After all, what are the matters we dispute with so much warmth?  Do we in these resolutions bestow anything upon Ireland?  Not a shilling.  We only consent to leave to them, in two or three instances, the use of the natural faculties which God has given to them, and to all mankind.  Is Ireland united to the crown of Great Britain for no other purpose than that we should counteract the bounty of Providence in her favor? and in proportion as that bounty has been liberal, that we are to regard it as an evil, which is to be met with in every sort of corrective?  To say that Ireland interferes with us, and therefore must be checked, is, in my opinion, a very mistaken, and a very dangerous principle.  I must beg leave to repeat, what I took the liberty of suggesting to you in my last letter, that Ireland is a country in the same climate and of the same natural qualities and productions with this, and has consequently no other means of growing wealthy in herself, or, in other words, of being useful to us, but by doing the very same things which we do for the same purposes.  I hope that in Great Britain we shall always pursue, without exception, every means of prosperity, and, of course, that Ireland will interfere with us in something or other:  for either, in order to limit her, we must restrain ourselves, or we must fall into that shocking conclusion, that we are to keep our yet remaining dependency under a general and indiscriminate restraint for the mere purpose of oppression.  Indeed, Sir, England and Ireland may flourish together.  The world is large enough for us both.  Let it be our care not to make ourselves too little for it.

I know it is said, that the people of Ireland do not pay the same taxes, and therefore ought not in equity to enjoy the same benefits with this.  I had hopes that the unhappy phantom of a compulsory equal taxation had haunted us long enough.  I do assure you, that, until it is entirely banished from our imaginations, (where alone it has, or can have, any existence,) we shall never cease to do ourselves the most substantial injuries.  To that argument of equal taxation I can only say, that Ireland pays as many taxes as those who are the best judges of her powers are of opinion she can bear.  To bear more, she must have more ability; and, in the order of Nature, the advantage must precede the charge.  This disposition of things being the law of God, neither you nor I can alter it.  So that, if you will have more help from Ireland, you must previously supply her with more means.  I believe it will be found, that, if men are suffered freely to cultivate their natural advantages, a virtual equality of contribution will come in its own time, and will flow by an easy descent through its own proper and natural channels.  An attempt to disturb that course, and to force Nature, will only bring on universal discontent, distress, and confusion.