The History of Ireland, from its invasion under Henry II. to its Union with Great Britain

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THE

HISTORY OF IRELAND,

FROM ITf

INVASION UNDER HENRY IL

TO ITS

UNION WITH GREAT BRITAIN,

JBY FfiANCIS PLOWDEN, ESQ,

■ aK-fwo:yotviiiisi,

•> -yoiA ii.

iDciMiiiplafideaniidvQile veritei^*'— — Hor.

IX>NIX>N:

BOLD BY T. EGEUTOV, WHITEHALL;

LOKOMAN^ HURST, RE£S» ORM^ AND BROWN» PATBRNOtTER-ROWj
AND BOOKER* NB^MT fOMD-STREBT \ LONDON :

AHD BY CHARLES ARCHER* DAME-ITRBET, AND H. Ff TIPATRICK^
CAPEL-tTREBT* DUBLIN.

1612.

Ti:r Ni-:\v yohki

L.

• • • • • • • «

• • • • •«
• •• * - •••• •-•«

,J.ll ■ vwrnn li

Printed by R. Wu^» Chai^ery-l^e, FIfseC-sCreety London.

CONTENTS

TO

VOLUME IL
BOOK III.

COMPRISING THE PERIOD RETWEBN THE €OBtPX;&«
TION OF THE REVOLUTION OF 1688^ AND TH£
DECLARATION OF IRISH INDEPENDENCE^ IN »UB
TEAR 1783.

CHAPTER I.

The Reigns of fVilliam and Mary^ and JVilliam.
•7 • -''•:.*: * p. I

RcTolution in England and Ireland tliffel'ents-'-Artides of Liine-
rick not obscnred— WflljMVoiitnatrfally intolerant— Differ-
ences between WilliaiA jafrti-bV'Eftgnsh^ parliament— Nego-
€?iation of tbe articles bf Lknerick-^l^Vticles contested from
tbe pulpit — Sir RicbarS *C6x**8 oooduct'in reference to tbe ar-
tides of Limerick — William bad offered more favoarable tenot
to the Irbb'-Eiiects of tbe revolation on tbe Irisb^Eegland
nsurps tbe right of legislating for Ireland— Abject state of the
Irish catholics — Irish different fiom English wbigs— Loid Sjd*
ney convenes a parliament — Lord Sjdney reprimands and pa>«
rogoes the parliament — Sydney reoalled : Changes in tbe go*
vemroent, and a new parliament convened — New session of
parliament^ in which Sir Charles Porter was conspicaous tac
bis probity — Inconsistent conduct of government towards
Ireland — General substance of Mr. Molyneax's book-*Condact
of the English parliament upon Molyncux's book— Overbear-
jng conduct of the English parliament towards Ireland-—

a 3

VI CONTENTS.

William thwarted by his English parlijiracnt— Parliamentary
.commission for enquiring into tlie value of the forfeited estates
—Contest between the court and parliamentary interest ben<f-
ficial to Ireland — ^Yet Ireland suffers on both sides — ^The act
of resumption seriously affects King William — ^Tolerant dis-
position of William towards the Irish—Dealh of William.

CHAP. 11.

The Reign of Ann. p. 34

Accesbn of ADn--^Tli8 Qaeen open to the ascendancy of each
party— Act for preventing the growth of popery — force of anti-
catholic prejudice — Complaints of the violation of the articles
of Limerick— Protestant dissenters petition against the sa«
cramental test — The Irish persecuted by the -Stuarts and their
friends — ^The penal laws executed with severity against the
catholics-^Impolitic government of Ireland — ^The Irish house
of commons inveterate against the catholics — ^The catholics
treated as common enemies by the Earl of Wharton^— The
Tories address tl^6.CUier&/a£!Sii0st; thgs: jigresbyterians — Effects
of the lords* dddiM ftgftinst tM*lpr^'i^^»^-*«^^^i'^s of the
lords against the corfiiA(9i8'f-{9iplufiQ*a>f the original protestant
ascendancy in Ireland^Pravtrienoe of the whigs in the com-
monsy supported bJ/tbefdSseiU^f^^jjDiisdat of parliament,
and whigs still have a* roaj6rif/-=^he English parliament
legislates for Ireland^-Scbtsm bill brought into the English
house of cbmmons by Sir William Windham — Strong protest

' of the lords against the schum bill — The court adverse to the
dissenters Violent struggles of parties in Ireland al>out the
chancellor — Queen Ann indisposed to the Hanover succession
—Her character and death.

CHAP. in.

The Reign of George 1. p. 67

Accession of George I. — Parliament of Ireland convened and
passes several acts in favour of the Hanover succession — ^Ho-
nourable testimony of Irish loyalty from the lords justices**

CONTENTS^ Va

XDsorreetion in North Britain : T^nger in England and ^ku-
riiy in iFeland-^Mpolicy of treating the Irilh catholics a»
enemies — ^Partialify in favour- of dtsienters — Difference be-
tween the Irish and English peers upon the appellant jurisdicticoi
•— Doke 6f Ormond heads an invasion from Spain — ^Indulg-
ences to protest^nt dissenters — Harshness of the Duke cf
Grafton towards the Catholics— Irish loj'alty acted upon —
Violent resolutions of the commons, and a bill in Consequence—
Three profestant parties in Ireland— The job of Wood's
patent fof halfpence— Death of George IiP^haracler of the
reign of George !.

CHAP; IV.

Tke Reign of George IL p. 87

Accession of George XL: addressed by the catholics — Boulter*a
principle of governing — System of dividing Ireland within itself
•—The catholics deprived of the elective franchise — ^Internal dis-
tresses bf Ireland — Furihc'r rigour imposed on the catholics-
Boulter's jealousy of any Irish influence --Distresses of Ireland
under Primate Boulter — Grievances. of the dissenters — Govem-
taent managed by Primate BouUer— Duke of Dorset's adrnl*
Histration— Abolition of agistment tithe — Boulter yields to
the loss of the clergy rather than hazard the English lnteral(
^Admiuistration of the Duke of Devonshire— Variance of
English and Irish cabinet — Relaxation in favour of the ca<«
tholics— Their unshaken loyalty— Earl of Chesterfield ap-
pointed lord-lieutenant— Lord Chesterfield meets the parli-
ament—Address of thanks to the throne— Prudent and upright
conduct of Lord Chesterfield— Addressed by the lords and
commons— Reflections upon the short duration of Lord Ches-
terfield's administration— Earl of Harrington lord-lieutenant—
The patriotism of Mr. Lucas— Primate Stone entrusted ^th
the management of the English interest in Ireland— Lord Clare^i
representation of Primate Stone's administration— Contest be-
tween the Irish commons^ and English cabinet^ as to the
appropriation of surplus— Nevil^ a member of the house «f

a 4

, TUl COJ^TENTS.

oorotnoiu, found guilty of peculatioD— Doke of I>oiifet*i aeeond
lieuteoancy— Triampb of the patriots over the goverameot and
its arrogance -• Memorial of the Earl of Kildare — £ffcct of Lord
Kildare*s roemoiial— Insincerity of many of the patriots— The
patriots rally and carry an inaportant question ^Unsatisfactory
answer to the commons ^Administntion of the Duke of Bed-
ford favourable to the catholics— Private occurrences occasion
national ferment— Alarm of French invasion and its conse-
quences—The catholics address government on the alarm ol
invaMoo— Prefect of an union creates a disturbance-^
Threatened invasion of Conflans defeated by Hawke— Thurot's
expedition against Ireland— Death and character of George II.
Mr. Burke's portrait of Geoige IL

CHAP. V.

The Reign of George 111. p. 135

FROM HIS ACCESSIOK TO THB THRONS TO THE DBCLABATIOV
OF IRISH IND£P£NDENC£> lA 1/62.

Accession of George III. and his speech to the parliament— Ori-
gin of White Boys— Causes of the riots of the White Boys->
Commission to enquire into the riots— The White Boyscom^
plain of tythes — Encrease of establishment and of lord lieute-
tiants's allowance— Other risings succeed the White Boys-
Oak Boys— Steel Boys— Address to Mr.Pitt on his resignation —
Failure of patriotic bills in the commons — The Earl of Ha-
lifax succeeded by the Earl of Northumberland — Further
efforts of the patriots. to regulate the pension list— First effort
in favour of cathoKcs fails through Primate Stone — Deaths of
Primate Stone and Lord Shannon — The last lords justices in
Ireland — ^The patriots renew their efforts — Ungracious answer
to the address — Patriotism of Dr. Lucas — Lord Townshend
succeeds Lord Hertford — The ancient system of governing Ire-
land— Particular views of Lord TownsLend's administration —
Lord To wnshend's address in managing the system — An octen-
nial bill obtained— New system of Lord Townshend — Aug-
mentation of the army— Lord Townshand*s management of

COKTENTS. U

the -new system — Opposition of the oommons encreases — ^^More
alarming opposition of the commons— Lord-lieutenant*s un-
gracious answer^ and parliament prorogued— Effects of these
vnutual prorogations — Lord-lieu tenants success in encrrasing
his party during the cessation — Lord Townshend meets the
new parliament-^Lord Townshend secures a sure majority of
one-third of the house^Fiscal resources of Ireland inadequate
to Lord Townshend's plan— The only two acts affecting the
Roman catholics during Lord Townshend*s government— Ad-
ministration of Loid Harcourt — Absentee tax proposed by
government and rejected — Lord Harcourt opens the door to
catholic rights— Analogies of Ireland to America — Effects of
American rebellion upon Ireland — First step towards the Irish
revolution of J782--Paillament dissolved — Distressed state of
the nation^— Alliance of France with the American colonist^^
and it*s consequences upon Ireland-— The Irish follows the liberal
example of the British parliament towards the catholics— The
application of the dissenters for indulgence remitted to another
aessipn— Mr. Gardiuer*s act — Message from the crown to ease
Ireland of the payment of her troops ser\nng out of the king-
dom—The long recess gives rise to the volunteers— Mr. Grat*
tan opposes the speech of the lord-lieutenant — Effects of the
weak adminiscration of Lord Buckinghamshire— State of Ire-
land debated in the British house of lords — ^The a&irs of Ire-
land debated in the British house of commons— Change of
fedings in the Irish commons — Resolution of the Irish com«
ffions brings the British parliament to grant the Irish proposi-
tions— Effects of the Irish volunteers — Commons vote a longer
money biU-— Imprudent tonduct of govenmient to Iraland— -
Encrease of popular discontent— Close of the sessions — Ad-
ministration of Lord Carlisle: Debate in the British commons
—Lord Carlisle meets the parliament : its first proceedings —
State of parties at this juncture in Ireland — Debate on
mutiny bill — Mr. Yelverton moves for an address to the throne
—Mr. Grattan's motion for an examination of the national
expenses-^ Mr. Flood's motion for the explanation of Poyning's
law — Mr. Gardiner introduces^ the subject of catholic relief
^>Mr. Gardiner gives notice of the heads of his bill— Con-
duct and resolutions of the volunteers— First meeting of the

C CONTENTS.

voluDteers — Substance of the DungminoD reiolationsitiPeace<*
able conclusion of the Dungaonon meeting— Mr. Gaidiner's
bill in favour of the catholics— Mr. Grattan moves an address
to the King on the legislative independence of Ireland — Mr,
Flood's two resolutions negatived — Mr. Gardiner's catholic bills
— Nature of the opposition to the catholic bills—- Declineof Lord
Carlisle's administration and his resignation — Last act of l^fr.
Eden — Appointment of the Duke of Portland, and Mr. Eden's
conduct in the British commons — His Majesty sends a mes*
sage to both houses of the British parliament concernrhg Ire-
land— Mr. Fox proposes thanks to his Majesty — Duke of Port-
land meets the parliamen — Reflections on the versatility of the
Irish house of commons — Addresses voted to the Duke of
Portland and Lord Carlisle — Adjournment of the Irish parlia-
ment and proceedings of the British — Lord Carlisle supports
Lord Shelburne's motions — Duk|3 of Portland meets the par-
liament—Patriotic donation to Henry Grattan— Mr. Flood's
jealousy of Mr. Grattan — ^Mr. Flood*s objection to simple repeal
— Change in the British administration by the death of Lord
Rockingham— Acts under the Duke of Portland's administra-
tion— Influence of the volunteers — Gracious reception of the
delegates from the volunteers.

BOOK IV.

COMPRtSlNG THE PERIOD OF TIME FROM THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRISH LEGISLATIVE
INDEPENDENCE IN THE ITEAE 1783, TO THE
UNION.

CHAPTER I.

jidministration of Earl Temple. p. 23S

Lord Temple selected by Lord Shelbume to govern Ifeland—

Earl Temple begins to reform the departments of government—

Pmcc with America-— Proceedings of the British paxliamcnt—

'CONTEWTS. XI

The coalliioB ■dministrttion^Corporatidn ()f DaUm addrets
tlie Itiffd lieutenant: Knights <^ St. Patrick intatttted-^In*
tended iettletBcnt of New Geneva*

CHAP. 11.

Administraiion of the Earl of Nortliington*

p. 244
DiS9olation of parliament, and its conseqtKmces— General meet*
ing of thes^elegates resolved on — State of the representation
in parliament — New padiament nieeU^-Thanks voted to Lord
Tj^mple— Opposition to Lord Northington*8 administration — '
Perseverance of opposition— National convention at Dublin —
Fnilher proceedings in the commons-— Lord Northington re-
•Igw.

CHAP. III.

jidminislration of the Duhe of Rutland, p. iSS

Kipectations from the new administration — Duke of Rutlacd
addressed— Bill for parliamentary reform lost — Causes of po-
pular discontent — Parliament prorogued and popular discontents
increased — Proceedings for parliamentary reform — Disunion

. of the volnnteers and its consequences — Meeting of national
congress — Second meeting of delegates — Session of 1785 t

. Irish propositions — Bill brought into the Irish house of com*
inoos— Duke of Rutland meets the parliament — Besolution

. against the pension list — Session of 178? — Right-Boys— :Com
plaints against public expenditures ineffectual — Qause for

• demolishing the catholic chapels — Failure of pension and tithe
bilk^^Heated contests on the riot act — Prorogation of parlia-

. meat — ^Deaib of the Duke of Rutland.

CHAP. IV.

Administration of the Marquis of Buckingham.

/). 275
Manjius of Buckmgham aucceeds the Duke of Rutland-
Secret system of the new vicero-^ Economical scrutiny into

Xn CONTEXTS.

the de(Mrtmeirti-.F0ep-Qf.Oay Bayt tad Defeoders— Etllg'i
illness — Expectations that Irdand would follow the example of
Great Britain — Association test for the new. members of par-
liament— Instructions from England to prepare Ireland for a
limited regency — Marquis of Buckingham refuses to transout
the address — ^Tuirn in the house of commons — King's recovery
formally announced to parliament — Return of the commons to
their stations— Marquis of Buckingham's use of govehnment
influence— Lord Buckingham dissatisfied^ retires to England.

CHAP. V.

Adminisiraiion of the Earl of TVestmoreland.

p. 293

Earl of Westmoreland succeeds the Marquis of Buckingham —
Parliament, meets : Ineflectual efforts of the patriots — Mr-
Grattan's extraordinary charge against miniSters-^Further
efforts of the opposition — Prorogation, dissolution^ of the o]d,
and convention of a new parliament — Lord Westmoreland
seeks popularity — First session of the new parliament — Effects
of French re\'olution on Ireland — Catholic committee — Divi-
sion of the catholic body — United Irishmen of Belfast and
Dublin — Popularity discouraged at the castle-— Commencement
of catholic relief— Parliament meets — Sir Hercules Langrishe
moves the catholic bill— Mr. O'Hara presents a petition from
the committee— Catholic bill — Petition of the catholic commit-
tee and progress of the bill — Parliament prorogued — Catbdic
delegates — Alarm taken by the grand juries — Cautious con-
dtict of the catholic committee, and meeting of delegates^-
Irish national guard — Catholic petition presented to the throne
•—State of the nation at the opening of the session of 1793**
Committee upon parliamentary reform — Government counte-
nances several popular acts— Petition of the catholic bishops —
Catholic bill passes the commons— Catholic bill passes the
lords- Strong measures of government : Gun powder and con-
vention bill— Trial of Mr. Hamilton Rowan— Pariiament
convened and prorogued—Troubled state of the country— Dif-
ference between the first and last United Irishmen— Intended

CONTBMTS;

lead of Lord Westmoxdaiid-^jBtem of daidicity io Mr* Pitt
— Coafidence of the Catholict«r C^net intrigues BgnxM Lpsd
KtswQIiiain.

CHAP. VL

Adminhtration of Earl Fitzwilliam. f.SSO

Lord FitzwiUiam aflsnmes the governmeDt— Dismissals by Lord
Fitzwilliam — Catholics* addresses to Lord FitzwiUiam — Lord
FitzwiUiam meets the parliament — British Ministers oppose the
measures oi the viceroy->-The two opponents of Lord Fitzwil-
liam most hurt at his recal — ^Report of Lord Fitzwilliam's
removal and its effects— Catholics' address to Mr. Grattan—
Lord FltzwUliam leaves Lreland.

CHAP. VII.

Admirdstration of Earl Camden. p. S62

Appointment of Lord Camden— Catholic meeting in Francis-
street — ^Admission of the young men of the coU^eto the catholic
meeting— Lord*lieatenant addressed — Motions made by oppo-
sition— Parliament prorogued — ^Encrease of Defenders and
United 'Irishmen^Nature of the Irish Union— <Te8t of the v

' United Irishmen— Religious contest encouraged" by govern-
ment: Orange-men — Lord Carhampton's strong measures-^
Ptfliament meets— Strong measures introduced by the attor*
ney-general— £f!ects of the resoluticms on the house — Fer-
ment out of parliament— Extension of the union-^Arming of
the union« and the people— Minister's partiality for Orange-men
—Early meeting of parliament— French invasion— Report of
the Prince of Wales' going over viceroy to Ireland— Catholic
question lost for the last time before the Irish parliament— Mr.
Fdham disclaims popularity^ and Mr. Grattan's reply— *£arl
Moira's motion in the British peers rdative to Irebnd— Mr*
Fox*s motion in the British Common^^Message of his es«
cdkocy^Geacial sense of the nnioft— The report of tb» mov^

XIV C01^TENT8«

commitUfe^-^Mr. W. B. PpoMoby't reiolutioiis Ibr ptrUn
imtTOary reiorm*— Gen. Lake's proclaaution-— Abatement of re«
bellion in Ulster — Me^ns of seducing th^ people-*{iegociatrea
with the French Directory — Internal cflfects of ibe union — Pro-
rogation and dissolution of parliament — Lord Moir^ s motion ia
the firitish house of peers — Public diffidence in parliament—*
New parliament meets— Causes bringing forward the union—
liOrd Moira's motion for conciliatory measures in the Irish peera
—Attack upon Dr. Hussey^ the Catholic Bishop of Wateiford-.
Mr. Arthur O'Connor, proprietor and editor of the Press news-
paper—Mr. Arthur O'Connor arrested, tried, and acquitted in
England — Orangemen and Defenders complained of— Sir B.
Abercrombie, commander-in-chief— France promises sucooors
and fails — ^New declaration and conduct of the Orangemeo*-
Mischievous effects of the Orange essociation — Discovery of the
rebellion — Leinster delegates and others arrested— The insur-
rection prematurely forced into explosion — General proclama-
tion and free quart erings, and military execution — Catholic de*
daration — Discovery and arrest of Lord Edward Fitzgerald —
InsurfectiOB formally announced to Parliament— Breaking out
of thp lebelUon — Cautionary measures of government— Pro*
gre#s of rebellion disconcerted-- Prqgress of the rebellion —
Bloody measures of the rebels— Declaration of the Catholics-
Contest becomes more ferocious on both sides^Rebels de&ated
at Tarah-^More outrages committed by the troops than the ve-
bels— Sofne of the rebels submit — Extension of the rebellion not*
vitfistanding defeats— Insurrection of Wicklow and Wexford—
Jform^l commencement of the insurrection of Wexford— Be-
bfla g/fixi an advantage unaer Father Murphy — Deputation
aent to the rebels— Detachment from Gen. Fawcett surprised—
lotemal confusion at Wexford — Outrages of the runaway troops
— ^orey evacuated, and retreat to Arklow — Camp at Vin^ar
Hillr— Alternate successes of the king's troops and rebels — Siege
of New. Aoss — Massacre of ScuUabogue— Father Roche si^c*
oeeds Harvey io the command — Wickbw insurrection- Battle
of Arklow— Horrors in the town of Wexford— Atrocities of
^Dixon— Exertions of the catholic clergy to prevent bloodshed
; «|^ save the Uvea of the protestants^-Lord Klngsborongh taken

C0MT9NTg. 7t9

if ftbe rebels— CoosteroatioD at Wexford on the approadi of
the tumj — Movementa of the army-^Battle of Vinegar Hill-—
Wexford's off r tp sarrender rejected^Wexford occupied by
the king*« troops—- Capture of Father Philip Roche — Horror^
of the CooDty of Wexford— Arrival of Marquis Cornwallis*-
InsorssctioQ in Ulster-^Iasuiigexxry in the County of Cork.

. CHAP, vra.

Administration ofMarqtUs Cornwallis. pASS

Marquis Comwallis assumes the Government— Recall of General
Lake, and appointment of Greneral Hunter — First act of the
change of system — Final dispersion of the Wexford insurgents
•- Inquisitorial court of Wexford— Dispersion and surrender of
the out-standing insurgents ~ Terms of surrender proposed
through Mr. Dobbs— Trial and execution of several rebel chiefs
— Some straggling de^tperadoes infest the country— Royal mes-
sage to parliament —Acts of attainder, amnesty, and indemni-
fication—System of moderation introduced by Lord Comwallis
-Effects of false information — Humbert lands at Killala—
Humbert puts General Lake to flight at Castlebar—Lord Com-
wallis marches against the enemy —Progress of the French ge-
neral—The French surrender— Consequences of the rebellion
—Prorogation of Parliament— Cause of Lord Comwallis being
disliked by the Orangemen— Trial and death of Mr. Theobald
Wolfe Tone—Encrease of Orangism, and by what means—
Fiist attempt at incorporatediinion— New division of parties on
the onion— Meeting of the bar against union— City of Duttlin
against union— National ferment about the union — Various re-
solutions against union — Parliament meets— Union proposed
and opposed in the lords— Debate in the commons^ and a ma-
jority of one for the union— Second debate, in which the mi-
nisters had a majority of 6 against them — Union recommended
by the king to the parliament— *King*s message taken into con-
sideration by the British parliament — Mr. Pitt proposes resola-
tions respecting the union— Address to accompany the reiolu-

tjons— -Mr. Sheridan oppose* tbe minigter^ and propoecs twi>
lesolationf*— Mr. Sheridan renews his motion respecting the con-
sent of both parliaments — ^Mr. Sheridan proposes a substitute for
union — Conference of the two houses upon the subject of union
—•Mr. Foster's popularity for opposing the utuon — Adjourn-
ment of the Irish parliament, in order to follow op^ the resoiu-
tioos of the British parliament — Exertions of the Anti-unionists
in the country — Parliament meets after adjournment — Lord
Comwallis uses personal influence to forward the union — The
measure brought forward in the British house of lords-* Confer-
ence with the Commons-i-Proceedings of the Irish parliament :
Motion in &vour of Mr. Judkin Fitzgerald — Regency Bill-
General measures for and against union-^Prorogation.of pariia-
roent, and the lord-lieutcnanfs speech — Internal state of Ire-
land—Efforts to oppose the union — How the Catholics acted at
to the union — Effects of the preparatory steps for uqion — Con-
iequences of the minister's majority — Meeting of pariiament
after adjournment— Message from the lord-lieutenant about
union — ^The plan carried in the peers — Debated in the com-
mons— Irish parliament assents to. the articles of union—
Articles of union brought bNcfore the British pariiament—
Compensation for Borough property— Union bill passed in the
British pariiament^Selection of tbe Union Members- Com^
pletion of the union.

tttB

HISTORY OF IRELAND

FKOM TBB

INVASION OF HENRY II.

TO ITS

INCOnPORATE XTmONWITH GREAT BRTTAm.

BOOK III.

COMPRISING THE PBRIOD BEfWEHN THE COMPLE-
TION OF THE REVOLUTION OP 1688, AND THE '
bECLARATION OF IRISH INDEPENDENCE, IN THE
VEAR 1782.

CHAPTER I.

The Reigns of William and Mary^ and fyuiiam.

Xhe revolution, \diich dianged the dynasty, and' igqu
ascertained some rights of the British people, ^hich ^^^^^^^
had been infringed by the crown, is generally J'c-"^??^^
ferred to by the date of its commencement in £ng* <tiftrenu
land in 1688. As to Ireland^ it was not efiectui'
tin die surrender of Limerick^ which left William
and Mary in possession of the whole kingdom. Ire-*
.hnd did not pass from the hands of James by any

VOL. II. 8

« The Reigns of ITilllam and Mary^ afid IVilliumi

i^2\ revolutionary measure, whether of abdication, invita* *
tion J or expulsion, but by force of arms. Hence Wil-
liam's title aorose by rigtkt of coni^uett* Tliifixevolution,
such as it was, open^ to our view a new scene of Irish
politics^ Whatever civil advantages were gamed or
established by it in England, vainly do the Irish look
up to it as the commencement or improvement of theit
constitutional liberty. Then, more than ever, was
Ii:elan4 tseated as a c^mquered coustry^ its iadejiend*
ence violated, its national consequence and dignity
debased. It appears to ha«e been* the systematic
policy of the British cabinet of that day, not only
to trample on the rights of individuals, through their
immediate governors, but to extinguish the very idea
of an independent legisltatture iii Ireland *.

* Mr. Bivke, viewing; this skuatioo of bis oouiUvy v a s Wet-
man and a philosopher, has left a masterly portrait of it. (Letter
to Sir Her. Lang. p. 44.) '' By the total reduction of the king-
dom of Irehmd in \^l, the ruin of the native Irishj and in a great
measure too of the first races of the English, was completely ac-
complished. The new. iulerest was settled with as solid a stabi-
lity as any thing in human affairs can look for. All the penal laws
of that UDpanlkkd code oft)ppre«sioo> which ^veno nmiMSoa the
last event, were manifestly the effects of national hatred and scorn
Cowards a conquered people, whotn the vitiors deligbledto*tranpl»
upon, and weie not ajt all afraid to provoke. They were nel ibe
effects of their fears, but of their security. Thoy> who carried on-
this system looked to the irresistible force of Great Britain for theic
support in their acts of power. They were quite certain^ that oo
complaints c£ the nativea.wdald be heard o» this sid6 of the water
veitbaayoihef sTniionenU tbfii.tiioseof conteai^t'aadiiKljtiiaiioB..
llieif criesKwed only to augment theii^ioiture. MacbiBes/wtaii&
could answer thei; purposes so well must be of aii eueUcot

The Reigns of ff^illiam ondMaryj and fVilKam. S

AlfbcNtgh thd articles of Limerick had immediately \^9^
received the sanction of the great seal of Engljmd, they Articles or
tvere so<m infringed m the £ice of the JH^ nation. ^^^
Two months had not elapsed, ^hen, accordthg to the ^^^
testimoDy of Harris *, the avowed encomiast of WiU
%Bi, the lords justices and General GHbckle oidea*
wared to render the first of those articles of as little
force as possible, t '* The justices of the peace,
sheiS&y and other magistrates, prestidung on their
power is tfad country, did' in an illegal mannei^ dis-i
possesii sevend of their niajeslies' subjects not only of

trivaaoe. Indeed at that time in England the douUe name of the
oomplaioants, Irish and Papists, (it would be hard to say singly
which was the most odious) shut up the hearts of every one against
them. Whilst that temper prevailed in all its force to a time with*
hi oAr memoiy^ every measure was pleastog and popular, just io'
pRi^ortioa««8 it tended to haiasaand ruin a set of people, who wero
looked upon to be enemies to God and man i and indeed as a race*
of bigotted savages, who were a disgrace to human nature itself.**

* Harris's Life of King William, p. 857-

t \\M. 350. ** Capel, Lord Justice, in 1091, proceecbd
al fwK at it wai in his power to infringe the articles of Li-
merick.** It appears also from a letter of the Lords Jus-
tides oi ther 19th of November, itSgi, «' that their lord-
ships had received complaints from all parts of Ireland, of the ill-
treatment of the Irish, who had submitted, had their majcBtieg
protection, or were included in articfes: and that they were so'
estremely terrified with apprehensioili of tbe continoance of diaft'
may., that soake dK)Qsands of them, who had quilted the Iridi
army, and went' home with a resolution not to go to France,
were then come back again^ and pressed earnestly to go thi<
ther, rather thansti^ in Irriand, where contrary to Uie pnblie
aitb al weir aa law and justice, they were robbed of their mb*
stance aatf^kuedjn thdr penons*'*

b2

4' The Reigns offVilliam and Mary, and fPWiam, .

1^^ their goods and chattels, but of their lands and tene-
ments, to the great disturbance of the peace of the-
kingdom, subversion of the law^ and reproach of their
majesties* government."
William There is no question, but that Kin^ William was

not natur* ^ i ^ o

aiiyintoic- infinitely more tolerant in his principles and dispo^
sition than the English and Irish protestants, who
urged him to excesses of rigor and persecution against
the conquered Irish. He abhorred the system ; but
was forced to yield. Although he had been most
anxious to secure the sovereignty of the British em«
pire by the final subjugation of Ireland, yet he was
too much of the warrior, not to esteem thbse most
whom he found it the most difficult to subdue. He
did not, after having reduced Ireland by force of
his own arms, consider it merely a conquest for the
purposes of parliamentary appropriation. His Ma-
jesty's mind had not yet been accustomed to the re-
strictions, which the English constitution threw around
the will of the sovereign. The tories flattered him
more than the whigs, and he had thrown himself into,
the arms of the former.
Differences The relative feelings of William and his English
William parliament towards each other^ and towards Ireland
English are more illustrated by the address presented to the
P*r lament. ^.^^ by the English House of Commons, and his
Majesty's unsatisfactory answer to it, than by a volume
of detail. Sir Francis Brewster, and some other-
persons ,had been induced to give very strong evi-
dence before the English House of Commons oiF the
various abuses then practised by the govemment of.

The Reigns of William and Mary^ and fVillifimn

ii^Iand) upon which an address of the Commons to }^^\
the throne was voted *.

* Tbis evidence is to be seen in the journals of the English
House of Conamons for i6q2, p. 826 to 833. The following is
the address, with the King's answer.

•* We, yoar Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Com-
mons in parliament assembled, having taken into onr seriops con-
sideration the state of your Majesty's kingdom of Ireland, find
borselves obliged by our duty to your Majesty, with all faithful-
ness and zeal to your service, to lay before your Majesty tlie great
abuses and mismanagement of the affairs of that kingcifom.

" By exposing your protestant subjects to the misery of free
quarters, and the licentiousness of the soldiers to the great op-'
pits^on of the people ; which we conceive hath been occasioned '
ifibirfly by the want of that pay, which we did hope we had fuUjr
provided for.

** By recruiting your Majesty's troops with Irish papists, and
such persons, who were in open rebellion against you, to the
great endangering and discoursing of vour Majesty's good and
toyal protjstant subjects in that kingdom. .

'< By granting protections to the Irish papists, wherel^y pro*
testants are hindered from their legal remedies, and the course oH
law stopt.

' ** By reversing outlawries for high treason against several re-
bels in that kingSlom, not within the articles of Limerick> to the
great discontent of your protestant subjects there.
' *' By letting the forfeited estates at under rates, to the preju-
dice of your Majesty's revenue.

" By the great embezzlement of your Majesty's stores, in
the towns and garrisons of that kingdom, left by the late King
James

^ And by the great embezzlements, which have been made in
the forfeited estates and goods, which might have }>een emplmred
for the safety and better preservation of your Majesty's kingdom*
We crave leave to represent to your Majesty, that the addition to
t&e artidef of Limerick, afleir the same were finally agreed to and

»8

P The Reigns qf WUliam andMary^^nd miUam-^

i(^. Few pam of the ^history of Irelatnd have been more
Negociation ^storted by misrepresentation, thai^ the amdes ^
Scltt o"" Limerick and Galway. Sir Richard Cox, the courtly
Umcfick. Ustorian of Ireland, bore a prominent part in the

signed, and thct town jtbereupon sarrendered« hath been a vtrj
great encouragement to the Irish papUts, and a weakening to the
English interest there.
« '* Having thus, most sracious sovereign, out of onr ^flect'cmat^
zeal to your Majesty's service, with all humble submission to youf
great wisdom, laid before you these abuser an^ mis^an^ements
in your kingdom of Ireland, we inpst humbly beseech your Ma*
jesty for redress thereof.

** That the soldiers may be paid their arrears, an<? t^ country
what is due to them for quarters ; and that 90 Iri$b papist maf^
serve in your amiy there.

'^ And forasmuch as the reducing of Ireland hath been of great
expense to this kingdom, we do also humbly beseecl) your Mar
jesty^ that (according to the assurance your Majjesty has beeo
pleased to give us) no grant may be n;iade of the forfeited estates
in Ireland, till there be an oppottunity of settling that matter .
in parliament, in such manner, as shall he thought most expe«
dient.

" That the true account of the escheats, and forfeited estalea
both real and personal, and stores left by the late King Jam^«
may be laid before the Commons in parliament, to the end .that
the said escheats, forfeitures, and stores, and the embezalcoaents
thereof, may be enquired into.

** That no outlawries of any rebels in Ireland may be reversed,
or pardons granted to them, but by the advice of your parliament |
and that no protection may be granted to any Irish papist to
stop the course of justice*

*' And ai to the additional article, which opisns so wide a paa«
sage to the Irish papists, iq come ^nd repossess thcpo^elvey of tlji/p
estate), which they had forfeited by their rebellion; we mo^
|)Umbly beseech yoi^r Majesty, that tl]« grticie3 of Ui^eric]c, wl^

. The Meigm cf ffUliam and Man/^ and fTsHiam.

wtCMt nandravring of Am mwMt^lbie tranfiacdon^^ ^'^«
yrUlkm ^ his mlKes wt^ engaged ia a ^mr itk
-Flaadefs against t)ie French mottarch^ It was not
posable, brittle die KjAg's trodps were diverted by
die war m treland, that his Majesty should so suc^
eessfiiliy proceed in Fla^ders^ as was wished by his
fnends. The King, therefore^ hoping to put a speedy
end to the Irish war^ sent to the lordo justices ia«>
structions for a declaration^ asRuring the Irish of
puch more fiivourable and eattensiye conditions thati
they afterwards obtained by the, articles pf Lim«#
rick. His Majesty's instrucdons had been reduced
^ito a proclamation^ which jfZB afterwards sdled th6

$ho taid sdAtioQj nay be laid befora your CoroaioN In pSrlis^
nwDt, that tlie maimer of obfeaioing the same majr be inquired
into ; to the end it may appear by what means the said articlea
'were so engaged ; and to what value the estates thereby obtained
do amofinl*

*' Thus may it phebe yonr Majesty^ We your most dnttful and
loyal subjects do lay these nuitters in all humility before you: and
at your M^esty has been pleased to give us such gracious aa»
tniances ot youf readiness to comply with us, iU ap/ thing,
that may tend to the peace and security of this kingdom, we
doubt not of your Majetty^s .lljce grace and fevour to that of Ire-
land } in the safety and preservation whereof, thi* your Majesty*!
kingdom ia to miidi eolk:erned.^'

To which address bis Majesty return^ tUf 'pnident Bogpet :
" Gentlemen,

'' I shall always have great consideration of wfiat comes from
the House of Gimmons j an4 I shall take great care that what is
amiss sbaU be remedied.'*

* Sir James K^are's Writers of Irdand^bjT Harris, pub. Ed.
1703,p.ai4«

14

The Xeigns of Ifilliam and Mary^ and William^

]^^ secret proclamation ; because, though printed, it never
was published. The Lords Justices^ finding Lime-
rick reduced to a capitulation, onothered the procla-
mation, of which they thought there would then b^
no need^ and went in haste to the English camp> that
they might hold the Irish to as hard terms as the
King's affairs would admit of. Tbi^ thqy did efr
fectually, and put an end to a war, which had ne^ly
destroyed the kingdom. Soon after, a party sprang
^p, that loudly exclaimed against these articles. Th^
^ most interested and intriguing of that party quaiTelIe4
with the articles for no other rieaspn, but bec;iuse they
WQre disappointed in their expectations of raising
great fortunes out of the forfeitures by their interest
or their money. These easily drew in the greater
.part of the protestants^ ignorant of the tFue motives,
which induced the government to grant the articles,
and full of resentment against the catholics, to engage
on the popular side of the question. They thought
no ardcles should be .made with the Irish, but whajL
would expose them to the severest events of war j
and, therefore, when they understood, that the catho-
lics in the Irish quarters w^re to enjoy their estates,
and be repdved as subjects, with some privileges as to
oaths and religion, they refrained not from censuring
the Lords Justices, and the General, as if the King
and kingdom had been betrayed ; and insisted, that
the articles ought not to be observed ; and that it w^s
high treason even to capitulate with the King. Oji
^he other hand, the more moderate men thought it
for his Majesty's honour, both abroad anci ^t Yii^m^^

7Ae Reigns of William and Mary^ and Jf^Uliam. 9

diat the articles should be observed strictly ; and is^ iQ9^
deed the government always recdved instructions from
the King to adhere strictly to theoi, for his word and
hoTWur were engaged^ which he never would fojfeiu
A different proceeding might have disobliged many
of his allies. And even if his honour had not bee&
concerned, it was thought sound policy to give the
Irkh the full benefit of their articles^ at least during
the war. For the French soon discovered their error
in having neglected Ireland so much, when so cons-
iderable a part of the natives was in arms to assist
them ; and therefore projected a new invasion every
year, and, without doubt, would have been delighted
to see the Irish exasperated by so gross a deceit <^
the government, as a breach of the ardcles would have
been.

War was declared between the opposite parties from Thetrticia
the pulpit. The Bishop of Meath was so vehement, from the
that the very next Sunday, after the lords jusdces re- ^^ ^^
turned from the camp^ preaching before the govern*
inent at Christchurch^ he argued, that the peace ought
not to be observed with a people so perfidious ; that,
they kept neither ardcles nor oaths longer than was
for their interest, and that therefore, these ardcles^
which were intended for a security, would prove a
snare, and would only enable the rebels to renew their
insurrection. To obviate this doctrine, the Bishop
of Kildare niounted the pulpit the following Sunday,
and shewed the obligadon of keeping public faith,
;uid withal spoke more favourably of the catholics
llian mos^ protestants though): they deserved* Though

10 I^ Reigns of /fHiiam and Mary^ and fPUliam^

x<^. 4t weve bdiev^d^ that the first bishop intended not
ihe direct breach of futh^ but to hare so strict a
hand kep( over the cathpUcs, as might disable
^em from rebelling c^gain : and though the better
bishop were well known to have no partiality to the
catholics, nor to intend more, than to vindicate the
government, both in making and observing the ai>
tides ; yet bpth were highly censured by the j^eremt
parties ; and the Bishop of Meath's behaviour was 90
displeasing to the King, that he was discl^arged from
the council, and the Bishop of Kildare, for his mo»
deration, put in his place. The contest of the two
bishops was moderated by the ingenious interference
<3£ Dean Synge, vfho preached from the same pulpit,
where the difference had been first propagated, on
these words, Keep p^ace with all men, if it be pot"
sible; assertbg, that the catholics were not to be
trusted, but the articles were to be performed; that
they deserved no fipivour, yet they were entitled to
justice, even for the sake of conscience and honour.
Sir Richard Sir Richard Cox was, through the whole affiur,

Coi's con-

dact in re- in the secret of government ; and although he had,

fcrencc to i . »_ ^ ' i

the articles upou hls owi) authority, suppressed the first and

of Limerick. "^ _ , , . , T „ , ,

more favourable articles, yet he too well knew the
feelings of his sovereign to attempt to suppress or
wave the second, or less favourable articles, which
were known to and approved of by William. Sir
"^ Richard Cox's ambition was to attain the great seal

of Ireland, to which he had no other pro^ct of ar«
riving but by the personal favour of his sovereign.
With this view he qurfoed his own disposition, which

Tke Reigns qfWiUiam qni Mafy, and WUliam. 1 1

ivas decidfdjy hostile cp any concewon to ^ cathoi: }^^,
.lics^ and upQn aU ic^en occaw>a8 waf^ daring jhe life
of William^ a profeesed support^ of the articles <£
Limerick*. Being thoroughly aemible that the con^
ces^oas made by the opeo articles of Limerick
fell very short of those coiitained la the secret
pioclamadon. Sir Richard Cox, in proportioiL as. he
valued bia^lf for ht^ying procured terms so much
l€t$d disadvantageous to England than those which
William, by the advice of his council, had consented
\o granti was apsious to suppress from the knowledge
of the public the lo^s which the Irish had suffprinl by
his mancsttin^y last djsappoiotment a&d despair might
fhrow them again into resistance^ and so deprive
the King of the advantages he proposed to hioaself by
transporting his aifny to Flanders. The whole mass
of the printed proclamations, containing the more fa-
vourable articles, which were on the eve of bemg
published and circulated, was cautiously destroyed*
The particulars of these suppressed articles have not
reached posterity. There are, however, accounts of
the proposals made in the preceding month of July to
the Irish shortly before the decisive battle of Aghrim ;
which, if not precisely Ae same as were comprised in
die suppressed proclamation, cannot be supposed, ii^

* '' In Ibe case of the Ckil way men lie made to eloquent a apsecli^
ioiisiiag u> tiFoagly on tbo hetiyyoniess of breaking public fiiitlis
90 tbo lagratitode it wonki cany with it to their great deliverer,
9S watt at to the good General^ who had gnnted tboae ooaditioiif,
^bat be broHght |he neat of Ibe commttsioQen to hit opialo», apd
used the ^tatea of Ui# claimaDta/' Har. nbi aupya.

It The Reigns of fftlliam and Mary, and fVilliam.

the short space of three months, to have been much
altered. That battle was fought on the 12di of July,
and the articles of Limerick were signed on the 3d of
the ensuing October.
WtUmm William was touched with the fate of a gallant nation,

had offered . r • • •

more favor- that had made itself a victim to French promises, and

able terms , , *

j^.the Irish, had been msidiously encouraged to resistance by
France, for the purpose of advancing the French con«
quests in the Metherlands by means pf a diversion,
which employed 40,000 of the best troops of the grand
alliance of Augsburgh. He was naturally anxious
to find himself at the head of the confederate army
with so strong a reinforcement. |n this anxiety he
offered to Tyrconnel the following terms for the Irish
catholics : 1 . The free exercise of their religion.
2. Half the churches of the kingdom. S. Half the
employments pivil and military, if they pleased. 4.*
The moiety of their ancient properties. These pro-
posals^ though they were to have been sanctioned by
an English act of parliament, were rejected with uni-
versal contempt *.

* See the before*nientioned letter to Dean Swift from Sir
Charles Wogan, a nephew of the Duke of lyroonnd, to whoiu the
proposals were made. He was a man of informatioo and qonsi*
derable talent : was bred to arms^ and followed the fortunes of his
sovereign into exile. He was well received at most cf the courts
of Eorope, and from the correspondence between him and Dean
Swift, be appears to have been holden in respect and esteem by
the Dean. The ofier of these concessions by William to the Irish
catholics affords a volume of observation and instmctlon upon the
important question of catholic emancipation ; which has beea
repeatedly bropght before the parliament of the united kingdom «

T/ie Reigns of fVUUam and Mary^ and fViUianu H

Of such slight importance in the eyes of the Eng- l^*
]iah were the articles of limerick, (such even as they ESects of

^ 'the revolu-

Mon. on the

and rejected by great inajontie8> upon the pretence of its being a ^**^*
violation of the coronation oatb, an extinction of the established
religion, and an infraction of the constitution. The reader will
bear in remembrance, that William, on the 13th of February,
ld89, took the same coronation oath with his present Majesty :
that it then bore the same meaning, and induoed the same pblq;a-
lions as at present. That the conscience of King William was
then in the hands of Serjeant Maynard, Sir Anthony Keck, and
Sir William Kawlinson : and his cabinet composed of persons,
to whose constitotional spirit and experience posterity has ever
ttnce looked np with veneration. That William himself^ who
came over to preserve the liberties of church and state, and restore
the constitution to its purity, was little likely (so soon at least) to
counteract the ends for which he had been placed on the British
throne. Yet he was advised, and as far as depended on him, con-
ceded to the Irish infinitely more than has ever been asked by the
petitioners for emancipation. Not only was he ready to grant the
free exercise of their religion, but half the churches of Ireland.
The petitioners ask for no particle of the emoluments of the esta-
falishraent. William offered half the employments civil and mili-
tary: the petitioners ask, that his Majesty may not be restrained
from appointing or calling into employment such persons, whose
aignal merits may be conducive to the honour and welfare of their
king and country. Eventually one appointment might not be
made in half a century. The petitioners for emancipation neither
ask nor expect to be restored, to any of the inheritances of iheir
ancestors ; William proposed and agreed to give them a moiety of
their ancient properties.

The concession and confirmation of these boons to the Iribh, so*
far exceeding the extent of the petition for emafbcipalion, pro* '\

ceeded from the King, who must be presumed thoroughly advised
by fab great Whig counsellors, who at that time rather coerced,
than directed his Majesty*s conduct, particularly in all that re-
garded Ireland . It would be a sorry compliment, either to our*

iif the lUigns qjt William, md Mary, and WilUam.

1^93. ultimately were), that bodi government and plkria-^
meat seemed to assume merit for the midisguised in-
fraction of themi Reduced, as they had been,
below the original intent and actual proposal of Wil-
liam to the Irish, still were they boasted of by the
friends of James, as the n^ost advantageous terms isi
capitulation receded ia the annab of wai* ; and for
that very reason they were coiidemned by the Irish

great deliverer, or to the great politkal characterB, who broaght
about and settled the revolution' to aaaume, that these proposals
were made with a dtitct view of ensnaring the Irish into termsi
with a reserved intention of violatiog them after they had been
ohci; granted. The Irish, however, mistrusted and rejected them*
Timeo Danaos ei dona ferenies. Sir Charles Wogan, in the above-
mentioned letter, thus speaks to Dean Swift of the feelings of hia
exiled countrymen, upon this rejection, at the dktaoce of thirty
years from the transaction, when those young ardent minds» that
had borne a part in that unfortunate warfare in Ireland, had at*
tained the maturity and experience of threescore years : *' Yet the
exiles, in the midst of their hard usage abroad, could not be
brought to repent of their obstinacy. Whenever I pressed them
upon the matter, their answer was generally to this purpose : ff
England can break her pullic Jaith in regard of the wretched ar-
tkles of Limerick, hy keeping up a perpetual terror and persecution
over that parcel of miserable, unarmed peasantry and dastard gtm*
try we have left at home, without any, other apology or pretence for
it, but her wanton fears audjeahusies-s What could- have been er*
pected by the men of true vigour and spirit, if they had remained
in their country, but a cruel war under greater disadvantagefi or
such an universal massacre as our fathers have qften been threaicned^
with by the confederate rebels of Great Britain ? Ad quod nonfidt
responsum. Yet their liberty and glory is but theprioe of their
bloody and even at that expenac^ they have^only pnrchMwi 9-
more honourable haseUama^^,

i'he Reigns oftVMiam and Mary^ and ffWiam. IS

proteststfits, and sqine of the more yioknt Whigs in ]<^«
England, as dishohouifable to the arms of 'Willkm and
unjust to his friends in Ireland. In no sense could
the revolution of 16M be termed any thing else as
to the Irish but a mere conquest, and a conquest of
the hardiest nature, inasmuch as it \eas not followed
up by a participation of civil rights and liberties by
the conquerors and conquered, but acted upon as a
new ground for imposing additions^ severities upon
the former grievances of the vanquished. ^^ It was
(as lCr« Bttike observed, in defiance of the principles
of our revoludon) the establishment of the power of
the smaller number, at the expense of the civil liber*
ties and properties of the far greater, and at the e%^
pcnse of the civil Uberdes of the whole/'

Upon the circumstances of a great nadon's reco- £„-,^„j
tering from the agonies of a long and bloody contest, J^^JJ^^i^
it might have been expected, that some things should ^^^j^^^
have been necessarily attempted by the executive^ before
the legislative power could be conveniently assembled
to ratify and confirm them. But although Ireland, as
aa independent kingdom, claimed, under William, the
same nghts,^ which it had enjoyed under his predeces-
sofs, yet the parliament of England, at this time,
UMuped the absolute right of legislating for Ireland,
in. aa uncontrouled a manner, as if ireland had no-
parliament of its own. Thus, in the year 1691, be-
fore ^PTiiliam had convened an Irish parliament, the
English parliament passed an act to alter the laws of
Ireland,.. «poa the most essential and fundamental
rights of the aab]eot,^by excluding the Roman Catho-

16 the Reigns of iVilliani and Mary^ and Willlani.

1092. lies, who then composed the decided majority of the
nation^ from a seat in either house of parliament**
And when a mere protestant parliament had been
convened in the year 1692, so little satisfied -with it
was the parliament of England^ that it continued
its legislative encroachment^ by enacting whatever
laws it thought proper for regulating and settling the
legal, civil, military, and ecclesiastical departments in
Ireland, for checking their commerce and disposing
of their property.
^^i^h ^^^ catholics being thus shut out of parliament^
cuboiics. ^ere no longer seen in the field of politics. They were
never brought imder the consideration of government^
but as objects of some additional severity. Their
penal code was sharpen^* The bulk of the nation
had a physical not a political existence; In the higher
orders, the progress of the reformation had latterly
been much extended. The English, now domiciliated
in Ireland, were from plantations, forfeitures, and
other causes surprisingly muhiplied. The Irish pro-
testants and the resident English, whose grand struggle
in the former reigns had been to acquire an ascend- .
ancy over the old native catholic interest of the coun« .
try, now began to consider themselves an independent
nation. Although the revolution did not let in the
Irish immediately to those civil rights and liberties

Viz. 3 Williflm and Mary, c. li. jin Act for Ahrogalmg the
Oath of Supremacy in Ireland^ and appointing other Oaths. It
must also be remarked^ that the 11th section of this act contains'
an exception of persons comprised in die artides of Limerick^
which amoQots to a legislative itcqgnitioQ of them* .

The Reigns of fi^ltiam and Mary^ and ff^iUianu 17

tirhich ii imparted or secured to England, yet it en-
kindled a ^rit of freedom, which disposed many of
those, who partook of the state to insist upon the
constitutional rightit of Irishmen : a claim new td an
Irish parliament !

The supporters of the Whig interest in Ireland dif- i»h dife-
iered from those who forwarded the reroludon in ^icUih
England in principle, in action^ and in Views. The
faish Whigs of that day Were the relief of the Oli^
verian party, avowing no other principle than that
of retaining monopoly of power in the few over the
bulk of the nation, and acting thereon with an bAU
tiary severity, which riveted the physical power of
the country in resistless thraldom* tt is importsuit to
trace the workings of these Whigs of 1049 upon the
Irish nation, and to discriminate between their political
conduct towards their country, and that of anothei^
proiestant party, which has from time to time endea*
vouned to aet up the genuine principles of the English
revolution, agamst the systematic abuse of them by it^s
protescant opponents in Ireland *. Of the former de^
scrqption were the persons! whom the King q>pointed
the first lords-justices. They \ •' discovered an aifei-
trary tpirit^ and great partiality m the dispensation of

^ Ootof thbgnmnd of ditfereilce arises the tnodetadisli^^
between the true boDttitutiooal Whig and Qraogeman of Irdaad,
to whibh^ io the proper time sod order^ I most dnw the attention
Sn ny leader*

f Thejr weie Loid Viaeonnl Sydney^ Sir Charlet Porter, and
Thonrn Conlngrfyj Siq.

t Sommerv. Hiat voL I. p^ 48fl;
VOL. lU G

18' 771^ Reigns 6f ffliliant and Marij^ and IFttliam.

i$92. justice: the trial of crimes was often conducted in a
summary way, and without regard to the essential
fbrms of law : evidence was suppressed with the pon-
liivance of the judges : the priticipaf transgressors
were acquitted^ whilst those who acted under their
directioti and influence suffered the extreme vengeance
. of the laws. But in no case did the management of
the justices a()pear more iniquitous and oppre^^e, thatt
in regit-d to the Irish forfeitures. The most beneficial
leasts ^tte Ti6t only retained for themselves and their
friends, but In the tompethiort for estates and farms,
thfe io^i^e^ bidder^ t^ere tonietimes preferred, '^hich
una^6idably led to the suspicion of secret compensaf-
fiort feeing made them for flagrant breach of tnm.
These misdcm^artours, and the {Jrierances occasioned
by thenl, produced co'mpiaints and di^affections, which
>^efe ftlade the gf-ouird of sptctfic charges, presented
i6 the legislature in both kingdoms. Enquiries were
Instituted p important discoveries were made ; bat tlie
extreme intricacy and tediousitess of this buaness, the
private cdftcems of the parties te England^ tod the in*
dusfry of powerful individuals, who were not thetii-
selves free from all accession to the guilt alleged,
prevetited any efFecitlal redress of pfubfic sd^us^, and
the punishment of slate deb'nquents."
Lordsyd- Lord Sydney, baviug been created lord-lieutenant,
vents a%r- uiimediately issoed wriis and coov^oed a parliament j
the primary object of which was to raise. siippliet to
difichaf ge the debts contracted during the war; Thiere
had been no parliament in Ireland, (except that whicfi
sat under James) for the laist tw^tjr»dx yeam: and

5Tte R^igHh nf WiOtdia and Mary, and^mUiam. 19

although the pariiament of England had ilndertafcerr ^^^

to legislate for hrehmd on the most important maimrs
of states yet had it hdt preceded to tUe extent of
raising mcmey directly np^nr the people of Ii^hoid.
The Irish parliament co\ild not be ibsensibte of the*
encroachments made on their indepenidenee ; tftey feft
their consequencie, and maliifested by their cohdnct
their resehtment ag^dfii9t the m^i^res of goveii^menf^
The cbrnmonfi c(»isenfed td grant a siaiti hot ex<!eed*
ing 7(^000/* pleading the inahiHty of the pMpte from>
the baiatniti^ of the late Wars to ett^r^a^e fh« graht.
Th^ conddered it to be their indi^utablie right M
determine fat th^ first uiistance bbth the sum and thisf
manner of raiising ^very supply granted t6 th|ie crowA^
tn violation of this privilege, two moneysbUls^ which'
had not originated with thenir, had bi^en transmitted
from England^ and laid before the house of cbmnKnls* '
To resent this encroisichment ilpon thehf privileges^
they rejected one df them, and from the ekttemer
urgency of the case alone edttsented td pa» thb
other ; but not without having entered very pointed
iresoludons upon their jonmab in topport of thi^
rights*.

H& excellency waA highly eurag^ecl sit th^e fefibhi- LoidSyd.
tions^ add in his ^ech dpon proroguing the paTlift* mui^S^d
nient severely reprimanded them ' for having, ita ^^uT-
cottlrflventioii' of the design «f thdur meeting, lindud*
fully and ongMlefiBdly invaded their Majesties pi^ro^

* n Joum. 28. list of Otobef^ I<$g2. Hieft tt^t&x>tLi
are to be icea m mj^H^ Boriew> vd. I. p. 200^

C2

*> The Reigns of WiUiam and Mary, and IFilKam.

J^^ gative. The commons requested permisaon to send
commissiQners to England^ in order to hy a full and
hnpartial statement of their conduct before their Ma-
jesties; when thej w*re tauntingly assured by the
lord lieutenant, that tkcy mig/u go to England to beg
their Majestieh^ pardon for their seditious and riotous
assemblies. The lord-lieutenant, in justification of his
conduct, procured the opinion of the judges against
the right which the common^s claimed of origin-
adng money-bills. in their house. This .unexpected
and ungracious prorogation created general discoo*
tent : several bills of importance remained to be per-
fected, and several grievances to be redressed. Sydney
became unpopular ; and government found it prudent
to recall him*
Sydney If Upon the rcmoval of Lord Sydney, the govem-
changesin ment was vested in three justices. Lord Capel, Sir
ineiic.uida Cyril Wyche, and Mr, Duncombe. Difference of
mfntcan- principle disunited their government, which shortly
after was concentered in Lord Capel, as lord-deputy.
He best knew the disposition and wishes of the Eng-
lish cabinet, and warmly espoused the interest of the
English settlers, and as eagerly opposed the claims of
the Irish under the articles of Limerick. Sir Cyril
Wyche and Mr. Duncombe, regardless of court-ia-
vour, sought impartially to give full effect to the
articles of Limerick, upon which the court-party and
the protestants in general looked with a jealous eye»
as prejudicial to their interest. The inflexilnlity of
Wyche and Duncocfibe soon worked their removal :
and the accommodating ^eal of Capel enabled him to

Tie fieJgns of Jnillam and Mary, and miliam. fil

displace all those,, who thwarted hk designs* Several ^^^
changes were made in the administration, and a new
parliament was convened*

The business of this session was at. first undis<- Ncwmmimi
turbed, and the supplies, which Irad been required, ment^in
were quietly granted. Several penal statutes were OMriesPw.
enacted, without any opposition, against the c^thp* tp^cuousi^
lics^ ; some of wjuch were in direct conti:avention to ^ *^*
the articles of Limerick. Yet a law was made in this
parliament for the confirmation of these very articles! ;
but which in fact was an abridgment, rather than a con-
firmation of them in several instances;];. Notwith-
standmg the tide of courtly prejudice against the tend-

* Such w€re« Ao Act to tejttrain foreign £ducatton« J William
and Maiy» c. iv. An Ad for the better securing the Government^
bj diiarming Papists, 7 William and Mary, c. r. An Adt fox^tk*
nifthing all Papists exercising any ficelesiaslical Jurisdiction, and
all Ergolars of the Fbpi&h Clergy out of the Kingdom, 9 William
III. c i. An Act to prevent Protestants intermarrying Mrith Papists,
g Williaro> c. tii. An Act to prevent Papista being Solicitors, 10
Wijliapa, c, xiii.

f 4" Act for the Cpn6nn9tion of Articles, inade at th/s Sur-
render Qf the City of Limerick, ^'Willian^ III. c ii.

X Whilst this bill was pending, a petitioo was presented by Mr,
Cahosac and some few, on behalf of (hemselres and others eem-
prised in the articles of JLjmefick, setting forth, that in the bill
there were several fi^aus^i tha^ lyould frustrate the petitioners of
the benefit of the s^ine : and^ if passed into a law, would torn to
the ruin of some, aiui the prejudice of all perlons entitled to th«
benefit of the said articles, and praying tp be heard by cocuisel to
the saki matten : wbidi having been presented and read; it was
ananlmonsly veaolvod, thst the ssid p^^itf9a <faioold.be ngooUyl.,
\l foQxu. CooA. p. 194.

eg ■"

s«

The Rc{gns offfijliam an^Mary^ and ff^llian^

)(59^:

TncOnsiit-
cnt con-
duct of
Govern-
ment t»-
wArds lie.
Und.

cncy and obeervance of these articles. Sir Charles
Porter, the chancellor, nobly dared to stand up in
support of them. This conduct of the chancellor
brought upon him the whole vengeance of the castle.
-The lord-deputy is reported, with the assistance c^
his friends and creatures, to have procured a charge
to be fabricated against him, licensing him of
designs hostile to government. In support of the
accusation, a motion was made in the House of Com-
mons^ but on being heard in his own justification, he
was most honourably acquitted.

However strenuous in the cause of freedom our an-
cestors may have been at the revolution, the unbiassed
xnind questions the purity of their patriotism, when it
(:ontertplates the English parliament and government
pppo^n^ tliat very liberty in Ireland, which they so
w;innly ipspoused in England. The fermentatiofi
pf the two kingdoms bepame alarmmg. It was no
longer a contest between a conqueror and an op-
pressed people reclaiming their natural, civil, or re-
ligious rights. Thp bulk of the nation was so dispi-
rited and reduced under their sufferings, that their
feeble inoans were scarcely heard on their pwn shores,
mudit le^ across St. Geprge'9 phannel : they existenl
pnly as the passive objects of persecuiioii. '1 he con-
flict was with that very protestant ascendancy in Ire-
|and| >vhich it had bpen the primary policy of the Eng-
lish cabi^Jef for the last ceijtury to establish, ;and which
now f^y l)ad beeii effectually, ^ccompli&hsd* U W9is
impossible . d»at civil liberty should make the progress
it did in England, and that Irehmd should be mor^

7'Ae JUigns of fFdUam ffnd Mary, and /fVlifm^ ?g

tha^n msensil^le of its blessings. The Irish fegisl?* ^$99/.
ture.was called upon tp surrender and renpuxice thp$$
very rights^ which the English parliament had ^
gloriously asserted. Mr. Molyne4x» one of the mem-
bers for the uniy^xsi^y of Dublio, was the most %-
ixrard ill the cause of Irish p^tri9jjisni. Jsjl .169$, lie pubr
lisfaed his iamou$ book, ioticule4 T^ ^(fme of Ire-
lancTs being bouni by ^cis of Parliament in Englan4
stated^ which greatly encreased his reputation, influ-
ence, and popularity^ within and without the parlijt.*
mem of Ireland.

This bopk was written in a strain of independent ceneni
discission and spirited assertion, to wl>if:h Ireland ha4 of Mr. nu*
hitherto been a stranger. The author considered how ISSI**
Ireland ori^ixiaUy bec^iue annexed to tijie cro^p of
]£ngla&d; how far this connec.tip|i was founded in con-
quest; what were the true and lawful nghts of th^
conquerors over the conquered j and whether thos^
fights, whatever they iriight be, exten4e4 to posterity
indefinitdy; pardcularly, wh^t concessions h^dbee^
made to IrelaQd ; and whs^t were the opinions of the
learned, who had haodje^l the subject. He cl9S6d with
strong inferens^ ip .suppoj-t of the perfect and reci-
procal independence of e^.ch Jdngdom,

♦The English Hoijse 4)f Conwons took ¥p thg Conduct dr
gaunt;let with a b^^h b^nd : % cpin^ittee was ^pppii^te^ patiiunrat
to e^miae Mr. Mq}y{>qa^'s bQp);:^ ^<^d tQ repQit sucj^ ^'ii^.
pats4g^ as th^y should find $|e|}yiQ| (be .a^tbo^i^
f4 ^^ pi^rliament of £Qg}and> »q4 ^\so Yih^^ prpceed*

* Speeches the Earl qf Clare, p. 39.

c4

24 T»e Reigns of William and Afary, and fVilliatn.

16M. ings had taken place in Ireland; that might have oc-
caponed the said pamphlet. On the SSd of Jmie, 1 698,
the committee reported the obnoxious passages, and
stated, that on enquiry into the proceedings in Irehnd^
ivhich might have occasioned the pamphlet^ they found
in a bill transmitted under the great seal of Ireland^
during the late parliament there, intituled, ^' A bill for
the better security of her Majesty's person and govern*
* ipent,'^ that the whole of an act passed in England for
abrogating the oath of supremacy in Irelsuid, andap*
pointing other oaths, had been re-enacfed with some al-
terations ; and that in the same bill, the. crown of Ire*
land y^as stiled the imperial crown of Ireland. Upon
^s report, the House resolved, nemine contradicente^
'' that the bopk published by Mn Molyneux vrzs of
dangerous tendency to the crown and people of Eng*
land^ by denying the authority of the K|ng and par*
Iiament of England to bind the kingdom and people of
Ireland^ and the subordination and dependance that
Ireland had and ought to have upon England as being
pnited and annexed to the imperial crown of Eng-
Ifuid/' They resolv^ also, *' that the bill Ij^tely trans-
mitfed from Ireland^ whereby an act of parliament
made in England expressly to bind Ireland is pro-
tended to be re-enacted^ had given occasion and en-
^ouragauent to forming and publishing the dangerous
positions contained iA the said book.*\ Th^ hpuse in
a body presented an address to the King, enlarging
In terms pf gr^at indignation on the book and its
pernicious assertions, and on the dangerous tendency
pf the proceedings of the Irish psMrliament ; beseech-

The Reigns of ffVtiam and Mary^ and ff^llianu 95

faig his Majesty *' to ezat his royal prudence to prevent i(^.
their being drawn into example, and to take all
necessary care^ that the laws, which directed and
restrained the parliament of Ireland in their act-
ings^ should not be evaded ;" and concluding with an
assurance of their ready concurrence and asastance in
a parliamentary way, to preserve and maintain the
dependance and subordination of Ireland to the Impe*
rial crown of England. The King answered, ^ that
he woiild take care, that what was complained of
should be prevented and redressed as the Commons
ideared/' Thus were the parliaments of the two coun*
tries at issue*

It has been the fate of Ireland to experience more oreibew*
harshness from the English government, than any other of the Eng-
part of the British empire : on none has the hand of ^t to-
the conqueror pressed so heavily. The inflexible ad- y^
herence of die Irish to their old religion has been gene*
rally, not whhout some reason, assigned as the cause of
it. Yet singular it is, that under a sovereign, who was
called over by the nation as the assertor and protector
pf thar rights and liberties, and under the first Irish
parliament, which consisted purely of protestant mem*
bers, the absolute paramount sovereignty of England
was more loftily claimed and sternly exerted, than
^ any subsequent period. The laws, by which
the English legislgture prohibited the exportadon
of wool and woollen manufactures from Ireland,
upon pain of confjscadon, imprisonment^ and trans-
portation, and by which no acquittal in th^t kingdom
pf any oflfence against these j^tauutes was allowed

fS 17te Reigns of fFOUam and Mary^ and WUIiam^

• 1700. over every part of the British empire^ actually resumed
these, grants, which it considered the King to have
made unadvisedly and extravagantly. The majority
of the commissioners were strongly in the interest of
the parliament, the other three were more pliant to the
wishes of the crown *,
Contest bs- . The contest between these parties produced benefi-
coiifc ftnd cial effects upon Ireland. The eyes of the nation were

fNirliamcnt*

M7 intmst ior the first time opened to abuses, which prescription
loifciand. Seemed to have sanctioned in the appropriation of Irish
forfeitures : and which the Irish legislature bad hi-
therto been ever either unable or unwilling to restsf.
In this contest the country party prevailed, and |
divers groundless and scandalous aspersbns haviog^v
been cast upon the four commissbners, who were of
that party, the commons resolved, that they had acquit*

^ The coart commiMioDen were Henry Earl of Drogheda^ Sir
Bicbard Leriog^ and Sir Francis Brewater; the parliameot 0001.
missionen were Francis Annesly^ John Trenchard^ James Hamil-
ton» and Henry Langford> esquires: these fooralone« signed Um^
report, wbici^ is to be seen in the Appendix to my Historical Re-
view^ No. li. It accoants for the appropriation pf 1«060^792
acres. It would be difficult to point out the signal serv'ipes ren«
dcred by Mrs £li9(abetb Villiers in the reduction of Ireland, that
entitled her to a grant of QfifiAg acres« thep wo|lh« p^r annum,
2SjgQ&\. 18s. as will be found by tbis repprt, It is to be re-
marked, that in tlie seventh article of impe^phiQtnt against Lord
Soroers, is contained a charge, that he " did ^dvjse, promote, and
procure, divers like grants of the late forfeited estates in Ireland,
in contempt of the advice p/tfie commons of £ng}aDd.** Pari, His|»
yd. III. p. 151.

t |bid« p. 129.

ThaReigm oftfilUam and Mary^ and Wittiam. 29

ted thanselves in the execution of that ebmmisaon i70o.
with understandings courage^ and integrity : and Sir
Richard Leving, one of the other three conunission*
ers, was committed to the Tower for having been the
author of those reports.

Ireland, however, on this as on^ most occasions^ Yet treiaM

suffers on

was doomed to suffer on both sides } on one from the ^oUisiiki,
extravagant grants of the forfeited lands to court fi^
vouritesy in lieu of applying them to the discharge of
the national incumbrances; on the other, by the nsurp-"
ation and encroachment of the English parliament
upon the independent sovereignty of the parliament of
Ireland. The rights of Ireland were wholly lost in
the heat of the contest* The court-party, wishing to
reserve some at least of the forfeited lands for the dis-
posal of the crown, put the question^ which passed in
the negative; and on the next day it was resolved,
<< that the advising, procuring, and passing the said
grants of the forfeited and other estates in Ireland, had
been the occasbn of contracting great debts upon the
nation, and levying heavy taxes upon the people : and
chat the advising and passing the said grants was highly
reflecting on the King's honour : and that the officers ^
and instruments concerned in the procudng and pass*
ing these grants, had highly failed in the performance
of their trust and duty/'

The violence done to the Ktng*s feelings, in giving The Aecor
the royal assent to the act of resumption, made an im- l^^iS^^
pression on his mind and spirits, from which he never wSSm,"*'
rallied to the hour of his death. His Majesty's ex-

so The Reigns of fTiitiam itnd Mary^ mi ff^OoM,

^^^ treme displeasure vf^ expressed ra fas tp^ecb td tM
coiiimohs^ when they addressed him in relation to tbd
Irish forfeicores. ^^ * Oendetmen^ I was not led by
incIii;iation, but thcMight myseff cibliged in jo^ce to
reward those, who had served well and partSctdai'ly
in the reducdon of Ireland, out of the Estates forfettdd
to me by the rebellion thi^re, &c/^ Which an$wer^
when the speaker reported it^ the coihmohs so highly
resented, that they retolved, ^ that whoever adtised
It had used his utmost endeavours td create a misun^
derstanding and jealousy between the King and his
people." The soreness of King William on this
occasion is fairly accounted for by the observation^ that
t^' Whereas the late King, who came over hcTe'.a per**
feet stranger to oiir laws, and to our people^ regaird^
less of posterity, wherein he \;va8 not likely to survive^
thought he could no better strengthen a new dtle, thad
. by purchasing friends at the expense of every thihgi
Ynicrartt which It was in his power to part witht .**

Hisp' si lion ; • .

of William The principal, if not the only obstacle^ which Wil-
iri>iu liam had experienced in establishing hfansolf cotm

* Vol. Ill; Pari. HUt. p< 124.

t Swift*8 Hist, of the Four last Years ot Anh, p. 240.

; The late Earl of Clare, in his speech so oflen referred id,
(p. 2 :) spcdlcing of this difference betveefen the tt^o pnrltamenttf^
tells nsi *' tliat the English colony (a term stmngly mailLtngf
that the Irish parliame nc wei not then the representHlive of thtf
Irish nation) hc\trever sore they inight hflfe felt tinder the sharp
rebuke of their countrymen, \i-ere t^ sensible of the dangers by
tvhlch they were surrounded, and their inabTHty to entennter thera^
td push this poltticiil quarrel to a breach wttfa* the English par-*
liamcnt/'

Tke Reigns of mUiam and Afary, dnd miliam. *l

pletely on the throne, was the resistance of the Irisfe. sj^^
They were the first and last in thef ftdd in support of
Hit house of St\jrart,: and dthcyugh several penal ati^
serere fews were passeci dniing his reign against the
Roman cathofics taf Ireland, yet it fe but justice to al«
low, that the royal a^ent given to them by King
\VilIiain imported no personal disposition in that nio-«
narch to haf^is$ or persecute his catholic subjects on
the score of rdigioft. He is generally panegyrized for
his spirit of toleration, on account of the act passed in
tfce first year 6f his reign *, for easing his pro^
testant dissenting subjects froiti the penahiie^of several
h^^y which then affected them in common with f^e
Roman cathofics. This, however congenial with the
feelings of King William, who was himself a Calvinistj
or pre^yteriah, \aA been previorusly arranged by Ae
party, that brought him over. It appears certain front
Harris's admission and the constant claims of the Irish
a^holic», that William had made them a solemn pro^
Huae ^ to procure them snch fui^her seieurity from
puliisnenvkl the particular of religion, as might prevent
them from any future disturbance on that account/'
hi tKs, llrbwdtei',^ they were miserably disappointed :
ftot perhaps from that monarch's want of sincerity and
favourable .dispositbn towards them, but from his ina-
biUty to resist the violence of the party> ta which he

• 1 MTlandM, c, 18. An Act for exempting their Majesty's
yotestant cnbjectif dissenting from the church of England, froni
the penalties of certain laws.

32 The Reigns of fVilliam and Mary, and William.

1701. was compelled to yield, to the sore annoyance of h»
^^'^'^ own feelings. Had WtlKam been better treated by
his Engliiih subj^ts^ he would have q»peared more
amiable in their eyes : for in Holland, where his tem^
per was not ruffled by disappointmeott and oiyosition^
he was unezcq>dohably toferant and universally be-*
loved •.
J^^^ The unexpected death of the Duke of Glocester,
the son of the Princess Ann, in his seventeenth year^
and the death of the late King James about the same
time, gave rise to the act, by which the crown wai^
settled on the house of Hanover, which was the
la$t act passed in this rdgn. t This and the sub«
sequent act of abjuration secured' the protestant

* Two prineipal cautet, however^ oonearred againtt hi^ be^g
beloved by t^e generality of his Irish subjects : the first was the
•nactmeDt of several penal laws against the Roman Catholics : th<i
sedond Ivas his ready co-operation with the parKametit of £ng-
bnd to rum the woollen trade of Ireland. " I shall/' said hti
Majesty to the EogHsh oommons on the ad of JsIjT, I#g9»
<< do all that lies in me to disodarage tbs woollen mauiUacluie ia
Ireland/'

t This act passed on lh6 7th of Juoe^ IJOU IS Oak c. d. ii
b intituled* An act for the further security of his Majesty's pcno^
and the succession of the crown in the protestant line, and for
exiingaishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of tVales^ and all
^olher pretrnders^ and their open and seerst abetton. This inf'^
portant event made little sensation in Ireland, as the whole body of
Roman Catholics, from whom alone any opposition to it eqnld
have been expected, were excluded from the parliaaoent and eftxj
interference with public aftun^

The ReigTU offTilliam and Mary^ and JViltiam. S3

succession. William's liealth had for some time ifou
been on the decline, but his dissolution was im- ^^^^^
mediately brought on by a fall from his horse^ by
which his collar-bone was fractured. He died in
the fifty-second year of his age, and the thirteenth
pf )i& reignp

rx>x«. II*

( »* )

CHAfTER II.

9'ke Reign qf Ann^

\7m. Akv, the daughter of James II., who had been
*"-^'^ married to the iprince of Demnark^ sucpeedeci
•f 4iin. William. She was the last pf the line of Stuart^ tha(
Hfled the British throne. The glory of the Britisl^
arms undef the Duke of Marlborough has thrown a
glare over the historical pages of tl^s sovereign's rqgn,
^at has almost obliterate4 the melancholy effects of
^e spirit of party) which infected it throughout. In
the meridian heat of Whiggism and Toryism^ nothing
^Tas done in moderi^ticm : and few of the transactions;
of that {Isiy have reache4 us in a form un^arped by the
prejudices of the narrators. Throughout every part
of the British empire^ except Ireland, t|:|e constitutional
rights of the sijbject ebbed and flowed with the alter*
nate preval^^ce of one of these parties. The Irish na-
tion wa$ doomed, to suffer under every Stuart ; an4
the conduct of this monarch to theoi carried th^ family
ingntfitude to it(^ acme.
TiMOiieea The oueen was alternately led down the strean^
•Mcnduicjr either by the Whip or the Tories, as t^eir respective
fiRTOr, ^ parties gained the ascendancy in parliament. The whote
of her rdgu was a state of content «nd violence. Parties

The Reign of Ann, S5

in Ireland kept not the same equilibrium as in England : 1 703.
the great mass of the Irish people was forced or
frightened out of any political interference with state
affairs. The Queen, who held her crown against the
claims of her brother by the tenure of protestanti^Piy
readily yielded to the ' cries of both parties to op*
press the gr^ bpdy of her catholic subjects of
Ireland.
No crimes, no new offimces, no attempts aninst Act for pn^.

• , . , - : ^ 1 venting the

the government^ were laid to their charge : and a new svowth of
code of unparalleled rigor was imposed upon this suf-
fering people; They had formerly been deprived of
jthetr inheritances: they were now prevented from
ever again acquiring an inch of land in that king*
dom, and subjected to further penalties and disibi*
lities for professing their religion*. Nothing more
strongly pourtrays the abandoned state of the Irish
catholics at this period, than that no man in ather
house of parliament stood up in their favour to oppose
the act for preventing the further growth of Popery,

* WiciioQt entering into a nauteatiog detail of this new penal
cpde, fpfBce it to refer the reader tQ Mr. Barke*s highly-
finished picture of it in his admirable Lett^ to Sir Hercales
I^angrishey (Let. to Lang. p. 87,) to whom be says t *' Yon ah-
honed lt> as I did^ for its vicious perfeotioq. For I most do it just*
ioe* It was a complete system lull of coherence and consistency :
wett digested and weU composed ip all its parts. It was a ma*
^ine of wise and elaborate coptri▼|^lce ; and as well fitted for the
pppraiwop, impoverishments qnd 4qpadatton of a people, and the
debasement in theni pf human nature itselff as ever proceeded
fiDsm the perverted ingea|iiiity of man.**

S6 The Reign of Am.

ir03- Some members of the commons affected to clear tbem--.
selves of responsibility, by resigning their sea^ tq
others of a more pliant disposition *. Resignations on
this score became so frequent^ that the house came tq
^ resolution, ^ that the excusing of members at their
own request from the service of the house, and there-
upon issuing oyt new writs to elect other fnembers tu
serve in their places, was of dangerous consequence,
and tended to the subversion of the constitution of
parliament/' And it was afterwards resolved unani-i
mously, ^' that it might be the standing order of the
house, that no new writs for electing members of par*
liament in place of members excusing themselves fron^
the service of the house, do issue at the desire of such
members, notwithstanding ajiy former precedents to
the contrary."
Fo^ctof So violent was the tide of anti-catholic prejudice at
Tc prcjtt- ~ this period in Ireland, that the British cabinet feared
*^ . to oppose the severity they condemnedt The Queen
was at this time in alliance with the Emperor, and
upon the strength of it had interceded with him for
certain indulgencies on behalf of his protestant sub-
jects. It appeared therefore an ill-judged n^oment to
encrease the persecution of her own subjects, who were

t Tliese memberB instead of opposiag what they coDdcmned,
like Filate washed their hands before the people^ in proof of their
innocence. This prevaricating system of debasement has been
recently Sallowed on the question of onion, by the temporizing or
ve^ secession of members^ who wanted aasonnoe to support that
measure, which they left to be carried by the rotes of their lea^
punctilious substitutes.

TAfe Beign of Ami tJ7

not ptDtesttots« Her ministers feared the party, which 1708.
hid proposed the measure, in which Were many disr ^"^^^"^ ;
senters of great political influence. They reisorted in
the true spirit of Stuart policy to the following expe-
dient. They superadded to the bill, already sutw
charged with cruelty, a clause, by which all persons in
Ireland were rendered incapable of any employment
under the crown, or of being maglstratiss in arty city,
who should not, agreeably to the English Test Act, re-
ceive the sacrament according to the ii^ge of th&
church of Ireland. To this it was presumed the dis-
senters would not have subtnitted ; and so the bill
would be lost. Th^ base experiment failed, and the
unintended severity fell both upon the protescant dis-
senters and *the catholics : not because they me-
rited punishment, but because a timid and insincere
ministry prejferred duplicity and deceit to candor and
manliness*. The bill, thus loaded with the intempe-
rate rigor, which the British cabinet had heaped upon
it for preventing its passing, went through both houses
without opposidon from a single member in any stage
of its progress.

This bill was conceived by the persons comprised in Complaints
the articles of Limerick, to be a direct violation of !«««>»» of

the vticlet

them. X.ord ICinsland and colonel Brown, with seve- oOimerick.
ral other catholic gentlemen, petitioned to be heard by

♦ Burnett «ays, " it was hoped by those f who got this clause
added to the bill, that those in Irdand who promoted it most
woold now be the less fond of it, when it had such a weight hung
to iL*' History of his own Times, Vol. II. 214.

'f This tTM Lord Godolphin*t ministry.
D 3

gg The Reign of Ann.

i703. counsel against it : this was granted. After the af'
^'^^ guments of Sir Theobald Butler, Mr. Malone, and
Sir Stephen Rice, of counsel for the petitioners, had
been heard both at the bar of the House of Lords and
Commons, and totally disregarded, the petitioners
were tauntingly assured, that if they were deprived of
the benefit of the articles of Ximerick, it was their
own fault, since by conforming to the established re«
ligion, they would be entitled to these and many other
benefits : that therefore they ought not to blame any
but themselves : that the passing of that tnll into a
law was needful for the security of the kingdom at
that juncture, and in short, that there was nothing in
the articlesof Limerick which should hinder them from
passmg it ♦.

Protestint The pTotestaut dissenters did not silently submit to

^^aa be involved in the severity, which substantially and

SMnment- formally was intended by the parliament of Ireland

^^ and the cabinet of England to fall upon the catholics

exclusively ; they accordingly presented a petitioti to

the commons on the occasion of the above-mentioned

clause, which has been usually termed the Sacra*

mental Test, complaining, diat to their great surprise

and disappointment they found a clause inserted in

The Act to prevent ttie further Growth of Popery ^

* Debates on the Poperf Bill, 2 Aon. The argoroent»of
counsel before the commoni on the 22d of Febmaiy, and befort
the lords oo the 28th of February, 1703, are given in the Appen-
dix to vaj Historical Review, Na LIl. Mr. Arthur Brown, in
1788, one of the representatives for the University of Dublin, pub«
Itshed a very warm pamphlet to refute this charge, which he con*
ceived tended to bring odium on the pioteatant interest.

which hud tiot ite rise In that honourable house; i;o*.
trhepri>y they were disabled from executing any pub* ^"^^
lie trust for the servitt of her Majesty, the protestant
religion, or their country, unless contrary to their con*^
sdences they should receive the Lord's Supper ac-
cording to the rites and usages of the established
church *• This parliament was disposed to favour the
dissenters, inasmuch as they jcuned with it in the
common cause against the catholics } but its horror
of popery outbalanced its tenderness for presbytery,
and it pr^ftvailed by fair words whh the dissenters to
withdraw their opposition to the bill, on a specious
promise, that the clause obnoxious to them should be
repealed in their favour. Cruelty and injustice gene*
laliy go hand in hand. Not only the clause affecting
the dissenters, whose punishment could in no shape
check the growth of popery, was left unrepealed, but
during this queen's reign it was frequently carried into
the most rigorous execution!.

The ingratitude of the Stuart family never ceased Theinih
to press upon those, who had been the first and the last S^ISstl
to fight for them in their distresses. In the front of UMiifrkadf.

♦ Vid. Com. Jouro. Vol. II. 451.

f In October, 1707, the commons cune to resolutioDi^thattqr
the Act Co prevent the further Growth of Popery, tfaebnigesaet
of Beltet were obliged to lubicribe the deckntfoa and nceive the
Saciament accorditig to the OMge dif the Church of Ireland : and
that the bnrgcasihip of the said bargessesof Bel&st, who had not
Mibscribed the declaration and receiTed the sacrament poiaa-
not Co the said act, was by soch nrglect become vacant Vido

D 4

40 The Reign of Ann.

1704,. their domestic enemies, the Irish had once more to read
the perfidious name of Onhond. The grandson of that
Duke, who had sold Dublin to the regicides, who sent
all his protestant soldiers to the rebels, who per^ted
in disobeying his sovereign, till the axe fell on his head,
and who never ceased to oppress and persecute his
catholic countrymen, was sent over by the queen as
lord-lieutenant. Scarcely had he arrived, when the com-^
mons*, relying probably on his hereditary propensity to
oppress his suffering countrymen, presented to him the
bill to prevent the further growth of popery. His Grace
was pleased to give them his promise^ that he would
recommend it in the most effectual manner, and da
every thing in his power to prevent the growth of
poperyt. At the opening of this parliament, the Lords
agreed ^ to an address by way of thanks to her Ma-
jesty, for her great care of her subjects of this king-

io the CommoDi* Jonrn« vol. It. 564. a petition of the Dowager
Countess of Donnegal on behalf of her tDfani aoD> upon a
contested election for that boroughj which gave rise to tbese
resolutions.

• Vide Burnett's History ofhis own Times, voL II. 2\^^

f It exceeds ilie function of the hlitorian to attempt to fathom
the sincerity of the^ actors in those scenes, which k is his duty to
represent. This very Duke of Ormondy who in the year I704
received the warmest thanks of the Insh parliament for havkig pro*
cured for them thb barrier to tfie protestant religion^ aa it wasthcff
termed, was in the lapse of some few years convicted ef high tiea^
son, and a reward of 10^000 1. put upon his head» for having de«
serted his protestant sovereip»9 and adhered to a Popish pre-
Jtender to tlte throne.

The Reign qfjintJ, it

dom, in sending- his Grace the Duke of Omiond lieu- ^^
tienant thereof ♦.*' The penal laws passed agiinst the
Rotnan catholics of Ireland under this Queen have
ever been the theme of discontent with all their
t^ritersf. They were passed against the secret
iKrishes and fallacious efforts of the British cabinet, by
the procurement of the Irish aristocracy and the una-
nimous vote of an Irish parliament. The lords in an
address to the lord-lieutenant, assured his grace, that it
was with great satisfaction they beheld him following
the example of his illustrious ancestor, and that they
attended his grace to acknowledge and congratulate
With him on the good effects of his indefatigable appli*
caticxi, as well in framing as in obtaining the return of
so many good bills, but especially The Bill to pre-
vent the further Groivth of Popery I. In the same

♦ «' At this time, says Dr. SonacrvUle ( vol. 11. page 286.). iLe
extreme oppression and misery endured by the Irish cannot be r^r
piesented in stronger colours, than by the bare detail of facts#
which appear in the journals of parliament. Multiplied insUnces
occurred almost every session of the abuse and perversion of
power by majistrates and justices of the peace : the frauds of
oontractorsy and the monstrous ccuelties inflicted by officers in the
recruiting servlce> which exhibit a comple^uon of manners little rer
moved firom barbarbm/'

f Tims Cony speaks ef The Act to prevent the further Growth
of Popery, vol. II. page 234. *' A penal statute, diroogh which
there nms such a vein of ingentons cruelty, that it seems to be
dictated rather by some praetor of Diodeatan, thin by a British or
Irish ooUeman.*'

I Lords* Joarn« p. S5i Burnett confirms this statement of th^

42 The Reign ofJnru

1704. year*, they assured her Majesty of their unshaken fide*
lity to her peraon, crown, and goyemment : and as
they were uiseparably annexed to the Imperial crown
of England, so were they resolved to oppose all at-*
tempts that might be made by Scotland^ or any other
nation whatsoever, to divide them from it, or defeat
the succession in the protestant line, as limited by
several acts of parliament^*
The i^Mi During the whole reign of Queen Ann the penal
cutcdwith laws were executed with unrelenting severity against

mgainst the
eatfaolics*

Lords. *' The CommonB, (sajs he) offered this bill to the Dake of

Ormond, pressing hira with more than usual vehemence to inter-
cede so efTectually^ that it might be returned back under the great
teal of England. It came over warmly recommendcfd by the
Suke of Otmond.*' Hist. vol. II. page 214.

* Ibid, page 91.

t The connection of matter, rather than the order of time,
points out under what species of influence Ireland has from time
to time been oppressed. Although strong symptoms of disafiection
or disloyalty appeared in Scotland in the year 1704, to which the
address of the Lords referred^ yet no history has chaiged the Irish
with having been concerned in them, or even in the subsequent re*
bellionsof 1715orofl745. Y^upon the breaking out of that
miyiS, the Commons of Ireland] in their address to the crown
on that occasion, expressed that ^* it was with the utmost
concern they found, that this country (Ireland) had given birtb
to James Duke of Ormood, a person, who in despite of bis
allegiaoce and the obligations of repeated oaths, had been
one of the chief authors and fbmeaters of that wicked and
unnatural rebellion.*' No terms can be too strong to express the
hypocritical and traitorous conduct of this debased nobleman.
Although it be difficult to siccount for the wanton and malidons
cruekjr, with which he riveted the galling yoke of persecution on

The Reign of Arm. 43

the catholics. It was the current, though unwise }^!^
policy of that day, to consider the Roman Catholics
as enemies to the crown and government of the realm*
The Earl of Pembroke, lord-lieutenant in 1706,
recommended to the Irish parliament to provide for
the security of the realm against their foreign and
domestic enemies, meaning by the latter, the body o^
Catholics : for he subjoined, that he was commanded
to inform them, that her Majesty^ cojisidering the num-
ber of Papists in Ireland, would be glad of an expe-
dient to strengthen the interest of her Protestant
subjects in that kingdom. It was impolitic and
dangerous to treat any portion of the population as
enemies } and the surest method of making or keeping
them hostile. The resistance of so much provocation
to rebellion, as such a principle when acred upon must
have produced, is a marked test of the steady loyalty
and peaceful demeanour of the Irish Catholics from the
revolution to the accession of his present Majesty,
mider whom they first had the happiness of being con*
sidered no longer as enemies .

The parliament of England seemed at this period to fmpoiitic

goTemnieaC
oflitlaad.

thenedcsof hit unoffending couctrymen, by eDconragiog that
. ferocioQS act of Ann, yet be rendered justice fo tbelr fidelity
by not even attempting to turn the influence of the landlord
orer a nunieroiit tenantry, or of the governor over the de-
pendaota of the caatle, to the desperate purpose of ahaking their
welLkoown and tried loyalty. An honourable, though forced tea •
timony of the steady allegiance of the Irish tuition, in which not a
single arm was publickiy raised in favour of the Stoarts i^inst the ~
Hanover succession.

44 The Reign of Ann.

1/07. consider the permanent debility of Ireland as their best
security for her connection with the British crown, and
the Irish parliament to rest the security of the colony
upon maintaining a perpetual and impassable barrier
against the ancient inhabitants of the country. The
executive government was committed nominally td a
viceroy^ but essentially to lords-justices, selected fnMtn
the principal state-officers of the country, who wete
entrusted with the conduct of what was called the
lung's business, but which, with more propriety, might
have been called the business of the Jords^usdces.
The viceroy came to Ireland for si feve months only in
two years, and returned to England perfectly satisfied
tvith his mission, if he did not leave the concerns of
the English government worse than he found theiA :
and the lords-justices in his absence were entrusted
implicitly with the means df consolidating an aristo-
cratic influence, which made them tlie tiecessary in-
struments of the English government*.
The Irish ^^ 1707^ the commons voted an address of congra*
co^oL ^^Isi^o^ ^o h^r Majesty, on the union of her Majesty's
i^tirtThe J"Ogdoms of England and Scotland, and on the
catholics, gj^nie day presented an address to the Earl of Pem-
broke, their lieutenant, in which they thankfully
acknowledged the benefits they enjoyed in that happy
opportunity of meeting under his excellency's govern-
ment, to enact such laws as were yet wanting to
strengthen the protestant interest of the kingdom.
And they assured his excellency, that they were rael

• Vid, Lord Clare's Speech 00 theUnion, p. (J.

The Reign of Amu 4S

with firm resolutions to improve that opportunity to the ,^^\
utmost of their power, to disappoint the designs of
those^who endeavoured to give advantage to th^cbm«
mon enemy, by creating misunderstandings amongst
Protestants*.

When the Earl of Wharton prorogued the parlia- P^^^^^fJ
nicnt on the SOth of March, 1709, he told them, t »*co«'nj»

' . • • enemies by

that he made no question, but Tnat they understood «»^« ^ari of

^ ^ ^ Wharton.

too well the true interest of the protestant religion in
that kingdom, not to endeavour to make all such
Protestants as easy as they could^ who were willing to
contribute what they could to ^defend the whole against
the conunon enemy. It was not the law then passed {,
nor any law that the wit of man could frame, would
secure them against Popery, whilst they continued di-
vided amongst themselves. It being demonstrable, that
unless there were a firm friendship and confidence
amongst the Protestants of that kingdom, it would be
impossible for them" either to be happy or to be safe.
And he was directed to declare to them, as her Ma-
jesty's fixed resolution, that as her Majesty would al-
ways maintain and support the church, as by law
established, so it was her royal will and intention^ that
the dissenters should not be persecuted not molested
in the exercise of their religion. The dissenters were
originally displeased, and had petitioned against the

2 Com. JouTD. p. 494.

f 2 Joura. Lordflj p. 3l6.

t An act for explainiDg and amendiog an act^ intituled An Act .
to pret ent the fiirth^ Growth of Popery.

46 The Reign of Ann.

^709^ clause for the sacratnental test ; and now the act, in
which it was introduced, was explained and amended,
without any attention to their interest. . The Lord-
l^utenant * substituted fair promises and specious
^ords for that substantial relief, which they ex-
pected. He had the address to keep the Dis-
senters quiet, in the delusive expectation of be-
ing eased of this galKng restriction in a future
session, when it might be done with less umbrage to
the Cathplics. The cordial sympathy of this House
of Commons, with their profligate governor f» b
a melancholy illustration of the estrangement of

* Tbonnat Earl of Whartoo was a man of notoriocu pn^fligacy,
but of great address, aod no incoiuiderable share of talent Hie
likeness of his portrait, left us by Swift, has never been questiooed*
.though considered by some as too strongly tinctured with party-
prejudice. It was however taken fron^ life, and with the advan*
tage of personal intimacy.* *^ He had imbibed fais fisitherB princt-
ples in government (he was a rigid Presbyterian), but dropped his
leligion, and took up no other in its stead : excepting that circom-
stance, he is a firm Presbyterian. He contracted 9ach large debts,
that his1>reihren were forced, out of mere j^stice^ to leave Ireland
at his mercy, where he had only time to set himself right He i<
very useful in parliament, being a r^y speaker, and ooiitent to
employ bis gift upon such occasions, ^here those, who cono^vo
they have any reminder of reputdtjonor modesty are ashamed tQ
appear." History of the Four last Yeam of Queen Ann.

t Dean Swift, even before the death of this nobleman, aaid of
him : '' He has sunk his fortune by endeavouring to ruin one
kingdom, and hath raised it by going far ii^ the ruin o( another.
His administration of Ireland was looked upon as a sufficient
ground to impeach him at least for^h aimei and nuademeanora s
yet he has gained by the govenment of t|iat kingdom under twq

The Reign of Ann. 47

the parliament from the wdfiue of the Irish peo» ^n.
pie. In Augosty 1709^ the commons presented a
most obsequbos address to the Lord-Ueutenant, in
which they assured him^ ^ that they gratefully acknow*
ledged her Majesty's more particular care of them, in
appointing bis excellency thdr chief governor, whose
equal and impartial administradon gave them just
reason to hope, and earnestly wish his long contina*
^ce in the government */'

The prevalence of the Tory party in the last four TheTbms
years of Queen Ann, lets in the broadest day-light aum
upon the real grounds of alarm and insecurity, which fS^IU-
the Engliah cabinet entertsuned for the &te of Ireland^
They viewed the increasmg mfluence of the Presby-
terians with such dread and jealousy, that oh the 7th
of November, 1711, the lords spiritual and temporal
piiesented an address to her Majesty, in which they
complained of the Earl of Wharton's having
:)bu8ed her Majesty's name, in ordenng nolle pro^eqidt
to stop proceedings against one Fleming and others,
for distuiWi^ the peace of the town of Drogheda^ by
setting \xf a meeting-house, where there had been none
for the last twenty-eight years. They represented to
|ier Majesty, that those unjust complainers of perse-
cution, n^iiist themselves enjoyed ease and security,
had exercised great severities towards their conform-
ing neig^bonrs, by denying them commcm offices of
bumamty, and by threatening and actually ruining

jean 45,000 L b/ the most favourable computatkn, half in tbe
regulir way, and half in the prudential.'*
* 3 Cocmn. Jotti;^. p. 031.

*» The Reign of Ann.

l^^ several, who in compliance with their co&sdence
had left their sect. They complainedj that the
episcopal order had been by them stiled anti-scrip^
tural, the holy and retigious worship of the estabUsh-
ed phurch superstitious and idolatrous ; and that
the legislature itself had been censured by a bold
author of thdr's, who had published, in print, thai
the Sacramental Test is only an engine to advance a
statefaction^ and to debase religion to serve mean and
wnworthy purposes^ They representad^ that amidst
repeated provocation^ they had been still easy, and
had endeavoured by gentle usage to melt them down
into a more soft and ix>mplying temper \ but that aU
their attfen^ had proved unsuccessful ; that diey had
returned evil for good ; that fbrbeaxance had encreased
thdr rage and obstinacy ; and that the northern Yres?
byterie^ had, in their zeal ior proselytism, sent .misr .
sionaries imo several parts of the country, where they
had no call nor any congregations to support them ;
tl^t by the abuse of the allowance of 1200U per ann*
(granted toth^mby her Majesty for charitable pur-
poses) and other means schism, which had formerly
been confined to the North, had then spread itself
into many parts of the kingdom. So that they should -
npt be just in their duty to their sovereign or coun-~
try, if they <Ud not acquaint her Majesty with the dao^
g^ they apprehended from those great advance^wUch
Presbytery and Fanaticism had made, which if not-
checked, they doubted not would in time end in the
destruction of the constitution both in church j|{id
fitate. They submitted dierefore to her lyXaje^ty's via*

Th/s Reign of .Ann. 49

4otxks vhethertt were not prajiteto put attopto tho* i7n.
growoig evik» by withdrawing her Majesty's bouiitf
af ISOQl. per annum.

This addresB fully accotmta for the introduceioii andi Efibcts of
the noii4nq)eal of the Sacramental Test, notwithatand* a^dieM
iag the atrong partality and bias of the commons, the ^tS^
lord-lieutesant Wharton^ and other leading wUg*^**^
cbaractars for the PnDtestant disaenfiefa of thai day^
The aealSments, which the iory ministry now publicly
avclwed, had long influenced the British goyamments
Insincerity and timidity are generally^ inseparable^ The
Queen, an^ many aftar her e^tanlple, professed whig
pnidples from policy not conviction. Whed the tories
had ov^'tumed the wh% administratioa^ the reserve
was thrown off, and they expressed their real senti*
tnents in une^vocal language.

AltlKMigh the tories commanded a dedded ma- AdHrem
|ority in the peers, yet the whigs stiU retsiiked a^aii^thV
small majority in the conrnioaa. Henc^ tbote par- '"^'
liaraentary diffidences, so virulently ifeferr^ to in the
lords' address to the Queen, on the 9th of Novem*
ber, 1711*. They alleged, that sincere vteeracioii
for her Majesty's royal person and prerog;fttive, and
tender r^ard for the peace and tranquillity of the
kingdom, could alone prevail on them thus lOng to
forget the high indignities ofiered to their house by

* 2 Lords* Joum. p. 41 S. This is given rather at kogUi
as the most authentic historical docunaeot of the political spirit
of the prevailing Protestant parties in Irdand. Tbe Catholics
were now reduced so low, as to have no political ciiat-

VOL. II.

So Tfie Reign of Ann^

1711. the commons, and to submit tbdr private injuriei to her
Majesty 8 moi;e public concerns, lest their just resent**
ment, which the commons by their behaTtour had so
Jadustriously provoked, might obstruct her Majesty's
affairs, and thus render effectual the malicious deagna
of evil-minded men. They complained, that the com-
mons had treated them in a manner wholly unknown
fo former parliaments, and had addressed them in lan-
guage more indecent, more opprobrious, than had
been used by another House of Commons, at a time
when they voted the House of Lords useless. Hiat
however justly her Ms^esty might approve'the conduct
of the College of Dublin, in the late revolution, still
they humbl]^ conceived^ that her Majesty did not
extend her bounty to them, to promote (in general)
revohaion principles. Principles, which as explained
by the pamphlets and libels publicly avowed and cele*
braled by men of factious and seditious tempers^ and
partjctdarly in a sermon preached on the 30th of Ja-
nuary, dedicated to that very House of Commons,
without censure or animadversion, did in a great mea-
sure maintain and justify the execrable murder of
King Charles the First, and on which might be founded
any rebellion against her Majesty and her successor.
They insuted upon their right of construing the words
and terms used by the commons in their address, viz.
That the commons having in their vote mentioned the
steady adherence of the provost and fellows of the
college to the late revolution, as one considera-
tion of thdr application for the 50001. since granted
by her Majesty, the subsequent motive mentioned in

^uit vote^ yiz for th^ aKOungement of sound' iiie?o- i7ii

kition prindfries, eouM not in good reason or gnun-
nar be referred to the late revolution; since ad-
herence to the late revolution was a distinct motive of
itself. And it was the known nature of principles^ tb
be as well the nile and guide of Aiture» as of past
acdoQs. They disclaimed ev^ intention df misrepre^
emting the commons to her JMajesty for their own
acuons; diey were to be judged by God and her Ma-
jesty. But for themselves, they did most scdemniy
assure hier Miljesty^ they were hieartiiy thankful to
Almighty God for the late happy revolution, aeknbw^
kdging the necessity aAd justice of it ; and' that they
would at the utmost hazard and expense 6f their lives
and fortunes, defend, support, and maintain her Ma^
jesty's ttcred person and government^ her just pre-
rogative in the cKoibe of her minirters, the church
of Ireland, as by bw established^ and the succefision
of the crown in the illustrious house of Hanover^
against the Pretender^ and all those, who designed re-
tolntions either in church or state, against all her Bla-
jesty^s enemies abroad, abd agauist all Papists, Jab6-
brtes, and Republicans at homci

Tliat prctestant ascendancy^ which the policy of N^rmoT
James L bad forced into eadstence, in order to make Pimatant
head against the Catholics, who then composed the ta Ueiiiiid*
touAtry-party, was under his successor industriously
lengthened by Stafford and Omiohd, with the like
idew of bearing down the Catholics as the com*
joum enemy. It was generally infected with the puri-
tanical ianatficism of that day. However these man

£2

fo The Reign of Ann.

171S. might have been disreHA^ ist Englaiul both by James
Charles^ they were fbund fit'matruoients for crusb«
ing the Catholics in Ireland, where hatred of popery
commanded favor and impunity. In the days «f
Charles the First this spirit preceded the breaking
out of Cromwell's rebeUion ; in the days of Charles
•the Second, it survived the restoration of monarchy ;
jusder him,^ under William and Mary, under Aim
"vere remunerations voted by parliament to the de-
scendants of Cromwellian rebels, for the forward aea)
and services of their ancestors in that rebdlious
cause*.
FrcTBience The whig party in the House of Commons still
whi^s in mamtained its majority against the tory administratioBc
was supported by all the influence of the dissenters,
who were* then very numerousf. The sj)irit of party
gained daily violence : yet all the polidcal differences
which then distracted the kingdom existed between
Frctesiant and Protestant. Although the Catholics
J).
* In thejrear 160O« the £arl of Clare declared in tlie Housq of
Peen, that *^ the civil war of 1641 was a rebellion against tbp
crown of England^ (not so of the Irish against the crown of Ire*
land), and the complete reduction of the Irish rebels by Cromwell
redounded essentially t(^ the advantage of the British empire,**
These sentiments bespeak not a constitudonal or even a lofal
H>int«

t In every Christian country, diifercnt denominations of Chrisr
tians have at times swerved frc)m, as well as observedj their civil
duties. Presbyterians have evinced firm loyalty to monarchs* and
Catholics to republics. Every society of Christians lays claim to
'Evangelical perfection ; each holds Christianity practicable under
%¥sry lawful form of government.

the Com-
mons, sup-
ported by
the Diticn«
ten.

. 7^# Reign of Am; 5f

mterfered with neither party, they suffered by the oc- '?i3..
casional excesses of both. The Duke of Shrewsbury,
a tory io principle^ had long espoused through poliqr-
the cause of the whigs; and as converts are ganeraH/^
severe to the party they have absgidoned, his Grace
when lord-lieutenant was unfavourable to the Catho-
^cs, whose rel^ion he had renounced. He was un<».
usually splendid in celebrating the anniversary of King*
Wil&un, and vehement in promoung the Protestant^
succession*

- By a dissolution of parliament the ministry hoped^ Dissoiation
to gain a majority in the commons, as they had secured- ment, tnd
it in the lords: but on the return, the whigs stitkhaYea
retained a small majority. This they^availed them-
selves of by vo-ting a most severe address^ to the
Queen against Sir Constandne Phipps f, the chancel-

* 2 Joum. Comm. p. 77a

t The private demeanor and official conduct of Sir Coaatantin*
Phipps confirmed all the unfavoonible prepoietsioDB agaioBt him*
which the whigs io Ireland had conceived from his zeal and acti*
Titjr in defence of Dr« Sacheverell. He associated only with toriea
and churchmen* and waa eDtertained by the nobilky and oenile«
men of that description with the most magnificat hospicaiicy 1
he received the congratulations and thanks of the clergy as tlie
patron of (heir order, and the champion of the rights of the ^urch«
Under ihe ausptoes of such a judge, evsry l^al check npo» the
liceotioosness of the party which be patronised^ was suspended*
The most malignant attacks upon the disseoten .daily issued from
the press, and even those publications, which had been condemned
in England foi their seditious teodeacy, were leprintwd and dis«
persed without any reprehension from the Irish miniiters. Mr.
}i%gias, a clergyman^ who had been put out of the commission of

£ 3

4# 7%€ Reign of Arm.

1?^13. lor, who bad distinguished himself amongst the torieti
by his intimacy with Dr. Sacheverell, whose trial had
afforded a notable triumph to the whigs of England.
The Queen's answer to another address of the com-
mons, dated from Windsor on the ISth of December,
1713, shewed how ^ttle congenial with the dispositions
of the court these efforts of the commQUs were. She
told them, that ^the best way of preserving their
religious and civil rights, and securing the Protestant
succession, as well as the best proof they could give of
thar real concern for them, was to proceed with una-
nimity and temper in supplying the necessary occasions
of government, and in establishing peace at home, by
discoimtenancing the restless endeavours of those
factious spirits, who attempted to sow jealousieSj,

the peace by tbe late chanceUor Cox> od aoooant of bis indeccnf
aodturbaleot behariottr, was now restored to his seat by Sir Coo-
stantine Phipp. On die very day of resumiog his authority, lie
gave such o^ence to his colleagues by bis insolent and unguarded
expressions, that be was presented by the grand jur}- of the county
of Dublin, as a soyer of 'sedition and groundless jealousies among
ber Majestyts Protestant subjects \ but he was acqtntted by the
lord-lVtitenant and privy-council, to tbe great joy of the hig^
cbnrch-party. (Attnals Ann^ p. I93-3.)

Mr. Higggins had been a coadjutor of Dr. Sacbeyerell in Eng-
land, and rivalled him in the Ttberoeoce, with which he declaimed
tqion the danger of the phurch, and the treachery of tiie ministers^
(Coooingham, vol. ii. p. 275.) He was the i^uthor pf sevem)
seveie tracts against the dissentera,. and was supposed to have
drawn up a narrative concerning the conspiracy of the Protestants
in Westmeath, which contained reflections injurious to all the
whig gentleipen in Irehind,

^ 2 JoufQ. pomm. i^'77\*

The Reign of Ann* S5

and raise groundless fears in the minds of her 1713.
pec^le.

In so much diffidence and contempt did the British Th« Eni^-
parhament hold that of Ireland dunng thK Queen s menc tcs'ic
reign, that in every matter, which was considered of irdand.
importance to the British empire they expressly le-
gislated for Ireland, as if Ireland had no paritament
of her own. Thus did the British legislature direct
the sale of the estates of Irish rebels, and disqualify
Catholics from purchasing them ^ thus did it avoid
leases made to Papists ; augment small vicarages, and
confirm grants made to the Archbishop of Dublin : it
permitted Ireland to export linen to the plantations ;
prohiUted the importation of that commodity from
Scotland ; and appointed the town of New Ross, In
the county of Wexford, the port for exporting wool
from Ireland to Englsmd.

In the Schism Bill, which Sir William WincUiam scbitm biu
brought into the house of commons in England, in the ^ibe e^^
year 1714, the interference of the British legislature Jjfc^."^
with Ireland was the most remarkable. Thi& bill, which ^^"^^
was aimed by t,he Tory party at the total suppression^ WiiHUum.
of the Disenters, was warmly opposed by the WhigSy
in both Houses. Into that bill the following clause
was introduced : that ^* where law is the same, the
remedy and means for enforcing the execution of the
law should be the same ; be it therefore enacted, by
the authority aforesaid, that all and every the reme-
dies, provisions, and clauses, in and by this act given,
made, and enacted, shall extend, and be deemed, con«
strued, and adjudged to extend to Ireland, in as fult

x 4

ae T^ Reign 0fjinn.

^U. find effectual manner, as if Ireland had been expressly
named and mentioned in all and every the clauses of
diis act." Considering the intoleiant quality of the
acty it was the policy of the rory adtni|ustration tq
introduce it with as few objeccionable clauses as pos?
nible, expecting naturs^ly a w^nn oppositk>n to it. It
was. chiefly opposed on the third reading ; m which
ppposition Sir Joseph Jekill wa$ prominently forward ;
be insisted, that it tended to raise as great a persecur
tion against their prptestant brethren, as the primitive
Christians ever suffered froqi the Heathen flmperors,
^ particularly Julian the apostate *. It passed the com«
moiis by a majority of 237 voices against 1269 with-?
Qut the clause affecting Ireland. This was propose4
by the Earl of Anglesea, when the bill lyas in tl^e
committee of the lords, which, after some debate, was.
carried in the affirmative by the majority of pne voice,
tin the report made by the Archbishop of York four
days after, several severe speeches were made against
the clause, particularly by the Duke of Shrewsbury,
who returned from Ireland during the debate* . The
clause W9S carried by 57 votes against 51 ; and 011
the next day the bill was carried by a majority of ^
votes, viz. of 77 against 72 J.

^ Chand. Deb. rd. V. p. 13S.

t Deb. Lordtj vol. II. p. 438.

X ^e minister oomroanded a much latter majoritj in the Eng-
lish oonuDQDs than in the lords. For this reason the Qaeen was
advised to caU twdfe persons up to the house of peers^ who were
iob derisioa called by the opposite party the college of the twelve

Tli^ Reign tfAuTL »i

A ircry strong profesi \tas entered by thircy-foor ^ I7i4.
ihe leading Wlug party, the last part of which relates strong pro*.
to Ireland. '^ The miaeries ($aid they) we apprehend Lords a-
here, are greatly enhanced by eictending this bill to schiun i>iU.
Ireland, where the consequences of it may be fatal ;
for since the number of Papists in that kingdoiB ht
exceeds :the Protestants of all deaomtnaitions together;
and that the Dissenters are to be treated as enemies, or
at least as persons dangerous to that church and state^
who have always in aU times joined, and still would join
with the members of that church against the com*'
mon enemy of their reli^on \ and once the army th^e
18 very much reduced, the Protestants thus unneco^*
saiily divided seem to us to be exposed to the danger

sipostles. " It wa^ upon these motives (said Swifl« Hist. f. 44.)
that the treasurer advised her Majesty to create twelve new lords,,
and thereby disable the sting of faction for the rest of her life-
time: this promotion was so ordered^ that a third, part were of
thoae OQ whom, or their posterity, the peerage would naturally
devolvo ; and the r^t were those, whose merit, birth, and fortune
could admit of no exception." In the reasons pro and con. given
by Swift, we clearly see the opposite spirits of the politicians of
that day : the Whigs complained of the ill example set to wicked
princes, who might as well create one hundred as twelve peers,
which woold ensure the command of the House of l^rds, and
fhua eodanger oar liberties. The Tories insisted, that in our
ooostitution the prince holding the balance of power between the .
nobility and people, ought to be able to remove from one scale
iBto the other, so as to bring both tq an equilibrium ^ and that the
Whigs bad been for above twenty years corrupting the nobility
with republioan principles, which nothing but the royal prero-
gative could binder from overspreading ua.

S» The Reign of Jrm.

^f^ of another massacre^ and the protestant religion m
danger of being extirpated */' It must be presumed,
that the ministers of that day were as anxious^ that this
bill against the dissenters should be extended to Ire*
bnd, as they were certain^ that a similar bill would
not have passed the Irish parliament. Such were die
forced means resorted to by the last ministry of Queen
Ann, to effectuate their intentions upon Ireland re»
specting the dissenters*
The court What the opinion and disposition of the touit then
the dineiit* were ss to the Irish dissenters is manifest from the
language of Mr. Bromley, principal secretary of state,
on the third reading of the Schism Bill : he said, ^ the
dissenters were equally dangerous both to church and
state ; and if the members, who spoke in their behalf,
would haVe this bill drop, he would resdBly consent to
it, provided another bill were brought in to incapaci-
tate them either to sit in that house, or to vote in
elections of members of parliamentf." The collision
of the opposite parties in parliament was at that time
extremely violent. The Whigs charged the Tories
and the whole court*party with an intent to break
through the order of the protestant succession, in fa-
vour of the Pretender y to these views they attributed
every measure as to the grand object of all their wishes,
and all their intrigues. On the other hand, the Tories

* Deb. Lords, toL III. p- 430. The whole protest, contatDtng
Strong reasons against into1enincy> is given in the Appendix to toy
Historical ReTiew> No. LIII.

t Chand. Deb. vol. V. p. 135.

The Reign of Ann. 99^

^mplained of thelactious opposition of the Whigs j ^7^
and the most sensible of their advocates* has declared^
tbatt ** the designs of that aspiring party at that time
were not otherwise to be compassed, than by under-
taking any thing, that would humble and mortify the
churcht."

In Ireland, the number of those, who took an active violent ^
interest in the political events of the day was much pwtictm
smaller than in England ; but their violence was «boac the

• ° chancellor.

proportionably greater. The utmost efforts of the
British cabinet were unable to reduce the ascendancy
of the old protestant interest in the Irish commons : jt

• 6vrift*t History of the last four Years of the Queen, p. 250.
Tkis was md oo the occasion of the lords having passed the bill
far cDOtiimiiig the Act to OEiake Affirmatioiv in lien of Oaths (sorely
9 reasonable one, and the law now is so), which the commons
would not permit to he read even a first time. About this time.
Swift shewed hfs zeal against the Whigs by publishing The Pub'
&c Spirit of the Whigs, and his Preface to Dr. Burnet's Introduce
tion to the History of the Refonnation.

t Some dme previous to the passing of the Schism Bid, the
minbter ha4 aoqnirrd in the commons a veiy huge accession of
$titxiffh ftoro a set of members, who, under the style of the Oc*
tober Club, had formed themselves into a body, with a view to re.
Vive a new coontry-party in parliament, which might, as in former
times, oppose the court in any proceedings they should dislike.
The whole body consisted of about 300, and they unexceptionably
professed what aie commonly called high church principles, upon
which account they were inreconciJeable enemies to the late mi-
nistry, and all its adherents ; and the grand object of their meet-
ings was to deviM methods to spur oti those in power to make
quicker dispatch in removing all the fFhig leaven from the em-
pioymenis they still |

iO Thci Rei^n of Ann.

,J£[^ became a trial of strength between the two houses..
The influence of the crown preponderated in the
kMrds of Ireland, as it did in the commons of England.
The commons presented an address to her Majesty^
humbly beseeching her to remove the chancellor. Sir
Constantfaie Phipps, from his place, for the peace and
^ safety oi her protestant subjects. The lofds, on the

other hand> made a warm representation to the queen
in favour of the chancellor j they entered minutely
into the charges preferred against him, and assured
her Majesty, that they were strengthened in their
opinion of his having acquitted himself with honour
and integrity, from the further enquiries they had
since made, and they concluded with strong assurances
of unanimity and temper in the dispatch of public
business, and in establishing the peace of that king«»
dom, by discountenancing the restless endeavours of
those factious spirits, who attempted to sow jealousies
and raise groundless fears in the nimds of her Ma«
jesty's people. The queen's answer to the address of
the commons was a mere echo of the address of the
lords, which plainly shewed how strongly her Majesty
sided with the latter against the former. Both houses
of convocation warmly espoused the cause of the chaii«
cellor : they wished her Majesty might never want a
servant of equal courage, uprighmess, and abilides, and
that church and nation might never be without such a
friend for the suppression of vice, schism, and faction,
an \ for the support of the royal prerogative as well as
the rights and liberties of the subject. The lords had
also presented an address to the queen, to justify and

Tfie lieignofJnn. 61

dear the chancellor of the reproaches and calumnies I7i4.
of one Nuttaly who had traduced him as having been
a promoter of the dissentions, that had lately hap-
pened in that kingdom : to which her Majesty an*
swered, that she had always looked upon the lord-
chancellor as a faithful serrant to the crown, a true
Ipver of the constitution in church and state, and was
therefore extr^nely pleased to find, that the lords con*
curred in the same opinion of him.

Many circumstances concur to prove, that the queen QueeaAnn
herself was indisposed to the Hanover succession, and Z tteHa.
that the great objeet of her last mbistry was to recon- cesston."^
die the nation to a favourable reception of her brother.
The Whigs were indefadgable in thwarting those mea*
sures, which the ministers durst never avow, though
most anxious to carry. The Queen was indecisive,
and wanted firmness to carry any important resolution
into effect* Whatever harsh measures were forced
upon her by the Whigs (in England), such as the
attainder of her brother, the proclatnation of a re-
ward of 50,0CX)1. for apprehending iiiin, and the
several declarations in support of the Hanover suc-
cession, are reported to have preyed strongly upon
her mind*, as did also the failure of Leslie's mis-

• The secret inteotioot and views of the last rniniitry of Queen
Ann have never been hitherto clearly laid open. The wlK>to
tiinaaedoii> hoiwever, of the Duke ot Cambridge's obtaining his
writ of summons to parliamenty loudly speaks the distnclinaUon
of the Queen to that favourite measare of the zealots for the Ha-
nover sQCoeasion. It oertainly vas not flattering to tlie feelings of
the Queen, tiiat a prince of the house oHifanover should bie pro?
rided with a residence, revenue, and proper offioait i& £pglaodt

M 'the Reign X)f Ami

lll!^ stoh to Lorrain, in drdef to convert her brother Jamai
to the protestant faith : as it was v^eil understood, that
the horror of pdperjr was the only objection, which a

and enjoy a seat iti the 6riiish senate^ where his inflarnce with
tho9c« wriid were ever ready to adore tlie rising sun might power-
fully resist the interest ot the crown. I'his, it was urged by tlid
Queen's friends, was setting her coffin before her eyes. The duk^
had sent over the fdlldWiag petition to the Q'leen t

The Humble Petition of George Augustus Duke of Cambridge,

Shbweth,

That your M.ijest}' having of your great goodness
created yonr peHtioner a duke and peer of Great Britain; and it
being the consUtuiion; that etery peer bath a right and privil^e
to sit and vote in partiahientf your petitioner hambly prays yocr
Majesty to grant him his writ of summons to call him to sit and
vote in the present parliament.

This petition was sighed on the i;^th of March, 1713-4, and
on the 11th of the following April, Baron Sdiot2, envoy extraor-
dinaty from the court of Hanover, txwtrendd a meeting of the
most aealdo^ Whigs, lords arid gentlemen at Lord Halifax**
house in Westminster ; where it was artfully concerted, that tlie
baron should not present the petitioii to the Quern, apprehending
that her Majbsty might haVe dented the writ, or delayed or eluded
the petitioner : and therefore they advised the barori to apply to
the Jord^chancellor Harcourt, and demand of him the writ of
siunmons, as being the proper oflker to cause the same to be
made out and delivered ; for which proceeding this reason was
then given : that if the lord -chancellor refused to deliver the writ,
the house of lords, then sitting, had a juriadtcUon and power to
enquire into, and immediately censure the denial, and to order
the writ to be made our and delivered. But the sudden transport
and joy of those lords so convened caused them to foiget, that
BeroD Schutx might have done bothi via. if the Queen were
averse, he might iinmadlately resort to the lord-dunoellor, and
mtKe the demand.

The^ Reign of Anru #9

great part of the nation had to bis being called to duc« l^^
ceed.his sister. Cir:unisftanced however as the Pro*
lender was^ Us cause was abetted by many in England^

Howerer, the lords advised tlte baron to keq> hit orders ttrictl/
•ecret, And to sppear at conrt the cext day, wlien the locds were to
wait OD aod present to the Queen their address about the proda*
natioD, and the removing the Pretender out of Lorraio j and \%
apply himself to the load-duiDcellor, (at in private) and inform
htm, that he (the baron) had a message to his lordship from
Hanover, and desired an hour, when he should virait on and deli*
ver it to htm.

The Urd^chanccUor told the baron, he siMwld be proud to r^
oewe anv message from hit court > and appointed that veiy af-
tenooo, between £ve and six, at his house In Lineokk*« Inn
FSelda.

When the haroo came, and (ajfter some compliments) told hia
lordship, that by order of his highness the Duke of Cambridge, be
requested fait lordship to make out and deliver to him the writ
far the doke; the loid-cbancellor vat at firtt much surprised s
but aAer a dioit p«n8e» ^i^ed the baron» whether the matter
had been opened to tiw Queen > To which the baron answering*
poi fait lordslnp said, this demand is of snob importaoce, thai 1
can do nothing in it, till I hmc the Queen's directions^ and I
will forthwith acquaint her Majesty with it: but laying his haiui
on the baroD'a shoulder, ^detiied him to remember he did not
lefiite the writ : to which the baton smartly replied, and desired
his lordship to remember, he had requested of him the writ fur
the Dake of Cambridge.

A cahmei conncil was instantly callnd, and sat that evening
Irooi nine o'clock (U! after eleven ^ where the Qoeen being pre«
sent had the disappointaaent to find her ministers so Utlk firm -
to their fermer piefietsions, at to endeavour to pefsuade her Ma*
jetty, that the writ could not he denied <ihey. may have hinted
that the pnmitet of France did not yet jutttfy the refusal). This
dafafltionhadaocfa an accidental and unexpected inftuetico upi^
faer ll^etly't peiion, at tobjected her to an infirmity, that oovXi

(f the Reign ofJniii

m^ and a recruitings for his service had bcjcome so publie
and general, that Lord Bolingbroke brought in a bill§
which afterwards passed into a law, that qiade it high

tKKt be reoKn^ed, for at the end of three mpnthft and nineteen
dajft the demised. Upon the .ininister*6 shrinking, the writ was
ordered to be niad« out, and Was delivered to fiaron Schmz oii
Saturday the 17th of April, 1714.

This demand being the next day (Toeidax) whi^wred in the
tourt of request9> cast a damp on the coart-party» which tliejr
could not dissemble.

The miuisteirs had the vexation to see, on the four last days,*

vis. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Satniday, the ttreet called

MUMall crowded with a vast ooncoofse of cuacfaes> and mnlti*

mdet of people to cbngnitulate Baron Scfants and iioiu* Komo^

berg (at whose house the baron lodged) upon the demand of tb^

writ, and to exprrss their hopes of the speedy arrival of the Dnke

of Cambiidge. Although the writ weit at the end of five days, vis.

on Saturday, the 17th of June, 1714, deliveried to Baron Sebuts,

yet the Queen in her anger to see the people so generally loa to

worship the rising sun, caused Baron Sdmtx, on the next day,

being Sunday, the 16th of April, 1714, to be forUddeii ^e coiirr>

and injunctions to be laid on all her ministeri not to have aofr

intercourse or correspondence with him: and the niinulerB al*

leged as an excuse for this outrage, that the baron had de«

manded the writ of the lord-chancellor, without having first ao*

quainted her Majesty with hit ordees, or applied to her fiir

it.

It appears probable, tlict the ministers applied at this time to

^ France for assistance, and received an agreeable answer i but at

that time the French King was engaged in the arduous n^tia*

tions at Raatadt, for concluding peace with the Empeier. The

urgency of the case was, that if the Duke of Cambridge should

forthwith land, as be might, and as the people exjncted* the

ministers* measoies would be first entirely disooooert}ed» and then

the French asnstance would cone unseasonably. The oainisters*

in order to remove their fean^ and to obviate the disaflpeinfitinnr^

• Tht Reign of Ann. «5

treason to be enlisted for any foreign prince: a caution 1714.
which was not at this time found necessary to be had ^^
in Ireland, notrvdthstanding the inordinate propensity

on tbe Idtb of May, 1714, beiQg within oaq mpntb after BaroQ
Scbntz was forbidden the court, in the Queen's name, sent three
lettcfs to Hanover, all signed with her Majesty's own band.

One of these lettera was directed to her Royal Highness \h%
Princess Sophia, in which the Queen declared, <' that disaffected
persons had entered into measures to fix a prince of her high-
ncss's blood in her Majesty's- dominions, even whilst she was
living, that she (the Queen) for her part, never thought such a
project could have entered into her bighness's mind ; but now she
perceived her electoral highness was come into that sentiment j
and therefore she (tbe Queen) declared, that such a proceeding
would infallibly endanger the succession itself.*' ,

Another of these letters was directed to his Highness the Elec-
tor of Brunswick ; declaring, " that if his electoral bighness's
son the Duke of Cambridge) presumed to come within tbe
Queen's estate (i. e. her dominions) ) she would oppose him with
all ber power.**

The third letter was directed to the Electoral Prince (thro
Duke of Cambridge), and declared, " that bis design of coming
into her Majesty's kingd.m ought to be ficst opened to bet, and
to bare had her permission j apd that therefore nothing could
be more dangerous to tlie right of succession in his line than
such a proceeding." From the complexion of these transactions
it will be readily admitted, that the Queen musi have been dis-
gusted wi h the indelicate and compulsory meaiis u^rd. l?y tbo
Whigs of that day, to ensure tbe Hanover successioa during her
life. The workings of nature on beha'f of her brother, upoa
whose head they had forced her to proclaim a reward) together
with tbe many thwarting and humiliating instinces of opposition
to her will from the Whig party, render it more than probabl^^
that she either originally was, or that she became at last insin-
cere in ber professions, promises, and e&ertions to pfBjnote the
establishment,

VOL. XI. f

St^ The I^eign pfAnn^

1714. pf the Irish parliament to harass and oppress the ca-
tholics with pepal statutes. Now, for the first time^
their loyalty was above sv&spidon : anda Stuart passed
by an opportunity of punishing diem. The queea
died on ^e 1st of August, 1714.

■PPF

C 67 J r

CHAPTER III.

The Reign (f George 1,

Upon the demise of Queen Ann, the Tory party 1714.
preponderated in the landed interest of England ; the Accession
Whigs possessed a majority in the privy-council. The
Tories were without a head, dispirited, distracted,
and consequently irresolute. The Whigs acted in
concert and with energy. They brought into ac-
tion the principles they had always avowed, and seated
the Elector of Hanover on the thrones of Great Bri-
tain and Ireland. He was proclaimed, and acknow-
ledged King without opposition*. The Toriqs^ as

♦ Viz. By the Act of Settlement, as George the First, son of
Ernest Augustus, Elector of Brunswick, and Sophia, grand-d^^ughr
ter of King Janoes the First. The author of Lovd Chesterfield'jt
Memoirs relates, that Lord Harcburt often declared, (and Bishop
Pearce frequently mentioned it), that Atterbuiy, Bisliop of Ro«
Chester, came to him and to Lord Bolingbroke on the death of
Queen Ann, and said, nothing remained but to proclaim King
James. He further offered (if they would give him a guard) to
pat on his lawn sleeves, and head the piooession. Ot, as Lorcl
Orfbrd has retailed it, (Remiii. 2gL) to proclaiin the Pretender
at Charing* Cross, in paniificalibus* George was pioclaimed la
England ou the Ut of August, 1714, a few hours after the
Queen bad expired. A similar proclamation was published in
Dublin on the 6th of August, about seven o'clock in the evenings
and on the x^^ day another proclaniation issued, signed alyo by ^he

F 2 '

6K Tke Reign of George I.

1715. they had every reason to expect, were dismissed frojaa^
his councils, and the ^hole managei^^^^ ^^ public
aflFairs was committed to the Whigs.
iMfunent The parliament pf Ireland convened in November,

o£ Ireland ^ r- , 1 .- • '

Mm^eped, 1715, was prorfiinently conspicuous in manifestmg .
•cTcrdmcts their zeal for the Hanover succession, and the Whig

In &voQr#f • »• «j

the Hino- administration. They passed acts for recognizing the
King's title; for the security of his person and govern-
ment ; for setting a price ( 50,000 /. ) upon the Pre-
tender's head, and for attainting the Duke of Ormond ;
and they voted the supplies without murmur or oppo-.
dtion. The common^, during the last Tory admini-
stration, had brought in a bill to attaint the Pretender :
and it 5vas generally believed, that her Majesty had
prorogued the parliament, with the direct view of pre-
venting that bill fron^ passing against ber brothtjr: and
tJiat,. with a similar intent to facilitate his access to the
throne^ she had disbanded the greatest part of the
army, \;^ho were prqtesia^ts ^n Ifeland. They eagerly,
therefore, seized an opportunity so favourable for in-
gratiating themselves with bis Majesty, and for justify-
ing that conduct, which had been reprobated as turbu-
lent and factious by the late government. A very
Strong address was presented by the commons to the
]Ling, that his Majesty w:ould be pleased, for the se«
curity of his government, and the protestant interest
0f Ireland, to remove the Earl of Anglesey from his
councils and service in that kingdom *•

Lord-priroate and Sir CoDStantine Phipps^ chancellor, for disarming
aU papists and suspected persons, and sizing their houses.

^ Vide* voL III. Jourm Comm. p. G7» This address is founded

Tla Reign of George /. «9

Notwithstanding the recruiting for the service of I7i3*
the Pretender were dne of the principal grdunds for Honoorabit
the commons address again$t the Elrl of Anglesey, ofiiwhiof-
yet so fully convinced was the ministry of that day of tht^ionu^
the unquestion2d>le loydty of the Irish natiori, that the ^ "'
lords-justices*; in their speech to the parliament, ren-
dered it the most honourable testmiony, in saying
^' that it was with no small l^dsfacdoU) that they ob^
denrisd the calm; which that kingdom (formerly thd
seat of so many rebellions) then enjoyed, iltrhilst the
traitorous enemies td the King and Odf happy asta**
blishment, discouraged by their early and steady zieal
Ibr the protestant siicc^on^ had thought fit to chang^
the phce of actbn, tnd attempt elsewhere to disturb
bis Majesty's govehiment/' Nor was this the sooth-^
ing art of Adulation, but the cordial effusioti bf activd
Confidence : for th^ lords-jusdcte added j thlt his Ma-
jesty h^d ordered an addition to be made to eath com-
pany of the militia, till such time as he could replace
those regiments, which the necessity of his affairs had
Obliged him thta to draw from Ireland to s&ippresd

4ki the fact of die recruiting service Tor the Pretender having i>eea
j^ermitted with impanltj in Dablin. It thrown strong light upon
the hbtory of those days, and is to be seeil in the Appelktit U>
my Historical Reviewi No. LIV. I have also, ih the first voliimt
of that workj p. 236, given a letter of Dean Swift to Ardibisbop
t^ing« in whicti the pairiotic Deaii very clearly distinguishes ba*
tween the Tory and the JacoliU»

• Vis. The Duke of Grafton ^nd the Earl of Galway. The
speech was delivered by the Duke of Grafton i fiir whtch vide IL
Lofds* Joara. 459%

ifX The Reign ^ George L

1715. the rebels in Great Batain, wherem their safety vas

^^ equally concerned with that of his other subjectSi

iMiirrcc Whilst rebellion was openly making alarming pro^

North^Bru gress in North Britain under the Earl of Mar, at the

f;er*in E^^ head of 10,000 Scotch presbyterians, and no part of

ctTruyln South Britain was secure from the attempts of the

'*^ *" ' friends of a catholic pretender to the throne, catholic

Ireland was the only part of the British empire for

which government felt secure, and therefore drew

from it the usual sources of national defence to give

strength to protestant Britain. Akhough malice were

not yet saturated in calumniating the Irishj they escaped

the charge of guilt in the rebellion of 1715. Yet

those very lords- justices, who bore such honoi!urahIe

testimony to the tried loyal^ of the Irish catholicfi»

most i^^consistently treated them as an hostile and

divided people. *' We must recommend to you (said

they in their speech to the commons) in the present

conjuncture, such unanimity in your resolutions^ ae

may olice more put an end to all other distinctbns itt

Ireland^ but that of protestant 2nd papist "

Impolicy of Such was the horror, in which the catholics were

Irish caiho- then holden, that the usual parliamentary phrase for

inies. them was, the common enemy. Scarcely an address

concerning them during this reign reached the throne,

which did not brand them with this appellation. Their

meritorious loyalty on this occasion procured them

neither favour nor indulgence from government : for

the lords-justices^ in their answer to the address of the

commons, praying them to give directions for seeuriag

the persons of such papists and other persons as they

ibxmXd: suspect of bdng disaffected to his Majesty^s msi
government, assured thetn, that they had wiitten let*
ten in council to all the governors of counties^ sherifis^
mayors, and chief magistrates of corpixadons to put
the militia in immediate condition for sendee, require
ing them at the same time strictly to execute Ihs lawi
^aimi papists*.

llie then rece&t statute dF Queen Ann, which tm-* nutuaityiii
poaed such a mass of rigour upon the catholic^ re^ dineatem
quiicd also die sacramental test from every officer
«ifil or military, from 111 persons having fee or salarjf
bdoogiag to any office by patimt or grtot, or having
^Uif command or plMe of trust under the croWni
This included many protestant dissenters, to \i^honi
gtftemment did not wish to extend the sevicrity ot
Ihatlaw. The following tesoluticm aecordingly pai^
Ae house of commons I t ** That such of his Majesty*^
protestant dissenting subjects ci this kingdom as haVtf
takOk commissiofls ki the tniHda, w tctH ki tlie coim

* 3 j0afA. bom. 60. tt watf resolved^ nmifi^ eoTttrattcenhi
^ Tint »t M tlw indMj^sabte doty ^ all ss^gytiatsi tb put tMi
Ibwi io inuaediate' eieciitioD against all popish priests, vfha abafl
officiate contrary to kw, and that sbbh magistrates^ "who neglect
(he same, be looked upon as enemies to the tonstttttion" And
ib. 749j It was iA like manner resolved, «' That an humble ad«
JMs be^preseotod to tbcir eittxHendes tin lords-justlcoi^ that tbe^
W^ be pleased to issue ii pn^ckmstlsnj promising a r^tvartl ttt
ftucb^ who shall diacavec any penon^ whois enlisled, or shall bare*
after enlist in his Ktaiesty*s ienri6a« t^ be a papist, & order to
their beusg turned out, and punislstd wtih the utmost a«rairi^-af
the law/*

t 3 Jourob CbmoKma; p. tdO.
p4

7« Tlte Reign of Gewrgi L

1716. mission of the array^ have hereby done a seasonable
^^'^^^ service to his Majesiy's royal person and govern-
ment, and the protestant interest in this kingdom*
Resolved, that any person who shall commence a pro^
secution against a dissenter, who has accepted, or who
shall accept of a commission in the array or milida, ia
an enemy to Eling George and the protestant interest,,
and a friend to the Pretender." This marked par-
tiality in favour of the Irish dissenters, whilst an army -
of Scottish presbyterians was in open rebellion in fa«^
vour of the Pretender, cannot be laid to the account
of liberality or general toleration: for that very parlia^
ment of 1715, passed an act to restrain papists from
being high or petty constables, although a single ztxn
had not been raised by a catholic in Ireland in sup-
pwt of the Pretender, and every nerve of government
was strained to enforce the rigorous execution of the
penal laws against them^. The consequence was a
general and most rigid persecution against the catbo*
lies for the mere exercise of their religion: their
priests were dragged from their concealment, many
were taken from the altars whilst performing divine
service, exposed in their vestments to the derision of
the soldiery, then committed to gaol, and afterwards

« Doctor Goldftmitli Isn otwenred, that ** it wat the artifioft
daring this and the tucceedibg reign to stigmatice all those, wha
testified their discontent against govemmenti as Papists and Ja^
cobttes. All, who ventured to speak sgainst the violence of their
measovea were rq>roacbed as derigning to biiog in the Pretender r
and Doost people were consequently afraid to murmur, since dia<M
content was so near a-kin to treason.'* Histt Geo. I,

The Reign of George t 7S

bonidied the kingdom. The lords-justices granted I7id«
orders for apprehending the Earls of Antrim and
Westmeath, the Lords Netterville, Cahir, and Dillon^
and most of the principal catholic landholders, as per-
sons suspected of disa0ection to his Majesty's govern^ -
aieni;.

About this time, a decree of the Exchequer, in a Difference
<ause between Sherlock and Annesley was'ap(^ealed Irish add
from to the Idsh peers, and by them reversed. From peers upo*
thdr sentence Annesley appealed to the English peers, unt juns-
by whom the judgment j^ven in his favour by the
court of Exchequer wis confirmed; and an order
issued to put him in possession of the disputed estate.
Against this determiaation Sherlock petitioned the
Insh house of lords. In this affair, the dignity of the
peers and the privileges of the nation were deeply in-
volved* The first step the Irish lords took, was to
propose to the consideration of the judges, whether
by the laws of the land an appeal lay from a decree
of the court of Exchequer in Ireland^ to the King in
parliament in Great Britain^ This question they de-
termined in the negative. The peers then resolved,
that they would support their honour, jurisdiction,
and privileges, by giving the petitioner Sherlock re-
lief. To such extremes were matters carried, chat
the Irbh house of peers ord ^red the barons of the
Exchequer to be taken into the custody of the Black
Rody for having obeyed an orderof the English house
of peers. On the other hand, a very explicit and ela-
borate representation of all the proceedings of the
lords in Ireland, concerning appeals, was transmitted

14 The Reign qf^ George t.

i^iS. to his Majesty^ which was laid before the British houst^
of lords and read: whereupon they resolved, that
the barons of the court of Exchequer in Ireland^ in
proceeding in obedience to their orders, had acted
with courage according to law, in support of his Ma***
jesty's prerogative, and with fidelity to the crown of
Great Britain; and that an humble address be pre^
salted to his Majesty, to confer on them some mark
of his royal favour, as a recoknpense for the injuries
they had received^ by being unjustly censured, and
illegally imprisoned for doing their duty^. They
ordered a bill to be brought in, for the better securing
the dependency of Ireland upon the crown of Great
Britain, which passed into a lawf.
Dukeof Or. About this time a fresh attempt was made in favoif

mond heads

«n invasion of the Pretended by the intrigues of the Cardmal Al^
beroni. An armament of twelve ships of the line^
and several transports, was equipped, having on board
6000 regular troops, and arms for 12000 met). The
command of this fleet was committed to the Duke of
Ormond, with the title c^ captain-general of his ca«

* The Duke of Leeds entered a verf long protest against tliestf
reaolations^ which being very pointed and interesting, it given tfi
the Appendix to my Hist. Review, No. LVL

t $ Geo, c. V. by which it was enacted^ that the kiq^dMl of
Ireland was of right subordinate to, and dependent opoo the iin«
perial crown of Great Britain, as being inseparably united and
annexed thereunto ; and that the British parliament bad of right
full power to make laws to bind the people and die kingdom o^
Ireland, and that the house of lords of Indaod had not wof tf/j^
lant jurisdiction.

froniSpaiOk

nces
toprotestnAf
'ssentcra.

Tke Reign of George L 7S

tholic Majesty^ He vas provided with declarations ^7^9*
in the name of the Spanish monarch, importing, that
for many good reasons he had sent part of his land
and sea forces into England and Scotland to act as
auxiliaries to King James. The Duke of Ormond
sailed from Cadiz and had proceeded as far as Cape
Finisterre, wh^i the fleet was overtaken and dispersed
by a storm, which entirely defeated the intended ex«
pedition *.

In the year 1719, the parliament passed an Act for tndaigei
exempting the Protestant dissenters of that kingdonl d
from certain penalties,, to which they were (in common
with the Catholics) then subject f. And the pream«
ble of the act sets forth, that '' the granting some ease,
and indulgence to the Protestant disisenters^ in the
exercise of religion^ might be an^ effectual means to
miite his Majesty's Protestant subjects in interest and
affectsoiL" The Duke of Bolton, in his speech on the
day that the bill passed, not very warrantably mis-

^ In justice to the unshaken loyalty of Ireland, it should be
recollected, that at this time the tenantry on the Orrooad pro^
pert/ was the most numerous I.i Ireland ; the bulk of that nation
vab of the same religion as the Pretender; IrJand lay more co|i*
tigiioos to Spain than Great Britain, and was less provided for
defence against invanoa. Yet so sternly lo>^'al to the House of
Haoorer were the Irish Catholics, e\'en at this early period after
the accession of the present illustrious family to the throne, that
not ewea the intriguing Alberoni, the Spanish Monarch, the Ca«
tholic Pretender, or his enthusiastic and then desperate supporter
Ormond, durst even attempt to seduet them from their allegiance
and civil duty.

t 6th Geo. c. V.

76 The Reign of George I:

If 2b. quoted the tvdrds of the statute; in order to take otf
^^^ the bting, which the marked partiality for the few to
the exclusion of th^ many necessarily imported. He
recommended to them in the words of one of those
^xcdlent bills pa$§ed that day, an union' in interest
and affection amongst all his Majeslg^s subjects*
Unfortunately for the people of Ireland the* words of
the statute were dperauve and iastitig : those of the
lord lieutenant insidious, false, and traasierlt. Th^
speech of the Llt^utenant acquired instsiiit circuladou ;
the people read what they never experienced ; and
they smarted under what they never read*
Harshness The Duke of Grafton, in closing the ne±t session

of the Duke i- ,. -r i i

of Grafton of parliament, mamfested SL degree of harshness to*
catholics, wards the Catholic^^ little responsive to thdr tried
steadiness to the new family on the throne. He
recomniefnded * to the parliament to put the laws in
execudon, and to keep a Watchful eye over the Pa-
pists, since he had reason to believe, that the number
of Popish priests was daily encreasing in that king-
dom, and far exceeded what by the indulgence of the
law was allowed,
irishioyaity The Same noble Duke in opening the session of
] 723, rendered to the Catholics, perhaps an inad-
vertenty certainly not an unimportant eulogy^ upon
the actual confidence placed in their loyalty in the
very acme of alarm and danger. The traitorous
projects (said his Grace) " that were near ripe for
execution the last year, made it advisable to caU for

* % Joiim« Com. p. 314.

The Feign of George h 77

rfx regiments of foot from Ireland, and as the scene; of J 72a.
Wood and confusion, that was then opening in Great
Britain, must have soon reached this country, his Ma-
j?sty could not more effectually shew his tender re-
gard for his subjects, than by ordering that .seasonable
reinforcement for securing peace in that part of his
Majesty's dominions/' It is angular, that in the very
speech, which proved that the catholics were so little
^spected of disaffection to the government, as to
fHake it advisable and safe to send six regiments from
fiatholic -Ireland, foi: the defence of protestant Bri-
tain, his Grace added *, ^^ I cannQt but think it a
matter deserving your serious attention, to provide
some laws for the further strengthening of the pro-
testant interest of this kingdom, particularly for pre-
venting more effectually the eluding of those in being
against popish priests, it being too notorious, that the
number of such is of late greatly encreased^'*

In consonance with the repeated recommendations violent r^w

r«*i«i. ' • •« solutions of

ot this lord-ueutenant, the commons came to eight the com-
violent f resolutions against the catholics, which passed birHn*c"on*
without a dissentient voice, and thereupon leave was *^****^"*^
given to bring in heads of a bill for explaining and
amending the acts to prevent the further growth of
popery, and for strengthening the pn-v^stant interest
in that kingdom. Heads of a bill were accordingly

* 3 Joara. Com., p. 314.

t 3 Journ. p. 30, 2d of October, 1723. Thy may be seen
in nij Historical Review, vol. I. p. 252.

73 The Reign of George 7.

^2^ prepared, with ,a clause for castrating every catholic
clergyman that should be found in the realm. The
bill, thus surcharged with this Gothic barbaristn, wa$
presented on the 15th of November, 1.723, to the
lord-lieutenant by the commons at the castle, and they
most earnestly requested his Grace to recommend the
same in the most effectual manner to his Majesty^
humbly hoping from his Majesty's goodness and his
Grace's zeal for his service and the protestant interest
of that kingdom, that the same might be obtained to
pass into a law*. It was transmitted to England, and
for the honour of humanity there suppressed with
becoming indignation!* The lord-lieutenant, chi pror
rogulng the parliament, consoled them for the loss of
their favourite bill, by attributing its failure ta iheir
having brought it in at 90 advanced a period of the
session : recommending to them again a more vigor-
ous execution of the penal laws against the catholics^
and assuring them, that he would contribute his part
towards the prevention of the growing evil (of popery),
by giving proper directions, that henceforward such

* 3 Joum. Com. p« 366. His Grace returned the ibllow^ng
answer. '' I have bo much at heart a matter which I recom-
mended to the c9nsideratioD of parliament at the beginning of
this session, that the house pf commons may depend upon a dus
regard on my part to what is desired.**

f Some Irish historians attribute tlie faihire of this bill to the
humane interposition of Cardinal Fleury with Mr, W^pole. Yet
surely there needed no Gallic interference for the damnation of a
Jaw of such savage tuipitude^

The Reign of George I. 79

persons only should be put into the commission of the >733.
peace as had distinguished themselves by their fide^
lity to his Majesty, and by their steady adherence to
the protestant interest*.

The latter part of this reim was a notable asra for Three pro-

, , *^ ^ ° tettanrpar-

a new division of parties in Ireland. The old revolu* "« in Uc-^
tionary party, which affected Whiggism and had de-*
9cended from and retained the spirit and principles
of the Oliverians, was the most numerous in the
commons. The old Tories had an ascendancy in the
lords. The third party wished well to their country,
^d successfully adapted to its government all the
genuine Whig principles, upon which the liberty of
England had been so firmly established^ but the
practical application of which had been first made to
Ireland by the patriotic efforts of Mr. Molyneux f.

* 3 Joarn. Com. p. 389.

f Lord Clare's speech on the union is a carious repositoiy of
fiofufi modern opinions upon the necessity of an English or pro*
testant ascendancy in Ireland : (p. 13.) *^ It is a melancholy
truth, that fiiom that day, (James I.) all have clung to the
popish religion, as a common hond of union, and an hereditary
pledge of animosity to British settlers and the British nation*
What alternative then reniained to the King for retaining this
oonntry under the dominion of his crown ? In the modem re-
volutiooary phrase, the physical consequence of the country was
arrayed against the English colony and the English govero-
meot He was therefore driven to the necessity of treating the
old inhabitants as a conquered people, and governing their coun-
try as an English province, or of fortifying his protestant colony
by investing them with the artificial power of a separate govern*
ment." lYimate Boulter, who^ from the year 1724 to the year

W The Reign of George L

^^ These thnec parties were all protestants. How widely
soever they differed from each other, they ail united

1/42, was the main spring of the English politics and ihc in-
strument of the Biitish cabinet in Ireland, gave lo the Duke of
Newcastle the following cnution against Swift. fyoL L p. 03,
Boulter's Lei,) «^ The general report is . that Dean Swift designs
for England in a little time > and we do not question bis en-
dcravours to misrepresent hts Majesty** friends Lere« wherever
lie finds an opportunity : but he i.« so known, as well as the
disturbances he has been (he fom.enter ()i in this kinordom, that
we are under no fear of his being able to disscive any of his
Majesty*s faithful seivants^ by any thing that is known to oome
from him.'* Swift supported th.e naturii] interests of Ireland
against the Dissenters and Whig party, who> in his ideas^ endea-
voured to monopolize the political influence of iJjie cou^ntry. and
against the power of the British cabinet, whohc system it was to
keep Ireland in a state of abjVct 8ubser\ icncy. " Therefore,"
said he^ in hh State of Ireland, '^ it is too wcM kno\yii, that we
are forced to obey some hiws we never consented to ; which is a
condition I must not call by its tnie nncontroled name, ibr ftar
of Lord Chief Justice Whitshed's ghost, with his lilertas et nalale
solum wrilten for a motto on his co»ch, as it stood at the door of
the court, whilst he was perjuring himself to betray both." Swift
was a true patriot, and had rendered himself particularly obnoxious
to government* by publishing his Drapier*8 Letters, and other pa-
triotic works in defence ol his oppressed country, but especially by
his proposal for the universal use of Irish manufactures, in clotbeS
and furniture of bouses, utterly rejeciiiig and renouncing every
thing wearable that came from England : on account of which
pubiication, a prosecution was set on foot aguinst Waters the
printer, by the express command of the lord-lieutenant, who sent
to the Lord Chief Justice Whiished btfcre the trial, informing
him, that a most seditious, factious, and virulent libel had been
published, with a design of setting the two kingdoms at variance ;
and therefore that the priuier should be prosecuted with ail the

The Reign of George 1. . 81

m one comnidn principte of oppo^g the cathoGcs, as ^^^
the common enemy. The most remote tendency to
£iTom- them would, at that time^ hav^ been eonstiiied
an overt attempt to bring back the Pretender. The
catholics, broken down by oppression, scarcely claimed
their rights of existence^ and were occasionally made
the passive instruments of the three other parties, zc^
corcfing to the exigencies of their several temporary

feverity of the law. The lord-chief-jostice'fi zeal ob snbh andc*
quioQ ^ranted do spur. He out»ran his commiBsion^ by ikideoeatly
dedaring towards the commenoement of the trials that the au»
thor'a intebttoti was to bring in the Pretender. Government had
ofieied a rcwa)rd of 300 f, for the discovery of the author of these
letters : bat so popular aad interesting to Ireland was the subject of
them« that no one was base euoogh to betray him. This firmnesa
in the cause brought pn the prosecution of the printer, whom the
jury acquitted. Yet so determlnately was the'chief*justice bent upoa
^rocurijig a Verdict for the crown^ that he kept the jury out eleren
hours^ and ^nt them nine times out of courts until at last he wea-
ried them into a sfmal verdkL The profligacy of this courtly
judge is alluded to by the primate in a letter to the Duke of New*
castle^ (vol. L p. 112.) which accounts for his lordship's anxiety
to be removed to the comihon pleas, where he would be placedt
out of the occasion of executing again such commands of govern*
inent. '' My Lord Chief iHstich Wltshed has been with me t»
desixe he niay be recommended to succeed Lord Chief Justice
Wyndham. lie represents^ that he has with great zeal and fide*
liry served his Majesty^ and made himself many enemies by so
doing, and would hope for this favour as a reward of his services*,
t roust do him the justice to say« that he has certainly served hi^
Majesty with great zeal and affection^ and has drawn on himself
the anger of the Jacobites by so doing, and other discontenteci
persons here, by discountenancing seditious writings in the affiiir
of the halfpence/*

VOL. \U O

8t TTie Reign of Gewgel.

17M. projeds: and were too often made objects of ne^
rigour aad persecotioDy for the sole purpose of vkh*
drawing the attention of their opponents from mea*
sures, which the particular parties wished to, cany or
Opp(^. Primate Boulter always affected to term tbe
patriotic party the diseenieniedj and not unfireqvently
the km^s enemies : and of didr successful opposition
to the measures of those, whom his grace termed tke
Kin^s servants^ (consequently his friends) he loudly
complained.
The job of In no instance were the exertions of the patriots
tent for niore brilliantly successful, than in opposing Mr»
"**"*• Wootf s patent for coining halfpence, which they con*
ydered as an in&mous job*. Thare had not been for
many years a comage of copp^ in Ireland ; .the low
ftiedium of halfpence and farthings had become very
scarce } and the deficiency was found to be attended
with great inconveniency* Applications were made ift
vain to England for a new coinage.^ What was refused

* Primate Boulter^ within a fortnight after his arrival in Dub*
ISn, informed the Duke of Newcastle, that '' thej were in a verf
6ad state, and the people so poisoned with apprehensions o£
Wood's halfpence, that he did not see there could be any hopes--
of justice against any person for seditious writings, if he did bui
mix something about Wood in them. All sorts were deterratn^
itely set against them. Pamphlets and the discourses of some-
people of weight ran very much upon the independency, of Ire*
knd i which, in their present state, was a very popular notion*
That though a1! people were equally set against Wood, yet many
of the madnesses were supposed to come from papists mixing with
ihid setting On others, with whom they formerly had no manner
of corrtspondence/*

!hfe jRe/gn of George I. 83

to the voice of the Irish nation, v^as granted to the irt-i i?^.
tiigues of WiliSam Wood. He obtained a patent for
cdning copper halfpence and farthings for the use of
Ireland, to tlie amount of 108,000/. They were east
0f such base alloy, that the whole mass wa* not worth
8000A Of this base coin he poured an immense in*
fttsi<m into Ireland. Brass multiplied beyond e^camplev
was not only used in change, but attempted to be
forced in payments. The Irish nation took the alarm^
and made it a national cause : and it may be said to
have beA the firsts in which all parties in Ireland had
eret eome to issue with the BHti^ cabinet. The
bish parlkmem, in sdi address to the thfx>ne, told the
King, they were called upon by their counnry to re*
present the 91 consequences to the kingdom likdy to
result from Wood's patent : that the prospect, which
it presented to view was the diminution of the reve*
nue atid tiie ruin of trade. An appKcalion from the
privy-council of Ireland to the King spoke the same
language : and addresses to the like effect from most
of the city corporations throughout the kingdom
were handed up to the throne. At the quarter-ses«
aion the country gentlemen and magistrates unani-
AKMisIy declared against it» And the grand jury of
the county of Dublin presented all persons, who at-
tempted to impose upon the people of Ireland the
base coin, as enemies to government, and to the safety^
peace, and welfare of his Majesty's subjects. It was
not to be expected^ that an individual speculator, who
could ndse an interest with the British cabinet more

G 2

S4 The Reign of George L

^7^ powerful dian the united voice* o£ the whole peopU
of Ireland^ should forego all his gdden prospecta
from the opposition of those, whom he had in the
first instance baffled and defeated. He still com-
manded such influence with his patrons, as to bring
forth a report from the privy-ccmncil of England in his
favour, which cast very severe (not to say indecent) re*
flections upon the parliament of Ireland, for having op*
posed his patent. After the nation had been kept in
turbulent agitation for a year by the real or imaginary
effects of this job, tranquillity was restored by his
Majesty's revocation of the patent, which put an end
to the currency of this base money, and opened to
Ireland a dawn of confidence^ that their sovereign's
^r would not be for ever shut against the united
yoice of his Irish peoplef*

* For the address of the CDinmoDsto the King, in the first in-
stance^ vide 3 Joum. 325. and for their addiess to his Majestj^on
his gracious answer to their first address^ 368.

t Primate Boulter found the spirit of the nation so determined
against Wood's patent^ that he reluctantly recommended its revo-
cation. Yet on the uniform principle of ministers protecting thefr
own creatures, he contended^ " that Wood could not be supposed
willing to resign it without a proper compensation, (as if the obtain-
ing such a patent had been a work of meritorious or laborious service),
and that the seditious and clamorous behaviour of too many here,
must rather have tended to provoke his Majesty and his ministry to
Support the patent, than to take any extraordinary steps to sink it :
and that therefore the most proper way seemed to be, the propos-
ing some reasonable amends to Mr. Wood in order to his resigning
the patent." However^ upon the 25th of September, 1/25, her

The Reign of George I. 6S

' little dse worth recording happened during the ^Jj^
remainder of George's reign, that affected Ireland. Death of
His Majesty was suddenly taken ill in his carriage, as ^
he was travelling through Holland to visit his electoral
donunions. The attendants, that were in his carriage,
perceived in the morning after he had left Delden^
where he had supped heartily and slept soundly,, that
one of his hands was motionless: they chafed and
robbed it with sprits without effect : his tongue soon
began to swell, and be had bardy strength to order
them to hasten to Osnaburgh. His senses failed him,
and he died the next morning, in the 6Sth year of hia
age, and in the ISth of his reign*

The violence of political bias, under which the cha* chancter
cacter and reign of this monarch have been handed; orG«>^^
tp posterity has palmed upon the public a very un-
£uthful portrait of both« The inclination of the nation
to favour the Whig party, which, djiring the whole of
diis reign, governed the King, senate, and people
with a despotism little congenial with their avowed
principles of civil liberty, and the crushing of the
rebellion in favour of the Pretender, who more from
hss religion than politics, was 'disrelished by the na«
tioa, encouraged the successful party to flatter, and
deterred the depressed party from publishing even a
£uthful representation of that portion of our history.
George, from his arrival in England, threw himself
without reserve into the arms of the p^rty, which seated

tells Lord Townsend^ '^ I must likewise acknowledge the obliga-
tjoo we all lie under here for jour procuring so great an instance
of his Majesty's goodness^ as the revoking of Wood's patent.*'

O 3

iO The Reign of George I.

IT^r.^ him on the throne. Throughout his reign fae may be
said to have been rather governed by the leaders of
party, than to have governed a free peojde. To their
passions and interests, rather than to their council and
advice^ he was totally subservient. They commanded a
majority in parliament, and George too well knew, thajt
bis title to the British throne was wholly parliamentary.
He came to the throne at the mature age of fifty* four
years : his comportment was reserved and formal, and
Uttle recondleable with the liberty he allowed himself
with the sex. The Duchess of Kendall, his left-
handed wife or avowed mistress, and the Countess of
Darlington, enjoyed at the same time the royal pro-
tection: and latterly Mrs. Ann Brett, an English
lady, was formally admitted into the seraglio of St.
James's, with the promise of a title, which the King
lived not to grant. They were constant food for the
venom of the Jacobites, and systematically supported
by the Whig party. The influence, which these ladies
exercised upon the royal mind, opened and kept up
during the whole of the reign, a regular system of mi-
nisterial intrigue, which ever must accompany such
predilections of the monarch. The various plots* and
counterplots of Lord Bolingbroke, Bishop Atterbury,
and others of the Jacobitical party, which were gene^
rally defeated by the address of Sir Robert Walpcde,
scarcely produced even a remote effect on Ireland.
George had the good fortune to have the merit of his
reign attributed personally to himself, and its defects
thrown upon the corruption and false principles of his
ministers.

CHAPTER IV.

The Reign of George II.

UroK the demise of George the First, his son 1727.
ascended the throne without disturbance or opposi* AcoeniM
tion. Now, for the first time since the revolution, 11. a2*'
did the catholics of Ireland venture to approach the A^caOM^
throne by a public act of their body. The penal laws ^^
had been somewhat multiplied, and rigorously exe-
cuted during the late reign. It was still fresh in their
minds, that the severe laws of Queen Ann were said
to have been passed against them, as a punishment for
dieir having neglected to address her on her coming
10 the throne. The extreme virulence, with which
they were calumniated from the press, the pulpit, and
the senate, on the demise of that Queen, had deterred
them from offering any address upon the accession of
the Hanover family. At this juncture, however, they
drew up an address of congratulation, which in a dig*
nified manner expressed loyalty to their sovereign,
and pledged them to a continuance of their peaceful
and quiet demeanour. It was presented to the lords-
justices by Lord Delvin and several respectable catho-
lic gentlemen; but it was received with silent con-
tempt. The lords-justices*, who were humbly en-

* They were PrinuHe Boulter^ ThooBM Wyniham, and Wil*
liamCoDoUj.

64

88 The Retgfi bf George IL

m*^. treated to transmit it to his Majesty, never conde?

* ^"'^^ ficended to make an answer to those, who presented
it; nor is it knowa to this day, whether it reached the
hands of the sovereign, or were strangled in its birth
by the heads pf the JE^glish iaterest, who dreaded
nothing so much as the united loyalty of the people
pf Ireland.

Bottittiji The great engine, patron, and supporter of the

ipofciaing. English interest in Ireland, was Primate Boulter, tie
affected to confound under one common denomioa^*
tion of the disaffected^ and King^s enemies^ .all the
Tories and patriots, who preferred an Irish to an Engr
lish interest in their native country. Sensible that his
means of supporting the English inter^t would not

' bear the light, his Grape insidiously effected a very

strong and unjust measure, which would probably
have failed, had it ^een fairly proposed and freely
debated in the then prevailing temper 6f the public
mind. Not one of the acts of Elizabeth or Ann ha4
gone the length of depriving the catholics of their
elective franchise. By the 2d of Ann, An Act to
prevent the further Groivth of Popery^ every elector
was required to take the oaths of allegiance and abjur-
ation } to which no cvholic objected. The attention,
which the nation began to pay to their civil rights, an^
the political weight, which the catholics here in elecr
tions, awakened the primate's jealousy and alarm, and
drove him to the desperate resolution of upholding
the English interest* in Ireland by disfranchising

* As much of PHmate Boultcr*s letters as the editor has lavoared
us will}, openly avows this prelate*s priociplcs upon, the subject.

7%e Reign of George 11 9^

^bove four-fifths of its population. An opposidon 1722*
to the English interest^ vhich it ever ^^as the pride
of this prebte to support^ was dreaded from the
patriots, who systematically opposed any foreign as-
cendanqr over the native rights and interests of thdir
country. It was not natural, that the body of the
Irish people should be forward in supporting such
foreign ascendancy, whether English or Protestant.
The catholics' address to the throne was not carried
without a considerable division of the catholic body* ;
of which the primate so dexterously availed himself id
the then pending elections, that on the 24th of Au-

yritb'm Uuee Wptk$ ^fter tbe^death pf the King, he writes to tho^
Dake of Newcastle, (vol. L p. 177-) ** Every thing here is ver/
quiet :" and on the fame day he ioforms Lord TowDsend (p. 176)^
^ We have no other bustle amongst xu, than what arises from the
wann caovass going on in all pofts about the election of membeni
fx the ensuing parliament.*' He had three day* before apprised
Lord Carterctj then loid-lientenant^ (p. J73)« '' that the whole
kingdom) was in the utmost feqnent about the coming elections.
I an safely appeal (sdd his Grace) to your Excellency for my
having to the best of my power served his late Majesty, and sup-
ported itie .English mieresi here/'

* Oo the 20th of July, 17V» the prinute wrQte to Lord Car*
teret ; ** I bear this day/ that the address yesterday presented by
some Roman Catholicsj occasions great heats and divisions anxmg
those of ih^t religion here." (Vol. I. p. 1 8S. ) That the constant
view of this prelate was the maintenanpe of an English ascend^
ancy, and to keffp down the native in^uenpe of Ireland, appear*
from the whole tenpr of his correspondence. His editor assures
VM, that these letterf wil| ever remain the mo^t authentic hlstoiy
of Ireland, for the space of time, in which they were written 1
viz. from 1724 to 1742, during which his Gnipe was thirteen
times one of the lords^justipes*

90 The Reign of George IL

1727* gust, 1727, he assured the Iord4ieutenant9 thxU tJiQ
elections tvoidd generally go well.
System of I^ofd Carteret, whose adailnistratioQ lasted from

dividing '

jrcund 1725 to 1731, has had the credit of leniency and

within It- ' *.

•cif- humanity, from having discountenanced the execution
of the penal laws against the catholics* He certainly
had the policy not publicly to aggravate the evil of
famine by religious persecution. Yet no real friend to
Ireland could have coalesced with Primate Boulter
in the systematic support of an English interest, by
dividing Ireland within itself*. Fearful of an ef«
fectual opposition to a measure of such unjust severity,
though of the highest political import, not a syllable
in the speech from the throne bore allusion to it : no
heads of any bill transmitted imported new penalties
against the catholics : on the contrary^ the lord-lieu*
tenant's speech recommended expressly the considera*
tion of such laws, as might be necessary to be made
for the encouragement of manufactures and the em-
ployment of the poor ; and now for the first time the
lord-lieutenant spoke of '^ f the gracious instances of
his majesty's concern for the happiness of his people,

* ThU is verified by the primate's words, in his letter to the
Puke of Newcastle, "on the igth of January, 1/24 : " 1 find, by
my own and other inquiries, that the people of ever)- religion,
country, and party here, are alike set against Wood's halfpence, and
that their agreement in this has had a most unhappy influence on
the state of this nation, by bringing on intimacies between Papists
and Jacobites and the Whigs, who before had no correspondence
with them.**

f 3 Joum. Com* p. 4€3«

The Reign of George 11. 91

and the good opinion he had always had of the loyalty 1727.
and affection of his subjects of Ireland ;" dropping the
invidious restriction of his Majesty's protection, grace^
suid favour to his protestant subjects.

Many of the catholics began now to consider them- The catho.
selves Irish-^nen as well as Irish catholics. Though U of the *
deprived themselves of civil rights, they put a high va- ftanchucu
lue cm them, and in defiance of religious differences
made civil liberty a common cause with their protest*
ant brethren. This novel coalition between protestants
and catholics in support of the interests of Ireland^
became formidably alarming to that party, whose sole
mission was to keep up an English interest in that
kingdom. Government foresaw the necessaty pro-
gress of this native coalition against the English in»
terest, and at otfe blow put an end to the political
existence of at least four-fifths of the nation by
depriving them of the noblest birth-right and in-
valuable privilege of the subject*. Without any
annunciation of such intention, without notice to any
of the parties interested, without even a charge or ac«
ctisation of guilt, by -the unexpected introduction of
a clause into a bill, the title of which denounced no
further severity against the catholics f? was a vital stab

* Thus did Lord Chief Justice Holt usually call the eleclive
firanchise. I have adhered to this proportion of protestants and
catholics^ because Primate Boulter in this ycry year avowed to the
Archbishop of Canterbury (vol. I. p. 210.) There are prolahljf
w tim kingdom Jive Papists at least to one Protestant.

t I Geo. 1 1 . c. ix. An Act for further regnkting the Ebctloo
ed Members of Parliamsnt^ and preventing the irregular proceed*

92 the Reign of George J I

J 728. given to the constitutional rights of the bulk of th^
^""^^ Irish people. It was enacted, '* that no Papist, though
not convict, should be entitled or admitted to vote at
the election of any member to serve in parliament as
knight, citizen, or bupgess, or the election of any
magistrate for any city or other town corporate."
This truly sweeping, clause at once brushed oflF four-
fifths of the people of Ireland from any representation
m parliament : it was inserted by way of amendment
without notice^ without debate, without council ; thus,
did the commons sign the death-warrant of four -fifths
ef their constituents, whose voices had given them their
legislative existence ♦.
fntcrnaiHi*. The Stagnation of trade and want of employment
Ireland, in the manufactures, in part occasioned and in part ag*
gravated the scarcity of the years 1728 and 1720.
The first session of the parliament under George IL

ings of 8hcriAs,and other Of&cen io electing and returning such.
Members. Sect, vii*

* The catholics in Gal way having successfully opposed liord
Clanrickard*s interest, he prevailed on the minister of that
4ay to introduce this clause, to deprive them of their franchise.
He was the first protestant of his family and a staunch supporter
of the English interest. On the same day (gth of February,
1727)9 Dr. Trotter reported from the committee of the whole
hopse, that they had gone through and agreed to the bill tvith
some ammdments (viz. the disfranchising clause) which were
also read and agreed to, and Dr, Trotter was directed to attend
the lord-lieotenant with the said heads of the bill to be transmitted
into Great Britain in due form. 3 Joum, Com. p. 522. With*
such ease was a nation disfranchised by an unconstitutional mi*
nisttr I ,

The Reign of George 11. »»

irhicfa ended in May, 17289 went over without oppo* ^729-
drion : insomuch, that the lord*Ueutenant^ in closing
the session, took an opportunity of observing * , that all
ihe public bills transmitted from thence; had been re*
turned under the great seal of Great Britain ; which
distinguishing instance of his Majesty's regard for the
parliament of Ireland, was one of the happy effects of
that remarkable application and unanimity^ which had
appeared in all their proceedings.
Ireland was entirely ruled by the principles of an Farther ri-

' . gourtm|x»-

Eneliah interest under Primate Boulter, who con- e^on the

^ , ^ ' catholics.

^dered it strengthened by every additional pressure
fm the catboUcs. In the year 1733, an act was made
far t preventing papists practising as .solicitors ; which
was the only branch of the law they were then per-
mitted to practice. At the close of the session, the

* 3 Jonro. Com. p. 570.

t 7 Geo. II. c d. Whilst this bill was pending, some ca«
tholics of Dablin and Cork set on foot a sabscription to defray
Ihe expenses of opposing it : when one Hennesy, an interdicted
priest, gnr^ tnformalioo, that this collection was made for the
purpose of brfogiog in popery and the Pretender. Upon which
the papers of these gentlemen were seized, and submiued to the
inspection of the house of commons : and it appears from their
printed repcct, that the whole sum collected had not exceeded 51a
the committee however resolved, that it appeared to them, that
noder colour of opposing heads of bills, great sums of money had
been collected and raised, and a fiind established by the popish
inhabitants of the kingdomi through the influence of their clergy,
Ughly detrimental to \iit proUstant Interest, and of imminent dan-
ger to the present happy establishment : and therefore they resolV«
ed farther, that an humble address should be presented to the lord*
licQteoant to issue his prodamation to all magistrates to put the

d4 Tlie Reign of George II.

iJ"^") lord-lieutenant set forth, in the most glowbg terms of

congratulatory solace, ^* the many signal marks of hb

Majesty's goodness^ vho had nothing more at heart

than the interest and prosperity of his people*/' He

alluded to seme of the most popular acts, such as the

regulations made for future elections (by abolishing

ilie right of voting in four-fifths of the nation) j the

erecting of churches, and augmenting the maintenance

of the clergy^ for preserving and strengthening the

Protestant interest of the kingdom.

BQuUer'« Primate Boulter f was as zealous to prevent the

iiw°?r»h ^ growth of any Irish influence in Ireland^ as of popery.

inducncc. Qn this ground he complained to the lord-lieutenant

and Duke of Newcastle of the appointment of Mr.

Allen Broderick, the chancellor's son \y to be a com*

laws against popery into execution. Cur. Si. of the Catholics qf
Ireland, p. 257 » This circumstance ]goes to prove, that the dacue
for disfranchising the whole body of catholics was not in the heads
of the billy bat furtively introduced to avoid oppoAtioQ t or it is
tnore than probable^ that they would have instituted a coHection
to oppese a bill, that affected every individual of the body in «6
Important a point, rather than a bill, which could not bare af*
Tected threescore of their body.

♦ 3 Joum. Com. p. 570.

f Primate Boulter's letters have disclosed more of the internal
movements of the cabinet, than modern statesmen would wish t#
discover. In his letter to the Doke of Newcastle, three days after
this session closed (vol. I. p. 242), he complains of the opposition
of the bishop of Elphin (Theophilns Bolton promoted to the set
bf Cashell in 1/29) whose view was to make himself considerable
enough (0 I: bought off. One part of the push he now made was
to get all the lay lords here to confederate *' against the bishops^
who must always he depended upon for doing the king*s business**

X Allen Broderick (afterwards Lord Viscount Middleton) bctog

The Seipi of George Ik 95

missbner of the customs in England* This "was 0{v l^sa
posed by the primate. ** We are/* says he, ** appre-
hendve it may give too much spirit to the Bhxiericks
here, and be made use of by thein tb engage others
to obstruct the King's business in parliament." The
Earl of Clanrickarde had conformed to the established
rel^ion in the days of Queen Ann. He had made
an application to the King to be restored to all, that
had been forfeited by his ancestors^ who had at all
times been conspicuous for their loyalty and attachment
to thdr sovereign; and the measure had been gra-
ciously assented to by his Majesty. But the reveraon
of so much landed influence into the hands of an Irish
family, though protestant, was considered by the
English interest in Ireland to contravene their
system. Boulter procured an opposition in the com*
mons, which completely defeated the benevolent in-*
tentions of the King. Yet, artfully to avoid wounding
the feeBngs of the noble lord, by pointing at his par-
ticular case, they formed a resolution upon a broad
principle, ^' that the reversal of outlawries of persons
attainted of treason for therebeiltonsof 1641 or 1688,
is greatly prejudicial to the protestant imerest in this
kingdom, and dangerous to his Majesty's person and
the succession established in his royal house.*' They
accordingly voted an address to has Majesty, setting
forth the dangerous consequences of such misplaced

a staanch Whig» was appointed soon aRer the acoesioB, riz.
1st Oct. J714, to succeed Sir Constanlinc Phipp»> the noted
Tory charllbllor of Ireland* He held the seals till (be 1st of Jane,

96 The Reign of George III

1781. indulgence, which had the effect of widiholding his

Majesty's benevolence *.
Dittietset As the management of the English Interest in Ire^
under Pru Is^d had been committed to Primate Boulter, al-*
mateBou!. ^Q^g}^ j^^^ Carteret continued lord-lieutenant till
the year 1731, yet the kingdom was entirely go*
Temed by his Grace; Notwithstanding the catho-
lics had been additionally aggrieved by new penal
laws, which gave the death-blow to their civU exist-
ence, his greatest difficulty arose from the protest-
^ants of the north f. The primate, in his private^
and therefore more sincere communications with
the Duke of Newcastle, gave a most melancholy
account of the state of the nation; complained of
American agents seducing the people with prospects
of happier establishments across the Atlantic; that
3100 had^ in the preceding summer, been shipped off
for the West-Indies, voluntarily encountering new
miseries, to avoid the oppression they suffered at home.
The worst was^ thai it affected only protestanfs, and

* The address is to be seen id my Historical Review, vol. I. 2f4.
It displays no very pure idea of the loyalty of the addressers who
tell their sovereigDj that nothing can so effectually niake them
ready to support and defend his right and title to the croS^n, ai
die enjoyment of the forfeited estates of the papists. The address
imports more of intimidatioD than attachment. The answer be«
speaks a compliance of compulsion, not of inclination.

t The north was the most industi iQUs^ manufacturings an4
opulent part of the kingdom, consequently the bestsuited to resist
or avoid the distress and oppression, which the more latched and
ifppoveri.^hed parts of the kirgdom were unable to avert*

The Reign of George II. 97

reigned chi^y in the North*. His Grace sent to the 1731.
lord-lieutenant the representation of the gentlemen of
the North, and the opinion of their lawyers, as to what
could be done by law to hinder people from going
abroad : but that in those matters he should do no-
thing fwithout directions from his Majesty. Whaterer
could be done by law, it would be dangerous forcibly to
hinder a number of needy people from quitting them.
The distresses in the North were producdve of tumults
at limerick, Cork, Waterford^ Clonmel, and other
places in the South, under pretence of preventing their
com from going to the North. The populace bad
broken open warehouses and cellars, and set what
price they pleased on providons.

* Many causes, besides scarcity of com, co-operated Grieftnces
in producing discontents and consequent emigra* mten. *"
tions firbm the North. The dissenting ministers
presented a memorial of several grievances of their
brethren, chiefly relating to the oppression of the
ecclesiastical courts about tithes, the whole of which
hjs Grace denied or justified in a special letter to the
Bishop of London X* They also complained of the

* Sect. vol. I. 261.

f It has unfortunately been too frequent a practice of servants
cf the crown to push systems of unsound or comipt policy t& lach
a faeighc, that they have been unable to check the evil coose*
quences of their own condoct. The reftponsibility is then shifted
from their own shoulders upon the king, whose personal inter*
icRiioe CBDuoi, by oor coostitulion^ cover the respoasibiltiy of hit

} Vide the letter in the Appendix to my Historical Review^
Mo. LVI.

VOL. lU H

98 Ths Reign of George IL

Jf[^ sacramental test ; in relation to which his Gtticie told
them, the laws were the same in England. The other
grievances, which they mentioned were the raising of
the rents unreasonably, the oppression cf the justices
of the peace, senechals, and other officers in the coun-
try. The primate himself was sensible of much dis-
content'arising from the debts of the nation having been
very much encreased within the last few years *.
Govern- Lord Carteret was succeeded in the lieutenancy by

Mged^by' the Duke of Dorset. They were both men of amiable
Boaiicr. priVate character. But their governments were entire-
ly managed by the primate, in order to support an
English interest in opposition to the native interest 'of
Ireland. Under this prelate's management the patriots '
acquired so much strength, as to command a majority
in the commons on a most important question. During
the late administration the court-party had moved in
the commons, that the fund, which had been provid-
ed for the payment of the national debt and interest,
should be granted to his Majesty, his heirs, and suc-
cessors for ever, redeemable by parliament. The
paitriots insisted, that it was unconstitutional and in-*
consistent with the public safety to grant it for a
longer term than from session to session. An attempt
was made by the court-party to vest it in the crown by.
continuing the supplies for twenty-one years; but
they lost the question by a single vote t»

* The progress of the national debt, and of (lie financial re.
sources of Ireland,, may be seen at large in my Historical Review^
vol. I. p. 278, &c.

f This patriotic question was carried by the voice of Colcnel

7^(? Reign of George II. 9p

Thfe Diike of Dorset, who was naturally humane,' i733.'
was the first lord-lieutenant for several years, who in jy^^^ ^^
addressing parliament, did not recommend from the ^*?^^|^f '^"
throne to provide further severities against the catho* ^*®"-
lies. ' He told them * that he should leave it to their
consideration, whether any further laws might be
neceissary to prevent the growth of popery. At the
opening of the parliament in 1733, he called upon
them to secure a t Jirm tmion amongst all protest*
emts^ who have one common interest^ and the same
common enemy. This appears to have been pre-
paratory to a measure of toleration, in favour of
the protestant dissenters, which the Duke of Dorset
had it in his instructions to propose. Boulter disap-
proving of the repeal of the test in favour of the dis-
senters, so exaggerated the threatened opposition to
it, as to induce tjie British minister to drop the mea-
sure J. When the Duke of Dorset was about to

Tottenbam, mcraber for New Ross, who had ridden post to town
to be present at the debate, and arrived immediately before the
hoDse divided. The great supporter of the patriots at this time in
Itelaod, was Mr. Henry Boyle. Mr. Conolly, the speaker of the
honae of cominons, died in 1 730. Sir Ra'pb Gore succeeded liim :
but he did not M the chair two years. Upon his death, in 1732^
Mr. Boyle was elected to the honourable situation, which he filled
with dignity and uprightness for many years. Sir Robert Walpole,
though he ever looked upon Mr. Boyle with an envious eye, yet
generally spoke of him in his facetious maui.er, as the King of
the Iriih Commons.

* 4 Journ. Com. p. t).

f 4 Journ. Com. p. 70.

X That the reader may judge of the primate's earnestness to
second these instructions from England^ he is referred to his

* «

t-\^' ^;.> %7 £ %J

100 Thje Reign qf George IL

1735. quit the government of Ireland^ he paid an honourable
^^""^ testimony to its loyalty ♦♦ " I think myself happy/*
ssud he^ ^* that on return to his Majesty's royal pre^
sence, I can justly represent his people of Ireland^ as
most dutiful, loyaU and a£Fectionate subjects.*'
Abolition For two years was the government of Ireland in
n^thc.the hands of lords-justices headed by Primate Boul-
ter. In 1735, the Duke of Dorset returned as lord*
lieutenant. During his second vkeroyalty an evest
happened, which, though seldom noticed, has been
productive of the largest portion of the latter infefidty
of Ireland. It furnishes an awful lesson to mmisters,
that timidity and insincerity are ever pregnant with
the worst of consequences. An English ascendancy
in Ireland was the idol, to which Primate Boulter
rendered the whole system of his politics subservimtr
This he did not openly avow : but gave it the move
specious denomination of protestani ascendancy : by
which delusion he drew the greater part of the dissent-
ers to second him in the one, who would have opposed
him in the other. Every insincere or factious measure
is easily analyzed into a principle of self-interest. The
majority of the commons was disposed to depress the
catholics : and still more inclined to evade payment
of taxes to the state, or tithes to the church. They
availed themselves of the power, and passed reso*
lutions, formed upon the forced and confused peti-

Grace*s account of the transaction to ibe Duke of Newcastle, oa
the 18th Dec. 1733, in my Historical Review, p. aSX

. ^ 4 Journ, Com. p. 152.

Tfie Reign of George IT. 101

tioo$ of several protestuit. land-owners, who threat* ^7^-
cned to emigrale to America^ rather than pay tithe of
agistment fixr barren cattle, Aat- * the demand of tithe
of agistment was new^ grievous, and burdieosome to
die kwfiords and tenants; and Aat the other ce#
deaiastical dues and emoluments without that tithe^
were an honourable and plentiful provicton for ditf
dergjr of that kingdom. Upon these resolutions^
they ei^;rafied a motion, which they carried by a great
majority t^ that '^ the commencing suits upon theat
new demands must impair the protestant interest by
drWing many useful hands out of this kingdom ; must
disable those, that remain to support his &fajesty*8
establishment ; and occasion popery and infidelity to
gain ground by the contest, that must necessarily
arise between the laity and die dergy/*

Boulter^ in his communications with the English Soaiu*
eabinett complamed of this violent defalcation fron^ S^of
die clergy's profits. But he sacrificed even clerical «u^*Sa
emolument to the vicious system of keeping up an ftiK-
uanaturai, unjust, and unwise ascendancy of the few ^
over the bulk of the nation. So far was that demand
new or illegal, that between the years 1722 and 1735,
forty-two suits had been instituted in the Exchequer
for die recovery of agistment-tithe ; and in each of

*4<>aB. Joofn. lig.
t Viz. 110 to 50. lb.

t Vide leraral lelCen on thii sabject to the Bishop of London,
ISih May, l7Sft and lOth May, 1737, to Sir Robert Walpdo,
9tfaAxig,l737>aiidal*

as

teresu

102 The Reign of George tl

1736^ them, that went to a decree, the tithe was established^
The primate permitted this resolution of the com-
mons to pass upon the country for law, and thereby
threw the payment of the most profitable tithe, from
the richest land and the most opulent occupiers, upon
the most barren soil and indigent cottiers. It was in
the ficst instance a discouragement to tillage^ and an
effectual check to honest industry and labour. It has
ever since beien an unceasing source of distress, tur«
bulence, and riot *•

* Ap id^tity of spirit in the government of Ireland, haa popr
tinned this delusive principle, so pernicious to tlie established
clergy, so indulgent to the class of occupiers the best able to pay,
Ik> oppressive to the part of the community the least able to bear
the payment of any tithe, and so dangerous to the state, which
is constitutionally bounden to maintain an established clei^.
It will be a painfpl duty in the sequel to trace several most serious
evils to the present pernicious system oi tithing, as the events
ahall chronologically occur. It will not however be laid to the ac-
count of historical anachronism, if a circumstance be now referred
to, which falls not within the scope of this history, in illustration
of what it is the duty of the historian tp retail. Since the union
in 1801, which closes tlie period of this history, frequent notices
and promises aud menaces have been made in the imperial parliar
mcnt of motions' to improve the systrm of tithes in Ireland. In
this session of parliament ( 1 8O9), the Chancellor of the Exchequer
l^as owned, ihgt the difficulty of effectually improving the system
of tithing has bafQed his powers, and he must permit this
session to pass like the last, without aqy proposal tq heal the
grievance, which he allows to exist. The party of the Ascendancy
(call it English, Protestant, or any thing but Irish) has retained
from the days of Boulter an influence, which candour must
allow has not been raided out of Iriih patriotism. That party
having devoted itself to the union, in the immediate contcmplaiton

The Reign of George IL 103

The Duke of Dorset was succeeded in the lieute« ^737-
Bancy by the Duke of Devonshire, whose administratioh Admini-

- 1 • r • f_ strationof

was the longest and most qmet of any, suice the a3c- the Duke

shire.

of which measure^ and under conviction, that the imperial par-
Lament never would convert tlie abused resolutions of the house
of commons into the unchangeable law of the land, did in the
year 1900, bjr way of prevention, pass an act to quiet and bar all
daims of tithe-agtstment for dry and barren cattle, {40 Geo. III.
c 23,), by which no such claim was allowed, or permitted to
be prosecuted in any court civil or ecclesiastical, unless such
agistment-tiihe had been usually received within the last ten
years. Thu^ was a real abuse of the resolutions of the house
of commons, in 1/35 made to supersede the law of the land,
which BO intermediate lapse of time could have extinguiahed ^
9nd the church's right to the agistment-titjie of th& £rst grazing
qountry in the known world, divested out of the rightful owners,
for no other purpose than of gratifying a party, which had long
occupied the power and profits of the state, to the oppression of
the country at large. So lately as in the Lent Assizes for 1808,
the grand jury of the moat protestant county in Ireland (Armagh)
considered the abuse of the present syjstem of tithing as actually
endangering the loyalty of the countr)-. They accordingly came
to the following resolution.

" We, the Grand Jury of the county of Armagh, assc^fiibled at
Lent Assizes, 1808, see with much concern the exorbitant de-
mands made by some of the clergy, and their proctors, in certain
parishes in this county, in collecting of tithe, to the very great
oppression of their parishioners, and tending, at this time in par*
ticujar, to detach the minds of his Majesty's subjects from their -
loyalty, and attachment to the happy constitution of tliis country.*^

" flesolved, that our representatives be instructed to further
with their decided support any measure, that may be brought
forward in the imperial parliament for modifying and placing in
some more equitable mode the payment of the clergy in this
country.' •

H4

104 The Reign of George IT.

173^ eesnon of the Hanover family. His Grace was wholly
devoted to the councils and influence of the primate,
who died in that administration *• No lord-lieutenant,
dnce the first Duke of Ormond, displayed such pomp,
statCf and luxury, as the Duke of Devonshire : no on«
ever applied so much of his personal patrimony to
the gratification or advantage of the Irish nsuion: and
upon the whole, his lieutenancy, without being btil^
liant, had the negative merit (^ not having been tuibu*
lent. As persecudon was agreeable neither to George
the Second, nor to his favourite minister Sir Robert
Walpole, the catholics of Ireland enjoyed some few
years of relative indulgence, which was ill relished by
the primate !• In his ideas it had produced so much
insolence in that body, and so general a disposition
amongst protestants and papists to insult magistrates
for doing their duty^ that they thought it proper, for
preserving the peace of the country, to prosecute any
person indifferent l^y that demanded satisfaction of any
magistrate for putting the laws into execution t,

* 4 Joarn. Com. p. 152.

f The editor of Boulter's Letters assures u%, that such a malig*
nant spirit had been raised about this period by Dean Swift and the
Irish bankers^ that it was thought proper to lodge at the primate's
house an extraordinary guard of soldiers i and, by a singular ooiQ*
bination of heterogeneous interests, the primate attributed an op*
position to the English cabinet in Ireland to the art of the I>ean>
the management of the bankers, and the whole popish party
thrre.

t Letter to the Duke of Devonshire, vol. II. p. 227- What idea
is to be formed of the government of that country, in which the

ne Reign 0/ George IL 1W

The crieB agaiosi fosperj at this dme arose prin- vn».
cqNdly from self-interesL Lord Clancarty had ob- ▼•Hueedr

Eagtish

tamed the ecmseat of the British csdMnetj that a bill ^ama
should be Inought into die Irish parliament ta reverse
his attainder for having adhered to King James la
1688. His forfeited estates were, accordmg to Pri.
mate Boulter, then of the annual value of GOfiOOL
The report of that measure, and reflection upon the
consequences of such a precedent threw the protest-
ant landholders into the greatest alarm and fierment»>
tkm \ It shaqMied the edge of the law, and in-
creased the acrimony of the Irish government against
the cathdics, notwithstanding their unshaken loyalty
and exemplary c<mduct» This appears from the r^
Solutions of the commons at the end of the year
1789t ; which were stronger than those affecting Lord
Clanikkarde: ah evident proof, that there was a
powerful interest in Ireland not in unison with the
Biitisb cabinet* The former prevailed on this occasion
ss on many others, and the attainder of Lord Clan-
carty was not reversed |.

£iBft imDitter of aatiooal justice makes a despente and forced
threat of administeniif it md^fferenti^ for the peace qfthe coss-
ity?

* 2 Boulter, p. 152.

f 1 Jonni. Com. p. 336* These resdiitioDs are given io my
Historical Bieview, voL L 2S8.

f This nobleman sensibly lesentied the irresolution of the Eng-
lish ministiy in not carrying intoeffisct their proooises and engage-
ments for passing this measure. On this account M'AUister
aaysy (Let* p. 15), ** lord Clancarty considering himself ill used
by the nioiatiy of England, readily attended the summons of

106 The Reign of George //,

l^^ The personal feelings of the Sovereign, the p<£rical
taTfeJoarof views of the English ministry, and the humane dis-
i^**«wir P^t*^n of the Duke of Devonshire produced some
kmo^r** relaxation in the execution of the laws against the ca-
tholics. The British government^ in defiance of those
very laws, condescended to recruit both the army and
navy in Ireland, though with xaore secrecy, than the
recruiting service for the old Pretender had been
carried on in the last year3 of Queen Ann. In the
year 1^45, under the administration of Mr. Pelham^
who had succeeded Sir Robert Walpole, the British
government was greatly embarrassed by the loss of the
noted battle of Fontenoy, and the simultaneous land-
ing of the young chevalier in the North of Scotland.
There then existed a corps of British Jacobites, con-
sisting of seven regiments of Irish, and two of Scots*,
in the pay of the French monarch, who considered
themselves as auxiliary troops of James Stuart, whoni
they acknowledged as the rightful monarch of these
realms. Although frequent intercourse must have
subsisted between those, who served the exiled prince

ffie old chevalier to prepare for the intended invasion of Great
Britain in 1745. He sought any occasion for procuring to himself
the prospect of possessing that great fortune, and would have joined
the Grand Turk or Cham of Tartary to obtain it."

• ITiesix Irish regiments of foot, were Dillon^ Clare, Berwick,
Eoscommon, La I /if, Bulkely ; and Fiiitjamcs*s horse : the Scots,
were the Royal Scots horse, and Ogilvie*s foot. Three of these
regiments were nt the battle of Fontenoy, and claimed the merit
of turning lhi» fortune of that day in favour of the French : on which
occasion, George the Second is reported lo have said^ with unnsual
emotion, cursed he the laws, which deprive me of suck suhjectSi,

The Reign of George 11. " 107

at Sl Germain's or in this brigade, and their relatives ^7U*
in Ireland, yet so pure was the loyalty of the great
body of Irish in this moment of trial, that not even a
su^don of their rising in the cause of the Pretender
vas harboured or acted upon.

Fortunatdy for Ireland, the Earl of Chesterfield ♦ was Bwi of
appomted to the lieutenancy in this critical moment. No* appointed
thing could exceed the coolness, moderation, and wis- naot.
dom of his conduct on this trying occasion!. He had for^^

^ Before ihk prudaot governor had assumed the reins of the
Irish govemmenty the usual means of alarming and irritating the
public mind from the senate, bench, and pulpit had been so ef-
fectoallj pursued, that upon the report of Marshal Saxe*s inteo-
don to make a descent upon Bngland, a serious proposal had been
made in council, that as the papists had begun the roassaore on
the protestants in 1641, it was but just and reasonable in tha(
critical juncture to retaliate in like manner upon the papists^ Al-
thongh this barbarous proposal were indignantly rejected by thaf
honourable assembly, to which it was proposed^ yet was it the en-
thusiastic conviction of some of the lower orders of the pratestant
inhabitants of l^iirgan, that such a horrid conspiracy was actually
entered into : although it were by proyidential accident prevented
from the discovery of a respectable merchant of Dublin, who hap*
pened to be there upon his commercial concerns.

t Every act of this excellent governor differed from those of
all his predecessors, and unfortunately too of most of his succes-
sors. Before he left England, he chose for principal secretary, Mr.
Lyddel, who was, as he says in a letter to his son^ a very genteel
pretty young fellow, hut not a man of business : which circum-
stance determined his choice. His lordship told him, " Sir^ you
will receive the emoluments of your place, but I will do the bu-
siness myself, being determined to have no first minister." H\i
lordship owed his appointment, not to court favour, (George'the

lot The Reign of George It

it45«^ traately been entrusted with a plenitude of dkcretkm :'
and the gratitude of the Irish for the judicious Slid
prudent use of his exttaordinary pavers, has not etm
ID this day been e&ced firom the lowest of ihcir pM-
santry. Gratitude has ever a strong hold upon the
bidi nation. It required indeed the emuieni sagacity
and address of that nobleman, to baffle the effiMia and
importunities of the vkdent party in Irdand, with
which they^ daily assailed the castle, and demanded
rigour and severity against the catholics, as the just
tribute to the procestant interest, and the only means
of supporting the establishment. By the temperate
wisdom of this gDvemment during d^e rebellion in
Great Britain *, not a single Irish Catholic, lay or
clerical, was engaged, or even accused of beii^ eo«*
gaged, in that cause f.

Second disliked hicn much) Imt to state neossstty; He had ex*
perience, sense, and principle^ and he acted np to them*

* The Pretender landed in the summer of 1745* on one of lbs
Hebridesj and qh the 19th of Aogmst, tiie Marquia of T^dU*
(lardine erected his standard at Gfenskmaa c on the llStb dajr of
April, 1746, the battle of CnUoden was won by the Ddke of

Cumberland, which propfsrly pnt an end to that rebellion.

t Thia fad ia fully pimred by Dr. Omj, fvoL U. p. 86^1, Aafr.
Ed. 1793.) '' In the ysar IJ6%, upon a debate in theiwuie of
lords about the expediency of raising five regiaaents of tfacae
catholicsj fur the service of the King of Portqgal, Doctor Stsoe
(then primate)» la an answer to some common-plaoe obfooliona
against the good faith and loyalty of these people, which was ie»
vived with virulence on that occasion, declared pnblidy in the
house of lords, that in the year 1747, after that sebellioo was

Tke £0ign 6f Cfwrgd 11 |0»

When Lord Chesterfidd met the parliament on the 1746
Sth of October^ his neech to them bespoke the wis* "^""^
dom of his conduct : he addressed! himself to a feeling tertieid
people, with the authority of a ruler, and with the af- parUament.
fectkm of a father*

* On the same day, both lords and commons re* Addre« or
solved 00 an address of thanksl to his Majesty, for IbT^!^
pladog over them, at that critical juncture^ a governor
of such eminent abilities and distinguished merit.

The eari <^ Chesterfield, confiding in the steady i^radenr
loyalty of the Irish people, instead of increasmg, as ^d'uc?^*

Lord Ches*

ascMy wiyiiimctt ksppeDOg to be in Bogland^ M litd sa op*
portniiitx of penuing aU the papen of the xebdt and thdr oor«
mpoDdeDts, which were adzed id the autody of Mumiy^ the
Pretender's aecretary; and that afler having spefit much timej
and taken great pains in examining them (not widiout some riiare
of the tbon oonmion sospicion, that there might be some private
onderstendiBg and tntercoorse between them and the Irish catfao-
lacs) be ooold not discover the lesat trace, hint, or iotimatian of
soch intercourse or correspondence in them, or of any of the let-
ten £ivoaring, or abetting, or having been so much as made ac*
Rioted with (he designs or proceedings of these rebels; and
what he said he woodeaed at most of aB was, that in dl his re-
seaicbea, he had not met with any passage in aoy of these popen.
fion whkh he could ioler, that either their holy £uher the pope»
or any of his cardinals, bishops, or other dignitariesof that diurcbt
or any of the Irish clergy, had, either directly or indirectly, encou-
raged, aided, or approved of the commencing or carrying on of
that rebellion." The iike honourable testimony of Irish loyalty
OS fliie ocoHion appesn in tbe <tev» gH«n to the grand jarirs of
the city and county of Doblin, by the Lord Chief Justice Maikjo
for which see my Hist. Review, vol. I. p. 294

^ 3 Lords* Joum. p« 99I.

iia The Reign of George tt.

If 46. he was importunately advised^ the army by 4000 men,
sent four battalions to the distance of the Duke of
Cumberland, sbid encouraged volunteer associations
to form in different parts of the kingdom for the de-
fence of their country. These battaKons he replaced
by additional companies to the regiments already
oil th^ establishment, without increasing tb^ expen-^
diture of the nation, the influence of the crown, of
bis own patronage or emolument The supply asked
for was small : it was raised with ease, and expended
with economy : a considerable saving out of it was
' applied to the improvement of the harbour of Cork.
He rested the support of his measures upon their
rectitude, and chastely abstained from gaining friends
by the customary modes of reversionary grants. He
Opened to the catholics their places of worship, re-
leased their priests out of prison, and allowed them
the undisturbed exercise of their religious duties.
This great statesman well knew, that the Irish ibove
all other people, were to be gained and secured by
confidence, kindness, and liberality. Thus protestants
and catholics, whigs and tories, courtiers and pa^
triots, convinced of the rectitude of his measures,
united in contributing to render his government agree-
able and efficient. Neither in nor out of parliament
was a single measure of this excellent governor op-
* posed or disrelished.
Addressed The lords and commons, in several addresses to
tod oxa- the lord-lieutenant, expressed their sense of his Ma-
jesty's favour and goodness towards Ireland in sparing
from his councils in Great Britain a person of his

the Reign of George IL lil

^xcelfenqr's known and tried abilities for the good i74ft^
' and advantage of their nation. The commons were ^^^"^
more tardy in expres^g their sentiments to the vice-
roy, though their address, which was made on the
5th of April, 174C, were more pointed, as being
founded in the hippy experience, and not in the an-
ticipated confidence of his administration. The Earl
of Chesterfield had the satisfaction of seeing all his
attempts to .serve the kingdom he was Sent to govern,
requited by the most peaceful demeanour and enthu-
aastic gratitude of the Irish natioii. He was univer-
sally ^mired on his arrival, beloved during his stay,
and fegretted upon his departure. To perpetuate hi^
virtues and the griititude of the nation, his bust wasf
placed in the castle of Dublin at the public expense*

The short admhiistration of the earl of Chesterfield Reflections

upon the

furnishes reflections highly important to the welfare of short dun.
the insh nation. It was a practical demonstration oi Chester*
the utility of a system of liberality, not only to Ireland, minisira- '
but to the whole British empire. It was conclusive
evidence, that Great Britain well knew how at any
time to ensure the happiness of her sister kingdom,-
though unwilling at most times to promote it. Fear*
drove Great Britain to do justice to Ireland for some
months of danger. So thriftily did Great Britain deal
out this transient justice to Ireland, that she appeared
to <:ount reluctantly the hours of its enjoyment. On
the 19th of August, 1745, the standard of rebellion
#ag.fi>rmany erected in the Highlands of Scotland: a
courier was dispatched to hasten the return of the
King, who was then in Hanover : he arrived in Lon-

119 fke Reign qf George It

]74«. don before the ead of Augu«t: on the Slut day of
August, the Earl of Chesterfield was appointed lord^
lieutenant and chief governor of Ireland. On the
l&h of April, 1746, the defeat of die Firetender at
Culloden by the Duke of Cumberland put an end to
the rebellion ; on the ninth day after that event, Ire*
land was deprived of her &vourite viceroys for on
the 25th of April, 1746, FrimaDe Hoadley^ Lord^
chancellor Newport, and Mr. Boyle, the speaker of
the house of commons^ were appointed lords-jusdcesf
and vainly did Ireland sigh for the return of her short*
lived felicity. Great Britain was out of danger } and
Ireland could securely be put again under its former
r^me* In order effectually to cut otf all hopes of
the return of Lotd Chesterfield to Ireland, on ^tbt
ISth of September the Earl of Harrington was q>*
pointed the new lord-lieutenant.
^^^wl '^^ ^ ^^ period of Irish history, at which Mr.
Burke observed*, '^ the English in Ireland began .to
be domiciliated, and to recollect, that they had a coun-
try.'* The English interest at first by faint and almost
insensible degrees, but at length openly and avow*
edly, became an independent Irish interest, full as
independent, as it could ever have been, if it had con-
tinued in the persons of the native Irish. The new
lord-lieutenant, when he met the parliament in^OcttK
ber, 1747, particularly complimented them <hi his Ma<»
jesty's continuance of his paternal regard and affectioft
to a dutiful and loyal peofde i and recommended %

* Letter to Lang. p. 45.

-"- %y r> The lUigii of Geafg^ it Hi

SL x^ .mpKoe of the same gciod conduct and ifigihtaee^ ^f\
rflder God, had prevented the commumcad<m
r r ^enms an infection (i. e« the Scotch nd>eUion)
-. ^KoriHigdomi
Tuf^ z Zaaint2Saaa 6i a bditkai quesfion about thb time V^f^

ttin of Jn*

=r zsz^sTM^xo notke Mn Lncas, a mediad gflnthanaiii lugu*
z jiT in0irk, whd^ on a vacancy in the repfesentittkm of

*^v 3aB ibf Dublin, proposed himself on the patriotic in*
ZLL it JntiHe had for sonle time attacked the abuses, by
. w^ xii^ft^ commons had been deprived of the power of
TZ zj-mf^ the city magistrates, and that power had been
zi:Lwsgm:hiA the boAtd of aidefmen^ subject to the ^ipro^

nir ^^of the lord^heiitenant. This qtieadcm raised a
> IT ^ ^'g ^ntest for civil Kberty between the patriiks and
r^:r z isfement*. Mn James Digges Latouche^ ¥^ had

ir'^caf^ly been an indmate friend of Mn Lucas, and
- pgiy united with him in political principles, on this
2:^^,dtsi^tL abandoned them, and proposed himself as a
2: XL idrtlidate for the city of Dublin, in opposidoa Id
1:2: tart* Ludad, then the popular idol of such of the Ba«
: yrsf^ as took the liveliest concern In the polidcs of tl^
3isB^4y The firmness and perspicuity of his speechte to
: iBS9^1e (K&ef«nt corporationa, his politicad pubKcatbas, dkt
^ iV^ptlhrity of his Subject, and (periiaps) the jusdce jof
-> Ihis arguments, alarttied the Irish government, which
[;:^'had been Utde used to such opposidm. They detei*
s:^'' mined to crush him by the hand of power* Certain
^^ passages were collected from hid writings, and illade

* Hie paiticnlars of the teveral pd>licatioDS and nature ef tMa
cWil diacord may be seen io mj Historical R«view> tsl. t. p. 301^
ttteq.

VOL. II. I

U t The RMgn <y George lA

i^^ the foutthtion of a charge brought agvMt him before
pariiaaeoL The rights of the coaimone, which vitfa
particular atietitbn he had bbotsred to vindicate and
ascertain, had been one of the subjects of his free dis*
cu8sk)ii. looteadof pcotecttag him in reward of dus

^cnncev bo ffiwrtrial to Ireland, the majority of that

house- listened to the charge, voted him an enemy to
his country, and addressed the lord-lieutenant to order
Iiim to be prosecuted by his Majesty's attomey-gene*
ral^. The favour of the public was not sufficient to
defend him against the hand of power. To avoid
the storm, Mr. Lucas fled from Ireland, After he
had spent same time in banisbment, the turn of for*
tune placed him once more in an honourable ^uadon*-
The exertions of his friends rose superior to the influ-
ence, by which he had been oppressed* Upon a new
vacancy^ he returned to Dublm, and was elected one
of the lepresenutives of that city in parliament. The
^;pare8t patiiotism and the firmest and mo$t di^^r-
estad exertions in behalf of the constitution, invariably
distinguished his conduct in and out of parliament to
the day of his death,
piimttft The spirit of civil freedoiQ had now bacomtf 9o

u^^\th prevalent m Ireland, that the English interest could
m^^Hf'th^ no longer be carried on with that s][stematic facility,
^mclai^ widi which it had Jbeen managed by Primate Boulter.

land. *

. * Mr. Lucas's writings or argunoents are collected in two
closely printed volumes in octavo. A vcrj explicit and candid
IfofesiKN) of bis political &ith, u comprised in his Address to the
^ari of HsrriM^toii,. on Ae 3d of October, 17^9» which is to be
seen in the Appendix^ No. LVIL to my Historical Review.

TkekeiffUff^tgnO. lis

UpM the death <if Primate HQadfoy% in l74t^ the l7«^
pexaony to whom 4hi8 interest was committed was
George Stone^ then Biabop of Deny, tte had ingra^
tiated himself with the castle by a most sealons oppe-
aition to the !rish interest. Immediately upon hia
translation to the aee of Antlagh, his was put at the
head of the commission^ with the chancellor and
speaker as lords-justices^ This prelate was a fcnan of
talent, of a lofty and arrogant disposition ; rescdute
and determined \ a thorough-paced courtier ^ and too
determinate detoted to politics to be attentive to hit
pastoral dutiesf. At the head of those^ who opposed

• He mooaedwi Bodmr io 1741.

t ftiuMte StoDe wm hvtsb o^frroun to hUensatarou and had
therefore many supporters : he was too haughty and dictatorial sot
to hai-e many cueiuies. His grandtather had been gaoler at Win*
riiester : hts perquisites in that situation had enabled hb son (the
primate's fiitfaer) to beeomea banker: be was a noniaior« and
hia chief customers were the Jacobites. He was in tl» flower of
yootb when promoted to the primacy i to which noae befixe him
had been raised till on the decline ot life. His penon was un«
commonly hcndsome \ whence he was called the htauty of Ho/t-
ness* He was inordinate io his ambition, intemperate in his
passioft«» and inexorable in his rrsentments. Like his predecessor
Boplier» he was tnvetied with the anfaoos diaqpe of niBniiaUi&g
the Swglhk inUnti, or, acoordbig to the more speckxuphiaBe^ (9^
dxaag the King's (in fact the minister's) husinest. His entertain-
roeois had all the attractions of the most voluptuoa^ refinement.
His courtesy, aflTability, and hospitality gained him many abettors,
and hts efforts to gain prosd}tes in patliament were indefatijgable.
Tet the number of hts enemies is a strong presumption, that the
charges against him were not altogether groundless. For the ho-
nour of the prelacy, we forbear to retail hit) enemies* account x{
kis conduct.

12

]16 Tke Reign Bf G^rge IL

1748. him was his colleague in the comniiatfoD Mr* Boyle^
the 8]kaker of the house of commons. The I^lte lord
Clare has left us a Suthful portrait of this prelate's
admtnistratioD.
tordciiret • u ^ftey the tTeatv of Aixla-Chappelle, the trade
rionof»i. of this countTv had so increased, that the hereditary
•Hmiiiiitni- revenue was amply sufficient for every public service,
and a considerable surplus remained in the exchequer,
waiter defraying every char);e upon it ; so that in effect
the crown was little, if at ail dependent on parliament
for support : and it is difficult to say how long this oli«
garchy might have kept its ground, if the intrigues of
the ambitious ecclesiastic, then at the head of the Irish
church, had not laid the foundation of party heat and
animosities, which have long disturbed and degraded
bur parliamentary proceedings. The great trial of
strength between the primate and the then speaker o(
the house of commons was made in 1753, when a bill
was proposed for applying the surplus then in the ex-
chequer to pay a public debt, which had been some
time before contracted. The courders'of that day,
ranged under the ecclesiastical banner, contended that
this surplus belonged to the crown; and, therefore,
that the King's previous assent to its application ought
to be signified before the commons could appro*

* Speech^ ou the lOtli c£ Februai}, 1800^ p. 27. Lord Clare
was iDveatrd with a commissiou to manage the Eo^ial^ or pro-
teataQt> or ca«tle ioflaenoe in Ireland, not uolike to that of primate
Stone. And posterity will probably bold forth the conduct of
that imperious chancellor and statesman, much as the chancellor
has represented the primate's.

The Heign of Grorge ih 117

pfiate it* The patriots, fai^^ under the^speaker's 17^8.
baimer, infisted thut no such assent was necessary , '^'^
and beat their political adversaries by a small majority.
Heads of a biU for the appropriation passed the com-
mons without taking notice of the King's previous as*
sent to it. They were rejected by the crown, and the .
sorfdiK was Applied by the royal authority, without the;
intervention of ^parliament. Bat the commons took,
^ectual care, that the question should not occur a
second time, by appropriadng every future surplus to:
thar private use, under the specious pretence of local
public improvements. Wind*mills and water-mills,
and canals, and bridges, and spinning jennies, were
provided at the public expense; and the parliamen*.
tary patrons of these great national objects were en-^
trusted with full discretionary po^'ers over the money
granted to complete them. From this system of local,
inq^rovement, a double advantage arose to the Irish
aristocracy: it kept their followers steady in the ranks^*
and by reducing the crown to the necessity of calling
Ux the supplies, made the political services of the
leaders necessary for the support of the King's govern*
ment. But the precedent was fatal^ and a system has
gradually been built upon it, whidi vrooid beat down
the most powerful nation of the earth."

It had been the invariable usage, as it was the duty contest be-
of the commons, ^nce the revolution, to superintend insh com.
the expenditure of the annual suf^lies, and to dispose EngUth ca-
of the surplus without the consent of the sovereign : th< appro
accordingly in the year 1749 they prepared a bill with wl^'C"

IS

118 TTte JReign of Georg9 IT.

17'^ a preamble, recommMding, urithovt any nefemncc to
the Toyal content, ^ tliat the unapplied re&chie on the
85th oi March* should be paid in discharge of part of
the national d^>t.*' This assumption of ri^t in die
commons to apply the tmappropiiated surplus imhoat
the previous consent of the crown, gave great offence
to the British cabinet, which mstnicted the Didce of
Dorset, who had returned lord- lieutenant, to assure
the parHamemi^, that he was commanded by the King
to acquaint them, that his Majesty, ever attentive to
the ease and happiness of his subjects, would grap
dousty consent to and recommend sucb appnipriaiioR*
This declaration alarmed the commons, as an actempt
upon their pri\'ikges.. In their address of tbankSy
which is usually but an echo of the King's speech, they
studiously omitted to notice the consent of the crown i
as they also did in the preamble of ifce faiU for af^ro-
priating 190^000/. surplus ifi dischaige of the muoaA
debt. Hiis omission was resented by the English nii^
nistry, as a direct attack upon the prerogative. The
bill was sent baick amended by the insertion of bis
Majesty's consent, as well as his reeomniefidatioc«
They then passed it even witlumt debate.
Kcfir»» The patriots in the Commons grew daily more

STh^^ tenacious of their duty, and had been for some time
mJm!?Mn<r engaged in investigating the embes^slement of public
^2wLf^ money by Mr, Netil, one of then- own house, sur-
veyor and engineer genera)^ ^xdio was found guilty of

« i Joxxm, Com. p. 91.

The Heign qf Gtorge H. tl§

tbe ffOMSst peeuhtbn, embezskmaM^ mA "fetud in U^«
h» aumigement of and cancnets far the4»tTack8*»
Sacfa tbuseR had beat long complained of) but dtf
die ftstnofB had acquired sufficient strengdi 4o raigd
an efecctial oppocidon to the Angkvlnsh government,
all stfldreBses, remonatrances, and effona *fer redresa
had bm aggravated the evil, whttat the atatte delin*
quents were shielded by that iaciirioua majority, t^bkk
k ms the boasted policy of those times to support^ '
imder the appeHadon of an English inier^si. Hating
succeeded in conviecing Mr. Nevil to the extent of
their cfaarget» they reserved themselves to mak^ fresh
head against this encroachment of the crown upoii
their own privilegea and right of raising and applying
the surplus of the national revenue.

The Duke of Dorset was sent a second timie ttt Duke of
assume the government of Irefand, In eicpeeiatibni aMtdiicut^
that the populaiity he had gained in hb first admmi* "'°^*
stradon, would enable him td stem the progress of
patriotism, which mom perhaps ftoln the popularity ' ' "[
of Lucas^ and the disgrace of Nevvl, llian from lis ' ;

intrinsic powers had become highly alarming toihe
English cabineL That nobleman iiras remarlutble for
his suavity of manners ; when formerly go^ertier,' lie
had not a personal enemy, and was really friendly to
the welfare of Ireland* Upon his seoqnd ainyat, «he

* For the different reports and resolutioDs against him, vide $
Com. Joura. passim.

f Mr. Neril was aftsrwanls nqRlkd tliehsaie» and Mi
oidned te.he espiu«ad«Qftef ^ list. 4 Jeara.'OMi.p. 14a«

I 4

tf9 The Jteign of George 11.

nat. ires Nodred indi the joy and gndtode c^ anatioa;

ivhich had long regretted hitabfiaice. The. change

of the public dispontion towirds his grace was as

eoddeOt aa his devotion to the English mtereH was

determined* Primate Stone, at whose nod the whole

Irish goTemmeiit moved, was execrated by the ooux^

try at large ; Lord George SackviUe, the lord* lieu*

tenant's son and secretary^ gave general offence to

|:he nation, by the loftiness of his carriage : he waa

disdainful and impetuous ; and though eloquent, was

often petulant and generally sarcasdc in his language*

The patriots coiirpiained loudly, that under these

two, namely, an English Archbishop, (no very staunch

model of morality or virtue) and a young supercilious

boy, giddy and intoxicated with power, the Irish

nation was governed without control The duke was

considered as the mere passive tool of government*

Though he had no enemies.to ttia person, he found a

hoat agaio^ his government.

TfitnipiiQr Again was the contest about the right of appropr:-

fCTthcgo- ating the surplus of the revenue revived, and the

aiui iu ir- fonner experiments resorted to. The bill containing
the amendments from England^ which imported the
Jioyal concept, we»t to the votes *, and was rejected

• Tbe vMe»l pnoeeedtngt, which Mkywed this ivi«ctioD of the
bill* thiew the nation into •flaine. Tbe degraded imrniberi of the
pttrioU exalted by their di^grace^ became the idols of the people,
and were worshipped as martyrs for the liberties of their country. lu
this temper it was hazardous to suflfer the commons^ who had been
a^rnedlbr a low day9, to nnet. The parliaaMOt was seddenly
|M^l|dt aadaevena bilkeqaaliir neoBMiy to Ibt cmwn as 0 the

ne Reign of George IT. 121

by t majority of five tokes. The Aiccess of their ^T^
cndeaToors was cdebfa^ \rith the most extravagant
rejoicings, as a triumph of patriotism over the arts
of ministerial corruption ; and on the other hand, all
the servants of the croxivn, who had joined tJie popular
ay on this occasion, were dismissed from their em*
ptoyments. The r^ection of the bill was a great
disa^^istment to the creditors of the public, and the
drcolation of cash suffered a general stagnation.

In this contest for constitutional rights, the Eariof Memonmi
Kudaxe was prommently conspicuous. He as well as of KUdarc.
the moat considerable men of fortune in Ireland* who
were not under some special tie cr obligation to go-
verment, sided with the patriots. It was industriously
circulated firom the castle, that the majority of the house
of commons was a Popish and Jacobilical party,

iiib)ect, fell to tlie gitmnd. The primate^ who was considered as
the author of att theae meaaaret» despatring to gpin the afiections of
the people* detcrfnioed to awe tbem into •obmiision by olbe^ ttili
more violent. He urged the Duke of Dorset to remove from their
emplojments not only all, who opposed him* but those, whom
he suspected to have any connection with the opposite party. The
duke had not vigor of mind for such an undertaking. He dread*
ed the tumults of the people. .Every about of the mob threw him
into panics i and this beii^ known* they left him not one mo«
ment*s repose. To rid himself of importunities, he promised the
primate, that upon his return to England, he would do eveiy
thing he could desire. The duke under the protection of a mill*
tary guard ^nd of a mob hired and made drunk for the purpose
by a n^an, who was largely rewarded for that service by a pension
on the publKi establishment, made his escape out of the kingdom.
The pfimate, who was continued in the govemtnent, in vain em-
ployed menace and promiae to break the party.

122 f%d Reign of George 11.

i7J^ fodeatoiifiag to destroy the wpl pferogo^cn, m oe^
der to pave (he w^^y to his majetty^s expuMon horn
the throne. Such undoubtedly wefe they repreeisnted
to the English ministry* Under tfaeie drcumetaiioeSy
the E^I of Kilda)^ presented with his owa.lMad a
mo^t sfHrited memorial* to the kiag^ in which^ after
referring to the hereditary loyalty of his fiuaiiy from
file days of Henry IL he assured his majesty, that he
was the rather induced to lay that memorial at hSa
feet».a$ it was on good presumption sormised, that all
access to his royal ear was shut up, and fats li^ge tub*
jects debarred the liberty of complaining : that as no
notice had been taken of several remoogtnmoea lasely
made by bis majesty's liege subjects, it was humbly
presumed^ that such remonstrances had been mopped
in their progress to the royal ear : that he ventured
on that bold step at the request of thousands : that
in general the lace of his loyal kingdom Qf Ireland
wore discontent : a discontent not coloured from ca«
price or faction, but purely founded on mimsterial
abuse. This strong, though necessary measure of the
Earl of Kildare gave great offence and some alarm to
the British cabinet^ though they affected to treat it as
an act of folly and temerity, which nothing but the
extreme mildness of government would permit to pass
unpunished.!
i^^kL ^^ xiistressed situation of IreUnd roused that illus-

dare's Me-

n<»>^* • It mgf be leen in the Appendix to my Hiit. Kev. No. LVIII.

f This is manifested by the correspoBdence between the Duke
of Dorset and Lord Holderaess, whose Ictteiv nugr be seeoiom/
Historical Beview, vol- 1. 315,

TM Reign of George II. 1S3

tdous paCiioi, who veAected honour on nobility, to- 17^6*
appeal to the aovaneign to open the channel of com*^
mimicatioB b^ween hk Majesty and his Irish subjects,
vhich had been so long obstructed by the machinations
of corrupt ministers. If the measure were without a
piecedent, so was the occasion that made it necessary.
The good of the country was at once its motive and
its justification } and the rage and violence it excited
evinced the shock it was to the English interest. It
did not however lose its eflfect upon the king. The
popular clamour became so loud» that government
was terrified into a change of measures. The speaker
of the house of commons was promoted to the dig*
nity oi an earl *: and wveral other patriots accepted
of lucrative employments. Primate Stone, who had
been the chief fomenter of the late disturbances, waa
by his majesty's command strucken off the list of privy
counseilor^, and most of those, who, by his intrigues
had been displaced for voting for the money bill, were
fonstated with honor. The Marquis of Hartington,
afterwards Duke of Devonshire, went over as lord^
lieutenant. Upon his return to Engbnd in 1 7 J6, Lord
Chancellor Jocdyn and the Earls of Kildare and Bes*
borough Were appointed lord<-justices. Much of the
popular ferment now subsided, and the kingdom once
more resumed the appearance of tranquillity.
The cause of patriotism was strengthened, not intineentf

of many of
the Puriott .
* Via. Of ShsDooD : hefcad alioa pembo of 30001 peraoa.

IbrSl yews. TlMore was anchiotrigiis in briogi^f about tbttS'

cftangetinlcriand^ wlmii may be faea in my HifloiicBl Review^

vol«I. 314. Arc.

1 24^ The Reign o} George It.

^756, e^ablished by the late appointments, A trial of self-
interest proved several of them recreant from the cause
of freedom, in which they had recently enlisted. The
-commons, in a commitree of the whole house, took
into consideration the heads of a most wholesome bill
, . to secure the freedom of parliament, by vacating the
seats of such members, as should accept of any pen*
sion or civil office of profit from the crown : which
upon a division was negatived by a majority of 26*.
Thepitnots The patriots rallied successfully upon a most im<-
c^Jytnim- portant question, namely, whether the representative
!^?t?on. body of the nation should be deprived by any mini-
sterial influence from carrying national grievances up
to the throne? On th» occasion the firm zeal of
Mn John Ponsonby, the speaker^ cannot be over-
rated.-
Unsatisfcc- Several strong resolutions of the committee ap-
ir?hrcJJ^ pointed to inspect the public accounts of the nation
"°"** were reported to the house, which resolved, that the
house, with its speaker, should attend the lord-lieute-
nant, with the resolutions, ^d desire his grace would
be pleased to lay them before his Majesty as the sense
of that house. When his excellency was attended by

* 3 Joura. Com. p. 38. On the day of this debate si list of
the pengiooi granted upon the civil establishment of Irelaod was
aooordiof^ to order given in to the boose : it amounted to 44^$3l*
15b. and is to be seen in the appendix to that volume of the
Joaraals CX^XCVI. In this list of pensioners are to be read many
of the first names of Ireland, many^fiMoeignan/ and few or nor me-
ritorioin servants of the poUic The Countess, of Yannoulk
stood upon it for 40001.

ThB Reign of Ge^ge IL - 1 25

Ae weaken co know \(rhen the resolutions would be laid ^7^7-
before his Majesty, the following unsatisfactory answer
was giv^i. " The matter contained in those resolutions
is of so high a nature, that I cannot suddenly deter-
nune^ whether it be proper for me to transmit them to
his Majesty/' On the speaker's rq)ordng the answer,
Mr. Secretary moved, ttiat it should be entered in the
journal of the house as explicit and satisfactory. After
debate, and the question put, Mr. Secretary appre-
hendiag a majority against the motion, withdrew it,
which prevented a division. But upon the grand
ddme for suppressmg the resolutions, and preventing
national grievances being laid before the throne^ the
ijuescxon was carried against the minister by a majority
of twenty-one. The house having been afterwards
assured that the lord-lieutenant would forthwith trans-
mit their resoludons to his Majesty^ they proce^ed
to business ; and passed the money bill unanimously
on the same day.*

The Duke of Bedford^ who was appointed- lord* Admiaistni-
lieutenant in the year 17J7» was the first chi^go- p^eo/ ^
vemor of Ireland, who openly professed a favourable ^Jjbt i«
disposition to the Catholics. To him must be allowed {Jj^.^^*^^*
the credit of having restored suspended animadon to
the members of that paralyzed body. Heads of a
registery bill, prepared under the late administradon
of Ireland, which was. intended as a severe penal law

* At matter of hislariaal cariosity a list of tbe gfntiemen wbo
^Ttded iipoQ tlicse.molaciomy which was oaeof the first trininplit
of Patrioiism io Ireland, is given in the Appendix, No. L1X» tci
my Historical Review. ......

Ii26 The Beign of George IL

^9^ Upon the Catholics^ were handed about, and created
much alarm in that body *« Their fears drove theiti
to consultation, and consultation animated them to
action : a common sen^ of the existing and fear of
additional severities taught them^ that the surest means
of preventing fresh laws from being enacted would
be to make some vigorous exertion for the repeal of
those, by which they were most galled. ITley held fre-
quent meetings, in which, there was much diversity
of opinion. They failed from want of concert among
thenoseives*
Private oc- Some incidental occurrences gave rise to much
occuioiT pnblic ' menace^ and some additional severity in ex^
Muona ct' ^^^^g ^ |j^^^ j^ young lady of the name of Toofe

being strongly importuned by some of her relations to
conform to the established religion, had taken refage
in the house of a Mr. Saul, a catholic merchant in
Dublin. The aifair was taken up with a high hand.
Mr. Saul was prosecuted, and publicly assured from th^
bench, that the laws did not presume a Papist to exist
in the kingdom^ nor could they breathe tvfthout the
co7inivanc€ of government f. . The publication about

» Mr, Charle« O'Connor of Balicnagare, the celebnttrd Irish
scholar and antiquary, was one of the most active of the Catholics.
Hw letter to Dn Curry on this occasion, which is to be seen !n
the Afiptodiic to my Hiftohcai fleriew. No. LXI« will let tlie
reader into the spirit of the sense and feeling of the gentlenoen of
that persuasion at ifaat period. Tbe aatnn jod roMilt of their
conduct vBMf be. mod ia my Hiateicai Review, 820^ &c.

f Mr. Saufa letter to Bfr. O'Connor upon thh anbject, dstetf
^*ove(nber the tstl^ 1759^ gi?es an interestiiig accdbnt of this

TXe Reign of George /A tf:

the same time of Dr. Curry's Historical Memoirs of ^7^9'
tke Jrisk RebeiliM, of J641* though anonymously^
aMkened the attention >of all, and sharpened the ri^
gcrar of many towards the catholics. So Iktle had the
pubKc been then accustomed to the voice of truth
ttpoa these subjects, that the book, though dispassion*
ate and unanswerable, ra»ed an alarming ferment in^
die minds of most of the Protestants.
When the Duke of Bedford met the parliament in Alarm of

* Fiencb in-

1759, be apprized them, that by a letter bom Mr. vftsion,an4

■^■^ ' ' its const-

Secretary Pitt, written by his Majesty^s express com* quenco.
mand, it appeared that France, follawittg up her plan
of invasion, would, if able to elude the British squa-
dron, make Irekmd their fiist object. Hehadthere^'
fore but to animate the loyal people of Ireland to
exert their well-known zeal and spirit in support of
his Majesty's government, and in defence of sdl that
was deair to them. The commons assured his grace
duit the house would make good whatever expense
dKNitd be necessarily incurred by pursuing the most
^>eedy and effectual means to frustrate and defeat the

traosactioiiy and of its coassquences to Mr. San1| whom it drove
oat of die kingdom. His family has been ever sioce settled in
Prance. The letter is in my Historical Review, Appendix^ No.
LXIII. The original is in Mr. 0*Connor*s cjllection^ and now
probably in the library of Stowe with, the rest of that collection.

* The Memoirs were poblishtd with great secrecy and caution.
The mocivea and naaona for iheir poblkatioo will best appear
faom tho cotrespondence between Dr. Gorry and Mr. Charles
O'Connor open, the snbjeet, in the AppendU to my riiatofical
Beriew, No. LXIV. The original letters once were in the O'Con-
nor eoDecllflb. ^

IflB The Reign of George ir.

^7^ attempts cf the enemy. The first impressicms of tin^

communication produced such diatracdods among th^

people, as had nearly proved fiital to the public creditr

In the first transports of popular fear, there was such

an extraordinary run upon the banks of Dublm, thaft

several considerable bankers ykete obliged to stop pay-*

ment* Circulation was suspended for a time* Whea

the lord-lieutenant, the members of both houses of

parliament, the lord roayor^ aldermen, merchants, Wid

principal traders of Dublin, by prudently engaging in

an ass^dation to support public credit, by taking

bankers notes in payment^ revived it, aod saved the

nation from bankruptcy.

Th« cttho- Amongst other delusive motives, which at this time

JoTern. actuated the unwise councils of Versailles, in hazard-

(he"iaarm ing this Hish, invasion of Ireland, were the false hopes

o mvasion. }^|^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^f ^^ expatriated Irish

in the service of France, that an invading army would
have been immediately joined by the physical force of
the country. On the first alarm however of iuvainoak
Mr. O'Connor and Dn Curry called a meeting of the
Catholic committee, for the purpose of making a ten*
der of their allegiance to government. Mf . O'Connor
drew up the form of an address on 1st of December^
1759; and on the ensuing day^ at a meetmg of the
most respectable merchants in Dublin, it was s^ed
by about SOO persons, and presented to the q)eaker of
the house of commons, to be forwarded by him to the
lord-lieutenant. It vras received without observation,
and laid on the table. No direct answer was given
from the castle» Some days elapsed in mystexioua

The Retgn of George II. 189

silence. On the 10th of December his grade gave a 1759*
most ^acious answer to the addtessi. which appeared ^^"^^
in tlie Dublin Gazette on the 15th of December^
1 759^* The speaker sent for Mr. Anthony M'Der-
mott as the delegate from the catholic body» and hav^
ing by oider read the address, the speaker replied,
that he counted it a favour done him to be put in the
way of serving so respectable a body, as that of the
genclvmen^ who had signed that loyal addre^« The
acceptance of this address was the re^admission of the
catholic body over the threshold of their constitutional
rights t* Itdmediately upon the circulation of the gra«
clous acceptance of this address, the catholic^ poured
in addresses upon the castle^ from every quarter xX
the kingdom, expre^ive of their loyalty and zeal for
dieir king and country*

It has been credibly asserted, that one strong motive Tro9<^t^
for this favourable disposition to the catholics was to /creates «
dkpose that body to an Union with Great Britain,
which had then been crudely thought of« It was the

• The address and the Ditke of Bedford^ answer are to b«
seen in the Appendix to my Historical Review, >fo. LXV.

t Kotwith^taiiding the successful rrsuk of tbis address* It is to
b; irmarked, I lint a most determined, and not altogether temperate
dis^eii^ion of the Calhalic body took place, U|)ori its |)TOprlety.
The clergy, nobilitj, and landed interest were attft-addressert :
ibevr fcais or bopefi> or expectancies from the cattle coDvinced
them, that as Catliolics were not subjects in the eye of the law» \%
would be presumption to address ; and they only could express
their obedience by letter. Fortunately fur Ireland, this pusillaoi-
moos delicacy of the anti^ddresscrs was overruled by the soaiid
sense and policy of Mr. O'Coooor and ^r. Cuiry.

VOL. !!• Jt

1 so TAe Reign of Ceorge IL

. i759- obvious interest of the managers of the Irish Govern-
ment then to oppose it, and they secretly instigated the
mob against it, without appearing to take any part in
the opposition. The measure was effectually strangled
in embryo. The people was then taught or permitted
to view prospectively in union, the deprivation of its par-
liamcnt and independency, and the probable subjection
to the same taxes that were levied in England. These
notions inflamed the populace to such a degree, that
they assembled in a prodigious muldtude, broke into
the house of lords^ insulted the peers, seated an old
woman on the throne, and searched for the Journals^ ^
which, had they been found, would have been com-
mitted to the flames. They compelled the members
of both houses, whom they met in the streets, to take
an oath, that they would never consent to such an
union, or give any vote contrary to the true interest
of Ireland* Divers coaches belonging to obnoxious per*
sons were destroyed, and their horses killed ; a gibbet
was erected for one gentleman in particular, who nar-
rowly escaped the ungovernable rage of the mob. A
body of horse and infantry was drawn out. The
multitude at night dispersed of itself. Next day ad-
dresses to the lord-lieutenant were agreed to by both
houses, and a committee of enquiry appointed, that
the ringleaders of the tumult might be discovered and
brought to condign punishment. Some members of
the house of commons attempted to throw these out-
rages, like all other nadonai evils, upon the catholics*.

• The Doke of Bedford made the most honquraUe amends to
the catholics he oould on the oecatioo^ by directing Mr. John

The Seign qf6earge It ISl

The gnnd embarkadon deugned for Ireland was to >7^9*
haVe been firom Vamies in Lower Britanny. To Threatened

• i% ^1 vk 11 'nvailon of

Gorer it, a fleet was fitted out at Brest* commanded conflans
by M^ de Conflans. The execution of this scheme Hikwkc.

delayed by Sir Edward Hawke^ who had blocked
up that harbonr with twenty*three ships of the line
for several months. The Bridah fleet having beat
blown off its stadon in November, Conflans em<-
braced the opportunity, and sailed with twenty-one
large ships and four frigates. Hawke pursued and
came up with the French fleet, which he completely
defieated in Quiberon bay, in the midst 6f a storm, m
the darkness of the night, and on a rocky shore.

In the autumn of this year, a marauding squadron Thttrani»
by way of causing a diversion, sailed under die com- •«M»i Jnr
mand of an enterprising oificer, Thurot^ fixm Dimkidc^
for the North of Ireland. It consisted originally of
five ships, carrying about twelve hundred land forces.
The reputation acquired by M. Thurot, as captain of
a privateer, raised him to the command of this expe>»
dition. Adverse winds drove the squadron to Gofi-
tenburgh. Two of the ships were sqiarated firom the
rest by the videnoe of the storm, and Iretumed to
France. The remaining three arrived off Ganickfer-
-gus in Febroaiy, 1760^ and there landed their forces

Foiuonby, the speaker, to read from the chair hif answer to
their wMnm \ which wat an approbation of their pa* conduct^
jnd an auoianee of hit firtme fiiroar and pmoocioa m loqg
ai they oontiiiiiad in k. it it lenaaifcablc, dait ao tnos jff
<hii whale aMOMCtion ia lo be fcaod is the inoaalf of tlr

IC2

132 The Reign ojGeotge II

17^9- reduced to six hundred men. That town, not having
any regular force to defend it» was obliged to ca*
pituhte. The country rallied with great loyalty and
zeal, and were advancing in a body of about 3000
nien, when on the 5th day after their Janding, the
French re-embafked. The winds not permitting them
to return by the North of Ireland, they attempted a
passage through the channel. Captain Elliot with an
equal force came up with them near the Isle of Mann.
Having engaged with them about an hour and a half,
they struck^ being much injured in their masts and rig-
ging ; three hundred of their men were killed, and
Thurot lost his life in the action*.
Death and Ou the 25th of October, 1 760^ George IL died at
ikoiseu. Kensington, at the advanced age of 77 years* None
of his predecessors on the throne lived to so great an
age ; none enjoyed a more happy or glorious reign.
He was a prince of personal intrepidity* The cha-
racters of George IL and of his reign are very dif-
ferently represented by the several masters, who have
drawn them from the life. Parties ran Aigh^ particu-
larly towards the close of his rdgn, which was the tri-
umphant era of Whiggism. An irrefragable argument
in favour of Whig administrations in general ; which
differ from others, by their being conducted upon avow-
ed national principles^ even, when the public safety

* Ab this descent of Tborot was tbe oply aft tempt to land ia
Ireland for upwards of two oentarics» everj particular concerning
it may be interesting to the Irish reader. An ample detail of all
the circumstaacGi attendiog it is given ia my HiHorical Beview,
p. 330^ &c.

reqtttfa it^ to the thwarting of the peraonal feeKngs of ^^9*
the monarch. The gloiy .of hia.retgn arose out of the
measures of Us .mhrister^y and more particularly of
those, who least inckdged -his |>redilection for his Ger-
man dominions. To their stem adherence to public
principle was it owing, that the monarch's private aflfec-
tions never did, or to. their prudence^ that they \\eTe
never known to the nation to interfere with the public
business, influence^ or course of justice. The per-
sonal talents and endowments of the monarch w^re
avowedly not of a cast either to render himself beloved
at home or respected abroad. When he was called to
the British throne, his habits and character had as-«
sumed a settled fol-m, not very congenial with the
freedom and candour of an Englishman. He wa$
proud, diffidentj and reserved. His frugality bor-
dered upon avarice. Possessing himself no learning,
he despised it in others ; he gave no encouragement
to talent or literature of any sort. His encomiasts
have selected no one great virtue to panegyrize : and
though charged with having habitually given into se-
veral of the meaner vices^ the ungracious function
of retailing them may be avoided.

*^' In times full of doubt and danger to his person Mr. Barked
and family, George the Second maintained the dignity gcoisc ii.
of his crown connected with the liberty of his people,

* Mr. Barke, in the loandest and most admirable of his po-
litical worka written in the meridian glow of his po^^ren^ has
left a portrait of (his monarch more highly cokHired than his-
torical justice warrants. {Thoughts on the present Discemtents,
430).

K 3

U^ not only ttnimpaiml, but imfnored for the apace of
SS years. He ovextame a daagerous rel>2ll20ii9 abetted
by foreign force> and raging in the heart of his king-
doin ; and thereby destroytd the seeds of all future
xebellioD, that could arise upon the same principle.
He carried the glory, the power, the commerce of
England, to an height unknown even to diis renowned
'nation in the dmes of its greatest prosperity ; and
fte left his succession resdng on the true and cmly true
foundation of all naticmal and all regal greatness ;
afiecdon at home, reputation abroad, trust in allies,
terror in liYal nations. The most ardent loTer of his
country cannot wish for Great Britain a happier fate,
tfian to continue as she was then left."

CIS* ]

CHAPTER V.

The Reign of George 11 L

FROM HIS ACCESSION TO THE THRONE TO THE
DECLARATION OF IRISH INDEPENDENCE, IN

1782.

No prince ever ascended the throne more to the joy j^^
and satisfaction of his people, than our gracious sove- '^— ^r-^
reigiu He is the grandson of George II. He was of^I^
the first monarch of the house of Brunswick who was JJl;:^ to*^**
a native of England. In his first speech to the British m^^*"
parliament, he said, '^ bora and educated in this coun-
try, I glory in the name of Briton : and the peculiar
happmess of my life will ever consist in promoting the
welfare of a people, whose loyalty and warm affection
to me I consider as the greatest and most permaneiK
security of my throne : and I doubt not but their stear
diness in those principles will equal the firmness of
my invariable resolution to adhere to and strengthen
this excellent constitution in church and state \ and
to mafntain the toleration inviolable. The civil and
religious rights of my loving subjects are equally dear
to me, with the most valuable prerogatives of the crown : ,
and as the surest foundation of the whole, and the best
means to draw down the divine favour on my reign,

K 4

15« The Reign of George J J I.

2?^ it is my fixed purpose, to countenance and encourage
the practice of true religion and virtue/' In these
flattering assurances of the young monarch to the
people of Great Britain, Lord Halifax, then lord-,
lieutenant of Ireland, had it in command to declare
ft> the sister kingdom, that his subjects of Ireland were
fiilly, and in every respect, comprehended*. Con-
gratulatory addresses to the throne flowed in from all
descriptions of persons : amongst which, none were
more remarkable for their good sense and loyalty, than
the addresses from the Quakers and the Roman Ca-
tholics.

_ Kof The internal state of Ireland was at this period
gloomy from two principal causes: the decline of
public credit and the extreme wretchedness of the
distressed peasantry. In the general rejoicing at the
descent of the crown upon a native monarch victorious
m the war, in which he found his people engaged,
iFt^land alone was doomed to weep. In the southern
province of that kingdom great misery produced dis-
turbances in the lowest class of the wretched peasantry.
They were generally catholics ; and religion was stu-
^ pidlyr or maliciously saddled with the cause of these
nots^ The insurgents at first committed their outrages
at night ; and appearing generally in frocks or shirts,
were denominated H^hiie^Boys : they seized arms and
harsesy houghed the cattle, levelled the enclosures of
commons,, turned up new-made roads, and perpetrated
tamnxs: other acts of outrage and violence. These un«

Com. Joom. vol. VII. p ia«

The Reign of George III. 1 37

fortunate wretches^ as is the case in all insurgencies, i7^i-
raised a popular cry against the rapacity and tyranny
of their landlords, the cruel exactions of tithe-mon-
gers, and the illegal enclosures of commons.

Various causes concurred in redudne the peasantry cauMs of

the riots of

to this abject wretchedness. An epidemic disorder of the white
the homed cattle had spread from Hobtein through
Holland into England, where it raged for some years^
and consequently t'aised the prices of beef, cheese, and
butter to exorbitancy ; hence pasturage became more
profitabU than dllage ; and the whole agriculture of
the south of Ireland, which had for some dme past
flourished under a milder administration of the popery
laws, instantly ceased ; the numerous families, which
were fed by the labour of agriculture, were turned
adrift without means of subsistence. Cottiers being
tenants at will were every-where dispossessed of their
scanty holdings, and large tracts of grazing land were
set to wealthy monopolizers*, who by feeding cattle
required few hands, and paid higher rents. Pressed
by need, most of these unfortunate peasants sought
shelter in the neighbouring towns, for the sake of
begging that bread, which they could no longer earn :
and the only piteous resource of the affluent was to
ship off as many, as would emigrate to seek mainte-
nance or death in foreign climes. The price then
paid for die little labour that was done, kept not pace
with the rise of necessaries : it exceeded not the wages
given in the days of Elizabeth. The landlords de»

* In the cant of these wietched rioters they were called land*
pirate.

IlOtf,

138 The Reign of George lit

1763. mandcd extravagant reals from thdr cottiers, and to
reconcile them to their lettings, they allowed them
generally a right of commoQ, of which they^soon again
deprived them by enclosures. The absolute inability of
these oppressed tenants to pay their tithes beside their
landlord's rent, made them feel the exaction and levy-
ing of them by the proctors, as a grievance inaupport*
able*.
commision Thesc insurrcctions became daily more alamxing to
intoX?^ government: they instituted a commission of some
gentlemen of distinguished loyalty and eminence in
the law, to enquire upon the spot into the real causes
and circumstances of these riots, who reported, ^^ that
the authors of those riots consisted indiscriminately of
persons of different persuasions, and that no marks of
disaffixtion to his Majesty's perran or government
appeared in any of these peoplef :'' which report was
confirmed by the judges of the Munster- circuit, and
by the dying protestations of the first five of the un«
happy men» who were executed at Waterford, in 1762,
for having been present at the burning of a cabin, upon

• '' Consequences have flowed (says M n Yonng) from these
oppressions^ which ought long ago to have put a stop to them. In
England we have heard much of ff^te Boys, Sieei Boys, Oak
Boys, Peep^'^y Boys, &c. But these various insurgents are
not to be oonfeotided^ for they are \try different The proper
diuioctjoa in the discontents of this people is into protestant and
catholia All but the White Boys were among the roanu£sctur«
ing protestants of the North. The Wliite Boys, catholic labourers
in the South. *

f Vide Dublin Gazette^ and also The Enquiry into lie CoMses
tftke Outrages committed ly the Levellers per totum^

7%s Reign of Oearge III ia&

the information of an aj^over, who was the very per- 17612.
son, that had set fire to it with his own hand. Fortu- ^'^^
nately far the country, Sir Richard Aston*, brd-chief-
jusdce of the Common Pieas, was sent down upon a
special commission to try great numbers of these
rioters ; and so well satisfied with the impartiaKty of
his ccmduct were the inhabitants of those parts, that
upon his return from Clonmell, where they had been
tried, he had the satisfaction of seeing the road lined
on both sides with men, women, and children, thank*
ing him for the unbiassed discharge of his duty, and
supplicating Heaven to bless him as their protector,
guardian, and deliverer.

The execution of scores of these unfortunate ob«
jects of misery and desperation would not answer the
views of those, (and too many there shamefully were)
who from their own private ends connived at and fo-
mented these tumults. They sought a victim of more
renown; and selected Nicholas Sheehy, the parish
priest of Clogheen, in the county of Tipperary, a dis-
trict then particularly infested by the White Boys, as a
fit object for their wicked purpose. They proclaimed
a reward of SOO/. upon his head. He, conscious of his

• A more ancornipt> firm/ and hamane jadge never gnced
the bench. The esLtraordinary exultation of the Irish on this oc-
onion, m a ttfong though mofaincholy proof, that the chaste Im-
partiaUtf and independenoe , from which that kamed and leveied
jodge never departed, had fahherto been a noveky lo the Irish
people. He has received Che nRHkhODodrable test of bit upright*
noBs m the bfanne cast at him bj the anthor of TkrJUmmm ^iht
difirent BeielUous in hekndf p. 34.

l*-) The Reign of George III.

1762. innocence, requested to take bis trial out of hand
at Dublin, wbere, after a severe scrutiny of fourteen
bours, he was honourably acquitted ; no evidence
having appeared against him but a blackguard boy,
a comofion prostitute, and an impeached thief, all
brought out of Clonmell jail, and bribed for the pur-
pose of witnessing against him. His enemies, who had
£uled in their first attempt, were determined upon
his destruction. One Bridge; an informer against
some of those, who hsid been executed for these riots,
was said to have been murdered by their associates,
in revenge, although his body could never be found*.
Sheehy, immediately after his acquittal in Dublin for
rebellion, was indicted' by his pursuers for this murder;
he was transmitted to Clonmell, to be tried there for
this new crime, and upon the sole evidence of the same
infamous witness, whose testimony had been so justly
reprobated in Dublin^ he was there found guilty, and
hanged for that supposed murder.
The White '^he Castle-party studied to fix the catholics with
^of"^' all the disloyalty attending these insurrections. The
truth is, that the oppressed peasants being too ignoran,t
to know the law, and too poor to bear it's expenses,
betook themselves to violence for redress. Mobs
seldom rise, till they have suffered grievance; and

* It wai positively twom^ hj two unexoeptionable witnescei*
thtt he privately left the kingdom «ome short time before he was
said to have been murdered. See notes of the trial taken by one
of the jiiry> in £zshaw*s Magazine ibr June^ 17M. The ioi-
quitOQs execution of Mr. Sheehy is moce fally detailed in oj
Hbtorical'Review, p. 340> &c»

tithes.

Tlie Reign of 'George III. 14J

seldomer disperse till they have occasioned mischief, i?^^-
llie loudest complaint of these if kite Boys was against
the extortions of the tithe proctors. The landlords and
graziers, in order to divert the ii ritation of this wretch-
ed peasantry from themselves, cherished or connived
at their resistance to th^ ever unpopular demands of
the clergy. This suffering and misguided people
bound themselves to each other by oath *. Many
undue means were used to exaggerate the evil, and
convert it into a popish plot to overturn the govern-
nient, to massacre the protestants^ and to favour the
invasion of the enemy. As the lower order of the
people in Munster principally consisted of catholics, the
insurgency was in the old style of malignancy laid to
the account of religion. The house of commons ap^ ,
pointed a committee *^ to enquire into the causes and
progress of (what was termed) the popish insurrection
in the province of Munster/*

tOn the 25d of January, 1762, Mr. Hamilton, Cncr«i5c of
secretary to Lord Haufax, commumcated to the com« mentandof

, , li.id-lieutc-

mons the rupture with the court of Spam : m conse- nants ai
quence of which his majesty had directed an imme-
diate augmentation of five battalions to the establish*
ment, and a vote of credit passed for the raising of
5i)O^(}O0L The house of commons also resolved

* The form of the oath if given in my Historical Review, rol. I.
341. Bui the most piurient malice cannot distort one word ol it
into an engagement to die Pope, French^ or Pretender, as it was
currently represented.

f 6 JourxL Com, p. 136.

142 The lUign of George III

1782. upon an address to the lord-lieutenant^ requesting that
he would represent to his majesty the sense of that
house, that his majesty would be pleased to augment
his excellency's allowances to the annual sum of
16,000/.
Other ris. ^ At the close of the session of 1762, Lord Hali&x,
c*^ mat of congratulated parliament upon the insurrections of the
Boyi. '* fyhite Boys* bemg suppressed. Yet the spirit of !»•
surrection was not eradicated : the roots of the evil
had spread wider than the province of Munster \ for
elsewhere ako the lower orders were wretched, op*
pressed, tmd impoverished. New risings took place on
diflferent principles. Oak Boys and Hear is-qf- Steel
Boys ^ made their appearance successively in the
northern counties,
otk Boys. ^^^ highways in Ireland were formerly made and
repaired by the labour of housekeepers. He who had
a horse, was obliged to work six days in the year ;
himself and horse : he who had none, was to give six
day's labour. It had been long complained of, that the
poor alqne were compelled to work ; that the rich were
exempt ; that instead of mending the public roads,
the sweat of their brows was wasted on private job-
roads. Parishes rose to a man, and from the oaken
branches, which they wore in their hats, the insur-
gents were denominated Oak Boys. From pa-
rishes the contagion flew to baronies, from baronies
to counties; till at length the greater part of
Ulster was engaged. Besides the overseers of roads,

* 7 Comm. Joan. p. 173.

The Reign of George til l43

fhey attacked the clergy, whom they resolved to cur- 1702.
tail of their tithes^ and their landlords, the price of
whose lands (particularly the turf-bogs) they set about
regulating. The army was collected from the other
provinces; for till then the province of Ulster was
deemed so peaceful, that scarcely any troops were
quartered in it. With the loss of some lives, the tumult
was soon quelled ; and by some legislative regulations
for the future repairs of the roads, quiet was restored.

The rising of the Steel Boys was not so general, ste^iB^ys,
but more violent. An absentee nobleman, possessed
of one of the largest estates in the kingdom, instead of
letting his land when out of lease, for the highest rent,
adopted a novel mode, of taking large fines and small .
rents. The occupier of the ground, . though willing,
to give the highest rent, was unable to pay the fines.
He was bought out by the wealthy undertaker, who
not contented with a moderate interest for his money,
racked the rents to a pitch above the reach of the old
tenant. The ousted tenants caused risings against the
forestallers, destroying their houses, and maiming their
cattle. They too became like the Oak Boys general
reformers. The army soon subdued them ; some
prisoners suflFered by the hands of the executioner,
and the country was restored to tranquillity.

Lord Bute's admiaistra.tion gave the first check Addmsto
to the Whig interest since the accession of the htsm^J^-
house of Brunswick. He carried the Tory principles '*^°*
(with exception to Jacobitism) to the highest sublima-
tion. Upon the resignation of Mr. Pitt*» the mer-

* Bfr. Pitt^ wfaoie vigorous and raccetsful adxmnistratian had

1 44 The Reign of George III

17^. chants and traders of Dublin in a body, not indeed
legally representing, but well known to speak the sen-
timents of the great majority of the people of Ireland,
presented an address to Mr. Pitt, expressive of their
admiration of his principles and conduct, and their
sincere condolence, that his country was deprived of
his services *. The merchants, traders^ and citizens
of Dublin at this time being the most opulent and con-
siderable body of men in the kingdom^ took the lead
in watching and forwarding the dvil interests of the
nation. They were encouraged and directed by Dr.
Lucas, who (after having triumphed over all his
enemies and persecutors) now represented them in
parliament.
Failure of Doctor Lucas had been prominently forward in
\>y\\% in the procuriug a resolution of the commons to bring in
•wiinotis. j^^^ ^£ ^ j^jjj ^Q jj^^ ^Yi^ duration of parliaments^

in imitation of the English septennial bill ; which was
negatived by a majority of 65. The loss of a question

much endeared him to the people, having proposed in the cabinet
an immediate declaration against Spain, and being onlj supported
by his brotber-in-lawy Earl Temple^ he immediately resigned,
in order not to remain responsible for measures^ which he was
no longer allowed to guide. A principle CAore admired than
Imitated.

* It has oilen been safid, that the late £arl of Chatham waa a
Tory at heart, notwithstanding his boasted avowals of Whiggisnx
That in his youth he was a Tory appears more than probable : but
it would be too harsh a censure on to great a statesman, to
conclude, that his conversion to Whiggism was the el&cl of in-
terest, and not of conviction. The address may t>e seen in tha
App. to my Hist. Eeviow^ No. LXIX,

Th^ Reign' qfVeorge in 9i*S

%b reasonable) and tonstkucional^ marks the rapid l^^*
decline of the pttriodc interest in Ire^nd after the late
changes. This ministerial ti^iumph was followed by
no popular disturbance^ but greiit dissatisfaction. The
merchants, traders, and citizens of Dublin, came
to strong resolucions, expressive of the general dis*
content at the loss of the Septennial Bill, which raised
an awf\4 alarm in governments That failure how
ever did not discourage the patriotic Lucas. He pre*
sented heads of bills for securing the freedom of par^
liament, by ascertaining the qualifications for knights,
cidzens, and burgesses, and by vacating the seats of
members^ who should accept any lucradve office
or employment from the Crown, and of persons
upon the establishment of Great Britain or Ireland.
Each failed from the superior numbers of the couit
party.

After the Earl pf Halifax had been recalled to The^uSt^
England to succeed Mr. Gk Grenville as secretary succeeded

r • *^ ■ r >.▼ « . • . ' by the EmA

of ^state*^ the Earl of Northumberland came over of Nocih-
Qs lord-lieutcfnant to meet the parliament, in October,
\ 76S» His speech to them cm this occasion, was ex-
pressive of his majesty's just and gracious regard for a
dutiful and loyal people : he congratulated them on
the ha4>py eflFects of the peace» and^the bitdi of the
Prince of Wales% The remainder of his speech re-
ferred to the late disturbances in Ulster. A motion

t Tfa'tt change In tbe flnglbh Ministry happened on the 141h
^ October^ ]?01. Mr. G. Gienville held ibis lituation liil
ialy I2» 1765» when he wai sucoeedod by the Duke of Gtsfiaii*

VOL. II. It

J 46 The Reigfi of George lit.

1763. for the committee to enquire into the citists of ttie

tomultuous risings in UIster,and the niMns to suppress

them, and the causes of insurrectioo in the south, and

to report the whole matter, specially, wa» negatived

by putting the previous question on a divioou of eighty

against twenty-six. Thus was the door shut against

enquiry, too probably from apprehension, that the truth

would be recorded, and an effectual stop put to the

system of converting popular discontents into the en«

gines of state intrigue. To know the source of a

disorder, is the first step to it's cure. In order however

to delude the people, * the house received from it's

committee several general resolutions, which were mere

truisms, and gave no informationj furnished no redress,

supplied no means, afforded no security, effected no

remedy.

fJJu'rfihr Notwithstanding the patriots had often foiled in

S^uuertje*^^^ parliamentary efforts to bring the system of go*

pension list, yernmeut into some constitutional consistency, they

still persevered, particularly in their attempt to reduce

and regulate the pension list. The commons resolved

themselves into a committee of the whole house to

take into consideration the state of the pensions upon

the civil establishment of the kingdom, and how the

encrease of them might be prevented : but the motion

for addressing his majesty on the subject was negatived

on a division of 1 12 against 7S. The pensions then

charged upon the civil establishment amounted to

72,000/. per ann. The private revenue of the crown,

♦ Journ. Com. vol. VII. p. 293,

^le^gnifXStorgwIlL ^^

^Ittch the laW left Hsi \Cs dlsfcustioiKiry disposal^ did s-^^^
feot at the sikme time ^cec^ VOOO/. per ann., so that
the penaoh^ ^^zceeded the fiinA, which toiild alone
be charged with them by 65i00d ?. pdt ahn. •

There then was in Ireland a certain Ascription of S'Sv^
f>ersosi3,>trho pktifessed themselves at ail ^tties enemies f^^'**
by principle, and pi^ecutors by disposition of their *p^f^
catholic cotintrymcnu They were ready instruments ^^^^
in the haiids of the ailnbidous prelate, to whose in-
trigues wei'e attributed by Lord Clare (in his
speech on theUnion ) all the party heats and animosities,
that so long disturbed and degraded the parliamentary
proceedings. As long as Primate Stone lived fj he
pursued the Machiavefian'polfcy of keeping the Irish
a divided people, and to him is to be attributed the
fiHlure of ihe first effort in favOr of the catholics,
during the present reigh. On the 25th of November,
1763, Mr. Mason proposed fresh heads of a bill which
he renunded the house, had in the last session |^

* The varkms mot'oos and debates ofKm the pemioo list w»
given at large in my Historical Review, vol. 1. 3^8 to .366.
The pension list was Warmly debated during this administration.
The Earlof Kortbumberland accepted of his appointment, on a stl-
pulatfoii with the King, that no pension should be granied forii&
during his lieatenancy. This was rdigiousljr.obsenred, ezoqptln
the case of a pension of 5O0i0l. to Trustees for the Princess At»-
gusta, to her separate use during life, w|>ich had been previously
i^;recfd up6n. The Duke of York's pension of ?000l« was j^rant^
daring pleasure.

t HciiiedoD the lOih bf December, 1764.

: It cannot have been the efibct of oUivion that the joortub
of parliament have taken nonotiQB of .the ^roceediogs on .that b||^
id the last session.

L 2

14S The keign «/" Geofge //A

1763. passed without a division for empowering pa^^dtt

to lend money on mortgage of red estates: thef
had been lost in England : for what reason he
knew not, as he thought Ae passing of ^ch a bill
would have been of great advantage* Mr. Le Hunte
opposed the bill^ which might ev^itually make pafwts
proprietors of great part of the landed interest of the
kingdom } and that would be dangerous. He observed*
that the heads of the bill passed in the last session^ had
^ not passed without a division, there having been ai
majority of no more than twelve in their favor : he said
they would nothave passed at all, had they not be^ art-
fully brought in the very last day of the sessian^
when no more than siscty-two members were present^
When a motion was afterwards made, and the question
put, that the heads of the bill be rejected, the house
divided 138 for the rejection, and 53 against it.
DeathA^of Keen, though silent were the grief and disappoint^
stmieand meut of the catholics at the failure of this application
Bon. ' to the favor of the legislature, not in fact for any new
indulgence, but for assuring the continuance of the ca-
pacity to take real security for money, the legality of
which the astuteness of their enemies had lately only
questioned. Their despondency was not of long du*
ration. Their oppresdon formed the base of the then
Anglo-Hybemian system of government, Thedeaths
of Primate Stone and the Earl of Shannon, m Decem-
ber, 1764, put an end to that system. Thence a new
scene opens to the view. To this moment of Irish
hiaionf Lord Clare alluded, when he said^ ikegavertu
went of Ensland (U length opened their ei/es io the

The Reign of G^rge lit. 1*1*

defects and daiigers of if: theij shook the p(fwer of V^
the Aristocracy^ hut wore umibte So break it dowru

Upon the deaths of two of the lords-justices^ Lord- Theiut
chancellor Bowes, and Mr. PoASonby the speaker c^ the tioei in ii^
house ofcommoiis were «|^inted^ to whom afters-
wards the Earl of Drogheda was joined } and from the
change of s]fstem they were tiie last, I,ord Viseoont
Weymouth though appointed xierer went over,
and the Earl of Hertford suceeeded as lord-lieiife^
aant^«

By the management of the castle, the patriots wen The pi-
greatly reduced ; but th^ir spirit was not subdued* thdf efi6i«.
They returned to the chaigeof the penskips.t Amodon
for UL address on the subject to his majesty in die
Commons was negadved by a majority of 1 19 against^
41 • Another motion for an address for redress of grie^
ances and correction of abuses, in the appointn^ent of
magistrates and administration of justice w^ nega*
tired by 71 voices against S5. This decrease of the
minority stimulated those^ who had not yet been
bought €^y to king forward some motion, which
should fully disclose to the nadon the corrupt means^

* la DoMHt)er« 176S> cBed at iUns the Ch^alier cte St- Qtmg^
only f6Q of James IL He vrap the subject of tbe political faU^
of the Wanning Pan. Ho supported a long life of misfortunes,
•ttfierings, and retirement with christian fortitude. His attempt
to recover the British throne, in 1715, and his son's in 1745,
made no sensation in Ireland. His death was scarcely known
or spoken of in that ooontiy.

f a ^oom. Com. p. 64.

L 3

XS9 The Reign of George II f.;

i7dr. by which their rights wore M14 taanXjniglish iqteresfe^
On the very next day* a motioQ wis made for an ad^
dress to the lord Ueuteoant, the Eafl of Hertford, re«»
<0iie$tiQg.his excellency to lay before tb>t bovse all the
^Qceediilgs of the privy cCtWipl ia Maich laft^ relative
fo the suppression of heaos of a |»U, for scouring tk^
frtedxm of parlt0menii aod 9Xk the pat^n(;s granted
m reversion or in posscsoioR during that administra-
^oa } and that his excellency would yse l|i;5 influence,
tliat no more rev^onary grants should ^e di$posed
0f in that kingdom, aa they debilitated the ^rovpi, ^d
oitailed burdens upcm the people^ The court^party
defeated the patriots by a contrary motion, ths^ in lieu
of the words in the address, the sens^ of iheip miserable
xofnditum^ they should insert the- words, th/eir happy
-condition under his majesiy^s auspicious governments
£i septennial parliaments the people foressiw a 8ur«
dieck again&tthe systematical venality of parliament.
Resolutions and addresses in favour of that measure
were poured in from Dublin and every part of the
Jdngdom. Still were the efforts of the patriots in
parliament, and of the people without ipeflfectual.
The heads of, die bill W^re introduced, agreed to,
and transmitted, but anrested in their progress by
tfie English privy council. The lord-Keutenant affected
iXy persuade the commons t, that he had made the
dMngest representations in favour of such a law. lli^

^24Miy,176r. 3 Jottrn* Com. p. 143.
^ ^ Jbumv Conwp. 133.

The Jieigii of Owrge Itl. 15l

patriots therMpon moved a ^^ streiig address to be r707.
presented to his majesty, which spoke a language of ^''^
too much finnaess for the taste <^ the court party.
It was negatiTed upon a division of 117 against
29 *• A more moderate address was however moved
by the patriots on the ne^^t day> which they carried
by a majority of two voices ; there being 90 for and
88 against it«

The answer to the address did not appear gracious ungmious
to the addressers. His majesty was aware of the tbeaddrag,
wishes of the commons for linditing the duration cf
parliaments, by their having passed the beads of a bill.
But no consideration could prevail with his majesty to
swerve from the indispensable duty of concurring in
sucfi provisioas only, as on mature deliberation and
advice of his f:ouncil appeared to him at the time calcu-
lated to promote the true interest and happiness of bis
people. From this answer, and the conduct of the
British cabinet upon it, it appears^ as if they had se-
lected this particular juncture for a trial of strength
between the English and the Irish interest, A bill
for fkf better securing the liberties of the subject passed
in die commons, was transmitted^ but never returned.
Another pQpubr bill, to prevent the buying and sell-
ing of qffites^ which concern the administration of
justice^ or the collection qf his majesty* s revenue^ was
transmitted, but miscarried in the commons.. Thus
failed every effort of the patriots to remedy the system
of venality, and to bring back the consdtution to its

purity.

8 Joum. Con?i. p. la a.
L 4 '

lAT TAe Reign of George TTK

^r- The mctt acthre of thJ^ patriots at that* time was Dr^
^f^!^^^g^^ Lucas. He was of course obnoxious to government^
2^ Rr was the polk^ rfthe c4st!e, to throw all possible dis-
mpute upon the few, who still earnestly espoused the
patriotic cause, as Lucas did to the last hour of his life.
Yet notwithstanding thisoiBcial opposition, Dr. Lucas'Si
personal vinue and talent commanded the esteem and
respect both of his sovereign and his vicegerents.
The Earl of Hertford had particularly noriced him
when he was in England, and was personally esteemed
by* him in return ; he had also to boast of kind treats
mentfrom* the Lords Chesterfield and Harrington,
Halifax and Northumberiand* He bore affection, as
well as loyalty to his majesty. TheunrmUtted and faiths
lUl attention to his pariiamentary duties, with the dis-
couraging prospect of failing in every exertion, forced
lipom him a confession, that he was weary of his task,,
because he laboured incessantly in vain.
td-.TownP' Lord Hertford not having lent himself as pliantly.

Bend »uc- ° r , s ^

tUrd as was expected to the work of the British cabinet,
which it must be therefore presumed he disapproved
of, was recalled. The old lords-justices filled thetr
stations for the last time until the appcMntment of Lord
Tbwn^hend to be lord-lieutenaat on the 14th of Octo-
ber. 1767.
tuetwienr Under this administration was introduced a new
^^mp systenr of govemmg Ireland. The choice of this
noUeman^ for the purpose was iq many points judi«
cious.^ In order to attempt the arduous task erf* sup-
planting the deep-rooted influence of the Irish oUgar«
diyj. it was requisite, diat the lord-Heutenant, to whom

The Reign of George III. 15*

chat power was to be transferred, should be endowed ^J^
with the qualities most likely to ingratiate him with
die Irish nation i conviTial ease, humour, liberality,
and valour. The majority in the commons grew
daily less tractable by those, who had the management
of the English interest, than it formerly had been«
Three or four grandees had such an influence in the
commons, that their coaUtion commanded a majority
on any quesdon*. Formerly the principals used to'
stipulate with each new lord-Ueutenant, whose office
was biennial, and residence but for six months, upon
what terms, they would carry the king*$ business
dirough die house: so that they might not impro-
perly be called undertakers. They provided, that the
disposal of all court favors, whether places, pensions,
or preferments, should pass through their hands, in
order to keep their suite in an absolute state of
dependance and vassalage* All applications were
made by the leader; who claimed as a right the pri-
vilege of gratifying his friends in proportion to their
numbers. Whenever such demands were not com-
plied with, then were the measures of government
sure to be crossed and obstructed : and the session of
j>arl]ament became a constant struggle for power
between the heads of parties. This evil had been
seen and lamented by Lord Chesterfield. His resolu-
tioB and prepsn^atory steps for undermining it probably
contributed to his recal on the cessation of danger,

• Dr. Camb. Phil. Sonr. p. ST.

154

Tlie Heign of George III.

1767'

ParttcuUc
views of
lx>rd
'J'own«-
hend's ad-
ministra-
tion.

Lofd

Towns-
hend*t ad*
dress ill '
managing
the system.

which his wisdom sdone was^thought competent ta
avert.

The primary object of Lord Townshend's admi«
nistration waa to break up the monopolizing system
of the oligarchy. He in part succeeded, but by
means ruinous to the country, llie subalterns were
not to be detached from their chiefs, but by similar,
though nxore powerful means, than those, by which
they had l^een enlisted under their banners. The streams
of favor became not only multiplied, hut enlarged ;
consequently the source of remuneration was the
sooner exhausted. Every individual looked up di-
rectly to the fountain head. The innovation provoked
the deserted few to resentment : but they were bereft
of their consequence^ when left to their individual
exertions*. They took refuge under the shelter of
patriotism, and inveighed agaiitet the venality of the
system^ because it had taken a 9ew direction. The
bulk of the nation, and some, though very few of
their representatives in parliament, were earnest, firm>
and implacable against it.

The arduous task, which Lord Townsbend had
assumed was not to be effected by a coup de maia I

* Under vanous pretences these gentlemen endeavoared t»
spirit up the people to adopt their rcsenlmeats, and afiectad
to take refuge in the arms of patriotisnu The contest pioducfd
a series of political letters, replete with wit and homoor, Infeopr
perhaps to nothing of tiie kind* except the letters of Junius.
They have been collected and published in an octavo vdnme,
under tlie title of J?ara/atiaiia.

The Reign of George III, 1*4

fcorceB 80 engaged^ marshalled, and commanded, were U^
pot to be dislodged by a sudden charge : regular
and cautious approaches were to be made : it was
requisite, that the chief governor should be first
popular, then powerful, before he could be success-
ful. His lordship to those convivial fascinations,
to which the Irish are eminently sensible, superadd-
ed as many personal favors, as his fiscal resources
admitted^, lie judiciously countenanced the cry
for septennial parliaments; in which the patriots an-
ticipated the cure of gross veiiality by the return of
their power and controul over their representatives.
Govemm^t indeed felt^that they could not decently
widihobi from Ireland what England had so long en-
joyedf.

Dr. Lucas had several times failed in his endeavours ad octen-
to procure a bill for limiting tlie duration of parlia- obtained.
meat. Now however a septennial bill was trans-
mitted, and returned altered into an octennial one.
There appears to have been some unfair manoeuvring

* To break up the iniscliievoua system of the Irish Oligarchy,
Jjotd Townshend not only employed the means furnished by go-
vemmenr, but had the singular merit of having sacrificed his own
patrimooy, to the service of the state. The allowance of 16000U
per aoD., soffioed not to maiotain that Establishment, which his
seal^ for the public servioe, and the liberality of his own disposition
pointed oat as necessary. This nobleman during his vice-royalty,
contracted a heavy debt ; which his son the present marquis is
sow adling apart of the family estate to discharge*

^ The British poriknoettta have continaance for seven y^arsj
aaleia aooiior diaolved by the King;'by 1 Geo. h c« 38.

1S6 Tie Reign of George III.

^f^ in the British cabinet, in order by a side wind to de«
prive the Irish of that, which they duist not openly
refuse them. At the same time a mmimhs wa» made
of another popular bill for the independance of the
judges, in which the English cabinet had also inserted
some alteration. It was expected, that the pertinacity
of the Irish commons for their pririlege would have
induced them to reject any bill, into which an altera*
tion had been introduced. The Unglfeh cabinet was
deceived : the Irish commons waved the objection a»
to the limitation bill, in order to make sure at hat of
what they had so long tried in vain to procure : they
considered, that by objecting on this very account to^
the judges' bill, they kept up the claim to their
privilege: for although this latter bill had been par*
ticularly recommended in the speech of the lord*
lieutenant, it was on account of alterations inserted in
it in England, upon the report of the committee ap-
pointed to compare the bill with the heads of the bill^
unanimously rejected ♦.
2m oTuid Th^ return of the octennial bill was followed by a
hSST*" grateful address to the throne : and when the royal
assent was given, the people took the horses from
the Lord Lieutenant's coach, and drew him to
the castle with enthusiastic exultation f. His excel*

* Vid. 8 Joarn. Com. p. 3^0.

f Dr. Canipbelli five jean from that ticne obserred^ (p. SB.}
** NotwiUutanding tbat deed were so |ikaniif to Ckepeople^ jet
they then befui to thinks thst that £ivorite law was of aoi

7%^ Beign of George Ul \5l

\ency*s* popularity was not -lasting. By dividing ^7^^
the channel of favour into a mulcitude of streams, the
gentlemen of die house of commons were taught to
look up to the lord-lieutenant, not only as the source,
but as the actual dispenser of every boon. Not even
a commission in the revenue of 40/. a year, could be
disposed of but through him. Thus were the old
undertakers given to understand, that there was ano-
ther way of doing business, than through them. It
was not without violence on both sides^ that Lord
Townshend effected his purpose. The immediate suf.
ferers termed this alteration in the system of govern*
bg an innovation, wtiicli they artfully taught the
people to resent^ as a national grievance.

Early in the first session, the attention of parliament AugmcnM*
was drawn to the consideradon of the army upon the army.
Irish establishment. A message was sent to the com*
mons from his excellency intimating, that his Majesty
thou^ it necessary^ that his army upon the Irish esta-
blishment should be augmented to 15,235 men. In
consequence of this message, a committee was ap-
pointed to enqidre into the state of the miUtary esta-
blishment, and also into the application of the money
granted for its support from 25th March, 1751. The
result of that enquiry brought to light great miscon-
duct and abuse in the military departments.
The unusual interval of sixteen months between the Ld.Towm.

hend'sina«
ue, than to Socreaie the rdue^f borougbt ; a singte seat in one Sffh^w
«f which th^D loldior 2000 1. at kasU " '>'^''^*

• Ibid.

i5» the Reign of George Ut

17^. dissolution of the old and the meeting of the new pai^
^^^ liament was sedulously employed by the lord-lieutenant
in forming the particular arrangements xivith the new
members for carrying on the work of government^
upon the new system of the immediate influence of
the chief governor: and considering the length of
possession, the nature of the power, the struggle of
the former holders to retain it, and their personal
weight and influence upon their dependents^ his efforts
were upon the whole successful for a first essay. On
the 1 7th of October, 1 769, the lord-lieutenant met the
new parliament. Mr. John Ponsonby was unani-
mously elected speaker. Lord Townshead, whose q>e-
cial mission was to create a new junto in support of
the English interest, independent of their former
leaders, had not so matured his plan, as to have ensured
the whole game. He had not altered the nature, but
only raised the price of accommodadon« As in the
old, so in the new system some cases appear to have
been reserved out of the general bargain. Such form«
erly had been the reservation of a right to vote
for limited parliaments. Such now was the right to
resist the claim of the English council to originate
money bills in the British cabinet, in lieu of the Irish
house of commons. The matter was brought fairly
to issue between them^ the commons refused to
pass the money bill, and came to an unanimous reso-
lution, that the said bill was rejected because it did
not take its rise in that house. The lord-lieutenant
protested against this right of the commons, and

The keign of George Itl. i5d

tadeavouredy but in vain, to enter his protest upon ^7^-
their Journals *. The house would not submit to
this encroachment upon their privileges* The lords
were less inflexible, and after much opposition and
debate, his excellency's protest was solemnly record*
ed on the Journals of the house of peers f. Only
two bills passed in this singular and shon session of
parliament The commons were dissatisfied with the
papers ordered by the lord'-lieutenant to be submitted to
them : and a motion was made by way of amendment
to the address, with a view to procure them|. Upon
which a division took place of forty-seven for, and
axty-five against the motion. This was the first
trial of the strength of the lord-lieutenant's newly
marshalled phalanx. It was not upon any of the ex-
cepted questions i and he was far from being satisfied
with his victory. He deferred further experiment,
till he had more fully secured his men.
• § Once more was the money bill rejected by ninety- Oppow^ion
four aeainst seventy-one: and it was resolved, that roon»en.

creases*

the said bill was rejected because it did not take its
rise in that hozise. The lord lieutenant took this de-
feat so much to heart, that he resolved to bring on

* This matter is more fully handled in mj Historica] Review, -
Tol. I. p. 36g, &c.

f In the Appendix, No. LX. to.roj Historical Review, may be
seen the protest of the five dissentient lords, and also the protest
of the lord lieutenant, and the whole proceeding thereupon from
the Lords' Journals.

i 6 JoQxiu Com. p. 295.

i Journ. Com. voU VIIL p. 323. .

160 The Rtignxff George tlK

J76ft, tio more govertimcnt questionit during that ses^ohl
or until ht could-, attording to the castle phrase^ make
more sure of the King^s busihess. The repreaenta*
tions of this transact is.'ki in fikigland veie grossly
insulting to Ireland. Mr, Woodftdl's POblic Advcr*
tiser contained several offensive paragraphs*, which,
having been read, it ivas resolved^ were a £dse
and infamous libel upon the proceedings of that
house, a daring invasion of the parliamtot, and caU
culated to create groundless jealousies between his
Majesty's faithful subjects of Great Britain and Ire*
land : it was therefore ordered, that the said paper
should be, and it was accordingly burnt by the hands

« Joum. Com» vol. VI IT. p. 344. *' Hibernian patriotism is a
transcript of that fikhy idol worshipped at the London Tavern \
insolcQcej assumed from an opinion of impunity, usurps the plaoe^
which boldness against real injuries ought to hold. The refusal
of the late bill, berause it was not brought in contrary to the
practice of ages, in violation of the constitution, and to the ctt*
tain rnin of the depeudance of Ireland upon Great Britain, is a
behaviour more suiting an army of White- Boys, than the grave
representatives of a nation. This is the most daring insult, that
has been offered to government. It must be counteracted with
fitmness, or else the slate is ruined. Let the refractory house be
dissolved j should the next cupy their example, let it also be dis*
soh-ed j and if the same spirit of seditious obstinacy should con-
tinue, 1 know no rrmcdy but one, and it is 'extremely obvious.
The parliament of Great Britain is supreme over its conquests, at
well as colonies, and the service of the nation mnst not be left
undone, on account of the factious obstinacy of a provindal aa*
stmbly. Let our legislature, for they have an undoubted right,
vote the Irish supplies ; and so save a nation* that their own ob-
stinate representatives endeavour to ruin.**

The Reign of George 111. 161

of the common hangman, on the 20th of December, i/^-
in the presence of the sherifis and an immense crowd.

•On the same day, Sir Charles Bingham brought JJ*"*J^,^
up the report from the committee, to which it had tionofthe

* * ' ^ cginmons.

been referred, to enquire into the state of the pensions.
The ministerial party, apprised of his excellency's in<»
tention to prorogue the parliament within the week,
and sensible^ that the subject of pensions was too
green a wound to be probed in that temper of the r\

house, moved to adjourn the further consideration
of the report till after the holidays. On this tender
subject many of the ministerialists, who had quitted
their ranks on the former questions, fell back accord-
ing to their engagements, and outvoted the patriots by
a majority of nine. The patriots resolved to address
his excellency to inform them, whether it were his in*
tention to prorogue the parliament sooner than usuaU
The lord-lieutenant once more failed in doir^ the
Kin^s business. Upon a division on the main ques-
tion the minister was opposed by 106, and supported
only by 73 1.

On the very next ' day. Sir George Macartney, Lord.iieut«.
the secretary, reported tp the house his excellency's graciowaa*
answer, which was neither ambiguous nor gracious. plrtiimSi^^
• On the 26th of December his excellency put an end P™'*^5"«<t \
to the session, on which occasion the speaker, Mr.
JohnPonsonby^ at the bar of the house of peers, made

• Jouro. Coram, vol, VIII. p. 353.
t lb. p. 353.

VOL. H. M

t^ Tlw Reign 0/ George in.

i77i« a very spirited speech ♦. His excellency made a very
pointed speech to the commons, setting forth his rea-
. sons for protesting against their conduct,, M^hich they
gave orders to their clerk not to enter on their Jour-
nals. The parliament was prorogued to the 20th of
]VJ[arch, 1770, and by five successive proclamations it
was prorogned ultimately to the 26ih of February,
1771, for the dispatch of business.
KTccts of This measure of depriving the nation of the benefit
«Mi proro- ^f ^jieir representatives, because a majority of them
had stood up firmly for their privileges, coupled with
the effect produced by some angry expressions of the
secretary in debate^ threw the public mind into an
irritation, which was not confined to Ireland. A motion
was made in the British house of commons, by the
Hon. Boyle Walsinghamf, on the late extraoo-dinary
proro(7ation of the Irish parliament, for an address to
his Majesty, to give directions to lay before that house a
copy of all instructions to the lord-lieutenant relating
to the late sudden prorogation of the Irish parliament,
at a time when affairs of the greatest national import-

* It is remarkable, that iht JourDals of the lords take no
" potice of the speaker's speech to the lord-Huetenant ; that ap-

pears oiily ia tlie Journals of the oommona (vol. VJII. p. 354.)
and the Journals of tlie comaaoos make no mention of the iord«
|ieut^ant*s speech to the commons : that appears in the vol. IV.
of the lords* Jonrnals, p. 539« the whole of which, with the pro-
oeedings and protest, are to be seen in the Appendix, No. l^I^
flf my- Historical Review.

t Patliam.Deb* vol. V. p. 309;

The Heign of George JIL 163

ancc to that kingdom were dq)todiDg, logetfaef with' ^^^^
ihepapera, on which the iiutructiotts werefounded^
and his answers ; and likewise a copy of a message Vt*
lative to the augmentation of thr; forces. The motion
was seconded by the Right Hon. George Grenvitle^ '

who maiittained^ that the late prorogation was most
unconstitudonal. Lord North justified the prorogatton
and augmentation, and negatived the question^ by a
division of 1 78 against 66.

During this extraordmary cessation cf parliament^ LoMiictitt*
the lord-lieutenant redoubled his efforts to conmlete cess in m-

. . ^ r • . . r • j» • creasing hto

ms opeiose systan of ensunng a majonty of uufavi* party durinr
dnals. He gained several of the c^iposite party; at tioa.
the head of whom shone conspicuous, the great quon-
dam patriot, Mr. Sexton Pery.

With' this accession of force the Iord*lieutenant fatced i^rdTowa.
the parliament in full confidence. Addresses were voted ^« n«v

I ' ptfUinwnL

as usual to his Majesty and the lord-lieutenant. In
their address to the King, the commons returned thanks
to his Majesty fi^r ccmtinuiog Lord Towneend in the
government. The address was carried by 1S3 against
107. in consequence thereof the speaker, Mr. John
Ponsonby, wrote a spirited letter, which Mras Qpmmu-
nicated to the house by the clerk, indmatii^, that as
such thanks seemed to convey a censure of their pro-
ceedings, and a relinquishment of the privileges of the . ,
commons, his respect to them must prevent his bein^
the mstrument of delivering such aa address i mid he
requested them to elect another speaker, who might
not think such conduct inconsistent with his honour.
The commons tbereu^ elated £dmoad Sextoii

M2

Stf* The Beign ef George J I I.

iyX)'« Peiy^ Esq. speaker. He had a majprity of four vote9«

Mr. J. Ponaonby was aa much applauded by the

people for his spirit and pnnciple^ as Mr* Pery was

reviled and execrated.^

ixmiTown- The patriou would submit to nothing without a di*

» sure ma- visbu. and uDOfi each they ffraduallt decreased ; in

twrdofthe so much, that the lord-lieutenant might, on every oc-

easion, command a sure majority of one-durd of the
whole house. The patriots, however, resolved to
leave upon their Journals a faithful portrait of their
suffering and degraded country; and therefore ny)ved
an address to his Majesty, particulariy expressive of
their sense of the abuse of government authority and
0 influence. They took great offence at the words con^

tained in the address of thanks for his exc^lency'sjust
'/ ~ and prudent administralion* In the lords sunitar ob-
^ecdons were taken to their address, which thanked hit
Majesty forxontinuing Lord Townsend in the govern*
titient, whos6 justice and integrity were particularly com«
mended.^ The address was opposed by fifteen lords,
who, in their protest, handed doRvn to posterity the
real grounds of (heir ppposirion to Lord Townsend'^
atdministrado^*•
riMt re- The national debt of Ireland was heavily accumut
^M^Tn- lated during the administradofi of Lord Townsend*
JordTow!^ Yet, after the experience, which two years and a quar*
'^ ' ter had given hifHs of .the m^quacy of the fiscal re-
sources of that kingdom to answer his new plan of

* The addftss of the commons and protest of the lords tttt in-
trreitipg» and m^y be seen in my Historica] Review^ vol* I. p**
407, 406, 409, 410^ and ia it's Appends, i^- liXII.

Thiiteign of Georgi Hi !kB$

kecpiQg op the English m^ereir^ he fea^ ito jcall fbr ^ff^^

any supplies, aUegiog in his speech lo ;pjudiiainelit, oa,
tbt 36th of F^ruary, 1771 9 that with ^ery strict eco*
nomy, the duties granted last session .wpuld i>e .suffi*
cieat to allswer the expenses of his JMbj^sty'd govern*
meiit, without further suj^ly. But .wkeii he met tb^
parliament in OctobefviTTly he told them, that it
was with concern, that he must ^ .Aisiim of monqf
to discharge the amearb akeady ixminred on bia hbkfi
jdsty's esribtisisments *.

. The renlainder of Lord T^owngeiid's admintstiiaion ine oa)y
went over without further oppositipm His natural fe^^thb"
humanity and benevolence softtoed .as .much as po9<; ^d^du!^
sibie the rigour of the popery laws, iiaving been so rSJiStnH^
successful in proselytizing for the state by pensions^ S^^*
lie applied his specific to the evangelizing for the
churchy by adding 10/. to the dOA yearly allowed \^,
the 8th of Ann, to every popish priest, who should h^
tome protestant. For, as the act recite, it had been
found by experience, that the former provision of SQ/,
per ann. was in nt> respect a sitficient enctmragemenifar
popish prices to become converts ; therefoi^ 40/* per \

ann. were in future allowed them^ to be levied on the .

* Strong objections havfe beeh hiade to the unconstitutional sys-
tem of Lord Townsend's administration, both in and out of par-
liament. He had so completed Bis System of ikianagifig the htiatt
df comnlons, tbnt he cotikl on tftl ofccasions secure a inajority ci^me^
third : and by such majority did he cany the question on seveo*
teen difiinent divisions, oii the two first days of the session. JVdmy
of these questions turned upon mere matters of ^ct, which the^
(NitrioCs charged him with having diesigoedly misrepresented/ ift
order to deceive the people.

M 3

us 7U Reign o/Qeitrge III:

■^^ ihhabitiut^ of: the disTrict, wberam the eonmt Isflt
MBided. Thisiact for the en::oungeni(e&t of converts,
tiy the protestsint retigion was count^baknced by
another aat made in the same Msaon^ snj^osed to be
favoutable to the cathc^ics, and it^hich, m times of less
KIterality, had been repeatedly rejected, as tending to
encourage popery. This was An Act to encourage the
i^eclaiming of unprofitable Bogs • ; by which a catholic
might be at liberty to take a lease of fifty plantadoa
acres of bog, with one half an acre of arable land ad-
joining, if the depth of the bog ftom the surface,
when reclaimed, were four feet at least. Every eflFort
to counteract the system so successfully establidied bf
this lord-lieutenant became not only negatively fnii^
less, but piodtively mischievous, by increasing the evil
and extending the infection. As this governor bad
so con^letely succeeded in establishing a eystemaiK:
management of parliament, it was judidcioosly <^
served in the year 1775, that his soccefisor, I^
Haroourtj then found ike parliament of Ireland a$
obsequUms as that of Great Britain.f
AdminntniP When Lord Harcourt assumed the government ^

tion of Lord **

Hveoim. October, 1772, he had little to do, but to contmuc
the system, under which his predecessor had with so
much perseverance and charge established the new
English interest. Lord Clare J has observed, that
Lord Harcourt was chosen as a man of amiable cb^*"

^ llandl2GeaIII. cni.
t Camb. Phil. Surv. p 59.
% Clare tcft i^pro.

fkeHetgnqfOe^rgellt IW

jratter, easy dispoaitbn, and of no other amlndon^ than ^^^
to mort by direction^ and thos acquire the apptote«
lioh of hia immediatje employers. He had been nearly
twelve months in Ireland before he met the parliament
on the 12th <rf October, 177S. His excellency'!
ispeech was a mere pledge faithfully to apply and fru-
gally to administer the supplies. The first stand made
by the patriots, was upon an alarm at the intention of
government, in bying the accounts before the houses
to hold back several oi the documents, which would
bring to light the means used m the late administrai'
tion to ensure a niajority to do the Kin^s business.
To *a moiion made for thdr pfodikcdon, an amend*-
' inent was proposed, by adding the words, as fat as
there are materials for that purpose. The amend-
ment was carried by 88 against J?. Thtis was k left
in the discreticm of the goVeriitbent to bring fbrfrard
or hold b&ck what materials they chos^. llie most
actieptable act of the present session was the repeal of
that unconstitutional one for the trial of offenders oat
of their own coundes, passed in Lord Tdwnsend's ad-
ministration. The objections taken by the patriots to
Lord Townsend's new system of securiiig a parlia-
mentary majority were confirmed and aggravated by
the necesisity his successor was under of providing for
the discharge of an arrear of 265,000A and imposing
an additional burthen of 100,000/. a year.

Lord Harcourt's administration at first promi^d so AtsemM
much intention to promote the real imerest of Ireland; ipaJS^

i^ectML
* Jocufii. Con. vol. IX. p. 16.

M 4

168' Tlie Reign of George IIL

J77^ that it met with the-support of several popular cha*-
ractcrs, which afterwards opposed it, when they found
it conducted upon the principki and plan of Lord
Townsend. Lord Harcourt had the excluave merit
of having proposed an absentee tax, to be paid by all
persons, who should not actually reside in that king*
/ dom for the space of six months in each yean 'Th)$
measure, though highly desirable, could not so der
cently be pressed by the representatives of the Eng-
lish government^ as left to the freedom of the Irish
parliament, whose interest it more imm^ediately ppn*
cerned. It was not made a government question, and
most of the servants of the crown voted against it*
£|onsidering the powerful interest made against the
tax by the most considerable land-ownei:s on both
sides of the water, the small majority, by which it
was rejected, is rather to be wondered at: there being
1 02 for and . 1 22 against the measure •.
l-orf Har- To the further credit of Lord Harcourt's admi-^

court opent . ^

the door to nistration must be laid the merit of havine: opened the

catholic 1 r . •* r

rishtt. door of civil liberty, through which the great body of
the Irish was afterwards admitted to some of the
rights of subjects* The British ministry began about
this time to be alarmed at the too deeply rooted' dis-
contents of the king's American subjects. The con-
stitutional maxim, no representation^ no taxcUitntj

4 The correspondence between Lord Nortli and some of the
chief land owners resident in £oglafid» who opposed the measure^
will fully and fairly display the grounds of its fiiilure. These
were the Dnke of Devonshire, Lords Besborough, Ossory^ Rock-
ingham^ and Milton. Yid. my Historical Reriew, p. 423.

The Seigh of George' III. 169

ms carriiBd ixnto xdaa on the other fide of the A^ .^774.
bntic^ and the htal and the ilUadvised resistance endr
ed in the avnlakmof that bright western gem from the
Imperial dkuiem. Lord North clearly saw the inver-
sion of many constitutbnal maxims, when brought
practically to bear upon the bulk of the Irish nation^
He instructed the lord-lieutenant to endeavour to en-
gage the affections of the catholics by gradual relazan
dons of the penal code. * Leave was given to brii^
in the heads of a bill to secure the repayment of
money 9 lent by papists to priOtestants on mortgages;
wd that it might be understood to be. a government
measure of grace, Mr. Mason, Sh: Lucius O'Sryen,
and Mr. Langrishe, determined supporters of govern-
ment, were ordered to bring it in. : t Qn the preceding
day leave had been given to bring in heads of a bill to
enable papists to take lea^ for lives of lands. But nei-
ther of these bills at that time proceeded. The easy
mind of Lord Harcourt was persuaded, that their pass*
ing would create disturbances in parliament, and inter*
Tupt that quiet majority, which he had it strongly in
command to keep up. The British ministry sent posi^
dve orders that some act pf the legislature should be
passed in that session of a conciliatory tendency to the
catholics. Leave was given to bring in a bill to en-
able his majesty's subjects of whatever persuasion to
testify their allegiance upon oath | ; and as the bill re-:

* Comm« Journ. p. 28.

1 9 Com. Joom. p. 27.
. % Com. Jouni. p. ll4. Mr. Robert. F^och, and Sir Lacini
O'Bryetij two mioiiterial membere^ were ordered to bring it in. .

in4. jH^ati n& p^of the then esdsdt^ ^ode of seretity^
lot porported merely a peimiisioA to the catholics oif
cJUJf earing thehr aUegiance to their nmei^eigii, xMdk
befiste Aej had not, it passed both houses nvithoat 6b«
stroction or opposition*. It gratified the cathdfidiy
iKiafiinach as it was a formal recognition, that thef
vere soiDJects ; and to this recogmlion they looked up
iS to the coraer^one of their future emanclpadon.
Aiitic«iei On opening the session in October, 1775, the lord-
to America, fieiitenmt referred to some acts, which the British
legidxtore had passed durklg the recess of the Irislk
paiiiament, for the encouragement of Irbh agriculture
and commerce. Such were the extension of the ad<
vantages of British Asheries to Ireland : the allowing
the tmportadon of rape-seed into Great Britain from
Ireland, and a bounty granted by Great Britain upoil
the importation of flax into Irdand. Hence arose
several debates in the British house of commons, in oUt
of which a very improvident and unequivocal declara-
tion was made by Mr. Rigby f, that the parHamtm of
Great Britain had a right to tax Ireland in all €<i$e$
itrhatsoever as well as uimeriea*
Cfleetsof The differences between America and her modief

Anwiicsii

KbeUioQ cotmtry had now broken into open war. Most of the

upon Ire- *

Und.

* 9 Joum. Com. p. 160. J 3 and 14 Geo. III. c xxxv. For
the Ibrm of this oath or tat, vide Appendix, No. IXIIL to mf
Historical Review.

t He had been Secretaiy to the Duke of Bedford, ai^d then
enjoyodtheiMfOR^^^ ft itt those da^s wilt dw offioe of Master ef
cheAoUsfalmlaad.

lea&^g taeaxbetn of ^ Whig-party in bodi counbiesr irr^*
(^rfiiell' ffirni^ied that adminUm^ofi, which put an ^'"'^^^'^
end t^ the Amedesok vrar) opposed the war upon prin-
dple :- they iftv^hed 9gaia6t the utaoMstittttioiial ex* .
actitmaof the mu^, sukI in their dehalea fell little
short of justifying the American rebellion. The ana-
logy between America and Ireland was too close to
pass unnoticed ; and the defiection of the Americair
colonies produced strong effects upon Ireland. The
exportation of Irish linen for Adxrica had been very
considerable; but now this great source of national
wealth was totally shut up, by an extraordinary stretch
of prerogative. Under the pretext of pi^venting the
Americans from being supplied with provisions from
Xrelaad, 2D, embargo was laid (m the exportation of
pfDviMnafnom keland, whidi in piwgudidng that U^
dom, served only to favor the adventurer of British'
canmctors. This embargo, combined with other
causes, produced the most melancholy effects. Wool
and hbck cattle fell considerably in value^ as did alsa
land. Thetoantsin many places were unable to pay
die rent% and public credit was almost extinct. The
pa^ots made several ineffectual attempts to bring
ministers to the relief of their suffering country. The
ministry proposed to withdraw 4000 troops out of the
^fltablidiinent^ diough not to be paid by Ireland, whilst
lliey were not employed in that kingdom. To this the
Iridi objected not. But to the surprize and embarrass-
ment of government, a proposidon for |ntrodudng 4000
fimgOr traopsy though* protettaot6> into that kis^[dom
iN» negacnwdbynsafly as* ba^ a aujoiity^^ » dial by

N^yw

178 Tht Hdgn qf Gt^rgt Hi

17 f 5, vUch government questions vr^t iifinlly carriscl^
namely, by 106 against 68« The house folk)^ tap
their vote with a strong address to his excelleDcy, aa»
suring him, that by thtlr exertions they ^oukl render
such aid unnecessary for the defence of the realm *«

* 9 Joarn. Com, p. 241,
To Us Excellency^ Siinonj Earl Haroourt^ Lord-IieatsaaDt C^
neral and General Governor of Ireland. The bumble address
of the Knight^ Citi^ns, and Bargesses m parliament ss-^

sembled^

" May it plbass Totra Excbllbhct^

'' Wb bis majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, tb*'
commons of Ireland, in parliament assembled^ deeply inipresaed
with a sense of the many blessings we enjoy under his majesty's
government, humbly request, that your exceflency will be pleased
to assnre his majesty of our zeal at all tiiiiei for the support of
his just rif^ts, and Bx the honor and safety of the British empiie.
That your excellency will be pleased to express the ready and
cheerful concurrence of his majesty's faithful commons in sending
out of this kingdom a fofce not exceeding 4000 men, part o£ the
troops upon this establishment appointed to remain in jhis king^*
dom for its defence. That your excellency will be pleased to
a^ore his msgesty, that we acknowledge his patem^ regard to the
ease and relief of this country, manifested in his majesty's most gra*
etous intention, that such part of his army as may be sent out of this
kingdoiil during the present exigency, shall not be continued a
charge upoti this establishment, so long ais they shall remain oof
of this kingdom. That your excellency will be pleased to retonr
his majesty our most grateful thanks fbr his gracious declaration, thai
his majesty hath nothing more at heart than the security and pro*
tection of his people of Ireland, of which his majesty has given ar
signal proof, by his offer, if it shall be the desire of parliament,
to replace soeh forces as may be sent out ef thit kingdom, by an
equal Dumber of RrolsstinC troops^ the chaiii^ thmof t^htJlm^

The Reign of George III "»

This conduct of the Iririi commons may be consider* ^^
ed the' first step taken by* the representatives of the ^^'^".^Pbc
Irish people towards attadnifig that state of civil K- }^^'^J7/"
berty^ which was obtained by the nation in what Mr* >7^<«
Burke called their revolution of 1782. The patriots
having been supported on some national questions by
sevaal on the opposite side of the house,' moved
several ad^iresses and resolutions strongly descriptive
of the oppressed and distracted^ state of the country,
which although they did not csffry, yet they perpe-
tuated their sense and feelings upon the subject by re-
cording them on the journals. They particularly
complained, that (heir real grievances were not £adrly
represented to his majesty, and they boldly assured
his excellency^ that the representation of them to the
Cing was an indispensable duty incumbent upon him,
because the measures, which had perplexed their re-
venues, increased the|r debt^ and insulted their coun-
try, though they must, suppose not agreeable to his
excellency's sentiments, had all taken place under his
administration. Such analogy existed between the

frayed without auy expense to this kiogdotn. And we entreat
jour excellency, that you will be pleased to assure his majesty^
that, folly sensible of bis majesty's benevolent attention to hi^
&ithfol conEioaons, after mature deliberation^ they hare agreed not
to desire that tbe 4000 troopSj which may be sent out of this
kingdom In the present exigency, should ht replaced, as mentioned
in your e^^celleocy's message > confiding in the vigilant and care
of government, and trusting, that with Its assistance, bis majesty's
loyal people of Ireland may be able so to exert themselves, as to
make such aid at this juncture nnnecessaiy/*

I7» The Beign. of .George lit

i?76. ca^es of Ireland and Amena^ ifitt it feeeuie faus^uon^
able both in and out of parliament to 4mw tbe pa>^
alldl. The American war never was popular either
in Great Bntain or Ireland. In the latter^ die peopk
aasnmed die cause of America iirom sympathy j m
the former they abetted it upon principle. €o¥Bn»-
ment ivas seriously alarmed at the hononble Hght^ in
which the American struggle was generally ^ewiKl *,

.-^^ The JMaericsD dispole raj particularly sttiactsd die consi*
/ 4QratioD of the citiseot of DuUin. In 1775, the Earl of Ef-
fipgbatDj whose regiment was ordered to act against the colonies*
resigned hb command. The city of Dublin, at (he Midsmnmer'
quarter essembly, voted him publie thanks, '' for having conrisleiiU
ly iwkh the priociples of a true EngKshmao.refosed Co dnw faia
«wor4 against the lives and liberliea of liis fellow^sukjects in Aoie-
rica.*' Soon after an address of thanks^ in fuller terms^ was pt^
sented to him from the guild of merchants of Dublin : the latter
also presented an address of thanks to the several peersi who (as
tbej said) <* in support of the constitution^ and in opposition to
a weak and wid;ed administratioD, protested against the Ame^
ric9n Restraining Bills.*' Tbej afterwards came to other resolu-
tioQS, which they prefaced with ppinted strictures on tbosci who
in any wise prcmoted the acts then carrying on in America, as
well on account of the injured inhabitants of that countiy, as
' pf their own brave countrymen, sent on the unnatural errand
of killing their fellow-subjects* They resolved. That it was the
doty of every good cltissen to *' ej(ert his utmost abilities to al*-
Jay the unhappy disputes, that then disturbed the British empire.
Aod that whoever should refuse his consent to a dutiful petition to
the king, tending to undeceive his majesty, and by which it could
))e hoped that the eiiision of one drop of subject blood might be
prevented, was not a friend to the British constitution.*' These sym-
patbies of the dtiaens of Dublin with the cause of Atoeric^ were
common to a great pert of Ibe naxioo, {larticularly of the north.

The Mtign of Oeorge III ns

and etidammrad to discredit their cause u» the ^777-
xitmoBt*

The first octennial parUament had scarcely lived ^)|^^|^*
torn years, when the British cabix^ found it txpe*
Heat, thai it shoold be dissolved. The symptoms of
independency atul resistance to the British mandates
manifested in the last session, alanned government,
and created a diffidence in the steadiness of those, who
had enlisted under their new banners. They looked
to more passive obedience in a future parliamsot* Mr,
Pery was by the last parliament reelected speaker.
Lord Harcourt never met the new parliament, which
was convened in June, 1776, pro formuy and by 9e-r '
veral prorogations went over to the I4th of October^^
1777 *• The British cabinet was little satisfied with
tl)e administration of Lord Harcourt« The easy and
delicate turn of his mind ill qualified him to support,
much less to improve upon the late system, Govenu
ment upon the whole still retained a majority ; yet seve-
ral of their adherents had occasionally, during the last

* Id the intermediate tioie, (15th Febroary, 1776), Mr. Tbomss
Townsend, afterwards L^rd Sydney, made a JBOtioo in (he British
house of ooDUQpnsj strongly reflecting upon Lord Harcourt, for
having in brescb of the privileges, and in derogation of the honor
. end aathoiity of the Irish boiwe of commons, sent a very uncoQ-
atitotiooal message to them signed with his own hand. It cbie4y
legaided the removal of 4000 men. from the Itish estahl'shment,
and the aobstitutioo by foreign crqq». It produced a long defaale
and three diviaioos upoo suhsequent motions on the same subject :
which were 9U negatived. The first division was of 224 to 100.
This was the general proportion at this tlmr of Lord North's
najorides.

176 The E^gn of George III

1777* aessioo, proved recreint from their instructians ; some
had deserted their ranks, many wavered, menaced,
and complained of the terms of their engagements.
Therefore to invigorate the system some short time
before the election of a new parliament, an nnusual
promotion took place*. Many ocher engines were in
the mean time put in motion for the same piurpose t.

* It far exceeded the famous promotion of twelve in the days
of Queen Ann. Five viscounti were advanced to earldoms, seven
barons to be viscounts, and eighteen new barons were created on
the same day. The market terms of such modem poemges were
an engagement (o support the party of their promoters by their
individual votes in the Peers > and by those of their substitutes in
the Commons, whose seats were settled before they vacated them
upon their promotions.

t About this time, Mr. Sawbridge moved in the British house
of conunons*, ** that his majesty's colonies in America be conti*
oned upon the same footing of giving and granting their monsf,
as his majesty's subjects in Ireland were, by their own repfesen-
tatives :*' on which occasion, the Honorable Temple LuttreU
observed, that whoever had at heart their interests and happiness
would provide for them a better constitution, than that of Ireland.
A people so wretched, so oppressed, were scarcely to be found in
any civilized part of the globe. On this occasion severe allnsion
was made to the prodigalit)* of lavishing Irish titles on penons
unconnected with that kingdom, with particular reference to Lord
Macdonald, whose family had no other claim to become heredi-
tary legislators for Ireland, than their prominent zeal for the house
of Stuart, in the years 1715 and 1745. llicr charge of thus de-
preciating the Irish peerage was defended by Mr. Rigby, merely
on the strength of pnscedent He had the assurance to add, that
if that creation did no good : it would do no harm.

• V«. on the 10th of Miy, j;?©.

The n^igri of Gsorge HI. 1 77

When Lord Buckinghamshire assumed ihe reins ^777*
of government, he found the country in deplorable Distressed
distress In Dublin the manufacturers would have Dation.
perished but for contributions and charity. Govern-
ment was unable to make grants, either to promote
industry, or to relieve distress. Every branch of
the revenue failed, and such was the poverty of the
nation, that the militia law could not be carried into
effect. Ireland could not pay her forces abroad, and
was obliged to borrow money from England to pay
those at home. The ministerial party would not per-
mit any question to be brought forward upon the state
of the country in the commons, lest too strong reso-
lutions upon it should be carried, or their opposition
to them should appear even too rank for their own
system. They had again recourse to the inefficient
measure of conveying an imperfect sense of the
distressful state oi the country through their speaker,
to the lord-lieutenant, on presenting the money bills*.
ITie patriots afterwards moved some strong reso-
lutions against the shameful encrease of the pension
list.

About this time the lord-lieutenant communicated ^^^^ °^
to parUament, that a treaty of amity and commerce J^^^
had been signed between the court of France and coionisu,
persons employed by his majesty's revolted subjects <»«»«-
in North America ; and that his majesty relied on the wp«» i«-
zealous and affectionate support of his faithful people,
to repel every insult and attack, and to maintain and

* 9 Com. Joum. 406.

VOL. II. N

1 78 The Reign of George 111

^777* uphold the power and reputation of his dominionSr
A motion was immediately made in the commons for
an address of thanks ; which was fallowed by a reso«
' lution, and an order for raising three hundred thou*
sand pounds by a tontine at 6/. per cent. Such was
the confidence of government upon the proposal of
this loan, that when the patriots, under conviction
of the inability of the country to raise it, moved for
reducing it to 150,000/. the proposed reduction was
immediately negatived. However on the 3d of June,
Mr. Secretary Heron, in a message to the house of
commons from his excellency, admitted the inability of
the nation to raise the money. Lord North was not
ignorant of the diffusion of the American spirit of li-
berty through most ranks of people in Ireland, He well
knew the fatal effects of former emigrations from that
country to America ; and that most of the early suc-
cesses in America were immediately owing to the ex-
ertions of Irish emigrants, (chiefly from the north)
who bore arms in that cause. With a view therefore
of engaging the affections of the Irish people^ it was
resolved in the British cabinet, that some popular
measure for the benefit of Ireland, should be brought
forward in each parliament. Still that minister durst
not submit them to parliament as government measures,
though he allowed freedom of voting to all his ad-
herents*. In the debate of the British house of

* The Eoi^ifh hoiiae of commoDs beiog in a auninitlee to
take into contidention the acti of pariiament rekting to the Irish
trade, the Eari of Nugent, after having observed, that fiom a kms

7%e Reign of George III. J 79

commons upon the commercial concessions to Ire* 1778.
land, upon the strong suggestions of Lord Beauchamp
and Mr. T. Townsend to repeal the oppressive code
of penal laws against the catholics. Lord North in the
most explicit manner declared his cordial wishes, that
his majesty's catholic subjects of Ireland should be
relieved irom what he admitted they complained of
with justice : but it was to be effected by the Irish
pariiament. There, however, bigotry and prejudice
still held a sway, though wearing out within the
walls of St Stephen's.

The policy of relaxincr the penal code of the Irish Th« '"»•»
had pervaded not only the Bntish cabmet, but the libcni ex-
British senate; not one morose^ bigotted^ or fana- (iieBfiiMh
^cal voice was heard in discord from the truism ad- P^^mud$ the.

series of undiaken loyalty the Irish were entitled to every en-
oottnigeinent^ which good and faithful sabjects could dsaerve» toA'
a wise and gnrtefol goremment could gtve« moved, that the Irislr
mif^t lie permitted to send on board of British vessels^, navig^tod.
according to law, to the coast of Africa, and oiur settlements
abroad, all sorts of Irish manafactures, (wool and woollen
dothes excepted). Then, that the Irish might be permitted to
import all sorts of ware and merehaadRae from the coast of Afiica,
andplaatatiDasafatoad, (iodtgp, tobacco^ and anfuonlfeioepted).
The woid sugar waainserted by bis lordsbip, noerely to prevent
an opposition from the West India merchants; but on the motion
of Lord Newhaven, it was left oat, and the motion passed nem.
am. He also moved, that glass manufiicturf d In Ireland might be
eiported by the Irish, (iftxcept into Great Britain) i and that Irish
cotton might be imported duty free intaGreat Britain. The nxH
tiona passed unantmoosly. Mr. Burke then moved, that saS^etoth
might be imported into this kingdom *daty free. This motioQ
likewise passed nem. cm. 8 £ng. Deb, 206, Xrc

n2

1 so 7 he Reign 4f George III.

i778. varced by Mr. Burke on Lord Nueent's first motion,
for a committee to consider (he trade of Ireland^
7^hat Ireland was now the chief dependnnce of the
British crown, and that it particularly behoved this
country to admit the Irish nation to the privileges of
British citizens*. On the eleventh day after the
British house of commons had given the liberal ex-
ample of universal assent to Sii George Savile's mo-
. tion in favor of the Roman Catholics of England,
Mr. Gardiner on the 25th of May, 1778, moved in
the Irish house of commons for heads of a bill for the
relief of his majesty's Roman Catholic subjects of
Ireland ; it was carried in the affirmative f.
Thcippii- j\x, the same time the Presbyterians of Ireland bear-

canon of ^

tM Di»- ing in mind, that the sacramental test had been im-
indaifciioe <posed upon their ancestors by their lying by, when
another new Severities were imposed upon their catholic bre-
thren, came forward on this occasion to avail them-
selves of the first symptoms of tolerancy in an Irish
parliament. In order not to be excluded from the
indulgencies about to be dispensed to the Catholics, Sir
Edward Newnham on the same day moved, that leave
might be given to bring in heads of a bill for the relief
of bis maje$ty's subjects the Ph>testant Dissenters of
that kingdom. But whether from conviction, that relief
to the Dissenters was not of equal urgency with that
proposed to be granted to the Roman Catholics^ or

* 8 Eng. Deb. p« 185. viz. 1 Aprils 1{^78«

f Joam. Com. p* 475. Tbe divitioo U not fpiea in the
Journals,

* The 'Reign of George III. ^f 8 1

that the British cabinet had hitherto expressed no 177S-
opinion or inclination in their favor, the measure Was
remitted to another session.

■ The preamble of Mr. Gardiner's act contained as- Mr. ondi-
sertions, which some few years back it would have been
considered little short of treason to have advanced :
namely, that the severities of the act of Ann ought
to be relaxed, that the catholics of Ireland were ex-
cluded from and ought to be admitted to the blessings
of our free constitution, and that it would promote
the prosperity and strength of all his majesty's domi-
nions, that the catholics should be bounden to the
protestants by mutual interest and affection*. The
purport of the act was^ that any catholic subscribing
the oath of allegiance and declaration prescribed by
the ISth and 14th of Geo. III. c. 35. might take,
enjoy, and dispose of a lease for 999 years certain, or
'determinable on the dropping of five lives ; that the
lands then possesed by catholics should in future be de-
scendible, deviseable, or alienable as fully as if they
were in the possession of any other subject of his majesty:
and that it should no longer be in the power of a child
to fly in the face of his parent by demanding a present ' .
maintenance out of the father's personal estate, or by
depriving him totally of the inheritance of his real ■

estate, as he before had been enabled to do by the
2d Aon. After a severe contest of eight divisions,

• 17 and 18 Geo. III. c. 49. Ao ad lor tlie rdtef of hll
mi^es^s sutQcciPoTllitrkiiigdom profetdog tl^ popish re|&
gioo.

MS

I W The Reign of George tit.

WJ- with the unequivocal approbaiioa of goiFernment, the
general support of the patriots, and the example of
unanimity in the British legislature for a similar in-
dulgence to the catholics of England, were the heads
of this bill carried through the Irish house of com-
mons by the small majority of nine. In the lordsi it
was carried by a majority of two-thirds. The session
^ closed in August, with a flattering speech from the
lord-lieutenant. I'he relief, which the distresses of
Ireland had roused the British parliament to afford to
their coi^merce, worked the selfish and illiberal pre-
judices of Liverpool, Manchester^ and Glasgow, almost
to rebellion. * Mr. Burke triumphantly refuted all
arguments against the bill. He would not by de^
scribing the situation of his country, engage the human-
ity of the house in her favour. The people of Ireland
would npt accept favours from humanity. They called
for justice, not for pity. They requested Britain to be
wise, not generous ; to provide for her own good,
and secure her own interest.
MoMse In melancholy confirmation of the distressed state
cmwn to of Ireland, Lord North communicated to the Britidi

Micliclaiicl

of theMj. conmions a message from his Majesty f, recomniend-
ooopt ing, on that account, that the charge of the reg^mimts
TSokioc- ^n the Irish establishment then serving out of that
kingdom should be paid by Great Britain. This pir»-.

* In the affiiira of Ireland Mr. Burke ever evinced the most
aopacste JuitorjcalkBowledgfB^ an unbiatirri judtftMnt, and^oven to
ijiclwt a sooit^ ftmiwitntiftBal ifiifit.

t 11 Furl. Deb. p. 177-

The Reign of George III. I8S

dttced a ddxite very interesting to the welfare of Ire* ^770>
land *. Several questions of the highest import-
ance to that country were warmly debated in both
houses during the session, but were defeated by large
majorities. The Iridi were highly exasperated, that
die British had abandoned their cause. Their discon-
tents became alanning. Associations were entered
into against the importation of British commodities,
and for the encouragement of Irish manufactures. At
Dublin they published resolutions, that the unjust,
illiberal, and impolitic opposition given by many self-
interested people of Great Britain, to the proposed en^
couragement of the trade and commerce of this king-
dom, originated in avarice and ingratitude. And tluit
they would not import or use any goods or wares from
Great Britain, till she entertained sentiments of respect
and affecdon for her fellow-subjects of Ireland. Si-
milar resolutions passed at Waterford, and generally
throughout the kingdom. In consequence of which
the niano£eu:tures of Ireland began to revive, and the
demand for British goods to decrease. This produced
a diqposidon in Great Britain to attend, for the first
time^ to the complaints of Ireland.

U was the unwise policy of government not to con- ine Vmf

the parliament of Ireland in the pressure of it's ^^^
national distress. The ministry in Great Britain was ^
frequently called upon by the opposition to account

• Tbe Mbttaaee of thae debates veiy intimately allectB the n-
tnation of Iidaod at thai period, and maj be teen in my ISstori-
cal Benew, p. 4^7 to 484.

N 4

1 84i ne Beign of George III.

1779. for that extraordinary conduct. No answer was given*
The unusual length of the recess, the refusal of the
British parliament to afford redress, and the want of
an Irish parliament to apply to, gave rise to the exer-
tions of those native energies, to which an oppressed
and injured people never fails in extremity to resort.
During this recess the system of volunteering took its
rise, and had made considerable progress before the
parliament met on the 12th of October, 1779.
Mr.Grattan Mr. Grattan* opposed the speech, as containing
^pwdTof * nothing explicit, nothing satisfactory* Were the people
lieutenant, of Ireland undeserving the notice of the British mi-
nisters ? It was plain they had noihing to expect, since
applications from the people, backed even by the
officers of thecr own, were not attended to. Ireland
then had nothing to depend upon but her own spirit ;
no redress of grievances, no extension of trade, but
from the efforts of her people ! and would it be safe

* This being the first oocasioa of referring to Bufr. Grattan in

this History, the author seizes the opportunity of observing, that
the compendioas form of this work precludes the possibility of
giving even a faint idea of the stupendous powers of his orator}',
which is better calculated to command the admiration of the latest
posterity than that of any modern orator. His speeches oRen
surpass the finest pieces of ancient Gteece and Rome. .Ireland '
may proudly boast of having in him produced the sublimest
orator and most virtuous patriot of latter ages. The Historical
Review, from this period to its dose, contains ample extracts from
his speeches, as the most just and striking representation of the
great national features, which characterized ^iie last thirty years of
the history of Ireland. To tliem the author most confideotiy
refers his reader*

7%e Reign of George I ft. 1 85

there or elsewhere, to oppose these eflForts ? The dis^ ^7?9j
tresses of Ireland were twcrfbld, the beggary of the
people, and the bankruptcy of the state. He moved
an amendment, which strongly painted the distressed
situation of the country, and that the only resource
left to support their expiring trade, was to open a free
export trade, and let his Majesty's Irish subjects enjoy
their natural birthright. Not only the leading patriots
on this occasion, but several of the servants of the
crowa*, were for the amendment. Mr. Prime Ser-
jeant (Hiissey Burghf) after expatiating on the neces-
sity of immediately 1 lyhig the state of their distresses
at the foot of the throne, moved, in lieu of Mr. Grat-
tffli's amendnieat, " that it is not by temporary expe-
dients but by a free traile alone, that this nation is
now lo bs saved from impending ruin ;" which was
unanimously asi»ented to. ^

rhe distresses of Ireland and the impotency of go* Effects of
vernmeut produced the most important change of dis* wiminittn

cionofLord

• The At. Uoa. Heoiy Fkx>d declared for the ameadiiient> and
entered largely into a justification of bis political conduct^ which*
be said* bad unfortnnately been much misrepresented $ that the
office he held was the onsoHcited gift of his sovereign, which he
bad received with gfacitode, and held with honour : that when the
time should come* when he could do longer do so* he would gladly
throw the bracelet into the comDaon caldron.

f The talents and amiable attainoieoti of this gentleman gave
soooe plausibility and confidence to the weak* though not harsh*
administration of Lord Buckinghamshire. There was pitiful
finesse in the minbterialists taking out of the hands of Mr. Grat-
taa this oeoessary amendment* in order to substitute another of
like teudflocy.

Bucking-
hamshire.

186 Tfie Reign o/Gwrge III

^779* position, Sentiment, and action in the people. Hie
British fleets had become inferior to the combined forces
of the enemy : their coa^ were insalted, those of Ire*
land wholly unprotected: the military establisbment
drained to recruit the regiments in America, had n#t
left 5000 forces in that kingdom to defend the sea*
ports from the crews of single vessels. Hoice arose
the necessity of volunteers arming in defence of their
abandoned country. Government affrighted at the
situation, into which they had thrown or permitted
the country to be thrown, delivered out to the people
16,000 stand of arms, thereby encouraging and in*
creasing the number of volunteers, without any stipu-
lation, regulation, or authority for organizing or sub-
jecting them to subordination. The commercial face
of the country exhibited a still more desponding view :
her vessels taken witbin sight of her ports : her trade
shackled in almost every branch by British restricticms :
^ an embargo on the exports of her provision trade :
her linens lying upon her merchants' hands: her
imports and her absentees swallowing up all her cur-
rency: abd slight or no returns to supply an exhausted
treasury. This con^icated wretchedness of the coun-
try once more dissolved the ministerial phalanx^ and
imperiously called some of it's staunchest supporters
to quit their ranks, and vote for a free trade. The
nation poured forth its gratitude to parliameiit; which
in it's ttun paid it's tribute of thanks to the volun*

• teers, who now amounted to 42,000 men. This
formidable body, armed and organised by no other
authority, than the gr^t law of self-defence, was

'The Rmgn of George III. 1S7

never even questioned by tl^ Irish government or <779«
parliameiic as to the legality of their commission or
del^^den. Govemment had so wasted its vigour,
that it could not raise its arm in self-defence. During
this debate the populace assembled round the par-
liament house, and with full impunity menaced the
members, and demanded oaths of them to support .
the measure, committing several acts of outrage and
intimidattioQ*,

About a month after the Irish parliament had been ^^JddbMi
convened. Lord Shelbume moved in the British house in the Bri-

tish hoots

of lords, that his Majesty might be addressed to takeofioidi.
into reconsideration the two motions for procuring re**
lief to Ireland, which in the preceding session had been
rejected by laige majorities, and that his Majesty would
be pleased to direct effectual redress to his suffering
people. His lordship forcibly represented Ireland so
imperiously shut out from all prospect of justice or
relief, that she must perish, or work out her own sal*^
vadon. She was then united as one man to rescue
herself ffom approaching destruction. The people had
armed themselves, and the numbers armed exceeded

*To this juncture did the late Lord Clare refer in his memoraUe
speech on the Union (p. 29), when he said, " The imbecility of,
Lord Bodunghstmhire's goreminent had arrayed the volunteer
tnay, sad the address to hk Majesty voted ia Ifjg by the com*
mens, dftamoi^ngafite trade m ikitiglU tfiniand, was followed
mrtantfy by a reaoliltei of thanks to that army for thebr array.*'
Wkdn the gpeAtx csnM up die address to the lofd-lietitenant,
ths stieefi^ fiom the parliametithauie to the casll6« wcire Ibed by
Ae DdbBii ^fdntMen, (Sommsnded by the tMke dt Ldnster,
drawn 0^ ib'ttftfar ttus WM ttniibitti.

J 88 ' Tiie Reign of George III.

1779- forty thousand, and were daily augmenting. This •
"^^^ formiriable body was not composed of mercenaries,
who hjid little or no interest in the issue, but of the
nobility, gentry, merchants, citizens^ and respectable
yeomanry : men able and willing to devote their dmc^
and part of their property, to the defence of the whole,
and the protection and security of their country. The
government had been abdicated, and the people re*
sumed the powers vested in them ; and in so doing,
were fully authorized by every principle of the con-
stitution, and every motive of self-preservation ; and
whenever they should again delegate this inherent
poiver, they firmly and wisely determined to have it
so regulated, and placed upon so large and liberal a
basis, that they should not be liable to suffer under
the same oppressions in time to come ; nor feel the
fatal effects and complicated evils of mal-administra-
tion ; of calamity without hopes of redress ; or of
iron-handed power without protection. Both houses
of the Irish parliament had declared^ that nothing but
granting the kingdom '' a free'trade,'' could save it from
certam ruin : a declaraii n conveyed through hs proper
constitutional organs, both houses of parliament^ to his
Majesty, against which there was but one dissenting
voice in the houtes*, and not a second in theking»
dom. His lordship closed with moving a strong reso*

* Viz. Lord chancellor Lifford ; to whauk it is but jastioe to
observe^ that he honestly stated his reason for dissenting^ " that
be could never join in a vote of thanks as a peer of parliament,
or a lawjery to any set of men> be their motives ever so laodabk
or patriotic, who were acting in a nulitaiy capacity against law."

The Reign of George HIT » 89

lution, importing, that it was highly criminal in his ^^79-
Majesty's ministers to have neglected taking effectual
measures for the relief of Ireland^ and suffered the
discontents of that kingdom to rise to such an height^
as evidently to endanger the constitutional connection
between the two kingdoms, and to create new embar-
rassments to the public councils, by disunion and dif-
fidence, in a moment when real unanimity^ grounded
upon mutual confidence and affection, was confessedly
essential to the preservation of what was left of the
British empire. The Earl of Hilsborough* admitted,
that Ireland was entitled to a free trade with equal
taxes ; and he thought himself warranted in recom- '
mending to his Majesty, and proposing to parliament^
to grant it ; which he hoped, would give perfect
satisfaction and content to both nations Earl
Gower t) in this debate, with manly firmness,
avowed, that ail his efforts for the relief of Ireland
had proved unfruitful. He had presided, he said, for
some years at the council table, and had seen such
things pass there of late, that no man of honour or
conscience could any longer sit there. The times were
such as called upon every man to speak out : the situ-
ati<ms of the two kingdoms required sincerity and ac<
tivity in council. Lord Cambden, and several other
lords, spoke warmly in favour of Ireland j but the
question was negatived by a majority of 82 against 37.

• The graodfatber of the preseot MarquU of Downtbire.
f The father of the preieot Marquis of Stafford.

i

190

1779.

Thea&ira
of Ireltnd
debated in
tbe British
bouse of
commons.

The Reign of George III.

The same subject was debated with more warmth
in the British house of commons, than in the peers>
but with the like eflfect. Lord Upper Ossory* moved,
by way of resolution, the substance of what had been
moved by Lord Shelbume in the peers. In ndther
house of the British parliament were the desperate
distress and calamity of Ireland even doubted: all
were of accord as to the existence of the evil : the
only differences were, who had created, and who had
countenanced or fomented, who had negatively Or
positively given continuance to it, and how was it then
fo be remediedf.

* 15 ParL Debates, p. 99.

f The volunteer unoammisaiooed army of Ireland wai to ex-
traordinary a phenomenon, that the reader may be gratified with
the opinion of a great departed statesman upon it.. In the debate
on Lord Ossory's motion, Mr. Fox was firm and explicit {15
FsrI. Deb. p. 129). " The Irish associations had been called ille-
gal ; legal or illegai he dedaied he entirely approved of them.
He approved of that manly determinatiou, which, in the dernier
resort, flies to arms in order to obtain deliverance. When the last
particle of gocd faith in men is exhausted, tbey will seek in them-
selves the means of redress $ they will recur to first principles, to
the spirit as well as letter of the constitution, and they can nefer
fail in such resources, though the law may litendly condemn mch
a departure from its genera^ and unqualified rules : troth, justice,
and public virtue, accompanied with prudence and judgmeot, will
ever bear up good men in a good cause, that of private protection.
God knew, that he sincerely lamented the cause, which pro*
dttced this sad, he could not but say, this perplexing and humi-
liating alternative. He most heartily lamented, that any cause had
been administered, which seemed to jusHfy violence or resistance;
he dreaded the consequences, however justifiable in their oriiginj

The Reign of George UL 191

In the Irish senate the voice of patriotism reached ' i779-
even the ministerial side of the house. They spiritedly cbange of
resolved to grant the supply only for six months. {j^'/JSh"
This short money bill was transmitted to Engbnd, <»«"^p«"
where, however mortifying to the ministers, it was re*
luctantly passed. The hojise, likewise, unanimously
entered into several resolutions to promote the com-
merce of Ireland. ^

So determined was the Irish house of commons to Rooiutkni
assert their rights, and bring the British government commoot
and parliament into a full recognition of them, that BHtSipv-
they carried, by a majority of 170 to 47 *, a resolution^ gmtriie^
that at this time it would be inexpedient to grant new ^^^
taxes. Immediately after this unequivocal test of the.
dJ^MDsition of the Irish house of commons was known
in England, the British house of commons being in a
committee on the affairs of Ireland, Lord North opened
his three propositions reladve to the allowing Ireland
a free e]qx>rt of wool, woollens, and wool flocks, a
free exporutbn of glass, and all kinds of glass manu-
facturesy and a freedom of trade with the British jdan*
tadons on certain conditions, the basis of which was to
be an equality of taxes and customs upon an equal and

or modentdy or jodicioiulf ooDductod : bat whatever the efivcu
might bOj he was read/ to acknowledge^ that sach a power was
hiiierant In men; as men and dtixens it was a sacred tnut in
their haodi^ as a defence against the posaible or actual abuse of
power, polstkal traaGheiy« and the arts and intrigues of goyem*
aaot J and when all other meant fiiiled, lensUace, he should ever .
hold, as jperfiBctlj justifiable."

* 10 CofO* Joum. p. 34t

1 92 The Reign nf Gco-ge // '.

^T79- uniestrained trade. The mir.ister stated the propriety
arid justice, as well as the necessity, of affording relief
to Ireland, and expatiated on the mutual and respective
interests of both countries. Bills founded on the two
first propositions were brought in, passed both houses
with the utmost facility, and received the royal assent
before the recess. The third being more complex in
its nature, was suffered to lie ovcr during the approach-
ing holidays in its state of an open proposition, to af-
ford time for consideration in England, and to acquire
knowledge of the effect, which the measure was likely
to produce in Ireland.
SI^Trfsh^ In this alarming crisis, Ireland looked for redress
volunteers, morc to the armed associations, than to parliament.
Hitherto, these bodies had acted only in detached
companies. They now formed themselves into bat-
talions on a system of regular communication. For
some time had the original cause of the volunteers
arming in self-defence against a foreign enemy been
sunk into the more interesting object of asserting their
constitutional independent rights, and procuring a free
and open trade for their country. In the year 1778,
the armed associiations in Ireland amounted to 30,000
men: they had been regularly increasing from that
period : they clad and armed themselves voluntarily ;
they cheerfully learned the use of arms, and freely
submitted to the severest discipline: but their tran*
scendant attention was to instil into each other an uni-
formity of political sentiment and determination not to
quit their arms, till they should have accomplished the
complete liberation of their country from the 3pv^

!r%c Reign of George HI. 19S

fagnty of the British parliameot. In the b^itming ^^
of the year 1 780, they entered upon the plan of gene*
lal organization : they appointed reviews for the en-
suing summer } and chose their exercising officers and
reviewing generals. Thus was laid the foundation of
Irish union. They openly declared their opinions upon
the state of public affairs ; the newspapers teemed with
resoludcms of the different corps, all in unison declar*
ingy that Ireland was an independent kingdom, and
fully entitled to all the uncontroul^ rights, privileges,
and inmiuniries of a free constitution : that no power
on earth but the king, lords, and commons of Ireland
could make laws to bmd them: and that they were
ready with their lives and fortunes to resist the usurpa-
tions and encroachments of any foreign legislature*
The government^ and their parliamentary majority,
were alarmed at, and consequently inimical to the
propositions. Mr. Grattan however, on the 19th of
April, 178(^ after a most animated speech, moved,
that the house should resolve and enter on its Joiir-
nals. That no power on earthy save the King^ lords,
and commons qflrelandy had a right to make laws for
Ireland. After a most interesting debate, that lasted
till six o'clock in the morning, in which every man
but one, acknowledged its truth^ either expressly, or
by not opposing it, Mr. Flood, who well knew that
th3 ministerial members were committed to negative
the motion, if it came to a division, recommended,
that no question should be put, and no appearance of
the busmess entered on the Journals j to which Mr.
Grattan consented.

VOL. II. o

1 94 The Reign of George 111.

1790. Upon the appearance of some sincerity in the British

commont Cabinet and pariiament^ the Irish house of commons

monex^^K proceeded to take into serious consideration^ the fega-

lations necessary to place the commerce of the Idng-

dom on a footing of stability. The supplies were

granted for a year and a half longer ; and 260^000/.

were ordered to be raised by treasury bills, or by a

lottery, as the lord-lieutenant should direct*. Ott

. presenting the money bills, Mr. Pery, the speafcerf,

made a speech to the lord-lieutenant, which was highly

satisfactory to all parties.

improdent 'fhe general joy upon the prospect of a free trade,

goverment ^as but of short duration. Upon maturer consfdera-

to Ireland. ^ '^ ../•■!

tion, the commercial interest in Ireland was dissatisned
with the proposed system of equalizing the duties be-
tween the sister kingdoms ; ani the British ministry
most imprudently in^med a nation wkh arms in
her hands, determined to a^ert her undefea^ble
rights. The bill for punishing mutiny and desertion
in the army for a limited time, had been transmitted,
as usual* and was returned with the most alarmmg
alteradon from the English pvivy-council : it was made
perpetual : material alterations were also made in one
of the commercial bills relating to the article of sugars.
Discontent ran through the kingdom. The borough
of Newrey presented a petition to the commons against
both aherations. Several other petitions were also pre-

• This was the first time, that the mischievous expedient of a
lottery was resorted to in Ireland.

f 10 Joum. Com. p. 142.

The Reign of George llh 195

rented to the Kke purport. Government, however, ^7^*
in defiance of the struggle of the patriots, passed the
dtered mutiny bill by a majority of G9 against 25.
Against these proceedings in parliament the mer-
chants' corps of volunteers, convened at the Royal
Exchange, Dublin, passed very strong resolutions,
vfaich were printed in the public papers. Similar re-
solutions were entered into by many other volunteer
bodies.

The language holden by the popular prints, be- Eiumteof
^ke, as well as increased the general discontent, oontenc. *"
The most popular prints were most obnoxious to
government. The house of commons passed a
vote of censure against the printers and publishers
of these papers*, and addressed the lord-lieute*-
nant to give orders for eflPectually prosecuting them,
and also the authors and contrivers of certain ar-
ticles contained in them. This vote of censure was
mdirectly aimed by the ministry at the voltmteer
corps, whose influence had become so alarming to
government, that it was found prudent not to cast
direct censure upon any of them. The people were
on one hand encouraged by popular publications to
insist upon their independence ; on the other they
were goaded into irritation, by the determined opposi*
tion^ given to it in parliament. They ^ere incensed at
Mr. Grattan's resolution against foreign legislation not
haiong found admission into the Journals; provoked at
Mr. Yelverton's ifailure in procuring a modification of

* 10 Joam. Com. p. ig5.
o2

196 The Reign of George III.

^7^ Poyning's law : and irritated at the ineffectual effort of
Mr. Forbes, to procure a bill for the independence of
the judges. They were desperate in the conviction, that
a majority in their own parliament had been purchased
with the wealth of Ireland, to negative every, question
tending to promote their national independence.
Clow of the The session had been protracted to an unusual

session. '

length; when, on the 2d of September, 1780, I*ord
Buckinghamshire put an end to it, by a most gracious
fpeech from the throne. He had on the preceding
day been addressed in a very adulatory style by the
commons; and the return of the incense appears upon
the face of his address to both houses of parliament*.
Thus ended a session, that had promised in its open-
ing the brightest prospects to Ireland. The disap-
pointed people felt, and expressed their resentment
It was Lord Buckinghamshire's fate to be disapproved
of by the ministers of England, as well as to have dis-
satis6ed the people of Ireland- The volunteers had
intimidated the British ministry. They condemned
Lord Buckinghamshire for effects^ which it was not
in his power to prevent ; and which, in fact, were to
be immediately traced to their own dilatory, irresolute,
and pernicious councils. Lord Buckinghamshire was
recalled^ and I-ord Carlisle! appointed in his stead on
the 23d of December, 1 7»S0.

♦ The &p'tch is to be seen in my Hist. Review, vol. I. p. 5J9«

•\ Jjord Carlisle took over with him ss secretary, hi^ prottgS

and friend Mr. Eden, (now Lord Auckland) who had published

several letters U[X)n political subjects to his patron $ and amongst

others^ one on Tht Aefitesentations of Ireland rvfpecihg a free

The Reign of George III. 197

•In February, 1781, on Mr. Jenkbson's motion in 17«I.

the British house of commons, for the further consi- AdminifN
deration of the report on the Mutiny Bill, Mr. Fox Lofd car-
moved for its recommitment t, and he prefaced his bate m the

British
eomoioiia*

Trade^ of which Mr. Dobbf, (in his HUtwry of Irish j^ffiurt, p.

42.) writet thus : " From a letter written by Mr. Eden, the secre*

tary to Lord Carlisle^ on the subject of Irish afiairs, and which

had been answered by Counsellor Richard Slieridan, we had no

great reason toirgotce in this change.*'

• 1 PM. Deb. p. 522.

t 1 FarL Deb. p. 433. Mr. Jenkinaoo, secretary at war, informed
the house, that there were some alterations made in the Mutiny
Act, two of which being material, he thought it right to state
what they were, as no alteration ought to be made in an act of
so much importance, without the concurrence of the house. The
first alteiatioo was the total omission of the word " Ireland,** in
die act i an omission, which the learned geutkmaa appointed to
dmw up and prepare the bill had judged proper, because the Irish ^

legislature had last year introduced clauses in their Mutiny Act,
tending to govern and regulate the management of the quartering
«f toldien, and other matters relative to military discipline, when
at a distance from the capital ; the continiuog to extend the Bri*
tisb Mntioy Act to Irebnd was therefore no longer necessary.

Sir George Yonge said, that what the secretary at war had diop«
ped concerning the omission of the word " Ireland** in the bill,
appeared to him to be of very serious importance, and rrquired
very matofc consideration before it was agreed to. If it were iu«
tended, that this country should give up all claim to legislation over
Ifeland, he thought it would be better to declare such an inten«
tion» and do it at once. lie could never approve of the idea of
giving it up bit l^y bit, by incidental acts of parliament. He
therefore wished the house would not hastily settle the question,
bat go into it, examme it with the attention due to its importaoce,
9od make a solemn decision opoo the subject

O S

198 The Reigfi of George III

1791* motion by a speech replete with that genume consti-
tutional doctrine, for which he was always superemi*
nently distinguished. He emphatically warned tbe
honourable gentleman, that prudence ought at M
times to be consulted in measures of dignity^ and
that they ought not to assert powers of authority at a
season, when from weakness they were not able to
support their claim. To agits^te a question of su^
premacy oyer the sister kingdom, when ^at kingdom
was disposed to resist the principle, could but be
dangerous, when the country was involved in cala<»
mity, and threatened with decisive ruin. The weak*
xiess of administ)'ation, in refusing her calm and. sober
requests, had forced America to combat these powers {
and in Ireland they had not been questioned, till re>
lief had been denied to her manifest grievances,
• He complained of a conspiracy to give a mutiny

bill of their own to Ireland, in return for a grant
from Ireland of a perpetual army to the crown:
a thing wholly unwarranted by the constitution. It
was alarming, that in the Iri^h mutiny bitl, the pre*
amble, which recited the declaration of rights equally
applicable to both countries was omitted, beicause the
words, /Whereas it is illegal in the croum to keep 4
landing army in limes qf peace^ were in direct con*
tradiction to the bill, which had been granted. Their
associations had done more in a moment, than all the
effects of friendship in their favour. All false reason*
ing had vanished ; all little partial motives of resistancQ
had ceased ; local ^onsideradoas died 9way instantly^^

The Reign of George III. 189

and the noble lord in the bbe ribbon, who had shevn ^7^^*
himGelf the last man to listen to supplication^ was the
fifst man to give way to force.

*In October, 1781, the Earl of Carlisle met the Urdcar^
parliament, wboi after the common place recommen-* the pviia-
dationa of the charter schools^ linen trade, tillage, fimpraoeed-
fishefies, and general commerce of the country, his
excellency assured them, that his majesty ardently
wished the ha{4>me6S of his people of Ireland, in
whose affection and loyalty he placed the firmest re«
liaace. It had now become notorious, that govern*
ment wished to check and disarm the volunteers^
boi wtf e frightened into acquiescence ; they had re-
luctantly distributed amcHigst them 16,000 stand of
arms, and they were now compelled to court the power
they could not control. In the debate upon the address
Mr. Grattan took nodce of the extreme caudon, with
which the address avoided mendoning the word volun^
leer ; t)ut wholesome and salutary appellation, which
he widied to iamifiarise to the royal ear. Mr. O'Neil
then moved, that the thanks of the house should be
given to all the volunteers of Ireland, for their ua-
remitted exertions, and for their loyal and spirited
declarations on the late expected invasion, which, with
the exception of Mr. Fit^gibbonf, and Mr. Scoct |,
who afterwards withdrew their objecdons, passed with
the most hearty and unanimous good will. Mr. Brad*

* lO Joorn. CoQUD. p. 210.
f Afierwards Earl of Clare.

% Then attorney-genenl, and afierwards Lord CloDmeU
o4

200 The Reign of George III.

1781. street, the recorder of Dublin, a staunch patriot,
moved ♦ for leave to bring in heads of an Habeas
Corpus Billy observing, that the liberty of Ireland was
, insecure until an Habeas Corpus Act should take
\ place, as in England. Sir Lucius O'Bryen called the
attention of the house to their freedom of trade with
Portugal, where goods of Trish manufacture had been
stopped, and were not permitted to be Isold, which
subject Mr. Yelvertonf complained had been deagn-
edly omitted in the speech. On the subsequent day,
Mr. Telverton gave notice, that immediately after the
recess, he should move the house for leave to bring in
heads of a bill to regulate the transmission of bills
from that kingdom to England. At that time,
their constitution was the constitution of England in-*
verted. Bills originated with the British minister ; and
with that house it only remained to register, or reject
them. Such was the miserable state of Ireland, and
in that state It would remain, as long as a monster,
unknown to the constitution, a British attomey-ge*
neral, through the influence of a law of Poyning^ had
power to alter thdr bills. The mischief of this had
been recently manifested in an altered sugar bill, which
had nearly annihilated their trade to the West-Indies.
st«fe«f The activity of the Castle to ensure a maiority in

tbLsjuQc parkament endeavoured to keep pace with the in«

turc in lie- ' r • •

land. crease of patnotism without. The pepple had arms,
knew tlieir use^ and had resolved not to quit them^

f 1 P^l. Debatet, p. la

f /Uterwards Lord Avonmofe.

The Beign/if George IIL 201

tiU they had attained the object of their ^shes, J78t
a free and independent consdntdon. Administratioii
confiding in Its number, set all the patriots at defiance.
They beheld ministers with indignation, and considered
then in hd the only enemy, they had to encounter
b Ireland. Mr. Eden was a man of information and
talent, and conducted the business of parliament
widely different from his predecessor in that offio^
Tet such was then the prejudice against every tiung
Bridsh, that scarcely a debate occurred, in which severe
reflecti(»s were not thrown on the lord-lieutenant and
his setrerary's partiality for England. During Lord
Carlisle's admininistration, the numbers of the two
partiv^s in the house of commons continued nearly as
they had been left by -his predecessor. Some of the
leading men of each party Klufted sides. Early in the
session *, Mr. Flood declared, that the fate of the na-
tion depended on the motion then before the house (for
going into the consideration of the Portug.il trade) :
that they should not trust any minister, that counte-
nanced a perpetual mutiny bill : and that they would be
execrated by posterity, if they abandoned that mo-
tion f. On the other hand, Mr. George Ponsonby
declared, that as he saw the minister acting obviously
for the interest of Ireland, he thought it his duty to
support him ; apd he would ever assist him while he
acted upon the same principle. But the debate,
which brought forth Mr. Flood in full opposidon to

* Viz. on the Ist of Nov. IJSI— 1 Pari. Debates, p. Sa

t It vat n^gsiited by a majority of 117 against 44. 1 Pad.
|>^tes, |», 3q.

802 TheBeigntf George III

^^^ the minister, was on the supplies, which involved the

questbn upon the state of the nation *•
DebMeoB On the ISth of Novembery 1781» Mr Grattaa
Wit . made a motion for bringing in heads of a bill to ex-
plain, amend, and limit an act to prevent mutiny and
desertion in the army ; which was seconded by Mr.
Flood. On this occasion some few of the more inde*
pendent members of the ministerial party sided with the
opposition ; the division being 77 for and 133 against
the motion* Mn Eden said, as a servant of the public,
lie was determined, at all times, to guard against die eni^
thudasm of the day, whatever it might be. He h«d
found the mutiny law recently established by large
majorities; the execution of k had passed immediatriy
through his hands, almost from its commencement;
and he had found it full of expediency, and void of
mischief* He would therefore resist the modon.
Mr. Yd- Upon receipt of the melancholy news of the sor-

verton

throne.

moves for render of Lord Comwallis's army to the French
tooic in America, Mr. Ydverton, after a very impressive
speech t, moved, for an address to express their
loyalty and attachment to his majesty's royal person,
family, and government, and to assure his majesty
that th^y held it to be their indispensable duty, as it
was their hearty inclination to support his majesty to

* Mr. Flood's conduct^ perronal foeling» and omdi of hm
speech on the lost ot' hU place, and in reply to observations on lug
change, may be seen. Historical Review, p« 537, &c. vol. I.

+ 1 Pari, Deb. p. 124. Thts speech of Mr. Ychrcrton is fraught
irith that patriotic and constitutiomd spidti whicb on aU nati^oal
subjects he never failed to display.

The Reign of George III «>»

the utmost of thcbr abilities, and to restore the bless- }7^
ings of a bsdag and honorable peace. Several friendu
of Mr. Yelverton's conceiving, that his motion might
commit them in an approbation of the American
war, declined supporting it: the quettbn however
was carried by a majority of 167 against 37*

On thcMth of December Mr. Grattan being called Jf^;/^
toby the house, rose to state to them the financial <*o°f?m
sttoation of the country ; but previously intreated *»•" ^^
them not to give a rtMs ear to a subject necessary ezpeoces.
for their consideradon, though painful to thdr pad-
ence. He stated their debt, includmg annuides', at
£,667,600/. ; which he observed had not been accu«
mutated by directing the artillery of their arms against
a fore^ enemy, but by directing the artillery of the
treasury against their constitution ; it was a debt of
patronage and prostitution. After a minute investi*
gation into, and a severe invective against every spe«
des of venality, unaccountable waste, and ill-directed
profusion, he moved for a committee to examine the
expences of the nation, amd to conader of such re-
trenchments as should seem necessary. Mr. Foster
undertook the bold task of refuting every position of
Mr. Grattan.

On the 11th of Pecanber, ♦Mr. Flood entered Mr.Fkoas

i_ • « . «•««••« • . inoiion for

upon the important subject of Foyning s law, with the ezpia«

, Poyning's

* FarL Debates, p. 153. Mr. Flood's speech on this knportant ^^*
law to Ireland^ is a moat solid and explicit statement of the nature,
spirit, and operation of it ; and the best historical clue to the dc-
Felopment of the many political manoeuvres carried oo under its
saqctioa. ^is ax]g;unient is full/ given. Hist, Review, vol. 1. 560, kc.

904 The Reign iff George 111

^TBU great erudidon and eloquence. He concluded mdi ob«
senringy that the law was not in fault ; the Tile inter-
preter only was to be blamed. An interpreter (the £ng«
lish attorney-general), placed between the king and
people : a monster unknown to the constitution, whose
office was to stifle the voice of the people, and to pre*
vent the king from hearing; to render the people
dumb, and the king deaf. In order therefore to re«>
store the constitution to its native vigour,' and to ob-
viate the evil eflFects of misinterpretation^ he moved
two resolutions, viz. That a committee be appointed
to examine the precedents and records that day pro*
duced, and such others, as might be necessary to
explain Poyning*s law. If that were granted, he
would follow it with a declaration from the report of
that committee, what the law of Poyning, and what
the constitution of that country actually were. The
Provost 'answered Mr. Flood in a very learned and
temperate speech. The attorney-general opposed him
with more than his usual vehemence. At a late hour
Mr. Flood's first resolution was negativedt by a ma*
jority of i39 agsunst 67.
Mr.Gwdi. Mr. Luke Gardiner*, from his observations on the
S^ch^ spirit of toleration throughout the continent, lamented
otb^ks^n. ^hat Ireland was the most intolerant country in all £u-
^^ rope, which he considered as a high disgrace to the re>

formed religion, t On the 1 3th of December, 1 78 1 , a
conversation took place on the heads d^a bill for giving

• Afterwards Lord Mountjoj.
t 1 Pari. Deb. p. 175.

The Reign of George III 205

further retief to his Majesty's subjects of Ireland pro- ^7^-
fesong the Roman Catholic religion, when Mn Gar-
diner said, that he was taking the utmost pains to bring
it forward in such a shape^ as would render it accept*
able to every gentleman in the house, as in a case of
such great importance unanimity was eiunestly to be
desired. Several objections were taken to the time,
to the nature of the concession, and to the inflamed
state of the public mind. It went no further than
conversation. The house of commons met for the
last time before their adjournment on Christmas-day,
when Mr. Gardiner observed, that as many members
had expressed their anxiety to know the purport of
his intended bill for the relief of the Roman Catholics,
and as the house had given no orders for printing it,
he would have it printed and distributed at his own
eacpence, that gentlemen might have an opportunity
of maturely considering it during the recess. On that
occasion Mr. Grattan observed, that it was allowed on
all sides, that some indulgence should be granted to
the Roman Catholics. He wished the house to do it
handsomely, for the merits and sufferings of the
Roman Catholics claimed it from them. They were
not to be judged by their creeds as understood by
their adversaries : their actions proved them dutiful
and loyal.

On Si$t of January, 1782, Mr. Gardiner gave no- Mr.c«rdi.
tice oL bis intention to bring in heads of a bill for the Soe^r oilT
relief of the Roman Catholics in Ireland*. The Hon. ^f^^^

• 1 Pari Deb. p. ipg^

t06 Tie Seign of George III

11^ John Burke opposed the introduction of a biil, thstt
would abolish all the restraints, which the wisdom
6f their ancestors had laid upon that people. Leave
was given however, without further opposition^ to
tmng them in. On the 5th of February, Mr. Ctzx^
diner being indisposed, Mr. Dillon presented beads
of a bill for the relief of the Roman Catholics, which
brought on a debate, in which several other lead*
ing members of the house declared their sentiments
in favour of them: But on the order of the day
for going into the bill, a conversation took place
tipon the propriety of its being then committed, when
the house, which viras uncommonly crowded with
strangers, was appalled by Mr. Fitzgibbon's apprizing
them*, that till that morning he had never considered
the bill as dangerous; but on reading it over care-
fully, the first clause struck him as a repeal of the
Act of Settlement, the Ace of Forfeiture, said the
Act of Resumption ; that if so, it must destroy the
new titles Under the Popery laws, and entangle the
whole kingdom in a maze of confusion. He there*
fore intres^ed the friends of the bill to agree with him
hi putting it off, till those doubts should be doner
away ; or till that clause could be modified, so as to
grant retief to the catholics without injuring the per-
sons holding under the new titles. Even the attor-
ney-general consented to commit the bill, to shew
the people, that the house was sincere, and fully
resolved to give them the utmost, that could safely be

♦ 1 Ptol. Deb, p. 241.

The Reign of George lit. «)7

gfanted. The house then weDt into a committee^ i?^^-
when the bill was read, and the further consideration
of it adjourned to a near day« Mr. Fitzgibbon aban«
doned his opinion, which bad given the alarm*

The great body of the people had arms in their ^J'JjJ^^.
hands, and freedom in their hearts ; they were rising tkmaaf the
gradually mto the use of arms, were organized into
discipline, and united in one common object, the de^
temunation to attain legislative independ^icei The
officers of the southern battalion of Lord Charlemont's
Armagh regiment, took the lead, and gave move-
ment to the important measures of the volunteer
army: they met atnd cam^ to * resolutions, which

* As Ireland owes so much to fhe Volanteers, the reader may
be desiroas to know the nature and spirit of their first |Niblicr
meeting. The following resolutions gave rise to all their future
operations.

'' First Ulster Regiment, comnnanded by the £arl of Charlemont.

'' At a full meeting, holden at Armagh, on Friday, the

28th day of December, l^SI^ of the officers and delegates of

the southern battalion of the said regiment, cousibting of eleven

eompanieSy pursuant to adjoummcnL

" Francis Evans, Esq. in tlie chair. The following resolutions
were unanimously agreed to, and ordered to be printed in all the
newspapers published within the province of Ulster, and in the
Volunteer Journal of the City of «Pnblin. .

** Resolved, That with the utmost concern, we behold the little
attention paid to the constitutional rights of this kingdom, by the
majority of those, whose duty it is to establish and prcseiTe the
same.

*' Resolved, That to avert the impending danger from the na-
tion, and to restore the constitution to its original purit)', the most
vigorous and effectual methods must be ptusued, to root out cor-
ruption and court infltMfncc from the legiUative body.

aos TAeSeignof George til.

^T^^ they published throughout the province of Ulster an^
in Dublin.
Yiist meet* The meeting, in consequence of this requisition^
iraiumeeis. was ouc of the uiost unportant tiransactions in the
modem annals of Ireland. As soon as this bold call
appeared, the Castle took the alarm« Captain Evans
was the ostensible man^ but to take him up might
bring things to immediate eaitremides; to take no
nodce of it might be dangerous ; a middle course was
determined on^ and every possible means were used to
suppress the meeting : the words of the requisidon
were animadverted on ; and many, even of the best
friends of Ireland, wished no meeting had been called.
As the awful 15th day of February, 1782, approach-

^* Resolved, That to open a path towards the attaining this de*
Siruble point, it is absolutely requisite that a meeting be held in
the roost central town in the province of Ulster* which we con-
ceive to be DuDgannon^ to which said meeting every- volunteer
association of the said province is most earnestly requested to send
delegates, then and there to deliberate on the prevent alarming
situation of public affairs, and to determ ue on, and publish to
their country what may be the result of said meeting*

" Resolved, That as many real and lasting ad^ a.itages may arisf
to this kingdom, from said intended meetin j being hfld, before
the present session of parliament is much farther advanced, Fridayt
the 15th day of Februaiy next, at ten o'clock in the forenooo« is
hereby appointed for said meeting, at Dungannor as aforesaid.

" Resolved, That as at said meeting, it is highly probable the
idea of forming brigades^ will be agitated and considered, the
several corps of volunteers who send delegates to said meetingt
are requested to \est in them a power to associate with some oo^
<^ such brigades as may be then formed.

*' Faakcis £vams^ Chairman.**

"The Beign of George III

%d, men of ^teiry deicriptioB nmMmeA ftmr deep J;n.
concern in die erent. The adnimietration was con-

ddeped by tliem all to hav« treated the demands pi
ihe people with scorn : and they charged the parlia-^
ment widi having leagued wkh adminisrradon against
thenu They had arms in their bands, but no chain
of cotTespandence, ^hich could alone give efficacy to
their resolves. Thus drcumstanced, a meeting was
formed, attended by Lord Charlemont> Mr. Floodf
Mr. Grattan, Mr. Stewart (member ^r Tyrone),
and Mr. Dobbs, a Wiister^ ait which were passed
.the famous resolutioos of Dungannon. They were
'21 &a ^Qmt>er, and their general substance as follows.

That whereas it had been asserted, that vohin- . $»!»«»«

ofthcDjm-

teers, as such, cotitd not with jMopriety debate or s>niioiw»-
pnbUsh their opinions on political subjects, or (Hi the
conduct of parliament, or public men; they re-
solved that a citizen, by learning the use of arms, did
not abandon any of bii$ oivil rights. That ^ daim cf
any body of men, other than tbe king, lords^ and coqw
tnons of Ireland, to make laws to bind that kifljg«
dom, was unconstitutional, illegal, and a grievance.
That the powers exercised by the privy council of
both kingdoms, under colour or pretence of th^
law of Poynings, were unconstitutional and a grier-
ance. That the ports of Ireland were by right opea
to all foreign countries not at war with the 4pi}g«
That a mutiny bill not limited in point of dimliQSi
from session to session was unconsdtudonal. Thtt
the independence of the judges was as essential to the
impardal administratiQn of jusdce in Irdandl, as in

VOL. u. F

aaa m fkignj>f Ckorge Tin -

^7^ Eagland,'' ThgC the tpinority in parKftment^ who had
supported their dcwsiitutiona) rights, vreiis entitled to
tjii^ks. Thsit four membeii from eiiGh county of
the province of Ulster be appobted a committee, till
the next general meeting, to act for the volunteer corps
there represented, and to communicate Uflth other
volunteer associations. That they would not con-^
sume any wine of the growth of Portugal, until their
sports should be received In the kingdom of Portugal,
9S the manufactures of part of the British empire«>
That they held the right of private judgment in mat<
ters of religion, to be equally sacred in others, as in
themselves* And therefore, as men» and as Irishmen,

. - as Christians, and as Protestants^ they rejoiced in the
relaxation of the penal laws against their Roman Ca««
tbolic felloW'SubjeGts*.

* The short and spiritecl ad^reis 6f the voltiixteers to the mi-
aority in parliament^ deserves to be handed down ttf the latest
posterity. .

** To the Right Hondrabte dhd Honorable the liifinorUy in bot&
Houses of i^arliament.

^' Mt Loans akd GfiNTisMBiv^

" Wb thank you for your noble and spirited, though
Vitherto ineffectual efforts, in defence of the great constitutional
and ooRimercial rights of your country. Go on ! the fl!most
. .unanimoiis voice of the people is with you ; and in a itiee couotfy
the Yoice jof the people must prevaiL We know our duty to
our sovereign^ and are loyal. We know our duty to ourselves, and
are resolved to be free. Wes^k for our rights^ and no more than

"The Reign of George 111 '211

'Ithus ended the btisin«s of that memorable daf . ^^
The meeting was in the church. The country rejoiced ***^*^^
-^tthe temper and fihnne$s of the proceedings: it's oftheD«i*
^enemies were disappointed. To divide and conquet, mectiog.
had been too l6ng the odioos policy of the castl^ ;
that of Di!tngannon, was to unite and be iHctorions%
These resolutions were erected as the standard, to
which afl the volunteers repaired. Committees of
correspondence v^ete formed, and tfce national com-
ifnittee crowned the business.

Withih five days'after th6 passing of the tJ^ungaA- MrCaMl-
non resolutions, when the Roman Catholic Bill was in favorer
in the commirtfee*, Mr. Gardiner observed, that he thoiics.
was happy to find thAt liberal spirit of lolenitioll,
which had ori^nated in that house, so widely dif-
fused throughout the kingdom. The delegates at
Dun^aiftibn had proved, that the people of the north
Were as forward to ^ant tolehition, as the catholics
could be to receive it. Re hoped to obtain the una-
idmous approbatio*n of the house) and had therefore
iKvided the indulg^ncies^ which he thought ought to b^
granted to Roman CathoHcs, into five heads. The
first, and that, which he then intended to propose to
the corttfnittee, respect^ their enjoyment of property.:
the second, the fre^ exercise of Veligion : the third,

our righfe ; ind, liilto jns^ a puTMiit, we thould doubt the b^ng
of a ^Undeaoe^ ji wa doubted of fucoeM.

" Stgded by oideri '

* Vis. on tbe 20th of Febpiaiy, 1782. ^ PM. .SebatM^
p. 148.

*3

.212 ^The Reign nf Ccorfre III

1782. education: the fourth, marriage: and the fifth, which,
from the. dispositias of the coiuiniuee, lie did not then
think expedient to agitate, regarded self-defence.
The attorney-general, and some other leading men In
the commons, opposed the bilL Even Mr. Flopd ob-
jected to catholics acquiring any power in the state,
which he contended they would by the ability of pos-
sessing freehold land, which carried with it an influx
ence in elections for members of parliament. The
liberal and enlightened mind of Mr. Grattan was for
the removal of every^ disability, that deprived the ca-
tholic of his full participation of the constitution.
He spoke highly of the constitutional principles of
the catholic body. Nor should it be mentioned as a
reproach to them, that they fought under the banner
of King James^ when it was recollected, that before
they entered the field, they extorted from him a Magna
Charta, a British constitution. He should be ashamed
of giving freedom to but six hundred thousand of
his countrymen, when he could extend it to miUioas*
Fortunately for the catholics, Mr. Gntliner's bill was
not made a govei;nment que^tioni or it would {»x>-
bably have fallen before the same majority, which
had uniformly opposed every constitutional question9
brought before them since the commencement of the
American war. The nearer the fatal ministry of Lord
North drew to its dissolution, the more violeai were
its agonizing struggles against the patriotic eflbrts oi
Ireland to obtain a free and independent constituotin.
Mr.Grttun Within the octave of the great civic festival at Dun-
2d^ to g^^^^'i^/ ^* Grattan, as the h^ald and oracle of his

The Reign of George IIL 21 S

armed countrymen, moved in the house of com- i''*^^-
mons *, for an address to the King, •* To assure the King
his majesty with unfeigned attachment to his person gi*utiifc in-
and government^ that the people of Ireland were a irdaHo.
free people ; the crown of Ireland a distinct kingdom,
with a parliament of her own ; and that with one
vcHce they protested against the interposition of any
other parliament in its legislation. That the claim of
the British parliament, to legislate for Ireland, was use-
less to England, cruel to Ireland, and without any
foundation in law. That impressed with a high sense

of the justice of the British character, and in reliance on

m

• Oo die 3)d of Fdmiarj* 1782. 1 Ptarl. Deb. p. 966. He
ushered id hia motioB with a briUiant apeech^ in whiob he rdbrred
by hisiorical allusion to America^ and the weakness of the admi-
nistration, which occasioned its loss to Great Britain, A pecu-
liar excellency of that great man's oratory is, that it applies as
forcibly to esuating circnmstanceSi aa to ihoae which immediately
oocaaiooed the exertion of his stapendous powers. '' How Ibtik
aod abiiurd are all the afgameots, that teftcn on th«l occaiion
from the government press ? I am for cranquillity ; it is for.
honorable tranquillity ; but when I see an administration, unable
to make a blow against an enemy, tyrannize o^er Ireland, I am
bonod to oxert every power to oppose it.

«< Irekad U in strength ) slie has aequired thatatiiengtb by tho
weakness of Britain: for Ireland was saved^ when America waa
lost : when England conquered, Ireland was coerced ; when she
was defeated, Ireland was relieved ; and when Charles-town was
taken, the mutiny and sugar bills were altered. Have you not all
o£joa, when you heani0f a defeat^ at the came inataDt> toodolhd
with England, and congratulated Ireland ?

** If England were for a moment awake to her own inteieitfl^
she would come forward, and invite us to her arms, by doing
dway every cause of jealousy.*'

P 3

214 The Reign sf George II h

1782: his majesty's paternal care, they had set forth theu
right and «eatinients^ \vithout prescribing any mcxle ta
his majesty, and threw themselves on his royal v^is-
dom." Mr. Brownlow seconded the motion, remarking
that the people knew their rights ; and it was need-
ligss for government to pretend to oppose what must
at last be obtained. The attorney-general opposed
tlie address by moving to have it put oflF to the first
0^ August; which motion was carried by 137
against 68.
ijpj i^ood^ As government affected, that the late division against
tfottrnega- the address did not involve the question of ri^ht in
Griftt Britain to bind Ireland by legislative acts, the
patriots returned to the charge ; but by a similar ma-
jority the ministry negatived * Mr. Flood's two self-
evident resolutions ; That the members of that house
were the only representatives of the people of Ireland,
^d that the consent of the commons was indispea-
ti&ibly necessary to render any statute binding.
Mrf&rdi- The heads of the Roman Catholic bills in their
SwicTuif. progress through the committee occasioned several
warm debates. The first of them, intituled, /in Act
for the further Relief of his Majesty* s Subjects of this
Kingdom professing the Raman Catholic Religion -fy
taking notice that the continuance of several of the
Popery laws was unnecessary, and injurious to Ire-
land, enabled catholics to take, hold, and dispose of
lands and hereditaments in the same manner as

*' 1 Ptarl. Debates, p. 279. The division was 137 against 76.
t 21- and 22 Gea III. c 24;

77ie Reign of George UC ^IS.

Protestahts : (except advowsons and manors, and ^^
boroughs returaing members for pariiament.) It re-
moved several penalties from such -of the clergy, as
should have taken the oath of allegiance and been re-
gistered; and repealed several of the most noxious
parts of the acts of Ann and Geo. I. ,and Geo. II. *.
The second bill .bespoke it's purport upon the face
of it's title t ; ^n Act to allow Persons professing
the Popish Religion to teach School in this Kingdom^
and for the regulating the Education of PaptstSy and
also to repeal Parts of certain Laws relative to the^
Guardianship of their Children. When Mr.^Gardiw
ner proposed his third bill, which was for establishing
intermarriages between Protestants and Roman Ca-
tholics, the house divided upon if, and the bill was
negatived by a majority of eight J.

• Such as the power given to a magistrate to fine and imprison ^
efery papUt refusing to appear and declare upon 'oatb when and
where )ie had last heard mass, who celebrated and assisted at it,
^od the residence of ao^ popish ecclesiastic : siich as prohiKted
a papist to have a horse of the value of 5l. under certain penalties^
and which enabled the chief governor to seize all their hurses
upon any invasion or intestine war likely to happen : such as en-
abled the grand jury to present the rcimbureing of all robberies
and depredations of privateers in tinati of war upon the renl and
personal estate of the catholics within the county r such as sub-
jected every catholic to certain penaliies, who^did not provide a
protestant watchman to watch in his turn : and >^uch as subjected
to certain penaHirf every catholic, who should take or purchase a
house in limerick or Galway, or the suburbs thereof.

t 21 and 22 Geo. UI. c. 62.

X JO Joom. Conur p. 3i7«

P4

ti^^ The Reign ofGeorgd III

I7»i> The gre*t opposition proceeded from, the Arch*
^aturif^f* bishop of CasheU s interest, Severa],,who held places
fftioircdtbe under government, were also adverse. Government

flftthoHc* °

MUK g^ve neither countenance nor supp<Nrt, though some
supporters of government favoured the measure.
These bills were viewed in very opposite lights by
(Afferent descriptions of persons. Some considered
tliem as rmaous to the protestant ascendancy in Ire-
Bind, and therefore opposed them in every stage >
others considered them too liberal, although some en*
fiSburagement ought to be given to the long, tried and
fben much wanted fidelity of the catholics. A third
elass inclined to grant even more, than these bilk im*^
ported ; though they still maintained) that the Irish
catholics were to be kept in a civil subordination to
the privileged order of protestants.. And a fourth un«
equivocally declared, that national justice and policy
demanded the complete emancipation of the catholics,
sad a perfect civil amalga^nation of the whole Irii^
people*.

rfecHfie-of Although these and some other bills did not re-

tort Car- ^ ° , •

Ksie'satf- ccive the royal assent during the vice-royalty of Lord

tfoif and

cioA- ' * Mr. Barke in a leUer to a peer of Ireland upon this bill
(printed in London, 1785) 8ays» '' To look at the bil), in the ab-
stractf it is reitlicr more nor less than a renewed act of universal^
unmitigated, indispensable^ exceptionless disqualification. One
^m>uld imagine, that a bill inflicting such a multitude of incapa-
dtiet> had flowed on the beds of a conquest, made by a veiy
fierce enemy^ under the impression of recent animotity and le*
afcntntient; No man,, on reading that bill, cookl imagine he was-
raiding an acr of amaesty and indulgence. It has sorely much
mor&the air or a table' of pr<iicriptiaQ9^ thaaaoractcf grace.**^

7%i Reign of George I IL «I7

Carfisle, yet having been brought forward under him^ >782.
they may be considered as acts of his administratioik;
Sudi ako was the MU* for establishing a national
bank of Ireland, with some other beneficial bills of re-
gulation. As the Irish administration was but a sub-
ordinate part of that of Great Britain, it was natural, .
that the lord-lietftenant and his secretary should carry
matters with a less high. hand, when once they per*
cdred the opposition of Great Britain gaining ground,
and hastening the downfal of that ill-fatedf ministry,
which had weakened the British empire by the loss of
her American colonies, the useless sacrifice of one
hundred thousand lives, and the accumulation of
above a hundred millions of national debt.

One of the last acts of Mr. Eden's, in the commons, luc act ct

^, • • r L- Tw/r • ^ t Mr. Eden.

was the commtmication ci his Majesty's answer to
their address relative to the affah-s of Portugal. Lord
Carlisle foreseeing in the change of ministry a total
change of principles and measures with reference to
Ireland, and having received no fresh instructions or
support from the British cabinet, wished only to carry
some of the then pending bills up to the lords ; and •
on the 14th of March, 17S2, adjourned the parliament
to the 16th of April. By that time a general change

* ai and 22 Geo. IIL c xvi.

t Ihe £rat laocqoiTocal sf mptom of the down&l of Lord North's
administntioD* was the resignation of Lord George Crermaine. The
viipepidahtf f treaiment, and coodoct of the AmeHcao secretary^
and several important cittmsnstances relative to the change of that
adiDi&isiratioD* inaj be seen in my Historical Review^ vol, I. p.
384, Uc.

*1 8 TAe Reign of George //Z

ir^^. having taken place in the Britieh ministry, Mr. Edcxx
went to London with Lord Cartisle's resignation of
the lieutenancy, desiring only •time to make some
necessary arrangements, and to close the session of
parliament.
Appoint- Ou the 14th of April, the Duke of Portland arrired

nirmofthe ^ *

Duke of in Dublin, and immediately took upon himself the

Portland, ' ^ '^ r t^*

and Mr. government of Ireland. Mr. Eden, speedily after his.
duct in the amval m Eneland, laid before the British parliament*,
commons, a view ot Ireland durmg the tviro last years ; acquamted
the house with the measures, which (hessdd) were-
then forming, for rendering it totally independent of
the British legislature; and concluded with moving
for leave to bring in a bill to repeal so much of the
act of the 6th of George I. as asserted a right in the
King and parliament of Great Britain to make laws ta-
bind that kingdom. The precipiration, with which a
business of such magnitude and importance was thus
attempted to be forced on the house^ without previous
communication with any of. his Majesty's ministers,,
or knowledge of their intentions, was severely cen^
% sured, and the more especially as it appeared, that the
right honourable gentleman had refused to give any

• The debate upon the situation of Ireland on the Sih of April,
1762, in the British house of commons, was so illustrative of th/e
ancient system of governing Ireland ; so explanatory of the views
and motives of the British cabinet, in the dtfierent meamreB they
imposed upon tliat kingdom, that the reader may be gratified in
learning, from the mouths of the acton tbemielves, a complete oar*
rative of this great revolution in the kingdom of Ireland. In the
Appendix to my Historical Review, No. LXVIIL the whole debate
13 given*

The Beign iff George 111 8 1,0

official information to govemmesit relative to, the state ^7^'^
of the count/y he had just left Mr. £den, thougl)
loudly called on to withdraw his motion, persisted in
urging its necessity; and in vindication of his own
conduct^ stated, that the reason of hi^ refusiag to have
any communication with his Majesty's present servants,
was the great want of attention to the £arl of Carlisle,
which they had shewn in the mode of appointing his
successor, and in his removal from the lord-lieutenancy
of the East Riding of Yorkshire. This apology served
rather to increase the displeasure of the hous^ ; a mo«
tion of censure on his conduct was threatened; and it
was vi^ith gre^t difficulty he was at last brought to
comply with the general wish of the house by with^/-
4rawing his motion. Mr. Fox informed the house in
the course of this debate, that the ministers of the
crown^ during the short time they had been in office,
had holden three or four councils, solely on the affaiis
of Ireland; and that he hoped very soon, perhaps
within tho next four<and-twenty hours, to lay some
preparatory measure before them.

On the very next day, viz, iipril 9th, 1782*, Mr. HisMajcry
Secretary Fox communicated the following message •'ige to botu

, , houses of *

to the house: thcrSiitish

parliament

'' GEORGE R. ir"i^"'"*

** His Majesty being concerned to find*,
that discontents arid jealousies are prevailing among

* 7 Pari. Debates, p. 24. And on the same day,- the first of
their meeting, a message to the like effect was delivered to the
lords, and addresses were unanimously voted by both houses.

220

The Rmgn of George lit

1782.

M. Fox

proposes
thanks to
to his ma<
je»tj.

Duke of
Porn and
meets the
pailiiinicnt

his loyal subjects in Ireland, upon matters of great
weight and importance, earneiBtly recommends to this
house, to take the same into their most serious consi-
deration, in order to such a final adjustment as may
give mutual satisfaction to both kingdoms, G. R.**
Mr. Secretary Fox expressed in strong terms the
sincere wishes of his Majesty's ministers to secure the
peace and welfare of Ireland, The hasty step proposed'
by Mr. Eden would have been unwise and impolitic*
It was the duty of government to conclude an arrange^
ment for posterity, as well as for the present day : and
in quieting the existing jealousies, to establish such a
^nciple of relation and constitution, as should prevent
future discontents from arising. He believed it would be
easy for the King's ministers to do as their predecessors
had done : to patch up a temporary cessation of claims^
and leave to those, who wefe to come after them, all
the dangers of an unsettled constitution, for the mean
advantage of clearing themselves from difficulties^
which they had not the courage to meet with fairness.
He then moved an address to return his Majesty thanks
for his most gracious message ; and to assure his Ma-^
jesty, that the house, feeling with his Majesty the
deepest concern, that discontents and jealousies should
have arisen among his Majesty's loyal subjects in Ire-
land^ would, without delay, take the same into their
most serious consideration, in order to such a final
adjustment, as might give mutual satisfaction to both
Igngdoms.

The Duke of Portland, on his arrival in Dublin,
^ was received with excessive demonstrations of joy.

Tk^ Rtign of Gtorge lit 82 1

Wiiieii tbe parliaiaent met according to adjourhnieiil, 1783.
on the Ifth of April, the galleries and bsffrof the house
c^ commoM were crowded, and expectation was raised
to eodiusiasnit As sooii as the ^eaker had taken the
chair, Mr. John Hely Hutchinsod, his Majesty's prin«>
cipal secretary of state, rose, and announced to the
house, that he wa^ charged by the lord -lieutenant to
communicate to them a message from his Majesty, of *
the same tenor as that, which had been communicated
to both houses of the British parliament. He addressed
them, not as an officer of the crown, but as a gentle-
Inan of the country. He spoke determinately in favour
of the legislative independence of Ireland. In men-
tioiung Mr. Grattan in terms most honourable, but
not exceeding his deserts, he said, he would ever live
in the hearts of his countrymen. The present age
and posterity would be indebted to him for the greatest
of all obligations, and would (but he hoped at a great
distance of time) inscribe on his tomb, that he had re-
deemed the liberties of his country.

Mr. George Ponsonby moved an address to his Ma- Motion of
jesty, thanking him for his most gracious message^ and the Km^.
assuring him, that his faithful commons would imme*
dii^ely proceed upon the great objects he had recom-
mended to their consideration. Mr. Grattan, after a
speech of unusual brilliancy, moved an amendment to
the address *, which imported a repeal of the 6th of

* He said be had nothing to add> but to sdmiie by what iteady
ypitac, the people had asserted their own righta. He was oot very
Mp and yet he remembered Irehmd a child. He had watched
her growth I from infancy she grew to arms: fiom ermi i» U«

fi23 The Reign bf Gebrge It I.

17W. George L including a restoration of the appellant jii*
risdiction to the lords of Ireland, an aboKtidn of the
unconstitutional power of privy-councils^ and a repeal
of the -tnu tiny bill. The judges' bill he refrained front
mentioning, as he had heard it w^ retUrnied. His
motion was unanimously agreed to.
^cflcctjont The short spate of six vreeks had s<!arcdy elapsed^
saciiity of suice the house of commons had triumphantly boasted

the Irish * '

houFc of

commons, bcrty. She was not now afraid of the French j she was not now
afraid of the English } she was not now afraid of herself. Her
sons were no longer an arbitrary gfcntry ; a ruined commonalty ;
protestnnts oppressing catholics ; catholics groaning under oppte^-
6ion : she was now an united land.

This bouse agreeing with the voice of the nation, passed the
popery bill, and by so doing got more than it gave, yet found ad-
vantages from generosity, and grew rich in the act of charity.
Ve gave not : biit ye formed an alliance between the protestant
and the catholic powers, for the security of Ireland; What signi-*
fies it, that three hundred men in the bouse of commona-^what
ji^nifies it, that one hundred rhtn in the house of peers^assert
their country's liberty, if unsupported by the people ? But there is
not a man in Ireland ; there is not a grand ]wry 3 there is not an
association j thel*e is not a corps of volunteers ; there is not a meet-
ing of their delegates, which does not maintain the independence
of the Irish const itutjon^ and pledge tiieraseives to support tlie
parliament in fixing that constitution on its rightful basis. Not
long ago the meeting at Dungannon was considered as a veiy
alarming measure : but I thought otherwise ) I approved of it,
and considered the meeting of Dungannon as an original transac-
tion. As such only it was matter of surprise. What more ex-
traordinary transaction, than the attainment of Magna Charta? That
was not attattied in parliament, bat by the barons, artned, and
in the field. A great original transaction is not founded in pre«
^irdetit, it contains in itself both reason and precedent 5 the revo*
luttoo bad no precedent.

The Reign of George lit 223

«»f tHdi: steady adherence to the dictates of the British i78ft«
dabinet, in rejecting every effort of the patriots to at-
tain that constitutiohal ltt>erty9 which they had been
labooring for years to secure. The vefsatility of that
majority in supporting the propositions^ which they
bad before rejected, is a political phenomenon of cu<>
nous observation* The ministerial members of inde-
pendent fortune rose in succession to purify their past
conduct from any interested or corrupt motive. Even
Mr. fitzgibbon defied the house to charge him with
ever having asserted ihe.supremacy tffihe British par-'
Itamenl ; though he confessed he had voted with mi*
nisters against the declaration of rights^ as judging it
then improper to be tnoved. This gentleman spoke a
new language in the face of his country*, that as the
nation was then committed to obtain a restoration of
iheit rightSy it behoved every man to stand firm.

A congratulatory address to the Duke of Portland Addressw
was proposed by Mr. O'Neil, and unanimously voted, nuke of
Mr. Fitzgibbon then observed, that as the suddenness and Lord
of Lord Carlisle's departure had rendered it impossible
to convey to him the opinion entertained of his admi-
nistration in the way of address, he should move a
resolution of that tendency ; which was seconded by
Mr. Daly. Mr. Grattan^ who had opposed most of
his measures, felt himself called upon to resist it ; but
the resolution was carried without a division.

On the 4th of May, 1 782, the house adjourned fot Adjcmm-
three weeks, in order to give time for the determination iJuIh pmr-

* ttad pro-

ceedings of
• 1 Pari. Deb. p. 342. . the British.

224 The Reign of George til

^782. of the British ministry in respect to their clam fof
a declaration of rights. On this occasion a con»
versation ensued^ in \vbich Mr« Fit^^;3>bon and Mr.
Scott *^ spoke on the independent rights of Ireland,
which they had hitherto invariably opposed, 'with
as much enthusiasm, as the most high-flying patriot
tinder the late administration. llie situation of
Ireland was £airly brought under the cansideratioQ
of his Maj^ty's servants! by accord, on the same
day (May 17, i782) in both houses of the British
parliament, by the Earl of Shelbume in the pe^rs, and
by Mr« Fox in the commons. After a most liberal,

• i. e. Lord date and I«ord CSoainett.

f We are informed by Lord Clare (Sp. 33.) that on the flth
of May the Duke of Portland wrote to Lord Sbelbome, " recom-
mending to the British cabinet concession of all the poiiUa de*
manded by the Irish addresses^" but " stating his perfi:ct confi*
dence in the readiness of the Irish parliament to co-operate in the
most effectual measures either with the King's confidential ser-
vants, or by commissioners to be appointed, or through the me-
dium of the chief govemcMT, to settle the precise limits of the in*
dependence, which was required^ the consideration, which shoQl4
be given for the protection expected, and the pioportion, which it
would be proper for tliem to contribute towards the general sup-
port of the empire, in pursuance of the declaration contained in
the concluding paragraph of their own address. The regulation of
trade would make a very necessary article of the ttealy.*' This
communication was made by the Duke of Portland before the
claims of Ireland had been therefore brought into discussion ia the
British parliament ^ and demonstrates that the British Cabinet
was aware of the r&idiness on the part of Ireland to settle every
question of imperial policy or regulation, which might thereafter
arise, or be brought before the British parliament.

The Sdgn of George III. 1KLS

Imcmctive^ and conatitudoaal speech horn eadi of i78a/
these accoinpliBhed orators and statesmen, were peo*
poted the following motions.

Firsts '^ That k was the opinion of that hoi|se> that' -
the aa of the 6th <^ George I. indtutledj An Aufor
the better securing the Dependency of Irdand upon
the Crown of Great Britain^ ought to be repealed.*^

Second, ^ That i% was the opinioii of that hous^
that k was indispensable to the interests and happiness
of both kingdoms, that the c<»mecticxi betwe^ them
should be estaMished by mutual consent, upon a solid
9Bd permanent footing, and that an humble addrsss
dxmld be presented to his Majesty, that his Msyesty
would be graciously pleased to ta^e such measures
as his Majesty in his royal wisdom should dunk most
ccmdudve to that important end/^

The Earl oi Carlisle, in an elegant qpeech^ though Lord Car-
recalled from his government in no flattering manner, pom the
most liberally expressed his approbation of die mo-
ti(m& He bore ample testimony to the zesl and loy*
alty of the Irish, and particularly stated the honour-
able conduct of the volunteers, and the liberal oflers
made of their service, when Ireland wi|s threatened
wkh invasion. Lord Loughborough, alone in the
peers, no one in the commons, opposed the motions.

On the STth of May, 178S, the parliament of Ire- Duke of
land met according to adjournment^ when bis grace necu um
the Duke of Portland, in a gracious speech from the ^ *"**
throne% expressed his satisfaction at assuring the

• Flul. Ddbstet, p. 3#5.
VOJU xu Q

226^ The Reign of George III

l^^^ Irish parliament, that the British legislature had con-
curred in a resolution to remove the causes of their
discontents and jealousies, and had united in a desire
tb gratify erery wish expressed in their late addresses
to the throne. After the speech had been read, Mr.
6rattan*, with bis usual eloquence, bore testim(»iy to
the candid and unqualified manner, in which Great
Britain had given up in tolo every claim to authority
over Ireland, and that unconditionally; which niust
for ever remove suspicion, and put an end to all future
cjuestions. They had recovered a constitution, and
their business was to maintain it* He recommended^
that they should make an unconditional grant to Eng-
land of 100,000/, for raising 20,000 Irish seamen for
the British navy ; which were afterwards voted. He then
moved an address devoid of all fulsome panegyric, and
containing nothing but the trutli, Mr. Brownlow se-
conded the motion. Almost the whole house rose suc-
cessively to make public profession of their joy and gra-
titude on the happy event. Two gentlemen only dif-
fered upon the propriety of the following words in the
address, viz. That there will no longer exist any consti^
iulional question between the two nations^ that can in^
terrupt their harmony. The house divided upon the
words objected to; when there were for the address as
it stood 211, and only two against it, viz. Mr. Walsh
and Sir Samuel Bradstreetf, the Recorder of Dublia.

. ^ I P^L Debates, p. 855.

' + Althoagh these gentlemen, whose genuine patriotism was
neWMTqaestioned, were the only two of the whole house of com-
Oion» in Ir^land^ who were of opinion, that any constitutional

The Reign of Cearge III. 227

No sooner had this motion been disposed of, than 1782.
M*-. Bagnal, after having- congratulated his country, Patnoiic
Great Britain, his Majesty, and his ministers, for haT- Henry ciat-
ing obtained the greatest of all political blessings,
called upon the house to confer some signal mark of
a great and grateful nation upon their illustrious bene-
factor Mr. Grattan, whose efforts in procuring them
these blessings had been timed and conducted with so
much wisdom; and considering this great and good
man as the father of his regenerated country, he fur-
ther called upon them to look upon him as the special
instnim^nt, which benign Providence had used to con-
vert the oppression and bondage of their country into
freedom and independence. He therefore gave notice,
that on the morrow, after the grant to his Majesty should
have been settled-, and a proper thanksgiving offered
to Heaven for the recovery of their rights, he would
move, that the house should resolve itself into a com«
mittee to take into consideration what sum they should
grant for the purchasing an estate, and building a suit-
able mansion for their illustrious benefactor Henry
Grattan, Esq. and his heirs for ever, in testimony of

question betwecifthe two nations was still outstanding; yot Mr.
Flood and some few others afterwards adopted that opinion, and
Lord Clare, with a view to the Union, quoted a oorrespondenoe
between Lord Sbelburne and the Duke of Portland, to prove that ^

the transactions of 1782 between Girai Brita'U and Ireland were
not considered as final, though evidently so treated by Mr. Grat-
tan and the rest of both houses of parliament. Considerable ejt>
tracts from these letters are to be seen in my Historical Revieivirj
vol. I. p. 6ii«

tan.

itSS' J%e Reign, of Gtorge U I

1782- their gratitude for the unequalled service he had done
for the kingdom of Ireland. This was afterwaida
fiiced at the sum of 50,000/.* in tfcie comouttee, which
resolution the house unanimously agreed to, and re«
solved, that an addre$$ should be presented to the
lord-lieutenant, to lay before bis Majesty, the hmiMe
desire of that house, that he would direct sudi sum
90 to be laid out in testimony of the gratitude of the
nation for Mr. Orattan's eminent aud unequalled
services, and that the house would make good the
same.
Mr.mopd's A day of general thank^viiig was proclaimed, and
lOr. Grat- £br the momeut happiness pervaded every part of the
kingdom. It was, however, but short-lived. Within
three days after Mr. BagnaPs motion, Mr. fMomt*
gomery called the attention of the house to Mr. Flood,
who had relinquished the most lucrative office of th^
state, rather than desert the constitution of Ireland :
and as he knew the present administration mtended to
niiise its glory by acting on the most liberal principles
of freedom, he gave fiotice, of his intention to move
an address to his Majesty, for restoring Mr. Flood to
the of&ce he lately held^ and in this he hoped for the
croncurrence of the minister. He would not, he said,
move for any pecuniary reward, as he knew the Right
Bon. gendeman in question was above receiving alms
fiom his country. Colonel Fitzpatrick observ^, that

*" VtT. OR tiie 2ytli of Mbj, 1792. 9 Journ. Com. p. 357.
Mv BifputTf Bpcech on this ocoasioQ if to be seen in toy Histo^
jicsl Sbviewj, vol. I. p. 6\2, frc.

t ^ Fttt Deb. p. 381. on the dOth of May> 1789-

^th^ Reign of George I If.

Vtie place of Mr. Flood was filled fey Sir George ^9^.
ToBge ; whose ill offices to Ireland were sererely
pointed at by Mr. Walsh. Colonel Fitspatrick mak^
rained the impropriety c^ breaking ui upon the discre-
tionary exercise of the prerogative; and suggested,
that the regular method wotdd be to move first for an
address to remove Sir George Tonge from his empfey^
nient% Mr. Flood was dissatisfied with Mr.^dvei^
ton's lull far the modificatk>n of Poynings^ iaWy to
whieh he moved an amendment, which he supported
with great powers, though it were Hot carried^

The gvand opposition, which Mr. Flood and his few Mr. IMS
^herents tn the Commons made to the proceedings tosimijte
then goihg for^trard to accomplish the demands of the ^^^
irbh parliament, was grounded u|)0]i a suggestion oi
the dnpficity of threat Britain, which still rettdned the
Hdl principle oF her right to legislate for every pait oi
the eli^iirew A simple repeal, he insisted, without an
express renunciation of the rights would. leave Il^land
ptedsely where she was. That wilbout aiome* positive
renunciatW oF the right to legislate internally anil

• To tins Mr. Moht^omeiy ciifitWeil, that if tlic down had
Wm eAhlnfonnei, and Jed to -bestow an booouiable caHphyme^t
tapoD aa uoworihx object, it would be right to Qivteceive it^ ami
addiess the Kiog to .bestow it on one, that was deserving of it.
t)o the 1st of Jucie be declared, that Mr. Flood kne^ nothing of
Lis appltcatioD, or lie wouM kiot have perimhted it to ha^"e beea
^tefldes bat although lie sbotild defer his motion* he still insislQd^
that it was most disgraceftil in the late administration to displace^
and io the presetit to petmtt a gentleman to spu^r the loss of
SSOOZ. per ana Ibr hb attachment to the constitmion and ime*
testt of hii country.

930 The Reign of Gtorgt II h

iwa. externally on the part of Great Britain, thdr work
would be but half done, and Ireland might agata he
enslaved by the first corrupt minister, who should
choose to avail himself of the unsuspecting and too
liberal conduct of Ireland* Mr. Flood's doctrines
gained more proselytes out of doors than in parlia^
ment. Mr. Grattan^ and by far the greater part of
the house confided implicitly in the good faith of
Great Britain, and contended* that the simple repeal
went the whole length of their own demands. Both
Mr. Yelverton and Mr. Grattan declared, that if they
could be convinced, that the simple repeal was insuf-
ficient, they would most cordially join Mr. Flood in
bis motion. Never was contest more fiercely fought^
than this between the two rival patriots, Messrs. Flood
and Grattan. It aided on the division of the house
upon Mr. Flood's motion on the 1 9th of July, 1 782*,
for leave to bring in the heads of a bill for declaring
the sole and exclusive right of the Irish parliament to
make laws in all cases whatsoever internal and exter-
nal for the kingdom of Ireland.
Chasee in The death of the Marquis of Rockingham had oc«
admii^tstn. casioned dissentions in the British cabinet, which
d^of! * obliged Mr. Fox, Lord John Cavendish, Mr. Burke,
uSh*m^*^ ^^ others of his friends to resign. Mr. Fox would
not submit to remain in a cabinet, in which be, and
his friends, who had come in and acted uniformly
upon an open principle, were outvoted; be had de»

* 9 Journ. Com, p. 378. The Journals merely say, it passed
Id the negative. Mr. Dobbs says in his history, p. 121, " that
the minority on that day consisted only of six**'

The Reign of George lit 9SX

thred before the death of tht marquis, that if certain ^7^-
measures were carried in. the cabinet, he should nesign^
and as they had been carried since his death, he did
resign, disdaining to be responsible for measures he
disapproved of, or to lend his name to a system, in
which he had no share. In the new arrangement of
Lord Shelburne's administration^ which took place on
the 13th of July, 1 782, L^rd Temple* was fixed upon
to succeed the Duke of Portland in the viceregency of
Ireland. Every possible dispatch was therefore given
to the parliamentary business in Ireland^ in order that
the Duke of Portland might close the session, and as
far as conveniently could be^ adjust all the arrange-
ments then pending between the two kingdoms re-
specting her legislative independence and commerci^
freedom. Lord Shelburne, who was the head c^ the
new administradon, had been fully as explicit, opeq,
and liberal in his speech to the lords, with reference
to Ireland, as Mr. Fox, in his speech to the common^.
It was therefore generally presumed, that the change
in the British administration would cause no alteration
in the system of concession to that kingdom.

The more beneficial acts, which passed under thie Acisondct
Duke of Portland's administration, were Mr. Eden's of^Pon-
act for establishing the national bank \ an Act, m?ninn-'
** for better securing the liberty of the Subject," com- *'^"*
monly called the Habeas Corpus act, similar to the
English act; the repeal of the act requiring the. sa-
cramental test, by which dissenting protestants werjs

* * .Now Mofcjuis of BUGkiiigbaxn«
' Q4

luqteera.

fgtf Tke Heign of Oebrge hh

*f^' excloded from offices of trust nhdet the crown ; the
reped of the t>(frpetu&) mutiny bill ; and the act for the
independence of the judges* An adt Uras also passed
to rttider the manner of conibrmfaig from the Popfish
to the Pit)te6tant religion more easy and expeditious;
Another for sparing to his Majesty^ to be drawn out
of this kingdom whenever he should thmk fit^ a force
liot exceeding 5000 men (part of the trodps appointed
to be kept therein for its defehce)^ On the ^7th of
July^ ] 782, the lord- lieutenant concluded the session.
Continuing The Volunteers had now too long be^ enured

influence

of jhe ▼(>- to arms, as well as to the agitation of political sub-
jectSy not to paitake of the spirit of enthusiasm, with
which the questions of simple repeal and renundatioii
were contended for in parliament! frequent appeals
to diem were made by persons in parilament; and
the volunteers assumed a consequence little short of
legislative control, Provindal meetings were called
to take into conadet^tion addresses suitable to the
occasion. Sotne meetings explicitly avowed their
intent to canvass the proceedings of their reptesenta^*
tives in parliament. A spirit of di^seht had ci^ated
discontent ; and the immediate object of their consi^
deration was, whether there existed ot* not just cause
of complaint. At their first meeting nothing was
agreed upon : at their next a resolution was unani«»
mously carried in favour of the simple repeaL At
a future meedng, an address to his majesty was de-
termined on to express the opinion of 806 companies
of volunteers in favour of the simple repeal. It passed
unanimouslyy and wit& loud applause. Captain Pol«

1^ keign of George tit ^38

lock then moved an address to the Duke of Portland, ^78*^
which was carried unanimoudy ; as was also an ad« .
dress to Lord Charlemont, appointing him genexal of
the volunteers of Ulster. An address to Mr. Grattan,
l&xpres^g the highest satisfaction at the vote of
40,000/. ; t resolution moved by Colonel Knox, fof
assisting in raiding the 20,000 teamen ; and another
fer erecting a monument at Dungannon, in which
Lord (^harlemont and Mr. Crattan were particularly
to be distin^bhed^ iltrere iilso carried unanimously.

The gentlemen, who were appointed to present the CfMrkms
address to his majesty, sailed for England. Lord of the deie-
Shelbume treated them with the greatest politeness ; thevoiun-
and lus Majesty was pleased most graciously to receive
their address, and every mark of attention was paid
through them to the volunteers of Ulster. But
scarcdy had their addresses been presented^ when
the packers iii-om Ireland announced the dissatis^c-
tion of two corps tn the town. of Belfast, which had
been representied at Dungannon ; their delegates were
Vilified and traduced in the news-papers': even Mn
Grattan became the object of abuse* The Belfast re-
view was approaching j those who were dissatisfied de^
temuned there to make their stand. The 3 1 st of July
exhibited a Volunteer encampment of near three thou-
sand men, and the volunteer garrison of upwards of one
thousand, all completdy clothed, armed, and accoutred*
Andnymotts papers in thousands were dispersed
through the camp and garrison* Every private was
taught, that he was competent to legislate, and con-
•equeatly to express his aenfiments on the most q>ecu«

234 The Reign of George tit

178^. lative points. Declaration^ renunciation^ eimple re^
peal, legal security, better security, and bill of rights^
were all before them, and they were to instruct their
delegates on these important points. The delegates
assembled on the dd of August, Colonel Stewart was
unanimously called to the chair. Major Dobbs, as
exercising officer^ moved an address to the Reviewing
General, Lord Charlemont, in which he inserted a
clause of their being fiilly satisfied with the simple
repeal. A debate comn\enced, whether it should not
be expunged ; at the end of eleven hours a division
took place, when there appeared for expunging S I ,
against it 29. The address thus altered, passed una<-
nimously. By the exertions of a wise and liberal ad-
ministration were the liberties of Ireland restored ;
peace, unity, and content diffused through a revived
nation, and the prosperity and glory of the British
empire encreased by adding strength, vigor, and feli-
city to that important part of it.

TH£

HISTORY OF IRELAND,

BOOK IV.

COMPRISING THE PERIOD OF TIME FROM THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRISH LEGISLATIVE
INDEPENDENCE IK THE YEAR 1782 TO THE
UNION.

CHAPTER I.

AdmtnUtraii&n of Earl Temple.

1782.

To the Rockingham administration* did Ireland owe L^JTrvm.
her indq>endence in 1782. In this. Lord Shelbume C^ ur?^
had taken a prominent part. Having, however, upon
Lord Rockingham's death contrived to be placed at the
head of the administration, he selected Earl Temple

* The advantage of a Whig adminutration is^ that their prin«
ciplet are known ; and afford a pledge to the public^ that they
will act np to them. The most flattering eology of Whiggitni> it
the ihoft dunitioD of the aeveial Whig administrations^ which

Shelburne
to govern
IieUnd.

236 the Reign o/deorge lit.

i?82. as the fittest person to undertake the govehimeht of
mdependent Ireland. He had intermarried with the
only child of Earl Nugent, who had been, broaght up
in the religion of her ancestors, and upon whom het*
father* had on the marriage settled the bulk of his large
domains in Ireland. Lord Nugent had on every oc«
evasion, both in public and private, proved himself a
sincere and warm lover of his country^ The gratis
tude of the Irish to his son-in-law, the character and
accomplishments of the new viceroy, and the Virtues
of his amiable consort, all tended to ensure him ^
most cordial welcome. He succeeded .the Duke of
^ortland^ who remained to finish the business of the
session, on the I5th of September j 1782, and was
received with public expressions of joy and satis^
lection.
BariTenf During the short period of Lord Tetnple's continue
to'iefoim ance in the government of Ireland, his chief attention

the itg^f ft»

Tof appears to have been directed to the establishment of
a system of economy throughout the different depart<i
ments ; a reformation supereminently necessary. Th^

hire been formed durifig the present reign. l*hry have nerer
been called m^ but on desperate emergencies. Their refbsal td
bend their principles to general commands, or some uncondi*
Uooel pledge, has coDStantly furnished a pretence kk their quitk
temoval*

* Tlie late Earl Kugent had been educated in the Roman Ca-
Iholic religion ; he conformed to the established religion In hia
youth> and some few years before his deaths he returned to tbat#
which he had abandoned*

Admhdstratii^ of Earl Temple^ JftST

Aort-Hved administration of Lord Shelbume, of 17^«
which Lord Temple w^ a principal suj^rt, deter-
mined his vicer^ency cm the 3d of June^ 178S* He
was in power long enough to have brought upon himp
self the resentful opposidon of sdl the eubaltem de*
pendants upon the Castle, who dreaded a scrutiny into
their abuses; and not long enough for the nation to
have felt the happy effects of so laudable an investi-
Ration,

]>urittg the Rockingham adniinistradon a ternuncttioH i^Me witii
was put to the contest between Great Britain and the
American colonies by a resolution of the Briti^ house
of commons in February, 1 782, to address his majesty
against the further prosecution of offensive war on the
continent of North America^ and for the restoration
of the blessings of peace ; which was concluded by
Lord Shelbume's administradon^ The solemn termi-
nation of this unfortunate war spread joy through the
Irish nation, and reconciled it in part to the sudden
change of that administradon, under which they had
obtained their indqiendence. The quesdons of simple
repeal and positive declaration or renunciation of rights
was kept up by the armed bodies of volunteers with
greater heat, than they had been agitated in parlia-
ment.
On tlie l»th of December, 1782, in the Bridsfa ^'^r

tiiB 01 the

house of commons. Colonel Fitzpatrick called the at- Bntiih par-
tendon of government to a circumstance, which had
given alarm to the people of Ireland : the decision of
an Iri^ cause ill the court of King's Bench in Eng-
land, notwithstanding the decburarion of Iridl tnde-

238 The Reign of George IIL

1783. pendence had put an end to all appeals. Mr. Secre-
tary Townsbend explained this to have arisen from
the cause having been in the court for eighteen months,
and the judges were bound to decide upon it. The
question of renunciation or simple repeal was fre»
quently spoken to in the house. On the 22d of
January, 1783*, Mr. Secretary Townsbend brought
the business of Ireland before the house of com-
mons, under the greatest anxiety to give Ireland
every satisfaction, that justice demanded, and was
consistent with the dignity of Great Britain. He
wished, that his motion might pass unanimously, that
the people of Ireland might see, that England meant
fairly, when she set ou t by removing the causes of their
jealousies and discontents. He then moved for leave
to bring in a bill For removing and preventing all
douils^ which have atyseriy or may arise^ concerning
the exclzisive rights of the parliament and courts of
Ireland in matters of legislation and judicature^ and
for preventing any writ of error ^ or appeal, from any
of his majesty^s courts in that kir^dotjn^ from being
received^ heard, and adjudged, in any of his majesiy^s
courts in the kingdom of Great Britain^. Mr. W.
Grenville J (Secretary to Lord Temple) seconded the
motion ; he rejoiced that government had brought on
the business ; he would not say how jealousies had
been excited in Ireland, but jealousies did exist there v

• g Pari. Debates, p. 138.
t 23 Geo. III. c. 28. .
. X The present Lord GrepviUe.

. Adminisiration of Earl Temple. 389

^d the late tranaactioii in the court of King's Bench W3-

><V^V

in England, had in no small degree contributed to
spread them wider. He meant not to impeach the
measures or intention of those gentlemen, who had
managed the business last session on the part of Ire^
land. Lord Beauchamp was the most strenuous in
the house for the inefEcacy of the simple repeaU
Colonel Fitzpatrick and Mr. Fox would not object to
the Secretary's motion, although they saw no neces-
sity for the bill ; it was therefore moved for and car-
ried unanimously.

In the discussion of the preliminary articles of The <
peace, which were annouiKed by Mr. Secretary -Towns- nuinitioo.'
hend on the 23d of January, 1783, was formed the
memorable coalition between Lord North and Mr.
Fox. Several of the friends of both these gentlemen
vehemently reprobated the terms of Lord Shelburne*^
peace. They had violently opposed each other on the
question of the American war : but that being now set
to rest, they found no longer any grounds of difference,
and therefore united for the common good of their coun-
try. On the 22d of February, the coalesced parties
brought all their forces to bear upon the ministry. Af-
ter a heated debate, they carried by a majority of 1 7 the
following question* : " That the concessions made to the

* 9 Pari. Debates, p. 369. The house sat till past three in the
morning i the ayes were 207« the noes IQO. In consequence of
this censure passed on the peace by the House of CommoDs, the
Earl of Shelburne quilted his oflice of first commissioner of the
treasury j and the chancellor of the exchequer declared publicly

840 7%e Reign of George lit.

1789. adversarieB of Great Britain^ by the provisiofial treaty
and preUmmary articles were greater, than they were
^ithled to, either from the actual situation of theuc
respective possessions, or from their comparative
strength/' In consequence of this defeat, the Secre*
tary of State moved, that the house should adjourn
to a near day, in order to afford time for completing the
new ministerial arrangements. This Lord Nugent
opposed on account of the Irish bill then pending.
He should lament, if his countrymen were not con-
vinced, that the people of England had with one
voice agreed to its passing without prejudice or bias^
from ministerial influence. In the house of peers^
Lord Thurlow avowed^ that he had advised the noble
lord, who had moved the first reading of the bill,
not to move the second, but to let it remain till
his majesty's ministers should choose to take it up^
observing, that the bill had been concerted with the
advice of the lord-lieutenant of Ireland ; a man of
great abilitiesi wisdom, and integrity : and consider-
ing what a stake he had in both countries, too

ia the house, that be only held his place till a saccessor dioold be
appomted to fill it. A ministerial intenegoum ensued, which
lasted till the beginning of April i during which time the king-
dom remained in a state of great disorder, without any retpoDsible
goveromeBt at home, the finances neglected, the military establish*
ments unreduced, and the negotiations with foreign powers, which
the critical tenjuncture of affairs rendered peculiarly important,
entirely at a stand. Various causes were assigned for the extraor-
dinary delay in the appointment of a new administration. They .
may be seen in my Historical Review, vol. II. p. 11.

Administration of Earl Temple. 241

much attention could not be paid to his sugges* 1783.
dons. For these reasons, he anxiously hoped the
noble lord would remain^ where he had conducted
himself in his high capacity, so much to his own
hdnor, and to the interests of both kingdoms. After
a yery heated debate, and personal reflections from the*
Duke of Chandos and Lord Radnor upon the new
ministers havings seized on the reins of government
by force, and outraged royalty by peremptory condi-
donSj the ImH was committed without a dissenting
voice. Although this bill produced many debates, it
aever went to one division.

Whilst the British senate was employed in securing Corpora-
freedom to Ireland^ and during the ministerial inter- Dublin ad-
regnum, Ireltod was not wholly mactive. ,The,cor- lordihrute-
poration of the City of Dublin presented an afFec- Knights of
tionate address to the lord-lieutenant ; which was as iutituted.
affectionately answered. In order to gratify the public
feeling, by giving additional lustre to the national
consequence, letters-patent were passed for creating a
society, or brotherhood, to be called. Knights of the
Illustrious Order of St. Patrick^ of which his majesty,
his heirs, and successors, were appointed to be sove-
reigns; and the lord-lieutenant for the time being
to officiate zs grand master. Fifteen of the prime
nobility t^ere appointed knights companions of the
order: and on the 11th of March, (the festival of
St. Patrick), they were mstalled with great order and
magnificence.

Disputes and dissentions had for some time sub- Tnt^-nc'cd
ssted between the aristocratic and deiaocratic parties <•{ ^ -

V0l4. U« R

242 Tlie Reign of George til

v^VW

J7^ in the republic of Geneva, which had finally termJ-
nated in favor of the former, through the interfer^ice
of the kings of France and Sardinia, and the cantons
of Zuric and Berne. In consequence of which^ many
of the democratic party jesolved to quit a covmtry,
in the government of which their weight and autho-
rity had been extinguished. They tuamed their eyes
upon Ireland, and sent commissioners to Dublin^
to consult and treat with that government in re-
lation to their reception into the kingdom. The
commissioners received marked attention from the
people, (then alive to every sympathy for civil liber-
ty), and more especially from the volunteers in the pro-
vince of Leinster, into several corps of which they
were^ admitted. Government manifested an avidity to
receive these democratic emigrants little consistent with
policy or foresight. They fixed upon a place for their
residence at Passage, near to the confluence of the
rivers Barrow and Suir, in the county of Waterford,
in which a very considerable tract of land was
shortly to revert to government ; and this it was re-
solved should be appropriated and granted in fee to
these Genevese settlers, and the place named Neiv
Geneva. The fundamental terms insisted upon by the
Genevese, were, that they should be represented in
parliament, and be governed by their own laws. These
conditions having been rejected, and some material
disagreements having happened between the parties on
leading points, all further procedure in the business was
stopped. Some of the Genevese however transported
themselves into Ireland, This measure of government

Aiminittratlon of Earl Temple. 243

fertunately proved abortive. It never could have 17^3.
been advantageous to levy the sum of 50,000/. *
upon a distressed country, to purchase the probable
introduction of turbulence and discontent, with a
thousand self*eziled marty^ to democracy, from the
Antibazilican school of Geneva. Although the coali-
don administration had taken phce from the begin-
ning of Aprilj yet Lord Temple did not quit the go-
vernment till the Sd of June, 178S, when he was
succeeded by the Earl of Northington.

* IThis Wat the torn voted.

ES

1783.

. C 244 ]

CHAPTER n.

Adminktration of the Earl of Northingtan*

Tac reports of an immediate dis^liidoa of parlia^
of pa^riia- meDt> whxch in fact took place on \h^ 15th of Julyt
!?s^Mc- 1783, had thrown the whole Ration ioto a x^ew po&
qucnccs. ^^^ fever. The volunteers ^saimed to themselyed
the whole merit, without allowing any to their repre-
sentatives, of having acquired the constitution of
Great Britain. They considered it a disgrace to
quit their arms, whilst any benefit to their country
could be obtained by them. They bent their thoughts
to the improvement of the state of the representation of
the people in parliament, as the only remaining object
wanted to complete their civil liberty. They were en-
couraged in this puFsuit by the addresses of the county
of York and some other counties to the commons in
England, as well as by the persevering efforts of the
Duke of Richmond, Mr. Pitt, and other then popular
members, to bring about a reform in the representa-
tion of the people of Great Britain. Committees of
correspondence were instituted with the most forward
and zealous advocates for reform in England,, and the
letters received from them were circulated with avidity
throughout Ireland*.

• These letters were from the Duke of Richmond, Dr. Rice,
Mr, Wyvil, Dr. John Jebb> Lord Effingham^ Mn Cartwright,
and others^

^ t

Mmhistraiion of the Earl of Northington. i4^5

' On the 1st of July, 1789, at a meeting of the dele- i783.
gates from forty-five companies of the province of General
Ulster, assembled at Lisbume in pursuance of a pub- i3hrdcic.°
lie requisition, it was resolved unanimously, That a foWcd'on.
general meeting of the volunteer delegates of the pro-
vince of Ulster, on the subject of a more equal repre- \
sentation of the people in parliament, should be
held at Dungannon, on the 8th day of Septem-
ber. Ms^^y sphited resolutions and addresses were
published.

The eve of a dissolution^ the speculations upon the state of the

leufcsenti-

new elections, and the successful efforts of the patriots tion in p«r-

, • - liament*

in the people's cause, had worked up the elated minds
of the volunteers to an enthusiasm for parliamentary
reform little short of that^ which they had before
evinced for free trade and legislative independence.
The state and constitution of their house of commons
was fully and fairly set before their eyes. It consisted
of three himdred members ; sixty-four of them were
sent by the counties, the remainder by cities and bo-
roughs. The sixty-four from counties were in some
measure, in the option of the people, and about as
many more from the cities and boroughs might, by
extraordinary exertions of the people, be freely chosen.
Upon that calculation, the people by possibility might
8end one hundred and twenty-eight members to parlia^
ment. The other close boroughs sent the remainder
one hundred and seventy-two* These were the pro^
perty of some few lords and commoners ; and being
the majority^ the house of commons^ as it stood, was
consequently the representative of an aristoci^acy. Th^

R 3

246 The Reign of George IfL

^7^ * several resolutions made in contemplation of and at th^
convention of Dungannon were emphatically exprcssivCv
of the necessity of reform, and were circulated with
unabating industri[»

NcwparVia- When the new parliament met, Lord Northington^
congratulated them upon their being in full possession
and enjoyment of those constitutional and commercial:
advantages, which had been so firmly estliblished by
- their last parliament. It was judiciously contrived by
government, that a morion should be made for the
thanks of that house to the volunteers, &r their spirited
endeavours to provide for the protection of their coun-
tiy, and for their ready and frequent assistance of the
civil magistrate in enforcing the due execution of the
laws. This being unanimously carried, prevented any
other motion, likely to have bee^ dictated by the ia-
temperance of some volunteer member, tjiat might
have attributed very diflerent effects to the armed, as-
sociations, as very di^erent effects were unquestionably
produced by them*

Thankt On the second day of the session, Mr. Gardinei:

LardTcm- moved a vote of thanks to the late governor Lord
Temple. He had received addresses of thanks from
every county in that kingdom, for his conduct as chief
governor, and nothing but the sanction of that house
was necessary to render the thanks of the people
universal. Mr. Cufief seconded the motion, as

• The several addresses, resolutions, and letters upon tbe sub<»
jcct of reform^ are to be seen m my Historical Review, vol. !!•
p. 33 to 43.

t Now Lord Tyrawley.

Admimstration of the Earl of Nortlungtoru ^4i%

kaving been witness to the many anxious days ^783.
and jxights he had spent in preparing plans for the
welfare of Ireland, which his short stay prevented
from being carried into execution*. %

tSir Henry Ca^ndish moved for retrenching the Opposition
government expences, which brought on a most Northing-
violent debate^ and a division^ which ascertained nistxmuoa.
the force of the opposition to the administration of
Lord Northington* Mr. Flood warmly supported his
friend's motion ; but recommended an amendment to
extend the retrenchments to the viilitanj establishment.
Sir Edvi'ard Newnhara charged the British ministry
with having taken the royal closet by assault^ under
the pretence of economy, and lessening the undue in*
fluence of the crown ; they had deceived the people :
for in Ireland their substitutes proved the friends of
prodigality^ and enemies to economy: in power. their
actions were the reverse of what their professions had
been when out. Government resisted the motion as
premature, till the national accounts had been gone into.
The debate became so personal and over-heated between
the two rival patriots, Messrs. Flood and Grattan^
that they were both ordered into custody, in order to
prevent any mischievous consequences from their un-
happy difference J. Twenty-seven divided for the mo-
tion, and eighty-four against it,

* Orij three gentlemen stc^ forth in the invidious light •£
opposing thi3 vote of thanks. They had all throe been charged as
public defatdters, or as debtors to the King.

f 1 1 Joora. dbm. p- 3^«

t Their speeches on this occasion brought to light many int^n

R 4

34* The Reign of George HI.

1/83- So unwearied was the present opposttioa, at Ae
pcrsevcr- head of which stood Mr. Flood, in pressinir military

ance of op- * x o

pottuon. and other retrenchments, that they omitted no c^pov*
tunity during the session of bringing th^m forward,
but always with the like failure of success. Their
party consisted of about one-sixth of the house, and
as usual, few or none were moved from their ranks
by eloquence, argument, or reason. When Mr. Foster
had reported the resolutions from the committee of
supply, Sir Edward Newnham proposed the granting
of the supplies for six months, when Mr. Grattan ob^
served, that the quesdon had been already debated
and decided; yet let but parliamentary reform be
tacked to the, money bill, and he would agree to it.
The spirit of the people was with the oppositi<m.
Government was sensible, that the volunteers had per-
^rmed their function, and wished therefore to disband
them with prudence and effect. When the protecting
dudes were brought before the house, they were not
supported by government in the way, which the half-
starved unemployed manufacturers exptcted : they
had been taught to consider them essentially necessaiy
for the support of trade : they flocked round the par-
liament-house in anxious expectation of the protecting
dudes being established in their favour. Govemmeiit
took offence at the concourse of people crowding the
avenues to the house, and considered the assemblage
brought thither by opposidon to indmidate. The oppo-

citing traits of Irish government. They are given in the Appen-
dix to my Historical Review^ No. LXX»

^dminis^dtion afthe Earl of NorlhingtoTU •*•

aidoaiiisiBledythsit the people came thk^ ly^

not as rioten. When they were dispersed, many of iheo&
declared they were set qh by those, who wished to op>
pose the measures of government* The oppositioa
called for acts instead of profe^ons of ecojxomy«>
Govermnent was pursmng the speediest measures
£>r disbanding the volunteers. Opposition, look*
lag to the attainment of further advantages, coo*
sidered their influence as necessary to procure the
fiiture, as it had beea effectual in acquiring the
past.

llie next popular question urged was a reform iir NatioMi
the representation of the people. ^ In consequence of ^
Ae resolutions of the Dungannon meeting, delegaites
were appointed to form a national convention, which
assembled at DuUia on the 10th. of November, when
the Earl of Charlemont was nommated their chairmam
They entered into resolutions on the subject, and re^
quested Mr. Flood to introduce a bill for that purposes
Gove^iment was seriously alarmed, and the coundl
had actually determined on arresting the chairman
and secretary of the meeting ; but considering this
measure hazardous, they contrived to divide the
opinion of the assembly respecting the extensioa
of certain privileges to Roman Catholics. The com^
mon interest being thus disunited, the efforts o£ the
convention became less.formidable^ and all means
were devised to decry them in parliament. When
^Mr. Flood moved for leave to bring in a bill for tl»

* a Rtrl. Deb. p. 353^ &c.

250 The Reign of George III.

^^^ more equal representation of the people in parliament,
he was firmly opposed by the attorney-general; be«-
cause it originated with an armed body^ which, al«
though they hid the glory of having preserved the
domestic peace of their country, and rendered it for-
midable to foreign enemies, were now forming them-
selves into a debating society, and with the bayonet,
were forcing the question, whether that house, or the
convention, were the representatives of the people^
and whether parliament or the volunteers were to be
obeyed. Mr. Flood supported the cause of reform
with resistless eloquence. He maintained, that the
bill was not the order of any other assembly. No
appearance of hostility or control s^peared in the
application. The volunteers had not lined the streets,
or drawn up before the house. They had given their
opinion with all humbleness and deference to the re<p
presentatives, and begged them to take it up. They
had prostrated themselves at the feet of parliament.
Scarcely a member, who had ever opened his mouth
in the house, was silent on this important occasion.
Several, who admitted the necessity of reform, voted
against it under the circumstance of the sitting of a
national convention of delegates, who had previously
agitated the question, and were waiting the result of
its discussion in parliament. Toyrards the cbse of
the debate, Mr. Grattan spoke for a short time, der-
claring himself decidedly the friend of a parliamentary
reform. He recommended. union between parliament
and the illustrious body of volunteers, which it should
be the study of his life to preserve. Upon a division^

Administration of the Earl of Norihingloru tSl

49 were for receiving the bill, and 158 against it. ^^^
T^hea Mr. Attomey-general moved. That it was be*
oome necessary to declare, that the house would main*
tain its just rights and privileges against all encroach*
^ents whatsoever, which resolution was caiiied by.
150 against 68* Mr. ConoUy closed the business, by
^ motion, which was carried unanimously, for address-.
ing his Majesty^ on their perfect satisfaction in his go^
verument and their present happy constitudon ; which
it was their determined resolution to support with their
lives and fortunes. Mr. Flood*, immediately after
this debat^ went over tq England, apparently dissatis-
^ed with the failure of hi$ party.

Mr. D. Browne moved an address to his Majesty, Porti»«r
upon the deranged state of the finances and the neces- in th« coa-^
^ary retrenchments in every department of govem-

* As Mr. Flood W£S one of the most brilliant cbaracters of the
latter days of Ireland^ from which he appears to have retired ii^
disgust^ it may be agreeable to the reader to have his portrait
from the masterly pen of his riva1> Mr. Grattan. (Answer to Lord
Clare's Speech, p. 33). '^ Mr. Flood, my rival, as the pamphlet
calls him— and I should be unworthy the character of his rivals
if in his grave I did not do him justice-- he had bis faults; bat
he had great powers -, great public effect ; he persuaded the old,
he inspired the young; the castle vanished before him; on. a
snvil] subject he was miserable ; put into his hand a distaff^ and,
Uke Hercules, he made sad work of it ; but give him the thun-
dert)olt, and he had ihe arm of a Jupiter ; he misjudged, when he
transferred himself to the English parliament ; he forgot that he
was a tree of the forest, too old and too great to be transplanted
at fifty ; and his scat in the British parliametit, is a caution to the
friends of union to stay at home^ and make the country of their ^

birth the seat of their acUon.*'

M« TU Reign of George III

^ W. mem* It was violently opposed by the attomcy-gene-
lal upon the ground, that a committee had been
sqppoiated to take into consideration the only plan
practicable^ viz. a reduction of the chril establishment;
and the house had already passed a resolution for all
practicable retrenchments* After a long and very
heated debate, in which Mr. Corry bore the most
jHromkient share, the order of the day was carried
without a division. In consequence of the commons
having tacked some clauses to the money bills sent
up to the lords, the house of peers, on the 4th of
December, 1783, came to two strong resolutions,
lyhich on the next day they ordered to be added to
the standmg orders of their house. The first* was,
that all grants for the encouragement of particular
manufactures, arte^, and inventions, or for the con^
struction or carrying on of any public or other works,
ought to be made in separate acts^ and that the prac-*
tice of annexing such grants to bills of aid or supply,
for the support of his Majesty's government^ was un«
parliamentary^ and tended to the destruction of the
coBStitudon. The second was^ that their house would
reject any money bill, to which such clauses should be
annexed. Mr. Curran took up this matter as an in-
sult and injury offered tp the dignity and rights of the
house of commons ; and gave notice, that on the 1 6tb
of December he should bring it before them ; and on
that day, in a very thin house, he entered fully upoi^
the subject^ observing, that the resolution he inte9(ji^4

B Lords' Journals, p. 409.

Jldministratiim of the Eart of Northingtoru 255

to propoee, was only to vindicate the pririlege of that i?84j
house originating mcNiey bills in thdr own manner
from the encroachments of a ndghbouring assembly,
which had lately, by certain resolutions, invaded that
right. The motion was supported by 1 1 agsunst 5S.
Nearly as sochi as the projected changes in the Briti^
cj^net* couM be known in Ireland, the parliament
was adjourned to the 20th of January. The money
t»lb were in the mean time passed.

Immedkttely upon the change of ministry in Eng- LoniNoriii'
land. Lord Northington sent in his resignation; it signs.
was accepted on the 7th of January, though his sus*
cessor, the Duke of Rutland, were only appointed on
the 24rh of February, 1784. The house of commons
met, according to adjournment, on the 20th of Ja-
nuary, when the attorney ^general moved a further ad*
joumment, which was opposed by Sir Lucius O'Bryen,
who saw no reason, why they should adjourn on ac-
count of a squabble for places, when the extreme dis«
tress of their country called their attention. The ad-
journment, however, was carried by a large majority.
After the attorney-general had officially announced
the appointment of the Duke of Rutland, Mr. Wilf
liam Brabazon Ponsonby moved a vote of thanks to

* The stupendous eflfects of putting the British empire for
neariy twenty years under the influence of Mr. Pitt^ are viewed
in the opposite extremes, according to the prevalence of political
bias. The singular interference of a great personage during tlie
debate in the lords upon Mr. Fox*s East India Bill, and several
interesting circumstances attending the consequent change of ad-
ministration, together with the n^w appointments, are to be seen
in ray Historical Review, vol. II, p. Jl, Sec.

9S4 The Reign of George III

VS4^ Lord Northington> which produced rather an angif
debate. The opposition objected to it^ conceiYiug the
address to import oblique censure on the voiunteersi
and an absolute rejection of pajrliamentary reforau
The late ministerial party urged in its favor the lord«
lieutenant's patriotic refusal of an additional allowance
of 4000/* per ann. and the unprecedented merit of
not having added to the public debt. The period of
eight months' viceregency, they contended, had not
Hffbrded an opportunity of reaping the fruits of the
plans he had so wisely laid for the benefit of the
country. The vote of thanks passed without amend*
mettt by a majority of 44*

CHAPTER lit.

Administration of the Duke of Rutland.

,1784.

With this governor commenced the system of Mr. Expecoip
Pitt's administration^ which ended in mcorporated union the new m^
of Ireland with Great Britain. This period of Irish hi&> ^m
tory is peculiarly interesting, inasmuch as it discloses the
means, by which England exercised its influence over
that kingdom with more effect and less disguise, thaii
before she had acquired a constitution and legislative
independence. The opponents of the Rockingham
administration were extravagantly elated upon the new
appointments, for in the names of Pitt, Richmond,
and Rutland, they read three of the staunchest friends
of parliamentary reform: laying their immediate
failure to carry this favourite measure, as well as those
o^ a reduction in the army establishment, retrench-
ment of the expenditures in the civil departments^
and protecting duties *, to the insincerity of the short*
lived administration of the Whigs, they anticipated
the instantaneous and zealous co-operation of their
opponents and successors, in completing the civil U*
berty of Ireland.

* i. e. For protecting their own manufattores and -enforcing
the consumption of them at home^ by laying heavy and prohi-
bitory duties on the like manufactures imported from foreign
countries.

iSiift ^he Reign of George I it.

1784. When the house met, according t6 adjournment^
jj^^^^f a congratulatory address was unanimously voted to
2JJj^ the Duke of Rutland. On one day thirteen petitions
from counties and populous boroughs were presented
to the house of commons by their respective represent
tatives, praying a reform in the state of the representa*
tion of the people in parliament. The nation was now
in the height of a political fever : elated with what
they had obtained; soured by. disappointment at
being refused what they were taught to believe was
still wanting to complete their freedom. The undis^
guised attempts both of parliament and government
to discredit and dissolve the volunteers; the failure!
of the opposition to procure a reduction of the mi-
fitary establishment at the return of peace, all tended
to foment jealousies between the citizen and the
soldier ••
»iUbr|«rw Mr. Plood had no sooner returned from England^
ivfonD lock than he Moved for leave to bring in a bill for a
more equal representation of the people in parliaments
It was vehemently urged by Mr. Flood, and supported,
though less warmly, by Mr. Grattan* The iiumbers

^ Eveiy circamstance tending to alienate the minds of thtf
dtitcns iK>n the adldtorf is^ ki our eonatitutioQ, of more than
ordinary oooteqoeoce. A riot bad iatdy happened at Island
Bridgej where the outrages of the soldiery had exceeded the rides
of military discipline, or even common humanity. This exasper-
ated the populace. In retaliation, they had recourse to the
buhamus? piiactice of hooghing the sokiiers, wheneirer thrf found
tbrm stcagglteif and oif their guard. Ibis induded General Lat«
iKli t»biuig i» a bill to give better protection to soldiers, and
others, against the barbarous practice of houghing.

Mminhiration tfihe Duke o/Huiland. 857

won were As fbr reform^ and 159 against it. Thus J784.
was the spirit of the new admiaistratMmflooa discover-^
ed to be hostile to the popular wish Tor refomu The
rejection of this and some other popular measures
sharpened the animoi^ty of tbi people even to outrage
teveral of the members in the hoilse of conunonS*

The severity, with Dirhich the house of commons cautet or
censured the publishers of some popubl* new^apers^ Su^mcm.
^jid thffe lord maydr of DubliH^ for not preventing
their circulation and calling in the military, added
fuel to the discontents of the popuhce, which at last
amounted «• a tumultuous rising in Dublin* This
ttohily spint of discontent was further fomented by
the unpopularity of Sir John Blaquiefe^s paviiig biU*>
against wtttch the house would neither hear counsel at
their \^ nor receive the petition from ;he inhabitants at
large. In this licentious disposition of the public mind,
Mr. Foster who tead been niarked as an object of ob-
loquy in the newspapers^ brought in a bill for restrain*
ing the liberty of the press^ which was the <mly remain-
ing subject of importance, agitated in parliament during
the sessiOto. It met with some oppositbn, though th^
provisions of it ^ent no fdirther, than to make known the

* Tbe ttooordcir teprobaled tbe bill, at a ijnlem oif u&exairt*
pled tyraonj and opprettioo. It placed, be wM, in the bands of
a set df Urm peiMtn, (for oommissioneiil acting fbr 150/. a jest
«ould be no other) a powte to fine and torment with idl the in*
tolence of anthoriiy, cveiy citixen Of DubRn. It |^e ihttxx
jpowerloMieMiMi, ttidtoboftowineDejri loiumoiMiwtiointo.
ftver tliej tliodg^t proper befbie their tribunal » and itpen negHct
or dinbedieqcc!, » kppoM a fin» «f ^ A

VOL* II* S ^

«5S The Reign of George 111.

^7S4. fQ2l name of the printed or proprietor of every news-
paper. It was however disrelished by the people.
Their irritation was also increased by the house of
commons having ordered their Serjeant at Arms to
take the publishers and printers of the oflFensive news-
papers out of the custody of the civil power, and
commit them over to military escorts, under which they
were more severely treated, than they could have been
by the civil power. These illegal stretches of power
were censured in parliament, and produced in that
ferment of the public mind the worst of consequences.
The proposal of a vote of thanks to the new lord-
lieutenant, occasioned heated debates in the commons ;
and the failure of Mr. Flood's reform bill, and other
popular measures did not ingratiate him with the peo-
ple out of doorr.
pAriiaiiiciic The first time the Duke of Rutland personally ad^
andpopoiar drcsscd the parliament was in proroguing it on the 4th
iucrctaed. of May, 1784. The difficulties of the session were
greater without, than within the walls of the senate.
Appeals were made by some of the members to the
armed associations when the session was over, upon
the questions lost in parliament. The discontent and
violence of the people increased. The populace fre-
quently assembled, and committed outrages, even to
the American fashion of *' tarring and feathering."
More serious consequences were prevented by calling
out the military.
Proceed- A principal objection to the introduction of Mr.
p"?ift, Flood's bill for a parliamentary reform was, that it ori-
ntoiw^ ginated with an armed body. The shmfis and chief,

* Tliejr iie to be «eeD» toKetiier with the iMmi of the coiD-
mtttee to tbe people of behiid» and the peOtkn lo Ike tkonet
in m/ Historical RcTiewj* tqI. II. p. g6 to !(»•

S9

Admmutmiiim tfikt Duke of RuiUmL %S^

tnagisirraies were therdbre called upon to convene the ^^
inhabitants of their respective counties, fuUy to discuss
that measure ; and a meeting was convened at Dublin
on the 7th of juue, 1 784» where the high sheriffs pre*
sided, ai|d at which stroi^ resolutions ^ were agreed to*
A very animated address from the committee to the
people of Irebnd was published^ and a petitioD or re> "*
inoiistirance from the freemen, frediolders, and inha«.
bitants of the city (^ Dublin to the throne, to forward
parliamentary reform, and corrett many other abuses,
was presented to the lord-lieutaiant by the l^gh
shtrlfis, widi an address to his excellency requesting
it might be transmitted ; to which his excell^cy vt-
swered,- that in complying with their requf^t, he
should not &il to convey his entire disapprobation ^
it, as casting unjust reflections upon the laws and par*
liament of Ireland, and tending to weaken the antho-
rity of both. These proceedings of the city of Dublin -
were seconded by other parts of the kingdom ; but
their object was frustrated by the interposition of go*
vernment. Prosecutions by' information were com*
menced against different persdbs, by whom such aggre-
gate met'tinn had been assembled, and Mr. Roly, the
high sheriffof the county of Dublin, was sentenced to
fine and imprisonment by the Court of King's Bench,
Notwithstanding thdr repeated defeats, such was the
credulous enthusiasm of the majority of these advo-

'«>

2(50 The Reign of George III.

1784^ cates for reform, that even after the angry answer of
the lord-lieutenant, they could not be persuaded, that
either his grace or his reforming colleague, Mr. Pitt,
had renounced their principles. On the 8th of July,
a petition to the king was conveyed to Mr. Pitt by
the inhabitants of Belfast, nearly of the same tenor
with that of the citizens of Dublin. In September
following, Mr. Pitt by his answer convinced them,
how little earnest the new administrations were to pro-
mote the reform, which before they came into power
they had espoused. He admitted himself stfll a friend
to reform, but on grounds very different from those
adopted in their petidon. That what was there pro-
posed, he considered as tending to produce still greater
evils, than any which the friends of reform were de-
sirous to remedy.

The cause of reform received a severe blow from
UiMcm^ the disunion of the volunteers, on the subject of ad-
mitting the Roman Catholics to the rights of election.
In an address presented by the Ulster corps to their
general^ the Earl of Charlemont, they hinted at the
nccesaty of calling in the aid of the catholics; to which
he objected, not from illiberal prejudice, for he was
full of good will towards (hat respectable body, but
because it would fatally clog and impede the prosecu*
lion of their fiaivourite purpose. The thanks of the
corporation of the city of Dublin were voted him for
his conduct on that occasion. The meeting of a na-
ticmal congreii was ameasure of too alarming a nature^
not to attract the serioua attention of government.
The attoracy^generai menaced the sheriff^ idio had

litftcon-

Administration of the Duke ofRutlani, 261

called the meeting for electing delegates* On the 1784.
other hand, sttong resolutions were agreed to upon
the righl of assembling for redress of grievances.
Government from denouncing threats, proceeded to
punishments. 1 he high sheriflF for the county of
Dublin, was proceeded against by attachment from
the court of King's Bench. He was again fined and
imprisoned. This mode of legal process, which pre-
cluded the functions of a jury, met with slight opposi-
tion on account of the new division of the volunteers
into parties. Informations were also moved for, and
attachments granted against the printers and pub-
lishers of newspapers for inserting the resolutions, and
against the magistrates for signing them. This was
one of the first essays of Mr. Pitt's system of prepamg
the public for strong measures, by creating interim^
disunion and alarm.

The severity of government deterred hot the na- Meetiac^f
tional congress firom meeting according to appoint- congmi.
m^ty although several of its most respectable mem-
bers absented themselves. They adjourned, after hav-
ing passed the resolutions agreed upon at the previous
meeting, with an exhortation to perseverance in ef-
fecdng the great and necessary confirmation of the
constitution. The link of unanimity having been once
severed, the fall of the armed associations into dif«
lerence and contention was more rapid, than had been
their progress to union. The divisions of the voluu*
teers were encouraged by government ; and for that
purpose discord and turbulence were rather cousta^
nanced than checked in many countieS| pardcularly

S3

a6a 7%e Reigii of George HI

1784. upon the delicate and important expedient of admitting,
the catholics to the elective franchise: a question^
which was artfully ccumected with the now declining;
cause of parliamentary reform. The desire of disunite
i&g the volunteers begot inattention to the grievances
Qf the distressed peasantry of the south* Once more
the fFhife Boy^ committed depredations with impunity,
particularly about Kilkenny **
^«bwi*^^. As the unanimity of the volunteers diminished, their
spirit and exertions abated. On the 2d of January,
17859 a second meeting of the delegates was had at
Dublin, at which were present the representatives of
twenty-seven counties, and of most of the cities and con-
dderable towns of the kingdom, amounting in the whole
. to more than 200 persons. Their proceedings were
less animated. In general terms, they left the mode of
redress to the consideration of parliament. The British
pariiamrat sat to the 25th of August, 1784, and met
again on the 25th of January, 1785^ when his majesty
l^ardcularly recommended to them the settlement of
all differences with Ireland. The parliament of Ire-
land met about the same time, and went through the
i&sual formalities of a speedi from, and thanks to the
lord-lieutenant, to which Lord Edward Fitzgerald,
Sir Edward Crofton, and other friends of reform, ob*

^ A stop was pat to their disturbances bj the efibrts of tim
BeT. D* Troxt then the Roman Cnutbolic bishop of Ossory, mod
the deigjr of his dtooese. His Fmtaal Leiter> or Circular £x^
ki«tailkm> majr be seeo in the Appendix to oiy Hutorical Review^
Mb. hXXVf* on which occasioa a letter of thanks was written to
tfim bf oonmand of his excellency.

Adminutration of the Duke of Rutland. 268

jecteJ on account of the words firmness and modera" J5[^
tion^ which seemed to countenance the illegality of the
attachments resortvid to by government in lieu of trials
by jury* His majesty's answer to the addresses, which
was communicated to the commons on the 4th of
February, 1785, spoke a very determined language
against the attempts of the flclegates to dictate to,
and overawe the parliament, and increased the popular
discontent.

The session of 1785, in each kingdom, lasted seven Session of
months. Both parliaments were chieQy occupied in piopoti-
the commercial arrangements between Great Britain
and Ireland. Previous to the meeting of parliament
on the 20th of Januaiy, the British cabinet, in con-
cert wiih comn^ssioners appointed on the part of Ire-
landj had formed the plan, which Mr. Orde laid be-
fore the house of commons, in the form of eleven
propositions *. After nmch debating and considerable
opposition, they passed the commons, with an address
to the throne ; and on the 1 2th of February, the reso-
lutions and address were sent to the lords, and una-
nimously agreed to. On the 22d of the month, the
eleven resolutions agreed to by the lords and com-
mons of Ireland were read in a committee of the
British house of commons, when Mr. Pitt opened the
business with much earnestness and apparent sympa--
thy for the degraded state of Ireland. Lamenting
that from the revolution almost to that day, the system

* For these propos'uiont and the various prooeedings in both
paritamentt upon them, see my Hiatmiad Rniow« voL If.
p. 143 to 150.

84

«64 The Reign of George TIL

I7M. had been that of debarring Ireland from tlie enjoy-
ment and use of her own resources ; to make the
kingdom completely ^ub^enrifnt to the interests and
opulence of Great Bnlain,, without suffering her to
share in the bounties of nature, in the industry of her
citizens, or making thepi contribute to the general in-
terests and strength of the emptfe. . It was al once
harsh and unjust, and it was as impolitic as it was op-
pressive. He reprobated the state oi thraldom, in
which that country had been systematically kept ever
since the revolution. Commercial jealousies in £stg^
land raised great opposition, and petitions were
poured in fropi all quarters against the Irish p'roix)-
sition«c Mr. Pitt, deterred from his original design,
brought forward a new set of twenty proportions.
The long and interesting debates upon these proposi-
dops were closed by a very moving speech of Lord
Tow^shend, whose long residence in Ireland superemi*
nently qualified him to represent faiib&Hy the state of
that country. If he had expressed any degree of pre-
ference for Ireland, he begged their lordships would
impute it to the veneration he bore ir, and the obliga-
tion he owed for its partiality to bis failings ; he w^
tiaturally, he hoped, the ^vocate of the oppressed anc)
meritorious ; he knew the Irish to, be generous and
untemporising friends, and who disdsuned to be behind
land in reciprocity. The propositions, w^th some
MMSOdments, were carried in the lords, by S4 against
SO. After a warm debate, the amendments made by
ibe lonb mete agraed to in the common&i Mr. Pitt
fism bnxi|^ in a bill founded upon them, whid^ waf

Administration of the Duke of Rutland. . 265

read a first time on the 2d cf August : and was 1786-
fbllowed up by an address to' his Majesty, voted by
both houses of parliament, wherein they acquaint-
ed him with what they had <lone, and that it re"
mained for the parliament of Ireland to judge and
decide thereupon*

On the 12th of August Mr. Secretary Orde brought sm brought
in a biH, which was a mere transcript of that moved insh housr
by the English minister. After a most animated mom.
debate, which lasted eighteen hours, the house di-
vided, when there appeared for leave to bring in the
trfll, I ST, against it 108. Such a division in the first
ttage of the business was equivalent to a defeat : and
Mr, Orde having moved the first reading of the bill, .
declared be did not intend to make any further pro*
gress in the business; during that session*. In order
to preclude a motion of censure framed by Mr. Flood,
the secretary moved an adjournment, which was car-
ried without a division. Public illaminations testified
the joy excited by the sudden termiiiation of this ex«
traordinary business, which ended to the great disap*
pointment of the ministry in both kingdo.ns. It never
was resumed in either parliament. Mr. Ktt*s conduct
in attempung to fetter the commerce of Ireland, from
deference to or fear of the commercial interests «of
Great Britain, produced a renovation of that spirit,

* The groondSf upon vhich the Irish resitted these propoti-
tJOBS^ were that they went to restrict the commerce of the coun-
XTf, /wd lal^ect it to the legislative controul of the British par-
llameot. This was a reserved case^ out of the new terms of psr-
Umueutai^ BMnngeiBeoti

206 The Ilpign of George JIA

1786. which had formerly produced a non*importatioa restK
ludon ia Ireland. Some tumultuous efforts to cany
it into effect were checked by the strong arm of go-
vernment. Pkievious to the recess Mr. Pery redgned
the Speaker's chair, tg which Mr. Foster* was chosea
without much opposition.
DuVeof When the Buke ot Rutland met the parliament in

Rutland *

meets the January, 1786, he hinted in his speech a wish to re*

parliament. , . *

Vive the commercial propositions. The subject, how-*
ever^ was too unpopular to be proceeded on. A.
police bill was another favourite object of govenw
ment, strongly recommended to the attention of pac^
liament. It was vehemently opposed by the patriots.
Mr. CohoUy took a lea^ding part against it. He ob-
servedj that imder the pretence of police^ it went to
take away constitution. It was treated by opposition
a^ a most unconstitutional job, a mere bill of patronage
for ministerial purposes. Among many pedtions
against the bill, one was presented from t^e freeholdocs
of the county of Dublin, by Sir Ejdward Newnhaoi^
which the attorney*general moved to have rejected, as
an insult to the house. It was rejected by 118 against
Sir Edward Newnham and Colonel Sharman only.
RcMitttion Mr. Conolly and some other gentlemen of ^eat
ptnsioniitt. landed property in the country, who had been much
in the habit of supporting government, now appeared
to have taken a decided part in the opposition to the
Duke of Rutland's administradon. The grand attack

* Tli'*8 situation be retained, till the Iriih lionae of cooamoos
was annihilated by diat Tery adminisiratioiij which he supported
With indisaiminate tenacity till the measure was resolved on.

Admwutratkm of the Duke of Rutland. flfi?

made by the patviols this session, was upoD the pen-. ^7^
sion list. A question ever sure to be popular.'
Mr. Foibes, after an animated speech, moved, that
the present application and amount of pensions on the
civil establishment. were a grievance to the nation,
and demanded redress. The motion, after an interest*
ing debate, was lost by a majority of IS4 against 78,
Mr. Grattan gave great oflFence to the treasury bench, by
causing the whole list to be read aloud by the clerk, and
closing the delNite with these strong words, Jf I should
vote, thai pensions are not a grievance^ J should vote an
imfudenty an insolent^ and a public He ^. From the
prorogation of parliament the popularity of the Duke
of Rutland fell into the contrary spirit of discontent
and aq>erity against him. The city of Dublin, during
the recess, was a scene of tumult and disorder. In
ofder to check the enforcing of the non importation
compacts, centinels were placed throughout the city to
prevent or give notice of the first appearance of riot,
and the garrison was kept in constant readiness for
action. The lord-lieutenant, whose manners were na«
turally adapted to win the favour of the Iri^h, was re*
peived so rudely at the theatre' as to have narrowly
escaped the personal outrage of the populace.

When the parliament met in January, 1 7879 the Session of
lord lieutenant applied to them for their assistance, in
the effectual vindicalion of the laws and protection of

* 0 Fud. Deb. Some very ttrong and sablime parts of tbo
•pecdies of Mr. Cnrran and others, on this motion^ majr be seen
in my Historical Berkw^ voL II. p. 147.

268 7^ Reign of George III.

^7^* society, which could only be ensured by their special
support of the established church and the respectable
situation of its nunisters. This referred to the riots of
a new set of disturbers in Munster, called Right-Boys^
bom their leader or instigator Captain Right. Mr.
Conolly wished to make distinction between the chief
governor, whom he knew to be an hcxiest man» and
the admimstration, agabst which he made the most
serious charge*. Adverting to the proclamations lately
issued, stating, that the whole south was in arms^ he
asked, why government did not su[^MPess these tur-
bulences in their in£uicy ? If they were not exagge-
rated, government was censurable for not having pre-
vented them : if they were so, they were more criminal
for having created ill founded alarmsf.
R^ihi-Boyi. When the house was in a committee upon. that
part of his excellency's speech, which related to the
commotions in the south, the attorney-general (Fitz-
gibbon) submitted a curious narrative of facts, which

• 7 Pad. Deb. p. 21.

f No misGOtiduct of government is more fraught with malevo-
lence and mischief^ than that of creating false alarms, with a vievy
of engraving strong measures upon the timidity of the public. This
.appears to have been a favourite tactic throoghoot the whole sys-
tem of Mr. Pitt's political career. The unprejudiced eye may,
from this fint essay under his administration, Uace the gradual
workings of the disasters, into which the latter part of it forced
this ill-fated kingdom. The actual sute of universal tumult and
rising was asserted by ministerial members, and absolutely denied
by others r^id^t in the proclaimed counties. OiHerenoes of op{-^
nioa between political opponents is conceivable \ but eootnidictioa
ef notorious fS^ts amongst gentlemen is unacoountaUe*

Administration of the Buke of Rutland^ 269

he «ud had come to his knowledge respecting the 1797.
proceedings of the insurgents*. They proceeded from ^""^^^^
parish to parish swearing in the inhabitants. The first
object of their reformation was tithes ; they swore not
to give more than a Certain price per kcre ; not to
take them from the minister at a greater price ; not to
assist or allow him to be assisted in drawing the tithe,
and to permit no proctor. They next took upon them
to prevent the collection of parish cesses ; then to no-
minate parish clerks, and in some cases curates; to
say what church should or should not be repaired ;
and in one case they threatened to burn a new
church, if the old one were not given for a mass
hou8e« At last they proceeded to regulate the price
of lands, to raise the price of labour, and to oppose
die collection of hearth-money and other taxes. ' In
all their proceedings they shewed the greatest address,
with a degree of caution and circumspection, which was
the more adanning, asit demonstrated system and de«
sign. ' He was well acquainted with Munster, and it
was impossible for human wretchedness to exceed that
of the miserable peasantry in that province. He knew,
that the unhappy tenantry were ground to powdar by
relentless landlords!. Thdr miseries were intolerable,
but they did not originate with the clergy ; nor could
the legislature stand by and see them take redress

♦ 7 fcr!. Deb. p. 27.

t It ii impotslbla for the hiitorian dwiys to follow the amiable
axiom of tpeaking but well of the dead. Here he is happily jas-
tified io laying of Lord Clare^ that he was the rery best of land-
lords

270 the iieign (if George lit

'"87. into their own hands. He therefore moved, that ftjr*
ther provisions by statute are indispensably necessary
to prevent tumultuous rising and assemblies, and for
the more adequate and effectual punishment of per«-
sons guilty of outrage, rijt, and illegal combination^
and of administering and taking unlawful oaths. He
afterwards brought in a bill to the like effect.
CompUintt Several genilemea of the opposidon were loud in
prbiic'ex- declaiming against the extravagance of government
mdTcct^!. expenditures, such as allowances to printers of news-
papers for inserting proclamations and advertisements^
detrimental to the public and disgraceful to the nation;
of the sum of 1,2G6/. for repairing the road through
the Phanix Park, through which carts were not per*
mitted to pass; for law bills for prosecudng Right-
Boys ; for the cxpence of witnesses attending in Lon-
don to give evidence concerning the Irish propositions :
for building country houses for the officers of the crown,
and other charges, scan^ialously brought against the
public. They were all defended by the ministers, and
of course none of them remedied. Mr. ConoUy, whor
had intended, in the course of that session, to move
an alteration in the tax of hearth-money, declared he
would defer his motion d!l the people should demean
themselves more peaceably.
riauMfor Mr. Fitzgibbon*s bill for preventing tumultuous
intsthAa- risings contained the singular * clause directing the

tholic cht-

pcU.

^ Of this clause Mr. Grattan said in debatOi he had heard of
trauftgressors being diagged from the sanctuary^ but be never
heard of tb« sanctuary being demolished. It went so fiir as to
bold out the laws as a sauction to sacrikyeu If th« Roman Ca«

Administraium ef the Date of Rutland. 2*t\

rrtagfetrates to demolish the Roman Catholic chapels, 1787.
in which any combinations shouki have been formed ^"^^^^
or an unlawful oath administered. Mr. Orde, the se-
cretary, remarked, that he never could hsve concurred
m the tiause for pulling down the chapels, and was
happy, that it had been abandoned by his fritnd. He
lamented, thM any thing should have appeared in
prmt, purporting, that those insurrections had arisen
from a popish conspiracy: he dioclared, he Bot only
^id not believe it true, but in several places he knew
it not to be true : and affirmed, that the insurgents had
in some places deprived the Roman catholic clergy of
one half of their income.

Mr. Forbes brought in his bill for limiting pensions, rwA^tt or
which had at all times been a favourite object of the Sthc^wus"^
patriots: but every former effort to procute it had,
iike the present, proved abortive. It was a government

fliolics were of a difierent nTigion, yet they had one common
God and one common Saviour with the honorable gentlemen ; and
tniely the God of the Protestant temple^ was the God of the Ca-
tholic temple. What tl:en did the claiue enact } That the ma-
gistrate sfaou'd pull down the temple of his God^ and shoald it be
t^fm)i, and as oftdh as it was rebuilt for three fears, he should
again prostrate it, aad so pioceed* in repetition of his abomina-
tions, and thua atab ihe criminal through the sides of his Godi
a new idea indeed ! But this was not all* the magistrate was to
aett by auction the altar of the divinity to pay for the sacrilege,
that had been committed on hts house. By preventing the chapel
from being erected^ he contended, that tbey most prohibit the ex-
erciae of teliBioD for three years \ and that to renotdy disturbance
they resorted to lrreligton> and endearoured to establish it by ^
ofpurliasmit. . .

272 The keign of George lit.

'7^7- questiofl, and the bill was lost by a division of 12d
against i>5. Mn Grattan, equally anxious to check
th^ lawkissnessy and relieve the distresses of th^ poor«
brought: forward the subject of tithes*, in a general
resolution, which was negatived without a dividdiu
Mr. Oide objected to take the subject under c<Hisi-
deration. Even some of Mr. Grattan's friends coil'
ceived tfie molioki out of season. It was urged, that
to pay iny regard to a people in a state of resistance,
would be derogatory from the dignity of parliament
He lau|)hed at such iaHgUlSige ; there could never be
a time, ^hen k was improper for the Icigislature to do
justice.
Hcaicdcon. The hill for the better execution of the laws, and

ie«tt on ibe , . .,

,K>ot Act. the better preservation of the peace withm the conn**
068 at lazge was vehemently opposed by several of tht
ll>atriots,«8 if intended to be followed up with a gene-
iral police |)ill. It was also particularly objected to, as
deviadngffrom Jtbe English Riot Actf.

'* He made a moat doqucDt ami imprettive apeech oo thia<^
xaiiion^ which may be aeeo ia my Historical BevicWf Vol. H. f •
164, kc.

f 7 Pari. Deb. p. 445. The oppotltlOD barged the tndeeency
of bringing on a nsiatter of tudi impoitance io to ihio ahooiey
where most of those present were atds-deMeanap^ aeavdters, pack**
crs, gangers^ placemeo of all deacriptiofii* and peosiooBn. Tb6
bill would crcrate thirty-two additioaal judg^, aoool ais hondrci
magistrates, rsi^ie an army of three thoosaod aoldiers* under tb^
name of coustabtes* and diange the admioiBttation nf the )tH$ke
of the coantiy. It bad but two ofcjecta | |o iocreaie the patroPiC^
of the ctown» and to ovwawe Ibe peofto.

On the further progress of tbit biU^ Mr. KtsgOibQtt bnmte^

Adminutrution . of the Duke of Rutland. 91 S

Two other subjecU occupied the attention of parlia^ ^7^7*
ment during the session : the consideration of the Prorosatioa
commercial treaty with France, and a favourite plan of menu
education, which Mr. Orde had been preparing for
two years^ and now submitted to the house. It was
nddier relished nor supported according to his expec*
Rations. The parliament was prorogued on the 28tlf
of May, with the usual thanks for the supplies, pro*
mises of economy, and a recommendation to the people
to be peaceable. In the discussion of the treaty of
navigation and commerce with the French king, Mr.
Floods who had been now transplanted into the British
senate, made an eloquent speech, in which he waf
fomb^ted by Mr. William Grei^ville upon the rejec-
tioa of the Irish propositions^ who now admitted
them to have been an offer from the British govern-
ment, though when first brought forward, he had re-
presented them as coming from Ireland. On this oc-
casion Mr. Flood, perhaps the most violent asserter of
Irish independence, admitted a political necessity for a
controlling superiority in the British parliament, whose
indispensable duty it was, in every great national mea-
sure, to look to the general interests of the empire,
and to see, that no injurious consequences followed to

the opposition bench with their silence, as if proceeding from in-
ability and ignorance^ which was higblj resented by Mr. John
O'NeOe -, who warned mfnistry to desist from that overbearing ex-
nllation, with which they canried questions by rank majorities,
and insolently attempted to run down country gentlemen from
standing up in support of iheir oppressed countrymen. The attor-
ney-general made a ftill apology.
VOL. XI. T

«74 The Reign of George til.

^^W. the peculiar interests of any part of it. But, as Ire-
land claimed no such controlling right over Great
Britain, the independence of Ireland was not absolute,
because not perfectly reciprocal.
Detthof The Duke of Rutland died in October, 1787- He

the Duke

of RuUand. was calculated to command the affections of the Irish ;
being open, free, liberal, and convivial. Too much
addicted to the pleasurable indulgences of youth, he-
committed tlie management of the public business to
those about him. Under him the expences of driving
the state equipage through the beaten track increased
in an alarming degree. Many, who had most strenu-
ously opposed his administration, rendered willing tri-
bute to his amiable qualities. The errors of his go*
vcmment were attributed to his advisers, and the
majority of that house, which had constantly support-
ed them.

t 275 3

CHAPTER IV.

Administration of the Marquis of BuchinghaTt^

Upon the death of the Duke of Rutland, Mf. Ktt Mirquii of

Bucking-
elected the Marquis of Buckingham as the fittest per* »>»"» •««-

son to give effect to his system of government over Duke of
this part of the British empire. When in January,
1788, his excellency met the parliament, his speech
bespoke entife approbation of the Duke of Rutland's
administration, and called upon the house to pursue
the same measures. The address was therefore oppos-
ed, by Mr. Parsons, who indignantly spumed the
insult of summoning the house to sanction the abomi-
nations of the late administration. If^ said he, the
press be not liberated, attachments discontinued,
and the police and riot act be not abandoned, it is
evidently the intention of ministers by fomenting dis-
content and turbulence to goad the country into re-
bellioki.

Upon Mr. Secretary's* bringing in a bill for rcco- Tithw-
▼ering a just compensation for tithes withholden in .
the years 1786 and 1787, Mr. Grattan moved for a
committee to enquire, whether any just cause of dis«
content existed amongst the people of the province of
Munster, or of the counties of Kilkenny or Carlow, on
account of tithe, or the collection of tithes; and if any,

• Mr. Fitzherl^rt^ afierwards Lord St Helen's. ^

T S

new vice-
roy.

276 The Reign of George lit.

1788, to report the same, together with their opinion there*
upon*. It was negatived by 121 against 49. Stifling
enquiry was a favourite maxim of Mr. Pitt's school.
tti^^f'ihc '^^^ ^'^^ viceroy affected to conceal, even from his
friends, the plan and principles of his administrationf.
As far as could be collected, it was generally con-
cluded, that the late system was to be followed up:
consequently the same system of opposition was ad-
hered to. Notwithstanding the new lord-lieutenant's
attack upon the subaltern officers of the revenue, and
domestic restrictions at the Castle, the gentlemen of
the opposition did not give him credit for any econo*
piical reform in the original dispensation of the public
money. Mr. Forbes was zealous, though unsuccessful,
in his efforts against the pension list and other Govern*
ment extravagances. The attempts of the patriots
to enforce economy were baffled by singular logic.
The house had, it was observed, given credit to the

* 8 Far). Deb. p. 1£|2. Tke system of tithes lo Ireland stHl
calls loudly for reform. Mr. Grattan's wonderful speech upon that
important subject will be found in the Appendix to my Hiitorical
Review, No. LXXVIII. It is a master-piece of eloquence and
reasoning.

+ Amongst the proselytes, that went over to Lord Buckingham
was Mr. Longfield, who bad considerable parJiamentary interest \
he and the friends he introduced had uniformly opposed the late
administration : amongst these was Mr. Currao, who could not
bend his principles to the pliancy of his friend, or take a subordi*
nate part in supporting an administration, whose intended mea-
sures were made a secret : he therefore purchased a seat in a
vacant borough, and offered it to Mr, Longfield for any person^
whose principles were at his command.

Mfninistraiitm of the Marquis of Buckingham. 27t

present government for their intentions of economy; ^^
they were therefore laid under restrictions never
imposed on any other government. The most vio-
lent attack upon the minister, during this session of
parKament, was Mr. Forbes's motion for an address to
die crown, in order to leave to posterity, on the face
of the Journals, the grievances, under which the
people laboured in the year 1788*. The minister
carried the question of adjournment by 1 03 against 40.
Mr. Conolly's motion for the repeal of the hearth-tax
was rejected even without a division. Mr. Dennis
Browae^eferred to an assertion of the lord-lieutenant
in conversation^ that he had rather put his right hand
into the ^re^ than grant a pension to any person,
which every honest man should not approve of»
Sir HeQry Cavendish^ though staunchly devoted to
that administration, remarked, that doubling the pen-
sions of members might be avoided, '* for he, that had
400/. a year for his vote, would not refuse voting,
diough he w«% to be refused 400/. a year moref.*'
The feelings of the people without were in strict uni-
son with the sentiments of the patriots within the walls
of parliament ; and the lord-lieutenant finding himself
pressed by the weight of talent, influence, and popu-
larity of those, who had ranged themselves in opposi*
tion to his measures, got rid of them by an early
prorogation. This aflforded him an opportunity of

• Tbc xleiail of gricvancca, together with the address, are to
be ^een in my Historical Review, vol. XL p. 18S, &c.

f 8 Paii Deb. p. S55«

T 3

i78 The Reign of George III.

1788. attending more minutely to his favourite system of
economical reform.
Economical Animated with a laudable indignation against the
th^d"^- rapacious and bare-faced practices of the clerks, and
other subaltern officers in the diflferent departments of
government, his excellency seized all • their keys, ex-
amined himself their papers and accounts, subjected
them to the most rigorous scrutiny, and demanded
instant payment of outstanding balances. An univer-
sal panic seized the whole ; many defaulters fled the
country^ one cut his throat, and some few rely-
ing on the sympathies and countenance of theirJmme-
diate superiors in office, stood the brunt of enquiry,
and either eluded by dexterity or softened by false
promises the anger of their indignant governor.
Some were ultimately dismissed with disgrace. In
these secondary departments nothing was so minutej
which the scrutinizing eye of his excellency would not
descend to inspect. The profligacy of offidai provi-
sion was incredible : peculation reigned in every de-
partment, where public money was handled^ or public
property disposeable4 the public accounts were
wound up yearly with formidable balances in the
hands of collectors, treasurers^ and paymasters^ or
arrears due by former great officers, who had received
their employments without security, or had been dis-
carded for misconduct, or were dead, or had fled, or
had become bankrupt. Such was the inveteracy of

♦ When Mr. Coriy was made Biirveyor of the ordnance, bii
first act was, to lock up and seal the desks of the several clerks,
who were dismissed instantly.

Administration of the Marquis of Buckingham. 279

this disease^ that each preceding viceroy^ on close ^788.
inspecdon, had been afraid to touch it; until the
Marquis of Buckingham, with more courage ven-
tured to develop the dark workings of these offi«
dal peculators. In the ordnance and treasury, the
grossest frauds pervaded almost every department.
The public stores were plundered with impunity
in open day. The arms, ammunition, and military
accoutrements, condemned as useless, were stolen
out at one gate, and bought in at the other, and
charged anew to the public account. Journeymen
armourers, who worked in the arsenal, seldom went
home to their meals without conveying away a musket,
a sword, or brace of pistols, as lawful perquisites, and
sanctioned by the connivance of their superiors. Clerks
in subordinate departments, with salaries not exceed-
ing J 00/. per annum, kept handsome houses in town
and country, with splendid establishments; some of
them became purchasers of loans and lotteries: all
exhibited signs of redundant opulence.

In the course of the year 1788, the county of Ar- S^^tnd*^
magh was disturbed by the increased animosity and ^^«*»<*«"'
outrages of the Peepof-Day Boys, and Defenders.
They had been advancing in numbers, system,
and ferocity, ever since the year 1785, when near
a thousand men on both sides met for a regular
engagement. Originally they were all presbyte-
rians; but in process of time some Roman catho*
lies having enlisted* on one side, it was contrived by
the party, which they opposed^ to denpminate them

T 4

280 The Reign of George llL

1788. Papists; and the opposite banners were disdn**
guished by the inflammabfe appellations of Protes-
tant and Catholic- The protestants taking advantiage
of the laws against papists having arms, paid their an^*-
tagonists early domiciliary visits to search for arms, lA
which they were often guilty of the most wanton out-
tages ; thence they acquired the appellation of Peep-
of-Day Boys, whilst the others assumed that of De-
fenders. Hence the fetal origin of defenderism. In
. this year recourse was had to the raising of some vo-
lunteer corps, under pretext of strengthening the arm
of the magistrate. These volunteer corps, which ad^
mitted no catholic, sided with the Peep-of-Day Boys,
and increased the acrimony and bloodshed. The De-
fenders were charged with openly sending challenges
both to the Peep-of-Day Boys and the volunteers to
meet them in the field. The fact was, that the defenders
certainly did look upon them both as one common ene-
my combined to defeat and oppress them : whilst, there.
fore, this open hostility between the two parties subsisted
and rankled under the daily festering sore of religious
acrimony, the defenders, who knew themselves armed
against law, though in self-defence against the Peep-
of-Day Boys, became the more anxious to bring the
contest to a trial of strength, rather than remain victims
to the repeated outrages of their domiciliary visits, or
other attempts to disarm them. Thus a private
squabble between two peasants gradually swelled into
a village brawl, and ended in the religious war of a
whole district.

Admhustraium of the Marquis of Buckingham, fiS 1 .

In the autumn of this year^ it was the will of Hea- }^^2a
Ten to visit the British empire with a most distressful King's iu-
calamity. A circumstance, which placed Ireland in a ^^^'
more peculiar delicacy of situation than any other part
of the empire. The King had been attacked in the
course of the summer with an ilhiess, which, in No-
vember^ settled in a delirium, which wholly incapaci-
tated his Majesty from performing the functions of the
executive. Under these embarrassing circumstances,
and in defiance of a most powerful opposition, Mr, Pitt
had the address and influence to lay down and suc-
cessfully put in train, a system of provisional regency,
during the uncertain duration of his Majesty's incapa-
city, fettered and clogged with restrictions and limita-
tions, which it was forcibly urged, were industriously
calculated to produce a weak government with a
strong opposition. All the princes of the blood, who
were then of age, indignantly disclaimed any active
interference i(i the business.

It was evidently the intention, and probably the ex« Ezpecu-
pectation of the British minister, that the two houses ueund
of the Irish parliament should follow the example of tow^thc'cx-
those of Great Britain. This national calamity had GTeac^Bri-
however too recently followed the declaration of Irish
legislative independence, to ground any reasonable
hopes in the British cabinet, that the parliament of
Ireland would be dictated to by a British convention.
Many grounds of anxiety, mistrust, and alarm,
'With reference to the conduct of the Irish on this
trying occasion, agitated both the cabinets. The
-unpopularity of the Marquis of Buckingham: the

2«« Tli£ Reign of George IIL

^^7^ real congeniality of principle in the bulk of the in-
dependent Irish with that party, which had giveu
them independence in 1782, and now opposed the
galling and humiliating fetters about to be rivettcd oa
the regent; the sympathy of the true Irish character,
with the native prowess, generosity, and magnani-
mity of the piince: the national disgust, contempt,
and detestation of any thing uiean^ sordid, and sus-
picious: and above all, the brilUant and impor-
tant occasion of exercising their national inde-
pendence in ascertaining and establishing the consti-
tutional boundaries of the royal authority in the per-
son of their favourite prince. These considerations
deterred them from convening the Irish parliament.
Associa- Amongst the first impressions, which the fatal news of

tion test for , . . , . , . . . , ' • r

the new his Majesty s mcapacity to exercise the executive func-
j^iiament. tions of government produced upon the greatest part
of the Irish nation, was the Battering expe<;tation of
soon seeing an end of the administration, which they
considered systematically inimical to their welfare. To
a change of ministers, they naturally attached a dis*
solution of parliament. As soon therefore, a$ the
nature of his Majesty's illness was made known, meet*
ings were had throughout the kingdom, and associa^
tions formed preparatoiy to an expected election. A
common test was agreed upon to be tendered, and
sworn to by every candidate, and the associated electa
ors bound themselves to each other (generally by
oath), to vote for no man, who should refuse to sub-
scribe, and swear to the test : the purport of which
was: I**. To vote for a per centage tax upon the

Administration of the Marquis of Buckingham. 2<5

property of all absentees. 2*. For a settlement or 17^
commutation of tithes. S*. For the restoration of the ^"'''^
sail-cloth manufacture. 4^. For a bill to limit the
pension list, (with a N« B. that it then exceeded that
of England by 8000/.) 5"*. For a reform in the
popular representatioA in parliament. 6thly. For pro*
tecting duties.

From England the most unlimited discretion and inttroc-
miperative mstructions were received at the castle, to EngUnd
]»rocure a recognition, that whomever Great Britain ireUnd*^
should appoint as regent, he should/ ipso facto^ be re- ]^^^
ceived in Ireland with all the restrictions and limita-
tions imposed by Great Britain; with peremptory
orders to convene the parliament the instant
his excellency could answer for a majority to
carry such a recognition. More than the ordinary
means of lure and threat were used to secure a major-
ity. Yet inasmuch as the Leinster, the Shannon,
the Tyrone, and most other independent interests in
Ireland determinately opposed*. Mr. Pitt's plan of re-
gency, it was previously known, that government
would be left in a minority. They therefore deferred
convening the parliament to the 5th of February,
when the whole plan had been settled, and submitted
to by the Prince in England*. On the great day of
contest upon the regency, Mr. Grattan and Mr. Fitz-

* In the conversations upon this subject, tlie character and
conduct of the Marquis of Buckingham, were freely canvassed
bjthe difierent members, under the conviction, that his govern-
ment would be of very ^bort duration* See Historical Review^
ird. IL 230.

284 The Jteignqf George III.

1789^ gibbon took the lead on the opposite sides. Mr.
Fitzgibbon stated the plan of the castle to be liimtai*
tion and a bill. Mr. Grattan after a most luniinoiit
and constitutional speech, moved that an humble ad*>
dress be presented to his royal highness to take upon
himself the government of this realm, daring the con»
tinuation of his Majesty's present indispodtion, and na
longer, and under the style and title of Prince Regent
of Ireland, in the name of his Majesty to exercise and
administer, according to the laws and constitution of
this kingdom, all regal powers, jurisdiction, and pre^
rogatives to the crown and government thereof be-
longing. Mn Fitzherbert and several former sup-
porters of government, supported the address against
the dictates of the castle. Mr. Fitzgibbon displayed
extraordinary firmness and talent in opposing so
powerful and confident a majority. The motion
passed without a division. Not so in the -lords, there
it was warmly debated. The address, upon the
motion of the Earl of Charlemont, was carried by a
majority of 19*.

* 6 Lords, Jour. p. 233. The contents^ with the prouet,
being 45, and the non-contents 26, a protest was entered by moftt
of the minority, which see in Appendix to the Historical Review^
No. LXXX. The address was as follows.

To His Royal Highness Geosgc Prince of Walks.

The humble Address of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and
Commons in Parliament assembled.

** May it please your Royal Highness,

*' Wfi, his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects,
the lords spiritual .uid temporal, and the commons of Ireland in

Administration of the Marquis of Buckingham. fiSS

When both houses waited upon the lord-lieutenant 1760. *
wth their address, requesting him to transmit it to his MarqaisoC
loyal highness, his excellency refused to comply; re- ham re-
turning fof answer, that under the impressions he felt trans nit
of Us oiEcial duty, and of the oath he had taKen, he dress« ^
<&d not consider himself warranted to lay before the
prince an address, purporting to invest his. royal high-
ness with powers to take upon him the government of
that realm, before he should be enabled bylaw so to do;
and therefore he was obliged to decline transmitting

pnliatnent atieinbled, beg leave to approach your royal highoeM
with hearts full of the most loyal and affectionate attachment to
the person and governnaent of your royal father^ to express the
deepest and most grateful sense of the numerous blessings which
we have enjoyed under that illustrious house> whose accession to
Hbe throne of these realms has established civil and constitutional
liberty, upon a baais which we trust will never be sbakeo ; and
at the saooe time to condole with your ruyal highness upon the
grievous malady with which it has pleased Heaven to afflict the >
best of sovereigns.

•' We have^ however, the consolation of reflecting, that this
tevere calamity hath not been visited upon us until the virtues of
your royal h^boess have been so matured, as to enable yonr royal
highness to discharge the duties of an important trust, for the per*
finroaoce whereof, the eyes of all his Majesty'^ subjects of both
kiagdooks are directed to your royal highness.

" We therefore beg leave humbly to request, that jkxxt royal
bigfiness wiU be pleased to take upon you the government of this*
realm during the continuation of his Majesty^s present indi«iposi*
lioOf and do longer ^ and under the stile and title of Princs
Rcf eni of Ireland, tn^the name of and on behalf of his Majesty, to
eierciac and admiAtster according to the laws and constitiHkui of
Hms kkngdom, all regal powers, jurisdiction, and prerogattvee t9
Ibe cvovNi and govframent thereof belonging.**

286 Tke Reign of George III.

^Tsg. their address to Great Britain. Upon this MRt
Grattan afterwards moved, that his ezcellenq^ having-
thought proper to decline transmitting the address, a
competent number of members should be appointed
to present it to his royal highness. This motion
was carried by a majority of ISO against Yi* The
lords appointed the Duke of Leinster and Lord
Charlemont, and the commons Messrs. ConoUy, J.
O'Neil, W. B. Ponsonby> and J. Stewart, commis*
sioners to present the address to the Prince of Wales.
Mr. Brownlow proposed a short money bill> in order
to prevent the lord-lieutenant from exercising his right
of proroguing or dissolving the parliament : which
the attorney-general observed, reminded him of Lord
Townshend's proroguing the parliament. He recol-
lected when next they met, they voted him an address
of thanks, which address cost the nation half a million
of money. He hoped never again to see half a zhil*
lion of the people's money employed to procure an
address from thdr representatives*. The committee

* The siogolar coiDcidence of a falling and rising power acting
upon a body of 300 men, at no time famed for inflexibility,
mnoing a race of ingratilude for past and avidity for future (avon#
extracted truths, which might otherwise have lain for centuriea
smothered under the concordatum of interest, secrecy, and corabi*
nation. Mr. Fitzgibbon (no man knew better) admitted, that
Lord Townshend had pa'd or granted so much to purchase that
majority in parliament, by which he governed to the end of hit
administration. Of this avowal, or boast, or taunt, or threat of
parliamentary venality from the mouth of the attorney geneial,
we have the pointed evidence of Mr. Grattan, (Answer to Lord
Clare*s speech, 1800. p. 18). ** Haifa miiiion, or

jidminisiraiion 6/ the Marquis of Buckingham* 2B7

of the two houses of parliament arrived in London ^^9*
on the 25th of February, 1789, and the day follow- '"^'^
mg presented their address to the Prince of Wales at
Carlton-house. As the convalescent state of bis Ma-
jesty's health was at that time apparent, his royal high-
ness, after returning his warmest thanks for the address,
and expressing the satisfaction he received from the
proof it afforded of their loyal and affectionate attach-
ment to the person and government of the King, ac-
quainted them with the fortunate change^ that had
taken place. Within a few days, he hoped, that the
joyful event of his Maj^ty's resuming his govern-
ment, would enable him to give them a final answer,
and make it only necessary for him to repeat those
sentiments of gratitude and affection to the loyal and
generous people of Ireland, which he felt indelibly
imprinted on his heart.

The happy turn in his Majesty's health worked a TumSncbi
stupendous change in the marshalling of the house of ^mm^
commons. As the late gloomy prospect of a change
in the Irish administradon had driven many gentlemep
to the opposidon benches, Mr. Grattan, willing to

expemded some years ago to break an opposition ; the same, or a
greater sum may he necessary now : so said the principal servant
of the crown. The house heard him : I heard him : he said ft
standing on his legs to an astonished and an indignant nation , and
lie said it in the most extensive tense of bribery and corruption*
The threat was proceeded on 5 the peerage wa4 sold ; the caid&
of corrupt ion were every where ; in the lobby, in the street, on
the steps, and at the door of everf parlianaentary leader, wkos^
threshoids were worn by the members of the then ndministratioq^
oSeriog titles to some, amnesty to others, jwd oorroption to aU.**.

S88 Tie Reign qf George III.

1?^ zm\ himself of the earliest fruits of dieir converaoii,

successively brought forward all the subjects of popa«

hr complaint : namely, a new police bill, a pension

bill, a place bill, a responsibility bill, and an absentee

bill. Each was lost by gradually increased majorities.

The first of these divisions was of 115 in favor of

ministry and 106 against it. The debates upon these

several questions were more personal and virulent*

than any before known in that house.

King's re- On the i4th of March, his excellency announced

fo^^iy the happy event of his Majesty^s recovery in a speech

topw^u^ from the throne, which Mn Grattan congratulated

*""'' the house, was so worded, and the address upon it wo

properly moved and seconded, as to call for the moG(

' cordial unanimity. When Mr. Gonoily on the SOtfa

of March communicated to the house of commons

the Prince of Wales' answer to the address of both

houses of parliament. Lord Henry Fitzgerald moved

an address of thanks to his royal highness for his grait*

dous answer ; to which the attorney-general objecteiL

No one supporting the objection, it was withdrawn^

and the motion was carried unanimously. His Majesty

returned a most gracious answer to the address of the

Irish Parliament; and his excellency appointed a

day of public thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the

fiignal interposition of Jiis good providence.

Return of The ferment occasioned in the commons bv the

•he com- '

xnonj to late alarm had nearly subsided : the re-establishment

their tta- ^

- * The partiailart of a violeot attack upon Mr. Orattao by 2|r.
Parsons, and Mr. Grattan** retoit^ may be aeon in HiaUMii:il
Review, vol. II. p. 256.

jtdministralian of iht Marqm of Buckingharit. 989

0£ the eM sjrstem^ and the disaispeanmce of toy ini* '7^*

ibediate chasge in ad0iiii]stiati0n> had brought back

most of the fugitives to their stadon, and upon a divi^

abn on the place bill, there were only 98 for, and 148

agaunst it. Then Sir Henry Cavendish^ chairman of

the committee on the police accounts^ delivered in

their report*, upon which they bad cohie to two re*

•oJutions : lat. That it had appeared to them^ thai the

police fgtabliabment had bem attended vtiiix unnececH

iary patnmage, waste, and dissipation. 2d, That it

waa their opinion, that the peace and protection of the

city of Did>li& might be more effectually maintained

it a lest expence, and that the presait system of the

police estabUshment. ought to be changed. On the

motion ct the attorney-general the report was rejected

fay 18S against 78 1* ' The subject most interesting

to Ireland, which occupied parliament during the re*

mainder of the session, was that of tithes. Mn

Grattan upon presenting a bill to appoint commis*

sioners for the purpose of enquiring into the state of

litbes in the different provinces, and to report a plan

for ascertaining the same, followed it up with an ela»

borate atid eloquent speech |. The house adjourned

from the 6th to the 25th of May, on which day the

lord-lieutenant prorogued the parliament^ and made

* 9 Par, Deb. p. 394. Thif r^it, which U liogularix
catioas, k to be teen in the Appendix to tnj Historical Review,

t 0 Fur. Deb. p. 424*

I It may be seen ia the Appemtis to mj Hiitorical Beyiew,
)^o.LXXXIU. 9 Par. Deb. p. 464.
♦vol*. II. U

990 The Ragnof George III

1799. a q>eecb of a. general nature, without a word of re^
ference to any of the extraordinary circumstances of
the<

of govc|ii*

Uuvfakoi Ifo viceroy ev^ enjoyed a smaller diare of poptt«
■'■u«» larity in Irelaml> dian the Marquis of Buckingham.
A determined opposition ^Rras the consequence. In
qiite of his boasted princ^Ies of economy, he re*
sorted to the lace ruinous system of purchanng votes
by retail, in order to break through the fonnidaUe
opposition to his measures. No bounds, no reserve^
no decency, mrere kept in this new canvass for pariiar^
mentary influence: the market was overt, and the
prices of boroughs, and of pieces of boroughs, and
of voMs and titles, and of peerages, were brought to
as regular a standard as bullion at the mint. Not a
peerage, not an h<^or, not a place, not a pensicm was
disposed of but immediately by government for par*
tiaihentary interest, influence, or engagements, vary«
ing by gradation from the price of a close borough to
a vote upoii a single question. Every place, office, or
emolument, that could be resumed by government,
was granttfd Hpoa new terms for future services. The
Duke of Ldnster, Mr. G» Ponsonby, Mr. Fitzberbert%
and every perscm holding place, oflSlce, or pension at
pleasure, were displaced or deprived for having joined
in the address to the Prince of Wales. A creation of
eight peerages cook place, and humeibus new appomt*

« Duxing a short recess tbe Hon. Mr. Hobart» (the pieseot Bad
of Bockinghamshire) was appoiiitsd Secretaiy' in lieu of Mr.
Fitzhrrberty (atterwards Lord St. Helen's), who gave a rare ck«
9Uop\9 of saciificin^ place to principle.

jidministrdtton of the j\JUirquis of J^uchingham. 29^1

ttents were made. It was objected to the Marquis df lyflQ*
Buckingham's administration, that notwithstanding his
professions of economising he had increased the pen-
tton Ikt by 1 S^OOO/. per annum, and by splitting places,
reviving dormant employments^ and encreasing sala*
ries) had burthened the nation with an additional per-
petuity of 2800/« per annum. The public thanks-
giving for the King's recovery was cdebfated by a
most superb gala at the castle; but none of those gen-
demen were invited to partake of it, who had voted
for the address. A mjirked sign of reprobation
was put on their heads : and so strongly was the spirit
of party kept up, that in the list of toasts drunk after
dinner at the castle, the Prince of- Wales and Duke
of York were pilrposely omitted *. The extraordinary
zeal of the attorney-general on the late occasions, in
support of government, was rewarded with the great
seal of Ireland, which had become vacant by the death
of Lord Lifford. He was the first Irish chancellor ap-
pointed by England.

Tlie Marquis of Buckingham grew daily more and pord Buck-
more dissatisfied with his situation in Ireland. He had ssti^ficd,
regained a majority in parliament, but he never more i^nsitnd.

• III England «ome persons had rather unwarranlably repre-
sented Mr. Pitt to have s.lid« during the debate on the regency^
that be bad as much right to be regent, as his Royal Highness*
At this national festival, the Marquis of Buckingham olferedjhat
minister to the notice and grathude of the kingdom of Jrelandj
next to the King and Queen, not only in priority but in exclusion
of the Prince of Wales, by protxMing Me health of Mr. Pitt, the
friend of Ireland, with three times three. Trivial ciicumstances
often disclose destgns of ma>;nitode»

V 2

f92 The Beign of George Ilh

1789.^ ejqierienced that popularity, whkh had hailed lua 6nit
appdntment under Lord Shelbume. The spirit of
party ran so high, and the chief governor felt so
sensibly his wdsH of popularity, that in the mcmth of
June he took shipping * for England, and never more
jretumed to Ireland. On the SOth of June, 1789, the ^
new chancellor Fitzgibbon and Mr. Foster die speaker
were sworn in lords-jusdces.

* His esodlency took shipping from Mr. Lee's villa at the
Black Rock. It was observed by Mr. Charles O'Neale^ in a de-
bate, 10 P. D. p. IIB, that if he had not taken a back-stairs
departure from that kingdom^ he would in all probabilify have
been g^reqied on his xetreat in a very diflercnt manner fhmi what
he had been on his arrival in Ireland. His opponents gave out,
that his excellency was secretly conveyed on board a ship. His
Iriends assert, that his health was so impaired by the (atignea
of a troublesome government, that he was conveyed in a litter
upon men's shoulders to the ship, in which he took his passs^
The bad state of his health must have naturally induced him to
avoid publicity and bustle in his departure, which his <^)ponents
jnight have misconstrued into conscious privacy and absconding.
Whether the character and conduct of Lord fiuckingham were
not coi^^eiual with the then predominant feelings of the Irish
people^ or that the system of Mr. Pitt's goveramoit, which that
nobleman most zealously supported, was not acceptable to them;
oertain it is, that his excellency's departure kaok Irebnd created
little regret or sorrow throughout the kingdom.

C 29s J

troo-

CHAPTER V.

AdmimttrtUioli of the Earl of fFestmoreland,

The Earl of Westmoreland succeeded the Marquis ua of
of Buckingham in the government of Ireland. It was land suc-
obterved by some of the opposition, that the change Marquu of
IMS but a continuance of the former administration, ham.
Under a less unpopular head : the secretary and most
other servants of the crown were continued in oi&ce.
Strong eflfects were produced by the establishment of a
Wlug club in Ireland, in imitation of that of England.
& was a frequent theme of panegyric to Mr. Grattan,
and of invective to Mr. Fitzgibbon. The heads of
most of the great families were members of it, and it
contributed not lightly to give popularity to the lead*
ing objects of their institution, which it was the uni*
form policy of Mr. Pitt's system to counteract. The
administration of the Marquis of Buckingham formed
in eventful era in the modem history of Ireland.
Thence evidently is traced the commencement of those
popular workings, which ended in the explosion of
1798. Parties are at issue upon the effects of the
system. The Whigs contend, that the people were
goaded into rebellion by it*s impoKcy and atrocity; the
friends of Mr. Pitt lay the salvation of the country to
il^s wisdom and firmness. Facts bespeak their own
consequences. When the poor in Munster, from the

u 3

29* ' The Reign of George HI.

J 790. failure of Mr. Grattan's motion for tbdr relief, despaired
of redress, fresh disturbance broke out, and the military
force was consequently encreased. In the nortk, the
Pecp-of-Day Boys had acquired an ascendancy ov«r the
Defenders. Theirenmity was wickedly fomented by the
upper orders, for the purpose of breaking up that ^on
of protestants and catholics, which had been effected by
their serving together in the volunteer corps. In Ar-
maghjL the most protestant county of Ireland, the De^ ^
fenders were goaded into a more systematic resistanc^^
by the encreasing frequency and atrocity of the domi-.
ciliary visits for disarming them, wder pretext of the
law's disabling catholics from bearing surms : but which
these Defenders, who were ni^ostly catholics, now foun4
necessary for s^If-de|enc«« Government sent down
some troops of hor^, which secure4 tranquillity, whilat
they remained on the spot. The contests were ^ scr
rious, that in the absence of the troops^ fifty of a Mde
have fallen in a day. The Defenders organized and
strengthened themselves, * They afterwards becaine
more fo.nni<lable ; hiut were neyer aggressons^ till they
were compelled to emigrate frotp their own district.
Pariiainent I<prd Westmoreland met the parliament on the 21st
Jm^tuaie"' of January, 1790. The whole of this session was a
iTaui^.' * series of violent though fruitless struggles for the
great points, whiph the patriots contended tjiey were
entitled to by the constitution, and had pledged them*
selves to their country to persevere ix^ press^ig uj:ton

^ Tbe oath »nd rales of the Defb^der^ 9xt to. be seen in vol il
Hiatorical Review^ p. 276.

Admhustrauion of the Earl tjf- Westmoreland. S95

die government till granted. When the address was i^ga
noved, *Mr. Grattan strongly marked his disappro-
bation of the measures of the late administration;
Ihey hod been ill governed. He pressed «q)on the in-
crease of the pension list, and the expences of the
onkHm^t* ^^ moved, That the resolutions of that

• 10 Farl. Deb. pii 7*

f Mr. Orattan^s oratoiy Is not odIjt sablime, bot hittoricalljr io*
ftnictiTe, (10 Bui. Deb. p. 15). '« Such has b^ao the ooodoct
ef yoes rafonnar. This was the man j jrou reaiember his entry
ibIo the capital^ trampling on the heane of the Duke of Rutland^
fod seated in a triumphal car« drawn bj public credulity \ on one
side fallacioos hope« and on the other maBy-'mouthed profession |
a figure with two faces, one turned to the treasuiy, and the other
presented Id the people ; and with a double tongue^ speaking con*
mdtetory laiigoages.

'* This minister alights; justice looks up to htm with empty
bopes» and peculation faints with idle .alarms ; he finds the city a
prey to an unconstitutional police^he continues it ; he finds the
country overburthened with a sharoefiil pension list — ^he increases
H} he finds the house of commons swarming with placemen— ha
■mnHftfHr them} he finds the salary of the secretary increased to
prevent i| pennon— he grants a pension j he finds the kingdom
drained by absentee employments, and by compensations to buy
tiiem home — he gives the best reversion in the country to an ab-
'Bcntee, his brother ! He finds the government at dtfierent times had
itfsgiaoed itself by ccoating sinecures, to gratify corrupt affectiioivr-
ks nakea two connmissioners of the rolls> and gives on^ of .tiiem
fo another brother ; he finds the second council to the commis-
skmers put down because useless — he revives it ji he finds the
lioards of accounts and stands annexed by pqjblfc compact — he
tfvidea theini he finds three resolutions, dedafiipg, that seven oopoi*
ore snlBcient-- ha makes nine $ he finds the totintigp
U 4

!6« The Reign tf George III

#

^WOi honse ap:a!nsC xnoreaang the number ef th« MfQtn^
doners of the revenue and diriding of the boards, hm
bid before his Majesty, with an humble addilBss, that
his Majesty would order to be hid before them die
particulars of the representations, in consequence of
which two^ new commissioners of the cu€toni6 had
been added, notwithstanding the resolutions of that
house ; and also that his Majesty would coramimicate
the names of the persons concerned in recoi^mcndinK
that measure. The motion was vehemently op|ioee4
by government, and negatived upon a dtvisioii, by
135, 80 only having voted for it. The like fate at-
tended the motion of Mr. Curran, for the particulars
of the causes, consideration, and representations, iQ
consequence of which the boards of stamps and ac?
counts had been divided, with an increase of salary ta
• the officers ; ^nd a communication of the names of the
persons, who bad reconmiended that measure. Thus
also failed Mr. Forbes's efforts for a place bill and a
pension bill. Each debate grew warmer thaa thf
preceding. The opposition upbraided the treasury
benches with being bought and hired to vote against
d)eir convictions and the welfare of their country;
they taunted them with the want of ability^ honour^
and honesty. The attorney-general charged bb of^
ponents with imperious turbulence and overbearing
to attain (haf power, which they envied in others. On

has snfiertd hj some pecciIatioDt in Ae ordnance — be increaiei
the salaries of offices^ and givei the placet to menoibtn | to meni-

H^s of parliament,*

inistratkn qfthe Earl of fVinfmareland. S97

dits oocMOft die oppootkm iiicrea$e4 by twdve. In ^7^
die Uke pN^tordoa was outvoted Mr. George Poa*
eaaby's naotioa for dkclosing the names of those, who
bad abused the ccMifidence placed in them^ by adviang
die growth of public expence, by many new and in*
creased salaries, anneaced to offices granted to niem^
beiB of that house, no fewer in number than fourteen.
The perseverance and powerful talents, with which
Mr. Grattan kept up an aggressive warfare during the
whole of this sessbn, rendered him personally ob-
noxious in proportion as -he was formidable to the
eastle interest.

At the close of a very severe debate, Mr. Grattan Mr. Gtac-

tin t cstdi*

gave particular oflfence to government by a novel mode ^<n*<r
of arrsugmng the ministers. He then read the follow^
ing paper. ^ We charge them publicly, in the face
€3i their country, with making corrupt agreements for
the sale ef peerages, f(Mr ddng which, we say they are
impeachable; we charge them with OMmipt agree*
ments for the disposal of the money arising fh>m the
6^ to purchase for the servants of the castle seats
in Ae assembly of the people; for doi^g which we
say Aey are impeachable ; we charge them with com*
mktiBg these c^^ces, not 19 one^ nor in two, but in
many instances ; for which con^licadim of ofences^
we say they are impeachable ; guilty of a systematie
endeavour to undermine the consdtudon ia violatioii
of the laws of the land. We pledge ourselves, to cop*
victthem. We dare them to go into an encpury. We
do not affect to treat them as other than public, male*
fitctors. We BpeAi to them in a style of die most

«»8 The Reign of George IIL

Wgft mbrtifying and humiliatinig defiance* We pronounce
them to be public ciiininals. Will they dare to deny
the chaxge ? I call upon, and dare the ostenaUe men)-
ber to rise in his place, and say on his honour, that he
does not believe such corrupt agreements have taken,
place* I wait for a specific answer.'^ After some
pause, Mr. Secretary Hobart* replied, that the ques*
tion related to the exercise of his Majesty's undoubted
prerogative, and it would ill become him, upon the
investigation of an individual, to say what were the
reasons, which had induced his Majesty to bestoyr
upon any person those honours, which the crown
alone could constitutionally confer* f.
t^'^h' ^^ strongest (^position of the session (viz. 96)
was upon Mr. Forbes* moving the place bill to be read
a second time, when he asserted, without contradiction,
that no less than one hundred and four persons, hold-
log places or pensions, were members of that house;
and that since the last session no less than fourteen
new places had been created, and bestowed upon
members. An interesting debate took place upon
the illegality of issuing fiats for levying unascer*
tained damages. The last contest of the session was
upon Mr. Curran's long promised motion, for an ad*
dress to the throne upon general grievances. After a
very pointed detail of the several grievances, abuses,
and corruptions, of which the cowtry then com^

* The present Earl of Backinghamthixe.

t ThiB reply of the secrelaiy gave Utile latiifiictlon to the oppo^
fUion benches^ and still less tO; (he people out of doon.

jfdmmstrntian of the Earl of JVestmor eland. 9S9

plained, the address speci^ed, that hb Majesty's faith* ^^
fa\ commons had been informed^ that in order to
defeat a resistance made in parliament to the will of
the minister, great portions of public money had been
expended by government in places, pensions, or sala*
Ties, to induce individuals to betray the community
for such corrupt condderations* That the particular
sums so expended had been specified and confessed ;
and that such a corrupt and desperate practice alarmed
them the more, because it had not transpired as a
crime to be punished, but had been openly avowed
as an instrument of government to be again resorted
to. That such exercise of influence had not only been
confessed, but defended on a principle most offensive
to the feelings, and derogatory from the condition of
his Majesty's subjects of Ireland. That when diey
sought the same securities and provisions for the liber*
ties of the people, which Great Britain had adopted
against the corrupt influence of the minister, they had
been told, that such provisions, however proper in
Great Britain, were not calculated for the meridian of
Ireland; for that the government in that cotmtry
should be stronger than the government in Great
Britain, and of course the influence and authority of,
the people of Ireland comparatively weaker in the
balance of the constitution* That such wild and un»
constitutional distinction, construing the people of Ire-
land out of the benefit of equal liberty, to introduce
among them a superior degree of corruption and pro-
fligacy, called from his Majesty's faithful commons
pf Ireland the wannest protestations, and they did

SOO TJve Reign of George tIL

>7&<^ protest against it accordingly. The addre^ was ne*
gatived by the usual majority/ which had been kept
steady in their ranks. This last attadc was made not
with any prospect of success, but only with a view of
transmitting to posterity the real grounds of opposing
that system of government, by recording them in the
ibrm of an address on the Journals.
rrorogft* The parliament was proiDgued on the 5th and dia*
lotion, of solved on the 8th of April, 1 790. The new parlia'*

the oldytnd * ^

convention meot was summoned to meet on the SOth of B$ay>
pwtMinent* but before that time was further prorogued to the lOtb
of July, when it met for dispatch of budness; The
ses^n lasted only 14 days^ during which nothing oc-
curred worthy of notice. The purpose of convenmg
ibe new parliament was to obtain a vote of creditt
vriiich passed for 200,000/. The parliament was then
prorogued, and did not meet for the dispatch of boo*
ness, till the 20d] of January, 1791.
Xord West- During the recess Mr. Secretary Hobart went to Eng*
■ccktpopu- land to concert the plan of the next parliamentary cam-
paign with the British cabinet. It was determined,* that
the Irish government should unexceptionably pursue
the principles and system of Lord Buckingham's admi^
nistration ; the secretary therefore had much consulta-
tion wiih that nobleman. Lord Westmoreland in the
mean time omitted no means of acquiring popularity ;
be visited most of the nobility through the kingdom.
His excellency and his lady on all solemn occasions
appeared clad in Irish manufactures. He generally en^
deavoured to render himself afiable and accessiUe**

• lie gratified the people of Dttblin in pnrtlcalsi;, by permlttii^

jidministration ^ tlie Earl of IVestmoreland. 901

The business of the first sesaon of the nevr parliar >S^

meat differed little from that of the last. The patriots First set-
nther lost strength by the new electioa* Thdr nunw acw^nzUft-
bers at no time during the session exceeded fourscore.
But their resolution was more determined than ever, ,
Mr. George Ponsonby in replying to Mr. Cook*^ as^^
sured him, that nothing but the hand of death or suc^
cess should ever induce them to give up thdr pursmt&
All the former subjects of popular complaint were
again brought forward with like failure. The mi* .
noricy complained, that the administration did not
mean to meet the questions of difference between them
by reason and argument, but by that very corruptioa
and influence they were warring against, dead mofcr-
ities^ The great strength of the patriots' oratory was
cmpk>yed upon the charge of selling the peerage^ and
prostituting the price of it to the purchase of seats la
parliament* The ministerial members complained of
the reiteration of the old charges without new argu-
ments to support them ; and insisted that general
£un^ surmise, and assertion^ were no grounds for pro-
ceedings in that house. On no occasion did Mr.
Grattan exert himself more than on his motion for an
Irish {last India trade. It was however only support*
ed by 86 against 147.

The political fever of the continent in 1791 became Wecffcf

French f*-

by relation alarming to the British empire, and particu* volution o«

trelaad.

the performance of a favourite piece« ^he Beggars* Opera, which ift
the more austere fovemxnent of Lord fiuckiogham had beca
prohibited.

• llFarK]>e^«p.3$4,,

flO£ The Iteign of George tit.

£Wt* briy to Irelaxid, A country, vhich had so lately suc^
ceeded in a struggle for civil liberty, naturally sympai*
thised with France and Poland, which were engaging
in a like cause. But the very mention of civil freedom
thenceforth became obnoxious to government* Even
the customary commemoration of our own revolution
in 1688, was attempted to be damped. 1 be word //•
berty carried with it suspicion, often reprobation. It
was the most successful and wicked feature of Mr. Pitt's
system to hold out the real Whigs, who continued to op
pose his measures upon principle, as factious disturbers
x>i the constitution, with a view to introduce the new
£uigled principles of revolutionary doctrines. Such
was the general panic, such the real or assumed execra-
tion pi every thing, that had a tendency to democracy,
that comparatively few of the higher orders dared avow
those principles, which two years before they boasted
of professing. Mr. Burke, by his book on the French
revolution* worked a stupendous change in the public

* The political change of the public mind about this oprio^
was evidently productive of the most unprecedented system of
strong and coercive measures, known since the Revolution uithip
the British empire. A very decided majority both within nnd
witliout the parliament of Great Britain favoured that system :
in Ireland the people more generaMy resisited its introduction
and^ influence Mr. Burke had the merit, if merit it were, of
causing the great defection from the Whig Party: he and his
friends, who went over to government on that occasion, were
the mokt forward and zealous in holding out the dwindled
phalanx of opposition, as enemies to their country and constitu-
tion. The fer\*or of the new converts for proselytizing their old
associates was unbounded j the old leaders of tlie court party rr?-
umphantly indulged in the easy decompositioa of their opponents j

Administralion of the Earl of JVestmoreland. SOS

0iinJ. The alteration of political sentiment in Ireland * i^t.
did not however l^eep pace with that of Great Britain.
The defection from the ranks of opposition in parlia«
ment wjs comparatively trivial. The general dispoa*
tion of the people to civil liberty was sharpened by the
increase of coercion and intiinidation. Some ilUminded
and artful demagogues availed themselves of the popu*
far fever, which had never totally abated from the year
1788* The pernicious doctrines of Mr. Payne, artfully
.mixed up with popular truisms, were circulated at the
lowest price, distributed gratis^ and imbibed with in*
satiable avidity : the castle-gates were trebly barred
against concession and indulgence ; and every effort
to attain them at a time so critically awful, was pro-
nonnced hostile, and a future bar, even to seasonable
/application. The spiritual guardians of the great body
of the Irish people, circulated pastoral instrucdons
through their dioceses^ to dehort their congregations
from imbibing the pernicious doctrines so sedulously
attempted to be spread amongst them, and to enforce
snbondination, peace, and loyalty in their conduct.

On the 11th February, 1791, a meeting was con- Cafiirijc^

\xf&k coftcutred in ttampiog the few« who steadily retained their
principles, with all the odium> contempt^ and malevolence, that in-
geouitj could fix to the new terms, Jacobins and Democrats. ,
Hienceforth a new and sable tinge was thrown upon every attempt
in parliament to urge any popular measure, that would latdy have
beea ooniidered patriotic and constitutional. It is ooc a littlo ce-
narkaUe, that the first time Mr. Burke publicly avowed his new
creed, aod seceded lirom the opposition, was on Mr. l<lood's mo-
tion in the British house of commons for enquiring into the stats
of the po|pular lepreseatatioo in parHamtnt.

JCM The Reign of Gtwrge Ilh

VW^ teiied atl>ublia of the general codimittee of the Ga^
tfaolics of Ireland, at which the different resolutions
and instructions Irom various parts of the kingdom
were read* They came to the unanimous resolu*
tion of applying for such relief, as the wisdom and
justice of parliament might grant; and they hoped
to be restored, at least, to some of the rights and pri«
Tileges; which had been wisdy granted to others^ who
dissented from the established church ; that they might
be thus enabled to promote, in conjunction with the
lest of thar fellow-subjects, the present and future
happiness and strength of their country* It was im-
possible, that the disposition to civil liberty, which
from the first institution of the volunteers had :p^^
vaded Ireland, should have remained inactive upoa
the great mass of the community, who were cathcdica.
So little prominent however were they as a body, in
bringing forward their own claims, that it had been
frequently questioned at public meetings in then orth,
whether on that account they were sincere in the cause
of liberty*
IM^»os<fj The arui'gallic influenza, which in Great Britain
My. had produced such convulsive effects upon political,
social, and domestic order, planted discord in the catlicv
lie body in Ireland. About threescore of the principal
country gentlemen, in conjunction with the Earl of
Fingal, Lord Kenmare, and some of the dignified and
other clergy, had that year seceded from the con*
mittee, under an apprehension of it's being loo
closely connected with the patriots of the North, and
not wholly unfriendly to the principles of the Frendt

Administration of the Earl of Wostn^rektnd. SOS

revolution. Hence the catholic body was divided into I79i.
an aristocratic and a democratic party. Such at least
mss it represented to the public, llie division was
maintained with conaderable acrimony. The Hon.
^mon Butler, Theobald Wolfe Tone, and Todd Jones,
zealous friends of freedom, proffered their services to
the catholic committee, and published in thdr own
names, some very able and strong arguments for the
rq^eal of all restrictive laws against the catholics.
These publications contained language more bold and
dedstve than had hitherto ever been adopted in urging
the claims of that body. Some also 6f their own body
followed the example of these protestant gentlemen,
and publicly spoke a language, which had before never
come from the mouth or pen of any one of that persua-
fiibn in Ireland. Nothing could be more offensive to
goremment dian this connexion between the Catholics
^and the Dissenters. The first petidon prepared by the
-ccmunittee never was presented to parliament. Ttiey
entered also mto some resoludons, which reflect^ not
tenderly upon the seceders *.

in the month of June, 1791, a paper was circulatied y?^^
in Dublin, contauning the design of an association to ^ Belfast
be called tfce Society of United Irishmen at Belfast : wn.
a plan of the^ society was published in the Northern
Star in October following. In the same. month the
Roman Catholics published a declaration of their
tenets and claims, in order to remove prejudices^ and .

# TUs petitfea tod thp nosolatioat are to bs leen in the H|^*
torical Review, toI. IL p^ 324^ &ۥ
VOL* IK X

«0B Th$ Iteign qf George IJtA

^fS^ ^nrit up tlie ezertioos of their fiiends in thefar cai»^.
bk tfad ensumg month of Norember, a aimihpr socktf
^ Unittd Irishmen was establldied at Di^Kn : dieir
dedaradon va(s the smae as that of Belbst : but a test
was amiexed to itf* To diis society Mr. James
Napper Tandy was secretary, and Mr. Simcm Bader^
chairman. It was now the fixed, perhaps hnprovident
system of the castle to mvolve ail soctedes, clubs, and
associadonS) in one common anathraia of faction and
sediddn*
^^Miv Every attendon to popular character was an o&nce
Tagcd^wthc 4jf f^Q ttiem, standard at the castle. When Lord
Charlemont sailed for England^ the Whig Chib, and
sdl the volunteer corps in DuBHn att^ided him under
arms to the water-side, and paid hhn the like honours
on hts return. la the course of the summ^ tJiis
nobleman found himself under the necessity of resign-
ing the governmient of the county of Armagh4 AOQD-.
fidendal honor, which his ancestors had unintem^.
-edly enjoyed from the days of Elizabeth. He consK
dered the joint appointment of another nobleman with
liiimdfmthatgoteriimtot^asanoffenoeandinsult. Hi$

* This declarfftion was madie on the aist of October, l?9U
and tmijr be seen in l3ie Appendix to the Historical Rmntw,
Ns. LXXXIV;

f Itif reqowke 4o shew>.4hat these first soctetisi of doited
Irishmeo differed from those that afterwards entered into the re*
belliop. Here nothing was secret^ nothing ambiguous, nothing
inconsistent with the duty of a loyal subject. Their test and con«
. irtitc^oniife to be seeata die Aj^midia to die Historical AeTicw>
No. LXSJLV.

AdmhuslTHtiim of the Earl ^ W^woreUmd. HOtJ

Iqt^i^*^ prcdOectioiis for the dis^eot^r* werepwrtictt- j»>;
Inly oimntiovs to goyeramwt : fo€ the eflbrts of the
Aoitber^ fUttv^it^is in tb« c^iise of liberty were 19-
£mirly vm^ dr^^ded by government, tbw the claims
fli catholic emwcipatioiu The wplv^rsary cooi*
m^immtioQ of the French revolu^on tfW celebrated
AP the 1 4th of July, by the inhabitants and neighbour-
%tipA of B^l£iust« All the armed corps of volunteers
attend^* Tb^ae public acts of the protestants in the
uMii psHt heinous offence to government, and Messis.
Tone^ Simian Butler, and Todd Jones, were the avowed
ffjendswod advocates of the cathoSc committee* Son^
{4 the cafbolicgentliemen of landed property^ ^o dift*
^piupved of these sodecieSj seceded formally from the ,
c^^ committee; smd on the 27tbof December^
]l?9l^ prescpfed tp the lord-)ieutenant a petition or ad-
^e^s, which went no farther than ageoeral ezpresaioa
^ submjssiveness and reepect to govenu&ent> throwing
j^cinselves 9nd their body upon their fanmanity and
wMco** Three days after, the United IsidimeA of
Dublin published a circular letter, containing a decla-
ndon of their political sentiments, and thw testf^
and animadverting severely upon the 64 addressers.

The year 1792 opened scenes peculiarly importai^t Com*
<o Ireland. The whole catholic body on different cunoue re-

A «Qfqr of 4be address^ with die aaiiiet of Iboee who
il» ii to be ittD vtL the Apfmdiz ta Historical Aeview,
Mo. LXXXVI. It highly diiplcttoii the oppoiite fUiy. ami muxf
aavBie thingi weve ntd upoD the 64 addoBiaan. ItwaiealMtfaa
dwruniyiniy mUsmu
t For thii dcdanjtkMi^ Yide Appeodis, No. IXXXVII*
% 2

808 The Reign of George I If.

]^Si^ grounds, was now worked up to a lively expectatSoii
of relief. The addressers superadded to the equitable
grounds of their claims, the submissiTeness and re*
sped of their application, and their confidence in the
humanity arid generosity of ministers. The ped-r
doners relied more on the dry force of tniA aiK|
equity, than on the liberality or justice of govern*
ment. The Ute political change in the pubfic mind
had been mainly produced by the writings of Messrs.
Burke and Payne : between these two extremes, no
middle post was tenable. In order, therefore, to.
purge themselves of that levelling democracy, which
was so peculiarly obnoxious to government, the ca-
tholicc ommittee chose for their counsel and agent th^
son of Mr. Burke ; conceiving, that he would give,
no advice, concur in no measure, abet no step, with-
out the privity, direction, and approbation of his
father : and it was no unfair conclusion on the part
of the generality of the catholic body, that whatever
was backed and supported by Mr. Burke*, could not

• It had been oonoertedi and it was soon after well known» that
Mr. Burke's particular. friend^ Sir Hercules Langrisbe, was to
bring forward the Roman Catholic bill. Mr. Burke on that occasion
wrote a very able letter, or rather a most constitutional cssaj, on
the subject to bis friend. This letter is of material importance to
the history of the progress of Catholic emancipation. Sir Her-
cules Ladgrishe was the man fixed upon by government to bnog
forward the subject of their claims. He had formerly been fa-
vorable to them : but his sentiments had been latterly somewhat
■Iteied by the.Ashiocuible cry against all popular claims, and bis
fear of oj^KMing the system of the castle, wh*ch had ever beep
the polar star of bis political navigation. In the Historical Re*

Admlnistratidn of the Earl of Westmoreland. 809

.be urged 6x chdmed upoa French principles. The 1793.
^eat object of political attention in the year 1792,
iWas the question of opening some constitutional rights
Ito the dttholics. The transactions of this year have
.1>een misrepresented. Although it be notorious, that
HO member of opposition brought for^vard or moved
any thing on behalf of the catholics daring the session,
(except the .presentadon of petitions) and that the bill
brought in by Sir Hercules Langrishe, an mvariable
supporter of government, had been fully approved oif
by government before it was presented : yet has the
£arl of Clare in the most extraordinary manner de-
clared, that ^' * with respect to the old code of the
Popery laws, there could not be a doubt, that it ought
to have been rq>ealed« It was impossible, that any
country could continue to exist imdej a code, by which
a majority of its inhabitants was cue off from the rights
of i^roperty. But in the relaxation of these laWs
there was a fetal error. It should have been taken up
^stematically by the ministers of the crown, and not
left in the hands of every individual, who chose to
take possession of it, as an engine of power or popu-
larity. This, however was done.'* The catholics,
anxious to be relieved from the hardships they had so
Jong laboured under, could not be insensible of the
unaccustomed sympathy and liberality of any of their
Protestant countrymen. They did not weigh to a

r

view/ vol. 11. p. 338/ See. may be seen Mr. R. Burke's defence
of the pelitioners against the addressers-: and a full refutation of
the charges thrown upon the conduct of the committee.

« Speech of the Bad of Clare,.on the 10th of Febraaty, 1800.
X s

sib The ^gn of (George IW

^J^ scrapie those differences, by which the religiotfi tenets
of the establi:.hed church and the I^enters yarM
from their own ; nor did they optn old accounts to
discover, whether the asperity of puritanical itgot
kiad been softened by the assumption of ProleiBtant
ascendancy. Whoever, upon the brdad ba^ of W«*
istltutional freedom avowed the prnidple of their
emancipation was haturtilly received with cordBafify.
Although the catholics were not generally admMed
into the different societies lately iiiistitvt^d for 0ro-
motmg the popular objects of civ3 freedom and r^
jfonrt, yet It was morally hnpossible, thSft many Wi*
tlfiolic individuals should not have sympathiiseili inih
their protestattt brethren in forwarding thm. Nothmg
lioWever had been attempted by thetn hs a body to-
wards their attainment. Their exertions t^rerie excfuw
dvely confined to the Violation of ifhe penal code.
JjjJ^!"'"' On t^e l^th of January, 179^2, the pailiameni
'was opened in the usual manner. Mr. Grattan ob«
jected to that part of the address, which went to
thank his Majesty, for continuing in the govern-
inent of that country a lord-fieutenant, whose inek-
sures he had found it necessary to resist, and
who had uniformry opposed every measure urged for
the good of their country. Ten years^ said he, ha^
elapsed isince they had recovered their constitution^
and three since they had lost It. Their present mixj-
sters had made two attempts on their liberties; the
first had failed, the second TuSi saccd^ed. Tlttjr
could remember the propositions : the people 6f Irts
land would not consent to be governed by the British
parliament; an expedient was devised; let the Irisb

Administration qf the Earl of WuimoreUmd. Si I

^1{m^^ govern ibe people of Irdaod^ and BiilflQ 17>9^
)govem t^e bi^ p^liaxjlept. TfaU me^pare was de*
feated by the injiaehce priadpsdly of that part of the
vistocracy, yfhp reAised to go through the bill, aQ4
urhp h^d b^en dismissed. They^ who made the al«
^OK^t had b^ett advanced and rewarded. The path
of public treachery in a principal country leads to the
blod^ i but in a nadoii, governed like a provoce. Id
the belo^ Th^ secpnd attempt was their modelling
of the parlnai^t in 1789, by the expenditure of the
interest of half a million to buy the |iouae «f . coxe^^
9Mns $ the sale of the peerage, and the purchase of
•cats in ihe commons $ the /ormation of a ^ck-purse
^ th^ ministier to monopolise borough^ and buy u^
ifiepresentations* That new practice, whereby the
sdmster of the crown became the common |>orough-
Jbroker of the kingdom, coAStituted an offence so mul-
^tudinous, and in all its parts so criminal, as to caU
lor radical refohnation^ and exemplary punishment %
iwhether the persons concerned were Lord Buck*
ingha>n or his secretary, or those, who became the
pbjects of his promotion, because they had been the
oninjsters oi his vices. It was a ccmspiracy s^gpunst the
Andammtal laws <^ th^ Jand, and sought to establi9h»
.md had established, in the place of sn ^^Qiited pig*
sardiy, a corrupt despotism. The cbancqllor di the
•Exchequer answered^ that die right, honorable gen-
tleman had mezely recaintulated the old invectives of
:iBMiiy aesdons ; they bad been already refuted^ and if
jdbey were iMrought forward in the coune of that aaa-
«oa> they would be refuted s^n. .

X 4

Si« Tlfce Reign qf George lit

1^ On the 25th of January, 1792, Sir H* Langrishcr
sirHefcoicf rose> accorduig to notice, to bring forward some re«
notcitbe solodons in fitvour of the catholics. He prefiKted

ctthoficbiU.

his motion by a warm ' and able, though very'
guarded speech. He went through all the conces-
dons made to them by the legislature* He con-
fessed his ardour had been checked by the general
drculation of wild principles of democnu^*, mth which
some attempts h^d been made to omnect the cause of
the catholics. He had then, however, the happiness
to asseit from authority, what he had long learned
from experience: that not a sentiment of that ten*
dency was entertained by the catholic body; none
such belonged to them; they renounced them; they
utterly disclaimed them. There was not a class of his
Majesty's subjects more attached than they were to the
monarchy and hereditary succession, more obedient to
the laws, or more devoted to the king and constidi-
tion, as by law established. It was under such con-
vicdon^ that he addressed them with confidence for a
further repeal of the laws affecdng the Roman Catho-
lics, to that extent, which their wisdom and liberality
should lead them to think expedient. What that es-
tent should be, appeared to him the only question, that
could divide the opinion of parliament on the subject.
1st. He would give them the pracdce and profes-
sion of the law, as a reasonable provision, and appli«
cation of ihar talenu to thdr own country.

2dly. He would restore to them educadon, entire

and unrestrained ; because a state of ignorance was a

' state of barbarity* That would be accomplished by

Adminislratkn of the karl of fP^esimoreland. 6li

taking off the necessity for a license, as enjoined by 179^-
Ae act of 1782. ^*^^

Sdly. He would draw closer the bonds of inter*
dourse and affection, by allowing intermarriage, re!*
pealing that cruel statute, which served to betray female
Credulity, and' bastardize the children of a virtaous
mother.

4thly. He would remove those bbstruttibns to aits
and manufactures, that limited the number of appren-
tices, which were so neclessary to assist and promote
trade. He then moved, '' That leave be given to
bring in a bill for removing certain restraints and dis*
atHHdes, under which his Majesty's Roman Catholic
subjects labour from statutes at present in force."
Mr. Hobart seconded the motion, without making any
€t>servatioii. Leave was given to bring in the bill>
and a committee appointed to prepare the same, with*
out a disseating voice.

No sooner had this leave been given, than Mr. MrOTfatm
O'Hara aft«r having expressed his hearty concur- peihto^ *
rence in what had been done, suggested, that in order l^nlittce,
to bave the subject fully before the house, it was
desffiable, that they should know exactly the par-
ticulars, in which the Roman CathoUcs desired relief :
and they nught easily draw the line by the new act of
parliament so strongly, as to preclude aiiy expectation
of change, at least, for many years to come. Those
ooonderatioQs (he said) had induced him to listen to
the desire of a very particular friend of his, to lay a
petition containing such a statement before the house.
A friendy who was not of the Roman Catholic ncrsua- '

SU TTie lUigh of George Jti.

J^ sion^ bat one, to whom fae would lutfwUli&^yref^
any thing he could ask, had desired him, 96 apersond
&vour, to present it. Though he did not know the
petitioners, he knew the integrity of his friend, whQ
told him they were altogether worth upwards of g
million, which he mentioned to shew, that they ^en
considerable individuals, whose sentiments n^gltf be
supposed to coincide with the greater part at leatt of
the Roman Catholics. However, thov^ he presfxKbHl
the petition, he requested not to be considered v iti
particular patron; for he bad agreed to present U
upon the terms only of reserving to himself the fott
liberty of discussing every part of it, and eondemuqg
or approving, as he might thinkproper« Under thm»
circumstances, he ventured to o&r the petitiPA. tp .^
house ; and the rather, because to peti^on parlHuiWit
was a matter of right in the subject ; and a mvt^
could hardly refuse to present a petition, if re^ttrcd bf
no improper iesciiption of mm i t>ut moiee pvtacu^
larly, because the petiticm brought iafomuKlioB beforf
the house, which might be useful in framii:^ the bilL
The petitioners, after sUting th^ particubisB^ »
which they hoped for rdief, pi^Ewiised lo afCdVHeiQ^
in whatever relief pvlistfnent might think proper ^
give them*. The solicit<M:*geneiai said^ ^ffidtioa^

• Whilst Mr. Sheridan was obier?tng, tfiat it wasa?efy tM
waf of introducing a petition^ to state that |t pamt nAt.temngr
jparticolar body of meo^ but from an totima^^ acqaaiatta^ Mb
R« Barke« the gentleman alluded to hjMr. 0*£buB* batiog io-
cautiously ventured into the body of the house behind thp sp«akei^

Administralion of the Earl of Westmoreland. t\B

ka kB present state of abandoament, could be no }]^
object of notice : he therefore mored the qnestkm
df adjotirament. Mr. D. Brown was for receiring
tile petitfon. HoWerer, Mr. O'Hara withdrew it for
%he present^ because he could not say he had seen
Mie petftionei-s sign it : he should present it anodier

The tetboljc committee anxious to act in foil con- CaAoCcr

bill*

teit tnth Sir Hercules Langrishe, as he was well
lMo%n lo do nothing without the privity and appro-
l>at!on rf government, entered into somef unanimous
¥etoludons calculated to counteract the effects of the
IhKik^r^sentations and calumnies of their enemies.
"On tlie same diaiy. Sir Hercules Langrishe J intro-
-duced hiis "bill for the relief of the Roman Catholics :
k was read and ordered to be printed. Four days
after, Mr. John O'Neil presented a petition from Bd-
-filst sigtted iiy more than six himdred persons of

Vhair, to speak with Mr. 0*Hara, tBere arose a general cry of
«v ItfCo eftttdly'!*' He Instdntlj wi(hdrew.

* >ter. Gfattan, feeling that this treatment of a (Petition signed
'\j iO'Considdnible a portion of the community, was rather inaah-
iog, daatd a very impressive speech in the fi>UQWiii|( woida:
What you give to the Roman Catholics, gire it Jiberally : what
jroa refine, refiise decently : whatever you do, do it with discre-
- tioti : Whatever jovl say, let it be the language of decency and
•foo** mannnti,

^ Th^ Moiutions nxay be seen in rol/II/offtistorical Revietr,
^» Sod*

^ t » AtrL IMMOiSy p. 58.

«1* ^ ' The Reign bf George hi.

^^ respectability; praying that the legidature would re^
peal all penal an<i ;rQ$trlctiy^: laws against catholicise
and put th^to on the 6ame. footing M^ith their protest-
ant fellow-subjects. On the 1 1th of Februarys befofe
the catholic bill committed for that d&y» was called
on^ Mr. Stewart made a motion^ which was absconded
by Mr. George Ponsonby, beseeching his Majesty
to take into his consideration the situaiion of the
presbyterian ministers of the province of Uteter, and
to* make such further provision for them^ as in ly^
wisdom and bounty he should think fit} and that
the house would make good the same. Sir £dward
Newenham and others bore, testimony to the loyalty
and virtues of the prote^ant dissenters. As par-
liament was about granting favors * to the catho^
lies, they could not refuse justice to the presbyte;,
iians.
^eu'tionof The great body of the dsttholics was little satis*

^thecitboiic . . ' .

committee, fied with the conccssious contained in the bill of

■Ad progress , , ' ,

«t die bui. Sir Hercules Langrishe. They were convinced^ that
this bill had been substituted for another, of more
extensive concession, which had been intended and
would have been obtained^ but for the arts of
some designing, and the credulity of sibme honest
men. Whilst the bill was in progress, the catholic
committee prepared a petition, calcuUted to meet
the objeaions raised against their proceeding.' It
was sighed by fifty of the most req)ectable cadio-
lie commercial characters in Dublin, on behalf of
themselves and their brethren throughout the king-

Administration of the Earl of Wkslmoreland. SIT

dom*. It was presented by Mr. Egan, and was or- ^^
dered to lie on the table. When the catholic bill
was debated, all cautiously confined their ideas of
mdiilgence to the points of the bill : and many
took that opportunity of pledging themselves never
to grant the elective franchise as a concession in-

♦ 12 Pari. Deb. p. 12^.

f To. the Right Hon. the Knights^ Citizens, and Baigesses, ia
Fariiament assembled.

♦' The Petition of tjie nndersigned Roman Catholics, on behalf of

themselves and the Roman Catholips of Ireland, •

" Humbly srbwbtb,
• ^ Tliat as the house has thoaght it expedient to direct their
fltteotiop tp the sitQutioQ of the Roman Catholics of Ireland, and
to a further relaxation of the penal statutes still subsisting against
them, they beg leave, with all humility, to come before the house
with the most heartfelt assurance of the wisdom and justice of par*
liameot, which is at all times desirous most graciously to attend
to the petitions of the people $ they therefoiie humbly presume to
submit to the house their entreaty, that they should take into
Iheir consideration whether the removal of some of the civil in-
capacities, under which they labour, and the restoration of the
petitioners to some share in the elective franchise, which they
enjoyed long aAer the revolution, will not tend to strengthen the
protestant state, add new vigour to industry, and afford pro*
(ectioo and happiness to the catholics of Ireland ; that the peti-
goners refer with confidence to their conduct for a century past>
to prove their uniform loyalty and submission to tlie laws, and to
corroborate their solemn declaration, (hat if they obtain from the
justice and benignity of parliament, such relaxation from certain
Incapacities, and a participation in that franchise, which will raise
them to the rank of freemen, their gratitude 4aiust be proportioned
to the benefit, and that enjoying some share in the happy consti-
tution of .Ireland, they will exert themselves with additional zeal
in its cooaervatioo.**

Sl» The Reign of George III.

^^\ compatible with the protestant ascendancy. Hu
^Tzttaokf though instructed to Qp|>06e the bfll bf
his constituents, the corporation of Dublin, would not
sacrifice the rights and interests of three miiltons to
the cajM'ice or prejudice of some individuals. The
house resolved itself mto a committee on the lull after,
midnight, and Mr. Secretary Hobart, not wishing to
precipitate matters suggested « that the chairman should
report progress, and leave was given to sit again on the
20th of February. On that day Mr. David La Touche
moved, that the petition of the catholic committee
should be rejected, and after a violent debate it was re-
j^ted by 308 against 83. The petition from Beifaat was
rejected^by a larger majority. The bill passed widiout
further opposition. The state of parties in die house
of commons was much the same, as it had been in
the two preceding sessicms. Mr. George Ponsonbyt
after a warm debate on the East India bill, nprarei
his profes^on, that he never would vote with any ad-
ministration, until that and the other measures, to
which he and the other gentlemen, with whom hf
acted were pledged, shouI4 have beei^ obtained* Th$
other patriotic bills were ag^ brought forwaid an4
again rejected*. An interesting and heated debate
arose out of Mr. Browne's motion tQ repeal an act
of the last session for appointing a weigh-master for
the city pf Corkt* After prefacing his motion by
animadverting on the i:<mduct of administratioii in

* l5'Coin« Journ. p. 87.
t 12 Pari. Deb. p.270.

jMminiiiratiim of the Earl of fPk^tmareland^ 919

pofsumg that dangerous and unconstitutianal aystem, iftn.

they had laid down and atricdy ^ered to, of
preaiiqg influence^ he severely rei»robated the a^xunt-^
ment made by government to the office of weigh*ma8-
fer of Gcgrk, which had been divided into three parts,
Vid bestowed on members of parliament^i for the pur«>
pose of creating parliamentary inQuence. The office
bad beep vidlently taken from the corporatbn of Cork-
The minister opposed the modon, on the ground of its
banganinsok on the crown^ Colonel Hutchinsoa^
pid, he i)ever should cease to claim the common law-
1^^ of the corpqi^^dop of Cork, whilst he had a seat
^qthin those walls. The corruptions of ministerB were
pot to divest private rights* And Mr. George Pon*
^oiiby observed, that before this grant, admimstratioin
bad already one hundred and ten placemen and pen-
sioners^ and diat was sufficient to carry any measure
they niigiit want, without creating such additional tn-
flnence. Never was this gentleman more animated
agamst die system of government then prevailing* than
on tUs occasion. He laid open to the house the
whole tr^in of negodations fox f proselytizing Sat the
Manpiis of Buckingham's administratioD.

* Now Lord HutcfainfOD.

f He was ooe of the penons dismissed from office at that
time; yet he received a message from Lord Buckioghamj through
Ae sttoraay -general (afterwards Earl Clare), '' that if he wocdd
eooseot to soppoft his admiDistration, be should oot tuAy hold
soy oAcBj hot veeeive mj Avowr government had it in their
power to bo^w.** His answer was, ** that he was ready at all
4imes to sanw the kiog^ gafromment, hot his own consistency
never woald pennit him to support a lord4ieotcnanl, on whoso

«20 Tlie Reign of George HI.

1793. Wh^ the money-bills were carried up to the lords,
T^iimment the Speaker addressed the lord-lieutenant, in an adu-
^"^^ latory speech, strongly inculcating the necessity of
keeping up the protestant ascendancy, and with it the
continuance of the many blessings the kingdom then
enjoyed. -After an adjournment for about one month
the parliament was prorogued on the ISth of April;
when his excellency assured both houses of parliamient,
^' that lie had his Majesty's commands to express h&
approbation of the wisdom, that had guided their pn>-
ceedmgs during the present session, especially in the
liberal indulgences they had afforded to thdr Roman
Catholic brethren.'' It thus appeared how much more
liberally the British cabinet was disposedto the catho-
lics, than the Irish government, whose sentiments Mr.
Foster spoke* Several members complained of thp
influence of the British cabmet over the ddiberatiohs
of the Irish senate. Such of the protestants, as
wished the Irish to become a people, and to enjoy the
freedom of the British constitution, scouted the cry
of protestant ascendancy^ adopting the axiom of Mr*
Grattan, that the Irish protestant would never hejree^
until the Irish catholic should cease to be a slave* Tlie
catholic committee now felt the happy effects of se*
curing, through their agent, the countenance and sup-
conduct he had voted a parliamentarjr censure, }i other gentle-
men thought the interests of th(^ countrj were better supported
hj meanly fawning on a lord^lieutenant, than by a manly dis-
charge of dnty^ let them pursue tbat.mode. He never woold/*T-
For more of this curious tjansaction, see Historical Bevtew, Fql.
.ILp.307.

Administration of the Earl of fVestmoreland. ^1

i)ort of Mr. Burke, whose influence upon the British *79a*
V:abinet kept pace with his opposition to the French
revolution;

Previous to aiiy further application to the legisla- carhoiiQ
ture the committee reisolved to give to their country *" ^^*^*
the utmost satisfaction upon all topics of their faith,
connected, hbwever remotely, with the principles of
good order and government; Foi* this purpose they
published a declaration* of their tenets, which was
signed generally by the catholics of all descriptions
through the kingdom, clergy and laity. It re-
caved the warm approbation of their supporters^
and im|30sed silence on many of their opponents. Hav-
ing thus endeavoured to clear the way by the removal
of prejudice, they felt it incumbent upon them^ ia
order to induce the two houses of parliament to afford
relief to four millions of loyal and peaceable subjects^
to satisfy them of the unequivocal sense of all the ca-^
ibolics of Ireland, which could only be fairly collected
and fully expressed by delegation! ; the committee
therefore devised and circulated a plan, to ascertain
by these means the sentiments of every individual of
their body in Irelaiid.

Immediately on the appearance of this plan, a ge« Aiarm
neral outcry was raised against it. Sedition, tumult, gnndjuriet.
conspiracy, and treason were echoed from county to
county, from grand jury to grand jury. Some legis-

• This declaration is to be seeb in the Appendix to HittoHeid
Review, No. LXXXVIU.

f This plan of delegation is also to be seen in this same Af
pendix. No. LXXXiX.

VOL. \U Y

99^ The Reign of George lit.

^Tff^ lators high in the confidence of their sovereigii, and
armed with the influence of station and office, presided
at those meetings, and were indecently forward in ar-
raigning measures, upon the merits of which in another
place and in another function they were finally to de-
termine. The exaggerated and alarming language of
most of the grand juries imported, that the catholics
of Ireland were on the eve of a general insurrection,
ready to hurl the King from his throne, and tear the
whole frame of the constitution to pieces. They vied
with each other, which should most acrimoniously re-
probate the inflammatory and dangerous publication*
Some of the grand juries went the length of falsely
asserting, that ^^ the last session of parliament left the
Roman catholics in no wise different from their pro*
testant fellow-subjects, save only in the exercise of
political power." Some of the grand juries indig-
nantly rejected the proposals made to them of reso-
lutions injurious to their catholic brethren. Agents
were publicly employed to tamper with every grand
jury during the summer assizes. Nothing could
tend more directly to foment disunion. Counter- re-
solutions, answers, and replies, addresses, and pro-
testations, were circulated in the public papers * from
some grand jurymen, and from many different bodies

* The cdumns of the daily newipapers were filled with chaigci,
defencei, and recriminatioDs, which fatally proved the extenrivs
iaflutntt and unwearied exertions of that part of protesUnt Ire-
land» which laboured to retain pofsesaion of the political power,
which it had for centuriea eoj<7ed. Specimena ara to bt teaii
in tho Append to Hiitorical RerieWf No. XC.

Admhustrction of the Earl of fFeHmoreland* $B#

bf catholics. Bold and severe publications appeared ^^
during the course of the summer, not only frdm in-
dividuals ol^ the catholic body, but from the friends of
their cause amongst the protestants. In order to bring
into view all the penalties and disabilitiesi to which
tlie body remained still Subject, after the pUny relief
of the pompous bill of Sir Hercules Langrishe, Mr.
Simon Butler published, by order of the Society of
the United Irishmen at Belfast, a Digest of the JPoperjr
Laws. A formal vindication of the conduct and prin-^
ciples of the I^oman Catholics of Ireland irota the
charges made against them by Certain late grand
juries^ and other interested bodies in that country^
Svas published by oi-der of the committee*.

* In thb work they sdin up % recapiculation o^ the grievaiibffi
b/ which thrj were still affected; and then conclude: " Such U
l^e situation of three millions of good and faithful subjectii in thefr
Native land ! Excluded from every frust, power, or e noolument of
the state, civil or militarj;; excluded from all the benefits of the
oooaCitniion in ftll its parts ; excluded from all oerpoiate rightly
and immunities \ expelled from grand juries, restrained in petit
juries; ei^luded from every direction^ from evecy tni8t> ifrom
^very incorporated society^ from everjr establishment, odcasidnAl ot
fixed, instituted for public defence, public police, public morafaf>
or public convenience; from the Bench, from the Bank, from
the Bxchimge, firom the Unirersity^ frooi the College of Phyti«
ciaci, flee. Such is the state, which the corporation of Dnbli|l
haire thought proper to assert, ^^/trs tii no rapectfnm thai cf
ike protestants, save only in the exercise of .political powers and
the host of grand juries consider as essenfiml to the ejptstence t^
ike ameiituthm, to the perm«n^ncy of ike, conneetmn unih Bng'^
had, asti the ^emUimAan if iki throne in his Me^es^'s R^ot
Hotm^

S24 The Reign of George 111

^J^ The catholic committee became obnoxious to go-
co"d'*^"* vernment in proportion to the sympathy and connec-
thcctihoiic tion, which it was supposed existed between them

committee, . ^ • i« • i

and meet- and the Society of United Irishmen and other pohncal

«ng of dele-A , ,

gat«. clubs recently instituted for promoting civil freedom-
It was natural for persons staggering under oppression
cordially to grasp every hand, that held out relief*.
After the severe summer campaign, in which the ca-
tholics had to encounter so much obloquy from grand
juries and other meetings of protestants, which were
generally considered to have been packed and sti-
mulated to their resolutions by the chancellor, the
Speaker of the house of commons, and other monopo-
lizers of the civil power of the state ; they found it
necessary to remove fresh imputations against their
dvil conduct in applying for redress of grievances.
They therefore procured and circulated the opinions
Qf Mr. Simon Butler and Mr. Burston, both King's
counsel, upon the legality of the circular letter signed
Edward Byrne, and their other proceedings. Upon
the strength of these opinions, the catholics proceeded
to choose delegates for each district throughout the
kingdom ; the elections were quickly completed with-

* Few or none of tbese political societiet admitted catholie
jDemberi. The whig dab would not even permit the catholic
question to be agitated amongst them. Had it been trae, as it
is fashionable with all the modem traduoen of the Irish na*
tion to assert, that there was as much treason in Dublin in 179%
as in tlie year 1798, and that tbese political societies weie tlM
hot-beds of rebellion^ it evidently follows, that the cslholici, wbp
were excluded from them, were not the authon or fomentiin of
that rebellion.

Addmnistration qf the Earl qf JVestmoreland. SOS

put disturbance. The first meeting of the delegates ^79^-
was in TaylorVhall, Back-lane •i Dublin, on the 2d
of December, 1792.

Other circumstances occurred in the course of this ii^h na.
year, which tended to alarm government. The na- *" ^
tional guards a new military body, was arrayed and
disciplined in Dublin. They wore green uniforms,
with buttons engraved with a harp, under a cap of
liberty, instead of a crown. They affected to address
each other by the appellation of citizen, in imitation
of the French. They were in high favour with the
populace, who cordially greeted them whenever they
appeared on parade. To prevent a general insurrec-
tion the magistrates patrolled the streets with bodies
of. horse each night ; rumours of conspiracies and as-
sassinadons were set afloat, which either never existed
or were prevented by the timely interposidon of go-
vernment. Amongst other events of the year 17923^
that tended to inflame the public mind, was the ^^
tension of Defenderism. Until that time the De-
fenders had not been seen beyond the counlles of
Armagh and Louth : now they suddenly appeared
in bodies in the county of Meath, ps^ticularly in
those paits which adjoin to Cavan. There, and in
the adjacent parts, resided numerous tribes of pres-
byterians, called by the common people Scots. Be*
tween these, and the lower order of catholics, there
had prevailed for many years an hereditary animosity i
and it is hard to say on which side igtiorance and

* Whence in derision it was called the Backplane parliament*
Y 3

SStf The Reign of George It I

J792. reGgious prejudice preponderated. The Defendert
were now the aggressors : their plan was to procure
arms, and to deprive all those of arms, who were not
engaged in their cause. They began with the presby-
terians^ and not in the most courteous manner^ The
Scots were joined by their brethren of Cavan. Their
fury against the aggressors, who were mostly catho^
fics, fell indiscriminately against all of that persuasion.
Atrocities were committed pn both sides. The Peep-
of-Day Boys prevailed ; and they over-ran the coun«
try, pillaged, plundered^ and burned, withoqt requir-
ing any mark of guilt but religion. Their proceed-
ings, if not encouraged, were at least connived at^
until the Earl of Bellamont restrained those of Cavan |
^d their brethren of Meath, finding themselv^ aban^
4oned by. the great strength of their pirty, became
quiet. The catholics, though openly and severely
pointed at during these transactions, never complain*
(ed of the outrages of the Scots, lest their complaints
might seem to encourage the unprincipled wretches,
who had disturbed the peace of the country. The
Cuke of Leinster, and many of the leading men of
the opposition, became members of a newly-instituted
Society of the friends of the constitution, liberty, and
peace^. Several of the catholic committee sympa,-

# The spirit of this aiiociation appears from their declaration^
W&icheveiy member waa obltge4 to kubscribe ; and which paased
arhilk the Duke of Lelaster was In the ehaiVi on the 27th of
December, 1703. <' I solemnly promise and declare, that
I inU, by all kwfoi means, promote a radical and effectual refimn
te the representation of the people in parliament^ incloding per-

jidministration of the Earl qf fVestmoreland. 327

ihizing with their patriotic countrymen, were nearly ^79^
as anxious for carrying that great national object, as
their own emancipation. It was for. a time doubted,
whether they should address the parliament on the
subject of reform, as catholics or as Irishmen.

In the course of the summer a conciliatory coali- Catholic
tion had been effected between the comminee and pmemed
most of the sixty-four addressers. Convinced, that Ihione.
bis Majesty's ministers in England were disposed to
favor their pretensions, the catholics determined to
act with internal union, firmness, and moderation.
They framed a petition* to the King, modestly repre*
sendng their grievances. It was signed by Dr. Troy
and Dr. Moylan, on behalf of themselves and the
other Roman Catholic prelates and clergy of Ireland,
and by the several delegates for the different districts
which they respectively represented. They then chose
five delegates to present it to his Majesty ; namely, Sir
Thomas French, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Keogh, Mr. Deve-
reux, and Mr. Bellew. lliey went by short seas ;
and in passing through Bel£ist were waited upon by

fonf of all religious persuasions ; and that I will unceasingly pursue
that object* tinlil it shall have been uoequivocallj obtained ; and,
seriously apprehending the dangerous consequences of certain
levelling tenets, and seditious principles, uhich have lately been
disseminated, I do tunher declare^ that I will resist all attrropta
to introduce any new forin of government into this country^ or
10 any manner to subvert or impair our constitulion« consisting of
king, lords and commons."

* This petition is to be seen in the Appendix to Historical
Review, No. XCV. with a list of the names of the delegates
who signed \u

y4

SfiS The Reign of George IJF.

V^' the most re6pe<;table inhabitants. On their departurev
the populace took theii: horses from their carriages
and dragged them through the town amidst the
liveliest shouts of joy and wishes for their success.
On the 2d of January, 179S, the delegates were in^
troduced by Mr. Dundas, and had the honor of pre-
senting their petition to his Majesty, who was pleased
most graciously to receive it. Without loss of time
they returned to Dublin the welcome heralds of the
|>enign countenance of the father of his people.
SSnl** Since Ireland had gained a constitution, no year was
S^ih5«i^ so pregnant with great events to that kingdom as the
^of ygar 1793 The parliament met on the 1 0th of Ja-
nuary, and when the lord-lieutenant, after lamenting-
the spirit of discontent, that ha(l manifested itself i\\
differoit part$ of the kingdom^ and having stated the
ambitious and aggressive views of Fr;ince, assured the
parliament, thsit be had it in particular command from
bis Majesty, to recommend it to them to apply them-t
selves to the consideratioa of such measures as might
1)6 most likely to strengthen and cement a general
pnion of sentiment among all classes and descriptions
of his Majesty's subjects, in support of the CEtablishcd
constitution. With this view his Majesty trusted, that
tbe situation of his Majesty's catholic subjects would
engage their serious attention^ a^id in the considera*
don of this subject, he relied on the wisdom and Ir-
. berality of his parliament. Mr. John O'Neil, in sup-
porting* the address^ congratulated his country, that
the loyalty and good conduct of the people were xdr
pidly removing tbe prejudices of the constituent body ;

^dministratiofnjof the Earl qf fFestmoreland. SSft

md there could be no doubt, that his Majesty's re« 1793*
comxnendatioQ would have infinite weighty not only
with parliament, but with all ranks of persons. He
doubted not> but that they uould manifest by the
strongest expressions their affectionate attachment to
the King, who lived in the hearts of his people. But Mr,
Grattan* observed, that the part of the address which .
related to his Majesty, was cold and impolitic* His in^
terposition to heal their religious animosities was an act
of distinguished wisdom: as such it should be marked ;
particularly at a time, when attempts had been made
on the thrones of princes : at svich a time he would
mark to the catholics the King, as the deliverer of hia
people. He would distinguish him fiom his ministers*
He would mark that monarch, who had rescued his
people from the hands of those ministers, that how*

* la this debate Mr. Grattan spoke with more than his usual
strength, *^ The persoos, who opposed our liberty in 1/82, w^re
made our ministers. Afterwards the country forgave them : but
they never forgave (he country. They attempted to put down
the constitution ; but now they have put down the government :
we told them so, we admonished them, we told them their driving
would not. do. Don*t they remember how in 1 79O, we warned
tbetn. They said, we were severe. I am sure we were pro-
phetic. In 1791 f we repeated our admonition : to]d them, that a
government of clerks would not do : that the government of the
treasury would not do. That Ireland would not be long govenied
by the trade of patliament. Wc mentioned this, when Lord
Buckingham ran away, and Lord Westmoreland succeeded to his
office. We told them, that a nation, which had rescued her li«
bertiet from the giant of Old England, would not long bear to be
trodden on bj the violence of a few pigmies^ whom the caprice of
• coorl bad Appointed mioisters/'

8S0 The Reign of George TIL

>793. ever they might abhor their proceedings, they should
if necessary, unite, to rally in support of the throne,
keeping pure of leaning to any French politics ; or
any wishes in favor of that nation, now on the eve of
a war with a country, with which they were by the
crown, by the law, by interest, and by every political
tie for ever to be connected. He then moved an
amendment, which after a long debate he withdrew x
but renewed it on the next day, when it was imai*
nimously carried*.
CMmittce The peculiarity of this session was the accession
»mc£!i7 of government to many of the great questions, which
tiorau ^i^^y 1^ before most pertinaciously resisted. Mr.
Grattan so far succeeded upon the subject of reform,
as to have procured a committee to enquire whether
any, and what abuses had taken place in the state of
the representation. This was considered by the gen-
tiemen of the opposirion a matter of triumph : it
was an admission of the principle ; it created con-
fidence within^ and afforded joy and satisfaction to the
people withoutf.

• *' We admire the wisdom^ which at lo critical a soafton has
prompted your Majesty to come forward to tak^ a leading )iart in
(pealing the animosities of your peoplej on account of religion: we
•hall take into our immediate consideration the subject graciously
recommended from die throne ; and at a time when doctriaca
pomicious to freedom and dangerous to monarchical goveniment
are propagated in fore gn countries* we shall not fail to impress
your Majesty's catholic subjects with a sense of the singular and
eternal obligation they owe to the throne, and to your Majesty's
royal person and family."

f No stronger mark of the popolar sympathy qa this iolgacft

Administration of the Earl of Westmoreland. S4I

On the 15th January, Mr. Secretary Hobart an- 1793«
nounced his intention of taking into consideration q^^^.
that part of the lord-lieutenant's speech, relating to the ^^^'
catholics. He also intimated his intention of easing the ^^^
poor of the hearth-tax. Upon Mr. Grattan's express-
ing his intention to bring forward a libel bill^ like
that of Great Britain, Mr. Hobart avowed^ that the
attorney-general had it also in contemplation. Leave
was given to Mr. Forbes to bring in a responsibility
bill and a pension bill, and to Mr. Grattan to bring in^
a bill for the improvement of barren land. Thus
passed one week in the Irish parliament without a
symptom of oppoation. In order to give time to
digest the wdght of important matter before the house
they adjourned for some days.

On the 4th of February, 179ff, Mr. Secretary Fedtionof
Hobart presented to the house a petition of certain bitbopt.

cask be addooed, than the letolotion of the catholic iub«ooiiiiiiittee
upon their dissolution, after the act had bceo passed, which
gave them their elective franchise. It most earnestly exhorted the
eatholies of Ireland to co-operate with their protestant brethren
in all legal and constitutional means to carry into effect that great
measure recognised by the wisdom of parliament, and so essential
40 die ijpeedom, happiness, and prosperity of Irdaod, a reform in
the representation of the people in the commons house. As the
catholics had by that act obtained a footing within the threshold
pf the constitution^ they wished no longer to represent themselves
^o f ovemment as a distinct set of his Majesty's subjects ; but as
Ifishn^en cordially sympathizing with their countrymen in their
«tfbrts to secure the full benefit of a free constitution, to whicli
they considered reform essential. Government rejoiced at the
dissolution of this committee, but was highly offended at their
offering to interfere with the civil ooooems of the nation. (Vi4%
Macneven's/ie«ref of hisk history, 70. NewTork, I8O7.)

^32 • The Reign of George lit.

17^. Roman Catholic bishops of Ireland, and others, on
behalf of themselves and their fellow-subjects of the
same persuasion, which was read » and ordered 10 lie on
the table *. Then Mr. Hobart said, he was aware, that
many of those gentlemen whom he most respected,
were not likely to concur in the measures he should
propose ; but in that point he trusted, that he differed
from them for the real advantage of the country. He
was also aware, that in the last session of parliament si
petition for the very measure he should now propose
• had been rejected^ and that he himself had voted for
that rejection ; but the sentiments of the country on
that subject had materially altered since that tiuie : the
opinion of the country was not then ripe for such a
measure. Ihe circumstances of the present time
^ould justify a material alteration in the sentiments of
i* that house. The conduct of the Roman Catholics

had proved, they were perfectly attached to the consti-
tution ; and at that particular period, evicry man who
was attached to the constitution should receive en-
coqragement. He then went through the several ob-
jects of the intended bill, reasoning upon eachf. He

. « 15 Com. Jour. p. HI, The petition is to be seen in Hi*-
lorical Review, vol. II. p. 408.

+ When Mr. Hobart touclied upon the army and nav}', he ex-
pressly said, (he ihcn spoke, as the minister of the crown) that it
•was in the contemplation of the government of England to admit
Roman Catholics to bear commissions in these departments of the
ftate : and that in due time measures for the same purpose would
*be proposed there, when a communication with th« English go*
-t^ernment should have been had upon that point. This pledge to
^he public has been never redeemed. The opening of the Britisb

jidmhiistratiDn of the Earl of tVestmoreland. SSi

assured the house of his Majesty's paternal anxiety to 1793.
meet the wishes of his Irish people. He trusted there-
fore, that he acted for the good of the country, by
Jbrwarding such measures, as would best carry into
effect his Majesty's gracious recommendation to par-
lianleiit. In this spirit had government come to the
resolution of easing the lower classes by repealing the
hearth-ta^, and manifesting a disposition to accede to
every measure, that tended to promote the happiness
of the kingdom. He then moved for leave to bring
in a bill for the further relief of his Majesty's subjects
professing the Roman Catholic religion. The motion
Was seconded by Sir Hercules Langrishe l and most
Vehemently opposed by Dr. Duigenan, who in a long
speech collected together whatever the acrimonious
bigotry of the last two centuries had heaped together
against the catholics, and retailed it with enthusiastic
bitterness. He and Mr. Ogle were the only two upon ,
the division, who opposed the bringing in of the bill.
Lord Hilsborough obtained leave to bring in a bill to
establish a militia, nearly on the same plan as that of
England. The whole number of men he proposed to
be 16,000, upon a rough estimate of 500 for each
County. Mr* Graitan never lost an opportunity of
bringing the subject of reform l)efore parliament. The
9th of February, 1793, proved a considerable cjieck
upon the confidence, which the opposition had, during
the first week of the se55sion, placed in the sincerity

army and navy to his Majesty's catholic, subjects n«ver has been
hrought forward^ but has been constantTy opposed by the very
D^ who then held it out as a national pledge.

6S4 the Reign 6/ George Ht.

n^ of adminiMiuioii. When, according to order; xhi
houae had revived itself into a committee to enquirt
into the state of the representation of the people in
parliament, ^Mr. Grattan made a most impressivd
speech; observing, with his peculiar energy, that in
1782, the question was. Whether Ireland should
be goremed by the {Parliament of another country :
the present was^ Whether she should enjoy a par*
liament of her own. He followed up his speech
with three general self-evident resolutions, which the
chancellor of the exchequer got rid of by urging
the danger of teaching the public to despise the pre?
sent system before a better was provided. The ulti>
mate division upon reform was 1S7 against 48«
Thenceforth stood revited the old system of opposi«
tion, and the hope of coalidon in that great nadonal
ijuestlon vanished,
ctihoisc Oh tile htxt day Mr. Hobart informed the house^

tiitcw^ that he was directed by his excellency to deliver to
them a message, importing that the persons exercising
the powers of government in France^ had without pre-
vious notice directed acts of hostility to be committed
against thepersonsand property of his majesty s subjectSi
and calling upon their co-operation in the cause. After
Mn Secretary had delivered this message, and the honse
hiad addressed the lord- lieutenant for his gracious com-
munication^ Mr. Hobart presented the catholic biU^
which passed without a division. On the 2Sd of Fe«
bruary, it was read a second time, and produced a warm

« IS ftirl. Debates.

bill

the
aions,

Administration of tht Earl of JVeslmoreland. SSi

debate The question was carried in the affirmative^ J70S
against only one negative : and the bill was committed
for the Monday following with three negatives. Of all
supporters of catholic cmancipadon, Mn Grattan* was
the most consistent^ zealous, and persevering. His
sentiments swayed many opinions in the nadon ; they
also created discontent and opposition hi toother part
of the community. He wished the bill und^r that
consideration had j;one further. He could wish» that
it had given the Roman Catholics the privileges of
other dissenters. Sure, he was, that was the only
sound policy. He thought however the bill deserved
thanks, because it contained much, and also because
it led to much more ; but the mover would have dis-
covered more sense, if he had then given to the ca-
tholics the whole, and had settled with them for ever.
When the bill was in the committee, Mr. George
Knox moved, that the committee might be em-*
pounered to receive a clause to admit catholics to sit
and vote in the house of commons. Major Doyle
seconded the motion, which was strongly supported by
Mr. Daly, Col. HutchiQSon^ Mr. M. Smith, Mr. John
"O'Neile, Mr. Hardy, and other gentlemen liberally

« Mr. Ofsttan sot only penuaded by eloquence^ but iastructsd
by litstorical information. He illustrated the stibjea by his stata-
iDcnt of the Irish brigade in the service of France, the number of
ihe nofftfaem diaieirters fighting agahist England in America, and
iberaervioes of real IrishmeD in the aary and army of Great Bri-
tain, mvk ia branch of the la«r. He emphatically obaerved^ that
a (hey wished never to meet Irishmen la arms In other couDtriet,
they ouglit to give them a betlw oonditian at home. Hsstorioal
Revmw^ vii. IL p. 410.

836 'the lidgri of deorge )ll

^79». disposed to their catholic countrymen; it was howevef
rejected upon a division by 163 against 69.
^u*l«ssct When the catholic bill had passed its second read-
^9 ioidi. ing in the lords, the Bishop of Killala ♦ expressed his
ready and most cheerful assent to a bill for the relief
of his long oppressed and loyal catholic brethren. It
was no part of protestantism to persecute catholics:
and without justice to th^ catholic, there could be nd
security for the protestant establishment ; as a friend,
theiefore, to the permanency of that establishment, to
the prosperity of the country, and the justice due to
his catholic brethren, he should cheerfully vote for
the committal. Many lords delivered their sentiments
Upon this important subject. None so vehemently as
the Archbishop of Cashell, and the lord-chancellor;
His lordship concluded a bitter invective against the
catholics^ with a reflection, which gives strong room
to l>elieve, that the cdmmittee of the lords recdved
that tint of crimination, which is so visible in their
report, from his lordship's influence and suggestions t*
He mentioned the powers assumed by the popish con-
vention of levying taxes upon their comtnunity for
deFratying the expenses of their claims and proceed-
ings, which, \^ere they fair, just, and open, required
no such support. In further innovation he foresaw

^ Dr. Law, a brother of Lord Ellenbordugh.

f On the other hand Lord Portarlington, who wds one of ihtA
committee, observed, that if hb had not been falty convinced, from
the evidence there adduced, that the catholic body had no toncem
in the disturbances of the defenders, he ahould not so cheerfh]l7
¥ote for the conmiittal of the bill. /

Administration of the Earl of JVestmorelanii, 831

^ total separation from England, or an .union with her: ^J^
each to be equally dreaded* In the debate^ which took
place upon the clause, enabling catholics to accept mili-
tary e-iiployments. Lord Famham argued, that until a
similar law should have passed in England, catholic o&
ficers could not attend their regiments, if ordered oH
duty into that kingdom. His lordship was, therefor^
for amending the clause, by wording it so, that a Romafi
Catholic should not be eligible to a military commis^
aion in Ireland, until the principle were adopted by a
similar law of England, which would render the catholic
eligible to military service in any part of the British em-
pire, wherever exigency might call him. The chafiLcellor
opposed the principle of that amendment. The clause
merely went to enable catholics to accept a militar^r
employment ; but it could not be Supposed his Mju
jesty would appoint a man to such a post^ until th^
laws of the empire should fully qualify him to act ia
every part of it. It was more than probable, a similaf
law to this would be adopted in England, before the
lapse of two months, and on this ground the amend-
tnent would be wholly unnecessary. The Duke of
Leinster opposed the amendment as unnecessary, and
wished to have the .loyalty and prowess of the Irish
tatholic attached to the service of his (jountry. Lord
Bellamont supported the amendment, as tending to
accelerate a law in England, similar to the present.
Upon those grounds the amendment was withdrawn *,
and the bill passed* *

* Fourteen yean tiave elapsed lince Lord Clare's attumption of
a iimilar law being pasfod in England. None rach has yet passi^
VOL. II* Z

I

338 riic Reign of George III.

^^\ Notwithstandiri'^ government had consentel to scve-
strongmct Hil of the popular measu»'es being brought forward,
vcrnrocmV yet they Carried with a high hand two very strong mea-
mdconvcn' *ures : the gunpowder bill*, and the convention bilL
The general motive, which induced the minister to
propose the convention billf was to prevent the pre-
valence of the successful example of the catholic con-
vention. The particular motive was to prevent the
intended national convention at Athlone. Mr. G rat-
tan objected, that it was a false declaration of law, and
deprived the subject of his constitutional right of peti-
tioning against grievances, by rendering the previous
measure of consultation and deliberation criminal : and
because the words and tendency of the bill went re-

The Grenville adniinistratton was sacrificed to tfacir attempt to re-
deem this pledge of the British government.

* 33 Gea III. c. 2. Mr. Grattan thus spoke of this bill:
" On the same plan of unconstitutional and scandalous infliieiice
did tbey sell the peerage' to procure %eats in the commons for the
dependency and the dishonour of both houses of parliament : and
having from this conduct, aggravated by a most unseemly and
unbecoming intemperance of manner and incontinence of lan«
guage, lost the coPitidence of ttie country* and greatly agitated th«
same, they then proceeded to a system of coercion , to support
their plans of corruption, and to dragoon the people, as they bad
bought the parliament. They began that system by an act, vihicb
tended, in a qualified manner, to disarm his Majesty's subjects^
trader certain rrgnlations, named a gunpowder bill, and had prin*
cipally.in view to put down the Irish volunteers."

t 33 Geo. III. c. Q9. An Act to pr^eht the Election or Ap»
poinlroent of unlawful Assemblies, under pretence of preparing or
presenting public Petitioni or other AddrcNCS to hb Majeaiy or
. llie Parliament

Admhmtration of the Earl of Westmoreland. SS9

trospectively to declare, that all conventions and dele- 170»
gations, that had existed in that kingdom, were illegal.
He objected not to the enacting part, which, had it
been properly framed, would have operated prospect-
ively by way of inhibition against future conventions
and delegations*. All the popular bills urged by the
opposition since the last parliament were passed, exceptt
parliamentary reform. It is hardly credible, that the
people, who had been so long crying out for the re-
form of parliam mt against the aristocracy and the go*
vemmeat, should not urge it when both gave it upt*
This important session was put an end to on the 1 6th
of August, when his excellency opened his speech

* When this btU was in committee, Mr. Grattan obienre|«
(13 Pari. Debates, p. 546), '' This biil is said to be an ex«
pedient to restore peace j why, then, is it a reflection ? Why
do the preamble and the declaration pronounce every man^
who has been a delegate^ all the volunteers, the delegates at Dun*
g.innon, the delegates of the convention, the committee of fh*
lawyers corps, and the corps, that appointed that conunittee} thf
committee of the catholics, their late convention, and all the ca-
tholics, who appointed that convention ; that is, the whole catholic
body, oUrnders ; men guilty of an unlawful assembly, and at thia
tnoment liable to be prosecuted ? For so much has the bill ia ob«
ject, not the peace of the country, but reflections on great bodieip
and the gratification of spleen at the eipeaae of the coqatitutioi^
by voting false doctrine into law, and the brightest passages of
your history into unlawful assemblies."

t They did just with regard to reform, what they had formerly
done with r^ard to the absentee tax. " A mistress, (said Mr.
Flood), which the people of Ireland sought with a lover*8 ap-
ipetite, was, when brought to their embraces^ repudiatid with A
lover's ioGODstancy.**

Z2

S^ The Reign of George II L

J79»* from rhe throne with these words: " The wisdom
and liberality, with which you attended to his Majesty's
recommemiation in favour of his Roman Catholic sub-
jects, are hii^hly pleasing to the King/* Although
several excellent laws were passed in the year 1^793,
yet the administration did not gain popularity by them*
The leading measure of grace, which affected the great
bulk of the people, was attributed to the personal io^
terference of the sovereign over the heads and against
the wishes of those, who had the preceding year re-
jected their application for less favour with indigna*
tion and insult. The passing of the act so empha*
tically calculated to destroy the odious distinctions
between Irishmen of different religious persuasions,
altered the laws, but crushed not the spirit, which kept
them up. Great difficulties at first prevailed in raising
the different regiments of militia ; for although catho-
lics were rendered capable of serving in them,' no
catholic officers were appointed. This marked exclu-
sion in teeth of the act, diffused general diffidence,
and it was found neces^ry to appoint several catholic
oflScers, before the militia corps could be completed*.
The legislative concessions made to the catholics of
Ireland, in submission to the royal recommendation,
were strongly counteracted by the exclusive disdnc-

* A still stronger instance of predominant bigotry occurred at
the quarterly meeting of the guild of merchants in Dublin y when
the application of thirty Roman catholic noerchants to bo admitted
into the gvild was rejected upon the baflot, by ^ against 63.
But it was rrmarkablt, that of those 67, 42 were peoaiooeri^ place*
rata, or Giutoa^lMmfe ofEcen •

Administration of the Earl of ffestmoreland. 3*1

don^ publicly kept up iri corporatiors, and by anony- '79*-
mous charger and slanders circulated against them. The
catholics met these anonymous attacks, with fresh re-
solutions and avowals of their loyalty and affection to
the King and constitution*. The growth and pro-
gress of delenderism were most unwarrantably charged
on the entire body of catholics. The murder of the
Reverend Mr. Butler, a respectable magistrate, and
chaplain to the Bishop of Meath, and a rising in th^e
neighbourhood of Athboy, wliich was dispersed in the
course of the day, were attempted to be fixed upon
them, and were most iniquitously converted into
the grounds of falsely charging and imprisoning Mr.
Fay and some other highly respectable gentlemen of
the catholic persuasion, who were tried and acquitted,
notwithstaqding the false testimony of one Lynch
and other wretches, raked out of gaols, and suborned
to swear away their livesf. In order to counteract
these attempts to calumniate and criminate the body^
of the catholics, by identifying the cause of Roman
catholics, united Irishme.% defenders, French levellers,
and sworn enemies to the constitution, the catholic
bishops presented an address to his excellency in De-
cember, 1793, to be transmitted to his Majesty, ex-
pressive of their unshaken loyalty and grateful affection
to his Majesty's person and government. And in Fe-
bruary, 1794, they presented a very impressive me-

* The resolutioDs of the inhabitaots of the town and neigh-
bourhood of Wexfordi are given in the Historical Beview, p. 436.

f These iniqaitous transactions are rather liiHy nanated in my
Historical Review^ vol. II. p. 438> 9te.

Z 3

f*' , 7^ Reign of George III.

V9(^ morial to the Earl of Westmorelandv to obtain his
Majesty's license to found and endow seminaries for
the education of their clergy within their native king*
dom*.
Hunitan' The confident boldness, with which the popular so-
deties had lately expressed their political sentiments,
induced government to adopt a system of strong mea*
8ure8. An information was filed against Mr. A, Ha«
milton Rowan for distributing fa seditious libel. After
a trial of about ten hoars, he was found guilty. A
motion for a new trial was argued for six days, and at
bst discharged. He was sentenced to pay a fine of
SOOL to be imprisoned for two years, and .to find se-
curity for his good behaviour for se\'en years, himself
in 2000/. and two sureties in 1000/. each. The ver-
dict and judgment gave great dissatisfaction to the

• These addreties are to be seen in ray Historical Rcrtew, toK
II. p 443, This address of the prelates to the lord-lieutenant was
not relished by the general body of the laity. It b >pcared too
idiilatory to the system of government : it pot an en • to a plan
of education^ which had been for some time in ucgociation between
the clergy and laity > and thenceforth checked the confidence^ that
had latterly subsisted between them. The gentlemen (Dr. Ryan,
Dt. Macnevcn, and Mr. Lyons), who had negociated with the
prelates^ were desired to desist from their labours, as an arrange*
ment had taken place for a plan of catholic education to be con*
ducted solely by the bishops, under the auspices of government
and the sanction of parliameuL (Pieces of Irish History, p. 74).

f This gentleman was universally beloved and respected by all
wfto knew hinu He was secretary to the Society of United Irish-
mtn at Dublin. Their Address to the Volunteers of Ireland,
(wUoh may be seen in my Historical Review, vol. II. p. 448)«
iigned by Mr. Hamilton Rowanj was the libel coogplained of.

Administraihn of the Earl of Wettmoreland. •*•

popular party. They loudly complained of the judge ^J79^
and jury acting under court influence.

The parliament was convened on the 2 1 st of Janu- Pirfiament

• ... convened

ary ; and Mr. Ponsonby's reform bill, which was lost ^^ p">.

.... - rogued.

upon a division of 142 against 44, was the only object
of interest brought before them. The 25th of March
put an end to that jejune session. The gentlemen of
the opposition, and particularly Mr. Grattan, gave
great offence to the United Irishmen, by reprobating
in debate the system of universal suffrage and annual
parliaments. Ten days after the debate they published
an address, severely reflecting upon the falling off of
Mr. Grattan, and the minority in parliament

Popular discontent and turbulence increased through- Tfoubi«d
out the kingdom. Defenderism spread rapidly ; the cou&t^.
Right Boys gained confidence, and the United Irish<-
men assumed a tone of political language, that shocked
even some steady supporters of constitutional freedom,
and gave too plausible a handle to their enemies to
fasten upon them intentions and views, which that so-
ci^y then had not. The defenders were of the lowest
orders of society \ enemies of course to all that pos-
sessed property and character. In Longford, the no-
bility, clergy, and freeholders obtained permission
from the viceroy to levy money by subscription for
raisi/ig and maintaining a body of horse for their de^
fence. Meetings and resolutions tor the like purpose
becaxne frequent in other parts. Mr. Hamilton
Rowan's escape out of prison on the 1st of May,
1794, made a deep, though very opposite impressioz)

z 4

544 ^ Tfve Reign of George III.

*79^ «pon diflFerent parts of the nation One thousand
pounds reward was offered for apprehending him;
About the same time, the Reverend Mr Jackson*, a
protestant clergyman, was committed to Newgate on
a charge of high treason. The rejection of the ques*
tion of reform tended powerfully to increase the po*
pular discontent. The people at large were all for
fofprrh : some for universal suffrage, most for a tern,
perate improvement of the state of popular representa.
lion. The two great objects of political attention were
parliamentary reform and catholic emancipation. Most
persons out of parliament were common advocates for
both, each tending to promote and improve the other.
About this time the term or title of Umited Iri&hmtn

fctimdUst became peculiarly obnoxious. It ought not, how^
ever, to be confounded, as it often is, with the guilt
of the latter rebellious members of the Irish union.
They were separate and distinct societies : their prin-.
ciples, objects, and engagements were different. The
one was extinct, before the other existed. The lead^
ing traits of the latter were separation from Gieat Bri-.
ftun and republicanism. And up to this time, nei-
ther of those objects had been a /subject of discus-
rion, debate, or even conversation in the first society.
Their views and actions were simply commensurate
frith their test. I'he very spirit and terms pf their

^ This gentleman had a delegation from France to enquire into
9nd report the spirit and resources of the nation to resist invasion.
He confided his secret to Mr. Cockayne, his attorney, who aiccom-
panied him to Iieland, and informed against him.

Administration of the Earl of JVestmoreland. 345

1794.
union offended the frieiids of protestant ascendancy ^'^'^^^
and unequal representation. They never presumed an
attempt beyond parliamentary reform.

So turbulent was the state of the country, that the intended
British cabinet found it necessary to remove the Earl Srd Weit-
of Westmoreland from the government, and to aban« "^
don the system of coercion. The extraordinary ac-
cession of a very large part of the Rockingham party*
to the minister, in July, 1794, was an event, which
Mr* Ponsonby said in the Irish house of commons f
would never have taken place, had not the Diike of
Portland received ample authority to reform the
abuses^ which existed in the Irish government.
I When the Duke and his friends were enticed into
the coalition with Mr. Pitt, it had been made a pre-
vious condition, that the entire management of Ireland
should be committed to his grace. And so far did Mr.
Pitt appear sincere in these terms, that, on the very
day, on which the Duke of Portland kissed hands,
which was in July, 1794, he declared the deter-
mination of the British cabinet^ to bring forward the
question of catholic emancipation in the next session
of parliament. The lieutenancy was soon after pressed
upon Lord Fitzwilliam by the Duke of Portland, who
declined going thither in person^ with directions for
making such arrangements, as would enable him to
restore tranquillity and order to the country, and re-

* The particulars of this oegociation, and its consequent changesi
^ Co be teeu at large in vay historical Review^ p. 465, &&
t 15 Pari. Deb. p. 184.
4 Lord Fitzwilltam's letter (p Lord Carlisle.

84« Tht Reign of George III

1794- concile the people to its goverament. Mr. Ktt, in
breaking up the Rockingham party, sought more to
weaken his opponents, than tp strengthen administra-
tion by the accession of character and talent. Not-
withstanding these arrangements with his new associ-
ates, Mr. Pitt assured Lord Westmoreland, in August,
that he should not be removed* Finding it, however,
impracticable to retain him in that situation, he. ac-
tually fixed upon Lord Camden, in the course
of the autumn, as his successor. These circum-
stances demonstrate, that Lord Fitzwilliam and
Ireland were made the sport of cabinet intrigue.
That his lordship was sent to take possession of a
government, which he was not intended to conti-
nue in ; that he was permitted to raise expectations
in the Irish nation, which were not to be realized ;
and that he was encouraged to bring forward, as a
measure of government, what it had been preconcerted
should be opposed by its whole force. ,
System of The incidents of this period were so important to
Mr.'piu/° the interests of Ireland, that she still has to lament
their baleful consequences. . Every instance of minis-
.terial duplicity entails more misery upon posterity,
than upon the existing generation. Mr. Pitt, know-
ing the real views and motives of his new friends, in
insisting upon the government of Ireland, to be the
complete emancipation of that enthralled country, the
necessity of which his own wisdom pointed out, as-
sured them, that his fullest convictions kept pace with
their plans for the welfare of that country. It was ge-
nerally believed in Ireland, not only by the catholics.

^AdministrzUion of the Earl of WssiTftore^and. 347

who had now coalesced into a complete union amongst 179"^*
themselves, but by the old political friends of the Duke
of Portland, that a full and complete emancipation was
intended j and his grace's opinions at that time coin-.
cided with those of his Irish friends. In order to the set-
tlement of the new arrangements, Mr. Ponsonby and
Mr. Grattan were sent for to England, and frequently
consulted by Mr. Pitt*. The particular marshalling
of the treasury bench was settled by Sir John Pamell
and Mr. Pitt.

By the effects of the late convention bill, the catho- confidence
lies were prevented from meeting by delegation. They SioiiA.
frequently, however^ assembled in the course of the
summer, for the purpose of forwardmg the general
plan, in which they were^unanimous, of total emanci-
pation, and equalization with their protestant /ellow
subjects. These meetings were necessarily more nu-
merous, than they would have been by delegation., and
gave great umbrage to the Irish government. Their
confidence had arisen to conviction, that what had in -
the preceding session been lost by a vast majority,

* Mr. Grattan has said, {answer to Lord Clare, 24)', " In the
session of 1794, the catholic subject was not mentioned ; but in
. rammer, on a ehange being made in the British cabinet, being in*
formed by some of the learned persons therein, that the adminifi-
trationof the Irish department was to belong to them, and that
they sent for us to adopt our measures^ I stated the catholic eman-
cipation to be one of them." This pointedly contradicts the noto-
rions falsehood of Lord Clare*s assertion, that the catholics
" would have continued contented and quiet, if they had not been
brought forward as an engine of faction, on a change in the Irish
goTemmeot, \7^. ** (Q* Sp. 6^0

84* The Reign of George III

179*- would, when backed by government, be carried with
unanimity. The catholics of Dublin took the lead,
and by unanimous assent resolved to commit their
cause to the talents, zeaL and long-tried sincerity of
Mr. Grattan : and resolutions to that effect ^ere ac-
cordingly published *. Their example was followed
by most districts in the nation,
obinct in- The latter end of the year 1794 was a busy scene

trigucf -• • ,

*piinst of mtngue* Mr. Pitt had several objects in consenting
wiUiim. to the new arrangements : first, to flatter, then de-
grade his proselytes. He knew the confidence^ which
the Irish would place in the new administration,
and the readiness, with which they would vote the ex-
traordinary supplies (1,700,000/.) for carrying on a
war, to which his new colleagues were more sanguinely
addicted than himself. Mr. Beresford, who foresaw
that in the change of the Irish government, a blow
was aimed at the power and authority, which he had
exercised successively over every viceroy, from Lord
Townshend to Lord Westmoreland, transported him-
self to England, and there, both with his majesty and
Mr. Pitt, so effectually urged the merits of himself
and family, as to have fuU]^ preconcerted his own con-
tinuance in office, the miscarriage of the catholic ques-
tion, and the immediate recal of the new lord lieute-
nant, when the supplies should have been voted.
With these assurances, he returned to Ireland, where
he was most actively employed, in conjunction with
Lord Fitzgibbon and Mr. Foster, in preparing to

' * These resolationi are to be seen Hist. Rev. vol. II. p. A6g,

Aimnistratidn d/ the Eartof JVestmgreland. S4»

counteract all the plans intended by the new admini'- J79^
stration» for the benefit of that country. Such was
the reception^ which Mr. Pitt had insidiously pre-
pared for Lord Fitzwilliam, when he was deputed
to the government of Ireland. That Lord Fitz*
William went over with a plenitude of power from
the British cabinet to carry the measure of catholic
emancipation, stands roundly asserted by that noble-
man himself) and by I^ord Mikon, Mr. Ponsonby^
and Mr. Grattan . It was contradicted by Lord West*
moreland*, who said^ in the British house of peers^
that Mr. IKtc ha^ assured him, ** that Earl Fitzwilliam
bad no authority whatever from ministers in this conn*
try, for taking the steps he did on the catholic ques-
tion : they were taken not only without their author*
ity, but with their positive disapprobation '' Lord
Fitzwilliam took possesion of his government on the
4tb of January, 1795.

• AX Par. Deb. p. 352,

I. S50 ]

IPOTfrn-
mcnt.

CHAPTER VI.

Administration of Earl FitzwilUam.

^"y^- Although Lord Fitzwilllam had coalesced with
Mr. Pitt on the necessity of the war with France, and
Lord Fitr- the general call to make head against the pruriency of
fumcs the dcRiocracy, he still retained all those valuable princi-
pies, and estimable qualities, which so peculiarly tig*
nalized his late uncle, the MarquU of Rockingham,
and the principal supporters of his party. Alike ho«
nourable and inflexible in his public and private deal*
tngs, he was a stranger to that system of pliancy and
insincerity, which Mr.Pitt required of his creatures and
colleagues. He played not the intriguing courtier^ but
the honest minister, performing upon public princi-
ples his public duty, equally regardless of the favour
of the court and people. He had no sooner arrived at
his seat of government, than he put his hand earnestly
to the work, insensible of the preconcerted oppo*
sition of Mr. Pitt to the whole of his system.
Yet had not the Duke of Portland and Mr. Pitt con-
curred with his lordship in the policy and necessity of
relieving the catholics from every remaining disqualifi-
cation, he tells us*j he never would have undertaken
the government. Before his departure from England,

* Lttter Co Lord Carlisle.

Uiiin«

AdinmhtraUtm of Earl Fitiwilliam. 851

it had been resolved, that if the catholics should ap- *79i-
pear detennined to stir the business, and bring it be-
fore parliament, he was to jjive it a handsome support
on the part of government. Three days after his
landing, he transmitted the result of his observations
to the British cabinet : and during the first fortnight
not a negative idea was communicated to him from
England.

The first public acts of Lord Fitzwilliam's govern- Ditmitsd*
ment, were some dismissals from offices, which ere- fuiwU-
ated general apprehensions through all the departments
Of the castle*. He made proposals to the British mi-
nisters for the removal of the attorney and solicitor
general, upon large provisions : it having been previ-
ously arranged with Mr. Pitt and the Duke of Port-
land, that they were to be succeeded by Messrs. Pon-
sonby and Curran. He also removed Mr. Beresford,
whom he found filling a situation greater than that of
the lord-lieutenant ; sensible that any connection with
a person under universal heavy suspicions, \vould be
subjecting his government to all the opprobrium and
unpopularity of Mr. Bercsford's mal administration ;
nor would he cloud the dawn of his administration, by
leaving in such power and authority, so much im-
puted malversation ; though in point of income, he left

* One of thc^e wis Mr. Coc)ke« of wboro Lord Fitzwilliam
thus writes to Lord Carlisle. " Mr. Cooke indeed, whoie tone
and style render his approach to a superior not to be supported*
rejects xaj proposals in bis fsvour, and thinks a reCxeat upon
IMQl. a year an inadeqnata rocompence for the magnitude and
importaooe of bis senrioes."

BS2 The Reign of George III.

^79^» him as well as he had ever been. Mr. Beresford. his

family and friends then were in the full enjoyment of

more emolument, than ever had been accumulated in

that country upon any one &mily.

CftcboUe The address of the catholics of Dublin was pre*

iddretscs to

Lord Fitx- sented to his excellency on the 7th of January *, and
was foil )wed up by numerous others ; they were all
of one tendency, and received similar answers. It
was truly observed, that the catholics' gratitude for
the late concessions, appeared less prominent in their
addresses, than their confidence and expectation of
their extension.
tordFitt- On the 22d of January, 1795, Earl Fitzwilliam
inecti the met the parliament, and in his speech alluded to the

Parliament. rt. • r t -w^ * > t • j nj

eventful situation of the Bntish empire, and called
upon them to lend their aid to its support in those ex*
traordinary circumstances. Immediately after the
speech had been read, Mr. Grattan moved the ad*
dress t, which he supported by a brilliant speech,
which explicitly pledged the principles of the new
lieutenant's government to the Irish nation. Mr. Pu«

* Lord Clare gave a most malicious and distorted representa*
tion of the loyal act of a respectable body of subjects, evidently
calculated to throw a suspicion of treason upon the catholic body^
(Lord Clare's speech, p, 66.) " An address to Lord Fitzwilliam
in the name of their body was voted, and at the fioot of the com-
mittee, appointed to greet the king's representative under the
auspices of bis self-avowed minister, stand the names of Dr. Wil-
liam James M'Neren, Mr John Sweetman, and Mr. Richard
M'Cormick« all of them self- convicted traitors/'

f As this gentleman bad not accepted of any place. Lord Qato
called him the lelf-avQwed minister of Lord Fitzwilliaflu

Adminislrathn of Earl Fitzwilliam. ^5%

^uery alone reprobated the war with pointed severity; ^^^
The motion ifor the addresis was carried without a di-
vision ; as was also the motion of Mr. Conolly for an
address* to the lord lieutenant. The unanimity of
the whole catholic body, for an immediate application
to parliament^ for the unqualified repeal of the whole '
penal tode Was too formidable to be damped or dis^
iappointed. Lord Fitzwilliam judged, it coiild not
oe postponed without danger. Mr. Grattan, who com-
manded the confidence of the catholics, and of the lord
lieutenant^ on the 24th of January^ presented a peti-
tion of the catholics of the city of Dublin, to be re^
stored to the full enjoyment of the cdnstitution, by a
repeal of all the penal laws still affecting the catholics
bf Ireland; It was ordered to lie on the table, which
was soon laden with similar petitions from every dis-
tinct body of catholics throughout the realm; Oh
the J 2th of Februarys 1*795, Mr. Grattan obtained
leave to bring in the bill, which was opposed only by
Dr. Duigenan, Mr; Ogle, and Colonel Blaquieref*

♦ "the Speeches of ix>rd Fitzwilliam alnd Mr. Grattan, and the
different addresses, are to be seen in my Hist. Rev. Vol. II,
p. 478, &c.

t Leuer to Lord Carlisle. It rarely happens, that gucb myt •
terious and dark transactions, as this government opposition
to ihc open -and avowed measures of the king's ostensible ihinisteri
arc fairly brought to light. The Jris»li nation and the public are
highly indebted to the candour and independence of this distin*
guished nobleman, for having disclosed the truth in his invaluable
lottpr to Lord Carlisle. It defies cavil, doubt, and contradictioti,
aod must band down the noble and patriotic writer to the lore anil
veneration of the latest potterity.

VOL. II. 2 A

944 The Reign of George UL

1795. As there appeared a rising impatience among the cl*
tholics, after the delivery of their petitions, his excel-
lency apprehended, that the measure might be tranS"
ferred from the hands of Mr. G rattan to those of some
other, over whom he might have no controul j and
he considered, that delay would be attended with
a cettainty of the most alarming and fatal con*
sequences.
Bnti-hmi- On the 14th of February, I-ord Milton communt*
pc'jsM the' cated to the house his majesty's gracious anbwer to
Sc^iceroy! ^M^ address, which pointedly noticed, that the fa-
vourable sentiments they had expressed of Lord Rtz-
william were pleasing to his majesty, as they con-
firmed those impressions, which recommended him to
his majesty's choice for the government of Ireland*
This confirmation of the royal choice of the viceroy,
was communicated to the house of commons on the
very day, which brought tidings, that the British minis*
ter was adverse to the important measure, which the
lord lieutenant was thus publicly pursuing. The ex-
traordinary joy of the catholics on the occasion of
leave to bring in their bill, was suddenly damped
by this inexplicable intelligence. Earl Fitzwilliam had
been permitted to quit England with a plenitude of
discretion over the catholic question, and had acted
for above a month upon it in Ireland without a sug-
gestion of difference of opinion in the British cabinet
from him upon the subject. On the 9th of February,
Mn Pitt wrote to Lord Fitzwilliam, to expostulate on
tile dismifisal of Mr. Beresford \ and also on the nego*

Administrdiioh bf Earl Fitzwilliam. 9St

tiition with Messrs; Woife and Toler ♦. That formed i ^<^-
the whole matter pf his letter, and to thlt alone he
confined his remonstrances : so far was he from find-
ing any fault with the measures hitherto pursued^
which he was thoroughly apprized of, that he con-
tluded his letter by apologizing for interrupting his
nttentioH from the jfidmj important com i derations of a
different nature^ to whtcli all their minds ought to bt
directed. This evident allusion to the question of ca-
tholic emancipation, ascertains the real cause of Mr.
iPitt's determination to recal hord Fitzwilliam; and
justifies his lordship*s assertion, that the catholic
tjuestion entered for nothing into the real cause of his
recal, but that it was solely bwini; to the dismissal of
Mr. Beresford. On the 1 7th of February, Mr. Gray-
don moved for a comniittee to inquire into the expendi^
tutes of the revenue for twenty years past, the num-
ber of additional officers appointed in each year^ with
the names of the persons, and salary annexed to ieach
office. The motion was carried against the single ne-
gative of Colonel Blaquiere. The resolutions of the .
British cabinet were not instantly followed up by the
recal of the viceroy. The determination was known
\o many, though publicly avowed by none.

Sir Lawrence Parsons, who with Mr. Duquerry hadtbetwd
stood alone in opposition to the government upon the of Lord
quesdon of war*, noticed the prevailing rumour^ that most hurt

athisicct^.

* The attorney and solicitor general; afterwards Lord Xilwar-
len and Lord Norburjr.

* IS ftr. Deb. in*

d a2

5J6 The Reigii of George II L

179-^. their viceroy was about to be recalled. If it arose
from any new restriction on his wishes to realize th^
professions of his administration, or to fill his high
station with honour, his resignation reflected the high*
est lustre on the dignity of his nature and the purity of
his principles ; but as he still hoped measures had not
proceeded to that length, which must deprive the
country, in so critical a juncture, of the auspices of a
nobleman, who came the harbinger and the hostage of
her political salvation, he moved for an address to his
excellency to implore his continuance amongst them.
Mr. Duquery seconded the motion. He and the ho-
nourable baronet had differed from gentlemen on the
other side of the house respecting the ruinous war j but
if, after voting the enormous supply of 1,700,000/. to
save, if possible, the empire from destruction, they
were to be deprived of the administration of that no-
bleman, to whom the people looked up with confid-
ence, he feared the great and salutary measures of
reform, retrenchment, and responsibility would vanish,
and the catholics of Ireland, instead of the accomplish-
ment of their hopes, would have the gate of the castle
slapped in their faces, and be refused the blessings of
the constitution. He severely animadverted upon Mr.
Pitt*8 conduct, who, not satisfied with having involved
the empire in a disastrous war, intended to complete
the mischief, by risking the internal peace of Ireland,
making the friends of that country the dupes of his
fraud and artifice, in order to swindle the nation out of
1,700,000/. to support the war, on the faith of mea-
sures, which he intended should be refused. Oa

jfdministration of Earl FilzwUUaTn. S57

the 2d of March, Sir Lawrence Parsons moved for a ^J"9*-
three months' money bill, which Mr. Conolly proposed
to compromise, and the house divide^!, 24 for and
146 against Sir Lawrence Parsons' motion. Mr, Co*
noUy then proposed three resolutions. '* 1. That his
excellency Earl Fitzwilliam had, by his conduct since
his arrival in that kingdom, merited the thanks of that
house and the confidence of the people. 2. That to
prorogue the parliament before the grievances, of
which the people complained, were redressed, would
be highly inexpedient. 3. That the foregoing resolu-
tions be laid before his majesty.'' The first of these
resolutions was carried unanimously ; the two other^
at the instance of Lord Milton and Mr. Grattan*,
were withdrawn. On the J 0th of March, the house
adjourned to the 24th, when the money bills were
carried up to the lords, and the house then further ad-
journed to the J 3th of April, in order to allow time
for the new arrangements.

The report of harl Fitzwilliam's intended removal J^«P?^lof

* Lord Fit»-

was no sooner credited, than an universal despond- '^'^iia"*'*

* . removal,

ency, in some instances bordering on desperation, *«<* >» c^
seized the nation. Meetings were formed to convey
to their beloved governor, their high sense of his vir-
tue and patriotism, and their indignation at his and
their country's enemies. I'he spirit of discontent was
not confined to the catholics. The dissenters, and as
many of the protestants of the establishment, as had
not an interest in that monopoly of power, which Lprcl

* 15 Pari. Deb. p. 142.
2 a3

2S9 The Reign of George III.

}^\ Ktzwilliam had so openly attacked and so feaifulljp
alarmed, felt the irresistible edect* All good Irishmeq
beheld with sorrow and indignation the reconciliatioA
of all parries, interests, and religions defeated, the
cup of national union dashed from their eager lips, an4
the spirit of discord let loose upon the kin,j;dom with
sai» enlarged commission to enflame, aggravate, and
destroy. The catholics of Dublin took the lead •, and
deputed three of their body to present a petition to the
^g at the levee, praying on behalf of their body,
tfiat his majesty would be graciously pleased to con-
tinue his excellency in the government of Ireland.
On the 5th of March, the Duke of Leinster, in the
(ouso of lords, rose at a late hour, and, after pre-
ilicing what he was about to propose with a wa^rm
and affectionate eulogy upon' the character of L< rd
Vitzwilliam, moved the following resolution, " that
his excellency Earl Fitzwilliam since his arrival in that
Kingdom, had, by his public conduct, merited the
thanks of that house, and the confidence of the Qoun-
fly," Lord Dillon opposed the motion : upon which
^ warm debate ensued ; but with a slight amendment,
the resolution passed. The ferment in the country
was greatly increased by the rumours then afloat con-
eeming the extraordinary movements in tlie cabinets
of both kingdoms.
cauHbUct*' On the 27th of February, . 1 795, the catholics of
SjJfoJ^ Dublin appointed two gentlemen of their body to pre-

msk

*' The. resolutions of this meeting are given in mj Hist. Rev.
ftiLU. p. 503.

Administration of Earl Filzmlliam. 859

cent an address to Mr. Grartan, which fully spoke 17<)-).
their feelings and sentiments of the political po^ure of ^"'"''^
affairs : to which they received an immediate answer^
which has been more censured by the enemies, and
applauded by the friends of that gentleman, than any
thing, that ever came from his mouth*.

* Mr. Grattan*8 reply to that addr?u ti too pointed and appro*
prUte to exisung circumstances not to subtntt parts of it to the
reader. " in supporting you, I support the prutestant : we hare
but one interest and one honour ; and whoever gives privileges to
you, gives vigour to all. The protestant already begins lo perceive
It. A late attack rallied the scattered spirits of the country from the
folly of religious schism to the recoliection of national honour ; and
a nation's feuds are lost in a nation's resentment. Your emanci*
pation will pass> rely on it ; your emancipation must pa«s : it
mny be death to one viceroy j it will be the peace-offering of aa-
otber ) and the laurel may be torn fi'om the dead brow of one go^
Temor^ to tie craftily converted into the olive of his successor.

'• Let me advise you by no means to postpone the consideration
of your fortunes till after the war : rather let Britain receive the
bent fits of your zeal during the exigency which demands it$ and
you yourselves, while you are figh:ing to preserve llie blessings of
a constitution, have really and bona fide those blessings.

•« My wi^h is, that you may be free now : there is no other
policy, wh ch is not low and little : let us at once instantly embrace
and greatly emancipate.

•* On this principle I nipan to introduce your bill, with your
p^rm'Ssion, immediately fitter the recess.

*♦ His cxce'lency, Lord Fitz^vi liam, may boast that he offered
to the em; ire the affections of millions, a bitter aid to the war
th^n his enemies can furnish, who have forfeited those affections^
and put themselves in their place.

" So decidedly have the mca^^ures of Ireland served the empire^
chat those, who were concerned in them, might appeal from the
cabals oftbe British cabinet to the sense of the British uation. I

860^ The Reign of George I II.

^^ Addresses and resolutions were daily multiplie4
Jrtulm^'' from diflFerent bodies of catholics, who not content
iSSf ^"' ^^^ having addressed his Majesty, his viceregent, and
parliament, jiow addressed particular characters of
extraordinary influence or supposed power in the
country, as the last resort in their despondency;
calling upon their exertions to prevent the threatened
catastrophe. All was fruitless. On the 25th of

)dnow of no cause afforded for the displeasure of the British cnb:-
net; but if services done to Ireland are crimesj which cannot be
atoned for by exertions for the empire^ X must lament the gloomy
prospects of both kingdoms, and receive a discharge from the ser-
vice of government as the only honour an English niinister ca()
ponfer on an Irish subject.

'' I conceive the continuance of Lord Fiizwilliam is necessary
for the prosperity of this kingdom : bis firm integrity is formed tq
correct, his mild manners to reconcile, and his private example to
discountenance a progress of vulgar and rapid pollution : if he 14 to
retire, I condole with my country — for myself, the pangs on that
occasion, I should feel on rendering up my smajl portion of mini-
sterial breath would be little, were it not for the gloomy prospccta
afforded by those dreadful guardians, which are likely to succeed.
I tremble at the return to power of your old task-master ; that coni*
binalion which galled the country M'ith its tyranny, insulted her
by its manners, exhausted her by its rapacity, and slandered her
hj its malice : should such a combination at once, inflamed f s it
must be now by the favour of the British court, and by the repro-
bation of the Irish people, return to power, X have no hesitation to
tay, that they will extinguish Ireland^ or Ireland must remove
them 3 it is not your case only, but that of the nation. 1 find the
f^buntry already committed in the struggle > I beg to be committed
along with her, and to abide the issues of her fortunes. What*
soever shall be the events I will adhere to her interests to the last
^ment of my life." .

Administration of Earl FitzwilHam, 80 1

March, 1795, Lord FiuwUliam took his departure ^J^
from Ireland, when the resentment, grief, and indig^f
nation of the public were most strongly marked. It
was a day of general gloom ; the shops were shut ; no
business of any kind was transacted, and the whole
city put on mourning. Hi$ coach was drawn to the
water-side by some of the most respectable citizens,
fuid cordial sorrow appeared on every countenancet

C «e2 1

CHAPTER VII.

Administration qf Earl Camden*
1795.

Appoint- Earl Camben, who before the a*>pointnienC of
LordCutt« his immediate predecessor had been destined by Mn
Pitt to fill the situation of viceroy, as the best calcu-
lated to continue the system of Lords Buckingham
and Westmoreland, arrived in Dublin, five days after
Lord Fitzwilliam had le t it. Mr. Pitt*s two grand ob-
jects had been carried by the unprecedented vote of
1,700,(XX)A towards carrying on the war, and the
degradation and further division of the proselytes he
had enticed from the Rockinghafti party. So much
displeasure appeared on Lord Camden^s arrival, that
it was found necessary to call out the military to pre-
vent outrage.
Cith©Hc Still the rage for meetings continued. On the 9ih of
Frwldi*" April the catholics met in their chapel in Francis-
street, in Dublin^ to receive the report of the dele-
gates, who had presented their petition at St. James's:
when Mr. Keogh reported, that in execution of their
mission they had on the 13th of March presented
their petition to his Majesty, and had received what
was generally termed a gracious reception. That they
had afterwards felt it their duty to request an audience
with the Duke of Portland, the secretary of state for
the home department, to receive such information as

itrert.

Mministration of Eari Camden. 963

he should think fit to impart relative to his Majesty's 179^
determination on the subject of their address. That
his grace declined giving any information whatever,
^ve that his Majesty had imparted his pleasure thereon
to the lord-lieutenant, and that he was the proper
channel, through which that information should pass.
Here their mission was determined. Mr. Keogh spoke
strongly upon the critical situation of affairs. The
fidlure of their wishes would, he hoped, rouse the Irish
legislature to a sense of its own dignity. It shewed,
that the internal regulations of Ireland, to which alone
an Irish parliament was competent, were to he pre-
viously adjusted by a British cabinet. A very ani-
mated debate ensued ; in which the speakers emulated
each other in enhancing the advantages of an union
of Irishmen of every description. And now for the
first time they spoke of and deprecated an union with
Great Britain, to which they saw the present system
pf measures was obviously directed.

Whilst this debate was going on, a large party of Admi»icm
the young men of the college* came into the chapel, young men

< f the col-
lege to the

* ♦' It has teen the constant cuitom with the University of ^Jip^
Dublin^ to present addresses of congratalatioo to every newly ar-
rived chief governor : that day was appointed for presenitog tbehr
ofieriDg to Lord Camden. While the procession was on its way,
the students* as if with one consent^ bioke off> and left the
Provost and Fellows to make what appearance before his excel-
lency they might think fit^ while they themselves turned into a
coffee -house* at the Castle gate ; and there prepared an address
to Mr* Grattan* approving of bis public character and conduct;
This they presented directly, and having done so* they repaired
to Frands-stxtet chapel* when the catholics were assembled.

S64 The Reign of George IIL

\ Jf^ and were most honorably received. The freedom of
speech used by the gentlemen, who took part in this
debate, gave heinous offence at the castle.

l/>rd-iieu. On the 13th of April, 17^*5, Lord Cole moved a

tenant ad- r ' ?

dfca^ congratulatory address to the lord-lieutenant on his
arrival to take on him the government of the kingdom,
which was carried without a division. Mr. Grattaa
however said, he felt himself much more strongly
inclined to condole with the country on the recal of
Lord Fit^william, than to congratulate it on the ap-
pointment of Lord Camden, He afterwards moved for
a committee to enquire into the state of the nation, on
which occasion he confidently asserted what he knew
was generally known, that the Duke of Portland had
declared*, ^' he accepted office principally with a view
to reform the abuses in the government of Ireland ;
that the system of that government was execrable : so
execrable, as to threaten not only Ireland with the
greatest misfortune, but ultimately the empire j that
his grace would have gone in person, if he had not
found a second self in Lord Fitzwilliam, his nearest

They ent«Ted while Mr. Keogh wai speaking ; and fhat ready as
well as able orator instantly seized the incident, and hallowed the
omen. They were received with the most marked respect and
afFection \ the catholics taking that opportunity of shewing, that
the language of union and brotherly love, which they were utter-
ing, only expressed the sentiments nearest their hearts." Pieces
•f Iriih H'uioryy p. 114. The address to Mr. Grattan and his
answer are very iateresling, and may be seen in my Historical
Review, p. 572.

♦ 15 ParK H^h, p. l65.

Adminhtration of Earl Camdtn* S65

Md dearest friend, whom he persuaded to accept the ^79^*
Irish government, and to whom he committed the im-
portant office of reforming the manifold abuses in that
government. That the removals were stipulated for
by that part of the British cabinet : and catholic
emancipation was not only the concession of that
quarter of the cabinet, but its precise engagement."
This first division imder Lord Camden of 48 for,
and 158 against the motion, shewed the strength of
government in the house. The 4th of May, 1795,
brought on the important debate on the second read*
ing of the Roman Catholic bill for their total eman-
cipation. The solicitor-general moved, that it should
be rejected. The motion was seconded by Lord
^Cingsborough, who spoke violently against the bill.
Almost every gentleman, who had before spoken in
parliament^ took part in the debate. Mr. Arthur
O'Connor made one of the most brilliant speeches
ever heard in the Iijsh parliament in support of it*.
It was now for the first time urged, that if the bill
should pass, the King would infringe his coronation
oath. This formed the chief novelty of argument.
Never was there a more heated debate in parlia-
Baent. Although it were made a government ques-
tion^ some of their usual (more independent) sup-

* Hiis speech first raised him into note : he was brought into
pvliatnent by his uncle. Lord Longueville, who was a supporter
^^^mini^tratton. His lordship wbs^ offended with the speech of
■» nephew, that the next morning he sent for him, and dtfired
^ to resign hii ttat, which accordingly he did.

I

S6« ^he Reign of George lit

170*. J)orters, left them on this occasion, and at the half^past
tea o'clock of the morning of the 5th of May, thi
house divided, 155 for rejecting the bill and 84 against
it. Thus was an end put to the fond and confident
expectation, \uth which the great bulk of the Irish
nation had been encouraged to look to their emand-
piatiom
Hotiont Sir Lawrente Parsons on the ISth of May, moved

made by , /• i* i •

•ppotition. a resolution, of which he had long given notice, which
Was debated with more personal acrimony than any
question throughout the session* The resolution was^
•** that John Earl of Westmoreland^ by authorizing
such a number of regular troops to be sent out of this
country, as left the remainder considerably less than
the number appointed by law for the defence thereof ^
had been guilty of a Violation of the Compact entered
into with the crdwn^ and bf dispensing with the law
of the land/* It was met by the question for adjourn^
ment, which after midnight was carried by a majority
of 83 against 2di The only question of notice, that
occum^ during the remainder of the session, was Mn
Currants motion for an address to the crown, seconded
by Mr* Grattan : this was also defeated by the ques*
tion of adjournment Without a division. fThe address
was intended as a recorded publication of the senti«

^15 ParHamentiiy Debates, p. 370.

f The addreis is in the Histories^ tl^viewi vol. 11. p 620}
Wliere also may be seen an siccount of the conduct of the Britisir
{arliatnttit npod the siogQlar recall of Lord FtowiUiafii.

Admini^ration of Earl Camden*

mentSy and justification to posteVity of the conduct of
the gentlemen of opposition during that session of 'par*
liament.

On the 5th of June, 1795, the parliament was pro- ^'^""JJj;*
Togued with the usual formalities. The lord-Iieutir-
nant's speech from the throne expressed his Majesty's
acknowledgments fov the very liberal supplies, and
commended the benevolent relief of the poor from
the tax of hearth-money ; the wise foundation of a
college for the education of the catholic clergy ; and
the satisfactory arrangement of issuing money from
the treasury.

During the summer the defenders rapidly encreased. increase of

^ , Defenders

Severe outrages were committed upon the primate. The »nci Uniud
chancellor was wounded in his carriage on the head by a
stone. The house of Mr. John Claudius Beresford was
assailed. The chancellor and all the Beresfords were
particularly obnoxious at this time, from their decided
opposition to parliamentary reform and catholic eman«
cipation; and from their having been prominently
active in procuring the removal of Lord FitzwilKam.
The British cabinet replaced those persons, whom the
people, at that time, looked upon as their greatest ene-
mies, and they resumed their situations with redoubled
propensity to strong measures. Henceforward the po-
pular societies began to settle into a system of myste*
nous secrecy. The secret committee of the lords de«
dared, that *^' the attainment of what are called par*
liamentary reform and catholic emancipation were and

* 7 hordt^ Joomal^ p. 380.

S66 The Reign of George IlL

1 7S^- continued to be holden out by them merely as a pretenctf
for their associations^ and with a view to seduce per^s
sons, who were not apprized of their traitorpus desij^^
to unite with thein." Some leading heads of these
societies, whose real views were to separate Ireland
from Great Britain^ took advantage of the critical mo^
ment, and converted this increased austerity of govern^
ment into a most powerful engine for forwarding their
traitorous designs^
the^Trtsh*^ Three members of the executive of the Irish Unibn^
union. Messrs. O'Connor, Emmett, and Dr. M'Neven, whilst
in prison, wrote a detailed memoir of its origin and
progress, and delivered it in to the Irish government ;
in which they say, " The first of these societies, as
we best recollect* in the year 1795> in order to se-
cure co-operalion and uniformity of action, brgan-
ized a system of committees, baronial, county^ and
provincial) and even national ; but it was lottg before
the skeleton of this organization was filled up. Whild
the formation of these societies was in agitation, thc^
friends of liberty were gradually, but with a timid
step, advancjing towards republicanism; they begari
* to be convinced, that it would be as easy to obtain ^ ,
revolution as a reform, so obstinately was the latter
resisted; and as the cojiviction impressed itself on
their minds* they were inclined not to give up the
struggle, but to extend their views ; it was for this
reason, that in their test the words afe, an equal re-
presentation of all the people of Ireland, without in-
serting the word parliament. This test embraced both
the republican and the reformer, and loft to future cir*

Admnistraiion of Earl Camden. S69

tumstances to decide, to which point the coramoii . i79S
strength should he directed i but still the whole body, '^^^
we are convinced, would rejoice to stop shortat re-
form. Another consideration, however, led the minds
of reflecting united Irishmen to look towards a repul>
lie and separation from England ; this was the war
with France ; they clearly perceived, that their strength
was not Ukely to become speedily equal to wresting
from the English and the borough interest in Ireland
even a reform ; foreign assistance would ,there£Dre pen-
haps become necessary; but foreign assistance could
only be hoped for in proportion as the object, to which
it would be applied was important to the party giving .
it. A reform in the Irish parliament was no object to
che French : a separation of Ireland from England was
a mighty one iadeed. Thus they reasoned : shall we,
between two objects, c(Hifine'ourselves to the least valu-
able, even though it be equally difficult to be obtained, if
we consider therelationoflrelandwith the rest of Europe*
^^ Whatever progress the unlled system had made
among the catholics throughout the kingdom, until
after the recal of Lord Fitzwilliam, notwithstanding
many resolutions, which had appeared from them^
manifesting a growing spirit, they were considered as
entertaining an habitual spirit for monarchy, but also
ai$ being less attached than the presbyterians to politic
cal tberty. There were, however, certain men among
them, who rejoiced at the rejection of their claims,
because it gave them an opportunity of pointing out
that the adversaries of reform were their advecsaries ;

S70 The Reign of George III.

ir^« and that these two objects could never be separated
vnth any chance of success to either. They used the
recal of that nobleman^ and the rejection of his mea*
sures, to cement together in political union the catho-
lic and presbyterian masses*

*• The modem societies, for their protection against
informers and "^prosecution, had introduced into their
test a clause of secrecy. They did more: they
changed the engagement of their predecessors into
an oath ; and mutual confidence encreascd, when re^
ligion was called in aid of mutual security/'
Tett of th« From reflection and experience^ the people became
Irishmen, couviuced, that no system but that of union could
succeed ; they therefore formed themselves into aiGli-
ated societies, and adopted the following solemn test :
•* In th€ awful presence of God, I, A. B. do volunta-
rily declare, that I will persevere in endeavouring to
form a brotherhood of affection among Irishmen of
every religious persuasion ; and that I will also perse-
vere in my endeavours to obtain an equal, full, and
adequate representation of all the people in Ireland.
I do further declare, that neither hopes, fears, re-
wards, or punishments shall ever induce me, directly
or indirectly, to inform of, or give evidence against,
any member or members of this or similar societies,
for any act or expression of their's done or made, col-
lectively or individually, in or out of this society, in
pursuance of this obligation.'* In the course of this
year united societies were formed in most parts of the-
kingdom.

Aiministratum ofEnrt Carnden. S7l

Government became alarmed. Agents were sent ^^^
to Armagh, to turn the ferocity and fanaticism of the Religious
Peep-of-Day Boys into a religious contest with the coumged
tatholics under an imposmg zeal for church and King. mM. ^"^
Personal animosity ^zs artfully converted into reli- mc^^*
gibus rancour i and for the specious purpose of taking
off the stigma of delinquency, the appellation of Peep«-
df-Day Boys was changed into that of Orange Men.
At first no person of consequence appeared in it : the
first lodge was formed on the 21st of September^
1795. Like the United Irishmen, they were soon af-
filiated> and their numbers increased. They pretended
Co support the constitution in the spirit of William the
Prince of Orange. . Their practices were intolerant and
exterminating* *Their original test was said to have
been : ** In the awful presence of Almighty God, I,
/i. B. do solemnly swear, that I will, to the utmost
of my power, support the King and the present go*
yemment ; and I do further swear, that I will use my
utmost exertions to exterminate all the Catholics of the
kingdom of Ireland/' The great increase of the Orange
institution did not take place till the ensuing year.

• Thii forvti of test is what is generally believed to have been
ifi use amongst the Orangemen i but the author has no authentic
document for it. It is so stated io a pamphlet published in 1797^
called, A View of the present State of Ireland, bj an Observer,
said to have been written by Mr. A. O'Connor. They were said
to have had a secret test, which they called their Purple Oath.
The secret committee of the lords in I7d8 asked Mr. A. 0*Con«
nor, if govemntent had any thing to do with their Oaih ofRxUr*
mmaikm, which presupposes them to have had one.

2b2

872 Ty Reign of George llh

^TQC^ The boldness of the defenders in die simuoer of 1 795
i^rd Car- assuTOcd a most formidable appcwance. So firr were
•trong mca- they from beinir countenanced by the catholics, that
their most open outrages were attempted against aomc
catholic magistrates in the county of Kildare, where
they appeared in bodies of several hundreds. Lord Car-
hampton, impatient or dissatisfied at the law's delay*
undertook to exert a vigour beyond it. He emptied
all the prisons of their tenants, and without form ^
trial sent them> and every one he chose to suq^ect of
disaffection, on his own authority, to serve on board
the fleet. Above ISCO were thus transported from
their homes during the summer. The measure was
as highly applauded by government, as it was severelf
reprobated by the opposition. In the summer assizes
of this year several defenders were tried and found
guilty of high treason ; and the animosity of the De-
fenders and Peep-of-Day Boys was renewed in tke
county of Armagh, to such a degree^ that on the 81st
of September, the battle of the Diamond, so called
from the village of that name> was fought, in which
the defenders, though greatly superior in number^
were worsted with considerable slaughter. From this
defeat of the defenders, are to be traced the increased
rancour and ferocity of their opponents, who had
formed themselves into clubs of Orangemen, aiid
thereby having increased their strength, meditated the
extermination of the whole race of catholics out of
the county of Armagh.
parliament When the parliament met on the 21st of January,
1796, the lord-lieutenant after having alluded to the

Administraticn of Earl Camden. 373

gtneral afl^rs of the continent, and noticed some 1790-
domesdc occurrences, and prepared them for a heavy .
loan, adverted to those secret and'treasonable assodah
tionsy the dangerous extent and malignity of which had'
in some degree been disclosed on several trialsj and to
the disturbances, which had taken place in some parts
of the kingdom, and called upon their prudence and
wisdom to devise such measures as, together with a
continuance of those exertions, and the additional
powers, which, by the advice of the privy council,
he had thought it necessary to establish in different
counties, would prevent the return of similar ex-
cesses* Upon the motion fer an address, Mr. Grattan
objected only to that part of the address, which
expressed a confidence in the present administra-
tion. The people of Ireland were loyal to their
Sovereign, for which they had been treated with in-
solence and contumely. The system of the admini-
stration for several years had been profligate and cor-
rupt. The hornets of government had been serit out to
the different grand juries, in order to procure addi'esses
and resolutions to wall out the catholics from the con-
stitution, as the English had formerly walled out Ithe
Scotch, and the Chinese the Tartars. The British
cabinet, during the administration of Lord Fitzwilliam,
had broken faith with Ireland. He reprobated the
conduct of Lord Westmoreland in granting the rever-
sion of every capital employment in the kingdom, after
his successor had been appointed ; said that during hi^
administration, fourteen new employments had been
created, and thirteen reversions granted away. The

2 B 3

S74 The Reign of George III.

17S6» conduct of the British cabinet towards thar country

was influenced by false witnesses against Ireland ; by

bad viceroys, who had acted in their administration

unfavorably to Ireland ; and if not by viceroys^ the

British cabinet was influenced by clerks, by spies, and

by runners. Fourteen only supported his amende

ment^ against 122.

Stnmf The attorney-general besides bringing in two bills,

introduced for prcveutuig Insurrections, tumults, and riots, and

tomcy.|e- for indemnifying magistrates acting against the law,

moved the following resolutions :

1. " Resolvedj That the spirit of conspiracy and
outrage, which has appeared in certain parts of this
kingdom, and has shewn itself in various attempts
to assassinate magistrates, to murder witnesses, to
plunder houses, and seize by force the arms of his
Majesty's peaceable subjects, requires, that more ef-
fectual powers should be given to the magistracy.

2. '* Resolved^ That (in such parts of this kingdom,
as the said spirit has shewn itself^ or to which there
may be cause to apprehend its being extended) it will
be necessary, that the magistracy should have enlarged
powers of searching for arms, ammunition, and wea-
pons of offence, and of seizing or securing t he samej
for the preservation of the peace, and the safety of
the lives and properties of his Majesty's peaceable and
loyal subjects.

S. *• Resolved, That from the many attacks, which
have been made on the houses of individuals, by large
bodies of armed insurgents, for the purpose of taking
arms and money by force, and murdering those, who

jtdmkiistraii^m of Earl Camderu S75

had the spirit to inforce the lantrsy or give inforniatbii J^w
agaiast oflFenderSy it mil be necessary, that the magis-
tracy should have enlarged powers, to prevent such
bodies hereafter from assembling or meetings either to
plan or execute such horrid purposes.

4. ^ Resolvedj That it will be necessary to give the
magistracy further powers with respect to vagabonds,
idle and disorderly persons, and persons liable to be
deemed so, or who have no lawful trade^ or any honest
means to obtain a livelihood,"

These resoludons were ushered in by a minute de- ^^'^^
tail of the outrages committed during the four preced- **^»J*'*'^
ing years by the Defenders; without reference to the
atroddes oomnutted during the same period by the
Peep-of-Day Boys. Of those outrages^ Mr. Grattaa
gave a minute detaiL Their object was the extermi-
nation of all the catholics of that county ; it was a
persecution conceived in the bitterness of bigotry, and
carried on. with ferocious barbarity by z, banditti, who
called themselves Orange Qoys, or Protestant Boys^
committing massacre in the name of God, and exer-
cising despotic power in the name of liberty. They
formed themselves into a committee, tried the catho-
lics, and sent them either on board a tender or to a
recruiting officer as deserters. They gave them short
notices to quit their dwellings, in the laconic words,
" Hell or Connaught ;" and they followed them by
punctual execution of the horrid threat. The mea-
sure propose4 was defective ; it was a partial descrip-
tion of the outrages of the kingdom, and a partial re-
medy ; it proposed to suspend the operation of the

2 B 4

S7< - Th€ Reign qf George IIL

^2^ €oxisl!tutioii, n^h a iriew to pMduce p^^^ I^^vte^
at the same time, in one gfeat county , yiotence and
insurrection in a state of triumph. About dOO cathc^
fie families of Armagh were forced by a violent mciv
and a supine magistracy, to abandon their dwelliligSf
and carry themselves and families, and tales of iivoe,
to their brethren in the other parts of the kingdom^
and spread the flames of discontent, and spirit of reta^
fiation. The evil was greatly aggravated by die m^
gistrat^ of the county of Armagh, several of whom
refused to take the examination of the injured catho*
tholics. By some of those very magistrates they had
been cruelly persecuted; others would hear them
only out of the window, and some actually turned
them from their doors with threats. These circuq;!'*
stances produced a very spirited and proper letter, or
address, from Lord Gosford, which, by some on the
treasury bench, was complained of as incautious^.
Their argument for not taking particular notice of the
county of Armagh was, that the existing laws were
sufficient to punish the crimes, by which that country
was convulsed \ whereas the enormities there com«
mitted were emphatically admitted by Lord Gosford,
the governor, to extend beyond the reach of the law.
On the 24th of March the money bills were pre-
sented, and on the 1 5th of April the parliament was
prorogued.

• For this letter, whtch is a most valaable piece of unimpeadi-
able evidence of the-spirtt and nature of tbe persecutions then go*
iog forward in Armagh^ vide Appen* to my Mist. Rev. No. XCIXi^

Mmimttrati&n of Earl Camden, 87t

The fennent of the pablic waa encrestsed by an i790*
abusive pamphlet written by one of the secretaries of y^^^j^,
the castle, though published anonymously, reflecting 2JJ^^
upon Mr. Grattan and Lord FitzwilUam. It produced
t most virulent war on paper. It was generally be*
lieved) that 7000 catholics had been forced or burned
cat of the county of Armagh, and that the ferociou3
banditti, who had expelled them had been encouragedi
connived at, and protected by the government. At
die Lent assizes of this year the sheriflT, governor, and
grand jury of the county of Armagh, published an
address and resolutions, to soften the public impres-
sion of the ferocious outrages of those exterminators.
Thar annunciation of impartial justice to every deno*
minadon was rather unseasonable, when there re-
mained no longer in their county any of one denomi-
nation to commit outrages upon, or to retaliate injuries.
These resolutions were chiefly produced by the prose-
cutions, which had been carried on by the provincial
committees of the United Irishmen against the mdst
notorious oflFenders, and some of the most guilty
magistrates of Armagh. But that measure encreased
the mischief in another way^ Many of those, who at-
tempted to swear examinations, were killed or forced
to fly, and others compelled, by the fear of death, to
retract or contradict the evidence they had given.
Most of those prosecutions, which proceeded were
other permitted to be eluded by legal artifice, or de-
feated by the hand of power. The only effectual
relief, which the wretched fugidves experienced was
from the United Irishmen of Belfast. They found

S7» , The Reign of G^ge III.

179^* it useless to look up tor any redress to the laws of
the land or the government of the country. As
they spread, they carried with them the fame of
the sincerity and cordiality of the northerns to-
wards the persecuted catholics of Armagh, and in-
spired all their brethren with a confidence in their
protectors. Their gratitude and sympathies ext^i-
guished former prejudices against the northerns and
dissenters ; and taught remoi;e district^, to which the
system of union had ^een till then unknown, to admire
and adopt it.
J?Sr^ About this time the . union gained considerable
strength from its coalition with the defenders, par^i
ticularly in the counties of Pown an4 Antrim;
and afterward^ extended to others*. From the
first formation of t;he union, it^ most active members
were anxious to learn the views and intentions of the
defenders. The latter wished to redress many of those
grievances, against which the efforts of the former
were directed ; but their wishes were npt sufficiently
seconded by intelligence, nor did their institution ap-
pear calculated for co-operation on an extensive scale:
it seemed almost exclusively catholic, and, as far as
could be ascertained^ was not sufficiently representa^
tive. Besides^ as most counties had something pecu*
liar to themselves, either in their test, their formalities,
or their signs, a defender in one county, therefore,
was not one in another ; and the association, or rather
mass of associations, wanted uniformity of views and

• Pieces of Irish HisKTy, p. Ma

Jidmbiistration of Earl Camden. S79

tetlons. As it owed its origin to religious animosities, ^^^
and was almost entirely composed of illiterate persons,
there was reason to apprehend, it might sdtt be vitiated
by bigotry and ignorance, and that instead of reserv-
ing its physical force for one object and one effort^ it
might waste itself^ as was actually the case in Con*
naught, in partial and ineffectual insurrections against
local grievances. The united system, on the other
hand^ by pursuing only one thing, " an equals full,
and adequate representation of the people,'' secured
an uniformity of views, and by fixing attention on the
state of representation^ as the fruitful parent of every
evil^ it suggested^ wherever it gained admission, a
remedy for the oppressions, by which the inhabitants
were most afflicted. Proceeding on the pruidple oi
abolishing all political distinctions on account of re*
Ugion, and of establishing a brotherhood of affection
among Irishmen of every persuasion, it struck at the
root of bigotry, received the support and secured the
co-opieration of every sect, that was not rendered hos*
tile, by an immediate interest in the abuses it proposed
to remedy. Organized under a series of committees,
which were connected together to the highest rank, it
was capable of perfect cooperation, and had in itself
all the advantages of a provisional representative go-
vernment, to which it was habituating its members.
There was no repugnancy in the tests of the two
bodies, and many catholics had from the commence-
ment belonged to both. Many protestant United Irish-
men resolved to break the exclusively catholic appear-
ance of defenderism } there being nothing in the test

9BO The Reign ef George IIJL \

J^9f^ or regulations to prerent them, fbey wefe sworn idto
^' ' that body, and carried along with them thdr infornuk
tion, tolerance^ and repubUcanisnu They pointed out
to their new associates, that the somethings which the
defenders vaguely qonceiTed, ought to be done for
Ireland, was by separatii^ it fixnn' England to establish
Its real as well as no^^naI mdependeuQe ; and they
urged the necessity of combining into one body all
who were actuated with the same views. The de-
fenders, by spegiQc votes in their own socteties, agreed
to be sworn United Irishinien» and incorporated in large
bodies into the union* It is ta be remarked, that in
the summer of 1796 few of the leaders of the subse-
quent rebellious umos^ were aqjtmg with the membersoC
the first open and avowed Society of United Irishmen*.
Arming of f With a view of being prepared ^ much as po*-

tbe unions

•ndthc

people. * In the memoir of O'QomiorA Eqimett, and M'lJ^even, Uiej

saj (p. 9), " None of ut were membenof the united system until

September or October, in the year 1795- Mr. T. W. Tone had

fled the countiy in 1795, upon tURpicion of being implicated In

the tieaion of tlie Rev. Mr, Jackion, who was foond gniltyv of

high treaaon on the add of April, 1795. When he waa called

up to receive sentence, he died in court of the poison he had pfe«

viously taken. Mr. Hamilton Rowan about the same time escaped

out of prison to the continent Mr. Napper Tandy having been

indicted for high treason about the same time, was. proceeding

to take his trial at Dnndalk ; when he was met about twelve milea

firom that to^n by his Mtori^y, who apprizing him of the dead

weight of evidence against him, returned to Dublin, and fled to

the continent.

t Report of the Secret Committee iVIL Cora. JournaTs,

DCCCXXIX. An account of the military organization is to b«

ieen liistqrical Review^ p. 568.

Admmistratim nf Ear. Camdeiu Ml

tible to^coopeiate \mh the epemy then expected^ an4 }^^
IB Oder to counteract the effect of the anned associa-
tions of yeooxanry^ establisbe4 in October, ITQfi^ direc-
tions were issued by the leaders of the societies, to
foroi themselves into military bodies, and to be pro<^
vided with arms and ammunition. These dtrectjoni
were so eflSsctuaily obeyed, that the numbers of armed
men in the province of Ulster alone amounted nearly
to one hundred thousand, ready to take the field oft
ibe arrival of the ^nemy or whenever they might
ffecdvie orders to that effect from their superior officenu
The arming of this society was not orijginally intend*
cd : but was only introduced after the passmg the in-
Mrrecdon and indemnity acts^ when die people b^an
to be more than ever carried towards resistance and
mere extremely irritated by the indemnified violations
of law in the north*. The whole number of the
uniDed body now consisted of 500/XX) men. About
the end of the year 1796, the United Irishmen grew
much more outrageous and formidable throughout
the province of Ulster. But the chaige of thdr hold-
ing r££uiar committees of assassisation is fal^e. Some
private mur ders, and the survivors of the most ob-
noxious characters, to whom members of the union
had constant access, would refute the charge of any such
organised system of bloodshed, had it not been formally
denied and discladmied by the gentlemen, who gave i^
a very correct menioir of the rise and progress of the
UBion* The public fever advanced with the season.
Many outrages of the defenders were punished by the
* Memoir IX.

»88 The Reign of George tlL

l^^ military in a most unwarrantable manttdr upon innocent
untried persons, without charge or trial. Upon nler^
suspicion or absence of a landlord^ they burned houses^
maimed, and sometimes murdered the nadves, for
merely inhabiting the districts, into which they were
sent. Terrible is the consequence of protecting crime.
At the assizes of Anhagh, Colonel Sparrow was tried
and found guilty of murdering a Mr. Lutas i upon
his receiving sentence, he produced his Majesty's pai^
don to the court, and was instantly liberated* This
greatly irritated the people : as did the encouragement
given by government to Orangemen, in allowing them
two guineas per man, for arms and accoutrements. In
the autumn of this year government encouraged the
formadon of armed corps of yeomanry, which were
at first strongly disrelished and opposed by many;
and the catholics not being generally admitted into
these corps, resented their rejection as an invidious
disrincdon, tending to question thdr loyalty and sin*
cerity in their country's cause. They accordingly
waited on Mr. Pelham, the secretary, for leave to raise
a catholic corps, but were told, that if they chose
they might join the corps then raising by their pn>
testant fellow^subjects. Some few did ; but the shy**
ness and reluctance^ with which catholics were ad«
mitted into the protestant corps of yeomanry, kept
most from joining them. The dread of a French in-
vasion was the ostensible reason for embodying these
corps. Nothing so much reconciled them to the
public, as the formation of the lawyer's corps. At
a general meeting of the bar, on the 14th of Septem-

jfdmmittraiion of Earl Camden. dSS

ber, 1796, it was resolved, that they held it expedient, 179^

with the permission of government, to form an armed ^'^^''^\
association for the defence of the kingdom.

It was objected to the administration^ that whilst Miniitei^t

•* ^ . partiality

they proclaumed the houghing of a bullock in the far onn|f
south, they smothered in silence the murder and pro-
scription of hundreds of human beings in the north :
that no statute^ proclamation^ or resolutions of public
bodies, had specified or punished the crimes of the
Orangemen in Armagh, no perpetrators of them had
been punished^ not a single magistrate had been
stricken out of the commission^ though many were
known to have connived at and encouraged those out-
rages ; and that several were rewarded by commands
in the yeomanry corps, and otherwise favored by go-
vernment. An invitation from the county and borough
of Armagh to Mr. Pelham and Dr. Duigenan, to re-
present them in the ensuing parliament, riveted in the
minds of the great mass of the people the firmest con-
viction, that the impunity of these fanatic extermi-
nators of Armagh found countenance, support, and
favor from the seat of civil and ecclesiastical power.
The congenial opposition given by Mr. Pelham aiid
Dr« Duigenan to the question of catholic emancipa-
tion, recommended them to Armagh. The contrary
spirit of toleration endeared Colonel (now I«ord}
Hutchinson* to the city of Cork.

- * In his addreu to the electon of Cork on the 6th of October^
1796> amongst other matters^ this gentleman^ v^hose gallant con-
duct hi# sovereign has since rewarded with a peerage, thus accost-
ed his constituents sfter the usual inirodoctorj oompliments.

t84 Tie Meign of George ttl.

Jf9^ * The pariiamcfit met on the ISth ci October, 1798,
Early meec ^^^^^ ^ lord-Ueuteoaol informed them, that his Ma»
iSuiwiir" y^ ^^ required their attendance thus early in conse^
quence of the enemy's threatening a descent upon that
kingdom, \iHbich he confided in the sfHiit, loyalty, and
aeal of his fakhfiil people of Ireland to repel : now for
the fii^ time he took tender notice of the disturbance^
of Armagh* *^Jha:re however to lament, that in one

" ft woqH be ndiccdoni in ne to make 70a a vaio dkpkf, and
an kUe pageantry of mj loyaltyt wUcb no man has ercar presamed
to doubt or deny. Brougbt up in the araij almost from my in-
fancy, and now a general officer in the King's senrice, I must be
loyal from duty> interest, aflection> habit, and feeling ; it would
be too kte lor me to d^wrt that cause, for which I have ftc^ght;,
and for which I am r«a4y to die.

" I love and revere our glorious constitution f I have studied
and endeavoured to comprehend its principles, and have yet to
learn, that they tend to exclusion or intolerance. Sure I am, that
the representation ofaU freehold property is the basis, upon whidi
it is erected f and that every departure from this its vital principle,
is a violation of that ocmstitutioii, which will be most aj^uded
by those, who understand it best. To unite all sects in one com-
mon comprehension, to consolidate the nation^ in order to give
security to the people, strength to the empire, and dignity to the
crown, has ever been the first object of my political life. Tbese
were my sentiments open and avowed long before I had the honor
of lepfesenting you in parliament. Your own esperieoce hm
proved, that they were not founded in error i you must have uni-
formly observed, that the prosperity of the country has increased
in direct proportion with the relaxation of the penal code ; and
you must be convinced, that the circumstances of tbe times, and
the situation of surrounding £urope, imperiously require the
union of all the inhabitants of this bland/'

• ly Jour. Com« p. 9.

Adtnhustration of Earl Camden. 385

part of the country good order has not yet been en- USfi*
tirely restored ; and that in other districts a treasonable
system of secret confederation, by the administering of
illegal oaths, still continues, although no means withki
the reach of government have been left untried to coun-
teract it/* •Mr. Grattan objected to the speech. It con-
tained no reconciling matter. After a brilliant speech,
he moved the following amendment: " To represent
to his Majesty, that the most effectual method for
strengthening the country and promoting unanimity
was to take such measures, and to enact such laws, as
to ensure to all his Majesty's subjects the blessings
and privileges of the constitution^ without any distinc-
tion of religion.*' The amendment was only sup-
ported by 12 against 149. When the house was in a
committee for suspending the Habeas Corpus Act,
Mr. George Ponsonby observed, that. were he to stand
alone, he should exert his utmost powers to resist
the measure. After a long and hitemperate debate, 7
only voted with Mr. Ponsonby, and 137 with the
minister.

The preparations of the French for a descent upon French in-

vuioo*

Ireland had been spokj^n of throughout Great Britain
and Ireland during the whole of the autumn, wfth a
familiarity^ that bred discredit in the people and neglect
in the government. The armament consisted of
twenty-five ships of the line, including the seven that
composed the squadron of Admiral Richery, who was
to join it with all speed, fifteen stout frigates, besides

* 17 Pari. Deb. p. 3.
VOL. II. 2 C

886 The Reign of George III

J 796. sloops and transports for an army of 25,000 men, to
be commanded by General Hoche, an officer of dis-
tinguished ability. On going out of Brest, on the
18th of December, some of the largest ships struck
upon the rocks at the mouth of the harbour, some were
lost, and others rendered unfit for service. The day
after its departure, a violent storm arose, which dis-
persed the fleet, and damaged many more of the ships.
This tempestuous weather lasted during the whole
time of the expedition. On the 24th, Admiral Bouvet,
commander in chief of the French fleet, anchored with
seven ships of the line, and ten others, in Bantry Bay.
In order to reconnoitre the country, a boat was dis-
patched towards shore ; but it was immediately cap-
tured, and multitudes appeared on the beach in readi-
ness to oppose a landing. After lying some days in
this bay, the stoKminess of the weather increased, and
deceiving no intelligence of General Hoche and his
staflF, who were in a frigate, that parted from the fleet
in the gale of wind, the Frwich admiral determined
to quit his position, and return to France. The land-
> officers insisted on landing the troops ; but, as Ge-
neral Hoche was absent, he refused to comply with
their representations, and set sail for Brest, where he
arrived on the last day of December. The other di-
visions of his fleet-had also the good fortune to reach
that harbour, with the loss upon the whole of five
ships, two of the line, and three frigates. Ireland,
notwithstanding the superiority of the British fleet, was
sixteen days at the mercy of the enemy, and saved from
attack only by the elements. For it is shamefully

Administration of Earl Camden. '38f7

notorious, that no preparation was made by land or 179S-
isea to resist the invasion, on behalf of either the British
or Irish cabinet. The people were loyal, because left
to themselves. Nothing could exceed. the consterna^
tion, which the report of the arrival of the French fleet
off Bantry Bay created in the capital, except the loyalty
and zeal of all ranks of people to go out and meet the
enemy. The improvidence of government in not pre-
paring against the expected attempt of the enemy waft
Vehemently, though ineflfectually, urged by the op-
position in the house of commons* The peasantry
vied with each other in clearing the roads; and ad-
minis^tering to the troops whatever comforts their
scanty mejins and bountiful hearts enabled them;

The fortuitous failure of thfe French invasion fur- R^^portof

the Prince

nished a strong test of the loyal disposition of the Irish of Waici*

^ . going over

people 5 and gave rise to reports, that measures of con- \^^VJi\ '**
ciliation towards Ireland had been resolved on by the
British cabinet. Catholic emancipation and temperate
reform were once more Confidentially spoken of: and
Lord CamdeHj whose administration was pledged to
resist those two questions, it was generally expected
would immediately resign. These flattering prospects
were encouniged by a further report^ that the Prince
of Wales had oflFered his services to the King to go to
Ireland in quality of lord lieutenant^, and to exert all
his popularity with that nation, in restoring it to trails

* This matter was afterwards brought on, and very waftnly
debated in both houses of the British parliament : but with the
like failure. An. ample report of their proceodings may be leen
k Historical Rei4ev7« vol. IL p. /^gg, &c.

2 e 2

li eland.

390 . The Reign of George III.

J?97. he had fancied himself in one of the circles in Ger-
many, where diflPerent parties bid for the people. Ha
assured the house, that were the French to com6
again, such measures had been concerted with Great
Britain, that a large body of troops would in a few
hours be in Ireland. That it was absurd to suppose,
. the British minister would not be interested for the
safety of Ireland. Mr« Grattan replied to Mr. Pelham,
ifrith great animation. *^ The English servant of the
English minister said, Wh^i^! would you have me
bid for the people ? He would say to that English
deputy of that English minister, if he would not bid
for the people, he might go about his business. If
he would not bid for the people, the monster of demc-
' cracy, which had conquered Spain, Holland, Ger-
many, and Italy, by bidding for the people^ would
bid for the people of Ireland. The bidding of the
minister would then come too late. He had asked,
^ho could be more interested for the safety of Ireland,
than tiie British minister ? He would answer, Ireland
herself."
^ , On the Qi$i of March Earl Moira introduced his

^Ih^n'i promised motion into the British house of peers, by a
«he Bruish yery instructive and eloquent speech : it became the
ISnd'''''' more interesting, as that noble lord was known re-
cently to have come from Irelancl, so that his judg-
ment could not be misled from seeing the real state of
that kingdom, nor his candor and loyalty be suspect-
ed of misrepresenting it. After adverting fq the de-
licacy of agitating questions, in which independent
legislature's, and their respective rights and privilege's

jidminhiraiion of Earl Camden. S91

were involved, he observed, that if it appeared, that 1797*
the counsellors, more immediately about his Majesty's
person had not given that advice, which was calcu-
lated to insure the happiness and prosperity of Ireland,
it was the duty of their lordships to approach the throne
with advice more wise and salutary. But it might be
said^ what influence could such an address carry with
it, to change the councils, by which Ireland was go*
vemed ? To prove the influence of the British ca-
binet, he appealed to a recent fact; he meant the
recal of Earl Fitzwilliam, at a time when all Ireland
concurred in the measures, which he pursued, when
that country gave the fairest prospect of tranquillity,
and the surest pledge of assistance and support to
Britain, in the arduous circumstances in which she was
placed* It was by temper, equity, and good faith,
that the distractions of the Irish were to be appeased,
and their affections conciliated. No good could l^e
expected from a prosecution of the present syst^ iti*
He was confident, however, that the adqption of mea-
sures, calculated to impress the people with confidence
in government, would quickly call forth that fond '
affectiop of the inhabitants of Ireland to this country,
which circumstances might cloud but could not extin-
giiish ; inspire that zeal so necessary in the present
moment ; and furnish those resources, which Were re-
quisite for the critical situation, in which the empire
was placed, and the arduous contest in which it was
engaged. On these grounds he rested his motion,
** That an humble address be presented to his Majesty,
praying, that he would be graciously plei^sed (o int^jr^

2c 4

892 The Reign of George IIL

^797 • pose his paternal and beneficent interfer^ce to allay
the discontents, which at present subsist in his king'
dom of Ireland^ and which threaten the dearest in-
terests of the British empire." Lord Grenville and
the rest of the ministers vehemently opposed the mo-
tion. After a very interesting debate, the motion was
rejected by 72 against 20.
Mr. Fox'B Two days after this discussion in the house of peers,

notion •'*--, •«• r

the Bridsh the subject was mtroduced into the house of commons

Conunoot*

by Mr. Fox, in a speech, which eminently displayed
his liberality and constitutional infoimation. He
moved, ** That an humble address be presented to
his Majesty, that his Majesty will be graciously pleased
to take into his royal consideration, the disturbed state
of his kingdom of Ireland, and to adopt such healing
and lenient measures, as may appear to his Majesty's
wisdom best calculated to restore tranquillity, and to
conciliate the affections of all descriptions of his Ma-
jesty's subjects, in that kingdom, to his Majesty's per-
son and government." The motion was seconded by
Sir Francis Burdett ; and strongly opposed by Mr.
Pitt and his party. It was negatived upon a
division of 220 against 84. The proceedings in the
British parliament relative to the state of Ireland gave
such offence to Dr. Duigenan, that on the SOth of
March he gave notice, that after the recess, he should
bring forward a motion tending to refute the lying and
malicious assertions made by Mr. Fox in the parlia-
ment of Great Britain.
MettaM Some days after, Mr. Secretary Pelham presented

^eUenciT ^ wcssage fiom his excellency, intimating the impos-

jidminisiralion of Earl Camden» S90

sibilky of raising the sum of 3,395,697 /• granted to ^797^
his Majesty upon the terms mentioned in the resolu*
tion of that house on the 1st of March *^ and recom-
mending such measures, as should be most prudent to
carry the intention of that salutary resolution into
effectf. He also made to the house some days after a
more important communication, ^' that two committees
of United Irishmen in Belfiast, had been arrested, and
their papers seized; which contained matter of so
much importance to the public welfare, that his excel-
lency had directed them to be laid before the Jiouse of
commons, for their consideration. That he should
in the mean time pursue those measures, which had
received their sanction and approbation, with unre-
mitting vigour, and employ the force entrusted to him
m the most efficient manner for the protection of his
Majesty's fiuchful subjects against all treasonable de*
signs, and for bringing to condign punishment those,
who were endeavouring to overturn the constitution,
and betray that country into the hands of her ene-
mies.*' Upon which Mr. Pelhaih proposed to refer
them to a committee of secrecy. Mr. Grattan would
never agree to commit the people of Ireland to the
mercy of a secret committee, which would put their
lives and fortunes into the hands of ministers, whose
misconduct was the subject of general complsdnt in both
countries, and whose measures, whether parliamentary
or military, tended equally to increase the calamities of

* \7 Pari. Debates, p. 406.
t Ibid. p. 477.

594 Tlue Reign of George III.

> 797- the people. Mr. Pelham's motion for a secret committee
was carried : the committee was ordered to consist of
15*. An adjournment of some weeks took place to
accommodate 4hose members, (many they were) whose
professicmal duties called them on the circuits. Ar-
magh, which had been for years the centre of religi-
ous acrimony, had by the progress of the union lost
a ^reat part of its ferocity.
Genena . So little then was that bond of union considered

sense of the

VQion. treasonable, that at the Armagh assizes, when the.
spirit and tendency of it were brought before the
court on the trial of Hanlon and Nogker^ who were
charged with having tendered an unlawful oath or
engagement to become one of an unlawful, wicked,
and seditious society, called United Irishmen, the pri-
soners were acquitted : the counsel not only defended,
but commended the institution. The judge thought
the obligation illegal under the late act of parlia-
mentf. The failure of these two government prose-

* The method of appoiniing the committee was, for each roem-
l>er to give in his list of 15. The persons appointed were Mr.
Pelham, Mr. D. La Touche, Mr. Ogle, Mr. J, C. Beresford, Mr.
J. Stewart, Mr. J. Foster, Mr. Commissioner Beresford, Lord
Castlereagh, Mr. Solicitor Genet al, Mr. Prime Serjeant, Mr.
AUorncy General, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Alexander, Mr. D. Browncj
Lord Boyle

t O^ 28 United Irishmen, then in jail, two trials only were
brought forward. In one of ihem, a soldier, suborned to prosecute
Dogherty, was, upon his acquittal, put into the dock in bis place,
to abide his trial for jjerjury. The grand jury found a bill against
him, and he remained in custody to take bis tiial. Mr. Curran
said, in defence of the United Iribhmcn j That he was delighted

^dministraiion of Earl Camden^ S95

cudons, and their backwardness in bringing any more 1797-
to trial, afforded a triumph to the popular party, either
in the rectitude or strength of their cause.
When Mr. Pelham communicated the report csf the Th'« repoit

^ ofthesecrei

secret conmiittee to the house, on the 10th of M^y, oomnut^w-
which was ordered to be printed, he observed, that
what then transpired must convince every man,
that 4t was not legisiatioi^, which should be resorted to»
to repress this daring and dark conspiracy, but
those strong measures, which the executive govern-
ment had already adopted, with the approbation of
that house. The committee 'observed, * that the
United Irishmen made a pretext of reform and eman-
cipation, to cover a design to subvert instead of amend-
ing the constitution, to confiscate property and extini>
guish the possessors of it ; and this they inferred from
the circumstance of those two objects not having been
mentioned in their papers as the end of their insdtu-
don. In corroboradon of which opinion, they tran-
scribed a paper called the Donaghadee Resoludons
in which it was emphadcally stated '^ to have been
the opmion of the best statesmen, philosophers, and
divines, that all power originates with the people;

to find, after lo many of them had been immured in dangcoor,
witboot frial, that at length the subject had come fairly before the
worlds aud instead of its being a system of organised treason and
marder, it proved to be a great bond of national union, founded
npon the most acknowledged principles of law, and every sacred
obligation due to our country and Creator.

* 1^ Pari. Deb. p. 522* Such a report was to be expected
fiom the persoDSjt who oompoaed that committee.

fcfom*

896 The Reign of George IIL

^797*' that when tyrants usurp power, or governors legiti-
mately constituted degenerate into tyrants, it becomes
the right and the duty of the people to take up arms
to wrest that power from the hands, which abuse it,
and restore it to those, to whom it of right belongs."
Mr. w. B. Mr. W. B. Ponsonby was urgently pressed by go*
rcfoiatioiu vemment not to bring forward the question of parlia-

forparlia- . ^ r x r

tnentaiy meutary reform, m the moment of so alamung a ter*
ment of the public mind. He deemed it indispensably
necessary then, above all times, to agitate and adopt
that measure as the only efficient means of ensuring
the restoration of peace, confidence, and proqierity to
the country. The galleries had overflowed at an early
hour, and the speaker took the chair precisely at four
o'clock, when Lord Castlereagh pre-occupied the at-
tention of the house by moving, that the address of the
lords on the subject of the treasonable papers should
be then taken into consideration. He proposed an ad*
dress to the dirone, in which the house was to thank his
Majesty for the measures, which had been already
taken for restoring the due observation of the laws,
and recommended the adoption of the most severe
measures for the complete suppression of those dan-
gerous disorders. Mr. Smith moved (though respect-
fully) an amendment, that his Majesty would use
conciliatory measures to remove every pretext of dis-
content from the well-disposed, as well as measures of
coercion for the prevention and punishment of con-
spiracy and treason ; urging the necessity of correct-
ing abuses, as well as adopting strong laws to repress
disaflfection. Mr. W. B. Pontonby was resolved to

Admiriistrcition of Earl Camden. 397

avoid the hackneyed pba of no specific.plan of reform *?97.
being proposed, when he brought forward the question
of parliamentary reform. He first read, then moved
the following resolutions :

^^ 1 . That it is indispensably necessary to a funda-
" mental reform of the representation, that all dis-
••abilities, on account of religion, be for ever abolish-
•' ed ; and that catholics shall be admitted into the
'' legislature, and ail the great offices of state, in the
'* same extent, &c. as protestants now are.

•* 2. That it is the indispensable right of the people
•' of Ireland to be fully and fairly represented iii par-
•' liament.

• " S. That in order that the people may be fully
'* enabled to exercise that right, the privilege of re-
'^ turning members for cities, boroughs, &c. in the
** present form shall cease; that each county be divided
^' into districts, consisting of 6000 houses each, each
*' district to return two members to parliament.

•' 4. That all persons possessing freehold property
^' to the amount of 40s. per annum; all possessed of

" leasehold interests,- of the annual value of ;

** all possessed of a house, of the value of ; all

" who have resided for a certain number of years in
^' any great city or town, following a trade ; and all
*• who shall be free of any city, &c. by birth, mar- - ,
*' riage, or servitude, shall vote for members of par-
" liament.

*• 5. That seats in parliament shall endure for

" number of years."

Mr. Pdlham thought the question ought not to be

The Reign of George IlL

agitatect, whil^st a part of the country was in a state of
rebellion ; he therefore moved ap adjournment, which
at five o'clock in the morning was carried by 170

against SO who were for reform *» »

* In this debate Mr. Grattan spoke in a more impressive roannet
tlian usual. Taking up the language of the repori,which referred
to the alarm of government at ihe number of proselytes procured
by the two popular subjects — parliamentary reform, and Catholic
emancipation, he said, " It appears then, that they have recruit-
ed by these topics, add have spread their influence, notwithstand-
ing your system of coercion every- where } that notwithstanding
your convention bill of 1 793« this convention has grown j that oot'^'
^ withstanding your gunpowder act, it has armed and increased its
military storfes undtr that act j that notwithstanding your insur-
r^ction act, and another bill to disarm, it has greatly added to its
magazines ; and that notwithstanding the suspension of the habeas
corpus bill, and General Lake*8 proclamation, it has multiplied
its proselytes. I should have asked, had I been on the secret
committee, whether the number of united Irishmen bad not in*
creased very much since General Lake** proclamation, and by
General Lake's proclamation. It appears, I say, from tliat re-
port, that just as your system of coercion advanced, the United
Irishmen advanced; that the measures you took to coerce,-
strengthened; to disperse, collected 5 to disarm, armed ; to rendet
them weak and odious, made them popular and powerful : where^
as» on the other hand, you have loaded parliament and govern-
ment with the odium of an oppressive system, and with ihe further
odium of rejecting these two popular topics, which you allow arc
the moat likely to gain the heart of the nation; and be the beloved
objects of the people *' Mr. Grattan closed his speech and th6
debate with these words : " We have offered you our measure \
you will reject it : we deprecate your*s j you will persevere : haying
qd hopes left to persuade or dissuade, and having discharged our
duty, we shall trouble you no more, and after this day shail no(
attend th$ Hiome rfCmmonsr 17 Pari. Deb. p. 57%). ^

Administration of Earl Camden. 899

The extreme rigour of military government was en- ^^^
forced by General Lake in the northern district, in the Ocn.ukc's
execution of which barbarous outrages wer^ com- Uon.
mitted by the military, which tended to exasperate
the minds of the people, already too highly inflamed.
Not only some women and children were murdered,
but the houses of several respectable persons were pil-
.luged and demolished, upon the bare suspicion of their
being United Irishnien,- Great discontent was created
by a proclamation of General Lake*, made in conse-
quence of a letter written to him by Mr. Pelham. It
was greatly enflamed by the following circumstance. ^ ^
The newspaper called the Morning Star, published at
Belfast, was the only paper into which the publications
ill favor of liberty could find their way. The pro-
prietors of it had been committed to Newgate under
the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act. The per-
son, who then conducted the paper having been re-
quired, refused to insert a paragraph in it, which nj-
flected on the loyalty of the people rtf Belfast : the
next morning a detachment of the military iffued very
orderly from the barracks, attacked the printing office,
and utterly demolished every part of it f. Other out-
rages were conunitted by the military on the inhabit-

* Both this letter and tlie proclamation may be seen in the Ap-
pe«di«. No. CIV.

t It IS credibly reported, that after the destruction of the Morn-
ing Star Printing Office, the comnaanding-oflicer, under whose
eye this outrage was committed, exclaimed in triumph, "We
may now do as we please^ for as the Star is demolished^ no other
p«ptr dara to publish any act we may do."

lion in Ul-
ster.

400 The Reign of George III

^797 • ants of Belfast: the house of Cunningham Gregg,
Esq. was destroyed with impunity^ and without any
pretext or provocation. The harshness of this military
despotism drove many to desperation, who had till
then been loyally and peaceably disposed.
ofRlb™!"* The report of the secret committee was soon after
followed by a proclamation, offering pardon, with cer-
tain exceptions, to all guilty persons who should sur-
render within the period of a month, and give security
for their future good behaviour. The effect of this
measure was" immediatelv felt ; th^ arms of the dis-
affected were collected in great numbers ; the loyal
were encouraged to declare themselves ; such as had
been misled, came in crowds to take the benefit of the
proclamation of pardon, which was now extended for
another month ; outrage ceased, and public confid-
ence was so far restored throughout Ulster in the
course of the months of July and August, that the
laws were administered wiili effect in the different
counties during the summer circuit : the manufac-
turing industry of the country was restored to its usual
vigor during the remainder of the year : and dur-
ing and subsequent to the summer assizes, the
civil authority was found fully adequate to the
preservation of the public peace, and all military
interference was generally discontinued from that
period. Henceforward also the inferior societies of
United Irishmen, in general, discontinued their meet-
ings J the people applied themselves to their ordinary
occupations ; and though some of the higher commit-
tees were kept alive by some of the more active leaders.

Administration of Earl Camden. ^1

were apprehensive, that the enemy might be discou- ^jWj
raged from any further plan of invasion, by the loyal
disposition manifested throughout Munster and Con*
naught on their former attempt, yet they persisted in
sending emissaries into the south and west, where their
success in forming new societies and administering the
oath$ of the union, was very visible in the course of
some few months. Here they revived the old grievance
of tithes, and stimulated the senseless rabble* to resort
to the ancient practice of burning com, and houghing
cattle.

With a view to excite the resentment of the general Meansor
population of Leinster, Munster^ and Connaught^ re- jtbe^^k.
ports of general massacres were circulated amongst
the catholic peasantry. This fabrication, however
extravagant, was among the means, by which the
leaders of the rebellion endeavoured to prepare the
people by disaffection to unite with the enemy in case
of a future landing, and to dispose the enemy to take
advantage of the discontents of the people, whilst they
were in actual fermentation. None of these deluded
peopleknewthe game, which their leaders were playing.
The design of separation and independence was sdll
caudously suppressed from the low members of the
union.

In the summer of 1 797, Mr. Lewins acted as the l^cgociaiiDn
accredited minister of the Irish Union to negociate with French

DUectorjr*

the French Directory, and the court of Spain, for men,
arms, and money. Yet was the executive of the union
decidedly against a greater force being sent to Ireland,
than might enable them to subvert the government
roi» XI. 2 p

*0« The Reign of George IIL

^j^ and retain the power of the country in their own
hands. The French on the other hand shewed a de-
cided disinclination at all times to send any force to
Ireland, except such as from its magnitude might not
only give them hopes of subduing ^ the kingdom,
but of retaining it as a French conquest. It is a
remarkable circumstance, that the memoir to the
French Directory, with which Dr, M'Neven was
charged, should have fidlen into the haiids of govern-
ment. It proves their vigilance, or the perfidy of the
Irish traitors, or of their French allies^ Messrs.
O'Connor, Emmett, and M'Neven tell us m the me-
moir (p. 21.) (they were nearly petrified at their first
examination to see it lie on the table before them),
that government had some hotv or other obtained their
original memoir, to which they therefore refer, per-
haps with more accuracy under that circumstance,
than they might otherwise have done *. It sets forth
with tolerable correctness the state of the country.
It is lamentable to find, that the strongest incentive
to instant invasion, was the assurance given to the
enemy of the tyranny and oppression of the Irish
government. The demands of the party by their first
agent went to a force not exceeding ten thousand, nor
less than five thousand, with forty thousand stand of
arms, and a proportionate supply of artillery, ammu-
nition, engineers, experienced officers, &c. But a
larger supply of arms was solicited by a second mes-

* For the foil substance of that important doconaent, loe Hiit.
RcT. Tol. II. p. 63a

Administration of J&arl Camden* 40S

Senger, on account of the growing number of their V97
adherents, and of the disarming of the north. Above
ten thousand stand of arms and as many pikes had
been then surrendered to the King's troops, in Ulsten
AsecondmemoirwaspresentedtotheFrenchDirectory*,
urging them not to postpone the invasion, and assuring
them, that so favorable a disposition, as then existed in
the Irish mind^ was in no future contingency to be ex-
pected. A confidential person was sent over by the
French Directory to collect information respecting the
state of Ireland, who was met in London by Lord
Edward Fitzgerald. In consequence of their com*
munications, the Directory ordered great preparations
both on the Texel and at Brest, for the invasion of
Ireland ; and in the beginning of October, the ap*
proach of the enemy was announced to the societies
as at hand. The troops were actually on board, com-
manded by General Daendells, but were suddenly
disembarked. The Dutch fleet, contrary to the opi*
nion of their own admiral, was, at the mandate of the
French government, obliged to put to sea, which led
to the memorable victory off Camperdowne, gained
by Lord Duncan.

* The negociation for peace was then going on a( Lisle. It was^
candidly told to this agents that the Directory did not think the Eng-
lish cabinet sincere^ but that if France could get the terms she
had a right to expect, the Directory would make peace. After the
ruptare of the negociation^ and Lord Malmesbuiy*S return to
England, assurances were given, that the French gove/nment
would send a new expedition to Ii eland, and that they would
never abandon her, till she was separated from Great Brltaim:
and these assur^cei w^e afterwards renewed.

2d2

404 The Reign of George ItL

^Wj It was reported by the secret committee, that in the
STcS^f ^P"°8 ^^^ summer of 1797, the mass of the people
the onion, in the provinces of Leinster, Munster and Con-
naught was not infected with the union : and that in the
north tranquillity was fast returning. The United
Irishmen of the north were chiefly presbyterians and
bther protestants : there were comparatively few ca-
tholics amongst them. With so much circumspection
were matters managed by the artful northerns, that the
heaviest consequences of the union were thrown upon
other parts of the kingdom. The system of coercion,
induced several counties, corporations^ and districts
to apply to the sherifis (most refused) * to convene

* These transactions are strongly represented in the petition of
the Irish Whig Clab to his Majesty, generally ascribed to the pen
of Mr. Grattan^ p. 9« ** That minister^ who determines to enslave
the people^ must renounce his project or wade through their
blood. The people accordingly in the spring of 1797 reported
to the constitutional ways of petition, and applied to the different
sheriffs to summon their counties, and on refusal by the shenils«
(a dangerous courtly artifice to stop the prayers of the people from
reaching the throne) they summoned themselves. What was the
consequence? The petitioners were (we beg to represent to
his Majesty) confounded with rebels, and the enemiea of bis
ministers were represented as the eneooies of hb person j the
petitioners were answered by fresh troop from England and Scot«
land ; in some instances the meetings were dispersed by the army,
and in others were deterred by the threat of military force ; and
thus did his Majesty's ministers ratify the justice of the petitions
against them, by adding this great and impeachable offence to all
their other transgressions ; and thus did his Majesty's ministers
reduce Ireland to the state of a miserable proviitce, whose minitiers
- had stopped totally and ahsolutehf the utterance of the people in
parUament hy corruption, in the noliun by a conventum hill, mid
bl the cumHes Ij ihe army:*

MminUtratim of Earl Camderu 405

meetings, in order to prepare addresses to the throne J^£^
for the removal of his Majesty's ministers. These
efforts of the people at large were no measures of the
leaders of the union. They always considered the
ministers as promoters of their views, by creating dis-
tiffection and discontent amongst the people : they
exerted themselves in forwarding the resistance to the
petitions of the people, and triumphed in thdr failure
and rejection. The business of the uiuon did not
proceed during the remainder of the year 1797 with
the same rapidity^ that it had from the middle of the
year 1796. For,* as the committee reported, the '
steps then taken, as mentioned in the proclamation,
had an almost immediate effect iii repressing the auda-
city of the rebels and restoring tranquillity. The
loyal inhabitants were enabled in many places to return
in safety to their houses; murders became less fire*
quent ; in many counties, particularly in Kildare and
Tipperary, the people, sensible of the madness and
wickedness of their conduct, began openly to acknaw*
ledge their crimes, surrender their arms, and point
oqt their leaders and seducers ; a submission, \?hich
invariably obtained for them pardon and protection.

After various adjournments, during which no busi- Prorogttioii

and dissolu*

ness of moment was transacted, on the Sd of July, tjon of pu*
1797, the parliament was prorogued t, and dissolved
by proclamation on the 11th of July. I'he result of

• 17 Jour. Com. Appendix DCCCXXXIII.

* His exoellency's speech is to be seen in Historical R«view>
ToL II. p. €86.

2o3

406 Tht Reign of George IIL

ITgy* the summer circuits was unsatis&ctory both to goyext^
meat and the people. An unusual number of of-
fenders at most of the assizes was found guilty : but
in the northern counties, where many had been con-
fined for the greater part of the year upon the charge
of being United Irishmen, they were mostly acquitted*
when brought to trial. At Antrim, after several of
them had beea put on their trial and acquitted, Mr^
Mark Beresford produced a warrant filled with the
names of all the prisoners and several other obnoxious
persons charged with high treason, by virtue of which
the commission of gaol delivery was superseded, and
those unfortunate wretches, who with a fond hope had
looked up to their day of trial, as that of their deli<r
very, were remanded back to goat without any trial,
and thence removed to a military prison in Belfast^
The acerbity of this measure created much irritation,
and its illegality was declared by the King's Bench in
the next Michaelmas term *, Towards the close of
the year 1797, the union rather abated. One un-
equivocal symptom of it's decline was the renova-
tion of dissention between the dissenters and the
catholics in the north. Sir Richard Musgravef re-*
ports, that most of the presbyterians separated from
the papists in the year 1 797 ; some from ** principle,

• In B. R. 20th Nov, \707» For the proceedings in the case of
Thomas Hubod> and eleven other prisoners, who had been brought
tip by Habeas Corpus from the Artillery Barracks at Belfast, to have
the legality of their detention by Gveneral Lake and Colonel Parber
examined by the court, vide Historical Review, vol. II. p. 639,

f Memoir, p. 194*

Administration of Earl Camden. ^ 40?

some because they doubted the sincerity of persons in ^^
that order : and others foreseeing, that the plot must
fail and end in their destruction, took advantage of the
proclamation of the 17th of May, and renounced
their associates. Numbers withdrew because they
dbubted'of success without foreign assistance. The
presbyterians of the counties of Down and Antrim,
. where they are very numerous, and where they are
warmly attached to the union from pure republican
principles, thought they could succeed without the
papists.*' Certain it is, that the northern unionists
generally held back from this time : the protestants of
Ulster were originally Scotch, and still retained much
of that guarded policy, which so peculiarly charac-
terizes the inhabitants of North Britain. From the
autumn of 1797 the catholics first in the north and
afterwards successively throughout the kingdom pub-
lished * addresses and resolutions expressive of their
horror of the principles of the United Irishmen,
and pledging their loyalty and zeal in defence and
support of the king and constitution. The northern
addresses admitted the fact, and lamented, that
many of the catholic body had been seduced into the
union, and th^y deprecated the attempts, which were
made to create dissention amongst persons of different
religions. This example was followed by the generality
of the dissenters. If addresses were tests of loyalty,
his Majesty had not more loyal subjects throughout

^ Some of tbeae are to be weo in Iho Appendix to Historical
Review, N0.CVII.

3 D 4

plMf»

40s TTie Reign of George III.

^797* ' the British empire, than the Irish at the close of 1797.
Scarcely a parish throughout the kingdom, scarcely
a dissenting meeting-house, from i;(rhich an address of
loyalty was not issued signed by the priest or miiuster
of the flock.
^f ^ So critically alarming for som^ time had the dtua-

M>tion in tion of Ireland appeared to that inflexible patriot. Earl

•lie British

tot Moira, that on the 22d of November, 1797, he re-
newed his application to the British house of lords,
hoping to interest them in &vor of the Irish people> and
induce them to recommend measures of lenity and con-
ciliation. He opened a very interesting, instructive, and
eloquent speech, by taking a general view of the situa-
tion of the British empire, and lamented, that the pro-
spective view of his country, which he had given in the
last session, had been more than realized. His lord-
ship*^ was ready to excuse Lord Camden, who acted
by an overbearing impulse of others, who were driving
like country to ruin. He would retail, but mention

^ The testimony, which the noble earl here gave o^ the peN
fldnal feelings and sentiments of the lord-lieotenant, are oonfiraied
by the general report and belief, that his excellency had for some
time been disgusted with the imperious overbeariogy and relent-
less ferocity of the majority of the Irish cabinet : that having in
vain attempted to assuage their rage for severity, he bad so secretly
SM^ociated his recaU that the actual appointment of his successor
was the first suspicion those gentlemen had of a change. The
British minister, though late, found the necessity of a firmer go-
vernor, who should neither be seduced nor intimidated into the
ssnguinary system of provocation, which had brought the country
fo that dire calamity, under which it ihea laboured. 4 Burl*

Xeg*pw3aa,

jidmimstration of Earl Camdm. 409

SO names. His lordship made a most moving narrative ^^j
of acts of atrocity and oppression, adding that, from
prudential motives he wished to draw a veil over more
aggravated facts, which he could have stated, and
which he was prepared to attest before the privy coun^
cil, or at their lordships' bar. These facts were well
known in Ireland, but they could not be made publit
through the channel of the newspapers, for fear of
that summary mode of punishment, which had been
practised towards the Northern Star, when a party of
troops in open day, (and in a town where the general's
head^qUarters were)^ went and destroyed all the offices
and property belonging to that paper. It was thus
authenticated accounts were suppressed. His lord-
ship concluded, with entreating the house to take into
serious consideration their present measures, whicb^
instead of removing discontents, had increased the
number of the discontented. The moment of con-
ciliation was not yet passed ; but if the system were
not changed, he was convinced Ireland would not
remain connected with this country five years longer.
Lord Grenville insisted, that his Majesty's government
was so hr from wishing to keep up a system of coer-
cion, that he confidently appealed to the house, whe-
ther it had ever abandoned measures of concession or
conciliation.^ No public man, placed in so critical
a situation as Lord Camden, had ever displayed more
exemplary moderation in the discharge of a painful
duty. If severe measures had been adopted, the cir-
cumstances of the country had required it ; and if any
partial abuses existed^ they had only to lament them.
The question was^ would their lordships interpose on

410 The Reign of George 111.

^797 • the present occasigh, and tell the parliament of Ire*
land, and the Irish magistracy, that we were more
careful of the interest and happiness of their people,
, than they themselves were ; and that the English
military were not to obey the Irish laws, but arbitrary
instructions of the British parliament ? Earl Moira
replied, that no sentiment had fallen from him to that
effect. He had not reprobated the troops in Ireland
for obeying the law, but the conduct of the executive
government, which was repugnant to the feelings of
the Irish people, inconsistent with the British charac-
ter, and highly injurious to the real interests of both
countries. The chancellor justified all acts of rigor,
by the existence of an horrid conspiracy in Ireland,
and by the printed list* of the individuals marked foe

* As this proscribed list was never acted apon» and the indt-
vidnals named in it never found it necessary to rissort to any ex«
traordinary caution, or means of self-preservation } ai aecrecy was
the baneful principle of the uniouj and ^ such a publication
would have defeated the horrid project^ had it ever been really
formed, much creilit must be given to Lord Moira*s reply to the
chancellor on this point. As to the paper, to which the noble and
learned lord, and the noble secretary had alluded, concerning
the names of persons marked out for future assassinalion, he
confessed, he suspected it to be an invention to justify or to
support the measures, which had been adopted in Ireland, and of
which he had already complained* He suspected this the more,
because no printer of a newspaper could have had it from any
authentic source : for no man-concerned in a conspiracy fo^ assas-
sination would communicate the intention of himself and col«
leagues. He wished to speak of assassins as he felti- with the.
greatest indignation and abhorrence ^ but he must also add, that
he believed, that they originated in Ireland from private malice and
revenge, and woi^d do so #om any party, which happened to be nre-

Administration of Earl Camden. 41 1

assassbadon^ which he held in his hand. The debate ^J^^
was put an end to by a motion for adjournment.

That the public had lost or rwounced all con» j^^ii^'jJJ"
fidence in parliament, is evidient from the apathy and iwii»«w«*
coolness, with which the elections went over in the au<»
tumn* The people felt no interest in the return of parti*
cular members, having been so repeatedly foiled in all-
their efforts to obtain the two objects pf their wishes,
parliamentary refonn> &nd catholic emancipation. Mr^
Grattan encreased and confirmed this apathy of the-
people, by declinii\g to accept a seat in the new parlia-^
meat Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who had hitherto
artfully concealed his traitorous designs, and by his
an)iable manners and conduct had fascinated most of
his acquaintance into unqualified confidence, publicly
alleged his reasons* for declining to offer himself to
the consideration of the citizens of Dublin> as it once
had been his design. By adopting the sendments of
Mr. Grattan, he sought to disgvuse his treason under
the shield of the sublimest virtue and patriotisoi*

dominant, while the present dreadful system conttDoed. It was Dot
hy a general system of terror, that assassination was to be defeated.

• In the Appendix to Historical Review, No. CVIII. may
be seen Mr. Grattan*s speech to a meeting of freemen and free-
holders of the city of Dublin, assembled at the Exchange on the
20th of July, 1797. And also Lord Edward Fitzgerald*s addiesf
to the citizens of Dublin. About this time Dr. Duigenan pub-
lished a scurrilous and bitter answer to Mr. Grattan's address to
bis fdlow-citisens of Dublin. Upon its appearance, Mr, Gmttan
wrote the following note to Dr. Duigenan :

'f Mr. Grattan has seen a very gross, a yery unprovoked, and
a very ludicrous performance written against him, and signed
Patrick Duigenan,

412 TAe Reign ^f George lIL

)798- The new parliament met according to proclama*
Nc^TfCHt- tion on the 9th of January^ 1 7P8 : Mr. Foster was re-
mcDtroecci. ^\^^^ speaker : and on the 15th his excellency deli-
vered a speech ftx>m the throne • . The Earl of Bectiye,
in a maiden speech^ disclaimed every idea of vexatious
opposition ; but he could not agree to that part of
the address, which approved of the measures of ad«
ministration. He reprobated the system of coercion ;
diought Ireland was only to be reclaimed by timely
concession^ and strongly recommended cadiolic
emancipation and temperate reform. The chancellor^
with great warmth insisted, that these objections were
but catch-words for revolt and rebellion. What did
the noble lord mean by using the phrase, ** impardng
to the Roman Catholic body the blessings of the con«
sdtution ?" There was not a Roman Catholic in Ire-
land, to whom the benefits of its constitution were not

'Mr. G. donU •xplatn his public conduct to individuals.

'< The statute, book and the journab of the bouae of oomnoona
are open.

" Were he to make his public conduct a subject of explanation,
it wouTd not be to such a person as Dr. D.

" But as the above mentioned attack mixes in its folly much
personal rudeness, Mr. G. judges it not wholly beneath him
to take some sort of notice of it > and he is sorry to be foioed
to obsenrr^ that the author has departed from the manners
and language of a gentleman, and has thought proper to
adopt a strain so fake, so vile, and so disgusting, as to render

Dr. D. a , too ... • and ludicrous to giro an

affironti or to make an apology.

*^ Mr. GratUn remains in Dublin for three days, and is to be
heard of at Kearn's hotel, Kildare-street.*'

* It may be seen. Hist. Rev. vol. II. p. 650.

Adminhlraiion of Earl Camden^ 41 S

extended as amply as to the noble lord, or any other '798.
peer, who heard him. The government of Ireland
hadg by measures neceSsarily strong, at length quieted
that part of the country, in iK^hich the conspiracy ori-
ginated. These measures tvere^ to his knotv ledge j ex*'
iorted/rom the nobleman who governed that country:
they had been successful, and the state of the north
at that day was a proof of their wisdom. The county
(Limerick)! from which he had lately returned, and
which had formerly been a loyal^ industrious county,
was infiested by emissaries from the north, exciting the
peasantry to insurrecdon. Emancipadon and reform
were not the means, which they employed for the
seduction of the peasant. The suppression of tyfhes,
the abolition of taxes^ and exemption from the pay-
ment of rent^ were the rewards they promised. Eman-
dpation and reform were only used to delude the
better classes. The address was carried without a di-
vision. In the conunons Mr. Smith moved, by way of
amendment to the address, a clause to recommend
such' measures, as were likely to conciliate the people,
and unite them against the common enemy. No
serious opposition was attempted after the secession
of the Whig party.

Various causes combined to force the union to an caoM
earlier issue, than was originally intended. Then* fom?r?the
Gallic friends had long neglected them, and gone by ^'^'
c?ery opportunity of succouring them with eHect.
The activity of government had encresteed: the
greatest and most respectable part of the population

414 The Reign of George II L

^7V^ of the kmgdom had in their addresses given Iresh
pledges of their loyalty, and renounced and repro*
bated the now avowed principles of the union. The
leaders, therefore, perceiving their party on the de-
cline, resolved upon a desperate eflfort. In the month
of February a military committee was appointed by
the executive council of the rebels ; detailed instruc-
tions were issued to the adjutant-generals ; and thanks
were voted to the several colonels for their assiduity
in embodying and organizing the people. In the
mean time, the Irish executive prepared a dispatch for
the French Directory, pressing, in the most earnest
terms, for the promised succours ; but it was found
impossible to convey it to France. In the months of
February and March, many parts of Leinster and
Munster were in the actual possession of the United
Irishmen, and other parts were secretly under then*
controul. Nocturnal insurrections were frequent
The town of Cahir, in the county of Tipperary, was
invested, in open day, by a party of 800 men; chiefly
cavalry. They searched for arms, and evacuated it
without further molestation* Murders and other
atrocities drove many of the loyal inhabitants of the
counties of Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny,
Carlow, Sjng*s Countyj Queen*s County, Kildare, and
Wicklow, into garrison towns for safety.
Loid Earl Moira, on the I9th of Fd>ruary, submitted a

m^ton for motiou to the Irish house of lords, for conciliatory
concilia- measures. He travelled over the same ground as

iriThPem! ^^ b^^ ^ ^^ ^n^6^ house of peers. The chan-

Administration of Earl Camden. 41 *

cellor, in a speech of four hours, violently opposed ^79^
the motion. With great assurance he asserted,
that the system of government had been a system
of conciliation; that in no place had the experi*
meht be^n so fairly tried as in Ireland ; in none
had it so completely failed. He here passed some
severe and indecent reflections on the respectable
Bishop of Down^ who had promoted a pedrion to his
Majesty in favour of conciliatory measures. Lord
Moira in reply admitted, that a conspiracy did
exist, which he attributed to the severe and un-
coQstitudonal measures of government, particularly
the fatal recal of Earl Eitzwilliam. The modon was
negadved by a large majority. The parliament con-
tinued indeed to sit, and to do business; but so litde
interest did the public take in the debates, that the
galleries were wholly deserted, and scarcely sufficient
members attended to make up the house.

On the 27th of February, a motion of the chancellor ^^^,,^4
of exchequer, for payment of 20,0001. to the college ?fSIIe^tht
of Maynooth, was vehemently opposed by Dr. Duige- SSop^of
nan, who took that opportunity of inveighing with '^«"*^^
great bitterness against the character of Dr. Hussey,
the catholic bishop of Waterford. This prelate had
in the preceding year published a pastoral letter to
his clergy, in which he exhorted them to attend to
the spiritual dudes of the flock committed to their
care. He condemned the pracdce of catholic parents
educating their children in the charter-schools, and
catholic soldiers attending the protestant service at
church. He stated the catholic body to consdtute

416 The Reign of George IIL

^79^* nine*tenths of the nation at large, and ninety*nine in
the hundred in his own. diocese. His spirit of inde-
pendence and freedom of language oflfended the castle»
and alarmed some of the more timid of his brethren*.
aconnor"' Towards the end of February, Mr. O'Donnpl moved
^p^*^ for a committee to enquire into the nature and ten-
ofihqPrets ^ency of a newspaper called The Press, which had
been set up by the United Irishmen, in order to repair
the loss they had sustained by the military demoUdon
of the Northern Star ; its intemperate language bad
subjected it to a prosecution ; the publisher was im*
prisoned, and the paper in danger of being suppressed*
In this crisis Mr. A. O'Connor announced himself
the propiietor and editor. He had lately been elecfed
member of the Irish Directory, in conjunction with
Lord Edward Fitzgerald, Mr. Oliver Bond, Dr.
M'Neven, and counsellor Emmet. Strong suspicions

• Few ecclesiastics ever possessed more extensive knowledge,
profane and ecclesiastical, than Dr. Hossey, He had long en-
joyed the good opinion and peculiar confidence of the British
ministr)', as well as the favor of several foreign courts, particularly
that of Spain. Upon his first entrance into his pastoral function,
his great object was to impress his flock with a dignified sense of
their religion, and to establish a free, unchecked, and open exer-
cise of it, after the legislature had given it toleration. He fre-
quently officiated to the catholics in the militia regiments, wbicli
were* encamped at Lehawnstown: he incurred much displeasure
at the castle from having lodged a strong remonstrance against the
punishments inflicted upon some catholic soldiers for having dis«
obeyed orders, by refusing to attend the protestant aervice, when
their regiments were ordered to church. The pastoral letter is to
be seen in the Appendix to my Hist. Rev. No. CIX. together with
some interestiDg letters of Mr* Edmund Burke to this prelate*

Admnistration of Earl Camden. 4 1 7

fell upon Mr. O'Connor, and also upon his brother* ^79^
Mr. Roger O'Connor was apprehended, and lodged
in Cork gaol, on a charge of high treason, from which
he was liberated at the spring assizes, from a total
want of evidence against him.

In the beginning of the year 17»8, Mr. Arthur Mr.Arthw

^.^ « 1 « . t • • • O'Connor

O Connor came to England-, with an intention, as it arrested,
afterwards appeared, of proceeding to France, in con- acquitted ia
junction with John Binns, a member of the London ^ ^ '
Corresponding Society, lames Coigley, an Irish priest,
and a person of the name of Allen. In the latter end
of February they went to Margate^ intending to hire
a vessel to cbnvey them to France. Some circum^
stances in their conduct exciting suspicion, they wer^
all apprehended, and first committed prisoners to the
tower, afterwards to Maidstone gaol, , There they
were tried by a special commission on the 2l8t and
22d ot May, and all of them acquitted, except Coig-
iey, on whom had been found a treasonable and most
absurd paper, purporting to be an address from '* the
Secret Committee of England to the Executive
Directory of France."/ Coigley was condemned
and executed; and Mr. O'C-onnor and Binns, after
their acquittal, were detained on another charge
of treason. In the mean time, and in consequence
of the motion of Mr. O'Donnel, an act had passed
the Irish parliament, authorizing grand juries to
present any newspapers^ containing seditious or li-
bellous matter, as a nuisance; and also authoriz-
ing the magistrates, on such presentation, to suppress
the paper^ and seize and destroy the printing materials^

2s

418 The Reign of George II L

1798. &c The paper called The Press was therefore ^"P"

pressed, and some of its principal supporters taken

into custody ; but no discovery of importance resulted

from that transaction.

Ormnsrroeii In the debates upon the abuses of the press, boih

and Dc- '^ '^

fenderi the Defenders and Orangemen were altemaielv com-

compUioed . - ^

oL plained of by the opposite parties in parliament. Mr.

Pelham assured the house, that no disturbances then
existed between the Orangemen and the catholics.
Both parties admitted, that they had been deceived by
the United Irishmen. Neither the Orangemen nor
Defenders deserved the epithet rebellious. That ap-
plied to the United Irishmen alone. On the 5th of
March, 1 798, Sir Lawrence Parsons brought forward
bis promised motion for a committee to enquire into
the state of the country, and to suggest such measures
as were likely to conciliate the popular mind This
was the longest and most interesting debate of the
session. At five o'clock in the morning the house
divided, when 19 voted for^ and 156 against the
motion.

SirR. Aber- In all the debates in parliament, whenever the abuses

crombie, r» t • i i

command- and Outrages of the army were mentioned they were
never contradicted, but palliated or justified by the
treasury bench. They were the natural effusions of
a loyal army in a rebel coxmtry. The courts of law
were open to redress, and none should complain^ who
refused to seek it. Insulting solace! To remit cottagers,
labourers^ and farmers to the legal right, without the
means of prosecuting either civilly or criminally. The
British cabinet had most judiciouslly appointed the gal-

Admlnislralibn of Earl Camderu 419

iant Sir Ralph Abercromble commander-in-chief in Ire- 1^98-
land, well knowing, that he would require the duties,
without debasing th€ character of the soldier. Soon
after his arrival he found himself under the necessity of
publishing in general orders*, that the army was in a
state of licentiousness, which rendered it formidable
to every one but the enemy. The liberal and genuine
spirit of the British soldier, so prominent on the fac€f
of these orders, was repugnant to the coercive system
of the Irish ministry. The inflexible fiimness of that
gallant veteran was not to be subdued by extortion,
fear, or adulation. Corrupt influence prevailed, and
he was forced to resign. The effect of a principal
part of Sir Ralph Abercrombie's orders was defeated
by Mr. Pelham's letter of the Sd of March, 1 798, in
which he informs the officers, that his excellency au-
thorized them to employ force against any persons
assembled in arms, or not in arms, without waiting
for the sanction of the civil authority, if in their opi:
moa the peace of the realm, and the safety of his ma?
jesty's subjects might be endangered by waiting for
Buch authority, llie parliament in the mean-while
prepared the money and some other pressing bills
without opposition, which received the royal assent on
the 24th of March.

The leaders of the Union were promised, that sue- Franc* pio-
oouTS should be sent from France in April ; but they coun^and
never arrived. The French, indeed, confided so
little in their new allies^ that in all their communica*

* The order bean date the 26th of Februaiy, 1796« and i» to
bt found in mj Hist. Rev. vc4. II. p. 66a.

2fi2

490 TheBeigntfCedrge III.

l^SB* tioDs they never infermed the rebel directory of the
place, where they meant to land, or (except in the
first) the force they meant to bring. However, Messrs.
O^Gonnor, M'Neven, and Emmett have observed in
their memoir*, that the French never would abandon
the plan of separating Ireland from England, so long
as the disomtentsofthe people would induce them to
support an invasion. The resignation of General
Abeitrombie was the fatal moment of renovating and
extending the reign of terrorism. Mr Pelhamf re*

* Memoir 23. There appears no u-ell- founded reason for quel*
Ikming the truth of that memorial Fss est ei ah kotte doeen.
«« Let 08 then (say they), whilst Ireland is yet our country, be in-
dulged in a few rtmarks, which we deem extremely important to
its future prosperity ; now that we have given these full and &ith«
fal details of the past, we cannot be suspected cf any but pure db*
interested motiyes in what we are about to say» ere we leave it for
ever. The parts we have acted have enable d us to gain the most
intimate knowledge of the dispositions and hearts of our country*
men. From that knowledge we speak, when we declare oar
deepest conviction, that the penal laws, which have followed in
•odi doleful and rapid succession, tlie house burnings, aibitrary
imprisonments, and free quarters, .and above all, the tortures to
extort confessions, neither have had, nor can have, any other effect
but exciting the most lively rancour in the hearis of almost alt
the people of Ireland, against those of tfietr countrymen, who have
had recourse to such measures for maintaining their power, and
against the connexbn with Great Britaiuj whose men* and whose
aid had been poured in to assist them.'*

t In the Hist Rev. vol. IL p. 667, it is stated, that Mr. Pelbam
(nowEari Chichester) had n tired from office in dipgust at the sys-
tem. But the author has been assured, by authority from his lordship,
tiiat thia waa an eironeoos statement i that he approved of the system
and all the mcaiuies of government at that time} and was most re-

jidministration of Rarl Camden. 421

lactantly resigned his situation- from ill health, and ^79<>
was succeeded by Lord Castlereagh, who brought'
with him into office full as much fervor for the sj^
tern as his predecessor*.

liictintlj comprlled bf a sevens illness to witiidraw his senriooi
in forwarding them,

* The system at this time (5th April, I796,) has been tfaos
strongly etcied. (Pet. W. C. p. 13. ) *' Here we peroeire «m|
hinient the effects of inveteracy^ cooceived by hb Majesty's nd*
ni&ten ag^nit the Irish. Jrriiabh and qtMabU, diPOitd l»
MUperstUwn, deaf to law, ami hosiiie (opr^eriyf such was the
picture* which at different times his ministers in Ireland have
painted of hiv people^ with a latent view to flatter the English by
the degradation of the Irish, and by such sjcophantship and mt*
lice, they have persuaded themselves to consider their Mkm-vab*
jects as a difieient species of htmian crcatorcy £iir objects of itli*
gious proscription and political incapacities> but not of moial
relatioDsbip, or moral obligation ; accordingly they have afforded
indtrmnity fcr the rich, and new pains and penalties for the people i
they have given felonious descriptions olf his Majesty's subjects,
and have easily persuaded ihemselves to exercise lelonioos prac-
tices against their lives and properties ; they have become as bar-
barous as (heir system, and as savage as their own description of
their countrymen and their equals 1 and now it seecps they hav«
commuhicatd to the British minister, at pnce their deleterious
maiims and their foul eitpressions, and he too indulges and wantons
In villainous discourses against the people of Ireland, sounding the
horrid trumpet of carnage and separation. Thus the language gf
the ministers becomes an encouragement to the army to mtudpr
the Irish.

•* We leavb these scenes -, they are dreadful ; a ministry in
league with the abettors of the Orange^boys and at wac with the
people ; a people unable to procure a hearing in either cooQlry^
while the loquacity of their enemies b^eges the throne,**

2lS

422 The Reign of George III

1Z98- The readoption of the system of coercion was pe-
Ncwdecu. culiarly congenial with the spirit of the Orange boys.
ilSSuc"1)f Under the countenance of government they now as-
m^!^^^^ sumed a tone of affording protection ; and in order to
do away the odium they had incurred by their past
conduct with the mass of people, who were Catholics,
some of their leaders published an address strongly dis-
claiming all the imputations and charges of their ene-
mies, and expressive of the most purified loyalty.* In
this public fever the opposite parties availed them^
selves alternately of the advantage of misrepresenting
their antagonists.
Mischicv- The mischief of the association of Orangemen con-
ouhe "^^ sisted in the principle of national disunion, which it
•Delation*" essentially went to establish in perpetuity. They
were all Protestants, and their regulations precluded
the admission of Catholics among them. As they now
avowed their sole object was to preserve public order,
and make head against the United Irishmen and all
other enemies to the state, the exclusion of (he Ca-
tholics from their society was considered by the gene-
rality of the people (however i: may have been really
intended by the Orangemen) an indirect charge or
open intimation, that the Catholics made common cause
v'ith the U./tod Irishmen, and abetted those princi-
ples, to combat which the Orangemen professed to

* The form of their addrest is to be seen in Hist. Rev. vol. II.
570. It was signed, Hionaas Vemer, Edward Ball> John Claudius
Bf^rebford, William James> Isaac Dejoncourt

jidminhtration of Earl Camden. 423

have united. In fact where such a society exists, re- 1799-
iigious distinctions can never subside.*

Notwithstanding the system were now pushed to Discovery
unprecedented severity, the discovery of the designs bciuoo.
of the conspirators was not the resuk of -any measiire
of government. It was procured from the infidelity to
their cause of one Thomas Reynolds, a silk-mercer
of Dublin, and a Catholic, who had so completely
wound himself into the confidence of Lord Edward
Fitzgerald and Mr. Oliver Bond, that in the year
J '797 he was appointed a colonel, then treasurer
and representative of the county of Kildare^ and at

* Notwithstanding the attempts to clear the principles of the
Orange confederacy from the charges of cruelty* it is incontest-
able from the examination of Mr. O'Connor, that government had
no doubt of thielr oath of extermination. ( Mem, p. 52.)

Commiliee, Government had nothing to do with the Orange
lystem, nor their extermination.

O'Connor, You, ray Lt^rd (Castlereagh) from the station you
fill, must be sensible, that the executive of any country has it in
it*s power to coUecc a vast mass of information, and you must
know from the secret nature, and zeal of the union, that its exe-
cutive must have the most minute information of every act iti th»
Irish government. As one of the executive, it came to my know,
led^e, that considerable sums of money were expended through-
o\xt the nation, in endeavouring to. extend the Orange system,
and that the oath of extermination was administered j when these
facts are coupled, not only with general impunity, which has
been uniformly ex;ended towards the acts of this infernal as<4.
social ion, but the marl^ed encouragement its members have re* •
ceived from govenuuent, I find it impossible to exculpate the
government from being the parent and protector of these sworn
extirpators.

2£4

42* The Refgn of George Itl.

t

iTPB. last, delegate for the province of Leinster. This
man having settled his terms with Mr. Cope, a
Dublin merchant, and having received five hun-
dred guineas in hand, gave information that the Lein*
ster delegates were to meet at ^fr. Oliver Bond's on
the 1 2th of March, to concert measures for an imme-
diate insurrection.
The T ein- In consequence of this, Mr. Justice Swan, attended
giittTnd' by twelve Serjeants in coloured clothes, arrested the
^tcd.*' Leinster delegates, thirteen in number, while sit-
ting in Mr. Bond's house. They seized several of
their papers, which led to the full discovery of the in-
tended insurrection : and on the same day Messrs*
Emmett, M'Neven, Bond, Sweetman, Henry Jackson,
and Hugh Jackson were taken into custody, and war-
rants were granted against Lord Edward Fitzgerald
and Messrs. M'Cormick and Sampson, who having
notice made their escape.
Tbeiiunr- The leaders did not intend to bring forward the in-
maturely surrcctiou till the French should come to their assist-

forced into , ^ • *l ^- ^

explosion, ance, and meant m the mean time to contmue to
increase their numbers, and to add to their stock of
arms; but in the spring of 1798, the loyalty of the
people was so strongly marked, that the chief con-
spirators perceiving their cause was losing ground,
had no alternative but to hazard a general rising, or
abandon their hopes. To prevent despondency a^
mongst the members of the union on the occasion of
this discovery and seizure, a hand-bill was circulated
y^itb industry, and had considerable effect in keeping

jidministration of Earl Camden. ^25

up their spirits*. Upon the seizure of the delegates ^^\
a new directory was chosen, which soon experienced
the fate of the former. Their proceedings were dis-
closed by another informer ; a Captain Armstrong, of
the Ejng's County Militia^ who had pretended to cn-

* In order to shsw the feeliDgB, confidenoe, and resolution of the
rebels at thit period the form of this hand-bill is given. *' For utthe
^' keen but momentary anxiety occasioned by the situation of our
" invaluable friends, subsided, on learning all the circumstancef
" of the case, into a calm tranquillity, a consoling conviction of
** mindy that they are as safe as innocence can make tfiem now i
*' and to these ^ntiments were quickly added a redoubled energy^
'* a ten- fold activity of exertion, which has ahready produoed the
'* happiest e^cts. The organization of the capital is perfect. No
'* vacancies existing, arrangements have been made, and are still
'* making, to secure for our oppressed brethren, whose triala ap-
'' proach, the benefit of legal defence, and the centinels, whom
*^ yon have appointed to watch over your interests, stand firm at
*' their posts, vigilant of events, and prompt to give you notice
'* and advice, which, on every occasion at all requiring it, rely on
^' receiving. This recital. Irishmen, is meant to guard those of
** yon, who are remote from the scene of the late events, against
^' the consequences of misrepresentation and mistake. The
** most unfounded rumours have been set afloat, &bricated
** for the double purpose of delusion and intimidation. Your
*' enemies talk of treachery, in the vain and fallacious hope of
^ creating it 3 but 70U, who scorn equally to be their dupes or
'< their slaves, will meet their fbrgeries with dignified contempt,
'* incapable of being either goaded into untimely violeooe, or
** sunk into pusillanimous despondency. Be firm. Irishmen,—
** but be cool and cautious -, be patient yet a while ; trust to no
** unauthorized communication ; and above aU, we warn you^- '
*' again and again we warn you — against doing the work of your
'' tyrants, by premature, by partial, or divided exertion. If Ireland
^* shall be forced to throw away the scabbard, let it be at her own
!« time, not tbeifs/* ^

426 The Reign of George III.

1798. ter into the conspiracy with the intention of discover-
ing their schemes to government *.
Genersi A proclamation f was published on the 30th of

tionand March announcing the existence of a conspiracy
te^ng^ and against the government, and declaring, that orders had
^utum[^ been issued^ commanding the officers of his majesty's
forces to employ the most summary and €fiectual
measures for the immediate suppression of <that con-
spiracy, and for disarming the rebels and all disaf-
fected persons. On the 3d of April, a manifesto,
from the general's head-quarters addressed to the inha*
bitants of Kildare, required them to surrender their
arms in the space of ten days, threatening, in case of
non-compliance, to distribute large bodies of troops
among them to live at free quarters, promising re-
wards to such, as would give information of concealed
arms or amunition, and denouncing further severities
if the county should still continue in a disturbed slate.
On the advance of the military into each county, the
like notice was given, and at the expiration of the
ten days, the troops were quartered on the houses of
the disaffected or suspected, in numbers proportioned
to the supposed guilt and ability of the owners. Num-
bers of houses, with their furniture, were burned, in

* It shews the inflexible determination, with which the united
Irishmen entered into the conspiracy, that out of the whole num-
ber Reynolds the informer should alone have betrayed them.
Armstrong was not properly an united Irisliman^ having only taken
the oath for tlie purpose of discovery.

1 17 Journ. Com. DCCCCXL

Administration of Earl Camden. 427

which concealed arms had been found, in which meet- 1798
ings of the union had been holden, or whose occu»
pants had been guilty of the fabrication of pikes, or
had^ been suspected of other practices for the- pro-
motion of the conspiracy. Numbers were daily
scourged, picketed, or otherwise put to pain, to force
confessions of concealed arms or plots. Outrageous
acts of severity were often committed by persons not
in the regular troops. Men imprisoned on suspicion
or private information were sometimes half-hanged^
or strangled almost to death, before their guilt or in-
nocence could be ascertained by trial. Persons, who
wore their hair short, or happened to have any part
of their apparel of. a green colour, were considered
as displaying emblems of republicanism. The term
croppy was adopted to signify a revolutionist. A most
barbarous practice prevailed of applying arbitrarily
to the head of any peron wearing a short head of hair,
caps of coarse linen or strong brown paper, smeared
with pitch on the inside, which in some instances ad-
hered so firmly as not to be disengaged without
laceration of the hair and skin. The united party
retaliated in some measure by seizing and crop-
ping the hair of such as they wished to render liable
to the application of the pitched cap. Various other
violent acts were committed, and the best members of
society often suffered these military outrages from in-
temperate or affected zeal, secret accusation, and pri-
vate malice. For both Magistrates and military of-
ficers were empowered to receive informations, to keep
the names of the informers profoundly secret, and

430 The Reign of George lit.

1798* ment Captain Ryan entered, and missed fire at Lord
Edward with a pocket pistol ; on which he made a
lunge at him with a sword cane^ which bent on his
ribs ; but affected him so much, that he threw him-
• self on the bed, and Captain Ryan closing with him,
a violent scuffle ensued, during which Lord Edward
plunged the dagger-'into his side. They then fell
on the ground, where Captain Ryan received many
desperate wounds; one of which, in the lower
part of his belly, was so large, that his bowels fell
out oh the floor. Major Sirr having entered the room,
saw Captain Swan bleeding, and Lord Edward ad-
vancing towards the door, while Captain Ryan wel-
tering in blood on the floor, was holding him by one
leg, and Captjun Swan by the other; he therefore
fired at Lord Edward with a pistol, and wounded him
in the shoulder, on which he cried out for mercy, afld
surrendered himself* His lordship was then conveyed
to the castle. Some attempts to rescue him were de-
feated by the arrival of the guards. On the 19th and
21st of May, other arrests were made. Patrick
Byrne, the bookseller, and Messrs. Sheares, brothers,
both barristers, and much loved and respected by the
profession, were committed for high treason. In their
house was found a proclamation*,intended to have been
published on the morning after the projected insurrec-
tion should have taken place. The severe measures!
to which government had lately had recourse, ex-

* It IS given in the Historical Review, vol. XL p. 668. .
t Gordon's History of the RebellioB, p. §6.

Admnisiration nj Earl Camden. 431

cited a spirit of revenge and cruelty in the insurgents^ i7^*
which the former members of the directory had not*.

* The examination of Mr. Emmett before the committee of the
lords throws the true light npon this matter, IJ Com. Journ.
DCCCCIX.

'' Question. Was John Sheares a member of the execative
before your arrest ?

" Answer, He was not« Says the old executive never meant
to spill blood> but rather to retain men of a certain rank as
hostages ; and if they found them hostile to the new government,
to send them oat of the country. That it was aUo determined*
that if the wives of such persons did not act with hostility to the
new government, they should be allowed a noaintenance out of the
husband's property^ and that each child should have a portion,
the residue to belong to the natien ."

The before-mentioned memoir gives a more enlarged account,
Mem. p, SI.

'< Lord Dillon, Mr. Enmiett, yeu have stated the views of the
executive to be very liberal and very enlightened, and I believe
your*s were so ; but let me 9sk you, whether it was not intended
to cut off (in the beginning of the contest) the leaders of the
opposition party, by a summary mode, such as assassination:
my reason for asking you is, John Sheares*s proclamation, the
most terrible paper that ever appeared in any country : it says,
that * many c^your tjrranta have bled> and others must bleed,* &cw

'^ Emmeii, My lords, as to Mr. Sheares*s prodamation, he
was not of the executive when I was.

" Lord Chancellor, He was of the new executive.

** Emmett. I do not know he was of any executive, except
Irom what your loidahip says ; bat I believe he was joined with
aone others in fhuning a porticolar plan of insurrection for Dublin
and its neighbourhood ; neither do I know what value he annexed
to those words in his proclamatbn : but I can answer, that while
I waa of the executive, there was no such design, but the con-
trary ; for we coDceived when one of you lost your lives we lost
an hostage* Oar intentioa was to seize you all, and keep you as

432 The keign of George tlL

1798. On the 21st of May, Lord Castlereagh, by dired-

insurrco- tion of the lord- lieutenant, wrote to the lord mayor)

*iiy an. to acquaint him, ** That his excellency had discover^

Pkriiament ed, that the disaffected In the city and neighbourhood

of Dublin, had formed a plan of possessing themselves,

in the course of the present week, of them etropo-

lis, and of seizing the executive government, and

those in authority within the city.'* On the 22d of

hostages, for the conduct of England $ and after the revolation was
over, if jroii could not live under the new govemment, to send
you out of the country. I will add one thing more, which though
k is not an answer to your qnestion, you may have a curiosity to
hear. In such a struggle it was natural to expect confiscations :
our intention was, that every wife who bad' not instigated her
husband to resistance should be proviclr d for out of the property,
notwithstanding confiscations; and every child, who was too
young to be his own master, or form his own opinion, was to have
a child's poition. Your lordships will now judge how far we
intended to be cruel.

'^ Lord Ckancelior. Pray Mr. Emmett^ what caused the late
insurrection ?

•• Emmett. The free quarters, the house burnings, the tor*
tnres, and the military executions, in the counties of Kildare»
Carlow, and Wicklow.

'' Lord Chancellor, Don't you think the arrests of the l2lh of
March caused /tt ?

'< Emmeii. No : but I believe if it had not been for these ar^
rests it would not have taken place ; for the people, irritated by
what they had -suffered, had been long pressing the executive co
consent to an insurreotioa, but they had resisted or eluded it, and
even determined to persevere in the same line : after these arrests,
however, other persons came forward, who were irritated, and
thought differently, who ooasenled to let that partial iosurrectioa
lake place.*'

Adminisiration of Earl Camderu 4SS

May, his lordship presented a message to the House ^793. '
of Commons^ from his excellency, to the like effect ;
and that in consequence he had taken such precautions^
that he doubted not the designs of the rebellious
would be effectually defeated. The House voted an
address expressive of their horror and indignation, and
of their determined resolution and enefgy to support
government. The speaker and all the members im-
mediately waited on his excellency with the address ;
and to shew their zeal, and to increase the solemnity
of the proceeding, they walked through the streets on
foot, two and two, preceded by the speaker, the Ser-
jeant at arms, and all the officers of the house.

Notwithstanding by the late discoveries and seizures, Biea^ins
the rebels were left without heads to plan, or officers rtbciuoa.
to execute their designs, yet it was impos^ble to sup-
press the volcano from the eruption, which had been
long settled for the 2Sd of May. On that day Mr.
Nelson and some other leading conspirators were ar-
rested; the city and county of Dublin were pro-
claimed ; the guards at the castle were trebled, and
the whole city converted into a besieged garrison^
The northern and Connaught mail-coaches were
stopped, which was a preconcerted signal of insure
rection \ and^ about twelve o'clock on the morning
of the 24th, a body of rebels attacked the town and
jail of Naas, where Lord Gosford commanded. As
the guard had been seasonably increased, in expects*
tion of such an attack, the assailants ^ere rep 'I ^d,
aiKi driven into a narrow avenue, where, wirh jut or-
der or discipline, they sustained for some time die

2f

4*4 Tht Reign (/George llti

^7^ attack of the Armagh miUua, and Sir WatkiM WJl-«
liam Wynne*^ fencible corps of Ancient Britons*
The king's troops admitted, that they lost two officers
and about thirty men ; and the rebels were reported
to have lost 140 in the contest and their flight. They
were dispersed^ and several of them taken prisoners *•
On the same day, a sihall division of his majesty's
forces was surprized at the town of Prosperous ) and
a detachment at the village of Clane Cut their way
to Naas^ with condderable loss* About the same
time. General Dundas encountered a large body of
insurgents on the hills near KilcuUin, and 130 of
them were left dead upon the field. On the fellow*
ing day, about 400 rebels, under the command of
Ledwich and Keough, were defeated near Cloudalkia
by a party of dragoons under Lord Roden« Their
leaders were taken, immediately tr^ed by a court*
martialj and executed, having pleaded in vain/ that
they had been forced, into the service. These failures
on behalf of the rebels did not damp their sanguine
hopes of future success : so deeply rooted was their

• Throughout the rebellion^ it wis the unfair and mlfchieroas
practice of government to exaggerate the losses, and misrepresent
the conduct of the rebels. On this occasion not more than nine ot
ten rebels fell | but in three or four hours after« 57 of a crowd ill
the street were killed and many of them were shot when escaping
from their huts^ which were set on fire. Others were taken out of
their houses, and instantly hanged in the street. Such was the
brutal ferocity of some of the king*s troops, that they half roasted^
and eat of the flesh of oni; man (by the name of Walsh) who had not
been in arms. See a verified detail of the conduct of the kiDg>
troops at Naas. Hist, Rev. vol. III. p. 7W.

Mministration of Earl Camden. 4SJ

hatred of the government, by which they felt them- >79B.
selves oppressed*

General Lake, who, upon the resignation of Sir cautionary
Ralph Abercrombie, had been appointed commander Goveri?
in chief, published on the 24ih of May, a notice that "*^*'
he should exert in the most summary manner the
powers entrusted * to him for suppressing the rebel-
lion ; and that all persons in anywise aiding or as-
sisting therein, would be treated as rebels, and pu-
nished accordingly ; and required all the inhabitants
of the city of Dublin, with certain exceptions, to re^
main within their respective dwellings from nin^
o'clock at night dll five in the morning, under pain of
punishment. On the same morning also, for better
secjuring the peace of the city, the lord mayor pub-
lished a proclamation for delivering in a list of their
registered arms, and for delivering up all arms not re^
gistered. These measures of government so far ap-
peased the turbulency of the insurgents, and tran^
quillized the metropolis^ that the House of Commons
uninterruptedly went through the business of the day*
Lord Casdereagh communicated to them the lord-
lieutenant's proclamadon, and an address was re-
solved upon^ to express their approbation of his
excellency's measure. Colonel Maxwell proposed
the instant military execution of the principal foment-
ers and leaders of the rebellion then in confinement^
in order to cut off all expectation of rescuing them
at a future day. This was opposed by Lord C^istle-

* i. e. By the Lord Lieutenant*! prodamatioQ of that moroingi

Sr 3

4S0 The Reign C(f George 11 L

17W* rcafjh, who moved an adjournment to that day se'n-
night.
PvQgren of The vigilance of government within the capital kept
loVdiiaii. such of the conspirators from rismg, as remained in
^^^' the city j and the seizure of so many of their leaders
prevented any concert or command, and consequent-
ly effect in their movements. The country was in
the mean time beset in every direction for twenty or
thirty miles around with detached bands of this
undisciplined rabble, acting for the most part half
armedy and without plan or command. They gene*
rally awaited the signal, which they expected, of
the castle, the barracks, and the whole city of Dub- ,
lin, being in their possession. It was a melancholy^
proof of the progress of rebellion, that every per-
son almost without distinction, in and about Dub-
lin, whose situation in life placed him in the oc-
casion of retaining any number of men either as
servants, artificers, workmen, or labourers, was sud-
denly left and abandoned by those persons attend-
ing, their respective posts for the general rising.
An awful lesson of the power of combination in a
people at first linked together upon fair and avowed
principles, then cemented by a common cause of
grievance, and at last goaded into revenge and despair
by unnecessary severity, or unwarrantable cruelty.
These notorious circumstances loudly acquit the Unit-
ed Irishmen of the base charge of systematic assassin-
ation. Had such been their design, admission into
families must have been their first object : yet scarcely
was there a family of consequence throughout the na-

Mmimsiratian of Earl Camden. 437.

tipn, in wluch several sworn . members of the union .^798.
were not to be found. War having now been openly
commenced by the rebels, government increased their
coercion. Akhpugh no public act sanctioned the
picketings^ strangUngs, floggings, and torturings to
extort confessions, yet under the very eye of govern-
ment, and with more thaii their tacit permission^
were these outrages practised^ in breach pf the con^
stitution, and in defiance of humanity and policy.
Even to this hour is that conduct of the Irish Go«
vemment not only defended and justified, but pane-
gyrized by the advocates and creatures • of the infiu
riate drivers of that system of terrorism. In Bere»*
ford's Rid^g House, Sandy's Prevot, the Old Custom
House, the Royal Exchange, some of the barrackSf
and ochef places in Dublin, there were daily, hourly
exhibitions of these torturings ; as there also were in
almost every town, village, or hamlet throughout the
kingdom, in which troops were quartered.

* Amongst luch creatures is to be reckoned Sir Ricbard Mus-
grave, who has loaded a hcmrj 4]aarto voiome of memoirs of (ho
ditBatait rebttUbns in Irdand^ with the most ofiensife oUiimoics,
Dotorloos falsehoods* and wicked provocations to diadutanoe. Lonl
Cornwallis, on Uiis account, indignantly disckumed the aoceptanoo
of the dedication of so scandalous and mischievous a work. Thia
systematic traducer of the Irish nation has had the exclusive aft»
•nranca to publish ''a kboored defoooe of the tortore to extract
confessions^ and the self-convictiDg stupidity of assenii^ that iMi
praetice never was saeutumed iyGwemmeni', as they on the con-
trary used thar utmost endeasHmrs to prevent it, and the evidence
extorted from the person whipped never was used to eonvici anff
I fit

9fS

438 The Reign of George 111.

1798^ Several unsuccessful attacks were made by the re-
FfOfTcfs of bels on the 24th of May, namely, on Carlow, Hack-
(io^, . etstown, and Monastereven. They succeeded no
better in the skirmishes near Rathfarnham, Tallagh,
Lucan^ Luske, Collon, and Baltinglass : but at Dun-
boyne and Barretstown, they had the advantage. The
body, amoimting to more than a thousand, which at-
tacked Carlow, having assembled to exercise on the
lawn before the house of Sir Edward Crosbie, a mile
and a half distant from the town, marched thence
into the town in an unmilitary and tumultuary manner,
shouting, as they rushed in with vain confidence,
tfiat the town was their own ; but thf destructive fire
from the garrison forced them to recoil } and finding
their flight intercepted, numbers took refuge in
the houses, which were immediately fired by the
soldiery* About eighty houses, with some hundred
men were consumed -in this conflagration. Not
^ man of the king's troops was even wounded.
After the defeat, executions instantly commenced;
and about two hundred in a short time wer?
hanged or shot, according to martial law. Among
the victims on this occasion was Sir Edward
Crosbie, who had not accompanied the insur-
gents in their march, nor had ever swerved from hi$
allegiance ; he was condemned and shot as an United
Irishman. In the attack upon Slane, several of
the assailants appeared dressed in the uniforms of the
Cork militia and Ancient Britons ; which appearance,
|n this and some other instances, proved a fat^ deceit

Administration of Earl Camden. 44?

to the king's troc^. They were the spoils taken at ^703^
Prosperous ; at which place the success of the rebels,
amongst other causes, was owing to their having been
headed or led on to the attack by an of&cer * ; as their
defeats in most other places^ with immense superiority
of numbers, were to be attributed to the want of some
intelligent person to controul and direct them. Their
discomfitures in general were not the effect of fear^ -
l^ut of want of discipline.

It was acknowledged by prisoners taken at Naas, Bioo^r

iDcssuret of

and it appeared by written directions found in the tbt nbcu.
pockets of the slain and wounded, that their orders
were to put to death every officer, lists of whoin were
written upon these papers ; then to disarm such of the -
apldiery, as would not kistantly join them, and reserve
them£or further deliberatbn, presuming, that their
cooler reflection would bring them over to their
cause, lliese sanguinary orders providentially failed
at Naas, but too fatally succeeded at Prosperous and
elsewhere, from want of timely information of the
intent of the rebels. Government had neglected to
send to the different posts (they knew of each in-
tended attack) : this omission w^s the cause of much
blood having been spilled oi^ the fatal night of the
23d of May, and tended to render the contest more
ferocious and cruel on both ^d^. Ifot pnly was

^ This officer was Dr. Eiraond, who wai lieatenant in tbe
dane cavalry, coinniaoded by Capt. Griffith. He contrived aa the
next momiDg to appear on parade with his corps : whence he waa
,^en into anestj and aAerwaxds r^olarlj tsied and ciecBtiBd at
pQUio«

Sf 4

440 The Reign of George III.

1799. quarter refused to all rebels, vfho had arms in their
handS) but many others were put to death, who had
given no symptoms of disaffection; arid after the
heat of battle others were coolly executed without any
form of trial whatever *.
i>eciantioii The chief of the Catholics in and about Dublin f,

of the Ca-

ihoucs. exerted their utmost endeavours to assert the un«

shaken loyalty of themselves and the respectable part

of their body, against the malevolent attonpts of th«r

enemies to fiaisten the guilt of rebellion upon the whole

Catholic body, and to render the present disastrous

contest more bloody and ferocious by throwing in

the deadly venom of religious acrimony.

Contest be Notwithstanding this laudable endeavour, the con-
comes more °

ferocious on (est ou both sidcs became henceforth more sanguinary

both sides. , .

and ferocious by the arts and exertions of the leaders
of each party. The Catholics' long sufferings under
the penal code, and the recent provocatiocs, which

♦ Instances of tins are to be seen in Hist. Rev. vol. III. p. 699.

± On tbe 24lb of May the following notice was given in the
Dublin Journal and other papers. '* Roman Catholics, An addra
to the lord-lieutenant, intended to be immediately presented, and
contain'mg a declaration of political principles applicable to the cir-
cumstances of the present moment, lies, for signature, at Fitz-
patrick's, bookseller, Ormond-quay 5 at the Earl of FingaPs, Gieat
George*8-8treet, Rutland's square ; Lord Viscount Kenmare^s,
Great George's-stieet ; Malachy Donelan*s, Etq, Mountjoy'i'
iquare; and Counsellor Bellew's, No. b. Upper Gaidinet't- street,
Kloantjoy's-squafe. All signatures naust be given in on or before
Saturday next."

Two addreases to the lord-lieutenant from tbe RonumCatbolic^
•lie to be Ken in Appendix to Hist. Rev. No. CX

Administration of Earl Camden. 441

they had received from the picketings, whippings, ^^JJ;
half-hangings, burnings, ravishings, and free-quarters
of the army, all operated to enflame the Irish against
those, whom they in their native language called Sa-
eanagh, which* meant indifferently English or protest*
ants, knd to which idea it was lamentably true, that
recent drcumstances prompted them to annex the
most odious and sanguinary epithets. On the other
hand every fiction, exaggeration, and oUoquy of popish
superstition, popish massacres, and popish cruelty,
perfidy, and inhumanity, were eagerly collected, im-
proved upon, and circulated through the ranks to
deaden humanity, and stimulate the ferocity of -the
troops. The military executions, which generally

* The answer of Dr. M'Neven to the Archbisbop of Cashed m
the secret committee of the lords^ elucidates and confirms this
statement. Mem. p,7l»

*' jirchhishop of CasheL Can jon account for the masaacret
committed upon the protestants by the papists m the county of
Wesford^

*« M'Ncvcn, My lord, I am far from being the apologist of
massacres^ however provoked : but if I am rightly informed as to
the cooduct of the magistrates of that county, the massacres yoi;
allude to were acts of retaliation upon enemies, much more than
fanaticism s aioreover, my lord, it has been the misfortune of this
country, scarcdy ever to have knowp the English natives or set-
tlers, otherwise than enemies ; and in his language the Irish pea*
aanthas but one name for protestant and Englishman, and confounds
them \ he calls both by the name of Sasanagh % his conversation
therefore is les^ against a religionist than against a foe ; his pre-
judKO is. the effect of the ignorance he ia kept in, and the treat*
■lent he receives : how can we be surprized at it, when so much
pains are taken to brutalize him ?

** I/nd Chancellor. I agree with Dr. M*Nevc»f '•

449 Tlie Reign of George 111.

179^ took place immediately aitor the engagements with the
iuGurgents, greatly irritated them, and necessarily there^
fore increased their ferocity* Wherever any rebels
appeared in arms, an immediate attack and genera}
pursuit usually ensued ; in which none was spared.
The real rebels generally escaped, and the slaughter
fell on the disarmed multitude, who fled from fear
and consternation. This indiscriminate butchery of
the unarmed fugitives, upon the approach of the
king's troops, swelled the numbers of insurgents, and
gave some truth to the government reports of the slaii^.
nebcbde. The most serious defeat of the rebels hitherto .was
Tmii. on the 26th of May. A body of three or four thousan4
had taken post on the hill of Tarah^ where they were
attacked and-defeated by three companies of the regi*
jpent of Reay fencibles ; Lord Kngal's troop of yeo*
man cavalry ; those of Captain Preston and Lower
Kells; and Captain MoUoy's company of yeoman
infantry. Lord Fjngairp Troop led on and bore the
brunt of the attack. This defeat of the rebels at
'Tarah disconcerted their design of falling upon Trim
and Naas, and Uyin^ open the communication of *tbf
metropolis withthe northern parts of the kingdom.
More out- By the vigilance of government, the interior of
wStedby* Dublin was kept quiet : the province of Ulster had
ijant^e're- ?^^ Stirred : but so beset were all the roads and com-*
^^ munications to an^l with the metropolis, that it had

the appearance of a besieged city. The mail-coaches
had ceased to run, and nothing could move with safety
on the road without a strong military escort It would
be painful to wade through the particular instance^ of

Administration of Earl Camden. 4*8

outrage and barbarity committed during this rebellion, ^7^
in burning, plundering, maiming, torturing, ravish-
ing, and murdering. These barbarities were generally
practised reciprocally : although more cold blood was
shed, more property destroyed, more houses burned,
and more women abused * by the troops, than by the
insurgents : Yet more moderation and restraint were
to be expected from disciplined troops, than from a
lawless multitude in open rebellion.

Discouraged by defeats, some of the rebels began somenf rh*
to wish for leave to retire in safety to their homes, [^bmit.
and resume their peaceful occupations. On the 28tb^
General Dundas received a message from a rebel chief
named Perkins, commanding 2000 men, posted on
an eminence near the Curragh, that his men would
surrender their arms, on condition of their being per-
mitted to return unmolested to their habitations, and
of the liberation of Perkins' brother from the jail of
Naas. The general sent for advice to Dublin Castle,
and received permission to assent to the terms; on
the 31st^ he received the personal sui render of Perkins,
with some few of his associates, the rest dispersing
homeward in all directions with shouts of joy, having
left thirteen can-loads of pikes behind. Three days
after, M;Jor General Sir James Duffe, who command-
ed a corps of six hundred men, received intelligence

* As to this species of outrage, it is universally allowed to have
been exclusively on the side of the military. Even Sir Richard
Jliasgrave admits, (p. 42g) that ** op most occasions the insor*
gents did not oflkr any violence to the tender sex/'

44* The Reign of George 11 L

^7^ diat a large body* of men had assembled at a place
called Gibbet^rath, on the Curragh, for the purpose
of effecting the surrender, to uhich they had been
admitted by General Dundas* Unfortunately, as the
troops advanced near the insurgents to receive their
surrendered weapons, one of the latter foolishly swear-
ing that he would not deliver his gun otherwise than
empty, discharged it with the muzzle upwards;^ The
soldiers instantly considering this as an act of hostir
lity, fired on the unredsting multitude, who fled with
the utmost precipitation, and were pursued with
slaughter by a company of fencible cavalry, denomi-
nated Lord Jocelyn's fox-hunters. Above two hun*
dred of the insurgents fell upon this occasion ; and a
hr greater number would have shared their fate^ if a
retreat had not been sounded with all posdble dispatch,
agreeably to the instructions of General Dundas.
Exttniian The rebellion, notwithstanding the many and severe
bdiion not defe^t$ of the insurgents, spread itself in all directions,
wg dcfeatf. and particularly to the south. Almost the whole of
the county of Kiklare was in open rebellion. Hitherto,
notwithstanding the attempts of too many persons in
high situations to identify the terms rebel and papist,
ft had not yet become absolutely a religious contest.
Almost all the chiefs and leaders of the rebels were
protectants^ though the greater part of the individuals
concerned in it were catholics ; that being the religion
of the lower orders of the people. The great and
prevailing distinction hitherto acted upon, was that
of Orangemen and United Irishmen: the respective

jtdministraiion of Earl Camden. *♦*

eihblems of which were orange and green cockades*. ^^L
Whilst rebellion raged about the metropolis and to the
southward, the north, which had heretofore been con-
sidered the hot-bed of disaflFection was perfectly quiet :
there both dissenters and catholics were prominent in
conveying to government the strongest sentiments of
loyalty and zeal for preserving the constitution against
external and internal foesf. Insurrection now burst
out in a part | where it was least expected, and was
growing into such formidable force, as to occasion the
most serious alarms for the safety of government.
The county of Wexford had been but very recently

* At Eoniscorthy on the 28th of May, so flacttiatmg for some
time was the success of the day, that to avoid the fury of each
prevailing party in turn, |)ersons alternately hoisted the orange and
the green rlbhon. (Gordon §4), Sir Richard Masgrave has
amongst his numerous falsities untruly asserted, that the rebels
spared catholics* houses, property, and persons, and confined their
outrages to protestants. On the contrary they were furious against
some catholic clergymen, who strongly opposed their principles
and reprobated their conduct : they termed them Orange priests.
It is not true, as Sir R. Musgrave states, (p. 3 15,) that '^ all
the protestant houses from Baltinglass to H^cketstown, Rath-
drum and Blessington were burned -, but that the property of a
Roman Catholic did not receive the smallest injury in that ex-
tensive tract.** The property of protestants and catholics was
plundered indiscriminately by the rebels. The Rev, Mr. Devoy,
the Rer. Richard Doyle, Mr. Cullen, and many other ca-
tholics recovered compensition for their houses and property de-
stroyed there by the rebels.

f Amongst many snch addresses a sample is givtn of both in
the Appendix to Historical Review, No. CXI.

X Gordoo^ p. 8&

446 The Reign of George 11 L

?^^^ sind but partially organized, and many of its Roman
Catholic inhabitants had addressed the lord-lieutenant
through the medium of the Earl Mountnorris, pro-
testing their loyalty, and pledging themselves to arm,
if permitted, in defence of goverrm^nt, whenever
there should be occasion. Not above six hundred of
the regular army or militia were stationed in the
county, the defence of which was almost abandoned
to the yeomen and their supplementaries, while the
magistrates in the several districts were overzeaU
ously * employed in ordering the seizure, imprison**

^ In illustration of the nature of that system, which Lord
Clare, iis grand projector and supporter, boasted bad been extorted
from Lord Camden, we select one out of numerous examples,
uhich took place In the country, in which his lord«hip*s property
and influence principally lay. £very incident of it has been or
can be verified upon oath.

Mr. Francis Arthur was an eminent merchant at Limerick.
When the French attempted to land at Bantry, under the direction
cf General Smith, he raised and trained at great expense a corpT
vf yeomen artillery, of which he had ever since had the com-
mand. The corps was disbanded on tlie 15th of Ma)', 1798,
without any alleged reason or previous notice. On Thursday the
24th of May, when the accounts arrived at Limerick, of the re*
bellion ha\iug broken out on the preceding day in Kildare, agen«
tleman in Mr. Arthur's hearing observed, that it was fortunate,
the spirit of reb Dion had not 4«ached Limerick. That is not the
Cff5f, remarked Colonel Cockell. On Tuesday ne\t, persons un/l
he taken up, which uill astonish the pullic. On the intermediate
Saturday r26ih May) Captain Liddell superintending a flagellation
at Limerick, took that opportunity of proclaiming 200 guineas
reward for any person, who would inform against any •f the artil*
leiy corps. On Tuesday the 29th, according to Colonel Cock-
cll's prediction, Mr. Francis Arthur was apprehended in hit own

AdriUHUtraiion of Earl Cairidtti.

■ient> and whipping of numbers of suspected persoiui t
these yeomen^ being protestants» andf mostly Orange*

Imue bf the tt^odrdar of Limerick, under in order from Geoeml
Horrison. All hit kf ys, p.ipen» and pro(>ertjr were seised, ^ad
his wife and family driven out of the house, which W2(S imme-
diately filled with soldiers. Mr. Arthur was conducted to prison
by the sheriff. General Morrison, and a large party of horse and
foot, without any warrant. Limerick not being then proclaimed^
and confined to a small garret, out of the window of which if
he looked, the centinel had orders to fire at him. The weather
was sultry, and Mr. Aithur was refused permission to break a
pane of the window for admission of air. He applied for leave
to be Tisited by Mr. Thwaytes, a medical gentleman in the staff:
it was refused. Mrs. Arthur sent her servant with some whey to
her husband : the servant was recognized by Mr. Sheriff Lloydj
and sent home after a severe beating. All the information ho
oould acquire firom Colonel Cockell wa%, that he was charged
by a person who had never seen him : it was uncertain, whether
he would be tried at Limerick or Dublin, but that no* counsel
would be allowed him. After languishing in his cell, under severe
illness, debarred from the use of pen, ink, and paper, and all humait
intetcoune but the turnkey for above three weeks, on the 22d
day of June, at nine o clock at night, he received notice^ that he
was to appear on the next morning to take his trial. Then for
the first time, the President informed Mr. Arthur, that he stood
charged witli having aided and assisted the rebel Hoel )o. fiy of-
fering money for the use of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, after notice
of his rebeHious purposes. 2o. Employing one Higgins to raise
men in the west. 3<>. Having firelocks and pikes coiKeaied in
ilogsheads. The only witness brought to substantiate the first
charge was William Maume, a low person then actually under
conviction and sentence of transportation for life to Botany Bayt
fi^r treasonable practic.s. In his progress to Waterford for this
purpose, he was stopped by an order of government, and imme*
diaiely taken into the protection and management of Mr. Tboroaa
Jiidkin Fitzgerald, sheriff of Tipperary, and Colonel Foster of

**8 The Reign of George III.

^79J. men, acted with a spirit ill fitted to aflay rdigboa
hatred^ or recLum the disaffected. To excite irritak

the LoQth militia. Mamne from hit arrival at Limerick,
handsomely maintained and permitted' to go^at large* His
evidence was prevaricating and inconsistent. The two witnesses
to the 2d and 3d cbnrges, having nothing bat hearsay evidence to
ofier, and declaring their utter ignorance of Mr. Arthm-^ made
no impression on the court. The court declared the prosecution
closed on Saturday^ and ordered the prisoner back to his coofine-
ment onder a double guards with orders to prepare for his defence
on the Monday ; but he was not allowed in tiie intermediate time
to speak or communicate with any human being, not even the
turnkey. On Sunday (he prisoner was visited by Colonel Cock«
ell, who refused his pressing entreaties for an extension of tinne,
and the means of aid, assistance, or counsel. On the opening of
the court on Monday morning, Maume was called in by the IVe*
sident, who without any suggestion, told the court, that Maume
was now cooler and would correct his evidence of Saturday. He was
called in, and prevaricated still deeper. And when a letter written
|>y himself to Mr. Peppard, was produced, acknowledging he had
never seen Mr. Arthur in his life, he answered in confusion to the
President, You knou;. Sir, thai it was but iateltf that I gave informa-
tlon against Mr. Arthur, and thai I did noi wiih io do ii.
Between the close of I lie |>rosecu'ion on Saturday and the opeur
ing of the defence on Monday, Mrs. Arthur and her friends pro*
cored some material witnesses firom Charieville and other places i
and ten of his wimesses, all respectable inhabitants of Limerick,
Lad engaged a room in the hotel, adjoining to the court-bouse, to
be at hand to answer the call of the court. The Rev. Avril Hill
gave in a paper to the President, and the court declared there >ras
a revolutionary committee sitting in 'the adjoining ^tavern : en
which the Judge Advocate was dispatched to lake them into
custody. Ceiitinels were placed in the front and rear of the house,
with orders to let none escape till the breaking up of the court.
They seized all the papers and written documents, which bad
been procured for the prisoners, and they were kept fay the

u4dministration of Earl Camden. 449

tion by floggings stranglings, imprisonments, and a 170S.
variety of insults, more especially without redundant

President. Mr. Sheriff Lloyd coniplamed that some otlier of
the prisoner's witnesses were in waiting, and issued orders that
all papers and communicatioas relating to the prisoner should be
first given into court. All Mr. Arthur's friends were forcibly
kept out of courts and with the utmost difBcnlty, some of the
fi rst characters in Limerick prevailed on the sheriff to permit Mr.
Arthur's father to be present at the trial of his son. The greatest
part of Mr. Arthur's witnesses having been kept out of court, the
defence was closed on the same day. The prisoner was remanded,
and a sentinel with a drawn bayonet quartered upon htm in his nar-
row cell. His trunks also were taken from him. At nine o'clock
on that night. Colonel Cockell brought him the following sentence
of the court-martial. You are to be transported to Botany' Bay
Jor life, to be sent off to-morrow morning at six o'clock, to pay
a Jine of 5000 L to the King forthwith, or your entire property
wiU be cofifiscated. When the trial was over Mr. Arthur*s
witnesses, who had not been examined, were called in, and
severely rebuked by the President as a revolutionary com-
mittee. Hare, a permanent sergeant, who had received Maume
into his care and management, and who had deposed that Maumb
had written the letter from General Morrison*8 apartments to Mr.
Peppard, which the sheriff declared had saved Mr. Arthur's life, was
committed to jail without an^ charge or warrant, and on the next
morning was tried and found guilty by the same coart^marllal of
a breach of tmst, in having permitted Maiime to write that letter to
Mr. Peppard. As Mr. Sheriff Lloyd was conducting Hare to prison .
to which he was committed as well as dismissed from the oifice of
permanent sergeant, he told him explicitly, that that severe sentence
was not passed upon him for having permitted Maume to write
the letter, but because he had appeared too sanguine in favor ot
the prisoner. Hare justified his obligation of obeying the sum,
mons : observing, that had he not appeared, the man would hanfe
been' hanged. To be sure he would was the sheriff's reply j and
had you remained at home, the court would hav0 wqrlooked it. An
VpL. IX. 2 O

450 ' The Reign of George III.

^798. means of coercion was ^ fttfal delusion of the dnyc«
of the system.

application was made bj Hare*s son, through Lord Matthew, for
the liberation of bit fiither j which was acceded to. But CoIockI
Cockell admonished the joung man, that his father's was a seri-
ous breach of trust and gri^voiUi olfence j^ for the letter he hid per-
mitted to be written by Maome had saved Mr. Arthur** life. On
the 20(h of June Lord Cornwallis arrived in Dublin ; and it acct<«
dentally happened, that a young gentleman of the name of Gor-
naan, a nephew of Mr. Arthur, lately arrived from London^ being
unknown to any of those, who had undertaken to keep the court
clear of Mr. Arthur's friends, was present at the trial on Saturday^
Anticipating the result of the proceedings, he set off for DubliiVft
where on the next morning he presented a petition to Lord Corn-
wallis, stating the circumstances, and praying, that if sentence
should be given against the prisoner, the execution of it might be
. respited, till bis excellency should have revised the minutes of the
court-martial. This fH^yer was granted. It, also occasioned a
general order firotn Lord Cornwallis, that in future no sentence of
a court-martial should be summarily executed, as was then usual,
ttrithout.the confirmation of the lord-lieutenant. On THiesdaf
mording, Mr. Gorman being informed, that General Morrison was
determined to exact tlie fine of 50001. from his uncle, waited on
' him to remonstrate against the manifest infraction of his excel-
lency*8 commands, to which General Morrison laconically replied,
'' I have received Lord Catle^eagh*8 letter respecting Mr. Arthur,
and shall use my discretion for the oointents. I order the money
to be paid.'* Accordingly the collector of his Majesty's revenue
. took a bag from Mr. Arthur's desk, containing IpOO guineas in
specie, and compelled his fi|ther instantly to make up the renuun-
der» Notwithstanding the remonstrances of General Morrison to
Lord Ca: tlereagh's commiunipation of his excellency's remission of
the sentence. Lord Cornwallis s^t a peremptory order, that Mr.
Arthur's 'fine should be repaid to hini, and he be allowed to go to
Great Britain, or any other part of his M^es^'s dominions.
Though the orderfor Mr. Axtluis'a acquittal and deliveiy bore date

jfdmnistraiion of Earl Cam^kn. 451

The insurrection in the counties of Wicklow and V9B.
Wexford assumed an appearance unustnUy ferocious, insnrie^

V7ickloir

the 30th of Jane, I7g9, yet wm he kept ib dose confineamit ^1 and Wez*
the 6th of Julj, when, for the fimt tiroe, Mr. Artbor wa» noadeac-
qiniDted with bis excellency's order for the repayment of hii fine
aiul bis liberation^ th.^cos^h Colonel CockelI» by order of General
Morrison. Cbkwe) Cockell said to Mr. Arthur, You muti go io
your houft in a kand-ehairt ihe cwrlain drawn aboki you. You mr%
not to stir out of your house, and in 24 kouxs you ore io qmi IA»
mnuk. Mr. Arthur was called upon to give security far bia qnit*
ing Limerick within that time. But no auch condition baYing
been in^posed opon him by bia. excellency, no ocie was found oooh
petent to take his recognisance. The limitation of time, though
not required by his excellency^ was 9gain enforced, and Colonel
Cockell observed, haif an hour more or less mil not be taken
W^ice i^. Mr. Arthar set off for P.ablba, on tbjs 2th of Joly^
where he remained till October; conatmtly urging the lord*
lietitenanl to reyerse the sentence of tjie conrt-oiartialA and
allow hioc^ to prosecute Maome fot perjury, that he mi|^t be
iQ posaes^ion of formal and authentic docuracnta, to clear and
justify his oWn cbaracter. Mr. Cooke and Mr. Tstylor, the
under secretaries, as well aa Lord Castlrieagb, threw every dtfi
fioilty in hit way. The evidence of Manme they an^[ed waa
notoitoosly known tp be false. He was ahready sentenced to Bon:
tany Bay for life, and the necessary delajr of prosecuting Maume in
a civU court would break in upon Mr. Arthur's wishes to go to
£pglaod. Government did not, however, scruple in tlie interme*.
4iate time to employ tbia peijnred miscreant to give evidence at
Cork again«t sonye persons there under military prosecutions Mr.
Arthur was still naturally anxious for every justificative document
that be could proeure. He pressed to have copies of bis exceN
Vency*s different orders for respiting the sentence of the ^court*^
martial, liberatiog him, and repaying tb^ fine. He was assured,
tbc^t all these orders bad been verbal ! ! ! and that bis excellency
eouid do nothing more for him. Mr. Cooke to pat an end to Mr«

3q9

452 The Reign of George 111.

^79^ In the county df Wexford there had long subsisted a
rivalry bordering on rancour^ between the protestaHts

Arthur^s farther importaiiUy, wrote to him the following letter on
(he lOlh of October 1793.

Sir, Castle, lOtb Oct. I798.

I eiamined William Maume, whose evidence I ani clear it
false \ he will be sent off and transported, and there cannot beany
•bjedion tO your going whither you think Inost eligible. As far
as I can give testimony to your character, I shall ever do it by say-
ing, that I think it by no means implicated from any thing asserted
by^Mauroe; and I certainly never heard any aspersion upoA yon
from any one else. " I am, &c^

To Francis Arthur, Esq. B. COOKE.

Maame in the mean while was daily seen wislkihg the streets of
, Cork. In January, 1799« he advertised his intention of publish*
ing the whole of -Mr. Arthur's trial, aiid all the means used loin,
duce him (Maume) to give false evidence against him. He was
Instantly arrested, and thenceforth confined to the barracks
(though in an officer's apartments) where he was frequently visits
ed by Mr. Judkin Fitzgerald. Thence he was sent on board the
Minerva transport, bound for Botftiy Bay. Despairing now of Us
pardon, and repenting, dt pretending to repent, of his having borne
false testimony against Mr. Arthur, he swore to, and signed a fnll
^d minute avowal of all the falsities he had given lA evidence
against Mr. Arthur, in order to criminate him capitally. This was
done in the presence of Joseph Salkeld, the master, and Henry
Harrison, the mate of the ship Minerva ; Thomas Hdl/nes, Esq.
late captain of the 54th, Kilner Bra«ier, Esq. late sheriff of Cork,
and Arthur Arthur, and Peter Afthur, Esqrs. merchants of Cork.
Mr. Arthur*s last resort to do himself justice was to obtain the
consent of the castle, to publish in the newspapers the lettem
of Messrs. Cooke and Taylor. T^us was refused on the pretext
of the temper of the times. The roo:t inventive novelist could

Administration of Earl Camden. 45S

and catholics. The county of Wicklow was one of '798.
the most thriving districts in the kingdom. There
persons of different religions, in the middle and inferior
ranks, lived together in habits of cordiality* The
gentlemen of landed interest in the county of Wex-
ford had always been noted for their antipathy against
catholics, and their representatives in parliament had
uniformly opposed every mitigation of the popery laws.
In these circumstances may be traced something of a
predisposing cause to insurrection ; but none such
existed with respect to the county of Wicklow. The
circumstance which brought forward the insurrection in
the county of Wexford was the introduction of the
Orange system by the North Cork militia. There
Colonel Lord Kingsborough encouraged his men, who
were mostly Orangemen, to wear medals and orange
ribbons triumphantly pendent from their bosoms. Be-
fore their arrival in April there were but few actual
Orangemen in that county j but soon after most of
the protestants became open and sworn Orangemen.
Reports were artfully circulated, that the armed pro-
testants intended to massacre and expel the catholics,
as they bad from Armagh. This alarm was so preva-
lent, that on many occasions all the inhabitants for an
extent of thirty miles deserted their houses^ and slept
in the open fields*. Many joined the association be-
hardly have combined a chain of circumstances so peculiarly
illustrati?e of the coercive system, under which Ireland now
laboured.

• This £ict was proved at the summer assizes of Wexford^ 1798>
before' Loid Yelverton.

So 3

45* The Reign ^ Geprge ttl.

l^^ cause they had no alternative; the armed tofpi
generally considered every catholic a rebel ; who re-
ceired no credit much less merit for any act of loyalty.
After the corps had been put on permanent duty, and
the officers and magistrates had begun to torture and
burn houses, multitudes of these people became fugi-
tives fh>m fear or actual want of dwellings : many from
being exasperated at the sufferings of their acquaint-
^nce, friends, and kindred. Conmion sufferings
brought these persons together and formed the rebel-
Jion of Wicklow and Wexford. Most of the atroci-
ties Committed in that rebellion were acts of retaliation.
The rebellion in these two counties was niore a sud-
den gust of revenge, than a preconcerted design,
fbnnti 7he general insurrection in the county of Wexford

to^^^ ^as occasioned on the 27tb of May, by the unpro-
S^^ yoked aggression of some yeomen, who entered and
****^ burnt the catholic chapel of Boolavogue, in the parish
of Kilcormick. Immediately Father John Muiphy^
the parish priest, at the head of some of" his parish-
ioners, fell upon them j and several of the yeomen, with
their two commanding officers, were killed. Father
Murphy and some other priests ^, who were driven or
seduced into the rebellion, when once embarked in
the cause, regulariy exercised their spiritual functions
in the camps. Numbers of people were shot in the •
TOads^ at work in the fields, and even in their houses,

^ Out of 2000 priests^ of which the catholic clergy in Ireland
insists, odIj nine were known to have joined the rebellion : their
oames and characters are given in Hist. Rev. vol. III. p. JiJ.

Administration of Earl Camden. 455

Unarmed and unoffending, by straggling parties of ^7^
yeomen ; which naturally drove others to seek refuge
ifiish their friends in arms. Hence, in jthe space of ^
twenty-four hours, two large bodies were collected^
one on the hill of Oulart, the other on Kilthomas
Hill. They were confused multitudes of both sexes
and all ages. 200 yeomen from Camew marched
against the body on Kilthomas Hill, which instantly
fied in the utmost confusion^ and above a hundred
and fifty of the fugitives were killed in the pursuit:
the yeomen in a march of seven miles burned two
Catholic chapels, and about a hundred cabins and
^m^houses of catholics. .

The event of the attack on the same day on the hill RcWs gain
of Oulart^ where Father Murphy commanded, was dif- ta^e under
ferent. A detachment of a hundred and ten men of Murphy.
the Npnh Cork milida^ under the command of Lieu-
tenant-colonel Foote, marched from Wexford, and
«ttacked the rebels on the southern side of the hill.
The rebels fled at the first onset and were pursued by
the militia, without rank or order. Father Murphy
rallied SOO of his men with so much vigor, that with
their pikes they killed, almost in an instant, the whole
detachment, except the lieutenant-colonel, a sergeant,
and three privates. Of the 300 who rallied, only six
were armed with firelocks, the rest had pikes. Three
of the ineurgeots were kiUed, and six wounded by the
disordered soldiery. Whilst the country exhibited a
scene of distress and coi^stemation, houses in flames,
families flying in every dir^don for asylum^ the bpdy
of rebels under Father Murphy, marched frpm Oulart,.

8o4

45fl The Reign of George III.

17P8. flushed with victory, and encreasing their numbers as
they advanced. They first took possession of Camolin,
a small town in which 800 armed themselves with guns,
which within some few hours had been there deposited
by Lord Mountnorris. On the 28th of May,' Ennis-
corthy was attacked by this multitude, and after four
hours' resistance, was left in the possession of the insur-
gents. The garrison fell back on Wexford : they lost
about fourscore of their men, and set the town on fire
in several places : the yeomen intended, and would
have murdered all the prisoners, had not the jailer
accidentally gone to Wexford with the key*. The
sufferings and reports of the fugitives from Ennis-
corthy, who had retired with the troops to Wexford,
and the discovery of the smoke and flames in a conti-
nued line from Wexford to Enniscorthy, excited the
greatest alarm and consternation.
Deputation Captain Boyd of the Wexford • cavalry, in conse-
^bcu. ^ quence of a requisition to that purpose of the shenflF
and other gentlemen, on the 27th of June had arrested
Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey, John Henry Colclough,
and Edward Fitzgerald, all respectable gentlemen of
the county of Wexford. Visiting them in prison on
the 29th, Captain Boyd prevailed upon Messrs. CoU
clough and Fitzgerald to go to the rebels at Ennis-

* This butchery of prisoners without trial had been before fre>
quenily practised- " At Carnew 28 prisoners were brought out of
*' the place of confinement and deliberately shot, in a bull alley,
'• by ihe yeomen/* — Insur. Wcxf. p. 76. *' At Dunlavin 34
<' were shot without trial, and among them the informefi on whose
•' evidence they were arrested," — Ibid. 87.

Administration of Earl Camden. 457

corthy, and endeavour to persuade them to disperse I7flfl^-
and return to their homes; but would not give au-
thority to promise any terms to the insurgents in case
of submission. On the arrival of these two gentlemen
at Enniscorthy, about four in the afternoon of the
same day, they found the rebels in a state of confu-
sion, distracted in their councils, and imdetermined
upon any plan of operation; some proposing to attack
Newtownbarry, others Ross, others Wexford, others
to remain in their present posts: the greater number
to march home for the defence of their houses against
Orangemen *. They thought more of defence, than ag-
gression, f It was but the resolution of a moment to
march in a body to attack Wexford. Mr. Fitzgerald
they detained in the camp, and Mr. Colclough they sent
back to announce their hostile intentions. Mr. Col-
clough, on his return to Wexford in the eveiring,
announced the insurgents' determination of marching
from Vinegar Hill to the attack of Wexford.

Early in the^moming of the 29th, Colonel Max- Dcucii*
well, of the Donegal milida, with two hundred men Gen. Faw
of his regiment and a six pounder, arrived in Wex- prUco.
ford from Duncannon fort, dispatched by General
Fawcett, who had been apprized of the insurrection on
the 27th. An express sent from the mayor of Wex^

♦ The dread of Orangemen not of Protestants appcart to bavo
afiected those rebek throogboac Even Sir Richard Mmgr^ve has
apoken truly on this pointy (p. 335) '' On Whitsunday they nm
'* in mass^ armed with pikes and guns^ and vowed vengeanca
€i against the Protestants as Orangemen^

t Hays, p. 103.

458 The Reigm ^ George lit.

1798. ford to that general, requesting an additional forcei
^""^^^ had returned with an answer, that the general himself
would commence his march for Wexford on the satne
evening, with the 13th regiment, four companies of
the Meath militia^ and a party of artillery with two
howitzers. General Fawcett halted on the evening of
the 29th at Taghmon, seven miles from Wexford ^
but sent forward a detachment of 88 men, including
18 of the artillery, with the howitzers, under the com«
mand of Captain Adams, of the Meath militia. This
detachment was intercepted early in the morning of
the SOth : the howitzers were taken, and almost the
whole party slain. General Fawcett retreated to Dun-
gannon fort^ and Colonel Maxwell, who had marched
out to join him, was nearly surrounded, but with great
address made good his retreat to Wexford, with the
loss of Lieutenant-colonel Watson killed, and some
privates wounded.
Internal At Wexford all were in desperate consternation.

cw^wnat Some yeomen and supplementariesiposted nearly op»
posite the gaol were heard continually threatening to
put all the prisoners to death, which so roused the
attention of the jailer to protect his charge, that he
barricaded the door, and delivered up the key to Mr.
Harvey. This gentleman was so apprehemave of
violence, that he had concealed himself in the chim-
ney, and it was Jiot without great difficulty that seme
magistrates were adndtted to see him in the jaB.
They forced him to write a letter to the insurgents,
intimating^ that he had been treated in prison with all
possible humanity, and was then at liberty. That he

Adminislrdtum of ISarl Camden. 459^

had procured the Uberty of all die prisoners ; and ea* ^799.
treating them m Christian charity, not to commit
massacre, or bum the property of the inhalntants, but
to spare their, prisoners' lives. This note was sent to
the insurgents, with an offer to surrender ite town.
Scarcely had this resolution been taken, when all the
military corps, (a part of the Wexford infantry un(kr
Captain Hughes excepted) made the best of their way
out of the town in whatever direction they imagined they
couli find safety, without acquainting their neighbours
<m duty with their intentions. The principal inhabitants,
whose services had latterly been accepted of for die
defence of the town, were mostly catholics, and ac«
cording to the prevailing system, had been continually
£ufa|ected to obloquy and insult. Thej were always
placed in front of the posts^ and cautioned to behave
well, or that death should be the consequence. Per*
sons were even placed behind them to keep them to
their duty, who were so rigorously watchful, that they
would not permit them to turn about their heads.
. Thus were the armed inhabitants left at* their post,
abandoned by their officers, and actually ignorant of
the flight of the si^diery, until all possible means of.
retreatmg were cut off. The North Cork regiment
on quitting the barracks set them on fire ; but it was
soon aftor extinguished. As the place was abandon*
ed by the military, the multitude poured in with ex^ '
Cravagant exultation. They finst proceeded to tbe
jail, released the prisoners, and insisted, that Mr.
Harvey should become their comipander. All the
bouaes not abaftdoned by the inhabitants, were decor-

400 The Reign of George III. '

V9^» ated with green boughs^ and other emblematic sym*
bols of insurrection. The doors were thrown open>
and the multitude regaled with spirits and drinks of
which however they uniformly refused to partake^
tmdl the persons offering them had first drunk them- *
selves, as a proof, that the liquor was not poisoned ; a
report having prevailed to that effect. Those^ who
did not throw open their doors suffered by plunder.
The house of Captain Boyd, though not deserted, was
pillaged and demolished,
ouiiagcs of xhe troops who had fled from Wexford, signalized
mwajrtroopi. themselves in their retreat by plunder, devastation,
and murder; burning the cabins, and shooting the
peasants in their progress ; and thus augmented the
number and rage of the insurgents. These excesses
were seen from the insurgents' station at the Three
Rocks, and it was with extreme difliculty, that the
enraged multitude were hindered by their chiefs from
rushing down upon Wexford, and taking summary
vengeance of the town and its inhabitants. The in-
surgents were extremely irritated at the breach of
the condition, which they had insisted upon, of all
. the arms and ammunition being delivered up.
Gorcr evi- The turn of this rebellion now rendered both sides
^^t'to° ferocious, even to their associates. When Gorey
could be no longer defended by its slender garrison,
it was evacuated on the next morning at five o'clock,
and the inhabitants were ordered to retire to Arklow.
Fainting with hunger, thirst, fatigue, and the want of
sleep, the fugitives were denied admittance into the
town, and forced to seek refuge in the fields, where they

Admmstratian of Earl Camden. 46i

remained, till the rebels,' by bending thdr course to i^^
the souihj left Gorey : and then they returned to it
unmolested.

At Vinegar Hill, which commands the town of CtrnpttVi.
Enniscorthy, the rebels formed, what they called a
camp, from which they daily garrisoned the town,
by an officer's guard. They wantonly destroyed the
interior of the church.*.

The King's troops gained some advantages at the AUemtte

successes OK

village of Ballycannoo, where they fired most of the the King's

troops UM

houses; and also at Newtownbarry, which gave a mo- rebels.
mentary check to the rebels. Disheartened at their .
recent defeats, they took post on Cotrigrua Hill in
great force, where they rested on their afms till the
4th of June* In the mean time, a corps of 1500
men» with 5 pieces of artillery, under General
Loftus, arrived at Gorey. Thence they marched in
two divisions, by different roads to Corrigrua. The
rebels surprised the division under Colonel Walpole f,
at a place called Tubbemeering. He fell on the first

* This was the first outrage conamitted by the rebels on a pro-
tfstant church. There were afterwards some, though not maajr
more such instances. In order to avoid the odious detail of the
wanton destrnction of places of divine worship, a list may be seen
of the catholic chapels destroyed in time of and after the rebellion,
in-the Appendix to ray Hist. Rev. No. CXII.

t Thja gentleman was a relative and favourite of Lord Cam-
den. He was no solder ; but, through importunity at the castlc#
had procured the command of ^\t hundred men. He refused to
employ scouts or flanking parties > and was not aware of the
enemy, till they were within gun shot. He was xronspicuouly
fROonted on a white charger^ in full uniform and pluma-e.

4«i The Retgn of George irt.

i798* fire^ suid his (Foops ffed in the utmost disorder^ leaving;
two six pounders, and a smaller piece, in the hands
of the enemy. They were pursued as far as Gorey ;
in their flight through which, they were galled hy
the fire of some of the rebels, who had taken station
in the houses. The unfortunate loyalists of Gorey
once more fled to Arklow with the routed army,
leaving all their effects behind. While Walpofe's
division was attacked, General Loftus, bang witlw
hearing of the musquetry, detached 70 men, the
grenadier company of the Antrim militia, across the
fields to its assistance i but they were intercepted by
Ae rebels, and almost all kHled or taken. The ge
neral, still Ignorant of the fate of Colonel Walpole's
division, and unable to bring his arf llery across the
fields, continued his march along the highway, by a
circuit, to the field of battle, \iChere he first learnt the
fate of Colonel Walpole an4 his division^ He re-
treated to Camew : and at the head of twelve hundred
eflfective men, abandoned xbaX part of the country, by
retiring to Tullow.
Siege of Whilst one formidable body of the Wexford in-

surgents, under the command of Edward Roche,
was advancing towards the north, another still more
formidable, under the command of Mr. Harvey, pe-
netrated to the south-west. The conquest of New
Ross would have opened the communication with
the disaffected in th^ counties of Waterford and
Kilkenny^ in which many thousands were supposed
ready to rise in arms at the appearance of their sue*
cessful confederates. This latter body took post on

Vcw Ross.

Administration of Earl Camdtn. 463

Carrickburne mountain, ^itiun six miles <^ Row, ^^^
where it was reviewed and organized till die 4th of
June, when it marched to Corbet Hill, within a mile
of diat town, which it was intended to attack the next
morning. Mr. Harvey possessed much resolution^
and a good understanding, but no military experience.
He had, however, formed the plan of an attack on
three diflferent parts of the town at once, which would
probably have succeeded had it been put in execution*
Having sent a flag of truce, with a summcms to
General Johnson^ who commanded the King's tro(^>8»
to surrender the town, the bearer of.it, Mr. Furlong,
was shot by the sentinel of an out-post. * This so

* To shoot all perioiii carryiog flags of truce from the lebdi
uppears to have been a maxim with his majesty's forces. Tht
measure if wise, was certainly less productive of good, than evU
^OQseqaences* In Mr. Furlong's pocket was found the jbllowinf
letter to General Johnson.

" As a fiiend to homanitj, I request joa wU
** surrender the town of Ross to the Wexford foroes now asiem*
^ Ued against that town. Your resistance will but provoke rapine
'' and plunder, to theruin of the most innocent. Flushed with vi^
•* tory, the Wexford forces, now innumerable and irresistible, will
f' not be controlled^ if they meet with resistance. To prevent,
** thereibie, the total ruin of all property in the town, I urge you
f' lo a speedy surrender, which you will be forced to in a few
^ houn> with loss and bloodshed, as you are surrounded on all
" sides. Your answer is required in four hours. Mr. Furlong
" carries this letter, and will bring the answer.
" I am. Sir,

" B. B. Hartbt,
" General commanding, &c. &c> Ice."
#' Camp ai Corbeti Hill, half past ihret o'clock
ikihimommg, Jun9 5, 1709 •'*

46* • ^he Reign of George III.

Ij^^ exasperated the insurgents, that under the command
of Mn Kelly, they rushed impetuously into the town,
drove back the cavalry with slaughter on the in£m«
try, seized the cannon, and became masters of a
great part of the town; upon which a panic seized the
King's troops, who retired to the Kilkenny side of the
bridge, and several of the officers fled to Waterford,
with the alarming intelligence. Major General John*
son, perceiving that the insurgents instead of following
their advantage, gave up themselves to drinking, with
great prudence brought back to the charge his fugitive
troops, who presently recovered their post, and drove
the rebels from the town. The rebels^ in their turn,
rallied by their chiefs, returned with redoubled fury
to the assault, regained their lost ground, and relaps-
ed into riot and intoxication. Again dislodged
by the same exertions as before, and a third time
rallied, but still more disabled by their intem-
perance, they were at last finally repulsed, after a
contest of above ten hours. Lord Mountjoy, who
commanded the Dublin militia, fell early in tlie day.
Three hundred of the King's troops were killed, and
above four times that number of the insurgents;
the greater part of them after the action was over.
When the rebel army marched to Corbet Hill, several
prisoners had been left under a guard, in a bam
belonging to Scullabogue house, at the foot of Car*
rickbume mountain.
Masncre Ixi the course of the forenoon, some of the rebels
bogue. ran away from the assault, and declared, that the Royal
army in Ross were shooting all the prisoners, and

Administration of Earl Camden. 465

butchering the catholics, who had fallen into their i/98«
hands; they even forged an order from Harvey
for the execution of those at ScuUabogue. It was re-
sisted by the officer. But the runaways were brutal as
they were dastardly. They rushed into the prison, shot
and piked 37 at th^ hall door i and the rest, since
'computed at above lOO, were burnt alive in the
bam. This irthuman barbarity was not the conse-
quence of any regular system, but perpetrated by
Ithe runaway rebels, to palliate their own flight, by
i^iventions and exaggerations of the cruelty of the
King's troops. i3n the day after the rebels' defeat at
Ross, they resumed their position on Carrickbum hill.
Discontent pervaded the whole army. Loud mur-
murs were heard against their commander in chiefs
who in consequence resigned his command^ and
retired to Wexford. He was disheartened at the
failure of the preceding day, and disgusted at the
general insubordination of the forces. His last
act of power was a general order, denouncing death
against such persons, as should murder any pri-
soner, bum any house, or commit any plunder,
without special written orders from the commander
in chief ••

The rebels remained two days at Carrickbum ; they Father

' • 1 1 . 1 Ml R'jchc sue-

then took post on Sleeva Keelta, a neighbourmg hill, cecds Har-

commanding the nver or Ross, where by a tumul- command.

tuous election, they chose for general, in the room of

♦ That order, anci several particulars relating to the massacre of
ScuUabogae, are to be seen in Hist. Rev. vol. III. p. 73l# ^^*
VOL iU . 2 H

466 The Reign of George llL

i79«. Harvey, Father PhUip Roche> a man of athletic
powers and boisterous manners, and not ill adapt-
ed to controul the disorderly bands he had to deal
with. This choice gave to the contest a new tinge
of crusade< The term United Irishmen was sunk
into that of Popish Rebels^ and the denomina-^
tion of Orangemen into that o(*Protestants and He--
retids. This circumstance proved how little the
Wexford insurrection had been preconcerted. Quit-
ting the post of Sleeva Keelta three days after
their arrival, the troops under Father Roche occupied
the hill of Lacken, within two miles, of Ross, where
for some days they lay inactive, regaling themselves
on the slaughtered cattle and liquors they had plun«
dered.
Wickiow ^ The insurgents of the county of Wicklow had
tion.' Baltic with extreme difBculty been kept in check by Majof
°^* Hardy, who had notwit&sanding been repulsed ia
five different rencounters; which though singly of
slight importance^ encreased the rebels' assurance
and eagerness to co-operate with the Wexford insur*
gents* On the 9th of June, the rebels, after having
wasted some time in burning the town of Camew^
trying prisoners for Orangism, and plundering houses^
collected their forces at Gorey, and advanced to
attack Arklow,. with a force exceeding twenty thou^
sand men, of whom near five thousand were armed
with guns^ the rest with pikes, and furnished with
three serviceable pieces of artillery. The garrison
consisted of sixteen hundred men^ including yeomen
and artillery. The rebels' attack was so impetuousj

^Administration of Earl Camden* 467

that the piquet guard of yeoman Tavahy, on which it ^798.
first felly instantly £ed in the utmost confusion. The
farther progress of the assailants^ though equally
fierce, was prevented by the firmness of the infantry,
particularly the Durham fencibles, commanded by
the brave Colonel Skerret, who when General
Needbam talked of a retreat, spiritedly replied that
he knew the spirit of his corps, and could n^ver
bear the idea of its giving ground. This magna-
nimous answer diverted the general for some time
from his plan of retreat. In the mean time the
rebels retired in despair, frustrated in their fiirious
assault and dispirited by the death of Father Michael
Murphy, who was .killed by a cannon shot, within
thirty yards of the Durham line^ while he was lead^
ing his people to the attack. The battle of Arklow,
though not the most bloody, was perhaps the most
important of this civil war^ as by the un^aivourable
turn it gave to the rebel arms, it probably decided
the fate of Ireland.

The town of Wexford was the prinie seat of honors in

, , , the town of

rebellion in the south. It remamed m the possession wexford.
of the rebel force, from the SOth of May to the 21st
of June, during which time it was the scene of many
horrors. The sanguinary and vindictive turn the
insurrection had very early taken, rendered sub-
mission alike dreadful to both parties. On the
evacuation of the town by the military, the vessels
in the harbour were instantly crowded with fugi-
tives, and the quays with men^ womens and

2 H 2

468 The Re/gn of George ill

1798- children, who to avoid falling into the hands of
the rebels, begged in the most pitiable manner to
• be admitted on board the vessels. On seeing the
flames of the toll-house and bridge, all the vessels
weighed and stood towards the mouth of the harbour,
where they cast anchor. About one o'clock, a white
flag was seen flying in Wexford (a signal that the
rebels were in possession of the town) ; all the cap-
tains answered the signal, except two, who sailed for
Wales, They then again weighed anchor, and stood
for the town, where they soon landed all their passen-
gers to share the fate of their neighbours. The
rebels, who entered the town, were headed by Edward
Roche, who had been permanent sergeant i/i Colonel
Le Hunte's corps of yeomen cavalry, from which he
• had deserted, and become a rebel general. By ac-

clamation they appointed General Keugh governor
and commandant of the town ; and bore him on
their shoulders to the court-house. This man had,
from a private, risen to the rank of captain-lieutenant
in the 6th regiment, in which he served in America.
He was of engaging address, had long been in
the habit of freely censuring the corruptions of go*
vernment, and was so violent an advocate for reform,
that the chancellor had strucken him out of the com-
mission of the peace, in the year 1796. In order to
introduce some order into the town, certain persons
were chosen to distribute provisions, in rateable por-
tions, amongst the inhabitants. The habitations of
many of such protestants as had escaped were plun-

Administration of Ecrl Camden. 469

dered, some were demolished, and few houses even 1798-
of those Protestants that remained were spared. The ^"^^
most obnoxious • protestants were committed to pri-
SQn ; yet many were still at large, who were really at^
tached to thepopular cause, or who from fearnowaffected
to be so. During the tumultuary rule of this en*-
raged multitude, many murders were perpetrated with
a savage affect^don of solemnity, in order to excite
the enthusiasm of the mob.

Most, if not all of the massacres at Wexford, lay Atreciti*
at the door of an infuriate monster of the name of

ICS

of DUon.

* The following rebel proclamation seems to justify the idea,
that they had no intent or wish to spUl the blood of any, who had
not b«cn guilty of acts of cruelty, violence, and oppression against
f he people. All Orangemen they considered guilty.

Proclamation of the People of the County of Wexford.

*' Whereas it stands manifestly notorious, that James Boyd,
'« Hawtry White, Hunter Gowran, and Archibald Hamilton
'* Jacob, late magistrates of this county, have committed the most
*' horrid acts of cruelty, violence, and oppression, against our pcacc-
•' able and wtU affected cpuntrymen- Now we, the people,
" associated and united for the purpose of procuring our just rights,
" and being determined to protect the persons and properties of
'* those of all religious persuasions, who have not oppressed us,
^' and are willing with heart and hand to join our glorious cause,
" as well ns to shew our marked disapprobation and horror of the
" crimes of the above delinquents, do call on our countrymen at
" large to use every exertion in their power to apprehend the bo-
•• dies of the aforesaid James Boyd, &c. &c. &c. and to secure
'* and convqy them to the gaol of Wexlbrd, to be brought befora
" the tribunal of the people.

" Done at Wexford, this gih day of June, 1798.

*' God save the People/*
2h3

470 The Reign of George J II.

1798, Dixon, a captain of a trading vessel, then lying in the
harbour : he was the first to re-land the fugitives he
had on board, towards whom (particularly the ladies)
he behaved with brutal ferocity. On his return to
shore he was made a captain in the rebel army ; which
increased his influence, and extended his means of ex-
citing the rabble to those atrocities, in which he de-
lighted. The wife of this man, as inhuman as him-
self, had purloined from the drawing-room of Mr. Lei
Hunte, four miles from Wexford, two fire-screens with
emblematical figures. Dixon informed the mob, that
this room had been the meeting-place of Orangemen,
and that the figures denoted the manner, in which the.
Roman Catholics were to be put to death by these
conspirators J that they were to be first deprived
of their sight, . and then burned alive, without the.
exception even of children; and particularly that
the seamen of that communion were to be roasted
to death on red-hot anchors. Mr. Le Hunte, who
had hitherto been permitted to remain quietly in a
private house in the town, was instantly dragged into
the street by the rabble, who would soon have torn him
to pieces, had he npt been saved by the exertions of
Mr. Edward Hay, and Mr. Robert Carty, two catholic
gentlemen, who prudently hurried him into the gaol,
under pretence of bringing him to trial, and parried
in the crowd the thrusts of the pikes, two of which(,
in spite of their endeavours, wounded him slightly ia
the back*. The number of protestants in the town

* Gordon, second edition, p. 178. Mr. £. Hay, in 1602j|
wrote a verjr interesting letter to Mr. Gordon on some mistate*

jfdmtnUtration of Earl Camden^ 471

of Wexford, when it fell into the hands of the rebels, 179^
did not merely consist of the inhabitants of that town
and its environs, but had been greatly encreased by the
assemblage of refugees and. prisoners from more distant
parts of the country. Qf these, about 260 were secured
in the jail and other places of confinement ; some were
kept in their own houses : the dread of massacre fell
indiscriminately upon them alL On the 6th of June,
under an order from Enniscorthy, ten prisoners at Vfex*
ford were selecdbd for execution, and suffered accord*
ingly. The limitation of the victims to half a score,
under this order, was made upon the principle of retalis(-
(ion : those, who gave it, having received information,
that a similar number of their people had suffered in like
manner on the preceding day. A * general slaughter of
the prisoners was twice attempted by the sanguinary
pixon, at the head of bands of peasants. He was mag*
nanimously opposed, first by one Hore, a butcher, and
next by one ScalUon, ^ nautical trader; the former
with a sword, the latter with a pistol^ defying him to
single combat, and insisting, that he must shew himself
9 man, before he should dare to put defenceless mei^ ta
death, Notwithst2(nding the brutalityand influence of

menti In the ^it edition of hli history^ which the reverend author
has bad the candor to pnbltth at faU lengUi in the Appendix to his
sfqond edition, to be seen in Appendix to Historical B/eview^.
No. CXI II. The Rev. Historiap there says he is convioced^Jthat
Mr. Haj had no command among the rebels, and exerted himself
pnly to save lires and property. Mr* Edward Hay has*, sinos
the publication of Mr. Grordon*s second editiop, published a wiy.
I^nthentic and interesting history of the iofansction of Wexfocd«
f ^rdop^ ieeoA4 e(|ition^ p. 180.
2H4

4*73 Th^ Reign of George III '

^^79^^ Dixon, and some few individuals of his cast, over the
most infuriated fanatics of the multitude, the leaders
of the rebels solemnly disclaimed every idea of cruelty,
and strongly recommended brotherly love and affec-
tion ' towards their countrymen of every religious
persuasion •• An influx of fugitive rebels from the
northern parts of the county, by retailing some and
exaggerating or inventing other facts of barbarity
committed upon them by the soldiery, had worked
up to an unaccountable degree the vindictive fero-
city of the lowest rebels, which the barbarous Dixon
enflamed by whiskey, and the most inhuman exhorta-
tions. This monster had art in his barbarity. The
Rev. Mr. Dixon, his relative, a catholic clergyman,
having been sentenced to transportation, had been sent
off to Duncannon Fort the day precedin*g the insur-
rection : he was found guilty on the testimony of one
Francis Murphy, whose evidence had been positively
contradicted by three other witnesses. Under these
circumstances, Dixon took a summary mode of aveng-
ing the fate of his kinsman, who was generally beloved.
He brought this Murphy out of gaol, upon his own sole
authority, and conducted him down to the bull-ring,
where he obliged three revenue officers, who were
then prisonei-s, and whom he brought out along with
him, to shoot him, and afterwards bear his body to
the quay and throw it into the water. This execution
took place, with all its circumstances, while most of

♦ '>c the proclamations^ signed B. B. Harvey, on the 6th of
^une, and by Edward Roche, on the 7lh, in ihe Appendix to
flistorical Reyiew, No. CXIV.

Administration of Earl Camden. 473

I

the town's people were at prayers, and was utterly 1798-.

unknown to the principal inhabitants.

Dr. Caulfield*, the catholic bishop of Ferns, and Exotions

otheiis of his clergy in that diocese, exerted themselves thoiic

, . clergy to

with the utmost zeal at the hazard of their lives to pre- prevent
vent bloodshed, and preserve the lives and property of and save '

the pro*

•

It suffices to state two letters written to Dr. Troy by Coloqcl
Litilehales^ secretary to Lord Cornwallis, after the heat of the
ferment had subsided, and after the publication of Sir Richar4
Musgrave*s rancorous untruths, as testimonies of his loyalty an4
meritorious conduct on this trying occasion. Some very cur tout
and interesting details of the exertions and dangers of that respect"*
able prelate, who is since deceased, and his clergy i are to be aeea
in Historical Review, vol* III. p* 750, &c.

DuLlin Castle, May llM, 180a
" Sir,

''In answer to the honor of your letter of the 9th instant,
" which I have laid before my lord-lieutenant, I am to assure
" you, that government will give to Dr. Caulfield that protection,
'* which, from his conduct and character as 9 loyal subject, he
" appears justly to merit.

*' I have the honor to be,
" Sir,
'« Your most obedient and faithful servant,

£. B. LllTLEHALEf.

'* The most Rev. Dr. Troy, ^c. Isfc. Vc.
Vwik King Street^

Duhlin Castle, June ZOlh, 1800*
^' Sir,

" Your letter of the 28th current having reached me«
ff with its enclosure from Dr. Caulfield, I have stated their con«
ff teou to my lord-Ucutenant, who des'ures me to say, that Ui ei(<

^fUtantSi

474 The Reign of George III.

1799* the protestanta Sir Richard Musgrave, the indefad*
gable traducer of ancient and modem Ireland, has la*
boured all he could by tiisseminating false calumnies,
to criminate that respectable prelate and his clergy.
lordKingt. . So radically had the fatal enthusiasm extinguished
tikcnbjr all sense of duty in the misguided wretches in thi$
temporary pbrenzy, that it became a service of as
inuch danger to dehort them from their wicked pur-
posesy as to hoist fui orange cockade, or to threateq
tp flog, strangle, or picquet them. Lord Kings-
borough (now Earl of Kingston), the colonel of the
North Cprk regiment of militia, was in Publin when
the towq was taken possessrqn of by the rebels.* Dis*
believing the report of this disaster, he set out under
obstinate incredulity to join his regiment : he travelled
by land to Arklow, and ^hence proceeding by sea to
Wexford^ was taken prisoner with two officers of his
regiment off the harbour of that town. ITie cap-
ture of Lord Kings|3orough was considered by the
rebels as an incident of peculiar importance to them,
not only oa account of his situation in life, but more
especially as his lordship had ever been prominentl]^

" cellen^ has no cause whatsoever to alter the opiQlon* he b«K
" imbibed of the loyalty and proper deportoient ^f Dr. Oaulfitld^
«' whose letter I return*

** I have the honor to be,
" Sir^
'< Your most obedient and fiiithful servant/'

E. B. LlTTLEttA^fV

" Thi most Rev. Dr. Trvy, Vc. ttc. (iff.
North King Sineir

Administration of Earl Camden* 4?5

zealous in promoting the system of coercion so ob- ^^
noxious to the United Irishmen. The more reflecting
of them had further views in his importance as an
hostage, in case of their being driven to terms of
capitulation. To the unremitting and hazardous
exertions of Dr, Caulfield does this nobleman owe
his life.

On the 19th of June, General Edward Roche, and Coiwferim.
such of the insurgents of his neighbourhood, as were fofdon the

, spprosch of

at Vinegar Hill, were sent home to collect the whole the«mj. -
mass of the people for general defence. By the mardi
of the royal army in all directions, towards Vinegar
pill and Wexford, a general flight of such of the in«
habitants as could get oflf took place. The alarm
was general thoughout the country ; all men were
called to attend the camps ; and Wexford became the
universal rendezvous of the fugitives, who reported
the approach of the army, marking it's movements
i^ith horror and devastation. Ships of war were
also seen off the coast : gun^boats blocked up the
entrance of the harbour : and from the commanding
situation of the can^p at the Three Rocks, on the
mountain of Forth, the general conflagration, which
was as progressive as the march of the. troops, was
flcarly perceivable. General Moore*, who advanced

• This great and ever to be lamented hero, who lately fell a
Tictim to the councils of some of those very men, who were now
driving the system In Ireland, was an eleve and favourite of Sir R«
Abercrombie, who had resigned the command of the troops act<»
ing under a system, which he could neither lapport as a firitoo nor
as a soldier.

476 The Helgii of George 111.

179^ twth a part of the army, did all in his power to prevent
these atrocities, and had some of the outragers im-
mediately put to death. This humane and benevo-
lent conduct ill suited the intentions and views of the
terrorists. He was instantly ordered to Wicklow,
where his conciliatory conduct and humanity were
conspicuous, and ^ill ever be remembered with grati-
tude by the people of that neighbourhood, who
eagerly flocked to his standard for protection. The
principal inhabitants of Wexford having met in con-
aultation upon the best mode of defence, issued an
order for all the armed men to appear in camp by
break of day. Captain Dixon, although completely
accoutred for battle, refused to obey the order,
which was communicated to him, whilst in the act of
sending whiskey to a picked band of 70 ferocious
peasants, whom he had posted in the barrack, and
there detained for his abominable purpose of a
general massacre. He had formed a reserve guard
of some thousands of the most dastardly and un-
ruly, consequently the most savage and cruel of the
mob, who had refused to march to the camp.
These he also plied with liquor, to render them the
fitter for the work of blood. The victims were
conducted from the prison in separate detachments
of about ten or fifteen, with horrible solemnity^
each surrounded by a guard of butchers, and pre-
ceded by a black flag marked with a white cross,
to the place of execution, where they were, after their
names had been separately called over, put to death,
pne after another. One was slaughtered at the doo^

Administration of Earl Camderi. 477

oi the jail, the rest on the- bridge. A multitude of 1798.
wretches (the greater part women) assembled to
behold the sciene of blood, and rent the air with
savage shouts of exultation on the arrival of each de-
tachment at the fatal sp6t. When 35 had been thus
butchered, the slaughter, which had commenced at
two o'clock in the afternoon, was stopped at seven
by the interference of Father Corrin, a catholic clergy-
man, who had gone thither to endeavour to stop the
shedding of blood. On his arrival on the bridge, he
for some time vainly supplicated the assassins to desist.
Then, in an authoritative tone, he commanded them to
pray, before they should proceed farther in the work
of death ; having thus caused them to kneel, he dic-
tated a prayer, that God might shew the same mercy
to them, which they should shew to the surviving pri-
soners. The respite thus procured was rendered hap-
pily efficient by a report, that Vinegar Hill was beset
by the king's troops. This intelligence instantly caused
the multitude to disperse. The surviving captives at
the* bridge were after a short pause re-conducted to
prison by their guard, with denunciations of a general
massacre of all the protcstants on the next day.

We must leave the tumultuary horroi-s of Wexford MoTcmentt
to follow the movements of the army, which led to ^
the final liberation of that town from the ruthless
tyranny of the rebels. After the battle of Arklow the
l-oyal army remained some days close within its quar-
ters ; but when the countiy about Gorey was evacu-
ated by the rebels. Major-general Need ham moved
from Arklow thither on the IDth of June, and

478 The Beign of George lit.

i?9«' thence towards Enniscorthy on the 20th, according to a
toncerted plan of General Lake, that the great station
bf thi^ rebels at Vinegar Hill should be surrounded
bjr his majesty's forces, and attacked in all points at
once. This eminence, with the town of Enniscorthy
at its foot, and the country for many miles round had
been in the possession of the rebels from the 28th of
May, during which time the face of aflFairs had been
indescribibly horrid. Of the prisoners, who had
fallen into the hands of the rebels, between three and
four hundred were put to death ; several after a sham
trial; many without any trial at all*,
ibttte of The army employed to surround the rebel post or
Hai?*' Vinegar Hill, constituted a force of about thirteen
thousand effective men, with a fcrrmidable train of ar-
tillery, with which the whole insurgent army at that
post might have been completely surrounded. The
attack began at seven o'clock on the mommg of the
21st, with a firing of cannon and mortars. All the
divisions were at their respective posts, except that of
General Needham, who either from neglect or ac-
cident, arrived not at his appointed position till nine^
when the business was over. The rebels, after sus*

* Id theie unfortunate ciril contests, retaliation took place;
without 367 reciprocity of right or law. At the same time the
rebel General Murphy experienced similar treatment from the
army. Being a priest^ he was tauntingly desired to work mi-
racles^ scoffed at> and particularly insulted by a young officer^
who went the length of offering indecent insult to his person,
which b6 irritated his feelings, that, though on the brink of cter*
oity, wich his fist he knocked down the officer at a blow. H(»
itas then flagellated and instantly hanged.

Aimimsiration of Marl CamStrU 9ff9

tainlng th» fire of the artillery and small arms for an Jf|^
hour and an half« fled through the passage, which hj
open from thii non-arrival of General Needham;
They directed their course towards Wexford. Some
hundred stragglers after the battle were killed;
most of the real rebels escaped. As the flight t>f
the rebels was precipitate, they left behind them. a
quantity of rich plunder, with thirteen pieces of ord-
nance. The loss on the side of the king's forces was
inconsiderable. * Excesses, to be expected in such a
cSrisis, were committed by the soldiery, particularly by
the foreign corps, who made no distinction between
loyalist and rebel. A house, used as an hospital by
the rebels, was set on fire, in which many sick and
tsrounded were burned to ashesf. ^

On the 21st of June, Capt. Macmanus, of the An- Wexfoitrt
trim, and Lieul. Hay, of the North Cork Militia, who fender cc
were prisoners with the rebels, were sent with pro^^
posals from the inhabitants of Wexfofd, to surrender
the town, and return to their allegiance, provided their
lives and properties should be guaranteed "by the com^
mwding officer. The acceptance of the^e terms

* Great dtsconteots prevailed in the army upon General Need-
liam*s conduct on this, as on a former occasion. It raised a per-
sonal contest between Sir Richard Musgrave and Mr. Gordoo.
The sarcastlcal allusions, which became general afler the action of
the late G€neral Needham and General NeedkanCs gap, shew oa
which side (perhaps unwarrantably) the weight of inculpation lay.

f The Rev. Mr. Gordon sajs, he was informed by a surgeon,
that the burning was accidental the bed clothes having been set
on fire by the wadding of the 8oldier*8 guns^ who were shooting
Ibe patients in their beds.

480 ^e Reign of George lit.

J798. Lord Kingsborough had undertaken personally td
answer for. They were, however, disdainfully re-
jected by General Lake, who returned for answer,
that no terms could be granted to rebels in arms ;
but that the deluded multitude might have peace
and protection when their arms and leaders should
have been delivered into his hands.
Wexford The insurgents were with difficulty prevailed on by
by the their chiefs to quit the town. They divided them-
tioupt. selves into two bodies : one under the command of
the Reverend Philip Roche, marched into the barony
of Forth^ and encamped that night at Sledagh ; the
other, under the conduct of Messieurs Fitzgerald,
Perry, and Edward Roche, proceeded over the bridge
to Pcppard's Castle, where they took their station for
that night. After the approach of the king's troops,
upon the rebels evacuating the town. Captain Boyd,
the representative of Wexford, returning under their
convoy, made many cautious inquiries, from Captain
Bourke, who had come recently from that town,
and having himself, from the commanding elevation
of the road, observed the retreat of the insurgents
over the bridge, entered the town attended with eight
yeomen, almost with as much precipitancy, as he had
formerly abandoned it, loudly declaring the army
at his heels. The face of the town was instantly
changed ; persons, who the moment before had ap-
peared anxious to demonstrate their friendship for
the insurgents, instantaneously exhibited stronger at-
tachment to the king's troops. General Moore,
thinking it most adviseable not to let the troops^ into

Administration of Earl Camden. 481

the town, in order to prevent its being plundered 1799-
and destroyed, took his station on the Windmill
Hills, which conunanded the town. However, shortly-
after, the rest of the army not under his command,
entered the town, and immediately all the wounded
men in the hospital were put to the sword, as were
many straggling inhabitants and others^ who thought
themselves in security.

Relying on the fisuth of Lord Kingsborough's Ctptureof
promises of complete protection of persons and pro- Roc^e.
perties, several remained in the town of Wexford,
unconscious of any reason to apprehend danger ; but
they were soon taken up and committed to jail.
The Reverend Philip Roche had such confidence
in them, and was so certain of obtaining similar
terms for those under his command, that he l^t
his force at Sledagh in full hopes of being per-
mitted to return in peace to their homes, and was
on his way to Wexford unarmed, coming, as he
thought, to recdve a confirmation of the conditions,
and so little apprehensive of danger, that he ad«
vanced within the lines, before he was recognized*
He was instantly dragged from his horse, and ii^
the most ignominious manner taken up to the
camp on the Windmill Hills, pulled by the hair,
kicked, buflFeted, and at length hauled down to
the gaol in such a condition, as scarcely to be re-
cognized. The people, whom he had left in ex-
pectation of being permitted to return quietly home,
l>eing informed of his fate, abandoned all idea

VOL. II. 2 I

4tf The Reign o/Gtorgt IIL

}n^ of peace, and sec off under the command of the
Re?erend John Muiphy to the county of Carlow.

i«r Destth and desolation now visited the county of
•f Wciftiid. Wezfi»rd ao aeverdy, that scarcely a man escaped ;
die old and hannless suffered, whilst they, who had
the use of their limbs and were guilty, had previously
made off with the main body of the people. The
northern part of the county was deserted by most of
its male inhabitants on the 19th^ at the approach of
die army under General Needhanu Some of the
yeomanry, who had formerly deserted Gorey, re-
turned thither oa the filst, and finding no oflka:
of the army as was expected to command there, li-
centiously scoured the country, killed great numbers
in their houses, and all the stragglers they met, most
of whom were making their way home unarmed
from the insurgents, then generally believed to be
totally discomfited* These transactions being made^
known to a body of the insurgents, encamped at Pep-
pard's castle, they resolved to retaliate, and marched
directly for Gorey, whither they had otherwise no in-
tendon of proceeding. The yeomen on their approach
fled with precipitation towards Arklow, but were pur-
sued as far as Coolgreney, with the loss of forty-seven
men. The day was called bloody Friday. The in*
surgents bad been exasperated to this vengeance by
discovering through the country, as they came along,
several dead men, with their skulls split asunder, their
bowels ripped open, and their throats cut across, be-
sides some dead women and children, whose carcases

Administraticn of Earl Camden. 48S

the pigs were devouring, or preying upon some sdll ^798.
expiring.
In the midst of these scenes of blood and slaughter, Aniyaioc

Marquis

the Marquis Cornwallis arrived in Dublin on the 20th ComwiiiM.
of June, 1798, with a plenitude of power exceeding
that of his predecessor, by the supremacy of the mili-
tary command having been superadded to the civil
government of the country. Yet as in the first days
of his administration the old system was completely
acted upon in the settlement of the Wexford re-
bellioa, it will be fitting to lay these posthumous acts
of the extorted system of coercion rather at the
close of Lord Camden's, than the commencement
of Lord Comwallis's administration. After the
total evacuation of the town of Wexford by the
rebel forces, under a general confidence, that their
proposal and Lord Kingsborough's undertaking would
have been attended to and observed. General Lake
entered the town on the 22d of June, in the morn-
ing, and remained there with his staff for several
dkys. Almost all the principal inhabitants were
immediately taken up, confined to gaol, and arraigned
£n- treason. Two days Captain Keugh remained at
Lord Kingsborough's lodgings, under two senti-
nels, before he was removed to gaol, Mr. Cornelius
Grogan was taken at his seat at Johnstown where he
had remained, unconscious of any danger, until con- ^

ducted to prison. Mr. Bagenal Harvey had gone to
his residence at Bargycastle, in such confidence^ that
the terms agreed upon with Lord Kingsborough
would be raii^ed, that he sent some fat cattle into

21 2

484 The Reign of George III.

1798. Wexford for the use of the army } but learning fSrom
the messenger, who drove them thither, that no con-
* ditions whatever would be obtained, he hastened with

the fatal news to Mr. Colclough. This gentleman
had previously taken his wife and child to one of the
Saltee islands, where he thought to have weathered
out the angry storm in a cave, which he had resort-
ed to for concealment. Thither Mr. Harvey also
repaired; they were all soon discovered, and
brought to Wexford, where they were confined in the
condemned cells. Courts-martial sat upon the Rev.
Philip Roche, Captain Keugh, Mr. Grogan, Mr. Har-
vey, Mr. Prendergast, and Mr. Kelly, who had be-
haved with such intrepidity at the attack on New Ross,
where he was wounded : they were all found guilty*
and succesdvely executed. Thdr bodies were treated
^th indecent barbarity. It was afterwards discover-
ed, that the court-martial had been so precipitate as
not even to have sworn in the members.

The province of Ulster, where insurrection had
been most of all dreaded^ and where from the qiirit
of the inhabitants it would, if extensive, have been
the most formidable, had hitherto remained undis-
turbed. On the Tth of June, a meeting of magistrates
having been appointed in the town of Antrim for the
prevention of rebellion, some insurgents, with design
of seizing their persons, attacked the town at two
o clock in the afternoon, and soon overpowering the
troops within it, had possession of it for some time,
but were dislodged by Colonel Durhum, who battered
the town with some artillery, and obliged the iasur-

UtVima.

jidnunistrdtion of Eart Camden.

gents to abandcm it. On this day Lord CNeil was ^798.
mortally wounded ♦. Some other feeble attempts were
made at Ballymena and Ballycastle. The main body
of these northern insurgents retired to Donegar hill,
where, disgusted with their want of success and other
circumstances^ they surrendered their arm$ and dis-
persed. On the 8th of June a more considerable
body of insurgents in the county of Down, near Saint-
field, nearly surrounded a body of troops under
Colonel Stapleton^ consisting of York fencibles and
yeomen cavalry, of whom they killed about sixty ;
the infantry, however, rallied and dispersed the rebels,
and after a stay of two hours on the field of battle,
retreated to Belfast. Little discouraged by this defeat,
in which their loss was trifling, the rebels reassembled,
and took post at Ballynahinch on the Windinill hillj
at the house and in the demesne of Lord Moinu
On the 1 2th General Nugent marching from Belfast,
and Colonel Stewart from Downpatrick, formed a
junction with fifteen hundred men near the Windmill
hill, and with a policy wholly unaccountable, set fire
to the town before the action. The action was main-
tained about three hours : the artillery did little execu-
tion ; at length the Monaghan regiment of militia,
posted with two field- pieces at Lord Moira's great
gate, was attacked with such determined fury by the

* He rode into the town to attend the meeting of the magit-
trates^ not knowing that the rebels were in possession of it. Ho
shot one, who seized the bridle of his horse» after which be was
dragged from hU saddle, and so wounded with pikef, that he divd
in a ftw days.

2 I S

*86 The Reign of George III.

^JJWj pikemen of the insui^gents, that it fell back in confu-
sion on the Hillsborough cavalry, which fled in dis-
order. The want of discipline in the insurgents lost
what their valour had gained. The disordered troops
found means to rally, while the Argyleshire fencibles,
entering the demesne, were making their attack on
another side. The insurgents confused and distracted
retreated up the hill, and making k stand at the top,
at a kind of fortification^ defended the post for some
time with great courage, but at length gave way and
dispersed in all directions. Their loss exceeded a
hundred; that of the royal army threescore. The
main body of these insurgents retired to the mountains
of Slyeeve Croob, where they soon after surrendered
and returned to their several homes. Thus ter-
minated this short but active northern insurrection, in
the course of which some slighter actions took place,
particularly at Portaferry, where the insurgents were
repulsed by the yeomanry. They set fire to a revenue
cruizer, in which forty men perished,
inturgency In oue Other part of the kingdom only did the in-
i^ofCoik. surgency break out dunng Lord Camden s admini*
stration/ namely, in the county of Cork. The prin-
cipal action, and the only one, which government has
thought proper to communicate to the public, took
place near the village of Ballynascarty, where on the
1 9th of June, according to their account, two himdred
^nd twenty men of the Westmeath regiment of militia,
with two six pounders, under the command of their
Lieutenant-colonel, Sir Hugh O'Reilly, were attacked
on their march from Clognakeliy to Bandon, by X

Administra^on of Earl Camden^ 487

body of between three and four hundred men, placed' }f^\
in ambush and armed almost all with pikes. The attack
was made from an height on the left of the colugin^
so unexpectedly and rapidly, that the troops had
scarcely time to form ; when at that critical moment, a
hundred men of the Caithness legion arrived on the
spot, and by a brisk fire helped to put the assadlants
to flight. Their loss amounted to about fifty men ;Hhat
of the royal troops, by the commander's account,
only to a sergeant and one private ; which is highly
probable^ as the insurgents had no fire-arms.

2 I 4

C 488 ]

CHAPTER VIII.

jidministration of Marquis ComwcUlis.
1799.

Marquii On the 21 St of Junc, 1798, Marquis Cornwallis
Mumeithe assumed the civil government and supreme military
^^*^"*" command, which it was found necessary to unite ia
the same person. This appointment under Providence
was the salvation of Ireland. His lordship had it
ill his special commission to put down the rebellion in
Ireland by moderation, and to check the ferocity of
the Orange system by firmness. A change in the
whole system of governing that country had become
imperiously necessary, and this nobleman was select-
ed by Mn Pitt for the purpose. What ulterior com-
mission he had from the British cabinet with reference
to the union of the two kingdoms, subsequent events
may shew*.

* It is the fashionable cry of a certain party, which systemati-
cally opposes every proposal brought forward for the advantage of
Ireland, to identify the principles of the system of the two govern-
ments of Earl Camden and Lord Cornwallis. For many interest-
ing facts and assertions upon this subject^ the reader is referred to
the postliminious preface to the Historical Review of the State of
Ireland, published in 1804. He will there find, that the author
was assured by the prime minister of that day (Lord Sidmouth),
that it was an identity of spirit and principle applicable to the
varying circumstances of a rising, raging, and expiring rebellion.
And he very significantly assured the auih^r, that he knew not the

jfdministratiM cf Marquis C&mwdUU. 489

On the 28th of June General Lake w is recalled 179«.
from Wejcfbrd, and General Hunter appointed in his Recai of
stead, to the inexpressible joy of the surviving inliab t- take, an4
ants. The main body of the Wexfo d insurgents, mcntof
reckoned to be fifteen thousand^ had directed their Humer.
march, under Father John Murphy, into Carlow, with
intention to penetrate into Kilkenny, in hopes of
raising the colliers about Castlecomer, who had been
in a state of disturbance in the year 17U3. Upon en-
tering the gap, they dispersed some troops, who op-
posed their progress, and defeated a body of the 4th
dragoon guards, and of the Wexford militia, who
disturbed their passage over the river Barrow j some
few were killed, and twenty-seven taken prisoners, of
whom seven condemned as Orangemen* were shot.

graimds, viewi, or motives of Lord Cornwallis* actions* The
author has in his possession a letter from Lord Cornwallis^ in
which his lordship says, his sentiments with regard to Ireland were
well knoum hy the measures he pursued, and those which he recom*
mended. The reader will, under these opposite assumptions, mark
the conduct of this noble viceroy^ throughout his administration^
with double interest and caution.

* Notwithstanding the constant charges of this contest having
become a religbus war, it must be allowed, that to the last the
cordial enmity t)f the rebels was to the Orangeman, and not to th«
Protestant. Even Sir Richard Musgrave affords evidence of this
as late as the day, on which the rebels evacuated Wexford, from
a certificatei which he says was given on that day by Father firoe«

" I hereby certify that A. of B. in the parish oF C. has done hii
" duty, and proved himself a Roman Catholic, and has made a
*' voluntary oath^ that he never was an Orangeman, nor took th§
f ' Orange oath.

• y Voted Wexford^ June 21, 179S. F. Johk Broi/*

490 The Reign of George TIL

179^ Major-genend Sir Charles Asgill, who had marched
with a force of about a thousand men to seiae the post
of New-bridge, arrived too late to stop the progress oi
the rebel army, which by a rapd movement had pre«
occupied that po^,' where they passed the night. On
the next morning that general arrived too late to
protect the town of Castlecomer, upon which the re*
bels descended from the heights, having in their route
defeated a body of about two hundred and fifty men
at Coolbawn. The town was set on fire, and of this
ixmflagration each party accuse the other, ^In the
morning of (he 2^th of June, having taken post at a
place called Kilcomny, they were ass^led by a force
qf nearly twelve hundred men, under General Sir
Charles Asgill, and that of Major Matthews, of about
five hundred, from Maryborough. After an hour's
firing of cannon, the rebels, fearing to be surrounded,
fled towards the gap with their usual celerity, leavjng
all their plunder and artillery behind them. Their
artillery consisted of ten light pieces, and among the
articles of plunder were seven hundred hocses. They
forced their way back to the mountains of Wicklow.
The other body of Wexford insurgents being joined
by the forces under Mr. Garret Byrne, made an un-
successful attack upon Hacketstown, and finding it
impracticable to effect their design, without caimon, of
which they had not a single piece, retreated from the
place, after an action of nine hours. During the en-
gagement a considerable force of our cavalry and
infantry stood on a hill at a small distance, in view of
the scene of acdon, but did not pin in the battle*

Admirastralion of Mar^is CormvcUlfif 491

Shortly after diey surprized a corps of the Ancient >798*
British, and Ballaghkeen cavalry ; of whom they slew
about dghty without losing a single man.. Qn
the 2d of July, they were pursued by a body of
yeoman cavalry and in&ntry, before whom they re*
tired to an eminence, called BallyrakeenrhilU Here
they took post* As the yeomen moved up the hill,
the insurgents poured upon them with such impe*
tuosity, that they were in an instant utterly discom-
fited, with the loss of seventy privates and two officers.
The cavalry escaped by flight.

The first prominent act of Marquis Gomwallis, to Firtttctor
put a close to the system of blood and terror, was of tyittm.
a proclamation* authorizing his majesty's generals
to give protection to such insurgents as, being sim«
ply guilty of rebellion, should surrender their arms, ab-
jure all unlawful engagements, and take the oath of al-.
legiance to the King. How necessary at that time such
a step was, could be a question of no difficulty to
those, who viewing dispassionately the state of afiairs,
considered what numbers had been seduced into the
conspiracy by artifice, and forced into rebellion by
unfortunate circumstances. To give the full sanction
of law to that necessary measure^ a message was de*
livered from his excellency to the house of cpmmons,

* The form of it, together with the certificate and oath« are
to be seen in my Hiatorical Review, rol. III. p. 77$. It was
pobiitbed in the Dublin GazeUe only on the 3d of Joijr : bot aa
it bears date the 2Qih day of Jane, 1799> it was probably ooni^
municated to General Lake before publication, as that general left .
Wexford on the 28th,

49t The Reign of George III.

V9^ on the ] 7th of July^ signifying his Mskjesty's pleasure
to that effect ; and an act of amnesty wasacc ordingly
passed in favor of all engaged in the rebdlion, who
had not been leaders, who had not committed maa-
slaughter, except in the heat of battle, and who
should comply with the conditions mentioned in the
proclamation,
raaidis. The Wexford insurgents had fixed their statioa

ycision of

thcwex- near the White Heaps^ at the foot of Croghan Moun*
tain; whence they moved, daring the night of
the 4th of July, toward Wicklow Gap ; but on the
morning of the 5th, the army under Sir James Duff
from Camew, under cover of a thick fog, surrounded
them in four powerful divisions^ before they could
perceive the approach of any enemy. Finding them*
selves unable to withstand a battle, they broke through
the pursuing cavalry, of whom they slew about eighty,
and moved with their usual velocity in the direction
of Carnew. Upon their arrival at BallyguUen^ they
resolved to await the approach of the troops, and try
the issue of a battle* Their force was then consider-
ably reduced. They maintained the contest for an
hour and a half with the utmost intrepidity. They
repulsed the cavalry, and drove the artillerymen three
times from their guns ; but fresh reinforcements of
the army pouring in on all sides, they were obliged to
give way, quitting the field of battle with little loss to
themselves^ and notwithstanding their fatigue, retreat*
ed with stupendous celerity in different directions.
They assembled again at Carrigrew, where upon con-
sidering the reduced state of their forces and the ad^

Admirisiratiw of Marquis CornwalUs.

4»S

▼imtage^ gained by the anny, they thought it advise* ^^^
z\Ae to disperse, and thus put an end to the warfure ia
the county of Weicford.

• The cessation of hostilities unfortunately did not inqii«.
close the miseries of that devoted district: a bloody c««rf
and vindictive spint seized upon many of the gentle-*
men of that county, and was carried into eflfect with
outrageous barbarity. Their former claims to rcr
sp^ccability in life for a length of time gave credit tot
ifadr falsehood, procured countenance to their £mar
deism, and secured them the means of executing in-
justice. •General Lake, previous to his departure
from Wexford, had appointed a committee to super-
intend prosecutions, and to grant passes to leave tho
country, consisting of the principal gentlemen then
resident there. The appropriate duty of this body
was to enquire specially into the cases of such prisoners,
as they should hand over to be tried by court-martial,
to procure evidence for prosecution, and to commit dif*
fereot persons to gaol. It was not, however^ deemed nei-
eessary to send a committal to a jailer, as the word of
any of them was considered sufficient for the deten-
tion of any of those given in custody. They were
also to act as a kind of council to General Hunter,
whose benevolent disposition they thwarted in many
instances. This was in hct so well known, that many,
upon being put into confinement, were induced, by
their apprehensions, to petition for transportation,
rather than abide a trial under their direction. The

* Haj's Uiftory of tba Imunsetloa of Wexford, p. 2^.

494 ffie Reign of George liL

[ygg^ tyrjuttuoil, unju^, and mhumafi di8t)08iti(m of tfai»
body is strongly exemplified in their unwarrantable^
treatment of many^ besides the writer and eye-witness
of the insurrection of Wexford, which he has de-
tailed in his preliminary discourse *•

* The quotation I have made from this author, aa an eye-^
M'itness and a most aggriered suffisrer under this persecuting spine
of the Wexford Orangemen, seems to baffle all possibility of
refutation. The unparalleled and almost incredible instancei*
which Mr. Hay details of his own sufferings from this inqni*
aitorial court in the introduction to his history, chill the bKoodl
of the reader. Yet as they necessarily excite indignation against
all supporters of the system, it becomes more candid to namd
such as the author has given to the public, than to permit the
foul imputation to light upon the gentry of the county at
large : *^ (Inlrod. xxviii.) Six magistrates of the coanty aAer-
-wards formed themselves into an inquisitorial court, conatsting of
the Right Honorable George Ogle, James fioyd, Richard Newton
King, Edward Percival, Ebenezer Jacob, M. D« and John Henry
Lister, Esquires. They assembled at the bouse of James Boyd,
and summoned hundreds before them, whom they swore to giv^
such information as they could concerning the rebellion. Abont
fifty persons have informed me, that they were principally qnea-
tioned concerning me ; so that I have strong reason to believe,
that no means were left untried to criminate me. My conduct
has certainly undergone stricter investigatioh than that of any
other person in Ireland, and such as, I believe, that of the most
unexceptionable of my persecutors would not pass through un-
blemished ; while mine is irreproachable in the utmost degree,
having passed with unimpeached honor the ordeal of the Wexford
inquisition. We read of nothing, that has gone such lengths in
foreign countries. Even the inquisitors are, by duty and oath, to
seek out all evidence as well for as against their prisoners !**
Amongst the victims devoted to the violence of the times was the
Bev. John Redmond, who had been prominently zealous in en-

jidministratitm cf Marquis Comtoallis. 495

A party of imutgents in the county of Kildare, 179^*
under the command of Mr. Wilikm Aylmer, still held j>|][^^^
out b wrtQs. Thither the remaining body of the '^^^
Weadbrd men, commanded by Mr. Fitzgerald, ac- |^?^o?J- ^
oonqianied by Mr. Garret Byrne, and some Wicklow •tt^n^-
men, directed their course and formed a junction,
but were stopped in their progress at Cbnard by a
body of troops from Kixmegad and Mullingar, which
forced them to retreat. After this repulse the few
remaining Wescford men separated from their Wick-
low associates, whom they deemed less warlike than
themselves, and made different incursions into the
counties of Kildare, Meath, Louth and Dublin, elud-
ing, as well as they could, the pursuit of the army,
with different parties, of which they had several skir-
mishes. They were finally routed and intercepted by
Captain Gordon of the Dumfries light dragoons, at '
the head of a strong party of horse and foot, at Bally-
boghill, near Swords, and never again collected,
Some Wexford insurgents, however, remained with
Mr* f*itzgerald and Mr. Aylmer, who, as outstand-
ing chiefs, negociated with General Dundas, to whom
they surrendered on the 1 2th of July, on condition,
that all the other leaders, who had adventured with
them, diould be at liberty to retire whither they
pleased out of the British dominions. The same
terms were afterwards secured by General Moore to

dMvouriog to protect the hoine of Lord Mountnonrls from plunder.
The partLulanof bis case are fully retailed in my Historical
Review, partly from Mr. GordoD« and partly from Dr, CaulficU^
vol UL f. 770.. '

*96 The Reign of George III.

1796. Mn Garret Byrne, who was sent into confinement
in the castle of Dublin, together with Messrs* Fitz-
gerald and Aylmer, by which they fared much better
than those, who laid down their amis inWezfiord,
depending on the faithful fulfilment of the terms
entered into with Lord Kingsboiough.
L^dcr '^^ P'^^ ^^ proposing terms for saving the lives
\h^\^ of Mr. Oliver Bond and Mr. Byrne was brought
Mr Dobbf. forward by Mn Dobbs, a member of paiiiament. That
gentleman, with the sheriff, went to the prison, in
which Mr. A. O'GMonor was confined, on the 24th
of July, with a paper *, signed by seventy 8tate>{>ii-
soners, purposing to give such information as was in

* The follow iog was the agreement signed by serentf -three od
the 29th of July, 1/96, " That the uD<]enigned state priaonea^
" in the three prisons of Newgate^ Kilmainham^ and Bridewell>
** engage to give eveiy information in their power, of the whole
'' of the internal transactions of the United Irishmen, and that
" each of the prisoners shall give detailed information of eiery
** transactiont that has passed between the United Irishmen and
*' foreign states ; but that the priaonen are not« by naming or
** describing, to implicate any person whatever, and that they
'< are ready to emigrate to such country, as shall be agreed on
*' between them and government, and give security not to re*
" turn to this country without the permission of government*
** and not to pass Into an enemy*8 country, if on tfadr so doipg
" they are to be freed from prosecution, and also Mr. Oliver
'' Bond be permitted to take the benefit of this proposal. The
*' state-prisoners also hope, that the benefit of this proposal may
" be extended to such persons in custody, or not in custody, as
" may chuse to benefit by it.'*

SigDi^d by seventy-thxee ptraona.
29th of July, 179s.

Adminisiratidn of M&rqtds CornwalHs* 497

Ineir power, of arms-) ammunition^ their schemes of I79^v
Warfare, the internal regulations and foreign nego-
tiations of the United Irishihen^, provided the lives of
Messrs. Bond and Byrne should be spared. In con-
^sequence of tliis agreemehr, some bf the rebel chiefs;
Who were still in arms, amqng whom was Mr. Ayl-
m^r of Kildare, surrendered themselves *. Several
principals of the Union^ particularly Arthur O'Con-
nor, Thomas Addis Emmett, Dr. M*Neven, and
Samuel Neiison^ gave details on oath in their exami-
nations beifore the secret committees of the two houses;
of parliament, in whose reports published by author-
ity of government is contained ^ mass of information

♦ in a pamphlet, stiled A Letter from Arthur O'Connor, to
Lok-d Castlemagh, dated from prison, January the 4th, 179Q^ that
minister is directly charged with a violation of the contract, and a
hiisrepresentation to parliament of the transactions between him
and the prisoners of state. Other charges are made, one of which
is, that the information given by these prisoners to government,
was garbled to serve the purposes of the nnnistxyy and particularly,
^hat of a hundred pages, delivered by O'Connor himself, only one
bad been published in the reports of the secret committees. His
lordship is peremptorily challenged to disprove any of the chnrges
in the pamphlet. No reply has appeared. The boldness and no-
toriety of the charges made by a prisoner whilst in the power of
govel-ninent stand in competition with the honour and veracity of
Lord Castlereagh. Mr.O'Connor asserts, that Lord Castlereagh in
their first Conference assured him, that Lord Cottiwallis's honour was
pledged to them for the religious performance- of the agreement; .
and that Lord CUre made use of these remarkable expressions ;
(P Q) ** It comes to this, either you nai^ trust jhe government^
or the government must trust yout a government that could
violate engagements thus solemnly m^de, oetthcr could stand noir
deserved to stand.**

2r

rebel chieft.

498 The Reign of George III.

^^'j concerning the conspiracy. Yet certain it is, that what*
ever might have been the original terms of the contract,
and by whatever subsequent events the contractors
might have been influenced or affected, the principal pri-
soners ( 1 5 in number ) were not liberated, and a power
was reserved or assumed by ministers to detain them
in custody, at least during the continuance of the war
with France. Oliver Bond died in the mean time in
prison of an apoplexy^
Trial and The trials and executions of some of the principal
of^Si^i leaders in the rebellion tended to prevent further at-
tempts of individuals in that desperate cause. On the
] 2th of July, Henry and John Sheares were brought
to trial, condemned, aiid soon after put to death. The
trial of John M'Cann, who had been secretary to the
provincial committee of Leinster, followed on the
17th J that of Michael William Byrne*, delegate from

* Of the execution of Byrne, Mr. 0*Connor thus speaks in
his letter to Lord Castlereagh. ** On the 24th of July last, Mr«
Dobbs and the sheriff entered my prison with a written {wper,
signed by seventy state-prisoners, purpotiing ' to give such in-
formation as was in their power of arms, ammunition, and schemes
of warfare, (of which it is now manifest they knew little or
nothing) and to consent to leave Ireland, provided the lives of
Bond and Byrne (both under sentence of death) should be spared.*
I refused to sign it, not only from a detestation of entering into
any conditions with those, who com|)osed the councils of Lord
CornwaUi*i*s administration, but because in the massacre of my
unarmed countrymen still raging, I did not think that any objecti
which was not general, "could warrant me, in whom such con-
fidence was placed by so many millions of my countrymen, to
enter into any such compact, and because the possibility- of its
being attributed to a desire to save my own life, in the peculiar

Administration of Marquis Comwallis^ 409

the county committee of Wicklow, and that of Oliyef '^79^^
Bond, on the 23d. The two farmer were executed,
the third was reprieved, as has been mentioned.

Some of the more desperate rebels, reinforced by de- ^omestrat».
serters from ^ome regiments of Irish militia, remained radoc^ in-
in arms in the mountains of Wicklow, and the dwarf country.
woods of Killaughram, near Eimiscorthy. These de-
^erate banditti, who had stiled themselves Babes of the
Wood, compelled the neighbouring inhabitants to take
refuge in towns. The woods were scoured by the army>
and cleared of their predatory inhabitants, and tranquil-
lity was restored to that part of the country. The
party in the Wicklow mountains, whose range and
haunts were much more extensive and difficult of
access, continued under two chiefs of the names oi
Holt and Hacket^ to annoy the country for a longer
time, and in a more formidable degree ; issuing sud-
denly from their fastnesses to perpetrate burnings and
massacres, and retiring before troops could arrive to
intercept them. Harassed incessantly by the pursuit
of the yeomen and soldiery, the numbers of the banditti

fiituation I stood \n, \ras in my mind an Insupenible objectioD, if
there had been no other. Besides^ it seemed^ that to save the
lives of Bond and Byrne^ enough had signed tlieir self-sacrifice to
induce the ministers, already sated with blood, (as you and Lord
Clare appeared to be when we met) to acquiesce } but in this I
was deceived j a council sat on the fate of Byrne—he was executed.
In this barter of blood, although you had lessen^ your quantum
by half, yet you raised your demands for the price of the other,
and proposed to those, who had signed the paper, that they should
deliver up names.*'

fi K 3

5&3 The keigh of George lit

^^9^ gradually diminished. Racket was killed near Arrid^*
Holt surrendered for transportation to thfe Earl of
Powerscoiirt ; and these bands of robbers at length
tdtatly disappeared.
**^"'^ Notwithstanding the disastrous state of the com!*
"»**»*• try, the parliament ceased not to sit from time 16
time, as exigendea required. Otk ' the 17lh of
July, Lord Castlereagh presented to the housfe of
commons a message from his excellency, that his
Majesty, etrer disposed to exert ^ far as possible
his royal prerogative of mercy, and to receive
again under his royal protection those, who by
the arts of wicked and designing men had been
seduced from their allegiance, had signified his gra-
cious intention of granting his general and free pardon
for all offences committed on or before a certain day^
upon such conditions, and with such exceptions, as
might be compatible with the public safety ; for tar-
rying which benevolent purpose into execution, his
Majesty has signified his gracious intention of sanc-
tioning, in the usual form, by his royal signature, a
bill for that purpose, previous to its being submitted
to parliament for their concurrence. And that his
Majesty had also directed his excellency to lay before
them several important papers, relating to the rebel-
lion. The message also recommended measures
for ascertaining the losses of, and indemnifying
the suSering loyalists; and pledged Unceasingac-
tivity and vigor agaiast such, as shbuld remain in
arms against his Majesty's peace. This message was
ordered to be entered on the journals^ and to be re^

Administration of Marquis Comwallis. 501

ferred to a secret committee of thirteen, including the ^79^*
speaker and the law officersx)f the crown, before which
the papers mentioned in the message were laid.

The attorney, general on the 17th of the mcmth Act«oftt»
brought forward a bill for the attainder of Lord imncsor,
Edward Fitzgerald, Cornelius Grogan, and Beau- dcmnifica^
champ Bagenal Harvey deceased: for which purpose
several witnesses were examined at the bar. Similar
proceedings were also had in the house of lords. This
act of severity, and supplementary vengeance upon the
unoflFending widow and orphan, appeared to many rather
the posthumous issue of the late, than the genuine
D&pring of the present system. A bill of general
amnesty was passed in the course of the session, with the
exception of Mr. Napper Tandy, and about thirty
others, chiefly fugitives in France. A bill was also
passed for granting compensation to such of his Ma-
jesty's loyal subjects, as had sustained losses in their
property, in consequence of the late rebellion, and
commissioners were named for carrying it into effect.

The system of moderation and mercy pursued by System ^

' ^ / moderation

Ix>rd Comwallis was particularly seasonable at this introduced

* ' by Lord

crisis, particularly in the county of Wexford. Ge comwaUis.
neral Hunter was indefatigable in his exertions to
restore confidence to the people ; in which he was
aided by the ju4icious and zealous exertions of Major
Fitzgerald, who by the special appointment of the
British government, was ^ent over to Ireland to act
under the commander in chief, in the laudable work
of doing iniipartial justice and quieting the minds of
|iis JWajesty's subjects. The country people wer?

2^3

«02 The Reign of George 11/.

JW*^ generally deterred from applying for protection^ as the
yeomen continued with indiscriminate barbarity to fire
the cabins and shoot every inhabitantthat moved out
of them: the melancholy consequence of which had
nearly brought on the extermination of an extensive
and populous tract of the coynty of "V^exford, called
the Macomores. Applications, supported by affidavits,
had been made to government, by different magistrates
in Gorey and its vicinity, complaining, that this range
of countiy was infested with constant meetings of
rebels, who committed every species of outrage ; the
viceroy crediting the magistrates was justly indignaijit,
that his clemency was abused ; and orders were sept
to the different generals and other commanding of-
ficers, contiguous to the devoted tract, to form a
line along it? extent on the western border, and at
both ends, north and souths on the land side, so as
to leave no resource to the wretched inhabitants, who.
were to be ii^discriminately slaughtered by the sol-
diery, or driver^ into, the sea. The execution of
this severe and exemplary measure was fortunately
entrusted to the discretion of General Hunter, who,
through the honest exertions pf Major Fitzgerald,
discovered, in time, the inhuman tendency of the.
misrepresentation, that had produced these terrific
orders. Whenever any of the ir*habitants of this
district attempted to stir out of it to obtain protection,
the soldiery and yeomanry waited their return in ambush,
and slaughtered every one they could overtake. They
made incursions into the country, fired into the houses,
and never failed to aim at every living cr^ture, that

Administration of Marquis Comwallis. 508

ventured abroad. By the frequency of these out. *^^
rages, such houses as remained unbumed were of
course crowded with several fsunilies ; and this aggre-
gation encreascd at each succeeding incursion* Ac
last most of the inhabitants from necessity took refuge
on the hills, and armed themselves with every weapon
they could procure. Major Fitzgerald went into the
midst of tliis harassed peasantry, ensured them pro-
tection from military depredators and murderers, and
no subjects could be more loyal and subordinate.

Mr. Hawtrey White, captain of the Ballaghkeen ta- Eflects of
valry^ arid a justice of the peace for the county, gave mauoa.
such specific and alarming information to government,
as induced the commanding officer at Gorey to quit
the town, and encamp on a hill above it. Major Fitz-
gerald enquired into and reported the information un-
founded. Upon this Mr. Hawtrey White was ordered
to Wexford, and put under arrest ; on his persisting
in his informadon, he was conducted to the spot (an
island) where he asserted the rebels were encamped.
No such island, however, was to be discovered. Mr.
Hawtrey White was conducted back to Wexford, and
General Hunter determined to bring him to a court-
martial. Many gentlemen and ladies interfered to
prevent such invesdgation, representing that Mr,
White's age nught have subjected him to the impo-
fidon of fabricadons: and the firmness of the general
gave way to solicitation. Notwithstanding Lord An-
cram, and after him Sir James Fowlis, s^cted as pre*
adents of courts mardal with the utmost honour and
integrity, which inspired confidence throughout tii«
3 K4

50* The Reign of George III.

^f^ country, and induced many, who ^&re conscious of
their integrity, to submit to trial, which they would
not otherwise have dared to do ; yet in too many
instances elsewhere the grossest perjuries were encou-
raged against truth and justice, to the ^bedding of
much innocent blood ^«

* As to tliis Mr. Hay instances in theexeoition of Mr. Keamqr,
i^brewer» for aUeodiDg tke execution of some soldiers, at the.
distance of 30 roiles frona We&ford, and the burning of the bam
at ScuUabogue, when he was actually in prison at Wexford^
and seen (here on the very day and hour, to which the false
witnesses swore. He recounts the like execulion of a Mr.
Devereux at Cork, whose trial is published, after which (he
pexjured witn^ses infoiiued against another person of the same
name alleging, that they had now discovered the right Mr. Deve-
reux. It will be satisfactory to the reader to learn the character
of Mr. Hay's history from. Major Fitzgerald, who had such ample
means of knowing the truth.

«* DuUin, Decemher 14, 1802.
'* Sib;

'* I RETURN, with ray thanks for your polite attentionij
« the manuscripts you were so kind as to leave for my perusal*
*\ Am exceedingly glad to find, through the whole of vour com-
'' pilation, so strict an observance of facts, which chiefly came
** under my cognizance as brigade- major. It is with pleasure
" I obseo'e also your adherence to truth and impartiality, free.
" from the rancorous spirit of party .fabrication, which is the true
(' criterion, that exalts the hi.srorian above the class of party scrib*
<' biers, who dissipate as rapidly as unerring truth unveils itself^
<' strongly exemplified in the past and present times. I give you
** nji.ch credit in not retorting, as you might for your unremitted
•* sufferings, by exposing the crimes of some respectable persons;
'' for, indeed. If they are not very forgetful and very insensibfc,
*\ the compunctions of their consciences muati be sufficicmly tor->

Administration of Marquis ComwalHs* SOS

Happy (or the interests of the British empire the J79^
French government was at that moment in the hands ""^^j'*
of feeble politicians, uho» though well acquainted Kiiuotf
with the state of Ireland, had unaccountably neglected
to avail themselves of it. With that lazy afterthought,
that maiks the folly of a bad statesman, the French
detached a small force to the North of Ireland, under
the command of General Humbert, who on the 22d
of August landed at Killala. They entered the b^
^nder English colours, and the feint succeeded so well *,
that two sons of the Bishop of Killala, who had thrown
themselves info a fishing boat, ^v^ere presently surprized
to find themselves prisoners. The whole armed force
in the place did not exceed fifty meil, all protestants.
About eight on that evening a terrified messenger an-
nounced to the bishop, that 300 of the French were
within a mile of the town. The cavalry officers rode
pff directly to Ballina. The yeomanry and fencibles '
flrew up before the casde gate, but seeing two of their
corps fall, they were seized with a panic and fled.
^Nineteen yeomen were taken and ordered into close
custody at the castle. The French general marched
into the castle-yard at the. head of his officers, oad

ff mentiog. Tbp-e is little doubt of joar labours meeting their

*' due reward frc^ an unprejudiced public, which is the wish of ^

*' Your obedient bun)ble aervtntj

f' To Edward Hay, Esq.

* See the Bishop of Killala's interesting and aa^;entic namrtire
pf this transaction tfaiougfaoot.

506 The Reign of George III.

1^9^ assured the bishop, that he and his people should be
treated with respectful attention, and that nothing
should be taken by the French troops, but what was
absolutely necessary for their support ; a promise
which, as long as those troops continued in Killala,
was religiously observed. The bishop's castle was
made the head-quarters of Humbert, who on the morn-
ing after his arrival began his military operations by
pushing forward to Ballina a detachment of one
hundred men^ forty of whom he had mounted on the
best horses he could seize. A green flag was mounted
ovier the castle gate, with the inscription Erin goBragkj
importing an invitation to the country people to join
the French. Their cause was to be forwarded by the
immediate delivery of arms, ammunition, and clothing
to the new levies of the country. Property was to be
inviolable. Ready money was to come over in the
ships expected every day from France. In the mean
time, whatever was bought was paid for in drafts on
the future directory. The first J 800 of the natives,
that offered their service received complete clothing.
The next 1030 received arms and clothing, but no
shoes OF stockings. Arms were given to 5500.
Humbert Humbert left Killala with a quantity of ammunition

putx Gene- , . r i • /r*

}^\ uketo m the possession of SKX) men and six ofncers, and
c^tiebtr. on the 25th took possession of Ballina, whence the
garrison fled on his approach. The next morning,
with eight hundred of his own men, about fifteen
hundred Irish, and two small curricle guns, he ad-
vanced over the mountains to Castlebar, by ways
generally deepied impassable to an army. The Frenel^

Adminhiralion of Marquis Cornwallts^ 507

'were at seven o'clock within two miles of the town, ^^
before which our army had taken their position
on a rising ground. Our artillery at first made
such execution among the French, that they in-
stantly fell back some paces. They then filed oflP
in smaJl parties to the right and left, and assailed
our troops in flanks who had scarcely fired a second
round, when the royal army seized with a panic
broke on ail sides^ and fled in extreme confusion
through the town on the road to Tuam. General
Lake is reported to have given an order for retreating*,
although he had under him 6000 men ^. Such was
the panic of our troops on this fatal occasion, that they
never halted till they reached the town of Tuam,
nearly forty English miles from the scene of action.
Our loss in artillery consisted of fourteen pieces, of
^hich four were curricle guns : of that of the cara-

* This disgraceful conduct of our troops in the face of W(
^mall a force has been variously represented by different writers,
whose motives we cannot develop. The Bishop of Killala
thas evades direct censure. (Narrative, p. 45.) "The writer
of this narrative professes only to describe what he saw and felt.
It is not his bnainess therefore, if be were competent to the task,
|o trace the events of an invasion, the first successes of which
caused so much astonishment, or to shew by what means a hand-
ful of men continued so long to brave the force of a whole king-
dom 5 men, who, from the time they missed their reinforcement*
from home, confessed their belief, that they were no more thaz^
a forlorn hope sent to annoy the enemies of their country j and,
^hat duty done, expected every hour tp he forced to surrender
themselves prisoners of war.*'

. gordon/s History of the Irish Rebellion, p. 286. ,

506 The Reign of George III.

j79^* bineers, no return was made ; our lo6S <^ men was
never stated, nor that of the French ever known.
Lord Com- The Marqujs Cornwallis, from the first intelligence
mirrhc* of thc invask>n, had, not\&'ithstanding the smallness
eSniyV''* of t^e mvading army, been so sensible of the danger
of rekindling the smothered flame of rebellion, as to
have determined to march in person against the
enemy, with so formidable a force, as effectually to
intimidate the abettors of rebellion in the country, he
was about to march through. He arrived on the 4th
of Septeqiber at HoUymount, fourteen iniles from
Castlebar, where be received intelligence, that the
/enemy had abandoned his post and marched to
FoxFord. After the victory at Castlebar, the Frepch
received great accessions of Irish peasantry to their
standard^ who encreased indeed the numbers of the
.«iemy, but proved of no effectual aid: they had been
taught to expect far more powerful co-operation from
the Irish.
f roRTcsi of The adviinced guard of the R-ench at Coloony,
(cnc/ai. received an important check from Colonel Vereker,
of the city of l.imerick Militia, who had marched
from Sligo with about two hundred imantry, thirtjF
dragoons, and two curricle gMns. After aii action of
libout an hour, he was obliged to retreat, with the
loss of his artillery, to Sligo, whence he withdrew
his little army to Ballyshannon. This opposition is
supposed to have abused the French general to refin^
^uish his design on Sligo. He directed his march by
Drummahair toward Manorhamilton in the county o|
Leitrim, having for the sake of expedition, left thr^

Adminisirattaii of Marquis Comwatlis; SO^

^k-pounders dismounted on the road, and thrown *^^
five pieces of artillery into the river at Dntmmahair.
In approaching Manorhamilton he suddenly wheeled
to the right, taking his way by Drumkerim, per^
haps with design, if possible, of reaching Granard
in the county of Longford, where an alarming
insurrection had taken place. Crawford's troops hung
80 close on the rear-guard of the French, as to come
to action with it on the 7th, between Dnimshambo
and Ballynamore, in which they were repulsed
with some loss. The French are said to have mis*
taken this force for the van-guard of the British army^
and to have been thereby prevented from attempting
to surround it.

The French army passing the Shannon at Ballintra, TheFimcii
arrived at Ballinamuck on the 8th of September, so '""*" ^*
closely followed by the troops of Colonel Crawford
and General Lake, that its rear guard was unable to
destroy the bridge at Ballintra, to impede the pursuit ;
while Lord Comwallis, with the grand army, having
crossed the same river at Carrick-on-Shannon, marched
by Mohill to Samt-Johnstown, in the county of Long*
ford, in order to intercept the enemy in front, on theif
way to Granard ; or should they proceed, to surround
them with an army of thirty thousand men. In tbi$
desperate situation^ Humbert arranged his forces, with
ho other object, as it must be presumed, than to main<«
tain the honor of the French arms. The rear-guard
having been attacked by Colonel Crawford, about two
hundred of the French infantry surrendered* Tb«
rest continued to defend themselves for above half an

510 The Reign of George III.

179& hour, when, on the appearance of the main body of
General Lake's army, they also surrendered, after
they had made Lord Roden, and a body of dragoons
prisoners. His lordship had precipitately advanced
into the French lines to obtain their surrender. ' The
rebel auxiliaries, who had accompanied the French to
this fatal field, being excluded from quarter, fled in
all directions; five hundred of them were killed ia
the pursuit; about one thousand escaped. The loss
of our troops was ofScially stated at three privates
killed, twelve wounded, three missing, and one officer
wounded. The troops of General Humbert were
ibund, when prisoners, to consist of seven hundred
and forty-six privates, and ninety-six officers, having
sustained a loss of about two hundred men since their
landing at Killala on the 22d of August*. The re-
maining efforts of the rebels, were an unsuccessful
attempt to seize the town .of Granard. Their plan
was in case of success to attack the town of Cavan,
where considerable stores of arms and ammunition

* As it is within the possibilities of this eventful era, that an
invasion may be attempted either in Ireland or Great Britain, it
may be useful to reflect, that in the heart of an armed kingdom
a pitiful detachment of eleven hundred French infantry, routed a
select body of six thousand men posted to receiTe them, provided
themselves with ordnance and ammunition firom our stores, toe k
several towns, marched 150 miles through a country, in which
there was an army of 150,000 men, and kept arms in their hands
for seventeen days. But it was that army, which the untem-
porising and gallant Abercrombie had, on the 26th of the preced-
ing February, found in suck a state of licentiousness, that must
tepder it firmidahle to ivery one hut the enemy.

Administration of Marqms Cornwallis. SI 1 -

were deposited. In the county of Mayo, where they V798j
had first risen' to assist the invaders, they still perse-
vered in a state of insurrection. Castlebar, which on
its evacuation by the French, had been occupied by
the King's troops, was also unsuccessfully attacked by \
a body of two thousand rebels. On the 22d of Sep- '
tember, thirty-two days after the landing of the French
force, and fifteen after its capture at Ballinamuck, a
body of twelve hundred men With five pieces of cannon,
arrived at Killala, under the command of Major Ge-
neral Trench, After a more spirited, than judicious
resistance for about half an hour, the rebels were forced
to disperse. In the action and flight they lost about
four hundred men. The town of Killala, thus recover-
ed by his Majesty's forces, had been 32 days in the pos-
session of the French and rebels*. The court-martial
began the day after the battle, and sat in the house of
Mr. Morrison. It had to try seventy-five prisoners
at Killala, and a hundred and ten at Ballina, besides
others, who might be brought in daily. The two first
persons tried at this tribunal were General Bellew and
Mr. Richard Bourke. Their trial was short. They
were found guilty in the evening, and hanged the

* Of the transactions, which occunred at Killala during that
period, the bishop's candid narrative is a most intereg'ing and
authentic historical document, and extremely honorable to, the
writer. It evinces a genuine goodness of heart, and a mind
so cultivated, so candid, so elevated above vulgar prejudices and
the servile fear of party, as to discern and publicly acknowledge
tiie virtnes of an enemy.

^ii The Reign of George IlL

i7gg. raxt mormng. Roger Macguirewas Ibimd guiitjr^
^^*^ but renaaaded to prisoi^, and afterwards transported
to Botany Bay^ Hia &therj the brewer. Was hanged ;
some others were executed. Thus ended the.rebek
Eon,, or, more properly ispeaking, the various insur*
ge^cies in Ireland in the year 1798> in which, accord^
ing to the ihost probable accounts^ the loss of th^
army amounted to 1 9,700 ^ that of the rebels and

Come- fuiritiVes exceeded 50,000.

^«bet The consequences imd eflfects of the rebellion now
{>ut down, command attention to the progress towards
that important event, the incorporate utiioa of the two
kingdoms, which so closely followed it. JPierce aa
was the contest during this unfortunate warfare, the
parliament co&tmued to legislate during the whole of
its continuance* In the months of August and Sep^
tember the examinsiiiiQn^ bf the chiefs of the rebels
tirent forward before the secret committees of boili
houses, and their reports Were then published. Go^
vemment was anxious, that these reports should gaia
taniversal credit. On the other side, advertisements
iq>pf6ared in the more popular prints cautioning the
public against giving them credit. On the 6th of
September, Lord Clare made a special report from
th^ committee of secrecy founded on these advertise-
ments, informmg the house, that they had thought
jt their duty to examine Mr. A. OTonnof, Mr. Etfi-
met, and Dr. M'Neven, with respect to such advertise-
ments, in order to ascertain^ whether they intended
to contradict or retract any thing, which they had
theretofore deposed before the committee* And their

Adrnmistratum fkflimrqm Comwallis. 313

tttrenl examinations and oaths made and signed on ^T9»^
diat day» were submitted to the house;*. Lord Com-
wallis^ anxious to convince the nadon, that a real
change of ^rstem was adopted by government^
published a proclamation to that eflfect Al*
though this measure had not the desired success, yet
was it not followed up by harshness or cruelty to
inflame the exj^ring, or to provoke a new insuigeUcy

On the 6th of October the parliament was pro- '"]^|^
rogued in the usual form, and his excellency dfr> menc
Jivered a very int^esdng speech from the throne f*

It could not be expected, that the sudden change of cavteof
system should gratify the supporters of the late mea- waiiisbemf
sures of coercion and blood. The most devoted umOriic^^
friends of Lord Camden were the first to oppoBt
and reprobate the measures of his successor. The
Earl of Enniskillen, who ranked as a colonel m
the army, have been a zealous advocate for rigor
and severity. Disliked at first. Marquis Comwallis
soon became execrated by the Orangemen: thef
attempted to vilify him by the appellation of C^pppjf
Comy. On the ISth of October a cour^ipartial^l^

* S Lords' Journal^ p. l^l-

t It is to be teen. Hist« Rev. toU III. pw SOa,

:|: This court martial was bolden in tba hairaeks^ al.Diiblki> by

or<ltfr of LicQieaant Gensral Craig. Besides tbe {Msideat it con*

f if ted of

Major BfowD, R. I. D. Captain irwioy FMrmanaah*

Captain Ooge^ ditto Captaio Carter, R. I. D*

Captain LesUe, Fermanagh LicjateoaDt Summers, Geth.
The particukuv of this moTing case are retailed, Hist« Ker, \t^\

411. p. 810.

9l

514 . The Reign of George 111.

^9S* of which the Earl o¥ Enniskillen was the preadent,
sat on the trial of Hugh WoUaghan, a yeoman,
tharged with the most atrocious murder of Thomas
Dogherty. Every aggravating circumstance was fully
proved. No attempt was made to contradict any part
of the evidence, but a justification of the horrid
murder was set up, as having been committed under an
order of the commanding officer : that, if the yeomen
should meet with any, whom they knew or suspected
to be rebels, they needed not be at the trouble of bring-
ing them in, but were to shoot them on the spot. That
it was almost the daily practice of the corps to go
out upon scouring parties *• This defence was con«
firmed by one private, one sergeant, and two lieu-
tenants of yeomanry. Captain Archer swore, that
he had always found Wollaghan a sober and diligent
man; ready to obey his officers, and looked upon
liim as an acquisition to the corps. Captain Gore
deposed in fike manner, that it was the practice
of the corps to scour the country with an officer, and
verily believed the yeomen understood it was tha,r
duty to shoot any rebel they met with, or suspected
to be such ; and the deponent had heard,thatothercorp$

* These scouring parties were so mach matters of conne^
that it appears from the tcstimooy of the officers on this trial,
tb^ were considered as acts of militarjr doty : miy, so bra-
talized were many of these corps^ that they spoke of them as a
diveisioQ^ which they called partridge shooting and grousing:
they hunted, not unfrequently^ with dogs in the brakes, hedges,
ditches, and woods to spring any unfertonate peasant, that might
have concealed himseli from the fary of these blood hunters, whont
they instantljr shot.

Administration of Marquis Comwallis. SIS

had stmilar directions in other districts. Here the J^^^
defence closed^ and the coiirt acquitted the prisoner.
When the minutes of this <:ourt-martial in the usual
way were laid before the lord-iieutenant^ bis excel-
lency was pleased * to disapprove of the sentence^

^ The following li the official letter to General Craig.

*' Dublm Quile, I8IA OctoUr, Ijgl^
^* Sir,

** Having laid before the lord-lieutenant the pro-
'^ ceedingi of a general court- martial, held by your ordera in
•* DubKn BarraclLa, on Saturday the 13th inttant, of which Colonel
" the £ail of Enmkillen is pmdent, I: am directed to acquaint
*' you ihat his excellency entirety disapproves of the sentence of
' the above court martVil, acquitting Hugh Wollaghan of a
'* cruel and deliberate murder, of which, by the clearest evi-
*' dence/ he appears to have been guilty.

<* fjord Comwdlit oiders the court ouutial to be immedisrtely
** dissolved, and direcU that Hagh WoUi^han shall be dismissed
*' from the corps of yeomanry in which he served^ and that he
*' shall not be received into any other corps of yeomanry in tht«
** kingdom.

** His excellency further desires, that the above may be read to
^* the presidept and the members of the court -martial in opea
«^ court.

^ I have the honour to be,

" Sir,

'' Your most obedient bumble servant,

«' H. Taylor, Sec.
^^ Liiut. Gen. Craig^ Sftf. (fc.

" P. S. I am also directed, that a new coort^martial may be im«
<f mediately convened for the trial of such prisoners, as may be
*f brought before them, and that noneof the officers who sat upon
f* flvtfh Wolla^bin be admtled as memben/'

91.9

S16 The Reign of George IIJ.

^79^ dissolve the court martial^ and incapadtale the soecn-
bers from sitting on any other.
d«Jh"f* ^- Theobald Wolfe Tone \ws properly the
uidwTifc ^^^^^^ ^^ *^ ^™^ Uni<Mi, which terminated in the
Tone. l^te fatal rebellion. After he had fled from the arm
of justice in the year 1795, he was of all the Irish
fugitives the most favored and attended to by the
French government. He obtained a commissioa in
their army. He waa taken prisoner on board a frigate
in the autumn of 1798, and brought to trial by
court«marbal on Saturday, the 10th of November.
He appeared in court in his French uniforaii and
pleaded guilty to the crim^, with which, he stood
charged ; alleging, that what he had once done,^ he
should be ashamed to deny. He then delivered in
several documents, which proved his brevet for the
rank of chefde brigade^ and a .letter of service, both
having the -signatures of the president of the French
Directory and the minister of war. He expressed
his desire to be indulged with death in the most
honorable manner, the death of a soldier, and with the
utmost dispatch to be shot by files of grenadiers, a»
were Charette ^d SombrcuiL The next evening he
was informed, that he must su^er, on the next day as
others taken in war against th^ir King. He des-
perately attempted to ^ticipate the execution by
cutting his own throat. A milit^ty surgeqn pronounced
the wound not mortal, though extremely d^^erous.
In the mean time a motion was made in his majesty*s
court of King's Bench, then sitting, to arrest execu-
tion, grounded qa an afildavit swprn l^ the father^of

AimiTHstratum of Marquis Comwatlis^ 517

tiie pneoner^ that lie had beeft died, convicted, aad 1798
sefitenoed to deaths on a charge of faagh treaaen, be>
fore a conrt-martisd, though he did not belong to his
Majesty^s army, while his Majesty's court of King's
Bench was sitting, before which the prisoner might
have been tried in the ordinaiy way. Mr. Curran
moved for an Habeas Corpus to bring tfp the prisoner
instanter^ which was granted^ but he could not be
removed into court without danger of instant death.
The return of the writ of Habeas Corpus was post*
foned for some days, during which he died. Thus
ignomitiioQsIy ended a man, whose qualities and
talents, if rightly dh-ected, would have graced the
noblest cause*

. Notmthstanding Ireland had suffcfred isb much from iBnmitec^
the violence and cruelty of both parties, yet in defi- •ndbywhit
ahcfe of the conciliatory exertions of the chief gover* ""°*
nor, in inany parts of the lungdo^ smd particularly
in the county <)f Wexford, the Orange associations
were mulriplfed, and disunion, hatred, and religious
acrimony increased upon the suppression of the re-
bellion*. The ccmtinuaace and extension of Orang-

• There may be icen in the Historical Review, voL III. p.
815, the proceedings in the King's Bencli, upon an information
against Messrs. MThite and Goring, two magistrates of the coonty
of Tipperaiy, for obstructing loyal magistrates and officers in
their en<)eavOTirs to preserve the peace of the most turbalent
ptttsofthecoaniy.

It appeared thsit to keep up a semblance of disturbance in
the coantry, they procured and employed yeomen to ^bricate
ptt» handles, which they rffterwaitis pretended to discover in
•Witt ixifbrmaiion. That these corps of yeonuury
2LS

laeans.

5t 8 The Reign qf George lit,

179B* ism necessarily perpetuated religious differences, riveted
disaffection, and sharpened rancour through the nation.

eonsisted of theindigent teoantry of their captain, to whom thej
paid rack-rents for lands holden of him, and bad no other way of
discharging their rents bnt by their pay, whidi the captain usually
received and retained in discharge of his rent ; and t&at th^ were
lept on permanent duty for the purpose of procuring this per-
manent pay. That there was no appearance of tumult or insur-
rection in the country \ but thai these persons circulated false
reports of it*s disturbed situation, in order to answer their
own purposes ; that persons were taken up> detained in pri-
aiNi, and fined un^er the timber apt for the oonoealment of
these pike handles, which were afterwards disco?ered to have
been hidden by the procurement of the persons^ who found them.
The impunity, connivance, and countenance from the magis-
trates, and the acquittals of the guilty by Orange Juries and
Oiange Courts Martial^ were attended with the wont of oonse*
qnenoes, as appears in the case of Doyle v* Fitigesald, which pro- -
duced a degree of alarming provocation throughout that part of the
country. The plaintiff was a respectable tradesman of Carrick
upon Suyr, the defendant Mr. Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald, thft
sheriff of Tipperary. The plaintifThad been seized in the street by
the defendant, in order to be flagellated. In vain did he urgm
his innocence, which was supported by some of the Boost ze*^
spectable inhabitants of the place. He begged to have Captaiik
Jephson sent for, the commander of the yeomanry, of which he-
was a member : that was refused. He offered to go to instant
execution, if the least trace of guilt appeared against him on en-
qiiiry : that was also refused. Bail was o&red to any.amount for
his appearance : No, says the sheriff; I know by his face that he
is a traitor, a Carmelite scoundrel. The plaintiff was tied to the
whipping post : he received one hundred lashes till his ribs ap»
peared : he then had his breeches let down, and received fifly
more lashes on his posteriors. The young man's innocence was
afterwards established. He applied to a court of law for redress t
the action was tried at Clonmell assizes : the £icts weie iiiU^
proved, and the defendant was acquitted by an Orange jury^

Administration of Marquis Comwallis^ Sl9

I'he systematic pefseverande of Government in ^^9^
the wicked policy of dividing the country; by keep- Fintat.
ing up an English or Protestant ascendancy^ had taken incorpont*
too deep root, to be suddenly moved by any system
however plausibly or powerfully introduced. It was
in the special commission from the British Cabinet
to Marquis Comwallis, to avail himself of every
rising circumstance, to forward and bring about
the important political measure of an union with
Great Britain. A more arduous undertaking was
never attempted. It produced instantly a new fer«
ment joi the public niind, and engaged every num
having a stake in the kingdom in a new political
contest. It commenced, however, in a moment,
when the nerves of several of the members in
both bouses of parliament, as well as of others out
of parliament, were from the shock of the late
rebellion so much weakened^ that they uncondition^
ally gave up the exercise of any discretion upon
the subject.

For the last twenty years no political character on Kew diti*
either side had ever touched upon the question of SlTc^tS?*
union, but in terms of marked reprobation. Waving ^"^^
all other considerations, if, is manifest, that terror
had produced an influence, which- had not before
operated upon many. Even before the fiiiy of rebel-
lion had subsided, the British ministry had recom-^
mended preparatory steps to enable the Irish govern-
ment to introduce the proposal of a legislative union
with plausibility and eflfect on the first favorable

2 1.4

596 Tie Heign of 6eorgi til

^^^ Opening. In pursuance of this recommendation^ a
pamphlet vnis written or procured to be written by
' Mr. Edward Cook, the under secretary of die ehrit
department. It was published anonymouriy ; but was
well understood to speak the sentiments of t&e British^
as well as the new Irish administration. It was forced
into extensive circulation, and artfully caHed* on the
Irish nation stilll terrified with the unallayed honors*
of blood and carnage^ to compare the cruelty and
vindictive ferocity of the Irish yeomanry towards theb
countrymen, with the pacific, orderly, and humane
conduct of the English militia, of which about
eighteen regim^its were then in that country. It
magnified to excess the confidence, which the concilia*
toryconductof their chief governor had insprecL This
pamphlet was considered as ^ kind of oflSkaal procla*
mation of the sentiments of government upon the^
question, and had no sooner appeared, than it pro«
duced a general warfare of the press, and threw the
whole nation into a new divisicm of parties.
M«^5 ^ The most interesting public meeting upon the
»5wn« subject of the Union was that of the gentlemen of
the Irish bar on the 9th of December, when Mr.
Saurin opened the business. After stating the ques-
tion, as to the measure and period of proposing it,
when tbc= sountry was but just delivered from a rebel-
lion, the most savage, that bad ever scourged a coun-
try, he moved, ** That the measure of a legislative
miion of this kingdom and Great Britain is an innova«
tion> which it would be highly di^ngerous and impro*

union.

Administration of Marquis CamwalUs^ 521

per to propose at the present juncture to this country/ * ^^^
The motion after a long and animated debate, was jCityof Dob-
carried by a majority of 1S4 ; S2 only opposed it. Union.

A post assembly of the lord mayor, sheriffs, com-
mons, and citizens of the city of Dublin was con*
yened on the 1 7th of December ; which referring to a
variety of rumours, that were then in circulation, of
an intended Union of Ireland with Great Britab^ came
to the following i^eaoltltions. ^ That by the spirited
esertions of the people and parliament of Ireland, the
ttadeand constitution thereof were settled on prin*
cipks so Hberal, that the nation had risen ever since
mindly in wealth and consequence. And, that hav*
iag boldly defended the amstitudon in king, lords,
and commons, against the open and secret abettor^ of
rebellion, they were determined steadily to oppose
amy attempt, that might be made to surrender the free
legislation of that kingdom by uniting it* with the
legiblstfure of Great Britain.'' On the next day, at a
numerous meeting of the bankers and merchants of
thedtyof Dublin, (the Lord Mayor in the chair)
the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to :
'< That smce the renunciation of the power of Great
Britain in the year 1782 to legislate for Ireland^
the commerce and prosperity of that kingdom had
eminently encreased. That they attributed these bless-
ings under Providence, and the gracious favour of
their beloved sovereign, to the wisdom of the Irish
parliament. That they looked with abhorrence on
any attempt to deprive the people of Ireland of their
parliament^ and thereby of their constitutional rights

m The lieign of George lit.

^^ aad immediate power to legislate for themselre&i
That impressed with every sentiment of loyalty to
their king^ and affectioiute attachment to British c<m-
nexion^ they conceived that, to agitate in parliament
a question 6{ the legislative Union between that king-^
dom and Great Britain^ would be highly dangerous
and impolidc/'
J^j^^ The quesdon of a legislative Union with Great
g^*« Britain, produced a fever in the public mind almost
equal to that, which once raged upon the Irish Union*
All means of proselytizing were resorted to by both
parties. The new&-joumaIs henceforward teemed
with essays, addresses, protestations^ pu&, squibs^
censures, and encomiums on both sides of this great
political question. Meetings were advertised of coun«
ties, baronies, parishes, and of every q>ecies of in*
corporation : religious discriminations indeed were not
resorted to. Protestants^ dissenters, and catholics in
this instance, for the first time, were fairly amalgamated
into the general mass, and marshalled thonselves
according to their interests or their convictions.
vtrioQt le- The fellows of Trinity College, and such of the-
anintt students as enjoyed scholarships^ had also a meeting,
the result of which was, a request, that the represen*
tatives of the University would oppose with fimmess
the projected Union. The gentry and freeholders of
the county of Dublin met, and protested against an
Union, as hostile to the rights, liberties, and inde-
pendence of Ireland. The freeholders of the county
of Westmeath declared against it, as calculated to
*^ exhaust Ireland, and debase her fitom hercoustf* '

jidmmUtration of Marquis Comwallis. i2S

quence a^ prosperity^ and to increase the influence ^f99»
of the court in a formidable degree/' The resolutions
of a meeting at Galway were particulaiiy strong;
rejMrobodng the attempts of the unionists as unoonsti*
tuticmai and arbitrary ; denying the power of the
representatives of the people to vote away the inde-
pendence of the realm ; condemning the transfer of
the right of legislation to any foreign country, without
the general consent of the people, as equivalent to a
dissolution of the existing government^ and as a pro-
ceeding which, from its tendency to anarchy, ought to
be resisted; and stigmatizmg, as enemies to their
country, all the supporters of such a measure* Mn
Foster insfHred his constituents in the county^ of
Louth with his own repugnance to the measure. Nu«
merous were the resolutions entered into and published
by diflFerent meetixtgs against it before the sitting
of Fkrliament.

On the 22d of January, 1799^ the parliament met Parnament
according to the last prorogation, when his excellency onpi<^p<»^

. ^ . , ^i_- • and oppo*-

m a very mterestmg speech upon this important oc* ed in the
casion, recommended to their peculiar consideration
the most effectual means of consolidating the strength,
power, and resources of the two kingdoms. An
address was moved in the lords, which as usual, was
an echo of the speech. An amendment was proposed
by Lord Powerscourt strongly tending to reprobate the
measure of a le^slative Union. Other motions of the
fike tendency, were afterwards made by Lords Glan <
dore and Bellamont, which were negatived by a divi*

A«4 The Reign of George III

^^ sion of 49 against 16. Fourteea of the naooiky pW»
tested •• ,
ite^? In the commons Lofd Tymne moved the address^
^'^^ by which he did not mean to pledge himself m any
^eciiSl, manner to support the Union. That questioti would
stand upon its own merits. In this debate, which
laisted 22 hours^ almost every mectiber spoke with
more than ordinary interest and warmth. Upon
the diviaon the ministry carried it by a single votef.
During the whole of this first debate the avenues to
the house were crowded with persons awaiting the
result of the debate, which though the question were
lost> was considered a victory by the Anti-Unionists,^
and proclaimed as such by various demonstrations of
joy through the metropolis. Some insults were of-
fered to members suj^osed to be Unionists, as they
went into or can\^ out of the house,
taterfn***" When the address was reported, on reading
mSiSen* such part of it as related to Union, Sir L. P^u-sons ob-
jSfty S*fl jccted to that part, which went to pledge the house,
JSS!*^ under metaphors to adopt the principle of a legisFative
Union between the two kingdoms. He therefore
moved to reject the whole of the paragraph,

* Viz. Lcinslcr, B^lhmont, Dc Vesci,

GraDard, Mountecasbcllj Wm. Down

Belvedere, Kilkenny, &Connor«

Arran, fielmore, Dunaaay,

Cbarlemont, Fbweracourt, Liimoie.

f A very nuDute report of this fifit ddmM ii gnren in Hkt.
Bev. vol. III^ p. 827 to 8^a.

Administraiion of Marquis Cornwallis. SU

which rdated to the subject. This motion iKouglil. JTgg*
on another most interesting debate, which closed
in a diyisicm of 111 for the rejection agains€ lOft
who opposed it* The public exultation rose to.
a great height on this defeat of the ministry. The
Unionists were every*where insulted by the lower
orders of the people, and the popular journals were
lavish in their panegyrics of the Anti-Unionists:
printed lists of the voters were - circulated gratis
amongst the people, in order, as the [superscription
imported, that they might know their glorious and
virtuous defenders, that every honest man might en-
grave their names and their services on his heart, and
hand them down to his children's children*.

So sanguine was the British minister in his expec- ^HfH^^.
tadon of carrying the measure, that he would not kIok toSie
even await the result of the deliberations of the Irish P*ri««««*
senate. Presuming on his strength in the Irish as
much as in the British houses of parliament, he
opened hb plan of operations in both on the same day.
On the S2d of January, 1799, a message from the
soY&eiga was delivered to the British peers, by Lord
Grenville^ recommending an Union in the following
terms. ^^ His majesty is persuaded, that the unre*
mitting industry, with which our enemies persevere in
thar avowed design of effecting the separation of
Ireland from this kingdom, cannot fadl to engage the
particular attention of parliament: and his msqesty

• Tliii lift it to bttssD in AppoKlix lo Historical Review^
No, CXVI.

526 The Reign of George III

1/99- recommends it to this house to coosidar of the raiojst
effectual means of counter^cdug and finally defeating
this design; and he trusts, that a review of all the
circumstances, which have recendy pccurred (joined to
the sentiments of mutual affecdon and common in*'
terest) will dispose the parliaments of both kingdoms
to provide in the manner, which they shall judge
most expedient, for settling such a complete and final
adjustment^ as may best tend to improve and perpe*
tuate a connexion essential to thdr common security,
and to augment and consolidate the strength, power,
and resources of the British empire/' This message
having been read, Lord Grenville proposed, that it
should be taken into consideration on the ensuing day,
and the lords summoned, to which the house agreecL
A similar message, on the same day^ was jM^esent^ to
the commons by Mr. Dundas, who moved, that it
King's should be considered on the morrow, which was

message

taken into agreed to#

tion bythe On the foUoxKong day Lord Grenville in the house
jiamcnt. of peers moved the order of the day for taking hi^
Majesty's message into consideration ; no debate oc^*
curred ; and the peers voted an address of thanks for
bis Majesty's gracious communication^ assuripg him^
that they would maturely deUberate on the subject re^
commended to their notice^ and promote any adjust-
ment for consolidating the general interests of di6
British empire. When Mr. Dundas moved for a like
address in the commons, he observed, that it was theii
unnecessary to dwell on the subject, as a ^iture day
would be appointed for discusdng it« But Mr. She«

Administraiicn of Marquis Cornwallis. S2*t

ridan made a very animated speech against ministers ^7^
bringing forward so precipitately a plan ofUnion^ which
he concluded by moving an amendment *, expressing
the surprise and deep regret, with which the house
learned from his Majesty, that the final adjustment^
which upon his gracious recommendation took place
between the kingdoms in the year 1782, and which,
by the declaration of the parliaments of both countries,
placed the connexion between them upon a solid and
permanent basb, had not produced the effects expect^
ed from that solemn settlement; and also intimating,
that his Majesty's faithful commons, having strong
reason to believe, that it was in the contemplation of
his ministers to propose an Union of the legislatures
of the two kingdoms, notwithstanding the said ad-
justment, felt it to be thar bounden duty, impressed
as they were with the most serious apprdiensions of
fhe consequences of such a proceeding at this time, to
take the earliest opportunity humbly to implore his
Majesty not to listen to the counsel of those, who
should advise or promote such a measure at the pre-*
sent cri^, and under the present circumstances of the
empire. The debate upon this amendment continued
with great warmth, and was closed by Mr. Pitt in the
folk) wing words, <4 see the case so pkunly, and I feel it
so strongly, that no apparent or probable difficulty, no
£9ar of toil, or apprehension of a loss of popularity,
shall deter me horn niaking every exertion to accom-
plish the great work^ on which, I am persuaded,
^epend the internal tranquillity of Ireland^ the general

« ; fvl I^eg. lu 592.

*^ The Beign of George III.

^^ interest of the British empire, and perhaps the hapfH-

ness of a great part of the habitable world.*' The

question for the amendment having been rejected

without a division, the address was immediately

voted.

^'p^ ^ *^ 31st of January; the message havmg been

rS^cllS? ^^^ ^^^'^ ^^* ^^^ ^^ * ^^^ elaborate speech in

the Union support of the grand object, which the sovereign had

recommended, presented to the house eight resohi-

tipns, which he had prepared^ embracing the general

plan of the Union.

L ^^ In order to promote and secure the essential^ in*.
terests of Great Britain and Ireland, and to consoli;
date the strength, power, and resources of the ttritish
entire, it will be adviseable to concur in such mea*
tares, as may best tend to unite the two kingdoms of
Great Britain and Ireland into (Hie kingdom, in such
manner, and on such terms and conditions, as may be
established by acts of the respective parliaments of
his majesty's said kingdoms.

II. ^ It would be fit to propose as the first aitide,;
to serve as a basis of the said Union, that the sai<l
kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland shall, on a
day to be agreed upcm, be united into one kingdon^
by the name of the United Kingdom of Great Bri-
^in and Ireland*

III. '^ For the same purpose it would be fit to pro-
pose, that the succession to die monarchy and the
imperial crown of the said united kuigdom, diall
continue limited and settled, in the same manner, a»
the imperial crown of the 8S(i4 kingdoms of Gte^

Administration of Marquis Comwallis, $3$

Britain and Ireland now stands limited and 8ettle4» }f9§^^
according to the existing laws, and to the terms of
the Union between England and Scotland.

IV. ** For the same purpose it would be fit to pn>
pose, that the said united kingdom be represented
ia one and the same parliament, to be stiled the
Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland ; and that such a number of loi:ds ${»«
ritual and* temporal, and such a number of membes
of the House of Commons, as shall be hereafter
agreed upon by the acts of the respective parliamenta
as aforesaid, shall sit and vote in the said parliament
on the part of Ireland, and shall be summonisd,
chosen, and returned, in such manner, as shall be
fi&ed by an act of the parhament of Ireland previous
to the said Union ; and that every member hereafter
to sit and vote in the said parliament of the united
kingdom shall, until the said parliament shall other-
wise provide, take, and subscribe the itatd oaths, and
make the same declarations, as are by law required to
be taken, subscribed, and made, by the members of
the parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland.

V. ^' For the same purpose it would be fit to pro-
pose, that the churches of England and Ireland^ and
die doctrine, worship, discipline^ and government
tbereofj shall be preserved as now by law established.

VL ** For the same purpose it would be fit to pro-
pose, that his majesty's subjects in Ireland shall at all
times hereafter be ^entitled to the same privileges,
and be on the same footing in respect of trade and
aavigation, m all ports and places belonging to Great

VOL. II. 2 M

530 Tke Reign of George 111.

1799- Britain, and in all cases with respect to which trea-
ties shall be made by his majesty, bis heirs or sue*
cessors, with any foreign power, as his majesty^s sub*
jects in Great Britain ; that no duty shall be imposed
on the import or export between Great Britain and
Ireland of any articles now duty free ; and that on
other articles there shall be established, for a time to
be limited, such a moderate rate of equal duties as
shall, previous to the Union, be aigreed upon and
approved by the respective parliaments, subject, after
the expiration of such limited time, to be diminished
equally with respect to both kingdoms, but in no case
to be increased; that all articles, which may at any
time herea^^ter be imported into Great Britain from
foreign parts, shall be importable through either
kingdom into the other, subject to the like duties
and regulations, as if the same were imported di-
recriy from foreign parts: that where any articles,
the growth, produce, or manufacture of either king-
dona, are subject to any internal duty in one king-
dom, such countervailing duties (over and above any
duties on import to be Hxed as aforesaid) shall be
imposed, as shall be necessary to prevent any in-
equality in that respect; and that all matters of
trade and commerce, other than the foregoing, and
than such others as may before the Union be spe-
cially agreed upon for the due encouragement of the
agriculture and manufactures of the respective king-
doms, shall remain to be regulated from time to time
by the united parliament.
VIL *' For the like purpose it would be fit to pro-

Administtation of Marquis CorHioallis* 551

pose, that thie charge arismg from the payment of 'J^\
the interest, or sinking-fund for the reduction of the
principal of the debt incurred in either kingdom be-
fore the Union, shall continue! to be separately de-
frayed by Great Britain and Ireland respectively;
that, for a number of years to be limited, the future
ordinary expenses of the united kingdom, in peace
or war, shall be defrayed by Great Britain and Ire-
land jointly, according to such proportions as shall
be established by the respective parliaments previous
to the Union ; and that, after the expiration of the
time to "be so limited, the proportion shall not be
liable to be varied, except Iccoi'ding to such rates and
principles, as shall be in like mann^ agreed upon pre^
vious to the Union*

VIIL " For the like purpose it would be fit to pro-
pose^ that all laws in force at the dme of the Union,
and all the courts of civil or ecclesiastical jurisdiction '
within the respective kingdoms^ shall remain as now
by law established within the same, subject only to
such alterations or regulations from time ta time, asy
circumstances may appear to the parliament of the
united kingdom to require." '

Mr. Pitt at the same time moved an address to Address to

. • 1 . accompany

accompany the resolutions, statmg^ that the com- theresoiu-
mons had proceeded with the utmost attention to
the consideration of the important objects recom*
mended in the royal menage ; that they entertained,
a firm persuasion of the probable benefits of a com*
plete and entire Union between Great Britahi and
Ireland, founded on equal and liberal principles } and

2m 2

J«92 The Reign of George IIL

J2fj ^^^ ^^ ^^^ therefore induced to hy befiare Im
majesty such propo^tzofis, as appeared to them to be
best calculated to form the basis of such a settlement,
leaving it to hts wisdom, in due time and in a proper
manner, to communicate them to the lords and com-
mons of Ireland, with whom they would be at all
times ready to concur in all such measures, as might
be found most conducive to the accomplishmc&t of
that great and salutary work.
Mr.sberi- Mr. Sheridan teqadously persisted in opposing the
the' conduct of the minister, and concluded a most ani-

and pio-' mated q>eech, with proposing the two following re-
iw^uttonk solutions, to which, be thought, no true friaid of
either country would object. *^ That no measures
can have a tendency to improve and perpetuate the
taes of amity and conneicion now existing between
Great Britain and Ireland, which have not for th^
bads the manifest, fair, and free consent and appro-
bation of the parliaments of the two countries;"
and ^* that whoever shall endeavour to obtain the
appearance of such consent and approbation in either
country, by employing the inflaence of government
for the purpose of corruption or of intimidadon, is
an enemy to his majesty and die confidtution." The
house then divided upcm the question for the speaker's
leavmg the chair, when the ayes were 140, the
noes 15.
Mr. sheri- . In confident assurance of final success, the minisier
his motion allowed the interval of a week for the consideralioii of
tTe conmt the resoludons he had submitted to the house, and cm
UamencT'' the 7tb of February he proposed a full (&cud«iQO of

AdministraUon of Margm Comwallls. 5S»

^ subject in a comndttee of the whole bouse, but ^^TW*
before ic was formed, he conseated lo dispose of Mr.
Sheridan's modons respecting the lair and free con*
sent of both parliaments. Mr. Sheridan then re*
.newed his resoludons, which were diq>06ed of by
the midister's putting the preTious quesdon^ whicb
was carried upon a division of 141 agamst 25. A very
interesdng debate took pbce on the committee being
formed for the discus»on of Mr. Pitt's proposidons,
when the quesdon for the Speaker's leavmg the chair
was carried by 149 against 24. A committee of the
whole house was immediately formed, axkl the reso*
ludons were moved and carried^

On the 11th of February, the minister having Mj^sheri-
moved the order of the day for the house vAng into poi«»«ub*
^ committee for the further consideradofi of Ids ma- umoa.
jesty's message, Mr. Sheridan recommended a substi-
tute for legislative union. He was of opinion, that
the abolidon of all disabilities, which had been io-
curred in civil affairs by religious distinctions, would
tend more to the improvement of the connexion be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland, than the measure
brou^t forward. He had the authority of the pre*
mier himself for the expediency of emancipating the '
Catholics of Ireland from the incapaddes, to which
they were subjected. Such was the opkuon of the
leaders of the cabinet in the year 1795^ and, though
Earl Ficzwiiliam were not then desired or permitted
to propose the emancipation, he is allowed to have
be^n expressly authorized to ^ve it a handsome
2 M 3

534 The Reign of George III.

1799- support on the part of government. He then
moved, that it should be an instruction to the com-
mittee to c(Misider ^* how hr it would be consisten
with justice and policy, and conducive to the genera!
interests, and especially to the consolidation of the
strength of llie British empire, were all civil incapa*
dties on account of religious dbtinctions to be done
away throughout his majesty's dominions." Mr. Ktt
objected to the proposidon, as breaking in upon the
independence of the Irish Parliament, by a direct act
of dictation and control. He denied, that the rebel-
lious disturbances in Ireland originated in any degree
froni the refusal to grant emandpadon to the Ca<«
tholics. The motion was rejected without ^ di-t
vision.
Coafermct When all the resolutions had been agreed to, the
ho^*^° next proceeding was a communication of the votes of
f5bje«of ^^^ commons to the lords at a conference, which took
'^'^^' place on the 18th. The peers ordered the resolu-
tions to be printed, and some illustrative papers to be
produced. In order to avoid precipitancy on so im-?
portant a subject, they allowed a month's interval for
consideration, before they entered upon the dis-r
cussion.
Mr.Fotter^s In Dubllu the defeat of the minister in the House
£??ppo3 of Commons was considered as the death-blow of the
jmipV Unionists, and was celebrated in every quarter of the
city with bonfires and other demonstrations of joy,
The violent opposition, which Mr. Foster gave to the
pleasure, had suddenly translated him from very ge?

Mmmisiraiion of Marguis Cornwallis. 5S5

neral dislike, to the acme of popularity *• The lord 1799«
mayor, aldermen^ and common council, and a nu-
merous body of merchants of Dublin^ delivered ad-
dresses to him, as an honest man and lover of his
country, for not voting away the liberty and inde-
pendence of Ireland.

Pn the 28th of January Lord Castlereajrh moved Adjoam-
an adjournment to tpe 7th of February, m order to iiish par.

litiDcnt, in

engraft his further parliamentary proceedings upon order to
the issue and result of the dd>ates in the Brirish house the icmu-
of x:ommons. Sir John Pamell opposed the motion, B^thpw-
as there hev^r was a moment, in which it was more *°*^*'
necessary for the parliament 9f Ireland to remain vigil-
ant at its post. There was a credited report, that
the British minister had declared, he would uncecU'-
ingly persevere in a measure respecting the interned
situation of Ireland^ to which the parliameitt of Ire-
land had so recently given its decided negative*
It was impossible the British minister or parliament
could have previously known the sentiments of the
parliament of Ireland, when they had discussed the
measure on the very same day it was rejected here.
The British minister had too much wisdom to per-
severe, after the sense of the Irish parliament and Irish
ptople were known to him, without putting in immi-
nent Hazard the continuance of British connexion.
*Lord Castlereagh persisted in his motion, declaring

• The public proccediogi of the cduoty of Lontfa on the I4tb,
and of the city of Dublin on the 16ih of Jaouaiy, 1799^ are to be
seen in the Appendix to Hist. Rev. No. CXVii.

2 M 4

SS6 The Reign of George III.

iJW* Union to be a measure so in<fispensable to perpe'-
tuate the connenmi between both kingdoms, to con-
solidate their. mutual strength, and promote their
mutual.prosperity, that he should never lose sight of
it; though he did not mean that he would^ or
could press it against the Irish parliament and the Irish,
people. After several gentlemen had spoken in the
strongest terms against the Union, upon which the
sense of that house had been unequivocally expressed,
/ the question was carried in the affirmative without

division. Lord Castlereagh then solemnly assured
the house, that he should never bring lorward the
question of Union so long, as it appeared to him re*
pugnant to the sense of parliament and the country.
Colonel Maxwell Barry observed, the noUe lord could
not himself answer for wh at he might do, as he
must act according to the instructions he received
from England. He moved a call of the house^ which
was fixed for the II th of February. Sir H. Cavendish,
after having stated, that the house had been degraded '
by personal outrage and insirit to several of its mem-
bers, in consequence of votes' given in that house,
moved, ^ That any insult or assault offered to any
member of parliament coming or going from that
house, in consequence of any thing said or ^ne in
parliament ; or any attempt to intimidate any member
fiom any vote in that house ; or any tumultuous as^
semblage of persons meeting in the passages to that
house, to awe or intimidate its members, to or from
any vote, or any measure, is an high infringement on
the privileges of that house.'* The debate on the ne-

Mminisirution of Marqms Comwallu* 53t

cesGitf for such resolutions, brought und^r the conuder^ 1799*'
ation of the house a ministerial determination to remove
the parliament to Cork, in order to secure safety in Us
deliberati<ms. Upon which the aitomey-general said
it was notorious, that the persons of members had been
assaulted and abused, their houses attacked^ and them-
selves declared traitors to their country, for having
voted in favor of Union; and that certainly such at-
fempfs to overawe the parliament would warrant its ^
removal to Cork. To confirm which was read a
paragraph in a popular paper, calling the minister of the
country and diose members who voted for an Union
^ a corrupt minuter and his corrupt phalanx." Out
of parlisnent, the viceroy 2p^]kd the whole strength
of the castle, to promote the grand object : he gained
occasional proselytes* On the other hand he was
strongly opposed by msmy even of his fbimer fneadsy
and found the decided majority of thenation (however
decorous of a ccmtinuance of connexion) hostile to the
measure c^ Union.

Meetings m the different co untie w^re en- Ssotioiit

-of the Aatif

couraged by the Anti*unionists ; and strong reso- nnumittt
lutions adopted with few dissentieiit voices. The conntiy.
military commanders sometimes interfined, on pre-
tence of preventing the intrusion aad violence of
the lower classes ; and very frequently officers used
menace and intiinichtion^ m order to check firee discus-
sion. The freeholders of Fermanagh, King's County,
Limerick, Monaghan, Clare, Cavan, Tyrone, and
other shires, made strcHig resolutions against the mea«
sure^ and thanked their members for opposing it ; but^

5,-^3 » ^^ Reign of George lih

in the county of Galway, the archbishop of Tuam
had interest enough to procure a warm declaration in
favor of Union. In the commercial city of Cork
great disunion prevailed, many of the traders and
other inhabitants were zealous for the ministerial
scheme. In opposition to them above 700 signed and
published an address of thanks to the parliamentary
Anti-unionists in general, and to the Earl of Charle-
mont and Mr. Foster in particular. While the public
mind was in that state of agitation, the speech, which
Mr. Pitt delivered on the 2dd of January, was circu-
lated through the nation with more than ordinary
industry, and some of that minister's remarks, as in-
terpreted by the Anti-unionists, increased the public
ferm^t*
mwtttSf When the Irish house of commons met according
mint™" ^^ adjournment, a complaint was made to the house of
several paragraphs ^ in an English newspaper, under
the immediate controul of the minister. This was
considered by the Anti-unionists a part of the
scheme of the British ministry to force the Union
upon them, and they unanimously resolved, that those
English newspapers, in which the false, scandalous,
and malicious libels, were contained and published,
should be burned by the hands of the common hang-
man, in College Green, and that the sheriffs of Dublin
should attend to see the same done accordingly. The
horrors of the l^te rebellion had now given place to a

• ThfBc parngraphs may be seen in Historical Review, vol. III.

AdministrcUion of Marquis Comwcdlis* 539

new irritstion created by the question of Union : and i799
the old means of proclaiming different districts in a
state of disturbance were resorted to. The first
county proclaimed to be in that state* was the County
of Gal way on the 12th of February^ in which
the earliest and most successful exertions had been
made in favor of Union. This was conclusive evi*
dence, that the advocates for Union, such as were the
Earl of Clanricarde, and most of the nobility and
gentry of Galway, considered, that it would be more
effectually carried by * military coerci(m, than delibe-
rative persuasion.

' Personal applications were made by Lord Com* Uni Com-
wallis to such members of the Irish parliament, and peiKnuiUA-
pefsons of influence and power in the country, as were fomtd th«
considered most open. The amiable qualities of the ^^
viceroy, and the promises and prospects of the flat-
tering fruits of Union plausibly made by him, pro-
cured a preponderance ai interest in favor of the
Union from many, who probably would otherwise
have opposed it.
The predeCerminadon of the British minister to The mea.

sure

carry the measure, was not to be checked by any Irish broufht
oppositioa. On the 19th of March, Lord Grmville thcBntisK
opened the buaness in the British House of Peers. uTi^"
In the performance of his duty, it afforded him some
relief; he said, to flnd^ that the two main points on

* It appears from a paper presented by Lord Castlereagh on
the 1 1th P'ebruary, that the regiments then tenring in Ireland,
and belonging to the British establiiihmeot, amounted to 23^201
(sei). (18 Qom. Journ, Appendii^ No. XLIXO

«0 The Reign ^f George JIJ.

^^^ which the resoludons were founded, had been suffix
ciently established to preclude the necessity of dwelU
ing upon them. These were, that the legislature of
Ireland had an independent right of deciding upon
any proposal of Union, as fully as the pariiameot of
Great Britain, and that the interest of the emfare at
large, and of every branch of it in particular, xe^
quired the maintenance and improvement of the con-
nexion between the countries. So far from being
unseasonable^ it was highly expedient and politic to
enter upon a speedy inquiry into the merits of tibe
measure. His lordship went into the matter much at
large, and amongst other inducements to render the
subject desirable to the majority of the Irish people,
he held out catholic emandpadon as one of the first
and most beneficial consequences of the Union. A
free admission of the catholics into the Irish parlist*
ment might lead to a subversion of its constitution;
but all fear of their preponderancy would vanish
under a general legislature, as they then would be far
outnumbered by the protestants. The animosities of
these rival parties would be allayed } Jmd a tranquil*
lity, which Irrismd had rarely enjoyed would be the
pleasing resuk. His lordship then moved the fim
resolution, and intimated, that he ^ould afterwards
request the house to v(ke an address favorable
to the adjusiment of a complete Uaion^ . A long
and interesting debate * ensued ; the house agreed to

* Which may be mco inoch at lai^, Hbt. Her. vol. III. p.

Mmivistration of Marquis Comwallts. Ml

die resolatioa, and a day was fixed for proposing an ^]^
address to the throne upon the subject \ the introduce
tion of which by Lord Grenville gave rise to another
ivarm debate ; in which Lord Minto took a leading
part in favor of the Union ; and emphatically rested
the great benefit of that measure to Ireland upon the
assumed emancipation of the Irish catholics. Laws
dierefore beneficial to the mass of the people of Ire*
land, and promoting its general prosperity and happi-
ness, were to be expected from the united pariiament,
in which right might be done unaccompanied by
wrong, and Irish catholics invested with their political
capacities, without the slightest danger to protestant
establishment or property. He advised therefore the
insertion of an explicit article in the treaty or act of
Union, providing for the just claims of the Catholic
Irish; but he was not strenuous or decisive in his re-
commendation I for he added, that, ^< if any poli-
tical peculiarities of the present time should render it
impracticable to engross these wholesome provisions
in the written treaty itself*, he would rather repress

* lifr. Pitt to avoid difficaltiet and Mayt, rofolved not to intm-
duee Hay stipulation for the catholict, bat raserve that meeiare for
the impefial parliunenC Ho lest orer therefore to Lord Com-
wallit the fdXcmxng oommunicstions to be made to some of the
catholic iiodjr. The paper bespeaks the inducements, under which
many of the cathdtcs were allured to support the Unkn : and its
cothcntid^ is rerified by a letter from Lord Corawallis to the
author, of the 8th of April, 1805. The verification of this im-
portant historical fact is to be seen at laige in ao historical letter
from the author to Sir Richard Musgrave, Bart. p. 72 to 80^
IMS. That letter kXif exposes the falsehoods^ mahc^ and de-
oiptioii of that Gtotkkdan's writings*

542 The Reign of George 111.

1709* ^^ wishes for the immediate accomplishment of this
desirable end^ than expose this great transaction to

'* The IcMUng part of his migesty's miniiten findiftig unsiir-
moantablc obstadcs to the bringing forward meamret of ooDces-
Bion to the catholic body, whilst in office* have felt it impoisible
to continue in administralion under the inability to propose it with
the circumstances necessary to carrying the measure with all its
advantages, and they have retired from his majesty's service, con-
sidering this line of conduct, as most likely to contribute to its
ultimate success. The catholic body will, therefore, see how much
their future hopes must depend upon strengthening their cause by
good conduct in tlie mean time ; they will prudently consider their
prospects as arising from the penons, who now espouse their in-
terests, and compare them with those, whidi they cookl look tt>
from any other quarter 5 they may with confidence rely on the
sealous support of all those, who retire, and of many, who remain
in office, when it can be given with a prospect of success. They
may be assured, that Mr. Pitt will do his utmost to establish their
cbuse ID the public favor, and prepare the way for finally attaining
their objects : and the catholics will feel, that as Mn Pitt could not
concur in a hopeless attempt to force it now, he must at all
tiroes repress with the same decision as if he held an adverse opi-
nion, any unconstitutional conduct in the catholic body.

** Under these circumstances it cannot be doubted that the ca-
tholics will take the most loyal, dutiful, and patient tine of con-
duct, that they will not suffer themselves to be led into measures
which can, by any construction, give a handle to the opposers of
their wishes, either to misinterpret their principles or to raise an
argument for resisting their claims ; but that by their pVudent and
exemplary demeanour they will afford additional grounds to tie
growing number of their advocates to enforce their claims en
proper occasions, until their objects can be finally and advan-
Uigeoosly attained.*' ^

** The Sentmmtis of a sincere Friend (%. e. Marquts ConmMi)
io the CatkoUe Claims.
** If the catholics should now proceecf to violence, or entertain
any ideas of gaining their object by convulsive mieasiires, or forrn^

Administratum of Marquis Cornwallis. S4i

needless and unprofitable hazard by unseasonable ^7^
pertinacity or impatience, and would be content to
leave it to the mature deliberation and impartial
judgment of the imperial legislature."

llie address being voted, a conference was holden Oonfereoct
With the commons on the following day ; and the commons.
deputed lords then proposed, that it should be offered
to the throne as the joint address of both houses.
Before the commons concurred in the address to the
King, they once more brought the plan of Union
to a fresh discussion. On the 22d of April, Mr. Pitt
moved^ that the house should join in the address voted

iog asfociations with men of Jacobinical princtples^ they must of
course lose the support and aid of those> who have sacrifieed iheii
own situations in their cause, but who would at the same tiipe feel
it to be their indispensable duty to oppose every thing tending to
confusion;

*' On the other hand, should the catholics be sensible of the
benefit they possess by having so many characters of eminence pledg-
ed not to embark in the service of government, except on the terms
of the catholic privileges being obtained, it is to be hoped, that on,
balancing the advantages and disadvantages of their situation they
would prefer a quiet and peaceable demeanour to any line of
conduct of an opposite description/* ,

The originals of these two declarations were handed to Dr.
Troy, and afterwards to Lord Fingall on the same day by Marquisr
Comwallis, in Che presence of Deuteoant Colonel littlehales, in
the beginning of May, 1801, shortly before bis departure from
the government of Ireland, and before the arrival of Lord Hard-
wicke, his successor. His excellency desired they should be
discreetly communicated to the bishops and priacipal catholics, but
not inserted in the newspapers. They appeared, nevertheless, in
the English prints soon afterwards^ and were copied into the Irish
papery.

SU The Reign of George lit.

1^ by Ad peers. This brought on a fresh debate The
address* was adc^ted by the commons; and, cgi the

* The following was the form of the addresi.
*' Most oaicious Sotbrbiom^

'' WBj jour majesty's most dntifbl and lojal subjecCsj
the lords spiritual and temporal^ and commons. In parliameat as*
serobledy homb^ beg kai^ to fHsnve jour mijesty; that we have
proceeded with the nlmost attentioii to the consideration of the
important subjects recommended to us in your majesty's noessage
respecting the connexion between this countiy and Ireland*

*' We entertain a firm persuasion that a complete and entire
Union between Great Eiitain and Ireland, fonndad on equal and
liberal principles, on the similarity of laws, constitatioo* and
government, and on a sense of mutual interests and affections^ by
promoting the securi^, wealth, and commerce, of the respectire
kingdoms, and by allaying the distractions, which have unhappily
prevailed in Ireland, must afford fresh means of opposing at all
times an efiectual resistance to the destructive projects of oar
foreign and domestic enemies, and must tend to confirm and ang-
ment the stabilitj, power, and resources of the empire.

" Impressed with these considerations, we feel it our duty
humbly to lay before your Majesty such propositions, as appear to
us best calculated to form the basis of such a settlement, leaving
it to your Majesty*s wisdom, at such time and in such manner as
your Majesty, in your parental solicitude for the happiness of your
people, shall judge fit, to communicate these propositioos to your
parliament of Ireland, wilh whom we shall be at all times readj
to concur in all such measures, as may be found most condudve
\o tlie accomplishment of this great and salutary work. And we
trust, that after full and mature consideration, such a settlement
may be framed and established by the deliberaiive consent of the
parliaments of both kingdoms, as may be conformable to the
sentiments, wishes, and real interests of your Majesty's faithful
subjects of Great Britain and Ireland, and may unite them insepar-
ably in the full enjoyment of the blessings of our free and in«
valuable constitution, in the support of the hoaor and dignity of

J^dministration qf Marquis Camwallis. S4fS

26th, the sentiments of both houses- on. the subject ^£^
Were communicated in due form to his majesty.

Whilst the question of Union vr^s pending in the ProceedingB
British senate^ that of Ireland continued to occupy Ftiiiaraent.
itself on other concerns. Long and interesting de-
bates took place upon Mn Dobbs's motion for a com*
mutation of tithes $ upon the loyalists' claim bill, and
on the rebel disqualification bill*. Sir H. Langnshe
vehemently disapproved of the ^irit of the bill,
which had been brought in. by the members for the
city of Dublin. It was warmly supported by
Messrs. Ogle, J. C. Beresford, and Dr. Duigenan.
The attorney-general considered, that to pass this bill
would be to conraiit a breach of the covenant of
pardon made with the country ; it would involve in
Its grasp many innocent and deluded persons, whose
xeturn to loyalty was indubitable, but who in the
early part of the system of United Irishmen^ had
entered into it from curiosity or from folly, and had
retired the moment they perceived its wickedness.
tJpon a division the bill was lost.

On the 6th of April was presented a petition from Moti<m in
T. Judkin Fitzgerald, Esq. late high sheriff of the Mr?j!idkiii
county of Tipperary, praying to be indemnified for '^**
certdn acts done by him in suppression of the bte

your Majesty's crown^ and in the preservation and advancement of
the welfare and prosperity of the whole British empire/* 8 Pari.
£ng. Deb. p. 542.

* The title of that bill was for preventing, personsi who had
ever taken the Oath of the United Irishmen, from Totiog for
Members to serve in Parliament.

vot. II. 2 W

84$ The Reign o/Gedrge IIL

V99» rebellion, not justifiable in common law. The ob-
ject of it was to do away the effect of the reidict
found against the petition^ in an action at the suit of
one Wright before mentioned. His prominent zeal
in suppressmg rebellion, was highly emblazoned by
the advocates of the system of coercion. Mr. Tel-
verton, before whose father thef trial came.on, and
who was himself present at it, gave so lively a picture
of the brutal conduct of the petidoner, as proved in
evidence at the trial"*, that his friends thought prudent

* Mr. Wright was employed as a teacher of the French Ian*
guage by several boarding-schools and ftmilies of respectability.
Having heardi that Mr. Fitzgerald had received aome charge of a
seditious nature against him« he went to the house of Mr. Fits-
gerald, and being shewn into his presence, explained the purpose
of his coming, when Mr. Fitxgerald drawing his sword, saicL
down on your knees, you rebellious scoundrel, and receive your
sentence, which was first to be dogged, and then ahoL The im«
fortunate man surrendered his keys to have his papers seaichedtf
and expressed his readiness to sutler any punishment the proof of
guilt could justify. Mr. Fitagerald's answer was, " What» you
Carmelite rascal, do you dare to speak after sentence ?'* He then
struck him> and ordered him to prison. The next day being
brought forth to undeigo Jiis sentence, be knelt down in prayer,
with his hat before his fnce. Mr. Fitzgerald snatched his hat from
him and trampled on it, seized the man by the hair, dragged him
to the earth, kicked him and cut him across the forehead with his
aword, then had him stripped naked, tied up to the ladder, and
ordered htm fifly lashes. Major Rial, an officer in the town,
came up as the fifty lashes were completed, and asked Mr. F.
the cause. Mr. Fitzgerald handed him a note written in Frencbf
saying, he did not himself understand French, though he under*
stood Irish, but he [Major Rial] would find in that letter what
would justify him in flogging the scoundrel to death. Major

Adminisirdiim o/MarquU CorrMatHi^ *^

to drop Ihc matter. Mr. T. judkin Pitzgenild aftfe^^ ^JjS»j
Wards recdved a conaderable pension for his active
services m quelling the rebellioiL

Flushed with confidence, the Anti-Unionists were ggenejf
determined to remove every obstacle, that they con*
cdved thelf opponents might avail themselves of^ in
bringing the measure to bear« In of der therefore to
shut out thfe possibility of any future difference be-
tween the parliaments of the two kingdoms in the ap^
pointment of ^ regent^' in case that necessity should

Ittat rtad the letter, tie fimnd it to be t note for tb^ victim^

which he tbos translated: '

«' Sit,

'' I AM eztfemely lorry I cannot wait od jroU at th^

hoar appointedi bebig uiiatoidably obliged to attend Sir Latuencc

tVtfsons.

Yonr'f,
* Baron de CLtrsf.*'

'Nbtwkhitanding this transtatioii^ Mr. Fitsg^rald ordered hint

tfty motelatbei/ whith i^ere inflicted with andi pecoliar ae?e^

tity, that the boweli of the btoediog tietim cbald Be percdired td

be conndied and working through hit wounds ! Mr, Fitsg^cl

finding he cooid not cofatinne the ttppHeation of his att-o'-nine- tails

bn that pdrt whhbot eutting his wi^ into his bodj, ordered the

waistband of his breeches to be cut open, and fifty more lashes to

be inflicted theie. He thfeh left the nnfottunate man blee^ng'

and stupetidedi trfiile he went (o the barrack to demand a file of

Inen to come and shoot him } but befdg refused, by the com*

tnanding officer, he dame back and sought for a rope to hang him>

but could get none. He then ordeM huh to be cut down and

sent back to prisooj where h6 #as confined in a dark small room,

with no other furniture, than a wtetched pallet of sttaw, without

corering, and there he remain^ sit or seven days without me«

dical assistance !

In g

S48

The_ Reign of George HI.

1799'

General
metsuret
for and
ag^ainxt
union.

recur, they brought forward a regency bill to pro-
vide for the government of Ireland, whenever that
of Great Britain should be administered by a regent
or regency ; that the regal power of the realm of
Ireland should beexercised or adounistered by the same
person or persons^ in whom the exercise and adminis-
tration of the regal powers of the imperial crown of
Great Britain should be vested. This bill was fre-
quently and violently debated. The majority did not
find it an adequate remedy for the evils of parlia-
mentary variance, and it was postponed to the 1st of
August, and thus lost for the session.

Though ministers had gained an advantage in the
rejection of the regency billi it did not inspire
them with sufEdent confidence to risk another dis-
cussion of the subject, while the public mind- was
so much on the fret. It was resolved therefore, tbaW
the full development of the measure should be de-
ferred to the next session. At this time commenced
the singular measure of shifting seats in parliament*,
for the open accommodation of those, who wished
to vote^ and those, who wished to avoid voting on

• Au instance occurred on the 15th of Mzy, in which Lord
Castlereagh manifested the most barefaced partiality of govern-
ment in refusing the escheatorship of Mun&ter« which (like our
Chiltern Hundreds) vacates the seat of the member accepting, to
Colonel Cole^ who was ordered to join his corps then in Corfu ;
but, who being a strong anti-unionist| wished to introduce Mr.
Balfour, who entertained the like sentiments -, thus compelling
Colonel Cole either to resign his commission, or to give the mi-
nister the advantage of a vote on this important question.

Administration of Marquis Comwallis. ^^^

this important measure. It is matter of notoriety, 1^99^
that the whole powers of government patronage, in-
fluence, and emolument, were devoted to the pro-
selytizing for Union. An accommodating casuistry
reconciled some of the political combatants to quit
the field for a valuable consideration, in order to
let in others to fight the battle they were shamed
to engage in: thus squeamishly refusing the wages
of prostitution^ whilst they enhanced their demands
for procurauon.

When the parliament was prorogued on the 1st of^^JI^*
of June, the commons attended their speaker to the ScTorS**
House of Lords, where his excellency delivered a J^^!^^'*
speech ♦ from the throne, which contained the fol-
lowing special communication from his majesty, thac
a joint address of the two houses of parliament of
Great Britain had been laid before his majesty, ac-
companied by resolutions proposing and recommend-
ing a complete and entire union between Great Bri-
tain and Ireland^ to be established by the mutual
consent of both parliaments, founded on equal and
liberal principles, on the similarity of laws, consti-
tution, and government, and on a sense of mutual
interest and affections. ' The session of the British
parliament closed on the 12th of July, when his
majesty assured them that the ultimate security of
Ireland could alone be established by its intimate and
entire union with Great Britain t#

Ireland was now neither convulsed with rebellion, 1^^^
nor perfecdy tranquil. Several counties were pro- ^■™**

* \g Com. Jouro. p. 145. f 9 £iig« Deb, p. SJB,

f JO TTie Reign of George III.

1^0^ claimed. The presence of numerous troops kept tiia
malecontents in awe; the extraordinary powers of
court8*martial diffused through the realm effectiye
terror. Insults, outrages, and depredations, were not
infrequent. The question of union fanned the old
or raised a new flame of discord. On both sides ar«
tifices were practised to obtain signatures to addresses
for and against the measure. The hifluence of go-?
vemment was forwarded by the presence of the lord*
lieutenant, in v^ tour he made through many coundec
with that view. In the meanwhile the legislature
of Qreat Britain re-assembled on the 24th of 8^
tember, when his Majesty expressed his confidence,
that the disposition of the parliament pf Ireland would
be found to correspond with that, which the national
council of Britain had manifested for the i^complish-
ment of an union. The Marquis of Buckingham
moved the address of thanks, and enforced the ex-
pediency of the me^ure from his experimental
knowledge of Ireland.

In January, 1800, the Marquis of Downshire, Lord
Gharlemont, and William Braba^son Ponsonby sent
circular letters to the gentry and yeomanry, (as au<^
thorised by a number of gentlemen of both houses of
parliament, thirty-dght of whom were representadvea
of counties) to recommend petitions to parliament
against ^ legislative union. It was falsely given out
that the itnti^unionists had formed a stock-purse* for

* The oondoot of the MarquU of Downthiie wei to ditpleatinft
tP lov^nunent, that be wss lemoved from the (povennnentof th^

oppoMthe

^dmhmtraium ofMarqius CommalHs. SSh

, decaying the expenses of opposing the measure. At J[|^
ft meeting of some of the heads of the party in Dub*
lin. Lord Dillon made such a proposal^ but it was not
followed up.

The conduct of Lord Comwallis was politically namti^

Catholics

kind and liberal towards the Catholics, in order to ictni at to
engage them in favour of the union. No description
of persons had such strong reasons for opposing that
measure as the body of Roman Catholics, who by it
forfeited all the constitudonal advantages of a de«
tided majority of an independent nation, to dnk into
an insignificant minority of the united kingdom. At
Dublin a large portion of the Catholic residents came
forward in their distinct capacity of Catholics, to op-
pose it, and on the 13th of January, held a numerous
meeting, at which they passed and published some re-
solutions against union *. In other parts of the king-
dom Catholic individuals had signed addresses and
resolutions promiscuously with their Protestant bre^
thren against the measure. This step was productive
of some disunion in the Catholic body, as the clergy
and several respectable Catholic inhabitants of the
city of Dublin warmly supported the lord-lieutenant in
the measure. The Orangemen more wary, in order
not to weaken their body by disunion^ published an

eoQiitj^ from tbe colonelcy of the royal Downshlro rcgimait of 1^00
. fneot and erased irom tbe list of privy counsellors. In open par*
liament be disclaimed tbe charge of any contribution.

* Tbe resolotioni of the Catholics against union, and of the
Grand Orange Lodge« to abstain from discussing the question^ are
IP Im seen Hist. Ber. Yd. Id. 093^ &c.

SK4

S52 The Reign of George III.

l^^ advertisement from their grand lodge to prevent even
the discussion of the question amongst them.
Efibctt of The lord-lieutenant was satisfied with the success

the prepa-

^ryttept of his Summer excursion through the kingdom. The
great horror of the measure had abated in many
places ; in some the original opposers had now be-
come warm advocates in its favour. It had not be-
come generally popular, although it had ceased to be
generally unpopular. Preparations were made on
both sides for the parliamentary contest on the 15th
of January, on which day Mr. G rattan had been
elected for the borough of Wicklow, on the death of
Mr. Gahan deceased, and was sworn in. The lord-
lieutenant made a long speech from the throne^^
which avoided any mention of or reference to the
union *. After the address had been moved and sen
conded, Sir Lawrence Parsons inveighed warmly
against the ministerial manoeuvres to pack a parlra-*
ment, and influence its members. It mattered not
whether the representatives of the nation were turned
out of that door by the sword of the army, or the
gold of the treasury ; by a Cromwell or by a secre-
tary; the treason against the constitution was the
same. He then moved an amendment to the ad-
dress, connecting the desire of a continuance of Bri^
tish connexion with the wish for the preservation of
an independent resident parliament. This brought
on a most interesting debate j. On the division, (at

* It may be seen. Hist. ReT. vol. III. p.. 984.
t Mr.Grattan entered the house between Mr. William B. Pon-
sonby and Mr. Arthur Moore^ whilst Mr. Egan was on his legs

Administration of Marquis Comwallh^ S39

ten o'clock in the morning) 96 voted for the amend-. ,2f^
ment, 1S8 against it. This majority of 42 exceeded ^^^""^
the warmest expectations of goveniment. The viceroy
hoped to increase it by allowing an interval of some
weeks to pass, before he sent to either house a copy
of the resolutions of the parliament of Great Britain.

A majority of 42 flushed government with confid- codm-
encej and drove the Anti-unionists almost to despe- t^^^^n^
ration. The members were now so immoveably jorl^."^'
marshalled^ that further changes were not looked to
by either side. Some solitary instances of conversion
did appear. In order to counteract the 6rst effects
of this ministerial triumph in the capital, within an
hour or two after the adjournment of the house of
commons (at ten o^clock, on the 16th of January) an
aggregate meeting of the freemen and freeholders
of the city of Dublin was convened by instant requin

actually refsrriDg to the constitution of 178^. The re-appeannoo
in parliaineDb of the founder of that constitution at that critical
moment and under those awful circumstances^ electrified the
house and galleries with an indescribable emotiop of terrific joy
and expectation. On rising to speak, he referred to the adjust*
ment of 1782. The minister of Great Britain^ he said, bad oome
forward in two celebrated productions j he declared his intoler-
ance of the parliamentary constitution of Ireland j that conati-
totion, which he ordered the several viceroys to celebrate^ in de-
fence of which he recommended the French war^ and to whicji
he swore the yeoman 5 that constitution he now dedared to be 9
miserable imperfectionf concaniog with the men^ whom he ha4
executed for thinking the Irish parliament a grlevaope j difiering
from them in the remedy only: they proposing to substitute a
republic, and he the yoke of the Britiah parliament. This gre^t
and good patriot rallied all the powers of his yooth^ and in a lon^
ipeech oatstepped bia nsoal bnlliaocy.

«4 The Reign of George IIU

}^^ aitioiiy at which they passed veiy atroog reaolutioos *
agamat Union.
^rifament^ At the meetbg of parliament after the adjourn*
after id. Qient, on the 15th of February, 1800^ petitions
against a legislative Union with Great Britain were
received from the counties of Dublin, Limerick,
Wexford^ Cavan, Longford^ Tipperary, Galway^
Meath,. and Fermanagh; also from the city of li-
merick, the town of Bel&ist^ and several others.
On the introduction of the Tipperary petition. Sir
L. Parsons took occasion of stating to the house^
that Major Rogers, who commanded at Birr, having
been told, that there was an intendon of assembling
the freeholders and inhabitants to deliberate on the
propriety of petitioning against ai legislative Union,
the major replied he would disperse them by force if
they attempted it ; he had applied to government for
directions And on Sunday^ whilst several magistrates
and respectable inhabitants were assembled in the
session-house, the high-sheriflf (Mr, Derby) ordered
them to disperse^ or he would compel them; they

* The proceediogt of that raeetiog abew the spirit of the daf«
and are to be seen, (list. Rev. voL III. p. 900^ AxnoqgsC these r^
solutions there was a most enthiisiaatic panegyric oo the talenu^
Tirtue, and patriotism of Mr. Grattan, their late noemher. Tb^
quick shiftings of the pepularii aura should not here pass un*
noticed. The ingratitude and caluoinies of Mr. Gnttan's late
constituents had weighed pot Ughtlj in the sGale» which tamed
that gentleman's resolution to letire frop) pariiainent. Thej
now placed hifn at the bead of the trivunvimte of their ^ms-
iere$!edj aficctions and adoration^ with Messrs. Foster and Q^,
who had been onoeosing objecU of Mr. Grattan's opposition 4t}r«
ii:g the whole course of his- political career in padis<sent|

jtdmimiiraiion of Marquis ComwalUs. W

were about to depart, when Major Rogers appeared J*^
at the head of a coluam of troops, with four pieces
of cannon in front, with matches lighted, and declared
that he waited but for one word from the sheri£f, that
be might blow them to atoms ! These were the dread-
ful measures. Sir Laurence said, by which govenv-
ment endeavoured to force the Union upon the people
of Irelandj by sdfling thw sentiments and dragooning
them into submisdon. He then proposed two reso«
lutions to the house* of the following effect ; 1st.
^* That to prevent by military force the freeholders of
any county from meeting to petition parliament, is a
gross violation of the privileges of this house, and a
wbversion of the c<mstitution* 2d« That Vemey
Derby, Esq. and Major Rogers do attend at the bar
of the bouse on Wednesday next." Lord Castle-
reagh said, that he had never before, either in his
official or parliamentary capacity, heard a syllable of
the matter then stated to the house. As an acknow«
ledged truism. Sir Laurence Parsons withdrew his. first
resolution, and the second passed unanimously. No^
thing however appears to have been done upon it.

Lord Castlereagh acquainted the house, that he had Mcfn«t
a * message from his excellency the k^-lieutenant, lorn-iicuic*

^ ' nanc abom

• ♦' CoaHWALLIf,

'' At Uie date of the last immoo, io obedkooe to On
puticalsr oommandf , which I received from hit Msjetty, I ao*
qoainiad this parliameDt* that a joint address of the two booses of
(•rliamenf of Great Britain had been hiid before his Mf^eatj^ to-
compaoied bjiesolntioos proposing ^ rpcoonnendiog a oenplele
mid entire Union between Great Britsio and Ireland* to be as-
tiUiihcd ^ themutwd (X)fiseiit of both parliamotii^ feoMdsd m

556 The Reign of George III.

1800. which he read; and then proceeded to lay open
the plan* of the Union, which he now looked up to
as a certainty: he spoke with peculiar confidence of
the change of sentiment, which had taken place in
the minds of many, who were last year hostile to the
measure* He concluded a detailed exposition of the
plan nearly in the following words : ^* Having now
gone through the outline of the plan with as much
(:onciseness as possible, I trust I have proved to ever^

equal and liberal principles, on the similarity of constitution and
government, and on a sense of mutual interests and affections.

'' I have it now further in command from his Majesty to ]xf
those resolutions before this house, and solemnly to recommend
to the consideratioD of his faithful cpmmons the great objects th^
embrace.

'' His Majesty has observed *witli increasing satisfaction, that
the sentiments which have continued to be manifested in lavor of
this important and salutary measure by such numerous and respect-
able descriptions of his Irish subjects* confinn the hope he has
expressed, that its accomplishment will prove to be as much the
joint wish as it unquestionably is the common interest of both his
kingdoms : an event to which his Majesty looks forward With the
utmost earnestness, as the only means, by which the common
interests of all his people can be indissolubly united, and their se-
irurity and happiness can be permanently established.

f His Majesty therefore relies on the wisdom of his parliaments^
and the loyal concurrence of his people fbr the completion of
this grefit work, with a firm persuasion that a full and unreserved
participation of constitutional and commercial advantages wll
augment and perpetrate the prosperity of his subjects of his united
-kingdom, and that under the &vour of Divine IVovidence the
freedom and power of the British empire will be established on a
foundation not to be shaken by the efforts either of its fore?^ or
domfftic enemies.* •

Administratum of MarquU Comwallisi SSi

man, who hears me, that the proposal is such a one,- as i90O^
is at once honourable for Great Britain to offer, and
for Ireland to accept. It is one, which will entirely
remove ffx>m the executive power those anomalies,*
which are the perpetual sources of jealousy and dis*
content. It is one, which will relieve the apprehens-
ions of those, who feared that Ireland was, in conse*
quence of an Union, to be burthened with the debt
of Britain. It is one, which, by establishing a fair
principle of contribution, tends to release Ireland
from an expense of one million in time of war, and
of 500,0001. in time of peace. It is one, which
increases the retources of our commerce, protects our
manufactures, secures to us the British market, and
encourages all the produce of our soil. It is one^
that, by uniting the ecclesiastical establishments^ and
consolidating the legislatures of the empire, puts an
end to religious jealousy, and removes the possibility
of separation. It is one, that places the great ques-
tion, which has so long agitated the country, upon
the broad principles of imperial policy, and divests it
of all its local difficulties. It is one, that establishes
such a representation for the country, a^ must lay
asleep for ever the question of parliamentary reform,
which, combined with our religious divisions, has.
produced all our distractions and calamities.'' The
bouse divided, at a very late hour, 158 for, and 115
against the measure of Union **

* Whea the oomber of ths placemen^ peomoners^ and other io-
flQ0DisedinetQben> who voted on the late dlyiioo ia oonaideced^ the

^^« ttie Ikeign of 6earge tit

^^ On the 10th of Febraary Lord Clare brought Oil
the matter on the ordeir of the daj for taking hit
Majesty's tnessage into consideration. VGb lordships
had frequently and publickly pledged himself to tatty
it through, and he effected it. He conduded hit
elaborate and animated speech with the following
observation i '* that if he lived to see that measure
completed, to his latest hour he should feel an honor*
Stbte pride in reflecting on the share he might have
had in contributmg to effect it f /' The majority of

Imaittcr hid bot tknder gnmndt for tHnmphiog iii his ittgority of
4dj if from k -^^rtte to be collected the gCDftine aenae of tho
iodepeodeot part of that booae and of the people of Ireland, whool
\hej represented. So predetermined liowever was the British
cabinet to force the measure upon Ireland in that farorable op^
portunity of ber wf- ftkness and fears> th^t lavish reooarse was bad
to Uie powers of patronage and bikicnce. M dirf « it is to lie feared^
in both bobses sacrificed their convictions. Tweoty-aevea new
titles were added to the peerage } priitiiotionsj gniots» coocessiocif^
arrangements, promises were lavished with a profusion never before
known in that country. Pity for both sides* that so gfeat and
important a political measure should owe ttj part of its sueoess^ .
to other than the means of temperate reason and penoaskxi.

^ Having heretofore referred lo parts of this noble lord's speech"
delivered on that occasion, and also to Mr. Grattan's written
answer to it. ive recommend them both as valuable repertories of
true and interesting representations of facts and chsnicten peco-
Hariy important to the modetn history of Ireland.

t Notwithataading this dedaretioo, it is reported; that tb^Doblo
lord felt so sedsiblyi tffter the Unbo, the loss of his own powet '
and consequence, of which be was inordinately food, that it pfe^
upon his spirits^ and contributed to hasten his' dissohition. Hfll.
atow«d in hts last illness, that of all the potitical ictktts of hie
life be most repented of his eaertions to bring about tiM Valoii.

jtdmimtiraiicn of Marquis Carnwallis. S69

49 (the numbers being 75 against 26) m the lords ^^^^
shewed^ that the British cabinet had more strength in
the lords than the commons. The further considera*
tion of the measure was postponed by the lords to the
14th9 and by the commons to the 17th of M <rch.

On the 17th of March^ the chancellor of the ex- Debated in
chequer^ Mr, Cony, q>ened the subject by retracing mou
his old ground of argument, which he interspersed
with much personal acrimony and abuse, directed
particularly at Mr. Grattan, who .vindicated himself
in strong language^ and retorted upon his opponent
the insinuations of unconstitutional suid treasonable
c^iduct. Mr. Corry replied with redoubled severity ;
and Mr. Grattan rejoined with such increased power
of censure, as threw the onus of resentment com-
pletely on Mr. Corry \ After a long debate, a mo-
llis aibbitiaa aspired to ruk tbe British c(mncils« as he had so bog
A rectdL those of Irehmd. There he failed.

* The house saw the inevitable couseqneoces. The speaker
(the house was in committee) seot ior Mr. Grattan into his cbam*
her, and pressed his interposition for an amicable adjustmenti
which Mr. Giattao positively refused^ saying, he saw, and had
been some time aware of a set made at him, to pistol Mm off on
that question \ theielbre it was as well the experiment ^ere tried
then as at any other time. Both parties bad Instantly left the
house opoD Mr. Grattan*s fiotiihiog bis speech^ Matters having
been speedily adjtisted by the seconds, tbey proceeded in hackney
coaches to a field on the Ball's Bridge road, which thry reached
about twilight If was agreed, that they should level and fire at their
own optioiu Tbe first shot on both sides did no mischief; Mr.
Grettan's passed through Mr. Corry's coat. On the second level
thfere was much science and pistol play. Mr. Grattanj with
unshaketi steadiness^ kept his man accurately covered, and

ied the Reign of George Ut

1900. tion was made for adjoumnieiit, which being rejected^
the first day of the following January was fixed for
the commencement of the Union of the kingdoms^
Various objections were ineffectually takea by some of
the Anti-unionists to the different provisions of the
bill, as they were discussed in the committee. Sir
lohn Pamell moved for an address to the King t«
Convoke a new parliament before any final arrange-
meht of Union should be adopted. This motion pro*
duced a warm debate, which ended at four o'clock in
the morning, in a division of 104 for the motion.
irish Par- A message was sent to the House of Lords, im^
'*"*^toth!^ porting, that the commons had agreed to the articles?

tents
articles of
Union.

reserved hts shot to make it moit secure^ "Srhich Mr. Cony ptrr
ceiving, called to his second, and it was settled upon the boaoar
of the partiefty that both should fire together. Mr. Cony missed
his aixxij and Mr. Grattan*8 ball hit bis antagonist on the knuckle
nf bis lef^ hand, which he had extended across his breast to protect
his right side^ and taking a direction along his wrist^ did oo other
injury.

The populace, notwithstanding the quickness and secrecy, with
which the business was conducted^ followed the parties to the
ground, 2Kid there was reason to fear, had Mr< Grattan fallen, that
his antagonist would hare been sacrificed on the spot to the re^
sentment of the populace, so enthusiastically were they devoted to
their favourite. The issue of this afFiiir reached the House of
Commons, whilst they were still in debate at half-past eight in the
morning. Before Mr. Grattan went to the ground, a most affect-
ing and truly Roman meeting took place between him and Mra.
Grattan. That gentleman was as eminent for the endeannentB
of domestic felicity, as he was conspicuous for his exertions in the
cause of the people.

* These articles art io^p seen in tilie Appendix to ITistorical
Review, No. CXIX.

Jtdmmtsiration of Marquu Cdrfnvallis. SB 1

dF the XJnfon; and on the 27th, the peers mtimated l^
to the other house, that they had adopted them ^th
sbme alterations and addidons. The amendments
#ere appioved of by the commons j and Lord Castle-
i^aghimmediatdy proposed an address to his Majesty,
in winch both houses concurred. In thi^ address they
declared, that they cordially embraced the principle of
incorporating Great Britain and Ireland inter one king-
dom, by a complete and entire Union of their legis-
latures; that they considered the resolutions of the
British parliament as \^ly calculated to fofm the
basis of such a settlement ; that by those propo^dons
they had been gnided in their proceedings ; and that
the resolutions now offered were those articled, which
if approved by the lofds and eomnlons of tireat
Britain, they were ready to confirm and ratify, in
order that the same might be established for ever by
the mutual Consent of both parliaments. The plan of
the Union was thus left to the final consideration of
the British legislature.

The articles of Union passed through the Insh ^"icia of
parliament, as they had been originally framed by the brought be-
British ministry, and were brought forward in the {Jf^i^J***
House of Lords, as terms proposed by the loirds and
commons of Ireland, in the form of resolutions, on the
2d day of April, 1800, by the Duke of Portland,witha
message from the King. The articles went through a
long and mmute discussion in both houses. The op-
po^don to them was firm, but proceeded from few.
A joint address from both houses was presented to his
Majesty. 1 he plan was then transmitted to Ireland}
YQU ii» 2 o

^6» TheJleignffQ<forgcJIl

^^ and eaqh parlisunett preceeded to carry into eflSsct th«
articles by ? biU. Although tb^ Anti-unioiusts h^d
been so constantly baffled, they persisted in diyiuing
ev^ inch of the grgund. As a separate bill was thought
necessary for. regulating the election of the repKh
sentatitres of Ireland in the iq^erial parliament. Lord
Castlereagh moved for leave to introduce it before the
gen^^l bill .of Unions Amongst oAers this singular ob«
jecdon wasnused by the Anti-unjonbts to the melsure 7
that as the clergy was only shut out of thek right 19
agistment dthe by a vote of the Irish Houseof Gammoo%
from the moment of the abolition of that houae^
which passed the vote^ ther^ would be an end to
any authority, which could preserve the grazing bo4
of the kingdoii^ from the common law right of tha
clergy to th^ir agistment tithe. That th^icefordi th^
Irish clergy would be in a situadon of demanding an<|
enforcing their agistment tjltbe in Ireland, as effec*
tually as the English clergy could in England^ I;'Ord
Castlereagh greedily obviated the objecdpn by s^«
. crificing the rights of the ghyrch to the policy of the
British ministers in carrying the Union* An act
was inst2^dy passed * by acchmation to counteract
in this particular the 18th article of the Unipni thei^
approved of by the houses of each legislature ; vi?.
that the churches of Great Britain and Ireland should
be united, subject to the same regulations c^ are at
present by law established. After the several arti-

* On the 12th of June, 1800, M-as passed an act to quiet and
bar all claims of tUHe agistment for dry and barren cattle. Vid»
bef.p 108> &c.

AdminisinHicn of Marquis Comwallis. 5^7

cltt had been adjusted and i^reed to by each hocse, H^^
tke resc^tbns ^w&e fanned into a faill, and die mo*
don for bringmg in a bill fbe the Union of Great
Britaki and Ireland was carried by 160 against 100.
When it was in the committee, Lord Corry moved a
long address to his Majesty against the completion of
the bill *, which after a heated debate was negatived
by a majority of 58# The bill was carried up to
the House of Peers by Lord Castlereagh, where it
was read a third time on the i Sth of Jtme f. A pro-
test was entered by the Duke of i.em8ter and the
odier dissenting peers.

No part of the pbm now remained for the secretary S^£*g^
to bring forward, but the scheme rf compensation. ^^^ p^o-
This he plausibly ushered in upon a principle of
justice ; he proposed a grant of 1,260,0001. foe those^
who should suffer a loss of patronage, and be de-
prived of a soiiroe of wealth, by the disfranchisement
0f 84 bovoughs at the rate of 15,0001. for each.
Mr. Saurin^ Mr. J. Claudius Bere^rd, and Mr.
Pawson maintained^ that the grant of compensation
ID those, who had no right to hold such species of
property, would be an insult to the public and an
mfnngement of the constitution. Mr. Prendergast
defepded the proposition, alleging, that, though such

^ This address, which is generally attributed to the p^ of Mr.
Giattan, and >iras moved for by the Anti-. nioaists as their solemn
protest to posterity against the measure, is lo be seen in the Ap-
pendiJK to Hist. Rev. No. CXX. and \% highly interesting.

f 6 Lords' Journ. p. 463. The divition was 41 against 14.
7l^ protest is t9 b^ seen in the Appendix^ to Hist Rev. N0.CXXI

2o 2

564 The Reign of George Ttt.

l^^ possenioos might have been vicious m thdr origin^

yet, from piiescnptive usage, and from having been

the subjects of contracts and family settlements, they

could not be confiscated, without a breach of honor

and propriety. In the House of Peers this bill was

chiefly opposed by the Earl of Famham i but it passed

into law with little opposition in either house; the

Anti-unionists having now given up the question as

lost*.

Union bill Soon after the Union bill had passed through both

the Bntllh houses of the Irish parliament, Mr. Pitt brought a

parmment. ^^^ ^ ^j^^ ^m^ form into the British House of Com«

mons. It proceeded through the usual stagesj with-
out occasioning any important debate ; and was sent,
on the 24th of June, to the peers. On the SOth,
Lord Grenville moved for its third readmg, declar-
ing, that he rose for that purpose with greater plea-
sure, than he bad ever before felt in making any pro-
position to. their lordships. The Marquis of Down<-
ihire merely 8»d, that his opinion of the measure
remained unaltered, and that he would therefore give
the bill his decided negative. It passed without a

* AssD pciuchheat and zeal attendid ibisiateiestiDg contett
throughout^ it may be gratifying to the curious reader to sec the
list of those, who voted im the opposite sides. A correct list is also
given of the diiferept writs, which issued in the last year of the
Irish parliament, %iz. in 1800, with a view to parliamentary ar«f
rangements in voting for the Union (Vide Index to the Appendix
of Vol. XIX. of Com. Journ. Part II. and also a list of the Irish
Parlianifntary Annuitants.) All are to be seen in the Appendix to
Hist. Iltv. No. CXXII. together with ample detaili of the dif-
fer^iit debates on jLhe qutstion of Union.

Admimstratian ofMarqms Comwallis. J '^ 565

division ; and, on the 2d of July, it received the royal
assent, when his Majesty thus addressed the two
houses. *' With peculiar satisfaction I congratulate
you on the success of the steps, which you have taken
lor effecting an entire Union between my kingdoms.
This great measure, on which m.y wishes have been
lon^ earnestly bent, I shall ever con^der as the hap-
piest event of my reign." The royal assent was given
in Ireland to the Union bill on the 1st of August^ the
anniversary of the accession of the House of Bruns-
wick to the thrones of these realms. The next day,
the lord-lieutenant put an end to the session with an
appropriate speeclvirom the throne **.

* ** If jr 1/yrds and Ge ntlemen,

" Thb vhole business of tliis important seMton being at
length happilj concluded^ it it with the inost sincere satisfaotion,
that I communicate to yon by his Majesty's express command,
bis warmest acknowledgments for that ardeDt zeal and unshaken
perseveranccy which you have so conspicuously nnanifested in ma«
ciuing and completing the great measure of a legislative Union be-
tween this kingdom and Great Britain.

" The proofs yon have given on this occasion of your uniform
attachment to the real welfare of your country* inseparably con-
nected with the security and prosperity of the empire at large« not
only entiUc yon to the full approbation cf your sovereign, and to
the applause of your fellow subjects, but must afford you the surest
claim to the gratitude of posterity,

** You will regret with his Majesty, the reverse, which his Ma«
jesty*s allies have experienced on the Continent ; but his Majesty
is persuaded, that the firmness and public sph-ic of his subjects will
epable him to persevere in ihnt line of conduct, which will best
provide for the honor^ atid the essential inier^ts of his dominions.

](M».

56(S 7%0 Jteign of George IIL

tioo. The example crf^ the Scotch Union was followed bjf
Selection of Ireland in the forniation of their fir$t cfiflot^k of the m»*
members, peiial parliament. No new election was resorted to»
but the most jealous supporters of the meaawe w««
generally rewarded with seats in the imperial tegishr*
ture *• In consequence of the proclamations issued io
Great Britain and Ireland for the purpose, a selectiaa
was made of the persons to represent the horaugha
of Ireland in the imperial parliament. At ten o'clock
in the momingy the deputy clerk of the ero^m and
hans^r and several members attended in the place o£
meeting of the House of CosBimons, where die mnM
of such members^ as were to bebaUotted w«re wvittett^

whose means an4 resources have nov by jocai wufloe^btm mora
^loaely and iotiaiately ooikibined*

'* GeDtkmeii of the House of CommonSt

*' I AM to thank you in his Majestyls oamej for the H*
beral supplies, which you have cheerfully granted fbr the ▼ariont
and inaportant branches of the public service in the present year,

" His Majesty has also witnessed with pleasure that wise
liberality, which will enable him to make a just and equitable
retribution to those bodies and individuals, whose privileges an4
Interests are affected by the Union, and he has also seen with
satisfaction that attention to llie internal pYosp^rity of this countryji
which has been so conspicuously testified by the encouragement
you have given to the improvement and extension of its in]an4
navigation.*'

* Not one of the 28 peers, who opposed the Union, was elected-
Amongst the 100 commoners, some f^w of the Apti-unionista
appear ; such as^ Mr. Foster, Sir John Pamell, Mr. Ogle, Sir
Lawrence Parsons, Mr, W. B. Pon^onby^ Mr. J. C Beresfordj
LordCorry, &c.

Admbwiradoik of Marquis Cofnivallisi A67 .

npoa Alps e£ papery and drawn firoxn a glass placed Jf^
upon the table.

On the Slst of December, 1800, his Majesty en- completioii
tcred the Hoose of Peers, when the usher of the black Unkm.
tod was sent to desire the attendance cf the commons.
Several members of the House of Commons appeared
ftt the bar, preceded by the speaker, who addressed
his Majesty in a dignified and impressive speech.
That part of it, which related to Ireland was as follows t
^^ These, Ske, the last proceedings of your parliament
psevious to the great era now on the point of com*
mendng, are the indication and result of that com-
mon interest and fellow-feeling with the people^ bf
which it has ever been actuated, and which are the
beet saCqpiavd of all that is most valuable in society*
To that era your commons look forward with a con*'
fident expectation, that the consolidated wisdom and
Wthority of the ^gtslature of Great Britain and Ire«
land, under the auspicious government qf your Ma-
jesty, and your illustrious house, will diffuse through-^
out every part of the united kingdom the full be^
nefits of that constitution, which has been proved to
be favorable, in an unexampled degree, to the enjoy-^
ment of civil liberty and pubffc prosperity i which
cannot therefore fail to animate the zeal and deter*
mination of those, who may share its blessings, to
cherish and maintain it during their own times, and to
transmit it as the best inheritance to their posterity.*'
His Majesty was then pleased to make a most gracious
speech from the throne to both houses of parliament :
afterwards the lord-chancellor> by his Majesty's com-

set The Reign of George Ut

,J^ inand, prorogued the parliament to the 22d day of
January, 1 801 , when the members were summoned by »
a proclamation read by the derk at the table, to attend
in their places. Immediately after his Sibjesty had left
the house^ he held a grand council, in which several at^
rangemefits required by that grand event were settled*
)n honor of the Union many promotions were made^
and several new titles created. On the text day, viz.
the first of January, one thousand dght hundred and
one, the incorporate Union of Great Britain and
Ireland was formally announced by proclamation. *
Thus was accomplished the incorporate Union of
Great Britain and Ireland.

* Ontbe same day Wis pobVubed another pfioclaiDStiaD> de«
daring what ensigns and coloan should be borne at sea» in iiier«
chant ships or vessels belonging to his Majesty's subjects of tho
united kingdom^ for which see Appendix, No, CXXIV. His
Majesty's speech and the several proclamations here referred to
are to be seen, Hist. Rev. vol. III. 1071 to 1076.

TH£ END.

INDEX.

$,:

Abekcrombih, Sir ftalph, com-
mander in chUf^ ceosures the
' army, iL 419.

— resigns, ii.
AbsenUe-taxy propofed by Lord

Harcourt, and rejected, ii. 166
Act to secure the crown in the

protestant line, ii. 32
\ — :-of Clueeh Ann, to prevent the
, further growth of popery, \u 35
Adamf his perfection, 1. 27
^ his knowledge, how trans-
mitted, i. 28
JUdrns of the Commohs to the
throne, upon pensions, negativ-
ed, ii. 14§

■ ^ ■ ■ ditto, for redress of griev-

ances, ii.
' ' '■ to Lord Lieutenant, for pa-
pers about septennial liiil, ii.
150

■ '■' ' on the septennial bill bei^
arrested In England, ii. 151

V the KingU ungracious an-
swer t6 it, iL

Adbua*s, discovery of Ireland, i. 1 1

Adriafiy Pope, his donation, of
Ireland to Henry, i. H9

; Pope Alexander's confirma-*
tion of it, i. 151

— feelings of th^ Irish as to it,
1. 163

Jf^iifteni^ vide Hikes,
[Si. Alban's, battle of, i. 850
Alexander^ vide Adrian.
Amfirifa^ compared with the case

of Ireland,' u. 170
— — war with, affectsi Ireland, ii.

ni, 174

TOL. II, Sr

Ammcd, war with unpopular in

Ireland, ii. 174
her alliance with France, ii;

178
■ peace with, 11. f 37
terms of, censured in the

British parliament, ii. 240
Amnesty y act of, passed in 1 7^B,

ii. 501
Ann. her accession to the throne^

n. 34

— led alternately by Whigs and
Tories, ti.

— persecutes the Catholics, ii.
35

■ insincerity and duplicity of
herself and ministers, ii. 37f 49
■ oppresses her catholic siib-
jects with a severe code of laws,
li. 41 ^ ■

— -addressed b^theTories against
the Presbyterians, ii. 47.

adverse to the whig party in

Ireland, ii. 54

— — creates 1 2 new pters, ii. &6

— favours and commends chan-
cellor Phi ops, ii. 60-1

— — averse from the Hanover suci

cession, ii. 61
« ■ ■ irritated at being forced to

proclaim a reward ot 5QfiOOLf6t

apprehending the pretpider her

brother, tb.

— hurt at Leslie's failure to
convert her brother to the pro-
testant faith, ib.

— ^ mortified at the conduct of

her council, ii. 63
— — taken ill and dies ' within 9

:K'.

570

im>tt.

naonthi of the disorder she thep

took, ii..64-6
Ann wrote several letters about the

Duke of Cambridge^ ii. 65
Antrim taken by the rebels, ii. 484
jppealsj end of them from Ireland

to England, ii. S37
Arklow^ garrison of, treat brutally
the inhabitants of Gorey, ii. 460
•^— - battle of, ii. 466-7
Armagbf county of, disturbances

there and cause of, ii. S79, S80j

994.
•—— magistrates of, conduct ofi
' unjust to the catholics, ii. 376.
■■ ■ Lord Gosford's address on

the disturbances there, i£.
<^— « address and resolutions of

the sheriff and grand jury there

upon the disturnances, u, 377
i^-—*7oro catholics supposed to
' have been expelled, to.

county and city of, offer to

elect Doctor Duigenan and Mr.

Pelhani, ii 883
" disturbances hinted at in the

speech Irom the throne, ii.

384
jtrmstrongf Captain, betrays the

directory of united Irishmen, ii.

495
Arthur^ Mr. his singular case, ii.

446 to 453
.^5/oif, Sir Richard, a most upright
- judge, ii. 139
Jibunree^ battle of, i. 906
Attainder^ act of, of Lord Edward

Fitzgerald, Messrs. Grogan and

Harvey, ii. 501

Baal ox Belt its import, i. 65
Batsif confusion ol tongues at, i.
. ^0-8-3

— ^ why so called, i. 28
Babgs ofibe «/Wiof £il)aughram,
' who, 11.499

Bagpipe^ antiquity of, i. 90

^ ■■ used in Ireland, f£.

Stanyhurst's description of,

i. 100 I

Bagnal^ Mr. proposes a patriotic

donation to Mr. Grattan, ii. 227
Bank of Ireland established» Ii.

8I7, 231
BoTj meeting of, and resolutions

against union, ii. 520-1
Bards t estimation of, i. 51, 59^
Beaucbamp^ Lord (now Marquis
^ of Hertford,) fav9urable to the
^ catholics,, ii. 179
-*— against simjple repeal, ii. 239
Bectwe^ Earl of, reprobates the

system of coercion, ii. 412
Bede^ his silence about St. Patrick,

i. 112
— — account of his works, i. 1 1 $•

4-5
-«— « his honourable testimony of

Ireland, i. 124-5

'- conf]rmstheIrishannals,i.l26

Bedford^ Duke of, favourable to

the catholics, ii. 125

— forms an association for sup-
port of public credit, ii. 128

— graciously receives the Ca-
tholic address, ii. 129

Belfast^ inhabitants of, petition
Mr. Pitt for reform, ii. 260

— — — celebrate the French Revolu-
tion, ii. 307

— — petition for the repeal of pe*
nal laws arainst catholics, ii.3l5

■ ■ ■ reject^, ii. 3 1 8

BeUamimt, Lord, against union,
ii. 528

Birefford, Mr. his intrigues with
the British Cabinet, againstLord
f^itxwilliam, ii. 348

—-* dismissed byLord Fitawil-
11901, 9x\A why, ii. 351

bis dismissal the cause of

jLordFitswilliam's recall ii* 855

INDEX.

571

Bi9re$fori^ Maxk, produces a
warrant for superseding the'
commission of jail delivery at
Antrim^ ii. 406

■ ■ John Claudius, opposes the
reoompease to proprietors of
borowhs, ii. 563

£fx£o/iyCathoIic,addre8stheKing»
ii.S4i

■ address the Lord Lieutenant
for a Catholic seminary, ii. 342

•——differences between them and
the iaicy» ih.

Bla^fuure^ Sir John, paving bill,
unpopularity of, ii. 257

^— opposes the bill for catholic
relief, ii. 353
■ ■■ opposes Mr. Graydon's mo-
tion for the reform of abuses, ii.
355

Bloody Friday i^hy soca11ed,ii.4S2

Bhre £f>£2/^, battle of, i. 250

BogSf catholics enabled by statute
to take leases for 5 1 years for re^
claiming them, ii, 166

Bo//nf ^roJp, Lord, his ideas of his-
tory, i. 8

BoHandistSj who, i. 114

Bolion, Duke of, purposely mis*
quotes the words of the statute,
granting ease to the dissenters,
u. 76

Bondf Oliver^ taken into custody,
ii.424

— his death, ii. 498

Boroughs^ recompense to proprie-
tors of, opposea by Messrs. Sau-
ri^, J. C. Beresford, and Daw-
son, ii. 563

BouUer^ Primate, his caution of
SwiFt to the Duke of Newcastle,
11.80

— ^ his principle of governing,
ii. 88

——promotes the divisions among
the catholics, ii. 89

f p 8

Boulter, his jealousy of any Irish
influence, ii. 94 ^ ^

opposes the restoration of

- Lord Clanricarde to bis estates^
ii 95 ,

opposes toleration in fiivouf

of the dissenters, ii. 99

-—V— supports the English ascend-
ancy in Ireland, iL 100

yields to the loss of the clergy

ratMr than hazard >]the English
interest, ii. 101

— :»— his death, ii. 104

£cy J, Captain, seizes Messrs. Har*
vey, Colclough, and Fitzgeraldy
and sends them on an embassy
to* the rebels, at Enniscorihyv
and e&cts thereof, ii. 456 7

— — his house plundered by the
rebels, ii. 461

Boyle^ Mr. (Speaker of the house
of jcommons) created Earl of^
Shannon by George II. ii. 125

his death, ii. l48

— Walsingham, his motion in
the British house of commons^
about Lord Townshend's proro-
gation of the Iriah parliament^
negatived, ii. 162 7*

BrogJiill, Lord, sells himself to

Cromwell, i. 898
his teatimony of the pefscy

verance of the catholics in the

royal cause, i. 406
his duplicity before the resto^i

ration, i. 414

— inclines" to the royal party;
i. 416 . , '

reconciled to Sir C. Cgbte, in

order to forward the royal 'caase;
i. 417

their insidious conduct t6

each other, ib.

— created tarl of Orrery by
Charles 11, i. 419

Brown, Denis, moves an addrcsa

679

IJXDBX.

to the throne on retrmchment^
..ii. Wi

Brau/n^ opposed by the attorney-
general (Fitz Gibbon), ii. 859

Bruce^ Robert, beats the English
at fiannockburni i. £04

.■ £dw. lands in Ireland, i. 905

■ ■■ crowned at Dundalk, i4.
•^-— falls in battle, i. S09
Juuclingbam, Marquis o^ vide

Temple.
Buckingbamsbir$j Lord, succeeds
. XordHarcourt, li, 177
'* ■ ■ admits the financial difficul-
ties of the kingdom, ii. I78
, weak government of, ii. 186

■ pro< gues parliament, ii. 1 96
■> ■■ unpopular m Ireland and dis-
approved of in England, tb.

•—recalled and succeeded by
Lord Carlisle, tb,

fiufJettf Sir Francis, seconds Mr.
Fox's motion for an address to

. the throne for allayine^ the dis-
turbances of Ireland, i\. 399

^urgby Mr. Hussey, proposes an
amendment for free trade, ii. 1 85

•^— - his amiable character, ib.

Bt^rgundy^ Duchess pf, her in-
trigues against Henry Vil. i.

. S^,9709.S80

Burks, Edmund, his ideas of pub-
lishing Iri^h annals, i* 189

m bisopinion of the revolution
of 1688 as to Ireland, it 9

^"•^r- his opinion of the penal code
under Ann^ ii. 35

^~ hi8characterofGeo.TT.ii.i33

-*— - his opinion qf Mr. Gardiner's
catholic bill, ii. 916

•— — b»* book on the French Re-
volution and defection from the
Wbigparty^ ii. 3Q2

•— - his letter to Sir Here. Lang*
riabe pn the catholic claims^ u.
308

iurke, Ricliard; Agent to tbe C^*

thoncs, ii. 308
■ imprudently ventures into

the House of Com&iops, ii.

314
Sursion, Counsellor, his opinio^

of the legality of catholic dele«

gation, ii 394.
Butleft Simon, chairpaan to the

sQciety of united Irishmen pf

Dublin, ii. 306 _

— publishes digest of popery .
^ws, ii. 823

his opinion of legality of ca-
tholic delegation, ii.1s24

— Rev. Mr., his inurder chain-
ed on the 9atMic8» ii< 841

JByrwf, Pat. the t>ooksener| conir
mitted for high-treason, fl. ^80

-——Michael Wflliandi fi(ecute^
contrary \6 agreement with
government, ii. 498

Cabaly why so callefl, i. 43Ji
— , their plans to alter the cou-

slftution of Great Brit. i. 437
, encourage plots and pTot*

t«»rs, il.
Cabinet^ vide flngtisb,
Cabyria^ what, i. 867

, their anliquiiy, t. 878

— , indecency of, i. 1 30- 1
Camden, his authority in favour

of Ireland, i. 196-7.
' ■ Earl of, his speech in the

British Peer$ in favour of Ire-
land) ii. 1 86
; arrives in Dublin as Lord

Lieutenant, ii. 369.
— — ill received, ib,
addressed by the Commons^

ii. 364

— his speech on prorogucTng
the parliament^ ii. 367

— — ditto on meeting of PiirTIa^
raent^ 91st Jan. ii. 378

<#!>«•

fi7i

Cimde^ ditto oq )St1i October^
• 1798, li. 3«4

■ ^ tendt a ip^ssage to the
Commons that he cannot raise
£h^95,697. ii. 89S

V ■ .1? sends a message about papers
seized at ^]l^st, ii. 393

■"-i jf4f issues a proclamation of par-
don* iu aQod ejects, ii. 400

." S dissolves thtParriament,iith
July, 1T97, it 405

^ ' 9y%ltxt\ of coercion extorted
from him« ii. 408^ 413

pdmir^mis, who, i. 4

■ admits t()e Irish (o have been
musicat, i. 97-$

iPamlridgef Ouke of, petitions
Ann for his writ of summons,
fo sit and yp^( in Parliament, ii.
(}d to 65

■ his conduct offensive to the
Ctueen, ii. 64-5

Q^filj Lord, favours the English

interest and cot^y^ncs a new

parliament, ii. 20
Carbampiohf Lord, vide iMttrell.
CartifUf T^rd, lord-lieutenant,

ii. 196
^— - meets the Parliament, ii. 199
' ■ ..,. sends his rtsjgn^iipn by his

secretary, ii. 218
.,■ , supports Lord Shelbume's

piotioq for legislative independ-
ence, ii. 225
parfotti, defeat of the rebels at, ii.

438 '
CarneWf rebels deFeate^ at, by aoo

yeomen, ii. 454
(!arUreif p>rd Lieut, no frien4 ^^

Ireland^ ii. 90
i^asbclli 9ynod of, i. 162
. specious artjcfes of, i. 164
r^rrr Arch-Bish. of, violent against

the catholic claims, ii. 336
pasiUcomsr, taken by the rpbds

§n4 burx^t^ ii; §90

Castlehaven^ Earl of, imprisonrdf
i.S76

^ ■■■ his testimony of the loy^ltjf
of the catholics,' i. 877

Casilir0agbf Lord, mpves an ad-
dress to the throne, and the
adoption of coerpive measures,
ii. 396

succeeds Mr. Pelham, ii. 42 (' .

writes to the Lord Mayor of

Dublin upon the breaking out
Qf the it'bellion in 1798, it. 43$|

— cornmunicates the same to
the House of Commons, ii. 438

opposes Colonel Maxwellji

motion for executing the prT»
soners, ii. 435

— delivers a message fronfi his
Excellency about indemnifying
loyalists, &c. ii. 500

■ moves an adjournment, oj)*
posed by Sir John Farnell, li.
535

-^ — ^ commends the union, and
assures the house that he will
not bring it forward against the'
sense of the country, "ii. 536

his partiality in granting and

refusing the escheatorship of
Munster for corrupt purposes,
ii. 548

proposes and carries the plaa

of union, ii. 556-7

^mm — proposes compensation to
borough proprietors, ii. 563

Catbalj the bloody handed, asserts
the ancient honours of his fa-
mily, i. 173
. Catboiics, civil establishment re-
stored, i. 305

—-the exercise of their reli^oo
opposed by Mountjoy,i. 394

— ^ send agents to James, i. S4A

— tolerated by Charles, I. 352

— -- their offer to mainuin 5000
infantry, and 500 cavalry, for

«74

tl9DEX«

Charles^ rejected as idolatrous,
1. 352
CatboUcs^ testimonies of their loy-
alty to Charles, by StrafTord and
others, i. 365*8, 893.
^•— first and last in arms for King
Charles, notwithstanding their
persecutions, i. 368, 393

■ confederate for support of the
King and constitution, i. 369^
376

•-^-^ present a remonstr^ce drawn
up oy Bishop Bedel, i. 37 1

••^~ assert their loyalty with ten-
ders of service in 1641, ib,

— — proclamation that Irish pa-
pists bad universally rebelled,

■ ■ m corrected by Lords Justices

in a subsequent proclauiation,

that they meant only some mere

Irish in Ulster, i. 372
m their ofl'er to put down the

rebellion of 1641, rejected, i, 373
r ■ ■ goaded into arms, ib.
m ^)rdCastlehiivtn imprisoned

and Sir John Read racked 'tor

ptficious interference, i. 376
>■» acted as, and were true loy*

alists, ib.
— present a remonstrance at

Trim, i.377.
1—— assert their loyalty, i, 379
n make a voluntary payment
' of 30,000/. for the King, i. J581

■ ■' desire Qrmond to lead them
against the King*8 enemies, i.
383, 390

•— . make peace publickly with
Orniond, privately with Gla-
morgan, i. 387
*— their internal di\ i^ions, i. 389
— — their declaration that the
king WHS under duress, and that
. ' thty ought to oppose his cne-
, mi^,s, i. 3pl ;

. Catholics honourably receive Or-,

mond at Kilkenny, and put him

at their head, ib,
persevere in the royal cause'

after Charles's execution, i. 394
those who served under Phc-

lim CNial, declared rebels by*

the confederates, i. 396
''■ the only body armed in de**

fence of royalty in 165 , u

S97

— defeated under Mac Mahon^
by Coote, i. 403

— their proceeditigs at James*.
town, ib.

their clergy excommunicate

such as adhere to Ormond or th^

King's enemies, i. 403, 7 .
-— - — their perseverance in the

Royal cause attested bv Orreryt

i. 406 /

^- — reject all terms with the re-

giqides, \. 407
— ^— driven into Conn^iught by

Cromwell, i. 409
-^-i — persecution of, renewed un^

der Cromwell, i. 41?
their meritorious conduct to^

and return of ingratitude froni

Charles, ii. 41 9 *
excluded from parliament^

i,49l
— modes of preventing theni

from redress, ib^
pers^cutecl 2|n(l calumniated

to Keep them out of the act of

oblivion and general pardon.

i. 422
injustice done them by tbf

act of settlement and explana-

lion, and court of claims, \,

423, 4, 5, 430 ;

' their persevering loyalty to

Charles II, i. 435
■*— adnutted into ofBces by

JamcB II, i. 444

iAdbx.

579

Catholics^ tlieir allegiance to James
II. pure, li. 460

— -— reject the favourable tefms
offered by Wifliam, ii. 13

*r— — ibeir feelings on them, fi. 14

■ ■ excluded from {Parliament by
an act of William and Mary,
ii. 16 . '

»— their degraded state, and se-
veral penal laws against them,

' ii. 16, 21

-— persecuted by Queen Ann,
ii.S5,41

* holden out as enemies to the
state, ii.4S

^— their oppression under the
Stuarts, ii. 52

*— reduced so as to have no po-
litical weight, ii. 49, 53, 81

■ * honourable testimony of their

loyalty by the Lords Justices in
' 1715,11.69

— — stiled common enemy, ii. 70
^— scverdy persecuted under

George I. iL 71-2

■ ' address George If. but Lords
Justices stop the address, ii. 87

■■■ deprived of elective fran-
chise, ii. 89, 91-2
'• side with the. patriots, ii. 92

■ prevented from practising as
' solicitors, ii. 93 '

— — collection to oppose the bill
causes a renovation of rigor
against them, ib.

— enjoy some years of relative
indulgence .uncler the Duke of
Devonshire, ii. 10^-6

— enlisted ih the English army
' and navy, ii. 106

— — their loyalty in 1745, ii.

1078-9

— ^ tolerated under Lord Ches-
terfield, ri; 110

—— favouHrd under the Duke of
B^ford^ n'.4S5

Catholics meet about redress and

disagree, ii. 126
address the Lord Lieutenant

on the expected invasion, ii. 1^
— r— their address weH received^

ii. I2d
-i internal dissentiorfs - amomg

them, lb.
— — charged with the frofs «nd

x;leared from tbe chair by the

speaker, if. 1 30- 1
address CJeorffe ITT. ii. 136

— M r. Mason's biB for enaMhg
them to lend money on miort*
gage, negatived, ii.7 47

— enabled to take leases for 51
years for reclaiming of unprofit-
able bogs, ii. 166

'. r the popish mortgaffc bill,

and lease bill, brought Torward
by L«ord Harcourt and lost, ii.
169

enabled to take an oath of

allegiance, ii 170

■ Lord Beauchamp favourable
to them, ii. 179

— Sir Georc^c Savill's motion
in favourorthe English catho*
lies, ii. 180

——Mr. Gardiner's motion in tha
Irish house in favour of, ib.

— bill in their favour passed
with difficulty, ii, I82

— Mr. Gardiner gives notice rf
bringing in a bill in then* favour,
ii. 204

— brought in by Mr. Dillon on
the indisposition of Mr. Gardi«^
ner, ii. «06

opposed by Mr. Flood, ir.

212
Mr. Gardiner divides his bill

into thrre, two he carries and

loses the third, ii. 315
— ^ nature of the opposition to

theui^ it. 216

#76

INDEX.

CaihoUcst Lord Charlemobt ob*
jects to admit them to the rights
of elebtion^ ii. 260

^— effortf of thdr clergy ftgaiost
Payne's doctrines, li. SOS ,

——'committee begin to act in
l701, 11. 304

■ resolve to apply for relief, ib,

■I ■ secession from the cotnmitr
Vttf ii. 305

— - intimacy between the ca-
tbdiic committee and some dis-
senters of the north, ibi -

-■ ■ pass resolutions reflecting on
thesecedersi ib^

— publish declarations of their
tenets, ii. 305, 321

— secession of 64 from the
committee, it. 307

^— the seceders address the Lord
Lieutenant, and are censured in
a declaration of the united Irish-
men, ii. 307

— co'mmittee chose Mr. Burke
jun. for their affcnt, ii. 308

« embraced all protestants that

wished them well, ii. 3 10
•>*«— confine their e^certions to the

relaxation of the penal code, ib.
►— — their bill introduced by Sir

H. Langrishe^ ii. 313
^»*-^ their petition presented by

Mr. O'Hara, ib.
^^■"^ pass resolutions to counter*

act the misrepresentations of

their enemies, li. 315
^<*— dissatisfied whh the conces*

sions contained in the bill of Sir

Ilercules Langrishe, ii. 316
.*p— - present a petition by Mr.

Egan, stating their claims, and

to meet the prejudices of the

public against them, ii. 31?
— their petition on the motion

of Mr. Latouche rejected, ii.

318

-— > alarm an^ resistaiiiir to tliai

ineasure, i^.
— — violently opposf^d by ^hc

grand juries, ii. 3^S
— — pitblish a justification of

their conduct m repl^ to the

grand juries, ii.' 393
notadqriitted bto the jxipuhor

societies, li. 324 ■ ■ , "

•«b— — the whig club re(tises to i^

tate their question, ib.
— — take the opmious of counsel*

lors Butlej and Biustoh dti th^

legality of their delegation, ii. 324
^attempted to be confounded

with defenders^ ii.S263 341
delegates tneet in Back Lane^

and .called in derisiojn the Back

Lane parliament, ii. 325
—frame a petition to the throng

and depute 5 to present it, ii. d27

— the reception of the 5 dek-
gates at Belfast^ ib. '^

— — present their petition, and

graciously received by tb^ Cng^

11. 328
«— recomB(iended in the spee^

from the throtie, ib.
"——sub-committee,, their resdlor

tiou about reform, ]i.3S 1

petition to the coymmons^

presented by Mr. Hobart, ib.

— — bill for thfeir- relief brought
in bv Mr. Hobartj il 333

their bill passes .the jbousq^

ii. 335

— Mr. G. Ktiox's motion in ,the
committee, that catholics might
sit in parliament^ negatived, t^«

— — their bill before the lords^ ii«

8S6
how disablird by enlisting iji

the British service, ii. S37
-: — owe their relief to the bounty

of their sovereign^ ii* S2g^ ^40

IffDEX.

'Zf!

VadboHcsp admission of caAolic
' merchants into the gniW of

Dublin rejected, ii. 340
— — traduced and calamnialed,

ii. 541
•— the bishops address the King

and viceroy, ii. S41-2
*— — diffidence between the bi-
shops and laity, ii. 34^
■■ ' Confident of enaancipation,

ii. 347
■ ■ agreed on by the British

c^inet, ii. 345
fc commit their cause to Mr,

Grattan, ii. 348
*— — address Lord fitzwilliam in

confidence of emancipation, ii.

^— petition for relief against all

' penal laws, ii. 353

— British cabinet secretly op-
poses the measure, ii. 354

» depute 3 delegates to address
the throne against the recal of
Lord Fittwifiiam, ii. 359

'" address ;'. r. Grattan on the

* recal of Lord Fitswitham, ii.
358

>■ ■ his answer to it censured and
commended by opposite parties,
ii. 359

— «-o meet and debate in Francis-
street chapel, ii. 369
•m Students of the university ad-
mitted, ii. 363

— — second reading of their bill,
4th of May, l795, rejected, ii.
565

— ^ — stated for the first time to be
contrary to the coronation oaih,
ib.

— — their emancipation last time
before parliament, ii. 389

« m coolness between them and
(he dissenters in the North, ii.
406

TOt. II,

Catfmlicsj fell off from the imiotl

in 1797, ii. 406
• reject and renounce h thro*-

oui the nation, ii. 407
publish declarations of loyaT-

ty, li. 4^8, 440, 445
their emancipation assume^

by Lord Grenville and others as

a consequence of the union^ u.

540-1-8
ttieir emancipation pledged

for by Mr. Pitt and Lord Corn-

wallis, ii. 541-S-3
divided as to the measure of

.union, ii. 551
Caulfieldf Doctor, Roman Cathd-

lie Bishop of Ferns, justified by

government, ii. 4^3
Cavendisbj Sir Henry, his motion

for economy against Lord

Northington's administration^

ii. 247
— supported by Mr. Flood, tbm
complains of outrages from

the mob, ii. 536
Chalmers f Mr., his ideas of firs*t

population, i. 75
CharlemoHt, Elarl of, attends tVe

Dungannon meeting, ii. W9
appointed general of tlie vo-
lunteers of Ulster, ii. 2SS
"" appointed chairman of tHe

national convention, ii. 949
■ opposes the admission of ca*

tholjcs to the rights of election^

ii. 260
thanked by the corporation of

Dublin on that account, ib,
proposes the address to the

Prince of Wales in the Lords,

ii. 281.
— — resign? the government of

Armagh, ii. 306
■ ■ his predilection for the dis

semcrs dispk-asing to gc)v«ra-

mCnt, ii. 307
a

573

tNO£X.

Cbarlemont, Earl of, his exertions

against union, ii. 550
Cbmrles I, his accession to the
'throne, i. 351

— tolerates the catholics, i, 352
' actuated by ihe odious policy

of the Stuarts, ib,
*— - his graces, i. 853

■ persecutes the catholics, 1.354

* concurs with Went worth in
a direct system of fraud and de-
ceit, i. 359

— - recalls \Ventworlh,but sends
him back with additional honor
and power, i. 364

— ^ his speech condemning
Wen I worth as guilty of high-
misdemeanors, i. 366

■ renews his promise of the
graces, ib,

grand rebellion proclaimed,

• i. 367

— his opinion of that rebellion,
i. 369

■ causes of, il.

— comniisdionsOrmond tomect
the conft derates, i. 377

■ ' affected by ihc remonstrance
of Trim, orders Ormond to ne-
gociate a ceisalion of arms, i.
378

— again cnnimand*^ Ormond to
meet the confederitts, tb.

— — his eagerness for the peace,
381, 384

■ the cessation concluded, i.
381

— — the northern army reject ihe
cessation and take the covenaut,
ib.

'■ puhllhhes grounds and mo-'

tives of the cessation, i 889

■ his reliance on the loyahy
of the contederates, i. 383 [

■ * gives large powers to the
£arl of Glamorgan, i. 385

Charles L pledges himself to ratify
the terd)s crauted by Glamorgan
to the confederates, i. 386

his insincerity and falsity to

Glamorgan and the confede*
rates, i. 388

is beheaded, i. 392

Charles IL confirms the peace
from the Hague, i. 395

takes the covenant, ib.

revokes the peace made with

the catholics, i. 396

applies to the Duke of Lor-
raine to assist him in Ireland^
i. 405, 408

restored to the throne, i. 415

his ingratitude to the Irish,

i. 419

— creates Broghill, Earl of Or-
rery, Coote,£arl of Montrath,}^.

his character, i. 427, 439

— — Ormond's influence over him

i. 430
— — court of wards aboli^hed^ and

tax upon hearths, i. 431
his favorable wishes to th^

catholics thwarted by Ormond,

i. 432
■ a dangerous conspiracy in

const qutnce of the acts of set«

tlemi nt, i. 434
removes, then confirms Or-

mond in the governmeiit, i. 439
~ intends to displace him, and

why, i. 440

— dies in the Itoman Catholic
faith, ib.

pensioned by Louis, on con-

dition of his professing the Ca-
tholic belief, i. 448

Cbesterfieldy Earl of, lord-lieute-
nant ill 1745, ii. 107

— =•- his prudent and upright con-
duct, ii lOS, IJO

meets 'he parliament, ii- IO9

tolerates ine catholics, ii. 110

IKDBX*

SJ9

Cbesterfield^ Earl of, addressed by

lords and commons, ib.
" ■ instantly recalled, when the
danger was over, ii. 1 11

Church, abuse of spiritual power,
i. 15«, S07, 256

Clancartyj Lord, fetls in reversing
his atuinder, ii. 103

joins the Pretender in con-
sequence, ii. 106

Clanricardef Earl of, receives the
government from Ormond, i.
S98, 405

■■■ ■ his testimony of the loyalty
of thecratholics, i. 405

--^— . quits Ireland with SOOO
men, t. 408

Clargf Earl, his ideas of the Eng«
lish policy to Ireland in the
days of Henry VIII. i. 293

— — ditto in the days of Edward

^ VL and Elizabeth, i. SIS
■his accountof the transplant-
ation of the Irish, by Crom-
well, into Connaught, i. 410

— his commendation of its
policV) i. 410, d^99

— his representation of the act
of settlement, t. 425

— his representation of the Irish
forfeitures, i. 478

.*— ^ his representation of the dif-
ference oetween the English.

. and Irish parliaments under
William, ii. SO

•^— - his commendation of Crom-
well, ii. 52

— ^- his opinion of the necessity
of an English ascendancy in
Ireland, ii. 79

■ his representation of Primate
Stone's administration, ii. 116

—--attributes to Primate Stone's
intrigues the party heats of the
Irish parliament, ii. 147

■ stiles Ld Buckinghamshire's
governiscDt imbecile, ii. 187

Clare, Earii opposes ttie vote of
thanks to the volunteers, ii. 199

starts objections to the ca-
tholic bill, which he afterwards
abandons, ii. 206

— speaks in support of Irish
legislative independence^ ii»
22S-4

proposes an address to Lord

Cariisle, ii.22S
opposes Mr. Flood's bill for

reform, ii. 250

— opposes Mr. Brown's motion
for an address to the throne, oh
retrenchment, ii. 252

■ ■ gives an account of the Right
. Boys, ii. 269

his dccountof the poverty of

Munster, it*

■ - " moves for further provisions
against outrages' and unlawful
oaths, ii. 270

-i*^-*— in his new riot bill, a clause
for prostrating^ catholic chapels
disapproved of by the secretary,
ii. 271

— arraigned for insolence to
country gentlemen, by Mr.
O'Neile, and apologizes, ii. 273

— — admits Lord lownshend's
majority, cost half a million* ii.
268

opposes the vote of thanks

to the Prince of Wales, ii. 288

made Ld Chancellor, ii. 291

liord Justice, with Mr. Fos-
ter, ii. 292

his false account of the ca»

tholic bill, ii.^ 309

■ ' violent against the catholic
claims, ii. S36

vouches for British parli'*

ament opening the army to ca-
tholics, ii. SS7

— his malicious representatioN
of the catholic address to Loid
Fiizwilliam, ii. 352

»«fXf

Claf^j Earli hoMte ofkhe effecU
of coevcion, and admits that the

Sem was extorted from Lord
nden, ii 419
•~» opposes Lord Moira's mo-
lion, and censures the Bishop
. of Down, ii. 415
*— carries the plan of onion
through the Irish Peers, ii. 55ft

■ said to have repeated of the
union on his death-bed, H.

Clarendon, Earl of, contradiets

himself, i. S73
J admits the , protestants be-
gan the massacre in 1641, ib.

•r-^ bewails his advice to the
King to neglect his friends, i.
427

■ the only considerable gainer
by the restoration, i. 4S6

•»■•«-» appointed Lord->Heatenant,

by James II. i. 44S
•i-—> complains of the King's

want of con6dence in him, i.

■— ^ complains of the presumption
of Tyrconnel and the catho*

. lies, 1. 445

Clergy, protest ant, their declara*
tion against accepting the ca-

. Ihoiics" offer of 5000 intantry
and 500 cavalry, i. 352

■ ■ catholic, exeommtmicale
such as adhere to Ormond, or
the King's enemies, i. 403

mm I ■ their efforts to prevent blood-
shed, and save the protestaiits,
ii, 47i

Coercion, system of, ii. 426-7

»-«-» extorted from Loid Cam-
den, ii. 408, 418

m ■ commended bv Lord ClaFe>
ii. 413

— *- recommended fay Lord Cas-
tlefeagh, ii. 396

i^—^ account of in the Pet. W.
C. ii.421

Co0fciM$f SBttctiotied^ hf

ment,. ii. 437
Coirhp, an Irish prieal, tried at.

MaidstonQ and hanged, ii«

417
Coigne and Livetf, iia mischienr-

ous efiiecU, u 210
— *— renovation of, oeeaaioos in«

Sttffrectioa, i. 237

renewal of, 859

Cokloitgk, Mr. Heory^ seised hf.

Captain Boyd, seat to Emma*

corthy on ^ an embassy to the

rebeb, and rettima with thaia^

suh, ii. 456-7
•-«--« tfkd and execiHtd, iir

484
Cole, Lord, moves an addiesa tt

Lord Camden, ii. 364
Colonel,; ordered to Cor&i,

and refused the escbeatcMbif>e(

Munster, because against uhtan,

ii. 548
Commercial propositions brought

forward by. Mr. Orde, ii. aM
— — pass both houses, and oo»^

miued, ib.
->-««— introduced intofiritish heus^

of commons^ by Mn Pitt, ib,
-*— numerom petitions agamic

ii. 264
—— Mr. Pitt brin^ ibrwmt

twenty new propositions, ii.
pass the British houses of

parliament, fi6.
— Mr. Pitt in the Brkish, Mr.

Orde in the Irish, introduce a

bill founded on them, ii. 26^-
*— — Mr. Orde remits it to next

session, ib>
— 1— public rejoieing^ at their

failure^ ii*
**-* revival of, unpofiular, ii. 26#
— ~ propositions with France, ii.

273
I CbflMumoirefs^ pr.rliamentavy, re-
vive th^ act of Ehaabcthi nid

r fCM# Aft pbfMbutiQii HI die

Irish catkalica^ k 4ta.
Gp nfmu muflrg^t hejrperaomscigtd

by Sir Charles Coote, i. 4L&
Ctsmnumt, vide Himre
CmfiJtrahiy Tide Ckiho£cf
Connaugbty the catholics all dvivra

thkiier by Croinwell, i. 409.
Camdkf^ Mr. chavgcs amremment

witfc ccaggaralk^ Jivturfaaiioes

for bad pfirpoacs, ii« 9M

• ■ declines moving for the re-
|teal of the faearth^tax, titt the
people should behave iMre
p«teeably, ii. 27a

««-ih-«> his motion for nepeal of
baarth-tax raected, ii* 277

•^•x— moves thtee resoiutiona in

. fiurom* of Lord FitflwiUiani ;
one passed, two whfadraivn at
the request of Lord Milton and
JAf. Graltan, ii. 957

Cmomimn,^ Natmial^ at DubKn,
ii. 9A^

^— ^ tkoi nimerDQSy.ii. 361

•w^ biilv opposed by Mr« Grat-
tan, ii. S88-9

Cooke^ Mr. dismissed by I^rd
Ffttcwilliam, ii. 351

«*^««- Kdwardy his pamphlet on
Ike Union, ii. 520

Cooie^ Sir Charles, rebels, and
goes over to Cromwell, i. 89tf

■ deFeats the confederates un-
der Mac Mahon, bishop of
Ckigher, who was taken and
executed, i. 403

•^r— teites with' Lord Broghill,
i|i raw)ur of Charles I(. i. 41 7

i- their insidious conduct to
;«ach other, ih.

* sek&es the ctstte at Dublin,
•Mid the. parliamentary coifnim»-
sioners, i. 418

— ~ emrted* Earl of Montrath
by Cfaarlf8^Iki.4l9

Cbr£,citvof^ paftiaihaufdebatett
upon the oflSce of Weigh Mas-
ter» ii* 3i9

— the disposal of it by govem*-
meat opposed by Mv. O. Poa«
sonby and Col. Hutcfainson,.t^«*

— £ari cS^ his rapoctty at^
cruelty, i. 975

Commaaii^ Marquis^ atrives 11^
Dohfa], ii. 489

assumes the govemmmtp

41st June, I79H, and changes-
the system, ii. 488

— — ^diflferent opinions upon hit-
system ii. 489

—» issues a prociamfltion loen»-
courage sunrenders, ii. 49^1

— — marches with great ctutimr
against Humbert, ii. M%

obliges Humbert to sun«ii«

der, ii. 510.

prorogues the pavliaaaent,

ii.5r9

incurs the odium of Onrnge*

men, and disgraces Loid£onir»

kitien, ii. 513, 519
-— - recommends Union^ in- a

speech from the thronci ii. 929^
•^^^^ promotes Union out of pap*

iiament, ii. 587-9

— his .pledge to the eathoKer
for procuring them emaneipa*
tioD, iu 542«^

-««-« his speech from the thuoiie

on prorc^tion of parliament,

ii. 549
advances Union by hispn>«

gress through the kingdom, ft«r

550-fi
—*-«-> mentigns not Union in his

si^fech from the tbrone, ii.

552
-«— sends it message to the Irisk

parliament, ii. S5^6
-^^ last f perch tothe Irish psr-

liament, ii. 565 . ^ . ..^;

tVVMX*

Cbrry, Lord, moves an address
against Union bill, it. 568

-^— Mr. challenges Mr. Grattan^
and is wounded, ii. 559

CSmt, Sir Richard, a courtly hislo-
rian, i. S

— — his conduct as to the articles
of Limerick, ii. 10

CromweUf Oliver, his address in
availing himself of the enthusi-
. asm of the day, i. 399

— — lands at Dublin with 18,000
men, ib^

— — « sie^ and massacre' at Drog-
beda, tL

«— -- ditto of Wexford, i. 400

^-— marches to the south, i. 401

— -— bis success various, t^.

*— gains over the protestant
army of Incbiquin, ii*

— ^» siege and surrender of Kil-
kenny, i. 409

*— applauds the bravery of its

. defence, ib.

" leaves Ireland, ib.

— deputes to Ireton the com-

- mand of bis English forces, ib.

«— - his camp well supplied on

. account of his good discipline,
i. 407

•«-'—> bis system of transporting
the Irish loyalists, i. 408

-— — transplants all the Irish ca-

' tbolics into Connaught, under
pain of death, i. 409 ^

j--^ assumes the title of Pro-
tector, i. 41 1

--- — opposed by Ludlow, il.

— - the country divided by lots
among the soldiery, instead of
pay, i. 412

— — his death, i. 4i4

-— Henry, possesses the go-
vernment of Ireland, ib.

^.i— bis humane and pure cha^
racter, ib.

CromwM, Kch$ri, dilsotveatlie
parliament, and thus puts an
end to bis own protectorate, u
416

bis character, ib.

Croppy, term and import of, ii«
4d7

CrosbUf Sir Edward^ condemned
and executed, though generally
supposed innocent, ii. 438

drum Cruadb, description of, L
67

CuntMOn Sybil, account of, t. 89,
90-1

Currafti Mr. opposes the resolu-
tions of the lords on the money
bills, and asserts the right of
the commons to originate and
frame money bills, by amotion
which was rejected, ii. 95 1

-— ^ presents a seat to Mr. Long-
field, who had gone over to the
Marc^uia of fiuckingham,ii.S76

i— — his motion on division of
stamps and accounts, ii. 997 •

— *— his motion for an address to
the crown, ii. 298-99 866
*

De Courcy, John, last governor of
Ireland, under Henry II. i. i70

— -^ supplanted by Hugh DeLa-
cey, i. 17s '

—joins De Lacey agabst King
John, i. 176

— taken by treachery, ii.
restored to bis possessions^

i. 177
DefmderSf origin of, ii. 979^ 98^

— encrease of, ii. 980, 994^
395-6, 843, 367, 379

— — defeated by the Peep- of-J^j
Boys, at Diamond, ii. 879

tampered with by Unileci

Irishmen, ii. 378*9

— — not Uebels, according to.
Mr, Pelham^ ii. I84

iin>xx«

S»

Ds Lacg^y vide De Courcf
Dermod^ bis intrigue with the
Queen of Briefhe, i. 153

— his description, i. 155-8

■ driven trom Leinster, i.
156

seeks the protection of Hen.

II. ib.
' returns to Ireland, i. 147
«—*«- his death, i. 159
Desmond, Lord Deputy, i. 255
made prisoner, and released

by O'Connor of Ofialy, ib.
attainted and beheaded, i.

257

— rebels against Queen £liza«
beth, i. 317

■ ■■ killed by a common soldier,

i. 320
DevireuXy Mr* found guilty and

executed through direct peijury,

ii. 504
Devonshin^ Duke of, succeeds the

Duke of Dorset, ii. 103
— — his administration quiet, his

pomp and luxury, ii. 104
Diamondy battle ot, ii. 372
JDUion^ Lord, opposes the Duke of

Leinster's motion of thanks to,

and confidence in Lord Fitz-

ivilliam, ii. 358

■ proposes a contribution
against union, ii. 55

Dissevtersj punished by ihe sa-

cramental test, deceived by

the protestant parliament, it.

39
— ■■ flattered and deceived by the

Earl of Wharton, ii. 45
^— lory administration of Queen

Ann against them, ii. 47, 58
— — favoured under George I. ii.

72-5
— ^ — ^ present a memorial of their

grievances, ii. 97
— -— a measure of toleration in

their favour opposed by Boulter^
ii. 99
DissenierSy their application for.
indulgence remitted to another
session, ii. 180

— Lord Charlemont's predilec-
tion for them displeasing to
government, ti.307

— motion by Mr. Stewart se-
conded by Mr. G. Ponsonby
for further provisions for the
ministers of Ulster, ii. 316

— — coolness in the north be-
tween them and the Catholica
in 1797, ii. 406

fall off from the union, ii^

multiply their addresses of

loyalty, ii. 407)445

Dixon, a rebel captain at Wex«
ford, ii. 470

his character and conduct,

ib.

attempts to massacre all the

prisoners, ii. 471

'■ executes summary justice
on one Murphy, through whose
evidence the Rev. Mr. Dixon,
his relative, had been condemn-
ed and sent to Botany Bay,
ii. 472

■■ disobeys the oNrders of the
general,and prepares his wretch-
ed miscreants for a general mas-
sacre, ii. 476-7

Dobbs, Mr. intermediates for pro-
posals for saving the lives of
Messrs. Oliver Bond and Byrne,
ii. 496

— makes a motion for com-
mutation of titheSi ii. 545

Dorset, Duke of, succeeds Lord
Carteret, ii. 98

— not unfavourable to the Ca-
tholics, ii. 99

his testimonyof theirloyalty,

ii. 100

594

IflDBX.

Dorssii Dolce of, quits Ireland and

retums lord lieutenant, ib.
•fc— again made lord lieutenant
' on purpose to oppose the Pa-
triots, ii^ 118
> I ' disliked on account of his

* siAsenrrcncy to Stone, ii. 150

— frightened out of the krng-

* dom, ii. 121

t)t)wneshirei Marquis of, his ^x-
^ ertions against the union, ii.530
■ displaced in consequence, ii.
■■■ ■ denies having contributed
' agamst it, ii. 551
Dcyle versus Fitzgerald, case of,
. fi. 518
•^-— Major, votes for Catholics

sUiinc| in parlisrment, ii. 335 .
progheaay "siege and massacre by

Cromwell, i. 399
Druidism^ what, i. 70
--. — ^.its antiquity, i. 71 — 4
«' its etyiTiology, i 72
•— Cxsar's account t)f, i. 78
--^ — introduced into Gaul from

Britain, i. 74

•* traduced by the Romaos,

^ 1. 76-7

•* Mona, chief seat of, i. 78

' — . — ^ Hume's account of, i. 79
•» ■ probably passed from Ireland

into Britain, i. 8S
^ , further account of, i. 81

— Lucan's account of, i. 92-3
Dublin^ citizens of, address Mr.

Mtt (late Lord Chatham) on fais

* resignation, ii. 144

* ' resolutions in favour t>f sep-
tennial bill, ii. l.«il

— — address Lord Effingham on
resigning his command not to
ftct agsiinst America, ii. \l^}

— — pass non-imporution reso-'
lutioBS, ii. 183

■i ■ ■ corporation of, addresses
Earl Temple, ii. 241 *

DubliHy national conv^mtion la'

fevonrofrefonn, ii.24^
Lord Chariettiont chatramn.

ih.
-— — aggregate meetmp, tesola-

tions, and addresses m favour of

reform, ii. 559
—7- sheriff" of» imprisoned for

heading the liieethig, ii.259,OTI
—— corporation, mank Lord
, Cliarieniont for opposing the

admission t)f Catholics to fbe

rights of election, ii. 260
instruct Mr. Grattan to opi

pose the Catholic bill, ii. tl%

students of university, ad-
dress Mr. Grattan and receive
an answer, li, 363

— — proclaimed, ii. 433

quiet by the vigilance off

government, 3. 4S5-U

all masters deserted by their

servants, ii. 436
— — resblmionsagamst thennions

ti,52l

Catholics of, o^rpoee the

union, ii. 551

— . — proceedings of the ajgregat^
meeting against union, li. 533-4

Dutgenan^ Doctor, opp'^scs the
Introduction of the Catholic
hills, ft. 333, 353

city and county of Arma^

offer to elect, ii. 3«3

gives notice of a motion to

refute the maKcions and lying
assertions of Mr. Fox, ii.392

answers Mr. Grattan*s ad-
dress to the citizens of Dublin
and Mr. Graltan's note to Doc-
tor Duigenan in consequence,
ii. 4U

Dundalk, battle of, 209
Dundasy general, defeats the re*

bels near KUcwHin, ii. 433
— i— accepts the sorrcndtr oT

tBro».

MS

P^rkioiy Qtar the Curragb> ii»

443

IHindas, Mr. inUoduces the qiies*
lion, of union into the British
house of commonv^ ii« 53$

Dungmmiifm, tiseeting and resolu-
tions of volunteers, ii. 90S

Ihtqu^rry^ Mr. and Sir L. Par-
sons, the only opponents of
Lord FitzwilUam'a adoii&istra-
tion, ii. 333

«4-*« bis speech on secondioe Sir
L. Parsons' motion to address
Lord FitswiUiatn, severe on
Mr. Pitt, ii. 356

Duties^ protecting; brought be-
fore the house of commons^ ii.

— what, ii. S53

Mdem^ Mr. (now Lord Auckland)

Sss over as secretary to Lord
riislc, ii. 106

■ speaks in favour of perpe-
tual mutiny bill, ii. %o%

■ precipitate in moving for the
repeal of 6 Geo. L ii. 218

■ refuses tocommunicate with
ministers on the situation of
Ireland, ii. 819

> debate upon his motion,

ib.

Edward L called the English Jus-
tinian, i 1 90

■ his answer to the Irish pe-
tition, i. I9d

— his intentions to Ireland
thwarted, i. 193

— his ministers drive the peo-
ple into insurrection, i. 195

«r— — obtains a fifteenth from the

Irish laity, i. 197
— — * his death, i. 200
— — //. his character, i. 201
— r- Jiis ficiendsbip for Gavaston,

it: . , ':

VOL. II.

Edward II, the best l^lator t^
Ireland, i. 212

-— IIL passes ordinances in ht*
vour of Ireland, i. 2 1 7, 2^0

->— — hisremedial writs, i.919» 2fl5

petitioned by the Irish

against his ofEcers, i. 220

establishes perpetual vicar-
ages,!. 222

-— *- issues other ordinances an4
statutes, i. 222-3-4

his anxiety towards Ireland^

i. 225

— — IF. his bloody reign, i. 254

— — PI his coronation and mur-
der, i. 8G2

FL his efforts to forward the

reformation, i. 301

Effingham, Earl of, addressed by
the citiaens of Dublin, for re-
signing his command on the
American war, ii. 174

Egan, Mr. against union, ii. 352

EUctive Franchise, catholics first,
deprived of under George II.
ii. 81, 91-2

— — - the disqualifying clause insi*
diously passed, ii. 91

Eleusynian mysteries, .what, i. 83

EdiziUjeti}, Qdeen, prders a survey
of all lands, i. 310

her efforts to promote the re-.

formation, i. 311

— — repeals the acta of Mary rc-
s(>ecting religion, i*312

convenes a second Irish par*

liament, i. 313

— hated by the Irish^ i. 317

attempts to levy money by,

order of council, i. 318

—•convenes a new Irish parlia*.
ment, i.320

iuitilutes the system of plantf

tation, i. 322-3

— ^ makes peace with the Irish,
who had risen, i. 324

R

586

INDBX.

Elizabeibf Queen, her death and
character, i. 399f 330

Emmetif Mr. his examination be-
fore the secret committee, and
his evidence as to the views of
thfe union, ii. 431

^ cautions the public not to
credit the reports published by
the secret committee, ii. 518

English cabinet consents to the
reversing of Lord Clancarty's
attainder, ii. 105

■*■ ■ at issue with the Irish com-
mons, about the appropriation
of the revenue, ii.118.

-»— ahers the septennial bill into
octennial, honing the Irish par-
liament would therefore reject
it, ii; 156

■■■ ■■ alters the judges* bill, which

^ is on that account rejected, ib.

'■■ claims a right to briginate
Irish money bills, ii. 158

- il^s proceedings against ho-
nour and conscience, (according
to Earl Gower,) ii. 189

" ' makes the Irish mutiny bill
perpetual, ii. 194

■ Its influence over the Irish
parliament complained of, ii.
S20

•— - ascendancy^ supported by
Primate fiouUer, ii. 88 to 96

* instances of its prevalence

in the case of theBrodericks and
Lord Clanricarde, ii. 94-5

■■■ management of, entrusted to
Primate Stone, ii. 1I5

". — Privy Council dJtt^Wh^ pro-
gressofthe&epiennialbill,ii. 150

Enniscortby taken by the rebels,
iL 456

Enniskillen^ Earl of, disqualified
from sitting on any future court
martial for his conduct on the
trial of Woliagbaii, ii. 514

E^rAtfj/oriA^ofMumteffibe }&«*
tent and use of, ii. 548

Esmond, Doctor, commanded the
rebels at Prosperous, and is exe-
cuted, it. 439

Essex^ Earl of, appointed governor
of Ireland by Elizabeth, i. 327

— his disastrous governmentand
execution, 326-T-8

Eusibius, who, i. 59

Fable, sometimes corroborative of

fact, i. 15
Falkland, Lord, his character, i.

352

recalled, i. 863 ^ -

Famham, Lord, remarks the in«

consistency of openinc the Irish

army to catholics, and not the

English, ii. 337
— — against the recompense to

borough proprietors, ii. 564
Fawcett, general, loses part of hit

men going to the relief of Wex*

ford, and retreats, ii. 458
jpay, Mr., falsely accused, impri-
soned, tried, and acquitted, ii*

341
Feniusa Farsa, inventor of letters^

i. 37
Fiats, vide Judges.
Fingal, Lord, sides with Lord

Kenmare in seceding from the

catholic committee in 1791^ ii«

305
Fitzgerald, Lord Edward, opposes

the vote of thanks to the Dtike

of Rutland, ii. i?63
moves for an addressof thanka

to the Prince for his gracious

answer to their address on the

regency, ii. 983
meets the French agent iiv

London, ii..40S

— declines a. seat in the new
parliament, ii.^ll

IKDBX.

itfr

iKixgeratd^iJiJlEdw^^ arrested and
mortally wounded, ii. 429-dO

■ ■ ■ attainted, li. SOI

■■ Major, invested with extra-
ordinary powers to forward a
system of conciliation, ii. 501

•^— his testimony of Mr. Hay's
history, ii. 504

^ — Mr. Henry, seized by Cap-
tain Boyd, and sent to Ennis-
corthy, and detained by the
rebrls, ii. 556-7

-^ — Thomas Jiidkin, his cruelty
to Doyle, ii. 518

- petitions the commons for
indemnification, but drops it
at the instance of his friends, ii

. ■ ■ his inhumanity in the case

of Wright, ii. 54^-7
■' rewarded with a pension^ ii.

547
Piizfibbnn, vide Clare
Fiizherbertf secretary, (afterwards

Lord St. Helen's) brings in a bill

to enable the clergy to recover

tithes, ii.275

■ ■ supports the address to the

Prince on the regency, ii.284
Fitzpatrick^ Colonel, opposes the

restoration of Mr. Flood, ii. «29
FiizKvUliam^ Sir William, oppres-

sive system of, i. 828
Earl, coalesces with Mr. Pitt,

ii. 345
— - deceived by Mr. Pitt. ii. 846,

848
fi — goes over with power to carry

catholic emancipation, ii. 349
— ^— assumes the government, ii.

350

- his character, ib.

asserts that caiholic emanci*
patioh wa!i one of the conditions
on which he consented to accept
the government^ ii. 349-50

FltzwiViamfToLf^ dismisses Mess.
Berestord, Cooke^ and others,
ii. 351

his speech to parliament,

ii. 352

addresses of the commons

to him, ii. 858

-— — Mr. Beresford's disniissal,
not the catholic question, th«
cause of his recall, ii. S5S

effects of his recall on the

nation, ii. 357) 861

-— quits Ireland, li. 360

Floods Mr. opposes ministers, ii*
201

seconds Mr.Grattan's motion

against a perpetual mutiny bill,
ii. 202

speaks with much eloquence

on Poyninff's law, ii. 204

his resolutions for legislative

independence negatived, ii. 214

motion for his being restored

to his place rejected, ii. 229
■ opposes simple repeal, ii*

supports Sir Heary Caven-
dish's molion for retrenchment,
ii. 247

his contest with Mr. Grat*

tan, ib.

his molion for reform, it. 249

panegyrizes the volunteers,

ii. '250
goes over to England, ii. 251

- his character by Mr. Grat-
tan, ib;

brings in a bill for parlia-

mentarv reform, ii. 256

— — speaks on commercial pro*
positions in the British house of
commons, ii. 278

.:-^- admits a controlling supe-
riority in the British Parlia-
ment, ib.

Forbesj Mr., makes a motion
against pensions, ii. 367

R 2

>88

INDSX*

Ar^/jyMr;, loicsitlbpeaftion-btn^
ii. fi7«

■ renews bis eflforts against the
pension list and other guvern-
ment extravagances, ii. 276

»■■ moves an address to the

crown in 1788, ii. 277
— «-~ faiU in his motion about

places and pensions, ii. 297
>■ moves tor the ad reading of

his place bill, ii. 998
I obtains leave to bring in a

responsibility bill and a pension

bilU ii. SSI
Foster, Mr., inti educes a bill to

curb (he licentiousness of tbc
. press, iL 3^7

■ N, succeeds Mr. Pery in the
chair, ii. 266

— - Lord Justice with Lord
• Fitzgibbon, ii. 292

— recommends the keeping up
of the Protestant ascendancy,
ii. S20

■ ■ ■■ opposes the union ; his con-

- sequent fiopularity, ii. 534, i>54
J^ocr, Charles, his opinion of the

Irish volunteersj ii. 190

■ " his speech on the mutiny
bill, ii. 198

Secretary of State, delivers

. to the Britif^ Parliament a
message from the throne relative
to Ireland, ii. 9I8

*' ' makes a motion in the Eng-
lish house of commons for the
legislative independence of Ire-
land, ii. 225

— — resiens his office, ii. 231
, i>' coaksces with Lord North,
ii. 239

•— — moves in the British com-
mons .fur an address to the
throne to allay discontents in
Ireland, ii.'9d2 ^

T\ree quarteringf, iu 426

FftfUb fleet intended ^or ihcifM

vasion of Ireland defeated by

Sir Edward Hawke, ii. 131 .
— — Thxirot arrives off Ireland, «&•

takes Carrickfeifus, ii IM

sails thcnoe, is overtaken by

Captain Elliot, and is killed ia

the action, ib.
— • invasion not provided against,,

ii. 585-6
fails through the stormincsa

of the weather, ii. S86
M ■ weakness of their govern^

ment prevents their invading

Ireland, ii. 503
— • land under Humbert in Kil-

lala Bay, ii.
■ their good conduct and disci*

pline, i 17506
deliver clothing, arm^, ^c.

to the natives, iL
Friends of the constitution, liberty

and peace, ii. 326
D of Leinster in thechairjii",

Galway, county of, in favor of

union, ii. 338
— ^— proclaimed, ii. 5S9
Gardiner^ Mr. (afterwards Lord

Mountjoy) his motion in favo(

of Catholics, ii. 180
his bill in their favor passed

with difficulty, ii. 1S2
— gives notice of his bill in

favor of catholics, ii. 805
— - vide Oiiholics

— moves a vote of thanks to
Earl lempie, ii. 946

Govai /or, favored by lid w. II. i. 909
-T— made protector of Great
Britain, tb»

banished the kingdom of

' Great Britain, ib.

made vicegerentof Ireland, i^.
*— — his popularity and success
in Iieland, i. 20:i

UfJMX**

«tt

AMvtf^ New^ origin of thttco*
lony, ii, Ml

•— -* abandoned by goTeoMtteiit^
ii. S4S

— <**- basard of iatrodnet^g tur-
bulent democratic principles

. "mih the Geneveie, ii. 24&

George^ Saint, brotherhood of,

■ ' ' ■ /. comes to the throne, ii. 67
— -^— Ills death and character,

ii. 85-6
!■■■■ I II. bis accession to the

throne, ii. 87
■■ his exclamation on loosing

the battle of Foatenoy, ii.

J06
» his death and character, ii.

■ his reign the era of whig-

gism, it.
• ■ ///. comes to the British

throne, ii. 1S5
*» ■ ■■ addressed by the Catholics

and Quakers, ii. 136
' eives an ungracious answer

to &e address of the IriUi house

of Commoas, ii. 151

■ sends a message to the Irish
parliament -about the increase of
the army, ii. 157

•*-^^— ditto for 400a troops off
their establishment for America
with an offer to replace ihem
with foreign Protestants, ii. 1 79

■ ditto On the French alliance
with America, ii. 178

fc sends a message to the

Irish parliament that Great Bri-
tain should pay the charge of
Irish Rsgiments serving out of
thakin^kim, ii. 189

■ ditto to British parliament
about Ireland, ii. 2i9

•*— — his answer to the Irish address
reprobates the aiteinpts of the

/voluntedra fo'ovrtawaibepaiv

liament, ri. 2&$
Gtorg9 III. his illness in 1788,

ii. 281
^— — bis recovery, ii^ 988
— *- addressed oy the Irish par«

liament, ^md returns a graoioua

answer, ib.
-— — sends a message to tha firU

ttsh parliament about union^ ii»

535, M9
-*^- bis apeeeh on passing the ad

of union, ii. 468
—'^ makes* a speech to parlia^

meat, 8 1 at December, ISOO^md

prorogues it, ii. 567
Gmkell takes Limerick, i. 477
Giamorgmny Earl of, receiviBS laiga

powers from the king, i. 885

■ charged with high treason
by contrivance of Oniiaad,-Midl
imprisoned, but aooo rdeaaedy
i. 388

Goreyy its inhabitants retreat to

Arklow, and are.crueiiy treated

by the army, ii; 460
GosfarJf Lord, his address oa^he

disturbances in Armagh, iK

876

— commands at Naas, prepared
for the rebels, ii. 134

Gotii«rYMMni,En^Ksb, inoonsislent
in not applyme levdutiouary
principles to Ireland, ii. 22

-«— tardy and reluctant to grant
relief to Ireland, it. 183*9

■ ■ ■ Irish, wishes to disband-tha

volunteers, ii. 248
— . attempts to discredit the vo»
lunteers, ii. 256

encourages dissentiotis a*

mong them in order to weaken
them, ii. 261

■ ' ;■ charged by Mr. Conolly with

exaggeraiing disturbances -for
bad purposes^ ii. 268

890

MIDST,*

GMr^nffRM/yEnglishySeises on and

S'ires to menibers of parliament
e office of the weighers of
Cork, ii. Sig

— ^ oppk)se parliamentary reforaii
ii. SSi4>

— — encourage the progress of re-
bellion» ii. 429

Go«^#r, Ear), (late Marquis of Staf-
ford; declares he can no longer
take part with ministers, ii. 189

Gr&yion,Dukeof, Kis harshness to
the Catholics, ii. 76-7-8

Grattanj Henry, opposes the
speech of the lord lieutenamt,
j[Buckinghamshire) and moves
tor free trade, ii. 1 Hh

■ makes a resolution in favor
of the independence of Ireland,
ii. 19S

— — makes a motion against per-
petual mutiny bill, ii. 202

■■ moves for an enquiry into
the financial state o^ the
kingdom, ii. 2od.

■ speaks in favor of the
Catholics, ii. 205, 212.

' moves for an address to the
throne on legislative independ-
ence, ii. 813 '

«— — moves an amendment to
Mr. G. Ponsonby's vote of
thanks to the throne, ii.
221

■ opposes the address to Lord
Carlisle, ii. 223

■ ■ ■ moves an address to the

throne alter the Duke of Port-
land's speech, ii. 226

■■■ receives a patriotic donation

^-r-J^50,000, ii. 228.

. of abused by some volunteer
corps and in the public papers,
ii. 233

•— — bis contest with Mr. Flood,
ii. 247

Gr4i/<m,Heniy', supports the prin*-
ciple of Mr. Flooa's bill for.re*
form, ii. 250-6 v

-^i— recommends union between
parliament and the volunteerv,
li. 250

his character of Mr. Flood,

ii. 251

-*— opposes Fitzgibbon's riot act,
in 1787, ii. 271

■ bis resolution on tithes ne^
gatived, ii.-272

-^ — makes a motion on tithes,

ii. 275 -
— — rhovesanaddresstothePrince

of Wales on the regency, ii. 284
moves resolutions tor a liew

Eolice bill, a place bill, a pension
ill, a responsibility bill, an ab«
sentee bill, fails in all, ii. 288 -

— brings in a bill to appoint
commissioners to enquhne into
the state of tithes, ii. 289

— — speaks strongly against the
Marquis of Buckingham's go-
vernment, ii. 295

■ moves for the nan>es of the
advisers of the measure of muU
tiplyingoificersof revenueiii.296

severely arraigns the Irish

government, ii. 297

— — his motion for East India
trade, ii. 301

■ opposes that part of the ad«
dress which thanked his Ma-
jesty for continuing Lord West*
moreland, ii. 310-1

observes on the rejection of
the catholic petition, ii. 315
— - censures the government of
Ireland since 1782, and moves
an amendment to the address to
the crown, ii. 329

■ obtains leave to bring in a
bill for the improvement oi bar-
ren land^ ii. 331

.JHDKXm

»I.

Oraiiasif Henry, his resolationt for
reform of parlitUnent negatived^
. ii. 334

•— his account of Irish brigades,
&c. ii. 335

« supports the catholic bill, ii,

-^"-opposes gunpowder bill, ii.338

••«—-> opposes convention bill as
criminating retrospectively, ii.
. 339

- ■ reprobates universal suffrage,
ii. 343

«*— - united Irishmen publish an
address reflecting upon his fall-
ing off, ib.

■ sent for to England to advise
. upon the Irish government, ii.

347

«— presents the petition of the
. Dublin catholics against penal
laws, ii. 353

— — — his answer the catholic ad-
dress to him, ii. 359

■ ■ addressed by the students of

the college, ii. 363
— ■ opposes the address to Lord
Camden, ii. 364

■ his motion on the state of
the nation, ii. 365

■ i against the address of Lord

Camden, ii. 373
«— his account of the outrages

of the Orangemen in Armagh,

ii..375
—-< proposes an amendment to

the addrestf, ii. 385
■ brings on the ^question of

Catholic emancipation, ii. 369
■■ holds strong language to Mr.

Pelham, ii. 390
opposes a secret committee,

ii. 393
-— — speaks on reform and Catho-
lic emancipation, ii. 398
» declines a seat in the new

4»arliament, ii. 4i i

Gratiatij Henry, his note to Doc*.

tor Duigenan, ii. ib.
«-^- elected for the borough of

Wicklow. and speaks against

union, it. 552-3
returns to the favor of the

inhabitants of Dublin, ii. 554

— fights Mr. Corry, ii. 559
Graydon^ Mr., his motion for the

reform of abuses, ii. 355
GrenviUe, Lord,opposesLordMbi«

ra's motion for address, ii. 393
defends Lord Camden's sy%*

tern, ii. 409
«— introduces the question of

union into the British house of

peers, ii. 5 25

' speaks on introducing Mr*

Pitt's resolutions on union, ii.

541
Grogatij Mr. Cornelius, taken aad

executed, ii. 483

— attainted, ii. 50l
Gunpowdir bill, directed to put

down the volunteers, opposed
by Mr. Grattan, ii. 336-9

Habeas corpus act, moved for by

Mr. Bradstreet, ii. 200, 231
-^— suspended, ii. 385
thicket J outstanding rebel, killed

near Arklow, ii. 500
HaciflstowH, rebels defeated a|, ii. -

438, 499
Haiifax, lord4ieutenant, his salary

raised ioj£i6,(^ a year, it.

142
■ recalled to be secretary of

state, ii. 145
Harcouriy Lord, succeeds Lord

Tcnvnshend, easy in his temper,

finds all done as to parliamen*

tary interest, ii. 167
^-— popular till he too glaringly

followed up. Lord IWnsheod's

system, ii. 163 . . . .

9^ Lord, ftponrdbly diifofecl

to the catbolict» ik,
i^^i^-^ bio coti<iact oo to the 40(90

noD sent U> Amorica, ccosiared

in the Britisll boiue of con-

nons, it. 175
. JEKv^yMn^ voces for colboliot sit-
ting in parlianent, ii. 333
HmrrmgioHf Earl of, lord-Keote-

nant^ ii. 1 19
Barvoff Bagonal, seised and m-

prisoned by Capt. Boyd, iL 457

» conceals bisnodf in the cbinK

ney for fear of maisacre by the

yeoBicn, ii. 458
•««^*-> elected comolaiider of the

rebels, ii. 459
MM sumoKMis the town of New«

Ross, 11.463
*— bis flag of truce killed by a

oentisel, i^« j

■ resiras the command, ii. 4^5

■ his last orders humane, iS.

■ <" ■ taken and executed, it. 484
••*«-» atuinted, ii. 501
Hawk^ Sir Edvrafd, defeats tbe

French fleet in Quiberon bay,

n. 181
Mayy Kdward^ bis bisUny of tbe

insurrection in Wexford; never

bad. a oommand with tbe rebels,

ii. 471
■ I ^obnoxious to the Wexford

inquisition, ii. 494
^' Major Fitsgeraid'a testimony
. of bis nistorvcal veracity, ti.504
Henry II. prepares to invade Ine*

land, i. 161
•»— lands at Waterferd, i. 16$
■ f his progress in Irehnd, i. 165
-r*— eflects of bis invasion, i* 167
-»-«— bis death, i. 170
•— -— III. his character, i. 184
mmmm^ procures the death of Richard

£arl of Pembroke, i. 166
-^—aflects sorrow for iuadeathjf^. I

HmrflB. gianto bchnd to Vm

son Edwasd,. i. 18?
— applies to Ireland for moneys

i. IM

■ his death, t. 189
; -««— IF. looks upon Iidaad ao-

insignificant, i. 93£
— ^ appoints bis son lord^Kenlo^

nant tor 90 years, i. SS3
■ I ^ves his son singular powefs,

«— — F» withdrawn from Iffsland

by the war in France^ i. 2SS
— V* gains the b^e of AgM^

court, i. 237
«»^-* his deaths i.d4l
-^*— FL proclaimed kira at Paris^

i. 242
•— *- bis political intrigues, i. 84?-
-^-'— is iiMidepriiOQer by tbe Duke

of York at St. Alba&X i- 230
— -^ FU. crowned at Bosworibi u

264
-^— his system of leconoiliationi

it.

gains the battle of Stoke^ u-

—^— tabes Bimnel prisoner, £^«
— - pardons Kildare, i. 27€
-''-^ tiis policy to Ireland, i. 2?4
— his death, u 282
FIIL his aocessMMi to ibe

throne, and character^ u 285
— i^- inattentive to Ireland, i. 2M
-*«^— uses strong measures to fot^

ward the reformatidn, i. 294
— — - assumes tbe title of king of

Ireland, i. 296
~-^ his death and character, u

299
Hertford^ Earl of, lord-lieotenanlt

ii. 149
— — succeeded by Lord Towns*

hend, ii. 152
Hilsborcughf Earl of, a Briitsk

Minister^ conseoU (o Lord ab«l«

INDEX.

MS

bume's motion^ for free trade^

ii. 189
tiilsborongb. Earl of) brings in a

bill to establishan Irish iiulitia,

ii. 333
iliilory^ use of, i. 2, 5

* confined to few nations, i,
54 .

-— of Ireland misrepresented, i.
1,2, 7,351

* f •" authenticity of, disputed, i.

5, 6
treated as fabulous, i. 8, 9

■ not overset by mere denial^
. i. 16, 105

Hobarlf Mr. Secretary, defends
government against the charge
of sale of peerages, ii. 296

— r^ goes lo England for fresh
instructions, ii. 300

— seconds the motion of Sir
Hercules Langrishe for leave to
bring in the Catholic bill, ii. 31.3

■ ■ proposes to repeal the hearth
tax, ii. 331

— — r* presents the Catholic peti-
tion, 4th Feb. 1 703, ib*

— brings in a bill for their re-
lief, ii. 33S

iiocbe^ General, commands the

French expedition, ii. 386
HaUi outstanding rebel, surrenders

to Lord Powerscourt, ii. 500
"House oi commonSy diflcrences in,

about the election of a speaker,

i. SU

■ Mr. Hooker raises a ferment
in, i. 316

their remonstrance to Charles
about his promised graces, i,
860
■■ ditto a^inst Wentworth's
administration, i. 364
, • • protest against the enco-
mium of Weatworth surrepti-

tiously entered on their jour-
nals, i. 365

flouse of commons pass strong
resolutions against the English
parliament, ii. 19

— « — insist on their right to ori-
ginate money bills, io.

- — pass resolutions* against va-
cating seats to avoid voting For
odious measures, ii 36

•**— address the lord-lieutenginl
for further penal laws against
the Catholics, ii. 40^

— ^ strong address of the house
of peers against them, ii. 49 ,

— Whigs cpmmand a majority,
ii. 52

address the Queen (Ann)

against Chancellor Phipps^.ii.
53, 60

■ present an address against
the Earl of Anglesey, ii. 68

" pass resolutions against the
Catholics, ii. 77

■ their bill for cistratinff theit
priests stopped in ^n^Iahd, ii. 78

— — resolutions of their commit-^
tee against the reversal of any
attainder passed in 1641, or
168S, ii. 95
■ say that Irish forfeitures are
the ground of Irish loyalty, ii.
96,

— pass resolutions against agist**
ment tithe, ii. 101 — 3

-**—»• refuse to reverse Lord Clan-

carty's attaitider, ii. 105
^— vote Mr. Lucas an enemy to

his country, ii 1 14
—— contests with the Englisb

cabinet the appropriation ofihc

revenue, ii. 118

■ their proceedings against
Nevil, a notorious embcffsltrj
ii. 119

^tM

fND£:x.

ffottsr of eotntnons, bill for va-
cating the seats of pensioners
negatived, li. 124

^ negative Mr. Mason's bill to
enable catholics to place out
' money on mortgage, ii. 14 8

— — address his Majesty on the
aeptenitial bill, and receive an
ungracious answer, ii. 150-1

— — counter resolutions of the
court party, ii. 150

*i- pass two patriotic bilh that
were not returned, ii. 151

• appoint a commitlee to in*
quire into the state of the mili-
tary establisbmoM, ii. 157

■i ' carry a resolutiow in favour
of their pwn rijght lo originate
Hioney-bills against the cabinet^
ii. 158-9

*■ order the Public Advertiser
to be burnt by the commfon
banyan for lioelling the IriBh
parliament, ii. l€0

*— negative and address Lord
'Harcourt on the proposal to in-
troduce foreign troops, ii. 172

•*— - Mr. Graitan proposes an
amendment to the address in
1779, ii. 185

-r — Amendment for firee trade
• proposed by Mr. Htiasey £urgh,<
and carriecl, ib»

— — pass a six month's money
bill, ii. igi

— — vote a longer money bill, ii..
194

— - versatility of, ir. 225

— vote of 50,000/, to Mr. GraU
tSHi, ii. 228

— ^- how composed in 1783, ii.
845

— censure some newspapers
and the lord-mayor of Dublin,
ii. 257 I

ft-«- deliver persons in custody of I

their serjeant-at-arnfts, over ta-

the military, ii. 258
Hof/5eofCommonsexpecttobedis^

solved on theking*sillness,ii.283'
association test for the new

members, ib.
— - address to the Prince of

Wales on the regency carried"

against the ministers, ii. 284
appoint members to preGCnt

the address, ii. 286

— out of SOO members, 110
placemen, ii. 298

""—^ address the lord-lieutenant
on the breaking out of the re-
bellion, and present their ad^
dress in a body, ii. 433

— ** order some Enelish papers
to be burnt by the commoa
hangman, ii. 538

— majority of 42 for imioD,
Htb Jan. 1799) ii- 553

— — send a message to the lords^
that they Bad approved of the
articles of unioh, ii. 560

— • English J address King Wil-
lifl^m on the abuses of the Irish'
government, ii. 5

— Earl of Upper Ossory moves
for the free trade of Ireland, ii^
190

^ Humbert^ General, makes the
Bishop's castle at Eillala his
head quarters, ii. 506
■ ■ marches to Ballina, thence
to Castlebar, and defeats Gene-
ral' Lake with a much superior
force, ii. 606-7

— joined by many Irish pea-
sants, ii. SOS

-~ checked by Colonel Vereker
with 200 men, ib.

— surrenders at Ballynamuck^
ii. 509

Hume, his dismjmi to- Iruthj i^

IlfDBX.

Mi

Huni§r^ Qenerai^ succeeds Gene*

raI<Lake, ii. 489
— — his* humane conduct^ ii. 501
Hussffy^ Catholic bishop of Wa-

terrord, his conduct and cha-

racter^ ii. 415-d

— censured by Doctor Duige*
nan, ii. 415

Hutchinson^ Hely, speaks in favour
of legislative independence, and
particularly commends Mr*
Grattan, ii. 221

«-— ^ Lord, opposes the appoint-
ment by Government to the
place of weigh-master of Cork^
li. Sl9.

— — * votes for Catholics sitting in
parliament, ii. 335.

■' his constitutional address to
the city of Cork^ ii. 383

Jackson f Rev. Mr. convicted of high

treason, ii. 344
James L seeks popularity with the

Irish, i. 333
^ favourable to the Cathoi«€%

ib.
■■ receives the Irish under hia

protection, i. 336
— — his commission of grace, i.

337
-r—— begins his system of plan-

lations, i. 343
■ convenes a parliament, i. 344
-^«> his oppression of the Irish,

i. 349

« his death, i. 350

*— ^ //. his accession i to ih%

throne, i. 441

- removes Ormond, ii.

— — appoints the Earl uf Granard
and Lord Chancellor Boyle
IfOrd Justices, i6m

* the Irish militia, cotisisting
of Pfoleiiants> disamiedj i.44fi-

Janus lU appoifitaliOi«} CHiwdm

lord • lieuxenant, ib*
disclaims any inten^tto^- <»f

altering the Acts of.Setclemcal^

disliked by the Irish Fro«

testants, i. 446

— - his character and religious
enthosiasm, i. 447

abdicates the throne; of

England, i. 451

declines the French ofleraof

succour, i. 454
sails from France to hcadJiis

armjr in Ireland, ib.

- hisconductat DabKn^i ibi

■> issues several proclamatious,

and convenes a parliament^ i»

455
by abdicating, the throne of

England, did not abdicate that

of Ireland, i. 450-8
— ^ commencement of oftn wai^

fare between him and Willianiy

i. 455

allegiance due to him longer

in Ireland than in Englandi u

458
disliked the Irish^ and-dis-

liked by thera, i. 460
forced to act against fcis^own

inclinations, ami imposed* on

by Tyrconnel^ i.!461

nature of coiuest inDlween

him and William, i. 463

— — o paasesannctforeneooragfng

an Irish navy, i. 464
"^-— the battle of ti^^. B6yne^ u

469
— — his cowardice^ i. 4T0rl

quiis Ireland and fliea> to

France, i. 471

difference between his Irish

subjects, and French alMesy- i.
474p&

B96

INDBX.

JanufsII. sends back Tyrconncl as

chief governor, i. 475
■■ battle of Aghrim, ib.
htckiqutn^ Earl or', revolis againsi

the King (Charles), i. 382, 392
Indemnity^ \c\ of, i. 33.5
Insurgents attack Naas, and are re-

putsed, \\. 43*

■ ditto Profiperous, and suc-
ceed, ii 434"

— defeated by General Dundas,
ib.

*— ditto, by Lord Roden, at
Cloudalkin, ih.

fail at Carlow, Hackctstown,

Monastereven, Rathfarnham,
Tailaeh, Lucan, T^uske, Collon,
and Baltinglass, ii. 438

— succeed at Dunboyne and
Bari^tstown, ib.

■ their blood v measures, ii.
440

— — quarter refused to them, ib.
— ^ detcated at 1 arah, ii. 442
— — respect the sex, ii. 443
' some of them submit under
Perkins, ib.

■ those who had assembled to
fiurrender, attacked by mistake
under Sir James Dufle, ii. 444

— ^ defeated on Kilthomashill
by 800 yeomen, ii. 455

■ succeed under Murphy, at
Oulart, ib.

— — march to Cam()1in,and there
seize BOO stand of arms, ii.
456

— attackand carry Enniscorthy,
ih.

— — surprize a detachment of
General Fawcett's, ii. 458

— — enter Wextprd, and elect
Mr. Harvey for commander, ii.
459

■ how received at Wexford, ii.
460

Insurgents encamp on Vinegaff

hill, ii. 461
— — destroy the church at Ennis^

corthy. ib.
-^-*-- defeiited at Ballycannoo, and

Newtownbarry, ib.

■ ■■ ■ surprize Colonel Wal pole's

division at Tu liber neering, and
drive General Loftus from G<y*
rey, ii. 462

— . — under Harvey march to at-
tack Ro«s, ib.

defeated by General JohnsoO)

ii. 464

■ ■■ massacre the prisoners at

Scullahogue, ii. 465

defcafed at Ackkiw, ii. 466-7

— - enter Wexford, ii. 468

^ issue a proclamation against

obnoxions persons, ii. 469
professed retaliation, ii. 471

defeated at Vinegar-hill, ii*

478-9

— ^ rise in Ulster, ii. 483

take Antrim, ii. 4s4

— p- the main body of the norih-»
ern insurgents disperse, ii. 485

' defeated l)y General NugenI
at Ballynahinch, ib.

— — the remainder of the north-
erns disperses, ii. 486

defeated atBallynascartby, ii,
487

■ penetrate into Carlow, ii. 489
II defeat some troops in their

progress, ib.

— take Castlccomer, ii. 490

■■ defeated by bir Charles As-
gill, at Kilkenny, ib,

unsuccessfully attack Hack-

etstown, ib.

— surprize a corps of cavalry,
and defeat a body of troops at
Ballyrakeen-hill, ii. 491

— — defeated near White-heaps
by Sir James DufTc, ii. 492

IVDEZ.

m

Iftsurgenis assemble at Carrigrew,
' and resolve to disperse, ii. 499

— of Kildare, under William
Aylmer, ii. 495

— some Wexford men under
Messrs. Garret, Byrne, and Fitz-
gerald still hold out, and then
disperse, iL

— Messrs. Aylmer, Byrne, and
Fitzgerald surrender, ii. 496

* all subdued except Holt and

Racket, ii. 499
— — fail in an attack on Granard,

ii. 510

— ditto on Castlebar. ii. 511
•— defeated at Killala by Major

General French, ib.

Insurrection of the White Boys, li.
136

of the Oak Boys, ii. 142

^ — of the Steel Boys, ii. 143.

•^: of the Right Boys, ii. 268-9

■ bills brought in by the At-
torney-general, ii. 347

Invasion y v id e Frenclu

Ireland^ discovered by Adhua, i.
11

•! mhabiled before the deluge,

i. 11, 17, 27

• peopled before Great Britain,

i. 30

— peopled from Spain, i. 34-9

— literary in the 6th century,
j. 35

free from venomous crea-
tures, i, 106-7

•— traducement of, ever coun-
tenanced, i. no

— — its superior civilization, 1.
122-3.4

— — of the same religion as Eng-
land; i. 146

*— internal calamities of, i. 173,
185-8, 190, 200, S10-4, 241^
652^ 868, ^lly et alibi.

Ireland divided among 10 EngUsK
families, i. 195

freed from Petcrpence, i,

211

,her independence asserted

by the Yorkists, i. 251
— *- state of, during Edw. IV. i^

261
lordship of, converted into

kingdom, 1. 296
state of, under Henry VTIL^

according to Sir John Davies,

i. 298

state of in 1651, i. 407

» ' impolitic government of, un-
der Queen Ann, ii. 44
internal distresses under

Boulter, ii 92-6
— — affected by the war with

America, ii. 171-4 i-

distressed state of in 1777

and 1779i ii. 177, 186

eased of the payment of her

troops serving out of the king-
dom, ii. 182

Ireion appointed commander of
the English forces in Ireland
by Cromwell, i. 402

— — his death, ib.

Irisbf antiquity of, i. 3
>■ ■ their descent from Japhet, i.
20

their idolatry less obscene

than that of other nations, i.
69, 87, 92

their paganism, i. 94

■ acquainted with astronomy,
i. 05-6

encouragers of music, i. 97

their annals reformed, i.

129

— — their genealogies autlientic

and genuine, i. 143
admitted to English laws, i.

183-7, 191

i!m>BM*

trisb ofifer the soYertignty to. a

Scotch monarch, i. 204
" their reinottstrance to Pope

JohnXXII. t. 208 9
•I' ■ misoondiict of th«irmini«t0f6

1.239
• I their remonstranoeto Henry

V. 1.240
•*-**- oppreasire laws against, L

245
«^**- declare For Richard, Duke of

Yq*, i. 260

■ ■ apply in vain to the King of
France for assistance^ i. 299-

■ >■■ ^piy for an extension of

English law, i. SOd

•i I received into tiie King's pro-
tection, i. SS6

— — their loyalty to Charles I.
i. 36^-8,371-0 9,393

— * ditto to Chariea II. i. 394*7,
406, 419, 4AS

m ■ .. ditto to James II. i. 460
'■I deserted by their King at the
Boyne, i. 470

'»<— • their loyalty to the houteK>f
Hanover, ii. 43

«— - state of their represenfaiion
in parliament, ii. d4.5

— — expect the Kinj^s illness to
occasion a dissolution of parlia-
ment, ii. 283

■ ■ i tests to be thereupon requir-
ed, iL

m ■ their sorrow on thedeparture

of Earl Fiuwilliam, ^i. 359, 361
^i.i.. call the English Sasana^Aj

and know them only asenmiies,

ii. 441
Islands^ peopled, i. 27, SO
John, vide Morton^ Earl of.
^*«*-^ displaces and fines^ Hamo de

Valois, i. 175
•^-^ fearftil of leKCommunicatieD^

i. 178
*-p— lands in Ireland, ib.

Mm^ frames4a9»s for Irelaad, i. 1 79
— <— > resijcns his kingdom to the

seeof Rome^ i. 180

his death, ii.

Jobmonf General, defends New

Ross against the rebels, ii. 464
JoMCpbrn confirms the antemile-

sian annals, i. 32
Judgks^ fiats for unascertained dav

mages, ii, 298
Jnriest grand, violent against the

Catholics, ii. 322.
Justice*^ Lords, chancellor Ely and

Earl of Cork persecute the Ca*

tholics, under Charles I. i. S5S.
■ " ' Borlase and Parsons ditto^

even against the roys^l wisb,i.368
— — publish a false proclamatioa

that all irish papists had rebel*

led, i. 371
■ ■ qualified after the remon**

strance of theX^rds of the pale*

i. 372
«— — reject the ofier of the Ca-
tholics to put down the rebel*

lion, i. 375
-— — their severity to goad the

Catholics into arms, i. 374
Sir John Bprkse. and Sir

Htnry Ticbbome^ i. 378
— character of Sir Henry Tich-

borne, t^.
Earls of Orrery and Mont

trath, i. 420
~^ hostile to the Irish Caiho*

lies, ib.
Lord Chancellor Boyle and

Earl of Granard, i«441
--«—- Lord Sydney, Sir Chariea

Porter, and Thomas Coningsby^

ii. 17
— — their corruption, ii. J 8
Lord Capel SirCyrilWyche

and Mr. Buncombe, ii. 20
— — thi» first a pliant courtier^

wormed out the others^ ib.

fivoint.

499

JusSciSyiht Duke oF'Orafton and
Earl of Galway, therr tesThnony
of the foyaltv of the Irish Ca-
tholics, u.6§

— — recommettd enmity between
Protestimts and Papists, ii. 70

— — ^ Primate Boulter, Thoma*
Windham, and William Co-
tiolly, smother the address of
the Catholics to George II. ii.88

—— Primate Hoadley,Lord Chan-
cellor Newport, and Mr. Boyle,
it. 112

' ■ Lord Chancellor Bowes and
Mr. Ponsonby the Speaker, ii.
225

**— • Lord Fitzgfbbon and Mr,
Foster, ii. 2g«

Xr//8, Synod of, in 1152, i. ISO
Kelljfj Mr. commands in the at-
tack on New Ross by the rebels,

■ tried and execated, ir. 484
Kenmare, Earl, secedes from the

Catholic committee inl79I,with
Lord Fingal and others, ii. 905
Keugb, chosen TOvernor of Wex-
ford by the rd)e]s, ii. 468
■■ his origin and character, li.
— ^ tried and executed, ii. 483
KUdare^ Thomas Earl of, attainted
and imprisoned, i. 257

■ maae Lord Deputy, i. 258
-^— dismissed, i. 260

— — Gerald, appointed to the

goremmeut, ib.
— ^ recalled, i. «65
— — declares for Srmnel, i. 266
■■ ■ pardoned and continued in

the government, i. 270
-i— - removed, r. «7i

■ ■ arrested on a charge of high
treason, t. 273

— attainted, tried, and ac-
quittcdy i. 278 .

Kildare, £ar1 Of, restored to the

government, i. 279
his fidelity to Henry VII, 1.

261
—— gains the battle of Knoctow,

it.

his death, i. 284

— — succeeded m the povemneiift

by his son' 'Gerald, tb.
— *• Gerald, deprived of his ofSee

and imprisoned, i. 985

" is restored to favor and i^in

confined, i 286
— — his son Thomas and his -five

brothers executed, i.287
— — his death, i. 288
■■ ■ Earl of, presents a spirited

memorial to George II. about

his comitry, ii. 132

its good effects, ii. 12^

KiJisnnyj convention of, i. 216

■■■ statute of, i. 224
Kiilala, Bishop of (Law) speaka

strongly in support of the Cadio-*

lie claims, ii. S36
hw faithful account of the

French landing at Kiilala, ii.51 1
town of, Prench land thefe

under Humbert, ii. 505
— left in the hands of the re-
bels long after Humbert^a sur*

render, n. Slh
King, doctor, his work againat tfa«

Catholics, i. 443
guilty of gross &lsily» i.44^

453-6
Kingsborouffhy Lord, violent

against ttie Catholic bill, ii.

S65
— — ofalls into the hands of the

rebels, ii. 474
-— bad been a supporter of the

system of coercion, ii. 475
«— -^ his undertaking for the safety

of the inhabitants of Wexfonl

disregarded, ii*479^ 480

60O

iNDfiXi

Knighis of St. Patrick instituted^

ii. 241
Knoctowy battle of, i. 281
Knox J Mr. his motion that Catho-
lics might sit in parliament ne-
galived, ii. S5S

Lake^ General, enforces rigorous
military government, ii. 399

-*— , issues a strong notice, ii. 435

continues the old system^ ii.

48S

-^— is recalled, ii. 489

— — his disgraceful conduct at
Castlebar, it. 507

Langrisbe, Sir Herculos-, chosen
to bring forward the Catholic
bill in 1792, ii. 808

■ obtains leave to bring
in the Catholic bill, ii.^i2

— — brings in the bill, ii. 315

Language^ the pedigree of nations^

i. 44
^ ' Irish, antiquity and preser-
vation of, i. 45

— — same as the Scythian, sL

— — Scythian prior to the Greek,
ib.

— constrnction of, .iifferent in
. Ireland and Wales, i. 47

antiquity of, proved by im-
memorial use, u 55

— ^ Waldensesame as Irish,i.6l
■ Irish whence derived, i. 63

Latoucbcy Mr. David, opposes the
Catholic petition, ii. 318

Ztawyers corps, instituted 14th
September, 1796, ii. 382

Ledwicb, his scepticism, i. 34

— — - his abuse of Vallancey, &c. i.
60

he Hunte^ Mr. attacked by the
rebels, through the malice of
Mrs. Dixon, and wounded, ii.4 70

-— — preserved by Mr. £• Hay and
Mr. Carty, ib.

Liinsler delegates arrested, ii. 424
— — Duke of, head of the friends

of constitution, liberty, and

peace, ii. 326

moves in the Lords tha;

Lord Fitzwilliam had deserved
the thanks and confidmce of
the country, ii^ 358

- — protests with the Lords

against union bill, ii. 563
Ltlandy his diflSculties in avowing

truth, i.7
Ledeijy his answer to Dr. King, i.

443
— — his impartial opinion ot

James II, i. 446
his account of the versatility

of the Irish Protestants, i 450

anecdotes of James II. fa*

youring Protestants, i. 462

Leitersy when first used, i. 57

Irish same as Scythian, i.6I*^

ancient Irish, i. 101-2

introduction of Roman, i.lOl

-— - ancient use of, i. 103-4
Lewins, Mr. the afi:ent of the

united Irishmen with the French,

ii.401
Lragbfail, what, i. 108-9
Limerick surrenders to Ginkcll, i.

477
terms of capitulation, ib.

- articles of, violated, ii. 3, 14
negociation ot\ ii. 7

■ contested from the pulpit^

ii. 9

conduct of Sir R. Cox in re-
ference to them, ii. 10

recognized by the English

act of 3 William and Marv, ii.
16

—confirmed (or ratherabridged)
by the Irish parliament, ii. 21

- petitions against the act re*
jected, ib.

«— some persons compriKd in

IN1>BX.

«)a

<!ie ankles, petition against the

act of Ann, heard by counsel,

ii. »8
IjofluSi Gen., fails in his attack on

the rebels, loses pari of his army,

and retires from Gorey, ii. 462
hongemty no patriarchal privilege,

i. £4
Loughborough yLjc^vAi opposes Lord

Slielburne's motion for Irish

independence, i I 225
LucaSj starts upon the rigtit of

Dublin election, ii. 4 13
— forced to fly from Ireland,

returns, and is again chosen to

represent the city of Dublin in

Parliament: his patriotism, ii.

il4

■ heads the patriots in moving
for shortening the duration of
parliaments, it. 144

• ■ brings in heads of a septen-
nial bill, ih.

— — hnngs in *t\vo other tills for
securing the freedom of parlia-
ment, and fails in all, ii. 145

-, — commanded the personal
esteem of several lord^lieute-
nants, ii. 152

Z«tfJ/o^, opposes the proclamation
ofCroniweirsprotectorate,i.4 1 1

X<2^//rpft, General, (afterwards Lord
'Carhampton) brines in a iTrll
against houghing soldiers, ii«256

— p— establishes the system of
sending persons, untried, on
board the lenders, ii. 3^2

Mac Mahorij chief of Monaghan,
unjustly executed, i. 824

■ Every bishop of Clogher,
taken prisoner, and executed, i.
40S

Mac Neven, his examination in

the Lords, ii. 441
«i^— sigus an adfertisement to the

public, not to credit the reports
published by the secret com- '
mitlee, ii. 512

Mtfcomor/f, who, and how quieted^
ii. 502

Macpherson admits the existence
of St. Patrick, i. 39

Magistrates^ dangerous powers
given to them by the insurrefc*
tion bills, ii. S74

of Armagh, their conduct

unjust and cruel to the catholics^
ii. 976

— '— infamous conduct of White
and Goring, ii . 5 1 7-8

Magna Charta extended to Ire«
land,!. 192

Magog the founder of the Scy-
thians, \.%S

Mail- coaches^ stoppage of, signal
for rebellion, ii. 433

Man^ his days abbreviated, i. 21

Marche^ Edmund, Elarl of, -ap-
pointed lord-lieutenant in 14239
i. 242

tiis death, i. 243

M ar gar et of Axijcnx defeats Richard
Duke of York, on filore-heath,
i. 240

Marlbormghy Lord, takes Cork
and Kinsale, i. 473

Mary^ proclaimed Queen, i. 805

revokes the Jate ecclesiasti-
cal innovations, and restores the
civil establishment of the fio- '
man catholic religion^ t . S06

-^- her civil government unpo-^
pular in Ireland, i. 308

MasoHj Mr. Monk, his bill to
enable catholics to place out
money on mortfirage, negatived
by a large majorfty, ti. 147

Massacre at Smerwick, by Sir
W. Raleigh, !• 319
■ ' ' in Macgce, i. 373

— — by Ormond, i, 377

T

«M

IMOBX,

Massacre of Progbe da and Wei(-
ford, i. 899

■ .j'n rei)on of an intend^ inas-

sacris of the protestaoU und^r

lames 11. i. 45^
■ of the caihoiics proposed ip

council, in 1743, ii. Ir07'
■' .. reports of inlendcd n^assa-

cres given out, ii. 401
^— of statp prisoners proposed

\gi Colonel Maxwell, ii. ^35

— of the prisqners by the yeo-
men at Carnew and Dunlavin

«?-7- ditto by the rebels at SouIIar
bogue, ii. 465

— at Wexford by Dixon^ ii,
476.»

— ^i— stopped by Father Corrin, a
catholic clergymen, li. 477

Maxwell, Colonel, moves ibeCom-
mons that all prisoners should
be instantly executed, ii. 435

— — opposed by Ld Castlereagh ji^.

— — agajna^ yaion, \, 536

Maynoothf motion for the payment
ot dO,000/. to,ii. 415

MiltsumSf why called Phoenicians,
i. 38-9

— reality of^ objected to, i. 6S
M'ffftius colonises (rcland, i 1 1
MilUarv, outrages oip, ii. 382 399
", detention of prisoners de-
clared illcjfal, ii. 406

— — executions, ii. 426 7j*S7 ^

441-3
-»— brutality of. ii. ^34
-*— more savage in some in-

(tances than the rebels, ii. 44^

— savage in their retreat from
Wexford, ii. 459, 460

— — vide Y^'jmanry.
Miliiiaf bill for, introduced by
Lord Hilsborough, ii. 383

■ recruiting for, impeded, by
excluding catholics from ^om*
misaioos, ii. 340

Mmio, Lordj in favour of unioa^

ii. 541
Moira, Earl, in the British peers^

moves for an address to the

throne for allaying discontepv^i

ii. 390-1-2

speaks in (be British peers in

favour of conciliation, ii.

410

ditto intheIrishLord8,ii.414

Moljnmxy bis book, ii. 23

— — condemned by the ElngUsh

parliament, ii. 84
Moiuif Isle of^ attacked by Sueto-
nius, i. 77-9

■ - >■ whv called sacred, i. 80-3
Montraihi vide Cooie.

MoorCf General, his Dumane con-
duct, ii. 476

Morning Siar, destroyed by the
military, and why, ii. 399

Moriotij Earl, o^ Ipr^d of Irelac^d., i.
169

went over to Ireland in 1 184,

i. 170
■ recalled, «i.

■ acts as sovereign of Ireland,
i. 171

— his power not over the whole
kingdom, i. 172 '

.'J vide Jo An.

Moses, his history, what, i. 20

— — consequence t^f to Irish his-
tory, i. 26

■-T-^ cures Niul's son from the
serpent's bite, i. 107

Mountjiffy Deputy, concludes a

peaCK with Tyrone, i. 329
■ ■ ' marches into Munster to
9h^ck theVxercise of the catho-
lic religion, i. 334

• Earl, falls at NewRoss,ii.464

Munster^ disturbances in, ii. 268*9

poverty of, ii; 269

Murphy, Rev. John, how driven
into rebellion, ii. 454 '

«-9!" rallies his men, and ^uis t^

iNDfit.

toi

^iieces iiietacKlnent of theNorth
Cork militia, nearOuIart, ii.455
Murphy^ Rev. John, inarches to
Camolin, and seizes 600 mus-
kets, ii. 456

■ '■ ' takes Enniscorthy, ib.

— — insulted, whipped, and exe-
cuted, ii. 478

-^ — at the head of 15,000 rebels
marched into Carlow, ii. 489

— Rev. Michael, killed it Airk-

. J^^> **• 467

Musgrave, Sir Richard, defends
terrorism and cruelly, ii. 4^7

■ the acceptance of hid bqok
disclaimed by Lord Cornwallis,
i*.

— — his falsities, ii. 445

endeavoured to criminate

Doctor Cautfield, ii. 474

MusiCf profession of, honourable,
. i. 98, 100

Mutiny bill, perpetual^ passed, ii.
195

■ gi^es great discontent, and
resolutions againtit it, ih.

— Mr. Fox's speech on it, ii.
198

'-^ — debate in the Irish Commons,
ii. 202

Naas attacked by the rebels, ii.

334
National guafdy it's nature, ii. 323
Nations y origin of, i. 55

their derivations proved by

religious institutions,!. 63-4

Needbdm^ General, commaqded
at the battle of Ariclow^ ii. 467

— too late at his post al Vine-
gar-hill, Ii. 4t8

Nelson^ Mr. a rebel; arrested, ii,

433
NcnniuSy his judgment of Irish

history, i. 34
nnuspaperSf the Public Adixrtiser

burnt by i\A commoii bangmaoi

ii. 160
Newspapers censured by parlia^

men^i ii. 195
— — Morning Star-office destroys

ed, ii. 399
the Press; coiti plained of by

Mr. O'Donnel, ii.4l6 .

— Arthur O'Connor its edi-
tor and proprietor, ib.

'=^-— the Press, suppressed, li;
418

some English neiirspaper0

ordered by the rt<)u<ie of Com-
mons to be burnt by the haiidtl
of the coran)on hangman, \u
538

NiiiU bis descendants driven froot

the Red Sea, i. li,38

his son curfcd of the scrpertt'i

. bitfe by Moses, i. 107
Noah^ the earth divided arhdiig his

progeny;!; 21-3-9, 30 ^
■ cotemporary with Ahrabami

i- 24 .
— — probably acquainted with

Ireland, i; 26
North, Lnrd, disposed to rcflax the

penal laws. li. 178-9
opens the Irish propositionsi

dowfafHll of his adtninistra*

tion, ii. 217
-^-^'^^ coal<3ce8 with Mr. Fox; iii

239
Ntyrthingttm, £afl of^ ftbcc^edd Earl

Temple, ii. S44
— — resigns, and is succeeded bjf

the Duke o^ Rutland, ii. 253
— "=- fote of thanks to, proposed

by W. B. t^onsonby, ii. i?54
-— ^ additional salary of 400Q/.

toted to him, but declined, ih
fforthumbtrlandf Earl of, suceeedtf

Lord Haltfai^; ii. 145
Nugent, Earl of, speaKs strongly'

T2

€6if

INDBX.

rn fivour of the commerce of
Ills country, in the British House
of Commons, ii. 179
ifugeniy Earl of conformed in his
youth^ but (lied, a catholic^ ii-

Cal boys, who, ii. 142

— suppressed, ii. 143f

Oates, Titus, favoured by the Eng-
lish government, i. 4-38

— convkred cfP perjury, fined,
whipped^ and pilloried, i. 439

UConndti Charles, his origin of
the Irish language, i. 47-8-9

■ '■ ■ Lord Lylfleron's Ivonourable

tcstirtiony of him, i. 142

— Rev. Mr. his propostd trans-
lation of the Irish annals> i.
133-4-5-^

"* what to consist of, i.l37*8-9

■ his collection of Irish mano-
scripts, i. 139, K-a

— his earnest in favour of the
antiquity of Irish annals, i. 141

■ Arthur, makes a brilliant
lipcech on catholic emancipa-
tion, ii. 365

-• offends his uncle. Lord Lon-

gueville, and resigns }m3 seat,

• tb.

— — proprietor of the Press news-
paper, li, 416

— arrested, tried at Maidstotie,
and acquitted, ii. 417

' the terms on which he and
other rebels submitted to' give
evidence, ii. 497
■* charges Lord Castlereagh
. with deviatingfrom his engage-
ment, ii. 497-8

— signs an advertrsement to
caution the public against cre-
diting the reports published by

. the secret committee, ii. 512
October club, what, H .59 -

Ogbaw characler8,what,i.84-5-tf^

Ogles Mr. with Doctor Duigenan,
opposes the Catholic bills, ii^
333, 353

O^Huray Mr. presents the Catho-
lic petition, rejected, ii. 313

O'Neil, Mr. moves a voteof ihanEs
fo the volunteers, ii. 199

■ moves an address to the
Duke of Pbrllanct, ii.223

strongly rebukes FitzgtbBon

for insolence, ii. 273

presents a petition from Bel-
fast for the repeal of all pcnaF
laws, ii. 315

— votes for Catholics sitting
in parliament, ii. 335

Lord, killed at Antrim, ii.

485
O'Nial, vide Tyrone.
-— Plklim, forged the King's

commission, i. 375

— tempted by the regicides ta
acknowledge his commission
genuine, refuses, and is executed,
1. 397

Opposition y to Lord Norlhington,
pOpufar, ii. 248

loud against government ex-
penditures under the Duke of
I^utland, ii.270

oppose Fitzgibbon's riot act,

ii. 272

•: to the Marquis of Bucking.

h'am, strong, ii.277

largest division on Mr.

Forbes's place bills, ii. 298

— determined to persevere, ii.
301,318

Orangemefif&TSi instituted in 1795,
and how, then* oath or test, ii.
371

— p^— cncrease in number and fe-
rocity in Armagh, ii. 372

encouraged l)y government,

ii. S82-3

INDEX.

605

Orangemen^ their loyal* address to
the public, ii. 42S2

*-— mischief of such societies, ib.

— - according to Mr. O'Connor
they administered the oath of
extermination, and received
money and encouragement from
government, ii. 4215

— ^- dislike Lord Cornwallis, ii.
513

— cncrcase in spite of Lord
Cornwallis, ii. 517-8

' warily abstain from the ques-

tion of union, ii.551

Orde^ Mr. introduces his com-
mercial propositions into the
Irish house of commons, ii. 263

— — disapproves of the clause for

prostrating Catholic chapels,

and denies the riots of the Right

boys to be a popish conspiracy,

• ii.271

— — submits to the house his
plan of education, ii. 273

Ormondj James, Earl of, accused
of infidelity, i. 246

— ' — executed on a scaflTold, i.254

— John, restored to favor and
his estates, i. 260

— Marquis of, devastates part
of the pale, i. 374

■ ' bis commission to meet the

confederates, i. 377
■ obeys the parliamentarian

committee against the King's

commands, ib.
* ■' his massacre in cold blood,

ib.

— marches to Ross with 6000
men in obedience to the Par-
liamentarian committee, ib.

*— — commanded by the King to
negociate one year's cessation of
arms, i. 378

^*— > again commanded to meet
the confederates^ i. 379

Ormonde Marquis of, opposes the
cessation, i. 379

Sir Henry Tichborne's ac ^

count, ib,

— -— disobeys the King's com-
mands, i. 380 3-4

procures from the confeder-
ates a voluntary payment of
30,0001, and a reinforcement of
some thousand men, i. 381

his army opposes the cessa-
tion, and takes the covenant, i.
382

is desired by the confederates

to lead them against the King's
enemies, i. 383

treats with the Scots to join

him against the confederates, i.
384

his perfidy to Glamor-
gan and the confederates, i.
386

refuses to lead the confeder-
ates against the parliamentari-
ans, i. 389, 390

delivers the sword, castle^

&c. to the rebels, i. 389

reads a forged letter to the

lord mayor of Dublin, to induce
him to give up the city sword,
i. 390

settles the price of his trea-
chery, ib.

commended by the Irish par-
liament, ib.

leaves Ireland^ and is then
forced to quit England, ib.
■ returns to Kilkenny, is ho-
nourably received,' dissembles^
and heads the confederates
against the parliamentarian re-
bels, i. 391

opposes the catholics to the

last, i. 392

- concludes a peace with the

606

llfDBX^

confederates only a fortnight
before Charles's deaths i. S92

Ormon^y.Marauis of, proclaims
Charles 11. King at Youghall^
i. 393

*— i— shamefully defeated at Rath-
mines, by Jones, t. 394

" ■ encourages Charles ll, to
take the covenant, i. 39)

*— received 3000/. a- year from
Cromwell, i. 397

' his scandalous misconduct,
i. 897-8

— surrenders his powers to Lord
Clanricardc,and gots to ^rante,
i. 398, 403

« his testimony of CromwelPs

cruelty, i. 400 ,

■ mistrusted by the confede-
rates, i. 395, 401-5

*— reasons for his quitting Ire-
land, i. 404

— encourages Charles II. to ap-
ply to the rope, i. 406

"■r- duke oT, disobeys Charles
II/s commands about the ca-
tholics, i. 423

<^— - resumes the goternment of
Ireland, ib.

* injures his catholic coOntry-
men by the acts of settlement
and explanation, and court of
claims, i. 424

* his ingratitude and injustice
to the Irish, i. 425

* his gains by the rebellion, i.

428, 436
' his influence over Charles II.

i.430
*— opposes the enlargement of

time for holding the court of

claims, i. 432
^— — thwarts Charles's wishes to

favour the catholics, ib.

* boasts of his endeavours
to secure a true protestani

English interest in Ireland, u
433

Ormonde Duke of, detects a
dangerous conspiracy in conse-
qnence of the acts of settlement,
1.434

— — opposes the further persecu-
tion of the catholics, and why^
i. 435.7

— his system of policy, i. 43&
displaced and restored, ib^

^ removed by James II. i. 441
■ 2d duke of, grandson, ap-
pointed lord lieutenant, furtheti
the act to prevent th^ growth of
popery, ii. 40

XOfiOOL put upon his bead,

and attainted for adhering to «
pot>ish pretender, ib*

durst not attempt to seduce

his tenants, or an)r of the Irisb
into bis rebellion, ii. 32, 75

■ heads an expedition in favour'
of (he pretender, from Spain^
against Great Britain, iL 74

Orrery^ vide BrogbilL

Ossian^ aothenticity of, disputed,
i. 52

Ossory, Upper, earfof, moves in
the British house of common^'
in favour of the free trade of
Irefatfid, ii. 190

Parliament^ English, passes an
ordinance against giving quarter
to any ifishtfian taken in hotf*
tility to the parliament, i. 382

-*-i- under William declares thi'
acts of the Irish parliament un-
der James II. to have been acti
of rtbclfion and (reason, i. 45§

— ^ — usurps the right of legislating
over Ireland, i. iS^ 25-7, 55

-— stiles such of the Irish as ad-
hered to James II. rebcllantf
traitors, ii« 27

INQRX.

»f

'PorUametU^ BrtUili» passes an act
lo tfeoure the crown in the pro-
testant line, ii, SS

■ passes the achisin bill) in
1714, ii. S5

■ grants the Irish propositions^

— » passes the bi|l tor union^ ii.

564
• imperial, members of, bow

selecttfd, i'i. 566
—— fri^b, the first, i. 198
«-^- f^evcral at Kilkenny an4

Dublin, i. !21Q
— geveral during Henry IV. i.

834

■ offensive to the Irish, ti.
' of Drogheda, i. 275 '

*- — servility ot; i 292

'■ proctors excluded from, i.

994

lin^rovident acts of, i. S16
f " managed! by Wentwortb, i.

857
•■ . >L the first u*^der Charles II,

how constituted, i. 420
-«— had been none (except that

of James II.) for 26 years till

{jord Sydney convened one fn

I692, ii. 18

■ reprimanded and pror<^ed
by Lord Sydney, ii. I9

■■■ a new one convened by Lord

Capel, ii. 20
--r??^ passes resolutions ^inst the

resienation of members, ii. S6.
— — dissolved on account of whig

prevalence, ii. 53
I ■■ sets a price of 50,000l« on

ihc Pretender, ii. 68
r-«-^ addresses the thrbne against

Wood's patent, ii. 83
^— resolves on .an address of

thanks to the throne^ for ap*

pointing Lord Chesterfield lord-

lienienant^ ii« I09

Par/foifiMl, Irish, all who opposed
the minister (un'der Stone) dis-
missed, ii. I2i

■ message to parliament aboqt
French invasion, and its effectS|
ii. 127

-^— motion for shortening dunh
tion of, ii. 144

two bills, brought in by Mr.

Lucas, for securing its freedomi
lost, ii. 145

— — octeimial bill established^ ii.
156

— U rejects the judges' bill, on
account of alterations intra«
duced into it by the EngKsh
cabinet, ib.

-— — upconstitutionallv prorogued
by Lord Townshena, ii. 161

r- unconstitutional act for try..

ing oQenders out of their coun«
ties, passed under Lord Towns-
hend, and repealed under Lord
Harcourt, ii. 167

i^st odlennial parliament

dissolved in four y)ears> ii^
175

— ^ Mr. Grattan's motion for
legislative independebce nega-
tived^ ii. 21$

-— ^ dissolved in July 1 78S, it.
244

— -^ tote of thanks to the volun-
teers in 178S, ii. 846

n reasons for not convening it

on the regency, ii. 282-3

— ^ desires the* lojd-lieutenmt
(Marquis of Buckingham) to
transmit its address to the
Prinde of Wales, which hig
Excellency refuses, ii. 285

-^i-^ addresses his Majesty on hia
recoveiy, and receives a graci-
ous answer, ii. 288 '

-p— 110 placemen out of SCO
members, ii. 29S

608

INDEX.

Parliament^ Irish, pagscs several
popular acts in 179S, ii. $S9

— adjourns under Lord Fitz-
william to the lOih of April, to
give lime for the new arrange-
ments, ii. 357

■■ prorogued, 5th of June 1 795,

Ii. 367
meets, 2 1st January 1 796, ii.

prorogued, 15th April 1T96,

ii, S76

— convened in October 1796,
ii. 384

— - dissolved, 11th July 1797, ii*
405

— prorogued, Cth October 1 798,
ii. 513

. meets, 22d January 1 799, ii.

— motion for the parliament to

remove to Cork, ii. 537

»■ members of, shift their seats,
ii. 5489

• prorogued on the 1 st of June,

1799, ii. 549

m ■ address of both houses, with
their resolutions, approving of
the antcle« of union, presented
to the British parliament by the
Duke of Portland, ii. 561

■ passes the bill for union, ii.
*63

the last session put an end

to, 2d August 1800, ii. 565

Pamellj Sir John, against union,
ii. 535 '

■ opposes an adjournrpent, ii.
i60

— moves for a dissolution of
parliament, th,

ParsonSy Sir William, iiKlicted for
high crimes and misdemeanors,

. 878

— — Sir Lawrence, opposes the
address wbicti sanctioned the

' measures of the Rutland admi«
nistration, ii. 2T5

Pardons, Sir Lawrence, he and Mr.
Du Qiierry alone opposed Li>rd
Fitzvvilliam's administration, on
the ground of war, ii. 355

moves for an address to Lord

Fitzwilliam, on the rumour of
his recull, ii. 356

— moves a short money-bill,
and fails, ii. 357

moves a censure on Lord

Westmoreland, for sending
troops out of the country, &c.
ii. S66

— moves for increasing the
yeomanfy to 50,000 men, ii.
389.

his motion to go into the

state of the nation, 5th of
March 1798, negatived, ii- 418

— moves for expunging from
the address the paragraph re*
lating to union, ii. 524

— arraigns the minister for
packing a parliament, and
moves an amendment for con-
tinuing the independence of the
Irish parliament, ii. 552

moves for the attendance of

Major Rogers and Sberiflf Der-
by, ii. 555

Partus^ state of, in Ireland, under
James I. i.S44

Patrick, Saint, his existence ques-
tioned, i. 9, 111

-f — sent trom Rome to Ireland,
i. 12

——baptizes King Loagaire, ib.

proofs of his existence, i,

11^-7-8

— his existence denied by Led-
wicb, i. 121

-— — believed by Campbell, j.
128

— bis civil esiimation^ i. 128

INilBX.

609

JPmtriois in Ireland^ who under
George I. ii. 79

— carry important questions on
money-bills, ii. 9», 117

■ ■■■ their cause advanced by the
popularity of Lucas and con vie-.
tioQ of Neville, ii. 119

' their majority of five on the
money-bill, ii. 120

■ many of them recreant from
their pnnciples, ii. 124

— — carry an important question

against the minister^ ii. J 25
' outvoted on the septennial

bill, ii. 145
' fail in their motion about

pensions, ii. I46
■*■ ■ re-attack the pension list, ii.

149 .

' fall off in numbers, ib,

L' ■ their motion to enquire into

the suppression of the heads of

a bill for securing the freedom

of parliament negatived, ii. 150

strong address upon the betds

of the septennial bill having

been arrested by the English

privy council negatived, ii. 1 5 1

— ■■' carry a more moderate ad-
dress laezt day, ii. 152

— two popular bills lost in Eng-
land, ii* 151

' move addresses and resolu-

tions descriptive of the distress
of the country, ii. 173

■ >■ succeed in rejectmg the fo-

reign troops, ii. 172

-» oppose Fitzgibbon's riot act,

ii.272

1. ■ ■ persevere in pressing upon
the popular subjects, ii. 89^*5,
sol, 318

f^aynCf Thomas, his doctrines per-
nicious, ii. 303

T/ep-of'day Boys, who, why so
palled^ ii. 279; 280

Peep'of'day Boys, acauire an as-
cendancy over the defender^ in
the north, ii. 294

— encrease, ii. 325-6

— becorne Orangemen, and
why, ii. 371

— — deteat the defenders at Dia?

mond, in Armagh, ii. 372
P^^rtf^^5, twelve, created by Queen

Ann, ii. 56 *
unusual creation of, in 1777,

ii. 176
'- ■ sale of, under the Marquis of

Buckingham, ii. 29O
■ charged on ministers^ and

defended from want of evidence^

ii. 301

— twenty-seven, created on the
union, ii. 557

Peers^ English, 34, protest againsf

the schism bill> ii 57.
dispute with the Irish peers

about appellant jurisdiction, ii«

73
Lord Moira moves for an

address to the throne, ii.

399-1-2
Irish, thank the Duke of

Ormond for furthering the act

to prevent the growth of popery,

ii. 41
— -* Tories command a majority,

ii.49

address the Queen (Ann)

against the commons, ib.

— address the Queen in favof
of chancellor Phipps, ii. 60

dispute with the English

I>eer8 at)out appellant jarisdip'-
tion, ii. 73

— — - 5, with iord-lieutenant, pro-
test against the ri^t of the
Irish commons to originate mo-
ney bills, ii. 159 •

— — — 15, protest against the ad«
dVess to hit najesty, icft oov^

y

610

INDEX*

linulng Lord Townsend in the
government 9 ii. 164
Peers pass strong resolutiofis
against lacking to money-bills^
"ii. 252

■ ■■ address to the Prince to a<*
i pt of the regency voted> \L
284

..». ■ prot,est against it, ib.
■* protest against union, ii. 524
— «— plan of union carried, ii. 6dS
■■ make some amendments in
the articles oF union, ii, 5G1

■ Duke oi Leinsier aj;>d others
protest against the union- bill,
ii.5G3

Pelbam^ Mr., county and city of
Armagh offer to elect him, ii.
383
— - moves for referring f>apers to

a secret committee, ii. S93
-— ^ sayii neither Defenders nor

Orangemen are rebels, ii.418
*— resigns his office, ii. 420
Pembnih, Earl of, protector
England} i. 181

-< extends Magna Cbarta

Ireland, i. 182
-<—*- his death, i. 183

• Richard, offends Henry, i.

Ill, 185
o'^'— treacherously murdered, i.

186
-r— Earl of, lord-lieutenant in
1707, terms the catholics ene-
mies^ ii, 63
/ Pensions^ motions againit, nega-
tived, li. 146-9
•-^ — resolutions against their
shameful encrease, ii. 177

— mtacked by Mr, Forbes, ii.
266, 276

r bill lost, ii. 272

— list encreased 13,000/. per
annum unoer the Marquis ol
Sycliingb^, ii, S9l

of

to

P«ry, Mr. gained over by Lord

Townshend, ii. 163
elected speaker, li.

- succeeded in 1786 by Mr^
Foster, ii 266

Perro/, Sir John, his prudent ad-

ministratiop, ii. 320
PbenkianSf who, i. 40
. their rtiode of preserving

their record^! i. 144
Phipps^ Sir Coostantine, lordj.

chancellor, his character, ti.53

the Irish Commons present

an address against him, ii. 53,
60

supported by the bouse of

peers and convocation, ii. 60

Pibacbiiy>tbf idem (juod CapercbU
rotb^ 1. 140-1

Pitt, Mr, (afterwards Lord Chat-
ham), addressed by the citiaena
of Dublin on bis resignation, ii.
I 144

William, his administration

esiablished, ii. 955

— — gives a discourauring answef
to the inhabitants of Belfast on
reform, ii 260

■ I introduces Mr, Orde's pro*
positions into (he British house
of commons, ii. 263

— reprobates the former system
of governing Ireland, ii. 264

^— abandons Orde's, and frames
20 other propositions, ib*

-- — his restrictions Oi% the regen-
cy, ii. 281 * ' "' f • • u

— ■ sees the necessity of recon-
ciling Ireland, ii. 345 ' u .

— — - fikciarefi the determination
of the British cabinet to bring
forward catholic emancipation,.
ib. .

asstired Lord Westmoreland

he should npt be removed, ii«
346

lirDBX.

«11

Pr//,Willianri, fixes oh L6rd Cam-
den as his successor, ii. 34<6

* ' his duplicity about Lord
FiUEwiIliam,ft. S46>8^

— — secretly opposes his Lord-
ship, writes to him on the dis-
missal ot Messrs. Wolfe, Tolcr,
and Beresford, ii. S54

^ ' - declares his determination
never to abandon the question
of union till carried, ii. 598

^ — proposes his resolutions for
union, ii. 528 to 5>1

'" ■' his ardour for union not
checked by opposition, ii. 539

■ his pledge to the catholics
for procuring their emancipa-
tion, and cause of his resigna-
tion, ii. 541^

PlaniaiianSf svstem of, instituted

under Elizabeth, i. 383
"^ ' •■"^' ditto, under James, i» 84£

extension of, i. 848

PlautuSf his Punic scene intelli-
gible to the Irish scholar, i.

48-9
Tlunkeitj Oliver^ his execution^
. i 439
PoZfftf bill, unpopular and oppos-

^, ii. ^66
-^— - report -of cdlDiimit tee rejected^

ii. 289
Ponionty^ John, elected speaker^

of the house of commons, ii. 158 '
—-^resigns, ii. 163
*— — George, supports ministers^

ii. 201
-i— moves a vole of thanks to

the throne, ii. 221

■ makes a motion on the
multiplication of places, ii. 297

" • violent against the appoint-
0ient by government to the
office of weigh-master of Cork,
ii.819

•~-> sent for to England to advise

about the Irish Govetnment, ii«
347
Ponson^y^ G.« opposes thesuspen*
sion of Habeas CorpuSj ii. 385

William Brabaxoh, moves

thanks to Lord North ington^ ii.
254

— * his bill for reform in parlia*

ment lost, ii. 343
■ introduces his resolutions oa

reform, ii. 396
— — his exertions against tinion

in concert with the Marquis of

Downeshire, and Lord Charles

mont, ii. 550
Pfipey vide Adrian,

demands tithes of spiritual

promotions in Ireland, i. 189

— -^ excommunicates the lawless
Irish, 217

■ excommunicates queen Eli-
zabeth, 320

Poriarlingt^ Lord, for the ca»
tholic bill, ii. 336

Porter, Sir Charles, his probity:
accused of treason, and acquit-
ted, ii. 22

Portland^ Duke of, lord-lieute«
nam in 1782, ii. 218

' makes a speech from the-

throne to the Irish parliament^
ii. 2M

— — resigns, ii, 231

coaksces with Mr. Pitt, oa

condition of reforming the
abuses in Ireland, ii. 345

— — in favour of union, ii. 561

Portugal f checks on the trade ^
with, ii..200

^— motion on, negatived, ii*
901

Power scour t^ ^avly moves > an
'amendment against the address
for union, ii. 523

PojfningSy Sir Edward, chief go*
vsnior of Irelandi i. g7t

61^

I2l2>SX^

Poytiifif^if Sir Edward, grounds of
h'H appointment, i. 274

-A-*-^ defeats Warbeck'a attempt^
1. 2-78

-* his laws, ib.

Prejudice^ force of, i. 14

■ in favour of Greece and Rome,
i. 2->

Vressy liberty of, Mr. Poster's bill

to restrain, ii. S57
— — newspaper, censured by Mr.

O'DonneU, iif. 416
■ ■ sappressed, 11. 418
PreienaerfBOfiOOi, set on his bead,

ii. 61, 65f 68

■ »■ - proposal toproclami him king

on thedeathofQueenAnn,ii.67

■ ■ ■ recruiting for his service at

Dublin^ ii. 69

— — ex|iedition in his favour un-
der Ormond, planned by Cardi-
nal Alberoni, ii. 74

*■ the young, lands in Scotland,
ii. 106-7

■* - death of the old, at Rome in
1765, ii. 149

Priests y cathol ic, recei ve 40/, per an-
num on conforming, ii. 163

■■ out of 2000, only 9 engage
in rebellion, ii. 454

Prince of Wales accepts of the
regency under restrictions, ii.
283

■ '■ his answer to the Irish ad-
dress, it. 287

■ spoken of as lord-lieutenant,
in order to introduce a system
of conciliation, ii. 387

*— - writes to Mr. Pitt on the
subject, ii. 388

Prosperous^ rebels attack it- suc-
cessfully! ii. 4>34

ProtestaniSy alarmed on the acces-
sion of James II, i* 445

— — disloyal to James II. before
his abdicationi 'u449»M0*i

ProtesianiSj their versatility, i. 4S(P

■ nature of their ascendancy iit
Ireland, ii. 51

— emigrate from the North of
Ireland during Boulter's admi-
nistration, ii. 96

Pnnicj weapons same as Irish, i.

95
Puritans f ascendancy of^ i. 338,

367

oppose the catholics, i, 352

■■ '■ attach the pirotestants to their

cause against the king under
pretext of opposing popery, i*
367

— their spirit, i. 371

Queetiy vide Mary

Elizabeth*

— — Ann* .

Raleigh^ Sir Walter, massacres
600 men at Smerwick, i. 319

Rebellion of Tyrone and Tyrcon-'
ncl, i. 340

in 1641, proclaimed, {• 367

' King Charles's Opinions of/

lb*

different accounts of, i, S73

— — begun by the massacre of
3000 men, women, and children
in Mac Gee, i. 373

— — nut [>recoficer0ed by the Irish/
ii,

— ^ in 1641, offer of the catho-
lics to put it down, rejected, i»
373, 376

in 1715 in Scotland, ii. 70

— fixed for the 23d May, and
breaks out in 1798, ii. 433

-*— ^ becomes more ferocious by
being industriously tinctured
with religious acrimony, ii.441
.442

— extends towards the Soutb^
ii* 444

XHDBX.

6fS

Meiellion breaks out in Ulster,

ii. 484
Itebeht vide Instirgents.
IMmtnui, Revd. John, condemned

and executed, ii 494
Rejcfmj of parliament, national

convention at, Dublin in favour

of/ii« 949
■■ Mr. Flood's ittotion for it, ib.

■ " the Irish confide in the new
ministers, Mr. Pitt, and the
Duke of Rutland, to obtain it,
ft. 256

— petitioned for by several
bounties and boroughs, tb.

■ resolutions in favour of it by
the aggregate meeting of Dublin
sign^ by the tthcriffs, ii. 259

■* ■ committee appointed by par-
liament to enquire into the abu-
ses of the state of representation,
ii. SSO

Mr. Grattan's resolutions ne-
gatived, ii. 334

^ not supported by the people
without, li. 939

Mr. W. B. Ponsonby's bill

for it, lost, ii. 343

■ his resolutions in its favour
rejected, ii. 398

Reformatim begun in Ireland, i.
289

— opposed by Cromer, i. 990
•^— its progress, i. 295, 302

— — • enacted by parliament, i. 311
-— vide //mfy FUL^ Edward

VL^ Mary J and Elizabeib.
Regencjfj limited, carried by Mr.

Fitt, ii. 281
— — submitted to by the Prince

of Wal^, ii. 283

■ ■ ■ ' the feelings of Ireland upon

it, ii. 282
!— — address to the Prince of
Wales voted unanimously, ii.
9H

Rggencyy the address presented to

and answered by the Prince, ii.

287
■■ bill brought forward by the

A nti unionists, lost, ii. 548
Repeaff simple, proposed by Mr.

Eden, ii^ 218
opposed by Mr. Flood, and

supported hyMr.Grattan,ii.399
resoiutions in favour of, by

the volunteers^ ii.> 232
agitated and debated by the

volunteers, ii. 234, 237
Resumption of Irish ^nts, made

by King William, ii. 26*7
Revenue^ Mr. Grattan's motion on

encrease of revenue officers, ii..

296
Revoluttotiy of 1688, brought na

liberty^ to Ireland, ii. 2
a mere conquest of Ireland^

ii.2, 15
— — Edmund Burke's opinion of,

ih.

of France, its effects on Ire-
land, ii. 308

■ ' celebrated by the volunteers

at Belfast, 1 4th of July, 1792,

ii. 307
Reynolds^ the informer, account

of, li. 425
Richard L interferes not with

Ireland, i. 171

his death, i. 174

—— //. sketch of his reign, i. 228
gives the ^rcgal dominion of

Ireland to Robert de Vere, ti.

invades Ireland with much

pomp, i. 929

— — is satisfied with the apparent
submission of the Irish, it.

again invades Ireland, i. 280

— ^ is taken prisoner in Wales^
and deposed, i. S3i

UL his icign and death,

i. 262

«14

brrak

Rigfy, leeretarjr to the Dakc oT
Bedfordy maintains the right
of the British Parliament to tax
Ireland, ii. 170

■ ■ defends the timitfiial promo-
tion to peerages, in 17'77»ii. I/6

Bight boys and^Capt. Righi^ what
and who, ii 268

Riotous proceedings in 1784, ii.
938

Rockej Father Phillip, chosen to
succeed Harvey, ii. 466

^— deceived by the acceptance
of terms promised by Lord
Kingsboroii^h and not ratiliedy
and taken, tu 481

— Edward, a relief general, ii,

468
— — goes to Wexford to summon

all to Vinegar hill, ii. 475
i?M/icrfc'0'Connor, invades Lein-
ster, i. 155

■ his want of resolution, i, 161

■ his death, i. 1 74

Rogers^ Major, threatens to Mow
up the sessions house, at Birr,
wbeve some adti unionists had
assembled, ii. 554

Rowan, Hamilton, found guilty of
a libel in an address to the vo-
lunteers, fined and imprisoned,
ii. 34«

■ escapes from prison ; lOOO/.
set on his head, li. 343

Rutldndy Duke of, succeeds Lord

Northington, ii. S55
— — - addressed by parliament, ii.

056
— — addresses and prorogues the

parliament, May 4, I784,ii. f58

■ his answer to the Sheriffs of
Dublin on presenting theaddress
from the aggregate meetings
•ii. 859

'i— — in his speech to parliament
recommends further considera-

tion oif the commcrdal propisU

tions, ii. Sl>6
Rutland^ Duke of, becomes un^

popular, and is "insulted at the

theatre, ii. 967
-^^^^ hh titath and character, iil

«74

Smmpson^ William, bis rrasoni
t^r Cromwell's hatred to tht
Irish, i. 411

SancboniaibOy who, i. 56

— — • his hsst6ry how preserved^
i. 59

accords ^ith ihte Irish annals^

i. 66-7.8

his authenticity^ and etymo-
logy, i V2

Sauiy Mr. prosecuted for protect*
ing Miss Toole, a catholic
young lady, ii. 1:26

Schomberg^ Duke of, la^leds state
of his army, i* 456

killed at the batthe of ^il^

Boyne, i. 470

Scotland colonised firom Ireland^
i. 82-3

Scott, attorney - general, (after^
wards Lord Clontnel) opposei
the vote of thanks to the volun-
teers, ii. 199

— — in favor of Irish legisiati?e
independence, ii. 984

Scytbiansy their consequenec^ i. 3T

language immutable, i. \Q%

Secret Committer, their report oft
Defehders,United Irishmen,8tc.
ii. 36s

— — appointed to examine the pa-
pers seissed at Belfast, ii. 394

— their report, ii. 395

— examine the chiefs of tfad
rebels in Aug. and Sept^lTeS^
ii. .512

— — - cautions against their re^^
port signed byMes8.0'CoaMf^

»ttllX«

f^*

]Pfiiiiiet,andfMaeMeyeD, appear
in the newspapers, ii. 512
^Ul0n$ent oH Insh lands^ how
contrived under Charles IL» il
423-5 * . -. .

•J— injustice of, i. 423-4-5, 480

■ James IL disposed Co repeal

the acts of settlement, i. 44^5*9

Sbeamy Mt-jisrs. committed for

high treason, and a hloody pro*

ciamation found in their house^

ii. 430

-^-«— Mr.Emmett's evidenceaboul»

ii 431.
— executed, ii. 4d8
Stkiehy^ a Roman catholic clergy-
man, unjustly executed, ii. 140
l^iburngy L/>rd, his motion in
* favour of Ireland in the British
Peers negatived, ii. 189
■ hi8 motion for Irish independ-
ence in the British Lords, ii.
225
Ikkhridan^ R. B. in the British-
' Commons^ moves an ameod-
Ititriii to the address on the ques-
tion ot \inion, ii. 527
■!■ hii resolutions about the free
con^^nt ol parliament rejected,
ii. 632-3
-T! — hit substitutft for unioq re-
jected, ii. 534
iberigk^ of Dublin, Mr. Rettly,
fined and imprisoned, ii. 259,

261 ,

•r petitioned to convene meet*
ings to prepiire addresses to the
throne for ttie removal of mi-
nisters, knd mostly rehjse, it.404
Uimnel^ Lambert, who, i. 9i68
— « his arrival in Dublin, i. 9M
— — proclaimed king, and crown-
ed, tA.
•— again crowned with more

solemnity, i. 268
mmmm hif parliament^ si.

Smmh Lambert, taken prtsonet

in the battle at Sibke, i; S69t
Speaker of the house of Commons^

contest about the election of

Stahyhurst and Sir Christopbe^

Bamewall, i. S\S
— — Mr. iphti Ponsonby ekcted^

iJ. 158 '
*-»- resigns^ iju 163

Mr. Siextou Pery, elected, ib.

of the imperial parliamenti

his speech to the King on the

union, ii. 567
Stafford^ Colonel, betrays Wex^.

ford to Cromwell, i. 400^
Statutes of Edward I. i. 19^

of Kilkenny, i. 224

-— about the King's si^irema^

i. 291
Steel bo^it their origin and sup--

presston, ii. 143
StoAe, battle of, i. 269
Stone^ Primate, his testimony of

Iriiih loyalty, in 1745, iu IQfb
— — is entrusted with the manage-
ment of the English interest, ii«

115
— - his character, ib.
-— ^T- opposed by , his colleague^

Mr. Boyle, ii. 116
— Lord Clare's rensesentatipnof

his administration, t^.
— -» wholly manages the Duke

ofDorset, ii. 120
—^ violent in his measures, \u

121
disffraced and struck off ihe

list of privy counsellors^ ii«
123
— *-- his death, in 1764, ii. 148 •
Strajffird, vide Wemhvarib.
Stfv^gbow, engages for Dermod,

i.l57
— -^ his success rouses Henry's

jealousv, i. 159
— "- his letter to Henry, ib»

€m

imoBx.

Strortgbcwf reconciled with Henry)

i.160
— • appointed sole governor of

Ireland, i. 169
•— — his death, ib,
Swsexy Earl of, extends the pale,

i,307
■' represents to Elizabeth the

bad effects of her measures re*

specting the refonnation, i.SlS
Swan^ Mr. Justice, arrests the

Leinster delegates in the hotrse

of Mr. Oliver Bond, ii. 4^4
Swiftf Dean, his characier of

cfoctor Lesley, i. 443
-— — his character of the Earl of

Wharton, ii. 46
T— - his patriotism and character,

ii.80
-r — his Drapier's letter^ ii.

Tandy f James Napper, secretary
to the society of united Irish-
»en io Dublin, ii« S06

»■ fled to the continent, ii.

■ excepted out of the act of

Amnesty, ii. 501
Tarahf 4eteat of the rebels at, ii.

442
Temfle, Earl, succeeds the Duke

ot Portland as lord-lieutenant,

ii.236
■■ his genera] character and po-

ppjarity, ib.
>. addressed by the corporation

of Dublin, ii. 241
— ■ quits th/a governoient 6d

June, 178S, ii. 24S '
- ■■ thanks of the cpoimons to

him opposed only by S mem»

bers, ii. 246
— — succeeds the Duke of Rut-
land, ii. 275
^-— commends the late system in

his address to the Palltament,
ib.
Templi^ Earl, his secret system, ii,
276

pursues the plan of his pre-
decessor, ib,

" prorogues the parliament

preraatureT>, ii.^277
-— his rigOKOUs scrutiny into the-

subaltern departments, ii. 278
* afraid to convene parliament

on the regency, ii. 281 '^

' instructed from England to

prepare Ireland tor a hmiced re-
gency, ii.2£S
— — reftises to transmit the'ad«

dress of parliament to the, Prince

of Wales, ii. 285

- announces to the Irish par-
liament the King's recovery, ii.
288

- appoints a day of public
thanksgiving, ib.

• opposed and disliked in his

government, ii. 290

■' ■■■ i:orruptt9n of his . govern-
ment, ib.

«»— displaces all who vetted -for
the address to the Prince, ib.

encreases the pension list

by IS^OOQl. per annum, ii. 291-

celebrates the King's reco-
very by a spplerb gala, and in^
vites none who voted for the
address to the Fripce, ib»

-^ — retires secretly from Ireland,-

ii. 292
— r* severe charges againat him

by Mr. Qrattan, ii. 295
— - bis attempt to gain over Mr,

G Ponsonby, ii. 319
— r: — for union, ii. 550
Thurlowj Li)rd, recommeod« (be

Irish judicature hill to he pu%

off|ii.240

IH0BX«

eiT

Thmkw^ Lon^ cwnuaA Earl

Temple, u. MO
TkUame, Sir Heniy, Tide ZiorJ'j-

Justka.
•*— hisacerant of Onnond*s op-

pofittoD to the cessation, i. 379
TifbmmaSf killed by Iightixi^g»

1.67
TUbu^ abolition of agistment,

ii. 101
•««^ resokitiona of the grand jury

of Armagh, in 1808, a§ to titnes,

ii. 103
^-— Mr. Grattan*a resolutions

negatived, \u9H9t

Mr. Fitzherbert's bill for

clergy to recover, ii. 875

-^-* bill intioduced by Mr. Grat*
tan appointing commissioners
to enquire into the suteof tithes,
ii.289

^-<— act to quiet and bar all claims
of agistment for dry and barren
' cattle, and cause of, ii. 562 '

Toffe, Theobald Wolfe, bis trial
and lamentable end, ii. 516

7ori#«, address Queen Ann against
ibe Presbytenans, ii. 47

— prevalent in the Irish Peers,
ii, 49, 79

«4-— ditto in the English Com*

mons, ii. 56-9
»»— dismissed from the councils

of George I., ii. 68
Townshend, Mr. Thomas, (after-

waids Loifd - Sydney) in the

British Commons censures Loy4
!Harcoort'« conduct as to the

4000 men sent to America, ii.

175
^— « proposes a bill tq take away

appellant jurisdiclion from the

couru of Great Brilaui, ii. 238
«— Marquis, lora lieutenant,

system of governing Ireland

when be went over, i^. 152-3

Tbttmsiendf, Marquis, attempt! to
destroy i^t, ii. ^54

'--^ his address in managing the
system and his charactiM', ii*.
155

— — countenances the cry for tep*
tennial parliaments,*!^.

•— - drawn by the populace on the
passing of the septennial bill,
li. 156

— — loses his popularity* ii. 137

— - sends a message to pariia*.
meat about the increase of the
army, ib.

*— * dissolves the parliament, and
after a lapse of 16 months con-
venes a new one, ii« 158

irritated at the resolutions of

the commons in favor of their '
originating money bills, iB.

— — is prevented from protesting
against them in their journals, '
iri59» 162

— — protests in the lords, it.

motion against his sudden-
ly proroguing the parliament
carried by 106 i^ainst 73, ii*
161

-— » prorogues the parliament in-
stantly, tb.

-^— makes many proselytes, ii,
163

■ secures a majority of one
third of the house, ii. 164

finds the fiscal resources of*

Ireland insufficient, ii. 165

r pfocures an increase of lO/.

per annum to popish priests
conforming, rt.

■ makes an interesting speech
on commercial propositions, ii.
264

Trade, resolutions of Dublin and '
Waterford about trade, ii. 183

— — Mr. Gratun moves for a '
free trade, ii. 185

X

w»

iNiy&x#

TfoJif LordNorJth'd jlhrce propo* '
anions upon free trade, ii. 19 1,

■ J n debates upon n in th^ British .

parliament, li. 188 9
TradUhn^ facility of, i, 18-p,??-

■ ■> pot confined to one ^ne pf
patriarchfia i. 19» 20

Troy, Catholic Bishop pf Ossory,
quiets theWhilc-boys, for which
be is thanked by ^verumeAtj
ji, «62

Tj/rcomul^ Earl of, bead of \kt
army, disliked by the protesiautsji
445.-6

•— -^ d'Sposci^ tbe King (JamesII.)
to the ref,eal of the acts of set-
tlement, i. 44^-9

— appoix:^ed lord deputy^ i.
445

his character, ,i. 446^9 .

— summons the loyal Irish to
arm against tl^c rebels, i. 4,.\2

— ^ — his proclamation 10 persuade

|ihc rebels to lay down their armSj .

i. 453
^ — imposes on the Kir\g, i*

461
-: — appointed chief governor by

James, after he had left tbe

country, i. 475
J'yrone^ Earl of, his insurrection^^

i. 393

— forced to submission, 1.327-9
-. — bis insurrection encouraged

by James, i. 332

XJnhn of Ireland with Great Bri-
tain first pnjcctcd under tbe
P,uke of Bedford, ii. I29

■ ■ opposed by the Irish iutccesty
' and productive of riots, iZ»,

■ ■ |!^rd Cornwallis instructed

to bring it about, ii. 5I9
m^ — Mr. Cooke's pamphlet jqd

UQIOD^ ii. 5Spi

new parties, i^ i^fip
-^'^ XesolutipiMi qf itte4)V#0WSl

it, ii. 520-1
^-.^ ditlQ usi 9m1)Ub «8W«t iV

ii 521
— .^ ,diU9 vjiriof^ HpXf^ ,ib 41.

522-3, 554
X ^ i;ecoi^m^|iidq4 i^;sp(K«chiRQnt

the throne, ii. 523
^ — irst qi;^ltiop pf^ Mukd ia^

the Irish fe(?ni, ii. ^^
ditto in the CommqRf bjr.«

majority -pfo^fi^ ^
rejected in tbe CopdanQii^ by

a majority of ^ iL92$
«-*- introduced into tbe Brkiah

Parliament by I«ord Gr«giinUa-

and Mr. IPuDdas, ii. ^^
•-!— Mr.^Fitt jftQ^iam Vw iwf-

lutions on union, ii. 588 to

531
•«>p«^ votesof the l&ritiiBh Commons

in favour oi union ooipaiunifilt-

ted to tbe^ritish P^^fi, iL ^34 *
— -^ various fessolutioDs and fis«

ertions against, ii. 5^7-8
— wished by aome U> be isiri

ricd by awe pf miliuiy disci* <

pline,*ii. 539
— *— jcQnferaoce of -Ae Britisl^'

bouses t\pop it, ii. 549
-m — British PartiapKCkt addp^tt-

the crown for union, ii. 544 6

■ governmfQt pairppage enb*.'

ployed in pros^iylifliag --fcr k,

li. 54a« 55^7
— .«^ unj^stif)abb meatif rfer aad

againat it, ii. 5^0.
articles of, carried in ibe

Iri$h Comn^oni, li. -557
— — * 4itto in the .Ltords, it.. 558
— I— introduced i^to tbe Bmiak

l>aclidment.sii/561
— .— plan of, ppprovod aad acil

to k^jlafldj ii. A^i-2

teSMi:

mv

parUaMtmij U; MB

*— — ireceiVes dl« Miyat artpehl.. ii^

^ ttenv' til 5981
Diif/^ Iritthnien^ first inttttlitioii

^~^ publi Ata daclamciofi df tHtif*
' ik>liticdl> cmtftsv t^sty ailfl c»tnH^

ttttton, Kv SdT
''AM addraM' Adr violttnuiersy ik

^^^-iN- oflfhkJodi t« Mr. GfantM's
reprobating their system of an-
nual partiatDeiltiv and ucihrersat
suffrage, it. MS

^1^*^ net criiiiin«l*i«i 1^, f#.

«i<^— difference beftw^n the- first
Md^cMkst, if* S44

^^-i^ their test origirtatfy tooCned
tc^ pa»'l4kmelitaiv reform, ti» SV6

** ■ Moniie: ih' mimbers^, iK

' SW'

— . their views aceottKn^' to
Mie^s. d^Cotmor, Bmmett, and
Mac Ncven,' ii. 36^ 0

a^^^a^ tlMAT oathy iiw 370

■ how far conntfeted with de-
ftfid^ra, ii. 37^9^

*-— ^ ho^ armed and- organisedi

H.3»l

> tiot gulHyi of having a com*-
mittee of asaaasinatikirt, ii.

ttN^tiommitteesarreSteJ and
their papers seized At Belfastj
ii. 39»

I a^<|(iitltd in l^ix v% ttanl'm
and hiogber^ ii. 394
*-*^ dNcwinteK in UHster in tht
9«niniiter of l?9t» ii. 4<X)

ttieir kaderygive out reports
of iiitiiadtd getterat. massacres^
ii* 40i

Uniled^biaiuiixn^ thelf liegociationsl
with the FVench, ii. 409^

-hnUu^ atgage th6 Dutch to prepare
for the invasion of Ireland,which
leads to Bord^ Duncan *'& vktorv^
U.40^

wish the ministers \o i^ttlajn

ilt tfSbei ii. 4b^

— in 1797 the secrc committjee
re'ports th^lr cause lo be on tiie-
decline, ib^

— charged in the British pfer-
liAmait with intcfi^tions of d;^
sassinations, ii. 410

— *— iSBBolve on a despet^e fiVirty

ii. 414>
-— — memoir of Messrs. 0*Con-

nor, Enimettj and Mac Neven^

it. 36d, 402, 430

betrayed by Reynolds, ii*

4^

their cdrtditct On the seizure

of the Leinster debgate^^ tit
424-3

— *• choose a new dircetory, ii*
4^3

1 betrayed by Captain Atva^

strottff, ib,

— •^-^bill fdr disqUaiilyirtg alt who
had taken the oath from sitting
and Voting in parliament, reject*
ed, ii/545

tlsbetf Archbishop, h^ads the
clergy in declaring against ihe
king's acceptance of the calho^
lics^ offer of 3000 infaniry and
500 cavalry as the prke of tdoK
atry and superstition, i. 353

A*i— e'enters a catholic chapel, Itl
time of divine seryifce, demo*
lishes, acid disperses, 8tCi i. 354

P^eradh/j grOiiiids dfj t. M
Vettkei'^ Colonel 4 makes Jin ho^

notable stand againstthePreach^

ii. 50^ ^..

ASO

IMDUI.

FifTUf used to Goamteaioral^

past events, u51-S
nugar htUj rebeb ettcamp on,

U.461
—— battle of, ii. 478^
Volunti€rs9 origin and cause. of,

ii. 183-4-186
— — encouraged by government,

it. 186
•— in 1 779 tmouDt to 48,000>t&.
•— — Mr. Fox's opinion ofj iL

190
— «— their progress an4 system,

ii. 192-8
.*-*- assert the independence of

their country, ii. 193
.«-— votes of thanks to^ ii. 199»

.246
• government wishes, but fears

to disarm them, ii. 199,
— — conduct and resolutions of,

ii. 207, $09
«-— - their first meeting, ii. 208

■ - address the minoniy in par-
liament, ii. SIO

«— — their resolutions in favor of

simple repeal, ii.232
^— - their addresses, ii. 233
. ■ their delegates graciously re-
ceived in England, ib.
■■ dissentions among them, ih
m debate about simple repeal,
ii. S34

■ agitate the question of sim-
ple repeal with ^ more violence
than the {Mirliament, ii. 237,

convention atj^isbume, ii.

— —* their resolutions,and address-
es for reform^, ii. 245*6

— — supported by opposition^ ii.
248-9

— supposed to h^ive given Mr.
Flood instructions to move for
parliamentary reform, ii. 250

•-*— ptlnegyrized by Mr. Flood^f^.

yUmam% govcpaumt sHcm^

to discredit tfaem, Iji. 856
— — - ImA Cballeno^| objeeti %o

admit tfie catholics to tbe rigbu

of dectioo, ii. MO
— decKne by disscniioii, ik.
— ^2d meedoflt of ibdrddagites,

their proceedmgs less aoimated»

ii. 26S ^

<— — King's answer m&vorable to

tbe delegates, iu 863
«— celebrate tbe Frendi revolu*

tion at Belfast, ti. 807
—f— addressed by the miited Irish*

men, for which Mr. Hamikon

Rowan was impriMiedj ii. 842.

^;(f/!e/cf,UttIe of, 1.859

Walesy vide Prince.

JValboU, Colonel, kUled by the

reoels, ii. 461
Walsby a confidant of Onnond,

who, i. 482
Warleck, Perkin, who, i. 270
•— ^ appears in Ireland, i. 272 ^
— *— his short stay there, and its

effects, ihk:
—^ his first attempt defeated by

Poynings, i. 273
— - marries Lady CatharineGor^

don, i. 260
--o^— lands in. Cornwall, surmK

ders, and is hanged, A.
Warwick^ Earl of, executed, i. 281
Ifiniworib^ (Earl <rf^ Strafford),

dislikes Ireland, i. 335
<— ^ his duplicity to theoatbolica

i. 856
disapproves of maintaining

the army with catholic fines,

it*
r-^- his pride and arrogance, tft.
«— — manages parliament, i. 857
— ^ concurs with Charles in a

direct system of fiand and da*

ceit, i. 359

iKDBX.

«£i

U^iUmarih^XEgth^StvdRni) his

, fiilsehoods^ i. S60

••»-» iostittttes ft high conunission
court, i. 561

— selft*boul the inquisition into
the titles of all Connaught
apiost the act of James I. i.961

— ^ his coFTOpt and despotic deal*

. ' 4j)ga with juries, aherifis, jud^,
&c. i. 36«-d

^— fecalled, hot returned with
additional honor aad power.
1.364

»— alaraied at the Scotch cove-
nanters, a.

^ — raises pooo men, 8000 of
whom were catholics, i. 965

•--^ his testimony of the loyalty
of thecatboKcs, i. 865-8

•— — f roonres surreptitiously his
o«ai encomium to be entered on
the journals, i. S65

^-— the commons protest against

it next session, it,
"^-r— impeached, atuinted, and be-
headed, i* 966

-~ his attainder reversed in 1660,

a.

JTeiimorekmd^ Earl of, succeeds
the Manjuis of Buckingham, ii»

— -— adopts the Marquis of Buck*
mghara's system, il.

■ - proropies and dissolves the
* parliament, \u 800

— seeks popularity, it.

■ ■ communicates to parliament
the Kings approbation of the
iodulgencies concttfed to the
Roman catholics, ii. 820, 840

— - commontcatrs a message to
parliament on the commence-
ment of faoatilities with Fnuice,
ii. 884

— his speech to parliament,
Aagust 10, 1798, vu 840

WBfimarelani, Earl of, addres^^
ed by the catholic bishops, \C
848

su(xeeded by Lord Fitzwil-

Ham, ii. 850

— " asseru in the British bouse
of peers, thai Lord Fitzwilliam
countenanced catholic emanci-
pation with tlie disapimbattoa
of the British cabioet, ii. 849

— — Sir L. Parsons moves a vote
of censure upon him, for having
sent troops out «f the country,
966

Wexford^ Oliver CromwdPa mas*
sacre, i. 400

— ^ nsweg in that county, and
why, ii. 446 to 450-8

— abandoned by the troops and
entered by the rebels, ii« 459,
468

— — their conduct during 8 weeks
possession, ii. 468 to 480

— • atrocities committed by
DixonVii. 470-1-2

— number of protestants en-
creased by the fiigiuves, ii.
471 .

— ten murdered by the rebels
on the eth of June, ib,

-^ consternation on the approach

of the King's troops, ii. 475

" sicic and wounded massacred

' by the King's troops, ii. 479

— evacuated by the rebels, iL
480

— - final dispersion of the Wcx«
ford rebels, ii. 492

vindictive cruelty of the

Wexford men composing the
committee to superintend pio^
secutions, ii. 493-4

WbftrioH^ Earl of; lord* lieutenant,
flatters and deceives the dissent-
ers, and oppresses the catholics^
ii. 45

«22

xililMi

character, by Swift, H. 4f6f
Whiggitm^ pnnciple of, it. nS
Hfbtgs^ taken intt> fittour hj

George f . ii. 68
i— — great defi^ettmi from that

party tn England', ii. SOS'
-— *~ brandco as l>emocrftta ajKJI
' Jacobins, ii. SDS-S
— *^ tteir principles in Ireland

diftrent from ttose in England,

****— comtnand ti Riajority in the

commons, ii. 52-3
Whig Club, established inlVtlahd^

ii. 293
-►•-^ n-ftises to agitate the catholic

questionj ii. S24>
•— — petitions the King, ti. 404
trtiie BaySf origin of, it. 1*36

— attempt to fix the catholics
with the di$loyalt]f attending
their insurrections, ii. 140

*«— - bind themselves by oath to

each other, ii. 141
-^— -> called the Popish insurrec*

tion, iL
^ suppressed, ii. 142

— revival of, it. 262

fFhitti Hawtrcy, gives false in-
formation to create alarm s,ii. 503

■ arrested in consequence, ib.
Jt^bitsbed, chief-justice, improper

conduct of, ii. 80

Witklow^ rising in that county,
and why, ii. 453

WiUianiy (Prince of Orange), na-
ture of his contest with James
II. I. 46a

■ ■ his difBcuhics after his ac-

cession to the English throtie,
i.'465

— sides with the Tories, lb.

■ addressed not to expose his
person in Ireland, i. 406

■■ in consequ^ce prorbgdcs,

an^ dAM&M tlM' Bn^lMl'Iptli^
liament, ih.
0ilikfm (Pritte^ of OlrMgl^) nHl
for Ireland^ witik His 9tihy^ i.

*«r

th« battle <9f tile' Boy^ji

. Willitiii is wefundei*, i 4W
*-— his brtive' condtict^ i^: 4Jft
««-^^-« bis pfogrc«9^ after tlfe^ battle

of the Boyne, i. 475^
--''-^ tnveMs' Limerle^ faifcj vml

i«tnrns «» England; ii 499
— — anxious to termiiMte the

war iti^ Irriand, r. 474 '
— — battle of Aghrim, i. 4?W
-'--- not naturally intelcr^nr, it

4,31
diShmace bctweefi Wtn ml

his parliament, ii. 4
•-*-^' 19 addressed by, and atoswm

the English house of <i6tilttfotis>

li. S
-^^^ willing tolpbiwivb thefsittnihff

of Limenci ii. 9
— — ofiered to the W^ tcnirt

more favourable thto xbti aHi-

deffof Limeric, ii* 13^ •
— *— . thwarted by his EngKsh

parKamcnt, particultfty in the

resumption of Irish srants, it.26
— — senously affected by the-act

of resumption, 114 29
— — his death, ii. 32
— — disliked by the Irish, ilrr
Windsor^ peace oP, i. 166
IVood^ \m halfpetrce, li . 82^*
■ <^ opposed by all parties in htP*

land, ii. 82-3^ 90
— *- his patent revoked, ii. #*
ffhllaghani his trial for xtturder

and acqnitt^il, ii. 514
Wtighty Mt.| whipped, atld itteo*

vers 5D0/. against Afr. Jodkia

Fitzgerald, ii. 428, 446-lF '

Yfherfon, Mf.> (late-Lot^ JL^it^

IN0RX.

ttS

mote) mores an address to the
throne oh the surrender of Lord
Comwallis IB America, ii. 208

Yek^ert^m^ Mr., exposes the inhu-
manity of Mr. Judkin Fitsge-
raid, ii 546

Yeomamyy institution of, in 1796,
ii. 982

— - encrease of, to 50,000, op*
posed by crovernment, ii. S89

■ burn the catholic cbapel of
Boolavogue, ii. 454

- their outrages, ii. 454-5

■ their massacre of prisoners
at Camew and Dunlavin, ii.
456

^— -T threaten to massacre the

prisonerf at Wexford jail, ii.458
— — their excesses and outrages

at Gorey, ii^ 48d
f— ^ pursued by a body of rebels

in consequence, ib.
IP— I heir excesses and outrages

\n the Macopioresi it. 502.^

T0^manfyy their bloody system

E roved on the trial of WoUag*
an, ii.514
— — infamous conduct of some

of them proved in the case of

the King v* JVhite and Goring,

ii. 517.a
York, Richard, Duke of, lord lien*

tenant, i. 247
— — his magnificence and pru«

drutadministratitm, i. 248
•— « disposed against the crown

of Elngland, i. 249
■f- declared protector it.
•^-^ takes the king (Henry VL)

prisoner at St. Albah'si i. f 5CF
■ is defeated at Blore-heath by

Margaret, ii.
— — supported by the Irish, H*
^ — attainted by a parliament al

Coventry, ii.
— - lulled at Wakefield^ i. 2S»

ERRATA..

VOL. I.

14 (ei aKbi in todm ummu) for tra4HclUm read IrctfuecivraC

S fO for engaged read concerned*

89 IT fnr pretmmpHve rend preeumpimout,

tfl[ 18 f ef oKM ifi Mtfem leiifii; forAMfffuarftfii read antif9fn^

i9I 9 for nffrngcM read ntjf^ngemt*

4^ I o^t «/.

VOI4, II.

SI S9 9or Si^jferditnA Streffm^^

898 14 OBitmNf.

400 last oaiUKerc.

-3^

s^;.;;.

/--

it. WtLKt^ Primltr, 89, ClimHctry-ltme, Linitn,

'

i

Q-b.j^r,- s if) 14

::

ii

■;■

i