CHAPTER III
DR. PETTY AND HENRY CROMWELL
1658-1660
Dr. Petty's work was now over, with the exception of the distribution of the 'dubious lands.' The survey was complete, and, in the statutory acceptation of the term, all were technically 'satisfied.' But considering the nature of the operation, the number of the claimants, and all the circumstances of the case, it can hardly be a matter of surprise that many were very far from being contented. From the very outset, the soldiers had been anything but unanimous in approving the plan of paying them with Irish land; and, partly owing to their discontent, and partly through pecuniary distress, they had commenced selling their debentures at cheap rates to the officers, who eagerly welcomed the opportunity of becoming large landed proprietors. Many also of the officers, and some of the most influential, were discontented with the results of the allotment in their own particular cases. Some impugned the ways of Providence, others blamed Dr. Petty. Discontent was especially prevalent among the Munster regiments, the lot of which had partly fallen in the inhospitable regions of Kerry. At an early stage in the distribution, a struggle had begun between the Committees respectively representing these regiments and those whose lot had fallen in Leinster and Ulster, as to the assignment of certain properties.[1] The leader on the Munster side amongst
- ↑ Down Survey, ch. x.
