161 
structive nature; and often the most barbarous and detestable acts 
of treachery and cold blooded cruelty were committed, which, be- 
ing continued for so many generations, at length created an uncon- 
querable hatred in the hearts of each against the other. This 
hatred was wilfully fomented by the unwise policy adopted by the 
English government in those unhappy times, who made it a con. 
stant practice to pursue such measures as must tend to irritate the 
natives, and to reject such proposals as might be conducive to the 
bringing about an amicable arrangement. 
That several of the Irish princes, wearied by the perpetual war- 
fare carried on between themselves and the English colonists, were 
desirous of becoming peaceable subjects to the crown of England, 
and of being governed by the English laws, cannot be denied. Sir 
John Davis, Attorney General to King James the First, in his 
“ Discovery of the true cause why Ireland was never entirely 
“ subdued, nor brought under obedience to the Crown of England,”* 
has shown, from indubitable authority, that the Irish, « by a petition 
“ preferred by them to the King, Anno 2° of Edward the Thirde, 
“ desired that an act might passe, in Ireland whereby all the 
“ Trishrie might be enabled to use and enjoy the laws of England.” 
Sir John further shows, that this was not the only application made 
by the Irish for the benefit of the English laws, but that applica- 
tions for that purpose were frequent ; and he gives examples of these 
in the 23d and 34th years of Henry VIII, when O’Donnell, in the 
extremity of the North, and the O’Birnes, in the south east of 
Treland, desired that they might be admitted to the protection of 
those laws. This so just request was not complied with, and to 
this circumstance, Sir John attributes the principal cause of resist- 
Z2 
* London edition 1747, printed from the edition in 1612, p- 115. 
