In August, 1644, the cessation was again renewed by the General Assembly until December, and subsequently for a longer period.  Thus precious time, and what was still more precious, the fresh energies and interests of the Confederates, were hopelessly lost.  The King’s generals, or rather it should be said the Parliamentary officers, observed or held these engagements at their convenience, and made treaties of their own—­Inchiquin and Purcell making a truce between themselves in the south.  As the King’s affairs became daily more complicated, and his position more perilous, he saw the necessity for peace with his Irish subjects, and for allying himself with them, if possible.  Had he treated them with more consideration, or rather with common justice and humanity, at the commencement of his reign, England might have been saved the guilt of regicide and Cromwell’s iron rule.  Ormonde had received ample powers from Charles to grant the Catholics every justice now; but Ormonde could not resist the inclination to practise a little subtle diplomacy, even at the risk of his master’s kingdom and his master’s head.  The Confederate commissioners rejected his temporizing measures with contempt, though a few of their members, anxious for peace, were inclined to yield.

When Inchiquin set out to destroy the growing crops early in summer, Castlehaven was sent against him, and obliged him to retire into Cork.  At the same time Coote was overrunning Connaught and took possession of Sligo.  The Irish forces again recovered the town; but, in the attempt, the Archbishop and two friars fell into the hands of the enemy, and were cruelly murdered.  Charles now made another attempt to obtain the assistance of the Catholic party, and sent over Lord Herbert to Ireland on a secret mission for that purpose.  This nobleman and his father-in-law, the Earl of Thomond, were almost romantically attached to the King, and had already advanced L200,000 for the support of the royal cause.  He proceeded to Kilkenny, after a brief interview with Ormonde.  England’s difficulty proved Ireland’s opportunity.  Everything that could be desired was granted; and all that was asked was the liberty to worship God according to each man’s conscience, and the liberty of action and employment, which is the right of every member of civil society who has not violated the rules of moral conduct which governors are bound to enforce.  In return for the promise that they should enjoy the rights of subjects, the Irish Confederates promised to do the duty of subjects.  They had already assisted more than one English King to rule his Scotch dominions; they were now to assist Charles to rule his English subjects; and they promised to send him 10,000 armed men, under the command of Lord Herbert.  It was a great risk to trust a Stuart; and he made it a condition that the agreement should remain secret until the troops had landed in England.