A DECLARATION, SET FORTH BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT AND council.  
For vindicating the Honour and justice of His MAJESTIES Government and Ministers here, from several foul and scandalous aspersions endeavoured to be laid on them:  
By Alice Lady Moore, Viscountesse dowager of Drogheda, Sir Patrick Wemys Knight, and captain John Ponsonby, in several Letters( here also inserted) directed from the said persons to some persons in His MAJESTIES Kingdom of England.  
dublin, Printed by WILLIAM BLADEN, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, Anno Dom. 1645.   

¶ By the Lord Lieutenant and council.  
ORMONDE.  
WHEREAS about the sixth day of january last, there was Intelligence given to us the Lord lieutenant, of a dangerous Conspiracy, plotted and intended, for surprising His Majesties town and Garrison of Drogheda, Whereupon sundry examinations were taken for finding out the truth of the matter in all circumstances, and the Contrivers and intended Actors therein, that so We might be the better guided to prevent that dangerous design, which Wee clearly foresaw might( in the consequences of it) break out into far greater and more general mischiefs, especially in the distracted condition wherein this kingdom stands in present. And whereas Wee found in those Examinations divers Persons charged in several degrees, concerning the said conspiracy. Wee therefore( in discharge of Our duty) were necessitated to commit to restraint as many of them as could be found, as well for preventing the execution of the design, as for present terror to others, not to presume to attempt any thing in that matter, as also to the end those Prisoners might be( in due time) fully heard, upon a faire and indifferent trial, amongst which Persons so committed, there were these three, namely Alice Lady M●ore Viscountes Dowager of Drogheda, Sir Patr: Wemys knight and captain John Ponsonby, who not only by the testimony of others, but also by their own confessions on their examinations, stand charged( though in differing degrees) concerning that Conspiracy, and who notwithstanding the great lenity and mildness of the proceedings held with them, have in several Letters, lately come to Our hands( and signed by them, and directed to several Persons in his Majesties kingdom of England) endeavoured to lay fowle and scandalous aspersions on his Majesties Government and us his ministers therein, and that intentionally and purposely done by them, in hope by such unjust and causeless aspersions invented by them, to gain belief from some( who know not the truth of the matter) that their committal was causles and our proceeding with them unjust. And albeit Wee no way intend hereby to prejudge the said Persons or any others charged with guilt in that Conspiracy, but do leave the judgement and determination thereof to those laws and judicatories to whose Cognisance the same is proper. Yet considering how undutyfully and indeed injuriously his Majesties authority in Our persons is traduced by those three Persons, in their said Letters, as if We had in their Cases varied from the rules of justice and equity, with this adition also in the case of Sir Patrick Wemys, that he labours to infer a national quarrel, in regard of his being of the scottish Nation, And in regard We find by some of those Letters which Wee have seen, that some of those Persons have written other Letters upon this subject, wherein it is probable, that they have not spared to traduce this Government as Wee find they have done in the said Letters which are come to Our hands, Wee therefore hold it fit for vindicating the honor and justice of his Majesties Government entrusted with us, and the uprightness and moderation of the proceeding in this matter of us his Ministers, to set forth this just and true Declaration.  
When by divers Examinations Wee found those Persons charged touching the said Conspiracy, Wee did ●in discharge of Our duty) commit them to restraint, in his Majesties Castle of Dublin, where Persons of eminent quality are usually committed, and there they were to continue in the condition of close Prisoners, until they should be fully examined, Sir Patrick Wemys was committed on the 11 of january, the Lady Moore on the 16 of january, and captain Ponsonby on the 8th. day of january in which condition they continued( yet every of them with the attendants they desired, and with full and free admission of all needful Provision and accommodation for them) until the 22 of january, and then( their examinations having been fully taken) they were set free from their close Imprisonment, yet so as they were to continue Prisoners in the Castle, having the liberty of the House until further direction of this Board.  
But afterwards Wee observing that many persons repaired to them, under colour of visits,& that they made ill use of the favour granted them, in the freeing them from their close imprisonment, Wee then( to prevent any further evil Consequence to the public) did order at this board, on the 28th. of january, that none should be admitted to repair to them, without special licence from us the Lord lieutenant, other then their Wives and Children, and necessary Servants, and in that manner they continued for a time, no manner of restriction being at any time used, for bringing them all needful provision for sustenance and accommodation.  
On the 26th. of April the Lady Moore petitioning this Board for her liberty, upon such security and conditions as We should think fit, it was signified to us on her behalf, that in case Wee should not think it fit to release her, she desired that she might be confined for a time to her sons house at Saint Mary Abbey in Dublin, and after to a Country house of her mothers at Dromnagh, within two miles of Dublin, and thereupon( in favour to her) it was then ordered, that she and others should become bound by recognisance to his majesty with condition that she should confine herself during Easter term, to the said house in Dublin, and that at the end of that term she should confine herself to the town and Lands of Dromnagh, and to appear Personally at this Board within two dayes next after notice or warning to be left to that purpose at the said house in Saint Mary Abbey, and then not to depart without special licence of this Board, and that recognisance being acknowledged, she was then released from her imprisonment in His Majesties Castle of Dablin, and in that liberty she still continues.  
And for Sir Patrick Wemys& Captain Ponsonby, they still continue prisoners in his Majesties said Castle, without any further strictness used towards them other then as is formerly herein mentioned.  
And considering that the Offences wherewith those three persons stand charged, are of such an high and transcendent nature, that if they were brought to their trials, it is likely( though Wee not prejudge them) it might perhaps prove penal to them, in a higher degree, then it seems they themselves do apprehended, Wee therefore have not been so forward hitherto in bringing them to their trials, as being indeed unwilling to use the uttermost severity against them. And whether or noe that favour and indulgence used by us towards them have found with them, that gratitude which Wee have deserved may appear in their said Letters which follow here verbatim.  
Sir,  
I Am confident that you have heard of my harsh and cruel usage, I still remain in the same condition, and am not to expect other, from these hands, by whose rod I am scourged, I have no comfort, but a just cause, from which neither I nor my companions will shrink, though death pursue us, I desire your care of us, so as we may not be forgotten, if possible safety and releasement may be procured for us, Our enemies are bold,& we humbled, and are not to think of happiness, if it come not from the Kingdom wherein you are, I know I need not use much persuasions to you, believing you have not forgotten our miseries, since you were with us, Therefore I will no further trouble you, but conclude, wishing you and yours increase of happiness with honor, and shall ever remain  
Your affectionate Aunt and humble Servant, Alice Moore. From the Castle of Dublin, the 22. of April, 1645.  
For mayor general Crawford, these.  
My Lo.  
Yours of October came not to my hands until the March following, in which time here landed the Bishop of Ossory Williams, who reported confidently your Lordship was dead, so as all things which belonged unto you here, was thought to be disposed of, which was in the power of our State, This was a great addition to the heaviest of my misfortunes had I not been revived by a better and truer informer, soon after, this prevented me with passion, for so great a misfortune, to be added unto my miseries, so that I did not acquaint your Lordship with my cruel usage, which power here pleases to inflict on me, for no other cause, then adhering to those English, which are unwilling to humble themselves unto the mercy of the Irish, I perceive by your Lordships Letter, the constant affection you still bear to my dear Lord and his, who are now great sufferers, being loaded with frowns and severe punishment from those of whom wee were to expect justice, in another kind, but now poor Protestants despairs of that, and therefore must resolve to taste and drink deeply of the bitter cup, before wee shall be admitted unto the sweet, My Lo. our hope is much in your Lordship and your like, that wee shall not be forgotten, but that some course may be thought on for our release, I am now in the Castle close Prisoner, where I have been fifteen weeks, no means allowed, all sustenance taken from me other then what I can shift for, I know your Lordships goodness will judge this harsh dealing with the wife of him that hath lost life spent his Estate to the utmost of his power no way receiving any reparation other then this I now suffer with many threats of destroying the remain of his dear blood, Good my Lord give me leave to urge your favour in this great extremity, to take me so far into your thoughts, as you will procure what remedy may be had, for our redemption, out of this cruel subjection, for which favour with many others you will ever oblige,  
I humbly beg your Lordships care of my dear Adam. Your most humble Servant Alice Moore. From the Castle of Dublin, the 23. of April, 1645.  
For the Right honourable the Lord Visc. Conway these present.  
Sir,  
I Received a Letter from Sir Francis Hamilton, wherein he was pleased to take notice of the hard condition of myself and others, that are here committed close prisoners, in the Castle of Dublin these sixteen weeks, and withall he writ to me, that himself and my friends there, were thinking of some course for my release, and tells me, there is none so ready as yourself, to contribute for my enlargement, Sir I give you many thanks, that you will be pleased at this time to stand my friend, when for the most part all my friends hath forsaken me, I suffer here for my affection, and for the disaffection I haue to those, that has ruined us all, and in the third place for being a Scotsman, these be my crimes, and if they had been greater, I did not expect so much severity from the hands of those, whom I have so faithfully and affectionately served, but time will try all, and I hope and am confident of it, that when business comes to be rightly understood, I sh●ll not be found the man, that deserved so heavy a punishment, as is now laid upon me, Sir I shall earnestly entreat your favour, and furtherance at this time, that you would be pleased to join with the rest of my friends there, that some speedy course may be taken for my enlargement, the manner how to effectuat it, I leave to yourself and the rest of my friends,& whatsoever favour you shall be pleased to extend to me at this time, shall be ever acknowledged by Sir  
Dublin Castle the 23. April, 1645. Your affectionate friend and faithful Servant P. Wemys.  
For my noble friend Sir Robert King Knight, these at London,  
Worthy cousin,  
I Have written to some of my friends at London, and acquainted them how I am close prisoner at the Castle, the cause of my Comittall, and the particulars of it, I leave to the relation of Mr. trail, I shall entreat you to join with the rest of my friends, concerning a course to be taken for my enlargement, for I have many enemies here, and the more, because I am a Scotsman, Sir I have that confidence in you although our acquaintance be almost forgotten, yet our relation in blood cannot, that you will contribute all you can for my enlargement, for my sufferings here are much, I would have enlarged myself at this time, but I dare not, for fear my Letters miscarry, so expecting your assistance at this time of my greatest need, I am,  
Dublin Castle 23 April, 1645. Your affectionate cousin and Servant, P. Wemys.  
For my noble cousin Colonel Wemys these at London.  
Sir,  
I believe you have heard long ago, how Sir Robert Hannay,& myself are here close prisoners in the Castle of Dublin,& I believe you have heard it diversely reported the cause why we were committed, but for my own part I know no good nor just ground for it, but that wee are Scotismen, and so fit to suffer, whatsoever shall be laid upon us, They will not bring us to any trial, but leaves us here, where wee shall be all our dayes, if our friends do not mediate for our release, for wee have no friends here, no not one, After you have spoken with Mr. trail, if you will be pleased to afford us your favour, in using some means to help, towards our enlargement, you shall much oblige  
Dublin Castle the 23 April, 1645. Your affectionate frien● and Servant, P. Wemys.  
Sir, I pray you present my humble service to your own Lady, and to Sterling, and his noble Lady, My good Wife doth the like to you all.  
For my noble friend general mayor Crawford, these:  
honourable Sir,  
THe small acquaintance I had with you in Ireland, with the ample relation of your noble Acts, since your departure from us, have emboldened me, to present these my miserable conditions, for daily being frighted by the great incursions of the bloody lately called Rebells here with us, even unto our chiefest Garrisons, some few Officers with myself, resolved to expel them, our town, whose words and actions rather seemed to perfect their begun massacre, upon the remain of the poor English, then any way to support our fading condition, thinking thereby, better to have defended ourselves, against our exorbitant adversary, but being betrayed by a false brother, wee were attached, and kept as close prisoners, this sixteen weeks, and as yet hears no comfort of our releasement, yea even relief to support nature is denied, though petitioned for, in so much that if some speedy course be not taken for our enlargement, our being will be yet more miserable, so that noble Sir my humble suite is, that you would be pleased to remember us, when God shall render some considerable Prisoners into your hands, which wee conceive may gain our liberty, sooner then otherwise, which if you will be pleased remember, Your Honor shall ever oblige,  
Your ever humble Servant to serve you John Ponsoble. From the Castle of Dublin, 25. of April, 1645.  
In the next place Wee think fit to observe some particulars of the many apparent untruths and falsehoods contained in the said Letters, which( considered in themselves, and reflecting so highly and unjustly on the persons of us, who have the honor to serve his majesty in the Government of this his kingdom) are new Offences, a part and separate from the other matters laid to their charge.  
The Lady Moore in her said Letters of the 22 of April pretends first, That she still remaines in a condition of harsh and cruel usage, and that she is not to expect other, from those hands by whose rod she is scourged, And whether or noe she hath cause so to complain appears in the proceeding with her and herein formerly mentioned.  
2ly. That she hath no comfort but a just cause, from which She says neither she nor her Companions will shrink, though Death pursue them. And if the purposing and labouring to betray and surprise one of his Majesties towns and Garrisons( which is the cause for which she was committed) be a just cause, then indeed and not otherwise, is her cause just, and consequently the resolution of her and those Companions she mentions, wherein is also observable, that she could not complain of any such closenes of restraint, but that she and those others might have access one to another, whereby she might so well understand their mindes and resolutions, and mutually agree on an undutiful and presumptuous persisting in their Crimes.  
Thirdly That her Enemies are bold and she and hers humbled, and are not to think of happiness if it came not from the kingdom of England, But who she means by those Enemies, Wee understand not, yet if she thereby intend us, Wee confess Wee are Enemies to the Crimes wherewith she is charged, though not to her, And she had ere this time found the fruits of it in her enlargement, if enlargement be the happiness she expects out of England, and that in an nearer way, then from those in England, from whom( It seems) she expects it, if Wee had found her carriage such, since her committall, as became her in loyalty to his Majesty and duty to His authority.  
In the said Lady Moores Letters to the Lord viscount Conway, dated the 23 of April( wherein what her expressions are towards the Lord Bishop of Ossory, and how unfit and uncomely from a person of honor, towards a person of so eminent a Dignity in the Church, the Letters declare) she says, first that on the report of the Lord Conways death, all things which belonged to him here was thought to be disposed of, which was in the Power of the State, whereas Wee did not so much as hear of the Lord Conwayes death and consequently could not therefore intend to dispose of any thing of his in Our power, and if Wee had heard of his death, and had disposed of what he held which was in our power to dispose, Wee had therein done noe wrong to him or any other.  
Secondly she pretends there also cruel usage which she says power here inflicts on her and that as she allegeth, for no other cause then adhering to the English, And that her usage hath not been cruel, and that nothing is inflicted on her for adhering to the English, appears by what Wee have herein formerly declared, But that which she calls an adhering to the English, was in truth that, then which there could bee nothing at this time more prejudicial to the English, and which( by the blessing of God on Our endeavours for the English,) was prevented.  
Thirdly that the late Lord Moores friends are loaden with frowns and severe punishments, from those of whom they were to expect justice in another kind, which how untrue and scandalous it is, may appear in that there is none of those she mentions, under question, but herself, and whether there be not cause to question her, and to proceed against her with more severity then We have hitherto done, her own Examinations and the testimonies of others( which on trial of the matter when it shall come to judgement, and which in the mean time Wee forbear to prejudge) will sufficiently manifest.  
Fourthly that now poor Protestants despair of justice, and therefore must resolve to taste and drink deeply of the bitter cup before they be admitted to the sweet which is an aspersion of a most high nature, and by her extended to a large latitude in sufferers, but limited by her as to those that cause it, only to us,( for so her Letters insinuate) whereas all our labour and endeavour is, to redeem the poor Protestants out of their miscries, and from tasting further of that bitterness, whereof indeed Wee( with great grief and disquiet of mind) do know and feel, that they have already too deeply tasted, wherein also We( being of them) have with them born Our part in the common Calamity, in a very high degree, And certainly if she have that sense of the Protestants sufferings, which she pretends, it is on her part a mean retribution of gratitude to us, who suffer and labour so much for the benefit and security of the Protestants, to charge us so wrongfully and unjustly, And it seems shee hath the rather used us his Majesties ministers, in that manner, because the Sweet which she mentions in her Letters, she expects not from his Majesties authority entrusted with us, but as( her Letters imply) some other way.  
Fifthly that she was on the 23 of April when her Letters were dated a close Prisoner fifteen weeks in the Castle, and noe means allowed her, and all sustenance taken from her, other then what she can shift for, Whereas she well knows that she was a close Prisoner noe longer then for six dayes, namely from the 16 to the 22 of january, and that from the first moment of her being questioned, to this time, there hath been noe part of her estate in any kind so much as touched, by any of his Majesties ministers, so careful have Wee been of her, and so far from abridging her in her means, or taking any sustenance from her, which was never hindered but always admitted her with all the respect due to a Person of her quality.  
sixthly that She knows it will be judged harsh dealing, with the wife of him that lost his life, spent his estate to the utmost, noe way receiving any reparation, other then this she now suffers, with many threats of destroying the remain of his deere blood, and she concludes urging remedy for her and others redemption out of this( as she calls it) cruel subjection. That which she calls hard dealing, is the mildness wherewith Wee have hitherto proceeded with her, and for the deceased Lord her husband Wee aclowledge his expense, his merits, his death in his Majesties service, and Wee retain an honourable memory thereof, And which is much more, As his Majesty by his royal Letters sent hither soon after the Death of the late Lord Moore, was graciously pleased to take notice thereof with great honor to that Lord so his majesty by his royal Letters of the 15 of May last( even since he had notice of the said Lady Moores restraint) hath( in favour of the new Lord Moore her Son) required Warrant to be given for exonerating and discharging him, of all primer seisings mean profitts, and other Duties whatsoever to which his Majesty is or may bee any way entitled, by the Death of his said Father, or otherwise, and likewise for all fines for alienations, and that he may sue either a general or special Livery of all his Lands, without paying any thing to his Majesty for the same, which is a high and gracious favour and of great benefit and advantage to the said now Lord Moore, and Wee doubt not but( in due time) he and others of the late Lord Moores Posterity, will find further comfortable fruits of his Majesties gracious favour towards them, which Wee his Majesties Ministers will further and advance for them to His Majesty with our best endeavours, And even this Lady herself( if she would be pleased to value it) hath had in all her occasions, and particularly in this very matter, for which she is now questioned, much the more favour and respect from us, in relation to her Husbands merits, But as to the threats of destroying the remain of his blood, We confess freely that Wee cannot imagine what she means thereby, and indeed they are terms as new to us, as they would have been strange in themselves, if they had proceeded from any other, then one who hath suffered herself to be so far transported with Passion, as to invent so many other things, strange and untrue, as Wee find contained in her said Letters, and which Wee could not have believed were possible for her to invent, if Wee had not seen them in her said Letters, written and subscribed with her own hand, and for her terms of cruel subjection, They are of the same piece with the rest of her expressions, which yet Wee are not willing to draw into so severe a construction, as the words may bear, and as perhaps she intended, But Wee are hearty sorry, that a person whom We so much regarded, and of whom wee have been so careful should enforce us, in vindicating the truth, to lay open against our nature, so much of her infirmity( that wee may call it no worse) which must needs though truly reflect upon her in her honour and credit in a high degree.  
Sir Patrick Wemys, in his said Letters directed to Sir Robert King says, that he suffers here for his affection, without mentioning to whom or what he is affencted, and for disaffection to those that have ruined us all, and in the third place for being a Scottish man those he says are his Crimes, and adds, that if they had been greater, he did not expect so much severity from the hands of those, whom he says he hath so faithfully and affectionately served, affirming also, that he will not be found to have deserved so heavy a punishment as is now laid upon him, And in his said Letters to colonel Wemys he says he hath many enemies here, and the more because he is a Scottish man, and in his Letters to colonel Crawford, he says, he knows no good or just ground for his and Sir Robert Hannayes Comittall, but that they are Scottish men, and so fit to suffer whatsoever shall be laid on them, affirming also, that We will not bring them to any trial. And it seems to us very strange, that he( who as well otherwise, as particularly by his own Examination taken) knows well the just grounds of his committall, should yet assign three other reasons for it, and none of them true, but indeed those he chooseth rather, and especially that which runs through all his Letters, his being a Scottish man, whence though very unjustly he labours to infer a national quarrel, who yet may well remember, what particular trust and extraordinary estimation he always had from us the Lord lieutenant, and that for many yeares and so still continued, until the very moment of the discovery of the said conspiracy, during all which time, We well knew him to be a Scottish man, which may testify for us( especially to him) that We have no disaffection to that Nation, of whom We well know there are very many, that upon all occasions do manifest loyal and dutiful affections to His majesty, and such of those as are in this kingdom, do gather the blessed fruits of His Majesties justice and protection, and have been and still are embraced by us His Majesties ministers, equally with his Majesties Subjects of other his Dominions, with all due respect, and that without any national distinction, And whether or noe he have cause to complain of any severity from Our hands, or that We have done any thing towards him, other then what Wee ought to have done, in the duty Wee owe to the public trust of his Majesties affairs, and interests here, will appear when his own and other Examinations taken concerning him, come to be published, and how much We were troubled to find ourselves enforced by him to such a proceeding against him, there are that can testify, and Wee are well assured, he knows it, and yet that he( of all others) should lay such a scandal on us, We cannot but be very sensible thereof. And as to that of not bringing them to trial Wee confess Wee apprehended that deferring, as a great favour and a Degree of mercy towards them, which also will appear in due time.  
captain Ponsonbie in his Letters of the 25 of April directed( as is conceived) to Colonel Crawford pretends, that he and others had resolved to expel Rebells from Drogheda, and that he was kept close Prisoner sixteen Weekes, whereas he well knows, the conspiracy was to surprise that town and Garrison, for which it seems, he hath not yet repented, in that he says, He and the rest were betrayed by a false Brother, nor hath he dealt any truer in his allegation of close imprisonment, which he says was sixteen weekes, whereas in truth it was but from the Eight to the 22 of january.  
By all which Particulars it may appear how false and scandalous those aspersions are, which those Persons by their said Letters desire to fasten upon us, and that Wee are and have been in this( as Wee have always been, and shall bee in all things else) very far from offering the least wrong or injustice, or any kind of hard measure, or harsh or cruel usage to those Persons, and especially from doing or somuch as intending any thing, which may in any construction, bee conceived to relate in the least degree to the raising of any national quarrel or difference.  
Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the 9 day of june 1645. 

Ri. Bolton, Canc.  
Cha. Lambart.  
Gerrard Lowther.  
Tho. Lucas.  
Roscomon.  
Arthur Chichester.  
Edw. Bolton.  
Robert Forth.  
Geo. Cloyne.  
Ge. Shurley.  
Fr. Willoughby.  
G. Wentworth.   GOD SAVE THE KING.  
FINIS.