Her exports to all the world, taken on an average of the years 1796, 1797, and 1798, produce a total of Herimports from all the world,

taken on the fame average,

£.4,691,634

produce,

4,297,812

And thus the Irish commerce

with all the rest of the world,

produces but

1,267,518

THE above is a fair statement of the general trade of Ireland, and proves, that for 7-8ths of it the depends upon the confumption of Great Britain and her colonies.-What then, would be the confequence were the to lose these markets!It is alfo to be observed, that of all the foreign* merchandize which Ireland imports,

*Britain not included.

imports, and which, on the given average, produces

Of that fum there is imported

£.2,080,387

through the medium of Britain, 1,205,952

AND this fact proves entirely and completely the neceffity of British capital to Irish

commerce.

WITH refpect to the particular but fuperior branch of Irish commerce, the linen manufacture, the statement of another fact will place it in its true point of view before the eye of every man who reads with an impartial fpirit, and who wishes to direct his judgment by the best information.

By the report of the British Inspector General, it appears that the total export of linens from Ireland, upon an average of feven Yards. years to 1798, amounted annually

to

Of which Britain and her colo

41,690,659

THIS fact proves more than volumes the value of the British market to Irifh manufacture. It has been vaguely faid by Mr. Fofter, that if Irish linen were prohibited from British ports, it is impoffible to foresee what ports it may find;find; this is a dangerous infinuation, and tends to encourage the idea of separate intereft;-let every rational man judge for himself.

THE foregoing statements are not to be controverted; the mercantile part of the community are beginning to open their eyes to the unanfwerable evidence of the extended official details which have been laid before them, but there is an honeft and induftrious clafs of the people who have no time for lengthened investigation;-it is to them particularly that this fhort and plain statement is directed; they are seriously warned not to be the tools of party, but to liften to reason, and be directed by their own interest.

THE neceffity of the British market (which embraces her colonies) to Irifh export has been fhewn; the neceffity of British capital to the foreign imports of Ireland has been proved; we all know the connexion between the two countries has been recently threatened, and was very nearly put to the chance of a die: seeing the advantage of Britain to Ireland, and knowing that it is impoffible for Britain

to refign the connexion into other hands, let any Irishman of common fenfe exercife his reason, and he will feel and acknowledge that an entire political incorporation of the two kingdoms is the only effectual means to continue for ever to Ireland the British market, and to place the connexion on fo firm a bafis as that nothing but the utter ruin of both fhall hereafter be able to diffolve the Union.

SOME perfons have affected to compare the prefent queftion with the American difpute, but they bear not the smallest analogy. America, or right or wrong, contended against the legislative fupremacy of Great Britain; but Ireland has no fuch conteft, her independent legislative is fupreme, and it is called upon by the Sovereign of both countries, in its fupreme legislative capacity to enact a measure which has, and can only have for its object, the profperity of the united kingdoms, and the indivifibility of the Empire.

Ir is a fimple propofition:will you, fays Great Britain, politically unite with us in order to fecure that connexion which you have fo often and fo folemnly declared to be effential to your existence ?-Our being is fo interwoven with yours, that feparation would inevitably deftroy or one, or the other, or

both;

both; attempts have been made, and the ftrength of a moft powerful people has been encouraged to tear us afunder; happily for us both the plan proved abortive! Providence, as it were, interfered, and we are now recovered from the apprehenfion of immediate danger; it behoves us cordially to prepare against any future fimilar attempt; we all fee the open that encouraged our enemies to confpire againft us; while that open remains our danger continues; we cannot always calculate upon the winds of heaven for our fafety; it is the province of wisdom to forefee and to prevent; we, therefore, the Legislature of Britain, propose finally to shut up every interstice in our political fabric that may admit an enemy; we propose UNION, ENTIRE AND COMPLETE, as the only human means to prevent SEPARATION; this in itfelf is a confummation which you have often devoutly wifhed; Union will accomplish that confummation-for Ireland blended into the being of Britain they muft ftand or fall together. We know our fuperiority in population, manufacture commerce, riches, but we alfo know that your coalition is neceffary to our fafety, and we therefore feel that our Union to be lafting must be liberal; we are one in conftitution, and you fay one in intereft, we propose for ever to fix this unity by having for both kingdoms one Parliament;

it

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