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 Warwick for a pass, only communicating his real design to certain royalists in whom he had perfect confidence. While waiting the result of his application, he was surprised by a message from Oliver Cromwell of his intention to call on him at his lodgings. Cromwell at once informed him that the council were completely cognisant of the real character of his designs, and that but for his interposition he would already have been 'clapped up in the Tower' (, Memoirs of the Earl of Orrery, p. 11). Broghill thanked Cromwell warmly for his kindness, and asked his advice as to what he should do, whereupon Cromwell offered him a general's command in the war against the Irish. No oaths or obligations were to be laid on him except a promise on his word of honour faithfully to assist to the best of his power in subduing Ireland. Broghill, according to his biographer, asked for time to consider 'this large offer,' but Cromwell brusquely answered that he must decide on the instant; and, finding that 'no subterfuges could any longer be made use of,' he gave his consent.

The extraordinary bargain is a striking proof both of Cromwell's knowledge of men and of his consciousness of the immense difficulty of the task he had in hand in Ireland. The trust placed by him in Broghill's steadfastness and abilities was fully justified by the result. By whatever motives he may have been actuated, there can be no doubt that Broghill strained every nerve to make the cause of the parliament in Ireland triumphant. Indeed but for his assistance Cromwell's enterprise might have been attended with almost fatal disasters. With the commission of master of ordnance, Broghill immediately proceeded to Bristol, where he embarked for Ireland. Such was his influence in Munster that he soon found himself at the head of a troop of horse manned by gentlemen of property, and 1,500 well-appointed infantry, many of whom had deserted from Lord Inchiquin. After joining Cromwell at Wexford, he was left by him' at Mallow, with about six or seven hundred horse and four or five hundred foot,' to protect the interests of the parliament in Munster, and distinguished himself by the capture of two strong garrisons (, Cromwell, Letter cxix.) This vigorous procedure greatly contributed to drive the enemy into Kilkenny, where they shortly afterwards surrendered. Cromwell then proceeded to Clonmel, and Broghill was ordered to attack a body of Irish under the titular bishop of Ross, who were marching to its relief. This force he met at Macroom 10 May 1650, and totally defeated, taking the bishop prisoner. While preparing to pursue the defeated enemy he received a message from Cromwell, whose troops had been decimated by sickness and the sallies of the enemy, to join him with the utmost haste; and on his arrival Clonmel was taken after a desperate struggle. Cromwell, whose presence in Scotland had been for some time urgently required, now left the task of completing the subjugation of Ireland in the hands of Ireton, whom Broghill joined at the siege of Limerick. News having reached the besiegers that preparations were being made for its relief, Broghill was sent with a strong detachment to disperse any bodies of troops that might be gathering for this purpose. By a rapid march he intercepted a strong force under Lord Muskerry, advancing to join the army raised by the pope's nuncio, and so completely routed them that all attempts to relieve Limerick were abandoned.

On the conclusion of the war Broghill remained in Munster to keep the province in subjection, with Youghal for his headquarters (, 19). While the war was proceeding he had been put in possession of as much of Lord Muskerry's estates as amounted to 1,000l. a year, until the country in which his estate was situated was freed from the enemy (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1649-50, p. 473), and at its close Blarney Castle, with lands adjoining it to the annual value of 1,000l., was bestowed upon him, the bill after long delay in parliament receiving the assent of Cromwell in 1657 (Commons' Journal). Ireton, who had been so suspicious of Broghill's intentions as to advise that he should 'be cut off,' died from exposure at Limerick, and Cromwell, who throughout the war had relied implicitly on Broghill's good faith, gradually received him into his special confidence. Broghill, on his part, realising that the royal cause was for the time hopeless, devoted all his energies to make the rule of Cromwell a success. Actuated at first by motives of self-interest, he latterly conceived for Cromwell strong admiration and esteem. In Cromwell's parliament which met in 1654 he sat as member for Cork, and on the list of the parliament of 1656 his name appears as member both for Cork and Edinburgh. His representation of the latter city is accounted for by the fact that this year he was sent as lord president of the council to Scotland. That he remained in Scotland only one year was due not to any failure to satisfy either the Scots or Cromwell, but simply to the condition he made on accepting office, that he should not be required to hold it for more than a year. According to Robert Baillie he 'gained more on the affections of the people than all the English that ever were