6s. and in Ulster at 4s.[1] and to pay 1 Farthing per Ann. Quit-rent to the King out of each Shillings-worth of Land so rated, viz. 3d. or 12 Farthings for an Acre in Lemster rated at 12s. 9q. or 2¼ an Acre |60| for Lands in Munster, rated at 9s. & sic de cæteris. Wood, Bog, and Mountain, to be cast in over and above.
Afterwards the Soldiers, who were to have the satisfaction of their Arrears at the same rate, not being willing to cast Lots upon such desperate hazards, did Ann. 1653. equalize Counties within each Province, viz. took some in Lemster, at 1l. 2s. per Acre, some at 1l. &c. And those who were satisfied Ann. 1655. and afterwards, did equalize not only Counties, but Baronies also, valuing some Baronies in Lemster at 1l. 4s. per Acre, and some but at 6s. and others at all rates between these two extreams. But so as that, notwithstanding all the said differences, the whole Province should be given and taken at 12s. per Acre, according to the then Law. And the Inequality remaining after this Equalization, was to be corrected by a Lot[2].
I could here insert all the particulars of these Transactions, but conceive it impertinent to my purpose, especially since they may be seen upon Record[3]. The next and best of all preceding equalization, was that which the Concernees of each County made in order to regulate the heavy Contributions paid to the Usurpers before His Ma-|61|jesties Restoration, and when no Quit-Rent was yet due[4]. And in order to this work, not Baronies as before, but Parishes, nay, particular Farms were also equalized. What was done herein, was not publickly recorded, but collected by the curious, and too Bulky to be here inserted. Only take notice, that
- ↑ By 17 Charles I., c. 34, Scobell, i. 26.
- ↑ Probably in accordance with c. 12, Acts of 1653. Scobell, ii. 240, 242.
- ↑ Many of the records were destroyed by the fire in the Council office in Essex Street, 1711. Report from the Commissioners respecting the Public Records of Ireland, 1810—1815, pp. 400, 541 et passim.
- ↑ Probably a reference to c. 32, Acts of 1654, which imposed upon Ireland an assessment of £10,000 per month, together with the same excise and customs as in England, and temporarily remitted quit-rents upon the lands granted to adventurers and soldiers. Scobell, ii. 313.
