Although the Catholics cannot deny, that in the great rebellion against King Charles I. more soldiers of their religion were in the Parliament army than in His Majesty’s troops; and that many Jesuits and friars went about in the disguise of Presbyterian and Independent ministers, to preach up rebellion; as the best historians of those times inform us; yet the bulk of Catholics in both kingdoms preserved their loyalty entire.

The Catholics have some reason to think it a little hard, when their enemies will not please to distinguish between the rebellious riot committed by that brutal ruffian, Sir Phelim O’Neal[2] with his tumultuous crew of rabble; and the forces raised afterwards by the Catholic lords and gentlemen of the English pale, in defence of the King after the English rebellion began.  It is well known, that His Majesty’s affairs were in great distraction some time before, by an invasion of the covenanting, Scottish, kirk rebels, and by the base terms the King was forced to accept, that they might be kept in quiet, at a juncture when he was every hour threatened at home by that fanatic party, which soon after set all in a flame.  And, if the Catholic army in Ireland fought for their King against the forces sent over by the Parliament, then in actual rebellion against him, what person of loyal principles can be so partial to deny, that they did their duty, by joining with the Marquis of Ormonde, and other commanders, who bore their commissions from the King?  For which, great numbers of them lost their lives, and forfeited their estates; a great part of the latter being now possessed by many descendants from those very men who had drawn their swords in the service of that rebellious Parliament which cut off his head, and destroyed monarchy.  And what is more amazing, although the same persons, when the Irish were entirely subdued, continued in power under the Rump; were chief confidants, and faithful subjects to Cromwell, yet being wise enough to foresee a restoration, they seized the forts and castles here, out of the hands of their old brethren in rebellion, for the service of the King; just saving the tide, and putting in a stock of merit, sufficient not only to preserve the lands which the Catholics lost by their loyalty; but likewise to preserve their civil and military employments, or be higher advanced.

[Footnote 2:  Sir Phelim O’Neill (1604?-1683) one of the most picturesque characters of Irish history.  For his share in the rebellion of 1641 he was expelled from the Irish House of Commons.  The rebellion was an attempt to assist Charles as against the Parliament, and O’Neill forged a commission, purporting to come from the King, authorizing the Irish to rise in his favour.  The Scottish settlers in Ulster, on whom O’Neill relied for aid disappointed him, and he thereupon set to work to reduce all their towns.  The famous siege of Drogheda was one of the many incidents of his campaign.  He joined forces with his kinsman, Owen Roe O’Neill, but a jealous difference on his part urged Sir Phelim to support Ormonde, in 1640, in that general’s endeavours for a peace.  Sir Phelim, however, was not included in the benefit of the Articles of Kilkenny, and a price was placed on his head.  He was betrayed by Philip Roe McHugh O’Neill, brought to Dublin, and executed as a traitor. [T.S.]]