Download The Life of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford and Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland Volume Ñ,. 1 Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 edition. Excerpt: ...with their concurring assents. As to the contribution of twenty thousand pounds a year towards the army being a charge too heavy for Ireland, the idea was ridiculous. In reality, it was not worth naming, too small to be felt, if properly distributed among the wealthy. As it was, the rich had been spared, and the expenses had been ground by them out of the poor. Had it been the reverse, instead of the murmurs they spoke of, there would have been prayers and praises for his Majesty's person and most blessed government, and no man have been pinched. But this must now be all placed on a right footing. The King, indeed, would rather have it settled by parliament as the more beaten path, but a path in no way more lawful than by his Prerogative Eoyal which he could at once adopt, if the ordinary way failed. If the Irish were so unwise as to cast off the King's gracious proposals and their own safety, why, it must be guarded without them. As for Lord Wentworth himself, as their true friend, he must assure them of his belief in their affording the King the best means of fulfilling his good intentions towards them. As a faithful servant, he would certainly counsel his master to protect them by the ordinary means, but, if they disappointed him, he should take up his position as head of the army and deem it a great honour to die in support of the King's rights. Here "Wentworth sent a thrill through the nerves of the wealthy among the listeners by saying that he had 1634. no doubt the King would be able to fulfil his intentions by exacting his rights from those alone who were able to afford it, without calling at all on the poor. As to their idea of never raising a greater supply than was just enough to meet the present needs, he begged he might...