A True, and Brief RELATION OF THE Lord Lisles Departure from his Command in IRELAND, As it was Writ from a Gentleman of Worth from Cork in MUNSTER.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1647.   

A True, and Brief RELATION Of the Lord Lisle's departure from his Command in Ireland, etc.  
SIR,  
SInce my last the face of things is much changed here, and the not continuing of the Lord Lieutenants power (at least that we know of) is undoubtedly the sole cause of it: For, no sooner was it noised abroad that his Lordship would be going for England when his Commission determined, but great disputes did arise about the Command of the Army. The General Officers pretended a right unto it, in the absence of a General, to which purpose some of them (in Petition presented to the council-board) desired their power might be confirmed unto them before his Lordship's departure, to avoid all future contestations to the prejudice of the service; on the other side, the Lord Inchequin resolved as much to stand upon his pretensions, which appeared, by what he said to an Officer here (as I am credibly informed) That if the Lord Lieutenant should leave the Lieut. General of the Horse behind him in Command, he had a Friend, who would accuse the said Lieut. General of Treason, but that was not at all regarded. This contestation seemed so high, and of so great concernment, that the council-board took it presently into debate; and having received the Lord Inchequins Reasons, for the right he claimed to Command in Chief; as also the Reasons of the General Officers, they resolved to settle the command of the Army in 4. Commissioners, viz. the L Inchequin, and the L. Broghill, the two Principal Officers of the Army of Munster; and Mr. Sidney, and Sr. Hararess Waller, the one Lieutenant General of the horse, and the other sergeant-major-general of the Army of the whole Kingdom; which were only to continue till the Parliament should declare their pleasure therein: and the Counsell-board was the rather inclined to this resolution, because upon conference with the Attorney General of the Kingdom about this particular, it seemed clear unto them, that the Lord Inchequins power being granted, but during the pleasure of the Parliament, did cease when the Lord Lieutenants began; and could not be reassumed, but by a new grant from the Parliament. Yet so desireous they were to give the Lord Inchequin all satisfaction herein, that they offered to leave any person of the afore-named Commissioners, out of the Commission, whom his Lordship should except against, so he would join with them in this order; but his Lordship's answer was, That his concurrence herein would prejudice his right; yet if the Board should think fit to make any such Order, that he would give all ready obedience unto it. Whereupon, the Board made an Order for settling the Command of the Army, in the four Commissioners formerly named, till the Parliament should dispose otherways of it; and gave one part of that Order to the Lord Inchequin, and the other part to the three other Commissioners of the Army. But so far was his Lordship then from yielding obedience unto it, that he protested against it, as soon as the Lord-Lieutenants Commissioners determined, and likewise offered to return to the Lord Lisle the order, which his Lordship refused to receive, being then, as he told him, a private person and having already done whilst he was in power, all he could to settle quietness in the Army, till the Parliament was made acquainted with it. And then the Lord Lislle resolved to go towards the Sea, which being known then of the Commissioners (for the Lord Inchequin did absolutely refuse to join with them) gave order only to his Lordships own Regiment to be in Arms, and to attend his Lordship out of town, a custom usual to such persons of his quality; but as soon as the Lord Inchequin had notice hereof, he presently published a Proclamation by sound of Drum, forbidding them to do it upon pain of death, yet did that Regiment in obedience to their former Orders, stand in Arms all that day, but least some mischief might arise from hence, both the Lord Lisle and the Counsel resolved to stay one day longer at Cork, to reconcile those great divisions in the Army, which happily they put an end unto; notwithstanding the Lord Inchequin had called several Officers from the out-Quarters, and got some hundreds of Soldiers and Reformadoes that had been Cavaliers into his House, as it is Confidently believed here, having likewise ordered one of his own Troops to come into the Town, but the other Commissioners kept that out, and instead thereof, brought in some of the Lord Broghils Troops, by which means, they had the absolute command of the Town, and were fully resolved to maintain their right (as I have heard) and to proceed to act according to their Commission, had not the Board persuaded them to suspend the execution of their power, and to go for England, where they might make known to the Parliament the Lord Inchequins carriage, by which I believe it will appear, that no consideration of any hazard that might happen to the public, could draw his Lordship from his own particular interest. The full power of all is now in his Lordship's hands, and all things in great quietness here, yet can I not express the apprehensions we have upon the Lord Lieutenants removal from us, and indeed when I consider that most of the Council and chief Officers do go over with him, and more will follow; what disaffection there is to the Lord Inchequin in those that remain, especially, the Forces lately sent over, and how vast an expense the Kingdom of England must be at before new Governors and Forces can be sent into this, besides the difficulty of raising money for them, I cannot almost but despair of any service this Summer, the loss of which season must doubtless prove dangerous, if not destructive unto us. God turn all to the best which shall be the daily prayer of, SIR.  
One or two things I had almost forgot, which is, that when the Lord Lisles Trunks, and household furniture were shipped, the Lord Inchequin gave order to have them searched, which I believe hath not been known in the like case.  
The other is, concerning the getting of Cnocknone, which my Lord Lisle by treaty obtained, and which is of great advantage to the Parliament, whereas it's said, others might have had it if they had pleased: it was not sure well done they took not possession.  
Those who come along with the Lord Lisle, are the Lord Broghill, the Lieutenant General of the Horse, the Commissary General of the Horse: the Privy Counselors viz. the Lord of Valentia, Sir Adam Loftus, and Sir john Temple, who are all that were there, but the Lord Inchequin, Col. Grace, Sir Arthur Loftus Colonel, Major Piltson, Major of the City of Cork, Capt. james Parsons, Capt. William Merydith, and divers others.  
FINIS.