The effect of this promise, as recorded by Davis, is remarkable.

'He thus made it a year of jubilee to the poor inhabitants, because every man was to return to his own house, and be restored to his ancient possessions, and they all went home rejoicing.' Poor people! they soon saw the folly of putting their trust in princes.

Now, after a seven years' war, the nation was again visited with famine, and the country converted into a wilderness.
Three-fourths of the cattle had been destroyed; and the commissioners for Ireland reported to the council in England in 1651, that four parts in five of the best and most fertile land in Ireland lay waste and uninhabited, stating that they had encouraged the Irish to till the land, promising them the enjoyment of the crops.

They had also given orders 'for enforcing those that were removed to the mountains to return.' The soldiers were employed to till the lands round their posts.

Corn had to be imported to Dublin from Wales.