DURING my stay at Dublin, (which with much difficulty and hazard, I left on June the 8th,) I made it a great part of my Business to be well inform'd of the State of Affairs in Ireland, and of the most remark­able matters that past there, which I had the oppor­tunity of doing, as well by my own Observation, as by what I received from Persons of Credit, that I frequently conversed with; that thereby I might be enabled to give such an Account, as might be service­able [Page 6] to the Government here, upon my Arrival to be acquainted with, which in the following Narrative, I have endeavoured to do with all possible Sincerity and Impartiality.

The Revenue of Ireland is quite sunk, no Money being raised, but by the Excize, that for this Year and half past, there has not been paid one Penny of the Civil List; and now the late King has been for­ced to make a new Establishment, and gives only Half Pay, which he calls Subsistance; They grumble at it, and are ready to Mutiny: To the Foot Three pence per day, and for the Officers 'tis no matter, he makes them Content; The Dragoons have Five pence fa [...] ­thing; and the Horse Six pence per day: He propo­seth this, One half Money, and the other—For­rage. The Horse Granadiers Fifty in each Troop, Seven Regiments of Horse 2750. Men; Seven Re­giments of Dragoons, 3800 Men; The Royal Regi­ment of Foot, Twenty two Companies 1980 Men.

Forty two Regiments of Foot more 33852 Men. The total is, 42432.

Of this Army, there are about 17000▪ drawn Northwards, against Londonderry, and Enniskilling, which are of the best, both of Horse and Foot, and have been so harassed, that within these ten days past, they were not in any condition of Service; there are Five thousand more gone after these, to­wards Enniskilling, and more on their March, so that there are near Twenty five thousand gone against Londonderry and Enniskilling.

Besides this, they designed two Camps by Dublin, which Camps were to consist of 14000 Men, the [Page 7] first Grand Camp was to be at Rath [...]arnam, betwixt that and Rathmines, on the South of Dublin, in the view of the Harbor. The next Camp was to be un­der the Hill of Dunsink, near the Cabaragh, North-West of Dublin, and in view of the Bay also.

Colonel Sarsefield lies at Sligoe with his Own Re­giment, and some Dragoons, and has received seve­ral Rubbs from the People of Enniskilling.

It is said, there came One hundred and fifty thou­sand pound with the late King, from France to Ire­land; and Three hundred thousand pound with the Fleet, that arrived at Bantry; but by as near a com­putation as possibly can be made, we cannot find that there came above One hundred and fifty thou­sand pound in all, the first being Sixty thousand pounds, and the last, Ninety thousand pounds: and about Nine hundred French, English, Scotch, and Irish Officers came this last time with the Fleet, all which receive the same allowance with the Officers of the Army, proportionable to their Stations and Qua­lities.

The French Ambassador influences all Affairs, both Civil and Military, and 'tis discoursed amongst themselves, what a prejudice he has against his pre­sent Majesty, having formerly been Ambassador in Holland; he often presses for severity to be used against the Protestants. No violence whatever, that is acted by any of the French, dares be complain­ed of, but it is stifled immediately, and he that com­plains is frowned on. He has influenced the passing the Bill for destroying the Act of Settlement, inso­much, that he has said, that he would go again to [Page 8] France, if it were not done, to tell his Master.

Monsieur Boysloe, the Governor of Cork's Letter to the French Ambassador, was the occasion of the Im­bargo at Dublin, on Saturday, May 18. last past. The late King is wholly at their Discretion, and Tyr­connel is mightily discomposed, both in Body and Mind, since the King came: For the French Ambas­sador said, If any one had served his Master as he did, (about Londonderry) in taking away the Lord Mount­joy's Regiments, he would have lost his Head. The Am­bassador Commands the Treasury, and not one far­thing is paid out, without his leave, for he views the Muster Rolls, before he suffers any payments to be made so that the Design is plain French, and to bring this Kingdom wholly under them, that thereby they may divert England from annoying France: But now they are become obnoxious to the People of Ireland, who see, all that is for the French, so that great dis­content is upon the Spirits of the Irish, on the ac­count of the French being put into Imployments, for they generally say, and allow, that Ireland is given to the French King, in consideration of the Charges he shall be at, in helping the late King James, towards the regaining of the Kingdoms of England, and Scotland.

Monsieur Boysloe at Cork, seizes the Merchants Goods, Drinks their Wines, and in short, takes away from them, whatever he has a mind to, with­out making them any satisfaction; and says, it is a shame, that any Correspondence should be held with the Rebels of England.

[Page 9] The Enniskilling People have rummaged the Coun­trey for near thirty Miles round about them, and brought in all the Cattle and Forrage they could find, and have disarmed several Companies of the new raised Irish; and 'tis talked of by the late K. and the Castle, that the Garrison of Enniskilling were so resolute, that they would attempt the raising of the Siege of Derry; the fear of which does somewhat alarm them, for about the latter end of May they came near to Kells, thirty Miles from Dublin, and Westward as far as Finnah, burning Luke Reily, High-Sheriff of the County of Ca­van's House, with the Houses of other considerable Pa­pists who were in Arms against them, killing only three Soldiers at a place call'd Drum, because they refu­sed to quit their Arms; and as one Brady who is a Papist, and an Inhabitant there declares, That they were the fairest Enemy that ever came into a Country, not injuring any person that lived peaceably, leaving a Troop of Horse in the Town of Cavan, until all the Army were marched away, to see that no injury might be done to the common people: He likewise says, they drove along with them about four or five thousand head of Cattel, that had lately been taken from the English.

As for the State of Enniskilling it is said, that they are in a very good Condition for Provision and all other Necessaries as yet, and that there are there, and at Bally­shannon eight hundred able Horse besides Foot, who are brave resolute Men: Most of them being Gentle­men out of Munster and Connaught, that fled thither, who are resolved to loose their Lives, and sacrifice all rather than yield.

[Page 10] On June the First there marched from Dublin Sir Michael Creagh, the present Lord-Mayor, with his Re­giment, Sir John Fitz Gerald from Rathcoole and Lucan, with his Regiment, with several others from other parts, towards Trim, twenty Miles from Dublin, the place appointed for the General Rendevouz of the Ar­my that are sent against Enniskilling; Coll. Sarsfield from Sligoe is to joyn them, and so to march to Enni­skilling to attacque it, with a Resolution to bear it down: All Sir Michael Creagh's Regiment raised in Dublin, Sir John Fitz-Gerald's from Munster, and most that are gone down there, are all raw Fellows, not know­ing how to fire a Gun.

There are gone from Dublin General La Rose, Ge­neral La Roy, Count D' Estrades, and several other of the General Officers of France, towards Enniskilling, with four Field-Pieces. They have sent before-hand to buy up all the Corn in East and West Meath, to be brought to Kells, twenty-seven Miles from Dublin, and forty from Enniskilling, which is the place appoin­ted for their Store, for beyond that there is no man­ner of Provision to be had; so that in all probability they will meet with the same Penury and Want that they have had these two Months past before London-Derry.

Now for the State of London-Derry; it is said this morning at the Castle, they have surround­ed it within half Cannon-shot, and taken the Wind-Mill-Hill, which the Town quitted, and had thrown up their Trenches, and drawn up all their Army on Friday last, and so modeled and divided them into two Bodies to compass the Town, placing them in their several Posts. Mon­sieur [Page 11] Pontee was to have Bomb'd it before, but he found when he came to examine, that the Fusees of the Bombs did not fit, some being to little, o­thers to big, which he having new moulded and worked up, did as he himself said, intend to be­gin to Bomb on Sunday the second instant. They hear that there are Ships in the River, which they believe will endeavour to Succour London-Derry; but by the help of Culmore Fort, with o­ther Batteries they have raised, together with the Chain and Bomb they have fixt a-cross the River, they hope to prevent them.

There is an Account sent up from the Camp, of the Names and Behaviour of the several Of­ficers there, with which they make themselves sport at the Castle, particularly the Lord Galmoy, running himself into a Ditch of Briars; Lord Kingsland getting into a Bush of Furrs, together with the Valour of Sir Gregory Birne, and Sir Luke Dowdall, &c.

A Dragoon that was shot into the Shoulder, and came up to his Friends near Dublin, to get Cure, said, that abundance were lost for want of care being taken of them; that he himself had ended his days, if he had staid; that he left 400 lying of their Wounds in the Church of Culmore; that they had lost near 7 or 8000 by the Sword and Sickness, since they sat down before Der­ry.

The Duke of Barwick, James Fitz James, and [Page 12] Lord George Howard, are said to be in Brook-hall, at Sir Matthew Bridge his House, near Kilmore, a curing of their Wounds.

They likewise give out, they are in great want of Provision in the Town, and are so crouded, that they are very noisom and full of Vermine, for that several who have been taken and killed, are found to be so. But in truth, as to the State of their own Army, they have lost as many for want of Conveniencies, as have been killed: For the Bloody-Flux, Small-pox, Feavers, and Agues be­ing among them, they die extreamly fast in the Irish Camp; the generality of their Sustenance being nothing else but Oatmeal and Water, with some raw lean Beef, insomuch that the spirits of the men are mighty low, and very weak.

There are gone down to them abundance of French Officers, that are to be prefered as Com­mands fall, with great resolution what they will do when they come there.

They did not carry any of their great Guns or Bombs over the River, but they lie on the o­ther side, and so play over the Water at London-Derry. Since there sending the Army towards Enniskilling, the People of East, and West-Meath have raised the price of Corn extreamly.

The Kerry Forces are drawn to the Shannon to fortifie all places on it, as Lymerick, Athlone, &c. All the best of the Forces are clearly drawn out [Page 13] of Munster, except the Major-General's Regiment, which is now Commanded by one Monsieur Boy­sloe, a most tyrannical French-man, who with his Regiment is now at Cork▪ where he exercises an ab­solute Authority, that no manner of Complaint against him will be heard, though he thrust out one of the Protestant Sheriff of Cork's eyes, and swore he would make no more of blowing up all the Protestants in their Churches, than of a Child in a Cradle. He threatens to Hang any that shall be taken going away; and if four Pro­testants be together, he looks on it as a Conspi­racy, and sends them to Goal: They have like­wise imployed Spies about Dublin, to see if any Protestants meet or talk together; and are mighti­ly incensed at the Imbargo in England, because they cannot have a free Correspondence with their Friends there.

June the Fifth, the late King declared, He expected in a Week's time, if the Wind served, a great Fleet from France, and a numerous Army of Land-men; that the Fleet after landing their Men, would repair to the Downs, to find out and fall on the English Fleet. Some of his Council advise him to Scotland; others to Chester with his French and Irish Forces, as soon as Derry is taken.

They have lately imprisoned several persons in Dublin, on a pretence for Plotting and Correspond­ing with the Rebels in the North, and England, &c. and in searching for Treasonable Papers and Arms, they took away whatever Money they could [Page 14] find in the Houses of the several persons. They likewise threaten another Search for Arms very suddenly, when it is not questioned▪ but they will take all Money and Plate away, for they are erecting a Mint for the Coyning of Money. One thing more is to be observed, That the Po­pish Clergy has ordered all their People not to pay one Farthing to any Protestant, but to stand it out to the uttermost, till they are compelled by Law; the Design being visible, that they would utterly Extirpate the English there.

The Wind no sooner blows Easterly, but they are in great dread and fear; yet they tell us, there is Confusion in England, and that there will no Succours come from thence; that they will land an Army in England suddenly; and that Eng­land fears an Invasion from Ireland, more than it doth from them: Their usual saying is, You Whiggish Dogs, we will make you know, that the Prince of Orange is not come yet; and we will do your business before he comes, for when we come back from London Derry, we will make an end of you all. And the Irish Tenants and Neighbours of the English, that formerly lived in amity with, and chiefly depended on them, do continually send the Souldiers to the Protestants Houses, telling them, that Whiggs live there; where they go and eat up their Provisions, ta­king away their Horses from the Plow, and what­ever else they have a mind to, giving them horrid Abuses besides; so that many Families who for­merly lived very plentifully, have not now left them Bread to eat.

[Page 15] The Popish Clergy appear in Multitudes, and are going forward with all their Chappels and Buildings, and looking out for Abbeys and Nun­neries, and do exasperate the King mightily a­gainst the Protestants. The Lord Melfort is also very violent against them; and the Lord Chan­cellor (though an English-man) worse than he.

On Whitson Monday, the Town of Drogheda was alarm'd by two Officers who rid thorough it to­wards Dublin, telling them, That the Scots were within six Miles, and had taken the great Guns, Carriages, Ammunition, and Provisions, that were going to Derry, and killed the Convoy: Whereupon they immediately planted their Guns, and shut up the Gates; having only two Compa­nies of the new raised Men, and a few Horse of the Lord Gilmoys in the Town: An Express was sent immediately to Duleek, where the Commissi­oners of Enquiry into the Estates of the Absenters were met, (who being busied in Swearing and Examining the Tenants of the Earl of Drogheda, and others, as to w [...]at Rents they paid, and what Arrears of Rent were due) requiring them to Re­pair to the Town, and bring with them what Strength they could to fortifie the Town: Some being sent out to know the truth of the matter, returning, told them, It was only a false Alarm; tho' it was generally said and believed, that several Cart loads of their Ammunition, Provision, and Arms▪ were intercepted and taken by the People of Ballishannon and Enniskilling.

[Page 16] There has been a Motion in the House of Com­mons for the Naturalizing all Frenchmen, insomuch that some said in the House, that they ought to have a Day of Thanksgiving, for the coming of the Prince of Orange into England.

They are preparing for another Court of Claims, and reducing the Fees of all Offices, throwing all Forseitures into the Stock of Repri­sals; into which Stock the late King has thrown his private Estate that he had in Ireland.

The old Proprietors are taking possession daily, before the Act that makes void the Settlement of Ireland passeth; some of them paying the Quit-Rent to get into possession; Eight Protestant Peers, four being Spiritual, and four Temporal, entred their Protest at the Bill passing the Lord's House, and Mr. Justice Dayly opposed it to that degree, that in his Passion he said many things that were highly resented, the substance whereof was, ‘That instead of being a Parliament, as we pretend, we are more like Massanello's, confused Rabble, every Man making a Noise for an Estate, and talking Nonsence, when our Lives are in Danger: we expect a sudden Invasion from England, and a bloody War likely to ensue; as Persons alto­gether unmindful of the Ruine that hangs over our Heads; and without taking any Care to prevent it, we are dividing the Bears skin before she is taken. All the Honour we do His Maje­sty, is, by reflecting on His Royal Father and [Page 17] Brother, as wicked and unjust Princes, charging them with enacting those Laws that were con­trary to the Laws of God and Man.’ Which the House summed up in six Articles against him: They would have been contented with a Submissi­on, but he refused any, saying, He would go to Jamaica rather: Yet his Friends prevail'd on him at this Juncture, to ask the Pardon of the House; and yesterday he was to have come into the House of Commons; and accordingly the the House being sat, the Usher of the Black Rod went in and acquainted the Speaker, that Mr. Justice Dayly was at the Door; upon which it was put to the question, in the House, Whether his asking of Pardon should be a sufficient Satis­faction for them to pass by his Miscarriages; and it being carried in the Affirmative, Mr. Nugent of Carlingstown, in West-Meath, a Member of the House, was ordered to go and acquaint him, that the House was resolved to accept of his Sub­mission; that so there might be admittance for his coming to receive Pardon of the House. Mr. Nugent returning into the House, told the Speaker that Mr. Justice Dayly was very thank­ful, and ready to come in to make his Submissi­on; and at the same time said, Mr. Speaker, I have other great News to tell you, viz. London-Derry is taken. Upon which there was three great Shouts set up in the House, and throwing up their Hats, cryed out, No Submission of Mr. Justice Dayly; We Pardon him, we Pardon him; being transported with joy, suffered him not to come [Page 18] in, but pardoned him without any Submission at all. But afterwards some of the Members (none of Mr. Dayly's Friends) finding it false, thought it was some Trick put on them, and threatned Mr. Nugent, to bring him on his Knees before the House.

They are now passing an Act that all Leases a­bove One and Twenty Years, of any Corporati­on in Ireland, shall be void; and it is doubted whether Dublin will be excepted▪ They are like­wise laying fifteen Shillings a Tun Duty upon Sea-Coals: And taking away the Poundage Act, which in Corporations is the Clergies support. The Ʋlster Act for Tithes, and the Act for Im­propriations and Augmentation Lands; that so by taking from the Clergy their Maintenance the Churches may fall of themselves. An Act At­tainting all Persons by Name; and another grant­ing fifteen thousand Pounds per Month, for Sup­plies to King James.

• Justin Maccarty, Lord Viscount Mount-Cashel.
• Sir Valentine Brown, Lord Viscount Kenmare.
• Thomas Nugent, C. J. Lord Baron of Riverstown.
• John Bourk, Lord Baron Bouffin.
• Sir Alexander Fitton, Lord Baron Gawsworth.