A DECLARATION OF THE Lord Lieutenant General OF IRELAND, For settling the Protestant Religion, maintaining his Majesty's Just Rights, and the Privileges of PARLIAMENT.   royal blazon or coat of arms 
C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT 
Printed at Cork, and reprinted at London. 1648.   

BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF IRELAND.  
ORMOND,  
TO prevent the too frequent prejudices incident through jealousies, distrusts, and misconstructions to all undertake, We account it not the least worthy our labour upon the instant of our Arrival to prepare this people, whose welfare We contend for, with a right understanding of those intentions in Us, which in Order to his Majesty's service, We desire may terminate in their good.  
To enumerate the several reasons by which We were induced (for preservation of the Protestant Religion, and the English interest) to leave the City of Dublin, and other his Majesty's Garrisons then under our power in this Kingdom, in the hands of those entrusted by his two Houses of Parliament, were to set forth a Narrative in place of a Manifest. It may suffice to be known, that those Transactions had for one main ground this Confidence, That by being under the power of the Houses, they would upon a happy expected Composure of Affairs in England revert unto, and be revested in his Majesty, as his proper right.  
But having found how contrary to the inclinations of the well-affected to his Majesty's restauration in England, the Power of that Kingdom hath unhappily devolved to hands employed only in the Art and labour of pulling down, and subverting the fundamentals of Monarchy (with whom a pernicious Party in this Kingdom do equally Sympathise & Cooperate.) And being filled with a deep sense of the duty and obligations that are upon Us strictly to embrace all opportunities of employing our endavours towards the recovery of his Majesty's just rights in any part of this Dominions. Having observed the Protestant Army in the Province of Munster (by special providence discovering the Arts and practices used to entangle the members thereof, in engagements as directly contrary to their duties towards God and man, as to their intentions and resolutions) to have found means to manifest the Candour and Integrity thereof in a disclaimer of any obedience to, or concurrence with those powers or persons which have so grossly varied even their own professed principles of preserving his Majesty's Person and rights, by confining him under a most strict Imprisonment, his Majesty also vouchsafing graciously to accept the declaration of the said Army, as an eminent and seasonable expression of their fidelity toward him, and in testimony thereof having laid his Commands upon us, to make our repair unto this Province, to discharge the duties of our place.  
We have, as well in obedience there unto, as in pursuance of our own duty, and desire to advance his Majesty's service, resolved to evidence our approbation and esteem of the proceed of the said Army, by publishing unto the world our like determination in the same ensuing particulars, And accordingly We profess and declare,  
First, to improve our utmost endeavours for the settlement of the Protestant Religion, according to the example of the best Reformed Churches.  
Secondly, to defend the King in his Prerogatives.  
Thirdly, to maintain the Privileges and Freedom of Parliament, and the Liberty of the Subjects, that in Order hereunto, We shall oppose to the hazard of our lives, those Rebels of this Kingdom who shall refuse their Obedience to his Majesty, upon such Terms as he hath thought fit by us to require it; And We shall endeavour to the utmost the suppressing of that Independent Party, who have thus fiercely laboured the extirpation of the true Protestant Religion, the ruin of our Prince, the dishonour of Parliament, and the Vassalage of our Fellow Subjects, against all those who shall depend upon them, or adhere unto them: And that this our undertaking might not appear Obnoxious to the Trade of England, but that We desire a firm Union and Agreement be preserved betwixt us; We do likewise declare, that we will continue free Traffic and Commerce with all his Majesty's good Subjects of England: And that We will not in the least manner prejudice any of them that shall have recourse to our Harbours, either in their bodies, ships, or goods, nor shall we take any thing from them without payment of ready money for the same: And now that by his Majesties said Command, We have proceeded to re-enter upon the work of his service in this Province, We conceive no higher Testimony can be given of his Majesty's acceptation, or of the estimation We bear about Us towards their Proceed, then by resorting unto them in person with His Majesty's Authority, and exhibiting unto them the encouragement and satisfaction they may receive in this assurance. That as We bear an especial regard to their present undertake and performances, accompanied with a real Sense of their former sufferings. So, lest there should any advantage be derived unto those who endeavour to improve all opportunities of sowing sedition and distrust by this suggestion, that the former differences in judgement and opinion, which have induced persons to serve diversely under his Majesty and the Parliament, will occasion prejudice, or ill resentments to arise towards such persons as have not formerly concurred in Judgement with others in his Majesty's service. We do declare, that We are qualified with special Power and Authority from his Majesty, to assure them, that no distinction shall be made in any such Consideration, but that all persons now interested and engaged in this Cause, shall be reflected upon with equal fervour and regard; And that We shall make it our endeavours so to improve and confirm his Majesty's Gracious disposure towards them, as that we will never call to memory any past difference in Opinion, Judgement, Action, or Profession, to the prejudice of any Member of this Army, or any person relating to it, but on the contrary, shall be very ready to attest our good Affections towards them in the discharge of such good Offices as shall be in our power. In return whereof, We shall only expect their perseverance in their present engagements for his Majesty's service with such alacrity, constancy and affection, as may suit with their late public declaration, and professions. To whom We desire this assurance also may be inculcated. That as We shall in the future use our utmost care & diligence to provide for their preservation from the like hardships, to those they have formerly undergone; so We have already employed our best industry and endeavours for the settlement of such a course as we may (with most reason) hope will in these uncertain times produce a constant, and competent Subsistance for them, enabling them to make such a progress in their present undertake, as may, with the accomplishment of the great ends thereof, establish their own Honour and Content. Thus much we have thought fit to publish to the world, to furnish it with an evidence of strong conviction against Us, if We ever swerve (to the best of our power) from the just ways of maintaining the true Protestant Religion, the Honour and Interest of his sacred Majesty, the just Rights of Parliament, the Liberties of the Subjects, and the safety, quiet, and welfare of the people entrusted to our care.  
FINIS.