A DECLARATION OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in Parliament, Concerning the present lamentable, and miserable Condition of Ireland, the poor Protestants in some places being forced to kill their Horses to satisfy their Hunger, and very many others having perished by Famine.  
With some sad and serious Motives propounded by both Houses, to all pious and well affected Englishmen for their speedy Relief, a thing earnestly to be intended considering what courses are now set on foot at Oxford, for bringing those barbarous Rebels into this Kingdom.  
Whereunto are added, The several Propositions made by the Committees of the House of Commons, and the Committee of Adventurers chosen in London out of the body of the Adventurers, and ratified by the House, for the more perfect encouragement of all that wish well to the general cause of Religion, the relieving of the Protestant brethren in Ireland, and the safety of this State and Kingdom.  

Die Lunae. 19 June. 1643.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, that this Declaration, with the Propositions and Votes shall be forthwith printed and published.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
LONDON, Printed by George Miller, june 24. 1643.   

Die Veneris 16. june 1643.  
WE the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, being by several Letters fully informed both from the Lords justices, and Council of Dublin, and also from other parts of the Kingdom of Ireland, of the extremely necessitous condition of the whole Army and the test of the distressed Protestants of that Kingdom, out of a compassionate sense of the miseries of their Brethren there, and their tender care to prevent the extirpation of the Protestant Religion so generally aimed at: have though fit to publish to the view of all piously affected persons, the lamentable estate of that distressed Kingdom, which is now by the unhappy influence of our distractions here, reduced to that extremity that in most parts of the Army, our Soldiers want Bread for their bellies, Clothes for their backs, and Shoes for their feet, to give them a necessary subsistence; and in some parts th●y have been forced to kill their Horses to satisfy their hunger, very many of the poor English in several places having perished by famine.  
Nevertheless it hath pleased Almighty God, to imprint such special marks of his unlimited favours, upon the endeavours of our several Armies there, th●t we have more than probable cause to hope, that if we shall cheerfully address ourselves to send them seasonable supplies, he will not yet permit the ruin of our Religion and Countrymen in that kingdom. Which we are the more induced to believe, since we are credibly informed, that the wants of our Adversaries do in most parts equalise, in many far exceed ours, where they have been forced to eat, not the flesh only but the very hides of their Horses to keep them from starving, which have brought very many of them to such a condition of weakness, that they appear rather like walking Anatomies then fight me●, so that we have no reason to suspect, but that our Armies there (if not suffered first to starve) may by God's blessing yet soon reduce that Kingdom.  
Nor can it be unknown to any understanding and judicious observer, that whatever be pretended by the Rebels, yet the true causes heightening them to such a degree of barbarousness, are, the inveterate hatred they bear to the true Religion, and their ambitious desires as is most evident by the several Commissions from the Rebels, styling themselves the supreme Counsel of the confederate Catholics of Ireland, issued to men of War whom they maintained at Sea to spoil the trade of this Kingdom, making themselves absolute and independent on this Kingdom, and which is not a little fomented by all the Popish party throughout Christendom, as appears by the large contributions sent from all parts thither of Money, Arms, Ammunition and experienced Commanders: And can it be that God's enemies should be more violent, and indefatigable for restoring Idolatry in a Kingdom foreign to theirs, than we zealous in propugning God's truth in our own against both barbarous Traitors and monstrous Idolaters? shall the common incendiaries of both Kingdoms strip themselves of all they have to accomplish our destruction, by devouring that rich and fruitful Island; And shall the good people of this Nation, of the same blood and Religion with them, think any thing too dear for redeeming them, whom we ought to our powers to preserve; seeing hereby, we also secure our own both Religion and Liberties, preventing the access of the Rebels from thence by enabling our Army to continue there, which will consequently contain them within that Kingdom, A thing earnestly to be intended, considering what courts are set on foot at Oxford, for bringing them into this Kingdom:  
Not to insist how much it imports all the Adventurers, Lender's and Contributers, all Merchants and indeed the whole Nation to advance a considerable sum to what they have applied unto that work for the now completing thereof, Nor to be more particular in laying before the World, how the King (seduced by evil Counsels) doth deny his concurrence to the Bill lately sent him as a most necessary expedient for that work.  
We have therefore thought fit to appoint a special Committee for that purpose, and have resolved in the midst of our distractions here, (as a thing wherein the welfare of our Religion, the honour our English Nation, and the safety of this Kingdom is so nearly concerned) to contribute by all possible means to the preservation of that Kingdom.  
And although the great burdens which lie upon the subjects for maintenance of the Armies, raised for the necessary defence of this kingdom, will not suffer us to lay any present charge upon them, yet our tender care of Ireland is such, that in pursuance of a vote of the House of Commons, an Ordinance is now ready to pass, whereby a charge shall he set of two hundred thousand pounds upon this Kingdom, to be assessed upon the several Counties, according to the Proportion of the Bill of four hundred thousand pounds, and to be paid in two years, by which time we hope the distractions of this Kingdom by God's mercy may be so settled, that the Subjects shall with ease and cheerfulness bear this necessary burden, and by this means we conceive this future charge will give present credit for the relief of the starving condition of Ireland, which is intended to be laid upon this Kingdom, as an adventure for land in Ireland, for the benefit of the several Counties proportionable to the sums that shall be raised in the particular Counties to be employed to the ease of their publi●●e charge. And do likewise earnestly recommend the care of that work to all such as are really affected to our Religion, and the Cause we have in hand, to advance Moneys for that use, either by way of adventure, loan, or weekly Contribution in such manner as shall be agreed on by the Committee, and approved by the Parliament, wherein both Houses of Parliament intent to show that good example which they hope all others will follow.  
For what may be advanced by way of adventure, it is already provided in a late Ordinance of Parliament, that all new Adventurers shall receive the same Advantages granted to the former in the Act of Parliament for the Adventurers of Ireland, and in the same Ordinance provision is made for the security of all such as shall voluntarily lend to so pious a Work; All which moneys now proposed to be advanced, shall only have their aspect forwards (without consideration of former ar●ea●s) and be disposed of with all possible c●re to the best advantage of this present Summer's service: And for what hath been formerly raised to that purpose, it shall most evidently ap●ea●e to all the World, that it hath been with a great overplus disposed of for the use of Ireland, And that all aspersions of that nature cast upon the Parliament have been but the malicious pretences of disaffected persons, to excuse their own backwardness, and dishearten such as desire to prevent the ruin of our Religion, which we hope by our cordial and seasonable endeavours may speedily be prevented, and this War soon brought to a happy conclusion, And herein the concurrence of most of the Officers of that Kingdom administers great encouragement, who are desirous (so well they affect that work) to underwrite the one half of their Arrears due by way of Adventure for Land, and also take the one half of what shall grow due and is to come, likewise on the Condition of the Subscribers at the reducing of that Kingdom, desiring only to subsist until the work be finished.  
We have so just reason upon these many and convincing grounds to be sensible of the extraordinary Care and pious Intentions of the well affected Party in this Kingdom, as we must not or cannot doubt of their ready Zeal in the setting forward of so Pious, so Charitable a work, wherein the Religion we profess, lies at the stake: and the lives of so many thousand of our poor Protestant brethren are in apparent danger, unless by present relief their approaching ruin be timely prevented, nor can we well expect that God will long bless us, if we be wanting to our brethren, whose preservation is so immediately linked to our own safety, that we have much cause to suspect this Kingdom is much endangered, when we have once absolutely lost that of Ireland.  
For such is the malice of the Rebels to our Nation, that if they once root us out of that Kingdom, th●y will not despair by themselves and their Confederates wholly to extirpate both us and our Religion out of the Christian World.  
For remedy whereof in so much as the general ways observed on the last Act of Contribution hath not procured such means of relief as are necessaty, (though divers both Persons and Parishes have been very bountiful) several of that Kingdom with others are therefore directed to solicit the business by such particular applications as may be hoped (in a wor●…e so earnestly crying for relief) will beget competent supplies for giving that Kingdom a being, and in all likelihood preserving this from final undoing, which as it must be acknowledged to the already Contributers, so is and shall be esteemed by those who hereafter put hand to the work as a most acceptable service to this and that Kingdom.  
These things considered, we desire that all well affected people would hearty apply themselves to prevent such mischief by cheerful contributing to so Pious a work, which will be an Act in the esteem of all the world very commendable and extremely acceptable to God and all good men.   

Die Lunae, 19ᵒ. Junij, 1643.  
THe Committee appointed by the House, the 29th of May, 1643. for the better expediting the Affairs of Ireland, together with the Committee of the Adventurers in London newly elected, or any eight of them, shall have power to call to their Assistance such other persons as they shall think fit, And the said Committee of Adventurers, shall have equal power to Vote with the Committee of the House of Commons in all matters concerning the managing of the Monies now to be raised for Ireland by way of Adventure or otherwise; And this Committee shall have likewise power to appoint Treasurers to peruse the Accounts of such as have been formerly employed, to be ready for the view of the House, to reward such as they must necessarily employ in this service, and to issue out any of these Monies now to be raised for the affairs of Ireland by Order from this Committee, and to manage all matters for the good of the future service according as they shall find most expedient, being still to give an account to the House of their Proceed as oft as shall be required.   

Die Lunae, 19ᵒ. junij, 1643.  
Resolved upon the Question, 
 THat this House doth declare, that they will in a short time send over a Commander in Chief into Ireland, such as this Kingdom shall have good cause to confide in.  
Resolved upon the Question, 
 THat this House doth think it fit to send over Committees into the several Provinces of Ireland, whereof one in each to be of the House of Commons, and one chosen by the Adventurers, from whom they may expect such continual Intelligence of the conditions of each Province, that they may make their Provisions accordingly.   

Die Lunae, 19ᵒ. junij, 1643.  
Propounded from the Committee▪ 
 THat an Ordinance may be brought in for the Adventurers, who shall now deposit a fourth part of what formerly is subscribed and paid, that they shall have so many Acres of Land added to what is allotted by the former Act of Parliament, as shall make their former proportian of Acres double to what is granted by the Act, as also for what they shall now pay upon the Ordinance, with all Privileges as formerly. And whosoever shall subscribe De novo, shall have the like double proportion of Land for his new subscription.  
THe Adventures to be set in such Province as they shall clouse.  
THat such as desire to Plant together, may be permitted so to do, they declaring the same at their new subscriptions, or within ●Moneth.  
THat the House declares an Act or Acts of Parliament shall be prepared in due time, to pass both in England and Ireland for confirming whatsoever now passeth by Ordinance.  
Resolved, etc. 
 THat this House doth agree, that an Ordinance be prepared and drawn in pursuance of these Propositions.  
H. Elsing. Cler. Parl. D. Com.   

Die Lunae 19ᵒ. junij, 1643.  
FOr as much as many both Adventurers for Land in Ireland and others, are willing to apply themselves by all good means for bringing that great good work to some perfection, well knowing, what consequence the loss of that Kingdom will be to this, both in relation to the security and firm peace of the State, and also in respect of the Cause of Religion, which must be deeply wounded in case that Kingdom should become wholly Popish. And for as much as the Subscriptions upon the several Acts of Parliament do not engage a third part of the Land designed to be applied to that work by those Acts, and that the time limited for underwriting by those Acts is elapsed; We being desirous to make up what was wanting in the former Subscriptious, in some proportion to our Abilities, do humbly offer, That both Houses of Parliament will give such encouragement as may induce those who are Merchants, and live on Trades, to adventure Considerable Sums, by passing an Ordinance in these following or the like particulars.  
That so much of the City and Suburbs of Limbricke as is Escheated with the Island of Enishcattery, and the fishings of the River, with other immunities belonging to the City, and Twenty four Thousand Acres of Confiscated Profitable Land next contiguous to that City may be secured to the Adventurers who shall now underwrite, the said City and Land being made over to them & their heirs, etc. in free and common soccage as of his Majesty's Castle of Dublin, with such Immunities as are granted to the City of Bristol, and such other Privileges as be contained in the Acts of Parliament for Subscriptions on Lands in Ireland; Provided the several Sums to be underwritten do amount in the Totall unto Sitty Thousand Pounds, there being reserved to his Majesty for the same, the Yearly rend of one Thousand two Hundred and Fifty Pounds per Annum.  
That the Town of Galloway in Connaught▪ with Twenty Thousand Acres of Land and Immunities as abovesaid shall be secured unto such as adventure for that City and Land, provided, That the total of the subscriptions amount unto Fifty Thousand Pounds, his Majesty's Rent one Thousand and Forty pounds.  
That the City of Waterford in Munster, with thirty Thousand▪ Acres of Land and Immunities as aforesaid, shall be secured to such as adventure for that City and Land, Provided the total of their Subscriptions amounts unto Sixty Thousand Pounds, the Rent to his Majesty per Annum, one Thousand two Hundred and Fifty Pounds.  
That the Town of Wexford with twelve Thousand Acres of Land and Immunities as aforesaid, shall be secured to such as adventure for that Town and Land▪ Provided the total of their Subscriptions, amount unto Fifteen Thousand Pounds, the Rent to his Majesty per Annum, three Hundred and twelve Pounds eight Shillings eight Pence.  
And seeing the course of passing Bills is so much obstructed, that the Kingdom of Ireland will be lost if some effectual and speedy course be not taken, The Adventurers desire to be secured, that such Conditions as shall be now past by Ordinance, shall be turned into an Act or Acts of Parliament for their more fit and unquestionable security▪ which they humbly conceive will much further the work.  
That those who have or shall underwrite any considerable Sum upon the said Propositions for Cities, and have formerly adventured, or shall underwrite for Lands in the Kingdom at large, shall be accommodated to have his Lands set out as near unto those Cities (for which he shall subscribe) as may be.  
And in case the respective Sums whereat the said City's Towns and said Lands adjacent are valued be not wholly underwritten▪ yet the underwriters shall have so much in proportion out of those Cities, Towns and Lands adjacent as their adventure shall amount unto, to be set forth by indifferent Commissioners to be Named by both Houses.  
THe House doth allow of these Propositions, And it is Ordered that the House will apply their Authority for making good of the same.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   

THe Propositions  being now agreed unto, These are further to signify, that the following Title is prefixed to several Books for the several Companies, whereunto all that are so disposed, are desired this day to repair, and such as are at present in this Assembly this 24th. of June, 1643. are desired to resort to their several Companies, where the same Books are now remaining▪ Such others as be not of any Companies of London, and whose hearts God inclines to Contribute in this Pious work, are entreated to resort unto Grocers-Hall, where Books are also remaining, and Treasurers appointed, as in the foregoing Declaration appears.   

June 14. 164●.  
Whereas the Honourable House of Commons have fully condescended to the Propositions made by the joint Committee of Adventurers, as by an Order of the 19th. of june 1643. doth appear, That so good a work may not suffer through the want of necessary supply, which is now hoped may be soon brought to a very good condition; We whose Names are under written, do hereby oblige ourselves to the payment of the sums to our Names affixed at Grocers-Hall unto M. james Bunce, M. Thomas Foot, M. john Kenderick Alder-men, and M. Sam: Avery Esquire Treasurers, appointed for that service, whose acquittance, or any two of them shall be sufficient to entitle the said Subscribers to such Adventure unto which they shall subscribe, and be a discharge for such other payments as shall be brought in upon the other Propositions; the several payments to be made as followeth. viz. One third within Ten Days, another third within one Month after, and the last third within two Months after that; So as all our Adventure is to be fully paid in within three Months after our said Subscription; And we whose Names are underwritten, will make our Election to which of the Propositions we will apply our Adventure, at the time of our said first payment.   
FINIS.