The New York herald., 1871-07-11
Letters to the "uera:d" on the
Topic OF the Day.
Disseminated and Indignant Cor
respondents.
Communications from North and South
Americans, Roman Catholic and
Protestant Irishmen, Canadians
and Englishmen. ss
ssHIST0RlCyS" CORRECTING THE LETTER
vo.a WRITER'S. li

NEW YORK, July TO- lS7l.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
letter signed ar. d. W.. Limerick" appears In
your issue OF to-day, which Is SO reeking with mis-
statements Of historical facts that take the liberty
Of asking you to insert this correction will pre-
mise by stating that am entirely Indifferent be-
tween the Orangemen and Ribbonmen In this
country, caring not straw for either, but merely
desire to see the truth Of history preserved.
1t is untrue. as stated by II. d. w. that "James ~.
at his accession publicly proessed Catholic princi.
pies, and published order giving liberty OF con-
science to all his subjects.n James had professed
Catholic principles long before coming the throne;
aud he did not publish his Declaration or Indul-
gence till long after; the contrary he tried hard,
during the early part OF his reign, to continue the
persecution OF Protestant Dlssenters, provided he
could procure freedom for those Of hs own Church.
" was only when he found that 10 he impossible
that he proclaimed freedom OF worship to all denOm-
nations alike.
1t Is true, as stated, that the King directed o
collection TO be taken up In the churches for the
relief OF the exied Huguenots Of France ana that
463,000 were 80 taken up. But "R. ID. W." rails to
state taat when the King directed the collection ne
LOUIS he took every means In his power to MAKE tho
LOUIS Ambassador great wrath at the success OF the
collections and that finally. ne made 1t mockery BY
requiring OF Lne duHueuOtS tnaL before receiving
any OF the sum raised, they should take the commu
Mon in the English Church. which they being Cal
Of course refused to do and 50 tney received
1t is true that ia nes adhered to his former
'ayowed principle OF liberty OF consciencs." and
the lArch) Bishop Of Canterbury and Six others de-
MED his right to do so, ana that therefore he I'M
nrsone1 mem Is inrtaer trle inat tne SAD pe,
opinion OF every respectable Judge and lawyer In
England, and that it was SO solemnly declared TO be
" mol IN n
realm were clear upon the subject, and the King
undertook dispense with the whole effect or these
or the seven bishops was respectful petition, aud
James conduct in imprisonng them was high
1t is true, to 4 certain extent that william entered
London In the midst OF burning Catholic chapes
tion the facts that these outrages were committed
by the mob OF London, who We're LEFT at liberty to
Go their worst by James conduct IN directing me
and restored order; ana that he showed the utmost
mercy 20 all Catholic and other opponents-receiy-
Ing the support ana s1oYlns practically tie ALL
1t Is entirely untrue that the H9use Of Lords mega
clause that games had broken the original com.
pact, and thereby made the throne vacant" have
memory; but the facts are substantially these:-Tne
clause was voted upon separately, ana WAS carried
by considerable nlajority that James had broken Ken
throne; when the question arose as 70 whether
the throne was vacant It was' ,rn indeed, as nr nrss
w
Tor James, but because ce tain party In the House
or Lords, headed by the Earl OF Dandy, desired to
declare Mary alone the Sovereign, as the direct
successor OF her father subsequently, after hary's
own WISHES became known, this party abandoned
its position, ana voted that the throne was vacant.
What "R- d. W." means by the following pas
sage | am at a loss to imagine. Speaking OF IRE.
land, he says:-"Hevolt In Williams Iav0r began in
the North aud was quickly suodued. Derry cdpitu-
lateo, agreements were accepted aud ratified, and
would not be the cause OF much rejoicing In after
times but for James, displeasure at the terms"
Now, as mere prosaic matter OF iact the revolt In
the North was not subdued At NewtOn Butler tho
Enniskeners defeated James, troops, and renamed
In almost undsputed possession VI their district,
until SchOmDerg came among them. Derry did not
terrific SIEGE which was finally raised by the ship
Mountjoy breaking the boom across the Foyie
The statements OF "R. ID. W." concerning the
Battle OF the Boyne are entirely untrue. The dis.
proportion Of numbers was not nearly as large as
he states It; the battle did not last anything ike
all day; many Of James troops were French veter
ans, many OF Williams raw English recruits; the
proportion OF losses was entirely the other way and
James had Irish troops instead OF French a. body
guard, with the celebrated Sarsheld at their head.
'R ID. W." sneers at the feat OF crossing the BOyne
in the face OF James army. Is he aware Of or does
he suppress, the fact that Scno hberg, the first
general of the age counseied William Not to under
take ltS
As to Limerick, 1t Is entirely untrue that
william signed treaty giving 1t liberty OF con-
science, which he broke In three weeks. William
was In London when the treaty was made HIS
general. Gukeli. signed 1t, and some disputes sub
sequenty with regard to the effect OF It's pro-
Visions which the EnRiish Parliament settled In q
manner which did not suit some VI the Irish. win
this action Of hts Parliament William did not and
so much FOR Mr.. "R. D. W." II had authorities
at hand could overwhelm him more thoroughly,
but any person who examines Macaulay, Mackin.
tosh any other historian Of the period viii see the
perfect truth OF oil say II Is ridiculous IN one
WrltIng In tie public press make such gross and
malignant perversions Of history as those which
have pointed out. HiSTORiCuS.