Captain Piers was to bring to the commissioners of revenue at Dublin a stipulated number of wolf-heads in the first year and a diminishing number every year; but for every wolf-head whereby he fell short of the stipulated number, 5 l.

was to be defalked from his salary.[2] [Footnote 1: A/84, p.255.Republished 7th July, 1656.--'Book of Printed Declarations of the Commissioners for the Affairs of Ireland.' British Museum.] [Footnote 2: Cromwellian Settlement, p.154.] Twenty pounds was paid for the discovery of a priest, the second 'burdensome beast,' and to harbour him was death.

Again I avail myself of the researches of Mr.Prendergast, to give a few orders on this subject.
'_August_ 4, 1654 .-- Ordered, on the petition of Roger Begs, priest, now prisoner in Dublin, setting forth his miserable condition by being nine months in prison, and desiring liberty to go among his friends into the country for some relief; that he be released upon giving sufficient security that within four months he do transport himself to foreign parts, beyond the seas, never to return, and that during that time he do not exercise any part of his priestly functions, nor move from where he shall choose to reside my above five miles, without permission.

Ordered, same date, on the petition of William Shiel, priest, that the said William Shiel being old, lame, and weak, and not able to travel without crutches, he be permitted to reside in Connaught where the Governor of Athlone shall see fitting, provided, however, he do not remove one mile beyond the appointed place without licence, nor use his priestly function.' At first the place of transportation was Spain.

Thus:--'_February_ 1, 1653.