The results in this case are precisely the same as if the country were Protestant, and that is as much as we want.

Indeed I question if the whole Irish population were Protestant to-morrow, whether the fact would not be against us.

I now speak as identifying myself with British interests.

Would we find them as manageable and as easily shaped to our purposes?
I fear not.

They would demand education, knowledge, and all the fulness of civil liberty; they would become independent, they would think for themselves, and in what predicament would that place us?
Could we then work our British interests, foster British prejudices, and aid British ambition as we do?
Certainly not, unless we had the people with us, and without them we are nothing.
"On the whole, then, so long as we continue to maintain our proper influence over them, I think, without doubt, we are much safer as we stand.
"With respect to the discharge of your duty, your own judgment will be a better guide than mine.