A GREAT AND BLOODY FIGHT IN IRELAND The kill of Colonel Cook, and many other Commission Officers and Soldiers to the Parliament of England, by a party of Irish Tories Commanded by General Owen Oneale.  
ALSO, A Letter from the great Council of the Irish holden at Galway to Lieut: Gen: Ludlowe, with some Propositions for the Parliament of England.  
WITH The Articles of Agreement made between Commissary Gen: Reynolds and Colonel Fitz Patrick, in behalf of himself and his whole party of the Irish, and the form of their Engagement to the Commonwealth of England.  
LONDON: Printed by F: N: Ap●●…ll 12 1652   

A Letter to Li●ut: Gen: Ludlowe from and in the name of the Irish Council holden at Galway, March 9th. 1652.  
BY the return made from you upon the overture made by his Excellency the Lord Marquis of Clanrickard, Lord Deputy General of Ireland, for a treaty, in order to a general settlement of this Nation: We understand that you, as being not qualified with sufficient power decline it, leaving the same unto the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, unto whom although you give but little encouragement, for addresses to be made in that kind: yet to the end we may perform our parts in humbling ourselves before the omnipotent hand of God, by whose permission, they are raised to their present height and leave no way unattempted for quenching an unnatural Quarrel, between two Nations (of late) linked in love, allied in blood, and not different in Laws. And upon consideration had that probably, the Parliament of England will in their wisdoms listen and condescend unto the reasonable desires of this Nation, for a general settlement: when they shall duly weigh the necessity and duty forcing, and obliging their continuance in Arms hitherto: The good desires the people of this Land, and affections to support the interest of England, the manifold benefits arising to the Parliament by a good peace, and voluntary acceptance of this people, of their protection, and many other advantages to be derived from thence, and on the other side, the expense and uncertainty of a tedious war, proved by the experience of former Ages, which besides the injustice of it, against a people desiring peace, numerous in arms, and capable of foreign succours, can bring no return of profit, rouse their thoughts, (hopeless of other remedies) unto the highest pitch of a desperate Resolution, which by God's assistance may alter the present state of their Affairs, and produce almost but a conquest of a wasted Country, not to be paralleled to a peace, grounded on a treaty, and willing concurrence of the people: Therefore the great Council of the Kingdom here Assembled, have thought fit to direct this express unto you, desiring that you will be pleased to send a safe conduct in blank unto such Commissioners with their retinue, not exceeding the number of thirty in all, as shall be employed for this Kingdom unto the Parliament of England, ●o represent the desires of this Nation unto them: And it for the avoiding further effsivon of Christian blood, a cessation of Arms, and acts of hostility be consented unto, until the pleasure of the Parliament of England shall be known, we conceive it may principally conduce to the satisfaction of the Parliament, and settlement of this Kingdom: All which I had in Command from the said Council, to intimate unto you, and so I remain your servant,  
Galway 9 Martii 1651. Richard Blake.  
For Lieutenant General Ludlow, Commander in chief of the Parliaments Forces in this Kingdom.   

Lieut: Gen: Ludlows Answer to the former Letter.  
IN yours of the 9th: instant which came to my hand the 17th: (signed by command of the great Council at Galway, assembled as you are pleased to style them, whose Authority I may not acknowledge) you reiterate in effect the former application from the Earl of Clanrichard for the settlement of this Nation; differing only in this, That whereas he would have capitulated in that Affair upon the place, you propose for Licence to be given unto Commissioners to repair unto the Parliament about the same, which hath been occasioned through this mistake (as I conceive) you apprehending that deny all to proceed, merely from the want of power in the Ministers of the Parliament here, whereas indeed the chief ground thereof was the unreasonableness of the Proposition itself: which was in my judgement in effect thus. That such (who are guilty of a bloody and cruel massacre, at least engaged in the withholding of them from Justice, who are so whom the righteous hand of God hath prosecuted from Field to Field, from City to City, even to the gates of Galway) should be admitted to capitulate, about the settlement of this Nation, which the Parliament of England (their lawful Magistrate) whom God hath not only permitted to be raised to their present height (as you term it) but by his own outstretched Arm, and glorious presence, hath enabled to become a terror to evil doers, and an encouragement to them that do well. And this Capitulation to be before they have either owned their guilt, or delivered those achan's to Justice, for whose iniquity the Law mourns. Indeed if once the Lord would truly humble you under his omnipotent hand for your raising and fomenting this unnatural quarrel between two Nations of late linked in love, allied in blood, and not different in Laws (as yourselves confess) and would incline you timely and readily to submit to their Authority (as the greatest part of the Nation have already done) I should then hope, that deliverance were drawing nigh (at least) to a remnant of those amongst you, who yet continue in disobedience; and that such of you might be capable of that settlement which (at this time) the Parliament of England is intent upon. But while you insist upon the Justice of your Cause, and persevere, in your hostility, it's not the advantages we may partake of by a settlement, nor the uncertainty of a tedious war proved by experience of former Ages, or backed by a number of people in Arms capable of foreign succours, nor fear of having this Country rendered waste, and useless to us, that aught to deter us from doing our duty, or invite us to this sinful or unworthy compliance with you. As touching the Cessation you propose for the avoiding of the further effusion of Christian blood, I could wish that this tenderness had (in the beginning) possessed your spirits; but how such a Cessation can be satisfactory to the Parliament of England appears not to me, seeing they have been at so  a charge in their preparations for the putting a speedy issue to this War, which by the Lord's assistance shall be hearty prosecuted by  
Dublin, this 19th: March: 1651, Your Servant, Edmond Ludlowe.  
To Sir Richard Blake this.  
Some few days before this one Coll: Fitz Patrick, the most eminent in Command amongst the Irish in West Meath, made an Agreement for himself and his whole party with the Commissary General, they engaging not to act any thing in prejudice of the Parliament of England, as appeareth by the Articles themselves which I have herewith sent you.   

Articles of Agreement mad● and concluded the 7th day of March, 1651. at Streams Town in the County of West Meath, between Commissary Gen: Reynolds, and the rest therein authorized of the one party; And Coll: John Fitz Patrick of the other part as followeth: viz.  
1. THat pardon for life shall be assured to Colonel Fitz Patrick aforesaid, and all others of his party, except such persons as had a hand, or were actors in any of the Murders, Massacres, or robberies which were committed upon the English, and Protestants in Ireland, during the first year of the Rebellion: Or any Murders, or Massacres, since the first year committed upon any person, not being in Arms.  
2. That Colonel Fitz Patrick shall have liberty to transport himself, and his party, and Priests (except before excepted) into any the parts beyond the Seas, in amity with the Commonwealth of England. And that they engage to act nothing prejudicial to the Commonwealth of England, and that he shall have six month's time allowed for transporting them at the Port of Waterford, and in the mean time to reside in the Parliaments Quarters, or elsewhere, free from violence or injury offered them by the Parliaments Forces, they engaging not to do any hostile Act in the Parliaments Quarters.  
3. That if the transportation of Coll: Fitz Patrick's Party as aforesaid, may be effected in a shorter time than six months, it shall be done accordingly. And if for want of wind or shipping, the said transportation cannot be done within the said time of six months, a further time shall be allowed as by the Right Honourable the Commissioners of the Parliament for the Affairs of Ireland shall be judged necessary.  
4. That if any of Col: Fitz Patrix party, to be by him transported as aforesaid, shall be found to be within the exceptions before given, advantage shall not be taken against them for the present, but liberty given them to return.  
5. That Col: Fitz Patrick or his party, (except before excepted) shall not be subject to the suit of any person or persons, for any act by them, or either of them done, since their being in Armer.  
6. That Col. Fitz Patrick and his party, shall at the water's side, where they shall be transported as aforesaid lay down, and deliver their Arms to such as shall be appointed to receive them. And that the said Col: Fitz Patrick, and his party, shall have liberty to sell their horses for their best advantage, to those of the Parliaments party, and to none others: And that the said Col. Fitz Patrick shall within twenty days from the date of these presents, give to the Commissary General at Athlone, or to the Officer there Commanding in chief, a true List of the names, and numbers of his party, who are to receive the benefit of these, and the following concessions. And that thenceforth they do no hostile act to the prejudice of the Parliaments Quarters, or Party.  
7. That the consideration of Quarters for Col. Fitz Patrix party who are to be by him transported as aforesaid, be deferred till the time of his giving in the lift of the names, and numbers of his said party, mentioned in the precedent Articles: at which time the said Col: Fitz Patrick shall deliver the particulars of his present assignations, whereby a course for the subsistence of his party, until the time of their transportation as aforesaid may be taken into consideration, to be in order to the place of their transportation, as shall be thought most convenient.  
8. That if Col. Fitz Patrick, or any of his party, (except before excepted) shall desire to live peacably in Ireland, they shall be admitted so to do, they submitting as all others to payment of contribution, and to all Ordinances of Parliament: Provided that this shall not extend to give protection to Priests, and Jesuits, or others of the Popish Clergy to live in the Parliaments Quarters. Provided also, that this their desire be declared to the Commissary General aforesaid, within twenty days from the date of these presents, and the names of the said persons be delivered in writing, to whom protections (if desired) shall be given as is usual.  
9 That for performance of these Articles Col: Fitz Patrick shall deliver sufficient Hostages to the Commissary General at Athlone, or to the Officer there commanding in chief, when the same shall be required by the said Commissary General.  
10. That Col. Fitz Patrick shall not be personally answerable for any unjust act done by his Father.  
11. That particular or personal actions of Col. Fitz Patrick's party, or any of them, shall not extend further then to the persons so acting. Col. Fitz Patrick, and the rest or his party, and every of them using their utmost endeavour for bringing to justice the persons so acting.  
12. That if any doubt shall arise concerning the true intent, and meaning of the premises or any part of them, it shall be left to the Commissary General aforesaid, to clear the same as occasion shall be offered.  
13. Lastly, for performance of all, and singular the premises, the parties hereunto have to these presents interchangeably set to their hands and Seals, the day and year first above written.  
Signed, Sealed, and delivered in the presence of 

John Fitz Patrick.  
Hen: Oowen.  
Cypryan Grace.  
Waller.  
Jo: Coghlane.    
Dublin 12. March 1652.  
A party of the Tories being abroad, Colonel Cook went out with a party of the English, and meeting with them he gave the onset, which proved a sharp encounter; and after two hours' fight, and many persons killed & wounded on both sides, the Commander in chief of the Irish received a shot in his belly, of which he died presently after. We also slew of the Enemy about 60. and took 80. prisoners; amongst those that were slain and taken were 30 Commission Officers, of which number was he that commanded the Irish party. And that which most affects us is the loss of that worthy Commander Colonel Cook, and two or three other Officers of approved fidelity to the Commonwealth of England.   
FINIS.