Towards the close of the session Lord Hilwarlin's motion in the House of Commons for a special address to the lord lieutenant, declaratory of their approbation of his Grace's just and wise administration, produced some very angry debates for several days. The treasury bench resounded with the highest eulogies of the peculiar and signal advantages of the Duke of Rutland's administration. His most impressive panegyrist was Mr. Foster who in answer to the three chief arguments from the opposition benches, namely that the people was discontented, that the session had been disgraceful, and that the House of Commons was unpopular, thus expressed himself. "They say, the people have cause to be discontented. I deny it, unless they mean that cause, which no human power could prevent, the "inclemency of the late season. The utmost efforts indeed "have been made to alleviate it, by the corn bill and other measures: I know the news-papers have taken pains to inflame "the public mind, and to irritate the passions of the people, "by false and seditious writings; and those, who credit the "falsehoods of newspapers may be discontented, but I will not

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believe, that there are many such; the more reasonable and discerning persons cannot be misled, they must see, that their "representatives have been watchful of their interests, and that "that session of parliament had been distinguished by many "wise and beneficial acts. They say, that it has been a disgraceful session. He had sat many sessions, and he never knew one wherein so many good acts had been passed, or more pub"lic benefits procured. They said, that house was unpopular : unpopular it might be with the promoters of discontent and "sedition, but it was popular with the wise and discerning: it "would be a fatal day to Ireland, when the people should quar"rel with their parliament. The privileges of that house were "the privileges of the people: its strength was their's, and if "they failed to support its strength and its privileges they were " undone."

The cry on the other hand from the opposition benches was for what bounties received from the Duke of Rutland were the people of Ireland to offer up their thanksgiving? Was it for the rejection of their favourite bill to reform the representation in that house, and to renovate the constitution? Was it for the precipitate dismissal of the equalization bill, without deigning it any offer of redress, any slight promise from the minister to sooth the disappointed? Was it for that lenient and equitable act the postoffice bill, the adoption of which from a former administration "on their own account, because parliament never will be driven into mea"sures; and though otherwise what I promised might be taken up and car"ried into effect, perhaps in a less degree, yet while riot and disturbance con"tinue, nothing can be done."

only aggravated the injury? Was it for the contemptuous rejection of every resolution proposed there, to enforce the residence of certain absentee great officers of the state, who drew immense salaries from that kingdom, and squandered them in another, inattentive to, and negligent of the duties annexed to these offices? Was it for filling the streets of the capital of that free country with an armed host, not amenable to the control, and derogatory to the privileges of its peaceful citizens? Or was it for the transforming the House of Commons into a court of star chamber, and converting the Castle from an Irish court to a French bastile, or a Grenada inquisition? The thanks the people owed for such benevolences were in fact rendered by the torrent of disapprobation and discontent out of doors, which rolled from shore to shore of that kingdom, loudly proclaiming their disapprobation of the administration of his Grace of Rutland in

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The original address, which was highly flattering to the lord lieutenant, was carried by a very decided majority.* After

The following was the address presented to the lord lieutenant (11 Journ. Com. p. 282.)

To his Grace Charles Duke of Rutland, Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland.

The humble address of the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in parliament assembled.

"MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE,

"WE his majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the "commons of Ireland, in parliament assembled, see with particular satisfac"tion the arrival of that period, which calls upon us to review the various "measures of our session, and to testify to your Grace thereupon the warm "sense of our obligation and duty.

"We have at once to congratulate ourselves, and to acknowledge the good"ness of our sovereign, in the appointment of a chief governor, who by atten"tion to regulate his conduct by our wishes, hath fully confirmed the justice "of that early confidence, which we zealously professed in the liberality of "his disposition, and the spirit of his hereditary virtues; a just estimation "of such qualities must ever render him the favourite of a spirited and gene

rous nation.

"We are persuaded, that his majesty hath observed with pleasure our at"tention to those objects, which were recommended to our deliberation at "the opening of the session, and has graciously accepted the assurance of "satisfaction, which we have repeatedly expressed in the blessings of our "happy constitution.

"And when we reflect upon the measures we have taken to ensure a con"stant supply of corn under every possible circumstance; upon the prospect "of benefit in the management of the revenue; upon our attention to make "the additional security of private property a cause of increase to the na"tional credit; upon our provision for the improvement of the metropolis; "and our encouragement of useful establishments, and of various branches of "trade and manufacture, we doubt not of receiving the true reward of our "services, in the approbation of our sovereign, and in the gratitude of our fel "low-subjects.

wards Mr. Griffith moved an address to his majesty, which spoke more dubiously of the lord lieutenant's exertions to second the calls of the country for the improvement of manufactures and other commercial advantages, which was so moderate and so transcendently true, that Mr. Foster, fearing to permit it to go to a vote, artfully compromised the matter, and brought over Mr. Griffith to the treasury bench, where with the alteration of some few words, which Mr. Griffith did not consider very material, such an address was settled as should meet with no opposition. Mr. Griffith in concluding a very warm and impressive speech, before he moved his original address, added these emphatical words. He hoped, "that no man would "be bold enough to move the previous question upon it, the 66 previous question, that political bowstring, with which the "mutes of the Castle strangle every honest subject, which they "dare not openly arraign." The address amended and settled by Mr. Foster, which was voted unanimously, was, "That his "faithful commons humbly begged leave to approach his ma"jesty's throne with hearts full of gratitude for the many blessings they enjoyed under his wise and benignant government: and at the same time to express to his majesty the deep concern 66 they felt for those distresses, which affected many of the "lower ranks of manufacturers in that kingdom. That his faith"ful commons begged leave humbly to represent to his majesty, "that his majesty's subjects in Ireland had always been a loyal people, and had, on every occasion, manifested the warmest "attachment to his majesty's royal person and family. That as

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"We reflect with true pride and satisfaction upon the solid advantages, "which have been obtained for this country within a very short period. "are aware of the situation of the empire, and the peculiar circumstances, " which have prevented the adjustment of some points, which concern our "trade and manufactures, and we rely upon the readiness of your Grace's "liberal and benevolent assistance for the furtherance of such practical mea. "sures as deliberate wisdom and generous policy may adapt to our real "necessities and general interests.

"As guardians of the rights and safety of our fellow subjects, as well as "assertors of the national honour, we have felt ourselves called upon to ex"pres; our abhorrence of tumult and of seditious publications; zealous to "uphold the true spirit of the constitution, we have made it the object of our "unanimous resolution to defend its genuine liberty against the attacks of "licentiousness.

"We have not suffered to escape our grateful observation the early anxiety, which your Grace manifested to remove every apprehension of party preju"dices or partial charges in the councils or measures of government. We "feel and acknowledge the benefits arising from such a principle; we have "studied to shew a sincere disposition to confirm them, by a liberal imita"tion; and we shall be zealous to concur in diffusing throughout every part of "the kingdom the successful influence of so happy an example. Convinced "as we are of the importance to this kingdom of a steady and permanent administration, it is our ardent wish, that his majesty may long continue "your Grace in the government of Ireland."

"they were deeply impressed with his majesty's paternal care "and affection, they entertained the warmest hopes that the "interval between the close of the present session and the "beginning of the next would afford sufficient opportunity for "forming a wise and well digested plan for liberal arrangement "of commercial intercourse between Great Britain and Ireland "to be then brought forward. That his faithful commons "humbly begged leave to assure his majesty, that such a plan, "formed upon the broad basis of reciprocal advantages, would "be the most effectual means of strengthening the empire at "large, and cherishing the common interest and brotherly "affection of both kingdoms."

The parliament was prorogued on the 14th of May, 1784, and the lord lieutenant concluded the session with a speech appropriate to the important and critical situation of the kingdom. That was the first time the Duke of Rutland had personally addressed the parliament. The difficulties of the session were greater from without, than from within the walls of the senate. It appears from the efforts of some of the members upon the armed associations when the session was over, that attempts were made to carry the questions lost in parliament by a majority out of it. After the prorogation the discontent and violence of the

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*MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"IN addressing you for the first time in parliament, at the "close of the session, I embrace with pleasure the occasion, which is afforded "me of returning you my affectionate acknowledgment for the cordiality of my reception, and the early assurances of your confidence. And I am at "the same time highly gratified in being authorized to communicate to you "the sentiments of perfect satisfaction with which his majesty approves of "your exertions for the public welfare.

"GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

"I am happy in obeying his majesty's commands, to thank you for the "cheerfulness with which you have made provision for the exigencies and honour of his government. Let me assure you, on my part, that the readi “ness with which you have granted supplies stimulates my utmost atten“tion and care, that they shall be managed with œconomy, and applied with prudence.

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"You will have much satisfaction in reflecting, that the various objects "which, in consequence of the acknowledged independence of the legislature, "were recommended for your deliberations, at the opening of this session, "have been diligently pursued and accomplished.

"You have wisely given your sanction to the extraordinary expedients, "which it has been necessary to employ in order to preserve the kingdom "from famine; and I feel great satisfaction in the prospect, that they will be "prevented for the future, by the new and judicious arrangement of your corn "laws, and the improved extension of your agriculture.

"I see with pleasure the exertions of an humane and liberal principle, "which has prompted you to give encouragement to the national industry, by favourable regulations and well directed bounties. I have warmly at heart

people rather increased than diminished. The populace frequently assembled, and committed unjustifiable outrages; they attacked the houses and persons of shopkeepers, who were suspected of not favouring the non-importation agreement, and in some instances they proceeded after the American fashion to the desperate measure of "tarring and feathering." Some of the most daring received punishment: and the mob once proceeded to such extremities, that one of the high sheriffs, Mr. Kirkpatrick, in endeavouring to suppress them, received a severe wound in the head, and matters would have proceeded to more serious consequences, had not a party of the military, headed by another magistrate, fortunately came to the sheriff's assistance.

As the principal objection to the introduction of Mr. Flood's bill for a parliamentary reform was, that it originated with an armed body, it was now thought expedient to attempt the measure in some way less exceptionable. The sheriffs and chief magistrates were therefore called upon to convene the inhabitants of their respective counties, fully to discuss that measure; and such a meeting having been convened at Dublin on the 7th of June, 1784, at which the high sheriffs presided, the following resolutions were agreed to, viz.

"the advancement of your trade, and the success of all your manufactures, "and I shall not fail either to consider, or to represent those instances where"of the peculiar circumstances of the empire have hitherto prevented a "full investigation, and which shall be found to require a further adjust

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"The useful regulations proposed to be introduced into the collection and Imanagement of the revenue; the security of private property, and exten"sion of national credit, by depositing in the bank of Ireland, the money of "suitors in the courts of chancery and exchequer; the plans for improving "the metropolis, calculated not more for ornament and splendour, than for "health and convenience; your unanimous determination to defend the free"dom of the constitution against the attacks of licentiousness; and your "attention to the support of charitable institutions, are all unequivocal testi"monies of your wisdom, humanity, and justice.

"I have not failed to convey to our sovereign the satisfaction you have so "decidedly expressed in the blessings of that happy constitution, which you "enjoy under his majesty's auspicious government. Sensible as you are of "those eminent advantages, it can hardly be necessary for me to desire, that 66 you should be attentive to impress them on the minds of others, over whom your superiority of rank and information must and ought to give you a just "and benevolent influence.

"I have a sure confidence, that during your residence in your respective "counties, you will seek to direct and encourage the industry of your neigh "bourhood, in the pursuits best adapted to their situations, and by which "the community at large may be most effectually benefited. You will point "out to them the real resources of a free and fertile country, under the bles"sings of peace, and the mild protection of the laws; and you will not suffer "misapprehensions to perplex, or false informations to misguide them.

"It is my happiness and pride to reflect, that cur united attention has been, "and is directed to the same objects, of maintaining and advancing the rights, "the dignity, and the prosperity of Ireland, and the general interests of the empire."