[27] Tucker's Journal in _Confederation and War_, ii.; Creichton's faithful account, _ib._ ii. 248.
[28] Creichton's _Faithful Account_ and that of Bellings, p. 130, give the official views on the two sides. The _Aphorismical Discovery_ is much to the same effect, adding the usual bad language, and describing Preston as 'either drunk, a fool, or a traitor.' Creichton exaggerates the number of Preston's army; while Bellings unduly diminishes the number of slain. 'Scarce one hundred slain upon the place' takes no account of the pursuit. See also _Truth from Ireland expressed in Two Letters_, London, April 22, 1643.
[29] _Bellings_, i. 149-151; _Aphorismical Discovery_, i. 65; _Castlehaven_, p. 36.
[30] Clanricarde to Gormanston, December 21, 1642, in Carte's _Ormonde_, iii. No. 115; O'Hartegan (Paris) to Wadding (Rome), November 7, 1642, in _Roman Transcripts_, R.O.
THE WAR TO THE FIRST CESSATION, 1642-1643
[Sidenote: The Adventurers for Irish land.]
To gain possession of the land in English hands was at least one main object of the Irish rebellion. Much property had been acquired by various confiscations and plantations, but there was no idea of abandoning that policy. The war would be extremely costly, and the Irish were to be made to pay for it by giving up some of the land which was still theirs. It was assumed that at least 2500 acres of good land would be forfeited; and upon that security a large sum was subscribed by Adventurers, as they were always called. It was provided that the money should all go to the reduction of Ireland; but necessity has no law, and much of it was spent in making head against the King in England. It was not till the quarrel at home was settled that Parliament could act effectively on the other side of St. George's Channel.[31]
[Sidenote: Expedition of Lord Forbes, July 1642.]
[Sidenote: Gallant defence of Rathbarry.]