Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/52

 either most Englishmen, and such Irishmen as were of the soundest judgment and disposition; for no doubt but some there bee incorruptible.

Iren. Some there bee indeede as you say; but then would the Irish partie erye out of partialitie, and complaine hee hath no iustice, hee is not used as a subject; hee is not suffered to have the free benefite of the law; and these outcryes the Magistrates there doe much shunne, as they have cause, since they are readily hearkened unto heere; neither can it bee indeede, although the Irish party would bee so contented to be so compassed, that such English freehoulders which are but few, and such faithful Irish-men, which are indeede as few, shall alwayes bee chosen for tryalls; for being so few, they should bee made weary of their free-houldes. And therefore a good care is to bee had by all good occasions, to encrease their number, and to plant more by them. But were it so, that the iurors could bee picked out of such choyce men as you desire, this would neverthelesse bee as bad a corruption in the tryall; for the evidence being brought in by the baser Irish people, will bee as deceptfull as the verdict; for they care much lesse then the others, what they sweare, and sure their Lordes may compel them to say any thing; for I my selfe have heard, when one of the baser sort (which they call churles) being challenged,