The state in which the king found Ireland at his accession, afforded
an opportunity for commencing a more generous policy in reference to
that country, and introducing regulations favorable to internal
improvement. Previously to this reign, the legislative authority of
the English government was confined to the small district called the
‘Pale,’ while the rest was governed by native sovereigns or chiefs,
whose connection with the king of England was merely that of feudal
homage, which did not prevent them from making wars or alliances with
each other. Subject to depredations from these powerful barons, the
native Irish, from a very early period, petitioned for the benefit of
the English laws; but the Irish Parliament, which was composed of the
English barons, was never at a loss for the means of preventing this
desirable measure from being effected. James was in reality the first
king who extended the English law over the whole of Ireland, by making
judicial appointments suited to the extent of the country. This he was
enabled to do, by the recent wars having put the country more
completely in his power than it had been in that of any former
monarch. He began by extending favor to the Irish chiefs, not
excepting Tyrone. He passed an act of oblivion and indemnity by which
all persons who had committed offenses, coming to the judges of assize
within a certain day, might claim a full pardon. At the same time,
toleration was virtually refused to the Catholic persuasion, and much
discontent therefore still existed. Some of the chieftains having
conspired against the crown, were attainted, and their lands were
given to English settlers, with a view to improving the population of
the country by an infusion of civilized persons. But this experiment,
though well-meant, was managed in a partial spirit, and gave rise to
much injustice. In 1613, the first Irish Parliament was held in which
there were any representatives of places beyond the Pale.