House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 15 October 1646

Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 8, 1645-1647. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1767-1830.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 15 October 1646', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 8, 1645-1647, (London, 1767-1830) pp. 522-529. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol8/pp522-529 [accessed 24 March 2024]

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

In this section

DIE Jovis, 15 die Octobris.

PRAYERS, by

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Comes Kente.
Comes Sarum.
Comes Midd.
Comes Stamford.
Comes Warwicke.
Comes Lyncolne.
Comes Nottingham.
Comes Suffolke.
Ds. Grey.
Ds. Wharton.
Ds. North.
Ds. Dacres.
Ds. Hunsden.
Ds. Howard.

Preacher at the Fast.

Ordered, That Mr. Arrowsmith is excused from preaching the next Fast before the Lords; and Mr. Bridge is appointed to preach in his Place.

Next, the Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning Ireland, was read:

Letter from the E. of Ormond and the Council of Ireland to the King, and another to the L. Mayor of London.

"Die Mercurii, 14 Die Octobris, 1646.

At a Committee of Lords and Commons, at Derby House.

"Ordered, That it be reported to both Houses, That Sir Gherrard Lowther, Sir Francis Willoughby, and Sir Paul Davis, employed from the Earl of Ormond and others at Dublin, informed this Committee of a Letter sent by the Earl of Ormond and the rest, by the Lord Moore, to the King; and, left that should miscarry, they had a Duplicate (a Copy whereof they delivered to this Committee), which they were directed to deliver to the Scotts Commissioners to be sent.

"Ordered, That a Copy of the said Letter be reported to both Houses; and to desire to know their Pleasure concerning the Delivery thereof.

"Ordered, That a Copy of a Letter sent from the Earl of Ormond and others at Dublyn, by Sir Gherard Lowther, Sir Francis Willoughby, and Sir Paul Davis, to the Lord Mayor of London, be reported to both Houses; and to desire to know their Pleasure concerning the Delivery thereof.

"Gualter Frost, Secretary."

Next, was read a Copy of a Letter of the Earl of Ormond to the King. (Here enter it.)

Next, was read the Propositions of the Earl of Ormond and the Council of Ireland. (Here enter it.)

Propositions from the E. of Ormond & al.

Die Mercurii, 14 Die Octobris, 1646.

At the Committee of Lords and Commons at Darby House.

"That the Propositions and Instructions from the Earl of Ormond and others at Dublyn be reported to both Houses; and that when the Houses shall have resolved which of the Ways they will take, that they will be pleased, in respect of Secrecy and Expedition, to refer it to such a Committee as they shall think fit, that may have Power to give Instructions to such as they shall employ for the Pursuance and Transactions of that Affair, as they shall judge best for the Public Service.

"Gualter Frost, Secretary."

Letter from the Scots Commissioners, concerning some of their Papers seized by the H. C.

The Speaker acquainted this House with a Letter from the Scotts Commissioners, which was read; and some Papers of their Speeches seized by Order of the House of Commons in the Press.

And it is Ordered, That Answer should be returned them, "That nothing is depending in this House concerning this Business, so as this House can take any Notice of it."

Message from the H. C. with the Propositions, &c. from the E. of Ormond;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Pierrepont, &c. who was commanded to deliver to their Lordships the Instructions and Propositions from the Earl of Ormond, &c.

2. That, upon Consideration of this Business, they have made some Votes, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence:

and with Votes upon them.

"1. The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do Declare, That they resolve to proceed upon the Second Way of Overture made by the Earl of Ormond; and will appoint some Way of treating with him for his Retirement, and will employ such as they shall think fit in the Trust of that Kingdom."

Agreed to this Vote.

"2. That the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do Declare, That they will not admit of the sending of this Letter from the Earl of Ormond and others of the Council of Dublyn to the King.

"3. The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do Declare, That they will not admit of the Delivery of this Letter from the Earl of Ormond and others of the Council at Dublyn to the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

"4. Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the whole Affair concerning Ireland, in respect of the Secrecy and Expedition thereunto necessary, be referred back to the former Committee; and the Committee hath Power to give Instructions to such as they shall employ for the Pursuance and Transaction of that Affair, and to order the Forces that shall go thither, and to dispose of the Ammunition and other Provisions for the Service of Ireland, as they shall judge best for the Public Service; and are to meet this Afternoon, and so from Time to Time as they shall see Cause."

Agreed to with the House of Commons.

Propositions, &c. from the E. of Ormond and others.

The Instructions were read. (Here enter them.)

Next, the additional Instructions to Sir Gherrard Lowther, were read. (Here enter them.)

Next, the verbal Instruction, put in Writing, was read. (Here enter it.)

Next, the Proposition made by Sir Gherrard Lowther, was read. (Here enter.)

Letter from them, to the L. Mayor.

Next, the Copy of the Letter written by the Earl of Ormond and Council of Ireland to the Lord Mayor and City of London, was read. (Here enter it.)

The Answer returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That this House agrees to the First and the last Vote: As to the other Two Votes concerning the Two Letters, their Lordships will send them an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message from the H.C. with Ordinances.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Henry Pelham, &c.

To desire Concurrence in divers Ordinances.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will take the Particulars of this Message into Consideration, and will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Alderman Fowkes and the E. I. Co.

Ordered, That the Cause between Alderman Foukes and India Company is put off till Monday Morning next.

Instructions from the E. of Ormond and Council at Dublin, to Sir Gerrard Lowther & al. Commissioners from them, to the Two Houses here.

"Instructions agreed on by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, to be observed by our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Gerrard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Sir Francis Willoughby Knight Serjeant Major General of the Army, and our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Paule Davis Knight Clerk of the Council.

"1. You are to declare, That we conceive that a Distinction is to be made, in the Prosecution of the War, between those who have been carried away in the Torrent contrary to their own Disposition, and the bloody Actors and Contrivers of the Rebellion; and that the Forfeitures of such may be sufficient to give Satisfaction to the Adventurers, though the more innocent be received to Mercy.

"2. If the making of a Peace be objected, you are to declare, That, if the Peace had not been made at that Time, the Protestant Party in Dublin, and all the Garrisons under the Lord Lieutenant's Command, had been lost. And if here it be objected that the Peace made is as no Peace, seeing it is rejected by the Rebels, and yet the said Protestant Party and Garrisons are not yet lost; you are in such Case to answer, That, at the Time the Peace was made, the Rebels were then unanimously united as One Man, so as, if no Peace had been then made, they then, so united, were ready prepared, and might have fallen upon us in our weak and destitute Condition, and so might easily have swallowed us up, and doubtless would have done, if the Peace had not interposed; but the Peace being made, prevented that Mischief, which, as it did immediately dissolve the Frame and Model of Government under Countenance whereof they guided and governed all their Affairs, so it occasioned a Division amongst them, some standing for the Peace, and some against it, whence they were put to new Councils, wherein the Division amongst them (their Government being dissolved) so interrupted their Councils, as they could not readily and speedily unite, and so take a Resolution; which hath hitherto preserved us: But yet their Recruiting is by this Time so far advanced as there is (fn. 1) no great Cause to doubt that they will now immediately fall upon us, if by the Mercy of God (in timely Succours sent us) it be not prevented.

"3. That, before the Peace was concluded, Application was made to the Parliament Commissioners in Ulster, and the Business so far advanced towards a Treaty, as that Propositions were prepared, and Agents ready to be sent into Ulster; but that, upon the Lord Marquis of Argile's sudden going into Scotland, and Sir Robert King's Departure into England, the rest of the Commissioners who remained in the Kingdom did signify by their Letters, a Copy whereof is now delivered to you, that they could not proceed in the Treaty for Want of a sufficient Number; so as, that Treaty being disappointed, and the Scotts under Major General Monroe's Command (from whom we might have expected Help) being overthrown by Owen O'Neale, and the Irish refusing to make any further Cessation, the Lord Lieutenant was necessitated to make a Peace. And here if it be objected, that the Articles of Peace being dated the 28th of March, and the Lord Lieutenant's Letters dated the Ninth of April, seem to be contrary one to another; that seeming Contradiction you may clear, by declaring, that, although the Articles of Peace are dated the 28th of March, yet they were then deposited as an Escroll, until certain other Conditions then agreed on were performed by the Rebels, which were to be performed by them by the First of April; and as soon as the Lord Lieutenant understood of their Failure in performing that Condition, he then immediately sent away that Letter of the Ninth of April.

"4. No Prejudice, but (fn. 2) much Advantage, is to come to the Crown of England by this Peace; for by the Refusal of the Peace, the Unfaithfulness and Treachery of those that refused the Peace is the more manifestly discovered, His Majesty clearly disengaged, and what shall be resolved against them may be prosecuted with much more Honour and Justice.

"5. If the Covenant be pressed to be taken, you are to desire that Care may be had in the First Place of preserving the Kingdom, and that we may not be pressed to the Covenant until it be warranted by Act of Parliament; and, Secondly, desire, that nothing be at this Time pressed which may give Occasion of Division amongst the Protestant Party, or divert them from a joint and chearful Prosecution of the War against the Rebels, which the pressing of the Covenant at this Time will infallibly do.

"6. If the suppressing of the Book of Common Prayer be pressed, you may offer the same Considerations concerning that as formerly concerning the Covenant; yet with this Addition, That in case any shall desire the Use of the Directory here, that the Use thereof be permitted them.

"7. You are to be careful, by all possible Means, to clear the Fame and Reputation of all His Majesty's Servants here; and to endeavour to take away all malicious Scandals raised there against them, or any of them.

"8. Whereas, amongst the Propositions now sent with you, there is One to this Purpose, "That there being some here, who for some Time (some before and some after the Cessation began, but never joining with the Rebels here), went from hence to serve His Majesty in England, and are now here, and may be useful and active Instruments in this War against the Irish Rebels;" we, by the said Proposition, move, "That all such be preserved in their Persons, Estates, and Employments:" As it is our Pleasure that you labour earnestly to obtain the Desire of that Proposition; so, on the other Side, in case you cannot obtain it, it is our Pleasure that you labour to obtain Time and Licence for them, either to repair thither to compound for themselves, or otherwise to be transported with their Goods from hence where they shall think fit.

"9. That you move, That it be immediately signified by the Parliament, to Chester, Bristoll, Leverpoole, Milford, White-haven, and to all other Ports of England and Dominion of Wales, and also to all the Ports of Scotland, and likewise to The Low Countryes, That full and absolute Freedom of Trade, Traffic, and Commerce, is admitted, to and from Dublin, Drogheda, Dundalke, and Carlingford.

"10. That like Signification be made to all the Shipping in the Service of the Parliament; with further Direction to them, That Three or Four Ships of War of good Force be forthwith sent hither, to guard these Coasts, to countenance Trade and Traffic hither, and from hence to encounter the Rebels Ships, which they have in Readiness to infest these Coasts, and interrupt all Trade here, and to block up this Harbour, so to hinder all Intercourse between us and England when the Rebels besiege this Place, which is conceived will be very speedily; and that those Shipping have it in Charge, to obey such Directions as, for answering any sudden and extraordinary Occasion, either for speedy Intelligence into England or otherwise for the Public Service, they shall receive from us the Lord Lieutenant.

"11. That, with all Speed, Magazines of Arms, Ammunitions, and Victuals, and Oats for Horses, be prepared, at Chester and Leverpoole, and other convenient Places furnished with Provisions, to be transported hither from Time to Time, to answer the Public Service.

"12. You are to signify, That, if the Succours mentioned in our Propositions come not hither speedily, this City, the most important Piece of the Kingdom, will be lost, and with it the Province of Lemster immediately, and in Honour and Reputation the whole Kingdom; and Thousands of Brittish and Irish Protestants in Lemster will be then utterly destroyed, and the Residue in the other Three Provinces exceedingly endangered.

"13. You are also to make known there, That, if the Kingdom be once lost, it will (besides the Dishonour thereof to the English Nation) cost much more English Blood and Treasure to recover it, than now to keep it; and the Recovery of it will be now a more difficult and chargeable Work than at the First Conquest of it, or in any Age from that Time to this; their Condition now being much otherwise than in those former Times, for they are now possessed of most all the Cities, and Inland Towns, and Sea Ports, and Places of Strength, in the Kingdom; those Cities and Towns are much more peopled and stronger built than in former Times; they have, by long Conversation with the English, gained Civility, and the Knowledge of Trade, Traffic, and Commerce with Foreign Nations; they now drive a constant Trade with France, Spaine, and Flanders, where they hold continual Intelligence and Correspondence, and whence they are continually supplied with Arms and Ammunition, and all other needful Provisions; they have plentiful Magazines of Arms, Munition, Artillery, and other Provisions of War; their Men are now armed, disciplined, and exercised, in the Use of their Arms; they have amongst them divers of the meer Irish and others, bred abroad for many Years in the Condition of Soldiers, and now residing here, who are ready and expert Commanders; that Owen Roe O'Neale, by Direction of the Pope's Nuncio, hath raised an Army, now in the Field, consisting, as we are credibly informed, of Ten Thousand Foot and One Thousand Five Hundred Horse, which Army he commands as General, and they are daily increasing in Number; that his Men are heartened and emboldened with their Victories and Successes, and particularly that against the Scotts; that, besides all these, they now cover their Rebellion under the Pretence of Religion, which mainly strengtheneth their Party at Home, and gains them frequent Intelligence, Correspondence, Assistance, and Encouragement, from Abroad; that all those Cities and Towns now joined with the Rebels, and all the English Pale, and many others in all Parts of the Kingdom of English Extraction, and some even of the meer Irish, were in the former Rebellions here joined with the Crown of England, which did much facilitate the Service of the Crown here: By all which, it is manifest that the Difficulties now to be here contended with are much greater than in the Times of former Rebellions here, which will now exceedingly difficult and lengthen the Work, and necessitate beyond all former Times, as is herein formerly mentioned, the vast Expence of English Blood and Treasure.

"14. That you signify there, That, if we be shortened so in Means as we cannot be able to pay our Men constantly, the Common Soldiers will for the most part forsake us, and run to the Rebels, where, by the Spoils of the People here, and for the Treasure of the King of Spaine and the Pope, they will have large and constant Pay; and even for this Reason it is necessary that the Means they send us forth of England may enable us to pay and cloath the Soldiers now in List here equally with those Men which shall be sent us forth of England; for if one Part of the Army here be better paid, cloathed, or provided for, than another, it will occasion much Discontent, Division, and Mutiny, and drive many from us to partake with the Rebels.

"15. That, if it be objected that something might arise here out of the Weekly Contribution and Excise, estimated at Two Hundred Fourscore and Ten Pounds Weekly, towards easing the Charge of the Army; you are to declare, That we desire to make Use thereof towards the Relief of the Officers and Ministers of the Crown of the Civil List, and the distressed and dispoiled Protestant Bishops and Clergy, and other distressed and dispoiled Protestants here, who must otherwise unavoidably perish.

"16. That Directions do issue to the Forces in Munster, Ulster, and Connaght, to hold Intelligence and Correspondence with us; and that we and they may unanimously join in the Public Service.

"17. If it be denied you to send us the Forces we move for in our Propositions without sending Officers with them, and that it shall be offered you to send those Forces hither with their own Officers; in such case, you are not to decline that their Offer: But then you are to move and to labour earnestly therein, that, in that case, there be sent us so much more Money, over and above the said Sums we move for, as may be sufficient to pay the Officers here equally with the others, so to prevent the Emulalations and Divisions in the Army which must otherwise follow.

"18. And whereas Sir Francis Butler Knight, Colonel Richard Gibson, Colonel Henry Warren, Colonel George Monke, and Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs, Persons who were employed in this War, are now Prisoners at London, and, in respect of their former Knowledge of this Kingdom, may be very useful in the Service here; it is our Pleasure, That you endeavour, if you may, the Procurement of their Enlargement.

"These in present are the Instructions we now give you; yet these are not in Exclusion of such further Instructions and Directions as we shall send to you: And because some new Things may occur there, which we cannot now foresee here, and therefore cannot in present give Direction therein; and for that perhaps it may be necessary, for the Advantage of the Public Service here, in some Cases to vary from some of the express Directions contained in these Instructions: We, therefore, reposing great Confidence in your Judgements, Uprightness, and Integrity, do hereby Declare, That we do not so positively bind you to the strict Observation of these our Instructions, but that we are pleased, in all those Cases, to leave it to your Judgements and Discretions to do therein that which you in your Judgements shall find to be agreeable to Honour, Conscience, Justice, and Reason, and conducing to the Advantage of the Public Service here.

"You are to Declare, That, if Men be sent Us without Money to pay them, and Victuals to feed them, they cannot be received here; for they would be such a Burthen to this Place as we should in such Case be devoured by our Wants, no less than by the Sword of the Enemy.

"In case you be demanded, whether or no you have any Instructions or Authority to recede from any Part of the Propositions, or how far, or to that Purpose; you are therein first humbly to desire to be excused in that Particular, and to endeavour as much as in you lies not to discover your Instructions: And if you find that that Answer gives not Satisfaction, then you are humbly to desire to know, whether or no the Parliament will send us any Succours unless you shew or declare to them all the Instructions you have: And if both or either of the Houses of Parliament shall declare to you that they will not send any Succours to us unless you shew them, or acquaint them with your Instructions, then, and in such Case, you are to shew them, or whom they shall appoint, all the Instructions you have.

"You are to Declare, That, if the Parliament will resolve to relieve us, it is of absolute Necessity that the Supplies of Men, Money, Arms, and Ammunition, mentioned in our Propositions, be hastened away immediately, for our present Relief, so to preserve this Place, and enable us to live to expect further Succours. And you are to Declare, That if, as speedily as possibly may be after your coming to London, you shall not advertise us that those Things are in the Way hither, or at least a considerable Proportion of Money and Ammunition, and probable Hope of the rest speedily after, that then we must take it for granted that our Propositions are rejected there; and so we shall be necessiated to think of some other Course for preserving ourselves, as by the Laws of God and Nature becomes Christians.

26 Sept. 1646.

"Subscribitur,

"Ormond

"Ri. Bolton, Canc. Roscomon.

Arthur Chichester.

George Cloyne. Cha. Lambart.

"Henry Tychborne. Tho. Lucas. Rob't Fort.

"Ja. Ware."

Instructions to them from the Council, in Behalf of the E. of Ormond.

"Instructions agreed on by the Council of Ireland, to be observed by Sir Gerrard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, Sir Francis Willoughby Knight Serjeant Major General of the Army, and Sir Paule Davis Knight Clerk of the Council.

"You are to make it evident that the Rebellion of Ireland will be suppressed, and the Kingdom reduced to a perfect Obedience to the Crown of England, in a shorter Time, and with much less Expence, by the Conduct of the Lord Lieutenant, and such Officers of the Army as are under his Command, than by any other Way.

"Albeit, by the Propositions, we desire Preservation for ourselves and others, in our and their Persons, Estates, and Employments, as in the Propositions is expressed; yet such is our Desire to preserve this Kingdom to the Crown of England, and so much do we prefer the common Good of both Kingdoms before our own particular Advantages in any Employments, as, if you find that the Parliament will not yield to the Continuance of us and such others as aforesaid in our Employments, that then, and in such Case, you declare that it is conceived by us, That such as hold Places here by virtue of His Majesty's Letters Patents cannot, without Breach of Duty and Trust to His Majesty, depart from those Places without His Majesty's Allowance or Direction therein obtained; and some of those Patentees are sworn to that Duty; and therefore we think fit that you declare, that, the Parliament so appointing, we will depart with our respective Employments, so as His Majesty's Direction be therein obtained, and so as we, and all such as aforesaid, be preserved in our Persons and Estates; and that we, and our Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, be saved harmless against all those Bonds and other Engagements wherein we stand bound, for Monies, and Goods, and Arms, and other Provisions, taken up for the Army here, and re-paid such Monies as we have disbursed towards Maintenance of the Army or Garrisons; and that also such of us, and such others as aforesaid, as shall desire it, may have the safe Conduct of the Parliament, and convenient Times given, to be transported hence into France or Holland, with our Wives, Children, Goods, and Families; and that we may be by the Parliament protected, for Six Months after the Date of such Protection, against all such Debts as we owe, seeing we were destroyed in our Estates and Fortunes by the Rebels here, which now disables us to pay those Debts.

26 Sept. 1646.

Subscribitur,

"Ri. Bolton, Canc. Roscomen. Geo. Cloyne.

"Ch. Lambert. Arth. Chichester.

"Hen. Tichborne. Tho. Lucas. Rob't Fort.

"Ja. Ware."

Additional Instructions to them from the E. of Ormond, concerning himself.

"Additional Instructions for Sir Gerrard Lowther Knight Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, Sir Francis Willoughby Knight Serjeant Major General of His Majesty's Army, and Sir Paule Davis Knight Clerk of the Council.

"If you find the Parliament willing and ready forthwith effectually to take into their Care and Protection His Majesty's Protestant Subjects within the Quarters now under my Command, and those that have adhered to them, from the 22th of October, 1641, to this Time, according to the Purport of the Instructions signed by me and the Council, and that my Continuance in the Government shall be the only Lett thereunto; you are then, in such Case, to let them know, That I will surrender my Place of Lieutenant, and deliver up all the Holds in my Power, to such as the Parliament shall appoint, upon these following Conditions:

"1. That they procure His Majesty's Direction for the doing thereof.

"2. That they afford me, and all His Majesty's Protestant Subjects, and those that have adhered to them from the 22th of October, 1641, to this Time, and have never adhered to the Rebellion in this Kingdom, the Benefit of the Propositions signed by me and the Council.

"3. That I may have Leave, and a free Pass, for myself, to go where His Majesty is, or shall then be, to kiss His Hand, and that the said Pass may extend to my Servants and Retinue, not exceeding the Number of Thirty Persons, my Stay with His Majesty to be limited to as short a Time as the Parliament shall think fit

"4. That I may have a Pass, for myself, my Wife, Children, and Servants, for the free and safe Transportation of myself and them, with my Horses, Goods, and Travelling Arms (as Pistols, Swords, and Carbines), into France or Holland, and that I may have Liberty thereby to take my Way through England, and to embark myself at Dover, or to ship myself, with my said Family, Horses, Goods, and Arms, here at Dublin, and that I may have a Ship of Force to convoy me safely into either of the aforesaid Countries at my Election, and that this Pass, and that in the precedent Article expressed, may contain a Protection against all Suits, Arrests, Molestations, or Disturbance whatsoever, for or by reason of any Goods, Money, Debts, or Victual, taken, by virtue of any Warrants signed by me and the Council, from my Person, for the Maintenance and Support of the Armies, or any of the Garrisons, now under my Command, and that it also contain a Protection against all Suits, Arrests, Molestation, or Disturbance whatsoever, for my Person and Goods, for any Debts owing by me to any Person whatsoever before the Rebellion here

"5 That such Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Officers, as shall be desirous to go with me, or by themselves, into any other Place out of this King dom, may have like free Passes, for themselves, their Families, Goods, and Arms, and a com petent Number of Servants, suitable to their respective Qualities

"6. In regard that my whole Fortune is now in the Possession, or within the Power of the Rebels, so as I can make no Manner of Use of it, as also for that I have, not only it my own Charge in some Sort maintained the Honour and Dig nity of my Place since the 21th of January, 1643, which was the Day whereon I was sworn His Majesty's Lieutenant, but likewise contributed in a considerable Proposition to the Maintenance of the Army and Garrisons now under my Command, and lastly, for that, by Means thereof, I am utterly unable to discharge the Debts I have contracted for my Support, whilst I employed mine own to feed the Army, or to pay the Wages due to the Servants who I was necessitated to entertun in respect of the Place I held for those Rebels, I desire it may be humbly offered to the Nobleness and Honour of the Parliament, that, to free me from the Clamour of Creditors, to pay my Servants their Wages, and to transport and maintain myself and my Family in some Sort befitting the Condition of a Gentleman, the Parliament will be pleased to command, that the Sum of Thirteen Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy seven Pounds, Fourteen Shillings, and Nine Pence, be paid to such as I shall appoint, upon Bills of Exchange accepted by sufficient Men in France or Holland, to wit, the One Half upon Sight, and at Six Months the other Half thereof, which is less than the just Sum which I have disbursed, for maintaining the Garrisons of Dublin, Dundalke, Newry, Narrow water, Green Castle, and Carlingford, not accounting my own Expence, nor the many other smaller Disbursements spent meerly for the Good of the said Garrisons, and that I may be secured against any Molestation by reason of the Engagements I have at any Time entered into for the Public Service, since the Beginning of this Rebellion

"7. Seventhly, and lastly, If, in the mean Time, while they take these Propositions and the rest into their Considerations, and till they have procured His Majesty's Direction as aforesaid, the Parliament be pleased to send over such Supplies as may preserve the Garrisons from Ruin through Want, or by the hostile Attempts of the Rebels, the same shall be well husbanded for them, and employed only to those Ends

Dated 26 Sept 1646

"Ormonde"

"Whereas, by my additional Instructions to the Lord Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, Sir Francis Willoughby, and Sir Paule Davis, dated the 26th of September, 1646, I desire Licence for my Transportation into France or Holland, I now declare, That I move it not out of any Unwillingness to reside in England, where I desire rather to reside, as being my native Country, than in any other Place, if I may be permitted so to do quietly, and without being pressed by Oaths or otherwise contrary to my Conscience, and may receive the Monies disbursed by me, whereby I may be enabled to support me there in some Degree answerable to my Quality, wherein, as Things now stand with me, I am in present disabled, for the Reasons in my former Instructions expressed

Dated 27 Sept 1646

"Ormonde"

Verbal Instructions from the E of Ormond

"After the Delivery of the additional Instructions unto us, and after Sir Francis Willoughby was gone on Shipboard, we staying a Day or Two after him for our Dispatch, his Lordship declared to us, That, as to the Matter of Monies mentioned in his said additional Instructions, it was his Desire, that if it came to that Point that his Lordship must not be continued in the Place of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, that then, and in such Case, we should husband and improve that Proposition to his Lordship's best Advantage Which his verbal Direction to us, as we in humble Obedience to the Commands of the Honourable Committee do hereby declare, so, in Discharge of the Trust committed to us by his Lordship, we humbly move, That, considering his vast Expence of his own private Fstate towards supporting of the Honour of the Place of Lord Lieutenant, and therein preserving from Contempt the Dignity of the English Government there, and that thereby, and by the Spoil and Detention of his Estate from him by the Rebels, he, his Lady, Children, and Family, are reduced to very hard Terms in their Estate, and considering also the Honour of his Birth and Family, that therefore, if it shall not be held fit to continue him in that Place of Lord Lieutenant, that, besides the Re payment of his Disbursements mentioned in his said additional Instructions, such Yearly Allowance may be assigned to him, as he may be enabled to live in this Kingdom of England, where he was born, and where he desires to reside, as in his said additional Instructions and Explanation thereof he moves, and may be competent to support him in some Degree answerable to his Quality

23 Octobris 1646

Gerrard Lowther,

"Fr Willoughby Paule Davis"

Propositions made by the Commissioners from Ireland, at Chester for Free Trade to the Ports in the Protestant Interest in Ire

"The Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, for the Preservation of that Kingdom for the Crown of England, which is now in great Danger to be turned from it by the Force and Fraud of the bloody Irish Rebels, having found it necessary to make their Ap plication to the Parliament of England, and to that

land; and for Powder to be sent there.

End having now employed us from them to the said Parliament, their Lordships gave us in Charge, That, in our Way to London at such Places and to such Persons as we should judge most fit, we should propound, for the more speedy Relief of the City of Dublin against those Rebels who are now advancing towards Dublin to besiege it, these Particulars:

"First, That Free Trade be admitted to all Shipping, to and from Dublin, Drogheda, Dundalke, and the other Garrisons of the Protestant Party in Ireland, that so, all Provisions coming thither to be sold, the Garrisons may be better supported, and enabled to hold out whilst they expect further Succours from the Parliament of England, and some of those Shipping may bring off from thence useless Men and Women and Children when they are besieged by the Rebels, which certainly the Rebels will now hasten much the rather when they come to know (which cannot be long concealed from them) this Application now made to the Parliament of England; in which Case, doubtless, the Rebels First Attempt will be to stop up the Passage from the Mouth of the Harbour of Dublin to the City, so to prevent all Access of Relief by Sea.

"Secondly, That, towards the better enabling the Lord Lieutenant and the Army at Dublin to defend that City against the Rebels, and so to be enabled to live to receive the expected Succours from the Parliament of England, that what Proportion of Powder may conveniently be spared in present may be immediately hastened away to Dublin with all possible Speed; which may be done, and that safely, by sending it now by Captain Richard Willoughby, who is Captain of The Gloabe by Authority derived from the Parliament, and who, having brought us hither, is now forthwith to return to the Bay of Dublin.

"These offered the Third of October, 1646, to the Governor and Deputy Lieutenants and Committee of Parliament at Chester, by us,

"Gerrard Lowther. Fr. Willoughby. Paule Davis.

"This is a Copy of the Writing delivered by us at Chester on the Third of October, 1646, to the Governor and Deputy Lieutenants and Committee of Parliament there; which, by the Command of the Honourable Committee, we here humbly offer; and do humbly beseech that the Particulars therein moved for, and the other Particulars contained in the Propositions and Instructions by us delivered to the Honourable Committee by their Commandment, may with all Speed be taken into Consideration, and such Rule given therein as in the Wisdom of the Parliament shall be held fit.

13 (fn. 3) Octobris, 1646.

"Gerrard Lowther. Fran. Willoughby.

Paul Davis."

Letter from the E. of Ormond and the Council of Ireland, to the Lord Mayor of London.

"Our very good Lord,

"We, who have the Honour to serve His Majesty as His Lieutenant and Council of this His Kingdom of Ireland, have, upon full Debate and serious Advisement at this Board, found it of absolute Necessity, for Preservation of this Kingdom to the Crown of England (which otherwise (fn. 4) is in Danger, by the Force and Fraud of wicked and bloody Rebels, to be immediately torn from it), to make our Application to the Parliament of England, which we have done accordingly, by our several Letters now sent to the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament there: And because it is our Duty, with whom this Kingdom is intrusted to be kept for the Crown of England; to invoke all Powers who are concerned herein, and from whom Assistance may be justly expected, towards Preservation (fn. 5) from so great a Loss and Dishonour to the Crown and Kingdom of England; and in regard that that ancient and honourable City of London, as it is the most eminent and most important Piece of all His Majesty's Kingdoms and Dominions, so it is most nearly concerned in the common Good and public Interests of those Kingdoms and Dominions, and therefore cannot but have a most deep Sense of all Things which in so high a Degree as this may relate to the Honour and Safety of that Kingdom of England; we therefore judge it agreeable with our Duty to all His Majesty's Kingdoms, to make Application in this Case by your Lordship to that Honourable City, for such speedy Succours and Relief as may render Deliverance to this Kingdom, and in Consequence to that, from the Dangers now threatened against both.

"Some Things have been transacted here, which (as we understand) have been so misrepresented thither as perhaps may prejudice us in the Opinion of that City; namely, the raising here of some Debts, to a very small Value, due by some here to some Persons there; wherein to give all just Satisfaction to that City, we freely declare the Truth of the Matter:

"When the Army maintained here for preserving this Part of the Kingdom from the Hands of the bloody Rebels were, through Want of Means, brought to the highest Necessity of most miserable and lamentable Wants, even of Food to sustain Nature, and of Cloathing to cover Nakedness; as we ourselves (out of the Remnant of our little Estates, torn from us by the Rage and Fury of the Rebels) did advance all the Loans we were able, and had borrowed here from all Sorts of People, whilst we had any Credit to be trusted, and whilst any had to lend, what Monies we could get towards keeping the Army from disbanding, and were many-times enforced against our Natures, sometimes to use some Degrees of Force for borrowing Monies towards the Relief for the Army; so in those Cases, and in these high and perilous Extremities, we were necessitated, for the same Ends, to take up some few Debts due to some Persons there, not exceeding Two Thousand Pounds in all, as shall appear by an Accompt thereof which shall be transmitted thither, and taken up with as much Moderation as we could, leaving great Sums still due on the Debtors to their Creditors there; yet those taken were but borrowed, and to be again in Time re-paid by His Majesty, which we hope will be done in due Time: And therefore, being it was Necessity that enforced it, not only in the Cases of some there, but also in the Cases of ourselves and very many others here, without which this Kingdom could not have been hitherto kept for the Crown of England as now it is, and in the Loss whereof all those Debts must have been lost, we therefore hope to find with your Lordship, and all others there, a favourable and friendly Construction herein; and that now (without looking back to Particulars, but rather forward to the General, seeing therein the Honour and Safety of England and the English Nation is as it were at the Stake) your Lordship will use your Power with that City, so as they may speedily and liberally contribute towards the Preservation of this Kingdom to the Crown of Eng land, whereby they will manifest to the World that nothing can be of that Importance with them, as that which may lead in Order to the Honour and Safety of England and the English Nation, so highly concerned in this as nothing can be more; whereby due Vengeance may be taken on those bloody Rebels, whose Labour now is, to root the Protestant Religion out of this Kingdom, to destroy the Remnant of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects here yet undestroyed by them in their former bloody Massacres, and finally to tear this Kingdom from the Crown of England, and to transfer it to the King of Spaine or the Pope; which their traiterous Purposes we yet hope may, by the Mercy of God, be prevented, if we be so timely and powerfully succoured forth of England as we have just Reason in this important Cause to expect.

"And so we remain, from His Majesty's Castle of Dublin, the 26th Day of September, 1646.

Your Lordship's

Very loving Friends,

Ormonde.

Ric. Bolton, Canc. Roscomon. Geo. Clo (fn. 6)

Charles Lambart. Ar. Chichester. He. Tichborne.

Tho. Lucas. Rob. Forth. Ja. Ware.

"To our very good Lord, the Lord Mayor of the City of London."

Letter from them to the King.

"May it please Your Most Excellent Majesty,

"Where any great and general Mischiefs are likely to happen to His Majesty's Affairs which may necessitate us Your Servants to take Resolutions (Your Majesty unconsulted), there we humbly conceive Your Majesty (agreeable with Your accustomed Princely Disposition) will graciously interpret us, especially when our Counsels and Resolutions are guided principally for preserving no less than a Crown and Kingdom for Your Majesty and Your Royal Posterity.

"Such then is our Case at this Time: Your Majesty knows how the Treaty of Peace here with the Rebels hath been hitherto carried on; and finally, how Articles of Peace were agreed on here by me the Lieutenant, in Your Majesty's Behalf, with some substituted by them on their Behalf; in which Peace we hoped to find those Advantages which Your Majesty aimed at; namely, the redeeming Your Subjects here out of the Calamities of War, the Preservation of the Kingdom to Your Majesty and Your Royal Posterity, the Maintenance of the Protestant Religion therein, and the Safety of the Remnant of Your Protestant Subjects here.

"After the publishing of the Peace here at Dublin, I the Lieutenant understood that some in the Country had conspired against it; wherefore I did then immediately march with a Part of Your Majesty's Army from Dublin to Kilkenny, hoping by my Personal Presence and Endeavours there to preserve the People from being seduced, and so to disappoint that Conspiracy: But such and so great is the Malice of some and the Persidiousness of others of the Rebels, as (omitting here to trouble Your Majesty with the full Relation of their barbarous Abuse of Your Majesty at the City of Lymricke, in the Person of Your Herald, sent by us to publish the Peace at that City and other Places, and afterwards their treacherous Intention to have betrayed the Person of me the Lieutenant, and those Forces of Your Majesty's which I had with me to Kilkenny) they now most scornfully and disdainfully reject the Peace, and that in shameless Breach and Violation of that Public Faith which they had intrusted with those Persons whom they authorized to treat with me the Lieutenant upon that Subject; and they are now engaged in a new War, intending suddenly to wrest this Kingdom from Your Majesty, and to transfer it to the King of Spaine or the Pope.

"This, we confess, doth much amuse and perplex us, especially considering what Multitudes they are, and our Weakness in all Requisites of War to defend Your Majesty's Interests and Royal Sovereignty here: We therefore debating the Matter at this Board, in full Council, we found clearly, that, without further Accessions of Strength and Requisites of War, we are not able to resist them; and then that Strength and those Requisites of War, as Affairs now stand, cannot as yet (which we mention with Grief) be expected from Your Majesty. The Question therefore was then necessarily pressed upon us, whether or no we should in this Case make Application to the Parliament of England, or suffer this Your Majesty's Kingdom to be taken from You, and transferred to a Foreign Prince or Potentate. In the End, we fixed on a Resolution, humbly to cast ourselves at Your Majesty's Feet, for a gracious Construction of our Actions herein; and so to make our Application to the Parliament, as the only Means left us to preserve this Kingdom for Your Majesty and Your Royal Posterity, wherein we doubt not to receive from so Gracious a Majesty an indulgent and benign Interpretation.

"We humbly offer here inclosed a Copy of our Letters now written upon this Subject to the Speaker of the Lords House of Parliament, that to the Speaker of the Commons House being verbatim the same with the other, excepting in the different Styles of the Speakers and both Houses; which we most humbly submit to Your Majesty's Royal Consideration.

"Upon this Occasion, we humbly beseech Your Majesty to deal so with the Scotts, as by Direction from them the Scotts here in Ulster may be appointed to be in all Things assistant to us, as we shall be to them, against these Rebels.

"And so, with our Prayers to Almighty God to bless and preserve Your Royal Majesty, and to guide and prosper all Your Counsels and Actions, to the Glory of God, the Honour and Advantage of Your Majesty, and Your Posterity, and the joint Happiness of all Your Kingdoms and Dominions, we most humbly remain,

"From Your Majesty's Castle of Dublin, the 26th Day of September, 1646.

Your Majesty's most loyal and most faithful Subjects and Servants,

Ormonde.

Ri. Bolton, Canc. Roscomon. Geo. Cloyne.

Ch. Lambert. Arth. Chichester. Ger. Lowther.

Hen. Tichborne. Fr. Willoughby. Tho. Lucas.

Rob. Forth. Ja. Ware.

"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty."

Propositions from the E. of Ormond to the House of Lords in Ireland.

"Propositions of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to be presented to the Most Honourable the Lords House of Parliament of the Kingdom of Ireland.

"1. That the said Lord Lieutenant will prosecute the War against the Irish Rebels as rigorously as he shall be thereunto enabled by the Two Houses of Parliament of England, and that he will faithfully serve the Crown of England therein.

"2. That, whilst he hath the Government of this Kingdom, and the Command of the Armies therein, none of the Supplies of Men, Money, Arms, Am munition, Victuals, or any other Provisions of what Kind or Nature soever, which shall by the Two Houses of Parliament of England be sent over, or joined with the Forces already under his Command; nor any of the said Forces now under his Command, nor any other Forces that shall be under his Command, shall in any Wise be employed, either within this Kingdom or out of it, but by the express Direction of the said Two Houses of Parliament of England.

"3. That he will not, upon any Command, by virtue of any Power or Authority whatsoever, enter into any Treaty with the said Irish Rebels, or conclude any Peace or Cessation with them, without the Consent and express Command of the King and Parliament of England.

"4. He will engage himself to the true Performance of all these Things by Oath, or by any other Means that can be proposed to a Man of Honour and Conscience.

26 Sept. 1646.

"Ormonde."

Propositions from him and the Council to the House of Lords in Ireland.

"Propositions of the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, to be presented to the Most Honourable the Lords House of Parliament of the Kingdom of Ireland.

"1. We desire, for the present Preservation of this Kingdom to the Crown of England, and to enable our proceeding in the War, the Recruiting of the present Regiments here with all possible Speed, towards which we desire for the present Three Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse, and those Numbers of Foot armed and cloathed, and that Number of Horsemen armed; and Horses being sent us, our Force then will be Seven Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Foot besides Officers, and One Thousand Horse besides Officers; the Pay of all which Officers and Soldiers, as well Foot as Horse, for about Three Days Pay in a Week, according to the List herewith sent, is Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-eight Pounds, Twelve Shillings, per Mensem of Twenty-eight Days; and so their Pay, at that Rate, for Three Months, will be Twenty-four Thousand Seven Hundred Threescore and Fifteen Pounds, Sixteen Shillings, which Sum we desire may be immediately sent us; and withall, that there be sent us One Thousand Pounds, towards answering extraordinary Charges which are of absolute Necessity for an Army, as well for the Train of Artillery and Carriages, and other Provisions for Marches, as for fixing Arms, making Platforms, mounting Ordnance, Intelligencers, and many other extraordinary Charges; and Three Hundred Barrels of Powder, with Match and Lead in Proportion, and Twenty Barrels of Pistol Powder, with Fire-stones and Bullets in Proportion, and One Thousand spare Muskets with Bandileers, One Thousand Five Hundred spare Pikes, and Four Thousand spare Swords and Belts, therewith to arm the Men that are hereby already.

"2. To encourage the Lord Lieutenant and all others of this Kingdom, as well of the Soldiery as others of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and their Adherents, to go on the more chearfully and industriously in the general Service against the Irish Rebels; we desire that the said Lord Lieutenant, and all others of this Kingdom, as well of the Soldiery as others of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects of this Kingdom, and such others of this Kingdom as have adhered to them from the 22th of October, 1641, to this Time, whether now present here or absent, be preserved in their Persons, Estates, and Employments.

"3. Considering that divers Brittish and others were, through Force, Terror, or other Necessity, with-held amongst the Rebels, after the 23th of October, 1641, when the Rebellion began, and afterwards found Means to get from them, and to return to Dublin and other Places held by His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and their Adherents as soon as they could with any Safety, some before and some after the Cessation; we desire that all such be preserved in their Persons, Estates, and Employments.

"4. Considering that some others being here for some Time, some before and some after the Cessation began, but never joining with the Rebels here, went from hence to serve His Majesty in England, and are now here; we desire that all such be preserved in their Persons, Estates, and Employments.

"5. That such of the Rebels as by the Lord Lieutenant and Council, by Consent of the Two Houses of the Parliament of England, shall be accepted as Adherents to His Majesty's Protestant Subjects in this Cause, may be preserved in their Persons and Estates; and to that Purpose that Instructions be sent to the Lord Lieutenant.

26 Septembris, 1646.

Subscribitur,

Ormonde.

Ri. Bolton, Canc. Roscomon.

"Geo. Cloyne. Cha. Lambert.

"Arth. Chichester. Gerr. Lowther. Hen. Tichborne.

Fran. Willoughby. Tho. Lucas. Rob. Forte.

"Ja. Ware."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10a cras.

Footnotes

  • 1. Origin. now.
  • 2. Origin. must.
  • 3. Deest in Originali.
  • 4. Origin. of.
  • 5. Sic.
  • 6. Origin. Requits.