THE PROPOSITIONS SENT By the Jriſh Parliament held at Kilkenny, TO The Commiſsioners AT DUBLIN.
Signed by Lodwick O Bourk Speaker of the Houſe of Parliament in Kilkenny.
London Printed for I. H. and are to be ſold neare the Royall Exchange, 1647.
ALthough it ſo fortuned by the chance of Warre, that our Forces under the command of his Excellency Gen. Preſton, at the laſt conflict in the field were ſomething over-powerd by yours, with the loſſe of ſome of our native Countrimen of ranke and quality, of which we being ſo ſenſible on, cannot but for a time cloath our ſelves in mourning. Yet doth it not any waies diſmay us, or ſtrike us with feare or terrour, nor cauſes us any wayes to deſpaire of the future event of the Warre; but only a ſerious conſideration and religious care which we have of this our native Kingdome: to prevent the effuſion of Chriſtian bloud, of which there hath been an over-flowing torrent for a long time ſpread over this diſtreſſed and languiſhing Kingdome which induceth us to be the firſt, and exemplary inſtruments to revert the gluttonous4 Sword from banqueting in bloud and deſtruction, on which for theſe ſeven yeares it hath been feaſted; and to bring it backe again to its former place, to wit, to the hand of the Civill Magiſtrate, to execute temporall Juſtice; and that the antient known Lawes of the Kingdome might return to their former place: His Majeſty enjoy his ſupream power and dignity; the Natives to have their liberties as Subjects, and not to be enthralled as ſlaves, that ſo they and the Engliſh might again live together as friends and fellow Subjects.
For the accompliſhing of which, we the confederate Eſtates of the Kingdome of Ireland, aſſembled in Parliament at Kilkenny, do deſire that there might be ſo far a complacency between us and you; that the originall and preſent differences betwixt us might be ſo really underſtood: whereby we hope by the clearnes of actions preſent, and our future endeavours may be apparent to all, whereby we may make our ſelves quit of that ſcandalous and infamous brand of bloudy Rebels.
For the obtaining of which, we deſire, that ſome convenient place might be appointed, where a conſiderable number of Nobility and Gentry, both of your Party and ours, might have ſome time perfixt to meet, with free commiſſion on both ſides, to treat and conſult together, that thereby (with Gods aſſiſtance we may enjoy at length a happy peace and union) and this miſerable and bleeding Kingdome preſerved from farther ruine and deſolation, which hath ſo long lain weltring in its own gore, and the diſtreſſed inhabitants reſtored to their former peace and plenty.
5But this our reall and ſincere requeſts, ſome may conjecture may proceed from our cowardly feare, or policy, that by this meanes of Treaty, the actions of the Armies for this Summer might be retarded: but if any do looke upon our Forces at home in Garriſon, and abroad in the field, they will find that we ſtand not in need of ceſſation for want of Forces to keepe the field: and we are confident it is not unknown to moſt of you: for although that part of an Army then at Lniſhknock with Generall Preſton received ſome damage; yet have we an Army in the field, marching under Generall Owen Oneale, which were not engaged there, nor elſwhere, ſince their laſt victory at Blackwater: which Army (be it ſpoken without vain glory) is almoſt double the number the men which you have in Armes in this Kingdome: and of their vallours we preſume that the Scots and your other Forces in Ulſter, can give a ſufficient teſtimony of: yet put the caſe we had not this Army, yet God be praiſed this Kingdome, or at leaſt this part of the Kingdome in our poſſeſſion is not ſo ill ſtor'd with men nor our Magazines with Armes and Ammunition, but we could have recruted Generall Preſtons Army with double the number he loſt at Lniſhknock: Wherefore yee may clearely ſee, it is not the want of men or ammunition that induceth us to Parlee: but if you ſhall find your hearts ſo peaceably inclined as to admit of it, there may be ſuch care taken on both ſides for the ſecurity of the Commiſſioners: and yet no ceſſation of Armes for the Souldier, till the Commiſſioners ſhall conclude and agree thereunto.
But for the Armies to proceed in any way of hoſtility6 to eithers beſt advantage notwithſtanding the Treaty and yet to be be no prejudice to the Commiſſioners of either ſide.
We alſo deſire that we might have the ſame priviledge as other his Majeſties Subjects have in the like nature, viz. to ſend a convenient number of Commiſſioners, whom we ſhall thinke fit, to London or elſwhere in the Kingdome of England; and they there to reſide as Commiſſioners to communicate the weighty affaires of this Kingdome, both to the Kings Majeſty and to the honourable Houſes of Parliament there; by which our actions paſt, and our future intentions, may be cleared before the face of the world; and that thoſe blemiſhes may be taken away from us and our poſterities, which ſome are pleaſed to brand us with; and that all men may ſee that our intentions are only for peace and unity, that we and the Engliſh may again live lovingly together as friends and fellow Subjects.
But if you thinke it prejudiciall to you to have any number of Commiſſioners to go for England; we ſhall then deſire that only two whom we ſhall appoint, may have a ſafe convoy over for England, and ſo back again, to addreſſe themſelves to his Majeſty and to the Parliament, and there to endeavour the procuring of his Majeſties Royall aſſent, and alſo the conſent of both Houſes of Parliament to ſuch Articles as ſhall be propounded towards the ſettlement of a firme and well grounded Peace in the three Kingdomes; that ſo wee may put a period to theſe miſerable and bloudy diſtractions that hath ſo long attended on7 this deplorable Nation. And that his Majeſty with his Royall Conſort, and their Poſterity, may enjoy their juſt Rights and Royall Prerogatives; and the Subject his juſt Liberties and Freedome.
Sir this is the deſire of the Lords and Commons aſſembled in the ſupreame councell of this Kingdome, held at Kilkenny: And if your honour will be pleaſed to ſend your anſwer, you will engage us to be,
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A87327)
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