Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)Swift, Jonathan
History
Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)
Swift, Jonathan
Ireland -- History -- 18th century; Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745
Since a bill is preparing for the grand jury to find against the printer
of the Drapier's last letter, there are several things maturely to be
considered by those gentlemen before they determine upon it.
First, they are to consider, that the author of the said pamphlet did
write three other discourses on the same subject, which, instead of being
censured, were universally approved by the whole nation, and were allowed
to have raised and continued that spirit among us, which has hitherto kept
out Wood's coin; for all men will grant, that if those pamphlets had not
been written, his coin must have overrun the nation some months ago.
Secondly, it is to be considered, that this pamphlet, against which a
proclamation has been issued, is written by the same author: that nobody
ever doubted the innocence and goodness of his design; that he appears,
through the whole tenour of it, to be a loyal subject to his Majesty, and
devoted to the House of Hanover, and declares himself in a manner
peculiarly zealous against the Pretender. And if such a writer, in four
several treatises on so nice a subject, where a royal patent is concerned,
and where it was necessary to speak of England and of liberty, should in
one or two places happen to let fall an inadvertent expression, it would
be hard to condemn him, after all the good he has done, especially when we
consider that he could have no possible design in view, either of honour
or profit, but purely the GOOD of his country.
Thirdly, it ought to be well considered, whether any one expression in the
said pamphlet be really liable to a just exception, much less to be found
"wicked, malicious, seditious, reflecting upon his Majesty and his
ministry," &c.
The two points in that pamphlet, which it is said the prosecutors intend
chiefly to fix on, are, first, where the author mentions the penner of the
King's answer. First, it is well known his Majesty is not master of the
English tongue; and therefore it is necessary that some other person
should be employed to pen what he has to say or write in that language.
Secondly, his Majesty's answer is not in the first person, but in the
third. It is not said, WE are concerned, or OUR royal predecessors; but
HIS MAJESTY is concerned, and HIS royal predecessors. By which it is
plain, these are properly not the words of his Majesty, but supposed to be
taken from him, and transmitted hither by one of his ministers. Thirdly,
it will be easily seen, that the author of the pamphlet delivers his
sentiments upon this particular with the utmost caution and respect, as
any impartial reader will observe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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