The state of the country after a year of Tyrconnel's government may be inferred from such reports as have survived of the Spring Assizes in 1689. Chief Justice Keating and Baron Lynch, one of the new judges, presided at Wicklow. John Price, lately Receiver-General, but dismissed since Clarendon's departure, was under his successor's protection. When the new levies were in progress 'the Merryboys,' urged on by some of their clergy, made a general attack on the Protestants. Plunder was the order of the day. Price lived at Ballinderry in the Wicklow hills, and his neighbours gathered round him for mutual safety. Colonel O'Toole, who was said to have collected twenty-six loads of miscellaneous booty, demanded their horses and arms, which were refused. Colonel Sheldon was then sent with a strong force, and to him they submitted. On these facts Price and a hundred other Protestants were indicted for high treason. A true bill was found, but the multitudinous defendants challenged all Roman Catholics. For want of Protestant freeholders no petty jury could be had, so that the trial failed. A juror named Saville was discharged as destitute. Even his wife's and his children's clothes had been taken. Keating asked him the value, and he answered, 'Truly, my lord, I have not yet computed my loss, but they have taken away all.' In his charge to the Grand Jury the Chief Justice said the country generally was in an ill state, 'but here they spare not even wearing clothes and habits of women and children, that they are forced to come abroad naked without anything to cover their nakedness.' He prayed for the preservation of his sacred Majesty King James II., 'for the protection of dutiful subjects, and for the subversion and eradication of all those who desire the subversion of his government either by foreign force or inbred conspiracy.' He told the Roman Catholics that their turn would come. They knew that there had been 'an invasion in England of a foreign enemy, the Prince of Orange, and the same is designed on this kingdom.' When these words were spoken William was actually King of England, and it is not surprising that the Protestants, when they regained power, should have considered Keating a traitor, or at the very least a trimmer.[175] [Sidenote: Opinions of two judges.]