They
were so far from giving the least intimation of the measures which have
since taken place, that those who were supposed the best to know their
intentions declared them impossible in the actual state of the two
kingdoms, and spoke of nothing but an act of union, as the only way that
could be found of giving freedom of trade to Ireland, consistently with
the interests of this kingdom. Even when the session opened, Lord North
declared that he did not know what remedy to apply to a disease of the
cause of which he was ignorant; and ministry not being then entirely
resolved how far they should submit to your energy, they, by
anticipation, set the above author or some of his associates to fill the
newspapers with invectives against us, as distressing the minister by
extravagant demands in favor of Ireland.
I need not inform you, that everything they asserted of the steps taken
in Ireland, as the result of our machinations, was utterly false and
groundless. For myself, I seriously protest to you, that I neither wrote
a word or received a line upon any matter relative to the trade of
Ireland, or to the polities of it, from the beginning of the last
session to the day that I was honored with your letter.
Pages:
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295