Note 39 — Chapter XLII · COURT OF CLAIMS AND ACT OF EXPLANATION, 1662-1665

Dering’s notes of the evidence are printed in Hill’s Macdonnells of Antrim, pp. 309-317, and the decree of innocence, ib. appx. 11. The decree is signed by the majority, Rainsford, Beverley, Brodrick, and Churchill. Dering, Smith, and Cooke, forming the minority, do not sign. Ormonde saw the danger of inferring that Antrim acted under the order of Charles I. Writing to Arlington on August 22, 1663, he says it was argued but too plausibly ‘that the King may as well declare any of them who have most contributed to his restoration to be nocent ... without proof as my Lord of Antrim to be innocent against proof ... no security in an Act of Parliament,’ Carte MSS., cxliii. 164.