136 LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOUKS [1646. 



in 20,000, on his own recognizance, and the Marquis 

 of Clanricarde, and the Earl of Kildare, for 10,000 

 each, to appear on thirty days notice. 



Eeturning to Kilkenny, he zealously endeavoured to 

 obtain from the Confederate Catholics acceptance of the 

 Lord Lieutenant s offer of terms to conclude a peace ; 

 but they, persisting in their exorbitant demands, refused 

 to accept the slightest modification of their own views, 

 so that the Earl was at length compelled to abandon his 

 own measures in despair, only to fall under the suspicion 

 of his own party as well as of his opponents. On the 

 llth of March, he wrote the following letter to the 

 Marquis of Ormond : * 



U MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY, 



&quot; The perfect knowledge I have of your Excel 

 lency s desire to perform what may be of most advantage 

 to the King our master s service, makes me confident to 

 lay before you what I humbly conceive may most con 

 duce thereto ; rny duty and affection obliging me not 

 only to adventure my life and fortune therein, but also 

 plainly to declare my sense thereof ; which being made 

 known to your Excellency, I shall ever most willingly 

 and readily submit to your better judgment. I, there 

 fore, take the boldness to acquaint you, that as I intend 

 (God willing) to go into France, without which journey 

 I cannot possibly bring things to that height of advan 

 tage to his Majesty s service, either in the business of 

 shipping, ammunition or money, as I have designed to 

 myself, and can (God willing) infallibly perform ; yet 

 if, before my own return, and during my abode in any 

 of those places, the Articles of Peace should be pro 

 claimed here, and not appear so really advantageous, 



* Bod. Lib. &quot; Carte Papers, 1634-1657, Ireland, 63.&quot; 



