'his Michaelmas term, 1724, having entirely IGHT HON. 485 his will and pleasure. The Drapier, worth, has made a fair offer; coinage, then condemn scandalous; when nfess it will be e attempted, or shall endeato impose the said halfMajesty's most gracious jesty's government, and are of all his Majesty's subwhose affections have been so ned by their zeal to his illustrious s happy accession to the throne, and by ued loyalty ever since. we do, with all just gratitude, acknowledge the vices of all such patriots as have been eminently zealous for the interest of his Majesty and this country, in detecting the fraudulent imposition of the said Wood, and preventing the passing of his base coin; so we do, at the same time, declare our abhorrence and detestation of all reflections on his Majesty and his government; and that we are ready, with our lives and fortunes, to defend his most sacred Majesty against the pretender, and all his Majesty's open and secret enemies, both at home and abroad. Given under our hands, at the Grand Jury Chamber, this 28th of November, 1724. George Forbes, David Tew, William Empson, Thomas How, THE PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN. The discharge of the Grand Jury produced no change upon popular opinion. The next Grand Jury which was summoned, immediately made the following presentment of Wood's halfpence as a nuisance. WHEREAS several great quantities of base metal coined, commonly called Wood's halfpence, have been brought into the port of Dublin, and lodged in several houses of this city, with an intention to make them pass clandestinely among his Majesty's subjects of this kingdom, notwithstanding the addresses of both houses of parliament, and the privy-council, and the declarations of most of the corporations of this city, against the said coin: And whereas his Majesty has been graciously pleased to leave his loyal subjects of this kingdom at liberty to take or refuse the said halfpence: We, the Grand Jury of the county of the city of Dublin, this Michaelmas term, 1724, having entirely at heart his Majesty's interest, and the welfare of our country, and being thoroughly sensible of the great discouragements which trade hath suffered by the apprehensions of the said coin, whereof we have already felt the dismal effects; and that the currency thereof will inevitably tend to the great diminution of his Majesty's revenue, and the ruin of us and our posterity, do present all such persons as have attempted, or shall endeavour, by fraud, or otherwise, to impose the said halfpence upon us, contrary to his Majesty's most gracious intentions, as enemies to his Majesty's government, and to the safety, peace, and welfare of all his Majesty's subjects of this kingdom; whose affections have been so eminently distinguished by their zeal to his illustrious family, before his happy accession to the throne, and by their continued loyalty ever since. As we do, with all just gratitude, acknowledge the services of all such patriots as have been eminently zealous for the interest of his Majesty and this country, in detecting the fraudulent imposition of the said Wood, and preventing the passing of his base coin; so we do, at the same time, declare our abhorrence and detestation of all reflections on his Majesty and his government; and that we are ready, with our lives and fortunes, to defend his most sacred Majesty against the pretender, and all his Majesty's open and secret enemies, both at home and abroad. Given under our hands, at the Grand Jury Chamber, this 28th of November, 1724. George Forbes, David Tew, William Empson, Thomas How, LETTER V. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT MOLESWORTH. Robert Molesworth, created by George I. Viscount Molesworth of Swordes in 1716. He was a distinguished Whig, and had incurred the resentment of Lord Oxford's administration in 1713, for an alleged affront to the clergy of Ireland in convocation. Lord Molesworth was author of several works; but that by which he is chiefly known, is an account of Denmark, in which he represents the government as arbitrary and tyrannical. This accusation gave great offence to Prince George of Denmark; and to gratify his resentment, Dr William King, the poet, wrote some severe animadversions on Lord Molesworth's work. Lord Molesworth was also author of some agricultural treatises, of which Swift highly approved. "They compassed me about also with words of deceit, and fought against me without a cause. "For my love they are my adversaries; but I give myself unto prayer. "And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” Psalm cix. 3, 4, 5. "Seek not to be judge, being not able to take away iniquity; lest at any time thou fear the person of the mighty, and lay a stumbling-block in the way of thy uprightness. "Offend not against the multitude of a city, and then thou shalt cast not thyself down among the people. "Bind not one sin upon another, for in one thou shalt not be unpunished." Eccl. vii. 6, 7, 8. Non jam prima peto Mnestheus, neque vincere certo: * I seek not now the foremost palm to gain; Let those enjoy it whom the gods ordain.-DRYDEN. |