This I speak with the utmost respect to the person and dignity of his Excellency the Lord Carteret, whose character hath been given me by a gentleman that hath known him from his first appearance in the world:  That gentleman describes him as a young nobleman of great accomplishments, excellent learning, regular in his life, and of much spirit and vivacity.  He hath since, as I have heard, been employed abroad, was principal secretary of state, and is now about the 37th year of his age appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.  From such a governor this kingdom may reasonably hope for as much prosperity as, under so many discouragements, it can be capable of receiving.[16]

[Footnote 16:  Carteret was an old friend of Swift.  On the Earl’s appointment to the Lord-lieutenancy, in April, 1724, Swift wrote him a letter on the matter of Wood’s halfpence, in which he took the liberty of “an old humble servant, and one who always loved and esteemed” him, to make known to him the apprehensions the people were under concerning Mr. Wood’s patent.  “Neither is it doubted,” he wrote, “that when your excellency shall be thoroughly informed, your justice and compassion for an injured people, will force you to employ your credit for their relief.”  Swift waited for more than a month, and on receiving no reply, sent a second letter, which Sir Henry Craik justly calls, “a masterpiece of its kind.”  It was as follows: 

“June 9, 1724.

“MY LORD,

“It is above a month since I took the boldness of writing to your excellency, upon a subject wherein the welfare of this kingdom is highly concerned.

“I writ at the desire of several considerable persons here, who could not be ignorant that I had the honour of being well known to you.

“I could have wished your excellency had condescended so far, as to let one of your under clerks have signified to me that a letter was received.

“I have been long out of the world; but have not forgotten what used to pass among those I lived with while I was in it:  and I can say, that during the experience of many years, and many changes in affairs, your excellency, and one more, who is not worthy to be compared to you, are the only great persons that ever refused to answer a letter from me, without regard to business, party, or greatness; and if I had not a peculiar esteem for your personal qualities, I should think myself to be acting a very inferior part in making this complaint.

“I never was so humble, as to be vain upon my acquaintance with men in power, and always rather chose to avoid it when I was not called.  Neither were their power or titles sufficient, without merit, to make me cultivate them; of which I have witnesses enough left, after all the havoc made among them, by accidents of time, or by changes of persons, measures, and opinions.

“I know not how your conception of yourself may alter, by every new high station; but mine must continue the same, or alter for the worse.