fenfive to persons, whom we might wish to conciliate: or, relying on thofe energies, which an open avowal of political truth' would, most probably, excite in the breafts of englishmen of every defcription, intrepidly affert it in the face of our country, regardless of oppofition from whatever quarter it may arife. This is a queftion which futurity may probably decide. My own fenti L12 ments * It has, of late years, been too much the custom, with men of every defcription, to exprefs an unfavourable opinion of the general difpofition of the english people. They have been repeatedly reprefented as ftrangers to principle in virtue and religion, and totally degenerate with regard to the love of liberty and public fpirit. I can by no means affent to a pofition, which exhibits my fellow-citizens in fo unpleafing a point of view. I am perfuaded that the contrary is a fact. I am perfuaded, that there does not only exift fufficient virtue in this country, to preferve what is left of the forms of the conftitution, but that there alfo remains fuch a tion of public fpirit, as, under proper direction, would reftore that constitution to its primæval integrity and fplendor. When the brave and injured Keppel endured that memorable conflict, to which the arts of bafe detraction had expofed him, with a firmnefs and compofure, which confcious innocence could alone afford. What were the fentiments, that occupied the minds of the attentive audience ments are fufficiently apparent; and, I trust, this avowal of them will be received with candour by yourself and the other gentlemen of the committee, to whom, with the utmost respect and most cordial good wishes, they are addressed by their devoted humble fervant, JOHN JEBB. Craven street, May 13, 1781. audience at that important hour? Refpect for injured merit, ftrong refentment, and anxious expectation, by turns, maintained the intire poffeffion of their fouls. And at the moment of his acquittal, when furrounded by his fell ow-citizens, he obtained a triumph, more truly honourable, more truly glorious, than England yet had witnessed, did not a fpirit, manly and exalted as his own, inform each english breast? Nor were these fentiments of more than roman virtue, confined to the fpectators of this affecting fcene: they diffused themselves with refiftless energy to the remoteft quarters of the island; and, while the meanest of the multitude felt thofe generous emotions, which public virtue only can infpire," decus et tutamen," the proper motto of nobility, appeared to be infcribed in fplendid characters on each illuftrious brow. Is it poffible that my fellow-citizens, who interested themselves fo warmly in the caufe of injured virtue, fhould remain utterly infenfible, when their country calls? Can a nation, thus feeling for another's honour, long continue regardlefs of its own? LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THE VOLUNTEERS OF IRELAND, LETTER I. TO LIEUT. COL. SHARMAN, &c. SIR, I AM informed by Mr. Joy, in a letter dated the first inftant, that the committee, of which you are chairman, have done me the honour to defire, that I would communicate to you my fentiments, refpecting a parliamentary reform. Ever fince the commencement of the late important movements in your kingdom, I have conceived the reformation of your house of commons, as a measure, effentially neceffary to the establishment of the liberties of Ireland upon a permanent foundation. You have wifely referved the confideration of this work to the prefent moment. If it be conducted with the fame manly and determined L14 |