In the West India business, reasoning on
what had lately passed in the Parliament of Ireland, and on the mode in
which it was opened here, I thought I saw much matter of perplexity.
But I have now better reason than ever to be pleased with my silence. If
I had spoken, one of the most honest and able men[16] in the Irish
Parliament would probably have thought my observation an endeavor to sow
dissension, which he was resolved to prevent,--and one of the most,
ingenious and one of the most amiable men[17] that ever graced yours or
any House of Parliament might have looked on it as a chimera. In the
silence I observed, I was strongly countenanced (to say no more of it)
by every gentleman of Ireland that I had the honor of conversing with in
London. The only word, for that reason, which I spoke, was to restrain a
worthy county member,[18] who had received some communication from a
great trading place in the county he represents, which, if it had been
opened to the House, would have led to a perplexing discussion of one of
the most troublesome matters that could arise in this business. I got up
to put a stop to it; and I believe, if you knew what the topic was, you
would commend my discretion.
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