Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/183

James II became law, asserts that "the Roman Catholic subjects of this kingdom have for several years, to the apparent hazard of their lives and estates, under the royal authority, defended this kingdom, until at last they were overpowered by the usurper Oliver Cromwell, in which quarrel many of them lost their lives, and divers of them, rather than take any conditions from the said usurper, did transport themselves into foreign parts, where they faithfully served under his late Majesty and his present Majesty, until his late Majesty was restored to the Crown." For this reason, it was argued, "his Majesty's said Roman Catholic subjects, not only upon account of the peace made by his late Majesty in the year 1648, but also for their eminent loyalty and firm adherence to the royal cause, might have justly expected to partake of his late Majesty's favour and bounty upon his happy restoration." Unfortunately, "the contrivances set on foot to destroy his Majesty's Catholic subjects of this realm" had resulted in the passing of the Acts of Settlement and Explanation, by which those legitimate expectations had been to a great extent disappointed. On these grounds it was enacted that the said Acts of Settlement and Explanation, certain clauses specifically mentioned alone excepted, should be totally re- 171