attempting to forward fuch a measure, and in pursuing such a line of conduct with regard to this country, as loft to them for ever the brightest jewel in the English Crown, I mean America.One would imagine that this glorious Revolution fhould operate powerfully on the minds of all fucceeding Minifters-fhould ftand up as a leffon, a warning to deter them from ever making an attempt to act contrary to the voice and wifhes of the majority of any other kingdom; or to fuppofe that a nation refolved to be free, can be enflaved by the bayonet. The great Western Continent was loft to England by fuch bafe, impolitic conduct. So may Ireland

Be not too narrow fighted Englishmen, don't fuffer yourselves to be impofed on by any language however fpecious, or by any promises however flattering. Think not that Irishmen will ever fubmit to a Legiflative" Union.-The Irish Nation love and revere their gracious Sovereign and Conftitution. You have had ample demonftration of our loyalty and attachment at different periods.In a late unfortunate inftance, you have feen our zeal, activity and courage manifested in defence of both.-No other proofs are neceffary.-Irifhmen have fought and conquered in defence of their King and Conftitution, and will fight and conquer again in the fame honourable caufe.-Let me perfuade you it will not finally be the intereft, nor will it at any time be becoming the dignity of the

English Nation even to wifh to rob Ireland of her rights. You may make the attempt, but I am confident you will be defeated, and what must for ever after be the ftate of the Irifh mind? you say yourselves that we will one and all be for ever after jealous of Englishmen; or of any men who would prefume to make Ireland dependent, and Irishmen flaves.-You little think that in endeavouring to fubdue the fpirit of liberty in this Country, you are deftroying yourselves, and that for every act of violence you commit against Irishmen, you are but ftabbing the English Conftitution and planting daggers in the hearts of your own Countrymen. The very idea of enforcing a legiflative Union may be fatal to both countries.Suffer then the connexion to remain on its present footing. We have fhewn ourselves prompt and willing to fupport you in the war, our Parliament has very liberally granted you large supplies of men and money, the very finews of war.-Why then Englishmen take away from us that Parliament which has favoured you in all your wishes, and fupported you in all your defigns? How fhall we terin fuch unkind treatment? Ingratitude at leaft, you yourselves will allow it to be, but I will tell you, it is fomething more than Ingratitude, I fay, it is treachery, it is robbery, it is rapacity, it is tyranny on your fide, towards a brave, frank, generous and free-fpirited people.

Be not too precipitate Mr. Pitt.-You are a man of a solid judgment, experience, abilities and extenfive information.-You are bleffed with a great and comprehenfive genius.-To fuch a character, it may appear prefumption in me to addrefs myself; the only excufe I can make, is that warm and fincere attachment I feel towards my native foil, which, neither hopes of reward nor fears of perfecution will influence me to fuppress. I beseech you then, Mr. Pitt, that you will not allow even the queftion of a Legislative Union to be difcuffed. It is in your power as Prime Minifter to prevent it, and be not fo weak as to fuppofe that the Irish people will ever feparate your character from this meafure.-You may feem to disclaim entering into its merits; you may not have it firft proposed and debated in the English house, yet believe me this Nation is not fo blind-folded, as not to perceive that you are the great and principal agent, that you are the grand fpring by which all will be actuated :-You are Mr. Pitt, you are truly a great man, but human nature is not perfect; on this fcore therefore I could make many allowances for any act of act of yours, the confequences of which you had not foreseen, nor been made previously acquainted with: in the prefent inftance you will have no plea of ignorance on your behalf.-The people of Ireland are giving you daily inftances of their abhorrence and deteftation of this meafure; take care then how you proceed, you may do an act, which

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cannot recal, and which may be deftructive of the life of both kingdoms.-I tell you fuch a meafure may flake the throne of your gracious mafter, know well then the fentiments of the Irish before you proceed any farther.-Think not you have the voice of this Nation by purchafing the voice and intereft of our Borough-mongers.'Never perfuade yourfelf fo far as to imagine that you will be able to purchase Irish independence, No, you do not, you cannot entertain fo monftrous, fo unnatural an idea.-You do then with me deprecate the evils and horrors that muft follow if you proceed farther. I profess the moft profound refpect for our beloved Sovereign; his private virtues and philanthropy are the conftant theme of the Irifh.-We can never confound the goodness of his heart and the integrity of his wifhes with the falfe ambition, vices and follies of his Ministry. His Majefty looks with a gracious eye towards this kingdom, he would be bleffed in feeing it profperous and happy: Do not then Mr. Pitt, do not, I pray you, by bringing forward a meafure fo odious, and fo deftructive of the happiness of Irishmen, blast that of your beneficent Sovereign-pay, at leaft, fome regard to the character of the chief Magiftrate, though you appear regardless of your own. Minifters before the prefent day, have been denominated Traitors to their King and Country, for pursuing, or allowing to be purfued measures, which, in their confequences might be ruinous to both; they

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have been impeached, and have forfeited their lives too, for fuch criminal conduct; prefume not then to bring forward a queftion which may you to the block, and in its confeqences may fhake the empire, by involving the right hand and arm of England in all the horrors of civil war, anarchy and confufion, and eventually tearit from the British diadem, the experiment is rather too ticklifh. Truft me the Irish Nation will never fuffer a Legislative Union with England, or in plainer language, the people of Ireland will never proftrate themselves at the feet of a British Miniftry. Irifhmen know too well the value of that independency, and that freedom of trade obtained in 82, ever to part with it except with their lives. I tell you Irishmen never will be flaves, and flaves they will be in cafe of an Union. Oh! my Countrymen, how miferable is the condition of that people, and what a base and contemptible figure do they appear in to surrounding Nations, when they have not fenfe to feel, nor spirit to resent all and every infringement made on their rights and privileges; but this Stigma, my Countrymen, is not applicable to you, -No, You have a keen sense of your duty and interest, and I'll venture to say, you posfefs as noble and independent a fpirit as was ever infufed into the Patriots of Greece or Rome when panting after Liberty.