or an equal number of men? If then he can, the question comes to this-whe ther we would rather have an army of English, Welch, or Scotch, than an army of Irishmen. Do you think your liberties fafer by your establishment being compofed of regiments in rotine, totally unconnected with you, than by an establishment of Irishmen ? refiding with you-furrounded by their relations, neighbours and friends-married and connected to you by every endearing tie—and bound by every principle of nature, habit, and affection, to be the guardians of your freedom, and the protectors of their native land.

Let us recollect our paft, and compare it with our prefent fituation. No armed body but 12,000 men, made up of every defcription, and only paffing through, not fettling in the land. A militia carefully avoided--for Irishmen oppressed, were not to be trufted with arms. How different the times? Behold those regi

I

ments

[147]

ments of rotine taken away, and Irishmen fubftituted in their ftead. Had I a doubt of English fincerity, this would remove it. Had England the intention of any latent perfidy, Provincials are not what they would look up to, to carry it into execution. I trust ere long the people will view this in its proper light— will make the encrease and continuance of Provincials their darling object, till at length it becomes the fole establishment. If the establishment be more than what is neceffary, let Parliament leffen it: but let the defenders of Ireland, be Irish

men.

As to the Provincials difuniting Volunteers, I do not comprehend it; and as to lowering their numbers, fo would any other levy, if even all the Provincials were Volunteers, what has that great body to fear from them. Whilft Volunteers continue, the military cannot hurt themand if they should not continue, is not L 2 Provincials

Provincials the leaft exceptionable eftablishment.

I have thus endeavoured to give a fhort, and I trust, a juft and impartial account of these extraordinary times. Let thofe who with me rejoice, in the Modification of the Law of Poynings',-who with me rejoice in the Perpetual Caufe of the Mutiny Bill being removed who with me rejoice in the Independence of the Judges;-Who with me rejoice in the Foundation laid for the Military Establishment of Ireland, being Irishmen;-In fhort, let thofe who with me rejoice in the Repeal of the 6th of Geo. I. and the Liberties of Ireland reftored,venerate the name of Portland !---Behold with gratitude and wonder what has been done for us in his Adminiftration! And then adore the living God!

I will now ftate what appears to me our prefent fituation.

Ireland

reap

Ireland is Free, but cannot inftantly the benefits of emancipation-A Free Trade cannot be beneficial, till we are enabled to take the advantage of it—it is nugatory, till by the means of arts and induftry, of agriculture and manufactures, we are enabled to fupply our own, and alfo the wants of other nations-Till this period arrives, the right of exportation is of little value-Thofe great and important changes that have taken place, will not bring riches uninvited, but they have given the certain means, by which riches may be acquired.

Ireland feems now a favoured nation--fituated on the verge of the old, it will naturally become the mart between it and the new world---Our ports and harbours point out, that commerce is our object--Our foil produces all that is neceffary to the fuftenance of man ;---our feas are filled with riches---and to crown all, our climate, is excelled by none,

But Ireland is almoft in a ftate of nature---Her fields and her inhabitants are equally uncultivated :---The linen manufacture is the only one fully established, and even that, has many great and powerful rivals.

Let any man acquainted with England compare it, and its inhabitants, with Ireland ---By nature this country is fuperior; but arts, induftry and freedom, have raised England far above us---amidst the enormous taxes which the English pay, behold them with peace and plenty in their looks; neat in their drefs; and in their dwellings---whilft Irifhmen, under light taxation, are meagre in their faces, filthy in their drefs, and dwell in hovels.

Let the Irish then, by their propriety of conduct, invite ftrangers to their land. They will bring their arts and wealth along with them. Their wealth will be difperfed, and what is better, their arts

and

,