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the gates of Lon

ferry a detachment from Antrim's regiment crossed. The officers presented themselves at the gate, produced a warrant directed to the Mayor and Sheriffs, and demanded admittance and quarters for his Majesty's soldiers.

The people of Londonderry shared patiently to the slaughter rather than Closing of in the alarm which, towards incur the guilt of disobeying the Lord's the close of the year 1688, was Anointed.* Antrim was meanwhile donderry. general among the Protestants drawing nearer and nearer. At length settled in Ireland. It was known that the citizens saw from the walls his the aboriginal peasantry of the neigh- troops arrayed on the opposite shore of bourhood were laying in pikes and the Foyle. There was then no bridge: knives. Priests had been haranguing but there was a ferry which kept up a in a style of which, it must be owned, constant communication between the the Puritan part of the Anglosaxon two banks of the river; and by this colony had little right to complain, about the slaughter of the Amalekites, and the judgments which Saul had brought on himself by sparing one of the proscribed race. Rumours from various quarters and anonymous letters in various hands agreed in naming the ninth of December as the day fixed for Just at this moment thirteen young the extirpation of the strangers. While apprentices, most of whom appear, from the minds of the citizens were agitated their names, to have been of Scottish by these reports, news came that a birth or descent, flew to the guardroom, regiment of twelve hundred Papists, armed themselves, seized the keys of commanded by a Papist, Alexander the city, rushed to the Ferry Gate, Macdonnell, Earl of Antrim, had re- closed it in the face of the King's ceived orders from the Lord Deputy to officers, and let down the portcullis. occupy Londonderry, and was already James Morison, a citizen more advaned on the march from Coleraine. The in years, addressed the intruders from consternation was extreme. Some were the top of the wall and advised them for closing the gates and resisting; to be gone. They stood in consultation some for submitting; some for tempo- before the gate till they heard him cry, rising. The corporation had, like the " Bring a great gun this way." They other corporations of Ireland, been then thought it time to get beyond the remodelled. The magistrates were men range of shot. They retreated, reemof low station and character. Among barked, and rejoined their comrades on them was only one person of Anglo- the other side of the river. The flame saxon extraction; and he had turned had already spread. The whole city Papist. In such rulers the inhabitants was up. The other gates were secured. could place no confidence.* The Bi- Sentinels paced the ramparts everyshop, Ezekiel Hopkins, resolutely where. The magazines were opened. adhered to the political doctrines which he had preached during many years, and exhorted his flock to go *My authority for this unfavourable account of the corporation is an epic poem entitled the Londeriad. This extraordinary the events to which it relates; for it is dedicated to Robert Rochfort, Speaker of the House of Commons; and Rochfort was Speaker from 1695 to 1699. The poet had no inven

work must have been written very soon after

tion; he had evidently a minute knowledge of the city which he celebrated; and his doggerel is consequently not without historical

value. He says:

"For burgesses and freemen they had chose Broguemakers, butchers, raps, and such as those: In all the corporation not a man Of British parents except Buchanan." This Buchanan is afterwards described as "A knave all o'er,

For he had learned to tell his beads before."

Muskets and gunpowder were distributed. Messengers were sent, under cover of the following night, to the Protestant gentlemen of the neighbouring counties. The bishop expostulated in vain. It is indeed probable that the vehement and daring young Scotchmen who had taken the lead on this occasion had little respect for his office. One of them broke in on a discourse with which he interrupted the military preparations by exclaiming, “A good sermon, my lord; a very good sermon;

* See a sermon preached by him at Dublin on Jan. 31. 1669. The text is "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake."

Mountjoy

sent to

pacify Ulster.

At Dublin he was the centre of a small circle of learned and ingenious men who had, under his presidency, formed themselves into a Royal Society, the image,

of London. In Ulster, with which he was peculiarly connected, his name was held in high honour by the colonists.* He hastened with his regiment to Londonderry, and was well received there. For it was known that, though he was firmly attached to hereditary monarchy, he was not less firmly attached to the reformed religion. The citizens readily permitted him to leave within their walls a small garrison exclusively composed of Protestants, under the command of his lieutenant colonel, Robert Lundy, who took the title of Governor.†

but we have not time to hear it just | He was Master of the Ordnance in now."* that kingdom, and was colonel of a The Protestants of the neighbour- regiment in which an uncommonly hood promptly obeyed the summons large proportion of the Englishry had of Londonderry. Within forty eight been suffered to remain. hours, hundreds of horse and foot came by various roads to the city. Antrim, not thinking himself strong enough to risk an attack, or not disposed to take on himself the responsibility of commenc-on a small scale, of the Royal Society ing a civil war without further orders, retired with his troops to Coleraine. It might have been expected that the resistance of Enniskillen and Londonderry would have irritated Tyrconnel into taking some desperate step. And in truth his savage and imperious temper was at first inflamed by the news almost to madness. But, after wreaking his rage, as usual, on his wig, he became somewhat calmer. Tidings of a very sobering nature had just reached him. The Prince of Orange was marching unopposed to London. Almost every county The news of Mountjoy's visit to and every great town in England had Ulster was highly gratifying to the dedeclared for him. James, deserted by fenders of Enniskillen. Some gentlehis ablest captains and by his nearest men deputed by that town waited on relatives, had sent commissioners to him to request his good offices, but were treat with the invaders, and had issued disappointed by the reception which writs convoking a Parliament. While they found. "My advice to you is,” the result of the negotiations which he said, "to submit to the King's auwere pending in England was uncertain, thority." "What, my Lord?" said one the Viceroy could not venture to take a bloody revenge on the refractory Protestants of Ireland. He therefore thought it expedient to affect for a time a clemency and moderation which were by no means congenial to his disposition. The task of quieting the Englishry of Ulster was entrusted to William Stewart, Viscount Mountjoy. Mountjoy, a brave soldier, an accomplished scholar, a zealous Protestant, and yet a zealous Tory, was one of the very few members of the Established Church who still held office in Ireland.

* Walker's Account of the Siege of Derry; 1689; Mackenzie's Narrative of the Siege of Londonderry, 1689; An Apology for the failures charged on the Reverend Mr. Walker's Account of the late Siege of Derry, 1689; A Light to the Blind. This last work, a manucript in the possession of Lord Fingal, is the work of a zealous Roman Catholic and a mortal enemy of England. Large extracts from it are among the Mackintosh MSS. The date in the titlepage is 1711.

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of the deputies; "are we to sit still and let ourselves be butchered?" "The King," said Mountjoy, "will protect you.' If all that we hear be true," said the deputy, "His Majesty will find it hard enough to protect himself." The conference ended in this unsatisfactory manner. Enniskillen still kept its attitude of defiance; and Mountjoy returned to Dublin.†

By this time it had indeed become evident that James could not protect himself. It was known in Ireland that he had fled; that he had been stopped; that he had fled again; that the Prince of Orange had arrived at Westminster

*As to Mountjoy's character and position, see Clarendon's letters from Ireland, particu larly that to Lord Dartmouth of Feb. 8., and that to Evelyn of Feb. 14. 1685. "Bon officier, et homme d'esprit," says Avaux. † Walker's Account; Light to the Blind. Mac Cormick's Further Impartial Ac count.

the pay of the navy in arrear. He had

in triumph, had taken on himself the administration of the realm, and had no power to hypothecate any part of

issued letters summoning a Conven

tion.

William

opens a

tion with

Tyrconnel.

It

the public revenue. Those who lent him money lent it on no security but Those lords and gentlemen at whose his bare word. It was only by the request the Prince had assumed patriotic liberality of the merchants of negotia- the government, had earnestly London that he was enabled to defray entreated him to take the state the ordinary charges of government till of Ireland into his immediate the meeting of the Convention. consideration; and he had in reply as-is surely unjust to blame him for not sured them that he would do his best instantly fitting out, in such circumto maintain the Protestant religion and stances, an armament sufficient to conthe English interest in that kingdom. quer a kingdom. His enemies afterwards accused him of utterly disregarding this promise; nay, they alleged, that he purposely suffered Ireland to sink deeper and deeper in calamity. Halifax, they said, had, with cruel and perfidious ingenuity, devised this mode of placing the Convention under a species of duress; and the trick had succeeded but too well. The vote which called William to the throne would not have passed so easily but for the extreme dangers which threatened the state; and it was in consequence of his own dishonest inactivity that those dangers had become extreme.* As this accusation rests on no proof, those who repeat it are at least bound to show that some course clearly better than the course which William took was open to him; and this they will find a difficult task. If indeed he could, within a few weeks after his arrival in London, have sent a great expedition to Ireland, that kingdom might perhaps, after a short struggle, or without a struggle, have submitted to his authority; and a long series of crimes and calamities might have been averted. But the factious orators and pamphleteers, who, much at their ease, reproached him for not sending such an expedition, would have been perplexed if they had been required to find the men, the ships, and the funds. The English army had lately been arrayed against him: part of it was still ill disposed towards him; and the whole was utterly disorganised. Of the army which he had brought from Holland not a regiment could be spared. He had found the treasury empty and

*Burnet, i. 807.; and the notes by Swift and Dartmouth. Tutchin, in the Observator, repeats this idle calumny.

Perceiving that, till the government of England was settled, it would not be in his power to interfere effectually by arms in the affairs of Ireland, he determined to try what effect negotiation would produce. Those who judged after the event pronounced that he had not, on this occasion, shown his usual sagacity. He ought, they said, to have known that it was absurd to expect submission from Tyrconnel. Such however was not at the time the opinion of men who had the best means of information, and whose interest was a sufficient pledge for their sincerity. A great meeting of noblemen and gentlemen who had property in Ireland was held, during the interregnum, at the house of the Duke of Ormond in Saint James's Square. They advised the Prince to try whether the Lord Deputy might not be induced to capitulate on honourable and advantageous terms.* In truth there is strong reason to believe that Tyrconnel really wavered. For, fierce as were his passions, they never made him forgetful of his interest; and he might well doubt whether it were not for his interest, in declining years and health, to retire from business with full indemnity for all past offences, with high rank, and with an ample fortune, rather than to stake his life and property on the event of a war against the whole power of England. It is certain that he professed himself willing to yield. He opened a communication with the Prince of Orange, and affected to take counsel with Mountjoy, and with others who, though they had not thrown off their allegiance to James, were

* The Orange Gazette, Jan. 10. 1688.

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The Temples consulted.

sent to

his parole.

One of her bro

yet firmly attached to the Established | fessed the Roman Catholic religion. In Church and to the English connection. the gay crowd which thronged Richard In one quarter, a quarter from which | Whitehall, during those scan- Hamilton William was justified in expect- dalous years of Jubilee which Ireland on ing the most judicious counsel, immediately followed the Rethere was a strong conviction storation, the Hamiltons were prethat the professions of Tyrconnel were eminently conspicuous. The long fair sincere. No British statesman had then ringlets, the radiant bloom, and the so high a reputation throughout Europe languishing blue eyes of the lovely as Sir William Temple. His diplomatic Elizabeth still charm us on the canskill had, twenty years before, arrested vass of Lely. She had the glory of the progress of the French power. He achieving no vulgar conquest. It was had been a steady and an useful friend reserved for her voluptuous beauty to the United Provinces and to the and for her flippant wit to overHouse of Nassau. He had long been come the aversion which the coldon terms of friendly confidence with hearted and scoffing Grammont felt for the Prince of Orange, and had nego- the indissoluble tie. tiated that marriage to which England thers, Anthony, became the chronicler owed her recent deliverance. With the of that brilliant and dissolute society affairs of Ireland Temple was supposed of which he had been not the least to be peculiarly well acquainted. His brilliant nor the least dissolute memfamily had considerable property there: ber. He deserves the high praise of he had himself resided there during having, though not a Frenchman, several years he had represented the written the book which is, of all books, county of Carlow in parliament; and a the most exquisitely French, both in large part of his income was derived spirit and in manner. Another brofrom a lucrative Irish office. There was ther, named Richard, had, in foreign no height of power, of rank, or of opu- service, gained some military experilence, to which he might not have risen, ence. His wit and politeness had if he would have consented to quit his distinguished him even in the splendid retreat, and to lend his assistance and circle of Versailles. It was whispered the weight of his name to the new that he had dared to lift his eyes to an government. But power, rank, and exalted lady, the natural daughter of opulence had less attraction for his the Great King, the wife of a legitiEpicurean temper than ease and se- mate prince of the House of Bourbon, curity. He rejected the most tempting and that she had not seemed to be invitations, and continued to amuse displeased by the attentions of her himself with his books, his tulips, and presumptuous admirer.* Richard had his pineapples, in rural seclusion. With subsequently returned to his native some hesitation, however, he consented country, had been appointed Brigadier to let his eldest son John enter into the General in the Irish army, and had service of William. During the vacancy been sworn of the Irish Privy Council. of the throne, John Temple was em- When the Dutch invasion was expected, ployed in business of high importance; he came across Saint George's Channel and, on subjects connected with Ireland, with the troops which Tyrconnel sent his opinion, which might reasonably be to reinforce the royal army. After the supposed to agree with his father's, had flight of James, those troops submitted great weight. The young politician to the Prince of Orange. Richard flattered himself that he had secured Hamilton not only made his own peace the services of an agent eminently with what was now the ruling power, qualified to bring the negotiation with but declared himself confident that, if Tyrconnel to a prosperous issue. he were sent to Dublin, he could conduct the negotiation which had been opened there to a happy close. If he

This agent was one of a remarkable family which had sprung from a noble Scottish stock, but which had long been settled in Ireland, and which pro

* Mémoires de Madame de la Fayette.

Mountjoy

failed, he pledged his word to return | sacred duty, Tyrconnel said, to avert to London in three weeks. His influ- the calamities which seemed to be imence in Ireland was known to be great: pending. King James himself, if he his honour had never been questioned; understood the whole case, would not and he was highly esteemed by John wish his Irish friends to engage at that Temple. The young statesman declared moment in an enterprise which must that he would answer for his friend be fatal to them and useless to him. Richard as for himself. This guarantee He would permit them, he would was thought sufficient; and Hamilton command them, to submit to necessity, set out for Ireland, proclaiming every- and to reserve themselves for better where that he should soon bring Tyr- times. If any man of weight, any man connel to reason. The offers which loyal, able, and well-informed, would he was authorised to make to the Ro- repair to Saint Germains and explain man Catholics and personally to the the state of things, His Majesty would Lord Deputy were most liberal.* easily be convinced. Would Mountjoy It is not impossible that Hamilton undertake this most honourable and Tyrconnel may have really meant to keep important mission? Mountjoy hesisends his promise. But when he ar- tated, and suggested that some person and Rice rived at Dublin, he found that more likely to be acceptable to the to France. he had undertaken a task King should be the messenger. Tyrwhich he could not perform. The connel swore, ranted, declared that, hesitation of Tyrconnel, whether ge- unless King James were well advised, nuine or feigned, was at an end. He had Ireland would sink to the pit of hell, found that he had no longer a choice. and insisted that Mountjoy should go He had with little difficulty stimulated as the representative of the loyal the ignorant and susceptible Irish to members of the Established Church, fury. To calm them was beyond his and should be accompanied by Chief skill. Rumours were abroad that the Baron Rice, a Roman Catholic high in Viceroy was corresponding with the the royal favour. Mountjoy yielded. English; and those rumours had set The two ambassadors departed tothe nation on fire. The cry of the com-gether, but with very different common people was that, if he dared to missions. Rice was charged to tell sell them for wealth and honours, they James that Mountjoy was a traitor at would burn the Castle and him in it, heart, and had been sent to France and would put themselves under the only that the Protestants of Ireland protection of France. It was neces- might be deprived of a favourite sary for him to protest, truly or falsely, leader. The King was to be assured that he had never harboured any that he was impatiently expected in thought of submission, and that he Ireland, and that, if he would show had pretended to negotiate only for himself there with a French force, he the purpose of gaining time. Yet, might speedily retrieve his fallen forbefore he openly declared against the tunes. The Chief Baron carried with English settlers, and against England him other instructions which were herself, what must be a war to the death, probably kept secret even from the he wished to rid himself of Mountjoy, Court of Saint Germains. If James who had hitherto been true to the should be unwilling to put himself at cause of James, but who, it was well the head of the native population of known, would never consent to be a Ireland, Rice was directed to request party to the spoliation and oppression a private audience of Lewis, and to of the colonists. Hypocritical profes- offer to make the island a province of sions of friendship and of pacific France.† intentions were not spared. It was a

*Burnet, i. 808.; Life of James, ii. 320.; Commons' Journals, July 29. 1689. Mar. 25. 1689.

† Avaux to Lewis, April 4.

* Clarke's Life of James, ii. 331.; Mountjoy's Circular Letter, dated Jan. 10. 1688; King, iv. 8. In "Light to the Blind" Tyrconnel's "wise dissimulation" is commended. † Avaux to Lewis, April 1689. 23.

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