THREE LETTERS SENT FROM ROME TO Some of the principal Actors of the Rebellion in IRELAND. Dated 4. of january. 1642. After the Roman Account.  
Showing their zealous affections and advice to their Rebellious proceed, whereof the two first were written in Irish and translated into English according to the Original Copies.  
DUBLIN: Printed by William Bladen. 1642.   

To my honoured friend Phelim Roe o Neale with my welwishes in IRELAND.  
My honoured Lorenzo  
THe great God help you. I would have often written unto you, since I received St. Francis his habit, & especially during these six years I have lived in Rome, had not the Lord, which lately died, and Hugh Roe my brother charged me to keep no correspondency with you, or with any other friend there, to avoid all suspicion and damage, which might happen unto you thereby. Now if that which is written unto us, and which we hear from all parts be true, to wit, that the thing which we long desired, whereof our hope was in God, and in you heretofore, be come to pass: The time of writing and keeping correspondency with you touching such matters, as are best, and most needful unto you in the present opportunity, is now at hand. Therefore I could not choose, but writ (above all things) these few lines unto you in my mother's tongue, as being most safe. The holy father, and his two nephews, Cardinal Anthony Barberinus protector of Ireland, and Cardinal Francis Barberinus, who hath all the power here in such matters as concern the Pope, have heard of the war and confederation, which you make for your religion and liberty. And truly I cannot express the grea●nes of the joy (no wonder) which they conceive thence, in such manner, that if they had received Letters, if you had sent an Agent unto them with authority to express your will, or designe● 〈◊〉 should want no help for your better proceed. Wherefore send without delay some able man with a Declaration of your grievances in form of Law. My brother Owen Roe o Conny the priest is in Spain, except he begun into Ireland before this, he hath finished very well his study of Philosophy, Theology and Law, and is well spoken in the Latin, Spanish and Dutch: He is (as I know well) sober, discreet, learned, and bred according to the manner of several Nations to treat with any Prince of what matter soever: Furthermore, he is (as you know) faithful and natural to the other Lords your confederates; which qualities are most requisite in any man to be sent hither, or to any other place upon the like Embassage. I protest unto you before God, that I commend him not in that he is my brother, but that I am not acquainted with any man of better ability and faithfulness to be employed here in your service, and in the service of the Country, than he, since Hugh Roe my brother died through the great misery and pains he hath taken in his last travels: I am teacher here, teaching in the College of the Irish these six years, and employed all that time about the affairs of the late slain Lord. I might do you some service, if I had some intelligence from you, and some help of him whom you intent to send hither. There is nothing I desire more then to return to my Country, though I be settled here to my own contentation: I pray use me and the rest of my function after such manner, as shall seem best unto you for your own service. Father Arthur mac Genis is in Madrill, and so are many other, who would perform any service, wherein you would be pleased to employ them. Father Francis mac Genis is in Germany, so likewise is father Francis o farrel, who loves and honours you, and is very intimate with the Emperor, who might well help you now, since you have eased him of the troubles of the Palatinate, whom only he feared. There is here also a priest from the County of Tyrone, Edmund mac Grana a learned man having of late commeneed Dr. In France there is a Divinity Professor Patrick o Connor, descended from the Connors of Leinster, who did much service unto the late deceased Lord. He is of nature loving, constant, of audacity guided with discretion, as is his Cousin Brandon o Connor, who (I doubt not) will do any service for you, Michael o Gormbey is in the Low Countries, Guardian of Louvain, and many more of the like sort. See yourself, what is best to be done with Owen o Neale, who is in Flaunders, and with Conn mac Cormack, who is Sergeant Major in Spain, but (more is the pity) a man of no great policy or wisdom: I would all the old trained Soldiers were there. I will write to my brother Murtagh o Conny, who was ancient to the deceased Lord, and is now Captain, and to the rest of the Nobility of Ulster, that they repair unto you without delay, you may write to the King of Spain, among other things to give them leave to come unto you. I know not what will the Earl of Tirconell do upon this occasion, his Regiment is disbanded, & he himself gone to the Court to Madrill. I fear much that if he should go into Ireland, he would do more hurt then good. Noble Sir, Fear God above all things in prosecuting wisely the fortune, which God offers unto you. Let love & unanimity be among yourselves, show all possible kindness to the old Irish of Leinster, & oblige unto yourself all men as near as you may. Beware of the tricks of the Munstermen, who at this hour show no candid dealing towards you in Rome as you shall soon understand, except you send your Agent to prevent it with all speed, for they ascribe unto themselves without any ground the praise and glory of all your Heroical deeds, as you may learn of Evir that lives with yourself. Be sure to have a great heart, and make some chief Head among you, but reserve the Crown for Conn his side. 1. the Neales'. Remember the old Slavery, wherein you have lived of long time, and the destruction which will generally come upon you, except you get the upper hand: You will prevail, if you join together as you ought, God send it. I would advise every chief Officer among you, to have a Secretary along with him to write a diurnal of your passages and overthrows which your Enemy receive, which will redound much to your glory. Spoil not the Country for fear of Famine. I will not fail to write according as I shall hear from you. We would send unto you a Bull after the form of the Bull which Hugh mac Baron got, if we had received your Letters. If the Church do wisely, they will turn over the Election of Prelates there to the Nobility, and will give them authority in that point.  
Your faithful Servant Bonaventura o Connye. Rome from Isiodor's Coll. 4. January. After the Roman Account.   

The Superscription. Deliver this to Connor mac Guyre Lord of Iniskillin, or in his absence to his brother Roory mac Guyre in IRELAND.  
My honoured Lorenzo  
THousand Commendations unto you, to Brian, Roory, and the rest; I have heard of yours, and Hugh Oge his imprisonment, and truly I never heard worse news in my life: but I was comforted by some men wiser than my sel●, who esteem, that it is 〈…〉 much good, than any hur●● which 〈◊〉 redound to 〈◊〉 the whole Nation from 〈◊〉 your r●●●les. Truly (my Lord) if you be dead through that attempt, the which God forbidden: it is a most glorious and everlasting name which you have added to yourself. The Pope, and the two Cardinals his nephews are acquainted with your case, and heard likewise how valorously Phelim and Roory, and the rest of the Gentlemen their assistants have behaved themselves, and rejoiced greatly thereat, so that I make no question he will help you, if you demand his aid as becomes you. Therefore Bonaventura o Conny brother to Aeneas o Conny, who is Lecturer here, thought sit to write unto the General Phelim touching this matter, and I advise you to see wisely into the reasons which he writ, and into the good which will arise from them in time, and that you and Phelim be guided and directed by them, and rather, that Bonaventura is a wise, prudent, and learned man, and as loving and faithful unto you, as I am. If you be not present, Roory will supply your place. I beseech you, above all things, and for the love of jesus Christ, let true love be established among you all, and let not the temptation of the devil, or man divert your mind from cherishing all possible love and amity between yourself and Brian mac Coghonaght and his Children, as I doubt not you will. Endeavour to draw unto you, not only your own kindred; but also all the ancient roots of the Irish wheresoever dispersed, or distant, and all to the glory of God, and the defence of your Religion, and I will be bound, God will be your help. If you bear out one year. Believe me. The Pope, and all the Catholic Kings will be glad, that you crave their assistance. The merciful God grant it, and defend you from the outrage of your Enemies, so will he pray night and day who is.  
Your poor Kinsman. Francis mac Guyre. Rome from Isiodor's Coll. 4. January. 1642. After the Roman Account.  
Were it not, that I have not finished my studies, there is nothing in the world I had rather, then to live with you, to do for you any service, even to my death, though I want nothing where I am: And seeing I am not present with you, let none be your Counsel, but such as be wise and conscionable men, and acquainted with the customs of other Nations. I commit you to God's protection, and behave yourself nobly for your religion: Commend me to Hugh mac Mahon and his children: seeing the way is very long, I will be so bold as to send unto you no more paper at this time.  
Malachias is Lecturer in this Country, an excellent Italian: as you think best, either send for him to go over, or else let him tarry here.   

To Sir Phelim o Neale.  
Right Honourable,  
YOur honour and worth doth embolden me, though unacquainted, to present unto your honour herewith my humble duty and service, which shall be always at your Lordship's Command, if in aught your Lordship may be pleased to make use thereof. I have received of late some letters out of London, wherein they writ that your Lordship have taken Arms in Ireland against the King of England, of this I have informed our old Father, who received much comfort thereby, and promised to give his helping-hand to all your exploits, which our Munster men here understanding, do offer to make his Holiness believe, that if any such business or alteration be in IRELAND, is rather begun by my Lord Roch or Woormouth, then by you, or any in your Province, being very poor, and wanting the ability or means to maintain, or make up any such Army, this with other sinisterly informations, doth this Munster Agent (whom in God's name Master Riley nominated for Ulster) offer to diminish the Fame and Credit of those who ventures their lives and health for the common good of their Country and Church. It is most necessary that your Lordship do write with all speed, by several ways, both to this old man with his Nephew Cardinal Francisco, and also to our own Protector Cardinal Antonio, or send some natural Prelate that may inform them at large of all your proceed and mind, in the mean time, what I or Father Bonaventurae Conneo can do, shall not be wanting; observe always good correspondency with the ancient Catholic houses of both England & Scotland, as your predecessors (the defunct) did, and also with those here and elsewhere, Father Francis farrel is in Viena to serve us, and Father Francis Magnesius in Madrill, so as nothing may be wanting, if due Correspondency be observed, trust and make use of old Rosse de Cruse, who knows how to see your letters directed unto me, see that you live all in a general Union, and not have any Contradiction among you, otherwise can hardly arrive to what we desire you, if any service I can do you either here or elsewhere, be sure to command me as your own, in the mean time my daily prayers shall not be wanting for your happy and prosperous success in all your proceed, desiring the mighty Majesty to lend you his helping hand, and so will take leave, wishing your Honour a most happy new year.  
Your Lordship's most humble Servant, and Cousin to Command Francis farrel. Rome the 4. january 1642.  
Here I send your Honour a letter from Father Bonaventura Conneo a most good and discreet friend of yours.