Ireland, summary of Government expenditure, 1654

IRELAND

Abstract of government expenditure

manuscript addressed to "the Commissioners of the Commonwealth of England for the Affaires of Ireland", listing the military forces (infantry, cavalry, dragoons) deployed in the country's thirteen "precincts", their wage bill and other associated costs such as munitions ("...Ordnance... having not been repaired since the Landing of the Army in the yeare 1649...") and repairs, also the wages and associated costs of officials from "The Commissioner of the Commonwealth, a Secretary, his Assistants, 5 Clerkes, Sargeant at Arms, Swordbearer, Usher, 3 Messengers & Treasurer", to the judiciary, surveyors, auditors, and others, the total amounting to £747,646 (of which £640,673 was on the army), also summarising government income, leaving a shortfall of £482,701, concluding that "There is no other way to raise money in Ireland in our view except by sale of Houses or Lands not granted in Security to Adventurers or Souldiers", signed by Edward Roberts and Richard Kingdon, also "Enterd & Examined Ja: Morley", one vellum membrane (815 x 670mm), Dublin, 1 May 1654,, later endorsement ("The Irish Establishment"), lacking a substantial section (330 x 190mm) with loss of text, professionally repaired, light soiling and wear

A CONTEMPORARY SUMMARY OF THE COSTS OF THE CROMWELLIAN REGIME IN IRELAND, written by two of the Commissioners-General of the Assessments and all other public revenues of Ireland, reporting to the Receiver General. A punitive settlement was imposed upon Ireland in 1652 after the island's conquest by Cromwell. It was a harsh regime with minimal local support that depended on the presence of a large military force. Early modern states always struggled with the costs of a standing army and the unaffordable nature of the regime is presented starkly by huge shortfall in income detailed in this document. The proposed solution was the sale of land confiscated from Catholics. The Cromwellian dispossession of Catholics had consequences that lasted centuries, and this document is a reminder that the policy was as much a means of dealing with the huge expense of a militarised government as it was driven by ideology. 

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