The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 11/From William King to Jonathan Swift - 3

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REVEREND SIR,
DUBLIN, MARCH 12, 1708.


THE business of the twentieth parts and first-fruits is still on the anvil. We are given to understand, that her majesty designs, out of her royal bounty, to make a grant of them for charitable uses, and that it is designed this grant should come over with his excellency the lord lieutenant. The bishops in this town at present thought it reasonable to apprise his excellency of the affair, and to address him for his favour in it, which accordingly is done by this post. We have sent with this address the representation made at first to her majesty about it; the reference to the commissioners of the revenue here, and their report, together with the memorial to the lord Pembroke. In that there is mention of the state of the diocese of Dublin, as a specimen of the condition of the clergy of Ireland, by which it will appear how much we stand in need of such a gift. This we could not well send to his excellency, because it is very long, and we apprehend, that it might be improper to give him so much trouble at first, before he was any way apprised of the matter; but if you think, that his excellency may judge it agreeable, that it should be laid before him, I entreat the favour of you to apply to my lord Pembroke's secretary, with whom it is, for the original, or a copy of it, and present it to my lord lieutenant, or leave it with his secretary. I have engaged for you to my brethren, that you will be at this trouble: and there is a memorial to this purpose, at the foot of the copy of the representation made to the earl of Pembroke, transmitted with the other papers. What charges you are at upon this account, will be answered by me.

The good impression you have given me of Mr. Addison, my lord lieutenant's secretary, has encouraged me to venture a letter to him on this subject, which I have enclosed, and make you the full and sole judge, whether it ought to be delivered. I can't be competently informed by any here, whether it may be pertinent or no; but I may and do depend on your prudence in the case, who, I believe, will neither omit what may be useful, nor suffer me to do an officious or improper thing. I mix no other matter with this, beside what agrees with all occasions, the tender of the hearty prayers and wishes for you of,

Sir, your, &c.


The reversal of my lord Slane's[1] outlawry makes a mighty noise through this kingdom: for aught I can remember, the destroying of our woollen manufactory did not cause so universal a consternation.

  1. Christopher Fleming, baron of Slane, having taken up arms for king James in 1688 in Ireland, where he was colonel of a regiment of foot, afterward lost his estate, and was outlawed, till queen Anne reversed his attainder; upon which the house of commons of Ireland, on the 3d of June 1709, unanimously resolved, that an address be made to the queen, "setting forth the fatal consequences of reversing the outlawries of persons attainted of treason for the rebellions in 1641 and 1688." Lord Slane was in November, 1713, created by her majesty viscount Longford.