Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 152 – Letter 154
The Lords Iustices of Irelands Letters to the Earl of Leicester, &c. Octob. 1641.
MAy it please your Lordship: On Friday the 22. of this MonethMonth after nine of the clock at night, this bearer Owen Connelly, servant to Sir Iohn Clotworthy Kt, came to me the Lord Iustice Parsons to my house, and in great secrecy (as indeed the case did require) discovered unto me a most wicked & damnable Conspiracy, plotted and contrived, and intended to be also acted by some evill-affected Irish Papists here. The Plot was on the next morning, Saturday the 23. of Octob. being Ignatius day, about nine of the clock to surprise his Majesties Castle of Dublin, his Majesties chiefe strength of this Kingdom, wherein also is the principall Magazine of his Majesties Armes and Ammunition, and it was agreed (it seemes) amongst them; that the same houre all other his Majesties Forts, and Magazins of Armes and Ammunition in this Kingdome should be surprised by others of those Conspirators; and further,Note. that all the Protestants and English throughour the whole Kingdom that would not joyn with them should be cut off, and so those Papists should then become possessed of the government and Kingdom at thesame instant.
As soone as I had that Intelligence, I then immediatly repaired to the Lord Iustices Palace, and thereupon we instantly Assembled the Councell, and having sate in Councell all that night, as also all the next day, the 23. of October, in regard of the short time left us for the consultation of so great and waighty a matter: although it was not possible for us upon so few houres warning, to prevent those other great mischiefes which were to be acted even at that same houre, and at so great a distance as in all the other parts of the Kingdome; yet such was our industry therein, having that night caused the Castle to be that night strengthned with armed men, and the City guarded as the united councells of those evill persons (by the great mercy of God to us) became defeated, so as they were not able to Act that part of their Treachery which indeed was principall, and which if they could have effected would have ended the rest of their purposes the more easie. Having so secured the Castle, we forth-with laid about for the apprehension of as many of the offenders as we could, many of them having come to this City, but that night intending (it seemes) the next morning to Act their parts in those treacherous and bloudy crimes.
The first man apprehended was one Hugh Mac Mahone Esquire (Grand-so…n to the Traytor Tirone) a Gentleman of a good fortune in the County of Monoghan; who with others was taken that morning in Dublin, having at the time of their apprehension offered a little resistance, with their swords drawn; but finding those we imployed against them more in number, and better armed yeilded: He upon his Examination before us at first denyed all, but in the end when he saw we laid it home to him, he confessed enough to destroy himself, and impeach some others, as by a Copy of his Examination herewith sent may appeare to your Lordship. We then committed him untill we might have further time to examine him againe, our time being become more needfull to be imployed in Action for securing this place then in examining.
This Mac Mahon had been abroad, and served the King of Spaine as a Lieutenant Colonell.
Upon conference with him and others, and calling to mind a Letter we received the weeke before from sir William Cole, a Copy whereof we send your Lordship, here inclosed we gathered that the Lord Magwire (was to be an Actor in surprising the Castle of Dublin; wherefore we held it necessary to secure him immediatly, thereby also to startle and deter the rest when they found him laid fast: his Lordship observing what we had done, and the City in Armes, fled from his Lodging early before day (it seemes) disguised, for we had laid a watch about his Lodging, so as we thinke he could not passe without disguising himselfe, yet he could not get forth of the City, so surely guarded were all the gates.
There were found at his Lodging hidden some Hatchets with the Helves newly cut off close to the Hatchets,Note. and many Skeines, and some Hammers. In the end the Sheriffes of the City, whom we imployed in strict search of his Lordship, found him hidden in a Cockloft, in an obscure house farre from his Lodging, where they apprehended him, and brought him before us.
He denyed all, yet so as he could not deny but he had heard of it in the Country, though he would not tell us when or from whom; and confessed that he had not advertised us thereof as in duty he ought to have done. But we were so well satisfied of his guilt by all circumstances, as we doubted not upon further Examination when we could be able to spare time for it, finde it apparent; wherefore we hold it of absolute necessity to commit him close prisoner, as we had formerly done, Mac Mahone and others, where we left them on the 23. of this monethmonth in the morning, about the same houre they intended to have been Masters of that place, and this City.
That morning also we laid wait for all those Strangers that came the night before to Town, and so many were apprehended, whom we finde reason to belive to have hands in this Conspiricy, as we were forced to disperse them into severall Goales; and wee since found that there came many Horsemen into the Suburbs that night, who finding the Plot discovered, disperst themselves immediately.
When the houre approached, which was designed for surprizing the Castle, great numbers of Strangers were observed to come to Town in great parties severall wayes, who not finding admittance at the Gates, staid in the Suburbs, and there grew numerous, to the terrour of the Inhabitantss; we therefore to help that, drew up, and instantly signed a Proclamation, commanding all men, not dwellers in the City or Suburbs, to depart within an houre upon paine of death, and made it alike penall to those that should harbour them; which Proclamation the Sheriffe Immediatly proclaimed in all the Suburbs by our commandement, which being accompanied with the example and terrour of the committall of those two eminent men and other, occasioned the departure of those multitudes: And in this case all our lives and fortunes, and above all, his Majesties Power and regall Authority being still at the stake,Note. we must vary from ordinary proceedings, not onelyonly in executing Martiall Law as we see cause, but also in putting some to the Rack to finde out the bottome of this Treason, and all the Contrivers thereof, which wee foresee will not otherwise be done.
On that 23 day of this MonethMonth, we conceiving that as soone as it should be known, that the Plot for s…izing Dublin Castle was disappointed, all the Conspiratos in the remote parts, might be somewhat disheartned; as on the other side, the good Subjects would be comforted, and would then with the more confidence stand on their guard, did prepare to send abroad to all parts of the Kingdom this Proclamation, which we send you herein inclosed, and so having provided that the City and Castle should bee so well guarded, as upon the sudden wee could provide, wee concluded that long continued consultation.
On Saturday at twelve of the clock at night, the Lord Blaney came to Town, and brought us the ill newes of the Rebels seizing with 200 men his House (at Castle Blainey, in the Countey of Monoghan, and his wife, children, and servants; as also a House of the Earle of Essexs called Carrickmacrosse with 200 men, and a house of Sir Henry Spotwords in the same County with 200 men, where there being a little Plantation of Brittish,Note. they plundered the Town and divers houses, and it since appeares that they burnt divers other Villages, and robbed and spoyled many English and none but Protestants, leaving the English Papists untouched as well as the Irish.
On Sunday morning at three of the clock, we had intelligence from Sir Arthur Tir…ingham, that the Irish in the Town had that day also broken up the Kings store of Arms, and Munition at Newry, where the store for Arms hath been ever since the Peace, and where they found threescore and ten barrels of Powder, and armed themselves, and put them under command of Sir Con-Magenis Knight, and one Cerly a Monke, and plundered the English there, and disarmed the Garrison: And this though to much, is all that we yet heare is done by them.
However wee shall stand on our guard the best we may to defend the Castle and City principally, those being the peeces of most importance: But if the Conspiracie be so universall as Mac Mahoun saith, in his Examination it is, namely, that all the Counties of the Kingdome have conspired in it,Note which wee admire should so fall out in this time of universall peace, and carried with that secresie that none of the English could have any friend amongst them to disclose it; then indeed we shall be in high extremity, and the Kingdom in the greatest danger that ever it underwent, considering our want of men, money, and armes, to enable us to encounter so great multitudes as they can make, if all should so joyne against us: the rather because we have pregnant cause to doubt that the Combination hath taken force by the incitement of Iesuits▪ N…t….Preists and Fryars.
All the hope we have here is that the old English of the Pale, and some other Parts, will continue constant to the King in their fidelity as they did in former Rebellions.
And now in these streights, we much under God depend on aide forth of England for our present supply with all speed, especially money we having none; and Armes which we shall exceedingly want, without which we are very doubtfull what account wee shall give to the King of his Kingdome.
But if the Conspiracy be only of Mac Guire and some other Irish, of the kindred and friends of the Rebell Tyrone, and other Irish in the Counties of Down, Monaghan, Cavan, Termanagh, and Armagh, and no generall revolt following thereupon, we hope then to make head against…them in a reasonable measure, if we be enabled with money from thence, without which we can raise no forces; so great is our want of moneys as we have formerly written, and our debt so great to the Army; nor is money to be borrowed here, and if it were, we could engage all our estates for it; neither have we any hope to get in his Majesties Rents and Subsidies in these disturbances, which addes extreamely to our necessities.
On Sunday morning the 24, we met again in Councell, and sent to all parts of the Kingdome the inclosed Proclamation, and issued Pattents to draw hither seven horse Troopes, as a further strength to this place, and to be with us, in case the Rebels shall make head, and march hitherward, so as we may be necessitated to give them Battell; we also then sent away our Letters to the Presidents of both the Provinces of Munster and Conaught: and we likewise then sent Letters to the Sheriffes of the five Counties of the Pale, to consult of the best way and meanes of their own preservation; That day the Lord Viscount Fitzwilliam, and the Lord of Houth, and since the Earle of Kildare, Trigall, and the Lords of Dunsany and Slane, all Noble men of the English Pale, came unto u…, declaring that they then, and not before, heard of the matter, and professed all Loyalty to his Majesty, and concurrence with the State; but said they wanted Armes, whereof they desired to bee supplyed by us, which wee told them we would willingly doe, as relying much on their faithfulnesse to the Crown; but wee were not yet certaine whether or no we had enough to Arme our strength, for the Guard of the City and Castle, yet we supplyed such of them as lay in most danger, with a small proportion of Arms and Ammunition for their Houses, lest they should conceive we apprehended any jealousie of them: And wee commanded them to be very diligent in sending out Watches, and making all the discoveries they could, and thereof to advertise us, which they readily promised to doe.
And if it fall out that the Irish generally rise, which we have cause to suspect, then we must of necessity put Armes into the hands of the English Pale in present, and to others as fast as wee can, to fight for defence of the State and themselves.
Your Lordship now sees the condition wherein we stand, and how necessary it is first that we enjoy your presence speedily, for the better guiding of these and other the publike affaires of the King and Kingdome: and secondly, that the Parliament there be moved immediately to advance to us a good sum of money, which being now speedily sent hither, may prevent the expence of very much Treasure and blood in a long continued warre: and if your Lordship shall happen to stay on that side any long time, we must then desire your Lordship to appoint a Lievtenant. Generall to discharge the great and weighty burthen of commanding the Forces here.
Amidst these confusions and disorders fallen upon us, we bethought us of the Parliament which was formerly adjourned to November next, and the Terme now also at hand, which will draw such a concourse of people hither, and give opportunity, under the pretence of assembling and taking new councells, seeing the former seemes to bee in some part disappointed, and of contriving further danger to this State and people; wee have therefore found it of unavoydable necessity to prorogue the Parliament to the 24 day of February next, and therefore we doe by Proclamation prorogue it accordingly, and to direct the Term to be adjourned to the first of Hillary Terme, excepting only the Court of Exchequer for hasting in the Kings money if it be possible.
We desire that upon this occasion, your Lordship will be pleased to view our letters concerning the Plantation of Conaught dated the 24 of April last, directed to Mr Secretary Vane in that part thereof, which concernes the County of Monaghan, where now these fires do first break out.
In the last place, we must make known to your Lordship, that the Army we have consisting but of 2000 foot and a 1000 horse, are so dispersed in Garrisons in severall parts of the foure Provinces for the security of those parts, as they continually have been since they were so reduced, as if they be all sent for to be drawn together, not only the places whence they are to bee drawne, and for whose safety they lie there, must be by their absence distressed; but also the Companies themselves comming in so small numbers may bee in danger to be cut off in their March; nor indeed have we any money to pay the Souldiers to enable them to March. And so we take leave an… remaine
Your Lordships to be commanded. From his Majesties Castle of Dublin, 25. Octob. 1641.
Poscript.
THe said Owen Connelly who revealed this Conspiracy, is worthy of very great consideration to recompence that faith and loyalty, which hee hath so extreamly to his own danger expressed in this businesse; whereby under God, there is yet hope left us of deliverance of this State and Kingdom from the wicked purposes of those Conspirators: And therefore we bese… your Lordship, that it be taken into consideration there, so as hee may have a marke of his Majesties most Royall bounty, which may largely extend to him and his Posterity, we not now being able to doe it for him.
As wee were making up these our Letters, the Sheriffe of the County of Monoghan and Dr Teats having fled came unto us, and informe us of much more spoyle committed by the Rebels in the Counties of Monoghan and Caven: And that the Sheriffe of the County of Caven joynes with the Rebels, being a Papist and prime man of the Irish.
What encouragment these Conspiratours had from Rome, to proceed on in this design (after it was in part prevented) will evidently appeare by these three Letters written from thence to the Lord Mac Guire, and Sir Phelym▪ Oneale in Irish, intercepted by the Lords Iustices in Ireland, and sent over (thus truly translated) into England, together with a Letter May, 11. 1642. In which we may clearely discover, that Cardinall Barbarino who was so intimate with Windebanke, and held correspondency with him and the English Papists; had a great hand in plotting this long intended Rebellion, and was privy to it ere it brake forth.
A Copy of a Letter from Francis Mac Guire from Rome to the Lord Mac Guire.
The superscription. Deliver me to Connor Mac Guire Lord of Eniskilin, or in his absence, to his brother Rowry Mac Guire in Ireland.
My honoured Lord,
THousand commendations unto you, to Bryan Rowry, and the rest; I have heard of yours, and Hugh Oge his imprisonment; truly, I never heard worse newes in all my life, who esteeme that it is rather much good then any hurt, which will redownd to you, and the whole Nation from these your troubles: Truly (my Lord) if you bee dead through that attempt (the …which God forbid) it is a most glorious and everlasting name,Note. which you have added to your selfe. The Pope and the two Cardinals his two Nephewes are acquainted with your case, and heard likewise how valorously, Phelym and Rowry, and the rest of the Gentlemen, their assistants have behaved themselves, and rejoyced greatly thereat; so that I make no question he will help you if you demand his side, as becomes you; therefore Bonaventura O C…nny brother to Eneas O Con…y, who is Lecturer here, thought fit to write unto the Generall Phelym touching this matter: and I advise you to see wisely unto the reasons which hee writ, and unto the good which will arise from them in time, and that you and Phelym be guided and directed by them, and the rather for that Bonaventura is a wise, prudent, and learned man, and as loving and faithfull unto you as I am; if you be not present, Rowry will supply your place. I beseech you above all things, and for the love of Iesus Christ, let true love bee established among you all, and let not the temptation of the Divell or man divert your minde from cherishing all possible love and amity between your selfe and Bryan Mac Coghonaght and his children, (as I doubt not you will) endeaver to draw unto you, not only your own kindred; but also the ancientest roote of the Irish,Note▪ wheresover dispersed or distant, and all to the glory of God, and the defence of your Religion; and I will be bound God will be your help: If you beare out your year, believe me, the Pope and all the Catholique Kings will be glad that you crave their assistance:Note. the mercifull God grant it, and defend you from the out-rage of your enemies. So will hee pray night and day, who is
Your poore Kinsman Francis Mac Guire. …rom Isitdors Colledge, Rome 4 Ian. 1642. after the Roman account.
Were it not that I have not finished my Studies, there is nothing in the world, I had rather then to live with you, to doe for you any service even to my death, though I want nothing where I am: and seeing I am not present with you, let none be your Councell, but such as be wise, and conscionable men, and acquainted with the Customs of other Nations: I commit you to Gods protection, and behave your selfe nobly for your Religion; commend mee to Hugh Ma… Maho…n and his children▪ seeing the way is very long. I will be so bold as to send unto you no more paper at this time.
Malachias is a Lecturer in the Countrey, an excellent Italian; as you think best, either send for him to goe over, or else let him tarry here.
A Copy of a Letter from one in Rome to Sir Phelym O-Neale.
Right Honourable,
YOur Honour and worth doth embolden me, though unacquainted, to present unto your honour herewith, my humble duty and service, which shall be alwayes at your Lordships command, if in ought your Lordships may be pleased to make use thereof. I have received of late some Letters out of London, wherein they write that your Lordship hath taken Armes in Ireland against the King of England; of this I have informed our old Father,Note. who received much comfort thereby, and promised to give his helping hand to all your exploits, which our Munster men here underhand doe offer to make his Holinesse believe, that if any such businesse or alteration be in Ireland, it is rather begun by my Lord Roch or Wormouth, then by you, or any in your Province, being very poore and wanting the ability or meanes to maintaine or make up any such Army: this with other sinister informations, doth this Munster Agent (whom in Gods name Mr Reily nominated for Vlster) offer to diminish the …ame and credit of those who venture their life and health for the common good of their Countrey and Church:Note. It is most necessary, that your Honour doe write with all speed and by severall wayes, both to this old man with his Nephew Cardinall Francisco, and also to our Protector Cardinall Anthony, or send some naturall Prelate, that may informe them at large of all your proceedings and minde: In the meane time what I or Father Bonaventura Conne… can doe shall not be wanting; observe alwayes good correspondency with the Ancient Catholike houses of both England and Scotland, Note.as your Predecessor the defunct did, and also with those here and elsewhere: Father Francis F…rrall is in Vienna to serve us; and Father Magnesius in Madrid, so as nothing may be wanting, if due correspondency be observed, trust and make use of old Rosse de Cruce, who knowes how to see your letters directed unto me: See that you live all in a generall union, and not have any contradiction among you, otherwise you can hardly arive to what we desire you. If any service I can doe you either here or elsewhere, be sure to command me as your own, in the meane time, my daily prayers shall not be wanting for your happy and prosperous successe in all your p…oceedings, desiring the mighty Majesty to lend you his helping hand… and so will I take leave, wishing your honour a most happy new yeare,
Your Lordships humble servant and cousin to commad, G. F. Rome 4 Ianu. 1642. Here I send you a letter from Father Bonaventura Conneo, a most good and discreet friend of yours. This is Gerrald Farrall, as appeares by other Letters. This man did write severall other Letters to this purpose, to severall other Priests and Titulary Bishops in this Kindome.