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No. XXI.

[Vol. i., p. 366: Gone to the Wars in Ireland.']

But before going, and while just on the eve of going, he has had the following, among a multiplicity of other business, to attend to. LETTER XXVI.

BARNABAS O'BRYEN, Sixth Earl of Thomond, Twentieth-and-odd King of Thomond, a very ancient Irish dignitary of the Limerick regions, whom it were still worth while to conciliate, has fallen into 'straits,' distresses; applies to the Lord Lieutenant to help him a little. The Lord Lieutenant thinks his case good; forwards it with recommendation to Harrington, of the Council of State, the proper official person in such matters. Note, this is by no means Harrington of the Oceana, this 'Sir James;' this is Member (recruiter') for Rutlandshire, and only a distant cousin of the Oceana's.

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What the Earl of Thomond's case was, as we have not seen the enclosed' statement of it, shall remain somewhat vague to us. Thomond had not joined the Irish Massacre in 1641: but neither would he join against it; he apologized to the King's Lieutenant on that occasion, said he had no money, no force; retired with many apologetic bows into England to the King himself; leaving his unmoneyed Castle of Bunratty to the King's Lieutenant,-who straightway found some 2,000l. of good money lying hidden in it, and cheerfully appropriated the same. I incline to think, it may be for this Two thousand and odd pounds, to have it acknowledged as a debt and allowed on the Earl of Peterborough's estate, that the poor Earl, 'in the modesty of his desires,' is now pleading. For he has been in active Royalist services since that passive one; in Ormond Wars, cessations, sequestrations; is a much mulcted, impoverished man. And as for the Earl of Peterborough his son-in-law, he was one of poor Earl Holland's people in that fatal futile rising of St. Neot's, last and is now wandering in foreign parts, in a totally ruined condi

year;

tion. Readers who are curious may follow the indications in the note.* Earl Thomond's modest desire was allowed. Bunratty Castle, where that 2,000l. was found buried in the walls,' is now quite deserted by the Thomonds; is now 'the largest Police-Barrack' in those Limerick regions.

For the Honorable Sir James Harrington, Knight, of the Council of State: These.'

'London,' 9th July, 1649.

SIR,

You see by this Enclosed, how great damage the Earl of Thomond hath sustained by these Troubles, and what straits he and his family are reduced unto by reason thereof. You see the modesty of his desires to be such as may well merit consideration. I am confident, that which he seeks is not so much for advantage of himself, as out of a desire to preserve his son-in-law the Earl of Peterborough's fortune and family from ruin.

If the result of the favor of the House fall upon him, although but in this way, it's very probable it will oblige his Lordship to endeavor the peace and quiet of this Commonwealth. Which will be no disservice to the State;-perhaps of more advantage than the extremity of his Fine. Besides, you showing your readiness to do a good office herein will very much oblige,

Sir,

Your affectionate servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.†

No. XXII.

[Vol. i., p. 373: We will live and die with you.']

LETTER XXVII.

SIR GEORGE AYSCOUGH, now vigilantly cruising on those coasts, • Vice-Admiral of the Irish Seas,' who has done good service more than once, he ought not to suffer in his private economics by absence on the Public Service.

饅 Ludlow, i., 21; Whitlocke (2d edit.), p. 420, see also p. 201; Commons

Journals, vi., 279, 445 (15 Aug., 1649, and 23 July, 1650); Collins's Peerarge, ii., 216, &c., &c. Tanner Mss. (in Cary, ii., 150).

For the Honorable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament: These.'

SIR,

Dublin, 22d August, 1649.

Before my coming for Ireland, I was bold to move the House on behalf of Sir George Ayscough; who then I thought had merited the favor of the Parliament, but since, much more, by his very faithful and industrious carriage in this place.

It seems, while he is attending your service, a Lease he holds of the Deanery of Windsor had like to be purchased over his head, he not coming to buy it himself by the time limited. He holds a very considerable part of his estate in Church-leases; one or more being in Impropriate Tithes, which he and his ancestors have held for a good time: all which is like to determine, and go from him and his, by your Orders.

I found the Parliament well to resent the motion I made on his behalf at that time. I desire you please to revive the business, and to obtain the House's favor for him, which they intended and expressed. He will, I presume, herewith send his humble desires: for which I beg your furtherance; and rest, Sir,

Your most humble servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.*

Ayscough is a Lincolnshire man. Last year, in the time of the Revolted Ships, he stood true to the Parliament; and brought his own ship off to them, in spite of perils. Serves now under Blake; is fast rising as a Sea-officer. The Lord Lieutenant's request in behalf of him has already been complied with.†

No. XXIII.

[Vol. i., p. 380: These Irish Letters may, I hope, tell their own tale.']

SIR,

LETTER XXVIII.

For the Chief Officer commanding in Dundalk: These.

'Tredah,' 12th September, 1649.

I offered mercy to the Garrison of Tredah,‡ in sending the Gov

*Tanner MSS.

(in Cary, ii., 163).

+ Commons Journals, 8 August, 1649 (vi., 276);—see ib., 9 July, 1649 (on which day most probably, the day of Thomond's Letter too, Cromwell had been 'moving the House' for him). Whitlocke (2d edition), p. 317.

+ Treedagh,' he writes.

ernor a Summons before I attempted the taking of it. Which being refused, brought their evil upon them.

If you, being warned thereby, shall surrender your Garrison to the use of the Parliament of England, which by this I summon you to do, you may thereby prevent effusion of blood. If, upon refusing this Offer, that which you like not befalls you, you will know whom to blame. I rest, Your servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.*

What, in the interim, had become of Dundalk and its Chief and other Officers, will shortly appear.

No. XXIV.

[Vôl. i., p. 386: Colonel Venables, of whom we shall hear again, with a regiment or two'

-to reduce Carlingford, Newry,-to raise what Siege there may be at Derry, and assist in settling distracted Ulster of whose progress here are news.

LETTER XXIX. (

For the Honorable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament of

MR. SPEAKER,

England: These.

Dublin, 27th September, 1649.

I had not received any account from Colonel Venables,whom I sent from Tredah to endeavor the reducing of Carlingford, and so to march Northward towards a conjunction with Sir Charles Coote,until the last night.

After he came to Carlingford, having summoned the place, both the three Castles and the Fort commanding the Harbor were rendered to him. Wherein were about Forty Barrels of Powder, Seven Pieces of Cannon; about a Thousand Muskets, and Five hundred Pikes wanting twenty. In the entrance into the Harbor, Captain Fern, aboard your man-of-war, had some danger; being much shot at from the Sea Fort, a bullet shooting through his main-mast. The Captain's entrance into that Harbor was a considerable adventure, and a good service;-as also was that of Captain Brandly,† who, with Forty seamen, stormed a very strong

* Autograph, in the possession of the Earl of Shannon, at Castle-Martyr. in the County of Cork. † Antea, p. 381.

Tenalia at Tredah, and helped to take it; for which he deserves an owning by you.

Venables marched from Carlingford, with a party of Horse and Dragoons, to the Newry; leaving the Foot to come up after him. He summoned the place, and it was yielded before his Foot came up to him. Some other informations I have received from him, which promise well towards your Northern Interest; which, if well prosecuted, will, I trust God, render you a good account of those parts.

I have sent those things to be presented to the Council of State for their consideration. I pray God, as these mercies flow in upon you, He will give you an heart to improve them to His glory alone; because He alone is the author of them, and of all the goodness, patience, and longsuffering extended towards you.

in Your Army has marched; and I believe, this night lieth at Arklow, the County of Wicklow, by the Sea-side, between thirty and forty miles from this place. I am this day, by God's blessing, going towards it. I crave your pardon for this trouble; and rest

Your most humble servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.

P.S. I desire the Supplies moved for may be hastened. I am verily persuaded, though the burden be great, yet it is for your service. If the Garrisons we take swallow up your men, how shall we be able to keep the field? Who knows but the Lord may pity England's sufferings, and make a short work of this? It is in His hand to do it, and therein only your servants rejoice. I humbly present the condition of Captain George Jenkins's Widow. He died presently after Tredah Storm. His Widow is in great want.

The following Officers and Soldiers were slain at the storming of Tredah:-Sir Arthur Ashton, Governor; Sir Edmund Varney, LieutenantColonel to Ormond's Regiment; Colonel Fleming, Lieutenant-Colonel Finglass, Major Fitzgerald, with eight Captains, eight Lieutenants, and eight Cornets, all of Horse; Colonels Warren, Wall, and Byrne, of Foot, with their Lieutenants, Majors, &c.; the Lord Taaff's Brother, an Augustine Friar; forty-four Captains, and all their Lieutenants, Ensigns, &c.; 220 Reformadoes and Troopers; 2,500 Foot-soldiers, besides StaffOfficers, Surgeons, &c.*

# King's Pamphlets, small 4to, No. 441, art. 7, 'Letters from Ireland, printed by Authority' (p. 13). Parliamentary History (xix., 207-9) has copied this Letter from the old Pamphlet (as usual, giving no reference); and after the concluding 'Surgeons, &c.,' has taken the liberty of adding these words, and many inhabitants,' of which there is no whisper in the old Pamphlets;-a very considerable liberty indeed!

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