A Great and BLOODY PLOT AGAINST The Protestants, Discovered to have taken the Castle at Dublin, and murdered the Commissioners of PARLIAMENT. Divers taken prisoners, among whom were, The Lord Tath, Sir Edward Varney, Colonel Vane, Colonel Barrey, Captain Poor, Captain Treswell, Mr. Brent a Lawyer, Alderman Joanes, Alderman Clerk, And divers others. WITH A DECLARATION by the Supreme Council of the Confederate Catholics at KILKENNY: And their treachery against the ENGLISH Protestants. Also several great victories obtained by the Lord Inchequin in Munster. And the Defeat of the Irish Rebels under Owen Roe O Neale. CErtified by the Commissioners Letters from Dublin, appointed to be printed and published, Philip Fernelley, Cleric. Parl. Dom. Com. Printed at London by Robert Ibbitson. 1647. A Great and bloody PLOT against the Protestants discovered, to have taken the Castle at Dublin, and murdered the Commissioners of PARLIAMENT. Dublin, July 14. 1647. Right Honourable, UPon Thursday Major Gleg was buried nobly in Christchurch, and Captain Villars is Major in his place. Upon Friday six Commissioners sat at Cork house, who are appointed to agree with Delinquents for their estates. That day Sir Richard Barnwell compounded, Sir Andrew Elmore came with him to Town, likely for the same purpose: some comes in daily to compound, but that they hope for a new breaking out in England, most of the Country would come in: That day Captain Wood, and Cap. Thomas Bartlet went with provision towards Sligo: Upon Friday night, hearing of this Proclamation some three hundred Troopers and Soldiers went to the Rebels, because, as is suspected, they might not have their former Officers to serve under, and I fear me for that cause many others will run unto them. That night Colonel Convey came to town with news of taking a thousand Cows, besides three hundred Horse from the Rebels, from Charlemount. Upon Saturday it was concluded, but not fully known until Monday what Commanders of Horse should be cashcered, the news stomaches most, if not all of them, that day the Rebels took Codington, and four or five more twelve miles from Dublin, in their way to Droghedah. Upon Tuesday our Army went forth with about three thousand Horse and foot, God send them a happy Victory and safe return. The same day Captain Oteley was buried in St. Patrick's Church, and his Troop bestowed on Captain King, That night Sir Maurice Eustace his Cows were taken away from Irish Towns three miles from Dublin: We heard that Preston summoned the Naas, and is upon his journey thither, our Army is there by this time, if not further. It is reported that Owen Roe is on his march from Connought, and it is variously reported that he had an overthrow, but it is uncertain, the contrary party reports the contrary, but I believe had he had any good success, he had not returned so soon from thence. The Churches are unprovided as yet of Ministers, the Commissioners offers (as I hear) the old may continue, and use the Lords prayer, two Chapters, the Psalms, the Belief, and ten Commandments, but they will not Preach without they may use the same form as they formerly have done. This day some of the Papists and Cavaliers party, had an intention to work some plot against the Commissioners and Protestants, and as it is thought, to surprise the Castle of Dublin likewise, which conspiracy as God would have it, the Commissioners had private notice of, presently strong Guards were set about Mistress Courtesies house, wherein were the Lord Tath, Col. Vane, Sir Edmond Varney, Col. Barry, Cap. Poor, Cap. Treswell and Brent the Lawyer who are kept there. Alderman Joanes, and Alderman Clerk, be committed upon examination, Varney and Treswell were enlarged, what will become of the rest, by the next you shall hear. God send us good news from England or else we be but in a bad condition. Your humble Servants. We have sent you here enclosed the Copy of a Letter from Munster, and also a Declaration from the Supreme Council of the Confederate Catholics at Kilkenny. Right Honourable, WE had a party sent out the 24 of May, which returned the 25, with 600. head of Cattle, Sheep and Garrons. The 28. of May, we sent out another party, which returned the 31. with 2000 and odd Cows and Oxen, and in Sheep and Garrons so many that made them up 6000. and odd. The third of June we sent out another party, which returned the fifth, with about 600. head of cattle besides 1500 sheep which the Soldiers killed eaten in their return. They also took in a place called Castle Thomas. While the last party was abroad, we had 100 horse at a place, to make good a passage, which being careless, the enemy drew some Musketeers through a wood, between them and hom: So their horse fell upon them in the Front, and the Musketeers in the Rear, and killed betwixt 30 & 40 of them. All our moneys is gone, and our provision will not last past 6. or 8. days, so that except there come a fresh supply out of England in the mean time, I know not what the Soldiers will do for bread: for wheat is fare dearer here than it is in England, and in many places not to be bought for money, and without wheat to make Biscuit, the Army will never be able to continue in the field. It is true the Lord Inchiquin doth what lieth in him, but he wanteth assistance. We are now forced to leave the field, and go to Garrison for want of wheat and money. Your Honour's humble servant, Francis Roe. Youghall, july 1. 1647. By the Supreme Council of the Confederate Catholics of IRELAND. Whereas many persons of Honour and Gallantry, and others his Majesty's loyal Subjects, who faithfully served against the Rebels of the Parliament of England, were by the power and malice of the said Rebels, forcibly, and violently, transported into this Kingdom, or detained therein, to fight against his Majesty's loyal and dutiful Subjects the Confederate Catholics of Ireland: Thereby to weaken his Majesty's party; & as much as in the said Rebels lieth, to extinguish this nation. We therefore in discharge of the duty, we own to our Sovereign Lord the King, the trust reposed in us by this Kingdom and our desire to preserve them and us in loyalty, do hereby publish and declare that all and every the said persons of Honour, Commanders, Officers, Troopers and Soldiers ' who will departed from the service of the said Rebels in any Province of this Kingdom, and repair either unto us, or any his Majesty's Armies in any of the said Provinces under our commands, and serve against the said Rebels, shall have and enjoy safety and protection in their persons, arms, and goods, and also shall be employed in any of the said Armies they will make choice of respectively, in equivalent command with those they held or shall hold in the service of the said Rebels at the time of their respective departure from them, and shall possess and enjoy equal entertainment, privileges, and advantages, with those of their respective degrees in the service of the said Confederate Catholics, without distinction of nation or Religion, so that every person departing as aforesaid, do take an Oath, to bear true faith and loyalty to our sovereign Lord King Charles his Heirs and Successors, and be true and faithful unto the said Confederate Catholics, and not to advise, contrive, conceal, or act any thing that may be, or tend to their damage, or prejudice, and obey the commands, and orders of the supreme council, against his Majesty's enemies, and we do command all Generals, Governors, Commanders, Officers and others his Majesty's Subjects, within our quarters, to take notice of, and render due obedience to this our public Act, and Declaration, and likewise not to molest hinder or trouble any person or persons of honour command or otherwise coming or repairing hither from the said enemies quarters in pursuance of this our Act and Declaration out to protect, guard, and defend them; either and every of them in their way and journey unto us. Given at Kelkenny the first day of July 1647. Antrim, Johannes Clonfertensis, Nich. Fernensis, Athenry, Louth, Nich. Plunket, Rich. Everard, Patrick, Darcy, etc. Die Lunae 14. julii, 1647. THe House understanding, that there is a resolution to prorogue the Parliament, for some long time, and not knowing when they shall meet again did take into their consideration the many good services performed by Sir Maurice Eustace, Knight, their Speaker, unto the House, his singular affection to the English Nation, and public Service, his earnest endeavour for the advancement of the Protestant Religion, the inveterate hatred and malice of the detestable Rebels, many ways declared and acted against him, and the great expenses which he hath been formerly at for the honour and service of the House. And having at present no better way of requital, then to convey the memory thereof to posterity, do think fit in manifestation of their high esteem thereof, to declare, and do hereby declare the same to be such, as in all times ought to be remembered for his advantage. And do therefore order, that this be entered amongst the Act, and Orders of this House. Finis. Philip Ferneley, Cler. Parl. Dom. Com.