n had been predominant in
nearly all departments of state. He supported the exception of the
actual regicides from the Indemnity, but only ten out of the twenty-six
condemned were executed, and Clarendon, with the king's support,
prevented the passing of a bill in 1661 for the execution of thirteen
more. He upheld the Act of Indemnity against all the attempts of the
royalists to upset it. The conflicting claims to estates were left to be
decided by the law. The confiscations of the usurping government
accordingly were cancelled, while the properly executed transactions
between individuals were necessarily upheld. There can be little doubt
that the principle followed was the only safe one in the prevailing
confusion. Great injustice was indeed suffered by individuals, but the
proper remedy of such injustice was the benevolence of the king, which
there is too much reason to believe proved inadequate and partial. The
settlement of the church lands which was directed by Clarendon presented
equal difficulties and involved equal hardships. In settling Scotland
Clarendon's aim was to make that kingdom dependent upon England and to
uphold the Cromwellian union. He proposed to establish a council at
Whitehall to govern Scottish affairs, and showed great zeal in
endeavouring to restore episcopacy through the medium of Archbishop
Sharp. His influence, however, ended with the ascendancy of Lauderdale
in 1663. He was, to some extent at least, responsible for the settlement
in Ireland, but, while anxious for an establishment upon a solid
Protestant basis, urged "temper and moderation and justice" in securing
it. He supported Ormonde's wise and enlightened Irish administration,
and in particular opposed persistently the prohibition of the import of
Irish cattle into England, incurring thereby great unpopularity. He
showed great activity in the advancement of the colonies, to whom he
allowed full freedom of religion. He was a member of the council for
foreign plantations, and one of the eight lords proprietors of Carolina
in 1663; and in 1664 sent a commission to settle disputes in New
England. In the department of foreign affairs he had less influence. His
policy was limited to the maintenance of peace "necessary for the
reducing [the king's] own dominions into that temper of subjection and
obedience as they ought to be in."[13] In 1664 he demanded, on behalf of
Charles, French support, and a loan of L50,000 against disturbance at
home