Pery, the Speaker of the House of Commons in Ireland.
[16] Mr. Grattan.
[17] Mr. Hussey Burgh
[18] Mr. Stanley, member for Lancashire.
LETTER
TO JOHN MERLOTT, ESQ.[19]
Dear Sir,--I am very unhappy to find that my conduct in the business of
Ireland, on a former occasion, had made many to be cold and indifferent
who would otherwise have been warm in my favor. I really thought that
events would have produced a quite contrary effect, and would have
proved to all the inhabitants of Bristol that it was no desire of
opposing myself to their wishes, but a certain knowledge of the
necessity of their affairs, and a tender regard to their honor and
interest, which induced me to take the part which I then took. They
placed me in a situation which might enable me to discern what was fit
to be done, on a consideration of the relative circumstances of this
country and all its neighbors. This was what you could not so well do
yourselves; but you had a right to expect that I should avail myself of
the advantage which I derived from your favor. Under the impression-of
this duty and this trust, I had endeavored to render, by preventive
graces and concessions, every act of power at the same time an act of
lenity,--the result of English bounty, and not of English timidity and
distress.
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