1645-6.J OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 135 



Ormond and Digby. Yet no further evidence need be 

 required of Charles the First s consummate duplicity, 

 or how thoroughly he could make a convenience of his 

 subjects to serve his own subtle and deceitful policy. 



The tone of these last three letters sufficiently shows 

 the weakness of the cause in which they were interested ; 

 if we credit the statements they contain we are re 

 quired to believe that Lord Herbert presumptuously 

 assumed the title of Earl of Glamorgan ; and that his 

 treaty with the Irish Catholic party was without the 

 privity, much less instructions of his sovereign ! 



Lingard says, &quot; I have in my possession the original 

 warrant itself, with the King s signature and private 

 seal ; bearing the arms of the three kingdoms, a crown 

 above, and C. R. on the sides, and endorsed in the same 

 handwriting with the body of the warrant, c The Earl 

 of Glamorgan s especial warrant for Ireland. &quot; 62 



The Earl s imprisonment created great sensation, 

 many insisting on his release by force of arms. The 

 General Assembly of the Confederate Catholics pressed 

 for his being liberated, as absolutely necessary for the 

 relief of Chester, then besieged, and in distress ; for 

 which service 3000 men were reported as being ready 

 to embark, waiting only for the ships contracted for by 

 the Earl, for their transport ; the expedition being thus 

 delayed through his imprisonment, and likewise the 

 treaty of peace frustrated. 



The Earl of Glamorgan was set at liberty on the 21st 

 of January, on giving up to the Lord Lieutenant the 

 Instrument by which the Confederate Catholics obliged 

 themselves to the articles of their treaty ; but he would 

 not resign the command of the Irish troops, for England, 

 intended for the King s service ; bail being accepted 



6a Lingard, 5th edition, Vol. vii. p. 627. 



