The Rents of Ireland grow due at two Times of Payment, viz. 1st of May, and 1st of November, the first becomes payable whilst their Cattle are lean, which puts the Tenants under great Straits, and forces them to sell very low, if they are prest for Money; but the Second Payment is more easily made, their fat Cattle being sold, and their Harvest over: This is the State of that part of the Kingdom that depends on Feeding and Tillage; but where the Linnen Manufacture is, the Tenants are much easier; they spin in the Winter Nights, and at other leisure times, which being wove into Cloth, and whiten’d early in the Year, provides Money for their first Payment, without selling their Cattle before fatted for a Market.
It is necessary for a new Undertaking, to be attended with some lucky Accident; the Linnen Manufacture can never be begun in Ireland at a more seasonable Time than now, being imported hither Custom-Free, when all the other Linnens of Europe pay considerable Duties.
The Gentlemen of Ireland at this Time, seem to be Discontented, they find themselves Uneasy, but cannot tell where the Sore lies; therefore, sometimes they Complain of one Thing, and sometimes of another; but the true Ground of all is this: Their Exports are lessened, whilst their Imports encrease upon them, and the Specie of their Money decreases every Day; by which means their Rents come in slowly, their Products fall on their Hands, and will more, as they encrease above their Expence; so that their Improvements rather turn to their Disadvantage; and their Lands must fall (which ’tis our Interest to keep up) unless some new Product be encouraged, which may be Manufactured amongst them: If this was done, They would soon see where their Interest lay; and though I do not believe they would all fall on sowing Hemp and Flax, nor is it necessary they should, yet there would be so much Land turned that way, as might restrain their other Products, within the Compass of their Exports, and Home Consumption, and cause a Circulation of Money through all Parts of the Kingdom.
This will give a greater Employment to the Poor of Ireland, and encourage People to settle among them, without any Manner of Prejudice to England; and Create a mutual Friendship, and a profitable Correspondence, between both Kingdoms.
And as the Establishing such a Fund will be an Advantage to that Kingdom, so it will bring a considerable Profit to the Undertakers, besides the Benefit which may arise from it to the Government, during the Continuance of this War.
FINIS.