The confederate assembly sat at Waterford in the early part of November, and summoned O'Neill to meet them there. It was determined to attack Monro, and indeed a chief object of the cessation was to have their hands free for so doing. Their great difficulty was about the choice of a general. O'Neill was the ablest officer available, but they feared to put so much power into his hands, and were influenced by 'that ancient and everlasting difference' between the North and South. They could not name Preston, between whom and General Owen O'Neill there was 'such an antipathy as, from their first apprenticeship in soldiery, which they had passed at least thirty years before, notwithstanding their having served for all that time the same princes, and been employed in the same actions of war, could not be removed.' After much discussion Castlehaven was chosen, for he was generally liked, and no one suspected him of personal ambition. O'Neill was pleased at the rejection of his enemy, but he wished to be general-in-chief, and the evils of divided command were not long in showing themselves. In the mean time Antrim came to Waterford, and there were some who thought good might be done at the English Court by giving him the title of Lieutenant-General. It was, however, expressly stipulated that he should have no real military authority in Ireland. He did not so understand it himself, or perhaps he only pretended not to understand, and proposed to carry into England the very forces which had been provided for the invasion of Ulster. This claim was quickly set aside, and Castlehaven was ordered to continue his preparations.[48] [Sidenote: The Covenant taken in Ulster.] [Sidenote: A deputation from the General Assembly.]