VPON Sabbath day last in the morning being the 13. of Februa­ry 1641. one Captaine Basset came to London from the West Parts of Cornwall, and now lodgeth at the Signe of the Swann in the Strand, who brought certaine intelli­gence of two Ships which were driven into a Harbour, by reason of the Tempestu­ousnesse of the Weather, and now lyeth at St. Jves, which Ships came from Bilbo in Spaine, being bound for Jreland to assist the Bloud-sucking Rebells there, against his Majesties Subjects; which Rebells dayly increase more and more, and if speedy reliefe comes not to those who yet are not overcome, the whole Kingdome is like to be lost.

Now these two Ships when they were driven into St. Ives, some of the men which were on bourd came on Land, to view the place where they were cast in­to, and as they say to buy food for themselves.

There was a man who lived in that Harbour, being witty, he made as if he had bin a Justice of Peace whereupon he examined them, what and who they were; and from whence they came, and whither they were going, this man not liking their answer, ten­dred unto them the Oath of Allegiance, the which they tooke, he seeing that he could not finde them out what they were by that meanes, then he tendred unto them the Oath of Supremacy the which they refused to take, whereupon he suspected what they were, and therefore made those acquainted with it which had authority, and so caused them to be layd hold on and apprehended, which when they were layd fast, then they went with a great number toge­ther to the Ships and searched them, wherein they found a-Bourd greate store of Iron, six and twenty Tunn of Wheate, & eighteene Hoggs-heads of Wine. There was also found six Fryers, and aboundance of Priests and Iesuites, together with many others of their faction.

There was likewise found on bourd in the same Ships many Crucifixes, Beads, and certaine mens Teeth, which the Priests told were some of St. Peters Teeth. There was likewise found a little water in a very small Vessell, which the Priests say is Mary Magda­lens Teares, there was likewise found a piece of Wood which they say was a piece of the Crosse which Christ was Crucified upon. This more especially they tooke with them that so by that meanes they may be pro­tected with safety to their Ionrneys end, now how Treacherously their God whom they trusted in) hath dealt with them: all men may judge by the effects, for they are all in Prison in St. Ives untill the plea­sure [Page 3]of the Parliament be knowne concerning them.

Besides there was found in those two Ships very many Letters, which now are brought to the Parlia­ment: the contents whereof are not yet published.

There is also certaine intelligence brought over of three other Ships which is in Dunkirk very full of Ammunition and men bound for Jreland, the names of the Ships are these.

• 1. The Admirall of Dunkirk.
• 2. The Flute.
• 3. An Hamburgur.

The truth of this is verifyed in a Message from a Committee of both Houses, to the Spanish Ambassa­dor.

Lastly there was also very lately driven into Dart­mouth by reason of Tempestuous Weather a Barque which came from France, wherein was divers Com­manders and Officers going to Ireland, who now are taken hold of and laid in safe Custody, being orde­red by the Parliament to come up to London, with a strong guard, First the Commanders by themselves and the Officers by themselves a part from the Com­manders, that so the truth of their intentions may be the better knowne.

THe Lords and Commons, taking into their serious considerations, aswell the necessity of a speedy reducing of the Rebels of Ireland, to their due obedience, as also the great summes of money that the Commons of this Realme have of late paid for the publike and necessary affaires of the Kingdome, whereof the Lords and Com­mons are very sensible, and desirous to embrace all good and honourable wayes, tending to his Majesties great­nesse and profit, the settling of that Realme, and the case of his Majesties Subjects of ENGLAND: And where­as divers worthy and well affected persons, perceiving that many Millions of Acres of the Rebels Lands of that Kingdom, which go under the name of profitable Lands, will be confiscate, and to be disposed of, and that in case two Millions and a halfe of those Acres, to bee equally taken out of the foure Provinces of that Kingdome, may be allotted for the satisfaction of such persons as shall disburse any summes of money for the reducing of the Rebels there, would effectually accomplish the same, have made these Propositions ensuing.

FIrst, that two Millions and a halfe of those Acres may be assigned, allotted, and divided amongst them, after this Proportion; Viz.

For each Ad­venture of

• 200. li. 1000. Acres in Ʋlster.
• 300. li. 1000. Acres in Conaght.
• 450. li. 1000. Acres in Munster.
• 600. li. 1000. Acres in Lemster.

All according to the English measure, and consisting of Meadow, Arable, and profitable Pasture; The bogs, woods and barren mountains being cast in, over and above; These two Millions and a halfe of Acres to be holden in free, and common Soccage of the King, as of his Ca­stle of Dublin.

2. That out of those two Millions and a halfe of Acres a constant rent shall be reserved to the Crowne of England, after this proportion, viz.

Out of each Acre thereof in

• Ʋlster. 1.^d.
• Conaght. 1.^ob.
• Munster. ij. q;
• Lemster. iij.^d.

Whereby his Majesties Revenue out of those lands will be much improved, besides the advantages that hee will have by the comming to his hands of all other the Lands of the Rebels, and their personall estates, without any charge unto his Majestie.

3. That for the erecting of Mannors, setling of wasts and commons, maintaining of preaching Ministers, cre­ating of Corporations, and regulating of the severall Plantations, one or more Commissions bee hereafter granted by Authority of Parliament.

4. That Moneyes for these great occasions may be the more speedily advanced, All the undertakers in the Citie of London, and within twenty miles distant there­of, shall under-write their severall summes before the twentieth day of March; 1641. And all within sixtie Miles of LONDON, before the first day of [Page 3] April, 1642. And the rest of the Kingdome before the first day of May, 1642.

5. That the severall summes to be under written, shall be paid in at foure payments; viz. one fourth part within 10. dayes after such under-writing: And the o­ther three parts at three moneths, 3. moneths, and 3. moneths, all to be paid in the Chamber of London.

6. That, for the better securing of the said severall summs accordingly, Every one that doth so under-write shall at the time of his subscription pay down the twen­tieth part of the totall summe that shall be by him then under-written.

And in case that the residue of his first fourth part be not paid in to such person or persons as shall be appoin­ted to receive the same, within the ten dayes before limi­ted: then such partie shall not only forfeit the twenti­eth part of summ totall, formerly deposited, but so much more of his first fourth payment to be added thereunto as shall make up the one moitie of the said first payment. And if the same person shall faile in any other of the 3. payments, hee shall then forfeit his entire first fourth and all the benefit of his subscription, which forfeiture shall accrue to the common benefit of the rest of the un­dertakers.

The Lords and Commons upon due and mature deli­beration of these propositions, have approved of them, and given their consent unto the same; and will become humble Petitioners to his Majesty for his Royall appro­bations thereof, and that hereafter he will bee pleased, upon the humble sute of both Houses of Parliament to give his Royall assent unto such Bils as they shall tender unto him for the setling of those Propositions, and all other things necessary conducing thereunto.