GRATTAN. 209 when I hear economy recommended from the throne, almost in the words of the honourable baronet, I am astonished at an opposition to his motion. Indeed, I believe the words of that recommendation were by some accident misplaced, or that government has not digested the plan of retrenchment; they should not have followed immediately the mention of the Genevan colony, a body of virtuous men, who, to avoid the most ignominious slavery, have sought an asylum in the arms of this coun try. It was not the proper place to use the word economy: it there disgraces the virtuous and generous act of men, who have just recovered their own liberty; by placing it there, we may lose a great deal of honour, but can save very little money. But it is not to such little things we are to look for relief; our retrenchments should reach establishments, and not, like England, plunge deeper each day in ruin. Ministry both here and in that kingdom, have been often warned of the fatal consequences that must follow; but these warnings have been treated as the visions of speculative men. England, that great and mighty country, now staggers under a load of debt, dis tressed and dismembered; her expenses overwhelm her; and where is the man who will say, she shall be redeemed where is the man who will say, I will redeem her, and will say how Though every little minister, or every little man who imagines he is a minister, is ready to un dertake the management of her affairs; where is the man who will say, that Ireland ought to have a peace esta blishment of fifteen thousand men When the augmenta tion took place in Lord Townshend's administration, this country was unable to bear it; and since that day, we have been involving her deeper and deeper, because we at first engaged her in an undertaking beyond her strength. When a l l the world united against Britain, and she was surrounded with enemies o n every side, we gave way t o the feelings o f our hearts and spared her four thousand men; and some time after, i n the moment d e jtagrante bello, we granted her more than half our remain WOL. 11 . P
