ABSTRACT
The necessity of a parliamentary reform, is so obvious a measure to every unbiassed and disinterested person of any reasonable knowledge in this kingdom, that it makes it unnecessary for me to enter into any argument in support of the position: It is a measure which has ingrossed my thoughts for many years; so that upwards of five years ago, if my memory informs me right, I prepared heads of a bill for that great and desirable end, which I delivered to a gentleman, (Mr. J—n F—r,)1 high in court favour; well knowing it was in vain to urge that, or any other matter, repugnant to the ideas of government. But as I received no encouragement to proceed, I let it drop for that time; determined, however, to bring it forward, whenever I found an administration, / under whose auspices the country might look for such a benefit. The free trade for this kingdom, after-wards engrossed my thoughts, and being on the grand jury for the County of Wicklow, I prepared a petition to the throne, praying his Majesty to interpose his good offices with the Commons of Great Britain, to have a law passed for allowing a free trade, in several articles therein specified, to this kingdom. This petition being sent by me to Lord Nugent,2 to be presented to his Majesty; – his Lordship was pleased to write me a letter dated 17th May, 1779, (the original of which may be seen in the hands of the Printer of this Pamphlet,) wherein is the following passage:–
