Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 2).djvu/331

Rh with regard to Ireland." These intentions were to put everything upon an equal footing, meeting Ireland upon the ground of their Duties, and allowing Ireland all the benefits of the Navigation Act, but expecting the principle of a contribution to be acknowledged, and secured upon such taxes as would be sure to rise with the commerce and population of the country, which already went to maice up the Hereditary Revenue, to the produce of which the King had an original independent title; and after this confirmation and extension of an independent commerce, would have a double claim; at least to whatever sum it might increase to after the present era. "I told him," Lord Lansdowne's account of the conversation goes on, "that I entirely approved the first part; but differed as to the second; that the time for a bargain was over: it should have been stipulated when the Free Commerce was granted by Lord North, or when their rights were acknowledged by the Duke of Portland, and confirmed to them by Lord Temple; that the plan for a contribution required to be changed; that in my opinion it would be a surer as well as more dignified mode of proceeding to give what is now in question upon a large principle of general policy, and watch a favourable moment hereafter to obtain, upon a like general principle, productive contributions to the general defence. To aim at it now would give a handle for discussion, would confound and distract the minds of many when the great and pressing object is to tranquillize and restore public confidence everywhere, particularly in Ireland, where he stated the Roman Catholics as nowhere to be depended upon, and ready to claim their estates, and bring forward their old titles the moment any disturbance gives them an opportunity.

"I told him that I thought the best method in regard to them was without delay to set forward some new and general system of education; to oblige the Protestant clergy to immediate residence, and to every possible exertion; and to establish at any expense Protestant Colonies in the Popish countries. He said he relied on