Ormonde left Ireland in December 1650, and was destined not to return until 1662. Meanwhile, the Duke of Lorraine sent Stephen de Henin, Abbot of St. Catherine's, a person much in his confidence, to Ireland, with letters addressed generally to the men in authority there. Shortly afterwards he wrote to the Pope claiming to be the Church's champion, and asking for Innocent's blessing and prayers. De Henin was accompanied by George Dillon, a Franciscan who was Taaffe's uncle, and who brought 5000_l._ as an earnest of what might be expected from Lorraine. They landed at Galway on February 26, when Bishop French, who hated Ormonde above all created beings, had sailed for France with a private commission from some of the clergy. He stayed some time at Paris, went on to Brussels about the end of April, and speedily gained the Duke of Lorraine's ear. Madame de Chevreuse and the Duchess of Orleans gave what help they could, and De Henin found the viceregal authority in Clanricarde's hands, and being, in Clarendon's words 'a wise man and of phlegm enough,' he refused to treat with anyone else. Four of the Commissioners of Trust, of whom two had already been employed by Ormonde, summoned Clanricarde from Banagher, and he gave the Lorraine envoy a public audience at Tirellan. De Henin handed him the Duke's letter, and Dillon the two last from Taaffe to Ormonde. Dillon, who had had opportunities of knowing the Lorrainer's plans, was called upon to submit proposals, and they were not such as Clanricarde could possibly agree to. It was suggested that the protectorate of Ireland should be handed over to the Duke, 'his heirs and successors,' that Limerick and Galway should be given in pawn for his outlay, that he should be invited to come over in person, and that in the meantime Lord Taaffe should 'have as ample commission to treat and conclude with his Highness, as his Highness's ambassador hath to this kingdom.' Many of the Commissioners of Trust and several bishops had come to Galway on hearing of the stranger's arrival, and they drew up fresh proposals less bold in form, but equally destructive of the viceregal authority. In the long negotiations that followed, Clanricarde showed a good deal of diplomatic skill, and had no difficulty in proving that neither the King alone nor any popular assembly without him could convey away Ireland as an estate of inheritance. In the end the Lord Deputy covenanted with De Henin that the Duke of Lorraine should give 20,000_l._, including what Dillon had already brought, on the security of Limerick and Galway, and of the whole nation collaterally, but without binding any man's separate estate. The Duke was to have the appointment of a commandant in each cautionary town, provided, nevertheless, that 'in case of pressing necessity for the public service of the kingdom, the Lord Deputy may make use of his power as hitherto accustomed.'[201] [Sidenote: What Charles II.'s advisers thought.]