The Earl of Glamorgans' NEGOTIATIONS And colourable Commitment IN IRELAND DEMONSTRATED: OR THE IRISH PLOT For bringing Ten thousand Men and Arms into England, whereof Three hundred to be for Prince Charls' Lifeguard. Discovered in several Letters taken in a Packet-boat by Sir Tho: Fairfax Forces at Padstow in Cornwall. Which Letters were cast into the Sea, and by the Sea coming in, afterwards regained. And were read in the Honourable House of Commons. Together with divers other LETTERS taken by Captain Moulton at Sea near Milford-Haven coming out of Ireland, concerning the same Plot and Negotiation. ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That these Letters be forthwith printed and published: H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. ●om. London: Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the Honourable House of Commons. March 17. 1645. To the Honourable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons. SIR, THese enclosed Letters being brought to my hands by Divine Providence, I held it my duty to speed to you, because of the great importance of them, and to acquaint you how I came by them. Having some Dragoons at Padstow, a Packet Boat from Ireland came into the Harbour; The Dragoons presently endeavoured to board her; and after some small resistance, wherein the Captain and the Master of the Vessel were slain, they entered, seizing upon one Captain Allen; the said Allen threw a Packet and divers lose Letters overboard, of which, only these enclosed were recovered: I shall send Allen with all convenient speed up to you, whose Examination you have also herewith enclosed: I find him to be a dangerous and subtle man; I believe he has much in his breast which may be got out of him, by reason he is obnoxious as a Spy, and a man I perceive loves his life so well, that good use may be made thereof, to discover by further Examination what we have not opportunity to do here, but yet may be worthy of your knowledge: For it appears by some of the Letters, that he hath much entrusted by the Earl of Glamorgan to him, to give a verbal Account of; I have given Captain Moulton who is upon the Irish Seas, advertisement of the Enemy's intentions. To say no more, you will perceive by the Date of the Earl of Glamorgans' Letters, That he has the Honour, Trust and Liberty of a very good and Loyal Subject. I suppose you will see by these Lette●●, what reason there is to hasten Recruits with effect, which I must withal represent to be the more needful, in regard of the Diminution which cannot but attend those Marches; and that hardship the Army has been put to in such a Country and at such a season. I must acknowledge your provisions for this Army to be very great, and the Comm●…tee of the Army's care, in observing your appointments therein to be answerable. I desire I may faithfully ●mprove your favours, as becomes an honest man to the glory of God, and your Service: And rest Bodman March 7▪ 1645. Your most humble Servant, T. Fairfax. To the Honourable William Lenthal Esquire; Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons. SIr, In my last; which was but yesterday by the Post, I gave you an account of the Agreement made for the delivery up of Mount-Ed●ecomb, and the … ing of the Regiments raised in those parts, & of the 〈◊〉 of Mr. Coriton and divers other Gentlemen of quality, which is every day more apparent than other, by their hourly sending to the General to be received into the protection of the Parliament, which is now in some measure made known to the Country, who had this day a meeting upon Bodman Downs: It was but yesterday they had notice, and one Hundred of the four had not the notice come to them, yet about eight hundred or nine hundred appeared; And now for the occasion the meeting was desired, which was for this purpose, to let them know the Army was come to protect them, not to ruin them; That the Soldier's horse and foot had charge to defray their Quarters: That if any Soldier offered violence unto them, upon Complaint it should be redressed: That the Gentlemen of the Country, naming such and such persons, were come into the Parliament, which did very much encourage the commonalty to be the more forward to hearken to what might be for the service of the public, and defence of their own County: And that which wrought the impression deepest upon their hearts, was Mr. Peter's his publishing to them the packets taken in the Irish Vessel, which I mentioned unto you in the last Letter, which he not only showed unto them, but read the same, and permitted such of them as desired it to read them, and told them they should have Copies of Glamorgans' Articles, and his other Letters, if they desired them, which abunly gave them satisfaction; and that which put it out of doubt was, That the ship and packets were seized on, and taken by the assistance of the Inhabitants at Padstow within their own County but the day before: And indeed it was a very seasonable and remarkable accident as could have happened for the uniting of this County to the Parliament, for the very thoughts of Irish and French are hateful unto them: Those Letters that were most considerable miscarried in the water; which was the Earl of Glamorgans' to the Prince, Sir Edward Hid, and to another; which Capt. Allen, an Irish Papist and Merchant of Waterford confesseth he had from the hands of the Earl of Glamorgan to deliver as aforesaid: Upon his Examination he said further, That the three hundred Irish desired for the Prince's Lifeguard were to be thus disposed, An hundred to be put into the Mount, an hundred to Pendennis, and the other hundred to be a guard to the Prince: The General hath sent post to Capt: Moulton Admiral of the Irish Coasts, to give him notice in what forwardness the Irish were to be transported, That they may keep out ships at sea for prevention: The Trumpet that went with the Summons to the Lord Hopton is not yet returned. To morrow early the whole Army horse and foot advances towards Truro: All passes, By lanes & Fords being for the most part barricadoed or blocked up; so that if the Enemy should slip by (which we no ways fear) their marches will be so slow, That their Rear will be engaged before they get half through the passage. Before this come to your hands, without peradventure the business will be very near decided by a Treaty or retreat into the sea: There came seven or eight of the Prince's servants this day for passes to go home, much lamenting the sudden carrying the Prince on shipboard when they dreamt not of it: At Foy we took thirteen pieces of Ordnance mounted, besides Arms and powder; the first night the Town stood upon their guard, but the next morning repent of their folly, & without dispute admitted our forces to come in: Be pleased to hasten down moneys to the Army, and match and Powder with all speed to Lyme: Neither of these will admit of delay: And hasten recruits that they may meet us when we face about. Bodnam, March 6. 11. at night. Your most humble and faithful Servant, Joh. Rushworth. THe Examination of Allen is sent up by this Bearer, who can inform you more of the carriage of the man: I hope the Bearer will come safe with the Letters; he is enjoined to have great care, he comes far with such a Trust. To the Prince His Highness. May it please Your Highness, SInce my coming from his Majesty on the 14 of Octo. last, I have gone in such untrodden paths, as have not afforded me the possibility of making any address unto your Highness, until this opportunity which hath made me live under no small affliction, lest my Actions should have been misrepresented to your Highness, and lessen me in that good opinion of yours which I value as the greatest blessing of my life. I shall not presume ●o to trouble your Highness with so tedious a Narrative, as the reasons of my coming from the King, and the relation of my Adventures since must needs be; but I have done it at large to Sir Edward Hid, and I most humbly beseech your Highness to give him leave to entertain you with them at such leisure times, when he shall find that you can admit of it with least trouble; which that you may the more easily grant me, I shall not importune you myself with any thing more at this time, than this sincere Protestation, That while I have the Honour to live in Your Highness' thoughts; which favour, I shall think myself above all Misfortunes, how miserable soever otherwise, and I doubt not but your goodness will by preserving me so happy in your memory, encourage me in that which you cannot hinder me, from being Your Highness' most humble and most faithful Servant, George Digby. TO Sir EDWARD HID Chancellor of the Exchequer. My dear Chancellor, I Seize with much joy this occasion that flatters me with the hopes of conveying safe unto you, and by you unto the rest of my Friends there an Account of my Adventures, since you heard from me; these enclosed Papers will give you a very particular relation of all matters of Fact, I make no question but my unsuccessfulnesse in that employment will give occasion to my enemies to accuse me of a great dis-service to the King, in having been the loss of so many of his horse, not in the conduct of them (for I apprehend not malice itself in that point) but in putting them upon so desperate a Design. This point I desire you to clear, by letting all with whom you shall find the Objection, know, That although I was of opinion, that the King himself ought to have ventured, when he was at Welbeck, the passage into Scotland, in case there had been a certainty of my Lord of Montrosses being on this side Forth, yet when that was once diverted, upon both my Intelligence and Advice, I had afterwards the least share of any man in the Council of adventuring any part of the King's horse upon so hopeless a Design as that of Scotland was, while we were doubtful of my Lord of Montrosses condition; but the Northern horse being disgusted with Gerrard, refused absolutely to march back Southward to Welbeck, and so rather than they should disband, it was thought fit to try whether they would be engaged to adventure to Montrosse, who in all his Letters had seemed much to resent the neglect of him, in not sending him a supply of horse, assuring, That with the help but of 1000 he could carry through his work: The Proposition being made to Sir Marmaduke Langdale, he at first pointblank refused it, as an undertaking which had by Gerrard and all the rest been declared desperate; even with all the King's Horse; but upon second thoughts, finding that all his Horse would disband if they were drawn Southward, he and all the Northern Gentlemen came to the King, and told Him, That if he would lay His Commands upon me to take the charge and to go along with them, they would adventure it, otherwise not: whereupon, I having declared my obedience to whatsoever the King should impose upon me, His Majesty commanded me positively to that charge, using besides His pleasure, this Argument to me, That if I succeeded in it I should reap much Honour; if not, I could incur no prejudice by failing in that which was at first given for desperate: and so at half an hours warning, having (I protest to God) not dreamt of the matter before, I marched off from the Rendezvouz, with an Addition only to the Northern Horse, of such as would voluntarily choose to go with me, which proved to be a matter of Three hundred, with which I made that progress, which you will find related in the enclosed Papers: But here I am sure you will wonder, how I holding that place I did near the King, and having the Honour of so great a part in His Trusts, especially at a time when he had scarce either Counsellor or Penman about Him, should be put upon so extravagant and desperate an employment: To this I must let you know, and such only as you shall think fit, That though I had no thought of the present Action, yet the King and I had long before (that is ever since His Affairs were made so desperate by the loss of Bristol) concluded it most for his service, That I should absent myself from him for some time, in case I could find a fair and honourable pretence for it: I believe the accidents since befallen at Newark with Prince Rupert and Gerrard, will have given you a light of some reasons of my remove. The truth; Here follow many lines of Characters— Over and above these urging Reasons, as to the time, upon the main of the King's condition and mine; I found the King likely to suffer much by my stay near him, the weariness of the War being so universal, and the despair of any approvement in His condition being so great in all about Him, I found it almost every man's opinion; Here come in more lines of Characters— I thought it then high time to watch an opportunity of freeing His Majesty from an Attendant so pernicious to His Honour and Interest; And this, my dearest Friend, is as much as I think necessary to say unto you upon this subject, hoping that by your dextrous conveyance of it to His Highness the Prince of Wales, it will have the same impression with him, which I cannot doubt of with you. Since my coming out of England, I stayed a month for a wind at the Isle of Man, which time I cannot think misspent, having there received great civilities from my Lord of Derby, and had the means of a particular acquaintance with his Noble Lady, whom I think one of the wisest and generousest persons that I have known of her Sex: From thence, I and my company were very securely conveyed hither in a light Frigate of his Lordships, where I found all things in a great forwardness, the conclusion of which was expected within few days, and great Forces (as was pretended) already in a readiness for England under the command of the Earl of Glamorgan the Confederates great General and Favourite; but his Lordship being sent for by my Lord Lieutenant and myself, to confer about the ways of disposing those Aids most to the advantage of His Majesty's service, the businesses contained in the enclosed Papers broke forth in such manner, as you will find there set down, and obliged me to that part in the King's Vindication, which was thought could not so properly be performed by any as myself; you will find the whole business so fu●ly stated in the Transactions themselves which I send you, and in my Letter to my Brother Secretary, that I shall need to say no more upon the subject, only let me ask you, whether according to the rules of Policy I have not carried my body swimmingly, who being before so irreconciliably hated by the Puritan party, have thus seasonably made myself as odious with the Papists: well, my comfort is, that the very few honest men that are in the world will love me the better, and whilst I do the part of a man of Integrity and Honour, I am willing to trust God with the rest. I must not conclude without telling you, that if I had been brought hither by far greater misfortunes, I could not have repined at any thing that had given me the happiness of so particular a knowledge of, and friendship with the Marquis of Ormond, who (if I can judge at all of men) is not only the wisest young man, but the most steady, generous, and virtuous person that I have ever known. I conjure you, as you love virtue, and as you love me, who have so little a share of it, build carefully by the diligent application upon those grounds which I have laid for a friendship between you; for indeed, I love him so much, as I cannot be at rest till we make up the Triangle equal on all sides, to that perfection wherewith I am Dublin, jan. 4. 1645. Yours, George Digby. Pray fail not to let my Father partake of what I writ to you, and General Goring also, as far forth as you shall judge necessary. To Secretary Nicholas. My good Brother, YOu will receive by this dispatch a particular account from my Lord Lieutenant of the state of the Treaty here, and of those Conditions upon which he was hopeful suddenly to have concluded such a Peace as would have afforded His Majesty powerful and timely aids from this Kingdom, had not the unfortunate madness (for I can give it no other name) of my Lord of Glamorgan, and the necessary proceeding thereupon, cast all things back into a posture, as uncertain and more dangerous than ever. You will receive from my Lord Lieutenant and the Council here, a punctual relation of the matter of Fact, and it is referred to me to convey unto you, and by you to His Majesty, the Circumstances and Reasons of the whole proceeding against his Lordship. About ten days since, matters of the Treaty growing near to a conclusion, and in confidence thereof preparations being made by my Lord of Glamorgan, and the Irish (as they assured us) for the speedy sending over of three thousand men for the relief of Chester, which were to be made up ten thousand before the beginning of March. It was thought necessary that we should confer with the said Earl of Glamorgan and some of the Irish Commissioners, to the end that before my Lord Lieutenants final consent to the Articles of the Treaty, the business of the King's supply might be reduced from discourse to a certainty, and directed in the most advantageous way for his service; to which end (we little suspecting then what was since discovered) the said Earl of Glamorgan and some of the Irish Commissioners then at Kilkenny were earnestly invited hither both by my Lord Lieutenant and myself. Upon Monday last, the day before the said Earl of Glamorgan was expected in Town, my Lord Lieutenant received out of the North from an honest and well affected person, the copy which is sent you of my Lord of Glamorgans' Articles and Oath with the Confederate Catholics, assured to have been found in the titulary Archbishop of Tuams' pocket, killed in October last at Sligo. At first the thing appeared so impossible, as that we were apt to think it a Forgery and Plot against the King of the Parliamentary Rebels, till considering the circumstances, formalities and punctualities thereof, we grew to apprehend somewhat more in the matter, and soon after a second and third copy of the same coming to other persons, all with Letters to the effect of this enclosed, it was then thought high time to take the business into most serious consideration; which being done by my Lord Lieutenant and myself, assisted by some of the wisest and best affected persons here, we soon concluded, that if these things were once published, and that they could be believed to be done by His Majesty's Authority, they could have no less fatal an effect then to make all men so believing, conclude all the former Scandals cast upon His Majesty of the inciting this Irish Rebellion true, That he was a Papist, and designed to introduce Popery even by ways the most unkingly and perfidious; And consequently, that there would be a general revolt from him of all good Protestants, with whom this opinion could take place. Now when we considered the circumstances convincing the truth of this Transaction on my Lord of Glamorgans' part, and how impossible almost it was for any man to be so mad, as to enter into such an Agreement without powers from His Majesty, and there being some kind of a formal Authority vouched in the Articles themselves, we did also conclude, That probably the greatest part of the world, who had no other knowledge of His Majesty then by outward appearances, would believe this true, and do according to that belief, unless His Majesty were suddenly and eminently vindicated by those who might justly pretend to know him best. Upon this ground it was also concluded by us, That less than an Arrest of the Earl of Glamorgan upon suspicion of High-Treason could not be a Vindication of His Majesty eminent or loud enough; and that this part could not properly nor effectually be performed by any other person than myself, both in regard of my Place and Trusts near His Majesty, That the business of Ireland had passed for the most part through my hands, That I attended His Majesty about the time of the date of His Majesty's pretended Commission, That since that time I had by His Majesties command written to the Irish Commissioners a Letter, whereof I send you a copy so Diamitrally opposite to the said Earls Transactions; And lastly, in regard that my Lord Lieutenant, to whom otherwise His Majesty's Vindication in this kind might properly have belonged, was generally thought to be unworthily cozened and abused in the matter, in case there were any such secret Authority given by His Majesty to the Earl of Glamorgan. This being our unanimous judgement of what was fit to be done, and by whom, the only Question then remaining, was to the point of Time, in which we were also of opinion, That if it were deferred till the business growing public otherways, should begin to work its mischief, His Majesty's Vindication would lose much of its force, and be thought rather applied to the notarieting then to the impiety of the thing, and rather to the pernicious effects then to the detestable cause itself: Notwithstanding I must confess unto you, that the consideration of frustrating the supplies of three thousand men, which were so confidently affirmed to be in readiness for the relief of Chester, in case the condition of that place could not bear the delay which this might occasion, wrought in us a very great suspension of Judgement, Whether the proceeding against my Lord of Glamorgan should not be forborn till that so necessary supply were sent away; but the case being more strictly examined, We found, first, that by the Lord of Glamorgans' Oath, the Forces were not to be hazarded till His Majesty's performance of the said Earls Conditions: And secondly, that the said supply was never intended by my Lord of Glamorgan and the Irish, till the Articles of Peace were consented to, which the Lord Lieutenant durst in no wise do without a preceding Vindication of the King's Honour, since this Transaction of my Lord of Glamorgans' was known unto him, and known to be known unto him by those who wanted neither Art nor Malice to make use of it; so that the necessary forbearance to conclude the Treaty, frustrating as much the relief of Chester, as the sudden and vigorous proceeding against my Lord of Glamorgan could do, our Resolutions did in the end determine upon that course; when at the instant to remove all Objections, Information was brought us, That the thing was already public throughout the Town, and began to work such dangerous ●ff●cts, as in tru●h I do not believe that my Lord Lieutenant, or any of the King's faithful Servants could have been many hours safe in the delay of this His Majesties and their Vindication, which h●th now been so seasonably applied, as that it hath wrought here not only a general satisfaction in all moderate men; but even such a conversion in many less well inclined, That whereas before a Peace with the Irish, even upon those unavoidable Conditions, upon which my Lord Lieutenant must needs within few days have concluded, it would hardly have been published in this place without very much danger; men's minds are so secured and settled by this proceeding, as that I believe the Peace now would be embraced upon those, & perhaps upon harder terms, without much mutiny or repining. This being so, our chief remaining fear is, lest what hath been done against my Lord of Glamorgan should so far incense the Irish, as to drive them to sudden extremes; things here on His Majesty's part being in so ill a condition to enter again upon a War unto this danger, the best preventives we could think of are applied, This enclosed Letter written to my Lord of Muskerry by my Lord Lieutenant; Apt persons employed to Kilkenny, to acquaint them with the reasons and necessities of this proceeding; And lastly, the Articles of Peace sent unto them with my Lord Lieutenants assent, in the very terms proposed, and acquiest in by themselves in the last results of this long Treaty; which in all probability will have one of these two effects, either to make them conclude a Peace (notwithstanding this intervening accident) whereby Chester may be speedily relieved, and His Majesty further supplied this Spring, or make it break so foully on their side, as to divide from them the most considerable of their party. Whatever the event be, my Lord Lieutenant and I shall comfort ourselves with this satisfaction, That we have done what belonged to men of Honour, faithful to their King, and to their Religion, and as wisely as ours and our friends best understandings could direct us, leaving the rest to God Almighty, whom we beseech ( * Some such words should be supplied to make it sense, though they be not in the Original. to direct) His Majesty to that course herein on His part, which may be correspondent to our faithful endeavours; and that he will bless them with as good effects upon the minds of all honest men, towards his Majesty's Vindication in that Kingdom, as I make no doubt but what we have done will have in this, when seconded and pursued by those further directions from his Majesty, which I am sure His own Wisdom and Princely Indignation to find His Honour, Conscience, and Piety thus infamously traduced, will dictate unto Him without further advice from Dublin, Jan. 4. 1645. Your I Believe you will be as much startled as I was to find the Signet mentioned in my Lord of Glamorgans' Transaction; but it seems that was mistaken; and that he now pretends to some kind of Authority under the King's Pocket-Seal, which I certainly believe to be as false, as I know the other. Articles of agreement made and concluded between the Right Honourable Edw. Earl of Glamorgan, in pursuance, and by virtue of his Majesty's This is the true Copy of the Articles sent by the Lord George Digby, to Secretary Nicholas, to be by him communicated to his Majesty. Authority under His Signet and Royal signature, bearing date at Oxon the twelfth day of March, in the 20th year of his Reign, For, and on the behalf of his most Excellent Majesty of the one part, and the Right Honourable Richard, Lord Viscount Mountgarret, Lord Precedent of the supreme Council of the Confederate Catholics of Ireland, Donog. Lord Viscount Muskery; Alexander, Mac donnel, & Nicholas Plunket, Esquires; Sir Robert Talbot, Baronet; Dormet o Brian, John Dillon, Patrick Darcy, & Jeffrey Browne, Esquires, for and on the behalf of his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects, and the Catholic Clergy of Ireland of the other part. IMprimis, The said Earl doth grant, conclude and agree on the behalf of his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, to and with the said Rich. Lord Viscount Mountgarret, Donnog. Lord Viscount Muskery, Alex. Mac donnel, and Nicholas Plunket, Esquires; Sir Robert Talbot, Baronet; Dormet o Brian, Jo. Dillon, Patr. Darcy, and Jeffrey Browne, Esquires, that the Roman Catholic Clergy of the said Kingdom, shall and may from henceforth for ever, hold and enjoy all and every such Lands, Tenements, Tithes and Hereditaments whatsoever by them respectively enjoyed within this Kingdom, or by them possessed at any time since the twenty three of October 1641. and to all other such Lands, Tenements, Tithes, and Hereditaments belonging to the Clergy within this Kingdom, other than such as are now actually enjoyed by his Majesty's Protestant Clergy. Item, It is granted, concluded, and agreed on by the said Richard Lord Viscount Mountgarrer, Donnog. Lord Viscount Muskery, Alex. Mac donnel, and Nicholas Plunket, Sir Robert Talbot, Dormett o Brian, Jo. Dillon, Patr. Darcy, and Jeffrey Browne, on the behalf of the Confederate Roman Catholics of Ireland, that two parts in three parts to be divided, of all the said Lands, Tithes, and Hereditaments whatsoever mentioned in the precedent Article, shall for three year's next ensuing, the Feast of Easter, which shall be in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred forty six, be disposed of and converted for and to the use of his Majesty's Forces employed, or to be employed in His service, and the other third part to the use of the said Clergy respectively; And so the like disposition to be renewed from three years to three years by the said Clergy during the wars. Item, It is accorded and agreed by the said Earl of Glamorgan, for and in the behalf of his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, that his Excellency, the Lord marquis of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, or any other or others authorized, or to be authorized by his Majesty, shall not disturb the Professors of the Roman Catholic Religion in the present possession, and continuance of the possession of their Churches, Lands, Tenements, Tithes, Hereditaments▪ Jurisdiction, or any other the matters aforesaid in these Articles agreed and condescended to by the said Earl, until his Majesty's pleasure be signified for confirming and publishing the Grants herein Articled for, and condescended unto by the said Earl. Item, It is accorded and agreed by the said Earl, for and in the behalf of his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, that an Act shall be passed in the next Parliament, to be held in this Kingdom, according to the tenor of such agreement, or concessions as herein are expressed: and in the mean time, the said Clergy shall enjoy the full benefit, freedom, and advantage of the said agreements and concessions, and every of them. And the Earl of Glamorgan doth hereby engage his Majesty's Royal word and public faith unto the said Lord Viscount Mountgarret, and the rest of the said Commissioners, for the due observation and performance of all and every the Articles, Agreements, and Concessions herein mentioned to be performed to the said Roman Catholic Clergy, and every of them. In witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably put their hands and seals the 25. of August, Anno Dom. 1645. Glamorgan. Signed. Sealed, and delivered in the presence of John Summerset, Jeffrey Browne, and Robert Barry, Whereas in these Articles touching the Clergies live, the Right Honourable, the Earl of Glamorgan is obliged in his Majesty's behalf, to secure the Concessions in these Articles by Act of Parliament; We holding that manner of securing these Grants as to the Clergies live, to prove more difficult and prejudicial to his Majesty, then by doing thereof, and securing these Concessions, otherwise as to the said Live, the said Earl undertaking, and promising in the behalf of his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, as hereby he doth undertake, to settle the said Concessions, and secure them to the Clergy, and their respective successors, as another secure way, other then by Parliament at present, till a fit opportunity be offered for securing the same, do agree and condescend thereunto. And this instrument by his Lordship signed, was before the perfection thereof intended to that purpose, as to the said Live; to which purpose we have mutually Signed this Endorsment. And it is further intended that the Catholic Clergy shall not be interrupted by Parliament, or otherwise, as to the said livings, contrary to the meaning of these Articles. Glamorgan. Copia vera collata fideliter cum Origin. Tho. Cashell, F. Patricius, Waterford & Lismor. Whereas much time hath been spent in Meetings and Debates betwixt his Excellency Ja. Lord marquis of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant, and General, Governor of his Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland, Commissioner to his most Excellent Majesty, CHARLES, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland etc. for the Treating and Concluding of a Peace in the said Kingdom: of his Majesty's humble and loyal Subjects, the Confederate Roman Catholics of the said Kingdom of Ireland, of the one part, and the Right Honourable Donnog. Lord Viscount Muskery, and other Commissioners deputed and Authorized by the said Confederate Roman Catholic subjects of the other part; And thereupon many difficulties did arise, by occasion whereof, sundry matters of great weight and consequence necessarily requisite to be condescended unto by his Majesty's said Commissioner, for the safety of the said Confederate Roman Catholics were not hitherto agreed upon, which retarded, and doth as yet retard the Conclusion of a firm Peace and settlement in the said Kingdom. And whereas the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Glamorgan, is entrusted and Authorized by his most Excellent Majesty to Grant and assure to the said Confederate Roman Catholic subjects farther graces and favours which the said Lord Lieutenant did not, as yet, in that latitude as they expected grant unto them. And the said Earl having seriously considered of all matters, and due circumstances of the great Affairs now in agitation which is the peace and quiet of the said Kingdom, and the importance thereof in order to his Majesty's service, and in relation to a Peace and settlement in his other Kingdoms, and here upon the place having seen the ardent desire of the said Catholics to assist his Majesty against all that do, or shall oppose his Royal Right or Monarchique Government, and having discerned the alacrity and cheerfulness of the said Roman Catholics to embrace honourable Conditions of Peace, which may preserve their Religion, and other just Interests; In pursuance thereof in the twentieth of His Reign, granted unto the said Earl of Glamorgan, the tenor whereof is as followeth, viz. CHARLES R. Charles by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the Faith, etc. To Our Right Trusty and wellbeloved Cousin, Edw. Earl of Glamorgan Greeting. We reposing great and especial trust and confidence in your approved wisdom and fidelity, do by these (as firmly as under Our Great Seal, to all intents and purposes) Authorise and give conclude you power to Treat and conclude with the Confederate Roman Catholics in our Kingdom of Ireland, if upon necessity any thing be to be condescended unto, wherein Our Lord Lieutenant cannot so well be seen in, as not fit for us at this present publicly to own, and therefore we charge you to proceed according to this our Warrant, with all possible secrecy; And for whatsoever yo● shall engage yourself, upon such valuable considerations, as you in your judgement shall deem fit, We promise in the word of a King, and a Christian, to ratify and perform the same that shall be granted by you and under your hand & seal▪ the said Confederate Catholics, having by their supplies testified their zeal to Our service: And this shall be in each particular to you a sufficient warrant. Given at Our Court at Oxon, under Our Signet, and Royal Signature the twelfth day of March, in the twentieth year of our Reign, 1644. To Our Right Trusty and wellbeloved Cousin Edward Earl of Glamorgan. It is therefore granted, accorded, and agreed, by and between the said Earl of Glamorgan, for and on the behalf of his most Excellent Majesty, his Heirs and Successors on the one part, and the Right Honourable, Richard Lord Viscount Mountgarret, Lord Precedent, of the supreme Council of the said Confederate Catholics, and the said Donnog, Lord Viscount Muskery, Alex. Mac donnel, and Nich. Plunket, Esquires; Sir Robert Talbot, Baronet; Dormet o Brian, Jo. Dillon; P … r. Darcy, and Jeffrey B●owne. Esquires; Commissioners in that behalf appointed, by the said Confederate Roman Catholic subjects of Ireland, for and in the behalf of the said Confederate Roman Catholics of the other part, in manner following, that is to say, Imprimis, It is agreed, accorded, and granted by the said Earl, for, and on the behalf of his most Excellent Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, That all and every of the professors of the Roman Catholic Religion in this Kingdom of Ireland, of what ever estate, degree or quality soever he or they be or shall be, shall for ever hereafter have and enjoy within the said Kingdom, the free and public use and exercise of the said Roman Catholic Religion, and of the respective functions therein. Item, it is granted, accorded, and agreed by the said Earl, for, and on the behalf of his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, That the said Professors of Roman Catholic Religion shall hold and enjoy, all and every of the Churches by them enjoyed within this Kingdom, or by them possessed at any time since the 23. of October 1641. and all other Churches in the said Kingdom, other than such as are now actually enjoyed by his Majesty's Protestant subjects. Item, it is granted, accorded, and agreed by the said Earl, for, and on the behalf of his most Excellent Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, That all and every of the Catholic subjects of Ireland, of what state and condition, degree or quality soever, shall be free and exempt from the jurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy, and every of them, and that the Catholic Roman Clergy of this Kingdom, shall not be punished, troubled or molested for the exercise of their Jurisdiction over their respective Catholic flocks in matters spiritual and Ecclesiastical. Item, It is further accorded, granted, and agreed by the said Earl, for, and on the behalf of his most Excellent Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, That an Act shall be passed in the next Parliament to be held in this Kingdom; the tenor and purport whereof shall be as followeth, viz. An Act for the relief of his Majesty's Catholic subjects of his Highness' Kingdom of Ireland. Whereas by an Act made in Parliament held at Dublin, in the second year of the Reign of the late Queen Elizabeth, entitled, An Act for restoring to the Crown the ancient Jurisdiction over the state Ecclesiastical and Spiritual, and abolish all Foreign power repugnant to the same, And by another Statute made in the said last mentioned Parliament, entitled, An Act for the uniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church, and the Administration of the Sacraments, sundry mulcts, penalties, restraints, and incapacities are and have been laid upon the professors of the Roman Catholic religion in this Kingdom, in and for, and concerning the use, profession, and exercise of their Religion, and their functions therein, to the great prejudice, trouble, and disquiet of the Roman Catholics in their Liberties and estates, to the general disturbance of the whole Kingdom; For remedy whereof, and for the better settling, increase, and continuance of the peace, unity, and tranquillity of this Kingdom of Ireland, his Majesty at the humble suit and request of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, is graciously pleased, that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty, the Lords spiritual and temporal, and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by authority of the same, that from, of, and after the first day of this Session of Parliament, it shall and may be lawful to, and for all the Professors of the Roman Catholic Religion, of what degree, condition or quality soever, to have and enjoy the free and public exercise and profession of the said Roman Catholic Religion, and of their several and respective functions therein, without incurring any mulct and penalty whatsoever, or being subject to any restraint or incapacity concerning the same, any Article, Clause, sentence, or provision in the said last mentioned Acts of Parliament, or in any other Act or Acts of Parliament, Ordinances, Law or usage to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. And be it also further enacted, that neither the said Statutes, or any other Statute, Act, or Ordinance heretofore made in your Majesty's Reign, or in any the Reign of any of your Highness' most noble Progenitors or Ancestors and now of force in this Kingdom, nor all, nor any Branch, Article, Clause, and sentence in them, or any of them contained and expressed shall be of force and validity in this Realm, to extend to be construed or adjudged to extend in any wise to enquiet, prejudice, vex or molest the professors of the said Roman Catholic Religion, in their persons, lands, hereditaments, or goods, for any thing, matter, or cause whatsoever touching, and concerning the free and public use, exercise and enjoying of their said Religion, function, and profession. And be it also further enacted and declared by the authority aforesaid that your Majesty's Roman Catholic Subjects in the said Realm of Ireland from the first day of this session of Parliament shall be and be taken de … ed, and adjudged capable of all offices of trust, and advancement places, degrees & dignities and preferments whatsoever within your said Realm of Ireland, any Act Statute, Usage or Law, to the contrary notwithstanding. And that other Acts shall be passed in the said Parliament, according to the tenor of such agreement or concessions as herein are expressed, and that in the mean time the said Roman Catholic Subjects, and every of them shall enjoy the full freedom, benefit and advantage of the said agreement or concessions and of every of them. Item It is accorded granted and agreed by the said Earl, For and on the behalf of his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, That his Ex. the Lord Marquis of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or any other or others authorized by his Majesty shall not disturb the Professors of the Roman Catholic Religion in their present possession, and continuance of the possession of their said Churches, Jurisdiction or any other the matters aforesaid in these Articles agreed and consented unto by the said E. until his Majesty's pleasure be signified for confirming and publishing the grounds and Agreements hereby articled for, and condescended unto by the said Earl. And the said Earl of Glamorgan doth hereby engage his Majesty's Royal and public Faith unto all and singular the professors of the said Roman Catholic Religion within the said Kingdom of Ireland, for the due observance and performance of all and every the Articles, Grounds and Clauses, herein contained, and the Conscessions herein mentioned to be performed to them. Item It is accorded and agreed that the public Faith of the kingdom shall be engaged unto the said Earl by the said confederate Catholics for sending 10000 men to serve his Majesty by order and public Declaration of the general assembly now sitting: and the supreme Council of the said Confederate Catholics, shall engage themselves to bring the said number of men armed the one half with musketts, and the other half with Pikes unto any Port within this realm at the election of the said Earl, and at such time as he shall appoint to be by him shipped and transported to serve his Majesty in England, Wales, or Scotland, under the Command of the said Earl of Glamorgan, as Lord General of the said army: which army is to be kept together in one entire body, and all other the said Officers and Commanders of the said army are to be named by the supreme Council of the said Confederate Catholics, or by such others as the several assembly of the said Confederate Catholics of this Kingdom shall entrust therewith. In witness whereof the parties of these presents have hereunto interchangeably put their hands and seals the 25. Day of August 1645. Glamorgan. Copia vera collata fideliter originali Thomas Cashell. F Partricius Waterford & Lismore. I Edward Earl of Glamorgan do protest and swear faithfully to acquaint the Kings most excellent Majesty with the proceed of this Kingdom, in order to his service and to the endeerement of this Nation, and punctual performance of what I have (as authorized by his Majesty) obliged myself to see performed. And in default not to permit the army entrusted to my charge to adventure itself or any considerable part thereof, until conditions from his Majesty, and by his Majesty be performed. Sept. 3. 1645. Glamorgan. Copia vera concordans de verbo & verbis cum originali. Tho: Cashell. To the Lord Hopton. My Noble Lord IF the report of the many difficulties wherewith I have struggled in compassing my designs for his Majesty's servie, have not before this reached you, a faithful Relation of the whole will be made to you by the bearer hereof Captain Allen, whom I desire your Lordship to present unto the Prince His Highness as an honest man, and one that proposeth a course for Intelligence to pass between this Country and his Majesty's Quarters, whereof there is great need: Now (God be thanked) the business is brought to that upshot, that the ten thousand men are designed for his Majesty's service, six thousand whereof are ready for Transportation: The means for which are wanting, unless your Lordship will please to solicit his Highness the Prince for transmitting what shipping those parts are furnished with, that all possible expedition may be used. We hear (God be thanked) that as yet Chester holds out, to relieve which the 6000. men are ready for transportation. This bearer hath intimated the Princes desire for having ●00 men hence for his highness' Lifguard, which may be transported to his highness by the return of such shipping as shall be sent hither for the aforesaid service. By his return I desire to learn from your Lordship, the King's present State and being, that we may shape our Designs accordingly, Thereby I should be most glad to know of the Princes and your Lordship's good success and prosperity, for which none can be more solicitous than I who am My Lord Waterford 28 Feb. 1645. Your L. most affectionate humble servant Glamorgan Right Honourable, I Have hitherto been so fare from troubling you with many Letters, that I can scarce abstain for excusing this Address, But as I hope you will do me the favour, to believe that those Ommissions have proceeded out of a tenderness to molest you unnecessarily, & not out of any slothfulness in things essential to my duty, so in my own opinion I were now too much to blame, if after so long time, & some late hazards, I should not take this occasion to repeat unto you the assurances of my most humble service, proceeding from the due sense I have of your goodness to me, which howsoever I have been deficient in expressing, as to the outward, I assure your Honour, I preserve the memory in a very sure Cabinet, as a treasure there laid up wholly for your service, when ever you shall think me worthy the trial. For what concerns the affairs of this Kingdom, My Lord gives you so full & particular an account thereof, that I cannot add to your knowledge of them. Therefore I shall sufficiently have observed the decorum of the place, and complied with my duty too, when I shall have made these few reflections upon the general condition of these parts, and especially of the English Quarters, which in my judgement is very sad, they being not only reduced within a very narrow compass of ground, but totally ruinated, the whole Country waste, and habited, Farms and Villages burnt down to the ground, not a Garrison of his Majesties. 36. 45. 188. 23. 27. 58. 24. 12. 66. or any wise 5. 69. 11. 13. 38. 57 61. 59 70. 37. 71. 63. 40. 6. 5. 59 72. just 66. 84. 45. 36. Provisions of all sorts very scant. The Corporations: 8. 35. 55. 16. 62. and 49. 63. 46. 68 12. 2. 49. between 36. 4. 25. 15. 63. 6. 67. 29. 87. 4. 19 34. 58. 42. 13. 11. 6 66. 45. the 8. 16. 35. 67. 62. 51. 67. 70. 11. 29. 40. 20. 2. 15. 70. 16. 5. 31. 36. equal to either, The Army in 66. 3. 55. 40. 29. 23. 12. 2. 34. 71. 38. 10. 62. as 300. 3. 22. 11. 6. 68 29 5. 58. 56. 37. 20. 39 above 45. 5. 35. 30. 59 66. thousand 27 58. 46. 2. 66. 48. 19 40. 49. 16. 69. 12. Foot, and 66. 67. 28. 34. 2. 62. 69 Hundred horse, Garrisons and all, and those for the most part of 51. 52. 6. 4. 2. 3. 42. 2. 49. 71. 27. 39 24. 26. 67. 68 55. 56. 29. This place itself in a manner Blocked up by the Parliament Ships, riding continually without it, and no less pinched at land by the Irish Quartered within a very few miles of it, This condition of his Majesty's Quarters here, compared with that of the Irish, contrary to i● almost in every respect, may seem unlikely upon any conditions offered hitherto, to further such a Peace as must dispossess them of great advantages gotten by the War, and such a Peace as thwarts the Ambition, and covetous desires of all those of the Long Robe, whether they be their Clergy or Laiety, and the sway and Authority of their Nobility, the unlimited Liberty of the People. The Pope's interest, consisting in being Head, not of a Militant, but triumphant Church, and (it may be) the secret negotiations, which they have, and do still entertain with Foreign Princes. It is true, the duty that subjects own to their Prince should out-ballance all such considerations; But I doubt, that duty is taught at Rome, with as many limitations, as at Edinburgh, or in Westminster itself; And as for those Reflections, that should be made upon the future, they are not for every capacity, but for understanding men only, and such may (for aught appears to me to the contrary) see as fair and promising hopes for themselves in our embroylements at home, as we can see for our advantage in their refusal and obstinacy; To which I may add this further consideration, how they will be able to suppress Inchiquin, assisted and supported from England and maintain their own too, against the Scots, if they shall once have parted with 10000 of their best men, and with so many Arms, since it is plain that since the Cessation, they have made no great progress against either of the two, with their entire strength: for as for any assistance they can expect from my Lord Lieutenant it is inconsiderable, and these Garrisons must not be drained for fear of Insurrections within, where we find much wavering, and such a hatred even in the Soldiers themselves against the Confederates, that I can promise myself but little good from their Conjunction. Thus your Honour may see what probability my Lord Lieutenant, though never so good a Gamester, hath of the Game in hand between the danger of war, and the difficulty of procuring an useful, and honourable Peace for his Majesty by this Treaty. The proceed whereof I leave to his Lordship's relation, resting Sir, Dublin the 2. day of January 1645. Your Honour's most humble, affectionate, and obliged Servant▪ John Poingdexter. To the Lord Culpeper. My Lord, HAving orepast many Rubs and difficulties, the long expected work is at last compassed, which by what means it wa● retarded, your Lordship perhaps before hath learned, and will be more faithfully and amply Related by the Bearer, Captain Bamber, whom I have employed to his Highness the Prince, to give an account of the state of affairs here, and in what a Mist we are for want of Intelligence, whereby we might be ascertained of the Kings and Prince's Condition, which one Allen a Merchant of Waterford proposeth to undertake a course for. And 〈…〉 his Highness' desire, which moved for three hundred men for the Prince's Lifeguard which the Irish party is willing should be sent him by the return of such shipping as I have humbly desired from his Highness, might be sent hither to Waterford for to waft over the men, whereof six thousand are in a readiness for the relief of Chester (which yet we hear holds out) and the other four thousand by the first of May are to follow. Your First of May. Lordship would extremely further the service by your Representing to his Highness the necessity of a course of Intelligence, That we might not (as we are now) buried in ignorance of his Majesties and the Princes being and Condition, of which I hoped your Lordship will vouchsafe me some light, that our motion may be according thereunto, by which likewise to be ascertained of your Lordship's welfare and happiness would be most welcome news to Waterford the 27. of Febr. 1645. My Lord, Your Lordship's most affectionate and humble servant, Glamorgan. Lord Culpeper. THese several Letters and papers coming from Ireland were taken at Milford Haven by Captain Moulton. To the right Honourable the Lords and Commons for the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports. Right Honourable, THese contrary winds have much against my desire detained me still in this harbour, so that my intended voyage for Ireland hath not the free nor speedy passage I wished, but the first opportunity of wind that offers itself shall be laid hold of. Yesterday a barque that stole away from Dublin ●ame in hither, wherein I found the enclosed Letters committed ●o a passenger, which I send unto your honours to be disposed of as to your honours shall seem good: this place being barren both of news and action to produce any, makes me forbear to give your honours any further present trouble save to assure that I am ever. Aboard the Lion in Milford Haven this 23. Jan. 1645. Your honours most affectionate humble and most obedient servant, Robert Moulton. To Colonel Pigott. Worthy Cousin, I Have here enclosed sent two Letters two the Countess of Glamorgan at Ragland, her Lord being lately confined here to the Castle of Dublin, and lest her Ladyship may take things too much to heart these Letters are sent to add some comfort. Both my Lord and I shall acknowledge our thankfulness unto you if you be pleased to use the best and speediest course you may for conveying them to my Lady, you were wont to honour noble Ladies especially in distress, and am assured now more than ever having the happiness of enjoying so noble a Lady of your own, your Father Mother and friends in Leix are all in good health, and daily expect to hear good news out of England▪ thus not doubting of care herein with my best wishes of happiness to yourself and your noble Lady, not unmindful of our good Friends all I remain. Dublin this. 5. of Jan. 1645. Your assured loving Cousin to serve you, Roger Br●reton. To the Countess of Glamorgan, Madam, I Presume that some rumours of my Lord of Glamorgans' being confined to the Castle of Dublin for some matters laid to his charge by the Lord George Digby have before this time come to your Ladyship's hearing; I thought fit therefore by these few lines to let you know that my Lord is in perfect health, hearty and very cheerful, not doubting to give a satisfactory answer to what may be laid to his charge, I have so much confidence in your Ladyship's accustomed discretion, that I know there needs no dissuasive arguments to your Ladyship from either grieving or taking any reports you may receive to heart to much, not doubting but his Lordship will ere long see your Ladyship, when you may partake of all things more fully than may be by writing. My Lord your uncle is in health at Bunraly and with him there the Earl of P. my Lord john and my Lady Honora, I wish your honour all health and happiness and am. Dublin this 5. of jan. 1645. Your Ladyships still faithful servant and Kinsman. Roger Brereton. Lord Herbert (pretended Earl of Glamorgan) his Letter to his Lady. MY dearest heart, I hope these will prevent any news shall come unto you of me, since my committment to the Castle of Dublin, To which I assure thee I went as cheerfully and as willingly as they could wish, whosoever they were by whose means it was procured; and should as unwillingly go forth, were the gates both of the Castle and Town open unto me, until I were cleared, as they are willing to make me unserviceable to the King, and lay me aside, who have procured for me this restraint; When I consider thee a Woman, as I think, I know you are, I fear lest you should be apprehensive: but when I reflect that you are of the House of Thomond, and that you were once pleased to say these words unto me, That I should never, in tenderness of you, desist from doing, what in honour I was obliged to do, I grow confident, that in this you will now show your magnanimity, and by it the greatest testimony of affection, that you can possibly afford me; and am also confident, that you know me so well, that I need not tell you how clear I am, and void of fear, the only effect of a good conscience, and that I am guilty of nothing, that may testify one thought of disloyalty to his Majesty, or of what may stain the honour of the family I come of, or set a Brand upon my future posterity. Courage (my heart) were I amongst the King's Enemies you might fear; but being only a prisoner amongst his Friends and faithful Subjects, you need doubt nothing, but that this cloud will be soon dissipated, by the Sunshine of the King my Master, and did you but know how well and merry I am, you would be as little troubled as myself, who have nothing that can afflict me, but lest your apprehension might hurt you, especially since all the while I could get no opportunity of sending, nor yet by any certain probable means, but by my Cousin bruerton's, Master Mannerings, our Cousin Constable of the Castle, and my Lord Lieutenants leave: and I hope you and I shall live to acknowledge our obligation to them, there being nothing in this world that I desire more, than you should at least hear from me; And believe it (sweet heart) were I before th● Parliament in London, I could justify, both the King and myself in what I have done, And so I pray acquaint my Father, who I know so cautious, that he would hardly accept a Letter from me, but yet I presume most humbly to ask his blessing, and as hearty as I send mine to pretty Mall, and I hope this day or to morrow will set a period to my business, to the shame of those who have been occasioners of it: but I must needs say from my Lord Lieutenant, and the Privy Council here, I have received as much justice, nobleness and favour, as I could possibly expect: the Circumstances of these proceed are too long to write unto you, but I am confident all will prove to my greater honour; And my Right Honourable accuser, my Lord George Digby, will be at last rectified and confirmed in the good which he is pleased to say he ever had of me hitherto, as the greatest affliction that he ever had, did do what his conscience enforced him unto, and indeed did wrap up the bitter pill of the Impeachment of suspicion of high Treason in so good words, as that I swallowed it, with the greatest ease in the world, and it hath hither had no other operation, then that it hath purged Melancholy: for as I was not at the present not any way dismayed, so have I not since been any way at all disheartened. So I pray let not any of my friends thats there, believe any thing, until ye have the perfect relation of it from myself. And this request I chief make unto you, to whom I remain a most faithful, and most passionately devoted Husband and servant, Glamorgan. Remember my service to my Brother, my cousin Browne, and the rest of my good friends. My Dear friend, I Have very much to write to you concerning this place and yet know not what to write, you have heard I do believe of the Earl of Glamorgans' agreement with the Irish, by which he undertook they should have all the Churches within their Quarters, and all other Churches in the Kingdom not actually possessed by the Protestant party, as also all the Lands, Tenements, Tithes, and Hereditaments belonging to the Clergy, not actually possessed by the Protestant party, and that they should be free from the Jurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy, for which wild undertaking my Lord Digbie accused him of high Treason, for which the Earl doth now stand committed in the Castle. What further effects this will produce, I am not able to judge, but the Irish give out that they will Treat no further with us if that he be not set at liberty, it was part of his agreement with them, that they should send into England ten thousand men to assist his Majesty, and a great part of them was ready to be shipped where he was committed, which were thereupon stayed; We are in a very sad Condition here, environed with Enemies of all sides, and in a very weak posture to defend ourselves, but the God of Jacob will I hope be our refuge. Your Father and the rest of your friends are in good health. I would you had known my thoughts, or that I were with you for some time to unburthen myself; God keep you and us in the midst of these straits, and so in haste, I rest, 11. January 1645. Your assured loving friend, MA●. EUSTACE. This Gentleman hath some business to Bristol, I pray you to be favour him therein, some estate is there fallen to him, and he is gone thither in pursuit thereof. My own, and my Wife's service to your noble Lady. Superscribed for my much honoured friend Tho. Pigget Esquire, at Alstowne near Bristol these. FINIS.