OF THE

CATHOLICS

O F

IRE LAN D.

CHAP. I.

Infringement of the articles of Limerick.

AFTER a tedious and melancholy narrative of the state of the Irish catholics at different periods, for the space of more than of one hundred and fifty years, I should have no occafion to relate the following, had their fufferings ended at the surrender of Limerick. Then indeed they might fubfcribe with others, in proclaiming the change, a glorious revolution! But the conditions they had by that furrender obtained (I may say fealed with their blood), though agreed upon and figned by both parties, in the most folemn manner, and afterwards ratified and approved by both their majesties, King William and Queen Mary, under the great feal of England, were foon after bafely infringed contrary to the law of nature, the law of nations, and the public faith.

The infringement of thefe articles on the part of government commenced very early after they were figned; and it was afterwards repeated, from time to ९

VOL. II.

time,

time, in fuch a manner, as to prepare the minds of the people to receive with lefs furprize, the total violation of them by acts "to prevent the further growth of popery," which were then in contemplation.

For although by the first military article, " It was agreed, that all perfons of what quality foever, that were willing to leave the kingdom, fhould have free liberty to go into any country beyond the feas (England and Scotland excepted) with their families;" yet, it is confessed that the lords juftices, and General Ginckle, endeavoured to render this article of as little force as poffible, "for as great numbers of the Irish

officers and foldiers had refolved to enter into the service of France, and to carry their families with them, Ginckle would not fuffer their wives and children to be shipped off with the men; not doubting but that by detaining the former, he would have prevented many of the latter from going into that fervice. This, I fày, was confeffedly an infringement of that article.

2

And in lefs than two months after the capitulation of Limerick was confirmed by their majefties, "the justices of peace, fheriffs, and other magiftrates, prefuming on their power in the country, did, in an illegal manner, difpoffefs feveral of their majesties fubjects, not only of their goods and chattels, but of their lands and tenements, to the great difturbance of the peace of the kingdom, fubverfion of the law, and reproach of their majefties government." It appears from a letter of the lords juftices of the 19th of November, 1691," that their lordships had received complaints from all parts of Ireland, of the ill treatment of the Irifh, who had fubmitted, had their majefties protection, or were included in articles; and that they were fo extremely terrified with apprehenfions of the continuance of that ufage, that fome thousands of them, who had quitted the Irish army, and went home with a refsolution not to go for France, were then come back again, and preffed carneftly to go thither, rather than stay in Ireland, where, contrary to the public faith (add these juftices)

Harris's Life of King William.

2 Id. ib. f. 357