WHen his Excellency marched from Dublin towards Munster, he left me intrusted with that Garrison, my selfe, and those left with me at that time being sicke: The first party that recovered were sent after the Army; to wit, about 800 Foot, and 200 Horse, which fought and beat the Enemy upon their march: Some more of those sicke men that were left recovering, and some recruits comming over. After I had surprised the strong Fort upon the Bog of Allin, and taken Castle-Martin in the County of Kildare, and placed a Garrison therein. About the latter end of December, marched with a party of 1000 Horse and Foot into the Island of Allin, and summoned Killmaog therein, but finding it not feazable to storme without Guns, I marched to Rabride and Ponsers Grange, and tooke them, and placed two strong Garrisons there, which did give me good footing in the County of Kildare, then sent a party and took Kildare, Hertwell, and Cotlingstowne, three usefull Garrisons in the said County; and provisions being spent returned back to Dublin, there endeavouring to get Guns, Mortar peeces, and other necessaries ready to draw forth againe with all possible speed; in the in­terim I received Propositions from the Governour and Officers in the strong Garrison and Fort of Ballisonan, the originall whereof, I here inclosed present you with all under their owne hands, which being by me utterly rejected.

I marched upon Tuesday the 26 of Feb. with a party of 2000 Foot, and 1000 Horse, towards the County of Kildare, and took with me one Culverin, and one Demi-culverin, and one Mortar-piece, the Enemy fired their Garrisons of Fort of Lease, Blackreath, & the forementioned Castle of Kilmaog in the Island of Allin; but I shall easily make it te­nable againe, it being very usefull for your service, they also did blow up the Castle of Athy, where they had a strong Garrison, and broke up the Bridge. Upon the 28 Feb. I marched from the Naas, and about four a clock with the Van of the party, I came to Bellisonan a strong Garrison, double Works, and double moted, full of water one within another, and amount with a Fort upon it, most of the Officers with me esteeming the taking of it to be unfeazable, it being late, and I unwilling to lose time, did send in a Summons, a copy whereof is here inclosed, & the inclosed answer under the Governours hand was presently returned, & the Town which was without his Works by him burned that night, I caused a Bat­tery to be made and planted the Artillery, and made a Fort for the secu­rity therof, having intelligence that the Lord of Castlehaven, with 4000 [Page 2]Horse and Foot would come to raise me within two dayes, in which Fort I could secure the Guns and batter their Works, w [...]i [...] [...] to fight the Enemy if need were, we played our Guns and Morter-peece at the Fort upon the Mount, intending before night to [...]orme it, ha­ving Ladders, and all necessaries ready, but before any breach was made, the Governour did send me a paper which is here inclosed, where­unto the inclosed answer was returned, and he treated with me about the surrender, which was concluded accordingly. The Articles s [...] with both our hands herewith, is represented unto you.

And now Sir, you have without the losse of one man this strong place, and thereby most of the County of Kildare; those Garrison [...] in this County yet remaining, as Castle Dormount, and Kilkenny, with others, I hope you shall have a good account thereof speedily from,

I Am now marching the Army to reduce that place you possesse unto the obedience of the Parliament of England, and it being apparent to the world that God is making inquisition in Ireland for innocent blood, how farre you and those with you may be concerned therein, I shall observe by your Answer hereunto.

These are to require you to deliver that place you now possesse, unto me for the end aforesaid: whatsoever your return hereunto may be and the effect thereof, my Summons will justifie the future proceedings of

I Am now in possession in this place by authority from my King, how you may demand it by authority from the Parliament of England, I know not: England denying their King, therefore your power I disobey: And for God, my King, and Country, will defend this place to the uttermost of my power,

BLood I doe not thirst after, yet so far a Souldier, as not to neglect present opportunity, I shall for the end in your Letter mentioned, send Captaine Hewson according to your desire, provided you send one or two fully Authorised to treat and conclude, and all to be concluded within halfe an houre, provided also you doe not worke at all to re­paire what my Guns, and Morter peece have demolished; and to that [Page 4]end that Cap. Hewson may rem [...]i [...]e in the Mount duri [...] that halfe houre. Sir, I shall be glad if your wisdome prevent what ot [...]er [...] avoidably will fall out, though not desired by.

TO avoyd the confusion of Christian blood we sent out a Drum [...]o demand a Parley, my desire for the reasons afor [...]said is, th [...] yo [...] send in a Captaine of your [...] to tr [...]t with us, and we will send forth a Captaine of ours, who shall demand no more but what is honourable and just, and so Sir, I conclude;

UPon the sixth instant, (information being given that five Compa­nies of the Enemies Foot were come to Poores Court about eight miles from hence, on Wickloe side) a Party was sent from this place under the command of Sir Theophilus Iones to beat them our, or fight them, but before our Party got thither they demolisht all the buil­dings, they pull'd down the very walls, and fled away into the woods; we cannot keep any Garrison there, because there is no manner of shelter for our men there.

The tenth instant, Letters from Sir Charles Coote (then at Belfast) brought the newes of reducing Castle Dooe.

There was lately a generall Counsell of the Clergy at Kilkenny, who treated upon Propositions presented amongst themselves for carrying on of the War.

The Plague continues in Galway, where there hath neare twenty thousand dyed since, the first of August last; most of their Gentry there have perisht by it, among the rest Ieffery Browne, heretofore a Practiser at Law in England, Sir Richard Blague, both prime actors, and chiefe in the supreame Counsell, with many others of their most eminent contrivers of the Rebellion are dead.

Ormond was lately at Portumny with the Earle of Clanrickard in Conaught.

On Wednesday last, Captaine Molineux arrived here from Wexford, who brings the newes of our taking the Fort of Bally-haoke, over a­gainst Passage upon the River of Waterford, so that all trading by Sea to Waterford is wholly stopt up; besides, there is a very great feare and jealousie, between the Townes-men of Waterford, and the Souldi­ers there who are of the Northerne Irish.

We have certaine newes from Munster, that my Lord Lievtenant hath been in the Field this good while, and hath taken Cashell and Callan (the latter being within six miles of Kilkenny) with severall other considerable Garrisons of the Rebbels about those parts, and now about if not in Clonmell.

The Plague is very hot in Kilkenny.

The Toryes have behaved themselves so barbarously towards those of their owne Party, that the Fryers and Priests have excommunica­ted them.

The Governour on Tuesday last marcht into the County of Kildare, and we hourely expect an accompt of the reducing of severall conside­rable Garrisons thereabout; great Guns are this day sent from hence unto him, the extreame wants of accommodations of all kinds for our men will I feare weaken our Army, and impede the present carry­ing, [Page 6]on of the service in the neglect of this opportunity now the [...]nemy is disperst and distracted, and a small matter will now effect that which a farre greater will not hereafter; I have not else to trouble your Ho­nour, but humbly crave leave to rest, Sir;

IT hath pleased God exceedingly to blesse our Forces in th [...] p [...]ce, in their late march into the County of Kildare, where they have t [...]ken in the Fort and Castle of Bellesonan by surrender, suprized Athy, being a Passe upon the Barrow, and a place of very great concernment, both for the enlarging of our Quarters, investing the enemy, and securing a passe to joyne with my Lord if occasion require. In all which t [...]e Go [...]erno [...]r hath placed Garrisons; as also in K [...]e being the Castle of the [...]e of Allen, which the enemy had burnt and indeavoured to have [...]ed, upon the rumour of his advance from hence; but the workes are now rep [...] ­red and made tenable by ours.

Upon Saturday last he returned againe hither to Du [...] havin [...] [...] Forces in the outquarters about the Na [...], but intends anot [...]er speedy m [...]rch if accommodations may be by any meanes provided.

Our Forces about Wexford have recovered the Castle of I [...] which was yeelded unto them, And have taken Brown-wooll by Mort [...]r▪ [...]ll with­in the latter were put to the sword.

Col: Treavour hath by expresse sent his resolution to [...]t the [...] and hath leave from the Governour to come into our Quarters, an [...] to stay untill my Lords pleasure be further known.

I have not else to trouble your Honour but humbly rema [...]e,

Imprimatur.