First, by addresses artificially (if not illegally)
procured, to shew the miserable state of the dissenters
in Ireland by reason of the Sacramental Test, and
to desire the Queen’s intercession that it might
be repealed. Then it is manifest that our Speaker,
when he was last year in England, solicited, in person,
several members of both Houses, to have it repealed
by an act there, though it be a matter purely national,
that cannot possibly interfere with the trade and interest
of England, and though he himself appeared formerly
the most zealous of all men against the injustice
of binding a nation by laws to which they do not consent.
And lastly, those weekly libellers, whenever they get
a tale by the end relating to Ireland, without ever
troubling their thoughts about the truth, always end
it with an application against the Sacramental Test,
and the absolute necessity there is of repealing it
in both kingdoms. I know it may be reckoned a
weakness to say anything of such trifles as are below
a serious man’s notice; much less would I disparage
the understanding of any party to think they would
choose the vilest and most ignorant among mankind,
to employ them for assertors of a cause. I shall
only say, that the scandalous liberty those wretches
take would hardly be allowed, if it were not mingled
with opinions that some men would be glad to
advance. Besides, how insipid soever those papers
are, they seem to be levelled to the understandings
of a great number; they are grown a necessary part
in coffee-house furniture, and some time or other
may happen to be read by customers of all ranks, for
curiosity and amusement; because they lie always in
the way. One of these authors (the fellow that
was pilloried I have forgot his name)[4] is indeed
so grave, sententious, dogmatical a rogue, that there
is no enduring him; the Observator[5] is much
the brisker of the two, and I think farther gone of
late in lies and impudence, than his Presbyterian brother.
The reason why I mention him, is to have an occasion
of letting you know, that you have not dealt so gallantly
with us, as we did with you in a parallel case:
Last year, a paper was brought here from England, called,
“A Dialogue between the Archbishop of Canterbury
and Mr. Higgins,” which we ordered to be burnt
by the common hangman, as it well deserved; though
we have no more to do with his Grace of Canterbury[6]
than you have with the Archbishop of Dublin[7]; nor
can you love and reverence your prelate more than
we do ours, whom you tamely suffer to be abused openly,
and by name, by that paltry rascal of an Observator;
and lately upon an affair wherein he had no concern;
I mean the business of the missionary at Drogheda,
wherein our excellent primate was engaged, and did
nothing but according to law and discretion.
But because the Lord Archbishop of Dublin hath been
upon several occasions of late years, misrepresented
in England, I would willingly set you right in his
character. For his great sufferings and eminent