The first Bill of Explanation promoted by the Irish Parliament having been promptly rejected by the English Government, Ormonde and his Council were directed to prepare another. This was drawn by Rainsford and sent away at the end of September. Amendments to it followed a few days later, and Rainsford, who apparently had not had exactly his own way, sent over a separate draft by the same messenger. Consideration of the Bill was deferred until Sir Thomas Clarges arrived with these additional papers, but Richard Talbot gave out that the delay was his doing. Rainsford, Beverley, and Brodrick were sent for at once, and Churchill was allowed to follow at the end of the year. The Bill came before the Council in the middle of November, and was explained by Finch. Sir Nicholas Plunket was at once heard in reply, but admitted that the Solicitor-General had anticipated most of his objections. After this, though there was much discussion in Council, the Bill hung fire for months. Bristol's attack on Clarendon and the stress of parliamentary work generally delayed the despatch of Irish business and gave time for countless intrigues. 'There are very few,' Clarendon told Ormonde, 'who have spent a few months in Ireland and return hither who do not understand Ireland and the several interests there better than you.' All parties were heard by April 1664, and as Clarendon had long foreseen the King then found it necessary to send for the Lord Lieutenant. He went over accordingly in May, leaving his son Ossory as Deputy. Orrery reached London about the same time, and for some months the scene of action was there, while Ossory kept Ireland quiet without much difficulty. 'He is winningly civil to all,' his grandmother wrote 'and yet keeps that distance that belongs to his place, and manages his affairs with judgment and care.'[41] [Sidenote: Object of the Bill.] [Sidenote: Dissatisfaction of Clarendon.]