Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/188

176 you will find in their votes. The examination of this matter has employed much of the lords time to very little purpose. My opposing this was made an objection against me by some, that wish now my advice had been taken.

The business of the city of Dublin, of which I gave you an account formerly, embroils us very much. We have at the council rejected four mayors and eight sheriffs, all regularly elected by the city; some of them the best citizens in the town, and much in the interest of the government. We begin to be sick of it, and I am afraid, that it may beget ill blood, and come into parliament here. We have rejected the elected magistrates in four other corporations, which adds to the noise. I own there were good reasons for rejecting some of them: but I cannot say the same for Dublin. I wish this may not prove uneasy to us.

There was a motion made at the sessions for the county of Dublin at Kilmainham, for an address of thanks to her majesty for sending his grace the duke of Ormond to be our chief governor. Nine of the justices, that is, all that were then present, agreed to it, and an address was ordered to be drawn, which was brought next morning into court, and then there were above a score, that seemed to have come on purpose, and promised, that it should be rejected by a majority; for this reason only, that it would entail a necessity on them to address in favour of every new lord lieutenant, or disoblige him. For which reason it was rejected also in my lord Wharton's time. This noways concerns his grace himself; but in my opinion, ought to lessen the esteem of some persons management, that attempt things, which