The Irish standard., 1907-11-09

could wrest 1t from the head Of the
fighting William. Soy ~
William was, therefore. willing
enough to offer favorable terms to the
Irish If they surrendered, including the
preservation of their estates to the
Anglo Catholic mobiles and gentry. They
were, of course, anxious to accept the
terms. But the brave party led by
Sarsfield would not hear of compromise
and prepared for fiery ordeal once
more within the walls of Limerick.
Sixty guns, none less than twelve
pounds calibre, opened their fire
against the city.
The Betrayal Of the Pass.
A British fleet sailed up the river
and assaulted it from the water side,
but Ginckle found assault to be vain,
and he resolved to starve the garrison
and citizens out by blockading the city.
An Anglo-Ir Irish officer named Luttrell
who had long been suspected Of treach-
cry, betrayed to Ginckle the pass over
the Shannon above the city, and one
morning at daybreak, the Irish. to their
horror, beheld the foe OH the Clare side
Of the river. Ginck1e again offered to
grant almost any terms if the city
would capitulate, for ne had a. lively
recollection Of the Williamite attempt
to take it year before. The Anglo
Irish party within the city walls, too,
had not been idle, and accordingly on
September %, 1891, a parley took place
ing on both sides.
Sarsfeld found himself forced either
to accept the British terms, or, while
in a subordinate command, to fight
both the British and the weak -kneed
elements on his own side. Sarafield
was, against his will, compelled to as
sent to the terms offered, although like
himself, his soldiers were loud and Bit
ter in expressing their grief at such
a course being taken. The soldiers
rushed to the ramparts from which
they had so many times hurled back
their British foes and smashed their
swords in pieces. Their guns were
broken in a. frenzy Of desperation and
the shafts of spikes which resisted VIII.
liams veteran cavalry were smashed
by themselves across the knees Of
maddened rapparees. Tho citizens
| rushed to the walls bearing the arms
they had kept as mementoes Of the
glorious struggle of the year before.
and smashed then. into fragments, de-
claring, I'VE need them no longer, Ire
land is no more" ,; 80
Tho Signing Of the Violated Treaty.
Negotiations were. however. conclud-
ed on October 3. 1891, Just across tho
bridge OH the Glare side Of the river,
and on the spot where stands today the
treaty stone which will herald to gem
erations yet to. come the, ,,treachery Of
England. sars1eld took the precaution
before signing the terms Of capitulation
to insist that despite the. formal pow
ers which Ginckle declared he had, the
treaty should be ratified by tho British
Lords Justices. They were brought
down from Dublin for the purpose, and
attended in full state at the signing of
the
The treaty consisted OF twenty-nine
military and fifteen civil articles The
military articles stipulated for the sur
rendering OF Limerick and other fort
resses then in the hands Of the Irish,
but with the provision that the garri-
sons should march out with the honors
of war, and IL required bo conveyed
to, France or elsewhere at the cost Of
British government. The civil articles
provided that Catholics should be re-
quired to take. the Oath Of Allegiance.
but no other, and tho, first article
granted them religious liberty. consist
ent with the laws Of Ireland, or as they
did enjoy in tho reign of King Charles
H." They were. promised that an Irish
Parliament should be summoned, and
desired to grant such further security
as might be necessary to preserve them
from any disturbance on account of
their religion. '':.l::s:i i-.:H-- -f
Sarsfield Refused to Violate His Oath
Two days after the signing of the
treaty Il French fleet Of eighteen ships
sailed up the Shannon with supply OF
men. arms and money. prepared to aid
the Irish, who lad unfortunately just
capitulated. Sarsfield was even then ap.
pealed to to discard the terms Of the
treaty, accept the French aid and strike
out again for Ireland. but his honor as
a commander had been pledged. and he
determined to maintain 1t. History
proved, as It has so many times