1. FOr anſwer to the firſt Article, hee ſaith; That he had no certaine notice of the intended Plots of the Iriſh to breake out into Rebellion as is ſuggeſted by the Informer; But ſaith, that upon the Eleventh of October, 1641. Bryan mac Coconaght Magwire Eſquire, and one Flartagh mac Hugh, informed him of ſome jealouſies and ſuſpitions, that they then apprehended of ſome evill Intentions and practiſes of the Lord Magwire, Sir Phelem roe O Neill, Neill mac Kennay, Hugh oge mac Mahon, & others of the Iriſh Gentry of Vlſter, of which he gave advertizement by his Letter to the then Lords Iuſtices and Councell of Ireland with all poſſible ſpeed; Alſo intimating his deſires, that their Lordſhips would be ſo pleaſed to take that matter into their ſerlous conſideration, as that they would ſtrictly Examine the ſaid Lord Magwire and others of his Complices concerning the ſame, who he underſtood were ſhortly after to be at Dublin; which Letter or a Coppie thereof this Reſpondent underſtands, was tranſmitted by their Lordſhips to the Parliament of England, and remaines with the Clerke of the honourable Houſe of Commons, and was one of the chiefeſt Evidences and motives (upon the Diſcovery made by Owin O Connallie) to induce the State to be upon their Guard, and alſo of the apprehenſion of the Lord Magwire, Hugh oge mic Mahon, Coconaght Magwire, Redmond Magwire, Tirlagh oge mac Hugh, and others of their conſorts in Dablin, the 23. th of October, 1641. or thereabouts. And for proofe of this advertiſement hee can produce their Lordſhips letter in anſwer of his, which he received before the Rebellion broke out. And further ſaith, that upon the 21. th of October, 1641. the ſaid Plot being more fully diſcovered unto him, by the ſaid Flartagh mic Hugh, by Direction from the ſaid Bryan Magwire, and by one Fargus O Howen, how the Rebellion was to breake out univerſally by the Iriſh on the 23. th of that Moneth. Hee not onely poſted away a Meſſenger with a ſecond letter to ſignifie the ſame unto the ſaid Lords Iuſtices and Councell (which was intercopted * Notice was given of this Rebellion, from the Reſpondent to Sir Frederick Hamilton at London. Derry the 22. of October, 1641. by Francis Barnaby. by the way at Laghramar,) but alſo the ſame Day haſtened eighteene Meſſengers with ſo many Letters, to notifie the ſame to his Neighbours at Monea, Caſtle-Balfoure, Newtowne, Newpurtton, Lowtherſtowne, Archdale, Bowſsland, Clogher, Glaſslogh and elſewhere, as farre as in ſo ſhort and Diſtracted a time hee could poſſibly doe, being fully buſied to draw his Neighbours and Tenants together, and to Arme and put them into a poſture of Warre, for the Defence of the Caſtle and Towne of Iniskillin, and the parts thereabouts; and amongſt others did then direct particular advertiſement thereof to be given unto Mannor hamilton (where the Rebellion broke not out in a Moneth after) and of which the Informer could not afterwards be ignorant, though hee himſelfe was then abſent; and certainly of all men hath leaſt reaſon to lay this as a cryme to the Reſpondents charge, had he not wanted other matter.

II.

2. To the ſecond article he anſwereth. That the Commiſſion therein mentioned (as he hath heard) was the firſt ground of the Informers envie and diſcontent, not onely againſt this Reſpondent, but alſo againſt all the other Brittiſh Colloneſs then in Vlſter, that received Commiſſions from His Majeſty at that time for the raiſing of their Regiments and proſecuting of the Rebels, taking it in great diſdaine, that there was not the like Commiſſion then ſent unto him; wheras for ought this Reſpondent could ever heare, none of the ſaid Collonels knew any certainty of the ſaid Commiſſions, vntill they were brought unto them, neither did this Reſpondent receive his ſaid Commiſſion vntill almoſt a yeare after the Rebellion began (at which time he gave notice thereof unto all his Captaines) for that (during the greateſt part of that yeare) he was ſo incloſed on all ſides with multitudes of the Enemies (being above forty miles diſtant from any that were able to give him reliefe) that he could not receive any intelligence how the ſtate of the Proteſtants of that Kingdome ſtood, in any part thereof, though he had often uſed his beſt endeavours to gaine the ſame to his exceeding great charges, and the hanging of twelve or fourteen of his Meſſengers, by the Rebels. And the ſaid Informer finding this Reſpondent next unto him, and conceiving him eaſieſt to be dealt withall, hath ever ſince uſed his uttermoſt indeavours by invective Calumnies, to aſperſe and undervalue both him and his actions, which he hath ever envyed, ſo that by extolling his owne unknowne ſervices, he laboureth as much as in him lyeth to eclipſe thoſe well known ſervices performed by this Reſpondent, and all other the Commanders and Officers in Vlſter and Conaught; And this Reſpondent further ſayth that by vertue of a Commiſſion from the Lords Iuſtices and Councell of Jreland to him directed, at the beginning of the ſaid Rebellion, for raiſing, Arming and Banding all the Brittiſh within the County of Fermanaugh, hee (with the helpe of his friends) raiſed, Armed, and Banded the nine Companies in the ſaid ſecond Article ſpecified, together with a Troope of horſe, by vertue whereof alſo, hee might have raiſed, Armed and banded as many of the Brittiſh as he could have drawn together for their owne mutuall defence, and proſecution of the Rebels, by whoſe aſſiſtance (and Gods great bleſſings) ſundry good ſervices have been performed, whereof this Reſpondent did often give intimation, both to the Honourable Parliament, and to the Lords Iuſtices and Councell of Jreland, Humbly deſiring that in reward of their good ſervices they might be liſted into the Parliaments pay, and Regimented under his Command. But inaſmuch as he could not obtaine tha • favour by reaſon of the troubles then heere, though earneſtly ſollicited by his friends, and that but 500 of his Foot and his Troope was inliſted and taken into the Parliaments pay, from the firſt of Iuly 1642. As appeares by Order of the 21. th of that Moneth, and Proviſions of cloathes and Victuals being onely ſent for them, upon the ſolicitation of his Agent Maſter Robert Barcklay, this Reſpondent was conſtrained to deliver out the ſaid cloathes unto the Officers and Souldiers of the ſaid five Companies, (not being able to divide the ſaid 500 ſuits amongſt 900 men) vizt. unto his own Company, his Lievtenant Collonels, his Serjant Majors, to the Company of Captaine Iohn Cole and to the Company of Captaine Hugh Roſſe, of whom three are Scottiſh Officers, and whom without prejudice to the others merrit, he conceived very deſerving of the Imployment. Offering at the very ſame time to the other foure Captaines, and their companies an equall divident of all other proviſions ſent him then by the Parliament, and of what ſpoiles they could get from the Rebels, if they would continue with him in the ſervice; promiſing alſo to uſe his beſt endeavours to have them taken into pay, and added to his Regiment. But the cloathes being thus divided (which could not be otherwiſe) the ſaid foure Companies were ſo diſcontented, that of their own accords they diſbanded themſelves and went to ſeeke their fortunes elſewhere, and yet the greateſt part of their beſt and ableſt men, were perſwaded to continue in the Garriſon. So that this Reſpondent denieth, that he did Caſheere foure of the ſaid Captaines and their companies, of purpoſe to gaine all the ſaid proviſions to himſelfe and his Sonne in Law Maſter Barcklay, as is ſuggeſted by the Informer, but was ſo farre from doing ſo diſhoneſt an act, that during the ſtay of the ſaid foure Captaines and their Companies in the Garriſon; they received an equall and proportionable ſhare of the Victuals ſent by the Parliament unto his five Companies onely, and moreover, he then, and about that time did procure upon the credit and Obligations of himſelfe and his friends, worth 1300. l. more in Corne and other proviſions for his ſaid five Companies and Troope, beſides thoſe proviſions before mentioned to be ſent them from the Parliament, without which care and charge it was impoſſible for him to keepe his Souldiers together, and to do ſervice for the publique, in a remote Garriſon, invironed then with Rebels on all ſides.

III.

3. To the third Article this Reſpondent ſaith, that one Iames Dunbarre Eſquire, Sonne and heyre of Sir Iohn Dunbarre Knight (whoſe Lands with a good-Yron worke thereon, lyes next adjoyning, to part of the Lands of the Informer, whoſe deſire to intrude upon and gain their Rights to himſelfe (as they often affirmed to this Reſpondent) begot much contention amongſt them, (as it did betweene him and all others alſo who were his landed Neighbours) which bred ſuch malice in the heart of the Informer againſt the ſaid Iames, that he not only exceedingly thirſted after his life, but after the Lives alſo of his two ſervants the Hetheringtons, in the ſaid Article mentioned, (not Papiſts as therein is ſurmiſed) but then, and now Proteſtants, who as well to ſhun the malice of the Informer, as the fury of the Rebels, came with his ſaid father unto this Reſpondent in December 1641. Who intruſted the ſaid Iames with the cuſtody of the Caſtle of Liſſgole neere Iniskillin, with 74 perſons with him, where he was aſſaulted the 18. of December 1641. or thereabouts, by a powerfull party of the Enemy under the conduct of Rorie Maguire, Brother of the Lord Maguire▪ who then took and burned the ſaid Caſtle, and maſſacred all that were in it, except the ſaid Iames Dunbarre, whom the Rebels kept in Priſon, untill May or Iune 1642, at which time hee made an Eſcape, and came againe (accompanied with the ſaid two Hetheringtons) unto this Reſpondent where the ſaid Hetheringtons, went to Church, and did many good and acceptable ſervices, behaving themſelves honeſtly and valiantly in all that time, and as hee is informed, or both together with their Maſter at this time in the ſervice of this Honourable Parliament, under Generall Major Monroe (whoſe Kinſman the ſaid Iames Dunbarre is) And where he and his ſaid men are ready to anſwer ought the Informer can lay to their charge, but this Reſpondent ſayth, that hee never knew, or heard, that the ſaid Hetheringtons, joyned themſelves with the Rebels, or plundered the ſaid Serjeant Abrels houſe, or afterward burned it, neither was their any proofe thereof, made by the ſaid Abrel, or any witneſſes upon Oath or otherwiſe produced before the Reſpondent, neither did hee deeme it requiſit upon the bare Letters of the Informer, (knowing his malice towards them for their Maſters ſake) to commit them to Priſon where they might have ſtarved, for want of ſuſtenance, neither did hee ſuffer them, as fellons or Traitors to eſcape, for that they in the ſervice did deſtroy divers Rebels, and Traytors, whileſt they remained at Iniskilling under this Reſpondents command.

IIII.

4 To the fourth Article of the ſaid Information, this Reſpondent ſayeth, that upon the Firſt of Iuly 1642. or thereabouts, the ſaid Informer having a deſigne upon the Town of Sligoe, about ten miles from his houſe, marched to the Caſtle of Robert Parck Eſquire, in the ſaid Article mentioned, an Engliſh Proteſtant, and a Iuſtice of Peace, which before the Rebellion was poſſeſſed of an eſtate of about 1000. l. a yeare, and one that was of very good repute and eſteeme, amongſt his neighbours, and who (as this Reſpondent hath bin often Informed by credible perſons) had (to the beſt of his power) oppoſed the Rebels, in the beginning of that Rebellion, without complying or any way correſponding with them. And under colour of going forward with that deſigne, procured the ſaid Maſter Parck with 30, or 40 of his Souldiers to accompanie him to Sligoe, and when they came neere the ſaid Town, both Maſter Parcks Souldiers and thoſe of the Informers entred the Suburbs thereof, and having burned ſome few houſes in it, and received ſome Brittiſh Proteſtants, that eſcaped unto them from the Rebels, they brought them unto the Informer where he ſtood aloofe, with the ſaid Mr. Parck, two of the ſaid reſcued Proteſtants, namely Iohn Wetherſpin the Father, and Iames Wetherſpin his Sonne, both Scotchmen, were queſtioned by the Informer; wherefore they were amongſt the Rebels. The Father anſwered, that by reaſon of his age (being about 70 yeares old or upwards) and that hee was ſick and Bedridden three Moneths before, he could not get away, but lived upon the Almes of the people; Whereupon one of the Informers ſervants told him, that this old man was formerly Tenant to one Iohn Waldrome Eſquire, (a Gentleman that had an eſtate neere the Informers lands in that Country) and had borne witneſſe upon Oath on his Land-lords part in matter of tytle of Land againſt the Informer, by meanes * Note, that this Iohn Wetherſpin, conceived to have been the Father, was not the man the ſaid Sir Frederick ſhot as aforeſaid, yet was hanged by him, but it was another old ſick bedridden Scotſhman that was ſo ſhot and kild by him in manner aforeſaid. whereof the cauſe was Decreed for Mr. Waldrom againſt the Informer, or matter to that purpoſe. Vpon which (without uſing any more words) hee ſhot and kild the poore decreped old man, which was the firſt, and laſt man the Informer kild with his owne hands ſince the Rebellion began in Ireland, as ſome of his owne ſervants and Souldiers affirmed. Whereupon being informed by Iames Wetherſpin the ſonne that the Forces of the County of Sligoe, were upon their March to joyne with the O Roirkes, for to trouble Mannor-hamilton, hee together with Mr. Parcks and both their Companies, haſtened backe to Mr. Parcks houſe, where at the importunity of the Informer (as this Reſpondent hath beene credibly informed) hee got the ſaid Mr. Parck and his Company (for the better Guard of him and his men) to accompany him to Mannor-hamilton. And although in the way they were heard beſet by the Rebels, inſomuch as the Informer in a Bogge was unhorſt, and his Horſe with Furniture and Piſtols taken by the Rebels, by whom hee had beene then ſlaine or taken, if by the care and valour of the ſaid Mr. Parck and ſome of his Souldiers hee had not beene Horſt againe and brought off. Yet when they had eſcaped that danger and were come to the Informers houſe (as this Reſpondent hath credibly heard) hee tooke the ſaid Iames Wetherſpin (for having formerly witneſſed with his Father againſt him as aforeſaid) and twiſted a Cord with a wrinch about his Head ſo hard, that his blood ſtreamed forth of his * Note, that there were Suites depending both in Ireland and in England, betweene Sir Frederick Hamilton, and the ſaid Iames Wetherſpin, ſome yeares before the Rebellion. And that the ſaid Wetherſpin, being ſerved in Ireland with a Command, Dated the 14. of Ianuary 1640. under the hand of the Speaker of the Houſe of Commons of England, at the inſtance of the ſaid Sir Frederick; he appeared heere in London, 7. Aprill 1641. Where having attended the Houſe to anſwer Sir Fredericks complaint vntill the 20. of September 1641. And (not being able longer to ſtay) bee returned into Ireland, where the ſaid Sir Frederick became his Iudge and Executioner, as in this Anſwer is declared. Eares, Eyes, Noſe, and mouth; In which tortures he continued him during his pleaſure, and then eaſing him of that, did caſt him into a Dungeon, where hee continued him languiſhing for hunger from Thurſday untill the Wedneſday following: And did cruelly puniſh a poore Scotſhwoman, which in pitty did caſt him an handfull of Oatmeale under the doore, which the miſerable man, did licke with his Tongue from the Dirt, his hands and feet being faſt tyed together with Coards or Withes; and upon the Wedneſday following cauſed him to be Hanged. Who at the beginning of the Rebellion, with a Horſe, Sword, and Fowling peece, came to him, offering his ſervice againſt the Rebels, from whom notwithſtanding hee tooke the ſaid Horſe and Armes, commanding him to be gone out of his Garriſon, and that if he did not, hee would Hang him, or if ever he got him againe, he would be his Death; which he faithfully performed, as aforeſaid.

And alſo upon the Informers entrance into his Caſtle, hee made exceeding ſhewes of welcome to the ſaid Mr. Parck, whileſt in the interim, hee cauſed all his Souldiers to be Diſarmed, and they put in reſtraint in ſeverall lower Roumes in his houſe; and then when he perceived no danger of oppoſition, hee arreſted the ſaid Mr. Parck, charging him with Treaſon, and committed him cloſe Priſoner, where hee detained him in Durance the ſpace of a Yeare and upwards, without ſuffering any man, except Serjeant Major Iames Galbraith to ſpeake unto him, which was but once, and that upon much importunity; whoſe extreame miſery, was lamentably bewayled by all the men that were in that Garriſon. And then hee not onely ſeized upon and kept his Caſtle of Newtowne, putting a Guard of his owne into it, but alſo Plundered, and converted to his owne uſe, all his Money, Plate, Armes, Houſholdſtuffe, Bedding, Furniture, and all other his goods whatſoever, which hee had then aſwell without as within Doores there, not ſuffering his Souldiers to come out of Reſtraint, or uſe their owne Armes, untill hee had unlawfully compelled them, to take an Oath to ſerve as Souldiers under his onely Command. By reaſon whereof, the ſaid Mr. Parck was utterly diſabled to performe farre greater and much more advantageous Services in every degree in that place for this honourable Parliament againſt the Rebels, then ever the Informer did, or could doe there, as this Reſpondent hath been credibly informed, aſwell by the Teſtimony of ſundry other honeſt men, as by the ſaid Mr. Parck himſelfe.

Whereupon Sir Edward Povie Knight, whoſe Daughter was the Wife of the ſaid Mr. Parck, together with others his Friends (being advertiſed of his extreame hard uſage) Petitioned the Lords Iuſtices and Councell of Ireland, for his removall to Dublin, to anſwer ſuch matters as the Informer had to lay to his charge, and entred into Recognizance of 10000. l. for his appearance, upon which their Lordſhips by Order dated in May 1643, or thereabouts, required the Informer, to ſet the ſaid Parck at libertie, to be ſent either to Captaine Folliot to Ballyſhannon, or unto this Reſpondent to Jniskillin, together with the matters that he had to object againſt him. That ſo he might be conveighed by them, or one of them to Londonderry, to be ſent from thence to Dublin. But the Informer (notwithſtanding the ſaid Order was ſhewed unto him) denyed obedience thereunto. And detained the ſaid Parck ſtill in durance, untill his ſaid friends procured ſeverall Orders commanding his inlargement, yet nothing would prevaile to that effect with him, untill that about the beginng of September 1643, Captaine King comming with a Troope of horſe from Conaght into Vlſter, about ſome buſineſſe he had with Sir William Stuart, and Sir Robert Stuart, he came about the 13. th of that Moneth to Jniskillin unto this Reſpondent, who ſent his Enſigne with 50 Muſquettiers to guard the ſaid Troope to the Abbey of Boyle in Conaght, which is about 40 myles from Iniskillin, who were ſo farre from knowing, or allowing of the ſaid Ceſſation mentioned in the ſaid fourth Article, that they fought with and kild ſome Rebels in the paſſe of Ballinafadd, and tooke a pr • y from thence to the Boyle, whence upon returne of the ſaid Enſigne, he came to Mannor Hamillon in his way, where he delivered a letter from this Reſpondent, to Lieutenant Lesley, the Informers Lievtenant, it being direc • d to the Informer, or in his abſence to the Officer in chiefe at Mannor Hamilton, with an Order of the Coppie of an Order which the Reſpondent received from the ſaid Captaine Foliot in it directed alſo as aforeſaid, from the Lords Iuſtices and Councell of Jreland, for the inlargement of the ſaid Parck; to be ſent to Iniskilin or Ballyſhannon, which this Reſpondent left to his choiſe to doe, or not to doe, as beſt pleaſed the Informer or his ſaid Officer; who ſent the ſaid Parck along with the ſaid Enſigne, and becauſe he was ſenſible of the great miſery which he had wrongfully ſuſtained by his Captaines ſeverity, he delivered to the ſaid Maſter Parck, two of his owne horſes, with ſome other little helpe toward his charges, as the ſaid Parck told this Reſpondent when he came to Iniskillin, before which time, this Reſpondent was never acquainted with him, neither did this Reſpondent know, or ever heard, that he was affected to the Rebels, neither did he know any manner of certainty, of the concluding of the Ceſſation with the ſaid Rebels, untill he received advertizement together with a Proclamation to that effect, from the Lords Iuſtices and Councell of Ireland the 23 of October 1643 or thereabouts, nor did he or could he obey the ſaid Ceſſation before or ſince that day, neither did he take any notice, whether the Informer or his wife and children were gone to London-derry, Neither was the Marqueſſe of Ormond at that time, Lord Iuſtice, Lord Deputy, or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, nor did this Reſpondent receive any ſuch Commands from his Lordſhip, to ſend to the Informer, as in the ſaid fourth Article is ſurmized, neither did this Reſpondent looke for, or expect any indirect correſponding from the Informers Lieutenant.

And this Reſpondent ſaith, That as a Priſoner and poore diſtreſſed Engliſhman his Countryman (being under bayle and mainprize as aforeſaid) he gave ſome entertainment unto the ſaid Parck, for ſome few weekes in his houſe, farre ſhort of feaſting as the Informer tearmes it, and not finding ſafety to convey him by the neereſt way to Dublin, He ſent a guard together with one Henry Langford, and other Engliſh and Scotchmen with him, to Mannor Hamilton againe, where he heard he was lodged for a Night, and where the Informer or his Officer might have detained him if they pleaſed. But from thence he was conveyed, by the ſaid Langford and others to the Abbey of Boyle, whence after he recovered of a Feaver (whereof he had almoſt dyed) he repaired to Dublin, and according to the condition of his ſaid friends Recognizance, appeared before the Lords Iuſtices and Councell at the Councell Board there, where how he was proceeded withall this Reſpondent knowoth not, Neither did this Reſpondent returne him back amongſt the Rebels, neither doth he know whether any of them did accompany him to Dublin, neither doth this Reſpondent believe that the ſtate there would grant him an Order for Reſtitution of his Caſtle, with whatſoever Armes or Goods were in it, unleſſe it appeared to them, that hee was wrongfully expulſed by the Informer. And this Reſpondent ſaith, that he heard, that by vertue of ſuch Order of the State, the ſaid Caſtle was reſtored unto him; and that hee keepes it, as the reſt of the Brittiſh Forces in Conaght doth their Holds for the Parliament ſervice. For upon the 25. th of March laſt paſt (as this Reſpondent hath been informed,) The ſaid Parck his Souldiers of Newtowne, with the Informers Souldiers, did ſpoyle and prey the Rebels at Dromaheare, within ſix miles of Caſtle-hamilton, and two miles of Maſter Parcks Caſtle of Newtowne, ſo as the Informers alogation, that he and the Rebels makes good that Caſtle againſt the Parliament, to the prejudice of the Parliaments ſervice, and the danger and hazard of all thoſe parts of Conaght, is meerely ſurmized, invented, and deviſed, of purpoſe (as this Reſpondent conceives) to make him odious on the one ſide, that the Informer may thereby the better worke his malice againſt him, and on the otherſide, to bring the ſaid Maſter Parck into the diſpleaſure of the Parliament, whereby he may make way to gaine his Eſtate.

And this Reſpondent further ſaith, that hee never knew, or heard of any Orders or Commands, ſent unto the Informer, by the ſaid Marqueſſe of Ormond, to the ſaid Maſter Parck, neither did hee know, or doth beleeve the ſaid Parck to be an utter enemy to the Parliament or their proceedings, nor doth he know, neither doth it concerne him, whether the Lord Viſcount Taaffe, did by his Letters ſolicite the Informer for the delivery of the ſaid Parck. But this Reſpondent doth beleeve in his conſcience that if the ſaid Parck had but 1000. l. in the world, he would give 500. l. of it to be heere now, to be a moſt humble ſuiter to this honourable Parliament for remedy againſt the ſaid Informer, for theſe and many other intollerable wrongs, and high oppreſſions done him by the ſaid Informer. And this Reſpondent humbly craveth leave, to declare further the behaviour of the ſaid Informer, towards Thomas Abbertromy Eſquire, a Proteſtant and principall undertaker in that Plantation, and ſometimes high Sheriffe of that County, whoſe Eſtate there bordered upon the Informers, within a mile of his Caſtle, whom he alſo Impriſoned, and kept in miſerable durance, for a long time, out of the malice which in particular he bore to himſelfe, and alſo unto his Father in law Sir Iohn Dunbarre Knight, and Iames Dunbarre Eſquire, his brother in law, not ſuffering any to waſh his linnen, but was neceſſitated, with his owne hands, to waſh his ſhirts, in his owne Vrine. And at length being ſet at liberty, the poore Gentleman with his wife and children came (in great want of all neceſſaries) to Iniskillin to this Reſpondent, who uſed meanes to releeve them untill he conveyed them towards his native Country of Scotland.

And further this Reſpondent ſaith, that (as he hath been credibly Informed by divers honeſt Proteſtants, who well knew the Informers evill carriages, to thoſe that were under his command, and more eſpecially to the Proteſtants that fled from Sir Iohn Dunbarres Iron workes to his houſe for ſafeguard of their lives) the Informer compelled many of them (without ſending guards or convoyes with them) to depart from his Garriſon, inſomuch, as by their endeavouring to travell 20 miles over Mountainous wayes towards Iniskillin, many of them were murthered in their journey by the Rebels. And in particular twelve or fourteene perſons at one time, and divers of them famiſhed through hunger and cold, which will be proved by ſundry men and women of the ſame Companies, whoſe fortune it was (through Gods Providence) to eſcape thoſe dangers. And are now reſident partly under this Reſpondent at Iniskillin, and others of them diſperſedly dwelling amongſt other Reglments, in Vlſter and elſewhere.

V.

5. To the fifth Article this Reſpondent ſaith, that he did not know in the Moneth of February, after the ſaid Ceſſation, whether or no the ſaid Lord Marqueſſe of Ormond, was Lord Lievtenant of Jreland; nor whether he was declared an Enemy to the Parliament, not did he heare any other then that he was gracious and acceptable unto the Parliament, untill this Reſpondent was now upon his journey to London, and ſayeth that after concluding of the ſaid Ceſſation (which how acceptable it was to the Parliament, this Reſpondent being ſo remote, underſtood not) He by vertue of a Commiſſion dated in November or December 1641. from Sir William Parſons and Sir Iohn Borlace then Lords Iuſtices of Ireland, and the Councell there, did upon the 29 of Iannuary 1643 or thereabouts, receive Tirlagh Og Mac Gawran, and ſome followers of his, being Inhabitants of the Barony of Tallag • aph in the County of Cavan, together with their goods into protection, appoynting them ſome quarters to dwell and graſe upon, neere Iniskillin, untill directions to the contrary ſhould come from the Parliament, and that upon agreement, that they ſhould pay 70. I. in Money or Victuals by a time limited, towards the better ſubſiſtance of the Soulders of this Reſpondents Regiment, for the preſerving of that Garriſon, whoſe proviſions being then neere ſpent, had no hopes to be ſupplyed by the State there, and as little expectation to be furniſhed in due time from hence, and the ſaid protected men having delivered in one of their Kinſmen unto this Reſpondent, to remaine in Priſon at Iniskillin in pledge aſwell for their Loyalties during their continuance upon the ſaid Protection, as the paying of the ſaid Contribution, and performing other duties, conformable to their agreement, gathered their goods from remote parts, and upon the ſecond of February 1643 or thereabouts, were comming tothe quarters aſſigned to them by this Reſpondent, but by the way the Souldiers of the Informer, incountering them, declared that they were in want of Victualls in their Garriſon, and although they would forbeare to kill them (for ſo farre they agreed to the ſaid Protection) yet they would and muſt borrow ſome Cowes from them upon ticket, to be payed by the State, out of their entertainment, and thereupon tooke from them 3 or 400 Cowes, whereof their Officers at Mannor-hamilton (upon the mediation of the Reſpondents Lievtenant Collonel) cauſed the greateſt part to be reſtored againe unto the ſaid owners, but refuſed to deliver the reſt. Of which (upon the next occaſion that this Reſpondent had to write to Dublin) at the requeſt of the ſaid owners, he gave intimation unto the then Lords Iuſtices and Councell and thereupon, the ſaid Lord Marqueſſe being newly then, Lord Lievtenant of Ireland, did by his Warrant command, not onely the reſtoring of the refidue of the ſaid goods unto the owners, but withall required better correſpondencie to be obſerved for the future betweene the Officers and Souldiers of the Informer, and thoſe of Jniskillin, and not to claſh or jarre betweene themſelves, but whether the ſaid latter Order was obeyed as touching the reſtitution of the ſaid Goods, this Reſpondent knoweth not, and ſayeth that the Officers and Souldiers of the ſaid Garriſons, not in obedience to that Order, but of their owne mutuall accords (have ever ſince the Informer left thoſe parts) lived in better amitie, then ever they did, or could doe, whileſt he continued there amongſt them: Nevertheleſſe this Reſpondent ſayeth, that by reaſon of that impediment, offered by the Informers Souldiers as aforeſaid, this Reſpondent and his ſoulders loſt the benefit of that bargaine to the great prejudice of that Garriſon.

And ſayeth further, that the Informer or his Officers, received into his Protection (by what authority this Reſpondent could never yet underſtand) one Owin, or Iames Mac Murrey, Margaret Ny Cabe, and ſundry other Rebels of the County of Letrym, and kept them and their goods upon his owne Lands of Glanfear • e neere his Garriſon in that County, which will be proved by Certificate and ſundry Letters of the date of January 1643. under the hand of his own Lievtenant and others.

VI.

To the ſixt Article, this Reſpondent denyeth that ever hee correſponded with the Rebels as by the ſaid Informer is therein ſuggeſted, but ſayth that by vertue of the aforeſaid Commiſſion from the Lords Iuſtices and Councell of Ireland, he did receive into Protection one Bryan mac Coconaght mac Gwire Eſquire, with 40 or 50 of his friends, Servants and Tenants who had ſome Goods of their owne to live opon, taking Pledges from ſome of them for aſſurance of their loyalties, which Protection this Reſpondent humbly conceiveth was lawfull for him to grant unto the ſaid Bryan Magwire for the Reaſons following, vizt.

Firſt, for that upon the 21. th of October 1641. hee diſcovered unto this Reſpondent by Flartagh mac Hugh afore-named, the purpoſe of the Iriſh to riſe into Rebellion upon Friday and Saturday, the 22. and 23. th of October aforeſaid, adviſing him and all the Engliſh and Scottiſh Proteſtants in the Towne of Iniskillin, and County of Farmanagh, to be carefully upon their Defence; which this Reſpondent acknowledgeth was (by Gods mercy and providence) the principall Motive that prevented the Murthering of this Reſpondent, and of all thoſe Proteſtants that eſcaped that bloudy Maſſacre thereabouts.

Secondly, for that the ſaid Bryan did refuſe to joyne in any Action with the Rebels, denying to enter into their Oathes of Confederacy and aſſociation againſt the Proteſtants, for which hee was in great danger to be cut off by them.

Thirdly, for that he preſerved under his own Protection divers of the Britiſh Nation, Proteſtants which together with ſeverall of their goods he brought ſafe to Iniskillin, when he was ſo received into Protection, as Ambroſe Carleton, Richard Irwing, Gawan Bettic, & many others.

Fourthly, for that by receiving him, being an eminent man of Vlſter, and allyed unto many Noble families, (both in Scotland and Ireland) It exceedingly abated the fury and courage of the Rebels, and diſtracted their Conſultations in thoſe Parts, and wholly diſ-joyned the Forces of the Rebels in that County, by dividing themſelves into factions; and no leſſe diſheartned thoſe of the next adjoyning Counties, which in that interim, and for a long time acter did abundantly advantage and further the publique Service.

Fiftly, for that in further Evidence of his loyaltie to the Engliſh Crowne and Government, hee preſented a Letter unto this Reſpondent, which came unto him from Owin mac Artt O Neille (Vncle of the Lord Magwire, and Generall of the Rebels in Vlſter) who lately before, arived in Ireland, with Men, Armes, and Ammunition, out of Weſt Flanders, which Letter is as followeth, viz.

To our loving and deere Cozen Bryan mac Coconaght Magwire. Loving Cozen,

KNow that I am arrived at this Harbour, nine or ten dayes past, whether I ſent before me aſmuch Ammnuition as J deemed needfull to anſwer the Neceſſity of this Country: and that I have heere now, Men and Proviſions ſuch as (by the leave of God) will give great Comfort and ſuccour unto this whole Kingdome. But beloved Cozen, I am given to underſtand that (notwithſtanding your ſufferance and diſtreſſe) you are abundantly inclined to ſide with the Engliſh Nation, which indeed doth exceedingly grieve me; Wherefore I will have you from henceforth (as you tender your owne good) to baniſh thoſe thoughts out of your mind, and not to purſue thoſe Reſolutions, which in the end may be the occaſion of your owne Deſtruction, as I thinke it will be to all thoſe whoſe minds will appeare contrary to ours, let theſe ſuffice with the addage of many ſalutes unto you, from Caſtle-Doe the 18. th of July, 1642.

Your affectionate Kinſman, Signed, Owen O Nerſle.

And beſides, the ſaid Bryan gained intelligence of great concernment, from the Enemy and diſcovered it at all times, and upon all occaſions unto this Reſpondent, who made great uſe thereof for the furtherance and advancement of the publique Service; whereof this Reſpondent made report by his Letters unto Sir William Parſon • , and Sir Iohn Burlaſe, then Lords Iuſtices of Ireland and the Councell there, to whom hee did ſend the ſaid Bryan Magwire, to Dublin; who did not onely approve of this Reſpondents act in receiving of him and his men into Protection as aforeſaid, but alſo (as this Reſpondent was informed) did further ſignifie unto this Hon: Parliament, the affection and ſervice of the ſaid Bryan, with their deſires in his behalfe that hee ſhould be rewarded for the ſame. And afterward their Lordſhips returned the ſaid Bryan unto this Reſpondent, allowing him and his men to be continued upon Protection at Iniskillin; Necre unto which Garriſon hee remaines loyall even at this time, but in a moſt miſerable condition for want of Neceſſaries. And this Reſpondent denyeth that ever he did forme the ſaid Protected men into a Company, conſiſting of a Captain and Officers, as in the ſaid ſixth Article is meerly deviſed and ſurmized, but did imploy them under the leading of ſome of the Brittiſh Gentlemen of his Garriſon, upon ſervice many times, with the reſt of his Regiment againſt the Rebels, wherein they were of abundant uſe, aſwell for Spyes and Guids, as by killing and deſtroying the Enemy as effectually as others did; And (for ought knowne to this Reſpondent) did no diſ-ſervice at any time unto the State, in giving Intelligence againſt all or any of the Brittiſh of their proceedings, and divers of the ſaid Protected men, being taken Priſoners at ſeverall times, by the Rebels, were put to Death for taking part with this Reſpondent. But this Reſpondent denieth, that all the ſaid Protected men did take their opportunity to turne to the Rebels againe as is ſurmized, but ſome few that did (leaving their Pledge which they gave for aſſurance of their loyaltie, in Priſon at Jniskillin) this Reſpondent cauſed him to be Hanged, when they proved Diſloyall. And this Reſpondent humbly conceiveth, That as Rahab and her Parents, Family and friends for her ſake, were preſerved in Iericho for ſaving the two Spyes of Ioſhua; ſo this Hon: Parliament will be pleaſed to thinke, that this Reſpondent did no Diſ-ſervice unto the State in Protecting and preſerving of the ſaid Bryan Magwire, and ſome of his Friends for his ſake; who was the Inſtrument of the ſaving of the Lives of many thouſands of Proteſtants (even Gods people) from being utterly deſtroyed by the fury of the ſaid bloudy Rebels.

And for anſwer unto that expreſſion wherewith * Note, that ſince this Anſwer was ſent into the Commons houſe of Parliament, Sir William Cole received a Letter of the 8. of Ianuary, 1644. written by one of the Captaines of his Regiment from Iniskillin; certifying that about that time, 40 Horſe and 120 Foot of that Garriſon, fought with and routed 500 Foot and 3. Troopes of Horſe of the Rebels, conducted by Collonel Philip O Rely, wherein they not onely reſcued their owne Cattle which were Plundered by the Enemy: but alſo killed 140 of them in the place, and tooke 55. Priſoners, whereof are Officers, one Serjeant Major, 3 Captaines, two Lieutenants, with divers Gentl • men and other Officers. Whereby it appeares, that neither the ſaid Sir William, or his Souldiers did any way correſpond with the Rebels ſince the Ceſſation before. the ſaid Informer ſeems to conclude his Information, by ſaying he could informe many other particular omiſſions and diſ-ſervices, which the ſaid Reſpondent hath cōmitted in this time of his imployment, &c. The Reſpondent ſaith, that hee conceiveth the Informer meanes it, by the ſcandalous calumnies and aſperſions digeſted in fifteene places of that Pamphlet, printed at London in An. Dom. 1643. wherein his Services are regiſtred, and wherein this Reſpondent and his Captaines, Officers, and Souldiers, are moſt injuriouſly taxed, with often reiterations of unworthy and meane cariage towards him, for that they did not wait upon him, upon all his calls, which this Reſpondent conceiveth was more then he was bound to doe further then to this Reſpondent would ſeeme fit, for the good of the publique ſervice; eſpecially when as at the ſame very times (wch was long before the Ceſſation) he was imployed about ſervices of farre greater and better concernment in the Counties of Fermanagh, Cavan, Monaghan, Tirone, Donegall, Letrim, or Sligoe, which hath formerly been well knowne both in Ireland and elſewhere.

And this Reſpondent further ſheweth, that immediatly after the ſaid Ceſſation, this Reſpondents Regiment deſtroyed 295 of the Rebels and famiſhed many hundreds of them, and alſo tooke in Rory mac Gwires Caſtle, which is now preſerved for the Parliaments uſe; And afwell then as before did reſcue, or otherwiſe redeem from the ſaid Rebels 5467 Engliſh and Scottiſh Proteſtants, and relieved them for many Moneths, out of the ſpoyles gained from the Enemy, untill that in his owne perſon hee guarded and conveyed great numbers of them towards London-derry, where further care was taken for their reliefe by the good people there: And ſaith alſo, that he this Reſpondent was one of the firſt Collonels of the Brittiſh Regiments in Vlſter, which did imbrace and take the ſolemne League and Covenant, which hee humbly conceives will not be deemed to be Omiſſions or Diſ-ſervices, as the Informer tearmes them: who ſince his comming hither, hath not onely laboured to Defame the Reſpondent, but alſo hath taxed the reſt of the Collonels in Vlſter for their Neglects in their ſervice, who (in this Reſpondents opinion) have done much better Service than either of them.

Yet did this Reſpondent ſeverall times ſhew his deſires in a moſt effectuall manner to helpe and relieve the ſaid Informer; for having received a pittifull Meſſage from him about the 26 of Iuly 1642. That hee, his Wife, Children, and Souldiers, were like to be deſtroyed by Nine hundred of the Rebels that then beſieged him; This Reſpondent immediatly ſent a party of Foure hundred Horſe and Foot for his Reliefe, with Orders that after they had releeved the Informer they ſhould returne within 48 houres; This Reſpondent being then threatned to be Beſieged, by the Generall of the Iriſh Forces Owin mac Art O Neille with 6000 Men. But when the Reſpondents Lieutenant Collonel came to the Informer with this Partie, they found him not at all beſieged nor in no ſuch extremity as hee pretended, but perceived hee ſent this preſſing Meſſage, onely to get ſome of the Reſpondents men with him to take in the Caſtle of Dromoheare, which without Ordnance they could not have effected, though being come, at his importunity they attempted, in concluſion to no other purpoſe, then to deſtroy their Men.

Whereupon his Officers and Souldiers returned on the 29. th of July from him having received many affronts and abuſes. And on the 20 of May following this Reſpondent intending ſome ſervice, in the Province of Conaght drew forth about 500 horſe and foot, and Leaguring within two miles of the Informers Garriſon, was importuned with much earneſtneſſe, to come unto him to Chriſten his Sonne, which the Reſpondent (conceiving to be an act of Charity and Chriſtianity) conſented unto, expecting, ſuch civility, as might bee anſwerable to ſo neighbourly an Office. But both himſelfe and thoſe few Officers he carryed with him, received ſuch groſſe diſrcſpect, that he will not defile your eares with the hearing it.

Nevertheleſſe, God having bleſt the Reſpondent in his journey with ſucceſſe againſt the Enemy, hee gave him for the reliefe of his Garriſon Two hundred fifty nine Cowes; There going with him in his Journey of their owne accord of the men belonging to his Garriſon, onely 38 Footmen and 12 Horſe.

He moreover then beſtowed upon his good Lady 1000 Sheepe, and what he beſtowed on thoſe Gentlemen of his Ladies kindred, and his Officers, who went in a friendly manner with this Reſpondent, the Jnformer ſuffered them not to enjoy, but converted to his own uſe.

Theſe civilities, which this Reſpondent is moſt unwillingly drawne to mention, he conceived might deſerve more thankes, and not to be himſelfe and his Regiment, exclaimed againſt by the Informer, meerely to render him and them odious, in all places where his tongue gets any credit.

In the time of Peace, his carriage towards his neighbours was ſo full of contention, that there was hardly any man of quality or worth neere him, in the Province of Conaght, that he had not laboured to injure and oppreſſe, either in their Eſtates or reputations, if not in both, ſo that before the Rebellion began, ſuch his carriages made him extreamely diſtaſtfull to men of all conditions, that lived within 20 or 30 miles of him in that Province, which will be evidenced by divers of his Neighbours, of the beſt qualitie, now in this Citie, if they may be called upon for that purpoſe.

And particularly this Reſpondent, repreſenteth to your further notice, ſomething of the Informers demeanour towards ſome of his diſtreſſed neighbours in the hands of the Rebels, decyphered in theſe two ſhort inſuing Letters, Printed in the latter end of that Booke of his owne Services, Page 57. viz.

Sir Robert Hannay's Letter and other Proteſtants being Priſoners at Sligoe, are ſent to Dromaheare Caſtle. Honourable Sir,

WEe the undernamed perſons having ſuffered in all our whole Eſtates, and being upon our baniſhment out of this Kingdome, under the ſafe conduct of Maſter Edmond Bourke of Ragagh and Maſter Walter Bourke of Ardagh, towards the North, but moſt oppoſed at Caſtle-Coner; Eniſcromme Eſcagh-bridge, Downeill, Arnaglaſſe and Tomler, goe by ſeverall bands of armed men, purpoſely to ſet for our lives, were not there extreame violence ſuppreſſed by the diſcretion, worth and care of thoſe two Gentlemen, and we taken Priſoners by the MacSwines, brought before O Coner-Sligoe where we now remain, and intended to be ſent to the Caſtle of Dromaheare, to be kept untill you Sir deliver ſach Priſoners of the O Roirkes and others, as you have in your euſtody, or to be dealt with, as you doe unto them, Sir you are Nobly diſpoſed ſo that in honour, we hope, the meanes of reliefe being in your ſelfe, you will not ſuffer us to periſh who will ever remaine Sir

Yours truly obliged to ſerve you, Signed Robert Hannay, Andrew Adare, Alexander Mountgomorie, William Liſton, Thomas Fullerton.

Theſe be the names and number of the Priſoners, Sir Robert Hannay, his Lady, his two Daughters, two Boyes, two men, and a gentlewoman, Maſter Andrew Adare and his wife and Siſters Son, Maſter Alexander Mountgomerie, his wife and eldeſt ſonne, Maſter William Liſton, his Wife and Daughter, Maſter Thomas Fullerton and his Wife, Patrick Deomand Mr. Adares man.

Sir, after the writing of this Letter, we are brought to Dromaheare Caſtle, and Order left with the Captaine to bring us unto the Camp at Mannor-hamilton, where we muſt ſuffer death, if thoſe Priſoners with you be not delivered.

Sir Frederick Hamiltons Anſwer to the Letter afore-mentioned.

SIR, I have received your Letter, whereby I am given to underſtand of your treacherous ſurpriſal notwithſtanding of your ſafe conduct promiſed, for the which I am very ſorry. But ſuch is the trecherous falſhood of thoſe diſloyal Traytors generally throughout this whole Kingdome, that hoth made me Vow and ſweare in the preſence of Almighty God, that I will never give or take quarter, with them or any of them, yea though my own Sons that diſcended from my loynes were in your eſtate, I had rather they ſhould dye gloriouſly for the cauſe of Chriſt, then I ſhould ſo abaſe my ſelfe, as to deale with ſuch Traytors to God and his Majeſty. Thus beſeeching God Almighty to ſtrengthen and incourage you that you may continue conſtant, untill it ſhall pleaſe God to give you deliverance either by life or death. In the meane time I am perſwaded that they will uſe you with no worſe meaſure, then their Priſoners, who were apprehended by me in the action of Rebellion are uſed, ſo recommending you to God I reſt.

Your very loving friend, Frederick Hamilton. Caſtle-Hamilton, Ianuary the 19, 1641.

And after he delvered this letter unto the Meſſenger, he hanged the chiefe of the Priſoners (being brother to Collonel O Roirke who was deſired by this exchange) in the ſight of the Meſſenger before he would permit him to depart, upon whoſe returne to the Rebels they in revenge thereof, Murthered about 10 or 11 of the ſaid Proteſtants, whereof two were Godly Miniſters, and yet if their mercy, and Compaſſion in the midſt of their Barbarity had not farre tranſcended Sir Frederick Hamiltons, they had likewiſe put Sir Robert Hannay and his Lady and Children and all the reſt to death.

And that his ill diſpoſition may the more fully appeare, he hath with ſtriking and other ill uſage ſo behaved himſelfe, toward his Officers, that his Lieutenant, Enſigne, Miniſter and one of his Serjeants have all forſaken him, ſo that he hath now no Officers, but one Serjeant to Command his Company, at Mannor-Hamilton conſiſting of 70 men or thereabouts.

And notwithſtanding all this, the ſaid Informer is labouring for the Government of Londonderry, and becauſe he conceived he might prevaile in that ſure if his miſcariages were not diſcovered, he moved this Reſpondent, that all the differences betwixt them, might be compoſed by the order of friends, which motion if this Reſpondent would then have accepted, he conceives this information had never beene heard of.

And as touching the Government of Londonderry, aforeſaid this Reſpondent humbly deſires leave to declare that once it was conferred upon Sir George Pawlet, a man whoſe temper in ſome things, was not much unlike this of the Informers, whoſe paſſionate demeanour in his Office, was not onely the occaſion of the loſſe of his own life, but of the loſſe alſo of the lives of many of this Nation there, and the burning of that Towne, with the kindling of a violent (though as it happened) but a ſhort Rebellion in the Country thereabouts, which did put the State then, to much unneceſſary expences in the ſuppreſſing of it.

All which together with the premiſſes, this Reſpondent humbly repreſenteth as pertinent inſtances, and reaſons to induce the honourable Parliament, not to put the Government thereof into the power of the Informer, whoſe demeanour will never be brooked, by thoſe good people that now inhabit there, upon whom, all the aſperſions that are layd by any late reports or printed letters, (this Reſpondent beleeves) were invented and contrived by the Informer, or his Inſtruments, of purpoſe to make them deteſtablee to this Honourable Parliament, whom this Reſpondent is confident, are as Loyal, and well wiſhing to the Parliament as can be expected, and will really witneſſe the ſame, by their ready and joyfull receiving and obeying of any Governour (except Sir Frederick Hamilton) that the Parliament will be pleaſed to appoint over them. But his conditions are ſo well knowne unto them, that they will quit their fortunes and ſtations there, which they have hitherto preſerved, with ſo much expence and hazard, rather then ſubmit unto his Command.

And this Reſpondent moſt humbly deſires this honourable Committee, would be pleaſed to pardon him if hee have treſpaſſed upon your Patience, in anſwere to the Charge given in by the Informer, being neceſſitated thereunto, for his more ample Vindication, by laying open the diſpoſition of the Informer, which hee hath moſt unneceſſarily drawne upon himſelfe, without any provocations given to him, by this Reſpondent. And humbly prayes ſuch reparations as in your Wiſdomes ſhall be thought fit. Signed, WILLIAM COLE. Exhibited 11 of January, 1644.