A TRUE RELATION OF THE PRESENT ESTATE OF IRELAND: In a Letter written from one Master Peter in Dublin, to one Sir Robert jones a Knight, resident in the City of LONDON: which came to him the 17. of February. Anno Dom. 1642.  
As also their flight from thence upon the coming of Captain Pollard, and some Scotch Regiments against them; with the loss of the Town, and all their Ammunition to our English forces.  
By R.P.  
London printed for W. Wright. 1642.   

A true Relation of the present estate of IRELAND.  
Noble Sir,  
WE here rejoice much at the care and endeavours of the High Court of Parliament in that Kingdom, to send us timely aid and assistance of men, money, and ammunition against the Rebels; by whom otherwise this City had been (ere this time) made a prey. The last forces that came over did us great pleasure: We have also here landed forces from Scotland, under the command of that valiant Soldier General Lesley, by whom likewise we have been much strengthened and encourageed to defend our City and persons, families and estates, which are begirt and besieged with at least 50000 Rebels, who have received aid and relief from France and other parts, that much encourageth them: Yet are they not so terrible to us, or do we so much fear them, as the treacherous designs privately practised by Papists and their adherents, inhabiting in the City; which dare to be so presumptuous as to wish publicly prosperity to the Rebels; and speak in great favour of their cause, which causeth in us just suspicion of their evil intentions, confirmed also by the open speeches of the Rebels, who have said, that if the City were not the sooner yielded up to them, they hoped to find friends in the same, that would set the same on fire. Also the daily revolting of Soldiers to the Rebels which come from England, who outwardly pretend fair, but when employed in service against them, they revolt to them; which puts us in great fear who to trust in that employment: Therefore our hearty desires are that the Parliament would be pleased to send over (as near as they can) both such Commanders and Soldiers as are good Protestants, and altogether disaffected to the Romish Religion: and that none may be sent over that have any kindred or alliances Papist Rebels, fearing their taking part with the Rebels rather than against them, for the rebellion yet daily so increaseth, that the Kingdom is yet in great danger of utter destruction, if God in mercy prevent it not with sudden aid and assistance: The Provinces of Lemster and Ulster are altogether in subjection to the Rebels, of whom Sir Philemon Oneale is General; who hath lately constituted Colonel Richard Planquet Lieutenant General of Lemster, and most of the North parts of this Kingdom are in their subjection. Master Francis Moor of late hath done valiant Acts in assaulting divers of the Rebels, and taking of the grand Traitor Art Roe Mac Mahon, at a Crete or Cottage near Drogheda, whereof the Right Honourable Charles Lord Moor is Viscount. Yet nevertheless that many overthrows have been given the Rebels in divers places of this Kingdom, as well in the Provinces of Cork and Munster, as Lemster, Ulster, and Dublin; yet do they increase in strength, and do great damage and harm in all Countries where they have got head, with savage and inhuman cruelties, that the most barbarous nations in the world (I believe) have not done the like; God grant an end to their cruelties for Zion sake, and his Gospel and true Religion sake, that these wicked enemies thereof, not scarce deserving the name of humane creatures, may no more triumph over the Saints and servants of God, and glory in their own wickedness.  
We hear news that the Pope hath sent to divers Princes as Spain and France to take Arms to defend their Religion; in assisting the Catholic Rebels in Ireland, by invading the Kingdom with a powerful Army, or to invade England, thereby to hinder the King and Parliament from sending any more aid hither, but that all their endeavours may be taken up to defend themselves, and that Kingdom, the Pope also, as credibly reported, hath sent over a general pardon for all that take Arms in defence of Popery, and have sent to their General, Philemon Oneale, a Banner displayed, importing their quarrel is only in defence of the Religion of the Pope and Saint Peter, and hath sent him many presents of his favour, to animate and encourage him to proceed in his intended enterprises, and promised that nothing in his power lay should be wanting towards their assistance and encouragements. There was a battle also fought about a week ago between the Scots, English, and the Rebels, in the Province of Dublin, which was fierce and cruel, the Rebels defending themselves valiantly a long time, but at last was vanquished by the English and Scots, there being about eight thousand of the Rebels slain and many taken Prisoners, there being only one thousand of English and Scots together slain; this battle held almost two days, the chief Commanders of the English was the Lord Dungarvan, Sir Simon Harcoud, Sir William Cootes, and of the Scots General Lesley, etc. Another such overthrow will much weaken the strength of the Rebels, which we daily pray God would in his good time altogether subdue and overthrow to their utter confusion, or turn their hearts to do that which is right, and give them a sight of their errors, and desperate opinions in their false idolatrous and superstitious worshipping of God, in their blind and ignorant Religion: and thus much at this time to certify you of our present condition.  
As also their flight from thence upon the coming of Captain Pollard, and some Scotch regiments against them, with the loss of the Town, and all the ammunition to our English forces.  
Upon the 10. of February, Anno Dom. 1642. the Rebels having lately apprehended some eighteen Protestants in the Town of Oggersney, in the County of Munster, carried them before the Lord Corton, who was chosen Lieutenant General of their Horse to be examined as concerning their Religion, which they boldly averred to be the Protestant faith, in which they resolved to live and die, whereupon they were forthwith committed to prison, where they lay in a dungeon, enduring great misery through the abuse of the soldiery that delighted in nothing more than in tormenting them; the principal of all these Protestants was Sir Edward Pellam who had a son in law (being a Recusant) eldest Captain of a horse-troop in the regiment belonging to the Lord Autrim, who very earnestly desired of the Lord Corton, Oneale, and the residue of Council of war, sitting about that occasion, that he might stand as bail for his father's appearance, moving it with such zeal and earnest affection towards his father, that he had almost obtained his request, until that one Dennis Carley Sergeant Major to the said Regiment, and Captain Carley his nephew, with divers other enemies to the Protestants, persuaded the contrary, alleging that being an enemy to their Religion and present proceeding, it might be a means to his escape, and the other his son who pleaded for him likewise, who shown very little affection to the Church of Rome to plead so much for a heretic, though he had been his own father, therefore they desired that he might likewise be examined unless he might be one of their confederacy, which they did, but nothing being found wherein that to condemn him, nevertheless he was sentenced to be committed to close prison, which the soldier's understanding of whom he was very much beloved, and considering the injustice of the cause, came with one consent upon the Council of war, and per fas aut nefas delivered him, withal falling into such an abrupt mutiny, being instigated and egged forward by Captain Bolte, whom they had freed, who was eager of revenge on his enemies, that they desperately hurt Oneale, slew both the Carleyes', Captain Sartwell, and Captain King, their companions, and three hundred soldiers: he in the mean time getting through the press, gave intelligence to Captain Pollard commanding a company of Scots, who with others came to the Town, upon the intelligence of whose approach, the Rebels fled, notwithstanding they spared not to vent their spleen upon the poor Protestants, whom they massacred and cut all to pieces, leaving in the Town through haste and fear of being overtaken the most part of their Arms, three small field-pieces with their carriages, ten wagons with ammunition, as also the trace horses to draw them, which proved the spoil to the Scotish Protestants.  
Dublin 17. 1642. Yours in all observance, to pleasure you hereafter, John Peter.  
FINIS.