officers of the Courts and Christ Church itself, to say nothing of the college of Dublin, will shortly be all in one way. Whether toleration be intended to Dissenters, I know not; but find some bitterly against it, altho' the King hath most expressly told myself the contrary, with as good arguments as can be used for that purpose. It is manifest that a Parliament will be called there. It is said that a New Warrant will be forthwith brought against the Charter of Dublin, and consequently against many more, to make all things fit for "the great work." Some also say that Poynings' Law shall be dispens'd with, and bills directly pass'd as here. I hear that 2 or 3 of the new form'd Irish regiments shall be brought hither; and that 3 English regiments shall in lieu of them be carried from hence thither. We hear that many of the most considerable persons of Ireland will come away with my Lord Clarendon; and that there are thousands coming away already; the violences in Ireland of several sorts being so many and unpunished; the consideration whereof doth make poor people even of London weep. Dear Cousen, when I first treated with a great man, things were not near this rapidity; but I saw an Eddy in that Tide (tho' indeed strong enough), wherewith with pains one might rowe; and I had prepared oars for that purpose, that is to say, innocent and beneficiall designs for the good of mankind, which I had contrived should have been driven on by the same current that was likely to drive on worser things for myself. I yet stand fair with many, but fear as I told you in my last, that my cakes will never be baked.'[1]
In January 1687 Rochester was deprived of the office of Lord High Treasurer, and Clarendon of the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland. Tyrconnel became both Lord Deputy and Commander-in-Chief, with powers practically unlimited. The English Parliament had been prorogued in November 1686, and had not since met. James decided not only to introduce religious toleration and freedom of worship, but also to abolish tests, and to carry out all these steps at once by virtue of the royal prerogative, ' making no doubt,' as he said
- ↑ January 18, 1687.
