The English government next turned its attention to the colonization of the immense possessions which were forfeited ; nearly 800,000 acres were in this predicament in the north of Ireland ; and these it was resolved to settle with such people, and in such a manner, as might render the colonization beneficial both to the settlers themselves and to the Irish. As this desire was sincere, and as the plan was thoroughly digested by able and impartial men, the object was accomplished in a touch greater degree than might have been anticipated.
In 1613, the first national parliament was held in Ire land. Their first proceedings were tumultuous ; but af terwards they conducted themselves with more decorum, and their acts were wise and beneficial. O'Neil, who had again embarked in treacnnable decigwo, but urtorw,,,d3 fled to the continent—the Earl of Tyreonnel, who had join ed him—and O'Dogherty, who had been concerned in an insurrection, were a ttainted ; amnesty and pardon were granted to all others. The measures of the king to abolish the distinctions between the English by birth, and the Eng lish by blood, and to place the native Irish under the pro tection of the law, were approved by the legislature ; and the session was closed by a bill of subsidy.
Notwithstanding these judicious measures, and the ap parent tranquillity of Ireland, there still existed serious causes of disaffection ; but these had now assumed a re ligious character. The Reformation had made little pro gress—the great portion of the nobility, and nearly all the lower orders, were still attached to the Catholic religion ; and as they were cut off front the possession of offices by their refusal to take the oath ol supremacy, there were thus implanted in them two weighty reasons of discon tent—difference of religion, and the disabilities which this occasioned. But, as were sensible of their own mini bers and power, they openly urged their claims and wishes, and opposed the measures of the Protestants. From this source had arisen the to In ultuous proceedings of the par liament when it first opened ; and the disposition display ed by the recusants (as they were called) to make demands in religious matters, caused its unexpected dissolution. The pope naturally approved and supported the measures of the recusants ; and, in order that they might hold to gether, and act with decision, he appointed a regular hierarchy throughout the kingdom, all the members of which met with as much respect and obedience as they had received when the Catholic was the established re ligion.
Such was the state of Ireland when Charles I. ascended
the throne. In 1633, that monarch appointed Wentworth lord-lieutenant. He entered upon his office with notions that were by no means calculated to render him popular, or to benefit Ireland ; for he carried his ideas of the right of conquest to the utmost extreme; and acted on these ideas, both in his general administration of the country, and in his treatment of individuals. He seems, however, in some respects to have benefited Ireland ; for though he discouraged the woollen manufacture, because it might injure that manufacture in England, yet lie gave his coun tenance to the establishment of a linen manufacture in Ulster. In 1640, Wentworth left Ireland, to assist his royal master in the difficulties and troubles in which he was involved, having previously, as he thought, proved and secured the loyalty of the Irish parliament. As soon, how ever, as they found that Charles was involved in a war with Scotland, and that the English parliament were rising in their demands from him, they forgot their protestations and promises, and directed a remonstrance to be sent to the king regarding the grievances they had suffered from Wentworth. This remonstrance; instead of being pre sented to his majesty, was communicated to the English House of Commons, who naturally fomented and encourag ed the discontents of the Irish. The king, under these circumstances, was obliged to yield, and to agree that most of the grievances complained of should be removed. This concession only stimulated to fresh demands; and, to render these demands inure imperative, the recusants and puritans, who formed the majority of the parliament, united.
It is not to be supposed that the Irish chieftains were in active during this state of things ; on the contrary, they used their utmost endeavours to persuade the people, that the moment was arrived when they might shake off the English yoke. The most active and enterprising person this occasion was Roger Moore : He was descended from a family once powerful, but now reduced, in the Queen's county ; and though not of native Irish descent, yet he contrived to ingratiate himself so thoroughly with the native Irish, that he was the subject of their most po pular songs. His address was insinuating—his manners, when he chose, and deemed it necessary or politic, highly polished—and his judgment cool and penetrating. \Vith him were associated several men, greatly his inferiors it: every respect, but whom he well knew how to employ as useful instruments for his purposes.