The Genevese And The Settlement At New Geneva - 1. Introduction
The Irish Parliament was addicted to "Jobbery". Perhaps it was because of its organisation being helpless to defend itself against the tricks of the jobber that this was so; but for whatever reason, we feel suspicious that jobbery was transacted. Yet from its formation it could not well protect its purity; it was only representative of a class; the Catholics of Ireland were banned representation within its walls, and as those who sat there held their position by bribery or corruption, the voice of the people was impotent to correct its abuses.
The resolution of the government in 1783 to introduce a foreign colony from Switzerland into Ireland, at enormous expense, shows either they were at sore straits to banish the native Irish, and send them red-Indian-like to the shores, or there was somebody behind the scenes shaking the money bags to get a "lob" for the tract of land overlooking Waterford Bay. Towards the end of the 15th century a serious trouble arose in the little Republic of Geneva, part of the present Switzerland, the cause being jealousies and disputes between the aristocrats and the republicans in that country. France, as well as the cantons of Zuric and Berne, interfered, the result being the victory of the upper classes, and the punishment of the working portion of the community, by being exempted from their share in the government of the country. After this decision, numbers of the mechanics of Geneva determined to leave their own land, and thought that Ireland was a fit place to settle down for their future protection and welfare. Commissioners were sent over by them to Dublin, who waited upon the Government to make terms for the future colony.
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