Your Excellency will see by the Enclosed how delicately I mentioned the affair of the treaty; the Very post that brought me your Letter brought me several from America; I most earnestly entreat you will inform me by return of the Post whether Ireland is mentioned, and if it is, at what Period; it is incumbent on me, to be precise in that point, as I have pledged myself to the House, to state, from Time to Time, the progress of that Treaty—the Public Expectations are high, and this City is in a state of the Greatest anxiety—do, my Dear and much respected friend, assist my Country as I and my friends assisted Virtue when oppressed by the hand of Power—all in this affair depends on your Excellency—Parliament seems determined to Support me in any motion, that may appear requisite, my object is the Honor of Ireland, and that the states of North America and Ireland may Ever be friends to Each other—I am in the Strictest Sence of the word, a Citizen of of the world—I adore Virtue where ever I find it—whether on this or the other side of the Atlantic.
By the Secretarys reply, he seems to think that the Treaty will not Speedily be concluded; You have now the public Debates of the Irish Parliament to warrant your Excellency in demanding of M Hartly whether Ireland is to be included by Name or Not—the British Ministry will find various ways of evading this buisiness, if they Can—Your Excellency will see, that in pursuance of my agitating the Question, Mr. Forster one of the Ministry, moved for a Bill to facilitate the Commercial interscourse between Ireland and america. I wish I had a Copy of the British treaty, as far as it is gone, that I might take Care to have Matters rightly Settled on the discussing of Mr: Forsters Bill.
The Protecting Duties as taken up by Mr. Gardiner will occassion much contest, we call them Protecting Duties, Government stiles them probititory Duties, and therefore will Support the English woollen and silken Trade—and the English Breweries.
I know not how to apologize for this trouble; it is in your own breast I claim my pardon.
Lady Newenham, still anxious for the Bust, desires her best and Sincerest respects to your Excellency and your Grandson. I have the Honor, to be, with the most perfect respect and Esteem your Excellencys Most obedient and most Humble servant