A vessel from England soon brought a commission from William and Mary which confirmed him in his office, [162] To reduce the Protestants of Ulster to submission before aid could arrive from England was now the chief object of Tyrconnel.

A great force was ordered to move northward, under the command of Richard Hamilton.
This man had violated all the obligations which are held most sacred by gentlemen and soldiers, had broken faith with his friends the Temples, had forfeited his military parole, and was now not ashamed to take the field as a general against the government to which he was bound to render himself up as a prisoner.

His march left on the face of the country traces which the most careless eye could not during many years fail to discern.

His army was accompanied by a rabble, such as Keating had well compared to the unclean birds of prey which swarm wherever the scent of carrion is strong.

The general professed himself anxious to save from ruin and outrage all Protestants who remained quietly at their homes; and he most readily gave them protections tinder his hand.