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suspected that nothing would be written on that subject by others, for some years without a decided partiality to the one or the other faction; for such writings alone can escape the reprobation of both in this unhappy country.

From circumstances nót necessary to be stated at present, I had sometime suspected that the bishop of Ferns disapproved of the culture of at least what is termed profane literature by clergymen; and when I had occasion to write to his Lordship concerning the presumption of Sir. R. Musgrave, in the introduction of his Lordship's name to the public as a censurer of my book, I made a sort of apology for devoting to literature that leisure time, which might otherwise be spent less innocently or less usefully. In his Lordship's answer he says, "I know not why you vindicate to me your attention to literature; I never condemned it, and heartily wish that there was more of it in my diocese, and directed to its proper object." As to the object, I hope, I have said enough already. This letter gave me not explicit information whether he had given authority or not to the baronet to publish his name, but intimated private conversation to that purpose, and concluded with these words; "whenever I publicly avow opinions, I shall be ready publicly to defend them."

With unfeigned respect for his lordship, I really think that he cannot be a greater lover of

truth than I am, and that he is not by very many degrees so well acquainted with the transactions of the rebellion as I. I sincerely believe that his lordship has more humility than to wish to be considered as an infallible judge, and that he is too good a protestant to admit the attribute of infallibility in any of the human race. His authority therefore, however greatly respectable, decides nothing here; and when he shall once have come to the knowledge of the mean cabals of a certain philopseudic junto, he will reject the acquaintance of its members with indignation.

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The most unfavourable expression in his lordship's letter was this. "I had then heard that for years past, you had expressed yourself unfriendly to the government of the country." This charge was totally unexpected, though I knew that I had enemies who laboured by dark and devious wiles to injure me. I most solemnly protest, in this. public manner, my entire innocence of all disaffection to the British constitution, or to any of its substantial experimented principles, of which I have ever, and on all occasions, in act and conversation, in public and in private, been the temperate, but strenuous and steady supporter. I have given reasons, which I may publish in a more proper place, why this constitution, with all its defects and abuses, is far preferable to any other which has ever yet been known to exist. I have always, in

word and act, manifested my abhorrence of all mobs, opposition to law, and attempts to rectify abuses by any other means than acts of parlia ment. Men of the most worthy character, my intimate acquaintances, who have repeatedly heard my private sentiments, can testify this, whenever occasion may require.

Some have gained the name of loyalists, and the favour of their superiors by talking alone: I have shewn my loyalty by actions, wherever it was in my power. I exerted myself in the embodying of protestant yeomen; I expended more in proportion to my means, for the defence of the country, than any other person within my knowledge; I bore arms against the rebels as long as circumstances permitted; the only two sons of mine who were capable of bearing arms, both young, one only seventeen years of age, fought for government during the whole rebellion, declining no danger in the most bloody combats, but, God be thanked, never behaved with cruelty or injustice. Let any man come forward and contradict these facts. The bishop of Ferns is the best judge how far it may be. consistent with his dignity and character to act on the belief of the information which he has received, without the forth-coming of his informers to support their charge. I believe him to be a man of much goodness of mind, and

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rectitude of intention in his episcopal capacity; and have seen, among other instances, a very marked attention in favour of two clergymen of his diocese, who had been publicly, but most falsely accused of worse than mere disaffection. This no person has ever dared to do with me; and I make no doubt that his lordship will yet discover and detest the villainy of those who have imposed on him, with respect to my political character. I have really a high respect for his lordship, and a full sense of his attention to me as a clergyman of his diocese, whose moral character, it seems, could not be so easily injured; and if the gratitude of others is as great as mine, on a due consideration of circumstances, their feelings in that respect must be great indeed. My feelings of gratitude are strong toward another prelate, who took an early opportunity of conferring a benefice upon me, though I had never officiated in his diocese, to enable me, as he said, to pursue my studies with more ease and advantage; and I feel a pride in being thought worthy of such favour by a man, whose universal charity, unspotted sanctity, and conscientious discharge of his episcopal duty, confer honour on the hierarchy, and on the amiable, noble, and highly respectable family to which he belongs.

HISTORY

HISTORY

OF THE

IRISH REBELLION.

CHAP. I.

Congress-Clubs-United Irish-Parliamentary Reform -National Guards-Rowan-Drennan-TandyJackson-Catholic Convention-Petition-Convention

Bill-Ferment-Fitzwilliam-United Irish-Soldiery -Militia Bill-French Negociation-Insurrection Act-Imprisonments-French Expedition-Military Execution-Organization-Orange Men-HusseyTythes-Church-Newspapers-Hand Bills-French

-Mc Nevin-Atrocities-Arrests-ProclamationsFree Quarters-Violences-Yeomen-Lord Edward

Fitzgerald-Sheares.

FROM the year 1782, when by the spirited ex

ertions of the volunteer associations of Ireland, the legislature of this kingdom was rendered legally independent of that of Britain, and the odious restrictions, which had been most unwisely imposed on its trade and manufactures by the British government, were in a considerable degree

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