Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

Charles, Second Earl of Middleton. 173
ation had been dispersed by his order in England.
I suppose that none will be surprised to hear that the
people of England should have so just a value for the
kingdom of Ireland, as never to be induced to resign
the interest they had in it. 1 The reasons are too
many and too obvious to trouble your lordship with
them. I shall only tell you that the king promises in
the foresaid Declaration to restore the settlement, but
at the same time declares that he will recompense all
those who may suffer by it, by giving them equiva-
lents. I mean those who have served him, and not
only those here, but all who were included in the
capitulation of Limerick, which will be a better
security for them than what they have by the Acts
of the Dublin Parliament, considering the many cir-
cumstances. I do not doubt but your lordship is
fully convinced of this truth, and it will be a great
service to the king to convince others of it, which I
hope will be no difficult matter. For there is no
man of common sense but will think himself engaged
by interest, as well as duty, to contribute to his
1 The two Houses of Parliament had addressed William on the
grievances of Ireland. They complained that the too favourable con-
ditions granted to the Papists at the capitulation of Limerick had en-
couraged them, and weakened the Protestant interest in the country ; and
that Lord Sidney had ruled with despotic authority, and engrossed
great part of the forfeiture by grants from the Crown. Lord Middle-
ton and the other Jacobites tried to turn every symptom of discon-
tent against William's Government to their own purposes. (Smollett.)