THE PROPOSITIONS SENT By the Irish Parliament held at Kilkenny, TO The Commissioners AT DUBLIN.  
Signed by Lodowick O Bourk Speaker of the House of Parliament in Kilkenny.  
London Printed for I. H. and are to be sold near the Royal Exchange, 1647.   

PROPOSITIONS SENT By the Irish Parliament held at Kilkenny, to the Commissioners at Dublin; concerning Peace in that Kingdom.  
Right honourable,  
ALthough it so fortuned by the chance of War, that our Forces under the command of his Excellency Gen. Preston, at the last conflict in the field were something overpowerd by yours, with the loss of some of our native Countrymen of rank and quality, of which we being so sensible on, cannot but for a time  ourselves in mourning. Yet doth it not any ways dismay us, or strike us with fear or terror, nor causes us any ways to despair of the future event of the War; but only a serious consideration and religious care which we have of this our native Kingdom: to prevent the effusion of Christian blood, of which there hath been an overflowing torrent for a long time spread over this distressed and languishing Kingdom which induceth us to be the first, and exemplary instruments to revert the gluttonous Sword from banqueting in blood and destruction, on which for these seven years it hath been feasted; and to bring it bacl again to its former place, to wit, to the hand of the Civil Magistrate, to execute temporal Justice; and that the ancient known Laws of the Kingdom might return to their former place: His Majesty enjoy his supreme power and dignity; the Natives to have their liberties as Subjects, and not to be enthralled as slaves, that so they and the English might again live together as friends and fellow Subjects.  
For the accomplishing of which, we the confederate Estates of the Kingdom of Ireland, assembled in Parliament at Kilkenny, do desire that there might be so far a complacency between us and you; that the original and present differences betwixt us might be so really understood: whereby we hope by the clearness of actions present, and our future endeavours may be apparent to all, whereby we may make ourselves quit of that scandalous and infamous brand of bloody Rebels.  
For the obtaining of which, we desire, that some convenient place might be appointed, where a considerable number of Nobility and Gentry, both of your Party and ours, might have some time perfixt to meet, with free commission on both sides, to treat and consult together, that thereby (with God's assistance we may enjoy at length a happy peace and union) and this miserable and bleeding Kingdom preserved from farther ruin and desolation, which hath so long lain weltering in its own gore, and the distressed inhabitants restored to their former peace and plenty.  
But this our real and sincere requests, some may conjecture may proceed from our cowardly fear, or policy, that by this means of Treaty, the actions of the Armies for this Summer might be retarded: but if any do look upon our Forces at home in Garrison, and abroad in the field, they will find that we stand not in need of cessation for want of Forces to keep the field: and we are confident it is not unknown to most of you: for although that part of an Army then at Lnishknock with General Preston received some damage; yet have we an Army in the field, marching under General Owen Oneale, which were not engaged there, nor elsewhere, since their last victory at Blackwater: which Army (be it spoken without vain glory) is almost double the number the men which you have in Arms in this Kingdom: and of their valours we presume that the Scots and your other Forces in Ulster, can give a sufficient testimony of: yet put the case we had not this Army, yet God be praised this Kingdom, or at least this part of the Kingdom in our possession is not so ill stored with men nor our Magazines with Arms and Ammunition, but we could have recruted General Prestons' Army with double the number he lost at Lnishknock: Wherefore ye may clearly see, it is not the want of men or ammunition that induceth us to Parley: but if you shall find your hearts so peaceably inclined as to admit of it, there may be such care taken on both sides for the security of the Commissioners: and yet no cessation of Arms for the Soldier, till the Commissioners shall conclude and agree thereunto.  
But for the Armies to proceed in any way of hostility to either's best advantage notwithstanding the Treaty and yet to be be no prejudice to the Commissioners of either side.  
We also desire that we might have the same privilege as other his Majesty's Subjects have in the like nature, viz. to send a convenient number of Commissioners, whom we shall think fit, to London or elsewhere in the Kingdom of England; and they there to reside as Commissioners to communicate the weighty affairs of this Kingdom, both to the King's Majesty and to the honourable Houses of Parliament there; by which our actions past, and our future intentions, may be cleared before the face of the world; and that those blemishes may be taken away from us and our posterities, which some are pleased to brand us with; and that all men may see that our intentions are only for peace and unity, that we and the English may again live lovingly together as friends and fellow Subjects.  
But if you think it prejudicial to you to have any number of Commissioners to go for England; we shall then desire that only two whom we shall appoint, may have a safe convoy over for England, and so back again, to address themselves to his Majesty and to the Parliament, and there to endeavour the procuring of his Majesty's Royal assent, and also the consent of both Houses of Parliament to such Articles as shall be propounded towards the settlement of a firm and well grounded Peace in the three Kingdoms; that so we may put a period to these miserable and bloody distractions that hath so long attended on this deplorable Nation. And that his Majesty with his Royal Consort, and their Posterity, may enjoy their just Rights and Royal Prerogatives; and the Subject his just Liberties and Freedom.  
Sir this is the desire of the Lords and Commons assembled in the supreme council of this Kingdom, held at Kilkenny: And if your honour will be pleased to send your answer, you will engage us to be,  
Kilkenny, August 28. 1647. Your Servants, Lodowick O Bourk, Speaker.