other wish than to settle them in the way that may be most for the real advantage of both countries, whose interests cannot be distinct *. This is very general, indeed, and if this language came from persons whose principles were less known to you I should not expect you to consider it as any thing but mere words; as it comes from those. of whom I know your good opinion, I trust it will, pass for something more. All we desire is fa-, vourable construction, and assistance as far as is compatible with your principles; for to endea vour to persuade men to disgrace themselves (even were it practicable, as in this instance I know it is not) is very far from being part of the system of the ministry. The particular time of year at which this change happens is productive of many great inconveniencés, especially as it will. be very difficult for the Duke of Portland to be at Dublin before your parliament meets; but I cannot help hoping that all reasonable men will concur in removing some of these difficulties and that a short adjournment will not be denied if asked. I do not throw out this as knowing from any authority tha, it will be proposed, but as an idea that suggests itself to me, and in order to shew that I wish to talk with you and consult with you in the same frank manner, in which I should have done before I was in this situation,

1

This explicit admission of the principle upon which the new ministry meant to proceed, was a great cause of its acceptance by all parties in Ireland.

so very new to me. I have been so used to think ill of all the ministers whom I did know, and to suspect those whom I did not, that when I am obliged to call myself a minister, I feel as if I had put myself into a very suspicious character; but I do assure you I am the very same man, in all respects, that I was when you knew me, and honoured me with some share in your esteem; that I maintain the same opinions and act with the same people. I beg your pardon for troubling you with so long a letter; but the great desire I feel in common with my friends, that we should retain your good opinion, must make my apology,

"Pray make my best compliments to: Mr Grattan, and tell him, that the Duke of Portland and Fitzpatrick, are thoroughly impressed with the consequence of his approbation, and will do all they can to deserve it. I do most sincerely hope that he may hit upon some line that may be drawn, honourably and advantageously for both countries, and that, when that is done, he will shew the world that there may be a government in Ireland, of which he is not ashamed to make a a part. That country can never prosper, where what should be the ambition of men of honour, is considered as a disgrace *. I must beg pardonagain for the unconscionable length of this letter. I do assure you, my dear lord, that there is no

* A noble maxim; and worthy the constant recollection of all men called upon to act a part in the councils of any nation.

one who more values your esteem, or is more solicitous for the continuance of it than besitisho et bra los

"Your very obedient humble servant,

It

may easily be supposed that the patriotře party in Ireland, and with them the p people, of Ireland, were elevated with the most sanguine hopes of accomplishing their long wished for end, under the auspices of a ministry so constituted, and it may be equally supposed that with such dispositions towards the welfare of Ireland, on' the part of the administration, no unnecessary delays would take place in conferring whatever Boon was meant to be bestowed. On the 14th of of April, the Duke of Portland arrived in Dublin, and immediately took upon himself the government of Ireland. He was received with excessive demonstrations of joy. When the parliament met, on the 16th of April, the galleries and bar of the house of commons were crowded, and expectation was raised to enthusiasm. As soon

as the speaker had taken the chair, Mr. J. H. Hutchinson, his majesty's principal secretary of state, rose, and announced that he was charged by the lord lieutenant, to communicate a message to the house. The purport of this message was to recommend to the house, to take into its con

sideration the discontents and jealousies prevailing in the country, with a view to their final adjustment. After the message was read, he mentioned' Mr. Grattan, in terms of the highest respect, and said, he must ever live in the hearts of his countrymen; that the present age and posterity would be indebted to him, for the greatest of all obligations, and would, but he hoped at a great dis tance of time, inscribe on his tomb that he had redeemed the liberties of his country.

Mr. George Ponsonby, moved "That a dutiful and loyal address should be presented to his majesty, thanking him for his gracious message, and assuring him, that his faithful commons, would imi mediately proceed upon the great object he had recommended to their consideration."

Mr. Grattan rose to move an amendment; and prefaced his motion with the following masterly and eloquent harangue, whose insertion here will amply repay perusal, and help to diversify the some times barren details of history, with the most brilliant effusions of genius.

MR SPEAKER,

"I shall state my reasons for changing the form, and enlarging the substanceof the address proposed by the right honourable gentleman, and hope to induce the house rather to declare that they had considered the cause of jealousy, and that they were contained in my original motion for a declaration of rights, which I shall now inove as an

52 Progress of Ireland in her struggle for liberty. amendment. I have thrown the declaration of rights into the form of an humble address to the throne and have added other matter that calls. for redress. I have done this in a manner which I conceive respectful to the king, reconciling to the pride of England, and with all due tenacity of the rights and majesty of the Irish nation; and if I sink under this great argument, let my infirmity be attributed to any cause, rather than a want of zeal in your service-I have troubled you so often on the subject of your rights, that I have nothing to add; but am rather to admire by what miraculous means and steady virtue, the people of Ireland, have proceeded, until the faculty of the nation, is now bound up to the great act of her own redemption. I am not very old, and yet I remember Ireland a child; I have followed her growth with anxious wishes, and beheld with astonishment the rapidity of her progress, from injuries to arms-from arms to liberty. I have seen her mind enlarged, her maxims open, and a new order of days burst in upon her. You are not now afraid of the French, nor afraid of the English, nor afraid of one another. You are no longer an insolvent gentry, without privilege, except to tread upon a crest fallen constituency, nor a constituency without privilege, except to tread upon the catholic body; you are now a united people, a nation manifesting itself to Europe in signal instances of glory. Turn to the rest of Europe, and you will find the ancient