futhor IRELAND 75 A18 BEFORE AND AFTER THE UNION WITH GREAT BRITAIN. BY R. M. MARTIN, ESQ. 66 AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH COLONIES," ETC. THIRD EDITION-WITH ADDITIONS. "Is it not the true interest of both nations to become one people? LONDON: J. B. NICHOLS AND SON, 25, PARLIAMENT-STREET. DUBLIN: JAMES MCGLASHEN. MDCCCXLVIII. 1949. B-1581 PREFACE TO THE SECOND AND THIRD EDITIONS. * ** The plan for the reclamation of boglands, the issue of Exchequer bills, emigration, and other remedial measures, are given only in this Edition, in Chap. III. THIS work was originally published in 1832,* when the agitation for the Repeal of the Union was becoming popular in Ireland. Its publication was found useful, and it was issued in a more extended form in 1843 in consequence of the mis-statements promulgated at one of the "monster meetings" at which I was accidentally present in that year. In both instances the work was undertaken and completed without solicitation or support from Government, and the statistical data which it contained were derived from the various returns laid before Parliament, —therefore, accessible to every inquirer after truth. The revived agitation of this momentous subject, the views now openly expressed for an entire severance of interest between the two countries, and an extending desire for the formation of an Irish republic, have induced me to re-examine the data on which my convictions were originally founded,-to ascertain whether recent statistics would shew former conclusions to be at variance with the best interests of Ireland, or whether the late disastrous calamity had so materially altered existing relations as to render the Union no longer desirable for either country,—and to propose for consideration such measures as appear advisable for the amelioration of the condition of the labouring poor, and for the permanent improvement of Ireland. [See Ch. III. pp. 83 to 100, on the reclamation of waste lands, emigration, &c.] Earnestly seeking truth, and disposed by feelings of nationality to espouse what is termed the popular cause in Ireland, I can conscientiously say that a continued and unbiased examination of the proposition for repealing the Union has not only strengthened * "Ireland as it Was, Is, and Ought to be," and "Poor Laws for Ireland, a Measure of Justice and Humanity." Published by Allen and Co. London, 1832-3, |