Autograph letter signed : Dublin, to William Brownlow, 1798 December 31.

Writing of his present quandary: "To wish ardently to expatiate on a Subject which interests all my Feelings, and to be scarcely able, thro' Weakness of Sight, to write a few incoherent Lines, is my present unluckly [sic] Lot, and I must therefore hasten briefly to explain my Reason for straining my Eyes, and troubling you with this Letter"; urging opposition to the proposed legislative union between Great Britain and Ireland: "You have undoubtedly heard of the detestably important measure which is but too likely to be brought forward at the commencement of the approaching session -- no less than that legislative union which has so long been deprecated by every Irishman to whom the Constitution and interests of his Country were dear -- yet will this nefarious project be most certainly attempted unless the sentiments of the People against it be publickly made known"; entreating Brownlow to contribute his "powerful and most respectable Influence towards bringing forward a moderate, but firm Declaration of the Freeholders of our Country against a measure which in my opinion, involves in it utter Destruction to our constitutional independence, at the same time that it aims a fatal blow at the Liberties of the Empire"; adding that he has already expressed his sentiments on this matter to the Lord Lieutenant; referring to an individual (possibly his son) who has just arrived in the county of Armagh, "where He will have the Pleasure of seeing and conversing with you"; emphasizing that "[t]he best and most moderate method by which the Freeholders may express their Sentiments, will, in my opinion, be by instructing their Representatives"; adding that "[n]othing but an Impossibility proceeding from the lamentable State of my Health should prevent me from waiting in person on you, and on my other Friends --".