Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 2).djvu/123

not justify the hopes I entertain, it would be perhaps more prudent to suppress the intelligence, which I am about to give you, until I could transmit the plan properly authenticated for the consideration of your Lordship and the rest of the King's confidential servants. However as I feel that I have a right to take credit for my endeavours, and that the Ministers in England equally partake of my responsibility in the Administration of the affairs of this country, I am as anxious that they should share any merit that can be derived from our joint conduct, as that they should be liable to any blame, to which the adoption of ill-advised or inconsiderate measures may expose them. I shall therefore acquaint your Lordship, that I have good reason to hope that I may be shortly enabled to lay before you the sketch or outlines of an Act of Parliament to be adopted by the Legislatures of the respective kingdoms, by which the superintending power and supremacy of Great Britain in all matters of State and general commerce will be virtually and effectually acknowledged, that a share of the expense in carrying on a defensive or offensive war, either in support of our dominions or those of our allies, shall be borne by Ireland in proportion to the state of her abilities, and that she will adopt every such regulation as may be judged necessary by Great Britain, for the better ordering and securing her trade and commerce, with foreign nations, or her own colonies or dependencies, consideration being duly had to the circumstances of this country. I am flattered with the expectation of receiving the most positive assurances from Mr. Grattan (who may be considered as omnipotent) and his friends, of their support in carrying such a Bill through both Houses of Parliament, and in case such an object could be obtained, I should presume that it would be very desirable to trespass upon the patience of this country to bring it to perfection, even in the present moment. Your Lordship may depend upon the earliest accounts of my success in this business.