CHAP. II - William III in 1691. Reduction of Ireland

Summary

When, on his return from that Irish campaign which the votes of Parliament had rendered possible for him, William opened its second session, he spoke so forcibly as to the danger the country was still in, and the need of fresh warlike preparations, and fresh money-votes, that he gave some offence to the Houses; for he seemed thus almost to preclude anything like free discussion of the subject. But as to the fact, no contradiction was now possible. The French fleet, which just before had threatened the English coast, had roused all the national feeling against France. The members could not have ventured to go home to their shires had they refused to vote the grants needed to secure the safety of the realm. And popular feeling was almost equally eager and excited in its wish to see completed that conquest of Ireland, which had already advanced so far, and to become absolute master of that restless people.

The news of Marlborough's success against Cork and Kinsale, which came in at this moment, was all the more favourably received, because it was an Englishman who won, the chief glory there; it also strengthened the popular confidence in the successful issue of the undertaking. In its answer to the speech from the throne, the House of Commons declared its conviction that the Protestant interests and the safety and liberties of Europe were bound up with the King's person, and promised to support him to the utmost of its power against all his foes.