NO sooner was the late King Jumes advanced to the Throne, but he fixed his whole study upon the Establishment of his darling Twins, Popery and Slavery; and having by several Instances formerly experienced the English Aversion to the Principles of that Religion, he therefore first set himself to consider such Methods as might best serve for the Introduction of it, without giving them too near a Prospect of the Revoluti­on intended. It was sor this reason thought fit that Ireland should be the first unhappy Scene of the ensuing Tragedy, where such a Change seemed very practicable; for the far greater number of Inhabitants being naturally Slaves to the Yoke of Rome, could not but welcome the Chains of a Popish Tyrant; yet was not this to be effected on a sudden for fear of alarming England, which was not at that time brought under the Awe of a Standing Army; besides, the most considerable part of the Forces then in Ireland, consist­ing of such as were Protestants, obliged the King to a more wary Prosecution of his Designs. It was therefore conclu­ded to move by slower steps, and to continue the Admini­stration of Affairs in such hands, as should seem to be Pro­testants, that his Popish Councils might carry the better Gloss, and his English Subjects be less sensible of his varnisht Designs. Thus Ireland languish'd under the unhappy Cir­cumstances of being ruined by its pretended Friends, when in England the unwary Compliance of such as would ha­zard [Page 4]all to be thought Loyal, gave the King an opportuni­ty of appearing more publick in that which he before durst only dissemble; for upon the Compliments that were daily paid him in England, he presumed to divide the Mi­litary from the Civil Power in Ireland, and setled the Re­gulation of the Standing Army in the hands of a Papist, who was obliged to frame it to such a model as might best square with the Turn intended: For this Service Talbot was created Earl of Tyrconnel, and sent over armed with an ab­solute Power of disbanding such as he should judg disaffect­ed to their Designs.

At his first landing, he was highly courted by the Two Lords Justices, both of them paying him that Respect (tho as is suppos'd by the King's directions) which they ought to have received from him, and as he has been often heard to say, doing his Business faster than he could have done it himself. Nor could the Earl of Clarendon, who succeeded them in the Government, stop Tyrconnel's career; and tho he often interposed his Civil Authority, yet could he not prevent the whole Military Strength from devol­ving into the hands of the Papists; for in his time were most of the Protestant Officers and Soldiers cashier'd, the Mi­litia of the Countrey disarmed; the Forts and Strong-holds put into the Possession of the Papists; and every thing else done, which might prepare an easie Access sor a Popish Go­vernour.

Thus far were their Designs advanced in Ireland, under the Umbrage of a Protestant Power, when Monmouth's Re­bellion, and the great Loyalty that suppressed it, raised the Popish Party so far above their former hopes, that they now thought it high time to lay aside the Mask; and to this end it was resolved, That the Civil and Military Pow­er should re-unite in a Papist, who might act both as Depu­ty and General in that Kingdom. This double Trust was conferred on the Earl of Tyrconnel, whose past Services, [Page 5]and avowed Prejudices to the Protestant Interest, recom­mended him as the fittest Person to Act that Part of the Tragedy; He was a man of a comely Presence, but Haughty, Proud, and Insolent, and therefore was not at first reputed Master of so much Policy and Discretion as he afterwards appeared to be; his open Practices against such as Professed the Reformed Religion, and his severe usage of them whil'st he was but a Private Collonel, made them fear a sudden Stroke from his greater Authority, upon which many of the Richest and most Powerful of the Countrey, removed themselves with their Effects for Eng­land; and his Aversion to the Brittish Settlement was so generally known, that very few durst stand the Test of it. This great Change in the Civil Government, much Impoverished and Deprived Ireland, not only of its Wealth, but of a far greater Treasure, its Wisest Men, those that were left behind, being only such, as altho they had known how to have helped themselves, yet wanted both Power and Means to Effect it.

Tho' the Protestant Interest was chiefly struck at in this great turn, yet the Trading part of the Papists were also sensible of the consequences of it; for the whole Kingdom in a short time languished under a general Consumption of Trade; and the Exchequer Receipts were so reduced, that it was feared they would not Answer the publick Pay­ments. This put Tyrconnel upon a pretended Moderation, who for some time concealed his Temper under a mask of gentleness, hoping thereby to have deluded back such as had been the staple Traders of this Kingdom; but they being convinced that the same designs were still on foot, tho' carried on by slower steps, would not be persuaded to re-embark their Fortunes under the Convoy of a Popish Pilot; Tyrconnel seeing himself thus disappointed in his Art of Dissimulation, reassumed his own Nature; and laying aside his Hypocrisie, openly acted as the professed Enemy [Page 6]to the Brittish Interest; and having already Invested the Native Irish with a full Power over the Lives of their Con­querors, by Arming them with the Swords of Revenge, he afterwards packed such Judges on the several Benches as were every way engaged to subvert the Legal Settlement of the whole Kingdom.

These were the unfortunate Circumstances the poor Distressed Protestants of Ireland laboured under, when nothing but the happy News of our present King's Chari­table Designs, could have raised them to the Hopes of a better Fortune; and His Majesties good Endeavours, be­ing Crowned in England with a suitable Success, put them upon projecting such Methods as might best serve to com­pleat their Deliverance.

The only parts of Ireland where the Number of Pro­testants exceded the Papists, were the Northern Counties, whose nearest seituation to England and Scotland, had in­vited several Families to Transport themselves thither, by which means they grew so Populous, that they became a Terror to their Irish Neighbours, and were for that reason believed to have been thrice as many, as they afterwards appeared to be; several Protestants flattered themselves with the same thoughts, which proved the greatest Spur to their present Confusion; for the Gentlemen of that Countrey, presuming too far upon the Opinion of their own Strength, and finding the Affairs of England run Successfully on the Protestants side, rashly fancied them­selves able enough to Attempt their Deliverance; and be­ing in daily hopes of a considerable supply from England, thought it would very much conduce to their Honour should they be found in a Posture of receiving it; but that which fixed their Resolutions, was the necessity they seemed to lie under, of Arming themselves against a Numerous Rabble, which Tyrconnel was then raising, and who had no other visible means to subsist, but on the Plunder and Ru­ine of the Protestants.

[Page 7] In the Prosecution of this Affair, the L^d. B— in the Counties of Ardmagh and Monaghan, and Sir A— R— in Down and Antrim, appeared most for­ward; but the Councels of the latter, were chiesly manag'd by Mr. H—ton of T— who about September 1688. ve­ry much busied himself to engage such Gentlemen in an Association, as he knew his Reason could best influence; inviting them to it by urging the Probability of Successes, from the current of Affairs in England, and shewing seve­ral Letters from thence, which promised a Speedy Relief, tho in the end most of them proved as false, as the late Ac­counts from Londonderry. Tho this Gentleman was but of Moderate esteem at other times amongst them, yet his Arguments in this Conjuncture, were so enforced by the general Dissatisfaction of the Countrey (some having just before lost their Livelihoods with their Imployments, and others dayly expecting to be ejected out of their Estates by the corrupt Trespasses on the Acts of Settlement) that they were easily persuaded to joyn in any Confederacy, which might rescue them from the approaching Ruin; and at this time their Resolutions seemed confirmed, by such an Opportunity as Promised an undoubted Success to their Designs; for most of the Disciplined Army that Quartered in the North, were just before embarqued for England, in order to oppose our present King's Landing.

Hitherto none of the Nobility had appeared in the Counties of Down and Antrim, which held several Gentle­men of those Parts in Suspence, who were unwilling to engage in an Enterprise of that Consequence, unless Coun­tenanced by Persons of the best Quality, and tho other­wise the Lords of M— and M—, were men of no extraordinary great Interest, yet it was generally thought more agreeable to the Rules of Policy and good Manners, that the Heads of a Party should spring from the Nobility, whose precedence was Indisputable, than [Page 8]from the Gentry or Commonalty, where every man's e­qual pretence might breed Confusion: It was therefore concluded, that such Methods should be immediately ta­ken, as might best serve to engage those two Noblemen, and the E. of M— being deaf to all Arguments, was at last drawn in by a Letter found in Comber-Street direct­ed to his Lordship, and importing the discovery of an In­tended Massacre by the Papists, upon the Ninth of Decem­ber following; and for the better credit of this Letter, it was pretended that notice of the same design had been sent to H—ton of T's Brother, all which (as I have been very well assured) was only a contrivance devised, as the readiest means to engage the Earl, and animate a dejected People, who of themselves were backward to all Arguments of that Nature. However upon this Information, H—ton of T— Rid Post for Dublin, and it was so ordered, that my L— M's— Letter met him at Dundalk, by which means he went up fraighted with a double Discovery; The Arrival of this News at Dublin, so Alarm'd the City, that above Five Thousand Protestants Appeared in Arms that Night, and many Hundred Families Embarqued from all Parts in such Confusion, that they left every thing but their Lives behind them; but that which hapned of greatest consequence upon this Discovery, was, the extra­ordinary accident that attended the account of it in Lon­donderry; where it had no sooner arrived, but it seemed to be confirmed, past a doubt, by the Advance of a Consi­derable Part of the Earl of Antrim's Regiment, consisting of Five New-rais'd Companies, which together with the Rabble that followed, made up at least a Thousand men (designed for a Garison to the Town); the Inhabitants seeing such a Number, and concluding them to have been the Instruments designed for the Execution of the Preten­ded Massacre, immediately shut up their Gates, and Dis­charging some great Guns upon the nearer approach of the [Page 9] Irish, (who were only intended for a Garison to the Town) obliged them to Retreat in great disorder; and the Townsmen keeping their Gates shut, issued out a Declaration, shewing their Reasons for what they had done; which they wholly imputed to the Appre­hension of a Popish Massacre; this Contrivance did very much weaken the Protestant Interest, by lessening their Numbers; so did it much surprise Tyrconnel; who either supposing it to have been but a Fiction by the English, had reason to believe it devised in order to promote some Fu­ture Design; or else, knowing it to have been really inten­ded, could not but be touched with the Discovery of it: The Effect was, it hastned the Advance of Forces in all parts of the Kingdom; Tyrconnel having dispatch'd Cir­cular Letters to the several Counties, encouraging the raising of men, by promising to each Person a Commission suitable to the Number he should List; The Earl of Meath, Grenard, and other Protestant Peers, Residing at that time in Dublin, and foreseeing the Evil Influence that would ne­cessarily follow the Conjunction of so vast a Rabble joyned in a Remonstrance, and Petitioned, That no more Commissi­ons might issue; but received such an Answer, as hastned the Earl of Meath for England, under colour of Represen­ting the Melancholly Circumstances of that Kingdom; but what Service he did for the Countrey (tho it be many Months since) we are not yet sensible of.

The raising of these New Levies, was the great step to those heavy Misfortunes that soon afterwards fell upon the whole Kingdom; for their Officers having abandon'd them to their own shifts, and the Government allowing no other subsistence than what they could Plunder from the Protestants, brought such a Fate upon the Gentlemen of Lemster and Munster, that most of them enjoyed but one days space between Riches and Beggary. Amidst these Convulsions, the North only remained undisturbed; for Tyr­connel [Page 10]not having yet raised any consierable Numbers, ra­ther Feared than Despised them; and the News of what hapned in Londonderry, made him dread the Consequence of such an Example; which put him upon engaging my Lord Mountjoy, to use his utmost Interest and Endeavours towards the Reduction of that Town; who after some Debate, and upon Condition, that the Irish should be first Disbanded, was admitted with Five Companies; and being under an obligation of returning, Recommended the Care of the Garison to his Lieutenant Collonel Lundy.

Matters being thus far Accommodated in Derry, and Tyrconnel being willing to secure himself against the Nor­thern Numbers, Prudently resolved to keep up a fair Cor­respondence with them; and in order to it, he invited se­veral of the Leading men to attend him at Dublin; but the Countrey not judging it safe to venture many of them, lest they should be detained as Hostages; nor Politique, wholly to despise his Summons, concluded that only Sir Robert Colvil should be entrusted with this Undertaking; who be­ing very kindly treated by the Government, was dismissed with repeated Assurances, That if his Countrymen would continue quiet in their Respective Habitations, they should be only charged with the Incumbrance of Two Regiments; but as it soon afterwards appeared, Tyrconnel had never in­tended to keep these Promises any longer than they served his Designs; for immediately upon Sir Robert's departure, he Commanded a Detachment out of another Regiment to reinforce the Garison at the Newry. It's likewise to be presum'd, that Sir Robert Colvil promised more in behalf of the Northern Gentlemen, than they were willing to make good; for at his return he found them engaged in a Pro­ject, which as well in respect of his Promise, as in com­mon Prudence, he thought himself obliged to oppose; judg­ing it not fit to incense a Government that courted them, especially such a one as he very well knew they could not [Page 11]be able to oppose, should they be reduc'd to extremity, being sensible that the Northern Strength consisted much more in Reputation, than in any real Force they could make; but all his Endeavours were vain, and his Advice branded with the Epithetes of Cowardly and Popish, by those who had afterwards Reason to wish they had yielded to such Mo­derate Councils.

The Two Regiments which by Tyrconnel's engagement were designed for the Northern Quarters, hapned at this time to be Garison'd in Lysburn, Bellfast, Carricksergus, and other adjacent Places, under the Command of the Earl of Antrim, and Sir Thomas Newford; when upon a so­lemn debate by a Committee of such as had subscried the Association, it was concluded that those Regiments should be disarmed, and the Castle of Carrickfergus secured, in which were Arms for Two Regiments more. Upon the Strength of this Attempt they purposed to have opposed Tyrconnel upon equal Terms, and by putting a Garison into the Newry, they hoped to have stop'd that Pass, and thereby to have secured the two Counties of Down and Antrim for the Pro­testant Interest. This project seemed the more Feasible, be­cause one Hundred and Fifty of Newcomen's Regiment, con­sisting only of 500. were Protestants, and ready to joyn in the execution of this Design, offering as a farther demonstra­tion of their good will to the Publick Service, an excellent Stratagem for the Surprise of the Castle at Carrickfergus, which they proposed to effect, under the pretence of their Collonel's purpose to Garison there; but the failure of their Designs against Belfast, rendered this Contrivance useless, which hapned in this manner. When the Project of Disar­ming the Popish Soldiers in that Town was upon Execu­tion, Sir W— F—, Mr. Ʋ—, and Mr. H—ton of T—, together with Capt. Leighten, Capt. Berning­ham, Lieut. Barnes, Lieut. Tubman, and several other Offi­cers of the Regiment, and Citizens of the Town, met in [Page 12]order to accomplish their Designs; but the first three, re­lenting, absolutely deni'd to go on, tho often pressed to it by the Officers; Capt. Leighton urging the Feasibleness of it, by engaging to Disarm the whole Garison, with the assistance only of as many men as might serve to bring off their Arms; but the three first Gentlemen discounte­nancing the Captains offer, and interposing their great Au­thority with the Town, the whole Project fell, and H———ton of T— Gallopped towards Sir Arthur R—, who Marching with Five Hundred men to make good the Attempt, was advanced within Five Miles of the Town; when this ungrateful Message diverted him, and occasioned his giving such marks of Reproach, as was due to those who had stifled so hopeful a Design: Those who had been appointed to Seize the Popish Arms in Lisburn, having ta­ken the advantage of the night, did the work; but their Correspondence at Belfast assuring them of a failure by the Undertakers of that Town, made them dread the conse­quence of being solely exposed to the Revenge of the Go­vernment; which consideration put them upon returning those Arms they had taken; the several Gentlemen who Commanded in the Army, having by this vain Attempt Discovered their aversion to the Popish Interest, Marched off with 150 of their men, hoping thereby to prevent any Surprise, which might have afterwards betrayed them into the hands of their Collonel, who likewise finding his Number very much decreased by the Desertion of so many of his Sol­diers, and fearing the consequence of a Second Project, Retreated in all haste to safer Quarters: The Garison of the Newry (which at that time only consisted of two Compa­nies) hearing of the Protestant Design against the Soldi­ers in Lisburn and Belfast, and expecting a sudden onset from the Inhabitants of that Town, quitted their Posts, and could not be persuaded to return, till they were first assured of the Unhappy failure.

[Page 13] As this miscarriage proved a Warning-piece to alarm the Popish Party; so on the other hand it very much discoura­ged the Protestant Interest; for several Gentlemen (espe­cially such as were to have been actually engaged in this Attempt) being apprehensive of the dangers that might attend such timorous Councils, provided for their future safe­ty by securing a Passage for England; and Tyrconnel being now convinced of the Northern Designs against his Government, immediately reinforced the Garison at the Newry, thereby securing an easie entrance into the North, and intercepting all Correspondence between the Northern and other Pro­testants; which proved a matter of such Consequence, as by this means no Letters or Messengers were suffer'd to pass or re-pass, but such as he knew would best serve his turn.

The Gentlemen who had been the unhappy occasion of all these Mischiefs, being sensible of the unfortunate Cir­cumstances to which they had reduced that Countrey, now began to consider of such methods as might make amends for their past Miscarriages: To this end a General Meeting at Comber was concluded on, in which they might agree what Course next to steer, and how for the future to lay such a Scene of Affairs, as might give them a better Prospect of Success. Mr. H—ton appearing most officious upon this occasion, and having undertook the Dispatch of Circular Letters, summon'd only such as he knew would be either guided by his Counsels, or else wanted Interest to oppose his Designs; for he neither summon'd Mr. Annesly, Sir Rob. Maxwell, Mr. Ward, Mr. Savage, nor any other Gentleman whom he believed would not readily resign a blind assent to his humour, tho they were otherwise Persons every way qualified for the Publick Service: But that which hapned of greatest difficulty, was the exclusion of Sir Rob. Colvil from this Meeting, whose great Estate in the Countrey, and In­terest in the very Town where they sate, seemed to oblige them to take notice of him; but it was so contrived, that [Page 14]the Gentlemen who were designed for Council, assembled on the 13^th, at which time the methods were concluded on, and Sir Rob. summoned the next day, to assent, if he pleased, to what he could not alter. This Convention, which only consisted of Sixteen Gentlemen, being sat at Comber, the first things discoursed of, were the Disorders, Delays, Open­ness, and other Inconveniences that attended their former Meeting, to which the failure of their Designs was chiefly attributed; and to obviate those Mischiefs, it was agreed, That a Junto of Five should be chosen for the County; any Three whereof should be empowered to act as the Repre­sentatives of the rest, whose Decrees and Orders should be as binding, as if they had been concluded by the general Voice of the Countrey.

And it was likewise agreed, That an Association should be proposed by the Gentlemen of that County, to the other Counties of Ʋlster, for the joint Preservation of the Pub­lick Interest, and Protection of the Protestant Religion. Matters being thus far adjusted by the consent of the whole Convention; the next thing to be considered, was the Ele­ction of Five such Persons as were best qualified to repre­sent the County; and for that service, the E. of M— Sir A—R—, Mr. H— of B—, Mr. H—, and H— of T—, were proposed at the instance, and by the directions of the latter; who having packed the greatest part of the Assembly, could not want a Majo­rity of Votes to declare in favour of such as he thought fit to recommend.

These Gentlemen being complimented with a tender of the Care and Trust of the County, at first as modestly refu­sed, as the New Pope does the Papacy, which they after­wards as willingly embraced; and tho some of the Conven­tion thought others far better qualified, both in Interest, and Parts, for a Charge of that Consequence, particularly Sir Rob. Colvill, whom they would have at least compli­mented [Page 15]with the choice of being one, considering his For­tune was almost equal to the Joint-Estates of the other Five, and that his Age and Experience had rendred him much fitter for an Employment of that nature; but H—ton of T— being well assured that Sir Robert would not be prevailed with to serve any private Designs, passionately opposed all Motions in his favour; and for want of a better Argument, threatned to desert the Assembly, if they should admit a Proposal so averse to his Interest. Till this Meeting at Comber, many thought H—ton's earnest Sollicitations had proceeded from a real Concern for the Protestant Interest; but it was now plainly discovered, that the whole scope of his Designs tended only to settle him in such a Post as might render him more remarkable to the English Government.

The Convention having invested the Junto with the whole Power of the County, were of course dissolved, and the Junto immediately withdrew from the rest of the Com­pany, in order to act separately, in pursuance of their new Commission: It was first determined, That a fit Person should be sent with an Address to our present King, congra­tulating His Happy Access to the Throne, and imploring the Assistance of England for their speedy Relief; and se­veral Gentlemen were propos'd for this Expedition; but none so generally approved of as Mr. Hamilton of Comber, who besides his other Qualifications, had a just pretence to the Employment, having been formerly chosen for this Service by the Vote of the whole County; but H—ton of T— fearing perhaps that he might by this oppor­tunity forestall his Designs, set up Capt. Leighton in oppo­sition to his Kinsman, and by his Interest so far prevailed, that the Captain was preferred to this Honourable Errand; Mr. Hamilton seeing himself thus postponed by the Contri­vance of his own Relation, and the Honour conferred on his Competitor without the least Apology for rejecting him, was so highly sensible of the Abuse, that he soon after­wards quitted the Countrey.

[Page 16] Whilst these things were debated in Council, several Ex­presses arrived from Dublin, which by Publick Orders were immediately carried to the Junto, and some Gentlemen then in Town, who had been always privy to the former Cor­respendence, being denied a sight of these last Accounts, very much reflected upon the measures newly taken, ex­pecting but slender returns from a Council, who in its very Infancy presumed to act so arrogantly, disobligingly, parti­ally, and imprudently: The Junto fearing the consequence of these Publick Censures, very much laboured to quiet the minds of the Male-contents, who began to unravel the ve­ry Methods by which they were convened, and to protest against the evil Arts that established them. The next day, according to the return of his Summons, Sir Rob. Colvill came to Town, on whose Appearance it was judged conve­nient to admit him of the Council, hoping thereby to re­concile themselves to the Gentlemen of the Countrey; and to make way for him, my L^d Mount-Alexander was appoint­ed General of the Forces of the two Counties of Down and Antrim: Sir Robert being admitted, the Junto proceeded to nominate Five Persons out of every Barony to represent the Condition of it, proposing by this method a clearer view of the Strength and Force of each County; and it was like­wise moved and agreed, that every County for its better intelligence should substitute one Person to be always resi­dent at Hilsburg, by which means the several Circumstan­ces of the North might be the better understood, and the execution of their Designs be for the future grounded on more united Resolves. To this purpose it was judged necessa­ry that a general Association should be subscribed by the Gentlemen of that Province, and that the Methods de­vised by this Junto, should be proposed as an Example to the neighbouring Counties; Sir W— F—, who with Mr. H—ton of T. had formerly contrived the Association, went to my L^d Massareen's, where he had appointed the [Page 17]Gentlemen of the County of Antrim to meet, who on the next day appeared to the Number of Five and Thirty, and Sir William having addressed himself to them, proposed the several Decrees of the County of Down, as a President fit for them to follow; urging the Conveniency of a separate Council, as also several Arguments to induce them to a Ge­neral Association; but my L^d Massareen, and several of the Gentlemen, earnestly opposed it, alledging the want of Arms and Experience, both which were judged to be ante­cedently necessary to so publick a Declaration, which would otherwise rather prove a means to hasten their ruin, than to promote their Deliverance; and for that reason they inclin'd to wave the thoughts of an Association, and only join in a private Address; but Sir W— F— pressing it up­on them by many specious Arguments, urging, That it would convince the King of their Readiness to serve his In­terest; and that the People of England would be thereby obliged to send them a more early Supply, prevailed with the greatest part of them to Associate, and appoint a certain Number of Gentlemen for their Representatives; tho they would not agree to the same Methods with the County of Down, who invested their Junto with an Absolute Power, not approved of by any other County. Antrim having thus far agreed to what had been proposed, in the next place proceeded to an Election, and made choice of Sir William Franklyn, Mr. Ʋpton, Mr. Davis, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Shaw, for their Junto; and the County of Ardmagh following the same course, elected Sir Nich. Atcheson, Capt. Points, and Mid­leton; but Derry, Donnegal, and Tyrone, absolutely refused to resolve themselves into any Committee; neither could they be perswaded to agree to an Association, and yet they like­wise put themselves in a Posture of Defence, under the Com­mand of Col. Lundy; but the other Project of a Resident at Hilsburgh, was so generally approved, that each County, in pursuance of the Methods proposed by the Junto of Down, [Page 18]recommended their several Representatives, who when they met, formed themselves into a General Assembly, and in a little time assumed the power of a Supreme Council: The several Gentlemen who were preferred by their respective Counties to this great Trust, were as follows, viz. Mr. Ʋpton for Antrim, Capt. Poynts for Ardmagh, Mr. Cunningham for Derry, Mr. Johnsten for Monaghan, and Mr. H—ton of T— for Down, who were Convened under the Presidency of the E. of Mount-Alexander. The Constitution of this Assembly did in a great measure supercede all Inferior Jurisdictions; especially in that County where they sat; so that the Junto of Five became by this means of little or no use, and conse­quently the whole Management of Down fell under the di­rections of Mr. H—ton of T—, who at their first Ses­sion proposed to dispatch Capt. Leighton with an Address to the King; but that matter having received its first Moti­on in the former Junto, the rest of the Council thought fit that nothing should be determined without their approbati­on and Consent; and it was therefore ordered that Letters should be sent to summon the Junto; and by some private Instructions Sir Rob. Colvil was industriously omitted, who believing it to proceed from the former Prejudices, and con­cluding the business of the Address already agreed on, to be the only occasion of that Meeting, did not give himself the trouble of appearing that Session; but when he afterwards found that Capt. Leighton was not only engaged to Present the Address, but likewise entrusted with a particular Re­commendation of such Persons as were judged fittest for the Military Service, he then concluded they had omitted him with a design of foreclosing his Pretences to that Post in the Army, to which his Estate and Interest in the Countrey would have entitled him; but that which encreased his Re­sentments, was to find the several Precincts of the Coun­try allotted to each Col. for the raising of his men; and that his Estate was appointed to that Person whom he had [Page 19]the greatest reason to suspect for the only Author of this Abuse. No sooner was a Journal of the Proceedings of this Sessions Published, but the Countrey generally exclaimed against the Injustice done to Sir Rob. Colvil; and to amuse the People, it was some time afterwards proposed to meet at Sir Robert's House, under colour of acquainting him with such Papers and Instructions as they had sent by Capt. Leigh­ton; being well assured, that the Injury done him, was now past retrieve, Capt. Leighton having received his Credenti­als, and being at that time ready to embark for England. Sir Robert, upon perusal of the Address, seemed better satisfied with the slight they had placed on him, because several Particulars of it did not only contradict his private Sense, but were also contrary to the general Opinion of the whole Countrey; for first, It was suppos'd they flatter'd themselves in giving too great a Character of their own strength; and that proposing only twelve Regiments to be newly raised for the Defence of the North, seemed as if they either un­derstood not the Power of the Irish, or else had a mind to betray their Countrey. In the next place they greatly disco­vered their own weakness, by joining Five Counties in the raising of Twelve Regiments, which Tyrconnel and the Irish always believed able to have advanced above Fifty Thou­sand men; and tho it was proposed that each Regiment should consist of 13 Companies, and every Company of 100 men, yet this was likewise judged imprudent, because many Gentlemen were thereby excluded, who would have readily commanded a Company, tho unwilling to serve as a subaltern in such a Militia. They were also very much condemned for appointing the several Officers for each Company, without consulting them whether they were willing to serve; but that which fixed the greatest Reproach upon them, was the particular Returns of several Collonels; for knowing their own County would not afford them scope enough to provide for all their Confederates, they presu­med [Page 20]to reverse the Decrees of other Counties, without the Privity of their Representatives; this practice is very re­markable, in the Affront they placed upon Capt. Poynts, whose former good Services in the Army, and Interest in Ardmagh, had recommended him to the Character of being Resident for that County, and was afterwards represented as a Person best qualified to command their Forces; but H—ton of T. fearing it might be inconsistent with his Designs to admit this Gentleman to a place so considerable, pretended some urgent Affairs to be transacted in the Coun­ty of Ardmagh, in which Capt. Poynts was engaged; and the other taking the advantage of his Absence, procured that Command for a Gentleman of his own name; the Capt. being returned as Lieut. Col. to Sir John Macgill, and finding him­self thus abused, separated from their Council, and for ever after denied to act in Consult with those who had so basely betrayed him.

The Twelve Regiments recommended for Commissions, consisted of 8 Foot, 2 Horse, and 2 Dragoons, which toge­ther with their Collonels and Counties, take as follows, viz.

• E. of Mount-Alexander, a Regiment of Horse to be raised in Down and Antrim.
• L^d Blany, a Regiment of Horse in Ardmagh, Monaghan, and Fermanagh.
• Mr. Skeffington, Dragoons in Down and Antrim.
• Sir Arthur Rawdon, Dragoons in Down and Antrim.
• Sir John Macgill Foot, Down.
• Mr. Hamilton of Bangor, Foot, Down.
• Mr. H—ton of T. Foot, Down.
• Mr. Francis Hamilton, Foot, Ardmagh.
• Sir Will. Franklyn, Foot, Antrim.
• Mr. Ʋpton, Foot, Antrim.
• Mr. Lesley, Foot, Antrim.
• Mr. Montgomery, Foot, Fermanagh.

[Page 21] Besides these Twelve Regiments intended to have been raised by Commission; there were several Gentlemen of greater Interest in their respective Counties, tho not thought so fit to be returned by the Junto; who purely upon their own Credit, advanced a great Number of men; for in the County of Down, Sir Rob. Colvil raised a full Regi­ment; and Mr. Adare another in the County of Antrim; and many more Independent Troops and Companies were Levied by several Gentlemen, who proposed no other re­ward for their Service, but the Publick good; and there­fore would not value their Interest at so cheap a rate, as to become private Centinels to such as were very much their Inferiours, in Birth, Experience, and Estate. The Gen­tlemen, who had been thus forward to restore their Coun­trey, amongst whom Mr. Annesly; who by being bred a Soldier abroad, was both able and willing to serve, having at his own expence, raised a full Troop of Dragoons, and two Hundred Foot in the Barony of Kinelcarty, had their Services when offered, Rejected by the Governour.

The raising of Independent Troops and Companies, turned very much to the disadvantage of several Gentle­men, who had friends enough in the Council to recom­mend them for Commissions; but wanted interest in the Countrey to raise their men; but this fell heaviest upon Mr. H—ton of T's—Regiment, who having that Precinct assigned him, where the Countrey had been pre-engaged to a better Interest, could never advance above 300. men; whereas the Volunteer Regiments consisted of three times that Number.

No sooner were these things acted in the North, but Tyr­connel received an exact Account of them in Dublin; and believing my L^d Mountjoy to have been the private spring that set the Countrey in this motion; dispatched an Ex­press to him, by which he was kindly entreated to return; but his Lordship being at that time very much indisposed, [Page 22]offered his want of Health, as a reason to excuse his at­tendance. This Answer confirmed Tyrconnel in his for­mer jealousie, and made him more sollicitous to disengage my L^d Mountjoy: who was at last prevailed with to quit his Countrey; and being come to Dublin, was flattered with Tyrconnel's Treacherous Designs of surrendring the Kingdom; having often heard him say, that he could easier make it a heap of rubbish, than any way serviceable to the Late King James. My L^d Mountjoy being deluded by those. Arts and Contrivances, into a belief of what was never really designed; was the easier persuaded to under­take a Voyage for France, under pretence of acquainting the Late K. with the Circumstances of Ireland, and Tyr­connel's Opinion in relation to the Surrender of it. And for the greater amusement of his Lordship, and the Gen­tlemen of the North, several Articles were Condescended to, which were very much in Favour of the Protestant In­terest; for before my L^d Mountjoy was prevailed upon to engage in this expedition, Tyrconnel had solenly Promised to put a stop to the intended Levies, and to disband such as were but lately raised; he likewise declared against Quar­tering any more Soldiers upon the Province of Ʋlster; or making a Garison of any private House; and my L^d Mount­joy in the Name of the Protestants, tho without any Com­mission from them, engaged for their good Behaviour, so long as those Promises should be kept, and until a return should be made to this pretended Errand. The differences in Ireland seemed at this time very far advanced towards an accommodation; and it's generally believed all acts of hosti­lity would have continued under a suspence, if my L^d Mount­joy had been the only person entrusted with this Message; but when the Protestants found that Tyrconnel had recom­mended one Sir Stephen Rice, who was then Chief Baron, and a most Inveterate Papist, to be his Lordship's Colleague In this Expedition, they began to suspect the Designs of the [Page 23] Irish, and it was generally believed that my L^d Mountjoy's Commission, only served as a facing to the Chief Baron's private Instructions. It cannot be imagined that his Lord­ship could be wholly ignorant of Tyrconnel's double Design in this Conjuncture; tho perhaps being once in Dublin, he could not have easily avoided his Commands; but his Lordship fearing the censures he might incur, from his over­easie compliance with them; set himself to write an Apo­logy for engaging in this Embassy, in which he justified his Undertaking, tho against the Opinion of the Northern Protestants, from the private assurances he had of Tyrcon­nel's Resolution; which he could better judge of, than his Friends at a greater distance; and besides this Letter to the North, his Lordship writ other Letters to some Persons of Quality in Munster, urging them to keep that Countrey in a peaceable expectation of his Lordship's return; and invi­ting them to it, by engaging (in an expression of his own) that all would end in a Can of mild Beer: Notwithstanding these Endeavours used by my L^d Mountjoy to reconcile the Countrey to a good Opinion of this Undertaking, every ordinary Capacity could judge, That this Errand was chiefly pretended, to give Tyrconnel the better Opportunity of car­rying on his Designs; and it was generally believed, that my L^d Mountjoy was only made use of to prevent his Reso­lutions of engaging on the Protestant Party; which was afterwards confirmed by Tyrconnel's abuse of all his Promi­ses, and his Lordship's Imprisonment in France. The loss of a Gentleman so considerably qualified for the Publick ser­vice, gave a mighty blow to the Protestant Interest; but more especially to the affairs of Ʋlster, in that it made way for the Supream Council to chuse the E—of M—for their General; who being wholly ignorant of all Military Discipline, and not much prepared for so great a Command, resigned himself sometimes to the directions of Mr. H—ton of T. a Person less qualified than his Lordship, [Page 24]being of Moderate Reputation for his Conduct, and often­times so unhappily fond of his own Opinion, tho never so inconvenient, that no arguments could alter him.

This Gentleman was entirely Governour both of the General and the Council, so that whatever he proposed, passed beyond all contradiction for a Rule to the rest.

The Countrey began to be jealous of the great Authori­ty of this Gentleman; having formerly suspected his Inte­grity from his favourable carriage towards the Papists at the Quarter-Sessions; which together with his many Po­pish Relations, and great intimacy with Col. Marcus Tal­bot, base Son to Tyrconnel, made many fear that the Game began to be a little more ticklish than formerly on the Pro­testant side: And that which daily encreased their jealou­sie, was the several unfortunate events that alter'd his Councils; for having (as is said) assumed to himself an absolute Power over the Governours and Council, so as all things moved by his directions, it so hapned that no­thing prosper'd in which he had a hand, very little being attempted in his time, which did not savour either of folly or ignorance; and tho several good Proposals had been made, yet they were either not taken notice of, or else open­ly rejected; as for instance, It was moved that a Pacquet-Boat should be setled between the North and England; and tho nothing was urged against, yet it was never effected. The want of Arms and Ammuition was complained of, and several ways Proposed for the purchase of them; but they were judged needless, for England would supply all; when securing and fortifying some places for a Retreat in case of Extremity, was discoursed of, that was judged unne­cessary, for we should be able to deal with them in the Field; and at last when the Enemy came down and expected to have been opposed, the Passes were all opened, and instead of Uniting the Protestant Forces, they were industriously Dispersed, and by that means exposed to the loss of their Countrey without having one stroke for it.

[Page 25] But to proceed from what they left undone, to what they did, the first thing Resolved on, was a necessary Pro­vision of Money, the Sinews of War, and several methods were Proposed for the raising of it; as First, by calling a private Sessions, in which they might charge the Country, under a pretence of finishing the Bridge begun at Belsast; but this was condemned as inconvenient: Then it was mo­ved that Money should be advanced upon the publick Faith; but that was feared to have been almost Bankrupt. It was af­terwards Proposed, That the Revenue might be Confiscated; but his was not agreed to, till the Collections were all drawn off; so that the only Methods conluded on, was, by vo­luntary Contributions, either in Money, or Goods, as might best suit with the Gentlemen's convenience; and it was Ordered for the better Collection and Disposal of them, that Mr. Hamilton of Bangor should be Receiver, and Mr. H—ton of T's— Disposer. The Gentlemen of the Countrey, and Merchants of Belfast, having subscribed to such Sums as they were able or willing to advance; Copies of their Subscriptions were dispersed into the several Coun­ties, and proposed as an example to induce others to Con­tribute; amongst the rest H—ton of T—for his part subscribed Thirty Pounds, which he pretended to de­duct from One Hundred Pounds due to him, for so many Barrels of Beef, at 20 s. per Barrel, laid in by him for the Publick use; but Beef being then at 12 s. per Barrel, this piece of Policy was so obvious, that instead of being a good Example, it hindred many Gentlemen from Subscri­bing; who seeing in the disposers own Gifts a certain Profit, concluded that the same use would be made of theirs; and when it was afterwards desired that an account should be given of the Receipts and Disbursements, it was only An­swered; That Superiors ought not to account to their Inferi­ors: But however several places were Garrison'd; and the Soldiers maintained, tho it is said, their best Subsistence was upon the Irish Plunder. open acts of Hostility being [Page 26]now common to both Parties; insomuch as the Frontier Towns were quite wasted.

Tyrconnel in this juncture busied himself in a close Corre­spondence with the North, encouraging them to follow their Husbandry; and assuring them that he would Surrender the Government, upon the return of my L^d Mountjoy; but these expressions were only made use of as a Cover to his Designs; for at the very same time he was raising New Levies, and as it was confidently Reported, gave out Com­missions for above 40000 Men. Amongst other Irish Gen­tlemen, who by these New Commissions were advanced to be Collonels, Cormuck O Neale of the County of Antrim, who at that time had Professed himself a Church Papist, was engaged by the Government to raise a Regiment on the Confines of Down and Antrim; but the Protestant Gentle­men of that County, supposing him to have been drawn in contrary to his inclinations, advised him against the ac­ceptance of it, which he seemingly submitted to; but as soon as his Lieut. Col. Felix O Neale came into the Coun­trey, they privately raised their Regiment on both sides the Ban; and immediately Marched that part of them which Quartered on this side of the River, to Garison Car­rickfergus; but such as lay on the other side, could not be so easily brought over, for fear of the Protestants in Antrim; and Cormuck O Neal being very sollicitous to secure a Pas­sage for the rest of his men, purposed to have done it by making himself Master of Tuam Pass; but being well assu­red that the Protestants would be jealous of any of the Po­pish Troops, he was therefore forced to pretend a fear of being disarm'd by Col. Stuart's Soldiers; under Colour whereof he hoped to secure the March of a Troop of Dra­goons to Tuam; but this Project was too gross to impose on the Protestant Party, who immediately Pursued the Dra­goons with a small Detachment; and having given them a Total Defeat, and Dispersed that Part of O Neale's Regi­ment, They built a small Fort at the Pass, and Garison'd it [Page 27]with 60. men, thereby intercepting all correspondence with the Papists beyond the Ban.

The Success of the Protestants in the confines of the County of Antrim, and of the L^d Blany in some small Skir­mishes in Armagh and Monaghan, raised the Ambition of the County of Down, who had not hitherto approved their Courage to Attempt somewhat that might make them re­markable; and having often in their Cups Threatned the Irish Garison in the Newry, which had always lain forgot, assoon as they grew Sober, now either found or made a Noble occasion of trying their Strength and Policy against Carrickfergus; which by the accession of Cormuck O Neale's New-rais'd men, consisted of Nineteen Companies, besides the Countrey that daily flockt to that Town, as being the only Popish Asylum in those Parts. The Protestants begun to grow jealous of the great Numbers crowded into that Garison, and to prevent the mischiefs that might spring from so great a Concourse of Irish, they ordered such Pro­visions as were designed for that place, to be intercepted; and amongst others, Col. Edmunston by command from the Council, seized on a Boat Laden with Provision, at Broad-Island; which was intended for my L^d Antrim's private Family, and sent it cross the Bay to Bangor, whither the Enemy could not advance but through Belfast. The Earl incensed at this usage, threatned to Burn the Collonel's House; who to prevent any attempt of that Nature, had se­cured it with a Garison of 100. Men; and the same design be­ing declared against Bangor, Col. Hamilton made the same Provision against it. The Council upon second thoughts, or­dered the Boat and Provisions to be restored; but Col. Ha­milton under whose Command it then lay, judged it not convenient to obey their Orders, having with the advice of Sir William Franklyn and some others of the Council, resolved to Attack the Town. The E. of Antrim and his Officers, having proposed a Parley which was agreed to by the Ge­neral and his Council, met at Belfast where the Irish [Page 28]remonstrating the unreasonableness of intercepting their Provision; and finding the great concourse of People to be the only reason offered by the Protestants, in excuse of their usage, they desired leave to divide their Numbers, and that some of their Soldiers might Garison in Belfast, or any other indifferent place; but this proposal was reject­ed, unless the Earl would first suffer them to be disarm'd; which he obstinately refused, but offered to disband the New Levies, if they could be insured of a peaceable Living in their respective Houses: The Gentlemen, who preferred the Quiet of the Countrey, thought this to have been a suffi­cient condescention, and that the Protestants might have thereby gain'd a very great point, at least in Reputation; but it made a disterent impression on the General and Coun­cil, who believing this easie Compliance to have proceeded from an inward distrust of their own Strength, concluded that nothing was wanting but a bold Attempt to make themselves Masters of that Garison. This Design was chiefly promoted by H—ton of T—, hoping thereby to make amends for his past Miscarriage; and countenanced by the General, who never failed of a ready Assent to such Me­thods, as the other thought fit to propose: Mr. Hamilton of Bangor was particularly concern'd to forward the At­tempt; fearing lest the Neighbourhood of that Garison, might prove dangerous to his private concerns, being sensible of the provocations he had given them, by detain­ing the Earl's Boat and Provision. Sir W—F— was likewise engaged in promoting the Attempt; for ha­ving rendred himself particularly obnoxious to Tyrconnel by his Correspondence with him; he resolved to rescue himself from the apprehensions of falling into his hands, by leaving the Kingdom; but being at that time entrusted with the Command of a Regiment, and his Soldiers having Notice of his Designs, forced him against his Inclinations to Stand to his Arms; which made him willing to undertake any Attempt, how desperate soever, hoping thereby to wipe off the Aspersion of his past Endeavours.

[Page 29] These were the secret Springs upon which this Project turned, against the general Opinion of the rest of the Coun­trey; and these Gentlemen, with some of the disbanded Officers, were the chief Promoters of this Enterprise, which was oppos'd by Sir Rob. Celvill, Mr. Ʋpton, and most of the Countrey; who easily foresaw the difficulties that attended it, and would have disswaded them from engaging in a de­sign that would infallibly end in a discovery of their own weakness, and in all probability would hasten down Tyrcon­nel's Forces against them, which they were in no condition to oppose; but all these Objections were answer'd by the strong Reason which was always ready upon such occasions, viz. That they knew best what was fittest to be done; and that to question their Resolutions after the Trust rep [...]sed in them, tended only to Disorder and Confusion. Having resolved to attack Carrickfergus, the following Stratagem was agreed on, as the best Expedient to effect it: Mr. Davis, an Inha­bitant of that Town, whose Hospitality and good Humour had rendred him very much esteemed by the Popish Offi­cers, was engaged to give them such a hearty Welcome, as might drown all sense of their Duty, and make them in­capable of opposing the Protestant Onset; the Design being thus laid in the Town, Circular Letters were dispatched from Belfast, to summon the Countrey Regiments to Ren­dezvous by Five the next morning, near Carrickfergus; who notwithstanding the short Warning, great Distance, and Winter Season, were very punctual to the Commands of their General, and appeared at the Time and Place, to the Number of 3000; and tho they had undergone the Fatigues of a Rainy nights March, in a very deep way, yet were they so forward to approve their Courage, that nothing but the positive Commands of their Officers could prevent their fal­ling on the Enemy, whose chief Commanders were so well secured by Davis's Eiquor, that it's generally believed our Soldiers might have taken the Town, by killing only the Out Centinels; but here our General and his Council, tho [Page 30]to blame before, for their sudden Resolutions, thought fit to act with greater deliberation; and instead of executing their former Resolves, they now began to consult anew, by which means they gave the Officers time enough to sleep them­selves sober, and the Garison an opportunity of calling a Council of War, who believing the Town not to be in such a Posture of Defence as would oppose the sudden assault of an Enemy provided with all things necessary for a general Attack, judged it convenient to beat a Parley; which was readily accepted by our General; and Col. Talbot being sent from the Town to manage the Conference, entertain'd our General with such Trifles, as it plainly appeared that nothing was designed by the Enemy, but the discovery of our Strength, and the gaining so much time as might prepare them for a defence; for having mann'd their Walls, and lin'd some Hedges without the Town, they took no farther notice of the Parley, but Sallied on the Suburbs, Killing Plundering, and Firing all that lay before them: Upon this treacherous Abuse, and the discharge of their Cannon, it was proposed that Col. Talbot should be secured for a breach of the Truce; but our General judging it neither Honourable nor convenient, dismiss'd him with a safe Convoy to the Town; and having afterwards advis'd with his Council, they unanimously agreed upon a general Attack, tho they had neither Cannon to Batter, nor Ladders to Scale, nor any other Provision fit for such an Attempt. It is not yet known what Passion moved them to this desperate Resolution; on­ly it is said by some, that it was chiefly undertaken out of a fear they had, that the E. of Antrim would lay down his Arms to save his Estate; which was so considerable, that they had rather give him this fair opportunity of offending, than not oblige him to a forfeiture; for certainly they could not be so stupid (tho we have no great reason to com­mend their Prudence) as to flatter themselves with the hopes of taking a Wall'd Town, well Mann'd and Fortified, with the only Artillery of Pikes and Muskets.

[Page 31] Whatever the Motives were, that induc'd them to a Pro­ject seemingly so unreasonable, their Resolves were confirm­ed, and the Army divided into several Battalions for a ge­neral Assault, who upon the first Word of Command, in defiance of the Enemies Cannon, marched up to the very Walls of the Town; which they would have undoubtedly taken, if Pikes and Scythes could have prevailed; but ha­ving spent their Ammunition, and experienced the impos­sibility of the Attempt, they were at last obliged to retreat, which they perform'd with no great loss; but their Preser­vation was rather due to Providence, and the indiscretion of their Enemies, than to the Care or Conduct of their Ge­ral, or Council; who after they had given Orders for the Attack, left their Soldies exposed to the Cannon, and reti­red under the Shelter of a Barley Field and Pidgeon-house, hoping thereby te secure themselves from the Noise and Danger of the Enemies Shot. The news of this Retreat having advanced as far as the Head-Quarters; the General and his Council concluded upon a Parley; and being re­solved it should end in Peace, the Soldiers were commanded to their former Quarters; in this conjuncture it was thought the Town might have proposed their own Terms, but Col. Talbot being willing to return the Civilities lately received, only insisted upon the same Proposals that had been former­ly made by the Earl of Antrim, and desir'd that a Cessation might be punctually observed on both sides, 'till such time as fresh Supplies should be sent from Dublin.

The General and Council facing their ill Success with the pretended Advantages they boasted to have gain'd upon this Parley, returned as it were in Triumph to Hilsburgh; but it cannot be supposed that they were wound up to such a degree of insensibility, as not to be touch'd with a sense of their misfortunes, considering they had failed in an At­tempt which was undertaken upon their bare humour, con­trary to the Directions and Advice of the rest of the Coun­trey; the evil Consequence that followed the Protestant's [Page 32]Defeat at Carrickfergus, so far encouraged the Irish, that they immediately ventured upon Publick Acts of Hostility, plun­dering the Protestant Houses at Noon day, and Massacring such as they thought would have opposed their Villanies: And now the Dragoons of the Newry, who never before durst quit their Garison, ventured themselves abroad, and having intelligence of the advance of a Protestant Party under the Command of Capt. Poe, which had been detatch'd from Loughbrickland for Forage, they laid an Ambuscade, and by a Surprize killed the Captain and Eight of his men.

As these and many other unfortunate Accidents which ensued the Defeat at Carrickfergus, very much advanced the Reputation of the Popish Party; so on the other side, it made a quite different Impression on the Protestant Soldiers, who were so far discouraged by their ill Success, and for ever after entertained so mean an opinion of their General and Council, that for the suture they never yielded an exact Obedience to their Commands.

Upon this Defeat at Carrickfergus, there arrived a Packet of Declarations at Hilsburgh, directed to the General, &c. Requiring all the Irish to lay down their Arms by the 10^th of April, on pain of being accounted Rebels, with an assu­rance of Pardon and Protection to such as embrac'd the Pro­posals, and a promise of the Estates of the obstinate, to such persons as should contribute towards their Reduction. This Declaration was so caressed by the Ptotestants, that they caused them to be publickly read in several Market Towns, and at the same time proclaimed K. William and Q. Mary. This great Solemnity was scarce over, when Capt. Leighton returned with Commissions for such Regiments as had been recommended by the Council; but there being at this time some Regiments and several Independent Troops and Com­panies which were not established by any of these new Commissions, and were to be of course thereby disbanded, it was very much to be feared that this great Change might widen the Breaches already begun between the [Page 33]Countrey and their Council; for the better preventing of which, it was propos'd, That the Countrey should act in their own Model, till such time as more Commissions were sent over; and that in the interim, all Persons should join their strength to avert the dangers that Threatned their Speedy Rume; but this met with the Fate of several other good proposals, and was generally rejected.

Now Danger began to draw near; of which Tyrconnel's Proclamation was a Forerunner; Commanding all Persons in Ʋlster, to give up their Arms, and Serviceable Horses, with an offer of Pardon to all such as had been any way Engaged, excepting the E. of Mountalexander, L^d Massa­reen, L^d Kingston, Mr. Sheffings, Sir Robert Colvill, Sir Arthur Rawden, Sir John Macgill, Mr. Hawkin's, Mr. Sanderson, and Mr. Hamilton, now Sir Francis Hamilton, who were said to have Sinned beyond his Mercy; several of those Proclamati­ons were sent into the North, and industriously distributed to the Gentlemen of that Countrey, who remained fixed to their former Resolution, notwithstanding the many Threats and Promises that were urged to persuade them to other Measures. These coming to the hands of H—ton of T.—, he burned them, instead of dispersing them.

Such Gentlemen as read this Proclamation, were not a little surprised to find several Persons, who had always ap­peared most Active and Open in the Prosecution of the Pro­testant Designs, not comprehended in the clause of ex­emption; for neither Mr. H — ton of T—, who was the most Active, and indeed the Principal manager of the whole Affair, who had a casting Voice in all their Councils; nor any of the Hamiltons of Down, Antrim, or Ardmagh, were fore­prized, tho Gentlemen that Acted in Conjunction with them; and others that were Inferior to them, were parti­cularly exempted; but this only served to revive the for­mer jealousie the Countrey had of Mr. H. of T's sincerity.

Tyrconnel, who at this time was undoubtedly privy to e­very particular circumstance that hapned in the North, and [Page 34]perhaps had been the chief Contriver of what was Transact­ed: Now he began to think it convenient to prepare his Army for a March towards those Parts; and having made a necessary Provision for the subsistance of his Soldiers, he dispatched part of it to Carrickfergus by Sea, which was then in want, and the rest he sent by Land; but it hapning that one of his Ships Laden with Bisket, was forced into Dundium Bay, and immediately Seised by the Protestant Garison, and sent to the publick Stores, to be laid up for their March against the Irish. From these Preparations it was generally concluded, that Tyrconnel's Army would be suddenly on it's March, and therefore thought adviseable that such ne­cessary Measures should be taken, as might best serve to oppose their entrance; but so it hapned, that in this Con­juncture, a News Letter was pretended to have been receiv­ed by the Council; and tho all Correspondence between Dublin and the North had been intercepted for a conside­rable time before, yet this Letter came dated from thence, and was industriously Dispersed by some of the Council, as a true account of the Popish Circumstances; in which were contained several Arguments to urge the Improbabi­lity of Marching an Irish Army Northward, chiefly drawn from the intractable Genius of the New-rais'd Forces, their want of Arms and Ammunition, and the general Appre­hension they lay under from the Protestant Numbers, and the Landing of an English Army. These observations, with several other less remarkable, were the subject-matter of this Letter; which coming down at a time, when the whole Countrey was big with the expectation of an Irish Army, the News whereof had been confirm'd by several particular Accounts, made different impressions upon the Protestant Gentlemen; some of them supposing it to have been devised by Tyrconnel, and sent down on purpose to a­muse the Countrey; hoping thereby to render his Moti­ons less suspected; but this construction being inconsistent with his Printed Proclamation, was generally rejected; and [Page 35]tho it seemed very hard to place this contrivance upon any of the Council, which only tended to the confusion of their former Designs; yet there were some amongst them, who were severely censured for their too great Industry in Pub­lishing it, when it was in their Power to have it suppressed.

This Letter, tho it weighed but little with the Gentle­men of the Countrey; yet the General and Council seemed so far convinced by the reasons of it, that they Postponed their former resolve of Providing against the approach of the Enemy; for tho they had always proposed to fortisie and secure Hilsburgh for a Retreat, it being the only Fort in Down and Antrim, excepting Carrickfergus, which lay convenient for the Defence of the Frontiers, and was at that time a Magazine of all their Arms and Ammunition; yet they rejected all offers that were made in pursuance of their former Designs; and neither suffered the Trenches to be Scoured, nor Commanded any other thing to be done which was necessary for the Defence of it; tho the Inferior Councils being more sensible of their Duty, Fortified and secu­red many places of less consequence. Tyrconnel's Forces being advanced under the Command of Lieut. Gen. Hamilton, within an easie days March of the North, the whole Coun­trey seeming more apprehensive of the dangers that might attend their former security, busied themselves in a warmer application to their General and Council, who being now sensible of their credulous Error, promised to use their ut­most Endeavours against the approach of the Enemy; up­on which they made a show of drawing the Forces of the two Counties into one Body, which being above 10000 men, would in all probability been able to have disputed, if not defended the Countrey from the farther advance of the Irish Army; tho it must be confessed, the greatest part of them wanted the Exercise and Arms of a well Trained Militia; but that might have been in a great measure supplied by the Pru­dent Proposals of some Gentlemen, who advis'd that the Passes might be Guarded by their best men, and such only left to secure their Countrey, as were less Serviceable.

[Page 36] If these Measures had been taken, we should have certainly impeded the Enemies Progress, and have thereby given time enough to the more Northern Counties, to have joined their Numbers, who had been engag'd to advance upon the first Alarm; but the General and Council, instead of following this advice, only continued their Forces in motion, still keep­ing them at their former distance; which Method was the great occasion of our ensuing Miseries; for the several petty Divisions desparing of any Success from their own Strength, never durst encounter the Enemy, who always Marched in a main Body. The first instance of this Nature hapned at Loughbrickland, a place within 3 Miles of the Newry; where only a Detachment of Sir John Macgil's Regiment, and an inconsiderable party of Sir Arthur Rawden's Dra­goons, were posted, who no sooner heard that Tyrconnel's Ar­my had enter'd the Newry, but they retired in such confusion, that the whole Countrey seemed struck with the Retreat. The Enemy making the right use of this accident, immedi­ately possessed themselves of Loughbrickland, and soon after­wards advanced towards Drummore, which was Garison'd by 300 Horse, and some Foot, under the Command of Sir Arthur Rawden, and Mr. W—, who having notice of their March, posted a Detachment of Horse at the 2 Mile Bridge, with strict Orders to Skirmish the Enemies Scouts, and to give what other diversion they could to their Main Body; but having engaged too far, several of them were cut off, and the rest obliged to a hasty Retreat. Sir Arther Rawden co [...]tinued in the Town,' very minute, expecting to be inforc'd with a considerable Supply, but was much surprized to receive the General's Orders to Retreat to Hilsburgh, which was three Miles behind Drummore. This sudden disappointment made him resolve upon his own Methods; and instead of Retreat­ing to Hilsburgh, he marched his men within view of the Enemy, whom he discovered to be very numerous, and advancing in great haste, but excellent Order; which made Sir Arthur halt, and consulting with his Officers what was [Page 37]fit to be done, he found his Right Wing surrounded; and concluding the Enemy designed to hem in his Party, they all agreed upon a Retreat; and the only doubt that remained was, who should be formost. Lieut. Price, and two others, after the Retreat of the rest, bravely charged the Enemy, and Price having shot Col. Sheldon's Horse, by which he ve­ry much endangered his Life, was afterwards, by the fai­lure of his own, exposed to the Revenge of the Irish.

The bold Attempt of these three men, gave a considerable diversion to the whole Army; so that in pursuit of the Protestant Party, which hasted full Gallop to Hilsburgh; there were not above 20 men kill'd; but if the Fort had not put a stop to the Irish Career, they had certainly cut off the rest, who under that shelter made good their escape, some to Colrain, others to Portferry, every one steering such a Course as he judged farthest from the present Danger.

The General and Council had hitherto resided in Hils­burgh, which was the place appointed for the heart of the North, from whence the several Counties were to have de­rived their Principles of Motion; and yet they were so care­less of defending a Post so considerable, that the day before this Rout, it had not the ordinary Provision of a Garison; for on that day Mr. West, (Major to Mr. H—ton of T— was commanded to advance with such of his men as were fit for service, who in pursuance of their Orders, enforced the Town with 120 men, and proposing the Defence of it with the only addition of 500 more, at least till such time as the scattered Forces of the North might be drawn together, who might have been able to have raised the Siege,) had his offer resisted, tho there were at this time in Lisburn 2000 Soldiers sent from the County of Antrim; and the only reason gi­ven by the General and Council for rejecting West's Propo­sal, was the want of necessary Provisions for so great a bo­dy: The Major not being well satisfied with the Measures taken by the Council, was however resolved to use his best Endeavours towards securing the Town, and only desired [Page 38]to be furnish'd with such Instruments as might serve to scour the Trenches; and that the Trees which grew nearest the Town, might be cut down, lest they might prove ser­viceable to the Enemy, in case they should attempt to Scale the Walls; but these requests were also rejected, the first for want of Money to buy such Necessaries as were desired, and the other for fear of disobliging the Owners; these slight Excuses made the Gentlemen of the Countrey sus­pect some other Designs; which were soon afterward plainly discovered by the Resolutions taken in the next Council: The General having declared the Town not te­nable, turned every man over to his own shifts. The Sol­diers were so much surprized with this sudden opinion, that they would not be induc'd to a belief of it 'till their General left the Garison exposed to the rage of the Ene­my, and in great haste posted towards Portferry, where he met with the conveniency of being transported out of all danger. Mr. H—ton of T— having particularly re­commended the care of his Regiment to their own Conduct, hasted towards Belfast in such a hurry, that he left behind him a Portmantue of the publick Papers, and 150 l. of the Counties Stock, tho he refused the day before to advance so much Money as would have brought the Forces together. This, with much more Plunder of a considerable value, be­sides 15 Barrels of Powder, and a brass Field-piece, were left as a prey to the Irish, who have since made use of the Papers as a publick Testimony against the persons concerned in the Association, upon which has been grounded the corrup­tion of our Blood, and forfeiture of our Estates.

Tho H—ton of T— had been thus careless of what concern'd the Publick, yet he shew'd more prudence in the preservation of his private Fortune: For, very well know­ing what would happen, he engag'd his Brother the night before the Break at Drummore, to hasten home, and provide against the Storm that was then gathering.

Hilsburgh being wholly deserted by the General and [Page 39]Council, Major West, who had earnestly pressed them to other measures, was still resolv'd to sell the Place at as dear a price as he could; and therefore proposed the De­fence of it to such of the Soldiers as yet remain'd in the Fort, assuring them of his firm adherence to their endea­vours, and urging the many difficulties that would neces­sarily attend their retreat. But all these Arguments could not engage them to stand the test of an Irish Attack; for the Example of their General, and the Advice of the Coun­cil, so far influenc'd their wonted Courage, that only Sixty of them could be prevail'd with to run the Major's Fate; who dispos'd of them in such order, as made the Irish believe they were many times that number; upon which they sent a Trumpeter to summon the Town; and a Parley be­ing agreed on both sides, Capt. Kirk was dispatched with Conditions of Surrender, importing a free Pardon for what was past, and a Protection for the future; which being embrac'd by the Garison, and confirm'd by the Lieutenant-General, the Irish were admitted into the Town; and find­ing the Gates only shut with a Half-Pike, admired the Majors courage, and condemned the General and Council for making no better preparations towards the defence of a place so considerable. Major West and his Soldiers not­withstanding their Articles, were for the first night kept close prisoners, under the pretence of protecting them from the insolence of the Soldiers; tho the true reason was to prevent a discovery of the ill circumstances the Irish Army was under, from the fatigue of their tedious Winter March, which was so harass'd, that it's believed a very little opposition would have obliged them to a retreat.

The melancholly news of this Rout coming to Lisburn, and the dismal accounts given in by the Runaways from Hilsburgh, struck the Soldiers of that Garison, with such terrible apprehensions of the Irish Force, that they unani­mously agreed to follow the example of their General, and Mr. H—. of T. after he had for some time condol'd the [Page 40]misfortunes of the Countrey with the People of Belfast, he assured all such as had any dependance on him, that would retreat to Colrain, that he had resolved either to repair the distressed Condition of the Countrey, or to permit the the Attempt. This Resolution encouraged several of his Friends to march towards Colrain, but Mr. H—ton taking a private Path to the Sea-side, met with a Vessel purposely prepared to Transport him for Scotland.

The Irish Rabble of the whole Countrey were now em­ployed by Publick Authority to plunder and destroy the Lives and Fortunes of the Protestants; which they per­formed with such Cruelty, that the Insolencies of the Stand­ing Army seemed favours, when compared with the bloody Outrages of those barbarous Cannibals; and now the pub­lick Cries of such as had escaped the Irish Fury for the loss of their dearest Friends, and the naked Appearances of those who had been most inhumanly stripped, cast the whole Countrey under such a general Consternation, that it was impossible to revive the hearts of the dejected Protestants; so that no hopes were left to rally the broken pieces of the English Army; and the Enemy by this means became abso­lute Masters of the whole Countrey, without the expence of many drops of Blood; for the Counties of Down and An­trim being the only Inlets to the Northern Province, we may very well date the loss of Ʋlster (at that time the only remaining terror to the Irish) from the evil Success that followed the Councels of that Countrey.

I shall now refer the remaining Series of this Affair, to the relation of others, who by being Witnesses to the Truth thereof, are only fit for so publick a Work; having in this Treatise with all Sincerity and Justice imaginable, given the Reader the whole matter of Fact, which to my own knowledg occurr'd in the [...]e Counties. And that he may have nothing from me by hear-say, I shall now leave him to judg by whom and in what manner Ulster has been exposed to the Fury of the Irish, whose Mercies are Cruelties: And how all the Nobility and Gentry thereof have suffered as well in their Reputa­tions, as in the loss of their Estates, for the Miscarriages of a few.