CHAP. 1666. Aug. 15. any other part of the world;" that they "could "not possibly consume them at home;" and "that the destruction of their trade would defeat "the intent and benefit of a late act for encouraging Protestant strangers to settle in Ire"land." * 66 Soon after this representation was laid before the King, a subscription was raised in Ireland for English sufferers by the fire of London. It was to be paid in cattle; and 30,000 were sent over. This charity, thus administered, only exasperated the advocates of prohibition, and was treated as a crafty contrivance for stopping the bill. On the first day of the session which was held soon after Sept. 21. the fire of London, a bill for the prohibition of cattle and meat from Ireland was again presented to the House of Commons; and the Commons, untaught, unsoftened by all that had occurred, Oct. 13. passed it by 165 to 104. In the House of Lords, where it was read a second time and committed on the 19th of October, it made a less rapid progress. It was ably opposed; and Lord Clarendon, in particular, raised his voice with admirable eloquence against this unjust and partial measure. It was warmly discussed in committee; and two days were spent in discussing the single word "nuis"ance." The importation had been so designated; and the word was an important one, inserted in order to bar the dispensing power of the Crown ; * Carte, ii. 330, 331. The XIII. 1666. Nov. 23. lest the King, in compassion for his Irish subjects, CHAP. should in this case be inclined to exert it. friends of Ireland in the upper House succeeded in expunging this word, and inserting, in its stead, “detriment and mischief;" words similar in meaning, but which offered no legal bar to the power of dispensation. It passed by a majority of 63 to 47; and the amended bill was sent back to the Commons. Conferences ensued between the two Houses*, in which the point most strongly urged by the Commons was the re-insertion of the word "nuisance." Neither would, for a time, concede; the Lords being supported by the King's aversion and Clarendon's opposition to the bill; the Commons (who had not yet voted the supplies) by the necessities of the Crown. But Charles who had once threatened to withhold his assent, but who wanted money to prosecute the war, and could obtain it only by conciliating the Commons, was at last induced to give way. Contrary to the opinion of Clarendon, the friends of the court in the House of Lords were instructed to agree to the contested word, and the iniquitous measure passed into a law. Clarendon's conduct in this affair displayed a clear and upright sense of what was at once politic and humane, and his abhorrence of the injustice to Ireland, which was thus perpetrated with stubborn selfishness by a Parliament exclusively English. The result, too, showed how little power he could at that time *Lords' Journals, Dec. 20. 29. 1666. Jan. 3. 12. 14. 1667. Jan. 14. CHAP. boast, even with justice at his side, and supported by the remonstrances of a suffering people.* XIII. 1666. * See Life of Clarendon, iii. 136–163. Carte's Ormond, ii. 317–323. 329–338. Pepys, iii. 121, 122, 123. 126. Journals passim. One of the most vehement advocates of this measure was the Duke of Buckingham, the bitter foe of Clarendon and Ormond, stimulated by the hope of embarrassing the latter in his administration of the affairs of Ireland. Buckingham was unusually assiduous in attendance during the progress of the bill, while his intemperate conduct was suitable to his reckless character. "None were against the bill," he told Lord Ossory, in the House of Lords, "but those who had either Irish "estates or Irish understandings." Ossory sent a challenge, which Buckingham accepted; but avoided the combat by pretending to mistake the place of meeting, giving notice to the King, and complaining to the House of a breach of privilege, in consequence of which both parties were committed to the custody of the Usher of the Black Rod. (October 29. See Lords' Journals.) CHAP. XIV. A NAVAL PREPARATIONS. CLARENDON'S REMONSTRANCE DENMARK. 1665-1666. CHAP. XIV. 1665. parations. THE recital of hostilities with the Dutch may now be pursued. Great exertions were made to prosecute the war with requisite vigour. A fleet of 130 sail was, if possible, to be provided, manned Naval prewith 30,000 sailors,—a number almost ten times as great as had been employed in the navy since the King's return.* The Duke of York, on the 23d of March, assumed the command (Albemarle fulfilling the official duties of Lord High Admiral in his absencet); and, in the beginning of May, he put to sea with a fleet of ninety-eight ships of war, besides fire-ships and tenders. ‡ These preparations were not made without vast expense, the 66 * Pepys, ii. 290, 291. Pepys says the substitution of Albemarle for the Duke of York is a thing that do cheer my heart. For the other would have vexed us with attendance, and never done the business." (Pepys, ii. 255.) CHAP. 1665. withdrawal of many ships and seamen from the 66 * Pepys, ii. 241. 255. 260, 261. دو |