The Prince of Orange was marching unopposed to London.

Almost every county and every great town in England had declared for him.

James, deserted by his ablest captains and by his nearest relatives, had sent commissioners to treat with the invaders, and had issued writs convoking a Parliament.

While the result of the negotiations which were pending in England was uncertain, the Viceroy could not venture to take a bloody revenge on the refractory Protestants of Ireland.

He therefore thought it expedient to affect for a time a clemency and moderation which were by no means congenial to his disposition.