( 328 )
counties would only satisfy twelve shillings and sixpence in the pound. Trusting, however, that it would ultimately prove equivalent to two-thirds, they petition accordingly that it be set out to them forthwith, leaving the remaining third to be settled afterwards. The council appear to have acted with great fairness, as well as great prudence. It ordered the two-third satisfaction to be made, and consented even that the accruing rents should be set aside for the benefit of the army, enjoining, however, in conformity with the directions of the Act, that the regiments should be "set down" continuously, and not scattered over the country, each beginning where the lands of the former ceased; the several regiments, troops, and companies, drawing lots as to where their portions should respectively fall. So extraordinary and systematic a partition of a country has no analogy, even in the planting of a modern colony, and perhaps it is not profane to remark here, in reference to the importance of a map for such a division, that a French writer on the subject of maps in the Memorial Topographique et Militaire, thinks there are indications of such a document in the partition of the Holy Land, by Joshua. The council also, very properly, had care of the claims of the soldiers formerly disbanded, and others, in conformity with the Act, requiring consideration and report on those subjects. Subsequently, owing to the rapid progress made by Dr. Petty in the survey, it speedily appeared by his "Downe admeasurement" that the forfeited lands were more extensive than the civil estimate had made them. Accordingly, the committee request that the whole debt be satisfied to them at once, for which they give six very simple reasons, the sixth alone being important, viz., their undertaking to pay in money any troops or companies who may be "shutt out." This does not appear to have been assented to. It would have been a mere scramble, but every effort was made to complete the survey as rapidly as possible.
The committee, while continuing to sit, appear to have propounded several resolutions not relating solely to this subject, but having for their object a larger scope of improvement for their general good when settled, among others, several relating to trade, and the intimate union of Ireland with the Commonwealth of England, on which the Lord Deputy appears to have come himself to the committee and announced a "speedy reducement of the army." This might have seemed to indicate displeasure, and probably at their proceedings, but for the last resolution of those which follow, which, though it is not clear, may be read as what would now be called a vote of thanks to him. The resolutions indicate much foresight as to indemnity, clearness of title, &c., and the closing paragraph of page 75 is not without analogy to the more modern fashion of disencumbering estates.
Finally, however, they separate, constituting a smaller body of officers to act for them, with full authority on all the points embraced in their resolutions.
Amid this tumult of claims and divisions it is refreshing to read the appeal of the Lord Deputy on behalf of the poor Waldenses: "meeting in the Castle hall with severall officers of the army, they together did resolve" to subscribe, "some a month's pay, others three weeks, and some one week's pay." It affords a glimpse at the outer world, in the midst of a narrative devoted to a single object, and that object, one which, however important and however curious, cannot even at this day be dwelt upon without constant pain. Nor are the widows and maimed
