| Content Description | Says it is necessary for the king [William III] to be acquainted with the present state of Ireland, and so he is sending an account; comments that the papists make up the majority of the population, and advises that the king destroy the heads of the papist party; observes that Ireland can never be an English colony until it is a Protestant one, with 'all ye chief of ye Rebells now in arms having bein originally English'; states that in the recent rebellion, some of the Protestants fled to England, some remained, and some joined the Catholics; thinks that the latter are worse than the papists; believes that if the king pardons and employs such people, it will be difficult to punish the papists; comments on what happened to the houses and estates of those Protestants who left for England.
Thinks that those who remained may well owe favours to their Catholic neighbours which they will feel obliged to return; for this reason he thinks that the Protestants who fled are the fittest to be employed and to sit in the new parliament when the king calls one; refers to the different circumstances in the province of Ulster, which is populated by Presbyterians; comments on the type of person who should fill the vacant bishopric there; refers to the need to prosecute the worst offenders in the army; suggests several clauses which should be included if an Act of Attainder is passed; concludes by asking Portland to intervene on the issue of his salary. |