Charles II
countrymen might hope, if not for generosity, at least for justice. | Unfortunately, his conduct during the campaign of 1649 had given offence to the ultra-national party; he had been pursued with some just and some unjust reproaches; and, while he was thus alienated from the native Irish, the colonial Parliament proceeded to purchase his support by a large bribe.20 The expedient was successful, and Ormond "signally espoused the interest of the English Protestants."21
The Act which was now passed,22 though based in outline on the declaration already mentioned, was in many respects less favourable to the Catholic party. The preamble contains an example of historical fiction which is, perhaps, unparalleled in the state papers of any other country. After a description of the rising of 1641, more creditable to the imagination than to the veracity of the legislators, it proceeded to declare "that Almighty God had given his Majesty by and through his English Protestant subjects,"—with regard to whose own proceedings the legislature was discreetly silent,—"absolute victory and conquest over the Irish Popish rebels and enemies"; that, "compelled by necessity" "during his Majesty's absence beyond the sea," "certain of his subjects" had undertaken the government and deprived the said rebels and
77
