1641 Depositions

Examination of Richard Underwood

Reference: MS 818, fols 161r-164v
County: Wexford
Date: 11/4/1645
Type: Examination
Nature of Deposition: Arson, Death, Military Action, Words

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fol. 161r

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xj Apr: 1645
The examjnacion of Richard Vnderwood Clerk taken at the Board vppon oath, as to somuch as concernes others and not himself the xjth day of Apr: 1645, which oath was ministred to him at the Board by the Clerk of the Councell by direccion of the Board.
[The questions directed to Underwood are at fol. 167r]
<1.> To the first this examinate answereth that he presenteth a printed Copy of the Covenaunt tenderd to him at the fforte of Duncannon annexed to these presents. And that it was brought to the said fforte by one Isby belonging to the shippe Jeremy who was accompanied with the master of the said Shippe but by whome it was sent this Examinate knoweth not, saue onely that about the begining of August (as he supposeth) there came one Smyth from Youghall with a letter from the Lo: Inchiquin or Broghill or both to the Lo: Esmond inviting him to adhere to the parliament against the Irish for the defence of the protestant religion, and as this examinate remembreth the said Smyth brought the declaration of the protestant garisons in Munster to that effect <c> About a fortnight after, (as this examinate remembreth) one Cap: Smythwicke brought another letter from the same persons or one of them much tending to the same effect with directions for conference with the said Lo: Esmond concerning some maters which were not trusted to paper which conference was wholly concerning a conjunction with those in Munster against the Irish, with many faire promises (especially of releife whereof the fort was then in greate want) to seduce the officers and souldiers wherein this examinate knoweth not how farre the said Smithwicke prevayled with others, but that the Lo: Esmond refused to receive any reliefe upon any such conditions as might blemish his Lordships loyalty to his Maiesty yet if in piety (as protestants) they would send sustenance to the fforte his Lordship would be thankfull for it.
<d> And further sayth that the said Cap: Smythwicke came againe to the said fforte

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Lo: Esmond about another fortnight after that with the like message and letters from th{e} <e> Lords afforesaid as this examinate ex remembereth and then openly published that all th{e} protestant party in Munster had taken the Covenant except some few of the Clerg{ie} and in that voyage he spent most of his time with Lieutenant Larcan from whome (this Examinate belieueth) he received such encouragements as (about the begining of September following) induced the said shippe Jeremy to come to {the?} forte and present the Covenant to all therein resident as is afforesaid
<2 f> To the second this Examinate sayth that the Lo: Esmond and this Examinate Vnderwood abs{olute}ly refused to subscribe to the said Covenant for which the said Vnderwood was continually persecuted to the greate dainger of his life by the power of lieutenaunt Larcan, who about December following procured all the souldiers of the forte to be in armes (very few excepted) and bringing them to the Lo: Esmonds doore there required that this examinate might be compelled to take the Covenant or be turned out of (which act appeareth to be done in pursuance of a letter written about that time by the Lo: Inchiquin requiring this Examinate to be sent to Corke to be tryed for his life, as an en{e}my to theire cause) but this Examinate still pleading his ignorance of the doctrine worship discipline and goverment of the church of Scottland or whether <g> or noe they were according to the word of god (as in the first article o{f} the said Covenant is expressed) after long debate the generall voyce of the souldiers was that they had neuer taken it in any other sence then so farre as it tended to the maintenance of the protestant religion according to the scriptures, which was all that they required of this examinate who (for the preseruation of his life and appeasing of such daingerous commotions) received the booke from Lieutenant Larcan and wrote on the backside of it (as neere as possibly he can remember) these wordes following
Soe farre as this Covenant is agreeable to the holy Scriptures contening <h> the word of god I submitte to it and subscribe my hand this Examinate remembreth not the date which he then annexed. by this meanes all open distempers in the said forte were stopt for the present but what secret grudges and inveterate hatred hath bin since expressed against this Examinate by his adversaryes who understood his reall intent and dissaffection to theire actions he referreth to the testimony of the whole garison who can witnesse this examinates often declaration of himselfe in publique against the practice of the said Covenant against the lawes and authority establisht under [ his ] his Maiesty

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<3> To the third this Examinate answereth that he remembreth no provisions <i> brought into the said fforte (after the Covenant was taken) excepting the three shippes taken as prizes, and victualls to the value of 45 li. or thereabouts, brought in by the shippe Jeremy and in about December last 12 hogsheads of biefe and some other things of small value sent from Milford by Cap: Hosyer, and what was sent from Amsterdamme whereof a printed Invoyce is heere vnto annexed, but the Rye and Oatemeale therein exprest was all caryed (as this Examinate is credibly informed) to the Lo: Inchiquin who dismissed the shippe and employed the said provision to his owne use. And he further sayth that he belieueth there was in the fforte about 45 barels of powder with bullet and Match proportionable for theire greate and small shott when the siege first began.
<4. k> To the fourth this Examinate sayth that he knoweth not of any oathe sworne in the fforte; but onely subscribed unto
<5. l> To the fift this Examinate answereth that he was chaplaine appointed for the seruice of the said forte and that there were two other ministers (the one whereof was Curate of the parish) which at all times (upon this Examinates necessary occasions hindering of him) discharged his duty for him by reading divine seruice for him and performing other offices as they were able. And this Examinate further answereth that during the siege and constantly before, he read divine seruice twice and preached once euery sunday till by reason of imminent dainger of Bumboes greate shotts and terrours of assaults the Congregation durst not gather together through feare of theire liues which caused him to forbeare preaching or reading publiquely for the space of fiue sundayes as he remembreth. but further sayth that one of the other ministers read divine seruice about nine of the clocke at night commonly upon the guard during the whole time of the said siege.
<6 m> To the sixt this examinate sayth that he heard of no more provision in the said fort (at the rendering) returned upon the Inventary, then 8 barels of powder, twoe litle ferkins of small shott, armes, not worth the valuing and Ordnance greate and small sixteene: besides foure small murtherers and another greate one: Of victualls; 200 holland cheeses: 150

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barels of white pease, not aboue 100. weight of breade not three hogsheades of beare and wine not foure hogsheades of fresh water, and all the provision of oates and beanes (the quantity whereof this examinate knoweth not) was spoyled and destroyed by fire which burnt the house wherein they were kept.
<7 n> To the seauenth this Examinate answereth [ ] that as he remembreth 20: or 21: men were slayne in the fforte during the siege.
<8 o> To the eighth this Examinate Vnderwood answereth that the first motion of a parly (as he understandeth) was occasioned by a letter bearing date Mar: 9: 1644: written by the seamen then in the fforte to Cap: Smyth vice admirall (a < [ ] > copy whereof is heereunto annexed) in pursuance of which letter the said Cap: Smyth wrote a letter to the Lo: Esmond advising his Lordship to yeeld up the fforte to the Irish .. the originall of which letter this Examinate presenteth with this his Examination which letter beareth [ ] be surprised by date Mar: 11: 1644 Sir Thomas Esmond among the rest of the Lo: Esmonds writing; As this Examinate hath annexed unto these presente the full tr ue contents thereof as exactly as exactly as possibly he can remember [ ] to this letter the Lo: Esmond wrote an answer dated Mar: 12: 1644 wherein is conteined the first expression that might with hope of safety be propounded [ ] by his Lo: or his adherents in the said fforte on the behalfe of his Maiesty or his excellency the Lo: Lieutenant of this Kingdome in which a true copy wherof is heereunto annexed. On this day the shipping departed from the harbour which <p> moued the seamen to daingerous distractions and began to breede much dissidence in the souldiers: which when the Lo: Esmond perceived his Lordship called together all the officers and such souldiers as the two companyes and the seamen made choyce of to receive his Lordships orders and returne answers on theire behalfe: In this assembly his Lordship caused this Examinate to reade first the Lo: Inchiquins letter dated ffeb: 12: 1644: secondly the Admirall Swanlyes letter dated ffeb: 15: 1644: both intimating no hopes of ayde the one from Munster or the other from Munster Milford as appeareth by <q> the originalls heereunto annexed. Thirdly his Lordship caused this examinate to reade Cap: Smythes letter afforementioned wherein is expressed nothing but stronger arguments of despaire, therefore for the encouragement of the souldiers and the manifestation of his Lordships resolution he commaunded this examinate to reade the Copy of his Lordships answer sent to Cap: Smyth dated Mar: 12: as is afforesaid and then made knowne his Lordships intention of

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<r> of beating a parly, in pretence of dismissing mr Thomas Eustace, and collaterally to giue the [enemy ] Irish [ some ] (as it were) some carelesse intimation of his Lordships desires: for theire better understanding whereof his Lordship Commaunded this Examinate to reade the draught of a letter from his Lordship to generall preston date Mar: 14: 1644 heereunto annexed which was generally approued of; [ ] concerning theire [ ] considering some former displeasure which they apprehended was [ ] against and immediately a parly was beaten and the letter aforesaid: sent from his Lordship with Mr Eustace his letter to generall Preston, to which his Lordship received noe answer but an absolute denyall to what soever he alleaged or requested in the said letter, therefore <s> (at the enemyes request) he sent his reply, a copy whereof is annexed bearing date with the former. But Mr Eustace was promised to be immediately conveyed to Dublin to whose verball relation the Lo: Esmond and the whole forte committed whatsoeuer otherwise they intended to haue expressed by writing, expecting thereby suddaine reliefe from Dublin if he had obtained so suddaine a passage as was promised him
This examinate further sayth that he heard nothing in the said forte concerning a parly from the 14th day of Mar: till Mar: 18th following: on which day shortly afternoone. Cap: Ric: Esmond and Lieutenant Anthony <t> Poulton told this examinate that the souldiers and seamen had agreed to beate a parly and call for quarter upon the rampier and that one Robert Blundell was appointed (as (he sayd) by the consent of all) to informe them of so much. This This examinate advised the said: Cap: and Lieuetenant to diswade them from attempting any such thing till the Lo: Esmond had bin acquainted with theire intentions which was accordingly obserued: and his Lordship requiring the reasons of theire desires, a petition was presented to his Lordship by many (in the name of all) setting forth theire inability to serue worke or watch by reason of theire hard duty and the oppression of the enemy and want of water with such like grieuances Whereupon the said: Lo: Esmond called for the officers and this examinate and (though with <v> much reluctancy) commaunded this Examinate according to theire request to write a letter to Generall Preston a copy whereof is heereunto added beareing date Mar: 18: 1644 which was presently sent forth, and in the while that an answer was expected his Lordship gaue this Examinate directions what instructions he should deliuer from his Lordship to the officers gentelmen of the forte and seamen to be obserued by such as his Lordship and the souldiers should agree to send forth: all which this examinate accordingly published

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and the said: instructions were generally assented unto by all that heard them <w> and upon the returne of the said answer and acceptance of the treaty, it was agreed upon by the joynt consent of the Lo: Esmond and the souldiers that Cap: Ric: Esmond and this examinate should both goe forth (contrary to this examinates desires) to treate: according to which instructions they treated with much dispute and in conclusion a draught was made of an agreement that night; a copy of which agrement this Examinate caryed with him from the campe into the forte but [ which ] it was not to be signed sealed or to be of any value unlesse the Lo: Esmond and those whoe employed th Cap: Esmond and this examinate should condescend to it, which when the said: Lo: Esmond saw, and heard what answers were giuen to his Lordships other demaundes his Lordship approued of the said agreement and cause d commaundeding the drummes to beate to call all the officers and souldiers together and this examinate to reade the said agreement to them which he did in publique to as many as appeared and received noe contradiction but thankes from the most for his endeauours
<9 y> To the ninth this Examinate answereth he was not commaunded to demaund any ordnance in case the enemy would oblige themselues to deliuer the said forte to his Maiesty and yeeld to other conditions proportionable, yet the said Examinate propounded for them, to whome his owne asnwer was retorted (which he gaue to theire proposition for satisfaction for theire charges in takeing the forte) vizt that it was not seemely for his Maiestyes subjects to engage his Maiesty to each other without his consent for any thing which both partyes professe to be his proper right, and to be kept for his peculiar use: in which nature they conceived the ordnance to remaine within the forte as his Maiestyes proper right at his owne commaunde wherupon Cap: Esmond and this Examinate desiste pressed it not further nor if they had, did they conceive they shauld haue bin obtained
<10:>
<y> To the tenth this Examinate sayth that Cap: Smyth wrote such a letter and for further information concerning it he referreth himselfe to his answer upon the eighth [ ] article
<11 z> To the eleuenth he likewise referreth himselfe to his answere upon the eight eighth
<12 a> To the twelfth this Examinate answereth that he heard of no certaine quantity of victualls or amunition brought into the fort during the siege but

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<x> altera page preced:
vizt That it was not for h is Maiestyes subjects to engage his Maiestyes [ ] without his consent for [ ] his partyes professed [ ] peculiar [ ] they [ ] the [ ] fort [ ]

<b> but he heard that the Shipping sent in some victualles for theire owne men, and fiue barels of powder, and he heard that at the first there came 66: seamen into the fort but there continued not aboue forty (as the examinate remembreth to the end of the siege, the rest returned on board t{he} shipping onely three were killed.
Ric: Vnderwood
Ormonde
Ri: Bolton [Cane] Roscomon Ant: Midensis
Geo Cloyne Cha: Lambart Arthur Chichester
Gerrard: Lowther. Fr willoughby
Tho. lucasRobert fforte

fol. 164v

xj Apr: 1645
The examjnacion of
Richard Vnderwood.

[ ] Chichester
Anthony Martin
Charles Lambert, Lord Lambert
Earl of Roscommon
Francis Willoughby
George Cloyne
Gerard Lowther
James Butler, Marquis of Ormond
Richard Bolton
Robert Fort
Thomas Lucas

Trinity College Dublin