This sensible address obviously affected some of the bishops, but their resolutions were too firmly fixed to admit of change. The peace was accordingly rejected; and thus the lives and properties of the Romish laity were placed in jeopardy, and eventually, to a great extent, lost, by the reckless violence and insatiable ambition of their priests.

During the sitting of the assembly, the clergy laid their wishes before it in writing. They proposed an establishment of popery all over Ireland, not only in their own, but the Protestant quarters, the possession of all churches, benefices, and dignities ecclesiastical; the repeal of the common law so far as it gave the crown any ecclesiastical power, liberty to erect universities and schools under their own regulations, to appoint provisions to bishoprics, dignities, and livings as they had done since the beginning of the war, and to exercise their ecclesiastical jurisdiction in its full extent. They also demanded a restoration of all the lands formerly belonging to abbeys, and other religious houses in the kingdom.

*

A.D. 1647. Such was now the state of the government in Ireland, surrounded by enemies; attacked by the Irish rebels on the one hand, and in expectation of hostile proceedings from the English parliamentary forces on the other, that the marquis of Ormonde, of two evils, chose that of delivering Dublin into the hands of the latter. Meanwhile the Irish proposed an accommodation, which the marquis rejected, on account of their absurd, indeed, under the circumstances, we may almost say insane, requirements. Time was, however, thus gained to obtain a supply of ammunition for the defence of Dublin; but he received no supplies for the other garrisons of the kingdom. The castle of Carlów was among those most exposed to the enemy; and for its relief, the marquis borrowed sixty pounds, which he forwarded to Major Harman for that purpose. A party of fifty men, however, whom he ordered to the place as a reinforcement, could not obtain entrance, in consequence of it having been invested on the night of April 10th, the very day of the termination of a cessation which had been agreed on between the parties. The castle resisted the attacks of the enemy till the 2nd of May, when it was surrendered.+

On the 28th July, the marquis of Ormonde delivered Dublin to the parliamentary commissioners, and embarked for Bristol, where he arrived on the 2nd August; but his return being desired by the military and Protestants, he landed in Ireland on the 30th September, 1648.

On the 17th January, 1649, the marquis of Ormonde concluded a peace with the Roman Catholics at Kilkenny. This event however had no salutary influence on the proceedings of the republicans in England; who, on the 30th January, beheaded their king. Thus ended the unhappy reign of Charles I.

CHAP. XXIII.

The interregnum. A.D. 1649, to A.D. 1660.

THE republican party, with Oliver Cromwell at their head, were now triumphant in England. The marquis of Ormonde, in quality of lord lieutenant of Charles II., continued his exertions in Ireland for the royal cause.

In this year, Preston, the late rebel general, wished to obtain the title of earl of Catherlogh, as he had already received that of viscount Taragh. To this latter distinction, was added a grant of land to the value of eight hundred pounds per annum, in order to enable him to support the dignity.

Dublin was held by the republicans, to which it had been deliv ered by lord Ormonde in 1647. He now resolved to attack that city, and for that purpose collected all his forces at Leighlin-bridge, from whence he marched them to Cloghgrenan, where he had a fortified house. Considerable delay occurred here, from deficiency in funds; but the marquis having at length borrowed eight hundred pounds from Sir James Preston, he was enabled to prevent the disbanding of his forces.

It seems that a person named Rochfort at this time held a correspondence with Jones, the governor of Dublin; to whom he appears to have communicated a report of the state and circumstances of the royal party. In a letter dated 4th June, from Carlow, he says, that "the soldiers of the army were so secured to Ormonde, far beyond their expectation, that nothing but a sudden attempt could prevail against him. None hath been made privy to our proceedings, but general Preston, his son colonel Warren, and a few other leading men so far embarked in the work, as a syllable hath not dropped from any of them. This I gather by Ormonde's being friendly invited hither to dine on Thursday last, though he would not (as we suppose, by reason of the caution thence given him) commit his person to us, without his own guards of horse and foot; by which advertisement we missed of our last opportunity."* It appears, that a plan was at this time formed to assassinate the marquis of Ormonde. Early in June, he departed for Dublin, where he was defeated by colonel Jones at Rathmines, on the 2nd of August.

Oliver Cromwell landed at Dublin, on the 15th August.

In October, he besieged Wexford. The marquis of Ormonde endeavoured in vain to succour the place. Perceiving that he could entertain no hope of success in a battle with Cromwell, he crossed the Wicklow mountains and rested at Leighlin-bridge. Here he was informed of the success of the republicans at Wexford.

The Romish clergy met at Clonmacnois, on the 4th of December; when they issued formal acts and declarations, all of

• Carte.

which are signed by Francis Edmund, bishop of Leighlin. But their acts and declarations were now of no avail; an invincible force having made its appearance in the land, which finally deprived both royalists and Romanists of the possession of the country.

A.D. 1650. An attack on Kilkenny being meditated by Cromwell, he ordered colonel Hewson, governor of Dublin, to his aid. In March, the latter left Dublin and took Leighlin-bridge on his route.

The deputy, general Ireton, now marched with part of the English army and encamped near Leighlin, where they remained for a time, finding good quarters for the men and grass for their horses. They continued to sojourn in this neighbourhood, removing every week or fortnight a mile or two for fresh quarters, without the occurrence of any remarkable event. About this time, they drew near to Carlow castle, which was then well fortified, and had a strong garrison, commanded by captain Bellew, from whom the deputy frequently received letters relating to exchange of prisoners, and several other concerns. No hostile proceedings had, however, occurred, nor had any summons been sent to the governor of the castle. But on receiving intelligence of the success of the parliamentary force in Scotland, Ireton resolved on more active service here; believing that under these favourable circumstances no forces would be required by the parliament from Ireland. He immediately forwarded a summons to his neighbour the governor of Carlow castle, and at the same time constructed a bridge over the Barrow near the town, over which he conducted part of the army, and invested the castle. The following is a copy of the characteristic summons:

"SIR,

"To the Governor of Carlow Castle.

"We have been your gentle neighbour hitherto, doing little more than looking upon you. But the time being come now that we are like to deal in earnest with your garrison, as effectually and speedily as God shall enable us. That I may not be wanting in my part to save any of the blood which may be spilled therein, I am willing, upon a timely surrender, to give terms to so fair an enemy, (especially if I find you inclinable to a more peaceable disposition for the future). I thought good, therefore, to send you this summons, requiring you to surrender the castle of Carlow, with the furniture of war therein, into my hands, for the use of the parliament and commonwealth of England, to which I expect your present answer.

"July the 2nd, 1650,

Your humble servant,
H. IRETON."

"For the Lord Deputy and Commander of the Parliament Forces.

"MY LORD,

"This being your first summons, I am not at this instant prepared to give any answer to it. I desire three days, time to acquaint the lord bishop of Dromore with your lordship's demands, and in the meantime, that no acts of hostility be committed by your lordship's army, the like being observed by the garrison; by that time your lordship shall receive the resolution of Your lordship's servant,

"Carlow Castle, 3rd of July, 1650.

M. BELLEW."

To this request Ireton acceded; and then proceeded to Waterford, leaving Sir Hardress Waller, major general of the foot, with a sufficient force to prosecute the siege of Carlow. Sir Hardress shortly after drew out two cannon, battered a tower belonging to the castle, which much discomfited the garrison; after which he cannonaded the town and took it; when Bellew surrendered and agreed to the following articles:

"THE ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT made and concluded by HENRY JONES, lord of Clougher, major ANTHONY MORGAN, and lieut. colonel PHILIP FERNSLY, for and on behalf of the right honourable the lord deputy of Ireland, of the one part; and major JOHN DUNGAN, captain GEORGE DARCY and captain JOHN WODISSON, on the part and behalf of captain BELLEW, governor of Carlow castle, on the other part, dated the 24th of July, 1650.

I. That the castle of Carlow, with the artillery, provision, arms, and ammunition, and all other furniture of war, (except hereafter excepted) shall be delivered to Sir Hardress Waller, or to whom he shall appoint, within twenty-four hours after the signing hereof, major John Dungan and captain George Darcy shall remain as hostages.

II. That all officers and soldiers within the garrison shall march with their horses, and marching arms, &c. and have a safe convoy to Lea castle, and a pass for ten days to march to Athlone, and carriages allowed them for their goods to said castle, and that the said carriages be delivered at Lea castle to said convoy.

III. That all the musquets within said town shall be allowed to march, with each of them one pound of powder, bullet, and match proportionable.

IV. That the inhabitants of the said town shall have liberty to live in said town, and enjoy their corn, paying such contributions as others in their condition.

V. That all manner of persons now in the castle of Carlow shall have one month's time allowed them for the removal of their goods, and passes to carry them to what places they shall desire. VI. That George servant to colonel Preston, shall have

liberty to stay in the quarters about Carlow for two months, to transact his said master's affairs, and have a pass to carry to Waterford such goods, debts, or money as belongs to his said master.

VII. That all manner of persons now in the castle of Carlow, shall have quarters for their lives and goods.

VIII. That no person shall be arrested, or stay the goods, or molest the person of any now in the said castle upon any pretence whatsoever.

IX. For the full performance of all and every the above articles, and the article under-written, the parties above mentioned have hereunto set their hands and seals at the hour of seven in the morning, July 25th, 1650.

X. That the said carriages and convoy shall be provided within forty-eight hours after delivering up the castle to such as shall be appointed by Sir Hardress Waller.

(Signed)

George Darcy, John Dungan,
John Wodisson.'

Cromwell was, as usual successful at Kilkenny, where he was considerably aided by a party in the town. "This treachery," says Carte, was now grown universal, arising sometimes from the fears of the inhabitants, and sometimes from the corruption, avarice or cowardice of the garrisons of the towns; and was the cause of the loss of the castle of Catherlogh," &c.

The following passage appears in a letter of the marquis of Ormonde in reply to the Romish archbishops of Dublin and Tuam : "The rebels have without any considerable resistance from abroad, taken Catherlogh, &c. The loss of these places and the want of any visible power to protect them, have doubtlessly induced many to contribute their substance, and personal assistance to the rebels; from which, whether they might have been withheld by church censures we know not, but have not heard of any such which issued against them.-From Roscommon, the 2nd of August, 1650. ORMONDE."

The castle of Tullow, commanded by colonel Butler, was year taken by colonels Reynolds and Hewson.

this

The Romish congregation at James's-town 'now levied troops; among the rest, some horse under Daniel Kavanagh.

The marquis of Ormonde having appointed the marquis of Clanricarde lord deputy, departed for France, on the 11th December.

A.D. 1651. The Romish clergy, still busy in political affairs, now endeavoured to renew the old confederacy; and as a preliminary step excommunicated the marquis of Clanricarde, and all his adherents! to which they added a strict prohibition to their flock from serving in his army. "The main view," says Carte, "of the clergy had always been to cast off the English government, and to subject the kingdom to some foreign Roman Catholic

* Borlase's Hist. Reb. fol, ed. Dub. 1743. Appendix, p. 26.