Ireland's Declaration: Being a Remonstrance of the Generality of the Good People of IRELAND.
WE need not insist much upon the so generally known Calamities of this deplored Island, by the want of, or fault in the regiment of our affairs in Church and State, since the deposing first, and after (we wish we could not say) murther of our lawfull and good King. Only, as we cannot but ascribe the past, present, and impending distractions in the three Nations, to the just judgment of God upon us in general for our Treasons and Rebellions against his Annointed: So (being truly sensible that this Nation was first in the wickednesse) we think it a duty impending us in particular, first to endeavour the expiation of those dreadfull crying sins of Rebellion and Murther, we stand so hainously guilty of, by doing penance in this sheet (being at present capable of bringing no better a Peace-offering) that so we who led others to wickednesse, may be likewise an example and inducement to their repentance. And therefore (though briefly) most seriously remonstrate.
I. That (having duly considered the present state of Affairs in the three Nations; The Confusion of Church and State; The Oppression of the People in general, by the Ambition and Avarice of some insatiable, aspiring persons that preside us; The continual slavery we have groaned under for these Nineteen years, and the visible and more dreadful Judgements of an angry God still impending, with the true Cause, and most probable Remedies for the averting Judgement, and healing our Divisions, (We do from our hearts and consciences disown, abhor, and deplore that wicked Murther committed upon the late King Charles under the specious pretences of Law and Conscience.
II. That we do disown, and will to the hazard of our lives and fortunes, oppose all Authorities whatsoever as usurp'd and sacrilegious, but that of King and Parliament, consisting of Lords and Commons, according to the ancient fundamental, Civil and Ecclesiastical, Laws of this Realm.
III. That we do heartily and absolutely own Charles H. Crowned King of Scots, to be rightfully, both by the Laws of God, and the three Nations, undoubted King of England, Scotland and Ireland; And that we hold our selves engaged by conscience, duty, and Allegiance, not only to the utmost of our power to defend him from the violence and treachery of his Enemies, but withall to endeavour his restauration to that Right and Enjoyment of the three Nations he is so unjustly debarr'd of, under these, or some other Qualifications of the like nature.
1. That he shall absolutely and without exception grant his gracious pardon in general to all and every of his and his Fathers enemies, as to life and Member, for all and all manner of matters and things acted or done in opposition to his Father or himself, before his establishment in the three Nations, be their offences or crimes of what nature soever.
2. That a reasonable respect be had to the Purchasers of Crown or Church-lands, so that they may not be damnified by the laying out of their purchase-money.
3. That all the Soldiers who serve under the Parliament in England, Scotland and Ireland, or elsewhere, may have speedy satisfaction for their Arrears by some way and means to be consider'd of, before the Kings Introduction, and to be specified in certain Articles to be tender'd him upon the same. That so as far as may be there may be an accommodation with all persons whatsoever.
And as we are fully perswaded that this is the only means under God left us for the healing our breaches and divisions in some measure, restoring Peace, Trade, and Plenty to this miserably distracted and almost undone Realm, rescuing the lost honour of these formerly so renowned Kingdoms from reproach and infamy among the neighbour Nations, and averting the so visibly revenging hand of God: so we do with all carnestness possible invite all those in England and Scotland, who have any spark of Religion, Conscience, Justice, Loyalty, Ingenuity, or common Honesty, to return with us to their Allegiance, which is the asserting of the Good old Cause indeed, which we first generally declared for, but have since been biassed by Ambition and Interest so much to Apostatize from.
Consented unto, and agreed upon by many thousands of the good people and honest Soldiers of the Kingdom of IRELAND.
Dublin Tuesday March 13. 1649.