for you to take notice of; that our Court feemed refolved to be very firm in their refolutions about Ireland. I think it impoffible for the two kingdoms to proceed long upon a different scheme of politics. The controverfy with the city I am not mafter of: It took it's rife before I ever concerned myself with affairs of Ireland, farther than to be an instrument of doing fome services to the kingdom, for which I have been ill requited. But, my Lord, the queftion with us here, is, whether there was a neceffity that the other party fhould be a majority. There was put into my hands a lift of your Houfe of Commons, by fome who know the kingdom well: I defired they would (as we often do here) fet a mark on the names of those who would be for the miniftry. I found they amounted to 143; which, I think, comes within feven of an equality. Twenty names befide they could not determine upon: So that, fuppofe eight to be of the fame fide, there would be a majority by one. But, befides, we reckon that the first number, 143, would easily rise to a great majority, by the influence of the Government, if that had been thought fit. This is demonftration to us: For the Go

rernment

vernment there has more influence than the Court here; and yet our Court carried it for many years, against a natural majority, and a much greater one. I shall not examine the reafons among you for proceeding otherwife: But your Grace will find that we are determined upon the conclufion; which is, that Ireland muft proceed on the fame foot with England. I am of opinion, my Lord, that nothing could do more hurt to the Whig-party in both kingdoms, than their manner of proceeding in your Houfe of Commons: It will confirm the Crown and ministry, that there can be no fafety while those people are able to give disturbance: And, indeed, the effects it hath already produced here are hardly to be believed. Neither do we here think it worth our while to be oppofed, and encourage our enemies, only for feventy thousand pounds a year; to fupply which it may not be hard to find other expedients. And, when there shall be occafion for a parliament, we are confident a new one may be called, with a majority of men in the interest of the Queen and Church. For, when the prefent majority pretends to regard either, we look upon -fuch profeffions to fignify no more, than

if they were penned by my Lord Wharton or Mr. Molefworth. I have fuffered very much by my tenderness to fome persons of that party, which I ftill preserve; but I believe it will not be long in my power to ferve those who may want it. It would be endless to recount to your Grace the reproaches that have been made me on account of your neighbour.

It is true, my Lord, we do not care to be troubled with the affairs of Ireland: But, there being no war, nor meeting of parliament, we have leifure at present. Befides, we look on ourselves as touched in the tendereft part. We know the Whigparty are preparing to attack us next feffion; and their prevailing in Ireland would, we think, be a great ftrength and encouragement to them here: Besides, our remiffness would difhearten our friends, and make them think we acted a trimming game. There are fome things which we much wonder at, as they are reprefented. The Address for removing the Chancellor is grounded upon two facts; in the former of which he was only concerned with feveral others; the criminal was poor and penitent, and a noli profequi was no illegal thing. As to Moor's business, the Chancel

lor's

lor's fpeech on that occafion hath been tranfmitted hither, and feems to clear him from the imputation of prejudging. Another thing we wonder at, is, to find the Commons, in their Votes, approve the fending for the guards, by whom a man was killed. Such a thing would, they fay, look monftrous in England.

Your Grace feems to think, they will not break on money-matters; but we are taught another opinion: That they will not pass the great bill, until they have fa tisfaction about the Chancellor. And what the confequence of that will be, I suppose you may guess from what you know by

this time.

My Lord, we can judge no otherwife here, than by the reprefentations made to us. I fincerely look upon your Grace to bę master of as much wifdom and fagacity as any person I have known; and, from my particular refpect to you, and your great abilities, fhall never prefume to cenfure your proceedings, until I am fully apprised of the motives. Your Grace is looked on here as altogether in the other party, which I do never allow, when it is faid to me. I conceive you to follow the dictates of your reafon and confcience; and, whoVOL. XVI,

ever

ever does that, will, in public management, often differ, as well from one fide as another.

As to myself, I take Ireland to be the worst place to be in while the parliament fits; and probably I may think the fame of England in a month or two. I have few. obligations (further than perfonal friendthip and civilities) to any party: I have nothing to ask for but a little money, to pay my debts; which, I doubt, they never will give me. And, wanting wisdom to judge better, I follow those who I think are for preferving the constitution in church and flate, without examining whether they do fo from a principle of virtue, or of intereft, &c.

LETTER XXI.

To the Earl of PETERBOROW.

MY LORD,

London, May 18, 1714.

HAD done myfelf the honour of writ ing to your Excellency, above a month, before yours of March the 5th came to my hands. The Saturday's dinners have not been refumed fince the Queen's return