Petition of Lawrence Esmond et al.

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The humble petition of Lawrence Esmond and others officers and gentlemen late of his Maiestyes fforte of Duncannon
To the right honorable the Lo: Thomas Preston generall of the Confederate Catholiques of Lenster
Humbly sheweth that your petitioners being licenced vpon by the articles of agre= <y> ment vpon deliuery of the said ffort to your honor for his Maiestyes vse to depart that theire whole party should depart free from all let or molestation they haue neuerthelesse bin delayed in theire covenanted journy to Dublin by Sir Thomas Esmond knight and baronet who (as soone as theire cariage came to Eniscorthy caused them all to be seized on and detained under seales lockes and nayles from wednesday Mar: 26: till munday following and then required that your petitioners should open theire said cariage to searche if any thing writings concerning himselfe in particular might be concealed in them; for the prevention whereof your petitioner Ric: Vnderwood was fayne to take his voluntary oath that he had nothing in his custody which might concerne the estate of the Lo: Esmond or the said Sir Thomas
<z> And your petitioners further complaine that the said Sir Thomas seized on all the Lo: Esmonds goods which his Lordship brought out of the said ffort and had formerly disposed of (in case his Lordship should dy) to the use of your petitioners for theire maintenance and for the payment of his servaunts wages as was proued before the said Sir Thomas and many others yet still he detaineth the greatest part of the same by strong hand pretending a title of exemtourship before the said articles were {con}cluded and agreed upon
<a> Your petitioners humbly conceive that no interruption or molestation ought to haue bin offerd (upon whatsoeuer pretence) to any of the said goods or persons till euery man with whatsoeuer belonged to theire party had bin safely caryed and conveyed to theire generall quarters mentioned in theire said articles: where, if any man haue any clayme against them they may receive legall judicature.
And further humbly sheweth that seuerall writinges concerning the justification of the Lo: Esmond afforesaid in his honor and fidelity to his Maiesty and others concerning his Lordships estate, and which tende to the preseruation of your petitioners Credits and and liues (as the originall of the agreement betweene your Lordship and the said Lo: Esmond with many other letters euidences and papers of consequence) are detained by the said Sir Thomas from your petitioners to whome they properly belong and who had the charge and custody of them committed to theire them charge by the said Lo: Esmond

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<b> Your petitioners humbly pray that your Lordship will be pleased to giue strict charge and commaund that the said Sir Thomas and all others who haue the said monyes writings and goods in custody deliuer them presently into your petitioners handes and procure them (according to the articles afforesaid) to be immediately conveyed to the places appointed, satisfying your petitioners for theire charges and securing them and the rest of theire party from all damages and dainger that may ensue through his afforesaid actions: that no particular pretence of interest may be an impediment to the generall law of all nationes which (in this sanctuary of quarter) submitteth to the law of no nation but of noble dealings betweene noble persons In this your petitioners conceive your Lordships honor (formerly famous) to be concerned; therefore they appeale no further then your accustomed noble practices, in the applause whereof they shall euer pray &c:

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A Copy of
The petition of Lawrence Esmond
&c. to generall Preston