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The Dean of Limerick’s Apology, for interfering in the present disputes of the city … I studiously avoided being of any party, untill I found by gentlemen’s answers, that I had no great reason to expect much assistance from them; and upon Mr. SEPNEY’s strongest assurances, that he would zealously join me in retrieving our constitution, I most heartily wished him success, which I really do, in a firm perswasion, that if I shall have the mortification of seeing him disappointed, our city, if it shall continue to be governed by the same maxims which have prevailed for some time past, will soon be like Kilmallock, inhabited with rats and owls, under the government of greedy wolves, fierce tygers and cruel vultures: or if I shall have the good fortune of seeing the ardent wishes of every honest, very disinterested citizen, crowned with success, we will, from that time, date the Æra of our being a thriving, prosperous and happy people. Limerick, July 10th 1749. C. M. D. L. |
| As I have been informed that the words in my apology, wherein mention is made of Kilmallock, have been maliciously wrested to a meaning as if I had an intension to call a reflection on the present ruler of that corporation; I do declare it was far distant from my thoughts, that I am fully perswaded they are incapable of doing any one act, inconsistent with the trust reposed in them by their constituents or with the rules of strict justice and honour. And they have the interest and welfare of that once flourishing town so much at heart, that to my certain knowledge, a charter school, bleach-yard and spinning-school have been erected, and chiefly maintained out of the small revenues of that corporation, which are not the twentieth part of what is still left of ours. And had our good rulers done the tenth part so much service, in proportion to the different revenue, I never would have given them or myself any trouble. 17th July 1749. C. M. D. L. |