Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/103

Charles II Remonstrance, expressly ascribes the subsequent misfortunes of the Catholics to the dissensions to which that ill-fated document gave birth. "The ministry," says the Archbishop, "for reasons best known to themselves, were willing to let you preach and press a formulary which they foresaw would divide the Catholics among themselves, discredit their religion, and give the Government the color and advantage of excluding from their estates many meriting gentlemen for not professing that allegiance which learned men of their own religion maintained to be absolutely necessary in a faithful subject." Talbot may, perhaps, be dismissed as an interested witness, but we have other evidence which cannot thus be set aside. Some years afterwards Ormond was accused, very unjustly, it must be admitted, of an excessive partiality for his Catholic countrymen; and his action in allowing their clergy to assemble for the discussion of the Remonstrance was especially singled out for hostile criticism. His defence shall be given in his own words. "My aim in permitting that meeting was to work a division among the Romish clergy." A confidential letter from Orrery to Ormond, written while the controversy was at its height, corroborates this scandalous admission. 91