[36]
The Earl of Shelburne knew of no written article of legal compulsion, and absolutely refused to renew: the tenants went home, crying, 'we have not acted like wise men!'
Why should the noble Lord renew the leases upon the obligation of a verbal contract? he may read the statute-book up to the last volume and find no penalty incurred, no express law violated—nothing to censure him—nothing to coerce. It would have been idiotical, if, from any crawsickness of conscience, or honor, he had renewed. The lands under the old leases did not produce a sixth part of the current value of similar estates in Ireland. Who could be mad enough to mind a promise to men with such names as Mlaghling o'Muynighane—Philimy Mackcullacotho—Moroogha mac Lughullugha?Or who could dread that such men, creeping through life in a neglected corner of the most distant country of Ireland, would ever come forward with any impotent efforts, to fix a stain upon the unsullied probity of the Earl of Shelburne?
[1]This is a trifling incident, and I record it only to shew you, that the same principle of
- ↑ The writer of this letter undertakes to prove any man who could contradict the preceding anecdote a liar.
