e that your nation has produced patriots who have
nobly distinguished themselves in the cause of humanity and America. On
the other hand we were not ignorant that the labour and manufactures of
Ireland, like those of the silkworm, were of little moment to herself,
but served only to give luxury to those who neither toil nor spin. We
perceived that if we continued our commerce with you, our agreement not
to import from Britain must be fruitless. Compelled to behold
thousands of our countrymen imprisoned; and men, women, and children in
promiscuous and unmerited misery--when we found all faith at an end,
and sacred treaties turned into tricks of state--when we perceived our
friends and kinsmen massacred, our habitations plundered, our houses
in flames, and their once happy inhabitants fed only by the hand of
charity--who can blame us for endeavouring to restrain the progress of
the desolation? Who can censure us for repelling the barbarous band?
Who in such circumstances would not obey the great, the universal, the
divine law of self-preservation? Though vilified as wanting spirit, we
are determined to behave like men; though insulted and abused, we wish
for reconciliation; though defamed as seditious, we are ready to obey
the laws: and though charged with rebellion, we will cheerfully bleed
in defence of our sovereign in a righteous cause. What more can we
say? What more can we offer? We know that you are not without your
grievances. We sympathize with you in your distress, and are pleased to
find that the design of subjugating us has persuaded the administration
to dispense to Ireland some vagrant rays of ministerial sunshine. Even
the tender mercies of government have long been cruel towards you. In
the fat pastures of Ireland many hungry parricides have fed and grown
strong to labour in her destruction. We hope the patient abiding of the
meek may not always be forgotten." The Americans could scarcely have
spoken plainer than this, and the Irish people could not fail rightly to
interpret their language as an incitement to join in that sin which the
sacred penman has likened to the sin of witchcraft--rebellion.

{GEORGE III. 1776-1777}

EXPEDITION AGAINST NEW YORK.

It has been seen that when General Howe evacuated Boston he set sail for
Halifax. He remained at Halifax till the 11th of June, when he sailed
for New York, and arrived near the end of the month offf Sandy Hook. He
expected to meet his brother, Lord