen Eli­zabeth, that the Spaniards, wracked upon that Coast, dispersed themselves into the Townes and severall other parts, and left generally many evill im­pressions, which caused some more wilfulnesse in Recusancie; yet after that most of the Natives of Ireland, all the residue of Queen Elizabeths Reigne, (for then there were few new English) and most of the Reigne of King James, partly by faire inducements, and partly by the weake impulsives of the Statute of 2. Eliz. did still for the most part, till of late yeares, come to Church, which is all that Your Majesties Government, and Your Laws there do enjoyn them generally unto, not offering to enforce the Conscience with torture, death, or otherwise, as the Romanists doe: Neither were they so unalterable in their supposed Catholique profession, but that of late yeares severall of them (even of noted pregnancie in the Doctrinal part) did for a Majoraltie in a City, or to save a pension in some times, or some other im­ployment in others, forsake their Masse for that season, to come to Church: [Page 24]Sir Philonty O Neal makes it more plain in his Letters of triumph to his ho­ly Confessor, that his purpose was conquest, and not defence of Religion, his Majesties Prerogative, or their Liberties, there being none there that offered any offence to either of them, and for Liberty in their profes­sion, they had little or no restraint, Vid. the epistle of Paul Harris Priest, to P. Vrban the 8. in his booke intituled Fratres sobrii e­stoie. An 1634. It is as hard to find what numbers of Friars be in Dublin, as to count how ma­ny frogs therewere in the 2d. plague of Egypt. for they had by the patience of the Governours, their titular Archbishops, Bishops, Vicar generall, and provinciall Consistories, Ecclesiasticall Deanes, Abbots, Priors, Moncks, Nunnes, Iesuites, Priests, and Friers without number, all officers pro­per to that Hierarchy, and free use of Masse, aswell in Townes as Coun­try (they not so much as in truth doubting or fearing any violent cruelty of the English, knowing their nature and disposition as they did) so as feare of being massacred for their Catholique Religion, was not their motive for taking Armes, as they fraudulently pretend.

It is utterly untrue that ever since the Statute of second Elizabeth, the Catholiques of that Kingdome, were debarred from places of honour and trust in Church or Common wealth, for after that Statute many Noble­men of the old English were made Councellours; who were bred in the ignorance of those times, though afterwards they came to Church; And af­ter that Statute tenne severall Iudges of that Birth and education, posses­sed successively all the prime Places of all the Benches of the Law, and like­wise all the Inferior Iudges of those Benches were of the same birth and education, though afterwards most of them came to Church, and the of­ficers in Courts of Iustice and otherwayes were exercised by men of like condition, the Malignity of Popery being in those times not discerned to be so perillous, as of later times, the Spanish Armado in 88; Tyrones Re­bellion, the Powder Treason, this present Insurrection, and many other treacherous and mischievous machinations and plots have discovered it to be; (Tis true, that about the 29. yeare of the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth, upon the death of Sir John Plunket Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench, Sir Robert Gardner was sent out of England, who was the first English Iudge sent into that Kingdome in many yeares before: And after upon the death of some of the rest, a little before the end of the Raigne of the same Queen, three more were sent thither, and so from thenceforth, as the rest dyed, o­thers were sent thither; And how the reformation of the Kingdome, and Your Majesties services were advanced before the comming of those Eng­lish Iudges, the Stories and Records doe shew: And for the Natives of that Kingdome, such as would conforme and come to Church, were freely ad­mitted to be Counsellors, Iudges, and Officers, as many of them were, and yet are; Besides, for matter of trust, many of the Lords, and prime Gentry of the old English (though reputed Catholiques) were throughout that Queenes time made Commanders of men in her Army, and very many made chiefe Commanders in severall Counties, and of the forces in those Coun­tries; All which time that Kingdome was kept almost in continuall gar­boyle; and as well then as ever since her decease, the Noblemen and other Natives of fit capacitie and breeding, have been trusted and imployed in all [Page 25]Commissions from the Courts, or otherwise, in all matters as well concer­ning the King as other subjects in equall degree with Protestants; the Gen­try also from time to time, even till this Rebellion were appointed Sheriffes, Iustices of the Peace, high Constables, Marshalls upon occasion, and all o­ther Officers in the Country that the Law appoints: They were also allow­ed chiefe Officers, and Iudges in Corporations, and other Liberties and Franchises (their sonnes also admitted Clarkes in the Courts, and other un­der Officers, which are graces and favours rarely allowed to the preten­ded Catholiques in England, though Natives of this Kingdome, so as very few of that Kingdome have been observed to seeke fortunes in other Coun­tries, except some that doe passe into this Kingdome for their preferment, and except such as do voluntarily travell beyond Seas to the warres, and to become Clergy-mer, and some students in the Arts, as natives of England doe the same; their Lawyers also to our deare experience, notwithstanding different in Religion, are and have been admitted to the Bar, and all other practice as Protestants are, by which they grow popular, and in short time farre richer, and greater purchasers then the Protestant Lawyers, or Iudges now imployed can doe in many yeares, a favour not allowed to like natives here in England, which hath been an extreame mischief to that Kingdome of Ireland, as hereafter shall appeare, many of the prime Gen­try have by suite to Your Majesty, and Your most blessed Father, been ad­vanced to honour of severall degrees, have been dignified with titles of Baronets and Knights, and for preferment in the Church; It is apparant that after the Statute of Secundo, many of that Nation were then continued Bishops, and other Dignitaries, and many newly created upon the yeel­ding to the externe part of the Reformation (though it is to be remem­bred what is declared of some of them by Statute in that Kingdome enacted in the eleaventh yeare of Queene Elizabeth, Cha. 6. In which is this ex­pression, viz. Where the right honourable sir Henry Sidney, Knight of the honourable Order, now Lord Deputy of Ireland hath in his late progressE into Munster and Connaught found (amongst other experiences) the great abuse of the Clergy therein, admitting of unworthy Personages to Ecclesi­asticall dignities, which hath neither lawfulnesse of Birth, Learning, Eng­lish habit, or English Language, but discended of unchast and unmarried Abbots, Priors, Deanes, Chaunters and such like, getting into the said digni­ries, either with force, symony, friendship or other corrupt meanes, to the great overthrow of Gods Holy Church, and the evill example of all honest Congregations. Be it therefore, &c.

Yet they were continued during their lives, howsoever afterwards none were admitted to those places, but such as were knowne Protestants, and therein the Natives of that Kingdome being so conditioned, were freely en­tertained, and many of them so dignified, as they are at this day, it being not thought fit to put that charge into the hands of Recusants; because it hath been since observed, as it is now clearely manifest, that they are in that Kingdome of Ireland, the Seeds-men and wombe of all the distempers [Page 26]and miser able sufferings of the now deplorable Common-wealth, which is by many of considerable quality now lamentably acknowledged; neither indeed are the Recusants capable of that charge by the Lawes of the Land; and if they take offence at those Laws, supplications, not Murthers, Rebel­lions and depredations, were a proper way to sue for the repeale of them; but the Nobles, (that they are become contemptible) is a strange affirma­tion (they have been graced by Your Majesty, and Your Governours from time to time, with all the respects of Honour and Priviledge, that is any way due to them, and in no lesse measure then the Protestants have been; besides it is well knowne that since the Protestant subjects, Brittish and o­thers, became their neighbours and Tenants, and inhabited their now deso­late estates, the Rents and Revenues of those Lords were so raised, as they were brought into a condition to livel ike Noblemen in a civill Common­wealth, which they were not before able to doe, nor (it is beleeved) will ever be againe, if some as perillously credulous as the Protestant Subiects (now ruined, have been) do not make such adventures, as they have done to their cost. Lastly, where those confederates doe boldly, and untruely af­firme that their Gentry were debarred from Learning in Universities, and publique Schooles; first their children (though themselves and their Pa­rents Papists) were freely admitted into all publique Schooles, as well of Your Maiesties foundation as other waies, without question of Religion, wherein they attained to the knowledge of the Latine and the Greeke Tongues, and full introduction into the Arts, and all other humane lear­ning. And for Universities, they know there is but one only Colledge in Ire­land founded by Queene Elizabeth, and endowed by Your Maiesties most blessed Father for the education of the youth of that Kingdome. That Col­ledge is of smal capacity, yet can it not be instanced, that any the son of a no­ble man, or Gentleman were refused to be admitted thereunto, if they would conforme to the Lawes of the Land, and Statutes of that Society, neither are they there pressed with the Law, till they come to be Graduates, and it is well knowne that as well from that University, as Innes of Court here in England, very many of them have gained learning and knowledge, which in many of them now is imployed to the extream annoyance and harme of Your Maiesty, and Your Kingdome, and though they were not so freely admitted into those Societies, and in Corporations, because they would not conforme to the Lawes of the Land, and Charters, Orders, and Customes of that society, yet many of those lived there and here with greater free­dome from those Lawes, then the Natives of England of the Popish Religi­on did in England; and yet it is humbly conceived (that if their numbers, quality, and loyalty be rightly weighed and considered, there will not be found any good cause or found reasons, why the Native Papists of Ireland should have more freedome in Ireland, then the Native Papists of England have in England; and whereas they so needlesly presse for the free admit­tance into the Schoole of the Kingdome, as they have clearely received that freedome as is above mentioned (which also well appeares in the men of [Page 27]this age, educated sarre beyond all former times) so they should have laid their challenge with all hample acknowledgment and thankefulnesse to Your sacred Majesty, and the famous ProresTant Princes preceding Your Muesty, and Your English Government. For first in the 28th. yeare of King Henry the 8th. it was enacted that every incumbent should keepe a Schoole in his Parish to teach English. Secondly, Queene Elizabeth by a Statute in the 12th. yeare of her Reigne, ordained that there should be a Free Schoole kept in every Diocesse of that Kingdome, to be maintained by her owne Clergy, and her senants of impropriate Parsonages and Vicca­ridges. Thirdly, Your Maiesty, and Your Royall Father in all the Plantati­ons erected many Free Schooles and endowed them. Fourthly, many Pro­testants have built, and endowed Free Schooles in speciall places, whereas before there were few, and those only in some Townes, supported by very small salaries; not able to give the Teachers subsistance, and so in a manner discontinued, as well appeared by the ill iteratenes, and indeed barbarisme of the people in former times; and it cannot be shewed that any Papist there has built or endowed any Schoole: nay which is worse, all the Popish Clergy, and all other Popish Laiety, from whom that Clergy can draw any such charity (much being so gotten) doe send all that can be so gathered to Schooles and Universities beyond the seas, whereby that Kingdome is much impoverished, and the love and dependency of the people much translated from Your Crowne to forraigne Princes and Potentates.

To the second Article.

As they have not spared scandalous and untrue aspersions against Your Maiesty and your Government, and against Your Officers and Ministers, Arti. 2. which is no other then Art used to cover, or (if it were possible) excuse their odious murthers, and other cruelties now committed upon Your Ma­jesties Protestant Subjects, so they have presumed to taxe Your gracious Majesty, and Your glorious predecessors with want of love and care of their Subjects of that Kingdome, by placing, (as the Remonstrants pretend) in the seate of Government and other Offices of eminency, men of mean condi­tion and quality, who were to begin their fortunes upon the ruines of the Catholique Natives, which taxe untrue in it selfe, is so undutifull to those Soveraign and gracous Princes, as no person of honour will appeare in it; but it must be devised by the Romish adversaries of the Clergy or Iesuited Lawyers, who now appeare to have been the chiefe firebrands of all these horrible flames, which have almost consumed that Kingdome, for it cannot be denyed that Your Royall Majesty, and the other excellent Princes Your predecessors have since the said Statute of Secundo, sent thither to governe, Earles, Barons, and others of noble extraction, and plentifull esTates in England; and when in intervalls for short times Iustices were appointed, they were sometimes Noble men, and otherwise men of the best ranke, suf­ficiency, and ability to undergoe that charge, and it cannot be shewed that many of them have built their fortunes on the ruines of Your. Majesties Sub­jects, either Protestants or Preists, to whom they [...]; [Page 28]equally in all things; but on the contrary, some of them have lost themselves and have been much damnified in their estates by their imployment there, partly by the unjust clamours and maliciou; accusations of of some of those Catholique Natives, never enduring long any English Governour, or other servants of the King; of England, that endeavoured the peace­able and legall obedience to the Crowne; And it is manifest, that of 21 Lieutenants, Deputies, and Iustices successively, Thirty Privy Coun­sellors, and Twelve prime Iudges, and several inferior Iudges sent thither out of England, since the Statute of 2 ^do. no one of them hath left any Estate there, neither were they inriched by that service: And though some others (and not many) left esTates, it onely was for the most part by bounty of the Crowne, and very few or none by their purchase, except the Earle of Strafford, who paid great summes of money for all he bought: whereas on the other side, of eleven prime Iudges, and many inferiour Iudges of the birth of Ireland, imployed there since the Statute of 2 ^do. every one of them left visible and valuable estates, many of them equall at least with the prime Gentry, and severall of them, in themselves or their posteritie, since advanced to titles of honour, by the fa­vour of your Majestie and your Royall Ancestors; whereby your Majestie may be pleased to judge whether the English or Irish officers have most built their fortunes on the ruines of Catholique Natives. It is true, that no Natives have been imployed as Chiefe Governours there, since the 27. of King Henry the 8. but in former times many of them were, untill the last of them gave cause to the King to alter that course; And yet since that time, most of the prime and inferiour Iudges and the Officers were of the Natives, even untill towards the latter end of the Reigne of Queen Eliz. as is before said. Vid. the Stat. of 10 H. 7. c. 8. and other Sta­tutes for the prosperitie of Ireland, while the English lawes were executed, and how it decaied afterwards. And if times be compared, it will appeare by good records and histo­ries, that from the end of the first 90 yeares after the first comming of King Henry the 2 ^d. (in which time of 90 yeares the English Colonies spread over all the then most habitable parts of the Kingdome) the Townes being also wholly English and the English lawes then only used and obeyed throughout all the English Colonies. The Irish then and many yeares after, declared ene­mies and aliens, did encroach and prevaile strangely against the English Co­lonies, which happened by reason of the unwise and irregular behaviour of many of the English Lords and Chieftaines of Irish birth, who then and after degenerated into Irish manners and usages, cast off the English lawes, sub­jected themselves to the Brehon and Irish customes, The English Lords falling into mortall quarrels a­mong them­selves, called in and waged the Irish in their contenti­ons, who for­merly lived in mountaines & bogs, & were of no force; whereby the Irish grew powerfull and bold, and so wrested out the English freeholders by allowance of the English Lords, which hapned chiefly in the times or by occasion of the civill wars in England. joyned with the Irish in marriage, fostering, gossoprick, and all other things, even against their own fellow conquerors the English freeholders, almost to their utter ruine; The Governours also, and otehr Officers, being for the most part of those old English, gave way, (perhaps necessitated in some times) to the Irish en­croachments and customes, though some of them at severall times behaved themselves nobly and dutifully, yet others raised Coyne and Livery, and o­ther Irish exactions upon the remaining English Colonies, and all other In­feriors; (All which by the English governours and officers were after ta­ken [Page 29]away, insomuch as before the end of the Reigne of King Henry the 8. even al lthe Kingdome, except the sive Shires of the Pale, walled Townes, and som small parts about them, which also were much degenerated, were turned Irish (except a few of prime Nobility) the English Law renounced, Irish Captainships advanced, many of the old English Lores turned Irish Captaines; All which Captainships, and all exactions, coyne and taxes belonging thereunto, were after taken away by Act of Parliament) And all the Inferiors for the most part wholly reduced into Irish slaverie, having neither lands nor goods but at the will of those usurping Chieftaines; And that Kingdome in a manner from age to age infested with continuall bloody insurrections, and intestine commotions. In which case it continued even un­to the end of the Reigne of Queen Elizabth, notwithstanding all that the English Governours sent by her, coulde doe, being assisted for the most part all that time with Irish Counsellors, Iudges and Officers, as is herein for­merly metioned, The Kingdom being held in great poverty and barbarisme, notwithsTanding the vast expence of English bloud and treasure spent there, by that gracious Queen and some of her Royall predecessors: Neither could the Revenues and Profits of the Crowne, in any of those times, be advanced to above 11000 l. per annum, and many times far lesse, (yea sometimes no­thing at all) And all it was advanced to, was spent there, besides the continu­all exhaust of treasure out of England, even to keep life in the few English that continued there obedient to the Crown and Lawes of England,; where­as on the other side, since the beginning of the Reigne of the blessed King James, and Your sacred Majestie successively; Vid. Statute 11 Iac. c. 1. in Ireland, for the benefit of Law and English government. by His and Your wise and pi­ous couduct and direction, the English Governours, with the assistance of English Iudges and officers, have wholly abolished and removed all those Irish powers and jurisdictions, and placed the dependencie of the people en­tirely on the Crown setled and secured a Legall property in every subject of their lands and goods, bringing them absolutely into the state of free subjects, utterly rased out the Irish Gavelkinde and Tainstry, the very pest of the Nation, the Farmers and Yeomanry being formerly scarce able out of the earth to gaine meat and sustenance for themselves, and for idle Gentry and unimployed youth: They introduced Civilitie, peace, and legall obedience to your Majestie throughout that Kingdome, dispersed English habitations and manurance in all parts and Provinces, even formerly the most rude Irish and uninhabited, who built and erected Corporations and civill societies, set up Markets and Faire, for Commerce, built and placed Churches, bridges, cawsies and passages, gaoles, Session houses, Schooles for education of youth, and thousands of Castles, and houses of stone and brick, for habitation and defence, (as did also then by their example, many of the old English and I­rish, which were civilized) besides foure walled Townes, built in necessary places, now (since that Rebellion begun) maintained for your Majestie by Garrisons. They caused inclosures of lands, planting of Orchards and Gar­dens, and drayning of Bogs in all places; as farre as time could permit: They also brought in English habit, language and usage, and the full and u­niversall [Page 30]exercise of the English lawes in all parts of the Kingdome, turning all (not formerly turned) into Shire grounds, setting known limits to all the Counties and Baronies thereof; Into all which Iustices of Assize and Gaole delivery were halfe yearely sent, for the happy and orderly admini­stration of Justice, and setling mens properties: Whereas before the Reigne of King James, the Iudges could travell no where but in the Pale, and that not ordinarily, because of Rebellions; They placed Sheriffes, Iustices of Peace, and all Officers of Law, in each County, well instructed to execute their offices: They caused estates for lives, yeares, and otherwayes, to passe between Lord and Tenant, for comfort and settlement of the people, who were before generally Tenants at will in all parts; And by commixture of new English and old English with Irish, established indifferencie of Tryall by Iurie in most parts, which before by reason of combined Irish Septs, and the power of Irish Lords, could not be. They caused the Irish and o­thers to live in Town-Reads, not wandring with their cattell and creates dispersedly and barbarously in mountaines and wastes, as formerly. They enchartered the Townes and Corporations with enlarged and necessary Franchises, Liberties and Jurisdictions, aswell for government, as ornament and benefit, to the great enriching of those Inhabitants, and increase of Mer­chandise; they setled a learned Protestant Clergy of all degrees in all the parts of that Kingdom, and Ordained the Consistories in a Legall form; They caused to be enacted Laws for the course of Justice, and quieting mens Estates and Interests, agreeable as far as was necessary to the Laws made in England since the 10. of H. 7. They reformed the exorbitancy of Sheriffs, who after the Captainships were taken away, did in many places succeed them in extortion and oppression: They had setled an Army of 2000 foot, and 1000 horse, intended to be English, who tooke nothing of the Country without ready money; and a competent Navy to guard the Coast; all paid there without charge to England. And lastly, they had advanced your Ma­jesties Revenues certain and casuall, from under 8000 l. per annum, (as it was when King James began) to above 85000 l. per annum, besides a great gaine the Farmers of the Customes had, for a few yeares to come: and all this done with little or no charge to England. And as an addition of blessing to all this, the people generally by this meanes did wonderfully increase in riches and substance far beyond all other times; Rents raised as high as in many parts of England, where before lands yeelded little or no­thing: The breed of Cattell of all sorts wonderfully enlarged, bettered, and prized, and infinite numbers of cowes, horses and sheep, with very great quantities of wooll yearely sent into this Kingdome, and corne multiplied in all parts, which redounded to the benefit of the Natives equally, (if not more) then to the English, as may appear, as by many other things, so particularly by the large mariage portions given by the Lords, Gentry, and others, with their daughters, ten times above the rates of for­mer times; dowries and joyntures of wives, and purchase of lands propor­tionably encreased; Mony let at Ten in the hundred at most, whereas for­merly [Page 31]it was at 15 l. 20 l. and 30 l. and sometimes higher. And lastly, whereas in all Queen Elizabeths time they could give her but one Subsidie, and that but a meane one of 13 s. 4 d. out of every plough-land occupied or manured, to continue for ten yeares (very few Subsidies having beene granted in Ireland to any former Kings) that Subsidy of Queene Elizabeth (by reason that the Townes and Corporati­ons were by a Statute freed, and that divers exceptions of Gentle­mens estates and other waies were incerted, and that great quanti­ties of the Kingdome were in the hands of the Irish, not till then divided into Plow Lands, much whereof was never so done; and lastly by reason of the Rebellions (of those times) did never amount to any considerable summe; now in the happy and plentifull Raigne of Your Majesty, they were able to raise and grant unto Your Majesty ten Subsidies of one and forty thousand pounds each Subsidy, and some of them 45000. l. besides Lords and Clergy, over and above great contributions be­fore that; all which, and what remained unpaid thereof, when the Rebellion begun, would have been leavied and paid with little complaint or grie­vance, had the affections of the Remonstrants been as free, and reall to Your Majesty as they pretend, and as the affections of Your Subjects the Protestants were, and are, and all this besides one Subsidy of neare thirty thousand pounds, granted to Your Majesties most blessed Father: by all which it plainly appeares, that those Governours, Iudges and Offi­cers, imployed not their time in building their fortunes on the ruines of Catholique Natives, as is unconscionably suggested, nor yet in conspiring Rebellions, and destructions against Kings and Kingdomes, nor indeed can it be justly proved that any of them have so in any kind built their fortunes; neither can it appeare that ever any of the Governours or Magistrates did suggest malicious matters against those Catholiques for their hurt, the whole labour of the Governours being by all meanes to unite them, and the Protestants in all legall and peaceable amity; which the Popish Clergy and Lawyers observing, (and envying the so great prosperity, and encrease of livelihood in the people of all sorts, as well English as Irish, fore-seeing that the unity, and prosperity would certainly settle a constant subjection to a Protestant Prince) they wrought by all under hand, and wicked surmises and suggestions to breake up and confound that happy peace and unity, the Clergy on the one side possessing the miscognisant and uninstructed mul­titude that the Protestants were Heretickes, and not Christians, nor to be suffered to live in the Kingdome; that it was meritorious to destroy the Protestants, promising immediate passage to Heaven to all that dyed in that action, and that so was the pleasure of the Pope; for which purpose a Bull of Indulgence of the Pope hath been published in severall parts of that Kingdome, even since the Cessation of Armes agreed on there, the tenor whereof followeth:

THe Recusant Lawyers on the other side secretly infusing into the cre­dulous Irish and many old English, pretended grievances and quarrells against your Majestie and your Government, and the English Iudges and officers; which pretended grievances, even those Lawyers themselves knew to be of no importance, towards any prejudice to the Kingdome in generall, and which they well faw the English Iudges and Officers were most earnest to redresse, and did it as fast as could be, being to strive against such irregularities and reluctances, as they found when they began; [Page 37]And to prepare for this Rebellion, they did in the present Parliament de­clare that killing in rebellion was no forfaiture of lands, though the Law was heretofore held other wayes, and much of your Majesties revenew stands upon that Title, And for petitionary wayes, and some other illegall parts in the Government, the Popish Lawyers now chief leaders of the Remonstrants, were the chiefe practizers at Councell board, and most so­licitous to lead the people into those wayes, to flatter the Governours: All which they did of purpose as it now appeares, to poyson the minds of the people, and to heape up matter whereout to gather discontent in them a­gainst your Majesty and your Government, that when the Clergy could worke in them a grounded hatred to the Protestants, and gaine in their hearts a further loathing of English Government; how just and profitable soever, both might meete towards destruction of the Kingdome in a Warre, as they have now brought to passe, And yet if a thorough Scru­tiny were made, and the state of that Realme with other Kingdomes, not­withstanding their loud clamors of pretended Grievances no such enor­mities or abuses, will be found to have been there, when the Rebellion began, as do exceede others in forraigne Kingdomes, but rather farre lesse, and not any such as might stirre up such implacable malice, and ha­tred against your Majesty and the English Government and nation, as now they shew: Besides it is observable that in the Protestation, and Declaration of the Lords and Comons in this Parliament of Ireland, they do protest and declare that that Kingdome at the Earle of Straffords first comming to that Government was in a flourishing, wealthy and happy estate, and that for many yeares past before his coming the Government was Laudable, Mild, and Legall, and yet in some Prints they now call it Tyrannicall for forty yeares past.

Touching the opposing of the graces, this is as untrue as the rest, for as to the graces in the fourth yeare of your Majesties raigne they were al­lowed the benefit of them for the most part, as in particular:

THe placing of the Souldiers in Garrisons, and ordering them so as they were no burthen to the Country, neither were they from thenceforth used to collect Your Maiesties rents other then those graces allowed, and that rarely.

The licences for retailing Ale and Beere were called in, and so remained till setled by Law.

Orders were made for regulating the Clarke of the Market.

The imposition upon the short Plowes ceased untill a Law was made for it, and the penalty of that Law also forborne at the motion of the Lords in Parliament.

Limitation for Tanning of Leather quite taken away.

Free Libertie given for Transportation of Corne, Tallow, Hides, Beefe, and other Commodities.

Bishops and Abby Liberties in Townes did contribute with the Townes.

Creation money allowed to Lords, who had it graunted to them by Patent, Liveries, Ouster Lemaines, &c. past without Oath of Supremacy, notwithstanding the Lawes then and now in force otherwayes ordeyned.

Divers Lands in Connaught put out of charge on those graces.

Rates of Compositions observed.

Commissioners of the Country appointed to ioyne with of­ficers for inquiry, and all other directions mentioned in the graces, concerning the Court of Wards, were obeyed.

The ordering of Fees of Officers in Court was left to the Parliament, who tooke paines in it through not fully finished.

Estates of undertakers in Vlster were confirmed according to the graces, and no man denied it, that sued for it.

The Recusant Lawyers without taking the Oath of Supre­macy admitted to the barre, and all others to practize as Pro­testants were.

The Plantations of Longford, Leytrim, &c. had their allowance of two years for performance of Covenants as was required.

The towne of Athlone had time given them, as in the graces was commanded.

The Iudges were required to take order for summoning of convenient numbers of Iurors at Assizes, and Kings Bench; Not to allow accusation and testimony of infamous persons (convicted of treason) for evidence.

Not to bind over Iurors in case of tryall betweene subiects.

To dispatch poore mens causes in Courts; Not to assesse Re­compence upon robberies.

Not to bind over Witnesses upon Tryalls, and to forbeare Reprivalls except upon case of necessity, All which were ob­served by the Iudges as farre as might be.

The Bishops were required to take care that Pluralities should not be bestowed on unqualified or unworthy persons, which was observed generally.

Provost Marshalls were forborne in all places except upon rare occasions of necessity, and commonly at the suite of the Country while the necessity required, and then to cease.

The Scottish men were generally made Dennizens either by [Page 39]Patent or Act of Parliament, and none were refused it, and now lately all the residue naturalized by Act of Parliament.

Strict course was taken to recover Vicaridges out of Im­propriators and Laymens hands, many recovered, and where no Vicars were, the Impropriators compelled to give good maintenance to Curates.

Protections against Iudgments in Courts, and Decrees in Chancery very rarely graunted.

Corporations were Assessed towards contributions, and other Country charges.

Order was given for Sherifes Fees as well in Leets, as for re­moving possession, and for effecting their Fines by Iustices of peace, which was observed, so as it was not complained of.

The Exchequer was commanded to proceed touching Custo­diaries, as was required by the graces, and not to compell posses­sours to plead to charges upon Patents graunted to strangers: All which was observed.

Warrants of Assistance to the Clergie were wholly for­borne, only in one Diocesse of Downe foure yeares since or thereabouts, which was called in; And in effect all those gra­ces were yeilded unto and allowed as fast as the times could permit: Except the enrolling the surrenders of Connaught and granting away those lands, and Tenures, and except the li­mitation of Your Majesties Titles above sixty yeares, which were staid by the then Lord Deputy and Counsell upon great and waighty reasons of state, as they then represented to your Majesty, till your Majesty might be well informed of the truth of the case, yet afterwards by your Majesties command, Bills for Acts of Parliament to resettle all those lands in the Natives and other possessours, and their heires, were sent over, un­der the great Seale of Ireland, and returned under the great Seale of England according to Poynings Act, and were ready to passe by Parliament there, at the then next session, and three other Acts, parcell of those graces, if the confederate Catholiques had not raised this fearfull Rebellion, before the beginning of that Session, which was appointed to be in No­vember following; And where in one of those graces it was desired that all distinctions betweene the Natives and Brittish [Page 40]might be taken away, That was a thing most desired by the Brit­tish and Protestants, But these Remonstrants have now shewed that they never so intended; They were so farre from that, as they have to their uttermost, extirpated all the Brittish and Protestants, although the English Governours, in the Raigne of your Majesty, and your royall father, had by Statutes re­pealed thirteen severall old Statutes against Irish, many of which were penall to them in a high degree, and tended to destruction.

Touching the Complaints of false Inquisitions taken upon faigned titles, and no traverses or petition of right admitted, It is a faigned and scanda­lous information, for when any particular Inquisitions were found, either for tenures, or title of land, no traverses or petition of right, as farre as Law would allow, Vide the sta­tute of 10 Ca­roli: Cap: 3 for the be­nefit of plan­tations. were ever denied to the subject: But where generall Inquisitions were found for Plantations in Irish Countries, in respect they were for setling the people in a full peace, And because the Deputy, ma­ny of the Counsell, your Majesties learned Counsell, and chiefe Officers of eminent trust, were Commissioners and alwayes present, And that the lurors were alwayes the prime men in each Territory, and the Offi­ces most publiquely found by their free consent, all parties fully heard, And that those people had neither legall title, nor evidences whereon to to ground traverses, And by reason of the great difficulty to obteine indif­ferency of tryall for the Crowne; In these cases which could at best but breed disturbance, contrary to the true intent of those publique and be­neficiall workes, It was thought fit for quieting of those estates by Pa­tents, that traverses should not be admitted unto those graund Officers, upon every light surmise, but only upon good, just and legall causes, first made knowne, and well considered of by your Majesties Counsell, nei­ther were ever Jurors sentenced for not finding any of those Offices, ex­cept in the County of Galway in the Province of Connaught, where the Iurors upon only willfullnesse would not find upon just and full evidence, as appeared after in the Starrechamber, And upon the same evidence, In­formations being filed in the Exchequor for those lands, the prime Law­yers, and many of the Gentry of that Countrey, in their answers upon oath confessed your Majesties Title, and so Judgment passed for your Ma­jestie, and seizures issued, And afterwards in a Petition signed and pre­ferred by all the Prime Inhabitants in that County, your Majesties Title was acknowledged, and a plantation desired, besides in the Lord Faulk­lands time many of the prime men, Lords and others, in three other Counties of that Province tendred to your Majesty a Plantation upon certaine conditions appearing under their hands, they well knowing the benefits arising by plantations, and your Majesties just Title to those lands, and being conscious to themselves of their unjust intrusion into them.

And touching the illegall avoyding 150 Patents in a morning by under­hand working; It is an untruth, and as to their naming Sir William Parsons in this Article, he was none of the Committee that considered of the Patents in Connaught or Munster, where this must be meant, neither had any thing to doe in that part of the proceedings, neither were any thing neere so many Pattents ever questioned in Connaught, and the Territories in Munster lately found for your Majestie, which must be the places intended by this Article; the debate wherof continued several moneths, neither was any such course conti­nued, or intended to avoid other Patents, except what was done by the means of one Iames Cusack Esquire, on of his Majesties Counsell at law and Clark of the Commission for defective tytles, (A Papist Lawyer) now a Remonstrant, but where the parties in that intended Plantations brought in their Pattents as was required; A Committee of some of the prime Judges, & your Majesties learned Counsel were appointed by the E. of Straford late Lord Lievtenant to view them, And where they found them good, as many were, they were allow­ed & where they conceived them void in law; Counsel was fully heard, where they confessed the same it was so agreed, where they doubted, they were left to tryall, if they would stand upon it (as few did.) This was done for avoiding of trouble & needlesse charge, neither was it a new course, for in the Vlster Plan­tation the like course was found fittest, and books of the Cases sent to his then Majestie, and by him referred to the Judges of England, and by them agreed unto, and certified back, and so the lands passed, and in many other cases, as­well for pretended grants of Customes, Franchises, and other things in former times, the Cases were ruled by opinion of the Judges, directed by the Deputies, and in this Parliament both Houses required the Judges opinions on certaine Queries concerning the Government tendred to the House of Lords, by the House of Commons; but in most of all the other Plantations, all Pattents, whether void or otherwayes (being not many) were allowed, and the Pattentees had regraunts, for the most part of the same lands, or if the necessity of the service so required it) of others of like quantitie and value as neere as might be, sometimes of better value, paying only the old Pattent Rents, and services, except in some cases when generall Pattents (being void in themselves) were in Queene Elizabeths time made to Irish Lords of whole Countries upon false surrenders, where possession did never runne according to their Pattents; And in those cases also so much as they were possessed of, were repassed unto them at the former rents and services; And if these con­federates had had as much care of the honour of the great Seale, the pub­lique Faith, and just duty and service to your Majestie and your Crowne, as those Governours, Counsellours, and Officers alwayes had, they would never have broken out into this unnaturall and horrid rebellion, having no just ground or cause for any such act; Neither were the Ministers of State like to be advanced, or like to be benefited by what was done, or to be done towards that Plantation of Connaught, and the rest of those Territories, but only subjected to great travell and paines for your Majesties service, and common benefit of the Kingdome and people, And in the then intended [Page 42]Plantation of Connaught, (so much complained of by the Remonstrants) the same course was observed for avoyding the Pattents of Protestants which were many, and for taking part of their lands, as of the Roman Ca­tholiques, without any difference at all. Which course was by the Parliament of Ireland, represented to your Majestie as a generall grievance in the Re­monstrance sent over by a Committee of Protestants and Papists, and redresse obtained in that point.

In the third Article doth plainly appeare, 3. Article. contrary to the intention of the Remonstrants, and the Princely & Fatherly care of blessed King Iames for the generall good of that Kingdome, both by sending Commissioners for setling estates, and often renewed and enlarged, and after Statutes made by your Ma­jestie to confirm all those Graunts; And also in sending Cōmissioners to exa­mine grievances, and instructions for the general ease of the people; All which by the Governours and Officers there, was most wililingly obeyed & perfor­med, so farre as was possible, or might any wayes stand with your Majesties service, and the general happinesse of the Kingdom as is more particularly ex­pressed in part, in the answer to the precedent Article, and shal hereafter herein appeare at full; All which should have wrought love and obedience in their hearts to so gracious a King, and thankfulness to his Ministers, who bestowed daily labour for their benefit, as appeared wel in the encrease of the Kingdom in all riches, and worldly substance, far beyond all former times, (there being no such pressures as might occasion such outcry) and should have restrained their unjust malice to the English Government; But their desperate hatred to Protestants in general, and to English Governours & Ministers of State, how beneficial soever to them, far beyond any of their own working, or endevours, was so uncessant and prevalent, as brought forth all these cursed events, and heathenish cruelties; And in particular for officers named in this Article, and other English officers (if particulars may come to an exact examination) it will be most cleare; That they have done more for the generall peace and prosperitie of the Kingdome, then any of these Remonstrants ever offered to doe or could doe; And if the English Governours and Officers would have concurred, or connived with these Remonstrants practises for setting up Popery, and the Abridgement and Diminution of your Majesties Prero­gatives, Authorities, Rights and profits (to which end most of their pre­tended grievances and complaints are framed and devised) they might have enjoyed their more tollerable reports and approbation; the contrary where­of they deserved not, neither will it appeare that they have been questioned for any particular injustice, oppression, or private disaffection, unlesse they be charged with the just detestation of the Remonstrants, perfidious breach of faith to your Majestie, and undeserved cruelties committed upon your Majesties faithfull Ministers, and innocent Protestant subjects, who could be no way guilty of the pretended terrours and mis-behaviours of your Majesties Governours and Ministers, if any such were, neither is this relu­ctation and hatred in those of the Irish, and such of the old English, as after degeneration joyned with them against the New English, and English Go­vernment, [Page 43]vernours, and the desire to root them out, any new thing, for it was the same in the raigne of King E. the 3. as appeares by Record and good story: It was the same in the raigne of King H. the 8. as appeares by the Statute made 28. H. 8. cap. 1. It was the same in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth, as is evident, and in all other times, when the Kings of England endevoured reformation or reducement there.

To the 4 ^th Article. 4. Article. The parts of this Article consisting of Generalls are untrue, and unjustly devised to traduce your Majesties gracious Government in all the parts thereof, as farre as these Confederates can invent; First, there are no adherents or instruments who have dealing in the Court of Wards, other then the three sworne Judges, and the sworne Officers thereof, which are not many, against whom in particular no just complaint did in twentie years appeare, not in the times of the most strict Governours, who would have been (as was thought) apt to give ready eare unto them, neither can it appeare that any wilfully erronious Decrees or Judgements were ever given in that Court; in which point the Confederates would not have beene wilfully si­lent, if they had had just cause to complaine of any such, as they never had; neither were the heires of Roman Catholiques, Noblemen, or others cruelly and tyrannically dealt withall, which are scandalous, and to your Majestie undutifull tearmes, and sinisterly devised; But on the contrary it is evident by the records, orders, and proceedings of that Court ever since the Erection thereof; That all Decrees and Judgements there given, were grounded on an orderly proceeding in a Chauncery course, according to your Majesties Commission in that behalfe, Counsell on both sides freely heard, and all par­ties convinced of the justnesse of every Decree or judgement there given, and all tollerable respect and moderation used in executing the same, so as no man could justly complaine; All which part of that Judicature was wholly go­verned by the Attorney of that Court, who is well able to answer for it; It also appeares by the Records and Entries in that Court, that since the Erecti­on thereof in favour to all your Majesties Subjects, aswell Papists as Pro­testants above two hundred Wardships were granted to the friends of the Ward, or unto others of their nomination, (who in some cases might better be trusted) to the use of the heire, for payment of their debts, preservation of their houses, sustentation and preferment of younger Sons and Daughters, if not provided for by the Ancestor, and their lands leased to their most respon­sible friends to the same uses, and good security given for accompt; Most of all which if the Judges of that Court had been regardlesse of the heires and other children, or carefull to raise profit to themselves or their friends, they might have granted to others by force of their Commission and instructions; yet none were granted to strangers to their owne use, except by your Maje­sties immediate Warrants, or in some few cases, where the parties neglected many Tearms, or refused to prosecute, or where they obstinately opposed the Kings Tytle, and so of necessity it was prosecuted at great charge and travell by others by allowance of the Court, which could not otherwise be done, and this manner of granting was the safest way for the heire, for it being in a [Page 44]strangers name to the use of the heire, and strict bonds taken for accompt, every friend or kinsman of the heire or younger Children, espying any abuse of their estates, would be apt to informe (often without cause or ground,) Wheras on the other side if the same had been left to the order of the friends, there would have been none to informe against them; The Judges of that Court also did take order actually to pay many of those heires debts, out of the heires estate, in some cases 1000. pounds, if the Wardship continued any time, in other cases lesser summes, as they could enforce the money received (out of their friends the trustees hands) who would often endure imprison­ment ere they would pay it in. They also often appointed portions for Daughters and younger children, many times also by labour and suite pre­served their estates from encroachment of friends and neighbours, and se­cured for them their Leases, Chattels and Debts, if they could discover any; And lastly tooke care of their Marriages as farre as they could, and spe­cially of their Evidences; It is also manifest that the Compositions taken for Marriages of Wards, Lyveries, ouster le maynes, Allienations and other contempts, were very easie and moderate, the values of the estates, and the charges and incumbrances thereupon duly considered, your Majestie al­wayes receiving but a small part of what was justly due to your Majestie, and in many cases lesse then by your Majesties instructions the graces was ordained; It is also most apparant, that if the heires were so under age. as any way fit for schooling, 6. and other good learning, for which purpose by the care of that Court of Wards speciall houses, honest and religious Overseers, Schoole-masters, and Ushers were waged and ordained, many of the Wards sent to the Colledge, when they were fit for it, whereby they were all in the view of the Master, brought up and instructed in the true Religion, and in all other good literature and knowledge, fitting their qua­litie, and by this meanes severall Noblemen and Gentrie are at this day good Protestants and loyall Subjects, and for those that afterwards forsooke the Religion and became Papists, if they be compared with any of their qua­litie in the Kingdome, their abilitie and behaviour will testifie their educa­tion farre surpassing the others bred in the Countrey; All which severall cares, as well for education as ordering their estates, were in former times neglected and forborne, and never any such course held; And as to the disallowing of Tenures of mean Lords and avoyding of estates valid in law by unjust judgement; It is a causelesse imputation, for it is most apparant by the Acts of that Court, that whatsoever could in law or conscience bee allowed unto them, was done; Nay, whereas in former times when that part of your Majesties businesse had a kind of being in the Exchequer. That Court did usually seize lands upon one De quo, or an Ignoramus found of a Tenure of lands; But when the Court of Wards was erected, those Judges did never seize untill the second De quo, which gave the Sub­ject much time and libertie to collect and find out evidences or other mat­ter, if any were to helpe himselfe; And if any losse and damage happened [Page 45]by those Judgements, it fell on your Majesties part through tendernesse to­wards the parties so farre as the oathes of the Judges could permit; In all which the Attorney of the Court is able to give good accompt, on whose judgement in law the rest relyed, And in cases where the Barre yeelded not to the opinion of the Attorney, the Master, by your Majesties gracious in­structions, called others of the most learned and grave Judges, who upon arguments on both sides resolved the question, and so the judgement passed; Besides, if differences at any time happened betweene the Judges of that Court, They had by your Majesties instructions a resort to the Court of Chancery, where they were to sit with the Lord Chancellour and other Judges, and there was to be the finall determination, where the Judges of the Court of Wards did only once sit on that occasion, there being cause for it no oftner, And there those Catholique Natives might have sought re­liefe daily, if they could have justly complained of any erronious and un­just Judgements, and as to the swarming of Escheators, Feodaries, and Pursevants, there are but five Escheators, and eight Feodaries in the whole Kingdome (which is farre lesse then the lawes of the Land doe appoint) being all men of knowne judgement, moderation and integritie; And where­as in the Kingdome of England, the heires friends doe with all earnestnesse sollicite those Officers for timely obtaining due discharges against the Crowne; In that Kingdome, such is the refractorinesse and disobedience of many of those pretended Catholiques, as those Officers were driven to ex­presse them and attend severall (disappointed) dayes to their no small tra­vell and losse, and at last content themselves with bare fees; And for Pursui­vants there are but two belonging to that Court and their necessary servants, And those never used but in cases of contempt, And those contempts many times multiplied; and in case of non-payment of your Majesties moneys, the use of whom the Court were necessitated unto, and could not forbeare, unlesse they would contrary to their oathes, suffer your Majestie to lose your Majesties legall and just profits, And truly aswell may these Remonstrants, charge the government with multitude of Sheriffs, Sheriffs men, Bailiffs & other Officers, by reason that men would not willingly obey the law, deale justly, and pay their debts and just duties, by occasion whereof many were disquieted and at­tached, & many outlawed, which concluded with their great losse & damage; But when these Confederates have summoned their inventions to infame that necessary and orderly Court, they forbeare to expresse the true grounds of their grievances, which are first the education of the Wards as well in civilitie as true Protestant Religion, and other good literature, which they general­ly abhorre; Secondly, that the Uncles and friends might not freely take into their hands the Childrens Evidences, Lands, Rents, and goods, and wast them without accompt, as they had formerly done, tending to the ruine of many heires; Thirdly, because the just and legall dependancie of the Gentrie is rightly settled in your Majestie, whereof the Irish Lords and Chieftaines did in former times unjustly deprive your Majestie, and your Predecessors, and so labour still to doe; Lastly, because by the blessing [Page 46]of peace and good order your Majesties rights interests and iust profits, were by your Majesties Judges and Officers more carefully looked unto and brought in, which also is one true reason why these confederats doe so much hate peace, and the government of the Laws because their licentious appe­tites are thereby somewhat restrained, and your Majesties rights and iust Prerogatives maintayned, as appeares by their actions.

In the fift Article the Remonstrants doe still inculcate pressures of pur­pose to scandalize that government, 5. Article. where in truth none such were of any moment, other then that which was for the service of the Crowne and bene­fit of the Kingdome, which they call greivances, or where the publike ne­cessities of the Kingdome iustly required it, or the irregular carriage of some officers in the Country and some Courts, might bring upon some perticulars, those officers or their servants being for the most part some of the new Re­monstrants, which officers of whatsoever condition or profession, were pu­nished so often as they could be discovered, neither did any of those burthens whatsoever they were, fall other waies on the Remonstrants, then on the Protestant Subjects, and whatsoever they were, the happy and rich peace setled amongst them by your Majesty, and your blessed father which they never before enioyed, did more then abundantly recompence them, if they could have endured peace, and the iust lawes of England; And as to their vaunts of the great gifts they say they have bestowed on your Majesty, first they did but their dutyes in whatsoever they gave as a part of retributi­on for the great and inestimable benefits they received by your Majesties gracious government, and by your great bounties, neither was your Maje­sty made the richer by any of those guifts, for they were all disbursed a­mongst themselves partly to the old army placed among them for their own safety and quiet, if they could have beene content with that happinesse, which army would have been sufficient to represse any perticular disorder or insolence, if the Remonstrants had not by generall conspiracy suddenly and at once cast of all obedience to your Majesty and the Lawes and surprised your Majesties stores, and forts, and almost all the armes of the Brittish and Protestants; Those guifts were also bestowed in the other necessary occasi­ons of the Kingdom, and in truth the new army (which consisted for the most part of themselves) received the greatest part of those guifts; And whereas they affirme that they were the most forward in granting those contributi­ons and subsidies, over and above your Majesties Rents, and Reveneus (which is an expression savouring of some repining at your Majesties receipts in rents which is your Majesties legall due, and which they well know, comes not to your Majesties privat purse) and that they paid Nine parts of tenne of those Subsidies, it is most untrue, that those Remonstrants were ei­ther most forward in granting them, or paid such large quantities thereof: for first as to the contribution towards the maintenance of the Army, your Majesties Protestant Officers and Subjects were the first movers thereof, and when they came to be agreed on and paid, those Remonstrants were the [Page 47]mayne opposers thereof both in Ireland and in England, as doubtlesse your Majesty may remember, and is well knowne to many yet living, and when they were paid it was with great luctation and clamour amongst them; and yet they rested not, till they drew from your Majesty under the title of graces, matters of more losse to your Majesty then those contributions were worth, and as to the Subsidies it is most true, that they were first moved by your Ma­jesties Protestant Officers, and Subjects, not without some difference in ala­critie, at least in those Remonstrants, neither would they have been so gran­ted (as there is iust cause to conceive) had not these Remonstrants seene the unanimous propention of your Majesties Protestant Subjects, and that by a tryall in the House of Commons, before that motion made they found that your Majesties Protestants subjects then exceeded them in number & would carry it by voices; And this may with the more confidence be affirmed in cer­taine knowledge, and upon a second probate, which is that when afterwards by occasion of the Lord Straffords troubles in England, and of the new Armies lying at Knockefergus, and in those parts many Protestant members were ab­sent, most of whom upon severall pretences, they discharged them and brought in Papist members, whereby the Remonstrants partie were growne farre the greater in the Commons House, then partly by complaining in England, and partly by orders made in the house; the Subsidies formerly granted were drawne downe from 41000 l. certaine each Subsidie, to little above 12200 l. as appeare by the Subsidy Roll last returned, which is farr below the subsidy granted in the tenth yeare of King Iames— when the Kingdome was but in growth; And as to the proportion paid by the Protestant Subjects it well ap­peares by the Rolles extant that they paid above a third part of the whole be­sies the Clergy, though neither the quality or quantity of the Lands of Inheri­tance holden by them in the Kingdom do amount to more then to the fift part; nor is the truth thus vouched, which desire to arrogate any thing to your Ma­jesties Protestant Subjects in prejudice of the others (whom they would re­joyce to see as forward as themselves in all subject duties the rather to merrit in some measure your Majesties princely favours;) But to give your Majesty and all others, a true view as neare as they can of both parties in their acti­ons, seeing the Remonstrants presume to stand before them so farre in pro­fessions, howsoever it is most notorious, how the said Protestant Subjects stand in sufferings, and here it is desired that the affections and duty of the Protestant Subjects in Ireland may be measured by their actions, which have beene, and alwaies will be such towards your Majesty your Crowne and posterity as (if those Remonstrants would really performe the like) your Majesties Revenews and the bounties of your people might wholly come to your Majesties purse without any men of warre to maintayne peace there, and then should your Majesty enioy competent benefit of a fruitfull King­dome which hitherto hath beene made unprofitable to your Majesty and highly chargeable, and mischeivous to your Royall Predecessors.

And lastly as to the distribution of the summs of money given, which these Remonstrants would insinuate to have beene to your Majesties diservice, [Page 48]and to the profit of their adversaries, whom they seeme to designe to be your Majesties Protestant servants and officers, the vanity and inconsideratnesse of this imputation, will easily appeare upon veiw of your Majesties Officers accompts there, extant which will sufficiently cleare that point, and mani­fest the falshood of that scandall.

To the sixth Article. 6. Article. It is to be answered that what pressing Importunity was offered to your Majesty by any whom they call the Malignant party in England touching the disbanding of the new Army, is best knowne to your Majesty; But it is not true that the Lords Justices and Counsell there went a­bout to disband that Army till they received your Majesties warrant so to doe, and soone after for doing it received your Majesties gracious approbati­on, and indeed it was of absolute necessity to disband them, they having spent all the victualls provided for them, and there being no money in your Maje­sties treasure in Ireland to pay them, or the old Army, then in charge thereup­on, and farre in arraere neither was that Kingdome able in a peaceable way to maintaine such an Army as those Remonstrants themselves, (amongst others) openly professed in this Parliament, being therein moved by your Majesties direction only to give some helpe thereunto for a time; But it is now plainly seene, that the secret reason why those Remonstrants so distasted, and in Parliament laboured against the disbanding of that Army, was, because by their disbanding, they saw themselves like to be disappointed of such a helpe, and of those Armes, with a more fall hand, to execute their bloody designe upon your Majesties Brittish and Protestant Subjects, which it seemes was consented unto by many of these Remonstrants, members of both houses in the May session of Parliament before, as was declared by Hugh Mac Ma­hon upon his examination: Those Remonstrants well knowing, that the greatest part of that Army, aswell the common souldier, as many of the Commanders, were ready to be imployed by them in that exploit, as since more fully appeared; And that this their confederacy seems to be begun at that time, or before, doth somewhat more appeare, in that at the next Sessi­on in Iune and July when that Army was disbanded, and that your Maje­sty for good reasons had commanded by your severall warrants that they should be sent over sea, to serve other Princes in amity with your Majesty, those Remonstrants tooke great paynes to frame reasons to stay them, which by their meanes the Lords Justices were then pressed to transmit to your Majesty: And that they were unwilling to supply those Princes, whose aide they so undutifully, soone afterwards sollicited against your Majesty and your Majesties true Subjects and servants, not that they beleived the king­dome could not well spare those men, being then loose and noe way setled, but that they intended shortly to make an other use of them, to the utter de­struction of your Majesties good Subjects, as lamentable experience now e­vinceth, besides it was then made knowne to the Lords, Justices, and Councell, That the Priests and Jesuits diswaded the Colonels, Captains, and Souldi­ers all they could, from going over, which was on the same grounds to o­pen [Page 49]which secret a little further, It must be also remembred that in that Sessi­on upon a pretence that some of the Lord Straffords servants had placed powder under the Parliament House, with purpose to blow them all up, (which was a meere fiction) They moved the house to send certain Com­mittees of Lords, to the Lords Justices, wherein the lord Magwier a chief con­spirator (as himselfe confessed) was a most busie man, to require search for the powder, which they curiously performed, and veiwed every corner, on purpose to see what Armes were brought in (that being a place where Arms had been in former times kept) though the Officers of the Ordnance assured them that noe powder had been laide there for some yeares before, neither was there any at that time; And when they had seene what there was, they adventured (and drew the other Lords of that Committee, then and now good Subjects) to renew their motion to the Lords Justices, to be admitted to see the stores of powder and armes placed in other parts in and about the Castle, to whom the Lords Justices then answered that those were the Kings preci­ous Iewels not to be without speciall cause shewed, and so refused them, whereat they seemed discontented, as being left in uncertainty, in what state your Majesties stores stood, which they desired much to know, especially whether the powder & Armes were all there, & where they lay, that if they were not come in, they might find them elsewhere, or if there, then by the intended surprize to be sure of them, and to know where on the suddaine to find them.

As for that strange Chimera of bringing a 10000 Scots into that King­dome, to force the Catholiques thereof to change their Religion, and that Ireland would never be well without a Rebellion, to the end the Natives might be extirpated; It is little marvile that those Remonstrants in whose braines exterpation of Brittish and Protestants did so much runne, which they to their uttermost power soone after executed, & had their hearts full of Rebellion, which they wickedly practised soone after, could easily fancy such thoughts in other men, as one colour of excuse amongst others, for their own evill intents: But that those persons named in this Article should declare or advise such an act, to the disturbance of that blessed peace, (in setling where­of they have beene principall actouts) and in that Kingdome where their whole subsistance is, and where their children are matched to Natives, know­ing also as they doe, that such an action cannot be without great meanes, and authority to support it, it is incredible, neither can they conceive that it will gaine more credit with any intelligent man, then the tale of wagers mentioned in this Article, the true particular whereof is, That at an Assizes at Wexford, a little before the Rebellion, certaine Papists and Protestants being at the Sheriffs table at dinner, a Protestant and a Papist had some con­ference about Religion, The Protestant at last wished the Papist to come to Church as most of them had done formerly whereto the Papist answered he would never go to Church, the Protestant said I wil give you 5 l. & you shal give me 50. l. for it, if you come not to Church before this time Twelve-Moneth, he well knowing that the Papist would not come to Church [Page 50]whereat the Papist seeming startled, was very earnest to understand the se­cret of that wager, which at last the Protestant discovered, and so it proved a merriment to the whole table, as is well knowne to the Remonstrants, And these are some of the grounds whereon these Remonstrants pretend to found their bloody Massacre, which soone after ensued to the destruction of your Majesties Brittish and Protestant subjects; What the Parliament in England protested or intended concerning the Catholiques in Ireland, The Protestants in Ireland were not much moved with the rumours thereof, be­ing strangers thereunto, and presumed those Remonstrants were better set­led in the assurance of your Majesties Protestant subjects love to them, and your Majesties gracious favours, and care shewed to their security; It is true, that some Prints have been seene here, seeming to averr, that Lawes made in England will bind in Ireland, if Ireland named; This is a power that may equally concerne your Majesties Protestant subjects, as those confederates, But it being a matter yet farre from determination, might have been thought more fit to be disputed in peaceable and civill Assemblies, then canvased by Armes, in open hostilitie against your Majestie, and your obedient Subjects, and the resolution written in the blood of so many thousand innocent Pro­testants, unable to resist, and that by treacherous surprize, without the least notice of force intended, especially seeing therein they say truly, (and that in all respects only truly hitherto in their Remonstrance) that your Majesties high wisedome was able to apply seasonable cures to any such evils or inno­vations, neither can it be beleeved that those Remonstrants or Catholiques of Ireland, as they call themselves, could be truly informed of any Prote­station made by both Houses of Parliament in England, or an intention in them to introduce law for the extirpation of Catholique Religion in the three Kingdomes, at any time before these Remonstrants openly entred into this actuall Rebellion, and bloudy assacination, though those Remonstrants draw it in amongst their provocations, to take up Armes; Neither indeed did those Remonstrants feare any violence, or sharpe prosecution from their quiet Neighbours the Protestants in Ireland, there having been very great, and (as now appeares) very dangerous patience used towards the Remon­strants, aswell by Governours, as all Officers and Protestants, who would have beene glad to live among them in peace, if the Remonstrants could have endured their company; Lastly, whereas they seeme grieved, That the Parliament of England encroached against law, and unjustly upon the Priviledges of Parliament in Ireland, in sending for, and questioning too, and in the English Parliament the members of that Parliament, They do wel now to expresse sence of it, amongst the rest of their pretexts for their wicked acts; But when Protestant members of this Parliament (against whom that pretended encroachment most extended) were sent for, they imploring the aid of the Parliament of Ireland to defend them, and their priviledges, were not holpen therin by the Commons house, but were answered by a leading Mem­ber of the Cōmons house, now a Remonstrant, that the House should do well not to take notice thereof, least any variance should arise betweene the two [Page 51]Parliaments, so unwilling they were to assist the Protestants, or maintaine that right, which now they so stoutly challenge, though a good while after­wards both Houses, tooke occasion to write to their Committee in England to sollicite concerning that particular; And so little feare had they then of any pernicious purposes in that Parliament against them, though they now make mention of that Parliaments unwarrantable invasion, since made on your Majesties Rights and Prerogatives, as a pretence for their wicked and abominable actions, long before that begun.

In the seventh Article, Those Remonstrants doe justly acknowledge your Majesties grace and Princely patience, in hearing their grievances, 7. Article. which would have wrought upon any loyall or dutifull heart, to returne love, and obedience to so gracious a Soveraigne, and at least neighbour­like demeanour towards your Majesties faithfull Subjects, the Brittish and Protestants, which how they performed, their then immediately ensuing acts doe demonstrate; But in this Article also, they continue their untrue and malicious calumniations against your Majestie in your Governours and Officers, who did never give any of them just cause of offence; It cannot appeare that the Lords, Justices, and Counsell did give any untrue Informa­tion against them or the Committees of that Parliament; neither is it true, that any such thing was done, for that they know the Counsell (of whom the Lords, Justices, then were) gave all the furtherance they could to the going of that Committee, Hoping that what your Majestie should be plea­sed to grant might redound to the common benefit of your people; Neither did any Privie Counsellours goe into England of purpose, to crosse, or give impediment to your Majesties Justice and graces: But it is true that the late Lord Dillon, afterwards Earle of Roscomon, and Sir Adam Loftus, your Majesties Vice-Treasurer, were about that time sent for by your Majestie upon the motion of your Parliament of England (as it seemed) to testifie in the cause moved in that Parliament, against the Earle of Strafford, And if in their attendance there their advice or knowledge concerning any thing there propounded, or handled by the Committee, were required by your Majestie, doubtlesse those Counsellours did faithfully discharge the duty of good servants to your Majestie, and true wel-wishers to that Kingdome, be­ing both Natives thereof, and members of that Parliament: Neither did your Majesties Justices and Counsell transmit unto your Majestie, or any of the State of England any misconstructions or misrepresentations of the pro­ceedings and actions of that Parliament; but rather it may justly be belee­ved that those Remonstrants doe worke upon their owne evill imaginations in this, as in the former Articles they have presumed to avouch severall knowne untruths; Nay, the Lords, Justices, were so farce from any such malevolence to that Parliament, or any Members thereof, as when they recei­ved your Majesties Commission, dated the sourth of Ianuary 1640. autho­rizing them to continue, prorogue, or determine the Parliamnent as they thought fit; They in confidence that the intent of all the Members of the [Page 52]Parliament was for the generall good of the Kingdome, and your Majesties service, did willingly continue it, and gave all countenance and assistance to it, which well appeares by a motion made by a noble Peere in the Lords House, That the Lords Justices had alwayes chearfully received their re­quests, and Messages, and were ready to comply with them, desiring it might be entred, to the end it might remaine to posteritie; It is also conceived that when your Majestie had given direction that all Letters from thence should be kept apart, to the end the Committee might have recourse unto them, if any such misrepresentations could have appeared to them, they would have instanced the same in this Remonstrance, and not have offered to your Ma­jestie suppositions for certainties.

And touching the Parliament of Irelands power of Judicature in mat­ters Capitall, there was nothing written from thence concerning that mat­ter, untill your Majestie being advertized of the impeachment of the Lord Chancellour, and others in the Lords House, required the Lords Justices to search and certifie, whether any presidents might be found there for such a proceeding, Your Majestie then also graciously declaring that as your Maje­stie intended not to prejudice the Rights of the Lords House, so your Maje­stie did expect that they should nto introduce any new president for that cause. Thereupon the Lords Justices having searched and demanded of the two Houses of Parliament if any such presidents they could shew, none were produced, which the Lords Justices certified backe to your Majesties prin­cipall Secretarie, as in duty they ought; And it is beleeved that those Re­monstrants would not now more earnestly presse for that power in Judica­ture, then heretofore was done, were it not by the exercise, or terrour there­of (if their partie could have prevailed) to rid themselves of your Majesties English Judges and Officers, whom they cannot endure to beare rule a­mongst them, though they clearly saw the Kingdome prospered above any former times, under their great labour and travell.

It is most untrue that your Majesties Protestant officers or subjects did envy the good union betweene the two Houses; But the truth is, they did labour to cherish and confirme it, by their uttermost skill and industry; And if your Majesties servants, or your Protestant subjects did happen to oppose those Remonstrants in any their undutifull motions and projects, ei­ther concerning Religion, or your Majesties Protestant Clergie, or concern­ing the derogation of your Majesties Prerogatives, Rites, and authories, or malicious practise against your Majesties Officers; Those Remonstrants did, and now doe, ascribe it to malice against them and the Nation, which is a most unjust obloquie; And though your Majesties Protestant subjects of the Commons House saw, and knew, that there were then daily and nightly. meetings of those Remonstrants, and their party then members of both Hou­ses, Insomuch as it was in the former Session 1641. moved in the Lords House, that an order might be entred against such meetings; And though your Majesties Protestant subjects found that from those meetings proceeded daily motions in the Commons House, touching the above-mentioned par­ticulars [Page 53]in prejudice of your Majesty & your government, whichin a manner tooke up all their time to moderate, & contayn them, yet your Majesties said Protestant Subjects of that house, did for their parts forbeare any such course of meetings, fearing to under goe suspition of siding or inclination to disuni­on at last finding the continued inconvenience of that practise in the Popish party, and hearing also that it was muttered amongst many of the now Re­monstrants, that they intended to impeach divers of your Majesties principall Officers, who could not be drawne to vary from their iust duty to your Ma­jesty and your rights, and against some other your Maesties Brittish Prote­stant Officers, who had either given opinion or any waies laboured towards the clearing of your Majesties title to the Lands in Connaught, the obstructing & frustrating whereof was the Remonstrants darling care, all the rest of their pretended greivances (both in the fourth yeare of your Majesties raigne and those lately being gathered up, and for the most part strained out of parti­culars, and subservient, to countenance and support the importunity con­cerning that businesse, which plantation if it had proceeded, they knew would have beene a full ground of peace to that Kingdome, which they laboured to retaine from your Majesties knowledge; Then and not till then some of your Majesties Protestant Subjects of that house, in these respects did only once meete, (in which meeting there were some Papists also) of purpose to be­come in some measure prepared to free themselves and the house, from those unreasonable attempts, in which meeting nothing was done or agreed, that ever gave offence, or iust distast to the house, or any member thereof, which may appeare in that the Remonstrants can mention no disturbance thereby which they would not spare, if any such thing they could speake of, though they have not trembled to present to your Majesties royall veiw, many as strange inventions, neither were the Lords Justices so much as acquainted with the meeting.

It is utterly untrue that during that Session of Parliament (which was very long from the 11 of May to the 7 of August) there was any certaine knowledge there, of the Committees being at the waterside, in all which time of the Session little was done to the good of the Common wealth or advancement of your Majesties service for most part spent in Protestations Declarations, Votes upon the queries the stay of souldiers from going over seas, and private petitions.

About the 14 day of Iuly, 1641. the Lords Justices finding nothing of moment for the generall good, or your Majesties, service then in doing in the house, sent to both Houses to consider of a reasonable time of prorogation, or adjournment of that Session, the rather because, the harvest drew on, many members were gone home, and the house grown thyn, as in some orders appeares in the Lords House.

Vpon the 30 of Iuly the Commons House, desired the Lords House that the adjourning might be staid till the saturday seavenight after, which was the 7 of August: On the second of August, the Lords house ordered that in res­pect the Judges were very shortly to goe their circuites, and some of them [Page 54]already licensed, the rest of them should be that day licensed to depart, and no more to attend that Session; on the same day the Commons house sent to the Lords HOuse that they conceived the prorogation or adjournment was fit to be on saturday the 7 of that moneth, and to meete againe the ninth of November following, on the 5 of August the Lords House ordered that a Committee of that House should ioyne with a Committee of the Commons (whereto the Commons House also assented) to acquaint the Lords Justi­ces that both Houses had agreed that a prorogation or adjournment should be on saturday aforesaid, and to meete againe on the said ninth of Novem­ber, and desired their Lordships approbation thereof.

To this the Lords Justices answered them that there were three severall wayes of recesse, one by writte-of adjournment, for which no president was found in that Kingdome, another by adjournment to be entred in the bookes of the Houses as done by the Lords Justices consent, and the third by prorogation which their Lordships intended, But because the Houses enclyned to an adjournment, their Lordships consented thereto, by order to be entred in the Houses as by their consent.

On the 6 of August the Lords House ordered that the adjournment should be on the satturday aforesaid according to their resolution sent to the Lords Justices. On the same 6 day the Lords House ordered that a Message should be sent to the Commons House to let them know that they saw no cause to alter their former resolution for the adjournment, find­ing no cause in the letter, that day received from the Committee in England, nor by what they otherwise understood at the late conference, and from the said Earle of Roscommon, who late then landed there, (and who brought the letter from the Committee) to expect the Bill desired in any short time, for indeed they were then at London undispatched, and the Letter said they were then busy about their dispatch; And accordingly the next day being the 7 of August their Lordships adjourned the House till the 9 of November following; All which being the very truth in this particu­lar it is hardly credible that the Lords Justices and their adherents (who­soever is meant thereby) would take occasion to use those menacing words to severall Honourable Lords in the Article mentioned (viz) that if they did not adjourne the Lords House on that day being saturday, they would prorogueon Munday following: or whether it be likely, that by the practi­ses of the Lords Justices and some of the Privy Counsell, and their adherents that faction (as those Remonstrants injuriously tearme them) did or could in such tumultuous and disorderly manner cry out for the adjournment with purpose to prevent the passing of those acts and graces, that Session, which were expected from your Majesties goodnesse: But those Remon­strants having broken faith with your Majesty and all your faithfull people do take liberty to asperse your Majesties Governours and well affected Of­ficers. whom they desire for ill ends to make odious to the people of both Kingdoms; And as a fatall perclose to this Article, they subioyne another palpable untruth, That after the artivall of that Committee, who came not [Page 55]thither till towards the end of August. That Committee could not ob­taine from the Lords Justices Notification to be given to the Countrey of your Majesties goodnesse and bounty intended and shewed to the people, which might have tended to their great satisfaction; Whereas the Lords Justices never denyed them any such thing, But De facto did forthwith write to all the Ports in the Kingdome, with briefes of those graces, con­cerning matters of Customes, which that season most required; Command­ing the Officers punctually to obey those his Majesties directions; They al­so published Proclamations for the sending away of Wooll, and what Cu­stomes was to be paid for the same; And sent severall Letters to all the Ports of the Kingdome to publish the same, And sent warrants for free en­tries of all Tobacco brought in, or to be brought in at all the Ports, and what Custome to be paid; They gave order for drawing a Bill for repeale of the preamble of the Act of Subsidies: They also desired Sir Iames Mont­gomerie, and Sir William Cole, two of the Committee then returned, (if they could overtake the Assises in the Counties of Vlster) to give publicke notice to all the undertakers, what your Majestie had graciously granted and intended to them, which they undertook to doe: They had formerly sent over the Bill for the generall pardon, which was all that for that short time could be done, specially the Terme, and the next Session being so neere, as­well for passing the Acts then newly come over, as upon deliberate consul­tation in the meane time, to prepare for an orderly execution, and publication of the rest of those graces; Most of the rest of the graces being to be execu­ted there in Dublin, and in the Courts; The Committee also, and the few others of the Members of the House, remaining then in Dublin, being very urgent to goe to their houses, which they suddenly did: But it appeared soone after that those Remonstrants and their party had other intentions, and determined to be their owne carvers, aswell of your Majesties Rents and Subsidies then in the Collectors hands, as of all the goods substance, and estates of your Majesties Brittish and Protestant subjects, which inten­on they within a few dayes after fully put in practise.

As to the prodigious tale mentioned in the eight Article of dangerous, 8. Article. and pernitious Petitions to the Parliament in England, pretended to be contrived by the foure persons named in this Article, and signed by many thousands of a malignant party, which Petitions they say were made knowne at Assi­zes, and other publicke places, containing (as they pretend) matters de­structive to the Catholiques their Religion, lives, and estates; This allega­tion exceeds all the rest in malice and untruth, and certainly if ever there were such a Petition (as there was not) it is wonderfull being signed (as they say it was) by many thousands, that to this houre, no Copy thereof can be shewed by any: But these Remonstrants care not what detractions, how untrue, and improbable soever they print or publish against those they hate, for the truth is, those foure persons never contrived or advised, joynt­ly or severally, and such Petitions, or indeed any Petitions to that Parlia­ment: [Page 56]But to open this Trojane Hourse, the truth is, That about the thir­teenth of August 1641. The Lords, Justices, and Counsell having intelli­gence out of the County of Tyrone, that a Petition to the Parliament of England, framed (as it after appeared) by some Protestants in Dub­lin, was carried up and downe in those parts to gather hands, their Lordships not knowing what it was, and doubting it might be some such thing that might breed distemper in those Inhabitants; Did by their Letter dated the said thirteenth of the same August, pray and require the Lord Bishop of Clogher to take that Petition, and carry it to the Justices of Assize then in the Countrey, and to wish them to proceed thereupon as they should thinke fit according to law; And after the Assizes ended, to send it up to the Lords Justices and Counsell; All which was done, and the Petition then sent up, and ever since remaines in the hands of the Clerkes of the Counsell: Now late­ly in the yeare 1643. it was discovered to the Commissioners for Ecclesia­sticicall causes, That one Partington of Dublin, had a Petition framed in the name of severall Inhabitants in and about the Citie of Dublin, and some few parishes within the Diocesse of Laughlyn; whereupon he being cited and examined, produced the draught of that Petition, which upon view appeared to be the same in substance with that which remaineth in the Clearke of the Counsells hands, which Petition contained no matter destru­ctive to the said Catholiques, their Religion, lives, or estates, but doth ra­ther lay accusations, of some disorders and remissnes in the Protestant Clergie, as appeares by the Copie of the said Petition which followeth in these words.

And of some disorders and remisenesse in the Protestant Clergie, the said Partington was dismissed in that Court upon hearing therof, neither were the Lords Justices, and Counsell, or any of the parties (being of the Counsell) mentioned in this Article acquainted with the framing of the said Petition; And whether the Petition was delivered to the Parliament in England or no was not knowne there, only the said Partington saith that that Petition was about the 22. of October 1641. presented by him to the Parliament in Eng­land, which could not be a motive to this Rebellion, which began that very same day at night, neither did any thing ever ensue thereof: What Sir Iohn Clotworthie did, or expressed in that Commons House against Catholiques, was not knowne to the Protestants of Ireland, nor is it materiall, neither is it beleeved that any thing was there moved, plotted, or contrived against those Remonstrants, or that that Parliament resolved any such destructive course against them, till they had declared themselves in the late horrid Re­bellion, and massacred, robbed, and spoyled your Majesties peaceable and conformable Brittish and Protestant Subjects; But the Remonstrants doe practise, by confounding of times to gaine some cover for their inhumane perpetrations; For their other fearfull speculation of the deplorable and de­sperate condition they were in, by the above mentioned Statute of 2. Eliz. which they seeme to wonder at, as a thing lately found amongst the Records there, but never executed in that Princesse time, nor discovered till most of that Parliament were dead; By the danger of which Statute they say, no [Page 61]Catholique in that Kingdome could enjoy his estate, life, or liberty, if executed.

To this it is to be answered, that severall Statutes were enacted in that se­cond yeare of that glorious Queene, And which State it is, that those Re­monstrants do to much tremble at is not here understood; But it is beleeved that those Remonstrants pretend to find themselves so much greived with the first Chapter of those Statutes, first for that it was made principally to repeale the Statutes made by Queene Mary, wherein that Queene repea­led all Lawes made by King H. 8. against usurped forraigne power, iuris­diction and authority, and to sett up some other authorities and judicatures in the Church, the mischeifs and inconvenience whereof are in that Statute of secundo declared, whereunto is to be added, that the continuance of such a forraigne power in matters Ecclesiasticall would utterly banish all Prote­stant Subjects out of that Kingdom, and leave your Majestie few good Sub­jects there, for that the Popish party (being dissolved from their iust depen­dancy on your Majesties authority in matters Ecclesiasticall, which in true consideration, concernes the halfe of your Majesties Royall Soveraigne, will apply themselves for all matters of spirituall cognizance, to the Pope, in whose power it may be to discharge them from alleigeance in civill causes, as he hath often done to other Princes, which he will not spare to doe, for his ad­vantage, and to keepe on foot his old claymes. And in the second place to restore to the Crowne the Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction which of right belong­eth thereunto, And to authorize apt Ministers for ordering and dispensati­on thereof, for the better eschewing those mischeifes both to Prince and peo­ple, and to revive certaine Acts repealed by Queene Mary: And for the penall part thereof against such as shall maintayne and defend the authori­ty, preheminence, power or jurisdiction spirituall or Ecclesiasticall of any forraigne Prince, Prelate, Person, State, or Potentate; It is to be answered, That that Statute is not introductive, or maketh any new cryme, for that offence was formerly Treason by the law, for the first offence; But that Statute mittigateth the severity of punishment, and maketh it not Treason till the third offence committed, after the second conviction and attaynder and giveth a great releife to the offendors touching the time of prosecution, so that the Subjects terror is lesse then it was before: The residue of that law appointeth what manner of persons shalbe fit for promotion in the Church, or imployment under your Majestie in civill affaires, and how Li­veries shall be sued by your Majesties Tennants, the restriction whereof is in your Majesties hands to moderate at your gracious pleasure, where­in they have of late had good experience of your princely clemency, And have little cause so to exclaime against your Majesties Lawes, as destructive to their lives, estates and Liberties.

If those Remonstrants do so startle at the second Chapter of that Sessi­on, It may well be said here is a great noise of danger, but little hurt done, and concerning these two Statutes, they were no such concealed things for [Page 62]they were printed amongst all the Statutes of the Kingdome then printed about the 16 yeare of Queene Elizabeth when few of those Parliament men were dead, and they were put in execution severally, soone after the Statutes were made, and long before that Queene died, as appeares by the Records extant, Only for the second Chapter, it may be said that it was not so frequently put in execution for certaine yeares after the Statute made, because all men for the most part in that Kingdome, when there were any intervalls of peace, did come to Church though many of them went to Masse also: Recusancy was little then heard of, or in many yeares after, as is be­fore declared; But when Recusancy began over boldly to looke the Go­vernment in the face, and that not only, but many euill effects of Popery be­gan to be dangerous to the safety of the Kings Majesties good people, and government: Then that Statute was at severall times put inexecution, yet without danger to any mans life, or estate, neither is there any thing in that Statute that may threaten any mans life, or estate; the most binding part of that Statute, being but to settle and maintaine the booke of Common pray­er, and other Orders, Ornaments, and Ceremonies in the Church and Churchmen, and requires all subjects aswell Protestants as Papists to come to Church every Sonday and Holy day having not lawful cause of absence upon paine to forfeit 9d for every such daies absence, And that limmited to an indictment to be found at the next Sessions or Assizes, after the offence committed, unlesse men would wilfully abuse themselves, aswell towards God, as the authorized Church and government. In which cases, other penalties are appointed not reaching to life. In which Statute also are other favourable clauses for the ease of the people farre from provoking those Re­monstrants, to enter into the late hatefull conspiracy against your Majesty your Lawes, and iust prerogatives, or to commit such outragious cruelties upon your Majesties Brittish and Protestant subjects, as they have done, The same Lawes being now in force here in England, and much more sharpe against Papists, and these Lawes in Ireland have now bin in force a­bove fourescore yeares, yet no man ever lost his life or estate, upon either of these Lawes, nor Liberty for any long time, yet do those Remonstrants from this, and the other wilde fiction of 10000 Scots (then not so much as thought on to come thither, but long after agreed on, after your Majesty under your owne royall signature had appointed and authorised severall persons of quality to be Collonels to prosecute Rebells and sent upon ne­cessity to preserve your Majesties Crowne and Kingdome against those con­federats most unnaturall and horrid attempts) take the boldnesse to avow the Acts of the Northerne Rebels on the 23 of October 1641 as necessita­ted thereto for preservation of their Lives Liberties and Estates, for main­tenance of their religion, and for your Majesties rights, which none there (except themselves) ever moved or offered to oppose or impeach, which Northerne rising is by Declaration made by many of themselves in Parlia­ment in November 1641 and by their advice printed, professed and pub­lished to be a traiterous and rebellious taking up of Armes against your Ma­jesty [Page 63]they then seeming to detest and abhorre their abhominable and inhu­maine actions of murthers and other outrages therein, specified, therein also protesting to maintaine the rights of your Majesties Crowne and Govern­ment against the said Rebels whom they then acknowledged to be Rebels, and to fight against your Majesties Rights and Government, and whom now they palliate with the attribute of discontented Gentlemen: Neither was that Declaration enforced from the Parliament as they suggest, but by due course passed, as well appeares by the passages thereof, appearing in the bookes; And in further presumption, those Remonstrants affirme, that those Northerne Traitors did send Declarations to the Lords Justices and Coun­sell, humbly desiring to be heard in Parliament; which is most untrue, there never comming any Declaration or other motion from any of them, to the Lords Justices and Counsell, other then a presumptuous proposition from those of Cavan, which their Lordships answered, and certified to the then Lord Leivtenant as is before mentioned. Neither is it to be wondred at that these consederats passe over so slightly the cruell murders and massacres act­ed upon your Majesties Protestant Subjects in Vlster and else where in time of full peace, (your Majesties Protestant Subjects not being in any posture of defence by reason of the suddennesse of their surprise) considering the little defence the confederats are able to make against those knowne massa­cres. And as to the Proclamation on the 23 of October 1641 published by the Lords Justices and Counsell to make knowne the preservation of your Majesties Castle and City of Dublin, and to publish the discovery of the conspiracy of some evill affected Irish Papists, wherein all good Subjects are admonished to take comfort, to stand one their defence and preserve the peace; There is in that Proclamation no mention at all of any Prorogation. and whereas afterwards divers of the pale, and other old English, petitioned the Lords Justices and Counsell, taking offence at the words Irish Papists, wherein there being no distinction they might doubt themselves involved; The Lords Justices and Counsell being tender least they (in whose fidelity their Lordships then rested confident) should take umbrage at any their expressions, did by their printed Declaration dated the 29 of the same October, publish and proclaime, That by the words, Irish Papists they in­tended the meere old Irish in the Province of Vlster, and none of the old English of the Pale or other parts. True it is that on the 27 of October 1641. The Lords Justices by advice of the Counsell, and for the necessity of the time (many members of those houses being then in Rebellion, and many slayne or hanged, by the Rebels, and some imprisoned, and some beseiged in their houses by them) did proclaime a prorogation of the Parliament, from the dayes of the former adjournment in November 1641 till the 24 of February following, yet that Proclamation not to stand for a prorogation (as conceived not fully warranted by Law,) but was done in those dange­rous times to prevent concourse at Dublin, to preserve the members of the houses from danger of travaile, and to the end they shall not be drawne from [Page 64]defence of the Country; In which Proclamation there is no word of Irish Papists, or of the Catholiques of Ireland, or of the Rebellion, raised, for which prorogation the Lords Justices received your Majesties expresse com­mand, because your Majesty desired the Lord Leivtenant should be then there, And the Lords Justices act was therein approved by your Majesty as con­curring with the advice of your Counsell; And to shew that it was not in­tended for the full prorogation when afterwards before the day of the for­mer adjournement some of the houses came to the Lords Justices and Coun­sell, and seeming to doubt of the legality, of that manner of prorogation de­sired that the houses might meete, and for clearing of all doubts might fit on the 9 day of November, and adjourne to the 16 day of that November, and at the 16 day of November might sit for a day or two, to make some pub­like Declaration of their loyalties, and that a shorter time for their next meeting then the 24 of February aforesaid might be appointed: The Lords Justices and Counsell-freely-yeilded unto them in all their requests and on the 17 day of Nouember towards night the Parliament was prorogued in the houses, but till the 11 of Ianuary after, though your Majesties warrant was till the end of February; It is most untrue that the Lords Justices and Counsell limmited them, that no Acts of grace or other thing for the peoples quiet and satisfaction should passe; For the houses during those two daies did make and publish the Declaration above mentioned, and some other ordinance for the provision, security, and comfort of the Country, as farre as might be, But they neither did, nor could then at the very beginning of of the rebellion move or offer to passe any acts of grace, The Lords iu­stices by his Mjesties dire­ctions did make knowne to the Parlia­ment that his Maiesty would not depart frō any his former favours pro­mised to them for setling their estares to such as should remain faithfull and loyall. or were denyed the same, many of their intentions being fixed, as soone after appeared, to come by their end another way, which proceedings of the Lords Justices and Counsell in that businesse, doth appeare by Proclamation then publi­shed by the Lords Justices and Counsell, with the privity of the houses: And as to their being invironed with a great number of armed men in their accesse and recesse to and from the house with their matches lighted and Mu­skets presented even to the breasts of the members of both houses: First they should tell that those guards were put into your Majesties Castle (where be­fore none were, except the ordinary retinue of a few warders under the Con­stables Command) for guard and preservation of the said Castle against the said confederats wicked plots and conspiracies then discovered; And that those guards did but stand in their Armes in the Castle yard, meerely as in observance to that eminent assembly of Lords and others, aswell Pro­testants as Papists, and to make a guard for them in their passage to and from the house, and have held the same course ever since, when those houses have consisted in a manner wholly of Protestants, and all done without any intent or designe to offend affront, or terrify any of them, which the Re­monstrants did, and do well know if they would deale sincerely in the mat­ter; And certainly any of the members of either house then present could not from such a civility rendred to them, take up the least apprehension [Page 65]of terror in some inward guilt, did not beget in them a feare or jealousie of what was never intended or thought of: The same course for ornament being held by the late Lord Leivtenant the Earle of Strafford in the for­mer Parliament, and by the now Lord Lievtenant at the last Session.

Neither did any thing then hinder the Lords Justices from seizing on their persons, if they had beene willing to take strong presumptions and probabi­lity of guilt, for a ground against men, whom indeed they desired to thinke better of, and hoped they would employ themselves better for your Majesties service: It is also an untruth that the Lords Justices, and their partie of the Counsell (what is meant by that partie is not understood) for there was not so much as a shadow of any partaking or siding there in any matter; But the Lords Justices, and Counsell unanimously concurred in all things, did cause an order to be propounded in the Parliament to declare; That the Irish had taken up Armes in rebellious manner; For the Lords Justices and Coun­sell did not conceive that there was any necessity for their attestation, so that too well knowne a truth the bleeding testimonies of many miserable spe­ctacles, men, women and children unable to resist, who escaped those cursed blood-suckers in Vlster daily comming to the Citie of Dublin, and to other Garrisons, stripped, robbed, wounded, and spoiled, then gave sufficient evidence of then Rebellious and tyrannous acts: But the truth is, the sitting was permitted two dayes at their owne suite, as appeares by Proclamation after published; That they might draw up some Declaration of their owne loy alties, as they said, and their detestation of the abominable acts of the Rebells; yet seeing they have the confidence to move in that passage sinister­ly, to your Majestie your Royall Majestie may please to know, that when the Houses had appointed certaine Committees to draw up that Ordinance, and those Committees had dutifully expressed those Rebells by the just tearmes of Traitours and Rebels; Many of these Remonstrants then of the House much contested it, and would not have them so called, being privie to what themselves had formerly with those Rebells contrived to be done, and fearing it might move the Rebells to recriminate, Howsoever the Declarati­on passed by Votes, and was agreed on; But that any such menaces to such as should oppose that Declaration were by any man uttered (though they say it is a thing that was credibly informed) is a most false scandall, the or­ders of the Houses shewing plainly, that it was done in the Houses, no way urged or enforced upon them.

There were never any such provocations, pressures, and indignities, as in this Article are mentioned, offered to the considerable partie of the Catho­liques; And although the Remonstrants say, That at the time of that Sessi­on, all the Cities and Corporations, and whole Provinces stood quiet, yet at the apprehension of Hugh Mac Mahon on the 23. of October aforesaid; The said Hugh being demanded by the Lords Justices, and Counsell, whe­ther he thought (that though they had taken Dublin) the rest of the strong Townes in the Kingdome, which were the Kings, would yeeld to them, he [Page 66]boldly answered, that he and the rest were well assured, that none of those Townes would stand against them, as did fully after appeare, for they all joyned with them, except very few where your Majesties forces lay strong, and except the Protestant townes, which kind of defection was never so in any former Rebellion, those townes being in all times places of refuge for your Majesties forces, and good subjects, and a great bridle to the Rebells; And the same Mac Mahoun also declared the privitie and consent to the foresaid Conspiracy of all the Catholiques in both Houses of Parliament in the Summer Session before, as is before mentioned; The same Mac Ma­houn also declared, That twenty men out of each County in the Kingdome were appointed to be at Dublin the said 23. of October to execute the Plott on your Majesties Castle and Citie of Dublin. and indeed thither they did come at the time, in very great numbers, of whom very many were appre­hended, which proves the generall Combination; And the Lord Magwire upon his examination, declared that in Summer before, the conspiracy and action was agreed on amongst the Irish, which the event proved to be true; Besides, it is testified upon oath, by a very credible person sometimes priso­ner with the Rebels in Cavan, That Collonel Richard Plunkett, late of Don­saghly in the County of Dublin, within the pale, who should have been one at the taking of the Castle: comming into that County of Cavan, about the twenty sixth of October 1641. said openly that he had a contract under the hands of all the Lords in Ireland that were Catholiques to stand firme in this insurrection, wherein although the said Plunkett cannot bee be­lieved, as to all the Lords, seeing some of them, have even in this Rebel­lion manifested their loyaltie to your Majestie in opposing the Rebells, yet hee may be beleived, as to all of them, except, very few, their owne acti­ons also afterwards concurring therein; The same Collonel Plunkett also by his Letters written to the Titular Abbot of Mellifont, whom hee stiled Lord, signified that hee had beene a meanes to incite the Lords and Gen­trie of the Pale to appeare in the Blessed cause then in hand, meaning the Rebellion) and that hee would use his best endeavours night and day to accomplish, Ad majorem Dei gloriam, those are his owne words: The above mentioned Contract or Covenant, was also spoken of usually by the Vlster Rebells before many Protestants then prisoners, and was declared by some Rebells (afterwards taken prisoners) upon examination; It is ob­servable also, that notwithstanding your Majesties Warrant stood good for foure Collonels, viz. Collonel Iohn Barry, Collonel Taaf, Collonel Garrett Barry, and Collonel Porter, for transportation of foure thousand men; And that the Lords Justices and Counsell gave them all Warrants, and other helps for their passage; And that the three Collonels that were there, had gathered their men, yet it being neere the time of execution of the foresaid great Designe and conspiracy, their transportation was deferred, and pretences made partly of the adversaries of that Parliament in Ire­land, and partly of want of money, and other impediments, their men [Page 67]were kept in Bodyes, the one in Munster, not farre from Kinsale, another in Connaught towards Gallway, and the third in Leinster about Dublin, and those parts, when the Castle and Citie of Dublin was preserved, there was a generall change in all former Counsells, yet afterwards the said Gar­rett Barry, and all his men went into Rebellion, and so did most of the souldiers, and officers of the other two Regiments; Besides, on the twenty third day of October one thousand six hundred forty one, The Rebells in Vlster. when they spoiled and murthered the English, said with one voyce, that Dublin was taken; Also are to bee remembred, the severall Antece­dents to this Rebellion, aswell in print as in words uttered by Romish Clergie men, and some Laicks, that within three yeares, a generall Rebel­lion should be in Ireland, mentioned in the printed Deposition of Doctor Iones; And in the moneth of October, before the execution of this Plott. It was consulted in a great Assembly in the Countie of Westmeath, at, or neere Multifernam, consisting as well of the prime Popish Clergie, as of the lay Gentrie, what should bee done with the Brittish and Protestants, whether to murther and kill them all, or to kill some, and spoile and banish the rest, or only to spoyle, pillage, and banish all; And how your Majestie should be limmited in your Revenewes, Rights and Authorities, as more at large appeares in the said Doctors examination: The like Discoveries of the generall Combination appeares in the Digest framed and collected by the Commissioners, for examining the spoyles and murthers committed upon the Protestants by the Rebells tendered there by Master Watson, and others of those Commissioners, and sent over to your Majesties principall Secretarie. It appeares also by examinations sent up by the late Lord Pre­sident of Munster, in the beginning of this Rebellion, that about the twen­ty three of October 1641. the taking of the Castle of Dublin, and other your Majesties Forts in Vlster, &c. was then muttered in that Province, (for a while after in shew quiet.) And the like in Connaught, though at that time, neither of those had heard any thing of the discovery from Dub­lin, nor many dayes after; By all which is somewhat plaine, That the Conspiracy was generall, and that the three Provinces stood not so cleare, and quiet in November, as in this Article is insinuated; The Remonstrants being carefull to leave nothing unobjected, that malice or Art can invent. doe suggest, that the Lords Justices and their adherents (who those were is not yet knowne) well knowing that many powerfull members of the Parliament in England stood in opposition to your Majestie, made their principall addresses to them full fraught with calumnies against those Catho­liques; First, it is conceived that there was no such opposition given to your Majestie, as in the Article is mentioned, when this Rebellion began, your Majesty being then in Scotland, bestowing your Grace and Royall pre­sence on your Subjects there: Neither at that time was any difference heard there betweene your Majesty and your Parliament in England, save what concerned the Earle of Strafford, whom the Remonstrants most violently [Page 68]prosecuted; Secondly, the Lords Justices and Counsell did first addresse their advertisement of this Rebellion, not to the Parliament of England, as the Remonstrants pretend, but to your Majestie on the twentie five of October 1641. And to your Majesties then Lievtenant of that Kingdome, to whom all addresses thence were to bee made by your Majesties Order. A Copie of which Letters to the Lord Lievtenant, they then sent to your Majesty and by the answer of that dispatch they were advertised that your Majesty had sent to the Parliament of England concerning that affaire, and that your Majesty doubted not of their speedy resolution for releife of your Majesties faithfull Subjects: The next dispatch sent away by the Lords Justices and Counsell into England or Scotland was on the fift of No­vember 1641 at which time they directed letters to the Lords of your Ma­jesties privy Counsell in England, and considering that your Majesty was then in Scotland, and that it then became of absolute necessity to invoke all the powers, that might stand with your Majesties honour, and good plea­sure, from whom any deliverance could come, to assist for preservation of your Majesties Crowne and Kingdome; They then also, and not before, directed letters to the speakers of both houses of Parliament in England, referring the particulars to the Lords of the Counsells letters, and moving for succours, and then also they sent a dispatch to your Majesty into Scot­land, and enclosed therein copies of their severall letters to the Lords of the Counsell and both the Speakers, and then also signified by their let­ters to the Lords of the Counfell that they had so written to both the Speakers.

And touching the denying of Armes to the Catholiques, and arming the Malignant party, who in the Remonstrants esteeme, are all your Majesties Brittish and Protestant Subjects in Ireland (though there never appeared any Malignity in them in the least degree, either to your Majesty or your government, or to these pretended Catholiques (quatenus Catholiques) True it is that many Roman Catholiques aswell as Protestants, were ar­med by the Lords Justices and Counsell, when they were listed into your Majesties Army, to defend your Majesties Kingdome, rights and govern­ment, against those confederate Catholiques in the beginning of this Re­bellion, whose plot and designe was to surprise your Majesties Castle of Dublin, and your Monition and stores there, and all the rest of your Forts and stores in that Kingdome to extirpate all your Majesties Brittish and Protestant Subjects, by death or exile and further as is before mentioned: Note, there were but [...]00 armes in the store. It is true also that the Lord Justices and Counsell did deliver Armes and Am­munition as farre as they could possible spare aswell to the Roman Ca­tholiques as Protestant Subjects, for defence of their houses in severall parts and in great numbers: They did also deliver to the five Counties of the Pale Armes and Ammuniton for 1700 men for defence of those Countryes, (although your Majesty was no way bound to furnish them with armes for their owne defence) and some of those armes upon notice of the defecti­on [Page 69]of those trusted with them, were recovered and brought backe, and the rest soone after imployed by the confederats to fight against your Majestie and your Armyes: And for the Cotholiques in the City of Dublin, of whose ancient fidelity (in the beginning of this Rebellion) the Lords Ju­stices and Counsell were fully perswaded; they were not disarmed, till most of the Catholiques of the Pale declared themselves in open Rebellion against your Majestie, which the Lords Justices and Counsell finding and considering that those Inhabitants of Dublin were for the most part allied & matched with the gentry and considerable Inhabitants of the Pale, That some of them sent daily intelligence to the Rebels, sent them provisions of victualls and otherwayes and sundry of them of good substance, went to the Rebels with their goods, That great numbers of the Popish prentizes servants, and Iournymen of the City went daily to the Rebels and joyned with them, and that daily rumours were spread in the City, aswell by words, as by papers scattered and found, that surprises and massacres were intended against your Majesties Subjects the Protestants of the City, then was it thought fit, and not before, to disarme those Catholiques the better to secure the City for your Majesty, and quiet the Catholiques who might well know that the strength of the Protestants was their security, and from which Protestants, the Catholiques never found any violence offered (the Protestants profession abhorring such wickednesse) the Lords Justices and Counsell also sent armes and powder to Drogheda; delivered armes and powder for zoo men to Wexford they sent powder to Waterford, and gave them licence to buy and import, powder and armes for their de­fence, though afterwards when they ioyned in the Rebellion the Lords Ju­ces and Counsell restrained it as much as they could. They sent powder to Trym, they sent powder for Dondalke as far as Drogheda, where it was staid because Dondalk was yeilded up to the Rebels before it could come thither, they also wrote letters to the severall Townes of Wexford, Waterford, Gallway and Drogheda commending their then seeming forward affecti­ons, and encouraging and perswading to stand constantly in duty, and faith to your Majestie their Lord and King: It is true that the Lords Ju­stices and Counsell received an order of both houses of Parliament in Eng­land, whereby they did commend to the Lord Leivtenant or in his absence to the Lord Deputy, or Lords Justices according to the power of their Commission to bestow your Majesties gracious pardon to all such as were seduced on false grounds, and within a convenient time to be declared by their Lordships, should returne to their due obedience: This Order the Lords Justices and Counsell printed at Dublin forthwith after receipt there­of the 12 of November 1641 and dispersed it into all parts of the Kingdom, as farre as they could to try whether it might worke any relenting or ap­plication of those confederated Catholiques, to the Lords Justices and Counsell to the end they might have further proceeded, to have obtevned a more full direction for granting pardon, if that could have beene likely [Page 70]to reclaime any of them: The Lords Justices also found in their Commission and instructions, no expresse warrant to pardon such pernitious Traitours, and that in all late former pardons, Treasons against your Majesty and mur­ther was excepted, and they daily expected the old Levitenants comming o­ver with more ample authority, and direction, and considered also that on the 30 of October before the Lords Justices and Counsell had by publique Pro­clamation adventured so farre as to tender your Majesties grace to all seduced Rebels whereupon none then tendred themselves to the Lords Justices and Counsell, or any other your Majesties Officers, and afterwards on the first day of November 1641 the Lords Justices and Councell foreseeing the dan­ger that the Inhabitants of Meath, Lungford, Westmeath and Lowth, who of the Pale lay next to the Northerne Rebels, might be first educed, either by strange rumours spread abroad, or by the false enticement of the Clergy, and desirous to contayne and preserve as many of them as they could, did by pub­lique Proclamation (advised and drawne by Mr. Plunket and others of the Commons house) admonish all that were not Freeholders, nor having their hands in blood, within ten dayes to submit themselves before any Justice of Peace or cheif Officer of a Corporation, and restore the Protestants goods which they had taken, & thereupon they should be received to mercy where­upon a few submitted in the County of Meath but never restored any thing, nor proceeded further to give satisfaction of their loyalty, but soone after returned to their former defection and ioyned in the said Rebellion; All which advisedly considered the Lords Justices and Counsell thought not fit to prostitute your Majesties royall grace to men so ungratefull and deper­ded, for they plainly saw, that the confederacy and their perswasion to car­ry all by force was so strong, as their actions gave no hope of any inclina­tions to submit themselves to your Majesties grace and mercy; No not when your Majesties Proclamation under your royall Signature, and pri­vy signet was sent amongst them; Commanding them to lay downe Arms, nor untill they of the Pale, and the Irish of Vlster were beaten from Dro­gheda, and the seige wholly raised which was about the beginning of March and that your Majesties Levitenant Generall of your army, was in the feild with a strong force of foote and horse, able to March where he plea­sed, in Meath, Lowth, and Dublin, ready to burne and destroy their hou­ses, and eize on the former owners thereof, if they could be found; Then and not till then some, and those but very few of Meath rendred themselves to the Leivtenant Generall of your Majesties army who received them as prisoners, and a few others of that County rendred themselves at Dublin who were all imprisoned as was just, to so notorious and obstinate offen­dors, And it were criminall in the Lords Justices and Counsell not to com­mit them. Neither did the Lords Justices and Counsell ayme at any of their estates, but on the contrary alwayes shewed much regret, at the un­naturall defection of the pale, which had for the most part in other Rebelli­ons stood firme and loyall: And certainly they would have beene most glad [Page 71]to have preserved as many of them as they could, as well appeared in their readinesse to embrace the Earle of Westmeath and his Familie, upon timely application made, though the Lords Justices and Counsell had Intelligence of Northerne Rebells resorting to his house: They also up­on Sir Morgan Cavanaghs false and feigned Protestations permitted him to returne to his house, in hope of his good obedience, though they had cause to suspect his and hsi sonnes comming to the Towne on the 22. of October one thousand six hundred fourty one. They permitted Sir Luke Fitzgerald to depart quietly, because he came to them soone after the be­ginning of the Rebellion, though the Protestant Tenants dwelling on his land, were despoiled of all their substance, not without his privitie, as since hath appeared: They permitted Robert Harpoole of Frowle, and necre Ca­therlogh, to depart upon his faire protestations, notwithstanding they had intelligence of his former being with the Rebells; The Sheriffe of Long­ford and others of the Offarralls permitted backe againe, though informed to have joyned in pillaging of the Protestants, and many others in like man­ner, because the Lords Justices thought fit to forbeare all manner of strict­nesse at first, hoping they would not so farre forget their duties, as after­wards they all did, and also divers others about Dublin (who entertained Rebells (some perhaps of necessity) were permitted to be at libertie by the Lords Justices, because they desired to retaine as many of them as they could, comming in any time, before they had openly joyned with the Rebells, and committed the horrible acts of hostilitie, which put them out of the Lords Justices power to receive them, without further allow­ance, and direction from your Majestie, which they writ for, and desired to receive.

Touching Sir Charles Cootes journey into Wickloe, who with such a small force of English and Irish, as the Lords Justices and Counsell could then raise, set forth from Dublin on the 27. of November 1641. the designe being to relieve your Majesties Castle of Wickloe, and one other only Ca­stle kept by a subject, but both besieged by Rebells: All the Irish of that Countie having many dayes before risen in open Rebellion, surprized your Majesties Fort of Cairis Fort, Arckloe Fort, Chichester, and all the houses of the English in that Countie, The Lord Esmonds house, and the adjacent parts of Wexford, robbed all the Brittish Protestants, threatned to assault Dublin, having robbed and preyed within two miles thereunto, and com­mitted all amnner of acts of hostility, as is before particularized: Hee had also direction to kill and spoile by fire and sword those Irish Rebells, so farre as he could; But it is not true that any there dicd by his command, save one woman one whose backe, certaine of the Protestants spoyles were found, and twelve or thirteene men, who were proved to have committed the same rebellious acts, and such as fought with him in open field, with Banners displayed, where the Rebells being, as hee conceived a thousand [Page 72]strong, were by him routed, and put to flight; Neither could that journey any way terrifie those of the Pale, or give them occasion of suspition of any violence intended against them, being principally intended to prevent in­cursions and spoyles of the Irish to bee committed on them as they had in former times often done: and against whom they had with much effusion of blood, often defended themselves: yet now so plainely appeares their preceded generall conspiracie in this Rebellion, as they are not abashed, (despising the honour of their birth, and loyaltie to your Majestie) to pro­fesse sence of those Rebells sufferings, and to mention your Majesties just vengeance taken on those antient, and in all former, and later ages, and now declared Rebells and Traitours, as one of their motives to take up Armes, or at least to stand on their guard, as they call it: Touching the Act of Santry three miles from Dublin, seeming to worke so much upon the Remonstrants, as to put them into open rebellion against your Majestie, as if they could resolve of a generall Rebellion in all the Kingdome in twentie foure houres; It is fit to open the truth of this supposed fearfull, and as may be said miraculous accident, being of force almost to raise a whole County into Armes in one day against your Majestie, and your peaceable subjects; though the said County (during six weekes after the conspiracie against the Castle of Dublin, and the state, was discovered and prevented) did not seeme able (or rather being unwilling) by all faire perswasions of the Lords Justices and Counsell used to them, to put themselves into a posture of defence, against the Rebells of Vlster, to find any Armes to arme their men, or agree upon Captaines to command them, notwithstanding they had upon the twenty two of November after severall invitations thereunto received out of your Majesties stores, Armes, and all other Munition for three hundred men; And not withstanding that the Lords Justices and Councell in October 1641. wrote Letters to the severall Counties of the Pale to name their Captaines, gather their men, and fetch out their Armes, which they deferred, sometimes seeming desirous to have all things agreed on in Parliament, which they knew could not then meet, and sometimes up­on other pretences: And notwithstanding that they saw the inferiour peo­ple of those Counties formerly to rise in multitudes to murther, rob and spoile, the Brittish and Protestant Inhabitants amongst them, without re­sistance or controll; And in particular they had murthered Derrick Hub­bert, a Protestant Gentleman in his owne house, and some others of his familie in the County of Dublin; And about ten miles from Dublin, be­sides many other so used in other parts, and had spoyled Protestants in se­verall Villages within three or foure miles of Dublin, in Fingall, where the Remonstrants doe say the Inhabitants had felt no warres or troubles for foure hundred yeares before, yet could Luke Nettervile, sonne to the Lord Nettervile, who dwelt but seven miles from Dublin, in that County of Fingall, and the other Gentrie of that County Arme and Muster at Swoards (about six miles from Dublin (about twelve hundred men on the [Page 73]seventh day of December 1641. to affront your Majesties Authoritie, upon this only accident (as they alledge) to the killing of foure Catholiques, (or supposed Catholiques) because called Catholiques (as they would have it) and for no other cause, or reason, at Santry aforesaid; On Tuesday at night the fifth day of December by some Troopes of horse, and foot Com­panies marcht out of Dublin, by direction (as the Remonstrants pretend) of the Lords Justices and Counsell, and their (supposed) partie, which partie the Remonstrants would aswell have named, if any such they had knowne, (for no such party was then heard of, unlesse they meane your Majesties Counsell;) And before that time they suffered the Rebell Collo­nell Hugh Birne, and many of the mountaine and Wickloe Rebells to enter into that Countrey and spoile the Brittish and Protestants, which they had power to hinder, and might have done, if they had not beene of the Con­federacy. Whereas the truth of that accident is, That on the said fifth day of December, intelligence being brought to a Lievtenant in Dublin, That his informer could bring him upon some of those that had murthered the said Derrick Hubbert, and robbed and spoiled other Protestnats as afore­said: Hee by allowance of his Captaine (as he afterwards upon examina­tion declared,) without the privity or command of the Lords Justices, or any of the Counsell, or any other Commander authorized to that purpose, tooke with him fourtie souldiers that night, in pursuit of those murtherers, and other Malefactors, and comming to Santry, hee found there foure per­sons lately come thither, with such Armes as they could get in the Country, whom he slue in the place, and who as hee was informed, were offenders; And after this done, hee passed somewhat further into the Countrey, Note, there were many Papists then dwelling in that Towne whom he did not hurt. in search of the rest of the Malefactors, but could not find them, there having issued no other Troopes of horse or foot: This rash act was the next day voyced in Dublin, and the Lords Justices and Counsell hearing of it, sent for the said Lievtenant, who upon examination justified the Act, affirming them to be Rebells, And no man prosecuting the matter against him, it there rested.

And as to the rest of the particulars in this Article pretended to bee mo­tives to the Rebellion of the Pale, and the other parts of Leinster (where­as before that severall parts of Leinster, and many in the Pale, were in open Rebellion, as shall herein further appeare; True it is that about the later end of November 1641. The said Luke Nettervile without any War­rant for the same, caused Proclamation to bee made in the Market place at Luske, (about twelve miles from Dublin) That all the Gentrie of the Countrey upon paine of death, should within three or foure dayes after, meet at Swoards, within six miles of Dublin, which was before the killing at Santry, which meeting was held, and there the said Nettervile of his owne authoritie made everall Captaines ( viz.) Richard Golding, Thomas Rus­sell, [Page 74]Francis Russell, Robert Travers, Christopher Hollywood, Peter Cru [...], and Michael Murphy, and others, many of them men of estate, and the rest branches of the Gentrie, and there commanded them to bee with their Companies armed at the same Towne of Swoards on the seventh day of December following, (which was a short time for such a levie, if they had not beene formerly combined and prepared to that Summons;) They observed it as fast as they could, many of them comming thither on the seventh day of December aforesaid, and on the eighth day of the said moneth they were there gathered together in bands about one thousand two hundred men armed, (as was informed to the Lords Justices and Counsell,) Their Lordships therefore on the ninth day of December afore­said, sent a Warrant to the said Nettervile and the rest, in milde manner, signifying to them the unseasonablenesse of the time chosen for such an act, that howsoever a construction might be made thereof to their disadvantage, yet their Lordships were unwilling to make an indulgent interpretation of their actions, in regard of their good opinion they had of their loy­altie, and conceiving there was some mistake in that enterprize, they did choose rather to command them on their dutie of allegiance forthwith to separate themselves and no more to unite in that manner, without direction from their Lordships. And that the said Nettervile and six others of the principall of them, should appeare before their Lordships the then next morning, to shew cause for their so assembling, and thereof not to faile at their extreame perils; All which notwithstanding, the said Nettervile and the rest, did neither separate, nor any of them appeare as was com­manded, but holding the Messenger, as in restraint that night, did on the enxt day write a mutinous Letter to the Lords Justices and Counsell acknowledging the receipt of the said Warrant, and setting forth their feares, by reason of the said killing at Santry, and other rumours of un­expected attempts, and desired to be secured of their lives, which security was also granted them, but they despised it. Their intention being from another roote, and of a higher nature then to meet in merriment in a Market towne and shake hands: These men continued at Swoards, and other Villages thereabouts, till about the tenth of Ianuary following, robbing, spoyling, and imprisoning all your Majesties Subjects, that either lived thereabouts, or that offered to passe that way, being the roade to Drogheda, then straitly besieged, and soffering no provisions to be brought to Dublin that way, threatning also daily to assault Dub­lin on the North side from thence, and from other great Companies of the same confederacie, out of Wickloe, and Kildare, setled on the South side of the Citie, performing like hostile acts, and giving out on all sides, that they would have Masse in Christ-Church of Dublin, on Christmas day next after: All which time the Lords Justices and Counsell were nor able to send sufficient forces against them.

About the fourteenth day of that December, those Rebells being en­creased in numbers from other parts, sent two severall strong parties to Santry and Finglas, where they continued till the twenty second of the same December, when they were beaten thence by your Majesties Forces; Neither of which two places are above three miles from Dublin, there to bee the more ready to annoy and set upon the Citie, when the rest of the parties to the designe might bee ready, which neere approaches much strait­ned all things in the Citie: On the same fourteenth day of December, those Rebells at Swoards sent another partie to Clantarffe, about a mile and halfe from Dublin, which Village belonged to George King, who lay in garrison with the said Nettervile at Swoards, and whose hand was to their Answer formerly mentioned: And there gathering together from the other Villages on the Sea side, about three hundred men, they shewed themselves on a high ground neere Clantarfe, to the open view of the Citie; those Inhabitants being furnished with store of strong fisher-boates, and having a few dayes before robbed and spoyled, two English Barkes lying at Anchor, neere Clantarfe, in the roade of Dublin, and threatning by them­selves and other Rebells which lay on the South side of the harbour, (where Irish Boats also were) to seize on all the shipping in the har­bour, and either burne them, or make use of them to block up the har­bour, so to cutt off all accesse to that Port which the Lords Justices and Counsell much feared, having then no shipping of strength there; There­upon their Lordships found it of necessity to adventure on some of those parties to trie if they could disperse them, And therefore they considered that those at Santry and Finglas, came thither by open force; That those lands belonged to honest subjects who had not then offended; That the forementioned outragious act was committed by those at Clantarfe, And that the lands belonged to one in open hostilitie, who had given assistance or countenance to the aforesaid rebellious act of robbing the Barkes, and of robbing other your Majesties Protestant subjects passing that way, and judging that that place and party threatned most danger, in respect of the harbour, And lest other Fishermen, on that coast (who for the most part joyned with the Rebells,) should take encouragement to come and streng­then their designe against the shipping and harbour, considering also that by the assistance of those Coasters, the Rebells of the County of Dublin, had formerly on the third day of December 1641. robbed an English Barke at Skirries, about twelve miles from Dublin, and that the goods were divided amongst the Gentrie thereabouts, the principall part thereof being magazined at the Castle of Master Barnewell of Brimore, a prime man, and some of the English carryed prisoners to the Lord of Gorman­ston, who sent them Prisoners to Balrothry; Thereupon the Lords Justices and Counsell did order, that the Lievtenant generall of the Army should and men against them at Clantarfe, who accordingly did (on the fifteenth [Page 76]day of that December) send out Sir Charles Coote, with such a party as could bee spared, to fall on those men at Clantarfe, with direction that if they could beat them, to burne that Village, and either destroy or bring away all the Boats. This was well performed by Sir Charles, who killed some of the Rebells in the place, and put the rest to flight, where hee then found, aswell in the house of the said King as other houses in the Towne, divers of the goods taken out of the said two Barkes, rob­bed at Clantarfe; And by this meanes was strucken off much of that danger; And to the end it may further appeare, That the Lords of the Pale, especially of Meath, were in the same Confederacie with the Re­bells at Swoards, and other parts of Leinster, and not forced to take up Armes for their owne safety, nor fearing to bee murthered by any under the command of the Lords Justices and Counsell, as in the Remon­strance is maliciously and scandalously urged: the Lords Justices and Counsell seeing dangers thus multiplyed on all sides, receiving Letters of intelligence from all parts of rebellious Acts done, and hearing many strange rumours of the generall combination before the said meeting at Swoards, or killing at Santry; (robberies and spoyles being before that time committed on the English in every County in Leinster) Their Lordships thereupon desired, in their great distresse, to have the advice and assistance of those Lords of the Pale, in whose fidelitie they former­ly much confided, as appeares by their comfortable expression thereof, in October before, aswell to the then Lord Lievtenant in England, as to your Majesties principall Secretarie, the effect whereof appeared in the Parliametn order sent thither thereupon soone after, and printed the twelfth of November 1641. wherein they declared that they conceived the Mas­sacre was intended aswell against your Majesties good Subjects, Antient Inhabitants of English blood, though of the Romish Religion (who have in former Rebellions given testimonie of their fidelitie to the Crowne of ENGLAND) as against the Protestants, and that they intended to move your Majesty for the encouragement of those English or Irish, that should raise Horse or Foote against the Rebells, that they should bee honourably rewarded: and therefore on the third of the same Decem­ber, the Lords Justices and Counsell did write severall Letters unto those, and other Lords in and neere Dublin, to meet together with the Lords Justices and Counsell at Dublin, the eighth day of the same moneth, to the end they might conferre with those Lords, concerning the present state of the Kingdome, and the safety thereof and specially of the Citie of Dublin, in those times of danger, to this the Earle of Fingall, and the Lords of Gormanston, Slane, Dunsany, Nettervile, Lowth, and Trimlets­towne by their Letter dated the seventh of the same December answered: That they had cause to conceive their loyaltie was suspected, and that they had received advertisement that Sir Charles Coote at the Connsell Board, [Page 77]had uttered some speeches tending to a purpose and resolution to execute upon those of their Religion a generall Massacre, whereby they were de­terred to come, not having securitie for their lives, but rather thought fit to stand on their guard till they might heare from the Lords Justices and Counsell, how they should bee secured (They well knowing that the Lords Justices and Counsell had no force, or having force had no intent to hurt them, unlesse much greater cause appeared) in which Letter they did mention the killing at Santry, which it seemes they had not then heard of, and could not take that for a ground of their rebellion as now they urge, and so they did forbeare to come as they were required, but the Earle of Kildare, the Lords Fitzwilliams and Houth, came at the day appointed, with whom Conference was had; Thereupon the Lords Justices and Counsell desirous and labouring by all the meanes they could, to cleare all erronious conceptions in those Lords, and to prevent their hurt, by any undutifull resolutions, and asmuch as they might to provide against any breach with them, least thereby greater extremities might bee drawne up­on them, and the Rebells at Swoards might be raised, in stomacke, did print and publish a Declaration dated the thirteenth day of the same December, and sent it those Noblemen therein positively affirming, That the Lords Justices and Counsell did never heare Sir Charles Coote or any other, utter at the Councell board or else-where any such speeches tending to a pur­pose or resolution to execute upon those of their profession or upon any other, a generall Massacre, and that that board, never intended or meant to dishonour your Majestie or that State, or wound their owne consciences, by harbouring the least thought of so odious, impious, and detestable a thing, upon any persons whatsoever; And that they were had would be ready to inflict due punishment upon any man against whom proofe shall be made of speaking the same: therein likewise requiring those Lords to attend the Lords Justices and Counsell at the Board, on the seventeenth day of the same moneth of December. Thereby also giving to those Lords, and every of them the word and assurance of the State, for their safe repaire to the Board, without danger of any trouble or stay whatsoever, of or from the Lords Justices and Counsell, or any under their Command, who never had intention to wrong or hurt them: neither in truth did they feare any such massacre, there having never beene any such thing attemp­ted against Papists either in England, Scotland, or Ireland, notwithstand­ing their difference in Religion, and the Protestants provoked by many strange plots in former times; The same thirteenth day also of December, the Lords Justices and Counsell, printed and sent to the said Luke Netter­vile, and the rest at Swoards their manifest setting forth the truth of the aforesaid action at Santry, and that they had no knowledge of it till it was done, and their readinesse to give redresse, it upon prosecution there were cause either at the Board, or at a Counsell of Warre, therein also laying before them their high and unsufferable Contempt in not separating ac­cording [Page 78]to former Command, declaring also, that there was no intent or purpose against the lives of them or any other your Majesties good Sub­jects, Protestants or Papists who were not actors or abettors in the trai­terous murthers and robberies lately committed, but that their care and endeavour alwayes was, and should bee, to cherish and preserve all your Majesties good Subjects, of what profession soever, requiring them againe forth with to separate and forbeare further terrour and annoyance to your Majesties good Subjects, and therein the Lords Justices and Counsell, re­quired the said Luke Nettervile and the rest who formerly signed the Let­ler, to appeare before them at the Counsell board, on the eighteenth day of the said moneth, where they should receive due hearing: and further gave unto them and every of them, the word and the assurance of the state, as to their persons, for their safe repaire unto them without any trouble or stay from them whatsoever: and that they had no intention to wrong or hurt any of them, all which notwithstanding, they did not separate, but on the contrary sent men to Clantarfe, as aforesaid, which gave the Lords Justices and Counsell full assurance, that they were resolved to run on, ac­cording to their rebellious beginnings, and so necessitated their Lordships to attempt them at Clantarfe, as is before related, and this as is conceived will appeare sufficient to vindicate the Lords Justices and Counsell from any just cause given of such malicious and scandalous imputation of faith breaking, and otherwayes, as in their remonstrance is pressed, and from the guilt of such provocations to the said Nobility and Gentry of the Pale, and other parts of Leinster to put themselves in posture of defence, against the State and other your Majesties Protestant subjects: Whereas on the other side those Lords and Gentry had most apparant cause to doe the same against their Confederates of Vlster, who (as they pretended) so much terrified them, yet being most true, that while they joyned with the State in former times, the Earle of Tyrone in all his strength durst never attempt them: besides, is hath been since made evident, partly by discoveries made, and examinations taken of notorious acts committed, and partly in that many of the Inha­bitants in severall parts of the Pale, and other adjacent Counties, and gene­rally all the Irish inhabitants in Vlster, and many in some Counties of Con­naught had declared themselves Confederates, or committed open rebellious acts and cruelties against your Majestie, and your Protestant Subjects before the above mentioned killing at Santry, (which was the first act, favouring of force offered and that but pretended to be offered by the Lords Justices and Counsell, to those of the Pale, or any of them,) viz. on the 23. of October 1641. and so daily after all the Irish of the Province of Vlster, viz. in the Counties of Cavan, Fermanagh, Donegall Tyrone, London Derry, Ardmagh, Monaghane, and most part of the County of Downe, and the County of Leitrim, with part of the County of Sligo, and many of the Coun­ty of Roscomon in Connaught declared themselves in open rebellion, and committed the acts of murthers, and cruelties else-where mentioned.

And to shew that the common people aswell as the chiefe Conspirators were acquainted with the maine plot in the cheife part thereof, it now ap­pears by very many examinations that on the twenty three of October 1641 the Rebels of Vlster, and in Leytrim, generally told the Protestants whom they robbed that the Castle of Dublin was taken, howsoever they for­merly concealed the plot on the thirtieth of October 1641. the Irish of the County of Longford next adjoyning to Meath, and Westmeath, began to murther and rob and spoile all the Brittish and Protestants among them, the Sheriff also of that County a prime man of the Farrels soone af­ter ioyned in the action, and on the second of November the Lords Justices and Counsell did write to Sir Iames Dillon uncle to the Lord of Costilo to imploy against those Rebels of Longford and others in Cavan 2000 men which he had gathered together under pretence to carry them into Spaine, he liked not of that motion, notwithstanding he had by former letters offe­red the service of those men, but soone after imployed them against your Majesty and your forces, notwithstanding he had lately at his owne suite received Arms and Ammunition for fifty men foote and horse, for his own defence. On the last day of October 1641 the towne of Dundalke in the County of Lowth in the Pale, wherein was a Company of the old Army, was yeilded up to the Rebels without stroke, and your Majesties Armes lost, against which neither Shane O Neale (with whom all the Irish of Vlster, and many other Irish ioyned) could prevaile by assault nor the Earle of Tyrone with all his strength, (being other wayes provided then Sir Phelomy O Neale both in numbers of trained men and armes) durst ever at­tempt it, seldome gayne a few Cattle from it, though he lay often within two miles of it, their faith then sufficiently arming them against the stoutest Rebels, and Drogheda had bin yeilded up within few dayes, had not Sir Henry Titchburne come thither about the fourth day of November, about that time also was the town of Atherdy in the County of Lowth so yeilded up to the rebells, before the end of October and about the beginning of No­vember 1641 many of the inferior inhabitants in the bordering parts of the County of Meath in the Pale, especially the inhabitants of Kells robbed and spoiled the Brittish and Protestants, with whom also some of the gentry ioyned, the rest looked on: about the same time also they did the same about Trym, in the heart of Meath in the County of Westmeath, also in the Pale, they did the same about the same time. Vpon the tenth day of November 1641 the Lord of Lowth having formerly received Commi­ssion from the Lords Justices and Counsell to command the forces in the County of Lowth, came and delivered up his Commission, pretending of­fence that Sir Christopher Bellew was ioyned with him in command, and soone after went into Rebellion: On the twelfth day of the same No­vember all the Irish of the County of Wickloe which adjoyned on the South side to the County of Dublin entred into open Rebellion and murthered robbed, and spoyled all the Brittish and Protestants in that County, burnt [Page 80]and pulled downe all their faire English buildings and preyed and robbed within two miles of the City of Dublin on the sixteenth day of the same November they surprised and forced your Majesties fort called Carisfort in the County of Wickloe. On the one and twentieth of the same November the Irish of the Counties of Wexford and Catherlagh entred into rebellion and ioyned with those of Wiikloe; they seized on the Lord Esmonds house and all other the late undertakers buildings in Wexford, and murthered, robbed and spoiled al the Brittish and Protestants, on the hither side of that County of Wexford, and spoiled the Brittish and Protestants in most parts of the County of Catherlagh. Before the fifteenth of November the Irish in some parts of the Queens County, and Kings County robbed and spoiled the Brittish and Protestants there, and defaced their houses, from which time forwards they proceeded to growt o great numbers robbing and spoiling the Brittish and Protestants wheresoever they came. On the twenty fourth of the same November all the old English and other in­habitants in the County of Lowth (one of the five shires in the Pale) ioy­ned with the Northern rebels in pen rebellion, and with them also ioyned the Sheriffe Iohn Bellew who was formerly sent into England privately in some negotiation concerning the Parliament of Ireland and returned thi­ther again in February 1640, many of the Inhabitants of that County had also formerly spoiled and robbed most of the Brittish and Protestants in that County of Lowth, and defaced their houses, which Country being full of old Castles was formerly defended against all Irish insurrections, and the Inhabitants might now easily have done the like, against those barbarous and raw men of Vlster, if the former confederacy had not wrought amongst them, and if their old fidelity had remained in them: about that time was Sir Phelomy Oneale made generall of the Catholique Armies, as they then called them in the Provinces of Vlster and Meath, a County of the Pale, On the same four and twentieth day of November 1641 was the house of the Lord Moore, called Mellifont three miles from Drogheda, surprised, and taken by those rebels and many men murthered there in cold, blood: About the same time also intelligence came from severall parts to the Lords Justices and Counsell that many more younger brothers and sonnes of the gentry and their servants and most of the inferior Inhabitants of the County of Meath beyond the river of Boyne and many on this side that river, and many in the County of Dublin on that side the County next Meath, had robbed and spoiled all the Brittish and Pro­testants amongst them, and many such acts were freely done within few miles of Dublin the prime gentry most of them Justices of the peace, looking on in all places and giving way to those hatefull actions, and no course taken to resist or represse any of those insolencies, notwith­standing the Commissions of government and of Marshall Law given to many of themselves as is before mentioned. [Page 77]On the 22 of the same November, great numbers of the Northerne Rebels, (having without touch passed the County of Lowth) shewed themselves on the North side of Drogheda: On the 26 and 27 of the same November, great number of the Northern Rebels were lodged in Slane, the Mansion of the Lord of Slane, in the heart of Meath, and possessed themselves of that bridge, the chiefe passage into the hither part of that County, and the County of Dublin: by examination it appeareth, that on the same 27 of November at night, the Lord of Gormanstons Groome was sent, and raised those Rebels out of their beds, to encountrr the six hundred Foot sent by the Lords Justices, and Councell towards Drogheda, for further strengthe­ning of that Towne, with whom the 28 day of the same November, the same Northern Rebells and others met and defeated the said six hundred men, neere Julianstowne (being undisciplined men newly aaised) and took their Armes; about the end of that November, great numbers of the Irish, and some of the old English of the Counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, and Catherlagh passed over in boates into the County of Waterford in Munster, and there committed murthers, and great spoiles and rapin on the Bri­tish and Protestants in that County, and sent over great numbers of Cat­tell, and other spoile, about the beginning of December 1641. And in part of November before, many of the inferiour Inhabitants, and some of the Gentry, made the like spoile of the British and Protestants in the County of Kildare: About the same time, very many of the old En­glish and Irish, were in rebellion about Rosse and Wexford, in the County of Wexford: Before this time also they had publike Masse in many Churches in the Counties of Meath and Dublin: And about the 27 of November aforesaid, the walled Towne of Trym, in the heart of Meath, was seized on by the Rebels, and many of your Majesties Subjects mur­thered there: About the beginning of that December, were the British and Protestants in the County of Kilkenny, robbed and spoiled by the Gentry, and Irish Inhabitants, Papists of that County: and in the same moneth, the Lord Mountgarret having drawne a strength of I­rish Armed into the City of Kilkenny, stood by, while the En­glish there dwelling, and such as came thither for safety were spoi­led and pillaged: On the 1 and 2 day of December aforesaid, the Northerne Rebells in great numbers were lodged and entertained in the strong Castle and Village of Platten in Meath, on this side the Boyne, about two miles from Drogheda, belonging to Nicholas Dar­cy Esquire: About the last of November, or the first of December aforesaid, the Northern Rebels, and those of the Lowth, and Meath in the Pale who assisted them, were set downe in Leaguer round a­bout Drogheda, on both sides the River; against whom the Inha­bitants of Meath or Dublin made no manner of resistance: About the 4 day of the same Dublin met with the Northerne Rebels at the Hill of Crofty al' Grofty, not farre from Drogheda; the manner of [Page 78]whose entercourse was this, the Lords and Gentry of the Pale, being on the said Hill of Crofty, the Northern Rebels lay in great numbers neere the Hill, and espying the said Lords & Gentry, some of the Northerne Com­manders came to them, thereupon the Lord of Gormanston in the Name of the Lords and Gentlemen, demanded of the Rebells wherefore they came in that hostile manner into the Pale, whereunto answer was made by Rowry O Moore (called a Colonell among the Rebels) in name of the rest, that they came for the free exercise of the Catholick Religion, to restore the King to his Prerogative, and to give the Subjects of Ireland the like freedome, as the Subjects of England had: thereupon the Lord of Gor­manston said if those were the true grounds of their warre, they (meaning the Lords and Gentry of the Pale) would joine with them; and so the said Lords and Gentry, and the said Rebels strooke hands. It is also testi­fied, that certaine dayes before this generall meeting, divers prime Gentry of Meath, and the chiefe Officers of the Rebels, had a meeting at Duleeke, on this side the Boyne in Meath; and that a few dayes after this meeting at Crofty aforesaid, all the Lords and Gentry of Meath, and divers of the Northerne Rebells had another meeting at the Hill of Taragh in Meath, where they determined on the maintenance of the Northerne Rebells, du­ring the Siege, and what provision of Beeves and Corne should bee raised on the Country, for every hundred of the said Rebels, which was done accordingly by their Warrants; the Sheriffe of that County called Ni­cholas Dowdall (who was with them in Rebellion) obeying them in all things. And soon after another meeting, the said Lords and Gentry made choice of new Generals of Foot and Horse, and other Officers of the Field, and Captaines in that County, and appointed who should be chiefe Com­manders in each Barony, and what number of men should bee raised and maintained out of each Plow land in that County of Meath, aswell to joine in the Siege, as to fight with any other your Majesties Armies, which were conceived to amount to two thousand men; whereas in six weekes before, at the instance of the Lords Justices, and Councell, they could or would not raise five hundred men for the defence of the County against the Rebells, which with seeming great forwardnessE they at first promised to doe; and for whom five hundred Armes with Munition an­swerable was appointed by the Lords Justices, and Councell, and the Armes sent as farre as Gormanston, and there kept till upon notice of the Rebells comming into the Countrey, the Lords Justices, and Coun­cell, suddenly convaied them to Drogheda, which the Lord of Gorman­ston pretends to be done by his monition: Though the truth is, the Lords Justices had that morning, before hee declared it, sent away to have it done that night, otherwise they had been taken, and hee thinking that the Lords Justices, and Councel could not so soon remove them, and presuming besides (in case they were so removed) to have them within a few dayes in Drogheda (whether hee moved they might bee convayed) by taking that Towne, whereof hee little doubted: About the beginning of No­vember [Page 79]aforesaid, Arms and Munition for three hundred men, were by the Lords, Justices, and Councell, delivered to three Captaines appointed for the Guard of the County of Kildare: And on the 2 of December a­foresaid, the whole Company of Mr. Nicholas White, eldest Sonne of Sir Nicholas White, did run away with their Armes to the Rebels, and so did the other two Captaines, and their Companies soon after, and then did the Gentry and Inhabitants of the said County of Kildare appoint Officers of the Field, and Captaines for the Catholique Army. All which par­ticulars are here specified, together with the times of each action (as many others might bee mentioned) to the end that it appearing in what ease the Pale, and other parts of Leinster stood, before the killing at Santry, and burning at Clantarfe, your Majestie may the more clearly see the vanity and malignity of the Confederates, in pretending to be terrified into Armes by those acts (which they well know were subsequent to their taking Armes) and by their other devised Provocations in England and Ire­land, no truer then the former. And it is observable, that in the begin­ning of the Remonstrance, they in expresse and plaine termes doe affirme that they at first, were necessitated to take Armes for preservation of their Religion, the maintenance of your Majesties Rights and Preroga­tives, and defence of their Lives, Estates, and Liberties, of the danger whereof there was not then so much as a shadow, beside their generall a­vowment of their acts in Ʋlster, in the beginning of the rebellion, as done by authority, which was most false, and so afterward acknowledged by them, and to the end it may appeare to all the world, that the Lords, Ju­stices, and Councell, did not draw your Majesties sword upon jealousies or presumptions, till the highest extremities, and acts committed com­pelled them, nor till the innumerable murthers, spoiles, and outrages comitted on the British and Protestants in so many places, without stop or restraint by any of the Lords or Gentry; nor till the horrid defamation of your Sacred Majestie, nor till it fully appeared, that all was done by Conspiracy and Designe, there being a wide difference betweene malicious designe and Profession to doe evill, and confession of acts done perhaps ne­cessitated, or by seducement.

And as to the Remonstrants unjust complaint of stopping Lieutenant Colonell Note that this Read is now Sir John Read, For hee being examined in Ireland, by the State there as a plotter of that Rebellion was after-ward sent over hi­ther, and com­mitted for High Treason; Who to escape his Condigne punishment, broke prison, went to Oxford and was there Knighted, and is now gone back into Ire­land Read, whom they say they imployed to your Majestie, with Re­monstrance of the state of their Affaires; The truth of the matter stands thus, In the foresaid moneth of December, foure Lords, and three Gentle­tlemen of the County of Meath, framed a Petition to your Majestie of some particulars concerning them, intending (as they told Lieutenant Colonell Read) to send him with it to your Majestie, but deferred it for that time, presuming on their strength, to winne their ends another way, and on the weake estate of your Majesties Forces to oppose.

And when severall times the said Lieutenant Collonell Read, moved them to bee sent away; They whiled it off (it is Reads own phrase) and the Lord Gormanston said that there would bee time enough for that matter, [Page 80]all which the said Lieutenant Collonell Read declared on his Examinati­on, after his comming to the Lords Justices and Councell in the begin­ding of March 1641. when hee delivered the draught of the Petition, a­mongst other papers, but did not say, hee was then sent by them, or desi­red to bee sent on that businesse: And to make this more manifest, the said Licutenant Collonell Read, on the tenth day of January 1641. wrote to the Lords Justices for their passe into England, not mentioning any imploy­ment from the Remonstrnats, or any of them, to whom their Lordships wrote that they desired to confer with him before his going into England, and wished him to repaire unto them, to the end they might conferre with him, and consider of his request, but hee would not come, nor any other wayes make known any other imployment or trust hee had for the said Remonstrant: By all which it is manifest, their abusive tax on the Lords Justices, and Councell, in stopping or hindering their Petition, by Lieu­tenant Collonell Read, or his pretended imployment for them. And for the racking of the said Lieutenant Collonell Read, it was not without pre­sident, it being for the discovery of things that might highly concern the safety of your Majesties Kingdom, and good people there.

To the tenth Article.

THe Lords Justices did never give any such direction to the Lord Presi­dent of Munster, Art. 10. as in this Article is most untruely offered, much lesse would they do it, while the Province stood quiet, the peace whereof they by all meanes sought to provide for, neither would hee have obeyed any such unrighteous and halfe command, himselfe being a Native of the King­dome, allyed amongst the old English and Irish, and in all things loving­ly affected to the people, so long as they by any means could bee contain­ed in duty, neither was hee provided wantonly to make a warre, being soon after driven to great extremity by their unprovoked disloyalty: True it is, that from the 23 of October 1641. till about the end of November following, that Province of Munster stood in appearance quiet, whereof hee from time to time advertized the Lords Justices, and Councell, and from them hee received severall expressions by many Letters, of their great joy and comfort to finde that people so well disposed: and as the Lord Pre­sident signified to them the constancy or merit of any particular person, the Lords Justices and Councell wrote Letters of thanks and incourage­ment to them, specially they wrote to the Lord of Muskery, (whom the said Lord President had used with all civility, trust, and respect from time to time) acknowledging his zeale in your Majesties service, and giving him thanks for it in your Majesties behalf, praying and requiring him to ap­ply himselfe to the Lord President, and bee advised and directed by him, for his own future good, and the safety of the Countrey; whose concur­rence if hee had continued loyall, as hee stood obliged by his severall cor­porall oathes, to the said Lord President, would have availed much to the generall peace: The same was done to others, both to the Nobility and [Page 81]Gentry of that Province, so farre was it from the Lords Justices to irri­tate, or grieve any of them with passionate or needlesse cruelty, neither was there any violence offered to any person of what profession, sex, age, or condition soever in all that time in that province. The Lord President rather blamed the Lords Justices and Councell for their milde course to­wards the Rebels of other parts, not thinking the Conspiracy to bee such as they found it, and thinking a sharpe persecution would soon quell it, wherein hee both mistook their generall combination (which hee after found) and the Lords Justices inability to set upon it with that vigour that had been requisite: The Lords Justices and Councell also sent him directions to authorize prime men in each County to Command the for­ces of the County, and sent him Commissions for martiall Law to bee gi­ven to men of quality of the Natives, and others of purpose to settle the peace of the Country, and prevent rebellion if it might bee.

The first occasion that necessitated him to use force, was about the begin­ning of December, 1641. when the Rebells of Wexford, Kilkenny, and Ka­therlagh came over the River, to prey and spoile in the County of Water­ford before mentioned, whither he made hast to encounter them, and whom, though he was farre inferiour in number, he discomfited, and slew many of them, and executed others, and recovered much of the spoile, which he caused to be restored to the owners: In this action he found ma­ny of his Provincialls, to whom hee suffered no hurt to bee done, suppo­sing they came thither for saving their goods, not then beleeving the Con­spiracy to bee such, as soon after hee found it. The second disturbance which hee heard of, was in the County of Tipperary, where Mr. Purcell, called the Baron of Loghmo, had stirred, and set on the Irish in great num­bers, to rob and spoile the British, and Protestants, which they arrogant­ly did; thither he went the ninth of December aforesaid, with such small forces of the English, as he then had (for hee then wrote he found cause to trust very few Papists) and there finding where the spoiles were made, he pursued therebels, and such as he found in the act, and the Protestants Cattle in their hands, he slew, and executed and burnt two or three Villa­ges, hoping by that quick course to stay and terrifie others; There hee re­scued great store of Cattle of all sorts to the owners; soon after did the Inhabitants of all sorts rise into rebellion in severall parts of the Provin­ces, and before the end of that December did all the Irish and Old English Papists in the County of Tipperary, and Limberick forsake their Allegiance, and with them joyned many prime men and others our of Ostery, and o­ther parts of Leinster, and murthered, spoiled and ransacked all the Eng­lish and Protestants upon these extremities; he had by warrant of the Lords Justices and Councell raised a thousand Foot and some Troopes of Horse, but wanted Armes for most of them, which the Lords Justices were not able to furnish (having delivered to the Lords and Gentry of the Pale, and others in Leinster for their defence, as many as possibly could be spared) so as he was in a very ill condition, till some forces arrived there out of England, [Page 82]which was in February, 1641. And then, and not before did the Lords Justices and Councell require the Lord President to prosecute those wil­full Rebels with fire and sword (as was fit) so farre as he was able: The Rebellion afterwards increased upon him in all parts, and when about the end of February he published and shewed to so many prime men as he could, your Majesties gracious Proclamation, under your Royall signature and Privie Signet, for laying downe Armes, they rejected it, some saying it was counterfeit, others, that it was done by coertion. By all which fully ap­peares, both that noble Gentlemans moderation, and the Lords Justices and Councels avoiding all unjust Provocation, at least that they were not set upon those wayes of unreasonable cruelty, unjustly charged on them by the Remonstrance, and that those Inhabitants were not forced to stand on their defence, his case being onely to defend himselfe against them if he could, which with great hazzard of himselfe, and your Maje­sties affaires in that Province he was driven unto, considering his weak­nesse in men, and other meanes, and their excessive numbers, rebelliously gathered together, and armed by a long Provision underhand, and furni­shed with the wealth of all the British, and Protestants, being very great in that Province, which they suddenly and traiterously seized upon. Touching Connaught the report must bee farre different from that of Mun­ster, although the Remonstrants say it was used in the like measure, which shewes that they are the same in bold affirmation, howsoever the probability or case differeth: When this Rebellion began, the Lord Presi­dent of that Province was in Dublin, and saw the moderate and winning course used, and intended towards those of the Pale and Leinster, by the Lords Justices and Councell, about the beginning of November following, hee went towards Connaught, where at his comming to Athlone, hee found much disorder in the Province, hee found very many of the inferiour Irish, and some of the Gentry in rebellion, in the Counties of Roscomon, and Sligo, and that they had murthered, robbed, and spoiled the British and Pro­testants dwelling among them; hee entred into a faire course of Treaty and perswasion with the prime men of the severall Counties not then in rebellion, presuming in some alliance, and former private friendship and interest amongst them, which prevailed little, as hee after found: Hee had no strength to resist them, there being but one Troope and a halfe of Horse (most Irish) in the Province, whereof hee could make little or no use: And six halfe Companies of Foot, whereof one was surprized, and lost their Armes, and one drawn away to Dublin, and the rest so disper­sed, and ingaged in Leytrim, then totally in Rebellion, as hee could make little or no use of them: by which appeares, hee was in no case to use cru­elty against the people, or put them to defence, nor so much as rescue the poore British and Protestants in their goods out of the hands of the ra­venous Rebelst neither were the Protestant Inhabitants of that Province any way able to defend themselves, being not armed, against such swarmes as assaulted them: The Lords Justices, and Councell sent down Commis­sions [Page 83]of government, to the prime Natives in the severall Counties, (viz.) to the Earle of Clanrickard, to the Lord of Mayo, Lord of Costilo, and others, and Commissions of Martiall Law to other Natives of best choyce, of purpose to prevent disturbance as much as might bee, and to stay the people: But so little prevailed all the Lord Presidents lenity, and swasory courses, and the care of the Lords Justices and Councell, to avoid any offence, or rigid usage towards them; as within the Moneth of De­cember, most of the prime men of the Province declared themselves Rebels and of the Conspiracy; They blocked him up in the Castle of Athlone by the helpe of the Conspirators of Westmeath, They burnt his Towne of Roscomon, and the Bishops Towne of Elphin, and many other English mens habitations, They surprized severall Castles of the Earle of Clonrickards, in the County of Galway; notwithstanding that on their surmise that they doubted they should not have the benefit of the graces, his Lordship wrote to your Majestie, and received assurance in their behalfes of the same, which he published, together with severall other Declarations of your Majesties. And so the Lord President continued in Athlone till your Majesties Lieutenant Generall of your Army, carryed downe 2000. foot, and some Troopes of horse: by all which appeares, that neither the Lords Justices, and Councell, nor the Lord President, nor any other in that Province did any thing to provoke them, much lesse to put them to de­fence, till they had murthered, robbed and spoyled all the Brittish and Protestants, and committed all other Rebellious and hostile Acts that lay within their lust or power.

To the eleventh Article.

IT is confessed that Parliaments have beene held in Ireland very many yeares, often for the benefit of the King, Art. 11. and the good people of the Kingdome. But how long Parliaments have beene held there, or whether with equall liberties, powers, and immunities with the Parliament of England, and how farre lawes made in England, may bind in Ireland, will best appeare in the Records, Rowles, and Authentick Presidents of both Kingdomes, and will be fittest for the dispute and judgement of such lear­ned in the Law, and other Antiquities, as your Majestie in your high wisedome shall appoint thereunto. Neither is it true that untrue sugge­stions and informations out of Ireland moved the Parliament of England to make such Lawes, as in this Article are mentioned, neither can it be con­ceived the words or intent of those Acts (if they have force in Ireland) doe ayme at or can reach unto any the lands or possessions of any your Majesties good Subjects in that Kingdome, but onely to the lands and rights of those that have most disloyally lifted up themselves against their most gracious Soveraigne Lord their lawfull and naturall King, and committed the most detestable treasons against your person, Crown, and Dignity, and the most sanguinolent, outragious, and abominable Acts, upon the persons and estates of your Majesties obedient, peaceable and [Page 84]innocent Subjects, so farre as possibly they could, that ever were read, or heard of, without provocation or the least motive; neither can those Acts in any respects be the occasion or grounds of those hideous perpetra­tions; Those Acts (in their first conception) being derived onely from fearefull rebellion raised by the Confederates and (long after the horrible Acts of that rebellion) by your Majestie and your Parliament advised of, and considered in England, as the most speedy and effectuall way to raise meanes for the releefe of the remnant of your Majesties miserable despoyled Subjects, ready every day to be swallowed up by the deluge of that uni­versall rebellion, and to maintaine some being in your Majesties just Sove­raingty, rights and interest in that Kingdome, wholly despised and troden under foot, by the Confederates, as before appeares: Neither can it be be­leeved that your Majestie was inforced thereunto, it being your owne cause, and the cause of your beloved and ever loving people; And if any losse should thereon happen to your Majestie (which is not beleeved) yet would your Majestie be largely recompenced, in setling those lands (ex­cept where your Majesty shall find cause to shew mercy) in the hands of a peaceable and faithfull people, who will not repine, or be slow to straine themselves every way to your Majesties profit and honour, who will be willingly taught, that rebellion is Treason, and so hate and abhorre it, and who will for ever free your Majestie and your posterity from those dangers, travels, and expences, which have in many ages lien heavy upon the Kings and Kingdome of England, by meanes of the undutifull behaviour and strange seducements of many of the Inhabitants of that Kingdome of Ireland, and for which your Majesties gracious and pious provision for your Majesties good people, both your Kingdomes will now, and in all suc­ceeding ages blesse and pray for your sacred Majestie, and your Royall posterity, and for ever acknowledge your Majesties rare piety and Princely goodnesse; Neither is there any truth in that malicious tra­ducement that your Majesties forces in Ireland disavowed any authority from your Majestie, all their authority and command being intirely derived from your Majestie and your immediate Ministers, and they wholly dis­claiming any other service, the contrary whereof could never be heard out of the mouthes of any of them.

To the twelfth Article.

IT is true that the Lords Justices and Councell in just and lawfull grounds, Artic. 12. and for great and weighty reasons of State for common safety, published severall Proclamations, as shall here appeare; but not with wicked intent or evill event, as in this Article is with malice insinu­ated. On the 23 of October 1641. when the houre approached, which was designed for surprizing your Majesties Castle of Dublin, great numbers of strangers were observed to come to towne in great parties severall wayes, who not finding admittance at the gates, stayed in the Suburbs and fields, and there grew numerous, to the terrour of the Inhabitants; Insomuch [Page 85]as the Magistrates of the City came to the Councell board, with much feare and astonishment, declaring that those mighty numbers in the fields and Suburbs, still increasing, did threaten high & present danger, in respect whereof, and considering the great numbers of desperate and loose per­sons, who were the night before, and that morning, stolne into the City and Suburbs, from severall parts of the Kingdome, who were secretly har­bored amongst the Papist Inhabitants; the Lords Justices, and Coun­cell first caused as many of them so harboured in town as could be readily found to be apprehended; and secondly, sought for the rest, considering also that in so sudden and great a distemper and confusion, something of extraordinary, was of necessity to bee done for terrour to disperse those multitudes, so to rid the Town of them, and to resettle in some degree the mindes of the terrifyed and distracted inhabitants; which the Lords Justices, and Councell, did chuse rather to do the same by some sharpe Pro­clamation, then by falling upon them by violence, which must needs have increased the tumult, and therefore the Lords Justices, and Councell, did then instantly publish a Proclamation in your Majesties Name, Comman­ding all persons not dwellers in the City or Suburbs, to depart within one houre after publishing by Proclamation, and that upon paine of death; This Proclamation did not so much as intend or aime at any known In­habitants of the Pale, or Countries adjacent, or any of known credit or good subsistence, neither did any such qualified persons then take the least ill apprehension thereat, but such of them as applyed themselves to the Lords Justices, were friendly entertained; on the 28 of the same Octo­ber, it being complained to the Lords Justices and Councell, by the Ma­gistrates of the City, that many like formerly qualifyed persons, as for­merly assembled to the terrour of the City, did still resort to the City and Suburbs, and others (notwithstanding the former Proclamation) did still lurk there, whose company they much feared, as threatning some sud­den violence.

The Lords Justices and Councell therefore on the same grounds as for­merly, did the second time by Proclamation command all such to depart forthwith on pain of death, and the like pain to such as wilfully harbou­red them; And that the Inhabitants should forthwith bring in the names of all such strangers, and the Officers to apprehend such Inhabitants as should further harbour them: which no way was intended towards men of quality, or known credit as aforesaid, neither did any of them stirre, or take any misapprehension at it: afterwards on the 11 of November fol­lowing, the Lords Justices and Councell having intelligence from severall parts, of the insolent proceeding of the Rebels, against the British and Protestants, in the borders of the Pale, (The Lords Justices and Coun­cell then not fearing disloyalty in the prime Inhabitants thereof) as in some other Counties adjacent, and finding that divers men of quality and countenance in the Countrey, and very many others, were then come into the City, whereby the Countrey was deprived of defence, and left o­pen [Page 86]to the rapine of the Rebels then in Armes; And considering that in the beginning of so great distractions, as then began to shew themselves in many parts, the inferiours might bee terrified, or disturbed in the ab­sence of the prime men, the Lords Justices and Councell therefore then, unanimously thought it necessary, and so did (for those reasons only, and in duty to their then present charge under your Majesty) on the said ele­venth day of November, Proclaime, and Command, on paines in the said Proclamation mentioned, That all persons not having necessary cause of residing in the said City, and the Suburbs thereof, or in places within two miles about the same (their said cause of residing to bee approved of by the Earle of Ormond, and Ossory, then your Majesties Lieutenant gene­rall of the Army and the Councell of warre, there for the time being, or such other persons as should bee by them appointed, for examination thereof) should within foure and twenty houres after publication of that Proclamation, repaire to their severall dwellings, in which Proclamation there are other Cautions, Prescripts, and reservations, which shew that no unfitting rigour was offered, or so much as intended. This Act of the Lords Justices, and Councell, did soon after appeare to agree with your Majesties Royall sense of that necessary retyring of such kind of men, in that time of danger and trouble in the Countrey, expressed in your gra­cious Letters, written to the Lords Justices in December after, concerning the proroguing of the Parliament; notwithstanding this Proclama­tion, such of the Parliament as were come to the Towne, and their retinues, and great numbers of others did continue in Towne many dayes after, and those of them that were Members of Parliament did sit, and many of the rest of the Lords and Gentry did remain in Town, as their occasions moved them, and did come and go at their pleasure, neither was there inforcement, or so much as menaces used to any man, that did not willingly go, or saw not good reason, on the said Publique warning to depart for the good of the Country and safety of their families and neigh­bours.

And it is observeable, that although that Proclamation did expressely provide for such to stay as having cause, and making the same known, would desire to stay, yet those of them that had a mind to joyn with the Rebels and did joyn with them, did chuse rather to depart, then to make use of the Liberty given them to stay, and yet now would seem to bee con­strained to depart, which shews apparently the vanity and untruth of that their subterfuge: and seeing the unnaturall conspiracy stands so dis­covered, as now it doth; it may not bee forgotten that within the space of five weekes after severall Gentlemen of the Pale, who had sojourned in Town, and intended so to doe that Winter, and some of them who had been dwelling in the City, (no way concerned by that Proclamation) and likewise some Citizens of good substance, as is above-mentioned, did free­ly depart the City with some of their substance of value, doubting the sud­den assault and taking of the City, which seemed to bee upon underhand [Page 87]intelligence, betweene them and those of the Pase, then beginning to shew their formerly secret Confederacy, till the discovery, whereof none of them had impediment or interruption by the Lords Justices and Coun­cell, or any command from them, to come and goe at their pleasure, nei­ther was there any pillaging all that while heard of in the City, or of any of these Gentry in the Countrey. It is most untrue, that after the said dis­covery (which was fully made immediately after the before mentioned rebellious Assembly at Swords) any of those that formerly departed out of Dublin, or any others of quality, in the Pale (except a few that continued loyall, who from time to time resorted to the Lords Justices and Councel, and were gladly entertained by them) did offer to returne, untill the Nor­therne forces, and the forces of the Pale were beaten from Drogbeda, and your Majesties Armies become full Masters of the field in all the parts of the Pale, and then the Lords Justices and Councell could not with their duty deale otherwise with them, then as is before mentioned.

Another Proclamation was published on the 28 of December, 1641. requiring all persons (other then such as had necessary causes to Dublin, such as the Lords Justices, or the said Lievtenant Generall of the Army, or the Governours of your Majesties forces in the City of Dublin should approve, and other then such as should bring provision to the City to be sold) should forbeare comming to the City or Suburbs thereof; This was done in time of high necessity. The Lords Justices, and Coun­cell seeing that none offered themselves to them openly, but hearing that divers, being now discovered Traitors, presuming on friends within did secretly come to the City, partly to furnish themselves, partly to eat up and exhaust our victuals, and partly to gaine intelligence, and under­stand in what case the City stood, which had been a most unwise and un­faithfull thing in the Lords Justices and Councel to permit, yet could it not be totally prevented, notwithstanding all their care & diligence; so great in­telligence had they amongst the Papist Inhabitants of the City. It is as un­true that any of those mens goods, who first departed the City, intended in this Article, or any other mans goods were pillaged, seized or confiscated, by warrant, command, or direction of the Lords Justices, neither were any mans goods so much as touched or laid hands upon, till a good time after the Lords, Gentry and Inhabitants of the Pale, and other Counties were publikely declared Rebels: Indeed afterwards the souldiers which came out of England, in times when they wanted pay did many unruly acts by pil­lage and otherwayes; But the Lords Justices, and Councell did labour to restraine such acts as much as possibly they could, which may well ap­peare by their severall Warrants and Proclamations against pillaging, and all other unwarranted violence, wherein they adventured so farre as to trench on the martiall part of government, rather then (so much as might any wayes lie in their power to prevent it) to suffer such disordered acts to be done, and which were declared to them would (and so did indeed) prove to be prejudiciall to themselves to have such lawlesse consumption made of [Page 88]of those things, which well ordered & taken from such persons, who had justly merited it, and orderly Warrants given for it, would long afford them subsistence, which restraint though it wrought little, yet procured great dislike in the Army to the Lords Justices, touching the Calumny of pillaging and burning the houses of persons of ranke and quality, im­ployed by the Lords Justices, who kept their houses and annoyed no body, and of others, having the protection of the State; It is most false that any such thing was done by the command or privity of the Lords Justices and Councell, neither (without the Councell) did the Lords Justices doe any manner of thing concerning the government; neither can it be conceived reasonable, that the Lords Justices and Councell should be answerable for the irregular acts of so unbridled and ill-paid an Army, who in those necessitous and extreamly disordered times would not be punished; Though the Confederates have no cause to complaine of their losses, it being but just vengeance on their wilfull and unprovo­ked rebellion: and for persons of ranke or quality employed, no such persons ever offered themselves, or were imployed by the Lords Justices, and Councell, except two of the County of Meath, who after they had joyned with the Northerne Rebels, wrote to the Lords Justices, that if they might have Commission to parly with the Rebels, they hoped to doe some good, for the quiet of the Countrey, which Commission the Lords Justices and Councell gave them; Although it after appeared, that it was sought by them, onely to gaine some colour of security, for those persons rebellious complying with the Rebels: However the Lords Justices, and Councell, sent them Commission as is before mentioned, being desirous to leave no meanes unassayed, that might give hope of any ceasing of ex­tremities, being then in very weake case to use that just force that was re­quisite to compell obedience, the British and Protestants being generally robbed and spoyled, as is before mentioned, and the City daily threatned, as well by those of the Pale, as other Rebels. To this Commission those men soone after made a very frivolous and scornfull returne, and indeed dealt most deceitfully in all things with the Lords Justices and Councell, seeming by letters to give them intelligence, which were no other, then either terrour and threatning of the Rebels, or publike Acts which they knew would come to their knowledge otherwise from the common fame, which will appeare in their Letters yet extant; yet were neither of these mens houses burnt at all, neither were their goods taken by any direction, or command of the Lords Justices; But being open Rebels, as the rest of that Countrey were, when your Majesties forces were of some strength, and when it was thought fit by the Lords Justices and Councell, and Commanders of the Army, to burne and spoyle that Countrey, to the end to disappoint the Rebels, and send them further off; the Army be­ing sent abroad, spoyled them, as it seemes, amongst the rest, and indeed burnt many other houses where the Rebels were releeved and harboured, and from whence they had opportunity daily to take Cattle (by sudden [Page 89]Roads) from the lands of Dublin, having spoyled and robbed all the British and Protestants round about it: And touching protected men, the Lords Justices and Councell gave very few Protections, finding by ancient and late experience, that course to turne onely to your Majesties disadvan­tage: It is true, that while the Natives inhabiting within few miles of Dublin, were permitted by the Rebels to live on their holdings, from whom the active Rebels had daily reliefe,

The Governour of Dublin gave passes to very many of them to bring corn and other Victualls to Dublin, for reliefe of the Towne, and so did the Captaines and Commanders of other Garisons of purpose to draw to the Market, what they could from the Rebels, which all (out of their Gari­sons, and their Limits) then were either in act, or full consent and com­bination, yet were none of those people pillaged or spoiled by any di­rection of the Lords Justices, and Councell, but all such things resisted by them, as farre as they could possibly do against an unpaid Army; neither did the Lords Justices, and Councell ever give direction, or any permissi­on to violate any word or writing of safety, given by them, or any Com­mander, or suffer it to be done, wheresoever they could withstand it. But after long forbearance of those wicked and evill disposed people, and it being found by daily experience, that under pretext of relieving the City, they carried Munition and other provisions out to the Rebells, and much more relieved them then the City; and by that meanes gave the Rebells much more ready way to annoy and rob the City: and that some seeming to labour at the Plow, had their weapons hidden neare them, and if any of the stragling Souldiers, or other British, or Protestants, ventured to passe by them, single, or in weake parties, they assaulted and murthered them; and that from those parts, the Lords Justices and Councell, or a­ny Commander of the Army, could not at any time receive any intelli­gence to discover where the Rebells haunted, or rested, though they dai­ly lived and passed among them; Then were the Lords Justices and Coun­cell necessitated, to disanull and revoke all those passes, and pretended pro­tections: and yet that was not done, but upon a fore-warning and time given, and that by publike Proclamation. And afterwards were the Army sent out (though with the great griefe of the Lords Justices and Councell) to burne and spoile those parts, which they well foresaw, must conclude in their own great distresse, as after it did, for want of promised provisi­ons out of this Kingdom; of all which their proceedings they from time to time advertised your Majesty by their letters to the then Lord Lieutenant, & your Majesties Secretary: Neither was any quarter though somtimes un­warrantably given ever violated by the Lords Justices and Councel, or with their privity; neither was any man killed, or his goods taken by any au­thority, because an Irish man, or a Roman Catholique, but because a wilfull Rebell: And indeed those disorderly pillagings lighted somtimes aswell on the British and Protestants, and some Romane Catholique In­habitants of the City and Suburbs, as upon the open Rebells: As to the [Page 90]Cities and Townes of Dublin, Drogheda, and the rest which were kept by your Majesties Garisons. It is true, they indured the trouble of unruly Souldiers, much against the hearts of the Lords Justices and Councell, but all their miseries, and the miseries of all other good men happened by occasion onely of the hatefull Conspiracy, and violent Rebellion of the Confederates, because they were under the English Government: The Confederates did use them worse, then the Egyptians did the Israelites, for they tooke away but the Straw, whereas these Confederates (besides the Innocent blood they have spilt) did not onely actually rob and spoile of their substance, them aswell Papists of the Cities, as Protestants in the Country, where they were able, but also, which was worse, having got­ten into their hands by way of trust, very great quantities of their sub­stance, partly in fore-knowledge of this Rebellion, and partly to answer their barbarous lavish expences, they by their Rebellion deprived them of it all, to the utter ruine of many of them, they not so much as (since the Cessation) yeelding them any reliefe, in their similate Councells, and judi­catories, though free Commerce granted.

And lastly, as to the murthers, breaches of publike faith and quarter, destruction and desolation in eighteen moneths (which by computation must be after the Conspiracy and actuall Rebellion fully discovered, and your Majesties Armies sent over) The assertion is most false and scanda­lous in all the parts thereof; For whatsoever killing or destruction was then executed on the Confederates and their Complices, having their Swords in their hands, in a most disloyall and irreligious action, was done in naturall defence, and in a course of just Warre, as a necessary chastise­ment, from a Gracious and Religious Prince, upon the unnaturalnesse of unfaithfull Rebells, After the Siege of Drogheda, the old English of the Pale be­ing forced into Vlster, they did vaunt that they had killed more English and Protestants in Fingall, then were killed in many other Counties. raging in all extremity against the Lives, Persons, and Estates of your innocent and obedient Subjects, neither did all that kil­ling and destruction amount to the tenth part of the murthers and de­structions, in neere foure moneths before, committed upon your Majesties Loyall and innocent Subjects, and that by sudden surprisall in open peace and cold blood, when they were no way able to make resistance, as is too apparent: But nothing could relish with the Confederates, as favouring of equity, except the Lords Justices and Councell would, in base feare, have treacherously delivered up to them your Majesties Prerogatives, Rights, and Soveraignty, their owne lives (for their substance and estates, they had before violently torne from them) and the lives of all the remaining wretched British and Protestants; the lives of many thousands of the same kind of men, and the whole substance of them, and the rest, being not sufficient to satiate the malice of the Confederates, against their lives, their thirst after their estates, and their hatred to the Protestant Religion, Bri­tish Nation, and English Government. And the indisposition of the Lords Justices to shed blood appeared in that above sixty persons, who amongst many hundreds came to surprize Dublin, were on the 23 of October, 1641. apprehended, none suffered death, fave one of Fermanagh, who as the [Page 91]Lord Magwire confessed was privy to the Plot; and many like instances there are of their great tendernesse in that point.

In the thirteenth Article,

THese confederates do further shew, Art. 13. that one main foundation of their Rebellion, is their hatred of all Law and good order; They cannot indure that the Parliament should sit, which is your Majesties highest fa­vour to your people, for the common good: Or that the Courts of Justice should sit, according to the ancient and laudable Laws of the Kingdom, by the benefit whereof they had for so many yeeres undeniably prospered, and advanced into that happy estate, which none of their ancestors ever saw, in that Kingdome, many of them innobled, and all of them inrich­ed, as doth well appeare in the Statute 11 Jacobi Cap. 1. But of all things it is and will bee for ever admirable, that they should challenge interest in the fundamentall Laws, which they have laboured by all their power and policy to pluck up by the rootes; And with a high hand have executed all manner of violations of those Laws, both against Prince and people, as doth well appeare in the forementioned Collections truely made, and by a publique Declaration of both Houses of Parliament, made the 17 of November 1641. That they should call themselves naturall and genuine members of the Parliament (which is an Assembly of Peace and Order) they having rent asunder, and cast from them all the bonds of humane society, peace and order, and that they should complaine of want of safe­ty, to come under that power, which they so wilfully renounced, having under it had full fruition of the happiest protection, and being that ever they or any of their Ancestors injoyed, whereof (under God) nothing could have deprived them, but their own inordinate rage and appetite: Can they imagine it reasonable, that because they will bee Rebels with­out cause or provocation, therefore your Majesty and your good people must neither have Parliament, nor Courts of Justice to sustaine and com­fort them? will nothing satisfie them but an intire concurrence of all your Majesties people in their confusions? And whereas they affect to vilify the members of the Parliament, doubtlesse they cannot but know that the Peeres are the same they were, when they were thought worthy to sit with them; And for the Commons, they are for the most part the same that sate with them, while they could bee capable of so honourable a trust, and were as active and able in the Service of your Majesty and Commonwealth as any of them, much more faithfull: And for such of these confederates as the wholesome Laws of the Land have cast out for their treasons and breach of Faith, both to God and man, there are by due order and electi­on, substituted in their places, men of Estate, for the most part, but all honest and legall men: They speake much in some of their Printes, of the Power and Priviledge of Parliament. Yet now, because their offences have made them unsit for such trust, they spurn at that Power, and cannot in­dure it in those faithfull men, whom the fundamentall Laws have appoin­ted [Page 92]unto it; Certainly, it is wonderfull, that those confederates should imagine, that by the highest treasons, murthers, robberies, faith-break­ings, betraying their peaceable Neighbours, and Friends, and utterly spoyling the whole British Nation and Protestants in that Kingdome, of their whole Estates, they should gain priviledge to speak evill of all man­ner of Authority, and to bee thought the onely good Governours of the Commonwealth, miserably distracted by themselves, and that not upon particular quarrels, or pretended grievances, which your Majesty could easily have redressed, whatsoever they could bee; but upon prepensed reso­lution and designe to extirpate all the British and Protestants.

If these bee the Liberties that they fight for, doubtlesse they are not ju­stifyable by the Laws of God or Man, but utterly inconsistent with the loyalty of Subjects to a Religious Monarch, now by the mercy of God granted to that Nation; They complaine of persons impeached in Par­liament, to bee dismissed by the Parliament now sitting; This wee con­ceive to bee a just act, they having fully answered their charge, and no crime appearing against them: And it is upon good reason believed, that the same was set on foote against those impeached Judges, rather out of dis-affection to the Government, and because they were observed carefull Servants to your Majesty, then out of any crime that could bee truely objected and proved against them. It is confessed that the Parliament, since the beginning of that Rebellion have made divers Orders, and Declara­tions for the advancement of your Majesties Service and the Publick good, and declaration of the Truth; and if there had been any Acts ready, which might have been good for the Kingdome, they might have beene passed with as much authority, as at any other time: neither can it appeare that ever the Protestants did, or ever offered to passe any Acts prejudiciall to your Majesty, or harmefull to the Nation, wherein themselves by Gods Providence were incorporated, both in habitation, alliance, and interest; Nay, rather their ill requited love to the Nation will appeare in that (as is before herein set down) they freely joyned as well in this Parliament, as in the last Parliament, and in that held in the Reigne of the blessed King James, to repeale all Acts that were offensive, or penall to the Nation. It is confessed that since the beginning of Hillary Terme, 1641. Termes have been kept in Dublin, as legally and justly they ought to bee, and in the Kings Bench many known Traytors and Rebels have been upon just and full evidence indicted, and many outlawed by a legall and due course, but no known faithfull Subjects were then indicted, nor ever intended to bee, neither were any Sheriffes appointed, but men of known-credit, and subsistence, competent for such a trust, as now the State of the Kingdome standeth, most of the Sheriffes formerly appointed, having openly joyn­ed in the conspiracy, and action of rebellion against your Majesty, your Government and Laws. And where these Remonstrants seeme offended, that Souldiers are members of the Parliament, and have been Jurors on those indictments, and some tryals, They should have considered, that [Page 93]their Rebellion forced many of those men to forsake their Estates, and undergoe that honourable profession, to stand in your Majesties just quar­rell against the Remonstrants, and to defend the residue of your Majesties distressed Subjects, and the Government and Laws of the Kingdom: Those Confederates well knowing, that many of those men had, and yet have full interests in as good estates as themselves; and aswell in point of In­terest, as other abilities of education, are as fit as any of them were to bee partakers of the best trust in the Common-wealth. And whereas they say that divers who came in upon protection and publick faith, were so tryed for their Lives and Estates; It is a most notorious untruth, and can onely befit the Remonstrants to averre, but can never gaine credit with any that know Ireland, or will duly weigh what is here before truely specified. And for their Protestation against the Parliament, and the Acts of it, and of other your Majesties Ministers, it can be of no better value. And for the Remonstrants desire, that your Majesty would bee graciously pleased to call a free Parliament in Ireland, in such convenient time, as your Majesty in your High Wisdome shall thinke fit, and the urgency of the present affaires of that Kingdome doth require; and that the said Par­liament bee held in an indifferent place, summoned by, and continued be­fore some Person or Persons, of Honour and Fortune, of approved faith to your Majesty, and acceptable to your people there: By this their desire, your Majesties Protestant Subjects doe evidently perceive, that the Remon­strants thereby intend the dissolving of that Parliament which your Ma­jestie hath now sitting, and which hath on weighty reasons been continu­ed thus long: and how dangerous this may prove to your Majestie, and your Majesties Protestant Subjects, they most humbly beseech your Maje­stie in your High Wisdome to judge.

First, they being Parties criminous, will gaine the acquitall of their owne ill done actions, and the management of the most weighty affaires of the Common-wealth, and wholly exclude your Majesties Protestant Sub­jects, who with all reall fidelity have served your Majesty this present Par­liament: and they seeme not willing to have any of your Majesties Prote­stant Subjects amongst them; assuring themselves that if any thing shall bee there propounded to the dishonour of God, the prejudice of your Maje­stie, or any of your good Subjects there, that your Majesties Protestant Subjects will stand in opposition to their intentions: The Remonstrants well knowing that by their cruell actions they have either murthered or banished most of your Majesties Freeholders, so as no votes are left either in Counties or Corporations, for the electing of your Majesties Protestant Subjects, by which they intend no other then a Parliament of Roman Ca­tholiques, who we doubt not will take care to vindicate themselves; And as for those of your Majesties Protestant Subjects, that these Remonstrants have left undestroyed by the Sword, they now desire to destroy, or banish them out of that Kingdome by colour of Justice; as may appeare by this following Oath, by them generally taken.

AND as for the place of holding the Parliament, your Majesties Pro­testant Subjects cannot imagine why the Remonstrants should desire any other place then Dublin, it being the place of the residence of the State, unlesse those Remonstrants would draw your Majesties Governours, and the remainder of your Majesties Protestant Subjects into some remote place where they might inforce them to comply with them in their desires; And your Majesties Protestant Subjects doe conceive that this present [Page 95]Parliament is continued before a person of honour and fortune; And by the repealing or suspending of Poyings Law, it plainly appeares that the Remonstrants desire to bereave your Majestie of the advice of your Privie Councels, both of England and Ireland.

It is not agreeable to reason that your Majesty, who is the head, should not be acquainted with the making of those Lawes which perhaps may bind your Majestie and Posterity, your Prerogatives and Revenues, yea, perhaps alter the whole frame of that your Government.

If this Law be suspended, they may repeale the Statute made in the se­cond of Queene Elizabeth, for restitution of Jurisdictions of the Crowne, in causes Ecclesiasticall, and the abolishing the Popes usurped Jurisdicti­ons out of that Kingdome, and all Lawes which doe concerne the wor­ship of God, or the jurisdiction Ecclesiasticall, whereby your Majesty will lose above the one moyty of your Regall Authority, and God be bereaved of his honour, and all good people be enforced to forsake that Kingdome.

It being most unreasonable at this time, for that would make themselves their owne Judges, and they being the parties criminous, should not one­ly have the power of their owne acquitall in their owne hands, but also of the condemnation of your Majesties British and Protestant Subjects, who persecuted them for their disloyalty against your Majestie.

It is also dangerous for that the Remonstrants have erected that Idoll of popular Government; We meane their Councels called the supreame Councels, Provinciall Councels, and County Councels, and all other their usurped judicatures, both by Sea and Land, which if they should settle by Parliament, they would thereby give countenance to their past actions, and for ever exclude the honourable and just Lawes of England, which for these 400. yeares have governed that people.

Also your Majestie is already intituled to a great part of that Kingdome by Attainder of many of the Remonstrants in this Rebellion, which by this meanes they will be sure to deprive your Majestie of; And so to disa­ble your Majestie to raise any yearely Revenue out of their lands, or to make your Majesties Protestant Subjects any satisfaction for their losses thereout.

This Statute was held so sacred and inviolable, that notwithstanding that the Committee from the Parliament made suite to your Majesty that an Act might passe for the further explanation of the same Statute, which your Majesty upon mature deliberation did not think fit to give way unto; And for the suspension made in the 11 year of Queen Elizabeth; It was with those cautions and restrictions, as can neither give expedition to the pre­sent affaires, or be applyed to these times or occasions.

And your Majesties Protestant Subjects doe humbly crave leave to in­forme your Majesty, that whereas by the late Articles of Cessation of Armes in Ireland, It was, amongst other things, agreed, That your Ma­jesties Protestant Subjects, and their adherents, should injoy all their severall possessions and quarters, as they stood the 15 of September 1643. [Page 96]at twelve of the clocke of the said day, without interruption of the said Confederate Roman Catholickes and their adherents; And that resti­tution should be made of any things taken after the said time, as may ap­peare by the said Articles; yet the said Confederate Roman Catholickes have since the said 15 of the said September, as well by fraud as by force of Arms, taken from divers of your Majesties Protestant Subjects, several holds and places of strength, and divers lands and goods, amounting to a very great value, and refuse to make restitution of the same, and have burnt and wasted many places, to the ruine of divers Families, and to the great terrour of your Majesties said Protestant Subjects.

And whereas also upon the Conclusion of the said Cessation, it was a­greed by the said Lord Viscount Muskery and others, on the behalfe of the said Confederate Roman Catholickes, that thirty thousand pounds should be paid by them at certaine dayes agreed upon, which was intended and declared, should be imployed to the maintenance of your Majesties Army, then much distressed for want of meanes, yet neverthelesse, although the times are long since expired, that the most part of the thirty thousand pounds should have been paid, the far greatest part thereof is detained, and what was paid was paid so unseasonably, as that your Majesties Army that relyed thereupon, have been reduced to very great extremities; and your Majesties Protestant Subjects forced to pay taxes and contributions to­wards their reliefe, farre above their ability: which failer of payment by the Remonstrants, your Majesties Revenues being in the hands of the con­federate Roman Catholikes, necessitated the souldiers to pillage and plun­der thousands of your Majesties good Subjects, to their utter ruine and de­struction, in manifest breach of their undertakings, and to the great dis­service of your Majestie.

And by these former and continued evill actions, knowne untruthes and scandalous aspersions cast on your Majestie, and your Royall govern­ment, and Protestant Subjects of that Kingdome, in their said Remon­strance, all men may judge that they intend nothing but the absolute ex­tirpation of your Majesties English government and Protestant Subjects there. All which your Majesties Protestant Subjects doe most humbly desire, may be redrest by your Sacred Majestie, for the continuation of your Majesties English Governours and government in that Kingdome, and for the encouragement of your Majesties loyall and obedient Protestant Subjects.