llion, much less during the present confusions, when
their prince was in a manner a prisoner, and obedience must be paid,
not to him, but to those who had traitorously usurped his lawful
authority.[*]

By these considerations, More engaged all the heads of the native Irish
into the conspiracy. The English of the pale, as they were called,
or the old English planters, being all Catholics, it was hoped would
afterwards join the party which restored their religion to its ancient
splendor and authority. The intention was, that Sir Phelim O'Neale
and the other conspirators should begin an insurrection on one day
throughout the provinces, and should attack all the English settlements;
and that, on the same day, Lord Maguire and Roger More should surprise
the Castle of Dublin. The commencement of the revolt was fixed on the
approach of winter, that there might be more difficulty in transporting
forces from England. Succors to themselves and supplies of arms they
expected from France, in consequence of a promise made them by Cardinal
Richelieu. And many Irish officers, who served in the Spanish troops,
had engaged to join them, as soon as they saw an insurrection entered
upon by their Catholic brethren. News, which every day arrived from
England, of the fury expressed by the commons against all Papists,
struck fresh terror into the Irish nation, and both stimulated the
conspirators to execute their fatal purpose, and gave them assured hopes
of the concurrence of all their country men.[**]

Such propensity to a revolt was discovered in all the Irish, that it was
deemed unnecessary, as it was dangerous to intrust the secret to many
hands; and the appointed day drew nigh, nor had any discovery been yet
made to the government. The king, indeed, had received information from
his ambassadors, that something was in agitation among the Irish in
foreign parts; but though he gave warning to the administration in
Ireland, the intelligence was entirely neglected.[***]

* Temple, p. 72, 73, 78. Dugdale, p. 73.

** Dugdale, p. 74.

*** Bush vol. v. p. 408. Nalson, vol ii. p. 565.

Secret rumors likewise were heard of some approaching conspiracy; but
no attention was paid to them. The earl of Leicester, whom the king had
appointed lieutenant, remained in London, The two justices, Sir William
Parsons and Sir John Borlace, were men of small abilities; and, by an
inconvenience common to all factious times, owed their advance