The Protestants were so much alarmed at this bold procedure of the Catholic Convention, in issuing writs for electing a general convention, that the grand juries, at the summer assizes, 1793, encouraged by the conduct of government, entered into violent resolutions, condemning it in severe terms; and declaring, that they would maintain the constitution, as it then stood, against all hostile attacks, particularly against the dangerous effects of republican principles.

The Roman Catholics assembled in July, the same year, in a general meeting at the town of Wexford, and defended the plan of election, and retorted with much acrimony on the resolutions of the Protestants.* On the 17th of August, they submitted a case to some respectable barristers for their opinion, to know, whether the plan adopted, for summoning a Catholic Convention, was legal and constitutional ? and they answered in the affirmative. These opinions and answers were published in the public prints, in order to give confidence and courage to the leaders of the party, at that time very active in many parts of the kingdom

See Appendix,

in rousing the people to a sense of their thraldom.

The permanent representative Committee continued to debate for some time; with the doors of the house in which they assembled, closed; and they framed an address to the King, containing a modest and feeling statement of their grievances, which they forwarded by five delegates. Messrs French, Deve-reux, Bellew, Byrne, and Keogh.

Having gone round by Scotland, they were shown every possible respect and attention in the different towns in the north, by all ranks of their Presbyterian brethren, who regarded the object of their mission as conducive to promote their wishes of creating a general union. among Irishmen, and of doing away the odious and baleful effects of religious bigotry which had so long separated them.

The following account from the "Northern Star," may give an idea of the warm reception they every where met with from that great and liberal body, who to their immortal honour, were the first to dissipate the cloud of religious prejudice, that had for ages overpowered. the good sense of their countrymen in general..

BELFAST, Sept. 12th, 1793.

"At nine o'clock this morning, the delegates from the Catholics of Ireland, who were elected to present their petition to the King, arrived at the Donegal Arms in this town, on their way to London. Immediately on their arrival being known, a number of the most respectable inhabitants waited on, and breakfasted with them. They remained here about two hours; and, on their departure, the populace, who had assembled in the interim, took the horses from their coach, and drew them a considerable way out of town; and then permitted the horses to be put to, amidst the loudest huzzas of "success attend you," "union," "equal laws," and "down with the ascendancy." The delegates politely returned thanks for this strong mark of their affection and declared their determination to maintain that union which formed the strength of Ireland."

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Shortly after the arrival of the above mentioned delegates in London, they were introduced to the King by the Secretary of State, accompanied by Mr. Edmund Burke, a most determined champion for catholic emancipation.

It is well known, that great sums of money were, on this occasion, bestowed to such persons about the court, as were supposed able to influence the royal ear in favour of the petitioners.*

The deputation was graciously received by his Majesty; but the protestants of Ireland were invited to meet in their several counties, and to declare their opinions concerning the

* What confirms this belief, is, the following extract from Mr. Keogh's speech in the debate of the Catholic Convention, previously to the presenting of the petition; wherein he says, "That, from the negociation going on at the foot of our throne, there was every reason to expect, that, though a great and vast catalogue of restrictions would be retained, yet suffi cient would be removed, to afford protection to all classes of our people."

"I now come to what is more pleasing; that is, to state my opinion, that the time is not remote, when we shall meet to join with heart and voice, in the sincerest gratitude to Parliament and to Government. When that day arrives, and it will soon arrive, you will then prove your just and unfeigned gratitude to your deliverers, to government, to the legislature, to the illustrious men who espoused your cause in Parliament, to the noble, patriotic, and enlightened citizens of Belfast, the first (let it never be forgotten) who came forward as a body to apply to parliament for our relief."

From the confidence with which Mr. Keogh expressed himself, we may infer, that he knew that their ambasador in London, from his munificence, had received secret assurances from high authority, that they would succeed in their expectations.

emancipation requested by their catholic bre-thren, in order, as was supposed, that the legislature might regulate its determination, at least in some degree, according to these opinions. Notwithstanding that great pains were taken by pamphlets and speeches, to convince them of the contrary, the protestants mostly feared, that the catholics, if once admitted into a participation of power, would avail themselves of their superiority of number, and subvert the protestant interest.

The critical and dangerous state of public affairs, was seen into by the Earl of Moira, and a few others of the virtuous and enlightened nobility; who, with the most patriotic enthusiasm, hurried over from Great Britain to their native country, and in their places, in the Legislature of the kingdom, proposed conciliatory measures to allay the threatening discontents. But, unhappily, the infatuation of the Irish Parliament, prevented their advice being attended to.

No means were omitted now by the principal oppositionists in Ireland, of cherishing the animosities already excited against the catholics. This may be fairly concluded from