Page images
PDF
EPUB

head of three thousand men, embarked for Carrickfergus. He marched against Sir Phelim O'Neal, who retired to Armagh, full of rage and disappointment at the misfortunes of his army. The secret instructions of the Scottish general prevented him from following up the blow, which would have concluded the insurrection in the north. His friends and partizans in the English parliament had their particular views in the protraction of the war; and the English army was left to contend alone with the recruited army of Sir Phelim O'Neal. The latter were now further animated by the presence of a general in whose experience and military talents they confided. Owen O'Neal, whose arrival had been so long and so anxiously expected, landed in the county Donegal, with 100 officers, and a considerable supply of arms and ammunition. He came from Dunkirk, and had served in 1640, in the Spanish and imperial armies, with great reputation. Mr Carte says, that he was an able and experienced general, quick in discerning, and diligent in improving any advantage offered by the enemy; more circumspect than enterprising; of a genius peculiarly suited to defence, and excellent at protracting a war; qualities of especial use in the service which he was now to undertake. His knowledge of the world, his prudence, his sobriety and caution, appeared to greater advantage, as they

nocent protestants, in the neighbouring districts, had time to escape into places of security before many murders were committed, The papists in the other provinces had no share in their guilt they immediately published their detestation of it."

were contrasted with the intemperance and levity of Sir Phelim. Owen O'Neal was declared by the northern Irish head and leader of their confederacy. The instant he assumed the command of the Irish army, he issued orders that every act of inhumanity committed by his troops should be punished in the most exemplary manner. He deprecated every expedient not recognised by the most honourable warfare; he discouraged the cruel and vindictive, and circulated among his troops principles of mercy and humanity, even to their enemies.

Notwithstanding the formidable force which the Scottish general, Monroe, could now bring into the field, amounting to 20,000 foot, and 1000 horse, he suffered Owen O'Neal to collect and discipline his army, to fortify his strong posts, and assume an attitude of strength hitherto unenjoyed by the Irish insurgents. Nor were the foreign friends of the Irish inactive in furnishing them with supplies of every description, with money and ammunition, and the most experienced and enterprizing officers. Cardinal Richelieu, who at this period administered the government of France, warmly co-operated with the Irish insurgents. He permitted those Irish officers who had distinguished themselves in the service of France to repair to their own country, in defence of its liberties and its religion.

The war in Ireland had now assumed a formidable aspect. It was conducted with as much system as spirit, and every expedient which the most judicious policy could suggest was adopted with alacrity

and decision. The clergy were summoned to make their appeal to the religious feelings of their countrymen,―to rouse their enthusiasm for the security of religious liberty,-and to inflame the spirit of the patriot by representing the cause in which he was embarked, as the cause of truth and of his country. A general synod assembled at Kilkenny, in the month of May, 1642. In this assembly we may for the first time discern a rational and efficient effort to bring into action the spirit and resources of the Irish nation. Here may be seen the centre of the great public mind, and the powerful engine by which its energies might be advantageously directed to the public liberty. The influence which so venerable a body could exercise in Ireland, was as natural as it was extensive. The Irish clergy had adhered to their religion and to their countrymen with a fidelity which the annals of the world cannot surpass. They passed through the furnace of the hottest persecution with a fortitude which no despotism, however malignant, could shake. That their voice and their decision, therefore, should be heard and followed with respect and with devotion by Irishmen, will not be wondered at by those who will call to their recollection the patience of the Irish priest, under centuries of intolerance and of suffering. The acts of the synod were most important. Like the clergy of all other sects of Christianity, they commenced with a declaration in support of the religion which they professed, asserting its superior claims to purity and truth, and that it was perfectly consistent with the duties of

their station, to call upon their countrymen to defend the religion of their forefathers against the rude and barbarous invasions of intolerance. They proclaimed their anxiety that no distinction should hereafter exist between the old and the new Irish; that the Irish protestant who was friendly to his catholic countryman, should enjoy equal protection with the catholic; that there should be no distinction but between those who were enemies and those who were friends; that no man should be the victim of his peculiar and favourite faith; and above all, they threatened the perpetrators of cruel and inhuman acts with the severest denunciations of the catholic church. They recommended provincial councils, composed of clergy and laity, and a general national council, to which the provincial councils should be subordinate; and that foreign powers should be applied to the emperor, the king of France, and the pope. Such were the acts of the clergy; to which the catholic nobility and gentry, then residing in Kilkenny, immediately subscribed. To those who are in the practice of deprecating the interference of the Irish catholic priest in political considerations, we may reply, that he is justified by the example of every country in Europe. The minister of the protestant church thinks it no departure from his duty even to unsheath his sword in defence of his establishment in church and state. The minister of Christianity, the herald of peace, feels no compunctious visitings when standing in the ranks of his countrymen, associated for the purpose of defending the liberties

and the religion of his country. The same feeling actuated the bosoms of the Irish priests, when in solemn synod they appealed to the pride and spirit of their countrymen, to defend themselves against the cruel persecutions with which their country was threatened by an intolerant and sanguinary government. The Irish catholic priest, however, will often be found administering consolation to his bitterest enemy, blunting the sword which he could not sheath, and softening the spirit of vengeance which he could not entirely extinguish.

A supreme council, composed of the chief nobility and gentry, assembled, and Lord Montgarret was named as their president. A general assembly of the whole nation was then determined upon, whose first sittings were to take place in the ensuing month of October. It is impossible for an Irishman to contemplate this great and glorious scene, which elevates the humblest mind, and animates the coldest bosom, without indulging in those reflections which must embitter the days that Ireland is doomed to experience, stripped as she is of her purest robe of honour, thrown down from that station which she once occupied, and reduced, as she now is, to the humiliating and insulting vassalage of a tributary to the pride and strength and riches of another country. Fancy may in vain delineate the picture of an independent nation, making her own laws, commanding her own armies and navies, and bringing into action, at once honourable and productive to her people, her boundless resources in genius, industry, and strength.

« PreviousContinue »