Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/304

 of ten to one, without tests or embarassing oaths, and that there be a well grounded liberty of religion in these Kingdoms such as may be depended on.'

'What is meant,' he asked, 'by Union between England and Ireland?' He answered: 'That the wealth of both peoples united will increase faster than of both distinct, and consequently that their revenue may also increase proportionally. That the Government of both united will be less expensive and more safe. That the enrichment of Ireland will necessarily enrich England, even in spite of statutes made to the contrary. That the prevention of rebellion in Ireland attainable by this Union is a benefit to England: former rebellions, and the last particularly, having been a vast prejudice to England. That the said Union will weaken the Popish power and party as well without as within his Majesty's own dominions. That the King's loss of Customs between the two kingdoms will be easily and willingly repaired by the same Parliament which makes the Union. That neither the prerogative of King nor the privilege of Peers, or of either House of Parliament in either kingdom, need to be lessened hereby. That there may be different laws, even in any of the parts of either kingdom if need be, notwithstanding the Union. That for want of a Union, even the Protestant and English interest of Ireland may, as it formerly hath done, in time degenerate, be estrayed, and rebel. That as Wales is an example of the good effects of a Union, so will Ireland be to Scotland, New England, and the other of his Majesty's out-territories. That all his Majesty's territories being united are naturally as strong and rich as the kingdom of France. That rather than not unite Ireland, 'twere better to dispeople and abandon the land and houses thereof, all movables, with the people, being brought away. The cause why the same hath not been hitherto done hath been indeed the vain feares of many, and the interest of but a very few, and these of the worst members of both kingdoms. That this Union cannot be thought a private project or intended for the particular or present advantage of any man. If it be an