TO most readers it will probably appear extraordinary, and a work of supererogation, that, in a country and an age so remote from the scene and the era of the events which are discussed in this vindication, it should be deemed either proper or necessary to investigate the subjects it embraces. The reasons are powerful, and fully justify the undertaking.

The history of Ireland, as stated and proved in the body of this work, is almost one solid mass of falsehood and imposture, erected, particularly during the seventeenth century, on the basis of fraud and perjury ;-fraud and perjury so obvious, so stupid, and so flagitious, that, to the most superficial observer, it must be a subject of inexpressible astonishment how it ever gained currency.

Nevertheless, from such foul and polluted sources alone, the knowledge of Irish history is derived by nine-tenths of those who have condescended to study it: and, though it may appear extravagant, it is nevertheless a serious truth, that

a large portion even of those who pride themselves on their literary acquirements, are almost as ignorant of the affairs of Ireland, from the twelfth to the eighteenth century, as they are of those of the Arabians or Japanese. They are, in fact, in a worse state. With respect to the history of the Arabians and Japanese, they are barely · ignorant: but, with respect to Ireland, almost all they know is wholly untrue. They give full faith and confidence to some of the most extravagant and romantic stories that ever were ushered on the world, to delude and deceive mankind, under the prostituted name of histories.

The terrific tales that are recorded of the events of the civil war of 1641, have sowed, and still continue to sow, a copious seed of the most vulgar and rancorous prejudices in the mind of man against his fellow man, which have sprouted forth with most pernicious luxuriance, and soured in his breast the sweet milk of human kindness towards those with whom he is in daily habits of association. These prejudices are too generally prevalent in the British dominions.

In Ireland, they have produced the most baleful consequences, and still afford some sort of countenance to the continuance of the remnant of an odious code of laws, by which, as appears in Chapter XXI. of this work,* rapine, cruelty, and demoralization have been legally systematized,

* Page 473.

and every principle of honour, honesty, good faith, justice, and sound policy, violated.

Many of these prejudices have been transplanted from their native soil by emigrants, and have taken root in this country, notwithstanding the general liberality of the age. It is true, however, that their range is confined, and their influence inconsiderable. Nevertheless, the erroneous impressions respecting Irish affairs, are, we repeat, universal here, from the corrupt sources whence her heart-rending story is derived.

Should it, therefore, be asked, why I have taken the trouble to explore the musty volumes whence I have drawn the materials for this work? I reply, I have had three motives: the pleasure of detecting and exposing fraud and imposture; the vindication of my native country; and the fond hope, that there are in the United States thousands and tens of thousands of liberal and enlightened men, who only require to have the fair and holy form of Truth placed before their eyes, properly authenticated, to induce them to clasp her to their bosoms. For such I write and there is a large fund of consolation and encouragement to be derived from the consideration, that I address a public which has not any sordid motives of self-interest to impel it to uphold the cause of imposture. There is here no Protestant, nor Presbyterian, nor Quaker, nor Catholic, nor Universalist ascendency, whose power is built on the pestiferous basis of fraud, perjury, and misrepresentation.

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This is an inestimable advantage, which writers on this subject, in the British dominions, cannot enjoy to the same extent. The power, influence, and ascendency of the "sacred cast," the Irish oligarchs who uphold the despotism of a dominant and domineering ecclesiastical establishment, which, to compensate them for their services, ensures them the undisturbed possession of all the honours and emoluments of society, would fall prostrate at the touch of the talisman of truth, as the gorgeous fabric of Aladdin's palace fell at the touch of the wand of the genius and therefore, how disgraceful soever it may be to human nature, it is not wonderful, considering the weakness, the wickedness, and the selfishness of mankind, that so much pains should have been and are taken to stifle the voice of injurious truth, and to perpetuate the reign of productive and lucrative imposture.

Some gentlemen have exclaimed against this undertaking, as highly pernicious, and calculated to revive ancient prejudices and excite hostility between different denominations of Christians, and between the natives of the two British islands. Charity induces me to hope, that those who raise these objections are deceived, not deceivers,that they believe what they profess. But that their impressions, if ingenuous, arise from a very contracted view of the subject, may be made as clear as any axiom in morals or politics.

There might be some plausibility in these objections, had the frauds and falsehoods I have

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undertaken to expose and refute, sunk into oblivion, and their influence wholly ceased to operate. But they have unfortunately survived the causes which gave them birth; become engrafted in history; taken complete possession of the public mind; and are almost as thoroughly and as universally believed, as the best established facts in the annals of the world. Can the man, then, who honestly endeavours to demolish the fabric of deception, and, by this demolition, eradicate the angry passions which it has engendered, be regarded otherwise than as engaged in a laudable warfare, the warfare of holy truth against impious imposture? Do not those who labour to prevent the success of such an undertaking, uphold the cause of fraud and delusion?

Having stated the motives to this undertaking, I submit to the consideration of the reader the several points which I have laboured, and I trust successfully, to establish. That they are of vital importance, and that, if proved, they invalidate a large portion of the history of Ireland, as narrated by Temple, Borlase, Carte, Warner, Leland, Hume, and others, will appear obvious, on a slight perusal. This consideration entitles them to a sober, serious examination.

It is not, by any means, pretended that they are discussed systematically, in the order in which they are here arranged. The proofs are dispersed throughout the work, and, notwithstanding their want of arrangement, cannot, I hope, fail to satisfy every candid mind,—