England and Ireland may flourish together. The world is large enough for us both. Let it be our care not to make ourselves too little for it.— Letter to Bristol (II. 292).
This union is a business of difficulty; and, on the principles of your letter a business impracticable. Until it can be matured into a feasible and desirable scheme, I wish to have as close an union of interest and affection with Ireland as I can have; and that, I am sure, is a far better thing than any nominal union of government. .— Letter to Bristol (II. 293).
That ground of confidence (military force and superior power), which at no time was perfectly just, or the avowal of it tolerably decent, is at this time very unseasonable. Late experience has shown that it cannot be altogether relied upon; and many, if not all of our present difficulties, have arisen from putting our trust in what may very possibly fail; and if it should fail, leaves those who are hurt by such a reliance, without pity. Whereas honesty and justice, reason and equity, go a very great way in securing prosperity to those who use them; and, in case of failure, secure the best retreat and the most honourable consolations.— Letter to Bristol. (II. 300).
Ireland, now so large a source of the common opulence and power, and which, wisely managed, might be made much more beneficial and much more effective.— Regicide Peace (VI. 135).