Ulterior Effects of the Union. 93 



to be considered as more imputable to over- 

 sight than intention, which was proved by the 

 manner in which it has since been conceded. 



The great pressure on our trade, occasioned 

 by the present exclusion from the continent, 

 has so much depressed the general commerce 

 of the country, that, until things are restored 

 to their usual channel, no fair judgment can be 

 formed as to the ulterior effects of the union ; 

 I am, however, far from contending that some 

 disadvantages may not arise to Ireland out of 

 this conjunction. 



The seat of government being removed to 

 England will necessarily increase the present 

 calamity of drawing the Irish nobility and 

 gentry from out of their own country to its 

 great disadvantage ; yet that which may appear 

 to be a present evil may by possibility be pro- 

 ductive of a future good should it tend to 

 lessen the over-grown fortunes, and to cause a 

 more equal distribution of landed property. In 

 the event of a peace being obtained which might 

 promise a lasting repose to Europe, the trade 

 of this quarter of the globe, after a time, would 

 probably be greatly increased ; the augmenta- 

 tion in knowledge which would thus be pro- 

 duced could not fail of being a stimulus to 



