Page:A Declaration of the People's Natural Right to a Share in the Legislature (1775) (IA declarationofpeo00shar).djvu/147

 "Conceived" (says Serjeant Mayart, p. 226.) “that Magna Charta was not of force in Ireland till the 10th of Hen. 7. which is only a mistake" (fays he) “of a matter of fact; for in truth we find” (fays he) “that a Statute was given to them of Ireland in the first year of Hen. 3. &c.” But though this was only “a mistake of a matter of fact” yet it was such a mistake as might probably, in great measure, have occasioned the erroneous opinions ever after, of that great and worthy man, concerning the Constitution of Ireland.

But Serjeant Mayart has not profited so much as might have been expected by this knowledge that the Subjects of Ireland were honoured with a distinct Charter; for, after pointing out (in page 227) the several Chapters of the Charter, wherein (as he supposes) “that Law differs from the antient common Law,"