The case of several of His Majesties subjects in Ireland, commonly called protectees most…

This furious Inquisition having thus far gone on, without Rub, or Obstacle; the like Spirit of Diligence and Dispatch appeared in what was to follow. Writs were issued out to the Sheriffs, and care taken, that one, and the same Return should be made throughout the Kingdom; for although' all these Persons, who had thus taken Sanctuary under the Wings of the Government, were then notoriously known to be, and daily seen, at their respective usual places of Residence, except a few who, to prevent any further Jealousy of their Behaviour, had obtained the Lords Justice's Passes to come for England; having first given two or three thousand Pounds sufficient Bail to be forth coming, when requir'd; yet Non est inventus in Balliva, &c. was the certain Return upon every Writ: And this even in Cases where the persons under Prosecution were then actually upon some Civil Process, or other Cause in custody of the Sheriff, who made the Return.

This furious Inquisition having thus far gone on, without Rub, or Obstacle; the like Spirit of Diligence and Dispatch appear'd in what was to follow. Writs were issu'd out to the Sheriffs, and care taken, that one, and the same Return should be made thro'out the Kingdom; for altho' all these Persons, who had thus taken Sanctuary under the Wings of the Government, were then notoriously known to be, and daily seen, at their respective usual places of Residence, except a few who, to prevent any further Jealousy of their Behaviour, had obtain'd the Lords Justice's Passes to come for England; having first given two or three thousand Pounds sufficient Bail to be forth coming, when requir'd; yet Non est inventus in Balliva, &c. was the certain Return upon every Writ: And this even in Cases where the persons under Prosecution were then actually upon some Civil Process, or other Cause in custody of the Sheriff, who made the Return.

This was an expedient Thought necessary to dispatch the Process, and the sooner to bring these Persons to the Condition of being altogether at mercy; and consequently, it came soon to this Issue: For in a very few Months, after they had been thus taken into his Majesty's Royal Protection, they were all, in this manner, to the number of some thousands, attainted of High Treason; their Estates, whether Leasehold, or Freehold, seized; and all this at a time, when they had late abided the utmost Ravage of a licentious Soldiery; and had nothing, that stood above ground, left them.