Ireland, not as old Irish, or such as lived there about 516 Years ago, when the English first medled in that Matter; Nor as those that have been added since, and who went into Ireland between the first Invasion and the Change of Religion; Nor as the English who went thither between the said Change, and the Year 1641, or between 1641 and 1660; Much less, into Protestants and Papists, and such who speak English, and such who despise it.
But rather consider them
- 1° As such as live upon the King's Pay.
2° As owners of Lands and Freeholds.
3° As Tenants and Lessees to the Lands of others.
4° As Workmen and Labourers.
As to the first, the King may command them to Dwell and Reside where he pleases.
As for Land-Owners, the King is able, and it would be his Profit, to buy a great Part of them out, at the present-full-Market-Rate. But without Compulsion. If the propounded Transplantation will raise the Prices from the present 10 Years Purchase or less, to about 20 as in England; And if the possess'd Landlords, not selling their Lands in Ireland, should make more Benefit of the said Lands and Stocks, by putting them under the new Method of Plantation, whilst themselves do withal become Farmers in England, for the Equivalent to their own Estates in Ireland.
As for the Tenants, Farmers, and Lessees now in Ireland, they may well remove into England to be Farmers there, to[1] live in a more cultivated Countrey, and in more Elegant Company, and Variety of Entertainments; and where the Landlords of England shall see Cause to Lett them good Bargains and bid them Welcom.
And as for Labourers, it is manifest they live in Ireland cheaper than in England but by ⅓ Part; whereas their ordinary Wages is near double in England. But how these Tempting Profits shall arise, is the next Point of this Discourse.
- ↑ 'to' inserted by Petty.
