THE DECLARATION THE LORD GENERAL OF THE ARMY OF THE CONFEDERATE CATHOLICS IN THE PROVINCE OFT LEINSTER.  
WHereas upon the late Design on Dublin I was transported with a particular desire of advancing his Majesty's service, and preserving those Parts from the destruction that commonly waits on the chance of war, to entertain ●reaty with the Lord marquis of Clanrickard not doubting to obtain by his Lordship's means, such conditions for the Confederate Catholics, as might render the ●●ngdome satisfied, And after some time spent in the consideration of the con … s of that engagement, I acquainted the Council and Congregation therewith, 〈◊〉 on a more strict Examination thereof, having taken to consideration the law in … e against Catholic Religion in this Kingdom found the contents of that engagement in many essential points to be short of the liberty and freedom requisite in 〈◊〉 free exercise of the Catholic Religion, and the safety of the lives and fortunes of Confederate Catholics, as by the Council and Congregations observations on that engagement may more evidently appear, upon advertisement whereof I held myself ●●●●ged by the oath of union which I had sworn, and by the faith I ought to the Na●●●● to recede from the treaty, if the objections against that Engagement were not satis●●●● by enlargement of further Grants that might satisfy the Council and Congrega●●●●. And moreover to take from me all hopes of any Conclusion that way, I found 〈◊〉 contrary to the said engagement a resolution was taken not to receive any of the ●●●y under my command to Garizon in Dublin and other principal Garizons under 〈◊〉 majesty's obedience that being the chief point granted me for the security of the ●●●d engagement, so as I mainly mistrusted there was no good intention towards the confederate Catholics either in the matters granted or in the security thereof, seeing ●●en in the very first entrance an apparent breach of the promise contained in that ●●gagement, so as it stood neither with honour nor security I should rely on that engagement. Being therefore compelled to desist from further proceeding therein, accordingly withdrew the forces under my command to the Quarters designed for them 〈◊〉 order of the Council and Congregation. yet lest any should be misled by an opinion of the continuance of that Treaty or any conclusion thereupon, I thought good ●ot finding any thing in the whole conduct of that affair whereby the innocency of ●●y actions may not be generally acknowledged) to publish this declaration, that all the confederate Catholics may be thereby forewarned to stand on their own defence against the adverse Party, and not to insist or rely on any Conditions but, such as by authority of the Council and Congregation, or of the General Assembly shall be settled, that being the whole scope of my intention in the late treaty, notwithstanding any misconstruction to the Contrary, which I desire may obey so understood, whereby the perfect union of the Confederate Catholics may have full settlement, and my in●●ntion heareby declared not to adhere to any other resolution or Union.  
Waterford 〈◊〉 22th of December 1646. T. PRESTON   

Printed by Command of the Council and Congregation in the year 1646.