XXI. "Resolved unanimously, That we lament that una"voidable business of consequence prevented our late chair"man, Colonel William Irvine, from attending this meeting; "and that the thanks of this meeting be transmitted by our secretary to Colonel William Irvine, for his polite letter of "excuse, for his non-attendance this day. ་་ "JAMES STEWART, Colonel of }Chairman. JAMES DAWSON, Captain of Secretary "the Orier Grenadiers, Colonel James Stewart having left the chair, Colonel Robert Stewart, of the First Independent County of Down Regiment, was unanimously called thereto, and having taken the chair accordingly. XXII. "Resolved unanimously, That the particular thanks "of this meeting be presented to Colonel James Stewart, for "his very great propriety of conduct in the chair. "Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be "presented to our secretary, Captain James Dawson, for his "very particular attention and ability in the discharge of the "duties of his laborious office of secretary to the volunteer "association of this province. "ROBERT STEWART, Colonel Chairman. On the 14th of October, 1783, the new Irish parliament met, when Mr. (now Lord) Pelham, the secretary to Lord Northington, proposed Mr. Perry, who was again elected speaker unanimously. The lord-lieutenant opened the session with the following speech; "MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, "IT is with more than ordinary satisfac ❝tion, that, in obedience to his majesty's commands, I meet "you in the full possession and enjoyment of those constitu"tional and commercial advantages, which have been so firmly "established by your last parliament. The sacred regard, on the "part of Great Britain, to the adjustment made with Ireland at "that period, has been abundantly testified by the most une"quivocal proofs of sincerity and good faith. It will ever be my wish, as it is my duty, to promote the "mutual confidence of both kingdoms, and the uniting them in "sentiments as they are in interest, such an union must produce "the most solid advantages to both, and will add vigour and "strength to the empire. "I sincerely congratulate you on the happy completion of "his majesty's anxious endeavours to restore the blessings of 11 Com. Journ. p. 11. " " peace to his faithful people. The establishment of the public tranquillity is peculiarly favourable at this period, and will naturally give spirit and effect to your commercial pursuits. "Both kingdoms are now enabled to deliberate with undivided "attention on the surest means of increasing their prosperity, "and reaping the certain fruits of reciprocal affection. "I have the highest satisfaction in acquainting you of the "increase of his majesty's domestic happiness, by the birth of "another princess. "GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, "I have ordered the proper officers From thence you to lay the national accounts before you. "will be enabled to judge of the circumstances of the kingdom; " and I rely upon your wisdom and loyalty to make such provi"sion as shall be fitting for the honourable support of his ma"jesty's government. 66. "MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, "THE miseries of an approaching fa"mine have been averted by the blessing of Divine Providence 26 upon the measures, which the privy council advised; the good effects of which were soon visible, in the immediate "reduction of the price of grain, and the influx of a valuable "and necessary supply to the market. Any temporary infringe"ment of the laws to effect such salutary ends, will, I doubt not, "receive parliamentary sanction. "Among the many important objects which demand your "attention, I recommend to your consideration laws for regu"lating the judicature of the court of admiralty, and for mak"ing a new establishment of the post office. "The linen manufacture being the staple of your country, "it is needless for me to recommend perseverance in the improvement of that most important article. "The fishery on your coasts will claim your attention as a "promising source of wealth to this kingdom, and the encouragements granted' to it, will, no doubt, be regulated by you "in the manner most likely to produce the best effect, and least "subject to fraud and imposition. "The Protestant charter schools, an institution founded in "wisdom and humanity, are also most eminently entitled to your t care. "I recommend likewise to your attention the proposals adopted by government for providing an asylum for the dis"tressed Genevans. It well becomes the generosity of the "people of Ireland, to extend their protection to ingenious and "industrious men, who may prove a valuable acquisition to this (6 country, which they have preferred to their own. But in " forming this establishment, you will doubtless consider it as "a part of your duty to avoid unnecessary expence, and ultimately to secure the utmost advantages to your country. 66 "I anticipate the greatest national benefits from the wisdom " and temper of parliament, when I consider that the general "election has afforded you an opportunity of observing the "internal circumstances of the country, and of judging by what regulations you may best increase its industry, encourage its "manufactures, and extend its commerce. "In the furtherance of objects so very desirable to your"selves, I assure you of every good disposition on my part; "sensible that in no manner I can better fulfil the wishes and "commands of our gracious sovereign, than by contributing to "the welfare and happiness of his loyal subjects. With an "honest ambition of meriting your good opinion, and with the "warmest hope of obtaining it, I have ventured upon my present " arduous situation; and with sentiments pure and disinterested. "towards you, I claim your advice, and firmly rely upon your "support." Lord Sudley moved the address of thanks to the crown, and was seconded by Mr. Totnum Loftus; to which no opposition was given. His lordship moved also on the first day of the session, an address of thanks to the different corps of volunteers in Ireland for their effectual support to the civil magistrates in suppressing all tumults and riots, and preserving peace and good order throughout the kingdom. And it was resolved nem. con. that the thanks of that house should be given to the volunteers, for the spirited endeavours to provide for the protection of their country, and for their ready and frequent assistance of the civil magistrate in enforcing the due execution of the laws. And the sheriffs of the different counties were ordered to communicate this resolution to the different corps within their respective shrievalties. This appears to have been a guarded motion on the part of government, calculated to prevent any other motion, likely to have been dictated by the intemperance of some volunteer member, that might have attributed very different effects to the armed associations, as very different effects were unquestionably produced by them, than the mere suppression of riots: for we read of few that existed from their arming up to that period (except in the south, where they were suppressed by the army.) On the second day of the session, Mr. Gardiner moved a vote of thanks to the late governor Lord Temple. He said, that this nobleman had received addresses of thanks from every county in that kingdom, for his conduct as chief governor, as each of his public measures carried with it so much wisdom and integrity; and in his private character he had concurred in every thing tending to the interest of Ireland; and had laid down such plans, as would have been a national benefit, had he continued in the government of that nation: that he had been addressed from persons of all ranks whatever; and that nothing but the sanction of this house was necessary to render the thanks of the people of that country universal. Mr. Cuffe seconded the motion, having been witness to the many anxious days and nights he had spent in preparing plans to promote the welfare of that country, which, had he staid long enough in Ireland to have put in execution, would have been highly approved of. *Mr. Adderly opposed the motion, and assigned his reasons for dissenting from the vote of thanks. He would be glad to know what good he had done for Ireland: he insisted he had done nothing meritorious. The addresses presented to him were procured by himself. Sir Henry Cavendish said, he could very well suppose that some gentlemen had opportunities of knowing the integrity and wisdom of Earl Temple; but in his opinion, it was fit the house should have authentic evidence of it before they passed a vote of thanks to Lord Temple, who never met parliament. In his opinion, this question should be postponed for a few days; they would then see whether he had the economical hand, which had been mentioned. Public fame had not spoken of Lord Temple, as he has been spoken of in that house; public fame represented him as a jobber. Mr. St. George also opposed the resolution proposed observing, that there were some characters of such a nature, that the less he said about them the better; and he looked upon Lord Temple, as a chief governor, in that light: that with respect to the department, to which he belonged, his lordship left the *Three gentlemen only out of the whole House of Commons, stood forth in the invidious light of opposing this vote of thanks. Mr. Adderly assigned as his reason for it, the lord-lieutenant's cruelty in prosecuting him as a defaulter to government, notwithstanding his clerk at the barrack board had owned the embezzlement, and he had promised to make good the deficiency in some few months. The attorney-general, and some others, treated both Mr. Adderly and Sir Henry Cavendish, as debtors to the king. The latter denied it and Mr. St. George boasted that Sir Henry Harstonge for Cork, Mr. John Beresford for Waterford, Sir Samuel Bradstreet fr the City of Dublin, answered for the addresses to Lord Temple being spontaneous and unsolicited. Mr. Adderly, in explanation, confined himself to the addresses of the Roman Catholics: and he said in debate, that he verily believed he was no Protestant, because his carriage had been seen near the door of a Catholic chapel. (2 Parl. Debates, p. 12.) The honourable member was probably more sore at the lieutenant's communications with the crown solici ter, than with a priest in the confessional. establishment of the barracks greater than he found it, and under his own new ideas of reform had laid the foundation of a considerable increase of expence to the kingdom under that head: that he admitted his lordship deserved praise for his great assiduity in business; and he believed he could not be charged with want of integrity to the public; but that he doubted his wisdom, for he certainly wanted judgment; that in his opinion, there had not been any lord lieutenant there during the present century, more unfit to govern that kingdom as a representative of majesty, than Lord Temple; for he was of an arbitrary disposition; and if he had remained there long enough to hold a session of parliament, he was confident it would neither have contributed to his honour, or to the prosperity or quiet of the people. *On the 28th of October, Sir Henry Cavendish moved, that the condition of that country demanded, that every practical retrenchment consistent with the safety thereof, and with the honourable support of his majesty's government, should be made in its expences. This motion brought on a division, which ascertained the force of the opposition, which had been raised against the administration of Lord Northington. The truth of the proposition was admitted on all sides of the house: the regularity of bringing it forward before the national accounts had been examined, was denied by Mr. Mason, and all on the treasury bench, who had been at all conversant with the practices of that house and the public offices: the expediency of it was violently opposed by Mr. Grattan, and such of the patriotic whigs as sided with the present administration. Mr. Flood, on the other side, warmly supported his friend's motion; though he recommended an amendment in it, by introducing the words, and that the military establishment in its present state affords room for effectual retrenchment. If ministers meant economy, they would agree with that amendment; if not, (alluding to the lord-lieutenant's speech) they meant to amuse them only with idle words. Sir Edward Newnham was remarkably violent in the debate; asserting, that the British ministry had taken the royal closet by assault, under the pretence of economy, and lessening the undue influence of the crown; they had deceived the people: for in Ireland, their substitutes proved the friends of prodigality, and enemies to œconomy: in power, their sentiments and actions were the very reverse of what they were when out of power. The hypocrisy was too daring. This debate became so personal and over heated between the two rival patriots, Messrs. Flood and Grattan, that they were both ordered into custody, 11 Journ. Commons, p. 35. |