A TRUE COPY OF A Letter, sent from the Lord of Inchiquine to the Honourable Colonel Michael jones, Commander in chief of the Parliaments Forces in Leinster, AND Governor of the City of Dublin,  
With Colonel jones his Answer, To the Lord of Inchiquines said Letter.  
DUBLIN Printed by William Bladen 1649.   

The Lord of Inchiquins' Letter to Colonel Michael jones.  
Sir.  
THE sight of some late past Letters ebtweene his Excellency and you, have by their passages given me more than Common reason to suspect, that a misunderstanding of our grounds is the greatest cause that foments an unhappy distance between us at the present, of how great a Consequence to all our security and felicities a union would be, as it is obvious to the lowest apprehension, so ought it not to be contemned by the highest: but to be the labour of us all to descend from those heights which may wyden a breach, and lay hold on those things that most conduce to peace; it has pleased God to make me one of his meanest Instruments to preserve him a remnant (hitherto of Protestants persevering in their first Principles) by my Sword which self same work I am still intending, but should esteem the happiness greater if you would please to effect it now by my pen or word by how much I prise a Conquest over the mind more than the body and esteem the retaineing of a friend more than the subduing of an Enemy. Sir it is not for Christians to descend to a War like Cocks into a pit, and fight without knowing how the quarrel began, Blood must be accounted for, and therefore is not on light Causes to bespilt; besides the Sword has a mouth to devour justice, but no eyes to see how to defend it: if you please therefore before it have exhausted any drop from either party: to expostulate the matter yourself, or by any other whom you will appoint, with a divine or two added to them (in a fair and handsome debate) I shall meet you with the like both in number and quality where it may please God to bestow such a blessing as we are not yet apprehensive of; and I Conjure you as you intent that really which you pretend verbally, (the establishment of the English interest and Protestant Religion) that you contemn not this nor any other means which shall be offered you for your just satisfaction. If you shall, the ill consequences that may attend it will inevitably fall upon you, and I shall with quiet to my Conscience have acquitted myself that I have in thus seeking performed the duty of a Christian & to you alsoe (if you please to follow it) the office of  
20 junij 1649. Your Friend and Servant Inchiquine  
Colonel jones Answer to my Lord of Inchiquins' Letter.  
My Lord  
I received your Lordships of the 20th Instant by your Trumpet, which being the same in substance with those (not long since) passing me with the Lord of Ormonde, And that your Lordships, containing nothing new, or more than what was in those others, I must therefore, without further answer (as to so much,) refer your Lordship to what hath been then Answered and Replied.  
As for that Conference by your Lordship now Propounded and desired It cannot be, in prudence, admitted, especially in matters of this consequence, and in times when such debatings must needs be Dangerous, as being subject to whatsoever constructions, and misconstructions alsoe.  
But so well am I satisfied in the justice of my Cause (whereupon the Lords blessing hath dwelled Visibly, as still it doth) that I am fixed to my just Principles, whence by Letters or Discourses I am not to be removed. And I wish hearty your Lordship had done likewise.  
Your Sword hath been (I confess) prosperous but remember my (Lord) the cause in which you then appeared the same with this now by Us here maintained against those bloody Rebels.  
But Now, is your Lordship with them most unhappily joined, to the admiration of those who knew your Lordship's former professions, and your once and again renewed engagements (Now. in that your late Confederacy and Countenancing of them in their ways, are you become one of them in that guilt of Blood, where withal they, and the whole Land is defiled. And with them (deserting your first principles) do you Now set yourself against those of the Protestant Religion of which once you were, and whereunto you still profess yourself a friend, and whereof they are mortal and professed Enemies.  
Your Cause therefore being so varied your Lordship cannot promise yourself the same Providence as formerly: which we do and may confidently expect, and the rather, our trust being in God alone; not in our own strength, whereas your powers and number is that you boast off, and in which you rest yourselves principally.  
All which I desire may be by your Lordship Seriously and timely Considered, for regaining and preserving to yourself a good Conscience, and for staying the effusion of more English and protestant blood, which if by your means spilt, it must lie heavy on you, and on your Posterity.  
I conjure you therefore as you intent that really which you pretend verbally, the establishment, of the English interest, and Protestant Religion, that you contemn not this wholesome Council now given you. If you shall, the ill Consequences that now attend it, will inevitably fall on you and I shall with quiet to my Conscience have acquitted myself, that I have herein performed the duty of a Christian, and to you alsoe (if you please to follow it) the Office of (my Lord)  
Dublin june 21th 1649. Your Lordship's Friend and Servant Mic: jones For my Lord of Inchiquine.