There is an Englishman[1] of no long standing among us, but in an employment of great trust, power, and profit. This excellent person did lately publish, at his own expense, a pamphlet printed in England by authority, to justify the bill for a general excise, or inland duty, in order to introduce that blessed scheme among us. What a tender care must such an English patriot for Ireland have of our interest, if he should condescend to sit in our parliament? I will bridle my indignation. However, methinks I long to see that mortal, who would with pleasure blow us up all at a blast: but he duly receives his thousand pounds a year; makes his progress like a king; is received in pomp at every town[2] and village where he travels, and shines in the English newspapers.
I will now apply what I have said to you, my brethren, and fellow citizens. Count upon it, as a truth next to your creed, that no one person in office, of which he is not master for life, whether born here or in England, will ever hazard that office for the good of his country. One of your candidates is of this kind, and I believe him to be an honest sentleman, as the word honest is generally understood. But he loves his employment better than he does you, or his country, or all the countries upon earth. Will you contribute to give him city security to pay him the value of his employment, if it should be taken from him, during his life, for voting on all
- ↑ Edward Thompson, esq., member of parliament for York, and a commissioner of the revenue of Ireland.
- ↑ Mr. Thompson was presented with the freedom of several corporations in Ireland.
