THE chief AFFAIRS OF IRELAND TRULY COMMUNICATED. For a check and reproof to all such as walk Westminster-Hall, only to spread false wonders of the Tories, and landing of foreign Forces in Ireland, that they may discourage any that are now willing to go over either to plant, or serve in the Wars for the better speeding of the work yet behind. LONDON: Printed by F: Neile. 1651. THe Earl of Clanrickard titular Deputy of Ireland, for the titular King of Great Britain, upon receipt of the Duke of Lorraine's Agreement with the Irish Agents, sends out his Summons to assemble the States of Ireland, that He may communicate to them the said Agreement, and some other matters of public concernment. One copy of his Summons to the County of galway follows here verbatim. AFter my hearty Commendations, The last general Assembly held at Lough Reagh, having adjourned their Sessions unto the sixth of November next, which through eminent occasions, and at Request of the Officers of the Army, hath been appointed sooner, but by reason of the slenderness of Appearance, and power of the Enemy, was disappointed from concluding any thing, upon the weighty Affairs they had to debate, and adjourned unto the said day first appointed: We have therefore thought fit to renew, and appoint the meeting of the said Assembly at James Town, upon the said sixth day of November next, at ten of the Clock in the forenoon, and do hereby pray, and require, that you will under your Hand, and Seal, return unto the said general Assembly, at the time, and place aforesaid, either the former persons returned from the County of Galloway, and Corporations therein, or two other able, and lawfully elected Persons, by an Assembly, or general meeting of the aforesaid County, and two other able, and lawfully elected, Persons, by the Inhabitants of every burrow in the said County there to sit, and vote in all Matters debated, by the said Assembly, and if the power of the Enemy will not admit such general meetings, you are to cause the said Election to be made, and returned in the best manner you may, and to give notice to the Persons by you to be returned as aforesaid, not to fail in the said hour▪ the rather that we have to commmunicate to the said▪ Assembly, as well a dispatch lately received by us of a transaction made, and concluded with the Duke of Lorraine, for the Relief of this kingdom; as also several matters relating unto, and concerning the said Agreements, and other matters of much importance to his Ma: service, and the good of this Nation, which (lest any Interruption may be given us by the Enemy) we intend shall be entered upon, and debated the first day of the Sessions, having resolved to avoid the danger of a long Session, to hasten as far as in us lieth the Results to be there taken; And so we bid you heartily farewell, And remain: At Aghnanure the 10. October: 1651. For the County of Galloway. Your loving Friend, CLENRICKARD. By virtue of this Summons, a general Assembly was to meet at James-Town in Connought, Novemb. the 6th. last: but the appearance probably was then very slender, and the power of the English did (as it had done before at Longh Reagh) disappoint the formal concluding of any matters of importance. In Leynster, Munster, Ulster, all the Cities, boroughs, Towns, and places Habitable (almost) were in English hands, if any Messengers could be found to deliver Summons, no competent Electors could be found to observe the same: And even in Connought the Two head Cities were at once besieged, and the besiegers of each were so fearless of being raised or disturbed by all the Forces of Ireland, that divided as they were, they yet further subdivided themselves, and marched abroad constantly to seek out Enemies, and take in Garrisons, all that lay within any reasonable distance. It must needs be therefore a very hard matter for Clanrickard driven to such straits as He himself was, out of a Nation so far subdued as Ireland, then was to call together any thing, that might in any construction be admitted to be a general Assembly: or any Representative fit to conclude of general Affairs. Howsoever a Copy of that Agreement which had been completed betwixt Charles the 4th. D▪ of Lorraine on the one part, and the Lo: Taaffe, viscunt Sir Nic: Plunket▪ Knight, and Geff: Brown Esquire of the other part, shall be here inserted faithfully. Some abbreviation shall be used, as to those tedious, superfluous repetitions, which the Lawyers style intruder as necessary, but I shall not recede from the sense, and substance in the least: for that I appeal to the enemy himself. The Copy follows. An Agreement betwixt Charles the 4th. D. of Lorraine: and Theobald L: Viscont Taaf; Sir Ni: Plunket, and Geoff: Browne, deputed and authorised by the Kingdom and people of Ireland. 1. THe most Illustrious Duke is to be vested with royal power, under the Title of Protector royal of Ireland. 2. Because Religion is the prime end and subject of the Treaty: all is to begin with an imploring application to the Pope for his paternal benediction, and Help, that He will not be wanting in things spiritual, or temporal: in consideration whereof it is protested, that constant perpetual obsequiousness of duty and faithfulness shall be paid to his Holiness, and the Apostolic See. 3. In consideration of this royal Protectors power granted, the Duke is by war to prosecute the King's Enemies, and afford Him all possible assistance. 4. The said Duke is to do nothing in abrogation of the King's authority, or jurisdiction in Ireland, but rather to amplify it: and having restored the Kingdom, and Religion to their due, pristine estate, He is to resign cheerfully the Kingdom to the King. 5. Before resignation as aforesaid, the Duke is to be reimbursed all by Him preimpended in this business: and for this reimbursement a general, exact obedience to the Duke in faith and fidelity from the Kingdom and people is made, and to be observed; without reservation to any other Superiority whatsoever. 6. The Duke is not to fail on his part to expel out of Ireland heretics, Enemies to Kings, and Religion: and to recover and defend all things belonging to the faithful Subjects of Ireland. 7. The Duke is solely, and absolutely to exercise all military power, for the present and future in Ireland, as to the nomination of all Commanders, and guiding all martial proceedings at his own pleasure, and in his own person: unless He in his absence substitute some other Catholic person. 8. The Duke is to introduce no innovation into the Towns, &c. to him Assigned repugnant to the securities, privileges, Immunities, Proprieties, Lands, Estates, or ancient Laws of the Irish: reserving only to Himself Authority to apply remedy in any thing accrueing, wherein public prejudice may be concerned. 9 The Duke is not to interpose in Administration of judicial, or civil Affairs, but leave them to be proceeded in according to the fundamental Laws, and politic form by the King's chief Governor, and the Assembly instituted. 10. The manner of calling Assemblies to be as formerly, unless complaint arise against their Government, or other extraordinary emergencies hinder: and then according to the ancient Laws, the calling of the Assembly is to be at the pleasure of his highness. 11. When the work is done in Ireland, by consent of a General Assembly, the Duke promises to afford Agents to the King, against rebelling adversaries in other Kingdoms. 12 In case the Duke cannot go in person into Ireland, it is free▪ in his choice, and pleasure, to depute any other able man of Catholic piety, who shall be independent in the militia, and in civil matters shall be received to all manner of counsels in the same right, as any other Counsellor, or Commissioners. 13. All Cities, Castles, Lands taken from the English, shall revert to the Owners, if Catholics who have constantly persevered in the Catholic Quarters under the Duke, yet the Duke's military power shall be entire over the same, to Garrison, and dispose of them for public security at his pleasure. 14. All pay to the soldiery is to pass from the Duke, as well out of the public Revenue, as of the Duke's coffers, when that fails: always provided that what the Duke disburses of his proper, for public uses for the future, be repaid Him, as his former disbursements. 15. All goods of Enemies, and Delinquents, are to be converted to public military charges, and towards rewarding great merits by the Duke, with advice of the general Assembly. 16. The Duke besides 20000 li. already contributed, promises all further accommodations and supplements of War, together with his power, and industry, whatsoever is not above the reach of his Faculties, and beneath the necessities of the War: towards repayment whereof as well principal, as the annual provenue, and use thereof, the whole Nation of Ireland is to be liable, until the last penny paid, and for caution in the mean time, the Duke is to be seized and possessed in his own hands of Galloway, Limerick, Athenree, the Castle and Town of Athlone, and Waterford, and the royal Fort of Duncannon, (when recovered from the Enemy) and these are to remain to Him, and his Heirs (Until full, entire satisfaction received) and to pay just obedience: and the garrisoned, and commanded at his pleasure. 17. In laying of public Taxes, and levying the same for the Duke's satisfaction, the Duke to proceed by advice of the general Assembly, and all aggrieved parties in case of inequality to seek redress from the general Assembly. 18. For tiquidating, and stating the Duke's disbursements a certain method shall be agreed upon betwixt the Duke, and the said Transactors; but for the Persons to be entrusted in that charge, the Gen▪ Assembly is to alter them at their pleasure. 19 The Duke shall make no peace, nor cessation without the Lord Deputy, and general Assembly. 20. The Lord Deputy, and general Assembly shall make no peace &c. without consent of the Duke. July 22. 1651. Signed Charles of Lorraine. Here is discovered a strange soldering, and patching together of contrary interests, by four several parties on the one side, only that England may be undermined; and betrayed by the conjunction of their Counsels, and Forces on the other side. Here is the pretended Vicar of Christ, the pretended King of Ireland, the pretended Duke of Lorraine, and the pretended plemipotentiaries from the general Assembly of the Irish, and all these make their adverse pretensions reconcilable to each other, in this transaction, that they may appear against England, like the Foxes which Absalon coupled together, with firebrands in their tails, when he intended to burn Joab's standing Corn. The Pope would certainly govern Ireland entirely, and immediately by his own substitutes, if it were possibly to be obtained, rather than admit of these conditions for the King or Duke: but since all cannot be obtained, He will lay hold of what share he can. The King likewise cannot affect such rivals as the Pope and Duke: nor can the people of Ireland voluntarily envassal themselves to so many Signiors: nor would the Duke of Lorraine take the whole burden of this rugged adventure upon himself, without better security▪ but all of them bearing a joint spite against the English, for the satisfying of that common spite, are willing, though against their wills, to daub up their own particular concernments with mortar, altogether untemperd. It is not worth while therefore to inquire at present, what it is that all these treat for here jointly, 'tis the dividing of England's spoils, as appears by the 6t.. 11th. 15th. Articles, but let us a little inquire what that game is, which every one of these Treators hunts after, and pursues severally. The Pope's ends are to be found in the 2d. and 1●1▪ Articles▪ That help, and benediction which is expected from Rome, is not to be bestowed in vain: if the Pope will now set to his assisting hand, and by his holy croisadoes, and other devote spells, contribute treasure to this work, Ireland shall again return to his obedience, nay Ireland being happily reduced, England, and Scotland shall be attempted in the next place. We see the stuped old Bishop does not yet despair: though God has already poured out some vials of his wrath upon his seven-hilled See, and rent away from him more than a 3d. part of his Territories, and though there are more viale yet remaining, that must discharge more indignation shortly upon his Throne: Yet all this does not quite deter him from looking after new acquisitions, and reinstallments. Well: let him mortgage a good part of Heaven to raise money, and let him embark that money in this expedition of the Duke of Lorrayn, we are still confident his Empire is in its declination, and those cups of blood which have been lately filled to Him, by his Command in Ireland, are the last that he shall ever quaff in such excess. The Duke's ends are provided for in the 1. 5. 7. 8. 10. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 18. 20 Articles. He is by Title to be Protector royal of Ireland, and by that Office to assume regal power to himself, and Deputies: the administration of civil, and judicial affairs is to be left to a general Assembly, as formerly, or to the King's Deputies, and Ministers: but this in time of War amounts to nothing: because the military sword is absolutely, and independently girt upon the Duke's thigh; and 'tis well enough known, that in times of war the power military over-awes the civil as much, as the civil aught to overaw the military in times of peace. Moreover, the War is not to be determined till the Duke pleases, and if any dispute arise in the mean time betwixt Power, and Power, here is a particular reservation of authority to the Duke to apply remedy: what that means: I leave to conjecture. Besides, the Duke is to have some share in the civil administration also, and the issuing of the Treasure, & managing of the public Revenue is primarily in Him: and till his disbursements be satisfied (of which there is not yet no Auditor but himself) for principal, and provenue. All Ireland is his mortgage: yea divers of its chief Cities, and Fortresses are to be his in possession, for more special securance, and caution. Upon promise of this security before the signing of the Treaty, the Duke sent 20000 l. to Galloway, and since the full signing of the same, some other supplies of the like value have been sent from the same hand, and questionless, if the Irish Commissioners were able to grant enough to the Duke, the Duke has contracted warily enough for himself, but the main thing contracted for is yet in English hands, such as regard neither of the treating parties. So in conclusion, the Duke is his own security: all that he has treated for with the Irish, is but a cracked Title: his own coffers must still purchase that which is to replenish his Coffers: and the expense of his Militia, must recover that which is to repay him for the expense of his Militia; It behooves the Duke therefore now to lay all at stake, and not to dally away his Treasure in crumbs, (especially since He is dismissed of the Duke of newburgh's entertainment,) for all the body of his mercenary Larro●…s, (if he had swimming Carriages, sufficient to their march,) and all the plunder, and hire that that body has enriched him withal, are scarce sufficient to ensure this one Irish bargain to him. The young titular King's ends are conditioned for, in the 3. 4. 9 11. Articles: The Duke promises him fair, but leaves him nothing else to depend upon, besides bare promises. Yea, and the Commissioners also (to whom the Duke has promised a resignation of the Crown after all demands satisfied, and debts paid) treat by a Commission from the kingdom and people of Ireland, not so much as mentioning Him: if then the young Titular King was privy, & consenting to this Transaction: so directly threatening the extirpation of Protestants here called heretics, and the confusion of England here made the Pray of so many Hunters; we may safely conclude, that he has abjurde both Religion, and Country; nay we▪ may conclude further, that having postponed all other things to private aims of his own, in the pursuing of those aims, He is rather transported with counsels of blood, and revenge, then of hope and advantage. But if his consent was not past to these Articles, so dishonourable, and injurious to himself, his Irish Subjects are not so loyal, and faithful to him, as sometimes they would fain profess themselves to be, and as his tame compliance with them seems to merit at their hands. How wise his councillors are, I cannot apprehend; for when I consider that the Scots, and the Irish have been perpetually courted by him, and gratified with condescensions against his Religion, against his Honour, against his Conscience, against his inclination: and yet nothing was ever hitherto held out to the Governing party in England, but the red Flagg of defiance: his Counsels seem to me unfathomable. The advantages of the Irish are now lastly to be looked after, in the 1. 2. 6. 12. 13. 15. 19 Articles. For they are not only to be restored to their own forfeited Estates: but rewarded also for their bucheries, and outrages with all that pertains to the English. They are to have negative voices in all Truces, and Treaties of peace. They are to be governed by a Catholic Prince, and in his absence by a Catholic Deputy: till the Duke declares himself fully satisfied, and continued. They are to have the Pope's Crosier as predominant amongst them as ever formerly. In brief, they are to have Popery secured to them for ever, by virtue whereof, they shall be absolved of all blood by them already drawn, and enabled to shed, as much hereafter upon all occasions offered, for since they have not pawned, but really sold themselves in fee to the Duke of Lorraine, (knowing, and foreseeing their country's insolvency, and that the Duke's pretences are never probably to be answered in this age, though right reckonings might be expected) that dear Religion of theirs, which so sweetened to them by the sacrificing of heretics, must needs be indefeasibly established amongst them. Now all these things summed up together, need no Commentary to be made upon them: every English man, that knows what belongs to an English man, will be a sufficient Commentater to himself. In observing of the Irish especially (for the other 3. Treators are foreign to us) and their sincerity in Treating, no man can be deficient: for they we see here, whilst they are professing fidelity to the Parliament, and seeking freedom of their own consciences, yet are Articling with the Duke of Lorraine, and other Potentates at the same time, to root out the very name of English, and Protestant from the face of the earth: and though they have always made their King's Cause a principal part of their quarrel against us, notwithstanding that He is our professed enemy: yet upon all advantages they are ready to cashier him, though He he hath always followed his father's steps in this, in keeping a secret, strict, and servile correspondence with them: yea, and Espousing so much guilt of blood for their sakes, as all the water in the Sea betwixt England, and Ireland, will never wash off from his unhappy Family. About the beginning of Novemb: Limerick yielded to the Lord Deputy upon such Articles, as show what distress the Town was in: but the Articles have been Printed and published already, and therefore I forbear here to insert them. Howsoever presently after, the Lord Deputy sent his summoning Letters with offers of fair terms to Galway, Copies whereof you shall now have. A Copy of his excellency's Letter to Gen: Preston, Governor of Galway. SIR, I Shall not now do you the courtesy as to Summon you at such a distance, because your gravity once chid me for it as unadvisedly; But for the good men's sake of the City, who perhaps may not be so airy in the notion of a soldier's honour, as to understand the quibbles of it, or to find the worth or weight in them, to admit them in balance against the more feeling concernments of their own safety, and subsistence (though men of your unhappy breeding think such glorious Trifles worth the sacrificing, or of other men's lives and interests, for (however you would your own) I have here sent to them a sober tender of Conditions, which they may (perhaps) think it behooves them to consider, whilether's time, and rather at distance then stay till the refusal, bring mischief or danger nearer their doors. This if you shall fairly communicate as 'tis directed, and especially if you be found compliant to the substance and effect of it, (waving the frivolous impertinencies of a soldier's Honour or humour rather) you may partake in the benefit of such Conditions, as your quality renders you capable of. If you smother or suppress it, you may guess whose head shall pay for the trouble, or mischief that shall follow if God enable us to reach it, as I doubt not but he will, because he is, and we have eminently found him still to be a righteous judge, pleading the quarrel of the innocent, and a severe avenger of their blood against those that spill it, or lightly regard it, as well as a merciful Father, and faithful Master to those that serve and fear him. Clare Castle: Novemb: 7. 1651. SIR: Your Servant, H: IRETON. To the Citizens of galway. Gent: I Suppose you cannot but understand; That as God hath been pleased to bless and d●spose of our Affairs) we have no place considerable in Ireland to intend next but your City, where I believe you must needs feel some restraint already, both to your Trading and supplies, and cannot but foresee more coming on that will reduce you (by God's blessing continuing with us) to extremity ere long, though we should not at all deal with you in a more forcible way. And therefore though I can expect little fruit of a formal Summons at this distance, and Season; If you be under the power of mercenary soldiery▪ (who will perhaps pretend point of Honour, not to yield before more extremity, or immediate Force at hand: but really intend their own interests, so far as to keep themselves in a warm Quarter, and good pay, whilst they can, though thereby (besides first milking of you dry) they bring you into as bad a Condition at last, as those in Limerick, and other places have done the poor people that maintained them, and then getting as good Conditions as they can for themselves to be gone, leave you with your more weighty Interests behind, to stand at the stake, yet not knowing but your wisdom may have kept you so far Masters of yourselves, and your City, as to be able to rid yourselves of such Guests when you see cause. I thought fit hereby to offer you, as once I did to Limerick last year whilst they were their own Masters, that if you will yet open your Gates, and submit to the State of England, you shall find more mercy, and favour to all save the original Authors of the Rebellion, the first engagers in Command or council therein▪ before the first General Assembly, or such as sat therein, than you shall ever have from me by bargaining for yourselves. Or if you think it better for you to capitulate for Conditions, I shall (if you accept them) without farther trouble to us, give you the same in effect, which I tendered to Limerick at my first setting down before it this year, in case they would have surrendered then, so as to have set us free for other work the remainder of the Summer, which if upon the sad example of what they by the refusal have lost, and what they came to at last, after all the distresses, impoverishments, and miseries of the Siege, you incline to lay bold on while you may, and so prevent the like miseries▪ you shall soon understand them from me. Now indeed though you should not be ever mastered by an hungry sharking soldiery, yet the multitude of Priests, those incendiaries of blood, and mischief amongst men, and of other desperate persons (engaged upon their principles in the beginning of this Religion, and in the murders, and outrages therein committed) which I understand you have amongst you, makes me apt to doubt that by reception and protecting of them, and adherance thus far unto them (if not by any bloody and treacherous acting of your own) you may in the Righteous judgement of God be so far involved with them in the same guilt, as to be doomed, to partake with them in the same Plague, and given up to be either overawed or deluded thereunto, by the same persons with whom, and for whose sake you have so made yourselves partakers in the guilt, or (at least, I am sure such, as those amongst (so far as they can prevail to overpowre you, (or deceive you) will endeavour to engage you as deep, render you as desperate as themselves, and makes your wealth and strength serve to maintain or protect them, and their broken wicked interest, as long as ever they can, yet what ever issue it have, I shall have the satisfaction in myself of having discharged such a duty towards the saving and real good of men (if capable of it) and in having by this a good trial, how God suffers you to be inclined (for mercy or judgement to yourselves) and see the more light what dealing he calls for towards you from our hands. If you shall be blinded or hardened to the refusal of this mercy whilst you may have it, and to put the State of England, and us their Servants to the charge, hardship, and labour of drawing before you to besiege you, when there is no Town but yours to protract the end of the War, you may well expect (since we have nothing else considerable to do) that we shall endeavour to the utmost to make you pay dearly for it in the issue, and more than others before you, by how much you alone do (with less reason or hopes, and more malignant obstinacy) lengthen out our charge and trouble, and make yourselves the single, and more singular mark of Justice. But if there be (as I am not without hope there may be) a generation amongst you, more peaceably or providently inclined, and not so violent or mad as the rest, who would willingly embrace mercy while they may, but are overpowered by a faction of other desperate ones, I shall be glad for those that are so minded if▪ God gives them Hearts to do that right to themselves, as to use some means whereby we may know them, and who the rest are that oppose it, (or the principles of them) that so we may have some ground of discrimination (when God shall give it into 〈◊〉 power) to use that tenderness towards them, and severity towards the other which God in such ●ase) would call for, and we should desire. For general Ireton. SIR, IT would prove no courtesy unto me, your summoning me at such a distance, but rather a discourtesy, which had (in my opinion) rendered you guilty of a second error against the rules of War. You may not think strange that the people of this Town should stand upon soldiery, honour, and have skill to oppose an Enemy, who have of themselves (without the assistance of others) long since stood out against the threats and attempt●s of the Lord Forbs, who was general of a Fleet when he besieged them, and forced by them to retire without any loss to themselves. If my profession be unhappy (as you term it) I cannot but admire, you should follow the same, which it hitherto hath proved to your content, may hereafter prove unhappy to you according to your own judgement of it. And if men of that profession shall be backward in venturing men's lives, in a just cause, (such as I own being for my Religion, King, and Country) they shall hardly attain to the effecting of any great enterprise. But such as hazard men's lives without a just cause will one day answer for their blood before God the just judge, in which (when you reflect on your own actions) you will find yourself as guilty as others. Your Letter to the Mayer, Aldermen, and Burgesses of this Town I delivered them, knowing their honest and gallant resolution to be such, as they may not be drawn or tempted to any the least distrust or jealousy of the soldiery amongst them, which you endeavour by your Letter to fill their imaginations with all, for your own ends, and their utter ruin, and had I suppressed or smothered it, I cannot guess whose head should be subject to pay for it: for I hold that the heads of those with you, are as unsettled on their shoulders, as any I know in this Town. Your Servant, Tho: Preston Taragh. Galway, 12 Novemb: 1651. For the Lord Gen: Hen: Ireton, these. We received yours dated at the Castle of Clare the 7th. of this instant, wherein you seem (under the Cloud of a friendly advice) to set distrust, and jealousies betwixt us, and the soldiery amongst us, which perhaps the like hath wrought your desired effects of division and distraction in Limerick, and other places to their own ruin: yet have we that confidence in the ownipotent God who is the author, and fountain of union, and Charity that nothing shall be able to rent or break the settled conjunction which is between us in the Town, so that howsoever God shall be pleased to direct our intenions, it will appear by the effect to be the general Act of all without exception. You were pleased to speak in your Letter of Conditions offered to Limerick the last year, and likewise of others offered by you to them, when first you sat before that City this year, of both which we being ignorant, cannot give that full resolution upon those offers by you made, we do expect from you the full scope of both these Conditions mentioned in your Letter, and that without exception of any Person, or Persons in or of this Town, whereupon we will return unto you such Answer and Resolution, as God shall direct us, and which shall become good Christians, and men of our Condition and quality: and so we remain, Galway 12. Novemb: 1651. Your Servants. Richard Kickwarty. Mayor. Oliver French. Stephen French Tho: Linch. James Lich. Jo: Stephens. Dominick Boowne. John Blake. A Reply to Preston. See here old Prestons' confidence: Because he fights for his King, County, and Religion: Because the Citizens of Galloway adhere unanimously to him: because he has a maxim of War to warrant him: and because he supposes there is an ensnaring intent in the favourable Conditions offered by the Lord Deputy: therefore he still resolves to run the hazard of a longer Siege, and will rather abide the worst events of war, then accept of the favour here tendered. Death has lately bereaved us of that Pen that would, and best could have replied to there cavillations: nevertheless such a feigned plerophory of confidence as this must not pass without some Reply. And first his Lordship should have affirmed, that He fought for a just King, for an oppressed Country, and for a religion truly Christian: for that which he now affirms is but of little weight, in as much as all Kings, all national Quarrels, all Religions are not justifiable, nor to be maintained by force at all times. And as to this particular case, the King here intimated is such a one, as in a solemnly-sworn, Scotch Covenant has renounced, and discomissioned Preston himself, and all his adherants, as Enemies to his Scotch Covenant, yea, and to requite this renuciation of the King, the Irish at the same time have offered to renounce him, and to alienate the Crown from his posterity. Let it be provided; that Popery may be established in Ireland, and the buchering of 500000 British Protestants remitted: and there are plenipotentiaries in England at this instant, that will conclude with us about ejecting Monarchy out of Ireland for ever. This shows how ingeniously this Governor of Galway makes Kingly interest one prop of his Cause, and one Plea for his Conscience in a dispute so bloody, as this has hitherto proved, and still is likely to prove. Then for his country that affords him as weak an argument for the upholding of his Courage, as his King. For 1. that which he calls His Country has no place to convene, and vote in but Woods and bogs: and divide Ireland into 10 parts, and 7. of those ten have laid down arms, submitted to the Parliament: and desire protection no otherwise, then as they disavow all that were guilty of the first massacre, and continue now in hostility against the English. 2ly. admit there were any right of Government in that minor part of fugitives, which Preston here calls his Country, merely because they continue to abet, and justify by force the first Rebellion in 1641. Yet still he knows, those fugitives themselves are now subdivided into several parties, and contrary counsels. One part of them is now treating with the Duke of Lorraine, about a resignation of Ireland into his hands, an other is proposing contrary terms to the commonwealth of England. 3ly. Grant all Ireland undivided, in a free general Assembly, did impowre Preston still to maintain by arms, that horrid conjuration and barbarous exception of 1641. will he imagine, that such a Power can make the demands of satisfaction, and expiation illegal in the English, or a denial of the same legal in Him, and his principals? He may as well suppose that Law civil may abrogate the Law of Nature? and that the commands of impious▪ bloody man, may supersede the most fundamental institutions of God. What an incredible stupidity is this in Preston then, that he puts any comparison betwixt his own Cause, and the Lord Deputies, when all the world knows his Sword is drawn to maintain the most execrable outrageous slaughter of Christians, that ever the earth was made drunk with, and guilty of, and the Lord Deputies is drawn only to recover due vindication for the same? But Preston alleges further that He is religion's Champion, as well his Kings, and Countries: and this must needs move very much with all that know his Religion, for we must understand, by his Religion, the Virgin Mary commands in Heaven equal at least with Jesus Christ, even as on Earth the Bishop of Rome governs almost solely, and entirely above all that is called God. By his Religion, divine merits suffice not without human additions By his Religion, the Pope may invert totally God's most sacred Ordinances, making Incest Sodomy, Perjury, Rebellion, &c. excusable, and commendable as often as they serve his advantages, and pretensions by his Religion, an absolute sovereignty is due to the Pope over all Princes, and Governments, and to deny the same attaints any man of heresy. By his Religion, heresy is a sufficient cause to expose whole Nations, to the destruction of his emissaries, yea if Oaths have been made to preserve them from destruction, those Oaths are to be avoided, and falsified upon pain of damnation. By his Religion, many thousands of Protestants infiduously murdered before open War in Ireland, since 164● were piously sacrificed to Christ's Vicar at Rome, and for him to defend these sacrifizers, merits much of all the Angels and Saints in Heaven. Of this Religion therefore which thus inables the Pope to do things diabolical, whilst it pretends to clothe him with divine sovereignty, more need not be said; if this Religion be in any proportion, or shadow answerable to that which was preached, and practised by our Saviour, let Preston still enjoy his confidence in it. The 2d. thing that buoys up the spirit of the Lord of Taragh is the unanimity, and stoutness of the Townsmen under his Command: and this to us signifies very little: for when a Company of Tradesmen, and mechanics has a Governor to flatter them with stories of the Lord Forbes, a Priest to invegle them with fables of Purgatory, and a soldier to awe them with Pikes, and Muskets: 'tis no great wonder if they promise compliance, and give way to their Mayor, and some few Aldermen to subscribe for them. Nay if the Lord of Taragh himself seem at present, as things now stand, to promise himself much from this agreement, and subscription of the Townsmen, that is as little to be wondered at; because it may very well be notwithstanding, that he which now speaks big words upon the approach of Winter, may yet resolve to be more attentive to reason, when the approach of the Spring adds more advantages to his besiegers. He cannot choose but remember that in 1650. He had as much assurance of constancy and fidelity from the Tradesmen, in Waterford, as he has now in galway, yet both he and the Waterfordians in the end found cause to lament that unhappy assurance. Drogheda suffered for its obstinacy, though it was the first Town that rejected favour, let galway then and Preston too, consider what it is▪ to reject favour at last cast, and to remain obstinate after all other places of consequence are reduced: let not the Lord Deputies fair warning be too far slighted. A 3d. thing that animates his Lordship, is a Puntilio of Honour, which some rude, mere sword men reverence, and observe as a maxim of War; and by this maxim a Commander in chief is to prefer his own repute before the saving of thousands under his charge: and 'tis declared to be forfeiture of repute to him, to accept of conditions from an Enemy whilst they aree too favourable, and too timely. All the misery which fell upon Waterford by Pestilence, Famine, and the Sword in 1650. might have been prevented by this Lord of Taragh, (at that time Governor there) had not his Honour been inconsistent with the acceptance of the terms then offered: and the terms then offered were better than his Lordship▪ afterwards accepted without any blemish to his Honour, they were only dishonourable in this, that they were offered too soon, and before the City had sufficiently tasted the miseries of a lasting Siege. At that time before a Sacrifice had been made of 10000 men, to the Repute of this famous general, 'twas not fit for him to march away, but after this due right, and solemnity performed, He had a maxim of War to warrant the rendition of the place upon terms more disadvantageous. We know not when, where, not by what Senate of Martialists, these tyrannous Laws of Honour were Enacted, but the tyranny of them is very manifest, and by this Tyranny Iredah, Wexford, Limerick, and some other places in Ireland, have been lately brought to very sad, and tragical Castrophes: and it should seem Preston thinks himself still necessitated by the same, to bury himself, and galway in honourable Ashes. The Lord Deputy taking just scandal at such ignorant mercenary swordmen, as these who follow arms out of choice, not necessity, and not understanding Honour rightly defined, shed blood for formality, no● policy▪ calls the profession of them unhappy: and this Preston stomachs at, and retorts, as if the Lord Deputy were himself of the same Profession. Herein his ignorance appears still more at large: for the Lord Deputy▪ did not speak disdainfully of all, but only of such soldiers as fall under the foresaid distinction: He is as much mistaken in soldiers now, as He was before in the Honour of soldiers: and this shows that his rude, and truly unhappy trade never taught him rightly either to define, or distinguish. The last thing that hardens Preston, or rather that is made use of by Preston to harden the Townsmen of galway is this; that the Lord Deputy intends no more favour to them, notwithstanding all his fair offers of mercy, than he does to the soldiery, and the rest of the desperate incendiaries in galway, whom he excludes from it. And he tells the people the Lord Deputies design is only to breed variance, and division betwixt both parties, that both might be made his prey the more easily. Nay he is not ashamed to tell the people that Limerick was bet●ayed, and lost by the same fraud. What are these people ashamed of? all the world knows, that Limerick after great hardships, and distresses endured in a long Siege, was forced at last to submit to that ingens telum, which we call necessity: and those miserable people that are still surviving after all those Calamities, will be sad witnesses, that they may curse that obstinate unity that made them hold out so long, not any factions, or dissensions that made them submit so soon. The English were never guilty of circumventing Enemies by subtleties, and of all English men there was never any one more averse from deluding snares then the Lord Dep: Ireton: let them but name one Town in Ireland during all these Wars, that ever lost by timely yielding, or had cause to boast of long holding out, and this argument shall be wholly granted them. FINIS.