[REASONS HUMBLY OFFERED] TO HIS GRACE WILLIAM, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN, &c.[1] THE HUMBLE REPRESENTATION OF THE CLERGY OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN.

[Footnote 1:  William King, D.D. (1650-1729), Archbishop of Dublin, was born in Antrim, and educated at a school at Dungannon and Trinity College, Dublin.  He was installed Dean of St. Patrick’s in 1688-9 (February 1st).  For his open espousal of the Prince of Orange, he was confined to the Castle, and suffered many indignities.  In 1690-1 (January 9th) he was promoted to the see of Derry.  His conduct through life was that of an ardent Irish Protestant patriot.  He fought against Sectarianism, Roman Catholicism, and the interference of the English Parliament in Irish affairs.  He opposed the Toleration Bill, and protested against the act confirming the Articles of Limerick.  His relationship with Swift became close when he sent the vicar of Laracor to London, to obtain for the Irish clergy the restoration of the first-fruits and twentieth parts; but it was a relationship never cemented by feelings warmer than those of esteem.  King acknowledged the ability of Swift, but found him ambitious and overbearingly proud.  Throughout life he remained a consistent High Churchman, and a strenuous supporter of the rights of the Church in Ireland, but his attempt, in 1727, to interfere with the affairs of the Deanery of St. Patrick’s, brought down upon him Swift’s wrath, and an open quarrel ensued which was partly softened by the Archbishop retiring from the matter and tacitly acknowledging Swift’s right.

King’s chief published work is his treatise “De Origine Mali,” published in 1702, and received with respectful consideration by the eminent thinkers of the day.  He wrote other minor works, but none of any distinguished merit.  He succeeded Narcissus Marsh as Archbishop of Dublin in 1702-3 (March 11th).  Swift’s letters to King during the former’s embassy on the matter of first-fruits, make a most interesting chapter in the six volumes which Scott devotes to Swift’s correspondence.  T. S.]

Jan. 1724.

MY LORD,

Your Grace having been pleased to communicate to us a certain brief, by letters patents, for the relief of one Charles M’Carthy, whose house in College-Green, Dublin, was burnt by an accidental fire; and having desired us to consider of the said brief, and give our opinions thereof to your Grace;

We the Clergy of the city of Dublin, in compliance with your Grace’s desire, and with great acknowledgments for your paternal tenderness towards us, having maturely considered the said brief by letters patents, compared the several parts of it with what is enjoined us by the rubric, (which is confirmed by act of parliament) and consulted persons skilled in the laws of the Church; do, in the names of ourselves and of the rest of our brethren, the Clergy of the diocese of Dublin, most humbly represent to your Grace: 

First, That, by this brief, your Grace is required and commanded, to recommend and command all the parsons, vicars, &c., to advance so great an act of charity.