| Content Description | States that this is the first opportunity they have had to safely write to Portland concerning affairs in Ireland; refers to the importance of the forthcoming parliament for England, Ireland and 'ye protestant interest in Cristendome', and to the potential actions of the King of France in Ireland; says it is difficult to tell what the temper of the parliament will be, commenting that 'it is wthout all question impossible for a King of England to doe any considerable thing in a hous of comons, without a form'd management'; outlines the form such management should take; states that the king [William III] should let the people know what he has done for them when he addresses the Houses of Parliament, noting that the people of England are more in favour of William than they have been for any of his predecessors.
Expects that parliament will think of selling forfeited lands in Ireland, commenting on what the implications of this will be; refers to the possible need to call a parliament in Ireland towards the end of the winter; comments on the fact that if the children of the present traitors are restored 'they will as assuredly be 20 years hense in another rebellion as their fathers being restored last settlement are now in this'; states it is impossible to make Ireland 'an English country till it is a protestant one'. |