David Carnegie Andrew Agnew

“ During the next two years no meeting of parliament took place in Ireland. Certainly some of the bulls of the English parliament of that period were Irish enough, as I will now demonstrate. The majority of the House of Commons voted along with a few enthusiasts, that a standing army was dangerous to liberty. In order to deprive the king of an army, of which it was his pride to be the chief, the policy was to keep only a very few regiments in pay, and to rely mainly on the militia and the navy. ”

“ The title of the tractate was, “The Case of Ireland being bound by Acts of Parliament in England stated.” Its doctrine was that an English Act was not in force in the sister country, unless re-enacted by the Irish Parliament. The treatise was purely argumentative and free from personalities. Mr. Molyneux says in his Preface, “I have not any concern in wooll or the wooll-trade. . . . I think I am as free from any personal prejudice in this cause as ‘tis possible to expect any man should be that has an estate and property in this kingdom, and who is a Member of Parliament therein.” ”

“ The first suggestion of a State Paper Office for Ireland was made by Lord Galway in the above letter. He left Ireland with a good conscience, and with an excellent reputation as a man, a statesman, and a Christian nobleman. The Societies for the Reformation of Manners acknowledged his countenance of their well-intentioned labours. Their “Account,” published at that period, stated that they had several societies in Dublin, which were spreading into several parts of the kingdom, and were encouraged by his Excellency the Earl of Galway. He was also a patron of rising talent. ”

“ Monsieur de Schomberg, though a Duke and Peer of England, can no longer have the command of the army, he who had been accustomed to command the troops during the king’s absence. No French refugee, and no foreigner, can hold even a lieutenancy. In Ireland there can be no troops but Irish and Scotch. Lord Galway ceases therefore to command the army in that country, though he may remain regent. ”

“ The chief thing is to prevent the Irish parliament taking notice of what has passed in the English one; and that you make effectual laws for the linen manufacture, and to discourage, as far as possible, the woollen; these are two of the most material points you have to accomplish. And the third is the necessary supply for the maintenance of the army, of which you know the importance, and to try to get as much as you can, since after this session I should be very glad not to be obliged for a good while to have another parliament in Ireland. ”

“ The English Parliament had already passed Acts to encourage both the Irish linen manufacture, and the importation into England of unmanufactured wool from Ireland. The Irish Parliament now passed an Act for laying additional duty upon woollen manufactures exported out of Ireland. And the division of trade came into practical operation accordingly. Whatever material prosperity Ireland enjoys, may be said to be due to the refugee manufactures, and to the Acts for their encouragement under Lord Galway’s administration. The Linen Bill was planned and drawn up by James Hamilton, Esq., of Tullymore. ”

“ Like a skilful man, he desires to do himself honour by what he has not been able to prevent. He has gained the naturalized foreigners; and this is much, for it preserves the command of the troops for the Duke of Schomberg and the Earl of Galway. ”

“ You will easily perceive how necessary it is that all this be kept secret. I thought it requisite to give you early notice of my intention, that you might take your measures accordingly: mine must be regulated according as things go in parliament, of which there is no being sure till the session is over. There is a spirit of ignorance and malice reigning here beyond conception. Be always assured of my friendship.
“William R.”⁠ In the above gracious letter the king says, “Nothing has passed about you.” Lord Galway was personally respected and much liked by all parties. ”

“ About the year 1692 (I think) , one Monsieur Du Pin came to Dublin from England, and here, by the King and Queen’s letter and patents thereon, he set up a royal corporation for carrying on the linen manufacture in Ireland. Into this corporation many of the nobility and gentry were admitted, more for their countenance and favour to the project than for any great help could be expected, either from their purses or heads, to carry on the work. ”

“ But the predominant faction, drunk with insolence and animosity, made no distinction between courtiers who had been enriched by injudicious partiality, and warriors who had been sparingly rewarded for great exploits achieved in defence of the liberties and the religion of our country. ”

“ It is not to be conceived how much people here are set against the foreigners. You will easily judge on whom this reflects.
“I design very shortly to send into Ireland five regiments of foot and two of horse, and soon after, three more of foot — eight in all. I will send you in a few days orders to disband Wolsey’s regiment of horse and nine regiments of foot, intending to keep only Hanmer’s and Hamilton’s. I design also, when the parliament rises, to send you your regiment of horse, and the three French regiments, and perhaps Miremont’s dragoons ”

“ Having so much confidence in them, he believed that he could safely leave the kingdom; but could he venture at this time to go to Holland, when no one remains in this country upon whom he can depend?” — “P.S. — Since writing my letter, I have learnt that the Bill for the reduction of the troops has been read a second time in the House of Commons, and that instead of the words ‘subjects born in England,’ the expression, ‘subjects of England,’ has been substituted, by which Irishmen are qualified to be among the troops.” ”

“ But in Ireland it is just the contrary, it is the Tories; so he will find it hard to behave in such a manner as not to be involved in difficulties. If bad success attends you in parliament, it is certain that here the blame will be laid upon him. ”

“ Only this I can say, that the transgression is so universal, and the forfeiture thereon to the king so severe, that, if it were inquired into, I believe all the estates in Ireland would be forfeited to His Majesty; so that now the multitude of sinners is their security. This statute you will find amongst the Irish Acts (17th and 18th Car. II., cap. 9) .
“England most certainly will never let us thrive by the woollen trade; it is their darling mistress, and they are jealous of any rival. But I see not that we interfere with them in the least by the linen trade ”