This preamble begins:—
"Whereas an unnatural insurrection did break forth against your Majestie's royal father of ever blessed memorie, his crown and dignitie, in this your Majestie's kingdom of Ireland, upon the 23 of October, in the year of our Lord God 1641 and manifest itself by the murther and destructions of many thousands of your said Majestie's good and loyal subjects; which afterwards universally spreading and diffusing itself over the whole kingdom, settled into and became a formed and allmost national rebellion of the Irish papists … the which Irish papists … did first assume, usurp and exercise the power of life and death, make peace and war, levie and coin money, and many other acts of sovereign authoritie, treating with forreign princes and potentates for their government and protection, and afterwards acted under a forreign authoritie … and whereas Almightie God hath given your Majestic, by and through your said English and Protestant subjects, absolute victorie and conquest over the said Irish popish rebels and enemies, so as they, their lives, liberties and estates are now wholly at your Majestie's disposition by the laws of this kingdom: and whereas several of your Majestie's subjects, by whom, as instruments, the said rebels were totally subdued, did in the time of your Majestie's absence beyond the seas, for supplie of the then pressing necessities, and to prevent the further desolation of this your Majestie's kingdom, enquire into the authors, contrivers and abettors of the said rebellion and war, and after much deliberation among themselves, and advice
