STATE PAPERS. 



195 



pears to us as happily contrived as 

 the limited nature of human insti- 

 tutions can admit to maintain na- 

 tional freedom in both countries, 

 and unalterable connection between 

 both. 



fithly, Because the plan pro- 

 posed, whether it be good or whe- 

 ther it be ill, appears to us calcu- 

 lated to effect a total and funda- 

 mental change in the constitution 

 of Ireland; a change which ought 

 not to be ventured on, without the 

 unequivocal approbation of the in- 

 formed, understanding and resident 

 property of the country, both of 

 which we consider to be adverse to 

 the reception of the measure. 



Tthly, Because we consider the 

 present season of innovation ill 

 adapted for the discussion of new 

 systems of government, more par- 

 ticularly in this country, which 

 has only just escaped from the revo- 

 lutionary projects of foreign and 

 domestic enemies, and in which the 

 ordinary course of law has been ne- 

 cessarily suspended. 



8thly, Because, next to the pro- 

 tection of Divine Providence, we 

 hold this country indebted for its 

 preservation from those evils to the 

 vigilance of its resident parliament, 

 and the loyalty of its resident gen- 

 try, the former of whom the pro- 

 posed measure necessarily removes 

 Irom the country, and the latter of 

 whom it must powerfully opei-ate 

 to withdraw. 



9thly, Because, by the plan laid 

 before us for constituting the par- 

 liament of the united kingdoms, it 

 is intended that four spiritual and 

 twenty-eight temporal lords shall 

 be added to the British house of 

 lords, consisting of upwards of 300 

 members, and that 100 representa- 

 tives for the ])coj)lc of Ireland shall 



be added to the British house of 

 commons, consisting of 558 mem- 

 bers, and that the present entire 

 British houses of parliament, with 

 the said additional members, shall 

 form their united parliament; from 

 which it is evident that the entire 

 power of making laws and impo- 

 sing taxes must reside in the prepon- 

 derating majority of the British 

 membersin such parliament; which 

 power, though it might without 

 danger be entrusted to them if the 

 two nations were to be so perfectly 

 incorporated as to form but one 

 nation, and to have but one purse, 

 as in the union between England, 

 Scotland, and Wales ; yet in the 

 intended union, where distinct re- 

 venues, distinct taxes, and distinct 

 expences shall continue to exist be- 

 tween the two nations, it must 

 leave the liberties of the Irish na- 

 tion at the disposal of such British 

 majority, who will make the laws 

 for the internal regulation of Ire- 

 land, which shall not in any sort 

 affect themselves, and impose taxes 

 upon that kingdom, the pressure of 

 which they will not feel. It ap- 

 pears to us that the exercise of such 

 power must necessarily produce 

 universal discontent, and may pos- 

 sibly tend to alienate the affections 

 of Ireland from Great Britain. 



lOthly, And above all, because 

 we conceive that no scheme of na- 

 tional adjustment can be honour- 

 able, satisfactory, or permanent, 

 which is not considered with mature 

 deliberation, prosecuted by fiur and 

 temperate means,and founded on the 

 uninfluenced sense of parliament, 

 no one of which essential requisites 

 can we find in the present project. 



Leinster, 



Downshire, 



I'crv, bv proxy, 

 02" 



