to Dundalk.[e] A cessation of hostilities was concluded for three months;[f] and the proposals of the Irish chieftain, modified by Monk, were transmitted to England for the ratification of parliament.  By the “grandees” it was thought imprudent to submit them to an examination, which would make them public; but the answer returned satisfied the contracting parties:[g] Monk supplied O’Neil with ammunition, and O’Neil undertook to intercept the communication between the Scottish regiments of the north and the grand army under Ormond in the heart of the kingdom.[2]

[Footnote 1:  On this obscure subject may be consulted Walker, ii. 150; Carte’s Collection of Letters, i. 216, 219, 221, 222, 224, 267, 272, 297; ii. 363, 364; and the Journals, Aug. 31.]

[Footnote 2:  O’Neil demanded liberty of conscience for himself, his followers, and their posterity; the undisturbed possession of their lands, as long as they remained faithful to the parliament; and, in return for his services, the restoration of his ancestor’s estate, or an equivalent. (See both his draft, and the corrected copy by Monk, in Philop.  Iren. i. 191, and in Walker, ii. 233-238.) His agent, on his arrival in London, was asked by the grandees why he applied to them, and refused to treat with Ormond.  He replied, because the late king had always made them fair promises; but, when they had done him service, and he could make better terms with their enemies, had always been ready to sacrifice them.  Why then did not O’Neil apply to the parliament sooner?  Because the men in power then had sworn to extirpate them; but those in power now professed toleration and liberty of conscience.—­Ludlow, i. 255.  The agreement made with him by Monk was rejected (Aug. 10), because, if we believe Ludlow, the Ulster men had been the chief actors in the murder of the English, and liberty of religion would prove dangerous to public peace.  But this rejection happened much later.  It is plain that Jones, Monk, Coote, and O’Neil understood that the agreement would be ratified, though it was delayed.—­Walker, ii 198, 231, 245.  See King’s Pamphlets, 428, 435, 437.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1649.  August 31.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1649.  Feb. 20.] [Sidenote c:  A.D. 1649.  March 16.] [Sidenote d:  A.D. 1649.  March 21.] [Sidenote e:  A.D. 1649.  April 25.] [Sidenote f:  A.D. 1649.  May 8.] [Sidenote g:  A.D. 1649.  May 22.]

Though the parliament had appointed Cromwell lord lieutenant of Ireland, and vested the supreme authority, both civil and military, in his person for three years, he was still unwilling to hazard his reputation, and his prospects in a dangerous expedition without the adequate means of success.[a] Out of the standing army of forty-five thousand men, with whose aid England was now governed, he demanded a force of twelve thousand veterans, with a plentiful supply of provisions and military stores, and the round sum of one hundred thousand pounds in ready money.[1] On the day of his