To calm them was beyond his skill.

Rumours were abroad that the Viceroy was corresponding with the English; and these rumours had set the nation on fire.

The cry of the common people was that, if he dared to sell them for wealth and honours, they would burn the Castle and him in it, and would put themselves under the protection of France, [145] It was necessary for him to protest, truly or falsely, that he had never harboured any thought of submission, and that he had pretended to negotiate only for the purpose of gaining time.
Yet, before he openly declared against the English settlers, and against England herself, what must be a war to the death, he wished to rid himself of Mountjoy, who had hitherto been true to the cause of James, but who, it was well known, would never consent to be a party to the spoliation and oppression of the colonists.

Hypocritical professions of friendship and of pacific intentions were not spared.

It was a sacred duty, Tyrconnel said, to avert the calamities which seemed to be impending.