THE TRAITOR'S CONDUCT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 32

THE TRAITOR'S CONDUCT.

Having failed to secure another delay by his false protestations, O'Neill burned his castle at Dungannon, and laid waste all the country around, whether belonging to friend or foe. Towns, villages, homesteads, crops, bridges — all were demolished, so that neither inhabitants nor soldiers could find food or shelter. The Government were, however, still reluctant to push things to the severity of extremes, and sent information to that effect, as there seemed to be some reason to believe the Earl of Tyrone would " offer to come to some good condition for his pardon, they prayed God it might come true, and that her Majesty would be pleased to accept thereof." In 1596 O'Neill sent in bis desire for pardon, and on the 20th April he came and made his submission in writing. Abjectly kneeling, he appealed to the searcher of hearts as to his sincerity, "most humbly craving her Majesty's mercy and pardon on the knees of bis heart." "He then formally accepted the Queen's judgment on his petitions. He promised to desist from aiding the insurgentg, to admit a sheriff, to renounce the title of O'Neill, to confess his intelligence with foreign princes, to rebuild the fort at the Blackwater, to dismiss .all his forces, deliver hostages, and pay such reasonable fine as the Queen should think fit."