their chiefs.  In this proclamation, headed by ’The Lord Deputy and Counsell,’ it was stated that Tyrone and Tyrconnel and their companions had lately embarked themselves at Lough Swilly and had secretly and suddenly departed out of this realm without license or notice.  The Government was as yet uncertain about their purpose or destination.  But inasmuch as the manner of their departure, considering the quality of their persons, might raise many doubts in the minds of his majesty’s loving subjects in those parts, and especially the common sort of people inhabiting the counties of Tyrone and Tyrconnel, who might suppose they were in danger to suffer prejudice in their lands and goods for the contempt or offence of the earls,—­they were solemnly assured that they had nothing whatever to fear.  The words of the proclamation on this point are:  ’We do therefore in his majesty’s name declare, proclaim, and publish that all and every his majesty’s good and loyal subjects inhabiting those countries of Tyrone and Tyrconnel shall and may quietly and securely possess and enjoy all and singular their lands and goods without the trouble or molestation of any of his majesty’s officers or ministers or any other person or persons whatsoever as long as they disturb not his majesty’s peace, but live as dutiful and obedient subjects.  And forasmuch as the said earls to whom his majesty, reposing special trust in their loyalty, had committed the government of the said several countries are now undutifully departed, therefore his Majesty doth graciously receive all and every of his said loyal subjects into his own immediate safeguard and protection, giving them full assurance to defend them and every of them by his kingly power from all violence or wrong, which any loose persons among themselves or any foreign force shall attempt against them.  And to that end, we the lord deputy and council have made choice of certain commissioners as well Irish as English, residing in the said several countries, not only to preserve the public peace there, but also to administer speedy and indifferent justice to all his majesty’s loving subjects in those parts, which shall have any cause of complaint before them.’  All governors, mayors, sheriffs, justices of peace, provost-marshals, bailiffs, constables, and all other his majesty’s ministers whatsoever were strictly charged to use their utmost endeavours faithfully and diligently to keep the people in their duty and obedience to his majesty and the laws of the realm.

The assurance thus given that the subjects and tenants of the absconding princes should securely possess and enjoy their lands and be protected from all oppression under the sceptre of King James would have been very satisfactory had the royal promise been realised, but conciliation was then absolutely necessary, for the lord deputy himself stated that ’the kingdom had not been in the like danger these hundred years, as we have but few friends and no means of getting