Page 302 - Demo

302 Stephen Dunford: The Journey of The IrIsh
events of ’98 might not be repeated, and if the next time, Ireland received more effective French support, the outcome might be a totally different one. To many people a complete and absolute parliamentary Union of Britain and Ireland appeared to be the only real way to deal with the ‘Irish’ nuisance, while for Prime Minister Pitt, who was confronting the ris- ing European power of Napoleon Bonaparte, a Union was essential. Some time previous to this, Adam Smith, the Scottish-born father of political economy noted:
“By a union with Great Britain, Ireland would gain, besides the freedom of trade, other advantages more important, and which would more than compensate any in- crease inn taxes that might accompany the union...Without a union with Great Brit- ain, the inhasbitants of Ireland are not likely to consider themselves for many ages one people.’
Smith reckoned that unless Ireland was contained within the structure of a larger unit, social and political structures would collapse, and consequentally he advised Union or to- tal separation. Lord Camden who presided as Lord Lieutenant until June of 1798 echoed Smith’s sentiments when he said ‘Ireland is like a ship on fire, it must be either extinguished or cut adrift.’ But in reality, Britain never considered, never mind entertained any thought of Irish separation because there was far too much at stake, historically, financially, and of course with the French threat pressing, the small matter of security.
Lord Cornwallis
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