moral axiom of divine government fulfilled, "the instruments and objects of crime, shall become the means of its punishment." Had the Stuart. family not meddled with the religion of their subjects, nor transplanted antient generation, those merited evils had not befallen them. The reader will also observe, that similar engines were now employed against the catholic English settlers, to those employed by them against the unfortunate antient race. As they had made a tool of the abused authority of religion, to nestle here first; and established as a maxim, that the only method of civilizing the old Irish was, to kill them and take their properties; the same engine of religion was now successfully worked against theirselves; and the same means of civilizing them, by murder and robbery, adopted, and acted on. He will observe, that their aversion to the antient race, and dread of their resurgency under a great general, and the revival of their claims to forfeited lands, lost them those acres, for which they would sacrifice country and religion. It cannot fail to be noticed, how dangerous it is to trust a traitor; how punctually Ormond fulfilled all his engagements with the English rebels. First, delivering up to them the king's castle, capital, and other garrisons; and now strengthening their hands, by the accession of all the forces under his command; how shamefully he tricked Clanrickard, in leaving him nominal deputy, destitute of means, while he transmitted the king's troops auxiliaries to the enemy. But it is only after the restoration of Charles, that the

reward and object of all this treachery shall be seen in the clearest point of view.

Every one will be surprised at the fanatical loyalty of the Irish, to a family, not only ungrateful, but tyrannical and treacherous towards them. The solicitude of the English settlers, who were now the leading part of the nation, for their acres, will not singly explain this moral phenomenon; nor their apprehensions from the claims of the antient proprietors; though they go a good way towards it. The torrent of rebellion, among their sworn enemies, must have produced a counter current of fanatical loyalty among them; which, as an indulged, favourite passion, overleaped all the mounds of common sense and political prudence. It is impossible to account any other way, for their rebellion against the first law of God and nature, self-preservation.

The declaration of Charles II. at Dumferling, justified the Irish nation in seeking for another ruler. Far less provocation produced the rebellion of England and Scotland; led one king to the block, and expelled another. In the decline of their affairs, they adopted the tardy resolution of seeking foreign aid; and, in their negotiations, were, as usual, dilatory, divided, irresolute. Were the duke of Lorrain ever so serious in his proffers of protection, it could not reasonably be expected, that he would hazard his person, his forces, and treasure, to conquer a kingdom for another person; and, to bar all hope of his aid, the marquis of Clanrickarde published his protest against the treaty concluded with him, by

lord Taaffe and Sir G. Browne. The motives of this alliance we find in the letters of lord Taaffe to the lord lieutenant.

May it please your excellency, I were unworthy the trust, reposed in me, and the many other favours, I received from you, should I omit with all freedom and clearness, to afford your excellency a true account of the countries and princes, from whom any thing was to be expected for the supply of Ireland; whereby your excellency may be the better able to resolve, what is to be done upon the commission, sent by the legate, employed by his highness the duke of Lorrain.

That I may the better do it, I shall set down, according to my information and observation, the condition of his majesty, and the kings of France and Spain, in reference to the parliament of England; so that it may appear what is to be expected from them for your assistance, towards the maintenance of a war.

Your excellency, I presume, knows that his majesty, at his first coming into Scotland, was forced by those of the kirk, to take the covenant, and national league and covenant; wherein amongst other things, he hath solemnly promised to extirpate the catholic religion and prelacy, and to settle the presbyterian government in all his kingdoms. The kirk not content with this, put from him most of his party except the duke of Buckingham, my lord Wilmot, and some few others, who they believed were favourers of their cause; after which they forced his majesty yet further to make a declaration, wherein

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he doth, amongst other things, confirm his former promise of rooting the catholics out of his dominions, disannulls the peace made with the Irish, and recalls all commissions, granted to any amongst them. Soon after they lost a battle; and a strong party, under the command of Midleton, declared for the king, and that he would receive, without distinction, all persons, that would assist in his service. His majesty being displeased at the harsh usage of the council of state, attempted to have gone to Midleton; and being in his way, a discovery was made by some intrusted; whereupon colonel Montgomery by command pursued him, who overtaking of him, prevailed with him to return to Sterling, where he is attended with strong guards.

Your excellency may perceive the little hopes, that a party so divided should be able to afford us any succours: and if they should prove victorious, and have power to keep his majesty in the same awe, they now do; nothing but our destruction is to be expected from them. The expectation of assistance from France, is every whit as hopeless.

I have, during my stay there, made application to the cardinal, which was strengthened by her majesty's recommendation, and could never by any sollicitation, procure so much as the promise of supplies for the publick; only some overtures of conditions for some particular persons, in case they should bring men to their service: and even those also were so coldly prosecuted, that I perceived it was rather with design to stay me from

capitulating with the Spaniard, than any intention of agreeing with me. Since my coming hither, they have treated with an agent from the parliament, and are dispatching agents to them for the continuance of a peace; so as I believe they will be so far from affording us relief, that if the parliament insist upon it, they will deny access to all Irish ships to any of their ports.

The Spaniards have yet gone farther; they have already concluded a league, which some say is offensive and defensive, with the parliament; neither will they be drawn to break a capitulation, so newly made with such useful confederates, for any interest of the king's or the Irish. They have declared them a state, and as such are to receive an embassador from them, who is daily expected in these countries.

The duke of Lorrain when I first moved him by letter, for concluding the treaty set on foot by his agent, he waved it; but my uncle George Dillon, before my coming hither, made him incline to afford us relief; and as soon as I intimated unto him the condition of that nation, he was pleased to advance five thousand pounds for their supply, upon such conditions, as is exprest in the assurance I gave him; a copy whereof, and the money, I sent by my uncle George: and his highness further promises, that if he be invited, and that the command of that kingdom (with subordination to the king) be put into his hands, he will employ his men, treasure, shipping, and person, in reducing thereof; which your lordship