DOLEFULL news FROM IRELAND SENT IN A LETTER BY A GENTLEMAN TO A BROTHER-in-law here in London, wherein he relates the distressed condition the English are in, in that kingdom. With the copy OF A commission GRANTED BY LUKE BIRNE a prime Commander of Ireland, whose Grandfather was M. Feagh Hugh an Arch traitor in Q. Elizabeth's reign, to execute martial Law upon all the Protestants.  
Printed at London for T. Bates. 1642.   

Good Brother, my love with your Sisters remembered to you and yours, &c.  
I Have been long silent, because I determined ere this (by God's permission) to have seen you; but such is our present condition, that a second resolution hath altered my former determination; And here now I intend to end my days with your Sister and her Children, preparing ourselves for death, which we daily expect; for the hand of God was never stretched out more against Christians then at this time in these parts against the English both Protestants and Papists, so inhuman are the cruelties of the Irish.  
I presume you will be glad to hear from us, though sorrowful to have such tidings, for not one syllable of comfort can I send you; for when the Rebellion first began, we expected aid and speedy help from England, which might in some measure have quelled their outrages, if supplies had been timely sent, but being now altogether hopeless of such happiness, we are not only daunted and disheartened, but our merciless enemies hardened and encouraged to go on in their bloody Massacres.  
The last of December 2000 of the Rebels led on by Kilmore their captain, went against the town of Kilcallane, in the Province of Limster 18. miles from Dublin; and though the town gave them no opposition, but yielded themselves to their mercy, hoping to have Q●…rtor, yet the bloodthirsty miscreants spared neither man, woman nor child Protestant and Papist, but after they had ravished their wives and daughters, put them all to the sword, sparing not so much as the Irish themselves, if they were lately descended of English parents.  
Upon the third day of this instant month January, the same Company of Rebels assaulted the town of Castle Dormott, nine miles from the former, who hearing how bloodily their Neighbours had been butchered, resolved to give them battle, and to die manfully, their wives and children being as willing as themselves, but in the end they fared no better than their Neighbours had done formerly, for the enemies was of such force, that they were overcome, and put to the sword, except a poor-remnant that escaped by Flight, and what is become of them as yet is unknown.  
The like cruelty was committed the same day by another Company of Rebels upon the town of Navan, 20. miles from Dublin, as last night I had Intelligence, and though their massacre there was not so general, yet their behaviour was so inhuman, as I blush, and my heart bleeds to write; For after they had hanged up many womens' Husbands before their own faces, Knights, Gentlemen and others, they put their wives to take their choice of one of 3. Demands:  
First, whether they would renounce their Religion, and marry such Irish men as they should tender unto them:  
Secondly, whether they would freely and willingly prostitute their bodies to so many send all men as should desire it.  
Thirdly, whether they would be killed and put to the sword.  
Oh woeful conditions! Was there ever such villainy read upon, or heard of to be amongst Christians: Nor are those all the cruelties that are here committed, for in the very Fields, men, women, and children lie scattered up and down, most of them naked, being murdered and sterved, and many of them mangled and dismembered, some having their hands and feet cut off, others their eyes and tongues pulled out, and some their very bowels ripped up: And in a little Village near unto the town of Lurgan, where a worthy and religious Knight one sir Thomas Betton lived, two of his Daughters were most barbarously deflowered in the presence of their aged parents, and after all of stifled and put to the sword.  
And that which adds more to our misery, is, that the rebel's army do daily increase, and our Forces hourly grow weak, having our Forts and towns blocked up by the enemies on every side, so that there is no hope but ere long Ireland will be totally lost, unless a considerable Army be speedily sent over, which we exceedingly fear will hardly be done in time, because we daily hear, to our great sorrow, that there are jars and differences among you in England, which God prevent for his mercy's sake.  
More I have to write, but I fear I have enough unless my tidings were better, and therefore I will say no more on this Theme, lest it should grieve you as much in reading, as me in writing; wherefore good Brother, let me desire you and yours to pray for me and mine, as the best means to prevent those Judgements which otherwise God may bring upon us for our sins: And although we are all in danger each day of death, yet while we live it will be a comfort to us to hear from you: And therefore since Dublin is so blocked up by Land and Water, that it is almost impossible for me to receive any Letters there from you, be pleased to send them to your Cousin Jackson at London-derry, and if we live they will come to my hands. So wishing you all health and happiness, and that we may hear better news one from another, I rest, and ever will remain,  
Your loving Brother-in-law till death, P. S. From Kells this 5. of January, 1641.  
The Post is in haste, otherwise our Brother Thomas would have writ unto you, who prays me to present his best respects to you and yours in a Postscript.   

THE copy OF A commission GRANTED BY LUKE BIRNE a prime Commander of Ireland, whose Grandfather was M. Feagh Hugh an Arch traitor in Q. Elizabeths-Raign, to execute martial Law upon all the Protestants.  
KNow ye to whom these presents shall come That I colonel Luke Birne do constitute, ordain, and appoint my well-beloved A. T. to be our lawful Deputy and Substitute in our Names, and to our and his own, and the welfare of the weal publickes, uses and behalf, to execute our power in the defence of our faith and the Liberties of our Country in all parts, to the uttermost of his power, according to our superiors and our own vows and promises made and taken in that behalf, and to seize, rescue, take, and keep all Protestants goods wheresoever they shall find them, and to be responsible to us for the same, as occasion shall require: And also to execute martial Law after mature deliberation and due examination on all malefactors and Offenders, according to the nature of their offences, and as they shall demerit, and what our substitutes shall lawfully do, execute, or cause to be done or execute in the premises, we do ratify allow, and confirm, as we had been present, as witness our hand this 14. of December, Anno 1641.  
Luke Birne.