If we are prevented from
going through it with any effect, I fear it will be in part owing not
more to the resistance of the enemies of our cause than to our imposing
on ourselves such tasks as no human faculties, employed as we are, can
be equal to. Our worthy members have shown distinguished ability and
zeal in support of our petition. I am just going down to a bill brought
in to frustrate a capital part of your desires. The minister is
preparing to transfer the cognizance of the public accounts from those
whom you and the Constitution have chosen to control them, to unknown
persons, creatures of his own. For so much he annihilates Parliament.
I have the honor, &c.
EDMUND BURKE.
CHARLES STREET, 12th April, 1780.
FRAGMENTS OF A TRACT
RELATIVE TO
THE LAWS AGAINST POPERY
IN IRELAND.
NOTE.
The condition of the Roman Catholics in Ireland appears to
lave engaged the attention of Mr. Burke at a very early
period of his political life. It was probably soon after the
year 1765 that he formed the plan of a work upon that
subject, the fragments of which are now given to the public.
No title is prefixed to it in the original manuscript; and
the _Plan_, which it has been thought proper to insert here,
was evidently designed merely for the convenience of the
author.
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