with other associated corps, requested a general meeting of delegates of the province on the eighth of September. The representatives of two hundred and seventy-two companies accordingly assembled at Dungannon, on the day specified. Impressed with a high sense of their own strength, and animated with the love of liberty and independence, they published several resolutions concerning the parliamentary representation of the people; and electing five persons to represent each county in a national convention, which they appointed to be held in Dublin in the month of November, they sent pressing solicitations to the other provinces to join in a measure, which they hoped would be attended with consequences so salutary. Their chief complaint was, that of three hundred members who composed the house of commons, only seventy-two were elected by the voice of the people! fifty-three peers having it in their power to nominate a hundred and twenty-four members, and to influence the election of ten; and fifty-two commoners to nominate ninety-one, and influence the election of three! In the new parliament (October) the thanks of both houses were voted to the volunteers, for their spirited support of the execution of the laws; and resolutions were passed, "That in "the present state of the kingdom, it was expedient that there "be a session of parliament held every year." But when the delegates, in compliance with the invitation from Dungannon, met in a national convention in Dublin, and appointing a committee for the purpose, digested and presented a plan of parlia mentary reform, by which every protestant freeholder, possessed of a freehold to the value of forty shillings, should be entitled to vote for the return of a member to parliament for any city or borough where he might reside; by which any member of parliament who should accept a pension or a place from the crown for life, should be deprived of his seat; by which every member should make oath, that he had not, directly nor indirectly, given any consideration to procure the suffrage of an elector; and by which the duration of parliament should be limited to a term not more than two years;-this very parliament rejected the proposition, by a majority of one hundred and fifty-eight to forty-nine; and presented an address to the king, in which they pledged themselves to defend the present constitution with their lives and fortunes. The convention, on the second of December, voted an indefinite adjournment, after resolving to carry on individually such investigations as might be necessary to complete the plan of parliamentary reform; and to address the king, expressing their duty and loyalty, and imploring his majesty, that their humble wish to have parliamentary abuses remedied by the legislature in a reasonable degree, might not be esteemed as proceeding from a spirit of innovation, but merely from the sincerest attachment to, and a desire to support the principles of the constitution, to secure the satisfaction and loyalty of their countrymen, and to render the cordial unanimity and co-operation of the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland perpetual. Thus tamely concluding a business which appeared so formidable at its commencement, and surrendering all hopes of reaping any further benefits to their country by their exertions. Among the various spirited modes of forwarding political innovations in these busy times, was the forming of popular clubs, which, under different appellations, were rapidly established in the metropolis and elsewhere. The principal of these, intitled the Whig Club, was distinguished by the acquisition of many persons high in rank, in talents, and in the estimation of their countrymen. It has been contended, that a majority of the members of this club, wished merely to bring about a reformation of the political system, and to obtain a more equal representation of the people in parliament. Many of them, however, appear to have aimed at the accomplishment of a greater object, a revolution; which was to overturn the existing government, and to establish a democratical commonwealth in its place. These formed connections with the Whigs of the Capital, another revolutionary association, who were evidently bent on a total subversion of the government, and with several other clubs of a similar description; till at length arose that extraordinary and highly formidable society, distinguished by the title of United Irishmen. THE HISTORY OF THE IRISH REBELLION. PART II. From the formation of the Society of United Irishmen, in the Year seventeen hundred and ninety, to the conclusion of the Rebellion in seventeen hundred and ninety-eight. CHAPTER I. WE come now to trace the devastating progress of the late rebellion; and as its origin may not improperly be dated from the formation of the society of United Irishmen, we have commenced this part of our work with stating the rise of that celebrated body. In the month of October, seventeen hundred and ninety, this famous association first appeared in Belfast, a town which, like Sheffield in England, and Boston in America, has been long justly famed for its enlightened and patriotic inhabitants. The first society, in which were inrolled some men who afterwards shone conspicuous as principals in the rebellion, had no sooner published their political principles and views, than three similar clubs were immediately organized in Belfast, from whence their sentiments were diffused, and their measures adopted, with great rapidity throughout the province of Ulster. In the following year the united societies appeared in Dublin, and were soon increased and promoted by some most respectable names and characters, and by men possessed of the most splendid talents. R |