TO THE RIGHT HON. WM. VESEY FITZGERALD, CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER OF IRELAND, &c. &c. &c. SIR, THE flattering manner in which you were pleased to notice the STATISTICAL SURVEY of IRELAND, on its first appearance, induces me to look forward to your favourable acceptance of the Second volume of the Work. Of its merits, I may perhaps be allowed to speak with some degree of confidence, from the marked approbation, with which it has been already honoured by the present Chief Secretary: his permission to be considered the patron of the work in its infancy, evinces his opinion of the value of such an undertaking; the continuance of that patronage, and the sanction since bestow ed on it by the public, prove that it has not altogether failed in the execution, and lead me to form hopes of its possessing some claims on your attention also, as the head of the financial department of Ireland. Having in that situation successfully brought forward the resources of this country, at a most eventful period; and, being now engaged in directing the operations of the measure adopted by the Imperial parliament for the Consolidation of the revenues of the two countries, you have had ample means of appreciating the value of such enquiries as the present. Your approbation therefore cannot but afford me peculiar satisfaction; and it justifies the opinion, that at this particular period, an effort to ascertain the capabilities and resources of this part of the British empire, will prove interesting to the Legislator, and useful to the State. I have the honour to be, WM. SHAW MASON. |