Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/124

112 present ministry another way. The bishops are mistaken in me; it is well known here, that I could have made my markets with the last ministry if I had pleased; and the present men in power are very well apprized of it, as your grace may, if I live to see you again; which I certainly never would in Ireland, if I did not flatter myself that I am upon abetter foot with your grace, than with some other of their lordships. Your grace is pleased to command me to continue my solicitations; but as now there will be no need of them, so I think my commission is at an end, ever since I had notice of that dispatch to Mr. Southwell. However, in obedience to your grace, if there be any thing to be done about expediting the forms, wherein my service can be of use, I will readily perform as far as I am able: but I must tell your grace what gives me the greatest displeasure, that I had hopes to prevail that the queen should in some months be brought to remit the crown-rents, which I named in my memorial, but in an article by itself; and which Mr. Harley had given me some hopes of, and I have some private reasons to think might have been brought about. I mentioned it in the memorial, only as from myself; and therefore, if I have an opportunity, I shall venture to mention it to the queen, or at least repeat it to Mr. Harley. This I do as a private man, whom the bishops no longer own. It is certainly right to pay all civilities, and make applications to a lord lieutenant; but, without some other means, a business may hang long enough, as this of the first-fruits did for four years under the duke of Ormond's last government, although, no man loves the church of Ireland better than his grace; but such things are forgot and glected