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diff --git a/old/12784-8.txt b/old/12784-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9a64996 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12784-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9565 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. VI; +The Drapier's Letters, by Jonathan Swift + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. VI; The Drapier's Letters + +Author: Jonathan Swift + +Release Date: June 29, 2004 [EBook #12784] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROSE WORKS OF SWIFT *** + + + + +Produced by Sander van Rijnswou and PG Distributed Proofreaders. +Produced from images provided by the Million Book Project. + + + + + +_To be completed in 12 volumes, 3s. 6d. each_. + +THE PROSE WORKS + +OF + +JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. + +EDITED BY + +TEMPLE SCOTT + +VOL. I. A TALE OF A TUB AND OTHER EARLY WORKS. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. With a biographical introduction by +W.E.H. LECKY, M.P. With Portrait and Facsimiles. + +VOL. II. THE JOURNAL TO STELLA. +Edited by FREDERICK RYLAND, M.A. +With two Portraits of Stella and a Facsimile of one of the Letters. + +VOLS. III. & IV. WRITINGS ON RELIGION AND THE CHURCH. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portraits and Facsimiles of Title-pages. + +VOL. V. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL TRACTS--ENGLISH. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait and Facsimiles of Title-pages. + +VOL. VI. THE DRAPIER'S LETTERS. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait, Reproductions of Wood's Coinage, +and Facsimiles of Title pages. + +VOL. VIII. GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. +Edited by G. RAVENSCROFT DENNIS. +With Portrait, Maps and Facsimiles. + +VOL. IX. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE "EXAMINER," "TATLER," "SPECTATOR," &c. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait. + +VOL. X. HISTORICAL WRITINGS. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait. + +_To be followed by:_ + +VOL. VII. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL TRACTS--IRISH. + +VOL. XI. LITERARY ESSAYS. + +VOL. XII. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX TO COMPLETE WORKS. + + * * * * * + +LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS. + +BOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARY + + * * * * * + +THE PROSE WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFT +VOL. VI + +GEORGE BELL AND SONS + +LONDON: YORK ST. COVENT GARDEN +CAMBRIDGE: DEIGHTON, BELL & CO. +NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO. +BOMBAY: A.H. WHEELER & CO. + + +[Illustration: Jonathan Swift from a painting in the National Gallery +of Ireland once in the possession of judge Berwick and ascribed to +Francis Bindon] + + + +THE PROSE WORKS + +OF + +JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. + +EDITED BY + +TEMPLE SCOTT + +VOL. VI + +THE DRAPIER'S LETTERS + +LONDON + +GEORGE BELL AND SONS + +1903 + +CHISWICK PRESS CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO +TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON + + + +INTRODUCTION + +In 1714 Swift left England for Ireland, disappointed, distressed, and +worn out with anxiety in the service of the Harley Ministry. On his +installation as Dean of St. Patrick's he had been received in Dublin +with jeering and derision. He had even been mocked at in his walks +abroad. In 1720, however, he entered for the second time the field of +active political polemics, and began with renewed energy the series of +writings which not only placed him at the head and front of the +political writers of the day, but secured for him a place in the +affections of the people of Ireland--a place which has been kept sacred +to him even to the present time. A visitor to the city of Dublin +desirous of finding his way to St. Patrick's Cathedral need but to ask +for the Dean's Church, and he will be understood. There is only one +Dean, and he wrote the "Drapier's Letters." The joy of the people of +Dublin on the withdrawal of Wood's Patent found such permanent +expression, that it has descended as oral tradition, and what was +omitted from the records of Parliament and the proceedings of Clubs and +Associations founded in the Drapier's honour, has been embalmed in the +hearts of the people, whose love he won, and whose homage it was ever +his pride to accept. + +The spirit of Swift which Grattan invoked had, even in Grattan's time, +power to stir hearts to patriotic enthusiasm. That spirit has not died +out yet, and the Irish people still find it seasonable and refreshing to +be awakened by it to a true sense of the dignity and majesty of +Ireland's place in the British Empire. + +A dispassionate student of the condition of Ireland between the years +of Swift's birth and death--between, say, 1667 and 1745--could rise from +that study in no unprejudiced mood. It would be difficult for him to +avoid the conclusion that the government of Ireland by England had not +only degraded the people of the vassal nation, but had proved a disgrace +and a stigma on the ruling nation. It was a government of the masses by +the classes, for no other than selfish ends. It ended, as all such +governments must inevitably end, in impoverishing the people, in +wholesale emigration, in starvation and even death, in revolt, and in +fostering among those who remained, and among those whom circumstances +exiled, the dangerous spirit of resentment and rebellion which is the +outcome of the sense of injustice. It has also served, even to this day, +to give vitality to those associations that have from time to time +arisen in Ireland for the object of realizing that country's +self-government. + +It may be argued that the people of Ireland of that time justified +Swift's petition when he prayed to be removed from "this land of slaves, +where all are fools and all are knaves"; but that is no justification +for the injustice. The injustice from which Ireland suffered was a fact. +Its existence was resented with all the indignation with which an +emotional and spiritual people will always resent material obstructions +to the free play of what they feel to be their best powers. + +There were no leaders at the time who could see this, and seeing it, +enforce its truth on the dull English mind to move it to saner methods +of dealing with this people. Nor were there any who could order the +resentment into battalions of fighting men to give point to the demands +for equal rights with their English fellow-subjects. + +Had Swift been an Irishman by nature as he was by birth, it might have +been otherwise; but Swift was an Irishman by accident, and only became +an Irish patriot by reason of the humanity in him which found indignant +and permanent expression against oppression. Swift's indignation +against the selfish hypocrisy of his fellow-men was the cry from the +pain which the sight of man's inhumanity to man inflicted on his +sensitive and truth-loving nature. The folly and baseness of his +fellow-creatures stung him, as he once wrote to Pope, "to perfect rage +and resentment." Turn where he would, he found either the knave as the +slave driver, or the slave as a fool, and the latter became even a +willing sacrifice. His indignation at the one was hardly greater than +his contempt for the other, and his different feelings found trenchant +expression in such writings as the "Drapier's Letters," the "Modest +Proposal," and "Gulliver's Travels." + +It has been argued that the _saeva indignatio_ which lacerated his heart +was the passion of a mad man. To argue thus seems to us to misunderstand +entirely the peculiar qualities of Swift's nature. It was not the mad +man that made the passion; it was rather the passion that made the man +mad. As we understand him, it seems to us that Swift's was an eminently +majestic spirit, moved by the tenderest of human sympathies, and capable +of ennobling love--a creature born to rule and to command, but with all +the noble qualities which go to make a ruler loved. It happened that +circumstances placed him early in his career into poverty and servitude. +He extricated himself from both in time; but his liberation was due to +an assertion of his best powers, and not to a dissimulation of them. Had +he been less honest, he might have risen to a position of great power, +but it would have been at the price of those very qualities which made +him the great man he was. That assertion cost him his natural vocation, +and Swift lived on to rage in the narrow confines of a Dublin Deanery +House. He might have flourished as the greatest of English statesmen--he +became instead a monster, a master-scourger of men, pitiless to them as +they had been blind to him. But monster and master-scourger as he proved +himself, he always took the side of the oppressed as against the +oppressor. The impulse which sent him abroad collecting guineas for +"poor Harrison" was the same impulse which moved him in his study at the +Deanery to write as "M.B. Drapier." On this latter occasion, however, he +also had an opportunity to lay bare the secret springs of oppression, an +opportunity which he was not the man to let go by. + +No doubt Swift was not quite disinterested in the motives which prompted +him to enter the political arena for the second time. He hated the +Walpole Ministry in power; he resented his exile in a country whose +people he despised; and he scorned the men who, while they feared him, +had yet had the power to prevent his advancement. But, allowing for +these personal incentives, there was in Swift such a large sympathy for +the degraded condition of the Irish people, such a tender solicitude for +their best welfare, and such a deep-seated zeal for their betterment, +that, in measuring to him his share in the title of patriot, we cannot +but admit that what we may call his public spirit far outweighed his +private spleen. Above all things Swift loved liberty, integrity, +sincerity and justice; and if it be that it was his love for these, +rather than his love for the country, which inspired him to patriotic +efforts, who shall say that he does not still deserve well of us. If a +patriot be a man who nobly teaches a people to become aware of its +highest functions as a nation, then was Swift a great patriot, and he +better deserves that title than many who have been accorded it. + +The matter of Wood's Halfpence was a trivial one in itself; but it was +just that kind of a matter which Swift must instantly have appreciated +as the happiest for his purpose. It was a matter which appealed to the +commonest news-boy on the street, and its meaning once made plain, the +principle which gave vitality to the meaning was ready for enunciation +and was assured of intelligent acceptance. In writing the "Drapier's +Letters," he had, to use his own words, seasonably raised a spirit +among the Irish people, and that spirit he continued to refresh, until +when he told them in his Fourth Letter, "by the Laws of God, of Nature, +of Nations, and of your Country, you are, and ought to be, as free a +people as your brethren in England," the country rose as one man to the +appeal. Neither the suavities of Carteret nor the intrigues of Walpole +had any chance against the set opposition which met them. The question +to be settled was taken away from the consideration of ministers, and +out of the seclusion of Cabinets into the hands of the People, and +before the public eye. There was but one way in which it could be +settled--the way of the people's will--and it went that way. It does not +at all matter that Walpole finally had his way--that the King's mistress +pocketed her _douceur_, and that Wood retired satisfied with the ample +compensation allowed him. What does matter is that, for the first time +in Irish History, a spirit of national life was breathed into an almost +denationalized people. Beneath the lean and starved ribs of death Swift +planted a soul; it is for this that Irishmen will ever revere his +memory. + +In the composition of the "Letters" Swift had set himself a task +peculiarly fitting to his genius. Those qualities of mind which enabled +him to enter into the habits of the lives of footmen, servants, and +lackeys found an even more congenial freedom of play here. His knowledge +of human nature was so profound that he instinctively touched the right +keys, playing on the passions of the common people with a deftness far +surpassing in effect the acquired skill of the mere master of oratory. +He ordered his arguments and framed their language, so that his readers +responded with almost passionate enthusiasm to the call he made upon +them. Allied to his gift of intellectual sympathy with his kind was a +consummate ability in expression, into which he imparted the fullest +value of the intended meaning. His thought lost nothing in its +statement. Writing as he did from the point of view of a tradesman, to +the shopkeepers, farmers, and common people of Ireland, his business was +to speak with them as if he were one of them. He had already laid bare +their grievances caused by the selfish legislation of the English +Parliament, which had ruined Irish manufactures; he had written grimly +of the iniquitous laws which had destroyed the woollen trade of the +country; he had not forgotten the condition of the people as he saw it +on his journeys from Dublin to Cork--a condition which he was later to +reveal in the most terrible of his satirical tracts--and he realized +with almost personal anguish the degradation of the people brought about +by the rapacity and selfishness of a class which governed with no +thought of ultimate consequences, and with no apparent understanding of +what justice implied. It was left for him to precipitate his private +opinion and public spirit in such form as would arouse the nation to a +sense of self-respect, if not to a pitch of resentment. The "Drapier's +Letters" was the reagent that accomplished both. + + * * * * * + +The editor takes this opportunity to express his thanks and obligations +to Mr. G.R. Dennis, to Mr. W. Spencer Jackson, to the late Colonel F.R. +Grant, to Mr. C. Litton Falkiner of Killiney, and to Mr. O'Donoghue of +Dublin. His acknowledgment is here also made to Mr. Strickland, of the +National Gallery of Ireland, to whose kindness and learning he is +greatly indebted. + +TEMPLE SCOTT. + +NEW YORK, _March_, 1903. + + + + +CONTENTS + +LETTER I. TO THE SHOPKEEPERS, TRADESMEN, FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE OF +IRELAND + +LETTER II. TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER + +THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE LORDS OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST +HONOURABLE PRIVY-COUNCIL, IN RELATION TO MR. WOOD'S HALFPENCE AND +FARTHINGS, ETC. + +LETTER III. TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND + +LETTER IV. TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND + +SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY, CONCERNING THE BILL PREPARING +AGAINST THE PRINTER OF THE DRAPIER'S FOURTH LETTER + +LETTER V. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON + +LETTER VI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH + +LETTER VII. AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT + +APPENDIXES + +I. ADDRESSES TO THE KING + +II. REPORT OF THE ASSAY ON WOOD'S COINAGE, MADE BY SIR ISAAC NEWTON, +EDWARD SOUTHWELL, ESQ., AND THOMAS SCROOPE, ESQ. + +III. TOM PUNSIBI'S DREAM + +IV. A LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ---- + +A SECOND LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ---- + +V. THE PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN + +VI. PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE DRAPIER + +VII. REPORT OF THE IRISH PRIVY COUNCIL ON WOOD'S COINAGE + +VIII. THE PATENTEE'S COMPUTATION OF IRELAND, IN A LETTER FROM THE +AUTHOR OF THE "WHITEHALL EVENING POST" CONCERNING THE MAKING OF COPPER +COIN + +IX. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS SPECIMENS OF WOOD'S COINS + +INDEX + + + + +PLATES. + +JONATHAN SWIFT. From a painting in the National Gallery of Ireland, +ascribed to Francis Bindon + +HALFPENCE AND FARTHINGS coined by William Wood, 1722 and 1723 + +[Illustration: _Half-pence & farthings coined by William Wood, 1722 & +1723_] + + + + +LETTER I. + +TO THE SHOP-KEEPERS, TRADESMEN, FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE OF IRELAND. + + + +NOTE + +About the year 1720 it was generally acknowledged in Ireland that there +was a want there of the small change, necessary in the transaction of +petty dealings with shopkeepers and tradesmen. It has been indignantly +denied by contemporary writers that this small change meant copper +coins. They asserted that there was no lack of copper money, but that +there was a great want of small silver. Be that as it may, the report +that small change was wanting was sufficiently substantiated to the +English government to warrant it to proceed to satisfy the want. In its +dealings with Ireland, however, English governments appear to have +consistently assumed that attitude which would most likely cause +friction and arouse disturbance. In England coins for currency proceeded +from a mint established under government supervision. In Scotland such a +mint was specially provided for in the Act of Union. But in Ireland, the +government acted otherwise. + +The Irish people had again and again begged that they should be +permitted to establish a mint in which coins could be issued of the same +standard and intrinsic value as those used in England. English +parliaments, however, invariably disregarded these petitions. Instead of +the mint the King gave grants or patents by which a private individual +obtained the right to mint coins for the use of the inhabitants. The +right was most often given for a handsome consideration, and held for a +term of years. In 1660 Charles II. granted such a patent to Sir Thomas +Armstrong, permitting him to coin farthings for twenty years. It +appears, however, that Armstrong never actually coined the farthings, +although he had gone to the expense of establishing a costly plant for +the purpose. + +Small copper coins becoming scarce, several individuals, without +permission, issued tokens; but the practice was stopped. In 1680 Sir +William Armstrong, son of Sir Thomas, with Colonel George Legg +(afterwards Lord Dartmouth), obtained a patent for twenty-one years, +granting them the right to issue copper halfpence. Coins were actually +struck and circulated, but the patent itself was sold to John Knox in +the very year of its issue. Knox, however, had his patent specially +renewed, but his coinage was interrupted when James II. issued his +debased money during the Revolution (see Monck Mason, p. 334, and the +notes on this matter to the Drapier's Third Letter, in present edition). + +Knox sold his patent to Colonel Roger Moore, who overstocked the country +with his coins to such an extent that the currency became undervalued. +When, in 1705, Moore endeavoured to obtain a renewal of his patent, his +application was refused. By 1722, owing either to Moore's bad coinage, +or to the importation of debased coins from other countries, the copper +money had degraded considerably. In a pamphlet[1] issued by George +Ewing in Dublin (1724), it is stated that in that year, W. Trench +presented a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, complaining of the +condition of the copper coinage, and pointing out that the evil results +had been brought about by the system of grants to private individuals. +Notwithstanding this memorial, it was attempted to overcome the +difficulty by a continuance of the old methods. A new patent was issued +to an English iron merchant, William Wood by name, who, according to +Coxe, submitted proposal with many others, for the amelioration of the +grievance. Wood's proposals, say this same authority, were accepted "as +beneficial to Ireland." The letters patent bear the date July 12th, +1722, and were prepared in accordance with the King's instructions to +the Attorney and Solicitor General sent in a letter from Kensington on +June 16th, 1722. The letter commanded "that a bill should be prepared +for his royal signature, containing and importing an indenture, whereof +one part was to pass the Great Seal of Great Britain." This indenture, +notes Monck Mason,[2] between His Majesty of the one part, "and William +Wood, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Esq.," of the other, +signifies that His Majesty + +"has received information that, in his kingdom of Ireland, there was a +great want of small money for making small payments, and that retailers +and others did suffer by reason of such want." + +[Footnote 1: "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland in their +unanimous refusal of Mr. Wood's Copper Money," pp. 22-23.] + +[Footnote 2: "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," note v, pp. 326-327.] + +By virtue, therefore, of his prerogative royal, and in consideration of +the rents, covenants, and agreements therein expressed, His Majesty +granted to William Wood, his executors, assigns, etc., "full, free, +sole, and absolute power, privilege, licence, and authority," during +fourteen years, from the annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, 1722, to +coin halfpence and farthings of copper, to be uttered and disposed of in +Ireland, and not elsewhere. It was provided that the whole quantity +coined should not exceed 360 tons of copper, whereof 100 tons only were +to be coined in the first year, and 20 tons in each of the last +thirteen, said farthings and halfpence to be of good, pure, and +merchantable copper, and of such size and bigness, that one avoirdupois +pound weight of copper should not be converted into more farthings and +halfpence than would make thirty pence by tale; all the said farthings +and halfpence to be of equal weight in themselves, or as near thereunto +as might be, allowing a remedy not exceeding two farthings over or under +in each pound. The same "to pass and to be received as current money, by +such as shall or will, voluntarily and willingly, and not otherwise, +receive the same, within the said kingdom of Ireland, and not +elsewhere." Wood also covenanted to pay to the King's clerk or +comptroller of the coinage, £200 yearly, and £100 per annum into his +Majesty's treasury. + +Most of the accounts of this transaction and its consequent agitation +in Ireland, particularly those given by Sir W. Scott and Earl Stanhope, +are taken from Coxe's "Life of Walpole." Monck Mason, however, in his +various notes appended to his life of Swift, has once and for all placed +Coxe's narrative in its true light, and exposed the specious special +pleading on behalf of his hero, Walpole. But even Coxe cannot hide the +fact that the granting of the patent and the circumstances under which +it was granted, amounted to a disgraceful job, by which an opportunity +was seized to benefit a "noble person" in England at the expense of +Ireland. The patent was really granted to the King's mistress, the +Duchess of Kendal, who sold it to William Wood for the sum of £10,000, +and (as it was reported with, probably, much truth) for a share in the +profits of the coining. The job was alluded to by Swift when he wrote: + +"When late a feminine magician, +Join'd with a brazen politician, +Expos'd, to blind a nation's eyes, +A parchment of prodigious size." + +Coxe endeavors to exonerate Walpole from the disgrace attached to this +business, by expatiating on Carteret's opposition to Walpole, an +opposition which went so far as to attempt to injure the financial +minister's reputation by fomenting jealousies and using the Wood patent +agitation to arouse against him the popular indignation; but this does +not explain away the fact itself. He lays some blame for the agitation +on Wood's indiscretion in flaunting his rights and publicly boasting of +what the great minister would do for him. At the same time he takes care +to censure the government for its misconduct in not consulting with the +Lord Lieutenant and his Privy Council before granting the patent. His +censure, however, is founded on the consideration that this want of +attention was injudicious and was the cause of the spread of exaggerated +rumours of the patent's evil tendency. He has nothing to say of the +rights and liberties of a people which had thereby been infringed and +ignored. + +The English parliament had rarely shown much consideration for Irish +feelings or Irish rights. Its attitude towards the Irish Houses of +Legislation had been high-handed and even dictatorial; so that +constitutional struggles were not at all infrequent towards the end of +the seventeenth and during the first quarter of the eighteenth century. +The efforts of Sir Constantine Phipps towards a non-parliamentary +government,[3] and the reversal by the English House of Lords of the +decision given by the Irish House of Lords in the famous Annesley case, +had prepared the Irish people for a revolt against any further attempts +to dictate to its properly elected representatives assembled in +parliament. Moreover, the wretched material condition of the people, as +it largely had been brought about by a selfish, persecuting legislation +that practically isolated Ireland commercially in prohibiting the +exportation of its industrial products, was a danger and a menace to the +governing country. The two nations were facing each other threateningly. +When, therefore, Wood began to import his coin, suspicion was +immediately aroused. + +[Footnote 3: See Lecky's "History of Ireland," vol. i., p. 446, etc.] + +The masses took little notice of it at first; but the commissioners of +revenue in Dublin took action in a letter they addressed to the Right +Hon. Edward Hopkins, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. This letter, +dated August 7th, 1722, began by expressing surprise at the patent +granted to Mr. Wood, and asked the secretary "to lay before the Lord +Lieutenant a memorial, presented by their agent to the Lords of the +Treasury, concerning this patent, and also a report of some former +Commissioners of the revenue on the like occasion, and to acquaint his +Grace, that they concurred in all the objections in those papers, and +were of opinion, that such a patent would be highly prejudicial to the +trade, and welfare of this kingdom, and more particularly to his +Majesty's revenue, which they had formerly found to have suffered very +much, by too great a quantity of such base coin."[4] No reply was +received to this letter. + +[Footnote 4: "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland," etc., +p. 6.] + +Fears began to be generally felt, and the early murmurs of an agitation +to be heard when, on September 19th, 1722, the Commissioners addressed a +second letter, this time to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's +Treasury. The letter assured their Lordships "that they had been applied +to by many persons of rank and fortune, and by the merchants and traders +in Ireland, to represent the ill effects of Mr. Wood's patent, and that +they could from former experience assure their Lordships, it would be +particularly detrimental to his Majesty's revenue. They represented that +this matter had made a great noise here, and that there did not appear +the _least want of such small species of coin for change_, and hoped +that the importance of the occasion would excuse their making this +representation of a matter that had not been referred to them."[5] + +[Footnote 5: _Ibid_, pp. 6-7.] + +To this letter also no reply was vouchsafed. In the meantime, Wood kept +sending in his coins, landing them at most of the ports of the kingdom. + +"Then everyone that was not interested in the success of this coinage," +writes the author of the pamphlet already quoted, "by having contracted +for a great quantity of his halfpence at a large discount, or biassed by +the hopes of immoderate gain to be made out of the ruins of their +country, expressed their apprehensions of the pernicious consequences of +this copper money; and resolved to make use of the _right they had by +law to refuse the same_".[6] + +[Footnote 6: _Ibid_, p. 7.] + +The Lord Lieutenant, the Duke of Grafton, had arrived in August, 1723, +and parliament sat early in September. Its first attention was paid to +the Wood patent. After the early excitement had subsided, they resolved +to appeal to the King. During the early stages of the discussion, +however, the Commons addressed the Lord Lieutenant, asking that a copy +of the patent and other papers relating to it, be laid before them. This +was on September 13th. On the following day Mr. Hopkins informed the +House that the Lord Lieutenant had no such copy, nor any papers. The +House then unanimously resolved to inquire into the matter on its own +account, and issued orders for several persons to appear before it to +give evidence, fixing the day for examination for September 16th. On +that day, however, Mr. Hopkins appeared before the members with a copy +of the patent, and informed them that the Lord Lieutenant had received +it since his last communication with them. This incident served but to +arouse further ridicule. A broadside, published at the time with the +title "A Creed of an Irish Commoner," amusingly reveals the lameness of +the excuse for this non-production of the exemplification. Coxe says +that the cause for the delay was due to the fact that the copy of the +patent had been delivered to the Lord Lieutenant's servant, instead of +to his private secretary; but this excuse is probably no more happily +founded than the one offered. + +On Friday, September 20th, the House resolved itself into a committee +"to take into consideration the state of the nation, particularly in +relation to the importing and uttering of copper halfpence and farthings +in this kingdom." After three days' debate, and after examining +competent witnesses under oath, it passed resolutions to the following +effect + +(1) That Wood's patent is highly prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue, +and is destructive of trade and commerce, and most dangerous to the +rights and properties of the subject. + +(2) That for the purpose of obtaining the patent Wood had notoriously +misrepresented the state of the nation. + +(3) That great quantities of the coin had been imported of different +impressions and of much less weight than the patent called for. + +(4) That the loss to the nation by the uttering of this coin would +amount to 150 per cent. + +(5) That in coining the halfpence Wood was guilty of a notorious fraud. + +(6) "That it is the opinion of this Committee, that it hath been always +highly prejudicial to this kingdom to grant the power or privilege of +coining money to private persons; and that it will, at all times, be of +dangerous consequence to grant any such power to any body politic, or +corporate, or any private person or persons whatsoever."[7] + +[Footnote 7: "Comm. Journals," vol. iii., pp. 317-325.] + +Addresses to his Majesty in conformity with these resolutions were voted +on September 27th. + +The House of Lords passed similar resolutions on September 26th, and +voted addresses embodying them on September 28th.[8] + +[Footnote 8: "Lords' Journals," vol. ii., pp. 745-751.] + +These Addresses received a better attention than did the letters from +the revenue commissioners. The Houses were courteously informed that +their communications would receive His Majesty's careful consideration. +Walpole kept his promise, but not before he had fought hard to maintain +the English prerogative, as he might have called it. The "secret" +history as narrated in Coxe's lively manner, throws some light on the +situation. Coxe really finds his hero's conduct not marked with "his +usual caution." The Lord Lieutenant was permitted to go to Ireland +without proper instructions; the information on which Walpole acted was +not reliable; and he did not sufficiently appreciate the influence of +Chancellor Midleton and his family. "He bitterly accused Lord Midleton +of treachery and low cunning, of having made, in his speeches, +distinction between the King and his ministers, of caballing with +Carteret, Cadogan, and Roxburgh, and of pursuing that line of conduct, +because he was of opinion the opposite party would gain the ascendency +in the cabinet. He did not believe the disturbances to be so serious as +they were represented, nor was he satisfied with the Duke of Grafton's +conduct, as being solely directed by Conolly, but declared that the part +acted by Conolly, almost excused what the Brodricks had done." Carteret +complained to the King and proved to him that Walpole's policy was a +dangerous one. The King became irritated and Walpole "ashamed." He even +became "uneasy," and it is to be supposed, took a more "cautious" +course; for he managed to conciliate the Brodricks and the powers in +Dublin. But the devil was not ill long. The cabinet crisis resulted in +the triumph of Townshend and Walpole, and the devil got well again. +Carteret must be removed and the patent promoted. But Midleton and the +Brodricks must be kept friendly. So Carteret went to Ireland as Lord +Lieutenant, Midleton remained Chancellor, and constituted a lord +justice, and St. John Brodrick was nominated a member of the Privy +Council. Still farther on his "cautious" way, Ireland must be given some +consideration; hence the Committee of the Privy Council, specially +called to inquire into the grievances complained of by the Irish Houses +of Parliament in their loyal addresses. + +The Committee sat for several weeks, and the report it issued forms the +subject of Swift's animadversions in the Drapier's third letter. But the +time spent by the Committee in London was being utilized in quite a +different fashion by Swift in Ireland. "Cautious" as was Walpole, he had +not reckoned with the champion of his political opponents of Queen +Anne's days. Swift had little humour for court intrigues and cabinet +cabals. He came out into the open to fight the good fight of the people +to whom courts and cabinets should be servants and not self-seeking +masters. Whatever doubts the people of Ireland may have had about the +legal validity of their resentment towards Wood and his coins, were +quickly dissipated when they read "A Letter to the Shop Keepers, +Tradesmen, Farmers, and Common People of Ireland, concerning the Brass +Half-pence coined by Mr. Wood," and signed, "M.B. Drapier." The letter, +as Lord Orrery remarked, acted like the sound of a trumpet. At that +sound "a spirit arose among the people, that in the eastern phrase, was +_like unto a trumpet in the day of the whirlwind_. Every person of every +rank, party, and denomination was convinced, that the admission of +Wood's copper must prove fatal to the Commonwealth. The papist, the +fanatic, the Tory, the Whig, all listed themselves volunteers under the +banners of M.B. Drapier, and were all equally zealous to serve the +Common cause." + +The present text of the first of the Drapier's letters is based on that +given by Sir W. Scott, carefully collated with two copies of the first +edition which differed from each other in many particulars. One belonged +to the late Colonel F. Grant, and the other is in the British Museum. It +has also been read with the collection of the Drapier's Letters issued +by the Drapier Club in 1725, with the title, "Fraud Detected"; with the +London edition of "The Hibernian Patriot" (1730), and with Faulkner's +text issued in his collected edition of Swift's Works in 1735. + +[T.S.] + +[Illustration: + A + *LETTER* + TO THE +_Shop-Keepers_, _Tradesmen_, _Farmers_ + and _Common-People_ of + *IRELAND*, + + Concerning the + *Brass Half-pence* + Coined by + + **Mr. Woods,** + + WITH +A _Design_ to have them _Pass_ in this + *KINGDOM*. + +Wherein is shewn the Power of the said PATENT, + the Value of the HALF-PENCE, and + how far every Person may be oblig'd to take the + same in Payments, and how to behave in Case + such an Attempt shou'd be made by WOODS + or any other Person. + +[Very Proper to be kept in every FAMILY.] + + By M.B. _Drapier_. + +DUBLIN: Printed by _J. Harding_ + in _Molesworth's-Court_. +] + + + + +LETTER I. + +TO THE TRADESMEN, SHOP-KEEPERS, FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE IN GENERAL OF +IRELAND. + + +BRETHREN, FRIENDS, COUNTRYMEN AND FELLOW-SUBJECTS, + +What I intend now to say to you, is, next to your duty to God, and the +care of your salvation, of the greatest concern to yourselves, and your +children, your bread and clothing, and every common necessary of life +entirely depend upon it. Therefore I do most earnestly exhort you as +men, as Christians, as parents, and as lovers of your country, to read +this paper with the utmost attention, or get it read to you by others; +which that you may do at the less expense, I have ordered the printer to +sell it at the lowest rate. + +It is a great fault among you, that when a person writes with no other +intention than to do you good, you will not be at the pains to read his +advices: One copy of this paper may serve a dozen of you, which will be +less than a farthing a-piece. It is your folly that you have no common +or general interest in your view, not even the wisest among you, neither +do you know or enquire, or care who are your friends, or who are your +enemies. + +About three[9] years ago, a little book was written, to advise all +people to wear the manufactures of this our own dear country:[10] It had +no other design, said nothing against the King or Parliament, or any +man, yet the POOR PRINTER was prosecuted two years, with the utmost +violence, and even some WEAVERS themselves, for whose sake it was +written, being upon the JURY, FOUND HIM GUILTY. This would be enough to +discourage any man from endeavouring to do you good, when you will +either neglect him or fly in his face for his pains, and when he must +expect only danger to himself and loss of money, perhaps to his +ruin.[11] + +[Footnote 9: In his reprint of the Drapier's Letters, issued in 1725 +with the title, "Fraud Detected; or the Hibernian Patriot," Faulkner +prints "four" instead of "three"; but this, of course, is a correction +made to agree with the date of the publication of this reprint. The +"Proposal" was published in 1720. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 10: The "little book" was "A Proposal for the Universal Use of +Irish Manufactures." See vol. vii. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 11: Instead of the words "loss of money," Faulkner in the +reprint of 1725 has "to be fined and imprisoned." [T.S.]] + +However I cannot but warn you once more of the manifest destruction +before your eyes, if you do not behave yourselves as you ought. + +I will therefore first tell you the plain story of the fact; and then I +will lay before you how you ought to act in common prudence, and +according to the laws of your country. + +The fact is thus: It having been many years since COPPER HALFPENCE OR +FARTHINGS were last coined in this kingdom, they have been for some time +very scarce,[12] and many counterfeits passed about under the name of +_raps_, several applications were made to England, that we might have +liberty to coin new ones, as in former times we did; but they did not +succeed. At last one Mr. Wood,[13] a mean ordinary man, a hardware +dealer, procured a patent[14]under his Majesty's broad seal to coin +fourscore and ten thousand pounds[15] in copper for this kingdom, which +patent however did not oblige any one here to take them, unless they +pleased. Now you must know, that the halfpence and farthings in England +pass for very little more than they are worth. And if you should beat +them to pieces, and sell them to the brazier you would not lose above a +penny in a shilling. But Mr. Wood made his halfpence of such base metal, +and so much smaller than the English ones, that the brazier would not +give you above a penny of good money for a shilling of his; so that this +sum of fourscore and ten thousand pounds in good gold and silver, must +be given for trash that will not be worth above eight or nine thousand +pounds real value. But this is not the worst, for Mr. Wood when he +pleases may by stealth send over another and another fourscore and ten +thousand pounds, and buy all our goods for eleven parts in twelve, under +the value. For example, if a hatter sells a dozen of hats for five +shillings a-piece, which amounts to three pounds, and receives the +payment in Mr. Wood's coin, he really receives only the value of five +shillings. + +[Footnote 12: They had become scarce because they had been undervalued, +and therefore sent out of the country in payment of goods bought. See +Prior's "Observations on Coin," issued in 1729, where it is stated that +this scarcity had occurred only within the last twenty years. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 13: William Wood (1671-1730) was an ironmaster of +Wolverhampton. In addition to the patent for coining copper halfpence +which he obtained for Ireland, and to which full reference is made in +the introductory note to this first Drapier's Letter, Wood also obtained +a patent, in 1722, for coining halfpence, pence and twopence for the +English colonies in America. This latter patent fared no better than the +Irish one. The coins introduced in America bear the dates 1722 and 1723, +and are now much sought after by collectors. They are known as the Rosa +American coinage. A list of the poems and pamphlets on Wood, during the +excitement in Dublin, attending on the Drapier's Letters, will be found +in the bibliography of Swift's works to be given in vol. xi. of this +edition. See also Monck Mason's "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral." In +the original edition of the Letter, Wood's name is mis-spelt Woods. [T. +S.]] + +[Footnote 14: See the introductory note for the manner in which this +patent was obtained. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 15: This is how the amount is named in the first edition; but +the amount in reality was £100,800 (the value of 360 tons of copper, as +stated by the patent). Sir W. Scott prints this as £108,000. Coxe, in +his "Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole" gives the amount as £100,000. Lecky +states it as £108,000. [T.S.]] + +Perhaps you will wonder how such an ordinary fellow as this Mr. Wood +could have so much interest as to get His Majesty's broad seal for so +great a sum of bad money, to be sent to this poor country, and that all +the nobility and gentry here could not obtain the same favour, and let +us make our own halfpence, as we used to do. Now I will make that matter +very plain. We are at a great distance from the King's court, and have +nobody there to solicit for us, although a great number of lords and +squires, whose estates are here, and are our countrymen, spending all +their lives and fortunes there. But this same Mr. Wood was able to +attend constantly for his own interest; he is an Englishman and had +great friends, and it seems knew very well where to give money, to +those that would speak to others that could speak to the King and could +tell a fair story. And His Majesty, and perhaps the great lord or lords +who advised him, might think it was for our country's good; and so, as +the lawyers express it, "the King was deceived in his grant," which +often happens in all reigns. And I am sure if His Majesty knew that such +a patent, if it should take effect according to the desire of Mr. Wood, +would utterly ruin this kingdom, which hath given such great proofs of +its loyalty, he would immediately recall it, and perhaps shew his +displeasure to somebody or other. But "a word to the wise is enough." +Most of you must have heard, with what anger our honourable House of +Commons received an account of this Wood's patent.[16] There were +several fine speeches made upon it, and plain proofs that it was all A +WICKED CHEAT from the bottom to the top, and several smart votes were +printed, which that same Wood had the assurance to answer likewise in +print, and in so confident a way, as if he were a better man than our +whole Parliament put together.[17] + +[Footnote 16: The Irish House of Commons reported that the loss to the +country, even if the patent were carried out as required, would amount +to about 150 per cent.; and both Irish Houses of Parliament voted +addresses against the coinage, and accused the patentee of fraud and +deceit. They asserted that the terms of the patent had not been +fulfilled and "that the circulation of the halfpence would be highly +prejudicial to the revenue, destructive of the commerce, and of most +dangerous consequences to the rights and properties of the subjects." +See introductory note. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 17: Wood's indiscreet retort was published in the "Flying +Post" October 8th, 1723. Later he boasted that he would, with Walpole's +assistance, "pour the coin down the throats of the people." [T.S.]] + +This Wood, as soon as his patent was passed, or soon after, sends over +a great many barrels of these halfpence, to Cork and other sea-port +towns,[18] and to get them off offered an hundred pounds in his coin for +seventy or eighty in silver. But the collectors of the King's customs +very honestly refused to take them, and so did almost everybody else. +And since the Parliament hath condemned them, and desired the King that +they might be stopped, all the kingdom do abominate them. + +[Footnote 18: At Dublin, Cork, Waterford and other ports, the merchants +refused to accept the copper coins. Monck Mason notes that "in the +'Dublin Gazette,' No. 2562, we meet with resolutions by the merchants of +Cork, dated the 25th of Aug., 1724, and like resolutions by those of +Waterford, dated 22d Aug. wherein they declare, that, 'they will never +receive or utter in any payment, the halfpence or farthings coined by +William Wood; as they conceive the importing and uttering the same, to +be highly prejudicial to His Majesty's revenue, and to the trade of the +kingdom': these resolutions are declared to be conformable to those of +the Trinity Guild, of merchants, of the city of Dublin, voted at their +guild-hall, on the 18th day of the same month" (Hist. St. Patrick's, p. +346, note r). See also Appendix No. IX. [T.S.]] + +But Wood is still working underhand to force his halfpence upon us, and +if he can by help of his friends in England prevail so far as to get an +order that the commissioners and collectors of the King's money shall +receive them, and that the army is to be paid with them, then he thinks +his work shall be done. And this is the difficulty you will be under in +such a case. For the common soldier when he goes to the market or +alehouse will offer this money, and if it be refused, perhaps he will +swagger and hector, and threaten to beat the butcher or alewife, or take +the goods by force, and throw them the bad halfpence. In this and the +like cases, the shopkeeper or victualler, or any other tradesman has no +more to do, than to demand ten times the price of his goods, if it is to +be paid in Wood's money; for example, twenty-pence of that money for a +quart of ale, and so in all things else, and not part with his goods +till he gets the money. + +For suppose you go to an alehouse with that base money, and the landlord +gives you a quart for four of these halfpence, what must the victualler +do? His brewer will not be paid in that coin, or if the brewer should be +such a fool, the farmers will not take it from them for their bere,[19] +because they are bound by their leases to pay their rents in good and +lawful money of England, which this is not, nor of Ireland neither, and +the 'squire their landlord will never be so bewitched to take such trash +for his land, so that it must certainly stop somewhere or other, and +wherever it stops it is the same thing, and we are all undone. + +[Footnote 19: Bere = barley. Cf. A.S. _baerlic_, Icelandic, _barr_, +meaning barley, the grain used for making malt for the preparation of +beer. [T.S.]] + +The common weight of these halfpence is between four and five to an +ounce, suppose five, then three shillings and fourpence will weigh a +pound, and consequently twenty shillings will weigh six pound butter +weight. Now there are many hundred farmers who pay two hundred pound a +year rent. Therefore when one of these farmers comes with his +half-year's rent, which is one hundred pound, it will be at least six +hundred pound weight, which is three horse load. + +If a 'squire has a mind to come to town to buy clothes and wine and +spices for himself and family, or perhaps to pass the winter here; he +must bring with him five or six horses loaden with sacks as the farmers +bring their corn; and when his lady comes in her coach to our shops, it +must be followed by a car loaden with Mr. Wood's money. And I hope we +shall have the grace to take it for no more than it is worth. + +They say 'Squire Conolly[20] has sixteen thousand pounds a year, now if +he sends for his rent to town, as it is likely he does, he must have two +hundred and forty horses to bring up his half-year's rent, and two or +three great cellars in his house for stowage. But what the bankers will +do I cannot tell. For I am assured, that some great bankers keep by them +forty thousand pounds in ready cash to answer all payments, which sum, +in Mr. Wood's money, would require twelve hundred horses to carry it. + +[Footnote 20: William Conolly (d. 1729) was chosen Speaker of the Irish +House of Commons on November 12th, 1715. He held this office until +October 12th, 1729. Swift elsewhere says that Wharton sold Conolly the +office of Chief Commissioner of the Irish Revenue for £3,000. Between +the years 1706 and 1729 Conolly was ten times selected for the office of +a Lord Justice of Ireland. The remark in the text as to Conolly's income +is repeated by Boulter ("Letters," vol. i., p. 334), though the Primate +writes of £17,000 a year. The reference to Conolly is of set purpose, +because Conolly had advocated the patent as against Midleton's +condemnation of it. [T.S.]] + +For my own part, I am already resolved what to do; I have a pretty good +shop of Irish stuffs and silks, and instead of taking Mr. Wood's bad +copper, I intend to truck with my neighbours the butchers, and bakers, +and brewers, and the rest, goods for goods, and the little gold and +silver I have, I will keep by me like my heart's blood till better +times, or till I am just ready to starve, and then I will buy Mr. Wood's +money as my father did the brass money in K. James's time,[21] who could +buy ten pound of it with a guinea, and I hope to get as much for a +pistole, and so purchase bread from those who will be such fools as to +sell it me. + +[Footnote 21: James II., during his unsuccessful campaign in Ireland, +debased the coinage in order to make his funds meet the demands of his +soldiery. Archbishop King, in his work on the "State of the Protestants +in Ireland," describes the evil effects which this proceeding had: "King +James's council used not to stick at the formalities of law or reason, +and therefore vast quantities of brass money were coined, and made +current by a proclamation, dated 18th June, 1689, under severe +penalties. The metal of which this money was made was the worst kind of +brass; old guns, and the refuse of metals were melted down to make it; +workmen rated it at threepence or a groat a pound, which being coined +into sixpences, shillings, or half-crowns, one pound weight made about +£5. And by another proclamation, dated 1690, the half-crowns were called +in, and being stamped anew, were made to pass for crowns; so that then, +three pence or four pence worth of metal made £10. There was coined in +all, from the first setting up of the mint, to the rout at the Boyne, +being about twelve months, £965,375. In this coin King James paid all +his appointments, and all that received the king's pay being generally +papists, they forced the protestants to part with the goods out of their +shops for this money, and to receive their debts in it; so that the loss +by the brass money did, in a manner, entirely fall on the protestants, +being defrauded (for I can call it no better) of about, £60,000 per +month by this stratagem, which must, in a few months, have utterly +exhausted them. When the papists had gotten most of their saleable goods +from their protestant neighbours, and yet great quantities of brass +money remained in their hands, they began to consider how many of them, +who had estates, had engaged them to protestants by judgments, statutes +staple, and mortgages; and to take this likewise from them they procured +a proclamation, dated 4 Feb. 1689, to make brass money current in all +payments whatsoever." A proclamation of William III., dated July 10th, +1690, ordered that these crown pieces of James should pass as of equal +value with one penny each. [T.S.]] + +These halfpence, if they once pass, will soon be counterfeit, because it +may be cheaply done, the stuff is so base. The Dutch likewise will +probably do the same thing, and send them over to us to pay for our +goods.[22] And Mr. Wood will never be at rest but coin on: So that in +some years we shall have at least five times fourscore and ten thousand +pounds of this lumber. Now the current money of this kingdom is not +reckoned to be above four hundred thousand pounds in all, and while +there is a silver sixpence left these blood-suckers will never be quiet. + +[Footnote 22: The Dutch had previously counterfeited the debased coinage +of Ireland and sent them over in payment for Irish manufactures. [T. +S.]] + +When once the kingdom is reduced to such a condition, I will tell you +what must be the end: The gentlemen of estates will all turn off their +tenants for want of payment, because as I told you before, the tenants +are obliged by their leases to pay sterling which is lawful current +money of England; then they will turn their own farmers, as too many of +them do already, run all into sheep where they can, keeping only such +other cattle as are necessary, then they will be their own merchants and +send their wool and butter and hides and linen beyond sea for ready +money and wine and spices and silks. They will keep only a few miserable +cottiers.[23] The farmers must rob or beg, or leave their country. The +shopkeepers in this and every other town, must break and starve: For it +is the landed man that maintains the merchant, and shopkeeper, and +handicraftsman. + +[Footnote 23: "Unlike the peasant proprietor," says Lecky, "and also +unlike the mediaeval serf, the cottier had no permanent interest in the +soil, and no security for his future position. Unlike the English +farmer, he was no capitalist, who selects land as one of the many forms +of profitable investment that are open to him. He was a man destitute of +all knowledge and of all capital, who found the land the only thing that +remained between himself and starvation. Rents in the lower grades of +tenancies were regulated by competition, but it was competition between +a half-starving population, who had no other resources except the soil, +and were therefore prepared to promise anything rather than be deprived +of it. The landlord did nothing for them. They built their own mud +hovels, planted their hedges, dug their ditches. They were half naked, +half starved, utterly destitute of all providence and of all education, +liable at any time to be turned adrift from their holdings, ground to +the dust by three great burdens--rack-rents, paid not to the landlord +but to the middleman; tithes, paid to the clergy--often the absentee +clergy--of the church to which they did not belong; and dues, paid to +their own priests" ("Hist, of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 214-215, ed. 1892). +[T.S.]] + +But when the 'squire turns farmer and merchant himself, all the good +money he gets from abroad, he will hoard up or send for England, and +keep some poor tailor or weaver and the like in his own house, who will +be glad to get bread at any rate. + +I should never have done if I were to tell you all the miseries that we +shall undergo if we be so foolish and wicked as to take this CURSED +COIN. It would be very hard if all Ireland should be put into one scale, +and this sorry fellow Wood into the other, that Mr. Wood should weigh +down this whole kingdom, by which England gets above a million of good +money every year clear into their pockets, and that is more than the +English do by all the world besides. + +But your great comfort is, that as His Majesty's patent does not oblige +you to take this money, so the laws have not given the crown a power of +forcing the subjects to take what money the King pleases: For then by +the same reason we might be bound to take pebble-stones or cockle-shells +or stamped leather for current coin, if ever we should happen to live +under an ill prince, who might likewise by the same power make a guinea +pass for ten pounds, a shilling for twenty shillings, and so on, by +which he would in a short time get all the silver and gold of the +kingdom into his own hands, and leave us nothing but brass or leather or +what he pleased. Neither is anything reckoned more cruel or oppressive +in the French government than their common practice of calling in all +their money after they have sunk it very low, and then coining it anew +at a much higher value, which however is not the thousandth part so +wicked as this abominable project of Mr. Wood. For the French give their +subjects silver for silver and gold for gold, but this fellow will not +so much as give us good brass or copper for our gold and silver, nor +even a twelfth part of their worth. + +Having said thus much, I will now go on to tell you the judgments of +some great lawyers in this matter, whom I fee'd on purpose for your +sakes, and got their opinions under their hands, that I might be sure I +went upon good grounds. + +A famous law-book, called "The Mirror of Justice,"[24] discoursing of +the articles (or laws) ordained by our ancient kings declares the law to +be as follows: "It was ordained that no king of this realm should +change, impair or amend the money or make any other money than of gold +or silver without the assent of all the counties," that is, as my Lord +Coke says,[25] without the assent of Parliament. + +[Footnote 24: This was an important legal treatise often quoted by Coke. +Its full title is: "The Booke called, The Mirrour of Justices: Made by +Andrew Home. With the book, called, The Diversity of Courts, And Their +Jurisdictions ... London ... 1646." The French edition was printed in +1642 with the title, "La somme appelle Mirroir des Justices: vel +speculum Justiciariorum, Factum per Andream Home." Coke quotes it from a +manuscript, as he died before it was printed. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 25: 2 Inst. 576. [ORIG. ED.]] + +This book is very ancient, and of great authority for the time in which +it was wrote, and with that character is often quoted by that great +lawyer my Lord Coke.[26] By the law of England, the several metals are +divided into lawful or true metal and unlawful or false metal, the +former comprehends silver or gold; the latter all baser metals: That the +former is only to pass in payments appears by an act of Parliament[27] +made the twentieth year of Edward the First, called the "Statute +concerning the Passing of Pence," which I give you here as I got it +translated into English, for some of our laws at that time, were, as I +am told writ in Latin: "Whoever in buying or selling presumeth to refuse +an halfpenny or farthing of lawful money, bearing the stamp which it +ought to have, let him be seized on as a contemner of the King's +majesty, and cast into prison." + +[Footnote 26: 2 Inst. 576-577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +[Footnote 27: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +By this statute, no person is to be reckoned a contemner of the King's +majesty, and for that crime to be committed to prison; but he who +refuses to accept the King's coin made of lawful metal, by which, as I +observed before, silver and gold only are intended. + +That this is the true construction of the act, appears not only from the +plain meaning of the words, but from my Lord Coke's observation upon it. +"By this act" (says he) "it appears, that no subject can be forced to +take in buying or selling or other payments, any money made but of +lawful metal; that is, of silver or gold."[28] + +[Footnote 28: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +The law of England gives the King all mines of gold and silver, but not +the mines of other metals, the reason of which prerogative or power, as +it is given by my Lord Coke[29] is, because money can be made of gold +and silver, but not of other metals. + +[Footnote 29: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +Pursuant to this opinion halfpence and farthings were anciently made of +silver, which is most evident from the act of Parliament of Henry the +4th. chap. 4.[30] by which it is enacted as follows: "Item, for the +great scarcity that is at present within the realm of England of +halfpence and farthings of silver, it is ordained and established that +the third part of all the money of silver plate which shall be brought +to the bullion, shall be made in halfpence and farthings." This shews +that by the word "halfpenny" and "farthing" of lawful money in that +statute concerning the passing of pence, are meant a small coin in +halfpence and farthings of silver. + +[Footnote 30: Swift makes an incorrect reference here. The act was 4 +Henry IV., cap. 10. [T.S.]] + +This is further manifest from the statute of the ninth year of Edward +the 3d. chap. 3. which enacts, "That no sterling halfpenny or farthing +be molten for to make vessel, nor any other thing by the goldsmiths, nor +others, upon forfeiture of the money so molten" (or melted). + +By another act in this King's reign[31] black money was not to be +current in England, and by an act made in the eleventh year of his reign +chap. 5. galley halfpence were not to pass, what kind of coin these were +I do not know, but I presume they were made of base metal, and that +these acts were no new laws, but farther declarations of the old laws +relating to the coin. + +[Footnote 31: The act against black money was passed in Henry IV.'s +reign not Edward III.'s. The "galley halfpence" were dealt with by 9 +Hen. IV., cap. 4. [T.S.]] + +Thus the law stands in relation to coin, nor is there any example to the +contrary, except one in Davis's Reports,[32] who tells us that in the +time of Tyrone's rebellion Queen Elizabeth ordered money of mixed metal +to be coined in the Tower of London, and sent over hither for payment of +the army, obliging all people to receive it and commanding that all +silver money should be taken only as bullion, that is, for as much as it +weighed. Davis tells us several particulars in this matter too long here +to trouble you with, and that the privy-council of this kingdom obliged +a merchant in England to receive this mixed money for goods transmitted +hither.[33] + +[Footnote 32: This refers to Sir John Davies's "Abridgement of Sir +Edward Coke's Reports," first published in 1651. Davies was +Attorney-General for Ireland and a poet. His works have been collected +and edited by Dr. A.B. Grosart in the Fuller Worthies Library. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 33: Charles I., during the Civil War, paid his forces with +debased coin struck by him. [T.S.]] + +But this proceeding is rejected by all the best lawyers as contrary to +law, the Privy-council here having no such power. And besides it is to +be considered, that the Queen was then under great difficulties by a +rebellion in this kingdom assisted from Spain, and whatever is done in +great exigences and dangerous times should never be an example to +proceed by in seasons of peace and quietness. + +I will now, my dear friends to save you the trouble, set before you in +short, what the law obliges you to do, and what it does not oblige you +to. + +First, You are obliged to take all money in payments which is coined by +the King and is of the English standard or weight, provided it be of +gold or silver. + +Secondly, You are not obliged to take any money which is not of gold or +silver, no not the halfpence, or farthings of England, or of any other +country, and it is only for convenience, or ease, that you are content +to take them, because the custom of coining silver halfpence and +farthings hath long been left off, I will suppose on account of their +being subject to be lost. + +Thirdly, Much less are you obliged to take those vile halfpence of that +same Wood, by which you must lose almost eleven-pence in every shilling. + +Therefore my friends, stand to it one and all, refuse this filthy trash. +It is no treason to rebel against Mr. Wood. His Majesty in his patent +obliges nobody to take these halfpence,[34] our gracious prince hath no +so ill advisers about him; or if he had, yet you see the laws have not +left it in the King's power, to force us to take any coin but what is +lawful, of right standard gold and silver, therefore you have nothing to +fear. + +[Footnote 34: The words of the patent are "to pass and to be received as +current money; by such as shall or will, voluntarily and wittingly, and +not otherwise, receive the same" (the halfpence and farthings). [T.S.]] + +And let me in the next place apply myself particularly to you who are +the poor sort of tradesmen, perhaps you may think you will not be so +great losers as the rich, if these halfpence should pass, because you +seldom see any silver, and your customers come to your shops or stalls +with nothing but brass, which you likewise find hard to be got, but you +may take my word, whenever this money gains footing among you, you will +be utterly undone; if you carry these halfpence to a shop for tobacco +or brandy, or any other thing you want, the shopkeeper will advance his +goods accordingly, or else he must break, and leave the key under the +door. Do you think I will sell you a yard of tenpenny stuff for twenty +of Mr. Wood's halfpence? No, not under two hundred at least, neither +will I be at the trouble of counting, but weigh them in a lump; I will +tell you one thing further, that if Mr. Wood's project should take, it +will ruin even our beggars; For when I give a beggar an halfpenny, it +will quench his thirst, or go a good way to fill his belly, but the +twelfth part of a halfpenny will do him no more service than if I should +give him three pins out of my sleeve. + +In short these halfpence are like "the accursed thing, which" as the +Scripture tells us, "the children of Israel were forbidden to touch," +they will run about like the plague and destroy every one who lays his +hands upon them. I have heard scholars talk of a man who told a king +that he had invented a way to torment people by putting them into a bull +of brass with fire under it, but the prince put the projector first into +his own brazen bull to make the experiment;[35] this very much resembles +the project of Mr. Wood, and the like of this may possibly be Mr. Wood's +fate, that the brass he contrived to torment this kingdom with, may +prove his own torment, and his destruction at last. + +[Footnote 35: It is curious to find Swift so referring to Phalaris, of +whom he had heard so much in the days of the "Battle of the Books." [SIR +H. CRAIK.]] + +N.B. The author of this paper is informed by persons who have made it +their business to be exact in their observations on the true value of +these halfpence, that any person may expect to get a quart of twopenny +ale for thirty-six of them. + +I desire all persons may keep this paper carefully by them to refresh +their memories whenever they shall have farther notice of Mr. Wood's +halfpence, or any other the like imposture. + + + + + +LETTER II. + +TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER. + + +NOTE. + +Towards the beginning of the August of 1724, the Committee of Inquiry +had finished their report on Wood's patent. Somehow, an advance notice +of the contents of the report found its way, probably directed by +Walpole himself, into the pages of a London journal, from whence it was +reprinted in Dublin, in Harding's Newspaper on the 1st of August. The +notice stated that the Committee had recommended a reduction in the +amount of coin Wood was to issue to £40,000. It informed the public that +the report notified that Wood was willing to take goods in exchange for +his coins, if enough silver were not to be had, and he agreed to +restrict the amount of each payment to 5-1/2_d_. But a pretty broad hint +was given that a refusal to accept the compromise offered might possibly +provoke the higher powers to an assertion of the prerogative. + +Walpole also had already endeavoured to calm the situation by consenting +to a minute examination of the coins themselves at the London Mint. The +Lords Commissioners had instructed Sir Isaac Newton, the Master of the +Mint, Edward Southwell, and Thomas Scroope, to make an assay of Wood's +money. The report of the assayists was issued on April 27th, 1724;[1] +and certified that the coins submitted had been tested and found to be +correct both as to weight and quality. In addition to this evidence of +good faith, Walpole had nominated Carteret in place of the Duke of +Grafton to the Lord-Lieutenancy. Carteret was a favourite with the best +men in Ireland, and a man of culture as well as ability. It was hoped +that his influence would smooth down the members of the opposition by an +acceptance of the altered measure. He was in the way in London, and he +might be of great service in Dublin; so to Dublin he went. + +[Footnote 1: A full reprint of this report is given in Appendix II.] + +But Walpole had not reckoned with the Drapier. In the paragraph in +Harding's sheet, Swift saw a diplomatist's move to win the game by +diplomatic methods. Compromise was the one result Swift was determined +to render impossible; and the Drapier's second letter, "To Mr. Harding +the Printer," renews the conflict with yet stronger passion and with +even more satirical force. It is evident Swift was bent now on raising a +deeper question than merely this of the acceptance or refusal of Wood's +halfpence and farthings. There was a principle here that had to be +insisted and a right to be safeguarded. Mr. Churton Collins ably +expresses Swift's attitude at this juncture when he says:[2] "Nothing +can be more certain than that it was Swift's design from the very +beginning to make the controversy with Wood the basis of far more +extensive operations. It had furnished him with the means of waking +Ireland from long lethargy into fiery life. He looked to it to furnish +him with the means of elevating her from servitude to independence, from +ignominy to honour. His only fear was lest the spirit which he had +kindled should burn itself out or be prematurely quenched. And of this +he must have felt that there was some danger, when it was announced that +England had given way much more than it was expected she would give way, +and much more than she had ever given way before." + +[Footnote 2: "Jonathan Swift," pp. 179-180.] + +This letter to Harding was but the preliminary leading up to the famous +fourth letter "to the whole people of Ireland." It was also an +introduction to, and preparation of the public mind for, the drastic +criticism of the Privy Council's Report, the arrival of which was +expected shortly. + +The present text of this second letter is that given by Sir W. Scott, +collated with the copies of the original edition in the possession of +the late Colonel F. Grant and in the British Museum. It has also been +compared with Faulkner's issue of 1725, in "Fraud Detected." + +[T.S.] + +[Illustration: + A + *LETTER* + TO + Mr. _Harding_ the Printer, + Upon Occasion of a + + **PARAGRAPH** + *IN HIS* + **News-Paper** + of _Aug_. 1st. + +Relating to Mr. _Wood's_ Half-pence. + + _By_ M.B. _Drapier_. + AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + SHOP-KEEPERS, &c. + + DUBLIN: Printed by _J. Harding_ + in _Molesworth's-Court_. +] + + + +LETTER II. + +TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER. + + +Sir, In your Newsletter of the 1st. instant there is a paragraph dated +from London, July 25th. relating to Wood's halfpence; whereby it is +plain what I foretold in my "Letter to the Shopkeepers, &c." that this +vile fellow would never be at rest, and that the danger of our ruin +approaches nearer, and therefore the kingdom requires NEW and FRESH +WARNING; however I take that paragraph to be, in a great measure, an +imposition upon the public, at least I hope so, because I am informed +that Wood is generally his own newswriter. I cannot but observe from +that paragraph that this public enemy of ours, not satisfied to ruin us +with his trash, takes every occasion to treat this kingdom with the +utmost contempt. He represents "several of our merchants and traders +upon examination before a committee of council, agreeing that there was +the utmost necessity of copper money here, before his patent, so that +several gentlemen have been forced to tally with their workmen and give +them bits of cards sealed and subscribed with their names." What then? +If a physician prescribes to a patient a dram of physic, shall a rascal +apothecary cram him with a pound, and mix it up with poison? And is not +a landlord's hand and seal to his own labourers a better security for +five or ten shillings, than Wood's brass seven times below the real +value, can be to the kingdom, for an hundred and four thousand +pounds?[3] + +[Footnote 3: Thus in original edition. £108,000 is the amount generally +given. See note on p. 15. [T.S.]] + +But who are these merchants and traders of Ireland that make this report +of "the utmost necessity we are under of copper money"? They are only a +few betrayers of their country, confederates with Wood, from whom they +are to purchase a great quantity of his coin, perhaps at half value, and +vend it among us to the ruin of the public, and their own private +advantage. Are not these excellent witnesses, upon whose integrity the +fate of a kingdom must depend, who are evidences in their own cause, and +sharers in this work of iniquity? + +If we could have deserved the liberty of coining for ourselves, as we +formerly did, and why we have not _is everybody's wonder as well as +mine_,[4] ten thousand pounds might have been coined here in Dublin of +only one-fifth below the intrinsic value, and this sum, with the stock +of halfpence we then had, would have been sufficient:[5] But Wood by his +emissaries, enemies to God and this kingdom, hath taken care to buy up +as many of our old halfpence as he could, and from thence the present +want of change arises; to remove which, by Mr. Wood's remedy, would be, +to cure a scratch on the finger by cutting off the arm. But supposing +there were not one farthing of change in the whole nation, I will +maintain, that five and twenty thousand pounds would be a sum fully +sufficient to answer all our occasions. I am no inconsiderable +shopkeeper in this town, I have discoursed with several of my own and +other trades, with many gentlemen both of city and country, and also +with great numbers of farmers, cottagers, and labourers, who all agree +that two shillings in change for every family would be more than +necessary in all dealings. Now by the largest computation (even before +that grievous discouragement of agriculture, which hath so much lessened +our numbers [6]) the souls in this kingdom are computed to be one +million and a half, which, allowing but six to a family, makes two +hundred and fifty thousand families, and consequently two shillings to +each family will amount only to five and twenty thousand pounds, whereas +this honest liberal hardwareman Wood would impose upon us above four +times that sum. + +[Footnote 4: Time and again Ireland had petitioned the King of England +for the establishment of a mint in Dublin. Both Houses of Parliament +addressed King Charles I. in 1634, begging for a mint which should coin +money in Ireland of the same standard and values as those of England, +and allowing the profits to the government. Wentworth supported the +address; but it was refused (Carte's "Ormond," vol. i., pp. 79-80). When +Lord Cornwallis's petition for a renewal of his patent for minting coins +was presented in 1700, it was referred to a committee of the Lords +Justices. In their report the Lords Justices condemned the system in +vogue, and urged the establishment of a mint, in which the coining of +money should be in the hands of the government and in those of a +subject. No notice was taken of this advice. See Lecky's "Ireland," vol. +i., p. 448 (ed 1892) [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 5: Boulter stated that £10,000 or £15,000 would have amply +fulfilled the demand ("Letters," vol. i., pp. 4, 11). [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 6: It was not alone the direct discouragement of agriculture +which lessened the population. This result was also largely brought +about by the anti-Catholic legislation of Queen Anne's reign, which +"reduced the Roman Catholics to a state of depression," and caused +thousands of them to go elsewhere for the means of living. See +Crawford's "Ireland," vol. ii., pp. 264-267. [T.S.]] + +Your paragraph relates further, that Sir Isaac Newton reported an assay +taken at the Tower of Wood's metal, by which it appears, that Wood had +in all respects performed his contract[7]. His contract! With whom? Was +it with the parliament or people of Ireland? Are not they to be the +purchasers? But they detest, abhor, and reject it, as corrupt, +fraudulent, mingled with dirt and trash. Upon which he grows angry, goes +to law, and will impose his goods upon us by force. + +[Footnote 7: For the full text of Newton's report see Appendix, No. II. +[T.S.]] + +But your Newsletter says that an assay was made of the coin. How +impudent and insupportable is this? Wood takes care to coin a dozen or +two halfpence of good metal, sends them to the Tower and they are +approved, and these must answer all that he hath already coined or shall +coin for the future. It is true indeed, that a gentleman often sends to +my shop for a pattern of stuff, I cut it fairly off, and if he likes it, +he comes or sends and compares the pattern with the whole piece, and +probably we come to a bargain. But if I were to buy an hundred sheep, +and the grazier should bring me one single wether fat and well fleeced +by way of pattern, and expect the same price round for the whole +hundred, without suffering me to see them before he was paid, or giving +me good security to restore my money for those that were lean or shorn +or scabby, I would be none of his customer. I have heard of a man who +had a mind to sell his house, and therefore carried a piece of brick in +his pocket, which he shewed as a pattern to encourage purchasers: And +this is directly the case in point with Mr. Wood's assay.[8] + +[Footnote 8: Monck Mason remarks on this assay that "the assay-masters +do not report that Mr. Wood's coinage was superior to that of former +kings, but only to those specimens of such coinages as were exhibited by +Mr. Wood, which, it is admitted were much worn. Whether the money coined +in the preceding reign was good or bad is in fact nothing to the +purpose." "'What argument,'" quotes Monck Mason from the tract issued in +1724 entitled, "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland, in +their unanimous refusal of Mr. Wood's Copper Money," "'can be drawn from +the badness of our former coinages but this, that because we have +formerly been cheated by our coiners, we ought to suffer Mr. Wood to +cheat us over again? Whereas, one reason for our so vigorously opposing +Mr. Wood's coinage, is, because we have always been imposed upon in our +copper money, and we find he is treading exactly in the steps of his +predecessors, and thinks he has a right to cheat us because he can shew +a precedent for it.' In truth, there was a vast number of counterfeits +of those coins, which had been imported, chiefly from Scotland, as +appears from a proclamation prohibiting the Importation of them in 1697" +("History St. Patrick's Cathedral," p, 340, note d.) [T.S.]] + +The next part of the paragraph contains Mr. Wood's voluntary proposals +for "preventing any future objections or apprehensions." + +His first proposal is, that "whereas he hath already coined seventeen +thousand pounds, and has copper prepared to make it up forty thousand +pounds, he will be content to coin no more, unless the EXIGENCES OF +TRADE REQUIRE IT, though his patent empowers him to coin a far greater +quantity." + +To which if I were to answer it should be thus: "Let Mr. Wood and his +crew of founders and tinkers coin on till there is not an old kettle +left in the kingdom: let them coin old leather, tobacco-pipe clay or the +dirt in the streets, and call their trumpery by what name they please +from a guinea to a farthing, we are not under any concern to know how he +and his tribe or accomplices think fit to employ themselves." But I hope +and trust, that we are all to a man fully determined to have nothing to +do with him or his ware. + +The King has given him a patent to coin halfpence, but hath not obliged +us to take them, and I have already shewn in my "Letter to the +Shopkeepers, &c." that the law hath not left it in the power of the +prerogative to compel the subject to take any money, beside gold and +silver of the right sterling and standard. + +Wood further proposes, (if I understand him right, for his expressions +are dubious) that "he will not coin above forty thousand pounds, unless +the exigences of trade require it." First, I observe that this sum of +forty thousand pounds is almost double to what I proved to be sufficient +for the whole kingdom, although we had not one of our old halfpence +left. Again I ask, who is to be judge when the exigences of trade +require it? Without doubt he means himself, for as to us of this poor +kingdom, who must be utterly ruined if his project should succeed, we +were never once consulted till the matter was over, and he will judge of +our exigences by his own; neither will these be ever at an end till he +and his accomplices will think they have enough: And it now appears that +he will not be content with all our gold and silver, but intends to buy +up our goods and manufactures with the same coin. + +I shall not enter into examination of the prices for which he now +proposes to sell his halfpence, or what he calls his copper, by the +pound; I have said enough of it in my former letter, and it hath +likewise been considered by others. It is certain that by his own first +computation, we were to pay three shillings for what was intrinsically +worth but one,[9] although it had been of the true weight and standard +for which he pretended to have contracted; but there is so great a +difference both in weight and badness in several of his coins that some +of them have been nine in ten below the intrinsic value, and most of +them six or seven.[10] + +[Footnote 9: The report of the Committee of the Privy Council which sat +on Wood's coinage, stated that copper ready for minting cost eighteen +pence per pound before it was brought into the Mint at the Tower of +London. See the Report prefixed to Letter III. and Appendix II., in +which it is also stated that Wood's copper was worth thirteen pence per +pound. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 10: Newton's assay report says that Wood's pieces were of +unequal weight. [T.S.]] + +His last proposal being of a peculiar strain and nature, deserves to be +very particularly considered, both on account of the matter and the +style. It is as follows. + +"Lastly, in consideration of the direful apprehensions which prevail in +Ireland, that Mr. Wood will by such coinage drain them of their gold and +silver, he proposes to take their manufactures in exchange, and that no +person be obliged to receive more than fivepence halfpenny at one +payment." + +First, Observe this little impudent hardwareman turning into ridicule +"the direful apprehensions of a whole kingdom," priding himself as the +cause of them, and daring to prescribe what no King of England ever +attempted, how far a whole nation shall be obliged to take his brass +coin. And he has reason to insult; for sure there was never an example +in history, of a great kingdom kept in awe for above a year in daily +dread of utter destruction, not by a powerful invader at the head of +twenty thousand men, not by a plague or a famine, not by a tyrannical +prince (for we never had one more gracious) or a corrupt administration, +but by one single, diminutive, insignificant, mechanic. + +But to go on. To remove our "direful apprehensions that he will drain us +of our gold and silver by his coinage:" This little arbitrary +mock-monarch most graciously offers to "take our manufactures in +exchange." Are our Irish understandings indeed so low in his opinion? Is +not this the very misery we complain of? That his cursed project will +put us under the necessity of selling our goods for what is equal to +nothing. How would such a proposal sound from France or Spain or any +other country we deal with, if they should offer to deal with us only +upon this condition, that we should take their money at ten times higher +than the intrinsic value? Does Mr. Wood think, for instance, that we +will sell him a stone of wool for a parcel of his counters not worth +sixpence, when we can send it to England and receive as many shillings +in gold and silver? Surely there was never heard such a compound of +impudence, villainy and folly. + +His proposals conclude with perfect high treason. He promises, that no +person shall be _obliged_ to receive more than fivepence halfpenny of +his coin in one payment: By which it is plain, that he pretends to +_oblige_ every subject in this kingdom to take so much in every payment, +if it be offered; whereas his patent obliges no man, nor can the +prerogative by law claim such a power, as I have often observed; so +that here Mr. Wood takes upon him the entire legislature, and an +absolute dominion over the properties of the whole nation. + +Good God! Who are this wretch's advisers? Who are his supporters, +abettors, encouragers, or sharers? Mr. Wood will _oblige_ me to take +fivepence halfpenny of his brass in every payment! And I will shoot Mr. +Wood and his deputies through the head, like highwaymen or +housebreakers, if they dare to force one farthing of their coin upon me +in the payment of an hundred pounds. It is no loss of honour to submit +to the lion, but who, with the figure of a man, can think with patience +of being devoured alive by a rat. He has laid a tax upon the people of +Ireland of seventeen shillings at least in the pound; a tax I say, not +only upon lands, but interest-money, goods, manufactures, the hire of +handicraftsmen, labourers, and servants. Shopkeepers look to yourselves. +Wood will _oblige_ and force you to take fivepence halfpenny of his +trash in every payment, and many of you receive twenty, thirty, forty +payments in a day, or else you can hardly find bread: And pray consider +how much that will amount to in a year: Twenty times fivepence halfpenny +is nine shillings and twopence, which is above an hundred and sixty +pounds a year, whereof you will be losers of at least one hundred and +forty pounds by taking your payments in his money. If any of you be +content to deal with Mr. Wood on such conditions they may. But for my +own particular, "let his money perish with him." If the famous Mr. +Hampden rather chose to go to prison, than pay a few shillings to King +Charles 1st. without authority of Parliament, I will rather choose to be +hanged than have all my substance taxed at seventeen shillings in the +pound, at the arbitrary will and pleasure of the venerable Mr. Wood. + +The paragraph concludes thus. "N.B." (that is to say _nota bene_, or +_mark well_), "No evidence appeared from Ireland, or elsewhere, to prove +the mischiefs complained of, or any abuses whatsoever committed in the +execution of the said grant." + +The impudence of this remark exceeds all that went before. First; the +House of Commons in Ireland, which represents the whole people of the +kingdom; and secondly the Privy-council, addressed His Majesty against +these halfpence. What could be done more to express the universal sense +and opinion of the nation? If his copper were diamonds, and the kingdom +were entirely against it, would not that be sufficient to reject it? +Must a committee of the House of Commons, and our whole Privy-council go +over to argue _pro_ and _con_ with Mr. Wood? To what end did the King +give his patent for coining of halfpence in Ireland? Was it not, because +it was represented to his sacred Majesty, that such a coinage would be +of advantage to the good of this kingdom, and of all his subjects here? +It is to the patentee's peril if his representation be false, and the +execution of his patent be fraudulent and corrupt. Is he so wicked and +foolish to think that his patent was given him to ruin a million and a +half of people, that he might be a gainer of three or four score +thousand pounds to himself? Before he was at the charge of passing a +patent, much more of raking up so much filthy dross, and stamping it +with His Majesty's "image and superscription," should he not first in +common sense, in common equity, and common manners, have consulted the +principal party concerned; that is to say, the people of the kingdom, +the House of Lords or Commons, or the Privy-council? If any foreigner +should ask us, "whose image and superscription" there is in Wood's coin, +we should be ashamed to tell him, it was Caesar's. In that great want of +copper halfpence, which he alleges we were, our city set up our Caesar's +statue[11] in excellent copper, at an expense that is equal in value to +thirty thousand pounds of his coin: And we will not receive his _image_ +in worse metal. + +[Footnote 11: An equestrian statue of George I. at Essex Bridge, Dublin, +[F.]] + +I observe many of our people putting a melancholy case on this subject. +"It is true" say they, "we are all undone if Wood's halfpence must pass; +but what shall we do, if His Majesty puts out a proclamation commanding +us to take them?" This hath been often dinned in my ears. But I desire +my countrymen to be assured that there is nothing in it. The King never +issues out a proclamation but to enjoin what the law permits him. He +will not issue out a proclamation against law, or if such a thing +should happen by a mistake, we are no more obliged to obey it than to +run our heads into the fire. Besides, His Majesty will never command us +by a proclamation, what he does not offer to command us in the patent +itself. There he leaves it to our discretion, so that our destruction +must be entirely owing to ourselves. Therefore let no man be afraid of a +proclamation, which will never be granted; and if it should, yet upon +this occasion, will be of no force. The King's revenues here are near +four hundred thousand pounds a year, can you think his ministers will +advise him to take them in Wood's brass, which will reduce the value to +fifty thousand pounds. England gets a million sterl. by this nation, +which, if this project goes on, will be almost reduced to nothing: And +do you think those who live in England upon Irish estates will be +content to take an eighth or a tenth part, by being paid in Wood's +dross? + +If Wood and his confederates were not convinced of our stupidity, they +never would have attempted so audacious an enterprise. He now sees a +spirit hath been raised against him, and he only watches till it begins +to flag, he goes about "watching" when to "devour us." He hopes we shall +be weary of contending with him, and at last out of ignorance, or fear, +or of being perfectly tired with opposition, we shall be forced to +yield. And therefore I confess it is my chief endeavour to keep up your +spirits and resentments. If I tell you there is a precipice under you, +and that if you go forwards you will certainly break your necks. If I +point to it before your eyes, must I be at the trouble of repeating it +every morning? Are our people's "hearts waxed gross"? Are "their ears +dull of hearing," and have "they closed their eyes"? I fear there are +some few vipers among us, who, for ten or twenty pounds gain, would sell +their souls and their country, though at last it would end in their own +ruin as well as ours. Be not like "the deaf adder, who refuses to hear +the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely." + +Though my letter be directed to you, Mr. Harding, yet I intend it for +all my countrymen. I have no interest in this affair but what is common +to the public. I can live better than many others, I have some gold and +silver by me, and a shop well furnished, and shall be able to make a +shift when many of my betters are starving. But I am grieved to see the +coldness and indifference of many people, with whom I discourse. Some +are afraid of a proclamation, others shrug up their shoulders, and cry, +"What would you have us do?" Some give out, there is no danger at all. +Others are comforted that it will be a common calamity and they shall +fare no worse than their neighbours. Will a man, who hears midnight +robbers at his door, get out of bed, and raise his family for a common +defence, and shall a whole kingdom lie in a lethargy, while Mr. Wood +comes at the head of his confederates to rob them of all they have, to +ruin us and our posterity for ever? If an highwayman meets you on the +road, you give him your money to save your life, but, God be thanked, +Mr. Wood cannot touch a hair of your heads. You have all the laws of God +and man on your side. When he or his accomplices offer you his dross it +is but saying no, and you are safe. If a madman should come to my shop +with an handful of dirt raked out of the kennel, and offer it in payment +for ten yards of stuff, I would pity or laugh at him, or, if his +behaviour deserved it, kick him out of my doors. And if Mr. Wood comes +to demand any gold and silver, or commodities for which I have paid my +gold and silver, in exchange for his trash, can he deserve or expect +better treatment? + +When the evil day is come (if it must come) let us mark and observe +those who presume to offer these halfpence in payment. Let their names, +and trades, and places of abode be made public, that every one may be +aware of them, as betrayers of their country, and confederates with Mr. +Wood. Let them be watched at markets and fairs, and let the first honest +discoverer give the word about, that Wood's halfpence have been offered, +and caution the poor innocent people not to receive them. + +Perhaps I have been too tedious; but there would never be an end, if I +attempted to say all that this melancholy subject will bear. I will +conclude with humbly offering one proposal, which, if it were put in +practice, would blow up this destructive project at once. Let some +skilful judicious pen draw up an advertisement to the following purpose. + +That "Whereas one William Wood hardware-man, now or lately sojourning +in the city of London, hath, by many misrepresentations, procured a +patent for coining an hundred and forty thousand pounds[12] in copper +halfpence for this kingdom, which is a sum five times greater than our +occasions require. And whereas it is notorious that the said Wood hath +coined his halfpence of such base metal and false weight, that they are, +at least, six parts in seven below the real value. And whereas we have +reason to apprehend, that the said Wood may, at any time hereafter, +clandestinely coin as many more halfpence as he pleases. And whereas the +said patent neither doth nor can _oblige_ His Majesty's subjects to +receive the said halfpence in any payment, but leaves it to their +voluntary choice, because, by law the subject cannot be _obliged_ to +take any money except gold or silver. And whereas, contrary to the +letter and meaning of the said patent, the said Wood hath declared that +every person shall be _obliged_ to take fivepence halfpenny of his coin +in every payment. And whereas the House of Commons and Privy-council +have severally addressed his Most Sacred Majesty, representing the ill +consequences which the said coinage may have upon this kingdom. And +lastly whereas it is universally agreed, that the whole nation to a man +(except Mr. Wood and his confederates) are in the utmost apprehensions +of the ruinous consequences, that must follow from the said coinage. +Therefore we whose names are underwritten, being persons of considerable +estates in this kingdom, and residers therein, do unanimously resolve +and declare that we will never receive, one farthing or halfpenny of the +said Wood's coining, and that we will direct all our tenants to refuse +the said coin from any person whatsoever; Of which that they may not be +ignorant, we have sent them a copy of this advertisement, to be read to +them by our stewards, receivers, &c." + +[Footnote 12: In the first paragraph of this letter the sum was given as +£104,000. [T.S.]] + +I could wish, that a paper of this nature might be drawn up, and signed +by two or three hundred principal gentlemen of this kingdom, and printed +copies thereof sent to their several tenants; I am deceived, if anything +could sooner defeat this execrable design of Wood and his accomplices. +This would immediately give the alarm, and set the kingdom on their +guard. This would give courage to the meanest tenant and cottager. "How +long, O Lord, righteous and true." + +I must tell you in particular, Mr. Harding, that you are much to blame. +Several hundred persons have enquired at your house for my "Letter to +the Shopkeepers, &c." and you had none to sell them. Pray keep yourself +provided with that letter, and with this; you have got very well by the +former, but I did not then write for your sake, any more than I do now. +Pray advertise both in every newspaper, and let it not be _your_ fault +or _mine_, if our countrymen will not take warning. I desire you +likewise to sell them as cheap as you can. + +_I am your servant_, + +M.B. + +_Aug._ 4, 1724. + + + + +_The Report of the Committee of the Lords of His +Majesty's most honourable Privy-Council, in +relation to Mr. Wood's Halfpence +and Farthings, etc._[1] + +AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT WHITEHALL, THE 24TH DAY +OF JULY, 1724. + + +In obedience to your Majesty's order of reference, upon the several +resolutions and addresses of both Houses of Parliament of Ireland, +during their late session, the late address of your Majesty's justices, +and Privy-council of that kingdom, and the petitions of the county and +city of Dublin, concerning a patent granted by your Majesty to William +Wood Esq; for the coining and uttering copper halfpence and farthings in +the kingdom of Ireland, to such persons as would voluntarily accept the +same; and upon the petition of the said William Wood, concerning the +same coinage, the Lords of the Committee have taken into their +consideration the said patent, addresses, petitions, and all matters and +papers relating thereto, and have heard and examined all such persons, +as upon due and sufficient notice, were desirous and willing to be heard +upon the subject matter under their consideration, and have agreed upon +the following Report, containing a true state of the whole matter, as it +appeared before them, with their humble opinion, to be laid before your +Majesty for your royal consideration and determination, upon a matter of +such importance. + +[Footnote 1: For the story of the origin of this report see the Note +prefixed to Letter III. [T.S.]] + +The several addresses to your Majesty from your subjects of Ireland, +contain in general terms the strongest representations of the great +apprehensions they were under, from the importing and uttering copper +halfpence and farthings in Ireland, by virtue of the patent granted to +Mr. Wood, which they conceived would prove highly prejudicial to your +Majesty's revenue, destructive of the trade and commerce of the kingdom, +and of dangerous consequence to the properties of the subject. They +represent, That the patent had been obtained in a clandestine and +unprecedented manner, and by notorious misrepresentations of the state +of Ireland; That if the terms of the patent had been complied with, this +coinage would have been of infinite loss to the kingdom, but that the +patentee, under colour of the powers granted to him, had imported and +endeavoured to utter great quantities of different impressions, and of +less weight, than required by the patent, and had been guilty of +notorious frauds and deceit in coining the said copper money: And they +humbly beseech your Majesty, that you would give such directions, as in +your great wisdom you should think proper, to prevent the fatal effects +of uttering any half pence or farthings by virtue of the said patent: +And the House of Commons of Ireland, in a second address upon this +subject, pray, That your Majesty would be pleased to give directions to +the several officers intrusted in the receipt of your Majesty's revenue, +That they do not on any pretence whatever, receive or utter any of the +said copper halfpence or farthings. + +In answer to the addresses of the Houses of Parliament of Ireland, your +Majesty was most graciously pleased to assure them, "That if any abuses +had been committed by the patentee, you would give the necessary orders +for enquiring into and punishing those abuses; and that your Majesty +would do everything, that was in your power, for the satisfaction of +your people." + +In pursuance of this your Majesty's most gracious declaration, your +Majesty was pleased to take this matter into you royal consideration; +and that you might be the better enabled effectually to answer the +expectations of your people of Ireland, your Majesty was pleased by a +letter from Lord Carteret, one of your principal secretaries of state, +dated March 10, 1723-4, to signify your pleasure to your Lord Lieutenant +of Ireland, "That he should give directions for sending over such papers +and witnesses as should be thought proper to support the objections made +against the patent, and against the patentee, in the execution of the +powers given him by the patent." + +Upon the receipt of these your Majesty's orders, the Lord Lieutenant, by +his letter of the 20th of March, 1723-4, represented the great +difficulty he found himself under, to comply with these your Majesty's +orders; and by another letter of the 24th of March 1723-4, "after +consulting the principal members of both Houses, who were immediately in +your Majesty's service, and of the Privy Council," acquainted your +Majesty, "That none of them would take upon them to advise, how any +material persons or papers might be sent over on this occasion; but they +all seemed apprehensive of the ill temper any miscarriage, in a trial, +upon _scire facias_ brought against the patentee, might occasion in both +Houses, if the evidence were not laid as full before a jury, as it was +before them," and did therefore, a second time, decline sending over +any persons, papers or materials whatsoever, to support this charge +brought against your Majesty's patent and the patentee. + +As this proceeding seemed very extraordinary, that in a matter that had +raised so great and universal a clamour in Ireland, no one person could +be prevailed upon to come over from Ireland, in support of the united +sense of both Houses of Parliament of Ireland; That no papers, no +materials, no evidence whatsoever of the mischiefs arising from this +patent, or of the notorious frauds and deceit committed in the execution +of it, could now be had, to give your Majesty satisfaction herein; "your +Majesty however, desirous to give your people of Ireland all possible +satisfaction, but sensible that you cannot in any case proceed against +any of the meanest of your subjects, but according to the known rules +and maxims of law and justice," repeated your orders to your Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland, that by persuasion, and making proper allowances +for their expenses, new endeavours might be used to procure and send +over such witnesses as should be thought material to make good the +charge against the patent. + +In answer to these orders, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland acquaints your +Majesty, by his letter of the 23d of April to one of your principal +secretaries of state, "That in order to obey your Majesty's commands as +far as possibly he could, at a meeting with my Lord Chancellor, the +Chief Judges, your Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor-General, he had +earnestly desired their advice and assistance, to enable him to send +over such witnesses as might be necessary to support the charge against +Mr. Wood's patent, and the execution of it. The result of this meeting +was such, that the Lord Lieutenant could not reap the least advantage or +assistance from it, every one being so guarded with caution, against +giving any advice or opinion in this matter of state, apprehending great +danger to themselves from meddling in it." + +The Lords of the Committee think it very strange, that there should be +such great difficulty in prevailing with persons, who had already given +their evidence before the Parliament of Ireland, to come over and give +the same evidence here, and especially, that the chief difficulty should +arise, from a general apprehension of a miscarriage, in an enquiry +before your Majesty, or in a proceeding by due course of law, in a case, +where both Houses of Parliament had declared themselves so fully +convinced, and satisfied upon evidence, and examinations taken in the +most solemn manner. + +At the same time that your Majesty sent your orders to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland, to send over such evidences as were thought +material to support the charge against the patent, that your Majesty +might, without any further loss of time than was absolutely necessary, +be as fully informed as was possible, and that the abuses and frauds +alleged to be committed by the patentee, in executing the powers granted +to him, might be fully and strictly enquired into, and examined, your +Majesty was pleased to order that an assay should be made of the +fineness, value, and weight of this copper money, and the goodness +thereof, compared with the former coinages of copper money for Ireland, +and the copper money coined in your Majesty's Mint in England; and it +was accordingly referred to Sir Isaac Newton, Edward Southwell, and +Thomas Scroope, Esqs. to make the said assay and trial. + +By the reports made of this assay, which are hereunto annexed, it +appears,[2] "That the pix of the copper moneys coined at Bristol by Mr. +Wood for Ireland, containing the trial pieces, which was sealed and +locked up at the time of coining, was opened at your Majesty's mint at +the Tower; that the comptroller's account of the quantities of halfpence +and farthings coined, agreed with Mr. Wood's account, amounting to 59 +tons, 3 hundred, 1 quarter, 11 pounds, and 4 ounces; That by the +specimens of this coinage, which had from time to time been taken from +the several parcels coined, and sealed up in papers, and put into the +pix, 60 halfpence weighed 14 ounces troy, and 18 penny-weight, which is +about a quarter of an ounce above one pound weight avoirdupois; and 30 +farthings weighed 3 ounces and 3 quarters of an ounce troy, and 46 +grams, which is also above the weight required by the patent. It also +appears, that both halfpence and farthings when heated red-hot spread +thin under the hammer without cracking; that the copper of which Mr. +Wood's coinage is made, is of the same goodness and value with the +copper of which the copper money is coined in your Majesty's mint for +England, and worth in the market about 13 pence per pound weight +avoirdupois; That a pound of copper wrought into bars of fillets, and +made fit for coinage, before brought into the mint at the Tower of +London, is worth 18 pence per pound, and always cost as much, and is +coined into 23 pence of copper money by tale, for England; It likewise +appears, that the halfpence and farthings coined by Mr. Wood, when +compared with the copper money coined for Ireland, in the reigns of King +Charles II. King James II. and King William and Queen Mary, considerably +exceeds them all in weight, very far exceeds them all in goodness, +fineness, and value of the copper, none of them bearing the fire so +well, not being malleable, wasting very much in the fire, and great part +of them burning into a cinder of little or no value at all; Specimens +of all which, as likewise of Mr. Wood's copper money, upon trials and +assays made by Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Southwell, and Mr. Scroope, were +laid before this Committee for their information." + +[Footnote 2: See Appendix, No. II. [T.S.]] + +The Lords of the Committee beg leave upon this article of the complaint, +"That notorious frauds and deceits had been committed by the patentee, +in executing the powers granted him," to observe to your Majesty, That +this is a fact expressly charged upon the patentee, and if it had in any +manner been proved, it might have enabled your Majesty, by due course of +law, to have given the satisfaction to your people of Ireland, that has +been so much insisted upon; but as it is now above four months since +your Majesty was pleased to send over to Ireland for such evidence, as +might prove a fact alleged to be so notorious, and no evidence at all +has been as yet transmitted, nor the least expectation given of any that +may hereafter be obtained, and the trials and assays that have been +taken of the halfpence, and farthings coined by Mr. Wood proving so +unquestionably the weight, goodness and fineness of the copper money +coined, rather exceeding the conditions of the patent, than being any +way defective, the Lords of the Committee cannot advise your Majesty, by +a writ of _scire facias_, or any other manner to endeavour vacating the +said patent, when there is no probability of success in such an +undertaking. + +As these trials and assays fully shew that the patentee hath acted +fairly according to the terms and conditions of his patent, so they +evidently prove, that the care and caution made use of in this patent, +by proper conditions, checks, and comptrols have effectually provided, +that the copper money coined for Ireland by virtue of this patent, +should far exceed the like coinages for Ireland, in the reigns of your +Majesty's royal predecessors. + +And that your Majesty's royal predecessors have exercised this undoubted +prerogative of granting to private persons the power and privilege of +coining copper halfpence and farthings for the kingdom of Ireland, was +proved to this Committee by several precedents of such patents granted +to private persons by King Charles II. and King James II. none of which +were equally beneficial to your kingdom of Ireland, nor so well guarded +with proper covenants and conditions for the due execution of the powers +thereby granted, although the power and validity of those patents, and a +due compliance with them, was never in any one instance, till this time, +disputed or controverted. + +By these former patents, the sole power of coining copper money for +Ireland, was granted to the patentees for the term of 21 years, to be +coined in such place as they should think convenient, and "such +quantities as they could conveniently issue within the term of 21 +years," without any restriction of the quantity to be coined within the +whole term, or any provision of a certain quantity, only to be coined +annually to prevent the ill consequences of too great a quantity to be +poured in at once, at the will and pleasure of the patentees; no +provision was made for the goodness and fineness of the copper, no +comptroller appointed to inspect the copper in bars and fillets, before +coined, and take constant assays of the money when coined, and the power +of issuing not limited "to such as would voluntarily accept the same"; +but by the patent granted to John Knox, the money coined by virtue of +the patent, "is made and declared to be the current coin of the kingdom +of Ireland," and a pound weight of copper was allowed to be coined into +2 shillings and 8 pence, and whatever quantity should be coined, a rent +of 16_l_ _per annum_ only was reserved to the crown, and 700 tons of +copper were computed to be coined within the 21 years, without any +complaint. + +The term granted to Mr. Wood for coining copper money is for 14 years +only, the quantity for the whole term limited to 360 tons, 100 ton only +to be issued within one year, and 20 tons each year for the 13 remaining +years; a comptroller is appointed by the authority of the crown to +inspect, comptrol, and assay the copper, as well not coined as coined; +the copper to be fine British copper, cast into bars or fillets, which +when heated red hot would spread thin under the hammer; a pound weight +of copper to be coined into 2 shillings and sixpence, and without any +compulsion on currency enforced, to be received by such only as would +voluntarily and wilfully accept the same"; a rent of 800_l_ _per annum_ +is reserved unto your Majesty,[3] and 200_l per annum_ to your Majesty's +clerk comptroller, to be paid annually by the patentee, for the full +term of the fourteen years, which for 13 years when 20 tons of copper +only are coined, is not inconsiderable; these great and essential +differences in the several patents, that have been granted for coining +copper money for the kingdom of Ireland, seemed sufficiently to justify +the care and caution that was used in granting the letters-patent to Mr. +Wood. + +[Footnote 3: See the extract from the patent itself, where the amount is +given differently [T.S.]] + +It has been further represented to your Majesty, That these +letters-patent were obtained by Mr. Wood in a clandestine and +unprecedent manner, and by gross misrepresentations of the state of the +kingdom of Ireland. Upon enquiring into this fact it appears, That the +petition of Mr. Wood for obtaining this coinage, was presented to your +Majesty at the time that several other petitions and applications were +made to your Majesty, for the same purpose, by sundry persons, well +acquainted and conversant with the affairs of Ireland, setting forth the +great want of small money and change in all the common and lower parts +of traffic, and business throughout the kingdom, and the terms of Mr. +Wood's petition seeming to your Majesty most reasonable, thereupon a +draught of a warrant directing a grant of such coinage to be made to Mr. +Wood, was referred to your Majesty's then Attorney and Solicitor-general +of England, to consider and report their opinion to your Majesty; Sir +Isaac Newton, as the Committee is informed was consulted in all the +steps of settling and adjusting the terms and conditions of the patent; +and after mature deliberation, your Majesty's warrant was signed, +directing an indenture in such manner as is practised in your Majesty's +mint in the Tower of London, for the coining of gold and silver moneys, +to pass the Great Seal of Great Britain, which was carried through all +the usual forms and offices without haste or precipitation, That the +Committee cannot discover the least pretence to say, this patent was +passed or obtained in a clandestine or unprecedented manner, unless it +is to be understood, that your Majesty's granting a liberty of coining +copper money for Ireland, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, without +referring the consideration thereof to the principal officers of +Ireland, is the grievance and mischief complained of. Upon this head it +must be admitted, that letters-patent under the Great Seal of Great +Britain for coining copper money for Ireland, are legal and obligatory, +a just and reasonable exercise of your Majesty's royal prerogative, and +in no manner derogatory, or invasive, of any liberties or privileges of +your subjects of Ireland. When any matter or thing is transacting that +concerns or may affect your kingdom of Ireland, if your Majesty has any +doubts concerning the same, or sees just cause for considering your +officers of Ireland, your Majesty is frequently pleased to refer such +considerations to your chief governors of Ireland, but the Lords of the +Committee hope it will not be asserted, that any legal orders or +resolutions of your Majesty can or ought to be called in question or +invalidated, because the advice or consent of your chief governors of +that kingdom was not previously had upon them: The precedents are many, +wherein cases of great importance to Ireland, and that immediately +affected, the interests of that kingdom, warrants, orders, and +directions, by the authority of your Majesty and your royal +predecessors, have been issued under the royal sign manual, without any +previous reference, or advice of your officers of Ireland, which have +always had their due force, and have been punctually complied with and +obeyed. And as it cannot be disputed but this patent might legally and +properly pass under the Great Seal of Great Britain, so their Lordships +cannot find any precedents of references to the officers of Ireland, of +what passed under the Great Seal of England; on the contrary, there are +precedents of patents passed under the Great Seal of Ireland, where in +all the previous steps the references were made to the officers of +England. + +By the misrepresentation of the state of Ireland, in order to obtain +this patent, it is presumed, is meant, That the information given to +your Majesty of the great want of small money, to make small payments, +was groundless, and that there is no such want of small money: The Lords +of the Committee enquired very particularly into this article, and Mr. +Wood produced several witnesses, that directly asserted the great want +of small money for change, and the great damage that retailers and +manufactures suffered for want of such copper money. Evidence was given, +That considerable manufacturers have been obliged to give tallies, or +tokens in cards, to their workmen for want of small money, signed upon +the back, to be afterwards exchanged for larger money: That a premium +was often given to obtain small money for necessary occasions: Several +letters from Ireland to correspondents in England were read, complaining +of the want of copper money, and expressing the great demand there was +for this money. + +The great want of small money was further proved by the common use of +_raps_, a counterfeit coin, of such base metal, that what passes for a +halfpenny, is not worth half a farthing, which raps appear to have +obtained a currency, out of necessity and for want of better small money +to make change with, and by the best accounts, the Lords of the +Committee have reason to believe, That there can be no doubt, that there +is a real want of small money in Ireland, which seems to be so far +admitted on all hands, that there does not appear to have been any +misrepresentation of the state of Ireland in this respect. + +In the second address from the House of Commons to your Majesty, They +most humbly beseech your Majesty, that you will be graciously pleased to +give directions to the several officers intrusted with the receipt of +your Majesty's revenue, that they do not, on any pretence whatsoever, +receive or utter such halfpence or farthings, and Mr. Wood, in his +petition to your Majesty, complains, that the officers of your Majesty's +revenue had already given such orders to all the inferior officers not +to receive any of this coin. + +Your Majesty, by your patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, +wills, requires and commands your "lieutenant, deputy, or other chief +governor or governors of your kingdom of Ireland, and all other officers +and ministers of your Majesty, your heirs and successors in England, +Ireland or elsewhere, to be aiding and assisting to the said William +Wood, his executors, &c. in the execution of all or any the powers, +authorities, directions, matters or things to be executed by him or +them, or for his or their benefit and advantage, by virtue, and in +pursuance of the said indentures, in all things as becometh, &c." And if +the officers of the revenue have, upon their own authority, given any +orders, directions, significations, or intimations, to hinder or +obstruct the receiving and uttering the copper money coined and +imported, pursuant to your Majesty's letters-patent, this cannot but be +looked upon as a very extraordinary proceeding. + +In another paragraph of the patent your Majesty has covenanted and +granted unto the said William Wood, his executors, &c. "That upon +performance of covenants, on his and their parts, he and they shall +peaceably, and quietly, have, hold, and enjoy all the powers, +authorities, privileges, licences, profits, advantages, and all other +matters and things thereby granted, without any let, suit, trouble, +molestation or denial of your Majesty, your heirs or successors, or of +or by any of your or their officers or ministers, or any person or +persons, &c." This being so expressly granted and covenanted by your +Majesty, and there appearing no failure, non-performance, or breach of +covenants, on the part of the patentee, the Lords of the Committee +cannot advise your Majesty to give directions to the officers of the +revenue, not to receive or utter any of the said copper halfpence or +farthings as has been desired. + +Mr. Wood having been heard by his counsel, produced his several +witnesses, all the papers and precedents, which he thought material, +having been read and considered, and having as he conceived, fully +vindicated both the patent, and the execution thereof. For his further +justification, and to clear himself from the imputation of attempting to +make to himself any unreasonable profit or advantage, and to enrich +himself at the expense of the kingdom of Ireland, by endeavouring to +impose upon them, and utter a greater quantity of copper money, than the +necessary occasions of the people shall require, and can easily take +off, delivered a proposal in writing, signed by himself, which is +hereunto annexed, and Mr. Wood having by the said letters-patent, +"covenanted, granted, and promised to, and with your Majesty, your heirs +and successors, that he shall and will from time to time in the making +the said copper farthings and halfpence in England, and in transporting +the same from time to time to Ireland, and in uttering, vending, +disposing and dispersing the same there, and in all his doings and +accounts concerning the same, submit himself to the inspection, +examination, order and comptrol of your Majesty and your commissioners +of the treasury or high-treasurer for the time being;" the Lords of the +Committee are of opinion, that your Majesty upon this voluntary offer +and proposal of Mr. Wood, may give proper orders and directions for the +execution and due performance of such parts of the said proposal, as +shall be judged most for the interest and accommodation of your subjects +of Ireland: In the mean time, it not appearing to their Lordships that +Mr. Wood has done or committed any act or deed, that may tend to +invalidate, or make void his letters-patent, or to forfeit the +privileges and advantages thereby granted to him by your Majesty; It is +but just and reasonable, that your Majesty should immediately send +orders to your commissioners of the revenue, and all other your officers +in Ireland, to revoke all orders, directions, significations, or +intimations whatsoever, that may have been given by them, or any of +them, to hinder or obstruct the receiving and uttering this copper +money, and that the halfpence and farthings already coined by Mr. Wood, +amounting to about 17,000_l_. and such further quantity as shall make up +the said 17,000_l_. to 40,000_l_. "be suffered and permitted without any +let, suit, trouble, molestation, or denial of any of your Majesty's +officers or ministers whatsoever, to pass, and be received as current +money by such as shall be willing to receive the same." At the same +time, it may be advisable for your Majesty, to give the proper orders, +that Mr. Wood shall not coin, import into Ireland, utter or dispose of +any more copper halfpence or farthings, than to the amount of 40,000_l_. +according to his own proposal, without your Majesty's special licence or +authority, to be had for that purpose; and if your Majesty shall be +pleased to order, that Mr. Wood's proposal, delivered to the Lords of +the Committee, shall be transmitted to your Majesty's chief governor, +deputies, or other your ministers, or officers in Ireland, it will give +them a proper opportunity to consider, Whether, after the reduction of +360 tons of copper, being in value 100,800_l_. to 142 tons, 17 hundred, +16 pounds being in value 40,000_l_. only, anything can be done for the +further satisfaction of the people of Ireland. + + + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND. + + +NOTE. + +The Drapier's second letter was dated August 4th, 1724. A few days +later the English Privy Council's Report, dated 24th July, 1724, arrived +in Dublin, and on August 25th, Swift had issued his reply to it in this +third letter. + +The Report itself, which is here prefixed to the third letter, was said +to have been the work of Walpole. Undoubtedly, it contains the best +arguments that could then be urged in favour of Wood and the patent, and +undoubtedly, also, it would have had the desired effect had it been +allowed to do its work uncriticised. But Swift's opposition was fatal to +Walpole's intentions. He took the report as but another attempt to foist +on the people of Ireland a decree in which they had not been consulted, +and no amount of yielding, short of complete abandonment of it, would +palliate the thing that was hateful in itself. He resented the insult. +After specific rebuttals of the various arguments urged in the report in +favour of the patent, Swift suddenly turns from the comparatively petty +and insignificant consideration as to the weight and quality of the +coins, and deals with the broad principle of justice which the granting +of the patent had ignored. Had the English Houses of Parliament and the +English Privy Council, he said, addressed the King against a similar +breach of the English people's rights, his Majesty would not have waited +to discuss the matter, nor would his ministers have dared to advise him +as they had done in this instance. "Am I a free man in England," he +exclaims, "and do I become a slave in six hours in crossing the +channel?" + +The report, however, is interesting inasmuch as it assists us to +appreciate the pathetic condition of Irish affairs at the time. The very +fact that the petition of the Irish parliament could be so handled, +proves how strong had been the hold over Ireland by England, and with +what daring insistence the English ministers continued to efface the +last strongholds of Irish independence. + +Monck Mason, in reviewing the report, has devoted a very elaborate note +to its details, and has fortified his criticisms with a series of +remarkable letters from the Archbishop of Dublin, which he publishes for +the first time.[1] I have embodied much of this note in the annotations +which accompany the present reprint of this letter. + +[Footnote 1: "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. lxxxvi-xcv.] + +The text of this third letter is based on Sir W. Scott's, collated with +the first edition and that given by Faulkner in "Fraud Detected." It has +also been read with Faulkner's text given in the fourth volume of his +edition of Swift's Works, published in 1735. + +[T.S.] + + +[Illustration: + SOME + **Observations** + + Upon a PAPER, Call'd, The + + **REPORT** + + OF THE + **COMMITTEE** + OF THE + Most Honourable the _Privy-Council_ + IN + **ENGLAND,** + Relating to WOOD's _Half-pence_. + + + _By_. M.B. _Drapier_. + AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + _SHOP-KEEPERS_, &c. + + DUBLIN: + Printed by _John Harding_ in +_Molesworth's-Court_ in _Fishamble Street_. +] + + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND. + + +Having already written two letters to people of my own level, and +condition; and having now very pressing occasion for writing a third; I +thought I could not more properly address it than to your lordships and +worships. + +The occasion is this. A printed paper was sent to me on the 18th +instant, entitled, "A Report of the Committee of the Lords of His +Majesty's Most Honourable Privy-Council in England, relating to Mr. +Wood's Halfpence and Farthings."[2] There is no mention made where the +paper was printed, but I suppose it to have been in Dublin; and I have +been told that the copy did not come over in the Gazette, but in the +London Journal, or some other print of no authority or consequence; and +for anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a +contrivance to fright us, or a project of some printer, who hath a mind +to make a penny by publishing something upon a subject, which now +employs all our thoughts in this kingdom. Mr. Wood in publishing this +paper would insinuate to the world, as if the Committee had a greater +concern for his credit and private emolument, than for the honour of the +Privy-council and both Houses of Parliament here, and for the quiet and +welfare of this whole kingdom; For it seems intended as a vindication of +Mr. Wood, not without several severe remarks on the Houses of Lords and +Commons of Ireland. + +[Footnote 2: The full text of this report is prefixed to this third +letter of the Drapier. The report was published in the "London Journal" +about the middle of August of 1724. Neither the "Gazette" nor any other +ministerial organ printed it, which evidently gave Swift his cue to +attack it in the merciless manner he did. Monck Mason thought it "not +improbable that the minister [Walpole] adopted this method of +communication, because it served his own purpose; he dared not to stake +his credit upon such a document, which, in its published form, contains +some gross mis-statements" ("History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," note, +on p. 336). [T.S.]] + +The whole is indeed written with the turn and air of a pamphlet, as if +it were a dispute between William Wood on the one part, and the Lords +Justices, Privy-council and both Houses of Parliament on the other; the +design of it being to clear and vindicate the injured reputation of +William Wood, and to charge the other side with casting rash and +groundless aspersions upon him. + +But if it be really what the title imports, Mr. Wood hath treated the +Committee with great rudeness, by publishing an act of theirs in so +unbecoming a manner, without their leave, and before it was communicated +to the government and Privy-council of Ireland, to whom the Committee +advised that it should be transmitted. But with all deference be it +spoken, I do not conceive that a Report of a Committee of the Council in +England is hitherto a law in either kingdom; and until any point is +determined to be a law, it remains disputable by every subject. + +This (may it please your lordships and worships) may seem a strange way +of discoursing in an illiterate shopkeeper. I have endeavoured (although +without the help of books) to improve that small portion of reason which +God hath pleased to give me, and when reason plainly appears before me, +I cannot turn away my head from it. Thus for instance, if any lawyer +should tell me that such a point were law, from which many gross +palpable absurdities must follow, I would not, I could not believe him. +If Sir Edward Coke should positively assert (which he nowhere does, but +the direct contrary) that a limited prince, could by his prerogative +oblige his subjects to take half an ounce of lead, stamped with his +image, for twenty shillings in gold, I should swear he was deceived or a +deceiver, because a power like that, would leave the whole lives and +fortunes of the people entirely at the mercy of the monarch: Yet this, +in effect, is what Wood hath advanced in some of his papers, and what +suspicious people may possibly apprehend from some passages in that +which is called the "Report." + +That paper mentions "such persons to have been examined, who were +desirous and willing to be heard upon that subject." I am told, they +were four in all, Coleby, Brown, Mr. Finley the banker, and one more +whose name I know not. The first of these was tried for robbing the +Treasury in Ireland, and although he was acquitted for want of legal +proof, yet every person in the Court believed him to be guilty. The +second was tried for a rape, and stands recorded in the votes of the +House of Commons, for endeavouring by perjury and subornation, to take +away the life of John Bingham, Esq.[3] + +[Footnote 3: Referring to these persons who were examined by the +Committee, Monck Mason quotes from two letters from Archbishop King to +Edward Southwell, Esq. King was one of the council, and Southwell +secretary of state at the time. The first of these letters remarks: +"Could a greater contempt be put upon a nation, than to see such a +little fellow as Wood favoured and supported against them, and such +profligates as Brown and Coleby believed before a whole parliament, +government, and private council." From the second letter, written on +August 15th, 1724, Monck Mason gives the following extracts: + +"--When I returned to Dublin I met with resolutions concerning our +halfpence, founded chiefly on the testimony of two infamous persons, +John Brown and Coleby: as to the first of these, you will find his +character in the votes of the house of commons, last parliament. +Tuesday, the 5th of November. + +"'Resolved, that it appears to this Committee, that a wicked conspiracy +was maliciously contrived and carried on against John Bingham, to take +away his life and fortune. + +"'Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said John +Brown, of Rabens, Esq. and his accomplices, were the chief promoters and +advisers of the said conspiracy. + +"'Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said John +Brown is a person not fit to serve his majesty, in any office or +employment, civil or military, whatsoever. + +"'Resolved, that the said John Brown has, in the course of his +examination, grossly prevaricated with this Committee. + +"'To all which resolutions, the question being severally put, the house +did agree, _nemine contradicente_. + +"'Ordered, that the said John Brown be, for his said prevarication, +taken into the custody of the serjeant at arms attending this house. + +"'Ordered, that his majesty's attorney-general do present the said John +Brown, for conniving and maliciously carrying on the said conspiracy to +take away the life of the said John Bingham, and others.' + +"As to Coleby, he was turned out of the treasury for robbing it of a +considerable sum of money. I was present at his trial at the +King's-bench, and the evidence was such as convinced every one, in his +conscience, that he was guilty; but, the proofs being presumptive, and +not direct, the jury acquitted him; on which the judge (Pine, if I +remember right) observed the happiness of English subjects, that, though +everybody was convinced of a man's guilt, yet, if the evidence did not +come up to the strict requisites of the law, he would escape" ("History +of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. xciv-xcv.) [T.S.]] + +But since I have gone so far as to mention particular persons, it may be +some satisfaction to know who is this Wood himself, that has the honour +to have a whole kingdom at his mercy, for almost two years together. I +find he is in the patent entitled _Esq_; although he were understood to +be only a hardware-man, and so I have been bold to call him in my former +letters; however a '_squire_ he is, not only by virtue of his patent, +but by having been a collector in Shropshire, where pretending to have +been robbed, and suing the county, he was cast, and for the infamy of +the fact, lost his employment. + +I have heard another story of this 'Squire Wood from a very honourable +lady, that one Hamilton told her. He (Hamilton) was sent for six years +ago by Sir Isaac Newton to try the coinage of four men, who then +solicited a patent for coining halfpence for Ireland; their names were +Wood, Coster, Elliston, and Parker. Parker made the fairest offer, and +Wood the worst, for his coin were three halfpence in a pound less value +than the other. By which it is plain with what intentions he solicited +this patent, but not so plain how he obtained it. + +It is alleged in the said paper, called the "Report," that upon repeated +orders from a secretary of state, for sending over such papers and +witnesses, as should be thought proper to support the objections made +against the patent (by both Houses of Parliament) the Lord Lieutenant +represented "the great difficulty he found himself in to comply with +these orders. That none of the principal members of both Houses, who +were in the King's service or council, would take upon them to advise +how any material person or papers might be sent over on this occasion, +&c." And this is often repeated and represented as "a proceeding that +seems very extraordinary, and that in a matter which had raised so great +a clamour in Ireland, no one person could be prevailed upon to come over +from Ireland in support of the united sense of both Houses of Parliament +in Ireland, especially that the chief difficulty should arise from a +general apprehension of a miscarriage, in an enquiry before His +Majesty, or in a proceeding by due course of law, in a case where both +Houses of Parliament had declared themselves so fully convinced, and +satisfied upon evidence, and examinations taken in the most solemn +manner."[4] + +[Footnote 4: Commenting on this Monck Mason has the following note. This +learned biographer's remarks are specially important inasmuch as he has +fortified them with letters from Archbishop King, unpublished at the +time he wrote: "But this [referring to the extract from the Report given +by Swift] will not appear so strange or inexplicable after perusing the +following letter from Archbishop King ... to Edward Southwell, Esq. ...; +this important state paper may, therefore, be considered as an official +communication of the sentiments of the Irish Privy Council upon this +matter. + +"Letter from William King, Archbishop of Dublin, to Edward Southwell, +Esq., dated the 23d March, 1723. + +"'I have not had any occasion of late to trouble you with my letters; +but yesternight I came to the knowledge of an affair which gave me some +uneasiness, and, I believe, will do so to the whole kingdom, when it +becomes public. My lord lieutenant sent for several lords and commoners +of the privy council, and communicated to them a letter from my Lord +Carteret, writ by his majesty's command, in which was repeated the +answer given to the addresses of the lords and commons, about one +William Wood's farthings and halfpence; and his grace is required to +send over witnesses and evidences against the patentee or patent: this +has surprised most people, because we were borne in hand that that +affair was dead, and that we should never hear any more of it. + +"'His grace's design was, to be advised by what means and methods he +might effectually comply with his majesty's commands; and, by what I +could perceive, it was the sense of all, that it was not possible, in +the present situation of affairs, to answer his majesty's expectations +or those of the kingdom; and that, for these reasons: + +"'1st, because this is a controversy between the parliament of Ireland +and William Wood, and, the parliament being now prorogued, nobody either +would, or durst, take on them to meddle in a business attacked by the +parliament, or pretend to manage a cause which so deeply concerned the +parliament, and the whole nation, without express orders. If this letter +had come whilst the parliament was sitting, and had been communicated to +the houses, they could have appointed certain persons to have acted for +them, and raised a fund to support them, as has been done formerly in +this kingdom on several occasions; but, for any, without such authority, +to make himself a party for the legislature and people of Ireland, would +be a bold undertaking, and, perhaps, dangerous; for, if such undertaker +or undertakers should fail in producing all evidences that may be had, +or any of the papers necessary to make the case evident, they must +expect to be severely handled the next parliament for their +officiousness, and bear the blame of the miscarriage of the cause: for +these reasons, as it seemed to me, the privy councillors were unwilling +to engage at all in the business, or to meddle with it. + +"'But, 2dly, the thing seemed impracticable; because it would signify +nothing to send over the copies of the papers that were laid before the +parliament, if the design is, as it seems to be, to bring the patent to +a legal trial; for such copies we were told by lawyers, could not be +produced in any court as evidence; and, as to the originals, they are in +the possession of the houses, and (as was conceived) could not be taken +from the proper officers with whom they were trusted, but by the like +order. + +"'And, as to the witnesses, it was a query whether my lord lieutenant by +his own power could send them; and, if he have such power, yet it will +not be possible to come at the witnesses, for several in each house +vouched several facts on their own knowledge, to whom the houses gave +credit; my lord lieutenant can neither be apprised of the persons nor of +the particulars which the members testified; whereas, if the parliament +was sitting, those members would appear, and make good their assertions. + +"'There were several sorts of farthings and halfpence produced to the +houses, differing in weight, and there was likewise a difference in the +stamp. These were sent over by William Wood to his correspondents here, +and by them produced. But can it be proved, on a legal trial, that these +particular halfpence were coined by him? It is easy for him to say, that +they are counterfeited, as (if I remember right) he has already affirmed +in the public prints, in his answer to the address of the commons. + +"'But, 3dly, it was not on the illegality of the patent, nor chiefly on +the abuse of it the patentee (which was not so much as mentioned by the +lords), that the parliament insisted, but on the unavoidable mischief +and destruction it would bring on the kingdom, and on its being obtained +by most false and notorious misinformation of his majesty; it being +suggested, as appears by the preamble, that the kingdom wanted such +halfpence and farthings: now, if the king be misinformed, the lawyers +tell us, that the grant is void. And, that his majesty was deceived in +this grant by a false representation, it was said, needed no further +proof than the patent itself.--William Wood by it was empowered to coin +360 tons of copper into halfpence and farthings, which would have made +£90,000, about the fifth part of all the current cash of Ireland; for +that is not reckoned, by those who suppose it most, to be £500,000. Now, +the current cash of England is reckoned above twenty millions; in +proportion, therefore, if Ireland wants £90,000 England will want four +millions. It is easy to imagine what would be said to a man that would +propose to his majesty such a coinage; and it is agreed, that the people +of England would not be more alarmed by such a patent, than the people +of Ireland are, by the prospect of turning the fifth part of their +current coin into brass. + +"'This, so far as I can remember, is a brief of what passed in the +meeting before my lord lieutenant'" ("History of St. Patrick's +Cathedral," pp. lxxxvii-lxxxviii). [T.S.]] + +How shall I, a poor ignorant shopkeeper, utterly unskilled in law, be +able to answer so weighty an objection. I will try what can be done by +plain reason, unassisted by art, cunning or eloquence. + +In my humble opinion, the committee of council, hath already prejudged +the whole case, by calling the united sense of both Houses of +Parliament in Ireland an "universal clamour." Here the addresses of the +Lords and Commons of Ireland against a ruinous destructive project of an +"obscure, single undertaker," is called a "clamour." I desire to know +how such a style would be resented in England from a committee of +council there to a Parliament, and how many impeachments would follow +upon it. But supposing the appellation to be proper, I never heard of a +wise minister who despised the universal clamour of a people, and if +that clamour can be quieted by disappointing the fraudulent practice of +a single person, the purchase is not exorbitant. + +But in answer to this objection. First it is manifest, that if this +coinage had been in Ireland, with such limitations as have been formerly +specified in other patents, and granted to persons of this kingdom, or +even of England, able to give sufficient security, few or no +inconveniencies could have happened, which might not have been +immediately remedied. As to Mr. Knox's patent mentioned in the Report, +security was given into the exchequer, that the patentee should at any +time receive his halfpence back, and pay gold or silver in exchange for +them. And Mr. Moor (to whom I suppose that patent was made over) was in +1694 forced to leave off coining, before the end of that year, by the +great crowds of people continually offering to return his coinage upon +him. In 1698 he coined again, and was forced to give over for the same +reason. This entirely alters the case; for there is no such condition in +Wood's patent, which condition was worth a hundred times all other +limitations whatsoever.[5] + +[Footnote 5: It will serve to elucidate this paragraph if an account be +given of the various coinage patents issued for Ireland. Monck Mason +gives an account in a long note to his biography of Swift; but as he has +obtained it from the very ably written tract, "A Defence of the Conduct +of the People of Ireland," etc., I have gone to that pamphlet for the +present _résumé_. I quote from pp. 21-24 of the Dublin edition, issued +in 1724 and printed by George Ewing: + +"K. Charles 2d. 1660 granted a patent for coining only farthings for the +kingdom of Ireland to Coll. Armstrong: But I do not find he ever made +any use of it.[A] For all our copper and brass money to the year 1680 +was issued by private persons, who obtained particular licences, _on +giving security to change their half-pence and farthings for gold and +silver_; but some of their securities failing, others pretending the +half-pence which were tendered to be changed were counterfeits, the +public always suffered. Col. Armstrong's son, finding great profit was +made by coining half-pence in Ireland, by virtue of particular licences +recallable at pleasure, solicited and obtained a patent in the name of +George Legg afterwards Lord Dartmouth, for coining half-pence for +Ireland from 1680, for 21 years, _he giving security to exchange them +for gold or silver on demand_.[B] In pursuance of this he coined +considerable quantities of half-pence for four years; but in 1685 [John] +Knox, with the consent of Armstrong, got the remaining part of this term +granted by patent in his own name, he giving security as above, and got +his half-pence declared the current coin of Ireland, notwithstanding two +Acts of Parliament had enacted that they should not be received in the +revenue. Knox was interrupted in his coinage in 1689, by King James's +taking it into his own hands, to coin his famous brass money, of which +he coined no less than £965,375, three penny worth of metal passing for +£10 _ster_. In this money creditors were obliged to receive their debts, +and by this cruel stratagem Ireland lost about £60,000 per month. This +not only made our gold and silver, but even our half-pence to disappear; +which obliged King William to coin pewter half-pence for the use of his +army.... + +[Footnote A: Monck Mason, quoting Simon "On Irish Coins" (Append., No. +LXV), says: "Sir Thomas [Armstrong] was never admitted to make use of +this grant, nor could he obtain allowance of the chief governor of +Ireland, to issue them as royal coin among the subjects of that +kingdom."] + +[Footnote B: "A proclamation was issued by the lord lieutenant, +declaring these half-pence to be the current coin of the kingdom, but it +provided that none should be enforced to take more than five shillings +in the payment of one hundred pounds, and so proportionately in all +greater and lesser sums.... This patent was granted, by and with, the +advice of James, Duke of Ormond" (Monck Mason, "History of St. +Patrick's," p. 334, note y).] + +"After the Revolution, Col. Roger Moore being possessed of Knox's +patent, commenced his coinage in Dublin, and at first kept several +offices for changing his half-pence for gold or silver. He soon +overstocked the kingdom so with copper money, that persons were obliged +to receive large sums in it; for the officers of the crown were +industrious dispensers of it, for which he allowed them a premium. It +was common at that time for one to compound for 1/4 copper, and the +collectors paid nothing else. The country being thus overcharged with a +base coin, everyone tendered it to Col. Moore to be changed. This he +refused, on pretence they were counterfeits.... On this he quitted +coining in 1698, but left us in a miserable condition, which is lively +represented in a Memorial presented by Will. Trench, Esq. to the Lords +of the Treasury, on Mr. Wood's obtaining his patent, and which our +Commissioners referred to.... Col. Moore finding the sweet of such a +patent, applied to King William for a renewal of it; but his petition +being referred to the government of Ireland, the affair was fairly +represented to the king, whereby his designs were frustrated. + +"In the reign of the late Queen, application was made by Robert Baird +and William Harnill, Trustees for the garrison which defended +Londonderry, for a patent to coin base money for Ireland ... their +petition was rejected.... Since this time there have been many +applications made for such patents." [T.S.]] + +Put the case, that the two Houses of Lords and Commons of England, and +the Privy-council there should address His Majesty to recall a patent, +from whence they apprehend the most ruinous consequences to the whole +kingdom: And to make it stronger if possible, that the whole nation, +almost to a man, should thereupon discover the "most dismal +apprehensions" (as Mr. Wood styles them) would His Majesty debate half +an hour what he had to do? Would any minister dare advise him against +recalling such a patent? Or would the matter be referred to the +Privy-Council or to Westminster-hall, the two Houses of Parliament +plaintiffs, and William Wood defendant? And is there even the smallest +difference between the two cases? + +Were not the people of Ireland born as free as those of England? How +have they forfeited their freedom? Is not their Parliament as fair a +representative of the people as that of England? And hath not their +Privy-council as great or a greater share in the administration of +public affairs? Are they not subjects of the same King? Does not the +same sun shine on them? And have they not the same God for their +protector? Am I a freeman in England, and do I become a slave in six +hours by crossing the Channel? No wonder then, if the boldest persons +were cautious to interpose in a matter already determined by the whole +voice of the nation, or to presume to represent the representatives of +the kingdom, and were justly apprehensive of meeting such a treatment as +they would deserve at the next session. It would seem very extraordinary +if an inferior court in England, should take a matter out of the hands +of the high court of Parliament, during a prorogation, and decide it +against the opinion of both Houses. + +It happens however, that, although no persons were so bold, as to go +over as evidences, to prove the truth of the objections made against +this patent by the high court of Parliament here, yet these objections +stand good, notwithstanding the answers made by Wood and his Council. + +The Report says, that "upon an assay made of the fineness, weight and +value of this copper, it exceeded in every article." This is possible +enough in the pieces upon which the assay was made; but Wood must have +failed very much in point of dexterity, if he had not taken care to +provide a sufficient quantity of such halfpence as would bear the trial; +which he was well able to do, although "they were taken out of several +parcels." Since it is now plain, that the bias of favour hath been +wholly on his side.[6] + +[Footnote 6: The report of the assayers as abstracted by the Lords of +the Committee in their report is not accurately stated. Monck Mason +notes that the abstract omits the following passage: "But although the +copper was very good, and the money, one piece with another, was full +weight, yet the single pieces were not so equally coined in the weight +as they should have been." Nor is it shown that the coins assayed were +of the same kind as those sent into Ireland. The Committee's report +fails to see the question that must arise when it is noted that while in +England a pound of copper was made into twenty-three pence, yet for +Ireland Wood was permitted to make it into thirty pence, in spite of the +statement that the copper used in England was worth fivepence a pound +more than that used by Wood. [T.S.]] + +But what need is there of disputing, when we have positive demonstration +of Wood's fraudulent practices in this point? I have seen a large +quantity of these halfpence weighed by a very skilful person, which were +of four different kinds, three of them considerably under weight. I have +now before me an exact computation of the difference of weight between +these four sorts, by which it appears that the fourth sort, or the +lightest, differs from the first to a degree, that, in the coinage of +three hundred and sixty tons of copper, the patentee will be a gainer, +only by that difference, of twenty-four thousand four hundred and +ninety-four pounds, and in the whole, the public will be a loser of +eighty-two thousand one hundred and sixty-eight pounds, sixteen +shillings, even supposing the metal in point of goodness to answer +Wood's contract and the assay that hath been made; which it infallibly +doth not. For this point hath likewise been enquired into by very +experienced men, who, upon several trials in many of these halfpence, +have found them to be at least one fourth part below the real value (not +including the raps or counterfeits that he or his accomplices have +already made of his own coin, and scattered about). Now the coinage of +three hundred and sixty ton of copper coined by the weight of the fourth +or lightest sort of his halfpence will amount to one hundred twenty-two +thousand four hundred eighty-eight pounds, sixteen shillings, and if we +subtract a fourth part of the real value by the base mixture in the +metal, we must add to the public loss one fourth part to be subtracted +from the intrinsic value of the copper, which in three hundred and sixty +tons amounts to ten thousand and eighty pounds, and this added to the +former sum of eighty-two thousand one hundred sixty-eight pounds, +sixteen shillings, will make in all, ninety-two thousand two hundred +forty-eight pounds loss to the public; besides the raps or counterfeits +that he may at any time hereafter think fit to coin. Nor do I know +whether he reckons the dross exclusive or inclusive with his three +hundred and sixty ton of copper; which however will make a considerable +difference in the account. + +You will here please to observe, that the profit allowed to Wood by the +patent is twelvepence out of every pound of copper valued at _1s. 6d_. +whereas _5d_. only is allowed for coinage of a pound weight for the +English halfpence, and this difference is almost 25 _per cent_. which is +double to the highest exchange of money, even under all the additional +pressures, and obstructions to trade, that this unhappy kingdom lies at +present. This one circumstance in the coinage of three hundred and sixty +ton of copper makes a difference of twenty-seven thousand seven hundred +and twenty pounds between English and Irish halfpence, even allowing +those of Wood to be all of the heaviest sort. + +It is likewise to be considered, that for every halfpenny in a pound +weight exceeding the number directed by the patent, Wood will be a +gainer in the coinage of three hundred and sixty ton of copper, sixteen +hundred and eighty pounds profit more than the patent allows him; Out of +which he may afford to make his comptrollers easy upon that article. + +As to what is alleged, that "these halfpence far exceed the like coinage +for Ireland in the reigns of His Majesty's predecessors;" there cannot +well be a more exceptionable way of arguing: Although the fact were +true, which however is altogether mistaken; not by any fault in the +Committee, but by the fraud and imposition of Wood, who certainly +produced the worst patterns he could find, such as were coined in small +numbers by permissions to private men, as butchers' halfpence, black +dogs and the like, or perhaps the small St. Patrick's coin which passes +for a farthing, or at best some of the smallest raps of the latest kind. +For I have now by me some halfpence coined in the year 1680 by virtue of +the patent granted to my Lord Dartmouth, which was renewed to Knox, and +they are heavier by a ninth part than those of Wood, and in much better +metal. And the great St. Patrick's halfpenny is yet larger than either. + +But what is all this to the present debate? If under the various +exigencies of former times, by wars, rebellions, and insurrections, the +Kings of England were sometimes forced to pay their armies here with +mixed or base money, God forbid that the necessities of turbulent times +should be a precedent for times of peace, and order, and settlement. + +In the patent above mentioned granted to Lord Dartmouth, in the reign of +King Charles 2d. and renewed to Knox, the securities given into the +exchequer, obliging the patentee to receive his money back upon every +demand, were an effectual remedy against all inconveniencies. And the +copper was coined in our own kingdom, so that we were in no danger to +purchase it with the loss of all our silver and gold carried over to +another, nor to be at the trouble of going to England for the redressing +of any abuse. + +That the Kings of England have exercised their prerogative of coining +copper for Ireland and for England is not the present question: But (to +speak in the style of the Report) it would "seem a little +extraordinary," supposing a King should think fit to exercise his +prerogative by coining copper in Ireland, to be current in England, +without referring it to his officers in that kingdom to be informed +whether the grant was reasonable, and whether the people desired it or +no, and without regard to the addresses of his Parliament against it. +God forbid that so mean a man as I should meddle with the King's +prerogative: But I have heard very wise men say, that the King's +prerogative is bounded and limited by the good and welfare of his +people. I desire to know, whether it is not understood and avowed that +the good of Ireland was intended by this patent. But Ireland is not +consulted at all in the matter, and as soon as Ireland is informed of +it, they declare against it; the two Houses of Parliament and the +Privy-council addresses His Majesty upon the mischiefs apprehended by +such a patent. The Privy-council in England takes the matter out of the +Parliament's cognizance; the good of the kingdom is dropped, and it is +now determined that Mr. Wood shall have the power of ruining a whole +nation for his private advantage. + +I never can suppose that such patents as these were originally granted +with the view of being a job for the interest of a particular person, to +the damage of the public: Whatever profit must arise to the patentee was +surely meant at best but as a secondary motive, and since somebody must +be a gainer, the choice of the person was made either by favour, or +_something else_[7] or by the pretence of merit and honesty. This +argument returns so often and strongly into my head, that I cannot +forbear frequently repeating it. Surely His Majesty, when he consented +to the passing of this patent, conceived he was doing an act of grace to +his most loyal subjects of Ireland, without any regard to Mr. Wood, +farther than as an instrument. But the people of Ireland think this +patent (intended _no doubt_ for their good) to be a most intolerable +grievance, and therefore Mr. Wood can never succeed, without an open +avowal that his profit is preferred not only before the interests, but +the very safety and being of a great kingdom; and a kingdom +distinguished for its loyalty, perhaps above all others upon earth. Not +turned from its duty by the "jurisdiction of the House of Lords, +abolished at a stroke, by the hardships of the Act of Navigation newly +enforced; By all possible obstructions in trade," and by a hundred +other instances, "enough to fill this paper." Nor was there ever among +us the least attempt towards an insurrection in favour of the Pretender. +Therefore whatever justice a free people can claim we have at least an +equal title to it with our brethren in England, and whatever grace a +good prince can bestow on the most loyal subjects, we have reason to +expect it: Neither hath this kingdom any way deserved to be sacrificed +to one "single, rapacious, obscure, ignominious projector." + +[Footnote 7: A hint at the Duchess of Kendal's influence in the +procuring of the patent. [T.S.]] + +Among other clauses mentioned in this patent, to shew how advantageous +it is to Ireland, there is one which seems to be of a singular nature, +that the patentee shall be obliged, during his term, "to pay eight +hundred pounds a year to the crown, and two hundred pounds a year to the +comptroller."[8] I have heard indeed that the King's council do always +consider, in the passing of a patent, whether it will be of advantage to +the crown, but I have likewise heard that it is at the same time +considered whether the passing of it may be injurious to any other +persons or bodies politic. However, although the attorney and solicitor +be servants to the King, and therefore bound to consult His Majesty's +interest, yet I am under some doubt whether eight hundred pounds a year +to the crown would be equivalent to the ruin of a kingdom. It would be +far better for us to have paid eight thousand pounds a year into His +Majesty's coffers, in the midst of all our taxes (which, in proportion, +are greater in this kingdom than ever they were in England, even during +the war) than purchase such an addition to the revenue at the price of +our _utter undoing_. + +[Footnote 8: By the terms of the patent, Wood covenanted to pay to the +King's clerk, or comptroller of the coinage, £200 yearly, and £100 per +annum into his Majesty's exchequer, and not as Walpole's report has it, +£800 and £200. [T.S.]] + +But here it is plain that fourteen thousand pounds are to be paid by +Wood, only as a small circumstantial charge for the purchase of his +patent, what were his other visible costs I know not, and what were his +latent, is variously conjectured. But he must be surely a man of some +wonderful merit. Hath he saved any other kingdom at his own expense, to +give him a title of reimbursing himself by the destruction of ours? Hath +he discovered the longitude or the universal medicine? No. But he hath +found out the philosopher's stone after a new manner, by debasing of +copper, and resolving to force it upon us for gold. + +When the two Houses represented to His Majesty, that this patent to Wood +was obtained in a clandestine manner, surely the Committee could not +think the Parliament would insinuate that it had not passed in the +common forms, and run through every office where fees and perquisites +were due. They knew very well that persons in places were no enemies to +grants, and that the officers of the crown could not be kept in the +dark. But the late Lord Lieutenant of Ireland[9] affirmed it was a +secret to him (and who will doubt of his veracity, especially when he +swore to a person of quality; from whom I had it, that Ireland should +never be troubled with these halfpence). It was a secret to the people +of Ireland, who were to be the only sufferers, and those who best knew +the state of the kingdom and were most able to advise in such an affair, +were wholly strangers to it. + +[Footnote 9: The Duke of Grafton. Walpole called him "a fair-weather +pilot, that knew not what he had to do, when the first storm arose." +Charles, second Duke of Grafton (1683-1757), was the grandfather of the +third duke, so virulently attacked by Junius in his famous letters. [T. +S.]] + +It is allowed by the Report that this patent was passed without the +knowledge of the chief governor or officers of Ireland; and it is there +elaborately shewn, that "former patents have passed in the same manner, +and are good in law." I shall not dispute the legality of patents, but +am ready to suppose it in His Majesty's power to grant a patent for +stamping round bits of copper to every subject he hath. Therefore to lay +aside the point of law, I would only put the question, whether in reason +and justice it would not have been proper, in an affair upon which the +welfare of a kingdom depends, that the said kingdom should have received +timely notice, and the matter not be carried on between the patentee and +the officers of the Crown, who were to be the only gainers by it. + +The Parliament, who in matters of this nature are the most able and +faithful counsellors, did represent this grant to be "destructive of +trade, and dangerous to the properties of the people," to which the only +answer is, that "the King hath a prerogative to make such a grant." + +It is asserted that in the patent to Knox, his "halfpence, are made and +declared the current coin of the kingdom," whereas in this to Wood, +there is only a "power given to issue them to such as will receive +them." The authors of the Report, I think, do not affirm that the King +can by law declare _anything_ to be current money by his +letters-patents. I dare say they will not affirm it, and if Knox's +patent contained in it powers contrary to law, why is it mentioned as a +precedent in His Majesty's just and merciful reign:[10] But although +that clause be not in Wood's patent, yet possibly there are others, the +legality whereof may be equally doubted, and particularly that, whereby +"a power is given to William Wood to break into houses in search of any +coin made in imitation of his." This may perhaps be affirmed to be +illegal and dangerous to the liberty of the subject. Yet this is a +precedent taken from Knox's patent, where the same power is granted, and +is a strong instance what uses may be sometimes made of precedents. + +[Footnote 10: Knox's patent, as Monck Mason points out, did not contain +the right to have his coins pass as the current coin of the realm; that +was permitted by a proclamation of the lord lieutenant, and could in the +same manner be withdrawn. Knox's patent differed materially from that +granted to Wood, since he was obliged to take back his coins and give +gold or silver for them, and no one was compelled to take more than five +shillings in the payment of each £100. See note, p. 66. [T.S.]] + +But although before the passing of this patent, it was not thought +necessary to consult any persons of this kingdom, or make the least +enquiry whether copper money were wanted among us; yet now at length, +when the matter is over, when the patent hath long passed, when Wood +hath already coined seventeen thousand pounds, and hath his tools and +implements prepared to coin six times as much more; the Committee hath +been pleased to make this affair the subject of enquiry. Wood is +permitted to produce his evidences, which consist as I have already +observed, of four in number, whereof Coleby, Brown and Mr. Finley the +banker are three. And these were to prove that copper money was +extremely wanted in Ireland. The first had been out of the kingdom +almost twenty years, from the time that he was tried for robbing the +treasury, and therefore his knowledge and credibility are equal. The +second may be allowed a more knowing witness, because I think it is not +above a year since the House of Commons ordered the Attorney-general to +prosecute him, for endeavouring "to take away the life of John Bingham +Esq; member of parliaments by perjury and subornation." He asserted that +he was forced to tally with his labourers for want of small money (which +hath often been practised in England by Sir Ambrose Crawley[11] and +others) but those who knew him better give a different reason, (if there +be any truth at all in the fact) that he was forced to tally with his +labourers not for want of halfpence, but of more substantial money, +which is highly possible, because the race of suborners, forgers, +perjurers and ravishers, are usually people of no fortune, or of those +who have run it out by their vices and profuseness. Mr. Finley the third +witness honestly confessed, that he was ignorant whether Ireland wanted +copper money or no; but all his intention was to buy a certain quantity +from Wood at a large discount, and sell them as well as he could, by +which he hoped to get two or three thousand pounds for himself. + +[Footnote 11: Ambrose Crowley (not Crawley) was alderman and sheriff of +London. He was knighted January 1st, 1706-1707, and sat in the House of +Commons as member for Andover in 1713-1714. [T.S.]] + +But suppose there were not one single halfpenny of copper coin in this +whole kingdom (which Mr. Wood seems to intend, unless we will come to +his terms, as appears by employing his emissaries to buy up our old ones +at a penny in the shilling more than they pass for), it could not be any +real evil to us, although it might be some inconvenience. We have many +sorts of small silver coins, to which they are strangers in England, +such as the French threepences, fourpence halfpennies and eightpence +half-pennies, the Scotch fivepences and tenpences, besides their +twenty-pences, and three-and-four-pences, by all which we are able to +make change to a halfpenny of almost any piece of gold or silver, and if +we are driven to Brown's expedient of a sealed card, with the little +gold or silver still remaining, it will I suppose, be somewhat better +than to have nothing left but Wood's adulterated copper, which he is +neither obliged by his patent, nor hitherto able by his estate to make +good. + +The Report farther tells us, it "must be admitted that letters-patents +under the Great Seal of Great Britain for coining copper money for +Ireland are legal and obligatory, a just and reasonable exercise of His +Majesty's royal prerogative, and in no manner derogatory or invasive of +any liberty or privilege of his subjects of Ireland." First we desire to +know, why His Majesty's prerogative might not have been as well +asserted, by passing this patent in Ireland, and subjecting the several +conditions of the contract to the inspection of those who are only +concerned, as was formerly done in the only precedents for patents +granted for coining for this kingdom, since the mixed money[12] in Queen +Elizabeth's time, during the difficulties of a rebellion: Whereas now +upon the greatest imposition that can possibly be practised, we must go +to England with our complaints, where it hath been for some time the +fashion to think and to affirm that "we cannot be too hardly used." +Again the Report says, that "such patents are obligatory." After long +thinking, I am not able to find out what can possibly be meant here by +this word _obligatory_. This patent of Wood neither obligeth him to +utter his coin, nor us to take it, or if it did the latter, it would be +so far void, because no patent can oblige the subject against law, +unless an illegal patent passed in one kingdom can bind another and not +itself. + +[Footnote 12: "Civill warre having set all Ireland in a combustion, the +Queene [Elizabeth] more easily to subdue the rebels, did take silver +coyne from the Irish, some few years before her death, and paid her army +with a mixed base coyne, which, by proclamation, was commanded to be +spent and received, for sterling silver money. This base mixed money had +three parts of copper, and the fourth part of silver, which proportion +of silver was in some part consumed by the mixture, so as the English +goldsmiths valued a shilling thereof at no more than two silver pence, +though they acknowledged the same to be worth two pence halfpenny." +(Fynes Moryson's "Itinerary," pt. i., p. 283). [T.S.]] + +Lastly, it is added that "such patents are in no manner derogatory or +invasive of any liberty or privilege of the King's subjects of Ireland." +If this proposition be true, as it is here laid down, without any +limitation either expressed or implied, it must follow that a King of +England may at any time coin copper money for Ireland, and oblige his +subjects here to take a piece of copper under the value of half a +farthing for half-a-crown, as was practised by the late King James, and +even without that arbitrary prince's excuse, from the necessity and +exigences of his affairs. If this be in no manner "derogatory nor +evasive of any liberties or privileges of the subjects of Ireland," it +ought to have been expressed what our liberties and privileges are, and +whether we have any at all, for in specifying the word _Ireland_, +instead of saying "His Majesty's subjects," it would seem to insinuate +that we are not upon the same foot with our fellow-subjects in +_England_; which, however the practice may have been, I hope will never +be directly asserted, for I do not understand that Poining's act[13] +deprived us of our liberty, but only changed the manner of passing laws +here (which however was a power most indirectly obtained) by leaving the +negative to the two Houses of Parliament. But, waiving all controversies +relating to the legislature, no person, I believe, was ever yet so bold +as to affirm that the people of Ireland have not the same title to the +benefits of the common law, with the rest of His Majesty's subjects, and +therefore whatever liberties or privileges the people of England enjoy +by common law, we of Ireland have the same; so that in my humble +opinion, the word _Ireland_ standing in that proposition, was, in the +mildest interpretation, _a lapse of the pen_. + +[Footnote 13: It was not intended that Poyning's act should interfere +with the liberty of the people, but it is undoubted that advantage was +taken of this law, and an interpretation put on it far different from +the intention that brought it on the statute books. It was passed by a +parliament convened by Sir Edward Poyning, at Drogheda, in the tenth +year of Henry VII.'s reign. Its immediate cause was the invasion of +Perkin Warbeck. That pretender assumed royal authority in Ireland and +had several statutes passed during his short-lived term of power. To +prevent any viceroy from arrogating to himself the powers of law-making +it was enacted by Poyning's parliament: + +"That no parliament be holden hereafter in Ireland, but at such season +as the King's lieutenant and counsaile there first do certifie the King, +under the Great Seal of that land, the causes and considerations, and +all such acts as them seemeth should pass in the same parliament, and +such causes, considerations, and acts affirmed by the King and his +counsaile to be good and expedient for that land, and his licence +thereupon, as well in affirmation of the said causes and acts, as to +summon the said parliament, under his Great Seal of England had and +obtained; that done, a parliament to be had and holden as afore +rehearsed" ("Irish Statutes," vol. i., p. 44). + +Two statutes, one, the Act of 3 and 4 Phil., and Mary, cap. 4, and the +other of II Eliz. Ses. 3, cap. 8, explain this act further, and the +latter points out the reason for the original enactment, namely, that +"before this statute, when liberty was given to the governors to call +parliaments at their pleasure, acts passed as well to the dishonour of +the prince, as to the hindrance of their subjects" ("Irish Statutes," +vol. i., p. 346). + +"By Poyning's Law," says Lecky, "a great part of the independence of +the Irish Parliament had indeed been surrendered; but even the servile +Parliament which passed it, though extending by its own authority to +Ireland laws previously enacted in England, never admitted the right of +the English Parliament to make laws for Ireland." ("Hist. Ireland," vol. +ii., p. 154; 1892 ed). [T.S.]] + +The Report farther asserts, that "the precedents are many, wherein cases +of great importance to Ireland, and that immediately affected the +interests of that kingdom, warrants, orders, and directions by the +authority of the King and his predecessors, have been issued under the +royal sign manual, without any previous reference or advice of His +Majesty's officers of Ireland, which have always had their due force, +and have been punctually complied with, and obeyed." It may be so, and I +am heartily sorry for it, because it may prove an eternal source of +discontent. However among all these precedents there is not one of a +patent for coining money for Ireland. + +There is nothing hath perplexed me more than this doctrine of +precedents. If a job is to be done, and upon searching records you find +it hath been done before, there will not want a lawyer to justify the +legality of it, by producing his precedents, without ever considering +the motives and circumstances that first introduced them, the necessity +or turbulence or iniquity of times, the corruptions of ministers, or the +arbitrary disposition of the prince then reigning. And I have been told +by persons eminent in the law, that the worst actions which human nature +is capable of, may be justified by the same doctrine. How the first +precedents began of determining cases of the highest importance to +Ireland, and immediately affecting its interest, without any previous +reference or advice to the King's officers here, may soon be accounted +for. Before this kingdom was entirely reduced by the submission of +Tyrone in the last year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, there was a period +of four hundred years, which was a various scene of war and peace +between the English pale and the Irish natives, and the government of +that part of this island which lay in the English hands, was, in many +things under the immediate administration of the King. Silver and copper +were often coined here among us, and once at least upon great necessity, +a mixed or base metal was sent from England. The reign of King James +Ist. was employed in settling the kingdom after Tyrone's rebellion, and +this nation flourished extremely till the time of the massacre 1641. In +that difficult juncture of affairs, the nobility and gentry coined their +own plate here in Dublin. + +By all that I can discover, the copper coin of Ireland for three hundred +years past consisted of small pence and halfpence, which particular men +had licence to coin, and were current only within certain towns and +districts, according to the personal credit of the owner who uttered +them, and was bound to receive them again, whereof I have seen many +sorts; neither have I heard of any patent granted for coining copper for +Ireland till the reign of King Charles II. which was in the year 1680. +to George Legge Lord Dartmouth, and renewed by King James II. in the +first year of his reign to John Knox. Both patents were passed in +Ireland, and in both the patentees were obliged to receive their coin +again to any that would offer then twenty shillings of it, for which +they were obliged to pay gold or silver. + +The patents both of Lord Dartmouth and Knox were referred to the +Attorney-general here, and a report made accordingly, and both, as I +have already said, were passed in this kingdom. Knox had only a patent +for the remainder of the term granted to Lord Dartmouth, the patent +expired in 1701, and upon a petition by Roger Moor to have it renewed, +the matter was referred hither, and upon the report of the attorney and +solicitor, that it was not for His Majesty's service or the interest of +the nation to have it renewed, it was rejected by King William. It +should therefore seem very extraordinary, that a patent for coining +copper halfpence, intended and professed for the good of the kingdom, +should be passed without once consulting that kingdom, for the good of +which it is declared to be intended, and this upon the application of a +"poor, private obscure mechanic;" and a patent of such a nature, that as +soon as ever the kingdom is informed of its being passed, they cry out +unanimously against it as ruinous and destructive. The representative +of the nation in Parliament, and the Privy-council address the King to +have it recalled; yet the patentee, such a one as I have described, +shall prevail to have this patent approved, and his private interest +shall weigh down the application of a whole kingdom. St. Paul says, "All +things are lawful, but all things are not expedient." We are answered +that this patent is lawful, but is it expedient? We read that the +high-priest said "It was expedient that one Man should die for the +people;" and this was a most wicked proposition. But that a whole nation +should die for one man, was never heard of before. + +But because much weight is laid on the precedents of other patents, for +coining copper for Ireland, I will set this matter in as clear a light +as I can. Whoever hath read the Report, will be apt to think, that a +dozen precedents at least could be produced of copper coined for +Ireland, by virtue of patents passed in England, and that the coinage +was there too; whereas I am confident, there cannot be one precedent +shewn of a patent passed in England for coining copper for Ireland, for +above an hundred years past, and if there were any before, it must be in +times of confusion. The only patents I could ever hear of, are those +already mentioned to Lord Dartmouth and Knox; the former in 1680. and +the latter in 1685. Now let us compare these patents with that granted +to Wood. First, the patent to Knox, which was under the same conditions +as that granted to Lord Dartmouth, was passed in Ireland, the government +and the Attorney and Solicitor-general making report that it would be +useful to this kingdom: [The patentee was obliged to make every +halfpenny one hundred and ten grains Troy weight, whereby _2s. 2d_. only +could be coined out of a pound of copper.][14] The patent was passed +with the advice of the King's council here; The patentee was obliged to +receive his coin from those who thought themselves surcharged, and to +give gold and silver for it; Lastly, The patentee was to pay only _16l. +13s. 4d. per ann._ to the crown. Then, as to the execution of that +patent. First, I find the halfpence were milled, which, as it is of +great use to prevent counterfeits (and therefore industriously avoided +by Wood) so it was an addition to the charge of coinage. And for the +weight and goodness of the metal; I have several halfpence now by me, +many of which weigh a ninth part more than those coined by Wood, and +bear the fire and hammer a great deal better; and which is no trifle, +the impression fairer and deeper. I grant indeed, that many of the +latter coinage yield in weight to some of Wood's, by a fraud natural to +such patentees; but not so immediately after the grant, and before the +coin grew current: For in this circumstance Mr. Wood must serve for a +precedent in future times. + +[Footnote 14: The portion here in square brackets was printed in the +fourth edition of this Letter and in the work entitled, "Fraud +Detected." It is not given in Faulkner's first collected edition issued +in 1735, nor in "The Hibernian Patriot," issued in 1730. [T.S.]] + + +Let us now examine this new patent granted to William Wood. It passed +upon very false suggestions of his own, and of a few confederates: It +passed in England, without the least reference hither. It passed unknown +to the very Lord Lieutenant, then in England. Wood is empowered to coin +one hundred and eight thousand pounds, "and all the officers in the +kingdom (civil and military) are commanded" in the Report to countenance +and assist him. Knox had only power to utter what we would take, and was +obliged "to receive his coin back again at our demand," and to "enter +into security for so doing." Wood's halfpence are not milled, and +therefore more easily counterfeited by himself as well as by others: +Wood pays a thousand pounds _per ann._ for 14 years, Knox paid only +_16l. 13s. 4d. per ann._ for 21 years. + +It was the Report that set me the example of making a comparison between +those two patents, wherein the committee was grossly misled by the false +representation of William Wood, as it was by another assertion, that +seven hundred ton of copper were coined during the 21 years of Lord +Dartmouth's and Knox's patents. Such a quantity of copper at the rate of +_2s. 8d. per_ pound would amount to about an hundred and ninety thousand +pounds, which was very near as much as the current cash of the kingdom +in those days; yet, during that period, Ireland was never known to have +too much copper coin, and for several years there was no coining at all: +Besides I am assured, that upon enquiring into the custom-house books, +all the copper imported into the kingdom, from 1683 to 1692, which +includes 8 years of the 21 (besides one year allowed for the troubles) +did not exceed 47 tons, and we cannot suppose even that small quantity +to have been wholly applied to coinage: So that I believe there was +never any comparison more unluckily made or so destructive of the design +for which it was produced. + +The Psalmist reckons it an effect of God's anger, when "He selleth His +people for nought, and taketh no money for them." That we have greatly +offended God by the wickedness of our lives is not to be disputed: But +our King we have not offended in word or deed; and although he be God's +vicegerent upon earth, he will not punish us for any offences, except +those which we shall commit against his legal authority, his sacred +person (which God preserve) or the laws of the land. + +The Report is very profuse in arguments, that Ireland is in great want +of copper money.[15] Who were the witnesses to prove it, hath been shewn +already, but in the name of God, Who are to be judges? Does not the +nation best know its own wants? Both Houses of Parliament, the +Privy-council and the whole body of the people declare the contrary: Or +let the wants be what they will, We desire they may not be supplied by +Mr. Wood. We know our own wants but too well; they are many and grievous +to be borne, but quite of another kind. Let England be satisfied: As +things go, they will in a short time have all our gold and silver, and +may keep their adulterate copper at home, for we are determined not to +purchase it with our manufactures, which Wood hath graciously offered to +accept. Our wants are not so bad by an hundredth part as the method he +hath taken to supply them. He hath already tried his faculty in +New-England,[16] and I hope he will meet at least with an equal +reception here; what _that_ was I leave to public intelligence. I am +supposing a wild case, that if there should be any person already +receiving a monstrous pension out of this kingdom, who was instrumental +in procuring this patent, they have either not well consulted their own +interests, or Wood must[17] put more dross into his copper and still +diminish its weight. + +[Footnote 15: On this subject of the want of small money in Ireland, +Monck Mason traverses the Report in the following manner: + +"There appears to be a manifest prevarication in their lordships' report +upon this part of the subject; they state, that the witnesses testified, +that there was a want of small money in Ireland; they attempt, +therefore, to impose a copper currency, which certainly was not wanted. +To satisfy the reader upon this point, I shall quote, from the +unpublished correspondence of Archbishop King, the following extracts: +the first, from his letter to General Gorge, dated the 17th October, +1724, is to the following purpose. + +"'... As to our wanting halfpence for change, it is most false; we have +more halfpence than we need, already; it is true, we want change; but it +is sixpences, shillings, half-crowns, and crowns; our silver and our +guineas being almost gone; and the general current coin of the kingdom +is now moydores, which are thirty shillings a-piece; at least nine pence +above the value in silver: now, they would have us change these for +halfpence, and so the whole cash of the kingdom would be these +halfpence.' ... + +"But the true state of the case, as to coin, is more circumstantially +developed in the following letter of the same prelate to Mr. Southwell, +which was written a few months before, viz., on the 9th June, 1724. + +"'... And yet, after all, we want change, and I will take leave to +acquaint you with the state of this kingdom as to coin. We used to have +hardly any money passing here, but foreign ducatoons, plate pieces, +perns, dollars, etc. but, when the East India Company were forbid +sending the coin of England abroad, they continued to buy up all our +foreign coin, and give us English money in lieu of some part of it; by +which we lost twopence in every ounce, the consequence of this was, that +in two years there was not to be seen in Ireland a piece of foreign +silver. + +"'If any be brought, it is immediately sent away, the two, or as I am +informed, the three pence in the ounce, given by the East India Company, +being a temptation not to be resisted; but, the truth is, very little is +brought in, for the merchants that carry our commodities to foreign +markets, find it more to their advantage to carry directly to London +whatever they receive in cash; and whereas formerly they used, when they +had disposed of their cargo, to load their vessels with such commodities +as there was a demand for in Ireland, and bring the rest in cash, they +bring now only the commodities, and send the silver to London; and when +they have got the twopence in every ounce from the East India Company, +the rest serves to answer the returns we are obliged to make to England, +for the rents we are obliged to pay to noblemen and gentlemen who have +estates in Ireland and live in England, and for the pensions, and other +occasions which are many; by this means they gain likewise the exchange, +which is commonly four or five per cent, better to them than if they +sent cash. + +"'It Is farther to be observed, that 21 shillings, which is the value of +a guinea in England, makes in Ireland 22 shillings and 9 pence, whereas +a guinea passes for 23 shillings with us, therefore, he who sends silver +into England, gains three pence more by it than if he sent guineas; this +advantage, though it may seem little, yet in a manner has entirely +drained us of our English money which was given in lieu of foreign +silver. + +"'But farther, if any carry foreign gold to England, they cannot easily +pass it, and if they do, it is at a greater loss than there is in the +guineas, this has taken away our guineas, so that there is hardly one to +be seen; we have hardly any coin left but a few moydores and pistoles, +which can, by no means, serve the inland trade of the kingdom. + +"'To give, therefore, a short view of our case, it is thus; We can have +English coin but by stealth, there being an act of parliament forbidding +the exportation of English coin; if, therefore, we should send our gold +or silver to England to be coined, we cannot have it back again, or if +we could, we cannot keep it for the reason above; we cannot for the same +reason have foreign silver; let us add to these, that by the act of +navigation and other acts, we cannot make our markets of buying where we +make our markets for selling; though we might have the commodities we +want much cheaper there, than we can have them in England, viz. all East +India and Turkey goods, with many others: nor is it to be expected that +any nation will trade with us with their silver only, when we will not +exchange commodities with them. + +"'Except, therefore, England designs entirely to ruin Ireland, a kingdom +by which it is demonstrable that she gains yearly thirteen or fourteen +hundred thousand pounds, she ought to think of giving us some relief'" +("History of St. Patrick's," pp. xciii-xciv). [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 16: See note on p. 14. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 17: Another hint at the Duchess of Kendal and her connection +with the patent. [T.S.]] + +Upon Wood's complaint that the officers of the King's revenue here had +already given orders to all the inferior officers not to receive any +of his coin, the Report says, That "this cannot but be looked upon as a +very extraordinary proceeding," and being contrary to the powers given +in the patent, the Committee say, They "cannot advise His Majesty to +give directions to the officers of the revenue here, not to receive or +utter any of the said coin as has been desired in the addresses of both +Houses," but on the contrary, they "think it both just and reasonable +that the King should immediately give orders to the commissioners of the +revenue, &c. to revoke all orders, &c. that may have been given by them +to hinder or obstruct the receiving the said coin." And accordingly, we +are told, such orders are arrived.[18]. Now this was a cast of Wood's +politics; for his information was wholly false and groundless, which he +knew very well; and that the commissioners of the revenue here were +all, except one, sent us from England, and love their employments too +well to have taken such a step: But Wood was wise enough to consider, +that such orders of revocation would be an open declaration of the crown +in his favour, would put the government here under a difficulty, would +make a noise, and possibly create some terror in the poor people of +Ireland. And one great point he hath gained, that although any orders of +revocation will be needless, yet a new order is to be sent, and perhaps +already here, to the commissioners of the revenue, and all the King's +officers in Ireland, that Wood's "halfpence be suffered and permitted, +without any let, suit, trouble, molestation or denial of any of the +King's officers or ministers whatsoever, to pass and be received as +current money by such as shall be willing to receive them." In this +order there is no exception, and therefore, as far as I can judge, it +includes all officers both civil and military, from the Lord High +Chancellor to a justice of peace, and from the general to an ensign: So +that Wood's project is not likely to fail for want of managers enough. +For my own part, as things stand, I have but little regret to find +myself out of the number, and therefore I shall continue in all humility +to exhort and warn my fellow-subjects never to receive or utter this +coin, which will reduce the kingdom to beggary by much quicker and +larger steps than have hitherto been taken.[19] + +[Footnote 18: Archbishop King's letter, quoted by Monck Mason, explains +why it was that the revenue officers refused to receive Wood's coins. It +seems the officers had been advised by lawyers that, in the event of +their taking the coins, it might be quite likely they would be compelled +to make them good, should such a demand be made of them. Precedents +could easily be cited by those taking action, since all previous patents +issued to private individuals for coining money, required of the +patentee to take them back and pay for them with gold or silver. [T. +S.]] + +[Footnote 19: The suggestion thus made by the Lords of the Committee, +although coupled with the reduction in the amount of money Wood was to +be permitted to introduce, did not do any good. Archbishop King argued +rightly that this was treating the people of Ireland as if they were +fools and children. If Wood could coin £40,000, what was to prevent him +coining £200,000? The suggestion indeed irritated the people almost as +much as did the patent itself. [T.S.]] + +But it is needless to argue any longer. The matter is come to an issue. +His Majesty pursuant to the law, hath left the field open between Wood +and the kingdom of Ireland. Wood hath liberty to offer his coin, and we +have law, reason, liberty and necessity to refuse it. A knavish jockey +may ride an old foundered jade about the market, but none are obliged to +buy it. I hope the words "voluntary" and "willing to receive it" will be +understood, and applied in their true natural meaning, as commonly +understood by Protestants. For if a fierce captain comes to my shop to +buy six yards of scarlet cloth, followed by a porter laden with a sack +of Wood's coin upon his shoulders, if we are agreed about the price, and +my scarlet lies ready cut upon the counter, if he then gives me the word +of command, to receive my money in Wood's coin, and calls me a +"disaffected Jacobite dog" for refusing it (although I am as loyal a +subject as himself, and without hire) and thereupon seizes my cloth, +leaving me the price in his odious copper, and bids me take my remedy: +In this case, I shall hardly be brought to think that I am left to my +own will. I shall therefore on such occasions, first order the porter +aforesaid to go off with his pack, and then see the money in silver and +gold in my possession before I cut or measure my cloth. But if a common +soldier drinks his pot first, and then offers payment in Wood's +halfpence, the landlady may be under some difficulty; For if she +complains to his captain or ensign, they are likewise officers, included +in this general order for encouraging these halfpence to pass as current +money. If she goes to a justice of peace, he is also an officer, to whom +this general order is directed. I do therefore advise her to follow my +practice, which I have already begun, and be paid for her goods before +she parts with them. However I should have been content, for some +reasons, that the military gentlemen had been excepted by name, because +I have heard it said, that their discipline is best confined within +their own district. + +His Majesty in the conclusion of his answer to the address of the House +of Lords against Wood's coin, is pleased to say that "he will do +everything in his power for the satisfaction of his people." It should +seem therefore, that the recalling the patent is not to be understood as +a thing in his power. But however since the law does not oblige us to +receive this coin, and consequently the patent leaves it to our +voluntary choice, there is nothing remaining to preserve us from rain +but that the whole kingdom should continue in a firm determinate +resolution never to receive or utter this fatal coin:[20] + +[Footnote 20: So ready was the response to this suggestion of Swift's, +that it was found necessary for tradesmen to take precautions to have it +publicly known that they were in no way connected with Wood and his +money, The following is a copy of an advertisement which illustrates +this: + +"Whereas several persons in this kingdom suspect that John Molyneux of +Meath Street, ironmonger, and his brother Daniel Molyneux, of Essex +Street, ironmonger, are interested in the patent obtained by William +Wood for coining of halfpence and farthings for this kingdom. + +"Now we the said John Molyneux and Daniel Molyneux, in order to satisfy +the public, do hereby declare, that we are in no way concerned with the +said Wood in relation to his said patent; And that we never were +possessed of any of the said halfpence or farthings, except one +halfpence and one farthing, which I the said John Molyneux received in a +post-letter, and which I immediately afterwards delivered to one of the +Lords-Justices of Ireland. + +"And we do further declare, that we will not directly or indirectly, be +anyways concerned with the said Wood's halfpence or farthings; but on +the contrary, act to the great advantage and satisfaction of this +kingdom, as good, loving and faithful subjects ought to do. And we do +further declare, that to the best of our knowledge, the said William +Wood is not in this kingdom. + +"Given under our hands in Dublin this 22d. day of August 1724. + +"JOHN MOLYNEUX + +"DAN. MOLYNEUX." + + +Another ran as follows: + + +"ADVERTISEMENT. + +"Whereas, I, Thomas Handy, of Meath Street, Dublin, did receive by the +last packet, from a person in London, to whom I am an entire stranger, +bills of lading for eleven casks of Wood's halfpence, shipped at +Bristol, and consigned to me by the said person on his own proper +account, of which I had not the least notice until I received the said +bills of lading. + +"Now I, the said Thomas Handy, being highly sensible of the duty and +regard which every honest man owes to his country and to his +fellow-subjects, do hereby declare, that I will not be concerned, +directly or indirectly, in entering, landing, importing, receiving, or +uttering any of the said Wood's halfpence, for that I am fully +convinced, as well from the addresses of both Houses of Parliament, as +otherwise, that the importing and uttering the said halfpence will be +destructive to this nation, and prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue. + +"And of this my resolution I gave notice by letter to the person who +sent me the bills of lading, the very day I received them, and have sent +back the said bills to him. + +"THO. HANDY. + +"Dublin, 29th. August, 1724." [T.S.]] + +After which, let the officers to whom these orders are directed, (I +would willingly except the military) come with their exhortations, +their arguments and their eloquence, to persuade us to find our interest +in our undoing. Let Wood and his accomplices travel about the country +with cart-loads of their ware, and see who will take it off their hands, +there will be no fear of his being robbed, for a highwayman would scorn +to touch it. + +I am only in pain how the commissioners of the revenue will proceed in +this juncture; because I am told they are obliged by act of Parliament +to take nothing but gold and silver in payment for His Majesty's +customs, and I think they cannot justly offer this coinage of Mr. Wood +to others, unless they will be content to receive it themselves. + +The sum of the whole is this. The "Committee advises the King to send +immediate orders to all his officers here, that Wood's coin be suffered +and permitted without any let, suit, trouble, &c. to pass and be +received as current money by such as shall be willing to receive the +same." It is probable, that the first willing receivers may be those who +must receive it whether they will or no, at least under the penalty of +losing an office. But the landed undepending men, the merchants, the +shopkeepers and bulk of the people, I hope, and am almost confident, +will never receive it. What must the consequence be? The owners will +sell it for as much as they can get. Wood's halfpence will come to be +offered for six a penny (yet then he will be a sufficient gainer) and +the necessary receivers will be losers of two-thirds in their salaries +or pay. + +This puts me in mind of a passage I was told many years ago in England. +At a quarter-sessions in Leicester, the justices had wisely decreed, to +take off a halfpenny in a quart from the price of ale. One of them, who +came in after the thing was determined, being informed of what had +passed, said thus: "Gentlemen; you have made an order, that ale should +be sold in our country for three halfpence a quart: I desire you will +now make another to appoint who must drink it, for _by G-- I will +not_."[21] + +[Footnote 21: The following broadside, ascribed to Swift, but written +probably by Sheridan, further amusingly illustrates the point Swift +makes. The broadside was printed by John Harding: + +"Another Letter to Mr. Harding the printer, upon occasion of the Report +of the Committee of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable +Privy-Council, in relation to Mr. Wood's halfpence and farthings, etc., +lately published. + +"Mr. Harding,--Although this letter also is directed to you, yet you +know that it is intended for the benefit of the whole kingdom, and +therefore I pray make it public, and take care to disperse it. + +"The design of it is only to desire all people to take notice, That +whatever apprehensions some persons seem to be under on account of the +above-mentioned report concerning Mr. Wood's halfpence and farthings, +yet the utmost advice which the right honourable Committee have thought +fit to give His Majesty, is, That a certain sum of the said halfpence +and farthings may be received as current money by such as shall be +willing to receive the same. And if we are willing to ruin ourselves and +our country, I think we are not to be pitied. + +"Upon this occasion I would only tell my countrymen a short story. + +"A certain King of Great Britain who spoke broad Scotch, and being +himself a man of wit, loved both to hear and speak things that were +humorous, had once a petition preferred to him, in which the petitioner, +having set forth his own merits, most humbly prayed His Majesty to grant +him letters-patent for receiving a shilling from every one of his +subjects who should be willing to give so much to him. 'In gude troth,' +said the King, 'a very reasonable petition. Let every man give thee twa +shillings gin he be willing so to do, and thou shalt have full liberty +to receive it.' 'But,' says the petitioner, 'I desire that this clause +may be inserted in my patent, That every man who refuses to give me a +shilling, should appear at Westminster Hall to shew cause why he so +refuses.' 'This also,' says the King, 'shall be granted thee, but always +with this proviso, that the man be willing to come.' + +"I am your, etc. + +"MISOXULOS."] + + +I must beg leave to caution your lordships and worships in one +particular. Wood hath graciously promised to load us at present only +with forty thousand pounds of his coin, till the exigences of the +kingdom require the rest. I entreat you will never suffer Mr. Wood to be +a judge of your exigences. While there is one piece of silver or gold +remaining in the kingdom he will call it an exigency, he will double his +present _quantum_ by stealth as soon as he can, and will have the +remainder still to the good. He will pour his own raps[22]and +counterfeits upon us: France and Holland will do the same; nor will our +own coiners at home be behind them: To confirm which I have now in my +pocket a rap or counterfeit halfpenny in imitation of his, but so ill +performed, that in my conscience I believe it is not of his coining. + +[Footnote 22: The word Rap is probably a contraction of "raparee," and +was the name given to the tokens that passed current in Ireland for +copper coins of small value. Generally it referred to debased coins; +hence it may be allied to "raparee," who might be considered as a +debased citizen. The raparees were so called from the rapary or +half-pike they carried. [T.S.]] + +I must now desire your lordships and worships that you will give great +allowance for this long undigested paper, I find myself to have gone +into several repetitions, which were the effects of haste, while new +thoughts fell in to add something to what I had said before. I think I +may affirm that I have fully answered every paragraph in the Report, +which although it be not unartfully drawn, and is perfectly in the +spirit of a pleader who can find the most plausible topics in behalf of +his client, yet there was no great skill required to detect the many +mistakes contained in it, which however are by no means to be charged +upon the right honourable Committee, but upon the most false impudent +and fraudulent representations of Wood and his accomplices. I desire one +particular may dwell upon your minds, although I have mentioned it more +than once; That after all the weight laid upon precedents there is not +one produced in the whole Report, of a patent for coining copper in +England to pass in Ireland, and only two patents referred to (for indeed +there were no more) which were both passed in Ireland, by references to +the King's Council here, both less advantageous to the coiner than this +of Wood, and in both securities given to receive the coin at every call, +and give gold and silver in lieu of it. This demonstrates the most +flagrant falsehood and impudence of Wood, by which he would endeavour to +make the right honourable Committee his instruments, (for his own +illegal and exorbitant gain,) to ruin a kingdom, which hath deserved +quite different treatment. + +I am very sensible that such a work as I have undertaken might have +worthily employed a much better pen. But when a house is attempted to be +robbed it often happens that the weakest in the family runs first to +stop the door. All the assistance I had were some informations from an +eminent person,[23] whereof I am afraid I have spoiled a few by +endeavouring to make them of a piece with my own productions, and the +rest I was not able to manage: I was in the case of David who could not +move in the armour of Saul, and therefore I rather chose to attack this +"uncircumcised Philistine (Wood I mean) with a sling and a stone." And I +may say for Wood's honour as well as my own, that he resembles Goliath +in many circumstances, very applicable to the present purpose; For +Goliath had "a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a +coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of +brass, and he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass +between his shoulders." In short he was like Mr. Wood, all over brass; +And "he defied the armies of the living God." Goliath's condition of +combat were likewise the same with those of Wood. "If he prevail against +us, then shall we be his servants:" But if it happens that I prevail +over him, I renounce the other part of the condition, he shall never be +a servant of mine, for I do not think him fit to be trusted in any +honest man's shop. + +[Footnote 23: Mr. Robert Lindsay, a Dublin lawyer, assisted Swift on the +legal points raised in the Drapier's letters. This is the Mr. Lindsay, +counsellor-at-law, to whom Swift submitted a case concerning a Mr. +Gorman (see Scott's edit., vol. xix., p. 294). Mr. Lindsay is supposed +to be the author of two letters addressed to Chief Justice Whitshed on +the matter of his conduct towards the grand jury which discharged +Harding the printer (see Scott's edit., vol. vi., p. 467). [T.S.]] + +I will conclude with my humble desire and request which I made in my +second letter; That your lordships and worships would please to order a +declaration to be drawn up expressing, in the strongest terms, your firm +resolutions never to receive or utter any of Wood's halfpence or +farthings, and forbidding your tenants to receive them. That the said +declaration may be signed by as many persons as possible who have +estates in this kingdom, and be sent down to your several tenants +aforesaid.[24] + +[Footnote 24: A Declaration, pursuant to this request, was signed soon +after by the most considerable persons of the kingdom, which was +universally spread and of great use. [F.] + +"The humble petition of the lord-mayor, sheriffs, commons, and citizens +of the city of Dublin, in Common Council assembled," was issued as a +broadside on 8th September, 1724. See also Appendix IX. [T.S.]] + +And if the dread of Wood's halfpence should continue till next +quarter-sessions (which I hope it will not) the gentlemen of every +county will then have a fair opportunity of declaring against them with +unanimity and zeal. + +I am with the greatest respect, + (May it please your lordships and worships) + Your most dutiful + and obedient servant, + M.B. + +Aug. 25, 1724. + + + +LETTER IV. + +A LETTER TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND. + + +NOTE + +The country was now in a very fever of excitement. Everywhere meetings +were held for the purpose of expressing indignation against the +imposition, and addresses from brewers, butchers, flying stationers, and +townspeople generally, were sent in embodying the public protest against +Wood and his coins. Swift fed the flame by publishing songs and ballads +well fitted for the street singers, and appealing to the understandings +of those who he well knew would effectively carry his message to the +very hearths of the poorest labourers. Courtier and student, tradesman +and freeman, thief and prostitute, beggar and loafer, all were alike +carried by an indignation which launched them on a maelstrom of +enthusiasm. So general became the outcry that, in Coxe's words, "the +lords justices refused to issue the orders for the circulation of the +coin.... People of all descriptions and parties flocked in crowds to the +bankers to demand their money, and drew their notes with an express +condition to be paid in gold and silver. The publishers of the most +treasonable pamphlets escaped with impunity, provided Wood and his +patent were introduced into the work. The grand juries could scarcely be +induced to find any bill against such delinquents; no witnesses in the +prosecution were safe in their persons; and no juries were inclined, or +if inclined could venture, to find them guilty." + +In such a state of public feeling Swift assumed an entirely new +attitude. He promulgated his "Letter to the Whole People of Ireland"--a +letter which openly struck at the very root of the whole evil, and laid +bare to the public eye the most secret spring of its righteous +indignation. It was not Wood nor his coins, it was the freedom of the +people of Ireland and their just rights and privileges that were being +fought for. He wrote them the letter "to refresh and continue that +spirit so seasonably raised among" them, and in order that they should +plainly understand "that by the laws of God, of NATURE, of NATIONS, and +of your COUNTRY, you ARE, and OUGHT to be as FREE a people as your +brethren in England." The King's prerogative had been held threateningly +over them. What was the King's prerogative? he asked in effect. It was +but the right he enjoyed within the bounds of the law as made by the +people in parliament assembled. The law limits him with his subjects. +Such prerogative he respected and would take up arms to protect against +any who should rebel. But "all government without the consent of the +governed, is the very definition of slavery." The condition of the Irish +nation was such that it was to be expected eleven armed men should +overcome a single man in his shirt; but even if those in power exercise +then power to cramp liberty, a man on the rack may still have "the +liberty of roaring as loud as he thought fit." And the men on the rack +roared to a tune that Walpole had never before heard. + +The letter appeared on the 13th October, 1724.[1] The Duke of Grafton +had been recalled and Carteret had taken up the reins of government. For +reasons, either personal or politic, he took Walpole's side. Coxe goes +into considerations on this attitude of Carteret's, but they hardly +concern us here. Suffice it that the Lord Lieutenant joined forces with +the party in the Irish Privy Council, among whom were Midleton and St. +John Brodrick, and on October 27th issued a proclamation offering a +reward of £300[2] for the discovery of the author of this "wicked and +malicious pamphlet" which highly reflected on his Majesty and his +ministers, and which tended "to alienate the affections of his good +subjects of England and Ireland from each other." + +[Footnote 1: Not on October 23rd as the earlier editors print it, and as +Monck Mason, Scott and Mr. Churton Collins repeat.] + +[Footnote 2: See Appendix, No. VI.] + +The author's name was not made public, nor was it likely to be. There is +no doubt that it was generally known who the author was. In that general +knowledge lies the whole pith of the Biblical quotation circulated +abroad on the heels of the proclamation: "And the people said unto Saul, +shall _Jonathan_ die, who had wrought this great salvation in Israel? +God forbid: as the Lord liveth there shall not one hair of his head fall +to the ground, for he hath wrought with God this day: So the people +rescued _Jonathan_ that he died not." + +Swift remained very much alive. Harding, for printing the obnoxious +letter, had been arrested and imprisoned, and the Crown proceeded with +his prosecution. In such circumstances Swift was not likely to remain +idle. On the 26th October he addressed a letter to Lord Chancellor +Midleton in defence of the Drapier's writings, and practically +acknowledged himself to be the author.[3] It was not actually printed +until 1735, but there is no doubt that Midleton received it at the time +it was written. What effect it had on the ultimate issue is not known; +but Midleton's conduct justifies the confidence Swift placed in him. The +Grand Jury of the Michaelmas term of 1724 sat to consider the bill +against Harding. On the 11th of November Swift addressed to them his +"Seasonable Advice." The bill was thrown out. Whitshed, the Chief +Justice, consistently with his action on a previous occasion (see vol. +vii.), angrily remonstrated with the jury, demanded of them their +reasons for such a decision, and finally dissolved them. This +unconstitutional, and even disgraceful conduct, however, served but to +accentuate the resentment of the people against Wood and the patent, and +the Crown fared no better by a second Grand Jury. The second jury +accompanied its rejection of the bill by a presentment against the +patent,[4] and the defeat of the "prerogative" became assured. Every +where the Drapier was acclaimed the saviour of his country. Any person +who could scribble a doggerel or indite a tract rushed into print, and +now Whitshed was harnessed to Wood in a pillory of contemptuous +ridicule. Indeed, so bitter was the outcry against the Lord Chief +Justice, that it is said to have hastened his death. The cities of +Dublin, Cork and Waterford passed resolutions declaring the uttering of +Wood's halfpence to be highly prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue and +to the trades of the kingdom. The Drapier was now the patriot, and the +whole nation responded to his appeal to assist him in its own defence. + +[Footnote 3: The highly wrought up story about Swift's butler, narrated +by Sheridan, Deane Swift and Scott, is nothing but a sample of +eighteenth century "sensationalism." Swift never bothered himself about +what his servants would say with regard to the authorship of the +Letters. Certainly this letter to Midleton proves that he was not at all +afraid of the consequences of discovery.] + +[Footnote 4: See Appendix V.] + +The text of the present reprint is based on that given by Sir Walter +Scott, collated with the original edition and with that reprinted in +"Fraud Detected" (1725). Faulkner's text of 1735 has also been +consulted. + +[T.S.] + + + +[Illustration: + A + + **LETTER** + + TO THE + **WHOLE People** + OF + + **IRELAND**. + + + _By_ M.B. _Drapier_. + +AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + _SHOP-KEEPERS_, &c. + + _DUBLIN:_ + + Printed by _John Harding_ in +_Molesworth's-Court_ in _Fishamble Street_. +] + + + +LETTER IV. + +A LETTER TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND. + + +MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN, + +Having already written three letters upon so disagreeable a subject as +Mr. Wood and his halfpence; I conceived my task was at an end: But I +find, that cordials must be frequently applied to weak constitutions, +political as well as natural. A people long used to hardships, lose by +degrees the very notions of liberty, they look upon themselves as +creatures at mercy, and that all impositions laid on them by a stronger +hand, are, in the phrase of the Report, legal and obligatory. Hence +proceeds that poverty and lowness of spirit, to which a kingdom may be +subject as well as a particular person. And when Esau came fainting from +the field at the point to die, it is no wonder that he sold his +birthright for a mess of pottage. + +I thought I had sufficiently shewn to all who could want instruction, by +what methods they might safely proceed, whenever this coin should be +offered to them; and I believe there hath not been for many ages an +example of any kingdom so firmly united in a point of great importance, +as this of ours is at present, against that detestable fraud. But +however, it so happens that some weak people begin to be alarmed anew, +by rumours industriously spread. Wood prescribes to the newsmongers in +London what they are to write. In one of their papers published here by +some obscure printer (and probably with no good design) we are told, +that "the Papists in Ireland have entered into an association against +his coin," although it be notoriously known, that they never once +offered to stir in the matter; so that the two Houses of Parliament, the +Privy-council, the great number of corporations, the lord mayor and +aldermen of Dublin, the grand juries, and principal gentlemen of +several counties are stigmatized in a lump under the name of "Papists." + +This impostor and his crew do likewise give out, that, by refusing to +receive his dross for sterling, we "dispute the King's prerogative, are +grown ripe for rebellion, and ready to shake off the dependency of +Ireland upon the crown of England." To countenance which reports he hath +published a paragraph in another newspaper, to let us know that "the +Lord Lieutenant is ordered to come over immediately to settle his +halfpence." + +I entreat you, my dear countrymen, not to be under the least concern +upon these and the like rumours, which are no more than the last howls +of a dog dissected alive, as I hope he hath sufficiently been. These +calumnies are the only reserve that is left him. For surely our +continued and (almost) unexampled loyalty will never be called in +question for not suffering ourselves to be robbed of all that we have, +by one obscure ironmonger. + +As to disputing the King's prerogative, give me leave to explain to +those who are ignorant, what the meaning of that word _prerogative_ is. + +The Kings of these realms enjoy several powers, wherein the laws have +not interposed: So they can make war and peace without the consent of +Parliament; and this is a very great prerogative. But if the Parliament +doth not approve of the war, the King must bear the charge of it out of +his own purse, and this is as great a check on the crown. So the King +hath a prerogative to coin money without consent of Parliament. But he +cannot compel the subject to take that money except it be sterling, gold +or silver; because herein he is limited by law. Some princes have indeed +extended their prerogative further than the law allowed them; wherein +however, the lawyers of succeeding ages, as fond as they are of +precedents, have never dared to justify them. But to say the truth, it +is only of late times that prerogative hath been fixed and ascertained. +For whoever reads the histories of England, will find that some former +Kings, and these none of the worst, have upon several occasions ventured +to control the laws with very little ceremony or scruple, even later +than the days of Queen Elizabeth. In her reign that pernicious counsel +of sending base money hither, very narrowly failed of losing the +kingdom, being complained of by the lord-deputy, the council, and the +whole body of the English here:[5] So that soon after her death it was +recalled by her successor, and lawful money paid in exchange. + +[Footnote 5: See Moryson's "Itinerary" (Pt. ii., pp. 90, 196 and 262), +where an account is given which fully bears out Swift.[T.S.]] + +Having thus given you some notion of what is meant by the King's +"prerogative," as far as a tradesman can be thought capable of +explaining it, I will only add the opinion of the great Lord Bacon: That +"as God governs the world by the settled laws of nature, which he hath +made, and never transcends those laws but upon high important occasions; +so among earthly princes, those are the wisest and the best, who govern +by the known laws of the country, and seldomest make use of their +prerogative."[6] + +[Footnote 6: The words in inverted commas appear to be a reminiscence +rather than a quotation. I have not traced the sentence, as it stands, +in Bacon; but the regular government of the world by the laws of nature, +as contrasted with the exceptional disturbance of these laws, is +enunciated in Bacon's "Confession of Faith," while the dangers of a +strained prerogative are urged in the "Essay on Empire." Bacon certainly +gives no support to Swift's limits of the prerogative as regards +coinage. [CRAIK.]] + +Now, here you may see that the vile accusation of Wood and his +accomplices, charging us with "disputing the King's prerogative" by +refusing his brass, can have no place, because compelling the subject to +take any coin which is not sterling is no part of the King's +prerogative, and I am very confident if it were so, we should be the +last of his people to dispute it, as well from that inviolable loyalty +we have always paid to His Majesty, as from the treatment we might in +such a case justly expect from some who seem to think, we have neither +common sense nor common senses. But God be thanked, the best of them are +only our fellow-subjects, and not our masters. One great merit I am sure +we have, which those of English birth can have no pretence to, that our +ancestors reduced this kingdom to the obedience of England, for which we +have been rewarded with a worse climate, the privilege of being governed +by laws to which we do not consent, a ruined trade, a House of Peers +without jurisdiction, almost an incapacity for all employments; and the +dread of Wood's halfpence. + +But we are so far from disputing the King's prerogative in coining, that +we own he has power to give a patent to any man for setting his royal +image and superscription upon whatever materials he pleases, and liberty +to the patentee to offer them in any country from England to Japan, only +attended with one small limitation, That nobody alive is obliged to take +them. + +Upon these considerations I was ever against all recourse to England for +a remedy against the present impending evil, especially when I observed +that the addresses of both Houses, after long expectance, produced +nothing but a REPORT altogether in favour of Wood, upon which I made +some observations in a former letter, and might at least have made as +many more. For it is a paper of as singular a nature as I ever beheld. + +But I mistake; for before this Report was made, His Majesty's most +gracious answer to the House of Lords was sent over and printed, wherein +there are these words, "granting the patent for coining halfpence and +farthings AGREEABLE TO THE PRACTICE OF HIS ROYAL PREDECESSORS, &c." That +King Charles 2d. and King James 2d. (AND THEY ONLY) did grant patents +for this purpose is indisputable, and I have shewn it at large. Their +patents were passed under the great seal of Ireland by references to +Ireland, the copper to be coined in Ireland, the patentee was bound on +demand to receive his coin back in Ireland, and pay silver and gold in +return. Wood's patent was made under the great seal of England, the +brass coined in England, not the least reference made to Ireland, the +sum immense, and the patentee under no obligation to receive it again +and give good money for it: This I only mention, because in my private +thoughts I have sometimes made a query, whether the penner of those +words in His Majesty's most gracious answer, "agreeable to the practice +of his royal predecessors," had maturely considered the several +circumstances, which, in my poor opinion seem to make a difference. + +Let me now say something concerning the other great cause of some +people's fear, as Wood has taught the London newswriter to express it. +That "his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant is coming over to settle Wood's +halfpence." + +We know very well that the Lords Lieutenants for several years past have +not thought this kingdom worthy the honour of their residence, longer +than was absolutely necessary for the King's business, which +consequently wanted no speed in the dispatch; and therefore it naturally +fell into most men's thoughts, that a new governor coming at an unusual +time must portend some unusual business to be done, especially if the +common report be true, that the Parliament prorogued to I know not when, +is by a new summons (revoking that prorogation) to assemble soon after +his arrival: For which extraordinary proceeding the lawyers on t'other +side the water have by great good fortune found two precedents. + +All this being granted, it can never enter into my head that so little a +creature as Wood could find credit enough with the King and his +ministers to have the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland sent hither in a hurry +upon his errand. + +For let us take the whole matter nakedly as it lies before us, without +the refinements of some people, with which we have nothing to do. Here +is a patent granted under the great seal of England, upon false +suggestions, to one William Wood for coining copper halfpence for +Ireland: The Parliament here, upon apprehensions of the worst +consequences from the said patent, address the King to have it recalled; +this is refused, and a committee of the Privy-council report to His +Majesty, that Wood has performed the conditions of his patent. He then +is left to do the best he can with his halfpence; no man being obliged +to receive them; the people here, being likewise left to themselves, +unite as one man, resolving they will have nothing to do with his ware. +By this plain account of the fact it is manifest, that the King and his +ministry are wholly out of the case, and the matter is left to be +disputed between him and us. Will any man therefore attempt to persuade +me, that a Lord Lieutenant is to be dispatched over in great haste +before the ordinary time, and a Parliament summoned by anticipating a +prorogation, merely to put an hundred thousand pounds into the pocket of +a sharper, by the ruin of a most loyal kingdom. + +But supposing all this to be true. By what arguments could a Lord +Lieutenant prevail on the same Parliament which addressed with so much +zeal and earnestness against this evil, to pass it into a law? I am sure +their opinion of Wood and his project is not mended since the last +prorogation; and supposing those methods should be used which detractors +tell us have been sometimes put in practice for gaining votes. It is +well known that in this kingdom there are few employments to be given, +and if there were more, it is as well known to whose share they must +fall. + +But because great numbers of you are altogether ignorant in the affairs +of your country, I will tell you some reasons why there are so few +employments to be disposed of in this kingdom. All considerable offices +for life here are possessed by those to whom the reversions were +granted, and these have been generally followers of the chief governors, +or persons who had interest in the Court of England. So the Lord +Berkeley of Stratton[7] holds that great office of master of the rolls, +the Lord Palmerstown[8] is first remembrancer worth near 2000_l. per +ann._ One Dodington[9] secretary to the Earl of Pembroke,[10] begged the +reversion of clerk of the pells worth 2500_l._ a year, which he now +enjoys by the death of the Lord Newtown. Mr. Southwell is secretary of +state,[11] and the Earl of Burlington[12] lord high treasurer of Ireland +by inheritance. These are only a few among many others which I have been +told of, but cannot remember. Nay the reversion of several employments +during pleasure are granted the same way. This among many others is a +circumstance whereby the kingdom of Ireland is distinguished from all +other nations upon earth, and makes it so difficult an affair to get +into a civil employ, that Mr. Addison was forced to purchase an old +obscure place, called keeper of the records of Bermingham's Tower of ten +pounds a year, and to get a salary of 400_l._ annexed to it,[13] though +all the records there are not worth half-a-crown, either for curiosity +or use. And we lately saw a favourite secretary descend to be master of +the revels, which by his credit and extortion he hath made pretty +considerable.[14] I say nothing of the under-treasurership worth about +8000_l_. a year, nor the commissioners of the revenue, four of whom +generally live in England; For I think none of these are granted in +reversion. But the test is, that I have known upon occasion some of +these absent officers as keen against the interest of Ireland as if they +had never been indebted to her for a single groat. + +[Footnote 7: Berkeley was one of the Junta in Harley's administration of +1710-1714. He had married Sir John Temple's daughter. His connection +with a person so disliked by Swift may account for his inclusion here. +[T.S.]] + +[Footnote 8: This was Henry Temple, first Viscount Palmerston, with whom +Swift later had an unpleasant correspondence. Palmerston could not have +been more than seven years old when he was appointed (September 21st, +1680), with Luke King, chief remembrancer of the Court of Exchequer in +Ireland, for their joint lives. King died in 1716, but the grant was +renewed to Palmerston and his son Henry for life. He was raised to the +peerage as Baron Temple of Mount Temple, and Viscount Palmerston of +Palmerston, in March, 1722-1723. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams called him +"Little Broadbottom Palmerston." He died in 1757. [T.S.] ] + +[Footnote 9: George Bubb (1691-1762) was Chief Secretary during +Wharton's Lord lieutenancy in 1709. He took the name of Doddington on +the death of his uncle in 1720. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 10: Thomas Herbert, eighth Earl of Pembroke (1656-1733), had +preceded the Earl of Wharton as Lord lieutenant of Ireland. He bears a +high character in history and on four successive coronations, namely, +those of William and Mary, Anne, George I. and George II., he acted as +sword carrier. Although a Tory, even Macaulay acknowledges Pembroke's +high breeding and liberality. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 11: This is the Edward Southwell to whom Archbishop King wrote +the letters quoted from Monck Mason in previous notes. He was the son of +Sir Robert Southwell, the diplomatist and friend of Sir William Temple, +to whom Swift bore a letter of introduction from the latter, soliciting +the office of amanuensis. In June, 1720, Edward Southwell had his salary +as secretary increased by £300; and in July of the same year the office +was granted to him and his son for life. The Southwell family first came +to Ireland in the reign of James I., at the time of the plantation of +Munster. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 12: Richard Boyle, third Earl of Burlington (or Bridlington of +Yorks), and fourth Earl of Cork (1695-1753), was appointed Lord +High-Treasurer of Ireland in August, 1715. His great-grandfather, the +first Earl of Cork, had held the same office in 1631. The +Lord-lieutenancy of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and the office of +Custos Rotulorum of the North and West Ridings, seem also to have been +inheritances of this family. The third Earl had a taste for +architecture, and spent enormous sums of money in the reconstruction of +Burlington House, a building that was freely satirized by Hogarth and +Lord Hervey. His taste, however, seems to have run to the ornamental +rather than the useful, and its gratification involved him in such +serious financial difficulties, that he was compelled to sell some of +his Irish estates. Swift notes that "My Lord Burlington is now selling +in one article £9,000 a year in Ireland for £200,000 which must pay his +debts" (Scott's edit. 1814, vol. xix., p. 129). [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 13: This post was found for Addison on his appointment in 1709 +as secretary to the Earl of Wharton, Lord-lieutenant of Ireland. +Tickell, in his preface to his edition of Addison's works, says the post +was granted to Addison as a mark of Queen Anne's special favour. +Bermingham's Tower was that part of Dublin Castle in which the records +were kept. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 14: Mr. Hopkins, secretary to the Duke of Grafton. The +exactions made by this gentleman upon the players, in his capacity of +Master of the Revels, are the subject of two satirical poems. [S.] + +This may have been John Hopkins, the second son of the Bishop of +Londonderry, who was the author of "Amasia," dedicated to the Duchess of +Grafton. [T.S.]] + +I confess, I have been sometimes tempted to wish that this project of +Wood might succeed, because I reflected with some pleasure what a jolly +crew it would bring over among us of lords and squires, and pensioners +of both sexes, and officers civil and military, where we should live +together as merry and sociable as beggars, only with this one abatement, +that we should neither have meat to feed, nor manufactures to clothe us, +unless we could be content to prance about in coats of mail, or eat +brass as ostriches do iron. + +I return from this digression to that which gave me the occasion of +making it: And I believe you are now convinced, that if the Parliament +of Ireland were as temptable as any other assembly within a mile of +Christendom (which God forbid) yet the managers must of necessity fail +for want of tools to work with. But I will yet go one step further, by +supposing that a hundred new employments were erected on purpose to +gratify compilers; yet still an insuperable difficulty would remain; for +it happens, I know not how, that money is neither Whig nor Tory, neither +of town nor country party, and it is not improbable, that a gentleman +would rather choose to live upon his own estate which brings him gold +and silver, than with the addition of an employment, when his rents and +salary must both be paid in Wood's brass, at above eighty _per cent._ +discount. + +For these and many other reasons, I am confident you need not be under +the least apprehensions from the sudden expectation of the Lord +Lieutenant,[15] while we continue in our present hearty disposition; to +alter which there is no suitable temptation can possibly be offered: +And if, as I have often asserted from the best authority, the law hath +not left a power in the crown to force any money except sterling upon +the subject, much less can the crown devolve such a power upon another. + +[Footnote 15: Lord Carteret, afterwards Earl Granville. See note to "A +Vindication of Lord Carteret," in vol. vii. of present edition of +Swift's works. [T.S.]] + +This I speak with the utmost respect to the person and dignity of his +Excellency the Lord Carteret, whose character hath been given me by a +gentleman that hath known him from his first appearance in the world: +That gentleman describes him as a young nobleman of great +accomplishments, excellent learning, regular in his life, and of much +spirit and vivacity. He hath since, as I have heard, been employed +abroad, was principal secretary of state, and is now about the 37th year +of his age appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. From such a governor +this kingdom may reasonably hope for as much prosperity as, under so +many discouragements, it can be capable of receiving.[16] + +[Footnote 16: Carteret was an old friend of Swift. On the Earl's +appointment to the Lord-lieutenancy, in April, 1724, Swift wrote him a +letter on the matter of Wood's halfpence, in which he took the liberty +of "an old humble servant, and one who always loved and esteemed" him, +to make known to him the apprehensions the people were under concerning +Mr. Wood's patent. "Neither is it doubted," he wrote, "that when your +excellency shall be thoroughly informed, your justice and compassion for +an injured people, will force you to employ your credit for their +relief." Swift waited for more than a month, and on receiving no reply, +sent a second letter, which Sir Henry Craik justly calls, "a masterpiece +of its kind." It was as follows: + +"June 9, 1724. + +"MY LORD, + +"It is above a month since I took the boldness of writing to your +excellency, upon a subject wherein the welfare of this kingdom is highly +concerned. + +"I writ at the desire of several considerable persons here, who could +not be ignorant that I had the honour of being well known to you. + +"I could have wished your excellency had condescended so far, as to let +one of your under clerks have signified to me that a letter was +received. + +"I have been long out of the world; but have not forgotten what used to +pass among those I lived with while I was in it: and I can say, that +during the experience of many years, and many changes in affairs, your +excellency, and one more, who is not worthy to be compared to you, are +the only great persons that ever refused to answer a letter from me, +without regard to business, party, or greatness; and if I had not a +peculiar esteem for your personal qualities, I should think myself to be +acting a very inferior part in making this complaint. + +"I never was so humble, as to be vain upon my acquaintance with men in +power, and always rather chose to avoid it when I was not called. +Neither were their power or titles sufficient, without merit, to make me +cultivate them; of which I have witnesses enough left, after all the +havoc made among them, by accidents of time, or by changes of persons, +measures, and opinions. + +"I know not how your conception of yourself may alter, by every new high +station; but mine must continue the same, or alter for the worse. + +"I often told a great minister, whom you well know, that I valued him +for being the same man through all the progress of power and place. I +expected the like in your lordship; and still hope that I shall be the +only person who will ever find it otherwise. + +"I pray God to direct your excellency in all your good undertakings, and +especially in your government of this kingdom. + +"I shall trouble you no more; but remain, with great respect, my Lord, + +"Your excellency's most obedient, + +"and most humble servant, + +"JON. SWIFT." + +This letter brought an immediate reply from Carteret, who confessed +himself in the wrong for his silence, and trusted he had not forfeited +Swift's friendship by it. With regard to Mr. Wood's patent, he said that +the matter was under examination, "and till that is over I am not +informed sufficiently to make any other judgment of the matter, than +that which I am naturally led to make, by the general aversion which +appears to it in the whole nation." Swift replied in a charming vein, +and elegantly put his scolding down to the testiness of old age. His +excellency had humbled him. "Therefore, I fortel that you, who could so +easily conquer so captious a person, and of so little consequence, will +quickly subdue this whole kingdom to love and reverence you" (Scott's +ed. 1824, vol. xvi., pp. 430-435). [T.S.]] + +It is true indeed, that within the memory of man, there have been +governors of so much dexterity, as to carry points of terrible +consequence to this kingdom, by their power with _those who were in +office_, and by their arts in managing or deluding others with oaths, +affability, and even with dinners. If Wood's brass had in those times +been upon the anvil, it is obvious enough to conceive what methods would +have been taken. Depending persons would have been told in plain terms, +that it was a "service expected from them, under pain of the public +business being put into more complying hands." Others would be allured +by promises. To the country gentleman, besides good words, burgundy and +closeting. It would perhaps have been hinted how "kindly it would be +taken to comply with a royal patent, though it were not compulsory," +that if any inconveniences ensued, it might be made up with other +"graces or favours hereafter." That "gentlemen ought to consider whether +it were prudent or safe to disgust England:" They would be desired to +"think of some good bills for encouraging of trade, and setting the poor +to work, some further acts against Popery and for uniting Protestants." +There would be solemn engagements that we should "never be troubled with +above forty thousand pounds in his coin, and all of the best and +weightiest sort, for which we should only give our manufactures in +exchange, and keep our gold and silver at home." Perhaps a "seasonable +report of some invasion would have been spread in the most proper +juncture," which is a great smoother of rubs in public proceedings; and +we should have been told that "this was no time to create differences +when the kingdom was in danger." + +These, I say, and the like methods would in corrupt times have been +taken to let in this deluge of brass among us; and I am confident would +even then have not succeeded, much less under the administration of so +excellent a person as the Lord Carteret, and in a country where the +people of all ranks, parties and denominations are convinced to a man, +that the utter undoing of themselves and their posterity for ever will +be dated from the admission of that execrable coin; that if it once +enters, it can be no more confined to a small or moderate quantity, than +the plague can be confined to a few families, and that no equivalent can +be given by any earthly power, any more than a dead carcass can be +recovered to life by a cordial. + +There is one comfortable circumstance in this universal opposition to +Mr. Wood, that the people sent over hither from England to fill up our +vacancies ecclesiastical, civil and military, are all on our side: +Money, the great divider of the world, hath by a strange revolution, +been the great uniter of a most divided people. Who would leave a +hundred pounds a year in England (a country of freedom) to be paid a +thousand in Ireland out of Wood's exchequer. The gentleman they have +lately made primate[17] would never quit his seat in an English House of +Lords, and his preferments at Oxford and Bristol, worth twelve hundred +pounds a year, for four times the denomination here, but not half the +value; therefore I expect to hear he will be as good an Irishman, upon +this article, as any of his brethren, or even of us who have had the +misfortune to be born in this island. For those, who, in the common +phrase, do not "come hither to learn the language," would never change a +better country for a worse, to receive brass instead of gold. + +[Footnote 17: Hugh Boulter (1672-1742) was appointed Archbishop of +Armagh, August 31st, 1724. He had been a fellow of Magdalen College, +Oxford, and had served the King as chaplain in Hanover, in 1719. In this +latter year he was promoted to the Bishopric of Bristol, and the Deanery +of Christ Church, Oxford. His appointment as Primate of Ireland, was in +accordance with Walpole's plan for governing Ireland from England. +Walpole had no love for Carteret, and no faith in his power or +willingness to aid him in his policy. Indeed, Carteret was sent to +Ireland to be got out of the way. He was governor nominally; the real +governor being Walpole in the person of the new Primate. What were +Boulter's instructions may be gathered from the manner in which he +carried out his purpose. Of a strong character and of untiring energy, +Boulter set about his work in a fashion which showed that Walpole had +chosen well. Nothing of any importance that transpired in Ireland, no +fact of any interest about the individuals in office, no movement of any +suspected or suspicious person escaped his vigilance. His letters +testify to an unabating zeal for the English government of Irish affairs +by Englishmen in the English interest. His perseverance knew no +obstacles; he continued against all difficulties in his dogged and yet +able manner to establish some order out of the chaos of Ireland's +condition. But his government was the outcome of a profound conviction +that only in the interest of England should Ireland be governed. If +Ireland could be made prosperous and contented, so much more good would +accrue to England. But that prosperity and that contentment had nothing +whatever to do with safeguarding Irish institutions, or recognizing the +rights of the Irish people. If he gave way to popular opinion at all, it +was because it was either expedient or beneficial to the English +interest. If he urged, as he did, the founding of Protestant Charter +schools, it was because this would strengthen the English power. To +preserve that he obtained the enactment of a statute which excluded +Roman Catholics from the legal profession and the offices of legal +administration; and another act of his making actually disfranchised +them altogether. Boulter was also a member of the Irish Privy Council, +and Lord Justice of Ireland. The latter office he held under the +vice-regencies of Carteret, Dorset and Devonshire. His secretary, +Ambrose Philips, had been connected with him, in earlier years, in +contributing to a periodical entitled, "The Free Thinker," which +appeared in 1718. Philips, in 1769, supervised the publication of +Boulter's "Letters," which were published at Oxford. [T.S.]] + +Another slander spread by Wood and his emissaries is, that by opposing +him we discover an inclination to "shake off our dependence upon the +crown of England." Pray observe how important a person is this same +William Wood, and how the public weal of two kingdoms is involved in +his private interest. First, all those who refuse to take his coin are +Papists; for he tells us that "none but Papists are associated against +him;" Secondly, they "dispute the King's prerogative;" Thirdly, "they +are ripe for rebellion," and Fourthly, they are going to "shake off +their dependence upon the crown of England;" That is to say, "they are +going to choose another king;" For there can be no other meaning in this +expression, however some may pretend to strain it. + +And this gives me an opportunity of explaining, to those who are +ignorant, another point, which hath often swelled in my breast. Those +who come over hither to us from England, and some weak people among +ourselves, whenever in discourse we make mention of liberty and +property, shake their heads, and tell us, that Ireland is a "depending +kingdom," as if they would seem, by this phrase, to intend that the +people of Ireland is in some state of slavery or dependence different +from those of England; Whereas a "depending kingdom" is a modern term of +art, unknown, as I have heard, to all ancient civilians, and writers +upon government; and Ireland is on the contrary called in some statutes +an "imperial crown," as held only from God; which is as high a style as +any kingdom is capable of receiving. Therefore by this expression, a +"depending kingdom," there is no more understood than that by a statute +made here in the 33d year of Henry 8th. "The King and his successors are +to be kings imperial of this realm as united and knit to the imperial +crown of England." I have looked over all the English and Irish statutes +without finding any law that makes Ireland depend upon England, any more +than England does upon Ireland. We have indeed obliged ourselves to have +the same king with them, and consequently they are obliged to have the +same king with us. For the law was made by our own Parliament, and our +ancestors then were not such fools (whatever they were in the preceding +reign) to bring themselves under I know not what dependence, which is +now talked of without any ground of law, reason or common sense.[18] + +[Footnote 18: This was the passage selected by the government upon which +to found its prosecution. As Sir Walter Scott points out, it "contains +the pith and essence of the whole controversy." [T.S.]] + +Let whoever think otherwise, I M.B. Drapier, desire to be excepted,[19] +for I declare, next under God, I _depend_ only on the King my sovereign, +and on the laws of my own country; and I am so far from _depending_ upon +the people of England, that if they should ever rebel against my +sovereign (which God forbid) I would be ready at the first command from +His Majesty to take arms against them, as some of _my_ countrymen did +against _theirs_ at Preston. And if such a rebellion should prove so +successful as to fix the Pretender on the throne of England, I would +venture to transgress that statute so far as to lose every drop of my +blood to hinder him from being King of Ireland.[20] + +[Footnote 19: For a humorous story which accounts for Swift's use of the +words "desire to be excepted," see the Drapier's sixth letter. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 20: Great offence was taken at this paragraph. Swift refers to +it again in his sixth letter. Sir Henry Craik, in his "Life of Jonathan +Swift" (vol. ii., p. 74), has an acute note on this paragraph, and the +one already alluded to in the sixth letter. I take the liberty of +transcribing it: "The manoeuvre by which Swift managed to associate a +suspicion of Jacobitism with his opponents, is one peculiarly +characteristic; and so is the skill with which, in the next letter, he +meets the objections to this paragraph, by half offering an extent of +submission that might equally be embarrassing--a submission even to +Jacobitism, if Jacobitism were to become strong enough. He does not +commit himself, however: he fears a 'spiteful interpretation.' In short, +he places the English Cabinet on the horns of a dilemma. 'Am I to resist +Jacobitism? Then what becomes of your doctrine of Ireland's dependency?' +or, 'Am I to become a Jacobite, if England bids me? Then what becomes of +your Protestant succession? Must even that give way to your desire to +tyrannize?'" [T.S.]] + +'Tis true indeed, that within the memory of man, the Parliaments of +England have sometimes assumed the power of binding this kingdom by laws +enacted there,[21] wherein they were at first openly opposed (as far as +truth, reason and justice are capable of opposing) by the famous Mr. +Molineux,[22] an English gentleman born here, as well as by several of +the greatest patriots, and best Whigs in England; but the love and +torrent of power prevailed. Indeed the arguments on both sides were +invincible. For in reason, all government without the consent of the +governed is the very definition of slavery: But in fact, eleven men well +armed will certainly subdue one single man in his shirt. But I have +done. For those who have used power to cramp liberty have gone so far as +to resent even the liberty of complaining, although a man upon the rack +was never known to be refused the liberty of roaring as loud as he +thought fit. + +[Footnote 21: Particularly in the reign of William III., when this +doctrine of English supremacy was assumed, in order to discredit the +authority of the Irish Parliament summoned by James II. [S.] + +See note on Poyning's Law, p. 77. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 22: See note on p. 167. [T.S.]] + +And as we are apt to sink too much under unreasonable fears, so we are +too soon inclined to be raised by groundless hopes (according to the +nature of all consumptive bodies like ours) thus, it hath been given +about for several days past, that somebody in England empowered a second +somebody to write to a third somebody here to assure us, that we "should +no more be troubled with those halfpence." And this is reported to have +been done by the same person, who was said to have sworn some months +ago, that he would "ram them down our throats" (though I doubt they +would stick in our stomachs) but whichever of these reports is true or +false, it is no concern of ours. For in this point we have nothing to do +with English ministers, and I should be sorry it lay in their power to +redress this grievance or to enforce it: For the "Report of the +Committee" hath given me a surfeit. The remedy is wholly in your own +hands, and therefore I have digressed a little in order to refresh and +continue that spirit so seasonably raised amongst you, and to let you +see that by the laws of GOD, of NATURE, of NATIONS, and of your own +COUNTRY, you ARE and OUGHT to be as FREE a people as your brethren in +England. + +If the pamphlets published at London by Wood and his journeymen in +defence of his cause, were reprinted here, and that our countrymen could +be persuaded to read them, they would convince you of his wicked design +more than all I shall ever be able to say. In short I make him a perfect +saint in comparison of what he appears to be from the writings of those +whom he hires to justify his project. But he is so far master of the +field (let others guess the reason) that no London printer dare publish +any paper written in favour of Ireland, and here nobody hath yet been so +bold as to publish anything in favour of him. + +There was a few days ago a pamphlet sent me of near 50 pages written in +favour of Mr. Wood and his coinage, printed in London; it is not worth +answering, because probably it will never be published here: But it gave +me an occasion to reflect upon an unhappiness we lie under, that the +people of England are utterly ignorant of our case, which however is no +wonder, since it is a point they do not in the least concern themselves +about, farther than perhaps as a subject of discourse in a coffee-house +when they have nothing else to talk of. For I have reason to believe +that no minister ever gave himself the trouble of reading any papers +written in our defence, because I suppose their opinions are already +determined, and are formed wholly upon the reports of Wood and his +accomplices; else it would be impossible that any man could have the +impudence to write such a pamphlet as I have mentioned. + +Our neighbours whose understandings are just upon a level with ours +(which perhaps are none of the brightest) have a strong contempt for +most nations, but especially for Ireland: They look upon us as a sort of +savage Irish, whom our ancestors conquered several hundred years ago, +and if I should describe the Britons to you as they were in Caesar's +time, when they painted their bodies, or clothed themselves with the +skins of beasts, I would act full as reasonably as they do: However they +are so far to be excused in relation to the present subject, that, +hearing only one side of the cause, and having neither opportunity nor +curiosity to examine the other, they believe a lie merely for their +ease, and conclude, because Mr. Wood pretends to have power, he hath +also reason on his side. + +Therefore to let you see how this case is represented in England by Wood +and his adherents, I have thought it proper to extract out of that +pamphlet a few of those notorious falsehoods in point of fact and +reasoning contained therein; the knowledge whereof will confirm my +countrymen in their own right sentiments, when they will see by +comparing both, how much their enemies are in the wrong. + +First, The writer, positively asserts, "That Wood's halfpence were +current among us for several months with the universal approbation of +all people, without one single gainsayer, and we all to a man thought +ourselves happy in having them." + +Secondly, He affirms, "That we were drawn into a dislike of them only by +some cunning evil-designing men among us, who opposed this patent of +Wood to get another for themselves." + +Thirdly, That "those who most declared at first against Wood's patent +were the very men who intended to get another for their own advantage." + +Fourthly, That "our Parliament and Privy-council, the Lord Mayor and +aldermen of Dublin, the grand juries and merchants, and in short the +whole kingdom, nay the very dogs" (as he expresseth it) "were fond of +those halfpence, till they were inflamed by those few designing persons +aforesaid." + +Fifthly, He says directly, That "all those who opposed the halfpence +were Papists and enemies to King George." + +Thus far I am confident the most ignorant among you can safely swear +from your own knowledge that the author is a most notorious liar in +every article; the direct contrary being so manifest to the whole +kingdom, that if occasion required, we might get it confirmed under five +hundred thousand hands. + +Sixthly, He would persuade us, that "if we sell five shillings worth of +our goods or manufactures for two shillings and fourpence worth of +copper, although the copper were melted down, and that we could get five +shillings in gold or silver for the said goods, yet to take the said two +shillings and fourpence in copper would be greatly for our advantage." + +And Lastly, He makes us a very fair offer, as empowered by Wood, that +"if we will take off two hundred thousand pounds in his halfpence for +our goods, and likewise pay him three _per cent_. interest for thirty +years, for an hundred and twenty thousand pounds (at which he computes +the coinage above the intrinsic value of the copper) for the loan of his +coin, he, will after that time give us good money for what halfpence +will be then left." + +Let me place this offer in as clear a light as I can to shew the +unsupportable villainy and impudence of that incorrigible wretch. First +(says he) "I will send two hundred thousand pounds of my coin into your +country, the copper I compute to be in real value eighty thousand +pounds, and I charge you with an hundred and twenty thousand pounds for +the coinage; so that you see I lend you an hundred and twenty thousand +pounds for thirty years, for which you shall pay me three _per cent_. +That is to say three thousand six hundred pounds _per ann_. which in +thirty years will amount to an hundred and eight thousand pounds. And +when these thirty years are expired, return me my copper and I will give +you good money for it." + +This is the proposal made to us by Wood in that pamphlet written by one +of his commissioners; and the author is supposed to be the same infamous +Coleby one of his under-swearers at the committee of council, who was +tried for robbing the treasury here, where he was an under-clerk.[23] + +[Footnote 23: See note on p. 61. [T.S.]] + +By this proposal he will first receive two hundred thousand pounds, in +goods or sterling for as much copper as he values at eighty thousand +pounds, but in reality not worth thirty thousand pounds. Secondly, He +will receive for interest an hundred and eight thousand pounds. And when +our children came thirty years hence to return his halfpence upon his +executors (for before that time he will be probably gone to his own +place) those executors will very reasonably reject them as raps and +counterfeits, which probably they will be, and millions of them of his +own coinage. + +Methinks I am fond of such a dealer as this who mends every day upon our +hands, like a Dutch reckoning, where if you dispute the unreasonableness +and exorbitance of the bill, the landlord shall bring it up every time +with new additions. + +Although these and the like pamphlets published by Wood in London be +altogether unknown here, where nobody could read them without as much +indignation as contempt would allow, yet I thought it proper to give you +a specimen how the man employs his time, where he rides alone without +one creature to contradict him, while our FEW FRIENDS there wonder at +our silence, and the English in general, if they think of this matter at +all, impute our refusal to wilfulness or disaffection, just as Wood and +his hirelings are pleased to represent. + +But although our arguments are not suffered to be printed in England, +yet the consequence will be of little moment. Let Wood endeavour to +persuade the people there that we ought to receive his coin, and let me +convince our people here that they ought to reject it under pain of our +utter undoing. And then let him do his best and his worst. + +Before I conclude, I must beg leave in all humility to tell Mr. Wood, +that he is guilty of great indiscretion, by causing so honourable a name +as that of Mr. Walpole to be mentioned so often, and in such a manner, +upon his occasion: A short paper printed at Bristol and reprinted here +reports Mr. Wood to say, that he "wonders at the impudence and insolence +of the Irish in refusing his coin, and what he will do when Mr. Walpole +comes to town." Where, by the way, he is mistaken, for it is the true +English people of Ireland who refuse it, although we take it for granted +that the Irish will do so too whenever they are asked. He orders it to +be printed in another paper, that "Mr. Walpole will cram this brass down +our throats:" Sometimes it is given out that we must "either take these +halfpence or eat our brogues," And, in another newsletter but of +yesterday, we read that the same great man "hath sworn to make us +swallow his coin in fire-balls." + +This brings to my mind the known story of a Scotchman, who receiving +sentence of death, with all the circumstances of hanging, beheading, +quartering, embowelling and the like, cried out, "What need all this +COOKERY?" And I think we have reason to ask the same question; for if we +believe Wood, here is a dinner getting ready for us, and you see the +bill of fare, and I am sorry the drink was forgot, which might easily be +supplied with melted lead and flaming pitch. + +What vile words are these to put into the mouth of a great councillor, +in high trust with His Majesty, and looked upon as a prime-minister. If +Mr. Wood hath no better a manner of representing his patrons, when I +come to be a great man, he shall never be suffered to attend at my +levee. This is not the style of a great minister, it savours too much of +the kettle and the furnace, and came entirely out of Mr. Wood's forge. + +As for the threat of making us eat our brogues, we need not be in pain; +for if his coin should pass, that unpolite covering for the feet, would +no longer be a national reproach; because then we should have neither +shoe nor brogue left in the kingdom. But here the falsehood of Mr. Wood +is fairly detected; for I am confident Mr. Walpole never heard of a +brogue in his whole life.[24] + +[Footnote 24: A biting sneer at Walpole's ignorance of Irish affairs. +[T.S.]] + +As to "swallowing these halfpence in fire-balls," it is a story equally +improbable. For to execute this operation the whole stock of Mr. Wood's +coin and metal must be melted down and moulded into hollow balls with +wild-fire, no bigger than a reasonable throat can be able to swallow. +Now the metal he hath prepared, and already coined will amount at least +fifty millions of halfpence to be swallowed by a million and a half of +people; so that allowing two halfpence to each ball, there will be about +seventeen balls of wild-fire a-piece to be swallowed by every person in +this kingdom, and to administer this dose, there cannot be conveniently +fewer than fifty thousand operators, allowing one operator to every +thirty, which, considering the squeamishness of some stomachs and the +peevishness of young children, is but reasonable. Now, under correction +of better judgments, I think the trouble and charge of such an +experiment would exceed the profit, and therefore I take this report to +be spurious, or at least only a new scheme of Mr. Wood himself, which to +make it pass the better in Ireland he would father upon a minister of +state. + +But I will now demonstrate beyond all contradiction that Mr. Walpole is +against this project of Mr. Wood, and is an entire friend to Ireland, +only by this one invincible argument, that he has the universal opinion +of being a wise man, an able minister, and in all his proceedings +pursuing the true interest of the King his master: And that as his +integrity is above all corruption, so is his fortune above all +temptation. I reckon therefore we are perfectly safe from that corner, +and shall never be under the necessity of contending with so formidable +a power, but be left to possess our brogues and potatoes in peace as +remote from thunder as we are from Jupiter. + +I am, + My dear countrymen, + Your loving fellow-subject, + fellow-sufferer and humble servant. + M.B. + +Oct. 13. 1724. + + + + +SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY. + + + + +SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY, + +CONCERNING THE BILL PREPARING AGAINST THE PRINTER OF THE DRAPIER'S +FOURTH LETTER. + + +Since a bill is preparing for the grand jury, to find against the +printer of the Drapier's last letter, there are several things maturely +to be considered by those gentlemen, before whom this bill is to come, +before they determine upon it. + +FIRST, they are to consider, that the author of the said pamphlet, did +write three other discourses on the same subject; which instead of being +censured were universally approved by the whole nation, and were allowed +to have raised, and continued that spirit among us, which hitherto hath +kept out Wood's coin: For all men will allow, that if those pamphlets +had not been writ, his coin must have overrun the nation some months +ago. + +SECONDLY, it is to be considered that this pamphlet, against which a +proclamation hath been issued, is writ by the same author; that nobody +ever doubted the innocence, and goodness of his design, that he appears +through the whole tenor of it, to be a loyal subject to His Majesty, and +devoted to the House of Hanover, and declares himself in a manner +peculiarly zealous against the Pretender; And if such a writer in four +several treatises on so nice a subject, where a royal patent is +concerned, and where it was necessary to speak of England and of +liberty, should in one or two places happen to let fall an inadvertent +expression, it would be hard to condemn him after all the good he hath +done; Especially when we consider, that he could have no possible +design in view, either of honour or profit, but purely the GOOD of his +country. + +THIRDLY, it ought to be well considered, whether any one expression in +the said pamphlet, be really liable to just exception, much less to be +found "wicked, malicious, seditious, reflecting upon His Majesty and his +ministry," &c. + +The two points in that pamphlet, which it is said the prosecutors intend +chiefly to fix on, are, First, where the author mentions the "penner of +the King's answer." First, it is well known, His Majesty is not master +of the English tongue, and therefore it is necessary that some other +person should be employed to pen what he hath to say, or write in that +language. Secondly, His Majesty's answer is not in the first person, but +the third. It is not said "WE are concerned," or, "OUR royal +predecessors," but "HIS MAJESTY is concerned;" and "HIS royal +predecessors." By which it is plain these are properly not the words of +His Majesty; but supposed to be taken from him, and transmitted hither +by one of his ministers. Thirdly it will be easily seen, that the author +of the pamphlet delivers his sentiments upon this particular, with the +utmost caution and respect, as any impartial reader will observe. + +The second paragraph, which it is said will be taken notice of as a +motive to find the bill, is, what the author says of Ireland being a +depending kingdom. He explains all the dependency he knows of it, which +is a law made in Ireland, whereby it is enacted that "whoever is King of +England, shall be King of Ireland." Before this explanation be +condemned, and the bill found upon it, it would be proper, that some +lawyers should fully inform the jury what other law there is, either +statute or common for this dependency, and if there be no law, there is +no transgression. + +The Fourth thing very maturely to be considered by the jury, is, what +influence their finding the bill may have upon the kingdom. The people +in general find no fault in the Drapier's last book, any more than in +the three former, and therefore when they hear it is condemned by a +grand jury of Dublin, they will conclude it is done in favour of Wood's +coin, they will think we of this town have changed our minds, and intend +to take those halfpence, and therefore that it will be in vain for them +to stand out. So that the question comes to this, Which will be of the +worst consequence, to let pass one or two expressions, at the worst only +unwary, in a book written for the public service; or to leave a free +open passage for Wood's brass to overrun us, by which we shall be undone +for ever. + +The fifth thing to be considered, is, that the members of the grand jury +being merchants, and principal shopkeepers, can have no suitable +temptation offered them, as a recompense for the mischief they will +suffer by letting in this coin, nor can be at any loss or danger by +rejecting the bill: They do not expect any employments in the state, to +make up in their own private advantage, the destruction of their +country. Whereas those who go about to advise, entice, or threaten them +to find that bill, have great employments, which they have a mind to +keep, or to get greater, which was likewise the case of all those who +signed to have the author prosecuted. And therefore it is known, that +his grace the Lord Archbishop of Dublin,[1] so renowned for his piety, +and wisdom, and love of his country, absolutely refused to condemn the +book, or the author. + +[Footnote 1: The proclamation against the Drapier's fourth letter as +given in Appendix IV. at the end of this volume, does not bear +Archbishop King's signature. In a letter from that prelate, written on +November 24th, 1724, to Samuel Molineux, secretary to the Prince of +Wales, it appears that other persons of influence also refrained from +sanctioning it. The following is an extract from this letter as given by +Monck Mason for the first time: + +"A great many pamphlets have been writ about it [Wood's patent], but I +am told none of them are permitted to be printed in England. Two have +come out since my Lord Lieutenant came here, written with sobriety, +modesty, and great force, in my opinion, which put the matter in a fair +and clear light, though not with all the advantage of which it is +capable; four were printed before, by somebody that calleth himself a +Drapier which were in a ludicrous and satyrical style; against the last +of these the Lord Lieutenant procured a proclamation, signed by 17 of +the Council; offering £300 for discovering the author. I thought the +premium excessive, so I and three more refused to sign it, but declared, +that if his excellency would secure us from the brass money, I would +sign it, or any other, tending only to the disadvantage of private +persons; but, till we had that security, I would look on this +proclamation no otherwise than as a step towards passing that base and +mischievous coin, and designed to intimidate those who opposed the +passing it; and I declared, that I would not approve of anything that +might countenance, or encourage such a ruinous project; that issuing +such a proclamation would make all believe, that the government was +engaged to support Wood's pretensions, and that would neither be for +their honour nor ease. I was not able to stop the proclamation, but my +refusing to sign it has not been without effect." ("History of St. +Patrick's," p. 344, note n.). [T.S.]] + +Lastly, it ought to be considered what consequence the finding the bill, +may have upon a poor man perfectly innocent, I mean the printer. A +lawyer may pick out expressions and make them liable to exception, where +no other man is able to find any. But how can it be supposed, that an +ignorant printer can be such a critic? He knew the author's design was +honest, and approved by the whole kingdom, he advised with friends, who +told him there was no harm in the book, and he could see none himself. +It was sent him in an unknown hand, but the same in which he received +the three former. He and his wife have offered to take their oaths that +they knew not the author; and therefore to find a bill, that may bring a +punishment upon the innocent, will appear very hard, to say no worse. +For it will be impossible to find the author, unless he will please to +discover himself, although I wonder he ever concealed his name. But I +suppose what he did at first out of modesty, he now continues to do out +of prudence. God protect us and him! + +I will conclude all with a fable, ascribed to Demosthenes. He had served +the people of Athens with great fidelity in the station of an orator, +when upon a certain occasion, apprehending to be delivered over to his +enemies, he told the Athenians, his countrymen, the following story. +Once upon a time the wolves desired a league with the shepherds, upon +this condition; that the cause of strife might be taken away, which was +the shepherds and the mastiffs; this being granted, the wolves without +all fear made havoc of the sheep.[2] + +Novem. 11th, 1724. + +[Footnote 2: The advice had the desired effect. The jury returned a +verdict of "Ignoramus" on the bill, which so aroused Whitshed, the Chief +Justice, that he discharged them. As a comment on Whitshed's illegal +procedure, the following extract was circulated: + +EXTRACT FROM A BOOK ENTITLED, "AN EXACT COLLECTION OF THE DEBATES OF THE +HOUSE OF COMMONS HELD AT WESTMINSTER, OCTOBER 21, 1680," page 150. + +_Resolutions of the House of Commons, in England, November 13, 1680._ + +"Several persons being examined about the dismissing a grand jury in +Middlesex, the House came to the following resolutions:-- + +"_Resolved_, That the discharging of a grand-jury by any judge, before +the end of the term, assizes, or sessions, while matters are under their +consideration, and not presented, is arbitrary, illegal, destructive to +public justice, a manifest violation of his oath, and is a means to +subvert the fundamental laws of this kingdom. + +"_Resolved_, That a committee be appointed to examine the proceedings of +the judges in Westminster-hall, and report the same with their opinion +therein to this House." [T.S.]] + + + + + +LETTER V. + +A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON. + + +NOTE. + +I have departed from the order given by Faulkner and the earlier +editors,[1] and followed by Sir W. Scott in arranging the series of the +Drapier's Letters, by adhering to a more correct chronological sequence. +This letter has always been printed as the sixth Drapier's letter, but I +have printed it here as the fifth, since it was written prior to the +letter addressed to Viscount Molesworth, which has hitherto been called +the fifth. The Molesworth letter I print here as "Letter VI." As already +noted the letter to Midleton was written on the 26th October, 1724, but +its first publication in print did not occur until Faulkner included it +in the fourth volume of his collected edition of Swift's works, issued +in 1735. There it is signed "J.S." and is given as from the "Deanery +House." All the other letters are printed as "By M.B. Drapier." The +Advertisement to the Reader prefixed to the present fifth letter is from +Faulkner's edition. Probably it was printed by Faulkner under Swift's +direction. + +[Footnote 1: Sheridan, Deane Swift, Hawkesworth and Nichols] + +Swift's acquaintance with Midleton had been of long standing. The +Chancellor had been an avowed opponent of the patent and yet, by his +signature to the proclamation, he seemed to be giving the weight of his +official position against the popular sentiment. In addressing him, +Swift was endeavouring, apparently, to keep him to his original line of +action and to destroy any influence the government party may have had on +him, since he was well aware of Carteret's insinuating charm. Midleton, +however, had always stood firm against the patent. His signature to the +proclamation against the Drapier was justified by him when he said that +the Drapier's letters tended to disturbance. Carteret had really tried +to win him over, but he did not succeed "While he [Midleton] expressed +the highest obligation to the Lord Lieutenant," writes Coxe, "he +declared that his duty to his country was paramount to every other +consideration, and refused to give any assistance to government, until +the patent was absolutely surrendered." + +The text here given of this letter is based on Faulkner's issue in vol. +iv. of the 1735 edition of Swift's works. It has been collated with that +given in the fifth volume of the "Miscellanies," printed in London in +the same year. + +[T.S.] + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER[2] + + +The former of the two following papers is dated Oct. 6th 1724[3], by +which it appears to be written a little after the proclamation against +the author of the Drapier's Fourth Letter. It is delivered with much +caution, because the author confesseth himself to be Dean of St. +Patrick's; and I could discover his name subscribed at the end of the +original, although blotted out by some other hand, I can tell no other +reason why it was not printed, than what I have heard; that the writer +finding how effectually the Drapier had succeeded, and at the same time +how highly the people in power seemed to be displeased, thought it more +prudent to keep the paper in his cabinet. However, having received some +encouragement to collect into one volume all papers relating to Ireland, +supposed to be written by the Drapier; and knowing how favourably that +author's writings in this kind have been received by the public; to make +the volume more complete, [I procured a copy of the following letter +from one of the author's friends, with whom it was left, while the +author was in England; and][4] I have printed it as near as I could in +the order of time. + +[Footnote 2: Nichols, in the second volume of his Supplement to Swift's +Works (1779, 8vo), prints a note on this "Advertisement," furnished him +by Bowyer. It is as follows: + +"1. The first of the papers is said to be dated Oct. 6, 1724; and that +it appears from thence to be dated a little after the proclamation +against the Drapier's fourth letter. Now the fourth letter itself is +dated Oct. 23, 1724. This is a pardonable mistake anywhere, but, much +more in a country where _going before just coming after_ is the +characteristic dialect. But I little thought that the Dean, in his zeal +for Ireland, would vouchsafe to adopt the shibboleth of it. + +"2. The Preface-writer, in the choice MS which he found, could discover +the Dean's name subscribed at the end of the original; but _blotted out_ +by _some other hand_. As the former passage is a proof that the +Advertisement was drawn up in Ireland, so this affords a strong +presumption that it was under the direction of the Dean himself: for who +else could divine that his name was struck out by another hand? Other +ink it might be: but in these recent MSS. of our age, it is the first +time I ever heard of a blot carrying the evidence of a handwriting. +Whether the Dean or the printer hit this _blot_, I shall not inquire; +but lay before you the pleasant procedure of the latter upon this +discovery. He had got, we see, the original in the Dean's hand; but the +name was obliterated. What does he, but send away to England for a copy +which might authenticate _his original_; and from such a copy the public +is favoured with it! I remember, in a cause before Sir Joseph Jekyll, a +man began reading in court the title-deeds of an estate which was +contested. 'The original is a little blind,' says he; 'I have got a very +fair copy of it, which I beg leave to go on with'--'Hold,' says Sir +Joseph, 'if the original is not good, the copy can never make it so.' I +am far, however, from accusing the printer of intending any fraud on the +world. He who tells his story so openly gives security enough for his +honesty. I can easily conceive the Advertisement might be in a good +measure the Dean's, who never was over-courteous to his readers, and +might for once be content to be merry with them." [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 3: Misprinted by Faulkner for Oct. 26th. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 4: This portion in square brackets is not given by Faulkner in +his Advertisement. [T.S.]] + +The next treatise is called "An Address, &c." It is without a date; but +seems to be written during the first session of Parliament in Lord +Carteret's government. The title of this Address is in the usual form, +by M.B. Drapier. There is but a small part of it that relates to William +Wood and his coin: The rest contains several proposals for the +improvement of Ireland, the many discouragements it lies under, and what +are the best remedies against them. + +By many passages in some of the Drapier's former letters, but +particularly in the following Address, concerning the great drain of +money from Ireland by absentees, importation of foreign goods, balance +of trade, and the like, it appears that the author had taken much pains, +and been well informed in the business of computing; all his reasonings +upon that subject, although he does not here descend to particular sums, +agreeing generally with the accounts given by others who have since made +that enquiry their particular study. And it is observable, that in this +Address, as well as in one of his printed letters, he hath specified +several important articles, that have not been taken notice of by others +who came after him. + + + + +LETTER V. + +A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON.[5] + + +My Lord, I desire you will consider me as a member who comes in at the +latter end of a debate; or as a lawyer who speaks to a cause, when the +matter hath been almost exhausted by those who spoke before. + +[Footnote 5: Alan Brodrick, Lord Midleton (1660?-1728), came of a Surrey +family that had greatly benefited by the forfeitures in Ireland. +Adopting the profession of the law, Brodrick was, in 1695, appointed +Solicitor-General for Ireland. He sat in the Irish House of Commons as +the member for Cork, and in 1703 was chosen its Speaker. His strong +opposition to the Sacramental Test Act lost him the favour of the +government, and he was removed from his office of Solicitor-General. In +1707, however, he was appointed Attorney-General for Ireland, and in +1714 made Lord Chancellor. In the year following he was created Baron +Brodrick of Midleton. His trimming with Walpole and Carteret did not, +however, prevent him from opposing the Wood's patent, though he signed +the proclamation against the Drapier. He thought the letters served to +"create jealousies between the King and the people of Ireland." [T.S.]] + +I remember some months ago I was at your house upon a commission, where +I am one of the governors: But I went thither not so much on account of +the commission, as to ask you some questions concerning Mr. Wood's +patent to coin halfpence for Ireland; where you very freely told me, in +a mixed company, how much you had been always against that wicked +project, which raised in me an esteem for you so far, that I went in a +few days to make you a visit, after many years' intermission. I am +likewise told, that your son wrote two letters from London, (one of +which I have seen) empowering those to whom they were directed, to +assure his friends, that whereas there was a malicious report spread of +his engaging himself to Mr. Walpole for forty thousand pounds of Wood's +coin, to be received in Ireland, the said report was false and +groundless; and he had never discoursed with that minister on the +subject; nor would ever give his consent to have one farthing of the +said coin current here. And although it be long since I have given +myself the trouble of conversing with people of titles or stations; yet +I have been told by those who can take up with such amusements, that +there is not a considerable person of the kingdom, scrupulous in any +sort to declare his opinion. But all this is needless to allege, when we +consider, that the ruinous consequences of Wood's patent, have been so +strongly represented by both Houses of Parliament; by the Privy-council; +the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of Dublin; by so many corporations; and the +concurrence of the principal gentlemen in most counties, at their +quarter-sessions, without any regard to party, religion, or nation. + +I conclude from hence, that the currency of these halfpence would, in +the universal opinion of our people, be utterly destructive to this +kingdom; and consequently, that it is every man's duty, not only to +refuse this coin himself, but as far as in him lies, to persuade others +to do the like: And whether this be done in private or in print, is all +a case: As no layman is forbid to write, or to discourse upon religious +or moral subjects; although he may not do it in a pulpit (at least in +our church). Neither is this an affair of state, until authority shall +think fit to declare it so: Or if you should understand it in that +sense; yet you will please to consider that I am not now a preaching. + +Therefore, I do think it my duty, since the Drapier will probably be no +more heard of, so far to supply his place, as not to incur his fortune: +For I have learnt from old experience, that there are times wherein a +man ought to be cautious as well as innocent. I therefore hope, that +preserving both those characters, I may be allowed, by offering new +arguments or enforcing old ones, to refresh the memory of my +fellow-subjects, and keep up that good spirit raised among them; to +preserve themselves from utter ruin by lawful means, and such as are +permitted by his Majesty. + +I believe you will please to allow me two propositions: First, that we +are a most loyal people; and, Secondly, that we are a free people, in +the common acceptation of that word applied to a subject under a +limited monarch. I know very well, that you and I did many years ago +in discourse differ much, in the presence of Lord Wharton, about the +meaning of that word _liberty_, with relation to Ireland. But if you +will not allow us to be a free people, there is only another appellation +left; which, I doubt, my Lord Chief Justice Whitshed would call me to an +account for, if I venture to bestow: For, I observed, and I shall never +forget upon what occasion, the device upon his coach to be _Libertas et +natale solum;_ at the very point of time when he was sitting in his +court, and perjuring himself to betray both.[6] + +[Footnote 6: On this motto of Whitshed's Swift wrote the following +poetical paraphrase: + +"_Libertas et natale solum:_ +Fine words! I wonder where you stole 'em. +Could nothing but thy chief reproach +Serve for a motto on thy coach? +But let me now thy words translate: +_Natale solum,_ my estate; +My dear estate, how well I love it, +My tenants, if you doubt, will prove it, +They swear I am so kind and good, +I hug them till I squeeze their blood. + _Libertas_ bears a large import: +First, how to swagger in a court; +And, secondly, to shew my fury +Against an uncomplying jury; +And, thirdly, 'tis a new invention, +To favour Wood, and keep my pension; +And, fourthly, 'tis to play an odd trick, +Get the great seal and turn out Broderick; +And, fifthly, (you know whom I mean,) +To humble that vexatious Dean: +And, sixthly, for my soul to barter it +For fifty times its worth to Carteret. +Now since your motto thus you construe, +I must confess you've spoken once true. +_Libertas et natale solum_. +You had good reason when you stole 'em." + +[T.S.]] + +Now, as for our loyalty, to His present Majesty; if it hath ever been +equalled in any other part of his dominions; I am sure it hath never +been exceeded: And I am confident he hath not a minister in England who +could ever call it once in question: But that some hard rumours at least +have been transmitted from t'other side the water, I suppose you will +not doubt: and rumours of the severest kind; which many good people have +imputed to the indirect proceeding of Mr. Wood and his emissaries; as if +he endeavoured it should be thought that our loyalty depended upon the +test of refusing or taking his copper. Now, as I am sure you will admit +us to be a loyal people; so you will think it pardonable in us to hope +for all proper marks of favour and protection from so gracious a King, +that a loyal and free people can expect: Among which, we all agree in +reckoning this to be one; that Wood's halfpence may never have entrance +into this kingdom. And this we shall continue to wish, when we dare no +longer express our wishes; although there were no such mortal as a +Drapier in the world. + +I am heartily sorry, that any writer should, in a cause so generally +approved, give occasion to the government and council to charge him with +paragraphs "highly reflecting upon His Majesty and his ministers; +tending to alienate the affections of his good subjects in England and +Ireland from each other; and to promote sedition among the people."[7] I +must confess, that with many others, I thought he meant well; although +he might have the failing of better writers, to be not always fortunate +in the manner of expressing himself. + +[Footnote 7: Swift here quotes the words of the proclamation issued +against the fourth Drapier's Letter. See Appendix IV. [T.S.]] + +However, since the Drapier is but one man, I shall think I do a public +service, by asserting that the rest of my countrymen are wholly free +from learning out of _his_ pamphlets to reflect on the King or his +ministers, to breed sedition. + +I solemnly declare, that I never once heard the least reflection cast +upon the King, on the subject of Mr. Wood's coin: For in many discourses +on this matter, I do not remember His Majesty's name to be so much as +mentioned. As to the ministry in England, the only two persons hinted at +were the Duke of Grafton, and Mr. Walpole:[8] The former, as I have +heard you and a hundred others affirm, declared, that he never saw the +patent in favour of Mr. Wood, before it was passed, although he were +then lord lieutenant: And therefore I suppose everybody believes, that +his grace hath been wholly unconcerned in it since. + +[Footnote 8: Walpole was created a Knight of the Bath in 1724, when that +order was revived. In 1726 he was installed Knight of the Order of the +Garter, being the only commoner who had been so distinguished since the +reign of James I., except Admiral Montague, afterwards Earl of Sandwich. +He had been offered a peerage in 1723, but declined it for himself, +accepting it for his son, who was created Baron Walpole of Walpole, in +Norfolk. [T.S.]] + +Mr. Walpole was indeed supposed to be understood by the letter W. in +several newspapers; where it is said, that some expressions fell from +him not very favourable to the people of Ireland; for the truth of +which, the kingdom is not to answer, any more than for the discretion of +the publishers. You observe, the Drapier wholly clears Mr. Walpole of +this charge, by very strong arguments and speaks of him with civility. I +cannot deny myself to have been often present, where the company gave +then opinion, that Mr. Walpole favoured Mr. Wood's project, which I +always contradicted; and for my own part, never once opened my lips +against that minister, either in mixed or particular meetings: And my +reason for this reservedness was, because it pleased him, in the Queen's +time (I mean Queen Anne of ever blessed memory) to make a speech +directly against me, by name, in the House of Commons, as I was told a +very few minutes after, in the Court of Requests, by more than fifty +members. + +But you, who are in a great station here, (if anything here may be +called great) cannot be ignorant, that whoever is understood by public +voice to be chief minister, will, among the general talkers, share the +blame, whether justly or no, of every thing that is disliked; which I +could easily make appear in many instances, from my own knowledge, while +I was in the world; and particularly in the case of the greatest, the +wisest, and the most uncorrupt minister, I ever conversed with.[9] + +[Footnote 9: Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford. [T.S.]] + +But, whatever unpleasing opinion some people might conceive of Mr. +Walpole, on account of those halfpence; I dare boldly affirm, it was +entirely owing to Mr. Wood. Many persons of credit, come from England, +have affirmed to me, and others, that they have seen letters under his +hand, full of arrogance and insolence towards Ireland; and boasting of +his favour with Mr. Walpole; which is highly probable: Because he +reasonably thought it for his interest to spread such a report; and +because it is the known talent of low and little spirits, to have a +great man's name perpetually in their mouths.[10] + +[Footnote 10: See Coxe's "Memoirs of Walpole" (vol. i., cap. 26, p. 389, +ed. 1800), where Wood is blamed for his indiscretion on this matter. See +also note prefixed to the Drapier's First Letter in the present edition. +[T.S.]] + +Thus I have sufficiently justified the people of Ireland, from learning +any bad lessons out of the Drapier's pamphlets, with regard to His +Majesty and his ministers: And, therefore, if those papers were intended +to sow sedition among us, God be thanked, the seeds have fallen upon a +very improper soil. + +As to alienating the affections of the people of England and Ireland +from each other; I believe, the Drapier, whatever his intentions were, +hath left that matter just as he found it. + +I have lived long in both kingdoms, as well in country as in town; and +therefore, take myself to be as well informed as most men, in the +dispositions of each people toward the other. By the people, I +understand here, only the bulk of the common people; and I desire no +lawyer may distort or extend my meaning. + +There is a vein of industry and parsimony, that runs through the whole +people of England; which, added to the easiness of their rents, makes +them rich and sturdy. As to Ireland, they know little more than they do +of Mexico; further than that it is a country subject to the King of +England, full of bogs, inhabited by wild Irish Papists; who are kept in +awe by mercenary troops sent from thence: And their general opinion is, +that it were better for England if this whole island were sunk into the +sea; for, they have a tradition, that every forty years there must be a +rebellion in Ireland. I have seen the grossest suppositions pass upon +them; "that the wild Irish were taken in toils; but that, in some time, +they would grow so tame, as to eat out of your hands:" I have been +asked by hundreds, and particularly by my neighbours, your tenants, at +Pepper-harrow; "whether I had come from Ireland by sea:" And, upon the +arrival of an Irishman to a country town, I have known crowds coming +about him, and wondering to see him look so much better than themselves. + +A gentleman now in Dublin, affirms, "that passing some months ago +through Northampton, and finding the whole town in a flurry, with bells, +bonfires, and illuminations, upon asking the cause, was told, it was for +joy, that the Irish had submitted to receive Wood's halfpence." This, I +think, plainly shews what sentiments that large town hath of us; and how +little they made it their own case; although they be directly in our way +to London, and therefore, cannot but be frequently convinced that we +have human shapes. + +As to the people of this kingdom, they consist either of Irish Papists; +who are as inconsiderable, in point of power, as the women and children; +or of English Protestants, who love their brethren of that kingdom; +although they may possibly sometimes complain, when they think they are +hardly used: However, I confess, I do not see any great consequence, how +their personal affections stand to each other, while the sea divides +them, and while they continue in their loyalty to the same prince. And +yet, I will appeal to you; whether those from England have reason to +complain, when they come hither in pursuit of their fortunes? Or, +whether the people of Ireland have reason to boast, when they go to +England on the same design? + +My second proposition was, that we of Ireland are a free people: This, I +suppose, you will allow; at least, with certain limitations remaining in +your own breast. However, I am sure it is not criminal to affirm; +because the words "liberty" and "property," as applied to the subject, +are often mentioned in both houses of Parliament, as well as in yours, +and other courts below; from whence it must follow, that the people of +Ireland do, or ought to enjoy all the benefits of the common and statute +law; such as to be tried by juries, to pay no money without their own +consent, as represented in Parliament; and the like. If this be so, and +if it be universally agreed, that a free people cannot, by law, be +compelled to take any money in payment, except gold and silver; I do +not see why any man should be hindered from cautioning his countrymen +against this coin of William Wood; who is endeavouring by fraud to rob +us of that property, which the laws have secured. If I am mistaken, and +that this copper can be obtruded on us; I would put the Drapier's case +in another light, by supposing, that a person going into his shop, +should agree for thirty shillings' worth of goods, and force the seller +to take his payment in a parcel of copper pieces, intrinsically not +worth above a crown: I desire to know, whether the Drapier would not be +actually robbed of five and twenty shillings, and how far he could be +said to be master of his property? The same question may be applied to +rents and debts, on bond or mortgage, and to all kind of commerce +whatsoever. + +Give me leave to do what the Drapier hath done more than once before me; +which is, to relate the naked fact, as it stands in the view of the +world. + +One William Wood, Esq; and hardware-man, obtains, by fraud, a patent in +England, to coin 108,000_l._ in copper, to pass in Ireland, leaving us +liberty to take, or to refuse. The people here, in all sorts of bodies +and representatives, do openly and heartily declare, that they will not +accept this coin: To justify these declarations, they generally offer +two reasons; first, because by the words of the patent, they are left to +their own choice: And secondly, because they are not obliged by law: So +that here you see there is, _bellum atgue virum_, a kingdom on one side, +and William Wood on the other. And if Mr. Wood gets the victory, at the +expense of Ireland's ruin, and the profit of one or two hundred thousand +pounds (I mean by continuing, and counterfeiting as long as he lives) +for himself; I doubt, both present and future ages will, at least, think +it a very singular scheme. + +If this fact be truly stated; I must confess, I look upon it as my duty, +so far as God hath enabled me, and as long as I keep within the bounds +of truth, of duty, and of decency, to warn my fellow-subjects, as they +value their King, their country, and all that ought or can be dear to +them, never to admit this pernicious coin; no not so much as one single +halfpenny. For, if one single thief forces the door, it is in vain to +talk of keeping out the whole crew behind. + +And, while I shall be thus employed, I will never give myself leave to +suppose, that what I say can either offend my Lord Lieutenant; whose +person and great qualities I have always highly respected; (as I am sure +his excellency will be my witness) or the ministers in England, with +whom I have nothing to do, or they with me; much less the Privy-council +here, who, as I am informed, did send an address to His Majesty against +Mr. Wood's coin; which, if it be a mistake, I desire I may not be +accused for a spreader of false news: But, I confess, I am so great a +stranger to affairs, that for anything I know, the whole body of the +council may since have been changed: And, although I observed some of +the very same names in a late declaration against that coin, which I saw +subscribed to the proclamation against the Drapier; yet possibly they +may be different persons; for they are utterly unknown to me, and are +like to continue so. + +In this controversy, where the reasoners on each side are divided by St. +George's Channel, His Majesty's prerogative, perhaps, would not have +been mentioned; if Mr. Wood, and his advocates, had not made it +necessary, by giving out, that the currency of his coin should be +enforced by a proclamation. The traders and common people of the +kingdom, were heartily willing to refuse this coin; but the fear of a +proclamation brought along with it most dreadful apprehensions. It was +therefore, absolutely necessary for the Drapier, to remove this +difficulty; and accordingly, in one of his former pamphlets, he hath +produced invincible arguments, (wherever he picked them up) that the +King's prerogative was not at all concerned in the matter; since the law +had sufficiently provided against any coin to be imposed upon the +subject, except gold and silver; and that copper is not money, but as it +hath been properly called _nummorum famulus_. + +The three former letters from the Drapier, having not received any +public censure, I look upon them to be without exception; and that the +good people of the kingdom ought to read them often, in order to keep up +that spirit raised against this destructive coin of Mr. Wood: As for +this last letter, against which a proclamation is issued; I shall only +say, that I could wish it were stripped of all that can be any way +exceptionable; which I would not think it below me to undertake, if my +abilities were equal; but being naturally somewhat slow of +comprehension; no lawyer, and apt to believe the best of those who +profess good designs, without any visible motive either of profit or +honour; I might pore for ever, without distinguishing the cockle from +the corn. + +That which, I am told, gives greatest offence in this last letter, is +where the Drapier affirms; "that if a rebellion should prove so +successful, as to fix the Pretender on the throne of England, he would +venture so far to transgress the Irish statute, (which unites Ireland to +England under one King) as to lose every drop of his blood, to hinder +him from being King of Ireland." + +I shall not presume to vindicate any man, who openly declares he would +transgress a statute; and a statute of such importance: But, with the +most humble submission, and desire of pardon for a very innocent +mistake, I should be apt to think that the loyal intention of the +writer, might be at least some small extenuation of his crime. For, in +this I confess myself to think with the Drapier. + +I have not hitherto been told of any other objections against that +pamphlet; but, I suppose, they will all appear at the prosecution of the +Drapier. And, I think, whoever in his own conscience believes the said +pamphlet to be "wicked and malicious, seditious and scandalous, highly +reflecting upon His Majesty and his ministers, &c." would do well to +discover the author, (as little a friend as I am to the trade of +informers) although the reward of 300_l_. had not been tacked to the +discovery. I own, it would be a great satisfaction to me, to hear the +arguments not only of judges, but of lawyers, upon this case. Because, +you cannot but know, there often happens occasions, wherein it would be +very convenient, that the bulk of the people should be informed how they +ought to conduct themselves; and therefore, it hath been the wisdom of +the English Parliaments, to be very reserved in limiting the press. When +a bill is debating in either House of Parliament there, nothing is more +usual, than to have the controversy handled by pamphlets on both sides; +without the least animadversion upon the authors. + +So here, in the case of Mr. Wood and his coin; since the two Houses +gave their opinion by addresses, how dangerous the currency of that +copper would be to Ireland; it was, without all question, both lawful +and convenient, that the bulk of the people should be let more +particularly into the nature of the danger they were in; and of the +remedies that were in their own power, if they would have the sense to +apply them; and this cannot be more conveniently done, than by +particular persons, to whom God hath given zeal and understanding +sufficient for such an undertaking. Thus it happened in the case of that +destructive project for a bank in Ireland, which was brought into +Parliament a few years ago; and it was allowed, that the arguments and +writings of some without doors, contributed very much to reject it.[11] + +[Footnote 11: Swift himself assisted in writing against this +"destructive project" in a series of pamphlets (see vol. vii.). The +arguments for and against the bank were thoroughly discussed by Hercules +Rowley and Henry Maxwell in a series of controversial letters against +each other. [T.S.]] + +Now, I should be heartily glad if some able lawyers would prescribe the +limits, how far a private man may venture in delivering his thoughts +upon public matters: Because a true lover of his country, may think it +hard to be a quiet stander-by, and an indolent looker-on, while a public +error prevails; by which a whole nation may be ruined. Every man who +enjoys property, hath some share in the public; and therefore, the care +of the public is, in some degree, every such man's concern. + +To come to particulars, I could wish to know, Whether it be utterly +unlawful in any writer so much as to mention the prerogative; at least +so far as to bring it into doubt, upon any point whatsoever? I know it +is often debated in Westminster-hall; and Sir Edward Coke, as well as +other eminent lawyers, do frequently handle that subject in their books. + +Secondly, How far the prerogative extends to force coin upon the +subject, which is not sterling; such as lead, brass, copper, mixt metal, +shells, leather, or any other material; and fix upon it whatever +denomination the crown shall think fit? + +Thirdly, What is really and truly meant by that phrase of "a depending +kingdom," as applied to Ireland; and wherein that dependency consisteth? + + +Lastly, In what points relating to liberty and property, the people of +Ireland differ, or at least ought to differ, from those of England? + +If these particulars were made so clear, that none could mistake them, +it would be of infinite ease and use to the kingdom; and either prevent +or silence all discontents. + +My Lord Somers, the greatest man I ever knew of your robe; and whose +thoughts of Ireland differed as far as heaven and earth, from those of +some others among his brethren here; lamented to me, that the +prerogative of the Crown, or the privileges of Parliament, should ever +be liable to dispute, in any single branch of either; by which means, he +said, the public often suffered great inconveniences; whereof he gave me +several instances. I produce the authority of so eminent a person, to +justify my desires, that some high points might be cleared. + +For want of such known ascertainment, how far a writer may proceed in +expressing his good wishes for his country; a person of the most +innocent intentions, may possibly, by the oratory and comments of +lawyers, be charged with many crimes, which from his very soul he +abhors; and consequently may be ruined in his fortunes, and left to rot +among thieves in some stinking jail; merely for mistaking the purlieus +of the law. I have known, in my lifetime, a printer prosecuted and +convicted, for publishing a pamphlet; where the author's intentions, I +am confident, were as good and innocent, as those of a martyr at his +last prayers.[12] I did very lately, as I thought it my duty, preach to +the people under my inspection, upon the subject of Mr. Wood's coin; and +although I never heard that my sermon gave the least offence, as I am +sure none was intended; yet, if it were now printed and published, I +cannot say, I would ensure it from the hands of the common hangman; or +my own person from those of a messenger.[13] + +[Footnote 12: Supposed to be "A proposal for the universal use of Irish +manufactures," written by the author. [F.]] + +[Footnote 13: The reference here is to Swift's sermon on "Doing Good." +See Swift's Works, vol. iv., p. 181, present edition. [T.S.]] + +I have heard the late Chief Justice Holt[14]affirm, that in all criminal +cases, the most favourable interpretation should be put upon words, that +they can possibly bear. You meet the same position asserted in many +trials, for the greatest crimes; though often very ill practised, by the +perpetual corruption of judges. And I remember, at a trial in Kent, +where Sir George Rook[15] was indicted for calling a gentleman knave and +villain; the lawyer for the defendant brought off his client, by +alleging, that the words were not injurious; for, _knave_ in the old and +true signification, imported only a servant; and _villain_ in Latin, is +_villicus_; which is no more than a man employed in country labour; or +rather a bailiff. + +[Footnote 14: Sir John Holt (1642-1710) held the recordership of London, +in 1685, and was appointed Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in +1688. In the celebrated case, Ashby _v._. White, Holt strongly upheld +the rights of the voter as against the House of Commons. He was +distinguished, in his time, for the fair and impartial hearing he always +accorded a prisoner, and he even personally assisted the accused in +cases where the law did not allow him to be represented by counsel. Many +of Holt's opinions did become "standard maxims." [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 15: Admiral Sir George Rooke (1650-1709), who, with +Rear-Admiral Byng, captured Gibraltar in 1704. [T.S.]] + +If Sir John Holt's opinion were a standard maxim for all times and +circumstances, any writer, with a very small measure of discretion, +might easily be safe; but, I doubt, in practice it hath been frequently +controlled, at least before his time; for I take it to be an old rule in +law. + +I have read, or heard, a passage of Signor Leti, an Italian; who being +in London, busying himself with writing the History of England, told +King Charles the Second, that he endeavoured as much as he could to +avoid giving offence, but found it a thing impossible; although he +should have been as wise as Solomon: The King answered, that if this +were the case, he had better employ his time in writing proverbs as +Solomon did: But Leti lay under no public necessity of writing; neither +would England have been one halfpenny the better, or the worse, whether +he writ or no. + +This I mention, because I know it will readily be objected, "What have +private men to do with the public? What call had a Drapier to turn +politician, to meddle in matters of state? Would not his time have been +better employed in looking to his shop; or his pen in writing proverbs, +elegies, ballads, garlands, and wonders? He would then have been out of +all danger of proclamations, and prosecutions. Have we not able +magistrates and counsellors hourly watching over the public weal?" All +this may be true: And yet, when the addresses from both Houses of +Parliament, against Mr. Wood's halfpence, failed of success; if some pen +had not been employed, to inform the people how far they might legally +proceed, in refusing that coin, to detect the fraud, the artifice, and +insolence of the coiner; and to lay open the most ruinous consequences +to the whole kingdom; which would inevitably follow from the currency of +the said coin; I might appeal to many hundred thousand people, whether +any one of them would ever have had the courage or sagacity to refuse +it. + +If this copper should begin to make its way among the common, ignorant +people, we are inevitably undone; it is they who give us the greatest +apprehension, being easily frighted, and greedy to swallow +misinformations: For, if every man were wise enough to understand his +own interest, which is every man's principal study, there would be no +need of pamphlets upon this occasion. But, as things stand, I have +thought it absolutely necessary, from my duty to God, my King, and my +country, to inform the people, that the proclamation lately issued +against the Drapier, doth not in the least affect the case of Mr. Wood +and his coin; but only refers to certain paragraphs in the Drapier's +last pamphlet, (not immediately relating to his subject, nor at all to +the merits of the cause,) which the government was pleased to dislike; +so that any man has the same liberty to reject, to write, and to declare +against this coin, which he had before: Neither is any man obliged to +believe, that those honourable persons (whereof you are the first) who +signed that memorable proclamation against the Drapier, have at all +changed their opinions, with regard to Mr. Wood or his coin. + +Therefore concluding myself to be thus far upon a safe and sure foot; I +shall continue, upon any proper occasion, as God enables me, to revive +and preserve that spirit raised in the nation, (whether the real author +were a real Drapier or no is little to the purpose) against this horrid +design of Mr. Wood; at the same time carefully watching every stroke of +my pen, and venturing only to incur the public censure of the world as a +writer; not of my Lord Chief Justice Whitshed, as a criminal. Whenever +an order shall come out by authority, forbidding all men upon the +highest penalties, to offer anything in writing or discourse against +Mr. Wood's halfpence; I shall certainly submit. However, if that should +happen, I am determined to be somewhat more than the last man in the +kingdom to receive them; because I will never receive them at all: For, +although I know how to be silent; I have not yet learned to pay active +obedience against my conscience, and the public safety. + +I desire to put a case, which I think the Drapier, in some of his books, +hath put before me; although not so fully as it requires. + +You know the copper halfpence in England are coined by the public; and +every piece worth pretty tolerably near the value of the copper. Now +suppose, that, instead of the public coinage, a patent had been granted +to some private, obscure person, for coining a proportionable quantity +of copper in that kingdom, to what Mr. Wood is preparing in this; and +all of it at least five times below the intrinsic value: The current +money of England is reckoned to be twenty millions; and ours under five +hundred thousand pounds: By this computation, as Mr. Wood hath power to +give us 108,000 pound; so the patentee in England, by the same +proportion, might circulate four millions three hundred and twenty +thousand pounds; besides as much more by stealth and counterfeits: I +desire to know from you, whether the Parliament might not have addressed +upon such an occasion; what success they probably would have had; and +how many Drapiers would have risen to pester the world with pamphlets: +Yet that kingdom would not be so great a sufferer as ours in the like +case; because their cash would not be conveyed into foreign countries, +but lie hid in the chests of cautious, thrifty men, until better times. +Then I desire, for the satisfaction of the public, that you will please +to inform me why this country is treated in so very different a manner, +in a point of such high importance; whether it be on account of +Poining's act; of subordination; dependence; or any other term of art; +which I shall not contest, but am too dull to understand. + +I am very sensible, that the good or ill success of Mr. Wood, will +affect you less than any person of consequence in the kingdom; because I +hear you are so prudent as to make all your purchases in England; and +truly so would I, if I had money, although I were to pay a hundred +years' purchase; because I should be glad to possess a freehold that +could not be taken from me by any law to which I did not give my own +consent; and where I should never be in danger of receiving my rents in +mixed copper, at the loss of sixteen shillings in the pound. You can +live in ease and plenty at Pepper-harrow, in Surrey; and therefore I +thought it extremely generous and public-spirited in you to be of the +kingdom's side in this dispute, by shewing, without reserve, your +disapprobation of Mr. Wood's design; at least if you have been so frank +to others as you were to me; which indeed I could not but wonder at, +considering how much we differ in other points; and therefore I could +get but few believers, when I attempted to justify you in this article +from your own words. + +I would humbly offer another thought, which I do not remember to have +fallen under the Drapier's observation. If these halfpence should once +gain admittance; it is agreed, that in no long space of time, what by +the clandestine practices of the coiner, what by his own counterfeits, +and those of others, either from abroad or at home; his limited quantity +would be trebled upon us, until there would not be a grain of gold or +silver visible in the nation. This, in my opinion would lay a heavy +charge upon the crown, by creating a necessity of transmitting money +from England to pay the salaries at least of the principal civil +officers: For I do not conceive how a judge (for instance) could support +his dignity with a thousand pounds a year in Wood's coin; which would +not intrinsically be worth near two hundred. To argue that these +halfpence, if no other coin were current, would answer the general ends +of commerce among ourselves, is a great mistake; and the Drapier hath +made that matter too clear to admit an answer; by shewing us what every +owner of land must be forced to do with the products of it in such a +distress. You may read his remarks at large in his second and third +letter; to which I refer you. + +Before I conclude, I cannot but observe, that for several months past, +there have more papers been written in this town, such as they are, all +upon the best public principle, the love of our country, than, perhaps, +hath been known in any other nation, and in so short a time: I speak in +general, from the Drapier down to the maker of ballads; and all without +any regard to the common motives of writers: which are profit, favour, +and reputation. As to profit, I am assured by persons of credit, that +the best ballad upon Mr. Wood will not yield above a groat to the +author; and the unfortunate adventurer Harding, declares he never made +the Drapier any present, except one pair of scissors. As to favour, +whoever thinks to make his court by opposing Mr. Wood is not very deep +in politics. And as to reputation, certainly no man of worth and +learning, would employ his pen upon so transitory a subject, and in so +obscure a corner of the world, to distinguish himself as an author. So +that I look upon myself, the Drapier, and my numerous brethren, to be +all true patriots in our several degrees. + +All that the public can expect for the future, is only to be sometimes +warned to beware of Mr. Wood's halfpence; and refer them for conviction +to the Drapier's reasons. For, a man of the most superior understanding, +will find it impossible to make the best use of it, while he writes in +constraint; perpetually softening, correcting, or blotting out +expressions, for fear of bringing his printer, or himself, under a +prosecution from my Lord Chief-Justice Whitshed. It calls to my +remembrance the madman in Don Quixote, who being soundly beaten by a +weaver for letting a stone (which he always carried on his shoulder) +fall upon a spaniel, apprehended that every cur he met was of the same +species. + +For these reasons, I am convinced, that what I have now written will +appear low and insipid; but if it contributes, in the least, to preserve +that union among us for opposing this fatal project of Mr. Wood, my +pains will not be altogether lost. + +I sent these papers to an eminent lawyer (and yet a man of virtue and +learning into the bargain) who, after many alterations returned them +back, with assuring me, that they are perfectly innocent; without the +least mixture of treason, rebellion, sedition, malice, disaffection, +reflection, or wicked insinuation whatsoever. + +If the bellman of each parish, as he goes his circuit, would cry out, +every night, "Past twelve o'clock; Beware of Wood's halfpence;" it would +probably cut off the occasion for publishing any more pamphlets; +provided that in country towns it were done upon market days. For my +own part, as soon as it shall be determined, that it is not against law, +I will begin the experiment in the liberty of St. Patrick's; and hope my +example may be followed in the whole city But if authority shall think +fit to forbid all writings, or discourses upon this subject, except such +as are in favour of Mr. Wood, I will obey as it becomes me; only when I +am in danger of bursting, I will go and whisper among the reeds, not any +reflection upon the wisdom of my countrymen; but only these few words, +BEWARE OF WOOD'S HALFPENCE. + +I am, + With due Respect, + Your Most Obedient, + Humble Servant, + J.S. + + +Deanery House, + Oct. 26, 1724. + + + +LETTER VI + +A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH. + + +NOTE. + +This letter, hitherto styled the Drapier's fifth letter, is here printed +as the sixth, for the reasons already stated. It was published on the +14th December, 1724, at a time when the Drapier agitation had reached +its last stage. The Drapier had taught his countrymen that "to be brave +is to be wise," and he now struck the final blow that laid prostrate an +already tottering opposition. + +Walpole realized that to govern Ireland from England he must have a +trustier aid, a heavier hand, and a more vigilant eye, than were +afforded in Carteret. Carteret, however, was better away in Ireland, +and, moreover, as Lord-Lieutenant, he was an ameliorating influence on +the Irish patriotic party in Dublin. But that party was now backed by a +very important popular opinion. For the present, therefore, he gave way; +but his real feelings might have been discovered by an interpretation of +his appointment of Hugh Boulter as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of +Ireland.[1] Boulter's letter to the Duke of Newcastle, written after his +arrival in Dublin towards the end of November, 1724, gave a very +unambiguous account of the state of the country towards the patent. On +the 3rd of December, he wrote, "We are at present in a very bad state, +and the people so poisoned with apprehensions of Wood's halfpence, that +I do not see there can be any hopes of justice against any person for +seditious writings, if he does but mix somewhat about Wood in them.... +But all sorts here are determinedly set against Wood's halfpence, and +look upon their estates as half sunk in their value, whenever they shall +pass upon the nation."[2] On January 19th 1724-1725, the Primate wrote +again to the same effect. On the 3rd of July, he hopes that, as +parliament is about to meet, the Lord-Lieutenant "will be impowered in +his speech to speak clearly as to the business of the halfpence, and +thoroughly rid this nation of their fear on that head."[3] Boulter's +advice was taken. On the 14th August, 1725, a vacation of the patent was +issued, and when parliament met shortly after, the Lord-Lieutenant was +able, in his speech, to announce that his Majesty had put an entire end +to the patent granted Wood for coining copper halfpence and farthings. +He alluded to the surrender as a remarkable instance of royal favour and +condescension which should fill the hearts of a loyal and obedient +people with the highest sense of duty and gratitude. He doubted not the +Houses would make suitable acknowledgment of their sense of happiness +enjoyed under his Majesty's most mild and gracious government.[4] + +[Footnote 1: See note on pp. 111-112.] + +[Footnote 2: Boulter's letter, vol. i., p. 3. Dublin edition, 1770.] + +[Footnote 3: _Ibid_., p. 29.] + +[Footnote 4: Comm. Journals, vol. iii., p. 398.] + +The Commons unanimously voted an address suitable to the occasion and in +harmony with the Lord-Lieutenant's suggestion. But the Lords +procrastinated in debates. It was a question whether their address +should or should not include the words "great wisdom" in addition to the +word "condescension" to express their sense of his Majesty's action. +Finally, however, the address was forthcoming, though not before some +strenuous expressions of opinion had been made by Midleton and +Archbishop King against Walpole's administration. As passed, their +Address included the debated words; as presented the Address omitted +them. + +Thus ended this famous agitation in which the people of Ireland won +their first victory over England by constitutional means. Wood was no +loser by the surrender; indeed, he was largely the gainer, since he was +given a pension of £3,000 per annum for twelve years.[5] + +[Footnote 5: Coxe says for eight years.] + +Now that the fight was over the people, to use Scott's words, "turned +their eyes with one consent on the man, by whose unbending fortitude, +and pre-eminent talents, this triumph was accomplished." He was hailed +joyously and blessed fervently wherever he went; the people almost +idolized him; he was their defender and their liberator. No monarch +visiting his domains could have been received with greater honour than +was Swift when he came into a town. Medals and medallions were struck in +his honour. A club was formed to the memory of the Drapier; shops and +taverns bore the sign of the Drapier's Head; children and women carried +handkerchiefs with the Drapier's portrait woven in them. All grades of +society respected him for an influence that, founded in sincerity and +guided by integrity and consummate ability, had been used patriotically. +The DEAN became Ireland's chiefest citizen; and Irishmen will ever +revere the memory of the man who was the first among them to precipitate +their national instincts into the abiding form of national power--the +reasoned opinion of a free people. + +The text of this letter is based on that given by Sir Walter Scott, +collated with the original edition and with the text given in "Fraud +Detected" (1725). + +[T.S.] + + +[Illustration: + A + + **LETTER** + + To the Right Honourable the + *Lord Viscount _Molesworth_.* + + * * * * * + +By _M.B. Drapier_, Author of the Letter + to the _Shop-keepers_, &c. + + * * * * * + +They compassed me about also with Words of + Deceit, and fought against me without a Cause. + +For my Love they are my Adversaries, but I give + my self unto Prayer. + +And they have rewarded me Evil for Good, and + Hatred for my Love. _Psalm_ 109. _v_. 3, 4, 5. + +Seek not to be Judge, being not able to take + away Iniquity, lest at any Time thou fear the + Person of the Mighty, and lay a stumbling + Block in the Way of thy Uprightness. + +Offend not against the Multitude of a City, and + then thou shalt not cast thy self down among + the People. + +Bind not one Sin upon another, for in One thou + shalt not be Unpunished. _Ecclus_. Ch. 7. V. 6, + 7, 8. + + * * * * * + +_Non jam prima peto Mnesttheus, neque vincere certo: +Quanquam O! Sed superent, quibus Hoc, Neptune, dedisti._ + + * * * * * + + DUBLIN: +Printed by _John Harding_ in +_Molesworth's Court_ in _Fishamble-street_. +] + + + + +DIRECTIONS TO THE PRINTER. + +MR. HARDING, When I sent you my former papers, I cannot say I intended +you either good or hurt, and yet you have happened through my means to +receive both. I pray God deliver you from any more of the latter, and +increase the former. Your trade, particularly in this kingdom, is of all +others the most unfortunately circumstantiated; For as you deal in the +most worthless kind of trash, the penny productions of pennyless +scribblers, so you often venture your liberty and sometimes your lives, +for the purchase of half-a-crown, and by your own ignorance are punished +for other men's actions. + +I am afraid, you in particular think you have reason to complain of me +for your own and your wife's confinement in prison, to your great +expense, as well as hardship, and for a prosecution still impending. But +I will tell you, Mr. Harding, how that matter stands. Since the press +hath lain under so strict an inspection, those who have a mind to inform +the world are become so cautious, as to keep themselves if possible out +of the way of danger. My custom is to dictate to a 'prentice who can +write in a feigned hand, and what is written we send to your house by a +blackguard boy. But at the same time I do assure you upon my reputation, +that I never did send you anything, for which I thought you could +possibly be called to an account. And you will be my witness that I +always desired you by a letter to take some good advice before you +ventured to print, because I knew the dexterity of dealers in the law at +finding out something to fasten on where no evil is meant; I am told +indeed, that you did accordingly consult several very able persons, and +even some who afterwards appeared against you: To which I can only +answer, that you must either change your advisers, or determine to print +nothing that comes from a Drapier. + +I desire you will send the enclosed letter, directed "To my Lord +Viscount Molesworth at his house at Brackdenstown near Swords;" but I +would have it sent printed for the convenience of his Lordship's +reading, because this counterfeit hand of my 'prentice is not very +legible. And if you think fit to publish it, I would have you first get +it read over carefully by some notable lawyer: I am assured you will +find enough of them who are friends to the Drapier, and will do it +without a fee, which I am afraid you can ill afford after all your +expenses. For although I have taken so much care, that I think it +impossible to find a topic out of the following papers for sending you +again to prison; Yet I will not venture to be your guarantee. + +This ensuing letter contains only a short account of myself, and an +humble apology for my former pamphlets, especially the last, with little +mention of Mr. Wood or his halfpence, because I have already said enough +upon that subject, until occasion shall be given for new fears; and in +that case you may perhaps hear from me again. + +I am, + Your Friend + and Servant, + M.B. + +From my shop in +St. Francis-street +Dec. 14. 1724. + +_P.S._ For want of intercourse between you and me, which I never will +suffer, your people are apt to make very gross errors in the press, +which I desire you will provide against. + + + + +LETTER VI + +A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH, AT HIS +HOUSE AT BRACKDENSTOWN NEAR SWORDS.[6] + + +My Lord, I reflect too late on the maxim of common observers, that +"those who meddle in matters out of their calling, will have reason to +repent;" which is now verified in me: For by engaging in the trade of a +writer, I have drawn upon myself the displeasure of the government, +signified by a proclamation promising a reward of three hundred pounds +to the first faithful subject who shall be able and inclined to inform +against me. To which I may add the laudable zeal and industry of my Lord +Chief Justice [Whitshed] in his endeavours to discover so dangerous a +person. Therefore whether I repent or no, I have certainly cause to do +so, and the common observation still stands good. + +[Footnote 6: Robert, Viscount Molesworth (1656-1725), born in Dublin and +educated at the University there, was a prominent adherent of the Prince +of Orange during the Revolution of 1688. In 1692 William sent him to +Denmark as envoy-extraordinary to the Court at Copenhagen; but he left +abruptly because of the offence he gave there. Retiring to Flanders, +Molesworth revenged himself by writing, "An Account of Denmark as it was +in 1692," in which he described that country as no fit place for those +who held their liberties dearly. Molesworth had been strongly imbued +with the republican teachings of Algernon Sidney, and his book affords +ample proof of the influence. Its publication aroused much indignation, +and a controversy ensued in which Swift's friend, Dr. William King, took +part. In 1695 Molesworth returned to Ireland, became a Privy Councillor +in 1697, sat in the Irish parliament in 1703-1705, and in the English +House of Commons from 1705 to 1708. In 1713 he was removed from the +Irish Privy Council on a charge of a treasonable utterance, which Steele +vindicated in "The Englishman" and "The Crisis." The accession of George +I., however, brought Molesworth into his honours again, and he was +created Baron Molesworth of Philipstown, and Viscount Molesworth of +Swords, in 1719. His work entitled "Considerations for Promoting +Agriculture," issued in 1723, was considered by Swift as "an excellent +discourse, full of most useful hints." At the time Swift addressed him +this sixth letter, Molesworth was living in retirement at Brackdenstown. +[T.S.]] + +It will sometimes happen, I know not how in the course of human affairs, +that a man shall be made liable to legal animadversions, where he has +nothing to answer for, either to God or his country; and condemned at +Westminster-hall for what he will never be charged with at the Day of +Judgment. + +After strictly examining my own heart, and consulting some divines of +great reputation, I cannot accuse myself of any "malice or wickedness +against the public;" of any "designs to sow sedition," of "reflecting on +the King and his ministers," or of endeavouring "to alienate the +affections of the people of this kingdom from those of England."[7] All +I can charge myself with, is a weak attempt to serve a nation in danger +of destruction by a most wicked and malicious projector, without waiting +until I were called to its assistance; which attempt, however it may +perhaps give me the title of _pragmatical_ and _overweening_ will never +lie a burthen upon my conscience. God knows whether I may not with all +my caution have already run myself into danger, by offering thus much in +my own vindication. For I have heard of a judge, who, upon the +criminal's appeal to the dreadful Day of Judgment, told him he had +incurred a _premunire_ for appealing to a foreign jurisdiction: And of +another in Wales, who severely checked the prisoner for offering the +same plea, taxing him with reflecting on the Court by such a comparison, +because "comparisons were odious." + +[Footnote 7: The quotations are from the charges stated in the +indictment and proclamation against the writer and printer of the +previous letters. [T.S.] ] + +But in order to make some excuse for being more speculative than others +of my condition, I desire your lordship's pardon, while I am doing a +very foolish thing, which is, to give you some little account of myself. + +I was bred at a free school where I acquired some little knowledge in +the Latin tongue, I served my apprenticeship in London, and there set up +for myself with good success, till by the death of some friends, and +the misfortunes of others, I returned into this kingdom, and began to +employ my thoughts in cultivating the woollen manufacture through all +its branches Wherein I met with great discouragement and powerful +opposers, whose objections appeared to me very strange and singular They +argued that the people of England would be offended if our manufactures +were brought to equal theirs; and even some of the weaving trade were my +enemies, which I could not but look upon as absurd and unnatural I +remember your lordship at that time did me the honour to come into my +shop, where I shewed you a piece of black and white stuff just sent from +the dyer, which you were pleased to approve of, and be my customer for +it.[8] + +[Footnote 8: The "piece of black and white stuff just sent from the +dyer," refers to his pamphlet, issued in 1720, "The Proposal for the +Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." See vol. vii. [T.S.]] + +However I was so mortified, that I resolved for the future to sit +quietly in my shop, and deal in common goods like the rest of my +brethren; till it happened some months ago considering with myself that +the lower and poorer sort of people wanted a _plain strong coarse stuff +to defend them against cold easterly winds, which then blew very fierce +and blasting for a long time together_, I contrived one on purpose, +which sold very well all over the kingdom, and preserved many thousands +from agues I then made a second and a third kind of stuffs for the +gentry with the same success, insomuch that an ague hath hardly been +heard of for some time.[9] + +[Footnote 9: The "cold easterly winds" refer to the demands made on the +Irish people to accept Wood's halfpence. The three different kinds of +"stuffs" are the three letters written under the _nom de guerre,_ "M.B. +Drapier." [T.S.]] + +This incited me so far, that I ventured upon a fourth piece made of the +best Irish wool I could get, and I thought it grave and rich enough to +be worn by the best lord or judge of the land. But of late some great +folks complain as I hear, "that when they had it on, they felt a +shuddering in their limbs," and have thrown it off in a rage, cursing to +hell the poor Drapier who invented it, so that I am determined never to +work for persons of quality again, except for your lordship and a very +few more.[10] + +[Footnote 10: This refers to the fourth letter of the Drapier, which +brought forth the proclamation, and for the author of which the reward +of £300 was offered. [T.S.]] + +I assure your lordship upon the word of an honest citizen, that I am not +richer by the value of one of Mr. Wood's halfpence with the sale of all +the several stuffs I have contrived; for I give the whole profit to the +dyers and pressers.[11] And therefore I hope you will please to believe, +that no other motive beside the love of my country could engage me to +busy my head and hands to the loss of my time and the gain of nothing +but vexation and ill-will. + +[Footnote 11: The printers [F.]] + +I have now in hand one piece of stuff to be woven on purpose for your +lordship, although I might be ashamed to offer it you, after I have +confessed that it will be made only from the shreds and remnants of the +wool employed in the former. However I shall work it up as well as I +can, and at worst, you need only give it among your tenants. + +I am very sensible how ill your lordship is like to be entertained with +the pedantry of a drapier in the terms of his own trade. How will the +matter be mended, when you find me entering again, though very +sparingly, into an affair of state; for such is now grown the +controversy with Mr. Wood, if some great lawyers are to be credited. And +as it often happens at play, that men begin with farthings, and go on to +gold, till some of them lose their estates, and die in jail; so it may +possibly fall out in my case, that by playing too long with Mr. Wood's +halfpence, I may be drawn in to pay a fine, double to the reward for +betraying me, be sent to prison, and "not be delivered thence till I +shall have paid the uttermost farthing." + +There are my lord, three sorts of persons with whom I am resolved never +to dispute: A highwayman with a pistol at my breast, a troop of dragoons +who come to plunder my house, and a man of the law who can make a merit +of accusing me. In each of these cases, which are almost the same, the +best method is to keep out of the way, and the next best is to deliver +your money, surrender your house, and confess nothing. + +I am told that the two points in my last letter, from which an occasion +of offence hath been taken, are where I mention His Majesty's answer to +the address of the House of Lords upon Mr. Wood's patent, and where I +discourse upon Ireland's being a dependent kingdom. As to the former, I +can only say, that I have treated it with the utmost respect and +caution, and I thought it necessary to shew where Wood's patent differed +in many essential parts from all others that ever had been granted, +because the contrary had for want of due information been so strongly +and so largely asserted. As to the other, of Ireland's dependency, I +confess to have often heard it mentioned, but was never able to +understand what it meant. This gave me the curiosity to enquire among +several eminent lawyers, who professed they knew nothing of the matter. +I then turned over all the statutes of both kingdoms without the least +information, further than an Irish act, that I quoted, of the 33d of +Henry 8th, uniting Ireland to England under one king. I cannot say I was +sorry to be disappointed in my search, because it is certain, I could be +contented to depend only upon God and my prince and the laws of my own +country, after the manner of other nations. But since my betters are of +a different opinion, and desire further dependencies, I shall readily +submit, not insisting on the exception I made of M.B. Drapier. For +indeed that hint was borrowed from an idle story I had heard in England, +which perhaps may be common and beaten, but because it insinuates +neither treason nor sedition, I will just barely relate it. + +Some hundred years ago when the peers were so great that the commons +were looked upon as little better than their dependents, a bill was +brought in for making some new additions to the power and privileges of +the peerage. After it was read, one Mr. Drewe a member of the house, +stood up, and said, he very much approved the bill, and would give his +vote to have it pass; but however, for some reasons best known to +himself, he desired that a clause might be inserted for excepting the +family of the Drewes. The oddness of the proposition taught others to +reflect a little, and the bill was thrown out. + +Whether I were mistaken, or went too far in examining the dependency +must be left to the impartial judgment of the world, as well as to the +courts of judicature, although indeed not in so effectual and decisive +a manner. But to affirm, as I hear some do, in order to countenance a +fearful and servile spirit, that this point did not belong to my +subject, is a false and foolish objection. There were several scandalous +reports industriously spread by Wood and his accomplices to discourage +all opposition against his infamous project. They gave it out that we +were prepared for a rebellion, that we disputed the King's prerogative, +and were shaking off our dependency. The first went so far, and obtained +so much belief against the most visible demonstrations to the contrary, +that a great person of this kingdom, now in England, sent over such an +account of it to his friends, as would make any good subject both grieve +and tremble. I thought it therefore necessary to treat that calumny as +it deserved. Then I proved by an invincible argument that we could have +no intention to dispute His Majesty's prerogative, because the +prerogative was not concerned in the question, the civilians and lawyers +of all nations agreeing that copper is not money. And lastly to clear us +from the imputation of shaking off our dependency, I shewed wherein as I +thought this dependency consisted, and cited the statute above mentioned +made in Ireland, by which it is enacted, that "whoever is King of +England shall be King of Ireland," and that the two kingdoms shall be +"for ever knit together under one King." This, as I conceived, did +wholly acquit us of intending to break our dependency, because it was +altogether out of our power, for surely no King of England will ever +consent to the repeal of that statute. + +But upon this article I am charged with a heavier accusation. It is said +I went too far, when I declared, that "if ever the Pretender should come +to be fixed upon the throne of England (which God forbid) I would so far +venture to transgress this statute, that I would lose the last drop of +my blood before I would submit to him as King of Ireland." + +This I hear on all sides, is the strongest and weightiest objection +against me, and which hath given the most offence; that I should be so +bold to declare against a direct statute, and that any motive how strong +soever, could make me reject a King whom England should receive. Now if +in defending myself from this accusation I should freely confess, that I +"went too far," that "the expression was very indiscreet, although +occasioned by my zeal for His present Majesty and his Protestant line in +the House of Hanover," that "I shall be careful never to offend again in +the like kind." And that "I hope this free acknowledgment and sorrow for +my error, will be some atonement and a little soften the hearts of my +powerful adversaries." I say if I should offer such a defence as this, I +do not doubt but some people would wrest it to an ill meaning by some +spiteful interpretation, and therefore since I cannot think of any other +answer, which that paragraph can admit, I will leave it to the mercy of +every candid reader. + +I will now venture to tell your lordship a secret, wherein I fear you +are too deeply concerned You will therefore please to know that this +habit of writing and discoursing, wherein I unfortunately differ from +almost the whole kingdom, and am apt to grate the ears of more than I +could wish, was acquired during my apprenticeship in London, and a long +residence there after I had set up for myself. Upon my return and +settlement here, I thought I had only changed one country of freedom for +another. I had been long conversing with the writings of your +lordship,[12] Mr. Locke, Mr. Molineaux,[13] Colonel Sidney[14] and other +dangerous authors, who talk of "liberty as a blessing, to which the +whole race of mankind hath an original title, whereof nothing but +unlawful force can divest them." I knew a good deal of the several +Gothic institutions in Europe, and by what incidents and events they +came to be destroyed; and I ever thought it the most uncontrolled and +universally agreed maxim, that _freedom_ consists in a people being +governed by laws made with their own consent; and _slavery_ in the +contrary. I have been likewise told, and believe it to be true, that +_liberty_ and _property_ are words of known use and signification in +this kingdom, and that the very lawyers pretend to understand, and have +them often in their mouths. These were the errors which have misled me, +and to which alone I must impute the severe treatment I have received. +But I shall in time grow wiser, and learn to consider my driver, the +road I am in, and with whom I am yoked. This I will venture to say, that +the boldest and most obnoxious words I ever delivered, would in England +have only exposed me as a stupid fool, who went to prove that the sun +shone in a clear summer's day; and I have witnesses ready to depose that +your lordship hath said and writ fifty times worse, and what is still an +aggravation, with infinitely more wit and learning, and stronger +arguments, so that as politics run, I do not know a person of more +exceptionable principles than yourself; and if ever I shall be +discovered, I think you will be bound in honour to pay my fine and +support me in prison; or else I may chance to inform against you by way +of reprisal.[15] + +[Footnote 12: See note _ante_, p. 161. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 13: William Molyneux (1656-1698), the correspondent of John +Flamsteed and Locke. His "Dioptrica Nova" contains a warm appreciation +of Locke's "Essay on the Human Understanding." He died in October, 1698, +but in the early part of this year, he published his famous inquiry into +the effect of English legislation on Irish manufactures. The work was +entitled, "The Case of Ireland's being bound by Acts of Parliament in +England stated," and its publication made a great stir both in England +and in Ireland. Molyneux attempted to show that the Irish Parliament was +independent of the English Parliament. His book was reported by a +Committee of the House of Commons, on June 22nd, 1698, to be "of +dangerous consequence to the Crown and Parliament of England," but the +matter went no further than embodying this resolution of the committee +in an address to the King. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 14: Algernon Sidney (1622-1682), the author of the well known +"Discourses concerning Government," and the famous republican of the +Cromwellian and Restoration years, was the second surviving son of the +second Earl of Leicester His career as soldier, statesman, agitator, +ambassador and author, forms an interesting and even fascinating chapter +of the story of this interesting period of English history. He was tried +for treason before Jeffreys, and in spite of a most excellent defence, +sentenced to death. His execution took place on December 7th, 1682. [T. +S.]] + +[Footnote 15: A writer, signing himself M.M., replying to this letter of +Swift's in a broadside entitled, "Seasonable Advice to M.B. Drapier, +Occasioned by his Letter to the R--t. Hon. the Lord Visct. Molesworth," +actually takes this paragraph to mean that Swift intended seriously to +turn informer: "Now sir, some people are of opinion that you carried +this too far, inasmuch as you become a precedent to informers: others +think that you intimate to his lordship, the miserable circumstance you +are in by the menaces of the prentice to whom you dictate; they conceive +your declaring to inform, if not fee'd, to the contrary, signifies your +said prentice on the last occasion to swear, if you don't forthwith +deliver him his indentures, and half of your stock to set up trade with, +he will inform against you, bring you to justice, be dismissed by law, +and get the promised £300 to begin trade with; how near these +conceptions be to truth I can't tell; but I know people think that word +_inform_ unseasonable. . . ." [T.S.]] + +In the meantime, I beg your lordship to receive my confession, that if +there be any such thing as a dependency of Ireland upon England, +otherwise than as I have explained it, either by the law of God, of +nature, of reason, of nations, or of the land (which I shall never +hereafter contest,) then was the proclamation against me, the most +merciful that ever was put out, and instead of accusing me as malicious, +wicked and seditious, it might have been directly as guilty of high +treason. + +All I desire is, that the cause of my country against Mr. Wood may not +suffer by any inadvertency of mine; Whether Ireland depends upon +England, or only upon God, the King and the law, I hope no man will +assert that it depends upon Mr. Wood. I should be heartily sorry that +this commendable resentment against me should accidentally (and I hope, +what was never intended) strike a damp upon that spirit in all ranks and +corporations of men against the desperate and ruinous design of Mr. +Wood. Let my countrymen blot out those parts in my last letter which +they dislike, and let no rust remain on my sword to cure the wounds I +have given to our most mortal enemy. When Sir Charles Sidley[16] was +taking the oaths, where several things were to be renounced, he said "he +loved renouncing," asked "if any more were to be renounced, for he was +ready to renounce as much as they pleased." Although I am not so +thorough a renouncer; yet let me have but good city security against +this pestilent coinage, and I shall be ready not only to renounce every +syllable in all my four letters, but to deliver them cheerfully with my +own hands into those of the common hangman, to be burnt with no better +company than the coiner's _effigies,_ if any part of it hath escaped out +of the secular hands of the rabble. + +[Footnote 16: This must be Sir Charles Sedley (properly Sidley), the +famous wit and dramatist of Charles II.'s reign. In his reprint of 1735, +Faulkner prints the name "Sidley," though the original twopenny tract +and the "Hibernian Patriot" print it as "Sidney." Sir W. Scott corrects +it to "Sedley." [T.S.]] + +But whatever the sentiments of some people may be, I think it is agreed +that many of those who subscribed against me, are on the side of a vast +majority in the kingdom who opposed Mr. Wood; and it was with great +satisfaction that I observed some right honourable names very amicably +joined with my own at the bottom of a strong declaration against him and +his coin. But if the admission of it among us be already determined the +worthy person who is to betray me ought in prudence to do it with all +convenient speed, or else it may be difficult to find three hundred +pounds in sterling for the discharge of his hire; when the public shall +have lost five hundred thousand, if there be so much in the nation; +besides four-fifths of its annual income for ever. + +I am told by lawyers, that in all quarrels between man and man, it is of +much weight, which of them gave the first provocation or struck the +first blow. It is manifest that Mr. Wood hath done both, and therefore I +should humbly propose to have him first hanged and his dross thrown into +the sea; after which the Drapier will be ready to stand his trial. "It +must needs be that offences come, but woe unto him by whom the offence +cometh." If Mr. Wood had held his hand every body else would have held +their tongues, and then there would have been little need of pamphlets, +juries, or proclamations upon this occasion. The provocation must needs +have been great, which could stir up an obscure indolent Drapier to +become an author. One would almost think the very stones in the street +would rise up in such a cause: And I am not sure they will not do so +against Mr. Wood if ever he comes within their reach. It is a known +story of the dumb boy, whose tongue forced a passage for speech by the +horror of seeing a dagger at his father's throat. This may lessen the +wonder that a tradesman hid in privacy and silence should cry out when +the life and being of his political mother are attempted before his +face, and by so infamous a hand. + +But in the meantime, Mr. Wood the destroyer of a kingdom walks about in +triumph (unless it be true that he is in jail for debt) while he who +endeavoured to assert the liberty of his country is forced to hide his +head for occasionally dealing in a matter of controversy. However I am +not the first who hath been condemned to death for gaining a great +victory over a powerful enemy, by disobeying for once the strict orders +of military discipline. + +I am now resolved to follow (after the usual proceeding of mankind, +because it is too late) the advice given me by a certain Dean. He shewed +the mistake I was in of trusting to the general good-will of the people, +"that I had succeeded hitherto better than could be expected, but that +some unfortunate circumstantial lapse would probably bring me within the +reach of power. That my good intentions would be no security against +those who watched every motion of my pen, in the bitterness of my soul." +He produced an instance of "a writer as innocent, as disinterested, and +as well meaning as myself, where the printer, who had the author in his +power, was prosecuted with the utmost zeal, the jury sent back nine +times, and the man given up to the mercy of the court."[17] The Dean +further observed "that I was in a manner left alone to stand the battle, +while others who had ten thousand times better talents than a Drapier, +were so prudent to lie still, and perhaps thought it no unpleasant +amusement to look on with safety, while another was giving them +diversion at the hazard of his liberty and fortune, and thought they +made a sufficient recompense by a little applause." Whereupon he +concluded with a short story of a Jew at Madrid, who being condemned to +the fire on account of his religion, a crowd of school-boys following +him to the stake, and apprehending they might lose their sport, if he +should happen to recant, would often clap him on the back, and cry, +"_Sta firme Moyse_ (Moses, continue steadfast)." + +[Footnote 17: This was for the publication of "A Proposal for the +Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." [T.S.]] + +I allow this gentleman's advice to have been good, and his observations +just, and in one respect my condition is worse than that of the Jew, for +no recantation will save me. However it should seem by some late +proceedings, that my state is not altogether deplorable. This I can +impute to nothing but the steadiness of two impartial grand juries, +which hath confirmed in me an opinion I have long entertained, that, as +philosophers say, "virtue is seated in the middle," so in another +sense, the little virtue left in the world is chiefly to be found among +the middle rank of mankind, who are neither allured out of her paths by +ambition, nor driven by poverty. + +Since the proclamation occasioned by my last letter, and a due +preparation for proceeding against me in a court of justice, there have +been two printed papers clandestinely spread about, whereof no man is +able to trace the original further than by conjecture, which with its +usual charity lays them to my account. The former is entitled, +"Seasonable Advice,"[18] and appears to have been intended for +information of the grand jury, upon the supposition of a bill to be +prepared against that letter. The other[19] is an extract from a printed +book of Parliamentary Proceedings in the year 1680 containing an angry +resolution of the House of Commons in England against dissolving grand +juries. As to the former, your lordship will find it to be the work of a +more artful hand than that of a common Drapier. It hath been censured +for endeavouring to influence the minds of a jury, which ought to be +wholly free and unbiassed, and for that reason it is manifest that no +judge was ever known either upon or off the bench, either by himself or +his dependents, to use the least insinuation that might possibly affect +the passions or interests of any one single juryman, much less of a +whole jury; whereof every man must be convinced who will just give +himself the trouble to dip into the common printed trials; so as, it is +amazing to think, what a number of upright judges there have been in +both kingdoms for above sixty years past, which, considering how long +they held their offices during pleasure, as they still do among us, I +account next to a miracle. + +[Footnote 18: See p. 123. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 19: See note on p. 127. [T.S.]] + +As to the other paper I must confess it is a sharp censure of an English +House of Commons against dissolving grand juries by any judge before the +end of the term, assizes, or sessions, while matters are under their +consideration, and not presented; is arbitrary, illegal, destructive to +public justice, a manifest violation of his oath, and is a means to +subvert the fundamental laws of the kingdom. + +However, the publisher seems to have been mistaken in what he aimed at. +For, whatever dependence there may be of Ireland upon England, I hope he +would not insinuate, that the proceedings of a lord chief justice in +Ireland must depend upon a resolution of an English House of Commons. +Besides, that resolution although it were levelled against a particular +lord chief justice, Sir William Scroggs,[20] yet the occasion was +directly contrary: For Scroggs dissolved the grand jury of London for +fear they should present, but ours in Dublin was dissolved because they +would not present, which wonderfully alters the case. And therefore a +second grand jury supplied that defect by making a presentment[21] that +hath pleased the whole kingdom. However I think it is agreed by all +parties, that both the one and the other jury behaved themselves in such +a manner, as ought to be remembered to their honour, while there shall +be any regard left among us for virtue or public spirit. + +[Footnote 20: Sir William Scroggs (1623?-1683) was appointed Lord Chief +Justice of England on the removal of Sir Thomas Ramsford in 1678. One of +the eight articles of impeachment against Scroggs, in 1680, was for +illegally discharging the grand jury of Middlesex before the end of the +term. Although the articles of impeachment were carried to the House of +Lords in 1681, the proceedings went no farther than ordering him to find +bail and file his answer by a certain time. Scroggs was removed, on +account of his unpopularity, on April 11th, 1681. As a lawyer, Scroggs +has no great reputation; as a judge he must be classed with the +notorious Jeffreys. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 21: See Appendix No. V. [T.S.]] + +I am confident your lordship will be of my sentiments in one thing, that +some short plain authentic tract might be published for the information +both of petty and grand juries, how far their power reacheth, and where +it is limited, and that a printed copy of such a treatise might be +deposited in every court, to be consulted by the jurymen before they +consider of their verdict; by which abundance of inconveniences would be +avoided, whereof innumerable instances might be produced from former +times, because I will say nothing of the present. + +I have read somewhere of an eastern king who put a judge to death for an +iniquitous sentence, and ordered his hide to be stuffed into a cushion, +and placed upon the tribunal for the son to sit on, who was preferred to +his father's office. I fancy such a memorial might not have been +unuseful to a son of Sir William Scroggs, and that both he and his +successors would often wriggle in their seats as long as the cushion +lasted. I wish the relater had told us what number of such cushions +there might be in that country. + +I cannot but observe to your lordship how nice and dangerous a point it +is grown for a private person to inform the people even in an affair +where the public interest and safety are so highly concerned as that of +Mr. Wood, and this in a country where loyalty is woven into the very +hearts of the people, seems a little extraordinary. Sir William Scroggs +was the first who introduced that commendable acuteness into the courts +of judicature; but how far this practice hath been imitated by his +successors or strained upon occasion, is out of my knowledge. When +pamphlets unpleasing to the ministry were presented as libels, he would +order the offensive paragraphs to be read before him, and said it was +strange that the judges and lawyers of the King's Bench should be duller +than all the people of England; and he was often so very happy in +applying the initial letters of names, and expounding dubious hints (the +two common expedients among writers of that class for escaping the law) +that he discovered much more than ever the authors intended, as many of +them or their printers found to their cost. If such methods are to be +followed in examining what I have already written or may write hereafter +upon the subject of Mr. Wood, I defy any man of fifty times my +understanding and caution to avoid being entrapped, unless he will be +content to write what none will read, by repeating over the old +arguments and computations, whereof the world is already grown weary. So +that my good friend Harding lies under this dilemma, either to let my +learned works hang for ever a drying upon his lines, or venture to +publish them at the hazard of being laid by the heels. + +I need not tell your lordship where the difficulty lies. It is true, the +King and the laws permit us to refuse this coin of Mr. Wood, but at the +same time it is equally true, that the King and the laws permit us to +receive it. Now it is most certain the ministers in England do not +suppose the consequences of uttering that brass among us to be so +ruinous as we apprehend; because doubtless if they understood it in that +light, they are persons of too much honour and justice not to use their +credit with His Majesty for saving a most loyal kingdom from +destruction. But as long as it shall please those great persons to think +that coin will not be so very pernicious to us, we lie under the +disadvantage of being censured as obstinate in not complying with a +royal patent. Therefore nothing remains, but to make use of that liberty +which the King and the laws have left us, by continuing to refuse this +coin, and by frequent remembrances to keep up that spirit raised against +it, which otherwise may be apt to flag, and perhaps in time to sink +altogether. For, any public order against receiving or uttering Mr. +Wood's halfpence is not reasonably to be expected in this kingdom, +without directions from England, which I think nobody presumes, or is so +sanguine to hope. + +But to confess the truth, my lord, I begin to grow weary of my office as +a writer, and could heartily wish it were devolved upon my brethren, the +makers of songs and ballads, who perhaps are the best qualified at +present to gather up the gleanings of this controversy. As to myself, it +hath been my misfortune to begin and pursue it upon a wrong foundation. +For having detected the frauds and falsehoods of this vile impostor Wood +in every part, I foolishly disdained to have recourse to whining, +lamenting, and crying for mercy, but rather chose to appeal to law and +liberty and the common rights of mankind, without considering the +climate I was in. + +Since your last residence in Ireland, I frequently have taken my nag to +ride about your grounds, where I fancied myself to feel an air of +freedom breathing round me, and I am glad the low condition of a +tradesman did not qualify me to wait on you at your house, for then I am +afraid my writings would not have escaped severer censures. But I have +lately sold my nag, and honestly told his greatest fault, which was that +of snuffing up the air about Brackdenstown, whereby he became such a +lover of liberty, that I could scarce hold him in. I have likewise +buried at the bottom of a strong chest your lordship's writings under a +heap of others that treat of liberty, and spread over a layer or two of +Hobbes, Filmer, Bodin[22] and many more authors of that stamp, to be +readiest at hand whenever I shall be disposed to take up a new set of +principles in government. In the mean time I design quietly to look to +my shop, and keep as far out of your lordship's influence as possible; +and if you ever see any more of my writings upon this subject, I promise +you shall find them as innocent, as insipid and without a sting as what +I have now offered you. But if your lordship will please to give me an +easy lease of some part of your estate in Yorkshire,[23] thither will I +carry my chest and turning it upside down, resume my political reading +where I left it off; feed on plain homely fare, and live and die a free +honest English farmer: But not without regret for leaving my countrymen +under the dread of the brazen talons of Mr. Wood: My most loyal and +innocent countrymen, to whom I owe so much for their good opinion of me, +and of my poor endeavours to serve them, + +I am + with the greatest respect, + My Lord + Your Lordship's most obedient + and most humble servant, + M.B. + + +From my shop +in St. Francis-Street, +Dec. 14. +1724. + +[Footnote 22: Sir Robert Filmer, the political writer who suffered for +his adhesion to the cause of Charles I. His chief work was published +after his death in 1680. It is entitled, "Patriarcha," and defends the +patriarchal theory of government against the social-compact theory of +Hobbes. Locke vigorously attacked it in his "Two Treatises on +Government" published in 1690. + +Jean Bodin, who died in 1596, wrote the "Livres de la Republique," a +remarkable collection of information and speculation on the theoretical +basis of political government. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 23: Molesworth's estate in Yorkshire was at Edlington, near +Tickhill. [T.S.]] + + + + +LETTER VII. + +AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. + +BY M.B. DRAPIER. + +"Multa gemens ignominiam Plagasque superbi Victoris.--" + +[VIRGIL, _Georg. III._, 226-7.] + + +NOTE. + + +This letter was published in the fourth volume of the collected edition +of Swift's Works, issued by Faulkner, in Dublin, in 1735. It is there +stated that it was written "before the Lord Carteret came over, and soon +after the fourth Drapier's letter." If Faulkner be correct, and he +probably is, the subject matter of the letter shows that it was not to +be printed until after the agitation had subsided. The letter is in an +entirely different spirit from the other letters, and deals with +suggestions and methods of action for a general righting of the wrongs +under which Ireland was suffering. In matter as well as in manner it is +not a continuation of the contest against Wood, but an effort to send +the people along paths which would lead to their general welfare and +prosperity. As such it properly concludes the Drapier series. + +The text of the letter here printed is that of Faulkner collated with +that given in the fifth volume of "Miscellanies," issued in London in. +1735. + +[T.S.] + + + + +LETTER VII. + +AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. + + +I have been told, that petitions and addresses, either to King or +Parliament, are the right of every subject; providing they consist with +that respect, which is due to princes and great assemblies. Neither do I +remember, that the modest proposals, or opinions of private men, have +been ill-received, when they have not been delivered in the style of +advice; which is a presumption far from my thoughts. However, if +proposals should be looked upon as too assuming; yet I hope, every man +may be suffered to declare his own and the nation's wishes. For +instance; I may be allowed to wish, that some further laws were enacted +for the advancement of trade, for the improvement of agriculture, now +strangely neglected, against the maxim of all wise nations: For +supplying the manifest defects in the acts concerning plantation of +trees: For setting the poor to work, and many others. + +Upon this principle, I may venture to affirm; it is the hearty wish of +the whole nation, very few excepted; that the Parliament in this session +would begin by strictly examining into the detestable fraud of one +William Wood, now or late of London, hardwareman; who illegally and +clandestinely, as appears by your own votes and addresses, procured a +patent in England, for coining halfpence in that kingdom, to be current +here. This, I say, is the wish of the whole nation, very few excepted; +and upon account of those few, is more strongly and justly the wish of +the rest: Those few consisting either of Wood's confederates, some +obscure tradesmen, or certain bold UNDERTAKERS[1] of weak judgment, and +strong ambition; who think to find their accounts in the ruin of the +nation, by securing or advancing themselves. And, because such men +proceed upon a system of politics, to which I would fain hope you will +be always utter strangers, I shall humbly lay it before you. + +[Footnote 1: This was a phrase used in the time of Charles II. to +express those dashing ministers who obtained power by undertaking to +carry through particular favourite measures of the crown. But the Dean +applies it with his usual studied ambiguity, so that it may be explained +as meaning schemers or projectors in general. [S.]] + +Be pleased to suppose me in a station of fifteen hundred pounds a year, +salary and perquisites; and likewise possessed of 800_l_. a year, real +estate. Then, suppose a destructive project to be set on foot; such, for +instance, as this of Wood; which if it succeed, in all the consequences +naturally to be expected from it, must sink the rents and wealth of the +kingdom one half, (although I am confident, it would have done so +five-sixths.) Suppose, I conceive that the countenancing, or privately +supporting this project, will please those by whom I expect to be +preserved, or higher exalted. Nothing then remains, but to compute and +balance my gain and my loss, and sum up the whole. I suppose that I +shall keep my employment ten years, (not to mention the fair chance of a +better.) This at 1500_l_. a year, amounts, in ten years, to 15,000_l_. +My estate, by the success of the said project, sinks 400_l_. a year; +which at twenty years' purchase, is but 8000_l_. so that I am a clean +gainer of 7000_l_. upon the balance. And during all that period, I am +possessed of power and credit, can gratify my favourites, and take +vengeance of mine enemies. And if the project miscarry, my private merit +is still entire. This arithmetic, as horrible as it appears, I knowingly +affirm to have been practised, and applied in conjunctures, whereon +depended the ruin or safety of a nation: Although, probably the charity +and virtue of a senate, will hardly be induced to believe, that there +can be such monsters among mankind. And yet, the wise Lord Bacon +mentions a sort of people, (I doubt the race is not yet extinct) who +would "set a house on fire, for the convenience of roasting their own +eggs at the flame." + +But whoever is old enough to remember, and hath turned his thoughts to +observe the course of public affairs in this kingdom, from the time of +the Revolution; must acknowledge, that the highest points of interest +and liberty, have been often sacrificed to the avarice and ambition of +particular persons, upon the very principles and arithmetic that I have +supposed: The only wonder is, how these artists were able to prevail +upon numbers; and influence even public assemblies to become instruments +for effecting their execrable designs. + +It is, I think, in all conscience, latitude enough for vice, if a man in +station be allowed to act injustice, upon the usual principles of +getting a bribe, wreaking his malice, serving his party, or consulting +his preferment; while his wickedness terminates in the ruin only of +particular persons: But, to deliver up our whole country, and every +living soul who inhabits it, to certain destruction; hath not, as I +remember, been permitted by the most favourable casuists on the side of +corruption. It were far better, that all who have had the misfortune to +be born in this kingdom, should be rendered incapable of holding any +employment whatsoever, above the degree of a constable, (according to +the scheme and intention of a great minister[2] _gone to his own +place_)than to live under the daily apprehension of a few false brethren +among ourselves. Because, in the former case we should be wholly free +from the danger of being betrayed; since none could then have impudence +enough to pretend any public good. + +[Footnote 2: The Earl of Sunderland. See note on p. 377 of vol. _v._ of +present edition. [T.S.]] + +It is true, that in this desperate affair of the new halfpence, I have +not heard of any man above my own degree of a shopkeeper, to have been +hitherto so bold, as, in direct terms, to vindicate the fatal project; +although I have been told of some very mollifying expressions which were +used, and very gentle expedients proposed and handed about, when it +first came under debate: But, since the eyes of the people have been so +far opened, that the most ignorant can plainly see their own ruin, in +the success of Wood's attempt; these grand compounders have been more +cautious.[3] + +[Footnote 3: Alluding to Walpole's overture for reducing the amount to +be coined to £40,000. [T.S.]] + +But that the same spirit still subsists, hath manifestly appeared (among +other instances of great compliance) from certain circumstances, that +have attended some late proceedings in a court of judicature. There is +not any commonplace more frequently insisted on, by those who treat of +our constitution, than the great happiness and excellency of trials by +juries; yet if this blessed part of our law be eludible at pleasure, by +the force of power, frowns, and artifice; we shall have little reason to +boast of our advantage, in this particular, over other states or +kingdoms in Europe. And surely, these high proceedings, exercised in a +point that so nearly concerned the life-blood of the people, their +necessary subsistence, their very food and raiment, and even the public +peace; will not allow any favourable appearance; because it was obvious, +that so much superabundant zeal could have no other design, or produce +any other effect, than to damp that spirit raised in the nation against +this accursed scheme of William Wood, and his abettors; to which spirit +alone, we owe, and for ever must owe, our being hitherto preserved, and +our hopes of being preserved for the future; if it can be kept up, and +strongly countenanced by your wise assemblies. I wish I could account +for such a demeanour upon a more charitable foundation, than that of +putting our interest in over balance with the ruin of our country. + +I remember some months ago, when this affair was fresh in discourse; a +person near allied to SOMEBODY, or (as the hawkers called him) NOBODY, +who was thought deeply concerned, went about very diligently among his +acquaintance, to shew the bad consequences that might follow from any +public resentment to the disadvantage of his ally Mr. Wood; principally +alleging the danger of all employments being disposed of from England. +One of these emissaries came to me, and urged the same topic: I +answered, naturally, that I knew there was no office of any kind, which +a man from England might not have, if he thought it worth his asking; +and that I looked upon all who had the disadvantage of being born here, +as only in the condition of leasers and gleaners. Neither could I +forbear mentioning the known fable of the countryman, who entreated his +ass to fly for fear of being taken by the enemy; but the ass refused to +give himself that trouble; and upon a very wise reason, because he could +not possibly change his present master for a worse: The enemy could not +make him fare harder; beat him more cruelly; nor load him with heavier +burthens. + +Upon these, and many other considerations, I may affirm it to be the +wish of the whole nation, that the power and privileges of juries were +declared, ascertained, and confirmed by the legislature; and that +whoever hath been manifestly known to violate them, might be stigmatized +by public censure; not from any hope that such a censure will amend +their practices, or hurt their interest, (for it may probably operate +quite contrary in both:) but that the nation may know their enemies from +their friends. + +I say not this with any regard or view to myself; for I write in great +security; and am resolved that none shall merit at my expense further +than by shewing their zeal to discover, prosecute, and condemn me, for +endeavouring to do my duty in serving my country: And yet I am conscious +to myself that I never had the least intention to reflect on His +Majesty's ministers, nor on any other person, except William Wood, whom +I neither did, nor do yet conceive to be of that number. However, some +would have it, that I went too far; but I suppose they will now allow +themselves mistaken. I am sure I might easily have gone further; and I +think I could not easily have fared worse. And therefore I was no +further affected with their proclamation, and subsequent proceedings, +than a good clergyman is with the sins of the people. And as to the poor +printer, he is now gone to appear before a higher, and before a +righteous tribunal. + +As my intention is only to lay before your great assemblies, the general +wishes of the nation; and as I have already declared it our principal +wish that your first proceeding would be to examine into the pernicious +fraud of William Wood; so I must add, as the universal opinion, that all +schemes of commutation, composition, and the like expedients, either +avowed or implied, will be of the most pernicious consequences to the +public; against the dignity of a free kingdom; and prove an +encouragement to future adventurers in the same destructive projects. +For, it is a maxim, which no man at present disputes, that even a +connivance to admit one thousand pounds in these halfpence, will +produce, in time, the same ruinous effects, as if we openly consented to +admit a million. It were, therefore, infinitely more safe and eligible, +to leave things in the doubtful, melancholy state they are at present, +(which, however, God forbid) and trust entirely to the general aversion +of our people against this coin; using all honest endeavours to +preserve, continue, and increase that aversion, than submit to apply +those palliatives which weak, perfidious, or abject politicians, are, +upon all occasions, and in all diseases, so ready to administer. + +In the small compass of my reading, (which, however, hath been more +extensive than is usual to men of my inferior calling) I have observed +that grievances have always preceded supplies; and if ever grievances +had a title to such a pre-eminence, it must be this of Wood; because it +is not only the greatest grievance that any country could suffer, but a +grievance of such a kind that, if it should take effect, would make it +impossible for us to give any supplies at all; except in adulterate +copper; unless a tax were laid for paying the civil and military lists, +and the large pensions, with real commodities instead of money; which, +however, might be liable to some few objections as well as difficulties: +For although the common soldiers might be content with beef and mutton, +and wool, and malt, and leather; yet I am in some doubt as to the +generals, the colonels, the numerous pensioners, the civil officers, and +others, who all live in England upon Irish pay; as well as those few who +reside among us only because they cannot help it. + +There is one particular, which although I have mentioned more than once +in some of my former papers, yet I cannot forbear to repeat, and a +little enlarge upon it; because I do not remember to have read or heard +of the like in the history of any age or country; neither do I ever +reflect upon it without the utmost astonishment. + +After the unanimous addresses to his Sacred Majesty, against this patent +of Wood, from both Houses of Parliament, which are the three estates of +the kingdom; and likewise an address from the Privy-council, to whom, +under the chief governors, the whole administration is entrusted; the +matter is referred to a committee of council in London. Wood, and his +adherents, are heard on one side; and a few volunteers, without any +trust or direction from hence, on the other. The question (as I +remember) chiefly turned upon the want of halfpence in Ireland: +Witnesses are called on the behalf of Wood (of what credit I have +formerly shewn :) Upon the issue the patent is found good and legal; all +His Majesty's officers here, (not excepting the military) commanded to +be aiding and assisting to make it effectual. The addresses of both +Houses of Parliament, of the Privy-council; and of the city of Dublin: +The declarations of most counties and corporations through the kingdom, +are altogether laid aside, as of no weight, consequence, or +consideration whatsoever: And the whole kingdom of Ireland nonsuited, in +default of appearance; as if it were a private cause between John Doe, +plaintiff, and William Roe, defendant. + +With great respect to those-honourable persons, the committee of council +in London, I have not understood them to be our governors, councillors, +or judges. Neither did our case turn at all upon the question, whether +Ireland wanted halfpence or no. For there is no doubt, but we do want +both halfpence, gold, and silver; and we have numberless other wants, +and some that we are not so much as allowed to name; although they are +peculiar to this nation; to which no other is subject, whom God hath +blessed with religion and laws, or any degree of soil and sunshine: But, +for what demerits on our side, I am altogether in the dark. + +But, I do not remember, that our want of halfpence was either affirmed, +or denied in any of our addresses or declarations, against those of +Wood: We alleged, the fraudulent obtaining and executing his patent, the +baseness of his metal, the prodigious sum to be coined, which might be +increased by stealth, from foreign importation and his own counterfeits, +as well as those at home; whereby we must infallibly lose all our little +gold and silver, and all our poor remainder of a very limited and +discouraged trade: We urged, that the patent was passed without the +least reference hither; and without mention of any security given by +Wood, to receive his own halfpence upon demand; both which are contrary +to all former proceedings in the like cases. These, and many other +arguments we offered; but still the patent went on, and at this day our +ruin would have been half completed; if God, in His mercy, had not +raised an universal detestation of these halfpence, in the whole +kingdom; with a firm resolution never to receive them; since we are not +under obligations to do so by any law, either human or divine. + +But, in the Name of God, and of all justice and piety; when the King's +Majesty was pleased that this patent should pass; is it not to be +understood, that he conceived, believed, and intended it as a gracious +act, for the good and benefit of his subjects, for the advantage of a +great and fruitful kingdom; of the most loyal kingdom upon earth, where +no hand or voice was ever lifted up against him; a kingdom where the +passage is not of three hours from Britain; and a kingdom where Papists +have less power, and less land, than in England? Can it be denied, or +doubted, that His Majesty's ministers understood and proposed the same +end, the good of this nation, when they advised the passing this patent? +Can the person of Wood be otherwise regarded, than as the instrument, +the mechanic, the head-workman, to prepare his furnace, his fuel, his +metal, and his stamps? If I employ a shoe-boy, is it in view to his +advantage, or to my own convenience? I mention the person of William +Wood alone, because no other appears, and we are not to reason upon +surmises; neither would it avail, if they had a real foundation. + +Allowing therefore, (for we cannot do less) that this patent, for the +coining of halfpence, was wholly intended, by a gracious king, and a +wise public-spirited ministry, for the advantage of Ireland; yet when +the whole kingdom to a man, for whose good the patent was designed, do, +upon maturest consideration, universally join, in openly declaring, +protesting, addressing, petitioning, against these halfpence, as the +most ruinous project that ever was set on foot, to complete the slavery +and destruction of a poor innocent country: Is it, was it, can it, or +will it ever be a question, not whether such a kingdom, or William Wood, +should be a gainer; but whether such a kingdom should be wholly undone, +destroyed, sunk, depopulated, made a scene of misery and desolation, for +the sake of William Wood? God, of His infinite mercy, avert this +dreadful judgment; and it is our universal wish, that God would put it +into your hearts to be His instruments for so good a work. + +For my own part, who am but one man, of obscure condition, I do solemnly +declare, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will suffer the most +ignominious and torturing death, rather than submit to receive this +accursed coin, or any other that shall be liable to the same objections, +until they shall be forced upon me, by a law of my own country; and if +that shall ever happen, I will transport myself into some foreign land, +and eat the bread of poverty among a free people. + +Am I legally punishable for these expressions? Shall another +proclamation issue against me, because I presume to take my country's +part against William Wood; where her final destruction is intended? But, +whenever you shall please to impose silence upon me, I will submit; +because, I look upon your unanimous voice to be the voice of the nation; +and this I have been taught, and do believe to be, in some manner, the +voice of God. + +The great ignominy of a whole kingdom, lying so long at mercy, under so +vile an adversary, is such a deplorable aggravation, that the utmost +expressions of shame and rage, are too low to set it forth; and +therefore, I shall leave it to receive such a resentment, as is worthy +of a parliament. + +It is likewise our universal wish, that His Majesty would grant liberty +to coin halfpence in this kingdom, for our own use; under such +restrictions as a parliament here shall advise: Since the power of +coining even gold and silver, is possessed by every petty prince abroad; +and was always practised by Scotland, to the very time of the Union; yet +surely Scotland, as to soil, climate, and extent, is not, in itself, a +fourth part the value of Ireland; (for Bishop Burnet says, it is not +above a fortieth part in value, to the rest of Britain) and with respect +to the profit that England gains from hence, not the forty thousandth +part. Although I must confess, that a mote in the eye, or a thorn in the +side, is more dangerous and painful than a beam, or a spike at a +distance. + +The histories of England, and of most other countries, abound in +relating the miserable, and sometimes the most tragical effects, from +the abuses of coin; by debasing the metal, by lessening, or enhancing +the value upon occasions, to the public loss; of which we have an +example, within our own memory in England, and another very lately in +France. It is the tenderest point of government, affecting every +individual, in the highest degree. When the value of money is arbitrary, +or unsettled; no man can well be said to have any property at all; nor +is any wound so suddenly felt, so hardly cured, or that leaves such deep +and lasting scars behind it. + +I conceive this poor unhappy island, to have a title to some indulgence +from England; not only upon the score of Christianity, natural equity, +and the general rights of mankind; but chiefly on account of that +immense profit they receive from us; without which, that kingdom would +make a very different figure in Europe, from what it doth at present. + +The rents of land in Ireland, since they have been of late so enormously +raised, and screwed up, may be computed to about two millions; whereof +one-third part, at least, is directly transmitted to those, who are +perpetual absentees in England; as I find by a computation made with the +assistance of several skilful gentlemen. + +The other articles by which we are altogether losers, and England a +gainer; we found to amount to almost as much more. I will only set down +as many heads of them as I can remember; and leave them to the +consideration of those, who understand accounts better than I pretend to +do. + +The occasional absentees, for business, health, or diversion. + +Three-fourths of the revenue of the chief governor, during his absence; +which is usually four-fifths of his government. + +The whole revenue of the post-office. + +The numerous pensions paid to persons in England. + +The pay of the chief officers of the army absent in England, which is a +great sum. + +Four commissioners of the revenue, always absent. + +Civil employments very numerous, and of great income. + +The vast charge of appeals to the House of Lords, and to the Court of +Delegates. + +Students at the Inns of Court, and the two Universities. + +Eighty thousand pounds sent yearly to England, for coals; whereof the +prime cost is nothing; and therefore, the profit wholly theirs. + +One hundred thousand pounds paid several years past, for corn sent over +hither from England; the effect of our own great wisdom in discouraging +agriculture. + +The kind liberty granted us of wearing Indian stuffs, and calicoes, to +gratify the vanity and folly of our women; which, beside the profit to +England, is an unconceivable loss to us; forcing the weavers to beg in +our streets, or transport themselves to foreign countries. + +The prodigious loss to us, and gain to England, by selling them all our +wool at their own rates; whereof the manufacture exceeds above ten times +the prime cost: A proceeding without example in the Christian or heathen +world. + +Our own wool returned upon us, in English manufactures, to our infinite +shame and damage; and the great advantage of England. + +The full profit of all our mines accruing to England; an effect of great +negligence and stupidity. + +An affectation among us, of liking all kinds of goods made in England. + +NOTE, Many of the above articles have been since particularly computed +by another writer, to whose treatise the reader is referred.[4] + +[Footnote 4: The work referred to is "A List of the Absentees of +Ireland, and the yearly value of their estates and Incomes spent +abroad," by Thomas Prior, Esq. Prior was a native of Ireland and the +schoolfellow and life-long friend of Berkeley, the philosopher. In +concert with Samuel Madden and other friends, he founded, in 1731, the +Dublin Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Manufactures, Arts and +Sciences. This society was the parent of the present Royal Dublin +Society. His "List of the Absentees of Ireland" was published in 1729. +He also issued "Observations on Coin" (1730), and "An Authentic +Narrative of the Success of Tar Water in Curing a great number and +variety of Distempers" (1746), to which Berkeley contributed. [T.S.]] + +These and many other articles, which I cannot recollect at present, are +agreed by judicious men to amount to near seven hundred thousand pounds +_per ann_. clear profit to England. And, upon the whole, let any man +look into those authors who write upon the subject of commerce, he shall +find, that there is not one single article in the essentials, or +circumstances of trade, whereby a country can be a loser, which we do +not possess in the highest perfection; somewhat, in every particular, +that bears a kind of analogy to William Wood; and now the branches are +all cut off, he stands ready with his axe at the root. + +Upon this subject of perpetual absentees, I have spent some time in very +insignificant reflections; and considering the usual motives of human +actions, which are pleasure, profit, and ambition, I cannot yet +comprehend how those persons find their account in any of the three. I +speak not of those English peers or gentlemen, who, beside their estates +at home, have possessions here; for, in that case, the matter is +desperate; but I mean those lords, and wealthy knights, or squires, +whose birth, and partly their education, and all their fortune (except +some trifle, and that in very few instances) are in this kingdom. I knew +many of them well enough, during several years, when I resided in +England; and truly I could not discover that the figure they made was, +by any means, a subject for envy; at least it gave me two very different +passions: For, excepting the advantage of going now and then to an +opera, or sometimes appearing behind a crowd at Court; or adding to the +ring of coaches in Hyde Park, or losing their money at the Chocolate +House; or getting news, votes, and minutes, about five days before us in +Dublin, I say, besides these, and a few other privileges of less +importance, their temptations to live in London, were beyond my +knowledge or conception. And I used to wonder, how a man of birth and +spirit, could endure to be wholly insignificant and obscure in a foreign +country, when he might live with lustre in his own; and even at less +than half that expense, which he strains himself to make, without +obtaining any one end; except that which happened to the frog when he +would needs contend for size with the ox. I have been told by scholars, +that Caesar said, he would rather be the first man, in I know not what +village, than the second in Rome. This, perhaps, was a thought only fit +for Caesar: But to be preceded by thousands, and neglected by millions; +to be wholly without power, figure, influence, honour, credit, or +distinction, is not, in my poor opinion, a very amiable situation of +life, to a person of title, or wealth, who can so cheaply and easily +shine in his native country. + +But, besides the depopulating of the kingdom, the leaving so many parts +of it wild and uncultivated, the ruin of so many country-seats and +plantations, the cutting down all the woods to supply expenses in +England; the absence of so many noble and wealthy persons, hath been the +cause of another fatal consequence, which few perhaps have been aware +of. For if that very considerable number of lords, who possess the +amplest fortunes here, had been content to live at home, and attend the +affairs of their own country in Parliament; the weight, reputation, and +dignity thereby added to that noble House, would, in all human +probability, have prevented certain proceedings, which are now ever to +be lamented; because they never can be remedied: And we might have then +decided our own properties among ourselves, without being forced to +travel five hundred miles by sea and land, to another kingdom, for +justice; to our infinite expense, vexation, and trouble: Which is a mark +of servitude without example, from the practice of any age or nation in +the world. + +I have sometimes wondered, upon what motive the peerage of England were +so desirous to determine our controversies; because I have been assured, +and partly know, that the frequent appeals from hence, have been very +irksome to that illustrious body; and whoever hath frequented the +Painted Chamber, and Court of Requests, must have observed, that they +are never so nobly filled, as when an Irish appeal is under debate. + +The peers of Scotland, who are very numerous, were content to reside in +their castles and houses, in that bleak and barren climate; and although +some of them made frequent journeys to London, yet I do not remember any +of their greatest families, till very lately, to have made England their +constant habitation, before the Union: Or, if they did, I am sure it was +generally to their own advantage; and whatever they got, was employed to +cultivate and increase their own estates; and by that means enrich +themselves and their country. + +As to the great number of rich absentees, under the degree of peers; +what particular ill effects their absence may have upon this kingdom, +besides those already mentioned, may perhaps be too tender a point for +me to touch. But whether those who live in another kingdom, upon great +estates here; and have lost all regards to their own country, further +than upon account of the revenues they receive from it: I say, whether +such persons may not be prevailed on to recommend others to vacant +seats, who have no interest here, except a precarious employment; and +consequently can have no views, but to preserve what they have got, or +to be higher advanced: This, I am sure, is a very melancholy question, +if it be a question at all. + +But, besides the prodigious profit which England receives by the +transmittal thither of two-thirds of the revenues of this whole kingdom; +it hath another mighty advantage by making our country a receptacle, +wherein to disburthen themselves of their supernumerary pretenders to +offices; persons of second-rate merit in their own country; who, like +birds of passage, most of them thrive and fatten here, and fly off when +their credit and employments are at an end. So that Ireland may justly +say what Luther said of himself; POOR Ireland maketh many rich. + +If amidst all our difficulties, I should venture to assert, that we have +one great advantage, provided we could improve it as we ought; I believe +most of my readers would be long in conjecturing what possible advantage +could ever fall to our share. However, it is certain, that all the +regular seeds of party and faction among us are entirely rooted out, and +if any new ones shall spring up, they must be of equivocal generation, +without any seed at all; and will justly be imputed to a degree of +stupidity beyond even what we have been ever charged with upon the score +of our birth-place and climate. + +The parties in this kingdom (including those of modern date) are, First, +of those who have been charged or suspected to favour the Pretender; and +those who were zealous opposers of him. Secondly, of those who were for +and against a toleration of Dissenters by law. Thirdly, of High and Low +Church; or, (to speak in the cant of the times) of Whig and Tory: And, +Fourthly, of court and country. If there be any more, they are beyond my +observation or politics: For as to subaltern or occasional parties, they +have all been derivations from the same originals. + +Now, it is manifest, that all these incitements to faction, party, and +division are wholly removed from among us. For, as to the Pretender, his +cause is both desperate and obsolete: There are very few now alive who +were _men_ in his father's time, and in that prince's interest; and in +all others, the obligation of conscience hath no place;[5] even the +Papists in general, of any substance, or estates, and their priests +almost universally, are what we call Whigs in the sense which by that +word is generally understood. They feel the smart, and see the scars of +their former wounds; and very well know, that they must be made a +sacrifice to the least attempts towards a change; although it cannot be +doubted, that they would be glad to have their superstition restored, +under any prince whatsoever. + +[Footnote 5: That is to say, they had not sworn any allegiance to him. +[T.S.]] + +Secondly, The Dissenters are now tolerated by law; neither do we observe +any murmurs at present from that quarter, except those reasonable +complaints they make of persecution, because they are excluded from +civil employments; but their number being very small in either House of +Parliament, they are not yet in a situation to erect a party: Because, +however indifferent men may be with regard to religion, they are now +grown wise enough to know, that if such a latitude were allowed to +Dissenters; the few small employments left us in cities and +corporations, would find other hands to lay hold on them. + +Thirdly, The dispute between High and Low Church is now at an end; +two-thirds of the bishops having been promoted in this reign, and most +of them from England, who have bestowed all preferments in their gift to +those they could well confide in: The deaneries all except three, and +many principal church-livings, are in the donation of the crown: So that +we already possess such a body of clergy as will never engage in +controversy upon that antiquated and exploded subject. + +Lastly, As to court and country parties, so famous and avowed under most +reigns in English Parliaments: This kingdom hath not, for several years +past been a proper scene whereon to exercise such contentions; and is +now less proper than ever; many great employments for life being in +distant hands, and the reversions diligently watched and secured; the +temporary ones of any inviting value are all bestowed elsewhere as fast +as they drop; and the few remaining, are of too low consideration to +create contests about them, except among younger brothers, or tradesmen +like myself. And, therefore, to institute a court and country party +without materials, would be a very new system in politics, and what I +believe was never thought on before; nor, unless in a nation of idiots, +can ever succeed. For the most ignorant Irish cottager will not sell his +cow for a groat. + +Therefore, I conclude, that all party and faction, with regard to public +proceedings, are now extinguished in this kingdom; neither doth it +appear in view how they can possibly revive; unless some new causes be +administered; which cannot be done without crossing the interests of +those who are greatest gainers by continuing the same measures. And, +general calamities without hope of redress, are allowed to be the great +uniters of mankind. + +However we may dislike the causes; yet this effect of begetting an +universal concord among us in all national debates, as well as in +cities, corporations, and country neighbourhoods, may keep us at least +alive, and in a condition to eat the little bread allowed us in peace +and amity. I have heard of a quarrel in a tavern, where all were at +daggers-drawing, till one of the company cried out, desiring to know the +subject of the quarrel; which, when none of them could tell, they put up +their swords, sat down, and passed the rest of the evening in quiet. The +former part hath been our case; I hope the latter will be so too; that +we shall sit down amicably together, at least until we have something +that may give us a title to fall out; since nature hath instructed even +a brood of goslings to stick together while the kite is hovering over +their heads. + +It is certain, that a firm union in any country, where every man wishes +the same thing with relation to the public, may, in several points of +the greatest importance, in some measure, supply the defect of power; +and even of those rights which are the natural and undoubted inheritance +of mankind. If the universal wish of the nation upon any point, were +declared by the unanimous vote of the House of Commons, and a reasonable +number of Lords; I should think myself obliged in conscience to act in +my sphere according to that vote; because, in all free nations, I take +the proper definition of law to be the will of the majority of those who +have the property in land; which, if there be a monarchy, is to be +confirmed by the royal assent. And, although such votes or declarations +have not received such a confirmation, for certain accidental reasons; +yet I think they ought to be of much weight with the subject; provided +they neither oppose the King's prerogative, endanger the peace of the +nation, nor infringe any law already in force; none of which, however, +can reasonably be supposed. Thus, for instance, if nine in ten of the +House of Commons, and a reasonable number of native temporal peers, +should declare, that whoever received or uttered brass coin, except +under certain limitations and securities, should be deemed as enemies to +the King and the nation; I should think it a heinous sin in myself to +act contrary to such a vote: And, if the same power should declare the +same censure against those who wore Indian stuffs and calicoes, or +woollen manufactures imported from abroad, whereby this nation is +reduced to the lowest ebb of misery; I should readily, heartily, and +cheerfully pay obedience; and to my utmost power persuade others to do +the like: Because, there is no law of this land obliging us either to +receive such coin, or to wear such foreign manufactures. + +Upon this last article, I could humbly wish that the reverend the clergy +would set us an example, by contenting themselves with wearing gowns, +and other habiliments of Irish drapery; which, as it would be some +incitement to the laity, and set many hands to work; so they would find +their advantage in the cheapness; which is a circumstance not to be +neglected by too many among that venerable body.[6] And, in order to +this, I could heartily desire, that the most ingenious artists of the +weaving trade, would contrive some decent stuffs and silks for +clergymen, at reasonable rates.[7] + +[Footnote 6: This hath since been put in practice, by the persuasions, +and influence of the supposed author; but much defeated by the most +infamous fraud of shop-keepers. [F.]] + +[Footnote 7: This scheme was likewise often urged to the weavers by the +supposed author; but he could never prevail upon them to put it in +practice. [F.]] + +I have pressed several of our most substantial brethren, that the whole +corporation of weavers in silk and woollen, would publish some +proposals, (I wish they would do it to both Houses of Parliament) +inviting persons of all degrees, and of both sexes, to wear the woollen +and silk manufactures of our own country; entering into solemn, mutual +engagements, that the buyer shall have good, substantial, merchantable +ware for his money; and at a certain rate, without the trouble of +cheapening: So that, if I sent a child for a piece of stuff of a +particular colour and fineness, I should be sure not to be deceived; or +if I had reason to complain, the corporation should give me immediate +satisfaction; and the name of the tradesman who did me the wrong, should +be published; and warning given not to deal with him for the future; +unless the matter plainly appeared to be a mistake: For, besides the +trouble of going from shop to shop; an ignorant customer runs the hazard +of being cheated in the price and goodness of what he buys; being forced +to an unequal combat with a dexterous, and dishonest man, in his own +calling. Thus our goods fall under a general disreputation; and the +gentry call for English cloth, or silk, from an opinion they have (and +often too justly by our own faults) that the goodness more than makes up +for the difference of price. + +Besides, it hath been the sottish and ruinous practice of us tradesmen, +upon any great demand of goods, either at home or from abroad, to raise +the prices immediately, and manufacture the said goods more slightly and +fraudulently than before. + +Of this foul and foolish proceeding, too many instances might be +produced; and I cannot forbear mentioning one, whereby this poor kingdom +hath received such a fatal blow in the only article of trade allowed us +of any importance that nothing but the success of Wood's project, could +outdo it. During the late plague in France, the Spaniards, who buy their +linen cloths in that kingdom, not daring to venture thither for fear of +infection; a very great demand was made here for that commodity, and +exported to Spain: But, whether by the ignorance of the merchants, or +dishonesty of the Northern weavers, or the collusion of both; the ware +was so bad, and the price so excessive, that except some small +quantity, which was sold below the prime cost, the greatest part was +returned back: And I have been told by very intelligent persons, that if +we had been fair dealers, the whole current of the linen trade to Spain +would have taken its course from hence. + +If any punishment were to be inflicted on numbers of men; surely there +could none be thought too great for such a race of traitors, and enemies +to God and their country; who for the prospect of a little present gain, +do not only ruin themselves, (for that alone would be an example to the +rest, and a blessing to the nation) but sell their souls to hell, and +their country to destruction; And, if the plague could have been +confined only to these who were partakers in the guilt, had it travelled +hither from Marseilles, those wretches would have died with less title +to pity, than a highwayman going to the gallows. + +But, it happens very unluckily, that, for some time past, all endeavours +or proposals from private persons, to advance the public service; +however honestly and innocently designed, have been called _flying in +the King's face:_ And this, to my knowledge, hath been the style of some +persons, whose ancestors, (I mean those among them who had any) and +themselves, have been flying in princes' faces these fourscore years; +and from their own inclinations would do so still, if their interest did +not lead them rather to fly in the face of a kingdom; which hath given +them wings to enable them for such a flight. + +Thus, about four years ago, when a discourse was published, endeavouring +to persuade our people to wear their own woollen manufactures,[8] full +of the most dutiful expressions to the King, and without the least party +hint; it was termed "flying in the King's face;" the printer was +prosecuted in the manner we all remember; (and, I hope, it will +somewhere be remembered further) the jury kept eleven hours, and sent +back nine times, till they were under the necessity of leaving the +prisoner to the mercy of the court, by a special verdict. The judge on +the bench invoking God for his witness, when he asserted, that the +author's design was to bring in the Pretender.[9] + +[Footnote 8: This was Swift's pamphlet entitled, "A Proposal for the +Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 9: The action and language of Justice Whitshed. [T.S.]] + +And thus also, my own poor endeavours to prevent the ruin of my country, +by the admission of Wood's coin, was called by the same persons, "flying +in the King's face;" which I directly deny: For I cannot allow that +vile representation of the royal countenance in William Wood's +adulterate copper, to be his Sacred Majesty's face; or if it were, my +flying was not against the impression, but the baseness of the metal; +because I well remembered; that the image which Nebuchadnezzar +"commanded to be set up, for all men to fall down and worship it," was +not of _copper_, but pure _gold_. And I am heartily sorry, we have so +few royal images of that metal among us; the sight whereof, although it +could hardly increase our veneration for His Majesty, which is already +so great; yet would very much enliven it with a mixture of comfort and +satisfaction. + +Alexander the Great, would suffer no statuary, except Phidias, to carve +his image in stone or metal. How must he have treated such an operator +as Wood, who goes about with sackfuls of dross; odiously misrepresenting +his Prince's countenance; and would force them, by thousands, upon every +one of us, at above six times the value. + +But, notwithstanding all that hath been objected by William Wood +himself; together with his favourers, abettors, supporters, either +public or private; by those who connive at his project, or discourage +and discountenance his opposers, for fear of lessening their favour, or +hazarding their employments; by those who endeavour to damp the spirit +of the people raised against this coin; or check the honest zeal of such +as by their writings, or discourses, do all they can to keep it up: +Those softeners, sweeteners, compounders; and expedient-mongers, who +shake their heads so strongly, that we can hear their pockets jingle; I +did never imagine, that, in detecting the practices of such enemies to +the kingdom, I was "flying in the King's face"; or thought they were +better representers of His Majesty, than that very coin, for which they +are secret or open advocates. + +If I were allowed to recite only those wishes of the nation, which may +be in our power to attain; I think they might be summed up in these few +following. + +First, That an end might be put to our apprehensions of Wood's +halfpence, and to any danger of the like destructive scheme for the +future. + +Secondly; That halfpence might be coined in this kingdom, by a public +mint, with due limitations. + +Thirdly, That the sense of both Houses of Parliament, at least of the +House of Commons, were declared by some unanimous and hearty votes, +against wearing any silk or woollen manufactures, imported from abroad, +as likewise against wearing Indian silks or calicoes, which are +forbidden under the highest penalties in England: And it behoves us, to +take example from so wise a nation; because we are under a greater +necessity to do so, since we are not allowed to export any woollen +manufactures of our own; which is the principal branch of foreign trade +in England. + +Fourthly, That some effectual methods may be taken to civilize the +poorer sort of our natives, in all those parts of this kingdom where the +Irish abound; by introducing among them our language and customs; for +want of which they live in the utmost ignorance, barbarity and poverty; +giving themselves wholly up to idleness, nastiness, and thievery, to the +very great and just reproach of too many landlords. And, if I had in me +the least spirit of a projector, I would engage that this might be +effected in a few years, at a very inconsiderable charge.[10] + +[Footnote 10: Since this hint was suggested, several useful seminaries +have been instituted, under the name of "Charter Working Schools," in +Ireland, supported by the royal benefaction of a thousand pounds a year, +by a tax on hawkers and pedlars, and by voluntary subscriptions. The +schools are for the education of boys and girls born of Popish parents; +in most of them, the children manufacture their own clothing, and the +boys are employed in matters relative to husbandry. [F.] + +These Charter Schools, founded by Marsh, Bishop of Clogher, and adopted +by Primate Boulter in 1733, were intended "to rescue the souls of +thousands of poor children from the dangers of Popish superstition and +idolatry, and their bodies from the miseries of idleness and beggary." +In reality the scheme was one by which it was hoped to prevent the +growth of Catholicism. The conditions and methods of instruction were +positively cruel, since the children were actually withheld from any +communication with their parents. Mr. Lecky deals with the subject fully +in the first volume of his "Ireland in the Eighteenth Century," Froude +gives the scheme his praise and admiration, but at the time of its +institution it was the cause of "an intensity of bitterness hardly +equalled by any portion of the penal code. Parents would rather do +anything than send their children into such prisons where, at last, they +would receive an education which, to their minds, must lead them to +forfeit their soul's salvation." [T.S.]] + +Fifthly, That due encouragement should be given to agriculture; and a +stop put to that pernicious practice of graziers; engrossing vast +quantities of land, sometimes at great distance; whereby the country is +extremely depopulated. + +Sixthly, That the defects in those acts for planting forest trees, might +be fully supplied, since they have hitherto been wholly ineffectual; +except about the demesnes of a few gentlemen; and even there, in +general, very unskilfully made, and thriving accordingly. Neither hath +there yet been due care taken to preserve what is planted, or to enclose +grounds; not one hedge, in a hundred, coming to maturity, for want of +skill and industry. The neglect of copsing woods cut down, hath likewise +been of very ill consequences. And if men were restrained from that +unlimited liberty of cutting down their own woods before the proper +time, as they are in some other countries; it would be a mighty benefit +to the kingdom. For, I believe, there is not another example in Europe, +of such a prodigious quantity of excellent timber cut down, in so short +a time, with so little advantage to the country, either in shipping or +building. + +I may add, that absurd practice of cutting turf, without any regularity; +whereby great quantities of restorable land are made utterly desperate, +many thousands of cattle destroyed, the turf more difficult to come at, +and carry home, and less fit for burning; the air made unwholesome by +stagnating pools and marshes; and the very sight of such places +offensive to those who ride by. Neither should that odious custom be +allowed, of cutting scraws, (as they call them) which is flaying off the +green surface of the ground, to cover their cabins; or make up their +ditches; sometimes in shallow soils, where all is gravel within a few +inches; and sometimes in low ground, with a thin greensward, and sloughy +underneath; which last turns all into bog, by this mismanagement. And, +I have heard from very skilful country-men, that by these two practices +in turf and scraws, the kingdom loseth some hundreds of acres of +profitable land every year; besides the irreparable loss of many skirts +of bogs, which have a green coat of grass, and yet are mangled for turf; +and, besides the want of canals, by regular cutting, which would not +only be a great convenience for bringing their turf home at an easy +rate; but likewise render even the larger bogs more dry and safe, for +summer pasture. + +These, and some other speculations of the like kind, I had intended to +publish in a particular discourse against this session of Parliament; +because, in some periods of my life, I had opportunity and curiosity to +observe, from what causes those great errors, in every branch of country +management, have arisen; of which I have now ventured to relate but few, +out of very many; whereof some, perhaps, would not be mentioned without +giving offence; which I have endeavoured, by all possible means, to +avoid. And, for the same reason, I chose to add here, the little I +thought proper to say on this subject. + +But, as to the lands of those who are perpetual absentees, I do not see +any probability of their being ever improved. In former times, their +tenants sat at easy rents; but for some years past, they have been, +generally speaking, more terribly racked by the dexterity of merciless +agents from England, than even those held under the severest landlords +here. I was assured upon the place, by great numbers of credible people, +that a prodigious estate in the county of Cork, being let upon leases +for lives, and great fines paid; the rent was so high, that the tenants +begged leave to surrender their leases, and were content to lose their +fines. + +The cultivating and improvement of land, is certainly a subject worthy +of the highest enquiry in any country, but especially in ours; where we +are so strangely limited in every branch of trade, that can be of +advantage to us; and utterly deprived of those, which are of the +greatest importance; whereof I defy the most learned man in Europe, to +produce me an example from any other kingdom in the world: For, we are +denied the benefits which God and nature intended to us; as manifestly +appears by our happy situation for commerce, and the great number of +our excellent ports. So that, I think, little is left us, beside the +cultivating our own soil, encouraging agriculture, and making great +plantations of trees, that we might not be under the necessity of +sending for corn and bark from England, and timber from other countries. +This would increase the number of our inhabitants, and help to consume +our natural products, as well as manufactures at home. And I shall never +forget what I once ventured to say to a great man in England; "That few +politicians, with all their schemes, are half so useful members of a +commonwealth, as an honest farmer; who, by skilfully draining, fencing, +manuring, and planting, hath increased the intrinsic value of a piece of +land; and thereby done a perpetual service to his country;" which it is +a great controversy, whether any of the former ever did, since the +creation of the world; but no controversy at all, that ninety-nine in a +hundred, have done abundance of mischief. + + + + +APPENDIXES + + + + + +APPENDIX I + +ADDRESSES TO THE KING[1] + + +"To the King's most Excellent MAJESTY: _The humble_ ADDRESS _of the_ +Knights, Citizens _and_ Burgesses, _in Parliament assembled._ + +"MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, + +It is with the utmost Concern, that We, Your Majesty's most dutiful +subjects, the Commons of IRELAND in Parliament assembled, find ourselves +indispensably obliged, to represent to Your Majesty, our unanimous +Opinion: That the importing and uttering of _Copper Farthings_ and +_Halfpence_ by virtue of the Patent lately granted to _William Wood,_ +Esq.; under the Great Seal of _Great Britain,_ will be highly +prejudicial to Your Majesty's Revenue, destructive of the trade and +commerce of this nation, and of the most dangerous consequence to the +properties of the subject. + +[Footnote 1: Addresses by the House of Commons and the House of Lords +presented to the King in conformity with the resolutions passed by these +Houses. See Introductory Note to the Drapier's First Letter. The texts +of these addresses are taken from "Fraud Detected: or, the Hibernian +Patriot," printed by George Faulkner in 1725. [T.S.]] + +"We are fully convinced, from the tender regard Your Majesty has always +expressed for our welfare and prosperity, that this Patent could not +have been obtained, had not _William Wood_ and his accomplices, greatly +misrepresented the state of this nation to Your Majesty, it having +appeared to us, by Examinations taken in the most solemn manner, that +though the terms thereof had been strictly complied with, there would +have been a loss to this nation of at least 150 _per Cent._ by means of +the said coinage, and a much greater in the manner the said _Half-pence_ +have been coined. + +"We likewise beg leave to inform Your Majesty, That the said _William +Wood_ has been guilty of a most notorious fraud and deceit in coining +the said _Half-pence,_ having, under colour of the powers granted unto +him, imported and endeavoured to utter great quantities of different +impressions, and of much less weight than was required by the said +Patent. + +"Your faithful _Commons_ have found, by experience, That the granting +the power or privilege of coining _Money_, or _Tokens_ to pass for +_Money_ to private persons, has been highly detrimental to your loyal +subjects; and being apprehensive, that the vesting such power in any +body politic or corporate, or any private person or persons whatsoever, +will be always of dangerous Consequence to this Kingdom, are encouraged, +by the repeated assurances Your Majesty hath given us of Your Royal +Favour and Protection, humbly to entreat Your Majesty, That whenever you +shall hereafter think it necessary to coin any _Farthings_ or +_Half-pence,_ the same may be made as near the intrinsic value as +possible, and that whatever profit shall accrue thereby, may be applied +to the public service. + +"And we do further humbly beseech Your Majesty, That you will be +graciously pleased to give such direction, as you, in your great wisdom, +shall think proper, to prevent the fatal effects of uttering any +_Farthings_ or _Half-pence_ pursuant to the said Patent. + +"As this enquiry has proceeded entirely from our love to our country, so +we cannot omit this opportunity of repeating our unanimous resolution, +to stand by and support Your Majesty to the utmost of our power, against +all Your enemies, both at home and abroad; and of assuring Your Majesty, +that we will, upon every occasion, give Your Majesty, and the world, all +possible demonstration of our zeal and inviolable duty and affection to +Your Majesty's most sacred person and government, and to the succession, +as established in Your Royal House." + +"To the King's most Excellent MAJESTY. _The humble Address of the Lords +Spiritual and Temporal of_ IRELAND, _in Parliament assembled, against_ +Wm. Wood. + +"May it please Your most Sacred Majesty, WE the Lords Spiritual and +Temporal in Parliament assembled, are under the utmost concern to find, +that our duty to Your Majesty and our Country, indispensably calls upon +us to acquaint Your Majesty with the ill consequences, which will +inevitably follow from a Patent for coining Half-pence and Farthings to +be uttered in this Kingdom, obtained under the Great Seal of _Great +Britain,_ by one _William Wood_ in a clandestine and unprecedented +manner, and by a gross misrepresentation of the state of this Kingdom. + +"We are most humbly of opinion, that the diminution of Your Majesty's +revenue, the ruin of our trade, and the impoverishing of your people, +must unavoidably attend this undertaking; and we beg leave to observe to +Your Majesty, that from the most exact Enquiries and Computations we +have been able to make, it appears to us, that the gain to _William +Wood_ will be excessive, and the loss to this Kingdom, by circulating +this base coin, greater than this poor country is able to bear. + +"With the greatest submission and deference to Your Majesty's wisdom, we +beg we may offer it as our humble opinion. That the reserving the +coining of _Half-pence_ and _Farthings_ to the _Crown_ and _the not +intrusting it_ with any private person, body politic or corporate, will +always be for Your Majesty's service, and the good of your people in +_this Kingdom._ + +"In confidence, Sir, of your paternal care of the welfare of _this_ +country, we beseech Your Majesty, that you will be pleased to extend +that goodness and compassion to us, which has so eminently shewed itself +to all your other subjects, who have the happiness to live under your +protection and government; and that you will give such directions as may +effectually free us from the terrible apprehensions we labour under from +the _Patent_ granted to _William Wood."_ + +The following was the King's reply to the above address: + + +"GEORGE R. + +"His _Majesty is very much concerned to see, That His granting the +Patent for coining_ Half-pence _and_ Farthings _agreeable to the +Practice of his Royal Predecessors, has given so much uneasiness to the_ +House of Lords: _And if there have been any abuses committed by the_ +Patentee, _His Majesty will give the necessary Orders for enquiring +into, and punishing those Abuses. And will do everything that is in His +Power, for the Satisfaction of His People."_ + + + + +APPENDIX II + +REPORT OF THE ASSAY ON WOOD'S COINAGE, MADE BY SIR ISAAC NEWTON, EDWARD +SOUTHWELL, ESQ., AND THOMAS SCROOPE, ESQ.[1] + + +"_To the right honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's +Treasury. + +"May it please your Lordships_, + +According to your Lordships' Order, the pix of the copper-money coined +at Bristol by Mr. Wood for Ireland, has been opened and tried before us +at his Majesty's Mint in the Tower; and by the Comptroller's account, to +which Mr. Wood agreed, there hath been coined from Lady-day 1723 to +March 28, 1724, in half-pence, fifty and five tons, five hundred and +three quarters, and twelve ounces, and in farthings, three tons, +seventeen hundred and two quarters, ten pounds, and eight ounces, +_avoirdupois_, the whole coinage amounting to 59 tons, 3 cwt, 1 qr. +11 lbs. 4 ozs., and by the specimens of this coinage which have, from +time to time, been taken from the several parcels coined and sealed up +in papers, and put into the pix, we found that sixty half-pence weighed +fourteen ounces, _Troy_, and eight pennyweight, which is about a quarter +of an ounce above one pound _avoirdupois_; and that thirty farthings +weighed three ounces, and three quarters of an ounce _Troy_, and +forty-six grains, which is also above the weight required by his Patent. +We found also that both half-pence and farthings when heated red hot, +spread thin under the hammer without cracking, as your Lordships may see +by the pieces now laid before your Lordships. But although the copper +was very good, and the money, one piece with another, was full weight, +yet the single pieces were not so equally coined in the weight as they +should have been. + +[Footnote 1: The copy of this Report as here printed is taken from the +tract already quoted in previous notes, entitled, "A Defence of the +Conduct of the People of Ireland in their unanimous Refusal of Mr. +Wood's Copper-money ... Dublin: Printed for George Ewing, at the Angel +and Bible in Dames-Street, MDCCXXIV." As already noted, the assayists +had for trial only those coins which were coined between March, 1723, +and March, 1724, and these coins were neither imported into Ireland nor +attempted to be uttered there. As Wood asked for the assay, he no doubt +knew what he was about. But even as it stands, the Report was not very +favourable to him. The author of the tract named above enters minutely +into this point, and for a further inquiry the reader is referred to +pages 15 to 19 of his publication. [T.S.]] + +"We found also that thirty and two old half-pence coined for Ireland in +the reigns of King Charles 2d., King James 2d., and King William 3d. and +Queen Mary, and produced by Mr. Wood, weighed six ounces and eight +pennyweight _Troy_, that is, one hundred and three grains and a half +apiece one with another. They were much worn, and if about six or seven +grains be allowed to each of them one with another for loss of their +weight by wearing, the copper-money coined for England, in the reign of +King William being already as much lightened by wearing, they might at +first weigh about half a pound _avoirdupois_; whereas only thirty of +those coined by Mr. Wood are to be of that. They were also made of bad +copper, two of those coined in the reign of King Charles II. wasted much +in the fire, and then spread thin under the hammer, but not so well +without cracking as those of Mr. Wood. Two of those coined in the reign +of King James II. wasted much more in the fire, and were not malleable +when red hot. Two of those coined in the reign of King William and Queen +Mary wasted still more in the fire, and turned to an unmalleable +substance like a cinder, as your Lordships may see the pieces now laid +before you. + +"By the assays we reckon the copper of Mr. Wood's halfpence and +farthings to be of the same goodness and value with the copper of which +the copper money is coined in the King's Mint for England; or worth in +the market about twelve or thirteen pence per pound weight +_avoirdupois_; and the copper of which the half-pence were coined for +Ireland in the reigns of King Charles, King James, and King William, to +be much inferior in value, the mixture being unknown, and not bearing +the fire for converting it to any other use until it be refined. + +"The half-pence and farthings in the pix coined by Mr. Wood had on one +side the head of the King, with this inscription GEORGIUS DEI GRATIA +REX: And on the other side, a woman sitting with a harp by her left +side, and above her the inscription HIBERNIA with the date. The +half-pence coined in the reigns of King Charles, King James, and King +William, had on one side the head of King Charles, King James, or King +William and Queen Mary, and on the reverse a harp crowned. + +"All which facts we most humbly represent to your Lordships. April 27, +1724." + + + + +APPENDIX III + +TOM PUNSIBI'S DREAM[1] + +[Greek: "A ghar proseidon nukthi taeoe phasmata +Disson oneiron, tauta moi---- +Ehi men pephaenen esthlha, dus telesphora, +Eid echthra, tois echthroisin empalin methes +Kai mae me plete te paront ei tines +Doloisi beleueoin ekbalein, ephaes."] + +Soph, Elec. [644-649]. + + +Since the heat of this business, which has of late so much and so justly +concerned this kingdom, is at last, in a great measure over, we may +venture to abate something of our former zeal and vigour in handling it, +and looking upon it as an enemy almost overthrown, consult more our own +amusement than its prejudice, in attacking it in light excursory +skirmishes. Thus much I thought fit to observe, lest the world should be +too apt to make an obvious pun upon me; when beginning to dream upon +this occasion, I presented it with the wild nocturnal rovings of an +unguided imagination, on a subject of so great importance, as the final +welfare or ruin of a whole nation. + +[Footnote 1: The following tract, written probably by Thomas Sheridan, +Swift's humorous friend, is interesting as affording an example of the +lighter kind of literature brought into existence by this agitation. It +may be that Swift had a hand in its composition. The text is taken from +a copy of the original broadside in the South Kensington Collection. It +was published during the height of the controversy. [T.S.]] + +But so it was, that upon reading one of the Drapier's letters, I fell +asleep, and had the following dream: + +The first object that struck me was a woman of exquisite beauty, and a +most majestic air, seated on a throne, whom by the figure of a lion +beneath her feet, and of Neptune who stood by her, and paid her the most +respectful homage, I easily knew to be the Genius of England; at some +distance from her, (though not at so great an one as seemed to be +desired,) I observed a matron clothed in robes so tattered and torn, +that they had not only very nigh lost their original air of royalty and +magnificence, but even exposed her to the inclemency of the weather in +several places, which with many other afflictions had so affected her, +that her natural beauty was almost effaced, and her strength and spirits +very nigh lost. She hung over a harp with which, if she sometimes +endeavoured to sooth her melancholy, she had still the misfortune to +find it more or less out of tune, particularly, when as I perceived at +last, it was strung with a sort of wire of so base composition, that +neither she nor I could make anything of it. I took particular notice, +that, when moved by a just sense of her wrongs, she could at any time +raise her head, she fixed her eyes so stedfastly on her neighbour, +sometimes with an humble and entreating, at others, with a more bold and +resentful regard, that I could not help (however improbable it should +seem from her generous august appearance) in a great measure to +attribute her misfortunes to her; but this I shall submit to the +judgment of the world. + +I should now at last mention the name, were not these circumstances too +unhappily singular to make that any way necessary. + +As I was taken up with many melancholy reflections on this moving +object, I was on a sudden interrupted by a little sort of an uproar, +which, upon turning my eyes towards it, I found arose from a crowd of +people behind her throne; the cause it seems was this: + +There was, I perceived, among them the god of merchandise, with his +sandals, mostly of brass, but not without a small proportion of gold and +silver, and his wings chiefly of the two latter metals, but allayed with +a little of the former; with those he used to trudge up and down to +furnish them with necessaries; with these he'd take a flight to other +countries, but not so dexterously or to so good purpose as in other +places of his office, not so much for want of encouragement among 'em +here, as on account of the haughty jealousy of their neighbours, who, it +seems dreading in them a rival, took care to clip his wings and +circumscribe his flights; the former, more especially, being, by these +and other means so much worn, he performed his office but lamely, which +gave occasion to some who had their own private interest more at heart, +than that of the public, to patch up some of the places that were worn, +with a metal of the same nature indeed, but so slight and base, that +though at first it might serve to carry him on their errands, it soon +failed, and by degrees grew entirely useless; insomuch, that he would +rather be retarded than promoted in his business, and this occasioned +the above disturbances among his dependents, who thereupon turned their +eyes towards their mistress (for by this time she will I presume be +better known by that, than the more homely and sociable name of +neighbour) and not daring of late to say or do anything without her +approbation, made several humble applications to her, beseeching that +she would continue them that liberty of refitting these implements +themselves, which she had been formerly pleased graciously to allow 'em; +but these, however reasonable, were all rejected, whereupon I observed a +certain person (a mean ill-looking fellow) from among a great number of +people that stood behind the genius of England, who, during the whole +affair had kept his eyes intently fixed on his neighbours, watching all +their motions, like a hawk hovering over his quarry, and with just the +same design: Him, I say, I observed to turn off hastily, and make +towards the throne, where being arrived, after some preparations +requisite, he preferred a petition, setting forth the wants and +necessities, (but taking care to make 'em appear at least four times +greater than they really were) of his neighbours, or as he might have +more truly and honestly said his own, both which, for the latter, though +not expressed, he chiefly intended, but modestly or rather knavishly +left to be understood, he begged the royal licence to redress, by +supplying those defects which were the occasion of 'em. This humble +suppliant I observed both before and after this petition, seemed to +employ his utmost industry and art, to insinuate himself into the good +graces of two persons that stood on each side the throne;[2]the one on +the right was a lady of large make and swarthy complexion; the other, a +man, that seemed to be between fifty and sixty, who had an air of deep +designing thought: These two he managed with a great deal of art; for +the lady he employed all the little arts that win her sex, particularly, +I observed, that he frequently took hold of her hand, as in raptures, to +kiss it, in such a manner as made me suspect she did not always draw it +back empty; but this he did so slily, that it was not easy for anybody +to be certain of it: The man on the other hand, he plied his own way +with politics, remonstrating to him the several things he had before the +throne; which however, as might be presumed from his manner of attending +to them, seemed to make little impression; but when he came to lay +before him the great advantages that might accrue from thence to their +mistress, and consequently to him, he heard him with the utmost +eagerness and satisfaction; at last, having plainly told him, that he +himself should be a considerable gainer by it, and thereupon, that every +thing that came to his hands of that nature should be at his service: As +a sort of token or earnest he kissed his hand in the same manner he had +the lady's, and so retired; by these and the like means he soon brought +over both parties to him, who, with a whisper or two, procured him the +royal licence; whereupon he immediately fell to making up a metal, if it +deserved the name, of a very strange composition, wherewith he purposed +to refit the implements of that useful deity, but in such manner, that +for the base metal he put into them, he would take care to draw away +from them an infinitely more than proportionable quantity of gold and +silver, and thereby render him almost incapable of taking flight to +foreign countries; nay, at last perhaps utterly so, when under pretence +of their not being completed, he should filch in more of his metal, and +filch away more of theirs. + +[Footnote 2: The Duchess of Kendal and Sir Robert Walpole. [S.]] + +These things being therefore prepared, he sends 'em over to his +neighbours, and there endeavoured to get them admitted by fair words and +promises, being too sensible that they were not of themselves the most +willing to accept of his favour, and indeed he was not deceived; for +they being advertised of his designs, had taken the alarm, and had +almost to a man united in one common faction against him. This generous +ardour had first taken hold of the most active and important part, and +if I may be allowed to call it, the heart of this body, from thence was +on one side by a quick passage, and in its more refined parts, +communicated through the blood to the contemplative, and reasoning, the +head, which it inspired with noble thoughts and resolutions; and on the +other, to the inferior extremities, which were thereby rendered more +expedite and readier to obey the dictates of the head in a rougher +method of opposition, from each of which extremities being carried back +to its fountain, it was returned to them from thence, and so backwards +and forwards, till the circulation and union were confirmed and +completed, the sordid unnatural, offensive parts being in the meantime +thrown off as dregs of nature, and nuisances of human society; but of +these in so well-tempered a constitution, there were but few; however, +when there were any to be found, though they had been of the most +exalted nature, and bore most noble offices in this body, by any +corruption became so, they shared the common fate, with this only +difference, that they were rejected with greater scorn and contempt on +account of their former dignity, as was found in one notorious instance; +but on the other hand, among all the parts that were serviceable to the +constitution on this occasion, there was not one more so, than a certain +one whose name indeed is not openly known, but whose good offices and +usefulness are too great ever to be forgotten; for it by its nice +diligence and skill selected out things of the most noble and exquisite +nature, by infusing and dispersing them to enliven and invigorate the +whole body, which how effectually they did, our bold projector sadly +experienced. For finding all his endeavours to pass his ware upon them, +disappointed, he withdrew; but his patron on the other side being +informed of what had passed, fell into a most terrible passion, and +threatened, they say, I know not what, of making to swallow and ramming +down throats; but while they were in deep conference together, methought +all on a sudden a trap-door dropped, and down fell our projector; this +unexpected accident did on many accounts not a little alarm the throne, +and gave it but too great occasion to reflect a little on what had been +doing, as what a mean ordinary fellow it had intrusted with the care of +an affair of so great consequence that though their neighbours' refusal +might possibly have put him to such straits as might be the great +occasion of this disgrace, yet that very refusal could not be so +universal and resolute without some reason, which could arise from +nothing else but the unseasonableness or unworthiness of his offers, or +both, and he, consequently, must deserve as much to suffer as they did; +not for the better information, therefore in these surmises some of the +neighbours were consulted, who confirming them, things seemed to bear a +good face, and be in a very fair way of clearing up. When I awoke, I +cannot say whether more pleased at the present posture of affairs, when +I recollected how indifferent an one they had lately been in, or anxious +when upon considering that they were not yet firm and settled, I was led +to reflect in general on the uncertainty of events, and in particular, +on the small reason the persons in hand can have to promise themselves +prosperous ones, especially when they are depending in that part of the +world. + +Dublin, printed in the year 1724-5. + + + + +APPENDIX IV + +A LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ------[1] + +Ceteri, quanto quis servitio promptior, opibus et honoribus extollerentur: +Invalido legum auxilio, quae vi, ambitu, postremo pecunia +turbabantur.--_Tacit. An._ + +To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ------ + + +I fear your lordship in your wonted zeal for the interest of your +country will think this paper very unseasonable; but I am very confident +not more than one man in this kingdom will be of your lordship's +judgment. + +[Footnote 1: The two following severe letters are directly addressed to +Lord Chief Justice Whitshed, and were generally circulated. They +probably underwent Swift's correction, though they have too much of a +legal cast to have been written by the Dean himself.... They were, +perhaps, composed by Mr. Robert Lindsay, distinguished by Swift in his +letter to Lord Midleton, as an eminent lawyer, as well as a man of +virtue and learning, whose legal advice he used during the whole +controversy. [S.] + +The present letters are taken from copies of the original broadsides in +the South Kensington collection. [T.S.]] + +In matters of law your opinion has from our first acquaintance entirely +guided me, and the things you have assured me I might depend upon as +law, have few of them escaped my memory, though I have had but little +conversation with you since you first appeared in Parliament and moved +the House to resolve, That it is the indispensable duty of the judges of +this kingdom to go through their circuits; nor have I had any since you +fell sick and was made solicitor-general. + +I have often heard your lordship affirm, and therefore I do affirm it, +That the great ends for which grand juries were instituted, were the +support of the government, the safety of every man's life and fortune, +it being necessary some should be trusted to inquire after all +disturbers of the peace, that they might be prosecuted and brought to +condign punishment; and it is no less needful for every man's quiet and +safety, that the trust of such inquisitions should be put into the hands +of persons of understanding and integrity, that will suffer no man to be +falsely accused or defamed; nor the lives of any to be put in jeopardy, +by the malicious conspiracies of great or small, or the perjuries of any +profligate wretches. + +So material a part of our constitution are grand juries, so much does +the security of every subject depend upon them, that though anciently +the sheriff was by express law, chosen annually by the people of the +county, and trusted with the power of the county, yet the law left not +the election of grand juries to the will of the sheriff, but has +described their qualifications, which if they have, and the sheriff +return them, no man, nay no judge, can object to their being sworn, much +less may they to their serving when sworn: And to prevent the +discretionary power (a new-fashioned term) of these judges over juries, +you used to say was made the statute of the 11th of Hen. 4. + +Pardon me my lord if I venture to affirm, That a dissolving power is a +breach of that law, or at least an evasion, as every citizen in Dublin +in Sir Constantine Phipps's time perfectly understood, that disapproving +the aldermen lawfully returned to the Privy-council was in effect +assuming the power of choosing and returning----But your lordship and +I know dissolving and disapproving are different terms. + +I always understood from your Lordship the trust and power of grand +juries is or ought to be accounted amongst the greatest and of most +concern, next to the legislative: The honour, reputations, fortunes and +lives of every man being subject to their censure; the kings of England +have an undoubted power of dissolving parliaments, but dissolving 'till +one was returned to their or their ministers' liking, has never been +thought very righteous, and Heaven be praised never very successful. + +I am entirely of your lordship's opinion, the oath of a grand juryman is +not always sufficiently considered by the jurors, which is as follows. + +"You shall diligently enquire, and true presentment make of all such +articles, matters and things as shall be given you in charge; And of all +other matters and things as shall come to your own knowledge, touching +this present service. The King's counsel your fellows' and your own you +shall keep secret," &c.--And from some other men's behaviour, I fear +oaths are not always as sacredly observed as they ought to be: "The +King's counsel, your fellows' and your _own_ you shall keep +secret"--Though our grandmothers my lord might have thought there was a +dispensing power in the Pope, you and I profess no power upon earth can +dispense with this oath, so that to force a man to discover the counsel +he is sworn to keep, is to force him into direct perjury. + +Suppose upon information taken before your Lordship of a rape committed, +a bill of indictment were sent to a grand jury, and the grand jury +return _ignoramus_ on it, application is made to the Court to +recommend it to them to reconsider it, and they return as before +_ignoramus_--Suppose a judge with more than decent passion should ask +them their reasons (which is their counsel) for so doing, nay should be +so particular as to demand of them whether they thought the woman a +whore. Must not all the world conclude somebody had forgot the oath of a +grand juryman? Yes sure, or his own, or worse.--But suppose they should +ask a juror a question might criminate himself? My Lord, you know I put +not bare possibilities, it is generally believed these things have been +done within an oak of this town--And if I am rightly informed, the +restraint a juror is under by his oath, is so well understood, that a +certain person desired the clerk of the Crown to change the form of it +by adding this exception: "unless by leave or order of the Court." + +These things, my Lord, would seem strange in Westminster-hall, and would +be severely noted in St. Stephen's Chapel. The honour of the Crown would +be thought a very false as well as weak plea for such proceedings there, +as indeed it is an infamous one everywhere, for 'tis a scandal upon a +king, if he is represented in a court of justice, as if he were +partially concerned or rather inclined to desire, that a party should be +found guilty, than that he should be declared innocent. + +The King's interest and honour is more concerned in the protection of +the innocent, than in the punishment of the guilty, as in all the +immediate actions of his Majesty we find that maxim pursued, a maxim can +never run a prince into excesses. We do not only find those princes +represented in history under odious characters, who have basely betrayed +the innocent, but such as by their spies and informers were too +inquisitive after the guilty, whereas none was ever blamed for clemency, +or for being too gentle interpreters of the law. Though Trajan was an +excellent prince, endowed with all heroical virtues; yet the most +eloquent writers, and his best friends, found nothing more to be praised +in his government, than that in his time, all men might think what they +pleased, and every man speak what he thought, this I say, that if any +amongst us by violent measures, and a dictatorial behaviour have raised +jealousies in the minds of His Majesty's faithful subjects, the blame +may lie at their door. + +I know it has been said for His Majesty's service, grand juries may be +forced to discover their counsels: But you will confess a king can do +nothing against law, nor will any honest man judge that for his service, +which is not warranted by law. If a constant uninterrupted usage, can +give the force of a law, then the grand jurymen are bound by law, as +well as by their oaths, to keep the King's, their fellows' and their own +counsel secret. Bracton and Britton in their several generations bear +witness, that it was then practised; and greater proof of it needs not +be sought, than the disputes that appear by the law-books to have been +amongst the ancient lawyers, Whether it was treason or felony for a +grand juryman to discover their counsels--The trust of grand juries was +in those days thought so sacred, and their secrecy of so great concern +to the kingdom, that whosoever should break their oaths, was by all +thought worthy to die, only some would have them suffer as traitors, +others as felons. + +If a king's commands should come to the judges of a court of justice or +to a jury, desiring them to vary from the direction of the law, (which +it is criminal to say, and no man ought to be believed therein) they are +bound by their oaths not to regard them. The statute of 2 of E. 3. 8. +and 20 E. 3. I. are express; and the substance of these and other +statutes is inserted into the oaths taken by every judge; and if they be +under the most solemn and sacred tie in the execution of justice to hold +for nothing the commands of the King under the great seal, then surely +political views and schemes, the pleasure or displeasure of a minister, +in the like case ought to be less than nothing. + +It is a strange doctrine that men must sacrifice the law to secure their +properties, if the law is to be fashioned for every occasion, if grand +jurymen contrary to their oaths must discover their fellows' and their +own counsels, and betray the trust the law has reposed in them, if they +must subject the reasons of their verdicts to the censure of the judges, +whom the law did never design to trust with the liberty, property, or +good name of their fellow-subjects. No man can say he has any security +for his life or fortune, and they who do not themselves, may however see +their best friends and nearest relations suffer the utmost violences and +oppressions. + +Which leads me to say a few words of the petit jury, not forgetting Mr. +Walters. I am assured by an eminent lawyer, that the power and office of +a petit jury is judicial, that they only are the judges from whose +sentence the indicted are to expect life or death. Upon their integrity +and understanding the lives of all that are brought in judgment do +ultimately depend; from their verdict there lies no appeal, by finding +guilty or not guilty. They do complicately resolve both law and fact. As +it hath been the law, so it hath always been the custom and practice of +these juries (except as before) upon all general issues, pleaded in +cases civil as well as criminal, to judge both of the law and fact. So +it is said in the report of the Lord Chief Justice Vaughan in Bushell's +case, That these juries determine the law in all matters where issue is +joined and tried, in the principal case whether the issue be about +trespass or debt, or disseizin in assizes, or a tort or any such like, +unless they should please to give a special verdict with an implicate +faith in the judgment of the Court, to which none can oblige them +against their wills. + +It is certain we may hope to see the trust of a grand juryman best +discharged when gentlemen of the best fortunes and understandings attend +that service, but it is as certain we must never expect to see such men +on juries, if for differing with a judge in opinion, when they only are +the lawful judges, they are liable to be treated like villains, like +perjurers, and enemies to their king and country; I say my lord such +behaviour to juries will make all gentlemen avoid that duty, and instead +of men of interest, of reputation and abilities, our lives, our +fortunes, and our reputations must depend upon the basest and meanest of +the people. + +I know it is commonly said, _boni judicis est ampliare juridictionem_. +But I take that to be better advice which was given by the Lord +Chancellor Bacon upon swearing a judge; That he would take care to +contain the jurisdiction of the court within the ancient mere-stones +without removing the mark. + +I intend to pay my respects to your lordship once every month 'till the +meeting of the Parliament, when our betters may consider of these +matters, and therefore will not trouble you with any more on this +subject at present. But conclude, most heartily praying---- + +That from depending upon the will of a judge, who may be corrupted or +swayed by his own passions, interests, or the impulse of such as support +him and may advance him to greater honours, the God of mercy and of +justice deliver this nation. + + I am, my lord, + Your lordship's most obedient humble servant, + N.N. +Dec. the First 1724. + Dublin: Printed in the Year 1724. + + + + +A SECOND LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ------ + + +My Lord, + +I think the best service men employed by His Majesty can do for him and +this country, is to shew such prudence and temper in their behaviours as +may convince every man they are not intrusted with any power but what is +necessary and will always be exercised for the advantage and security of +His Majesty's subjects. + +For my own part I hold it the duty of every man though he has not the +honour of serving His Majesty in public employment, not only, not to +misrepresent the actions of his servants, but in matters of small +concern, to wink at their follies and mistakes; I know the Jacobites and +Papists our irreconcilable enemies are too watchful to lay hold of every +occasion to misrepresent His Majesty and turn the faults of ambitious +and self-interested servants upon the best of kings. + +I hear some men say, that in my last to your lordship, there appears +more of the satirist, than becomes a man engaged merely in the defence +of liberty and justice; But I am satisfied I can with charity affirm, +they are either such as have no knowledge of the several steps [that] +have been taken to bring this poor country into ruin and disgrace, or +they are of the number of those who have had a share in the actings and +contrivances against it; for my lord, he must rather be an insensible +stoic than an angry cynic, who can survey the measures of some men +without horror and indignation--To see men act as if they had never +taken an oath of fidelity to their king, whose interest is inseparable +from that of his people, but had sworn to support the ruinous projects +of abandoned men (of whatever faction) must rouse the most lethargic, if +honest, soul. + +I who have always professed myself a Whig do confess it has mine. + +I beg leave in this place to explain what I intended in my last by the +words, "unless by leave or order of the court," lest whilst I plead for +justice I should do an injury to your lordship. + +I do declare I never heard that story of your lordship, and I hope no +man did believe it of you. My intention was by that hint to remember you +of Judge U--p--n and a certain assizes held at Wicklow, as I believe +your lordship understood it, and as I now desire all the world may. + +Having learned from your lordship and other lawyers of undoubted +abilities, that no judge ought by threats or circumvention to make a +grand-juryman discover the king's counsel his fellows' or his own I +should not at present say anything in support of that position. But that +I find a most ridiculous and false explanation seem to mislead some men +in that point: Say they, by the word counsel is understood, such bills +as are before the grand jury and the evidence the prosecutors for the +crown have to support the charge against the subject--Lest that being +known the party indictable may fly from justice, or he may procure false +witnesses to discredit the evidence for the king, or he may by bribes +and other indirect measures take off the witnesses for the crown. + +I confess _I_ take that to be the meaning of the word counsel, but I am +certain that is not _all_ that is meant by it, that is what must be +understood when it is called the king's counsel, _id est_, the counsel +or reasons for which the king by his servants, his attorney-general or +coroner, has drawn and sent to the grand jury a charge against a +subject. + +But the counsel of a juror is a different thing, it is the evidence, the +motives and reasons that induce him or his fellow-jurors to say _billa +vera_ or _ignoramus_, and the opinion he or they happen to be of when the +question is put by the foreman for finding or not finding: This counsel +every man is sworn to keep secret, that so their opinion and advice may +not be of prejudice to them hereafter, That as they are sworn to act +without favour or affection, so may they also act without FEAR. Whereas, +were it otherwise the spirit of revenge is so universal, there are but +few cases wherein a juror could act with safety to himself; either the +prosecuted, as where the bill is found, or the prosecutor, where it is +returned _ignoramus_, may contrive to defame the jurors who differ from +them in opinion: As I am told has happened to some very honest citizens +who are represented to be Jacobites since their opinions were know to be +against ----. And sometimes revenge or ambition may prompt men to carry +it further, as in the case of Mr. Wilmer, who in King Charles 2d's time +was very severely handled for being one of an _ignoramus_ jury.---- +'Tis not necessary to say whom he disobliged by being so.----But if I +remember right his case was this. + +He was a merchant, (and as I said, an _ignoramus_ juryman) had +covenanted with a servant boy to serve him in the West Indies, and +accordingly sent him beyond sea: Upon suggestion and affidavit by which +any person might have it, a writ _de homine replegiando_ was granted +against Mr. Wilmer; the sheriffs would have returned on the writ the +agreement and the boy's consent, but the court (in the case of this +Wilmer) Easter 34, Cha. 2. [_i.e.,_ Charles the Second] in B.R. ruled +they must return _replegiari fecimus_ or _elongavit_, that is, they had +replevy'd the boy, or that Wilmer had carried him away where they could +not find him, in which last case Mr. Wilmer, though an innocent person +must have gone to gaol until he brought the boy into court or he must +have been outlawed--Shower's Rep. 2 Part. + +I do not say this that I think the same thing will be practised again, +or anything like it, though I know that very homely proverb, "More ways +of killing a dog than hanging him."--But I instance it to shew, the +counsels of every grand juryman should be kept secret, that he may act +freely and without apprehensions of resentment from the prosecuted or +prosecutor. + +My resolution when I writ to you last, was, not to have said anything in +this concerning the power of dissolving or dispensing, but as I have +been forced to say something of the dispensing, for the same reason I +must of the dissolving power.--A power undoubtedly in effect including +that of returning, which makes me wish two men of great interest in this +kingdom, differing in every other thing, had not undertaken to defend +it, or they had better reasons for it than I have yet heard. + +'Tis said, "This power is in the court as a right of resistance is in +the people, as the people have a power superior to the prerogative of +the prince, though no written or express law for it; so of necessity +though no statute directs it, and it may seem to overturn the greatest +security men have for their liberties, yet the court has a power of +dissolving grand juries, if they refuse to find or present as the court +shall direct." + +Pray let us consider how well this concludes. + +The people may do anything in defence of their lives, their religion and +liberties, and consequently resistance is lawful, therefore an inferior +court a _bene placito_ judge may----Monstrous absurdity. + +Another, I am sorry I can't say more modest argument to support it is +this.-- + +"Considering," say they, "grand juries, it is but reasonable a +discretionary power of dissolving them should be lodged in the judges." + +By the words "considering grand juries," I must understand considering +their understandings, their fortunes or their integrity, for from a want +of one or more of those qualifications must arise the reason of such a +discretionary power in the judges. + +Though I shall not urge it as far as I could, I will venture to say the +argument is at least as strong the other way--considering the judges.-- + +First as to their understandings, it must be confessed the benches are +infinitely superior to the lower professors of the law: Yet surely it +can't give offence to say the gentlemen of the several counties have +understandings sufficient to discharge the duty of grand jurymen--If +want of fortune be an objection to grand jurymen, _a pari ratione_, it +is an objection to some other men.--Besides, that the fact is not true, +for in their circuits, no judge goes into any county where he does not +meet at least a dozen gentlemen returned upon every grand jury, every +one of whom have better estates than he himself has--And these not +during pleasure, which last consideration, saves me the trouble of +shewing the weakness of the objection in the third qualification. + +"Ay. But it was a necessary expedient to keep out Wood's brass." + +Are the properties of the commons of this kingdom better secured by the +knight-errantry of that day? In the name of common sense, what are we to +believe? Has the undaunted spirit, the tremendous voice of ------ +frightened Wood and his accomplices from any further attempts? Or rather +has not the ready compliance of ------ encouraged them to further +trials? The officers and attendants of his court may tremble when he +frowns, but who else regards it more than they do one of Wood's +farthings. + +"There is no comparison," says another, "between the affair of Sir W. +Scroggs and this of ------. Sir W. discharged a grand jury because they +were about to present the Duke of York for being a Papist, but ------ +discharged the grand jury for not presenting a paper he recommended to +them to present as scandalous, (and in which, I say, he was a party +reflected on.)" + +I agree there is a mighty difference, but whom does it make for? + +A grand jury of a hundred (part of a county) take upon them to present +a no less considerable person than the king's brother and heir +presumptive of the crown, the chief-justice thinks this a matter of too +much moment for men of such sort to meddle in, but a matter more proper +for the consideration of Parliament: I would not be understood to +condemn the jury; I think they acted as became honest Englishmen and +lovers of their country; But I say if judges could in any case be +allowed to proceed by rules of policy, surely here was a sufficient +excuse. However the commons impeached him. + +The determinations of ignorant or wicked judges as they are precedents +of little weight, so they are but of little danger, and therefore it +will become the commons at all times to animadvert most carefully upon +the actions of the most knowing men in that profession. + +I say, my lord, _at all times_, because I hear former merit is pleaded +to screen this action from any inquiry. + +I am sensible much is due to the man who has always preferred the public +interest to his private advantages as -------- has done. When a man has +signalized himself, when he has suffered for that principle, he deserves +universal respect. Yet men should act agreeably to the motive of that +respect, and not ruin the liberty of their country to shew their +gratitude, and so, my lord, where a man has the least pretence to that +character, I think 'tis best to pass over small offences, but never such +as will entail danger and dishonour upon us and our posterity. + +The Romans, my lord, when a question was in the senate, whether they +should ransom fifteen thousand citizens who had merited much by their +former victories, but losing one battle were taken prisoners; were +determined by the advice of that noble Roman Attilius Regulus not to +redeem them as men unworthy their further care, though probably it was +their misfortunes not their faults lost that day. + + Flagitio additis +Damnum: neque amissos colores +Luna refert medicata fuco + +He thought they were not worthy to be trusted again:---- + +To shew them pity, in his mind, would betray the Romans to perpetual +danger: _Et exemplo trahenti_ + +Perniciem veniens in aevum, +Si non periret immiserabilis +Captiva pubes + +I hear some precedents have been lately found out to justify that +memorable action; but if precedents must control reason and justice, if +a man may swear he will keep his counsels secret, and yet by precedents +may be forced to divulge them, I would advise gentlemen very seriously +to consider, the danger we are in; and examine what precedents there are +on each side of the question, for my part I think the commons of England +are not a worse precedent than the judges of England. + +Besides it must be remembered that precedents in some cases will not +excuse a judge, even where they are according to the undoubted law of +the land, as for instance, + +Suppose a man says what is true, not knowing it to be true, though it be +logically a truth as it is distinguished, yet it is morally false; and +so, suppose a judge give judgment according to law, not knowing it to be +so, as if he did not know the reason of it at that time, but bethought +himself of a reason or precedent for it afterwards, though the judgment +be legal and according to precedent, yet the pronouncing of it is +unjust; and the judge shall be condemned in the opinions of all men: As +happened to the Lord Chief Justice Popham a person of great learning and +parts, who upon the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh; when Sir Walter +objected to reading or giving in evidence, Lord Cobham's affidavit, +taken in his absence, without producing the lord face to face, the lord +being then forthcoming: The chief justice overruled the objection, and +was of opinion it should be given in evidence against Sir Walter, and +summing up the evidence to the jury the chief justice said, "Just then +it came into his mind why the accuser should not come face to face to +the prisoner, because, &c." Now if any judge has since found precedents, +or has since picked up the opinion of lawyers, I fear he will come +within the case I have put. + +I foresee, if ever this question happens to be debated, _you know +where_, gentlemen will be divided; Some will be desirous to do their +country justice and free us from all future danger of this kind; Others +upon motives not quite so laudable, will strive to screen, and with +others private friendship will prevail: But I would recommend to your +friends, who really love their country, to consider the several +circumstances concurring in your lordship which probably may not in your +successor: Let them suppose a person were to fill your place, from whose +manifest ignorance in the law, we may reasonably conclude, his only +merit is an inveteracy and hatred to this country. I say how could your +best friends excuse themselves, if in regard to your lordship they +should suffer such a precedent to be handed down to such a man +unobserved or uncensured? + +_Invenit etiam aemulos infaelix nequitia_--Ambitious men have not always +been deterred by the unhappy fate of their predecessors, _Quid si +floreat vigeatque?_ But what lengths will they run if injustice and +corruption shall ride triumphant? + +Had somebody received a reprimand upon his knees in a proper place, for +treating a printer's jury like men convict of perjury, forcing them to +find a special verdict, I dare to say he had not been quite so hardy as +to have discharged the grand jury or treated them in the manner he did, +because they had not an implicit faith in the court; nor had he dared +not to receive a presentment made by the second grand jury against +Wood's farthings upon pretence it was informal, which I mention because +the worthy Drapier has mistaken the fact. + +Some of your lordship's screens I hear advise you to shew great humility +and contrition for what's past, as the only means to appease the just +indignation all sorts of men have conceived against you.----Were I well +secured you will not recommend this letter to the next grand jury to be +presented, I could give you more _seasonable advice_, but happen as it +may I will venture to give you a little. + +Fawning and cajoling will have but little effect on those who have had +the honour of your acquaintance these ten years past, for Caligula who +used to hide his head if he heard the thunder, would piss upon the +statues of the gods when he thought the danger over--A better expedient +is this,---- + +Tell men the Drapier is a Tory and a Jacobite.--That he writ "The +Conduct of the Allies."--That he writ not his letters with a design to +keep out Wood's halfpence, but to bring in the Pretender; persuade them +if you can, the dispute is no longer about the power of judges over +juries, nor how much the liberty of the subject is endangered by +dissolving them at pleasure, but that it is now become mere Whig and +Tory, a dispute between His Majesty's friends and the Jacobites, and +'twere better to see a thousand grand juries discharged than the Tories +carry a question though in the right.--_Haec vulnera pro libertate +publica excepi, hunc oculum pro vobis impendi._ Try this cant, pin a +cloth over your eyes, look very dismal, and cry, "I was turned out of +employment, when the Drapier was rewarded with a Deanery," I say, my +lord, if you can once bring matters thus to bear, I have not the least +doubt you may escape without censure. + +To your lordship's zeal and industry without doubt is owing, that the +Papists and the Tories have not delivered this kingdom over to the +Pretender, so Caesar conquered Pompey that _Legum auctor et eversor,_ +and 'twas but just the liberty and laws of Rome should afterwards depend +upon his will and pleasure.----The Drapier in his letter to Lord +Molesworth has made a fair offer, "Secure his country from Wood's +coinage," then condemn all he has writ and said as false and scandalous, +when your lordship does as much I must confess it will be somewhat +difficult to discover the impostor. + +Thus to keep my word with your lordship, I have much against my +inclinations writ this, which shall be my last upon the ungrateful +subject.--If I have leisure, and find a safe opportunity of giving it to +the printer, my next shall explain what has long duped the true Whigs of +this kingdom. I mean _honesty in the "worst of times."_ + +Though your lordship object to my last, that what I writ was taken out +of Lord Coke, Lord Somers, Sir Will. Jones, or the writings of some +other great men, yet I will venture to end this with the sentiments of +Philip de Comines upon some thorough-going courtiers. + +"If a sixpenny tax is to be raised, they cry by all means it ought to be +double. If the prince is offended with any man, they are directly for +hanging him. In other instances, they maintain the same character. +Above all things they advise their king to make himself terrible, as +they themselves are proud, fierce, and overbearing, in hopes to be +dreaded by that means, as if authority and place were their +inheritance." + + I am, + My Lord, + Your Lordship's most + obedient and most + humble servant. + N.N. +_Jan_. 4, 1724-5. + + + + +APPENDIX V + +THE PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF +DUBLIN.[1] + + +Whereas several great quantities of base metal coined, commonly called +_Wood's halfpence,_ have been brought into the port of Dublin, and +lodged in several houses of this city, with an intention to make them +pass clandestinely, among His Majesty's subjects of this kingdom; +notwithstanding the addresses of both houses of parliament and the +privy-council, and the declarations of most of the corporations of this +city against the said coin; And whereas His Majesty hath been graciously +pleased to leave his loyal subjects of this kingdom at liberty to take +or refuse the said halfpence. + +[Footnote 1: Chief Justice Whitshed, after browbeating the Grand Jury +that threw out the Bill against Harding for printing the fourth +Drapier's letter, discharged it, and called another Grand Jury. The +second Grand Jury not only repeated the verdict of the first, but issued +the following expression of its opinion on the matter of Wood and his +patent. [T.S.]] + +We the Grand Jury of the county of the city of Dublin, this Michaelmas +term, 1724, having entirely at heart His Majesty's interest and the +welfare of our country, and being thoroughly sensible of the great +discouragement which trade hath suffered by the apprehensions of the +said coin, whereof we have already felt the dismal effects, and that the +currency thereof will inevitably tend to the great diminution of His +Majesty's revenue, and the ruin of us and our posterity: do present all +such persons as have attempted, or shall endeavour by fraud or +otherwise, to impose the said halfpence upon us, contrary to His +Majesty's most gracious intentions, as enemies to His Majesty's +government, and to the safety, peace and welfare of all His Majesty's +subjects of this kingdom, whose affections have been so eminently +distinguished by their zeal to his illustrious family, before his happy +accession to the throne, and by their continued loyalty ever since. + +As we do with all just gratitude acknowledge the services of all such +patriots, as have been eminently zealous for the interest of His +Majesty, and this country, in detecting the fraudulent impositions of +the said Wood, and preventing the passing his base coin: So we do at the +same time declare our abhorrence and detestation of all reflections on +His Majesty, and his government, and that we are ready with our lives +and fortunes to defend his most Sacred Majesty against the Pretender and +all His Majesty's open and secret enemies both at home and abroad: Given +under our hands at the Grand Jury Chamber this 28th, November, 1724.[2] + +George Forbes, David Tew, +William Empson, Thomas How, +Nathaniel Pearson, John Jones, +Joseph Nuttall, James Brown, +William Aston, Charles Lyndon, +Stearn Tighe, Jerom Bredin, +Richard Walker, John Sican, +Edmond French, Anthony Brunton, +John Vereilles, Thomas Gaven, +Philip Pearson, Daniel Elwood, +Thomas Robins, John Brunet. +Richard Dawson, + +[Footnote 2: On August 20th, 1724, the Grand Jury, and the other +inhabitants of the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's +waited on the Dean, and read him the following Declaration, desiring him +to give orders for its publication: + +"The Declaration of the Grand-Jury, and the rest of the inhabitants of +the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's, Dublin. + +"We, the Grand-Jury, and other inhabitants of the Liberty of the Dean +and Chapter of St. Patrick's, Dublin, whose names are underwritten, do +unanimously declare and determine, that we never will receive or pay any +of the half-pence or farthings already coined, or that shall hereafter +be coined, by one William Wood, being not obliged by law to receive the +same; because we are thoroughly convinced by the Addresses of both +Houses of Parliament, as well as by that of his Majesty's most +honourable Privy-Council, and by the universal opinion of the whole +kingdom, that the currency of the said half-pence and farthings would +soon deprive us of all our gold and silver, and therefore be of the most +destructive consequence to the trade and welfare of the nation." [T. +S.]] + + + + +APPENDIX VI + +PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE DRAPIER. + + +"_Oct. 27th,_ 1724. + +"A proclamation for discovering ye Author of ye Pamphlet intituled A +letter to ye whole people of Ireland, by M.B. Drapier, author of the +Letter to the Shop-keepers, etc. + +£300 Reward + +BY THE LORD-LIEUTENANT AND COUNCIL OF IRELAND. + + +A Proclamation. + +"CONTENT: + +"Whereas a wicked and malicious pamphlet, intituled A Letter to the +whole people of Ireland, by M.B. Drapier, author of the Letter to the +Shop-keepers, etc., printed by John Harding, in Molesworth's Court, in +Fishamble Street, Dublin, in which are contained several seditious and +scandalous paragraphs highly reflecting upon his Majesty and his +Ministers, tending to alienate the affections of his good subjects of +England and Ireland from each other, and to promote sedition among the +people, hath been lately printed and published in this kingdom: We, the +Lord-Lieutenant and Council do hereby publish and declare that, in order +to discover the author of the said seditious pamphlet, we will give the +necessary orders for the payment of three hundred pounds sterling, to +such person or persons as shall within the specified six months from +this date hereof, discover the author of the said pamphlet, so as he be +apprehended and convicted thereby. + +"Given at the council chamber in Dublin, this twenty-seventh day of +October, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-four. + +"(Signed) Midleton _Cancer_. Shannon; Donnerail; G. Fforbes; H. Meath; +Santry; Tyrawly; Fferrars; William Conolly; Ralph Gore; William +Whitshed; B. Hale; Gust. Hume; Ben Parry; James Tynte; R. Tighe; T. +Clutterbuck. + +"God Save the King." + + + + +APPENDIX VII + + +It is very interesting and even curious to note, that the signatories to +the public expression of their attitude towards Wood and his patent, as +shown by the Proclamation, should have almost all of them signed another +document, in their capacities of Privy Councillors, which addressed his +Majesty _against_ Wood and the patent. So far as I can learn, Monck +Mason seems to have been the first historian to discover it; nor do I +find the fact mentioned by any of Swift's later biographers. + +"It was rumoured in Swift's time," says Monck Mason, "but not actually +known to him" (see Drapier's Sixth Letter), "that the Irish Privy +Council had addressed his Majesty against Mr. Wood's coin. Having +inspected the papers of the Council office, I shall lay before the +reader the particulars of this event, which were never promulgated, +probably, because they had not the desired effect, the premier [Walpole] +having determined, notwithstanding all opposition or advice, to +persevere in his ill-judged project. + +"On the 17th April, 1724, at a meeting of the Council, in which the Duke +of Grafton himself presided, it was ordered, that it should be referred +to a committee of the whole board, or of any seven or more, 'to consider +what was proper to be done to allay and quiet the great fears of the +people, occasioned by their apprehensions of William Wood's copper money +becoming current among them,' On the 6th of May, the committee reported, +that they had considered the matter referred to them, and were of +opinion, that an address should be sent to his Majesty, of which they +then presented a draught. It was again on the 19th, referred to a +committee of the whole board to prepare a letter, which was accordingly +done on the next day.--The report was as follows: + +"'To the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the humble address of the Lords +Justices, and Privy-Council. + + * * * * * + +"'May it please your Majesty, + +"'We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Justices +and Privy Council, most humbly beg leave, at this time, to give an +instance of that duty, which, as upon all other occasions, so more +especially upon such as are of the greatest moment and importance, we +hold ourselves always bound to pay to your Majesty. + +"'Your Majesty's great council, the High Court of Parliament, being now +prorogued, we conceive ourselves bound, by the trust which your Majesty +has been pleased to repose in us, and the oaths we have taken, with all +humility to lay before your Majesty the present state of this your +kingdom, with reference to a great evil that appears to threaten it, to +which, if a speedy remedy be not applied, the unavoidable consequence, +as we apprehend, will be, the ruin of multitudes of your Majesty's +subjects, together with a great diminution of your revenue. + +"'Though the fears of your Majesty's subjects of this kingdom, in +relation to the coinage of copper half-pence and farthings, were, in a +great measure, allayed by your Majesty's most gracious resolution to do +every thing in your power for the satisfaction of your people, expressed +in your Majesty's answer to the addresses of both Houses of Parliament; +yet, the repeated intelligence from Great Britain, that William Wood has +the assurance to persist in his endeavours to introduce his copper +half-pence and farthings amongst us, has again alarmed your faithful +subjects, to such a degree, as already to give a great check to our +inland trade. If the letters patent granted to William Wood should, in +all points, be exactly complied with, the loss to be sustained by taking +his half-pence and farthings would be much greater than this poor +kingdom is able to bear. But if he, or any other persons, should, for +the value of gain, be tempted to coin and import even more than double +the quantity he by his patent is allowed to do, your people here do not +see how it is possible for your Majesty's chief governors of this your +kingdom, to detect or hinder the cheat. + +"'It is found by experience, that we have already a sufficient quantity +of half-pence, to serve by way of exchange in the retailing trade, which +is the only use of such sort of money, of which, therefore, we find +ourselves to be in no want. + +"'And since, by the letters patent granted to the same William Wood, no +man is required or commanded to take the said half-pence or farthings, +but the taking them is left at liberty to those who are willing so to +do; we most humbly submit it to your royal wisdom and goodness, whether +it may not be for your Majesty's service, and the great satisfaction and +good of your subjects, and very much tend to the allaying and quieting +of their fears, that your Majesty should cause your royal pleasure to be +signified to the Commissioners, and other officers of your Majesty's +revenue in this kingdom, that they neither receive those half-pence and +farthings, nor give countenance or encouragement to the uttering or +vending of them; or that some other speedy method may be taken to +prevent their becoming current amongst us.'" + + + + +APPENDIX VIII + + +Searching among the pamphlets of the Halliday Collection at the Royal +Irish Academy, Dublin, I came across a tract of twelve pages, printed by +John Whaley of Dublin in 1723, with the following title: + +"The Patentee's Computation of Ireland, in a Letter from the Author of +the Whitehall Evening-Post concerning the making of Copper-Coin. As also +the Case and Address of both Houses of Parliament together with His +Majesty's Most Gracious Answer to the House of Lords Address." + +The writer of this tract in defence of the patent maintained the +following propositions: + + +(1) That the Kingdom of Ireland wants a Copper Coin. + +(2) That the quantity of this coin will be no inconvenience to it. + +(3) That it is better than ever the Kingdom had, and as good as (in all +probability) they ever will or can have, and that the Patentee's profit +is not extravagant, as commonly reported. + +(4) That the Kingdom will lose nothing by this coin. + +(5) That the public in Ireland will gain considerably by it, if they +please. + +(6) That the Kingdom will have £100,000 additional cash. + + +As he states his arguments, they are quite reasonable. On proposition +three, if his figures are correct, he is especially convincing. He +details the cost of manufacture thus: + + _s. d._ +Copper prepared for the coinage at his Majesty's + Mint at the Tower of London, costs per pound + weight 1 6 + +Coinage of one pound weight 3-1/2 + +Waste and charge of re-melting 1 + +Yearly payment to the Exchequer and Comptroller 1 + +Allowed to the purchaser for exchange, &c. 5 + + Total charge 2 4-1/2 + +"So that the patentee," he concludes, "makes a profit of only 1-1/2_d._ +in the half crown or about 5%." + +The tract, however, is more interesting for the reprint it gives of the +twenty-eight articles stated by the people in objection to the patent +and the coin. I give these articles in full: + + + + +IRELAND'S CASE HUMBLY PRESENTED TO THE HONOURABLE THE KNIGHTS, CITIZENS, +AND BURGESSES IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED + + +MOST HUMBLY SHEWETH, + +Whereas your Honours finding the late Grant or Letters Patents obtained +by Mr. William Wood, for making Three Hundred and Sixty Tun weight of +copper half-pence for the Kingdom of Ireland, were to be manufactured in +London &c. which money is now coining in Bristol, and that the said +money was to weigh two shillings and sixpence in each pound weight, and +that change was to be uttered or passed for all such as were pleased to +take the same in this Kingdom. + +That it's humbly conceived Your Honours on considering the following +Remarks, will find the permitting such change to pass, exceeding +Injurious and Destructive to the Nation. + +First. That the same will be a means to drain this Kingdom of all its +Gold and Silver, and ten, fifteen, or twenty per cent abated, will most +effectually do the same. + +2d. That the making such money in England will give great room for +counterfeiting that coin, as well in this Kingdom, as where it is made. + +3d. That the Copper Mines of this Island which might be manufactured in +the nation, is by management shipped off to England by some persons at, +or about forty shillings per tun, by others at four pounds and six +pounds per ton, which copper when smelted and refined is sold and sent +back to this kingdom at two shillings and six pence per pound weight as +aforesaid, which is two hundred and eighty pound sterl. per ton. + +4th. That two shillings and sixpence per pound weight is making the said +coin of very small value, the said coin ought not to weigh or exceed two +shillings in each pound weight as the English Halfpence are. + +5th. That all such money brought to this Nation manufactured, is to be +entered at value, which value is in the Book of Rates, ten per cent duty +and excise. + +6th. That no security is given to this Nation to make such money in any +one point, the same may be found defective in either, as to baseness of +metal, workmanship or weight, or to give gold and silver for the same, +when the subject was, or may be burthened therewith. + +7th. That if such monies as aforesaid be permitted to pass in this +nation, all persons that have gold or silver by them would not part +therewith, but Brass money must be carried from House to House on +Truckles, and in the county by carts and horses, with troops to guard +them. + +8th. That such money will raise the price of all commodities from +abroad, probably to three or four hundred per cent. + +9th. That linen, yarn, beef, butter, tallow, hides and all other +commodities, will raise to that degree by being bought with half-pence, +and workmen paid with brass money, that commissions from abroad will not +reach them, therefore such goods must lie on hands and remain a drugg. + +10th. That the excise of beer, ale, brandy, &c., and hearth-money will +be paid in such coin, the same falling first into the hands of the poor +and middling people. + +11th. That if any trouble should happen in this nation, no army could be +raised with such specie, but an enemy in all appearance would be +admitted with their gold and silver, and which would drive the nation +before them. + +12th. The Courts of Law could not subsist, for all the suits there must +be supported and maintained with ready money. Viz. Gold and Silver. + +13th. That all the bankers must shut up their shops, no lodgment would +be made except Halfpence, such as would lodge their money with them, +would rather draw off and cause a run on them, fearing that their specie +should be turned into the said brass and copper money. + +14th. That such bills as are drawn to the country, viz. Cork, Limerick, +Waterford, Kingsale, Deny, &c. The Exchange would be instead of a +quarter per cent, twenty per cent and then paid in the said Brass +specie, by means of its being brought on cars, carts, or waggons, and +guards to attend the same. + +15th. That all the rent in the Kingdom would be paid in half-pence; no +man would give gold or silver, when he had brass money to pay the same. + +16th. That no one can coin or manufacture such a quantity of halfpence +or farthings for this Kingdom, out of the same, but either he must be +ruined in the undertaking or the nation undone by his project, in taking +such light money, by reason of ten per cent, duty, and probably this +session be made twenty or thirty per cent duty, and the exchange nine or +ten per cent. Ten per cent abated to circulate them. Ten per cent +factorage, freight, gabberage, key-porters, &c. all which is forty per +cent, charged on the same. + +17th. That if the said Wood was obliged to make his light money not to +exceed two shillings in the pound weight according to the English coin, +he would give up such grant, for six pence in each pound weight is 25 +per cent. + +18th. That the said twenty-five per cent is 19,360_l._ sterl. on the +said 360 ton of copper, loss to this nation, by being coined out of this +Kingdom, besides 80,690_l._ of gold and silver sent out of the Kingdom +for brass or copper money. + +19th. That the copper mines of this Kingdom is believed to be the metal +such copper is made of, which verifies the English saying, That Irish +people are wild, that would part with 200,000_l._ sterl. of their gold +and silver, for their own copper mines, which cost them not one pound +sterl. + +20th. That the said Wood's factors probably may send in fourteen years +double the quantity of copper which is 720 ton, then this Kingdom loses +38,720_l._ sterl. and parts with 161,280_l._ sterl. of their gold and +silver for almost nothing. + +21st. If any great sum was to be raised by this nation, on any emergency +extraordinary, to serve his Majesty and his Kingdom how would it be +possible to do the same; copper half-pence would not stem the tide, no +silver now to be had of value, then no gold to be seen. + +22d. That England also must be a great loser by such money, by reason +the said half-pence being from 20 to 40 grains lighter and less in value +than their own, so that the same will not pass in that Kingdom scarce +for farthings a piece, how then shall the vast quantities of goods be +paid for, that are brought from that Kingdom here, a considerable part +of this island must be broke and run away for want of silver and gold to +pay them their debts. + +23d. That if the said Wood should get all that money, what power would +he regard, and what temptation would he be subject unto on that head, he +is but a man, and one almost as little known or heard of, as any one +subject the king has on this side the water. + +24th. That the vast quantity of sea-coal brought from England here, +would not be had for such money; the colliers will keep both their ships +and coal at home, before they trade with such a nation, as had their +treasure turned into brass money. + +25th. That the Army must be paid with such money, none else to be had, +they would lay down their arms and do no duty, what blood and confusion +then would attend the same. + +26th. That no people out of any other Kingdom would come into this +country to dwell, either to plant or sow, where all their money must be +brass. + +27th. That the beautiful Quay and river of Dublin which is now lined and +filled with ships in a most delightful order, would then be scattered to +other harbours, as also the new Range, there and now a building, would +be left, nothing but empty places all as doleful as the weeping river, +deserted by her fleets and armies of merchants and traders. + +28th. That the aforesaid scheme is to be viewed and considered by a +King and Parliament, that will do themselves and their nation justice, +who will with hearts and hands, stem that tide and current, as never to +suffer so dutiful and loyal a people to be ruined and undone without +relief. + + + + +APPENDIX IX + +DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS SPECIMENS OF WOOD'S COINS + + +The following descriptions of the various varieties of Wood's coins, +taken from a note in Monck Mason's "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral" +(ed. 1819, pp. xcvi-xcvii), may be interesting to the student. The two +varieties of the coins given as illustrations in this volume are +reproduced from specimens in the British Museum. + +Monck Mason obtains his information from Simon's "Essay on Irish Coins," +Dublin, 1749, 4to; Snelling's Supplement to Simon issued in 1767; and +the edition of Simon's work reprinted in 1810. + +With the exception of No. II. of this list all of Wood's coins had, on +one side, "the king's head laureat, looking to the left, with this +inscription, GEORGIUS, DEI GRATIA, REX. On the reverse is the figure of +Ireland, represented by a woman sitting, beside her, a harp: the +differences consist chiefly, in variations in the attitude of the +figure, and in the date of the coin." + +No. I. 1722.--Hibernia, with both her hands on the harp, which is placed +on her right side; her figure is full front, but she looks towards the +right; round her this inscription, HIBERNIA, 1722. (Simon, plate 7, +Numb. 160) + +No. II. 1722.--Hibernia is seated as in the last, but has her head +turned to the left, on which side there is a rock; round her is +inscribed, HIBERNIA; in the exergue, 1722; on the obverse the usual +head, the inscription, GEORGIUS D.G. REX. (Snelling, plate 2, Numb. 24.) + +No. III. 1722.--Hibernia, in profile, looking to the left, holding, in +her right hand, a palm branch, resting her left on a harp; round it, +HIBERNIA, 1722. (Simon, plate 7, Numb. 161.) + +No. IV. 1723.--Hibernia, as in the last; round her, HIBERNIA, 1723. +(Simon, plate 8, Numb. 169.) + +It was some of this coin that was submitted to Sir Isaac Newton for +assay. + +No. V. 1724.--Hibernia, as in the last two, differing only in the date. +(Mentioned by Simon, but no engraving given.) + +No, VI. 1724.--Hibernia, seated as in the three preceding; round her, +HIBERNIA: in the exergue, 1724. (Snelling, plate 2, Numb. 26.) + +Mason notes of this specimen: "Mr. Snelling does not specify, +particularly, in what respect this coin differs from those which +precede; his words are, 'different from any other, and very good work, +especially the halfpenny, which is the finest and broadest piece of his +money I ever saw, and belongs to Mr. Bartlet.' They do not, however, +appear to have attained to circulation in Ireland. A few might, perhaps, +have been struck off by the patentee, to distribute among his own, and +the minister's friends." + +No. VII.--Mr. Snelling mentions, "another halfpenny, which has Hibernia +pointing up with one hand to a sun in the top of the piece"; but of this +he has not given any engraving. + + + + + + + +INDEX. + + +Addison, made keeper of the records of Bermingham's Tower +Armstrong, Sir Thomas, granted a patent to coin farthings in Ireland +Armstrong, Sir William, granted a patent to coin halfpence in Ireland + +Bacon, Lord, on the Royal prerogative, quoted +Berkeley, Lord, of Stratton, Master of the Rolls +Bingham, John +Bodin, Jean +Boulter, Archbishop +Brodrick, St. John, made a Privy Councillor +Brown, John +Burlington, Earl of, Lord High Treasurer of Ireland + +Carteret, Lord, + attempts to injure Walpole's reputation by means of the Wood agitation + made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland + takes Walpole's side + character of + Swift's letters to + his relations with Walpole +Charles I., paid his troops with debased coin +Coinage, the law with reference to + _See_ Wood's Coinage +Coke, Sir Edward, on the laws regarding coinage +Coleby +Conolly, William, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons +Coxe, Archdeacon, his account of the agitation in Ireland +"Creed of an Irish Commoner, A" +Crowley, Sir Ambrose + +Dartmouth, Lord, granted a patent to coin halfpence in Ireland +Davies, Sir John, his "Abridgement of Coke's Reports" +"Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland, A," quoted +Doddington, Bubb +Drapier, the, his account of himself + proclamation against +Dublin, petition of the Lord Mayor, sheriffs and citizens of +Dutch, the, counterfeited debased coinage of Ireland + +Elizabeth, Queen, her army paid with base coin + base money sent to Ireland by +Ewing, George, "Defence of the Conduct of the People of + Ireland" published by + +Filmer, Sir Robert +Finley +France, system of re coinage in + +George I., equestrian statue of, in Dublin +Grafton, Duke of, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland + recalled + not concerned with Wood's patent + +Harding, John, arrest and prosecution of +Harley, Robert, Earl of Oxford, Swift's tribute to +Holt, Sir John + +Hopkins, Right Hon. Edward, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant + made Master of the Revels +Hopkins, John + +Ireland, want of small change in + patents granted for coining in + relations between England and + petitions for establishment of a mint in + computed population of + copper money not wanted in + not a "depending kingdom," + English contempt for + loyalty of + a free country + project for a bank in + England's profit from + the absentees of + absence of faction in + Charter schools founded in + needed reforms in + _See also_ Wood's Coinage. + +James II., debased the coinage in Ireland + +Kendal, Duchess of, sold Wood his patent for £10,000 +King, Archbishop, letters to Southwell quoted + letter to General George + refused to condemn the Drapier + letter to Molyneux on the proclamation against the Drapier's 4th letter +Knox, John, his patent to coin halfpence + comparison of his patent with Wood's + + +Legg, Colonel George. _See_ Dartmouth, Lord. +Leti, Signor +Lindsay, Robert + + +Marsh; Bishop, Charter schools founded by +Midleton, Chancellor, and Walpole + Swift's letter to + opposed to Wood's patent + but signed the Proclamation against the Drapier + account of +"Mirror of Justice, The," +Molesworth, Viscount, letter to + account of +Molyneux, William +Moore, Colonel Roger, patent to coin halfpence sold to + +Newton, Sir Isaac, Wood's coinage assayed by + +Palmerston, Lord, Chief Remembrancer +Pembroke, Earl of, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland +Philips, Ambrose, secretary to Archbishop Boulter +Phipps, Sir Constantine +Poyning's Law +Precedents, Swift on +Prior, Thomas, his "List of the Absentees of Ireland" +Privy Council, Report of the, on Wood's coinage + and _see_ Letters II. and III. +Privy Council, the Irish, Report of, on Wood's coinage +"Proposal for the Universal Use of Irish Manufactures, A" + +Rooke, Admiral Sir George +Royal Prerogative, the + explained + +Scotland, power of coining in +Scroggs, Sir William, Lord Chief Justice +Scroope, Thomas, one of the assayists of Wood's coinage +"Seasonable Advice to the Grand Jury," + effect of +Sedley, Sir Charles +Sheridan, Thomas, probably the author of "Tom Punsibus Dream" +Sidney, Algernon +Somers, Lord +Southwell, Edward, one of the assayists of Wood's coinage + King's letters to + Secretary of State +Sunderland, Earl of +Swift, Jonathan, his aims in writing the Drapier's letters + his letter to Midleton + acclaimed the saviour of his country + his sermon on "Doing Good" + idolized in Ireland + +Trench, W., memorial of, with reference to the copper coinage +"Tom Punsibi's Dream" +Tyrone's rebellion + + +Walpole, Sir Robert, his conduct in the matter of Wood's patent + said to have been the author of the Report of the Privy Council + his Irish policy + Wood's reliance on + exonerated by the Drapier +Whitshed, Chief Justice, dissolves the Grand Jury in the case against + Harding + his motto + letters to +William, King, pewter halfpence coined by +Wood, William, terms of the patent granted to + account of + his indiscreet boasts + stories of + his profit considered + his patent obtained clandestinely + his patent compared with Knox's + pamphlets published in London in favor of + his reliance on Walpole + his patent ended + a pension given to +Wood's coinage, letters of the Revenue Commissioners regarding + resolutions of the Irish Houses of Parliament on + report of the Committee of the Privy Council on + and Letters II and III. + value of + refused by the merchants at the ports + no one obliged to take it + assay of, at the mint + baseness of + the revenue officers ordered to pass it + popular indignation against + the matter summed up + end of the agitation concerning + addresses to the King concerning + presentment of the Grand Jury on + description of the various specimens of + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, +Vol. VI; The Drapier's Letters, by Jonathan Swift + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROSE WORKS OF SWIFT *** + +***** This file should be named 12784-8.txt or 12784-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/7/8/12784/ + +Produced by Sander van Rijnswou and PG Distributed Proofreaders. +Produced from images provided by the Million Book Project. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. VI; The Drapier's Letters + +Author: Jonathan Swift + +Release Date: June 29, 2004 [EBook #12784] +Last Updated: January 21, 2019 + + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROSE WORKS OF SWIFT *** + + + + +Etext produced by Sander van Rijnswou and PG Distributed Proofreaders. +Produced from images provided by the Million Book Project. + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE PROSE WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFT + </h1> + <h2> + By Jonathan Swift, D.D. + </h2> + <h2> + Edited By Temple Scott + </h2> + <h3> + LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + BOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARY + </h3> + <p> + VOL. I. A TALE OF A TUB AND OTHER EARLY WORKS. Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. + With a biographical introduction by W.E.H. LECKY, M.P. With Portrait and + Facsimiles. + </p> + <p> + VOL. II. THE JOURNAL TO STELLA. Edited by FREDERICK RYLAND, M.A. With two + Portraits of Stella and a Facsimile of one of the Letters. + </p> + <p> + VOLS. III. & IV. WRITINGS ON RELIGION AND THE CHURCH. Edited by TEMPLE + SCOTT. With Portraits and Facsimiles of Title-pages. + </p> + <p> + VOL. V. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL TRACTS—ENGLISH. Edited by TEMPLE + SCOTT. With Portrait and Facsimiles of Title-pages. + </p> + <p> + VOL. VI. THE DRAPIER'S LETTERS. Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. With Portrait, + Reproductions of Wood's Coinage, and Facsimiles of Title pages. + </p> + <p> + VOL. VIII. GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. Edited by G. RAVENSCROFT DENNIS. With + Portrait, Maps and Facsimiles. + </p> + <p> + VOL. IX. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE "EXAMINER," "TATLER," "SPECTATOR," &c. + Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. With Portrait. + </p> + <p> + VOL. X. HISTORICAL WRITINGS. Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. With Portrait. + </p> + <p> + <i>To be followed by:</i> + </p> + <p> + VOL. VII. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL TRACTS—IRISH. + </p> + <p> + VOL. XI. LITERARY ESSAYS. + </p> + <p> + VOL. XII. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX TO COMPLETE WORKS. + </p> + <hr /> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> THE PROSE WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> LETTER I. TO THE SHOP-KEEPERS, TRADESMEN, + FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE OF IRELAND. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> LETTER II. TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> <i>THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE LORDS OF + HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY-COUNCIL, IN RELATION TO MR. WOOD'S + HALFPENCE AND FARTHINGS, ETC.</i>[1] AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT WHITEHALL, + THE 24TH DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> LETTER III. TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE + KINGDOM OF IRELAND. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> LETTER IV. A LETTER TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF + IRELAND. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY, CONCERNING + THE BILL PREPARING AGAINST THE PRINTER OF THE DRAPIER'S FOURTH LETTER. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> LETTER V. A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR + MIDDLETON. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER[2] </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> LETTER V. A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR + MIDDLETON.[5] </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> LETTER VI. A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE + LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> DIRECTIONS TO THE PRINTER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> LETTER VI. A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE + LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH, AT HIS HOUSE AT BRACKDENSTOWN NEAR SWORDS.[6] + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> LETTER VII. AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF + PARLIAMENT. BY M.B. DRAPIER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> LETTER VII. AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF + PARLIAMENT. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> APPENDIX I. ADDRESSES TO THE KING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> APPENDIX II. REPORT OF THE ASSAY ON WOOD'S + COINAGE, MADE BY SIR ISAAC NEWTON, EDWARD SOUTHWELL, ESQ., AND THOMAS + SCROOPE, ESQ.[1] </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> APPENDIX III, TOM PUNSIBI'S DREAM[1] </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> APPENDIX IV. A LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT + HONOURABLE ———[1] </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> A SECOND LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT + HONOURABLE ——— </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> APPENDIX V. THE PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY OF + THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN.[1] </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> APPENDIX VI. PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE DRAPIER. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> APPENDIX VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> APPENDIX VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> IRELAND'S CASE HUMBLY PRESENTED TO THE + HONOURABLE THE KNIGHTS, CITIZENS, AND BURGESSES IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> APPENDIX IX. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS + SPECIMENS OF WOOD'S COINS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> INDEX. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PROSE WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFT + </h2> + <h3> + VOL. VI + </h3> + <h3> + THE DRAPIER'S LETTERS + </h3> + <h3> + LONDON + </h3> + <h3> + GEORGE BELL AND SONS + </h3> + <h3> + 1903 + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION + </h2> + <p> + In 1714 Swift left England for Ireland, disappointed, distressed, and worn + out with anxiety in the service of the Harley Ministry. On his + installation as Dean of St. Patrick's he had been received in Dublin with + jeering and derision. He had even been mocked at in his walks abroad. In + 1720, however, he entered for the second time the field of active + political polemics, and began with renewed energy the series of writings + which not only placed him at the head and front of the political writers + of the day, but secured for him a place in the affections of the people of + Ireland—a place which has been kept sacred to him even to the + present time. A visitor to the city of Dublin desirous of finding his way + to St. Patrick's Cathedral need but to ask for the Dean's Church, and he + will be understood. There is only one Dean, and he wrote the "Drapier's + Letters." The joy of the people of Dublin on the withdrawal of Wood's + Patent found such permanent expression, that it has descended as oral + tradition, and what was omitted from the records of Parliament and the + proceedings of Clubs and Associations founded in the Drapier's honour, has + been embalmed in the hearts of the people, whose love he won, and whose + homage it was ever his pride to accept. + </p> + <p> + The spirit of Swift which Grattan invoked had, even in Grattan's time, + power to stir hearts to patriotic enthusiasm. That spirit has not died out + yet, and the Irish people still find it seasonable and refreshing to be + awakened by it to a true sense of the dignity and majesty of Ireland's + place in the British Empire. + </p> + <p> + A dispassionate student of the condition of Ireland between the years of + Swift's birth and death—between, say, 1667 and 1745—could rise + from that study in no unprejudiced mood. It would be difficult for him to + avoid the conclusion that the government of Ireland by England had not + only degraded the people of the vassal nation, but had proved a disgrace + and a stigma on the ruling nation. It was a government of the masses by + the classes, for no other than selfish ends. It ended, as all such + governments must inevitably end, in impoverishing the people, in wholesale + emigration, in starvation and even death, in revolt, and in fostering + among those who remained, and among those whom circumstances exiled, the + dangerous spirit of resentment and rebellion which is the outcome of the + sense of injustice. It has also served, even to this day, to give vitality + to those associations that have from time to time arisen in Ireland for + the object of realizing that country's self-government. + </p> + <p> + It may be argued that the people of Ireland of that time justified Swift's + petition when he prayed to be removed from "this land of slaves, where all + are fools and all are knaves"; but that is no justification for the + injustice. The injustice from which Ireland suffered was a fact. Its + existence was resented with all the indignation with which an emotional + and spiritual people will always resent material obstructions to the free + play of what they feel to be their best powers. + </p> + <p> + There were no leaders at the time who could see this, and seeing it, + enforce its truth on the dull English mind to move it to saner methods of + dealing with this people. Nor were there any who could order the + resentment into battalions of fighting men to give point to the demands + for equal rights with their English fellow-subjects. + </p> + <p> + Had Swift been an Irishman by nature as he was by birth, it might have + been otherwise; but Swift was an Irishman by accident, and only became an + Irish patriot by reason of the humanity in him which found indignant and + permanent expression against oppression. Swift's indignation against the + selfish hypocrisy of his fellow-men was the cry from the pain which the + sight of man's inhumanity to man inflicted on his sensitive and + truth-loving nature. The folly and baseness of his fellow-creatures stung + him, as he once wrote to Pope, "to perfect rage and resentment." Turn + where he would, he found either the knave as the slave driver, or the + slave as a fool, and the latter became even a willing sacrifice. His + indignation at the one was hardly greater than his contempt for the other, + and his different feelings found trenchant expression in such writings as + the "Drapier's Letters," the "Modest Proposal," and "Gulliver's Travels." + </p> + <p> + It has been argued that the <i>saeva indignatio</i> which lacerated his + heart was the passion of a mad man. To argue thus seems to us to + misunderstand entirely the peculiar qualities of Swift's nature. It was + not the mad man that made the passion; it was rather the passion that made + the man mad. As we understand him, it seems to us that Swift's was an + eminently majestic spirit, moved by the tenderest of human sympathies, and + capable of ennobling love—a creature born to rule and to command, + but with all the noble qualities which go to make a ruler loved. It + happened that circumstances placed him early in his career into poverty + and servitude. He extricated himself from both in time; but his liberation + was due to an assertion of his best powers, and not to a dissimulation of + them. Had he been less honest, he might have risen to a position of great + power, but it would have been at the price of those very qualities which + made him the great man he was. That assertion cost him his natural + vocation, and Swift lived on to rage in the narrow confines of a Dublin + Deanery House. He might have flourished as the greatest of English + statesmen—he became instead a monster, a master-scourger of men, + pitiless to them as they had been blind to him. But monster and + master-scourger as he proved himself, he always took the side of the + oppressed as against the oppressor. The impulse which sent him abroad + collecting guineas for "poor Harrison" was the same impulse which moved + him in his study at the Deanery to write as "M.B. Drapier." On this latter + occasion, however, he also had an opportunity to lay bare the secret + springs of oppression, an opportunity which he was not the man to let go + by. + </p> + <p> + No doubt Swift was not quite disinterested in the motives which prompted + him to enter the political arena for the second time. He hated the Walpole + Ministry in power; he resented his exile in a country whose people he + despised; and he scorned the men who, while they feared him, had yet had + the power to prevent his advancement. But, allowing for these personal + incentives, there was in Swift such a large sympathy for the degraded + condition of the Irish people, such a tender solicitude for their best + welfare, and such a deep-seated zeal for their betterment, that, in + measuring to him his share in the title of patriot, we cannot but admit + that what we may call his public spirit far outweighed his private spleen. + Above all things Swift loved liberty, integrity, sincerity and justice; + and if it be that it was his love for these, rather than his love for the + country, which inspired him to patriotic efforts, who shall say that he + does not still deserve well of us. If a patriot be a man who nobly teaches + a people to become aware of its highest functions as a nation, then was + Swift a great patriot, and he better deserves that title than many who + have been accorded it. + </p> + <p> + The matter of Wood's Halfpence was a trivial one in itself; but it was + just that kind of a matter which Swift must instantly have appreciated as + the happiest for his purpose. It was a matter which appealed to the + commonest news-boy on the street, and its meaning once made plain, the + principle which gave vitality to the meaning was ready for enunciation and + was assured of intelligent acceptance. In writing the "Drapier's Letters," + he had, to use his own words, seasonably raised a spirit among the Irish + people, and that spirit he continued to refresh, until when he told them + in his Fourth Letter, "by the Laws of God, of Nature, of Nations, and of + your Country, you are, and ought to be, as free a people as your brethren + in England," the country rose as one man to the appeal. Neither the + suavities of Carteret nor the intrigues of Walpole had any chance against + the set opposition which met them. The question to be settled was taken + away from the consideration of ministers, and out of the seclusion of + Cabinets into the hands of the People, and before the public eye. There + was but one way in which it could be settled—the way of the people's + will—and it went that way. It does not at all matter that Walpole + finally had his way—that the King's mistress pocketed her <i>douceur</i>, + and that Wood retired satisfied with the ample compensation allowed him. + What does matter is that, for the first time in Irish History, a spirit of + national life was breathed into an almost denationalized people. Beneath + the lean and starved ribs of death Swift planted a soul; it is for this + that Irishmen will ever revere his memory. + </p> + <p> + In the composition of the "Letters" Swift had set himself a task + peculiarly fitting to his genius. Those qualities of mind which enabled + him to enter into the habits of the lives of footmen, servants, and + lackeys found an even more congenial freedom of play here. His knowledge + of human nature was so profound that he instinctively touched the right + keys, playing on the passions of the common people with a deftness far + surpassing in effect the acquired skill of the mere master of oratory. He + ordered his arguments and framed their language, so that his readers + responded with almost passionate enthusiasm to the call he made upon them. + Allied to his gift of intellectual sympathy with his kind was a consummate + ability in expression, into which he imparted the fullest value of the + intended meaning. His thought lost nothing in its statement. Writing as he + did from the point of view of a tradesman, to the shopkeepers, farmers, + and common people of Ireland, his business was to speak with them as if he + were one of them. He had already laid bare their grievances caused by the + selfish legislation of the English Parliament, which had ruined Irish + manufactures; he had written grimly of the iniquitous laws which had + destroyed the woollen trade of the country; he had not forgotten the + condition of the people as he saw it on his journeys from Dublin to Cork—a + condition which he was later to reveal in the most terrible of his + satirical tracts—and he realized with almost personal anguish the + degradation of the people brought about by the rapacity and selfishness of + a class which governed with no thought of ultimate consequences, and with + no apparent understanding of what justice implied. It was left for him to + precipitate his private opinion and public spirit in such form as would + arouse the nation to a sense of self-respect, if not to a pitch of + resentment. The "Drapier's Letters" was the reagent that accomplished + both. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The editor takes this opportunity to express his thanks and obligations to + Mr. G.R. Dennis, to Mr. W. Spencer Jackson, to the late Colonel F.R. + Grant, to Mr. C. Litton Falkiner of Killiney, and to Mr. O'Donoghue of + Dublin. His acknowledgment is here also made to Mr. Strickland, of the + National Gallery of Ireland, to whose kindness and learning he is greatly + indebted. + </p> + <h3> + TEMPLE SCOTT. + </h3> + <p> + NEW YORK, <i>March</i>, 1903. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER I. TO THE SHOP-KEEPERS, TRADESMEN, FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE OF + IRELAND. + </h2> + <h3> + NOTE + </h3> + <p> + About the year 1720 it was generally acknowledged in Ireland that there + was a want there of the small change, necessary in the transaction of + petty dealings with shopkeepers and tradesmen. It has been indignantly + denied by contemporary writers that this small change meant copper coins. + They asserted that there was no lack of copper money, but that there was a + great want of small silver. Be that as it may, the report that small + change was wanting was sufficiently substantiated to the English + government to warrant it to proceed to satisfy the want. In its dealings + with Ireland, however, English governments appear to have consistently + assumed that attitude which would most likely cause friction and arouse + disturbance. In England coins for currency proceeded from a mint + established under government supervision. In Scotland such a mint was + specially provided for in the Act of Union. But in Ireland, the government + acted otherwise. + </p> + <p> + The Irish people had again and again begged that they should be permitted + to establish a mint in which coins could be issued of the same standard + and intrinsic value as those used in England. English parliaments, + however, invariably disregarded these petitions. Instead of the mint the + King gave grants or patents by which a private individual obtained the + right to mint coins for the use of the inhabitants. The right was most + often given for a handsome consideration, and held for a term of years. In + 1660 Charles II. granted such a patent to Sir Thomas Armstrong, permitting + him to coin farthings for twenty years. It appears, however, that + Armstrong never actually coined the farthings, although he had gone to the + expense of establishing a costly plant for the purpose. + </p> + <p> + Small copper coins becoming scarce, several individuals, without + permission, issued tokens; but the practice was stopped. In 1680 Sir + William Armstrong, son of Sir Thomas, with Colonel George Legg (afterwards + Lord Dartmouth), obtained a patent for twenty-one years, granting them the + right to issue copper halfpence. Coins were actually struck and + circulated, but the patent itself was sold to John Knox in the very year + of its issue. Knox, however, had his patent specially renewed, but his + coinage was interrupted when James II. issued his debased money during the + Revolution (see Monck Mason, p. 334, and the notes on this matter to the + Drapier's Third Letter, in present edition). + </p> + <p> + Knox sold his patent to Colonel Roger Moore, who overstocked the country + with his coins to such an extent that the currency became undervalued. + When, in 1705, Moore endeavoured to obtain a renewal of his patent, his + application was refused. By 1722, owing either to Moore's bad coinage, or + to the importation of debased coins from other countries, the copper money + had degraded considerably. In a pamphlet[1] issued by George Ewing in + Dublin (1724), it is stated that in that year, W. Trench presented a + memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, complaining of the condition of the + copper coinage, and pointing out that the evil results had been brought + about by the system of grants to private individuals. Notwithstanding this + memorial, it was attempted to overcome the difficulty by a continuance of + the old methods. A new patent was issued to an English iron merchant, + William Wood by name, who, according to Coxe, submitted proposal with many + others, for the amelioration of the grievance. Wood's proposals, say this + same authority, were accepted "as beneficial to Ireland." The letters + patent bear the date July 12th, 1722, and were prepared in accordance with + the King's instructions to the Attorney and Solicitor General sent in a + letter from Kensington on June 16th, 1722. The letter commanded "that a + bill should be prepared for his royal signature, containing and importing + an indenture, whereof one part was to pass the Great Seal of Great + Britain." This indenture, notes Monck Mason,[2] between His Majesty of the + one part, "and William Wood, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, + Esq.," of the other, signifies that His Majesty + </p> + <p> + "has received information that, in his kingdom of Ireland, there was a + great want of small money for making small payments, and that retailers + and others did suffer by reason of such want." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland in their + unanimous refusal of Mr. Wood's Copper Money," pp. 22-23.] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," note v, pp. 326-327.] + </p> + <p> + By virtue, therefore, of his prerogative royal, and in consideration of + the rents, covenants, and agreements therein expressed, His Majesty + granted to William Wood, his executors, assigns, etc., "full, free, sole, + and absolute power, privilege, licence, and authority," during fourteen + years, from the annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, 1722, to coin + halfpence and farthings of copper, to be uttered and disposed of in + Ireland, and not elsewhere. It was provided that the whole quantity coined + should not exceed 360 tons of copper, whereof 100 tons only were to be + coined in the first year, and 20 tons in each of the last thirteen, said + farthings and halfpence to be of good, pure, and merchantable copper, and + of such size and bigness, that one avoirdupois pound weight of copper + should not be converted into more farthings and halfpence than would make + thirty pence by tale; all the said farthings and halfpence to be of equal + weight in themselves, or as near thereunto as might be, allowing a remedy + not exceeding two farthings over or under in each pound. The same "to pass + and to be received as current money, by such as shall or will, voluntarily + and willingly, and not otherwise, receive the same, within the said + kingdom of Ireland, and not elsewhere." Wood also covenanted to pay to the + King's clerk or comptroller of the coinage, £200 yearly, and £100 per + annum into his Majesty's treasury. + </p> + <p> + Most of the accounts of this transaction and its consequent agitation in + Ireland, particularly those given by Sir W. Scott and Earl Stanhope, are + taken from Coxe's "Life of Walpole." Monck Mason, however, in his various + notes appended to his life of Swift, has once and for all placed Coxe's + narrative in its true light, and exposed the specious special pleading on + behalf of his hero, Walpole. But even Coxe cannot hide the fact that the + granting of the patent and the circumstances under which it was granted, + amounted to a disgraceful job, by which an opportunity was seized to + benefit a "noble person" in England at the expense of Ireland. The patent + was really granted to the King's mistress, the Duchess of Kendal, who sold + it to William Wood for the sum of £10,000, and (as it was reported with, + probably, much truth) for a share in the profits of the coining. The job + was alluded to by Swift when he wrote: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "When late a feminine magician, + Join'd with a brazen politician, + Expos'd, to blind a nation's eyes, + A parchment of prodigious size." +</pre> + <p> + Coxe endeavors to exonerate Walpole from the disgrace attached to this + business, by expatiating on Carteret's opposition to Walpole, an + opposition which went so far as to attempt to injure the financial + minister's reputation by fomenting jealousies and using the Wood patent + agitation to arouse against him the popular indignation; but this does not + explain away the fact itself. He lays some blame for the agitation on + Wood's indiscretion in flaunting his rights and publicly boasting of what + the great minister would do for him. At the same time he takes care to + censure the government for its misconduct in not consulting with the Lord + Lieutenant and his Privy Council before granting the patent. His censure, + however, is founded on the consideration that this want of attention was + injudicious and was the cause of the spread of exaggerated rumours of the + patent's evil tendency. He has nothing to say of the rights and liberties + of a people which had thereby been infringed and ignored. + </p> + <p> + The English parliament had rarely shown much consideration for Irish + feelings or Irish rights. Its attitude towards the Irish Houses of + Legislation had been high-handed and even dictatorial; so that + constitutional struggles were not at all infrequent towards the end of the + seventeenth and during the first quarter of the eighteenth century. The + efforts of Sir Constantine Phipps towards a non-parliamentary + government,[3] and the reversal by the English House of Lords of the + decision given by the Irish House of Lords in the famous Annesley case, + had prepared the Irish people for a revolt against any further attempts to + dictate to its properly elected representatives assembled in parliament. + Moreover, the wretched material condition of the people, as it largely had + been brought about by a selfish, persecuting legislation that practically + isolated Ireland commercially in prohibiting the exportation of its + industrial products, was a danger and a menace to the governing country. + The two nations were facing each other threateningly. When, therefore, + Wood began to import his coin, suspicion was immediately aroused. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: See Lecky's "History of Ireland," vol. i., p. 446, etc.] + </p> + <p> + The masses took little notice of it at first; but the commissioners of + revenue in Dublin took action in a letter they addressed to the Right Hon. + Edward Hopkins, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. This letter, dated + August 7th, 1722, began by expressing surprise at the patent granted to + Mr. Wood, and asked the secretary "to lay before the Lord Lieutenant a + memorial, presented by their agent to the Lords of the Treasury, + concerning this patent, and also a report of some former Commissioners of + the revenue on the like occasion, and to acquaint his Grace, that they + concurred in all the objections in those papers, and were of opinion, that + such a patent would be highly prejudicial to the trade, and welfare of + this kingdom, and more particularly to his Majesty's revenue, which they + had formerly found to have suffered very much, by too great a quantity of + such base coin."[4] No reply was received to this letter. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 4: "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland," etc., p. + 6.] + </p> + <p> + Fears began to be generally felt, and the early murmurs of an agitation to + be heard when, on September 19th, 1722, the Commissioners addressed a + second letter, this time to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's + Treasury. The letter assured their Lordships "that they had been applied + to by many persons of rank and fortune, and by the merchants and traders + in Ireland, to represent the ill effects of Mr. Wood's patent, and that + they could from former experience assure their Lordships, it would be + particularly detrimental to his Majesty's revenue. They represented that + this matter had made a great noise here, and that there did not appear the + <i>least want of such small species of coin for change</i>, and hoped that + the importance of the occasion would excuse their making this + representation of a matter that had not been referred to them."[5] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 5: <i>Ibid</i>, pp. 6-7.] + </p> + <p> + To this letter also no reply was vouchsafed. In the meantime, Wood kept + sending in his coins, landing them at most of the ports of the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "Then everyone that was not interested in the success of this coinage," + writes the author of the pamphlet already quoted, "by having contracted + for a great quantity of his halfpence at a large discount, or biassed by + the hopes of immoderate gain to be made out of the ruins of their country, + expressed their apprehensions of the pernicious consequences of this + copper money; and resolved to make use of the <i>right they had by law to + refuse the same</i>".[6] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 6: <i>Ibid</i>, p. 7.] + </p> + <p> + The Lord Lieutenant, the Duke of Grafton, had arrived in August, 1723, and + parliament sat early in September. Its first attention was paid to the + Wood patent. After the early excitement had subsided, they resolved to + appeal to the King. During the early stages of the discussion, however, + the Commons addressed the Lord Lieutenant, asking that a copy of the + patent and other papers relating to it, be laid before them. This was on + September 13th. On the following day Mr. Hopkins informed the House that + the Lord Lieutenant had no such copy, nor any papers. The House then + unanimously resolved to inquire into the matter on its own account, and + issued orders for several persons to appear before it to give evidence, + fixing the day for examination for September 16th. On that day, however, + Mr. Hopkins appeared before the members with a copy of the patent, and + informed them that the Lord Lieutenant had received it since his last + communication with them. This incident served but to arouse further + ridicule. A broadside, published at the time with the title "A Creed of an + Irish Commoner," amusingly reveals the lameness of the excuse for this + non-production of the exemplification. Coxe says that the cause for the + delay was due to the fact that the copy of the patent had been delivered + to the Lord Lieutenant's servant, instead of to his private secretary; but + this excuse is probably no more happily founded than the one offered. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, September 20th, the House resolved itself into a committee "to + take into consideration the state of the nation, particularly in relation + to the importing and uttering of copper halfpence and farthings in this + kingdom." After three days' debate, and after examining competent + witnesses under oath, it passed resolutions to the following effect + </p> + <p> + (1) That Wood's patent is highly prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue, and + is destructive of trade and commerce, and most dangerous to the rights and + properties of the subject. + </p> + <p> + (2) That for the purpose of obtaining the patent Wood had notoriously + misrepresented the state of the nation. + </p> + <p> + (3) That great quantities of the coin had been imported of different + impressions and of much less weight than the patent called for. + </p> + <p> + (4) That the loss to the nation by the uttering of this coin would amount + to 150 per cent. + </p> + <p> + (5) That in coining the halfpence Wood was guilty of a notorious fraud. + </p> + <p> + (6) "That it is the opinion of this Committee, that it hath been always + highly prejudicial to this kingdom to grant the power or privilege of + coining money to private persons; and that it will, at all times, be of + dangerous consequence to grant any such power to any body politic, or + corporate, or any private person or persons whatsoever."[7] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 7: "Comm. Journals," vol. iii., pp. 317-325.] + </p> + <p> + Addresses to his Majesty in conformity with these resolutions were voted + on September 27th. + </p> + <p> + The House of Lords passed similar resolutions on September 26th, and voted + addresses embodying them on September 28th.[8] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 8: "Lords' Journals," vol. ii., pp. 745-751.] + </p> + <p> + These Addresses received a better attention than did the letters from the + revenue commissioners. The Houses were courteously informed that their + communications would receive His Majesty's careful consideration. Walpole + kept his promise, but not before he had fought hard to maintain the + English prerogative, as he might have called it. The "secret" history as + narrated in Coxe's lively manner, throws some light on the situation. Coxe + really finds his hero's conduct not marked with "his usual caution." The + Lord Lieutenant was permitted to go to Ireland without proper + instructions; the information on which Walpole acted was not reliable; and + he did not sufficiently appreciate the influence of Chancellor Midleton + and his family. "He bitterly accused Lord Midleton of treachery and low + cunning, of having made, in his speeches, distinction between the King and + his ministers, of caballing with Carteret, Cadogan, and Roxburgh, and of + pursuing that line of conduct, because he was of opinion the opposite + party would gain the ascendency in the cabinet. He did not believe the + disturbances to be so serious as they were represented, nor was he + satisfied with the Duke of Grafton's conduct, as being solely directed by + Conolly, but declared that the part acted by Conolly, almost excused what + the Brodricks had done." Carteret complained to the King and proved to him + that Walpole's policy was a dangerous one. The King became irritated and + Walpole "ashamed." He even became "uneasy," and it is to be supposed, took + a more "cautious" course; for he managed to conciliate the Brodricks and + the powers in Dublin. But the devil was not ill long. The cabinet crisis + resulted in the triumph of Townshend and Walpole, and the devil got well + again. Carteret must be removed and the patent promoted. But Midleton and + the Brodricks must be kept friendly. So Carteret went to Ireland as Lord + Lieutenant, Midleton remained Chancellor, and constituted a lord justice, + and St. John Brodrick was nominated a member of the Privy Council. Still + farther on his "cautious" way, Ireland must be given some consideration; + hence the Committee of the Privy Council, specially called to inquire into + the grievances complained of by the Irish Houses of Parliament in their + loyal addresses. + </p> + <p> + The Committee sat for several weeks, and the report it issued forms the + subject of Swift's animadversions in the Drapier's third letter. But the + time spent by the Committee in London was being utilized in quite a + different fashion by Swift in Ireland. "Cautious" as was Walpole, he had + not reckoned with the champion of his political opponents of Queen Anne's + days. Swift had little humour for court intrigues and cabinet cabals. He + came out into the open to fight the good fight of the people to whom + courts and cabinets should be servants and not self-seeking masters. + Whatever doubts the people of Ireland may have had about the legal + validity of their resentment towards Wood and his coins, were quickly + dissipated when they read "A Letter to the Shop Keepers, Tradesmen, + Farmers, and Common People of Ireland, concerning the Brass Half-pence + coined by Mr. Wood," and signed, "M.B. Drapier." The letter, as Lord + Orrery remarked, acted like the sound of a trumpet. At that sound "a + spirit arose among the people, that in the eastern phrase, was <i>like + unto a trumpet in the day of the whirlwind</i>. Every person of every + rank, party, and denomination was convinced, that the admission of Wood's + copper must prove fatal to the Commonwealth. The papist, the fanatic, the + Tory, the Whig, all listed themselves volunteers under the banners of M.B. + Drapier, and were all equally zealous to serve the Common cause." + </p> + <p> + The present text of the first of the Drapier's letters is based on that + given by Sir W. Scott, carefully collated with two copies of the first + edition which differed from each other in many particulars. One belonged + to the late Colonel F. Grant, and the other is in the British Museum. It + has also been read with the collection of the Drapier's Letters issued by + the Drapier Club in 1725, with the title, "Fraud Detected"; with the + London edition of "The Hibernian Patriot" (1730), and with Faulkner's text + issued in his collected edition of Swift's Works in 1735. + </p> + <h3> + [T.S.] + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Illustration: + A + *LETTER* + TO THE + <i>Shop-Keepers</i>, <i>Tradesmen</i>, <i>Farmers</i> + and <i>Common-People</i> of + *IRELAND*, + + Concerning the + *Brass Half-pence* + Coined by + + **Mr. Woods,** + + WITH + A <i>Design</i> to have them <i>Pass</i> in this + *KINGDOM*. + + Wherein is shewn the Power of the said PATENT, + the Value of the HALF-PENCE, and + how far every Person may be oblig'd to take the + same in Payments, and how to behave in Case + such an Attempt shou'd be made by WOODS + or any other Person. + + [Very Proper to be kept in every FAMILY.] + + By M.B. <i>Drapier</i>. + + DUBLIN: Printed by <i>J. Harding</i> + in <i>Molesworth's-Court</i>. + ] +</pre> + <h3> + BRETHREN, FRIENDS, COUNTRYMEN AND FELLOW-SUBJECTS, + </h3> + <p> + What I intend now to say to you, is, next to your duty to God, and the + care of your salvation, of the greatest concern to yourselves, and your + children, your bread and clothing, and every common necessary of life + entirely depend upon it. Therefore I do most earnestly exhort you as men, + as Christians, as parents, and as lovers of your country, to read this + paper with the utmost attention, or get it read to you by others; which + that you may do at the less expense, I have ordered the printer to sell it + at the lowest rate. + </p> + <p> + It is a great fault among you, that when a person writes with no other + intention than to do you good, you will not be at the pains to read his + advices: One copy of this paper may serve a dozen of you, which will be + less than a farthing a-piece. It is your folly that you have no common or + general interest in your view, not even the wisest among you, neither do + you know or enquire, or care who are your friends, or who are your + enemies. + </p> + <p> + About three[9] years ago, a little book was written, to advise all people + to wear the manufactures of this our own dear country:[10] It had no other + design, said nothing against the King or Parliament, or any man, yet the + POOR PRINTER was prosecuted two years, with the utmost violence, and even + some WEAVERS themselves, for whose sake it was written, being upon the + JURY, FOUND HIM GUILTY. This would be enough to discourage any man from + endeavouring to do you good, when you will either neglect him or fly in + his face for his pains, and when he must expect only danger to himself and + loss of money, perhaps to his ruin.[11] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 9: In his reprint of the Drapier's Letters, issued in 1725 with + the title, "Fraud Detected; or the Hibernian Patriot," Faulkner prints + "four" instead of "three"; but this, of course, is a correction made to + agree with the date of the publication of this reprint. The "Proposal" was + published in 1720. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 10: The "little book" was "A Proposal for the Universal Use of + Irish Manufactures." See vol. vii. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 11: Instead of the words "loss of money," Faulkner in the + reprint of 1725 has "to be fined and imprisoned." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + However I cannot but warn you once more of the manifest destruction before + your eyes, if you do not behave yourselves as you ought. + </p> + <p> + I will therefore first tell you the plain story of the fact; and then I + will lay before you how you ought to act in common prudence, and according + to the laws of your country. + </p> + <p> + The fact is thus: It having been many years since COPPER HALFPENCE OR + FARTHINGS were last coined in this kingdom, they have been for some time + very scarce,[12] and many counterfeits passed about under the name of <i>raps</i>, + several applications were made to England, that we might have liberty to + coin new ones, as in former times we did; but they did not succeed. At + last one Mr. Wood,[13] a mean ordinary man, a hardware dealer, procured a + patent[14]under his Majesty's broad seal to coin fourscore and ten + thousand pounds[15] in copper for this kingdom, which patent however did + not oblige any one here to take them, unless they pleased. Now you must + know, that the halfpence and farthings in England pass for very little + more than they are worth. And if you should beat them to pieces, and sell + them to the brazier you would not lose above a penny in a shilling. But + Mr. Wood made his halfpence of such base metal, and so much smaller than + the English ones, that the brazier would not give you above a penny of + good money for a shilling of his; so that this sum of fourscore and ten + thousand pounds in good gold and silver, must be given for trash that will + not be worth above eight or nine thousand pounds real value. But this is + not the worst, for Mr. Wood when he pleases may by stealth send over + another and another fourscore and ten thousand pounds, and buy all our + goods for eleven parts in twelve, under the value. For example, if a + hatter sells a dozen of hats for five shillings a-piece, which amounts to + three pounds, and receives the payment in Mr. Wood's coin, he really + receives only the value of five shillings. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 12: They had become scarce because they had been undervalued, + and therefore sent out of the country in payment of goods bought. See + Prior's "Observations on Coin," issued in 1729, where it is stated that + this scarcity had occurred only within the last twenty years. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 13: William Wood (1671-1730) was an ironmaster of Wolverhampton. + In addition to the patent for coining copper halfpence which he obtained + for Ireland, and to which full reference is made in the introductory note + to this first Drapier's Letter, Wood also obtained a patent, in 1722, for + coining halfpence, pence and twopence for the English colonies in America. + This latter patent fared no better than the Irish one. The coins + introduced in America bear the dates 1722 and 1723, and are now much + sought after by collectors. They are known as the Rosa American coinage. A + list of the poems and pamphlets on Wood, during the excitement in Dublin, + attending on the Drapier's Letters, will be found in the bibliography of + Swift's works to be given in vol. xi. of this edition. See also Monck + Mason's "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral." In the original edition of + the Letter, Wood's name is mis-spelt Woods. [T. S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 14: See the introductory note for the manner in which this + patent was obtained. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 15: This is how the amount is named in the first edition; but + the amount in reality was £100,800 (the value of 360 tons of copper, as + stated by the patent). Sir W. Scott prints this as £108,000. Coxe, in his + "Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole" gives the amount as £100,000. Lecky states + it as £108,000. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Perhaps you will wonder how such an ordinary fellow as this Mr. Wood could + have so much interest as to get His Majesty's broad seal for so great a + sum of bad money, to be sent to this poor country, and that all the + nobility and gentry here could not obtain the same favour, and let us make + our own halfpence, as we used to do. Now I will make that matter very + plain. We are at a great distance from the King's court, and have nobody + there to solicit for us, although a great number of lords and squires, + whose estates are here, and are our countrymen, spending all their lives + and fortunes there. But this same Mr. Wood was able to attend constantly + for his own interest; he is an Englishman and had great friends, and it + seems knew very well where to give money, to those that would speak to + others that could speak to the King and could tell a fair story. And His + Majesty, and perhaps the great lord or lords who advised him, might think + it was for our country's good; and so, as the lawyers express it, "the + King was deceived in his grant," which often happens in all reigns. And I + am sure if His Majesty knew that such a patent, if it should take effect + according to the desire of Mr. Wood, would utterly ruin this kingdom, + which hath given such great proofs of its loyalty, he would immediately + recall it, and perhaps shew his displeasure to somebody or other. But "a + word to the wise is enough." Most of you must have heard, with what anger + our honourable House of Commons received an account of this Wood's + patent.[16] There were several fine speeches made upon it, and plain + proofs that it was all A WICKED CHEAT from the bottom to the top, and + several smart votes were printed, which that same Wood had the assurance + to answer likewise in print, and in so confident a way, as if he were a + better man than our whole Parliament put together.[17] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 16: The Irish House of Commons reported that the loss to the + country, even if the patent were carried out as required, would amount to + about 150 per cent.; and both Irish Houses of Parliament voted addresses + against the coinage, and accused the patentee of fraud and deceit. They + asserted that the terms of the patent had not been fulfilled and "that the + circulation of the halfpence would be highly prejudicial to the revenue, + destructive of the commerce, and of most dangerous consequences to the + rights and properties of the subjects." See introductory note. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 17: Wood's indiscreet retort was published in the "Flying Post" + October 8th, 1723. Later he boasted that he would, with Walpole's + assistance, "pour the coin down the throats of the people." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + This Wood, as soon as his patent was passed, or soon after, sends over a + great many barrels of these halfpence, to Cork and other sea-port + towns,[18] and to get them off offered an hundred pounds in his coin for + seventy or eighty in silver. But the collectors of the King's customs very + honestly refused to take them, and so did almost everybody else. And since + the Parliament hath condemned them, and desired the King that they might + be stopped, all the kingdom do abominate them. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 18: At Dublin, Cork, Waterford and other ports, the merchants + refused to accept the copper coins. Monck Mason notes that "in the 'Dublin + Gazette,' No. 2562, we meet with resolutions by the merchants of Cork, + dated the 25th of Aug., 1724, and like resolutions by those of Waterford, + dated 22d Aug. wherein they declare, that, 'they will never receive or + utter in any payment, the halfpence or farthings coined by William Wood; + as they conceive the importing and uttering the same, to be highly + prejudicial to His Majesty's revenue, and to the trade of the kingdom': + these resolutions are declared to be conformable to those of the Trinity + Guild, of merchants, of the city of Dublin, voted at their guild-hall, on + the 18th day of the same month" (Hist. St. Patrick's, p. 346, note r). See + also Appendix No. IX. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But Wood is still working underhand to force his halfpence upon us, and if + he can by help of his friends in England prevail so far as to get an order + that the commissioners and collectors of the King's money shall receive + them, and that the army is to be paid with them, then he thinks his work + shall be done. And this is the difficulty you will be under in such a + case. For the common soldier when he goes to the market or alehouse will + offer this money, and if it be refused, perhaps he will swagger and + hector, and threaten to beat the butcher or alewife, or take the goods by + force, and throw them the bad halfpence. In this and the like cases, the + shopkeeper or victualler, or any other tradesman has no more to do, than + to demand ten times the price of his goods, if it is to be paid in Wood's + money; for example, twenty-pence of that money for a quart of ale, and so + in all things else, and not part with his goods till he gets the money. + </p> + <p> + For suppose you go to an alehouse with that base money, and the landlord + gives you a quart for four of these halfpence, what must the victualler + do? His brewer will not be paid in that coin, or if the brewer should be + such a fool, the farmers will not take it from them for their bere,[19] + because they are bound by their leases to pay their rents in good and + lawful money of England, which this is not, nor of Ireland neither, and + the 'squire their landlord will never be so bewitched to take such trash + for his land, so that it must certainly stop somewhere or other, and + wherever it stops it is the same thing, and we are all undone. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 19: Bere = barley. Cf. A.S. <i>baerlic</i>, Icelandic, <i>barr</i>, + meaning barley, the grain used for making malt for the preparation of + beer. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + The common weight of these halfpence is between four and five to an ounce, + suppose five, then three shillings and fourpence will weigh a pound, and + consequently twenty shillings will weigh six pound butter weight. Now + there are many hundred farmers who pay two hundred pound a year rent. + Therefore when one of these farmers comes with his half-year's rent, which + is one hundred pound, it will be at least six hundred pound weight, which + is three horse load. + </p> + <p> + If a 'squire has a mind to come to town to buy clothes and wine and spices + for himself and family, or perhaps to pass the winter here; he must bring + with him five or six horses loaden with sacks as the farmers bring their + corn; and when his lady comes in her coach to our shops, it must be + followed by a car loaden with Mr. Wood's money. And I hope we shall have + the grace to take it for no more than it is worth. + </p> + <p> + They say 'Squire Conolly[20] has sixteen thousand pounds a year, now if he + sends for his rent to town, as it is likely he does, he must have two + hundred and forty horses to bring up his half-year's rent, and two or + three great cellars in his house for stowage. But what the bankers will do + I cannot tell. For I am assured, that some great bankers keep by them + forty thousand pounds in ready cash to answer all payments, which sum, in + Mr. Wood's money, would require twelve hundred horses to carry it. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 20: William Conolly (d. 1729) was chosen Speaker of the Irish + House of Commons on November 12th, 1715. He held this office until October + 12th, 1729. Swift elsewhere says that Wharton sold Conolly the office of + Chief Commissioner of the Irish Revenue for £3,000. Between the years 1706 + and 1729 Conolly was ten times selected for the office of a Lord Justice + of Ireland. The remark in the text as to Conolly's income is repeated by + Boulter ("Letters," vol. i., p. 334), though the Primate writes of £17,000 + a year. The reference to Conolly is of set purpose, because Conolly had + advocated the patent as against Midleton's condemnation of it. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + For my own part, I am already resolved what to do; I have a pretty good + shop of Irish stuffs and silks, and instead of taking Mr. Wood's bad + copper, I intend to truck with my neighbours the butchers, and bakers, and + brewers, and the rest, goods for goods, and the little gold and silver I + have, I will keep by me like my heart's blood till better times, or till I + am just ready to starve, and then I will buy Mr. Wood's money as my father + did the brass money in K. James's time,[21] who could buy ten pound of it + with a guinea, and I hope to get as much for a pistole, and so purchase + bread from those who will be such fools as to sell it me. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 21: James II., during his unsuccessful campaign in Ireland, + debased the coinage in order to make his funds meet the demands of his + soldiery. Archbishop King, in his work on the "State of the Protestants in + Ireland," describes the evil effects which this proceeding had: "King + James's council used not to stick at the formalities of law or reason, and + therefore vast quantities of brass money were coined, and made current by + a proclamation, dated 18th June, 1689, under severe penalties. The metal + of which this money was made was the worst kind of brass; old guns, and + the refuse of metals were melted down to make it; workmen rated it at + threepence or a groat a pound, which being coined into sixpences, + shillings, or half-crowns, one pound weight made about £5. And by another + proclamation, dated 1690, the half-crowns were called in, and being + stamped anew, were made to pass for crowns; so that then, three pence or + four pence worth of metal made £10. There was coined in all, from the + first setting up of the mint, to the rout at the Boyne, being about twelve + months, £965,375. In this coin King James paid all his appointments, and + all that received the king's pay being generally papists, they forced the + protestants to part with the goods out of their shops for this money, and + to receive their debts in it; so that the loss by the brass money did, in + a manner, entirely fall on the protestants, being defrauded (for I can + call it no better) of about, £60,000 per month by this stratagem, which + must, in a few months, have utterly exhausted them. When the papists had + gotten most of their saleable goods from their protestant neighbours, and + yet great quantities of brass money remained in their hands, they began to + consider how many of them, who had estates, had engaged them to + protestants by judgments, statutes staple, and mortgages; and to take this + likewise from them they procured a proclamation, dated 4 Feb. 1689, to + make brass money current in all payments whatsoever." A proclamation of + William III., dated July 10th, 1690, ordered that these crown pieces of + James should pass as of equal value with one penny each. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + These halfpence, if they once pass, will soon be counterfeit, because it + may be cheaply done, the stuff is so base. The Dutch likewise will + probably do the same thing, and send them over to us to pay for our + goods.[22] And Mr. Wood will never be at rest but coin on: So that in some + years we shall have at least five times fourscore and ten thousand pounds + of this lumber. Now the current money of this kingdom is not reckoned to + be above four hundred thousand pounds in all, and while there is a silver + sixpence left these blood-suckers will never be quiet. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 22: The Dutch had previously counterfeited the debased coinage + of Ireland and sent them over in payment for Irish manufactures. [T. S.]] + </p> + <p> + When once the kingdom is reduced to such a condition, I will tell you what + must be the end: The gentlemen of estates will all turn off their tenants + for want of payment, because as I told you before, the tenants are obliged + by their leases to pay sterling which is lawful current money of England; + then they will turn their own farmers, as too many of them do already, run + all into sheep where they can, keeping only such other cattle as are + necessary, then they will be their own merchants and send their wool and + butter and hides and linen beyond sea for ready money and wine and spices + and silks. They will keep only a few miserable cottiers.[23] The farmers + must rob or beg, or leave their country. The shopkeepers in this and every + other town, must break and starve: For it is the landed man that maintains + the merchant, and shopkeeper, and handicraftsman. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 23: "Unlike the peasant proprietor," says Lecky, "and also + unlike the mediaeval serf, the cottier had no permanent interest in the + soil, and no security for his future position. Unlike the English farmer, + he was no capitalist, who selects land as one of the many forms of + profitable investment that are open to him. He was a man destitute of all + knowledge and of all capital, who found the land the only thing that + remained between himself and starvation. Rents in the lower grades of + tenancies were regulated by competition, but it was competition between a + half-starving population, who had no other resources except the soil, and + were therefore prepared to promise anything rather than be deprived of it. + The landlord did nothing for them. They built their own mud hovels, + planted their hedges, dug their ditches. They were half naked, half + starved, utterly destitute of all providence and of all education, liable + at any time to be turned adrift from their holdings, ground to the dust by + three great burdens—rack-rents, paid not to the landlord but to the + middleman; tithes, paid to the clergy—often the absentee clergy—of + the church to which they did not belong; and dues, paid to their own + priests" ("Hist, of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 214-215, ed. 1892). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But when the 'squire turns farmer and merchant himself, all the good money + he gets from abroad, he will hoard up or send for England, and keep some + poor tailor or weaver and the like in his own house, who will be glad to + get bread at any rate. + </p> + <p> + I should never have done if I were to tell you all the miseries that we + shall undergo if we be so foolish and wicked as to take this CURSED COIN. + It would be very hard if all Ireland should be put into one scale, and + this sorry fellow Wood into the other, that Mr. Wood should weigh down + this whole kingdom, by which England gets above a million of good money + every year clear into their pockets, and that is more than the English do + by all the world besides. + </p> + <p> + But your great comfort is, that as His Majesty's patent does not oblige + you to take this money, so the laws have not given the crown a power of + forcing the subjects to take what money the King pleases: For then by the + same reason we might be bound to take pebble-stones or cockle-shells or + stamped leather for current coin, if ever we should happen to live under + an ill prince, who might likewise by the same power make a guinea pass for + ten pounds, a shilling for twenty shillings, and so on, by which he would + in a short time get all the silver and gold of the kingdom into his own + hands, and leave us nothing but brass or leather or what he pleased. + Neither is anything reckoned more cruel or oppressive in the French + government than their common practice of calling in all their money after + they have sunk it very low, and then coining it anew at a much higher + value, which however is not the thousandth part so wicked as this + abominable project of Mr. Wood. For the French give their subjects silver + for silver and gold for gold, but this fellow will not so much as give us + good brass or copper for our gold and silver, nor even a twelfth part of + their worth. + </p> + <p> + Having said thus much, I will now go on to tell you the judgments of some + great lawyers in this matter, whom I fee'd on purpose for your sakes, and + got their opinions under their hands, that I might be sure I went upon + good grounds. + </p> + <p> + A famous law-book, called "The Mirror of Justice,"[24] discoursing of the + articles (or laws) ordained by our ancient kings declares the law to be as + follows: "It was ordained that no king of this realm should change, impair + or amend the money or make any other money than of gold or silver without + the assent of all the counties," that is, as my Lord Coke says,[25] + without the assent of Parliament. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 24: This was an important legal treatise often quoted by Coke. + Its full title is: "The Booke called, The Mirrour of Justices: Made by + Andrew Home. With the book, called, The Diversity of Courts, And Their + Jurisdictions ... London ... 1646." The French edition was printed in 1642 + with the title, "La somme appelle Mirroir des Justices: vel speculum + Justiciariorum, Factum per Andream Home." Coke quotes it from a + manuscript, as he died before it was printed. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 25: 2 Inst. 576. [ORIG. ED.]] + </p> + <p> + This book is very ancient, and of great authority for the time in which it + was wrote, and with that character is often quoted by that great lawyer my + Lord Coke.[26] By the law of England, the several metals are divided into + lawful or true metal and unlawful or false metal, the former comprehends + silver or gold; the latter all baser metals: That the former is only to + pass in payments appears by an act of Parliament[27] made the twentieth + year of Edward the First, called the "Statute concerning the Passing of + Pence," which I give you here as I got it translated into English, for + some of our laws at that time, were, as I am told writ in Latin: "Whoever + in buying or selling presumeth to refuse an halfpenny or farthing of + lawful money, bearing the stamp which it ought to have, let him be seized + on as a contemner of the King's majesty, and cast into prison." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 26: 2 Inst. 576-577. [ORIG. ED.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 27: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + </p> + <p> + By this statute, no person is to be reckoned a contemner of the King's + majesty, and for that crime to be committed to prison; but he who refuses + to accept the King's coin made of lawful metal, by which, as I observed + before, silver and gold only are intended. + </p> + <p> + That this is the true construction of the act, appears not only from the + plain meaning of the words, but from my Lord Coke's observation upon it. + "By this act" (says he) "it appears, that no subject can be forced to take + in buying or selling or other payments, any money made but of lawful + metal; that is, of silver or gold."[28] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 28: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + </p> + <p> + The law of England gives the King all mines of gold and silver, but not + the mines of other metals, the reason of which prerogative or power, as it + is given by my Lord Coke[29] is, because money can be made of gold and + silver, but not of other metals. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 29: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + </p> + <p> + Pursuant to this opinion halfpence and farthings were anciently made of + silver, which is most evident from the act of Parliament of Henry the 4th. + chap. 4.[30] by which it is enacted as follows: "Item, for the great + scarcity that is at present within the realm of England of halfpence and + farthings of silver, it is ordained and established that the third part of + all the money of silver plate which shall be brought to the bullion, shall + be made in halfpence and farthings." This shews that by the word + "halfpenny" and "farthing" of lawful money in that statute concerning the + passing of pence, are meant a small coin in halfpence and farthings of + silver. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 30: Swift makes an incorrect reference here. The act was 4 Henry + IV., cap. 10. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + This is further manifest from the statute of the ninth year of Edward the + 3d. chap. 3. which enacts, "That no sterling halfpenny or farthing be + molten for to make vessel, nor any other thing by the goldsmiths, nor + others, upon forfeiture of the money so molten" (or melted). + </p> + <p> + By another act in this King's reign[31] black money was not to be current + in England, and by an act made in the eleventh year of his reign chap. 5. + galley halfpence were not to pass, what kind of coin these were I do not + know, but I presume they were made of base metal, and that these acts were + no new laws, but farther declarations of the old laws relating to the + coin. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 31: The act against black money was passed in Henry IV.'s reign + not Edward III.'s. The "galley halfpence" were dealt with by 9 Hen. IV., + cap. 4. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Thus the law stands in relation to coin, nor is there any example to the + contrary, except one in Davis's Reports,[32] who tells us that in the time + of Tyrone's rebellion Queen Elizabeth ordered money of mixed metal to be + coined in the Tower of London, and sent over hither for payment of the + army, obliging all people to receive it and commanding that all silver + money should be taken only as bullion, that is, for as much as it weighed. + Davis tells us several particulars in this matter too long here to trouble + you with, and that the privy-council of this kingdom obliged a merchant in + England to receive this mixed money for goods transmitted hither.[33] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 32: This refers to Sir John Davies's "Abridgement of Sir Edward + Coke's Reports," first published in 1651. Davies was Attorney-General for + Ireland and a poet. His works have been collected and edited by Dr. A.B. + Grosart in the Fuller Worthies Library. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 33: Charles I., during the Civil War, paid his forces with + debased coin struck by him. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But this proceeding is rejected by all the best lawyers as contrary to + law, the Privy-council here having no such power. And besides it is to be + considered, that the Queen was then under great difficulties by a + rebellion in this kingdom assisted from Spain, and whatever is done in + great exigences and dangerous times should never be an example to proceed + by in seasons of peace and quietness. + </p> + <p> + I will now, my dear friends to save you the trouble, set before you in + short, what the law obliges you to do, and what it does not oblige you to. + </p> + <p> + First, You are obliged to take all money in payments which is coined by + the King and is of the English standard or weight, provided it be of gold + or silver. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, You are not obliged to take any money which is not of gold or + silver, no not the halfpence, or farthings of England, or of any other + country, and it is only for convenience, or ease, that you are content to + take them, because the custom of coining silver halfpence and farthings + hath long been left off, I will suppose on account of their being subject + to be lost. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, Much less are you obliged to take those vile halfpence of that + same Wood, by which you must lose almost eleven-pence in every shilling. + </p> + <p> + Therefore my friends, stand to it one and all, refuse this filthy trash. + It is no treason to rebel against Mr. Wood. His Majesty in his patent + obliges nobody to take these halfpence,[34] our gracious prince hath no so + ill advisers about him; or if he had, yet you see the laws have not left + it in the King's power, to force us to take any coin but what is lawful, + of right standard gold and silver, therefore you have nothing to fear. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 34: The words of the patent are "to pass and to be received as + current money; by such as shall or will, voluntarily and wittingly, and + not otherwise, receive the same" (the halfpence and farthings). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + And let me in the next place apply myself particularly to you who are the + poor sort of tradesmen, perhaps you may think you will not be so great + losers as the rich, if these halfpence should pass, because you seldom see + any silver, and your customers come to your shops or stalls with nothing + but brass, which you likewise find hard to be got, but you may take my + word, whenever this money gains footing among you, you will be utterly + undone; if you carry these halfpence to a shop for tobacco or brandy, or + any other thing you want, the shopkeeper will advance his goods + accordingly, or else he must break, and leave the key under the door. Do + you think I will sell you a yard of tenpenny stuff for twenty of Mr. + Wood's halfpence? No, not under two hundred at least, neither will I be at + the trouble of counting, but weigh them in a lump; I will tell you one + thing further, that if Mr. Wood's project should take, it will ruin even + our beggars; For when I give a beggar an halfpenny, it will quench his + thirst, or go a good way to fill his belly, but the twelfth part of a + halfpenny will do him no more service than if I should give him three pins + out of my sleeve. + </p> + <p> + In short these halfpence are like "the accursed thing, which" as the + Scripture tells us, "the children of Israel were forbidden to touch," they + will run about like the plague and destroy every one who lays his hands + upon them. I have heard scholars talk of a man who told a king that he had + invented a way to torment people by putting them into a bull of brass with + fire under it, but the prince put the projector first into his own brazen + bull to make the experiment;[35] this very much resembles the project of + Mr. Wood, and the like of this may possibly be Mr. Wood's fate, that the + brass he contrived to torment this kingdom with, may prove his own + torment, and his destruction at last. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 35: It is curious to find Swift so referring to Phalaris, of + whom he had heard so much in the days of the "Battle of the Books." [SIR + H. CRAIK.]] + </p> + <p> + N.B. The author of this paper is informed by persons who have made it + their business to be exact in their observations on the true value of + these halfpence, that any person may expect to get a quart of twopenny ale + for thirty-six of them. + </p> + <p> + I desire all persons may keep this paper carefully by them to refresh + their memories whenever they shall have farther notice of Mr. Wood's + halfpence, or any other the like imposture. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER II. TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER. + </h2> + <h3> + NOTE. + </h3> + <p> + Towards the beginning of the August of 1724, the Committee of Inquiry had + finished their report on Wood's patent. Somehow, an advance notice of the + contents of the report found its way, probably directed by Walpole + himself, into the pages of a London journal, from whence it was reprinted + in Dublin, in Harding's Newspaper on the 1st of August. The notice stated + that the Committee had recommended a reduction in the amount of coin Wood + was to issue to £40,000. It informed the public that the report notified + that Wood was willing to take goods in exchange for his coins, if enough + silver were not to be had, and he agreed to restrict the amount of each + payment to 5-1/2<i>d</i>. But a pretty broad hint was given that a refusal + to accept the compromise offered might possibly provoke the higher powers + to an assertion of the prerogative. + </p> + <p> + Walpole also had already endeavoured to calm the situation by consenting + to a minute examination of the coins themselves at the London Mint. The + Lords Commissioners had instructed Sir Isaac Newton, the Master of the + Mint, Edward Southwell, and Thomas Scroope, to make an assay of Wood's + money. The report of the assayists was issued on April 27th, 1724;[1] and + certified that the coins submitted had been tested and found to be correct + both as to weight and quality. In addition to this evidence of good faith, + Walpole had nominated Carteret in place of the Duke of Grafton to the + Lord-Lieutenancy. Carteret was a favourite with the best men in Ireland, + and a man of culture as well as ability. It was hoped that his influence + would smooth down the members of the opposition by an acceptance of the + altered measure. He was in the way in London, and he might be of great + service in Dublin; so to Dublin he went. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: A full reprint of this report is given in Appendix II.] + </p> + <p> + But Walpole had not reckoned with the Drapier. In the paragraph in + Harding's sheet, Swift saw a diplomatist's move to win the game by + diplomatic methods. Compromise was the one result Swift was determined to + render impossible; and the Drapier's second letter, "To Mr. Harding the + Printer," renews the conflict with yet stronger passion and with even more + satirical force. It is evident Swift was bent now on raising a deeper + question than merely this of the acceptance or refusal of Wood's halfpence + and farthings. There was a principle here that had to be insisted and a + right to be safeguarded. Mr. Churton Collins ably expresses Swift's + attitude at this juncture when he says:[2] "Nothing can be more certain + than that it was Swift's design from the very beginning to make the + controversy with Wood the basis of far more extensive operations. It had + furnished him with the means of waking Ireland from long lethargy into + fiery life. He looked to it to furnish him with the means of elevating her + from servitude to independence, from ignominy to honour. His only fear was + lest the spirit which he had kindled should burn itself out or be + prematurely quenched. And of this he must have felt that there was some + danger, when it was announced that England had given way much more than it + was expected she would give way, and much more than she had ever given way + before." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: "Jonathan Swift," pp. 179-180.] + </p> + <p> + This letter to Harding was but the preliminary leading up to the famous + fourth letter "to the whole people of Ireland." It was also an + introduction to, and preparation of the public mind for, the drastic + criticism of the Privy Council's Report, the arrival of which was expected + shortly. + </p> + <p> + The present text of this second letter is that given by Sir W. Scott, + collated with the copies of the original edition in the possession of the + late Colonel F. Grant and in the British Museum. It has also been compared + with Faulkner's issue of 1725, in "Fraud Detected." + </p> + <h3> + [T.S.] + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Illustration: + A + *LETTER* + TO + Mr. <i>Harding</i> the Printer, + Upon Occasion of a + + **PARAGRAPH** + *IN HIS* + **News-Paper** + of <i>Aug</i>. 1st. + + Relating to Mr. <i>Wood's</i> Half-pence. + + <i>By</i> M.B. <i>Drapier</i>. + AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + SHOP-KEEPERS, &c. + + DUBLIN: Printed by <i>J. Harding</i> + in <i>Molesworth's-Court</i>. + ] +</pre> + <p> + Sir, In your Newsletter of the 1st. instant there is a paragraph dated + from London, July 25th. relating to Wood's halfpence; whereby it is plain + what I foretold in my "Letter to the Shopkeepers, &c." that this vile + fellow would never be at rest, and that the danger of our ruin approaches + nearer, and therefore the kingdom requires NEW and FRESH WARNING; however + I take that paragraph to be, in a great measure, an imposition upon the + public, at least I hope so, because I am informed that Wood is generally + his own newswriter. I cannot but observe from that paragraph that this + public enemy of ours, not satisfied to ruin us with his trash, takes every + occasion to treat this kingdom with the utmost contempt. He represents + "several of our merchants and traders upon examination before a committee + of council, agreeing that there was the utmost necessity of copper money + here, before his patent, so that several gentlemen have been forced to + tally with their workmen and give them bits of cards sealed and subscribed + with their names." What then? If a physician prescribes to a patient a + dram of physic, shall a rascal apothecary cram him with a pound, and mix + it up with poison? And is not a landlord's hand and seal to his own + labourers a better security for five or ten shillings, than Wood's brass + seven times below the real value, can be to the kingdom, for an hundred + and four thousand pounds?[3] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: Thus in original edition. £108,000 is the amount generally + given. See note on p. 15. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But who are these merchants and traders of Ireland that make this report + of "the utmost necessity we are under of copper money"? They are only a + few betrayers of their country, confederates with Wood, from whom they are + to purchase a great quantity of his coin, perhaps at half value, and vend + it among us to the ruin of the public, and their own private advantage. + Are not these excellent witnesses, upon whose integrity the fate of a + kingdom must depend, who are evidences in their own cause, and sharers in + this work of iniquity? + </p> + <p> + If we could have deserved the liberty of coining for ourselves, as we + formerly did, and why we have not <i>is everybody's wonder as well as mine</i>,[4] + ten thousand pounds might have been coined here in Dublin of only + one-fifth below the intrinsic value, and this sum, with the stock of + halfpence we then had, would have been sufficient:[5] But Wood by his + emissaries, enemies to God and this kingdom, hath taken care to buy up as + many of our old halfpence as he could, and from thence the present want of + change arises; to remove which, by Mr. Wood's remedy, would be, to cure a + scratch on the finger by cutting off the arm. But supposing there were not + one farthing of change in the whole nation, I will maintain, that five and + twenty thousand pounds would be a sum fully sufficient to answer all our + occasions. I am no inconsiderable shopkeeper in this town, I have + discoursed with several of my own and other trades, with many gentlemen + both of city and country, and also with great numbers of farmers, + cottagers, and labourers, who all agree that two shillings in change for + every family would be more than necessary in all dealings. Now by the + largest computation (even before that grievous discouragement of + agriculture, which hath so much lessened our numbers [6]) the souls in + this kingdom are computed to be one million and a half, which, allowing + but six to a family, makes two hundred and fifty thousand families, and + consequently two shillings to each family will amount only to five and + twenty thousand pounds, whereas this honest liberal hardwareman Wood would + impose upon us above four times that sum. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 4: Time and again Ireland had petitioned the King of England for + the establishment of a mint in Dublin. Both Houses of Parliament addressed + King Charles I. in 1634, begging for a mint which should coin money in + Ireland of the same standard and values as those of England, and allowing + the profits to the government. Wentworth supported the address; but it was + refused (Carte's "Ormond," vol. i., pp. 79-80). When Lord Cornwallis's + petition for a renewal of his patent for minting coins was presented in + 1700, it was referred to a committee of the Lords Justices. In their + report the Lords Justices condemned the system in vogue, and urged the + establishment of a mint, in which the coining of money should be in the + hands of the government and in those of a subject. No notice was taken of + this advice. See Lecky's "Ireland," vol. i., p. 448 (ed 1892) [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 5: Boulter stated that £10,000 or £15,000 would have amply + fulfilled the demand ("Letters," vol. i., pp. 4, 11). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 6: It was not alone the direct discouragement of agriculture + which lessened the population. This result was also largely brought about + by the anti-Catholic legislation of Queen Anne's reign, which "reduced the + Roman Catholics to a state of depression," and caused thousands of them to + go elsewhere for the means of living. See Crawford's "Ireland," vol. ii., + pp. 264-267. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Your paragraph relates further, that Sir Isaac Newton reported an assay + taken at the Tower of Wood's metal, by which it appears, that Wood had in + all respects performed his contract[7]. His contract! With whom? Was it + with the parliament or people of Ireland? Are not they to be the + purchasers? But they detest, abhor, and reject it, as corrupt, fraudulent, + mingled with dirt and trash. Upon which he grows angry, goes to law, and + will impose his goods upon us by force. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 7: For the full text of Newton's report see Appendix, No. II. + [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But your Newsletter says that an assay was made of the coin. How impudent + and insupportable is this? Wood takes care to coin a dozen or two + halfpence of good metal, sends them to the Tower and they are approved, + and these must answer all that he hath already coined or shall coin for + the future. It is true indeed, that a gentleman often sends to my shop for + a pattern of stuff, I cut it fairly off, and if he likes it, he comes or + sends and compares the pattern with the whole piece, and probably we come + to a bargain. But if I were to buy an hundred sheep, and the grazier + should bring me one single wether fat and well fleeced by way of pattern, + and expect the same price round for the whole hundred, without suffering + me to see them before he was paid, or giving me good security to restore + my money for those that were lean or shorn or scabby, I would be none of + his customer. I have heard of a man who had a mind to sell his house, and + therefore carried a piece of brick in his pocket, which he shewed as a + pattern to encourage purchasers: And this is directly the case in point + with Mr. Wood's assay.[8] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 8: Monck Mason remarks on this assay that "the assay-masters do + not report that Mr. Wood's coinage was superior to that of former kings, + but only to those specimens of such coinages as were exhibited by Mr. + Wood, which, it is admitted were much worn. Whether the money coined in + the preceding reign was good or bad is in fact nothing to the purpose." + "'What argument,'" quotes Monck Mason from the tract issued in 1724 + entitled, "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland, in their + unanimous refusal of Mr. Wood's Copper Money," "'can be drawn from the + badness of our former coinages but this, that because we have formerly + been cheated by our coiners, we ought to suffer Mr. Wood to cheat us over + again? Whereas, one reason for our so vigorously opposing Mr. Wood's + coinage, is, because we have always been imposed upon in our copper money, + and we find he is treading exactly in the steps of his predecessors, and + thinks he has a right to cheat us because he can shew a precedent for it.' + In truth, there was a vast number of counterfeits of those coins, which + had been imported, chiefly from Scotland, as appears from a proclamation + prohibiting the Importation of them in 1697" ("History St. Patrick's + Cathedral," p, 340, note d.) [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + The next part of the paragraph contains Mr. Wood's voluntary proposals for + "preventing any future objections or apprehensions." + </p> + <p> + His first proposal is, that "whereas he hath already coined seventeen + thousand pounds, and has copper prepared to make it up forty thousand + pounds, he will be content to coin no more, unless the EXIGENCES OF TRADE + REQUIRE IT, though his patent empowers him to coin a far greater + quantity." + </p> + <p> + To which if I were to answer it should be thus: "Let Mr. Wood and his crew + of founders and tinkers coin on till there is not an old kettle left in + the kingdom: let them coin old leather, tobacco-pipe clay or the dirt in + the streets, and call their trumpery by what name they please from a + guinea to a farthing, we are not under any concern to know how he and his + tribe or accomplices think fit to employ themselves." But I hope and + trust, that we are all to a man fully determined to have nothing to do + with him or his ware. + </p> + <p> + The King has given him a patent to coin halfpence, but hath not obliged us + to take them, and I have already shewn in my "Letter to the Shopkeepers, + &c." that the law hath not left it in the power of the prerogative to + compel the subject to take any money, beside gold and silver of the right + sterling and standard. + </p> + <p> + Wood further proposes, (if I understand him right, for his expressions are + dubious) that "he will not coin above forty thousand pounds, unless the + exigences of trade require it." First, I observe that this sum of forty + thousand pounds is almost double to what I proved to be sufficient for the + whole kingdom, although we had not one of our old halfpence left. Again I + ask, who is to be judge when the exigences of trade require it? Without + doubt he means himself, for as to us of this poor kingdom, who must be + utterly ruined if his project should succeed, we were never once consulted + till the matter was over, and he will judge of our exigences by his own; + neither will these be ever at an end till he and his accomplices will + think they have enough: And it now appears that he will not be content + with all our gold and silver, but intends to buy up our goods and + manufactures with the same coin. + </p> + <p> + I shall not enter into examination of the prices for which he now proposes + to sell his halfpence, or what he calls his copper, by the pound; I have + said enough of it in my former letter, and it hath likewise been + considered by others. It is certain that by his own first computation, we + were to pay three shillings for what was intrinsically worth but one,[9] + although it had been of the true weight and standard for which he + pretended to have contracted; but there is so great a difference both in + weight and badness in several of his coins that some of them have been + nine in ten below the intrinsic value, and most of them six or seven.[10] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 9: The report of the Committee of the Privy Council which sat on + Wood's coinage, stated that copper ready for minting cost eighteen pence + per pound before it was brought into the Mint at the Tower of London. See + the Report prefixed to Letter III. and Appendix II., in which it is also + stated that Wood's copper was worth thirteen pence per pound. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 10: Newton's assay report says that Wood's pieces were of + unequal weight. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + His last proposal being of a peculiar strain and nature, deserves to be + very particularly considered, both on account of the matter and the style. + It is as follows. + </p> + <p> + "Lastly, in consideration of the direful apprehensions which prevail in + Ireland, that Mr. Wood will by such coinage drain them of their gold and + silver, he proposes to take their manufactures in exchange, and that no + person be obliged to receive more than fivepence halfpenny at one + payment." + </p> + <p> + First, Observe this little impudent hardwareman turning into ridicule "the + direful apprehensions of a whole kingdom," priding himself as the cause of + them, and daring to prescribe what no King of England ever attempted, how + far a whole nation shall be obliged to take his brass coin. And he has + reason to insult; for sure there was never an example in history, of a + great kingdom kept in awe for above a year in daily dread of utter + destruction, not by a powerful invader at the head of twenty thousand men, + not by a plague or a famine, not by a tyrannical prince (for we never had + one more gracious) or a corrupt administration, but by one single, + diminutive, insignificant, mechanic. + </p> + <p> + But to go on. To remove our "direful apprehensions that he will drain us + of our gold and silver by his coinage:" This little arbitrary mock-monarch + most graciously offers to "take our manufactures in exchange." Are our + Irish understandings indeed so low in his opinion? Is not this the very + misery we complain of? That his cursed project will put us under the + necessity of selling our goods for what is equal to nothing. How would + such a proposal sound from France or Spain or any other country we deal + with, if they should offer to deal with us only upon this condition, that + we should take their money at ten times higher than the intrinsic value? + Does Mr. Wood think, for instance, that we will sell him a stone of wool + for a parcel of his counters not worth sixpence, when we can send it to + England and receive as many shillings in gold and silver? Surely there was + never heard such a compound of impudence, villainy and folly. + </p> + <p> + His proposals conclude with perfect high treason. He promises, that no + person shall be <i>obliged</i> to receive more than fivepence halfpenny of + his coin in one payment: By which it is plain, that he pretends to <i>oblige</i> + every subject in this kingdom to take so much in every payment, if it be + offered; whereas his patent obliges no man, nor can the prerogative by law + claim such a power, as I have often observed; so that here Mr. Wood takes + upon him the entire legislature, and an absolute dominion over the + properties of the whole nation. + </p> + <p> + Good God! Who are this wretch's advisers? Who are his supporters, + abettors, encouragers, or sharers? Mr. Wood will <i>oblige</i> me to take + fivepence halfpenny of his brass in every payment! And I will shoot Mr. + Wood and his deputies through the head, like highwaymen or housebreakers, + if they dare to force one farthing of their coin upon me in the payment of + an hundred pounds. It is no loss of honour to submit to the lion, but who, + with the figure of a man, can think with patience of being devoured alive + by a rat. He has laid a tax upon the people of Ireland of seventeen + shillings at least in the pound; a tax I say, not only upon lands, but + interest-money, goods, manufactures, the hire of handicraftsmen, + labourers, and servants. Shopkeepers look to yourselves. Wood will <i>oblige</i> + and force you to take fivepence halfpenny of his trash in every payment, + and many of you receive twenty, thirty, forty payments in a day, or else + you can hardly find bread: And pray consider how much that will amount to + in a year: Twenty times fivepence halfpenny is nine shillings and + twopence, which is above an hundred and sixty pounds a year, whereof you + will be losers of at least one hundred and forty pounds by taking your + payments in his money. If any of you be content to deal with Mr. Wood on + such conditions they may. But for my own particular, "let his money perish + with him." If the famous Mr. Hampden rather chose to go to prison, than + pay a few shillings to King Charles 1st. without authority of Parliament, + I will rather choose to be hanged than have all my substance taxed at + seventeen shillings in the pound, at the arbitrary will and pleasure of + the venerable Mr. Wood. + </p> + <p> + The paragraph concludes thus. "N.B." (that is to say <i>nota bene</i>, or + <i>mark well</i>), "No evidence appeared from Ireland, or elsewhere, to + prove the mischiefs complained of, or any abuses whatsoever committed in + the execution of the said grant." + </p> + <p> + The impudence of this remark exceeds all that went before. First; the + House of Commons in Ireland, which represents the whole people of the + kingdom; and secondly the Privy-council, addressed His Majesty against + these halfpence. What could be done more to express the universal sense + and opinion of the nation? If his copper were diamonds, and the kingdom + were entirely against it, would not that be sufficient to reject it? Must + a committee of the House of Commons, and our whole Privy-council go over + to argue <i>pro</i> and <i>con</i> with Mr. Wood? To what end did the King + give his patent for coining of halfpence in Ireland? Was it not, because + it was represented to his sacred Majesty, that such a coinage would be of + advantage to the good of this kingdom, and of all his subjects here? It is + to the patentee's peril if his representation be false, and the execution + of his patent be fraudulent and corrupt. Is he so wicked and foolish to + think that his patent was given him to ruin a million and a half of + people, that he might be a gainer of three or four score thousand pounds + to himself? Before he was at the charge of passing a patent, much more of + raking up so much filthy dross, and stamping it with His Majesty's "image + and superscription," should he not first in common sense, in common + equity, and common manners, have consulted the principal party concerned; + that is to say, the people of the kingdom, the House of Lords or Commons, + or the Privy-council? If any foreigner should ask us, "whose image and + superscription" there is in Wood's coin, we should be ashamed to tell him, + it was Caesar's. In that great want of copper halfpence, which he alleges + we were, our city set up our Caesar's statue[11] in excellent copper, at + an expense that is equal in value to thirty thousand pounds of his coin: + And we will not receive his <i>image</i> in worse metal. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 11: An equestrian statue of George I. at Essex Bridge, Dublin, + [F.]] + </p> + <p> + I observe many of our people putting a melancholy case on this subject. + "It is true" say they, "we are all undone if Wood's halfpence must pass; + but what shall we do, if His Majesty puts out a proclamation commanding us + to take them?" This hath been often dinned in my ears. But I desire my + countrymen to be assured that there is nothing in it. The King never + issues out a proclamation but to enjoin what the law permits him. He will + not issue out a proclamation against law, or if such a thing should happen + by a mistake, we are no more obliged to obey it than to run our heads into + the fire. Besides, His Majesty will never command us by a proclamation, + what he does not offer to command us in the patent itself. There he leaves + it to our discretion, so that our destruction must be entirely owing to + ourselves. Therefore let no man be afraid of a proclamation, which will + never be granted; and if it should, yet upon this occasion, will be of no + force. The King's revenues here are near four hundred thousand pounds a + year, can you think his ministers will advise him to take them in Wood's + brass, which will reduce the value to fifty thousand pounds. England gets + a million sterl. by this nation, which, if this project goes on, will be + almost reduced to nothing: And do you think those who live in England upon + Irish estates will be content to take an eighth or a tenth part, by being + paid in Wood's dross? + </p> + <p> + If Wood and his confederates were not convinced of our stupidity, they + never would have attempted so audacious an enterprise. He now sees a + spirit hath been raised against him, and he only watches till it begins to + flag, he goes about "watching" when to "devour us." He hopes we shall be + weary of contending with him, and at last out of ignorance, or fear, or of + being perfectly tired with opposition, we shall be forced to yield. And + therefore I confess it is my chief endeavour to keep up your spirits and + resentments. If I tell you there is a precipice under you, and that if you + go forwards you will certainly break your necks. If I point to it before + your eyes, must I be at the trouble of repeating it every morning? Are our + people's "hearts waxed gross"? Are "their ears dull of hearing," and have + "they closed their eyes"? I fear there are some few vipers among us, who, + for ten or twenty pounds gain, would sell their souls and their country, + though at last it would end in their own ruin as well as ours. Be not like + "the deaf adder, who refuses to hear the voice of the charmer, charm he + never so wisely." + </p> + <p> + Though my letter be directed to you, Mr. Harding, yet I intend it for all + my countrymen. I have no interest in this affair but what is common to the + public. I can live better than many others, I have some gold and silver by + me, and a shop well furnished, and shall be able to make a shift when many + of my betters are starving. But I am grieved to see the coldness and + indifference of many people, with whom I discourse. Some are afraid of a + proclamation, others shrug up their shoulders, and cry, "What would you + have us do?" Some give out, there is no danger at all. Others are + comforted that it will be a common calamity and they shall fare no worse + than their neighbours. Will a man, who hears midnight robbers at his door, + get out of bed, and raise his family for a common defence, and shall a + whole kingdom lie in a lethargy, while Mr. Wood comes at the head of his + confederates to rob them of all they have, to ruin us and our posterity + for ever? If an highwayman meets you on the road, you give him your money + to save your life, but, God be thanked, Mr. Wood cannot touch a hair of + your heads. You have all the laws of God and man on your side. When he or + his accomplices offer you his dross it is but saying no, and you are safe. + If a madman should come to my shop with an handful of dirt raked out of + the kennel, and offer it in payment for ten yards of stuff, I would pity + or laugh at him, or, if his behaviour deserved it, kick him out of my + doors. And if Mr. Wood comes to demand any gold and silver, or commodities + for which I have paid my gold and silver, in exchange for his trash, can + he deserve or expect better treatment? + </p> + <p> + When the evil day is come (if it must come) let us mark and observe those + who presume to offer these halfpence in payment. Let their names, and + trades, and places of abode be made public, that every one may be aware of + them, as betrayers of their country, and confederates with Mr. Wood. Let + them be watched at markets and fairs, and let the first honest discoverer + give the word about, that Wood's halfpence have been offered, and caution + the poor innocent people not to receive them. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps I have been too tedious; but there would never be an end, if I + attempted to say all that this melancholy subject will bear. I will + conclude with humbly offering one proposal, which, if it were put in + practice, would blow up this destructive project at once. Let some skilful + judicious pen draw up an advertisement to the following purpose. + </p> + <p> + That "Whereas one William Wood hardware-man, now or lately sojourning in + the city of London, hath, by many misrepresentations, procured a patent + for coining an hundred and forty thousand pounds[12] in copper halfpence + for this kingdom, which is a sum five times greater than our occasions + require. And whereas it is notorious that the said Wood hath coined his + halfpence of such base metal and false weight, that they are, at least, + six parts in seven below the real value. And whereas we have reason to + apprehend, that the said Wood may, at any time hereafter, clandestinely + coin as many more halfpence as he pleases. And whereas the said patent + neither doth nor can <i>oblige</i> His Majesty's subjects to receive the + said halfpence in any payment, but leaves it to their voluntary choice, + because, by law the subject cannot be <i>obliged</i> to take any money + except gold or silver. And whereas, contrary to the letter and meaning of + the said patent, the said Wood hath declared that every person shall be <i>obliged</i> + to take fivepence halfpenny of his coin in every payment. And whereas the + House of Commons and Privy-council have severally addressed his Most + Sacred Majesty, representing the ill consequences which the said coinage + may have upon this kingdom. And lastly whereas it is universally agreed, + that the whole nation to a man (except Mr. Wood and his confederates) are + in the utmost apprehensions of the ruinous consequences, that must follow + from the said coinage. Therefore we whose names are underwritten, being + persons of considerable estates in this kingdom, and residers therein, do + unanimously resolve and declare that we will never receive, one farthing + or halfpenny of the said Wood's coining, and that we will direct all our + tenants to refuse the said coin from any person whatsoever; Of which that + they may not be ignorant, we have sent them a copy of this advertisement, + to be read to them by our stewards, receivers, &c." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 12: In the first paragraph of this letter the sum was given as + £104,000. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I could wish, that a paper of this nature might be drawn up, and signed by + two or three hundred principal gentlemen of this kingdom, and printed + copies thereof sent to their several tenants; I am deceived, if anything + could sooner defeat this execrable design of Wood and his accomplices. + This would immediately give the alarm, and set the kingdom on their guard. + This would give courage to the meanest tenant and cottager. "How long, O + Lord, righteous and true." + </p> + <p> + I must tell you in particular, Mr. Harding, that you are much to blame. + Several hundred persons have enquired at your house for my "Letter to the + Shopkeepers, &c." and you had none to sell them. Pray keep yourself + provided with that letter, and with this; you have got very well by the + former, but I did not then write for your sake, any more than I do now. + Pray advertise both in every newspaper, and let it not be <i>your</i> + fault or <i>mine</i>, if our countrymen will not take warning. I desire + you likewise to sell them as cheap as you can. + </p> + <p> + <i>I am your servant</i>, + </p> + <h3> + M.B. + </h3> + <p> + <i>Aug.</i> 4, 1724. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + <i>THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE LORDS OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST + HONOURABLE PRIVY-COUNCIL, IN RELATION TO MR. WOOD'S HALFPENCE AND + FARTHINGS, ETC.</i>[1] AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT WHITEHALL, THE 24TH DAY + </h2> + <h3> + OF JULY, 1724. + </h3> + <p> + In obedience to your Majesty's order of reference, upon the several + resolutions and addresses of both Houses of Parliament of Ireland, during + their late session, the late address of your Majesty's justices, and + Privy-council of that kingdom, and the petitions of the county and city of + Dublin, concerning a patent granted by your Majesty to William Wood Esq; + for the coining and uttering copper halfpence and farthings in the kingdom + of Ireland, to such persons as would voluntarily accept the same; and upon + the petition of the said William Wood, concerning the same coinage, the + Lords of the Committee have taken into their consideration the said + patent, addresses, petitions, and all matters and papers relating thereto, + and have heard and examined all such persons, as upon due and sufficient + notice, were desirous and willing to be heard upon the subject matter + under their consideration, and have agreed upon the following Report, + containing a true state of the whole matter, as it appeared before them, + with their humble opinion, to be laid before your Majesty for your royal + consideration and determination, upon a matter of such importance. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: For the story of the origin of this report see the Note + prefixed to Letter III. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + The several addresses to your Majesty from your subjects of Ireland, + contain in general terms the strongest representations of the great + apprehensions they were under, from the importing and uttering copper + halfpence and farthings in Ireland, by virtue of the patent granted to Mr. + Wood, which they conceived would prove highly prejudicial to your + Majesty's revenue, destructive of the trade and commerce of the kingdom, + and of dangerous consequence to the properties of the subject. They + represent, That the patent had been obtained in a clandestine and + unprecedented manner, and by notorious misrepresentations of the state of + Ireland; That if the terms of the patent had been complied with, this + coinage would have been of infinite loss to the kingdom, but that the + patentee, under colour of the powers granted to him, had imported and + endeavoured to utter great quantities of different impressions, and of + less weight, than required by the patent, and had been guilty of notorious + frauds and deceit in coining the said copper money: And they humbly + beseech your Majesty, that you would give such directions, as in your + great wisdom you should think proper, to prevent the fatal effects of + uttering any half pence or farthings by virtue of the said patent: And the + House of Commons of Ireland, in a second address upon this subject, pray, + That your Majesty would be pleased to give directions to the several + officers intrusted in the receipt of your Majesty's revenue, That they do + not on any pretence whatever, receive or utter any of the said copper + halfpence or farthings. + </p> + <p> + In answer to the addresses of the Houses of Parliament of Ireland, your + Majesty was most graciously pleased to assure them, "That if any abuses + had been committed by the patentee, you would give the necessary orders + for enquiring into and punishing those abuses; and that your Majesty would + do everything, that was in your power, for the satisfaction of your + people." + </p> + <p> + In pursuance of this your Majesty's most gracious declaration, your + Majesty was pleased to take this matter into you royal consideration; and + that you might be the better enabled effectually to answer the + expectations of your people of Ireland, your Majesty was pleased by a + letter from Lord Carteret, one of your principal secretaries of state, + dated March 10, 1723-4, to signify your pleasure to your Lord Lieutenant + of Ireland, "That he should give directions for sending over such papers + and witnesses as should be thought proper to support the objections made + against the patent, and against the patentee, in the execution of the + powers given him by the patent." + </p> + <p> + Upon the receipt of these your Majesty's orders, the Lord Lieutenant, by + his letter of the 20th of March, 1723-4, represented the great difficulty + he found himself under, to comply with these your Majesty's orders; and by + another letter of the 24th of March 1723-4, "after consulting the + principal members of both Houses, who were immediately in your Majesty's + service, and of the Privy Council," acquainted your Majesty, "That none of + them would take upon them to advise, how any material persons or papers + might be sent over on this occasion; but they all seemed apprehensive of + the ill temper any miscarriage, in a trial, upon <i>scire facias</i> + brought against the patentee, might occasion in both Houses, if the + evidence were not laid as full before a jury, as it was before them," and + did therefore, a second time, decline sending over any persons, papers or + materials whatsoever, to support this charge brought against your + Majesty's patent and the patentee. + </p> + <p> + As this proceeding seemed very extraordinary, that in a matter that had + raised so great and universal a clamour in Ireland, no one person could be + prevailed upon to come over from Ireland, in support of the united sense + of both Houses of Parliament of Ireland; That no papers, no materials, no + evidence whatsoever of the mischiefs arising from this patent, or of the + notorious frauds and deceit committed in the execution of it, could now be + had, to give your Majesty satisfaction herein; "your Majesty however, + desirous to give your people of Ireland all possible satisfaction, but + sensible that you cannot in any case proceed against any of the meanest of + your subjects, but according to the known rules and maxims of law and + justice," repeated your orders to your Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, that by + persuasion, and making proper allowances for their expenses, new + endeavours might be used to procure and send over such witnesses as should + be thought material to make good the charge against the patent. + </p> + <p> + In answer to these orders, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland acquaints your + Majesty, by his letter of the 23d of April to one of your principal + secretaries of state, "That in order to obey your Majesty's commands as + far as possibly he could, at a meeting with my Lord Chancellor, the Chief + Judges, your Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor-General, he had earnestly + desired their advice and assistance, to enable him to send over such + witnesses as might be necessary to support the charge against Mr. Wood's + patent, and the execution of it. The result of this meeting was such, that + the Lord Lieutenant could not reap the least advantage or assistance from + it, every one being so guarded with caution, against giving any advice or + opinion in this matter of state, apprehending great danger to themselves + from meddling in it." + </p> + <p> + The Lords of the Committee think it very strange, that there should be + such great difficulty in prevailing with persons, who had already given + their evidence before the Parliament of Ireland, to come over and give the + same evidence here, and especially, that the chief difficulty should + arise, from a general apprehension of a miscarriage, in an enquiry before + your Majesty, or in a proceeding by due course of law, in a case, where + both Houses of Parliament had declared themselves so fully convinced, and + satisfied upon evidence, and examinations taken in the most solemn manner. + </p> + <p> + At the same time that your Majesty sent your orders to the Lord Lieutenant + of Ireland, to send over such evidences as were thought material to + support the charge against the patent, that your Majesty might, without + any further loss of time than was absolutely necessary, be as fully + informed as was possible, and that the abuses and frauds alleged to be + committed by the patentee, in executing the powers granted to him, might + be fully and strictly enquired into, and examined, your Majesty was + pleased to order that an assay should be made of the fineness, value, and + weight of this copper money, and the goodness thereof, compared with the + former coinages of copper money for Ireland, and the copper money coined + in your Majesty's Mint in England; and it was accordingly referred to Sir + Isaac Newton, Edward Southwell, and Thomas Scroope, Esqs. to make the said + assay and trial. + </p> + <p> + By the reports made of this assay, which are hereunto annexed, it + appears,[2] "That the pix of the copper moneys coined at Bristol by Mr. + Wood for Ireland, containing the trial pieces, which was sealed and locked + up at the time of coining, was opened at your Majesty's mint at the Tower; + that the comptroller's account of the quantities of halfpence and + farthings coined, agreed with Mr. Wood's account, amounting to 59 tons, 3 + hundred, 1 quarter, 11 pounds, and 4 ounces; That by the specimens of this + coinage, which had from time to time been taken from the several parcels + coined, and sealed up in papers, and put into the pix, 60 halfpence + weighed 14 ounces troy, and 18 penny-weight, which is about a quarter of + an ounce above one pound weight avoirdupois; and 30 farthings weighed 3 + ounces and 3 quarters of an ounce troy, and 46 grams, which is also above + the weight required by the patent. It also appears, that both halfpence + and farthings when heated red-hot spread thin under the hammer without + cracking; that the copper of which Mr. Wood's coinage is made, is of the + same goodness and value with the copper of which the copper money is + coined in your Majesty's mint for England, and worth in the market about + 13 pence per pound weight avoirdupois; That a pound of copper wrought into + bars of fillets, and made fit for coinage, before brought into the mint at + the Tower of London, is worth 18 pence per pound, and always cost as much, + and is coined into 23 pence of copper money by tale, for England; It + likewise appears, that the halfpence and farthings coined by Mr. Wood, + when compared with the copper money coined for Ireland, in the reigns of + King Charles II. King James II. and King William and Queen Mary, + considerably exceeds them all in weight, very far exceeds them all in + goodness, fineness, and value of the copper, none of them bearing the fire + so well, not being malleable, wasting very much in the fire, and great + part of them burning into a cinder of little or no value at all; Specimens + of all which, as likewise of Mr. Wood's copper money, upon trials and + assays made by Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Southwell, and Mr. Scroope, were laid + before this Committee for their information." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: See Appendix, No. II. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + The Lords of the Committee beg leave upon this article of the complaint, + "That notorious frauds and deceits had been committed by the patentee, in + executing the powers granted him," to observe to your Majesty, That this + is a fact expressly charged upon the patentee, and if it had in any manner + been proved, it might have enabled your Majesty, by due course of law, to + have given the satisfaction to your people of Ireland, that has been so + much insisted upon; but as it is now above four months since your Majesty + was pleased to send over to Ireland for such evidence, as might prove a + fact alleged to be so notorious, and no evidence at all has been as yet + transmitted, nor the least expectation given of any that may hereafter be + obtained, and the trials and assays that have been taken of the halfpence, + and farthings coined by Mr. Wood proving so unquestionably the weight, + goodness and fineness of the copper money coined, rather exceeding the + conditions of the patent, than being any way defective, the Lords of the + Committee cannot advise your Majesty, by a writ of <i>scire facias</i>, or + any other manner to endeavour vacating the said patent, when there is no + probability of success in such an undertaking. + </p> + <p> + As these trials and assays fully shew that the patentee hath acted fairly + according to the terms and conditions of his patent, so they evidently + prove, that the care and caution made use of in this patent, by proper + conditions, checks, and comptrols have effectually provided, that the + copper money coined for Ireland by virtue of this patent, should far + exceed the like coinages for Ireland, in the reigns of your Majesty's + royal predecessors. + </p> + <p> + And that your Majesty's royal predecessors have exercised this undoubted + prerogative of granting to private persons the power and privilege of + coining copper halfpence and farthings for the kingdom of Ireland, was + proved to this Committee by several precedents of such patents granted to + private persons by King Charles II. and King James II. none of which were + equally beneficial to your kingdom of Ireland, nor so well guarded with + proper covenants and conditions for the due execution of the powers + thereby granted, although the power and validity of those patents, and a + due compliance with them, was never in any one instance, till this time, + disputed or controverted. + </p> + <p> + By these former patents, the sole power of coining copper money for + Ireland, was granted to the patentees for the term of 21 years, to be + coined in such place as they should think convenient, and "such quantities + as they could conveniently issue within the term of 21 years," without any + restriction of the quantity to be coined within the whole term, or any + provision of a certain quantity, only to be coined annually to prevent the + ill consequences of too great a quantity to be poured in at once, at the + will and pleasure of the patentees; no provision was made for the goodness + and fineness of the copper, no comptroller appointed to inspect the copper + in bars and fillets, before coined, and take constant assays of the money + when coined, and the power of issuing not limited "to such as would + voluntarily accept the same"; but by the patent granted to John Knox, the + money coined by virtue of the patent, "is made and declared to be the + current coin of the kingdom of Ireland," and a pound weight of copper was + allowed to be coined into 2 shillings and 8 pence, and whatever quantity + should be coined, a rent of 16<i>l</i> <i>per annum</i> only was reserved + to the crown, and 700 tons of copper were computed to be coined within the + 21 years, without any complaint. + </p> + <p> + The term granted to Mr. Wood for coining copper money is for 14 years + only, the quantity for the whole term limited to 360 tons, 100 ton only to + be issued within one year, and 20 tons each year for the 13 remaining + years; a comptroller is appointed by the authority of the crown to + inspect, comptrol, and assay the copper, as well not coined as coined; the + copper to be fine British copper, cast into bars or fillets, which when + heated red hot would spread thin under the hammer; a pound weight of + copper to be coined into 2 shillings and sixpence, and without any + compulsion on currency enforced, to be received by such only as would + voluntarily and wilfully accept the same"; a rent of 800<i>l</i> <i>per + annum</i> is reserved unto your Majesty,[3] and 200<i>l per annum</i> to + your Majesty's clerk comptroller, to be paid annually by the patentee, for + the full term of the fourteen years, which for 13 years when 20 tons of + copper only are coined, is not inconsiderable; these great and essential + differences in the several patents, that have been granted for coining + copper money for the kingdom of Ireland, seemed sufficiently to justify + the care and caution that was used in granting the letters-patent to Mr. + Wood. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: See the extract from the patent itself, where the amount is + given differently [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + It has been further represented to your Majesty, That these letters-patent + were obtained by Mr. Wood in a clandestine and unprecedent manner, and by + gross misrepresentations of the state of the kingdom of Ireland. Upon + enquiring into this fact it appears, That the petition of Mr. Wood for + obtaining this coinage, was presented to your Majesty at the time that + several other petitions and applications were made to your Majesty, for + the same purpose, by sundry persons, well acquainted and conversant with + the affairs of Ireland, setting forth the great want of small money and + change in all the common and lower parts of traffic, and business + throughout the kingdom, and the terms of Mr. Wood's petition seeming to + your Majesty most reasonable, thereupon a draught of a warrant directing a + grant of such coinage to be made to Mr. Wood, was referred to your + Majesty's then Attorney and Solicitor-general of England, to consider and + report their opinion to your Majesty; Sir Isaac Newton, as the Committee + is informed was consulted in all the steps of settling and adjusting the + terms and conditions of the patent; and after mature deliberation, your + Majesty's warrant was signed, directing an indenture in such manner as is + practised in your Majesty's mint in the Tower of London, for the coining + of gold and silver moneys, to pass the Great Seal of Great Britain, which + was carried through all the usual forms and offices without haste or + precipitation, That the Committee cannot discover the least pretence to + say, this patent was passed or obtained in a clandestine or unprecedented + manner, unless it is to be understood, that your Majesty's granting a + liberty of coining copper money for Ireland, under the Great Seal of Great + Britain, without referring the consideration thereof to the principal + officers of Ireland, is the grievance and mischief complained of. Upon + this head it must be admitted, that letters-patent under the Great Seal of + Great Britain for coining copper money for Ireland, are legal and + obligatory, a just and reasonable exercise of your Majesty's royal + prerogative, and in no manner derogatory, or invasive, of any liberties or + privileges of your subjects of Ireland. When any matter or thing is + transacting that concerns or may affect your kingdom of Ireland, if your + Majesty has any doubts concerning the same, or sees just cause for + considering your officers of Ireland, your Majesty is frequently pleased + to refer such considerations to your chief governors of Ireland, but the + Lords of the Committee hope it will not be asserted, that any legal orders + or resolutions of your Majesty can or ought to be called in question or + invalidated, because the advice or consent of your chief governors of that + kingdom was not previously had upon them: The precedents are many, wherein + cases of great importance to Ireland, and that immediately affected, the + interests of that kingdom, warrants, orders, and directions, by the + authority of your Majesty and your royal predecessors, have been issued + under the royal sign manual, without any previous reference, or advice of + your officers of Ireland, which have always had their due force, and have + been punctually complied with and obeyed. And as it cannot be disputed but + this patent might legally and properly pass under the Great Seal of Great + Britain, so their Lordships cannot find any precedents of references to + the officers of Ireland, of what passed under the Great Seal of England; + on the contrary, there are precedents of patents passed under the Great + Seal of Ireland, where in all the previous steps the references were made + to the officers of England. + </p> + <p> + By the misrepresentation of the state of Ireland, in order to obtain this + patent, it is presumed, is meant, That the information given to your + Majesty of the great want of small money, to make small payments, was + groundless, and that there is no such want of small money: The Lords of + the Committee enquired very particularly into this article, and Mr. Wood + produced several witnesses, that directly asserted the great want of small + money for change, and the great damage that retailers and manufactures + suffered for want of such copper money. Evidence was given, That + considerable manufacturers have been obliged to give tallies, or tokens in + cards, to their workmen for want of small money, signed upon the back, to + be afterwards exchanged for larger money: That a premium was often given + to obtain small money for necessary occasions: Several letters from + Ireland to correspondents in England were read, complaining of the want of + copper money, and expressing the great demand there was for this money. + </p> + <p> + The great want of small money was further proved by the common use of <i>raps</i>, + a counterfeit coin, of such base metal, that what passes for a halfpenny, + is not worth half a farthing, which raps appear to have obtained a + currency, out of necessity and for want of better small money to make + change with, and by the best accounts, the Lords of the Committee have + reason to believe, That there can be no doubt, that there is a real want + of small money in Ireland, which seems to be so far admitted on all hands, + that there does not appear to have been any misrepresentation of the state + of Ireland in this respect. + </p> + <p> + In the second address from the House of Commons to your Majesty, They most + humbly beseech your Majesty, that you will be graciously pleased to give + directions to the several officers intrusted with the receipt of your + Majesty's revenue, that they do not, on any pretence whatsoever, receive + or utter such halfpence or farthings, and Mr. Wood, in his petition to + your Majesty, complains, that the officers of your Majesty's revenue had + already given such orders to all the inferior officers not to receive any + of this coin. + </p> + <p> + Your Majesty, by your patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, wills, + requires and commands your "lieutenant, deputy, or other chief governor or + governors of your kingdom of Ireland, and all other officers and ministers + of your Majesty, your heirs and successors in England, Ireland or + elsewhere, to be aiding and assisting to the said William Wood, his + executors, &c. in the execution of all or any the powers, authorities, + directions, matters or things to be executed by him or them, or for his or + their benefit and advantage, by virtue, and in pursuance of the said + indentures, in all things as becometh, &c." And if the officers of the + revenue have, upon their own authority, given any orders, directions, + significations, or intimations, to hinder or obstruct the receiving and + uttering the copper money coined and imported, pursuant to your Majesty's + letters-patent, this cannot but be looked upon as a very extraordinary + proceeding. + </p> + <p> + In another paragraph of the patent your Majesty has covenanted and granted + unto the said William Wood, his executors, &c. "That upon performance + of covenants, on his and their parts, he and they shall peaceably, and + quietly, have, hold, and enjoy all the powers, authorities, privileges, + licences, profits, advantages, and all other matters and things thereby + granted, without any let, suit, trouble, molestation or denial of your + Majesty, your heirs or successors, or of or by any of your or their + officers or ministers, or any person or persons, &c." This being so + expressly granted and covenanted by your Majesty, and there appearing no + failure, non-performance, or breach of covenants, on the part of the + patentee, the Lords of the Committee cannot advise your Majesty to give + directions to the officers of the revenue, not to receive or utter any of + the said copper halfpence or farthings as has been desired. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wood having been heard by his counsel, produced his several witnesses, + all the papers and precedents, which he thought material, having been read + and considered, and having as he conceived, fully vindicated both the + patent, and the execution thereof. For his further justification, and to + clear himself from the imputation of attempting to make to himself any + unreasonable profit or advantage, and to enrich himself at the expense of + the kingdom of Ireland, by endeavouring to impose upon them, and utter a + greater quantity of copper money, than the necessary occasions of the + people shall require, and can easily take off, delivered a proposal in + writing, signed by himself, which is hereunto annexed, and Mr. Wood having + by the said letters-patent, "covenanted, granted, and promised to, and + with your Majesty, your heirs and successors, that he shall and will from + time to time in the making the said copper farthings and halfpence in + England, and in transporting the same from time to time to Ireland, and in + uttering, vending, disposing and dispersing the same there, and in all his + doings and accounts concerning the same, submit himself to the inspection, + examination, order and comptrol of your Majesty and your commissioners of + the treasury or high-treasurer for the time being;" the Lords of the + Committee are of opinion, that your Majesty upon this voluntary offer and + proposal of Mr. Wood, may give proper orders and directions for the + execution and due performance of such parts of the said proposal, as shall + be judged most for the interest and accommodation of your subjects of + Ireland: In the mean time, it not appearing to their Lordships that Mr. + Wood has done or committed any act or deed, that may tend to invalidate, + or make void his letters-patent, or to forfeit the privileges and + advantages thereby granted to him by your Majesty; It is but just and + reasonable, that your Majesty should immediately send orders to your + commissioners of the revenue, and all other your officers in Ireland, to + revoke all orders, directions, significations, or intimations whatsoever, + that may have been given by them, or any of them, to hinder or obstruct + the receiving and uttering this copper money, and that the halfpence and + farthings already coined by Mr. Wood, amounting to about 17,000<i>l</i>. + and such further quantity as shall make up the said 17,000<i>l</i>. to + 40,000<i>l</i>. "be suffered and permitted without any let, suit, trouble, + molestation, or denial of any of your Majesty's officers or ministers + whatsoever, to pass, and be received as current money by such as shall be + willing to receive the same." At the same time, it may be advisable for + your Majesty, to give the proper orders, that Mr. Wood shall not coin, + import into Ireland, utter or dispose of any more copper halfpence or + farthings, than to the amount of 40,000<i>l</i>. according to his own + proposal, without your Majesty's special licence or authority, to be had + for that purpose; and if your Majesty shall be pleased to order, that Mr. + Wood's proposal, delivered to the Lords of the Committee, shall be + transmitted to your Majesty's chief governor, deputies, or other your + ministers, or officers in Ireland, it will give them a proper opportunity + to consider, Whether, after the reduction of 360 tons of copper, being in + value 100,800<i>l</i>. to 142 tons, 17 hundred, 16 pounds being in value + 40,000<i>l</i>. only, anything can be done for the further satisfaction of + the people of Ireland. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER III. TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND. + </h2> + <h3> + NOTE. + </h3> + <p> + The Drapier's second letter was dated August 4th, 1724. A few days later + the English Privy Council's Report, dated 24th July, 1724, arrived in + Dublin, and on August 25th, Swift had issued his reply to it in this third + letter. + </p> + <p> + The Report itself, which is here prefixed to the third letter, was said to + have been the work of Walpole. Undoubtedly, it contains the best arguments + that could then be urged in favour of Wood and the patent, and + undoubtedly, also, it would have had the desired effect had it been + allowed to do its work uncriticised. But Swift's opposition was fatal to + Walpole's intentions. He took the report as but another attempt to foist + on the people of Ireland a decree in which they had not been consulted, + and no amount of yielding, short of complete abandonment of it, would + palliate the thing that was hateful in itself. He resented the insult. + After specific rebuttals of the various arguments urged in the report in + favour of the patent, Swift suddenly turns from the comparatively petty + and insignificant consideration as to the weight and quality of the coins, + and deals with the broad principle of justice which the granting of the + patent had ignored. Had the English Houses of Parliament and the English + Privy Council, he said, addressed the King against a similar breach of the + English people's rights, his Majesty would not have waited to discuss the + matter, nor would his ministers have dared to advise him as they had done + in this instance. "Am I a free man in England," he exclaims, "and do I + become a slave in six hours in crossing the channel?" + </p> + <p> + The report, however, is interesting inasmuch as it assists us to + appreciate the pathetic condition of Irish affairs at the time. The very + fact that the petition of the Irish parliament could be so handled, proves + how strong had been the hold over Ireland by England, and with what daring + insistence the English ministers continued to efface the last strongholds + of Irish independence. + </p> + <p> + Monck Mason, in reviewing the report, has devoted a very elaborate note to + its details, and has fortified his criticisms with a series of remarkable + letters from the Archbishop of Dublin, which he publishes for the first + time.[1] I have embodied much of this note in the annotations which + accompany the present reprint of this letter. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. lxxxvi-xcv.] + </p> + <p> + The text of this third letter is based on Sir W. Scott's, collated with + the first edition and that given by Faulkner in "Fraud Detected." It has + also been read with Faulkner's text given in the fourth volume of his + edition of Swift's Works, published in 1735. + </p> + <h3> + [T.S.] + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Illustration: + SOME + **Observations** + + Upon a PAPER, Call'd, The + + **REPORT** + + OF THE + **COMMITTEE** + OF THE + Most Honourable the <i>Privy-Council</i> + IN + **ENGLAND,** + Relating to WOOD's <i>Half-pence</i>. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>By</i>. M.B. <i>Drapier</i>. + AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + <i>SHOP-KEEPERS</i>, &c. + + DUBLIN: + Printed by <i>John Harding</i> in + <i>Molesworth's-Court</i> in <i>Fishamble Street</i>. + ] +</pre> + <p> + Having already written two letters to people of my own level, and + condition; and having now very pressing occasion for writing a third; I + thought I could not more properly address it than to your lordships and + worships. + </p> + <p> + The occasion is this. A printed paper was sent to me on the 18th instant, + entitled, "A Report of the Committee of the Lords of His Majesty's Most + Honourable Privy-Council in England, relating to Mr. Wood's Halfpence and + Farthings."[2] There is no mention made where the paper was printed, but I + suppose it to have been in Dublin; and I have been told that the copy did + not come over in the Gazette, but in the London Journal, or some other + print of no authority or consequence; and for anything that legally + appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us, or a + project of some printer, who hath a mind to make a penny by publishing + something upon a subject, which now employs all our thoughts in this + kingdom. Mr. Wood in publishing this paper would insinuate to the world, + as if the Committee had a greater concern for his credit and private + emolument, than for the honour of the Privy-council and both Houses of + Parliament here, and for the quiet and welfare of this whole kingdom; For + it seems intended as a vindication of Mr. Wood, not without several severe + remarks on the Houses of Lords and Commons of Ireland. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: The full text of this report is prefixed to this third letter + of the Drapier. The report was published in the "London Journal" about the + middle of August of 1724. Neither the "Gazette" nor any other ministerial + organ printed it, which evidently gave Swift his cue to attack it in the + merciless manner he did. Monck Mason thought it "not improbable that the + minister [Walpole] adopted this method of communication, because it served + his own purpose; he dared not to stake his credit upon such a document, + which, in its published form, contains some gross mis-statements" + ("History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," note, on p. 336). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + The whole is indeed written with the turn and air of a pamphlet, as if it + were a dispute between William Wood on the one part, and the Lords + Justices, Privy-council and both Houses of Parliament on the other; the + design of it being to clear and vindicate the injured reputation of + William Wood, and to charge the other side with casting rash and + groundless aspersions upon him. + </p> + <p> + But if it be really what the title imports, Mr. Wood hath treated the + Committee with great rudeness, by publishing an act of theirs in so + unbecoming a manner, without their leave, and before it was communicated + to the government and Privy-council of Ireland, to whom the Committee + advised that it should be transmitted. But with all deference be it + spoken, I do not conceive that a Report of a Committee of the Council in + England is hitherto a law in either kingdom; and until any point is + determined to be a law, it remains disputable by every subject. + </p> + <p> + This (may it please your lordships and worships) may seem a strange way of + discoursing in an illiterate shopkeeper. I have endeavoured (although + without the help of books) to improve that small portion of reason which + God hath pleased to give me, and when reason plainly appears before me, I + cannot turn away my head from it. Thus for instance, if any lawyer should + tell me that such a point were law, from which many gross palpable + absurdities must follow, I would not, I could not believe him. If Sir + Edward Coke should positively assert (which he nowhere does, but the + direct contrary) that a limited prince, could by his prerogative oblige + his subjects to take half an ounce of lead, stamped with his image, for + twenty shillings in gold, I should swear he was deceived or a deceiver, + because a power like that, would leave the whole lives and fortunes of the + people entirely at the mercy of the monarch: Yet this, in effect, is what + Wood hath advanced in some of his papers, and what suspicious people may + possibly apprehend from some passages in that which is called the + "Report." + </p> + <p> + That paper mentions "such persons to have been examined, who were desirous + and willing to be heard upon that subject." I am told, they were four in + all, Coleby, Brown, Mr. Finley the banker, and one more whose name I know + not. The first of these was tried for robbing the Treasury in Ireland, and + although he was acquitted for want of legal proof, yet every person in the + Court believed him to be guilty. The second was tried for a rape, and + stands recorded in the votes of the House of Commons, for endeavouring by + perjury and subornation, to take away the life of John Bingham, Esq.[3] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: Referring to these persons who were examined by the + Committee, Monck Mason quotes from two letters from Archbishop King to + Edward Southwell, Esq. King was one of the council, and Southwell + secretary of state at the time. The first of these letters remarks: "Could + a greater contempt be put upon a nation, than to see such a little fellow + as Wood favoured and supported against them, and such profligates as Brown + and Coleby believed before a whole parliament, government, and private + council." From the second letter, written on August 15th, 1724, Monck + Mason gives the following extracts: + </p> + <p> + "—When I returned to Dublin I met with resolutions concerning our + halfpence, founded chiefly on the testimony of two infamous persons, John + Brown and Coleby: as to the first of these, you will find his character in + the votes of the house of commons, last parliament. Tuesday, the 5th of + November. + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved, that it appears to this Committee, that a wicked conspiracy + was maliciously contrived and carried on against John Bingham, to take + away his life and fortune. + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said John + Brown, of Rabens, Esq. and his accomplices, were the chief promoters and + advisers of the said conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said John + Brown is a person not fit to serve his majesty, in any office or + employment, civil or military, whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved, that the said John Brown has, in the course of his + examination, grossly prevaricated with this Committee. + </p> + <p> + "'To all which resolutions, the question being severally put, the house + did agree, <i>nemine contradicente</i>. + </p> + <p> + "'Ordered, that the said John Brown be, for his said prevarication, taken + into the custody of the serjeant at arms attending this house. + </p> + <p> + "'Ordered, that his majesty's attorney-general do present the said John + Brown, for conniving and maliciously carrying on the said conspiracy to + take away the life of the said John Bingham, and others.' + </p> + <p> + "As to Coleby, he was turned out of the treasury for robbing it of a + considerable sum of money. I was present at his trial at the King's-bench, + and the evidence was such as convinced every one, in his conscience, that + he was guilty; but, the proofs being presumptive, and not direct, the jury + acquitted him; on which the judge (Pine, if I remember right) observed the + happiness of English subjects, that, though everybody was convinced of a + man's guilt, yet, if the evidence did not come up to the strict requisites + of the law, he would escape" ("History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. + xciv-xcv.) [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But since I have gone so far as to mention particular persons, it may be + some satisfaction to know who is this Wood himself, that has the honour to + have a whole kingdom at his mercy, for almost two years together. I find + he is in the patent entitled <i>Esq</i>; although he were understood to be + only a hardware-man, and so I have been bold to call him in my former + letters; however a '<i>squire</i> he is, not only by virtue of his patent, + but by having been a collector in Shropshire, where pretending to have + been robbed, and suing the county, he was cast, and for the infamy of the + fact, lost his employment. + </p> + <p> + I have heard another story of this 'Squire Wood from a very honourable + lady, that one Hamilton told her. He (Hamilton) was sent for six years ago + by Sir Isaac Newton to try the coinage of four men, who then solicited a + patent for coining halfpence for Ireland; their names were Wood, Coster, + Elliston, and Parker. Parker made the fairest offer, and Wood the worst, + for his coin were three halfpence in a pound less value than the other. By + which it is plain with what intentions he solicited this patent, but not + so plain how he obtained it. + </p> + <p> + It is alleged in the said paper, called the "Report," that upon repeated + orders from a secretary of state, for sending over such papers and + witnesses, as should be thought proper to support the objections made + against the patent (by both Houses of Parliament) the Lord Lieutenant + represented "the great difficulty he found himself in to comply with these + orders. That none of the principal members of both Houses, who were in the + King's service or council, would take upon them to advise how any material + person or papers might be sent over on this occasion, &c." And this is + often repeated and represented as "a proceeding that seems very + extraordinary, and that in a matter which had raised so great a clamour in + Ireland, no one person could be prevailed upon to come over from Ireland + in support of the united sense of both Houses of Parliament in Ireland, + especially that the chief difficulty should arise from a general + apprehension of a miscarriage, in an enquiry before His Majesty, or in a + proceeding by due course of law, in a case where both Houses of Parliament + had declared themselves so fully convinced, and satisfied upon evidence, + and examinations taken in the most solemn manner."[4] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 4: Commenting on this Monck Mason has the following note. This + learned biographer's remarks are specially important inasmuch as he has + fortified them with letters from Archbishop King, unpublished at the time + he wrote: "But this [referring to the extract from the Report given by + Swift] will not appear so strange or inexplicable after perusing the + following letter from Archbishop King ... to Edward Southwell, Esq. ...; + this important state paper may, therefore, be considered as an official + communication of the sentiments of the Irish Privy Council upon this + matter. + </p> + <p> + "Letter from William King, Archbishop of Dublin, to Edward Southwell, + Esq., dated the 23d March, 1723. + </p> + <p> + "'I have not had any occasion of late to trouble you with my letters; but + yesternight I came to the knowledge of an affair which gave me some + uneasiness, and, I believe, will do so to the whole kingdom, when it + becomes public. My lord lieutenant sent for several lords and commoners of + the privy council, and communicated to them a letter from my Lord + Carteret, writ by his majesty's command, in which was repeated the answer + given to the addresses of the lords and commons, about one William Wood's + farthings and halfpence; and his grace is required to send over witnesses + and evidences against the patentee or patent: this has surprised most + people, because we were borne in hand that that affair was dead, and that + we should never hear any more of it. + </p> + <p> + "'His grace's design was, to be advised by what means and methods he might + effectually comply with his majesty's commands; and, by what I could + perceive, it was the sense of all, that it was not possible, in the + present situation of affairs, to answer his majesty's expectations or + those of the kingdom; and that, for these reasons: + </p> + <p> + "'1st, because this is a controversy between the parliament of Ireland and + William Wood, and, the parliament being now prorogued, nobody either + would, or durst, take on them to meddle in a business attacked by the + parliament, or pretend to manage a cause which so deeply concerned the + parliament, and the whole nation, without express orders. If this letter + had come whilst the parliament was sitting, and had been communicated to + the houses, they could have appointed certain persons to have acted for + them, and raised a fund to support them, as has been done formerly in this + kingdom on several occasions; but, for any, without such authority, to + make himself a party for the legislature and people of Ireland, would be a + bold undertaking, and, perhaps, dangerous; for, if such undertaker or + undertakers should fail in producing all evidences that may be had, or any + of the papers necessary to make the case evident, they must expect to be + severely handled the next parliament for their officiousness, and bear the + blame of the miscarriage of the cause: for these reasons, as it seemed to + me, the privy councillors were unwilling to engage at all in the business, + or to meddle with it. + </p> + <p> + "'But, 2dly, the thing seemed impracticable; because it would signify + nothing to send over the copies of the papers that were laid before the + parliament, if the design is, as it seems to be, to bring the patent to a + legal trial; for such copies we were told by lawyers, could not be + produced in any court as evidence; and, as to the originals, they are in + the possession of the houses, and (as was conceived) could not be taken + from the proper officers with whom they were trusted, but by the like + order. + </p> + <p> + "'And, as to the witnesses, it was a query whether my lord lieutenant by + his own power could send them; and, if he have such power, yet it will not + be possible to come at the witnesses, for several in each house vouched + several facts on their own knowledge, to whom the houses gave credit; my + lord lieutenant can neither be apprised of the persons nor of the + particulars which the members testified; whereas, if the parliament was + sitting, those members would appear, and make good their assertions. + </p> + <p> + "'There were several sorts of farthings and halfpence produced to the + houses, differing in weight, and there was likewise a difference in the + stamp. These were sent over by William Wood to his correspondents here, + and by them produced. But can it be proved, on a legal trial, that these + particular halfpence were coined by him? It is easy for him to say, that + they are counterfeited, as (if I remember right) he has already affirmed + in the public prints, in his answer to the address of the commons. + </p> + <p> + "'But, 3dly, it was not on the illegality of the patent, nor chiefly on + the abuse of it the patentee (which was not so much as mentioned by the + lords), that the parliament insisted, but on the unavoidable mischief and + destruction it would bring on the kingdom, and on its being obtained by + most false and notorious misinformation of his majesty; it being + suggested, as appears by the preamble, that the kingdom wanted such + halfpence and farthings: now, if the king be misinformed, the lawyers tell + us, that the grant is void. And, that his majesty was deceived in this + grant by a false representation, it was said, needed no further proof than + the patent itself.—William Wood by it was empowered to coin 360 tons + of copper into halfpence and farthings, which would have made £90,000, + about the fifth part of all the current cash of Ireland; for that is not + reckoned, by those who suppose it most, to be £500,000. Now, the current + cash of England is reckoned above twenty millions; in proportion, + therefore, if Ireland wants £90,000 England will want four millions. It is + easy to imagine what would be said to a man that would propose to his + majesty such a coinage; and it is agreed, that the people of England would + not be more alarmed by such a patent, than the people of Ireland are, by + the prospect of turning the fifth part of their current coin into brass. + </p> + <p> + "'This, so far as I can remember, is a brief of what passed in the meeting + before my lord lieutenant'" ("History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. + lxxxvii-lxxxviii). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + How shall I, a poor ignorant shopkeeper, utterly unskilled in law, be able + to answer so weighty an objection. I will try what can be done by plain + reason, unassisted by art, cunning or eloquence. + </p> + <p> + In my humble opinion, the committee of council, hath already prejudged the + whole case, by calling the united sense of both Houses of Parliament in + Ireland an "universal clamour." Here the addresses of the Lords and + Commons of Ireland against a ruinous destructive project of an "obscure, + single undertaker," is called a "clamour." I desire to know how such a + style would be resented in England from a committee of council there to a + Parliament, and how many impeachments would follow upon it. But supposing + the appellation to be proper, I never heard of a wise minister who + despised the universal clamour of a people, and if that clamour can be + quieted by disappointing the fraudulent practice of a single person, the + purchase is not exorbitant. + </p> + <p> + But in answer to this objection. First it is manifest, that if this + coinage had been in Ireland, with such limitations as have been formerly + specified in other patents, and granted to persons of this kingdom, or + even of England, able to give sufficient security, few or no + inconveniencies could have happened, which might not have been immediately + remedied. As to Mr. Knox's patent mentioned in the Report, security was + given into the exchequer, that the patentee should at any time receive his + halfpence back, and pay gold or silver in exchange for them. And Mr. Moor + (to whom I suppose that patent was made over) was in 1694 forced to leave + off coining, before the end of that year, by the great crowds of people + continually offering to return his coinage upon him. In 1698 he coined + again, and was forced to give over for the same reason. This entirely + alters the case; for there is no such condition in Wood's patent, which + condition was worth a hundred times all other limitations whatsoever.[5] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 5: It will serve to elucidate this paragraph if an account be + given of the various coinage patents issued for Ireland. Monck Mason gives + an account in a long note to his biography of Swift; but as he has + obtained it from the very ably written tract, "A Defence of the Conduct of + the People of Ireland," etc., I have gone to that pamphlet for the present + <i>résumé</i>. I quote from pp. 21-24 of the Dublin edition, issued in + 1724 and printed by George Ewing: + </p> + <p> + "K. Charles 2d. 1660 granted a patent for coining only farthings for the + kingdom of Ireland to Coll. Armstrong: But I do not find he ever made any + use of it.[A] For all our copper and brass money to the year 1680 was + issued by private persons, who obtained particular licences, <i>on giving + security to change their half-pence and farthings for gold and silver</i>; + but some of their securities failing, others pretending the half-pence + which were tendered to be changed were counterfeits, the public always + suffered. Col. Armstrong's son, finding great profit was made by coining + half-pence in Ireland, by virtue of particular licences recallable at + pleasure, solicited and obtained a patent in the name of George Legg + afterwards Lord Dartmouth, for coining half-pence for Ireland from 1680, + for 21 years, <i>he giving security to exchange them for gold or silver on + demand</i>.[B] In pursuance of this he coined considerable quantities of + half-pence for four years; but in 1685 [John] Knox, with the consent of + Armstrong, got the remaining part of this term granted by patent in his + own name, he giving security as above, and got his half-pence declared the + current coin of Ireland, notwithstanding two Acts of Parliament had + enacted that they should not be received in the revenue. Knox was + interrupted in his coinage in 1689, by King James's taking it into his own + hands, to coin his famous brass money, of which he coined no less than + £965,375, three penny worth of metal passing for £10 <i>ster</i>. In this + money creditors were obliged to receive their debts, and by this cruel + stratagem Ireland lost about £60,000 per month. This not only made our + gold and silver, but even our half-pence to disappear; which obliged King + William to coin pewter half-pence for the use of his army.... + </p> + <p> + [Footnote A: Monck Mason, quoting Simon "On Irish Coins" (Append., No. + LXV), says: "Sir Thomas [Armstrong] was never admitted to make use of this + grant, nor could he obtain allowance of the chief governor of Ireland, to + issue them as royal coin among the subjects of that kingdom."] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote B: "A proclamation was issued by the lord lieutenant, declaring + these half-pence to be the current coin of the kingdom, but it provided + that none should be enforced to take more than five shillings in the + payment of one hundred pounds, and so proportionately in all greater and + lesser sums.... This patent was granted, by and with, the advice of James, + Duke of Ormond" (Monck Mason, "History of St. Patrick's," p. 334, note + y).] + </p> + <p> + "After the Revolution, Col. Roger Moore being possessed of Knox's patent, + commenced his coinage in Dublin, and at first kept several offices for + changing his half-pence for gold or silver. He soon overstocked the + kingdom so with copper money, that persons were obliged to receive large + sums in it; for the officers of the crown were industrious dispensers of + it, for which he allowed them a premium. It was common at that time for + one to compound for 1/4 copper, and the collectors paid nothing else. The + country being thus overcharged with a base coin, everyone tendered it to + Col. Moore to be changed. This he refused, on pretence they were + counterfeits.... On this he quitted coining in 1698, but left us in a + miserable condition, which is lively represented in a Memorial presented + by Will. Trench, Esq. to the Lords of the Treasury, on Mr. Wood's + obtaining his patent, and which our Commissioners referred to.... Col. + Moore finding the sweet of such a patent, applied to King William for a + renewal of it; but his petition being referred to the government of + Ireland, the affair was fairly represented to the king, whereby his + designs were frustrated. + </p> + <p> + "In the reign of the late Queen, application was made by Robert Baird and + William Harnill, Trustees for the garrison which defended Londonderry, for + a patent to coin base money for Ireland ... their petition was + rejected.... Since this time there have been many applications made for + such patents." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Put the case, that the two Houses of Lords and Commons of England, and the + Privy-council there should address His Majesty to recall a patent, from + whence they apprehend the most ruinous consequences to the whole kingdom: + And to make it stronger if possible, that the whole nation, almost to a + man, should thereupon discover the "most dismal apprehensions" (as Mr. + Wood styles them) would His Majesty debate half an hour what he had to do? + Would any minister dare advise him against recalling such a patent? Or + would the matter be referred to the Privy-Council or to Westminster-hall, + the two Houses of Parliament plaintiffs, and William Wood defendant? And + is there even the smallest difference between the two cases? + </p> + <p> + Were not the people of Ireland born as free as those of England? How have + they forfeited their freedom? Is not their Parliament as fair a + representative of the people as that of England? And hath not their + Privy-council as great or a greater share in the administration of public + affairs? Are they not subjects of the same King? Does not the same sun + shine on them? And have they not the same God for their protector? Am I a + freeman in England, and do I become a slave in six hours by crossing the + Channel? No wonder then, if the boldest persons were cautious to interpose + in a matter already determined by the whole voice of the nation, or to + presume to represent the representatives of the kingdom, and were justly + apprehensive of meeting such a treatment as they would deserve at the next + session. It would seem very extraordinary if an inferior court in England, + should take a matter out of the hands of the high court of Parliament, + during a prorogation, and decide it against the opinion of both Houses. + </p> + <p> + It happens however, that, although no persons were so bold, as to go over + as evidences, to prove the truth of the objections made against this + patent by the high court of Parliament here, yet these objections stand + good, notwithstanding the answers made by Wood and his Council. + </p> + <p> + The Report says, that "upon an assay made of the fineness, weight and + value of this copper, it exceeded in every article." This is possible + enough in the pieces upon which the assay was made; but Wood must have + failed very much in point of dexterity, if he had not taken care to + provide a sufficient quantity of such halfpence as would bear the trial; + which he was well able to do, although "they were taken out of several + parcels." Since it is now plain, that the bias of favour hath been wholly + on his side.[6] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 6: The report of the assayers as abstracted by the Lords of the + Committee in their report is not accurately stated. Monck Mason notes that + the abstract omits the following passage: "But although the copper was + very good, and the money, one piece with another, was full weight, yet the + single pieces were not so equally coined in the weight as they should have + been." Nor is it shown that the coins assayed were of the same kind as + those sent into Ireland. The Committee's report fails to see the question + that must arise when it is noted that while in England a pound of copper + was made into twenty-three pence, yet for Ireland Wood was permitted to + make it into thirty pence, in spite of the statement that the copper used + in England was worth fivepence a pound more than that used by Wood. + [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But what need is there of disputing, when we have positive demonstration + of Wood's fraudulent practices in this point? I have seen a large quantity + of these halfpence weighed by a very skilful person, which were of four + different kinds, three of them considerably under weight. I have now + before me an exact computation of the difference of weight between these + four sorts, by which it appears that the fourth sort, or the lightest, + differs from the first to a degree, that, in the coinage of three hundred + and sixty tons of copper, the patentee will be a gainer, only by that + difference, of twenty-four thousand four hundred and ninety-four pounds, + and in the whole, the public will be a loser of eighty-two thousand one + hundred and sixty-eight pounds, sixteen shillings, even supposing the + metal in point of goodness to answer Wood's contract and the assay that + hath been made; which it infallibly doth not. For this point hath likewise + been enquired into by very experienced men, who, upon several trials in + many of these halfpence, have found them to be at least one fourth part + below the real value (not including the raps or counterfeits that he or + his accomplices have already made of his own coin, and scattered about). + Now the coinage of three hundred and sixty ton of copper coined by the + weight of the fourth or lightest sort of his halfpence will amount to one + hundred twenty-two thousand four hundred eighty-eight pounds, sixteen + shillings, and if we subtract a fourth part of the real value by the base + mixture in the metal, we must add to the public loss one fourth part to be + subtracted from the intrinsic value of the copper, which in three hundred + and sixty tons amounts to ten thousand and eighty pounds, and this added + to the former sum of eighty-two thousand one hundred sixty-eight pounds, + sixteen shillings, will make in all, ninety-two thousand two hundred + forty-eight pounds loss to the public; besides the raps or counterfeits + that he may at any time hereafter think fit to coin. Nor do I know whether + he reckons the dross exclusive or inclusive with his three hundred and + sixty ton of copper; which however will make a considerable difference in + the account. + </p> + <p> + You will here please to observe, that the profit allowed to Wood by the + patent is twelvepence out of every pound of copper valued at <i>1s. 6d</i>. + whereas <i>5d</i>. only is allowed for coinage of a pound weight for the + English halfpence, and this difference is almost 25 <i>per cent</i>. which + is double to the highest exchange of money, even under all the additional + pressures, and obstructions to trade, that this unhappy kingdom lies at + present. This one circumstance in the coinage of three hundred and sixty + ton of copper makes a difference of twenty-seven thousand seven hundred + and twenty pounds between English and Irish halfpence, even allowing those + of Wood to be all of the heaviest sort. + </p> + <p> + It is likewise to be considered, that for every halfpenny in a pound + weight exceeding the number directed by the patent, Wood will be a gainer + in the coinage of three hundred and sixty ton of copper, sixteen hundred + and eighty pounds profit more than the patent allows him; Out of which he + may afford to make his comptrollers easy upon that article. + </p> + <p> + As to what is alleged, that "these halfpence far exceed the like coinage + for Ireland in the reigns of His Majesty's predecessors;" there cannot + well be a more exceptionable way of arguing: Although the fact were true, + which however is altogether mistaken; not by any fault in the Committee, + but by the fraud and imposition of Wood, who certainly produced the worst + patterns he could find, such as were coined in small numbers by + permissions to private men, as butchers' halfpence, black dogs and the + like, or perhaps the small St. Patrick's coin which passes for a farthing, + or at best some of the smallest raps of the latest kind. For I have now by + me some halfpence coined in the year 1680 by virtue of the patent granted + to my Lord Dartmouth, which was renewed to Knox, and they are heavier by a + ninth part than those of Wood, and in much better metal. And the great St. + Patrick's halfpenny is yet larger than either. + </p> + <p> + But what is all this to the present debate? If under the various + exigencies of former times, by wars, rebellions, and insurrections, the + Kings of England were sometimes forced to pay their armies here with mixed + or base money, God forbid that the necessities of turbulent times should + be a precedent for times of peace, and order, and settlement. + </p> + <p> + In the patent above mentioned granted to Lord Dartmouth, in the reign of + King Charles 2d. and renewed to Knox, the securities given into the + exchequer, obliging the patentee to receive his money back upon every + demand, were an effectual remedy against all inconveniencies. And the + copper was coined in our own kingdom, so that we were in no danger to + purchase it with the loss of all our silver and gold carried over to + another, nor to be at the trouble of going to England for the redressing + of any abuse. + </p> + <p> + That the Kings of England have exercised their prerogative of coining + copper for Ireland and for England is not the present question: But (to + speak in the style of the Report) it would "seem a little extraordinary," + supposing a King should think fit to exercise his prerogative by coining + copper in Ireland, to be current in England, without referring it to his + officers in that kingdom to be informed whether the grant was reasonable, + and whether the people desired it or no, and without regard to the + addresses of his Parliament against it. God forbid that so mean a man as I + should meddle with the King's prerogative: But I have heard very wise men + say, that the King's prerogative is bounded and limited by the good and + welfare of his people. I desire to know, whether it is not understood and + avowed that the good of Ireland was intended by this patent. But Ireland + is not consulted at all in the matter, and as soon as Ireland is informed + of it, they declare against it; the two Houses of Parliament and the + Privy-council addresses His Majesty upon the mischiefs apprehended by such + a patent. The Privy-council in England takes the matter out of the + Parliament's cognizance; the good of the kingdom is dropped, and it is now + determined that Mr. Wood shall have the power of ruining a whole nation + for his private advantage. + </p> + <p> + I never can suppose that such patents as these were originally granted + with the view of being a job for the interest of a particular person, to + the damage of the public: Whatever profit must arise to the patentee was + surely meant at best but as a secondary motive, and since somebody must be + a gainer, the choice of the person was made either by favour, or <i>something + else</i>[7] or by the pretence of merit and honesty. This argument returns + so often and strongly into my head, that I cannot forbear frequently + repeating it. Surely His Majesty, when he consented to the passing of this + patent, conceived he was doing an act of grace to his most loyal subjects + of Ireland, without any regard to Mr. Wood, farther than as an instrument. + But the people of Ireland think this patent (intended <i>no doubt</i> for + their good) to be a most intolerable grievance, and therefore Mr. Wood can + never succeed, without an open avowal that his profit is preferred not + only before the interests, but the very safety and being of a great + kingdom; and a kingdom distinguished for its loyalty, perhaps above all + others upon earth. Not turned from its duty by the "jurisdiction of the + House of Lords, abolished at a stroke, by the hardships of the Act of + Navigation newly enforced; By all possible obstructions in trade," and by + a hundred other instances, "enough to fill this paper." Nor was there ever + among us the least attempt towards an insurrection in favour of the + Pretender. Therefore whatever justice a free people can claim we have at + least an equal title to it with our brethren in England, and whatever + grace a good prince can bestow on the most loyal subjects, we have reason + to expect it: Neither hath this kingdom any way deserved to be sacrificed + to one "single, rapacious, obscure, ignominious projector." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 7: A hint at the Duchess of Kendal's influence in the procuring + of the patent. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Among other clauses mentioned in this patent, to shew how advantageous it + is to Ireland, there is one which seems to be of a singular nature, that the + patentee shall be obliged, during his term, "to pay eight hundred pounds a + year to the crown, and two hundred pounds a year to the comptroller."[8] I + have heard indeed that the King's council do always consider, in the + passing of a patent, whether it will be of advantage to the crown, but I + have likewise heard that it is at the same time considered whether the + passing of it may be injurious to any other persons or bodies politic. + However, although the attorney and solicitor be servants to the King, and + therefore bound to consult His Majesty's interest, yet I am under some + doubt whether eight hundred pounds a year to the crown would be equivalent + to the ruin of a kingdom. It would be far better for us to have paid eight + thousand pounds a year into His Majesty's coffers, in the midst of all our + taxes (which, in proportion, are greater in this kingdom than ever they + were in England, even during the war) than purchase such an addition to + the revenue at the price of our <i>utter undoing</i>. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 8: By the terms of the patent, Wood covenanted to pay to the + King's clerk, or comptroller of the coinage, £200 yearly, and £100 per + annum into his Majesty's exchequer, and not as Walpole's report has it, + £800 and £200. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But here it is plain that fourteen thousand pounds are to be paid by Wood, + only as a small circumstantial charge for the purchase of his patent, what + were his other visible costs I know not, and what were his latent, is + variously conjectured. But he must be surely a man of some wonderful + merit. Hath he saved any other kingdom at his own expense, to give him a + title of reimbursing himself by the destruction of ours? Hath he + discovered the longitude or the universal medicine? No. But he hath found + out the philosopher's stone after a new manner, by debasing of copper, and + resolving to force it upon us for gold. + </p> + <p> + When the two Houses represented to His Majesty, that this patent to Wood + was obtained in a clandestine manner, surely the Committee could not think + the Parliament would insinuate that it had not passed in the common forms, + and run through every office where fees and perquisites were due. They + knew very well that persons in places were no enemies to grants, and that + the officers of the crown could not be kept in the dark. But the late Lord + Lieutenant of Ireland[9] affirmed it was a secret to him (and who will + doubt of his veracity, especially when he swore to a person of quality; + from whom I had it, that Ireland should never be troubled with these + halfpence). It was a secret to the people of Ireland, who were to be the + only sufferers, and those who best knew the state of the kingdom and were + most able to advise in such an affair, were wholly strangers to it. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 9: The Duke of Grafton. Walpole called him "a fair-weather + pilot, that knew not what he had to do, when the first storm arose." + Charles, second Duke of Grafton (1683-1757), was the grandfather of the + third duke, so virulently attacked by Junius in his famous letters. [T. + S.]] + </p> + <p> + It is allowed by the Report that this patent was passed without the + knowledge of the chief governor or officers of Ireland; and it is there + elaborately shewn, that "former patents have passed in the same manner, + and are good in law." I shall not dispute the legality of patents, but am + ready to suppose it in His Majesty's power to grant a patent for stamping + round bits of copper to every subject he hath. Therefore to lay aside the + point of law, I would only put the question, whether in reason and justice + it would not have been proper, in an affair upon which the welfare of a + kingdom depends, that the said kingdom should have received timely notice, + and the matter not be carried on between the patentee and the officers of + the Crown, who were to be the only gainers by it. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament, who in matters of this nature are the most able and + faithful counsellors, did represent this grant to be "destructive of + trade, and dangerous to the properties of the people," to which the only + answer is, that "the King hath a prerogative to make such a grant." + </p> + <p> + It is asserted that in the patent to Knox, his "halfpence, are made and + declared the current coin of the kingdom," whereas in this to Wood, there + is only a "power given to issue them to such as will receive them." The + authors of the Report, I think, do not affirm that the King can by law + declare <i>anything</i> to be current money by his letters-patents. I dare + say they will not affirm it, and if Knox's patent contained in it powers + contrary to law, why is it mentioned as a precedent in His Majesty's just + and merciful reign:[10] But although that clause be not in Wood's patent, + yet possibly there are others, the legality whereof may be equally + doubted, and particularly that, whereby "a power is given to William Wood + to break into houses in search of any coin made in imitation of his." This + may perhaps be affirmed to be illegal and dangerous to the liberty of the + subject. Yet this is a precedent taken from Knox's patent, where the same + power is granted, and is a strong instance what uses may be sometimes made + of precedents. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 10: Knox's patent, as Monck Mason points out, did not contain + the right to have his coins pass as the current coin of the realm; that + was permitted by a proclamation of the lord lieutenant, and could in the + same manner be withdrawn. Knox's patent differed materially from that + granted to Wood, since he was obliged to take back his coins and give gold + or silver for them, and no one was compelled to take more than five + shillings in the payment of each £100. See note, p. 66. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But although before the passing of this patent, it was not thought + necessary to consult any persons of this kingdom, or make the least + enquiry whether copper money were wanted among us; yet now at length, when + the matter is over, when the patent hath long passed, when Wood hath + already coined seventeen thousand pounds, and hath his tools and + implements prepared to coin six times as much more; the Committee hath + been pleased to make this affair the subject of enquiry. Wood is permitted + to produce his evidences, which consist as I have already observed, of + four in number, whereof Coleby, Brown and Mr. Finley the banker are three. + And these were to prove that copper money was extremely wanted in Ireland. + The first had been out of the kingdom almost twenty years, from the time + that he was tried for robbing the treasury, and therefore his knowledge + and credibility are equal. The second may be allowed a more knowing + witness, because I think it is not above a year since the House of Commons + ordered the Attorney-general to prosecute him, for endeavouring "to take + away the life of John Bingham Esq; member of parliaments by perjury and + subornation." He asserted that he was forced to tally with his labourers + for want of small money (which hath often been practised in England by Sir + Ambrose Crawley[11] and others) but those who knew him better give a + different reason, (if there be any truth at all in the fact) that he was + forced to tally with his labourers not for want of halfpence, but of more + substantial money, which is highly possible, because the race of + suborners, forgers, perjurers and ravishers, are usually people of no + fortune, or of those who have run it out by their vices and profuseness. + Mr. Finley the third witness honestly confessed, that he was ignorant + whether Ireland wanted copper money or no; but all his intention was to + buy a certain quantity from Wood at a large discount, and sell them as + well as he could, by which he hoped to get two or three thousand pounds + for himself. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 11: Ambrose Crowley (not Crawley) was alderman and sheriff of + London. He was knighted January 1st, 1706-1707, and sat in the House of + Commons as member for Andover in 1713-1714. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But suppose there were not one single halfpenny of copper coin in this + whole kingdom (which Mr. Wood seems to intend, unless we will come to his + terms, as appears by employing his emissaries to buy up our old ones at a + penny in the shilling more than they pass for), it could not be any real + evil to us, although it might be some inconvenience. We have many sorts of + small silver coins, to which they are strangers in England, such as the + French threepences, fourpence halfpennies and eightpence half-pennies, the + Scotch fivepences and tenpences, besides their twenty-pences, and + three-and-four-pences, by all which we are able to make change to a + halfpenny of almost any piece of gold or silver, and if we are driven to + Brown's expedient of a sealed card, with the little gold or silver still + remaining, it will I suppose, be somewhat better than to have nothing left + but Wood's adulterated copper, which he is neither obliged by his patent, + nor hitherto able by his estate to make good. + </p> + <p> + The Report farther tells us, it "must be admitted that letters-patents + under the Great Seal of Great Britain for coining copper money for Ireland + are legal and obligatory, a just and reasonable exercise of His Majesty's + royal prerogative, and in no manner derogatory or invasive of any liberty + or privilege of his subjects of Ireland." First we desire to know, why His + Majesty's prerogative might not have been as well asserted, by passing + this patent in Ireland, and subjecting the several conditions of the + contract to the inspection of those who are only concerned, as was + formerly done in the only precedents for patents granted for coining for + this kingdom, since the mixed money[12] in Queen Elizabeth's time, during + the difficulties of a rebellion: Whereas now upon the greatest imposition + that can possibly be practised, we must go to England with our complaints, + where it hath been for some time the fashion to think and to affirm that + "we cannot be too hardly used." Again the Report says, that "such patents + are obligatory." After long thinking, I am not able to find out what can + possibly be meant here by this word <i>obligatory</i>. This patent of Wood + neither obligeth him to utter his coin, nor us to take it, or if it did + the latter, it would be so far void, because no patent can oblige the + subject against law, unless an illegal patent passed in one kingdom can + bind another and not itself. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 12: "Civill warre having set all Ireland in a combustion, the + Queene [Elizabeth] more easily to subdue the rebels, did take silver coyne + from the Irish, some few years before her death, and paid her army with a + mixed base coyne, which, by proclamation, was commanded to be spent and + received, for sterling silver money. This base mixed money had three parts + of copper, and the fourth part of silver, which proportion of silver was + in some part consumed by the mixture, so as the English goldsmiths valued + a shilling thereof at no more than two silver pence, though they + acknowledged the same to be worth two pence halfpenny." (Fynes Moryson's + "Itinerary," pt. i., p. 283). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Lastly, it is added that "such patents are in no manner derogatory or + invasive of any liberty or privilege of the King's subjects of Ireland." + If this proposition be true, as it is here laid down, without any + limitation either expressed or implied, it must follow that a King of + England may at any time coin copper money for Ireland, and oblige his + subjects here to take a piece of copper under the value of half a farthing + for half-a-crown, as was practised by the late King James, and even + without that arbitrary prince's excuse, from the necessity and exigences + of his affairs. If this be in no manner "derogatory nor evasive of any + liberties or privileges of the subjects of Ireland," it ought to have been + expressed what our liberties and privileges are, and whether we have any + at all, for in specifying the word <i>Ireland</i>, instead of saying "His + Majesty's subjects," it would seem to insinuate that we are not upon the + same foot with our fellow-subjects in <i>England</i>; which, however the + practice may have been, I hope will never be directly asserted, for I do + not understand that Poining's act[13] deprived us of our liberty, but only + changed the manner of passing laws here (which however was a power most + indirectly obtained) by leaving the negative to the two Houses of + Parliament. But, waiving all controversies relating to the legislature, no + person, I believe, was ever yet so bold as to affirm that the people of + Ireland have not the same title to the benefits of the common law, with + the rest of His Majesty's subjects, and therefore whatever liberties or + privileges the people of England enjoy by common law, we of Ireland have + the same; so that in my humble opinion, the word <i>Ireland</i> standing + in that proposition, was, in the mildest interpretation, <i>a lapse of the + pen</i>. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 13: It was not intended that Poyning's act should interfere with + the liberty of the people, but it is undoubted that advantage was taken of + this law, and an interpretation put on it far different from the intention + that brought it on the statute books. It was passed by a parliament + convened by Sir Edward Poyning, at Drogheda, in the tenth year of Henry + VII.'s reign. Its immediate cause was the invasion of Perkin Warbeck. That + pretender assumed royal authority in Ireland and had several statutes + passed during his short-lived term of power. To prevent any viceroy from + arrogating to himself the powers of law-making it was enacted by Poyning's + parliament: + </p> + <p> + "That no parliament be holden hereafter in Ireland, but at such season as + the King's lieutenant and counsaile there first do certifie the King, + under the Great Seal of that land, the causes and considerations, and all + such acts as them seemeth should pass in the same parliament, and such + causes, considerations, and acts affirmed by the King and his counsaile to + be good and expedient for that land, and his licence thereupon, as well in + affirmation of the said causes and acts, as to summon the said parliament, + under his Great Seal of England had and obtained; that done, a parliament + to be had and holden as afore rehearsed" ("Irish Statutes," vol. i., p. + 44). + </p> + <p> + Two statutes, one, the Act of 3 and 4 Phil., and Mary, cap. 4, and the + other of II Eliz. Ses. 3, cap. 8, explain this act further, and the latter + points out the reason for the original enactment, namely, that "before + this statute, when liberty was given to the governors to call parliaments + at their pleasure, acts passed as well to the dishonour of the prince, as + to the hindrance of their subjects" ("Irish Statutes," vol. i., p. 346). + </p> + <p> + "By Poyning's Law," says Lecky, "a great part of the independence of the + Irish Parliament had indeed been surrendered; but even the servile + Parliament which passed it, though extending by its own authority to + Ireland laws previously enacted in England, never admitted the right of + the English Parliament to make laws for Ireland." ("Hist. Ireland," vol. + ii., p. 154; 1892 ed). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + The Report farther asserts, that "the precedents are many, wherein cases + of great importance to Ireland, and that immediately affected the + interests of that kingdom, warrants, orders, and directions by the + authority of the King and his predecessors, have been issued under the + royal sign manual, without any previous reference or advice of His + Majesty's officers of Ireland, which have always had their due force, and + have been punctually complied with, and obeyed." It may be so, and I am + heartily sorry for it, because it may prove an eternal source of + discontent. However among all these precedents there is not one of a + patent for coining money for Ireland. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing hath perplexed me more than this doctrine of precedents. + If a job is to be done, and upon searching records you find it hath been + done before, there will not want a lawyer to justify the legality of it, + by producing his precedents, without ever considering the motives and + circumstances that first introduced them, the necessity or turbulence or + iniquity of times, the corruptions of ministers, or the arbitrary + disposition of the prince then reigning. And I have been told by persons + eminent in the law, that the worst actions which human nature is capable + of, may be justified by the same doctrine. How the first precedents began + of determining cases of the highest importance to Ireland, and immediately + affecting its interest, without any previous reference or advice to the + King's officers here, may soon be accounted for. Before this kingdom was + entirely reduced by the submission of Tyrone in the last year of Queen + Elizabeth's reign, there was a period of four hundred years, which was a + various scene of war and peace between the English pale and the Irish + natives, and the government of that part of this island which lay in the + English hands, was, in many things under the immediate administration of + the King. Silver and copper were often coined here among us, and once at + least upon great necessity, a mixed or base metal was sent from England. + The reign of King James Ist. was employed in settling the kingdom after + Tyrone's rebellion, and this nation flourished extremely till the time of + the massacre 1641. In that difficult juncture of affairs, the nobility and + gentry coined their own plate here in Dublin. + </p> + <p> + By all that I can discover, the copper coin of Ireland for three hundred + years past consisted of small pence and halfpence, which particular men + had licence to coin, and were current only within certain towns and + districts, according to the personal credit of the owner who uttered them, + and was bound to receive them again, whereof I have seen many sorts; + neither have I heard of any patent granted for coining copper for Ireland + till the reign of King Charles II. which was in the year 1680. to George + Legge Lord Dartmouth, and renewed by King James II. in the first year of + his reign to John Knox. Both patents were passed in Ireland, and in both + the patentees were obliged to receive their coin again to any that would + offer then twenty shillings of it, for which they were obliged to pay gold + or silver. + </p> + <p> + The patents both of Lord Dartmouth and Knox were referred to the + Attorney-general here, and a report made accordingly, and both, as I have + already said, were passed in this kingdom. Knox had only a patent for the + remainder of the term granted to Lord Dartmouth, the patent expired in + 1701, and upon a petition by Roger Moor to have it renewed, the matter was + referred hither, and upon the report of the attorney and solicitor, that + it was not for His Majesty's service or the interest of the nation to have + it renewed, it was rejected by King William. It should therefore seem very + extraordinary, that a patent for coining copper halfpence, intended and + professed for the good of the kingdom, should be passed without once + consulting that kingdom, for the good of which it is declared to be + intended, and this upon the application of a "poor, private obscure + mechanic;" and a patent of such a nature, that as soon as ever the kingdom + is informed of its being passed, they cry out unanimously against it as + ruinous and destructive. The representative of the nation in Parliament, + and the Privy-council address the King to have it recalled; yet the + patentee, such a one as I have described, shall prevail to have this + patent approved, and his private interest shall weigh down the application + of a whole kingdom. St. Paul says, "All things are lawful, but all things + are not expedient." We are answered that this patent is lawful, but is it + expedient? We read that the high-priest said "It was expedient that one + Man should die for the people;" and this was a most wicked proposition. + But that a whole nation should die for one man, was never heard of before. + </p> + <p> + But because much weight is laid on the precedents of other patents, for + coining copper for Ireland, I will set this matter in as clear a light as + I can. Whoever hath read the Report, will be apt to think, that a dozen + precedents at least could be produced of copper coined for Ireland, by + virtue of patents passed in England, and that the coinage was there too; + whereas I am confident, there cannot be one precedent shewn of a patent + passed in England for coining copper for Ireland, for above an hundred + years past, and if there were any before, it must be in times of + confusion. The only patents I could ever hear of, are those already + mentioned to Lord Dartmouth and Knox; the former in 1680. and the latter + in 1685. Now let us compare these patents with that granted to Wood. + First, the patent to Knox, which was under the same conditions as that + granted to Lord Dartmouth, was passed in Ireland, the government and the + Attorney and Solicitor-general making report that it would be useful to + this kingdom: [The patentee was obliged to make every halfpenny one + hundred and ten grains Troy weight, whereby <i>2s. 2d</i>. only could be + coined out of a pound of copper.][14] The patent was passed with the + advice of the King's council here; The patentee was obliged to receive his + coin from those who thought themselves surcharged, and to give gold and + silver for it; Lastly, The patentee was to pay only <i>16l. 13s. 4d. per + ann.</i> to the crown. Then, as to the execution of that patent. First, I + find the halfpence were milled, which, as it is of great use to prevent + counterfeits (and therefore industriously avoided by Wood) so it was an + addition to the charge of coinage. And for the weight and goodness of the + metal; I have several halfpence now by me, many of which weigh a ninth + part more than those coined by Wood, and bear the fire and hammer a great + deal better; and which is no trifle, the impression fairer and deeper. I + grant indeed, that many of the latter coinage yield in weight to some of + Wood's, by a fraud natural to such patentees; but not so immediately after + the grant, and before the coin grew current: For in this circumstance Mr. + Wood must serve for a precedent in future times. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 14: The portion here in square brackets was printed in the + fourth edition of this Letter and in the work entitled, "Fraud Detected." + It is not given in Faulkner's first collected edition issued in 1735, nor + in "The Hibernian Patriot," issued in 1730. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Let us now examine this new patent granted to William Wood. It passed upon + very false suggestions of his own, and of a few confederates: It passed in + England, without the least reference hither. It passed unknown to the very + Lord Lieutenant, then in England. Wood is empowered to coin one hundred + and eight thousand pounds, "and all the officers in the kingdom (civil and + military) are commanded" in the Report to countenance and assist him. Knox + had only power to utter what we would take, and was obliged "to receive + his coin back again at our demand," and to "enter into security for so + doing." Wood's halfpence are not milled, and therefore more easily + counterfeited by himself as well as by others: Wood pays a thousand pounds + <i>per ann.</i> for 14 years, Knox paid only <i>16l. 13s. 4d. per ann.</i> + for 21 years. + </p> + <p> + It was the Report that set me the example of making a comparison between + those two patents, wherein the committee was grossly misled by the false + representation of William Wood, as it was by another assertion, that seven + hundred ton of copper were coined during the 21 years of Lord Dartmouth's + and Knox's patents. Such a quantity of copper at the rate of <i>2s. 8d. + per</i> pound would amount to about an hundred and ninety thousand pounds, + which was very near as much as the current cash of the kingdom in those + days; yet, during that period, Ireland was never known to have too much + copper coin, and for several years there was no coining at all: Besides I + am assured, that upon enquiring into the custom-house books, all the + copper imported into the kingdom, from 1683 to 1692, which includes 8 + years of the 21 (besides one year allowed for the troubles) did not exceed + 47 tons, and we cannot suppose even that small quantity to have been + wholly applied to coinage: So that I believe there was never any + comparison more unluckily made or so destructive of the design for which + it was produced. + </p> + <p> + The Psalmist reckons it an effect of God's anger, when "He selleth His + people for nought, and taketh no money for them." That we have greatly + offended God by the wickedness of our lives is not to be disputed: But our + King we have not offended in word or deed; and although he be God's + vicegerent upon earth, he will not punish us for any offences, except + those which we shall commit against his legal authority, his sacred person + (which God preserve) or the laws of the land. + </p> + <p> + The Report is very profuse in arguments, that Ireland is in great want of + copper money.[15] Who were the witnesses to prove it, hath been shewn + already, but in the name of God, Who are to be judges? Does not the nation + best know its own wants? Both Houses of Parliament, the Privy-council and + the whole body of the people declare the contrary: Or let the wants be + what they will, We desire they may not be supplied by Mr. Wood. We know + our own wants but too well; they are many and grievous to be borne, but + quite of another kind. Let England be satisfied: As things go, they will + in a short time have all our gold and silver, and may keep their + adulterate copper at home, for we are determined not to purchase it with + our manufactures, which Wood hath graciously offered to accept. Our wants + are not so bad by an hundredth part as the method he hath taken to supply + them. He hath already tried his faculty in New-England,[16] and I hope he + will meet at least with an equal reception here; what <i>that</i> was I + leave to public intelligence. I am supposing a wild case, that if there + should be any person already receiving a monstrous pension out of this + kingdom, who was instrumental in procuring this patent, they have either + not well consulted their own interests, or Wood must[17] put more dross + into his copper and still diminish its weight. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 15: On this subject of the want of small money in Ireland, Monck + Mason traverses the Report in the following manner: + </p> + <p> + "There appears to be a manifest prevarication in their lordships' report + upon this part of the subject; they state, that the witnesses testified, + that there was a want of small money in Ireland; they attempt, therefore, + to impose a copper currency, which certainly was not wanted. To satisfy + the reader upon this point, I shall quote, from the unpublished + correspondence of Archbishop King, the following extracts: the first, from + his letter to General Gorge, dated the 17th October, 1724, is to the + following purpose. + </p> + <p> + "'... As to our wanting halfpence for change, it is most false; we have + more halfpence than we need, already; it is true, we want change; but it + is sixpences, shillings, half-crowns, and crowns; our silver and our + guineas being almost gone; and the general current coin of the kingdom is + now moydores, which are thirty shillings a-piece; at least nine pence + above the value in silver: now, they would have us change these for + halfpence, and so the whole cash of the kingdom would be these halfpence.' + ... + </p> + <p> + "But the true state of the case, as to coin, is more circumstantially + developed in the following letter of the same prelate to Mr. Southwell, + which was written a few months before, viz., on the 9th June, 1724. + </p> + <p> + "'... And yet, after all, we want change, and I will take leave to + acquaint you with the state of this kingdom as to coin. We used to have + hardly any money passing here, but foreign ducatoons, plate pieces, perns, + dollars, etc. but, when the East India Company were forbid sending the + coin of England abroad, they continued to buy up all our foreign coin, and + give us English money in lieu of some part of it; by which we lost + twopence in every ounce, the consequence of this was, that in two years + there was not to be seen in Ireland a piece of foreign silver. + </p> + <p> + "'If any be brought, it is immediately sent away, the two, or as I am + informed, the three pence in the ounce, given by the East India Company, + being a temptation not to be resisted; but, the truth is, very little is + brought in, for the merchants that carry our commodities to foreign + markets, find it more to their advantage to carry directly to London + whatever they receive in cash; and whereas formerly they used, when they + had disposed of their cargo, to load their vessels with such commodities + as there was a demand for in Ireland, and bring the rest in cash, they + bring now only the commodities, and send the silver to London; and when + they have got the twopence in every ounce from the East India Company, the + rest serves to answer the returns we are obliged to make to England, for + the rents we are obliged to pay to noblemen and gentlemen who have estates + in Ireland and live in England, and for the pensions, and other occasions + which are many; by this means they gain likewise the exchange, which is + commonly four or five per cent, better to them than if they sent cash. + </p> + <p> + "'It Is farther to be observed, that 21 shillings, which is the value of a + guinea in England, makes in Ireland 22 shillings and 9 pence, whereas a + guinea passes for 23 shillings with us, therefore, he who sends silver + into England, gains three pence more by it than if he sent guineas; this + advantage, though it may seem little, yet in a manner has entirely drained + us of our English money which was given in lieu of foreign silver. + </p> + <p> + "'But farther, if any carry foreign gold to England, they cannot easily + pass it, and if they do, it is at a greater loss than there is in the + guineas, this has taken away our guineas, so that there is hardly one to + be seen; we have hardly any coin left but a few moydores and pistoles, + which can, by no means, serve the inland trade of the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "'To give, therefore, a short view of our case, it is thus; We can have + English coin but by stealth, there being an act of parliament forbidding + the exportation of English coin; if, therefore, we should send our gold or + silver to England to be coined, we cannot have it back again, or if we + could, we cannot keep it for the reason above; we cannot for the same + reason have foreign silver; let us add to these, that by the act of + navigation and other acts, we cannot make our markets of buying where we + make our markets for selling; though we might have the commodities we want + much cheaper there, than we can have them in England, viz. all East India + and Turkey goods, with many others: nor is it to be expected that any + nation will trade with us with their silver only, when we will not + exchange commodities with them. + </p> + <p> + "'Except, therefore, England designs entirely to ruin Ireland, a kingdom + by which it is demonstrable that she gains yearly thirteen or fourteen + hundred thousand pounds, she ought to think of giving us some relief'" + ("History of St. Patrick's," pp. xciii-xciv). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 16: See note on p. 14. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 17: Another hint at the Duchess of Kendal and her connection + with the patent. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Upon Wood's complaint that the officers of the King's revenue here had + already given orders to all the inferior officers not to receive any of + his coin, the Report says, That "this cannot but be looked upon as a very + extraordinary proceeding," and being contrary to the powers given in the + patent, the Committee say, They "cannot advise His Majesty to give + directions to the officers of the revenue here, not to receive or utter + any of the said coin as has been desired in the addresses of both Houses," + but on the contrary, they "think it both just and reasonable that the King + should immediately give orders to the commissioners of the revenue, &c. + to revoke all orders, &c. that may have been given by them to hinder + or obstruct the receiving the said coin." And accordingly, we are told, + such orders are arrived.[18]. Now this was a cast of Wood's politics; for + his information was wholly false and groundless, which he knew very well; + and that the commissioners of the revenue here were all, except one, sent + us from England, and love their employments too well to have taken such a + step: But Wood was wise enough to consider, that such orders of revocation + would be an open declaration of the crown in his favour, would put the + government here under a difficulty, would make a noise, and possibly + create some terror in the poor people of Ireland. And one great point he + hath gained, that although any orders of revocation will be needless, yet + a new order is to be sent, and perhaps already here, to the commissioners + of the revenue, and all the King's officers in Ireland, that Wood's + "halfpence be suffered and permitted, without any let, suit, trouble, + molestation or denial of any of the King's officers or ministers + whatsoever, to pass and be received as current money by such as shall be + willing to receive them." In this order there is no exception, and + therefore, as far as I can judge, it includes all officers both civil and + military, from the Lord High Chancellor to a justice of peace, and from + the general to an ensign: So that Wood's project is not likely to fail for + want of managers enough. For my own part, as things stand, I have but + little regret to find myself out of the number, and therefore I shall + continue in all humility to exhort and warn my fellow-subjects never to + receive or utter this coin, which will reduce the kingdom to beggary by + much quicker and larger steps than have hitherto been taken.[19] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 18: Archbishop King's letter, quoted by Monck Mason, explains + why it was that the revenue officers refused to receive Wood's coins. It + seems the officers had been advised by lawyers that, in the event of their + taking the coins, it might be quite likely they would be compelled to make + them good, should such a demand be made of them. Precedents could easily + be cited by those taking action, since all previous patents issued to + private individuals for coining money, required of the patentee to take + them back and pay for them with gold or silver. [T. S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 19: The suggestion thus made by the Lords of the Committee, + although coupled with the reduction in the amount of money Wood was to be + permitted to introduce, did not do any good. Archbishop King argued + rightly that this was treating the people of Ireland as if they were fools + and children. If Wood could coin £40,000, what was to prevent him coining + £200,000? The suggestion indeed irritated the people almost as much as did + the patent itself. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But it is needless to argue any longer. The matter is come to an issue. + His Majesty pursuant to the law, hath left the field open between Wood and + the kingdom of Ireland. Wood hath liberty to offer his coin, and we have + law, reason, liberty and necessity to refuse it. A knavish jockey may ride + an old foundered jade about the market, but none are obliged to buy it. I + hope the words "voluntary" and "willing to receive it" will be understood, + and applied in their true natural meaning, as commonly understood by + Protestants. For if a fierce captain comes to my shop to buy six yards of + scarlet cloth, followed by a porter laden with a sack of Wood's coin upon + his shoulders, if we are agreed about the price, and my scarlet lies ready + cut upon the counter, if he then gives me the word of command, to receive + my money in Wood's coin, and calls me a "disaffected Jacobite dog" for + refusing it (although I am as loyal a subject as himself, and without + hire) and thereupon seizes my cloth, leaving me the price in his odious + copper, and bids me take my remedy: In this case, I shall hardly be + brought to think that I am left to my own will. I shall therefore on such + occasions, first order the porter aforesaid to go off with his pack, and + then see the money in silver and gold in my possession before I cut or + measure my cloth. But if a common soldier drinks his pot first, and then + offers payment in Wood's halfpence, the landlady may be under some + difficulty; For if she complains to his captain or ensign, they are + likewise officers, included in this general order for encouraging these + halfpence to pass as current money. If she goes to a justice of peace, he + is also an officer, to whom this general order is directed. I do therefore + advise her to follow my practice, which I have already begun, and be paid + for her goods before she parts with them. However I should have been + content, for some reasons, that the military gentlemen had been excepted + by name, because I have heard it said, that their discipline is best + confined within their own district. + </p> + <p> + His Majesty in the conclusion of his answer to the address of the House of + Lords against Wood's coin, is pleased to say that "he will do everything + in his power for the satisfaction of his people." It should seem + therefore, that the recalling the patent is not to be understood as a + thing in his power. But however since the law does not oblige us to + receive this coin, and consequently the patent leaves it to our voluntary + choice, there is nothing remaining to preserve us from rain but that the + whole kingdom should continue in a firm determinate resolution never to + receive or utter this fatal coin:[20] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 20: So ready was the response to this suggestion of Swift's, + that it was found necessary for tradesmen to take precautions to have it + publicly known that they were in no way connected with Wood and his money, + The following is a copy of an advertisement which illustrates this: + </p> + <p> + "Whereas several persons in this kingdom suspect that John Molyneux of + Meath Street, ironmonger, and his brother Daniel Molyneux, of Essex + Street, ironmonger, are interested in the patent obtained by William Wood + for coining of halfpence and farthings for this kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "Now we the said John Molyneux and Daniel Molyneux, in order to satisfy + the public, do hereby declare, that we are in no way concerned with the + said Wood in relation to his said patent; And that we never were possessed + of any of the said halfpence or farthings, except one halfpence and one + farthing, which I the said John Molyneux received in a post-letter, and + which I immediately afterwards delivered to one of the Lords-Justices of + Ireland. + </p> + <p> + "And we do further declare, that we will not directly or indirectly, be + anyways concerned with the said Wood's halfpence or farthings; but on the + contrary, act to the great advantage and satisfaction of this kingdom, as + good, loving and faithful subjects ought to do. And we do further declare, + that to the best of our knowledge, the said William Wood is not in this + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "Given under our hands in Dublin this 22d. day of August 1724. + </p> + <h3> + "JOHN MOLYNEUX + </h3> + <h3> + "DAN. MOLYNEUX." + </h3> + <p> + Another ran as follows: + </p> + <h3> + "ADVERTISEMENT. + </h3> + <p> + "Whereas, I, Thomas Handy, of Meath Street, Dublin, did receive by the + last packet, from a person in London, to whom I am an entire stranger, + bills of lading for eleven casks of Wood's halfpence, shipped at Bristol, + and consigned to me by the said person on his own proper account, of which + I had not the least notice until I received the said bills of lading. + </p> + <p> + "Now I, the said Thomas Handy, being highly sensible of the duty and + regard which every honest man owes to his country and to his + fellow-subjects, do hereby declare, that I will not be concerned, directly + or indirectly, in entering, landing, importing, receiving, or uttering any + of the said Wood's halfpence, for that I am fully convinced, as well from + the addresses of both Houses of Parliament, as otherwise, that the + importing and uttering the said halfpence will be destructive to this + nation, and prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue. + </p> + <p> + "And of this my resolution I gave notice by letter to the person who sent + me the bills of lading, the very day I received them, and have sent back + the said bills to him. + </p> + <h3> + "THO. HANDY. + </h3> + <p> + "Dublin, 29th. August, 1724." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + After which, let the officers to whom these orders are directed, (I would + willingly except the military) come with their exhortations, their + arguments and their eloquence, to persuade us to find our interest in our + undoing. Let Wood and his accomplices travel about the country with + cart-loads of their ware, and see who will take it off their hands, there + will be no fear of his being robbed, for a highwayman would scorn to touch + it. + </p> + <p> + I am only in pain how the commissioners of the revenue will proceed in + this juncture; because I am told they are obliged by act of Parliament to + take nothing but gold and silver in payment for His Majesty's customs, and + I think they cannot justly offer this coinage of Mr. Wood to others, + unless they will be content to receive it themselves. + </p> + <p> + The sum of the whole is this. The "Committee advises the King to send + immediate orders to all his officers here, that Wood's coin be suffered + and permitted without any let, suit, trouble, &c. to pass and be + received as current money by such as shall be willing to receive the + same." It is probable, that the first willing receivers may be those who + must receive it whether they will or no, at least under the penalty of + losing an office. But the landed undepending men, the merchants, the + shopkeepers and bulk of the people, I hope, and am almost confident, will + never receive it. What must the consequence be? The owners will sell it + for as much as they can get. Wood's halfpence will come to be offered for + six a penny (yet then he will be a sufficient gainer) and the necessary + receivers will be losers of two-thirds in their salaries or pay. + </p> + <p> + This puts me in mind of a passage I was told many years ago in England. At + a quarter-sessions in Leicester, the justices had wisely decreed, to take + off a halfpenny in a quart from the price of ale. One of them, who came in + after the thing was determined, being informed of what had passed, said + thus: "Gentlemen; you have made an order, that ale should be sold in our + country for three halfpence a quart: I desire you will now make another to + appoint who must drink it, for <i>by G— I will not</i>."[21] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 21: The following broadside, ascribed to Swift, but written + probably by Sheridan, further amusingly illustrates the point Swift makes. + The broadside was printed by John Harding: + </p> + <p> + "Another Letter to Mr. Harding the printer, upon occasion of the Report of + the Committee of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy-Council, + in relation to Mr. Wood's halfpence and farthings, etc., lately published. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Harding,—Although this letter also is directed to you, yet you + know that it is intended for the benefit of the whole kingdom, and + therefore I pray make it public, and take care to disperse it. + </p> + <p> + "The design of it is only to desire all people to take notice, That + whatever apprehensions some persons seem to be under on account of the + above-mentioned report concerning Mr. Wood's halfpence and farthings, yet + the utmost advice which the right honourable Committee have thought fit to + give His Majesty, is, That a certain sum of the said halfpence and + farthings may be received as current money by such as shall be willing to + receive the same. And if we are willing to ruin ourselves and our country, + I think we are not to be pitied. + </p> + <p> + "Upon this occasion I would only tell my countrymen a short story. + </p> + <p> + "A certain King of Great Britain who spoke broad Scotch, and being himself + a man of wit, loved both to hear and speak things that were humorous, had + once a petition preferred to him, in which the petitioner, having set + forth his own merits, most humbly prayed His Majesty to grant him + letters-patent for receiving a shilling from every one of his subjects who + should be willing to give so much to him. 'In gude troth,' said the King, + 'a very reasonable petition. Let every man give thee twa shillings gin he + be willing so to do, and thou shalt have full liberty to receive it.' + 'But,' says the petitioner, 'I desire that this clause may be inserted in + my patent, That every man who refuses to give me a shilling, should appear + at Westminster Hall to shew cause why he so refuses.' 'This also,' says + the King, 'shall be granted thee, but always with this proviso, that the + man be willing to come.' + </p> + <p> + "I am your, etc. + </p> + <h3> + "MISOXULOS."] + </h3> + <p> + I must beg leave to caution your lordships and worships in one particular. + Wood hath graciously promised to load us at present only with forty + thousand pounds of his coin, till the exigences of the kingdom require the + rest. I entreat you will never suffer Mr. Wood to be a judge of your + exigences. While there is one piece of silver or gold remaining in the + kingdom he will call it an exigency, he will double his present <i>quantum</i> + by stealth as soon as he can, and will have the remainder still to the + good. He will pour his own raps[22]and counterfeits upon us: France and + Holland will do the same; nor will our own coiners at home be behind them: + To confirm which I have now in my pocket a rap or counterfeit halfpenny in + imitation of his, but so ill performed, that in my conscience I believe it + is not of his coining. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 22: The word Rap is probably a contraction of "raparee," and was + the name given to the tokens that passed current in Ireland for copper + coins of small value. Generally it referred to debased coins; hence it may + be allied to "raparee," who might be considered as a debased citizen. The + raparees were so called from the rapary or half-pike they carried. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I must now desire your lordships and worships that you will give great + allowance for this long undigested paper, I find myself to have gone into + several repetitions, which were the effects of haste, while new thoughts + fell in to add something to what I had said before. I think I may affirm + that I have fully answered every paragraph in the Report, which although + it be not unartfully drawn, and is perfectly in the spirit of a pleader + who can find the most plausible topics in behalf of his client, yet there + was no great skill required to detect the many mistakes contained in it, + which however are by no means to be charged upon the right honourable + Committee, but upon the most false impudent and fraudulent representations + of Wood and his accomplices. I desire one particular may dwell upon your + minds, although I have mentioned it more than once; That after all the + weight laid upon precedents there is not one produced in the whole Report, + of a patent for coining copper in England to pass in Ireland, and only two + patents referred to (for indeed there were no more) which were both passed + in Ireland, by references to the King's Council here, both less + advantageous to the coiner than this of Wood, and in both securities given + to receive the coin at every call, and give gold and silver in lieu of it. + This demonstrates the most flagrant falsehood and impudence of Wood, by + which he would endeavour to make the right honourable Committee his + instruments, (for his own illegal and exorbitant gain,) to ruin a kingdom, + which hath deserved quite different treatment. + </p> + <p> + I am very sensible that such a work as I have undertaken might have + worthily employed a much better pen. But when a house is attempted to be + robbed it often happens that the weakest in the family runs first to stop + the door. All the assistance I had were some informations from an eminent + person,[23] whereof I am afraid I have spoiled a few by endeavouring to + make them of a piece with my own productions, and the rest I was not able + to manage: I was in the case of David who could not move in the armour of + Saul, and therefore I rather chose to attack this "uncircumcised + Philistine (Wood I mean) with a sling and a stone." And I may say for + Wood's honour as well as my own, that he resembles Goliath in many + circumstances, very applicable to the present purpose; For Goliath had "a + helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and + the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass, and he had + greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his + shoulders." In short he was like Mr. Wood, all over brass; And "he defied + the armies of the living God." Goliath's condition of combat were likewise + the same with those of Wood. "If he prevail against us, then shall we be + his servants:" But if it happens that I prevail over him, I renounce the + other part of the condition, he shall never be a servant of mine, for I do + not think him fit to be trusted in any honest man's shop. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 23: Mr. Robert Lindsay, a Dublin lawyer, assisted Swift on the + legal points raised in the Drapier's letters. This is the Mr. Lindsay, + counsellor-at-law, to whom Swift submitted a case concerning a Mr. Gorman + (see Scott's edit., vol. xix., p. 294). Mr. Lindsay is supposed to be the + author of two letters addressed to Chief Justice Whitshed on the matter of + his conduct towards the grand jury which discharged Harding the printer + (see Scott's edit., vol. vi., p. 467). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I will conclude with my humble desire and request which I made in my + second letter; That your lordships and worships would please to order a + declaration to be drawn up expressing, in the strongest terms, your firm + resolutions never to receive or utter any of Wood's halfpence or + farthings, and forbidding your tenants to receive them. That the said + declaration may be signed by as many persons as possible who have estates + in this kingdom, and be sent down to your several tenants aforesaid.[24] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 24: A Declaration, pursuant to this request, was signed soon + after by the most considerable persons of the kingdom, which was + universally spread and of great use. [F.] + </p> + <p> + "The humble petition of the lord-mayor, sheriffs, commons, and citizens of + the city of Dublin, in Common Council assembled," was issued as a + broadside on 8th September, 1724. See also Appendix IX. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + And if the dread of Wood's halfpence should continue till next + quarter-sessions (which I hope it will not) the gentlemen of every county + will then have a fair opportunity of declaring against them with unanimity + and zeal. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +I am with the greatest respect, + (May it please your lordships and worships) + Your most dutiful + and obedient servant, + M.B. +</pre> + <p> + Aug. 25, 1724. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER IV. A LETTER TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND. + </h2> + <h3> + NOTE + </h3> + <p> + The country was now in a very fever of excitement. Everywhere meetings + were held for the purpose of expressing indignation against the + imposition, and addresses from brewers, butchers, flying stationers, and + townspeople generally, were sent in embodying the public protest against + Wood and his coins. Swift fed the flame by publishing songs and ballads + well fitted for the street singers, and appealing to the understandings of + those who he well knew would effectively carry his message to the very + hearths of the poorest labourers. Courtier and student, tradesman and + freeman, thief and prostitute, beggar and loafer, all were alike carried + by an indignation which launched them on a maelstrom of enthusiasm. So + general became the outcry that, in Coxe's words, "the lords justices + refused to issue the orders for the circulation of the coin.... People of + all descriptions and parties flocked in crowds to the bankers to demand + their money, and drew their notes with an express condition to be paid in + gold and silver. The publishers of the most treasonable pamphlets escaped + with impunity, provided Wood and his patent were introduced into the work. + The grand juries could scarcely be induced to find any bill against such + delinquents; no witnesses in the prosecution were safe in their persons; + and no juries were inclined, or if inclined could venture, to find them + guilty." + </p> + <p> + In such a state of public feeling Swift assumed an entirely new attitude. + He promulgated his "Letter to the Whole People of Ireland"—a letter + which openly struck at the very root of the whole evil, and laid bare to + the public eye the most secret spring of its righteous indignation. It was + not Wood nor his coins, it was the freedom of the people of Ireland and + their just rights and privileges that were being fought for. He wrote them + the letter "to refresh and continue that spirit so seasonably raised + among" them, and in order that they should plainly understand "that by the + laws of God, of NATURE, of NATIONS, and of your COUNTRY, you ARE, and + OUGHT to be as FREE a people as your brethren in England." The King's + prerogative had been held threateningly over them. What was the King's + prerogative? he asked in effect. It was but the right he enjoyed within + the bounds of the law as made by the people in parliament assembled. The + law limits him with his subjects. Such prerogative he respected and would + take up arms to protect against any who should rebel. But "all government + without the consent of the governed, is the very definition of slavery." + The condition of the Irish nation was such that it was to be expected + eleven armed men should overcome a single man in his shirt; but even if + those in power exercise then power to cramp liberty, a man on the rack may + still have "the liberty of roaring as loud as he thought fit." And the men + on the rack roared to a tune that Walpole had never before heard. + </p> + <p> + The letter appeared on the 13th October, 1724.[1] The Duke of Grafton had + been recalled and Carteret had taken up the reins of government. For + reasons, either personal or politic, he took Walpole's side. Coxe goes + into considerations on this attitude of Carteret's, but they hardly + concern us here. Suffice it that the Lord Lieutenant joined forces with + the party in the Irish Privy Council, among whom were Midleton and St. + John Brodrick, and on October 27th issued a proclamation offering a reward + of £300[2] for the discovery of the author of this "wicked and malicious + pamphlet" which highly reflected on his Majesty and his ministers, and + which tended "to alienate the affections of his good subjects of England + and Ireland from each other." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: Not on October 23rd as the earlier editors print it, and as + Monck Mason, Scott and Mr. Churton Collins repeat.] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: See Appendix, No. VI.] + </p> + <p> + The author's name was not made public, nor was it likely to be. There is + no doubt that it was generally known who the author was. In that general + knowledge lies the whole pith of the Biblical quotation circulated abroad + on the heels of the proclamation: "And the people said unto Saul, shall <i>Jonathan</i> + die, who had wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the + Lord liveth there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for + he hath wrought with God this day: So the people rescued <i>Jonathan</i> + that he died not." + </p> + <p> + Swift remained very much alive. Harding, for printing the obnoxious + letter, had been arrested and imprisoned, and the Crown proceeded with his + prosecution. In such circumstances Swift was not likely to remain idle. On + the 26th October he addressed a letter to Lord Chancellor Midleton in + defence of the Drapier's writings, and practically acknowledged himself to + be the author.[3] It was not actually printed until 1735, but there is no + doubt that Midleton received it at the time it was written. What effect it + had on the ultimate issue is not known; but Midleton's conduct justifies + the confidence Swift placed in him. The Grand Jury of the Michaelmas term + of 1724 sat to consider the bill against Harding. On the 11th of November + Swift addressed to them his "Seasonable Advice." The bill was thrown out. + Whitshed, the Chief Justice, consistently with his action on a previous + occasion (see vol. vii.), angrily remonstrated with the jury, demanded of + them their reasons for such a decision, and finally dissolved them. This + unconstitutional, and even disgraceful conduct, however, served but to + accentuate the resentment of the people against Wood and the patent, and + the Crown fared no better by a second Grand Jury. The second jury + accompanied its rejection of the bill by a presentment against the + patent,[4] and the defeat of the "prerogative" became assured. Every where + the Drapier was acclaimed the saviour of his country. Any person who could + scribble a doggerel or indite a tract rushed into print, and now Whitshed + was harnessed to Wood in a pillory of contemptuous ridicule. Indeed, so + bitter was the outcry against the Lord Chief Justice, that it is said to + have hastened his death. The cities of Dublin, Cork and Waterford passed + resolutions declaring the uttering of Wood's halfpence to be highly + prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue and to the trades of the kingdom. The + Drapier was now the patriot, and the whole nation responded to his appeal + to assist him in its own defence. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: The highly wrought up story about Swift's butler, narrated by + Sheridan, Deane Swift and Scott, is nothing but a sample of eighteenth + century "sensationalism." Swift never bothered himself about what his + servants would say with regard to the authorship of the Letters. Certainly + this letter to Midleton proves that he was not at all afraid of the + consequences of discovery.] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 4: See Appendix V.] + </p> + <p> + The text of the present reprint is based on that given by Sir Walter + Scott, collated with the original edition and with that reprinted in + "Fraud Detected" (1725). Faulkner's text of 1735 has also been consulted. + </p> + <h3> + [T.S.] + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Illustration: + A + + **LETTER** + + TO THE + **WHOLE People** + OF + + **IRELAND**. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>By</i> M.B. <i>Drapier</i>. + + AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + <i>SHOP-KEEPERS</i>, &c. + + <i>DUBLIN:</i> + + Printed by <i>John Harding</i> in + <i>Molesworth's-Court</i> in <i>Fishamble Street</i>. + ] +</pre> + <h3> + MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN, + </h3> + <p> + Having already written three letters upon so disagreeable a subject as Mr. + Wood and his halfpence; I conceived my task was at an end: But I find, + that cordials must be frequently applied to weak constitutions, political + as well as natural. A people long used to hardships, lose by degrees the + very notions of liberty, they look upon themselves as creatures at mercy, + and that all impositions laid on them by a stronger hand, are, in the + phrase of the Report, legal and obligatory. Hence proceeds that poverty + and lowness of spirit, to which a kingdom may be subject as well as a + particular person. And when Esau came fainting from the field at the point + to die, it is no wonder that he sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. + </p> + <p> + I thought I had sufficiently shewn to all who could want instruction, by + what methods they might safely proceed, whenever this coin should be + offered to them; and I believe there hath not been for many ages an + example of any kingdom so firmly united in a point of great importance, as + this of ours is at present, against that detestable fraud. But however, it + so happens that some weak people begin to be alarmed anew, by rumours + industriously spread. Wood prescribes to the newsmongers in London what + they are to write. In one of their papers published here by some obscure + printer (and probably with no good design) we are told, that "the Papists + in Ireland have entered into an association against his coin," although it + be notoriously known, that they never once offered to stir in the matter; + so that the two Houses of Parliament, the Privy-council, the great number + of corporations, the lord mayor and aldermen of Dublin, the grand juries, + and principal gentlemen of several counties are stigmatized in a lump + under the name of "Papists." + </p> + <p> + This impostor and his crew do likewise give out, that, by refusing to + receive his dross for sterling, we "dispute the King's prerogative, are + grown ripe for rebellion, and ready to shake off the dependency of Ireland + upon the crown of England." To countenance which reports he hath published + a paragraph in another newspaper, to let us know that "the Lord Lieutenant + is ordered to come over immediately to settle his halfpence." + </p> + <p> + I entreat you, my dear countrymen, not to be under the least concern upon + these and the like rumours, which are no more than the last howls of a dog + dissected alive, as I hope he hath sufficiently been. These calumnies are + the only reserve that is left him. For surely our continued and (almost) + unexampled loyalty will never be called in question for not suffering + ourselves to be robbed of all that we have, by one obscure ironmonger. + </p> + <p> + As to disputing the King's prerogative, give me leave to explain to those + who are ignorant, what the meaning of that word <i>prerogative</i> is. + </p> + <p> + The Kings of these realms enjoy several powers, wherein the laws have not + interposed: So they can make war and peace without the consent of + Parliament; and this is a very great prerogative. But if the Parliament + doth not approve of the war, the King must bear the charge of it out of + his own purse, and this is as great a check on the crown. So the King hath + a prerogative to coin money without consent of Parliament. But he cannot + compel the subject to take that money except it be sterling, gold or + silver; because herein he is limited by law. Some princes have indeed + extended their prerogative further than the law allowed them; wherein + however, the lawyers of succeeding ages, as fond as they are of + precedents, have never dared to justify them. But to say the truth, it is + only of late times that prerogative hath been fixed and ascertained. For + whoever reads the histories of England, will find that some former Kings, + and these none of the worst, have upon several occasions ventured to + control the laws with very little ceremony or scruple, even later than the + days of Queen Elizabeth. In her reign that pernicious counsel of sending + base money hither, very narrowly failed of losing the kingdom, being + complained of by the lord-deputy, the council, and the whole body of the + English here:[5] So that soon after her death it was recalled by her + successor, and lawful money paid in exchange. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 5: See Moryson's "Itinerary" (Pt. ii., pp. 90, 196 and 262), + where an account is given which fully bears out Swift.[T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Having thus given you some notion of what is meant by the King's + "prerogative," as far as a tradesman can be thought capable of explaining + it, I will only add the opinion of the great Lord Bacon: That "as God + governs the world by the settled laws of nature, which he hath made, and + never transcends those laws but upon high important occasions; so among + earthly princes, those are the wisest and the best, who govern by the + known laws of the country, and seldomest make use of their + prerogative."[6] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 6: The words in inverted commas appear to be a reminiscence + rather than a quotation. I have not traced the sentence, as it stands, in + Bacon; but the regular government of the world by the laws of nature, as + contrasted with the exceptional disturbance of these laws, is enunciated + in Bacon's "Confession of Faith," while the dangers of a strained + prerogative are urged in the "Essay on Empire." Bacon certainly gives no + support to Swift's limits of the prerogative as regards coinage. [CRAIK.]] + </p> + <p> + Now, here you may see that the vile accusation of Wood and his + accomplices, charging us with "disputing the King's prerogative" by + refusing his brass, can have no place, because compelling the subject to + take any coin which is not sterling is no part of the King's prerogative, + and I am very confident if it were so, we should be the last of his people + to dispute it, as well from that inviolable loyalty we have always paid to + His Majesty, as from the treatment we might in such a case justly expect + from some who seem to think, we have neither common sense nor common + senses. But God be thanked, the best of them are only our fellow-subjects, + and not our masters. One great merit I am sure we have, which those of + English birth can have no pretence to, that our ancestors reduced this + kingdom to the obedience of England, for which we have been rewarded with + a worse climate, the privilege of being governed by laws to which we do + not consent, a ruined trade, a House of Peers without jurisdiction, almost + an incapacity for all employments; and the dread of Wood's halfpence. + </p> + <p> + But we are so far from disputing the King's prerogative in coining, that + we own he has power to give a patent to any man for setting his royal + image and superscription upon whatever materials he pleases, and liberty + to the patentee to offer them in any country from England to Japan, only + attended with one small limitation, That nobody alive is obliged to take + them. + </p> + <p> + Upon these considerations I was ever against all recourse to England for a + remedy against the present impending evil, especially when I observed that + the addresses of both Houses, after long expectance, produced nothing but + a REPORT altogether in favour of Wood, upon which I made some observations + in a former letter, and might at least have made as many more. For it is a + paper of as singular a nature as I ever beheld. + </p> + <p> + But I mistake; for before this Report was made, His Majesty's most + gracious answer to the House of Lords was sent over and printed, wherein + there are these words, "granting the patent for coining halfpence and + farthings AGREEABLE TO THE PRACTICE OF HIS ROYAL PREDECESSORS, &c." + That King Charles 2d. and King James 2d. (AND THEY ONLY) did grant patents + for this purpose is indisputable, and I have shewn it at large. Their + patents were passed under the great seal of Ireland by references to + Ireland, the copper to be coined in Ireland, the patentee was bound on + demand to receive his coin back in Ireland, and pay silver and gold in + return. Wood's patent was made under the great seal of England, the brass + coined in England, not the least reference made to Ireland, the sum + immense, and the patentee under no obligation to receive it again and give + good money for it: This I only mention, because in my private thoughts I + have sometimes made a query, whether the penner of those words in His + Majesty's most gracious answer, "agreeable to the practice of his royal + predecessors," had maturely considered the several circumstances, which, + in my poor opinion seem to make a difference. + </p> + <p> + Let me now say something concerning the other great cause of some people's + fear, as Wood has taught the London newswriter to express it. That "his + Excellency the Lord Lieutenant is coming over to settle Wood's halfpence." + </p> + <p> + We know very well that the Lords Lieutenants for several years past have + not thought this kingdom worthy the honour of their residence, longer than + was absolutely necessary for the King's business, which consequently + wanted no speed in the dispatch; and therefore it naturally fell into most + men's thoughts, that a new governor coming at an unusual time must portend + some unusual business to be done, especially if the common report be true, + that the Parliament prorogued to I know not when, is by a new summons + (revoking that prorogation) to assemble soon after his arrival: For which + extraordinary proceeding the lawyers on t'other side the water have by + great good fortune found two precedents. + </p> + <p> + All this being granted, it can never enter into my head that so little a + creature as Wood could find credit enough with the King and his ministers + to have the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland sent hither in a hurry upon his + errand. + </p> + <p> + For let us take the whole matter nakedly as it lies before us, without the + refinements of some people, with which we have nothing to do. Here is a + patent granted under the great seal of England, upon false suggestions, to + one William Wood for coining copper halfpence for Ireland: The Parliament + here, upon apprehensions of the worst consequences from the said patent, + address the King to have it recalled; this is refused, and a committee of + the Privy-council report to His Majesty, that Wood has performed the + conditions of his patent. He then is left to do the best he can with his + halfpence; no man being obliged to receive them; the people here, being + likewise left to themselves, unite as one man, resolving they will have + nothing to do with his ware. By this plain account of the fact it is + manifest, that the King and his ministry are wholly out of the case, and + the matter is left to be disputed between him and us. Will any man + therefore attempt to persuade me, that a Lord Lieutenant is to be + dispatched over in great haste before the ordinary time, and a Parliament + summoned by anticipating a prorogation, merely to put an hundred thousand + pounds into the pocket of a sharper, by the ruin of a most loyal kingdom. + </p> + <p> + But supposing all this to be true. By what arguments could a Lord + Lieutenant prevail on the same Parliament which addressed with so much + zeal and earnestness against this evil, to pass it into a law? I am sure + their opinion of Wood and his project is not mended since the last + prorogation; and supposing those methods should be used which detractors + tell us have been sometimes put in practice for gaining votes. It is well + known that in this kingdom there are few employments to be given, and if + there were more, it is as well known to whose share they must fall. + </p> + <p> + But because great numbers of you are altogether ignorant in the affairs of + your country, I will tell you some reasons why there are so few + employments to be disposed of in this kingdom. All considerable offices + for life here are possessed by those to whom the reversions were granted, + and these have been generally followers of the chief governors, or persons + who had interest in the Court of England. So the Lord Berkeley of + Stratton[7] holds that great office of master of the rolls, the Lord + Palmerstown[8] is first remembrancer worth near 2000<i>l. per ann.</i> One + Dodington[9] secretary to the Earl of Pembroke,[10] begged the reversion + of clerk of the pells worth 2500<i>l.</i> a year, which he now enjoys by + the death of the Lord Newtown. Mr. Southwell is secretary of state,[11] + and the Earl of Burlington[12] lord high treasurer of Ireland by + inheritance. These are only a few among many others which I have been told + of, but cannot remember. Nay the reversion of several employments during + pleasure are granted the same way. This among many others is a + circumstance whereby the kingdom of Ireland is distinguished from all + other nations upon earth, and makes it so difficult an affair to get into + a civil employ, that Mr. Addison was forced to purchase an old obscure + place, called keeper of the records of Bermingham's Tower of ten pounds a + year, and to get a salary of 400<i>l.</i> annexed to it,[13] though all + the records there are not worth half-a-crown, either for curiosity or use. + And we lately saw a favourite secretary descend to be master of the + revels, which by his credit and extortion he hath made pretty + considerable.[14] I say nothing of the under-treasurership worth about + 8000<i>l</i>. a year, nor the commissioners of the revenue, four of whom + generally live in England; For I think none of these are granted in + reversion. But the test is, that I have known upon occasion some of these + absent officers as keen against the interest of Ireland as if they had + never been indebted to her for a single groat. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 7: Berkeley was one of the Junta in Harley's administration of + 1710-1714. He had married Sir John Temple's daughter. His connection with + a person so disliked by Swift may account for his inclusion here. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 8: This was Henry Temple, first Viscount Palmerston, with whom + Swift later had an unpleasant correspondence. Palmerston could not have + been more than seven years old when he was appointed (September 21st, + 1680), with Luke King, chief remembrancer of the Court of Exchequer in + Ireland, for their joint lives. King died in 1716, but the grant was + renewed to Palmerston and his son Henry for life. He was raised to the + peerage as Baron Temple of Mount Temple, and Viscount Palmerston of + Palmerston, in March, 1722-1723. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams called him + "Little Broadbottom Palmerston." He died in 1757. [T.S.] ] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 9: George Bubb (1691-1762) was Chief Secretary during Wharton's + Lord lieutenancy in 1709. He took the name of Doddington on the death of + his uncle in 1720. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 10: Thomas Herbert, eighth Earl of Pembroke (1656-1733), had + preceded the Earl of Wharton as Lord lieutenant of Ireland. He bears a + high character in history and on four successive coronations, namely, + those of William and Mary, Anne, George I. and George II., he acted as + sword carrier. Although a Tory, even Macaulay acknowledges Pembroke's high + breeding and liberality. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 11: This is the Edward Southwell to whom Archbishop King wrote + the letters quoted from Monck Mason in previous notes. He was the son of + Sir Robert Southwell, the diplomatist and friend of Sir William Temple, to + whom Swift bore a letter of introduction from the latter, soliciting the + office of amanuensis. In June, 1720, Edward Southwell had his salary as + secretary increased by £300; and in July of the same year the office was + granted to him and his son for life. The Southwell family first came to + Ireland in the reign of James I., at the time of the plantation of + Munster. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 12: Richard Boyle, third Earl of Burlington (or Bridlington of + Yorks), and fourth Earl of Cork (1695-1753), was appointed Lord + High-Treasurer of Ireland in August, 1715. His great-grandfather, the + first Earl of Cork, had held the same office in 1631. The Lord-lieutenancy + of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and the office of Custos Rotulorum of the + North and West Ridings, seem also to have been inheritances of this + family. The third Earl had a taste for architecture, and spent enormous + sums of money in the reconstruction of Burlington House, a building that + was freely satirized by Hogarth and Lord Hervey. His taste, however, seems + to have run to the ornamental rather than the useful, and its + gratification involved him in such serious financial difficulties, that he + was compelled to sell some of his Irish estates. Swift notes that "My Lord + Burlington is now selling in one article £9,000 a year in Ireland for + £200,000 which must pay his debts" (Scott's edit. 1814, vol. xix., p. + 129). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 13: This post was found for Addison on his appointment in 1709 + as secretary to the Earl of Wharton, Lord-lieutenant of Ireland. Tickell, + in his preface to his edition of Addison's works, says the post was + granted to Addison as a mark of Queen Anne's special favour. Bermingham's + Tower was that part of Dublin Castle in which the records were kept. + [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 14: Mr. Hopkins, secretary to the Duke of Grafton. The exactions + made by this gentleman upon the players, in his capacity of Master of the + Revels, are the subject of two satirical poems. [S.] + </p> + <p> + This may have been John Hopkins, the second son of the Bishop of + Londonderry, who was the author of "Amasia," dedicated to the Duchess of + Grafton. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I confess, I have been sometimes tempted to wish that this project of Wood + might succeed, because I reflected with some pleasure what a jolly crew it + would bring over among us of lords and squires, and pensioners of both + sexes, and officers civil and military, where we should live together as + merry and sociable as beggars, only with this one abatement, that we + should neither have meat to feed, nor manufactures to clothe us, unless we + could be content to prance about in coats of mail, or eat brass as + ostriches do iron. + </p> + <p> + I return from this digression to that which gave me the occasion of making + it: And I believe you are now convinced, that if the Parliament of Ireland + were as temptable as any other assembly within a mile of Christendom + (which God forbid) yet the managers must of necessity fail for want of + tools to work with. But I will yet go one step further, by supposing that + a hundred new employments were erected on purpose to gratify compilers; + yet still an insuperable difficulty would remain; for it happens, I know + not how, that money is neither Whig nor Tory, neither of town nor country + party, and it is not improbable, that a gentleman would rather choose to + live upon his own estate which brings him gold and silver, than with the + addition of an employment, when his rents and salary must both be paid in + Wood's brass, at above eighty <i>per cent.</i> discount. + </p> + <p> + For these and many other reasons, I am confident you need not be under the + least apprehensions from the sudden expectation of the Lord + Lieutenant,[15] while we continue in our present hearty disposition; to + alter which there is no suitable temptation can possibly be offered: And + if, as I have often asserted from the best authority, the law hath not + left a power in the crown to force any money except sterling upon the + subject, much less can the crown devolve such a power upon another. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 15: Lord Carteret, afterwards Earl Granville. See note to "A + Vindication of Lord Carteret," in vol. vii. of present edition of Swift's + works. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + This I speak with the utmost respect to the person and dignity of his + Excellency the Lord Carteret, whose character hath been given me by a + gentleman that hath known him from his first appearance in the world: That + gentleman describes him as a young nobleman of great accomplishments, + excellent learning, regular in his life, and of much spirit and vivacity. + He hath since, as I have heard, been employed abroad, was principal + secretary of state, and is now about the 37th year of his age appointed + Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. From such a governor this kingdom may + reasonably hope for as much prosperity as, under so many discouragements, + it can be capable of receiving.[16] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 16: Carteret was an old friend of Swift. On the Earl's + appointment to the Lord-lieutenancy, in April, 1724, Swift wrote him a + letter on the matter of Wood's halfpence, in which he took the liberty of + "an old humble servant, and one who always loved and esteemed" him, to + make known to him the apprehensions the people were under concerning Mr. + Wood's patent. "Neither is it doubted," he wrote, "that when your + excellency shall be thoroughly informed, your justice and compassion for + an injured people, will force you to employ your credit for their relief." + Swift waited for more than a month, and on receiving no reply, sent a + second letter, which Sir Henry Craik justly calls, "a masterpiece of its + kind." It was as follows: + </p> + <p> + "June 9, 1724. + </p> + <h3> + "MY LORD, + </h3> + <p> + "It is above a month since I took the boldness of writing to your + excellency, upon a subject wherein the welfare of this kingdom is highly + concerned. + </p> + <p> + "I writ at the desire of several considerable persons here, who could not + be ignorant that I had the honour of being well known to you. + </p> + <p> + "I could have wished your excellency had condescended so far, as to let + one of your under clerks have signified to me that a letter was received. + </p> + <p> + "I have been long out of the world; but have not forgotten what used to + pass among those I lived with while I was in it: and I can say, that + during the experience of many years, and many changes in affairs, your + excellency, and one more, who is not worthy to be compared to you, are the + only great persons that ever refused to answer a letter from me, without + regard to business, party, or greatness; and if I had not a peculiar + esteem for your personal qualities, I should think myself to be acting a + very inferior part in making this complaint. + </p> + <p> + "I never was so humble, as to be vain upon my acquaintance with men in + power, and always rather chose to avoid it when I was not called. Neither + were their power or titles sufficient, without merit, to make me cultivate + them; of which I have witnesses enough left, after all the havoc made + among them, by accidents of time, or by changes of persons, measures, and + opinions. + </p> + <p> + "I know not how your conception of yourself may alter, by every new high + station; but mine must continue the same, or alter for the worse. + </p> + <p> + "I often told a great minister, whom you well know, that I valued him for + being the same man through all the progress of power and place. I expected + the like in your lordship; and still hope that I shall be the only person + who will ever find it otherwise. + </p> + <p> + "I pray God to direct your excellency in all your good undertakings, and + especially in your government of this kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "I shall trouble you no more; but remain, with great respect, my Lord, + </p> + <p> + "Your excellency's most obedient, + </p> + <p> + "and most humble servant, + </p> + <h3> + "JON. SWIFT." + </h3> + <p> + This letter brought an immediate reply from Carteret, who confessed + himself in the wrong for his silence, and trusted he had not forfeited + Swift's friendship by it. With regard to Mr. Wood's patent, he said that + the matter was under examination, "and till that is over I am not informed + sufficiently to make any other judgment of the matter, than that which I + am naturally led to make, by the general aversion which appears to it in + the whole nation." Swift replied in a charming vein, and elegantly put his + scolding down to the testiness of old age. His excellency had humbled him. + "Therefore, I fortel that you, who could so easily conquer so captious a + person, and of so little consequence, will quickly subdue this whole + kingdom to love and reverence you" (Scott's ed. 1824, vol. xvi., pp. + 430-435). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + It is true indeed, that within the memory of man, there have been + governors of so much dexterity, as to carry points of terrible consequence + to this kingdom, by their power with <i>those who were in office</i>, and + by their arts in managing or deluding others with oaths, affability, and + even with dinners. If Wood's brass had in those times been upon the anvil, + it is obvious enough to conceive what methods would have been taken. + Depending persons would have been told in plain terms, that it was a + "service expected from them, under pain of the public business being put + into more complying hands." Others would be allured by promises. To the + country gentleman, besides good words, burgundy and closeting. It would + perhaps have been hinted how "kindly it would be taken to comply with a + royal patent, though it were not compulsory," that if any inconveniences + ensued, it might be made up with other "graces or favours hereafter." That + "gentlemen ought to consider whether it were prudent or safe to disgust + England:" They would be desired to "think of some good bills for + encouraging of trade, and setting the poor to work, some further acts + against Popery and for uniting Protestants." There would be solemn + engagements that we should "never be troubled with above forty thousand + pounds in his coin, and all of the best and weightiest sort, for which we + should only give our manufactures in exchange, and keep our gold and + silver at home." Perhaps a "seasonable report of some invasion would have + been spread in the most proper juncture," which is a great smoother of + rubs in public proceedings; and we should have been told that "this was no + time to create differences when the kingdom was in danger." + </p> + <p> + These, I say, and the like methods would in corrupt times have been taken + to let in this deluge of brass among us; and I am confident would even + then have not succeeded, much less under the administration of so + excellent a person as the Lord Carteret, and in a country where the people + of all ranks, parties and denominations are convinced to a man, that the + utter undoing of themselves and their posterity for ever will be dated + from the admission of that execrable coin; that if it once enters, it can + be no more confined to a small or moderate quantity, than the plague can + be confined to a few families, and that no equivalent can be given by any + earthly power, any more than a dead carcass can be recovered to life by a + cordial. + </p> + <p> + There is one comfortable circumstance in this universal opposition to Mr. + Wood, that the people sent over hither from England to fill up our + vacancies ecclesiastical, civil and military, are all on our side: Money, + the great divider of the world, hath by a strange revolution, been the + great uniter of a most divided people. Who would leave a hundred pounds a + year in England (a country of freedom) to be paid a thousand in Ireland + out of Wood's exchequer. The gentleman they have lately made primate[17] + would never quit his seat in an English House of Lords, and his + preferments at Oxford and Bristol, worth twelve hundred pounds a year, for + four times the denomination here, but not half the value; therefore I + expect to hear he will be as good an Irishman, upon this article, as any + of his brethren, or even of us who have had the misfortune to be born in + this island. For those, who, in the common phrase, do not "come hither to + learn the language," would never change a better country for a worse, to + receive brass instead of gold. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 17: Hugh Boulter (1672-1742) was appointed Archbishop of Armagh, + August 31st, 1724. He had been a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and + had served the King as chaplain in Hanover, in 1719. In this latter year + he was promoted to the Bishopric of Bristol, and the Deanery of Christ + Church, Oxford. His appointment as Primate of Ireland, was in accordance + with Walpole's plan for governing Ireland from England. Walpole had no + love for Carteret, and no faith in his power or willingness to aid him in + his policy. Indeed, Carteret was sent to Ireland to be got out of the way. + He was governor nominally; the real governor being Walpole in the person + of the new Primate. What were Boulter's instructions may be gathered from + the manner in which he carried out his purpose. Of a strong character and + of untiring energy, Boulter set about his work in a fashion which showed + that Walpole had chosen well. Nothing of any importance that transpired in + Ireland, no fact of any interest about the individuals in office, no + movement of any suspected or suspicious person escaped his vigilance. His + letters testify to an unabating zeal for the English government of Irish + affairs by Englishmen in the English interest. His perseverance knew no + obstacles; he continued against all difficulties in his dogged and yet + able manner to establish some order out of the chaos of Ireland's + condition. But his government was the outcome of a profound conviction + that only in the interest of England should Ireland be governed. If + Ireland could be made prosperous and contented, so much more good would + accrue to England. But that prosperity and that contentment had nothing + whatever to do with safeguarding Irish institutions, or recognizing the + rights of the Irish people. If he gave way to popular opinion at all, it + was because it was either expedient or beneficial to the English interest. + If he urged, as he did, the founding of Protestant Charter schools, it was + because this would strengthen the English power. To preserve that he + obtained the enactment of a statute which excluded Roman Catholics from + the legal profession and the offices of legal administration; and another + act of his making actually disfranchised them altogether. Boulter was also + a member of the Irish Privy Council, and Lord Justice of Ireland. The + latter office he held under the vice-regencies of Carteret, Dorset and + Devonshire. His secretary, Ambrose Philips, had been connected with him, + in earlier years, in contributing to a periodical entitled, "The Free + Thinker," which appeared in 1718. Philips, in 1769, supervised the + publication of Boulter's "Letters," which were published at Oxford. + [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Another slander spread by Wood and his emissaries is, that by opposing him + we discover an inclination to "shake off our dependence upon the crown of + England." Pray observe how important a person is this same William Wood, + and how the public weal of two kingdoms is involved in his private + interest. First, all those who refuse to take his coin are Papists; for he + tells us that "none but Papists are associated against him;" Secondly, + they "dispute the King's prerogative;" Thirdly, "they are ripe for + rebellion," and Fourthly, they are going to "shake off their dependence + upon the crown of England;" That is to say, "they are going to choose + another king;" For there can be no other meaning in this expression, + however some may pretend to strain it. + </p> + <p> + And this gives me an opportunity of explaining, to those who are ignorant, + another point, which hath often swelled in my breast. Those who come over + hither to us from England, and some weak people among ourselves, whenever + in discourse we make mention of liberty and property, shake their heads, + and tell us, that Ireland is a "depending kingdom," as if they would seem, + by this phrase, to intend that the people of Ireland is in some state of + slavery or dependence different from those of England; Whereas a + "depending kingdom" is a modern term of art, unknown, as I have heard, to + all ancient civilians, and writers upon government; and Ireland is on the + contrary called in some statutes an "imperial crown," as held only from + God; which is as high a style as any kingdom is capable of receiving. + Therefore by this expression, a "depending kingdom," there is no more + understood than that by a statute made here in the 33d year of Henry 8th. + "The King and his successors are to be kings imperial of this realm as + united and knit to the imperial crown of England." I have looked over all + the English and Irish statutes without finding any law that makes Ireland + depend upon England, any more than England does upon Ireland. We have + indeed obliged ourselves to have the same king with them, and consequently + they are obliged to have the same king with us. For the law was made by + our own Parliament, and our ancestors then were not such fools (whatever + they were in the preceding reign) to bring themselves under I know not + what dependence, which is now talked of without any ground of law, reason + or common sense.[18] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 18: This was the passage selected by the government upon which + to found its prosecution. As Sir Walter Scott points out, it "contains the + pith and essence of the whole controversy." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Let whoever think otherwise, I M.B. Drapier, desire to be excepted,[19] + for I declare, next under God, I <i>depend</i> only on the King my + sovereign, and on the laws of my own country; and I am so far from <i>depending</i> + upon the people of England, that if they should ever rebel against my + sovereign (which God forbid) I would be ready at the first command from + His Majesty to take arms against them, as some of <i>my</i> countrymen did + against <i>theirs</i> at Preston. And if such a rebellion should prove so + successful as to fix the Pretender on the throne of England, I would + venture to transgress that statute so far as to lose every drop of my + blood to hinder him from being King of Ireland.[20] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 19: For a humorous story which accounts for Swift's use of the + words "desire to be excepted," see the Drapier's sixth letter. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 20: Great offence was taken at this paragraph. Swift refers to + it again in his sixth letter. Sir Henry Craik, in his "Life of Jonathan + Swift" (vol. ii., p. 74), has an acute note on this paragraph, and the one + already alluded to in the sixth letter. I take the liberty of transcribing + it: "The manoeuvre by which Swift managed to associate a suspicion of + Jacobitism with his opponents, is one peculiarly characteristic; and so is + the skill with which, in the next letter, he meets the objections to this + paragraph, by half offering an extent of submission that might equally be + embarrassing—a submission even to Jacobitism, if Jacobitism were to + become strong enough. He does not commit himself, however: he fears a + 'spiteful interpretation.' In short, he places the English Cabinet on the + horns of a dilemma. 'Am I to resist Jacobitism? Then what becomes of your + doctrine of Ireland's dependency?' or, 'Am I to become a Jacobite, if + England bids me? Then what becomes of your Protestant succession? Must + even that give way to your desire to tyrannize?'" [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + 'Tis true indeed, that within the memory of man, the Parliaments of + England have sometimes assumed the power of binding this kingdom by laws + enacted there,[21] wherein they were at first openly opposed (as far as + truth, reason and justice are capable of opposing) by the famous Mr. + Molineux,[22] an English gentleman born here, as well as by several of the + greatest patriots, and best Whigs in England; but the love and torrent of + power prevailed. Indeed the arguments on both sides were invincible. For + in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very + definition of slavery: But in fact, eleven men well armed will certainly + subdue one single man in his shirt. But I have done. For those who have + used power to cramp liberty have gone so far as to resent even the liberty + of complaining, although a man upon the rack was never known to be refused + the liberty of roaring as loud as he thought fit. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 21: Particularly in the reign of William III., when this + doctrine of English supremacy was assumed, in order to discredit the + authority of the Irish Parliament summoned by James II. [S.] + </p> + <p> + See note on Poyning's Law, p. 77. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 22: See note on p. 167. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + And as we are apt to sink too much under unreasonable fears, so we are too + soon inclined to be raised by groundless hopes (according to the nature of + all consumptive bodies like ours) thus, it hath been given about for + several days past, that somebody in England empowered a second somebody to + write to a third somebody here to assure us, that we "should no more be + troubled with those halfpence." And this is reported to have been done by + the same person, who was said to have sworn some months ago, that he would + "ram them down our throats" (though I doubt they would stick in our + stomachs) but whichever of these reports is true or false, it is no + concern of ours. For in this point we have nothing to do with English + ministers, and I should be sorry it lay in their power to redress this + grievance or to enforce it: For the "Report of the Committee" hath given + me a surfeit. The remedy is wholly in your own hands, and therefore I have + digressed a little in order to refresh and continue that spirit so + seasonably raised amongst you, and to let you see that by the laws of GOD, + of NATURE, of NATIONS, and of your own COUNTRY, you ARE and OUGHT to be as + FREE a people as your brethren in England. + </p> + <p> + If the pamphlets published at London by Wood and his journeymen in defence + of his cause, were reprinted here, and that our countrymen could be + persuaded to read them, they would convince you of his wicked design more + than all I shall ever be able to say. In short I make him a perfect saint + in comparison of what he appears to be from the writings of those whom he + hires to justify his project. But he is so far master of the field (let + others guess the reason) that no London printer dare publish any paper + written in favour of Ireland, and here nobody hath yet been so bold as to + publish anything in favour of him. + </p> + <p> + There was a few days ago a pamphlet sent me of near 50 pages written in + favour of Mr. Wood and his coinage, printed in London; it is not worth + answering, because probably it will never be published here: But it gave + me an occasion to reflect upon an unhappiness we lie under, that the + people of England are utterly ignorant of our case, which however is no + wonder, since it is a point they do not in the least concern themselves + about, farther than perhaps as a subject of discourse in a coffee-house + when they have nothing else to talk of. For I have reason to believe that + no minister ever gave himself the trouble of reading any papers written in + our defence, because I suppose their opinions are already determined, and + are formed wholly upon the reports of Wood and his accomplices; else it + would be impossible that any man could have the impudence to write such a + pamphlet as I have mentioned. + </p> + <p> + Our neighbours whose understandings are just upon a level with ours (which + perhaps are none of the brightest) have a strong contempt for most + nations, but especially for Ireland: They look upon us as a sort of savage + Irish, whom our ancestors conquered several hundred years ago, and if I + should describe the Britons to you as they were in Caesar's time, when + they painted their bodies, or clothed themselves with the skins of beasts, + I would act full as reasonably as they do: However they are so far to be + excused in relation to the present subject, that, hearing only one side of + the cause, and having neither opportunity nor curiosity to examine the + other, they believe a lie merely for their ease, and conclude, because Mr. + Wood pretends to have power, he hath also reason on his side. + </p> + <p> + Therefore to let you see how this case is represented in England by Wood + and his adherents, I have thought it proper to extract out of that + pamphlet a few of those notorious falsehoods in point of fact and + reasoning contained therein; the knowledge whereof will confirm my + countrymen in their own right sentiments, when they will see by comparing + both, how much their enemies are in the wrong. + </p> + <p> + First, The writer, positively asserts, "That Wood's halfpence were current + among us for several months with the universal approbation of all people, + without one single gainsayer, and we all to a man thought ourselves happy + in having them." + </p> + <p> + Secondly, He affirms, "That we were drawn into a dislike of them only by + some cunning evil-designing men among us, who opposed this patent of Wood + to get another for themselves." + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, That "those who most declared at first against Wood's patent were + the very men who intended to get another for their own advantage." + </p> + <p> + Fourthly, That "our Parliament and Privy-council, the Lord Mayor and + aldermen of Dublin, the grand juries and merchants, and in short the whole + kingdom, nay the very dogs" (as he expresseth it) "were fond of those + halfpence, till they were inflamed by those few designing persons + aforesaid." + </p> + <p> + Fifthly, He says directly, That "all those who opposed the halfpence were + Papists and enemies to King George." + </p> + <p> + Thus far I am confident the most ignorant among you can safely swear from + your own knowledge that the author is a most notorious liar in every + article; the direct contrary being so manifest to the whole kingdom, that + if occasion required, we might get it confirmed under five hundred + thousand hands. + </p> + <p> + Sixthly, He would persuade us, that "if we sell five shillings worth of + our goods or manufactures for two shillings and fourpence worth of copper, + although the copper were melted down, and that we could get five shillings + in gold or silver for the said goods, yet to take the said two shillings + and fourpence in copper would be greatly for our advantage." + </p> + <p> + And Lastly, He makes us a very fair offer, as empowered by Wood, that "if + we will take off two hundred thousand pounds in his halfpence for our + goods, and likewise pay him three <i>per cent</i>. interest for thirty + years, for an hundred and twenty thousand pounds (at which he computes the + coinage above the intrinsic value of the copper) for the loan of his coin, + he, will after that time give us good money for what halfpence will be + then left." + </p> + <p> + Let me place this offer in as clear a light as I can to shew the + unsupportable villainy and impudence of that incorrigible wretch. First + (says he) "I will send two hundred thousand pounds of my coin into your + country, the copper I compute to be in real value eighty thousand pounds, + and I charge you with an hundred and twenty thousand pounds for the + coinage; so that you see I lend you an hundred and twenty thousand pounds + for thirty years, for which you shall pay me three <i>per cent</i>. That + is to say three thousand six hundred pounds <i>per ann</i>. which in + thirty years will amount to an hundred and eight thousand pounds. And when + these thirty years are expired, return me my copper and I will give you + good money for it." + </p> + <p> + This is the proposal made to us by Wood in that pamphlet written by one of + his commissioners; and the author is supposed to be the same infamous + Coleby one of his under-swearers at the committee of council, who was + tried for robbing the treasury here, where he was an under-clerk.[23] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 23: See note on p. 61. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + By this proposal he will first receive two hundred thousand pounds, in + goods or sterling for as much copper as he values at eighty thousand + pounds, but in reality not worth thirty thousand pounds. Secondly, He will + receive for interest an hundred and eight thousand pounds. And when our + children came thirty years hence to return his halfpence upon his + executors (for before that time he will be probably gone to his own place) + those executors will very reasonably reject them as raps and counterfeits, + which probably they will be, and millions of them of his own coinage. + </p> + <p> + Methinks I am fond of such a dealer as this who mends every day upon our + hands, like a Dutch reckoning, where if you dispute the unreasonableness + and exorbitance of the bill, the landlord shall bring it up every time + with new additions. + </p> + <p> + Although these and the like pamphlets published by Wood in London be + altogether unknown here, where nobody could read them without as much + indignation as contempt would allow, yet I thought it proper to give you a + specimen how the man employs his time, where he rides alone without one + creature to contradict him, while our FEW FRIENDS there wonder at our + silence, and the English in general, if they think of this matter at all, + impute our refusal to wilfulness or disaffection, just as Wood and his + hirelings are pleased to represent. + </p> + <p> + But although our arguments are not suffered to be printed in England, yet + the consequence will be of little moment. Let Wood endeavour to persuade + the people there that we ought to receive his coin, and let me convince + our people here that they ought to reject it under pain of our utter + undoing. And then let him do his best and his worst. + </p> + <p> + Before I conclude, I must beg leave in all humility to tell Mr. Wood, that + he is guilty of great indiscretion, by causing so honourable a name as + that of Mr. Walpole to be mentioned so often, and in such a manner, upon + his occasion: A short paper printed at Bristol and reprinted here reports + Mr. Wood to say, that he "wonders at the impudence and insolence of the + Irish in refusing his coin, and what he will do when Mr. Walpole comes to + town." Where, by the way, he is mistaken, for it is the true English + people of Ireland who refuse it, although we take it for granted that the + Irish will do so too whenever they are asked. He orders it to be printed + in another paper, that "Mr. Walpole will cram this brass down our + throats:" Sometimes it is given out that we must "either take these + halfpence or eat our brogues," And, in another newsletter but of + yesterday, we read that the same great man "hath sworn to make us swallow + his coin in fire-balls." + </p> + <p> + This brings to my mind the known story of a Scotchman, who receiving + sentence of death, with all the circumstances of hanging, beheading, + quartering, embowelling and the like, cried out, "What need all this + COOKERY?" And I think we have reason to ask the same question; for if we + believe Wood, here is a dinner getting ready for us, and you see the bill + of fare, and I am sorry the drink was forgot, which might easily be + supplied with melted lead and flaming pitch. + </p> + <p> + What vile words are these to put into the mouth of a great councillor, in + high trust with His Majesty, and looked upon as a prime-minister. If Mr. + Wood hath no better a manner of representing his patrons, when I come to + be a great man, he shall never be suffered to attend at my levee. This is + not the style of a great minister, it savours too much of the kettle and + the furnace, and came entirely out of Mr. Wood's forge. + </p> + <p> + As for the threat of making us eat our brogues, we need not be in pain; + for if his coin should pass, that unpolite covering for the feet, would no + longer be a national reproach; because then we should have neither shoe + nor brogue left in the kingdom. But here the falsehood of Mr. Wood is + fairly detected; for I am confident Mr. Walpole never heard of a brogue in + his whole life.[24] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 24: A biting sneer at Walpole's ignorance of Irish affairs. + [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + As to "swallowing these halfpence in fire-balls," it is a story equally + improbable. For to execute this operation the whole stock of Mr. Wood's + coin and metal must be melted down and moulded into hollow balls with + wild-fire, no bigger than a reasonable throat can be able to swallow. Now + the metal he hath prepared, and already coined will amount at least fifty + millions of halfpence to be swallowed by a million and a half of people; + so that allowing two halfpence to each ball, there will be about seventeen + balls of wild-fire a-piece to be swallowed by every person in this + kingdom, and to administer this dose, there cannot be conveniently fewer + than fifty thousand operators, allowing one operator to every thirty, + which, considering the squeamishness of some stomachs and the peevishness + of young children, is but reasonable. Now, under correction of better + judgments, I think the trouble and charge of such an experiment would + exceed the profit, and therefore I take this report to be spurious, or at + least only a new scheme of Mr. Wood himself, which to make it pass the + better in Ireland he would father upon a minister of state. + </p> + <p> + But I will now demonstrate beyond all contradiction that Mr. Walpole is + against this project of Mr. Wood, and is an entire friend to Ireland, only + by this one invincible argument, that he has the universal opinion of + being a wise man, an able minister, and in all his proceedings pursuing + the true interest of the King his master: And that as his integrity is + above all corruption, so is his fortune above all temptation. I reckon + therefore we are perfectly safe from that corner, and shall never be under + the necessity of contending with so formidable a power, but be left to + possess our brogues and potatoes in peace as remote from thunder as we are + from Jupiter. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +I am, + My dear countrymen, + Your loving fellow-subject, + fellow-sufferer and humble servant. + M.B. +</pre> + <p> + Oct. 13. 1724. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY, CONCERNING THE BILL PREPARING AGAINST + THE PRINTER OF THE DRAPIER'S FOURTH LETTER. + </h2> + <p> + Since a bill is preparing for the grand jury, to find against the printer + of the Drapier's last letter, there are several things maturely to be + considered by those gentlemen, before whom this bill is to come, before + they determine upon it. + </p> + <p> + FIRST, they are to consider, that the author of the said pamphlet, did + write three other discourses on the same subject; which instead of being + censured were universally approved by the whole nation, and were allowed + to have raised, and continued that spirit among us, which hitherto hath + kept out Wood's coin: For all men will allow, that if those pamphlets had + not been writ, his coin must have overrun the nation some months ago. + </p> + <p> + SECONDLY, it is to be considered that this pamphlet, against which a + proclamation hath been issued, is writ by the same author; that nobody + ever doubted the innocence, and goodness of his design, that he appears + through the whole tenor of it, to be a loyal subject to His Majesty, and + devoted to the House of Hanover, and declares himself in a manner + peculiarly zealous against the Pretender; And if such a writer in four + several treatises on so nice a subject, where a royal patent is concerned, + and where it was necessary to speak of England and of liberty, should in + one or two places happen to let fall an inadvertent expression, it would + be hard to condemn him after all the good he hath done; Especially when we + consider, that he could have no possible design in view, either of honour + or profit, but purely the GOOD of his country. + </p> + <p> + THIRDLY, it ought to be well considered, whether any one expression in the + said pamphlet, be really liable to just exception, much less to be found + "wicked, malicious, seditious, reflecting upon His Majesty and his + ministry," &c. + </p> + <p> + The two points in that pamphlet, which it is said the prosecutors intend + chiefly to fix on, are, First, where the author mentions the "penner of + the King's answer." First, it is well known, His Majesty is not master of + the English tongue, and therefore it is necessary that some other person + should be employed to pen what he hath to say, or write in that language. + Secondly, His Majesty's answer is not in the first person, but the third. + It is not said "WE are concerned," or, "OUR royal predecessors," but "HIS + MAJESTY is concerned;" and "HIS royal predecessors." By which it is plain + these are properly not the words of His Majesty; but supposed to be taken + from him, and transmitted hither by one of his ministers. Thirdly it will + be easily seen, that the author of the pamphlet delivers his sentiments + upon this particular, with the utmost caution and respect, as any + impartial reader will observe. + </p> + <p> + The second paragraph, which it is said will be taken notice of as a motive + to find the bill, is, what the author says of Ireland being a depending + kingdom. He explains all the dependency he knows of it, which is a law + made in Ireland, whereby it is enacted that "whoever is King of England, + shall be King of Ireland." Before this explanation be condemned, and the + bill found upon it, it would be proper, that some lawyers should fully + inform the jury what other law there is, either statute or common for this + dependency, and if there be no law, there is no transgression. + </p> + <p> + The Fourth thing very maturely to be considered by the jury, is, what + influence their finding the bill may have upon the kingdom. The people in + general find no fault in the Drapier's last book, any more than in the + three former, and therefore when they hear it is condemned by a grand jury + of Dublin, they will conclude it is done in favour of Wood's coin, they + will think we of this town have changed our minds, and intend to take + those halfpence, and therefore that it will be in vain for them to stand + out. So that the question comes to this, Which will be of the worst + consequence, to let pass one or two expressions, at the worst only unwary, + in a book written for the public service; or to leave a free open passage + for Wood's brass to overrun us, by which we shall be undone for ever. + </p> + <p> + The fifth thing to be considered, is, that the members of the grand jury + being merchants, and principal shopkeepers, can have no suitable + temptation offered them, as a recompense for the mischief they will suffer + by letting in this coin, nor can be at any loss or danger by rejecting the + bill: They do not expect any employments in the state, to make up in their + own private advantage, the destruction of their country. Whereas those who + go about to advise, entice, or threaten them to find that bill, have great + employments, which they have a mind to keep, or to get greater, which was + likewise the case of all those who signed to have the author prosecuted. + And therefore it is known, that his grace the Lord Archbishop of + Dublin,[1] so renowned for his piety, and wisdom, and love of his country, + absolutely refused to condemn the book, or the author. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: The proclamation against the Drapier's fourth letter as given + in Appendix IV. at the end of this volume, does not bear Archbishop King's + signature. In a letter from that prelate, written on November 24th, 1724, + to Samuel Molineux, secretary to the Prince of Wales, it appears that + other persons of influence also refrained from sanctioning it. The + following is an extract from this letter as given by Monck Mason for the + first time: + </p> + <p> + "A great many pamphlets have been writ about it [Wood's patent], but I am + told none of them are permitted to be printed in England. Two have come + out since my Lord Lieutenant came here, written with sobriety, modesty, + and great force, in my opinion, which put the matter in a fair and clear + light, though not with all the advantage of which it is capable; four were + printed before, by somebody that calleth himself a Drapier which were in a + ludicrous and satyrical style; against the last of these the Lord + Lieutenant procured a proclamation, signed by 17 of the Council; offering + £300 for discovering the author. I thought the premium excessive, so I and + three more refused to sign it, but declared, that if his excellency would + secure us from the brass money, I would sign it, or any other, tending + only to the disadvantage of private persons; but, till we had that + security, I would look on this proclamation no otherwise than as a step + towards passing that base and mischievous coin, and designed to intimidate + those who opposed the passing it; and I declared, that I would not approve + of anything that might countenance, or encourage such a ruinous project; + that issuing such a proclamation would make all believe, that the + government was engaged to support Wood's pretensions, and that would + neither be for their honour nor ease. I was not able to stop the + proclamation, but my refusing to sign it has not been without effect." + ("History of St. Patrick's," p. 344, note n.). [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Lastly, it ought to be considered what consequence the finding the bill, + may have upon a poor man perfectly innocent, I mean the printer. A lawyer + may pick out expressions and make them liable to exception, where no other + man is able to find any. But how can it be supposed, that an ignorant + printer can be such a critic? He knew the author's design was honest, and + approved by the whole kingdom, he advised with friends, who told him there + was no harm in the book, and he could see none himself. It was sent him in + an unknown hand, but the same in which he received the three former. He + and his wife have offered to take their oaths that they knew not the + author; and therefore to find a bill, that may bring a punishment upon the + innocent, will appear very hard, to say no worse. For it will be + impossible to find the author, unless he will please to discover himself, + although I wonder he ever concealed his name. But I suppose what he did at + first out of modesty, he now continues to do out of prudence. God protect + us and him! + </p> + <p> + I will conclude all with a fable, ascribed to Demosthenes. He had served + the people of Athens with great fidelity in the station of an orator, when + upon a certain occasion, apprehending to be delivered over to his enemies, + he told the Athenians, his countrymen, the following story. Once upon a + time the wolves desired a league with the shepherds, upon this condition; + that the cause of strife might be taken away, which was the shepherds and + the mastiffs; this being granted, the wolves without all fear made havoc + of the sheep.[2] + </p> + <p> + Novem. 11th, 1724. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: The advice had the desired effect. The jury returned a + verdict of "Ignoramus" on the bill, which so aroused Whitshed, the Chief + Justice, that he discharged them. As a comment on Whitshed's illegal + procedure, the following extract was circulated: + </p> + <p> + EXTRACT FROM A BOOK ENTITLED, "AN EXACT COLLECTION OF THE DEBATES OF THE + HOUSE OF COMMONS HELD AT WESTMINSTER, OCTOBER 21, 1680," page 150. + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolutions of the House of Commons, in England, November 13, 1680.</i> + </p> + <p> + "Several persons being examined about the dismissing a grand jury in + Middlesex, the House came to the following resolutions:— + </p> + <p> + "<i>Resolved</i>, That the discharging of a grand-jury by any judge, + before the end of the term, assizes, or sessions, while matters are under + their consideration, and not presented, is arbitrary, illegal, destructive + to public justice, a manifest violation of his oath, and is a means to + subvert the fundamental laws of this kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Resolved</i>, That a committee be appointed to examine the proceedings + of the judges in Westminster-hall, and report the same with their opinion + therein to this House." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER V. A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON. + </h2> + <h3> + NOTE. + </h3> + <p> + I have departed from the order given by Faulkner and the earlier + editors,[1] and followed by Sir W. Scott in arranging the series of the + Drapier's Letters, by adhering to a more correct chronological sequence. + This letter has always been printed as the sixth Drapier's letter, but I + have printed it here as the fifth, since it was written prior to the + letter addressed to Viscount Molesworth, which has hitherto been called + the fifth. The Molesworth letter I print here as "Letter VI." As already + noted the letter to Midleton was written on the 26th October, 1724, but + its first publication in print did not occur until Faulkner included it in + the fourth volume of his collected edition of Swift's works, issued in + 1735. There it is signed "J.S." and is given as from the "Deanery House." + All the other letters are printed as "By M.B. Drapier." The Advertisement + to the Reader prefixed to the present fifth letter is from Faulkner's + edition. Probably it was printed by Faulkner under Swift's direction. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: Sheridan, Deane Swift, Hawkesworth and Nichols] + </p> + <p> + Swift's acquaintance with Midleton had been of long standing. The + Chancellor had been an avowed opponent of the patent and yet, by his + signature to the proclamation, he seemed to be giving the weight of his + official position against the popular sentiment. In addressing him, Swift + was endeavouring, apparently, to keep him to his original line of action + and to destroy any influence the government party may have had on him, + since he was well aware of Carteret's insinuating charm. Midleton, + however, had always stood firm against the patent. His signature to the + proclamation against the Drapier was justified by him when he said that + the Drapier's letters tended to disturbance. Carteret had really tried to + win him over, but he did not succeed "While he [Midleton] expressed the + highest obligation to the Lord Lieutenant," writes Coxe, "he declared that + his duty to his country was paramount to every other consideration, and + refused to give any assistance to government, until the patent was + absolutely surrendered." + </p> + <p> + The text here given of this letter is based on Faulkner's issue in vol. + iv. of the 1735 edition of Swift's works. It has been collated with that + given in the fifth volume of the "Miscellanies," printed in London in the + same year. + </p> + <h3> + [T.S.] + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER[2] + </h2> + <p> + The former of the two following papers is dated Oct. 6th 1724[3], by which + it appears to be written a little after the proclamation against the + author of the Drapier's Fourth Letter. It is delivered with much caution, + because the author confesseth himself to be Dean of St. Patrick's; and I + could discover his name subscribed at the end of the original, although + blotted out by some other hand, I can tell no other reason why it was not + printed, than what I have heard; that the writer finding how effectually + the Drapier had succeeded, and at the same time how highly the people in + power seemed to be displeased, thought it more prudent to keep the paper + in his cabinet. However, having received some encouragement to collect + into one volume all papers relating to Ireland, supposed to be written by + the Drapier; and knowing how favourably that author's writings in this + kind have been received by the public; to make the volume more complete, + [I procured a copy of the following letter from one of the author's + friends, with whom it was left, while the author was in England; and][4] I + have printed it as near as I could in the order of time. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: Nichols, in the second volume of his Supplement to Swift's + Works (1779, 8vo), prints a note on this "Advertisement," furnished him by + Bowyer. It is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "1. The first of the papers is said to be dated Oct. 6, 1724; and that it + appears from thence to be dated a little after the proclamation against + the Drapier's fourth letter. Now the fourth letter itself is dated Oct. + 23, 1724. This is a pardonable mistake anywhere, but, much more in a + country where <i>going before just coming after</i> is the characteristic + dialect. But I little thought that the Dean, in his zeal for Ireland, + would vouchsafe to adopt the shibboleth of it. + </p> + <p> + "2. The Preface-writer, in the choice MS which he found, could discover + the Dean's name subscribed at the end of the original; but <i>blotted out</i> + by <i>some other hand</i>. As the former passage is a proof that the + Advertisement was drawn up in Ireland, so this affords a strong + presumption that it was under the direction of the Dean himself: for who + else could divine that his name was struck out by another hand? Other ink + it might be: but in these recent MSS. of our age, it is the first time I + ever heard of a blot carrying the evidence of a handwriting. Whether the + Dean or the printer hit this <i>blot</i>, I shall not inquire; but lay + before you the pleasant procedure of the latter upon this discovery. He + had got, we see, the original in the Dean's hand; but the name was + obliterated. What does he, but send away to England for a copy which might + authenticate <i>his original</i>; and from such a copy the public is + favoured with it! I remember, in a cause before Sir Joseph Jekyll, a man + began reading in court the title-deeds of an estate which was contested. + 'The original is a little blind,' says he; 'I have got a very fair copy of + it, which I beg leave to go on with'—'Hold,' says Sir Joseph, 'if + the original is not good, the copy can never make it so.' I am far, + however, from accusing the printer of intending any fraud on the world. He + who tells his story so openly gives security enough for his honesty. I can + easily conceive the Advertisement might be in a good measure the Dean's, + who never was over-courteous to his readers, and might for once be content + to be merry with them." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: Misprinted by Faulkner for Oct. 26th. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 4: This portion in square brackets is not given by Faulkner in + his Advertisement. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + The next treatise is called "An Address, &c." It is without a date; + but seems to be written during the first session of Parliament in Lord + Carteret's government. The title of this Address is in the usual form, by + M.B. Drapier. There is but a small part of it that relates to William Wood + and his coin: The rest contains several proposals for the improvement of + Ireland, the many discouragements it lies under, and what are the best + remedies against them. + </p> + <p> + By many passages in some of the Drapier's former letters, but particularly + in the following Address, concerning the great drain of money from Ireland + by absentees, importation of foreign goods, balance of trade, and the + like, it appears that the author had taken much pains, and been well + informed in the business of computing; all his reasonings upon that + subject, although he does not here descend to particular sums, agreeing + generally with the accounts given by others who have since made that + enquiry their particular study. And it is observable, that in this + Address, as well as in one of his printed letters, he hath specified + several important articles, that have not been taken notice of by others + who came after him. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER V. A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON.[5] + </h2> + <p> + My Lord, I desire you will consider me as a member who comes in at the + latter end of a debate; or as a lawyer who speaks to a cause, when the + matter hath been almost exhausted by those who spoke before. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 5: Alan Brodrick, Lord Midleton (1660?-1728), came of a Surrey + family that had greatly benefited by the forfeitures in Ireland. Adopting + the profession of the law, Brodrick was, in 1695, appointed + Solicitor-General for Ireland. He sat in the Irish House of Commons as the + member for Cork, and in 1703 was chosen its Speaker. His strong opposition + to the Sacramental Test Act lost him the favour of the government, and he + was removed from his office of Solicitor-General. In 1707, however, he was + appointed Attorney-General for Ireland, and in 1714 made Lord Chancellor. + In the year following he was created Baron Brodrick of Midleton. His + trimming with Walpole and Carteret did not, however, prevent him from + opposing the Wood's patent, though he signed the proclamation against the + Drapier. He thought the letters served to "create jealousies between the + King and the people of Ireland." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I remember some months ago I was at your house upon a commission, where I + am one of the governors: But I went thither not so much on account of the + commission, as to ask you some questions concerning Mr. Wood's patent to + coin halfpence for Ireland; where you very freely told me, in a mixed + company, how much you had been always against that wicked project, which + raised in me an esteem for you so far, that I went in a few days to make + you a visit, after many years' intermission. I am likewise told, that your + son wrote two letters from London, (one of which I have seen) empowering + those to whom they were directed, to assure his friends, that whereas + there was a malicious report spread of his engaging himself to Mr. Walpole + for forty thousand pounds of Wood's coin, to be received in Ireland, the + said report was false and groundless; and he had never discoursed with + that minister on the subject; nor would ever give his consent to have one + farthing of the said coin current here. And although it be long since I + have given myself the trouble of conversing with people of titles or + stations; yet I have been told by those who can take up with such + amusements, that there is not a considerable person of the kingdom, + scrupulous in any sort to declare his opinion. But all this is needless to + allege, when we consider, that the ruinous consequences of Wood's patent, + have been so strongly represented by both Houses of Parliament; by the + Privy-council; the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of Dublin; by so many + corporations; and the concurrence of the principal gentlemen in most + counties, at their quarter-sessions, without any regard to party, + religion, or nation. + </p> + <p> + I conclude from hence, that the currency of these halfpence would, in the + universal opinion of our people, be utterly destructive to this kingdom; + and consequently, that it is every man's duty, not only to refuse this + coin himself, but as far as in him lies, to persuade others to do the + like: And whether this be done in private or in print, is all a case: As + no layman is forbid to write, or to discourse upon religious or moral + subjects; although he may not do it in a pulpit (at least in our church). + Neither is this an affair of state, until authority shall think fit to + declare it so: Or if you should understand it in that sense; yet you will + please to consider that I am not now a preaching. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, I do think it my duty, since the Drapier will probably be no + more heard of, so far to supply his place, as not to incur his fortune: + For I have learnt from old experience, that there are times wherein a man + ought to be cautious as well as innocent. I therefore hope, that + preserving both those characters, I may be allowed, by offering new + arguments or enforcing old ones, to refresh the memory of my + fellow-subjects, and keep up that good spirit raised among them; to + preserve themselves from utter ruin by lawful means, and such as are + permitted by his Majesty. + </p> + <p> + I believe you will please to allow me two propositions: First, that we are + a most loyal people; and, Secondly, that we are a free people, in the + common acceptation of that word applied to a subject under a limited + monarch. I know very well, that you and I did many years ago in discourse + differ much, in the presence of Lord Wharton, about the meaning of that + word <i>liberty</i>, with relation to Ireland. But if you will not allow + us to be a free people, there is only another appellation left; which, I + doubt, my Lord Chief Justice Whitshed would call me to an account for, if + I venture to bestow: For, I observed, and I shall never forget upon what + occasion, the device upon his coach to be <i>Libertas et natale solum;</i> + at the very point of time when he was sitting in his court, and perjuring + himself to betray both.[6] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 6: On this motto of Whitshed's Swift wrote the following + poetical paraphrase: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "<i>Libertas et natale solum:</i> + Fine words! I wonder where you stole 'em. + Could nothing but thy chief reproach + Serve for a motto on thy coach? + But let me now thy words translate: + <i>Natale solum,</i> my estate; + My dear estate, how well I love it, + My tenants, if you doubt, will prove it, + They swear I am so kind and good, + I hug them till I squeeze their blood. + <i>Libertas</i> bears a large import: + First, how to swagger in a court; + And, secondly, to shew my fury + Against an uncomplying jury; + And, thirdly, 'tis a new invention, + To favour Wood, and keep my pension; + And, fourthly, 'tis to play an odd trick, + Get the great seal and turn out Broderick; + And, fifthly, (you know whom I mean,) + To humble that vexatious Dean: + And, sixthly, for my soul to barter it + For fifty times its worth to Carteret. + Now since your motto thus you construe, + I must confess you've spoken once true. + <i>Libertas et natale solum</i>. + You had good reason when you stole 'em." + + [T.S.]] +</pre> + <p> + Now, as for our loyalty, to His present Majesty; if it hath ever been + equalled in any other part of his dominions; I am sure it hath never been + exceeded: And I am confident he hath not a minister in England who could + ever call it once in question: But that some hard rumours at least have + been transmitted from t'other side the water, I suppose you will not + doubt: and rumours of the severest kind; which many good people have + imputed to the indirect proceeding of Mr. Wood and his emissaries; as if + he endeavoured it should be thought that our loyalty depended upon the + test of refusing or taking his copper. Now, as I am sure you will admit us + to be a loyal people; so you will think it pardonable in us to hope for + all proper marks of favour and protection from so gracious a King, that a + loyal and free people can expect: Among which, we all agree in reckoning + this to be one; that Wood's halfpence may never have entrance into this + kingdom. And this we shall continue to wish, when we dare no longer + express our wishes; although there were no such mortal as a Drapier in the + world. + </p> + <p> + I am heartily sorry, that any writer should, in a cause so generally + approved, give occasion to the government and council to charge him with + paragraphs "highly reflecting upon His Majesty and his ministers; tending + to alienate the affections of his good subjects in England and Ireland + from each other; and to promote sedition among the people."[7] I must + confess, that with many others, I thought he meant well; although he might + have the failing of better writers, to be not always fortunate in the + manner of expressing himself. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 7: Swift here quotes the words of the proclamation issued + against the fourth Drapier's Letter. See Appendix IV. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + However, since the Drapier is but one man, I shall think I do a public + service, by asserting that the rest of my countrymen are wholly free from + learning out of <i>his</i> pamphlets to reflect on the King or his + ministers, to breed sedition. + </p> + <p> + I solemnly declare, that I never once heard the least reflection cast upon + the King, on the subject of Mr. Wood's coin: For in many discourses on + this matter, I do not remember His Majesty's name to be so much as + mentioned. As to the ministry in England, the only two persons hinted at + were the Duke of Grafton, and Mr. Walpole:[8] The former, as I have heard + you and a hundred others affirm, declared, that he never saw the patent in + favour of Mr. Wood, before it was passed, although he were then lord + lieutenant: And therefore I suppose everybody believes, that his grace + hath been wholly unconcerned in it since. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 8: Walpole was created a Knight of the Bath in 1724, when that + order was revived. In 1726 he was installed Knight of the Order of the + Garter, being the only commoner who had been so distinguished since the + reign of James I., except Admiral Montague, afterwards Earl of Sandwich. + He had been offered a peerage in 1723, but declined it for himself, + accepting it for his son, who was created Baron Walpole of Walpole, in + Norfolk. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Mr. Walpole was indeed supposed to be understood by the letter W. in + several newspapers; where it is said, that some expressions fell from him + not very favourable to the people of Ireland; for the truth of which, the + kingdom is not to answer, any more than for the discretion of the + publishers. You observe, the Drapier wholly clears Mr. Walpole of this + charge, by very strong arguments and speaks of him with civility. I cannot + deny myself to have been often present, where the company gave then + opinion, that Mr. Walpole favoured Mr. Wood's project, which I always + contradicted; and for my own part, never once opened my lips against that + minister, either in mixed or particular meetings: And my reason for this + reservedness was, because it pleased him, in the Queen's time (I mean + Queen Anne of ever blessed memory) to make a speech directly against me, + by name, in the House of Commons, as I was told a very few minutes after, + in the Court of Requests, by more than fifty members. + </p> + <p> + But you, who are in a great station here, (if anything here may be called + great) cannot be ignorant, that whoever is understood by public voice to + be chief minister, will, among the general talkers, share the blame, + whether justly or no, of every thing that is disliked; which I could + easily make appear in many instances, from my own knowledge, while I was + in the world; and particularly in the case of the greatest, the wisest, + and the most uncorrupt minister, I ever conversed with.[9] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 9: Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But, whatever unpleasing opinion some people might conceive of Mr. + Walpole, on account of those halfpence; I dare boldly affirm, it was + entirely owing to Mr. Wood. Many persons of credit, come from England, + have affirmed to me, and others, that they have seen letters under his + hand, full of arrogance and insolence towards Ireland; and boasting of his + favour with Mr. Walpole; which is highly probable: Because he reasonably + thought it for his interest to spread such a report; and because it is the + known talent of low and little spirits, to have a great man's name + perpetually in their mouths.[10] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 10: See Coxe's "Memoirs of Walpole" (vol. i., cap. 26, p. 389, + ed. 1800), where Wood is blamed for his indiscretion on this matter. See + also note prefixed to the Drapier's First Letter in the present edition. + [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Thus I have sufficiently justified the people of Ireland, from learning + any bad lessons out of the Drapier's pamphlets, with regard to His Majesty + and his ministers: And, therefore, if those papers were intended to sow + sedition among us, God be thanked, the seeds have fallen upon a very + improper soil. + </p> + <p> + As to alienating the affections of the people of England and Ireland from + each other; I believe, the Drapier, whatever his intentions were, hath + left that matter just as he found it. + </p> + <p> + I have lived long in both kingdoms, as well in country as in town; and + therefore, take myself to be as well informed as most men, in the + dispositions of each people toward the other. By the people, I understand + here, only the bulk of the common people; and I desire no lawyer may + distort or extend my meaning. + </p> + <p> + There is a vein of industry and parsimony, that runs through the whole + people of England; which, added to the easiness of their rents, makes them + rich and sturdy. As to Ireland, they know little more than they do of + Mexico; further than that it is a country subject to the King of England, + full of bogs, inhabited by wild Irish Papists; who are kept in awe by + mercenary troops sent from thence: And their general opinion is, that it + were better for England if this whole island were sunk into the sea; for, + they have a tradition, that every forty years there must be a rebellion in + Ireland. I have seen the grossest suppositions pass upon them; "that the + wild Irish were taken in toils; but that, in some time, they would grow so + tame, as to eat out of your hands:" I have been asked by hundreds, and + particularly by my neighbours, your tenants, at Pepper-harrow; "whether I + had come from Ireland by sea:" And, upon the arrival of an Irishman to a + country town, I have known crowds coming about him, and wondering to see + him look so much better than themselves. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman now in Dublin, affirms, "that passing some months ago through + Northampton, and finding the whole town in a flurry, with bells, bonfires, + and illuminations, upon asking the cause, was told, it was for joy, that + the Irish had submitted to receive Wood's halfpence." This, I think, + plainly shews what sentiments that large town hath of us; and how little + they made it their own case; although they be directly in our way to + London, and therefore, cannot but be frequently convinced that we have + human shapes. + </p> + <p> + As to the people of this kingdom, they consist either of Irish Papists; + who are as inconsiderable, in point of power, as the women and children; + or of English Protestants, who love their brethren of that kingdom; + although they may possibly sometimes complain, when they think they are + hardly used: However, I confess, I do not see any great consequence, how + their personal affections stand to each other, while the sea divides them, + and while they continue in their loyalty to the same prince. And yet, I + will appeal to you; whether those from England have reason to complain, + when they come hither in pursuit of their fortunes? Or, whether the people + of Ireland have reason to boast, when they go to England on the same + design? + </p> + <p> + My second proposition was, that we of Ireland are a free people: This, I + suppose, you will allow; at least, with certain limitations remaining in + your own breast. However, I am sure it is not criminal to affirm; because + the words "liberty" and "property," as applied to the subject, are often + mentioned in both houses of Parliament, as well as in yours, and other + courts below; from whence it must follow, that the people of Ireland do, + or ought to enjoy all the benefits of the common and statute law; such as + to be tried by juries, to pay no money without their own consent, as + represented in Parliament; and the like. If this be so, and if it be + universally agreed, that a free people cannot, by law, be compelled to + take any money in payment, except gold and silver; I do not see why any + man should be hindered from cautioning his countrymen against this coin of + William Wood; who is endeavouring by fraud to rob us of that property, + which the laws have secured. If I am mistaken, and that this copper can be + obtruded on us; I would put the Drapier's case in another light, by + supposing, that a person going into his shop, should agree for thirty + shillings' worth of goods, and force the seller to take his payment in a + parcel of copper pieces, intrinsically not worth above a crown: I desire + to know, whether the Drapier would not be actually robbed of five and + twenty shillings, and how far he could be said to be master of his + property? The same question may be applied to rents and debts, on bond or + mortgage, and to all kind of commerce whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + Give me leave to do what the Drapier hath done more than once before me; + which is, to relate the naked fact, as it stands in the view of the world. + </p> + <p> + One William Wood, Esq; and hardware-man, obtains, by fraud, a patent in + England, to coin 108,000<i>l.</i> in copper, to pass in Ireland, leaving + us liberty to take, or to refuse. The people here, in all sorts of bodies + and representatives, do openly and heartily declare, that they will not + accept this coin: To justify these declarations, they generally offer two + reasons; first, because by the words of the patent, they are left to their + own choice: And secondly, because they are not obliged by law: So that + here you see there is, <i>bellum atgue virum</i>, a kingdom on one side, + and William Wood on the other. And if Mr. Wood gets the victory, at the + expense of Ireland's ruin, and the profit of one or two hundred thousand + pounds (I mean by continuing, and counterfeiting as long as he lives) for + himself; I doubt, both present and future ages will, at least, think it a + very singular scheme. + </p> + <p> + If this fact be truly stated; I must confess, I look upon it as my duty, + so far as God hath enabled me, and as long as I keep within the bounds of + truth, of duty, and of decency, to warn my fellow-subjects, as they value + their King, their country, and all that ought or can be dear to them, + never to admit this pernicious coin; no not so much as one single + halfpenny. For, if one single thief forces the door, it is in vain to talk + of keeping out the whole crew behind. + </p> + <p> + And, while I shall be thus employed, I will never give myself leave to + suppose, that what I say can either offend my Lord Lieutenant; whose + person and great qualities I have always highly respected; (as I am sure + his excellency will be my witness) or the ministers in England, with whom + I have nothing to do, or they with me; much less the Privy-council here, + who, as I am informed, did send an address to His Majesty against Mr. + Wood's coin; which, if it be a mistake, I desire I may not be accused for + a spreader of false news: But, I confess, I am so great a stranger to + affairs, that for anything I know, the whole body of the council may since + have been changed: And, although I observed some of the very same names in + a late declaration against that coin, which I saw subscribed to the + proclamation against the Drapier; yet possibly they may be different + persons; for they are utterly unknown to me, and are like to continue so. + </p> + <p> + In this controversy, where the reasoners on each side are divided by St. + George's Channel, His Majesty's prerogative, perhaps, would not have been + mentioned; if Mr. Wood, and his advocates, had not made it necessary, by + giving out, that the currency of his coin should be enforced by a + proclamation. The traders and common people of the kingdom, were heartily + willing to refuse this coin; but the fear of a proclamation brought along + with it most dreadful apprehensions. It was therefore, absolutely + necessary for the Drapier, to remove this difficulty; and accordingly, in + one of his former pamphlets, he hath produced invincible arguments, + (wherever he picked them up) that the King's prerogative was not at all + concerned in the matter; since the law had sufficiently provided against + any coin to be imposed upon the subject, except gold and silver; and that + copper is not money, but as it hath been properly called <i>nummorum + famulus</i>. + </p> + <p> + The three former letters from the Drapier, having not received any public + censure, I look upon them to be without exception; and that the good + people of the kingdom ought to read them often, in order to keep up that + spirit raised against this destructive coin of Mr. Wood: As for this last + letter, against which a proclamation is issued; I shall only say, that I + could wish it were stripped of all that can be any way exceptionable; + which I would not think it below me to undertake, if my abilities were + equal; but being naturally somewhat slow of comprehension; no lawyer, and + apt to believe the best of those who profess good designs, without any + visible motive either of profit or honour; I might pore for ever, without + distinguishing the cockle from the corn. + </p> + <p> + That which, I am told, gives greatest offence in this last letter, is + where the Drapier affirms; "that if a rebellion should prove so + successful, as to fix the Pretender on the throne of England, he would + venture so far to transgress the Irish statute, (which unites Ireland to + England under one King) as to lose every drop of his blood, to hinder him + from being King of Ireland." + </p> + <p> + I shall not presume to vindicate any man, who openly declares he would + transgress a statute; and a statute of such importance: But, with the most + humble submission, and desire of pardon for a very innocent mistake, I + should be apt to think that the loyal intention of the writer, might be at + least some small extenuation of his crime. For, in this I confess myself + to think with the Drapier. + </p> + <p> + I have not hitherto been told of any other objections against that + pamphlet; but, I suppose, they will all appear at the prosecution of the + Drapier. And, I think, whoever in his own conscience believes the said + pamphlet to be "wicked and malicious, seditious and scandalous, highly + reflecting upon His Majesty and his ministers, &c." would do well to + discover the author, (as little a friend as I am to the trade of + informers) although the reward of 300<i>l</i>. had not been tacked to the + discovery. I own, it would be a great satisfaction to me, to hear the + arguments not only of judges, but of lawyers, upon this case. Because, you + cannot but know, there often happens occasions, wherein it would be very + convenient, that the bulk of the people should be informed how they ought + to conduct themselves; and therefore, it hath been the wisdom of the + English Parliaments, to be very reserved in limiting the press. When a + bill is debating in either House of Parliament there, nothing is more + usual, than to have the controversy handled by pamphlets on both sides; + without the least animadversion upon the authors. + </p> + <p> + So here, in the case of Mr. Wood and his coin; since the two Houses gave + their opinion by addresses, how dangerous the currency of that copper + would be to Ireland; it was, without all question, both lawful and + convenient, that the bulk of the people should be let more particularly + into the nature of the danger they were in; and of the remedies that were + in their own power, if they would have the sense to apply them; and this + cannot be more conveniently done, than by particular persons, to whom God + hath given zeal and understanding sufficient for such an undertaking. Thus + it happened in the case of that destructive project for a bank in Ireland, + which was brought into Parliament a few years ago; and it was allowed, + that the arguments and writings of some without doors, contributed very + much to reject it.[11] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 11: Swift himself assisted in writing against this "destructive + project" in a series of pamphlets (see vol. vii.). The arguments for and + against the bank were thoroughly discussed by Hercules Rowley and Henry + Maxwell in a series of controversial letters against each other. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Now, I should be heartily glad if some able lawyers would prescribe the + limits, how far a private man may venture in delivering his thoughts upon + public matters: Because a true lover of his country, may think it hard to + be a quiet stander-by, and an indolent looker-on, while a public error + prevails; by which a whole nation may be ruined. Every man who enjoys + property, hath some share in the public; and therefore, the care of the + public is, in some degree, every such man's concern. + </p> + <p> + To come to particulars, I could wish to know, Whether it be utterly + unlawful in any writer so much as to mention the prerogative; at least so + far as to bring it into doubt, upon any point whatsoever? I know it is + often debated in Westminster-hall; and Sir Edward Coke, as well as other + eminent lawyers, do frequently handle that subject in their books. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, How far the prerogative extends to force coin upon the subject, + which is not sterling; such as lead, brass, copper, mixt metal, shells, + leather, or any other material; and fix upon it whatever denomination the + crown shall think fit? + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, What is really and truly meant by that phrase of "a depending + kingdom," as applied to Ireland; and wherein that dependency consisteth? + </p> + <p> + Lastly, In what points relating to liberty and property, the people of + Ireland differ, or at least ought to differ, from those of England? + </p> + <p> + If these particulars were made so clear, that none could mistake them, it + would be of infinite ease and use to the kingdom; and either prevent or + silence all discontents. + </p> + <p> + My Lord Somers, the greatest man I ever knew of your robe; and whose + thoughts of Ireland differed as far as heaven and earth, from those of + some others among his brethren here; lamented to me, that the prerogative + of the Crown, or the privileges of Parliament, should ever be liable to + dispute, in any single branch of either; by which means, he said, the + public often suffered great inconveniences; whereof he gave me several + instances. I produce the authority of so eminent a person, to justify my + desires, that some high points might be cleared. + </p> + <p> + For want of such known ascertainment, how far a writer may proceed in + expressing his good wishes for his country; a person of the most innocent + intentions, may possibly, by the oratory and comments of lawyers, be + charged with many crimes, which from his very soul he abhors; and + consequently may be ruined in his fortunes, and left to rot among thieves + in some stinking jail; merely for mistaking the purlieus of the law. I + have known, in my lifetime, a printer prosecuted and convicted, for + publishing a pamphlet; where the author's intentions, I am confident, were + as good and innocent, as those of a martyr at his last prayers.[12] I did + very lately, as I thought it my duty, preach to the people under my + inspection, upon the subject of Mr. Wood's coin; and although I never + heard that my sermon gave the least offence, as I am sure none was + intended; yet, if it were now printed and published, I cannot say, I would + ensure it from the hands of the common hangman; or my own person from + those of a messenger.[13] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 12: Supposed to be "A proposal for the universal use of Irish + manufactures," written by the author. [F.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 13: The reference here is to Swift's sermon on "Doing Good." See + Swift's Works, vol. iv., p. 181, present edition. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I have heard the late Chief Justice Holt[14]affirm, that in all criminal + cases, the most favourable interpretation should be put upon words, that + they can possibly bear. You meet the same position asserted in many + trials, for the greatest crimes; though often very ill practised, by the + perpetual corruption of judges. And I remember, at a trial in Kent, where + Sir George Rook[15] was indicted for calling a gentleman knave and + villain; the lawyer for the defendant brought off his client, by alleging, + that the words were not injurious; for, <i>knave</i> in the old and true + signification, imported only a servant; and <i>villain</i> in Latin, is <i>villicus</i>; + which is no more than a man employed in country labour; or rather a + bailiff. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 14: Sir John Holt (1642-1710) held the recordership of London, + in 1685, and was appointed Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1688. + In the celebrated case, Ashby <i>v.</i>. White, Holt strongly upheld the + rights of the voter as against the House of Commons. He was distinguished, + in his time, for the fair and impartial hearing he always accorded a + prisoner, and he even personally assisted the accused in cases where the + law did not allow him to be represented by counsel. Many of Holt's + opinions did become "standard maxims." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 15: Admiral Sir George Rooke (1650-1709), who, with Rear-Admiral + Byng, captured Gibraltar in 1704. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + If Sir John Holt's opinion were a standard maxim for all times and + circumstances, any writer, with a very small measure of discretion, might + easily be safe; but, I doubt, in practice it hath been frequently + controlled, at least before his time; for I take it to be an old rule in + law. + </p> + <p> + I have read, or heard, a passage of Signor Leti, an Italian; who being in + London, busying himself with writing the History of England, told King + Charles the Second, that he endeavoured as much as he could to avoid + giving offence, but found it a thing impossible; although he should have + been as wise as Solomon: The King answered, that if this were the case, he + had better employ his time in writing proverbs as Solomon did: But Leti + lay under no public necessity of writing; neither would England have been + one halfpenny the better, or the worse, whether he writ or no. + </p> + <p> + This I mention, because I know it will readily be objected, "What have + private men to do with the public? What call had a Drapier to turn + politician, to meddle in matters of state? Would not his time have been + better employed in looking to his shop; or his pen in writing proverbs, + elegies, ballads, garlands, and wonders? He would then have been out of + all danger of proclamations, and prosecutions. Have we not able + magistrates and counsellors hourly watching over the public weal?" All + this may be true: And yet, when the addresses from both Houses of + Parliament, against Mr. Wood's halfpence, failed of success; if some pen + had not been employed, to inform the people how far they might legally + proceed, in refusing that coin, to detect the fraud, the artifice, and + insolence of the coiner; and to lay open the most ruinous consequences to + the whole kingdom; which would inevitably follow from the currency of the + said coin; I might appeal to many hundred thousand people, whether any one + of them would ever have had the courage or sagacity to refuse it. + </p> + <p> + If this copper should begin to make its way among the common, ignorant + people, we are inevitably undone; it is they who give us the greatest + apprehension, being easily frighted, and greedy to swallow + misinformations: For, if every man were wise enough to understand his own + interest, which is every man's principal study, there would be no need of + pamphlets upon this occasion. But, as things stand, I have thought it + absolutely necessary, from my duty to God, my King, and my country, to + inform the people, that the proclamation lately issued against the + Drapier, doth not in the least affect the case of Mr. Wood and his coin; + but only refers to certain paragraphs in the Drapier's last pamphlet, (not + immediately relating to his subject, nor at all to the merits of the + cause,) which the government was pleased to dislike; so that any man has + the same liberty to reject, to write, and to declare against this coin, + which he had before: Neither is any man obliged to believe, that those + honourable persons (whereof you are the first) who signed that memorable + proclamation against the Drapier, have at all changed their opinions, with + regard to Mr. Wood or his coin. + </p> + <p> + Therefore concluding myself to be thus far upon a safe and sure foot; I + shall continue, upon any proper occasion, as God enables me, to revive and + preserve that spirit raised in the nation, (whether the real author were a + real Drapier or no is little to the purpose) against this horrid design of + Mr. Wood; at the same time carefully watching every stroke of my pen, and + venturing only to incur the public censure of the world as a writer; not + of my Lord Chief Justice Whitshed, as a criminal. Whenever an order shall + come out by authority, forbidding all men upon the highest penalties, to + offer anything in writing or discourse against Mr. Wood's halfpence; I + shall certainly submit. However, if that should happen, I am determined to + be somewhat more than the last man in the kingdom to receive them; because + I will never receive them at all: For, although I know how to be silent; I + have not yet learned to pay active obedience against my conscience, and + the public safety. + </p> + <p> + I desire to put a case, which I think the Drapier, in some of his books, + hath put before me; although not so fully as it requires. + </p> + <p> + You know the copper halfpence in England are coined by the public; and + every piece worth pretty tolerably near the value of the copper. Now + suppose, that, instead of the public coinage, a patent had been granted to + some private, obscure person, for coining a proportionable quantity of + copper in that kingdom, to what Mr. Wood is preparing in this; and all of + it at least five times below the intrinsic value: The current money of + England is reckoned to be twenty millions; and ours under five hundred + thousand pounds: By this computation, as Mr. Wood hath power to give us + 108,000 pound; so the patentee in England, by the same proportion, might + circulate four millions three hundred and twenty thousand pounds; besides + as much more by stealth and counterfeits: I desire to know from you, + whether the Parliament might not have addressed upon such an occasion; + what success they probably would have had; and how many Drapiers would + have risen to pester the world with pamphlets: Yet that kingdom would not + be so great a sufferer as ours in the like case; because their cash would + not be conveyed into foreign countries, but lie hid in the chests of + cautious, thrifty men, until better times. Then I desire, for the + satisfaction of the public, that you will please to inform me why this + country is treated in so very different a manner, in a point of such high + importance; whether it be on account of Poining's act; of subordination; + dependence; or any other term of art; which I shall not contest, but am + too dull to understand. + </p> + <p> + I am very sensible, that the good or ill success of Mr. Wood, will affect + you less than any person of consequence in the kingdom; because I hear you + are so prudent as to make all your purchases in England; and truly so + would I, if I had money, although I were to pay a hundred years' purchase; + because I should be glad to possess a freehold that could not be taken + from me by any law to which I did not give my own consent; and where I + should never be in danger of receiving my rents in mixed copper, at the + loss of sixteen shillings in the pound. You can live in ease and plenty at + Pepper-harrow, in Surrey; and therefore I thought it extremely generous + and public-spirited in you to be of the kingdom's side in this dispute, by + shewing, without reserve, your disapprobation of Mr. Wood's design; at + least if you have been so frank to others as you were to me; which indeed + I could not but wonder at, considering how much we differ in other points; + and therefore I could get but few believers, when I attempted to justify + you in this article from your own words. + </p> + <p> + I would humbly offer another thought, which I do not remember to have + fallen under the Drapier's observation. If these halfpence should once + gain admittance; it is agreed, that in no long space of time, what by the + clandestine practices of the coiner, what by his own counterfeits, and + those of others, either from abroad or at home; his limited quantity would + be trebled upon us, until there would not be a grain of gold or silver + visible in the nation. This, in my opinion would lay a heavy charge upon + the crown, by creating a necessity of transmitting money from England to + pay the salaries at least of the principal civil officers: For I do not + conceive how a judge (for instance) could support his dignity with a + thousand pounds a year in Wood's coin; which would not intrinsically be + worth near two hundred. To argue that these halfpence, if no other coin + were current, would answer the general ends of commerce among ourselves, + is a great mistake; and the Drapier hath made that matter too clear to + admit an answer; by shewing us what every owner of land must be forced to + do with the products of it in such a distress. You may read his remarks at + large in his second and third letter; to which I refer you. + </p> + <p> + Before I conclude, I cannot but observe, that for several months past, + there have more papers been written in this town, such as they are, all + upon the best public principle, the love of our country, than, perhaps, + hath been known in any other nation, and in so short a time: I speak in + general, from the Drapier down to the maker of ballads; and all without + any regard to the common motives of writers: which are profit, favour, and + reputation. As to profit, I am assured by persons of credit, that the best + ballad upon Mr. Wood will not yield above a groat to the author; and the + unfortunate adventurer Harding, declares he never made the Drapier any + present, except one pair of scissors. As to favour, whoever thinks to make + his court by opposing Mr. Wood is not very deep in politics. And as to + reputation, certainly no man of worth and learning, would employ his pen + upon so transitory a subject, and in so obscure a corner of the world, to + distinguish himself as an author. So that I look upon myself, the Drapier, + and my numerous brethren, to be all true patriots in our several degrees. + </p> + <p> + All that the public can expect for the future, is only to be sometimes + warned to beware of Mr. Wood's halfpence; and refer them for conviction to + the Drapier's reasons. For, a man of the most superior understanding, will + find it impossible to make the best use of it, while he writes in + constraint; perpetually softening, correcting, or blotting out + expressions, for fear of bringing his printer, or himself, under a + prosecution from my Lord Chief-Justice Whitshed. It calls to my + remembrance the madman in Don Quixote, who being soundly beaten by a + weaver for letting a stone (which he always carried on his shoulder) fall + upon a spaniel, apprehended that every cur he met was of the same species. + </p> + <p> + For these reasons, I am convinced, that what I have now written will + appear low and insipid; but if it contributes, in the least, to preserve + that union among us for opposing this fatal project of Mr. Wood, my pains + will not be altogether lost. + </p> + <p> + I sent these papers to an eminent lawyer (and yet a man of virtue and + learning into the bargain) who, after many alterations returned them back, + with assuring me, that they are perfectly innocent; without the least + mixture of treason, rebellion, sedition, malice, disaffection, reflection, + or wicked insinuation whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + If the bellman of each parish, as he goes his circuit, would cry out, + every night, "Past twelve o'clock; Beware of Wood's halfpence;" it would + probably cut off the occasion for publishing any more pamphlets; provided + that in country towns it were done upon market days. For my own part, as + soon as it shall be determined, that it is not against law, I will begin + the experiment in the liberty of St. Patrick's; and hope my example may be + followed in the whole city But if authority shall think fit to forbid all + writings, or discourses upon this subject, except such as are in favour of + Mr. Wood, I will obey as it becomes me; only when I am in danger of + bursting, I will go and whisper among the reeds, not any reflection upon + the wisdom of my countrymen; but only these few words, BEWARE OF WOOD'S + HALFPENCE. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I am, + With due Respect, + Your Most Obedient, + Humble Servant, + J.S. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Deanery House, + Oct. 26, 1724. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VI. A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH. + </h2> + <h3> + NOTE. + </h3> + <p> + This letter, hitherto styled the Drapier's fifth letter, is here printed + as the sixth, for the reasons already stated. It was published on the 14th + December, 1724, at a time when the Drapier agitation had reached its last + stage. The Drapier had taught his countrymen that "to be brave is to be + wise," and he now struck the final blow that laid prostrate an already + tottering opposition. + </p> + <p> + Walpole realized that to govern Ireland from England he must have a + trustier aid, a heavier hand, and a more vigilant eye, than were afforded + in Carteret. Carteret, however, was better away in Ireland, and, moreover, + as Lord-Lieutenant, he was an ameliorating influence on the Irish + patriotic party in Dublin. But that party was now backed by a very + important popular opinion. For the present, therefore, he gave way; but + his real feelings might have been discovered by an interpretation of his + appointment of Hugh Boulter as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of + Ireland.[1] Boulter's letter to the Duke of Newcastle, written after his + arrival in Dublin towards the end of November, 1724, gave a very + unambiguous account of the state of the country towards the patent. On the + 3rd of December, he wrote, "We are at present in a very bad state, and the + people so poisoned with apprehensions of Wood's halfpence, that I do not + see there can be any hopes of justice against any person for seditious + writings, if he does but mix somewhat about Wood in them.... But all sorts + here are determinedly set against Wood's halfpence, and look upon their + estates as half sunk in their value, whenever they shall pass upon the + nation."[2] On January 19th 1724-1725, the Primate wrote again to the same + effect. On the 3rd of July, he hopes that, as parliament is about to meet, + the Lord-Lieutenant "will be impowered in his speech to speak clearly as + to the business of the halfpence, and thoroughly rid this nation of their + fear on that head."[3] Boulter's advice was taken. On the 14th August, + 1725, a vacation of the patent was issued, and when parliament met shortly + after, the Lord-Lieutenant was able, in his speech, to announce that his + Majesty had put an entire end to the patent granted Wood for coining + copper halfpence and farthings. He alluded to the surrender as a + remarkable instance of royal favour and condescension which should fill + the hearts of a loyal and obedient people with the highest sense of duty + and gratitude. He doubted not the Houses would make suitable + acknowledgment of their sense of happiness enjoyed under his Majesty's + most mild and gracious government.[4] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: See note on pp. 111-112.] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: Boulter's letter, vol. i., p. 3. Dublin edition, 1770.] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: <i>Ibid</i>., p. 29.] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 4: Comm. Journals, vol. iii., p. 398.] + </p> + <p> + The Commons unanimously voted an address suitable to the occasion and in + harmony with the Lord-Lieutenant's suggestion. But the Lords + procrastinated in debates. It was a question whether their address should + or should not include the words "great wisdom" in addition to the word + "condescension" to express their sense of his Majesty's action. Finally, + however, the address was forthcoming, though not before some strenuous + expressions of opinion had been made by Midleton and Archbishop King + against Walpole's administration. As passed, their Address included the + debated words; as presented the Address omitted them. + </p> + <p> + Thus ended this famous agitation in which the people of Ireland won their + first victory over England by constitutional means. Wood was no loser by + the surrender; indeed, he was largely the gainer, since he was given a + pension of £3,000 per annum for twelve years.[5] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 5: Coxe says for eight years.] + </p> + <p> + Now that the fight was over the people, to use Scott's words, "turned + their eyes with one consent on the man, by whose unbending fortitude, and + pre-eminent talents, this triumph was accomplished." He was hailed + joyously and blessed fervently wherever he went; the people almost + idolized him; he was their defender and their liberator. No monarch + visiting his domains could have been received with greater honour than was + Swift when he came into a town. Medals and medallions were struck in his + honour. A club was formed to the memory of the Drapier; shops and taverns + bore the sign of the Drapier's Head; children and women carried + handkerchiefs with the Drapier's portrait woven in them. All grades of + society respected him for an influence that, founded in sincerity and + guided by integrity and consummate ability, had been used patriotically. + The DEAN became Ireland's chiefest citizen; and Irishmen will ever revere + the memory of the man who was the first among them to precipitate their + national instincts into the abiding form of national power—the + reasoned opinion of a free people. + </p> + <p> + The text of this letter is based on that given by Sir Walter Scott, + collated with the original edition and with the text given in "Fraud + Detected" (1725). + </p> + <h3> + [T.S.] + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Illustration: + A + + **LETTER** + + To the Right Honourable the + *Lord Viscount <i>Molesworth</i>.* + +</pre> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + By <i>M.B. Drapier</i>, Author of the Letter + to the <i>Shop-keepers</i>, &c. + +</pre> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + They compassed me about also with Words of + Deceit, and fought against me without a Cause. + + For my Love they are my Adversaries, but I give + my self unto Prayer. + + And they have rewarded me Evil for Good, and + Hatred for my Love. <i>Psalm</i> 109. <i>v</i>. 3, 4, 5. + + Seek not to be Judge, being not able to take + away Iniquity, lest at any Time thou fear the + Person of the Mighty, and lay a stumbling + Block in the Way of thy Uprightness. + + Offend not against the Multitude of a City, and + then thou shalt not cast thy self down among + the People. + + Bind not one Sin upon another, for in One thou + shalt not be Unpunished. <i>Ecclus</i>. Ch. 7. V. 6, + 7, 8. + +</pre> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Non jam prima peto Mnesttheus, neque vincere certo: + Quanquam O! Sed superent, quibus Hoc, Neptune, dedisti.</i> + +</pre> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DUBLIN: + Printed by <i>John Harding</i> in + <i>Molesworth's Court</i> in <i>Fishamble-street</i>. + ] +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DIRECTIONS TO THE PRINTER. + </h2> + <p> + MR. HARDING, When I sent you my former papers, I cannot say I intended you + either good or hurt, and yet you have happened through my means to receive + both. I pray God deliver you from any more of the latter, and increase the + former. Your trade, particularly in this kingdom, is of all others the + most unfortunately circumstantiated; For as you deal in the most worthless + kind of trash, the penny productions of pennyless scribblers, so you often + venture your liberty and sometimes your lives, for the purchase of half-a-crown, + and by your own ignorance are punished for other men's actions. + </p> + <p> + I am afraid, you in particular think you have reason to complain of me for + your own and your wife's confinement in prison, to your great expense, as + well as hardship, and for a prosecution still impending. But I will tell + you, Mr. Harding, how that matter stands. Since the press hath lain under + so strict an inspection, those who have a mind to inform the world are + become so cautious, as to keep themselves if possible out of the way of + danger. My custom is to dictate to a 'prentice who can write in a feigned + hand, and what is written we send to your house by a blackguard boy. But + at the same time I do assure you upon my reputation, that I never did send + you anything, for which I thought you could possibly be called to an + account. And you will be my witness that I always desired you by a letter + to take some good advice before you ventured to print, because I knew the + dexterity of dealers in the law at finding out something to fasten on + where no evil is meant; I am told indeed, that you did accordingly consult + several very able persons, and even some who afterwards appeared against + you: To which I can only answer, that you must either change your + advisers, or determine to print nothing that comes from a Drapier. + </p> + <p> + I desire you will send the enclosed letter, directed "To my Lord Viscount + Molesworth at his house at Brackdenstown near Swords;" but I would have it + sent printed for the convenience of his Lordship's reading, because this + counterfeit hand of my 'prentice is not very legible. And if you think fit + to publish it, I would have you first get it read over carefully by some + notable lawyer: I am assured you will find enough of them who are friends + to the Drapier, and will do it without a fee, which I am afraid you can + ill afford after all your expenses. For although I have taken so much + care, that I think it impossible to find a topic out of the following + papers for sending you again to prison; Yet I will not venture to be your + guarantee. + </p> + <p> + This ensuing letter contains only a short account of myself, and an humble + apology for my former pamphlets, especially the last, with little mention + of Mr. Wood or his halfpence, because I have already said enough upon that + subject, until occasion shall be given for new fears; and in that case you + may perhaps hear from me again. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I am, + Your Friend + and Servant, + M.B. + + From my shop in + St. Francis-street + Dec. 14. 1724. +</pre> + <p> + <i>P.S.</i> For want of intercourse between you and me, which I never will + suffer, your people are apt to make very gross errors in the press, which + I desire you will provide against. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VI. A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH, + AT HIS HOUSE AT BRACKDENSTOWN NEAR SWORDS.[6] + </h2> + <p> + My Lord, I reflect too late on the maxim of common observers, that "those + who meddle in matters out of their calling, will have reason to repent;" + which is now verified in me: For by engaging in the trade of a writer, I + have drawn upon myself the displeasure of the government, signified by a + proclamation promising a reward of three hundred pounds to the first + faithful subject who shall be able and inclined to inform against me. To + which I may add the laudable zeal and industry of my Lord Chief Justice + [Whitshed] in his endeavours to discover so dangerous a person. Therefore + whether I repent or no, I have certainly cause to do so, and the common + observation still stands good. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 6: Robert, Viscount Molesworth (1656-1725), born in Dublin and + educated at the University there, was a prominent adherent of the Prince + of Orange during the Revolution of 1688. In 1692 William sent him to + Denmark as envoy-extraordinary to the Court at Copenhagen; but he left + abruptly because of the offence he gave there. Retiring to Flanders, + Molesworth revenged himself by writing, "An Account of Denmark as it was + in 1692," in which he described that country as no fit place for those who + held their liberties dearly. Molesworth had been strongly imbued with the + republican teachings of Algernon Sidney, and his book affords ample proof + of the influence. Its publication aroused much indignation, and a + controversy ensued in which Swift's friend, Dr. William King, took part. + In 1695 Molesworth returned to Ireland, became a Privy Councillor in 1697, + sat in the Irish parliament in 1703-1705, and in the English House of + Commons from 1705 to 1708. In 1713 he was removed from the Irish Privy + Council on a charge of a treasonable utterance, which Steele vindicated in + "The Englishman" and "The Crisis." The accession of George I., however, + brought Molesworth into his honours again, and he was created Baron + Molesworth of Philipstown, and Viscount Molesworth of Swords, in 1719. His + work entitled "Considerations for Promoting Agriculture," issued in 1723, + was considered by Swift as "an excellent discourse, full of most useful + hints." At the time Swift addressed him this sixth letter, Molesworth was + living in retirement at Brackdenstown. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + It will sometimes happen, I know not how in the course of human affairs, + that a man shall be made liable to legal animadversions, where he has + nothing to answer for, either to God or his country; and condemned at + Westminster-hall for what he will never be charged with at the Day of + Judgment. + </p> + <p> + After strictly examining my own heart, and consulting some divines of + great reputation, I cannot accuse myself of any "malice or wickedness + against the public;" of any "designs to sow sedition," of "reflecting on + the King and his ministers," or of endeavouring "to alienate the + affections of the people of this kingdom from those of England."[7] All I + can charge myself with, is a weak attempt to serve a nation in danger of + destruction by a most wicked and malicious projector, without waiting + until I were called to its assistance; which attempt, however it may + perhaps give me the title of <i>pragmatical</i> and <i>overweening</i> + will never lie a burthen upon my conscience. God knows whether I may not + with all my caution have already run myself into danger, by offering thus + much in my own vindication. For I have heard of a judge, who, upon the + criminal's appeal to the dreadful Day of Judgment, told him he had + incurred a <i>premunire</i> for appealing to a foreign jurisdiction: And + of another in Wales, who severely checked the prisoner for offering the + same plea, taxing him with reflecting on the Court by such a comparison, + because "comparisons were odious." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 7: The quotations are from the charges stated in the indictment + and proclamation against the writer and printer of the previous letters. + [T.S.] ] + </p> + <p> + But in order to make some excuse for being more speculative than others of + my condition, I desire your lordship's pardon, while I am doing a very + foolish thing, which is, to give you some little account of myself. + </p> + <p> + I was bred at a free school where I acquired some little knowledge in the + Latin tongue, I served my apprenticeship in London, and there set up for + myself with good success, till by the death of some friends, and the + misfortunes of others, I returned into this kingdom, and began to employ + my thoughts in cultivating the woollen manufacture through all its + branches Wherein I met with great discouragement and powerful opposers, + whose objections appeared to me very strange and singular They argued that + the people of England would be offended if our manufactures were brought + to equal theirs; and even some of the weaving trade were my enemies, which + I could not but look upon as absurd and unnatural I remember your lordship + at that time did me the honour to come into my shop, where I shewed you a + piece of black and white stuff just sent from the dyer, which you were + pleased to approve of, and be my customer for it.[8] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 8: The "piece of black and white stuff just sent from the dyer," + refers to his pamphlet, issued in 1720, "The Proposal for the Universal + Use of Irish Manufactures." See vol. vii. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + However I was so mortified, that I resolved for the future to sit quietly + in my shop, and deal in common goods like the rest of my brethren; till it + happened some months ago considering with myself that the lower and poorer + sort of people wanted a <i>plain strong coarse stuff to defend them + against cold easterly winds, which then blew very fierce and blasting for + a long time together</i>, I contrived one on purpose, which sold very well + all over the kingdom, and preserved many thousands from agues I then made + a second and a third kind of stuffs for the gentry with the same success, + insomuch that an ague hath hardly been heard of for some time.[9] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 9: The "cold easterly winds" refer to the demands made on the + Irish people to accept Wood's halfpence. The three different kinds of + "stuffs" are the three letters written under the <i>nom de guerre,</i> + "M.B. Drapier." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + This incited me so far, that I ventured upon a fourth piece made of the + best Irish wool I could get, and I thought it grave and rich enough to be + worn by the best lord or judge of the land. But of late some great folks + complain as I hear, "that when they had it on, they felt a shuddering in + their limbs," and have thrown it off in a rage, cursing to hell the poor + Drapier who invented it, so that I am determined never to work for persons + of quality again, except for your lordship and a very few more.[10] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 10: This refers to the fourth letter of the Drapier, which + brought forth the proclamation, and for the author of which the reward of + £300 was offered. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I assure your lordship upon the word of an honest citizen, that I am not + richer by the value of one of Mr. Wood's halfpence with the sale of all + the several stuffs I have contrived; for I give the whole profit to the + dyers and pressers.[11] And therefore I hope you will please to believe, + that no other motive beside the love of my country could engage me to busy + my head and hands to the loss of my time and the gain of nothing but + vexation and ill-will. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 11: The printers [F.]] + </p> + <p> + I have now in hand one piece of stuff to be woven on purpose for your + lordship, although I might be ashamed to offer it you, after I have + confessed that it will be made only from the shreds and remnants of the + wool employed in the former. However I shall work it up as well as I can, + and at worst, you need only give it among your tenants. + </p> + <p> + I am very sensible how ill your lordship is like to be entertained with + the pedantry of a drapier in the terms of his own trade. How will the + matter be mended, when you find me entering again, though very sparingly, + into an affair of state; for such is now grown the controversy with Mr. + Wood, if some great lawyers are to be credited. And as it often happens at + play, that men begin with farthings, and go on to gold, till some of them + lose their estates, and die in jail; so it may possibly fall out in my + case, that by playing too long with Mr. Wood's halfpence, I may be drawn + in to pay a fine, double to the reward for betraying me, be sent to + prison, and "not be delivered thence till I shall have paid the uttermost + farthing." + </p> + <p> + There are my lord, three sorts of persons with whom I am resolved never to + dispute: A highwayman with a pistol at my breast, a troop of dragoons who + come to plunder my house, and a man of the law who can make a merit of + accusing me. In each of these cases, which are almost the same, the best + method is to keep out of the way, and the next best is to deliver your + money, surrender your house, and confess nothing. + </p> + <p> + I am told that the two points in my last letter, from which an occasion of + offence hath been taken, are where I mention His Majesty's answer to the + address of the House of Lords upon Mr. Wood's patent, and where I + discourse upon Ireland's being a dependent kingdom. As to the former, I + can only say, that I have treated it with the utmost respect and caution, + and I thought it necessary to shew where Wood's patent differed in many + essential parts from all others that ever had been granted, because the + contrary had for want of due information been so strongly and so largely + asserted. As to the other, of Ireland's dependency, I confess to have + often heard it mentioned, but was never able to understand what it meant. + This gave me the curiosity to enquire among several eminent lawyers, who + professed they knew nothing of the matter. I then turned over all the + statutes of both kingdoms without the least information, further than an + Irish act, that I quoted, of the 33d of Henry 8th, uniting Ireland to + England under one king. I cannot say I was sorry to be disappointed in my + search, because it is certain, I could be contented to depend only upon + God and my prince and the laws of my own country, after the manner of + other nations. But since my betters are of a different opinion, and desire + further dependencies, I shall readily submit, not insisting on the + exception I made of M.B. Drapier. For indeed that hint was borrowed from + an idle story I had heard in England, which perhaps may be common and + beaten, but because it insinuates neither treason nor sedition, I will + just barely relate it. + </p> + <p> + Some hundred years ago when the peers were so great that the commons were + looked upon as little better than their dependents, a bill was brought in + for making some new additions to the power and privileges of the peerage. + After it was read, one Mr. Drewe a member of the house, stood up, and + said, he very much approved the bill, and would give his vote to have it + pass; but however, for some reasons best known to himself, he desired that + a clause might be inserted for excepting the family of the Drewes. The + oddness of the proposition taught others to reflect a little, and the bill + was thrown out. + </p> + <p> + Whether I were mistaken, or went too far in examining the dependency must + be left to the impartial judgment of the world, as well as to the courts + of judicature, although indeed not in so effectual and decisive a manner. + But to affirm, as I hear some do, in order to countenance a fearful and + servile spirit, that this point did not belong to my subject, is a false + and foolish objection. There were several scandalous reports industriously + spread by Wood and his accomplices to discourage all opposition against + his infamous project. They gave it out that we were prepared for a + rebellion, that we disputed the King's prerogative, and were shaking off + our dependency. The first went so far, and obtained so much belief against + the most visible demonstrations to the contrary, that a great person of + this kingdom, now in England, sent over such an account of it to his + friends, as would make any good subject both grieve and tremble. I thought + it therefore necessary to treat that calumny as it deserved. Then I proved + by an invincible argument that we could have no intention to dispute His + Majesty's prerogative, because the prerogative was not concerned in the + question, the civilians and lawyers of all nations agreeing that copper is + not money. And lastly to clear us from the imputation of shaking off our + dependency, I shewed wherein as I thought this dependency consisted, and + cited the statute above mentioned made in Ireland, by which it is enacted, + that "whoever is King of England shall be King of Ireland," and that the + two kingdoms shall be "for ever knit together under one King." This, as I + conceived, did wholly acquit us of intending to break our dependency, + because it was altogether out of our power, for surely no King of England + will ever consent to the repeal of that statute. + </p> + <p> + But upon this article I am charged with a heavier accusation. It is said I + went too far, when I declared, that "if ever the Pretender should come to + be fixed upon the throne of England (which God forbid) I would so far + venture to transgress this statute, that I would lose the last drop of my + blood before I would submit to him as King of Ireland." + </p> + <p> + This I hear on all sides, is the strongest and weightiest objection + against me, and which hath given the most offence; that I should be so + bold to declare against a direct statute, and that any motive how strong + soever, could make me reject a King whom England should receive. Now if in + defending myself from this accusation I should freely confess, that I + "went too far," that "the expression was very indiscreet, although + occasioned by my zeal for His present Majesty and his Protestant line in + the House of Hanover," that "I shall be careful never to offend again in + the like kind." And that "I hope this free acknowledgment and sorrow for + my error, will be some atonement and a little soften the hearts of my + powerful adversaries." I say if I should offer such a defence as this, I + do not doubt but some people would wrest it to an ill meaning by some + spiteful interpretation, and therefore since I cannot think of any other + answer, which that paragraph can admit, I will leave it to the mercy of + every candid reader. + </p> + <p> + I will now venture to tell your lordship a secret, wherein I fear you are + too deeply concerned You will therefore please to know that this habit of + writing and discoursing, wherein I unfortunately differ from almost the + whole kingdom, and am apt to grate the ears of more than I could wish, was + acquired during my apprenticeship in London, and a long residence there + after I had set up for myself. Upon my return and settlement here, I + thought I had only changed one country of freedom for another. I had been + long conversing with the writings of your lordship,[12] Mr. Locke, Mr. + Molineaux,[13] Colonel Sidney[14] and other dangerous authors, who talk of + "liberty as a blessing, to which the whole race of mankind hath an + original title, whereof nothing but unlawful force can divest them." I + knew a good deal of the several Gothic institutions in Europe, and by what + incidents and events they came to be destroyed; and I ever thought it the + most uncontrolled and universally agreed maxim, that <i>freedom</i> + consists in a people being governed by laws made with their own consent; + and <i>slavery</i> in the contrary. I have been likewise told, and believe + it to be true, that <i>liberty</i> and <i>property</i> are words of known + use and signification in this kingdom, and that the very lawyers pretend + to understand, and have them often in their mouths. These were the errors + which have misled me, and to which alone I must impute the severe + treatment I have received. But I shall in time grow wiser, and learn to + consider my driver, the road I am in, and with whom I am yoked. This I + will venture to say, that the boldest and most obnoxious words I ever + delivered, would in England have only exposed me as a stupid fool, who + went to prove that the sun shone in a clear summer's day; and I have + witnesses ready to depose that your lordship hath said and writ fifty + times worse, and what is still an aggravation, with infinitely more wit + and learning, and stronger arguments, so that as politics run, I do not + know a person of more exceptionable principles than yourself; and if ever + I shall be discovered, I think you will be bound in honour to pay my fine + and support me in prison; or else I may chance to inform against you by + way of reprisal.[15] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 12: See note <i>ante</i>, p. 161. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 13: William Molyneux (1656-1698), the correspondent of John + Flamsteed and Locke. His "Dioptrica Nova" contains a warm appreciation of + Locke's "Essay on the Human Understanding." He died in October, 1698, but + in the early part of this year, he published his famous inquiry into the + effect of English legislation on Irish manufactures. The work was + entitled, "The Case of Ireland's being bound by Acts of Parliament in + England stated," and its publication made a great stir both in England and + in Ireland. Molyneux attempted to show that the Irish Parliament was + independent of the English Parliament. His book was reported by a + Committee of the House of Commons, on June 22nd, 1698, to be "of dangerous + consequence to the Crown and Parliament of England," but the matter went + no further than embodying this resolution of the committee in an address + to the King. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 14: Algernon Sidney (1622-1682), the author of the well known + "Discourses concerning Government," and the famous republican of the + Cromwellian and Restoration years, was the second surviving son of the + second Earl of Leicester His career as soldier, statesman, agitator, + ambassador and author, forms an interesting and even fascinating chapter + of the story of this interesting period of English history. He was tried + for treason before Jeffreys, and in spite of a most excellent defence, + sentenced to death. His execution took place on December 7th, 1682. [T. + S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 15: A writer, signing himself M.M., replying to this letter of + Swift's in a broadside entitled, "Seasonable Advice to M.B. Drapier, + Occasioned by his Letter to the R—t. Hon. the Lord Visct. + Molesworth," actually takes this paragraph to mean that Swift intended + seriously to turn informer: "Now sir, some people are of opinion that you + carried this too far, inasmuch as you become a precedent to informers: + others think that you intimate to his lordship, the miserable circumstance + you are in by the menaces of the prentice to whom you dictate; they + conceive your declaring to inform, if not fee'd, to the contrary, + signifies your said prentice on the last occasion to swear, if you don't + forthwith deliver him his indentures, and half of your stock to set up + trade with, he will inform against you, bring you to justice, be dismissed + by law, and get the promised £300 to begin trade with; how near these + conceptions be to truth I can't tell; but I know people think that word <i>inform</i> + unseasonable. . . ." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, I beg your lordship to receive my confession, that if + there be any such thing as a dependency of Ireland upon England, otherwise + than as I have explained it, either by the law of God, of nature, of + reason, of nations, or of the land (which I shall never hereafter + contest,) then was the proclamation against me, the most merciful that + ever was put out, and instead of accusing me as malicious, wicked and + seditious, it might have been directly as guilty of high treason. + </p> + <p> + All I desire is, that the cause of my country against Mr. Wood may not + suffer by any inadvertency of mine; Whether Ireland depends upon England, + or only upon God, the King and the law, I hope no man will assert that it + depends upon Mr. Wood. I should be heartily sorry that this commendable + resentment against me should accidentally (and I hope, what was never + intended) strike a damp upon that spirit in all ranks and corporations of + men against the desperate and ruinous design of Mr. Wood. Let my + countrymen blot out those parts in my last letter which they dislike, and + let no rust remain on my sword to cure the wounds I have given to our most + mortal enemy. When Sir Charles Sidley[16] was taking the oaths, where + several things were to be renounced, he said "he loved renouncing," asked + "if any more were to be renounced, for he was ready to renounce as much as + they pleased." Although I am not so thorough a renouncer; yet let me have + but good city security against this pestilent coinage, and I shall be + ready not only to renounce every syllable in all my four letters, but to + deliver them cheerfully with my own hands into those of the common + hangman, to be burnt with no better company than the coiner's <i>effigies,</i> + if any part of it hath escaped out of the secular hands of the rabble. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 16: This must be Sir Charles Sedley (properly Sidley), the + famous wit and dramatist of Charles II.'s reign. In his reprint of 1735, + Faulkner prints the name "Sidley," though the original twopenny tract and + the "Hibernian Patriot" print it as "Sidney." Sir W. Scott corrects it to + "Sedley." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But whatever the sentiments of some people may be, I think it is agreed + that many of those who subscribed against me, are on the side of a vast + majority in the kingdom who opposed Mr. Wood; and it was with great + satisfaction that I observed some right honourable names very amicably + joined with my own at the bottom of a strong declaration against him and + his coin. But if the admission of it among us be already determined the + worthy person who is to betray me ought in prudence to do it with all + convenient speed, or else it may be difficult to find three hundred pounds + in sterling for the discharge of his hire; when the public shall have lost + five hundred thousand, if there be so much in the nation; besides + four-fifths of its annual income for ever. + </p> + <p> + I am told by lawyers, that in all quarrels between man and man, it is of + much weight, which of them gave the first provocation or struck the first + blow. It is manifest that Mr. Wood hath done both, and therefore I should + humbly propose to have him first hanged and his dross thrown into the sea; + after which the Drapier will be ready to stand his trial. "It must needs + be that offences come, but woe unto him by whom the offence cometh." If + Mr. Wood had held his hand every body else would have held their tongues, + and then there would have been little need of pamphlets, juries, or + proclamations upon this occasion. The provocation must needs have been + great, which could stir up an obscure indolent Drapier to become an + author. One would almost think the very stones in the street would rise up + in such a cause: And I am not sure they will not do so against Mr. Wood if + ever he comes within their reach. It is a known story of the dumb boy, + whose tongue forced a passage for speech by the horror of seeing a dagger + at his father's throat. This may lessen the wonder that a tradesman hid in + privacy and silence should cry out when the life and being of his + political mother are attempted before his face, and by so infamous a hand. + </p> + <p> + But in the meantime, Mr. Wood the destroyer of a kingdom walks about in + triumph (unless it be true that he is in jail for debt) while he who + endeavoured to assert the liberty of his country is forced to hide his + head for occasionally dealing in a matter of controversy. However I am not + the first who hath been condemned to death for gaining a great victory + over a powerful enemy, by disobeying for once the strict orders of + military discipline. + </p> + <p> + I am now resolved to follow (after the usual proceeding of mankind, + because it is too late) the advice given me by a certain Dean. He shewed + the mistake I was in of trusting to the general good-will of the people, + "that I had succeeded hitherto better than could be expected, but that + some unfortunate circumstantial lapse would probably bring me within the + reach of power. That my good intentions would be no security against those + who watched every motion of my pen, in the bitterness of my soul." He + produced an instance of "a writer as innocent, as disinterested, and as + well meaning as myself, where the printer, who had the author in his + power, was prosecuted with the utmost zeal, the jury sent back nine times, + and the man given up to the mercy of the court."[17] The Dean further + observed "that I was in a manner left alone to stand the battle, while + others who had ten thousand times better talents than a Drapier, were so + prudent to lie still, and perhaps thought it no unpleasant amusement to + look on with safety, while another was giving them diversion at the hazard + of his liberty and fortune, and thought they made a sufficient recompense + by a little applause." Whereupon he concluded with a short story of a Jew + at Madrid, who being condemned to the fire on account of his religion, a + crowd of school-boys following him to the stake, and apprehending they + might lose their sport, if he should happen to recant, would often clap + him on the back, and cry, "<i>Sta firme Moyse</i> (Moses, continue + steadfast)." + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 17: This was for the publication of "A Proposal for the + Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I allow this gentleman's advice to have been good, and his observations + just, and in one respect my condition is worse than that of the Jew, for + no recantation will save me. However it should seem by some late + proceedings, that my state is not altogether deplorable. This I can impute + to nothing but the steadiness of two impartial grand juries, which hath + confirmed in me an opinion I have long entertained, that, as philosophers + say, "virtue is seated in the middle," so in another sense, the little + virtue left in the world is chiefly to be found among the middle rank of + mankind, who are neither allured out of her paths by ambition, nor driven + by poverty. + </p> + <p> + Since the proclamation occasioned by my last letter, and a due preparation + for proceeding against me in a court of justice, there have been two + printed papers clandestinely spread about, whereof no man is able to trace + the original further than by conjecture, which with its usual charity lays + them to my account. The former is entitled, "Seasonable Advice,"[18] and + appears to have been intended for information of the grand jury, upon the + supposition of a bill to be prepared against that letter. The other[19] is + an extract from a printed book of Parliamentary Proceedings in the year + 1680 containing an angry resolution of the House of Commons in England + against dissolving grand juries. As to the former, your lordship will find + it to be the work of a more artful hand than that of a common Drapier. It + hath been censured for endeavouring to influence the minds of a jury, + which ought to be wholly free and unbiassed, and for that reason it is + manifest that no judge was ever known either upon or off the bench, either + by himself or his dependents, to use the least insinuation that might + possibly affect the passions or interests of any one single juryman, much + less of a whole jury; whereof every man must be convinced who will just + give himself the trouble to dip into the common printed trials; so as, it + is amazing to think, what a number of upright judges there have been in + both kingdoms for above sixty years past, which, considering how long they + held their offices during pleasure, as they still do among us, I account + next to a miracle. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 18: See p. 123. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 19: See note on p. 127. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + As to the other paper I must confess it is a sharp censure of an English + House of Commons against dissolving grand juries by any judge before the + end of the term, assizes, or sessions, while matters are under their + consideration, and not presented; is arbitrary, illegal, destructive to + public justice, a manifest violation of his oath, and is a means to + subvert the fundamental laws of the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + However, the publisher seems to have been mistaken in what he aimed at. + For, whatever dependence there may be of Ireland upon England, I hope he + would not insinuate, that the proceedings of a lord chief justice in + Ireland must depend upon a resolution of an English House of Commons. + Besides, that resolution although it were levelled against a particular + lord chief justice, Sir William Scroggs,[20] yet the occasion was directly + contrary: For Scroggs dissolved the grand jury of London for fear they + should present, but ours in Dublin was dissolved because they would not + present, which wonderfully alters the case. And therefore a second grand + jury supplied that defect by making a presentment[21] that hath pleased + the whole kingdom. However I think it is agreed by all parties, that both + the one and the other jury behaved themselves in such a manner, as ought + to be remembered to their honour, while there shall be any regard left + among us for virtue or public spirit. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 20: Sir William Scroggs (1623?-1683) was appointed Lord Chief + Justice of England on the removal of Sir Thomas Ramsford in 1678. One of + the eight articles of impeachment against Scroggs, in 1680, was for + illegally discharging the grand jury of Middlesex before the end of the + term. Although the articles of impeachment were carried to the House of + Lords in 1681, the proceedings went no farther than ordering him to find + bail and file his answer by a certain time. Scroggs was removed, on + account of his unpopularity, on April 11th, 1681. As a lawyer, Scroggs has + no great reputation; as a judge he must be classed with the notorious + Jeffreys. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 21: See Appendix No. V. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + I am confident your lordship will be of my sentiments in one thing, that + some short plain authentic tract might be published for the information + both of petty and grand juries, how far their power reacheth, and where it + is limited, and that a printed copy of such a treatise might be deposited + in every court, to be consulted by the jurymen before they consider of + their verdict; by which abundance of inconveniences would be avoided, + whereof innumerable instances might be produced from former times, because + I will say nothing of the present. + </p> + <p> + I have read somewhere of an eastern king who put a judge to death for an + iniquitous sentence, and ordered his hide to be stuffed into a cushion, + and placed upon the tribunal for the son to sit on, who was preferred to + his father's office. I fancy such a memorial might not have been unuseful + to a son of Sir William Scroggs, and that both he and his successors would + often wriggle in their seats as long as the cushion lasted. I wish the + relater had told us what number of such cushions there might be in that + country. + </p> + <p> + I cannot but observe to your lordship how nice and dangerous a point it is + grown for a private person to inform the people even in an affair where + the public interest and safety are so highly concerned as that of Mr. + Wood, and this in a country where loyalty is woven into the very hearts of + the people, seems a little extraordinary. Sir William Scroggs was the + first who introduced that commendable acuteness into the courts of + judicature; but how far this practice hath been imitated by his successors + or strained upon occasion, is out of my knowledge. When pamphlets + unpleasing to the ministry were presented as libels, he would order the + offensive paragraphs to be read before him, and said it was strange that + the judges and lawyers of the King's Bench should be duller than all the + people of England; and he was often so very happy in applying the initial + letters of names, and expounding dubious hints (the two common expedients + among writers of that class for escaping the law) that he discovered much + more than ever the authors intended, as many of them or their printers + found to their cost. If such methods are to be followed in examining what + I have already written or may write hereafter upon the subject of Mr. + Wood, I defy any man of fifty times my understanding and caution to avoid + being entrapped, unless he will be content to write what none will read, + by repeating over the old arguments and computations, whereof the world is + already grown weary. So that my good friend Harding lies under this + dilemma, either to let my learned works hang for ever a drying upon his + lines, or venture to publish them at the hazard of being laid by the + heels. + </p> + <p> + I need not tell your lordship where the difficulty lies. It is true, the + King and the laws permit us to refuse this coin of Mr. Wood, but at the + same time it is equally true, that the King and the laws permit us to + receive it. Now it is most certain the ministers in England do not suppose + the consequences of uttering that brass among us to be so ruinous as we + apprehend; because doubtless if they understood it in that light, they are + persons of too much honour and justice not to use their credit with His + Majesty for saving a most loyal kingdom from destruction. But as long as + it shall please those great persons to think that coin will not be so very + pernicious to us, we lie under the disadvantage of being censured as + obstinate in not complying with a royal patent. Therefore nothing remains, + but to make use of that liberty which the King and the laws have left us, + by continuing to refuse this coin, and by frequent remembrances to keep up + that spirit raised against it, which otherwise may be apt to flag, and + perhaps in time to sink altogether. For, any public order against + receiving or uttering Mr. Wood's halfpence is not reasonably to be + expected in this kingdom, without directions from England, which I think + nobody presumes, or is so sanguine to hope. + </p> + <p> + But to confess the truth, my lord, I begin to grow weary of my office as a + writer, and could heartily wish it were devolved upon my brethren, the + makers of songs and ballads, who perhaps are the best qualified at present + to gather up the gleanings of this controversy. As to myself, it hath been + my misfortune to begin and pursue it upon a wrong foundation. For having + detected the frauds and falsehoods of this vile impostor Wood in every + part, I foolishly disdained to have recourse to whining, lamenting, and + crying for mercy, but rather chose to appeal to law and liberty and the + common rights of mankind, without considering the climate I was in. + </p> + <p> + Since your last residence in Ireland, I frequently have taken my nag to + ride about your grounds, where I fancied myself to feel an air of freedom + breathing round me, and I am glad the low condition of a tradesman did not + qualify me to wait on you at your house, for then I am afraid my writings + would not have escaped severer censures. But I have lately sold my nag, + and honestly told his greatest fault, which was that of snuffing up the + air about Brackdenstown, whereby he became such a lover of liberty, that I + could scarce hold him in. I have likewise buried at the bottom of a strong + chest your lordship's writings under a heap of others that treat of + liberty, and spread over a layer or two of Hobbes, Filmer, Bodin[22] and + many more authors of that stamp, to be readiest at hand whenever I shall + be disposed to take up a new set of principles in government. In the mean + time I design quietly to look to my shop, and keep as far out of your + lordship's influence as possible; and if you ever see any more of my + writings upon this subject, I promise you shall find them as innocent, as + insipid and without a sting as what I have now offered you. But if your + lordship will please to give me an easy lease of some part of your estate + in Yorkshire,[23] thither will I carry my chest and turning it upside + down, resume my political reading where I left it off; feed on plain + homely fare, and live and die a free honest English farmer: But not + without regret for leaving my countrymen under the dread of the brazen + talons of Mr. Wood: My most loyal and innocent countrymen, to whom I owe + so much for their good opinion of me, and of my poor endeavours to serve + them, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I am + with the greatest respect, + My Lord + Your Lordship's most obedient + and most humble servant, + M.B. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From my shop + in St. Francis-Street, + Dec. 14. + 1724. +</pre> + <p> + [Footnote 22: Sir Robert Filmer, the political writer who suffered for his + adhesion to the cause of Charles I. His chief work was published after his + death in 1680. It is entitled, "Patriarcha," and defends the patriarchal + theory of government against the social-compact theory of Hobbes. Locke + vigorously attacked it in his "Two Treatises on Government" published in + 1690. + </p> + <p> + Jean Bodin, who died in 1596, wrote the "Livres de la Republique," a + remarkable collection of information and speculation on the theoretical + basis of political government. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 23: Molesworth's estate in Yorkshire was at Edlington, near + Tickhill. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VII. AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. BY M.B. + DRAPIER. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Multa gemens ignominiam Plagasque superbi Victoris.—" + + [VIRGIL, <i>Georg. III.</i>, 226-7.] +</pre> + <h3> + NOTE. + </h3> + <p> + This letter was published in the fourth volume of the collected edition of + Swift's Works, issued by Faulkner, in Dublin, in 1735. It is there stated + that it was written "before the Lord Carteret came over, and soon after + the fourth Drapier's letter." If Faulkner be correct, and he probably is, + the subject matter of the letter shows that it was not to be printed until + after the agitation had subsided. The letter is in an entirely different + spirit from the other letters, and deals with suggestions and methods of + action for a general righting of the wrongs under which Ireland was + suffering. In matter as well as in manner it is not a continuation of the + contest against Wood, but an effort to send the people along paths which + would lead to their general welfare and prosperity. As such it properly + concludes the Drapier series. + </p> + <p> + The text of the letter here printed is that of Faulkner collated with that + given in the fifth volume of "Miscellanies," issued in London in. 1735. + </p> + <h3> + [T.S.] + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VII. AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. + </h2> + <p> + I have been told, that petitions and addresses, either to King or + Parliament, are the right of every subject; providing they consist with + that respect, which is due to princes and great assemblies. Neither do I + remember, that the modest proposals, or opinions of private men, have been + ill-received, when they have not been delivered in the style of advice; + which is a presumption far from my thoughts. However, if proposals should + be looked upon as too assuming; yet I hope, every man may be suffered to + declare his own and the nation's wishes. For instance; I may be allowed to + wish, that some further laws were enacted for the advancement of trade, + for the improvement of agriculture, now strangely neglected, against the + maxim of all wise nations: For supplying the manifest defects in the acts + concerning plantation of trees: For setting the poor to work, and many + others. + </p> + <p> + Upon this principle, I may venture to affirm; it is the hearty wish of the + whole nation, very few excepted; that the Parliament in this session would + begin by strictly examining into the detestable fraud of one William Wood, + now or late of London, hardwareman; who illegally and clandestinely, as + appears by your own votes and addresses, procured a patent in England, for + coining halfpence in that kingdom, to be current here. This, I say, is the + wish of the whole nation, very few excepted; and upon account of those + few, is more strongly and justly the wish of the rest: Those few + consisting either of Wood's confederates, some obscure tradesmen, or + certain bold UNDERTAKERS[1] of weak judgment, and strong ambition; who + think to find their accounts in the ruin of the nation, by securing or + advancing themselves. And, because such men proceed upon a system of + politics, to which I would fain hope you will be always utter strangers, I + shall humbly lay it before you. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: This was a phrase used in the time of Charles II. to express + those dashing ministers who obtained power by undertaking to carry through + particular favourite measures of the crown. But the Dean applies it with + his usual studied ambiguity, so that it may be explained as meaning + schemers or projectors in general. [S.]] + </p> + <p> + Be pleased to suppose me in a station of fifteen hundred pounds a year, + salary and perquisites; and likewise possessed of 800<i>l</i>. a year, + real estate. Then, suppose a destructive project to be set on foot; such, + for instance, as this of Wood; which if it succeed, in all the + consequences naturally to be expected from it, must sink the rents and + wealth of the kingdom one half, (although I am confident, it would have + done so five-sixths.) Suppose, I conceive that the countenancing, or + privately supporting this project, will please those by whom I expect to + be preserved, or higher exalted. Nothing then remains, but to compute and + balance my gain and my loss, and sum up the whole. I suppose that I shall + keep my employment ten years, (not to mention the fair chance of a + better.) This at 1500<i>l</i>. a year, amounts, in ten years, to 15,000<i>l</i>. + My estate, by the success of the said project, sinks 400<i>l</i>. a year; + which at twenty years' purchase, is but 8000<i>l</i>. so that I am a clean + gainer of 7000<i>l</i>. upon the balance. And during all that period, I am + possessed of power and credit, can gratify my favourites, and take + vengeance of mine enemies. And if the project miscarry, my private merit + is still entire. This arithmetic, as horrible as it appears, I knowingly + affirm to have been practised, and applied in conjunctures, whereon + depended the ruin or safety of a nation: Although, probably the charity + and virtue of a senate, will hardly be induced to believe, that there can + be such monsters among mankind. And yet, the wise Lord Bacon mentions a + sort of people, (I doubt the race is not yet extinct) who would "set a + house on fire, for the convenience of roasting their own eggs at the + flame." + </p> + <p> + But whoever is old enough to remember, and hath turned his thoughts to + observe the course of public affairs in this kingdom, from the time of the + Revolution; must acknowledge, that the highest points of interest and + liberty, have been often sacrificed to the avarice and ambition of + particular persons, upon the very principles and arithmetic that I have + supposed: The only wonder is, how these artists were able to prevail upon + numbers; and influence even public assemblies to become instruments for + effecting their execrable designs. + </p> + <p> + It is, I think, in all conscience, latitude enough for vice, if a man in + station be allowed to act injustice, upon the usual principles of getting + a bribe, wreaking his malice, serving his party, or consulting his + preferment; while his wickedness terminates in the ruin only of particular + persons: But, to deliver up our whole country, and every living soul who + inhabits it, to certain destruction; hath not, as I remember, been + permitted by the most favourable casuists on the side of corruption. It + were far better, that all who have had the misfortune to be born in this + kingdom, should be rendered incapable of holding any employment + whatsoever, above the degree of a constable, (according to the scheme and + intention of a great minister[2] <i>gone to his own place</i>)than to live + under the daily apprehension of a few false brethren among ourselves. + Because, in the former case we should be wholly free from the danger of + being betrayed; since none could then have impudence enough to pretend any + public good. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: The Earl of Sunderland. See note on p. 377 of vol. <i>v.</i> + of present edition. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + It is true, that in this desperate affair of the new halfpence, I have not + heard of any man above my own degree of a shopkeeper, to have been + hitherto so bold, as, in direct terms, to vindicate the fatal project; + although I have been told of some very mollifying expressions which were + used, and very gentle expedients proposed and handed about, when it first + came under debate: But, since the eyes of the people have been so far + opened, that the most ignorant can plainly see their own ruin, in the + success of Wood's attempt; these grand compounders have been more + cautious.[3] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 3: Alluding to Walpole's overture for reducing the amount to be + coined to £40,000. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But that the same spirit still subsists, hath manifestly appeared (among + other instances of great compliance) from certain circumstances, that have + attended some late proceedings in a court of judicature. There is not any + commonplace more frequently insisted on, by those who treat of our + constitution, than the great happiness and excellency of trials by juries; + yet if this blessed part of our law be eludible at pleasure, by the force + of power, frowns, and artifice; we shall have little reason to boast of + our advantage, in this particular, over other states or kingdoms in + Europe. And surely, these high proceedings, exercised in a point that so + nearly concerned the life-blood of the people, their necessary + subsistence, their very food and raiment, and even the public peace; will + not allow any favourable appearance; because it was obvious, that so much + superabundant zeal could have no other design, or produce any other + effect, than to damp that spirit raised in the nation against this + accursed scheme of William Wood, and his abettors; to which spirit alone, + we owe, and for ever must owe, our being hitherto preserved, and our hopes + of being preserved for the future; if it can be kept up, and strongly + countenanced by your wise assemblies. I wish I could account for such a + demeanour upon a more charitable foundation, than that of putting our + interest in over balance with the ruin of our country. + </p> + <p> + I remember some months ago, when this affair was fresh in discourse; a + person near allied to SOMEBODY, or (as the hawkers called him) NOBODY, who + was thought deeply concerned, went about very diligently among his + acquaintance, to shew the bad consequences that might follow from any + public resentment to the disadvantage of his ally Mr. Wood; principally + alleging the danger of all employments being disposed of from England. One + of these emissaries came to me, and urged the same topic: I answered, + naturally, that I knew there was no office of any kind, which a man from + England might not have, if he thought it worth his asking; and that I + looked upon all who had the disadvantage of being born here, as only in + the condition of leasers and gleaners. Neither could I forbear mentioning + the known fable of the countryman, who entreated his ass to fly for fear + of being taken by the enemy; but the ass refused to give himself that + trouble; and upon a very wise reason, because he could not possibly change + his present master for a worse: The enemy could not make him fare harder; + beat him more cruelly; nor load him with heavier burthens. + </p> + <p> + Upon these, and many other considerations, I may affirm it to be the wish + of the whole nation, that the power and privileges of juries were + declared, ascertained, and confirmed by the legislature; and that whoever + hath been manifestly known to violate them, might be stigmatized by public + censure; not from any hope that such a censure will amend their practices, + or hurt their interest, (for it may probably operate quite contrary in + both:) but that the nation may know their enemies from their friends. + </p> + <p> + I say not this with any regard or view to myself; for I write in great + security; and am resolved that none shall merit at my expense further than + by shewing their zeal to discover, prosecute, and condemn me, for + endeavouring to do my duty in serving my country: And yet I am conscious + to myself that I never had the least intention to reflect on His Majesty's + ministers, nor on any other person, except William Wood, whom I neither + did, nor do yet conceive to be of that number. However, some would have + it, that I went too far; but I suppose they will now allow themselves + mistaken. I am sure I might easily have gone further; and I think I could + not easily have fared worse. And therefore I was no further affected with + their proclamation, and subsequent proceedings, than a good clergyman is + with the sins of the people. And as to the poor printer, he is now gone to + appear before a higher, and before a righteous tribunal. + </p> + <p> + As my intention is only to lay before your great assemblies, the general + wishes of the nation; and as I have already declared it our principal wish + that your first proceeding would be to examine into the pernicious fraud + of William Wood; so I must add, as the universal opinion, that all schemes + of commutation, composition, and the like expedients, either avowed or + implied, will be of the most pernicious consequences to the public; + against the dignity of a free kingdom; and prove an encouragement to + future adventurers in the same destructive projects. For, it is a maxim, + which no man at present disputes, that even a connivance to admit one + thousand pounds in these halfpence, will produce, in time, the same + ruinous effects, as if we openly consented to admit a million. It were, + therefore, infinitely more safe and eligible, to leave things in the + doubtful, melancholy state they are at present, (which, however, God + forbid) and trust entirely to the general aversion of our people against + this coin; using all honest endeavours to preserve, continue, and increase + that aversion, than submit to apply those palliatives which weak, + perfidious, or abject politicians, are, upon all occasions, and in all + diseases, so ready to administer. + </p> + <p> + In the small compass of my reading, (which, however, hath been more + extensive than is usual to men of my inferior calling) I have observed + that grievances have always preceded supplies; and if ever grievances had + a title to such a pre-eminence, it must be this of Wood; because it is not + only the greatest grievance that any country could suffer, but a grievance + of such a kind that, if it should take effect, would make it impossible + for us to give any supplies at all; except in adulterate copper; unless a + tax were laid for paying the civil and military lists, and the large + pensions, with real commodities instead of money; which, however, might be + liable to some few objections as well as difficulties: For although the + common soldiers might be content with beef and mutton, and wool, and malt, + and leather; yet I am in some doubt as to the generals, the colonels, the + numerous pensioners, the civil officers, and others, who all live in + England upon Irish pay; as well as those few who reside among us only + because they cannot help it. + </p> + <p> + There is one particular, which although I have mentioned more than once in + some of my former papers, yet I cannot forbear to repeat, and a little + enlarge upon it; because I do not remember to have read or heard of the + like in the history of any age or country; neither do I ever reflect upon + it without the utmost astonishment. + </p> + <p> + After the unanimous addresses to his Sacred Majesty, against this patent + of Wood, from both Houses of Parliament, which are the three estates of + the kingdom; and likewise an address from the Privy-council, to whom, + under the chief governors, the whole administration is entrusted; the + matter is referred to a committee of council in London. Wood, and his + adherents, are heard on one side; and a few volunteers, without any trust + or direction from hence, on the other. The question (as I remember) + chiefly turned upon the want of halfpence in Ireland: Witnesses are called + on the behalf of Wood (of what credit I have formerly shewn :) Upon the + issue the patent is found good and legal; all His Majesty's officers here, + (not excepting the military) commanded to be aiding and assisting to make + it effectual. The addresses of both Houses of Parliament, of the + Privy-council; and of the city of Dublin: The declarations of most + counties and corporations through the kingdom, are altogether laid aside, + as of no weight, consequence, or consideration whatsoever: And the whole + kingdom of Ireland nonsuited, in default of appearance; as if it were a + private cause between John Doe, plaintiff, and William Roe, defendant. + </p> + <p> + With great respect to those-honourable persons, the committee of council + in London, I have not understood them to be our governors, councillors, or + judges. Neither did our case turn at all upon the question, whether + Ireland wanted halfpence or no. For there is no doubt, but we do want both + halfpence, gold, and silver; and we have numberless other wants, and some + that we are not so much as allowed to name; although they are peculiar to + this nation; to which no other is subject, whom God hath blessed with + religion and laws, or any degree of soil and sunshine: But, for what + demerits on our side, I am altogether in the dark. + </p> + <p> + But, I do not remember, that our want of halfpence was either affirmed, or + denied in any of our addresses or declarations, against those of Wood: We + alleged, the fraudulent obtaining and executing his patent, the baseness + of his metal, the prodigious sum to be coined, which might be increased by + stealth, from foreign importation and his own counterfeits, as well as + those at home; whereby we must infallibly lose all our little gold and + silver, and all our poor remainder of a very limited and discouraged + trade: We urged, that the patent was passed without the least reference + hither; and without mention of any security given by Wood, to receive his + own halfpence upon demand; both which are contrary to all former + proceedings in the like cases. These, and many other arguments we offered; + but still the patent went on, and at this day our ruin would have been + half completed; if God, in His mercy, had not raised an universal + detestation of these halfpence, in the whole kingdom; with a firm + resolution never to receive them; since we are not under obligations to do + so by any law, either human or divine. + </p> + <p> + But, in the Name of God, and of all justice and piety; when the King's + Majesty was pleased that this patent should pass; is it not to be + understood, that he conceived, believed, and intended it as a gracious + act, for the good and benefit of his subjects, for the advantage of a + great and fruitful kingdom; of the most loyal kingdom upon earth, where no + hand or voice was ever lifted up against him; a kingdom where the passage + is not of three hours from Britain; and a kingdom where Papists have less + power, and less land, than in England? Can it be denied, or doubted, that + His Majesty's ministers understood and proposed the same end, the good of + this nation, when they advised the passing this patent? Can the person of + Wood be otherwise regarded, than as the instrument, the mechanic, the + head-workman, to prepare his furnace, his fuel, his metal, and his stamps? + If I employ a shoe-boy, is it in view to his advantage, or to my own + convenience? I mention the person of William Wood alone, because no other + appears, and we are not to reason upon surmises; neither would it avail, + if they had a real foundation. + </p> + <p> + Allowing therefore, (for we cannot do less) that this patent, for the + coining of halfpence, was wholly intended, by a gracious king, and a wise + public-spirited ministry, for the advantage of Ireland; yet when the whole + kingdom to a man, for whose good the patent was designed, do, upon + maturest consideration, universally join, in openly declaring, protesting, + addressing, petitioning, against these halfpence, as the most ruinous + project that ever was set on foot, to complete the slavery and destruction + of a poor innocent country: Is it, was it, can it, or will it ever be a + question, not whether such a kingdom, or William Wood, should be a gainer; + but whether such a kingdom should be wholly undone, destroyed, sunk, + depopulated, made a scene of misery and desolation, for the sake of + William Wood? God, of His infinite mercy, avert this dreadful judgment; + and it is our universal wish, that God would put it into your hearts to be + His instruments for so good a work. + </p> + <p> + For my own part, who am but one man, of obscure condition, I do solemnly + declare, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will suffer the most + ignominious and torturing death, rather than submit to receive this + accursed coin, or any other that shall be liable to the same objections, + until they shall be forced upon me, by a law of my own country; and if + that shall ever happen, I will transport myself into some foreign land, + and eat the bread of poverty among a free people. + </p> + <p> + Am I legally punishable for these expressions? Shall another proclamation + issue against me, because I presume to take my country's part against + William Wood; where her final destruction is intended? But, whenever you + shall please to impose silence upon me, I will submit; because, I look + upon your unanimous voice to be the voice of the nation; and this I have + been taught, and do believe to be, in some manner, the voice of God. + </p> + <p> + The great ignominy of a whole kingdom, lying so long at mercy, under so + vile an adversary, is such a deplorable aggravation, that the utmost + expressions of shame and rage, are too low to set it forth; and therefore, + I shall leave it to receive such a resentment, as is worthy of a + parliament. + </p> + <p> + It is likewise our universal wish, that His Majesty would grant liberty to + coin halfpence in this kingdom, for our own use; under such restrictions + as a parliament here shall advise: Since the power of coining even gold + and silver, is possessed by every petty prince abroad; and was always + practised by Scotland, to the very time of the Union; yet surely Scotland, + as to soil, climate, and extent, is not, in itself, a fourth part the + value of Ireland; (for Bishop Burnet says, it is not above a fortieth part + in value, to the rest of Britain) and with respect to the profit that + England gains from hence, not the forty thousandth part. Although I must + confess, that a mote in the eye, or a thorn in the side, is more dangerous + and painful than a beam, or a spike at a distance. + </p> + <p> + The histories of England, and of most other countries, abound in relating + the miserable, and sometimes the most tragical effects, from the abuses of + coin; by debasing the metal, by lessening, or enhancing the value upon + occasions, to the public loss; of which we have an example, within our own + memory in England, and another very lately in France. It is the tenderest + point of government, affecting every individual, in the highest degree. + When the value of money is arbitrary, or unsettled; no man can well be + said to have any property at all; nor is any wound so suddenly felt, so + hardly cured, or that leaves such deep and lasting scars behind it. + </p> + <p> + I conceive this poor unhappy island, to have a title to some indulgence + from England; not only upon the score of Christianity, natural equity, and + the general rights of mankind; but chiefly on account of that immense + profit they receive from us; without which, that kingdom would make a very + different figure in Europe, from what it doth at present. + </p> + <p> + The rents of land in Ireland, since they have been of late so enormously + raised, and screwed up, may be computed to about two millions; whereof + one-third part, at least, is directly transmitted to those, who are + perpetual absentees in England; as I find by a computation made with the + assistance of several skilful gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + The other articles by which we are altogether losers, and England a + gainer; we found to amount to almost as much more. I will only set down as + many heads of them as I can remember; and leave them to the consideration + of those, who understand accounts better than I pretend to do. + </p> + <p> + The occasional absentees, for business, health, or diversion. + </p> + <p> + Three-fourths of the revenue of the chief governor, during his absence; + which is usually four-fifths of his government. + </p> + <p> + The whole revenue of the post-office. + </p> + <p> + The numerous pensions paid to persons in England. + </p> + <p> + The pay of the chief officers of the army absent in England, which is a + great sum. + </p> + <p> + Four commissioners of the revenue, always absent. + </p> + <p> + Civil employments very numerous, and of great income. + </p> + <p> + The vast charge of appeals to the House of Lords, and to the Court of + Delegates. + </p> + <p> + Students at the Inns of Court, and the two Universities. + </p> + <p> + Eighty thousand pounds sent yearly to England, for coals; whereof the + prime cost is nothing; and therefore, the profit wholly theirs. + </p> + <p> + One hundred thousand pounds paid several years past, for corn sent over + hither from England; the effect of our own great wisdom in discouraging + agriculture. + </p> + <p> + The kind liberty granted us of wearing Indian stuffs, and calicoes, to + gratify the vanity and folly of our women; which, beside the profit to + England, is an unconceivable loss to us; forcing the weavers to beg in our + streets, or transport themselves to foreign countries. + </p> + <p> + The prodigious loss to us, and gain to England, by selling them all our + wool at their own rates; whereof the manufacture exceeds above ten times + the prime cost: A proceeding without example in the Christian or heathen + world. + </p> + <p> + Our own wool returned upon us, in English manufactures, to our infinite + shame and damage; and the great advantage of England. + </p> + <p> + The full profit of all our mines accruing to England; an effect of great + negligence and stupidity. + </p> + <p> + An affectation among us, of liking all kinds of goods made in England. + </p> + <p> + NOTE, Many of the above articles have been since particularly computed by + another writer, to whose treatise the reader is referred.[4] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 4: The work referred to is "A List of the Absentees of Ireland, + and the yearly value of their estates and Incomes spent abroad," by Thomas + Prior, Esq. Prior was a native of Ireland and the schoolfellow and + life-long friend of Berkeley, the philosopher. In concert with Samuel + Madden and other friends, he founded, in 1731, the Dublin Society for the + Promotion of Agriculture, Manufactures, Arts and Sciences. This society + was the parent of the present Royal Dublin Society. His "List of the + Absentees of Ireland" was published in 1729. He also issued "Observations + on Coin" (1730), and "An Authentic Narrative of the Success of Tar Water + in Curing a great number and variety of Distempers" (1746), to which + Berkeley contributed. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + These and many other articles, which I cannot recollect at present, are + agreed by judicious men to amount to near seven hundred thousand pounds <i>per + ann</i>. clear profit to England. And, upon the whole, let any man look + into those authors who write upon the subject of commerce, he shall find, + that there is not one single article in the essentials, or circumstances + of trade, whereby a country can be a loser, which we do not possess in the + highest perfection; somewhat, in every particular, that bears a kind of + analogy to William Wood; and now the branches are all cut off, he stands + ready with his axe at the root. + </p> + <p> + Upon this subject of perpetual absentees, I have spent some time in very + insignificant reflections; and considering the usual motives of human + actions, which are pleasure, profit, and ambition, I cannot yet comprehend + how those persons find their account in any of the three. I speak not of + those English peers or gentlemen, who, beside their estates at home, have + possessions here; for, in that case, the matter is desperate; but I mean + those lords, and wealthy knights, or squires, whose birth, and partly + their education, and all their fortune (except some trifle, and that in + very few instances) are in this kingdom. I knew many of them well enough, + during several years, when I resided in England; and truly I could not + discover that the figure they made was, by any means, a subject for envy; + at least it gave me two very different passions: For, excepting the + advantage of going now and then to an opera, or sometimes appearing behind + a crowd at Court; or adding to the ring of coaches in Hyde Park, or losing + their money at the Chocolate House; or getting news, votes, and minutes, + about five days before us in Dublin, I say, besides these, and a few other + privileges of less importance, their temptations to live in London, were + beyond my knowledge or conception. And I used to wonder, how a man of + birth and spirit, could endure to be wholly insignificant and obscure in a + foreign country, when he might live with lustre in his own; and even at + less than half that expense, which he strains himself to make, without + obtaining any one end; except that which happened to the frog when he + would needs contend for size with the ox. I have been told by scholars, + that Caesar said, he would rather be the first man, in I know not what + village, than the second in Rome. This, perhaps, was a thought only fit + for Caesar: But to be preceded by thousands, and neglected by millions; to + be wholly without power, figure, influence, honour, credit, or + distinction, is not, in my poor opinion, a very amiable situation of life, + to a person of title, or wealth, who can so cheaply and easily shine in + his native country. + </p> + <p> + But, besides the depopulating of the kingdom, the leaving so many parts of + it wild and uncultivated, the ruin of so many country-seats and + plantations, the cutting down all the woods to supply expenses in England; + the absence of so many noble and wealthy persons, hath been the cause of + another fatal consequence, which few perhaps have been aware of. For if + that very considerable number of lords, who possess the amplest fortunes + here, had been content to live at home, and attend the affairs of their + own country in Parliament; the weight, reputation, and dignity thereby + added to that noble House, would, in all human probability, have prevented + certain proceedings, which are now ever to be lamented; because they never + can be remedied: And we might have then decided our own properties among + ourselves, without being forced to travel five hundred miles by sea and + land, to another kingdom, for justice; to our infinite expense, vexation, + and trouble: Which is a mark of servitude without example, from the + practice of any age or nation in the world. + </p> + <p> + I have sometimes wondered, upon what motive the peerage of England were so + desirous to determine our controversies; because I have been assured, and + partly know, that the frequent appeals from hence, have been very irksome + to that illustrious body; and whoever hath frequented the Painted Chamber, + and Court of Requests, must have observed, that they are never so nobly + filled, as when an Irish appeal is under debate. + </p> + <p> + The peers of Scotland, who are very numerous, were content to reside in + their castles and houses, in that bleak and barren climate; and although + some of them made frequent journeys to London, yet I do not remember any + of their greatest families, till very lately, to have made England their + constant habitation, before the Union: Or, if they did, I am sure it was + generally to their own advantage; and whatever they got, was employed to + cultivate and increase their own estates; and by that means enrich + themselves and their country. + </p> + <p> + As to the great number of rich absentees, under the degree of peers; what + particular ill effects their absence may have upon this kingdom, besides + those already mentioned, may perhaps be too tender a point for me to + touch. But whether those who live in another kingdom, upon great estates + here; and have lost all regards to their own country, further than upon + account of the revenues they receive from it: I say, whether such persons + may not be prevailed on to recommend others to vacant seats, who have no + interest here, except a precarious employment; and consequently can have + no views, but to preserve what they have got, or to be higher advanced: + This, I am sure, is a very melancholy question, if it be a question at + all. + </p> + <p> + But, besides the prodigious profit which England receives by the + transmittal thither of two-thirds of the revenues of this whole kingdom; + it hath another mighty advantage by making our country a receptacle, + wherein to disburthen themselves of their supernumerary pretenders to + offices; persons of second-rate merit in their own country; who, like + birds of passage, most of them thrive and fatten here, and fly off when + their credit and employments are at an end. So that Ireland may justly say + what Luther said of himself; POOR Ireland maketh many rich. + </p> + <p> + If amidst all our difficulties, I should venture to assert, that we have + one great advantage, provided we could improve it as we ought; I believe + most of my readers would be long in conjecturing what possible advantage + could ever fall to our share. However, it is certain, that all the regular + seeds of party and faction among us are entirely rooted out, and if any + new ones shall spring up, they must be of equivocal generation, without + any seed at all; and will justly be imputed to a degree of stupidity + beyond even what we have been ever charged with upon the score of our + birth-place and climate. + </p> + <p> + The parties in this kingdom (including those of modern date) are, First, + of those who have been charged or suspected to favour the Pretender; and + those who were zealous opposers of him. Secondly, of those who were for + and against a toleration of Dissenters by law. Thirdly, of High and Low + Church; or, (to speak in the cant of the times) of Whig and Tory: And, + Fourthly, of court and country. If there be any more, they are beyond my + observation or politics: For as to subaltern or occasional parties, they + have all been derivations from the same originals. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is manifest, that all these incitements to faction, party, and + division are wholly removed from among us. For, as to the Pretender, his + cause is both desperate and obsolete: There are very few now alive who + were <i>men</i> in his father's time, and in that prince's interest; and + in all others, the obligation of conscience hath no place;[5] even the + Papists in general, of any substance, or estates, and their priests almost + universally, are what we call Whigs in the sense which by that word is + generally understood. They feel the smart, and see the scars of their + former wounds; and very well know, that they must be made a sacrifice to + the least attempts towards a change; although it cannot be doubted, that + they would be glad to have their superstition restored, under any prince + whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 5: That is to say, they had not sworn any allegiance to him. + [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Secondly, The Dissenters are now tolerated by law; neither do we observe + any murmurs at present from that quarter, except those reasonable + complaints they make of persecution, because they are excluded from civil + employments; but their number being very small in either House of + Parliament, they are not yet in a situation to erect a party: Because, + however indifferent men may be with regard to religion, they are now grown + wise enough to know, that if such a latitude were allowed to Dissenters; + the few small employments left us in cities and corporations, would find + other hands to lay hold on them. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, The dispute between High and Low Church is now at an end; + two-thirds of the bishops having been promoted in this reign, and most of + them from England, who have bestowed all preferments in their gift to + those they could well confide in: The deaneries all except three, and many + principal church-livings, are in the donation of the crown: So that we + already possess such a body of clergy as will never engage in controversy + upon that antiquated and exploded subject. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, As to court and country parties, so famous and avowed under most + reigns in English Parliaments: This kingdom hath not, for several years + past been a proper scene whereon to exercise such contentions; and is now + less proper than ever; many great employments for life being in distant + hands, and the reversions diligently watched and secured; the temporary + ones of any inviting value are all bestowed elsewhere as fast as they + drop; and the few remaining, are of too low consideration to create + contests about them, except among younger brothers, or tradesmen like + myself. And, therefore, to institute a court and country party without + materials, would be a very new system in politics, and what I believe was + never thought on before; nor, unless in a nation of idiots, can ever + succeed. For the most ignorant Irish cottager will not sell his cow for a + groat. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, I conclude, that all party and faction, with regard to public + proceedings, are now extinguished in this kingdom; neither doth it appear + in view how they can possibly revive; unless some new causes be + administered; which cannot be done without crossing the interests of those + who are greatest gainers by continuing the same measures. And, general + calamities without hope of redress, are allowed to be the great uniters of + mankind. + </p> + <p> + However we may dislike the causes; yet this effect of begetting an + universal concord among us in all national debates, as well as in cities, + corporations, and country neighbourhoods, may keep us at least alive, and + in a condition to eat the little bread allowed us in peace and amity. I + have heard of a quarrel in a tavern, where all were at daggers-drawing, + till one of the company cried out, desiring to know the subject of the + quarrel; which, when none of them could tell, they put up their swords, + sat down, and passed the rest of the evening in quiet. The former part + hath been our case; I hope the latter will be so too; that we shall sit + down amicably together, at least until we have something that may give us + a title to fall out; since nature hath instructed even a brood of goslings + to stick together while the kite is hovering over their heads. + </p> + <p> + It is certain, that a firm union in any country, where every man wishes + the same thing with relation to the public, may, in several points of the + greatest importance, in some measure, supply the defect of power; and even + of those rights which are the natural and undoubted inheritance of + mankind. If the universal wish of the nation upon any point, were declared + by the unanimous vote of the House of Commons, and a reasonable number of + Lords; I should think myself obliged in conscience to act in my sphere + according to that vote; because, in all free nations, I take the proper + definition of law to be the will of the majority of those who have the + property in land; which, if there be a monarchy, is to be confirmed by the + royal assent. And, although such votes or declarations have not received + such a confirmation, for certain accidental reasons; yet I think they + ought to be of much weight with the subject; provided they neither oppose + the King's prerogative, endanger the peace of the nation, nor infringe any + law already in force; none of which, however, can reasonably be supposed. + Thus, for instance, if nine in ten of the House of Commons, and a + reasonable number of native temporal peers, should declare, that whoever + received or uttered brass coin, except under certain limitations and + securities, should be deemed as enemies to the King and the nation; I + should think it a heinous sin in myself to act contrary to such a vote: + And, if the same power should declare the same censure against those who + wore Indian stuffs and calicoes, or woollen manufactures imported from + abroad, whereby this nation is reduced to the lowest ebb of misery; I + should readily, heartily, and cheerfully pay obedience; and to my utmost + power persuade others to do the like: Because, there is no law of this + land obliging us either to receive such coin, or to wear such foreign + manufactures. + </p> + <p> + Upon this last article, I could humbly wish that the reverend the clergy + would set us an example, by contenting themselves with wearing gowns, and + other habiliments of Irish drapery; which, as it would be some incitement + to the laity, and set many hands to work; so they would find their + advantage in the cheapness; which is a circumstance not to be neglected by + too many among that venerable body.[6] And, in order to this, I could + heartily desire, that the most ingenious artists of the weaving trade, + would contrive some decent stuffs and silks for clergymen, at reasonable + rates.[7] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 6: This hath since been put in practice, by the persuasions, and + influence of the supposed author; but much defeated by the most infamous + fraud of shop-keepers. [F.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 7: This scheme was likewise often urged to the weavers by the + supposed author; but he could never prevail upon them to put it in + practice. [F.]] + </p> + <p> + I have pressed several of our most substantial brethren, that the whole + corporation of weavers in silk and woollen, would publish some proposals, + (I wish they would do it to both Houses of Parliament) inviting persons of + all degrees, and of both sexes, to wear the woollen and silk manufactures + of our own country; entering into solemn, mutual engagements, that the + buyer shall have good, substantial, merchantable ware for his money; and + at a certain rate, without the trouble of cheapening: So that, if I sent a + child for a piece of stuff of a particular colour and fineness, I should + be sure not to be deceived; or if I had reason to complain, the + corporation should give me immediate satisfaction; and the name of the + tradesman who did me the wrong, should be published; and warning given not + to deal with him for the future; unless the matter plainly appeared to be + a mistake: For, besides the trouble of going from shop to shop; an + ignorant customer runs the hazard of being cheated in the price and + goodness of what he buys; being forced to an unequal combat with a + dexterous, and dishonest man, in his own calling. Thus our goods fall + under a general disreputation; and the gentry call for English cloth, or + silk, from an opinion they have (and often too justly by our own faults) + that the goodness more than makes up for the difference of price. + </p> + <p> + Besides, it hath been the sottish and ruinous practice of us tradesmen, + upon any great demand of goods, either at home or from abroad, to raise + the prices immediately, and manufacture the said goods more slightly and + fraudulently than before. + </p> + <p> + Of this foul and foolish proceeding, too many instances might be produced; + and I cannot forbear mentioning one, whereby this poor kingdom hath + received such a fatal blow in the only article of trade allowed us of any + importance that nothing but the success of Wood's project, could outdo it. + During the late plague in France, the Spaniards, who buy their linen + cloths in that kingdom, not daring to venture thither for fear of + infection; a very great demand was made here for that commodity, and + exported to Spain: But, whether by the ignorance of the merchants, or + dishonesty of the Northern weavers, or the collusion of both; the ware was + so bad, and the price so excessive, that except some small quantity, which + was sold below the prime cost, the greatest part was returned back: And I + have been told by very intelligent persons, that if we had been fair + dealers, the whole current of the linen trade to Spain would have taken + its course from hence. + </p> + <p> + If any punishment were to be inflicted on numbers of men; surely there + could none be thought too great for such a race of traitors, and enemies + to God and their country; who for the prospect of a little present gain, + do not only ruin themselves, (for that alone would be an example to the + rest, and a blessing to the nation) but sell their souls to hell, and + their country to destruction; And, if the plague could have been confined + only to these who were partakers in the guilt, had it travelled hither + from Marseilles, those wretches would have died with less title to pity, + than a highwayman going to the gallows. + </p> + <p> + But, it happens very unluckily, that, for some time past, all endeavours + or proposals from private persons, to advance the public service; however + honestly and innocently designed, have been called <i>flying in the King's + face:</i> And this, to my knowledge, hath been the style of some persons, + whose ancestors, (I mean those among them who had any) and themselves, + have been flying in princes' faces these fourscore years; and from their + own inclinations would do so still, if their interest did not lead them + rather to fly in the face of a kingdom; which hath given them wings to + enable them for such a flight. + </p> + <p> + Thus, about four years ago, when a discourse was published, endeavouring + to persuade our people to wear their own woollen manufactures,[8] full of + the most dutiful expressions to the King, and without the least party + hint; it was termed "flying in the King's face;" the printer was + prosecuted in the manner we all remember; (and, I hope, it will somewhere + be remembered further) the jury kept eleven hours, and sent back nine + times, till they were under the necessity of leaving the prisoner to the + mercy of the court, by a special verdict. The judge on the bench invoking + God for his witness, when he asserted, that the author's design was to + bring in the Pretender.[9] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 8: This was Swift's pamphlet entitled, "A Proposal for the + Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 9: The action and language of Justice Whitshed. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + And thus also, my own poor endeavours to prevent the ruin of my country, + by the admission of Wood's coin, was called by the same persons, "flying + in the King's face;" which I directly deny: For I cannot allow that vile + representation of the royal countenance in William Wood's adulterate + copper, to be his Sacred Majesty's face; or if it were, my flying was not + against the impression, but the baseness of the metal; because I well + remembered; that the image which Nebuchadnezzar "commanded to be set up, + for all men to fall down and worship it," was not of <i>copper</i>, but + pure <i>gold</i>. And I am heartily sorry, we have so few royal images of + that metal among us; the sight whereof, although it could hardly increase + our veneration for His Majesty, which is already so great; yet would very + much enliven it with a mixture of comfort and satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Alexander the Great, would suffer no statuary, except Phidias, to carve + his image in stone or metal. How must he have treated such an operator as + Wood, who goes about with sackfuls of dross; odiously misrepresenting his + Prince's countenance; and would force them, by thousands, upon every one + of us, at above six times the value. + </p> + <p> + But, notwithstanding all that hath been objected by William Wood himself; + together with his favourers, abettors, supporters, either public or + private; by those who connive at his project, or discourage and + discountenance his opposers, for fear of lessening their favour, or + hazarding their employments; by those who endeavour to damp the spirit of + the people raised against this coin; or check the honest zeal of such as + by their writings, or discourses, do all they can to keep it up: Those + softeners, sweeteners, compounders; and expedient-mongers, who shake their + heads so strongly, that we can hear their pockets jingle; I did never + imagine, that, in detecting the practices of such enemies to the kingdom, + I was "flying in the King's face"; or thought they were better + representers of His Majesty, than that very coin, for which they are + secret or open advocates. + </p> + <p> + If I were allowed to recite only those wishes of the nation, which may be + in our power to attain; I think they might be summed up in these few + following. + </p> + <p> + First, That an end might be put to our apprehensions of Wood's halfpence, + and to any danger of the like destructive scheme for the future. + </p> + <p> + Secondly; That halfpence might be coined in this kingdom, by a public + mint, with due limitations. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, That the sense of both Houses of Parliament, at least of the + House of Commons, were declared by some unanimous and hearty votes, + against wearing any silk or woollen manufactures, imported from abroad, as + likewise against wearing Indian silks or calicoes, which are forbidden + under the highest penalties in England: And it behoves us, to take example + from so wise a nation; because we are under a greater necessity to do so, + since we are not allowed to export any woollen manufactures of our own; + which is the principal branch of foreign trade in England. + </p> + <p> + Fourthly, That some effectual methods may be taken to civilize the poorer + sort of our natives, in all those parts of this kingdom where the Irish + abound; by introducing among them our language and customs; for want of + which they live in the utmost ignorance, barbarity and poverty; giving + themselves wholly up to idleness, nastiness, and thievery, to the very + great and just reproach of too many landlords. And, if I had in me the + least spirit of a projector, I would engage that this might be effected in + a few years, at a very inconsiderable charge.[10] + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 10: Since this hint was suggested, several useful seminaries + have been instituted, under the name of "Charter Working Schools," in + Ireland, supported by the royal benefaction of a thousand pounds a year, + by a tax on hawkers and pedlars, and by voluntary subscriptions. The + schools are for the education of boys and girls born of Popish parents; in + most of them, the children manufacture their own clothing, and the boys + are employed in matters relative to husbandry. [F.] + </p> + <p> + These Charter Schools, founded by Marsh, Bishop of Clogher, and adopted by + Primate Boulter in 1733, were intended "to rescue the souls of thousands + of poor children from the dangers of Popish superstition and idolatry, and + their bodies from the miseries of idleness and beggary." In reality the + scheme was one by which it was hoped to prevent the growth of Catholicism. + The conditions and methods of instruction were positively cruel, since the + children were actually withheld from any communication with their parents. + Mr. Lecky deals with the subject fully in the first volume of his "Ireland + in the Eighteenth Century," Froude gives the scheme his praise and + admiration, but at the time of its institution it was the cause of "an + intensity of bitterness hardly equalled by any portion of the penal code. + Parents would rather do anything than send their children into such + prisons where, at last, they would receive an education which, to their + minds, must lead them to forfeit their soul's salvation." [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + Fifthly, That due encouragement should be given to agriculture; and a stop + put to that pernicious practice of graziers; engrossing vast quantities of + land, sometimes at great distance; whereby the country is extremely + depopulated. + </p> + <p> + Sixthly, That the defects in those acts for planting forest trees, might + be fully supplied, since they have hitherto been wholly ineffectual; + except about the demesnes of a few gentlemen; and even there, in general, + very unskilfully made, and thriving accordingly. Neither hath there yet + been due care taken to preserve what is planted, or to enclose grounds; + not one hedge, in a hundred, coming to maturity, for want of skill and + industry. The neglect of copsing woods cut down, hath likewise been of + very ill consequences. And if men were restrained from that unlimited + liberty of cutting down their own woods before the proper time, as they + are in some other countries; it would be a mighty benefit to the kingdom. + For, I believe, there is not another example in Europe, of such a + prodigious quantity of excellent timber cut down, in so short a time, with + so little advantage to the country, either in shipping or building. + </p> + <p> + I may add, that absurd practice of cutting turf, without any regularity; + whereby great quantities of restorable land are made utterly desperate, + many thousands of cattle destroyed, the turf more difficult to come at, + and carry home, and less fit for burning; the air made unwholesome by + stagnating pools and marshes; and the very sight of such places offensive + to those who ride by. Neither should that odious custom be allowed, of + cutting scraws, (as they call them) which is flaying off the green surface + of the ground, to cover their cabins; or make up their ditches; sometimes + in shallow soils, where all is gravel within a few inches; and sometimes + in low ground, with a thin greensward, and sloughy underneath; which last + turns all into bog, by this mismanagement. And, I have heard from very + skilful country-men, that by these two practices in turf and scraws, the + kingdom loseth some hundreds of acres of profitable land every year; + besides the irreparable loss of many skirts of bogs, which have a green + coat of grass, and yet are mangled for turf; and, besides the want of + canals, by regular cutting, which would not only be a great convenience + for bringing their turf home at an easy rate; but likewise render even the + larger bogs more dry and safe, for summer pasture. + </p> + <p> + These, and some other speculations of the like kind, I had intended to + publish in a particular discourse against this session of Parliament; + because, in some periods of my life, I had opportunity and curiosity to + observe, from what causes those great errors, in every branch of country + management, have arisen; of which I have now ventured to relate but few, + out of very many; whereof some, perhaps, would not be mentioned without + giving offence; which I have endeavoured, by all possible means, to avoid. + And, for the same reason, I chose to add here, the little I thought proper + to say on this subject. + </p> + <p> + But, as to the lands of those who are perpetual absentees, I do not see + any probability of their being ever improved. In former times, their + tenants sat at easy rents; but for some years past, they have been, + generally speaking, more terribly racked by the dexterity of merciless + agents from England, than even those held under the severest landlords + here. I was assured upon the place, by great numbers of credible people, + that a prodigious estate in the county of Cork, being let upon leases for + lives, and great fines paid; the rent was so high, that the tenants begged + leave to surrender their leases, and were content to lose their fines. + </p> + <p> + The cultivating and improvement of land, is certainly a subject worthy of + the highest enquiry in any country, but especially in ours; where we are + so strangely limited in every branch of trade, that can be of advantage to + us; and utterly deprived of those, which are of the greatest importance; + whereof I defy the most learned man in Europe, to produce me an example + from any other kingdom in the world: For, we are denied the benefits which + God and nature intended to us; as manifestly appears by our happy + situation for commerce, and the great number of our excellent ports. So + that, I think, little is left us, beside the cultivating our own soil, + encouraging agriculture, and making great plantations of trees, that we + might not be under the necessity of sending for corn and bark from + England, and timber from other countries. This would increase the number + of our inhabitants, and help to consume our natural products, as well as + manufactures at home. And I shall never forget what I once ventured to say + to a great man in England; "That few politicians, with all their schemes, + are half so useful members of a commonwealth, as an honest farmer; who, by + skilfully draining, fencing, manuring, and planting, hath increased the + intrinsic value of a piece of land; and thereby done a perpetual service + to his country;" which it is a great controversy, whether any of the + former ever did, since the creation of the world; but no controversy at + all, that ninety-nine in a hundred, have done abundance of mischief. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIXES + </h2> + <h2> + APPENDIX I. ADDRESSES TO THE KING[1] + </h2> + <p> + "To the King's most Excellent MAJESTY: <i>The humble</i> ADDRESS <i>of the</i> + Knights, Citizens <i>and</i> Burgesses, <i>in Parliament assembled.</i> + </p> + <h3> + "MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, + </h3> + <p> + It is with the utmost Concern, that We, Your Majesty's most dutiful + subjects, the Commons of IRELAND in Parliament assembled, find ourselves + indispensably obliged, to represent to Your Majesty, our unanimous + Opinion: That the importing and uttering of <i>Copper Farthings</i> and <i>Halfpence</i> + by virtue of the Patent lately granted to <i>William Wood,</i> Esq.; under + the Great Seal of <i>Great Britain,</i> will be highly prejudicial to Your + Majesty's Revenue, destructive of the trade and commerce of this nation, + and of the most dangerous consequence to the properties of the subject. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: Addresses by the House of Commons and the House of Lords + presented to the King in conformity with the resolutions passed by these + Houses. See Introductory Note to the Drapier's First Letter. The texts of + these addresses are taken from "Fraud Detected: or, the Hibernian + Patriot," printed by George Faulkner in 1725. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + "We are fully convinced, from the tender regard Your Majesty has always + expressed for our welfare and prosperity, that this Patent could not have + been obtained, had not <i>William Wood</i> and his accomplices, greatly + misrepresented the state of this nation to Your Majesty, it having + appeared to us, by Examinations taken in the most solemn manner, that + though the terms thereof had been strictly complied with, there would have + been a loss to this nation of at least 150 <i>per Cent.</i> by means of + the said coinage, and a much greater in the manner the said <i>Half-pence</i> + have been coined. + </p> + <p> + "We likewise beg leave to inform Your Majesty, That the said <i>William + Wood</i> has been guilty of a most notorious fraud and deceit in coining + the said <i>Half-pence,</i> having, under colour of the powers granted + unto him, imported and endeavoured to utter great quantities of different + impressions, and of much less weight than was required by the said Patent. + </p> + <p> + "Your faithful <i>Commons</i> have found, by experience, That the granting + the power or privilege of coining <i>Money</i>, or <i>Tokens</i> to pass + for <i>Money</i> to private persons, has been highly detrimental to your + loyal subjects; and being apprehensive, that the vesting such power in any + body politic or corporate, or any private person or persons whatsoever, + will be always of dangerous Consequence to this Kingdom, are encouraged, + by the repeated assurances Your Majesty hath given us of Your Royal Favour + and Protection, humbly to entreat Your Majesty, That whenever you shall + hereafter think it necessary to coin any <i>Farthings</i> or <i>Half-pence,</i> + the same may be made as near the intrinsic value as possible, and that + whatever profit shall accrue thereby, may be applied to the public + service. + </p> + <p> + "And we do further humbly beseech Your Majesty, That you will be + graciously pleased to give such direction, as you, in your great wisdom, + shall think proper, to prevent the fatal effects of uttering any <i>Farthings</i> + or <i>Half-pence</i> pursuant to the said Patent. + </p> + <p> + "As this enquiry has proceeded entirely from our love to our country, so + we cannot omit this opportunity of repeating our unanimous resolution, to + stand by and support Your Majesty to the utmost of our power, against all + Your enemies, both at home and abroad; and of assuring Your Majesty, that + we will, upon every occasion, give Your Majesty, and the world, all + possible demonstration of our zeal and inviolable duty and affection to + Your Majesty's most sacred person and government, and to the succession, + as established in Your Royal House." + </p> + <p> + "To the King's most Excellent MAJESTY. <i>The humble Address of the Lords + Spiritual and Temporal of</i> IRELAND, <i>in Parliament assembled, against</i> + Wm. Wood. + </p> + <p> + "May it please Your most Sacred Majesty, WE the Lords Spiritual and + Temporal in Parliament assembled, are under the utmost concern to find, + that our duty to Your Majesty and our Country, indispensably calls upon us + to acquaint Your Majesty with the ill consequences, which will inevitably + follow from a Patent for coining Half-pence and Farthings to be uttered in + this Kingdom, obtained under the Great Seal of <i>Great Britain,</i> by + one <i>William Wood</i> in a clandestine and unprecedented manner, and by + a gross misrepresentation of the state of this Kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "We are most humbly of opinion, that the diminution of Your Majesty's + revenue, the ruin of our trade, and the impoverishing of your people, must + unavoidably attend this undertaking; and we beg leave to observe to Your + Majesty, that from the most exact Enquiries and Computations we have been + able to make, it appears to us, that the gain to <i>William Wood</i> will + be excessive, and the loss to this Kingdom, by circulating this base coin, + greater than this poor country is able to bear. + </p> + <p> + "With the greatest submission and deference to Your Majesty's wisdom, we + beg we may offer it as our humble opinion. That the reserving the coining + of <i>Half-pence</i> and <i>Farthings</i> to the <i>Crown</i> and <i>the + not intrusting it</i> with any private person, body politic or corporate, + will always be for Your Majesty's service, and the good of your people in + <i>this Kingdom.</i> + </p> + <p> + "In confidence, Sir, of your paternal care of the welfare of <i>this</i> + country, we beseech Your Majesty, that you will be pleased to extend that + goodness and compassion to us, which has so eminently shewed itself to all + your other subjects, who have the happiness to live under your protection + and government; and that you will give such directions as may effectually + free us from the terrible apprehensions we labour under from the <i>Patent</i> + granted to <i>William Wood."</i> + </p> + <p> + The following was the King's reply to the above address: + </p> + <h3> + "GEORGE R. + </h3> + <p> + "His <i>Majesty is very much concerned to see, That His granting the + Patent for coining</i> Half-pence <i>and</i> Farthings <i>agreeable to the + Practice of his Royal Predecessors, has given so much uneasiness to the</i> + House of Lords: <i>And if there have been any abuses committed by the</i> + Patentee, <i>His Majesty will give the necessary Orders for enquiring + into, and punishing those Abuses. And will do everything that is in His + Power, for the Satisfaction of His People."</i> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX II. REPORT OF THE ASSAY ON WOOD'S COINAGE, MADE BY SIR ISAAC + NEWTON, EDWARD SOUTHWELL, ESQ., AND THOMAS SCROOPE, ESQ.[1] + </h2> + <p> + "<i>To the right honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's + Treasury. </i> + </p> + <p> + "May it please your Lordships, + </p> + <p> + According to your Lordships' Order, the pix of the copper-money coined at + Bristol by Mr. Wood for Ireland, has been opened and tried before us at + his Majesty's Mint in the Tower; and by the Comptroller's account, to + which Mr. Wood agreed, there hath been coined from Lady-day 1723 to March + 28, 1724, in half-pence, fifty and five tons, five hundred and three + quarters, and twelve ounces, and in farthings, three tons, seventeen + hundred and two quarters, ten pounds, and eight ounces, <i>avoirdupois</i>, + the whole coinage amounting to 59 tons, 3 cwt, 1 qr. 11 lbs. 4 ozs., and + by the specimens of this coinage which have, from time to time, been taken + from the several parcels coined and sealed up in papers, and put into the + pix, we found that sixty half-pence weighed fourteen ounces, <i>Troy</i>, + and eight pennyweight, which is about a quarter of an ounce above one + pound <i>avoirdupois</i>; and that thirty farthings weighed three ounces, + and three quarters of an ounce <i>Troy</i>, and forty-six grains, which is + also above the weight required by his Patent. We found also that both + half-pence and farthings when heated red hot, spread thin under the hammer + without cracking, as your Lordships may see by the pieces now laid before + your Lordships. But although the copper was very good, and the money, one + piece with another, was full weight, yet the single pieces were not so + equally coined in the weight as they should have been. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: The copy of this Report as here printed is taken from the + tract already quoted in previous notes, entitled, "A Defence of the + Conduct of the People of Ireland in their unanimous Refusal of Mr. Wood's + Copper-money ... Dublin: Printed for George Ewing, at the Angel and Bible + in Dames-Street, MDCCXXIV." As already noted, the assayists had for trial + only those coins which were coined between March, 1723, and March, 1724, + and these coins were neither imported into Ireland nor attempted to be + uttered there. As Wood asked for the assay, he no doubt knew what he was + about. But even as it stands, the Report was not very favourable to him. + The author of the tract named above enters minutely into this point, and + for a further inquiry the reader is referred to pages 15 to 19 of his + publication. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + "We found also that thirty and two old half-pence coined for Ireland in + the reigns of King Charles 2d., King James 2d., and King William 3d. and + Queen Mary, and produced by Mr. Wood, weighed six ounces and eight + pennyweight <i>Troy</i>, that is, one hundred and three grains and a half + apiece one with another. They were much worn, and if about six or seven + grains be allowed to each of them one with another for loss of their + weight by wearing, the copper-money coined for England, in the reign of + King William being already as much lightened by wearing, they might at + first weigh about half a pound <i>avoirdupois</i>; whereas only thirty of + those coined by Mr. Wood are to be of that. They were also made of bad + copper, two of those coined in the reign of King Charles II. wasted much + in the fire, and then spread thin under the hammer, but not so well + without cracking as those of Mr. Wood. Two of those coined in the reign of + King James II. wasted much more in the fire, and were not malleable when + red hot. Two of those coined in the reign of King William and Queen Mary + wasted still more in the fire, and turned to an unmalleable substance like + a cinder, as your Lordships may see the pieces now laid before you. + </p> + <p> + "By the assays we reckon the copper of Mr. Wood's halfpence and farthings + to be of the same goodness and value with the copper of which the copper + money is coined in the King's Mint for England; or worth in the market + about twelve or thirteen pence per pound weight <i>avoirdupois</i>; and + the copper of which the half-pence were coined for Ireland in the reigns + of King Charles, King James, and King William, to be much inferior in + value, the mixture being unknown, and not bearing the fire for converting + it to any other use until it be refined. + </p> + <p> + "The half-pence and farthings in the pix coined by Mr. Wood had on one + side the head of the King, with this inscription GEORGIUS DEI GRATIA REX: + And on the other side, a woman sitting with a harp by her left side, and + above her the inscription HIBERNIA with the date. The half-pence coined in + the reigns of King Charles, King James, and King William, had on one side + the head of King Charles, King James, or King William and Queen Mary, and + on the reverse a harp crowned. + </p> + <p> + "All which facts we most humbly represent to your Lordships. April 27, + 1724." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX III, TOM PUNSIBI'S DREAM[1] + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Greek: "A ghar proseidon nukthi taeoe phasmata + Disson oneiron, tauta moi—— + Ehi men pephaenen esthlha, dus telesphora, + Eid echthra, tois echthroisin empalin methes + Kai mae me plete te paront ei tines + Doloisi beleueoin ekbalein, ephaes."] + + Soph, Elec. [644-649]. +</pre> + <p> + Since the heat of this business, which has of late so much and so justly + concerned this kingdom, is at last, in a great measure over, we may + venture to abate something of our former zeal and vigour in handling it, + and looking upon it as an enemy almost overthrown, consult more our own + amusement than its prejudice, in attacking it in light excursory + skirmishes. Thus much I thought fit to observe, lest the world should be + too apt to make an obvious pun upon me; when beginning to dream upon this + occasion, I presented it with the wild nocturnal rovings of an unguided + imagination, on a subject of so great importance, as the final welfare or + ruin of a whole nation. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: The following tract, written probably by Thomas Sheridan, + Swift's humorous friend, is interesting as affording an example of the + lighter kind of literature brought into existence by this agitation. It + may be that Swift had a hand in its composition. The text is taken from a + copy of the original broadside in the South Kensington Collection. It was + published during the height of the controversy. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + But so it was, that upon reading one of the Drapier's letters, I fell + asleep, and had the following dream: + </p> + <p> + The first object that struck me was a woman of exquisite beauty, and a + most majestic air, seated on a throne, whom by the figure of a lion + beneath her feet, and of Neptune who stood by her, and paid her the most + respectful homage, I easily knew to be the Genius of England; at some + distance from her, (though not at so great an one as seemed to be + desired,) I observed a matron clothed in robes so tattered and torn, that + they had not only very nigh lost their original air of royalty and + magnificence, but even exposed her to the inclemency of the weather in + several places, which with many other afflictions had so affected her, + that her natural beauty was almost effaced, and her strength and spirits + very nigh lost. She hung over a harp with which, if she sometimes + endeavoured to sooth her melancholy, she had still the misfortune to find + it more or less out of tune, particularly, when as I perceived at last, it + was strung with a sort of wire of so base composition, that neither she + nor I could make anything of it. I took particular notice, that, when + moved by a just sense of her wrongs, she could at any time raise her head, + she fixed her eyes so stedfastly on her neighbour, sometimes with an + humble and entreating, at others, with a more bold and resentful regard, + that I could not help (however improbable it should seem from her generous + august appearance) in a great measure to attribute her misfortunes to her; + but this I shall submit to the judgment of the world. + </p> + <p> + I should now at last mention the name, were not these circumstances too + unhappily singular to make that any way necessary. + </p> + <p> + As I was taken up with many melancholy reflections on this moving object, + I was on a sudden interrupted by a little sort of an uproar, which, upon + turning my eyes towards it, I found arose from a crowd of people behind + her throne; the cause it seems was this: + </p> + <p> + There was, I perceived, among them the god of merchandise, with his + sandals, mostly of brass, but not without a small proportion of gold and + silver, and his wings chiefly of the two latter metals, but allayed with a + little of the former; with those he used to trudge up and down to furnish + them with necessaries; with these he'd take a flight to other countries, + but not so dexterously or to so good purpose as in other places of his + office, not so much for want of encouragement among 'em here, as on + account of the haughty jealousy of their neighbours, who, it seems + dreading in them a rival, took care to clip his wings and circumscribe his + flights; the former, more especially, being, by these and other means so + much worn, he performed his office but lamely, which gave occasion to some + who had their own private interest more at heart, than that of the public, + to patch up some of the places that were worn, with a metal of the same + nature indeed, but so slight and base, that though at first it might serve + to carry him on their errands, it soon failed, and by degrees grew + entirely useless; insomuch, that he would rather be retarded than promoted + in his business, and this occasioned the above disturbances among his + dependents, who thereupon turned their eyes towards their mistress (for by + this time she will I presume be better known by that, than the more homely + and sociable name of neighbour) and not daring of late to say or do + anything without her approbation, made several humble applications to her, + beseeching that she would continue them that liberty of refitting these + implements themselves, which she had been formerly pleased graciously to + allow 'em; but these, however reasonable, were all rejected, whereupon I + observed a certain person (a mean ill-looking fellow) from among a great + number of people that stood behind the genius of England, who, during the + whole affair had kept his eyes intently fixed on his neighbours, watching + all their motions, like a hawk hovering over his quarry, and with just the + same design: Him, I say, I observed to turn off hastily, and make towards + the throne, where being arrived, after some preparations requisite, he + preferred a petition, setting forth the wants and necessities, (but taking + care to make 'em appear at least four times greater than they really were) + of his neighbours, or as he might have more truly and honestly said his + own, both which, for the latter, though not expressed, he chiefly + intended, but modestly or rather knavishly left to be understood, he + begged the royal licence to redress, by supplying those defects which were + the occasion of 'em. This humble suppliant I observed both before and + after this petition, seemed to employ his utmost industry and art, to + insinuate himself into the good graces of two persons that stood on each + side the throne;[2]the one on the right was a lady of large make and + swarthy complexion; the other, a man, that seemed to be between fifty and + sixty, who had an air of deep designing thought: These two he managed with + a great deal of art; for the lady he employed all the little arts that win + her sex, particularly, I observed, that he frequently took hold of her + hand, as in raptures, to kiss it, in such a manner as made me suspect she + did not always draw it back empty; but this he did so slily, that it was + not easy for anybody to be certain of it: The man on the other hand, he + plied his own way with politics, remonstrating to him the several things + he had before the throne; which however, as might be presumed from his + manner of attending to them, seemed to make little impression; but when he + came to lay before him the great advantages that might accrue from thence + to their mistress, and consequently to him, he heard him with the utmost + eagerness and satisfaction; at last, having plainly told him, that he + himself should be a considerable gainer by it, and thereupon, that every + thing that came to his hands of that nature should be at his service: As a + sort of token or earnest he kissed his hand in the same manner he had the + lady's, and so retired; by these and the like means he soon brought over + both parties to him, who, with a whisper or two, procured him the royal + licence; whereupon he immediately fell to making up a metal, if it + deserved the name, of a very strange composition, wherewith he purposed to + refit the implements of that useful deity, but in such manner, that for + the base metal he put into them, he would take care to draw away from them + an infinitely more than proportionable quantity of gold and silver, and + thereby render him almost incapable of taking flight to foreign countries; + nay, at last perhaps utterly so, when under pretence of their not being + completed, he should filch in more of his metal, and filch away more of + theirs. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 2: The Duchess of Kendal and Sir Robert Walpole. [S.]] + </p> + <p> + These things being therefore prepared, he sends 'em over to his + neighbours, and there endeavoured to get them admitted by fair words and + promises, being too sensible that they were not of themselves the most + willing to accept of his favour, and indeed he was not deceived; for they + being advertised of his designs, had taken the alarm, and had almost to a + man united in one common faction against him. This generous ardour had + first taken hold of the most active and important part, and if I may be + allowed to call it, the heart of this body, from thence was on one side by + a quick passage, and in its more refined parts, communicated through the + blood to the contemplative, and reasoning, the head, which it inspired + with noble thoughts and resolutions; and on the other, to the inferior + extremities, which were thereby rendered more expedite and readier to obey + the dictates of the head in a rougher method of opposition, from each of + which extremities being carried back to its fountain, it was returned to + them from thence, and so backwards and forwards, till the circulation and + union were confirmed and completed, the sordid unnatural, offensive parts + being in the meantime thrown off as dregs of nature, and nuisances of + human society; but of these in so well-tempered a constitution, there were + but few; however, when there were any to be found, though they had been of + the most exalted nature, and bore most noble offices in this body, by any + corruption became so, they shared the common fate, with this only + difference, that they were rejected with greater scorn and contempt on + account of their former dignity, as was found in one notorious instance; + but on the other hand, among all the parts that were serviceable to the + constitution on this occasion, there was not one more so, than a certain + one whose name indeed is not openly known, but whose good offices and + usefulness are too great ever to be forgotten; for it by its nice + diligence and skill selected out things of the most noble and exquisite + nature, by infusing and dispersing them to enliven and invigorate the + whole body, which how effectually they did, our bold projector sadly + experienced. For finding all his endeavours to pass his ware upon them, + disappointed, he withdrew; but his patron on the other side being informed + of what had passed, fell into a most terrible passion, and threatened, + they say, I know not what, of making to swallow and ramming down throats; + but while they were in deep conference together, methought all on a sudden + a trap-door dropped, and down fell our projector; this unexpected accident + did on many accounts not a little alarm the throne, and gave it but too + great occasion to reflect a little on what had been doing, as what a mean + ordinary fellow it had intrusted with the care of an affair of so great + consequence that though their neighbours' refusal might possibly have put + him to such straits as might be the great occasion of this disgrace, yet + that very refusal could not be so universal and resolute without some + reason, which could arise from nothing else but the unseasonableness or + unworthiness of his offers, or both, and he, consequently, must deserve as + much to suffer as they did; not for the better information, therefore in + these surmises some of the neighbours were consulted, who confirming them, + things seemed to bear a good face, and be in a very fair way of clearing + up. When I awoke, I cannot say whether more pleased at the present posture + of affairs, when I recollected how indifferent an one they had lately been + in, or anxious when upon considering that they were not yet firm and + settled, I was led to reflect in general on the uncertainty of events, and + in particular, on the small reason the persons in hand can have to promise + themselves prosperous ones, especially when they are depending in that + part of the world. + </p> + <p> + Dublin, printed in the year 1724-5. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX IV. A LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ———[1] + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ceteri, quanto quis servitio promptior, opibus et honoribus extollerentur: + Invalido legum auxilio, quae vi, ambitu, postremo pecunia + turbabantur.—<i>Tacit. An.</i> +</pre> + <p> + To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ——— + </p> + <p> + I fear your lordship in your wonted zeal for the interest of your country + will think this paper very unseasonable; but I am very confident not more + than one man in this kingdom will be of your lordship's judgment. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: The two following severe letters are directly addressed to + Lord Chief Justice Whitshed, and were generally circulated. They probably + underwent Swift's correction, though they have too much of a legal cast to + have been written by the Dean himself.... They were, perhaps, composed by + Mr. Robert Lindsay, distinguished by Swift in his letter to Lord Midleton, + as an eminent lawyer, as well as a man of virtue and learning, whose legal + advice he used during the whole controversy. [S.] + </p> + <p> + The present letters are taken from copies of the original broadsides in + the South Kensington collection. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + In matters of law your opinion has from our first acquaintance entirely + guided me, and the things you have assured me I might depend upon as law, + have few of them escaped my memory, though I have had but little + conversation with you since you first appeared in Parliament and moved the + House to resolve, That it is the indispensable duty of the judges of this + kingdom to go through their circuits; nor have I had any since you fell + sick and was made solicitor-general. + </p> + <p> + I have often heard your lordship affirm, and therefore I do affirm it, + That the great ends for which grand juries were instituted, were the + support of the government, the safety of every man's life and fortune, it + being necessary some should be trusted to inquire after all disturbers of + the peace, that they might be prosecuted and brought to condign + punishment; and it is no less needful for every man's quiet and safety, + that the trust of such inquisitions should be put into the hands of + persons of understanding and integrity, that will suffer no man to be + falsely accused or defamed; nor the lives of any to be put in jeopardy, by + the malicious conspiracies of great or small, or the perjuries of any + profligate wretches. + </p> + <p> + So material a part of our constitution are grand juries, so much does the + security of every subject depend upon them, that though anciently the + sheriff was by express law, chosen annually by the people of the county, + and trusted with the power of the county, yet the law left not the + election of grand juries to the will of the sheriff, but has described + their qualifications, which if they have, and the sheriff return them, no + man, nay no judge, can object to their being sworn, much less may they to + their serving when sworn: And to prevent the discretionary power (a + new-fashioned term) of these judges over juries, you used to say was made + the statute of the 11th of Hen. 4. + </p> + <p> + Pardon me my lord if I venture to affirm, That a dissolving power is a + breach of that law, or at least an evasion, as every citizen in Dublin in + Sir Constantine Phipps's time perfectly understood, that disapproving the + aldermen lawfully returned to the Privy-council was in effect assuming the + power of choosing and returning——But your lordship and I know + dissolving and disapproving are different terms. + </p> + <p> + I always understood from your Lordship the trust and power of grand juries + is or ought to be accounted amongst the greatest and of most concern, next + to the legislative: The honour, reputations, fortunes and lives of every + man being subject to their censure; the kings of England have an undoubted + power of dissolving parliaments, but dissolving 'till one was returned to + their or their ministers' liking, has never been thought very righteous, + and Heaven be praised never very successful. + </p> + <p> + I am entirely of your lordship's opinion, the oath of a grand juryman is + not always sufficiently considered by the jurors, which is as follows. + </p> + <p> + "You shall diligently enquire, and true presentment make of all such + articles, matters and things as shall be given you in charge; And of all + other matters and things as shall come to your own knowledge, touching + this present service. The King's counsel your fellows' and your own you + shall keep secret," &c.—And from some other men's behaviour, I + fear oaths are not always as sacredly observed as they ought to be: "The + King's counsel, your fellows' and your <i>own</i> you shall keep secret"—Though + our grandmothers my lord might have thought there was a dispensing power + in the Pope, you and I profess no power upon earth can dispense with this + oath, so that to force a man to discover the counsel he is sworn to keep, + is to force him into direct perjury. + </p> + <p> + Suppose upon information taken before your Lordship of a rape committed, a + bill of indictment were sent to a grand jury, and the grand jury return <i>ignoramus</i> + on it, application is made to the Court to recommend it to them to + reconsider it, and they return as before <i>ignoramus</i>—Suppose a + judge with more than decent passion should ask them their reasons (which + is their counsel) for so doing, nay should be so particular as to demand + of them whether they thought the woman a whore. Must not all the world + conclude somebody had forgot the oath of a grand juryman? Yes sure, or his + own, or worse.—But suppose they should ask a juror a question might + criminate himself? My Lord, you know I put not bare possibilities, it is + generally believed these things have been done within an oak of this town—And + if I am rightly informed, the restraint a juror is under by his oath, is + so well understood, that a certain person desired the clerk of the Crown + to change the form of it by adding this exception: "unless by leave or + order of the Court." + </p> + <p> + These things, my Lord, would seem strange in Westminster-hall, and would + be severely noted in St. Stephen's Chapel. The honour of the Crown would + be thought a very false as well as weak plea for such proceedings there, + as indeed it is an infamous one everywhere, for 'tis a scandal upon a + king, if he is represented in a court of justice, as if he were partially + concerned or rather inclined to desire, that a party should be found + guilty, than that he should be declared innocent. + </p> + <p> + The King's interest and honour is more concerned in the protection of the + innocent, than in the punishment of the guilty, as in all the immediate + actions of his Majesty we find that maxim pursued, a maxim can never run a + prince into excesses. We do not only find those princes represented in + history under odious characters, who have basely betrayed the innocent, + but such as by their spies and informers were too inquisitive after the + guilty, whereas none was ever blamed for clemency, or for being too gentle + interpreters of the law. Though Trajan was an excellent prince, endowed + with all heroical virtues; yet the most eloquent writers, and his best + friends, found nothing more to be praised in his government, than that in + his time, all men might think what they pleased, and every man speak what + he thought, this I say, that if any amongst us by violent measures, and a + dictatorial behaviour have raised jealousies in the minds of His Majesty's + faithful subjects, the blame may lie at their door. + </p> + <p> + I know it has been said for His Majesty's service, grand juries may be + forced to discover their counsels: But you will confess a king can do + nothing against law, nor will any honest man judge that for his service, + which is not warranted by law. If a constant uninterrupted usage, can give + the force of a law, then the grand jurymen are bound by law, as well as by + their oaths, to keep the King's, their fellows' and their own counsel + secret. Bracton and Britton in their several generations bear witness, + that it was then practised; and greater proof of it needs not be sought, + than the disputes that appear by the law-books to have been amongst the + ancient lawyers, Whether it was treason or felony for a grand juryman to + discover their counsels—The trust of grand juries was in those days + thought so sacred, and their secrecy of so great concern to the kingdom, + that whosoever should break their oaths, was by all thought worthy to die, + only some would have them suffer as traitors, others as felons. + </p> + <p> + If a king's commands should come to the judges of a court of justice or to + a jury, desiring them to vary from the direction of the law, (which it is + criminal to say, and no man ought to be believed therein) they are bound + by their oaths not to regard them. The statute of 2 of E. 3. 8. and 20 E. + 3. I. are express; and the substance of these and other statutes is + inserted into the oaths taken by every judge; and if they be under the + most solemn and sacred tie in the execution of justice to hold for nothing + the commands of the King under the great seal, then surely political views + and schemes, the pleasure or displeasure of a minister, in the like case + ought to be less than nothing. + </p> + <p> + It is a strange doctrine that men must sacrifice the law to secure their + properties, if the law is to be fashioned for every occasion, if grand + jurymen contrary to their oaths must discover their fellows' and their own + counsels, and betray the trust the law has reposed in them, if they must + subject the reasons of their verdicts to the censure of the judges, whom + the law did never design to trust with the liberty, property, or good name + of their fellow-subjects. No man can say he has any security for his life + or fortune, and they who do not themselves, may however see their best + friends and nearest relations suffer the utmost violences and oppressions. + </p> + <p> + Which leads me to say a few words of the petit jury, not forgetting Mr. + Walters. I am assured by an eminent lawyer, that the power and office of a + petit jury is judicial, that they only are the judges from whose sentence + the indicted are to expect life or death. Upon their integrity and + understanding the lives of all that are brought in judgment do ultimately + depend; from their verdict there lies no appeal, by finding guilty or not + guilty. They do complicately resolve both law and fact. As it hath been + the law, so it hath always been the custom and practice of these juries + (except as before) upon all general issues, pleaded in cases civil as well + as criminal, to judge both of the law and fact. So it is said in the + report of the Lord Chief Justice Vaughan in Bushell's case, That these + juries determine the law in all matters where issue is joined and tried, + in the principal case whether the issue be about trespass or debt, or + disseizin in assizes, or a tort or any such like, unless they should + please to give a special verdict with an implicate faith in the judgment + of the Court, to which none can oblige them against their wills. + </p> + <p> + It is certain we may hope to see the trust of a grand juryman best + discharged when gentlemen of the best fortunes and understandings attend + that service, but it is as certain we must never expect to see such men on + juries, if for differing with a judge in opinion, when they only are the + lawful judges, they are liable to be treated like villains, like + perjurers, and enemies to their king and country; I say my lord such + behaviour to juries will make all gentlemen avoid that duty, and instead + of men of interest, of reputation and abilities, our lives, our fortunes, + and our reputations must depend upon the basest and meanest of the people. + </p> + <p> + I know it is commonly said, <i>boni judicis est ampliare juridictionem</i>. + But I take that to be better advice which was given by the Lord Chancellor + Bacon upon swearing a judge; That he would take care to contain the + jurisdiction of the court within the ancient mere-stones without removing + the mark. + </p> + <p> + I intend to pay my respects to your lordship once every month 'till the + meeting of the Parliament, when our betters may consider of these matters, + and therefore will not trouble you with any more on this subject at + present. But conclude, most heartily praying—— + </p> + <p> + That from depending upon the will of a judge, who may be corrupted or + swayed by his own passions, interests, or the impulse of such as support + him and may advance him to greater honours, the God of mercy and of + justice deliver this nation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I am, my lord, + Your lordship's most obedient humble servant, + N.N. + Dec. the First 1724. + Dublin: Printed in the Year 1724. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A SECOND LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ——— + </h2> + <p> + My Lord, + </p> + <p> + I think the best service men employed by His Majesty can do for him and + this country, is to shew such prudence and temper in their behaviours as + may convince every man they are not intrusted with any power but what is + necessary and will always be exercised for the advantage and security of + His Majesty's subjects. + </p> + <p> + For my own part I hold it the duty of every man though he has not the + honour of serving His Majesty in public employment, not only, not to + misrepresent the actions of his servants, but in matters of small concern, + to wink at their follies and mistakes; I know the Jacobites and Papists + our irreconcilable enemies are too watchful to lay hold of every occasion + to misrepresent His Majesty and turn the faults of ambitious and + self-interested servants upon the best of kings. + </p> + <p> + I hear some men say, that in my last to your lordship, there appears more + of the satirist, than becomes a man engaged merely in the defence of + liberty and justice; But I am satisfied I can with charity affirm, they + are either such as have no knowledge of the several steps [that] have been + taken to bring this poor country into ruin and disgrace, or they are of + the number of those who have had a share in the actings and contrivances + against it; for my lord, he must rather be an insensible stoic than an + angry cynic, who can survey the measures of some men without horror and + indignation—To see men act as if they had never taken an oath of + fidelity to their king, whose interest is inseparable from that of his + people, but had sworn to support the ruinous projects of abandoned men (of + whatever faction) must rouse the most lethargic, if honest, soul. + </p> + <p> + I who have always professed myself a Whig do confess it has mine. + </p> + <p> + I beg leave in this place to explain what I intended in my last by the + words, "unless by leave or order of the court," lest whilst I plead for + justice I should do an injury to your lordship. + </p> + <p> + I do declare I never heard that story of your lordship, and I hope no man + did believe it of you. My intention was by that hint to remember you of + Judge U—p—n and a certain assizes held at Wicklow, as I + believe your lordship understood it, and as I now desire all the world + may. + </p> + <p> + Having learned from your lordship and other lawyers of undoubted + abilities, that no judge ought by threats or circumvention to make a + grand-juryman discover the king's counsel his fellows' or his own I should + not at present say anything in support of that position. But that I find a + most ridiculous and false explanation seem to mislead some men in that + point: Say they, by the word counsel is understood, such bills as are + before the grand jury and the evidence the prosecutors for the crown have + to support the charge against the subject—Lest that being known the + party indictable may fly from justice, or he may procure false witnesses + to discredit the evidence for the king, or he may by bribes and other + indirect measures take off the witnesses for the crown. + </p> + <p> + I confess <i>I</i> take that to be the meaning of the word counsel, but I + am certain that is not <i>all</i> that is meant by it, that is what must + be understood when it is called the king's counsel, <i>id est</i>, the + counsel or reasons for which the king by his servants, his + attorney-general or coroner, has drawn and sent to the grand jury a charge + against a subject. + </p> + <p> + But the counsel of a juror is a different thing, it is the evidence, the + motives and reasons that induce him or his fellow-jurors to say <i>billa + vera</i> or <i>ignoramus</i>, and the opinion he or they happen to be of + when the question is put by the foreman for finding or not finding: This + counsel every man is sworn to keep secret, that so their opinion and + advice may not be of prejudice to them hereafter, That as they are sworn + to act without favour or affection, so may they also act without FEAR. + Whereas, were it otherwise the spirit of revenge is so universal, there + are but few cases wherein a juror could act with safety to himself; either + the prosecuted, as where the bill is found, or the prosecutor, where it is + returned <i>ignoramus</i>, may contrive to defame the jurors who differ + from them in opinion: As I am told has happened to some very honest + citizens who are represented to be Jacobites since their opinions were + know to be against ——. And sometimes revenge or ambition may + prompt men to carry it further, as in the case of Mr. Wilmer, who in King + Charles 2d's time was very severely handled for being one of an <i>ignoramus</i> + jury.—— 'Tis not necessary to say whom he disobliged by being + so.——But if I remember right his case was this. + </p> + <p> + He was a merchant, (and as I said, an <i>ignoramus</i> juryman) had + covenanted with a servant boy to serve him in the West Indies, and + accordingly sent him beyond sea: Upon suggestion and affidavit by which + any person might have it, a writ <i>de homine replegiando</i> was granted + against Mr. Wilmer; the sheriffs would have returned on the writ the + agreement and the boy's consent, but the court (in the case of this + Wilmer) Easter 34, Cha. 2. [<i>i.e.,</i> Charles the Second] in B.R. ruled + they must return <i>replegiari fecimus</i> or <i>elongavit</i>, that is, + they had replevy'd the boy, or that Wilmer had carried him away where they + could not find him, in which last case Mr. Wilmer, though an innocent + person must have gone to gaol until he brought the boy into court or he + must have been outlawed—Shower's Rep. 2 Part. + </p> + <p> + I do not say this that I think the same thing will be practised again, or + anything like it, though I know that very homely proverb, "More ways of + killing a dog than hanging him."—But I instance it to shew, the + counsels of every grand juryman should be kept secret, that he may act + freely and without apprehensions of resentment from the prosecuted or + prosecutor. + </p> + <p> + My resolution when I writ to you last, was, not to have said anything in + this concerning the power of dissolving or dispensing, but as I have been + forced to say something of the dispensing, for the same reason I must of + the dissolving power.—A power undoubtedly in effect including that + of returning, which makes me wish two men of great interest in this + kingdom, differing in every other thing, had not undertaken to defend it, + or they had better reasons for it than I have yet heard. + </p> + <p> + 'Tis said, "This power is in the court as a right of resistance is in the + people, as the people have a power superior to the prerogative of the + prince, though no written or express law for it; so of necessity though no + statute directs it, and it may seem to overturn the greatest security men + have for their liberties, yet the court has a power of dissolving grand + juries, if they refuse to find or present as the court shall direct." + </p> + <p> + Pray let us consider how well this concludes. + </p> + <p> + The people may do anything in defence of their lives, their religion and + liberties, and consequently resistance is lawful, therefore an inferior + court a <i>bene placito</i> judge may——Monstrous absurdity. + </p> + <p> + Another, I am sorry I can't say more modest argument to support it is + this.— + </p> + <p> + "Considering," say they, "grand juries, it is but reasonable a + discretionary power of dissolving them should be lodged in the judges." + </p> + <p> + By the words "considering grand juries," I must understand considering + their understandings, their fortunes or their integrity, for from a want + of one or more of those qualifications must arise the reason of such a + discretionary power in the judges. + </p> + <p> + Though I shall not urge it as far as I could, I will venture to say the + argument is at least as strong the other way—considering the judges.— + </p> + <p> + First as to their understandings, it must be confessed the benches are + infinitely superior to the lower professors of the law: Yet surely it + can't give offence to say the gentlemen of the several counties have + understandings sufficient to discharge the duty of grand jurymen—If + want of fortune be an objection to grand jurymen, <i>a pari ratione</i>, + it is an objection to some other men.—Besides, that the fact is not + true, for in their circuits, no judge goes into any county where he does + not meet at least a dozen gentlemen returned upon every grand jury, every + one of whom have better estates than he himself has—And these not + during pleasure, which last consideration, saves me the trouble of shewing + the weakness of the objection in the third qualification. + </p> + <p> + "Ay. But it was a necessary expedient to keep out Wood's brass." + </p> + <p> + Are the properties of the commons of this kingdom better secured by the + knight-errantry of that day? In the name of common sense, what are we to + believe? Has the undaunted spirit, the tremendous voice of ——— + frightened Wood and his accomplices from any further attempts? Or rather + has not the ready compliance of ——— encouraged them to + further trials? The officers and attendants of his court may tremble when + he frowns, but who else regards it more than they do one of Wood's + farthings. + </p> + <p> + "There is no comparison," says another, "between the affair of Sir W. + Scroggs and this of ———. Sir W. discharged a grand jury + because they were about to present the Duke of York for being a Papist, + but ——— discharged the grand jury for not presenting a + paper he recommended to them to present as scandalous, (and in which, I + say, he was a party reflected on.)" + </p> + <p> + I agree there is a mighty difference, but whom does it make for? + </p> + <p> + A grand jury of a hundred (part of a county) take upon them to present a + no less considerable person than the king's brother and heir presumptive + of the crown, the chief-justice thinks this a matter of too much moment + for men of such sort to meddle in, but a matter more proper for the + consideration of Parliament: I would not be understood to condemn the + jury; I think they acted as became honest Englishmen and lovers of their + country; But I say if judges could in any case be allowed to proceed by + rules of policy, surely here was a sufficient excuse. However the commons + impeached him. + </p> + <p> + The determinations of ignorant or wicked judges as they are precedents of + little weight, so they are but of little danger, and therefore it will + become the commons at all times to animadvert most carefully upon the + actions of the most knowing men in that profession. + </p> + <p> + I say, my lord, <i>at all times</i>, because I hear former merit is + pleaded to screen this action from any inquiry. + </p> + <p> + I am sensible much is due to the man who has always preferred the public + interest to his private advantages as ———— has + done. When a man has signalized himself, when he has suffered for that + principle, he deserves universal respect. Yet men should act agreeably to + the motive of that respect, and not ruin the liberty of their country to + shew their gratitude, and so, my lord, where a man has the least pretence + to that character, I think 'tis best to pass over small offences, but + never such as will entail danger and dishonour upon us and our posterity. + </p> + <p> + The Romans, my lord, when a question was in the senate, whether they + should ransom fifteen thousand citizens who had merited much by their + former victories, but losing one battle were taken prisoners; were + determined by the advice of that noble Roman Attilius Regulus not to + redeem them as men unworthy their further care, though probably it was + their misfortunes not their faults lost that day. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Flagitio additis + Damnum: neque amissos colores + Luna refert medicata fuco +</pre> + <p> + He thought they were not worthy to be trusted again:—— + </p> + <p> + To shew them pity, in his mind, would betray the Romans to perpetual + danger: <i>Et exemplo trahenti</i> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Perniciem veniens in aevum, + Si non periret immiserabilis + Captiva pubes +</pre> + <p> + I hear some precedents have been lately found out to justify that + memorable action; but if precedents must control reason and justice, if a + man may swear he will keep his counsels secret, and yet by precedents may + be forced to divulge them, I would advise gentlemen very seriously to + consider, the danger we are in; and examine what precedents there are on + each side of the question, for my part I think the commons of England are + not a worse precedent than the judges of England. + </p> + <p> + Besides it must be remembered that precedents in some cases will not + excuse a judge, even where they are according to the undoubted law of the + land, as for instance, + </p> + <p> + Suppose a man says what is true, not knowing it to be true, though it be + logically a truth as it is distinguished, yet it is morally false; and so, + suppose a judge give judgment according to law, not knowing it to be so, + as if he did not know the reason of it at that time, but bethought himself + of a reason or precedent for it afterwards, though the judgment be legal + and according to precedent, yet the pronouncing of it is unjust; and the + judge shall be condemned in the opinions of all men: As happened to the + Lord Chief Justice Popham a person of great learning and parts, who upon + the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh; when Sir Walter objected to reading or + giving in evidence, Lord Cobham's affidavit, taken in his absence, without + producing the lord face to face, the lord being then forthcoming: The + chief justice overruled the objection, and was of opinion it should be + given in evidence against Sir Walter, and summing up the evidence to the + jury the chief justice said, "Just then it came into his mind why the + accuser should not come face to face to the prisoner, because, &c." + Now if any judge has since found precedents, or has since picked up the + opinion of lawyers, I fear he will come within the case I have put. + </p> + <p> + I foresee, if ever this question happens to be debated, <i>you know where</i>, + gentlemen will be divided; Some will be desirous to do their country + justice and free us from all future danger of this kind; Others upon + motives not quite so laudable, will strive to screen, and with others + private friendship will prevail: But I would recommend to your friends, + who really love their country, to consider the several circumstances + concurring in your lordship which probably may not in your successor: Let + them suppose a person were to fill your place, from whose manifest + ignorance in the law, we may reasonably conclude, his only merit is an + inveteracy and hatred to this country. I say how could your best friends + excuse themselves, if in regard to your lordship they should suffer such a + precedent to be handed down to such a man unobserved or uncensured? + </p> + <p> + <i>Invenit etiam aemulos infaelix nequitia</i>—Ambitious men have + not always been deterred by the unhappy fate of their predecessors, <i>Quid + si floreat vigeatque?</i> But what lengths will they run if injustice and + corruption shall ride triumphant? + </p> + <p> + Had somebody received a reprimand upon his knees in a proper place, for + treating a printer's jury like men convict of perjury, forcing them to + find a special verdict, I dare to say he had not been quite so hardy as to + have discharged the grand jury or treated them in the manner he did, + because they had not an implicit faith in the court; nor had he dared not + to receive a presentment made by the second grand jury against Wood's + farthings upon pretence it was informal, which I mention because the + worthy Drapier has mistaken the fact. + </p> + <p> + Some of your lordship's screens I hear advise you to shew great humility + and contrition for what's past, as the only means to appease the just + indignation all sorts of men have conceived against you.——Were + I well secured you will not recommend this letter to the next grand jury + to be presented, I could give you more <i>seasonable advice</i>, but + happen as it may I will venture to give you a little. + </p> + <p> + Fawning and cajoling will have but little effect on those who have had the + honour of your acquaintance these ten years past, for Caligula who used to + hide his head if he heard the thunder, would piss upon the statues of the + gods when he thought the danger over—A better expedient is this,—— + </p> + <p> + Tell men the Drapier is a Tory and a Jacobite.—That he writ "The + Conduct of the Allies."—That he writ not his letters with a design + to keep out Wood's halfpence, but to bring in the Pretender; persuade them + if you can, the dispute is no longer about the power of judges over + juries, nor how much the liberty of the subject is endangered by + dissolving them at pleasure, but that it is now become mere Whig and Tory, + a dispute between His Majesty's friends and the Jacobites, and 'twere + better to see a thousand grand juries discharged than the Tories carry a + question though in the right.—<i>Haec vulnera pro libertate publica + excepi, hunc oculum pro vobis impendi.</i> Try this cant, pin a cloth over + your eyes, look very dismal, and cry, "I was turned out of employment, + when the Drapier was rewarded with a Deanery," I say, my lord, if you can + once bring matters thus to bear, I have not the least doubt you may escape + without censure. + </p> + <p> + To your lordship's zeal and industry without doubt is owing, that the + Papists and the Tories have not delivered this kingdom over to the + Pretender, so Caesar conquered Pompey that <i>Legum auctor et eversor,</i> + and 'twas but just the liberty and laws of Rome should afterwards depend + upon his will and pleasure.——The Drapier in his letter to Lord + Molesworth has made a fair offer, "Secure his country from Wood's + coinage," then condemn all he has writ and said as false and scandalous, + when your lordship does as much I must confess it will be somewhat + difficult to discover the impostor. + </p> + <p> + Thus to keep my word with your lordship, I have much against my + inclinations writ this, which shall be my last upon the ungrateful + subject.—If I have leisure, and find a safe opportunity of giving it + to the printer, my next shall explain what has long duped the true Whigs + of this kingdom. I mean <i>honesty in the "worst of times."</i> + </p> + <p> + Though your lordship object to my last, that what I writ was taken out of + Lord Coke, Lord Somers, Sir Will. Jones, or the writings of some other + great men, yet I will venture to end this with the sentiments of Philip de + Comines upon some thorough-going courtiers. + </p> + <p> + "If a sixpenny tax is to be raised, they cry by all means it ought to be + double. If the prince is offended with any man, they are directly for + hanging him. In other instances, they maintain the same character. Above + all things they advise their king to make himself terrible, as they + themselves are proud, fierce, and overbearing, in hopes to be dreaded by + that means, as if authority and place were their inheritance." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I am, + My Lord, + Your Lordship's most + obedient and most + humble servant. + N.N. +<i>Jan</i>. 4, 1724-5. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX V. THE PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF + DUBLIN.[1] + </h2> + <p> + Whereas several great quantities of base metal coined, commonly called <i>Wood's + halfpence,</i> have been brought into the port of Dublin, and lodged in + several houses of this city, with an intention to make them pass + clandestinely, among His Majesty's subjects of this kingdom; + notwithstanding the addresses of both houses of parliament and the + privy-council, and the declarations of most of the corporations of this + city against the said coin; And whereas His Majesty hath been graciously + pleased to leave his loyal subjects of this kingdom at liberty to take or + refuse the said halfpence. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote 1: Chief Justice Whitshed, after browbeating the Grand Jury that + threw out the Bill against Harding for printing the fourth Drapier's + letter, discharged it, and called another Grand Jury. The second Grand + Jury not only repeated the verdict of the first, but issued the following + expression of its opinion on the matter of Wood and his patent. [T.S.]] + </p> + <p> + We the Grand Jury of the county of the city of Dublin, this Michaelmas + term, 1724, having entirely at heart His Majesty's interest and the + welfare of our country, and being thoroughly sensible of the great + discouragement which trade hath suffered by the apprehensions of the said + coin, whereof we have already felt the dismal effects, and that the + currency thereof will inevitably tend to the great diminution of His + Majesty's revenue, and the ruin of us and our posterity: do present all + such persons as have attempted, or shall endeavour by fraud or otherwise, + to impose the said halfpence upon us, contrary to His Majesty's most + gracious intentions, as enemies to His Majesty's government, and to the + safety, peace and welfare of all His Majesty's subjects of this kingdom, + whose affections have been so eminently distinguished by their zeal to his + illustrious family, before his happy accession to the throne, and by their + continued loyalty ever since. + </p> + <p> + As we do with all just gratitude acknowledge the services of all such + patriots, as have been eminently zealous for the interest of His Majesty, + and this country, in detecting the fraudulent impositions of the said + Wood, and preventing the passing his base coin: So we do at the same time + declare our abhorrence and detestation of all reflections on His Majesty, + and his government, and that we are ready with our lives and fortunes to + defend his most Sacred Majesty against the Pretender and all His Majesty's + open and secret enemies both at home and abroad: Given under our hands at + the Grand Jury Chamber this 28th, November, 1724.[2] + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + George Forbes, David Tew, + William Empson, Thomas How, + Nathaniel Pearson, John Jones, + Joseph Nuttall, James Brown, + William Aston, Charles Lyndon, + Stearn Tighe, Jerom Bredin, + Richard Walker, John Sican, + Edmond French, Anthony Brunton, + John Vereilles, Thomas Gaven, + Philip Pearson, Daniel Elwood, + Thomas Robins, John Brunet. + Richard Dawson, +</pre> + <p> + [Footnote 2: On August 20th, 1724, the Grand Jury, and the other + inhabitants of the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's waited + on the Dean, and read him the following Declaration, desiring him to give + orders for its publication: + </p> + <p> + "The Declaration of the Grand-Jury, and the rest of the inhabitants of the + Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's, Dublin. + </p> + <p> + "We, the Grand-Jury, and other inhabitants of the Liberty of the Dean and + Chapter of St. Patrick's, Dublin, whose names are underwritten, do + unanimously declare and determine, that we never will receive or pay any + of the half-pence or farthings already coined, or that shall hereafter be + coined, by one William Wood, being not obliged by law to receive the same; + because we are thoroughly convinced by the Addresses of both Houses of + Parliament, as well as by that of his Majesty's most honourable + Privy-Council, and by the universal opinion of the whole kingdom, that the + currency of the said half-pence and farthings would soon deprive us of all + our gold and silver, and therefore be of the most destructive consequence + to the trade and welfare of the nation." [T. S.]] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX VI. PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE DRAPIER. + </h2> + <p> + "<i>Oct. 27th,</i> 1724. + </p> + <p> + "A proclamation for discovering ye Author of ye Pamphlet intituled A + letter to ye whole people of Ireland, by M.B. Drapier, author of the + Letter to the Shop-keepers, etc. + </p> + <p> + £300 Reward + </p> + <h3> + BY THE LORD-LIEUTENANT AND COUNCIL OF IRELAND. + </h3> + <p> + A Proclamation. + </p> + <h3> + "CONTENT: + </h3> + <p> + "Whereas a wicked and malicious pamphlet, intituled A Letter to the whole + people of Ireland, by M.B. Drapier, author of the Letter to the + Shop-keepers, etc., printed by John Harding, in Molesworth's Court, in + Fishamble Street, Dublin, in which are contained several seditious and + scandalous paragraphs highly reflecting upon his Majesty and his + Ministers, tending to alienate the affections of his good subjects of + England and Ireland from each other, and to promote sedition among the + people, hath been lately printed and published in this kingdom: We, the + Lord-Lieutenant and Council do hereby publish and declare that, in order + to discover the author of the said seditious pamphlet, we will give the + necessary orders for the payment of three hundred pounds sterling, to such + person or persons as shall within the specified six months from this date + hereof, discover the author of the said pamphlet, so as he be apprehended + and convicted thereby. + </p> + <p> + "Given at the council chamber in Dublin, this twenty-seventh day of + October, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-four. + </p> + <p> + "(Signed) Midleton <i>Cancer</i>. Shannon; Donnerail; G. Fforbes; H. + Meath; Santry; Tyrawly; Fferrars; William Conolly; Ralph Gore; William + Whitshed; B. Hale; Gust. Hume; Ben Parry; James Tynte; R. Tighe; T. + Clutterbuck. + </p> + <p> + "God Save the King." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX VII. + </h2> + <p> + It is very interesting and even curious to note, that the signatories to + the public expression of their attitude towards Wood and his patent, as + shown by the Proclamation, should have almost all of them signed another + document, in their capacities of Privy Councillors, which addressed his + Majesty <i>against</i> Wood and the patent. So far as I can learn, Monck + Mason seems to have been the first historian to discover it; nor do I find + the fact mentioned by any of Swift's later biographers. + </p> + <p> + "It was rumoured in Swift's time," says Monck Mason, "but not actually + known to him" (see Drapier's Sixth Letter), "that the Irish Privy Council + had addressed his Majesty against Mr. Wood's coin. Having inspected the + papers of the Council office, I shall lay before the reader the + particulars of this event, which were never promulgated, probably, because + they had not the desired effect, the premier [Walpole] having determined, + notwithstanding all opposition or advice, to persevere in his ill-judged + project. + </p> + <p> + "On the 17th April, 1724, at a meeting of the Council, in which the Duke + of Grafton himself presided, it was ordered, that it should be referred to + a committee of the whole board, or of any seven or more, 'to consider what + was proper to be done to allay and quiet the great fears of the people, + occasioned by their apprehensions of William Wood's copper money becoming + current among them,' On the 6th of May, the committee reported, that they + had considered the matter referred to them, and were of opinion, that an + address should be sent to his Majesty, of which they then presented a + draught. It was again on the 19th, referred to a committee of the whole + board to prepare a letter, which was accordingly done on the next day.—The + report was as follows: + </p> + <p> + "'To the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the humble address of the Lords + Justices, and Privy-Council. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + "'May it please your Majesty, + </p> + <p> + "'We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Justices + and Privy Council, most humbly beg leave, at this time, to give an + instance of that duty, which, as upon all other occasions, so more + especially upon such as are of the greatest moment and importance, we hold + ourselves always bound to pay to your Majesty. + </p> + <p> + "'Your Majesty's great council, the High Court of Parliament, being now + prorogued, we conceive ourselves bound, by the trust which your Majesty + has been pleased to repose in us, and the oaths we have taken, with all + humility to lay before your Majesty the present state of this your + kingdom, with reference to a great evil that appears to threaten it, to + which, if a speedy remedy be not applied, the unavoidable consequence, as + we apprehend, will be, the ruin of multitudes of your Majesty's subjects, + together with a great diminution of your revenue. + </p> + <p> + "'Though the fears of your Majesty's subjects of this kingdom, in relation + to the coinage of copper half-pence and farthings, were, in a great + measure, allayed by your Majesty's most gracious resolution to do every + thing in your power for the satisfaction of your people, expressed in your + Majesty's answer to the addresses of both Houses of Parliament; yet, the + repeated intelligence from Great Britain, that William Wood has the + assurance to persist in his endeavours to introduce his copper half-pence + and farthings amongst us, has again alarmed your faithful subjects, to + such a degree, as already to give a great check to our inland trade. If + the letters patent granted to William Wood should, in all points, be + exactly complied with, the loss to be sustained by taking his half-pence + and farthings would be much greater than this poor kingdom is able to + bear. But if he, or any other persons, should, for the value of gain, be + tempted to coin and import even more than double the quantity he by his + patent is allowed to do, your people here do not see how it is possible + for your Majesty's chief governors of this your kingdom, to detect or + hinder the cheat. + </p> + <p> + "'It is found by experience, that we have already a sufficient quantity of + half-pence, to serve by way of exchange in the retailing trade, which is + the only use of such sort of money, of which, therefore, we find ourselves + to be in no want. + </p> + <p> + "'And since, by the letters patent granted to the same William Wood, no + man is required or commanded to take the said half-pence or farthings, but + the taking them is left at liberty to those who are willing so to do; we + most humbly submit it to your royal wisdom and goodness, whether it may + not be for your Majesty's service, and the great satisfaction and good of + your subjects, and very much tend to the allaying and quieting of their + fears, that your Majesty should cause your royal pleasure to be signified + to the Commissioners, and other officers of your Majesty's revenue in this + kingdom, that they neither receive those half-pence and farthings, nor + give countenance or encouragement to the uttering or vending of them; or + that some other speedy method may be taken to prevent their becoming + current amongst us.'" + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX VIII. + </h2> + <p> + Searching among the pamphlets of the Halliday Collection at the Royal + Irish Academy, Dublin, I came across a tract of twelve pages, printed by + John Whaley of Dublin in 1723, with the following title: + </p> + <p> + "The Patentee's Computation of Ireland, in a Letter from the Author of the + Whitehall Evening-Post concerning the making of Copper-Coin. As also the + Case and Address of both Houses of Parliament together with His Majesty's + Most Gracious Answer to the House of Lords Address." + </p> + <p> + The writer of this tract in defence of the patent maintained the following + propositions: + </p> + <p> + (1) That the Kingdom of Ireland wants a Copper Coin. + </p> + <p> + (2) That the quantity of this coin will be no inconvenience to it. + </p> + <p> + (3) That it is better than ever the Kingdom had, and as good as (in all + probability) they ever will or can have, and that the Patentee's profit is + not extravagant, as commonly reported. + </p> + <p> + (4) That the Kingdom will lose nothing by this coin. + </p> + <p> + (5) That the public in Ireland will gain considerably by it, if they + please. + </p> + <p> + (6) That the Kingdom will have £100,000 additional cash. + </p> + <p> + As he states his arguments, they are quite reasonable. On proposition + three, if his figures are correct, he is especially convincing. He details + the cost of manufacture thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>s. d.</i> + Copper prepared for the coinage at his Majesty's + Mint at the Tower of London, costs per pound + weight 1 6 + + Coinage of one pound weight 3-1/2 + + Waste and charge of re-melting 1 + + Yearly payment to the Exchequer and Comptroller 1 + + Allowed to the purchaser for exchange, &c. 5 + + Total charge 2 4-1/2 +</pre> + <p> + "So that the patentee," he concludes, "makes a profit of only 1-1/2<i>d.</i> + in the half crown or about 5%." + </p> + <p> + The tract, however, is more interesting for the reprint it gives of the + twenty-eight articles stated by the people in objection to the patent and + the coin. I give these articles in full: + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IRELAND'S CASE HUMBLY PRESENTED TO THE HONOURABLE THE KNIGHTS, CITIZENS, + AND BURGESSES IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED + </h2> + <h3> + MOST HUMBLY SHEWETH, + </h3> + <p> + Whereas your Honours finding the late Grant or Letters Patents obtained by + Mr. William Wood, for making Three Hundred and Sixty Tun weight of copper + half-pence for the Kingdom of Ireland, were to be manufactured in London + &c. which money is now coining in Bristol, and that the said money was + to weigh two shillings and sixpence in each pound weight, and that change + was to be uttered or passed for all such as were pleased to take the same + in this Kingdom. + </p> + <p> + That it's humbly conceived Your Honours on considering the following + Remarks, will find the permitting such change to pass, exceeding Injurious + and Destructive to the Nation. + </p> + <p> + First. That the same will be a means to drain this Kingdom of all its Gold + and Silver, and ten, fifteen, or twenty per cent abated, will most + effectually do the same. + </p> + <p> + 2d. That the making such money in England will give great room for + counterfeiting that coin, as well in this Kingdom, as where it is made. + </p> + <p> + 3d. That the Copper Mines of this Island which might be manufactured in + the nation, is by management shipped off to England by some persons at, or + about forty shillings per tun, by others at four pounds and six pounds per + ton, which copper when smelted and refined is sold and sent back to this + kingdom at two shillings and six pence per pound weight as aforesaid, + which is two hundred and eighty pound sterl. per ton. + </p> + <p> + 4th. That two shillings and sixpence per pound weight is making the said + coin of very small value, the said coin ought not to weigh or exceed two + shillings in each pound weight as the English Halfpence are. + </p> + <p> + 5th. That all such money brought to this Nation manufactured, is to be + entered at value, which value is in the Book of Rates, ten per cent duty + and excise. + </p> + <p> + 6th. That no security is given to this Nation to make such money in any + one point, the same may be found defective in either, as to baseness of + metal, workmanship or weight, or to give gold and silver for the same, + when the subject was, or may be burthened therewith. + </p> + <p> + 7th. That if such monies as aforesaid be permitted to pass in this nation, + all persons that have gold or silver by them would not part therewith, but + Brass money must be carried from House to House on Truckles, and in the + county by carts and horses, with troops to guard them. + </p> + <p> + 8th. That such money will raise the price of all commodities from abroad, + probably to three or four hundred per cent. + </p> + <p> + 9th. That linen, yarn, beef, butter, tallow, hides and all other + commodities, will raise to that degree by being bought with half-pence, + and workmen paid with brass money, that commissions from abroad will not + reach them, therefore such goods must lie on hands and remain a drugg. + </p> + <p> + 10th. That the excise of beer, ale, brandy, &c., and hearth-money will + be paid in such coin, the same falling first into the hands of the poor + and middling people. + </p> + <p> + 11th. That if any trouble should happen in this nation, no army could be + raised with such specie, but an enemy in all appearance would be admitted + with their gold and silver, and which would drive the nation before them. + </p> + <p> + 12th. The Courts of Law could not subsist, for all the suits there must be + supported and maintained with ready money. Viz. Gold and Silver. + </p> + <p> + 13th. That all the bankers must shut up their shops, no lodgment would be + made except Halfpence, such as would lodge their money with them, would + rather draw off and cause a run on them, fearing that their specie should + be turned into the said brass and copper money. + </p> + <p> + 14th. That such bills as are drawn to the country, viz. Cork, Limerick, + Waterford, Kingsale, Deny, &c. The Exchange would be instead of a + quarter per cent, twenty per cent and then paid in the said Brass specie, + by means of its being brought on cars, carts, or waggons, and guards to + attend the same. + </p> + <p> + 15th. That all the rent in the Kingdom would be paid in half-pence; no man + would give gold or silver, when he had brass money to pay the same. + </p> + <p> + 16th. That no one can coin or manufacture such a quantity of halfpence or + farthings for this Kingdom, out of the same, but either he must be ruined + in the undertaking or the nation undone by his project, in taking such + light money, by reason of ten per cent, duty, and probably this session be + made twenty or thirty per cent duty, and the exchange nine or ten per + cent. Ten per cent abated to circulate them. Ten per cent factorage, + freight, gabberage, key-porters, &c. all which is forty per cent, + charged on the same. + </p> + <p> + 17th. That if the said Wood was obliged to make his light money not to + exceed two shillings in the pound weight according to the English coin, he + would give up such grant, for six pence in each pound weight is 25 per + cent. + </p> + <p> + 18th. That the said twenty-five per cent is 19,360<i>l.</i> sterl. on the + said 360 ton of copper, loss to this nation, by being coined out of this + Kingdom, besides 80,690<i>l.</i> of gold and silver sent out of the + Kingdom for brass or copper money. + </p> + <p> + 19th. That the copper mines of this Kingdom is believed to be the metal + such copper is made of, which verifies the English saying, That Irish + people are wild, that would part with 200,000<i>l.</i> sterl. of their + gold and silver, for their own copper mines, which cost them not one pound + sterl. + </p> + <p> + 20th. That the said Wood's factors probably may send in fourteen years + double the quantity of copper which is 720 ton, then this Kingdom loses + 38,720<i>l.</i> sterl. and parts with 161,280<i>l.</i> sterl. of their + gold and silver for almost nothing. + </p> + <p> + 21st. If any great sum was to be raised by this nation, on any emergency + extraordinary, to serve his Majesty and his Kingdom how would it be + possible to do the same; copper half-pence would not stem the tide, no + silver now to be had of value, then no gold to be seen. + </p> + <p> + 22d. That England also must be a great loser by such money, by reason the + said half-pence being from 20 to 40 grains lighter and less in value than + their own, so that the same will not pass in that Kingdom scarce for + farthings a piece, how then shall the vast quantities of goods be paid + for, that are brought from that Kingdom here, a considerable part of this + island must be broke and run away for want of silver and gold to pay them + their debts. + </p> + <p> + 23d. That if the said Wood should get all that money, what power would he + regard, and what temptation would he be subject unto on that head, he is + but a man, and one almost as little known or heard of, as any one subject + the king has on this side the water. + </p> + <p> + 24th. That the vast quantity of sea-coal brought from England here, would + not be had for such money; the colliers will keep both their ships and + coal at home, before they trade with such a nation, as had their treasure + turned into brass money. + </p> + <p> + 25th. That the Army must be paid with such money, none else to be had, + they would lay down their arms and do no duty, what blood and confusion + then would attend the same. + </p> + <p> + 26th. That no people out of any other Kingdom would come into this country + to dwell, either to plant or sow, where all their money must be brass. + </p> + <p> + 27th. That the beautiful Quay and river of Dublin which is now lined and + filled with ships in a most delightful order, would then be scattered to + other harbours, as also the new Range, there and now a building, would be + left, nothing but empty places all as doleful as the weeping river, + deserted by her fleets and armies of merchants and traders. + </p> + <p> + 28th. That the aforesaid scheme is to be viewed and considered by a King + and Parliament, that will do themselves and their nation justice, who will + with hearts and hands, stem that tide and current, as never to suffer so + dutiful and loyal a people to be ruined and undone without relief. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX IX. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS SPECIMENS OF WOOD'S COINS + </h2> + <p> + The following descriptions of the various varieties of Wood's coins, taken + from a note in Monck Mason's "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral" (ed. + 1819, pp. xcvi-xcvii), may be interesting to the student. The two + varieties of the coins given as illustrations in this volume are + reproduced from specimens in the British Museum. + </p> + <p> + Monck Mason obtains his information from Simon's "Essay on Irish Coins," + Dublin, 1749, 4to; Snelling's Supplement to Simon issued in 1767; and the + edition of Simon's work reprinted in 1810. + </p> + <p> + With the exception of No. II. of this list all of Wood's coins had, on one + side, "the king's head laureat, looking to the left, with this + inscription, GEORGIUS, DEI GRATIA, REX. On the reverse is the figure of + Ireland, represented by a woman sitting, beside her, a harp: the + differences consist chiefly, in variations in the attitude of the figure, + and in the date of the coin." + </p> + <p> + No. I. 1722.—Hibernia, with both her hands on the harp, which is + placed on her right side; her figure is full front, but she looks towards + the right; round her this inscription, HIBERNIA, 1722. (Simon, plate 7, + Numb. 160) + </p> + <p> + No. II. 1722.—Hibernia is seated as in the last, but has her head + turned to the left, on which side there is a rock; round her is inscribed, + HIBERNIA; in the exergue, 1722; on the obverse the usual head, the + inscription, GEORGIUS D.G. REX. (Snelling, plate 2, Numb. 24.) + </p> + <p> + No. III. 1722.—Hibernia, in profile, looking to the left, holding, + in her right hand, a palm branch, resting her left on a harp; round it, + HIBERNIA, 1722. (Simon, plate 7, Numb. 161.) + </p> + <p> + No. IV. 1723.—Hibernia, as in the last; round her, HIBERNIA, 1723. + (Simon, plate 8, Numb. 169.) + </p> + <p> + It was some of this coin that was submitted to Sir Isaac Newton for assay. + </p> + <p> + No. V. 1724.—Hibernia, as in the last two, differing only in the + date. (Mentioned by Simon, but no engraving given.) + </p> + <p> + No, VI. 1724.—Hibernia, seated as in the three preceding; round her, + HIBERNIA: in the exergue, 1724. (Snelling, plate 2, Numb. 26.) + </p> + <p> + Mason notes of this specimen: "Mr. Snelling does not specify, + particularly, in what respect this coin differs from those which precede; + his words are, 'different from any other, and very good work, especially + the halfpenny, which is the finest and broadest piece of his money I ever + saw, and belongs to Mr. Bartlet.' They do not, however, appear to have + attained to circulation in Ireland. A few might, perhaps, have been struck + off by the patentee, to distribute among his own, and the minister's + friends." + </p> + <p> + No. VII.—Mr. Snelling mentions, "another halfpenny, which has + Hibernia pointing up with one hand to a sun in the top of the piece"; but + of this he has not given any engraving. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INDEX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Addison, made keeper of the records of Bermingham's Tower + Armstrong, Sir Thomas, granted a patent to coin farthings in Ireland + Armstrong, Sir William, granted a patent to coin halfpence in Ireland + + Bacon, Lord, on the Royal prerogative, quoted + Berkeley, Lord, of Stratton, Master of the Rolls + Bingham, John + Bodin, Jean + Boulter, Archbishop + Brodrick, St. John, made a Privy Councillor + Brown, John + Burlington, Earl of, Lord High Treasurer of Ireland + + Carteret, Lord, + attempts to injure Walpole's reputation by means of the Wood agitation + made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland + takes Walpole's side + character of + Swift's letters to + his relations with Walpole + Charles I., paid his troops with debased coin + Coinage, the law with reference to + <i>See</i> Wood's Coinage + Coke, Sir Edward, on the laws regarding coinage + Coleby + Conolly, William, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons + Coxe, Archdeacon, his account of the agitation in Ireland + "Creed of an Irish Commoner, A" + Crowley, Sir Ambrose + + Dartmouth, Lord, granted a patent to coin halfpence in Ireland + Davies, Sir John, his "Abridgement of Coke's Reports" + "Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland, A," quoted + Doddington, Bubb + Drapier, the, his account of himself + proclamation against + Dublin, petition of the Lord Mayor, sheriffs and citizens of + Dutch, the, counterfeited debased coinage of Ireland + + Elizabeth, Queen, her army paid with base coin + base money sent to Ireland by + Ewing, George, "Defence of the Conduct of the People of + Ireland" published by + + Filmer, Sir Robert + Finley + France, system of re coinage in + + George I., equestrian statue of, in Dublin + Grafton, Duke of, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland + recalled + not concerned with Wood's patent + + Harding, John, arrest and prosecution of + Harley, Robert, Earl of Oxford, Swift's tribute to + Holt, Sir John + + Hopkins, Right Hon. Edward, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant + made Master of the Revels + Hopkins, John + + Ireland, want of small change in + patents granted for coining in + relations between England and + petitions for establishment of a mint in + computed population of + copper money not wanted in + not a "depending kingdom," + English contempt for + loyalty of + a free country + project for a bank in + England's profit from + the absentees of + absence of faction in + Charter schools founded in + needed reforms in + <i>See also</i> Wood's Coinage. + + James II., debased the coinage in Ireland + + Kendal, Duchess of, sold Wood his patent for £10,000 + King, Archbishop, letters to Southwell quoted + letter to General George + refused to condemn the Drapier + letter to Molyneux on the proclamation against the Drapier's 4th letter + Knox, John, his patent to coin halfpence + comparison of his patent with Wood's +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Legg, Colonel George. <i>See</i> Dartmouth, Lord. + Leti, Signor + Lindsay, Robert +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Marsh; Bishop, Charter schools founded by + Midleton, Chancellor, and Walpole + Swift's letter to + opposed to Wood's patent + but signed the Proclamation against the Drapier + account of + "Mirror of Justice, The," + Molesworth, Viscount, letter to + account of + Molyneux, William + Moore, Colonel Roger, patent to coin halfpence sold to + + Newton, Sir Isaac, Wood's coinage assayed by + + Palmerston, Lord, Chief Remembrancer + Pembroke, Earl of, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland + Philips, Ambrose, secretary to Archbishop Boulter + Phipps, Sir Constantine + Poyning's Law + Precedents, Swift on + Prior, Thomas, his "List of the Absentees of Ireland" + Privy Council, Report of the, on Wood's coinage + and <i>see</i> Letters II. and III. + Privy Council, the Irish, Report of, on Wood's coinage + "Proposal for the Universal Use of Irish Manufactures, A" + + Rooke, Admiral Sir George + Royal Prerogative, the + explained + + Scotland, power of coining in + Scroggs, Sir William, Lord Chief Justice + Scroope, Thomas, one of the assayists of Wood's coinage + "Seasonable Advice to the Grand Jury," + effect of + Sedley, Sir Charles + Sheridan, Thomas, probably the author of "Tom Punsibus Dream" + Sidney, Algernon + Somers, Lord + Southwell, Edward, one of the assayists of Wood's coinage + King's letters to + Secretary of State + Sunderland, Earl of + Swift, Jonathan, his aims in writing the Drapier's letters + his letter to Midleton + acclaimed the saviour of his country + his sermon on "Doing Good" + idolized in Ireland + + Trench, W., memorial of, with reference to the copper coinage + "Tom Punsibi's Dream" + Tyrone's rebellion +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Walpole, Sir Robert, his conduct in the matter of Wood's patent + said to have been the author of the Report of the Privy Council + his Irish policy + Wood's reliance on + exonerated by the Drapier + Whitshed, Chief Justice, dissolves the Grand Jury in the case against + Harding + his motto + letters to + William, King, pewter halfpence coined by + Wood, William, terms of the patent granted to + account of + his indiscreet boasts + stories of + his profit considered + his patent obtained clandestinely + his patent compared with Knox's + pamphlets published in London in favor of + his reliance on Walpole + his patent ended + a pension given to + Wood's coinage, letters of the Revenue Commissioners regarding + resolutions of the Irish Houses of Parliament on + report of the Committee of the Privy Council on + and Letters II and III. + value of + refused by the merchants at the ports + no one obliged to take it + assay of, at the mint + baseness of + the revenue officers ordered to pass it + popular indignation against + the matter summed up + end of the agitation concerning + addresses to the King concerning + presentment of the Grand Jury on + description of the various specimens of +</pre> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, +Vol. VI; The Drapier's Letters, by Jonathan Swift + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROSE WORKS OF SWIFT *** + +***** This file should be named 12784-h.htm or 12784-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/7/8/12784/ + +Etext produced by Sander van Rijnswou and PG Distributed Proofreaders. +Produced from images provided by the Million Book Project. + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. VI; The Drapier's Letters + +Author: Jonathan Swift + +Release Date: June 29, 2004 [EBook #12784] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROSE WORKS OF SWIFT *** + + + + +Produced by Sander van Rijnswou and PG Distributed Proofreaders. +Produced from images provided by the Million Book Project. + + + + + +_To be completed in 12 volumes, 3s. 6d. each_. + +THE PROSE WORKS + +OF + +JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. + +EDITED BY + +TEMPLE SCOTT + +VOL. I. A TALE OF A TUB AND OTHER EARLY WORKS. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. With a biographical introduction by +W.E.H. LECKY, M.P. With Portrait and Facsimiles. + +VOL. II. THE JOURNAL TO STELLA. +Edited by FREDERICK RYLAND, M.A. +With two Portraits of Stella and a Facsimile of one of the Letters. + +VOLS. III. & IV. WRITINGS ON RELIGION AND THE CHURCH. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portraits and Facsimiles of Title-pages. + +VOL. V. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL TRACTS--ENGLISH. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait and Facsimiles of Title-pages. + +VOL. VI. THE DRAPIER'S LETTERS. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait, Reproductions of Wood's Coinage, +and Facsimiles of Title pages. + +VOL. VIII. GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. +Edited by G. RAVENSCROFT DENNIS. +With Portrait, Maps and Facsimiles. + +VOL. IX. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE "EXAMINER," "TATLER," "SPECTATOR," &c. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait. + +VOL. X. HISTORICAL WRITINGS. +Edited by TEMPLE SCOTT. +With Portrait. + +_To be followed by:_ + +VOL. VII. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL TRACTS--IRISH. + +VOL. XI. LITERARY ESSAYS. + +VOL. XII. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX TO COMPLETE WORKS. + + * * * * * + +LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS. + +BOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARY + + * * * * * + +THE PROSE WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFT +VOL. VI + +GEORGE BELL AND SONS + +LONDON: YORK ST. COVENT GARDEN +CAMBRIDGE: DEIGHTON, BELL & CO. +NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO. +BOMBAY: A.H. WHEELER & CO. + + +[Illustration: Jonathan Swift from a painting in the National Gallery +of Ireland once in the possession of judge Berwick and ascribed to +Francis Bindon] + + + +THE PROSE WORKS + +OF + +JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. + +EDITED BY + +TEMPLE SCOTT + +VOL. VI + +THE DRAPIER'S LETTERS + +LONDON + +GEORGE BELL AND SONS + +1903 + +CHISWICK PRESS CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO +TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON + + + +INTRODUCTION + +In 1714 Swift left England for Ireland, disappointed, distressed, and +worn out with anxiety in the service of the Harley Ministry. On his +installation as Dean of St. Patrick's he had been received in Dublin +with jeering and derision. He had even been mocked at in his walks +abroad. In 1720, however, he entered for the second time the field of +active political polemics, and began with renewed energy the series of +writings which not only placed him at the head and front of the +political writers of the day, but secured for him a place in the +affections of the people of Ireland--a place which has been kept sacred +to him even to the present time. A visitor to the city of Dublin +desirous of finding his way to St. Patrick's Cathedral need but to ask +for the Dean's Church, and he will be understood. There is only one +Dean, and he wrote the "Drapier's Letters." The joy of the people of +Dublin on the withdrawal of Wood's Patent found such permanent +expression, that it has descended as oral tradition, and what was +omitted from the records of Parliament and the proceedings of Clubs and +Associations founded in the Drapier's honour, has been embalmed in the +hearts of the people, whose love he won, and whose homage it was ever +his pride to accept. + +The spirit of Swift which Grattan invoked had, even in Grattan's time, +power to stir hearts to patriotic enthusiasm. That spirit has not died +out yet, and the Irish people still find it seasonable and refreshing to +be awakened by it to a true sense of the dignity and majesty of +Ireland's place in the British Empire. + +A dispassionate student of the condition of Ireland between the years +of Swift's birth and death--between, say, 1667 and 1745--could rise from +that study in no unprejudiced mood. It would be difficult for him to +avoid the conclusion that the government of Ireland by England had not +only degraded the people of the vassal nation, but had proved a disgrace +and a stigma on the ruling nation. It was a government of the masses by +the classes, for no other than selfish ends. It ended, as all such +governments must inevitably end, in impoverishing the people, in +wholesale emigration, in starvation and even death, in revolt, and in +fostering among those who remained, and among those whom circumstances +exiled, the dangerous spirit of resentment and rebellion which is the +outcome of the sense of injustice. It has also served, even to this day, +to give vitality to those associations that have from time to time +arisen in Ireland for the object of realizing that country's +self-government. + +It may be argued that the people of Ireland of that time justified +Swift's petition when he prayed to be removed from "this land of slaves, +where all are fools and all are knaves"; but that is no justification +for the injustice. The injustice from which Ireland suffered was a fact. +Its existence was resented with all the indignation with which an +emotional and spiritual people will always resent material obstructions +to the free play of what they feel to be their best powers. + +There were no leaders at the time who could see this, and seeing it, +enforce its truth on the dull English mind to move it to saner methods +of dealing with this people. Nor were there any who could order the +resentment into battalions of fighting men to give point to the demands +for equal rights with their English fellow-subjects. + +Had Swift been an Irishman by nature as he was by birth, it might have +been otherwise; but Swift was an Irishman by accident, and only became +an Irish patriot by reason of the humanity in him which found indignant +and permanent expression against oppression. Swift's indignation +against the selfish hypocrisy of his fellow-men was the cry from the +pain which the sight of man's inhumanity to man inflicted on his +sensitive and truth-loving nature. The folly and baseness of his +fellow-creatures stung him, as he once wrote to Pope, "to perfect rage +and resentment." Turn where he would, he found either the knave as the +slave driver, or the slave as a fool, and the latter became even a +willing sacrifice. His indignation at the one was hardly greater than +his contempt for the other, and his different feelings found trenchant +expression in such writings as the "Drapier's Letters," the "Modest +Proposal," and "Gulliver's Travels." + +It has been argued that the _saeva indignatio_ which lacerated his heart +was the passion of a mad man. To argue thus seems to us to misunderstand +entirely the peculiar qualities of Swift's nature. It was not the mad +man that made the passion; it was rather the passion that made the man +mad. As we understand him, it seems to us that Swift's was an eminently +majestic spirit, moved by the tenderest of human sympathies, and capable +of ennobling love--a creature born to rule and to command, but with all +the noble qualities which go to make a ruler loved. It happened that +circumstances placed him early in his career into poverty and servitude. +He extricated himself from both in time; but his liberation was due to +an assertion of his best powers, and not to a dissimulation of them. Had +he been less honest, he might have risen to a position of great power, +but it would have been at the price of those very qualities which made +him the great man he was. That assertion cost him his natural vocation, +and Swift lived on to rage in the narrow confines of a Dublin Deanery +House. He might have flourished as the greatest of English statesmen--he +became instead a monster, a master-scourger of men, pitiless to them as +they had been blind to him. But monster and master-scourger as he proved +himself, he always took the side of the oppressed as against the +oppressor. The impulse which sent him abroad collecting guineas for +"poor Harrison" was the same impulse which moved him in his study at the +Deanery to write as "M.B. Drapier." On this latter occasion, however, he +also had an opportunity to lay bare the secret springs of oppression, an +opportunity which he was not the man to let go by. + +No doubt Swift was not quite disinterested in the motives which prompted +him to enter the political arena for the second time. He hated the +Walpole Ministry in power; he resented his exile in a country whose +people he despised; and he scorned the men who, while they feared him, +had yet had the power to prevent his advancement. But, allowing for +these personal incentives, there was in Swift such a large sympathy for +the degraded condition of the Irish people, such a tender solicitude for +their best welfare, and such a deep-seated zeal for their betterment, +that, in measuring to him his share in the title of patriot, we cannot +but admit that what we may call his public spirit far outweighed his +private spleen. Above all things Swift loved liberty, integrity, +sincerity and justice; and if it be that it was his love for these, +rather than his love for the country, which inspired him to patriotic +efforts, who shall say that he does not still deserve well of us. If a +patriot be a man who nobly teaches a people to become aware of its +highest functions as a nation, then was Swift a great patriot, and he +better deserves that title than many who have been accorded it. + +The matter of Wood's Halfpence was a trivial one in itself; but it was +just that kind of a matter which Swift must instantly have appreciated +as the happiest for his purpose. It was a matter which appealed to the +commonest news-boy on the street, and its meaning once made plain, the +principle which gave vitality to the meaning was ready for enunciation +and was assured of intelligent acceptance. In writing the "Drapier's +Letters," he had, to use his own words, seasonably raised a spirit +among the Irish people, and that spirit he continued to refresh, until +when he told them in his Fourth Letter, "by the Laws of God, of Nature, +of Nations, and of your Country, you are, and ought to be, as free a +people as your brethren in England," the country rose as one man to the +appeal. Neither the suavities of Carteret nor the intrigues of Walpole +had any chance against the set opposition which met them. The question +to be settled was taken away from the consideration of ministers, and +out of the seclusion of Cabinets into the hands of the People, and +before the public eye. There was but one way in which it could be +settled--the way of the people's will--and it went that way. It does not +at all matter that Walpole finally had his way--that the King's mistress +pocketed her _douceur_, and that Wood retired satisfied with the ample +compensation allowed him. What does matter is that, for the first time +in Irish History, a spirit of national life was breathed into an almost +denationalized people. Beneath the lean and starved ribs of death Swift +planted a soul; it is for this that Irishmen will ever revere his +memory. + +In the composition of the "Letters" Swift had set himself a task +peculiarly fitting to his genius. Those qualities of mind which enabled +him to enter into the habits of the lives of footmen, servants, and +lackeys found an even more congenial freedom of play here. His knowledge +of human nature was so profound that he instinctively touched the right +keys, playing on the passions of the common people with a deftness far +surpassing in effect the acquired skill of the mere master of oratory. +He ordered his arguments and framed their language, so that his readers +responded with almost passionate enthusiasm to the call he made upon +them. Allied to his gift of intellectual sympathy with his kind was a +consummate ability in expression, into which he imparted the fullest +value of the intended meaning. His thought lost nothing in its +statement. Writing as he did from the point of view of a tradesman, to +the shopkeepers, farmers, and common people of Ireland, his business was +to speak with them as if he were one of them. He had already laid bare +their grievances caused by the selfish legislation of the English +Parliament, which had ruined Irish manufactures; he had written grimly +of the iniquitous laws which had destroyed the woollen trade of the +country; he had not forgotten the condition of the people as he saw it +on his journeys from Dublin to Cork--a condition which he was later to +reveal in the most terrible of his satirical tracts--and he realized +with almost personal anguish the degradation of the people brought about +by the rapacity and selfishness of a class which governed with no +thought of ultimate consequences, and with no apparent understanding of +what justice implied. It was left for him to precipitate his private +opinion and public spirit in such form as would arouse the nation to a +sense of self-respect, if not to a pitch of resentment. The "Drapier's +Letters" was the reagent that accomplished both. + + * * * * * + +The editor takes this opportunity to express his thanks and obligations +to Mr. G.R. Dennis, to Mr. W. Spencer Jackson, to the late Colonel F.R. +Grant, to Mr. C. Litton Falkiner of Killiney, and to Mr. O'Donoghue of +Dublin. His acknowledgment is here also made to Mr. Strickland, of the +National Gallery of Ireland, to whose kindness and learning he is +greatly indebted. + +TEMPLE SCOTT. + +NEW YORK, _March_, 1903. + + + + +CONTENTS + +LETTER I. TO THE SHOPKEEPERS, TRADESMEN, FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE OF +IRELAND + +LETTER II. TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER + +THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE LORDS OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST +HONOURABLE PRIVY-COUNCIL, IN RELATION TO MR. WOOD'S HALFPENCE AND +FARTHINGS, ETC. + +LETTER III. TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND + +LETTER IV. TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND + +SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY, CONCERNING THE BILL PREPARING +AGAINST THE PRINTER OF THE DRAPIER'S FOURTH LETTER + +LETTER V. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON + +LETTER VI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH + +LETTER VII. AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT + +APPENDIXES + +I. ADDRESSES TO THE KING + +II. REPORT OF THE ASSAY ON WOOD'S COINAGE, MADE BY SIR ISAAC NEWTON, +EDWARD SOUTHWELL, ESQ., AND THOMAS SCROOPE, ESQ. + +III. TOM PUNSIBI'S DREAM + +IV. A LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ---- + +A SECOND LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ---- + +V. THE PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN + +VI. PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE DRAPIER + +VII. REPORT OF THE IRISH PRIVY COUNCIL ON WOOD'S COINAGE + +VIII. THE PATENTEE'S COMPUTATION OF IRELAND, IN A LETTER FROM THE +AUTHOR OF THE "WHITEHALL EVENING POST" CONCERNING THE MAKING OF COPPER +COIN + +IX. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS SPECIMENS OF WOOD'S COINS + +INDEX + + + + +PLATES. + +JONATHAN SWIFT. From a painting in the National Gallery of Ireland, +ascribed to Francis Bindon + +HALFPENCE AND FARTHINGS coined by William Wood, 1722 and 1723 + +[Illustration: _Half-pence & farthings coined by William Wood, 1722 & +1723_] + + + + +LETTER I. + +TO THE SHOP-KEEPERS, TRADESMEN, FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE OF IRELAND. + + + +NOTE + +About the year 1720 it was generally acknowledged in Ireland that there +was a want there of the small change, necessary in the transaction of +petty dealings with shopkeepers and tradesmen. It has been indignantly +denied by contemporary writers that this small change meant copper +coins. They asserted that there was no lack of copper money, but that +there was a great want of small silver. Be that as it may, the report +that small change was wanting was sufficiently substantiated to the +English government to warrant it to proceed to satisfy the want. In its +dealings with Ireland, however, English governments appear to have +consistently assumed that attitude which would most likely cause +friction and arouse disturbance. In England coins for currency proceeded +from a mint established under government supervision. In Scotland such a +mint was specially provided for in the Act of Union. But in Ireland, the +government acted otherwise. + +The Irish people had again and again begged that they should be +permitted to establish a mint in which coins could be issued of the same +standard and intrinsic value as those used in England. English +parliaments, however, invariably disregarded these petitions. Instead of +the mint the King gave grants or patents by which a private individual +obtained the right to mint coins for the use of the inhabitants. The +right was most often given for a handsome consideration, and held for a +term of years. In 1660 Charles II. granted such a patent to Sir Thomas +Armstrong, permitting him to coin farthings for twenty years. It +appears, however, that Armstrong never actually coined the farthings, +although he had gone to the expense of establishing a costly plant for +the purpose. + +Small copper coins becoming scarce, several individuals, without +permission, issued tokens; but the practice was stopped. In 1680 Sir +William Armstrong, son of Sir Thomas, with Colonel George Legg +(afterwards Lord Dartmouth), obtained a patent for twenty-one years, +granting them the right to issue copper halfpence. Coins were actually +struck and circulated, but the patent itself was sold to John Knox in +the very year of its issue. Knox, however, had his patent specially +renewed, but his coinage was interrupted when James II. issued his +debased money during the Revolution (see Monck Mason, p. 334, and the +notes on this matter to the Drapier's Third Letter, in present edition). + +Knox sold his patent to Colonel Roger Moore, who overstocked the country +with his coins to such an extent that the currency became undervalued. +When, in 1705, Moore endeavoured to obtain a renewal of his patent, his +application was refused. By 1722, owing either to Moore's bad coinage, +or to the importation of debased coins from other countries, the copper +money had degraded considerably. In a pamphlet[1] issued by George +Ewing in Dublin (1724), it is stated that in that year, W. Trench +presented a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, complaining of the +condition of the copper coinage, and pointing out that the evil results +had been brought about by the system of grants to private individuals. +Notwithstanding this memorial, it was attempted to overcome the +difficulty by a continuance of the old methods. A new patent was issued +to an English iron merchant, William Wood by name, who, according to +Coxe, submitted proposal with many others, for the amelioration of the +grievance. Wood's proposals, say this same authority, were accepted "as +beneficial to Ireland." The letters patent bear the date July 12th, +1722, and were prepared in accordance with the King's instructions to +the Attorney and Solicitor General sent in a letter from Kensington on +June 16th, 1722. The letter commanded "that a bill should be prepared +for his royal signature, containing and importing an indenture, whereof +one part was to pass the Great Seal of Great Britain." This indenture, +notes Monck Mason,[2] between His Majesty of the one part, "and William +Wood, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Esq.," of the other, +signifies that His Majesty + +"has received information that, in his kingdom of Ireland, there was a +great want of small money for making small payments, and that retailers +and others did suffer by reason of such want." + +[Footnote 1: "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland in their +unanimous refusal of Mr. Wood's Copper Money," pp. 22-23.] + +[Footnote 2: "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," note v, pp. 326-327.] + +By virtue, therefore, of his prerogative royal, and in consideration of +the rents, covenants, and agreements therein expressed, His Majesty +granted to William Wood, his executors, assigns, etc., "full, free, +sole, and absolute power, privilege, licence, and authority," during +fourteen years, from the annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, 1722, to +coin halfpence and farthings of copper, to be uttered and disposed of in +Ireland, and not elsewhere. It was provided that the whole quantity +coined should not exceed 360 tons of copper, whereof 100 tons only were +to be coined in the first year, and 20 tons in each of the last +thirteen, said farthings and halfpence to be of good, pure, and +merchantable copper, and of such size and bigness, that one avoirdupois +pound weight of copper should not be converted into more farthings and +halfpence than would make thirty pence by tale; all the said farthings +and halfpence to be of equal weight in themselves, or as near thereunto +as might be, allowing a remedy not exceeding two farthings over or under +in each pound. The same "to pass and to be received as current money, by +such as shall or will, voluntarily and willingly, and not otherwise, +receive the same, within the said kingdom of Ireland, and not +elsewhere." Wood also covenanted to pay to the King's clerk or +comptroller of the coinage, L200 yearly, and L100 per annum into his +Majesty's treasury. + +Most of the accounts of this transaction and its consequent agitation +in Ireland, particularly those given by Sir W. Scott and Earl Stanhope, +are taken from Coxe's "Life of Walpole." Monck Mason, however, in his +various notes appended to his life of Swift, has once and for all placed +Coxe's narrative in its true light, and exposed the specious special +pleading on behalf of his hero, Walpole. But even Coxe cannot hide the +fact that the granting of the patent and the circumstances under which +it was granted, amounted to a disgraceful job, by which an opportunity +was seized to benefit a "noble person" in England at the expense of +Ireland. The patent was really granted to the King's mistress, the +Duchess of Kendal, who sold it to William Wood for the sum of L10,000, +and (as it was reported with, probably, much truth) for a share in the +profits of the coining. The job was alluded to by Swift when he wrote: + +"When late a feminine magician, +Join'd with a brazen politician, +Expos'd, to blind a nation's eyes, +A parchment of prodigious size." + +Coxe endeavors to exonerate Walpole from the disgrace attached to this +business, by expatiating on Carteret's opposition to Walpole, an +opposition which went so far as to attempt to injure the financial +minister's reputation by fomenting jealousies and using the Wood patent +agitation to arouse against him the popular indignation; but this does +not explain away the fact itself. He lays some blame for the agitation +on Wood's indiscretion in flaunting his rights and publicly boasting of +what the great minister would do for him. At the same time he takes care +to censure the government for its misconduct in not consulting with the +Lord Lieutenant and his Privy Council before granting the patent. His +censure, however, is founded on the consideration that this want of +attention was injudicious and was the cause of the spread of exaggerated +rumours of the patent's evil tendency. He has nothing to say of the +rights and liberties of a people which had thereby been infringed and +ignored. + +The English parliament had rarely shown much consideration for Irish +feelings or Irish rights. Its attitude towards the Irish Houses of +Legislation had been high-handed and even dictatorial; so that +constitutional struggles were not at all infrequent towards the end of +the seventeenth and during the first quarter of the eighteenth century. +The efforts of Sir Constantine Phipps towards a non-parliamentary +government,[3] and the reversal by the English House of Lords of the +decision given by the Irish House of Lords in the famous Annesley case, +had prepared the Irish people for a revolt against any further attempts +to dictate to its properly elected representatives assembled in +parliament. Moreover, the wretched material condition of the people, as +it largely had been brought about by a selfish, persecuting legislation +that practically isolated Ireland commercially in prohibiting the +exportation of its industrial products, was a danger and a menace to the +governing country. The two nations were facing each other threateningly. +When, therefore, Wood began to import his coin, suspicion was +immediately aroused. + +[Footnote 3: See Lecky's "History of Ireland," vol. i., p. 446, etc.] + +The masses took little notice of it at first; but the commissioners of +revenue in Dublin took action in a letter they addressed to the Right +Hon. Edward Hopkins, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. This letter, +dated August 7th, 1722, began by expressing surprise at the patent +granted to Mr. Wood, and asked the secretary "to lay before the Lord +Lieutenant a memorial, presented by their agent to the Lords of the +Treasury, concerning this patent, and also a report of some former +Commissioners of the revenue on the like occasion, and to acquaint his +Grace, that they concurred in all the objections in those papers, and +were of opinion, that such a patent would be highly prejudicial to the +trade, and welfare of this kingdom, and more particularly to his +Majesty's revenue, which they had formerly found to have suffered very +much, by too great a quantity of such base coin."[4] No reply was +received to this letter. + +[Footnote 4: "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland," etc., +p. 6.] + +Fears began to be generally felt, and the early murmurs of an agitation +to be heard when, on September 19th, 1722, the Commissioners addressed a +second letter, this time to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's +Treasury. The letter assured their Lordships "that they had been applied +to by many persons of rank and fortune, and by the merchants and traders +in Ireland, to represent the ill effects of Mr. Wood's patent, and that +they could from former experience assure their Lordships, it would be +particularly detrimental to his Majesty's revenue. They represented that +this matter had made a great noise here, and that there did not appear +the _least want of such small species of coin for change_, and hoped +that the importance of the occasion would excuse their making this +representation of a matter that had not been referred to them."[5] + +[Footnote 5: _Ibid_, pp. 6-7.] + +To this letter also no reply was vouchsafed. In the meantime, Wood kept +sending in his coins, landing them at most of the ports of the kingdom. + +"Then everyone that was not interested in the success of this coinage," +writes the author of the pamphlet already quoted, "by having contracted +for a great quantity of his halfpence at a large discount, or biassed by +the hopes of immoderate gain to be made out of the ruins of their +country, expressed their apprehensions of the pernicious consequences of +this copper money; and resolved to make use of the _right they had by +law to refuse the same_".[6] + +[Footnote 6: _Ibid_, p. 7.] + +The Lord Lieutenant, the Duke of Grafton, had arrived in August, 1723, +and parliament sat early in September. Its first attention was paid to +the Wood patent. After the early excitement had subsided, they resolved +to appeal to the King. During the early stages of the discussion, +however, the Commons addressed the Lord Lieutenant, asking that a copy +of the patent and other papers relating to it, be laid before them. This +was on September 13th. On the following day Mr. Hopkins informed the +House that the Lord Lieutenant had no such copy, nor any papers. The +House then unanimously resolved to inquire into the matter on its own +account, and issued orders for several persons to appear before it to +give evidence, fixing the day for examination for September 16th. On +that day, however, Mr. Hopkins appeared before the members with a copy +of the patent, and informed them that the Lord Lieutenant had received +it since his last communication with them. This incident served but to +arouse further ridicule. A broadside, published at the time with the +title "A Creed of an Irish Commoner," amusingly reveals the lameness of +the excuse for this non-production of the exemplification. Coxe says +that the cause for the delay was due to the fact that the copy of the +patent had been delivered to the Lord Lieutenant's servant, instead of +to his private secretary; but this excuse is probably no more happily +founded than the one offered. + +On Friday, September 20th, the House resolved itself into a committee +"to take into consideration the state of the nation, particularly in +relation to the importing and uttering of copper halfpence and farthings +in this kingdom." After three days' debate, and after examining +competent witnesses under oath, it passed resolutions to the following +effect + +(1) That Wood's patent is highly prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue, +and is destructive of trade and commerce, and most dangerous to the +rights and properties of the subject. + +(2) That for the purpose of obtaining the patent Wood had notoriously +misrepresented the state of the nation. + +(3) That great quantities of the coin had been imported of different +impressions and of much less weight than the patent called for. + +(4) That the loss to the nation by the uttering of this coin would +amount to 150 per cent. + +(5) That in coining the halfpence Wood was guilty of a notorious fraud. + +(6) "That it is the opinion of this Committee, that it hath been always +highly prejudicial to this kingdom to grant the power or privilege of +coining money to private persons; and that it will, at all times, be of +dangerous consequence to grant any such power to any body politic, or +corporate, or any private person or persons whatsoever."[7] + +[Footnote 7: "Comm. Journals," vol. iii., pp. 317-325.] + +Addresses to his Majesty in conformity with these resolutions were voted +on September 27th. + +The House of Lords passed similar resolutions on September 26th, and +voted addresses embodying them on September 28th.[8] + +[Footnote 8: "Lords' Journals," vol. ii., pp. 745-751.] + +These Addresses received a better attention than did the letters from +the revenue commissioners. The Houses were courteously informed that +their communications would receive His Majesty's careful consideration. +Walpole kept his promise, but not before he had fought hard to maintain +the English prerogative, as he might have called it. The "secret" +history as narrated in Coxe's lively manner, throws some light on the +situation. Coxe really finds his hero's conduct not marked with "his +usual caution." The Lord Lieutenant was permitted to go to Ireland +without proper instructions; the information on which Walpole acted was +not reliable; and he did not sufficiently appreciate the influence of +Chancellor Midleton and his family. "He bitterly accused Lord Midleton +of treachery and low cunning, of having made, in his speeches, +distinction between the King and his ministers, of caballing with +Carteret, Cadogan, and Roxburgh, and of pursuing that line of conduct, +because he was of opinion the opposite party would gain the ascendency +in the cabinet. He did not believe the disturbances to be so serious as +they were represented, nor was he satisfied with the Duke of Grafton's +conduct, as being solely directed by Conolly, but declared that the part +acted by Conolly, almost excused what the Brodricks had done." Carteret +complained to the King and proved to him that Walpole's policy was a +dangerous one. The King became irritated and Walpole "ashamed." He even +became "uneasy," and it is to be supposed, took a more "cautious" +course; for he managed to conciliate the Brodricks and the powers in +Dublin. But the devil was not ill long. The cabinet crisis resulted in +the triumph of Townshend and Walpole, and the devil got well again. +Carteret must be removed and the patent promoted. But Midleton and the +Brodricks must be kept friendly. So Carteret went to Ireland as Lord +Lieutenant, Midleton remained Chancellor, and constituted a lord +justice, and St. John Brodrick was nominated a member of the Privy +Council. Still farther on his "cautious" way, Ireland must be given some +consideration; hence the Committee of the Privy Council, specially +called to inquire into the grievances complained of by the Irish Houses +of Parliament in their loyal addresses. + +The Committee sat for several weeks, and the report it issued forms the +subject of Swift's animadversions in the Drapier's third letter. But the +time spent by the Committee in London was being utilized in quite a +different fashion by Swift in Ireland. "Cautious" as was Walpole, he had +not reckoned with the champion of his political opponents of Queen +Anne's days. Swift had little humour for court intrigues and cabinet +cabals. He came out into the open to fight the good fight of the people +to whom courts and cabinets should be servants and not self-seeking +masters. Whatever doubts the people of Ireland may have had about the +legal validity of their resentment towards Wood and his coins, were +quickly dissipated when they read "A Letter to the Shop Keepers, +Tradesmen, Farmers, and Common People of Ireland, concerning the Brass +Half-pence coined by Mr. Wood," and signed, "M.B. Drapier." The letter, +as Lord Orrery remarked, acted like the sound of a trumpet. At that +sound "a spirit arose among the people, that in the eastern phrase, was +_like unto a trumpet in the day of the whirlwind_. Every person of every +rank, party, and denomination was convinced, that the admission of +Wood's copper must prove fatal to the Commonwealth. The papist, the +fanatic, the Tory, the Whig, all listed themselves volunteers under the +banners of M.B. Drapier, and were all equally zealous to serve the +Common cause." + +The present text of the first of the Drapier's letters is based on that +given by Sir W. Scott, carefully collated with two copies of the first +edition which differed from each other in many particulars. One belonged +to the late Colonel F. Grant, and the other is in the British Museum. It +has also been read with the collection of the Drapier's Letters issued +by the Drapier Club in 1725, with the title, "Fraud Detected"; with the +London edition of "The Hibernian Patriot" (1730), and with Faulkner's +text issued in his collected edition of Swift's Works in 1735. + +[T.S.] + +[Illustration: + A + *LETTER* + TO THE +_Shop-Keepers_, _Tradesmen_, _Farmers_ + and _Common-People_ of + *IRELAND*, + + Concerning the + *Brass Half-pence* + Coined by + + **Mr. Woods,** + + WITH +A _Design_ to have them _Pass_ in this + *KINGDOM*. + +Wherein is shewn the Power of the said PATENT, + the Value of the HALF-PENCE, and + how far every Person may be oblig'd to take the + same in Payments, and how to behave in Case + such an Attempt shou'd be made by WOODS + or any other Person. + +[Very Proper to be kept in every FAMILY.] + + By M.B. _Drapier_. + +DUBLIN: Printed by _J. Harding_ + in _Molesworth's-Court_. +] + + + + +LETTER I. + +TO THE TRADESMEN, SHOP-KEEPERS, FARMERS, AND COMMON-PEOPLE IN GENERAL OF +IRELAND. + + +BRETHREN, FRIENDS, COUNTRYMEN AND FELLOW-SUBJECTS, + +What I intend now to say to you, is, next to your duty to God, and the +care of your salvation, of the greatest concern to yourselves, and your +children, your bread and clothing, and every common necessary of life +entirely depend upon it. Therefore I do most earnestly exhort you as +men, as Christians, as parents, and as lovers of your country, to read +this paper with the utmost attention, or get it read to you by others; +which that you may do at the less expense, I have ordered the printer to +sell it at the lowest rate. + +It is a great fault among you, that when a person writes with no other +intention than to do you good, you will not be at the pains to read his +advices: One copy of this paper may serve a dozen of you, which will be +less than a farthing a-piece. It is your folly that you have no common +or general interest in your view, not even the wisest among you, neither +do you know or enquire, or care who are your friends, or who are your +enemies. + +About three[9] years ago, a little book was written, to advise all +people to wear the manufactures of this our own dear country:[10] It had +no other design, said nothing against the King or Parliament, or any +man, yet the POOR PRINTER was prosecuted two years, with the utmost +violence, and even some WEAVERS themselves, for whose sake it was +written, being upon the JURY, FOUND HIM GUILTY. This would be enough to +discourage any man from endeavouring to do you good, when you will +either neglect him or fly in his face for his pains, and when he must +expect only danger to himself and loss of money, perhaps to his +ruin.[11] + +[Footnote 9: In his reprint of the Drapier's Letters, issued in 1725 +with the title, "Fraud Detected; or the Hibernian Patriot," Faulkner +prints "four" instead of "three"; but this, of course, is a correction +made to agree with the date of the publication of this reprint. The +"Proposal" was published in 1720. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 10: The "little book" was "A Proposal for the Universal Use of +Irish Manufactures." See vol. vii. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 11: Instead of the words "loss of money," Faulkner in the +reprint of 1725 has "to be fined and imprisoned." [T.S.]] + +However I cannot but warn you once more of the manifest destruction +before your eyes, if you do not behave yourselves as you ought. + +I will therefore first tell you the plain story of the fact; and then I +will lay before you how you ought to act in common prudence, and +according to the laws of your country. + +The fact is thus: It having been many years since COPPER HALFPENCE OR +FARTHINGS were last coined in this kingdom, they have been for some time +very scarce,[12] and many counterfeits passed about under the name of +_raps_, several applications were made to England, that we might have +liberty to coin new ones, as in former times we did; but they did not +succeed. At last one Mr. Wood,[13] a mean ordinary man, a hardware +dealer, procured a patent[14]under his Majesty's broad seal to coin +fourscore and ten thousand pounds[15] in copper for this kingdom, which +patent however did not oblige any one here to take them, unless they +pleased. Now you must know, that the halfpence and farthings in England +pass for very little more than they are worth. And if you should beat +them to pieces, and sell them to the brazier you would not lose above a +penny in a shilling. But Mr. Wood made his halfpence of such base metal, +and so much smaller than the English ones, that the brazier would not +give you above a penny of good money for a shilling of his; so that this +sum of fourscore and ten thousand pounds in good gold and silver, must +be given for trash that will not be worth above eight or nine thousand +pounds real value. But this is not the worst, for Mr. Wood when he +pleases may by stealth send over another and another fourscore and ten +thousand pounds, and buy all our goods for eleven parts in twelve, under +the value. For example, if a hatter sells a dozen of hats for five +shillings a-piece, which amounts to three pounds, and receives the +payment in Mr. Wood's coin, he really receives only the value of five +shillings. + +[Footnote 12: They had become scarce because they had been undervalued, +and therefore sent out of the country in payment of goods bought. See +Prior's "Observations on Coin," issued in 1729, where it is stated that +this scarcity had occurred only within the last twenty years. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 13: William Wood (1671-1730) was an ironmaster of +Wolverhampton. In addition to the patent for coining copper halfpence +which he obtained for Ireland, and to which full reference is made in +the introductory note to this first Drapier's Letter, Wood also obtained +a patent, in 1722, for coining halfpence, pence and twopence for the +English colonies in America. This latter patent fared no better than the +Irish one. The coins introduced in America bear the dates 1722 and 1723, +and are now much sought after by collectors. They are known as the Rosa +American coinage. A list of the poems and pamphlets on Wood, during the +excitement in Dublin, attending on the Drapier's Letters, will be found +in the bibliography of Swift's works to be given in vol. xi. of this +edition. See also Monck Mason's "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral." In +the original edition of the Letter, Wood's name is mis-spelt Woods. [T. +S.]] + +[Footnote 14: See the introductory note for the manner in which this +patent was obtained. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 15: This is how the amount is named in the first edition; but +the amount in reality was L100,800 (the value of 360 tons of copper, as +stated by the patent). Sir W. Scott prints this as L108,000. Coxe, in +his "Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole" gives the amount as L100,000. Lecky +states it as L108,000. [T.S.]] + +Perhaps you will wonder how such an ordinary fellow as this Mr. Wood +could have so much interest as to get His Majesty's broad seal for so +great a sum of bad money, to be sent to this poor country, and that all +the nobility and gentry here could not obtain the same favour, and let +us make our own halfpence, as we used to do. Now I will make that matter +very plain. We are at a great distance from the King's court, and have +nobody there to solicit for us, although a great number of lords and +squires, whose estates are here, and are our countrymen, spending all +their lives and fortunes there. But this same Mr. Wood was able to +attend constantly for his own interest; he is an Englishman and had +great friends, and it seems knew very well where to give money, to +those that would speak to others that could speak to the King and could +tell a fair story. And His Majesty, and perhaps the great lord or lords +who advised him, might think it was for our country's good; and so, as +the lawyers express it, "the King was deceived in his grant," which +often happens in all reigns. And I am sure if His Majesty knew that such +a patent, if it should take effect according to the desire of Mr. Wood, +would utterly ruin this kingdom, which hath given such great proofs of +its loyalty, he would immediately recall it, and perhaps shew his +displeasure to somebody or other. But "a word to the wise is enough." +Most of you must have heard, with what anger our honourable House of +Commons received an account of this Wood's patent.[16] There were +several fine speeches made upon it, and plain proofs that it was all A +WICKED CHEAT from the bottom to the top, and several smart votes were +printed, which that same Wood had the assurance to answer likewise in +print, and in so confident a way, as if he were a better man than our +whole Parliament put together.[17] + +[Footnote 16: The Irish House of Commons reported that the loss to the +country, even if the patent were carried out as required, would amount +to about 150 per cent.; and both Irish Houses of Parliament voted +addresses against the coinage, and accused the patentee of fraud and +deceit. They asserted that the terms of the patent had not been +fulfilled and "that the circulation of the halfpence would be highly +prejudicial to the revenue, destructive of the commerce, and of most +dangerous consequences to the rights and properties of the subjects." +See introductory note. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 17: Wood's indiscreet retort was published in the "Flying +Post" October 8th, 1723. Later he boasted that he would, with Walpole's +assistance, "pour the coin down the throats of the people." [T.S.]] + +This Wood, as soon as his patent was passed, or soon after, sends over +a great many barrels of these halfpence, to Cork and other sea-port +towns,[18] and to get them off offered an hundred pounds in his coin for +seventy or eighty in silver. But the collectors of the King's customs +very honestly refused to take them, and so did almost everybody else. +And since the Parliament hath condemned them, and desired the King that +they might be stopped, all the kingdom do abominate them. + +[Footnote 18: At Dublin, Cork, Waterford and other ports, the merchants +refused to accept the copper coins. Monck Mason notes that "in the +'Dublin Gazette,' No. 2562, we meet with resolutions by the merchants of +Cork, dated the 25th of Aug., 1724, and like resolutions by those of +Waterford, dated 22d Aug. wherein they declare, that, 'they will never +receive or utter in any payment, the halfpence or farthings coined by +William Wood; as they conceive the importing and uttering the same, to +be highly prejudicial to His Majesty's revenue, and to the trade of the +kingdom': these resolutions are declared to be conformable to those of +the Trinity Guild, of merchants, of the city of Dublin, voted at their +guild-hall, on the 18th day of the same month" (Hist. St. Patrick's, p. +346, note r). See also Appendix No. IX. [T.S.]] + +But Wood is still working underhand to force his halfpence upon us, and +if he can by help of his friends in England prevail so far as to get an +order that the commissioners and collectors of the King's money shall +receive them, and that the army is to be paid with them, then he thinks +his work shall be done. And this is the difficulty you will be under in +such a case. For the common soldier when he goes to the market or +alehouse will offer this money, and if it be refused, perhaps he will +swagger and hector, and threaten to beat the butcher or alewife, or take +the goods by force, and throw them the bad halfpence. In this and the +like cases, the shopkeeper or victualler, or any other tradesman has no +more to do, than to demand ten times the price of his goods, if it is to +be paid in Wood's money; for example, twenty-pence of that money for a +quart of ale, and so in all things else, and not part with his goods +till he gets the money. + +For suppose you go to an alehouse with that base money, and the landlord +gives you a quart for four of these halfpence, what must the victualler +do? His brewer will not be paid in that coin, or if the brewer should be +such a fool, the farmers will not take it from them for their bere,[19] +because they are bound by their leases to pay their rents in good and +lawful money of England, which this is not, nor of Ireland neither, and +the 'squire their landlord will never be so bewitched to take such trash +for his land, so that it must certainly stop somewhere or other, and +wherever it stops it is the same thing, and we are all undone. + +[Footnote 19: Bere = barley. Cf. A.S. _baerlic_, Icelandic, _barr_, +meaning barley, the grain used for making malt for the preparation of +beer. [T.S.]] + +The common weight of these halfpence is between four and five to an +ounce, suppose five, then three shillings and fourpence will weigh a +pound, and consequently twenty shillings will weigh six pound butter +weight. Now there are many hundred farmers who pay two hundred pound a +year rent. Therefore when one of these farmers comes with his +half-year's rent, which is one hundred pound, it will be at least six +hundred pound weight, which is three horse load. + +If a 'squire has a mind to come to town to buy clothes and wine and +spices for himself and family, or perhaps to pass the winter here; he +must bring with him five or six horses loaden with sacks as the farmers +bring their corn; and when his lady comes in her coach to our shops, it +must be followed by a car loaden with Mr. Wood's money. And I hope we +shall have the grace to take it for no more than it is worth. + +They say 'Squire Conolly[20] has sixteen thousand pounds a year, now if +he sends for his rent to town, as it is likely he does, he must have two +hundred and forty horses to bring up his half-year's rent, and two or +three great cellars in his house for stowage. But what the bankers will +do I cannot tell. For I am assured, that some great bankers keep by them +forty thousand pounds in ready cash to answer all payments, which sum, +in Mr. Wood's money, would require twelve hundred horses to carry it. + +[Footnote 20: William Conolly (d. 1729) was chosen Speaker of the Irish +House of Commons on November 12th, 1715. He held this office until +October 12th, 1729. Swift elsewhere says that Wharton sold Conolly the +office of Chief Commissioner of the Irish Revenue for L3,000. Between +the years 1706 and 1729 Conolly was ten times selected for the office of +a Lord Justice of Ireland. The remark in the text as to Conolly's income +is repeated by Boulter ("Letters," vol. i., p. 334), though the Primate +writes of L17,000 a year. The reference to Conolly is of set purpose, +because Conolly had advocated the patent as against Midleton's +condemnation of it. [T.S.]] + +For my own part, I am already resolved what to do; I have a pretty good +shop of Irish stuffs and silks, and instead of taking Mr. Wood's bad +copper, I intend to truck with my neighbours the butchers, and bakers, +and brewers, and the rest, goods for goods, and the little gold and +silver I have, I will keep by me like my heart's blood till better +times, or till I am just ready to starve, and then I will buy Mr. Wood's +money as my father did the brass money in K. James's time,[21] who could +buy ten pound of it with a guinea, and I hope to get as much for a +pistole, and so purchase bread from those who will be such fools as to +sell it me. + +[Footnote 21: James II., during his unsuccessful campaign in Ireland, +debased the coinage in order to make his funds meet the demands of his +soldiery. Archbishop King, in his work on the "State of the Protestants +in Ireland," describes the evil effects which this proceeding had: "King +James's council used not to stick at the formalities of law or reason, +and therefore vast quantities of brass money were coined, and made +current by a proclamation, dated 18th June, 1689, under severe +penalties. The metal of which this money was made was the worst kind of +brass; old guns, and the refuse of metals were melted down to make it; +workmen rated it at threepence or a groat a pound, which being coined +into sixpences, shillings, or half-crowns, one pound weight made about +L5. And by another proclamation, dated 1690, the half-crowns were called +in, and being stamped anew, were made to pass for crowns; so that then, +three pence or four pence worth of metal made L10. There was coined in +all, from the first setting up of the mint, to the rout at the Boyne, +being about twelve months, L965,375. In this coin King James paid all +his appointments, and all that received the king's pay being generally +papists, they forced the protestants to part with the goods out of their +shops for this money, and to receive their debts in it; so that the loss +by the brass money did, in a manner, entirely fall on the protestants, +being defrauded (for I can call it no better) of about, L60,000 per +month by this stratagem, which must, in a few months, have utterly +exhausted them. When the papists had gotten most of their saleable goods +from their protestant neighbours, and yet great quantities of brass +money remained in their hands, they began to consider how many of them, +who had estates, had engaged them to protestants by judgments, statutes +staple, and mortgages; and to take this likewise from them they procured +a proclamation, dated 4 Feb. 1689, to make brass money current in all +payments whatsoever." A proclamation of William III., dated July 10th, +1690, ordered that these crown pieces of James should pass as of equal +value with one penny each. [T.S.]] + +These halfpence, if they once pass, will soon be counterfeit, because it +may be cheaply done, the stuff is so base. The Dutch likewise will +probably do the same thing, and send them over to us to pay for our +goods.[22] And Mr. Wood will never be at rest but coin on: So that in +some years we shall have at least five times fourscore and ten thousand +pounds of this lumber. Now the current money of this kingdom is not +reckoned to be above four hundred thousand pounds in all, and while +there is a silver sixpence left these blood-suckers will never be quiet. + +[Footnote 22: The Dutch had previously counterfeited the debased coinage +of Ireland and sent them over in payment for Irish manufactures. [T. +S.]] + +When once the kingdom is reduced to such a condition, I will tell you +what must be the end: The gentlemen of estates will all turn off their +tenants for want of payment, because as I told you before, the tenants +are obliged by their leases to pay sterling which is lawful current +money of England; then they will turn their own farmers, as too many of +them do already, run all into sheep where they can, keeping only such +other cattle as are necessary, then they will be their own merchants and +send their wool and butter and hides and linen beyond sea for ready +money and wine and spices and silks. They will keep only a few miserable +cottiers.[23] The farmers must rob or beg, or leave their country. The +shopkeepers in this and every other town, must break and starve: For it +is the landed man that maintains the merchant, and shopkeeper, and +handicraftsman. + +[Footnote 23: "Unlike the peasant proprietor," says Lecky, "and also +unlike the mediaeval serf, the cottier had no permanent interest in the +soil, and no security for his future position. Unlike the English +farmer, he was no capitalist, who selects land as one of the many forms +of profitable investment that are open to him. He was a man destitute of +all knowledge and of all capital, who found the land the only thing that +remained between himself and starvation. Rents in the lower grades of +tenancies were regulated by competition, but it was competition between +a half-starving population, who had no other resources except the soil, +and were therefore prepared to promise anything rather than be deprived +of it. The landlord did nothing for them. They built their own mud +hovels, planted their hedges, dug their ditches. They were half naked, +half starved, utterly destitute of all providence and of all education, +liable at any time to be turned adrift from their holdings, ground to +the dust by three great burdens--rack-rents, paid not to the landlord +but to the middleman; tithes, paid to the clergy--often the absentee +clergy--of the church to which they did not belong; and dues, paid to +their own priests" ("Hist, of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 214-215, ed. 1892). +[T.S.]] + +But when the 'squire turns farmer and merchant himself, all the good +money he gets from abroad, he will hoard up or send for England, and +keep some poor tailor or weaver and the like in his own house, who will +be glad to get bread at any rate. + +I should never have done if I were to tell you all the miseries that we +shall undergo if we be so foolish and wicked as to take this CURSED +COIN. It would be very hard if all Ireland should be put into one scale, +and this sorry fellow Wood into the other, that Mr. Wood should weigh +down this whole kingdom, by which England gets above a million of good +money every year clear into their pockets, and that is more than the +English do by all the world besides. + +But your great comfort is, that as His Majesty's patent does not oblige +you to take this money, so the laws have not given the crown a power of +forcing the subjects to take what money the King pleases: For then by +the same reason we might be bound to take pebble-stones or cockle-shells +or stamped leather for current coin, if ever we should happen to live +under an ill prince, who might likewise by the same power make a guinea +pass for ten pounds, a shilling for twenty shillings, and so on, by +which he would in a short time get all the silver and gold of the +kingdom into his own hands, and leave us nothing but brass or leather or +what he pleased. Neither is anything reckoned more cruel or oppressive +in the French government than their common practice of calling in all +their money after they have sunk it very low, and then coining it anew +at a much higher value, which however is not the thousandth part so +wicked as this abominable project of Mr. Wood. For the French give their +subjects silver for silver and gold for gold, but this fellow will not +so much as give us good brass or copper for our gold and silver, nor +even a twelfth part of their worth. + +Having said thus much, I will now go on to tell you the judgments of +some great lawyers in this matter, whom I fee'd on purpose for your +sakes, and got their opinions under their hands, that I might be sure I +went upon good grounds. + +A famous law-book, called "The Mirror of Justice,"[24] discoursing of +the articles (or laws) ordained by our ancient kings declares the law to +be as follows: "It was ordained that no king of this realm should +change, impair or amend the money or make any other money than of gold +or silver without the assent of all the counties," that is, as my Lord +Coke says,[25] without the assent of Parliament. + +[Footnote 24: This was an important legal treatise often quoted by Coke. +Its full title is: "The Booke called, The Mirrour of Justices: Made by +Andrew Home. With the book, called, The Diversity of Courts, And Their +Jurisdictions ... London ... 1646." The French edition was printed in +1642 with the title, "La somme appelle Mirroir des Justices: vel +speculum Justiciariorum, Factum per Andream Home." Coke quotes it from a +manuscript, as he died before it was printed. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 25: 2 Inst. 576. [ORIG. ED.]] + +This book is very ancient, and of great authority for the time in which +it was wrote, and with that character is often quoted by that great +lawyer my Lord Coke.[26] By the law of England, the several metals are +divided into lawful or true metal and unlawful or false metal, the +former comprehends silver or gold; the latter all baser metals: That the +former is only to pass in payments appears by an act of Parliament[27] +made the twentieth year of Edward the First, called the "Statute +concerning the Passing of Pence," which I give you here as I got it +translated into English, for some of our laws at that time, were, as I +am told writ in Latin: "Whoever in buying or selling presumeth to refuse +an halfpenny or farthing of lawful money, bearing the stamp which it +ought to have, let him be seized on as a contemner of the King's +majesty, and cast into prison." + +[Footnote 26: 2 Inst. 576-577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +[Footnote 27: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +By this statute, no person is to be reckoned a contemner of the King's +majesty, and for that crime to be committed to prison; but he who +refuses to accept the King's coin made of lawful metal, by which, as I +observed before, silver and gold only are intended. + +That this is the true construction of the act, appears not only from the +plain meaning of the words, but from my Lord Coke's observation upon it. +"By this act" (says he) "it appears, that no subject can be forced to +take in buying or selling or other payments, any money made but of +lawful metal; that is, of silver or gold."[28] + +[Footnote 28: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +The law of England gives the King all mines of gold and silver, but not +the mines of other metals, the reason of which prerogative or power, as +it is given by my Lord Coke[29] is, because money can be made of gold +and silver, but not of other metals. + +[Footnote 29: 2 Inst. 577. [ORIG. ED.]] + +Pursuant to this opinion halfpence and farthings were anciently made of +silver, which is most evident from the act of Parliament of Henry the +4th. chap. 4.[30] by which it is enacted as follows: "Item, for the +great scarcity that is at present within the realm of England of +halfpence and farthings of silver, it is ordained and established that +the third part of all the money of silver plate which shall be brought +to the bullion, shall be made in halfpence and farthings." This shews +that by the word "halfpenny" and "farthing" of lawful money in that +statute concerning the passing of pence, are meant a small coin in +halfpence and farthings of silver. + +[Footnote 30: Swift makes an incorrect reference here. The act was 4 +Henry IV., cap. 10. [T.S.]] + +This is further manifest from the statute of the ninth year of Edward +the 3d. chap. 3. which enacts, "That no sterling halfpenny or farthing +be molten for to make vessel, nor any other thing by the goldsmiths, nor +others, upon forfeiture of the money so molten" (or melted). + +By another act in this King's reign[31] black money was not to be +current in England, and by an act made in the eleventh year of his reign +chap. 5. galley halfpence were not to pass, what kind of coin these were +I do not know, but I presume they were made of base metal, and that +these acts were no new laws, but farther declarations of the old laws +relating to the coin. + +[Footnote 31: The act against black money was passed in Henry IV.'s +reign not Edward III.'s. The "galley halfpence" were dealt with by 9 +Hen. IV., cap. 4. [T.S.]] + +Thus the law stands in relation to coin, nor is there any example to the +contrary, except one in Davis's Reports,[32] who tells us that in the +time of Tyrone's rebellion Queen Elizabeth ordered money of mixed metal +to be coined in the Tower of London, and sent over hither for payment of +the army, obliging all people to receive it and commanding that all +silver money should be taken only as bullion, that is, for as much as it +weighed. Davis tells us several particulars in this matter too long here +to trouble you with, and that the privy-council of this kingdom obliged +a merchant in England to receive this mixed money for goods transmitted +hither.[33] + +[Footnote 32: This refers to Sir John Davies's "Abridgement of Sir +Edward Coke's Reports," first published in 1651. Davies was +Attorney-General for Ireland and a poet. His works have been collected +and edited by Dr. A.B. Grosart in the Fuller Worthies Library. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 33: Charles I., during the Civil War, paid his forces with +debased coin struck by him. [T.S.]] + +But this proceeding is rejected by all the best lawyers as contrary to +law, the Privy-council here having no such power. And besides it is to +be considered, that the Queen was then under great difficulties by a +rebellion in this kingdom assisted from Spain, and whatever is done in +great exigences and dangerous times should never be an example to +proceed by in seasons of peace and quietness. + +I will now, my dear friends to save you the trouble, set before you in +short, what the law obliges you to do, and what it does not oblige you +to. + +First, You are obliged to take all money in payments which is coined by +the King and is of the English standard or weight, provided it be of +gold or silver. + +Secondly, You are not obliged to take any money which is not of gold or +silver, no not the halfpence, or farthings of England, or of any other +country, and it is only for convenience, or ease, that you are content +to take them, because the custom of coining silver halfpence and +farthings hath long been left off, I will suppose on account of their +being subject to be lost. + +Thirdly, Much less are you obliged to take those vile halfpence of that +same Wood, by which you must lose almost eleven-pence in every shilling. + +Therefore my friends, stand to it one and all, refuse this filthy trash. +It is no treason to rebel against Mr. Wood. His Majesty in his patent +obliges nobody to take these halfpence,[34] our gracious prince hath no +so ill advisers about him; or if he had, yet you see the laws have not +left it in the King's power, to force us to take any coin but what is +lawful, of right standard gold and silver, therefore you have nothing to +fear. + +[Footnote 34: The words of the patent are "to pass and to be received as +current money; by such as shall or will, voluntarily and wittingly, and +not otherwise, receive the same" (the halfpence and farthings). [T.S.]] + +And let me in the next place apply myself particularly to you who are +the poor sort of tradesmen, perhaps you may think you will not be so +great losers as the rich, if these halfpence should pass, because you +seldom see any silver, and your customers come to your shops or stalls +with nothing but brass, which you likewise find hard to be got, but you +may take my word, whenever this money gains footing among you, you will +be utterly undone; if you carry these halfpence to a shop for tobacco +or brandy, or any other thing you want, the shopkeeper will advance his +goods accordingly, or else he must break, and leave the key under the +door. Do you think I will sell you a yard of tenpenny stuff for twenty +of Mr. Wood's halfpence? No, not under two hundred at least, neither +will I be at the trouble of counting, but weigh them in a lump; I will +tell you one thing further, that if Mr. Wood's project should take, it +will ruin even our beggars; For when I give a beggar an halfpenny, it +will quench his thirst, or go a good way to fill his belly, but the +twelfth part of a halfpenny will do him no more service than if I should +give him three pins out of my sleeve. + +In short these halfpence are like "the accursed thing, which" as the +Scripture tells us, "the children of Israel were forbidden to touch," +they will run about like the plague and destroy every one who lays his +hands upon them. I have heard scholars talk of a man who told a king +that he had invented a way to torment people by putting them into a bull +of brass with fire under it, but the prince put the projector first into +his own brazen bull to make the experiment;[35] this very much resembles +the project of Mr. Wood, and the like of this may possibly be Mr. Wood's +fate, that the brass he contrived to torment this kingdom with, may +prove his own torment, and his destruction at last. + +[Footnote 35: It is curious to find Swift so referring to Phalaris, of +whom he had heard so much in the days of the "Battle of the Books." [SIR +H. CRAIK.]] + +N.B. The author of this paper is informed by persons who have made it +their business to be exact in their observations on the true value of +these halfpence, that any person may expect to get a quart of twopenny +ale for thirty-six of them. + +I desire all persons may keep this paper carefully by them to refresh +their memories whenever they shall have farther notice of Mr. Wood's +halfpence, or any other the like imposture. + + + + + +LETTER II. + +TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER. + + +NOTE. + +Towards the beginning of the August of 1724, the Committee of Inquiry +had finished their report on Wood's patent. Somehow, an advance notice +of the contents of the report found its way, probably directed by +Walpole himself, into the pages of a London journal, from whence it was +reprinted in Dublin, in Harding's Newspaper on the 1st of August. The +notice stated that the Committee had recommended a reduction in the +amount of coin Wood was to issue to L40,000. It informed the public that +the report notified that Wood was willing to take goods in exchange for +his coins, if enough silver were not to be had, and he agreed to +restrict the amount of each payment to 5-1/2_d_. But a pretty broad hint +was given that a refusal to accept the compromise offered might possibly +provoke the higher powers to an assertion of the prerogative. + +Walpole also had already endeavoured to calm the situation by consenting +to a minute examination of the coins themselves at the London Mint. The +Lords Commissioners had instructed Sir Isaac Newton, the Master of the +Mint, Edward Southwell, and Thomas Scroope, to make an assay of Wood's +money. The report of the assayists was issued on April 27th, 1724;[1] +and certified that the coins submitted had been tested and found to be +correct both as to weight and quality. In addition to this evidence of +good faith, Walpole had nominated Carteret in place of the Duke of +Grafton to the Lord-Lieutenancy. Carteret was a favourite with the best +men in Ireland, and a man of culture as well as ability. It was hoped +that his influence would smooth down the members of the opposition by an +acceptance of the altered measure. He was in the way in London, and he +might be of great service in Dublin; so to Dublin he went. + +[Footnote 1: A full reprint of this report is given in Appendix II.] + +But Walpole had not reckoned with the Drapier. In the paragraph in +Harding's sheet, Swift saw a diplomatist's move to win the game by +diplomatic methods. Compromise was the one result Swift was determined +to render impossible; and the Drapier's second letter, "To Mr. Harding +the Printer," renews the conflict with yet stronger passion and with +even more satirical force. It is evident Swift was bent now on raising a +deeper question than merely this of the acceptance or refusal of Wood's +halfpence and farthings. There was a principle here that had to be +insisted and a right to be safeguarded. Mr. Churton Collins ably +expresses Swift's attitude at this juncture when he says:[2] "Nothing +can be more certain than that it was Swift's design from the very +beginning to make the controversy with Wood the basis of far more +extensive operations. It had furnished him with the means of waking +Ireland from long lethargy into fiery life. He looked to it to furnish +him with the means of elevating her from servitude to independence, from +ignominy to honour. His only fear was lest the spirit which he had +kindled should burn itself out or be prematurely quenched. And of this +he must have felt that there was some danger, when it was announced that +England had given way much more than it was expected she would give way, +and much more than she had ever given way before." + +[Footnote 2: "Jonathan Swift," pp. 179-180.] + +This letter to Harding was but the preliminary leading up to the famous +fourth letter "to the whole people of Ireland." It was also an +introduction to, and preparation of the public mind for, the drastic +criticism of the Privy Council's Report, the arrival of which was +expected shortly. + +The present text of this second letter is that given by Sir W. Scott, +collated with the copies of the original edition in the possession of +the late Colonel F. Grant and in the British Museum. It has also been +compared with Faulkner's issue of 1725, in "Fraud Detected." + +[T.S.] + +[Illustration: + A + *LETTER* + TO + Mr. _Harding_ the Printer, + Upon Occasion of a + + **PARAGRAPH** + *IN HIS* + **News-Paper** + of _Aug_. 1st. + +Relating to Mr. _Wood's_ Half-pence. + + _By_ M.B. _Drapier_. + AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + SHOP-KEEPERS, &c. + + DUBLIN: Printed by _J. Harding_ + in _Molesworth's-Court_. +] + + + +LETTER II. + +TO MR. HARDING THE PRINTER. + + +Sir, In your Newsletter of the 1st. instant there is a paragraph dated +from London, July 25th. relating to Wood's halfpence; whereby it is +plain what I foretold in my "Letter to the Shopkeepers, &c." that this +vile fellow would never be at rest, and that the danger of our ruin +approaches nearer, and therefore the kingdom requires NEW and FRESH +WARNING; however I take that paragraph to be, in a great measure, an +imposition upon the public, at least I hope so, because I am informed +that Wood is generally his own newswriter. I cannot but observe from +that paragraph that this public enemy of ours, not satisfied to ruin us +with his trash, takes every occasion to treat this kingdom with the +utmost contempt. He represents "several of our merchants and traders +upon examination before a committee of council, agreeing that there was +the utmost necessity of copper money here, before his patent, so that +several gentlemen have been forced to tally with their workmen and give +them bits of cards sealed and subscribed with their names." What then? +If a physician prescribes to a patient a dram of physic, shall a rascal +apothecary cram him with a pound, and mix it up with poison? And is not +a landlord's hand and seal to his own labourers a better security for +five or ten shillings, than Wood's brass seven times below the real +value, can be to the kingdom, for an hundred and four thousand +pounds?[3] + +[Footnote 3: Thus in original edition. L108,000 is the amount generally +given. See note on p. 15. [T.S.]] + +But who are these merchants and traders of Ireland that make this report +of "the utmost necessity we are under of copper money"? They are only a +few betrayers of their country, confederates with Wood, from whom they +are to purchase a great quantity of his coin, perhaps at half value, and +vend it among us to the ruin of the public, and their own private +advantage. Are not these excellent witnesses, upon whose integrity the +fate of a kingdom must depend, who are evidences in their own cause, and +sharers in this work of iniquity? + +If we could have deserved the liberty of coining for ourselves, as we +formerly did, and why we have not _is everybody's wonder as well as +mine_,[4] ten thousand pounds might have been coined here in Dublin of +only one-fifth below the intrinsic value, and this sum, with the stock +of halfpence we then had, would have been sufficient:[5] But Wood by his +emissaries, enemies to God and this kingdom, hath taken care to buy up +as many of our old halfpence as he could, and from thence the present +want of change arises; to remove which, by Mr. Wood's remedy, would be, +to cure a scratch on the finger by cutting off the arm. But supposing +there were not one farthing of change in the whole nation, I will +maintain, that five and twenty thousand pounds would be a sum fully +sufficient to answer all our occasions. I am no inconsiderable +shopkeeper in this town, I have discoursed with several of my own and +other trades, with many gentlemen both of city and country, and also +with great numbers of farmers, cottagers, and labourers, who all agree +that two shillings in change for every family would be more than +necessary in all dealings. Now by the largest computation (even before +that grievous discouragement of agriculture, which hath so much lessened +our numbers [6]) the souls in this kingdom are computed to be one +million and a half, which, allowing but six to a family, makes two +hundred and fifty thousand families, and consequently two shillings to +each family will amount only to five and twenty thousand pounds, whereas +this honest liberal hardwareman Wood would impose upon us above four +times that sum. + +[Footnote 4: Time and again Ireland had petitioned the King of England +for the establishment of a mint in Dublin. Both Houses of Parliament +addressed King Charles I. in 1634, begging for a mint which should coin +money in Ireland of the same standard and values as those of England, +and allowing the profits to the government. Wentworth supported the +address; but it was refused (Carte's "Ormond," vol. i., pp. 79-80). When +Lord Cornwallis's petition for a renewal of his patent for minting coins +was presented in 1700, it was referred to a committee of the Lords +Justices. In their report the Lords Justices condemned the system in +vogue, and urged the establishment of a mint, in which the coining of +money should be in the hands of the government and in those of a +subject. No notice was taken of this advice. See Lecky's "Ireland," vol. +i., p. 448 (ed 1892) [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 5: Boulter stated that L10,000 or L15,000 would have amply +fulfilled the demand ("Letters," vol. i., pp. 4, 11). [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 6: It was not alone the direct discouragement of agriculture +which lessened the population. This result was also largely brought +about by the anti-Catholic legislation of Queen Anne's reign, which +"reduced the Roman Catholics to a state of depression," and caused +thousands of them to go elsewhere for the means of living. See +Crawford's "Ireland," vol. ii., pp. 264-267. [T.S.]] + +Your paragraph relates further, that Sir Isaac Newton reported an assay +taken at the Tower of Wood's metal, by which it appears, that Wood had +in all respects performed his contract[7]. His contract! With whom? Was +it with the parliament or people of Ireland? Are not they to be the +purchasers? But they detest, abhor, and reject it, as corrupt, +fraudulent, mingled with dirt and trash. Upon which he grows angry, goes +to law, and will impose his goods upon us by force. + +[Footnote 7: For the full text of Newton's report see Appendix, No. II. +[T.S.]] + +But your Newsletter says that an assay was made of the coin. How +impudent and insupportable is this? Wood takes care to coin a dozen or +two halfpence of good metal, sends them to the Tower and they are +approved, and these must answer all that he hath already coined or shall +coin for the future. It is true indeed, that a gentleman often sends to +my shop for a pattern of stuff, I cut it fairly off, and if he likes it, +he comes or sends and compares the pattern with the whole piece, and +probably we come to a bargain. But if I were to buy an hundred sheep, +and the grazier should bring me one single wether fat and well fleeced +by way of pattern, and expect the same price round for the whole +hundred, without suffering me to see them before he was paid, or giving +me good security to restore my money for those that were lean or shorn +or scabby, I would be none of his customer. I have heard of a man who +had a mind to sell his house, and therefore carried a piece of brick in +his pocket, which he shewed as a pattern to encourage purchasers: And +this is directly the case in point with Mr. Wood's assay.[8] + +[Footnote 8: Monck Mason remarks on this assay that "the assay-masters +do not report that Mr. Wood's coinage was superior to that of former +kings, but only to those specimens of such coinages as were exhibited by +Mr. Wood, which, it is admitted were much worn. Whether the money coined +in the preceding reign was good or bad is in fact nothing to the +purpose." "'What argument,'" quotes Monck Mason from the tract issued in +1724 entitled, "A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland, in +their unanimous refusal of Mr. Wood's Copper Money," "'can be drawn from +the badness of our former coinages but this, that because we have +formerly been cheated by our coiners, we ought to suffer Mr. Wood to +cheat us over again? Whereas, one reason for our so vigorously opposing +Mr. Wood's coinage, is, because we have always been imposed upon in our +copper money, and we find he is treading exactly in the steps of his +predecessors, and thinks he has a right to cheat us because he can shew +a precedent for it.' In truth, there was a vast number of counterfeits +of those coins, which had been imported, chiefly from Scotland, as +appears from a proclamation prohibiting the Importation of them in 1697" +("History St. Patrick's Cathedral," p, 340, note d.) [T.S.]] + +The next part of the paragraph contains Mr. Wood's voluntary proposals +for "preventing any future objections or apprehensions." + +His first proposal is, that "whereas he hath already coined seventeen +thousand pounds, and has copper prepared to make it up forty thousand +pounds, he will be content to coin no more, unless the EXIGENCES OF +TRADE REQUIRE IT, though his patent empowers him to coin a far greater +quantity." + +To which if I were to answer it should be thus: "Let Mr. Wood and his +crew of founders and tinkers coin on till there is not an old kettle +left in the kingdom: let them coin old leather, tobacco-pipe clay or the +dirt in the streets, and call their trumpery by what name they please +from a guinea to a farthing, we are not under any concern to know how he +and his tribe or accomplices think fit to employ themselves." But I hope +and trust, that we are all to a man fully determined to have nothing to +do with him or his ware. + +The King has given him a patent to coin halfpence, but hath not obliged +us to take them, and I have already shewn in my "Letter to the +Shopkeepers, &c." that the law hath not left it in the power of the +prerogative to compel the subject to take any money, beside gold and +silver of the right sterling and standard. + +Wood further proposes, (if I understand him right, for his expressions +are dubious) that "he will not coin above forty thousand pounds, unless +the exigences of trade require it." First, I observe that this sum of +forty thousand pounds is almost double to what I proved to be sufficient +for the whole kingdom, although we had not one of our old halfpence +left. Again I ask, who is to be judge when the exigences of trade +require it? Without doubt he means himself, for as to us of this poor +kingdom, who must be utterly ruined if his project should succeed, we +were never once consulted till the matter was over, and he will judge of +our exigences by his own; neither will these be ever at an end till he +and his accomplices will think they have enough: And it now appears that +he will not be content with all our gold and silver, but intends to buy +up our goods and manufactures with the same coin. + +I shall not enter into examination of the prices for which he now +proposes to sell his halfpence, or what he calls his copper, by the +pound; I have said enough of it in my former letter, and it hath +likewise been considered by others. It is certain that by his own first +computation, we were to pay three shillings for what was intrinsically +worth but one,[9] although it had been of the true weight and standard +for which he pretended to have contracted; but there is so great a +difference both in weight and badness in several of his coins that some +of them have been nine in ten below the intrinsic value, and most of +them six or seven.[10] + +[Footnote 9: The report of the Committee of the Privy Council which sat +on Wood's coinage, stated that copper ready for minting cost eighteen +pence per pound before it was brought into the Mint at the Tower of +London. See the Report prefixed to Letter III. and Appendix II., in +which it is also stated that Wood's copper was worth thirteen pence per +pound. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 10: Newton's assay report says that Wood's pieces were of +unequal weight. [T.S.]] + +His last proposal being of a peculiar strain and nature, deserves to be +very particularly considered, both on account of the matter and the +style. It is as follows. + +"Lastly, in consideration of the direful apprehensions which prevail in +Ireland, that Mr. Wood will by such coinage drain them of their gold and +silver, he proposes to take their manufactures in exchange, and that no +person be obliged to receive more than fivepence halfpenny at one +payment." + +First, Observe this little impudent hardwareman turning into ridicule +"the direful apprehensions of a whole kingdom," priding himself as the +cause of them, and daring to prescribe what no King of England ever +attempted, how far a whole nation shall be obliged to take his brass +coin. And he has reason to insult; for sure there was never an example +in history, of a great kingdom kept in awe for above a year in daily +dread of utter destruction, not by a powerful invader at the head of +twenty thousand men, not by a plague or a famine, not by a tyrannical +prince (for we never had one more gracious) or a corrupt administration, +but by one single, diminutive, insignificant, mechanic. + +But to go on. To remove our "direful apprehensions that he will drain us +of our gold and silver by his coinage:" This little arbitrary +mock-monarch most graciously offers to "take our manufactures in +exchange." Are our Irish understandings indeed so low in his opinion? Is +not this the very misery we complain of? That his cursed project will +put us under the necessity of selling our goods for what is equal to +nothing. How would such a proposal sound from France or Spain or any +other country we deal with, if they should offer to deal with us only +upon this condition, that we should take their money at ten times higher +than the intrinsic value? Does Mr. Wood think, for instance, that we +will sell him a stone of wool for a parcel of his counters not worth +sixpence, when we can send it to England and receive as many shillings +in gold and silver? Surely there was never heard such a compound of +impudence, villainy and folly. + +His proposals conclude with perfect high treason. He promises, that no +person shall be _obliged_ to receive more than fivepence halfpenny of +his coin in one payment: By which it is plain, that he pretends to +_oblige_ every subject in this kingdom to take so much in every payment, +if it be offered; whereas his patent obliges no man, nor can the +prerogative by law claim such a power, as I have often observed; so +that here Mr. Wood takes upon him the entire legislature, and an +absolute dominion over the properties of the whole nation. + +Good God! Who are this wretch's advisers? Who are his supporters, +abettors, encouragers, or sharers? Mr. Wood will _oblige_ me to take +fivepence halfpenny of his brass in every payment! And I will shoot Mr. +Wood and his deputies through the head, like highwaymen or +housebreakers, if they dare to force one farthing of their coin upon me +in the payment of an hundred pounds. It is no loss of honour to submit +to the lion, but who, with the figure of a man, can think with patience +of being devoured alive by a rat. He has laid a tax upon the people of +Ireland of seventeen shillings at least in the pound; a tax I say, not +only upon lands, but interest-money, goods, manufactures, the hire of +handicraftsmen, labourers, and servants. Shopkeepers look to yourselves. +Wood will _oblige_ and force you to take fivepence halfpenny of his +trash in every payment, and many of you receive twenty, thirty, forty +payments in a day, or else you can hardly find bread: And pray consider +how much that will amount to in a year: Twenty times fivepence halfpenny +is nine shillings and twopence, which is above an hundred and sixty +pounds a year, whereof you will be losers of at least one hundred and +forty pounds by taking your payments in his money. If any of you be +content to deal with Mr. Wood on such conditions they may. But for my +own particular, "let his money perish with him." If the famous Mr. +Hampden rather chose to go to prison, than pay a few shillings to King +Charles 1st. without authority of Parliament, I will rather choose to be +hanged than have all my substance taxed at seventeen shillings in the +pound, at the arbitrary will and pleasure of the venerable Mr. Wood. + +The paragraph concludes thus. "N.B." (that is to say _nota bene_, or +_mark well_), "No evidence appeared from Ireland, or elsewhere, to prove +the mischiefs complained of, or any abuses whatsoever committed in the +execution of the said grant." + +The impudence of this remark exceeds all that went before. First; the +House of Commons in Ireland, which represents the whole people of the +kingdom; and secondly the Privy-council, addressed His Majesty against +these halfpence. What could be done more to express the universal sense +and opinion of the nation? If his copper were diamonds, and the kingdom +were entirely against it, would not that be sufficient to reject it? +Must a committee of the House of Commons, and our whole Privy-council go +over to argue _pro_ and _con_ with Mr. Wood? To what end did the King +give his patent for coining of halfpence in Ireland? Was it not, because +it was represented to his sacred Majesty, that such a coinage would be +of advantage to the good of this kingdom, and of all his subjects here? +It is to the patentee's peril if his representation be false, and the +execution of his patent be fraudulent and corrupt. Is he so wicked and +foolish to think that his patent was given him to ruin a million and a +half of people, that he might be a gainer of three or four score +thousand pounds to himself? Before he was at the charge of passing a +patent, much more of raking up so much filthy dross, and stamping it +with His Majesty's "image and superscription," should he not first in +common sense, in common equity, and common manners, have consulted the +principal party concerned; that is to say, the people of the kingdom, +the House of Lords or Commons, or the Privy-council? If any foreigner +should ask us, "whose image and superscription" there is in Wood's coin, +we should be ashamed to tell him, it was Caesar's. In that great want of +copper halfpence, which he alleges we were, our city set up our Caesar's +statue[11] in excellent copper, at an expense that is equal in value to +thirty thousand pounds of his coin: And we will not receive his _image_ +in worse metal. + +[Footnote 11: An equestrian statue of George I. at Essex Bridge, Dublin, +[F.]] + +I observe many of our people putting a melancholy case on this subject. +"It is true" say they, "we are all undone if Wood's halfpence must pass; +but what shall we do, if His Majesty puts out a proclamation commanding +us to take them?" This hath been often dinned in my ears. But I desire +my countrymen to be assured that there is nothing in it. The King never +issues out a proclamation but to enjoin what the law permits him. He +will not issue out a proclamation against law, or if such a thing +should happen by a mistake, we are no more obliged to obey it than to +run our heads into the fire. Besides, His Majesty will never command us +by a proclamation, what he does not offer to command us in the patent +itself. There he leaves it to our discretion, so that our destruction +must be entirely owing to ourselves. Therefore let no man be afraid of a +proclamation, which will never be granted; and if it should, yet upon +this occasion, will be of no force. The King's revenues here are near +four hundred thousand pounds a year, can you think his ministers will +advise him to take them in Wood's brass, which will reduce the value to +fifty thousand pounds. England gets a million sterl. by this nation, +which, if this project goes on, will be almost reduced to nothing: And +do you think those who live in England upon Irish estates will be +content to take an eighth or a tenth part, by being paid in Wood's +dross? + +If Wood and his confederates were not convinced of our stupidity, they +never would have attempted so audacious an enterprise. He now sees a +spirit hath been raised against him, and he only watches till it begins +to flag, he goes about "watching" when to "devour us." He hopes we shall +be weary of contending with him, and at last out of ignorance, or fear, +or of being perfectly tired with opposition, we shall be forced to +yield. And therefore I confess it is my chief endeavour to keep up your +spirits and resentments. If I tell you there is a precipice under you, +and that if you go forwards you will certainly break your necks. If I +point to it before your eyes, must I be at the trouble of repeating it +every morning? Are our people's "hearts waxed gross"? Are "their ears +dull of hearing," and have "they closed their eyes"? I fear there are +some few vipers among us, who, for ten or twenty pounds gain, would sell +their souls and their country, though at last it would end in their own +ruin as well as ours. Be not like "the deaf adder, who refuses to hear +the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely." + +Though my letter be directed to you, Mr. Harding, yet I intend it for +all my countrymen. I have no interest in this affair but what is common +to the public. I can live better than many others, I have some gold and +silver by me, and a shop well furnished, and shall be able to make a +shift when many of my betters are starving. But I am grieved to see the +coldness and indifference of many people, with whom I discourse. Some +are afraid of a proclamation, others shrug up their shoulders, and cry, +"What would you have us do?" Some give out, there is no danger at all. +Others are comforted that it will be a common calamity and they shall +fare no worse than their neighbours. Will a man, who hears midnight +robbers at his door, get out of bed, and raise his family for a common +defence, and shall a whole kingdom lie in a lethargy, while Mr. Wood +comes at the head of his confederates to rob them of all they have, to +ruin us and our posterity for ever? If an highwayman meets you on the +road, you give him your money to save your life, but, God be thanked, +Mr. Wood cannot touch a hair of your heads. You have all the laws of God +and man on your side. When he or his accomplices offer you his dross it +is but saying no, and you are safe. If a madman should come to my shop +with an handful of dirt raked out of the kennel, and offer it in payment +for ten yards of stuff, I would pity or laugh at him, or, if his +behaviour deserved it, kick him out of my doors. And if Mr. Wood comes +to demand any gold and silver, or commodities for which I have paid my +gold and silver, in exchange for his trash, can he deserve or expect +better treatment? + +When the evil day is come (if it must come) let us mark and observe +those who presume to offer these halfpence in payment. Let their names, +and trades, and places of abode be made public, that every one may be +aware of them, as betrayers of their country, and confederates with Mr. +Wood. Let them be watched at markets and fairs, and let the first honest +discoverer give the word about, that Wood's halfpence have been offered, +and caution the poor innocent people not to receive them. + +Perhaps I have been too tedious; but there would never be an end, if I +attempted to say all that this melancholy subject will bear. I will +conclude with humbly offering one proposal, which, if it were put in +practice, would blow up this destructive project at once. Let some +skilful judicious pen draw up an advertisement to the following purpose. + +That "Whereas one William Wood hardware-man, now or lately sojourning +in the city of London, hath, by many misrepresentations, procured a +patent for coining an hundred and forty thousand pounds[12] in copper +halfpence for this kingdom, which is a sum five times greater than our +occasions require. And whereas it is notorious that the said Wood hath +coined his halfpence of such base metal and false weight, that they are, +at least, six parts in seven below the real value. And whereas we have +reason to apprehend, that the said Wood may, at any time hereafter, +clandestinely coin as many more halfpence as he pleases. And whereas the +said patent neither doth nor can _oblige_ His Majesty's subjects to +receive the said halfpence in any payment, but leaves it to their +voluntary choice, because, by law the subject cannot be _obliged_ to +take any money except gold or silver. And whereas, contrary to the +letter and meaning of the said patent, the said Wood hath declared that +every person shall be _obliged_ to take fivepence halfpenny of his coin +in every payment. And whereas the House of Commons and Privy-council +have severally addressed his Most Sacred Majesty, representing the ill +consequences which the said coinage may have upon this kingdom. And +lastly whereas it is universally agreed, that the whole nation to a man +(except Mr. Wood and his confederates) are in the utmost apprehensions +of the ruinous consequences, that must follow from the said coinage. +Therefore we whose names are underwritten, being persons of considerable +estates in this kingdom, and residers therein, do unanimously resolve +and declare that we will never receive, one farthing or halfpenny of the +said Wood's coining, and that we will direct all our tenants to refuse +the said coin from any person whatsoever; Of which that they may not be +ignorant, we have sent them a copy of this advertisement, to be read to +them by our stewards, receivers, &c." + +[Footnote 12: In the first paragraph of this letter the sum was given as +L104,000. [T.S.]] + +I could wish, that a paper of this nature might be drawn up, and signed +by two or three hundred principal gentlemen of this kingdom, and printed +copies thereof sent to their several tenants; I am deceived, if anything +could sooner defeat this execrable design of Wood and his accomplices. +This would immediately give the alarm, and set the kingdom on their +guard. This would give courage to the meanest tenant and cottager. "How +long, O Lord, righteous and true." + +I must tell you in particular, Mr. Harding, that you are much to blame. +Several hundred persons have enquired at your house for my "Letter to +the Shopkeepers, &c." and you had none to sell them. Pray keep yourself +provided with that letter, and with this; you have got very well by the +former, but I did not then write for your sake, any more than I do now. +Pray advertise both in every newspaper, and let it not be _your_ fault +or _mine_, if our countrymen will not take warning. I desire you +likewise to sell them as cheap as you can. + +_I am your servant_, + +M.B. + +_Aug._ 4, 1724. + + + + +_The Report of the Committee of the Lords of His +Majesty's most honourable Privy-Council, in +relation to Mr. Wood's Halfpence +and Farthings, etc._[1] + +AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT WHITEHALL, THE 24TH DAY +OF JULY, 1724. + + +In obedience to your Majesty's order of reference, upon the several +resolutions and addresses of both Houses of Parliament of Ireland, +during their late session, the late address of your Majesty's justices, +and Privy-council of that kingdom, and the petitions of the county and +city of Dublin, concerning a patent granted by your Majesty to William +Wood Esq; for the coining and uttering copper halfpence and farthings in +the kingdom of Ireland, to such persons as would voluntarily accept the +same; and upon the petition of the said William Wood, concerning the +same coinage, the Lords of the Committee have taken into their +consideration the said patent, addresses, petitions, and all matters and +papers relating thereto, and have heard and examined all such persons, +as upon due and sufficient notice, were desirous and willing to be heard +upon the subject matter under their consideration, and have agreed upon +the following Report, containing a true state of the whole matter, as it +appeared before them, with their humble opinion, to be laid before your +Majesty for your royal consideration and determination, upon a matter of +such importance. + +[Footnote 1: For the story of the origin of this report see the Note +prefixed to Letter III. [T.S.]] + +The several addresses to your Majesty from your subjects of Ireland, +contain in general terms the strongest representations of the great +apprehensions they were under, from the importing and uttering copper +halfpence and farthings in Ireland, by virtue of the patent granted to +Mr. Wood, which they conceived would prove highly prejudicial to your +Majesty's revenue, destructive of the trade and commerce of the kingdom, +and of dangerous consequence to the properties of the subject. They +represent, That the patent had been obtained in a clandestine and +unprecedented manner, and by notorious misrepresentations of the state +of Ireland; That if the terms of the patent had been complied with, this +coinage would have been of infinite loss to the kingdom, but that the +patentee, under colour of the powers granted to him, had imported and +endeavoured to utter great quantities of different impressions, and of +less weight, than required by the patent, and had been guilty of +notorious frauds and deceit in coining the said copper money: And they +humbly beseech your Majesty, that you would give such directions, as in +your great wisdom you should think proper, to prevent the fatal effects +of uttering any half pence or farthings by virtue of the said patent: +And the House of Commons of Ireland, in a second address upon this +subject, pray, That your Majesty would be pleased to give directions to +the several officers intrusted in the receipt of your Majesty's revenue, +That they do not on any pretence whatever, receive or utter any of the +said copper halfpence or farthings. + +In answer to the addresses of the Houses of Parliament of Ireland, your +Majesty was most graciously pleased to assure them, "That if any abuses +had been committed by the patentee, you would give the necessary orders +for enquiring into and punishing those abuses; and that your Majesty +would do everything, that was in your power, for the satisfaction of +your people." + +In pursuance of this your Majesty's most gracious declaration, your +Majesty was pleased to take this matter into you royal consideration; +and that you might be the better enabled effectually to answer the +expectations of your people of Ireland, your Majesty was pleased by a +letter from Lord Carteret, one of your principal secretaries of state, +dated March 10, 1723-4, to signify your pleasure to your Lord Lieutenant +of Ireland, "That he should give directions for sending over such papers +and witnesses as should be thought proper to support the objections made +against the patent, and against the patentee, in the execution of the +powers given him by the patent." + +Upon the receipt of these your Majesty's orders, the Lord Lieutenant, by +his letter of the 20th of March, 1723-4, represented the great +difficulty he found himself under, to comply with these your Majesty's +orders; and by another letter of the 24th of March 1723-4, "after +consulting the principal members of both Houses, who were immediately in +your Majesty's service, and of the Privy Council," acquainted your +Majesty, "That none of them would take upon them to advise, how any +material persons or papers might be sent over on this occasion; but they +all seemed apprehensive of the ill temper any miscarriage, in a trial, +upon _scire facias_ brought against the patentee, might occasion in both +Houses, if the evidence were not laid as full before a jury, as it was +before them," and did therefore, a second time, decline sending over +any persons, papers or materials whatsoever, to support this charge +brought against your Majesty's patent and the patentee. + +As this proceeding seemed very extraordinary, that in a matter that had +raised so great and universal a clamour in Ireland, no one person could +be prevailed upon to come over from Ireland, in support of the united +sense of both Houses of Parliament of Ireland; That no papers, no +materials, no evidence whatsoever of the mischiefs arising from this +patent, or of the notorious frauds and deceit committed in the execution +of it, could now be had, to give your Majesty satisfaction herein; "your +Majesty however, desirous to give your people of Ireland all possible +satisfaction, but sensible that you cannot in any case proceed against +any of the meanest of your subjects, but according to the known rules +and maxims of law and justice," repeated your orders to your Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland, that by persuasion, and making proper allowances +for their expenses, new endeavours might be used to procure and send +over such witnesses as should be thought material to make good the +charge against the patent. + +In answer to these orders, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland acquaints your +Majesty, by his letter of the 23d of April to one of your principal +secretaries of state, "That in order to obey your Majesty's commands as +far as possibly he could, at a meeting with my Lord Chancellor, the +Chief Judges, your Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor-General, he had +earnestly desired their advice and assistance, to enable him to send +over such witnesses as might be necessary to support the charge against +Mr. Wood's patent, and the execution of it. The result of this meeting +was such, that the Lord Lieutenant could not reap the least advantage or +assistance from it, every one being so guarded with caution, against +giving any advice or opinion in this matter of state, apprehending great +danger to themselves from meddling in it." + +The Lords of the Committee think it very strange, that there should be +such great difficulty in prevailing with persons, who had already given +their evidence before the Parliament of Ireland, to come over and give +the same evidence here, and especially, that the chief difficulty should +arise, from a general apprehension of a miscarriage, in an enquiry +before your Majesty, or in a proceeding by due course of law, in a case, +where both Houses of Parliament had declared themselves so fully +convinced, and satisfied upon evidence, and examinations taken in the +most solemn manner. + +At the same time that your Majesty sent your orders to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland, to send over such evidences as were thought +material to support the charge against the patent, that your Majesty +might, without any further loss of time than was absolutely necessary, +be as fully informed as was possible, and that the abuses and frauds +alleged to be committed by the patentee, in executing the powers granted +to him, might be fully and strictly enquired into, and examined, your +Majesty was pleased to order that an assay should be made of the +fineness, value, and weight of this copper money, and the goodness +thereof, compared with the former coinages of copper money for Ireland, +and the copper money coined in your Majesty's Mint in England; and it +was accordingly referred to Sir Isaac Newton, Edward Southwell, and +Thomas Scroope, Esqs. to make the said assay and trial. + +By the reports made of this assay, which are hereunto annexed, it +appears,[2] "That the pix of the copper moneys coined at Bristol by Mr. +Wood for Ireland, containing the trial pieces, which was sealed and +locked up at the time of coining, was opened at your Majesty's mint at +the Tower; that the comptroller's account of the quantities of halfpence +and farthings coined, agreed with Mr. Wood's account, amounting to 59 +tons, 3 hundred, 1 quarter, 11 pounds, and 4 ounces; That by the +specimens of this coinage, which had from time to time been taken from +the several parcels coined, and sealed up in papers, and put into the +pix, 60 halfpence weighed 14 ounces troy, and 18 penny-weight, which is +about a quarter of an ounce above one pound weight avoirdupois; and 30 +farthings weighed 3 ounces and 3 quarters of an ounce troy, and 46 +grams, which is also above the weight required by the patent. It also +appears, that both halfpence and farthings when heated red-hot spread +thin under the hammer without cracking; that the copper of which Mr. +Wood's coinage is made, is of the same goodness and value with the +copper of which the copper money is coined in your Majesty's mint for +England, and worth in the market about 13 pence per pound weight +avoirdupois; That a pound of copper wrought into bars of fillets, and +made fit for coinage, before brought into the mint at the Tower of +London, is worth 18 pence per pound, and always cost as much, and is +coined into 23 pence of copper money by tale, for England; It likewise +appears, that the halfpence and farthings coined by Mr. Wood, when +compared with the copper money coined for Ireland, in the reigns of King +Charles II. King James II. and King William and Queen Mary, considerably +exceeds them all in weight, very far exceeds them all in goodness, +fineness, and value of the copper, none of them bearing the fire so +well, not being malleable, wasting very much in the fire, and great part +of them burning into a cinder of little or no value at all; Specimens +of all which, as likewise of Mr. Wood's copper money, upon trials and +assays made by Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Southwell, and Mr. Scroope, were +laid before this Committee for their information." + +[Footnote 2: See Appendix, No. II. [T.S.]] + +The Lords of the Committee beg leave upon this article of the complaint, +"That notorious frauds and deceits had been committed by the patentee, +in executing the powers granted him," to observe to your Majesty, That +this is a fact expressly charged upon the patentee, and if it had in any +manner been proved, it might have enabled your Majesty, by due course of +law, to have given the satisfaction to your people of Ireland, that has +been so much insisted upon; but as it is now above four months since +your Majesty was pleased to send over to Ireland for such evidence, as +might prove a fact alleged to be so notorious, and no evidence at all +has been as yet transmitted, nor the least expectation given of any that +may hereafter be obtained, and the trials and assays that have been +taken of the halfpence, and farthings coined by Mr. Wood proving so +unquestionably the weight, goodness and fineness of the copper money +coined, rather exceeding the conditions of the patent, than being any +way defective, the Lords of the Committee cannot advise your Majesty, by +a writ of _scire facias_, or any other manner to endeavour vacating the +said patent, when there is no probability of success in such an +undertaking. + +As these trials and assays fully shew that the patentee hath acted +fairly according to the terms and conditions of his patent, so they +evidently prove, that the care and caution made use of in this patent, +by proper conditions, checks, and comptrols have effectually provided, +that the copper money coined for Ireland by virtue of this patent, +should far exceed the like coinages for Ireland, in the reigns of your +Majesty's royal predecessors. + +And that your Majesty's royal predecessors have exercised this undoubted +prerogative of granting to private persons the power and privilege of +coining copper halfpence and farthings for the kingdom of Ireland, was +proved to this Committee by several precedents of such patents granted +to private persons by King Charles II. and King James II. none of which +were equally beneficial to your kingdom of Ireland, nor so well guarded +with proper covenants and conditions for the due execution of the powers +thereby granted, although the power and validity of those patents, and a +due compliance with them, was never in any one instance, till this time, +disputed or controverted. + +By these former patents, the sole power of coining copper money for +Ireland, was granted to the patentees for the term of 21 years, to be +coined in such place as they should think convenient, and "such +quantities as they could conveniently issue within the term of 21 +years," without any restriction of the quantity to be coined within the +whole term, or any provision of a certain quantity, only to be coined +annually to prevent the ill consequences of too great a quantity to be +poured in at once, at the will and pleasure of the patentees; no +provision was made for the goodness and fineness of the copper, no +comptroller appointed to inspect the copper in bars and fillets, before +coined, and take constant assays of the money when coined, and the power +of issuing not limited "to such as would voluntarily accept the same"; +but by the patent granted to John Knox, the money coined by virtue of +the patent, "is made and declared to be the current coin of the kingdom +of Ireland," and a pound weight of copper was allowed to be coined into +2 shillings and 8 pence, and whatever quantity should be coined, a rent +of 16_l_ _per annum_ only was reserved to the crown, and 700 tons of +copper were computed to be coined within the 21 years, without any +complaint. + +The term granted to Mr. Wood for coining copper money is for 14 years +only, the quantity for the whole term limited to 360 tons, 100 ton only +to be issued within one year, and 20 tons each year for the 13 remaining +years; a comptroller is appointed by the authority of the crown to +inspect, comptrol, and assay the copper, as well not coined as coined; +the copper to be fine British copper, cast into bars or fillets, which +when heated red hot would spread thin under the hammer; a pound weight +of copper to be coined into 2 shillings and sixpence, and without any +compulsion on currency enforced, to be received by such only as would +voluntarily and wilfully accept the same"; a rent of 800_l_ _per annum_ +is reserved unto your Majesty,[3] and 200_l per annum_ to your Majesty's +clerk comptroller, to be paid annually by the patentee, for the full +term of the fourteen years, which for 13 years when 20 tons of copper +only are coined, is not inconsiderable; these great and essential +differences in the several patents, that have been granted for coining +copper money for the kingdom of Ireland, seemed sufficiently to justify +the care and caution that was used in granting the letters-patent to Mr. +Wood. + +[Footnote 3: See the extract from the patent itself, where the amount is +given differently [T.S.]] + +It has been further represented to your Majesty, That these +letters-patent were obtained by Mr. Wood in a clandestine and +unprecedent manner, and by gross misrepresentations of the state of the +kingdom of Ireland. Upon enquiring into this fact it appears, That the +petition of Mr. Wood for obtaining this coinage, was presented to your +Majesty at the time that several other petitions and applications were +made to your Majesty, for the same purpose, by sundry persons, well +acquainted and conversant with the affairs of Ireland, setting forth the +great want of small money and change in all the common and lower parts +of traffic, and business throughout the kingdom, and the terms of Mr. +Wood's petition seeming to your Majesty most reasonable, thereupon a +draught of a warrant directing a grant of such coinage to be made to Mr. +Wood, was referred to your Majesty's then Attorney and Solicitor-general +of England, to consider and report their opinion to your Majesty; Sir +Isaac Newton, as the Committee is informed was consulted in all the +steps of settling and adjusting the terms and conditions of the patent; +and after mature deliberation, your Majesty's warrant was signed, +directing an indenture in such manner as is practised in your Majesty's +mint in the Tower of London, for the coining of gold and silver moneys, +to pass the Great Seal of Great Britain, which was carried through all +the usual forms and offices without haste or precipitation, That the +Committee cannot discover the least pretence to say, this patent was +passed or obtained in a clandestine or unprecedented manner, unless it +is to be understood, that your Majesty's granting a liberty of coining +copper money for Ireland, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, without +referring the consideration thereof to the principal officers of +Ireland, is the grievance and mischief complained of. Upon this head it +must be admitted, that letters-patent under the Great Seal of Great +Britain for coining copper money for Ireland, are legal and obligatory, +a just and reasonable exercise of your Majesty's royal prerogative, and +in no manner derogatory, or invasive, of any liberties or privileges of +your subjects of Ireland. When any matter or thing is transacting that +concerns or may affect your kingdom of Ireland, if your Majesty has any +doubts concerning the same, or sees just cause for considering your +officers of Ireland, your Majesty is frequently pleased to refer such +considerations to your chief governors of Ireland, but the Lords of the +Committee hope it will not be asserted, that any legal orders or +resolutions of your Majesty can or ought to be called in question or +invalidated, because the advice or consent of your chief governors of +that kingdom was not previously had upon them: The precedents are many, +wherein cases of great importance to Ireland, and that immediately +affected, the interests of that kingdom, warrants, orders, and +directions, by the authority of your Majesty and your royal +predecessors, have been issued under the royal sign manual, without any +previous reference, or advice of your officers of Ireland, which have +always had their due force, and have been punctually complied with and +obeyed. And as it cannot be disputed but this patent might legally and +properly pass under the Great Seal of Great Britain, so their Lordships +cannot find any precedents of references to the officers of Ireland, of +what passed under the Great Seal of England; on the contrary, there are +precedents of patents passed under the Great Seal of Ireland, where in +all the previous steps the references were made to the officers of +England. + +By the misrepresentation of the state of Ireland, in order to obtain +this patent, it is presumed, is meant, That the information given to +your Majesty of the great want of small money, to make small payments, +was groundless, and that there is no such want of small money: The Lords +of the Committee enquired very particularly into this article, and Mr. +Wood produced several witnesses, that directly asserted the great want +of small money for change, and the great damage that retailers and +manufactures suffered for want of such copper money. Evidence was given, +That considerable manufacturers have been obliged to give tallies, or +tokens in cards, to their workmen for want of small money, signed upon +the back, to be afterwards exchanged for larger money: That a premium +was often given to obtain small money for necessary occasions: Several +letters from Ireland to correspondents in England were read, complaining +of the want of copper money, and expressing the great demand there was +for this money. + +The great want of small money was further proved by the common use of +_raps_, a counterfeit coin, of such base metal, that what passes for a +halfpenny, is not worth half a farthing, which raps appear to have +obtained a currency, out of necessity and for want of better small money +to make change with, and by the best accounts, the Lords of the +Committee have reason to believe, That there can be no doubt, that there +is a real want of small money in Ireland, which seems to be so far +admitted on all hands, that there does not appear to have been any +misrepresentation of the state of Ireland in this respect. + +In the second address from the House of Commons to your Majesty, They +most humbly beseech your Majesty, that you will be graciously pleased to +give directions to the several officers intrusted with the receipt of +your Majesty's revenue, that they do not, on any pretence whatsoever, +receive or utter such halfpence or farthings, and Mr. Wood, in his +petition to your Majesty, complains, that the officers of your Majesty's +revenue had already given such orders to all the inferior officers not +to receive any of this coin. + +Your Majesty, by your patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, +wills, requires and commands your "lieutenant, deputy, or other chief +governor or governors of your kingdom of Ireland, and all other officers +and ministers of your Majesty, your heirs and successors in England, +Ireland or elsewhere, to be aiding and assisting to the said William +Wood, his executors, &c. in the execution of all or any the powers, +authorities, directions, matters or things to be executed by him or +them, or for his or their benefit and advantage, by virtue, and in +pursuance of the said indentures, in all things as becometh, &c." And if +the officers of the revenue have, upon their own authority, given any +orders, directions, significations, or intimations, to hinder or +obstruct the receiving and uttering the copper money coined and +imported, pursuant to your Majesty's letters-patent, this cannot but be +looked upon as a very extraordinary proceeding. + +In another paragraph of the patent your Majesty has covenanted and +granted unto the said William Wood, his executors, &c. "That upon +performance of covenants, on his and their parts, he and they shall +peaceably, and quietly, have, hold, and enjoy all the powers, +authorities, privileges, licences, profits, advantages, and all other +matters and things thereby granted, without any let, suit, trouble, +molestation or denial of your Majesty, your heirs or successors, or of +or by any of your or their officers or ministers, or any person or +persons, &c." This being so expressly granted and covenanted by your +Majesty, and there appearing no failure, non-performance, or breach of +covenants, on the part of the patentee, the Lords of the Committee +cannot advise your Majesty to give directions to the officers of the +revenue, not to receive or utter any of the said copper halfpence or +farthings as has been desired. + +Mr. Wood having been heard by his counsel, produced his several +witnesses, all the papers and precedents, which he thought material, +having been read and considered, and having as he conceived, fully +vindicated both the patent, and the execution thereof. For his further +justification, and to clear himself from the imputation of attempting to +make to himself any unreasonable profit or advantage, and to enrich +himself at the expense of the kingdom of Ireland, by endeavouring to +impose upon them, and utter a greater quantity of copper money, than the +necessary occasions of the people shall require, and can easily take +off, delivered a proposal in writing, signed by himself, which is +hereunto annexed, and Mr. Wood having by the said letters-patent, +"covenanted, granted, and promised to, and with your Majesty, your heirs +and successors, that he shall and will from time to time in the making +the said copper farthings and halfpence in England, and in transporting +the same from time to time to Ireland, and in uttering, vending, +disposing and dispersing the same there, and in all his doings and +accounts concerning the same, submit himself to the inspection, +examination, order and comptrol of your Majesty and your commissioners +of the treasury or high-treasurer for the time being;" the Lords of the +Committee are of opinion, that your Majesty upon this voluntary offer +and proposal of Mr. Wood, may give proper orders and directions for the +execution and due performance of such parts of the said proposal, as +shall be judged most for the interest and accommodation of your subjects +of Ireland: In the mean time, it not appearing to their Lordships that +Mr. Wood has done or committed any act or deed, that may tend to +invalidate, or make void his letters-patent, or to forfeit the +privileges and advantages thereby granted to him by your Majesty; It is +but just and reasonable, that your Majesty should immediately send +orders to your commissioners of the revenue, and all other your officers +in Ireland, to revoke all orders, directions, significations, or +intimations whatsoever, that may have been given by them, or any of +them, to hinder or obstruct the receiving and uttering this copper +money, and that the halfpence and farthings already coined by Mr. Wood, +amounting to about 17,000_l_. and such further quantity as shall make up +the said 17,000_l_. to 40,000_l_. "be suffered and permitted without any +let, suit, trouble, molestation, or denial of any of your Majesty's +officers or ministers whatsoever, to pass, and be received as current +money by such as shall be willing to receive the same." At the same +time, it may be advisable for your Majesty, to give the proper orders, +that Mr. Wood shall not coin, import into Ireland, utter or dispose of +any more copper halfpence or farthings, than to the amount of 40,000_l_. +according to his own proposal, without your Majesty's special licence or +authority, to be had for that purpose; and if your Majesty shall be +pleased to order, that Mr. Wood's proposal, delivered to the Lords of +the Committee, shall be transmitted to your Majesty's chief governor, +deputies, or other your ministers, or officers in Ireland, it will give +them a proper opportunity to consider, Whether, after the reduction of +360 tons of copper, being in value 100,800_l_. to 142 tons, 17 hundred, +16 pounds being in value 40,000_l_. only, anything can be done for the +further satisfaction of the people of Ireland. + + + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND. + + +NOTE. + +The Drapier's second letter was dated August 4th, 1724. A few days +later the English Privy Council's Report, dated 24th July, 1724, arrived +in Dublin, and on August 25th, Swift had issued his reply to it in this +third letter. + +The Report itself, which is here prefixed to the third letter, was said +to have been the work of Walpole. Undoubtedly, it contains the best +arguments that could then be urged in favour of Wood and the patent, and +undoubtedly, also, it would have had the desired effect had it been +allowed to do its work uncriticised. But Swift's opposition was fatal to +Walpole's intentions. He took the report as but another attempt to foist +on the people of Ireland a decree in which they had not been consulted, +and no amount of yielding, short of complete abandonment of it, would +palliate the thing that was hateful in itself. He resented the insult. +After specific rebuttals of the various arguments urged in the report in +favour of the patent, Swift suddenly turns from the comparatively petty +and insignificant consideration as to the weight and quality of the +coins, and deals with the broad principle of justice which the granting +of the patent had ignored. Had the English Houses of Parliament and the +English Privy Council, he said, addressed the King against a similar +breach of the English people's rights, his Majesty would not have waited +to discuss the matter, nor would his ministers have dared to advise him +as they had done in this instance. "Am I a free man in England," he +exclaims, "and do I become a slave in six hours in crossing the +channel?" + +The report, however, is interesting inasmuch as it assists us to +appreciate the pathetic condition of Irish affairs at the time. The very +fact that the petition of the Irish parliament could be so handled, +proves how strong had been the hold over Ireland by England, and with +what daring insistence the English ministers continued to efface the +last strongholds of Irish independence. + +Monck Mason, in reviewing the report, has devoted a very elaborate note +to its details, and has fortified his criticisms with a series of +remarkable letters from the Archbishop of Dublin, which he publishes for +the first time.[1] I have embodied much of this note in the annotations +which accompany the present reprint of this letter. + +[Footnote 1: "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. lxxxvi-xcv.] + +The text of this third letter is based on Sir W. Scott's, collated with +the first edition and that given by Faulkner in "Fraud Detected." It has +also been read with Faulkner's text given in the fourth volume of his +edition of Swift's Works, published in 1735. + +[T.S.] + + +[Illustration: + SOME + **Observations** + + Upon a PAPER, Call'd, The + + **REPORT** + + OF THE + **COMMITTEE** + OF THE + Most Honourable the _Privy-Council_ + IN + **ENGLAND,** + Relating to WOOD's _Half-pence_. + + + _By_. M.B. _Drapier_. + AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + _SHOP-KEEPERS_, &c. + + DUBLIN: + Printed by _John Harding_ in +_Molesworth's-Court_ in _Fishamble Street_. +] + + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND. + + +Having already written two letters to people of my own level, and +condition; and having now very pressing occasion for writing a third; I +thought I could not more properly address it than to your lordships and +worships. + +The occasion is this. A printed paper was sent to me on the 18th +instant, entitled, "A Report of the Committee of the Lords of His +Majesty's Most Honourable Privy-Council in England, relating to Mr. +Wood's Halfpence and Farthings."[2] There is no mention made where the +paper was printed, but I suppose it to have been in Dublin; and I have +been told that the copy did not come over in the Gazette, but in the +London Journal, or some other print of no authority or consequence; and +for anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a +contrivance to fright us, or a project of some printer, who hath a mind +to make a penny by publishing something upon a subject, which now +employs all our thoughts in this kingdom. Mr. Wood in publishing this +paper would insinuate to the world, as if the Committee had a greater +concern for his credit and private emolument, than for the honour of the +Privy-council and both Houses of Parliament here, and for the quiet and +welfare of this whole kingdom; For it seems intended as a vindication of +Mr. Wood, not without several severe remarks on the Houses of Lords and +Commons of Ireland. + +[Footnote 2: The full text of this report is prefixed to this third +letter of the Drapier. The report was published in the "London Journal" +about the middle of August of 1724. Neither the "Gazette" nor any other +ministerial organ printed it, which evidently gave Swift his cue to +attack it in the merciless manner he did. Monck Mason thought it "not +improbable that the minister [Walpole] adopted this method of +communication, because it served his own purpose; he dared not to stake +his credit upon such a document, which, in its published form, contains +some gross mis-statements" ("History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," note, +on p. 336). [T.S.]] + +The whole is indeed written with the turn and air of a pamphlet, as if +it were a dispute between William Wood on the one part, and the Lords +Justices, Privy-council and both Houses of Parliament on the other; the +design of it being to clear and vindicate the injured reputation of +William Wood, and to charge the other side with casting rash and +groundless aspersions upon him. + +But if it be really what the title imports, Mr. Wood hath treated the +Committee with great rudeness, by publishing an act of theirs in so +unbecoming a manner, without their leave, and before it was communicated +to the government and Privy-council of Ireland, to whom the Committee +advised that it should be transmitted. But with all deference be it +spoken, I do not conceive that a Report of a Committee of the Council in +England is hitherto a law in either kingdom; and until any point is +determined to be a law, it remains disputable by every subject. + +This (may it please your lordships and worships) may seem a strange way +of discoursing in an illiterate shopkeeper. I have endeavoured (although +without the help of books) to improve that small portion of reason which +God hath pleased to give me, and when reason plainly appears before me, +I cannot turn away my head from it. Thus for instance, if any lawyer +should tell me that such a point were law, from which many gross +palpable absurdities must follow, I would not, I could not believe him. +If Sir Edward Coke should positively assert (which he nowhere does, but +the direct contrary) that a limited prince, could by his prerogative +oblige his subjects to take half an ounce of lead, stamped with his +image, for twenty shillings in gold, I should swear he was deceived or a +deceiver, because a power like that, would leave the whole lives and +fortunes of the people entirely at the mercy of the monarch: Yet this, +in effect, is what Wood hath advanced in some of his papers, and what +suspicious people may possibly apprehend from some passages in that +which is called the "Report." + +That paper mentions "such persons to have been examined, who were +desirous and willing to be heard upon that subject." I am told, they +were four in all, Coleby, Brown, Mr. Finley the banker, and one more +whose name I know not. The first of these was tried for robbing the +Treasury in Ireland, and although he was acquitted for want of legal +proof, yet every person in the Court believed him to be guilty. The +second was tried for a rape, and stands recorded in the votes of the +House of Commons, for endeavouring by perjury and subornation, to take +away the life of John Bingham, Esq.[3] + +[Footnote 3: Referring to these persons who were examined by the +Committee, Monck Mason quotes from two letters from Archbishop King to +Edward Southwell, Esq. King was one of the council, and Southwell +secretary of state at the time. The first of these letters remarks: +"Could a greater contempt be put upon a nation, than to see such a +little fellow as Wood favoured and supported against them, and such +profligates as Brown and Coleby believed before a whole parliament, +government, and private council." From the second letter, written on +August 15th, 1724, Monck Mason gives the following extracts: + +"--When I returned to Dublin I met with resolutions concerning our +halfpence, founded chiefly on the testimony of two infamous persons, +John Brown and Coleby: as to the first of these, you will find his +character in the votes of the house of commons, last parliament. +Tuesday, the 5th of November. + +"'Resolved, that it appears to this Committee, that a wicked conspiracy +was maliciously contrived and carried on against John Bingham, to take +away his life and fortune. + +"'Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said John +Brown, of Rabens, Esq. and his accomplices, were the chief promoters and +advisers of the said conspiracy. + +"'Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said John +Brown is a person not fit to serve his majesty, in any office or +employment, civil or military, whatsoever. + +"'Resolved, that the said John Brown has, in the course of his +examination, grossly prevaricated with this Committee. + +"'To all which resolutions, the question being severally put, the house +did agree, _nemine contradicente_. + +"'Ordered, that the said John Brown be, for his said prevarication, +taken into the custody of the serjeant at arms attending this house. + +"'Ordered, that his majesty's attorney-general do present the said John +Brown, for conniving and maliciously carrying on the said conspiracy to +take away the life of the said John Bingham, and others.' + +"As to Coleby, he was turned out of the treasury for robbing it of a +considerable sum of money. I was present at his trial at the +King's-bench, and the evidence was such as convinced every one, in his +conscience, that he was guilty; but, the proofs being presumptive, and +not direct, the jury acquitted him; on which the judge (Pine, if I +remember right) observed the happiness of English subjects, that, though +everybody was convinced of a man's guilt, yet, if the evidence did not +come up to the strict requisites of the law, he would escape" ("History +of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. xciv-xcv.) [T.S.]] + +But since I have gone so far as to mention particular persons, it may be +some satisfaction to know who is this Wood himself, that has the honour +to have a whole kingdom at his mercy, for almost two years together. I +find he is in the patent entitled _Esq_; although he were understood to +be only a hardware-man, and so I have been bold to call him in my former +letters; however a '_squire_ he is, not only by virtue of his patent, +but by having been a collector in Shropshire, where pretending to have +been robbed, and suing the county, he was cast, and for the infamy of +the fact, lost his employment. + +I have heard another story of this 'Squire Wood from a very honourable +lady, that one Hamilton told her. He (Hamilton) was sent for six years +ago by Sir Isaac Newton to try the coinage of four men, who then +solicited a patent for coining halfpence for Ireland; their names were +Wood, Coster, Elliston, and Parker. Parker made the fairest offer, and +Wood the worst, for his coin were three halfpence in a pound less value +than the other. By which it is plain with what intentions he solicited +this patent, but not so plain how he obtained it. + +It is alleged in the said paper, called the "Report," that upon repeated +orders from a secretary of state, for sending over such papers and +witnesses, as should be thought proper to support the objections made +against the patent (by both Houses of Parliament) the Lord Lieutenant +represented "the great difficulty he found himself in to comply with +these orders. That none of the principal members of both Houses, who +were in the King's service or council, would take upon them to advise +how any material person or papers might be sent over on this occasion, +&c." And this is often repeated and represented as "a proceeding that +seems very extraordinary, and that in a matter which had raised so great +a clamour in Ireland, no one person could be prevailed upon to come over +from Ireland in support of the united sense of both Houses of Parliament +in Ireland, especially that the chief difficulty should arise from a +general apprehension of a miscarriage, in an enquiry before His +Majesty, or in a proceeding by due course of law, in a case where both +Houses of Parliament had declared themselves so fully convinced, and +satisfied upon evidence, and examinations taken in the most solemn +manner."[4] + +[Footnote 4: Commenting on this Monck Mason has the following note. This +learned biographer's remarks are specially important inasmuch as he has +fortified them with letters from Archbishop King, unpublished at the +time he wrote: "But this [referring to the extract from the Report given +by Swift] will not appear so strange or inexplicable after perusing the +following letter from Archbishop King ... to Edward Southwell, Esq. ...; +this important state paper may, therefore, be considered as an official +communication of the sentiments of the Irish Privy Council upon this +matter. + +"Letter from William King, Archbishop of Dublin, to Edward Southwell, +Esq., dated the 23d March, 1723. + +"'I have not had any occasion of late to trouble you with my letters; +but yesternight I came to the knowledge of an affair which gave me some +uneasiness, and, I believe, will do so to the whole kingdom, when it +becomes public. My lord lieutenant sent for several lords and commoners +of the privy council, and communicated to them a letter from my Lord +Carteret, writ by his majesty's command, in which was repeated the +answer given to the addresses of the lords and commons, about one +William Wood's farthings and halfpence; and his grace is required to +send over witnesses and evidences against the patentee or patent: this +has surprised most people, because we were borne in hand that that +affair was dead, and that we should never hear any more of it. + +"'His grace's design was, to be advised by what means and methods he +might effectually comply with his majesty's commands; and, by what I +could perceive, it was the sense of all, that it was not possible, in +the present situation of affairs, to answer his majesty's expectations +or those of the kingdom; and that, for these reasons: + +"'1st, because this is a controversy between the parliament of Ireland +and William Wood, and, the parliament being now prorogued, nobody either +would, or durst, take on them to meddle in a business attacked by the +parliament, or pretend to manage a cause which so deeply concerned the +parliament, and the whole nation, without express orders. If this letter +had come whilst the parliament was sitting, and had been communicated to +the houses, they could have appointed certain persons to have acted for +them, and raised a fund to support them, as has been done formerly in +this kingdom on several occasions; but, for any, without such authority, +to make himself a party for the legislature and people of Ireland, would +be a bold undertaking, and, perhaps, dangerous; for, if such undertaker +or undertakers should fail in producing all evidences that may be had, +or any of the papers necessary to make the case evident, they must +expect to be severely handled the next parliament for their +officiousness, and bear the blame of the miscarriage of the cause: for +these reasons, as it seemed to me, the privy councillors were unwilling +to engage at all in the business, or to meddle with it. + +"'But, 2dly, the thing seemed impracticable; because it would signify +nothing to send over the copies of the papers that were laid before the +parliament, if the design is, as it seems to be, to bring the patent to +a legal trial; for such copies we were told by lawyers, could not be +produced in any court as evidence; and, as to the originals, they are in +the possession of the houses, and (as was conceived) could not be taken +from the proper officers with whom they were trusted, but by the like +order. + +"'And, as to the witnesses, it was a query whether my lord lieutenant by +his own power could send them; and, if he have such power, yet it will +not be possible to come at the witnesses, for several in each house +vouched several facts on their own knowledge, to whom the houses gave +credit; my lord lieutenant can neither be apprised of the persons nor of +the particulars which the members testified; whereas, if the parliament +was sitting, those members would appear, and make good their assertions. + +"'There were several sorts of farthings and halfpence produced to the +houses, differing in weight, and there was likewise a difference in the +stamp. These were sent over by William Wood to his correspondents here, +and by them produced. But can it be proved, on a legal trial, that these +particular halfpence were coined by him? It is easy for him to say, that +they are counterfeited, as (if I remember right) he has already affirmed +in the public prints, in his answer to the address of the commons. + +"'But, 3dly, it was not on the illegality of the patent, nor chiefly on +the abuse of it the patentee (which was not so much as mentioned by the +lords), that the parliament insisted, but on the unavoidable mischief +and destruction it would bring on the kingdom, and on its being obtained +by most false and notorious misinformation of his majesty; it being +suggested, as appears by the preamble, that the kingdom wanted such +halfpence and farthings: now, if the king be misinformed, the lawyers +tell us, that the grant is void. And, that his majesty was deceived in +this grant by a false representation, it was said, needed no further +proof than the patent itself.--William Wood by it was empowered to coin +360 tons of copper into halfpence and farthings, which would have made +L90,000, about the fifth part of all the current cash of Ireland; for +that is not reckoned, by those who suppose it most, to be L500,000. Now, +the current cash of England is reckoned above twenty millions; in +proportion, therefore, if Ireland wants L90,000 England will want four +millions. It is easy to imagine what would be said to a man that would +propose to his majesty such a coinage; and it is agreed, that the people +of England would not be more alarmed by such a patent, than the people +of Ireland are, by the prospect of turning the fifth part of their +current coin into brass. + +"'This, so far as I can remember, is a brief of what passed in the +meeting before my lord lieutenant'" ("History of St. Patrick's +Cathedral," pp. lxxxvii-lxxxviii). [T.S.]] + +How shall I, a poor ignorant shopkeeper, utterly unskilled in law, be +able to answer so weighty an objection. I will try what can be done by +plain reason, unassisted by art, cunning or eloquence. + +In my humble opinion, the committee of council, hath already prejudged +the whole case, by calling the united sense of both Houses of +Parliament in Ireland an "universal clamour." Here the addresses of the +Lords and Commons of Ireland against a ruinous destructive project of an +"obscure, single undertaker," is called a "clamour." I desire to know +how such a style would be resented in England from a committee of +council there to a Parliament, and how many impeachments would follow +upon it. But supposing the appellation to be proper, I never heard of a +wise minister who despised the universal clamour of a people, and if +that clamour can be quieted by disappointing the fraudulent practice of +a single person, the purchase is not exorbitant. + +But in answer to this objection. First it is manifest, that if this +coinage had been in Ireland, with such limitations as have been formerly +specified in other patents, and granted to persons of this kingdom, or +even of England, able to give sufficient security, few or no +inconveniencies could have happened, which might not have been +immediately remedied. As to Mr. Knox's patent mentioned in the Report, +security was given into the exchequer, that the patentee should at any +time receive his halfpence back, and pay gold or silver in exchange for +them. And Mr. Moor (to whom I suppose that patent was made over) was in +1694 forced to leave off coining, before the end of that year, by the +great crowds of people continually offering to return his coinage upon +him. In 1698 he coined again, and was forced to give over for the same +reason. This entirely alters the case; for there is no such condition in +Wood's patent, which condition was worth a hundred times all other +limitations whatsoever.[5] + +[Footnote 5: It will serve to elucidate this paragraph if an account be +given of the various coinage patents issued for Ireland. Monck Mason +gives an account in a long note to his biography of Swift; but as he has +obtained it from the very ably written tract, "A Defence of the Conduct +of the People of Ireland," etc., I have gone to that pamphlet for the +present _resume_. I quote from pp. 21-24 of the Dublin edition, issued +in 1724 and printed by George Ewing: + +"K. Charles 2d. 1660 granted a patent for coining only farthings for the +kingdom of Ireland to Coll. Armstrong: But I do not find he ever made +any use of it.[A] For all our copper and brass money to the year 1680 +was issued by private persons, who obtained particular licences, _on +giving security to change their half-pence and farthings for gold and +silver_; but some of their securities failing, others pretending the +half-pence which were tendered to be changed were counterfeits, the +public always suffered. Col. Armstrong's son, finding great profit was +made by coining half-pence in Ireland, by virtue of particular licences +recallable at pleasure, solicited and obtained a patent in the name of +George Legg afterwards Lord Dartmouth, for coining half-pence for +Ireland from 1680, for 21 years, _he giving security to exchange them +for gold or silver on demand_.[B] In pursuance of this he coined +considerable quantities of half-pence for four years; but in 1685 [John] +Knox, with the consent of Armstrong, got the remaining part of this term +granted by patent in his own name, he giving security as above, and got +his half-pence declared the current coin of Ireland, notwithstanding two +Acts of Parliament had enacted that they should not be received in the +revenue. Knox was interrupted in his coinage in 1689, by King James's +taking it into his own hands, to coin his famous brass money, of which +he coined no less than L965,375, three penny worth of metal passing for +L10 _ster_. In this money creditors were obliged to receive their debts, +and by this cruel stratagem Ireland lost about L60,000 per month. This +not only made our gold and silver, but even our half-pence to disappear; +which obliged King William to coin pewter half-pence for the use of his +army.... + +[Footnote A: Monck Mason, quoting Simon "On Irish Coins" (Append., No. +LXV), says: "Sir Thomas [Armstrong] was never admitted to make use of +this grant, nor could he obtain allowance of the chief governor of +Ireland, to issue them as royal coin among the subjects of that +kingdom."] + +[Footnote B: "A proclamation was issued by the lord lieutenant, +declaring these half-pence to be the current coin of the kingdom, but it +provided that none should be enforced to take more than five shillings +in the payment of one hundred pounds, and so proportionately in all +greater and lesser sums.... This patent was granted, by and with, the +advice of James, Duke of Ormond" (Monck Mason, "History of St. +Patrick's," p. 334, note y).] + +"After the Revolution, Col. Roger Moore being possessed of Knox's +patent, commenced his coinage in Dublin, and at first kept several +offices for changing his half-pence for gold or silver. He soon +overstocked the kingdom so with copper money, that persons were obliged +to receive large sums in it; for the officers of the crown were +industrious dispensers of it, for which he allowed them a premium. It +was common at that time for one to compound for 1/4 copper, and the +collectors paid nothing else. The country being thus overcharged with a +base coin, everyone tendered it to Col. Moore to be changed. This he +refused, on pretence they were counterfeits.... On this he quitted +coining in 1698, but left us in a miserable condition, which is lively +represented in a Memorial presented by Will. Trench, Esq. to the Lords +of the Treasury, on Mr. Wood's obtaining his patent, and which our +Commissioners referred to.... Col. Moore finding the sweet of such a +patent, applied to King William for a renewal of it; but his petition +being referred to the government of Ireland, the affair was fairly +represented to the king, whereby his designs were frustrated. + +"In the reign of the late Queen, application was made by Robert Baird +and William Harnill, Trustees for the garrison which defended +Londonderry, for a patent to coin base money for Ireland ... their +petition was rejected.... Since this time there have been many +applications made for such patents." [T.S.]] + +Put the case, that the two Houses of Lords and Commons of England, and +the Privy-council there should address His Majesty to recall a patent, +from whence they apprehend the most ruinous consequences to the whole +kingdom: And to make it stronger if possible, that the whole nation, +almost to a man, should thereupon discover the "most dismal +apprehensions" (as Mr. Wood styles them) would His Majesty debate half +an hour what he had to do? Would any minister dare advise him against +recalling such a patent? Or would the matter be referred to the +Privy-Council or to Westminster-hall, the two Houses of Parliament +plaintiffs, and William Wood defendant? And is there even the smallest +difference between the two cases? + +Were not the people of Ireland born as free as those of England? How +have they forfeited their freedom? Is not their Parliament as fair a +representative of the people as that of England? And hath not their +Privy-council as great or a greater share in the administration of +public affairs? Are they not subjects of the same King? Does not the +same sun shine on them? And have they not the same God for their +protector? Am I a freeman in England, and do I become a slave in six +hours by crossing the Channel? No wonder then, if the boldest persons +were cautious to interpose in a matter already determined by the whole +voice of the nation, or to presume to represent the representatives of +the kingdom, and were justly apprehensive of meeting such a treatment as +they would deserve at the next session. It would seem very extraordinary +if an inferior court in England, should take a matter out of the hands +of the high court of Parliament, during a prorogation, and decide it +against the opinion of both Houses. + +It happens however, that, although no persons were so bold, as to go +over as evidences, to prove the truth of the objections made against +this patent by the high court of Parliament here, yet these objections +stand good, notwithstanding the answers made by Wood and his Council. + +The Report says, that "upon an assay made of the fineness, weight and +value of this copper, it exceeded in every article." This is possible +enough in the pieces upon which the assay was made; but Wood must have +failed very much in point of dexterity, if he had not taken care to +provide a sufficient quantity of such halfpence as would bear the trial; +which he was well able to do, although "they were taken out of several +parcels." Since it is now plain, that the bias of favour hath been +wholly on his side.[6] + +[Footnote 6: The report of the assayers as abstracted by the Lords of +the Committee in their report is not accurately stated. Monck Mason +notes that the abstract omits the following passage: "But although the +copper was very good, and the money, one piece with another, was full +weight, yet the single pieces were not so equally coined in the weight +as they should have been." Nor is it shown that the coins assayed were +of the same kind as those sent into Ireland. The Committee's report +fails to see the question that must arise when it is noted that while in +England a pound of copper was made into twenty-three pence, yet for +Ireland Wood was permitted to make it into thirty pence, in spite of the +statement that the copper used in England was worth fivepence a pound +more than that used by Wood. [T.S.]] + +But what need is there of disputing, when we have positive demonstration +of Wood's fraudulent practices in this point? I have seen a large +quantity of these halfpence weighed by a very skilful person, which were +of four different kinds, three of them considerably under weight. I have +now before me an exact computation of the difference of weight between +these four sorts, by which it appears that the fourth sort, or the +lightest, differs from the first to a degree, that, in the coinage of +three hundred and sixty tons of copper, the patentee will be a gainer, +only by that difference, of twenty-four thousand four hundred and +ninety-four pounds, and in the whole, the public will be a loser of +eighty-two thousand one hundred and sixty-eight pounds, sixteen +shillings, even supposing the metal in point of goodness to answer +Wood's contract and the assay that hath been made; which it infallibly +doth not. For this point hath likewise been enquired into by very +experienced men, who, upon several trials in many of these halfpence, +have found them to be at least one fourth part below the real value (not +including the raps or counterfeits that he or his accomplices have +already made of his own coin, and scattered about). Now the coinage of +three hundred and sixty ton of copper coined by the weight of the fourth +or lightest sort of his halfpence will amount to one hundred twenty-two +thousand four hundred eighty-eight pounds, sixteen shillings, and if we +subtract a fourth part of the real value by the base mixture in the +metal, we must add to the public loss one fourth part to be subtracted +from the intrinsic value of the copper, which in three hundred and sixty +tons amounts to ten thousand and eighty pounds, and this added to the +former sum of eighty-two thousand one hundred sixty-eight pounds, +sixteen shillings, will make in all, ninety-two thousand two hundred +forty-eight pounds loss to the public; besides the raps or counterfeits +that he may at any time hereafter think fit to coin. Nor do I know +whether he reckons the dross exclusive or inclusive with his three +hundred and sixty ton of copper; which however will make a considerable +difference in the account. + +You will here please to observe, that the profit allowed to Wood by the +patent is twelvepence out of every pound of copper valued at _1s. 6d_. +whereas _5d_. only is allowed for coinage of a pound weight for the +English halfpence, and this difference is almost 25 _per cent_. which is +double to the highest exchange of money, even under all the additional +pressures, and obstructions to trade, that this unhappy kingdom lies at +present. This one circumstance in the coinage of three hundred and sixty +ton of copper makes a difference of twenty-seven thousand seven hundred +and twenty pounds between English and Irish halfpence, even allowing +those of Wood to be all of the heaviest sort. + +It is likewise to be considered, that for every halfpenny in a pound +weight exceeding the number directed by the patent, Wood will be a +gainer in the coinage of three hundred and sixty ton of copper, sixteen +hundred and eighty pounds profit more than the patent allows him; Out of +which he may afford to make his comptrollers easy upon that article. + +As to what is alleged, that "these halfpence far exceed the like coinage +for Ireland in the reigns of His Majesty's predecessors;" there cannot +well be a more exceptionable way of arguing: Although the fact were +true, which however is altogether mistaken; not by any fault in the +Committee, but by the fraud and imposition of Wood, who certainly +produced the worst patterns he could find, such as were coined in small +numbers by permissions to private men, as butchers' halfpence, black +dogs and the like, or perhaps the small St. Patrick's coin which passes +for a farthing, or at best some of the smallest raps of the latest kind. +For I have now by me some halfpence coined in the year 1680 by virtue of +the patent granted to my Lord Dartmouth, which was renewed to Knox, and +they are heavier by a ninth part than those of Wood, and in much better +metal. And the great St. Patrick's halfpenny is yet larger than either. + +But what is all this to the present debate? If under the various +exigencies of former times, by wars, rebellions, and insurrections, the +Kings of England were sometimes forced to pay their armies here with +mixed or base money, God forbid that the necessities of turbulent times +should be a precedent for times of peace, and order, and settlement. + +In the patent above mentioned granted to Lord Dartmouth, in the reign of +King Charles 2d. and renewed to Knox, the securities given into the +exchequer, obliging the patentee to receive his money back upon every +demand, were an effectual remedy against all inconveniencies. And the +copper was coined in our own kingdom, so that we were in no danger to +purchase it with the loss of all our silver and gold carried over to +another, nor to be at the trouble of going to England for the redressing +of any abuse. + +That the Kings of England have exercised their prerogative of coining +copper for Ireland and for England is not the present question: But (to +speak in the style of the Report) it would "seem a little +extraordinary," supposing a King should think fit to exercise his +prerogative by coining copper in Ireland, to be current in England, +without referring it to his officers in that kingdom to be informed +whether the grant was reasonable, and whether the people desired it or +no, and without regard to the addresses of his Parliament against it. +God forbid that so mean a man as I should meddle with the King's +prerogative: But I have heard very wise men say, that the King's +prerogative is bounded and limited by the good and welfare of his +people. I desire to know, whether it is not understood and avowed that +the good of Ireland was intended by this patent. But Ireland is not +consulted at all in the matter, and as soon as Ireland is informed of +it, they declare against it; the two Houses of Parliament and the +Privy-council addresses His Majesty upon the mischiefs apprehended by +such a patent. The Privy-council in England takes the matter out of the +Parliament's cognizance; the good of the kingdom is dropped, and it is +now determined that Mr. Wood shall have the power of ruining a whole +nation for his private advantage. + +I never can suppose that such patents as these were originally granted +with the view of being a job for the interest of a particular person, to +the damage of the public: Whatever profit must arise to the patentee was +surely meant at best but as a secondary motive, and since somebody must +be a gainer, the choice of the person was made either by favour, or +_something else_[7] or by the pretence of merit and honesty. This +argument returns so often and strongly into my head, that I cannot +forbear frequently repeating it. Surely His Majesty, when he consented +to the passing of this patent, conceived he was doing an act of grace to +his most loyal subjects of Ireland, without any regard to Mr. Wood, +farther than as an instrument. But the people of Ireland think this +patent (intended _no doubt_ for their good) to be a most intolerable +grievance, and therefore Mr. Wood can never succeed, without an open +avowal that his profit is preferred not only before the interests, but +the very safety and being of a great kingdom; and a kingdom +distinguished for its loyalty, perhaps above all others upon earth. Not +turned from its duty by the "jurisdiction of the House of Lords, +abolished at a stroke, by the hardships of the Act of Navigation newly +enforced; By all possible obstructions in trade," and by a hundred +other instances, "enough to fill this paper." Nor was there ever among +us the least attempt towards an insurrection in favour of the Pretender. +Therefore whatever justice a free people can claim we have at least an +equal title to it with our brethren in England, and whatever grace a +good prince can bestow on the most loyal subjects, we have reason to +expect it: Neither hath this kingdom any way deserved to be sacrificed +to one "single, rapacious, obscure, ignominious projector." + +[Footnote 7: A hint at the Duchess of Kendal's influence in the +procuring of the patent. [T.S.]] + +Among other clauses mentioned in this patent, to shew how advantageous +it is to Ireland, there is one which seems to be of a singular nature, +that the patentee shall be obliged, during his term, "to pay eight +hundred pounds a year to the crown, and two hundred pounds a year to the +comptroller."[8] I have heard indeed that the King's council do always +consider, in the passing of a patent, whether it will be of advantage to +the crown, but I have likewise heard that it is at the same time +considered whether the passing of it may be injurious to any other +persons or bodies politic. However, although the attorney and solicitor +be servants to the King, and therefore bound to consult His Majesty's +interest, yet I am under some doubt whether eight hundred pounds a year +to the crown would be equivalent to the ruin of a kingdom. It would be +far better for us to have paid eight thousand pounds a year into His +Majesty's coffers, in the midst of all our taxes (which, in proportion, +are greater in this kingdom than ever they were in England, even during +the war) than purchase such an addition to the revenue at the price of +our _utter undoing_. + +[Footnote 8: By the terms of the patent, Wood covenanted to pay to the +King's clerk, or comptroller of the coinage, L200 yearly, and L100 per +annum into his Majesty's exchequer, and not as Walpole's report has it, +L800 and L200. [T.S.]] + +But here it is plain that fourteen thousand pounds are to be paid by +Wood, only as a small circumstantial charge for the purchase of his +patent, what were his other visible costs I know not, and what were his +latent, is variously conjectured. But he must be surely a man of some +wonderful merit. Hath he saved any other kingdom at his own expense, to +give him a title of reimbursing himself by the destruction of ours? Hath +he discovered the longitude or the universal medicine? No. But he hath +found out the philosopher's stone after a new manner, by debasing of +copper, and resolving to force it upon us for gold. + +When the two Houses represented to His Majesty, that this patent to Wood +was obtained in a clandestine manner, surely the Committee could not +think the Parliament would insinuate that it had not passed in the +common forms, and run through every office where fees and perquisites +were due. They knew very well that persons in places were no enemies to +grants, and that the officers of the crown could not be kept in the +dark. But the late Lord Lieutenant of Ireland[9] affirmed it was a +secret to him (and who will doubt of his veracity, especially when he +swore to a person of quality; from whom I had it, that Ireland should +never be troubled with these halfpence). It was a secret to the people +of Ireland, who were to be the only sufferers, and those who best knew +the state of the kingdom and were most able to advise in such an affair, +were wholly strangers to it. + +[Footnote 9: The Duke of Grafton. Walpole called him "a fair-weather +pilot, that knew not what he had to do, when the first storm arose." +Charles, second Duke of Grafton (1683-1757), was the grandfather of the +third duke, so virulently attacked by Junius in his famous letters. [T. +S.]] + +It is allowed by the Report that this patent was passed without the +knowledge of the chief governor or officers of Ireland; and it is there +elaborately shewn, that "former patents have passed in the same manner, +and are good in law." I shall not dispute the legality of patents, but +am ready to suppose it in His Majesty's power to grant a patent for +stamping round bits of copper to every subject he hath. Therefore to lay +aside the point of law, I would only put the question, whether in reason +and justice it would not have been proper, in an affair upon which the +welfare of a kingdom depends, that the said kingdom should have received +timely notice, and the matter not be carried on between the patentee and +the officers of the Crown, who were to be the only gainers by it. + +The Parliament, who in matters of this nature are the most able and +faithful counsellors, did represent this grant to be "destructive of +trade, and dangerous to the properties of the people," to which the only +answer is, that "the King hath a prerogative to make such a grant." + +It is asserted that in the patent to Knox, his "halfpence, are made and +declared the current coin of the kingdom," whereas in this to Wood, +there is only a "power given to issue them to such as will receive +them." The authors of the Report, I think, do not affirm that the King +can by law declare _anything_ to be current money by his +letters-patents. I dare say they will not affirm it, and if Knox's +patent contained in it powers contrary to law, why is it mentioned as a +precedent in His Majesty's just and merciful reign:[10] But although +that clause be not in Wood's patent, yet possibly there are others, the +legality whereof may be equally doubted, and particularly that, whereby +"a power is given to William Wood to break into houses in search of any +coin made in imitation of his." This may perhaps be affirmed to be +illegal and dangerous to the liberty of the subject. Yet this is a +precedent taken from Knox's patent, where the same power is granted, and +is a strong instance what uses may be sometimes made of precedents. + +[Footnote 10: Knox's patent, as Monck Mason points out, did not contain +the right to have his coins pass as the current coin of the realm; that +was permitted by a proclamation of the lord lieutenant, and could in the +same manner be withdrawn. Knox's patent differed materially from that +granted to Wood, since he was obliged to take back his coins and give +gold or silver for them, and no one was compelled to take more than five +shillings in the payment of each L100. See note, p. 66. [T.S.]] + +But although before the passing of this patent, it was not thought +necessary to consult any persons of this kingdom, or make the least +enquiry whether copper money were wanted among us; yet now at length, +when the matter is over, when the patent hath long passed, when Wood +hath already coined seventeen thousand pounds, and hath his tools and +implements prepared to coin six times as much more; the Committee hath +been pleased to make this affair the subject of enquiry. Wood is +permitted to produce his evidences, which consist as I have already +observed, of four in number, whereof Coleby, Brown and Mr. Finley the +banker are three. And these were to prove that copper money was +extremely wanted in Ireland. The first had been out of the kingdom +almost twenty years, from the time that he was tried for robbing the +treasury, and therefore his knowledge and credibility are equal. The +second may be allowed a more knowing witness, because I think it is not +above a year since the House of Commons ordered the Attorney-general to +prosecute him, for endeavouring "to take away the life of John Bingham +Esq; member of parliaments by perjury and subornation." He asserted that +he was forced to tally with his labourers for want of small money (which +hath often been practised in England by Sir Ambrose Crawley[11] and +others) but those who knew him better give a different reason, (if there +be any truth at all in the fact) that he was forced to tally with his +labourers not for want of halfpence, but of more substantial money, +which is highly possible, because the race of suborners, forgers, +perjurers and ravishers, are usually people of no fortune, or of those +who have run it out by their vices and profuseness. Mr. Finley the third +witness honestly confessed, that he was ignorant whether Ireland wanted +copper money or no; but all his intention was to buy a certain quantity +from Wood at a large discount, and sell them as well as he could, by +which he hoped to get two or three thousand pounds for himself. + +[Footnote 11: Ambrose Crowley (not Crawley) was alderman and sheriff of +London. He was knighted January 1st, 1706-1707, and sat in the House of +Commons as member for Andover in 1713-1714. [T.S.]] + +But suppose there were not one single halfpenny of copper coin in this +whole kingdom (which Mr. Wood seems to intend, unless we will come to +his terms, as appears by employing his emissaries to buy up our old ones +at a penny in the shilling more than they pass for), it could not be any +real evil to us, although it might be some inconvenience. We have many +sorts of small silver coins, to which they are strangers in England, +such as the French threepences, fourpence halfpennies and eightpence +half-pennies, the Scotch fivepences and tenpences, besides their +twenty-pences, and three-and-four-pences, by all which we are able to +make change to a halfpenny of almost any piece of gold or silver, and if +we are driven to Brown's expedient of a sealed card, with the little +gold or silver still remaining, it will I suppose, be somewhat better +than to have nothing left but Wood's adulterated copper, which he is +neither obliged by his patent, nor hitherto able by his estate to make +good. + +The Report farther tells us, it "must be admitted that letters-patents +under the Great Seal of Great Britain for coining copper money for +Ireland are legal and obligatory, a just and reasonable exercise of His +Majesty's royal prerogative, and in no manner derogatory or invasive of +any liberty or privilege of his subjects of Ireland." First we desire to +know, why His Majesty's prerogative might not have been as well +asserted, by passing this patent in Ireland, and subjecting the several +conditions of the contract to the inspection of those who are only +concerned, as was formerly done in the only precedents for patents +granted for coining for this kingdom, since the mixed money[12] in Queen +Elizabeth's time, during the difficulties of a rebellion: Whereas now +upon the greatest imposition that can possibly be practised, we must go +to England with our complaints, where it hath been for some time the +fashion to think and to affirm that "we cannot be too hardly used." +Again the Report says, that "such patents are obligatory." After long +thinking, I am not able to find out what can possibly be meant here by +this word _obligatory_. This patent of Wood neither obligeth him to +utter his coin, nor us to take it, or if it did the latter, it would be +so far void, because no patent can oblige the subject against law, +unless an illegal patent passed in one kingdom can bind another and not +itself. + +[Footnote 12: "Civill warre having set all Ireland in a combustion, the +Queene [Elizabeth] more easily to subdue the rebels, did take silver +coyne from the Irish, some few years before her death, and paid her army +with a mixed base coyne, which, by proclamation, was commanded to be +spent and received, for sterling silver money. This base mixed money had +three parts of copper, and the fourth part of silver, which proportion +of silver was in some part consumed by the mixture, so as the English +goldsmiths valued a shilling thereof at no more than two silver pence, +though they acknowledged the same to be worth two pence halfpenny." +(Fynes Moryson's "Itinerary," pt. i., p. 283). [T.S.]] + +Lastly, it is added that "such patents are in no manner derogatory or +invasive of any liberty or privilege of the King's subjects of Ireland." +If this proposition be true, as it is here laid down, without any +limitation either expressed or implied, it must follow that a King of +England may at any time coin copper money for Ireland, and oblige his +subjects here to take a piece of copper under the value of half a +farthing for half-a-crown, as was practised by the late King James, and +even without that arbitrary prince's excuse, from the necessity and +exigences of his affairs. If this be in no manner "derogatory nor +evasive of any liberties or privileges of the subjects of Ireland," it +ought to have been expressed what our liberties and privileges are, and +whether we have any at all, for in specifying the word _Ireland_, +instead of saying "His Majesty's subjects," it would seem to insinuate +that we are not upon the same foot with our fellow-subjects in +_England_; which, however the practice may have been, I hope will never +be directly asserted, for I do not understand that Poining's act[13] +deprived us of our liberty, but only changed the manner of passing laws +here (which however was a power most indirectly obtained) by leaving the +negative to the two Houses of Parliament. But, waiving all controversies +relating to the legislature, no person, I believe, was ever yet so bold +as to affirm that the people of Ireland have not the same title to the +benefits of the common law, with the rest of His Majesty's subjects, and +therefore whatever liberties or privileges the people of England enjoy +by common law, we of Ireland have the same; so that in my humble +opinion, the word _Ireland_ standing in that proposition, was, in the +mildest interpretation, _a lapse of the pen_. + +[Footnote 13: It was not intended that Poyning's act should interfere +with the liberty of the people, but it is undoubted that advantage was +taken of this law, and an interpretation put on it far different from +the intention that brought it on the statute books. It was passed by a +parliament convened by Sir Edward Poyning, at Drogheda, in the tenth +year of Henry VII.'s reign. Its immediate cause was the invasion of +Perkin Warbeck. That pretender assumed royal authority in Ireland and +had several statutes passed during his short-lived term of power. To +prevent any viceroy from arrogating to himself the powers of law-making +it was enacted by Poyning's parliament: + +"That no parliament be holden hereafter in Ireland, but at such season +as the King's lieutenant and counsaile there first do certifie the King, +under the Great Seal of that land, the causes and considerations, and +all such acts as them seemeth should pass in the same parliament, and +such causes, considerations, and acts affirmed by the King and his +counsaile to be good and expedient for that land, and his licence +thereupon, as well in affirmation of the said causes and acts, as to +summon the said parliament, under his Great Seal of England had and +obtained; that done, a parliament to be had and holden as afore +rehearsed" ("Irish Statutes," vol. i., p. 44). + +Two statutes, one, the Act of 3 and 4 Phil., and Mary, cap. 4, and the +other of II Eliz. Ses. 3, cap. 8, explain this act further, and the +latter points out the reason for the original enactment, namely, that +"before this statute, when liberty was given to the governors to call +parliaments at their pleasure, acts passed as well to the dishonour of +the prince, as to the hindrance of their subjects" ("Irish Statutes," +vol. i., p. 346). + +"By Poyning's Law," says Lecky, "a great part of the independence of +the Irish Parliament had indeed been surrendered; but even the servile +Parliament which passed it, though extending by its own authority to +Ireland laws previously enacted in England, never admitted the right of +the English Parliament to make laws for Ireland." ("Hist. Ireland," vol. +ii., p. 154; 1892 ed). [T.S.]] + +The Report farther asserts, that "the precedents are many, wherein cases +of great importance to Ireland, and that immediately affected the +interests of that kingdom, warrants, orders, and directions by the +authority of the King and his predecessors, have been issued under the +royal sign manual, without any previous reference or advice of His +Majesty's officers of Ireland, which have always had their due force, +and have been punctually complied with, and obeyed." It may be so, and I +am heartily sorry for it, because it may prove an eternal source of +discontent. However among all these precedents there is not one of a +patent for coining money for Ireland. + +There is nothing hath perplexed me more than this doctrine of +precedents. If a job is to be done, and upon searching records you find +it hath been done before, there will not want a lawyer to justify the +legality of it, by producing his precedents, without ever considering +the motives and circumstances that first introduced them, the necessity +or turbulence or iniquity of times, the corruptions of ministers, or the +arbitrary disposition of the prince then reigning. And I have been told +by persons eminent in the law, that the worst actions which human nature +is capable of, may be justified by the same doctrine. How the first +precedents began of determining cases of the highest importance to +Ireland, and immediately affecting its interest, without any previous +reference or advice to the King's officers here, may soon be accounted +for. Before this kingdom was entirely reduced by the submission of +Tyrone in the last year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, there was a period +of four hundred years, which was a various scene of war and peace +between the English pale and the Irish natives, and the government of +that part of this island which lay in the English hands, was, in many +things under the immediate administration of the King. Silver and copper +were often coined here among us, and once at least upon great necessity, +a mixed or base metal was sent from England. The reign of King James +Ist. was employed in settling the kingdom after Tyrone's rebellion, and +this nation flourished extremely till the time of the massacre 1641. In +that difficult juncture of affairs, the nobility and gentry coined their +own plate here in Dublin. + +By all that I can discover, the copper coin of Ireland for three hundred +years past consisted of small pence and halfpence, which particular men +had licence to coin, and were current only within certain towns and +districts, according to the personal credit of the owner who uttered +them, and was bound to receive them again, whereof I have seen many +sorts; neither have I heard of any patent granted for coining copper for +Ireland till the reign of King Charles II. which was in the year 1680. +to George Legge Lord Dartmouth, and renewed by King James II. in the +first year of his reign to John Knox. Both patents were passed in +Ireland, and in both the patentees were obliged to receive their coin +again to any that would offer then twenty shillings of it, for which +they were obliged to pay gold or silver. + +The patents both of Lord Dartmouth and Knox were referred to the +Attorney-general here, and a report made accordingly, and both, as I +have already said, were passed in this kingdom. Knox had only a patent +for the remainder of the term granted to Lord Dartmouth, the patent +expired in 1701, and upon a petition by Roger Moor to have it renewed, +the matter was referred hither, and upon the report of the attorney and +solicitor, that it was not for His Majesty's service or the interest of +the nation to have it renewed, it was rejected by King William. It +should therefore seem very extraordinary, that a patent for coining +copper halfpence, intended and professed for the good of the kingdom, +should be passed without once consulting that kingdom, for the good of +which it is declared to be intended, and this upon the application of a +"poor, private obscure mechanic;" and a patent of such a nature, that as +soon as ever the kingdom is informed of its being passed, they cry out +unanimously against it as ruinous and destructive. The representative +of the nation in Parliament, and the Privy-council address the King to +have it recalled; yet the patentee, such a one as I have described, +shall prevail to have this patent approved, and his private interest +shall weigh down the application of a whole kingdom. St. Paul says, "All +things are lawful, but all things are not expedient." We are answered +that this patent is lawful, but is it expedient? We read that the +high-priest said "It was expedient that one Man should die for the +people;" and this was a most wicked proposition. But that a whole nation +should die for one man, was never heard of before. + +But because much weight is laid on the precedents of other patents, for +coining copper for Ireland, I will set this matter in as clear a light +as I can. Whoever hath read the Report, will be apt to think, that a +dozen precedents at least could be produced of copper coined for +Ireland, by virtue of patents passed in England, and that the coinage +was there too; whereas I am confident, there cannot be one precedent +shewn of a patent passed in England for coining copper for Ireland, for +above an hundred years past, and if there were any before, it must be in +times of confusion. The only patents I could ever hear of, are those +already mentioned to Lord Dartmouth and Knox; the former in 1680. and +the latter in 1685. Now let us compare these patents with that granted +to Wood. First, the patent to Knox, which was under the same conditions +as that granted to Lord Dartmouth, was passed in Ireland, the government +and the Attorney and Solicitor-general making report that it would be +useful to this kingdom: [The patentee was obliged to make every +halfpenny one hundred and ten grains Troy weight, whereby _2s. 2d_. only +could be coined out of a pound of copper.][14] The patent was passed +with the advice of the King's council here; The patentee was obliged to +receive his coin from those who thought themselves surcharged, and to +give gold and silver for it; Lastly, The patentee was to pay only _16l. +13s. 4d. per ann._ to the crown. Then, as to the execution of that +patent. First, I find the halfpence were milled, which, as it is of +great use to prevent counterfeits (and therefore industriously avoided +by Wood) so it was an addition to the charge of coinage. And for the +weight and goodness of the metal; I have several halfpence now by me, +many of which weigh a ninth part more than those coined by Wood, and +bear the fire and hammer a great deal better; and which is no trifle, +the impression fairer and deeper. I grant indeed, that many of the +latter coinage yield in weight to some of Wood's, by a fraud natural to +such patentees; but not so immediately after the grant, and before the +coin grew current: For in this circumstance Mr. Wood must serve for a +precedent in future times. + +[Footnote 14: The portion here in square brackets was printed in the +fourth edition of this Letter and in the work entitled, "Fraud +Detected." It is not given in Faulkner's first collected edition issued +in 1735, nor in "The Hibernian Patriot," issued in 1730. [T.S.]] + + +Let us now examine this new patent granted to William Wood. It passed +upon very false suggestions of his own, and of a few confederates: It +passed in England, without the least reference hither. It passed unknown +to the very Lord Lieutenant, then in England. Wood is empowered to coin +one hundred and eight thousand pounds, "and all the officers in the +kingdom (civil and military) are commanded" in the Report to countenance +and assist him. Knox had only power to utter what we would take, and was +obliged "to receive his coin back again at our demand," and to "enter +into security for so doing." Wood's halfpence are not milled, and +therefore more easily counterfeited by himself as well as by others: +Wood pays a thousand pounds _per ann._ for 14 years, Knox paid only +_16l. 13s. 4d. per ann._ for 21 years. + +It was the Report that set me the example of making a comparison between +those two patents, wherein the committee was grossly misled by the false +representation of William Wood, as it was by another assertion, that +seven hundred ton of copper were coined during the 21 years of Lord +Dartmouth's and Knox's patents. Such a quantity of copper at the rate of +_2s. 8d. per_ pound would amount to about an hundred and ninety thousand +pounds, which was very near as much as the current cash of the kingdom +in those days; yet, during that period, Ireland was never known to have +too much copper coin, and for several years there was no coining at all: +Besides I am assured, that upon enquiring into the custom-house books, +all the copper imported into the kingdom, from 1683 to 1692, which +includes 8 years of the 21 (besides one year allowed for the troubles) +did not exceed 47 tons, and we cannot suppose even that small quantity +to have been wholly applied to coinage: So that I believe there was +never any comparison more unluckily made or so destructive of the design +for which it was produced. + +The Psalmist reckons it an effect of God's anger, when "He selleth His +people for nought, and taketh no money for them." That we have greatly +offended God by the wickedness of our lives is not to be disputed: But +our King we have not offended in word or deed; and although he be God's +vicegerent upon earth, he will not punish us for any offences, except +those which we shall commit against his legal authority, his sacred +person (which God preserve) or the laws of the land. + +The Report is very profuse in arguments, that Ireland is in great want +of copper money.[15] Who were the witnesses to prove it, hath been shewn +already, but in the name of God, Who are to be judges? Does not the +nation best know its own wants? Both Houses of Parliament, the +Privy-council and the whole body of the people declare the contrary: Or +let the wants be what they will, We desire they may not be supplied by +Mr. Wood. We know our own wants but too well; they are many and grievous +to be borne, but quite of another kind. Let England be satisfied: As +things go, they will in a short time have all our gold and silver, and +may keep their adulterate copper at home, for we are determined not to +purchase it with our manufactures, which Wood hath graciously offered to +accept. Our wants are not so bad by an hundredth part as the method he +hath taken to supply them. He hath already tried his faculty in +New-England,[16] and I hope he will meet at least with an equal +reception here; what _that_ was I leave to public intelligence. I am +supposing a wild case, that if there should be any person already +receiving a monstrous pension out of this kingdom, who was instrumental +in procuring this patent, they have either not well consulted their own +interests, or Wood must[17] put more dross into his copper and still +diminish its weight. + +[Footnote 15: On this subject of the want of small money in Ireland, +Monck Mason traverses the Report in the following manner: + +"There appears to be a manifest prevarication in their lordships' report +upon this part of the subject; they state, that the witnesses testified, +that there was a want of small money in Ireland; they attempt, +therefore, to impose a copper currency, which certainly was not wanted. +To satisfy the reader upon this point, I shall quote, from the +unpublished correspondence of Archbishop King, the following extracts: +the first, from his letter to General Gorge, dated the 17th October, +1724, is to the following purpose. + +"'... As to our wanting halfpence for change, it is most false; we have +more halfpence than we need, already; it is true, we want change; but it +is sixpences, shillings, half-crowns, and crowns; our silver and our +guineas being almost gone; and the general current coin of the kingdom +is now moydores, which are thirty shillings a-piece; at least nine pence +above the value in silver: now, they would have us change these for +halfpence, and so the whole cash of the kingdom would be these +halfpence.' ... + +"But the true state of the case, as to coin, is more circumstantially +developed in the following letter of the same prelate to Mr. Southwell, +which was written a few months before, viz., on the 9th June, 1724. + +"'... And yet, after all, we want change, and I will take leave to +acquaint you with the state of this kingdom as to coin. We used to have +hardly any money passing here, but foreign ducatoons, plate pieces, +perns, dollars, etc. but, when the East India Company were forbid +sending the coin of England abroad, they continued to buy up all our +foreign coin, and give us English money in lieu of some part of it; by +which we lost twopence in every ounce, the consequence of this was, that +in two years there was not to be seen in Ireland a piece of foreign +silver. + +"'If any be brought, it is immediately sent away, the two, or as I am +informed, the three pence in the ounce, given by the East India Company, +being a temptation not to be resisted; but, the truth is, very little is +brought in, for the merchants that carry our commodities to foreign +markets, find it more to their advantage to carry directly to London +whatever they receive in cash; and whereas formerly they used, when they +had disposed of their cargo, to load their vessels with such commodities +as there was a demand for in Ireland, and bring the rest in cash, they +bring now only the commodities, and send the silver to London; and when +they have got the twopence in every ounce from the East India Company, +the rest serves to answer the returns we are obliged to make to England, +for the rents we are obliged to pay to noblemen and gentlemen who have +estates in Ireland and live in England, and for the pensions, and other +occasions which are many; by this means they gain likewise the exchange, +which is commonly four or five per cent, better to them than if they +sent cash. + +"'It Is farther to be observed, that 21 shillings, which is the value of +a guinea in England, makes in Ireland 22 shillings and 9 pence, whereas +a guinea passes for 23 shillings with us, therefore, he who sends silver +into England, gains three pence more by it than if he sent guineas; this +advantage, though it may seem little, yet in a manner has entirely +drained us of our English money which was given in lieu of foreign +silver. + +"'But farther, if any carry foreign gold to England, they cannot easily +pass it, and if they do, it is at a greater loss than there is in the +guineas, this has taken away our guineas, so that there is hardly one to +be seen; we have hardly any coin left but a few moydores and pistoles, +which can, by no means, serve the inland trade of the kingdom. + +"'To give, therefore, a short view of our case, it is thus; We can have +English coin but by stealth, there being an act of parliament forbidding +the exportation of English coin; if, therefore, we should send our gold +or silver to England to be coined, we cannot have it back again, or if +we could, we cannot keep it for the reason above; we cannot for the same +reason have foreign silver; let us add to these, that by the act of +navigation and other acts, we cannot make our markets of buying where we +make our markets for selling; though we might have the commodities we +want much cheaper there, than we can have them in England, viz. all East +India and Turkey goods, with many others: nor is it to be expected that +any nation will trade with us with their silver only, when we will not +exchange commodities with them. + +"'Except, therefore, England designs entirely to ruin Ireland, a kingdom +by which it is demonstrable that she gains yearly thirteen or fourteen +hundred thousand pounds, she ought to think of giving us some relief'" +("History of St. Patrick's," pp. xciii-xciv). [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 16: See note on p. 14. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 17: Another hint at the Duchess of Kendal and her connection +with the patent. [T.S.]] + +Upon Wood's complaint that the officers of the King's revenue here had +already given orders to all the inferior officers not to receive any +of his coin, the Report says, That "this cannot but be looked upon as a +very extraordinary proceeding," and being contrary to the powers given +in the patent, the Committee say, They "cannot advise His Majesty to +give directions to the officers of the revenue here, not to receive or +utter any of the said coin as has been desired in the addresses of both +Houses," but on the contrary, they "think it both just and reasonable +that the King should immediately give orders to the commissioners of the +revenue, &c. to revoke all orders, &c. that may have been given by them +to hinder or obstruct the receiving the said coin." And accordingly, we +are told, such orders are arrived.[18]. Now this was a cast of Wood's +politics; for his information was wholly false and groundless, which he +knew very well; and that the commissioners of the revenue here were +all, except one, sent us from England, and love their employments too +well to have taken such a step: But Wood was wise enough to consider, +that such orders of revocation would be an open declaration of the crown +in his favour, would put the government here under a difficulty, would +make a noise, and possibly create some terror in the poor people of +Ireland. And one great point he hath gained, that although any orders of +revocation will be needless, yet a new order is to be sent, and perhaps +already here, to the commissioners of the revenue, and all the King's +officers in Ireland, that Wood's "halfpence be suffered and permitted, +without any let, suit, trouble, molestation or denial of any of the +King's officers or ministers whatsoever, to pass and be received as +current money by such as shall be willing to receive them." In this +order there is no exception, and therefore, as far as I can judge, it +includes all officers both civil and military, from the Lord High +Chancellor to a justice of peace, and from the general to an ensign: So +that Wood's project is not likely to fail for want of managers enough. +For my own part, as things stand, I have but little regret to find +myself out of the number, and therefore I shall continue in all humility +to exhort and warn my fellow-subjects never to receive or utter this +coin, which will reduce the kingdom to beggary by much quicker and +larger steps than have hitherto been taken.[19] + +[Footnote 18: Archbishop King's letter, quoted by Monck Mason, explains +why it was that the revenue officers refused to receive Wood's coins. It +seems the officers had been advised by lawyers that, in the event of +their taking the coins, it might be quite likely they would be compelled +to make them good, should such a demand be made of them. Precedents +could easily be cited by those taking action, since all previous patents +issued to private individuals for coining money, required of the +patentee to take them back and pay for them with gold or silver. [T. +S.]] + +[Footnote 19: The suggestion thus made by the Lords of the Committee, +although coupled with the reduction in the amount of money Wood was to +be permitted to introduce, did not do any good. Archbishop King argued +rightly that this was treating the people of Ireland as if they were +fools and children. If Wood could coin L40,000, what was to prevent him +coining L200,000? The suggestion indeed irritated the people almost as +much as did the patent itself. [T.S.]] + +But it is needless to argue any longer. The matter is come to an issue. +His Majesty pursuant to the law, hath left the field open between Wood +and the kingdom of Ireland. Wood hath liberty to offer his coin, and we +have law, reason, liberty and necessity to refuse it. A knavish jockey +may ride an old foundered jade about the market, but none are obliged to +buy it. I hope the words "voluntary" and "willing to receive it" will be +understood, and applied in their true natural meaning, as commonly +understood by Protestants. For if a fierce captain comes to my shop to +buy six yards of scarlet cloth, followed by a porter laden with a sack +of Wood's coin upon his shoulders, if we are agreed about the price, and +my scarlet lies ready cut upon the counter, if he then gives me the word +of command, to receive my money in Wood's coin, and calls me a +"disaffected Jacobite dog" for refusing it (although I am as loyal a +subject as himself, and without hire) and thereupon seizes my cloth, +leaving me the price in his odious copper, and bids me take my remedy: +In this case, I shall hardly be brought to think that I am left to my +own will. I shall therefore on such occasions, first order the porter +aforesaid to go off with his pack, and then see the money in silver and +gold in my possession before I cut or measure my cloth. But if a common +soldier drinks his pot first, and then offers payment in Wood's +halfpence, the landlady may be under some difficulty; For if she +complains to his captain or ensign, they are likewise officers, included +in this general order for encouraging these halfpence to pass as current +money. If she goes to a justice of peace, he is also an officer, to whom +this general order is directed. I do therefore advise her to follow my +practice, which I have already begun, and be paid for her goods before +she parts with them. However I should have been content, for some +reasons, that the military gentlemen had been excepted by name, because +I have heard it said, that their discipline is best confined within +their own district. + +His Majesty in the conclusion of his answer to the address of the House +of Lords against Wood's coin, is pleased to say that "he will do +everything in his power for the satisfaction of his people." It should +seem therefore, that the recalling the patent is not to be understood as +a thing in his power. But however since the law does not oblige us to +receive this coin, and consequently the patent leaves it to our +voluntary choice, there is nothing remaining to preserve us from rain +but that the whole kingdom should continue in a firm determinate +resolution never to receive or utter this fatal coin:[20] + +[Footnote 20: So ready was the response to this suggestion of Swift's, +that it was found necessary for tradesmen to take precautions to have it +publicly known that they were in no way connected with Wood and his +money, The following is a copy of an advertisement which illustrates +this: + +"Whereas several persons in this kingdom suspect that John Molyneux of +Meath Street, ironmonger, and his brother Daniel Molyneux, of Essex +Street, ironmonger, are interested in the patent obtained by William +Wood for coining of halfpence and farthings for this kingdom. + +"Now we the said John Molyneux and Daniel Molyneux, in order to satisfy +the public, do hereby declare, that we are in no way concerned with the +said Wood in relation to his said patent; And that we never were +possessed of any of the said halfpence or farthings, except one +halfpence and one farthing, which I the said John Molyneux received in a +post-letter, and which I immediately afterwards delivered to one of the +Lords-Justices of Ireland. + +"And we do further declare, that we will not directly or indirectly, be +anyways concerned with the said Wood's halfpence or farthings; but on +the contrary, act to the great advantage and satisfaction of this +kingdom, as good, loving and faithful subjects ought to do. And we do +further declare, that to the best of our knowledge, the said William +Wood is not in this kingdom. + +"Given under our hands in Dublin this 22d. day of August 1724. + +"JOHN MOLYNEUX + +"DAN. MOLYNEUX." + + +Another ran as follows: + + +"ADVERTISEMENT. + +"Whereas, I, Thomas Handy, of Meath Street, Dublin, did receive by the +last packet, from a person in London, to whom I am an entire stranger, +bills of lading for eleven casks of Wood's halfpence, shipped at +Bristol, and consigned to me by the said person on his own proper +account, of which I had not the least notice until I received the said +bills of lading. + +"Now I, the said Thomas Handy, being highly sensible of the duty and +regard which every honest man owes to his country and to his +fellow-subjects, do hereby declare, that I will not be concerned, +directly or indirectly, in entering, landing, importing, receiving, or +uttering any of the said Wood's halfpence, for that I am fully +convinced, as well from the addresses of both Houses of Parliament, as +otherwise, that the importing and uttering the said halfpence will be +destructive to this nation, and prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue. + +"And of this my resolution I gave notice by letter to the person who +sent me the bills of lading, the very day I received them, and have sent +back the said bills to him. + +"THO. HANDY. + +"Dublin, 29th. August, 1724." [T.S.]] + +After which, let the officers to whom these orders are directed, (I +would willingly except the military) come with their exhortations, +their arguments and their eloquence, to persuade us to find our interest +in our undoing. Let Wood and his accomplices travel about the country +with cart-loads of their ware, and see who will take it off their hands, +there will be no fear of his being robbed, for a highwayman would scorn +to touch it. + +I am only in pain how the commissioners of the revenue will proceed in +this juncture; because I am told they are obliged by act of Parliament +to take nothing but gold and silver in payment for His Majesty's +customs, and I think they cannot justly offer this coinage of Mr. Wood +to others, unless they will be content to receive it themselves. + +The sum of the whole is this. The "Committee advises the King to send +immediate orders to all his officers here, that Wood's coin be suffered +and permitted without any let, suit, trouble, &c. to pass and be +received as current money by such as shall be willing to receive the +same." It is probable, that the first willing receivers may be those who +must receive it whether they will or no, at least under the penalty of +losing an office. But the landed undepending men, the merchants, the +shopkeepers and bulk of the people, I hope, and am almost confident, +will never receive it. What must the consequence be? The owners will +sell it for as much as they can get. Wood's halfpence will come to be +offered for six a penny (yet then he will be a sufficient gainer) and +the necessary receivers will be losers of two-thirds in their salaries +or pay. + +This puts me in mind of a passage I was told many years ago in England. +At a quarter-sessions in Leicester, the justices had wisely decreed, to +take off a halfpenny in a quart from the price of ale. One of them, who +came in after the thing was determined, being informed of what had +passed, said thus: "Gentlemen; you have made an order, that ale should +be sold in our country for three halfpence a quart: I desire you will +now make another to appoint who must drink it, for _by G-- I will +not_."[21] + +[Footnote 21: The following broadside, ascribed to Swift, but written +probably by Sheridan, further amusingly illustrates the point Swift +makes. The broadside was printed by John Harding: + +"Another Letter to Mr. Harding the printer, upon occasion of the Report +of the Committee of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable +Privy-Council, in relation to Mr. Wood's halfpence and farthings, etc., +lately published. + +"Mr. Harding,--Although this letter also is directed to you, yet you +know that it is intended for the benefit of the whole kingdom, and +therefore I pray make it public, and take care to disperse it. + +"The design of it is only to desire all people to take notice, That +whatever apprehensions some persons seem to be under on account of the +above-mentioned report concerning Mr. Wood's halfpence and farthings, +yet the utmost advice which the right honourable Committee have thought +fit to give His Majesty, is, That a certain sum of the said halfpence +and farthings may be received as current money by such as shall be +willing to receive the same. And if we are willing to ruin ourselves and +our country, I think we are not to be pitied. + +"Upon this occasion I would only tell my countrymen a short story. + +"A certain King of Great Britain who spoke broad Scotch, and being +himself a man of wit, loved both to hear and speak things that were +humorous, had once a petition preferred to him, in which the petitioner, +having set forth his own merits, most humbly prayed His Majesty to grant +him letters-patent for receiving a shilling from every one of his +subjects who should be willing to give so much to him. 'In gude troth,' +said the King, 'a very reasonable petition. Let every man give thee twa +shillings gin he be willing so to do, and thou shalt have full liberty +to receive it.' 'But,' says the petitioner, 'I desire that this clause +may be inserted in my patent, That every man who refuses to give me a +shilling, should appear at Westminster Hall to shew cause why he so +refuses.' 'This also,' says the King, 'shall be granted thee, but always +with this proviso, that the man be willing to come.' + +"I am your, etc. + +"MISOXULOS."] + + +I must beg leave to caution your lordships and worships in one +particular. Wood hath graciously promised to load us at present only +with forty thousand pounds of his coin, till the exigences of the +kingdom require the rest. I entreat you will never suffer Mr. Wood to be +a judge of your exigences. While there is one piece of silver or gold +remaining in the kingdom he will call it an exigency, he will double his +present _quantum_ by stealth as soon as he can, and will have the +remainder still to the good. He will pour his own raps[22]and +counterfeits upon us: France and Holland will do the same; nor will our +own coiners at home be behind them: To confirm which I have now in my +pocket a rap or counterfeit halfpenny in imitation of his, but so ill +performed, that in my conscience I believe it is not of his coining. + +[Footnote 22: The word Rap is probably a contraction of "raparee," and +was the name given to the tokens that passed current in Ireland for +copper coins of small value. Generally it referred to debased coins; +hence it may be allied to "raparee," who might be considered as a +debased citizen. The raparees were so called from the rapary or +half-pike they carried. [T.S.]] + +I must now desire your lordships and worships that you will give great +allowance for this long undigested paper, I find myself to have gone +into several repetitions, which were the effects of haste, while new +thoughts fell in to add something to what I had said before. I think I +may affirm that I have fully answered every paragraph in the Report, +which although it be not unartfully drawn, and is perfectly in the +spirit of a pleader who can find the most plausible topics in behalf of +his client, yet there was no great skill required to detect the many +mistakes contained in it, which however are by no means to be charged +upon the right honourable Committee, but upon the most false impudent +and fraudulent representations of Wood and his accomplices. I desire one +particular may dwell upon your minds, although I have mentioned it more +than once; That after all the weight laid upon precedents there is not +one produced in the whole Report, of a patent for coining copper in +England to pass in Ireland, and only two patents referred to (for indeed +there were no more) which were both passed in Ireland, by references to +the King's Council here, both less advantageous to the coiner than this +of Wood, and in both securities given to receive the coin at every call, +and give gold and silver in lieu of it. This demonstrates the most +flagrant falsehood and impudence of Wood, by which he would endeavour to +make the right honourable Committee his instruments, (for his own +illegal and exorbitant gain,) to ruin a kingdom, which hath deserved +quite different treatment. + +I am very sensible that such a work as I have undertaken might have +worthily employed a much better pen. But when a house is attempted to be +robbed it often happens that the weakest in the family runs first to +stop the door. All the assistance I had were some informations from an +eminent person,[23] whereof I am afraid I have spoiled a few by +endeavouring to make them of a piece with my own productions, and the +rest I was not able to manage: I was in the case of David who could not +move in the armour of Saul, and therefore I rather chose to attack this +"uncircumcised Philistine (Wood I mean) with a sling and a stone." And I +may say for Wood's honour as well as my own, that he resembles Goliath +in many circumstances, very applicable to the present purpose; For +Goliath had "a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a +coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of +brass, and he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass +between his shoulders." In short he was like Mr. Wood, all over brass; +And "he defied the armies of the living God." Goliath's condition of +combat were likewise the same with those of Wood. "If he prevail against +us, then shall we be his servants:" But if it happens that I prevail +over him, I renounce the other part of the condition, he shall never be +a servant of mine, for I do not think him fit to be trusted in any +honest man's shop. + +[Footnote 23: Mr. Robert Lindsay, a Dublin lawyer, assisted Swift on the +legal points raised in the Drapier's letters. This is the Mr. Lindsay, +counsellor-at-law, to whom Swift submitted a case concerning a Mr. +Gorman (see Scott's edit., vol. xix., p. 294). Mr. Lindsay is supposed +to be the author of two letters addressed to Chief Justice Whitshed on +the matter of his conduct towards the grand jury which discharged +Harding the printer (see Scott's edit., vol. vi., p. 467). [T.S.]] + +I will conclude with my humble desire and request which I made in my +second letter; That your lordships and worships would please to order a +declaration to be drawn up expressing, in the strongest terms, your firm +resolutions never to receive or utter any of Wood's halfpence or +farthings, and forbidding your tenants to receive them. That the said +declaration may be signed by as many persons as possible who have +estates in this kingdom, and be sent down to your several tenants +aforesaid.[24] + +[Footnote 24: A Declaration, pursuant to this request, was signed soon +after by the most considerable persons of the kingdom, which was +universally spread and of great use. [F.] + +"The humble petition of the lord-mayor, sheriffs, commons, and citizens +of the city of Dublin, in Common Council assembled," was issued as a +broadside on 8th September, 1724. See also Appendix IX. [T.S.]] + +And if the dread of Wood's halfpence should continue till next +quarter-sessions (which I hope it will not) the gentlemen of every +county will then have a fair opportunity of declaring against them with +unanimity and zeal. + +I am with the greatest respect, + (May it please your lordships and worships) + Your most dutiful + and obedient servant, + M.B. + +Aug. 25, 1724. + + + +LETTER IV. + +A LETTER TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND. + + +NOTE + +The country was now in a very fever of excitement. Everywhere meetings +were held for the purpose of expressing indignation against the +imposition, and addresses from brewers, butchers, flying stationers, and +townspeople generally, were sent in embodying the public protest against +Wood and his coins. Swift fed the flame by publishing songs and ballads +well fitted for the street singers, and appealing to the understandings +of those who he well knew would effectively carry his message to the +very hearths of the poorest labourers. Courtier and student, tradesman +and freeman, thief and prostitute, beggar and loafer, all were alike +carried by an indignation which launched them on a maelstrom of +enthusiasm. So general became the outcry that, in Coxe's words, "the +lords justices refused to issue the orders for the circulation of the +coin.... People of all descriptions and parties flocked in crowds to the +bankers to demand their money, and drew their notes with an express +condition to be paid in gold and silver. The publishers of the most +treasonable pamphlets escaped with impunity, provided Wood and his +patent were introduced into the work. The grand juries could scarcely be +induced to find any bill against such delinquents; no witnesses in the +prosecution were safe in their persons; and no juries were inclined, or +if inclined could venture, to find them guilty." + +In such a state of public feeling Swift assumed an entirely new +attitude. He promulgated his "Letter to the Whole People of Ireland"--a +letter which openly struck at the very root of the whole evil, and laid +bare to the public eye the most secret spring of its righteous +indignation. It was not Wood nor his coins, it was the freedom of the +people of Ireland and their just rights and privileges that were being +fought for. He wrote them the letter "to refresh and continue that +spirit so seasonably raised among" them, and in order that they should +plainly understand "that by the laws of God, of NATURE, of NATIONS, and +of your COUNTRY, you ARE, and OUGHT to be as FREE a people as your +brethren in England." The King's prerogative had been held threateningly +over them. What was the King's prerogative? he asked in effect. It was +but the right he enjoyed within the bounds of the law as made by the +people in parliament assembled. The law limits him with his subjects. +Such prerogative he respected and would take up arms to protect against +any who should rebel. But "all government without the consent of the +governed, is the very definition of slavery." The condition of the Irish +nation was such that it was to be expected eleven armed men should +overcome a single man in his shirt; but even if those in power exercise +then power to cramp liberty, a man on the rack may still have "the +liberty of roaring as loud as he thought fit." And the men on the rack +roared to a tune that Walpole had never before heard. + +The letter appeared on the 13th October, 1724.[1] The Duke of Grafton +had been recalled and Carteret had taken up the reins of government. For +reasons, either personal or politic, he took Walpole's side. Coxe goes +into considerations on this attitude of Carteret's, but they hardly +concern us here. Suffice it that the Lord Lieutenant joined forces with +the party in the Irish Privy Council, among whom were Midleton and St. +John Brodrick, and on October 27th issued a proclamation offering a +reward of L300[2] for the discovery of the author of this "wicked and +malicious pamphlet" which highly reflected on his Majesty and his +ministers, and which tended "to alienate the affections of his good +subjects of England and Ireland from each other." + +[Footnote 1: Not on October 23rd as the earlier editors print it, and as +Monck Mason, Scott and Mr. Churton Collins repeat.] + +[Footnote 2: See Appendix, No. VI.] + +The author's name was not made public, nor was it likely to be. There is +no doubt that it was generally known who the author was. In that general +knowledge lies the whole pith of the Biblical quotation circulated +abroad on the heels of the proclamation: "And the people said unto Saul, +shall _Jonathan_ die, who had wrought this great salvation in Israel? +God forbid: as the Lord liveth there shall not one hair of his head fall +to the ground, for he hath wrought with God this day: So the people +rescued _Jonathan_ that he died not." + +Swift remained very much alive. Harding, for printing the obnoxious +letter, had been arrested and imprisoned, and the Crown proceeded with +his prosecution. In such circumstances Swift was not likely to remain +idle. On the 26th October he addressed a letter to Lord Chancellor +Midleton in defence of the Drapier's writings, and practically +acknowledged himself to be the author.[3] It was not actually printed +until 1735, but there is no doubt that Midleton received it at the time +it was written. What effect it had on the ultimate issue is not known; +but Midleton's conduct justifies the confidence Swift placed in him. The +Grand Jury of the Michaelmas term of 1724 sat to consider the bill +against Harding. On the 11th of November Swift addressed to them his +"Seasonable Advice." The bill was thrown out. Whitshed, the Chief +Justice, consistently with his action on a previous occasion (see vol. +vii.), angrily remonstrated with the jury, demanded of them their +reasons for such a decision, and finally dissolved them. This +unconstitutional, and even disgraceful conduct, however, served but to +accentuate the resentment of the people against Wood and the patent, and +the Crown fared no better by a second Grand Jury. The second jury +accompanied its rejection of the bill by a presentment against the +patent,[4] and the defeat of the "prerogative" became assured. Every +where the Drapier was acclaimed the saviour of his country. Any person +who could scribble a doggerel or indite a tract rushed into print, and +now Whitshed was harnessed to Wood in a pillory of contemptuous +ridicule. Indeed, so bitter was the outcry against the Lord Chief +Justice, that it is said to have hastened his death. The cities of +Dublin, Cork and Waterford passed resolutions declaring the uttering of +Wood's halfpence to be highly prejudicial to his Majesty's revenue and +to the trades of the kingdom. The Drapier was now the patriot, and the +whole nation responded to his appeal to assist him in its own defence. + +[Footnote 3: The highly wrought up story about Swift's butler, narrated +by Sheridan, Deane Swift and Scott, is nothing but a sample of +eighteenth century "sensationalism." Swift never bothered himself about +what his servants would say with regard to the authorship of the +Letters. Certainly this letter to Midleton proves that he was not at all +afraid of the consequences of discovery.] + +[Footnote 4: See Appendix V.] + +The text of the present reprint is based on that given by Sir Walter +Scott, collated with the original edition and with that reprinted in +"Fraud Detected" (1725). Faulkner's text of 1735 has also been +consulted. + +[T.S.] + + + +[Illustration: + A + + **LETTER** + + TO THE + **WHOLE People** + OF + + **IRELAND**. + + + _By_ M.B. _Drapier_. + +AUTHOR of the LETTER to the + _SHOP-KEEPERS_, &c. + + _DUBLIN:_ + + Printed by _John Harding_ in +_Molesworth's-Court_ in _Fishamble Street_. +] + + + +LETTER IV. + +A LETTER TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND. + + +MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN, + +Having already written three letters upon so disagreeable a subject as +Mr. Wood and his halfpence; I conceived my task was at an end: But I +find, that cordials must be frequently applied to weak constitutions, +political as well as natural. A people long used to hardships, lose by +degrees the very notions of liberty, they look upon themselves as +creatures at mercy, and that all impositions laid on them by a stronger +hand, are, in the phrase of the Report, legal and obligatory. Hence +proceeds that poverty and lowness of spirit, to which a kingdom may be +subject as well as a particular person. And when Esau came fainting from +the field at the point to die, it is no wonder that he sold his +birthright for a mess of pottage. + +I thought I had sufficiently shewn to all who could want instruction, by +what methods they might safely proceed, whenever this coin should be +offered to them; and I believe there hath not been for many ages an +example of any kingdom so firmly united in a point of great importance, +as this of ours is at present, against that detestable fraud. But +however, it so happens that some weak people begin to be alarmed anew, +by rumours industriously spread. Wood prescribes to the newsmongers in +London what they are to write. In one of their papers published here by +some obscure printer (and probably with no good design) we are told, +that "the Papists in Ireland have entered into an association against +his coin," although it be notoriously known, that they never once +offered to stir in the matter; so that the two Houses of Parliament, the +Privy-council, the great number of corporations, the lord mayor and +aldermen of Dublin, the grand juries, and principal gentlemen of +several counties are stigmatized in a lump under the name of "Papists." + +This impostor and his crew do likewise give out, that, by refusing to +receive his dross for sterling, we "dispute the King's prerogative, are +grown ripe for rebellion, and ready to shake off the dependency of +Ireland upon the crown of England." To countenance which reports he hath +published a paragraph in another newspaper, to let us know that "the +Lord Lieutenant is ordered to come over immediately to settle his +halfpence." + +I entreat you, my dear countrymen, not to be under the least concern +upon these and the like rumours, which are no more than the last howls +of a dog dissected alive, as I hope he hath sufficiently been. These +calumnies are the only reserve that is left him. For surely our +continued and (almost) unexampled loyalty will never be called in +question for not suffering ourselves to be robbed of all that we have, +by one obscure ironmonger. + +As to disputing the King's prerogative, give me leave to explain to +those who are ignorant, what the meaning of that word _prerogative_ is. + +The Kings of these realms enjoy several powers, wherein the laws have +not interposed: So they can make war and peace without the consent of +Parliament; and this is a very great prerogative. But if the Parliament +doth not approve of the war, the King must bear the charge of it out of +his own purse, and this is as great a check on the crown. So the King +hath a prerogative to coin money without consent of Parliament. But he +cannot compel the subject to take that money except it be sterling, gold +or silver; because herein he is limited by law. Some princes have indeed +extended their prerogative further than the law allowed them; wherein +however, the lawyers of succeeding ages, as fond as they are of +precedents, have never dared to justify them. But to say the truth, it +is only of late times that prerogative hath been fixed and ascertained. +For whoever reads the histories of England, will find that some former +Kings, and these none of the worst, have upon several occasions ventured +to control the laws with very little ceremony or scruple, even later +than the days of Queen Elizabeth. In her reign that pernicious counsel +of sending base money hither, very narrowly failed of losing the +kingdom, being complained of by the lord-deputy, the council, and the +whole body of the English here:[5] So that soon after her death it was +recalled by her successor, and lawful money paid in exchange. + +[Footnote 5: See Moryson's "Itinerary" (Pt. ii., pp. 90, 196 and 262), +where an account is given which fully bears out Swift.[T.S.]] + +Having thus given you some notion of what is meant by the King's +"prerogative," as far as a tradesman can be thought capable of +explaining it, I will only add the opinion of the great Lord Bacon: That +"as God governs the world by the settled laws of nature, which he hath +made, and never transcends those laws but upon high important occasions; +so among earthly princes, those are the wisest and the best, who govern +by the known laws of the country, and seldomest make use of their +prerogative."[6] + +[Footnote 6: The words in inverted commas appear to be a reminiscence +rather than a quotation. I have not traced the sentence, as it stands, +in Bacon; but the regular government of the world by the laws of nature, +as contrasted with the exceptional disturbance of these laws, is +enunciated in Bacon's "Confession of Faith," while the dangers of a +strained prerogative are urged in the "Essay on Empire." Bacon certainly +gives no support to Swift's limits of the prerogative as regards +coinage. [CRAIK.]] + +Now, here you may see that the vile accusation of Wood and his +accomplices, charging us with "disputing the King's prerogative" by +refusing his brass, can have no place, because compelling the subject to +take any coin which is not sterling is no part of the King's +prerogative, and I am very confident if it were so, we should be the +last of his people to dispute it, as well from that inviolable loyalty +we have always paid to His Majesty, as from the treatment we might in +such a case justly expect from some who seem to think, we have neither +common sense nor common senses. But God be thanked, the best of them are +only our fellow-subjects, and not our masters. One great merit I am sure +we have, which those of English birth can have no pretence to, that our +ancestors reduced this kingdom to the obedience of England, for which we +have been rewarded with a worse climate, the privilege of being governed +by laws to which we do not consent, a ruined trade, a House of Peers +without jurisdiction, almost an incapacity for all employments; and the +dread of Wood's halfpence. + +But we are so far from disputing the King's prerogative in coining, that +we own he has power to give a patent to any man for setting his royal +image and superscription upon whatever materials he pleases, and liberty +to the patentee to offer them in any country from England to Japan, only +attended with one small limitation, That nobody alive is obliged to take +them. + +Upon these considerations I was ever against all recourse to England for +a remedy against the present impending evil, especially when I observed +that the addresses of both Houses, after long expectance, produced +nothing but a REPORT altogether in favour of Wood, upon which I made +some observations in a former letter, and might at least have made as +many more. For it is a paper of as singular a nature as I ever beheld. + +But I mistake; for before this Report was made, His Majesty's most +gracious answer to the House of Lords was sent over and printed, wherein +there are these words, "granting the patent for coining halfpence and +farthings AGREEABLE TO THE PRACTICE OF HIS ROYAL PREDECESSORS, &c." That +King Charles 2d. and King James 2d. (AND THEY ONLY) did grant patents +for this purpose is indisputable, and I have shewn it at large. Their +patents were passed under the great seal of Ireland by references to +Ireland, the copper to be coined in Ireland, the patentee was bound on +demand to receive his coin back in Ireland, and pay silver and gold in +return. Wood's patent was made under the great seal of England, the +brass coined in England, not the least reference made to Ireland, the +sum immense, and the patentee under no obligation to receive it again +and give good money for it: This I only mention, because in my private +thoughts I have sometimes made a query, whether the penner of those +words in His Majesty's most gracious answer, "agreeable to the practice +of his royal predecessors," had maturely considered the several +circumstances, which, in my poor opinion seem to make a difference. + +Let me now say something concerning the other great cause of some +people's fear, as Wood has taught the London newswriter to express it. +That "his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant is coming over to settle Wood's +halfpence." + +We know very well that the Lords Lieutenants for several years past have +not thought this kingdom worthy the honour of their residence, longer +than was absolutely necessary for the King's business, which +consequently wanted no speed in the dispatch; and therefore it naturally +fell into most men's thoughts, that a new governor coming at an unusual +time must portend some unusual business to be done, especially if the +common report be true, that the Parliament prorogued to I know not when, +is by a new summons (revoking that prorogation) to assemble soon after +his arrival: For which extraordinary proceeding the lawyers on t'other +side the water have by great good fortune found two precedents. + +All this being granted, it can never enter into my head that so little a +creature as Wood could find credit enough with the King and his +ministers to have the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland sent hither in a hurry +upon his errand. + +For let us take the whole matter nakedly as it lies before us, without +the refinements of some people, with which we have nothing to do. Here +is a patent granted under the great seal of England, upon false +suggestions, to one William Wood for coining copper halfpence for +Ireland: The Parliament here, upon apprehensions of the worst +consequences from the said patent, address the King to have it recalled; +this is refused, and a committee of the Privy-council report to His +Majesty, that Wood has performed the conditions of his patent. He then +is left to do the best he can with his halfpence; no man being obliged +to receive them; the people here, being likewise left to themselves, +unite as one man, resolving they will have nothing to do with his ware. +By this plain account of the fact it is manifest, that the King and his +ministry are wholly out of the case, and the matter is left to be +disputed between him and us. Will any man therefore attempt to persuade +me, that a Lord Lieutenant is to be dispatched over in great haste +before the ordinary time, and a Parliament summoned by anticipating a +prorogation, merely to put an hundred thousand pounds into the pocket of +a sharper, by the ruin of a most loyal kingdom. + +But supposing all this to be true. By what arguments could a Lord +Lieutenant prevail on the same Parliament which addressed with so much +zeal and earnestness against this evil, to pass it into a law? I am sure +their opinion of Wood and his project is not mended since the last +prorogation; and supposing those methods should be used which detractors +tell us have been sometimes put in practice for gaining votes. It is +well known that in this kingdom there are few employments to be given, +and if there were more, it is as well known to whose share they must +fall. + +But because great numbers of you are altogether ignorant in the affairs +of your country, I will tell you some reasons why there are so few +employments to be disposed of in this kingdom. All considerable offices +for life here are possessed by those to whom the reversions were +granted, and these have been generally followers of the chief governors, +or persons who had interest in the Court of England. So the Lord +Berkeley of Stratton[7] holds that great office of master of the rolls, +the Lord Palmerstown[8] is first remembrancer worth near 2000_l. per +ann._ One Dodington[9] secretary to the Earl of Pembroke,[10] begged the +reversion of clerk of the pells worth 2500_l._ a year, which he now +enjoys by the death of the Lord Newtown. Mr. Southwell is secretary of +state,[11] and the Earl of Burlington[12] lord high treasurer of Ireland +by inheritance. These are only a few among many others which I have been +told of, but cannot remember. Nay the reversion of several employments +during pleasure are granted the same way. This among many others is a +circumstance whereby the kingdom of Ireland is distinguished from all +other nations upon earth, and makes it so difficult an affair to get +into a civil employ, that Mr. Addison was forced to purchase an old +obscure place, called keeper of the records of Bermingham's Tower of ten +pounds a year, and to get a salary of 400_l._ annexed to it,[13] though +all the records there are not worth half-a-crown, either for curiosity +or use. And we lately saw a favourite secretary descend to be master of +the revels, which by his credit and extortion he hath made pretty +considerable.[14] I say nothing of the under-treasurership worth about +8000_l_. a year, nor the commissioners of the revenue, four of whom +generally live in England; For I think none of these are granted in +reversion. But the test is, that I have known upon occasion some of +these absent officers as keen against the interest of Ireland as if they +had never been indebted to her for a single groat. + +[Footnote 7: Berkeley was one of the Junta in Harley's administration of +1710-1714. He had married Sir John Temple's daughter. His connection +with a person so disliked by Swift may account for his inclusion here. +[T.S.]] + +[Footnote 8: This was Henry Temple, first Viscount Palmerston, with whom +Swift later had an unpleasant correspondence. Palmerston could not have +been more than seven years old when he was appointed (September 21st, +1680), with Luke King, chief remembrancer of the Court of Exchequer in +Ireland, for their joint lives. King died in 1716, but the grant was +renewed to Palmerston and his son Henry for life. He was raised to the +peerage as Baron Temple of Mount Temple, and Viscount Palmerston of +Palmerston, in March, 1722-1723. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams called him +"Little Broadbottom Palmerston." He died in 1757. [T.S.] ] + +[Footnote 9: George Bubb (1691-1762) was Chief Secretary during +Wharton's Lord lieutenancy in 1709. He took the name of Doddington on +the death of his uncle in 1720. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 10: Thomas Herbert, eighth Earl of Pembroke (1656-1733), had +preceded the Earl of Wharton as Lord lieutenant of Ireland. He bears a +high character in history and on four successive coronations, namely, +those of William and Mary, Anne, George I. and George II., he acted as +sword carrier. Although a Tory, even Macaulay acknowledges Pembroke's +high breeding and liberality. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 11: This is the Edward Southwell to whom Archbishop King wrote +the letters quoted from Monck Mason in previous notes. He was the son of +Sir Robert Southwell, the diplomatist and friend of Sir William Temple, +to whom Swift bore a letter of introduction from the latter, soliciting +the office of amanuensis. In June, 1720, Edward Southwell had his salary +as secretary increased by L300; and in July of the same year the office +was granted to him and his son for life. The Southwell family first came +to Ireland in the reign of James I., at the time of the plantation of +Munster. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 12: Richard Boyle, third Earl of Burlington (or Bridlington of +Yorks), and fourth Earl of Cork (1695-1753), was appointed Lord +High-Treasurer of Ireland in August, 1715. His great-grandfather, the +first Earl of Cork, had held the same office in 1631. The +Lord-lieutenancy of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and the office of +Custos Rotulorum of the North and West Ridings, seem also to have been +inheritances of this family. The third Earl had a taste for +architecture, and spent enormous sums of money in the reconstruction of +Burlington House, a building that was freely satirized by Hogarth and +Lord Hervey. His taste, however, seems to have run to the ornamental +rather than the useful, and its gratification involved him in such +serious financial difficulties, that he was compelled to sell some of +his Irish estates. Swift notes that "My Lord Burlington is now selling +in one article L9,000 a year in Ireland for L200,000 which must pay his +debts" (Scott's edit. 1814, vol. xix., p. 129). [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 13: This post was found for Addison on his appointment in 1709 +as secretary to the Earl of Wharton, Lord-lieutenant of Ireland. +Tickell, in his preface to his edition of Addison's works, says the post +was granted to Addison as a mark of Queen Anne's special favour. +Bermingham's Tower was that part of Dublin Castle in which the records +were kept. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 14: Mr. Hopkins, secretary to the Duke of Grafton. The +exactions made by this gentleman upon the players, in his capacity of +Master of the Revels, are the subject of two satirical poems. [S.] + +This may have been John Hopkins, the second son of the Bishop of +Londonderry, who was the author of "Amasia," dedicated to the Duchess of +Grafton. [T.S.]] + +I confess, I have been sometimes tempted to wish that this project of +Wood might succeed, because I reflected with some pleasure what a jolly +crew it would bring over among us of lords and squires, and pensioners +of both sexes, and officers civil and military, where we should live +together as merry and sociable as beggars, only with this one abatement, +that we should neither have meat to feed, nor manufactures to clothe us, +unless we could be content to prance about in coats of mail, or eat +brass as ostriches do iron. + +I return from this digression to that which gave me the occasion of +making it: And I believe you are now convinced, that if the Parliament +of Ireland were as temptable as any other assembly within a mile of +Christendom (which God forbid) yet the managers must of necessity fail +for want of tools to work with. But I will yet go one step further, by +supposing that a hundred new employments were erected on purpose to +gratify compilers; yet still an insuperable difficulty would remain; for +it happens, I know not how, that money is neither Whig nor Tory, neither +of town nor country party, and it is not improbable, that a gentleman +would rather choose to live upon his own estate which brings him gold +and silver, than with the addition of an employment, when his rents and +salary must both be paid in Wood's brass, at above eighty _per cent._ +discount. + +For these and many other reasons, I am confident you need not be under +the least apprehensions from the sudden expectation of the Lord +Lieutenant,[15] while we continue in our present hearty disposition; to +alter which there is no suitable temptation can possibly be offered: +And if, as I have often asserted from the best authority, the law hath +not left a power in the crown to force any money except sterling upon +the subject, much less can the crown devolve such a power upon another. + +[Footnote 15: Lord Carteret, afterwards Earl Granville. See note to "A +Vindication of Lord Carteret," in vol. vii. of present edition of +Swift's works. [T.S.]] + +This I speak with the utmost respect to the person and dignity of his +Excellency the Lord Carteret, whose character hath been given me by a +gentleman that hath known him from his first appearance in the world: +That gentleman describes him as a young nobleman of great +accomplishments, excellent learning, regular in his life, and of much +spirit and vivacity. He hath since, as I have heard, been employed +abroad, was principal secretary of state, and is now about the 37th year +of his age appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. From such a governor +this kingdom may reasonably hope for as much prosperity as, under so +many discouragements, it can be capable of receiving.[16] + +[Footnote 16: Carteret was an old friend of Swift. On the Earl's +appointment to the Lord-lieutenancy, in April, 1724, Swift wrote him a +letter on the matter of Wood's halfpence, in which he took the liberty +of "an old humble servant, and one who always loved and esteemed" him, +to make known to him the apprehensions the people were under concerning +Mr. Wood's patent. "Neither is it doubted," he wrote, "that when your +excellency shall be thoroughly informed, your justice and compassion for +an injured people, will force you to employ your credit for their +relief." Swift waited for more than a month, and on receiving no reply, +sent a second letter, which Sir Henry Craik justly calls, "a masterpiece +of its kind." It was as follows: + +"June 9, 1724. + +"MY LORD, + +"It is above a month since I took the boldness of writing to your +excellency, upon a subject wherein the welfare of this kingdom is highly +concerned. + +"I writ at the desire of several considerable persons here, who could +not be ignorant that I had the honour of being well known to you. + +"I could have wished your excellency had condescended so far, as to let +one of your under clerks have signified to me that a letter was +received. + +"I have been long out of the world; but have not forgotten what used to +pass among those I lived with while I was in it: and I can say, that +during the experience of many years, and many changes in affairs, your +excellency, and one more, who is not worthy to be compared to you, are +the only great persons that ever refused to answer a letter from me, +without regard to business, party, or greatness; and if I had not a +peculiar esteem for your personal qualities, I should think myself to be +acting a very inferior part in making this complaint. + +"I never was so humble, as to be vain upon my acquaintance with men in +power, and always rather chose to avoid it when I was not called. +Neither were their power or titles sufficient, without merit, to make me +cultivate them; of which I have witnesses enough left, after all the +havoc made among them, by accidents of time, or by changes of persons, +measures, and opinions. + +"I know not how your conception of yourself may alter, by every new high +station; but mine must continue the same, or alter for the worse. + +"I often told a great minister, whom you well know, that I valued him +for being the same man through all the progress of power and place. I +expected the like in your lordship; and still hope that I shall be the +only person who will ever find it otherwise. + +"I pray God to direct your excellency in all your good undertakings, and +especially in your government of this kingdom. + +"I shall trouble you no more; but remain, with great respect, my Lord, + +"Your excellency's most obedient, + +"and most humble servant, + +"JON. SWIFT." + +This letter brought an immediate reply from Carteret, who confessed +himself in the wrong for his silence, and trusted he had not forfeited +Swift's friendship by it. With regard to Mr. Wood's patent, he said that +the matter was under examination, "and till that is over I am not +informed sufficiently to make any other judgment of the matter, than +that which I am naturally led to make, by the general aversion which +appears to it in the whole nation." Swift replied in a charming vein, +and elegantly put his scolding down to the testiness of old age. His +excellency had humbled him. "Therefore, I fortel that you, who could so +easily conquer so captious a person, and of so little consequence, will +quickly subdue this whole kingdom to love and reverence you" (Scott's +ed. 1824, vol. xvi., pp. 430-435). [T.S.]] + +It is true indeed, that within the memory of man, there have been +governors of so much dexterity, as to carry points of terrible +consequence to this kingdom, by their power with _those who were in +office_, and by their arts in managing or deluding others with oaths, +affability, and even with dinners. If Wood's brass had in those times +been upon the anvil, it is obvious enough to conceive what methods would +have been taken. Depending persons would have been told in plain terms, +that it was a "service expected from them, under pain of the public +business being put into more complying hands." Others would be allured +by promises. To the country gentleman, besides good words, burgundy and +closeting. It would perhaps have been hinted how "kindly it would be +taken to comply with a royal patent, though it were not compulsory," +that if any inconveniences ensued, it might be made up with other +"graces or favours hereafter." That "gentlemen ought to consider whether +it were prudent or safe to disgust England:" They would be desired to +"think of some good bills for encouraging of trade, and setting the poor +to work, some further acts against Popery and for uniting Protestants." +There would be solemn engagements that we should "never be troubled with +above forty thousand pounds in his coin, and all of the best and +weightiest sort, for which we should only give our manufactures in +exchange, and keep our gold and silver at home." Perhaps a "seasonable +report of some invasion would have been spread in the most proper +juncture," which is a great smoother of rubs in public proceedings; and +we should have been told that "this was no time to create differences +when the kingdom was in danger." + +These, I say, and the like methods would in corrupt times have been +taken to let in this deluge of brass among us; and I am confident would +even then have not succeeded, much less under the administration of so +excellent a person as the Lord Carteret, and in a country where the +people of all ranks, parties and denominations are convinced to a man, +that the utter undoing of themselves and their posterity for ever will +be dated from the admission of that execrable coin; that if it once +enters, it can be no more confined to a small or moderate quantity, than +the plague can be confined to a few families, and that no equivalent can +be given by any earthly power, any more than a dead carcass can be +recovered to life by a cordial. + +There is one comfortable circumstance in this universal opposition to +Mr. Wood, that the people sent over hither from England to fill up our +vacancies ecclesiastical, civil and military, are all on our side: +Money, the great divider of the world, hath by a strange revolution, +been the great uniter of a most divided people. Who would leave a +hundred pounds a year in England (a country of freedom) to be paid a +thousand in Ireland out of Wood's exchequer. The gentleman they have +lately made primate[17] would never quit his seat in an English House of +Lords, and his preferments at Oxford and Bristol, worth twelve hundred +pounds a year, for four times the denomination here, but not half the +value; therefore I expect to hear he will be as good an Irishman, upon +this article, as any of his brethren, or even of us who have had the +misfortune to be born in this island. For those, who, in the common +phrase, do not "come hither to learn the language," would never change a +better country for a worse, to receive brass instead of gold. + +[Footnote 17: Hugh Boulter (1672-1742) was appointed Archbishop of +Armagh, August 31st, 1724. He had been a fellow of Magdalen College, +Oxford, and had served the King as chaplain in Hanover, in 1719. In this +latter year he was promoted to the Bishopric of Bristol, and the Deanery +of Christ Church, Oxford. His appointment as Primate of Ireland, was in +accordance with Walpole's plan for governing Ireland from England. +Walpole had no love for Carteret, and no faith in his power or +willingness to aid him in his policy. Indeed, Carteret was sent to +Ireland to be got out of the way. He was governor nominally; the real +governor being Walpole in the person of the new Primate. What were +Boulter's instructions may be gathered from the manner in which he +carried out his purpose. Of a strong character and of untiring energy, +Boulter set about his work in a fashion which showed that Walpole had +chosen well. Nothing of any importance that transpired in Ireland, no +fact of any interest about the individuals in office, no movement of any +suspected or suspicious person escaped his vigilance. His letters +testify to an unabating zeal for the English government of Irish affairs +by Englishmen in the English interest. His perseverance knew no +obstacles; he continued against all difficulties in his dogged and yet +able manner to establish some order out of the chaos of Ireland's +condition. But his government was the outcome of a profound conviction +that only in the interest of England should Ireland be governed. If +Ireland could be made prosperous and contented, so much more good would +accrue to England. But that prosperity and that contentment had nothing +whatever to do with safeguarding Irish institutions, or recognizing the +rights of the Irish people. If he gave way to popular opinion at all, it +was because it was either expedient or beneficial to the English +interest. If he urged, as he did, the founding of Protestant Charter +schools, it was because this would strengthen the English power. To +preserve that he obtained the enactment of a statute which excluded +Roman Catholics from the legal profession and the offices of legal +administration; and another act of his making actually disfranchised +them altogether. Boulter was also a member of the Irish Privy Council, +and Lord Justice of Ireland. The latter office he held under the +vice-regencies of Carteret, Dorset and Devonshire. His secretary, +Ambrose Philips, had been connected with him, in earlier years, in +contributing to a periodical entitled, "The Free Thinker," which +appeared in 1718. Philips, in 1769, supervised the publication of +Boulter's "Letters," which were published at Oxford. [T.S.]] + +Another slander spread by Wood and his emissaries is, that by opposing +him we discover an inclination to "shake off our dependence upon the +crown of England." Pray observe how important a person is this same +William Wood, and how the public weal of two kingdoms is involved in +his private interest. First, all those who refuse to take his coin are +Papists; for he tells us that "none but Papists are associated against +him;" Secondly, they "dispute the King's prerogative;" Thirdly, "they +are ripe for rebellion," and Fourthly, they are going to "shake off +their dependence upon the crown of England;" That is to say, "they are +going to choose another king;" For there can be no other meaning in this +expression, however some may pretend to strain it. + +And this gives me an opportunity of explaining, to those who are +ignorant, another point, which hath often swelled in my breast. Those +who come over hither to us from England, and some weak people among +ourselves, whenever in discourse we make mention of liberty and +property, shake their heads, and tell us, that Ireland is a "depending +kingdom," as if they would seem, by this phrase, to intend that the +people of Ireland is in some state of slavery or dependence different +from those of England; Whereas a "depending kingdom" is a modern term of +art, unknown, as I have heard, to all ancient civilians, and writers +upon government; and Ireland is on the contrary called in some statutes +an "imperial crown," as held only from God; which is as high a style as +any kingdom is capable of receiving. Therefore by this expression, a +"depending kingdom," there is no more understood than that by a statute +made here in the 33d year of Henry 8th. "The King and his successors are +to be kings imperial of this realm as united and knit to the imperial +crown of England." I have looked over all the English and Irish statutes +without finding any law that makes Ireland depend upon England, any more +than England does upon Ireland. We have indeed obliged ourselves to have +the same king with them, and consequently they are obliged to have the +same king with us. For the law was made by our own Parliament, and our +ancestors then were not such fools (whatever they were in the preceding +reign) to bring themselves under I know not what dependence, which is +now talked of without any ground of law, reason or common sense.[18] + +[Footnote 18: This was the passage selected by the government upon which +to found its prosecution. As Sir Walter Scott points out, it "contains +the pith and essence of the whole controversy." [T.S.]] + +Let whoever think otherwise, I M.B. Drapier, desire to be excepted,[19] +for I declare, next under God, I _depend_ only on the King my sovereign, +and on the laws of my own country; and I am so far from _depending_ upon +the people of England, that if they should ever rebel against my +sovereign (which God forbid) I would be ready at the first command from +His Majesty to take arms against them, as some of _my_ countrymen did +against _theirs_ at Preston. And if such a rebellion should prove so +successful as to fix the Pretender on the throne of England, I would +venture to transgress that statute so far as to lose every drop of my +blood to hinder him from being King of Ireland.[20] + +[Footnote 19: For a humorous story which accounts for Swift's use of the +words "desire to be excepted," see the Drapier's sixth letter. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 20: Great offence was taken at this paragraph. Swift refers to +it again in his sixth letter. Sir Henry Craik, in his "Life of Jonathan +Swift" (vol. ii., p. 74), has an acute note on this paragraph, and the +one already alluded to in the sixth letter. I take the liberty of +transcribing it: "The manoeuvre by which Swift managed to associate a +suspicion of Jacobitism with his opponents, is one peculiarly +characteristic; and so is the skill with which, in the next letter, he +meets the objections to this paragraph, by half offering an extent of +submission that might equally be embarrassing--a submission even to +Jacobitism, if Jacobitism were to become strong enough. He does not +commit himself, however: he fears a 'spiteful interpretation.' In short, +he places the English Cabinet on the horns of a dilemma. 'Am I to resist +Jacobitism? Then what becomes of your doctrine of Ireland's dependency?' +or, 'Am I to become a Jacobite, if England bids me? Then what becomes of +your Protestant succession? Must even that give way to your desire to +tyrannize?'" [T.S.]] + +'Tis true indeed, that within the memory of man, the Parliaments of +England have sometimes assumed the power of binding this kingdom by laws +enacted there,[21] wherein they were at first openly opposed (as far as +truth, reason and justice are capable of opposing) by the famous Mr. +Molineux,[22] an English gentleman born here, as well as by several of +the greatest patriots, and best Whigs in England; but the love and +torrent of power prevailed. Indeed the arguments on both sides were +invincible. For in reason, all government without the consent of the +governed is the very definition of slavery: But in fact, eleven men well +armed will certainly subdue one single man in his shirt. But I have +done. For those who have used power to cramp liberty have gone so far as +to resent even the liberty of complaining, although a man upon the rack +was never known to be refused the liberty of roaring as loud as he +thought fit. + +[Footnote 21: Particularly in the reign of William III., when this +doctrine of English supremacy was assumed, in order to discredit the +authority of the Irish Parliament summoned by James II. [S.] + +See note on Poyning's Law, p. 77. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 22: See note on p. 167. [T.S.]] + +And as we are apt to sink too much under unreasonable fears, so we are +too soon inclined to be raised by groundless hopes (according to the +nature of all consumptive bodies like ours) thus, it hath been given +about for several days past, that somebody in England empowered a second +somebody to write to a third somebody here to assure us, that we "should +no more be troubled with those halfpence." And this is reported to have +been done by the same person, who was said to have sworn some months +ago, that he would "ram them down our throats" (though I doubt they +would stick in our stomachs) but whichever of these reports is true or +false, it is no concern of ours. For in this point we have nothing to do +with English ministers, and I should be sorry it lay in their power to +redress this grievance or to enforce it: For the "Report of the +Committee" hath given me a surfeit. The remedy is wholly in your own +hands, and therefore I have digressed a little in order to refresh and +continue that spirit so seasonably raised amongst you, and to let you +see that by the laws of GOD, of NATURE, of NATIONS, and of your own +COUNTRY, you ARE and OUGHT to be as FREE a people as your brethren in +England. + +If the pamphlets published at London by Wood and his journeymen in +defence of his cause, were reprinted here, and that our countrymen could +be persuaded to read them, they would convince you of his wicked design +more than all I shall ever be able to say. In short I make him a perfect +saint in comparison of what he appears to be from the writings of those +whom he hires to justify his project. But he is so far master of the +field (let others guess the reason) that no London printer dare publish +any paper written in favour of Ireland, and here nobody hath yet been so +bold as to publish anything in favour of him. + +There was a few days ago a pamphlet sent me of near 50 pages written in +favour of Mr. Wood and his coinage, printed in London; it is not worth +answering, because probably it will never be published here: But it gave +me an occasion to reflect upon an unhappiness we lie under, that the +people of England are utterly ignorant of our case, which however is no +wonder, since it is a point they do not in the least concern themselves +about, farther than perhaps as a subject of discourse in a coffee-house +when they have nothing else to talk of. For I have reason to believe +that no minister ever gave himself the trouble of reading any papers +written in our defence, because I suppose their opinions are already +determined, and are formed wholly upon the reports of Wood and his +accomplices; else it would be impossible that any man could have the +impudence to write such a pamphlet as I have mentioned. + +Our neighbours whose understandings are just upon a level with ours +(which perhaps are none of the brightest) have a strong contempt for +most nations, but especially for Ireland: They look upon us as a sort of +savage Irish, whom our ancestors conquered several hundred years ago, +and if I should describe the Britons to you as they were in Caesar's +time, when they painted their bodies, or clothed themselves with the +skins of beasts, I would act full as reasonably as they do: However they +are so far to be excused in relation to the present subject, that, +hearing only one side of the cause, and having neither opportunity nor +curiosity to examine the other, they believe a lie merely for their +ease, and conclude, because Mr. Wood pretends to have power, he hath +also reason on his side. + +Therefore to let you see how this case is represented in England by Wood +and his adherents, I have thought it proper to extract out of that +pamphlet a few of those notorious falsehoods in point of fact and +reasoning contained therein; the knowledge whereof will confirm my +countrymen in their own right sentiments, when they will see by +comparing both, how much their enemies are in the wrong. + +First, The writer, positively asserts, "That Wood's halfpence were +current among us for several months with the universal approbation of +all people, without one single gainsayer, and we all to a man thought +ourselves happy in having them." + +Secondly, He affirms, "That we were drawn into a dislike of them only by +some cunning evil-designing men among us, who opposed this patent of +Wood to get another for themselves." + +Thirdly, That "those who most declared at first against Wood's patent +were the very men who intended to get another for their own advantage." + +Fourthly, That "our Parliament and Privy-council, the Lord Mayor and +aldermen of Dublin, the grand juries and merchants, and in short the +whole kingdom, nay the very dogs" (as he expresseth it) "were fond of +those halfpence, till they were inflamed by those few designing persons +aforesaid." + +Fifthly, He says directly, That "all those who opposed the halfpence +were Papists and enemies to King George." + +Thus far I am confident the most ignorant among you can safely swear +from your own knowledge that the author is a most notorious liar in +every article; the direct contrary being so manifest to the whole +kingdom, that if occasion required, we might get it confirmed under five +hundred thousand hands. + +Sixthly, He would persuade us, that "if we sell five shillings worth of +our goods or manufactures for two shillings and fourpence worth of +copper, although the copper were melted down, and that we could get five +shillings in gold or silver for the said goods, yet to take the said two +shillings and fourpence in copper would be greatly for our advantage." + +And Lastly, He makes us a very fair offer, as empowered by Wood, that +"if we will take off two hundred thousand pounds in his halfpence for +our goods, and likewise pay him three _per cent_. interest for thirty +years, for an hundred and twenty thousand pounds (at which he computes +the coinage above the intrinsic value of the copper) for the loan of his +coin, he, will after that time give us good money for what halfpence +will be then left." + +Let me place this offer in as clear a light as I can to shew the +unsupportable villainy and impudence of that incorrigible wretch. First +(says he) "I will send two hundred thousand pounds of my coin into your +country, the copper I compute to be in real value eighty thousand +pounds, and I charge you with an hundred and twenty thousand pounds for +the coinage; so that you see I lend you an hundred and twenty thousand +pounds for thirty years, for which you shall pay me three _per cent_. +That is to say three thousand six hundred pounds _per ann_. which in +thirty years will amount to an hundred and eight thousand pounds. And +when these thirty years are expired, return me my copper and I will give +you good money for it." + +This is the proposal made to us by Wood in that pamphlet written by one +of his commissioners; and the author is supposed to be the same infamous +Coleby one of his under-swearers at the committee of council, who was +tried for robbing the treasury here, where he was an under-clerk.[23] + +[Footnote 23: See note on p. 61. [T.S.]] + +By this proposal he will first receive two hundred thousand pounds, in +goods or sterling for as much copper as he values at eighty thousand +pounds, but in reality not worth thirty thousand pounds. Secondly, He +will receive for interest an hundred and eight thousand pounds. And when +our children came thirty years hence to return his halfpence upon his +executors (for before that time he will be probably gone to his own +place) those executors will very reasonably reject them as raps and +counterfeits, which probably they will be, and millions of them of his +own coinage. + +Methinks I am fond of such a dealer as this who mends every day upon our +hands, like a Dutch reckoning, where if you dispute the unreasonableness +and exorbitance of the bill, the landlord shall bring it up every time +with new additions. + +Although these and the like pamphlets published by Wood in London be +altogether unknown here, where nobody could read them without as much +indignation as contempt would allow, yet I thought it proper to give you +a specimen how the man employs his time, where he rides alone without +one creature to contradict him, while our FEW FRIENDS there wonder at +our silence, and the English in general, if they think of this matter at +all, impute our refusal to wilfulness or disaffection, just as Wood and +his hirelings are pleased to represent. + +But although our arguments are not suffered to be printed in England, +yet the consequence will be of little moment. Let Wood endeavour to +persuade the people there that we ought to receive his coin, and let me +convince our people here that they ought to reject it under pain of our +utter undoing. And then let him do his best and his worst. + +Before I conclude, I must beg leave in all humility to tell Mr. Wood, +that he is guilty of great indiscretion, by causing so honourable a name +as that of Mr. Walpole to be mentioned so often, and in such a manner, +upon his occasion: A short paper printed at Bristol and reprinted here +reports Mr. Wood to say, that he "wonders at the impudence and insolence +of the Irish in refusing his coin, and what he will do when Mr. Walpole +comes to town." Where, by the way, he is mistaken, for it is the true +English people of Ireland who refuse it, although we take it for granted +that the Irish will do so too whenever they are asked. He orders it to +be printed in another paper, that "Mr. Walpole will cram this brass down +our throats:" Sometimes it is given out that we must "either take these +halfpence or eat our brogues," And, in another newsletter but of +yesterday, we read that the same great man "hath sworn to make us +swallow his coin in fire-balls." + +This brings to my mind the known story of a Scotchman, who receiving +sentence of death, with all the circumstances of hanging, beheading, +quartering, embowelling and the like, cried out, "What need all this +COOKERY?" And I think we have reason to ask the same question; for if we +believe Wood, here is a dinner getting ready for us, and you see the +bill of fare, and I am sorry the drink was forgot, which might easily be +supplied with melted lead and flaming pitch. + +What vile words are these to put into the mouth of a great councillor, +in high trust with His Majesty, and looked upon as a prime-minister. If +Mr. Wood hath no better a manner of representing his patrons, when I +come to be a great man, he shall never be suffered to attend at my +levee. This is not the style of a great minister, it savours too much of +the kettle and the furnace, and came entirely out of Mr. Wood's forge. + +As for the threat of making us eat our brogues, we need not be in pain; +for if his coin should pass, that unpolite covering for the feet, would +no longer be a national reproach; because then we should have neither +shoe nor brogue left in the kingdom. But here the falsehood of Mr. Wood +is fairly detected; for I am confident Mr. Walpole never heard of a +brogue in his whole life.[24] + +[Footnote 24: A biting sneer at Walpole's ignorance of Irish affairs. +[T.S.]] + +As to "swallowing these halfpence in fire-balls," it is a story equally +improbable. For to execute this operation the whole stock of Mr. Wood's +coin and metal must be melted down and moulded into hollow balls with +wild-fire, no bigger than a reasonable throat can be able to swallow. +Now the metal he hath prepared, and already coined will amount at least +fifty millions of halfpence to be swallowed by a million and a half of +people; so that allowing two halfpence to each ball, there will be about +seventeen balls of wild-fire a-piece to be swallowed by every person in +this kingdom, and to administer this dose, there cannot be conveniently +fewer than fifty thousand operators, allowing one operator to every +thirty, which, considering the squeamishness of some stomachs and the +peevishness of young children, is but reasonable. Now, under correction +of better judgments, I think the trouble and charge of such an +experiment would exceed the profit, and therefore I take this report to +be spurious, or at least only a new scheme of Mr. Wood himself, which to +make it pass the better in Ireland he would father upon a minister of +state. + +But I will now demonstrate beyond all contradiction that Mr. Walpole is +against this project of Mr. Wood, and is an entire friend to Ireland, +only by this one invincible argument, that he has the universal opinion +of being a wise man, an able minister, and in all his proceedings +pursuing the true interest of the King his master: And that as his +integrity is above all corruption, so is his fortune above all +temptation. I reckon therefore we are perfectly safe from that corner, +and shall never be under the necessity of contending with so formidable +a power, but be left to possess our brogues and potatoes in peace as +remote from thunder as we are from Jupiter. + +I am, + My dear countrymen, + Your loving fellow-subject, + fellow-sufferer and humble servant. + M.B. + +Oct. 13. 1724. + + + + +SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY. + + + + +SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE GRAND JURY, + +CONCERNING THE BILL PREPARING AGAINST THE PRINTER OF THE DRAPIER'S +FOURTH LETTER. + + +Since a bill is preparing for the grand jury, to find against the +printer of the Drapier's last letter, there are several things maturely +to be considered by those gentlemen, before whom this bill is to come, +before they determine upon it. + +FIRST, they are to consider, that the author of the said pamphlet, did +write three other discourses on the same subject; which instead of being +censured were universally approved by the whole nation, and were allowed +to have raised, and continued that spirit among us, which hitherto hath +kept out Wood's coin: For all men will allow, that if those pamphlets +had not been writ, his coin must have overrun the nation some months +ago. + +SECONDLY, it is to be considered that this pamphlet, against which a +proclamation hath been issued, is writ by the same author; that nobody +ever doubted the innocence, and goodness of his design, that he appears +through the whole tenor of it, to be a loyal subject to His Majesty, and +devoted to the House of Hanover, and declares himself in a manner +peculiarly zealous against the Pretender; And if such a writer in four +several treatises on so nice a subject, where a royal patent is +concerned, and where it was necessary to speak of England and of +liberty, should in one or two places happen to let fall an inadvertent +expression, it would be hard to condemn him after all the good he hath +done; Especially when we consider, that he could have no possible +design in view, either of honour or profit, but purely the GOOD of his +country. + +THIRDLY, it ought to be well considered, whether any one expression in +the said pamphlet, be really liable to just exception, much less to be +found "wicked, malicious, seditious, reflecting upon His Majesty and his +ministry," &c. + +The two points in that pamphlet, which it is said the prosecutors intend +chiefly to fix on, are, First, where the author mentions the "penner of +the King's answer." First, it is well known, His Majesty is not master +of the English tongue, and therefore it is necessary that some other +person should be employed to pen what he hath to say, or write in that +language. Secondly, His Majesty's answer is not in the first person, but +the third. It is not said "WE are concerned," or, "OUR royal +predecessors," but "HIS MAJESTY is concerned;" and "HIS royal +predecessors." By which it is plain these are properly not the words of +His Majesty; but supposed to be taken from him, and transmitted hither +by one of his ministers. Thirdly it will be easily seen, that the author +of the pamphlet delivers his sentiments upon this particular, with the +utmost caution and respect, as any impartial reader will observe. + +The second paragraph, which it is said will be taken notice of as a +motive to find the bill, is, what the author says of Ireland being a +depending kingdom. He explains all the dependency he knows of it, which +is a law made in Ireland, whereby it is enacted that "whoever is King of +England, shall be King of Ireland." Before this explanation be +condemned, and the bill found upon it, it would be proper, that some +lawyers should fully inform the jury what other law there is, either +statute or common for this dependency, and if there be no law, there is +no transgression. + +The Fourth thing very maturely to be considered by the jury, is, what +influence their finding the bill may have upon the kingdom. The people +in general find no fault in the Drapier's last book, any more than in +the three former, and therefore when they hear it is condemned by a +grand jury of Dublin, they will conclude it is done in favour of Wood's +coin, they will think we of this town have changed our minds, and intend +to take those halfpence, and therefore that it will be in vain for them +to stand out. So that the question comes to this, Which will be of the +worst consequence, to let pass one or two expressions, at the worst only +unwary, in a book written for the public service; or to leave a free +open passage for Wood's brass to overrun us, by which we shall be undone +for ever. + +The fifth thing to be considered, is, that the members of the grand jury +being merchants, and principal shopkeepers, can have no suitable +temptation offered them, as a recompense for the mischief they will +suffer by letting in this coin, nor can be at any loss or danger by +rejecting the bill: They do not expect any employments in the state, to +make up in their own private advantage, the destruction of their +country. Whereas those who go about to advise, entice, or threaten them +to find that bill, have great employments, which they have a mind to +keep, or to get greater, which was likewise the case of all those who +signed to have the author prosecuted. And therefore it is known, that +his grace the Lord Archbishop of Dublin,[1] so renowned for his piety, +and wisdom, and love of his country, absolutely refused to condemn the +book, or the author. + +[Footnote 1: The proclamation against the Drapier's fourth letter as +given in Appendix IV. at the end of this volume, does not bear +Archbishop King's signature. In a letter from that prelate, written on +November 24th, 1724, to Samuel Molineux, secretary to the Prince of +Wales, it appears that other persons of influence also refrained from +sanctioning it. The following is an extract from this letter as given by +Monck Mason for the first time: + +"A great many pamphlets have been writ about it [Wood's patent], but I +am told none of them are permitted to be printed in England. Two have +come out since my Lord Lieutenant came here, written with sobriety, +modesty, and great force, in my opinion, which put the matter in a fair +and clear light, though not with all the advantage of which it is +capable; four were printed before, by somebody that calleth himself a +Drapier which were in a ludicrous and satyrical style; against the last +of these the Lord Lieutenant procured a proclamation, signed by 17 of +the Council; offering L300 for discovering the author. I thought the +premium excessive, so I and three more refused to sign it, but declared, +that if his excellency would secure us from the brass money, I would +sign it, or any other, tending only to the disadvantage of private +persons; but, till we had that security, I would look on this +proclamation no otherwise than as a step towards passing that base and +mischievous coin, and designed to intimidate those who opposed the +passing it; and I declared, that I would not approve of anything that +might countenance, or encourage such a ruinous project; that issuing +such a proclamation would make all believe, that the government was +engaged to support Wood's pretensions, and that would neither be for +their honour nor ease. I was not able to stop the proclamation, but my +refusing to sign it has not been without effect." ("History of St. +Patrick's," p. 344, note n.). [T.S.]] + +Lastly, it ought to be considered what consequence the finding the bill, +may have upon a poor man perfectly innocent, I mean the printer. A +lawyer may pick out expressions and make them liable to exception, where +no other man is able to find any. But how can it be supposed, that an +ignorant printer can be such a critic? He knew the author's design was +honest, and approved by the whole kingdom, he advised with friends, who +told him there was no harm in the book, and he could see none himself. +It was sent him in an unknown hand, but the same in which he received +the three former. He and his wife have offered to take their oaths that +they knew not the author; and therefore to find a bill, that may bring a +punishment upon the innocent, will appear very hard, to say no worse. +For it will be impossible to find the author, unless he will please to +discover himself, although I wonder he ever concealed his name. But I +suppose what he did at first out of modesty, he now continues to do out +of prudence. God protect us and him! + +I will conclude all with a fable, ascribed to Demosthenes. He had served +the people of Athens with great fidelity in the station of an orator, +when upon a certain occasion, apprehending to be delivered over to his +enemies, he told the Athenians, his countrymen, the following story. +Once upon a time the wolves desired a league with the shepherds, upon +this condition; that the cause of strife might be taken away, which was +the shepherds and the mastiffs; this being granted, the wolves without +all fear made havoc of the sheep.[2] + +Novem. 11th, 1724. + +[Footnote 2: The advice had the desired effect. The jury returned a +verdict of "Ignoramus" on the bill, which so aroused Whitshed, the Chief +Justice, that he discharged them. As a comment on Whitshed's illegal +procedure, the following extract was circulated: + +EXTRACT FROM A BOOK ENTITLED, "AN EXACT COLLECTION OF THE DEBATES OF THE +HOUSE OF COMMONS HELD AT WESTMINSTER, OCTOBER 21, 1680," page 150. + +_Resolutions of the House of Commons, in England, November 13, 1680._ + +"Several persons being examined about the dismissing a grand jury in +Middlesex, the House came to the following resolutions:-- + +"_Resolved_, That the discharging of a grand-jury by any judge, before +the end of the term, assizes, or sessions, while matters are under their +consideration, and not presented, is arbitrary, illegal, destructive to +public justice, a manifest violation of his oath, and is a means to +subvert the fundamental laws of this kingdom. + +"_Resolved_, That a committee be appointed to examine the proceedings of +the judges in Westminster-hall, and report the same with their opinion +therein to this House." [T.S.]] + + + + + +LETTER V. + +A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON. + + +NOTE. + +I have departed from the order given by Faulkner and the earlier +editors,[1] and followed by Sir W. Scott in arranging the series of the +Drapier's Letters, by adhering to a more correct chronological sequence. +This letter has always been printed as the sixth Drapier's letter, but I +have printed it here as the fifth, since it was written prior to the +letter addressed to Viscount Molesworth, which has hitherto been called +the fifth. The Molesworth letter I print here as "Letter VI." As already +noted the letter to Midleton was written on the 26th October, 1724, but +its first publication in print did not occur until Faulkner included it +in the fourth volume of his collected edition of Swift's works, issued +in 1735. There it is signed "J.S." and is given as from the "Deanery +House." All the other letters are printed as "By M.B. Drapier." The +Advertisement to the Reader prefixed to the present fifth letter is from +Faulkner's edition. Probably it was printed by Faulkner under Swift's +direction. + +[Footnote 1: Sheridan, Deane Swift, Hawkesworth and Nichols] + +Swift's acquaintance with Midleton had been of long standing. The +Chancellor had been an avowed opponent of the patent and yet, by his +signature to the proclamation, he seemed to be giving the weight of his +official position against the popular sentiment. In addressing him, +Swift was endeavouring, apparently, to keep him to his original line of +action and to destroy any influence the government party may have had on +him, since he was well aware of Carteret's insinuating charm. Midleton, +however, had always stood firm against the patent. His signature to the +proclamation against the Drapier was justified by him when he said that +the Drapier's letters tended to disturbance. Carteret had really tried +to win him over, but he did not succeed "While he [Midleton] expressed +the highest obligation to the Lord Lieutenant," writes Coxe, "he +declared that his duty to his country was paramount to every other +consideration, and refused to give any assistance to government, until +the patent was absolutely surrendered." + +The text here given of this letter is based on Faulkner's issue in vol. +iv. of the 1735 edition of Swift's works. It has been collated with that +given in the fifth volume of the "Miscellanies," printed in London in +the same year. + +[T.S.] + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER[2] + + +The former of the two following papers is dated Oct. 6th 1724[3], by +which it appears to be written a little after the proclamation against +the author of the Drapier's Fourth Letter. It is delivered with much +caution, because the author confesseth himself to be Dean of St. +Patrick's; and I could discover his name subscribed at the end of the +original, although blotted out by some other hand, I can tell no other +reason why it was not printed, than what I have heard; that the writer +finding how effectually the Drapier had succeeded, and at the same time +how highly the people in power seemed to be displeased, thought it more +prudent to keep the paper in his cabinet. However, having received some +encouragement to collect into one volume all papers relating to Ireland, +supposed to be written by the Drapier; and knowing how favourably that +author's writings in this kind have been received by the public; to make +the volume more complete, [I procured a copy of the following letter +from one of the author's friends, with whom it was left, while the +author was in England; and][4] I have printed it as near as I could in +the order of time. + +[Footnote 2: Nichols, in the second volume of his Supplement to Swift's +Works (1779, 8vo), prints a note on this "Advertisement," furnished him +by Bowyer. It is as follows: + +"1. The first of the papers is said to be dated Oct. 6, 1724; and that +it appears from thence to be dated a little after the proclamation +against the Drapier's fourth letter. Now the fourth letter itself is +dated Oct. 23, 1724. This is a pardonable mistake anywhere, but, much +more in a country where _going before just coming after_ is the +characteristic dialect. But I little thought that the Dean, in his zeal +for Ireland, would vouchsafe to adopt the shibboleth of it. + +"2. The Preface-writer, in the choice MS which he found, could discover +the Dean's name subscribed at the end of the original; but _blotted out_ +by _some other hand_. As the former passage is a proof that the +Advertisement was drawn up in Ireland, so this affords a strong +presumption that it was under the direction of the Dean himself: for who +else could divine that his name was struck out by another hand? Other +ink it might be: but in these recent MSS. of our age, it is the first +time I ever heard of a blot carrying the evidence of a handwriting. +Whether the Dean or the printer hit this _blot_, I shall not inquire; +but lay before you the pleasant procedure of the latter upon this +discovery. He had got, we see, the original in the Dean's hand; but the +name was obliterated. What does he, but send away to England for a copy +which might authenticate _his original_; and from such a copy the public +is favoured with it! I remember, in a cause before Sir Joseph Jekyll, a +man began reading in court the title-deeds of an estate which was +contested. 'The original is a little blind,' says he; 'I have got a very +fair copy of it, which I beg leave to go on with'--'Hold,' says Sir +Joseph, 'if the original is not good, the copy can never make it so.' I +am far, however, from accusing the printer of intending any fraud on the +world. He who tells his story so openly gives security enough for his +honesty. I can easily conceive the Advertisement might be in a good +measure the Dean's, who never was over-courteous to his readers, and +might for once be content to be merry with them." [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 3: Misprinted by Faulkner for Oct. 26th. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 4: This portion in square brackets is not given by Faulkner in +his Advertisement. [T.S.]] + +The next treatise is called "An Address, &c." It is without a date; but +seems to be written during the first session of Parliament in Lord +Carteret's government. The title of this Address is in the usual form, +by M.B. Drapier. There is but a small part of it that relates to William +Wood and his coin: The rest contains several proposals for the +improvement of Ireland, the many discouragements it lies under, and what +are the best remedies against them. + +By many passages in some of the Drapier's former letters, but +particularly in the following Address, concerning the great drain of +money from Ireland by absentees, importation of foreign goods, balance +of trade, and the like, it appears that the author had taken much pains, +and been well informed in the business of computing; all his reasonings +upon that subject, although he does not here descend to particular sums, +agreeing generally with the accounts given by others who have since made +that enquiry their particular study. And it is observable, that in this +Address, as well as in one of his printed letters, he hath specified +several important articles, that have not been taken notice of by others +who came after him. + + + + +LETTER V. + +A LETTER TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR MIDDLETON.[5] + + +My Lord, I desire you will consider me as a member who comes in at the +latter end of a debate; or as a lawyer who speaks to a cause, when the +matter hath been almost exhausted by those who spoke before. + +[Footnote 5: Alan Brodrick, Lord Midleton (1660?-1728), came of a Surrey +family that had greatly benefited by the forfeitures in Ireland. +Adopting the profession of the law, Brodrick was, in 1695, appointed +Solicitor-General for Ireland. He sat in the Irish House of Commons as +the member for Cork, and in 1703 was chosen its Speaker. His strong +opposition to the Sacramental Test Act lost him the favour of the +government, and he was removed from his office of Solicitor-General. In +1707, however, he was appointed Attorney-General for Ireland, and in +1714 made Lord Chancellor. In the year following he was created Baron +Brodrick of Midleton. His trimming with Walpole and Carteret did not, +however, prevent him from opposing the Wood's patent, though he signed +the proclamation against the Drapier. He thought the letters served to +"create jealousies between the King and the people of Ireland." [T.S.]] + +I remember some months ago I was at your house upon a commission, where +I am one of the governors: But I went thither not so much on account of +the commission, as to ask you some questions concerning Mr. Wood's +patent to coin halfpence for Ireland; where you very freely told me, in +a mixed company, how much you had been always against that wicked +project, which raised in me an esteem for you so far, that I went in a +few days to make you a visit, after many years' intermission. I am +likewise told, that your son wrote two letters from London, (one of +which I have seen) empowering those to whom they were directed, to +assure his friends, that whereas there was a malicious report spread of +his engaging himself to Mr. Walpole for forty thousand pounds of Wood's +coin, to be received in Ireland, the said report was false and +groundless; and he had never discoursed with that minister on the +subject; nor would ever give his consent to have one farthing of the +said coin current here. And although it be long since I have given +myself the trouble of conversing with people of titles or stations; yet +I have been told by those who can take up with such amusements, that +there is not a considerable person of the kingdom, scrupulous in any +sort to declare his opinion. But all this is needless to allege, when we +consider, that the ruinous consequences of Wood's patent, have been so +strongly represented by both Houses of Parliament; by the Privy-council; +the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of Dublin; by so many corporations; and the +concurrence of the principal gentlemen in most counties, at their +quarter-sessions, without any regard to party, religion, or nation. + +I conclude from hence, that the currency of these halfpence would, in +the universal opinion of our people, be utterly destructive to this +kingdom; and consequently, that it is every man's duty, not only to +refuse this coin himself, but as far as in him lies, to persuade others +to do the like: And whether this be done in private or in print, is all +a case: As no layman is forbid to write, or to discourse upon religious +or moral subjects; although he may not do it in a pulpit (at least in +our church). Neither is this an affair of state, until authority shall +think fit to declare it so: Or if you should understand it in that +sense; yet you will please to consider that I am not now a preaching. + +Therefore, I do think it my duty, since the Drapier will probably be no +more heard of, so far to supply his place, as not to incur his fortune: +For I have learnt from old experience, that there are times wherein a +man ought to be cautious as well as innocent. I therefore hope, that +preserving both those characters, I may be allowed, by offering new +arguments or enforcing old ones, to refresh the memory of my +fellow-subjects, and keep up that good spirit raised among them; to +preserve themselves from utter ruin by lawful means, and such as are +permitted by his Majesty. + +I believe you will please to allow me two propositions: First, that we +are a most loyal people; and, Secondly, that we are a free people, in +the common acceptation of that word applied to a subject under a +limited monarch. I know very well, that you and I did many years ago +in discourse differ much, in the presence of Lord Wharton, about the +meaning of that word _liberty_, with relation to Ireland. But if you +will not allow us to be a free people, there is only another appellation +left; which, I doubt, my Lord Chief Justice Whitshed would call me to an +account for, if I venture to bestow: For, I observed, and I shall never +forget upon what occasion, the device upon his coach to be _Libertas et +natale solum;_ at the very point of time when he was sitting in his +court, and perjuring himself to betray both.[6] + +[Footnote 6: On this motto of Whitshed's Swift wrote the following +poetical paraphrase: + +"_Libertas et natale solum:_ +Fine words! I wonder where you stole 'em. +Could nothing but thy chief reproach +Serve for a motto on thy coach? +But let me now thy words translate: +_Natale solum,_ my estate; +My dear estate, how well I love it, +My tenants, if you doubt, will prove it, +They swear I am so kind and good, +I hug them till I squeeze their blood. + _Libertas_ bears a large import: +First, how to swagger in a court; +And, secondly, to shew my fury +Against an uncomplying jury; +And, thirdly, 'tis a new invention, +To favour Wood, and keep my pension; +And, fourthly, 'tis to play an odd trick, +Get the great seal and turn out Broderick; +And, fifthly, (you know whom I mean,) +To humble that vexatious Dean: +And, sixthly, for my soul to barter it +For fifty times its worth to Carteret. +Now since your motto thus you construe, +I must confess you've spoken once true. +_Libertas et natale solum_. +You had good reason when you stole 'em." + +[T.S.]] + +Now, as for our loyalty, to His present Majesty; if it hath ever been +equalled in any other part of his dominions; I am sure it hath never +been exceeded: And I am confident he hath not a minister in England who +could ever call it once in question: But that some hard rumours at least +have been transmitted from t'other side the water, I suppose you will +not doubt: and rumours of the severest kind; which many good people have +imputed to the indirect proceeding of Mr. Wood and his emissaries; as if +he endeavoured it should be thought that our loyalty depended upon the +test of refusing or taking his copper. Now, as I am sure you will admit +us to be a loyal people; so you will think it pardonable in us to hope +for all proper marks of favour and protection from so gracious a King, +that a loyal and free people can expect: Among which, we all agree in +reckoning this to be one; that Wood's halfpence may never have entrance +into this kingdom. And this we shall continue to wish, when we dare no +longer express our wishes; although there were no such mortal as a +Drapier in the world. + +I am heartily sorry, that any writer should, in a cause so generally +approved, give occasion to the government and council to charge him with +paragraphs "highly reflecting upon His Majesty and his ministers; +tending to alienate the affections of his good subjects in England and +Ireland from each other; and to promote sedition among the people."[7] I +must confess, that with many others, I thought he meant well; although +he might have the failing of better writers, to be not always fortunate +in the manner of expressing himself. + +[Footnote 7: Swift here quotes the words of the proclamation issued +against the fourth Drapier's Letter. See Appendix IV. [T.S.]] + +However, since the Drapier is but one man, I shall think I do a public +service, by asserting that the rest of my countrymen are wholly free +from learning out of _his_ pamphlets to reflect on the King or his +ministers, to breed sedition. + +I solemnly declare, that I never once heard the least reflection cast +upon the King, on the subject of Mr. Wood's coin: For in many discourses +on this matter, I do not remember His Majesty's name to be so much as +mentioned. As to the ministry in England, the only two persons hinted at +were the Duke of Grafton, and Mr. Walpole:[8] The former, as I have +heard you and a hundred others affirm, declared, that he never saw the +patent in favour of Mr. Wood, before it was passed, although he were +then lord lieutenant: And therefore I suppose everybody believes, that +his grace hath been wholly unconcerned in it since. + +[Footnote 8: Walpole was created a Knight of the Bath in 1724, when that +order was revived. In 1726 he was installed Knight of the Order of the +Garter, being the only commoner who had been so distinguished since the +reign of James I., except Admiral Montague, afterwards Earl of Sandwich. +He had been offered a peerage in 1723, but declined it for himself, +accepting it for his son, who was created Baron Walpole of Walpole, in +Norfolk. [T.S.]] + +Mr. Walpole was indeed supposed to be understood by the letter W. in +several newspapers; where it is said, that some expressions fell from +him not very favourable to the people of Ireland; for the truth of +which, the kingdom is not to answer, any more than for the discretion of +the publishers. You observe, the Drapier wholly clears Mr. Walpole of +this charge, by very strong arguments and speaks of him with civility. I +cannot deny myself to have been often present, where the company gave +then opinion, that Mr. Walpole favoured Mr. Wood's project, which I +always contradicted; and for my own part, never once opened my lips +against that minister, either in mixed or particular meetings: And my +reason for this reservedness was, because it pleased him, in the Queen's +time (I mean Queen Anne of ever blessed memory) to make a speech +directly against me, by name, in the House of Commons, as I was told a +very few minutes after, in the Court of Requests, by more than fifty +members. + +But you, who are in a great station here, (if anything here may be +called great) cannot be ignorant, that whoever is understood by public +voice to be chief minister, will, among the general talkers, share the +blame, whether justly or no, of every thing that is disliked; which I +could easily make appear in many instances, from my own knowledge, while +I was in the world; and particularly in the case of the greatest, the +wisest, and the most uncorrupt minister, I ever conversed with.[9] + +[Footnote 9: Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford. [T.S.]] + +But, whatever unpleasing opinion some people might conceive of Mr. +Walpole, on account of those halfpence; I dare boldly affirm, it was +entirely owing to Mr. Wood. Many persons of credit, come from England, +have affirmed to me, and others, that they have seen letters under his +hand, full of arrogance and insolence towards Ireland; and boasting of +his favour with Mr. Walpole; which is highly probable: Because he +reasonably thought it for his interest to spread such a report; and +because it is the known talent of low and little spirits, to have a +great man's name perpetually in their mouths.[10] + +[Footnote 10: See Coxe's "Memoirs of Walpole" (vol. i., cap. 26, p. 389, +ed. 1800), where Wood is blamed for his indiscretion on this matter. See +also note prefixed to the Drapier's First Letter in the present edition. +[T.S.]] + +Thus I have sufficiently justified the people of Ireland, from learning +any bad lessons out of the Drapier's pamphlets, with regard to His +Majesty and his ministers: And, therefore, if those papers were intended +to sow sedition among us, God be thanked, the seeds have fallen upon a +very improper soil. + +As to alienating the affections of the people of England and Ireland +from each other; I believe, the Drapier, whatever his intentions were, +hath left that matter just as he found it. + +I have lived long in both kingdoms, as well in country as in town; and +therefore, take myself to be as well informed as most men, in the +dispositions of each people toward the other. By the people, I +understand here, only the bulk of the common people; and I desire no +lawyer may distort or extend my meaning. + +There is a vein of industry and parsimony, that runs through the whole +people of England; which, added to the easiness of their rents, makes +them rich and sturdy. As to Ireland, they know little more than they do +of Mexico; further than that it is a country subject to the King of +England, full of bogs, inhabited by wild Irish Papists; who are kept in +awe by mercenary troops sent from thence: And their general opinion is, +that it were better for England if this whole island were sunk into the +sea; for, they have a tradition, that every forty years there must be a +rebellion in Ireland. I have seen the grossest suppositions pass upon +them; "that the wild Irish were taken in toils; but that, in some time, +they would grow so tame, as to eat out of your hands:" I have been +asked by hundreds, and particularly by my neighbours, your tenants, at +Pepper-harrow; "whether I had come from Ireland by sea:" And, upon the +arrival of an Irishman to a country town, I have known crowds coming +about him, and wondering to see him look so much better than themselves. + +A gentleman now in Dublin, affirms, "that passing some months ago +through Northampton, and finding the whole town in a flurry, with bells, +bonfires, and illuminations, upon asking the cause, was told, it was for +joy, that the Irish had submitted to receive Wood's halfpence." This, I +think, plainly shews what sentiments that large town hath of us; and how +little they made it their own case; although they be directly in our way +to London, and therefore, cannot but be frequently convinced that we +have human shapes. + +As to the people of this kingdom, they consist either of Irish Papists; +who are as inconsiderable, in point of power, as the women and children; +or of English Protestants, who love their brethren of that kingdom; +although they may possibly sometimes complain, when they think they are +hardly used: However, I confess, I do not see any great consequence, how +their personal affections stand to each other, while the sea divides +them, and while they continue in their loyalty to the same prince. And +yet, I will appeal to you; whether those from England have reason to +complain, when they come hither in pursuit of their fortunes? Or, +whether the people of Ireland have reason to boast, when they go to +England on the same design? + +My second proposition was, that we of Ireland are a free people: This, I +suppose, you will allow; at least, with certain limitations remaining in +your own breast. However, I am sure it is not criminal to affirm; +because the words "liberty" and "property," as applied to the subject, +are often mentioned in both houses of Parliament, as well as in yours, +and other courts below; from whence it must follow, that the people of +Ireland do, or ought to enjoy all the benefits of the common and statute +law; such as to be tried by juries, to pay no money without their own +consent, as represented in Parliament; and the like. If this be so, and +if it be universally agreed, that a free people cannot, by law, be +compelled to take any money in payment, except gold and silver; I do +not see why any man should be hindered from cautioning his countrymen +against this coin of William Wood; who is endeavouring by fraud to rob +us of that property, which the laws have secured. If I am mistaken, and +that this copper can be obtruded on us; I would put the Drapier's case +in another light, by supposing, that a person going into his shop, +should agree for thirty shillings' worth of goods, and force the seller +to take his payment in a parcel of copper pieces, intrinsically not +worth above a crown: I desire to know, whether the Drapier would not be +actually robbed of five and twenty shillings, and how far he could be +said to be master of his property? The same question may be applied to +rents and debts, on bond or mortgage, and to all kind of commerce +whatsoever. + +Give me leave to do what the Drapier hath done more than once before me; +which is, to relate the naked fact, as it stands in the view of the +world. + +One William Wood, Esq; and hardware-man, obtains, by fraud, a patent in +England, to coin 108,000_l._ in copper, to pass in Ireland, leaving us +liberty to take, or to refuse. The people here, in all sorts of bodies +and representatives, do openly and heartily declare, that they will not +accept this coin: To justify these declarations, they generally offer +two reasons; first, because by the words of the patent, they are left to +their own choice: And secondly, because they are not obliged by law: So +that here you see there is, _bellum atgue virum_, a kingdom on one side, +and William Wood on the other. And if Mr. Wood gets the victory, at the +expense of Ireland's ruin, and the profit of one or two hundred thousand +pounds (I mean by continuing, and counterfeiting as long as he lives) +for himself; I doubt, both present and future ages will, at least, think +it a very singular scheme. + +If this fact be truly stated; I must confess, I look upon it as my duty, +so far as God hath enabled me, and as long as I keep within the bounds +of truth, of duty, and of decency, to warn my fellow-subjects, as they +value their King, their country, and all that ought or can be dear to +them, never to admit this pernicious coin; no not so much as one single +halfpenny. For, if one single thief forces the door, it is in vain to +talk of keeping out the whole crew behind. + +And, while I shall be thus employed, I will never give myself leave to +suppose, that what I say can either offend my Lord Lieutenant; whose +person and great qualities I have always highly respected; (as I am sure +his excellency will be my witness) or the ministers in England, with +whom I have nothing to do, or they with me; much less the Privy-council +here, who, as I am informed, did send an address to His Majesty against +Mr. Wood's coin; which, if it be a mistake, I desire I may not be +accused for a spreader of false news: But, I confess, I am so great a +stranger to affairs, that for anything I know, the whole body of the +council may since have been changed: And, although I observed some of +the very same names in a late declaration against that coin, which I saw +subscribed to the proclamation against the Drapier; yet possibly they +may be different persons; for they are utterly unknown to me, and are +like to continue so. + +In this controversy, where the reasoners on each side are divided by St. +George's Channel, His Majesty's prerogative, perhaps, would not have +been mentioned; if Mr. Wood, and his advocates, had not made it +necessary, by giving out, that the currency of his coin should be +enforced by a proclamation. The traders and common people of the +kingdom, were heartily willing to refuse this coin; but the fear of a +proclamation brought along with it most dreadful apprehensions. It was +therefore, absolutely necessary for the Drapier, to remove this +difficulty; and accordingly, in one of his former pamphlets, he hath +produced invincible arguments, (wherever he picked them up) that the +King's prerogative was not at all concerned in the matter; since the law +had sufficiently provided against any coin to be imposed upon the +subject, except gold and silver; and that copper is not money, but as it +hath been properly called _nummorum famulus_. + +The three former letters from the Drapier, having not received any +public censure, I look upon them to be without exception; and that the +good people of the kingdom ought to read them often, in order to keep up +that spirit raised against this destructive coin of Mr. Wood: As for +this last letter, against which a proclamation is issued; I shall only +say, that I could wish it were stripped of all that can be any way +exceptionable; which I would not think it below me to undertake, if my +abilities were equal; but being naturally somewhat slow of +comprehension; no lawyer, and apt to believe the best of those who +profess good designs, without any visible motive either of profit or +honour; I might pore for ever, without distinguishing the cockle from +the corn. + +That which, I am told, gives greatest offence in this last letter, is +where the Drapier affirms; "that if a rebellion should prove so +successful, as to fix the Pretender on the throne of England, he would +venture so far to transgress the Irish statute, (which unites Ireland to +England under one King) as to lose every drop of his blood, to hinder +him from being King of Ireland." + +I shall not presume to vindicate any man, who openly declares he would +transgress a statute; and a statute of such importance: But, with the +most humble submission, and desire of pardon for a very innocent +mistake, I should be apt to think that the loyal intention of the +writer, might be at least some small extenuation of his crime. For, in +this I confess myself to think with the Drapier. + +I have not hitherto been told of any other objections against that +pamphlet; but, I suppose, they will all appear at the prosecution of the +Drapier. And, I think, whoever in his own conscience believes the said +pamphlet to be "wicked and malicious, seditious and scandalous, highly +reflecting upon His Majesty and his ministers, &c." would do well to +discover the author, (as little a friend as I am to the trade of +informers) although the reward of 300_l_. had not been tacked to the +discovery. I own, it would be a great satisfaction to me, to hear the +arguments not only of judges, but of lawyers, upon this case. Because, +you cannot but know, there often happens occasions, wherein it would be +very convenient, that the bulk of the people should be informed how they +ought to conduct themselves; and therefore, it hath been the wisdom of +the English Parliaments, to be very reserved in limiting the press. When +a bill is debating in either House of Parliament there, nothing is more +usual, than to have the controversy handled by pamphlets on both sides; +without the least animadversion upon the authors. + +So here, in the case of Mr. Wood and his coin; since the two Houses +gave their opinion by addresses, how dangerous the currency of that +copper would be to Ireland; it was, without all question, both lawful +and convenient, that the bulk of the people should be let more +particularly into the nature of the danger they were in; and of the +remedies that were in their own power, if they would have the sense to +apply them; and this cannot be more conveniently done, than by +particular persons, to whom God hath given zeal and understanding +sufficient for such an undertaking. Thus it happened in the case of that +destructive project for a bank in Ireland, which was brought into +Parliament a few years ago; and it was allowed, that the arguments and +writings of some without doors, contributed very much to reject it.[11] + +[Footnote 11: Swift himself assisted in writing against this +"destructive project" in a series of pamphlets (see vol. vii.). The +arguments for and against the bank were thoroughly discussed by Hercules +Rowley and Henry Maxwell in a series of controversial letters against +each other. [T.S.]] + +Now, I should be heartily glad if some able lawyers would prescribe the +limits, how far a private man may venture in delivering his thoughts +upon public matters: Because a true lover of his country, may think it +hard to be a quiet stander-by, and an indolent looker-on, while a public +error prevails; by which a whole nation may be ruined. Every man who +enjoys property, hath some share in the public; and therefore, the care +of the public is, in some degree, every such man's concern. + +To come to particulars, I could wish to know, Whether it be utterly +unlawful in any writer so much as to mention the prerogative; at least +so far as to bring it into doubt, upon any point whatsoever? I know it +is often debated in Westminster-hall; and Sir Edward Coke, as well as +other eminent lawyers, do frequently handle that subject in their books. + +Secondly, How far the prerogative extends to force coin upon the +subject, which is not sterling; such as lead, brass, copper, mixt metal, +shells, leather, or any other material; and fix upon it whatever +denomination the crown shall think fit? + +Thirdly, What is really and truly meant by that phrase of "a depending +kingdom," as applied to Ireland; and wherein that dependency consisteth? + + +Lastly, In what points relating to liberty and property, the people of +Ireland differ, or at least ought to differ, from those of England? + +If these particulars were made so clear, that none could mistake them, +it would be of infinite ease and use to the kingdom; and either prevent +or silence all discontents. + +My Lord Somers, the greatest man I ever knew of your robe; and whose +thoughts of Ireland differed as far as heaven and earth, from those of +some others among his brethren here; lamented to me, that the +prerogative of the Crown, or the privileges of Parliament, should ever +be liable to dispute, in any single branch of either; by which means, he +said, the public often suffered great inconveniences; whereof he gave me +several instances. I produce the authority of so eminent a person, to +justify my desires, that some high points might be cleared. + +For want of such known ascertainment, how far a writer may proceed in +expressing his good wishes for his country; a person of the most +innocent intentions, may possibly, by the oratory and comments of +lawyers, be charged with many crimes, which from his very soul he +abhors; and consequently may be ruined in his fortunes, and left to rot +among thieves in some stinking jail; merely for mistaking the purlieus +of the law. I have known, in my lifetime, a printer prosecuted and +convicted, for publishing a pamphlet; where the author's intentions, I +am confident, were as good and innocent, as those of a martyr at his +last prayers.[12] I did very lately, as I thought it my duty, preach to +the people under my inspection, upon the subject of Mr. Wood's coin; and +although I never heard that my sermon gave the least offence, as I am +sure none was intended; yet, if it were now printed and published, I +cannot say, I would ensure it from the hands of the common hangman; or +my own person from those of a messenger.[13] + +[Footnote 12: Supposed to be "A proposal for the universal use of Irish +manufactures," written by the author. [F.]] + +[Footnote 13: The reference here is to Swift's sermon on "Doing Good." +See Swift's Works, vol. iv., p. 181, present edition. [T.S.]] + +I have heard the late Chief Justice Holt[14]affirm, that in all criminal +cases, the most favourable interpretation should be put upon words, that +they can possibly bear. You meet the same position asserted in many +trials, for the greatest crimes; though often very ill practised, by the +perpetual corruption of judges. And I remember, at a trial in Kent, +where Sir George Rook[15] was indicted for calling a gentleman knave and +villain; the lawyer for the defendant brought off his client, by +alleging, that the words were not injurious; for, _knave_ in the old and +true signification, imported only a servant; and _villain_ in Latin, is +_villicus_; which is no more than a man employed in country labour; or +rather a bailiff. + +[Footnote 14: Sir John Holt (1642-1710) held the recordership of London, +in 1685, and was appointed Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in +1688. In the celebrated case, Ashby _v._. White, Holt strongly upheld +the rights of the voter as against the House of Commons. He was +distinguished, in his time, for the fair and impartial hearing he always +accorded a prisoner, and he even personally assisted the accused in +cases where the law did not allow him to be represented by counsel. Many +of Holt's opinions did become "standard maxims." [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 15: Admiral Sir George Rooke (1650-1709), who, with +Rear-Admiral Byng, captured Gibraltar in 1704. [T.S.]] + +If Sir John Holt's opinion were a standard maxim for all times and +circumstances, any writer, with a very small measure of discretion, +might easily be safe; but, I doubt, in practice it hath been frequently +controlled, at least before his time; for I take it to be an old rule in +law. + +I have read, or heard, a passage of Signor Leti, an Italian; who being +in London, busying himself with writing the History of England, told +King Charles the Second, that he endeavoured as much as he could to +avoid giving offence, but found it a thing impossible; although he +should have been as wise as Solomon: The King answered, that if this +were the case, he had better employ his time in writing proverbs as +Solomon did: But Leti lay under no public necessity of writing; neither +would England have been one halfpenny the better, or the worse, whether +he writ or no. + +This I mention, because I know it will readily be objected, "What have +private men to do with the public? What call had a Drapier to turn +politician, to meddle in matters of state? Would not his time have been +better employed in looking to his shop; or his pen in writing proverbs, +elegies, ballads, garlands, and wonders? He would then have been out of +all danger of proclamations, and prosecutions. Have we not able +magistrates and counsellors hourly watching over the public weal?" All +this may be true: And yet, when the addresses from both Houses of +Parliament, against Mr. Wood's halfpence, failed of success; if some pen +had not been employed, to inform the people how far they might legally +proceed, in refusing that coin, to detect the fraud, the artifice, and +insolence of the coiner; and to lay open the most ruinous consequences +to the whole kingdom; which would inevitably follow from the currency of +the said coin; I might appeal to many hundred thousand people, whether +any one of them would ever have had the courage or sagacity to refuse +it. + +If this copper should begin to make its way among the common, ignorant +people, we are inevitably undone; it is they who give us the greatest +apprehension, being easily frighted, and greedy to swallow +misinformations: For, if every man were wise enough to understand his +own interest, which is every man's principal study, there would be no +need of pamphlets upon this occasion. But, as things stand, I have +thought it absolutely necessary, from my duty to God, my King, and my +country, to inform the people, that the proclamation lately issued +against the Drapier, doth not in the least affect the case of Mr. Wood +and his coin; but only refers to certain paragraphs in the Drapier's +last pamphlet, (not immediately relating to his subject, nor at all to +the merits of the cause,) which the government was pleased to dislike; +so that any man has the same liberty to reject, to write, and to declare +against this coin, which he had before: Neither is any man obliged to +believe, that those honourable persons (whereof you are the first) who +signed that memorable proclamation against the Drapier, have at all +changed their opinions, with regard to Mr. Wood or his coin. + +Therefore concluding myself to be thus far upon a safe and sure foot; I +shall continue, upon any proper occasion, as God enables me, to revive +and preserve that spirit raised in the nation, (whether the real author +were a real Drapier or no is little to the purpose) against this horrid +design of Mr. Wood; at the same time carefully watching every stroke of +my pen, and venturing only to incur the public censure of the world as a +writer; not of my Lord Chief Justice Whitshed, as a criminal. Whenever +an order shall come out by authority, forbidding all men upon the +highest penalties, to offer anything in writing or discourse against +Mr. Wood's halfpence; I shall certainly submit. However, if that should +happen, I am determined to be somewhat more than the last man in the +kingdom to receive them; because I will never receive them at all: For, +although I know how to be silent; I have not yet learned to pay active +obedience against my conscience, and the public safety. + +I desire to put a case, which I think the Drapier, in some of his books, +hath put before me; although not so fully as it requires. + +You know the copper halfpence in England are coined by the public; and +every piece worth pretty tolerably near the value of the copper. Now +suppose, that, instead of the public coinage, a patent had been granted +to some private, obscure person, for coining a proportionable quantity +of copper in that kingdom, to what Mr. Wood is preparing in this; and +all of it at least five times below the intrinsic value: The current +money of England is reckoned to be twenty millions; and ours under five +hundred thousand pounds: By this computation, as Mr. Wood hath power to +give us 108,000 pound; so the patentee in England, by the same +proportion, might circulate four millions three hundred and twenty +thousand pounds; besides as much more by stealth and counterfeits: I +desire to know from you, whether the Parliament might not have addressed +upon such an occasion; what success they probably would have had; and +how many Drapiers would have risen to pester the world with pamphlets: +Yet that kingdom would not be so great a sufferer as ours in the like +case; because their cash would not be conveyed into foreign countries, +but lie hid in the chests of cautious, thrifty men, until better times. +Then I desire, for the satisfaction of the public, that you will please +to inform me why this country is treated in so very different a manner, +in a point of such high importance; whether it be on account of +Poining's act; of subordination; dependence; or any other term of art; +which I shall not contest, but am too dull to understand. + +I am very sensible, that the good or ill success of Mr. Wood, will +affect you less than any person of consequence in the kingdom; because I +hear you are so prudent as to make all your purchases in England; and +truly so would I, if I had money, although I were to pay a hundred +years' purchase; because I should be glad to possess a freehold that +could not be taken from me by any law to which I did not give my own +consent; and where I should never be in danger of receiving my rents in +mixed copper, at the loss of sixteen shillings in the pound. You can +live in ease and plenty at Pepper-harrow, in Surrey; and therefore I +thought it extremely generous and public-spirited in you to be of the +kingdom's side in this dispute, by shewing, without reserve, your +disapprobation of Mr. Wood's design; at least if you have been so frank +to others as you were to me; which indeed I could not but wonder at, +considering how much we differ in other points; and therefore I could +get but few believers, when I attempted to justify you in this article +from your own words. + +I would humbly offer another thought, which I do not remember to have +fallen under the Drapier's observation. If these halfpence should once +gain admittance; it is agreed, that in no long space of time, what by +the clandestine practices of the coiner, what by his own counterfeits, +and those of others, either from abroad or at home; his limited quantity +would be trebled upon us, until there would not be a grain of gold or +silver visible in the nation. This, in my opinion would lay a heavy +charge upon the crown, by creating a necessity of transmitting money +from England to pay the salaries at least of the principal civil +officers: For I do not conceive how a judge (for instance) could support +his dignity with a thousand pounds a year in Wood's coin; which would +not intrinsically be worth near two hundred. To argue that these +halfpence, if no other coin were current, would answer the general ends +of commerce among ourselves, is a great mistake; and the Drapier hath +made that matter too clear to admit an answer; by shewing us what every +owner of land must be forced to do with the products of it in such a +distress. You may read his remarks at large in his second and third +letter; to which I refer you. + +Before I conclude, I cannot but observe, that for several months past, +there have more papers been written in this town, such as they are, all +upon the best public principle, the love of our country, than, perhaps, +hath been known in any other nation, and in so short a time: I speak in +general, from the Drapier down to the maker of ballads; and all without +any regard to the common motives of writers: which are profit, favour, +and reputation. As to profit, I am assured by persons of credit, that +the best ballad upon Mr. Wood will not yield above a groat to the +author; and the unfortunate adventurer Harding, declares he never made +the Drapier any present, except one pair of scissors. As to favour, +whoever thinks to make his court by opposing Mr. Wood is not very deep +in politics. And as to reputation, certainly no man of worth and +learning, would employ his pen upon so transitory a subject, and in so +obscure a corner of the world, to distinguish himself as an author. So +that I look upon myself, the Drapier, and my numerous brethren, to be +all true patriots in our several degrees. + +All that the public can expect for the future, is only to be sometimes +warned to beware of Mr. Wood's halfpence; and refer them for conviction +to the Drapier's reasons. For, a man of the most superior understanding, +will find it impossible to make the best use of it, while he writes in +constraint; perpetually softening, correcting, or blotting out +expressions, for fear of bringing his printer, or himself, under a +prosecution from my Lord Chief-Justice Whitshed. It calls to my +remembrance the madman in Don Quixote, who being soundly beaten by a +weaver for letting a stone (which he always carried on his shoulder) +fall upon a spaniel, apprehended that every cur he met was of the same +species. + +For these reasons, I am convinced, that what I have now written will +appear low and insipid; but if it contributes, in the least, to preserve +that union among us for opposing this fatal project of Mr. Wood, my +pains will not be altogether lost. + +I sent these papers to an eminent lawyer (and yet a man of virtue and +learning into the bargain) who, after many alterations returned them +back, with assuring me, that they are perfectly innocent; without the +least mixture of treason, rebellion, sedition, malice, disaffection, +reflection, or wicked insinuation whatsoever. + +If the bellman of each parish, as he goes his circuit, would cry out, +every night, "Past twelve o'clock; Beware of Wood's halfpence;" it would +probably cut off the occasion for publishing any more pamphlets; +provided that in country towns it were done upon market days. For my +own part, as soon as it shall be determined, that it is not against law, +I will begin the experiment in the liberty of St. Patrick's; and hope my +example may be followed in the whole city But if authority shall think +fit to forbid all writings, or discourses upon this subject, except such +as are in favour of Mr. Wood, I will obey as it becomes me; only when I +am in danger of bursting, I will go and whisper among the reeds, not any +reflection upon the wisdom of my countrymen; but only these few words, +BEWARE OF WOOD'S HALFPENCE. + +I am, + With due Respect, + Your Most Obedient, + Humble Servant, + J.S. + + +Deanery House, + Oct. 26, 1724. + + + +LETTER VI + +A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH. + + +NOTE. + +This letter, hitherto styled the Drapier's fifth letter, is here printed +as the sixth, for the reasons already stated. It was published on the +14th December, 1724, at a time when the Drapier agitation had reached +its last stage. The Drapier had taught his countrymen that "to be brave +is to be wise," and he now struck the final blow that laid prostrate an +already tottering opposition. + +Walpole realized that to govern Ireland from England he must have a +trustier aid, a heavier hand, and a more vigilant eye, than were +afforded in Carteret. Carteret, however, was better away in Ireland, +and, moreover, as Lord-Lieutenant, he was an ameliorating influence on +the Irish patriotic party in Dublin. But that party was now backed by a +very important popular opinion. For the present, therefore, he gave way; +but his real feelings might have been discovered by an interpretation of +his appointment of Hugh Boulter as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of +Ireland.[1] Boulter's letter to the Duke of Newcastle, written after his +arrival in Dublin towards the end of November, 1724, gave a very +unambiguous account of the state of the country towards the patent. On +the 3rd of December, he wrote, "We are at present in a very bad state, +and the people so poisoned with apprehensions of Wood's halfpence, that +I do not see there can be any hopes of justice against any person for +seditious writings, if he does but mix somewhat about Wood in them.... +But all sorts here are determinedly set against Wood's halfpence, and +look upon their estates as half sunk in their value, whenever they shall +pass upon the nation."[2] On January 19th 1724-1725, the Primate wrote +again to the same effect. On the 3rd of July, he hopes that, as +parliament is about to meet, the Lord-Lieutenant "will be impowered in +his speech to speak clearly as to the business of the halfpence, and +thoroughly rid this nation of their fear on that head."[3] Boulter's +advice was taken. On the 14th August, 1725, a vacation of the patent was +issued, and when parliament met shortly after, the Lord-Lieutenant was +able, in his speech, to announce that his Majesty had put an entire end +to the patent granted Wood for coining copper halfpence and farthings. +He alluded to the surrender as a remarkable instance of royal favour and +condescension which should fill the hearts of a loyal and obedient +people with the highest sense of duty and gratitude. He doubted not the +Houses would make suitable acknowledgment of their sense of happiness +enjoyed under his Majesty's most mild and gracious government.[4] + +[Footnote 1: See note on pp. 111-112.] + +[Footnote 2: Boulter's letter, vol. i., p. 3. Dublin edition, 1770.] + +[Footnote 3: _Ibid_., p. 29.] + +[Footnote 4: Comm. Journals, vol. iii., p. 398.] + +The Commons unanimously voted an address suitable to the occasion and in +harmony with the Lord-Lieutenant's suggestion. But the Lords +procrastinated in debates. It was a question whether their address +should or should not include the words "great wisdom" in addition to the +word "condescension" to express their sense of his Majesty's action. +Finally, however, the address was forthcoming, though not before some +strenuous expressions of opinion had been made by Midleton and +Archbishop King against Walpole's administration. As passed, their +Address included the debated words; as presented the Address omitted +them. + +Thus ended this famous agitation in which the people of Ireland won +their first victory over England by constitutional means. Wood was no +loser by the surrender; indeed, he was largely the gainer, since he was +given a pension of L3,000 per annum for twelve years.[5] + +[Footnote 5: Coxe says for eight years.] + +Now that the fight was over the people, to use Scott's words, "turned +their eyes with one consent on the man, by whose unbending fortitude, +and pre-eminent talents, this triumph was accomplished." He was hailed +joyously and blessed fervently wherever he went; the people almost +idolized him; he was their defender and their liberator. No monarch +visiting his domains could have been received with greater honour than +was Swift when he came into a town. Medals and medallions were struck in +his honour. A club was formed to the memory of the Drapier; shops and +taverns bore the sign of the Drapier's Head; children and women carried +handkerchiefs with the Drapier's portrait woven in them. All grades of +society respected him for an influence that, founded in sincerity and +guided by integrity and consummate ability, had been used patriotically. +The DEAN became Ireland's chiefest citizen; and Irishmen will ever +revere the memory of the man who was the first among them to precipitate +their national instincts into the abiding form of national power--the +reasoned opinion of a free people. + +The text of this letter is based on that given by Sir Walter Scott, +collated with the original edition and with the text given in "Fraud +Detected" (1725). + +[T.S.] + + +[Illustration: + A + + **LETTER** + + To the Right Honourable the + *Lord Viscount _Molesworth_.* + + * * * * * + +By _M.B. Drapier_, Author of the Letter + to the _Shop-keepers_, &c. + + * * * * * + +They compassed me about also with Words of + Deceit, and fought against me without a Cause. + +For my Love they are my Adversaries, but I give + my self unto Prayer. + +And they have rewarded me Evil for Good, and + Hatred for my Love. _Psalm_ 109. _v_. 3, 4, 5. + +Seek not to be Judge, being not able to take + away Iniquity, lest at any Time thou fear the + Person of the Mighty, and lay a stumbling + Block in the Way of thy Uprightness. + +Offend not against the Multitude of a City, and + then thou shalt not cast thy self down among + the People. + +Bind not one Sin upon another, for in One thou + shalt not be Unpunished. _Ecclus_. Ch. 7. V. 6, + 7, 8. + + * * * * * + +_Non jam prima peto Mnesttheus, neque vincere certo: +Quanquam O! Sed superent, quibus Hoc, Neptune, dedisti._ + + * * * * * + + DUBLIN: +Printed by _John Harding_ in +_Molesworth's Court_ in _Fishamble-street_. +] + + + + +DIRECTIONS TO THE PRINTER. + +MR. HARDING, When I sent you my former papers, I cannot say I intended +you either good or hurt, and yet you have happened through my means to +receive both. I pray God deliver you from any more of the latter, and +increase the former. Your trade, particularly in this kingdom, is of all +others the most unfortunately circumstantiated; For as you deal in the +most worthless kind of trash, the penny productions of pennyless +scribblers, so you often venture your liberty and sometimes your lives, +for the purchase of half-a-crown, and by your own ignorance are punished +for other men's actions. + +I am afraid, you in particular think you have reason to complain of me +for your own and your wife's confinement in prison, to your great +expense, as well as hardship, and for a prosecution still impending. But +I will tell you, Mr. Harding, how that matter stands. Since the press +hath lain under so strict an inspection, those who have a mind to inform +the world are become so cautious, as to keep themselves if possible out +of the way of danger. My custom is to dictate to a 'prentice who can +write in a feigned hand, and what is written we send to your house by a +blackguard boy. But at the same time I do assure you upon my reputation, +that I never did send you anything, for which I thought you could +possibly be called to an account. And you will be my witness that I +always desired you by a letter to take some good advice before you +ventured to print, because I knew the dexterity of dealers in the law at +finding out something to fasten on where no evil is meant; I am told +indeed, that you did accordingly consult several very able persons, and +even some who afterwards appeared against you: To which I can only +answer, that you must either change your advisers, or determine to print +nothing that comes from a Drapier. + +I desire you will send the enclosed letter, directed "To my Lord +Viscount Molesworth at his house at Brackdenstown near Swords;" but I +would have it sent printed for the convenience of his Lordship's +reading, because this counterfeit hand of my 'prentice is not very +legible. And if you think fit to publish it, I would have you first get +it read over carefully by some notable lawyer: I am assured you will +find enough of them who are friends to the Drapier, and will do it +without a fee, which I am afraid you can ill afford after all your +expenses. For although I have taken so much care, that I think it +impossible to find a topic out of the following papers for sending you +again to prison; Yet I will not venture to be your guarantee. + +This ensuing letter contains only a short account of myself, and an +humble apology for my former pamphlets, especially the last, with little +mention of Mr. Wood or his halfpence, because I have already said enough +upon that subject, until occasion shall be given for new fears; and in +that case you may perhaps hear from me again. + +I am, + Your Friend + and Servant, + M.B. + +From my shop in +St. Francis-street +Dec. 14. 1724. + +_P.S._ For want of intercourse between you and me, which I never will +suffer, your people are apt to make very gross errors in the press, +which I desire you will provide against. + + + + +LETTER VI + +A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH, AT HIS +HOUSE AT BRACKDENSTOWN NEAR SWORDS.[6] + + +My Lord, I reflect too late on the maxim of common observers, that +"those who meddle in matters out of their calling, will have reason to +repent;" which is now verified in me: For by engaging in the trade of a +writer, I have drawn upon myself the displeasure of the government, +signified by a proclamation promising a reward of three hundred pounds +to the first faithful subject who shall be able and inclined to inform +against me. To which I may add the laudable zeal and industry of my Lord +Chief Justice [Whitshed] in his endeavours to discover so dangerous a +person. Therefore whether I repent or no, I have certainly cause to do +so, and the common observation still stands good. + +[Footnote 6: Robert, Viscount Molesworth (1656-1725), born in Dublin and +educated at the University there, was a prominent adherent of the Prince +of Orange during the Revolution of 1688. In 1692 William sent him to +Denmark as envoy-extraordinary to the Court at Copenhagen; but he left +abruptly because of the offence he gave there. Retiring to Flanders, +Molesworth revenged himself by writing, "An Account of Denmark as it was +in 1692," in which he described that country as no fit place for those +who held their liberties dearly. Molesworth had been strongly imbued +with the republican teachings of Algernon Sidney, and his book affords +ample proof of the influence. Its publication aroused much indignation, +and a controversy ensued in which Swift's friend, Dr. William King, took +part. In 1695 Molesworth returned to Ireland, became a Privy Councillor +in 1697, sat in the Irish parliament in 1703-1705, and in the English +House of Commons from 1705 to 1708. In 1713 he was removed from the +Irish Privy Council on a charge of a treasonable utterance, which Steele +vindicated in "The Englishman" and "The Crisis." The accession of George +I., however, brought Molesworth into his honours again, and he was +created Baron Molesworth of Philipstown, and Viscount Molesworth of +Swords, in 1719. His work entitled "Considerations for Promoting +Agriculture," issued in 1723, was considered by Swift as "an excellent +discourse, full of most useful hints." At the time Swift addressed him +this sixth letter, Molesworth was living in retirement at Brackdenstown. +[T.S.]] + +It will sometimes happen, I know not how in the course of human affairs, +that a man shall be made liable to legal animadversions, where he has +nothing to answer for, either to God or his country; and condemned at +Westminster-hall for what he will never be charged with at the Day of +Judgment. + +After strictly examining my own heart, and consulting some divines of +great reputation, I cannot accuse myself of any "malice or wickedness +against the public;" of any "designs to sow sedition," of "reflecting on +the King and his ministers," or of endeavouring "to alienate the +affections of the people of this kingdom from those of England."[7] All +I can charge myself with, is a weak attempt to serve a nation in danger +of destruction by a most wicked and malicious projector, without waiting +until I were called to its assistance; which attempt, however it may +perhaps give me the title of _pragmatical_ and _overweening_ will never +lie a burthen upon my conscience. God knows whether I may not with all +my caution have already run myself into danger, by offering thus much in +my own vindication. For I have heard of a judge, who, upon the +criminal's appeal to the dreadful Day of Judgment, told him he had +incurred a _premunire_ for appealing to a foreign jurisdiction: And of +another in Wales, who severely checked the prisoner for offering the +same plea, taxing him with reflecting on the Court by such a comparison, +because "comparisons were odious." + +[Footnote 7: The quotations are from the charges stated in the +indictment and proclamation against the writer and printer of the +previous letters. [T.S.] ] + +But in order to make some excuse for being more speculative than others +of my condition, I desire your lordship's pardon, while I am doing a +very foolish thing, which is, to give you some little account of myself. + +I was bred at a free school where I acquired some little knowledge in +the Latin tongue, I served my apprenticeship in London, and there set up +for myself with good success, till by the death of some friends, and +the misfortunes of others, I returned into this kingdom, and began to +employ my thoughts in cultivating the woollen manufacture through all +its branches Wherein I met with great discouragement and powerful +opposers, whose objections appeared to me very strange and singular They +argued that the people of England would be offended if our manufactures +were brought to equal theirs; and even some of the weaving trade were my +enemies, which I could not but look upon as absurd and unnatural I +remember your lordship at that time did me the honour to come into my +shop, where I shewed you a piece of black and white stuff just sent from +the dyer, which you were pleased to approve of, and be my customer for +it.[8] + +[Footnote 8: The "piece of black and white stuff just sent from the +dyer," refers to his pamphlet, issued in 1720, "The Proposal for the +Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." See vol. vii. [T.S.]] + +However I was so mortified, that I resolved for the future to sit +quietly in my shop, and deal in common goods like the rest of my +brethren; till it happened some months ago considering with myself that +the lower and poorer sort of people wanted a _plain strong coarse stuff +to defend them against cold easterly winds, which then blew very fierce +and blasting for a long time together_, I contrived one on purpose, +which sold very well all over the kingdom, and preserved many thousands +from agues I then made a second and a third kind of stuffs for the +gentry with the same success, insomuch that an ague hath hardly been +heard of for some time.[9] + +[Footnote 9: The "cold easterly winds" refer to the demands made on the +Irish people to accept Wood's halfpence. The three different kinds of +"stuffs" are the three letters written under the _nom de guerre,_ "M.B. +Drapier." [T.S.]] + +This incited me so far, that I ventured upon a fourth piece made of the +best Irish wool I could get, and I thought it grave and rich enough to +be worn by the best lord or judge of the land. But of late some great +folks complain as I hear, "that when they had it on, they felt a +shuddering in their limbs," and have thrown it off in a rage, cursing to +hell the poor Drapier who invented it, so that I am determined never to +work for persons of quality again, except for your lordship and a very +few more.[10] + +[Footnote 10: This refers to the fourth letter of the Drapier, which +brought forth the proclamation, and for the author of which the reward +of L300 was offered. [T.S.]] + +I assure your lordship upon the word of an honest citizen, that I am not +richer by the value of one of Mr. Wood's halfpence with the sale of all +the several stuffs I have contrived; for I give the whole profit to the +dyers and pressers.[11] And therefore I hope you will please to believe, +that no other motive beside the love of my country could engage me to +busy my head and hands to the loss of my time and the gain of nothing +but vexation and ill-will. + +[Footnote 11: The printers [F.]] + +I have now in hand one piece of stuff to be woven on purpose for your +lordship, although I might be ashamed to offer it you, after I have +confessed that it will be made only from the shreds and remnants of the +wool employed in the former. However I shall work it up as well as I +can, and at worst, you need only give it among your tenants. + +I am very sensible how ill your lordship is like to be entertained with +the pedantry of a drapier in the terms of his own trade. How will the +matter be mended, when you find me entering again, though very +sparingly, into an affair of state; for such is now grown the +controversy with Mr. Wood, if some great lawyers are to be credited. And +as it often happens at play, that men begin with farthings, and go on to +gold, till some of them lose their estates, and die in jail; so it may +possibly fall out in my case, that by playing too long with Mr. Wood's +halfpence, I may be drawn in to pay a fine, double to the reward for +betraying me, be sent to prison, and "not be delivered thence till I +shall have paid the uttermost farthing." + +There are my lord, three sorts of persons with whom I am resolved never +to dispute: A highwayman with a pistol at my breast, a troop of dragoons +who come to plunder my house, and a man of the law who can make a merit +of accusing me. In each of these cases, which are almost the same, the +best method is to keep out of the way, and the next best is to deliver +your money, surrender your house, and confess nothing. + +I am told that the two points in my last letter, from which an occasion +of offence hath been taken, are where I mention His Majesty's answer to +the address of the House of Lords upon Mr. Wood's patent, and where I +discourse upon Ireland's being a dependent kingdom. As to the former, I +can only say, that I have treated it with the utmost respect and +caution, and I thought it necessary to shew where Wood's patent differed +in many essential parts from all others that ever had been granted, +because the contrary had for want of due information been so strongly +and so largely asserted. As to the other, of Ireland's dependency, I +confess to have often heard it mentioned, but was never able to +understand what it meant. This gave me the curiosity to enquire among +several eminent lawyers, who professed they knew nothing of the matter. +I then turned over all the statutes of both kingdoms without the least +information, further than an Irish act, that I quoted, of the 33d of +Henry 8th, uniting Ireland to England under one king. I cannot say I was +sorry to be disappointed in my search, because it is certain, I could be +contented to depend only upon God and my prince and the laws of my own +country, after the manner of other nations. But since my betters are of +a different opinion, and desire further dependencies, I shall readily +submit, not insisting on the exception I made of M.B. Drapier. For +indeed that hint was borrowed from an idle story I had heard in England, +which perhaps may be common and beaten, but because it insinuates +neither treason nor sedition, I will just barely relate it. + +Some hundred years ago when the peers were so great that the commons +were looked upon as little better than their dependents, a bill was +brought in for making some new additions to the power and privileges of +the peerage. After it was read, one Mr. Drewe a member of the house, +stood up, and said, he very much approved the bill, and would give his +vote to have it pass; but however, for some reasons best known to +himself, he desired that a clause might be inserted for excepting the +family of the Drewes. The oddness of the proposition taught others to +reflect a little, and the bill was thrown out. + +Whether I were mistaken, or went too far in examining the dependency +must be left to the impartial judgment of the world, as well as to the +courts of judicature, although indeed not in so effectual and decisive +a manner. But to affirm, as I hear some do, in order to countenance a +fearful and servile spirit, that this point did not belong to my +subject, is a false and foolish objection. There were several scandalous +reports industriously spread by Wood and his accomplices to discourage +all opposition against his infamous project. They gave it out that we +were prepared for a rebellion, that we disputed the King's prerogative, +and were shaking off our dependency. The first went so far, and obtained +so much belief against the most visible demonstrations to the contrary, +that a great person of this kingdom, now in England, sent over such an +account of it to his friends, as would make any good subject both grieve +and tremble. I thought it therefore necessary to treat that calumny as +it deserved. Then I proved by an invincible argument that we could have +no intention to dispute His Majesty's prerogative, because the +prerogative was not concerned in the question, the civilians and lawyers +of all nations agreeing that copper is not money. And lastly to clear us +from the imputation of shaking off our dependency, I shewed wherein as I +thought this dependency consisted, and cited the statute above mentioned +made in Ireland, by which it is enacted, that "whoever is King of +England shall be King of Ireland," and that the two kingdoms shall be +"for ever knit together under one King." This, as I conceived, did +wholly acquit us of intending to break our dependency, because it was +altogether out of our power, for surely no King of England will ever +consent to the repeal of that statute. + +But upon this article I am charged with a heavier accusation. It is said +I went too far, when I declared, that "if ever the Pretender should come +to be fixed upon the throne of England (which God forbid) I would so far +venture to transgress this statute, that I would lose the last drop of +my blood before I would submit to him as King of Ireland." + +This I hear on all sides, is the strongest and weightiest objection +against me, and which hath given the most offence; that I should be so +bold to declare against a direct statute, and that any motive how strong +soever, could make me reject a King whom England should receive. Now if +in defending myself from this accusation I should freely confess, that I +"went too far," that "the expression was very indiscreet, although +occasioned by my zeal for His present Majesty and his Protestant line in +the House of Hanover," that "I shall be careful never to offend again in +the like kind." And that "I hope this free acknowledgment and sorrow for +my error, will be some atonement and a little soften the hearts of my +powerful adversaries." I say if I should offer such a defence as this, I +do not doubt but some people would wrest it to an ill meaning by some +spiteful interpretation, and therefore since I cannot think of any other +answer, which that paragraph can admit, I will leave it to the mercy of +every candid reader. + +I will now venture to tell your lordship a secret, wherein I fear you +are too deeply concerned You will therefore please to know that this +habit of writing and discoursing, wherein I unfortunately differ from +almost the whole kingdom, and am apt to grate the ears of more than I +could wish, was acquired during my apprenticeship in London, and a long +residence there after I had set up for myself. Upon my return and +settlement here, I thought I had only changed one country of freedom for +another. I had been long conversing with the writings of your +lordship,[12] Mr. Locke, Mr. Molineaux,[13] Colonel Sidney[14] and other +dangerous authors, who talk of "liberty as a blessing, to which the +whole race of mankind hath an original title, whereof nothing but +unlawful force can divest them." I knew a good deal of the several +Gothic institutions in Europe, and by what incidents and events they +came to be destroyed; and I ever thought it the most uncontrolled and +universally agreed maxim, that _freedom_ consists in a people being +governed by laws made with their own consent; and _slavery_ in the +contrary. I have been likewise told, and believe it to be true, that +_liberty_ and _property_ are words of known use and signification in +this kingdom, and that the very lawyers pretend to understand, and have +them often in their mouths. These were the errors which have misled me, +and to which alone I must impute the severe treatment I have received. +But I shall in time grow wiser, and learn to consider my driver, the +road I am in, and with whom I am yoked. This I will venture to say, that +the boldest and most obnoxious words I ever delivered, would in England +have only exposed me as a stupid fool, who went to prove that the sun +shone in a clear summer's day; and I have witnesses ready to depose that +your lordship hath said and writ fifty times worse, and what is still an +aggravation, with infinitely more wit and learning, and stronger +arguments, so that as politics run, I do not know a person of more +exceptionable principles than yourself; and if ever I shall be +discovered, I think you will be bound in honour to pay my fine and +support me in prison; or else I may chance to inform against you by way +of reprisal.[15] + +[Footnote 12: See note _ante_, p. 161. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 13: William Molyneux (1656-1698), the correspondent of John +Flamsteed and Locke. His "Dioptrica Nova" contains a warm appreciation +of Locke's "Essay on the Human Understanding." He died in October, 1698, +but in the early part of this year, he published his famous inquiry into +the effect of English legislation on Irish manufactures. The work was +entitled, "The Case of Ireland's being bound by Acts of Parliament in +England stated," and its publication made a great stir both in England +and in Ireland. Molyneux attempted to show that the Irish Parliament was +independent of the English Parliament. His book was reported by a +Committee of the House of Commons, on June 22nd, 1698, to be "of +dangerous consequence to the Crown and Parliament of England," but the +matter went no further than embodying this resolution of the committee +in an address to the King. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 14: Algernon Sidney (1622-1682), the author of the well known +"Discourses concerning Government," and the famous republican of the +Cromwellian and Restoration years, was the second surviving son of the +second Earl of Leicester His career as soldier, statesman, agitator, +ambassador and author, forms an interesting and even fascinating chapter +of the story of this interesting period of English history. He was tried +for treason before Jeffreys, and in spite of a most excellent defence, +sentenced to death. His execution took place on December 7th, 1682. [T. +S.]] + +[Footnote 15: A writer, signing himself M.M., replying to this letter of +Swift's in a broadside entitled, "Seasonable Advice to M.B. Drapier, +Occasioned by his Letter to the R--t. Hon. the Lord Visct. Molesworth," +actually takes this paragraph to mean that Swift intended seriously to +turn informer: "Now sir, some people are of opinion that you carried +this too far, inasmuch as you become a precedent to informers: others +think that you intimate to his lordship, the miserable circumstance you +are in by the menaces of the prentice to whom you dictate; they conceive +your declaring to inform, if not fee'd, to the contrary, signifies your +said prentice on the last occasion to swear, if you don't forthwith +deliver him his indentures, and half of your stock to set up trade with, +he will inform against you, bring you to justice, be dismissed by law, +and get the promised L300 to begin trade with; how near these +conceptions be to truth I can't tell; but I know people think that word +_inform_ unseasonable. . . ." [T.S.]] + +In the meantime, I beg your lordship to receive my confession, that if +there be any such thing as a dependency of Ireland upon England, +otherwise than as I have explained it, either by the law of God, of +nature, of reason, of nations, or of the land (which I shall never +hereafter contest,) then was the proclamation against me, the most +merciful that ever was put out, and instead of accusing me as malicious, +wicked and seditious, it might have been directly as guilty of high +treason. + +All I desire is, that the cause of my country against Mr. Wood may not +suffer by any inadvertency of mine; Whether Ireland depends upon +England, or only upon God, the King and the law, I hope no man will +assert that it depends upon Mr. Wood. I should be heartily sorry that +this commendable resentment against me should accidentally (and I hope, +what was never intended) strike a damp upon that spirit in all ranks and +corporations of men against the desperate and ruinous design of Mr. +Wood. Let my countrymen blot out those parts in my last letter which +they dislike, and let no rust remain on my sword to cure the wounds I +have given to our most mortal enemy. When Sir Charles Sidley[16] was +taking the oaths, where several things were to be renounced, he said "he +loved renouncing," asked "if any more were to be renounced, for he was +ready to renounce as much as they pleased." Although I am not so +thorough a renouncer; yet let me have but good city security against +this pestilent coinage, and I shall be ready not only to renounce every +syllable in all my four letters, but to deliver them cheerfully with my +own hands into those of the common hangman, to be burnt with no better +company than the coiner's _effigies,_ if any part of it hath escaped out +of the secular hands of the rabble. + +[Footnote 16: This must be Sir Charles Sedley (properly Sidley), the +famous wit and dramatist of Charles II.'s reign. In his reprint of 1735, +Faulkner prints the name "Sidley," though the original twopenny tract +and the "Hibernian Patriot" print it as "Sidney." Sir W. Scott corrects +it to "Sedley." [T.S.]] + +But whatever the sentiments of some people may be, I think it is agreed +that many of those who subscribed against me, are on the side of a vast +majority in the kingdom who opposed Mr. Wood; and it was with great +satisfaction that I observed some right honourable names very amicably +joined with my own at the bottom of a strong declaration against him and +his coin. But if the admission of it among us be already determined the +worthy person who is to betray me ought in prudence to do it with all +convenient speed, or else it may be difficult to find three hundred +pounds in sterling for the discharge of his hire; when the public shall +have lost five hundred thousand, if there be so much in the nation; +besides four-fifths of its annual income for ever. + +I am told by lawyers, that in all quarrels between man and man, it is of +much weight, which of them gave the first provocation or struck the +first blow. It is manifest that Mr. Wood hath done both, and therefore I +should humbly propose to have him first hanged and his dross thrown into +the sea; after which the Drapier will be ready to stand his trial. "It +must needs be that offences come, but woe unto him by whom the offence +cometh." If Mr. Wood had held his hand every body else would have held +their tongues, and then there would have been little need of pamphlets, +juries, or proclamations upon this occasion. The provocation must needs +have been great, which could stir up an obscure indolent Drapier to +become an author. One would almost think the very stones in the street +would rise up in such a cause: And I am not sure they will not do so +against Mr. Wood if ever he comes within their reach. It is a known +story of the dumb boy, whose tongue forced a passage for speech by the +horror of seeing a dagger at his father's throat. This may lessen the +wonder that a tradesman hid in privacy and silence should cry out when +the life and being of his political mother are attempted before his +face, and by so infamous a hand. + +But in the meantime, Mr. Wood the destroyer of a kingdom walks about in +triumph (unless it be true that he is in jail for debt) while he who +endeavoured to assert the liberty of his country is forced to hide his +head for occasionally dealing in a matter of controversy. However I am +not the first who hath been condemned to death for gaining a great +victory over a powerful enemy, by disobeying for once the strict orders +of military discipline. + +I am now resolved to follow (after the usual proceeding of mankind, +because it is too late) the advice given me by a certain Dean. He shewed +the mistake I was in of trusting to the general good-will of the people, +"that I had succeeded hitherto better than could be expected, but that +some unfortunate circumstantial lapse would probably bring me within the +reach of power. That my good intentions would be no security against +those who watched every motion of my pen, in the bitterness of my soul." +He produced an instance of "a writer as innocent, as disinterested, and +as well meaning as myself, where the printer, who had the author in his +power, was prosecuted with the utmost zeal, the jury sent back nine +times, and the man given up to the mercy of the court."[17] The Dean +further observed "that I was in a manner left alone to stand the battle, +while others who had ten thousand times better talents than a Drapier, +were so prudent to lie still, and perhaps thought it no unpleasant +amusement to look on with safety, while another was giving them +diversion at the hazard of his liberty and fortune, and thought they +made a sufficient recompense by a little applause." Whereupon he +concluded with a short story of a Jew at Madrid, who being condemned to +the fire on account of his religion, a crowd of school-boys following +him to the stake, and apprehending they might lose their sport, if he +should happen to recant, would often clap him on the back, and cry, +"_Sta firme Moyse_ (Moses, continue steadfast)." + +[Footnote 17: This was for the publication of "A Proposal for the +Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." [T.S.]] + +I allow this gentleman's advice to have been good, and his observations +just, and in one respect my condition is worse than that of the Jew, for +no recantation will save me. However it should seem by some late +proceedings, that my state is not altogether deplorable. This I can +impute to nothing but the steadiness of two impartial grand juries, +which hath confirmed in me an opinion I have long entertained, that, as +philosophers say, "virtue is seated in the middle," so in another +sense, the little virtue left in the world is chiefly to be found among +the middle rank of mankind, who are neither allured out of her paths by +ambition, nor driven by poverty. + +Since the proclamation occasioned by my last letter, and a due +preparation for proceeding against me in a court of justice, there have +been two printed papers clandestinely spread about, whereof no man is +able to trace the original further than by conjecture, which with its +usual charity lays them to my account. The former is entitled, +"Seasonable Advice,"[18] and appears to have been intended for +information of the grand jury, upon the supposition of a bill to be +prepared against that letter. The other[19] is an extract from a printed +book of Parliamentary Proceedings in the year 1680 containing an angry +resolution of the House of Commons in England against dissolving grand +juries. As to the former, your lordship will find it to be the work of a +more artful hand than that of a common Drapier. It hath been censured +for endeavouring to influence the minds of a jury, which ought to be +wholly free and unbiassed, and for that reason it is manifest that no +judge was ever known either upon or off the bench, either by himself or +his dependents, to use the least insinuation that might possibly affect +the passions or interests of any one single juryman, much less of a +whole jury; whereof every man must be convinced who will just give +himself the trouble to dip into the common printed trials; so as, it is +amazing to think, what a number of upright judges there have been in +both kingdoms for above sixty years past, which, considering how long +they held their offices during pleasure, as they still do among us, I +account next to a miracle. + +[Footnote 18: See p. 123. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 19: See note on p. 127. [T.S.]] + +As to the other paper I must confess it is a sharp censure of an English +House of Commons against dissolving grand juries by any judge before the +end of the term, assizes, or sessions, while matters are under their +consideration, and not presented; is arbitrary, illegal, destructive to +public justice, a manifest violation of his oath, and is a means to +subvert the fundamental laws of the kingdom. + +However, the publisher seems to have been mistaken in what he aimed at. +For, whatever dependence there may be of Ireland upon England, I hope he +would not insinuate, that the proceedings of a lord chief justice in +Ireland must depend upon a resolution of an English House of Commons. +Besides, that resolution although it were levelled against a particular +lord chief justice, Sir William Scroggs,[20] yet the occasion was +directly contrary: For Scroggs dissolved the grand jury of London for +fear they should present, but ours in Dublin was dissolved because they +would not present, which wonderfully alters the case. And therefore a +second grand jury supplied that defect by making a presentment[21] that +hath pleased the whole kingdom. However I think it is agreed by all +parties, that both the one and the other jury behaved themselves in such +a manner, as ought to be remembered to their honour, while there shall +be any regard left among us for virtue or public spirit. + +[Footnote 20: Sir William Scroggs (1623?-1683) was appointed Lord Chief +Justice of England on the removal of Sir Thomas Ramsford in 1678. One of +the eight articles of impeachment against Scroggs, in 1680, was for +illegally discharging the grand jury of Middlesex before the end of the +term. Although the articles of impeachment were carried to the House of +Lords in 1681, the proceedings went no farther than ordering him to find +bail and file his answer by a certain time. Scroggs was removed, on +account of his unpopularity, on April 11th, 1681. As a lawyer, Scroggs +has no great reputation; as a judge he must be classed with the +notorious Jeffreys. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 21: See Appendix No. V. [T.S.]] + +I am confident your lordship will be of my sentiments in one thing, that +some short plain authentic tract might be published for the information +both of petty and grand juries, how far their power reacheth, and where +it is limited, and that a printed copy of such a treatise might be +deposited in every court, to be consulted by the jurymen before they +consider of their verdict; by which abundance of inconveniences would be +avoided, whereof innumerable instances might be produced from former +times, because I will say nothing of the present. + +I have read somewhere of an eastern king who put a judge to death for an +iniquitous sentence, and ordered his hide to be stuffed into a cushion, +and placed upon the tribunal for the son to sit on, who was preferred to +his father's office. I fancy such a memorial might not have been +unuseful to a son of Sir William Scroggs, and that both he and his +successors would often wriggle in their seats as long as the cushion +lasted. I wish the relater had told us what number of such cushions +there might be in that country. + +I cannot but observe to your lordship how nice and dangerous a point it +is grown for a private person to inform the people even in an affair +where the public interest and safety are so highly concerned as that of +Mr. Wood, and this in a country where loyalty is woven into the very +hearts of the people, seems a little extraordinary. Sir William Scroggs +was the first who introduced that commendable acuteness into the courts +of judicature; but how far this practice hath been imitated by his +successors or strained upon occasion, is out of my knowledge. When +pamphlets unpleasing to the ministry were presented as libels, he would +order the offensive paragraphs to be read before him, and said it was +strange that the judges and lawyers of the King's Bench should be duller +than all the people of England; and he was often so very happy in +applying the initial letters of names, and expounding dubious hints (the +two common expedients among writers of that class for escaping the law) +that he discovered much more than ever the authors intended, as many of +them or their printers found to their cost. If such methods are to be +followed in examining what I have already written or may write hereafter +upon the subject of Mr. Wood, I defy any man of fifty times my +understanding and caution to avoid being entrapped, unless he will be +content to write what none will read, by repeating over the old +arguments and computations, whereof the world is already grown weary. So +that my good friend Harding lies under this dilemma, either to let my +learned works hang for ever a drying upon his lines, or venture to +publish them at the hazard of being laid by the heels. + +I need not tell your lordship where the difficulty lies. It is true, the +King and the laws permit us to refuse this coin of Mr. Wood, but at the +same time it is equally true, that the King and the laws permit us to +receive it. Now it is most certain the ministers in England do not +suppose the consequences of uttering that brass among us to be so +ruinous as we apprehend; because doubtless if they understood it in that +light, they are persons of too much honour and justice not to use their +credit with His Majesty for saving a most loyal kingdom from +destruction. But as long as it shall please those great persons to think +that coin will not be so very pernicious to us, we lie under the +disadvantage of being censured as obstinate in not complying with a +royal patent. Therefore nothing remains, but to make use of that liberty +which the King and the laws have left us, by continuing to refuse this +coin, and by frequent remembrances to keep up that spirit raised against +it, which otherwise may be apt to flag, and perhaps in time to sink +altogether. For, any public order against receiving or uttering Mr. +Wood's halfpence is not reasonably to be expected in this kingdom, +without directions from England, which I think nobody presumes, or is so +sanguine to hope. + +But to confess the truth, my lord, I begin to grow weary of my office as +a writer, and could heartily wish it were devolved upon my brethren, the +makers of songs and ballads, who perhaps are the best qualified at +present to gather up the gleanings of this controversy. As to myself, it +hath been my misfortune to begin and pursue it upon a wrong foundation. +For having detected the frauds and falsehoods of this vile impostor Wood +in every part, I foolishly disdained to have recourse to whining, +lamenting, and crying for mercy, but rather chose to appeal to law and +liberty and the common rights of mankind, without considering the +climate I was in. + +Since your last residence in Ireland, I frequently have taken my nag to +ride about your grounds, where I fancied myself to feel an air of +freedom breathing round me, and I am glad the low condition of a +tradesman did not qualify me to wait on you at your house, for then I am +afraid my writings would not have escaped severer censures. But I have +lately sold my nag, and honestly told his greatest fault, which was that +of snuffing up the air about Brackdenstown, whereby he became such a +lover of liberty, that I could scarce hold him in. I have likewise +buried at the bottom of a strong chest your lordship's writings under a +heap of others that treat of liberty, and spread over a layer or two of +Hobbes, Filmer, Bodin[22] and many more authors of that stamp, to be +readiest at hand whenever I shall be disposed to take up a new set of +principles in government. In the mean time I design quietly to look to +my shop, and keep as far out of your lordship's influence as possible; +and if you ever see any more of my writings upon this subject, I promise +you shall find them as innocent, as insipid and without a sting as what +I have now offered you. But if your lordship will please to give me an +easy lease of some part of your estate in Yorkshire,[23] thither will I +carry my chest and turning it upside down, resume my political reading +where I left it off; feed on plain homely fare, and live and die a free +honest English farmer: But not without regret for leaving my countrymen +under the dread of the brazen talons of Mr. Wood: My most loyal and +innocent countrymen, to whom I owe so much for their good opinion of me, +and of my poor endeavours to serve them, + +I am + with the greatest respect, + My Lord + Your Lordship's most obedient + and most humble servant, + M.B. + + +From my shop +in St. Francis-Street, +Dec. 14. +1724. + +[Footnote 22: Sir Robert Filmer, the political writer who suffered for +his adhesion to the cause of Charles I. His chief work was published +after his death in 1680. It is entitled, "Patriarcha," and defends the +patriarchal theory of government against the social-compact theory of +Hobbes. Locke vigorously attacked it in his "Two Treatises on +Government" published in 1690. + +Jean Bodin, who died in 1596, wrote the "Livres de la Republique," a +remarkable collection of information and speculation on the theoretical +basis of political government. [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 23: Molesworth's estate in Yorkshire was at Edlington, near +Tickhill. [T.S.]] + + + + +LETTER VII. + +AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. + +BY M.B. DRAPIER. + +"Multa gemens ignominiam Plagasque superbi Victoris.--" + +[VIRGIL, _Georg. III._, 226-7.] + + +NOTE. + + +This letter was published in the fourth volume of the collected edition +of Swift's Works, issued by Faulkner, in Dublin, in 1735. It is there +stated that it was written "before the Lord Carteret came over, and soon +after the fourth Drapier's letter." If Faulkner be correct, and he +probably is, the subject matter of the letter shows that it was not to +be printed until after the agitation had subsided. The letter is in an +entirely different spirit from the other letters, and deals with +suggestions and methods of action for a general righting of the wrongs +under which Ireland was suffering. In matter as well as in manner it is +not a continuation of the contest against Wood, but an effort to send +the people along paths which would lead to their general welfare and +prosperity. As such it properly concludes the Drapier series. + +The text of the letter here printed is that of Faulkner collated with +that given in the fifth volume of "Miscellanies," issued in London in. +1735. + +[T.S.] + + + + +LETTER VII. + +AN HUMBLE ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. + + +I have been told, that petitions and addresses, either to King or +Parliament, are the right of every subject; providing they consist with +that respect, which is due to princes and great assemblies. Neither do I +remember, that the modest proposals, or opinions of private men, have +been ill-received, when they have not been delivered in the style of +advice; which is a presumption far from my thoughts. However, if +proposals should be looked upon as too assuming; yet I hope, every man +may be suffered to declare his own and the nation's wishes. For +instance; I may be allowed to wish, that some further laws were enacted +for the advancement of trade, for the improvement of agriculture, now +strangely neglected, against the maxim of all wise nations: For +supplying the manifest defects in the acts concerning plantation of +trees: For setting the poor to work, and many others. + +Upon this principle, I may venture to affirm; it is the hearty wish of +the whole nation, very few excepted; that the Parliament in this session +would begin by strictly examining into the detestable fraud of one +William Wood, now or late of London, hardwareman; who illegally and +clandestinely, as appears by your own votes and addresses, procured a +patent in England, for coining halfpence in that kingdom, to be current +here. This, I say, is the wish of the whole nation, very few excepted; +and upon account of those few, is more strongly and justly the wish of +the rest: Those few consisting either of Wood's confederates, some +obscure tradesmen, or certain bold UNDERTAKERS[1] of weak judgment, and +strong ambition; who think to find their accounts in the ruin of the +nation, by securing or advancing themselves. And, because such men +proceed upon a system of politics, to which I would fain hope you will +be always utter strangers, I shall humbly lay it before you. + +[Footnote 1: This was a phrase used in the time of Charles II. to +express those dashing ministers who obtained power by undertaking to +carry through particular favourite measures of the crown. But the Dean +applies it with his usual studied ambiguity, so that it may be explained +as meaning schemers or projectors in general. [S.]] + +Be pleased to suppose me in a station of fifteen hundred pounds a year, +salary and perquisites; and likewise possessed of 800_l_. a year, real +estate. Then, suppose a destructive project to be set on foot; such, for +instance, as this of Wood; which if it succeed, in all the consequences +naturally to be expected from it, must sink the rents and wealth of the +kingdom one half, (although I am confident, it would have done so +five-sixths.) Suppose, I conceive that the countenancing, or privately +supporting this project, will please those by whom I expect to be +preserved, or higher exalted. Nothing then remains, but to compute and +balance my gain and my loss, and sum up the whole. I suppose that I +shall keep my employment ten years, (not to mention the fair chance of a +better.) This at 1500_l_. a year, amounts, in ten years, to 15,000_l_. +My estate, by the success of the said project, sinks 400_l_. a year; +which at twenty years' purchase, is but 8000_l_. so that I am a clean +gainer of 7000_l_. upon the balance. And during all that period, I am +possessed of power and credit, can gratify my favourites, and take +vengeance of mine enemies. And if the project miscarry, my private merit +is still entire. This arithmetic, as horrible as it appears, I knowingly +affirm to have been practised, and applied in conjunctures, whereon +depended the ruin or safety of a nation: Although, probably the charity +and virtue of a senate, will hardly be induced to believe, that there +can be such monsters among mankind. And yet, the wise Lord Bacon +mentions a sort of people, (I doubt the race is not yet extinct) who +would "set a house on fire, for the convenience of roasting their own +eggs at the flame." + +But whoever is old enough to remember, and hath turned his thoughts to +observe the course of public affairs in this kingdom, from the time of +the Revolution; must acknowledge, that the highest points of interest +and liberty, have been often sacrificed to the avarice and ambition of +particular persons, upon the very principles and arithmetic that I have +supposed: The only wonder is, how these artists were able to prevail +upon numbers; and influence even public assemblies to become instruments +for effecting their execrable designs. + +It is, I think, in all conscience, latitude enough for vice, if a man in +station be allowed to act injustice, upon the usual principles of +getting a bribe, wreaking his malice, serving his party, or consulting +his preferment; while his wickedness terminates in the ruin only of +particular persons: But, to deliver up our whole country, and every +living soul who inhabits it, to certain destruction; hath not, as I +remember, been permitted by the most favourable casuists on the side of +corruption. It were far better, that all who have had the misfortune to +be born in this kingdom, should be rendered incapable of holding any +employment whatsoever, above the degree of a constable, (according to +the scheme and intention of a great minister[2] _gone to his own +place_)than to live under the daily apprehension of a few false brethren +among ourselves. Because, in the former case we should be wholly free +from the danger of being betrayed; since none could then have impudence +enough to pretend any public good. + +[Footnote 2: The Earl of Sunderland. See note on p. 377 of vol. _v._ of +present edition. [T.S.]] + +It is true, that in this desperate affair of the new halfpence, I have +not heard of any man above my own degree of a shopkeeper, to have been +hitherto so bold, as, in direct terms, to vindicate the fatal project; +although I have been told of some very mollifying expressions which were +used, and very gentle expedients proposed and handed about, when it +first came under debate: But, since the eyes of the people have been so +far opened, that the most ignorant can plainly see their own ruin, in +the success of Wood's attempt; these grand compounders have been more +cautious.[3] + +[Footnote 3: Alluding to Walpole's overture for reducing the amount to +be coined to L40,000. [T.S.]] + +But that the same spirit still subsists, hath manifestly appeared (among +other instances of great compliance) from certain circumstances, that +have attended some late proceedings in a court of judicature. There is +not any commonplace more frequently insisted on, by those who treat of +our constitution, than the great happiness and excellency of trials by +juries; yet if this blessed part of our law be eludible at pleasure, by +the force of power, frowns, and artifice; we shall have little reason to +boast of our advantage, in this particular, over other states or +kingdoms in Europe. And surely, these high proceedings, exercised in a +point that so nearly concerned the life-blood of the people, their +necessary subsistence, their very food and raiment, and even the public +peace; will not allow any favourable appearance; because it was obvious, +that so much superabundant zeal could have no other design, or produce +any other effect, than to damp that spirit raised in the nation against +this accursed scheme of William Wood, and his abettors; to which spirit +alone, we owe, and for ever must owe, our being hitherto preserved, and +our hopes of being preserved for the future; if it can be kept up, and +strongly countenanced by your wise assemblies. I wish I could account +for such a demeanour upon a more charitable foundation, than that of +putting our interest in over balance with the ruin of our country. + +I remember some months ago, when this affair was fresh in discourse; a +person near allied to SOMEBODY, or (as the hawkers called him) NOBODY, +who was thought deeply concerned, went about very diligently among his +acquaintance, to shew the bad consequences that might follow from any +public resentment to the disadvantage of his ally Mr. Wood; principally +alleging the danger of all employments being disposed of from England. +One of these emissaries came to me, and urged the same topic: I +answered, naturally, that I knew there was no office of any kind, which +a man from England might not have, if he thought it worth his asking; +and that I looked upon all who had the disadvantage of being born here, +as only in the condition of leasers and gleaners. Neither could I +forbear mentioning the known fable of the countryman, who entreated his +ass to fly for fear of being taken by the enemy; but the ass refused to +give himself that trouble; and upon a very wise reason, because he could +not possibly change his present master for a worse: The enemy could not +make him fare harder; beat him more cruelly; nor load him with heavier +burthens. + +Upon these, and many other considerations, I may affirm it to be the +wish of the whole nation, that the power and privileges of juries were +declared, ascertained, and confirmed by the legislature; and that +whoever hath been manifestly known to violate them, might be stigmatized +by public censure; not from any hope that such a censure will amend +their practices, or hurt their interest, (for it may probably operate +quite contrary in both:) but that the nation may know their enemies from +their friends. + +I say not this with any regard or view to myself; for I write in great +security; and am resolved that none shall merit at my expense further +than by shewing their zeal to discover, prosecute, and condemn me, for +endeavouring to do my duty in serving my country: And yet I am conscious +to myself that I never had the least intention to reflect on His +Majesty's ministers, nor on any other person, except William Wood, whom +I neither did, nor do yet conceive to be of that number. However, some +would have it, that I went too far; but I suppose they will now allow +themselves mistaken. I am sure I might easily have gone further; and I +think I could not easily have fared worse. And therefore I was no +further affected with their proclamation, and subsequent proceedings, +than a good clergyman is with the sins of the people. And as to the poor +printer, he is now gone to appear before a higher, and before a +righteous tribunal. + +As my intention is only to lay before your great assemblies, the general +wishes of the nation; and as I have already declared it our principal +wish that your first proceeding would be to examine into the pernicious +fraud of William Wood; so I must add, as the universal opinion, that all +schemes of commutation, composition, and the like expedients, either +avowed or implied, will be of the most pernicious consequences to the +public; against the dignity of a free kingdom; and prove an +encouragement to future adventurers in the same destructive projects. +For, it is a maxim, which no man at present disputes, that even a +connivance to admit one thousand pounds in these halfpence, will +produce, in time, the same ruinous effects, as if we openly consented to +admit a million. It were, therefore, infinitely more safe and eligible, +to leave things in the doubtful, melancholy state they are at present, +(which, however, God forbid) and trust entirely to the general aversion +of our people against this coin; using all honest endeavours to +preserve, continue, and increase that aversion, than submit to apply +those palliatives which weak, perfidious, or abject politicians, are, +upon all occasions, and in all diseases, so ready to administer. + +In the small compass of my reading, (which, however, hath been more +extensive than is usual to men of my inferior calling) I have observed +that grievances have always preceded supplies; and if ever grievances +had a title to such a pre-eminence, it must be this of Wood; because it +is not only the greatest grievance that any country could suffer, but a +grievance of such a kind that, if it should take effect, would make it +impossible for us to give any supplies at all; except in adulterate +copper; unless a tax were laid for paying the civil and military lists, +and the large pensions, with real commodities instead of money; which, +however, might be liable to some few objections as well as difficulties: +For although the common soldiers might be content with beef and mutton, +and wool, and malt, and leather; yet I am in some doubt as to the +generals, the colonels, the numerous pensioners, the civil officers, and +others, who all live in England upon Irish pay; as well as those few who +reside among us only because they cannot help it. + +There is one particular, which although I have mentioned more than once +in some of my former papers, yet I cannot forbear to repeat, and a +little enlarge upon it; because I do not remember to have read or heard +of the like in the history of any age or country; neither do I ever +reflect upon it without the utmost astonishment. + +After the unanimous addresses to his Sacred Majesty, against this patent +of Wood, from both Houses of Parliament, which are the three estates of +the kingdom; and likewise an address from the Privy-council, to whom, +under the chief governors, the whole administration is entrusted; the +matter is referred to a committee of council in London. Wood, and his +adherents, are heard on one side; and a few volunteers, without any +trust or direction from hence, on the other. The question (as I +remember) chiefly turned upon the want of halfpence in Ireland: +Witnesses are called on the behalf of Wood (of what credit I have +formerly shewn :) Upon the issue the patent is found good and legal; all +His Majesty's officers here, (not excepting the military) commanded to +be aiding and assisting to make it effectual. The addresses of both +Houses of Parliament, of the Privy-council; and of the city of Dublin: +The declarations of most counties and corporations through the kingdom, +are altogether laid aside, as of no weight, consequence, or +consideration whatsoever: And the whole kingdom of Ireland nonsuited, in +default of appearance; as if it were a private cause between John Doe, +plaintiff, and William Roe, defendant. + +With great respect to those-honourable persons, the committee of council +in London, I have not understood them to be our governors, councillors, +or judges. Neither did our case turn at all upon the question, whether +Ireland wanted halfpence or no. For there is no doubt, but we do want +both halfpence, gold, and silver; and we have numberless other wants, +and some that we are not so much as allowed to name; although they are +peculiar to this nation; to which no other is subject, whom God hath +blessed with religion and laws, or any degree of soil and sunshine: But, +for what demerits on our side, I am altogether in the dark. + +But, I do not remember, that our want of halfpence was either affirmed, +or denied in any of our addresses or declarations, against those of +Wood: We alleged, the fraudulent obtaining and executing his patent, the +baseness of his metal, the prodigious sum to be coined, which might be +increased by stealth, from foreign importation and his own counterfeits, +as well as those at home; whereby we must infallibly lose all our little +gold and silver, and all our poor remainder of a very limited and +discouraged trade: We urged, that the patent was passed without the +least reference hither; and without mention of any security given by +Wood, to receive his own halfpence upon demand; both which are contrary +to all former proceedings in the like cases. These, and many other +arguments we offered; but still the patent went on, and at this day our +ruin would have been half completed; if God, in His mercy, had not +raised an universal detestation of these halfpence, in the whole +kingdom; with a firm resolution never to receive them; since we are not +under obligations to do so by any law, either human or divine. + +But, in the Name of God, and of all justice and piety; when the King's +Majesty was pleased that this patent should pass; is it not to be +understood, that he conceived, believed, and intended it as a gracious +act, for the good and benefit of his subjects, for the advantage of a +great and fruitful kingdom; of the most loyal kingdom upon earth, where +no hand or voice was ever lifted up against him; a kingdom where the +passage is not of three hours from Britain; and a kingdom where Papists +have less power, and less land, than in England? Can it be denied, or +doubted, that His Majesty's ministers understood and proposed the same +end, the good of this nation, when they advised the passing this patent? +Can the person of Wood be otherwise regarded, than as the instrument, +the mechanic, the head-workman, to prepare his furnace, his fuel, his +metal, and his stamps? If I employ a shoe-boy, is it in view to his +advantage, or to my own convenience? I mention the person of William +Wood alone, because no other appears, and we are not to reason upon +surmises; neither would it avail, if they had a real foundation. + +Allowing therefore, (for we cannot do less) that this patent, for the +coining of halfpence, was wholly intended, by a gracious king, and a +wise public-spirited ministry, for the advantage of Ireland; yet when +the whole kingdom to a man, for whose good the patent was designed, do, +upon maturest consideration, universally join, in openly declaring, +protesting, addressing, petitioning, against these halfpence, as the +most ruinous project that ever was set on foot, to complete the slavery +and destruction of a poor innocent country: Is it, was it, can it, or +will it ever be a question, not whether such a kingdom, or William Wood, +should be a gainer; but whether such a kingdom should be wholly undone, +destroyed, sunk, depopulated, made a scene of misery and desolation, for +the sake of William Wood? God, of His infinite mercy, avert this +dreadful judgment; and it is our universal wish, that God would put it +into your hearts to be His instruments for so good a work. + +For my own part, who am but one man, of obscure condition, I do solemnly +declare, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will suffer the most +ignominious and torturing death, rather than submit to receive this +accursed coin, or any other that shall be liable to the same objections, +until they shall be forced upon me, by a law of my own country; and if +that shall ever happen, I will transport myself into some foreign land, +and eat the bread of poverty among a free people. + +Am I legally punishable for these expressions? Shall another +proclamation issue against me, because I presume to take my country's +part against William Wood; where her final destruction is intended? But, +whenever you shall please to impose silence upon me, I will submit; +because, I look upon your unanimous voice to be the voice of the nation; +and this I have been taught, and do believe to be, in some manner, the +voice of God. + +The great ignominy of a whole kingdom, lying so long at mercy, under so +vile an adversary, is such a deplorable aggravation, that the utmost +expressions of shame and rage, are too low to set it forth; and +therefore, I shall leave it to receive such a resentment, as is worthy +of a parliament. + +It is likewise our universal wish, that His Majesty would grant liberty +to coin halfpence in this kingdom, for our own use; under such +restrictions as a parliament here shall advise: Since the power of +coining even gold and silver, is possessed by every petty prince abroad; +and was always practised by Scotland, to the very time of the Union; yet +surely Scotland, as to soil, climate, and extent, is not, in itself, a +fourth part the value of Ireland; (for Bishop Burnet says, it is not +above a fortieth part in value, to the rest of Britain) and with respect +to the profit that England gains from hence, not the forty thousandth +part. Although I must confess, that a mote in the eye, or a thorn in the +side, is more dangerous and painful than a beam, or a spike at a +distance. + +The histories of England, and of most other countries, abound in +relating the miserable, and sometimes the most tragical effects, from +the abuses of coin; by debasing the metal, by lessening, or enhancing +the value upon occasions, to the public loss; of which we have an +example, within our own memory in England, and another very lately in +France. It is the tenderest point of government, affecting every +individual, in the highest degree. When the value of money is arbitrary, +or unsettled; no man can well be said to have any property at all; nor +is any wound so suddenly felt, so hardly cured, or that leaves such deep +and lasting scars behind it. + +I conceive this poor unhappy island, to have a title to some indulgence +from England; not only upon the score of Christianity, natural equity, +and the general rights of mankind; but chiefly on account of that +immense profit they receive from us; without which, that kingdom would +make a very different figure in Europe, from what it doth at present. + +The rents of land in Ireland, since they have been of late so enormously +raised, and screwed up, may be computed to about two millions; whereof +one-third part, at least, is directly transmitted to those, who are +perpetual absentees in England; as I find by a computation made with the +assistance of several skilful gentlemen. + +The other articles by which we are altogether losers, and England a +gainer; we found to amount to almost as much more. I will only set down +as many heads of them as I can remember; and leave them to the +consideration of those, who understand accounts better than I pretend to +do. + +The occasional absentees, for business, health, or diversion. + +Three-fourths of the revenue of the chief governor, during his absence; +which is usually four-fifths of his government. + +The whole revenue of the post-office. + +The numerous pensions paid to persons in England. + +The pay of the chief officers of the army absent in England, which is a +great sum. + +Four commissioners of the revenue, always absent. + +Civil employments very numerous, and of great income. + +The vast charge of appeals to the House of Lords, and to the Court of +Delegates. + +Students at the Inns of Court, and the two Universities. + +Eighty thousand pounds sent yearly to England, for coals; whereof the +prime cost is nothing; and therefore, the profit wholly theirs. + +One hundred thousand pounds paid several years past, for corn sent over +hither from England; the effect of our own great wisdom in discouraging +agriculture. + +The kind liberty granted us of wearing Indian stuffs, and calicoes, to +gratify the vanity and folly of our women; which, beside the profit to +England, is an unconceivable loss to us; forcing the weavers to beg in +our streets, or transport themselves to foreign countries. + +The prodigious loss to us, and gain to England, by selling them all our +wool at their own rates; whereof the manufacture exceeds above ten times +the prime cost: A proceeding without example in the Christian or heathen +world. + +Our own wool returned upon us, in English manufactures, to our infinite +shame and damage; and the great advantage of England. + +The full profit of all our mines accruing to England; an effect of great +negligence and stupidity. + +An affectation among us, of liking all kinds of goods made in England. + +NOTE, Many of the above articles have been since particularly computed +by another writer, to whose treatise the reader is referred.[4] + +[Footnote 4: The work referred to is "A List of the Absentees of +Ireland, and the yearly value of their estates and Incomes spent +abroad," by Thomas Prior, Esq. Prior was a native of Ireland and the +schoolfellow and life-long friend of Berkeley, the philosopher. In +concert with Samuel Madden and other friends, he founded, in 1731, the +Dublin Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Manufactures, Arts and +Sciences. This society was the parent of the present Royal Dublin +Society. His "List of the Absentees of Ireland" was published in 1729. +He also issued "Observations on Coin" (1730), and "An Authentic +Narrative of the Success of Tar Water in Curing a great number and +variety of Distempers" (1746), to which Berkeley contributed. [T.S.]] + +These and many other articles, which I cannot recollect at present, are +agreed by judicious men to amount to near seven hundred thousand pounds +_per ann_. clear profit to England. And, upon the whole, let any man +look into those authors who write upon the subject of commerce, he shall +find, that there is not one single article in the essentials, or +circumstances of trade, whereby a country can be a loser, which we do +not possess in the highest perfection; somewhat, in every particular, +that bears a kind of analogy to William Wood; and now the branches are +all cut off, he stands ready with his axe at the root. + +Upon this subject of perpetual absentees, I have spent some time in very +insignificant reflections; and considering the usual motives of human +actions, which are pleasure, profit, and ambition, I cannot yet +comprehend how those persons find their account in any of the three. I +speak not of those English peers or gentlemen, who, beside their estates +at home, have possessions here; for, in that case, the matter is +desperate; but I mean those lords, and wealthy knights, or squires, +whose birth, and partly their education, and all their fortune (except +some trifle, and that in very few instances) are in this kingdom. I knew +many of them well enough, during several years, when I resided in +England; and truly I could not discover that the figure they made was, +by any means, a subject for envy; at least it gave me two very different +passions: For, excepting the advantage of going now and then to an +opera, or sometimes appearing behind a crowd at Court; or adding to the +ring of coaches in Hyde Park, or losing their money at the Chocolate +House; or getting news, votes, and minutes, about five days before us in +Dublin, I say, besides these, and a few other privileges of less +importance, their temptations to live in London, were beyond my +knowledge or conception. And I used to wonder, how a man of birth and +spirit, could endure to be wholly insignificant and obscure in a foreign +country, when he might live with lustre in his own; and even at less +than half that expense, which he strains himself to make, without +obtaining any one end; except that which happened to the frog when he +would needs contend for size with the ox. I have been told by scholars, +that Caesar said, he would rather be the first man, in I know not what +village, than the second in Rome. This, perhaps, was a thought only fit +for Caesar: But to be preceded by thousands, and neglected by millions; +to be wholly without power, figure, influence, honour, credit, or +distinction, is not, in my poor opinion, a very amiable situation of +life, to a person of title, or wealth, who can so cheaply and easily +shine in his native country. + +But, besides the depopulating of the kingdom, the leaving so many parts +of it wild and uncultivated, the ruin of so many country-seats and +plantations, the cutting down all the woods to supply expenses in +England; the absence of so many noble and wealthy persons, hath been the +cause of another fatal consequence, which few perhaps have been aware +of. For if that very considerable number of lords, who possess the +amplest fortunes here, had been content to live at home, and attend the +affairs of their own country in Parliament; the weight, reputation, and +dignity thereby added to that noble House, would, in all human +probability, have prevented certain proceedings, which are now ever to +be lamented; because they never can be remedied: And we might have then +decided our own properties among ourselves, without being forced to +travel five hundred miles by sea and land, to another kingdom, for +justice; to our infinite expense, vexation, and trouble: Which is a mark +of servitude without example, from the practice of any age or nation in +the world. + +I have sometimes wondered, upon what motive the peerage of England were +so desirous to determine our controversies; because I have been assured, +and partly know, that the frequent appeals from hence, have been very +irksome to that illustrious body; and whoever hath frequented the +Painted Chamber, and Court of Requests, must have observed, that they +are never so nobly filled, as when an Irish appeal is under debate. + +The peers of Scotland, who are very numerous, were content to reside in +their castles and houses, in that bleak and barren climate; and although +some of them made frequent journeys to London, yet I do not remember any +of their greatest families, till very lately, to have made England their +constant habitation, before the Union: Or, if they did, I am sure it was +generally to their own advantage; and whatever they got, was employed to +cultivate and increase their own estates; and by that means enrich +themselves and their country. + +As to the great number of rich absentees, under the degree of peers; +what particular ill effects their absence may have upon this kingdom, +besides those already mentioned, may perhaps be too tender a point for +me to touch. But whether those who live in another kingdom, upon great +estates here; and have lost all regards to their own country, further +than upon account of the revenues they receive from it: I say, whether +such persons may not be prevailed on to recommend others to vacant +seats, who have no interest here, except a precarious employment; and +consequently can have no views, but to preserve what they have got, or +to be higher advanced: This, I am sure, is a very melancholy question, +if it be a question at all. + +But, besides the prodigious profit which England receives by the +transmittal thither of two-thirds of the revenues of this whole kingdom; +it hath another mighty advantage by making our country a receptacle, +wherein to disburthen themselves of their supernumerary pretenders to +offices; persons of second-rate merit in their own country; who, like +birds of passage, most of them thrive and fatten here, and fly off when +their credit and employments are at an end. So that Ireland may justly +say what Luther said of himself; POOR Ireland maketh many rich. + +If amidst all our difficulties, I should venture to assert, that we have +one great advantage, provided we could improve it as we ought; I believe +most of my readers would be long in conjecturing what possible advantage +could ever fall to our share. However, it is certain, that all the +regular seeds of party and faction among us are entirely rooted out, and +if any new ones shall spring up, they must be of equivocal generation, +without any seed at all; and will justly be imputed to a degree of +stupidity beyond even what we have been ever charged with upon the score +of our birth-place and climate. + +The parties in this kingdom (including those of modern date) are, First, +of those who have been charged or suspected to favour the Pretender; and +those who were zealous opposers of him. Secondly, of those who were for +and against a toleration of Dissenters by law. Thirdly, of High and Low +Church; or, (to speak in the cant of the times) of Whig and Tory: And, +Fourthly, of court and country. If there be any more, they are beyond my +observation or politics: For as to subaltern or occasional parties, they +have all been derivations from the same originals. + +Now, it is manifest, that all these incitements to faction, party, and +division are wholly removed from among us. For, as to the Pretender, his +cause is both desperate and obsolete: There are very few now alive who +were _men_ in his father's time, and in that prince's interest; and in +all others, the obligation of conscience hath no place;[5] even the +Papists in general, of any substance, or estates, and their priests +almost universally, are what we call Whigs in the sense which by that +word is generally understood. They feel the smart, and see the scars of +their former wounds; and very well know, that they must be made a +sacrifice to the least attempts towards a change; although it cannot be +doubted, that they would be glad to have their superstition restored, +under any prince whatsoever. + +[Footnote 5: That is to say, they had not sworn any allegiance to him. +[T.S.]] + +Secondly, The Dissenters are now tolerated by law; neither do we observe +any murmurs at present from that quarter, except those reasonable +complaints they make of persecution, because they are excluded from +civil employments; but their number being very small in either House of +Parliament, they are not yet in a situation to erect a party: Because, +however indifferent men may be with regard to religion, they are now +grown wise enough to know, that if such a latitude were allowed to +Dissenters; the few small employments left us in cities and +corporations, would find other hands to lay hold on them. + +Thirdly, The dispute between High and Low Church is now at an end; +two-thirds of the bishops having been promoted in this reign, and most +of them from England, who have bestowed all preferments in their gift to +those they could well confide in: The deaneries all except three, and +many principal church-livings, are in the donation of the crown: So that +we already possess such a body of clergy as will never engage in +controversy upon that antiquated and exploded subject. + +Lastly, As to court and country parties, so famous and avowed under most +reigns in English Parliaments: This kingdom hath not, for several years +past been a proper scene whereon to exercise such contentions; and is +now less proper than ever; many great employments for life being in +distant hands, and the reversions diligently watched and secured; the +temporary ones of any inviting value are all bestowed elsewhere as fast +as they drop; and the few remaining, are of too low consideration to +create contests about them, except among younger brothers, or tradesmen +like myself. And, therefore, to institute a court and country party +without materials, would be a very new system in politics, and what I +believe was never thought on before; nor, unless in a nation of idiots, +can ever succeed. For the most ignorant Irish cottager will not sell his +cow for a groat. + +Therefore, I conclude, that all party and faction, with regard to public +proceedings, are now extinguished in this kingdom; neither doth it +appear in view how they can possibly revive; unless some new causes be +administered; which cannot be done without crossing the interests of +those who are greatest gainers by continuing the same measures. And, +general calamities without hope of redress, are allowed to be the great +uniters of mankind. + +However we may dislike the causes; yet this effect of begetting an +universal concord among us in all national debates, as well as in +cities, corporations, and country neighbourhoods, may keep us at least +alive, and in a condition to eat the little bread allowed us in peace +and amity. I have heard of a quarrel in a tavern, where all were at +daggers-drawing, till one of the company cried out, desiring to know the +subject of the quarrel; which, when none of them could tell, they put up +their swords, sat down, and passed the rest of the evening in quiet. The +former part hath been our case; I hope the latter will be so too; that +we shall sit down amicably together, at least until we have something +that may give us a title to fall out; since nature hath instructed even +a brood of goslings to stick together while the kite is hovering over +their heads. + +It is certain, that a firm union in any country, where every man wishes +the same thing with relation to the public, may, in several points of +the greatest importance, in some measure, supply the defect of power; +and even of those rights which are the natural and undoubted inheritance +of mankind. If the universal wish of the nation upon any point, were +declared by the unanimous vote of the House of Commons, and a reasonable +number of Lords; I should think myself obliged in conscience to act in +my sphere according to that vote; because, in all free nations, I take +the proper definition of law to be the will of the majority of those who +have the property in land; which, if there be a monarchy, is to be +confirmed by the royal assent. And, although such votes or declarations +have not received such a confirmation, for certain accidental reasons; +yet I think they ought to be of much weight with the subject; provided +they neither oppose the King's prerogative, endanger the peace of the +nation, nor infringe any law already in force; none of which, however, +can reasonably be supposed. Thus, for instance, if nine in ten of the +House of Commons, and a reasonable number of native temporal peers, +should declare, that whoever received or uttered brass coin, except +under certain limitations and securities, should be deemed as enemies to +the King and the nation; I should think it a heinous sin in myself to +act contrary to such a vote: And, if the same power should declare the +same censure against those who wore Indian stuffs and calicoes, or +woollen manufactures imported from abroad, whereby this nation is +reduced to the lowest ebb of misery; I should readily, heartily, and +cheerfully pay obedience; and to my utmost power persuade others to do +the like: Because, there is no law of this land obliging us either to +receive such coin, or to wear such foreign manufactures. + +Upon this last article, I could humbly wish that the reverend the clergy +would set us an example, by contenting themselves with wearing gowns, +and other habiliments of Irish drapery; which, as it would be some +incitement to the laity, and set many hands to work; so they would find +their advantage in the cheapness; which is a circumstance not to be +neglected by too many among that venerable body.[6] And, in order to +this, I could heartily desire, that the most ingenious artists of the +weaving trade, would contrive some decent stuffs and silks for +clergymen, at reasonable rates.[7] + +[Footnote 6: This hath since been put in practice, by the persuasions, +and influence of the supposed author; but much defeated by the most +infamous fraud of shop-keepers. [F.]] + +[Footnote 7: This scheme was likewise often urged to the weavers by the +supposed author; but he could never prevail upon them to put it in +practice. [F.]] + +I have pressed several of our most substantial brethren, that the whole +corporation of weavers in silk and woollen, would publish some +proposals, (I wish they would do it to both Houses of Parliament) +inviting persons of all degrees, and of both sexes, to wear the woollen +and silk manufactures of our own country; entering into solemn, mutual +engagements, that the buyer shall have good, substantial, merchantable +ware for his money; and at a certain rate, without the trouble of +cheapening: So that, if I sent a child for a piece of stuff of a +particular colour and fineness, I should be sure not to be deceived; or +if I had reason to complain, the corporation should give me immediate +satisfaction; and the name of the tradesman who did me the wrong, should +be published; and warning given not to deal with him for the future; +unless the matter plainly appeared to be a mistake: For, besides the +trouble of going from shop to shop; an ignorant customer runs the hazard +of being cheated in the price and goodness of what he buys; being forced +to an unequal combat with a dexterous, and dishonest man, in his own +calling. Thus our goods fall under a general disreputation; and the +gentry call for English cloth, or silk, from an opinion they have (and +often too justly by our own faults) that the goodness more than makes up +for the difference of price. + +Besides, it hath been the sottish and ruinous practice of us tradesmen, +upon any great demand of goods, either at home or from abroad, to raise +the prices immediately, and manufacture the said goods more slightly and +fraudulently than before. + +Of this foul and foolish proceeding, too many instances might be +produced; and I cannot forbear mentioning one, whereby this poor kingdom +hath received such a fatal blow in the only article of trade allowed us +of any importance that nothing but the success of Wood's project, could +outdo it. During the late plague in France, the Spaniards, who buy their +linen cloths in that kingdom, not daring to venture thither for fear of +infection; a very great demand was made here for that commodity, and +exported to Spain: But, whether by the ignorance of the merchants, or +dishonesty of the Northern weavers, or the collusion of both; the ware +was so bad, and the price so excessive, that except some small +quantity, which was sold below the prime cost, the greatest part was +returned back: And I have been told by very intelligent persons, that if +we had been fair dealers, the whole current of the linen trade to Spain +would have taken its course from hence. + +If any punishment were to be inflicted on numbers of men; surely there +could none be thought too great for such a race of traitors, and enemies +to God and their country; who for the prospect of a little present gain, +do not only ruin themselves, (for that alone would be an example to the +rest, and a blessing to the nation) but sell their souls to hell, and +their country to destruction; And, if the plague could have been +confined only to these who were partakers in the guilt, had it travelled +hither from Marseilles, those wretches would have died with less title +to pity, than a highwayman going to the gallows. + +But, it happens very unluckily, that, for some time past, all endeavours +or proposals from private persons, to advance the public service; +however honestly and innocently designed, have been called _flying in +the King's face:_ And this, to my knowledge, hath been the style of some +persons, whose ancestors, (I mean those among them who had any) and +themselves, have been flying in princes' faces these fourscore years; +and from their own inclinations would do so still, if their interest did +not lead them rather to fly in the face of a kingdom; which hath given +them wings to enable them for such a flight. + +Thus, about four years ago, when a discourse was published, endeavouring +to persuade our people to wear their own woollen manufactures,[8] full +of the most dutiful expressions to the King, and without the least party +hint; it was termed "flying in the King's face;" the printer was +prosecuted in the manner we all remember; (and, I hope, it will +somewhere be remembered further) the jury kept eleven hours, and sent +back nine times, till they were under the necessity of leaving the +prisoner to the mercy of the court, by a special verdict. The judge on +the bench invoking God for his witness, when he asserted, that the +author's design was to bring in the Pretender.[9] + +[Footnote 8: This was Swift's pamphlet entitled, "A Proposal for the +Universal Use of Irish Manufactures." [T.S.]] + +[Footnote 9: The action and language of Justice Whitshed. [T.S.]] + +And thus also, my own poor endeavours to prevent the ruin of my country, +by the admission of Wood's coin, was called by the same persons, "flying +in the King's face;" which I directly deny: For I cannot allow that +vile representation of the royal countenance in William Wood's +adulterate copper, to be his Sacred Majesty's face; or if it were, my +flying was not against the impression, but the baseness of the metal; +because I well remembered; that the image which Nebuchadnezzar +"commanded to be set up, for all men to fall down and worship it," was +not of _copper_, but pure _gold_. And I am heartily sorry, we have so +few royal images of that metal among us; the sight whereof, although it +could hardly increase our veneration for His Majesty, which is already +so great; yet would very much enliven it with a mixture of comfort and +satisfaction. + +Alexander the Great, would suffer no statuary, except Phidias, to carve +his image in stone or metal. How must he have treated such an operator +as Wood, who goes about with sackfuls of dross; odiously misrepresenting +his Prince's countenance; and would force them, by thousands, upon every +one of us, at above six times the value. + +But, notwithstanding all that hath been objected by William Wood +himself; together with his favourers, abettors, supporters, either +public or private; by those who connive at his project, or discourage +and discountenance his opposers, for fear of lessening their favour, or +hazarding their employments; by those who endeavour to damp the spirit +of the people raised against this coin; or check the honest zeal of such +as by their writings, or discourses, do all they can to keep it up: +Those softeners, sweeteners, compounders; and expedient-mongers, who +shake their heads so strongly, that we can hear their pockets jingle; I +did never imagine, that, in detecting the practices of such enemies to +the kingdom, I was "flying in the King's face"; or thought they were +better representers of His Majesty, than that very coin, for which they +are secret or open advocates. + +If I were allowed to recite only those wishes of the nation, which may +be in our power to attain; I think they might be summed up in these few +following. + +First, That an end might be put to our apprehensions of Wood's +halfpence, and to any danger of the like destructive scheme for the +future. + +Secondly; That halfpence might be coined in this kingdom, by a public +mint, with due limitations. + +Thirdly, That the sense of both Houses of Parliament, at least of the +House of Commons, were declared by some unanimous and hearty votes, +against wearing any silk or woollen manufactures, imported from abroad, +as likewise against wearing Indian silks or calicoes, which are +forbidden under the highest penalties in England: And it behoves us, to +take example from so wise a nation; because we are under a greater +necessity to do so, since we are not allowed to export any woollen +manufactures of our own; which is the principal branch of foreign trade +in England. + +Fourthly, That some effectual methods may be taken to civilize the +poorer sort of our natives, in all those parts of this kingdom where the +Irish abound; by introducing among them our language and customs; for +want of which they live in the utmost ignorance, barbarity and poverty; +giving themselves wholly up to idleness, nastiness, and thievery, to the +very great and just reproach of too many landlords. And, if I had in me +the least spirit of a projector, I would engage that this might be +effected in a few years, at a very inconsiderable charge.[10] + +[Footnote 10: Since this hint was suggested, several useful seminaries +have been instituted, under the name of "Charter Working Schools," in +Ireland, supported by the royal benefaction of a thousand pounds a year, +by a tax on hawkers and pedlars, and by voluntary subscriptions. The +schools are for the education of boys and girls born of Popish parents; +in most of them, the children manufacture their own clothing, and the +boys are employed in matters relative to husbandry. [F.] + +These Charter Schools, founded by Marsh, Bishop of Clogher, and adopted +by Primate Boulter in 1733, were intended "to rescue the souls of +thousands of poor children from the dangers of Popish superstition and +idolatry, and their bodies from the miseries of idleness and beggary." +In reality the scheme was one by which it was hoped to prevent the +growth of Catholicism. The conditions and methods of instruction were +positively cruel, since the children were actually withheld from any +communication with their parents. Mr. Lecky deals with the subject fully +in the first volume of his "Ireland in the Eighteenth Century," Froude +gives the scheme his praise and admiration, but at the time of its +institution it was the cause of "an intensity of bitterness hardly +equalled by any portion of the penal code. Parents would rather do +anything than send their children into such prisons where, at last, they +would receive an education which, to their minds, must lead them to +forfeit their soul's salvation." [T.S.]] + +Fifthly, That due encouragement should be given to agriculture; and a +stop put to that pernicious practice of graziers; engrossing vast +quantities of land, sometimes at great distance; whereby the country is +extremely depopulated. + +Sixthly, That the defects in those acts for planting forest trees, might +be fully supplied, since they have hitherto been wholly ineffectual; +except about the demesnes of a few gentlemen; and even there, in +general, very unskilfully made, and thriving accordingly. Neither hath +there yet been due care taken to preserve what is planted, or to enclose +grounds; not one hedge, in a hundred, coming to maturity, for want of +skill and industry. The neglect of copsing woods cut down, hath likewise +been of very ill consequences. And if men were restrained from that +unlimited liberty of cutting down their own woods before the proper +time, as they are in some other countries; it would be a mighty benefit +to the kingdom. For, I believe, there is not another example in Europe, +of such a prodigious quantity of excellent timber cut down, in so short +a time, with so little advantage to the country, either in shipping or +building. + +I may add, that absurd practice of cutting turf, without any regularity; +whereby great quantities of restorable land are made utterly desperate, +many thousands of cattle destroyed, the turf more difficult to come at, +and carry home, and less fit for burning; the air made unwholesome by +stagnating pools and marshes; and the very sight of such places +offensive to those who ride by. Neither should that odious custom be +allowed, of cutting scraws, (as they call them) which is flaying off the +green surface of the ground, to cover their cabins; or make up their +ditches; sometimes in shallow soils, where all is gravel within a few +inches; and sometimes in low ground, with a thin greensward, and sloughy +underneath; which last turns all into bog, by this mismanagement. And, +I have heard from very skilful country-men, that by these two practices +in turf and scraws, the kingdom loseth some hundreds of acres of +profitable land every year; besides the irreparable loss of many skirts +of bogs, which have a green coat of grass, and yet are mangled for turf; +and, besides the want of canals, by regular cutting, which would not +only be a great convenience for bringing their turf home at an easy +rate; but likewise render even the larger bogs more dry and safe, for +summer pasture. + +These, and some other speculations of the like kind, I had intended to +publish in a particular discourse against this session of Parliament; +because, in some periods of my life, I had opportunity and curiosity to +observe, from what causes those great errors, in every branch of country +management, have arisen; of which I have now ventured to relate but few, +out of very many; whereof some, perhaps, would not be mentioned without +giving offence; which I have endeavoured, by all possible means, to +avoid. And, for the same reason, I chose to add here, the little I +thought proper to say on this subject. + +But, as to the lands of those who are perpetual absentees, I do not see +any probability of their being ever improved. In former times, their +tenants sat at easy rents; but for some years past, they have been, +generally speaking, more terribly racked by the dexterity of merciless +agents from England, than even those held under the severest landlords +here. I was assured upon the place, by great numbers of credible people, +that a prodigious estate in the county of Cork, being let upon leases +for lives, and great fines paid; the rent was so high, that the tenants +begged leave to surrender their leases, and were content to lose their +fines. + +The cultivating and improvement of land, is certainly a subject worthy +of the highest enquiry in any country, but especially in ours; where we +are so strangely limited in every branch of trade, that can be of +advantage to us; and utterly deprived of those, which are of the +greatest importance; whereof I defy the most learned man in Europe, to +produce me an example from any other kingdom in the world: For, we are +denied the benefits which God and nature intended to us; as manifestly +appears by our happy situation for commerce, and the great number of +our excellent ports. So that, I think, little is left us, beside the +cultivating our own soil, encouraging agriculture, and making great +plantations of trees, that we might not be under the necessity of +sending for corn and bark from England, and timber from other countries. +This would increase the number of our inhabitants, and help to consume +our natural products, as well as manufactures at home. And I shall never +forget what I once ventured to say to a great man in England; "That few +politicians, with all their schemes, are half so useful members of a +commonwealth, as an honest farmer; who, by skilfully draining, fencing, +manuring, and planting, hath increased the intrinsic value of a piece of +land; and thereby done a perpetual service to his country;" which it is +a great controversy, whether any of the former ever did, since the +creation of the world; but no controversy at all, that ninety-nine in a +hundred, have done abundance of mischief. + + + + +APPENDIXES + + + + + +APPENDIX I + +ADDRESSES TO THE KING[1] + + +"To the King's most Excellent MAJESTY: _The humble_ ADDRESS _of the_ +Knights, Citizens _and_ Burgesses, _in Parliament assembled._ + +"MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, + +It is with the utmost Concern, that We, Your Majesty's most dutiful +subjects, the Commons of IRELAND in Parliament assembled, find ourselves +indispensably obliged, to represent to Your Majesty, our unanimous +Opinion: That the importing and uttering of _Copper Farthings_ and +_Halfpence_ by virtue of the Patent lately granted to _William Wood,_ +Esq.; under the Great Seal of _Great Britain,_ will be highly +prejudicial to Your Majesty's Revenue, destructive of the trade and +commerce of this nation, and of the most dangerous consequence to the +properties of the subject. + +[Footnote 1: Addresses by the House of Commons and the House of Lords +presented to the King in conformity with the resolutions passed by these +Houses. See Introductory Note to the Drapier's First Letter. The texts +of these addresses are taken from "Fraud Detected: or, the Hibernian +Patriot," printed by George Faulkner in 1725. [T.S.]] + +"We are fully convinced, from the tender regard Your Majesty has always +expressed for our welfare and prosperity, that this Patent could not +have been obtained, had not _William Wood_ and his accomplices, greatly +misrepresented the state of this nation to Your Majesty, it having +appeared to us, by Examinations taken in the most solemn manner, that +though the terms thereof had been strictly complied with, there would +have been a loss to this nation of at least 150 _per Cent._ by means of +the said coinage, and a much greater in the manner the said _Half-pence_ +have been coined. + +"We likewise beg leave to inform Your Majesty, That the said _William +Wood_ has been guilty of a most notorious fraud and deceit in coining +the said _Half-pence,_ having, under colour of the powers granted unto +him, imported and endeavoured to utter great quantities of different +impressions, and of much less weight than was required by the said +Patent. + +"Your faithful _Commons_ have found, by experience, That the granting +the power or privilege of coining _Money_, or _Tokens_ to pass for +_Money_ to private persons, has been highly detrimental to your loyal +subjects; and being apprehensive, that the vesting such power in any +body politic or corporate, or any private person or persons whatsoever, +will be always of dangerous Consequence to this Kingdom, are encouraged, +by the repeated assurances Your Majesty hath given us of Your Royal +Favour and Protection, humbly to entreat Your Majesty, That whenever you +shall hereafter think it necessary to coin any _Farthings_ or +_Half-pence,_ the same may be made as near the intrinsic value as +possible, and that whatever profit shall accrue thereby, may be applied +to the public service. + +"And we do further humbly beseech Your Majesty, That you will be +graciously pleased to give such direction, as you, in your great wisdom, +shall think proper, to prevent the fatal effects of uttering any +_Farthings_ or _Half-pence_ pursuant to the said Patent. + +"As this enquiry has proceeded entirely from our love to our country, so +we cannot omit this opportunity of repeating our unanimous resolution, +to stand by and support Your Majesty to the utmost of our power, against +all Your enemies, both at home and abroad; and of assuring Your Majesty, +that we will, upon every occasion, give Your Majesty, and the world, all +possible demonstration of our zeal and inviolable duty and affection to +Your Majesty's most sacred person and government, and to the succession, +as established in Your Royal House." + +"To the King's most Excellent MAJESTY. _The humble Address of the Lords +Spiritual and Temporal of_ IRELAND, _in Parliament assembled, against_ +Wm. Wood. + +"May it please Your most Sacred Majesty, WE the Lords Spiritual and +Temporal in Parliament assembled, are under the utmost concern to find, +that our duty to Your Majesty and our Country, indispensably calls upon +us to acquaint Your Majesty with the ill consequences, which will +inevitably follow from a Patent for coining Half-pence and Farthings to +be uttered in this Kingdom, obtained under the Great Seal of _Great +Britain,_ by one _William Wood_ in a clandestine and unprecedented +manner, and by a gross misrepresentation of the state of this Kingdom. + +"We are most humbly of opinion, that the diminution of Your Majesty's +revenue, the ruin of our trade, and the impoverishing of your people, +must unavoidably attend this undertaking; and we beg leave to observe to +Your Majesty, that from the most exact Enquiries and Computations we +have been able to make, it appears to us, that the gain to _William +Wood_ will be excessive, and the loss to this Kingdom, by circulating +this base coin, greater than this poor country is able to bear. + +"With the greatest submission and deference to Your Majesty's wisdom, we +beg we may offer it as our humble opinion. That the reserving the +coining of _Half-pence_ and _Farthings_ to the _Crown_ and _the not +intrusting it_ with any private person, body politic or corporate, will +always be for Your Majesty's service, and the good of your people in +_this Kingdom._ + +"In confidence, Sir, of your paternal care of the welfare of _this_ +country, we beseech Your Majesty, that you will be pleased to extend +that goodness and compassion to us, which has so eminently shewed itself +to all your other subjects, who have the happiness to live under your +protection and government; and that you will give such directions as may +effectually free us from the terrible apprehensions we labour under from +the _Patent_ granted to _William Wood."_ + +The following was the King's reply to the above address: + + +"GEORGE R. + +"His _Majesty is very much concerned to see, That His granting the +Patent for coining_ Half-pence _and_ Farthings _agreeable to the +Practice of his Royal Predecessors, has given so much uneasiness to the_ +House of Lords: _And if there have been any abuses committed by the_ +Patentee, _His Majesty will give the necessary Orders for enquiring +into, and punishing those Abuses. And will do everything that is in His +Power, for the Satisfaction of His People."_ + + + + +APPENDIX II + +REPORT OF THE ASSAY ON WOOD'S COINAGE, MADE BY SIR ISAAC NEWTON, EDWARD +SOUTHWELL, ESQ., AND THOMAS SCROOPE, ESQ.[1] + + +"_To the right honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's +Treasury. + +"May it please your Lordships_, + +According to your Lordships' Order, the pix of the copper-money coined +at Bristol by Mr. Wood for Ireland, has been opened and tried before us +at his Majesty's Mint in the Tower; and by the Comptroller's account, to +which Mr. Wood agreed, there hath been coined from Lady-day 1723 to +March 28, 1724, in half-pence, fifty and five tons, five hundred and +three quarters, and twelve ounces, and in farthings, three tons, +seventeen hundred and two quarters, ten pounds, and eight ounces, +_avoirdupois_, the whole coinage amounting to 59 tons, 3 cwt, 1 qr. +11 lbs. 4 ozs., and by the specimens of this coinage which have, from +time to time, been taken from the several parcels coined and sealed up +in papers, and put into the pix, we found that sixty half-pence weighed +fourteen ounces, _Troy_, and eight pennyweight, which is about a quarter +of an ounce above one pound _avoirdupois_; and that thirty farthings +weighed three ounces, and three quarters of an ounce _Troy_, and +forty-six grains, which is also above the weight required by his Patent. +We found also that both half-pence and farthings when heated red hot, +spread thin under the hammer without cracking, as your Lordships may see +by the pieces now laid before your Lordships. But although the copper +was very good, and the money, one piece with another, was full weight, +yet the single pieces were not so equally coined in the weight as they +should have been. + +[Footnote 1: The copy of this Report as here printed is taken from the +tract already quoted in previous notes, entitled, "A Defence of the +Conduct of the People of Ireland in their unanimous Refusal of Mr. +Wood's Copper-money ... Dublin: Printed for George Ewing, at the Angel +and Bible in Dames-Street, MDCCXXIV." As already noted, the assayists +had for trial only those coins which were coined between March, 1723, +and March, 1724, and these coins were neither imported into Ireland nor +attempted to be uttered there. As Wood asked for the assay, he no doubt +knew what he was about. But even as it stands, the Report was not very +favourable to him. The author of the tract named above enters minutely +into this point, and for a further inquiry the reader is referred to +pages 15 to 19 of his publication. [T.S.]] + +"We found also that thirty and two old half-pence coined for Ireland in +the reigns of King Charles 2d., King James 2d., and King William 3d. and +Queen Mary, and produced by Mr. Wood, weighed six ounces and eight +pennyweight _Troy_, that is, one hundred and three grains and a half +apiece one with another. They were much worn, and if about six or seven +grains be allowed to each of them one with another for loss of their +weight by wearing, the copper-money coined for England, in the reign of +King William being already as much lightened by wearing, they might at +first weigh about half a pound _avoirdupois_; whereas only thirty of +those coined by Mr. Wood are to be of that. They were also made of bad +copper, two of those coined in the reign of King Charles II. wasted much +in the fire, and then spread thin under the hammer, but not so well +without cracking as those of Mr. Wood. Two of those coined in the reign +of King James II. wasted much more in the fire, and were not malleable +when red hot. Two of those coined in the reign of King William and Queen +Mary wasted still more in the fire, and turned to an unmalleable +substance like a cinder, as your Lordships may see the pieces now laid +before you. + +"By the assays we reckon the copper of Mr. Wood's halfpence and +farthings to be of the same goodness and value with the copper of which +the copper money is coined in the King's Mint for England; or worth in +the market about twelve or thirteen pence per pound weight +_avoirdupois_; and the copper of which the half-pence were coined for +Ireland in the reigns of King Charles, King James, and King William, to +be much inferior in value, the mixture being unknown, and not bearing +the fire for converting it to any other use until it be refined. + +"The half-pence and farthings in the pix coined by Mr. Wood had on one +side the head of the King, with this inscription GEORGIUS DEI GRATIA +REX: And on the other side, a woman sitting with a harp by her left +side, and above her the inscription HIBERNIA with the date. The +half-pence coined in the reigns of King Charles, King James, and King +William, had on one side the head of King Charles, King James, or King +William and Queen Mary, and on the reverse a harp crowned. + +"All which facts we most humbly represent to your Lordships. April 27, +1724." + + + + +APPENDIX III + +TOM PUNSIBI'S DREAM[1] + +[Greek: "A ghar proseidon nukthi taeoe phasmata +Disson oneiron, tauta moi---- +Ehi men pephaenen esthlha, dus telesphora, +Eid echthra, tois echthroisin empalin methes +Kai mae me plete te paront ei tines +Doloisi beleueoin ekbalein, ephaes."] + +Soph, Elec. [644-649]. + + +Since the heat of this business, which has of late so much and so justly +concerned this kingdom, is at last, in a great measure over, we may +venture to abate something of our former zeal and vigour in handling it, +and looking upon it as an enemy almost overthrown, consult more our own +amusement than its prejudice, in attacking it in light excursory +skirmishes. Thus much I thought fit to observe, lest the world should be +too apt to make an obvious pun upon me; when beginning to dream upon +this occasion, I presented it with the wild nocturnal rovings of an +unguided imagination, on a subject of so great importance, as the final +welfare or ruin of a whole nation. + +[Footnote 1: The following tract, written probably by Thomas Sheridan, +Swift's humorous friend, is interesting as affording an example of the +lighter kind of literature brought into existence by this agitation. It +may be that Swift had a hand in its composition. The text is taken from +a copy of the original broadside in the South Kensington Collection. It +was published during the height of the controversy. [T.S.]] + +But so it was, that upon reading one of the Drapier's letters, I fell +asleep, and had the following dream: + +The first object that struck me was a woman of exquisite beauty, and a +most majestic air, seated on a throne, whom by the figure of a lion +beneath her feet, and of Neptune who stood by her, and paid her the most +respectful homage, I easily knew to be the Genius of England; at some +distance from her, (though not at so great an one as seemed to be +desired,) I observed a matron clothed in robes so tattered and torn, +that they had not only very nigh lost their original air of royalty and +magnificence, but even exposed her to the inclemency of the weather in +several places, which with many other afflictions had so affected her, +that her natural beauty was almost effaced, and her strength and spirits +very nigh lost. She hung over a harp with which, if she sometimes +endeavoured to sooth her melancholy, she had still the misfortune to +find it more or less out of tune, particularly, when as I perceived at +last, it was strung with a sort of wire of so base composition, that +neither she nor I could make anything of it. I took particular notice, +that, when moved by a just sense of her wrongs, she could at any time +raise her head, she fixed her eyes so stedfastly on her neighbour, +sometimes with an humble and entreating, at others, with a more bold and +resentful regard, that I could not help (however improbable it should +seem from her generous august appearance) in a great measure to +attribute her misfortunes to her; but this I shall submit to the +judgment of the world. + +I should now at last mention the name, were not these circumstances too +unhappily singular to make that any way necessary. + +As I was taken up with many melancholy reflections on this moving +object, I was on a sudden interrupted by a little sort of an uproar, +which, upon turning my eyes towards it, I found arose from a crowd of +people behind her throne; the cause it seems was this: + +There was, I perceived, among them the god of merchandise, with his +sandals, mostly of brass, but not without a small proportion of gold and +silver, and his wings chiefly of the two latter metals, but allayed with +a little of the former; with those he used to trudge up and down to +furnish them with necessaries; with these he'd take a flight to other +countries, but not so dexterously or to so good purpose as in other +places of his office, not so much for want of encouragement among 'em +here, as on account of the haughty jealousy of their neighbours, who, it +seems dreading in them a rival, took care to clip his wings and +circumscribe his flights; the former, more especially, being, by these +and other means so much worn, he performed his office but lamely, which +gave occasion to some who had their own private interest more at heart, +than that of the public, to patch up some of the places that were worn, +with a metal of the same nature indeed, but so slight and base, that +though at first it might serve to carry him on their errands, it soon +failed, and by degrees grew entirely useless; insomuch, that he would +rather be retarded than promoted in his business, and this occasioned +the above disturbances among his dependents, who thereupon turned their +eyes towards their mistress (for by this time she will I presume be +better known by that, than the more homely and sociable name of +neighbour) and not daring of late to say or do anything without her +approbation, made several humble applications to her, beseeching that +she would continue them that liberty of refitting these implements +themselves, which she had been formerly pleased graciously to allow 'em; +but these, however reasonable, were all rejected, whereupon I observed a +certain person (a mean ill-looking fellow) from among a great number of +people that stood behind the genius of England, who, during the whole +affair had kept his eyes intently fixed on his neighbours, watching all +their motions, like a hawk hovering over his quarry, and with just the +same design: Him, I say, I observed to turn off hastily, and make +towards the throne, where being arrived, after some preparations +requisite, he preferred a petition, setting forth the wants and +necessities, (but taking care to make 'em appear at least four times +greater than they really were) of his neighbours, or as he might have +more truly and honestly said his own, both which, for the latter, though +not expressed, he chiefly intended, but modestly or rather knavishly +left to be understood, he begged the royal licence to redress, by +supplying those defects which were the occasion of 'em. This humble +suppliant I observed both before and after this petition, seemed to +employ his utmost industry and art, to insinuate himself into the good +graces of two persons that stood on each side the throne;[2]the one on +the right was a lady of large make and swarthy complexion; the other, a +man, that seemed to be between fifty and sixty, who had an air of deep +designing thought: These two he managed with a great deal of art; for +the lady he employed all the little arts that win her sex, particularly, +I observed, that he frequently took hold of her hand, as in raptures, to +kiss it, in such a manner as made me suspect she did not always draw it +back empty; but this he did so slily, that it was not easy for anybody +to be certain of it: The man on the other hand, he plied his own way +with politics, remonstrating to him the several things he had before the +throne; which however, as might be presumed from his manner of attending +to them, seemed to make little impression; but when he came to lay +before him the great advantages that might accrue from thence to their +mistress, and consequently to him, he heard him with the utmost +eagerness and satisfaction; at last, having plainly told him, that he +himself should be a considerable gainer by it, and thereupon, that every +thing that came to his hands of that nature should be at his service: As +a sort of token or earnest he kissed his hand in the same manner he had +the lady's, and so retired; by these and the like means he soon brought +over both parties to him, who, with a whisper or two, procured him the +royal licence; whereupon he immediately fell to making up a metal, if it +deserved the name, of a very strange composition, wherewith he purposed +to refit the implements of that useful deity, but in such manner, that +for the base metal he put into them, he would take care to draw away +from them an infinitely more than proportionable quantity of gold and +silver, and thereby render him almost incapable of taking flight to +foreign countries; nay, at last perhaps utterly so, when under pretence +of their not being completed, he should filch in more of his metal, and +filch away more of theirs. + +[Footnote 2: The Duchess of Kendal and Sir Robert Walpole. [S.]] + +These things being therefore prepared, he sends 'em over to his +neighbours, and there endeavoured to get them admitted by fair words and +promises, being too sensible that they were not of themselves the most +willing to accept of his favour, and indeed he was not deceived; for +they being advertised of his designs, had taken the alarm, and had +almost to a man united in one common faction against him. This generous +ardour had first taken hold of the most active and important part, and +if I may be allowed to call it, the heart of this body, from thence was +on one side by a quick passage, and in its more refined parts, +communicated through the blood to the contemplative, and reasoning, the +head, which it inspired with noble thoughts and resolutions; and on the +other, to the inferior extremities, which were thereby rendered more +expedite and readier to obey the dictates of the head in a rougher +method of opposition, from each of which extremities being carried back +to its fountain, it was returned to them from thence, and so backwards +and forwards, till the circulation and union were confirmed and +completed, the sordid unnatural, offensive parts being in the meantime +thrown off as dregs of nature, and nuisances of human society; but of +these in so well-tempered a constitution, there were but few; however, +when there were any to be found, though they had been of the most +exalted nature, and bore most noble offices in this body, by any +corruption became so, they shared the common fate, with this only +difference, that they were rejected with greater scorn and contempt on +account of their former dignity, as was found in one notorious instance; +but on the other hand, among all the parts that were serviceable to the +constitution on this occasion, there was not one more so, than a certain +one whose name indeed is not openly known, but whose good offices and +usefulness are too great ever to be forgotten; for it by its nice +diligence and skill selected out things of the most noble and exquisite +nature, by infusing and dispersing them to enliven and invigorate the +whole body, which how effectually they did, our bold projector sadly +experienced. For finding all his endeavours to pass his ware upon them, +disappointed, he withdrew; but his patron on the other side being +informed of what had passed, fell into a most terrible passion, and +threatened, they say, I know not what, of making to swallow and ramming +down throats; but while they were in deep conference together, methought +all on a sudden a trap-door dropped, and down fell our projector; this +unexpected accident did on many accounts not a little alarm the throne, +and gave it but too great occasion to reflect a little on what had been +doing, as what a mean ordinary fellow it had intrusted with the care of +an affair of so great consequence that though their neighbours' refusal +might possibly have put him to such straits as might be the great +occasion of this disgrace, yet that very refusal could not be so +universal and resolute without some reason, which could arise from +nothing else but the unseasonableness or unworthiness of his offers, or +both, and he, consequently, must deserve as much to suffer as they did; +not for the better information, therefore in these surmises some of the +neighbours were consulted, who confirming them, things seemed to bear a +good face, and be in a very fair way of clearing up. When I awoke, I +cannot say whether more pleased at the present posture of affairs, when +I recollected how indifferent an one they had lately been in, or anxious +when upon considering that they were not yet firm and settled, I was led +to reflect in general on the uncertainty of events, and in particular, +on the small reason the persons in hand can have to promise themselves +prosperous ones, especially when they are depending in that part of the +world. + +Dublin, printed in the year 1724-5. + + + + +APPENDIX IV + +A LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ------[1] + +Ceteri, quanto quis servitio promptior, opibus et honoribus extollerentur: +Invalido legum auxilio, quae vi, ambitu, postremo pecunia +turbabantur.--_Tacit. An._ + +To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ------ + + +I fear your lordship in your wonted zeal for the interest of your +country will think this paper very unseasonable; but I am very confident +not more than one man in this kingdom will be of your lordship's +judgment. + +[Footnote 1: The two following severe letters are directly addressed to +Lord Chief Justice Whitshed, and were generally circulated. They +probably underwent Swift's correction, though they have too much of a +legal cast to have been written by the Dean himself.... They were, +perhaps, composed by Mr. Robert Lindsay, distinguished by Swift in his +letter to Lord Midleton, as an eminent lawyer, as well as a man of +virtue and learning, whose legal advice he used during the whole +controversy. [S.] + +The present letters are taken from copies of the original broadsides in +the South Kensington collection. [T.S.]] + +In matters of law your opinion has from our first acquaintance entirely +guided me, and the things you have assured me I might depend upon as +law, have few of them escaped my memory, though I have had but little +conversation with you since you first appeared in Parliament and moved +the House to resolve, That it is the indispensable duty of the judges of +this kingdom to go through their circuits; nor have I had any since you +fell sick and was made solicitor-general. + +I have often heard your lordship affirm, and therefore I do affirm it, +That the great ends for which grand juries were instituted, were the +support of the government, the safety of every man's life and fortune, +it being necessary some should be trusted to inquire after all +disturbers of the peace, that they might be prosecuted and brought to +condign punishment; and it is no less needful for every man's quiet and +safety, that the trust of such inquisitions should be put into the hands +of persons of understanding and integrity, that will suffer no man to be +falsely accused or defamed; nor the lives of any to be put in jeopardy, +by the malicious conspiracies of great or small, or the perjuries of any +profligate wretches. + +So material a part of our constitution are grand juries, so much does +the security of every subject depend upon them, that though anciently +the sheriff was by express law, chosen annually by the people of the +county, and trusted with the power of the county, yet the law left not +the election of grand juries to the will of the sheriff, but has +described their qualifications, which if they have, and the sheriff +return them, no man, nay no judge, can object to their being sworn, much +less may they to their serving when sworn: And to prevent the +discretionary power (a new-fashioned term) of these judges over juries, +you used to say was made the statute of the 11th of Hen. 4. + +Pardon me my lord if I venture to affirm, That a dissolving power is a +breach of that law, or at least an evasion, as every citizen in Dublin +in Sir Constantine Phipps's time perfectly understood, that disapproving +the aldermen lawfully returned to the Privy-council was in effect +assuming the power of choosing and returning----But your lordship and +I know dissolving and disapproving are different terms. + +I always understood from your Lordship the trust and power of grand +juries is or ought to be accounted amongst the greatest and of most +concern, next to the legislative: The honour, reputations, fortunes and +lives of every man being subject to their censure; the kings of England +have an undoubted power of dissolving parliaments, but dissolving 'till +one was returned to their or their ministers' liking, has never been +thought very righteous, and Heaven be praised never very successful. + +I am entirely of your lordship's opinion, the oath of a grand juryman is +not always sufficiently considered by the jurors, which is as follows. + +"You shall diligently enquire, and true presentment make of all such +articles, matters and things as shall be given you in charge; And of all +other matters and things as shall come to your own knowledge, touching +this present service. The King's counsel your fellows' and your own you +shall keep secret," &c.--And from some other men's behaviour, I fear +oaths are not always as sacredly observed as they ought to be: "The +King's counsel, your fellows' and your _own_ you shall keep +secret"--Though our grandmothers my lord might have thought there was a +dispensing power in the Pope, you and I profess no power upon earth can +dispense with this oath, so that to force a man to discover the counsel +he is sworn to keep, is to force him into direct perjury. + +Suppose upon information taken before your Lordship of a rape committed, +a bill of indictment were sent to a grand jury, and the grand jury +return _ignoramus_ on it, application is made to the Court to +recommend it to them to reconsider it, and they return as before +_ignoramus_--Suppose a judge with more than decent passion should ask +them their reasons (which is their counsel) for so doing, nay should be +so particular as to demand of them whether they thought the woman a +whore. Must not all the world conclude somebody had forgot the oath of a +grand juryman? Yes sure, or his own, or worse.--But suppose they should +ask a juror a question might criminate himself? My Lord, you know I put +not bare possibilities, it is generally believed these things have been +done within an oak of this town--And if I am rightly informed, the +restraint a juror is under by his oath, is so well understood, that a +certain person desired the clerk of the Crown to change the form of it +by adding this exception: "unless by leave or order of the Court." + +These things, my Lord, would seem strange in Westminster-hall, and would +be severely noted in St. Stephen's Chapel. The honour of the Crown would +be thought a very false as well as weak plea for such proceedings there, +as indeed it is an infamous one everywhere, for 'tis a scandal upon a +king, if he is represented in a court of justice, as if he were +partially concerned or rather inclined to desire, that a party should be +found guilty, than that he should be declared innocent. + +The King's interest and honour is more concerned in the protection of +the innocent, than in the punishment of the guilty, as in all the +immediate actions of his Majesty we find that maxim pursued, a maxim can +never run a prince into excesses. We do not only find those princes +represented in history under odious characters, who have basely betrayed +the innocent, but such as by their spies and informers were too +inquisitive after the guilty, whereas none was ever blamed for clemency, +or for being too gentle interpreters of the law. Though Trajan was an +excellent prince, endowed with all heroical virtues; yet the most +eloquent writers, and his best friends, found nothing more to be praised +in his government, than that in his time, all men might think what they +pleased, and every man speak what he thought, this I say, that if any +amongst us by violent measures, and a dictatorial behaviour have raised +jealousies in the minds of His Majesty's faithful subjects, the blame +may lie at their door. + +I know it has been said for His Majesty's service, grand juries may be +forced to discover their counsels: But you will confess a king can do +nothing against law, nor will any honest man judge that for his service, +which is not warranted by law. If a constant uninterrupted usage, can +give the force of a law, then the grand jurymen are bound by law, as +well as by their oaths, to keep the King's, their fellows' and their own +counsel secret. Bracton and Britton in their several generations bear +witness, that it was then practised; and greater proof of it needs not +be sought, than the disputes that appear by the law-books to have been +amongst the ancient lawyers, Whether it was treason or felony for a +grand juryman to discover their counsels--The trust of grand juries was +in those days thought so sacred, and their secrecy of so great concern +to the kingdom, that whosoever should break their oaths, was by all +thought worthy to die, only some would have them suffer as traitors, +others as felons. + +If a king's commands should come to the judges of a court of justice or +to a jury, desiring them to vary from the direction of the law, (which +it is criminal to say, and no man ought to be believed therein) they are +bound by their oaths not to regard them. The statute of 2 of E. 3. 8. +and 20 E. 3. I. are express; and the substance of these and other +statutes is inserted into the oaths taken by every judge; and if they be +under the most solemn and sacred tie in the execution of justice to hold +for nothing the commands of the King under the great seal, then surely +political views and schemes, the pleasure or displeasure of a minister, +in the like case ought to be less than nothing. + +It is a strange doctrine that men must sacrifice the law to secure their +properties, if the law is to be fashioned for every occasion, if grand +jurymen contrary to their oaths must discover their fellows' and their +own counsels, and betray the trust the law has reposed in them, if they +must subject the reasons of their verdicts to the censure of the judges, +whom the law did never design to trust with the liberty, property, or +good name of their fellow-subjects. No man can say he has any security +for his life or fortune, and they who do not themselves, may however see +their best friends and nearest relations suffer the utmost violences and +oppressions. + +Which leads me to say a few words of the petit jury, not forgetting Mr. +Walters. I am assured by an eminent lawyer, that the power and office of +a petit jury is judicial, that they only are the judges from whose +sentence the indicted are to expect life or death. Upon their integrity +and understanding the lives of all that are brought in judgment do +ultimately depend; from their verdict there lies no appeal, by finding +guilty or not guilty. They do complicately resolve both law and fact. As +it hath been the law, so it hath always been the custom and practice of +these juries (except as before) upon all general issues, pleaded in +cases civil as well as criminal, to judge both of the law and fact. So +it is said in the report of the Lord Chief Justice Vaughan in Bushell's +case, That these juries determine the law in all matters where issue is +joined and tried, in the principal case whether the issue be about +trespass or debt, or disseizin in assizes, or a tort or any such like, +unless they should please to give a special verdict with an implicate +faith in the judgment of the Court, to which none can oblige them +against their wills. + +It is certain we may hope to see the trust of a grand juryman best +discharged when gentlemen of the best fortunes and understandings attend +that service, but it is as certain we must never expect to see such men +on juries, if for differing with a judge in opinion, when they only are +the lawful judges, they are liable to be treated like villains, like +perjurers, and enemies to their king and country; I say my lord such +behaviour to juries will make all gentlemen avoid that duty, and instead +of men of interest, of reputation and abilities, our lives, our +fortunes, and our reputations must depend upon the basest and meanest of +the people. + +I know it is commonly said, _boni judicis est ampliare juridictionem_. +But I take that to be better advice which was given by the Lord +Chancellor Bacon upon swearing a judge; That he would take care to +contain the jurisdiction of the court within the ancient mere-stones +without removing the mark. + +I intend to pay my respects to your lordship once every month 'till the +meeting of the Parliament, when our betters may consider of these +matters, and therefore will not trouble you with any more on this +subject at present. But conclude, most heartily praying---- + +That from depending upon the will of a judge, who may be corrupted or +swayed by his own passions, interests, or the impulse of such as support +him and may advance him to greater honours, the God of mercy and of +justice deliver this nation. + + I am, my lord, + Your lordship's most obedient humble servant, + N.N. +Dec. the First 1724. + Dublin: Printed in the Year 1724. + + + + +A SECOND LETTER FROM A FRIEND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ------ + + +My Lord, + +I think the best service men employed by His Majesty can do for him and +this country, is to shew such prudence and temper in their behaviours as +may convince every man they are not intrusted with any power but what is +necessary and will always be exercised for the advantage and security of +His Majesty's subjects. + +For my own part I hold it the duty of every man though he has not the +honour of serving His Majesty in public employment, not only, not to +misrepresent the actions of his servants, but in matters of small +concern, to wink at their follies and mistakes; I know the Jacobites and +Papists our irreconcilable enemies are too watchful to lay hold of every +occasion to misrepresent His Majesty and turn the faults of ambitious +and self-interested servants upon the best of kings. + +I hear some men say, that in my last to your lordship, there appears +more of the satirist, than becomes a man engaged merely in the defence +of liberty and justice; But I am satisfied I can with charity affirm, +they are either such as have no knowledge of the several steps [that] +have been taken to bring this poor country into ruin and disgrace, or +they are of the number of those who have had a share in the actings and +contrivances against it; for my lord, he must rather be an insensible +stoic than an angry cynic, who can survey the measures of some men +without horror and indignation--To see men act as if they had never +taken an oath of fidelity to their king, whose interest is inseparable +from that of his people, but had sworn to support the ruinous projects +of abandoned men (of whatever faction) must rouse the most lethargic, if +honest, soul. + +I who have always professed myself a Whig do confess it has mine. + +I beg leave in this place to explain what I intended in my last by the +words, "unless by leave or order of the court," lest whilst I plead for +justice I should do an injury to your lordship. + +I do declare I never heard that story of your lordship, and I hope no +man did believe it of you. My intention was by that hint to remember you +of Judge U--p--n and a certain assizes held at Wicklow, as I believe +your lordship understood it, and as I now desire all the world may. + +Having learned from your lordship and other lawyers of undoubted +abilities, that no judge ought by threats or circumvention to make a +grand-juryman discover the king's counsel his fellows' or his own I +should not at present say anything in support of that position. But that +I find a most ridiculous and false explanation seem to mislead some men +in that point: Say they, by the word counsel is understood, such bills +as are before the grand jury and the evidence the prosecutors for the +crown have to support the charge against the subject--Lest that being +known the party indictable may fly from justice, or he may procure false +witnesses to discredit the evidence for the king, or he may by bribes +and other indirect measures take off the witnesses for the crown. + +I confess _I_ take that to be the meaning of the word counsel, but I am +certain that is not _all_ that is meant by it, that is what must be +understood when it is called the king's counsel, _id est_, the counsel +or reasons for which the king by his servants, his attorney-general or +coroner, has drawn and sent to the grand jury a charge against a +subject. + +But the counsel of a juror is a different thing, it is the evidence, the +motives and reasons that induce him or his fellow-jurors to say _billa +vera_ or _ignoramus_, and the opinion he or they happen to be of when the +question is put by the foreman for finding or not finding: This counsel +every man is sworn to keep secret, that so their opinion and advice may +not be of prejudice to them hereafter, That as they are sworn to act +without favour or affection, so may they also act without FEAR. Whereas, +were it otherwise the spirit of revenge is so universal, there are but +few cases wherein a juror could act with safety to himself; either the +prosecuted, as where the bill is found, or the prosecutor, where it is +returned _ignoramus_, may contrive to defame the jurors who differ from +them in opinion: As I am told has happened to some very honest citizens +who are represented to be Jacobites since their opinions were know to be +against ----. And sometimes revenge or ambition may prompt men to carry +it further, as in the case of Mr. Wilmer, who in King Charles 2d's time +was very severely handled for being one of an _ignoramus_ jury.---- +'Tis not necessary to say whom he disobliged by being so.----But if I +remember right his case was this. + +He was a merchant, (and as I said, an _ignoramus_ juryman) had +covenanted with a servant boy to serve him in the West Indies, and +accordingly sent him beyond sea: Upon suggestion and affidavit by which +any person might have it, a writ _de homine replegiando_ was granted +against Mr. Wilmer; the sheriffs would have returned on the writ the +agreement and the boy's consent, but the court (in the case of this +Wilmer) Easter 34, Cha. 2. [_i.e.,_ Charles the Second] in B.R. ruled +they must return _replegiari fecimus_ or _elongavit_, that is, they had +replevy'd the boy, or that Wilmer had carried him away where they could +not find him, in which last case Mr. Wilmer, though an innocent person +must have gone to gaol until he brought the boy into court or he must +have been outlawed--Shower's Rep. 2 Part. + +I do not say this that I think the same thing will be practised again, +or anything like it, though I know that very homely proverb, "More ways +of killing a dog than hanging him."--But I instance it to shew, the +counsels of every grand juryman should be kept secret, that he may act +freely and without apprehensions of resentment from the prosecuted or +prosecutor. + +My resolution when I writ to you last, was, not to have said anything in +this concerning the power of dissolving or dispensing, but as I have +been forced to say something of the dispensing, for the same reason I +must of the dissolving power.--A power undoubtedly in effect including +that of returning, which makes me wish two men of great interest in this +kingdom, differing in every other thing, had not undertaken to defend +it, or they had better reasons for it than I have yet heard. + +'Tis said, "This power is in the court as a right of resistance is in +the people, as the people have a power superior to the prerogative of +the prince, though no written or express law for it; so of necessity +though no statute directs it, and it may seem to overturn the greatest +security men have for their liberties, yet the court has a power of +dissolving grand juries, if they refuse to find or present as the court +shall direct." + +Pray let us consider how well this concludes. + +The people may do anything in defence of their lives, their religion and +liberties, and consequently resistance is lawful, therefore an inferior +court a _bene placito_ judge may----Monstrous absurdity. + +Another, I am sorry I can't say more modest argument to support it is +this.-- + +"Considering," say they, "grand juries, it is but reasonable a +discretionary power of dissolving them should be lodged in the judges." + +By the words "considering grand juries," I must understand considering +their understandings, their fortunes or their integrity, for from a want +of one or more of those qualifications must arise the reason of such a +discretionary power in the judges. + +Though I shall not urge it as far as I could, I will venture to say the +argument is at least as strong the other way--considering the judges.-- + +First as to their understandings, it must be confessed the benches are +infinitely superior to the lower professors of the law: Yet surely it +can't give offence to say the gentlemen of the several counties have +understandings sufficient to discharge the duty of grand jurymen--If +want of fortune be an objection to grand jurymen, _a pari ratione_, it +is an objection to some other men.--Besides, that the fact is not true, +for in their circuits, no judge goes into any county where he does not +meet at least a dozen gentlemen returned upon every grand jury, every +one of whom have better estates than he himself has--And these not +during pleasure, which last consideration, saves me the trouble of +shewing the weakness of the objection in the third qualification. + +"Ay. But it was a necessary expedient to keep out Wood's brass." + +Are the properties of the commons of this kingdom better secured by the +knight-errantry of that day? In the name of common sense, what are we to +believe? Has the undaunted spirit, the tremendous voice of ------ +frightened Wood and his accomplices from any further attempts? Or rather +has not the ready compliance of ------ encouraged them to further +trials? The officers and attendants of his court may tremble when he +frowns, but who else regards it more than they do one of Wood's +farthings. + +"There is no comparison," says another, "between the affair of Sir W. +Scroggs and this of ------. Sir W. discharged a grand jury because they +were about to present the Duke of York for being a Papist, but ------ +discharged the grand jury for not presenting a paper he recommended to +them to present as scandalous, (and in which, I say, he was a party +reflected on.)" + +I agree there is a mighty difference, but whom does it make for? + +A grand jury of a hundred (part of a county) take upon them to present +a no less considerable person than the king's brother and heir +presumptive of the crown, the chief-justice thinks this a matter of too +much moment for men of such sort to meddle in, but a matter more proper +for the consideration of Parliament: I would not be understood to +condemn the jury; I think they acted as became honest Englishmen and +lovers of their country; But I say if judges could in any case be +allowed to proceed by rules of policy, surely here was a sufficient +excuse. However the commons impeached him. + +The determinations of ignorant or wicked judges as they are precedents +of little weight, so they are but of little danger, and therefore it +will become the commons at all times to animadvert most carefully upon +the actions of the most knowing men in that profession. + +I say, my lord, _at all times_, because I hear former merit is pleaded +to screen this action from any inquiry. + +I am sensible much is due to the man who has always preferred the public +interest to his private advantages as -------- has done. When a man has +signalized himself, when he has suffered for that principle, he deserves +universal respect. Yet men should act agreeably to the motive of that +respect, and not ruin the liberty of their country to shew their +gratitude, and so, my lord, where a man has the least pretence to that +character, I think 'tis best to pass over small offences, but never such +as will entail danger and dishonour upon us and our posterity. + +The Romans, my lord, when a question was in the senate, whether they +should ransom fifteen thousand citizens who had merited much by their +former victories, but losing one battle were taken prisoners; were +determined by the advice of that noble Roman Attilius Regulus not to +redeem them as men unworthy their further care, though probably it was +their misfortunes not their faults lost that day. + + Flagitio additis +Damnum: neque amissos colores +Luna refert medicata fuco + +He thought they were not worthy to be trusted again:---- + +To shew them pity, in his mind, would betray the Romans to perpetual +danger: _Et exemplo trahenti_ + +Perniciem veniens in aevum, +Si non periret immiserabilis +Captiva pubes + +I hear some precedents have been lately found out to justify that +memorable action; but if precedents must control reason and justice, if +a man may swear he will keep his counsels secret, and yet by precedents +may be forced to divulge them, I would advise gentlemen very seriously +to consider, the danger we are in; and examine what precedents there are +on each side of the question, for my part I think the commons of England +are not a worse precedent than the judges of England. + +Besides it must be remembered that precedents in some cases will not +excuse a judge, even where they are according to the undoubted law of +the land, as for instance, + +Suppose a man says what is true, not knowing it to be true, though it be +logically a truth as it is distinguished, yet it is morally false; and +so, suppose a judge give judgment according to law, not knowing it to be +so, as if he did not know the reason of it at that time, but bethought +himself of a reason or precedent for it afterwards, though the judgment +be legal and according to precedent, yet the pronouncing of it is +unjust; and the judge shall be condemned in the opinions of all men: As +happened to the Lord Chief Justice Popham a person of great learning and +parts, who upon the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh; when Sir Walter +objected to reading or giving in evidence, Lord Cobham's affidavit, +taken in his absence, without producing the lord face to face, the lord +being then forthcoming: The chief justice overruled the objection, and +was of opinion it should be given in evidence against Sir Walter, and +summing up the evidence to the jury the chief justice said, "Just then +it came into his mind why the accuser should not come face to face to +the prisoner, because, &c." Now if any judge has since found precedents, +or has since picked up the opinion of lawyers, I fear he will come +within the case I have put. + +I foresee, if ever this question happens to be debated, _you know +where_, gentlemen will be divided; Some will be desirous to do their +country justice and free us from all future danger of this kind; Others +upon motives not quite so laudable, will strive to screen, and with +others private friendship will prevail: But I would recommend to your +friends, who really love their country, to consider the several +circumstances concurring in your lordship which probably may not in your +successor: Let them suppose a person were to fill your place, from whose +manifest ignorance in the law, we may reasonably conclude, his only +merit is an inveteracy and hatred to this country. I say how could your +best friends excuse themselves, if in regard to your lordship they +should suffer such a precedent to be handed down to such a man +unobserved or uncensured? + +_Invenit etiam aemulos infaelix nequitia_--Ambitious men have not always +been deterred by the unhappy fate of their predecessors, _Quid si +floreat vigeatque?_ But what lengths will they run if injustice and +corruption shall ride triumphant? + +Had somebody received a reprimand upon his knees in a proper place, for +treating a printer's jury like men convict of perjury, forcing them to +find a special verdict, I dare to say he had not been quite so hardy as +to have discharged the grand jury or treated them in the manner he did, +because they had not an implicit faith in the court; nor had he dared +not to receive a presentment made by the second grand jury against +Wood's farthings upon pretence it was informal, which I mention because +the worthy Drapier has mistaken the fact. + +Some of your lordship's screens I hear advise you to shew great humility +and contrition for what's past, as the only means to appease the just +indignation all sorts of men have conceived against you.----Were I well +secured you will not recommend this letter to the next grand jury to be +presented, I could give you more _seasonable advice_, but happen as it +may I will venture to give you a little. + +Fawning and cajoling will have but little effect on those who have had +the honour of your acquaintance these ten years past, for Caligula who +used to hide his head if he heard the thunder, would piss upon the +statues of the gods when he thought the danger over--A better expedient +is this,---- + +Tell men the Drapier is a Tory and a Jacobite.--That he writ "The +Conduct of the Allies."--That he writ not his letters with a design to +keep out Wood's halfpence, but to bring in the Pretender; persuade them +if you can, the dispute is no longer about the power of judges over +juries, nor how much the liberty of the subject is endangered by +dissolving them at pleasure, but that it is now become mere Whig and +Tory, a dispute between His Majesty's friends and the Jacobites, and +'twere better to see a thousand grand juries discharged than the Tories +carry a question though in the right.--_Haec vulnera pro libertate +publica excepi, hunc oculum pro vobis impendi._ Try this cant, pin a +cloth over your eyes, look very dismal, and cry, "I was turned out of +employment, when the Drapier was rewarded with a Deanery," I say, my +lord, if you can once bring matters thus to bear, I have not the least +doubt you may escape without censure. + +To your lordship's zeal and industry without doubt is owing, that the +Papists and the Tories have not delivered this kingdom over to the +Pretender, so Caesar conquered Pompey that _Legum auctor et eversor,_ +and 'twas but just the liberty and laws of Rome should afterwards depend +upon his will and pleasure.----The Drapier in his letter to Lord +Molesworth has made a fair offer, "Secure his country from Wood's +coinage," then condemn all he has writ and said as false and scandalous, +when your lordship does as much I must confess it will be somewhat +difficult to discover the impostor. + +Thus to keep my word with your lordship, I have much against my +inclinations writ this, which shall be my last upon the ungrateful +subject.--If I have leisure, and find a safe opportunity of giving it to +the printer, my next shall explain what has long duped the true Whigs of +this kingdom. I mean _honesty in the "worst of times."_ + +Though your lordship object to my last, that what I writ was taken out +of Lord Coke, Lord Somers, Sir Will. Jones, or the writings of some +other great men, yet I will venture to end this with the sentiments of +Philip de Comines upon some thorough-going courtiers. + +"If a sixpenny tax is to be raised, they cry by all means it ought to be +double. If the prince is offended with any man, they are directly for +hanging him. In other instances, they maintain the same character. +Above all things they advise their king to make himself terrible, as +they themselves are proud, fierce, and overbearing, in hopes to be +dreaded by that means, as if authority and place were their +inheritance." + + I am, + My Lord, + Your Lordship's most + obedient and most + humble servant. + N.N. +_Jan_. 4, 1724-5. + + + + +APPENDIX V + +THE PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF +DUBLIN.[1] + + +Whereas several great quantities of base metal coined, commonly called +_Wood's halfpence,_ have been brought into the port of Dublin, and +lodged in several houses of this city, with an intention to make them +pass clandestinely, among His Majesty's subjects of this kingdom; +notwithstanding the addresses of both houses of parliament and the +privy-council, and the declarations of most of the corporations of this +city against the said coin; And whereas His Majesty hath been graciously +pleased to leave his loyal subjects of this kingdom at liberty to take +or refuse the said halfpence. + +[Footnote 1: Chief Justice Whitshed, after browbeating the Grand Jury +that threw out the Bill against Harding for printing the fourth +Drapier's letter, discharged it, and called another Grand Jury. The +second Grand Jury not only repeated the verdict of the first, but issued +the following expression of its opinion on the matter of Wood and his +patent. [T.S.]] + +We the Grand Jury of the county of the city of Dublin, this Michaelmas +term, 1724, having entirely at heart His Majesty's interest and the +welfare of our country, and being thoroughly sensible of the great +discouragement which trade hath suffered by the apprehensions of the +said coin, whereof we have already felt the dismal effects, and that the +currency thereof will inevitably tend to the great diminution of His +Majesty's revenue, and the ruin of us and our posterity: do present all +such persons as have attempted, or shall endeavour by fraud or +otherwise, to impose the said halfpence upon us, contrary to His +Majesty's most gracious intentions, as enemies to His Majesty's +government, and to the safety, peace and welfare of all His Majesty's +subjects of this kingdom, whose affections have been so eminently +distinguished by their zeal to his illustrious family, before his happy +accession to the throne, and by their continued loyalty ever since. + +As we do with all just gratitude acknowledge the services of all such +patriots, as have been eminently zealous for the interest of His +Majesty, and this country, in detecting the fraudulent impositions of +the said Wood, and preventing the passing his base coin: So we do at the +same time declare our abhorrence and detestation of all reflections on +His Majesty, and his government, and that we are ready with our lives +and fortunes to defend his most Sacred Majesty against the Pretender and +all His Majesty's open and secret enemies both at home and abroad: Given +under our hands at the Grand Jury Chamber this 28th, November, 1724.[2] + +George Forbes, David Tew, +William Empson, Thomas How, +Nathaniel Pearson, John Jones, +Joseph Nuttall, James Brown, +William Aston, Charles Lyndon, +Stearn Tighe, Jerom Bredin, +Richard Walker, John Sican, +Edmond French, Anthony Brunton, +John Vereilles, Thomas Gaven, +Philip Pearson, Daniel Elwood, +Thomas Robins, John Brunet. +Richard Dawson, + +[Footnote 2: On August 20th, 1724, the Grand Jury, and the other +inhabitants of the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's +waited on the Dean, and read him the following Declaration, desiring him +to give orders for its publication: + +"The Declaration of the Grand-Jury, and the rest of the inhabitants of +the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's, Dublin. + +"We, the Grand-Jury, and other inhabitants of the Liberty of the Dean +and Chapter of St. Patrick's, Dublin, whose names are underwritten, do +unanimously declare and determine, that we never will receive or pay any +of the half-pence or farthings already coined, or that shall hereafter +be coined, by one William Wood, being not obliged by law to receive the +same; because we are thoroughly convinced by the Addresses of both +Houses of Parliament, as well as by that of his Majesty's most +honourable Privy-Council, and by the universal opinion of the whole +kingdom, that the currency of the said half-pence and farthings would +soon deprive us of all our gold and silver, and therefore be of the most +destructive consequence to the trade and welfare of the nation." [T. +S.]] + + + + +APPENDIX VI + +PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE DRAPIER. + + +"_Oct. 27th,_ 1724. + +"A proclamation for discovering ye Author of ye Pamphlet intituled A +letter to ye whole people of Ireland, by M.B. Drapier, author of the +Letter to the Shop-keepers, etc. + +L300 Reward + +BY THE LORD-LIEUTENANT AND COUNCIL OF IRELAND. + + +A Proclamation. + +"CONTENT: + +"Whereas a wicked and malicious pamphlet, intituled A Letter to the +whole people of Ireland, by M.B. Drapier, author of the Letter to the +Shop-keepers, etc., printed by John Harding, in Molesworth's Court, in +Fishamble Street, Dublin, in which are contained several seditious and +scandalous paragraphs highly reflecting upon his Majesty and his +Ministers, tending to alienate the affections of his good subjects of +England and Ireland from each other, and to promote sedition among the +people, hath been lately printed and published in this kingdom: We, the +Lord-Lieutenant and Council do hereby publish and declare that, in order +to discover the author of the said seditious pamphlet, we will give the +necessary orders for the payment of three hundred pounds sterling, to +such person or persons as shall within the specified six months from +this date hereof, discover the author of the said pamphlet, so as he be +apprehended and convicted thereby. + +"Given at the council chamber in Dublin, this twenty-seventh day of +October, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-four. + +"(Signed) Midleton _Cancer_. Shannon; Donnerail; G. Fforbes; H. Meath; +Santry; Tyrawly; Fferrars; William Conolly; Ralph Gore; William +Whitshed; B. Hale; Gust. Hume; Ben Parry; James Tynte; R. Tighe; T. +Clutterbuck. + +"God Save the King." + + + + +APPENDIX VII + + +It is very interesting and even curious to note, that the signatories to +the public expression of their attitude towards Wood and his patent, as +shown by the Proclamation, should have almost all of them signed another +document, in their capacities of Privy Councillors, which addressed his +Majesty _against_ Wood and the patent. So far as I can learn, Monck +Mason seems to have been the first historian to discover it; nor do I +find the fact mentioned by any of Swift's later biographers. + +"It was rumoured in Swift's time," says Monck Mason, "but not actually +known to him" (see Drapier's Sixth Letter), "that the Irish Privy +Council had addressed his Majesty against Mr. Wood's coin. Having +inspected the papers of the Council office, I shall lay before the +reader the particulars of this event, which were never promulgated, +probably, because they had not the desired effect, the premier [Walpole] +having determined, notwithstanding all opposition or advice, to +persevere in his ill-judged project. + +"On the 17th April, 1724, at a meeting of the Council, in which the Duke +of Grafton himself presided, it was ordered, that it should be referred +to a committee of the whole board, or of any seven or more, 'to consider +what was proper to be done to allay and quiet the great fears of the +people, occasioned by their apprehensions of William Wood's copper money +becoming current among them,' On the 6th of May, the committee reported, +that they had considered the matter referred to them, and were of +opinion, that an address should be sent to his Majesty, of which they +then presented a draught. It was again on the 19th, referred to a +committee of the whole board to prepare a letter, which was accordingly +done on the next day.--The report was as follows: + +"'To the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the humble address of the Lords +Justices, and Privy-Council. + + * * * * * + +"'May it please your Majesty, + +"'We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Justices +and Privy Council, most humbly beg leave, at this time, to give an +instance of that duty, which, as upon all other occasions, so more +especially upon such as are of the greatest moment and importance, we +hold ourselves always bound to pay to your Majesty. + +"'Your Majesty's great council, the High Court of Parliament, being now +prorogued, we conceive ourselves bound, by the trust which your Majesty +has been pleased to repose in us, and the oaths we have taken, with all +humility to lay before your Majesty the present state of this your +kingdom, with reference to a great evil that appears to threaten it, to +which, if a speedy remedy be not applied, the unavoidable consequence, +as we apprehend, will be, the ruin of multitudes of your Majesty's +subjects, together with a great diminution of your revenue. + +"'Though the fears of your Majesty's subjects of this kingdom, in +relation to the coinage of copper half-pence and farthings, were, in a +great measure, allayed by your Majesty's most gracious resolution to do +every thing in your power for the satisfaction of your people, expressed +in your Majesty's answer to the addresses of both Houses of Parliament; +yet, the repeated intelligence from Great Britain, that William Wood has +the assurance to persist in his endeavours to introduce his copper +half-pence and farthings amongst us, has again alarmed your faithful +subjects, to such a degree, as already to give a great check to our +inland trade. If the letters patent granted to William Wood should, in +all points, be exactly complied with, the loss to be sustained by taking +his half-pence and farthings would be much greater than this poor +kingdom is able to bear. But if he, or any other persons, should, for +the value of gain, be tempted to coin and import even more than double +the quantity he by his patent is allowed to do, your people here do not +see how it is possible for your Majesty's chief governors of this your +kingdom, to detect or hinder the cheat. + +"'It is found by experience, that we have already a sufficient quantity +of half-pence, to serve by way of exchange in the retailing trade, which +is the only use of such sort of money, of which, therefore, we find +ourselves to be in no want. + +"'And since, by the letters patent granted to the same William Wood, no +man is required or commanded to take the said half-pence or farthings, +but the taking them is left at liberty to those who are willing so to +do; we most humbly submit it to your royal wisdom and goodness, whether +it may not be for your Majesty's service, and the great satisfaction and +good of your subjects, and very much tend to the allaying and quieting +of their fears, that your Majesty should cause your royal pleasure to be +signified to the Commissioners, and other officers of your Majesty's +revenue in this kingdom, that they neither receive those half-pence and +farthings, nor give countenance or encouragement to the uttering or +vending of them; or that some other speedy method may be taken to +prevent their becoming current amongst us.'" + + + + +APPENDIX VIII + + +Searching among the pamphlets of the Halliday Collection at the Royal +Irish Academy, Dublin, I came across a tract of twelve pages, printed by +John Whaley of Dublin in 1723, with the following title: + +"The Patentee's Computation of Ireland, in a Letter from the Author of +the Whitehall Evening-Post concerning the making of Copper-Coin. As also +the Case and Address of both Houses of Parliament together with His +Majesty's Most Gracious Answer to the House of Lords Address." + +The writer of this tract in defence of the patent maintained the +following propositions: + + +(1) That the Kingdom of Ireland wants a Copper Coin. + +(2) That the quantity of this coin will be no inconvenience to it. + +(3) That it is better than ever the Kingdom had, and as good as (in all +probability) they ever will or can have, and that the Patentee's profit +is not extravagant, as commonly reported. + +(4) That the Kingdom will lose nothing by this coin. + +(5) That the public in Ireland will gain considerably by it, if they +please. + +(6) That the Kingdom will have L100,000 additional cash. + + +As he states his arguments, they are quite reasonable. On proposition +three, if his figures are correct, he is especially convincing. He +details the cost of manufacture thus: + + _s. d._ +Copper prepared for the coinage at his Majesty's + Mint at the Tower of London, costs per pound + weight 1 6 + +Coinage of one pound weight 3-1/2 + +Waste and charge of re-melting 1 + +Yearly payment to the Exchequer and Comptroller 1 + +Allowed to the purchaser for exchange, &c. 5 + + Total charge 2 4-1/2 + +"So that the patentee," he concludes, "makes a profit of only 1-1/2_d._ +in the half crown or about 5%." + +The tract, however, is more interesting for the reprint it gives of the +twenty-eight articles stated by the people in objection to the patent +and the coin. I give these articles in full: + + + + +IRELAND'S CASE HUMBLY PRESENTED TO THE HONOURABLE THE KNIGHTS, CITIZENS, +AND BURGESSES IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED + + +MOST HUMBLY SHEWETH, + +Whereas your Honours finding the late Grant or Letters Patents obtained +by Mr. William Wood, for making Three Hundred and Sixty Tun weight of +copper half-pence for the Kingdom of Ireland, were to be manufactured in +London &c. which money is now coining in Bristol, and that the said +money was to weigh two shillings and sixpence in each pound weight, and +that change was to be uttered or passed for all such as were pleased to +take the same in this Kingdom. + +That it's humbly conceived Your Honours on considering the following +Remarks, will find the permitting such change to pass, exceeding +Injurious and Destructive to the Nation. + +First. That the same will be a means to drain this Kingdom of all its +Gold and Silver, and ten, fifteen, or twenty per cent abated, will most +effectually do the same. + +2d. That the making such money in England will give great room for +counterfeiting that coin, as well in this Kingdom, as where it is made. + +3d. That the Copper Mines of this Island which might be manufactured in +the nation, is by management shipped off to England by some persons at, +or about forty shillings per tun, by others at four pounds and six +pounds per ton, which copper when smelted and refined is sold and sent +back to this kingdom at two shillings and six pence per pound weight as +aforesaid, which is two hundred and eighty pound sterl. per ton. + +4th. That two shillings and sixpence per pound weight is making the said +coin of very small value, the said coin ought not to weigh or exceed two +shillings in each pound weight as the English Halfpence are. + +5th. That all such money brought to this Nation manufactured, is to be +entered at value, which value is in the Book of Rates, ten per cent duty +and excise. + +6th. That no security is given to this Nation to make such money in any +one point, the same may be found defective in either, as to baseness of +metal, workmanship or weight, or to give gold and silver for the same, +when the subject was, or may be burthened therewith. + +7th. That if such monies as aforesaid be permitted to pass in this +nation, all persons that have gold or silver by them would not part +therewith, but Brass money must be carried from House to House on +Truckles, and in the county by carts and horses, with troops to guard +them. + +8th. That such money will raise the price of all commodities from +abroad, probably to three or four hundred per cent. + +9th. That linen, yarn, beef, butter, tallow, hides and all other +commodities, will raise to that degree by being bought with half-pence, +and workmen paid with brass money, that commissions from abroad will not +reach them, therefore such goods must lie on hands and remain a drugg. + +10th. That the excise of beer, ale, brandy, &c., and hearth-money will +be paid in such coin, the same falling first into the hands of the poor +and middling people. + +11th. That if any trouble should happen in this nation, no army could be +raised with such specie, but an enemy in all appearance would be +admitted with their gold and silver, and which would drive the nation +before them. + +12th. The Courts of Law could not subsist, for all the suits there must +be supported and maintained with ready money. Viz. Gold and Silver. + +13th. That all the bankers must shut up their shops, no lodgment would +be made except Halfpence, such as would lodge their money with them, +would rather draw off and cause a run on them, fearing that their specie +should be turned into the said brass and copper money. + +14th. That such bills as are drawn to the country, viz. Cork, Limerick, +Waterford, Kingsale, Deny, &c. The Exchange would be instead of a +quarter per cent, twenty per cent and then paid in the said Brass +specie, by means of its being brought on cars, carts, or waggons, and +guards to attend the same. + +15th. That all the rent in the Kingdom would be paid in half-pence; no +man would give gold or silver, when he had brass money to pay the same. + +16th. That no one can coin or manufacture such a quantity of halfpence +or farthings for this Kingdom, out of the same, but either he must be +ruined in the undertaking or the nation undone by his project, in taking +such light money, by reason of ten per cent, duty, and probably this +session be made twenty or thirty per cent duty, and the exchange nine or +ten per cent. Ten per cent abated to circulate them. Ten per cent +factorage, freight, gabberage, key-porters, &c. all which is forty per +cent, charged on the same. + +17th. That if the said Wood was obliged to make his light money not to +exceed two shillings in the pound weight according to the English coin, +he would give up such grant, for six pence in each pound weight is 25 +per cent. + +18th. That the said twenty-five per cent is 19,360_l._ sterl. on the +said 360 ton of copper, loss to this nation, by being coined out of this +Kingdom, besides 80,690_l._ of gold and silver sent out of the Kingdom +for brass or copper money. + +19th. That the copper mines of this Kingdom is believed to be the metal +such copper is made of, which verifies the English saying, That Irish +people are wild, that would part with 200,000_l._ sterl. of their gold +and silver, for their own copper mines, which cost them not one pound +sterl. + +20th. That the said Wood's factors probably may send in fourteen years +double the quantity of copper which is 720 ton, then this Kingdom loses +38,720_l._ sterl. and parts with 161,280_l._ sterl. of their gold and +silver for almost nothing. + +21st. If any great sum was to be raised by this nation, on any emergency +extraordinary, to serve his Majesty and his Kingdom how would it be +possible to do the same; copper half-pence would not stem the tide, no +silver now to be had of value, then no gold to be seen. + +22d. That England also must be a great loser by such money, by reason +the said half-pence being from 20 to 40 grains lighter and less in value +than their own, so that the same will not pass in that Kingdom scarce +for farthings a piece, how then shall the vast quantities of goods be +paid for, that are brought from that Kingdom here, a considerable part +of this island must be broke and run away for want of silver and gold to +pay them their debts. + +23d. That if the said Wood should get all that money, what power would +he regard, and what temptation would he be subject unto on that head, he +is but a man, and one almost as little known or heard of, as any one +subject the king has on this side the water. + +24th. That the vast quantity of sea-coal brought from England here, +would not be had for such money; the colliers will keep both their ships +and coal at home, before they trade with such a nation, as had their +treasure turned into brass money. + +25th. That the Army must be paid with such money, none else to be had, +they would lay down their arms and do no duty, what blood and confusion +then would attend the same. + +26th. That no people out of any other Kingdom would come into this +country to dwell, either to plant or sow, where all their money must be +brass. + +27th. That the beautiful Quay and river of Dublin which is now lined and +filled with ships in a most delightful order, would then be scattered to +other harbours, as also the new Range, there and now a building, would +be left, nothing but empty places all as doleful as the weeping river, +deserted by her fleets and armies of merchants and traders. + +28th. That the aforesaid scheme is to be viewed and considered by a +King and Parliament, that will do themselves and their nation justice, +who will with hearts and hands, stem that tide and current, as never to +suffer so dutiful and loyal a people to be ruined and undone without +relief. + + + + +APPENDIX IX + +DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS SPECIMENS OF WOOD'S COINS + + +The following descriptions of the various varieties of Wood's coins, +taken from a note in Monck Mason's "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral" +(ed. 1819, pp. xcvi-xcvii), may be interesting to the student. The two +varieties of the coins given as illustrations in this volume are +reproduced from specimens in the British Museum. + +Monck Mason obtains his information from Simon's "Essay on Irish Coins," +Dublin, 1749, 4to; Snelling's Supplement to Simon issued in 1767; and +the edition of Simon's work reprinted in 1810. + +With the exception of No. II. of this list all of Wood's coins had, on +one side, "the king's head laureat, looking to the left, with this +inscription, GEORGIUS, DEI GRATIA, REX. On the reverse is the figure of +Ireland, represented by a woman sitting, beside her, a harp: the +differences consist chiefly, in variations in the attitude of the +figure, and in the date of the coin." + +No. I. 1722.--Hibernia, with both her hands on the harp, which is placed +on her right side; her figure is full front, but she looks towards the +right; round her this inscription, HIBERNIA, 1722. (Simon, plate 7, +Numb. 160) + +No. II. 1722.--Hibernia is seated as in the last, but has her head +turned to the left, on which side there is a rock; round her is +inscribed, HIBERNIA; in the exergue, 1722; on the obverse the usual +head, the inscription, GEORGIUS D.G. REX. (Snelling, plate 2, Numb. 24.) + +No. III. 1722.--Hibernia, in profile, looking to the left, holding, in +her right hand, a palm branch, resting her left on a harp; round it, +HIBERNIA, 1722. (Simon, plate 7, Numb. 161.) + +No. IV. 1723.--Hibernia, as in the last; round her, HIBERNIA, 1723. +(Simon, plate 8, Numb. 169.) + +It was some of this coin that was submitted to Sir Isaac Newton for +assay. + +No. V. 1724.--Hibernia, as in the last two, differing only in the date. +(Mentioned by Simon, but no engraving given.) + +No, VI. 1724.--Hibernia, seated as in the three preceding; round her, +HIBERNIA: in the exergue, 1724. (Snelling, plate 2, Numb. 26.) + +Mason notes of this specimen: "Mr. Snelling does not specify, +particularly, in what respect this coin differs from those which +precede; his words are, 'different from any other, and very good work, +especially the halfpenny, which is the finest and broadest piece of his +money I ever saw, and belongs to Mr. Bartlet.' They do not, however, +appear to have attained to circulation in Ireland. A few might, perhaps, +have been struck off by the patentee, to distribute among his own, and +the minister's friends." + +No. VII.--Mr. Snelling mentions, "another halfpenny, which has Hibernia +pointing up with one hand to a sun in the top of the piece"; but of this +he has not given any engraving. + + + + + + + +INDEX. + + +Addison, made keeper of the records of Bermingham's Tower +Armstrong, Sir Thomas, granted a patent to coin farthings in Ireland +Armstrong, Sir William, granted a patent to coin halfpence in Ireland + +Bacon, Lord, on the Royal prerogative, quoted +Berkeley, Lord, of Stratton, Master of the Rolls +Bingham, John +Bodin, Jean +Boulter, Archbishop +Brodrick, St. John, made a Privy Councillor +Brown, John +Burlington, Earl of, Lord High Treasurer of Ireland + +Carteret, Lord, + attempts to injure Walpole's reputation by means of the Wood agitation + made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland + takes Walpole's side + character of + Swift's letters to + his relations with Walpole +Charles I., paid his troops with debased coin +Coinage, the law with reference to + _See_ Wood's Coinage +Coke, Sir Edward, on the laws regarding coinage +Coleby +Conolly, William, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons +Coxe, Archdeacon, his account of the agitation in Ireland +"Creed of an Irish Commoner, A" +Crowley, Sir Ambrose + +Dartmouth, Lord, granted a patent to coin halfpence in Ireland +Davies, Sir John, his "Abridgement of Coke's Reports" +"Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland, A," quoted +Doddington, Bubb +Drapier, the, his account of himself + proclamation against +Dublin, petition of the Lord Mayor, sheriffs and citizens of +Dutch, the, counterfeited debased coinage of Ireland + +Elizabeth, Queen, her army paid with base coin + base money sent to Ireland by +Ewing, George, "Defence of the Conduct of the People of + Ireland" published by + +Filmer, Sir Robert +Finley +France, system of re coinage in + +George I., equestrian statue of, in Dublin +Grafton, Duke of, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland + recalled + not concerned with Wood's patent + +Harding, John, arrest and prosecution of +Harley, Robert, Earl of Oxford, Swift's tribute to +Holt, Sir John + +Hopkins, Right Hon. Edward, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant + made Master of the Revels +Hopkins, John + +Ireland, want of small change in + patents granted for coining in + relations between England and + petitions for establishment of a mint in + computed population of + copper money not wanted in + not a "depending kingdom," + English contempt for + loyalty of + a free country + project for a bank in + England's profit from + the absentees of + absence of faction in + Charter schools founded in + needed reforms in + _See also_ Wood's Coinage. + +James II., debased the coinage in Ireland + +Kendal, Duchess of, sold Wood his patent for L10,000 +King, Archbishop, letters to Southwell quoted + letter to General George + refused to condemn the Drapier + letter to Molyneux on the proclamation against the Drapier's 4th letter +Knox, John, his patent to coin halfpence + comparison of his patent with Wood's + + +Legg, Colonel George. _See_ Dartmouth, Lord. +Leti, Signor +Lindsay, Robert + + +Marsh; Bishop, Charter schools founded by +Midleton, Chancellor, and Walpole + Swift's letter to + opposed to Wood's patent + but signed the Proclamation against the Drapier + account of +"Mirror of Justice, The," +Molesworth, Viscount, letter to + account of +Molyneux, William +Moore, Colonel Roger, patent to coin halfpence sold to + +Newton, Sir Isaac, Wood's coinage assayed by + +Palmerston, Lord, Chief Remembrancer +Pembroke, Earl of, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland +Philips, Ambrose, secretary to Archbishop Boulter +Phipps, Sir Constantine +Poyning's Law +Precedents, Swift on +Prior, Thomas, his "List of the Absentees of Ireland" +Privy Council, Report of the, on Wood's coinage + and _see_ Letters II. and III. +Privy Council, the Irish, Report of, on Wood's coinage +"Proposal for the Universal Use of Irish Manufactures, A" + +Rooke, Admiral Sir George +Royal Prerogative, the + explained + +Scotland, power of coining in +Scroggs, Sir William, Lord Chief Justice +Scroope, Thomas, one of the assayists of Wood's coinage +"Seasonable Advice to the Grand Jury," + effect of +Sedley, Sir Charles +Sheridan, Thomas, probably the author of "Tom Punsibus Dream" +Sidney, Algernon +Somers, Lord +Southwell, Edward, one of the assayists of Wood's coinage + King's letters to + Secretary of State +Sunderland, Earl of +Swift, Jonathan, his aims in writing the Drapier's letters + his letter to Midleton + acclaimed the saviour of his country + his sermon on "Doing Good" + idolized in Ireland + +Trench, W., memorial of, with reference to the copper coinage +"Tom Punsibi's Dream" +Tyrone's rebellion + + +Walpole, Sir Robert, his conduct in the matter of Wood's patent + said to have been the author of the Report of the Privy Council + his Irish policy + Wood's reliance on + exonerated by the Drapier +Whitshed, Chief Justice, dissolves the Grand Jury in the case against + Harding + his motto + letters to +William, King, pewter halfpence coined by +Wood, William, terms of the patent granted to + account of + his indiscreet boasts + stories of + his profit considered + his patent obtained clandestinely + his patent compared with Knox's + pamphlets published in London in favor of + his reliance on Walpole + his patent ended + a pension given to +Wood's coinage, letters of the Revenue Commissioners regarding + resolutions of the Irish Houses of Parliament on + report of the Committee of the Privy Council on + and Letters II and III. + value of + refused by the merchants at the ports + no one obliged to take it + assay of, at the mint + baseness of + the revenue officers ordered to pass it + popular indignation against + the matter summed up + end of the agitation concerning + addresses to the King concerning + presentment of the Grand Jury on + description of the various specimens of + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, +Vol. VI; The Drapier's Letters, by Jonathan Swift + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROSE WORKS OF SWIFT *** + +***** This file should be named 12784.txt or 12784.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/7/8/12784/ + +Produced by Sander van Rijnswou and PG Distributed Proofreaders. +Produced from images provided by the Million Book Project. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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