Memoirs of the Life and Times of the Rt. Hon. Henry Grattan

existed in 1804,* as well as in 1801, and therefore resignation at one period should have been a bar to acceptance of office at the other; but Mr. Pitt went even farther than this; for in the debate of 1805, he stated that the cause of his resignation had operated so strongly on his mind, that he never would be a party to bringing forward the measure on any future occasion (evidently alluding to the enmity of the King). It is manifest that these papers were intended to cover his retreat, and that of Lord Cornwallis, from a very inglorious and disgraceful proceeding. In the debate in 1805, the words used by the minister were, that he gave no direct pledge to the Catholics, but he distinctly violated the written pledge given in the following document, of what sort soever it was really meant to be. On the whole, it was a ministerial manœuvre very little creditable to any party-a species of jugglery in which, if the minister contrived not to break his word, he went as near to it as he could; and the only difference seemed to be between a person not deceiving you, but suffering you to deceive yourself. Mr. Cooke's letter, and the memorandum by Lord Cornwallis, as produced by Lord Castlereagh in his speech on the Catholic question on the 25th of May, 1810, are prefixed to the documents, as they appertain to them, and illustrate the transactions of 1801. It is observable that it was on the 13th of February of that year, scarce six months subsequent to the passing the act of Union, that these proceedings occurred, Lord Castlereagh having then applied to Lord Cornwallis for the documents.

Dublin Castle, March 3rd, 1801. MY DEAR LORD,-In answer to the queries stated in * Mr. Pitt accepted office in May, 1804.

your lordship's letter to the Lord Lieutenant of the 26th instant, his Excellency has directed me to inclose to you the statement which accompanies this letter, and which has been prepared according to his Excellency's directions. I am ever, my dear Lord, most truly, your Lordship's servant, E. COOKE.

Viscount Castlereagh, &c. &c.

MEMORANDUM.

WHEN it was notified to the Lord Lieutenant that Mr. Pitt, Lord Grenville, Lord Spencer, Lord Camden, Mr. Dundas, and Mr. Windham, had requested permission to retire from his Majesty's councils, upon their not being sanctioned in bringing forward such measures as they thought essential to secure to the empire the full benefit of the Union, the most important of which measures was a concession of further privileges to his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects, his Excellency conceived that it was expedient that the Catholic body should have an authentic communication upon a subject so deeply affecting their situation and interests, and so calculated to influence their future conduct.

His Excellency had long held it as his private opinion, that the measure intended by those of his Majesty's ministers who were retiring from office was necessary for securing the connection of Ireland with Great Britain. He had been, however, cautious in his language on the subject, and had studiously avoided any declaration to the Catholics, on which they could raise an expectation that their wishes were to be conceded. Through the whole measure of the Union, which was in discussion for two years, and during which period every effort was made to procure a resistance to the measure on the part of the whole body of the Catholics, no favourable assurance or promise was made to them.

Their judicious conduct, during that trying period, confirmed his Excellency in the opinion, that every measure tending to secure their attachment to the empire in future, which they had in this instance so essentially served, ought in true policy to be attempted.

His Excellency did, therefore, recommend it to his chief secretary, who was engaged with his Majesty's ministers in the course of the summer in England, to second every

disposition for effecting the object of the Catholics, at the same time he retained a prudential reserve to the Catholics during the progress of the discussions of the cabinet.

His Majesty having approved of the solicitation of the majority of his Majesty's ministers to retire from his Majesty's councils, his Excellency having requested that his Majesty would extend to him the same indulgence, it became a matter of public duty for his Excellency to explain to the Catholic body the sentiments which had been held with respect to them, and to inculcate the line of conduct which, in this arduous crisis, it became them to pursue.

His Excellency, therefore, being apprised of the sentiment held by Mr. Pitt, did, on the 13th February, send for Lord Fingal and Dr. Troy, and gave them two papers, to be by them circulated among the principal Catholics in different parts of Ireland.

The first, his Excellency felt assured, corresponded with Mr. Pitt's sentiments.

And the other conveyed his own private sentiments, formed on the speeches and conduct of many of the most eminent characters of all parties and distinctions.

It being of great importance that any communication made by his Excellency should not be misunderstood or misinterpreted, and that it should make a due impression and produce a general good effect, his Excellency preferred a written to a mere verbal communication; which might have been ill reported, and might have been subject to perversion, according to the inclination or capacity of those who should circulate and receive it.

His Excellency has seen a happy result from this mode. of proceeding. Rumours having been transmitted from England that the wishes of the Catholics were likely to be acceded to, every ill consequence from their disappointment has been obviated: and there is now every reason to believe that they will take that line of conduct which the well-wishers to his Majesty's service and the cause of the empire could desire.

THE FOLLOWING WERE MR. PITT'S SENTIMENTS.

The leading part of his Majesty's ministers, finding insurmountable obstacles to the bringing forward measures of concession to the Catholic body whilst in office, have felt it impossible to continue in administration under the inability to propose it with the circumstances necessary to e carrying the measure with all its advantages: and they

your lordship's letter to the Lord Lieutenant of the 26th instant, his Excellency has directed me to inclose to you the statement which accompanies this letter, and which has been prepared according to his Excellency's directions. I am ever, my dear Lord, most truly, your Lordship's E. COOKE.

servant,