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Anecdotes of the life of Richard Watson, bishop of Landaff : written by himself at different intervals, and revised in 1814 / published by his son, Richard Watson
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disposed to become a party to the contract. Under such circum-stances, the contract cannot, in my opinion, be fairly enteredinto. What, then, is to be done ? Precisely that which Great Britain is doing ; and is, I trust, prepared to do. Great Britain is giving time to Ireland to consider this subject in all its bear-ings ; and Great Britain is, I trust, prepared to say, if not bywords, to say by actions, to her sister-kingdom, Be persuaded,that, in proposing this measure, I have not been actuated by anyselfish, insidious, or oppressive views; be assured, that inprosecuting what has been proposed, I have no point to carrybut what will be full as useful to Ireland as to Great Britain :conscious of the integrity of my intention, and convinced of theutility of the measure, had I the means of influencing the parlia-ment of Ireland to a corrupt approbation of it, I would, on thisoccasion, disdain to use them. I will not tamper with the con-science ; I will not attempt to undermine the public probity, orto assail the personal independence of any individual in Ireland .I do not wish any man, on either side of the water, to supportthis measure from a principle of gratitude for favours received,much less from a principle of expectation of favours to be con-ferred ; but, on the other hand, I must deprecate all oppositionto it, originating in local prejudices, partial consideration, indi-vidual interest; or, in what is least deserving the attention of awise man, a desire of popular applause. All I wish is, that thesubject may be fully and intelligently examined, deliberately dis-cussed, and decided freely. Great Britain may not, perhaps, beable to approve the wisdom of the decision, but she knows howto respect the independence of the sister-kingdom, and will acqui-esce in the decision, be it what it may. Such, My Lords, I