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because these eftates belonged in remote times to our ancestors, that we could in confcience difpoffefs the prefent owners, were it even in our power? The remains of old caftles, formerly the feats of hofpitality,-and the territories which still bear our names,—may remind us of our origin, and infpire us with fpirited fentiments, to which the lower clafs of people in other countries are entire strangers, and which a wife government could improve to the advantage of the ftate. Yet thefe memorials of ancient grandeur and family-importance, entitle us to no other pretenfion than that of fcorning to do any thing base, vile, or treacherous.

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We muft imitate that defcendant of the Sidonian kings, who, from extreme poverty, worked in a garden: being asked by Alexander the Great, "How he fupported poverty?" .. Better," replied he, "than I could fupport grandeur. My hands fupply my wants and "I want nothing, when I defire nothing." Pity, my brethren, that this man was not a Christian! Or pity, that the Chriftians do not refemble this Heathen! The moft flourishing empires have fallen with time: the world is in a continual change and the Roman Catholics must share the fame fate with the rest of mankind.

There is no reviving old claims in this or any other country. Or perhaps, if we revived them,

they

they could not stand the test of severe justice. Our ancestors have they ever encroached on their neighbours? On their firft landing in this kingdom, have not they taken these eftates from the Carthaginians, Firbolgs, and others who were fettled here before them? If then the Proteftants, who are now in poffeffion, gave them up, to whom would they give them? If they have no right to them, because they belonged to our ancestors,-our ancestors had no right to them, because they belonged to others. If a French general founded a trumpet, and defired us to take our lands, would not there be a thousand pretenders to every estate ? Would not every one be eager for the best fpot? And would not this spot fall to the share of the ftrongest, who would kill or overpower the weakest? I am ashamed, my brethren, at your reading fuch trifles in this paper. I fhould never have mentioned them, had not I read fuch a nonfenfical charge in the writings of fome paltry scribblers, who, in order to keep our Proteftant neighbours in perpetual dread of inoffenfive fellow-fubjects, do not blush at an infult offered to common fenfe, and to the rights of mankind.

For, where property is once fettled,-fecured by the laws of any realm,—and confirmed by a long poffeffion,-there is no difturbing the proprietor. It is the general confent of nations,

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and the univerfal voice of mankind. By the Roman laws, thirty years poffeffion fecures the poffeffor in the enjoyment of his property. Even in fcripture we read, that, when a king of the Ammonites had challenged fome lands which the Ifraelites had taken from his anceftors, Jephtah, the ruler of God's people, amongst other reasons, pleads a long poffeffion : "While Ifrael dwelt in Hefhbon, why therefore "did ye not recover them within that time?"*. Thus, from the first establishment of civil fo ciety, a long poffeffion annihilates all claims. And by the fame principles, every Proteftant gentleman in Ireland, has as good a right to his. eftate, as any Milefian had before him. For this I appeal to your confciences. As you are to appear before God, if you cut corn in the field: of a Proteftant, or ftole his hay, would not your confeffor compel you to reftitution? What right then should you have to the land, where you would fcruple to take the growth of it? Far then from giving you eftates, the French could not, by the laws of war and the principles of conqueft, univerfally agreed on by civilized nations, take a foot of ground from any perfon in the kingdom, for their own ufe; much less for yours. If the nation fhould be unable to make head against them, and that the chief men of the kingdom, and the repre

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fentatives of the people, fhould prefer prefervation to death, (as doubtless they will, if they have not fuperior forces to oppose them) -they neither will nor can require any more than the allegiance of the inhabitants, the fame rates, taxes, and government-support, that were granted to the king of England. The natives will be fecured in the free exercise of their religion, the full enjoyment of their property, their laws, and privileges. This is always done. The reverse would be an open violation of the laws of nations, which are binding on the very conquerors; and which, according to the present system, they strictly observe.

Thus, the common people are never interested in the change of government. They may change their masters: but they will not change. their burden. The rich will be ftill rich. The poor will be poor. In France, they have poor of all trades and profeffions: it will be the fame here. But you will tell me, "that at least

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you will have the free exercife of your reli"gion." Pray, my brethren, do not your Protestant neighbours grant you the free exercise of your religion? Would they not esteem you the more, in proportion as you would live up to its maxims? Even the worthy, learned, and charitable Dr. Mann, the Proteftant bishop, at the head of an affembly of his clergy, recom

mended

mended benevolence and moderation towards the Roman Catholics. The fame doctrine has been preached not long ago from the Proteftant pulpit. Thus, it is the glory of our days, to fee the unhappy spirit of perfecution dying away, and Christian charity fucceeding the intemperate zeal and unchriftian fuperftition which, for many years, had difgraced religion, and difhonoured humanity.

Bells, fteeples, and churches richly ornamented, contribute to the outward pomp and folemnity of worship: but an upright heart and pure confcience are the temples in which the Divinity delights. We would fain worship God our own way. Doubtlefs. But are we to worship him against his will? In lighting up the facred fire, are we to burn the house of God? Saul, king of Ifrael, intended to worship God, in offering up a facrifice. The Lord rejected him, because he offered it up against the law. His intention was good; but the action criminal. Thus, the Lord would reject you, if, under pretence of a more free worship, you flocked to the standard of an enemy; rofe up in rebellion against lawful authority; plundered your neighbour; and imbrued your hands in the blood of your fellow-fubjects.

Let none then say, "We will have a Catholic king." Subjects are little concerned in

the

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