of assembling, and leave it to unconstitutional force to execute its orders. Having thus, and you will allow, most wisely answered your question, let me put a question in my turn.

An idea has been just started here, of having, if possible, a petition from all the counties, stating the miserable state of Ireland, and pressing our immediate and just claim to a reform, as the only measure left to restore the lost liberty of the country, and to maintain the connexion with Great Britain. The thing was mentioned to me only last night. The notion was, to send over two delegates from each county: the address itself to be, what it ought to be, explicit and decisive. I said, I would write to you upon it.. Consider it, and let me know your opinion of it. I am always disposed to hope much from justice. and reason. Surely, if England is not actually dementated by Jupiter, in order to her perdition, she cannot but see that her existence stands singly upon her support from Ireland: and if those horrors that have deformed Europe, for so long a time, could be averted from us, what a glorious triumph would it be of moderation over British folly, and Irish depravity. I do most extremely regret that nothing drives you hither. You would be of much use. give us better times, prays.

God bless you, and

very truly yours.

May 20th, 1797.

To

To this letter I wrote the following answer, June 5th. 1797. That is, exactly one year before my arrest.

MY DR. SIR,

I sit down to thank you for your very flattering letter, and to assure you that nothing could gratify me more than an opportunity, at this momentous crisis, of being occasionally with you and your few worthy associates-a crisis, when the greatest man in Ireland should feel happy in being the humblest instrument in rescuing an empire from inevitable ruin. For a time I must submit to circumstances which keep me at a distance from you: and as you do not even hint at Carrickfergus or Down, I fear, I am not to have the pleasure of seeing you this season.

Under

this idea, I write what follows. On Monday the 22d. May, thirty gentlemen of this county held a meeting, called by letter. The sketch sent me was adopted unanimously, without addition or alteration, as our petition. It has been printed, and is now circulating parochially, for subscription. Yesterday, every freeholder of my congregation, who attended public worship, subscribed it. The others will do the same before Thursday. We are to meet in Down, on Friday, to collect and engross the returns from the whole county, and appoint two or more gentlemen to present it to his majesty. This idea I threw out to a number of gentlemen, individually, all of whom approved of it; but it was

thought

thought unnecessary to propose it, in the form of a resolution, till our next meeting, when, I hope and believe, it will be unanimously adopted. The mention of this circumstance will be a full answer to your question. The idea of a strong petition, from each county, presented by a deputation from among themselves, appears to me more promising, if any thing can be promising, than any other. I am now to mention a circumstance, which I would wish to be attended to in all the counties, as I am convinced it would be of some use. In your late contest, the most plausible objection to reform was the villainous and groundless assertion, "that the people would not be satisfied with it." From the moment you unfolded the plan to me, I made it the subject of discussion, during the assizes at Carrickfergus and Down, in all the large parties where I was. Since that time, I have done every thing I could, by word and letter, to know the mind of this quarter on that subject, and am happy in saying that I have not found a man whom it would not fully satisfy. It is the universal wish-the ultimatum of public desire. I am sorry to add that, if this be still madly denied, I shudder to think of consequences, as I am convinced the people will hazard every thing in that case, even death itself, rather than entail slavery on their posterity. That government may become wise ere it be too late, and prevent the dreadful experi

ment, is the first prayer of my heart. These circumstances I stated fully, at the late meeting in Ballinahinch, where the fact was instantly admitted by all, as you will see by the last senpaper. That tence, except one, in the inclosed sentence I would wish to have recommended to all the counties, that it may be publicly avowed, by all, as far as it may be found real, as it gives the lie direct, and, I believe, justly to the privileged calumniators of a loyal, though insulted and oppressed people. Perhaps, a short paragraph in the public papers, on that sentence, or the paper of which it is a part, from your expressive and impressive pen, might be of great use. I beg you to make the trial; and at the same time, to forgive the freedom I now use. But, why apologise? Apology cannot be necessary to you, in whose heart the redemption. of your country has long holden the highest place. Should the multiplicity and magnitude of your concerns, and attention to more important connexions, leave you a few spare minutes, now and then, your devoting them to an occasional correspondence would ever be gratefully acknowledged by

&c. &c. &c.

To this letter I received the following note, written in haste, and without date.

MY

66 MY DR. SIR,

I understand, the parliament is to be dissolved this night, or to-morrow, so that the minister has clearly given up all idea of giving this wretched country a reform. I have communicated and talked your idea of a general petition. I suspect that our approbation of it is chiefly on the credit of the suggestors. God knows, and he only, what we may be reserved for. The state of things about us here is, every hour, becoming more horrible-we are willing to try any expedient, such as you propose. Let us, therefore, know if you continue in the same opinion. I have not a moment to say more."

This specimen, of my correspondence in 1797, I have submitted to the public, merely to shew that all my time, attention, and labor was not engrossed by the practices ascribed to me.