declaration delivered by the French ambassador to Lord Viscount Weymouth; and that they could not but applaud the measure taken by his majesty, in consequence of that offensive communication on the part of the court of France, in sending orders to his ambassador to withdraw from that court: that confiding in his majesty's paternal attachment to the welfare of his people, and his spirited regard for the honour of his crown, they made no doubt, but he would pursue such measures as might effectually preserve and assert those great objects; and, that as they were conscious no part of his majesty's dominions could exceed his faithful subjects of Ireland in the most loyal attachment to his person and government, so were they persuaded, that his majesty would extend his royal care and attention to the effectual protection and defence of that kingdom; and that they entreated his excellency to assure his ma jesty, that in so doing, he might rely on the most zealous and affectionate support of that house, and that they would cheerfully make good whatever expence should be necessarily incurred thereby; sincerely lamenting that their abilities were not equal to their zeal for the honour of his majesty's crown, and the real interests of Great Britain. That the justice and good faith of his majesty towards foreign powers were too conspicuous, and the sincerity of his wishes to preserve the tranquillity of Europe too well known, to admit of his being responsible for the disturbance of that tranquillity, if his majesty should find himself obliged to resent so unprovoked and so unjust an aggression on the honour of his crown, and the essential interests of his kingdoms. That they made no doubt but his majesty would find abundant resources in the strength of his kingdoms, and above all, in the hearts of his people, to repel every insult and attack, and to maintain and uphold the power and reputation of his majesty's dominions; and that they could not but rejoice, that his majesty's loyal subjects of Ireland had had an opportunity of anticipating the present occasion, by unanimous and uncalled-for assurances of their affectionate zeal and loyalty to his majesty's person and government.

Although artifice and power combined to varnish the appearances of the political state of the country, and to bolster up a false credit, the delusion did not last even three months.*

9 Journ. Com. p. 463. Mr. Foster, according to order, reported from the committee of the whole house, to whom it was referred to take into further consideration the message from his excellency the lord lieutenant, the resolu tion, which the committee had directed him to report to the house, which he read in his place, and after delivered in at the table, where the same was read, and is as follows:...." Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that "for all and every the sum or sums of money not exceeding the sum of 300,000l. to be subscribed in shares of 1007. each, that shall be paid by any "person or persons, natural-born subjects or foreigners into his majesty's

Three hundred thousand pounds were ordered to be raised on the 30th of March, 1778, by a tontine at 61. per cent. And such was the assurance of government upon the proposal of this loan, that when the patriots, upon the conviction of the inability of the country to raise it, moved for reducing it to 150,000l. the proposed reduction was immediately negatived upon a division. Such, however, was the depressed state of public credit at that time, that on the 3d of June Mr. Secretary Heron had the mortification to communicate the following message to the House of Commons.

(“BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.)

66 GENTLEMEN,

"IN pursuance of a resolution of the "House of Commons, entered into on the 31st day of March "last, for raising upon a scheme of life annuities, in the manner "therein mentioned, a sum not exceeding the sum of 300,000% "to be paid into his majesty's treasury, to be applied towards "the necessary expences of government, in putting and main"taining this kingdom in a state of defence, I have given such "directions as appeared to me most proper to carry the same "into execution: and I am sorry to inform you, that it is found, "after the most diligent endeavours exerted for the purpose, "that the sum intended to be raised by that resolution cannot be "obtained upon an interest of 61. per cent. with benefit of sur "treasury, at the instance of his excellency the lord lieutenant, or other chief "governor or governors of this kingdom for the time being, to be applied to"wards the necessary expences of government, in putting and maintaining this kingdom in a state of defence, upon one or more tontine or tontines, scheme "or schemes of life annuities, this house will make good to the person or per"sons so paying and advancing such sum or sums respectively, or to any per"son lawfully authorized to receive the same, annuities of 67. by the year for every 100. subscribed and paid, for and during the lives of the persons to "be nominated by the persons subscribing and paying the said sum or sums respectively, their executors, administrators or assigns, the said annuities to "be made good in the same manner as annuities granted by an act of parliament passed in the session holden on the fifteenth and sixteenth years of his present majesty, intituled, An Act for granting Annuities' in the manner "therein provided, to such persons as shall voluntarily subscribe towards the "raising a sum not exceeding 175,000l. and to be payable at such place or "places, and in such manner, with such benefit of survivorship upon each and "every such tontine or scheme of life annuities, and with all and every such " rights, benefits and advantages, and subject to all and every such regulations "and restrictions as in and by the said act were granted, enacted, made, and "provided concerning the annuities in the said act mentioned, the said annui"ties upon the sum or sums so to be advanced, to be payable half yearly in "equal proportions, on such days in every year, and to commence on such day "or days, and the shares or subscriptions of 1007. each, to be paid at such "times and in such proportions; and the lives for which such annuities shall "be granted, to be nominated within such time or times before the 29th day of "Sept. 1779, as his excellency the lord lieutenant, or any other chief go"vernor or governors of this kingdom, for the time being, shall publicly declare "and appoint."

"vivorship. I therefore thought it incumbent on me, that this "house should be made acquainted therewith, not doubting "that the commons of Ireland, attentive to the honour of his majesty's government, and to the safety of this kingdom, will take "such measures as shall be most prudent to carry the intention "of that salutary resolution into immediate effect."

Pressed as was the British ministry with the unpopular and ruinous contest with the American colonists, now backed and openly supported by France; losing their influence and credit at home; and greatly embarrassed for the ready and efficient means of raising the supplies, Lord North found it incumbent upon him to devise some public measures, that should at least substitute a share of that popularity, which he was now daily losing, and relieve these fiscal difficulties, by facilitating the means of recruiting the navy and army. He was not ignorant of, though he betrayed no public alarm at the diffusion of the American spirit of liberty through all ranks of people in Ireland. He also too well knew the national grounds of discontent and misery, which stretched over the whole surface of that kingdom. It may have been uniformly remarked throughout this history, that the Irish have been ever profusely grateful for every thing, that had come to them in the form of concession and kindness; but the reluctant boon wrung out of the grasp of power by extreme distress, can never be received, or returned with fair sensibility. The blame of having long withholden ought not however to efface the whole merit of late or partial concession. To the administration of Lord North must be given the singular and important credit of having first opened the door of liberality to the Irish Roman Catholics, in the face of a very powerful and determined opposition. It fell to his lot, to experience the fatal effects of former emigrations from Ireland to America: it being a fact beyond question, that most of the early successes in America were immediately owing to the vigorous exertions and prowess of the Irish emigrants, (chiefly from the North) who bore arms in that cause. He accordingly adopted the wise policy of engaging the affections and gratitude of the Irish people, by allevi ating in some degree the immediate cause of their soreness and discontent.

The progress of the American contest had afforded a strong practical lesson to ministry of the importance of national harmony at home. It was resolved therefore in the cabinet, that some popular measure of toleration should be brought forward in each parliament. But the mind of the public was not yet so broken in to this liberality, that the minister dared to submit it to parliament as a government measure. He well knew, that the patriots in both parliaments would support the proposition, and that it would be carried by the natural and unbiassed majority, from the moment that the minister's assent gave freedom of voting to all

his adherents. The English House of Commons being in a committee to take into consideration the acts of Parliament relating to the Irish trade, the Earl of Nugent observed, that from a long series of unshaken loyalty the Irish were entitled to every encouragement which good and faithful subjects could deserve, and a wise and grateful government could give; oppressive laws had hitherto been their only reward; he did not, however, mean to complain; if he did, his generous countrymen would disavow his complaints: they then saw Great Britain in distress; that silenced their resentment; and, forgetful of their wrongs, unsolicited they now made a tender of their lives and fortunes for the service. If the narrow policy of Great Britain had not kept them low, they would have sent over something more substantial than addresses; their armies would arrive here for our defence. Would the Parliament of Great Britain suffer every sentiment of gratitude and justice to be inactive in their breasts? Would they become deaf to the voice of policy? He trusted, he was sure, they would not; and he had not a doubt but the house would give ample proof, that they were not void of discernment to see, nor of inclination to reward merit. He had taken a view of all the laws, which bore hard on Ireland, and, trusting to the justice and humanity of the house, he had drawn up a few resolutions which he hoped the committee would adopt. His lordship then moved, that the Irish might be permitted to send on board of British vessels, navigated according to law, to the coast of Africa, and our settlements abroad, all sorts of Irish manufactures, woollen and woollen clothes excepted.† Mr. Pelham professed himself a well wisher to Ireland; and said, that no man had a greater respect for that kingdom than he had; he was not, however, without his doubts, that the present measure would be highly detrimental to the manufactures of this country the taxes in Ireland being low, and labour cheap, the Irish would be able to undersell us, and thereby ruin several of our trading towns.

Lord Beauchamp begged leave to set the honourable gentleman right. The taxes in Ireland were many and high; and, proportionably to the means of paying them, considerably greater than in England. Some gentlemen who had travelled into 8 Eng. Deb. p. 206. This committee sat on the 7th of April, 1778. t8 Eng. Deb. p. 208. Lord Nugent then made another motion, That the Irish might be permitted to import all sorts of ware and merchandise from the coast of Africa, and plantations abroad, indigo, tobacco, and sugar only except. ed. The word sugar was inserted by his lordship, merely to prevent an opposition from the West-India merchants; but on the motion of Lord Newhaven, it was left out, and the motion passed Nem. Con. Lord Nugent again moved, that glass manufactured in Ireland might be exported by the Irish, except into Great Britain; and that Irish cotton, might be imported duty free into Great Britain. These motions passed unanimously. Mr. Burke then moved, that Irish sail cloth might be imported into this kingdom duty free. motion likewise passed Nem. Con.

This

Ireland, had, from the opulence of its metropolis, and the unbounded hospitality of the people of fashion, formed very unjust ideas of the real state of the kingdom: it was reduced by oppressive laws to a wretched situation; their loyalty was, however, superior to every other selfish consideration; they saw nothing but our danger; and though our acts had banished into foreign countries numbers of their brethren, and left them in a miserable state, still they were willing to strain every nerve to serve us in the moment of distress: a braver, more generous, and more loyal people was not to be found; he flattered himself, therefore, that they would be treated by the house according to their high deserts.

Mr. T. Townshend expressed his warm approbation of the motion; was happy to see the mist of prejudice begin to disperse; would be happy to give the measure a broader bottom; though as steadfast a Protestant as any gentleman in the house, he declared he should be glad to see some means adopted to grant such indulgences to the Roman Catholics of Ireland, as might attach that great body of men to the present government: their affections had been alienated; he wished to recal them by indulgent behaviour.

Lord North, adverting to what Mr. Townshend had said, declared he would with all his heart concur in any measure, that could tend to answer so desirable an end; but it was not their province; it was the province of the parliament of Ireland; the laws which were so severe against the Roman Catholics had originated there, and redress of domestic grievances should of right originate likewise from them; and he was of opinion, that the Irish parliament would see where the grievance lay, and redress it, for there was not any where a people of more liberal sentiments than the Irish. The penal laws of Ireland were the consequences of apprehension, which, however groundless, al ways adopts the most cruel and severe policy. The Irish com plained, and complained with justice; but it must be left to the candour of their own parliament to grant such indulgence to the Roman Catholics as their loyalty deserved: he requested the house would agree to that, which was in their power, and their province to relax the trade laws would benefit the Irish, and ultimately enrich ourselves; embarked in the same cause with us, they cannot be called our rivals in trade, but their rivals were our rivals. The exceptions of woollen cloth he would say nothing to; it might not, perhaps, be just; but it was a point given up by the Irish, and confirmed by an ancient compact: if it should be found in the course of the proceedings on this bu siness that any other exceptions were necessary, the house no doubt would make them. Upon the whole, the motion should meet his hearty concurrence.