In the time of Charles the Second no test excluded Roman Catholics from the Irish Parliament.

Such a test could not therefore, it was argued, be imposed without a breach of public faith.

In the year 1828, especially, this argument was put forward in the House of Commons as if it had been the main strength of a cause which stood in need of no such support.

The champions of Protestant ascendency were well pleased to see the debate diverted from a political question about which they were in the wrong, to a historical question about which they were in the right.

They had no difficulty in proving that the first article, as understood by all the contracting parties, meant only that the Roman Catholic worship should be tolerated as in time past.