THE COPY OF THE Lord Fitz-gerralds LETTER Intercepted: DISCOVERING A Bloody and most horrible Plot to kill, burn, and spoil all the Protestants, by the Army of the Rebels in IRELAND.  
Which Letter was sent to his Cousin Sir LUKE FITZ GERRALD.  
Published for the Kingdom to see the present horrid designs of the Papists in Ireland.  
March 31 LONDON, Printed by Jane Coe. 1647.   

The Copy of the Lord FITZ-GERRALDS Letter JNTERCEPTED. Discovering a bloody and most horrible plot to kill, burn, and spoil the English Protestants, by the Army of the Rebels in Jreland.  
To his worthy Cousin Sir LUKE FITZ-GERRALD, Knight.  
NOBLE COUSIN,  
DIrections are given by the Council and Congregation, for all Acts of Hostility towards the English: The Orders were given to General Officers in private, and were dated the sixteenth of December last.  
Their directions were to kill, burne, and spoil all that ever they could, all that did belong to the English quarters, or any that would speak in their behalf. Directions were sent to Owen Roe the 18. of that Month, to make up all the Forces that he could, and to march down towards Trim. He cannot gather his men yet: for there are two Regiments of them in the County of Tiperary, and in the County of Lymricke: and they are now upon their march coming to him. He went out of Lease the 29. of that month, with what forces he had there. Colonel Warren went from Kilkenny upon Saint Stephen's day, and was commanded with 500 of his men (with all expedition) to march towards Teighchrohan. Hugh Mac-Phelim was commanded to meet in the County of Kildare, with all the forces he had. A Council are working at Kilkenny to have no Assembly; but I think the country will force them to it, if they stand out: for all the country is now weary of these times; for they are all in a manner undone by Soldiers. And for all I see, the Officers and Soldiers in General Prestons' Army, are weary of these times; for they get no pay, but what they get by the spoil of the country. The Nuncio did expect some monies over: some Frigates are come, but no monies. The Nuntio that was here formerly is sent for to Rome, and I think no money comes till he comes there, nor then neither, as I understand from some. All our hope now is, from the King of Spain, because he hath agreed with all others, upon such terms as he agreed with the Hollanders. Such conditions we must have from our King now. That is in every one of our Clergies mouths already. General Prestons' son came out of Spain, and brought all the news, that the Hollanders and Spain have agreed: He came over and a great many Commanders, looking for Soldiers to carry over. Preston hath given Col, Napper a Patent to be Colonel. General Preston is little regarded now, for all his last Protestation. My Lord of Muskery is in Munster, and hath more men at command, than ever he had in his life: he will be here within these five or six days: he sent for me to Ballyhohill, that I might repair to Kilkenny to take Lodgings for him. And all Kilkinny, they are in that condition, that they do not know which is best for them, to join with God or the Devil. The greatest Libelers amongst them now, have no other practice, but setting out books against the Nobility and best of the Kingdom. We do not find fault with any thing they set out against the Lord marquis, or his Party; for we believe they are naught. Some of us do daily pray that they may mend, if they be so. We thought within these few days, to make the sword our Governor; but now the case is altered: We are altogether governed by Black-coats, and two lame Fellows; one lame in his leg, and the other in his heart. If God do not mend them quickly, the Devil bless them. Here is one Butler in the Council, that hath made all the rest of the Council drunk. And not only the Council, but hath made all the whole country so drunk, that they cannot see one another well, now. They are all looking upon the Fort of Duncannon, for fear General Preston should come near it again: They will not suffer him to come nearer than Waterford, they do mistrust him every way, by reason of his Treaty with the enemy at Dublin. We hear that the enemy is hard by, and that they have taken away a great many of your cattles; I hope you have relief with you by this time. We do hear that all the Dilsons and some other Gentlemen in Meath, have joined with the enemy: And that the marquis of Clanriccard is their chief Instrument. All the harm we can do them yet, is to curse them, and to make them traitors in our Libels. God bless you and yours from the Traitors wheresoever they are. I hope I shall meet with you at Kilkenny at the Assembly, if there be any. There will be none if the aforesaid two lame Fellows can put it off: For he that is lame in the leg, is afraid that his best leg will be made shorter: And he that is lame in his Heart, is afraid that his heart will break quite, by the pressing multitude of the people's voices. God send us quietness, and crush our enemies. I rest,  
Ballihohill the third of this instant March, 1646. Your loving friend and kinsman to command, EDWARD FITZ-GERRALD.  
The names of the chief actors in the design carried on by the Irish Rebels, are, 

joannes Baptista, Archiepiscopus Firmanus. 
 Nuncius Apostolicus.  
joan. Clonfert,  
Ever Cloghe●ensis Lowthe.  
Fra. Pat. Plunket,  
Alex. Mac Donnel,  
Nich. Plunket,  
Rob. Lynch,  
Pierce Butler.     
FINIS.