as good a foot as any
subjects of Britain, according to the practice of all other
nations, and particularly of the Greeks and Romans.

"Secondly, That they are denied the natural liberty of exporting
their manufactures to any country which is not engaged in a war
with England.

"Thirdly, That whereas there is a university in Ireland, founded by
Queen Elizabeth, where youth are instructed with a much stricter
discipline than either in Oxford or Cambridge, it lies under the
greatest discouragements, by filling all the principal employments,
civil and ecclesiastical, with persons from England, who have
neither interest, property, acquaintance, nor alliance, in that
kingdom; contrary to the practice of all other states in Europe
which are governed by viceroys, at least what hath never been used
without the utmost discontents of the people.

"Fourthly, That several of the bishops sent over to Ireland, having
been clergymen of obscure condition, and without other distinction
than that of chaplains to the governors, do frequently invite over
their old acquaintances or kindred, to whom they bestow the best
preferment in their gift. The like may be said of the judges, who
take with them one or two dependants, to whom they give their
countenance; and who, consequently, without other merit, grow
immediately into the chief business of their courts. The same
practice is followed by all others in civil employments, if they
have a cousin, a valet, or footman in their family, born in
England.

"Fifthly, That all civil employments, granted in reversion, are
given to persons who reside in England.

"The people of Ireland, who are certainly the most loyal subjects
in the world, cannot but conceive that most of these hardships have
been the consequence of some unfortunate representations (at least)
in former times; and the whole body of the gentry feel the effects
in a very sensible part, being utterly destitute of all means to
make provision for their younger sons, either in the Church, the
law, the revenue, or (of late) in the army; and, in the desperate
condition of trade, it is equally vain to think of making them
merchants. All they have left is, at the expiration of leases, to
rack their tenants, which they have done to such a degree, that