I answer, it would be exactly as when the South American Republic was threatened—­as when Russia forbade American vessels to approach within a hundred miles of its American shores.  I have often met in the United States an objection against an alliance with England; but it is chiefly the Irish who are opposed to being on good terms with England.  In respect to the Irish, if I could contribute to the future unity in action of the United States and England, I should more aid the Irish than by all exclamations against one or other.  If the United States and England were in union, the continent of Europe would be republican.  Then, though England remained monarchical, Ireland would be freer than now.  If I were an Irishman, I would not have raised the standard of Repeal, which offended the people of England, but the standard of municipal self-government against parliamentary omnipotence—­not as an Irish question, but as a common question to all—­and in this movement the people of England and Scotland would have joined; and now there would have been a Parliament in England, in Ireland, and Scotland.  Such is the geographical position of Great Britain, that its countries should be, not one, but united; each with its own Parliament, but still one Parliament for all.  If I could contribute to get England to oppose the encroachments of absolutism, I should be doing more to aid Ireland, in aiding freedom, than if I so acted as to induce England to look indifferently at the approach of absolutism.  I was glad to hear the words of that venerable gentleman (Josiah Quincy).  They brought to my mind the words of John Adams, first minister of the United States to England.  When he addressed the King, he said:—­“He would be happy could he restore entire esteem, confidence, and affection between the United States and England,” and King George III. replied:  “I was the last to conform to the separation, and I am the first to meet the friendship of the United States.  Let the communities of language, religion, and blood have their full and natural effect.”

’Let this precedent, belonging to the intelligence not of to-day only—­let those words become now considered of particular interest to both countries, and it would be of the greatest benefit to mankind.  There is nothing more necessary to secure the freedom of Europe than consent to act together, on the part of the United States and England.

It is not necessary to say how far they will go, but only necessary to say they will do as much as their interests allow, and what may be necessary that the law of nations should be protected and not abandoned.

When I was in England nothing gave me more delight than to hear delegations addressing me, mention your Washington, and confess themselves sorry that he had to manifest his greatness in contending against England; but they were more proud to see the greatness of such a man, than not to have been opposed by him.  They entrusted me to bring word to the United States, that they wished to be united to you for the benefit of all Humanity.