A RELATION TOUCHING The present state and condition OF IRELAND.  
Collected by a Committee of the house of Commons, out of several letters, lately come from the Lords Justices of Ireland and others, and Printed by order of the said House.  
And also the Examination of Hubert Petit, taken the 19. of February, 1641. by the direction of the Lords Justices, and counsel of Ireland.  
LONDON, Printed by ● G▪ for Richard ●est▪ and are to be sold at his shop 〈…〉   

Dublin. 22. February 1641.  
THis day about one of the clock sir Richard Greenewill arrived, and landed at Dublin together with the Lord Greenwills Regiment, and four troops of his colonels under his charge: but through want of sufficient shipping, they left behind them about 20. Horse, and 60 foot, for which also there was shipping to be speedily made ready.   

Cork 24. Febuary 1641.  
THat the Lords Mountgarret, Ikerim, Dunboyne, Cathui, Castleconel, with all the Gentry of the Counties of Tipperary& Limerick, and the Lemster forces( being met together at Casshell to consult of the means of the defeating fir William St. L●ger Lord president of Munster) did in pursuit of their malicious designs, advance as far as the Mountaines, which part the Counties of Cork and Limrick, where the said Lord president of Munster attended upon them with the small handful of men he had for the space of 7 or 8 dayes, with an hope to have given impediment to their further progress, but perceiving the extraordinary great disproportion of their numbers; he thought it not safe to venture the lives of these few against so many, whereupon he made his return to Cork, where he was like to be extremely distressed for want of moneys; albeit for the present he had borrowed a moneths means of the Corporation for them.  
The Hart Pinnace arrived at King-sale on Saturday last, with supplies for his Ma●esties Ship the Swallow, which the said Lord President caused to be fitted for Sea. The Pinnace brings word of 5 Ships more of his Majesties, and 7 Merchants Ships designed to follow speedily for the Gard of this cost, with a fleet of Hollanders.   

1641. The 24 of Feb. in Kinsall.  
THe Genea Ships are still in port by reason of contrary winds; sometimes they are stayed by captain Kettlby to serve the King, and when the wind is contrary, released the complaints here are most miserable, they have done all they can, the most inhuman and treacherous acts that everwere committed by a rebellious Nation to innocent people; They have not left an Englishman living within the walls worth a Cow, Sheep or Hog, in driving Sheep with young they have ki●led both, the ways full of dead Karcasses, so with al other cattle, beyond the expressions of cruelty. ●ut within these few dayes we have killed and hanged many of them, our Troops dispatch▪ good store of them, the rest( brought in) receive their deservings. Our neighbours of Bandon made a sally forth of the Town about ● dayes since, an 120 men encountered with 600, slay and mortally wounded them, not 10 escaping without the loss of a man of ours. When we have but 10 Horse we fear not to attemptan 100 of them, but they are an 100 for one, only God is on our side, and all things will fall out for the best, whiles we make the right use of it.   

Dublin 27. of Feb. 1641,  
On Thursday last early▪ my Lord of Or 〈…〉 Dun Shaughlin Castle where the Rebels( about 3000 men) expected them in a very fast place in a Wood being commanded by 4 of their ablest Captaines, and they did freely defend themselves some hours, but at last they al fled that so could. In this service was slain of the Rebels about 160 men. and also of my Lords party captain Rochford and 4 Souldiers, and about 8 men were hurt. The same day my Lord of Ormond not willing to let sir Richard Grenwill go with him, sir Richard Geenwill marched with 100 Horse another way about 10 miles towards Munster, but could not find any of the Rebels within distance to be attached, for they kept the Hills within sight, but 600 men where no Horse could come at them; but at his return he brought away with him about 100 of their Horse and Cowes to flesh his men therewith. This day captain Stut●●ld arrived here being returned from Tredath, which is now relieved for about 7 weeks more.   

Dublin the 4. of March, 1641, From the Lords, Iustices of Ireland,  
THe proclamations from the Kings majesty, requiring the Rebels immediately to lay down their arms, and in case they fail so to do, then requiring the Lords Iustices to prosecute them with fire and Sword, as Traytors against his Majesties royal person, and enemies to the crown of England and Ireland, have been proclaimed in the several parts of Ireland, yet no effect at all is found thereof further then to confirm this belief, that they are universally so hardened in their wickedness, and so fast bound to their resolution, to extirpate the british and Protestants, and to take the Kings authority wholly into their own hands, that there is no way of honour, and f●rme security left to his majesty, and the kingdom of England but by the Sword, and that with speed; before the commanders arms and Munition, which they expect from foreign parts, arrive in Ireland.  
The Rebels have lately taken a new oath of confederacy in their detestable courses against the King and his good people, the british whom they declare to hold in great detestation.  
In the mean time, all fit opportunities are taken to fall upon the Rebells in their quarters; Astrong party of them being gathered together within 5. miles of Dublin towards the Birnes Country, on the 12 of February last; the earl of Ormond lieutenant general of the army, by the directions of the Lords Iustices sent out 800 foot, and about 200. Horse, under the Command of the Lord Lambert, to encounter them; he found their strength to bee about 1000. men, yet he fought with them, and in the end routed and put them to flight, slay about 100. of them, and took 19. prisoners in that Service, not one man lost on our side.  
Afterwards there being 3000 of the Rebells, and divers of their best Commanders within seven miles of Dublin, at a Castle called Kilsalghan, a place of great strength, in regard of woods, and many high Ditches and strong enclosures, and Barricadoes there made, and other fastnesses, upon which they confidently relied:  
The lieutenant general in his own person attended by the Lord Lambert, Sir Charles coat, Sir Simon Harcourt, Sir Thomas Lucas, and other Commanders went out with 2500 foot, and 300. horse, with four field pieces to burn thereabouts where the Rebels lay dispersed, hoping thereby to provoke the Rebels to leave their strength, or to give them fight, ●ut they held themselves close to their holds and advantages, yet even there our forces did fall upon them, and bravely and resolutely forced the Rebels from those fastnesses and put the to flight, having slain divers of them, with some small loss of men also on our side.  
That Nicholas Barnwall a Gentleman of Eminent quality in the County of Dublin is now in England, one of his daughters is married to the earl of Fingall, and another to Lord Viscount Gormanston, two principal Lords of the Pale now in Rebellion, and Luke Newternil, and Roger alias Rory O Mo●e, two notable Rebells, and great Ring leaders therein, are married to two Sisters of the said Barnwall. He went from thence into England; by the licence of the Lords Iustices in the beginning of this Rebellion, and he now remaines there with many others from Ireland of that profession, and therefore to prevent all prejudice, that may arise by misreports from him and others, and that the same may not work to the retarding of succours from England, or any other way, to the disappointment of the general services of the King and kingdom, tis desired by the Lords Iustices, that no credit be given to any that pretend the knowledge of affairs in Ireland unless their relation appear by letters, from public authority, or unless particularly employed by his Majesties public Ministers. Some pamphlets concerning Ireland, have lately been Printed in England, wherein are intolerable falshoods, and amongst the rest, some passages reflecting upon the earl of Ormond, lieutenant general of this Army, a person of great honour and worth, who carries himself very faithfully in his Majesties public and private services here, And therefore the said Lords Iustices, desire that a course may be taken to prevent the too great liberty taken in this kind by those Printers.  
The contrivers of this Rebellion, begun to act first in Ireland, yet their aims and purposes were, when that was subdued, to power in great forces from thence into England. This doubtless they would have attempted before this time, if God in mercy to both kingdoms, had not prevented the surprisal of the Castle of Dublin, upon the 23. of October last; And if yet they can by any possibility subdue Ireland, their desires and intentions are to make England the seat of the war, whence each man may easily judge, how needful it is for the kingdom of England, in piety to Gods truth and true Religion, and in wisdom to themselves, to help powerfully and speedily to suppress those Rebells, whilst they are at this distance from them,& no nearer yet to their devilish purposes against that kingdom, then acting in Ireland, those things which led in order, to what their Contrivances and plots, have been against England.  
That the returns from England to Ireland are very slow and not so fall as a cause of so high a nature requires, whereupon depends no less then the present peace of one, and the future safety of three kingdoms,  
They are resolved to sand 3000. foot, and 500. horse the next week into the Pale, to burn, spoil, and destroy the Rebells there, and perhaps to beate off the Rebells, from before Drogheda; which they do, the rather, in regard this Rebellion had its first root from the Pale.   

Dublin 4. of March. 1641.  
IN the County of Roscoman, the English have lost their whole estates, but they have so joined together as they are able to march in most places of that County, and burn and spoil all about them. Sir Charles coat the younger, fir George St. George from Drumr●usk, captain King from boil, and the captain in the Castle of Roscoman, and others in Elphin have burned up within 5 miles of Athlone, the Kellyes which begird Athlone, made after them, which gave my Lord President opportunity, with sir Edward Povy to fly out and burn and spoil that part of the barony which lay near Athlone. The English have killed own mac Darmot, and taken Bryan mac Darmo●t prisoner, and they certainly say, William Omaloy, sir Thomas Dillon lives in the town of Athlone, and they say hath not with h●m above 80 men besides the Towns-men, but when he first came into that Town, he brought above 300 with him, and pillaged al the English there: its thought that want of money is like to breed fearful distractions in the Army, if not prevented by a most speedy and ample supply.   

From Dublin the fifth of March. 1641.  
SIr Henry Titchborne and the Garrison at Drogheda, have most nobly behaved themselves against the Common Enemy their besiegers, and the besiegers grow very impatient of their stay there, and will( as is conceived) raise from that siege before ten dayes come about.  
The Lords of the Pale do now wish they had never entred into this action, and it is thought they will very shortly and speedily be overcome, and their Country laid wast.  
The Lord Caulfeild was most barbarously and inhumanly murdered, at sir Phelim o'neill his house where he was a prisoner, he was shot dead with a brace of Bullets by a foster brother of sir Phelim Oneales, when sir Phelim was from home. Sir Phelim o'neill at his return home caused his foster bother, and 2 or 3 villeins more to be hanged, who were conspirators in the death of the Lord Caulfeild.  
Our friends in the County of Roscoman do stand stiffly to their tackli●g, and the garrisons of the boil of carack Drumtursky, of james Town, of Elphim, and of Castle Cook do oftentimes meet altogether at a place appointed, and agreed upon by themselves, and do burn and spoil the Enemies Country very notably.  
Mr Dermot, and William Omolloyes eldest son are taken prisoners by captain King, and do remain in the boil.   

Dublin Castle the eighth of March. 1641.  
LAst Sunday arrived a gentleman from my Lord President of Munster, who took ship at Kingsale on Friday, there arrived there newly before 5 Ships, one being a Ship royal, the other 4 were men of war, also two from London and two from bristol bearing the Kings Colours, and set forth for defence of these Coasts, two more he saith be sent towards Carlingford, and 30 more expected with the first joined. This and sir Charles Vavasors landing the same joined with his Regiment of 1500 men at Yough-hall, revives the Lord President again who before had put himself with most of the strength he had into Cork to save that place as well as himself from the Lord Mountgarrat, and Purcell Baron of Loghmay, who together with a great Army marched into the County of Cork where they have pillaged all the Country not leaving an Englishman unrobbed. of whatsoever was without doors. They have taken no walled Town nor any Castle, that is yet heard of, but the little Castle at Mallow, which they fired, but durst not attempt the great Castle which hath secured most part of the town from firing. It seems the Rebels of those parts assisted them, for this gentleman  told the Lord chief Iustices, that amongst them▪ they have destroyed 50000 English sheep about Mallow, and the black-water, besides al the Cattle, and what they could not devour themselves, nor drive away, where the Karcasses most barbarously slaughtered, and left dead on the ground, where the karcasses ly stinking and infecting the air with their noisome smell. There are he saith, at least 1000 men besides women and children gotten into Bandon-Bridge, where 500 are completely armed, and fight bravely in their own defence. The Lord of Kinalmiaky is there himself, his Father and brother Dungarvan at Youghall, with al the strength they can make. The Lord of Kerry was fain to leave his Country, and is with my Lord President, so is sir Edward Denny, and ●r Hardresse waller, and now Mountgarrat is retired, The L. President of Munster hath taken the Field again with 500 foot, and 100. Horse The Lord Roch( which is strange) holds in, so doth Muskey, though their tenants and followers are as bad as the worst. Limerick as is thought is rather awed by the Castle, where captain Courtney keeps then loyal of themselves. All the County of clear is in Rebellion, where they pillage the earl of Tommonds English tenants under his nose, and he keeps himself in Bouratty Castle for fear▪ as is believed. galway is revolted, and attempted the Fort, but with loss. We have nothing since my last from Athlone. Waterford itself, we hope da●●s not now declare openly their disaffections, because the fort of Dun●annon that bridles them is relieved with 200 men, and al necessaries from bristol, as that gentleman reports, but all the County is out,& have burnt Tallow and Cappagin, and utterly destroyed those plantations, in that the devil himself set them all a gog utterly to roote out the Protestants.  
Tredath was relieved a fortnight sin●e, so as our Pale-men have given over the siege on this side, and betaken themselves to the other side beyond the River. Sir Henry Tichborne made 4 sallies in 8 dayes, and every time burnt some Town or other, and got in prey: On Saturday last he fell upon al Mac Mahounes trenches, where he beat him out with little or no loss, but killed many of the Rebels, he hath gained a world of honor in that siege, and since he turned out many o● the Townsmen, he sallies the more securely: the earl of Ormond marched into the Pale yesterday morning attended by sir simon Harcourt, sir Thomas Lucas, and sir Rich. Greenfield with 3000 foot and 300 Horses. God sand them well to do, for now the Pole-men are put to that for their capital.   

March the eighth. 1641.  
MY Lord President of your Province is closed in Athloune, yet so as now he, and young Charles coat, 2. Kings,& the Armslews out of the several holds do meet often, and have burnt and wasted al the Country between Athlomes, and boil, The Irish dare scarce look at them, they have taken the best Mac Donmot, killed the second and many others: sir Faidillo lies in garrison a rebel with about 100 men in Athlone on this ●de the water. Luke Dillon is variously reported: some say he is in, some out: William Malloyes son is either killed or taken, when our further succours come that we shal be able to march thither, they doubt not of quick work in that Province.   

From Myneherd the 11. of March. 1641.  
HHere are very good news, both from Youghall and Dublin, there arrived a bark into our Harbour from Youghall Tuesday last, by whom we certainly heareof the safe arrival there, of Sir Charles Vavasor with his 1000. men, who with my Lord Presidents forces, which is about 1500. Horse and Foot, more have given the Irish many defeats, regained the town of Castle Dungarven, and put many to the sword, have taken great pillage there, burnt the greatest part of the town, and all the Country between cork and Younghall,& in that way have flaine at least 7●0. or 800. men, and to this day keep the field, and make the Irish fly before them, though innumerable in respect of them. The Lord of Kilmekey the Lord of Corks second son, who kept the town of Bandon, having notice of the approach of 2000. Rebells to besiege them, sallied out against them with 200. Foot, and 70. horse, slay dead in the place, 104, of them, besides many lay death wounded, took 40. which he hanged upon the town walls, got from them 140, men● arms and two wain loads of provisions, and all this without the loss of one man.  
My Lord Brouchall, my Lord of Corks third son, who kept his Fathers house at Lismore was besieged by 1500. Rebells: he broke out upon them, with 200 foot and a troope of Horse, killed 70. of them, hanged 20 upon the walls, put them to flight, took 300 Cattle from them, and much other provisions without the hurt of any one of his Soldiers.  
The little Castle at Mallow in which were 16 men with their Muskets only, was besieged by the Lord Mountgarret, and the Lord Roch, with 2000 men, who defended themselves 30 houres, slay 160 of the Rebells with the loss of 4 of their men, and at last a breach being made in the wall, yielded up quarter to depart with their armies; There arrived here from Dublin yesterday a bark which came from thence Saturday last, by whom there is certain intelligence of 2000 foot and Horse landed there from Chester the first of this month, those Forces of ours which are there make the Irish run before them, And have destroyed thousands of them, so that now the hearts of the Rebells begin to quake, God sand more supplies to second our forces there, and the Rebells will bee quickly suppressed.  
It is conceived that quick and speedy dispatch will most of all advance the affairs in Ireland, and that if a right course with celerity be pursued against the Rebels, the war cannot continue long▪ otherwise it may be spun out with danger and vast expenses of blood and treasure to an extreme length.   

The examination of Hubert Pettit taken before me the 19. day of February, by direction of the Right Honourable the Lords Iustices and counsel.  
WHo being sworn and examined saith; that at his this examinates, coming from the County of Westmeath, which was upon the 17 of this present February, there were of the gentlemen of the said County in Rebellion these following( viz) Walter Nugent of Rathaspeck, Robert Nugent, of Carlingstowne, Robert Nugent, son unto ●amess Nugent of Drumcree, who keepeth with his Father, Matthew Ledwitch of Ballinelach, Roger Darcy of Lisnel●●, Na●gle of Ballinecerkey Richard Dalton of Dralenstowne, Oliver Oge; O Brin●n, all the Master Haughlius, and Master Gawneyes, Garret, Mr. Garret Geoghegan, Richard Ledwitch of Cappogh, ●amess Nugent of Coleamber, edmond Tirrel son unto Richard Tirell of Kilbride, made a colonel, and lately come out of the Low Countries, Thomas Tirrell, son unto captain Tirrell, And the said captain is reported to be carried in a Kesh, unto the siege of Bor with sundry of the Rebells. And likewise saith, that in Christmas holidays last▪ he this examinat, saw a letter directed from the Lords of the Pale, to wit, the Lord of Fingall, The Lord of Gormanston, the Lord of slain, the Lord of Dunsany, the Lord of Trimletstowne and ●he Lord of Lowth, unto the Right honourable the earl of Westmeath, and the rest of the Lords and Gentry of the counties of Westmeath and Longford, the contents of which letter was, that they the said Lords of the Pale, expected from his Lordship, and the Gentlemen of Westmeath a thousand men to come unto the siege of Drogheda and that if these thousand men had not been delayed, they had taken the town of Drogheda before that time, which letter was brought by one Father George Dillon a Franciscan friar, uncle unto the Lord of Costilloe; and the said friar having shewed the said Letter unto the earl of Westmeath, and receiving his denial of the demand, for his particular, the said friar took the letter, and went therewith as this E●aminat conceives, to follicite the rest of the said Country, and further saith, that as he this examinat understood on the 11. of this instant February, Mullory O Rely, Robert Nugent, Fitz james of Drumcree with about twenty or thirty, in their company, in violent manner rushed into the house and lodging chamber of the said earl, and there the said parties would have had speech with the said E. but his Lordship not enduring the same, with discontent, fell into so great a passion and fit, as his Lordship hath been ever since driven to keep his bed: And this Examinat further saith, that on the 17. of this present, it was reported by Mr. John Hop, unto the earl of Westmeath, that Master james Cusack, of the Kings counsel, for the defective Titles, and Master Nicholas Darcy of Plattin, were to bee sent into the said County of Westmeath, to make enquiry what persons within the said County of Westmeath would not join in giving assistance unto the Lords and gentlemen now in Rebellion, to the end thereupon some severe course might be taken with such as so refused.   


Robert Meredith.  
Concordat cum Originali.  
Ex. per Paul Davis.    
FINIS.