The Virginia Gazette

Extract of letter from Dublin, July 25.

Although Great Britain seems to have afforded this kingdom a little relief, in taking a part of our troops into her own pay, yet our most sagacious politicians regard this as a kind of necessity, rather than kindness. The English Ministers have loaded Ireland with taxes of all kinds, and particularly with pensions they are afraid of seeing a number of their creatures displayed in our list, becoming at length their enemies, and retarding the progress of their glorious measures; They have therefore, thought proper to maintain them at their own charge, as their creatures rico. Thus we are allowed to think that we owe this relief from Britain to our own firmness, or to her fear, rather than her compassion for us.

The liberty which England has granted us to plant tobacco in this kingdom, only proves that she despairs of regaining her colonies in America, particularly those of Virginia and Maryland, and that she is afraid this important branch of commerce will be engrossed by France, and entirely lost to herself. Our tyrants tremble at the prospect of being one day reduced to receive this production at the hands of her unnatural enemies. It is this, therefore, to a motive of interest that we owe this favour.

The Irish nation is now fully determined vigorously to oppose the importation, not only of all merchandize manufactured in England, but also of every article of necessity or luxury, which she can furnish for herself. Those principles universally adopted, and supported with perseverance, will be sources of prosperity to this unhappy kingdom; and our unrighteous masters who oppress us, will repent their having treated us as enemies.