AN

ANSWER

TO THE

CRAFTSMAN Of Dec. 12. 1730.

On a very interefting Subject relative to IRELAND.

To which is prefixed, The CRAFTSMAN itself.

THE

CRAFTS MA N.

No. 232.

SATURDAY, Dec. 12, 1730.

THE following article, which hath lately appeared in the news-papers, deferveth our immediate confideration, viz.

They write from Dublin, that an "officer from every regiment in the "French fervice is arrived there, in order "to raife recruits for their respective

corps; which is not to be done in a clandeftine manner, as formerly, (when

"feveral

"feveral perfons fuffered death for it) but publickly. These gentlemen are to difperfe themselves into the feveral "counties, where they have the best in« tereft; and a field officer is to refide "constantly, at Dublin, to hear all com"plaints, which may be made by any of "the recruits against their officers; and "alfo to prepare for fending them off. "Count BROGLIO hath been folliciting an "order to this purpose, these two years.

When I first read this account in the publick prints, I looked upon it as a common piece of false intelligence, and was in full expectation of seeing it contradicted in the next day's papers, according to frequent cuftom; but having fince heard it confidently affirmed to be true, (although I can hardly yet believe it; efpecially, as to every part) the duty which I owe my country, and my zeal for the prefent establishment, oblige me to take fome notice of an affair, which I apprehend to be of very great importance to both.

It will be neceffary, in the firft place, to give the reader a fhort account of the

nature

nature of these troops, as they are now established in France.

They confift, as we have been informed, of one regiment of horse, and five regiments of foot, all doubly or trebly officered; fo that they are, of themselves, a very confiderable body of men.

But their number is the leaft point to be confidered in this affair. There are other circumstances, which render thefe troops infinitely more formidable to Great-Britain. They are not only all Roman-Catholicks, but the most dangerous of that communion, with refpect to us, I mean Roman-Catholick fubjects of our own dominions; many of whom have been obliged to fly their native country on account of rebellions and confpiracies, in which they have been engaged; and all of them devoted by inclination, by intereft, by confcience, by every motive human and divine, to the service of the Pretender, in oppofition to the protestant succession in his majesty's royal family.

To this we may add, that they are generally esteemed the beft forces in the French

French fervice; that they have always behaved themselves as fuch in the late wars; and are commanded by officers of approved courage, as well as great skill and experience in military affairs.

It is faid likewise, that the ferjeants, corporals, and private men are so well feafoned to danger, and expert in their duty, that, by a gradual promotion they could furnish officers for a very formidable army, in cafe of any fudden invasion or infurrection.

In the next place, it will not be improper to examine this affair with regard to our laws.

It is made felony, by act of parliament in Ireland, for any fubject of that kingdom to inlift himself, or to inlift others, in the fervice of any foreign ftate; and it is well known that multitudes of poor wretches have fuffered death upon that

account.

We know it may be faid, that a power is reserved to his majesty, by a clause in that act, to dispense with it, by granting any foreign prince a licence to raife forces

in his dominions, and indemnifying his fubjects from the penalties of the law.

The exercise

Although it is far from my intention to difpute any of his majesty's legal prerogatives, or to call the wifdom of the legiflature in queftion, yet I muft take the liberty to obferve, that fuch powers have been fometimes granted out of complaifance to the crown, that the prince's hands may not be abfolutely tyed up, and in full confidence that they will never be exerted but for the benefit of this nation, or poffibly of fome proteftant ally, upon great emergencies of state. of the prerogative, in these cafes, is therefore merely a prudential part, which is left to the difcretion of the prince and his minifters, who ought always to be suppofed the best judges of thefe affairs; and therefore how ridiculous would it be to fend to the attorney-general for his opinion in fuch a cafe, who can be a competent judge of nothing but the legality of it, and whether the affair be actionable or not; but minifters ought to regulate their conduct, in these refpects, according to the fituation of affairs, and the exigencies of government.

I muft