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No. XXXVIII.

THE STATE OF HIS MAJESTY'S AFFAIRS, AND THE CONDI

TION OF HIS FAITHFUL SUBJECTS IN THE KINGDOM
IRELAND, 12TH APRIL, 1651....PAGE 142.

OF

THAT the power and success of the rebels hath been such, as the whole nation is now in their possession, or subject to their contribution, except the province of Conaught, and the county of Clare, and his majesty's city of Limerick and town of Galway; that the said province of Conaught and county of Clare, are for the most part waste, by the continuance of that heavy burthen the war has brought on them, and by incursions of the rebels. That the rebels having an over-mastering power in all parts of the kingdom, other than the said province of Conaught and county of Clare, many of his majesty's forces, that hitherto had their relief out of their quarters, have been forced for their safety to retire to the said province of Conaught and county of Clare, which together with the forces maintained there formerly, are become so burthensome to the people, as that they are thereby utterly impoverished. The nation being in this extremity, no considerable forces can be brought together to maintain even a defensive war against the rebels, much less an offensive; and had not the river of Shannon been an interruption to the rebels incursions, since October or November last, till this present, it is very evident, that the rebels had e'er this, over-run the province of Conaught and county of Clare, and consequently would bring under their power the city of Limerick and town of Galway. The said city of Limerick and town of Galway, observing all other, his majesty's cities and towns of strength within the Lkingdom, to be lost; and how, that there was no considerable army of his majesty's forces within the kingdom to relieve them, in case they were besieged, or any probability, for want of means, to bring any such army into a body; have of a long time, out of the feeling sense they had of their own destruction, been inclined to treat for conditions with the rebels, before the danger might come nearer them, and before the said province of Conaught and county of Clare were over-mastered by the rebels power, as the rest of the kingdom was. This was not only the study and apprehension of the said towns, but was also the resolution of most others that could not humanly see how they might be otherwise preserved and it was by very great en

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deavours and industry, that the general assembly held at Logh reah, in January last, was with-held from treating for conditions with the rebels. Many of the officers of his Majesty's army, finding the sad condition the nation was reduced into, not able to keep any considerable forces in a body to oppose the rebels, did, from several parts of the kingdom, represent their sense, that it was absolutely necessary for the people's preservation, to treat with the rebels for conditions, seeing there was no power to resist them. The general desperation in all persons and places hitherto under his majesty's obedience, did so change the resolutions of the people, as they parted with nothing willingly to maintain the forces, each one looking after the ways of his particular subsistance; and the city of Limerick and town of Galway, either for fear to insense the rebels the more, or to advantage themselves in such conditions, as should be had from the rebels, did not afford so ready and clear obedience to his majesty's authority as accustomed. His Highness the Duke of Lorrain's ambassador arriving here, and it being given out, that he came with offers of powerful assistance for the preservation of the Catholic religion, his majesty and subjects interest: the people took much comfort and encouragement thereby, hoping that the rebels power might be opposed; and soon after did the said towns and all other places, yet in his majesty's obedience, seem more chearfully, than before, to assist his majesty's authority, in opposing the rebels, and to disavow and disclaim any treaty with the rebels, though formerly inclined, if not resolved. His excellency the lord deputy, understanding that some aids might be had for the present relief of his majesty's forces, did give audience to the said ambassador; and though the letters he brought were not to the lord deputy, nor any having his majesty's authority; yet he having publicly avowed, that his master knew not his majesty's authority was intrusted with any in this kingdom; and that if he had known so much, he would have made his application by letter to him, with whom that authority was intrusted; his lordship therefore authorized some of the prelates and commissioners of trust to treat with him; and was content, that the prelates, nobility, and other persons of quality, then in or near Galway, and agents of the city of Limerick and town of Galway, might meet to consult of that affair; and represent their sense thereupon to his excellency: who being accordingly called together, and consisting of very many of the prelates, nobility, and gentry, out of several parts of the kingdom; at which meeting also the agents of the said city of Limerick and town of Galway were present, and several officers of the army; who after a long and serious debate of the matter proposed by his highness's ambassador; they weighing the unavoidable danger the nation was in

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of falling into the rebels power; and how the people, if not suddenly assisted, were much impoverished, as they would be utterly destroyed, or enforced to submit to the rebels; and considering that his majesty was not in condition to relieve them, nor could application with safety be made unto him; did therefore advise, and were of opinion, seeing his highness the Duke of Lorrain made it his care to preserve the Catholick religion and the people's interest, and to recover from the rebels what they possessed, that it was absolutely necessary to accept of his said highness's protection: but the said ambassador's propositions being such as his excellency the lord deputy could not assent unto, the said ambassador was induced (taking caution for the present supplies) to agree, that the treaty and conclusion for further supplies, and the proposals made in the Duke of Lorrain's behalf, might be put over to be determined by his highness, or such as he would depute, and such as now should be authorized by the lord deputy in his majesty's behalf. The present supplies had, do not much amend the condition of his majesty's affairs in this kingdom and if ways may not be found to hasten very suddenly further and more considerable supplies, what is left of the whole, yet in his majesty's obedience, will soon be in the possession and power of the rebels, the season of the year being now such as the rebels may in many places on the Shannon make their incursions, and draw their forces into the said province of Conaught and county of Clare; which they may the better effect, having not any forces considerable of his majesty's army, that might disturb them in the provinces of Munster, Leinster, or Ulster; other than that the Lord Muskerry, with some party in the county of Kerry, and borders of the county of Cork, giveth considerable disturbance to the rebels designs in Leinster; some small parties only that cannot regularly be maintained in a body, do, when opportunity is offered, perform service against weak or scattered parties of the rebels, but can attempt nothing against any considerable body of the rebels. And in Ulster, though his majesty's forces are numerous in foot, yet wanting horse, and many unprovided for arms and having no regular way of maintenance, they can attempt little to distract the rebels forces in that province; that party of his majesty's forces in Ulster having lately, for want of horse, received a considerable loss upon a defeat near Fena; and by that means also the said garrison of Fena (being a con siderable place) was lost; so that upon the whole matter, it is very evident how great the evils are, that will happen, if immediately great aids be not hastened to this nation, for this kingdom will, by the fore-flowing thereof, be entirely in the enemies power and possession, and the people universally inforced to submit unto them, by which the rebels will have the opportunity

to send from hence a great and considerable power, that may distract his majesty's expected success in England and Scotland, and be an occasion of the loss also of his majesty's entire interest in both his said other kingdoms.

1

No. XXXIX.

A COPY IN ENGLISH OF HIS MAJESTY'S LETTER TO HIS HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF LORRAIN, DATED THE 6TH OF FEBRUARY; RECEIVED THE 8TH OF AUGUST, 1652....PAGE 145.

COUSIN,

WE have lately seen a letter from the deputy of Ireland, directed to our lieutenant of that our kingdom, now attending our person, together with certain overtures made and proposed by some of our subjects, now at Brussels, to your highness, in order to the supply and relief of our said kingdom, and oppressed subjects there: with which propositions or articles we were not in the least degree made acquainted; nor was our dearest mother the queen, our dear brother the Duke of York, or our lieutenant of Ireland, informed thereof, till within these very few days, when the said articles were transmitted hither by our deputy of that our kingdom; albeit that they seem to be consented unto by these gentlemen at Brussels, about the beginning of July last. We have been likewise informed by the testimony of the Lord Taaffe, and by the message, which Father Dillon lately brought to us from your highness, with what affection and tenderness towards us your highness (according to your accustomed kindness and friendship to us) hath proceeded in this business; and that though the said articles were freely submitted, consented to, and signed so long since by those gentlemen on their part, and that your highness frankly undertook to perform any thing, that they had proposed to, and expected from you, yet that your highness would not accept any of that power, or exercise any of that jurisdiction within that our kingdom, which they had offered to you, nor so much as receive the said articles signed by them, or suffer them to remain in any other hands but their own, till your highness should receive our full approbation of all that had been offered: which was so

generous and princely a way of proceeding, that we must always acknowledge it, amongst those high obligations, which we have so frequently received from your highness.

We perceive that the Marquis of Clanricarde, our deputy there, (who as he is very solicitous for our service and concernment, so he is known to have always been as zealous for the Catholic religion, as any of our subjects of that nation, and must be presumed to know the affections and interests of that people, as well as any, whatsoever others pretend) hath by his late address to your highness (whereof we have seen a copy) presented to your highness his opinion of the matter of the said articles, and of the persons who contrived them, and of the impossibility of receiving the intended fruit of your highness's favour by those means; and therefore we shall say no more of either, having still the more reason to remember the honour and justice of your highness, in refusing to receive, without our consent, what others so frankly without our leave offered to give. Nor do we so severely interpret even those offers, but do believe that they proceeded rather from the smart, anguish, and despair those gentlemen felt, from the languishing and gasping condition of their miserable country, than from their want of affection and duty to us and our interest. It is very true, the miseries and calamities, which have almost overwhelmed the kingdom, can hardly be expressed, which in a short time, if some seasonable and very timely supply and assistance be not applied, to stop the success of our English rebels there, must probably be concluded in the utter extirpation of that nation, and the total rooting out the Catholic religion within that kingdom; to the free exercise whereof, many indulgencies, and large immunities and concessions, have been granted by us, even to the satisfaction of those, who are most zealous promoters of it.

As all these sufferings and afflictions of those our subjects, whatsoever they are, or may grow to be, cannot in the least degree be imputed to any fault or failing of our blessed father, or ourself; so we have left no means within our power unattempted to remedy the same, and are still most ready to use our utmost endeavours to procure any relief for them. But we must confess, that in this sad conjuncture of our affairs, which is enough known to the world, that work seems almost desperate, without some conjunction in Catholic princes, who for the preservation of that religion, and out of compassion to so distressed a nation, may administer some such succour as may prevent the immediate ruin of that people, and keep the rebels from an entire possession of that kingdom, until farther assistance may be applied to it. And how to procure any such con, junction, we know no way so good, or hopeful, as by the mediation and example of your highness; who, besides several other

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