political world, was a man of fire without judgment, and words without truth; that by others it was alleged he was revered by every friend of the Constitution, and was a most able and unrivalled statesman. That he heard it said, the import of the clause in the address respecting the American disputes, was of no other consequence than to declare our attachment to His Majesty; and, on the other hand, he heard it strenuously contended, that it was a very dangerous foundation for a more dangerous superstructure. That he heard it asserted the Americans were an infamous, fanatick banditti, consisting of the outcasts of both Kingdoms; and, on the other hand, as warmly maintained, that they were a wealthy, honest, brave, industrious people, toiling to enjoy their natural rights. He then said he would not at that time pretend to give an opinion, but that, if they were that desperate gang as represented, they were very unfit to be trusted with dangerous weapons; wherefore, he begged to submit a proposal to the consideration of gentlemen; which was, that in the next address they should insert the following clause:

“That His Majesty’s Ministers may graciously take into consideration the dangerous effects, on His Majesty’s liege Troops, by those inhuman weapons called rifle-guns; and that they may be pleased to issue a proclamation forth with, that such of the Provincial Troops as are called Riflemen be disbanded, and the barrels of their guns be turned into plough-irons; and, by way of punishment to those who have made use of such weapons, that they may be converted into plough-horses; and if any difficulty should attend the execution of such orders, that said men and guns be sent to His Majesty’s Ministers of the Gospel in Canada, who will very soon have the matter accomplished, as they do not find the least trouble in much more miraculous transformations.”

The House then adjourned till Tuesday, the 24th instant.

Dublin Castle, October 12, 1775.

The House of Lords and Commons having resolved upon humble Addresses to His Majesty, the same, together with Addresses from both Houses to the Lord Lieutenant, were this day presented to his Excellency, and, with his Excellency’s Answers, are as follows.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.
The humble Address of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

We, your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled, do most humbly beg leave to assure your Majesty of our unalterable loyalty to and undiminished zeal for your Majesty’s royal person, family, and Government.

We return your Majesty our sincerest thanks for continuing his Excellency Simon, Earl Harcourt, in the Government of this Kingdom, whose distinguished merit in the high stations he has filled, whose eminent virtues and exalted character, as well as a most affectionate regard to the welfare of this Country, uniformly manifested by him during a three years' constant residence amongst us, leave us no reason to doubt that he will at all times make a just and effectual representation of us to your Majesty.

We beseech your Majesty to believe that we are filled with a just and lively gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy under your mild and firm Government, and your Majesty may rely on our unfeigned zeal and unshaken loyalty, that whilst your Government is disturbed by a rebellion existing in part of your American Dominions, which we cannot hear of but with the utmost abhorrence and indignation, we shall ever be ready to show our most inviolable attachment to your Majesty’s royal person and Government, in the assertion of your just rights and the support of your legal authority.

We most sensibly feel the tender concern which your Majesty has graciously shown for the welfare of this Kingdom, manifested by the several laws passed in the British Parliament, highly advantageous to our commerce, our manufactures, and our agriculture.

We are truly grateful for the act which extends the great advantages of the British fisheries to Ireland, whereby a source of industry and wealth is opened to us, which has made other nations great and flourishing; and it shall be our constant endeavour to improve advantages tending so obviously to promote our navigation and trade.

We beg leave to express our highest satisfaction and thankfulness for that particular mark of your Majesty’s royal favour, the passing the act which allows the clothing and accoutrements necessary for your Majesty’s forces, paid from the revenues of this Kingdom, to be exported from Ireland. And we have the utmost confidence, that the act which allows the importation of rape-seed into Great Britain, from this Kingdom, under certain regulations, will, connected with those salutary laws passed in this Kingdom during the last session of Parliament, form such a system of agriculture and improvement as, we trust, will secure riches and plenty to the people of Ireland.

We acknowledge with gratitude the bounty granted by Great Britain upon the importation of flax-seed into Ire land, which we consider as so marked a recommendation of the linen manufacture, as must engage us in the most persevering application to that staple of this Country.

We consider your Majesty’s gracious recommendation of the Protestant Charter Schools as a strong proof of your attention to the established religion of this Country; and as we are convinced that they are eminently entitled to our consideration and care, they shall certainly meet with our utmost protection and assistance.

We beg leave most sincerely to assure your Majesty that, truly sensible of your constant and uniform attention to the strict preservation of our laws and liberties, we shall be always ready to testify our most dutiful attachment to your royal person, family, and Government, and to exert the most cordial zeal in support of the honour and dignity of your Crown; certain that by such conduct we shall ensure to ourselves and our posterity a continuation of that uninterrupted protection and favour which your subjects of this Kingdom have universally experienced under the Government of your Majesty—convinced that, in the mild and just reign of the best of Sovereigns, we cannot fail of becoming a happy and flourishing people.

His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant’s Answer.

I will forthwith transmit this dutiful and loyal Address, to be laid before His Majesty.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.
The humble Address of the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, in Parliament assembled.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

We, your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to assure your Majesty of our steady loyalty to your person, our attention to the honour of your Government, and our zeal to preserve the peace and happiness of your subjects.

We return our most grateful thanks to your Majesty for your paternal care, in being graciously pleased to continue in the Government of this Kingdom a Nobleman, who, during three years that he hath presided over us, has given ample proofs of those abilities and virtues that have distinguished his publick character, in every station which he has filled under your Majesty, and have dignified his private life in every relation which he hath borne to society. We are happy to express the favourable impression which our past conduct has made upon his mind, and our anxious desire that our future proceedings may warrant the same disposition towards us, in his representations to your Majesty.

We beseech your Majesty to believe that we are filled with a just and lively gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy under your mild and firm Government, and that your Majesty may entirely rely on our most unfeigned zeal and unshaken loyalty, that whilst your Government is disturbed by a rebellion existing in a part of your American Dominions, which we hear with abhorrence and feel with indignation, we shall be ever ready to show our most devoted and inviolable attachment to your Majesty’s sacred person and Government, in the assertion of your just rights, and in the support of your legal authority.