"English nobles seized our land and branded our faith heresy!
"Our brothers were driven out, our mothers wept amid famine, our children were sold into slavery! And today, they still wanted to use the lie of the 'United Kingdom' as shackles, turning the island of Ireland into a Colony!
"For Celtic glory, for the freedom of our descendants, we would face the Englishmen's Flintlock Guns with our blood and fight until our final breath..."
Joseph took advantage of McCracken's pause for breath to raise Tone's letter and interrupt his impassioned speech. "I admire the Irish spirit of resisting oppression. So, you're preparing to launch a riot?"
Tone's letter mentioned that the United Irishmen Association had secretly contacted several thousand freedom fighters and was preparing to stage an uprising against British rule at the right moment. He was confident that the Resistance Army could be expanded to thirty or forty thousand men in a short time. Finally, he hoped to join great France in dealing with the brutal, wicked Englishmen.
Potier had already been taken to another room, but McCracken still habitually looked around before speaking with great solemnity. "Your Highness, this is not a riot. It is a revolution for freedom!"
"Very well, a revolution." Joseph nodded. "Then please tell me, how long do you intend to take to defeat the English Army?"
"Defeat the Englishmen?" McCracken froze for a moment, then declared loudly, "Half a year—perhaps even just a few months—and we can drive them out of Ireland. They will face the fury of all Irish people!"
Joseph sighed and said bluntly, "Forgive my frankness, but you are no match for the English Army.
"Your soldiers lack systematic training, your weapons and equipment are gravely insufficient, and you barely have any logistical supplies.
"Most fatal of all, Ireland is