A FAITHFUL HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN AFFAIRS OF IRELAND: FROM The Late K. JAMES Accession to the Crown, TO THE Siege of LONDONDERRY.  
Giving a True Account of the Occasions of the Miscarriages there: And of the Reasons why the Gentry abandoned those Parts.  
By a Person who bore a great Share in those Transactions.  

LICENCED  
Decemb. 10. 1689.   
LONDON: Printed, and are to be Sold by Randall Tailor near Stationers Hall. M DC XC.   

A FAITHFUL HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN Affairs of Ireland, etc.  
NO sooner was the late King Jumes advanced to the Throne, but he fixed his whole study upon the Establishment of his darling Twins, Popery and Slavery; and having by several Instances formerly experienced the English Aversion to the Principles of that Religion, he therefore first set himself to consider such Methods as might best serve for the Introduction of it, without giving them too near a Prospect of the Revolution intended. It was sor this reason thought fit that Ireland should be the first unhappy Scene of the ensuing Tragedy, where such a Change seemed very practicable; for the far greater number of Inhabitants being naturally Slaves to the Yoke of Rome, could not but welcome the Chains of a Popish Tyrant; yet was not this to be effected on a sudden for fear of alarming England, which was not at that time brought under the Awe of a Standing Army; besides, the most considerable part of the Forces then in Ireland, consisting of such as were Protestants, obliged the King to a more wary Prosecution of his Designs. It was therefore concluded to move by slower steps, and to continue the Administration of Affairs in such hands, as should seem to be Protestants, that his Popish Councils might carry the better Gloss, and his English Subjects be less sensible of his varnished Designs. Thus Ireland languished under the unhappy Circumstances of being ruined by its pretended Friends, when in England the unwary Compliance of such as would hazard all to be thought Loyal, gave the King an opportunity of appearing more public in that which he before durst only dissemble; for upon the Compliments that were daily paid him in England, he presumed to divide the Military from the Civil Power in Ireland, and settled the Regulation of the Standing Army in the hands of a Papist, who was obliged to frame it to such a model as might best square with the Turn intended: For this Service Talbot was created Earl of Tyrconnel, and sent over armed with an absolute Power of disbanding such as he should judge disaffected to their Designs.  
At his first landing, he was highly courted by the Two Lords Justices, both of them paying him that Respect (though as is supposed by the King's directions) which they ought to have received from him, and as he has been often heard to say, doing his Business faster than he could have done it himself. Nor could the Earl of Clarendon, who succeeded them in the Government, stop Tyrconnel's career; and though he often interposed his Civil Authority, yet could he not prevent the whole Military Strength from devolving into the hands of the Papists; for in his time were most of the Protestant Officers and Soldiers cashiered, the Militia of the Country disarmed; the Forts and Strong-holds put into the Possession of the Papists; and every thing else done, which might prepare an easy Access sor a Popish Governor.  
Thus far were their Designs advanced in Ireland, under the Umbrage of a Protestant Power, when Monmouth's Rebellion, and the great Loyalty that suppressed it, raised the Popish Party so far above their former hopes, that they now thought it high time to lay aside the Mask; and to this end it was resolved, That the Civil and Military Power should reunite in a Papist, who might act both as Deputy and General in that Kingdom. This double Trust was conferred on the Earl of Tyrconnel, whose past Services, and avowed Prejudices to the Protestant Interest, recommended him as the fittest Person to Act that Part of the Tragedy; He was a man of a comely Presence, but Haughty, Proud, and Insolent, and therefore was not at first reputed Master of so much Policy and Discretion as he afterwards appeared to be; his open Practices against such as Professed the Reformed Religion, and his severe usage of them whilst he was but a Private Colonel, made them fear a sudden Stroke from his greater Authority, upon which many of the Richest and most Powerful of the Country, removed themselves with their Effects for England; and his Aversion to the British Settlement was so generally known, that very few durst stand the Test of it. This great Change in the Civil Government, much Impoverished and Deprived Ireland, not only of its Wealth, but of a far greater Treasure, its Wisest Men, those that were left behind, being only such, as although they had known how to have helped themselves, yet wanted both Power and Means to Effect it.  
Tho' the Protestant Interest was chief struck at in this great turn, yet the Trading part of the Papists were also sensible of the consequences of it; for the whole Kingdom in a short time languished under a general Consumption of Trade; and the Exchequer Receipts were so reduced, that it was feared they would not Answer the public Payments. This put Tyrconnel upon a pretended Moderation, who for some time concealed his Temper under a mask of gentleness, hoping thereby to have deluded back such as had been the staple Traders of this Kingdom; but they being convinced that the same designs were still on foot, tho' carried on by slower steps, would not be persuaded to re-embark their Fortunes under the Convoy of a Popish Pilot; Tyrconnel seeing himself thus disappointed in his Art of Dissimulation, reassumed his own Nature; and laying aside his Hypocrisy, openly acted as the professed Enemy to the British Interest; and having already Invested the Native Irish with a full Power over the Lives of their Conquerors, by Arming them with the Swords of Revenge, he afterwards packed such Judges on the several Benches as were every way engaged to subvert the Legal Settlement of the whole Kingdom.  
These were the unfortunate Circumstances the poor Distressed Protestants of Ireland laboured under, when nothing but the happy News of our present King's Charitable Designs, could have raised them to the Hopes of a better Fortune; and His Majesty's good Endeavours, being Crowned in England with a suitable Success, put them upon projecting such Methods as might best serve to complete their Deliverance.  
The only parts of Ireland where the Number of Protestants exceeded the Papists, were the Northern Counties, whose nearest seituation to England and Scotland, had invited several Families to Transport themselves thither, by which means they grew so Populous, that they became a Terror to their Irish Neighbours, and were for that reason believed to have been thrice as many, as they afterwards appeared to be; several Protestants flattered themselves with the same thoughts, which proved the greatest Spur to their present Confusion; for the Gentlemen of that Country, presuming too far upon the Opinion of their own Strength, and finding the Affairs of England run Successfully on the Protestants side, rashly fancied themselves able enough to Attempt their Deliverance; and being in daily hopes of a considerable supply from England, thought it would very much conduce to their Honour should they be found in a Posture of receiving it; but that which fixed their Resolutions, was the necessity they seemed to lie under, of Arming themselves against a Numerous Rabble, which Tyrconnel was then raising, and who had no other visible means to subsist, but on the Plunder and Ruin of the Protestants.  
In the Prosecution of this Affair, the Ld. B— in the Counties of Ardmagh and Monaghan, and Sir A— R— in Down and Antrim, appeared most forward; but the Counsels of the latter, were chiesly managed by Mr. H—ton of T— who about September 1688. very much busied himself to engage such Gentlemen in an Association, as he knew his Reason could best influence; inviting them to it by urging the Probability of Successes, from the current of Affairs in England, and showing several Letters from thence, which promised a Speedy Relief, though in the end most of them proved as false, as the late Accounts from Londonderry. Tho this Gentleman was but of Moderate esteem at other times amongst them, yet his Arguments in this Conjuncture, were so enforced by the general Dissatisfaction of the Country (some having just before lost their Livelihoods with their Employments, and others daily expecting to be ejected out of their Estates by the corrupt Trespasses on the Acts of Settlement) that they were easily persuaded to join in any Confederacy, which might rescue them from the approaching Ruin; and at this time their Resolutions seemed confirmed, by such an Opportunity as Promised an undoubted Success to their Designs; for most of the Disciplined Army that Quartered in the North, were just before embarked for England, in order to oppose our present King's Landing.  
Hitherto none of the Nobility had appeared in the Counties of Down and Antrim, which held several Gentlemen of those Parts in Suspense, who were unwilling to engage in an Enterprise of that Consequence, unless Countenanced by Persons of the best Quality, and though otherwise the Lords of M— and M—, were men of no extraordinary great Interest, yet it was generally thought more agreeable to the Rules of Policy and good Manners, that the Heads of a Party should spring from the Nobility, whose precedence was Indisputable, than from the Gentry or Commonalty, where every man's equal pretence might breed Confusion: It was therefore concluded, that such Methods should be immediately taken, as might best serve to engage those two Noblemen, and the E. of M— being deaf to all Arguments, was at last drawn in by a Letter found in Comber-Street directed to his Lordship, and importing the discovery of an Intended Massacre by the Papists, upon the Ninth of December following; and for the better credit of this Letter, it was pretended that notice of the same design had been sent to H—ton of T's Brother, all which (as I have been very well assured) was only a contrivance devised, as the readiest means to engage the Earl, and animate a dejected People, who of themselves were backward to all Arguments of that Nature. However upon this Information, H—ton of T— Rid Post for Dublin, and it was so ordered, that my L— M's— Letter met him at Dundalk, by which means he went up freighted with a double Discovery; The Arrival of this News at Dublin, so Alarmed the City, that above Five Thousand Protestants Appeared in Arms that Night, and many Hundred Families Embarked from all Parts in such Confusion, that they left every thing but their Lives behind them; but that which happened of greatest consequence upon this Discovery, was, the extraordinary accident that attended the account of it in Londonderry; where it had no sooner arrived, but it seemed to be confirmed, past a doubt, by the Advance of a Considerable Part of the Earl of Antrim's Regiment, consisting of Five New-raised Companies, which together with the Rabble that followed, made up at least a Thousand men (designed for a Garrison to the Town); the Inhabitants seeing such a Number, and concluding them to have been the Instruments designed for the Execution of the Pretended Massacre, immediately shut up their Gates, and Discharging some great Guns upon the nearer approach of the Irish, (who were only intended for a Garrison to the Town) obliged them to Retreat in great disorder; and the Townsmen keeping their Gates shut, issued out a Declaration, showing their Reasons for what they had done; which they wholly imputed to the Apprehension of a Popish Massacre; this Contrivance did very much weaken the Protestant Interest, by lessening their Numbers; so did it much surprise Tyrconnel; who either supposing it to have been but a Fiction by the English, had reason to believe it devised in order to promote some Future Design; or else, knowing it to have been really intended, could not but be touched with the Discovery of it: The Effect was, it hastened the Advance of Forces in all parts of the Kingdom; Tyrconnel having dispatched Circular Letters to the several Counties, encouraging the raising of men, by promising to each Person a Commission suitable to the Number he should List; The Earl of Meath, Grenard, and other Protestant Peers, Residing at that time in Dublin, and foreseeing the Evil Influence that would necessarily follow the Conjunction of so vast a Rabble joined in a Remonstrance, and Petitioned, That no more Commissions might issue; but received such an Answer, as hastened the Earl of Meath for England, under colour of Representing the Melancholy Circumstances of that Kingdom; but what Service he did for the Country (though it be many Months since) we are not yet sensible of.  
The raising of these New Levies, was the great step to those heavy Misfortunes that soon afterwards fell upon the whole Kingdom; for their Officers having abandoned them to their own shifts, and the Government allowing no other subsistence than what they could Plunder from the Protestants, brought such a Fate upon the Gentlemen of Lemster and Munster, that most of them enjoyed but one days space between Riches and Beggary. Amidst these Convulsions, the North only remained undisturbed; for Tyrconnel not having yet raised any consierable Numbers, rather Feared than Despised them; and the News of what happened in Londonderry, made him dread the Consequence of such an Example; which put him upon engaging my Lord Mountjoy, to use his utmost Interest and Endeavours towards the Reduction of that Town; who after some Debate, and upon Condition, that the Irish should be first Disbanded, was admitted with Five Companies; and being under an obligation of returning, Recommended the Care of the Garrison to his Lieutenant Colonel Lundy.  
Matters being thus far Accommodated in Derry, and Tyrconnel being willing to secure himself against the Northern Numbers, Prudently resolved to keep up a fair Correspondence with them; and in order to it, he invited several of the Leading men to attend him at Dublin; but the Country not judging it safe to venture many of them, lest they should be detained as Hostages; nor Politic, wholly to despise his Summons, concluded that only Sir Robert Colvil should be entrusted with this Undertaking; who being very kindly treated by the Government, was dismissed with repeated Assurances, That if his Countrymen would continue quiet in their Respective Habitations, they should be only charged with the Encumbrance of Two Regiments; but as it soon afterwards appeared, Tyrconnel had never intended to keep these Promises any longer than they served his Designs; for immediately upon Sir Robert's departure, he Commanded a Detachment out of another Regiment to reinforce the Garrison at the Newry. It's likewise to be presumed, that Sir Robert Colvil promised more in behalf of the Northern Gentlemen, than they were willing to make good; for at his return he found them engaged in a Project, which as well in respect of his Promise, as in common Prudence, he thought himself obliged to oppose; judging it not fit to incense a Government that courted them, especially such a one as he very well knew they could not be able to oppose, should they be reduced to extremity, being sensible that the Northern Strength consisted much more in Reputation, than in any real Force they could make; but all his Endeavours were vain, and his Advice branded with the Epithets of Cowardly and Popish, by those who had afterwards Reason to wish they had yielded to such Moderate Councils.  
The Two Regiments which by Tyrconnel's engagement were designed for the Northern Quarters, happened at this time to be Garrisoned in Lysburn, Bellfast, Carricksergus, and other adjacent Places, under the Command of the Earl of Antrim, and Sir Thomas Newford; when upon a solemn debate by a Committee of such as had subscried the Association, it was concluded that those Regiments should be disarmed, and the Castle of Carrickfergus secured, in which were Arms for Two Regiments more. Upon the Strength of this Attempt they purposed to have opposed Tyrconnel upon equal Terms, and by putting a Garrison into the Newry, they hoped to have stopped that Pass, and thereby to have secured the two Counties of Down and Antrim for the Protestant Interest. This project seemed the more Feasible, because one Hundred and Fifty of Newcomen's Regiment, consisting only of 500 were Protestants, and ready to join in the execution of this Design, offering as a farther demonstration of their good will to the Public Service, an excellent Stratagem for the Surprise of the Castle at Carrickfergus, which they proposed to effect, under the pretence of their colonel's purpose to Garrison there; but the failure of their Designs against Belfast, rendered this Contrivance useless, which happened in this manner. When the Project of Disarming the Popish Soldiers in that Town was upon Execution, Sir W— F—, Mr. V—, and Mr. H—ton of T—, together with Capt. Leighten, Capt. Berningham, Lieut. Barnes, Lieut. Tubman, and several other Officers of the Regiment, and Citizens of the Town, met in order to accomplish their Designs; but the first three, relenting, absolutely denied to go on, though often pressed to it by the Officers; Capt. Leighton urging the Feasibleness of it, by engaging to Disarm the whole Garrison, with the assistance only of as many men as might serve to bring off their Arms; but the three first Gentlemen discountenancing the Captains offer, and interposing their great Authority with the Town, the whole Project fell, and H——— tun of T— Galloped towards Sir Arthur R—, who Marching with Five Hundred men to make good the Attempt, was advanced within Five Miles of the Town; when this ungrateful Message diverted him, and occasioned his giving such marks of Reproach, as was due to those who had stifled so hopeful a Design: Those who had been appointed to Seize the Popish Arms in Lisburn, having taken the advantage of the night, did the work; but their Correspondence at Belfast assuring them of a failure by the Undertakers of that Town, made them dread the consequence of being solely exposed to the Revenge of the Government; which consideration put them upon returning those Arms they had taken; the several Gentlemen who Commanded in the Army, having by this vain Attempt Discovered their aversion to the Popish Interest, Marched off with 150 of their men, hoping thereby to prevent any Surprise, which might have afterwards betrayed them into the hands of their Colonel, who likewise finding his Number very much decreased by the Desertion of so many of his Soldiers, and fearing the consequence of a Second Project, Retreated in all haste to safer Quarters: The Garrison of the Newry (which at that time only consisted of two Companies) hearing of the Protestant Design against the Soldiers in Lisburn and Belfast, and expecting a sudden onset from the Inhabitants of that Town, quitted their Posts, and could not be persuaded to return, till they were first assured of the Unhappy failure.  
As this miscarriage proved a Warning-piece to alarm the Popish Party; so on the other hand it very much discouraged the Protestant Interest; for several Gentlemen (especially such as were to have been actually engaged in this Attempt) being apprehensive of the dangers that might attend such timorous Councils, provided for their future safety by securing a Passage for England; and Tyrconnel being now convinced of the Northern Designs against his Government, immediately reinforced the Garrison at the Newry, thereby securing an easy entrance into the North, and intercepting all Correspondence between the Northern and other Protestants; which proved a matter of such Consequence, as by this means no Letters or Messengers were suffered to pass or re-pass, but such as he knew would best serve his turn.  
The Gentlemen who had been the unhappy occasion of all these Mischiefs, being sensible of the unfortunate Circumstances to which they had reduced that Country, now began to consider of such methods as might make amends for their past Miscarriages: To this end a General Meeting at Comber was concluded on, in which they might agree what Course next to steer, and how for the future to lay such a Scene of Affairs, as might give them a better Prospect of Success. Mr. H—ton appearing most officious upon this occasion, and having undertaken the Dispatch of Circular Letters, summoned only such as he knew would be either guided by his Counsels, or else wanted Interest to oppose his Designs; for he neither summoned Mr. Annesly, Sir Rob. Maxwell, Mr. Ward, Mr. Savage, nor any other Gentleman whom he believed would not readily resign a blind assent to his humour, though they were otherwise Persons every way qualified for the Public Service: But that which happened of greatest difficulty, was the exclusion of Sir Rob. Colvil from this Meeting, whose great Estate in the Country, and Interest in the very Town where they sat, seemed to oblige them to take notice of him; but it was so contrived, that the Gentlemen who were designed for Council, assembled on the 13th, at which time the methods were concluded on, and Sir Rob. summoned the next day, to assent, if he pleased, to what he could not alter. This Convention, which only consisted of Sixteen Gentlemen, being sat at Comber, the first things discoursed of, were the Disorders, Delays, Openness, and other Inconveniences that attended their former Meeting, to which the failure of their Designs was chief attributed; and to obviate those Mischiefs, it was agreed, That a Junto of Five should be chosen for the County; any Three whereof should be empowered to act as the Representatives of the rest, whose Decrees and Orders should be as binding, as if they had been concluded by the general Voice of the Country.  
And it was likewise agreed, That an Association should be proposed by the Gentlemen of that County, to the other Counties of Ulster, for the joint Preservation of the Public Interest, and Protection of the Protestant Religion. Matters being thus far adjusted by the consent of the whole Convention; the next thing to be considered, was the Election of Five such Persons as were best qualified to represent the County; and for that service, the E. of M—Sir A— R—, Mr. H— of B—, Mr. H—, and H— of T—, were proposed at the instance, and by the directions of the latter; who having packed the greatest part of the Assembly, could not want a Majority of Votes to declare in favour of such as he thought fit to recommend.  
These Gentlemen being complimented with a tender of the Care and Trust of the County, at first as modestly refused, as the New Pope does the Papacy, which they afterwards as willingly embraced; and though some of the Convention thought others far better qualified, both in Interest, and Parts, for a Charge of that Consequence, particularly Sir Rob. colvil, whom they would have at least complimented with the choice of being one, considering his Fortune was almost equal to the Joint-Estates of the other Five, and that his Age and Experience had rendered him much fit for an Employment of that nature; but H—ton of T— being well assured that Sir Robert would not be prevailed with to serve any private Designs, passionately opposed all Motions in his favour; and for want of a better Argument, threatened to desert the Assembly, if they should admit a Proposal so averse to his Interest. Till this Meeting at Comber, many thought H— ton's earnest Solicitations had proceeded from a real Concern for the Protestant Interest; but it was now plainly discovered, that the whole scope of his Designs tended only to settle him in such a Post as might render him more remarkable to the English Government.  
The Convention having invested the Junto with the whole Power of the County, were of course dissolved, and the Junto immediately withdrew from the rest of the Company, in order to act separately, in pursuance of their new Commission: It was first determined, That a fit Person should be sent with an Address to our present King, congratulating His Happy Access to the Throne, and imploring the Assistance of England for their speedy Relief; and several Gentlemen were proposed for this Expedition; but none so generally approved of as Mr. Hamilton of Comber, who besides his other Qualifications, had a just pretence to the Employment, having been formerly chosen for this Service by the Vote of the whole County; but H—ton of T— fearing perhaps that he might by this opportunity forestall his Designs, set up Capt. Leighton in opposition to his Kinsman, and by his Interest so far prevailed, that the Captain was preferred to this Honourable Errand; Mr. Hamilton seeing himself thus postponed by the Contrivance of his own Relation, and the Honour conferred on his Competitor without the least Apology for rejecting him, was so highly sensible of the Abuse, that he soon afterwards quitted the Country.  
Whilst these things were debated in Council, several Expresses arrived from Dublin, which by Public Orders were immediately carried to the Junto, and some Gentlemen then in Town, who had been always privy to the former Correspendence, being denied a sight of these last Accounts, very much reflected upon the measures newly taken, expecting but slender returns from a Council, who in its very Infancy presumed to act so arrogantly, disobligingly, partially, and imprudently: The Junto fearing the consequence of these Public Censures, very much laboured to quiet the minds of the Malcontents, who began to unravel the very Methods by which they were convened, and to protest against the evil Arts that established them. The next day, according to the return of his Summons, Sir Rob. colvil came to Town, on whose Appearance it was judged convenient to admit him of the Council, hoping thereby to reconcile themselves to the Gentlemen of the Country; and to make way for him, my Ld Mount-Alexander was appointed General of the Forces of the two Counties of Down and Antrim: Sir Robert being admitted, the Junto proceeded to nominate Five Persons out of every Barony to represent the Condition of it, proposing by this method a clearer view of the Strength and Force of each County; and it was likewise moved and agreed, that every County for its better intelligence should substitute one Person to be always resident at Hilsburg, by which means the several Circumstances of the North might be the better understood, and the execution of their Designs be for the future grounded on more united Resolves. To this purpose it was judged necessary that a general Association should be subscribed by the Gentlemen of that Province, and that the Methods devised by this Junto, should be proposed as an Example to the neighbouring Counties; Sir W— F—, who with Mr. H—ton of T. had formerly contrived the Association, went to my Ld Massareen's, where he had appointed the Gentlemen of the County of Antrim to meet, who on the next day appeared to the Number of Five and Thirty, and Sir William having addressed himself to them, proposed the several Decrees of the County of Down, as a Precedent fit for them to follow; urging the Conveniency of a separate Council, as also several Arguments to induce them to a General Association; but my Ld Massareen, and several of the Gentlemen, earnestly opposed it, alleging the want of Arms and Experience, both which were judged to be antecedently necessary to so public a Declaration, which would otherwise rather prove a means to hasten their ruin, than to promote their Deliverance; and for that reason they inclined to wave the thoughts of an Association, and only join in a private Address; but Sir W— F— pressing it upon them by many specious Arguments, urging, That it would convince the King of their Readiness to serve his Interest; and that the People of England would be thereby obliged to send them a more early Supply, prevailed with the greatest part of them to Associate, and appoint a certain Number of Gentlemen for their Representatives; though they would not agree to the same Methods with the County of Down, who invested their Junto with an Absolute Power, not approved of by any other County. Antrim having thus far agreed to what had been proposed, in the next place proceeded to an Election, and made choice of Sir William Franklyn, Mr. Vpton, Mr. Davis, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Shaw, for their Junto; and the County of Ardmagh following the same course, elected Sir Nich. Atcheson, Capt. Points, and Midleton; but Derry, Donnegal, and Tyrone, absolutely refused to resolve themselves into any Committee; neither could they be persuaded to agree to an Association, and yet they likewise put themselves in a Posture of Defence, under the Command of Col. Lundy; but the other Project of a Resident at Hilsburgh, was so generally approved, that each County, in pursuance of the Methods proposed by the Junto of Down, recommended their several Representatives, who when they met, form themselves into a General Assembly, and in a little time assumed the power of a Supreme Council: The several Gentlemen who were preferred by their respective Counties to this great Trust, were as follows, viz. Mr. Vpton for Antrim, Capt. Points for Ardmagh, Mr. Cunningham for Derry, Mr. Johnsten for Monaghan, and Mr. H—ton of T— for Down, who were Convened under the Presidency of the E. of Mount-Alexander. The Constitution of this Assembly did in a great measure supersede all Inferior Jurisdictions; especially in that County where they sat; so that the Junto of Five became by this means of little or no use, and consequently the whole Management of Down fell under the directions of Mr. H—ton of T—, who at their first Session proposed to dispatch Capt. Leighton with an Address to the King; but that matter having received its first Motion in the former Junto, the rest of the Council thought fit that nothing should be determined without their approbation and Consent; and it was therefore ordered that Letters should be sent to summon the Junto; and by some private Instructions Sir Rob. Colvil was industriously omitted, who believing it to proceed from the former Prejudices, and concluding the business of the Address already agreed on, to be the only occasion of that Meeting, did not give himself the trouble of appearing that Session; but when he afterwards found that Capt. Leighton was not only engaged to Present the Address, but likewise entrusted with a particular Recommendation of such Persons as were judged fittest for the Military Service, he then concluded they had omitted him with a design of foreclosing his Pretences to that Post in the Army, to which his Estate and Interest in the Country would have entitled him; but that which increased his Resentments, was to find the several Precincts of the Country allotted to each Col. for the raising of his men; and that his Estate was appointed to that Person whom he had the greatest reason to suspect for the only Author of this Abuse. No sooner was a Journal of the Proceed of this Sessions Published, but the Country generally exclaimed against the Injustice done to Sir Rob. Colvil; and to amuse the People, it was some time afterwards proposed to meet at Sir Robert's House, under colour of acquainting him with such Papers and Instructions as they had sent by Capt. Leighton; being well assured, that the Injury done him, was now past retrieve, Capt. Leighton having received his Credentials, and being at that time ready to embark for England. Sir Robert, upon perusal of the Address, seemed better satisfied with the slight they had placed on him, because several Particulars of it did not only contradict his private Sense, but were also contrary to the general Opinion of the whole Country; for first, It was supposed they flattered themselves in giving too great a Character of their own strength; and that proposing only twelve Regiments to be newly raised for the Defence of the North, seemed as if they either understood not the Power of the Irish, or else had a mind to betray their Country. In the next place they greatly discovered their own weakness, by joining Five Counties in the raising of Twelve Regiments, which Tyrconnel and the Irish always believed able to have advanced above Fifty Thousand men; and though it was proposed that each Regiment should consist of 13 Companies, and every Company of 100 men, yet this was likewise judged imprudent, because many Gentlemen were thereby excluded, who would have readily commanded a Company, though unwilling to serve as a subaltern in such a Militia. They were also very much condemned for appointing the several Officers for each Company, without consulting them whether they were willing to serve; but that which fixed the greatest Reproach upon them, was the particular Returns of several Colonels; for knowing their own County would not afford them scope enough to provide for all their Confederates, they presumed to reverse the Decrees of other Counties, without the Privity of their Representatives; this practice is very remarkable, in the Affront they placed upon Capt. Points, whose former good Services in the Army, and Interest in Ardmagh, had recommended him to the Character of being Resident for that County, and was afterwards represented as a Person best qualified to command their Forces; but H—ton of T. fearing it might be inconsistent with his Designs to admit this Gentleman to a place so considerable, pretended some urgent Affairs to be transacted in the County of Ardmagh, in which Capt. Points was engaged; and the other taking the advantage of his Absence, procured that Command for a Gentleman of his own name; the Capt. being returned as Lieut. Col. to Sir John Macgill, and finding himself thus abused, separated from their Council, and for ever after denied to act in Consult with those who had so basely betrayed him.  
The Twelve Regiments recommended for Commissions, consisted of 8 Foot, 2 Horse, and 2 Dragoons, which together with their Colonels and Counties, take as follows, viz. 

E. of Mount-Alexander, a Regiment of Horse to be raised in Down and Antrim.  
Ld Blany, a Regiment of Horse in Ardmagh, Monaghan, and Fermanagh.  
Mr. Skeffington, Dragoons in Down and Antrim.  
Sir Arthur Rawdon, Dragoons in Down and Antrim.  
Sir John Macgill Foot, Down.  
Mr. Hamilton of Bangor, Foot, Down.  
Mr. H—ton of T. Foot, Down.  
Mr. Francis Hamilton, Foot, Ardmagh.  
Sir Will. Franklyn, Foot, Antrim.  
Mr. Vpton, Foot, Antrim.  
Mr. Lesley, Foot, Antrim.  
Mr. Montgomery, Foot, Fermanagh.    
Besides these Twelve Regiments intended to have been raised by Commission; there were several Gentlemen of greater Interest in their respective Counties, though not thought so fit to be returned by the Junto; who purely upon their own Credit, advanced a great Number of men; for in the County of Down, Sir Rob. Colvil raised a full Regiment; and Mr. Adare another in the County of Antrim; and many more Independent Troops and Companies were Levied by several Gentlemen, who proposed no other reward for their Service, but the Public good; and therefore would not value their Interest at so cheap a rate, as to become private Sentinels to such as were very much their Inferiors, in Birth, Experience, and Estate. The Gentlemen, who had been thus forward to restore their Country, amongst whom Mr. Annesly; who by being bred a Soldier abroad, was both able and willing to serve, having at his own expense, raised a full Troop of Dragoons, and two Hundred Foot in the Barony of Kinelcarty, had their Services when offered, Rejected by the Governor.  
The raising of Independent Troops and Companies, turned very much to the disadvantage of several Gentlemen, who had friends enough in the Council to recommend them for Commissions; but wanted interest in the Country to raise their men; but this fell heaviest upon Mr. H—ton of T's— Regiment, who having that Precinct assigned him, where the Country had been pre-engaged to a better Interest, could never advance above 300. men; whereas the Volunteer Regiments consisted of three times that Number.  
No sooner were these things acted in the North, but Tyrconnel received an exact Account of them in Dublin; and believing my Ld Mountjoy to have been the private spring that set the Country in this motion; dispatched an Express to him, by which he was kindly entreated to return; but his Lordship being at that time very much indisposed, offered his want of Health, as a reason to excuse his attendance. This Answer confirmed Tyrconnel in his former jealousy, and made him more solicitous to disengage my Ld Mountjoy: who was at last prevailed with to quit his Country; and being come to Dublin, was flattered with Tyrconnel's Treacherous Designs of surrendering the Kingdom; having often heard him say, that he could easier make it a heap of rubbish, than any way serviceable to the Late King James. My Ld Mountjoy being deluded by those. Arts and Contrivances, into a belief of what was never really designed; was the easier persuaded to undertake a Voyage for France, under pretence of acquainting the Late K. with the Circumstances of Ireland, and Tyrconnel's Opinion in relation to the Surrender of it. And for the greater amusement of his Lordship, and the Gentlemen of the North, several Articles were Condescended to, which were very much in Favour of the Protestant Interest; for before my Ld Mountjoy was prevailed upon to engage in this expedition, Tyrconnel had solenly Promised to put a stop to the intended Levies, and to disband such as were but lately raised; he likewise declared against Quartering any more Soldiers upon the Province of Ulster; or making a Garrison of any private House; and my Ld Mountjoy in the Name of the Protestants, though without any Commission from them, engaged for their good Behaviour, so long as those Promises should be kept, and until a return should be made to this pretended Errand. The differences in Ireland seemed at this time very far advanced towards an accommodation; and it's generally believed all acts of hostility would have continued under a suspense, if my Ld Mountjoy had been the only person entrusted with this Message; but when the Protestants found that Tyrconnel had recommended one Sir Stephen Rice, who was then Chief Baron, and a most Inveterate Papist, to be his Lordship's Colleague In this Expedition, they began to suspect the Designs of the Irish, and it was generally believed that my Ld Mountjoy's Commission, only served as a facing to the Chief Baron's private Instructions. It cannot be imagined that his Lordship could be wholly ignorant of Tyrconnel's double Design in this Conjuncture; though perhaps being once in Dublin, he could not have easily avoided his Commands; but his Lordship fearing the censures he might incur, from his over-easy compliance with them; set himself to write an Apology for engaging in this Embassy, in which he justified his Undertaking, though against the Opinion of the Northern Protestants, from the private assurances he had of Tyrconnel's Resolution; which he could better judge of, than his Friends at a greater distance; and besides this Letter to the North, his Lordship writ other Letters to some Persons of Quality in Munster, urging them to keep that Country in a peaceable expectation of his Lordship's return; and inviting them to it, by engaging (in an expression of his own) that all would end in a Can of mild Beer: Notwithstanding these Endeavours used by my Ld Mountjoy to reconcile the Country to a good Opinion of this Undertaking, every ordinary Capacity could judge, That this Errand was chief pretended, to give Tyrconnel the better Opportunity of carrying on his Designs; and it was generally believed, that my Ld Mountjoy was only made use of to prevent his Resolutions of engaging on the Protestant Party; which was afterwards confirmed by Tyrconnel's abuse of all his Promises, and his Lordship's Imprisonment in France. The loss of a Gentleman so considerably qualified for the Public service, gave a mighty blow to the Protestant Interest; but more especially to the affairs of Ulster, in that it made way for the Supreme Council to choose the E— of M— for their General; who being wholly ignorant of all Military Discipline, and not much prepared for so great a Command, resigned himself sometimes to the directions of Mr. H—ton of T. a Person less qualified than his Lordship, being of Moderate Reputation for his Conduct, and oftentimes so unhappily fond of his own Opinion, though never so inconvenient, that no arguments could alter him.  
This Gentleman was entirely Governor both of the General and the Council, so that whatever he proposed, passed beyond all contradiction for a Rule to the rest.  
The Country began to be jealous of the great Authority of this Gentleman; having formerly suspected his Integrity from his favourable carriage towards the Papists at the Quarter-Sessions; which together with his many Popish Relations, and great intimacy with Col. Marcus Talbot, base Son to Tyrconnel, made many fear that the Game began to be a little more ticklish than formerly on the Protestant side: And that which daily increased their jealousy, was the several unfortunate events that altered his Councils; for having (as is said) assumed to himself an absolute Power over the Governors and Council, so as all things moved by his directions, it so happened that nothing prospered in which he had a hand, very little being attempted in his time, which did not savour either of folly or ignorance; and though several good Proposals had been made, yet they were either not taken notice of, or else openly rejected; as for instance, It was moved that a Pacquet-Boat should be settled between the North and England; and though nothing was urged against, yet it was never effected. The want of Arms and Ammuition was complained of, and several ways Proposed for the purchase of them; but they were judged needless, for England would supply all; when securing and fortifying some places for a Retreat in case of Extremity, was discoursed of, that was judged unnecessary, for we should be able to deal with them in the Field; and at last when the Enemy came down and expected to have been opposed, the Passes were all opened, and instead of Uniting the Protestant Forces, they were industriously Dispersed, and by that means exposed to the loss of their Country without having one stroke for it.  
But to proceed from what they left undone, to what they did, the first thing Resolved on, was a necessary Provision of Money, the Sinews of War, and several methods were Proposed for the raising of it; as First, by calling a private Sessions, in which they might charge the Country, under a pretence of finishing the Bridge begun at Belsast; but this was condemned as inconvenient: Then it was moved that Money should be advanced upon the public Faith; but that was feared to have been almost Bankrupt. It was afterwards Proposed, That the Revenue might be Confiscated; but his was not agreed to, till the Collections were all drawn off; so that the only Methods conluded on, was, by voluntary Contributions, either in Money, or Goods, as might best suit with the Gentleman's convenience; and it was Ordered for the better Collection and Disposal of them, that Mr. Hamilton of Bangor should be Receiver, and Mr. H—ton of T's— Disposer. The Gentlemen of the Country, and Merchants of Belfast, having subscribed to such Sums as they were able or willing to advance; Copies of their Subscriptions were dispersed into the several Counties, and proposed as an example to induce others to Contribute; amongst the rest H—ton of T— for his part subscribed Thirty Pounds, which he pretended to deduct from One Hundred Pounds due to him, for so many Barrels of Beef, at 20 s. per Barrel, laid in by him for the Public use; but Beef being then at 12 s. per Barrel, this piece of Policy was so obvious, that instead of being a good Example, it hindered many Gentlemen from Subscribing; who seeing in the disposers own Gifts a certain Profit, concluded that the same use would be made of theirs; and when it was afterwards desired that an account should be given of the Receipts and Disbursements, it was only Answered; That Superiors ought not to account to their Inferiors: But however several places were Garrisoned; and the Soldiers maintained, though it is said, their best Subsistence was upon the Irish Plunder. open acts of Hostility being now common to both Parties; insomuch as the Frontier Towns were quite wasted.  
Tyrconnel in this juncture busied himself in a close Correspondence with the North, encouraging them to follow their Husbandry; and assuring them that he would Surrender the Government, upon the return of my Ld Mountjoy; but these expressions were only made use of as a Cover to his Designs; for at the very same time he was raising New Levies, and as it was confidently Reported, gave out Commissions for above 40000 Men. Amongst other Irish Gentlemen, who by these New Commissions were advanced to be Colonels, Cormuck O Neale of the County of Antrim, who at that time had Professed himself a Church Papist, was engaged by the Government to raise a Regiment on the Confines of Down and Antrim; but the Protestant Gentlemen of that County, supposing him to have been drawn in contrary to his inclinations, advised him against the acceptance of it, which he seemingly submitted to; but as soon as his Lieut. Col. Felix O Neale came into the Country, they privately raised their Regiment on both sides the Ban; and immediately Marched that part of them which Quartered on this side of the River, to Garrison Carrickfergus; but such as lay on the other side, could not be so easily brought over, for fear of the Protestants in Antrim; and Cormuck O Neal being very solicitous to secure a Passage for the rest of his men, purposed to have done it by making himself Master of Tuam Pass; but being well assured that the Protestants would be jealous of any of the Popish Troops, he was therefore forced to pretend a fear of being disarmed by Col. Stuart's Soldiers; under Colour whereof he hoped to secure the March of a Troop of Dragoons to Tuam; but this Project was too gross to impose on the Protestant Party, who immediately Pursued the Dragoons with a small Detachment; and having given them a Total Defeat, and Dispersed that Part of O Neale's Regiment, They built a small Fort at the Pass, and Garrisoned it with 60. men, thereby intercepting all correspondence with the Papists beyond the Ban.  
The Success of the Protestants in the confines of the County of Antrim, and of the Ld Blany in some small Skirmishes in Armagh and Monaghan, raised the Ambition of the County of Down, who had not hitherto approved their Courage to Attempt somewhat that might make them remarkable; and having often in their Cups Threatened the Irish Garrison in the Newry, which had always lain forgot, assoon as they grew Sober, now either found or made a Noble occasion of trying their Strength and Policy against Carrickfergus; which by the accession of Cormuck O Neale's New-raised men, consisted of Nineteen Companies, besides the Country that daily flocked to that Town, as being the only Popish Asylum in those Parts. The Protestants begun to grow jealous of the great Numbers crowded into that Garrison, and to prevent the mischiefs that might spring from so great a Concourse of Irish, they ordered such Provisions as were designed for that place, to be intercepted; and amongst others, Col. Edmunston by command from the Council, seized on a Boat Laden with Provision, at Broad-Island; which was intended for my Ld Antrim's private Family, and sent it cross the Bay to Bangor, whither the Enemy could not advance but through Belfast. The Earl incensed at this usage, threatened to Burn the colonel's House; who to prevent any attempt of that Nature, had secured it with a Garrison of 100 Men; and the same design being declared against Bangor, Col. Hamilton made the same Provision against it. The Council upon second thoughts, ordered the Boat and Provisions to be restored; but Col. Hamilton under whose Command it then lay, judged it not convenient to obey their Orders, having with the advice of Sir William Franklyn and some others of the Council, resolved to Attack the Town. The E. of Antrim and his Officers, having proposed a Parley which was agreed to by the General and his Council, met at Belfast where the Irish remonstrating the unreasonableness of intercepting their Provision; and finding the great concourse of People to be the only reason offered by the Protestants, in excuse of their usage, they desired leave to divide their Numbers, and that some of their Soldiers might Garrison in Belfast, or any other indifferent place; but this proposal was rejected, unless the Earl would first suffer them to be disarmed; which he obstinately refused, but offered to disband the New Levies, if they could be insured of a peaceable Living in their respective Houses: The Gentlemen, who preferred the Quiet of the Country, thought this to have been a sufficient condescension, and that the Protestants might have thereby gained a very great point, at least in Reputation; but it made a disterent impression on the General and Council, who believing this easy Compliance to have proceeded from an inward distrust of their own Strength, concluded that nothing was wanting but a bold Attempt to make themselves Masters of that Garrison. This Design was chief promoted by H—ton of T—, hoping thereby to make amends for his past Miscarriage; and countenanced by the General, who never failed of a ready Assent to such Methods, as the other thought fit to propose: Mr. Hamilton of Bangor was particularly concerned to forward the Attempt; fearing lest the Neighbourhood of that Garrison, might prove dangerous to his private concerns, being sensible of the provocations he had given them, by detaining the Earl's Boat and Provision. Sir W— F— was likewise engaged in promoting the Attempt; for having rendered himself particularly obnoxious to Tyrconnel by his Correspondence with him; he resolved to rescue himself from the apprehensions of falling into his hands, by leaving the Kingdom; but being at that time entrusted with the Command of a Regiment, and his Soldiers having Notice of his Designs, forced him against his Inclinations to Stand to his Arms; which made him willing to undertake any Attempt, how desperate soever, hoping thereby to wipe off the Aspersion of his past Endeavours.  
These were the secret Springs upon which this Project turned, against the general Opinion of the rest of the Country; and these Gentlemen, with some of the disbanded Officers, were the chief Promoters of this Enterprise, which was opposed by Sir Rob. Celvill, Mr. Vpton, and most of the Country; who easily foresaw the difficulties that attended it, and would have dissuaded them from engaging in a design that would infallibly end in a discovery of their own weakness, and in all probability would hasten down Tyrconnel's Forces against them, which they were in no condition to oppose; but all these Objections were answered by the strong Reason which was always ready upon such occasions, viz. That they knew best what was fittest to be done; and that to question their Resolutions after the Trust reposed in them, tended only to Disorder and Confusion. Having resolved to attack Carrickfergus, the following Stratagem was agreed on, as the best Expedient to effect it: Mr. Davis, an Inhabitant of that Town, whose Hospitality and good Humour had rendered him very much esteemed by the Popish Officers, was engaged to give them such a hearty Welcome, as might drown all sense of their Duty, and make them incapable of opposing the Protestant Onset; the Design being thus laid in the Town, Circular Letters were dispatched from Belfast, to summon the Country Regiments to Rendezvous by Five the next morning, near Carrickfergus; who notwithstanding the short Warning, great Distance, and Winter Season, were very punctual to the Commands of their General, and appeared at the Time and Place, to the Number of 3000; and though they had undergone the Fatigues of a Rainy nights March, in a very deep way, yet were they so forward to approve their Courage, that nothing but the positive Commands of their Officers could prevent their falling on the Enemy, whose chief Commanders were so well secured by Davis' Eiquor, that it's generally believed our Soldiers might have taken the Town, by killing only the Out Sentinels; but here our General and his Council, though to blame before, for their sudden Resolutions, thought fit to act with greater deliberation; and instead of executing their former Resolves, they now began to consult anew, by which means they gave the Officers time enough to sleep themselves sober, and the Garrison an opportunity of calling a Council of War, who believing the Town not to be in such a Posture of Defence as would oppose the sudden assault of an Enemy provided with all things necessary for a general Attack, judged it convenient to beat a Parley; which was readily accepted by our General; and Col. Talbot being sent from the Town to manage the Conference, entertained our General with such Trifles, as it plainly appeared that nothing was designed by the Enemy, but the discovery of our Strength, and the gaining so much time as might prepare them for a defence; for having manned their Walls, and lined some Hedges without the Town, they took no farther notice of the Parley, but Sallied on the Suburbs, Killing Plundering, and Firing all that lay before them: Upon this treacherous Abuse, and the discharge of their Cannon, it was proposed that Col. Talbot should be secured for a breach of the Truce; but our General judging it neither Honourable nor convenient, dismissed him with a safe Convoy to the Town; and having afterwards advised with his Council, they unanimously agreed upon a general Attack, though they had neither Cannon to Batter, nor Ladders to Scale, nor any other Provision fit for such an Attempt. It is not yet known what Passion moved them to this desperate Resolution; only it is said by some, that it was chief undertaken out of a fear they had, that the E. of Antrim would lay down his Arms to save his Estate; which was so considerable, that they had rather give him this fair opportunity of offending, than not oblige him to a forfeiture; for certainly they could not be so stupid (though we have no great reason to commend their Prudence) as to flatter themselves with the hopes of taking a Walled Town, well Manned and Fortified, with the only Artillery of Pikes and Muskets.  
Whatever the Motives were, that induced them to a Project seemingly so unreasonable, their Resolves were confirmed, and the Army divided into several Battalions for a general Assault, who upon the first Word of Command, in defiance of the Enemy's Cannon, marched up to the very Walls of the Town; which they would have undoubtedly taken, if Pikes and Scytheses could have prevailed; but having spent their Ammunition, and experienced the impossibility of the Attempt, they were at last obliged to retreat, which they performed with no great loss; but their Preservation was rather due to Providence, and the indiscretion of their Enemies, than to the Care or Conduct of their General, or Council; who after they had given Orders for the Attack, left their Soldies exposed to the Cannon, and retired under the Shelter of a Barley Field and Pidgeon-house, hoping thereby te secure themselves from the Noise and Danger of the Enemy's Shot. The news of this Retreat having advanced as far as the Headquarters; the General and his Council concluded upon a Parley; and being resolved it should end in Peace, the Soldiers were commanded to their former Quarters; in this conjuncture it was thought the Town might have proposed their own Terms, but Col. Talbot being willing to return the Civilities lately received, only insisted upon the same Proposals that had been formerly made by the Earl of Antrim, and desired that a Cessation might be punctually observed on both sides, till such time as fresh Supplies should be sent from Dublin.  
The General and Council facing their ill Success with the pretended Advantages they boasted to have gained upon this Parley, returned as it were in Triumph to Hilsburgh; but it cannot be supposed that they were wound up to such a degree of insensibility, as not to be touched with a sense of their misfortunes, considering they had failed in an Attempt which was undertaken upon their bare humour, contrary to the Directions and Advice of the rest of the Country; the evil Consequence that followed the Protestant's Defeat at Carrickfergus, so far encouraged the Irish, that they immediately ventured upon Public Acts of Hostility, plundering the Protestant Houses at Noon day, and Massacring such as they thought would have opposed their Villainies: And now the Dragoons of the Newry, who never before durst quit their Garrison, ventured themselves abroad, and having intelligence of the advance of a Protestant Party under the Command of Capt. Poe, which had been detatched from Loughbrickland for Forage, they laid an Ambuscade, and by a Surprise killed the Captain and Eight of his men.  
As these and many other unfortunate Accidents which ensued the Defeat at Carrickfergus, very much advanced the Reputation of the Popish Party; so on the other side, it made a quite different Impression on the Protestant Soldiers, who were so far discouraged by their ill Success, and for ever after entertained so mean an opinion of their General and Council, that for the future they never yielded an exact Obedience to their Commands.  
Upon this Defeat at Carrickfergus, there arrived a Packet of Declarations at Hilsburgh, directed to the General, etc. Requiring all the Irish to lay down their Arms by the 10th of April, on pain of being accounted Rebels, with an assurance of Pardon and Protection to such as embraced the Proposals, and a promise of the Estates of the obstinate, to such persons as should contribute towards their Reduction. This Declaration was so caressed by the protestants, that they caused them to be publicly read in several Market Towns, and at the same time proclaimed K. William and Q. Mary. This great Solemnity was scarce over, when Capt. Leighton returned with Commissions for such Regiments as had been recommended by the Council; but there being at this time some Regiments and several Independent Troops and Companies which were not established by any of these new Commissions, and were to be of course thereby disbanded, it was very much to be feared that this great Change might widen the Breaches already begun between the Country and their Council; for the better preventing of which, it was proposed, That the Country should act in their own Model, till such time as more Commissions were sent over; and that in the interim, all Persons should join their strength to avert the dangers that Threatened their Speedy Rheum; but this met with the Fate of several other good proposals, and was generally rejected.  
Now Danger began to draw near; of which Tyrconnel's Proclamation was a Forerunner; Commanding all Persons in Ulster, to give up their Arms, and Serviceable Horses, with an offer of Pardon to all such as had been any way Engaged, excepting the E. of Mountalexander, Ld Massareen, Ld Kingston, Mr. Sheffing, Sir Robert colvil, Sir Arthur Rawden, Sir John Macgill, Mr. Hawkin's, Mr. Sanderson, and Mr. Hamilton, now Sir Francis Hamilton, who were said to have Sinned beyond his Mercy; several of those Proclamations were sent into the North, and industriously distributed to the Gentlemen of that Country, who remained fixed to their former Resolution, notwithstanding the many Threats and Promises that were urged to persuade them to other Measures. These coming to the hands of H—ton of T.—, he burned them, instead of dispersing them.  
Such Gentlemen as read this Proclamation, were not a little surprised to find several Persons, who had always appeared most Active and Open in the Prosecution of the Protestant Designs, not comprehended in the clause of exemption; for neither Mr. H—ton of T—, who was the most Active, and indeed the Principal manager of the whole Affair, who had a casting Voice in all their Councils; nor any of the hamilton's of Down, Antrim, or Ardmagh, were foreprized, though Gentlemen that Acted in Conjunction with them; and others that were Inferior to them, were particularly exempted; but this only served to revive the former jealousy the Country had of Mr. H. of T's sincerity.  
Tyrconnel, who at this time was undoubtedly privy to every particular circumstance that happened in the North, and perhaps had been the chief Contriver of what was Transacted: Now he began to think it convenient to prepare his Army for a March towards those Parts; and having made a necessary Provision for the subsistence of his Soldiers, he dispatched part of it to Carrickfergus by Sea, which was then in want, and the rest he sent by Land; but it happening that one of his Ships Laden with Biscuit, was forced into Dundium Bay, and immediately Seized by the Protestant Garrison, and sent to the public Stores, to be laid up for their March against the Irish. From these Preparations it was generally concluded, that Tyrconnel's Army would be suddenly on its March, and therefore thought adviseable that such necessary Measures should be taken, as might best serve to oppose their entrance; but so it happened, that in this Conjuncture, a News Letter was pretended to have been received by the Council; and though all Correspondence between Dublin and the North had been intercepted for a considerable time before, yet this Letter came dated from thence, and was industriously Dispersed by some of the Council, as a true account of the Popish Circumstances; in which were contained several Arguments to urge the Improbability of Marching an Irish Army Northward, chief drawn from the intractable Genius of the New-raised Forces, their want of Arms and Ammunition, and the general Apprehension they lay under from the Protestant Numbers, and the Landing of an English Army. These observations, with several other less remarkable, were the subject-matter of this Letter; which coming down at a time, when the whole Country was big with the expectation of an Irish Army, the News whereof had been confirmed by several particular Accounts, made different impressions upon the Protestant Gentlemen; some of them supposing it to have been devised by Tyrconnel, and sent down on purpose to amuse the Country; hoping thereby to render his Motions less suspected; but this construction being inconsistent with his Printed Proclamation, was generally rejected; and though it seemed very hard to place this contrivance upon any of the Council, which only tended to the confusion of their former Designs; yet there were some amongst them, who were severely censured for their too great Industry in Publishing it, when it was in their Power to have it suppressed.  
This Letter, though it weighed but little with the Gentlemen of the Country; yet the General and Council seemed so far convinced by the reasons of it, that they Postponed their former resolve of Providing against the approach of the Enemy; for though they had always proposed to fortify and secure Hilsburgh for a Retreat, it being the only Fort in Down and Antrim, excepting Carrickfergus, which lay convenient for the Defence of the Frontiers, and was at that time a Magazine of all their Arms and Ammunition; yet they rejected all offers that were made in pursuance of their former Designs; and neither suffered the Trenches to be Scoured, nor Commanded any other thing to be done which was necessary for the Defence of it; though the Inferior Councils being more sensible of their Duty, Fortified and secured many places of less consequence. Tyrconnel's Forces being advanced under the Command of Lieut. Gen. Hamilton, within an easy days March of the North, the whole Country seeming more apprehensive of the dangers that might attend their former security, busied themselves in a warmer application to their General and Council, who being now sensible of their credulous Error, promised to use their utmost Endeavours against the approach of the Enemy; upon which they made a show of drawing the Forces of the two Counties into one Body, which being above 10000 men, would in all probability been able to have disputed, if not defended the Country from the farther advance of the Irish Army; though it must be confessed, the greatest part of them wanted the Exercise and Arms of a well Trained Militia; but that might have been in a great measure supplied by the Prudent Proposals of some Gentlemen, who advised that the Passes might be Guarded by their best men, and such only left to secure their Country, as were less Serviceable.  
If these Measures had been taken, we should have certainly impeded the Enemy's Progress, and have thereby given time enough to the more Northern Counties, to have joined their Numbers, who had been engaged to advance upon the first Alarm; but the General and Council, instead of following this advice, only continued their Forces in motion, still keeping them at their former distance; which Method was the great occasion of our ensuing Miseries; for the several petty Divisions despairing of any Success from their own Strength, never durst encounter the Enemy, who always Marched in a main Body. The first instance of this Nature happened at Loughbrickland, a place within 3 Miles of the Newry; where only a Detachment of Sir John Macgil's Regiment, and an inconsiderable party of Sir Arthur Rawden's Dragoons, were posted, who no sooner heard that Tyrconnel's Army had entered the Newry, but they retired in such confusion, that the whole Country seemed struck with the Retreat. The Enemy making the right use of this accident, immediately possessed themselves of Loughbrickland, and soon afterwards advanced towards Drummore, which was Garrisoned by 300 Horse, and some Foot, under the Command of Sir Arthur Rawden, and Mr. W—, who having notice of their March, posted a Detachment of Horse at the 2 Mile Bridge, with strict Orders to Skirmish the Enemy's Scouts, and to give what other diversion they could to their Main Body; but having engaged too far, several of them were cut off, and the rest obliged to a hasty Retreat. Sir Arthur Rawden continued in the Town, ' very minute, expecting to be enforced with a considerable Supply, but was much surprised to receive the General's Order to Retreat to Hilsburgh, which was three Miles behind Drummore. This sudden disappointment made him resolve upon his own Methods; and instead of Retreating to Hilsburgh, he marched his men within view of the Enemy, whom he discovered to be very numerous, and advancing in great haste, but excellent Order; which made Sir Arthur halt, and consulting with his Officers what was fit to be done, he found his Right Wing surrounded; and concluding the Enemy designed to him in his Party, they all agreed upon a Retreat; and the only doubt that remained was, who should be foremost. Lieut. Price, and two others, after the Retreat of the rest, bravely charged the Enemy, and Price having shot Col. Sheldon's Horse, by which he very much endangered his Life, was afterwards, by the failure of his own, exposed to the Revenge of the Irish.  
The bold Attempt of these three men, gave a considerable diversion to the whole Army; so that in pursuit of the Protestant Party, which hasted full Gallop to Hilsburgh; there were not above 20 men killed; but if the Fort had not put a stop to the Irish Career, they had certainly cut off the rest, who under that shelter made good their escape, some to Colrain, others to Portferry, every one steering such a Course as he judged farthest from the present Danger.  
The General and Council had hitherto resided in Hilsburgh, which was the place appointed for the heart of the North, from whence the several Counties were to have derived their Principles of Motion; and yet they were so careless of defending a Post so considerable, that the day before this Rout, it had not the ordinary Provision of a Garrison; for on that day Mr. West, (Major to Mr. H—ton of T— was commanded to advance with such of his men as were fit for service, who in pursuance of their Orders, enforced the Town with 120 men, and proposing the Defence of it with the only addition of 500 more, at least till such time as the scattered Forces of the North might be drawn together, who might have been able to have raised the Siege,) had his offer resisted, though there were at this time in Lisburn 2000 Soldiers sent from the County of Antrim; and the only reason given by the General and Council for rejecting West's Proposal, was the want of necessary Provisions for so great a body: The Major not being well satisfied with the Measures taken by the Council, was however resolved to use his best Endeavours towards securing the Town, and only desired to be furnished with such Instruments as might serve to scour the Trenches; and that the Trees which grew nearest the Town, might be cut down, lest they might prove serviceable to the Enemy, in case they should attempt to Scale the Walls; but these requests were also rejected, the first for want of Money to buy such Necessaries as were desired, and the other for fear of disobliging the Owners; these slight Excuses made the Gentlemen of the Country suspect some other Designs; which were soon afterward plainly discovered by the Resolutions taken in the next Council: The General having declared the Town not tenable, turned every man over to his own shifts. The Soldiers were so much surprised with this sudden opinion, that they would not be induced to a belief of it till their General left the Garrison exposed to the rage of the Enemy, and in great haste posted towards Portferry, where he met with the conveniency of being transported out of all danger. Mr. H—ton of T— having particularly recommended the care of his Regiment to their own Conduct, hasted towards Belfast in such a hurry, that he left behind him a Portmanteau of the public Papers, and 150 l. of the Counties Stock, though he refused the day before to advance so much Money as would have brought the Forces together. This, with much more Plunder of a considerable value, besides 15 Barrels of Powder, and a brass Field-piece, were left as a prey to the Irish, who have since made use of the Papers as a public Testimony against the persons concerned in the Association, upon which has been grounded the corruption of our Blood, and forfeiture of our Estates.  
Tho H—ton of T— had been thus careless of what concerned the Public, yet he showed more prudence in the preservation of his private Fortune: For, very well knowing what would happen, he engaged his Brother the night before the Break at Drummore, to hasten home, and provide against the Storm that was then gathering.  
Hilsburgh being wholly deserted by the General and Council, Major West, who had earnestly pressed them to other measures, was still resolved to sell the Place at as dear a price as he could; and therefore proposed the Defence of it to such of the Soldiers as yet remained in the Fort, assuring them of his firm adherence to their endeavours, and urging the many difficulties that would necessarily attend their retreat. But all these Arguments could not engage them to stand the test of an Irish Attack; for the Example of their General, and the Advice of the Council, so far influenced their wont Courage, that only Sixty of them could be prevailed with to run the Major's Fate; who disposed of them in such order, as made the Irish believe they were many times that number; upon which they sent a Trumpeter to summon the Town; and a Parley being agreed on both sides, Capt. Kirk was dispatched with Conditions of Surrender, importing a free Pardon for what was past, and a Protection for the future; which being embraced by the Garrison, and confirmed by the Lieutenant-General, the Irish were admitted into the Town; and finding the Gates only shut with a Half-Pike, admired the Major's courage, and condemned the General and Council for making no better preparations towards the defence of a place so considerable. Major West and his Soldiers notwithstanding their Articles, were for the first night kept close prisoners, under the pretence of protecting them from the insolence of the Soldiers; though the true reason was to prevent a discovery of the ill circumstances the Irish Army was under, from the fatigue of their tedious Winter March, which was so harassed, that it's believed a very little opposition would have obliged them to a retreat.  
The melancholy news of this Rout coming to Lisburn, and the dismal accounts given in by the Runaways from Hilsburgh, struck the Soldiers of that Garrison, with such terrible apprehensions of the Irish Force, that they unanimously agreed to follow the example of their General, and Mr. H—. of T. after he had for some time condoled the misfortunes of the Country with the People of Belfast, he assured all such as had any dependence on him, that would retreat to Colrain, that he had resolved either to repair the distressed Condition of the Country, or to permit the the Attempt. This Resolution encouraged several of his Friends to march towards Colrain, but Mr. H—ton taking a private Path to the Seaside, met with a Vessel purposely prepared to Transport him for Scotland.  
The Irish Rabble of the whole Country were now employed by Public Authority to plunder and destroy the Lives and Fortunes of the Protestants; which they performed with such Cruelty, that the Insolences of the Standing Army seemed favours, when compared with the bloody Outrages of those barbarous Cannibals; and now the public Cries of such as had escaped the Irish Fury for the loss of their dearest Friends, and the naked Appearances of those who had been most inhumanly stripped, cast the whole Country under such a general Consternation, that it was impossible to revive the hearts of the dejected Protestants; so that no hopes were left to rally the broken pieces of the English Army; and the Enemy by this means became absolute Masters of the whole Country, without the expense of many drops of Blood; for the Counties of Down and Antrim being the only Inlets to the Northern Province, we may very well date the loss of Ulster (at that time the only remaining terror to the Irish) from the evil Success that followed the Counsels of that Country.  
I shall now refer the remaining Series of this Affair, to the relation of others, who by being Witnesses to the Truth thereof, are only fit for so public a Work; having in this Treatise with all Sincerity and Justice imaginable, given the Reader the whole matter of Fact, which to my own knowledge occurred in the●e Counties. And that he may have nothing from me by hear-say, I shall now leave him to judge by whom and in what manner Ulster has been exposed to the Fury of the Irish, whose Mercies are Cruelties: And how all the Nobility and Gentry thereof have suffered as well in their Reputations, as in the loss of their Estates, for the Miscarriages of a few.  
FINIS.