My second proposition was, that we of Ireland are a free people:  This, I suppose, you will allow; at least, with certain limitations remaining in your own breast.  However, I am sure it is not criminal to affirm; because the words “liberty” and “property,” as applied to the subject, are often mentioned in both houses of Parliament, as well as in yours, and other courts below; from whence it must follow, that the people of Ireland do, or ought to enjoy all the benefits of the common and statute law; such as to be tried by juries, to pay no money without their own consent, as represented in Parliament; and the like.  If this be so, and if it be universally agreed, that a free people cannot, by law, be compelled to take any money in payment, except gold and silver; I do not see why any man should be hindered from cautioning his countrymen against this coin of William Wood; who is endeavouring by fraud to rob us of that property, which the laws have secured.  If I am mistaken, and that this copper can be obtruded on us; I would put the Drapier’s case in another light, by supposing, that a person going into his shop, should agree for thirty shillings’ worth of goods, and force the seller to take his payment in a parcel of copper pieces, intrinsically not worth above a crown:  I desire to know, whether the Drapier would not be actually robbed of five and twenty shillings, and how far he could be said to be master of his property?  The same question may be applied to rents and debts, on bond or mortgage, and to all kind of commerce whatsoever.

Give me leave to do what the Drapier hath done more than once before me; which is, to relate the naked fact, as it stands in the view of the world.

One William Wood, Esq; and hardware-man, obtains, by fraud, a patent in England, to coin 108,000_l._ in copper, to pass in Ireland, leaving us liberty to take, or to refuse.  The people here, in all sorts of bodies and representatives, do openly and heartily declare, that they will not accept this coin:  To justify these declarations, they generally offer two reasons; first, because by the words of the patent, they are left to their own choice:  And secondly, because they are not obliged by law:  So that here you see there is, bellum atgue virum, a kingdom on one side, and William Wood on the other.  And if Mr. Wood gets the victory, at the expense of Ireland’s ruin, and the profit of one or two hundred thousand pounds (I mean by continuing, and counterfeiting as long as he lives) for himself; I doubt, both present and future ages will, at least, think it a very singular scheme.

If this fact be truly stated; I must confess, I look upon it as my duty, so far as God hath enabled me, and as long as I keep within the bounds of truth, of duty, and of decency, to warn my fellow-subjects, as they value their King, their country, and all that ought or can be dear to them, never to admit this pernicious coin; no not so much as one single halfpenny.  For, if one single thief forces the door, it is in vain to talk of keeping out the whole crew behind.